Patent Publication Number: US-8113606-B2

Title: Method and apparatus for optimizing storage space

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/960,830, filed Oct. 16, 2007, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     This application is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/238,161, filed Sep. 25, 2008 now abandoned, which is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/113,382, filed Apr. 23, 2005 now abandoned, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a furniture system. More particularly, the present invention relates to a furniture system having optimized storage space. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     More and more, people are forced to inhabit increasingly small spaces. As a result, it is difficult to find sufficient storage space for their belongings. Much of the available storage space is usually the space right below the ceiling. This space remains unusable without a ladder due to the limitations of the human frame. The ladder requires balance and/or support, both of which are challenged when replacing or removing an object from this upper area. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In light of the difficulties of the background art, the inventor developed the present invention. To this end, a first non-limiting aspect of the invention provides an adaptable furniture system, which includes: At least one first article of furniture; at least one second article of furniture; at least one third article of furniture; and means for moving at least one of the at least one second article of furniture and the at least one third article of furniture, wherein the at least one first article of furniture is adapted to receive the at least one second article of furniture and the at least one third article of furniture, and wherein the at least one second article of furniture and the at least one third article of furniture are adapted to interchangeably occupy a space within the at least one first article of furniture. 
     The present invention also provides a non-limiting furniture system, including a frame having an upper portion and a lower portion; at least one upper article of furniture located in the upper portion of the frame; at least one lower article of furniture located in the lower portion of the frame and underneath the at least one upper article; a moving system attached to the frame and the at least one upper article for moving the at least one upper article vertically within the frame; and a sliding system attached the at least one lower article to the frame for moving the at least one lower article forward and backward. 
     A method for manufacturing a furniture system is provided. The method includes the steps of: providing a frame having an upper portion and a lower portion; providing at least one upper article of furniture located in the upper portion of the frame; providing at least one lower article of furniture located in the lower portion of the frame and underneath the upper article; providing a moving system attached to the frame and the upper article for moving the upper article vertically within the frame; and providing a sliding system attached to the frame and the lower article for moving the lower article forward and backward; wherein a forward movement of the second article enables the upper cabinet to move from the upper portion to the lower portion of the frame. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a side view of an adaptable furniture system according to a non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of the frame of the furniture system of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIGS. 3(   a )- 3 ( c ) illustrate various positions of the upper and lower cabinets inside the furniture system  100  of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is an exemplary winch system according to a non-limiting aspect of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 5(   a )- 5 ( c ) illustrate various positions of the upper and lower cabinets inside the furniture system  100  using an exemplary pulley lifting system; 
         FIG. 6  is a front view of the exemplary embodiments of  FIGS. 1 and 5(   a )- 5 ( c ); 
         FIG. 7  is a back view of a frame according to another aspect of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a front view of another exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  is an exemplary sliding system; 
         FIG. 10  is another exemplary sliding system; 
         FIGS. 11(   a ),  11 ( b ), and  11 ( c ) are a furniture system according to another embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 12  illustrates another exemplary attachment position of the lifting system shown in  FIGS. 11(   a )- 11 ( c ); 
         FIGS. 13(   a )- 13 ( c ) are side views of the furniture system shown in  FIG. 12 ; and 
         FIGS. 14(   a ) and  14 ( b ) are additional non-limiting illustrations of slide guides according to exemplary aspects of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     As a general rule, 33 inches is the maximum distance an average sized person can reach forward from their toe point onto, or across to, a shelf at a shoulder height with a minimum of bending and twisting. Additionally, 54 inches is the maximum height of a drawer that allows a user to be able to see and reach down into it. The maximum height of a shelf for most users is 68 inches from the floor. Thus, in a room with a ten-foot ceiling, approximately an additional 48 inches of vertical space immediately below the ceiling remain unused because it cannot be accessed without a ladder. Each of the following embodiments maximizes the advantages made available by the 33, 54, and 68 inch rules, while eliminating the need for a ladder. The present invention improves the safety and ease of use of additional storage areas (e.g., 4 feet directly below the ceiling). When used in a room with a ceiling between 8 and 10 feet high, this invention provides safe and easy access to approximately 50% of the storage space in an average home, office, or storage area. 
     A detailed description of non-limiting embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the drawings, in which like numerals represent like elements throughout. Through the present invention, it is possible to maximize the amount of available storage space. 
