Abstract:
The present document describes auxiliary cabinet capable of displacement within an opening defined above a ground surface, the auxiliary cabinet comprising: a base cabinet; and a slideable guilding portion on the base cabinet for guiding the base cabinet within the opening during the dispacement between an extended position and a retracted position; wherein when the base cabinet is in the extended position, it is at its frontmost position and when the base cabinet is in the retracted position, it is at its rearmost position, thereby providing a working space above the ground surface.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority of U.S. provisional patent application No. 61/747,021, filed on Dec. 28, 2012. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     (a) Field 
     The subject matter disclosed generally relates to cabinets and units. More particularly, the subject matter disclosed relates to cabinets and units adapted for providing facilitated use by, without limitation, a physically handicapped person (i.e., such as a person in a wheelchair), an elderly person, children and the like. 
     (b) Related Prior Art 
     There is currently a growing demand for remodeling conventional kitchen and bathroom cabinet units (i.e., as well as other units for garages, offices and the like) so as to be better suited for use by, without limitation, a physically handicapped person (i.e., such as a person in a wheelchair), an elderly person (i.e., an elderly person walking with a walking stick or an elderly person that need to sit often), children (i.e., children that need to step up on a step to practice operations in a kitchen or in a bathroom) and the like. 
     In a practical situation, any conventional kitchen and bathroom cabinet unit (i.e., as well as other units for garages, offices and the like) has a front wall perpendicularly extending downward from the front edge of the countertop, of the countertop carrying a sink or of a countertop carrying a surface cooking elements. The front wall, which usually takes the form of the door of a cabinet, poses no problem as long as it is used by persons without a physical handicap (i.e., such as a person in a wheelchair), by children that need to step up on a step near or under the countertop, by elderly people that need to sit near or under the countertop when preparing diner, or that need to come near or under the countertop with their walking stick or any other supporting device, and the like. 
     Indeed, the front wall of the cabinet acts as an obstacle for a physically handicapped person, an elderly person, a child, an injured person and the like who manages to do kitchen work (or other tasks in a kitchen, a bathroom and the like) himself or herself, for instance, on this countertop while sitting in a wheelchair, sitting on a chair, standing on a step and the like. 
     More specifically, for a physically handicapped person, the foremost portion of the wheelchair such as the footplates impede his or her access by coming into contact with cabinet unit, thereby preventing the person from accessing the countertop (i.e., from the sink or surface cooking elements). Almost the same occurs when the foremost portion of the step/chair of a child or the chair of an elderly person impedes his or her access by coming into contact with cabinet unit, thereby preventing the person from accessing the countertop. 
     It is therefore difficult for the physically handicapped person, who has limited elbowroom in the wheelchair, to reach the sink or surface cooking elements on the countertop even when he or she fully extends his/her arms. 
     Further, when the handicapped persons, (i.e., elderly and child) are required to reach the farthest portion on the countertop, the physically handicapped person (i.e., the elderly and child) is required to lift his or her waist or take unnatural and laborious postures and actions, which is not acceptable for most of handicapped persons in wheelchairs (i.e., elderly person and child). 
     On the other hand, many designers and technicians try to redesign kitchen and/or bathroom spaces (and other spaces such as garages, offices and the like) by avoiding including base cabinets under sinks or surface cooking elements (i.e., an oven plate). The redesign might be conventional for a physically handicapped person in a wheelchair for example. However, these kinds of redesigns of kitchen and bathroom spaces (and any other suitable space) are more than often not esthetic. 
     One of the prior art units may include a displaceable cabinet which can displace from a first position to a second position on wheels under the countertop. However, since this kind of cabinet is not attached to the unit, it might be hard for a child, an elderly person and/or a physically handicapped person to displace it easily. 
