Abstract:
The present invention generally relates to a folding step stool that is, in one embodiment, mounted and stored within a cabinet. Children and short adults are typically not tall enough to readily access a kitchen or bathroom sink. Accordingly, many homes have a portable step stool located in the kitchen or bathroom. While effective, one problem with such a portable step stool is storage of the stool when not in use. Aspects of the present invention are directed to a folding step stool that may be mounted within an interior of a cabinet. When not in use, the entirety of the folding step stool may be disposed within an interior of the cabinet to permit closure of the cabinet door. Likewise, when needed, the cabinet door may be opened and the step stool may be deployed to provide one or more steps for use in accessing a counter or sink above the cabinet.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims the benefit of the filing date of Provisional Patent Application No. 61/840,785 filed on Jun. 28, 2013, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The present disclosure is generally directed to a foldable step stool for use in kitchens and bathrooms. More specifically, the disclosure is directed to a fold-away step stool that folds into the interior of a cabinet when not in use. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Children under the age of about seven are typically not tall enough to readily access a kitchen or bathroom sink. Accordingly, many families of small children have a portable step stool located in their kitchen and/or bathroom that allows children to access the sink. While effective, one problem with such a portable step stool is storage of the stool when not in use. That is, when not in use, stools are commonly left on the floor where they take up space, present a tripping hazard and, in some instances, prevent a bathroom door from fully opening or closing. 
     SUMMARY 
     Aspects of the presented inventions are directed to a folding step stool that may, in one arrangement, be mounted within an interior of a cabinet. When not in use, the entirety of the folding step stool may be disposed within an interior of the cabinet to permit closure of the cabinet door. Likewise, when needed, the cabinet door may be opened and the step stool may be deployed to provide one or more steps for use in accessing a counter or sink above the cabinet. 
     In one aspect, the step stool may have a base adapted for connection to a horizontal surface, which may be within an interior of a cabinet or a floor surface. At least one leg (e.g., rearward leg) may be connected to the base and may extend upward from the base. An upper portion of the stop pivotally connects to a rearward portion of a first step. The first step may have a flat surface (e.g., planar surface) adapted to pivot between a vertical and a horizontal position. A forward portion of the first step may be pivotally connected to at least one forward leg. A linkage extends between the rear leg or base and the forward leg and is pivotally connected to these components. The linkage provides an actuating force such that, when the first step rotates from the vertical position to the horizontal position, the linkage displaces the at least one forward leg from a first position substantially parallel to the first step to a second position substantially perpendicular to the first step. When disposed within a cabinet, such movement displaces the forward leg from within the interior envelope of the cabinet to a location and outside the interior envelope of the cabinet. 
     In the first position, when the at least one forward leg is substantially parallel to the first step in a vertical position, the bottom of the at least one forward leg may be disposed above (e.g., suspended above) the base. That is, the length of the at least one forward leg may be less than a distance between the base and the pivotal connection between the first step and the at least one forward leg, when the first step is in the vertical position. 
     To maintain the step in the vertical position, one or more retention elements along the length of the step may engage the first leg. In one arrangement, a cantilevered tab extending from a surface of vertical first step is sized to displace over (e.g., snap, etc.) a portion of the forward leg to maintain the forward leg in a fixed positional relationship with the first step when these components are vertically aligned. In a further arrangement, the forward leg may be received within a recessed interior of the bottom of the first step when these components are vertically aligned. 
     In the second position, when the at least one forward leg is substantially perpendicular to the first step in a horizontal position, the bottom of the forward leg may come in contact with the floor and may support the forward end of the first step. In the case where the stool is mounted within a cabinet, the bottom end of the forward leg may be disposed below the horizontal surface within the cabinet supporting the base of the stool. The forward legs may be longer than the rearward legs in such an arrangement. The length of the at least one forward leg may be adjustable. For instance, the at least one forward leg may have a series of apertures for receiving a fastener of a leg insert in a tube-in-sleeve arrangement. Alternatively and/or additionally the length of the at least one forward leg may be adjustable by at least one adjustable foot (e.g., threaded). 
     In a further aspect, the step stool may have a second step pivotally connected with the at least one forward leg so that the linkage moves the second step between a vertical and horizontal position when the first step moves between vertical and horizontal positions. The second step may be vertically lower than the first step and may be substantially parallel to the first step when the first step is in the horizontal position. In one arrangement, a free end of the linkage may provide a support for the second step. That is, the second step may be an extension of the linkage. The linkage may deploy the second step from a vertical position to a horizontal position as the stool is deployed. 
