U.S. patent application number 12/223209 was filed with the patent office on 2010-09-16 for domestic appliances.
Invention is credited to Mikael Anthony Ford Latif.
Application Number | 20100231105 12/223209 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38171597 |
Filed Date | 2010-09-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100231105 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Latif; Mikael Anthony Ford |
September 16, 2010 |
Domestic Appliances
Abstract
A domestic appliance includes a casing with an openable cover.
Storage means is provided within the casing, together with means
for moving the storage means relative to the casing in response to
movement of the cover. The moving means includes means for moving
the storage means in a first manner when the cover is opened so as
to provide access to the storage means and means for moving at
least a part of the storage means in a second manner so as to
provide access to items within the storage means.
Inventors: |
Latif; Mikael Anthony Ford;
(Geneva, CH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Law Office Of;Ira S. Dorman
330 Roberts Street, Suite 200
East Hartford
CT
06108
US
|
Family ID: |
38171597 |
Appl. No.: |
12/223209 |
Filed: |
January 31, 2007 |
PCT Filed: |
January 31, 2007 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/IB2007/000286 |
371 Date: |
July 24, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
312/293.1 ;
312/326 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B 49/004 20130101;
A47B 51/00 20130101; F25D 23/04 20130101; A47B 46/005 20130101;
F25D 25/027 20130101; F25D 25/025 20130101; F25D 25/04
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
312/293.1 ;
312/326 |
International
Class: |
A47B 96/00 20060101
A47B096/00; F25D 23/04 20060101 F25D023/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 8, 2006 |
CH |
0193/06 |
Claims
1-3. (canceled)
4. An appliance as claimed in claim 27, wherein the door (5, 31,
45, 63) is curved.
5-6. (canceled)
7. An appliance as claimed in claim 27, wherein the cover (45) is
provided with support means (61) for supporting at least a part of
the cover when it has been opened.
8-9. (canceled)
10. An appliance as claimed in claim 9, 27, wherein the mounting
means includes track members (15, 39, 59, 71) mounted on an inner
face of the door (5, 31, 45, 63).
11-13. (canceled)
14. An appliance as claimed in claim 27, wherein the storage means
(7, 33, 47, 51. 65) is mounted the support means (13, 37, 57, 69)
by way of a hinge.
15-17. (canceled)
18. An appliance as claimed in claim 27, wherein the storage means
(7, 33, 47, 51, 65) is removable from the support means (13, 37,
57, 69).
19. An appliance as claimed in claim 27, wherein the storage means
is selected from a tray (7), a shelf (33, 47), and a basket
(65).
20. (canceled)
21. An appliance as claimed in claim 27, wherein the storage means
is curved (7, 33, 47).
22. (canceled)
23. An appliance as claimed in claim 27, wherein the storage means
is movable upwardly and downwardly manually.
24. An appliance as claimed in claim 27, wherein the storage means
is pivotable automatically.
25. (canceled)
26. An appliance as claimed in claim 27, wherein the appliance is
selected from a refrigerator, a freezer (3, 51), a cooker, a
dishwasher and furniture.
27. A domestic appliance comprising a casing, a door (5, 31, 45,
63) pivotally mounted on the casing, storage means (7, 33, 47, 51,
65) arranged within the casing when the door is closed, and support
means (13, 37, 57, 69) supporting the storage means and mounted on
the door internally thereof so as to be movable upwardly and
downwardly relative to the door when the door is open so as to
provide access to the storage means, the storage means being
pivotally mounted on the support means in the region of a free edge
of the door so as to pivot in a substantially horizontal plane to
provide access to items within the storage means.
28. An appliance as claimed in claim 4, wherein the door (5, 31,
45, 63) is semi-circular.
29. An appliance as claimed in claim 21, wherein the storage means
is curved (7, 33, 47) in a form selected from substantially
circular, oval and elliptical.
30. An appliance as claimed in claim 27, wherein the storage means
is movable upwardly and downwardly automatically.
31. An appliance as claimed in claim 30, wherein the storage means
is movable upwardly and downwardly automatically in the event of a
user activating a suitable switch.