     There is therefore a need for improved auxiliary cabinets and units for providing practical and esthetic, without limitation, kitchen, bathroom, office, garage spaces, and the like, for physically handicapped person, elderly person, children, injured person and the like. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to an embodiment, there is provided an auxiliary cabinet capable of displacement within an opening defined above a ground surface, the auxiliary cabinet comprising: a base cabinet; and a slidable guiding portion on the base cabinet for guiding the base cabinet within the opening during the displacement between an extended position and a retracted position; wherein when the base cabinet is in the extended position, it is at its frontmost position and when the base cabinet is in the retracted position, it is at its rearmost position, thereby providing a working space above the ground surface. 
     According to another embodiment, the slidable guiding portion is on a top wall of the base cabinet for interfacing with a corresponding fixed guiding portion installed about the opening. 
     According to a further embodiment, the slidable guiding portion comprises a first slidable guiding portion and a second slidable guiding portion, distant from the first slidable guiding portion and parallel to the first slidable guiding portion for respectively interfacing with a first fixed guiding portion and a second fixed guiding portion installed about the opening. 
     According to yet another embodiment, the slidable guiding portion is on at least one side wall of the base cabinet for interfacing with at least one corresponding fixed guiding portion on one of: another base unit beside the base cabinet, a furniture beside the base cabinet, a wall and a base unit. 
     According to another embodiment, the base cabinet further comprises a door hinged to at least one of: a top wall, side walls and a bottom wall of the base cabinet. 
     According to a further embodiment, the base cabinet further comprises at least one of: a drawer, a shelf, a hook and a plurality of compartments. 
     According to yet another embodiment, a bottom wall of the base cabinet further comprises an interfacing portion for interfacing with the ground surface. 
     According to another embodiment, at least one of the bottom wall and the interfacing portion further comprises one of: wheels and a roller for facilitating displacement of the base cabinet under the countertop. 
     According to a further embodiment, the auxiliary cabinet may further comprise a motor and a switch electrically coupled to the motor for electrically controlling and displacing the base cabinet under the countertop during the displacement between the extended position and the retracted position. 
     According to another embodiment, there is provided an auxiliary unit comprising: a self-standing base unit for interfacing with a ground surface; an auxiliary cabinet capable of displacement within an opening above the ground surface and under the self-standing base unit, the auxiliary cabinet comprising: a base cabinet; and a slidable guiding portion installed on the base cabinet for guiding the base cabinet within the opening during the displacement between an extended position and a retracted position; wherein when the base cabinet is in the extended position, it is at its frontmost position and when the base cabinet is in the retracted position, it is at its rearmost position, thereby providing a working space above the ground surface. 
     According to a further embodiment, the slidable guiding portion is on a top wall of the base cabinet for interfacing with a corresponding fixed guiding portion installed about the opening. 
     According to yet another embodiment, the slidable guiding portion comprises a first slidable guiding portion and a second slidable guiding portion, distant from the first slidable guiding portion and parallel to the first slidable guiding portion for respectively interfacing with a first fixed guiding portion and a second fixed guiding portion installed about the opening. 
     According to another embodiment, the slidable guiding portion is on at least one side wall of the base cabinet for interfacing with at least one corresponding fixed guiding portion on one of: another base unit beside the base cabinet, a furniture beside the base cabinet, a wall and a base unit. 
     According to a further embodiment, the base cabinet further comprises a door hinged to at least one of: a top wall, side walls and a bottom wall of the base cabinet. 
     According to yet another embodiment, the base cabinet further comprises at least one of: a drawer, a shelf, a hook and a plurality of compartments. 
     According to another embodiment, a bottom wall of the base cabinet further comprises an interfacing portion for interfacing with the ground surface. 
     According to a further embodiment, at least one of the bottom wall and the interfacing portion further comprises one of: wheels and a roller for facilitating displacement of the base cabinet under the countertop. 
     According to yet another embodiment, the auxiliary cabinet may further comprise a motor and a switch electrically coupled to the motor for electrically controlling and displacing the base cabinet under the countertop during the displacement between the extended position and the retracted position. 
     The following term is defined below. 
