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  Fold-down kitchenetteUSPTO Application #: 20060192468Title: Fold-down kitchenette Abstract: The fold-down kitchenette is designed for use in folding camping trailers and includes a two part cabinet having a base section and a movable top section, which can be moved between a raised functional position and a lowered transportation position. The top section of the cabinet supports a conventional sink and stove. Flexible drain hoses, waterlines, gas lines and electrical wiring are used to facilitate the movement of the top section between its functional and transportation positions. In two embodiments, the top section is pivotally connected to the base section by a linkage. The linkage uses a pivoting parallelogram mechanism, which allows the top section to move between a functional position seated atop the base section and a transportation position resting on the floor of the trailer. In another embodiment, the top section shiftably rides along a U-shaped track, which allows the top to shift between the raised functional position and the lowered transportation position. (end of abstract) Agent: R. Tracy Crump - New Carlisle, IN, US Inventor: Stewart E. Gardner USPTO Applicaton #: 20060192468 - Class: 312198000 (USPTO) The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060192468. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
[0001] This invention relates to kitchenettes for recreational vehicles, and specifically a fold-down kitchenette for use in pop-up trailers. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Folding camping trailers, also referred to as fold-down campers, pop-up trailers or tent trailers, are a popular type of recreational vehicle. Folding camping trailers have sides that collapse for towing and storage. The low profiles of folding camping trailers greatly improve fuel efficiency of the towing vehicles by reducing wind resistance. [0003] Conventional folding camping trailers include the same facilities as other recreational vehicles including kitchenettes. Heretofore, the height of the kitchenettes has been a limiting factor in reducing the profiles of folding camping trailers. The counter top of a typical kitchenette stands approximately thirty-six (36'') inches above the floor of the trailer. Reducing the height of the kitchenette counter top reduces its functionality, which is undesirable. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0004] The present invention seeks to provide a fold-down kitchenette for use in folding camping trailers. The fold-down kitchenettes embodying this invention include a two part cabinet having a base section and a movable top section, which can be moved between a raised functional position and a lowered transportation or storage position. The top section of the cabinet supports a conventional sink and stove. Flexible drain hoses, waterlines, gas lines and electrical wiring are used to facilitate the movement of the top section between its functional and transportation positions. In two embodiments, the top section is pivotally connected to the base section by a linkage. The linkage uses a pivoting parallelogram mechanism, which allows the top section to move between a functional position seated atop the base section and a transportation position resting on the floor of the trailer. In a third embodiment, the top section rides on rollers within a U-shaped track, which allows the top section to shift in a telescoping action between the raised functional position and the lowered transportation position. [0005] The fold-down kitchenettes embodying this invention afford folding camping trailers a significantly lower, more streamline collapsed profile. In the functional position, the top sections sit atop the base sections placing the counter top at an ergometrically efficient height within the trailer with all the necessary sink and stove fixtures ready for use. In the transportation position, the top section is retracted into the base section or is pivoted off of the top of the base section to rest on the floor of the trailer adjacent the base section, thereby significantly lowering the overall height of the kitchenette. The linkage and slide track mechanisms allow the top section of the cabinet to move between the functional position and the transportation position, while maintaining the counter top of the top section in a horizontal plane. [0006] These and other advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of an embodiment of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0007] The embodiments of the present invention are illustrated in the drawings, in which: [0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first kitchenette embodiment of this invention showing the top section of the cabinet in the raised functional position; [0009] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the first kitchenette embodiment showing the top section of the cabinet in the lowered transportation position; [0010] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the first kitchenette embodiment with the cabinet in shadow and showing the top section in the lowered transportation position; [0011] FIG. 4 is a side view of the first kitchenette embodiment with the cabinet in shadow and showing the top section in the raised functional position; [0012] FIG. 5 is a side view of the first kitchenette embodiment with the cabinet in shadow and showing the top section moving between the raised functional position and the lowered transportation position; [0013] FIG. 6 is a side view of the first kitchenette embodiment with the cabinet in shadow and showing the top section in the lowered transportation position; [0014] FIG. 7 is a partial side sectional view of a simplified folding camping trailer including the first kitchenette embodiment in the raised functional position; and [0015] FIG. 8 is a partial side sectional view of a simplified folding camping trailer including the first kitchenette embodiment in the lowered transportation position. [0016] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a second kitchenette embodiment of this invention showing the top section of the cabinet in the raise functional position; [0017] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the second kitchenette embodiment showing the top section of the cabinet in the lowered transportation position; [0018] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the second kitchenette embodiment with the cabinet in shadow and showing the top section in the raised functional position; [0019] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the second kitchenette embodiment with the cabinet in shadow and showing the top section in the lowered transportation position; [0020] FIG. 13 is a side view of the second kitchenette embodiment showing the top section in the raised functional position; [0021] FIG. 14 is a side view of the second kitchenette embodiment showing the top section moving between the functional position and the transportation position; Continue reading... Full patent description for Fold-down kitchenette Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Fold-down kitchenette patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Fold-down kitchenette or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Modular food guard apparatus and mounting bracket therefor Next Patent Application: Slide guide for pushing/drawing box into/out of refrigerator Industry Class: Supports: cabinet structure ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Fold-down kitchenette patent info. 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