Abstract:
A system and method for providing a stepping platform in front of a cabinet structure, so that a person can better reach above the cabinet structure. The system includes a motorized platform that is retracted into the base support below the cabinet structure. When a person needs the platform, that person engages an activation switch. Once the activation switch is depressed, an electric motor drives the platform forward in front of the cabinet structure. Once fully extended, the platform can be stood upon, thereby adding between three inches and six inches of height to the person. When the platform is no longer needed, the activation switch is again engaged. The electric motor retracts the platform back into the base support below the cabinet structure.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    In general, the present invention relates to retractable steps that are built into the structure of a cabinet so that a person can extend the step to better reach above the structure of the cabinet.  
           [0003]    2. Description of the Prior Art  
           [0004]    Most homes utilize some form of cabinet structure in either the kitchen or the bathroom. There are two basic catagories of cabinets. They include floor cabinets and wall cabinets. Floor cabinets rest on the floor. They are used to support a countertop. A sink, cooking range or the like may be located on the countertop. Floor cabinets are typically between twenty-eight inches and thirty-six inches high. Floor cabinets typically define storage areas. In this manner, goods can be stored in the floor cabinets under the supported countertop. However, the storage areas defined by the floor cabinets traditionally do not extend down to the level of the floor. Rather, the storage area of the cabinet is typically supported a few inches above the level of the floor by a base support. The base support creates an unused area below the storage area of the cabinet. This unused area is typically recessed and covered by a kick plate.  
           [0005]    There are many reasons for placing a recessed base support below the storage area of a cabinet. By recessing the base support, a person&#39;s feet can extend under the cabinet structure and a person can comfortably stand close to the cabinet structure and the countertop it supports. The recessed base support prevents water from reaching the storage area of a cabinet structure if the floor were to flood. It also prevents the cabinet doors from becoming scuffed by shoes or dirtied by a mop. Lastly, the recessed base support provides a space through which heating ducts, water lines, and electric cables can be run.  
           [0006]    Another type of cabinet structure is the wall cabinet. Wall cabinets are typically not as wide as floor cabinets. Wall cabinets are designed to hang on the wall. Commonly, wall cabinets are hung on a kitchen wall over the countertop so as to provide further storage space in the kitchen. Although wall cabinets come in many sizes, they typically extend to a height above the reach of the average person.  
           [0007]    Many people lack the stature needed to reach the top of their wall cabinets. As such, people commonly use stools or small stepladders help increase their reach. Using a stool or a stepladder is bothersome because the stool or stepladder must be retrieved, and then returned to storage before and after each use. It is for this reason that people do not place frequently used items to high in their wall cabinets.  
           [0008]    Over the years, many people have attempted to make the task of reaching high into a wall cabinet easier. The most common approach to solving this problem has been the building of stepladder assemblies into the floor cabinet or the door of the floor cabinet. Such prior art is exemplified by U.S. Pat. No. 5,131,492 to Caminiti, entitled, Portable Lightweight Collapsible Footstool, and U.S. Pat. No. 3,030,166 to Richards, entitled Combination Cabinet and Stepladder. Such prior art devices store a collapsible stepping stool in or on the door of the cabinet. This, however, reduces the amount of space in the storage compartment. Additionally, when the stepping stool is extended, a person cannot open the cabinet door behind the extended stool.  
           [0009]    Furthermore, such collapsible stepping stools must be manually extended and retracted by the user. A person therefore, cannot operate these prior art devices when their hands are full.  
           [0010]    A need therefore exists for an improved stepping stool assembly that is completely contained in the recessed base support below a common floor cabinet. A need also exists for a retractable step assembly that can be extended and retracted at the touch of button thereby enabling a person with full hands to operate the device. These needs are met by the present invention as described and claimed below.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0011]    The present invention is a system and method for providing a stepping platform in front of a cabinet structure, so that a person can better reach above the cabinet structure. The system includes a motorized platform that is retracted into the base support below the cabinet structure. When a person needs the platform, that person engages an activation switch. Once the activation switch is depressed, an electric motor drives the platform forward in front of the cabinet structure. Once fully extended, the platform can be stood upon, thereby adding between three inches and six inches of height to the person. When the platform is no longer needed, the activation switch is again engaged. The electric motor retracts the platform back into the base support below the cabinet structure.  
