GB2526527A

GB2526527A - Cupboard with multiple sets of shelves

Info

Publication number: GB2526527A
Application number: GB1407213.6A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Edwin Sims-Hilditch; Daniel John Allen
Original assignee: Neptune Europe Ltd
Current assignee: Neptune Europe Ltd
Priority date: 2014-04-24
Filing date: 2014-04-24
Publication date: 2015-12-02
Also published as: GB201407213D0

Abstract

A cupboard 1 with a first set of shelves 3 fixed at the rear of the interior of the cupboard, and a second set of shelves 5 mounted on one side of cupboard with a hinge so that the shelves pivot between a position stacked in front of the first set of shelves or a second position outside of the cupboard opening. An optional feature is a cupboard door 7 hinged on the opposite side of the cupboard to that of the second set of shelves. The cupboard door may further feature a third set of shelves 9 on the interior side of the door, so that when the door is closed, all three sets of shelves are stacked one in front of the other inside the cupboard.

Description

Cupboard with multiple sets of shelves

Field of the Invention

The present invention concerns a cupboard with multiple sets of shelves.

Background of the Invention

A modern kitchen typically comprises a set of matching units having a variety of different purposes. Features such as door styles, colours and trims are typically consistent across all the units. Manufacturers produce ranges of units in particular styles and consumers then choose a combination of units to create their kitchen. Cupboard units are commonly provided with a door on the front and shelves inside.

However, kitchen units are often relatively deep so as to match the depth of units that include items such as ovens or fridges. As a result the shelves in such cupboards are deep and it can be difficult for people to access the space at the back of the shelves, particularly when the cupboard is full. It is known to provide units with a cupboard door on the front but which then contain sliding shelves, more like drawers, that can be pulled out to access items at the back. However such units may suffer from the problem that it is difficult to assess the contents at a glance because it is necessary to pull out each drawer individually, one after the other so as to see into the back of each drawer.

The present invention seeks to mitigate the above-mentioned problems. Alternatively or additionally, the present invention seeks to provide an improved cupboard.

Summary of the Invention

The present invention provides a cupboard comprising a first set of shelves occupying a first rear portion of the cupboard and a second set of shelves hingedly mounted on one side of the cupboard so as to pivot between a first position in which the second set of shelves occupy a second portion of the cupboard forward of the first portion and a second position in which the second set of shelves are outside the cupboard. By providing a first set of shelves at the back of the cupboard and a second, pivoting set of shelves in front of the first set of shelves the space in the cupboard can be used more effectively. When the second set of shelves is pivoted into the second, open position, items can be placed easily onto the first or second set of shelves. Moreover the entire contents of the first and second shelves can easily be viewed. When items have been stored on the shelves, the second set of shelves can be pivoted into the cupboard and the door closed. Preferably the first set of shelves is fixed in the cupboard.

Preferably the cupboard comprises a door and the door is hingedly mounted on the opposite side of the cupboard to the second set of shelves. In that way the door opens to one side and the second set of shelves opens to the other side.

Such an arrangement permits a third set of shelves to be mounted on the back of the door. Thus preferably the cupboard comprises a third set of shelves mounted on the door such that when the second set of shelves are in the first position and the door is closed the third set of shelves occupy a third portion of the cupboard forward of the second portion. Such an arrangement may maximise shelf space, potentially filling the entire area of the cupboard with shelf, whilst still allowing the shelves to be opened out to reveal all the contents on shelves that are not so deep as to make the back of the shelf difficult to access.

Preferably the first portion extends up to two fifths of the distance from the back of the cupboard to the front of the cupboard. Preferably the second portion extends up to no more than four fifths of the distance from the back of the cupboard to the front of the cupboard. That is, the second portion occupies the space starting in front of the first set of shelves and extending forward up to a point that is less than four fifths of the distance from the back of the cupboard to the front of the cupboard. Preferably the third portion extends less than one fifth of the distance from the front of the cupboard to the back of the cupboard.

Such an arrangement means that no shelf is more than two fifths of the depth of the cupboard deep and thus all the contents of any shelf are easily accessible.

Description of the Drawings

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings of which: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a cupboard according to a first embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 shows an overhead view of the cupboard of Figure 1; and Figure 3 shows a front view of a cupboard of Figure 1.

Detailed Description

In Figures 1, 2 and 3 a cupboard 1 comprises a first set of shelves 3 occupying a first, rear portion of the cupboard 1. A second set of shelves 5 are mounted on the left hand side of the cupboard 1 and are hinged so as to pivot between a closed position where they are in the cupboard 1 in front of the first set of shelve 3 and a second position, shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3 in which they are outside the cupboard 1. There is a door 7 on the front of the cupboard 1 and a third set of shelves 9 mounted on the inside of the door 7. The door 7 is mounted on the opposite side of the cupboard 1 to the second set of shelves 5. Thus the door 7 opens to the right, revealing the third set of shelves 9 and the second set of shelves 5 then opens to the left. All three sets of shelves are then visible. The depth of the cupboard is therefore split between three sets of shelves, which are easier to access than a single shelf covering the whole depth of the cupboard would be.

Whilst the present invention has been described and illustrated with reference to particular embodiments, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the invention lends itself to many different variations not specifically illustrated herein.

Where in the foregoing description, integers or

elements are mentioned which have known, obvious or foreseeable equivalents, then such equivalents are herein incorporated as if individually set forth. Reference should be made to the claims for determining the true scope of the present invention, which should be construed so as to encompass any such equivalents. It will also be appreciated by the reader that integers or features of the invention that are described as preferable, advantageous, convenient or the like are optional and do not limit the scope of the independent claims. Moreover, it is to be understood that such optional integers or features, whilst of possible benefit in some embodiments of the invention, may not be desirable, and may therefore be absent, in other embodiments.

Claims

Claims 1. A cupboard comprising a first set of shelves occupying a first rear portion of the cupboard and a second set of shelves hingedly mounted on one side of the cupboard so as to pivot between a first position in which the second set of shelves occupy a second portion of the cupboard forward of the first portion and a second position in which the second set of shelves are outside the cupboard.
2. A cupboard according to claim 1 wherein the first portion extends up to two fifths of the distance from the back of the cupboard to the front of the cupboard.
3. A cupboard according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the second portion extends up to no more than four fifths of the distance from the back of the cupboard to the front of the cupboard.
4. A cupboard according to any preceding claim wherein the cupboard comprises a door and the door is hingedly mounted on the opposite side of the cupboard to the second set of shelves.
5. A cupboard according to claim 4 wherein the cupboard comprises a third set of shelves mounted on the door such that when the second set of shelves are in the first position and the door is closed the third set of shelves occupy a third portion of the cupboard forward of the second portion.
6. A cupboard according to claim 5 wherein the third portion extends less than one fifth of the distance from the front of the cupboard to the back of the cupboard.
7. A cupboard substantially as herein described with reference to any of the accompanying drawings.