       FIG. 1  shows a side view of an adaptable furniture system  100  according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The furniture system  100  includes, among others, a frame  102 , an upper cabinet  104 , a lower cabinet  106 , a moving system  108  and a sliding system  110 . The frame  102  has an upper portion for receiving the upper cabinet  104  and a lower portion for receiving the lower cabinet  106 . The moving system  108  may be attached to the frame  102  and the upper cabinet  104  for moving the upper cabinet up and down within the frame  102 . The sliding system  110  may be attached to the frame  102  and the lower cabinet  106  such that the lower cabinet  106  may be easily moved forward or backward with respect to the frame  102 . 
     The frame  102 , as shown in  FIG. 2 , includes front surfaces  112  and  114  as well as horizontal surfaces  116  and  118 . The upper surface  118  of the frame  102  may be built as high as the ceiling of the room where the furniture system is located. The surfaces  116  and  118  may also be used for additional storage, if desired. If the upper surface  118  is used for additional storage, it may be built at a height lower than the height of the ceiling. To fully utilize the storage space right under the ceiling of a room, the upper surface  118  is preferably equal to or higher than 68 inches from the floor. 
     The frame  102  may be made from any suitable material. For example, the frame  102  may be made of wood, composite, polymers, or any other suitable materials known to those of skill in the art. As an option, the frame  102  may include interior or exterior supports to further strengthen the frame. The supports may be made from any suitable material, such as metal, wood, plastic, polymer, or the like, and may be adapted to appear as decorative features. 
     The front surfaces  112  and  114  may include decorative features (not shown). Additionally, the front surfaces  112  and  114  may include doors (not shown), which may be used to access the contents of the frame  102 . The frame  102  may also include adaptable back surfaces (not shown), if desired. 
     The upper cabinet  104  and the lower cabinet  106  are shown in  FIGS. 3(   a )- 3 ( c ) without the frame  102 . In  FIG. 3(   a ), the upper cabinet  104  and the lower cabinet  106  are in their fully retracted position inside the frame  102  where the upper cabinet  104  rests on top of the lower cabinet  106 . As shown in  FIG. 3(   a ), the lower cabinet  106  has greater depth than the upper cabinet  104 . However, the depth of the upper cabinet  104  may also be equal to or greater than that of the lower cabinet  106 . 
     In  FIG. 3(   b ), the lower cabinet  106  is pulled forward to create a space within the frame  102  behind the lower cabinet  106 . A portion or all of the upper cabinet  104  may then be lowered, as shown in  FIG. 3(   c ). 
     Referring again to  FIG. 1 , the moving system  108  for lowering and raising the upper cabinet  104  may include a winch device  120 , a leverage element  122 , a securing anchor  124  and a cable  126 . The winch device  120  and the securing anchor  124  are attached to the frame  102 . The leverage element  122  is attached to the upper cabinet  104 . The cable  126  is secured at one end to the winch device  120  and at another end to the securing anchor  124 . A middle section of the cable  126  is movably attached to the leverage element  122  for supporting and suspending the upper cabinet  104 . The securing anchor  124  may include a bracket, hook, clamp, or other suitable devices for securing known to those of skill in the art. 
     The winch device  120  may incorporate any devices for raising and lowering heavy objects known to those of skill in the art. For example, the winch device  120  may include motor elements, as depicted in  FIG. 4 . 
     The leverage element  122  may be detachably or permanently attached to a top surface of the upper cabinet  104 . In the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 1 , the leverage element  122  includes a pulley. Of course, other leverage elements, such as cranks and hoists, may be used. Additionally, although the pulley  122  of  FIG. 1  is depicted at approximately a center of the upper surface of the upper cabinet  104 , other positions are also within the scope of the present invention. 
     The moving system  108  may also be detachably or permanently attached to one or any combination of the front, top, back and side surfaces of the frame  102 , as desired. 
     The sliding system  110  may be drawer-type sliders, such as sliders  900  and  1000  shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , respectively. These sliders are used to support the lower cabinet  106  as the lower cabinet  106  is pulled forward or pushed backward. In the examples of  FIGS. 9 and 10 , each slider includes a track  902  (or  1002 ) mounted to an interior side of the frame  102 , and a sliding part  904  (or  1004 ) mounted to a corresponding location on the lower cabinet  106  to cooperate with the track  902  (or  1002 ). The sliding system  110 , such as those in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , enables the lower cabinet  106  to be easily moved forward and backward. Other types of sliders known to those of skill in the art may be utilized for the sliding system  110 . 