     In one embodiment, the linkage may be a four bar linkage defined by the at least one rear leg, the first step, the at least one forward leg, and a linkage bar extending between the base/rearward leg and the forward leg. At least one pivotal connection of the four-bar linkage may further include a torsional element. The torsional element may comprise a torsion spring. In any arrangement the torsional element may provide resistance to movement of the first step between the first and second positions. Such resistance may prevent uncontrolled dropping of the stool from the stowed to deployed position. 
     A method of deploying the step stool may comprise mounting a base to a generally horizontal surface in a cabinet. Once mounted, a first step mounted to the base by a pivotally connected rear leg may be rotated from a vertical position to a horizontal position. A linkage connected to the base and or rear leg may displace a one forward leg from a position juxtaposed against first step when the step is in a vertical position to a position traverse to the first step when first step is in a horizontal position. Likewise, the linkage may displace a second step, which moves from a vertical position substantially parallel with the first step when the first step is in the vertical position to a horizontal position substantially parallel to and vertically lower than the first step when the first step is in the horizontal position. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the step stool in a stowed position, mounted in a cabinet. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the stool in a fully deployed position, mounted in a cabinet. 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of the stool in a stowed position, mounted in a cabinet. 
         FIG. 4  is a side view of the stool in a partially deployed position, mounted in a cabinet. 
         FIG. 5  is a side view of the stool in a fully deployed position, mounted in a cabinet. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the stool in a stowed position. 
         FIG. 7  is a side view of the stool in a fully deployed position. 
         FIG. 8A  is a perspective view of the torsion spring with the stool in a fully deployed position, mounted in a cabinet. 
         FIG. 8B  is a closer perspective view of the torsion spring with the stool in a stowed position, mounted in a cabinet. 
         FIG. 8C  is a closer perspective view of the torsion spring with the stool in a fully deployed position, mounted in cabinetry. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which at least assist in illustrating the various pertinent features of the presented inventions. The following description is presented for purposes of illustration and description and is not intended to limit the inventions to the forms disclosed herein. Consequently, variations and modifications commensurate with the following teachings, and skill and knowledge of the relevant art, are within the scope of the presented inventions. The embodiments described herein are further intended to explain the best modes known of practicing the invention and to enable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention in such, or other embodiments and with various modifications required by the particular application(s) or use(s) of the presented inventions. 
     Presented herein is one embodiment of a step stool that may be mounted within a cabinet beneath a countertop and/or sink. The step stool has particular applicability for use in bathrooms where space is limited. However, the step stool is not limited to any particular application. For instance, such a step stool may also be utilized by short adults to reach upper cabinets, the step stool may be used in the kitchen, etc. Generally, the step stool is adapted for disposition within the interior of a cabinet or vanity such that the step stool may be disposed entirely within the cabinet when not in use. When needed, the cabinet door may be opened and the step stool may be deployed to provide one or more steps to provide access for children and/or small adults to a countertop, sink, and/or upper cabinets. 
     The figures illustrate one non-limiting embodiment of a folding step stool  20 . Similar components are co-described herein with like elements having common reference numbers.  FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrate the folding step stool  20 , which may be entirely disposed within a cabinet  10  (i.e., within a spatial envelope of the cabinet), when not in use. The cabinet may be located in a bathroom, in a kitchen, etc. More specifically,  FIG. 1  illustrates the step stool  20  in a folded configuration (e.g., non-deployed) such that the step stool  20  is entirely disposed within an interior of the cabinet  10 . In this configuration, the cabinet door  12  may be closed such that the step stool  20  is entirely hidden from view. (See e.g.,  FIG. 3 .)  FIG. 2  illustrates the step stool  20  in a deployed configuration. In the deployed configuration, the cabinet door  12  is opened and the step stool  20  is folded out of the interior of the cabinet  10  such that at least a first forward leg and more typically first and second forward legs  22 ,  24  contact a floor surface  14 . These forward legs  22 ,  24  support at least a first step  30  and, in the illustrated embodiment, a second step  32 . While the step stool  20  may be entirely disposed within the cabinet  10 , the stepstool folds to have a shallow depth such that area in the cabinet behind the stepstool is available for storage. See  FIG. 3 . Further, this area may be easily accessed by deploying the stool as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
