Abstract:
An apparatus having one or two steps at the election of a user. The apparatus is stored under a counter in a space that is normally wasted. When in its single step configuration the apparatus has a generally parallelepiped appearance and includes a transversely disposed front wall, longitudinally extending side walls, a transversely disposed rear wall, and a top wall that provides a first step. A folding line formed in the top wall enables a trailing section of the structure to be rotated until the rear wall lies in a horizontal plane and provides a second step. A transverse rod facilitates rotation of the second step and the transverse rod supports the second step after it has been deployed. The rod has a telescoped construction and permits lowering of the second step when the user exerts an axial force against the rod.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates, generally, to auxiliary steps. More particularly, it relates to an auxiliary step means that is storable beneath a cabinet when not in use. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Many kitchen cabinets are positioned at heights that are unreachable by many people. Small step ladder-like platforms can be used to reach high cabinets, but such ladders occupy storage space when not in use and thus add to the clutter of a household. 
     Inventors have responded to the problem by developing step structures that are stored under or in kitchen counters. Those that are stored in the counters occupy storage space and thus have less value relative to those that are stored under a counter in an otherwise unused space. 
     Typically, the step structures provide a single step that may help some people reach the cabinets, but for many people a single step is not enough. There are some step structures that provide two steps, but some people do not require a second step. 
     What is needed, then, is a step structure that provides a single step to those who require just a single step, and that provides a second step when needed by those who require a second step. 
     However, in view of the prior art considered as a whole at the time the present invention was made, it was not obvious to those of ordinary skill in the pertinent art how the identified needs could be fulfilled. 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     The longstanding but heretofore unfulfilled need for an apparatus that brings elevated kitchen cabinets within reach is now met by a new, useful, and nonobvious invention that enables a user to deploy a single step or a double step as needed. 
     The novel auxiliary step means of this invention is adapted to be stored in a space under a counter. The structure includes a transversely disposed, vertical front wall and a transversely disposed, vertical rear wall positioned in parallel, longitudinally spaced apart relation to the vertical front wall. The vertical rear wall has a transverse extent equal to a transverse extent of the vertical front wall. 
     A pair of longitudinally extending, transversely spaced apart vertical side walls have leading ends secured to opposite ends of the vertical front wall. A horizontally disposed top wall has a longitudinal extent substantially equal to a longitudinal extent of the vertical side walls and has a transverse extent substantially equal to the common transverse extent of the vertical front and rear walls. 
     A transversely disposed folding line is formed in the top wall and divides the top wall into a leading section and a trailing section. A rotating means is provided for rotating the trailing section about the folding line until the trailing section is disposed normal to the leading section and the vertical rear wall is disposed in a horizontal plane. A support means is provided for supporting the vertical rear wall in said horizontal plane. The horizontally disposed top wall provides a first step when the auxiliary step means is deployed and the vertical rear wall provides a second step when disposed in said horizontal plane. 
     A first, longitudinally extending, vertical brace wall has an upper edge secured to a first edge of the trailing section of the top wall and a trailing edge secured to a first edge of the vertical rear wall. A second, longitudinally extending, vertical brace wall has an upper edge secured to a second edge of the trailing section of the top wall and a trailing edge secured to a second edge of the vertical rear wall. The first and second brace walls maintain the vertical rear wall in normal relation to the trailing section of the top wall. The first brace wall has a free leading edge in substantial alignment with an imaginary vertical plane that passes through the folding line and the second brace wall also has a free leading edge in substantial alignment with said imaginary vertical plane. 
     The rotating means includes an arcuate slot formed in a preselected one of the vertical side walls. The arcuate slot has a lowermost end formed in the preselected vertical side wall at a preselected point therein in substantial alignment with the imaginary vertical plane. The arcuate slot has an uppermost end in open communication with an upper edge of the preselected vertical side wall. A transversely disposed rod has opposite ends that extend through the first and second vertical brace walls at preselected apertures formed in a lower, leading corner of each of the vertical brace walls in substantial alignment with the imaginary vertical plane. The apertures are in axial alignment with the lowermost end of the arcuate slot when the leading and trailing sections of the top wall are in coplanar relation to one another. The rod has a length greater than the transverse extent of the front and rear vertical walls. It therefore extends transversely beyond the preselected vertical side wall a predetermined distance so that a free end thereof is adapted to be engaged by a user. Lifting the free end of the rod rotates the trailing end of the top wall about the folding line. 
