Space Saving Kitchen Unit

Abstract

A space saving kitchen unit incorporating kitchen appliances and equipment with a working and an eating surface, includes a table member providing a support surface into one end of which a horizontally arranged rotatable disc is fitted with a refrigerator unit built into the other end and a working station being located at one side of the support surface between its ends. The rotatable disc includes heating elements for cooking, a sink, a garbage disposal container, and compartments for appliances. Further, storage shelves are secured to and below the disc within an enclosing shell to which an access opening is formed. A dishwasher can be provided centrally within the shell extending downwardly from the upper surface of the disc. Support columns with lifting mechanisms are associated with the dishwasher and refrigerator unit for lifting inserts within these units to a position above the support surface where they are accessible from the working station. Additional storage shelves can be located within casings at the upper ends of the support columns so that they can be lowered for access from the working station.

Description

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a space saving kitchen unit and, more particularly, it is concerned with a compact storage arrangement of kitchen appliances, equipment and shelves with means for positioning the various elements for easy access from a working station positioned adjacent the storage arrangement.

Modern kitchens include cabinets for food, dishes and the like, built-in appliances located at below or above table top height, working surfaces, a sink, a cooking range, storage means for various small appliances and equipment and a counter or table space serving as a dining area. Alternatively, the dining area may be spaced from the kitchen and accessible by means of a pass-through. In addition to the various elements positioned along the wall of the kitchen, other units are freely mounted within it, such as so-called food centers. Since a housewife has to walk considerable distances between the various kitchen appliances the cabinets and must bend down or stretch above her head to reach various locations within the kitchen, attempts have been made to utilize simple elevators or other rotating or traversing devices to reduce and simplify the normal kitchen operations. By combining related kitchen areas and appliances and providing a mechanical feed of various shelves, inserts and the like to a centrally arranged position, it is possible for the housewife to remain in one position so that the amount of walking is reduced and bending or stretching is avoided. However, to date the solutions suggested to such problems have not bee completely satisfactory.

After reviewing the various kitchen arrangements presently available, it has been noted that a considerable amount of time is involved in normal kitchen work and that other household work also makes a considerable physical demand on the housewife. Accordingly, it is the primary object of the present invention to reduce and simplify the work involved in kitchen operations so that a housewife can enjoy some relaxation from the considerable walking and tiresome standing previously experienced in kitchen work.

Another object of the invention is to arrange the various kitchen appliances, equipment and storage shelves in a compact arrangement in which they can be presented at a single working station when needed and can be displaced into space saving locations or positions when not in use.

Therefore, in accordance with the present invention, a table member providing a support surface is arranged to provide a centrally located working station with the working surface extending laterally on both sides from the working station. At one end of the support surface a horizontally arranged rotatable disc is mounted and incorporates heating elements for cooking, a sink and other appliances necessary in kitchen operations. Additionally, shelves or inserts can be built into the table member or into casings spaced upwardly above the table member so that they can be raised or lowered into position for access from the working station without requiring that a housewife make any unnecessary and tiring stooping or stretching movements. In this kitchen arrangement, all of the normal kitchen operations can be performed at the centrally located working station in which a spacious working surface is provided. Further, by rotating the disc various kitchen appliances and equipment, such as the cooking range, sink and garbage disposal container can be positioned for use from the working station. Further, with the shelves and inserts vertically displaceable into positions available from the working station, food stuffs including refrigerated food and beverages, and dishes and other kitchen equipment can be easily reached without moving from the working station.

The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of the specification.

For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its use, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view, partially in section, of a kitchen unit embodying the present invention and shown along the line I--I in FIG. 2;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the kitchen unit with the parts indicated in the upper portion of FIG. 1 omitted;

FIG. 3 is a horizontal sectional view taken along line III--III of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one portion of the kitchen unit illustrated in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In FIGS. 1 and 2, a kitchen unit is shown arranged relative to a central working station 1 and the unit includes a table member 2 providing a working space immediately in front of the working station 1 and with a horizontally arranged rotatable disc positioned at the left hand end of the table member 2 as it is faced in the working station 1. Fitted into the rotatable disc 3 are a plurality of heating elements 4 used for cooking. The left hand end of the table member 2, as viewed in FIG. 2, has a concave arcuate edge which adjoins the circumferential periphery of the rotatable disc 3. The arcuate edge 6 of the table member 2 extends along the disc for approximately a quarter of its circumference and a small gap is provided between the table edge and disc. As indicated in FIG. 1, the upper surface of the disc 3 and the table top level of the table member 2 are in the same horizontal plane.