     The term “countertop” is intended to mean a countertop which may include, without limitation, a countertop working surface, a countertop carrying a sink, a countertop carrying a surface cooking elements and the like. 
     Features and advantages of the subject matter hereof will become more apparent in light of the following detailed description of selected embodiments, as illustrated in the accompanying figures. As will be realized, the subject matter disclosed and claimed is capable of modifications in various respects, all without departing from the scope of the claims. Accordingly, the drawings and the description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive and the full scope of the subject matter is set forth in the claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Further features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in combination with the appended drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an auxiliary cabinet of an auxiliary unit in an extended position, showing the auxiliary cabinet having its doors in an opened position in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an auxiliary cabinet of an auxiliary unit in an extended position, showing the auxiliary cabinet having its doors in an opened position in accordance with another embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the auxiliary unit cabinet of the auxiliary unit of  FIG. 1  in a retracted position, showing the auxiliary cabinet having its doors in a closed position; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the auxiliary cabinet of the auxiliary unit of  FIG. 1  in an extended position, showing the auxiliary cabinet having its doors in a closed position; and 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a motorized auxiliary unit cabinet of an auxiliary unit in accordance with another embodiment, in a retracted position, showing the auxiliary cabinet having its doors in a closed position. 
     
    
    
     It will be noted that throughout the appended drawings, like features are identified by like reference numerals. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In embodiments there are disclosed auxiliary cabinets and auxiliary units. These auxiliary cabinets and auxiliary units may be installed in kitchens, bathrooms, garages, offices and any other suitable environment for receiving such auxiliary cabinets and auxiliary units. 
     Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to  FIGS. 1-4 , there is shown an auxiliary unit  54 . The auxiliary unit  54  includes a self standing base unit  56 . The self standing base unit  56  has a countertop  16  which defines a front edge  18 , a rear edge  20  and a self-standing base unit length  22 . The self-standing base unit  56  also has side walls  58 ,  60  downwardly extending from the countertop  16  for interfacing with a ground surface  14 . The auxiliary unit  54  further includes an auxiliary cabinet  10  capable of displacement (see arrow  12 ) above or on the ground surface  14  and within an opening  46  (and/or under the countertop  16 ). 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 to 4 , the auxiliary cabinet  10  includes a base cabinet  24  which has a top wall  26  which defines a front edge  28  and a rear edge  30 , a bottom wall  32 , side walls  34 ,  36  and a rear wall  38 . The base cabinet  24  defines a base cabinet length  40  which is smaller than the self-standing base unit length  22  defined above. The auxiliary cabinet  10  also includes slidable guiding portions  42   a ,  42   b ,  42   c  on the top wall  26  of the base cabinet  24  and/or on the side walls  34 ,  36  of the base cabinet  24  for slidably interfacing with corresponding fixed guiding portions  44   a ,  44   b ,  44   c  on the self-standing base unit  56  for guiding and sliding the base cabinet  24  within the opening  46  during the displacement of the auxiliary cabinet  10  between an extended position (i.e., forward position of the auxiliary cabinet  10  within the auxiliary unit  54 ) ( FIGS. 1, 2 and 4 ) and an unextended position (i.e., rearward position of the auxiliary cabinet  10  within the auxiliary unit  54 )( FIG. 4 ). 
     According to another embodiment (not shown), it is to be noted that the auxiliary cabinet  10  may include at least one slidable guiding portion such as slidable guiding portions  42   a ,  42   b  and/or  42   c  on the top wall  26 , the bottom wall  32 , the side walls  34  and/or  36  and/or the rear wall  38  of the base cabinet  24  for interfacing with at least one corresponding fixed guiding portion (i.e., such as mating connectors  44   a ,  44   b  and/or  44   c ) on the self-standing base unit  56  for guiding the base cabinet  24  under within the opening  56  during displacement of the auxiliary cabinet  10  between the extended or forward position ( FIGS. 1, 2 and 4 ) and the retracted or rearward position ( FIG. 3 ). 
