US2741522A - Cabinet with slidable sewing machine support - Google Patents

Description

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CABINET WITH SLIDABLE SEWING MACHINE SUPPORT Filed June 9, 1953 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 "Lili glad ,JWM

rraefvsys United States Patent O CABINET WITH SLIDABLE SEWING MACHINE SUPPORT Carl J. Lerch, Cleveland, Ohio, assigner to White Sewing Machine Corporation, Lakewood, Ohio, a corporation of Delaware Application June 9, 1953, Serial No. 360,422

6 Claims. (Cl. S12-29) This invention relates to a cabinet and, more particularly, to a cabinet for relatively light machines such as a sewing machine or the like.

The present day trend in housing has been toward fewer and smaller rooms in dwellings with the result that it is frequently difficult to iind adequate storage space for sewing machines or like relatively light household machinery. ln an eliort to solve this problem, sewing machine manufacturers have developed portable machines. However, in order to make such machines light in weight, they frequently are not as rugged or as versatile as the cabinet mounted machines. Moreover, the portable machine requires the provision of a suitable table or the like on which it can be placed during operation, and the conventional table is not of the right height for such use. Furthermore, the portable machine has no adequate storage space for thread or the like such as is provided by the cabinet type machine.

Efforts have, therefore, been made to so design a sewing machine cabinet that it has the appearance of an end table or other furniture normally found in living or bedrooms in order that a separate storage space is not needed. However, it is frequently not convenient or desired to use the sewing machine at the place where it is located when not in use so that it must be moved to another room or to a different location in the same room. Furthermore, in many cabinet sewing machines, it is necessary to raise the top in order to position the head for use and, consequently, any articles placed thereon must be moved so that the functioning of the cabinet as a table or the like is terminated.

An object of this invention is to provide an improved cabinet, suitable for installation in a kitchen as a basetype cabinet with a counter-type top which is decorative and may be employed to assist in preparation of food or other tasks normally performed in the kitchen, the cabinet being provided with means for supporting a sewing machine or similar light machine therein so that the machine may be readily moved outwardly therefrom and at an elevation suitable for use without interfering with the top of the cabinet, a portion of the cabinet providing the support for the machine when in operative position in a manner such that the cabinet need not be moved to permit utilization of the machine.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved cabinet construction with a means to support a sewing machine head or other light machine in a manner such that the cabinet has the external appearance of a conventional cabinet when the sewing machine head or other machine is enclosed therein, the said sewing machine being readily placed in operative position by -eX- tending the supporting means therefor externally of the cabinet in which position a panel member secured to the supporting means adjacent the forward end thereof serves as Ya vertical leg or support for the machine, the said panel member forming a part of the front of the cabinet when the machine is disposed within' the cabinet.

A further object of the invention is to provide an'improved cabinet construction as defined in the preceding paragraph wherein the outer surface of the panel member has a configuration simulating the appearance of closure members such as drawers or doors of the cabinet.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide an improved cabinet for a sewing machine which cabinet resembles in appearance afkitchen-type base cabinet and provides a substantially planar top work surface with drawer means therebeneath, a shelf-like means being eX- tendible from the cabinet beneath the drawer means and adapted to hingedly support a sewing machine head thereon for selective positioning upwardly of said means in an operative position or lowered to a position beneath the said means for storage in the cabinet, the shelflike means being provided with a vertical panel that serves as a support or leg for the extended shelf-like means and forms a part of the front of the cabinet when the shelf-like means and the machine thereon are disposed within the cabinet.

An additional object of the invention is to provide an improved cabinet as Vdened in the preceding paragraph with a shelf member hinged at the outer end of the machine supporting means and adapted to overlie the latter, when the machine is lowered to inoperative position, or to extend outwardly of the cabinet and provide a working surface; a second panel member simulating the appearance of the face of a drawer being supported upon the upper edge of the front panel member and adapted to extend over the ends of the said shelf and supporting means whenV these elements are disposed within the cabinet.

The invention further resides in certain novel features of the construction and in the combination and arrangement of the parts of the apparatus in which the invention is embodied, and further objects and advantages thereof will be apparent from the following description of the presently preferred embodiment of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this application, in which:

Fig. l is a view primarily in front elevation, but with parts broken away and others shown in section, illustrating the presently preferred embodiment of the invention, the sewing or other machine normally supported therein being omitted to facilitate illustration of the details of the cabinet;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional View taken substantially on the plane indicated by the line 2-2 of Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of the improved cabinet with the machine support extended and a sewing machine head indicated thereon in operative position;

Fig. 4 is a view, partly in top plane and partly in section, the View being taken as indicated by the line -d of Fig. 3; and

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view of a portion of the machine supporting means or shelf, the view being taken on the line 5 5 of Fig. 4.

