Patent Publication Number: US-2022216012-A1

Title: Powered vanity pullout

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to power outlets moveably located in cabinet drawers. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     In many cases it is desirable to have a powered outlet located in a cabinet drawer. For example, powered bathroom or kitchen appliances are unsightly when stored on a cabinet countertop and are cumbersome to use if stored in an unpowered drawer. Therefore, the locations where the electrical devices can be used are limited. Locating an electrical cord within a drawer can increase the location possibilities for use of these electrical devices. 
     Several problems exist when locating a power outlet within a drawer. A first problem is that the drawer moves, creating the necessity of management of the cabling from the wall to the drawer. The wiring must be long enough to provide electricity when the drawer is fully extended. However, when the drawer is closed, excess wiring must be protected to prevent damage or entanglement. A second problem is the danger of fire if the drawer is closed and the electrical device is not deactivated. 
     One prior art solution is found in U.S. Pat. No. 9,136,653 to Dickey. The &#39;653 Patent discloses sensors that detect temperature or the presence of dangerous compositions, like carbon monoxide, inside the drawer. If the temperature in the drawer or the concentration of the composition is too high, then a sensor will interrupt the flow of electricity to the outlet. This solution is not ideal because it requires sensors that are prone to failure. 
     Another is found in U.S. Pat. No. 9,331,430 to Dickey. Cable management systems are disclosed that occupy a significant amount of space behind the drawer. The result is  a substantially decreased depth to the drawer and decreased storage capacity. 
     As a result, a need exists for a dependable, robust solution to provide a reliable compact cable management method in combination with a reliable method of deactivating electrical devices in a movable powered drawer.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The powered vanity system disclosed includes a movable drawer box mounted in a cabinet carcass by two telescoping drawer slides. One slide includes a cable arm bracket for attaching a cable management system to the slide. The other slide includes a novel strike bracket with a ramp for activating the power outlet. 
     The drawer box includes an outlet located at the front of the drawer for ease of access. A power cable is provided. The power cable is supported by the cable management system. The cable management system includes two extension arms which are attached to and articulate between the drawer and the cabinet carcass. One end of the cable management system is attached to the cable arm bracket attached to a slide. The other end of the cable management system is attached to the back of the drawer. 
     A pressure switch is installed on the bottom of the drawer box in a switch enclosure. The pressure switch includes a pressure switch arm. The pressure switch arm is positioned against the strike bracket. A switch cable is connected to the pressure switch and runs from the pressure switch to the outlet along the bottom of the drawer. In a preferred embodiment, a dimmer circuit is located between the pressure switch and the outlet and controls a convenience light housed in the outlet to create a pleasing aesthetic effect as the drawer is opened or closed. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the interior of the drawer box includes an angled implement tray which holds implement cannisters for storing bathroom or kitchen appliances. 
     In use, when the drawer box is opened, the pressure switch is activated by the strike bracket. The pressure switch closes the circuit and electricity flows to the outlet and the vanity lighting system. 
     When the drawer is closed, the pressure switch is deactivated by the strike  bracket. The pressure switch opens the circuit and stops the flow of electricity to the outlet and activates a dimmer circuit to slowly fade the convenience lighting. Deactivating the circuit when the drawer is closed drastically reduces the risk of fire if the electrical device is on when the drawer is closed.  
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In the detailed description of the preferred embodiments presented below, reference is made to the accompanying drawings. 
         FIG. 1  is an isometric drawing of a preferred embodiment including a view of the underside of a drawer in a closed position. 
         FIG. 2  is an isometric drawing of a preferred embodiment including a view of the underside of a drawer in an open position. 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded isometric drawing of a drawer of a preferred embodiment. 
         FIG. 4  is an isometric drawing of the interior of the switch enclosure of a preferred embodiment. 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic diagram of control circuit of a preferred embodiment. 
         FIG. 6  is an exploded isometric drawing of a preferred embodiment of a cable manager quick disconnect coupling.  
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     In the description that follows, like parts are marked throughout the specification and figures with the same numerals, respectively. The figures are not necessarily drawn to scale and may be shown in exaggerated or generalized form in the interest of clarity and conciseness. 
     The various aspects of the invention are positioned in the drawings in exemplary positions oriented to the left or to the right. One of skill will recognize that these positions may be reversed so long as the functionality of the components is maintained. 
     In  FIG. 1 , the underside of powered vanity system  100  is shown. Powered vanity system  100  includes drawer box  102 . The drawer box includes drawer face  122 , left drawer side  354 , right drawer side  352 , drawer back  351  and drawer bottom  350 . Drawer face  122  includes front panel attachment brackets  124  which attach a face plate (not shown) to the front of the drawer box. 
