Abstract:
A vertically adjustable modular kitchen system includes a modular appliance and/or storage unit including a first frame section, a base unit including a second frame section having arranged therein a plurality of vertically adjustable supports and a control. The modular appliance and/or storage and base units are designed to interconnect one with the other forming a kitchen system. The control, provided with each base unit, enables a consumer to adjust the vertical height of the kitchen assembly associated with the particular base unit by raising or lowering the vertically adjustable supports. The appliance and/or storage and base units are further designed to integrate into either wall assemblies or kitchen island assemblies. The modular appliance and/or storage units will include a variety of configurations such as storage modules and appliance modules. Appliance modules are each designed to accommodate a particular appliance enabling a consumer to design and construct a kitchen system to meet particular needs.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/386,452 filed Jun. 7, 2002. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention pertains to the art of kitchen construction and, more particularly, a kitchen system including multiple base units which are use to interconnect multiple appliance and/or storage modules, with at least the appliance and/or storage modules being easily interchangeable in order to enable a kitchen system to readily conform to the particular needs or preferences of a consumer. 
   2. Discussion of the Prior Art 
   The kitchen has become the focal point or nerve center of most homes. As such, manufacturers are putting more time and effort into designing kitchen systems that will accommodate a wide range of consumer tastes, needs and spatial requirements. In addition to addressing generally universally perceived needs, it would be beneficial to enable current designs to adapt to the changing requirements of an individual consumer. 
   In the past, a master carpenter was typically utilized to design and build a custom kitchen. This required a great deal of time, effort and expense in order to bring any individual consumer&#39;s dream to fruition. Over time, kitchen designers developed various models which overcame the need for employing a skilled carpenter to construct a cabinet system. These models generally took the form of cabinets sections which could be interconnected, even by a homeowner, to create a custom kitchen system. More specifically, it is now possible to select from different, commercially available cabinet sections, have the selected sections delivered to a home, manually position the sections relative to one another in a given kitchen, and then interconnect the sections on site using basic carpentry skills. Often, computers are used to aid in designing the overall layout and in ordering the desired sections. 
   While a homeowner currently has available a rather wide variety of options, cabinet sections are still targeted to installation about the perimeter of the kitchen. In other words, custom designing of kitchen cabinetry are essentially limited to wall mounted units which, in combination with special spacer sections, can be fit about perimeter portions of a kitchen. This arrangement, while effective in enabling a consumer to design the wall cabinetry in a kitchen, does not lend itself to readily reconfiguring the established layout or the construction of kitchen islands. 
   Kitchen island assemblies, by design, are visible from all sides. Wall mounted cabinet sections are, by design, constructed having an unfinished rear portions adapted to engage a wall surface. As such, combining sections to create a kitchen island assembly requires more than basic carpentry skills. If a consumer desires a kitchen island, either a pre-configured island is needed or a skilled artisan is required to construct the frame, run any required electrical and gas connections and subsequently finish the structure. 
   In addition to meeting spatial requirements, kitchens are designed to accommodate consumers having an average height. This means that consumers, above or below the average height, are typically forced to work at a work surface in an uncomfortable or awkward position. One method to correct this problem was to enable a vertical height adjustment associated with the work surfaces, wherein a control mechanism can be actuated by the consumer in order to raise or lower the kitchen assembly to a desired height. Additionally, vertically height adjustable kitchen islands have also been developed to provide consumers the ability to varying work surface heights to comfortable positions. 
