Rotatable shelf

Details Rotatable shelf Rotatable shelf

2001-02-26

2003-05-27

Hansen, James O. (Department: 3637)

Supports: cabinet structure

Room corner type

C312S307000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06568772

ABSTRACT:

TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to rotatable shelves, particularly for corner cabinets. The invention is an eccentric rotation and bearing system for a Reuleaux triangle type lazy susan especially useful in kitchen corner cabinets.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention is an improvement on Krayer U.S. Pat. No. 5,152,592, which discloses the use of a hypocycloid rotation guide for rotating a shelf in the shape of a Reuleaux triangle. FIGS. 5A to 5H of the '592 patent illustrate that the rotation of a Reuleaux triangle-shaped shelf in a square area can be adapted to the standard area of a corner cabinet such as a corner kitchen cabinet in a generally square shape but having a 45° face. During the rotation, the shelf contacts all four sides of the square area at all times. The kinematics of such a rotation permits various types of guides such as are shown in FIGS. 6-13 and 17-19 of the U.S. Pat. No. 5,152,592. The entire U.S. Pat. No. 5,152,592 is incorporated herein by reference.
While the shelf disclosed by Krayer in U.S. Pat. No. 5,152,592 is appealing in many respects, it has been criticized for its vulnerability to tipping if a significant downward force is applied to a projecting apex. Also, the ball casters installed on the underside of the shelf, as in FIG. 6C, were expensive and their longevity was suspect.
Accordingly, a different application of the hypocycloid principle is needed in the art of rotatable shelves.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention utilizes planar bearings rather than ball caster bearings. The planar bearings permit the convenient use of an antitipping flange. In a preferred embodiment, rotation of the shelf is guided by the use of vertical axis rollers applied to the vertical side surfaces in a hypocycloid track or groove. In another embodiment, the bottom of the track or groove has a low-friction planar surface, and feet or nubs projecting from the shelf for sliding in the groove have complementary low friction planar surfaces.


REFERENCES:
patent: 4124262 (1978-11-01), Schill
patent: 4959582 (1990-09-01), Meyer et al.
patent: 5152592 (1992-10-01), Krayer

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Rotatable shelf does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Rotatable shelf, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Rotatable shelf will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3043649