GB2061700A - Apparatus adaptable for access by persons of different effective statures - Google Patents

Abstract

An article of furniture such as a sink unit (30) or a storage cupboard (6), has at least part thereof mounted for sliding movement by a linear actuator 22 between a position in which the article of furniture is at a convenient height for use by persons who can stand and a second and lower position in which the article of furniture is at a convenient height for use by persons who are required to use a wheelchair, the slidable mounting means being so constructed and positioned that the article of furniture is stably mounted and yet is smoothly slidable up and down between the first and the second positions. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Apparatus for use in a building by able bodied and disabled persons This invention relates to apparatus for use in a building by able bodied and disabled persons. The apparatus will usually be for use in a house but it may also be used in offices, factories, shops and other buildings.

Disabled persons who are required to use a wheelchair suffer from a number of disadvantages at home due to their inability to reach high up ortho stand up. For example, in a kitchen, the storage space available to them is severely restricted due to their inability to reach the shelves of conventional wall storage units fitted high up on the kitchen wall.

The disabled persons thus often have to depend on floor standing units to meet all their storage requirements. Again, persons who are required to use a wheel chair often have difficulty in using a wash basin, sink unit or kitchen work top as these articles of furniture have been provided at a level which is suitable for able bodied persons. Young children often have a similar difficulty in reaching to the required level.

It is an aim of the present invention to provide apparatus which overcomes this problem.

Accordingly, this invention provides apparatus for use in a building by able bodied and disabled persons, which apparatus comprises at least one article of furniture (as herein defined), at least one linear actuator for moving the article of furniture between a first position in which the article of furniture is at a convenient height for use by persons who can stand and a second and lower positionn which the article of furniture is at a convenient height for use by persons who are required to use a wheel chair, and slidable mounting means for mounting the article of furniture such that it can slide up and down between the first and the second positions, the slidable mounting means comprising at least a pair of spaced apart guide members which are adapted to be secured to a fixed support surface, and runner means which are connected to the article of furniture and which are adapted to run along the guide members as the article of furniture slides up and down between the first and the second positions, and the slidable mounting means being so constructed and positioned that the article of furniture is stably mounted and yet smoothly slidable up and down between the first and second positions.

As used herein, the term "article of furniture" is used to mean the articles and pieces of equipment that are used in homes and other buildings for enabling able bodied and disabled persons to store objects, work on work surfaces, wash themselves and other objects, cook and generally to live. By way of example, typical articles of furniture are wall storage units, sink units, wash basins, hair shampoo units, one or more shelves, work tops, and cooker units. The articles of furniture may be wall mount able or free standing.

Preferably, the linear actuator is electrically oper ated. However, if desired, the linear actuator may be pneumatically or hydraulically operated.

The linear actuator may be operated by a switch which is hand held, wall mounted or fitted to the apparatus of the invention. The switch may be a remote controlled switch if desired.

The slidable mounting means may comprise a vertical guide device, a linear slide device or a bearing device.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figures 1 and 2 show somewhat schematically apparatus in the form of wall storage unit; Figures 3 to 5 show the wall storage unit of Figures 1 and 2 in more detail, Figures 3 and 4 being front views and Figure 5 being a side view; Figure 6 and 7 show somewhat schematically apparatus in the form of a sink unit; Figures 8 and 9 shown in more detail front and side views of a first sink unit which is like the sink unit illustrated in Figures 6 and 7; Figure 10 is a detailed front view of a second sink unit which is like the sink unit shown in Figures 6 and 7; Figure 11 is a section on the line A-A in Figure 10; Figure 12 is a plan view of the sink unit shown in Figure 10;; Figure 13 further shows in detail a third sink unit which is like the sink unit shown in Figures 6 and 7.

Figure 14 is an end view of the sink unit shown in Figure 13; Figure 15 is a section on the line A-A shown in Figure 13; Figure 16 shows in detail a front view of a fourth sink unit like the sink unit shown in Figures 6 and 7; Figure 17 shows an end view of the sink unit shown in Figure 16; and Figure 18 is a section on the line A-A shown in Figure 16.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, there is shown a disabled person 2 sitting in a wheelchair 4. It can be seen from Figure 1 that the person 2 cannot reach a wall storage unit 6 mounted on a wall 8. In Figure 2, an inner container part 10 of the wall storage unit 6 has been caused to slide downwardly, leaving an outer container part 12 of the unit6 in position on the wall 8. The part 10 has slid downwardly to be adjacent a work surface 14 and it will be seen from Figure 2 that articles stored on shelves 16, 18, 20 in the part 10 can easily be reached.

Referring now to Figures 3, 4, 5 similar parts as in Figures 1.and 2 have been given the same reference numeral. The part 10 is moved from the upper position illustrated in Figure 3 to the lower position illustrated in Figure 4 by means of a linear actuator 22.

