U.S. patent application number 13/805509 was filed with the patent office on 2013-04-25 for expandable storage system.
The applicant listed for this patent is Efraim Haimoff. Invention is credited to Efraim Haimoff.
Application Number | 20130099633 13/805509 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44628683 |
Filed Date | 2013-04-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130099633 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Haimoff; Efraim |
April 25, 2013 |
Expandable Storage System
Abstract
The presently disclosed subject matter is directed towards
expandable storage units. Such units may be in a form of shelving
units or closets. A closet in accordance with the disclosed subject
matter comprises two side walls with at least two fixed shelves
extending there between and an extension assembly associated with a
respective side wall and comprising a support wall fixed with at
least one retractable shelf and slidingly supported by a shelf
opening configured at the respective side wall. The arrangement is
such that the support is displaceable about a substantially
vertical plain with respect to the respective side wall, between a
retracted position extending near the respective side wall, and an
extracted position wherein the support wall is displaced away from
the respective side wall.
Inventors: |
Haimoff; Efraim; (Mevasereth
Zion, IL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Haimoff; Efraim |
Mevasereth Zion |
|
IL |
|
|
Family ID: |
44628683 |
Appl. No.: |
13/805509 |
Filed: |
June 23, 2011 |
PCT Filed: |
June 23, 2011 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/IL11/00505 |
371 Date: |
December 19, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61357592 |
Jun 23, 2010 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
312/205 ;
211/186 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B 45/00 20130101;
A47B 96/025 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
312/205 ;
211/186 |
International
Class: |
A47B 45/00 20060101
A47B045/00; A47B 96/02 20060101 A47B096/02 |
Claims
1. A closet comprising: a. two side walls with at least two fixed
shelves extending there between; b. an extension assembly
associated with a respective side wall and comprising a support
wall fixed with at least one retractable shelf and slidingly
supported by a shelf opening configured at the respective side
wall; said support wall being displaceable about a substantially
vertical plain with respect to the respective side wall, between a
retracted position extending near the respective side wall, and an
extracted position wherein the support wall is displaced away from
the respective side wall.
2. A closet in accordance with claim 1, wherein at the extracted
position the retractable shelf at least partially extends between
the respective side wall and the support wall.
3. A closet in accordance with claim 1, wherein the side walls
extend parallel to one another.
4. A closet in accordance with claim 1, wherein the at least two
fixed shelves are substantially horizontal.
5. A closet in accordance with claim 1, wherein the at least one
retractable shelf is parallel to the fixed shelves.
6. A closet in accordance with claim 1, wherein the at least one
support wall is substantially parallel to the respective side
wall.
7. A closet in accordance with claim 1, wherein at the retracted
position the at least one retractable shelf is received within a
corresponding one of the at least two fixed shelves.
8. A closet in accordance with claim 1, wherein at the extracted
position at least one retractable shelf coextends with a
corresponding one of the at least two fixed shelves.
9. A closet in accordance with claim 1, wherein at the retracted
position the at least one support wall extends adjacent the
respective side wall.
10. A closet in accordance with claim 1, wherein at the retracted
position the at least one support wall is at least partially
embedded into the respective side wall.
11. A closet in accordance with claim 1, wherein the at least one
support wall is fully received and extends flush with an outside
surface of the respective side wall.
12. A closet in accordance with claim 1, wherein a stopper assembly
is provided to prevent unintentional detachment of the extension
assembly from the closet.
13. A closet in accordance with claim 1, wherein the closet is
fitted with at least one extension assemblies, wherein the at least
one extension assemblies is associated with a respective side wall
thereof
14. A closet in accordance with claim 1, wherein the closet may be
fitted with one or more doors for concealing one or more
compartments of the closet or the extension assembly at its
extracted position.
15. A closet in accordance with claim 1, wherein the closet
comprises at least two fixed shelves extending between the side
walls.
16. A closet in accordance with claim 1, wherein the retractable
shelves and the fixed shelves are slidingly displaceable over or
within one another.
17. A shelving system comprising a first extension assembly and
second extension assembly, each of the first and second extension
assemblies comprises a support wall integrally fitted with at least
one shelf, the at least one shelf of the first extension assembly
and at least one shelf of the second extension assembly coextend
and are configured for sliding displacement with respect to one
another, wherein displacement of one of the support walls entails
retraction/extraction of the shelves.
Description
FIELD OF THE PRESENTLY DISCLOSED SUBJECT MATTER
[0001] The presently disclosed subject matter relates to storage
systems and more particularly to closets wherein the effective
storage space may be changed per demand.
BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENTLY DISCLOSED SUBJECT MATTER
[0002] Modular storage systems and modular shelving are well known
in the art and are typically design for reconfiguring at different
shapes or to change the effective shelving space.
[0003] Examples of adjustable storage shelving are described e.g.
in U.S. Pat. No. 3,794,183, U.S. Pat. No. 4,155,312, U.S. Pat. No.
6,345795.
[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 3,794,183 is directed to an adjustable storage
rack with vertically adjustable arms that are horizontally
extensible and retractable to facilitate placement of material on
or removal of material from the rack, especially where an overhead
crane is used for this purpose.
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 4,155,312 is directed to a two piece,
lengthwise telescopically adjustable, shelf adapted to be mounted
between vertical structural members or studs in a building. The
lengthwise adjustability permits use of the shelf arrangement in
spite of wide variations in the center-to-center spacing between
the structural members.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 6,345,795 is directed to a shelf bracket for
supporting and adjustably attaching shelving to vertically support
structure comprises an elongate member having opposite end
portions, and an open U-shaped shelf supporting channel along a
lower edge thereof One of the end portions of the elongate member
includes structure arranged to adjustably attach the bracket to
vertical support structure. An inverted U-shaped shelf retaining
channel extends along an upper edge of the elongate member. The
open U-shaped shelf supporting channel functions to receive and
support shelving when inserted therein, and the inverted U-shaped
shelf retaining channel functions to snap fit over and thereby
retain such shelving.
[0007] Hereinafter in the specification and claims the term closet
is used in its broad sense to define a closet, a cupboard, a
wardrobe, etc., used for any domestic or non-domestic purpose, for
the storage of any sort of goods, e.g. linens, household supplies,
clothing, books, foodstuff, crockery, utensils, and the like.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENTLY DISCLOSED SUBJECT MATTER
[0008] According to the presently disclosed subject matter there is
disclosed a shelving system comprising a first extension assembly
and second extension assembly. Each of the first and second
extension assemblies comprises a support wall integrally fitted
with at least one shelf. The at least one shelf of the first
extension assembly and at least one shelf of the second extension
assembly coextend and are configured for sliding displacement with
respect to one another, such that the displacement of one of the
support walls entails retraction/extraction of the shelves with
respect to each other.
[0009] According to the present disclosed subject matter there is
further disclosed a closet comprising two side walls; an extension
assembly associated with at least one of the respective side walls
and comprising a support wall fixed with at least one retractable
shelf and slidingly supported by a shelf opening configured at the
respective side wall; said support wall being displaceable about a
substantially vertical plain with respect to the respective side
wall, between a retracted position extending near the respective
side wall, and an extracted position wherein the support wall is
displaced away from the respective side wall.
[0010] Any one or more of the following features and designs may be
characterized in the shelving unit and or closet subject of the
present disclosure: [0011] At the extracted position the
retractable shelf at least partially extends between the respective
side wall and the support wall, depending on the extent to which
the support wall has been displaced from the respective side wall,
to a maximum corresponding with the length of the retractable
shelf; [0012] The side walls extend parallel to one another, and
according to one particular example are vertically extending;
[0013] The closet comprises one wall and the closet is further
mounted on a fixed wall; [0014] One of the extension assemblies
comprised in the system is stationary; [0015] One of the extension
assemblies comprised in the system is stationary and forms part of
a wall structure of the room, shed, a closet etc. fitted with at
least one shelve; [0016] The at least two fixed shelves are
substantially horizontal; [0017] The at least one retractable shelf
is parallel to the fixed shelves; [0018] The at least one support
wall is substantially parallel to the respective side wall; [0019]
At the retracted position the at least one retractable shelf blends
with a corresponding one of the at least two fixed shelves; [0020]
At the extracted position at least one retractable shelf coextends
with a corresponding one of the at least two fixed shelves; [0021]
At the retracted position the at least one support wall extends
adjacent or at least partially embedded into the respective side
wall. According to a particular configuration, the at least one
support wall is fully received and extends flush with an outside
surface of the respective side wall; [0022] A stopper assembly is
provided to prevent unintentional detachment of the extension
assembly from the closet; [0023] The closet may be fitted with one
or two extension assemblies, each associated with a respective side
wall thereof; [0024] The closet may be fitted with one or more