     The drawer box is attached to left drawer slide  104  by left slide attachment clip  128  and to right drawer slide  106  by right slide attachment clip  126 . In a preferred embodiment, each of left drawer slide  104  and right drawer slide  106  are equipped with a “slow-close” spring damper mechanism, as known in the art, so as to smooth the mechanical retraction of the drawer into a closed position when the drawer face is positioned within about 2″ from the cabinet face. U.S. Pat. No. 9,872,563 to Davis discloses a “slow close” spring damper mechanism and is incorporated herein by reference. Strike bracket  108  is attached to left drawer slide  104  in a fashion so that it does not move as the drawer opens or closes. Cable arm bracket  130  is attached to the right drawer slide  106  and is also positioned so as not to move as the drawer opens or closes. The left drawer slide is slidingly engaged with left rear mounting  bracket  362 . The right drawer slide is slidingly engaged with right rear mounting bracket  360 . 
     The powered vanity system includes switch enclosure  110 . Switch enclosure  110  is fixed to the drawer bottom and moves as the drawer moves. Switch enclosure  110  is positioned so that pressure switch arm  112  gradually impinges on strike bracket  108  when the drawer is closed, as will be further described. Switch enclosure  110  is connected by switch cable  116  to plug mount box  308  through plug access hole  118 . Plug mount box  308  is further connected to power supply cable  114  which is held in place by cable mounts  120 . Power supply cable  114  is routed to hinged cable manager  202 . Hinged cable manager  202  is further connected to cable arm bracket  130 , as will be further described. 
     In  FIG. 2 , the underside of powered vanity system  100  is shown in the opened position. 
     Switch enclosure  110  can be seen to have moved out of alignment with strike bracket  108 . In this position, pressure switch arm  112  is no longer in contact with strike bracket  108 . In a preferred embodiment, switch enclosure  110  is positioned relative to strike bracket  108  such that pressure switch arm  112  engages strike bracket  108  at approximately the same time as the soft close mechanisms of the drawer slides are activated when the drawer is closed. In a preferred embodiment, engagement between pressure switch arm  112  and strike bracket  108  and activation of the soft close mechanisms occurs when the drawer face is about 2″ from the cabinet frame. 
     Hinged cable manager  202  is attached to the back of the drawer box by hinged drawer bracket  306  and to right drawer slide  106  by cable arm bracket  130 , as will be further described. Hinged cable manager  202  includes extension arm  204  and extension arm  206 . Extension arm  204  includes a set of cable mounts  208  which extend from the bottom of the  extension arm at intervals along its length. Extension arm  206  includes a set of cable mounts  210  which extend from the top of the extension arm at intervals along its length. Extension arm  204  and extension arm  206  are connected by hinged connection  207 , which allows extension arm  204  to articulate relative to extension arm  206 . Power supply cable  114  extends out of the drawer box to the hinged cable manager, where it is positioned through set of cable mounts  210 , and set of cable mounts  208 . As power supply cable  114  traverses the cable mounts it creates cable hinge section  115 . In cable hinge section  115 , power supply cable  114  extends generally vertically along hinged connection  207 . This is important so that when extension arm  206  and extension arm  204  are closed, the power supply cable is not crimped or bent at acute angles. Power supply cable  114  then extends down past cable arm bracket  130  to a source of power (not shown). 
       FIG. 3  shows an exploded view of the powered vanity system. Plug mount box  308  is located on drawer bottom  350  of the drawer box adjacent the inside of drawer face  122 . The base of the plug mount box is larger than the plug access hole. In the preferred embodiment, the plug mount box has a generally trapezoidal cross-section so as to provide ease of access to outlet  310 . Outlet  310  is installed on top angled surface  311  of plug mount box  308 . LED  302  is located at the base of the plug mount box facing the interior of the drawer. Plug mount box  308  is connected to power supply cable  114  and switch cable  116 . 
     The interior of the drawer box further includes angled implement tray  312  mounted between right drawer side  352  and left drawer side  354 . A set of implement canisters  338  fits within holes  356  and  358  in angled implement tray  312  for storage of electrical appliances. In a preferred embodiment, implement canisters  338  are formed from a stainless steel material which is resistant to heat generated by various appliances, when in use.  