     Still referring to  FIGS. 1-2  and as described above, when the base cabinet  24  is in the extended position, it is at its frontmost position. As shown, the front edge  28  of the top wall  26  of the base cabinet  24  is substantially below and aligned with the front edge  18  of the countertop of the self standing base unit  56 . 
     However, as shown in  FIG. 3 , when the base cabinet  24  is in the retracted position, it is at its rearmost position. In the rearmost position, the rear edge  30  of the top wall  26  of the base cabinet  24  is substantially near and aligned with the rear edge  20  of the countertop  16  of the self standing base unit  56 . When the base cabinet  24  is in the retracted position, there is created a working space  46  (i.e., opening  56 ) between the ground surface and the countertop  16 . The working space  46  is thus created between the side walls  58 ,  60  of the self standing base unit  56 , the countertop  16 , the ground surface  14  and the front edge  28  of the base cabinet  24 . The created working space  46  helps a physically handicapped person (i.e., a person in a wheelchair), an elderly, a child, an injured person or a person that would need to sit in front of the countertop  16  (i.e., an elderly person, a child, an injured person and the like) to work closer to the countertop  16  when the base cabinet  24  is in the retracted position or rearmost position ( FIG. 3 ) since there is working space  46  created to allow a wheelchair and/or the legs of a person (standing up or sitting down on a chair) to enter under the countertop  16 . On the other hand, the extended position or frontmost position of the auxiliary cabinet  10  in the auxiliary unit  54  ( FIGS. 1, 2 and 4 ) allows for an esthetic environment such as a kitchen environment, a bathroom environment, a garage environment, an office environment and/or any other working suitable environment that would require the creation of a working space such as working space  46 . Alternatively, the created working space  46  may also provide a person (i.e., an elderly person, an injured person that wish to sit near the countertop  16  and/or a child on chair) to work closer to the countertop  16  sitting on a chair (not shown) when the base cabinet  24  is in the retracted position or rearmost position ( FIG. 3 ) since there is a working space  46  created to allow the chair and the person knees and/or legs to enter under the countertop  16 . On the other hand, the extended position or frontmost position ( FIGS. 1, 2 and 4 ) still allows in this case for an esthetic environment such as a kitchen environment, a bathroom environment, a garage environment, an office environment and/or any other working suitable environment that would require the creation of a working space such as working space  46 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1-2 , the slidable guiding portions  42   a ,  42   b  are installed on the top wall  26  of the base cabinet  24  for interfacing with the corresponding fixed guiding portions  44   a ,  44   b  installed about the opening  46 . It is to be noted that any suitable slidable guiding portions and/or corresponding fixed guiding portions may be used for this application, as long as they allow the slidable displacement of the auxiliary cabinet  10  below the countertop  16  of the auxiliary unit  54  along displacement arrow  12 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the slidable guiding portion  42   a  on the top wall  26  of the base cabinet  24  is distant from the slidable guiding portion  42   b  and is parallel to it and the slidable guiding portions  42   a ,  42   b  are for respectively interfacing with the corresponding fixed guiding portions  44   a ,  44   b  about the opening  46 , such as on the lower side of the countertop  16  which are also distant from and parallel to each other. 
     Still referring to  FIGS. 1-2 , there is shown that the slidable guiding portion  42   c  is on side wall  34  of the base cabinet  24  for interfacing with the corresponding fixed guiding portion  44   c  on side wall of self-standing base unit  56 . Another side slidable guiding portion may be provided on the opposite side wall  36  of the base cabinet  24 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the slidable guiding portions  42   a ,  42   b  and  42   c , as well as the corresponding fixed guiding portions  44   a ,  44   b ,  44   c  are in their retracted position as the auxiliary cabinet  10  is. 