The invention is here illustrated as embodied in a cabinet of the type commonly employed in kitchens and known as a base cabinet since it rests upon the floor as contrasted with those cabinets which are hung from the walls. The cabinet comprises a planar top it? providing a working surface which is here shown as made of wood preferably covered with linoleum, synthetic resin, or like materials. It will beunderstood, however, that the top may be made of metal and either enameled or provided with a porcelain surface.

The side walls 11 and '12 are connected with the top 1i) and are interconnected by horizontally extending, vertically spaced, backmembers or braces 13a and 13b to provide a rectangular structure, 'the upper edges of the side walls being covered by the top I0 while the upper edge of back member or brace 13a preferably exy tends above the upper surface of the top as indicated at 14. The side walls 11 and 12 are shown as having the outer surfaces thereof formed of relatively thin material such as plywood or the like, as indicated at 15, suitably reinforced by a frame of heavier members secured on the inner surface thereof. Thus, the vertical edges of the side walls are provided with posts, such as 16, 17, 18 and 19, see Fig. 4, and intermediate the posts are one or more vertically extending reinforcing members such as 20 and 21. The back of the cabinet is preferably open and the members 13a and 13b are secured to the posts 17 and 19 by mortising, or like connections wellknown in the art. The structure is further strengthened and connected by diagonally extending braces such as -22 and 23. The lower edges of the relatively thin portions 15 of the sides terminate in'spaced relationship to the floor and Vthis space is closed by horizontally extending base members such as 24 of the reinforcing frame.

In the form shown, the base members of the sides are offset with respect to the outer surface of the walls a distance in the order of the thickness of the material such as 15 providing the main body of the sides. However, if the cabinetris to be located where either or both sides Yare to be accessible, the base members may be inset a suicient distance to provide toe room for an individual working at the cabinet.

The front of the cabinet is provided with vertically extending side members or posts 25 and 26 that are secured to the forward corner posts 16 and 18 of the sides by means of rabbet-type joints or the like and which may be suitably reinforced ifdesired. The posts 25, 26 preferably extend to the oor and are shaped, adjacent the bottoms thereof, to provide a recess or offset similar to that of the sides. A kick-panel or base member 27 extends between the members or posts 25, 26

`adjacent the floor and appears to provide a continuation of the members 24. The member 27 is not, however, attached to the base members 24 nor to the posts 25 and 26 but is secured to a front panel member for a purpose hereinafter described. The member 27 and the base members, such as 24, may be provided with suitable projections, glides, or silent casters 28 and 29 to facilitate moving the cabinet. Y

Immediately below the top 10, and extending between the members or posts 25, 26 is a narrow horizontal member 30 and spaced therebelow is a similar horizontally extending member 31. Substantially in the middle of the sides of the cabinet and between the members 30 and 31 is a vertical member 32 which member together with the members 30 and 31 and members or posts 25, 26 provide two rectangular openings for the reception of drawers 33 and 34. The drawers are of conventional Y construction and are slidably guided within the cabinet by horizontal rails 35 and 36 attached to the sides of the cabinet and to the back member 13a. A central guide rail 37 is also provided in the cabinet and afxed to.

the member 31 and to the back member 13a to guide the adjacent sides of the drawers 33 and 34. The faces of the drawers may be provided with suitable handles such as 38.

VBeneath the drawers 33 and 34, the cabinet of this invention is provided with a horizontally slidable machine supporting member or shelf on which the sewing machine or the like is mounted. For this purpose, the cabinet is provided with horizontally extending guide members orrails 39 and 40 that are secured` to the vertical members or posts of the sides of the cabinet and vertically spaced below the guide bars 35 andV 36. The upper inner edges of these guide rails 39 and 40 are cut away to provide longitudinally extending rectangular recesses therlower surfaces of which are longitudinally grooved to provide guide surfaces in which are slidably received intermediate guide members such as 41 and 42, respectively. These intermediate guidermembersl each but supported at one end by the cabinet.

as 43 and 44. The rear opstanding portions 44 are higher than the forward portions 43 and these portions 44 are adapted to slide on the undersurface of the rails such as 35 and 36.

