Multi-panel storage compartment for upper cabinetry
OwnerRobert Sumnersinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An operable cabinet storage unit includes an outer cabinet structure having a plurality of sides and an aperture for selectively accessing an interior volume. A plurality of operable cassettes are each linearly operable through the aperture to define a storage position within the interior volume and an access position outside of the interior volume. Each cassette of the plurality of cassettes includes a plurality of storage receptacles, wherein each cassette of the plurality of cassettes occupies a corresponding vertical plane within the interior volume. A retaining mechanism extends from each cassette to the outer cabinet structure, wherein the retaining mechanism selectively retains a corresponding cassette in the storage position.
Claims15
An operable cabinet storage unit comprising:
- an outer cabinet structure having a plurality of sides and a bottom aperture for selectively accessing an interior volume;
- a plurality of operable cassettes that are each linearly operable through the bottom aperture to define a storage position within the interior volume and an access position outside of the interior volume, wherein each cassette of the plurality of operable cassettes includes a plurality of storage receptacles, wherein each cassette of the plurality of operable cassettes occupies a corresponding vertical plane within the interior volume;
- and
- a retaining mechanism that extends from each cassette to the outer cabinet structure, wherein the retaining mechanism selectively retains a corresponding cassette in the storage position;
- wherein,
- each cassette is selectively, separately and linearly operable through the respective vertical plane between the storage and access positions;
- a front portion of the interior volume includes a front aperture having a front operable panel, wherein a static cassette is disposed proximate the front aperture;
- the static cassette is free of movement, and each cassette of the plurality of operable cassettes is positioned parallel with the static cassette;
- and
- the static cassette is accessible only through the front aperture when the front operable panel is in an open position.
An operable cabinet storage unit comprising:
- an outer cabinet structure having a plurality of sides and a front operable panel for selectively accessing an interior volume;
- first, second and third operable cassettes that are selectively and independently positioned within the interior volume, each of the first, second and third operable cassettes being linearly and vertically operable between a storage position within the interior volume and an access position outside of and below the interior volume;
- a retaining mechanism that extends from each of the first, second and third operable cassettes to the outer cabinet structure, wherein each retaining mechanism selectively retains a corresponding cassette in the storage position;
- and
- a static cassette positioned proximate the front operable panel;
- wherein,
- the static cassette is directly and fixedly attached to the outer cabinet structure such that the static structure is free of movement;
- and
- receptacles of the first, second and third operable cassettes are inaccessible via the front operable panel.
A method for installing a multi-cassette storage unit within a cabinet structure, the method comprising steps of:
- providing two intersecting cabinets having rear panels that define an interior volume of a corner-type cabinet structure;
- defining at least one cassette aperture within a bottom portion of the cabinet structure, wherein the interior volume is vertically accessible only through the at least one cassette aperture;
- disposing first, second and third cassette slides on an interior surface of the cabinet structure;
- slidably disposing first, second and third operable cassettes onto the first, second and third cassette slides, respectively, wherein each of the first, second and third operable cassettes are linearly, selectively and separately operable along the respective first, second and third cassette slides through the at least one cassette aperture and between respective storage positions within the interior volume and respective access positions substantially outside of the interior volume, wherein the first, second and third operable cassettes are positioned to vertically operate through the at least one cassette aperture in the bottom wall of the cabinet structure;
- and
- coupling a retaining mechanism to each of the first, second and third operable cassettes and a portion of the cabinet structure, wherein the retaining mechanisms selectively and separately retain the first, second and third operable cassettes within the storage position and alternatively releases the first, second and third operable cassette from the storage position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.