Abstract:
A cabinet installation lifting system and its method of use are disclosed. The cabinet installation lifting system has a base section, a lifting mechanism attached to the base section, and at least one platform attached to the top part of the lifting mechanism. A second, upper platform section may be removably attached to the first platform section by means of at least one removable extension. When different sized cabinets are installed, different sized removable extensions are selected for the appropriate overall height of the cabinet installation lifting system. Installation of wall cabinets is performed by installing a base cabinet, placing the cabinet installation lifting system on the base cabinet, placing the wall cabinet to be installed on the cabinet installation lifting system, lifting the wall cabinet to the desired height, securing the wall cabinet, and removing the cabinet installation lifting system.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not Applicable 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The installation of hanging cabinets on walls has been a traditionally cumbersome and potentially hazardous activity. In order to secure the cabinets, typically two workers are required to perform the installation. With this method, prior to the installation of ground-level cabinets, the wall cabinets are installed. One worker holds the cabinet in place against the wall, while the other worker secures the cabinet to the wall, usually with screws. This operation is relatively expensive, since two workers are required. 
     If only one worker is available to perform the installation of wall cabinets, the worker will typically prop the cabinet in place with a board or post holding the cabinet with one hand and securing the cabinet with a screwdriver with the other hand. This method presents a precarious and potentially injurious situation, as the board or post cannot hold the cabinet reliably. It is therefore desirable to provide an inexpensive but safe method of installing wall cabinets. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a cabinet lifting system for installation of wall type cabinets. 
     The cabinet lifting system of the present invention has three primary parts; a base section, a lifting mechanism resting upon the base section, and a platform section oriented above the lifting mechanism. The lifting mechanism is capable of raising the platform section and keeping the platform section in place for holding a wall cabinet, and lowering away from the wall cabinet after the wall cabinet is fixed to the wall. The cabinet lifting system of the present invention is portable. The platform section of the cabinet lifting system is preferably modular, with an upper and lower platform spaced apart by intermediate, removable extensions. Different sized cabinets may be accommodated by utilization of appropriately selected intermediate extensions. 
     Unlike typical installation procedures, the present invention is employed after the installation of the ground level cabinets. The cabinet lifting system is positioned on top of a ground level cabinet, and the wall cabinet to be installed is placed on the cabinet lifting system. The wall cabinet to be installed is then raised to the appropriate position on the wall, and held in place by the cabinet lifting system. After the wall cabinet is secured to the wall, the cabinet lifting system is removed by releasing the lifting mechanism, thereby lowering the upper platform of the cabinet lifting system away from the installed cabinet. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The objects of the invention are achieved as set forth in the illustrative embodiments shown in the drawings which form a part of the specification. 
     FIG. 1 is a view in front elevation of a cabinet lifting system of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is left side elevational view of a cabinet lifting system of the present invention; 
     FIG. 3 is right side elevational view of a cabinet lifting system of the present invention; 
     FIG. 4 is a rear elevational view of a cabinet lifting system of the present invention; 
     FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of a top platform of a cabinet lifting system of the present invention; 
     FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of a top platform of a cabinet lifting system of the present invention; 
     FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of a removable extension of a cabinet lifting system of the present invention; 
     FIG. 8 is a top plan view of a removable extension of a cabinet lifting system of the present invention; 
     FIG. 9 is an exploded view of a securement means for a bottom platform of a cabinet lifting system of the present invention; 
     FIG. 9A is a spacer for a securement means for a bottom platform of a cabinet lifting system of the present invention; 
     FIG. 9B is a nut for a securement means for a bottom platform of a cabinet lifting system of the present invention; 
     FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view of a bottom platform of a cabinet lifting system of the present invention; 
     FIG. 11 is a top plan view of a base section of a cabinet lifting system of the present invention, not showing the lifting mechanism; 
     FIG. 12 is a side elevational view of an alternative removable extension of a cabinet lifting system of the present invention; 
     FIG. 13 is a top plan view of a bottom platform of a cabinet lifting system of the present invention; 
     FIG. 14 is a screw for attachment of a handle of the bottom platform of FIG. 13; 
     FIG. 15 is a bottom platform securement plate of a cabinet lifting system of the present invention; 
     FIG. 16 is a base securement plate of a cabinet lifting system of the present invention; and 
     FIG. 17 is a retaining pin of a cabinet lifting system of the present invention. 
     Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION 
     The following detailed description illustrates the invention by way of example and not by way of limitation. This description will clearly enable one skilled in the art to make and use the invention, and describes several embodiments, adaptations, variations, alternatives and uses of the invention, including what I presently believe is the best mode of carrying out the invention. As various changes could be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. 
