U.S. patent application number 12/888455 was filed with the patent office on 2011-09-08 for assist lift.
Invention is credited to Kenneth Robert Niemiec.
Application Number | 20110214942 12/888455 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44530342 |
Filed Date | 2011-09-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110214942 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Niemiec; Kenneth Robert |
September 8, 2011 |
Assist Lift
Abstract
The lift assembly eliminates the need for unsightly items such
as step ladders, stools etc. in the personal kitchen area. It
provides safe, easy access to upper areas that are difficult to
reach. The lift assembly has a step that extends automatically by a
convenient and simple toe tap to the cabinet kick panel located at
the bottom of all standard kitchen cabinets. Upon extension, the
step raises to a height of up to ten inches. Once a person has
stepped off the step a load sensor first triggers the automatic
lowering of the step and then urges the front movable section of
the telescoping frame to retract back under the cabinet where it is
out of sight and ready for use again. No unsightly ladders, no
tripping over step stools.
Inventors: |
Niemiec; Kenneth Robert;
(Seabeck, WA) |
Family ID: |
44530342 |
Appl. No.: |
12/888455 |
Filed: |
September 23, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61310895 |
Mar 5, 2010 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
182/19 ;
182/129 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E06C 1/005 20130101;
A47B 2220/05 20130101; E04G 3/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
182/19 ;
182/129 |
International
Class: |
E04G 3/00 20060101
E04G003/00 |
Claims
1. A lift assembly for extending the upward reach of a person
comprising: a non-movable section of a telescoping frame located in
the unused space under a kitchen cabinet, a movable section of the
telescoping frame movably coupled to the non-movable section
between an extended position and a retracted position wherein the
non-movable section is located outside the unused space under the
kitchen cabinet when in the extended position and is located under
the kitchen cabinet when in the retracted position; a gear rack
attached to the non-movable section of the telescoping frame; a
gear coupled to the movable section and positioned to engage the
gear rack; a motor coupled to the gear to urge the movable section
to its extended position or its retracted position; a step having a
rear edge facing the back of the kitchen cabinet and a front edge
facing away from the back of the kitchen cabinet; a first pair of
support legs for supporting the rear edge of the step and a second
pair of support legs for supporting the front edge of the step; and
step height controlling means located between the step and the
movable section for raising the step to its elevated position or
retracting the step to lying flat within the interior of the
movable section.
2. The lift assembly of claim 1 wherein the non-movable section is
substantially square or rectangular and has a two side walls and a
back wall.
3. The lift assembly of claim 2 wherein the movable section is
substantially square or rectangular and has a two side walls, a
back wall and a front wall.
4. The lift assembly of claim 3 wherein the non-movable section of
the telescoping frame is attached to the kitchen cabinet side walls
below the bottom of the kitchen cabinet.
5. The lift assembly of claim 3 wherein the gear rack is attached
to a side wall of the movable section.
6. The lift assembly of claim 5 wherein the gear rack is attached
to a side wall of the non-movable section of the telescoping frame;
and the gear coupled to the movable section and positioned to
engage the gear rack is attached to a side wall of the movable
section.
7. The lift assembly of claim 6 wherein the first pair of support
legs are pivotally connected to the step at one end and to an acme
screw actuator at the other end, and the second pair of support
legs are pivotally connected to the step at the other end and to
another acme screw actuator at the other end.
8. The lift assembly of claim 7 wherein the two acme screw
actuators are urged to rotate is one direction to raise the step
and in the opposite direction to lower the step.
9. The lift assembly of claim 8 wherein the two acme screw
actuators are connected to a common gear to rotate at the same
speed.
10. The lift assembly of claim 9 wherein a motor is coupled to the
common gear to drive the two acme screw actuators at the same
speed.
11. The lift assembly of claim 3 wherein the movable section is
supported by rollers on which the movable section rolls as it moves
between an extended position and a retracted position.
12. The lift assembly of claim 11 wherein a module control is
coupled to a switch coupled to the front wall of the movable
section which, when the front wall is kicked, initiates operation
of the motor to move the movable section to its extended position
and then initiates operation of the two acme screws to raise the
step.