Below the disc 3 a stationary shell 7 is located having a smaller diameter than the disc so that its outer surface is spaced radially inwardly from the outer edge of the disc. Within the shell a plurality of vertically spaced shelves are arranged, connected to the disc so that they can rotate with it. A base 9, resting on the floor of the kitchen, supports the shell 7 and is arranged to contain any equipment required for the rotation of the disc and shelves and for the operation of the various applicances and equipment fitted into the disc. In the portion of the shell located opposite the working station 1, an opening 10 is provided so that access to the shelves within the shell can be gained from the working station. As illustrated in FIG. 3, a circumferentially extending wall portion 11 is provided along the outer periphery of the shelves 8 and is spaced closely inwardly from the stationary shell 7. The wall portion 11 can be rigidly connected to the disc or to the shell and it has a circumferential dimension which is equal to or greater than the corresponding dimension of the opening 10 formed in the shell. In cooperation with the lower surface of the disc and the shell, the wall portion 11 defines the radially outer surface of a closed chamber 12. In the disc 3 a slot or opening 14 is provided in alignment above a portion of the chamber 12 and the slot is provided with flaps 13 which normally afford a closure for the slot. Kitchen waste material can be deposited into the slot and for this purpose a refuse container, such as a paper bag or the like, is suspended in the chamber 12 so that it is accessible by displacing the flaps 13 in the slot 14. To afford entry into the chamber 12 a closeable opening is provided in the wall portion 11 defining the radially outer surface of the chamber 12, which opening is accessible through the opening 10 in the shell 7.

In the upper surface of the disc 3, spaced adjacent to and angularly from the slot 14, is a sink 15 formed by a bowl-like depression. The depression forming the sink is located in the disc above the chamber 12. A hot and cold water tap system 17 is associated with the sink 15. The shelves 8 positioned within the shell 7 are vertically spaced apart and are subdivided by radially extending partitions into individual sector-shaped compartments. Disc 3 has a thickness or depth which is a multiple of the depth of the heating elements 4 so that at least a portion of its circumferential periphery includes drawer-like recesses 16 which are closeable by slidable or similarly moveable covers. As displayed in FIG. 4, the recesses 16 are arranged to receive various kitchen appliances, such as toasters, bread slicing machines and the like.

Since the disc is rotatable about its vertical axis, preferably through 360.degree., the electrical and mechanical installations required, such as for the sink and the heating elements, can be relatively easily incorporated into the structure below the disc. The enclosed chamber 12 separates the remainder of the shelves from the water supply and discharge connections to the sink and from the garbage or refuse container. The subdivision of the shelves 8 into sector-shaped compartments afford a functional correlation of these storage areas with the working areas provided on the disc 3. The disc 3 and the shelves 8 are positioned relative to the working station 1 so that a person sitting in that location can reach any desired point on the discs or shelves by rotating the disc to the proper position. The diameter of the disc is about 120 cm.

As indicated in the drawing, the disc 3 has a centrally arranged circular opening 18 which forms the opening to a vat-shaped tank 19 which provides the container for a dishwashing machine. As indicated in FIG. 1, the tank 19 contains spray nozzles and distributor tubes for use in washing dishes and other kitchen utensils. Arranged within the tank is an insert 21 consisting of several vertically arranged baskets into which the dishes to be cleaned are inserted. In addition, the insert includes a cover for closing the opening 18 through the disc 3 into the tank. For gaining access to the baskets forming the insert 21, a tubular shaped vertically extending column 20 is centrally provided within the tank and extends upwardly above the upper surface of the disc, preferably to the ceiling of the room within which the kitchen unit is located. Preferably, the column 20 is hollow and contains lifting mechanisms, such as lifting cables, spindles and the like which are connected to the insert for raising it upwardly out of the tank so that it is accessible from the working station 1. The insert mounted on the column is arranged so that the baskets can be rotated about the column.

Spaced upwardly above the disc 3, about the support column 20, is a casing 23 symmetrically arranged about the vertical axis of the column. The casing is closed at its lateral and upper surfaces but is opened at its lower surface so that shelves 24 mounted on the column 20 can be lowered into a position accessible from the working station. It will be appreciated, as is the case with the insert 21 in the dishwasher, that the shelves 24 are rotatable about the vertical axis of the column. The vertical spacing between the bottom of the casing 23 and the upper surface of the disc 3 is sufficient for raising the insert 21 completely out of the tank and for lowering the shelves 24 downwardly out of the casing so that they can be reached from the working station. Switching mechanisms and circuits are provided for the operation of the lifting devices so that when one lifting device is operable the other is locked and it is not possible to operate both lifting devices simultaneously. As shown in FIG. 1, the lower shelf 24 within the casing 23 is recessed upwardly about the column for providing an annular-shaped recess for a lighting fixture 25.

