GB2129114A

GB2129114A - Storage of goods in a cabinet

Info

Publication number: GB2129114A
Application number: GB08328020A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Christopher Hugh Josep Simpson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1982-10-20
Filing date: 1983-10-19
Publication date: 1984-05-10
Also published as: GB8328020D0; GB2129114B

Abstract

A cabinet such as a deep freeze cabinet contains a framework including horizontal rails (12) at different levels on which baskets (8) are slidable. By appropriately positioning the basket (8), access can be gained to produce in baskets at lower levels or in a space beneath the lowest baskets. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Storage of goods in a cabinet This invention relates to the storage of goods in a cabinet and particularly, although not exclusively, relates to the storage of produce in a deep freeze cabinet.

A problem which arises particularly with socalled "chest freezers", i.e. deep freeze cabinets to which access is gained from the top, is that goods at the top of the cabinet prevent access to goods at the bottom. When the deep freeze cabinet is used to store and display goods for sale, the range of goods which can be displayed in the cabinet is limited to those goods which can be seen from the top of the cabinet.

According to the present invention there is provided a cabinet, the interior of which is accessible from the top of the cabinet and is provided with a plurality of horizontal rails at different vertical levels, the rails at each level supporting at least one container for movement along the rails.

In use of a cabinet in accordance with the present invention, the container or containers at the upper level can be slid along the rails to leave an opening which provides access to the container or containers at the lower level. Preferably, there is a usable space beneath the containers at the lowermost level, and access to this space can also be gained by suitably sliding the containers at the levels above it. Thus, use of a cabinet in accordance with the present invention means that it is not necessary to unload goods from the container in order to reach goods at the bottom.

Preferably, the rails are supported in the container by end frames which comprise crossbars on which the rails rest. The cross-bars and the rails may have interlocking portions so that the frames and the rails can be assembled to form a relatively rigid structure. The invention may consequently be put into practice by erecting the framework in an existing cabinet and by mounting the containers on the rails. According to another aspect of the present invention, a kit of parts is provided for this purpose.

For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a deep freeze cabinet; Figure 2 is a diagrammatic sectional view through the cabinet of Figure 1; Figure 3 is an end view of a framework used in the cabinet of Figures 1 and 2; Figure 4 is a side view of the framework; Figure 5 is a fragmentary view indicating how components of the framework are assembled; and Figures 6 to 8 illustrate components of the framework.

The cabinet shown in Figures 1 and 2 comprises a body 2 and a lid 4 which is hinged to the body. Within the body 2 there is a framework 6 which supports containers in the form of baskets 8.

The framework comprises two end frames 10 which support rails 12 on which the baskets 8 are carried. The rails 1 2 are provided at two different levels, the rails at each level being supported on a cross-bar 14 of each end frame 10. The cross-bars 14 are bolted to upright posts 1 6 which stand on the floor of the cabinet. The vertical distance between the cross-bars depends on the depth of the baskets 8. As shown in Figure 2, the posts 1 6 are of different lengths in order to take account of the presence of a raised portion 1 8 of the floor of the cabinet, which surrounds the compressor of the cabinet.

The framework is shown in greater detail in Figures 3 and 4. The posts 1 6 are of square boxsection, the ends of which are plugged with plastics caps. The cross-bars 1 4 project at each end beyond the posts 16, and the projecting portions are provided with notches 20 the depth of which is half the width of the cross-bar, and the width of which is the same as that of the rails 12.

The rails 12 are provided with similar notches 20 and, as shown in Figure 5, the notches 20 of the cross-bars and the rails interengage to hold the framework 10 rigid.

The baskets 8 may have projecting portions at their ends which rest on the rails 12, so making the baskets 8 easy to install and remove.

Alternatively, the rails 1 2 may pass through openings in the baskets 8 to retain the baskets securely on the framework 10. The rails 12 should be as near as possible to the ends of the baskets so as to avoid obstructing the usable space within the baskets and to avoid yawing of the baskets.

It will be appreciated from Figure 2 that the total width, measured parallel to the rails 12, of the baskets 8 is less than the corresponding dimension of the interior of the cabinet by at least the width of one basket 8. Consequently, at each level, there is a space 22 having a width of between one and two baskets. By appropriately sliding the baskets 8 at the upper level, access can be gained to any one of the baskets 8 at the lower level. Furthermore, by manipulating the baskets 8 at both levels so that the spaces 22 are directly one above the other, access can be gained to the space 24 beneath the baskets 8 at the lower level.

As a result, it is easy for a customer, or a domestic user, to inspect produce at any position in the cabinet, and to remove the produce required for purchase or use. When the cabinet is used for the display and storage of goods for sale, a different product can be stored in each basket, so increasing the range of products in the cabinet.

The main components of the framework 10 may be made of steel provided with a suitable coating, such as paint. The baskets may be made from plastics coated steel wire.

Although the Figures show an embodiment in which the framework 1 0 stands on the floor of the cabinet, it is possible, in an alternative embodiment, for the framework 10 to be suspended from the top of the cabinet.

Furthermore, the present invention can be applied to products other than deep freeze cabinets, for example to top-opening filing cabinets, topopening shop counters or top-opening hot cupboards.

Claims

1. A cabinet, the interior of which is accessible from the top of the cabinet and is provided with a plurality of horizontal rails at different vertical levels, the rails at each level supporting at least one container for movement along the rails.

2. A cabinet as claimed in claim 1, in which a pair of the rails is provided at each level, the rails being adjacent, and parallel to, opposite sides of the cabinet.

3. A cabinet as claimed in claim 1 or 2, in which the rails are supported by end frames which rest on the floor of the cabinet.

4. A cabinet as claimed in claim 3, in which each end frame comprises a pair of upright posts which are interconnected by horizontal cross-bars.

5. A cabinet as claimed in claim 4, in which the rails rest on the cross-bars.

6. A cabinet as claimed in claim 5, in which the rails and the cross-bars are provided with interlocking portions.

7. A cabinet as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which two or more containers are provided on the rails at each level.

8. A cabinet as claimed in claim 7, in which the total width, measured parallel to the rails, of the containers at each level is shorter than the length of the interior of the cabinet, measured in the same direction, by at least one container width.

9. A cabinet as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the containers at the lowermost level are spaced above the floor of the cabinet to provide usable free space in the lower region of the cabinet.

10. A cabinet as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which at least some of the containers are in the form of baskets.

11. A cabinet as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, which is provided with a lid.

12. A cabinet as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, which is a freezer.

13. A kit of parts for erection in a cabinet to provide a cabinet in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, the kit of parts comprising a plurality of rails, support means for supporting the rails horizontally at different levels in the cabinet, and a plurality of containers which are adapted to be supported movably on the rails.

14. A kit of parts as claimed in claim 13, in which the support means comprises a pair of end frames, each end frame comprising a pair of posts adapted to stand upright on the floor of the cabinet, the posts being interconnected at different levels by cross-bars for supporting the rails.

1 5. A kit of parts as claimed in claim 14, in which the cross-bars and the rails have interlocking portions.

1 6. A kit of parts for erection in a cabinet, substantially as described herein with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.

1 7. A cabinet substantially as described herein with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.