GB2482782A

GB2482782A - Improved cabinet

Info

Publication number: GB2482782A
Application number: GB1113721.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alan Nuttall; Michael James Steele
Original assignee: Alan Nuttall Ltd
Current assignee: Alan Nuttall Ltd
Priority date: 2010-08-12
Filing date: 2011-08-10
Publication date: 2012-02-15
Anticipated expiration: 2031-08-10
Also published as: GB201113721D0; GB201013548D0; GB2482782B

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cabinet (10) for the display and serving of food items. The cabinet (10) includes a base (12) and a frame (30) which together forms a chassis (32). The chassis (32) is configurable by the mounting of additional components thereto to provide a cabinet (10) having desired properties, wherein the cabinet (10) is further provided with a electrical power cable arrangement including a power cable (74) and a power cable retraction mechanism, the power cable (74) having a first end (78) fixed at a location with a lower region of the cabinet (10) and a second free end (76) which is movable between a location within the cabinet (10) and a location remote from the interior of the cabinet (10). The cabinet is used for displaying or serving foods and may consist of heating and/or cooling appliances. A docking arrangement for releasable connecting one or more cabinets together is also disclosed.

Description

Improved Cabinet The present invention relates to an improved cabinet for the display and serving of food items.

For event catering situations, it is known to construct a food display and serving arrangement. In a simple form, the food display and serving arrangement. may comprise a plurality of tables upon which food items are presented. For more complex catering arrangements, where some or all of the food items are required to be heated or chilled, purpose built cabinets may be used in place of tables. Such cabinets are typically provided with appropriate heating or chilling means. The present invention relates to improvements in cabinets of this type. Such cabinets may also be used in the provision of catering services in, for example, cafes, shops, museums, motorway service areas and the like.

According to the present invention there is provided a cabinet for the display and serving of food items, the cabinet including a base and a frame which together form a chassis, the chassis being configurable by the mounting of additional components thereto to provide a cabinet of having desired properties, wherein the cabinet is further provided with a power cable arrangement including a power cable and a power cable retraction mechanism, the power cable having a first end fixed at a location with a lower region of the cabinet and a second free end which is movable between a location within the cabinet and a location remote from the interior of the cabinet, the retraction mechanism having a first pulley and a second pulley through which the cable passes, the pulleys being diagonally opposed to one another, wherein at least one of the pulleys is connected to the cabinet by a resiliently extendable connection.

The chassis may be configurable so as to provide one or more features selected for from the list comprising: one or more heated, chilled or ambient wells, one or more heated, chilled or ambient shelves, one or more canopies, one or more Bain Marie wells, and one or more hot plates. The cabinet may be further provided with lighting to illuminate the food items supported thereupon. Preferably the frame defines an interior space of the cabinet, the interior space being configured to include one or more shelves, or heating or cooling apparatus.

The cabinet may further include a docking system to permit two similarly configured cabinets to be releasable connected to one another, the system including a male docking arrangement provided on one side of the cabinet and a female docking arrangement provided on an opposite side of the cabinet, the male docking arrangement having a first docking formation which projects from a cabinet and the female docking arrangement having a second docking formation which extends into the cabinet, wherein the first and second docking formations are provided with a lock mechanism which is operable to secure the docking formations to one another when the male docking arrangement is received in the female docking arrangement.

The second docking formation may comprise a channel shaped recess and the first docking formation comprises a complementarily shaped projection. Preferably, the second docking formation may comprise a pair of substantially parallel channel shaped recesses and the first docking formation may comprise a pair of substantially parallel and complementarily shaped projections.

The lock mechanism may include a movable lock member located within one of the male and female docking arrangement and a locking recess in the other of the male and female docking arrangement. Preferably the movable lock member is located within the female docking arrangement and the locking recess is located in the male docking arrangement. The lock member may be rotatable.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a cabinet according to the present invention; Figure 2 shows a further perspective view of the cabinet; Figure 3 shows a side view of the cabinet; Figure 4 shows a further side view of the cabinet; Figure 5 shows an end view of the cabinet; Figure 6 shows a top plan view of the cabinet; Figure 7 shows a further end view of the cabinet; Figure 8 shows an exploded perspective view of the cabinet; Figure 9 shows a perspective view of the chassis of the cabinet; Figure 10 shows a further perspective view of the chassis; Figure 11 shows a perspective view of a side of the cabinet showing a male docking arrangement; Figure 12 shows a perspective view of a further side of the cabinet showing a complementary female docking arrangement; Figure 13 shows a plan view of two cabinets in an un-docked state; Figure 14 shows a plan view of the two cabinets of figure 13 in a partially docked state; Figure 15 shows a perspective view of the two cabinets in the un-docked state; Figure 16 shows a perspective view of the two cabinets in the partially docked state; Figures 17a and 17b show end and side views of a locking member of the cabinet; Figure 18 shows a plan view of cabinet chassis showing a cable retraction mechanism in a retracted state; and Figure 19 shows a plan view of the cabinet chassis showing the cable retraction mechanism in an extended state.