     First, from a general standpoint, and with particular reference to FIGS. 1 and 4, a cabinet lifting system  1  of the invention comprises a base section  3  with a lifting mechanism  12  mounted thereabove. Assembly  1  has a lower platform  36  mounted to lifting mechanism  12 . Assembly  1  further has removable extensions  43 ,  44 ,  45  and  46  that engage lower platform  36  to support an upper platform  50 . 
     Base  3  comprises a lower base section  5 , a central base portion  6  and an upper base securement plate  7 . In the preferred embodiment, base section  3  is fitted with side handles  9  and  11  secured as by screws, for ease of carrying and maneuvering the base section. Referring to FIGS. 1-4, it will be appreciated that lower base  5  preferably is wider than central base portion  6 , for purposes of stability. For example, in the preferred embodiment, lower base section  5  is preferably from about 9″ square to about 13″ square, more preferably about 11″ square, and from about ½″ thick to about 2″ thick, more preferably about 1″ thick. Central base portion  6  is preferably from about 6″ square to about 10″ square, more preferably about 8½″ square, and ranges from about 5″ in height to about 8″ in height, more preferably about 7″ in height from the lower base section  5 . The entire base section  3  is therefore about between 6½″ to 12″ in height, most preferably about eight (8) inches in height. In the preferred embodiment, the lower base section  5  projects in front of the central base portion  6 , and the rear end of the central base portion  6  is approximately flush with the lower base section  5 . 
     As can best be seen in FIGS. 2,  9 ,  9 A,  9 B,  11  and  16 , base securement plate  7  is bolted to central portion  6  by nuts  33 , spacers  34 , and bolts  35  that pass through holes  8  in base section securement plate  7  and through holes  4  in central base portion  6 . The lifting mechanism  12  is intermediate the base  3  and the lower platform  36 , and provides the required raising action for the cabinets to be installed. The lifting mechanism  12  is securely attached to the base  3  through securement plate  7 . The lifting mechanism  12  is likewise firmly secured to the lower platform  36  through bottom platform securement plate  30 . In the preferred embodiment, the lifting mechanism  12  comprises a standard hydraulic jack  18 . Jack  18  comprises a handle  19  mounted to a housing  20  which has a base  20   a . Jack  18  also comprises a release lever  21  mounted to the jack base  20   a , and a neck portion  23  that extends through an opening at the upper end of the housing  20 . Housing  20  contains the hydraulic structure known in the art for operating the handle  19  to raise and lower neck  23 . Jack  18  can be one such as the Model B-002NC 2-ton hydraulic bottle jack available from MVP America of Kansas City, Mo. Raising of the lower platform  36  is accomplished by positioning the release lever  21  in the locked position, and pumping the handle  19  to raise the neck  23 . Lowering the lower platform  36  is accomplished by positioning the release lever  21  in the unlocked position. The travel distance, or distance that the jack neck  23  moves from its lowermost position to its uppermost position is preferably about 3″ to about 6″, and most preferably about 4½″. In its lowered state, the height of the lifting mechanism  12 , relative to securement plate  7 , is between 5″ and 8″, most preferably about 7″. 
     Two guide and stabilizer arms,  14  and  15 , are permanently attached to the base plate  7  at their lower ends, and to the bottom platform plate  30  at their upper ends. Stabilizer arms  14  and  15  have an upper member  24  and a lower member  26 , and in the preferred embodiment the upper member  24  and lower member  26  are formed as telescopic concentric cylinders, comprising inner cylinders  24  and  25 , respectively, slidably telescopically snugly received within outer cylinders  26  and  27 , respectively. The lower ends of outer cylinders  26  and  27  are firmly secured to base plate  7 , as by welding. The upper ends of inner cylinders  24  and  25  are likewise firmly secured to the underside of platform plate  30 , as by welding. The upper end of jack neck  23  is secured to plate  30  as by welding. The arms  14  and  15  guide the vertical movement of platform  36  relative to base  3  to prevent wobbling and to provide stability. The arms  14  and  15  also stabilize the platform  36  relative to base  3  when the platform  36  is in fixed position, to resist tilting and twisting forces against platform  36 . Inner cylinders  24  and  25 , and outer cylinders  26  and  27 , each have diametrically aligned bores extending therethrough and sized to receive the straight sections of retaining pins  16  and  17 . When pins  16  and  17  are installed, the cylinders  24  and  25  are locked with cylinders  26  and  27 , to secure said cylinders against movement for transporting or storage. The pins  16  and  17  can be gripped by the hand and pulled from cylinders  24 - 27 , so that cylinders  24  and  25  can slide relative to cylinders  26  and  27 , respectively. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 1-4 and FIG. 13, lower platform  36  is securely connected to the plate  30 . In the preferred embodiment, lower platform  36  is generally rectangular, with a length of about 18″, a width of about 13″ and a height of about between 1″ and 2″, most preferably about 1½″. The width of the lower platform  36  allows the platform  36  to fit inside the sides of a standard wall cabinet, and abut the floor or lower surface of the standard wall cabinet. Lower platform  36  has recessed holes  39 ,  40 ,  41  and  42  formed in the upper surface. In the preferred embodiment, recessed holes  39 ,  40 ,  41  and  42  are generally cylindrical, with a diameter of about between 1″ and 3″, most preferably about 1¾″ and extending to a depth of about ¾″ into lower platform  36 . Preferably, recessed holes  39 ,  40 ,  41  and  42  open into the top surface of lower platform  36  without a chamfered edge. It may be desirable to fit the recessed holes  39 - 42  with sleeves (not shown) adapted to mate with the extensions. The sleeves may be removable, or more preferably secured in the recessed holes  39 - 42 . The sleeves may be made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) for example. 
