A shelf assembly comprises a shelf, an arm having a distal end and a proximal end, a first pivot connection between the shelf and the distal end of the arm, and a second pivot connection between the proximal end of the arm and a base. The base comprises a drawer movable in translation between at least a storage position and an operating position. A cabinet for a swing-out shelf is also described.

FIELD

This application relates to dental equipment, and in particular to storage solutions for dental operating spaces.

BACKGROUND

Dentists, dental assistants and other practitioners continue to seek more efficient solutions for storing equipment and supplies used during treatment of patients. A typical dental operatory often has a limited footprint, so space must be used wisely. At the same time, practitioners must have ready access to items needed during treatment, and from a location that is selected to be convenient but minimize interference with movement of other equipment and personnel. In some settings, equipment and supplies are stored in cabinets, so it would be advantageous to make such cabinets more useful during treatment.

SUMMARY

Described below are implementations of a shelf assembly that addresses some of the drawbacks of current approaches to storing dental equipment and supplies.

According to a first implementation, a shelf assembly comprises a shelf member, an arm having a distal end and a proximal end, a first pivot connection between the shelf member and the distal end of the arm and a second pivot connection between the proximal end of the arm and a base. The base comprises a drawer movable in translation between at least a storage position and an operating position.

The shelf assembly can comprise a cabinet shaped to enclose the drawer, the arm and the shelf member when they are in a storage position.

The drawer can comprise at least two pre-defined mounting locations for mounting the arm. The drawer can comprise a mounting location for the arm defined at an inner corner of the drawer.

The drawer can comprise a central opening positioned at a level below the arm and the shelf member.

The shelf assembly can comprise a reinforcement bracket shaped to extend in orthogonal directions and having mounting holes for mounting the brackets at the mounting location.

The shelf assembly can be symmetrical about a center point and have two curved portions extending away from the center point in opposite directions.

In some implementations, at least one of the first or second pivot connections comprises a resistance adjustment member. In some implementations, at least one of the first or second pivot connections comprises an assembly of thrust bearings and thrust washers.

In some implementations, the drawer is movable between a retracted position and at least one extended position, and the drawer has detents at the retracted position and at the extended position.

In some implementations, the base is generally horizontal when the shelf assembly is installed.

The drawer can comprise a back that projects upwardly from the drawer. The back can restrict the shelf and arm from moving rearwardly beyond a selected storage position.

The back can comprise at least one magnet positioned to attract and hold the shelf member when the shelf member is in a storage position.

In some implementations, a cabinet can comprise at least a first level on which the drawer is movably mounted, and a second level on which a second drawer with a second arm and a second shelf is mounted.

In another implementation, a cabinet for dental supplies comprises first and second swing-out shelf members. The first swing-out shelf member is pivotably connected to a first arm having a proximal end pivotably connected to a first sliding drawer. The second swing-out shelf member is pivotably connected to a second arm having a proximal end pivotably connecting to a second drawer. The second drawer is vertically spaced from the first drawer. The cabinet also comprises a cabinet housing sized to house the first and second drawers.

In some implementations, at least one of the first swing-out shelf member or the second swing-out shelf member has a contoured forward edge.

In some implementations, the proximal end of the first arm is mounted to the first drawer adjacent a first corner, and wherein a second corner positioned opposite the first corner is pre-drilled with mounting holes for an alternative mounting position for the arm.

At least the first drawer can comprise an L-shaped reinforcement bracket with legs oriented orthogonally along intersecting sides of the first drawer to distribute a load from the first arm and reduce deflection in the first drawer. At least the first drawer can comprise a back positioned to extend uprightly from a rear side of the first drawer.

The foregoing and other features and advantages will become more apparent from the following detailed description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring toFIGS. 1-4, a shelf assembly100is shown in one possible use position with a shelf member102in an extended or deployed position and connected by an arm106to a base110. In the illustrated implementation, the base110is part of a sliding drawer or tray112that is movable in translation, such as along axis C, from a closed position to an open or extended position. Specifically, the shelf member102is pivotably connected to a distal end of the arm106at a first pivot connection104(axis B). The arm has a proximal end that is pivotably connected at a second pivot connection108(axis A) to the base110. Stated differently, the shelf member102can be “swung out.”

In some implementations, the shelf member102can be pivoted 360 degrees relative to the first pivot connection104(subject to the presence of any interfering structure). In some implementations, the arm106can be pivoted 360 relative to the second connection108(subject to the presence of any interfering structure). As illustrated, the shelf member102and the arm106are configured such that the shelf member102can be rotated 360° about the pivot connection104(for at least for some positions of the arm106relative to the second pivot connection108), subject to other objects that may be present and interfere with such rotation. In other implementations, it may be possible to configure the arm106with only the pivot connection108.

The arm106can be described as S-shaped. In the illustrated implementation, the arm is symmetrical about its center point, although such a symmetry is not a requirement. Further, the S-shape in the illustrated implementation is comprised of smoothly curving segments, but it would also be possible to achieve an arm having a distal end offset from its pivot point by a desired distance using one or more angled or curved segments. Because the distal end of the arm106is offset, the arm106can be swung out or extended farther than a straight arm.

In the illustrated implementation, the drawer112is configured to translate between multiple positions, such as at least an open position (e.g., as shown inFIG. 1) and a closed position (e.g. as shown inFIG. 5). In the illustrated implementation, the drawer is slidably supported using conventional drawer slides114. The drawer slides114may be configured to provide defined positions for the drawer112, such as one or more predefined open or extended positions and/or closed or retracted positions. Of course, it would be possible to provide other predefined positions as well.

