Fold-down kitchenette

Abstract

The fold-down kitchenette is designed for use in folding camping trailers and includes a two part cabinet having a base section and a movable top section, which can be moved between a raised functional position and a lowered transportation position. The top section of the cabinet supports a conventional sink and stove. Flexible drain hoses, waterlines, gas lines and electrical wiring are used to facilitate the movement of the top section between its functional and transportation positions. In two embodiments, the top section is pivotally connected to the base section by a linkage. The linkage uses a pivoting parallelogram mechanism, which allows the top section to move between a functional position seated atop the base section and a transportation position resting on the floor of the trailer. In another embodiment, the top section shiftably rides along a U-shaped track, which allows the top to shift between the raised functional position and the lowered transportation position.

1 . A fold-down kitchenette comprising: 
 a cabinet having a base section and a top section;    kitchen fixtures mounted to the top section; and    means connecting the base section and the top section such that the top section shifts relative to the base section between a first position where the top section is raised above the base section at a first height and a second position where the top section is lowered relative to the base section at a second height below the first height.    
   
   
       2 . The kitchenette of  claim 1  wherein connecting means includes a first link and a second link, the first link pivotally connecting the base section for rotational movement about a first horizontal axis and pivotally connecting the top section at a second horizontal axis where the first horizontal axis is parallel to the second horizontal axis, 
 the second link pivotally connecting the base section for rotational movement about a first horizontal axis and pivotally connecting the top section at a second horizontal axis where the first horizontal axis is parallel to the second horizontal axis,    the distance between the first horizontal axis of the first link and the first horizontal axis of the second link is equal to the distance between the second horizontal axis of the first link and the first horizontal axis of the second link.    
   
   
       3 . The kitchenette of  claim 1  wherein the connecting means includes a track and a roller part, the track mounted to one of the top section and the base section, the roller is mounted to the other of the top section and the base section for shiftable movement along the length of the track.  
   
   
       4 . The kitchenette of  claim 3  wherein the track has a first horizontal run and a second horizontal run spaced parallel below the first horizontal run.  
   
   
       5 . A fold-down kitchenette comprising: 
 a cabinet having a base section and a top section;    kitchen fixtures mounted to the top section; and    linkage means for connecting the base section and the top section to facilitate movement of the top section relative to the base section between a first position where the top section seats atop the base section and a second position where the top section is positioned adjacent the base section.    
   
   
       6 . The kitchenette of  claim 5  wherein linkage includes a first link and a second link, the first link pivotally connecting the base section for rotational movement about a first horizontal axis and pivotally connecting the top section at a second horizontal axis where the first horizontal axis is parallel to the second horizontal axis, 
 the second link pivotally connecting the base section for rotational movement about a first horizontal axis and pivotally connecting the top section at a second horizontal axis where the first horizontal axis is parallel to the second horizontal axis,    the distance between the first horizontal axis of the first link and the first horizontal axis of the second link is equal to the distance between the second horizontal axis of the first link and the first horizontal axis of the second link.    
   
   
       7 . A fold-down kitchenette comprising: 
 a cabinet having a base section and a top section;    kitchen fixtures mounted to the top section; and    means for connecting the base section and the top section to facilitate extensible movement of the top section relative to the base section between a first position where the top section is extended above the base section and a second position where the top section is retracted into the base section.    
   
   
       8 . The kitchenette of  claim 7  wherein the connecting means includes a track and a roller part, the track mounted to one of the top section and the base section, the roller mounted to the other of the top section and the base section for shiftable movement along the length of the track.  
   
   
       9 . The kitchenette of  claim 8  wherein the track has a first horizontal run and a second horizontal run spaced parallel below the first horizontal run.