Looking firstly at figures ito 7 there is shown a cabinet generally designated 10. The cabinet is of the type used for the display and serving of food items in, for example, an event catering situation. The cabinet 10 includes a base 12 which is provided with castor wheels 14 which enable the cabinet to be easily moved to a desired location, in use. The cabinet 10 is further provided with an upper deck 16 upon which food items may be displayed. The upper deck 16 is provided with a pair of apertures 20 which permit a the passage of electrical power cables from the upper deck 16 to the interior of the cabinet 10. The cabinet 10 is further provided with a serving ledge 18 upon which plated food items may be temporarily placed when being passed from a server to a consumer.

The cabinet 10 is further provided with an interior space 22 which accessible through an opening 24 in a side of the cabinet 10. In the embodiment shown the interior space 22 is configured so as provide a pair of shelves 26,28 upon which additional food items may be placed. The food items supported in use on the shelves 26,28 may be used to replace or replenish food items which have removed from the upper deck 16.

Referring now to figures 8 to 10, the modular nature of the cabinet 10 is illustrated.

The cabinet 10 includes the base 12 and a frame 30 which together form a chassis 32.

The chassis 32 is customisable by the addition of various panels and subassemblies in order to provide a cabinet with a desired configuration. In the embodiment shown, the chassis 32 is provided with a front wall 34, side infihl panels 36, an interior shelf sub assembly 38 and an upper deck 16 and serving ledge 18 assembly. Instead of the upper deck 16, the chassis 32 may be adapted to provide, for example, one or more heated, chilled or ambient wells, one or more heated, chilled or ambient shelves, one or more canopies, one or more Bain Marie wells, and one or more hot plates. The cabinet 10 may further be provided with lighting to illuminate the food items supported thereupon. Depending upon the configuration of the upper deck 16, the interior space 22 may be maintained with one or more shelves, or, alternatively, may accommodate heating or cooling apparatus.

In use, a plurality of cabinets 10 may be required at a food service and display location. Then cabinet chassis 32 is thus configured so as to be able to be joined or docked to adjacent cabinet chassis 32. Referring now to figures 11 to 16, the chassis 32 is provided at opposite sides with a male docking arrangement generally designated and a female docking arrangement generally designated 42. The male docking arrangement 40 includes a first channel member 44 and a second channel member 46.

The channel members 44,46 are spaced apart from one another in a substantially parallel arrangement and extend between the upper deck 16 and the base 12. Each channel member 44,46 is positioned such that the base 48 of each channel member 44,46 projects outwardly away from the chassis 32. The base 48 of each channel member 44,46 is further provided with two pairs of slots 50a, 50b. A first pair of slots 50a is provided in an upper region of the base 48 and second pair of slots SOb in a lower region of the base 48. The slot pairs 50a,50b co-operate with a locking member of the female docking arrangement 42 as will be described below.

The female docking arrangement 42 includes a first channel member 52 and a second channel member 54. The channel members 52,54 are spaced apart from one another in a substantially parallel arrangement and extend between the upper deck 16 and the base 12. Each channel member 52,54 is positioned such that the base 56 of each channel member 52,54 projects inwardly towards the chassis 32 in manner opposite to that of the channel members 44,46 of the male docking arrangement 40. In place of the slot pairs 50a,50b, the base 56 of each channel member 52,54 is provided at a corresponding locations with a rotary lock generally designated 58. The rotary lock 58 is shown in greater detail in figures 17a and 17b. The rotary lock 58 includes a casing 60 having a flange 62 and a rotatable member 64. The rotatable member 64 includes a curved finger 66 the end 67 of which extends from the casing 60 through an aperture 69 in the flange 62. The rotatable member 64 is further provided with a through aperture 68. In the embodiment shown the through aperture 68 is hexagonal and, in use, is able to receive a complementarily shaped hexagonal drive shaft 70.

In order to dock adjacent cabinets 10 to one another, the cabinets 10 are first aligned such that the channel members 44,46 of the male docking arrangement 40 face the channel members 52,54 of the female docking arrangement 42 as shown in figures 13 and 15. The cabinets 10 are then moved into contact with one another such that the channel members 44,46 of the male docking arrangement 40 are received in the channel members 52,54 of the female docking arrangement 42 as shown in figures 14 and 16. When the cabinets 10 are in the position shown in figures 14 and 16 the end 67 of the finger 66 of each rotatable member 64 is received in one of the slots of each slot pair 50a, SOb of the male docking arrangement 40. Locking of the cabinets 10 to one another is effected by rotating the rotatable member 64 such that the finger 66 of each rotatable member passes through each slot of the respective slot pairs 50a,50b.

In the embodiment shown, this is achieved by moving the rotatable member 64 through approximately a quarter of a turn. The upper and lower pairs of rotary locks 58 are connected, as described above, by a hexagonal drive shaft 70. Each drive shaft is provided with a handle 72 which provides a readily visible indication as to the position of the locks 58 as shown in figure 16. It will be appreciated that the male and female docking arrangements may be utilised in connection with other forms and configurations of cabinets used for the display and serving of food items which are different to the modular type hereinbefore described.