The actuator 22 is mounted on a rear wall 24 of the part 12 by means of a bracket 26. A push rod 28 extends into and outofthe remainderofthe actuator 22 and the push rod 28 is connected to the shelf 20.

Thus as the push rod 28 is moved into and out of the remainder of the actuator 22, the part 10 is smoothly and stably raised and lowered on a pair of spaced apart linear slide bearings 29.

Referring now to Figure 6there is shown an able bodied person 2 standing at a sink unit 30. In Figure 7, there is shown a disabled person 2 sitting in a wheelchair 4 at the same sink unit 30. The sink unit 30 is movable from a first and higher position illustrated in Figure 6 to a second and a lower position illustrated in Figure 7 by means of the linear actuator 22 having the push rod 28 connected to the sink unit 30. The actuator 22 is secured (by means not shown in Figures 6 and 7) to the mounting plate 32 fixed to the wall 8.

.Referring now to Figures 8 and 9 which show in more detail a first form of the sink unit illustrated in Figures 6 and 7, it will be seen that the actuator 22 is electrically operated via a cable 34. The push rod 28 is fixed by means of a bracket 36 to a mounting plate 38. The sink unit 30 is secured to the mounting plate 38 by means of mounting holes 40. The mounting plate 32 illustrated in Figures 6 and 7 is shown in Figures 8 and 9 as a mounting frame 42.

In Figures 8 and 9, the mounting plate 38 has a runner member 44 provided at each end. These runner members 44 run along a pair of spaced apart guide members 46. These runner members 44 are recirculating ball-slide members. The runner members 44 operate in their guide members 46 to stably mount the sink unit whilst enabling it to easily and smoothly slide without vibration between its first and its second positions.

In Figures 8 and 9, a pair of hand wheels 48 are provided fortighteningthe runnermembers44 in their guide members 46 to control the mounting of the sink unit 30.

Referring now to Figure 10,11, 12 similar parts as in Figures 6 and 7 have been given the same reference numerals and their precise construction and operation will not again be given. In Figures 10, 11, 12 the sink unit 30 has been omitted for clarity. In Figures 10,11 and 12, the recirculating ball-slide members 44 have been replaced by linear slide members 50. These linear slide members 50 still comprise a pair of fixed guide members 46 and runner members 44.

Referring now to Figures 13, 14 and 15, similar parts as in Figures 6 and 7 have again been given the same reference numerals and their construction and operation will not again be given. In Figures 13, 14 and 15, the recirculating ball-slide members 46 have been replaced by linear bearing based members 52.

The construction of the members 52 is illustrated most clearly in Figure 15 wherein it will be seen that each member 52 comprises a guide member 46 and a runner member 44.

Referring now to Figures 16,17 and 18, similar parts as in Figures 6 and 7 have again been given the same reference numerals and their construction and operation will not again be given. In Figures 16, 17 and 18, the recirculating ball-slide members 44 have been replaced by a pair of guide tubes 54 which are mounted as shown to a top support member 56. The mounting plate 38 is provided with a pair of aper tures 58 which receive the guide tubes 54. The mounting plate 38 smoothly slides up and down the guide tubes 54 and is also stably mounted by the guide tubes 54.

It is to be appreciated that the embodiments of the invention described above have been given byway of example only and that modifications may be effected. Thus, for example, articles of furniture other than the illustrated storage unit 6 and the sink unit 30 may be employed.

CLAfAhS 1. Apparatus for use in a building by able bodied and disabled persons, which apparatus comprises at least ore article of furniture (as herein defined), at least one linear actuator for moving the article of furniture between a first position in which the article of furniture is at a convenient height for use by persons who can stand and a second and lower position in which the article of furniture is at a convenient height for use by persons who are required to use a wheelchair, and slidable mounting means for mounting the article offurniture such that it can slide up and down between the first and the second positions, the slidable mounting means comprising at least a pair of spaced apart guide members which are adapted to be secured to a fixed support surface, and runner means which are connected to the article of furniture and which are adapted to run along the guide members as the article of furniture slides up and down between the first and the second positions, and the slidable mounting means being so constructed and positionedthatthe article offurni- ture is stably mounted and yet is smoothly slidable up and down between the first and the second positions.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the article of furniture is a wall storage unit, a sink unit, a wash basin, a hair shampoo basin, a shelf or shelves, a work top our a cooker.

3. Apparatus accordingtoclaim 1 or claim 2 in which the article offurniture is wall mountable or free standing.

4. Apparatus according to any one of the preced-ing claims in which the linearactuatoriselectrically, pneumatically or hydraulically operated.

5. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims-in which the linear actuator is operated by a switch which is hand held, wall mounted or fitted to the unit 6. Apparatus according to claim 5 in which the switch is a remote controlled switch.

7. Apparatus according to anyoneofthe preceding claims in which theslidable mounting means is a vertical guide device, a linear slide device, ora bearing device.

