Abstract:
A storage VBS with opposing side walls, a top, a bottom, a back with an open or openable front, houses moveable upper and lower adjustable shelving boxes. The shelving boxes are moveably motorized and controlled sequentially. An upper shelf is made accessible by driving an upper shelving box out of the VBS and then adjusting the shelf height for storage or retrieval of an item. The upper shelving box must be returned to the VBS prior to operating the lower shelving.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This disclosure relates to motorized shelving, to move the shelving and items contained therein to different heights, to, for example, meet the special needs of the physically challenged, or those who are otherwise healthy and productive having limited reaching and kneeling abilities. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Conventional storage cabinets, particularly of the kitchen wall mounted type, are not ergonomically convenient to certain groups of people; moreover, most top shelves are too high and out of reach for the average person. Consequently, people in wheel chairs, for example, otherwise capable of performing normal activities, may be unable to reach items stored in any of the cabinet shelves. Similarly, the ability to reach or to kneel can be difficult for some in the elderly populace, those with disabilities or physical ailments and for individuals of less than average height. 
     A number of storage cabinets have been created that allow access to shelves that are difficult to reach. Bond et al, (U.S. Pat. No. 7,621,605) discloses a cabinet which drives a basket or shelf forward and then lifts it upward using a motor driven linear actuator or pulleys rotated by drive cords of belts. Jobe, (U.S. Pat. No. 6,367,898) shows a cabinet assembly which moves reversibly along a track on roller guide bearings, down and out away from a wall, and which can be moved by a motorized hoist. Kingsborough et al (U.S. Pat. No. 4,915,461) describes a storage device for cabinets having shelves carried by pairs of spaced, pivotally mounted arms. The arms are adapted to swing outwardly and downwardly, with the shelves maintaining a substantially horizontal attitude. A power unit extends and retracts a flexible cord to move the assembly. 
     Several other U.S. Patents have been found, most however, are based upon assemblies that can be unsafe. From the above-mentioned related art, it is apparent that there continues to be a need for reachable cabinet assemblies which are strong and safe. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present disclosure teaches certain benefits in construction and use which give rise to the objectives described below. The disclosure connects to, for example, the special needs of the physically challenged, and to otherwise healthy and productive elders, or others, who may have difficulty reaching items on shelves. The design approach for reachable shelving in kitchen cabinets, or for tools in a garage, manufacturing parts for assembly, office file documents, or any business requiring storage, and other applications, is to provide a stable and adjustable cabinet that is designed for individuals who use wheelchairs or who cannot reach for items stored on shelves that are above or below their reaching comfort zone. This motorized wall cabinet adjustment system uses a powered push button system to lower and raise cabinet shelves. 
     A primary objective of the present disclosure is to provide reachable shelves for the physically challenged. 
     Another objective of the present disclosure is to provide a product with motorized shelving units for storage and retrieval, as for example, items in a kitchen, tools in a garage, manufacturing parts for assembly, office file documents, or any business requiring storage. 
     Yet another objective of the present disclosure is to provide an improved cabinet such that the upper shelving and lower shelving units are separately moved out of the cabinet and vertically adjusted by the by an individual for storage or retrieval of articles placed therein, or removed therefrom. 
     Still another objective of the present disclosure is to provide a safe operating sequence wherein both shelving units must in the cabinet before moving a particular shelving unit out of the cabinet. 
     A further object of the present disclosure is to provide a mechanized and electrified cabinet using “off the shelf” mechanical and electrical components 
     Other features and advantages of the embodiment of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     The above objects are achieved by: A vertical box system comprising: a vertical box structure; an upper motorized platform, and a lower motorized platform; the upper and lower motorized platforms horizontally and separately moves an upper shelving box or a lower shelving box from inside of the vertical box structure to an outside position; the upper and lower shelving boxes are positioned with an open front and at least one shelf; the upper motorized platform is activated only if the lower motorized platform is sensed as being inside the vertical box; the upper and lower shelving boxes are separately and vertically adjusted while in the outside position; the adjusted means is controlled with a push button. 
     An upper vertical box system comprising: a vertical box structure; a motorized platform; the motorized platforms horizontally moves a shelving box from inside of the upper vertical box structure to an outside position; the shelving box is positioned with an open front and at least one shelf; the shelving box is vertically adjusted while in the outside position; the adjusted means is controlled with a push button. 
     A lower vertical box system comprising: a vertical box structure; a motorized platform; the motorized platforms horizontally moves a shelving box from inside of the vertical box structure to an outside position; the shelving box is positioned with an open front and at least one shelf; the shelving box is vertically adjusted while in said outside position; the adjusted means is controlled with a push button. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIGS. 1   a - 1   d  are perspective views, of the present disclosure, illustrating the upper shelving box and lower shelving box extended out from the VBS and retracted back into the VBS. 
         FIGS. 2   a - 2   i  are side views of the present disclosure illustrating the horizontal and vertical interchange of the shelving boxes. 