13. The lift assembly of claim 12 wherein the module control which
is coupled to a load sensor that senses a load on the step,
initiates operation of the two acme screws to lower the step and
then initiates operation of the motor to move the movable section
to its retracted position.
14. The lift assembly of claim 12 wherein the front wall of the
movable section can be coupled to a false front that matches the
surrounding cabinetry wood species or material.
15. The lift assembly of claim 13 wherein the step can be raised to
a height of between four inches and ten inches.
16. The lift assembly of claim 15 wherein the non-movable section
has a width of 22 inches, a depth of 18 inches and a depth of 3.5
inches.
Description
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This patent application claims the benefit of U.S.
Provisional Application No. 61/310,895 filed on Mar. 5, 2010, the
disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by
reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to collapsible steps and more
specifically relates to a collapsible step assembly for storing in
the unused space under a kitchen cabinet.
[0004] 2. Description of Related Art
[0005] The use of collapsible steps is known in the prior art. More
specifically, by way of example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,017,708 to Lynn
discloses a portable unit that allows the user to have an
additional step. The device is in the shape of a hollow,
rectangular box with a piece of wood with a hole in the middle.
This piece of wood rotates up and down and provides the additional
step. The hole in the center of the piece allows the owner to carry
the device from location to location with relative ease.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 6,439,342 to Boykin discloses an apparatus
having one or two steps which is stored under a counter. When in
its single step configuration the apparatus has a front wall, side
walls, a rear wall, and a top wall that provides a first step. A
folding line formed in the top wall enables the structure to be
rotated to provide a second step.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 6,425,457 to Lundry discloses a collapsible
step assembly for storing in a drawer of a cabinet. An end of the
staircase is pivotally coupled to the drawer between an extended
position and a retracted position. In the extended position the
staircase extends out through an opening in the drawer. In the
retracted position the staircase is in the interior of the
drawer.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 5,755,498 to Cutler discloses a pull out step
for a bathroom vanity wherein a child may stand on the step. The
step slidably projects out from under a floor of a vanity
cabinet.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 5,697,470 to Carle discloses a ladder with
integral housing, hinges, and axle for use in conjunction with
independent support structures. The device can be used to extend a
users reach height, and then stowed away within the housing.
[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 5,341,897 to Gross discloses a collapsible and
retractable step apparatus having first and second steps. The steps
extend from a shelf above a floor. A support and suspension leg
unit is free at a first end and is rotationally secured at a second
end to the second step. The leg unit positions and supports the
first and second steps in a contiguous plane.
[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 5,131,492 to Caminiti, et al. discloses a
collapsible folding step-stool which is mountable to a cabinet
door. The step stool has a platform which is movable between a
lowered horizontal position and a raised vertical inoperative
position.
[0012] U.S. Pat. No. 5,005,667 to Anderson discloses a retractable
step assembly for a floor cabinet having an open rectangular base
slidably mounted in an interior space at the bottom of the cabinet
immediately above the floor and is located in the cabinet or in
front of the cabinet. A step which fits inside the base can be
raised up from the base when the base is extended in front of the
cabinet.
[0013] U.S. Pat. No. 4,846,304 to Rasmussen discloses a collapsible
step apparatus for use in combination with a kitchen cabinet shelf.
The step is secured to the underside of the kitchen cabinet shelf
and can be extended or retracted relative to the cabinet shelf.