     A gate means is pivotally mounted to a top edge of the preselected vertical side wall. It spans the uppermost end of the arcuate slot when the gate means is in repose and is momentarily pivotally opened when the user lifts the rod to a preselected height above the top edge of the preselected vertical wall. The gates means closes behind the rod so that when the rod is released by the user, the gate means supports the rod and prevents it from re-entering the arcuate slot, thereby maintaining the rear vertical wall in its horizontal, second step-providing position. 
     The space under the counter is enclosed at least in part by a front skirt and a back skirt. An opening is formed in the front skirt to slideably receive the auxiliary step means. A pair of laterally outwardly extending flanges is secured to the vertical front wall and a first magnet means is secured to a trailing side of said flanges. A second magnet means is secured to the front skirt on opposite sides of the opening formed therein. The first magnet means releasably engages the second magnet means when the auxiliary step means is stored within the space under the counter. A bias means is mounted on a leading side of the back skirt; it is under compression when the auxiliary step means is stored within the space under said counter. The bias means is adapted to exert a force that is slightly insufficient to separate the first and second magnet means from one another when the bias means is in a state of repose. When momentarily compressed and released, the bias means generates a force sufficient to separate the first and second magnet means from one another. A user may momentarily cause compression of the bias means by kicking the front wall. 
     A primary object of the invention is to provide an apparatus that enables people to reach kitchen cabinets, or the like, that are mounted above kitchen or other counter tops. 
     Another object is to provide such an apparatus that is storable in an unused space beneath a counter. 
     Another important object is to provide an apparatus that deploys either one or two steps depending upon the requirements of a user. 
     Still another object is to provide an apparatus that is easily deployed by a user and just as easily returned to its storage configuration. 
     These and other important objects, advantages, and features of the invention will become clear as this description proceeds. 
     The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction, combination of elements, and arrangement of parts that will be exemplified in the description set forth hereinafter and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
     For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the novel apparatus when both auxiliary steps are deployed; 
     FIG. 2 is a front elevational view thereof; 
     FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view depicting the second step in its deployed and locked configuration; 
     FIG. 4 is a top plan, partly cut away view of the novel apparatus when the second step is deployed and locked; 
     FIG. 5 is a top plan, partly cut away view of the novel apparatus when the second step is deployed but not locked into said deployed configuration; 
     FIG. 6 is a side elevational view depicting the novel gate when in its locked configuration; 
     FIG. 7 is a side elevational view depicting the novel gate when in its unlocked configuration; 
     FIG. 8 is a side elevational, partly cut away view of the novel apparatus in its stored configuration; 
     FIG. 9 is a side elevational, partly cut away view of the novel apparatus in its deployed configuration; and 
     FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of the enclosed area denoted  10  in FIG.  8 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring now to FIG. 1, it will there be seen that the reference numeral  10  denotes a typical environment within which the novel structure is used. 
     Although the invention may be used in any room of a house or other structure, it is primarily intended for use in a household kitchen. Kitchen  10  includes a counter  12  having a bottom wall  14  and a normally wasted space  16  therebelow. Front skirt  16   a  and back skirt  16   b  (FIGS. 8 and 9) enclose the front and back of said space  16 . Cabinets  18  (FIG. 1) are positioned in elevated relation to counter  12  and can be out of reach for many people standing on floor  20  of the kitchen. 
     Advantageously, novel auxiliary step means  21  is storable within space  16  and is deployable therefrom in drawer-like fashion, there being a suitable opening formed in front skirt  16   a  to accommodate said auxiliary step means. In FIG. 1, auxiliary step means  21  is depicted in its deployed, extended configuration. 