32. An appliance as claimed in claim 24, wherein the storage means
is pivotable automatically in the event of a user activating a
suitable switch
33. An appliance as claimed in claim 27, wherein the storage means
is pivotable manually.
34. An appliance as claimed in claim 26, wherein the appliance is a
storage cupboard.
Description
[0001] This invention relates to improvements relating to domestic
appliances, such as refrigerators, cookers, freezers and
dishwashers, and also including furniture, such as kitchen
cupboards.
[0002] Although domestic appliances are generally energy-efficient
and operate effectively, the manner in which the interiors of such
appliances are accessed is often inconvenient for a user, who often
finds it necessary to bend, stoop or kneel and finds it difficult
to reach into the interior of an appliance.
[0003] For example, when a refrigerator is full, with food being
stored in the appliance, it is difficult for a user to locate and
remove an item stored in the region of the rear of a shelf. It is
generally necessary to remove, or at least to move, other items in
order to locate the desired item.
[0004] Accessing a freezer compartment or other region at the
bottom of a refrigerator can be difficult for the elderly or
infirm, who may not have the same range of movement as younger
users. Bending in order to access the lower regions of an appliance
can be difficult and frustrating for many users and can result in
injury.
[0005] When a chest freezer is full, it can be difficult and
frustrating for a user to find an item stored at the bottom of the
freezer. Not only can the item be difficult to find, but it is
necessary for the user to bend over in order to reach the lower
region of the interior of the freezer.
[0006] Similar problems can arise with kitchen cupboards which are
located in the region of the kitchen floor.
[0007] It is therefore an object of the present invention to
provide an improved domestic appliance which overcomes or at least
ameliorates the above-described drawbacks of known appliances.
[0008] According to the present invention there is provided a
domestic appliance comprising a casing, an openable cover for the
casing, storage means within the casing, and means for moving the
storage means relative to the casing in response to movement of the
cover, the moving means including means for moving the storage
means in a first manner when the cover is opened so as to provide
access to the storage means and means for moving at least a part of
the storage means in a second manner so as to provide access to
items within the storage means.
[0009] The storage means may be mounted on the cover.
[0010] The cover may be substantially planar or the cover may be
curved, for example semi-circular.
[0011] The cover may be hinged relative to the casing so as to
provide the first manner of movement. Alternatively, the cover may
be slidable relative to the casing, for example towards and away
from the casing, so as to provide the first manner of movement.
[0012] The cover may be provided with support means for supporting
at least a part of the cover when it has been opened.
[0013] The moving means may include means for moving the storage
means in a third manner when the cover is opened so as to provide
access to the storage means. The storage means may be mounted
relative to the cover by support means which is movable upwardly
and downwardly relative to the cover so as to move the storage
means in the third manner. The mounting means may include track
members mounted on an inner face of the cover. Alternatively, the
mounting means may include track members mounted within the
casing.
[0014] The storage means may include secondary storage means which
is pivotably mounted on the primary storage means for movement in a
substantially horizontal plane so as to provide the second manner
of movement. The mounting means for the secondary storage means may
be arranged in the region of a free edge of the cover. The mounting
means may be in the form of a hinge.
[0015] Alternatively, the mounting means may include secondary
storage means which is slidably mounted on the primary storage
means so as to provide the second manner of movement. The second
manner of movement may be in the same direction as the first manner
of movement or may be substantially perpendicular thereto.
[0016] The mounting means may permit the secondary storage means to
be removable from the primary storage means.
[0017] The secondary storage means may be selected from a tray, a
drawer, a shelf, and a basket.
[0018] The secondary storage means may be movable upwardly and
downwardly relative to the primary storage means, for example to
adjust the spacing between adjacent shelves.
[0019] The secondary storage means may be curved, for example
substantially circular, oval or elliptical. Alternatively the
secondary storage means may be substantially rectangular.
[0020] The storage means may be movable manually or automatically,
for example in the event of a user activating a suitable switch.
Where one manner of movement is effected automatically or manually,
another manner of movement may be effected by the same or different
means.
[0021] The appliance may be selected from, for example, a
refrigerator, a freezer, a cooker, a dishwasher and furniture, for
example a storage cupboard.
