Abstract:
An improved storage cabinet device including a powered lift attached to the cabinet such that the entire cabinet and its contents may be pivoted away from the support surface on which the cabinet may be hung and upward above the support surface below the cabinet, thereby clearing the lower support surface for use when the cabinet is so raised. The improved storage cabinet of this invention is particularly suitable for use in, for example, a garage.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The present invention relates to an improved storage cabinet device primarily intended for use in a location, such as a garage, for example, wherein it is desirable to move the cabinet when not needed in order to clear wall and floor space. The invention is characterized by its construction to permit hinged attachment of the cabinet to a wall, and the use of a power lift mechanism to pivot the cabinet upwardly, away from the wall and the floor when it is not actually being used. The power lift basically comprises an electric motor which drives a winch having a cable attached thereto, the cable being attached to the cabinet, and the cabinet being hingedly attached to the wall.  
         [0003]     2. Description of the Prior Art  
         [0004]     Prior patent literature discloses numerous means whereby storage cabinets may be raised and lowered for ease of use. Prior art devices are shown as being operated mechanically, electrically, and even pneumatically. A number of the prior art devices are actually similar to dumb waiter installations in that lines and pulleys are used to raise and lower the cabinet.  
         [0005]     Both prior patent literature and one&#39;s own practical experience have recognized space limitations associated with the storage of items in a garage, while still providing sufficient space for primary use of the garage for vehicles. Solutions have been provided, but almost all such solutions involve rather complicated systems whereby a storage cabinet is actually raised and lowered, elevator-like, from the garage floor through the garage ceiling into the structure&#39;s attic space. Obviously, such devices are not only rather expensive, but also require extensive structural modifications. In fact, these “elevator cabinets” would typically require professional installation as the structure was being built.  
         [0006]     It is therefore apparent that there remains a need for an improved storage cabinet system that can be easily and economically installed in virtually any garage or other space wherein it is desirable to move the cabinet away from the wall and floor to permit greater utility of the space when articles stored in the cabinet are not needed. As indicated above, such a system would be particularly useful in the typical homeowner&#39;s garage.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     The present invention relates to an improved storage cabinet device comprising a cabinet defined by a top, an opposed bottom, opposed first and second sides attached to the top and bottom in interconnecting relation therebetween, and a back attached to the top, the bottom, and the opposed first and second sides. One or more shelves, adjustable or fixed, are provided for the placement of items thereon. The cabinet is attached to the wall against which it is placed by one or more hinges, and a power lift is operatively attached to the cabinet whereby the cabinet may be pivoted about the hinged connection to raise and lower the cabinet with respect to the floor and the wall.  
         [0008]     The invention accordingly comprises an article of manufacture possessing the features, properties, and the relation of elements which will be exemplified in the article hereinafter described, and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0009]     For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:  
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is a side elevation, partially in section, showing the improved storage cabinet device in its lowered position, with its raised position shown in phantom.  
         [0011]      FIG. 2  is a front elevation of the improved storage cabinet device of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0012]      FIG. 3  is a fragmentary detail of the securing arm of this invention.  
         [0013]      FIG. 4  is a fragmentary detail of the hinged attachment of the cabinet to a vertical support surface.  
         [0014]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a cabinet structure showing shelves and structural supports in phantom.  
         [0015]      FIG. 6  is a detailed view of one preferred embodiment for attaching portions of the power lift to a support surface above the cabinet.  
         [0016]      FIG. 7  is a detailed view of a second embodiment for attaching portions of the power lift to a support surface above the cabinet.  
         [0017]      FIG. 8  is a detailed view of a third embodiment for attaching portions of the power lift to a support surface above the cabinet. 
     
    
       [0018]     Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0019]     Referring to the views of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a first preferred embodiment for the improved storage cabinet device of this invention is generally indicated as  10 . The improved storage cabinet device basically comprises a cabinet, generally indicated as  12 , and a power lift, generally indicated as  14 , used to raise and lower cabinet  12  from its accessible position to a stowed position, as indicated in phantom in the views of  FIGS. 1 and 2 .  
         [0020]     At this point it should be noted that the cabinet  12  is defined by a top  16 , a bottom  18 , first side  20 , second side  22 , and back  24 . Actual assembly of these elements of cabinet  12  may be by any standard means, and the elements of cabinet  12  may be formed from any suitable material such as, for example, wood, metal, or recognized substitutions therefor. However, because cabinet  12  must pivot from an accessible position to a stowed position, it is to be understood that cabinet  12  must be of relatively sturdy construction.  
         [0021]     Referring to the view of  FIG. 5 , cabinet  12  is shown as including reinforced corner posts  26  and diagonal braces  28 . A center support  30  may also be provided. As with the other structural elements of cabinet  12 , reinforced corner post  26 , diagonal braces  28 , and center support  30  may actually be formed from any suitable material providing additional strength and rigidity to cabinet  12 .  
         [0022]     Returning to the view of  FIG. 1 , cabinet  12  is positioned adjacent wall  32 , which is typically defined by sheetrock panels. As show in the view of  FIG. 1 , wall  32  is attached to studs  34 , only one of which is shown in the view of  FIG. 1 . If necessary, additional blocking may be provided behind wall  32 , and such additional blocking is well known in the art for the installation of relatively heavy items on a structure&#39;s walls. The front elevation of  FIG. 2  depicts a plurality of the studs  34 .  