8. Apparatus for use in a building by able bodied and disabled persons, substantially are herein described with reference to the accompanying draw ings

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (8)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. Thus as the push rod 28 is moved into and out of the remainder of the actuator 22, the part 10 is smoothly and stably raised and lowered on a pair of spaced apart linear slide bearings 29. Referring now to Figure 6there is shown an able bodied person 2 standing at a sink unit 30. In Figure 7, there is shown a disabled person 2 sitting in a wheelchair 4 at the same sink unit 30. The sink unit 30 is movable from a first and higher position illustrated in Figure 6 to a second and a lower position illustrated in Figure 7 by means of the linear actuator 22 having the push rod 28 connected to the sink unit 30. The actuator 22 is secured (by means not shown in Figures 6 and 7) to the mounting plate 32 fixed to the wall 8. .Referring now to Figures 8 and 9 which show in more detail a first form of the sink unit illustrated in Figures 6 and 7, it will be seen that the actuator 22 is electrically operated via a cable 34. The push rod 28 is fixed by means of a bracket 36 to a mounting plate 38. The sink unit 30 is secured to the mounting plate 38 by means of mounting holes 40. The mounting plate 32 illustrated in Figures 6 and 7 is shown in Figures 8 and 9 as a mounting frame 42. In Figures 8 and 9, the mounting plate 38 has a runner member 44 provided at each end. These runner members 44 run along a pair of spaced apart guide members 46. These runner members 44 are recirculating ball-slide members. The runner members 44 operate in their guide members 46 to stably mount the sink unit whilst enabling it to easily and smoothly slide without vibration between its first and its second positions. In Figures 8 and 9, a pair of hand wheels 48 are provided fortighteningthe runnermembers44 in their guide members 46 to control the mounting of the sink unit 30. Referring now to Figure 10,11, 12 similar parts as in Figures 6 and 7 have been given the same reference numerals and their precise construction and operation will not again be given. In Figures 10, 11, 12 the sink unit 30 has been omitted for clarity. In Figures 10,11 and 12, the recirculating ball-slide members 44 have been replaced by linear slide members 50. These linear slide members 50 still comprise a pair of fixed guide members 46 and runner members 44. Referring now to Figures 13, 14 and 15, similar parts as in Figures 6 and 7 have again been given the same reference numerals and their construction and operation will not again be given. In Figures 13, 14 and 15, the recirculating ball-slide members 46 have been replaced by linear bearing based members 52. The construction of the members 52 is illustrated most clearly in Figure 15 wherein it will be seen that each member 52 comprises a guide member 46 and a runner member 44. Referring now to Figures 16,17 and 18, similar parts as in Figures 6 and 7 have again been given the same reference numerals and their construction and operation will not again be given. In Figures 16, 17 and 18, the recirculating ball-slide members 44 have been replaced by a pair of guide tubes 54 which are mounted as shown to a top support member 56. The mounting plate 38 is provided with a pair of aper tures 58 which receive the guide tubes 54. The mounting plate 38 smoothly slides up and down the guide tubes 54 and is also stably mounted by the guide tubes 54. It is to be appreciated that the embodiments of the invention described above have been given byway of example only and that modifications may be effected. Thus, for example, articles of furniture other than the illustrated storage unit 6 and the sink unit 30 may be employed. CLAfAhS

1. Apparatus for use in a building by able bodied and disabled persons, which apparatus comprises at least ore article of furniture (as herein defined), at least one linear actuator for moving the article of furniture between a first position in which the article of furniture is at a convenient height for use by persons who can stand and a second and lower position in which the article of furniture is at a convenient height for use by persons who are required to use a wheelchair, and slidable mounting means for mounting the article offurniture such that it can slide up and down between the first and the second positions, the slidable mounting means comprising at least a pair of spaced apart guide members which are adapted to be secured to a fixed support surface, and runner means which are connected to the article of furniture and which are adapted to run along the guide members as the article of furniture slides up and down between the first and the second positions, and the slidable mounting means being so constructed and positionedthatthe article offurni- ture is stably mounted and yet is smoothly slidable up and down between the first and the second positions.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the article of furniture is a wall storage unit, a sink unit, a wash basin, a hair shampoo basin, a shelf or shelves, a work top our a cooker.

3. Apparatus accordingtoclaim 1 or claim 2 in which the article offurniture is wall mountable or free standing.

4. Apparatus according to any one of the preced-ing claims in which the linearactuatoriselectrically, pneumatically or hydraulically operated.

5. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims-in which the linear actuator is operated by a switch which is hand held, wall mounted or fitted to the unit

6. Apparatus according to claim 5 in which the switch is a remote controlled switch.

7. Apparatus according to anyoneofthe preceding claims in which theslidable mounting means is a vertical guide device, a linear slide device, ora bearing device.

8. Apparatus for use in a building by able bodied and disabled persons, substantially are herein described with reference to the accompanying draw ings