[0022] For a better understanding of the present invention and to
show more clearly how it may be carried into effect reference will
now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings in
which:
[0023] FIGS. 1 to 5 show embodiments of a combination
refrigerator-freezer according to the present invention;
[0024] FIGS. 6 and 7 show an embodiment of a chest freezer
according to aspects of the present invention;
[0025] FIGS. 8 to 10 show embodiments of a domestic cooking
appliance according to the present invention;
[0026] FIGS. 11 to 13 show embodiments of a refrigerator according
to the present invention;
[0027] FIGS. 14 to 16 show an embodiment of a dishwashing machine
according to the present invention;
[0028] FIG. 17 is a diagrammatic perspective view of part of a
kitchen incorporating appliances according to the present
invention;
[0029] FIGS. 18 to 20 show an arrangement of kitchen cupboards
according to an aspect of the present invention; and
[0030] FIGS. 21 to 23 show a variation of the configuration of the
appliances according to the present invention.
[0031] FIGS. 1 to 5 show various embodiments of a combination
refrigerator-freezer having a refrigerator 1 in an upper part and a
freezer 3 in a lower part. FIG. 1 is a perspective view with the
doors of both parts of the appliance closed and shows that the
appliance is generally in the form of a rectangular box or casing
having a curved, for example semi-circular, front. However, it
should be noted that the appliance may have any convenient overall
shape. Internally the refrigerator 1 and the freezer 3 may also be
curved, for example semi-circular, in order to provide a suitable
space within both the refrigerator and the freezer, for example of
circular cross-section as illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 5 giving rise
to a space of cylindrical configuration.
[0032] FIG. 2 shows a door 5 of the freezer which has been opened,
the door being pivoted open on hinges 6 or the like. The inner side
of the door carries a number of substantially circular trays 7 (or
compartments) to fit within the cylindrical interior of the freezer
3. Such a configuration readily allows the door 5 of the freezer to
be opened and closed. Shown diagrammatically at the top of the
appliance is a circular member 11 and a pair of arrows indicating
that shelves (not shown) within the cylindrical interior of the
refrigerator 1 are rotatable. This will be explained in more detail
hereinafter.
[0033] As can be seen from FIG. 3, the trays 7 are pivotably
mounted in the region of the free edge of the door 5 by way of
hinges 9 such that the trays 7 are pivotable in a substantially
horizontal plane outwardly from the freezer 3 and the door 5
thereof so as to facilitate access to the contents of the trays 7.
The trays 7 are also removable from the door 5, for example by way
of the hinges 9, so as to facilitate cleaning thereof. The trays 7
need not be circular, but could have any suitable configuration,
such as oval or elliptical, which allows the doors of the
refrigerator and of the freezer to be readily opened and closed. It
should be noted that the freezer 3 in FIG. 3 is smaller than that
shown in FIG. 2 in that there is space only for three trays 7 and
the refrigerator is correspondingly larger.
[0034] FIG. 4 shows that the trays 7 are pivotably mounted on a
curved support 13 mounted on the freezer door 5, the support 13
being movable upwardly and downwardly relative to the remainder of
the door 5 by a lifting and lowering means 15 shown
diagrammatically in FIG. 4 so as to facilitate access to the
contents of the trays 7 without the need for the user to bend
substantially. FIG. 4 shows the trays 7 in an elevated
configuration. As indicated in FIG. 4, the lifting and lowering
means 15 may be provided within the structure of the door 5, for
example running in tracks or the like provided on the inner face of
the door 5 in order to minimise friction, and may include an
electric motor together with an associated gearing mechanism.
However, it should be noted that the lifting and lowering mechanism
may be provided elsewhere in relation to the appliance, such as
externally of the door 5. The construction of such a lifting and
lowering mechanism is well within the capability of the average
skilled worker and does not require any invention. If desired, the
lifting and lowering means 15 may be activated automatically when
the freezer door 5 is opened. Alternatively, the lifting and
lowering means may be activated by means of a suitable switch or
may be operable manually. Where the lifting and lowering means 15
is activated automatically this may be combined with automatic
opening of the freezer door 5, such as by means of a suitable
switch. The trays 7 may be rotated outwardly, either automatically
or manually, either individually or collectively.