       FIG. 4  shows an exemplary winch system  400  that may be used for the winch device  120  in  FIG. 1 . Referring to  FIG. 4 , the winch system  400  may include a tubular motor  402 , a tube  404  and a fastening element  406 . The tubular motor  402  is attached to the tube  404  to form a bar. The tube  404  and an outer layer of the tubular motor  402  may be made of any suitable material such as polymer (PVC) or metal. The bar formed by  402  and  404  is fastened to the side surfaces or top surface of the frame  102  in  FIG. 1  using fastening elements  406 . Each of the fastening elements  406  may include, for example, a nut and bolt assembly  408 . 
       FIGS. 5(   a )- 5 ( c ) show various positions of the furniture system  100  of  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 5(   a ) shows the lower cabinet  106  being pulled forward a sufficient amount such that the upper cabinet  104  may be lowered.  FIG. 5(   b ) shows the upper cabinet  104  being partially lowered. As shown in  FIG. 5(   b ), the upper cabinet  104  can easily be lowered into the space within the frame  102  previously occupied by the lower cabinet  106 .  FIG. 5(   c ) illustrates the upper cabinet  104  in a fully lowered position. By lowering the upper cabinet  104 , the uppermost area of the upper cabinet  104  may be accessed as desired, without a ladder. The uppermost area of the upper cabinet  104  is preferably at least 68 inches above the floor. Although not shown, the upper cabinet  104  may be raised again and the lower cabinet  106  may be returned to its original position when desired. 
     The illustrations in  FIGS. 5(   a )- 5 ( c ) show that the opening (or pull-forward) of the lower cabinet  106  enables the lowering of the upper cabinet  104 , and the raising of the upper cabinet  104  enables the retraction of the lower cabinet  106 . 
       FIG. 6  provides a front view of a furniture system  600  according to another exemplary furniture system of the present invention. Similar to the furniture system  100  of  FIG. 1 , the furniture system  600  includes a frame  602 , an upper cabinet  604 , a lower cabinet  606 , a moving system  608  and a sliding system  610 . The moving system  608  includes a winch device  612 , a suspending system  614 , and a leverage element  616 . The suspending system  614  may include cables or a sheet of durable plastic or the like. In  FIG. 6 , the upper cabinet  604  and the lower cabinet  606  are used as bookshelves and have the same depth. In addition, the lower cabinet  606  is pulled forward and the upper cabinet  604  is in a lowered position. 
     In  FIGS. 1 ,  5 ( a )- 5 ( c ) and  6 , the moving system  108  and the sliding system  110  are shown as two separate systems. Alternatively, the moving system  108  and the sliding system  110  may be interconnected such that a forward movement of the lower cabinet  106  will cause a lowering movement of the upper cabinet  104 , and a raising movement of the upper cabinet  104  will cause a backward movement of the lower cabinet  106 . 
     Other alternative moving systems known to those skilled in the art, such as a counterweight system, may be used to raise and lower the upper cabinet  104 . These alternative systems are within the scope of this invention. 
       FIG. 7  shows a back view of a furniture system  700  according to another exemplary embodiment of the invention. The furniture system  700  includes a frame  702 , an upper cabinet  704  (not shown) and a lower cabinet  706 . The upper cabinet  704  and the lower cabinet  706  may be similar to those in  FIG. 1 . The furniture system  700  in  FIG. 7  further includes a lifting device  708 , drawer-type sliders  710 , a tilt stop  714 , and a vertical sliding guide  716 . 
     The drawer-type sliders  710  in  FIG. 7  is attached to the frame  702  and the lower cabinet  706  in order to assist the lower cabinet  706  in being pulled forward or retracted into the frame  702 . Other objects, such as wheels or castors (not shown) on the lower cabinet  706  may be used as an alternative or in combination with the drawer sliders  710  to assist with its movement. The dashed lines in  FIG. 7  represent the position of the lower cabinet  706  after it has been pulled forward. 
     The lifting device  708  has a tubular shape and is attached to two sides of the frame  702  by fastening elements  712 . The lifting device  708  may include a motor, such as the winch system  400  in  FIG. 4 , or a counterweight system. 