doors for concealing one or more compartments of the closet or the
extension assembly at its extracted position; [0025] The closet
comprises at least two fixed shelves extending between the side
walls; [0026] There may be an uneven number of number of fixed
shelves and retractable shelves and further, the shelves may be
slidingly displaceable over or within one another; [0027] The
retractable shelves are wider than the fixed shelves, the latter
being slidably received within the former, retractable shelves;
[0028] Top and bottom walls of the closet may constitute fixed
shelves; [0029] At least one of the side walls is inclined.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0030] In order to understand the presently disclosed subject
matter and to see how it may be carried out in practice,
embodiments will now be described, by way of non-limiting examples
only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0031] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a closet in accordance with
the disclosed subject matter configured with two extension
assemblies, both at their extracted position;
[0032] FIG. 2 is the same as FIG. 1 with one of the cupboard's door
partially open;
[0033] FIG. 3 is a sectioned view of the cupboard of FIG. 1, along
a vertical plane as marked in FIG. 1;
[0034] FIG. 4 is an isometric view of the closet of FIGS. 1 and 2
at a fully retracted position;
[0035] FIG. 5 is the same as FIG. 4 with one of the doors of the
closet partially open;
[0036] FIG. 6 is a sectioned view taken along the plane defined
VI-VI in FIG. 4;
[0037] FIG. 7 is a longitudinal section taken along line VII-VII in
FIG. 4;
[0038] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a closet in accordance with
the presently disclosed subject matter, the extension assembly
partially extracted from the closet;
[0039] FIG. 9 is an embodiment of a closet in accordance with the
presently disclosed subject matter, the extension assembly
partially retracted from the closet;
[0040] FIG. 10 is a representation of a closet in accordance with
the presently disclosed subject matter, the extension assembly at
its fully extracted position and further, the closet comprising a
door swingable between several positions;
[0041] FIG. 11 is an isometric view of a shelving unit in
accordance with the disclosed subject matter configured with five
extendable shelves at their retracted position;
[0042] FIG. 12 is an isometric view of a shelving unit of FIG. 11,
with shelves at an expanded position; and
[0043] FIG. 13A and 13B are an enlarged section view of the portion
marked marked T in FIG. 12, in a fully expanded position and a
partially expanded position, respectively, in accordance with an
example of the disclosed subject matter.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS
[0044] The closet 20 illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 7 comprises a
closed cabinet compartment generally designated 22 and two
extension assemblies designated 24A and 24B, respectively.
[0045] Cabinet compartment 22 is a solid cabinet comprising a first
sidewall 30, a parallel second sidewall 32, a top wall 36 and a
bottom wall 38 interconnecting between the sidewalls and a back
wall 40 (FIGS. 5 and 7). A front of the cabinet compartment 22 is
fitted with a pair of swinging doors 44A and 44B hingedly secured
to the cabinet and displaceable between a closed position (FIGS. 1
and 4) and an open position (right side door 44B illustrated in a
partially open position in FIGS. 2 and 5).
[0046] Provided within the cabinet compartment 22 there are four
shelves 50A-50D secured to the inner faces of the sidewalls 30 and
32, respectively (e.g. as seen in FIG. 2).
[0047] The extension assemblies 24A and 24B each comprise a support
wall 60 which in the present example is in the form of an inverted
U-like frame integrated with four shelves designated 64A, 64B, 64C,
and 64D parallelly extending and being substantially horizontal. As
can be seen in the drawings, the legs 66 of the frame of support
wall 60 extend down to the floor surface, thus supporting the
extension assembly with further support provided thereto by the
retracable shelves 64A-64D fixedly secured thereto and having their
opposite ends (i.e. free ends) slidingly received and supported
within respective shelve openings formed in the respective sidewall
30 and 32, said shelve openings designated 70A, 70B, 70C, and 70D,
respectively and are to configured for slidingly though firmly
supporting the respective retractable shelves 64A-64D. It is
further noticed that the sidewalls 30 and 32 (only sidewall 30 is
fully apparent in the figures) are configured with a groove 76
configured for fully accommodating the sidewall, namely frame 60 of
the respective extension assembly 24 at its fully retracted
position, as illustrated for example in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6.
[0048] As can best be seen in FIG. 7, the fixed shelves 50A-50D
within the closed cabinet compartment 22 stand substantially the
entire width D of the cabinet compartment 22 whilst the
retractkable shelves 64A to 64D are narrower than the fixed shelves
and are slidably received within the fixed shelves 50A-50D as their
section is of smaller dimensions than the sections of the fixed
shelves and is adapted for sliding accommodation therewithin. It is
appreciated that in accordance with a particular design, any of the
shelves 50 and 64 may have a closed rectangle shape or a U-like
cross-section or an L-like cross-section.