Between the upstanding portions 43 and 44, the intermediate guide members 41 and 42 each has a longitudinally extending portion such as 45 of lesser elevation than the ends with the inner surface thereof, on theside adjacent the side of the cabinet, cut away to provide an opstanding flange spaced from the side of the cabinet. Received for sliding movement, between the said flanges provided by the portions 45 and the sides of the cabinet, are members such as 46, 47 which are secured to vertically disposed, horizontally extending members 48 and 49. The rear ends of the members 48 and 49 are connected by a transversely extending member such as 49a and secured to the top edges of the members 48, 49 and 49a is a shelf-like body, generally designated 50, which is disposed horizontally and is slidable from a position wholly in the cabinet to a position extending therefrom That is to say,` the shelf-like member 50 and its supports 48,49 and 49a are adapted to slide uponthe intermediate members 41 and 42 which in turn slide upon the rails`39 and 4t), the sliding movement of the intermediate members being limited by pins such as 51, 52 secured in the rails 39 and 4t) and received in longitudinally extending grooves or slots 53 in the intermediate members, see Figs. 2 and 3.

The forward portion of the shelf-like body 50 and the members 48 and 49 are secured to a vertically extending panel, generally designated 54, of which the aforementioned base member 27 forms the lower edge. This panel member 54 may be formed, in the main, of relatively thin material such as 55 provided with a reinforcing frame constituted by vertically extending members, such as 56, se-

cured to the base member 27 and to a horizontally extending member 57. Preferably, the relatively thin material 55 is so disposed and shaped as to simulate closure members for the cabinet. In the illustrated embodiment, the material 55 is in the form of two simulated doors 58 and 59 provided near their adjacent edges with handles 60 and 61. The vertical panel 54 forms a part of the front of the cabinet when the shelf-like supporting member 50 is at its innermost position and, in addition, the panel member 54 acts as a vertical leg or supporting member for the forward edge of the shelf-like member 50 when the latter is extended as indicated in Figs.V 3 and 4.

As mentioned heretofore, the shelf-like member 50 isV adapted to have a sewing machine head 62 mounted thereon. illustrated in Fig. 3 where it is shown in the operative position. This head is of conventional construction and hence, the details thereof need not be described. It is sufficient for the present purposes to note that the head is hingedly supported upon the shelf-like member 50 as by means of the usual hinges, supporting parts of which are indicated at 63 and 64 in Fig. 4. The sewing machine head is supported by the hinges over an opening 65 in the shelf-like member 50 and is'maintained in elevated position during use in the conventional manner by means of a hinged shelf 66 which has a flange or lip portion 67 at its forward edge that fits under the edge of the head 62,

the shelf being maintained horizontal by resting upon Such a head is somewhat diagrammatically supporting member 49a. In this lowered position, the head is completely below the surface of the shelf-like member 50 so that the latter and the sewing machine head can be moved inwardly of the cabinet whereupon the panel 54 becomes a part of the front of the cabinet.

A shelf-like member 72 is hinged at one edge to the shelf-like supporting member 5l) adjacent the forward edge of the latter. For this purpose, hinges 73 and 74, of the type normally employed for the top or cover of a sewing machine cabinet may be employed, see Fig. 4. This shelf-like member 72 is therefore adapted to overlie the shelf-like member 50 when the sewing machine head 62 is in its lower position and, when so positioned, the member 72 may be completely disposed within the cabinet by sliding the shelf-like member 5G and panel member 54 inwardly. Preferably, the under surface, as well as the upper surface of the member 72, is finished to provide a working surface. Hence, the member 72 can be used as an extension table when the supporting member 5l) is extended and the member 72 is positioned thereover. When, however, the sewing machine is to be employed, the member 72 is moved through an arc of 180 to the position shown in Figs. 3 and 4 where it provides a working surface for the sewing materials.

The panel member 54 is provided, adjacent its upper edge, with a second panel member 75 which has the outer surface thereof shaped in a conguration simulating the face of a drawer. Consequently, the member 75 is therefore preferably provided with two spaced handles such as 76 and 77. This panel member 75 is hinged to the panel member 54 as indicated at '78 and is adapted to be swung from its vertical position when the shelf member 72 is disposed in the position shown in Figs. 3 and 4. When the shelf member 72 is overlying the shelf or supporting means 50, and the latter with the panel 54 are moved inwardly with respect to the main body of the cabinet, the panel 75' may then be moved to a vertical position and covers the edges of the shelf-like members. The panel member 75 may be retained in this vertical position by any suitable means which is here shown as a spring-type catch, one portion 79 of which is provided on the inner surface of the panel member 75, the other portion 8b of which is secured to either the under surface of the shelf-like member 5l) or to the portion of the panel 54 which extends behind the panel 75.