     The tilt stop  714  includes a bar attached horizontally across the back of the frame  702 . The tilt stop  714  is attached to the frame  702  to prevent the upper cabinet  704  (not shown) from tilting when the upper cabinet  704  is raised and lowered. 
     The vertical sliding guide  716  is also attached to the back of the frame  702  to stabilize the raising and lowering of the upper cabinet  704 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , the sliding guide  716  is a panel mounted vertically to the back of the frame  702 , approximately at the middle point between the two sides of the frame  702 . The slide guide  716  may also be made in any form known to those skilled in the art, including both raised and recessed forms. The upper cabinet  704  may have a corresponding raised or recessed sliding guide, if desired, so that the upper cabinet  704  and the sliding guide  716  may cooperatively engage while raising and lowering the upper cabinet  704 .  FIGS. 14(   a ) and  14 ( b ) provide non-limiting illustrations of an exemplary sliding guide including a slider  1402  ( FIG. 14(   a )) and a corresponding track  1404  ( FIG. 14(   b )). The slider  1402  in  FIG. 14(   a ) may be attached to the back surface of the upper cabinet  704  and the track  1404  in  FIG. 14(   b ) may be attached to the vertical back panel  716  of the frame  702 . The slider  1402  fits inside the track  1404  to support the moving of the upper cabinet  704 . Although  FIGS. 14(   a ) and  14 ( b ) show only one sliding guide, more than one sliding guide may be used for supporting the lowering and raising the upper cabinet  704 . The positioning and arrangement of these sliding guides is for illustration purposes, and the sliding guides may be in any position deemed suitable. 
     A plurality of the furniture systems  100  of  FIG. 1  may be made and positioned next to each other. For instance,  FIG. 8  shows a furniture system including three furniture systems  840 ,  850  and  860  positioned adjacent each other, wherein each of the furniture systems  840 ,  850 , and  860  is similar to the system  100  of  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 8  demonstrates that the furniture systems of the present invention have nearly unlimited uses. For example, the first system  840  includes a frame  816 , an upper cabinet  802  and a lower cabinet  804 . In the first system  840 , the upper cabinet  802 , which is illustrated in a lowered position and suspended on a cable  806 , is used as a bookshelf. Likewise, the lower cabinet  804  is used as a bookshelf. A winch system  800 , which may be affixed to the frame  816  by a fastening element  814 , may be used to raise and lower the upper cabinet  802 . 
     The second system  850  includes a frame  818 , an upper cabinet  824  and a lower cabinet  826 . In the second system  850 , frame  818  is positioned adjacent to the frame  816  of the first system  840 . The upper cabinet  824  is illustrated as a filing system, while the lower cabinet  826  is illustrated as a hanging closet area. A winch system  820 , which is affixed to the frame  818  by a fastening element  822 , may be used to raise and lower the upper cabinet  824 . 
     Finally, the third system  860  includes a frame  832 , an upper cabinet  830  and a lower cabinet  828 . The frame  832  is positioned adjacent to frame  818  of the second system  850 . The upper cabinet  830  is functioning as shelving, while the lower cabinet  828  is adapted to function as filing cabinets. The upper cabinet  830  is illustrated in  FIG. 8  in a lowered position. A winch system  834 , which is affixed to the frame  832  by fastening element  836 , may be used to raise and lower upper cabinet  830  as desired. 
     Although not illustrated, any of the frames described as part of the furniture system may be securely attached to a wall, if desired. Conventional attachment methods known to those of skill in the art may be used. For example, the frame may be affixed using any type of screws, preferably to a stud or other secure wall feature. 
       FIGS. 11(   a )- 11 ( c ) and  12  illustrate a furniture system  1200  according to yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The furniture system  1200  in  FIGS. 11(   a )- 11 ( c ) and  12  include a frame  1100 , an upper cabinet  1102  and a lower cabinet  1104 . The furniture system  1200  in  FIGS. 11(   a )- 11 ( c ) further includes a lifting system mounted to the bottom part of the upper cabinet  1102  for raising and lowering the upper cabinet  1102 . The lifting system includes a pressing cylinder  1160 , a piston  1162 , and a base  1164 . The lifting system may be secured to the frame or floor using the base  1164  and any suitable means for securing such as screws, bolts, nails, etc. The pressing cylinder  1160  may be gas, hydraulic, electrical, mechanical, or any other suitable type known in the art. 