   Regardless of the existence of prior proposed systems, there lacks the ability to readily modify an established kitchen configuration. This is particularly true with respect to kitchen islands. There certainly exists a need for wall or island arrangements which can be both vertically adjustable and readily configurable, while not requiring a specially skilled artisan for initially assembling or subsequently reconfiguring the overall system. There also exists a need for a vertically adjustable kitchen assembly which can be readily reconfigured, preferably by a consumer, such as by interchanging one appliance module for another, while not having to alter the vertical adjustment system. Accordingly, there exists a need in the art for a reconfigurable, modular kitchen system which enables one possessing basic carpentry skill to construct and later, if desired, reconfigure a vertically adjustable kitchen system. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention is directed to a modular, vertically adjustable kitchen system including interchangeable base units, appliance and/or storage modules which are capable of integrating into either a kitchen wall unit or a kitchen island unit. More particularly, the kitchen system includes first and second modular base units each defining a base frame and at least one vertical adjustment mechanism to effect vertical shifting of the first and second base units. At least one replaceable, appliance and/or storage module is also provided, each designed to include storage space or alternatively to receive a selected one of a variety of kitchen appliances, such as cooktops, ranges, dishwashers and the like, so as to define a modular appliance unit. Each appliance and/or storage module(s) is secured to and interposed between the base units. In addition, a kitchen countertop extends over the first and second base units, as well as the interposed, replaceable modular appliance and/or storage unit(s). A control unit is operatively coupled to the vertical adjustment mechanism, wherein selective activation of the control unit operates to vertically adjust a height of the overall modular kitchen system in unison. In this manner, the kitchen system is constructed in sections, with each section including separate base units, storage or appliance modules, and a work surface which can be customized to the preferences of the consumer, while enabling the interconnected modules to be simultaneously, vertically adjusted without affecting the height of adjacent sections. 
   The appliance and/or storage modules preferably further include flexible door assemblies and finishing sheathing panels. The sheathing panels are constructed and sized to interconnect with various modular units, thus serving as a finishing sheathing for the kitchen system. In a preferred form of the invention, the sheathing panels are easily interchangeable. In this manner a consumer can easily install the finishing to the sections and to take advantage of available customizing color/texture/design options or alternatively adapt the kitchen system to meet future needs. 
   Additional objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment, 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 both island and wall assemblies; 
       FIG. 2  is an enlarged perspective view of the kitchen island assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is an exploded view of a plurality of modular units incorporated into the overall kitchen island of  FIG. 2 ; 
       FIG. 4  is an enlarged, assembled internal view of the kitchen island of  FIG. 3 ; 
       FIG. 5  is a top view of a control panel employed in connection with the kitchen island of  FIG. 4 ; and 
       FIG. 6  is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the wall assembly of FIG.  1 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   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 with reference to  FIG. 6 , 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 essence of the invention such that no further discussion thereof will be made here. Instead, at this point, it is simply important to note the presence and extent of appliance units  14  and  15  which, as indicated above, will be detailed more fully below. 
   Particular attention will now be made to  FIG. 2  in describing kitchen island  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 . At this point, it should be noted that modular appliance and storage units  38 - 40  are replaceable and interchangeable in accordance with the invention such that the overall modular kitchen island can be customized to a particularly dimensioned kitchen and the preferences of each consumer. 
   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 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  56  is arranged directly adjacent to, but preferably separate from, kitchen island  7 . Although the structure and arrangement of tabletop  56  is not part of the basic modular construction of the present invention, tabletop  56  preferably includes a plurality of vertically adjustable support members  58 - 60  (see  FIG. 1 ) such that tabletop  56  can be vertically adjusted relative to kitchen island  7 . 
   In accordance with the present invention, arranged about and serving as a finish covering for wall and island assemblies  5  and  7  are a plurality of decorative sheathing panels 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  constructed in accordance with the present invention 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 one form of the invention, a control drawer  75  having associated therewith a control unit  77  is arranged on an upper portion of base unit  34 . The structure and operation of control unit  77  will be set forth more fully below with specific reference to FIG.  5 . However, at this point, it should be noted that 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 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 3 , the basic components of kitchen island  7  are depicted without sheathing panels  62 . In accordance with the present invention, base units  33  and  34  are constructed from base frame sections  90  and  94  respectively. In a similar manner, appliance units  38  and  39  are constructed from frame sections  98  and  106  respectively, while storage unit  40  is incorporates a frame section  103 . In one form of the invention, frame sections  90 ,  94 ,  98 ,  103  and  106  are constructed from building lumber. In more preferred forms of the invention, steel, aluminum or other metal building members are used. In any case, each of the modular frame sections  90 ,  94 ,  98 ,  103  and  106  is preferably formed with a plurality of gussets  110  which not only add support to the overall structural arrangement, but establish connection locations for interconnecting adjacent modular frame sections  90 ,  94 ,  98 ,  103  and  106 . That is, in accordance with the present invention, modular kitchen assembly  2  is formed by interconnecting modular frame sections selected from various appliance and storage units, with each module being sized such that it can be readily joined to an associated adjacent module. As further shown in  FIG. 3 , modular frame sections  90 ,  94 ,  98 ,  103  and  106  are preferably joined at gussets  110  through a plurality of bolts  115  and nuts  118 . With this simple construction, modular kitchen island  7  can be readily assembled by one possessing basic carpentry or mechanical skills. At the same time, individual appliance and/or storage units can be readily interchanged or replaced as desired. 
