| Vertical and articulated system to move furniture -> Monitor Keywords |
|
|
  Vertical and articulated system to move furnitureUSPTO Application #: 20070236114Title: Vertical and articulated system to move furniture Abstract: A vertical and articulated system to move furniture particularly adapted to be used in systems created for people that cannot move easily such as people with special needs. The furniture of the present invention moves vertically and articulated assuming a position that allows the user to manipulate desired utensils. This movement of both a lower and upper module is obtained through a motorized track system with brakes, jambs and sensors such that the furniture can be returned to the original height by motion of a manual or remote control. The system is generally constructed from a metallic structure with internal mechanisms to execute the movements of lowering, raising and articulating which are set in motion by a manual or remote control. The parts of this structure are one or more aerial modules adequately fixed to a reference structure through articulated arms and a lower module that also can move vertically upward and downward allowing the accessibility to the disabled person to the furniture. The upper module moves out and down, while the lower module moves down. The motion is coordinated so the modules do not collide. (end of abstract) Agent: Cliffor Kraft - Naperville, IL, US Inventor: Enrique Fuentes USPTO Applicaton #: 20070236114 - Class: 312246 (USPTO) The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070236114. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
[0001]This application claims priority to Brazilian patent application number PI 0601449-6 filed Apr. 11, 2006 and Brazilian continuation (addition) of the that application of number 0160070001645 filed Mar. 15, 2007. Brazilian application PI 0601449-6 and continuation 0160070001645 are hereby incorporated by reference. BACKGROUND [0002]1. Field of the Invention [0003]The present invention relates to a system to move furniture vertically and articulately, such system being created particularly to disabled people who cannot move easily, presenting some limitation of movements, and to individuals with special needs, where the furniture moves vertically to a position that allows the user to manipulate the desired utensils. This movement is possible due a various mechanical components, a track system, brakes, jambs and sensors, and this furniture can move to and from the original height by manual or remote control. [0004]2. State of the Art [0005]There is no turning back in the accommodation of the physical space to disabled people, where services are being adapted to allow comfort and independence to a large number of the population. For example, in Brazil, it is believed there are about 16 million disabled people. This accommodation is extended to sidewalks with ramps, easy access to public and private buildings, banks, theaters, public transportation and the like. Currently there is the movement to admit trained helping animals into movie theaters, shopping malls, underground transportation, etc, in such a way that disabled people do not feel excluded from the rest of the population. This movement to improve the access and independence also is felt within the commercial and domestic environments, where the integration of disabled people everyday grows larger and more dynamic. With this, the interiors are being adapted with the attachment of support bars, larger doors for disabled people on wheelchairs, spaces on the same level and planned furniture. Within the category of special furniture, there are several examples, such as mechanisms for elevation, retreat, with degrees of freedom larger than was believed possible years ago. [0006]Searches performed in Brazil in the state of the art in the respective field, particularly referring to classes A47B 51/00, A47B 5/03, B42F 13/00, B64C 11/04 and B61D 37/00, show a series of patent documents that present solutions to some of the quotidian situations. The more important documents reveal systems that allow a vertical movement of a furniture, using several ways to accomplish it, such as patent document MU 7102189 (Brazil), where a cabinet dislodges vertically. The wood cabinet module is set into an aluminum profile through four pieces and is supported by two steel cables connected to a counterbalance, which slides into this profile. There is a brake system that allows to wood module to stop in any position along this aluminum profile. This system is commanded by a mobile jamb connected to two action jambs. Each jamb has to extensions in "T" that fit at the bottom of the module, through two engagement pieces. At the other end of each jamb, there is a spring and two brake pads, which guarantee the immobility of the module when the mobile jambs are not being pulled. [0007]This system shows a solution in vertical movement, nonetheless it does not foresee using the system for disabled people in a wheelchair, because the movement aims only to decrease the height of the furniture not being adapted for a disabled person in wheelchair. [0008]A little different from the previous is patent document MU 7301355 (Brazil) to exposit furniture, having a defined tower and two vertical structures, each one on a side, both flatly folded forming a profile practically in a "C" shape when all of it sides are completely closed except those who are facing each other. The structure is connected by its extremities through upper and lower structural shafts, also profiled flatly, where the lower in assembled in conjunction with the support base. In the interior of the tower is installed a motion mechanism assembled by a lower axle inserted into the corresponding vertical structure. It works with another pair of upper mechanisms with axles of one sliding element as a tension puller. The pair of mechanisms can move the chains that configure the mobile ways in which can be means of turning connected to the