Automated and movable shelving system for cabinetry

Abstract

The invention relates to a more diverse, effective, and user-friendly cabinet system. More specifically, the present invention discloses and claims a cabinet system which allows the user to reach items stored in the highest shelves by bringing the shelf to the user, instead of making the user reach the shelf. The invention can be installed during the manufacturing process of new cabinets, so it can be incorporated in the cabinet system as it is being placed in a home. The invention can also be sold as a kit, which can be used to modify already installed cabinets. The present invention can be manufactured in a wide variety of dimensions, so it is capable of fitting new or already installed cabinets.

1 . An automated and movable shelving system for cabinetry, comprising:
 a. a cabinet comprising a top, a front, a rear, a bottom and two sides, the bottom being open, the top comprising an interior and exterior side, the front comprising one or more hinged doors, the hinged doors comprising handle means;   b. at least one rectangular insert, the insert being of smaller dimensions than the cabinet so that the insert is capable of fitting inside the cabinet and can be lowered and raised passing through the cabinet's open bottom, the insert comprising a top, bottom and two sides, and further comprising a plurality of shelves extending from one side of the insert to the other, the shelves comprising a front end and a back end and a raised lip extending across the front end to prevent the contents of the shelves from falling when the insert is raised or lowered, and the bottom of the insert functioning as the lowest shelf of the insert and further comprising sides slightly wider and deeper than the rest of the insert, resulting in the bottom of the insert and the bottom of the cabinet being flush when the insert is fully raised;   c. a lowering and raising means comprising a reversible motor system fixedly attached to the interior of the top of the cabinet, the motor being capable of reversing direction, electromagnetic braking and operating at low revolutions per minute to safely raise and lower the insert;   d. an electrical switch box fixedly attached to the side of the cabinet and protruding from the inside of the cabinet to the outside, comprising two activating means that raise and lower the insert when activated and an electrical connection to the motor system;   e. an electrical connecting means fixedly attached to the electric motor, comprising a cord and standard electrical plug; and   f. a spooling system, comprising a cable of appropriate strength and length so that the insert is capable of resting on a counter or stable surface when the cable is fully extended, the cable comprising two ends, one end being fixedly attached to the top of the insert and the other end being fixedly attached to a spool, the spool being fixedly attached to the motor system and capable of reeling the length of the cable in or out when the motor system is activated.   
   
   
       2 . An automated and movable shelving system for cabinetry according to  claim 1 , wherein the insert comprises a plurality of drawers extending from one side of the insert to the other, the drawers being fixedly attached to both sides of the insert and being capable of sliding forward to allow access to contents. 
   
   
       3 . An automated and movable shelving system for cabinetry according to  claim 1 , wherein the electrical switch box is fixedly attached to the interior of the door of the cabinet, allowing the lowering and raising system to be activated after the door is opened. 
   
   
       4 . An automated and movable shelving system for cabinetry according to  claim 1 , wherein the lowering and raising means comprises a manually activated system capable lowering and raising the insert, the manually activate system further comprising a retractable and extendable coil fixedly attached to the interior of the top of the cabinet and extending to the top of the insert, and a locking mechanism movably attached to the bottom of the cabinet, the locking mechanism being capable of holding the insert in its fully raised position when engaged.