When the cabinet 10 is configured so as to be electrically heated or chilled, and/or include lighting, the cabinet 10 will require connection to an external power source.

The base 12 of the cabinet 10 may thus be provided with a power connection cable having a connecter at one end to enable connection to the external power source.

Figures 18 and 19 show plan views of an arrangement provided in the base 12 of a cabinet for the storage of a power connection cable 74. The cable 74 has a free end 76 to which a connecter (not shown) can be fitted and a fixed end 78 which is connected to the cabinet. The fixed end 78 is connected to an appropriate distribution assembly which supplies electrical power to powered features of the cabinet 10. Between the free and fixed ends 76,78 the cable 74 is routed through first and second diagonally arranged pulley arrangements 80,82 so as to retain the cable 74 in a "Z" shaped configuration. Alternatively, the position of the pulley arrangements 80,82 and cable fixed end 78 may be moved such that the cable 74 is retained in an "S" shaped configuration.

Each pulley arrangement 80,82 is mounted to the cabinet base 12 by an resiliently extendable connection 84,86. For example, each connection 84,86 may comprise a coil spring or a length of elasticated cord. In an alternative embodiment, not shown, only one of the pulley arrangements 80,82 may be provided with a resiliently extendable connection. The connections 84,86 are movable between a relaxed position shown in figure 18 and an extended position shown in figure 19 by the movement of the free end 76 of the cable 74 away from the cabinet 10. In the relaxed position, the free end 76 of the cable 74 is located within the cabinet. In the extended position, the free end 76 of the cable 74 is located to the exterior of the cabinet 10. The extension length of each connection 84,86 is limited, for example by a tether, so as to ensure that it cannot become over extended. By limiting the extension length of each connection 84,86 it will be appreciated that distance by which the free end 76 of the cable 74 can be moved from the cabinet 10 is also limited. Typically, the extension distance of the cable 74 from the cabinet 10 is in the region of 1 metre.

It will be appreciated that extension of the connections 84,86 exerts a restorative force on the cable 74 which urges its retraction into the cabinet 10. The routing of the cable 74 in am "S" or "Z" configuration ensures that the cable 74 is neither coiled nor overlapped when it is either in or between the extended or retracted positions. This is particularly advantageous where the power supplied through the cable 74 is a multiphase supply, for example a three phase supply.

It will be appreciated that the above described cable extension and retraction arrangement may be utilised in connection with forms and configurations of cabinets used for the display and serving of food items other than the modular type hereinbefore described.

Claims

Claims 1. A cabinet for the display and serving of food items, the cabinet including a base and a frame which together form a chassis, the chassis being configurable by the mounting of additional components thereto to provide a cabinet of having desired properties, wherein the cabinet is further provided with a power cable arrangement including a power cable and a power cable retraction mechanism, the power cable having a first end fixed at a location with a lower region of the cabinet and a second free end which is movable between a location within the cabinet and a location remote from the interior of the cabinet, the retraction mechanism having a first pulley and a second pulley through which the cable passes, the pulleys being diagonally opposed to one another, wherein at least one of the pulleys is connected to the cabinet by a resiliently extendable connection.
2. A cabinet as claimed in claim 1, wherein the chassis is configurable to provide one or more features selected for from the list comprising: one or more heated, chilled or ambient wells, one or more heated, chilled or ambient shelves, one or more canopies, one or more Bain Marie wells, and one or more hot plates.
3. A cabinet as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the cabinet is further provided with lighting to illuminate the food items supported thereupon.
4. A cabinet as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the frame defines an interior space of the cabinet, the interior space being configured to include one or more shelves, or heating or cooling apparatus.
5. A cabinet as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the cabinet further includes docking system to permit two similarly configured cabinets to be releasable connected to one another, the system including a male docking arrangement provided on one side of the cabinet and a female docking arrangement provided on an opposite side of the cabinet, the male docking arrangement having a first docking formation which projects from a cabinet and the female docking arrangement having a second docking formation which extends into the cabinet, wherein the first and second docking formations are provided with a lock mechanism which is operable to secure the docking formations to one another when the male docking arrangement is received in the female docking arrangement.
6. A cabinet as claimed in claim 5 wherein the second docking formation comprises a channel shaped recess and the first docking formation comprises a complementarily shaped projection.
7. A cabinet as claimed 6 wherein the second docking formation comprises a pair of substantially parallel channel shaped recesses and the first docking formation comprises a pair of substantially parallel and complementarily shaped projections.
8. A cabinet as claimed in any of claims 5 to 7 wherein the lock mechanism includes a movable lock member located within one of the male and female docking arrangement and a locking recess in the other of the male and female docking arrangement.
9. A cabinet as claimed in claim 8 wherein the movable lock member is located within the female docking arrangement and the locking recess is located in the male docking arrangement.
10. A cabinet as claimed in claim 8 or claim 9 wherein the lock member isrotatable.
11. A cabinet substantially as herein before described with reference to or as shown in the accompanying drawings.