         FIG. 3  is a flow chart demonstrating the manner in which the sensor based system controls the safety aspect of the shelving box movements of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 3   a  is a flow chart demonstrating the manner in which the sensor based system safely controls the horizontal and vertical movement of the upper box structure of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 4  is an illustration showing a top view and a cross-sectional view of the mechanisms for extending and retracting the shelving box for both the horizontal and vertical movements. 
         FIG. 4   a  shows an enlarged cross-sectional view of the upright channels and radial bearing used for horizontally extending and retracting the shelving box of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 5   a  illustrates the operation of the lower motorized platform as shown in  FIG. 2   i , of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 5   b  illustrates viewing  FIG. 2   h  from the back of the VBS designated by viewing direction arrows  2   i - 2   i , of the present disclosure. 
         FIGS. 6 and 7  shows an elevated box embodiment, of the present disclosure, mountable over a counter top showing a horizontal extended shelving box and a vertically lowered shelving box. 
         FIGS. 8 and 9  show a lower box embodiment, of the present disclosure, mountable under a counter top showing a horizontal extended shelving box and a vertically raised shelving box. 
         FIG. 10  shows a schematic of the cable system used for lowering and raising the upper shelving box of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 11  illustrates a lower box embodiment, of the present disclosure, showing the 2:1 vertical extendability ratio. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     This disclosure teaches certain benefits in construction and use which give rise to the detailed description below. This disclosure relates to, for example, the special needs of the physically challenged, as well as to healthy and productive elders, or others, having reaching difficulties. The design approach for reachable shelving in kitchen cabinets is to provide a stable and adjustable walled shelving unit designed for individuals who use wheelchairs or cannot reach for items stored above or below their reaching comfort zone. This motorized shelving adjustment system uses a powered push button system in concert with sensors to safely lower and raise walled shelving units. 
     Related cabinet apparatuses with moving shelves fail to provide means to adjust from an upward unreachable position to a lower retrieval position and/or, from a lower unreachable position to an upward retrieval position. 
     Referring to drawings,  FIGS. 1   a - 1   d , illustrating perspective views of a vertical box structure  100  (hereafter referred to as VBS), constructed of wood, metal, or other materials having applicable strength. The present disclosure can be constructed inside an existing kitchen cabinet, or for any other shelving needs for which moveable shelves would be desired, as for example, garages, basements, workshops, hospitals, warehouses, or within an industrial setting such as a manufacturing assembly area. Structural design and materials would be tailored for a specific application. 
     The illustrative views in  FIGS. 1   a - 1   d , point out various operation modes showing movability of an upper motorized platform  110 , adjustability of an upper shelving box  101 , movability of a lower motorized platform  130  and adjustability of a lower shelving box  102 .  FIGS. 1   b ,  1   d ,  6 ,  7 ,  8 ,  9 ,  11  and  12  show horizontal and vertical extendibility for both upper and lower motorized platforms.  FIG. 3  is a flow chart describing the “go, no-go” controls, wherein limit switches are either open or closed managing both upper and lower movements of the motorized platforms and adjustability of the shelving boxes. 
       FIGS. 2   a - 2   i  illustrate side views of the vertical box system showing the VBS  100  and the horizontal and vertical controlled interchange of the shelving boxes  101  and  102 .  FIGS. 2   b - 2   e  show moving action of the upper horizontal slides  111   a ,  111   b  and vertical slides  113   a ,  114   a . A more detailed description of the linear actuators used for moving the upper motorized platform and the upper shelving box will be described later with reference to  FIGS. 4 and 10 . 
       FIG. 1   a  shows the VBS  100  having a top (lifted away), a bottom, an optional door, two sides and a back. The VBS houses a horizontally slideable upper motorized platform  110 , upper shelving box  101 , lower shelving box  102  and a horizontally slideable lower utility compartment  130 . 
       FIGS. 1   b  and  6  illustrate a reversibly moveable upper motorized platform  110  having four sides and a bottom surface. The upper motorized platform is shown horizontally extended, carries the upper shelving box  101  out of the VBS to a vertically adjustable position. The upper motorized platform is slidably fastened to horizontally mounted ball slides  111   a  and  111   b . The ball slides are fastened to the upper and inner side surfaces of VBS  100 . The upper shelving box is secured to the outer side corners of the utility compartment with vertically mounted ball slides  113   a  and  114   a  shown on the near side ball slides. Ball slides  113   b ,  114   b  are not visible from the far side. The mechanisms packaged within the upper motorized platform are shown in  FIG. 4 , containing drives for reversibly moving the motorized platform and the upper shelving box. 