Though the column 20 is shown centrally arranged within the tank 19 and the casing 23, it would also be possible to position the column laterally of the tank. In place of an automatic dishwasher, a refrigerator or a shelf unit could be positioned within the space inwardly from the shelves 8. Any of the inserts or shelves used in such devices would be rotatably or swingably mounted for easy access from the working station.

At the opposite end of the table member 2 from the disc 3, that is as viewed from the working station 1 in FIGS. 1 and 2, a circular opening 26 is provided through the table member and vat-shaped tank 27 is arranged within the opening and extends downwardly and is supported from the floor of the room. The tank 27 contains a vertically displaceable insert 28 formed of a plurality of shelves located within the tank and a cover secured to the insert and forming its upper end so that it provides a closure for the opening into the tank. The periphery of the tank is heat insulated and it is equipped with refrigerating equipment so that the tank can be used as both a refrigerator and a freezer. The interior of the tank is divided into an upper compartment which forms a normal refrigerator space, an intermediate compartment separated from the upper compartment by heat insulating material which forms a freezer space and a bottom compartment separated from the freezer space which acts as a compartment for the refrigerator equipment and also for lifting equipment used in raising and lowering the insert 28 and cover 29. For the vertical displacement of the insert and cover, a support column 31 is disposed centrally within the tank and extends upwardly to and is secured to the ceiling of the room containing the kitchen unit. Spaced upwardly above the refrigerator, about the support column 31, is a storage shelf unit similar to the one illustrated about the column 20 above the disc 3. In the upper surface of the table member 2 a plurality of circular openings 32 are arranged, note FIG. 2, which are in communication with the interior of the refrigerator tank 27 and are arranged to receive bottles or the like. As can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the table member 2 extends laterally outwardly from the circumferential periphery of the tank 27 so that a cantilevered support surface is provided about the tank. While the backside of the table member 2, that is the side opposite the working station 1, has a straight line configuration, the side adjacent the working station has an inwardly curved configuration between the disc 3 and the refrigerator tank 27 so that a chair can be placed in this position permitting a person to be seated at the table and to reach the appliances located in the disc and the food located in the refrigerator tank when the disc is rotated and the insert within the tank is raised above the upper surface of the table member. Mounted on the opposite side of the table member 2 from the working station 1 is a console or control desk 33 which contains the various switching, control and regulating devices for operating the kitchen unit.

The kitchen unit described above and illustrated in the drawings, enables a person sitting or standing at the working station 1 to position the various kitchen appliances and equipment automatically so that they can be easily reached from the working station. The control desk 33 is arranged at eye level of a person seated in the working station. A recipe window can be arranged in the control desk with additional means provided for operating the various kitchen devices and for regulating the room illumination.

Since the various small kitchen appliances are stored away in the disc 3 when not in used and, therefore, do not hinder or obstruct the working space adjacent the working station, refrigerated foods, other foods and dishes located in the vertically displaceable shelves or inserts can be immediately removed from the surface of the table member and the surface can be cleared and cleaned up in a very brief period of time. Furthermore, kitchen odors can be eliminated by means of a filter incorporated into the kitchen unit, such as in one of the storage shelf units. The compact character and efficient design of the kitchen unit provides a desirable replacement for conventional kitchen arrangements. Further, it is logical to include a dining table with the kitchen unit arrangement. With the addition of a dining table, a considerable saving in space is obtained since no additional space for a separate table is required and the kitchen unit can be incorporated directly into the living area. Further, the housewife can serve food from her position at the working station since all of the necessary appliances, dishes and the like are readily available to her. The portion 34 of the table member 2 extending in a cantilevered manner outwardly from the refrigerator unit can be used as an eating surface and chairs 35 can be arranged about this portion. To facilitate serving from the working station to the chairs distributed along the portion 34 of the table member 2, a rotatable plate 36, in the manner of a lazy susan, is located about the column 31 spaced just above the cover 29 of the refrigerator unit.

The object of the present invention is not to set forth a specific form of a kitchen unit but to indicate a general arrangement of a table member and kitchen appliances and shelves for food and the like which can be quickly positioned at a location alongside a single working station so that they are within easy reach of a person seated at the working station. Preferably, a swivel chair would be used at the working station to simplify access to the units located at the opposite ends of the table member. While the vertically displaceable shelves and inserts provide a particular advantageous solution to the problem of an efficient and compact kitchen unit, conveyor belts could also be used to obtain a similar effect.