[0014] U.S. Pat. No. 3,481,429 to Gaede discloses a draw step for
mounting in a kitchen cabinet and having legs which slid and fold
for storable within the frame
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0015] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, there
is disclosed a lift assembly for extending the upward reach of a
person comprising:
[0016] a non-movable section of a telescoping frame located in the
unused space under a kitchen cabinet,
[0017] a movable section of the telescoping frame movably coupled
to the non-movable section between an extended position and a
retracted position wherein the non-movable section is located
outside the unused space under the kitchen cabinet when in the
extended position and is located under the kitchen cabinet when in
the retracted position;
[0018] a gear rack attached to the non-movable section of the
telescoping frame;
[0019] a gear coupled to the movable section and positioned to
engage the gear rack;
[0020] a motor coupled to the gear to urge the movable section to
its extended position or its retracted position;
[0021] a step having a rear edge facing the back of the kitchen
cabinet and a front edge facing away from the back of the kitchen
cabinet;
[0022] a first pair of support legs for supporting the rear edge of
the step and a second pair of support legs for supporting the front
edge of the step; and
[0023] step height controlling means located between the step and
the movable section for raising the step to its elevated position
or retracting the step to lying flat within the interior of the
movable section.
[0024] The more important features of the invention have thus been
outlined in order that the more detailed description that follows
may be better understood and in order that the present contribution
to the art may better be appreciated. Additional features of the
invention will be described hereinafter and will form the subject
matter of the claims that follow.
[0025] Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention
in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited
in its application to the details of construction and the
arrangements of the components set forth in the following
description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is
capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out
in various ways. Also it is to be understood that the phraseology
and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description
and should not be regarded as limiting.
[0026] As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the
conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be
utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods
and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present
invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded
as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not
depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
[0027] The foregoing has outlined, rather broadly, the preferred
feature of the present invention so that those skilled in the art
may better understand the detailed description of the invention
that follows. Additional features of the invention will be
described hereinafter that form the subject of the claims of the
invention. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that they can
readily use the disclosed conception and specific embodiment as a
basis for designing or modifying other structures for carrying out
the same purposes of the present invention and that such other
structures do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention
in its broadest form.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0028] Other aspects, features, and advantages of the present
invention will become more fully apparent from the following
detailed description, the appended claim, and the accompanying
drawings in which similar elements are given similar reference
numerals.
[0029] FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a step for extending
the reach of a person to a high kitchen cabinet where the step is
in front of its storage space under the base of a kitchen cabinet
in accordance with the principles of the invention;
[0030] FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the step retracted to
its storage condition under the base of a kitchen cabinet in
accordance with the principles of the invention;
[0031] FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of the step fully retracted
within a movable section of a telescoping support frame located in
a non-movable section which normally resides under the base of a
kitchen cabinet in accordance with the principles of the
invention;
[0032] FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of the step fully retracted
within the movable section of the telescoping support frame of FIG.
3 where the movable section of the telescoping support frame is
fully extended;
[0033] FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of the step inside the
movable section of the telescoping support frame partially raised;
and
[0034] FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of the fully raised step
inside the movable section of the telescoping support frame.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0035] Referring to FIG. 1, there is disclosed a side elevational
view of the Assist Lift here disclosed in its retracted storage
position. The step, when elevated, allows a person to extend
his/her reach to a high kitchen floor cabinet where the step is in
front of the floor cabinet and its storage space in accordance with
the principles of the invention. While the invention disclosed is
described as being used in a kitchen, it is understood that the
invention may be used in any room of the house.
[0036] A kitchen 10 has a counter top 12 mounted on top of a floor
kitchen cabinet 14 which has a base 16 that is normally elevated
about three and one half inches above the kitchen floor to provide
an enclosed unused space 18. Located above the floor cabinet is a
wall mounted cabinet 20 which normally includes shelves for storing
breakfast, lunch and dinner plates, glasses, cups, saucers, etc.
The Assist Lift 22 includes a retractable step 24 which is stored
in a collapsed or retracted condition in the unused space 18 under
the floor cabinet when not in use and, when in use is located in
front of the floor cabinet and is fully raised to allow a person to
extend their reach to place and/or retrieve plates, glasses, cups,
etc. located in the wall mounted cabinet by stepping on the
elevated step.
[0037] The Assist Lift is stored in the unused space between the
kitchen floor and the bottom of the kitchen floor cabinet and, when
in use, a movable section 26 of a telescoping support frame, which
is movably connected to a non-movable section 30 (see FIG. 3) of
the telescoping support frame which normally resides under the base
of the kitchen floor cabinet. The movable section can extend beyond
the front of the floor cabinet and includes a step which can be
elevated to a desired height of between four inches and ten inches,
more or less, for a person to step on.