       FIG. 1   c  and  FIG. 7  show the VBS with the motorized platform  110  fully extended and securely supported with ball slides  111   a  and  111   b . The upper shelving box  101  is shown extended vertically with four ball slides  113   a ,  113   b ,  114   a  and  114   b , mounted to each corner of the upper shelving box and secured to corresponding corners of the upper shelving box. Ball slide  113   b  is shown in  FIG. 1   c . Ball slide  114   b , not shown, is located in the hidden corner. Vertical positioning for shelf access is controlled by a person wanting reachable access to an item stored or to be stored on a particular shelf. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 4 and 4   a  showing the mechanized and electrified components that move the upper motorized platform  110  and the upper shelving box  102 . As previously described, the mounting of the horizontal ball slides  111   a  and  111   b  and the four vertical ball slides  113   a ,  113   b ,  114   a  and  114   b  are also graphically shown. A linear actuator  104  is used to reversibly move the upper motorized platform and the attached upper shelving box out of the VBS confines and back into the VBS. The stationary part  125  of the linear actuator is mounted to the top surface of the upper VBS member. The moveable end of the linear actuator  104  having a radial bearing  122  placed in an upright “U” channel  106 . The “U” channel is pivotally mounted  112  at the bottom surface on one end. A roller bearing  121  is mounted on the underside of the upright “U” channel at the other end. The roller bearing  121  rides in an upright channel  107 , shown in  FIG. 4   b , formed by two face to face positioned “Z” shaped members using an inner side to bear against when pushing the shelving box out of the VBS and the other inner side of the “U” channel to bear against when pulling the shelving box back in. Push button controls  126  for vertical adjustment as shown in  FIG. 7 . 
     After the upper motorized platform and upper shelving box are moved out of the VBS (refer also to  FIG. 10 ), a geared motor  105  rotates coupling  124  connecting a shaft spooling member  108  such to reversibly lower and to raise the shelving box  101  using a cable and pulley combination. Cable  109  is routed as follows: A first cable end  118  is fastened to the bottom member of the motorized platform passing downwards through a hole looping around a pulley  119   a , connected to the shelving box shown in  FIG. 10 , and back up and around pulley  117   a  supported by member  117 , to a pulley  116   b , located on the opposite side, and threaded down thru a hole in the bottom of the motorized platform and looped around a second pulley  119   b  connected to the opposite side of the shelving box  101 , and back through a hole under pulley  116   a  and around pulley  116   a  and fastened to spooling member  108  to wind or unwind the cable by a motor  105 , thusly raising or lowering the shelving box  101 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1   d ,  2   h , and  5   a  illustrating a horizontally moveable lower motorized platform  130  supported and fully extendable using horizontal ball slides  132   a  and  132   b  mounted on opposite sides of the lower motorized platform while fixed to the bottommost sides of the VBS. The lower shelving box  102  is moved out of the VBS  100  by the lower motorized platform and vertically positioned upward for shelf access controlled by a person wanting reachable access to an item stored or to be stored on a particular shelf. 
       FIGS. 2   f - 2   i  and  FIG. 5   a  show the coordinated operation of the lower motorized platform  130  with horizontal movement provided by a linear actuator  139  in combination with supporting horizontal slides  132   a ,  132   b . The linear actuator drives the lower motorized platform while carrying the shelving box from inside the VBS to an outside clearing position, in a similar manner as that described for the upper motorized platform. 
       FIG. 5   b  illustrates vertical linkage  135   a ,  135   b ,  136   a ,  136   b ,  137   a ,  137   b  and  138   a , 138   b , connecting the lower shelving box with the lower motorized platform  130 , to vertically move and adjust the lower shelving box. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5   b , showing the stationary member of a linear actuator  139  mounted on the top surface of the bottom member  142  of VBS  100 . The moveable member of the linear actuator is attached to the lower motorized platform  130  such that the lower motorized platform can be driven horizontally out of the VBS while carrying the lower shelving box with it. Vertically positioning of the lower shelving box is done with a second linear actuator  134 . A stationary end  143  of linear actuator  134  is securely mounted to the top surface of the lower motorized platform  130 . The moveable end is attached to a horizontal bar member  133  having pulleys  146   a  and  146   b  mounted at opposite ends of the bar member. Coated stainless steel cables are used as lifting connectors in aiding linear actuator bearing guide  141  to slide upward as the lower shelving box is raised vertically. The coated stainless steel cables  140   a  and  140   b  having one end connected to the top surface of the lower motorized platform  130 , the other end connected to the bottom back side of the lower shelving box  102 . The routing of the cable pulley system, raises and lowers the lower shelving box  102  at a 2 to 1 ratio to the stroke of the linear motor  134 . 
     Referring also to  FIG. 1   d , having a pair of slideable and extendable channel guides  135   a ,  135   b  ( 135   b  is mounted on the opposite side of shelving box  102 ) each having pivoting and extendable members  136   a , 136   b  with a roller bearing attached and placed in the slideable channel guide. The other end is pivotal and attached to the upper surface of the lower motorized platform providing side to side stabilizing of the lower shelving box as it is raised vertically. 
       FIGS. 6-9  and  11  disclose perspective views of stand-alone examples showing VBSs  100   a  and  100   b  wherein  100   a  is shown as mountable over a counter or work bench and  100   b  positionable under a counter, desk, and workbench or on the floor, each example includes motorized platforms  110   a ,  110   b , with vertically adjustable shelving boxes  101  and  102 .  FIG. 11  shows pulleys  146   a  and  146   b  with stainless steel cables  140   a  and  140   b  while illustrating the 2:1 vertical extendability ratio.  FIG. 7  shows push button control  126  for vertical adjustment. 
     While the disclosure has been particularly shown and described with reference to the preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.