     More particularly, auxiliary step means  21  includes first step  22  and second step  24  that is deployable into the configuration depicted in FIG.  1 . The novel structure forms a hollow parallelepiped structure when second step  24  is in its stored, undeployed configuration, as perhaps best understood from an inspection of FIG.  8 . 
     FIG. 2 provides a front elevational view of counter  12 , bottom wall  14  of said counter, and of first step  22  and second step  24  when in their respective deployed configurations. 
     Auxiliary step means  21  includes a transversely disposed, vertical front wall  30  (FIG.  2 ), longitudinally extending vertical side walls  32 ,  34 , (FIG.  3 ), horizontally-disposed top wall  36  and transversely disposed, vertical rear wall  38 . In FIG. 3, vertical rear wall  38  is depicted in it deployed configuration where it serves as the tread or support surface for second step  24 . Rear wall  38  is vertically disposed when second step  24  is in its stored configuration as depicted in FIGS. 7 and 8. 
     Arcuate slot  40  is formed in side wall  34  near its trailing end. Slot  40  is in open communication with top edge  42  of side wall  34 . 
     A gate means  44  is pivotally mounted as at  46  to said side wall  34  and has a position of repose, depicted in FIG. 3, where it spans the uppermost end of arcuate slot  40  and rests atop said top edge  42  on the opposite side of said slot  40  relative to pivot point  46 . 
     A transversely disposed folding line  50 , depicted as a hinge means; is formed in top wall  36  and divides said top wall into leading section  52  and trailing section  54  (see FIG.  7 ). The opposed, longitudinally extending edges of leading section  52  are secured to or integrally formed with top edges  41 ,  42  of sidewalls  32 ,  34 , respectively. Accordingly, leading section  52  of top wall  36  provides the first step  22  of auxiliary step means  21 . The opposed, longitudinally extending edges of trailing section  54 , however, are not secured to said top edges of said side walls. This enables second step  24  to be rotated from its stored configuration (FIGS. 7 and 8) into its deployed configuration (all other Figs.). 
     A pair of brace walls  58 ,  60  are positioned at opposite ends of vertical rear wall  38 , in leading relation thereto. Brace wall  58  has a first edge secured to trailing section  54  of top wall  36 , a second edge secured to vertical rear wall  38 , and two unconnected edges  57 ,  59  (FIG.  3 ). The height of brace wall  58  is substantially equal to that of side walls  32 ,  34  and the longitudinal extent of said brace wall is equal to the longitudinal extent of second section  54  of top wall  36 . Brace wall  60  has the same construction as brace wall  58 , having a first edge secured to trailing section  54 , a second edge secured to vertical rear wall  38 , and two unconnected edges denoted  61  and  63  (FIGS.  3  and  7 ). 
     An elongate, transversely disposed rod  70  having two sections  72 ,  74  joined by housing  76  extends through apertures formed in brace walls  58 ,  60  at their respective lower, leading corners as depicted in FIGS. 3,  4 , and  5 . Rod  70  has a telescoping construction and is biased by means contained in housing  76  so that it is fully extended when in repose (FIGS.  3  and  4 ). When fully extended, a first end or extension  78  thereof extends through arcuate slot  40  and rests atop the lowermost end of said slot when second step  24  is not deployed, as depicted in FIG.  7 . The length of rod  70  is preselected so that said first end or extension  78  thereof protrudes beyond the plane of side wall  34  (FIGS.  3  and  4 ), said extension  78  providing a handle means for rotating second step  24  about hinge  50 . Thus, when first step  22  is deployed into its operable configuration, if a second step is needed the user lifts extension or handle means  78  with the toe of a foot and raises it upwardly so that rod  70  travels along the extent of arcuate slot  40  from its lowermost position (FIG.  7 ). Such lifting continues until gate means  44  is pivoted by said rod  70  about pivot point  46  and lifted upwardly as also indicated in FIG. 7 so that rod  70  can completely exit arcuate slot  40  and travel above top edge  42  of side wall  34 . Gate means  44  is sized such that when rod  70  has completely exited arcuate slot  40 , the gate means falls back under the influence of gravity into its position of repose where it spans the uppermost opening of said arcuate slot, thereby preventing re-entry of rod  70  into slot  40  when said rod is released. The user lowers rod  70  until said rod is supported by said closed gate means as depicted in FIGS. 1,  3 ,  4 ,  6 , and  9 . This positions second step  24  into its operative, deployed configuration as depicted in said Figs. Note that trailing section  54  of top wall  36  is in a vertical plane when second step  24  is deployed and that vertical rear wall  38  is in a horizontal plane and serves as the support surface for the second step  22  as mentioned earlier. 
