Abstract:
A kitchen assembly includes a vertically adjustable dining table capable of selectively shifting to a position depending on consumer requirements. More specifically, the kitchen assembly includes a countertop having a main work surface supported above a first base portion in a substantially horizontal plane and a vertically adjustable tabletop assembly. The tabletop assembly includes a dining surface supported by a plurality of vertically adjustable support members above a second base portion designed to shift the dining table along an adjustment path. A protective apron is arranged between the respective surfaces to prevent foreign objects from entering the adjustment path. Through operation of a control, a user can selectively set the vertical height of the dining table with respect to the countertop. Preferably, the user can set the height of the table through operation of a remote control, irrespective of the presence of objects on the dining surface.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention pertains to the art of kitchen assemblies and, more particularly, to a kitchen countertop assembly including a main work surface and a secondary work surface which is vertically adjustable relative to the main work surface. 
   2. Discussion of the Prior Art 
   Although countertop assemblies often found in modern day kitchen systems provide various vertically offset planar work surfaces, the surfaces are almost invariably fixed at respective, predetermined heights. Specifically, a typical kitchen will include a main countertop work surface and, perhaps, an upper tabletop which is spaced above the main work surface. In the case of a kitchen island, only the main countertop surface is provided. In many kitchen arrangements, the kitchen island serves as a secondary dining surface depending upon particular requirements and/or design constraints. In any event, such countertop and tabletop assemblies are generally fixed at a fairly standard height that is often established by the height of a cabinet base upon which the surface is supported. Although this height will be fairly standard throughout most residential homes, the height of individuals utilizing the tabletops can vary greatly. More specifically, children, the elderly, tall individuals and individuals constrained to wheelchairs may not find the standard height acceptable to their particular requirements. 
   The prior art contains several examples of vertically adjustable table systems which enable individuals to tailor the height of a work surface to their particular requirements. However, the prior art systems are generally limited in scope. Specifically, when combined with a main work surface, for example a kitchen island, the upper limit of the table adjustment is constrained to the fixed height of the island work surface. Additionally, in most cases, prior to adjusting the height of the table, foreign objects, such as dishes and the like, must be cleared to enable the adjustment to occur. Finally, the prior art systems provide a single height adjustment control location which may represent an inconvenience to many users and, by extension, limit the versatility of the height adjustment. Particularly, handicapped or other individuals who are unable to readily move about may find that the benefit of gaining access to the height adjustment controls is outweighed by the effort involved. 
   Therefore, despite the presence of vertically adjustable tables in the prior art, there exists a need in the art for an auxiliary height adjustable dining table which can be vertically adjusted to accommodate a wide range of users. More specifically, there exists a need in the art for a vertically adjustable dining table which can adjust to a position above or below a respective countertop assembly without requiring the removal of foreign objects from the table surface. Finally, there exists a need in the art for an adjustable kitchen table system which can be set to a desired height from a variety of locations. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention is directed to a kitchen assembly including a vertically adjustable kitchen table capable of selectively shifting to a desired position depending upon the instantaneous need of a user. More particularly, the kitchen assembly includes a countertop having a main work surface that is supported above an island base portion in a substantially horizontal plane. Adjoined to the countertop is a vertically adjustable tabletop assembly. In a preferred arrangement, the tabletop assembly includes a secondary work or dining surface, a tabletop base portion, and a plurality of selectively, vertically adjustable support members. Specifically, the plurality of adjustable support members project from the base portion and interconnect with the secondary work surface. In accordance with a preferred form of the invention, depending on the needs of a particular user, the adjustable support members are capable of selectively shifting the dining surface to a position along an adjustment path extending from a point below the main work surface to a point above the main work surface. 
   The kitchen assembly of the present invention also preferably includes a protective apron. In one form of the invention, the protective apron interconnects with the tabletop assembly and/or the countertop assembly in a manner which prevents foreign objects from interfering with the vertical adjustment path of the dining surface. More specifically, in accordance with the most preferred form of the invention, the protective apron is arranged on both the dining surface and the main work surface such that foreign objects are prevented from entering an interface area between the respective surfaces during movement along the adjustment path. 
   The kitchen assembly further includes a control for selecting a desired position for the dining surface. In accordance with the most preferred embodiment, a remote control is provide to enable a user to operate the adjustment mechanism from a variety of locations. Finally, the kitchen assembly includes a control mechanism for providing the motive force to operate the adjustable support members. Preferably, the control mechanism is arranged in the base portion and interconnects the plurality of vertically adjustable support members with the dining surface. More specifically, in accordance with the most preferred form of the invention, a separate control mechanism is located within each support member and further includes a synchronization mechanism which enables the plurality of support members to operate in unison. 