lt will now be apparent that the improved cabinet of this invention, when the parts thereof are in closed position, has the appearance of conventional kitchen-type base cabinet with drawers and doors. However, by pulling outwardly upon the handles such as 60, 6l, Vthe shelflike supporting member 5G may be moved outwardly of the cabinet and the shelf member 72 swung through an arc of l80 while the panel member 75 will be lowered as indicated in Figs. 3 and 4. Thereafter, the sewing machine head 62 may be raised to operative position as will now be apparent and as is effected in using conventional drophead sewing machines. The sewing machine is thus supported at a convenient elevation for use and the space between the panel member V54 and cabinet proper provides sucient room for the legs of the operator so that it is unnecessary to move the cabinet from its customary position. When theY sewing operations are completed, the head may be lowered, the shelf 72 moved back to overlie the shelf-like support 5l) and the panels 54 and 75 restored to their initial positions.

It will also be apparent that if desired, the cabinet may be employed simply to provide additional working space for kitchen tasks by pulling the panel members 54 and 75 to their positions shown in Figs. 3 and 4 but allowing the sewing machine head to remain in its lower position and the shelf 72 disposed thereover. lt will also be evident that whether or not the sewing machine head be elevated to its operative position, it is unnecessary to clear the top of the cabinet so that articles resting thereon need not be moved. The drawers 33 and 34 may be em- 6 ployed to store either sewing machine parts or other articles as may be desired by the owner and it will also be evident that instead of two separate drawers, one only can be provided.

The invention has been specifically described as constructed of wood. It will be understood, however, that the cabinet may be constructed of metal and provided with an enameled or porcelain nish, or it may be constructed partly of metal and partly of wood as may be desired. It will also be apparent that although the back of the cabinet has been described as open, it may be closed by a suitable panel or the like, if desired. Moreover, While the invention has been described and illustrated as embodied in a kitchen-type cabinet, it may also be incorporated in a cabinet or chest-like structure such as employed in rooms other than the kitchen. In view of these and other changes which may be made, the invention is not to be considered as restricted to the details here specifically shown and described except as may be required by the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, I claim:

l. A kitchen-type base cabinet comprising a planar top providing a work surface, side walls interconnected to each other and to said top, drawer means slidably supported in said cabinet adjacent the top thereof, a machine support slidabiy mounted in said cabinet beneath said drawer means and adapted to be extended forwardly from said cabinet, a front panel member connected to the forward portion of said supporting means and adapted to provide a part of the front of the cabinet when the supporting means is in its innermost position, the said panel having a licor engaging portion such that the panel serves as a vertical support for the extended supporting means, means on said supporting means for pivotally mounting a machine thereon, a shelf member hinged at one end to the said supporting means and adapted to overlie the latter and a machine thereon, the said shelf being adapted to be moved through an arc to dispose it substantially horizontally when the said supporting means extends from said cabinet, and a second panel member hinged to the upper portion of the first-mentioned panel member and adapted to extend vertically to form the remaining portion of the front of the cabinet intermediate said rst mentioned panel member and said drawer means to conceal said shelf and supporting means when they are disposed within the cabinet, said panel member being adapted to extend angularly beneath and in contact with the underside of said shelf member when said shelf member is moved to dispose it in said horizontal position.

2. A kitchen-type base cabinet comprising a planar top providing a work surface, side walls interconnected to each other and to said top, drawer means slidably supported in said cabinet adjacent the top thereof, a horizontal shelf member slidably supported in said cabinet beneath said drawer means and adapted to be extended forwardly from said cabinet, a front panel member rigidly connected perpendiculariy to the forward portion of said shelf member and adapted to provide a part of the front of the cabinet when the shelf is in its innermost position, said panel member having its outer surface simulating a conventional closure member, the said panel having a floor engaging portion such that the panel serves as a vertical support for the extended shelf, means on said shelf adapted to pivotally support a sewing machine head thereon for movement from a position beneath the said shelf to an upright position above said shelf, a second shelf member hinged at one end to the first-mentioned shelf l ember and adapted to rest upon the latter when the sewing machine head supported thereon is in its lower position, the second-mentioned shelf being adapted to be moved through an arc of to dispose it in position wherein it forms a continuation of the first-mentioned shelf when the latter extends from said cabinet, a second panel member hinged to the upper portion of the first-mentioned panel member and adapted to extend vertically over the edge of the said shelf members when the latter are disposed within the cabinet or to extend angularly beneath and in contact with the underside of the second mentioned shelf when the latter forms a continuation of the lirst mentioned shelf, said second panel member forming a portion of the front of the cabinet intermediate said first mentioned panel and said drawer means and having its external configuration simulating a conventional closure member, and means for releasably maintaining the second-mentioned panel member in vertical position when the first-mentioned panel member is providing a part of the front of the cabinet.