[0035] In FIG. 5 a door 17 of the refrigerator 1 is open, revealing
a number of circular shelves 19. As shown by the arrows adjacent to
the shelves in FIG. 5, the shelves 19 can be rotated in either
direction. If desired, the shelves may be rotated by a rotating
system 21 which may rotate the shelves either individually or
collectively. The rotating system 21 may cause the shelves 19 to
rotate in a number of different modes, either preset or selectable
by the user. For example the shelves may be rotated automatically
or semi-automatically (such as a predetermined degree of rotation
for each activation of a switch) and may be rotated stepwise if
desired. As a further alternative, the shelves 19 may be rotated
under manual control, such as by actuating a suitable switch. As a
further alternative, the rotating system 21 may be omitted and the
shelves 19 may be rotated manually.
[0036] Such an appliance may be referred to as an ASCEART
(Automated Shelves Compartment Elevator And Revolving Technology)
appliance
[0037] FIGS. 6 and 7 show a perspective view of a chest freezer,
with FIG. 7 showing the freezer having a casing and a number of
compartments 23 arranged side-by-side, each compartment having a
number of drawers 25, while FIG. 6 shows the compartments 23
lowered into a body 27 of the freezer and sealing the freezer in a
closed configuration. Thus, the tops of the compartments 23
function as a lid for the freezer when fully lowered into the body
27. The compartments 23 are mounted within the body 27 by means of
a support system (not shown) which moves the compartments upwardly
and downwardly with minimal friction. As can be seen from FIG. 7,
the compartments 23 can be elevated to different heights, thus
allowing a differing number of drawers 25 to be exposed. The
compartments can be raised and lowered independently of each other
and so can be raised to the same or different heights, or only a
single compartment can be raised by itself. Consequently, a user
can raise a chosen compartment, for example using a suitable switch
to actuate the support system in order to raise the compartment to
an appropriate height in order to open and to access a desired
drawer 25 without the need for substantial bending. The drawers may
be opened and closed manually, using a handle 29 or may be opened
and closed automatically using a suitable switch. The construction
of such a support system is well within the capability of the
average skilled worker and does not itself require any
invention.
[0038] FIGS. 8 to 10 show a domestic cooker, with FIG. 8 being a
perspective view of the cooker with an oven door 31 in a closed
position. As can be seen from FIG. 8 the cooker is generally in the
form of a rectangular box or casing having a curved, for example,
semi-circular, front, although the cooker may have any convenient
shape. Internally the oven may be curved, for example
semi-circular, in order to provide a suitable space within the
oven, for example of circular cross-section giving rise to a space
of cylindrical configuration.
[0039] FIG. 9 shows the door 31 of the oven in an opened position,
the door being pivotably mounted on hinges 32 or the like. The
inner side of the door carries a number of substantially circular
oven shelves 33 to fit within the cylindrical interior of the oven.
Such a configuration readily allows the door 31 of the oven to be
opened and closed without the shelves catching on the oven.
[0040] As can be seen from FIGS. 9 and 10, the oven shelves 33 are
pivotably mounted in the region of the free edge of the oven door
31 by way of hinges 35 or the like such that the shelves 33 are
pivotable in a substantially horizontal plane outwardly from the
oven and the oven door so as to facilitate access to the shelves.
The shelves 33 are also removable from the oven door, for example
by way of the hinges 35, so as to facilitate cleaning thereof and
also to enable the number of shelves to be varied. The shelves may
also be movable upwardly and downwardly relative to each other in
order the adapt the spacing between the shelves to the foods being
cooked within the oven. The shelves 33 do not need to be circular,
but could have any suitable configuration, such as oval or
elliptical, which allows the door of the oven to be readily opened
and closed. It should be noted that the configuration of the oven
in FIG. 10 is different to that in FIG. 9 in that three shelves 33
are provided in the oven of FIG. 10, while only two shelves are
provided in FIG. 9.