     Still referring to  FIGS. 1-2 , the base cabinet  24  further includes doors  48   a ,  48   b  ( FIG. 1 ) or a door  49  ( FIG. 2 ) hinged to at least one of: the top wall  26 , the side walls  34 ,  36  and/or the bottom wall  32  of the base cabinet  24 . FIG. 1  shows that door  48   a  is hinged on side wall  36  and that door  48   b  is hinged on side wall  34  for covering the area of the base cabinet  24  exposed in the kitchen, the bathroom or any other environment. Any other suitable combinations of doors may be made for covering partially or totally the area of the base cabinet  24  exposed. It is further possible that the auxiliary cabinet  10  is doorless such as to show shelves (not shown) of the auxiliary cabinet  10  to the environment. 
     According to other embodiments, the base cabinet  24  may further include one or a plurality of drawers, shelves, hooks, compartments, any suitable combination and the like. Alternatively, the base cabinet  24  may simply include a structure without doors or a simple wall that extends and retracts between the extended position and the retracted position of the auxiliary unit  52 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1-2 , the bottom wall  32  of the base cabinet  24  further includes an interfacing portion  50  for interfacing with the ground surface  14  and for covering the space created below the bottom wall  32  of the base cabinet  24 . The bottom wall  32  and/or the interfacing portion  50  further include wheels  52  (or roller/rollers) for facilitating displacement of the base cabinet  24  under the countertop, but mostly for facilitating the displacement of the base cabinet  24  on the ground surface  14 . 
     It is also to be noted that the self-standing base unit  56  may further include a door or doors (such as doors  48   a ,  48   b  of  FIG. 1  and door  49  of  FIG. 2 ) hinged to at least one of the countertop  16  and the side walls  58 ,  60  of the self-standing base unit  56 . The self-standing base unit  56  may also include, without limitation, at least one of a drawer, a shelf, a hook, a plurality of compartments, any other suitable combination and the like. 
     It is also to be noted that the auxiliary cabinet  10  may be used or installed without the need for installing the self standing base unit  56 . In this case, the slidable guiding portions  42   a ,  42   b ,  42   c  or other suitable slidable guiding portions may be installed on side walls and/or on top wall of the base cabinet  24  for interfacing with corresponding fixed guiding portions on one of: another base unit beside the base cabinet, a furniture (i.e., a bath, a refrigerator, and the like) beside the base cabinet  24 , a wall beside the base cabinet  24  and the like. 
     According to another embodiment and referring now to  FIG. 5 , the auxiliary cabinet  10  may be motorized and capable of displacement (see arrow  12 ) above the ground surface  14  and within the opening  46 , such as under the countertop  16  when driven by a motor  62 . As shown, the motor  62  (i.e., a motor  62  which includes a controller (not shown)) may be installed within the auxiliary unit  54 , below the countertop  16  and above the top wall  26  of the base cabinet  24 . The auxiliary unit  54  may further include a switch  64  (i.e., such as a push button) electrically coupled to the motor  64  for controlling and displacing the auxiliary cabinet  10  within its auxiliary unit  10 . A motorized auxiliary cabinet  10  may be more easily operated by a physically handicapped person, elderly person, injured person and the like. It is to be noted that a gearing element (not shown) may be provided between the motor  62  and the base cabinet  24 , about the opening  46 . For example, the gearing element may include a worm drive for displacing the base cabinet  24  between the extended position and the retracted position. 
     According to one embodiment, the switch may be replaced by an interface (not shown) (i.e., such as a wireless interface) which allows to control the auxiliary unit  10  when at a distance from it. 
     According to another embodiment, the auxiliary cabinet  10  including the base cabinet  24  may be about ⅛ the total weight of a conventional kitchen or bathroom base cabinet for allowing performance while in displacement. 
     The auxiliary unit  10  and the auxiliary cabinet  54  as described above present improved auxiliary cabinets and units for providing practical and esthetic, without limitation, kitchen environment, bathroom environment, office environment, garage environment, and the like, for physically handicapped person, elderly person, children, injured person and the like. 
     While preferred embodiments have been described above and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, it will be evident to those skilled in the art that modifications may be made without departing from this disclosure. Such modifications are considered as possible variants comprised in the scope of the disclosure.