WO2013160845A1

WO2013160845A1 - Portable module for extending surface area

Info

Publication number: WO2013160845A1
Application number: PCT/IB2013/053235
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sefik SENYUREK
Original assignee: Senyurek Sefik
Priority date: 2012-04-26
Filing date: 2013-04-24
Publication date: 2013-10-31
Also published as: DE212013000111U1

Abstract

The present invention relates to providing a larger working environment (which may be either temporary or permanent) by increasing the surface area of a table, counter or any kind of surface which is used at kitchens, bathrooms, living rooms, offices or outdoor areas. A portable module for extending surface area (1); which is useful for extending the areas of working environments such as tables or counters and/or household furniture; comprises at least one fixed case (2), at least one fixing member (3) which enables the fixed case (2) to be fixed on the surface of working environments such as tables and counters and/or household furniture, at least one moveable plate (4) which can move towards outside of the fixed case (2), at least one slide (5) on which the moveable plate (4) moves.

Description

PORTABLE MODULE FOR EXTENDING SURFACE AREA

Field of the Invention The present invention relates to providing a larger permanent or temporary working environment by increasing the surface area of a table, counter or any kind of surface which are used at kitchens, bathrooms, living rooms, offices or outdoor areas. Background of the Invention

The problem of space shortage appearing nowadays especially in crowded cities and metropolises, and financial reasons cause people to live in houses having a relatively small surface area. Since in houses having small surface area; especially the kitchen, bathroom and the rooms used as work room do not have sufficient space, people have great difficulties when using these environments. For example, short and narrow counters in a small kitchen do not provide adequate space for arranging the materials and utensils when cooking. If large and big counters are placed in a small kitchen in a small house, they do not leave enough space for walking and moving comfortably in the kitchen. Likewise, placing big work tables and cabinets in a work room in a small house causes lack of sufficient space for moving in the room. On the other hand, arranging small tables and cabinets in the room leads to lack of sufficient table area for placing documents, files, tools and all kinds of similar equipment that are used during working.

In order to solve the problem caused by space shortage, for example in computer desks, drawer-like surfaces, on which the keyboards are placed and which can go under the desk and taken out, are produced. The United States patent document no. US6000158, which aims to solve the problem of space shortage and which is one of the state of the art applications, discloses an ironing board which is enclosed at the lower parts of household furniture and which can go in and out of an enclosure provided for it. However all of the applications in the state of the art are produced integrated with the furniture. Thus there is no product available which is useful for making the surface of a piece of furniture, which does not have such equipment, extendable.

Summary of the Invention

An objective of the present invention is to provide a concealable portable module for extending surface area (which can be extended temporarily and returned to its original position) for all kinds of working surfaces such as tables and counters.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a portable module for extending surface area which, by being simply mounted to household furniture and/or working surfaces having a fixed area, converts them into household furniture and/or working surfaces having a variable surface area.

Detailed Description of the Invention

"Portable Module for Extending Surface Area" developed to fulfill the objective of the present invention is illustrated in the accompanying figures wherein,

Figure 1 is the profile view of the portable module for extending surface area in closed position.

Figure 2 is the profile view of the portable module for extending surface area in open position.

Figure 3 is the exploded view of the portable module for extending surface area.

Figure 4 is the top view of a work table (in an office or a room or other locations) to which a portable module for extending surface area is not arranged.

Figure 5 is the top view of a work table, to which a portable module for extending surface area is arranged, when the module is not opened. Figure 6 is the top view of a work table, to which a portable module for extending surface area is arranged, when the module is opened.

Figure 7 is the top view of a kitchen counter, to which a portable module for extending surface area is arranged, when the module is opened.

Figure 8 is the perspective view of a kitchen counter and a washing machine to which a portable module for extending surface area is arranged.

Figure 9 is the perspective view of a bookcase to which a portable module for extending surface area is arranged. The components shown in the figures are each given reference numbers as follows:

1. Surface area extension module

2. Fixed case

3. Fixing member

4. Moveable plate

5. Slide

6. Fixed plate

7. Glass

A. Table

B. User

C. Household furniture

A portable module for extending surface area (1); which is useful for extending the areas of working environments such as tables or counters (A) and/or household furniture (C) such as cabinets, bookcases, white goods; comprises

at least one fixed case (2),

at least one fixing member (3) which enables the fixed case (2) to be fixed on the surface of working environments such as tables and counters (A) and/or household furniture (C), at least one moveable plate (4) which can move towards outside of the fixed case (2),

at least one slide (5) on which the moveable plate (4) moves. The fixed case (2) is fixed to the surfaces of environments such as tables, counters and cabinets (A). In the preferred embodiment of the invention, there is a fixed plate (6) provided on the part of the fixed case (2) which is not fixed to the table/counter/cabinet (A). The fixed plate (6) forms a working surface independent of the position of the moveable plate (4). In one embodiment of the invention, there is a glass (7) on the fixed plate (6), i.e. on the part of the fixed plate (6) not facing the surface of the table/counter/cabinet (A). This glass (7) is preferably a heat resistant glass as it is the case with many kitchen applications. In order for the invention not to get affected by the impacts and the heat coming from a tool such as a hot and heavy cooking pot that might be placed thereon especially during use at the kitchen counters, the glass (7) is produced from a material resistant to heat and mechanical impacts.

