Hidden storage shelf

3,485,544

Dec. 23, 1969

J. W. BECKERMAN

HIDDEN STORAGE SHELF

Filed Jan. 22,.1968

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United States Patent Office

3,485,544

Patented Dec. 23, 1969

3,485,544 HIDDEN STORAGE SHELF Joseph W. Beckerman, Phoenix, Ariz. (16250 Levan Road, Livonia, Mich. 48154) Filed Jan. 22, 1968, Ser. No. 699,677 Int. Cl. A47b 46/00, 57/00 U.S. Cl. 312—248 4 Claims

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE

A hinged shelf that is upwardly retractable against the underside of a wall mounted cabinet or the like, into an out-of-the-way and out-of-sight position.

This invention relates generally to retractable shelves.

A principal object of the present invention is to provide a retractable shelf which is downwardly hingeable from the underside of the wall mounted cabinet and which accordingly may be conveniently used to support a cookbook in an open position during cooking procedure wherein the cookbook accordingly does not take up any place additionally upon a counter top and which is better positioned for being read.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a retractable shelf which serves its principal object in the extended position and when not being used for the principal object is out-of-the-way and out-of-sight in the retracted position.

Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a retractable shelf which will be used for holding cards, notes and other matter for ready reference.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a retractable shelf which is readily mountable against the underside of a wall mounted cabinet within a bathroom, library, workshop or office.

Other objects of the present invention are to provide a retractable shelf which is simple in design, inexpensive to manufacture, rugged in construction, easy to use and efficient in operation.

These and other objects will be readily evident upon a study of the following specification and the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the present invention shown in an extended position;

FIGURE 2 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 2—2 of FIGURE 1, and showing in phantom lines the shelf in a retracted position.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, the reference numeral 10 represents a vanishelf, according to the present invention, wherein there is an assembly 11 that is hingedly supported upon the underside of a wall mounted cabinet 12.

As is shown in FIGURE 1 of the drawing, the cabinet 12 is constructed with horizontal beams 13 upon which the cabinet body rests, the beams 13 thus forming side walls for an area 14 which is readily suitable for use as a storage space.

In the present invention, the storage space 14 is utilized for storing the assembly 11 and supported objects in an out-of-the-way and out-of-sight position;

The assembly 11 includes a hinged panel 15 and a slideable panel 16, the hinged panel 15 being supported upon hinges 17 secured to a lower edge of one of the beams 13. A pair of openings 18 are formed in the panel 15, a prop 19 being normally stored within the opening 18, such prop 19 being connected by a hinge 20 along the lower edge of each opening 18. Each prop 19 has a rubber bumper or pad 21 at its opposite end for the purpose of engaging a wall 22 without marring the same.

The panel 15 includes a groove 23 on the underside thereof and along each side edge 24, the grooves 23 providing support means for the slideable panel 16. The panel 16 is of generally rectangular character and includes a closet 25 at its one end.

In operative use, the vanishelf may be used for storing of goods on the underside of the cabinet 12 as is indicated by the phantom lines of FIGURE 2. When access is desired to the stored goods, the vanishelf may be lowered into the position as is indicated in FIGURE 1 wherein the forward end of the shelf is pulled downwardly so that the same is hinged about the hinge 17, the panel 16 then being slideably withdrawn from below the panel 15 until a cleat or stop 26 upon the upper side of the panel 16 abuts with a stop 27 upon the underside of the panel 15 thus limiting the slideable travel of the panel 16 relative to the panel 15. While the panel 16 has moved to its lowermost position, as shown in the drawing, the props 19 thus are freed so to pivot downwardly about the hinges 20 sequentially with the panel 16, thus bringing the props into position shown in FIGURE 2 wherein they may abut against the side wall 22 thus maintaining the assembly in the position as indicated. The undersides of each prop 19 abuts against the end edge 29 of panel 16, thus allowing the props to lower gradually as the panel 16 is slideably withdrawn thus as the panel 16 reaches the lowermost limit of slideable movement the props 19 are in proper position for resting against the wall 22. Said drawing indicates that boxes of various groceries 30 and other objects may be readily stored in a hidden conditioh and yet made easily available when the shelf is lowered.

It will be readily apparent that the shelf comprises an ideal solution for holding receipts in the form of cards or cookbook over a kitchen counter to save counter space and yet keep the book or cards from getting soiled and to place the book or cards more conveniently for reading or reference.

A latch 31 on the cleat 25 engages a tongue 32 secured on the inner side of beam 13 thus providing securement means for retaining the vanishelf in a retracted position.