[0038] Referring to FIG. 2, there is shown a front elevational view
of the Assist Lift which provides a step for extending the reach of
a person to a high kitchen cabinet where the front movable section
26 of the telescoping support frame step 24 is in front of its
storage space under the base of the kitchen floor cabinet and the
step is elevated.
[0039] Referring to FIG. 3, there is shown a top perspective view
of the step collapsed inside the not extended movable section of a
telescoping support frame having a non-movable section which
normally resides under the base of a kitchen cabinet.
[0040] The Assist Lift includes a telescoping frame 32 that has two
sides 34, 36 and may have a back which makes up the non-movable
section that supports the front movable section 26 which in turn
supports the retractable step 24 and its height controlling
structure. The front of the movable section is the face of the
cabinet base kick. The size of the height controlling structure can
vary to fit different applications. In the embodiment here
disclosed the size of the non-movable section of the telescoping
support frame is about 22 inches wide, approximately 18 inches deep
and 3.5 inches high.
[0041] Located within the front movable section of the telescoping
support frame are two acme lead screws 40, 42 (see FIG. 6) which
are used to raise and lower the step 24. Four polyurethane rollers
(not shown) are rotatably attached to the front movable section of
the telescoping support frame to allow the front movable section 26
of the telescoping frame to easily roll in and out.
[0042] Located in the front movable section 26 of the telescoping
frame is a mechanism that includes a first small drive motor and
gearing for moving the front movable section 26 in and out of the
non-movable section of the telescoping support frame and a second
small drive motor and lift mechanism for raising and lowering the
retractable step 24. An electronic control module which controls
and monitors the in and out motion of the movable section of the
telescoping support frame, controls and monitors the up and down
motion of the retractable step and is connected to safety sensors
via associated electronic i.e.: switches, motors, sensing etc. A
person with ordinary skill in the art can provide the electronic
control module for performing the various noted functions and,
therefore, the electronic control module is not shown or
described.
[0043] Located on the front wall 26 of the movable section of the
telescoping support frame is a spring loaded switch plate (not
shown) that initiates the sequence of events of urging the movable
section of the telescoping support frame to move out from under the
kitchen counter and activates the lift mechanism to safely and
efficiently raise the retractable step to a desired height.
[0044] Referring to FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 where FIG. 4 shows a top
perspective view of the step fully retracted within the fully
extended movable section of the telescoping support frame; FIG. 5
shows a top perspective view of the partially raised step inside
the movable section of the telescoping support frame; and FIG. 6
shows a top perspective view of the fully raised step inside the
movable section of the telescoping support frame.
[0045] A first drive motor 44 is coupled to a shaft 46 which drives
twin gears that are coupled to the front movable section 26 of the
telescoping frame. The twin gears engage rack races 51 located on
each side wall 48, 50 on the non-movable rear section of the
telescoping frame. The first drive motor 44 drives the twin gears
against the fixed gear races 51 to cause the front movable section
of the telescoping frame to move in and out of the non-movable
section of the telescoping frame.
[0046] A second drive motor 49 (see FIG. 6) is coupled to a gear
box that turns acme screws 40, 42 which engage drive nuts 47, 50
that are attached to the rear legs 52 and front legs 54 of the
retractable step. More specifically, as acme screws 40 and 42 turn
in one direction such as clockwise, the bottom ends of the rear
legs 52 and front legs 54 of the retractable step move away from
each other and the step rises. In a similar manner, as acme screws
40 and 42 turn in the other direction, counter-clockwise, the
bottom ends of the rear legs 52 and the bottom ends of the front
legs 54 of the retractable step move toward each other and the
retractable step retracts into the front movable section of the
telescoping frame.