           [0012]    To prevent the platform from causing injury or knocking over any object, the platform is equipped with a sensor that detects if the platform has contacted another object when it is moving between its retracted position and its extended position. If an object is detected, the movement of the platform is either stopped or reversed. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0013]    For a better understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the following description of an exemplary embodiment thereof, considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a section of floor mounted kitchen cabinets containing the present invention assembly;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of the present invention assembly;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of the present invention assembly; and  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 4 is block diagram schematic of the present invention assembly. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0018]    Although the present invention assembly and method can be located in the base support of most any counter or sink basin, the present invention is especially well suited for use on floor mounted kitchen cabinets. As such, by way of example, the embodiment of the present invention described will be in an application that includes floor mounted kitchen cabinets. Such a choice of configuration should not be considered a limitation on the possible applications for the present invention assembly and method. Rather, such an embodiment is presented merely as the best contemplated mode for utilizing the present invention assembly and method.  
         [0019]    Referring to FIG. 1, an exemplary embodiment of the present invention assembly  10  is shown in an application where the system is located in a floor cabinet  12  under a kitchen sink  14 . The present invention system  10  includes a retractable stepping platform  16  that can be selectively extended from the base of most any floor cabinet  12 . The purpose of the stepping platform  16  is to provide an elevated surface upon which a person can stand. The exemplary embodiment of showing the stepping platform under a sink is a common application for the assembly. Often children have a hard time reaching the recessed faucet controls on a traditional kitchen sink. As such, it is difficult for a child to operate the faucet to get a drink of water or to wash their hands. By positioning the present invention assembly  10  in the floor cabinet under the sink, the step can be selectively extended by a child. Once extended, the child can stand on the step and reach the faucet controls on the sink. It will also be understood that the present invention system can help any person better reach a wall cabinet, shelf, window or any other object that may be located above a floor cabinet  12  containing the present invention assembly  10 .  
         [0020]    From FIG. 1, it can be seen that the present invention assembly  10  is located in the recessed base support  18  below the cabinet&#39;s doors  19 . This area of the base support  18  is usually covered by a kick plate  20 . However, in the present example, a section of the kick plate  20  has been removed and the present invention assembly  10  installed. The present invention assembly is electrically operated. As will later be explained, all the components used in the functioning of the assembly  10  are located within the recessed area of the base support  18 .  
         [0021]    The purpose of the present invention assembly  10  is to provide an elevated platform that can be selectively extended and retracted. To cycle the stepping platform  16  between a retracted position and an extended position, a person contacts an activation switch  22 . In the shown embodiment, the activation switch  22  is shown in the kick plate  20  adjacent the stepping platform  16 . However, such a location is merely exemplary. The activation switch  22  can be located on the vertical face  24  of the stepping platform  16 , on the cabinet  12  or above the cabinet  12 . If located on the kick plate  20  or on the vertical face  24  of the stepping platform  16 , then a person&#39;s foot contacts the activation switch  22 . Once contacted, the stepping platform  16  will move from a retracted position to an extended position, or vice versa. If the activation switch is located on the cabinet  12  or above the cabinet  12 , the activation switch  22  can be contacted by hand, thereby cycling the stepping platform  16  in the same manner.  
         [0022]    When the stepping platform  16  is in its retracted position, the vertical face  24  of the stepping platform  16  lies flush with the kick plate  20 . The vertical face  24  of the stepping platform  16  is preferably the same color as the kick plate  20  so as to be unnoticeable. When the stepping platform  16  is extended, the top surface  26  of the stepping platform  16  extends outwardly away from the kick plate  20 . The length and width of the top surface  26  of the stepping platform  16  are no larger than the length and the width of the recessed base support  18  of the cabinet in which it is located. The top surface  26  of the stepping platform  16  preferably has a rubber or otherwise non-slip cover to help prevent a person from slipping off the stepping platform  16  when standing upon the stepping platform  16 .  
         [0023]    Referring now to FIG. 2, a first embodiment of the assembly  10  is shown. From FIG. 2, it can be seen that the stepping platform  16  is supported by a set of wheels  30  near its vertical face  24 . The wheels  30  bear the weight of a person standing on the stepping platform  16  and prevent the stepping platform  16  from marring the floor.  
         [0024]    The stepping platform  16  is moved between its retracted position and its extended position by a reversible electric motor  32 . When the reversible motor  32  rotates in a first direction, the stepping platform  16  is retracted. When the reversible motor  32  rotates in the opposite direction, the stepping platform  16  is extended. In the shown embodiment, the motor  32  is used to drive a geared transmission  34 . The geared transmission  34  turns a wheel  36  that is biased against the bottom of the stepping platform  16 . As the wheel  36  turns, the stepping platform  16  is either retracted toward the motor  32  or extended away from the motor  32 , thereby either retracting or extending the stepping platform  16 .  
         [0025]    In FIG. 2, the stepping platform  16  defines a confined area  40  that is open facing the motor  32 . In this manner, the stepping platform  16  can pass over the motor  32  when the stepping platform  16  is fully retracted. This enables both the stepping platform  16  and the motor  32  to share the same confined space under a cabinet.  
