GB2185384A - Incremental storage device for children and handicapped or elderly adults - Google Patents

Abstract

The device consists of a series of pillars 6 and 8 and a base plate assembly 1 and 2, supported by stabiliser bars at floor level 3,4 and 5. The main pillar brackets retain the height frame plates 11. Plugs 12 are inserted in the storage panniers 13 and determine the height adjustments. Lids secure a detachable work-top 14 and 15. Upper pillar brackets 18 provide a method of attaching hanger arms and nets 19, lighting attachments, 20 including a ceiling stabiliser 21 if required. Modifications for the elderly and handicapped include ball-race brackets 23 to facilitate indexing. The padded seat and box 16 and 17 may be replaced by a commode stored under 15, while the pillar brackets 23 can be used to store a mirror, a toiletry shelf, a spectacle pouch and a telephone. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Incremental storage device for children and handicapped or elderly adults Children grow and their belongings grow with them but their conventional storage is seldom at a safe and convenient height nor easily augmented as they grow. Even the smallest device has twelve heights about 5mm apart. A full grown device may hold as many as sixteen panniers.

The system enables children of different heights to share their storage and working surfaces in reasonable harmony. Starting with a few essentials - the stabilisers, main pillars and particularly the height frame which holds the panniers and lids -other units can be added.

For the elderly, storage needs not only to be at a convenient height, which seldom needs adjustment, but easily to rotate horizontally. This can be achieved by inserting a ball-race into the bracket system and making fuller use of the brackets for hanging clothing, or storing other personal belongings.

No COMPONENT 1 BASE COLLAR & LEEVE 2 BASE PLATE 3 STABILISER RADIAL BARS STABILISER PERIMETER 4 BARS 5 KNEE HOLE TIE BARS 6 45cm PILLAR 7 GRUBSCREWS 8 15 cm PILLAR 9 INTERNAL CORE 10 MAIN PILLAR BRACKET 11 HEIGHT FRAME PLATE 12 HEIGHT FRAME PLUGS 13 PANNIER 14 HINGED LID SPINDLE 15 DETACHABLe WORKTOP 16 PADDED LID TRAYS FOR PADDED 17 SEAT WITH WHEELS 18 UPPER PILLAR BRACKET HANGER ARM SYSTEM 19 & NETS ETS LIGHT ATTACHMENT TO 20 HANGER ARM 21 CEILING STABILISER 22 INSTRUCTIONS & TOOLS

GENERAL DESCRIPTION THE PROJECT IS A RANGE OF STORAGE FURNITURE FOR CHILDREN. READILY ADJUSTABLE FOR HEIGHT. A SECONDARY MARKET FOR THE DISABLED AND ELDERLY IS EXPECTED.

Claims (5)

1. A central pillar upon which brackets have been included to attach variable height frame plates which allow positioning of panniers used for storage of childrens clothes and belongings and the belongings of the elderly or disabled and handicapped in need of convenient storage.

2. A range of pillars and brackets as required in claim 1 to accommodate radial bars which act as hanging storage, lamp fittings and nets for light items out of reach of small children.

3. A central pillar system as in claim 1 or claim 2 which includes a ball race in the bracket to allow improved access for the elderly or disabled and handicapped by rotating the storage panniers to the desired position.

4. A knee-hole created by joining a detachable work-top to a bracket to two panniers as claimed in claim 2 which will accommodate a padded seat with height adjustable by means of inserting nesting frames between the padded seat and the wheel frame.

5. A knee-hole similar to the detachable work-top which will be fitted as a commode with the wheel frame but without height adjustment.