   The present invention is not only particularly directed to the versatility in design of kitchen island  7  due to the readily interchangeable or replaceable appliance and storage units, but also the ability of an assembled kitchen island to be vertically adjusted such that work surface  50  of island  7  can be placed at varying levels based on the height or simple preference of the consumer. In accordance with the present invention, the vertical adjustability is established only at the base units  33  and  34 . However, the entire kitchen island  7  is vertically adjustable due to the direct interconnection between the adjacent modular frame sections  90 ,  94 ,  98 ,  103  and  106 . In addition, as indicated above, countertop  50  can be shifted relative to tabletop  56  in order to adjust the respective heights of the two work surfaces. 
   As shown in  FIG. 4 , a pair of lifting mechanisms  140 , each including first and second relatively shiftable, telescopically arranged components  145 , 146 , are positioned within each base frame section  90 ,  94 . Lifting mechanisms  140  are provided to selectively adjust the vertical height of island assembly  7 . As such, first component  145  is fixedly attached to base frame section  94 , and second component  146  extends through first component  145  and is adapted to rest on a supporting surface, i.e., a kitchen floor. In a preferred form of the invention, arranged within lifting mechanism  140  is an electrically operated drive unit  160  operatively coupled to a worm screw  165 . Upon activation of drive unit  160 , first and second components  145  and  146  are caused to shift relative to each other. With a corresponding lift mechanism  140  being provided in base frame section  90  and frame sections  98 ,  103  and  106  being attached to base frame sections  90  and  94 , activation of lifting mechanisms  140  will function to vertically adjust the height of the entire island assembly  7 . In accordance with the preferred form of the invention, island assembly  7  is provided with an adjustable height range in the order of one foot (approximately 30 cm). Although each drive unit  160  is preferably constituted by an electric motor, other lifting arrangements could also be employed, including hydraulic and pneumatic systems. 
   In accordance with the most preferred form of the present invention, control unit  77  is constructed in the manner shown in FIG.  5 . As shown, control unit  77  includes a plurality of control members adapted to operate various mechanisms associated with island assembly  7 . Arranged on the right side of control unit  77  are control members  170  and  172  which preferably take the form of buttons and are used to control the vertical height adjustment of island assembly  7  through lifting mechanisms  140 . Interposed between control members  170  and  172  are control members  174  and  175 , each being adapted to store a programmed memory height for island assembly  7 . Control members  174  and  175  are preferably preprogrammed for two intermediate height positions. However, a consumer can preferably reprogram these positions, such as by simply holding down the corresponding control member  174 ,  175  for a few seconds once the desired setting height is achieved through control members  170  and/or  172 . Control unit  77  is preferably provided with at least one LED  178  to signal the sensing of any obstruction beneath island assembly  7  during a lowering sequence. Such a sensing arrangement can take various forms, including the monitoring of current spikes for drive units  160 . 
   As shown, control unit  77  also includes control members  190  which are used to increase or decrease the operating speed of an exhaust fan (not shown) associated with hood  47 . The fan speed is preferably indicated through an LED meter  192 . Adjacent control members  190  are control members  195  which are used to raise or lower a fan speed for a room purifier (not separately shown). An LED meter  197  is also preferably provided as a visual indicator for the status of this function as well. Preferably, hood  47  includes one or more lighting units (not shown), the intensity of which can be regulated through control members  200  and reflected at LED meter  202 . 