     Strike bracket  108  includes integrally formed mount plate  335 , spacer plate  336  and vertical guide  334 . Mount plate  335  and vertical guide  334  are substantially parallel. Spacer plate  336  is generally perpendicular to both the mount plate and the vertical guide. Mount plate  335  is rigidly attached to left slide vertical mount flange  320  of left drawer slide  104  and does not move as the drawer is opened or closed. The mount plate is positioned on the left slide vertical mount flange so that pressure switch  408  is engaged by ramp  322  exactly as the “slow-close” mechanisms of the left drawer slide and the right drawer slide are engaged as the drawer is closed or disengaged as the drawer is opened. The position of the mount plate relative to the left slide vertical mount flange is important so as to time the fading of the LED light source to correspond with the time that is required for the “slow-close” mechanisms to automatically close the drawer. 
     Spacer plate  336  extends under left drawer slide  104  and allows sufficient clearance to accommodate telescoping movement of left slide intermediate rail  370  when the drawer is opened or closed. Ramp  322  which extends from vertical guide  334  at a preferred angle of between 5° and 25° toward the left drawer slide. The ramp is important to minimize the impact of the pressure switch arm on strike bracket  108  to reduce mechanical wear on the pressure switch over time. 
     Hinged cable manager  202  includes hinged wall bracket  304  connected to extension arm  204 . Hinged wall bracket  304  allows extension arm  204  to pivot with respect to cable arm bracket  130 . Hinged drawer bracket  306  is connected to extension arm  206 . Hinged drawer bracket  306  allows extension arm  206  to pivot with respect to the drawer box. The drawer bracket is attached to right drawer side  352  adjacent drawer back  351 . When the drawer is closed, the hinged cable manager is collapsed and the extension arms are stored adjacent each  other. When the drawer is opened, the hinged cable manager is extended and the extension arms move into an articulated position. 
       FIG. 4  shows details of switch enclosure  110 . Switch enclosure  110  includes enclosure bottom  404  and enclosure top  402 . Enclosure top  402  is preferably secured to enclosure bottom  404  by welding or removable fasteners. Screws adjustably secure the enclosure bottom and enclosure top to the bottom of the drawer box through “cross-star” holes  450 . Cross-star holes  450  allow adjustment of the switch enclosure both “side-to-side” and “front-to-back” with respect to the drawer box and the strike bracket. The ability to adjust the position of the switch enclosure is important because it allows the travel of the pressure switch arm to be adjusted with respect to strike bracket  108 . 
     Enclosure bottom  404  includes cable access hole  414  and is designed to accommodate wiring to pressure switch  408 , dimmer circuit  410  and step down AC/DC converter  411 . Pressure switch arm  112  is pivotally attached to pressure switch  408  and is spring loaded in an extended position. Pressure switch arm  112  includes contact roller  415  pivotally mounted at its distal end. Pressure switch  408  is securely attached to the enclosure bottom. 
     In another embodiment, pressure switch  408  can take the form of an optical sensor directed toward vertical guide  334 . In a preferred embodiment, the optical sensor is an infrared sensor Part No. CY-121A-P available from Digi-key Electronics of Thief River Falls Minn., triggering an appropriate double pile, single throw relay. 
     Enclosure top  402  includes switch arm access hole  412 . Pressure switch arm  112  extends through switch arm access hole  412  at a sufficient distance so that contact roller  415  may impinge on ramp  322  and vertical guide  334 , as will be further described. 
     Dimmer circuit  410  is attached to the enclosure bottom and connected to  pressure switch  408  and step down AC/DC converter  411 . The switch cable is attached to the dimmer circuit, as will be further described. 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , a preferred embodiment of control circuit  500  will be described. Control circuit  500  includes pressure switch  408  connected to 110 VAC supply source  512  and step down AC/DC converter  411 . Pressure switch  408  is also connected to outlet  310 . In a preferred embodiment, pressure switch  408  is a double pole single throw normally closed spring loaded switch rated at 15 Amps. Step down AC/DC converter  411  is also connected to common  514  and ground  516 . Step down AC/DC converter  411  changes the 110 VAC supply voltage to a regulated 12V DC current suitable to power dimmer circuit  410  and LED  508 . The step down AC/DC converter is preferably Part No. RACD04-350 available from RECOM Power, Inc. of Arvada, Colo. Step down AC/DC converter is connected to dimmer circuit  410 . Dimmer circuit  410  is connected to LED  508 . The dimmer circuit ramps voltage to the LED light source up or down over a predetermined period of time to provide a smooth transition for the LED between “on” and “off” states. The dimmer circuit may also be used to change the color of light produced by the LED light source. In a preferred embodiment, the predetermined period of time is set to correspond to the engagement of the “soft close” mechanism of the drawer slides so that the LED light source begins to dim as the drawer begins to automatically close. Similarly, as the drawer is opened, the predetermined time is set so as to fade the light source to a full “on” state as the drawer is opened. In a preferred embodiment, dimmer circuit  410  is the 12V, 2 Amp “curve” fade-in, fade-out dimmer available from Oznium, of Pagosa Springs, Colo. In a preferred embodiment, LED  508  is Part No. 2040-1866 available from Custom Dynamics of Tewksbury, Md. Common  514  is further connected to outlet  310 . Outlet  310  is also connected to ground  516 .  