[0041] As can be seen particularly from FIG. 10, the shelves 33 are
pivotably mounted on a curved support 37 which is in turn mounted
on the inside face of the oven door 31. The support 37 is movable
upwardly and downwardly relative to the remainder of the oven door
31 by a lifting and lowering means 39 shown diagrammatically in
FIG. 10 so as to facilitate access to the shelves 33 without the
need for the user to bend substantially. FIG. 10 shows the shelves
33 in an elevated configuration. As indicated in FIG. 10, the
lifting and lowering means 39 may be provided within the structure
of the door 31, for example running in tracks or the like provided
on the inner face of the door. The construction of such a lifting
and lowering mechanism is well within the capability of the average
skilled worker and does not itself require any invention. If
desired, the lifting and lowering means 39 may be activated
automatically when the oven door 31 is opened. Alternatively, the
lifting and lowering means may be activated by means of a suitable
switch or may be operable manually. Where the lifting and lowering
means 39 is activated automatically this may be combined with
automatic opening of the oven door 31, such as by means of a
suitable switch. The shelves 33 may be pivotable outwardly, whether
automatically or manually, either individually or collectively.
[0042] In addition to an oven, the domestic cooker of FIGS. 8 to 10
also includes a hob 41 which is provided with a number of heated
areas 43. As indicated by the arrows in FIGS. 9 and 10, the hob 41
is rotatably mounted above the oven in order that the user can
rotate the hob to bring a desired heated area 43 from a rear region
of the hob to a front region thereof. Such an arrangement allows
the user to obtain ready access to cooking utensils irrespective of
which heated area 43 is being used. This is particularly beneficial
when all the heated areas are being used or when heated areas of
differing size are required, the respective heated areas being
spaced apart on the hob surface. The construction of such a
rotating arrangement is well within the capability of the average
skilled worker and does not itself require any invention.
[0043] FIGS. 11 to 13 show various embodiments of a refrigerator,
in particular an under-counter refrigerator. FIG. 11 is a
perspective view with the door of the refrigerator closed and shows
that the appliance is generally in the form of a rectangular box or
casing having a curved, for example semi-circular, front, although
the appliance may have any convenient shape. Internally the
refrigerator may also be curved, for example semi-circular, in
order to provide a suitable space within the appliance, for example
of circular cross-section as illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13 giving
rise to a space of cylindrical configuration.
[0044] FIGS. 12 and 13 show a door 45 of the refrigerator which has
been opened by pivoting the door on hinges 46 or the like,
revealing a number of substantially circular shelves (or trays) 47
to fit within the circular interior of the refrigerator. Such a
configuration readily allows the door 45 of the refrigerator to be
opened and closed. It will be noted that two shelves 47 are shown
in FIG. 12, while three shelves 47 are shown in FIG. 13.
[0045] As can be seen from FIGS. 12 and 13, the shelves 47 are
pivotably mounted in the region of the free edge of the door 45 by
way of hinges 49 or the like such that the shelves 47 are pivotable
in a substantially horizontal plane outwardly from the refrigerator
and the door 45 thereof so as to facilitate access to the contents
of the refrigerator stored on the shelves 47. The shelves 47 are
also removable from the door 45, for example by way of the hinges
49, so as to facilitate cleaning thereof. The shelves 47 need not
be circular, but could have any suitable configuration, such as
oval or elliptical, which allows the door of the refrigerator to be
readily opened and closed.
[0046] FIGS. 12 and 13 also show a substantially circular freezer
compartment 51 which may also be pivotably mounted in the region of
the free edge of the door 45 (and removable therefrom) by way of
one or more hinges 49 so as to be pivotable in a substantially
horizontal plane outwardly from the refrigerator to facilitate
access to the interior of the freezer compartment. However, the
freezer compartment is provided with a cover (or lid) 53 which is
pivotably mounted in the region of the free edge of the door 45 in
a manner similar to the shelves 47 so as to provide access to the
interior of the freezer compartment 51. Alternatively, the cover 53
may be pivotably (or otherwise) mounted on the freezer compartment
itself. The freezer compartment 51 is provided with connection
means 55 for connecting internally of the refrigerator to means for
cooling the interior of the freezer compartment.