         [0023]     In order to permit the pivoting action of cabinet  12  provided by operation of power lift  14 , a top spacer  36  and a bottom spacer  38  are provided between back  24  of cabinet  12  and wall  32 , as shown in the views of  FIGS. 1 and 2 . Top spacer  36  and bottom spacer  38  are attached to studs  34  by suitable fasteners, with the fasteners utilized for top spacer  36  being chosen to support cabinet  12  on wall  32 .  
         [0024]     Referring to the view of  FIG. 4 , one can see that the pivoting motion of cabinet  12  is provided by the hinged attachment of cabinet  12  to wall  32  by one or more hinges  40 . While the view of  FIG. 2  illustrates the use of a pair of hinges  40 , it is to understood that a continuous, piano hinge could be used, and certainly more than two of the hinges  40  could be employed when deemed necessary because of the weight of cabinet  12  and articles placed therein. Hinge  40  is attached to top  16  and back  24  of cabinet  12 , and to top spacer  36  by suitable fasteners. As illustrated in the view of  FIG. 4 , lag bolts  42  have proved to be acceptable fasteners for this purpose. However, it is to be understood that the scope of the present invention is not limited to such a use of lag bolts  42 .  
         [0025]     Returning to the view of  FIG. 1 , power lift  14  in this preferred embodiment comprises an electric motor  44  having a winch  46  operatively attached thereto. A cable  48  is provided with first end  50  of cable  48  attached to winch  46 , and second end  52  of cable  48  attached to cabinet  12  as by eye  54 . In this preferred embodiment for improved storage cabinet device  10 , cable  48  passes through pulleys  56 , and pulleys  56  are mounted on ceiling  58  as described in greater detail below. It is to be understood that the term “cable” is intended to include any suitable material for raising and lowering cabinet  12  by the action of winch  46 . It is also to be understood that the scope of this invention is not to be limited to the use of an electric motor  44 , for other means for raising and lowering cabinet  12  may be employed as an element of power lift  14 . It is also to be understood that the use of an eye  54  for attachment of second end  52  of cable  48  to cabinet  12  is not to be interpreted as limiting the scope of the present invention. For purposes of convenience, second end  52  of cable  48  is preferably removably attachable to eye  54 .  
         [0026]     Referring to the views of  FIGS. 6, 7  and  8 , alternative embodiments for attaching pulleys  56  to ceiling  58  are illustrated. As shown in the view of  FIG. 6 , an external block  60  may be provided, with lag bolts  42  used to attach external block  60  and pulley  56  to ceiling  58  by passing therethrough into a corresponding rafter  62 . Further strength and support is provided in the alternative embodiment of  FIG. 7 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , in addition to external block  60  an internal block  64  is also provided. According to this embodiment, attachment is accomplished by the use of hex bolts  66  and corresponding washers  68  and hex nuts  70 . Washers  68  are preferably lock washers. Yet another installation method is shown in the view of  FIG. 8  wherein hex bolts  66 , washers  68  and hex nuts  70  extend through an external block  60  and an internal block  64 , but pass through a joist  72  inside ceiling  58 . The view of  FIG. 8  further illustrates that an eye bolt  74  may, in some instances, be substituted as an equivalent for pulley  66 .  
         [0027]     It is also to be understood that while the views of  FIGS. 6, 7  and  8  illustrate the attachment of pulleys  56  to ceiling  58 , similar mechanical means are used for the attachment of motor  44 , as depicted in the views of  FIGS. 1 and 2 .  
         [0028]     Turning now to the view of  FIG. 3 , a detailed view of securing arm  76  is presented. A first arm end  78  of securing arm  76  is movably attached to ceiling  58  as previously described above, and may pivot as shown in phantom in the view of  FIG. 3 . Securing arm  76  further includes a distal arm end  80  having a hook  82  formed thereon. As shown in the view of  FIG. 1 , distal arm end  80  and its hook  82  may engage bottom  18  and back  24  of cabinet  12  to hold cabinet  12  in the stowed position indicated in phantom in the view of  FIG. 1 . Securing arm  76  further comprises a lanyard  84  having a first lanyard end  86  attached to distal arm end  80  and a distal lanyard end  88  including a handhold  90  attached thereto. The length of lanyard  84  is sufficient so that a user may manipulate securing arm  76  to retain cabinet  12  in the stowed position. As with cable  48 , the material comprising lanyard  84  may be selected from any suitable rope, cable, or line.  
         [0029]     Once again considering the views of  FIGS. 1, 2  and  5 , cabinet  12  is shown as further including a plurality of shelves  92 . The vertical spacing of shelves  92  may be fixed or adjustable, as determined by the user. Placement of shelves  92  within cabinet  12  may be accomplished by any standard, well-known means.  
         [0030]     While not illustrated in any of the drawing figures, it is further contemplated that cabinet  12  may be provided with doors, if desired. It is also to be understood that because cabinet  12  pivots from an accessible to a stowed position, additional means such as, for example, braces or bungee cords may be employed to secure items that are stored within cabinet  12 .  
         [0031]     It is also to be understood that switch means (not shown) will be operatively connected to electric motor  44  so that winch  46  may be operated selectively either to withdraw or extend cable  48  for the purpose of raising and lowering cabinet  12 . The switch means may comprise a double action wall switch, a remote control device, or any such suitable, well-known switch for operating such an electric motor  44 . The use of a remote control switch, in combination with a wall switch, is preferred.  
         [0032]     It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those made apparent from the preceding description, are efficiently attained, and, since certain changes may be made in the above article 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.  
         [0033]     It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described, and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.  
         [0034]     Now that the invention has been described,