Patent Publication Number: US-6213575-B1

Title: Kitchen countertop assembly with multiple, vertically adjustable integrated work spaces

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention concerns the environment of a kitchen and, more particularly, to a kitchen countertop assembly including multiple planar work surfaces which can be vertically adjusted simultaneously or individually. 
     2. Discussion of the Prior Art 
     Although countertop assemblies often found in modern day kitchens provide various vertically offset planar work surfaces, the surfaces are almost invariably fixed at respective, predetermined heights. More 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 typically provided. In any event, such countertop assemblies are generally fixed at a fairly standard height that is often established by the height of a cabinet base upon which the countertop is supported. Although this countertop height will be fairly standard throughout most residential homes in this country, the height of individuals utilizing the countertops can vary greatly. Therefore, a standard countertop height may not be convenient for shorter individuals, including those in wheelchairs and the like, or rather tall individuals. 
     Based on the above, there exists a need in the art for a kitchen countertop assembly which can be vertically adjusted to accommodate a wide range of users. More specifically, there exists a need in the art for a versatile countertop assembly incorporating various integrated work surfaces can be vertically adjusted simultaneously or individually in a convenient manner such that the heights of the various work surfaces can be customized to the preference of the user. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to a kitchen countertop assembly including multiple, integrated work surfaces which can be vertically adjusted simultaneously or individually in order that the overall countertop assembly can be customized in a convenient manner to suit the particular needs of a user. More specifically, the countertop assembly includes a countertop including a main work surface that is supported above a base in a substantially horizontal plane. Preferably, the main work surface has mounted therein at least one of a sink and a cooktop. Arranged above at least a portion of the main work surface is a tabletop. The tabletop is preferably supported above the main work surface by various vertical legs or pillars which extend through respective openings formed in the countertop. Mounted within the base of the assembly are multiple linear actuators. At least one of the actuators is utilized to selectively, vertically adjust the height of the main work surface and, simultaneously, the height of the tabletop. However, another linear actuator mechanism in the base acts on the support pillars of the tabletop in order to adjust the height of the tabletop relative to the main work surface. 
     The kitchen countertop assembly also preferably incorporates a table member that can define a small breakfast area or the like. Preferably, the table member projects from and is supported by the base of the overall assembly in a manner which enables the table member to also be vertically adjusted. More specifically, in accordance with the most preferred form of the invention, the table member is vertically repositioned in unison with movement of the main work surface, while also being vertically adjustable relative to the main work surface. 
     With this overall construction, the various surfaces associated with the kitchen countertop assembly can be conveniently repositioned by a user such that the same countertop assembly can be effectively utilized by a wide range of people having varying height requirements. Preferably, a single control will enable each of the integrated work surfaces to be simultaneously adjusted in height. However, if additional adjustments are desired, the tabletop and/or the table member can be adjusted relative to the main work surface. The integrated work surface arrangement can be advantageously incorporated in an island of a kitchen. 
     Additional objects, features and advantages of the 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 the corresponding parts in the several views. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is an upper respective view of a kitchen island incorporating multiple integrated and vertically adjustable work surfaces in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is an enlarged, partial cut-away perspective view of an end portion of the island shown in FIG. 1; and 
     FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the island of FIGS.  1  and  2 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     With initial reference to FIG. 1, a workstation for a cooking environment that is generally illustrated to take the form of a kitchen island is indicated at  2 . Island  2  includes an overall countertop  6  having a first or main work surface  8  that is preferably provided with a peripheral lip  11 . Also located around first work surface  8 , at a position slightly outwardly and below lip  11 , is railing trim  13 . As shown, countertop  6  also includes a raised platform  16  having a central zone  17  and an associated, intermediate tier  18 . In the embodiment shown, island  2  is provided with a pair of spaced sinks  30  and  31 , as well as a cooking appliance shown in the form of an electric cooktop  34 . For the sake of simplicity of the drawings, a faucet for sinks  30  and  31 , as well as controls for cooktop  34  have not been illustrated. However, cooktop  34  is shown to include multiple, spaced heating elements  35 - 38 . Although the structure and arrangement of cooktop  34  is not considered part of the present invention, cooktop  34  preferably defines a substantially smooth working surface across countertop  6 . 