[0047] FIGS. 12 and 13 show that the shelves 47 and the freezer
compartment 51 are pivotably mounted on a curved support 57 mounted
on the refrigerator door 45, the support 57 being movable upwardly
and downwardly relative to the remainder of the door 45 by a
lifting and lowering means 59 shown diagrammatically in FIGS. 12
and 13 so as to facilitate access to the contents of the shelves
and the freezer compartment without the need for the user to bend
substantially. FIG. 13 shows the shelves 47 in an elevated
configuration. As indicated in FIG. 13, the lifting and lowering
means 59 may be provided within the structure of the door 45, for
example running in tracks or the like provided on the inner face of
the door. The lifting and lowering means may be provided elsewhere
relative to the appliance if desired. The construction of such a
lifting and lowering means is well within the capability of the
average skilled worker and does not require any invention. If
desired, the lifting and lowering means 59 may be activated
automatically when the refrigerator door 45 is opened.
Alternatively, the lifting and lowering means may be activated by
means of a suitable switch or may be operated manually. Where the
lifting and lowering means 59 is activated automatically this may
be combined with automatic opening of the refrigerator door, such
as by means of a suitable switch. The shelves 47 and, if desired,
the freezer compartment 51, whether operated automatically or
manually, may be rotated outwardly either individually or
collectively.
[0048] The refrigerator door 45 may be provided with
ground-engaging support means 61 which assists in supporting the
door in the region of the free edge thereof when the door is open
and therefore serves to reduce the stress on the door and its
supports when the door is open. The support means 61 may include a
wheel, castor or the like if desired.
[0049] FIGS. 14 to 16 show an embodiment of a dishwashing machine.
FIG. 14 is a,perspective view with the door of the dishwasher
closed and shows that the appliance is generally in the form of a
rectangular box or casing having a curved, for example,
semi-circular, front, although the appliance may have an
alternative shape if desired. Internally, the dishwasher may also
be curved, for example semi-circular, in order to provide a
suitable space within the appliance, for example of circular
cross-section as illustrated in FIGS. 15 and 16 giving rise to a
space of cylindrical configuration.
[0050] FIGS. 15 and 16 show a door 63 of the dishwasher which has
been opened by pivoting the door on hinges 64 or the like,
revealing a number of substantially circular baskets 65 to fit
within the circular interior of the dishwasher. Such a
configuration readily allows the door 63 of the dishwasher to be
opened and closed.
[0051] As can be seen from FIGS. 15 and 16, the baskets 65 are
pivotably mounted in the region of the free edge of the door 63 by
way of hinges 67 or the like such that the baskets are pivotable in
a substantially horizontal plane outwardly from the dishwasher and
the door 63 thereof so as to facilitate access to the items within
the dishwasher and accommodated within the baskets 65. The baskets
65 are also removable from the dishwasher door 63, for example by
way of hinges 67, so as to facilitate cleaning thereof. The baskets
65 need not be circular, but could have any convenient
configuration, such as oval or elliptical, which allows the door of
the dishwasher to be readily opened and closed.
[0052] FIGS. 15 and 16 show that the baskets 65 are pivotably
mounted on a curved support 69 mounted on the dishwasher door 63,
the support 69 being movable upwardly and downwardly relative to
the remainder of the door 63 by a lifting and lowering means 71,
shown diagrammatically in FIG. 16, so as to facilitate access to
the contents of the baskets 65 without the need for the user to
bend substantially. FIG. 16 shows the baskets 65 in an elevated
configuration. As indicated in FIG. 16, the lifting and lowering
means 71 may be provided within the structure of the door 63, for
example running in tracks or the like provided on the inner face of
the door or elsewhere relative to the appliance if desired. The
construction of such a lifting and lowering means is well within
the capability of the average skilled worker and does not require
any invention. If desired, the lifting and lowering means 71 may be
activated automatically when the dishwasher door 63 is opened.
Alternatively, the lifting and lowering means may be activated by
means of a suitable switch or may be operated manually. Where the
lifting and lowering means 71 is activated automatically, this may
be combined with automatic opening of the dishwasher door 63, such
as by means of a suitable switch. The baskets 65, whether operated
automatically or manually, may be rotated outwardly either
individually or collectively.
[0053] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of part of a kitchen
incorporating a cooker according to FIGS. 8 to 10 and a combination
refrigerator-freezer according to FIGS. 1 to 5.
[0054] FIGS. 18 to 20 are perspective views of an arrangement of
kitchen cupboards in which at least cupboards 73 and 75 comprise a
casing and a door and incorporate aspects of the present invention.