   With this overall construction, the dining surface can be conveniently positioned by a user such that the dining surface can accommodate a wide range of people having a variety of height requirements. Preferably, the control enables the user to vertically adjust the dining surface without removing foreign objects such as dishes and the like, thereby increasing the versatility of the overall assembly. In any event, additional objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof when taken in conjunction with the drawings wherein like reference numerals refer to corresponding parts in the several views. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an overall modular kitchen system including wall assemblies and a kitchen island assembly incorporating a vertically adjustable table assembly constructed in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is an enlarged perspective view of the kitchen island assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the vertically adjustable table assembly including a schematic view of a control system employed in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 4  is a partial perspective view of the kitchen island of  FIG. 2  depicting the table assembly of the present invention shifted to a maximum height adjustment position; and 
       FIG. 5  is a partial perspective view of the kitchen island of  FIG. 2  depicting the table assembly of the present invention shifted to a minimum height adjustment position. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   With initial reference to  FIG. 1 , an overall modular kitchen system constructed in accordance with the present invention is generally indicated at  2 . As depicted, kitchen system  2  includes both a wall assembly  5  and an island assembly  7 . Although details of wall assembly  5  will be provided more fully below, at this point it should at least be recognized that wall assembly  5  is constituted by a plurality of sections constructed from a select arrangement of fixed storage units  11 ,  12 , fixed appliance units  14 ,  15 , and modular appliance and/or storage units  16  and  17  constructed in accordance with the present invention. In the embodiment shown, fixed appliance unit  14  takes the form of a wall oven  23 , while fixed appliance unit  15  includes a refrigerator  25 . In general, fixed storage units  11  and  12 , as well as fixed appliance units  14  and  15 , merely complete the overall kitchen assembly. However, these units are not part of the present invention such that no further discussion thereof will be made here. 
   Particular attention will now be made to  FIG. 2  in describing island assembly  7  of kitchen system  2 . In the embodiment shown, island assembly  7  includes a pair of laterally spaced and vertically adjustable modular base units  33  and  34 . Modular base units  33  and  34  includes vertically adjustable support members  35  and  36  respectively, the details of which will be discussed more fully below. Interposed and interconnected to base units  33  and  34  are a plurality of modular appliance units  38  and  39 , as well as a modular storage unit  40 . 
   As shown, modular appliance unit  38  constitutes a sink module including an associated sink  42 , modular appliance unit  39  constitutes a cooking module including a cooktop  45  and an adjustable cooktop vent hood  47  mounted on a vertically and horizontally extending support  48 , and modular storage unit  40  defines cabinetry. As shown in this figure, kitchen island  7  also includes a countertop  50  secured atop base units  33 ,  34 , appliance units  38 ,  39  and storage unit  40 , thereby serving as a working surface. Countertop or work surface  50  is of a type generally known in the art, such as a laminate, CORIAN, granite or the like. An island tabletop assembly  56  is arranged directly adjacent to, but preferably separate from, kitchen island  7 . As will be detailed more fully below, tabletop assembly  56  can be vertically adjusted relative to kitchen island  7 . 
   Arranged about and serving as a finish covering for wall and island assemblies  5  and  7  are a plurality of decorative sheathing panels, one of which is generally indicated at  62 . Sheathing panels  62  are sized in accordance with the particular design of modular kitchen assembly  2 . Alternatively, each module can preferably include one or more associated sheathing panels  62  such that custom sizing is not required. In any event, sheathing panels  62  are provided as a finishing touch to the overall modular kitchen system  2 , with the actual design, type and nature being left up to the particular preferences of the consumer. 
   Referring further to  FIG. 2 , modular appliance unit  39  will be described with more detail. As set forth above, appliance unit  39  includes a cooktop  45  arranged within an upper portion of modular appliance unit  39 . Arranged on a front surface of appliance unit  39  is a control panel  65  including a plurality of control members  67  provided to selectively activate heating elements (not shown) arranged about cooktop  45 . In addition to carrying cooktop  45 , appliance unit  39  includes a plurality of storage units, as generally indicated at  68 , having associated therewith door assemblies  69 . Storage units  68  are provided to establish storage space for pots, pans, griddles and the like. 
   In a preferred form of the invention, a control drawer  75  having associated therewith a control unit  77  (see  FIG. 3 ) including a synchronization module  79 , the details of which will be set forth more fully below, is arranged on an upper portion of base unit  34 . Control drawer  75  is preferably constituted by a slide-out drawer similar to the type used for compact disc players. However, it should be understood that control unit  77  could be arranged on or recessed within an exposed surface of kitchen island  7 . 