In the illustrated implementation, there is a back116attached to the drawer112and projecting upwardly from the drawer112. The back116fulfills several functions, including preventing the shelf member102and arm106from being pushed rearwardly beyond a pre-defined storage position, such as is shown inFIG. 5. In some implementations, the back is fitted with one or more magnets (e.g., three magnets, with two such magnets117being shown (seeFIG. 1)).

The drawer112may be provided with a central opening118. The opening118can be fitted with one or more removable members, including a set of containers providing storage for various items of different sizes.

The shelf member102can be designed to have any desired size. In some implementations, the shelf member102is designed to accommodate a tub or tray, but other sizes and purposes are, of course, possible. For example, the shelf member102can accommodate an instrument or piece of equipment that is swung into position when needed. Desirably, the shelf member102has a low profile and can be configured with one more structural features (such as a surrounding rib109as best seen inFIG. 9A) that increase its stiffness under load.

In some implementations, the shelf member102has a formed steel construction. The shelf member102can have surfaces that are smoothly joined together, including in the area of the rib109, which makes cleaning of the shelf member easier.

As shown inFIG. 2, which is a top plan view, andFIG. 3, which is a side elevation view, the shelf member102is potentially extendable to a considerable distance. Thus, to the extent that the shelf member102is subjected to a load, the load can be exerted over a moment arm having considerable length. Therefore, the structure of the shelf member102, the arm106, the first pivot connection104, the second pivot connection108and the drawer112have been carefully designed to minimize deflection and ensure robust performance. For example, in some implementations the assembly is designed to meet ANSI/AAMI ES60601-1:2005/(R)2012 Clause 9.8.2 (Tensile Safety Factor).

Referring toFIG. 9D, in some implementations, the arm106is configured to pivot until it contacts the cabinet (such as the cabinet edge banding252) when the drawer112is fully extended. This maximizes the reach of the arm106, especially in a lateral direction.

FIGS. 5-8show the shelf assembly100configured in a storage position in which the shelf member102has been moved over the drawer112with the arm106pivoted to extend diagonally between the pivot connection108and the second pivot connection104, and at a height above the drawer112, as best seen inFIGS. 7 and 8. In the illustrated implementation, the shelf member102is sized such that it can be slid out from a cabinet or other enclosure, as discussed below in more detail.

As shown inFIG. 6, a front edge of the shelf member102is contoured to provide one or more curved sections107, e.g., adjacent each corner, that are easy for a user to reach and grasp to move the shelf member102to a different position.

FIG. 9Ais an exploded view of the shelf assembly100. As shown, the shelf member102can have a generally planar surface, and may be fitted with a surrounding raised edge109to allow it to be gripped easily and to help retain any small items. As shown, the shelf member102may be provided with multiple pre-defined mounting locations such as the two opposing mounting locations120. In the illustrated implementation, one of the mounting locations120is aligned with the distal end of the arm106and assembled together with a number of components that together form the pivot connection104.

In one specific implementation, the shelf member102is attached with threaded fasteners132to a pivot hub130, which is received in a bearing134that sits within a bore135in the arm106. The bore135is best shown inFIG. 9B, which shows a section view of the distal end of the arm at the pivot connection104in elevation.

In addition to the pivot hub130and the bearing134, the pivot connection104also includes a thrust bearing138, thrust washers140positioned above and below the thrust bearing138, and, below the arm106, a thrust bearing142, thrust washers148positioned above and below the thrust bearing142, a flat washer144and a cap screw146that can be rotated to adjust the pivot resistance.

It would, of course, be possible to use one or more different components for the pivot connection104than described above for the illustrated implementation. As just one example, one or more of the separate bearings described above could be omitted or combined with other components.

At the opposite corner of the shelf member102, the unused mounting location120can be fitted with fasteners, such as mounting bolts and nuts that close the holes in the shelf member and provide for a more finished appearance.

As can be seen inFIG. 9A, the same components of the pivot connection104are used for the pivot connection108at the proximal end of the arm106and the base or drawer112. Thus, there is a second pivot hub130mounted to the drawer112with fasteners126, and the same bearings and washers as described above are assembled together and held in place by the engagement of the cap screw146with the pivot hub130.

In the illustrated implementation, the pivot connection108can be further reinforced with an optional bracket124that is secured by the fasteners126and extends generally along two orthogonal edges of the bottom surface of the drawer112. As can be seen, the drawer slides114are attached to opposite sides of the drawer112with fasteners122. In some implementations, drawer slides sold by Accuride can be used.

FIGS. 10-13show a cabinet assembly200that incorporates two instances of the shelf assembly (see, e.g., shelf assembly100inFIG. 1) and illustrate how they can be used in tandem.

FIG. 10is a perspective view showing the cabinet assembly200with an upper shelf member202U extended and the upper drawer212U extended from a cabinet250. Similarly, a lower shelf assembly is shown with the lower shelf member202L extended and the drawer212L extended. In the illustrated implementation, the two shelf assemblies are mounted to the extendable from a same side of the cabinet, but it would also be possible to have shelf assemblies mounted to opposite sides of the cabinet200. It is course possible to use only a single shelf assembly with the cabinet assembly200. Also, the height at which any of the shelf assemblies is positioned within the cabinet is adjustable.

InFIG. 12, it can be seen that there is a pivot axis AUfor the upper shelf assembly that is directly aligned with a pivot axis ALfor the lower shelf assembly. Similarly, there is an upper pivot axis BUthat is directly aligned with a lower pivot axis BLfor the lower shelf assembly. Each of the shelf assemblies inFIGS. 10-13is independently movable between its storage position and a full range of operating positions.

FIGS. 14-17show the shelf assembly200with each of the shelf units202U,202L folded into a storage position and with the respective drawers212U,212L retracted. The cabinet250as illustrated has hinges for a cabinet door, but the door has not been shown for purposes of illustration.