       FIGS. 3-7  illustrate view of the step stool  20  in a folded side configuration, a partially deployed side configuration, a fully deployed side configuration, a folded perspective configuration, and a fully deployed side configuration, respectively. As shown, the stepstool  20  includes a base  40  that is adapted for mounting on a generally horizontal interior surface  16  of the cabinet  10 . As shown in  FIGS. 3-5 , the base  40  has a front edge  44  that can be used to correctly position the base  40  and connected stool within the interior of the cabinet  10 . That is, the front edge  44  of the base  40  can be juxtaposed relative to the front surface of the cabinet edge or lip to correctly position the base  40 . At this time, one or more fasteners  42  (e.g., wood screws) may be inserted through one or more apertures in the base  40 . See for instance  FIG. 7 . Other attachment mechanisms may be utilized including, for example, adhesives. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3-7 , the base  40  supports first and second rear legs  52 ,  54 . These legs  52 ,  54  may be interconnected to the base  40  in any appropriate manner. In one embodiment, collets  56  are horizontally aligned in the top surface of the base. Such horizontal collets  56  each receive a curved lower portion  58  of a corresponding rear leg. The base may be injected molded or may be made of pressed metal. However, this is not a requirement. In another embodiment, collets may be vertical and the rear legs may lack the curved lower portion (not shown). Other connection between the base and rear legs is possible. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3-7 , each rear leg  52 ,  54  has a curved lower portion  58  that is received in their respective collet  56 . The curved lower portion  58  of each rear leg  52 ,  54  is secured to the respective collet  56  by one or more fasteners  60 . The rear legs  52 ,  54  extend upwardly from the curved lower portions  58  and connect to a rearward portion of the first step  30 . More specifically, the upper ends of the rear legs  52 ,  54  are pivotally connected to the rear edge of the first step  30  via a first pivotal connection  36   a . This pivotal connection  36   a  may utilize any appropriate pin, bolt or other fastener. Likewise, the forward legs  22 ,  24  are pivotally connected to the forward edge of the first step  30  via a second pivotal connection  36   b . The pivotal connections  36   a ,  36   b  of the rear and forward legs to the first step allows for pivotal movement of the step from the non-deployed position as illustrated in  FIG. 3  to the deployed position as illustrated in  FIG. 5 . In this regard, the top planar surface of the first step  30  may be rotated from a vertical position as shown in  FIG. 3  to a horizontal position as illustrated in  FIG. 5 . 
     As best illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the forward legs  22 ,  24  are connected such that they pivot to a substantially vertical position when the first step  30  is in the vertical position. More particularly, in the illustrated embodiments, the forward legs  22 ,  24  are received within a recessed interior of the bottom surface of the step  30  in the vertical position to minimize the overall depth of the stool  20  in the non-deployed position. In the illustrated embodiment, cantilevered tabs  34  extend from the sides of the first step and displace over (e.g., snap over, etc.) the forward legs  22 ,  24  when the step is in the vertical position. The tabs maintain the forward legs  22 ,  24  in a fixed positional relationship with the first step. That is, the tab(s) provide a retainer for maintaining the step in the vertical position. 
     As illustrated, the forward legs  22 ,  24  are longer than the rear legs  52 ,  54 . This is often necessary as the base of the stool is disposed within the interior of the cabinet  10  at a vertical height above the floor  14 . See  FIGS. 2 and 5 . However, the height of the interior floor surface of different cabinets varies. That is, there is no standard interior height for the bottom floor of a cabinet. Therefore, to allow the steps  30 ,  32  of the stool to be disposed in a substantially flat horizontal orientation when the stool is deployed, it may be necessary to adjust the length of the first and second forward legs  20 ,  22 . To achieve such adjustment, each of the first and second forward legs may utilize a tube-in-sleeve arrangement (not shown) where each forward leg has an adjustable lower insert. Accordingly, these lower insert portions may be adjusted to a desired length by sliding these lower portions to a desired position within their respective leg. Alternatively and/or additionally, adjustment of the length of each forward leg  22 ,  24 , may be provided by an adjustable foot  27 . See  FIG. 5 . Such an adjustable foot  27  may be threaded into the lower end of each forward leg  22 ,  24 . This adjustable foot may have a threaded shaft having a length that allows for adjusting the overall length of the leg. However, it will be appreciated that the adjustment length of the forward legs  22 ,  24  may be performed in any appropriate manner. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the stool  30  also includes a second step  32 , which is at least partially supported by the first and second forward legs  22 ,  24 . In the illustrated embodiment, the lower step is pivotally connected between the forward legs  22 ,  24 . The second step  32  is configured to be deployed at a vertical position lower than the first step  30 . In this regard, the stepstool  20  provides first and second steps for use in accessing a counter or sink. 