     In  FIG. 11(   a ), the upper cabinet  1102  is in a fully raised position.  FIG. 11(   b ) illustrates the upper cabinet  1102  partially lowered by the pressing cylinder  1160  within the frame  1102 . The lower cabinet  1104  is in a partially pulled-out position, so that the upper cabinet  1102  may be lowered.  FIG. 11(   c ) shows the upper cabinet  1102  in a fully lowered position. If the lifting system is mounted to the bottom of the upper cabinet  1102  as shown in  FIG. 11(   a ), the lower cabinet may be in a permanently or semi-permanently extended state, if desired. 
       FIG. 12  shows a back view of the furniture system  1200  according to another exemplary embodiment of the invention. The furniture system  1200  of  FIG. 12  is similar to that of  FIG. 11(   a ) except, in  FIG. 12 , the lifting system is mounted to the sides, rather than the bottom, of the upper cabinet  1102 . In  FIG. 12 , the pressing cylinders  1160  are secured to the sides of the upper cabinet  1102  by fastening elements  1168 . The base  1164  of the piston  1162  may be secured to the floor or the frame  1100  by fastening elements  1170 . The fastening elements  1168  and  1170  can be screws, bolts, clamps, nails, etc.  FIGS. 13(   a )- 13 ( c ) illustrate a side view of the furniture system  1200  with the cylinders being mounted to the sides of the upper cabinet  1102 .  FIG. 13(   a ) shows the upper cabinet  1102  being fully raised by the lifting system and the lower cabinet  1104  being fully retracted to the back of the frame  1102 .  FIG. 13(   b ) shows the lower cabinet  1104  being pulled forward and the upper cabinet  1102  being partially lowered by the lifting system  1160 - 1164 .  FIG. 13(   c ) shows the upper cabinet  1102  being fully lowered by the lifting system  1160 - 1164 . 
     Although the lifting system is illustrated in specific positions for ease of reference in  FIGS. 11(   a )- 11 ( c ) and  12 , this positioning is for illustrative purposes only and is not limiting of the invention. All suitable positions are within the scope of the present invention. 
     Each of the non-limiting embodiments described above may include safety stops (not shown) at appropriate positions to prevent accident or injury to a user. 
     By way of further non-limiting example, an upper cabinet according to the present invention may have a height of approximately 70 inches. A corresponding lower cabinet may have a height of approximately 40 inches. A winching system may occupy the remaining approximately 6-10 inches in a frame built to occupy a room having a 10-foot ceiling. 
     The respective depths of the upper and lower cabinets may be developed as desired. In one example, an upper cabinet may have a depth of approximately 10 inches if it is to be used as a bookcase. Alternatively, if the upper cabinet is to be used as a kitchen pantry, it may have a depth of 6 inches. Optionally, the lower cabinet may have a depth of approximately 33 inches. 
     Although the term “cabinet” is used to describe the upper and lower cabinets throughout the foregoing non-limiting description, it is important to note that these elements may be any article or type of furniture. In addition, the present invention is not limited to the articles of furniture selected. For example, the lower interior element may include a chest of drawers, while the upper cabinet may be a set of shelves. Alternative configurations include any combinations of drawers, shelves, or other furniture, including, but not limited to, desks, couches, gym equipment, cabinets, chairs, tables, entertainment centers, as well as all articles of furniture known to those skilled in the art. 
     The present invention may also include, as an optional feature, an alarm system to indicate any number of undesirable conditions. For example, the alarm system may be configured to warn that an obstruction is blocking the upper cabinet from ascending or descending. The obstruction may be a person&#39;s hand, the lower cabinet, or anything else in the way of the upper cabinet. The alarm system may also be configured to warn that the descent or ascent of the upper cabinet is not operating properly. Of course, these conditions are merely examples and any condition within the knowledge of one of skill in the art may be included. 
     Although the illustrated non-limiting embodiments do not show cabinet doors as a front part of the frame, doors or any decorative furniture elements may be included as desired. For example, any of frames  816 ,  818 , and  832  in  FIG. 8  may include a front door or doors as an aspect of the system. In an embodiment where the lower cabinet has an equal depth to the upper cabinet, a single door may be used to cover a front of these frames. Alternatively, any combination of any different number of doors may be used as desired. Other decorative features, such as glass covers, may also be used if desired. 
     Additional advantages and modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details and representative embodiments shown and described herein. Accordingly, various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.