As can be seen from FIG. 19, the cupboards 73 and 75 incorporate a
track system 77 or the like which can be positioned, for example,
in the region of the top (cupboard 73) or bottom (cupboard 75) of
the cupboard in order to allow a shelving unit 79 to slide out from
the cupboard and to return to a closed position.
[0055] As can be seen from FIG. 20, the shelving unit 79
incorporates a lifting and lowering means indicated by the arrows
in FIG. 20 so as to allow shelves 81 within the shelving unit to be
lowered and raised as appropriate. As is apparent from FIG. 20,
shelves 81 at a significant distance above ground level will first
be lowered to provide access to the contents of the shelves and
then raised, while shelves close to ground level will first be
raised to provide access to the contents of the shelves and then
lowered. Thus, the shelves 81 in the cupboard 73 will be lowered to
provide access and then raised for stowing in the cupboard, while
the shelves 81 of the cupboard 75 will be raised to provide access
and then lowered for stowing in the cupboard.
[0056] FIG. 20 also shows that the shelves 81, once they have been
moved (lowered or raised) to provide access, can then be moved in a
substantially horizontal plane, as indicated by the arrows in FIG.
20, to further improve access to an individual shelf. The shelves
81 may be moved in the same general direction as the initial
movement of the shelving unit 79 so as to further extend the
combination of the shelving unit and the shelf in a single
direction, or alternatively the shelves 81 may be moved in a
direction substantially perpendicular (laterally) to the initial
direction of movement of the shelving unit 79.
[0057] If desired, the lifting and lowering means may be activated
automatically when the cupboard 73, 75 is opened. Alternatively,
the lifting and lowering means may be activated by means of a
suitable switch or may be operable manually. The further movement
of the shelves may be operated manually or by means of a suitable
switch.
[0058] It should be noted that the sliding shelves can be replaced
by other arrangements if desired. For example, the shelves may be
rotatable about an axis or one or more of the shelves may replaced
by a drawer, for example for cutlery.
[0059] As an alternative, in a manner similar to that described
above, for example in relation to FIGS. 1 to 5, the kitchen
cupboards may have a curved, for example semi-circular, door. The
shelves may then be mounted on a curved support mounted internally
of the door, the support being movable upwardly and downwardly
relative to the remainder of the door by a lifting and lowering
means so as to facilitate access to the shelves. The shelves may
then be pivotably mounted in a region of the support adjacent to a
free edge of the door. The shelves need not be circular, but could
have any suitable configuration, such as oval or elliptical, which
allows the door to be readily opened and closed. As noted above,
the appliance may have an alternative shape if desired.
[0060] FIGS. 21 to 23 show a variation of the configuration of the
various appliances, with particular reference to a combination
refrigerator-freezer comprising a casing with a slidable door. FIG.
21 shows a combination refrigerator-freezer in a closed
configuration, including a freezer 83, while FIG. 22 shows that the
freezer incorporates a track system 85 or the like which is
positioned in the region of the bottom of the freezer in order to
allow a support unit 87 to slide out of the freezer and to return
to a closed position. As can be seen from FIGS. 22 and 23, a pack
of drawers 89 is mounted within the support unit 87 and
incorporates a lifting and lowering means 91, shown
diagrammatically in FIG. 23, so as to facilitate access to the
drawers 89 without the need for the user to bend substantially.
FIG. 23 indicates that the lifting and lowering means 91 may be
provided within the structure of the freezer, for example running
in tracks or the like provided on the inside face of a closure 93
for the freezer 83, or elsewhere relative to the appliance if
desired. The construction of such a lifting and lowering means is
well within the capability of the average skilled worker and does
not require any invention.
[0061] Once the pack of drawers 89 has been raised (or lowered) to
the required height, the drawers may be opened and subsequently
closed. If desired, the lifting and lowering means may be activated
automatically when the freezer 83 is opened (which may be
accomplished either manually or by means of a suitable switch).
Alternatively, the lifting and lowering means may be activated by
means of a suitable switch or may be operated manually. Opening and
closing of the drawers may be effected either manually or by means
of a suitable switch.
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