     To allow for the automatic displacement of the forward legs  22 ,  24  as the first step  30  is rotated from the non-deployed position (e.g., vertical position) to the deployed position (e.g., horizontal position), the step stool further incorporates cross linkages  70   a ,  70   b  (see  FIG. 6 , hereafter cross linkage  70  unless specifically referenced). In the present embodiment, free ends of the cross linkage form a support for the second step  32  as shown in  FIG. 2 . In another embodiment, the cross linkages and second step may be separate members (not shown). In the illustrated embodiment, each cross linkage  70  has a first end pivotally connected proximate to the base of the rear legs  52 ,  54  via a third pivotal connection  36   c  and a mid portion pivotally connected  36   d  to one of the forward legs  22 ,  24  via a fourth pivotal connection  36   d . In the illustrated embodiment, a second free end of each cross linkage  70  extends beyond the front legs and form cantilever supports for the planar surface of the second step  32 , which extends between the second free ends of the linkages. 
     The linkage  70  provides the actuating force that, during rotation of the first step from the vertical position to the horizontal position, displaces the forward legs forward such that they move out of the interior envelope of the cabinet and come in contact with the floor surface  14 . The rear legs  52 ,  54 , first step  30 , forward legs  22 ,  24 , and the linkage  70  effectively define a four bar linkage/closed chain movable linkage. It consists of four bodies connected in a loop by four pivoting joints, e.g.,  36   a ,  36   b ,  36   c  and  36   d . One link of the chain (i.e., rear legs  52 ,  54 ) is usually fixed, and is called the ground link, fixed link, or the frame. The two links connected to the frame (first step  30  and linkage  70 ) are called the grounded links and are generally the input and output links of the system, sometimes called the input link and output link. The last link (i.e., forward legs  22 ,  24 ) is the floating link, which is also called a coupler or connecting rod because it connects an input to the output. Such a four bar linkage allows the stool to fold into a substantially flat configuration as illustrated in  FIGS. 1, 3, and 6 . Further, the four-bar linkage is operative to lift the bottom ends of the first and second forward legs above the base of the cabinet to allow these legs to fold into the interior of the cabinet when not in use. 
     As noted, the second ends of the linkages  70  form cantilevered supports for the lower step  32 . In this regard, the linkage and lower step form a single bar of the four-bar linkage where a rearward end of the linkage/lower step bar is pivotally connected  36   c  to the rear legs  52 ,  54  and a mid portion of the linkage/lower step bar is pivotally connected  36   d  to the forward legs  22 ,  24 . In this embodiment, the linkage directly deploys the second step from a vertical position to a horizontal position as the stool is deployed. In another embodiment, the rearward end of the linkage/lower step bar is pivotally connected to the base. 
     In one embodiment, at least one pivotal connection  36  of the four bar linkage may further include a torsional element to allow for a slow descent of the stool. See  FIGS. 8A-8C . As shown in  FIG. 8A , a torsion spring  80  is attached to one of the pivotal connections  36 , in the illustration it is attached to the pivotal connection  36   a  between the linkage  70  and rear leg  52 , which is shown in cross-section for purposes of discussion. The torsion spring  80  is closed when the step is stowed ( FIG. 8B ) and expands as the step is deployed ( FIG. 8C ), thereby, resisting the deployment of the stool  20 , but balanced with the weight of the stool  20  to allow a slow descent of the stool  20  until the forward legs  22 ,  24  come in contact with the floor  14 . The torsion spring  80  also helps when returning the stool to the stowed position because the torsion spring  80  is going back to its natural state. 
     Though described in a primary embodiment utilized in cabinets having a raised interior surface, it will be appreciated that the stool may be utilized in other applications. For instance, the stool may be utilized in applications where it is not enclosed within the interior of a cabinet. Such stool may be utilized in, for example, public restrooms. In such an application, the base of the stool may be fixedly attached to a floor surface. In such an arrangement, the rearward and forward legs may be of substantially the same length. 
     The foregoing description has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. Furthermore, the description is not intended to limit the inventions and/or aspects of the inventions to the forms disclosed herein. Consequently, variations and modifications commensurate with the above teachings, and skill and knowledge of the relevant art, are within the scope of the presented inventions. The embodiments described hereinabove are further intended to explain best modes known of practicing the inventions and to enable others skilled in the art to utilize the inventions in such, or other embodiments and with various modifications required by the particular application(s) or use(s) of the presented inventions. It is intended that the appended claims be construed to include alternative embodiments to the extent permitted by the prior art.