[0047] The Acme screws are perpendicularly mounted to the drive
motor and are housed in the front movable section of the
telescoping frame. The motor and drive assembly can be mounted
inside or outside the front movable section of the telescoping
frame. Four free wheeling polyurethane rollers are rotatably
mounted to the front movable section of the telescoping frame to
allow the front movable section of the telescoping frame to freely
move in and out of the non-movable section of the telescoping
frame.
[0048] The retractable step 24 can have a length of 15 inches and a
depth of 12 inches more or less. Switches (not shown) that act as
limit or position indicators for the front movable section of the
telescoping frame and the retractable step, and a load sensing
system for monitoring the lift mechanism are provided. Located on
the front wall of the front movable section of the telescoping
frame is a spring loaded kick plate that causes a contact switch to
activate the in/out drive motor 44. Also located on the front wall
of the movable section of the telescoping frame are locations which
are allocated for mounting a false front that matches the
surrounding cabinetry wood species or other material.
[0049] To operate the Assist Lift disclosed, a person upon
approaching the cabinet simply taps his/her toe against the
spring-loaded kick plate mounted on the front of the movable
section of the telescoping frame. The control electronics
recognizes that the faceplate switch has been activated and sends a
signal to the drive electronics which first activates the first
drive motor 44 to drive the movable section of the telescoping
frame out from under the floor mounted kitchen cabinet until the
drive position switch is triggered to tell the motor control to
stop driving and begin activating the second drive motor 49 until
an upper lift position sensor detects that the retractable step is
at its desired height. At this time the Assist Lift is ready to
use. The retractable step is coupled to a sensor that tells the
electronics that there is a load on the step when a person has
stepped onto the step 24 and is using the device. After use, when
the person steps off the retractable step, the sensor no longer
senses a load and the electronics is triggered to begin lowering
the retractable step. Once the retractable step is lowered and is
located in the movable section of the telescoping frame, the
electronics tells the first drive motor 44 to reverse direction and
urge the movable section of the telescoping frame into the
non-movable section of the telescoping frame. A position switch
acknowledges that the front movable section has been fully
retracted and shuts off the drive current and resets the system for
further use. This entire process can also be controlled with a
manual control pad mounted in a desired location. A remote control
with a parental lockout feature can also be provided to prevent
possible child injuries.
[0050] The telescoping frame can be made using prefabricated sides,
front, back and, if desired a bottom which provides support for the
drive components and associated electronics. Rollers can be
attached to the movable section of the telescoping frame and a
spring-load faceplate can be attached to the front wall of the
movable section. The motors and gearing can be located within the
telescoping frame and carefully positioned for non-interruption of
movement. The telescoping frame can be a simple two-sided/single
backed surround structure that can quickly and easily be mounted
under the floor of a kitchen cabinet.
[0051] Any one of several embodiments can be used to drive the
front movable section of the telescoping frame in and out of the
non-movable section. For example, in one embodiment the first motor
can be located in the movable section of the telescoping frame and
a drive screw that contacts the back of the movable unit can be
provided for moving the front movable section. In another
embodiment the drive motor can be mounted outside the front movable
section and the drive screw length can be used to drive the
assembly. Single motor applications can also be used. In another
embodiment optical sensing or discrete sensing, capacitive
technology, solid state and/or mechanical switching/sensing,
pneumatic drive or even possibly hydraulic drive can be used. In
another embodiment slide guides which are mounted to the sides of
the telescoping frame can be used instead of rollers. This can also
serve as a way to remove the telescoping frame assembly from the
surround for easy access and maintenance.
[0052] This system can be installed inside a cabinet with a false
bottom to drive a shelve out and raise it up to allow better
access. It can be used in any lift process desired that fits within
the physical, mechanical, electrical, etc, limitations of the
design.
[0053] While there have been shown and described and pointed out
the fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to the
preferred embodiments, it will be understood that the foregoing is
considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention
and not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the
precise forms disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are
possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiments discussed
were chosen and described to provide the best illustration of the
principles of the invention and its practical application to enable
one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in
various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to
the particular use contemplated All such modifications and
variations are within the scope of the invention as determined by
the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth
to which they are entitled.
* * * * *