     It should also be observed that the lowermost end of arcuate slot  40  is spaced slightly to the trailing side of an imaginary vertical plane that passes through hinge  50 . 
     To lower second step  24  into its stored configuration so that novel assembly  21  can be stored in storage space  16  as depicted in FIG. 8, gate means  44  may be lifted to grant rod  70  access to arcuate slot  40 . Alternatively, the user may press against rod  70  in an axial direction as indicated by single-headed directional arrow  79  in FIG.  4 . When extension  78  of rod part  74  is pressed, it retracts. Simultaneously, rod part  72  also retracts, due to a mechanism, not shown, positioned within housing  76 . Mechanisms that cause two rods to retract axially when only one of them is actively urged to retract are known and form no part of this invention, per se. When extension  78  is fully retracted, it clears gate. means  44  so that second step  24  is no longer supported by rod  70 . Upon being released, the bias means in housing  76  again urges parts  72  and  74  of rod  70  to diverge from one another in opposite axial directions and extension  78  again enters into slot  40  and guides second step  24  into its fully folded, stored configuration. 
     Depending on the amount of space between kitchen floor  20  and counter bottom wall  14 , first step  22  can be about six inches in height. Thus, when deployed, first step  22  may provide sufficient height to enable a user to reach an upper cabinet  18  when standing thereatop. 
     Second step  24  is deployed only if first step  22  provides inadequate elevation. 
     Note spring  90  in FIGS. 9 and 10. There are two of such springs; the second spring is behind spring  90  in said Figs. Said springs  90  are compressed by laterally-extending flanges  96 ,  98  (FIGS. 3-5) when auxiliary step means  21  is in its stored position (see FIG.  8 ). 
     As best depicted in FIGS. 3 and 10, another pair of laterally-extending flanges  92 ,  94 , are formed in front wall  30 . A first magnet means  92   a  (FIG. 3) is secured to flange  92  near its upper end and a second magnet means, not shown, is secured to said flange  92  near its lower end. Similarly, magnet means  94   a ,  94   b  (FIG. 3) are secured to flange  94  on the trailing side thereof. As indicated in FIG. 10, a first pair of magnet means (not shown) are secured to front skirt  16   a  on a first side of the opening formed in said front skirt and a second pair of magnet means  94   c ,  94   d  are secured to said front skirt  16   a  on a second side of the opening formed in said front skirt to receive auxiliary step means  21 . The term “magnet means” includes a magnet and any suitable ferrous material. Thus, magnets can be attached to flanges  92 ,  94  and ferrous material to front skirt  16   a , or vice versa. Accordingly, a user may simply lightly kick front wall  30 , which may be provided with a suitable kick plate that overlies front wall  30 , thereby momentarily compressing springs  90 . When said springs recover from such momentary compression, their expansion separates the engaged magnet means from one another so that the user may then pull auxiliary step means  21  from storage space  16  in the same way a drawer is opened. 
     There are numerous mechanisms that can accomplish the above-described locking of second step  24  in its stored and deployed configurations, and all structures equivalent to the structure depicted and described herein are within the contemplation of this invention. The same observation applies to the magnets and spring mechanism and to the other mechanical parts of the invention. For example, hinge  50  may be provided in the form of a living hinge, thereby eliminating hardware  50 . 
     It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, and those made apparent from the foregoing description, are efficiently attained. Since certain changes may be made in the above construction without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matters contained in the foregoing description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. 
     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. 
     Now that the invention has been described,