         [0026]    Referring now to FIG. 3 an alternate embodiment of the assembly  10  is shown in accordance with the present invention. The embodiment of FIG. 3 shares many features with the previous embodiment of FIG. 2. For the purposes of clarity, features having the same function between the two embodiments will be identified with the same reference number.  
         [0027]    From FIG. 3, it can be seen that the stepping platform  16  is supported by a set of wheels  30  near its vertical face  24 . The wheels  30  bear the weight of a person standing on the stepping platform  16  and prevent the stepping platform  16  from marring the floor.  
         [0028]    The stepping platform  16  is moved between its retracted position and its extended position by a reversible electric motor  32 . When the reversible motor  32  rotates in a first direction, the stepping platform  16  is retracted. When the reversible motor  32  rotates in the opposite direction, the stepping platform  16  is extended. In the shown embodiment, the motor  32  is used to drive a geared transmission  34 . The geared transmission  34  turns a pinion gear  37  that is engaged with a gear rack  39 . The gear rack  39  is joined to the stepping platform  16 . As the pinion gear  37  turns, the gear rack  39  is either retracted toward the motor  32  or extended away from the motor  32 , thereby either retracting or extending the stepping platform  16 .  
         [0029]    In the embodiments of FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the linear drive mechanism that moves the stepping platform differs. There are many mechanisms that exist in the prior art that can create reciprocating linear motion. Many such devices do not use wheels or rack and pinion mechanisms, but rater use threaded shafts, pulleys, cables and the like. Any such prior art liner motion mechanism can be adapted for use in the present invention.  
         [0030]    Referring to FIG. 4, a schematic of the present invention assembly  10  is shown. In this schematic, it can be seen that a motor  32  is used to power a linear drive mechanism  42 . The linear drive mechanism  42  is used to covert the rotational energy of the motor  32  into reciprocating linear movement. As such, the linear drive mechanism  42  is capable of selectively moving the stepping platform  16  between a retracted position and an extended position. As has been previously described, the initial activation of the motor  32  is created by a person contacting an activation switch  22 . Once the activation switch  22  is depressed, the stepping platform  16  is moved from either the retracted or extended position back to the opposite position. The system also includes two travel limit switches  44 ,  46 . The travel limit switches  44 ,  46  are coupled to the motor  32  and let the motor  32  detect when the stepping platform  16  is at its fully extended or fully retracted position. In this manner, the motor  32  is prevented from over-rotating and damaging itself, the linear drive mechanism  42  and/or the stepping platform  16 .  
         [0031]    When the stepping platform  16  extends outwardly, it is only a few inches above the floor. Consequently, when the stepping platform  16  moves to its fully extended position, the stepping platform  16  may contact the feet or ankles of any person standing in front of the stepping platform  16 . To prevent injury, two elements are designed into the system. First, the stepping platform  16  extends slowly into the fully extended position. Preferably it takes the stepping platform  16  at least five seconds to cycle from the fully retracted position to the fully extended position. At this speed, the stepping platform  16  will have only nominal kinetic energy and momentum as it extends, thereby reducing the chances of a contact injury.  
         [0032]    Secondly, the system includes an obstacle detector that automatically stops or reverses the extension/retraction cycle should the moving stepping platform  16  ever contact an object. In the schematic present in FIG. 3, the obstacle detector has taken the form of a motor load sensor  50 . Should the stepping platform  16  contact an object while extending, the load on the motor  32  extending the stepping platform  16  would increase. If that load increases beyond a predetermined threshold level, it can be assumed that the stepping platform  16  has contacted a large object, such as a foot, a mop bucket, the family pet or the like. The motor load sensor then causes the motor  32  to either stop or reverse and retract to the fully retracted position. Furthermore, if some object were to snag on the stepping platform  16  as it is retracting, the load on the motor retracting the stepping platform  16  would also increase. If the load increase surpasses a threshold value, it can be assumed that some object has become entangled with the stepping platform  16 , or there is some object still resting on the stepping platform  16 . In this situation, the load sensor instructs the motor  32  to stop. After the entangled object is removed, or the object removed from atop the stepping platform  16 , the activation switch  22  can again be depressed and the stepping platform  16  will retract as designed.  
         [0033]    The motor load sensor  50  is merely exemplary and it should be understood that other object sensors can be used in conjunction with or in place of the motor load sensor  50 . Contact sensors, ultrasonic sensors, infrared sensors and the like can all be used in the stepping platform  16  to detect if an object is in front of or on the top of the stepping platform  16 .  
         [0034]    It will be understood that the embodiment of the present invention described and illustrated herein is merely exemplary and a person skilled in the art can make many variations to the embodiments shown without departing from the scope of the present invention. All such variations, modifications and alternate embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.