The fixing member (3) enables the fixed case (2) to be fixed to surfaces such as tables, counters or cabinets (A). In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the fixing member (3) is a double-sided tape. One surface of the double sided tape which is used as the fixing member (3) is adhered to the surfaces of the case (2) that will be fixed to the table (A). When the other surface of the double-sided tape is adhered to the table and/or counter (A), the fixed case (2) is fixed to the table or counter (A). In other embodiments of the invention, any fixing member (3) known in the art such as screws, nails, adhesives or fixing slides can be used for mounting the fixed case (2) to the surfaces such as table and counter (A). However use of double-sided tape is preferred with the purpose of minimizing the damage to the application surface. Preferably silicon filling is applied to the corners and sides of the fixed case (2), which is fixed to the surface via double- sided tape, contacting the surface of the table (A). The moveable plate (4) can be drawn out of the fixed case (2) by means of the slide (5) system provided in the fixed case (2). When the moveable plate (4) is drawn out of the fixed case (2), an additional working area is formed which is practically at the same height with the surface of the existing table or the counter (A) and which is parallel to the existing table or counter (A).

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, at least one surface of the fixed case (2) and/or the moveable plate (4) is coated by heat insulation materials. With the purpose of preventing the insulation material or the surfaces of the fixed case (2) and the moveable plate (4) from inflaming due to any reason, in one embodiment of the invention at least one surface thereof, on which insulation material is applied or not, is coated by non-inflammable materials. In one embodiment of the invention, stainless steel plate is used as the non-inflammable material. The inventive module for extending surface area (1) is a portable apparatus and it is used by being fixed to the surfaces of the environments such as tables, counters and bookcases (A); which are bought in assembled form and to which the module is intended to be applied; by means of the fixing members (3) provided in the fixed case (2). There is preferably a fixed plate (6) provided on the part of the fixed case (2) which is not fixed to the surface of the table/counter (A). The moveable plate (4) can go in and out of the part remaining between the fixed plate (6) and the table/counter (A) by the help of the slide (5) provided in the fixed case (2). When the moveable plate (4) is drawn outwards from below the fixed plate (6), it forms an additional working environment for the user (B).-The inventive portable module for extending surface area (1) can be produced at any size, in different cosmetics and from all kinds of materials according to the field of use to suit all kinds of household furniture (C) and tables or counters (A).

It is possible to develop various embodiments of the inventive portable module for extending surface area (1). The invention can not be limited to the examples described herein and it is essentially as defined in the claims.

Claims

1. A portable module for extending surface area (1); which is useful for extending the areas of working environments such as tables or counters (A) and/or household furniture (C); characterized by

at least one fixed case (2),

at least one fixing member (3) which enables the fixed case (2) to be fixed on the surface of working environments such as tables and counters (A) and/or household furniture (C),

- at least one moveable plate (4) which can move towards outside of the fixed case (2), and

at least one slide (5) on which the moveable plate (4) moves.

2. A portable module for extending surface area (1) according to Claim 1, characterized by at least one fixed plate (6) which is located on the part of the fixed case (2) which is not fixed to the table/counter/cabinet (A).

3. A portable module for extending surface area (1) according to Claim 2, characterized by a glass (7), which is located on the fixed plate (6), i.e. on the part of the fixed plate (6) not facing the surface of the table/counter/cabinet (A), and which is resistant against heat and mechanical impacts.

4. A portable module for extending surface area (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fixing member (3) which is a double- sided tape.

5. A portable module for extending surface area (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by a moveable plate (4) which is practically at the same height with the surface of the table/counter/cabinet (A) and is parallel to the surface of the table/counter/cabinet (A).

6. A portable module for extending surface area (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fixed case (2) and/or moveable plate (4) at least one surface of which is coated with a heat insulating material.

7. A portable module for extending surface area (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fixed case (2) at least one surface of which, either insulation material is applied thereon or not, is coated by a non- inflammable material.

8. A portable module for extending surface area (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the moveable plate (4) at least one surface of which, either insulation material is applied thereon or not, is coated by a non- inflammable material.