   As indicated above, hood  47  is adjustable both vertically and horizontally. In accordance with the most preferred form of the invention, hood  47  can be shifted to a position over the entire cooktop  45  or just a rear portion thereof. In addition, hood  47  can be lowered to a position substantially flush with countertop  50 . For shifting hood  47  forward or backward, control unit  77  includes control members  205 . For selectively raising and lowering hood  47 , control members  208  are provided. Obviously, although not depicted, control members  205  and  208  are associated with respective drive systems, preferably utilizing electric motors, which act on support  48  to make the desired position adjustments. 
   Based on the above, it should be readily apparent that the modular kitchen system  2  of the invention represents an extremely versatile arrangement which will allow designer kitchen islands to be readily constructed from modular, interconnected sections, while employing multiple, distinct base units to accommodate vertical shifting of the entire island assembly. Based on available variations in section sizes, the consumer can custom design a kitchen island based on personal preferences and spatial requirements. In addition, with a given size for island assembly  7 , variations can also be made. For instance, island assembly  7  can include a 42 inch (107 cm) cooktop 45 or a 30 inch (76 cm) cooktop in combination with a 15 inch (38 cm) storage section in the same overall span. Certain sections are preferably made so as to be readily interchangeable, such as by making dishwasher and mini-refrigerator modules the same dimensions, each of which is generically represented in the figures, such as by modular unit  40  in FIG.  2 . This adds further versatility to the overall system. 
   In a manner analogous to the construction of island assembly  7 , wall unit  5 , as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 6 , is constructed from a select arrangement of fixed storage units  11  and  12 , fixed appliance units  14  and  15 , and modular appliance and/or storage units  16  and  17 . In a preferred form of the invention, modular appliance and/or storage units  16  and  17  are interposed and interconnected with vertically adjustable base units  230 ,  231  and  232  (see  FIG. 1 ) to form vertically adjustable wall sections  240 ,  241 . As the particular arrangement of each wall section is left up to each consumer, the description will reference vertically adjustable section  241  as being a representative example of each section. 
   Vertically adjustable wall section  241  includes a first vertically adjustable base unit  231 , and a second vertically adjustable base unit which is not shown as it is located at one rear side of appliance unit  16 . In any event, interposed between these base units are appliance unit  17 , which incorporates a dishwasher  250 , storage unit  251 , and appliance unit  16  having an associated sink  255 . Mounted above and interconnected with modular units  16 ,  17 ,  231 , and  251  are a plurality of additional storage units generally indicated at  260 . 
   In a preferred form of the invention, wall section  241  is vertically adjustable, independently from any other section, based on the particular requirements of the consumer. Upon activation of a control unit (not shown), units  16 ,  17 ,  231 ,  232  and  251  of wall section  241  will be raised or lowered in unison with storage units  260  and soffit  270 . Soffit  270  includes at least one light assembly  275  arranged therein such that the working surfaces can be illuminated. In this manner, as section  241  is adjusted, light  275  remains at a fixed distance relative to the working surface. Based on this overall construction, the consumer can adjust the work surface height of a particular wall section without affecting the working height of other sections or the amount of available light directed onto the working surface. 
   In a similar manner, wall section  240 , from adjacent refrigerator  25  to adjacent appliance unit  16 , can be raised or lowered independently and as an integrated piece. Therefore, it should be realized that wall sections  240  and  241  are formed in a manner directly analogous to that described above with respect to island assembly  7 , while also being selectively, vertically shiftable through the use of modular base units to which interchangeable appliance and/or storage units are secured. In connection with each of the appliance units, it is preferable in accordance with the invention to employ individual wiring instead of hard-wiring the various units. This enhancing the ability to interchange various units as desired in a relative quick and easy manner, without the need of a skilled artisan. 
   Although described with reference to preferred embodiments 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, although the figures depict a specific arrangement of the kitchen system, it should be realized that the invention enables the construction of a wide variety of differently configured modular kitchen systems. In general, the invention is only intended to be limited by the scope of the following claims.