[0049] In accordance with yet a modification of the disclosed
subject matter (not shown), the retractable shelves may be wider
than the fixed shelves, the latter being slidably received within
the former, retractable shelves. As such, the section of the fixed
shelves is of smaller dimensions than the section of the
retractable shelves and is adapted for sliding accommodation
therewithin.
[0050] The length of the retrackable shelves 64A-64D is
approximately half the width of the fixed shelves 50A-50D such that
at the fully retracted position, whilst both the extension
assemblies 24A and 24B are at their retracted position, the
respective retrackable shelves extend approximately through half
width of the fixed shelves 50A-50D, as illustrated in FIG. 6,
however such that the opposite facing retrackable shelves do not
interfere with the complete retraction of the respective extension
assemblies 24A and 24B.
[0051] It is further noticed for example in FIG. 5 that at the
fully retracted position, the support wall, namely frame 60 is
completely received within the respective sidewall 30 such that the
outer surface 78 of the frame 60 is substantially flush with the
outer surface 31 of the respective sidewall 30.
[0052] The arrangement is such that the closet 20 is configurable
between a fully retracted position (FIGS. 4, 5, and 6) and a fully
extracted, expanded position as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3,
wherein both the extension assemblies 24A and 24B are fully
displaced in direction of arrow 80 giving rise to additional
storage space over the retractable shelves 64A-64D, at both sides
of the closet 20. It is appreciated that at any stage either one or
both of the extension assemblies 24A and 24B may be radially
displaced back into the retracted position regardless of the
position of the other one of the extension assembly.
[0053] It is also appreciated that the term closet in accordance
with the present disclosed subject matter may be a fixed cabinet
fitted with only one apparent sidewall, e.g. another sidewall being
a fixed wall of a room, and not being provided with an extension
assembly as discussed hereinabove.
[0054] Furthermore, the number of retractable shelves does not
necessary have to correspond with the number of shelves within the
cabinet compartment, however at least two retractable shelves
constitute an advantage in support and stabilization of the
extension assembly and further provide for smooth and even
(parallel) retraction of the extension assembly.
[0055] Turning now to FIG. 8 of the drawings there is illustrated a
closet 100 in accordance with a different example of the present
disclosed subject matter wherein, for sake of clarity, only a right
extension assembly is illustrated.
[0056] In the example of FIG. 8, the closet 100 is configured
within open cabinet compartment 104, namely devoid of any doors,
and having a substantially rectangle cross-section with two fixed
shelves 108A and 108B the depth D of which being slightly narrower
than the depth d of the cabinet compartment 104. The cabinet
compartment 104 further comprises a bottom base 110, a top base 112
and a backing 114.
[0057] Unlike the previous example, in the present example the
extension assembly generally designated 120 comprises a support
wall 124 in the form of a flat support wall from which a pair of
fixed retractable shelves extend 126A and 126B corresponding with
shelves 108A and 108B of the cabinet compartment 104 and having a
substantially inverted U-like cross-section slidingly received
within a corresponding shelf opening 130 (seen best on the right
sidewall 115 of the cabinet compartment 104).
[0058] The arrangement is such that the extension assembly 120 is
slidably displaceable along arrowed line 140 between a fully
retracted position (not shown) and a fully extracted, deployed
position, not shown either and however being suitable for arresting
at any mid position as illustrated in FIG. 8. For the purpose of
fixing the extension assembly 120 at a mid position, there are
provided stoppers in the form of several apertures 146 formed on
the fixed shelves 108A and 108B, with a respective plug 150 fitted
at the free end of at least one of the retractable shelves 126A and
126B, wherein said plug may be placed within a respective opening
146 for arresting sliding displacement of the retractable shelves
over the fixed shelves, thus fixating the position of the extension
assembly 120.
[0059] Further noticed, the free ends of the retractable shelves
126A and 126B are fitted with a stopper member 154 to prevent
unintentional detachment of the extension assembly 120 from the
cabinet compartment 104.
[0060] For sake of easy sliding displacement of the extension
assembly 120, suitable friction reducing shoes/pads may be provided
or rollers 160A, at a bottom surface 160 of the support wall
124.
[0061] Unlike the previous example, in the example of FIG. 8, at
the fully retracted position, the support wall 124 does not slide
into a recess formed on an outer surface of the respective sidewall
150 but rather extends substantially parallel and flush
thereagainst.