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , a preferred embodiment of cable manager quick disconnect coupling  600  will be described. 
     Extension arm  204  includes slot  602  and slot  604  at its distal end. Slot  602  and slot  604  are diametrically opposed, and in a preferred embodiment they are each rectangular and oriented parallel to the long axis of the extension arm. 
     Hinged wall bracket  304  includes connection flange  606 . Connection flange  606  includes diametrically opposed latch  608  and latch  610 . Both latch  608  and  610  are generally triangular. Latch  608  fits into triangular receiving bay  609 . Latch  610  fits into triangular receiving bay  611 . In a preferred embodiment, latch  608  and latch  610  are connected to the connection flange at spring junction  650  and spring junction  651 , respectively. Spring junctions  650  and  651  are formed of spring steel and resiliently bias the latches outward. When connection flange is advanced into extension arm  204 , latch  608  automatically engages slot  602  and latch  610  automatically engages slot  604 , along movement arcs  620  and  622 , respectively. Once engaged, latch  608  protrudes outwards to releasably lock into position in slot  602 . Likewise, latch  610  protrudes outwards to releasably lock into slot  604 , thereby preventing movement of hinged wall bracket  304  with respect to extension arm  204 . 
     Hinged wall bracket  304  may be removed from extension arm  204  by compressing latch  608  and latch  610  inwardly toward connection flange  606 , into receiving bays  609  and  611 , respectively, and withdrawing hinged wall bracket  304  from extension arm  204 . 
     In use, left drawer slide  104  is attached to the cabinet carcass (not shown) by left rear mounting bracket  362 . Cable arm bracket  130  is secured to right drawer slide  106  with screws. Cable arm bracket  130  is also secured to hinged wall bracket  304  with screws. Right drawer slide  106  is then attached to the cabinet carcass by right rear mounting bracket  360 .  Drawer box  102  is then removably affixed to the right drawer slide and the left drawer slide by use of right slide attachment clip  126  and left slide attachment clip  128 , respectively. Hinged wall bracket  304  is removably attached to extension arm  204  by inserting connection flange  606  such that latch  608  engages slot  602  and latch  610  engages slot  604 . Power supply cable  114  is removably connected to 110 VAC  512 , common  514  and ground  516  through plug  375 . 
     As drawer box  102  is opened, left drawer slide  104  and right drawer slide  106  are telescoped outwardly, thereby articulating hinged cable manager  202  and moving extension arm  204  away from extension arm  206 . Contact roller  415 , of pressure switch  408  rolls along vertical guide  334  to ramp  322 . As contact roller  415  impinges on ramp  322 , pressure switch arm  112  extends outwardly thereby activating pressure switch  408  and energizing control circuit  500 . Once energized, dimmer circuit  410  fades LED  508  to full power over a predetermined period of time, thereby slowly illuminating the interior of drawer box  102 . In a preferred embodiment, the period of time is about 2 seconds. Energizing control circuit  500  also energizes outlet  310 . Implements plugged into outlet  310  are then available for active use. 
     As drawer box  102  is closed, left drawer slide  104  and right drawer slide  106  are telescoped inwardly, until the soft close mechanisms are engaged to retract the drawer. As the soft close mechanisms are engaged, contact roller  415  impinges on ramp  322  of vertical guide  334  of strike bracket  108 , thereby depressing pressure switch arm  112  and opening pressure switch  408  thereby discharging control circuit  500 . When control circuit  500  is discharged, dimmer circuit  410  fades LED  508  from full power “on” to “off” over a predetermined period of time, thereby slowly darkening the interior of drawer box  102 . In a preferred embodiment, the period of time is about 2 seconds. 
     Drawer box  102  may be disengaged and removed from the cabinet carcass  removing power supply cable  114  by disengaging plug  375 . Drawer box  102  is then disengaged from right drawer slide  106  and left drawer slide  104  by disengaging right slide attachment clip  126  and left slide attachment clip  128 , respectively. Hinged wall bracket  304  is then detached from extension arm  204  by compressing latch  608  and latch  610  and removing connection flange  606  from extension arm  204 .