support terminals of the parts to be moved. [0009]This patent also foresees the possibility to vertically movement of a module; nevertheless the difficulties of this proposition are the same as the previous one, where the means to accommodate the furniture to disabled people is not foreseen. [0010]Even more simple is the development proposed by patent document MU 8100698 (Brazil) where a cabinet that is the form of a box similar to a traditional cabinet is attached to the wall and/or ceiling, totally closed, except at the bottom or base, and this lower part is the base of the vertical drawer connected to a handle with a brake to allow the return of the mobile part upwards which is made easier by the sheaves, counterbalances (weights), cables and tracks. The counterbalances are made from concrete bars or sand or metal, and can be modulated according to the weight to be compensated--that is, the content of the shelves. [0011]This system is simpler than the previous ones revealing a cabinet that can be lowered and raised to facilitate the handling of the objects that are in a higher position. However, none of these pieces of furniture are aimed to facilitate vertical movement being adapted to people with special needs. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0012]This way, due to considerations to the state of the art described previously, an object of the present invention is the development of a vertical and articulated system to move furniture for use with the disabled with the following features: [0013]The present invention can comprise a metal structure with internal mechanisms to execute movements by manual or remote control allowing that this furniture with a structure so capable can be moved upwards, downwards and articulated, being at an adequate level for someone with special needs to pick up objects inside the cabinet. [0014]The vertical movement can be obtained through an electro/electronic motorization, where the engine and other motion systems are inside of the metal structure, or similarly, installed in a way not observable externally thus maintaining the furniture aesthetics as conceived. [0015]The cabinets and other aerial furniture parts are attached in this structure by articulated arms that move providing the lowering and raising of the cabinet and, thus, advancing the aerial module to make it closer to the disabled person. [0016]Besides the vertical movement, advance and articulation is possible since there is a system of brakes and bars. These cause the aerial module to descend slowly not colliding with other parts of the furniture or putting the user at risk. [0017]The system aims to move the aerial modules and also provide adequate height of the lower modules, such as tables, sinks, ovens, stoves as well as any furniture, for instance, room, living room, kitchen and restroom, in a way that there is an integration of movements of parts of the furniture with each other. For example, while the cabinet slowly descends, the other associated furniture can also move to allow a better position for the disabled person. [0018]The tables, sinks and other parts of the furniture can have special spaces or recesses to allow the proximity of the disabled person up to a distance that allows access the aerial module once it has reached the lowest position. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0019]The characterization of the present invention can be better understood by means of representative drawings of the vertical and articulated movement of the furniture in such a way that the product can be integrally reproduced by adequate technique allowing full characterization of the functionality of the invention. It should be understood that these drawings are merely illustrative, with numerous variations also within the scope of the claimed invention. In no case is the scope of the present invention limited to what is shown in the figures. [0020]FIG. 1--shows a disabled person in a wheelchair in a position in front of an embodiment of the present invention. [0021]FIG. 2--illustrates schematically an embodiment of the present invention applied in an upper module together with a lower module where the one of the side arms responsible for the vertical and forward movement can be seen. [0022]FIG. 3--shows the embodiment of FIG. 2 in the most horizontally extended stage of the downward movement of the upper module, where the forward advance of the module can be clearly seen. [0023]FIG. 4--shows the embodiment of FIGS. 2-3 in a position of immobility in the lowest position. [0024]FIG. 5A--presents a side view of an alternate embodiment with a sink and without table with a floating cabinet showing the mechanism of the movement in the elevated position. [0025]FIG. 5B--presents the same embodiment as FIG. 5A, showing the aerial module in the down position next to the table holding the sink. [0026]FIG. 5C--presents a side view of the embodiment of FIGS. 5A-5B with an aerial and inferior module. The optional internal sink is not shown. [0027]FIG. 5D--presents a frontal view of the embodiment of FIGS. 5A-5C with the mechanism arranged in such a way that the respective engines responsible for the movement can be observed. Continue reading... Full patent description for Vertical and articulated system to move furniture Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Vertical and articulated system to move furniture 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 Vertical and articulated system to move furniture or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Media cabinet with reversing door Next Patent Application: Versatile furniture and assembly method Industry Class: Supports: cabinet structure ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Vertical and articulated system to move furniture patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.11668 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Electronics: Semiconductor , Audio , Illumination , Connectors , Crypto , |
||