In view of the configuration of the table member at the working station and the arrangement of the disc 3 and the other vertically displaceable shelves and inserts, any part of the kitchen unit can be easily reached in a slight swivel movement by a person of normal height seated at the working station. Additional storage space, such as for flatware, can be arranged in the sides of the table member. The top surface of the control desk 33 can be extended away from the table member, as shown in FIG. 2, so that it acts as a serving table or as a bar. Bar stools 36a are shown in FIG. 2 positioned adjacent the control desk.

While a specific embodiment of the invention has been shown and described in detail to illustrate the application of the inventive principles, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A kitchen unit for providing a space saving compact arrangement for kitchen appliances and equipment integrated with a working and eating surface comprising an elongated table member forming a support surface positioned at about table top level and having a central working station located along one side of said table member spaced between its ends and access being available to the sides and ends of said table member about its entire periphery, a horizontally arranged rotatable disc mounted in and at approximately the same level as said support surface and positioned adjacent one end thereof, said disc having an opening therethrough and a plurality of angularly spaced positions thereon arranged about the opening, said disc spaced from the working station of said table member and by rotating said disc its different positions are accessible from the working station, at least one heating element for cooking purposes located in one of the positions on said disc, an upwardly extending first support member positioned inwardly of the periphery of said disc, storage shelves vertically displaceable on said support member between a storage position and a lower access position in which access position the shelves are located above the support surface of said table member and are accessible from the working station by rotating said shelves, a first vat-like tank closed at its lateral and lower surfaces and open at its upper surface is centrally disposed relative to said disc and extends downwardly from the opening in the surface of said disc, a first insert fitted within said tank and mounted on said support member for upward displacement from within said first tank to a position located above said disc and accessible from the working station, said table member having another opening in its support surface at the opposite end from said disc, a second vat-shaped tank having an open upper end located in the plane of the support surface of said table member and extending downwardly from the another opening, a second insert including shelves positioned within said second tank, an upwardly extending second support member extending upwardly through the support surface of said table member at the end containing said second tank, said second insert vertically displaceably mounted on said second support member for movement upwardly out of said second tank to a position above said table member where the shelves of said second insert are accessible from the working station, a casing disposed laterally about said second support member above the support surface of said table member and being open at its lower end, a third insert located within said casing and mounted on said second support column for displacement downwardly from said casing to a position accessible from said working station, and said third insert including shelves rotatably mounted on said second support member.

2. A kitchen unit, as set forth in claim 1, wherein an upwardly extending stationary shell is positioned below and in coaxial relationship with said disc, said shell having a diameter less than that of said disc so that said shell is spaced radially inwardly from the circumferential peripheral edge of said disc, and said shell having an opening therein adjacent the working station for affording access to the interior thereof, and at least one storage shelf rotatably mounted within said shell so that it can be rotated for affording access to its surface through the opening in said shell.

3. A kitchen unit, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said disc has a vertical thickness which is a multiple of the vertical thickness of said heating element contained therein, and at least a portion of said disc having drawer-like recesses formed therein about its circumferential periphery, and displaceable covers mounted in said disc for closing said recesses and said recesses arranged to contain kitchen appliances and the like.

4. A kitchen unit, as set forth in claim 1, wherein a lifting mechanism associated with each of said first and second support members and secured to the one of said inserts associated with said support member for raising and lowering said insert.

5. A kitchen unit, as set forth in claim 4, wherein each of said first and second support members is a tubular member arranged to extend upwardly to the ceiling of the room in which said kitchen unit is located.

6. A kitchen unit, as set forth in claim 1, wherein heat insulating material at least laterally encloses said second tank, a cover for said tank, said cover including heat insulation, and refrigerating means associated with said second tank for providing refrigerated conditions within said second tank.

7. A kitchen unit, as set forth in claim 1, characterized in that in the retracted position of said third insert within said casing the lower surface of said third insert is substantially flush with the lower edge of said casing and forms a closure therefor, the lower surface of said insert within said casing having an annular recess disposed about said second support member and arranged to receive a lighting fixture.

8. A kitchen unit, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the side of said table member on the side opposite the working station is rectilinear and the side of said table member extending along the working station is curved inwardly toward the oppositely disposed rectilinear side.

9. A kitchen unit, as set forth in claim 6, wherein said table member extending about the refrigerated said second tank comprises a cantilevered section extending radially outwardly from at least a portion of the circumferential peripheral edge at the upper end of said tank.

10. A kitchen unit, as set forth in claim 8, wherein a control desk for automatically operating the applicances and lift mechanisms in the kitchen unit is supported on and extends upwardly above the opposite side of said table member from the working station.