     Countertop  6  is shown to be supported by a base  40  having a lowermost section  42  and an upper section  44  that includes an outwardly extending portion  46 . Therefore, upper section  44 , with outwardly extending portion  46 , supports countertop  6  such that first work surface  8  extends in a substantially horizontal plane. At this point, it should be noted that outwardly extending portion  46  need not extend entirely across the longitudinal side of countertop  6  but could simply be constituted by various spaced, cantilevered beams if enhanced leg room or the like is desirable under countertop  6 . In any event, upper section  44  of base  40  is further used to support a table  49  that is adapted to be used in connection with chairs or the like as a small breakfast or other eating area while the portion of countertop  6  located on the opposite side of platform  16  from table  49  would generally be located in the kitchen area. Again, this arrangement is merely presented in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention and for the sake of completeness. Island  2  is also shown to include an upper tabletop  51  that is spaced above platform  16  by means of pillars  52  and  53 . 
     The present invention is particularly directed to the manner in which countertop  6 , table member  49  and tabletop  51  can be selectively, vertically adjusted in unison or relative to each other such that the various work surfaces of island  2  can be placed at varying heights in order to customize the overall assembly to a particular user. More specifically, it is desired in accordance with the present invention to be able to shift countertop  6  vertically to adjust the height of main work surface  8 . At the same time, table  49  and tabletop  51  will shift in unison with countertop  6 . However, the present invention also provides for relative, vertical shifting between table  49  and work surface  8 , as well as between tabletop  51  and work surface  8  of countertop  6 . The preferred structure and arrangement to accomplish these functions in accordance with the present invention will now be particularly described with initial reference to FIG.  2 . 
     As shown in this figure, island  2  incorporates a first adjusting mechanism  60  which is disposed within base  40 . The first adjusting mechanism  60  is shown to including a pair of spaced linear actuators  62 , each of which includes a cylinder  64  and a piston  66 . Initially, it should be noted that, although two linear actuators  62  are illustrated, a single linear actuator could also be utilized. In addition, although FIG. 2 illustrates one end of island  2  generally adjacent sink  31 , it should be recognized that a corresponding first adjusting mechanism  60  is provided on an opposing end of island  2 . In any case, as shown, cylinder  64 , at an end opposite piston  66 , is secured to a plate  68 . Plate  68  can either rest on a floor or supporting surface for countertop  6  or be fixedly secured to lowermost section  42  of base  40 . In addition to be slidingly received within cylinder  64 , each piston  66  is also attached to an internal frame member  71 . Internal frame member  71  is secured to upper section  44  of base  40 . In the most preferred form of the invention, each linear actuator  62  of first adjusting mechanism  60  utilizes hydraulic fluid to raise and lower pistons  66 . 
     As shown in FIG. 1, island  2  is provided with a first toggle switch  78  which is used to control first adjusting mechanism  60  for both raising and lowering of each piston  66 . Due to the interconnection of cylinder  64  to lowermost section  42  of base  40  and the connection of piston  66  to upper section  44  of base  40 , the activation of first adjusting mechanism  60  will cause relative vertical shifting between lower and upper sections  42  and  44  and, correspondingly, an adjustment in the height of work surface  8 . The particular range of adjustability accorded by first adjusting mechanism  60  can be readily established by the associated stroke of each linear actuator  62 . However, to be reasonably effective so as to enable island  2  to be adjusted for a fairly wide range of user preferences, an adjustment range in the order of 4-10 inches, and most preferably 6-8 inches is provided. That is, upper section  44  of base  40  can be lowered about lowermost section  42  until upper section  44  almost reaches the support surface for island  2  or work surface  8  can be raised to the position generally illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. 