     Lower platform  36  preferably has at its upper surface a handle. Referring to FIG. 13, the top surface of lower platform  36  has a recess  47  in which a handle  48  resides. The handle  48  comprises a bracket  48   a  that is preferably secured to lower platform  36  as by self tapping screws  49 . Bracket  48   a  has a raised inverted U-shaped wall  48   b  that receives the ends of a curved grip rod  48   c , so that grip rod  48   c  can pivot relative thereto. Grip rod  48   c  can be pivoted to a horizontal position to be wholly within recess  47 . Grip rod  48   b  can also be pivoted to an upright position so that the operator can grasp it to transport the cabinet installation lifting system  1  when it is in a lowered and locked state. Bracket  48   a  has a pair of stop plates  48   d  to one side of grip rod  48   b  to resist pivoting of the grip more than about 90°, to resist wobbling while carrying. Recess  47  allows for a wall cabinet to rest flush against the top surface of lower platform  36 , without interference from handle  48  when the handle is pivoted to be within recess  47 . 
     Lower platform  36  is attached to bottom platform securement plate  30  by bolts  60 , spacers  61  and nuts  62 . Bores  32  are formed in through lower platform  36  through which bolts  60  pass. The upper end of bore  32  is preferably enlarged and recessed, so that head of the bolts can fit therein to allow the top surface of lower platform  36  to be flat. 
     Upper platform  50  is preferably approximately the same shape as lower platform  36 , that is, generally rectangular with dimensions of about 18″ long by about 13″ wide and about between 1″ and 3″ in height, most preferably about 1½″ in height. Referring to FIG. 5, it can be seen that there are recessed holes  53 ,  55 ,  57  and  59  in the bottom surface of upper platform  50 . The recessed holes  53 ,  55 ,  57  and  59  of upper platform  50  are positioned so that they can be aligned with recessed holes  39 ,  40 ,  41  and  42  of lower platform  36 . Like the corresponding recessed holes  39 - 42  of lower platform  36 , these recessed holes  53 ,  55 ,  57  and  59  may be fitted with sleeves (not shown) made from, for example, PVC. However, unlike the corresponding recessed holes in the lower platform  36 , the recessed holes  53 ,  55 ,  57  and  59  are slightly rounded or chamfered at the bottom surface of upper platform  50 . This chamfering promotes ease in guiding the ends of extensions  43 ,  44 ,  45  and  46  into holes  53 ,  55 ,  57  and  59 . As can be seen in FIG. 6, the top surface of upper platform  50  is generally planar. This allows a wall cabinet to rest in a stable fashion on top of upper platform  50 . 
     Removable extensions  43 ,  44 ,  45  and  46  are preferably cylindrical. The extensions  43 ,  44 ,  45  and  46  are installed in recessed holes  39 ,  40 ,  41  and  42  in the lower platform  36 , and in the recessed holes  53 ,  55 ,  57  and  59  in the upper platform  5 O. In the preferred embodiment, extensions  43 ,  44 ,  45  and  46  are about between 2″ and 6″ in height, most preferably about 4″ in height, and about between 1″ and 2″, most preferably about 1¾″ in outer diameter. Alternatively, as illustrated in FIG. 12, four extensions  70  can be used in place of extensions  43 - 46 . Each extension  70  is preferably about between 10″ and 14″ in height, most preferably about 13″ in height, and about between 1″ and 2″, most preferably about 1¾″ in outer diameter. It is to be understood that an even longer extension could be used to compensate for higher ceilings or smaller cabinets. Such an extension could be about 18″ in height. These heights correspond to the installation of a wall cabinet that between 12″ and 42″ in height, as will be described. 