   The actual construction and use of modular kitchen system  2  in connection with vertically adjusting both wall cabinet assembly  5  and kitchen island assembly  7  is described in co-assigned U.S. Patent Application entitled “MODULAR KITCHEN SYSTEM” filed on even date herewith and incorporated herein by reference. As indicated above, the present invention is particularly directed to accommodating vertical adjustability in connection with tabletop assembly  56  and, more specifically, to the particular configuration of tabletop assembly  56  in relation to kitchen island  7 . 
   In a preferred form of the invention, as shown in  FIG. 3 , tabletop assembly  56  includes a secondary work surface or dining table  90  mounted on a table support  93 , a table base unit  95 , and a plurality of support legs  97  and  98 . As shown, support legs  97  and  98  interconnect base unit  93  to table support  93  through respective lifting assemblies  105  and  106 . Specifically, table support surface  93  includes an upper surface  108  upon which table  90  is secured, and a lower surface  109  attached to lifting assemblies  105  and  106 . In accordance with the invention, dining table  90  can be formed from a variety of materials, including a Formica covered wood panel, granite, CORIAN or the like, and is preferably secured to support surface  93  through an adhesive and/or a plurality of mechanical fasteners (not shown). However, in the event that dining table  90  is formed from glass, acrylic or the like, an aluminum interface plate (not shown) is preferably interposed between support surface  93  and dining table  90 . 
   In accordance with one form of the present invention, support legs  97  and  98  support dining table  90  in a substantially horizontal plane while providing a mechanism through which table  90  can be shifted along a vertical path. More specifically, lifting assemblies  105  and  106  are adapted to vertically transport dining table  90  through telescoping leg members  112  and  113  carried by support legs  97  and  98 . As shown, lifting assemblies  105  and  106  include respective lifting supports  118  and  119 . Preferably, each lifting support  118 ,  119  includes a plurality of support gussets  121 ,  122  and  123 ,  124  respectively, which provide stability to table  90 . Specifically, support gussets  121 – 124  interconnect lifting supports  118  and  119  to lower surface  109  of table support surface  93 . More specifically, arranged within base unit  95  are respective lifting mechanisms  130  and  131  which are operatively connected to respective linear actuators  137  and  138  used to provide the motive force needed to move lifting assemblies  105  and  106  along an adjustment path. Preferably, linear actuators  137  and  138  are constituted by electrically driven worm screw assemblies of a type known in the art. However, other forms of linear actuators, such as electrically drivegear assemblies, hydraulic lifts, pneumatic lifts, to the like, could also be employed. 
   Referring to  FIG. 4 , tabletop assembly  56  is shown raised to a maximum height position along the adjustment path. As depicted, a protective apron system  141  is preferably positioned between tabletop assembly  56  and modular base unit  33 . Apron system  141  is arranged to prevent foreign objects from entering between countertop  50  and table  90  as table  90  shifts between selected height positions. Preferably, apron system  141  constitutes a table apron  142  and an island apron  145 . As shown, when table  90  is raised to a level above countertop  50 , table apron  142  prevents foreign objects located on countertop  50  from entering the interface between countertop  50  and table  90 . Similarly, when table  90  is lowered to a level below countertop  50 , as best seen in  FIG. 5 , island apron  145  prevents objects located on table  90  from falling between apron  142  and a side portion of island  7 . 
   In accordance with the most preferred form of the present invention, tabletop assembly  56  includes a remote control unit  150  (see  FIG. 3 ) constituted by a hand-held infrared unit which is used to selectively shift table  90  to desired positions along the adjustment path without requiring access to control drawer  75 . Preferably, remote control  150  operates in conjunction with control unit  77  to selectively raise or lower table  90  according to individual requirements. As indicated above, control unit  77  includes synchronization module  79  adapted to control the simultaneous adjustment of lifting mechanisms  130  and  131 . In this manner, lifting mechanisms  130  and  131  operate in unison to raise or lower table  90 , while maintaining table  90  in a substantially horizontal plane. Accordingly, the consumer can shift table  90  along without having to remove dishes and the like from table  90 . 
   Although described with reference a preferred embodiment of the invention, it should be readily understood that various changes and/or modifications can be made to the invention without departing from the spirit thereof. For instance, while the figures depict a specific arrangement of the kitchen assembly, it should be understood that the invention enables the construction of a wide variety of differently configured kitchen assemblies. In addition, although the table assembly is shown to include a one piece table base unit, each support leg can be separated into individual supports and, by itself, constitute a base unit such that the support members are not interconnected through a single base. Also, while the table assembly is shown adjoined to the kitchen island assembly, it should be apparent that the table assembly could be incorporated into the wall of  FIG. 1  assembly. In general, the invention is only intended to be limited by the scope of the following claims.