3. A cabinet comprising7 a top and interconnected side walls, a shelf member slidably supported in said cabinet and adapted to be extended forwardly therefrom, a front panel Vmember rigidly connected perpendicularly to the forward portion of said shelf member and adapted to provide Ya part of the front of said cabinet when the shelf is in its'innerrnost position, said panel having a oor engaging portion such that the panel serves as a vertical support for the extended shelf, means on said shelf adapted to pivotally support a sewing machine head thereon for movement from a position beneath said shelf to an upright position above said shelf, a shelf-like member hinged at one edge to the first mentioned shelf and resting thereon in one extreme position, the second mentioned shelf being movable through an arc of 180 degrees to dispose it in another extreme position wherein it forms a continuation of the rst mentioned shelf member thereby providing an additional working surface, another panel member hinged to the upper portion of said first mentioned panel member and adapted to extend vertically over the edge of said shelf members when the latter are disposed within the cabinet, said second panel member being adapted to extend angularly beneath and in contact with the underside of said shelf member when said shelf member is moved to dispose it in said horizontal position, and means for releasably maintaining said second mentioned panel member in vertical position when said first mentioned panel member is in its innermost position.

4. A kitchen-type base cabinet comprising a planarY top providing a work surface, side walls interconnected to each other and to said top, drawer means slidably supportedy in said cabinet adjacent the top thereof, a horizontal shelf member slidably supported in said cabinet beneath said drawer means and adapted to be extended forwardly from said cabinet, a front panel member connected perpendicularly tothe forward portion of said shelfmember and adapted to provide a part of the front of the cabinet when the shelf is in its innermost position, the external configuration of said panel member simulating the appearance of a pair of cabinet doors and having a oor engaging portion such that the panel serves as a vertical support for the extended shelf, means on said shelf adapted to pivotallj support a sewing machine head thereon for movement from a position beneath the shelf to an upright position above said shelf, a second shelf member hinged at one end to said rst mentioned shelf member and adapted to rest upon the latter when the sewing machine head supported thereon is in its lowered position, the second mentioned shelf being adapted to be moved through an arc of 180 degrees to dispose it in position Ywherein it forms a continuation of said lirst mentioned shelf when the latter extends from said cabinet, a

t second panel member hinged to the upper portion of said first panel member and adapted to extend vertically over the edge of said shelf members when the latter are disposed within the cabinet or to extend angularly beneath and in contact with the underside of the second mentioned shelf when the latter forms a continuation of the rst mentioned shelf, the external configuration of the second panelV member simulating the appearance of a cabinet drawer, and means for releasably maintaining the second mentioned panel member in Vertical position when the first mentioned panel member is providing a part of the front of the cabinet. Y

5. A kitchen-type base cabinet comprising a planar top providing a work surface, side Walls interconnected to each other and to said top, guide bars connected to said side walls interiorly of said cabinet and below said top, drawer means slidably supported on said guide bars, guide rails connected to said side walls below said guide bars, slidable members for said guide rails and adapted for sliding movement over-predetermined portions of said guide rails, said slidable members each being provided with an upstanding portion adjacent the forward and rear ends thereof and a ange portion intermediate thereof, the upstanding portions adjacent the rear ends being adapted to extend into sliding contact with the adjacent sides of said guide bars, a machine support having dependent ange portions adapted for sliding engagement with the flange portions on said slidable members to slidably support said machine support whereby said ma- 'chine support is capable of extension forwardly of said cabinet, a front panel member connected to the forward portion of said supporting means and adapted to provide a part of the front of the cabinet when the supporting means is in its innermost position, said panel having a floor engaging portion such that the panel serves as a vertical support for the extended supporting means, means on said supporting means for pivotally mounting a machine thereon, a shelf member hinged at one end to said supporting means and adapted to overlie the latter and a machine thereon, said shelf being adapted to be moved through an arc to dispose it substantially horizontally when said-supporting means extends from said cabinet, and a second panel member hinged to the upper portion of the first mentioned panel member and adapted to extend-vertically to form a portion of the front of the cabinet when said shelf and supporting means are disposed within the cabinet.

6. A cabinet as dened in claim 5 wherein the external conguration of said panel members simulates the appearance of conventional closure members.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Brockway Nov. 3, 195,3`

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