Patent ID: 8899701

Claim:
A storage device adaptable to different thickness worktops having a storage unit for storing kitchen, office, or home appliances, provisions, or equipment and being movable between a raised position and a storage position in which, in the storage position, the storage unit is located within a housing and has a lid flush with an adjacent surface of the worktop, wherein: the storage device comprises a driving means including a counterweight having a first weight and a pulley operable to move the storage unit between the storage position and the raised position; the first weight of the counterweight is selected so that in use the counterweight and pulley arrangement exert a greater upward force on the storage unit than the storage unit exerts downwardly such that the storage unit moves toward the raised position when in a free state by the upward force of the counterweight and pulley arrangement alone; the counterweight is configured to allow for manual alterations thereof so as to increase or decrease the first weight; the storage unit further comprises guides configured to ensure aligned movement of the storage unit when moved between the raised position and the storage position within the housing; the counterweight is arranged generally centrally beneath the storage unit when the storage unit is in the raised position and in the storage position; the driving means and the storage unit are contained within the housing; the storage unit includes a floor; the floor of the storage unit, when the storage unit is in the in the raised position, is flush with the adjacent surface of the worktop; and the storage unit further comprises a latching mechanism having multiple latching positions, each said latching position corresponding to a different stop point for the storage unit such that each stop point permits a different thickness of a worktop to be accommodated such that the lid remains flush with the adjacent surface of the worktop in the storage position.