[0062] In FIG. 9, there is illustrated another closet in accordance
with the present disclosed subject matter generally designated 200
being substantially similar to the previous example, however with
the difference that the cabinet compartment 204 has a first
sidewall 208 being substantially vertical with a second sidewall
210 extending inclined, with a bottom base 212, a top 214, a back
216, and a pair of fixed shelves 220A and 220B.
[0063] In accordance with the example of FIG. 9, the closet 200
comprises on its left side an extension assembly 230 wherein the
support wall 234 is in the form of a board of material extending
inclined and substantially parallel to the respective sidewall 210,
with a pair of fixed retractable shelves 236A and 236B extending
substantially parallel to shelves 220A and 220B respectively and
being slidable with respect thereto through respective shelf
openings 240A and 240B as discussed hereinabove.
[0064] Whilst not illustrated, the closet 200 of FIG. 9 may further
comprise a right side extension assembly in which case the support
wall would extend substantially parallel to the respective right
side sidewall 208, namely at a substantially vertical position.
[0065] Turning now to the example illustrated in FIG. 10 there is
illustrated a closet in accordance with a different example of the
disclosed subject matter, said closet generally designated 300 and
comprises only a left-side extension assembly 304 slidingly
displaceable with respect to the cabinet compartment 306 based on
the principles disclosed herein. As noted, the respective sidewall
310 is fitted with a door 316 pivotally secured thereto at hinges
320 whereby the door 316 is swingably displaceable along arrowed
lines 326 between a position at which is closes a portion of the
cabinet compartment 306 (this position being designated by a
dashed-dotted line designated 344) and a position at which it is
closed against the extension assembly at its fully extraction
position (illustrated by a dashed-line designated 346).
[0066] The presently disclosed subject matter is further directed
to a shelving system as illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12 and
designated 400 in a retracted and expanded positions, respectively.
The system comprises a first extension assembly 421A and a second
extension assembly 421 B. Each of the first and second extension
assemblies comprises a vertical support wall 432 and 430,
respectively, integrally fitted with five shelves 464A-464E at the
inner faces thereof. Each of the shelves having an engaged end
450A-20 E articulated to the respective wall 430, 432 and a free
end 455A-E. As seen in the figures, each of the five shelves of the
first and second assemblies 421A and 421B are associated through a
shelving member 480A-E receivable within the shelve portions and
interconnecting the assemblies. It will be appreciated that the
arrangement can alternatively be such that the shelving member is
configured for receiving the shelves 464A-E (not shown).
[0067] As can be seen in the drawings, each of the shelves
464A-464E have their free ends slidingly receiving and supporting
through respective shelve openings 477 (seen in FIG. 13A) a portion
of the respective the shelve member. The shelve openings 477 in
accordance with this example are configured for slidingly though
firmly supporting the respective shelves 450A-450E. As can best be
seen in FIGS. 13A and 13B, the fixed shelves 450A-450E are narrower
than the retractable shelves and are slidably received within the
retractable shelves 464A-464E as their section is of smaller
dimensions than the sections of the fixed shelves and is adapted
for sliding accommodation therewithin.
[0068] The sum of the lengths of any of the two corresponding and
coextending shelves is approximately the length of the respective
shelve member such that at the fully retracted position, the
respective retractable shelves extend approximately over the length
of the shelve members, as illustrated in FIG. 11.
[0069] Any of the shelves 464 and 480 may have a closed rectangle
shape, a U-like cross-section, an L-like cross-section and the
like.
[0070] The arrangement is such that the first extension assembly
and at least one shelf of the second extension assembly coextend
and are slidably displaceable along arrowed line 440 between a
fully retracted position (FIG. 11) and a fully extracted, deployed
position, shown in FIG. 12 and however being suitable for arresting
at any mid position as illustrated in FIG. 13B. It will be
appreciated that only one of the assemblies can be displaced
entailing retraction/extraction of the shelves on that side.
[0071] As seen in FIGS. 13A and 13B, the free ends of the shelves
are fitted with a stopper shoulders 454 configured to prevent
unintentional detachment of the shelve members. The ends of the
shelve members (one end 482 seen in FIGS. 13A and 13B) have an
outwardly protruding projection 484 configured to arrest
displacement of the shelve member with respect to the shelve 464
and its respective stopper 454.
[0072] While there have been shown several embodiments of the
disclosed subject matter, it is to be understood that many changes
may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the
presently disclosed subject matter, Mutatis Mutandis.
* * * * *