     The overall height of the cabinet installation lifting system  1  in its lowered state varies with the height of the wall cabinet to be installed, and the height from the floor that the cabinet is to be secured. For a wall cabinet that is 12″ high, the overall height for the entire system  1  is preferably about between 33″ to 38″ high, most preferably about 34″. For a cabinet that is between 15″ and 18″ high, an overall height for the entire system  1  is preferably about between 26″ and 31″, most preferably about 29″. For a cabinet that is 24″ high, an overall height of system  1  of about between 20″ and 25″, most preferably 22″ is contemplated. For a cabinet that is between 30″ and 42″ high, an overall height of system  1  of about between 14″ and 19″, most preferably about 16″ is contemplated. 
     The overall height of the cabinet installation lifting system  1  in its raised state varies similarly. For example, for a cabinet that is between 15″ and 24″ high, an overall height of the system  1  is preferably about between 32″ and 36″, most preferably about 33 ″. For a cabinet that is between 24″ and 30″ high, an overall height for system  1  of about 25″ to 29″, most preferably about 26½″, is contemplated. For a cabinet that is between 30″ and 42″ high, an overall height of about 19″ to 24″, most preferably about 20″, is contemplated. These distances correspond to the preferred travel distance of the jack neck  23 , which is about 4½″, and the height of the base cabinet upon which the cabinet installation lifting system rests. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, these various heights are accommodated by the removable extensions  43 - 46 , ad  70 . The materials are preferably a moldable plastic material, such as Polyethylene or PVC for the base section  5 , base central portion  6 , platforms  36  and  50  and extensions  43 - 46  and  70 . A metal material, such as stainless steel or aluminum can be used for the base plate  7 , the lower platform plate  30 , the lifting mechanism  12  and the stabilizer arms  14  and  15 . Although these materials are preferred, other materials such as wood or fiberglass, for example, could easily be substituted within the intended scope of the present invention. 
     The method of installing wall cabinets using the cabinet installation lifting system of the present invention is accomplished as follows: 
     First, the lower or base cabinet is installed using the normal method of installation. It is to be noted that a standard size of base cabinet for residential use is 36″ overall. The base cabinet typically is 34½″ tall, and the top portion is about 1½″ tall, for an overall height of 36″ for the base cabinet. It is to be understood that the top does not necessarily need to be installed prior to use of the cabinet installation lifting system  1 , but only the lower base cabinet need be installed. The top of this portion of the base cabinet may be covered by 2×2 or 2×4 boards used as spacers, which are typically about 1½″ thick, to give an appropriate height of 36″ overall to the base cabinet. Next, the appropriate height of the cabinet installation lifting system  1  is determined by measuring the height of the wall cabinet to be installed, and the distance from the ceiling that the wall cabinet is to be secured. For purposes of illustration only, a common ceiling height of 8′ is taken for the following description, with the wall cabinet being essentially flush with the ceiling at its upper end. If the wall cabinet is to be less than 30″ tall, then the upper platform  50  is used. Either extensions  43 - 46  or extension  70  are used with platform  50 , depending on the height of the lower wall cabinet. It is to be understood that if the wall cabinet to be installed is 30″ or taller, no extensions are needed. The cabinet installation lifting system  1  is then placed on the base cabinet, with any additional spacers in place, at the appropriate location, that is, the location under which the wall cabinet is to be installed. The wall cabinet is then placed on top of the cabinet installation lifting system  1 . Finally, the lifting mechanism  12  of the cabinet installation lifting system  1  is engaged, lifting the wall cabinet to the appropriate height for installation. It is to be understood that in the preferred embodiment, the handle  19  of jack  18  is pumped to lift the lower platform  36 . While the installer is securing the wall cabinet to the wall, the cabinet installation lifting system  1  maintains the wall cabinet at the correct height, and also maintains the wall cabinet upright, or vertically oriented. After the wall cabinet is secured, the upper portion of the cabinet installation lifting system  1  is then lowered by releasing the lifting mechanism  12 , as by operation of release lever  21  in the preferred embodiment. Now the cabinet installation lifting system  1  is removed from the base cabinet, and the installation of the wall cabinet is complete. 
     Numerous variations will occur to those skilled in the art, without departing from the intended scope of the invention. For example, the extensions could be a rectangular solid or prism or other shape. There could be a single extensions or any number of extensions between the lower and upper platforms. The platforms could be a shape other than rectangular, such as circular or triangular. The lifting mechanism could be any appropriate jack or lifting device. The materials used could be varied extensively, so long as the materials selected are appropriate for the function they are to perform. These examples are merely illustrative. 
     In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects and advantages of the present invention have been achieved and other advantageous results have been obtained.