     In further accordance with the present invention, tabletop  51  can be separately adjusted in order to vary the distance between work surface  8  and tabletop  51 . In the most preferred form of the invention, pillars  52  and  53  are vertically shiftable relative to countertop  6 . More specifically, with reference to the right side mounting of tabletop  51 , pillar  53  projects through an elongated opening  80  formed in platform  16 , tier  18  and work surface  8  of countertop  6 . Pillar  53  is supported by a second adjusting mechanism  82 . More specifically, second adjusting mechanism  82  includes one or more linear actuators  84 , each of which is defined by a cylinder  86  and a piston  88 . Each cylinder  86  is shown to be fixed to a cross piece  90  that is secured within base  40 . In the most preferred form of the invention, table  51  is shifted in unison with work surface  8  through first adjusting mechanism  60 . To accomplish this function, cross piece  90  is directly, fixedly secured to either or both of upper section  44  of base  40  and internal frame member  71 . In a manner similar to first adjusting mechanism  60 , linear actuator  84  associated with second adjustment mechanism  82  preferably utilizes hydraulic fluid and the extension and retraction of pistons  88  within cylinders  86  can be controlled through a second toggle switch  93  which is shown adjacent first toggle switch  78  in FIG.  1 . Again, although hydraulic actuators are utilized in accordance with the preferred embodiment, it should be readily apparent that other types of vertical adjustment mechanisms known in the art could be equally employed. For example, pneumatic, electric and the like type mechanisms could be utilized. 
     In further accordance with the present invention, island  2  incorporates a third adjusting mechanism  95  for use in selectively, vertically adjusting table  49  relative to either of work surface  8  or tabletop  51 . In the most preferred form of the invention as best shown in FIG. 3, the third adjusting mechanism  95  preferably includes a plurality of vertically extending rails  97  which are fixedly secured, at laterally spaced intervals, to upper section  44  of base  40 , along with a corresponding number of cantilevered arms  99  upon which table  49  rests. In general, rails  97  and cantilevered arms  99  are of the type commonly found in the art for use in mounting refrigerator shelving or wall shelving. Therefore, although not particularly shown due to the view taken, each rail  97  includes a plurality of vertically spaced slots and each cantilevered arm  99  can be secured to a respective rail at a desired height by extending into a selected set of slots. Actually, third adjusting mechanism  95  can take various forms known in the art without departing from the invention. In fact, arms  99  could be fixedly secured through pistons of additional linear actuators mounted within base  40  and extend through slots formed in upper section  44  such that the vertical adjustment of table  49  could be controlled in a manner directly corresponding to that described above with respect to work surfaces  8  and tabletop  51 . In addition, although rails  97  have been indicated to project along an outer surface of base  40 , rails  97  could be equally embedded in the body of upper section  44  for aesthetic purposes. 
     With this construction, toggle switch  78  can be utilized to readily raise or lower each of the work surfaces associated with countertop  6 , table  49  and tabletop  51 . In addition, second toggle switch  93  can be utilized to vertically adjust tabletop  51  relative to each of work surface  8  and table  49 . More specifically, tabletop  51  can be shifted from the raised position generally indicated in FIGS. 1-3 to a lowered position wherein tabletop  51  is set upon platform  16 . Furthermore, table  49  can be vertically adjusted relative to both work surface  8  and table top  51  as desired. Therefore, the overall height of island  2 , as well as the various planar work surfaces associated therewith, can be readily altered to accommodate various users that may range from a person in a wheelchair to a rather tall individual. 
     Although described with reference to 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, although tabletop  51  preferably adjusts in unison with the vertical shifting of work surface  8 , relative shifting could be accomplished through the activation of first adjusting mechanism  60  by simply supporting second adjusting mechanism  82  either on the floor or through lowermost section of base  40 . With such an arrangement, the raising or lowering of work surface  8  would not change the overall height of tabletop  51 , but rather pillars  52  and  53  would simply slide through openings  80 . A similar arrangement could be provided for table  49  if arms  99  project through elongated slots provided in upper section  44  and rails  47  were supported from lowermost section  42 . In any event, in the most preferred embodiment of the invention, table  49  and tabletop  51  shift vertically in unison with work surface  8  of countertop  6  upon the activation of first adjusting mechanism  60 . Regardless, the invention is only intended to be limited by the scope of the following claims.