A kitchen for all aged, elderly and disabled people with a vertically adjustable worktop and moveable cabinets The invention relates to a kitchen with adaptable cabinets and a vertically adjustable worktop. The invention allows kitchen units to be manufactured which provide more versatile and effective functions and space utilisation, enhanced ergonomy and a more competitive price/quality ratio than do prior art kitchens. The kitchen is able to allow for all the predictable and unexpected changes affecting living conditions in a person's life cycle, and also different user groups, such as users of various age and stature and having varying capability of moving. The kitchen is a break with the conventional kitchen concept, and also with the division into kitchens for the aged and the disabled. On principle, this is a kitchen of an entirely new type. In this context, a conventional kitchen implies a kitchen for those who are not disabled, called a normal kitchen below.

Prior art kitchens are based on a standard frame depth of approx. 60 cm. In normal kitchens, the height of the worktop from the floor is in the range from 85 to 90 cm, and in kitchens for the disabled in the range from 70 to 75 cm. In normal kitchens, the upper cabinets begin at a height of approx. 40 to 50 cm and in kitchens for the disabled at a height of approx. 25 cm above the worktop, the depth being approx. 30 cm. In prior art kitchens, the space between the worktop and the upper cabinets has been utilised, however, the conventional alTangement with lower cabinets- an intermediate space- upper cabinets has been maintained because of the basic frame depth of the actual worktops. Wider dining and other auxiliary tops have been connected to these. In conjunction with projections and isolated areas formed by the tops, larger frame depths have been used in the lower cabinets, the units still being based on the 60 cm frame depth mentioned above. Some conventional kitchens - especially those intended for the disabled and the aged - provide the opportunity to adjust the vertical position of the worktop and the upper cabinets by means of a slide rail system or any similar mechanical system, or to alter the height of thef,,entire kitchen structure, solid as such, by means of adjustable legs. In normal kitchens the varying vertical positions of the tops are principally performed with the aid of stationary, graded top solutions providing limited possibilites of varying the vertical position.

Various bar kitchen solutions resemble the kitchen of the invention most regarding its aspect and some of its properties. In view of the variation facilities of the cabinets and the tops provided by the invention, the fact that all the user groups

have been considered, the susbstantial increase in storage capacity, the utilisation of natural light and the fact that it is applicable in all standard kitchen plans, each of these solutions accomplish these features only within limited part areas compared to the invention. In most cases bar kitchens have been manufactured with the following characteristics: upper cabinets suspended from the ceiling, stationary worktops and a frame depth of approx. 60 cm, etc.

One of the major drawbacks of prior art kitchens is the use of the upper part of the upper cabinets. This partly concerns even kitchens for the aged and the disabled, in which there is not always room for the necessary storage capacity at a height which is easy to reach. Objects placed in succession in the depth direction in the upper cabinets are difficult to reach, and to use the shelves located above the viewing height, one has often to climb on a chair. On the other hand, for young children, even the lowermost shelves of the upper cabinets are within climbing reach. One of the major causes of accidents happening to elderly people in their homes is that they have used a chair to reach the upper cabinets. In prior art kitchens, the worktop cannot be placed on the ergonomically correct working height for a short user - or any other reason - for instance at 80 cm, without special tailoring of furnishings and equipment, which often raises the price of the kitchen. Especially in smaller kitchens, the ratio of the number of upper cabinets to the disposable wall area involves a problem. In existing kitchens, it is difficult - sometimes even impossible - to achieve a sufficient window area and to position the windows to let in natural light and to place the windows in the correct vertical position considering the view.

So far, kitchens intended for the aged and the disabled have been produced in relatively small quantities in Finland, and hence their price level has been high. The proportion of aged people, which is still rapidly increasing, requires that manufacturers provide kitchen solutions which are less expensive and more flexibly adaptable to the other family members in a home.

In accordance with the invention, the upper cabinets are located higher than the worktop level of the lower cabinets so as to leave window area above the upper cabinets. Optionally, the upper cabinets may continue all the way to the ceiling.

Pull-out drawers or other similar functional units have been placed in the upper cabinets. The vertical height of the worktop of the lower cabinets is continuously adjustable in a range from 70 to 90 cm. The depth of the lower cabinets may vary in the range from 75 to 90 cm, depending on the group of users, and accordingly, the depth of the worktop may vary in the range from 45 to 60 cm. Below the upper cabinets, at the level of the worktop, a fitting trough is fitted to accomodate any

water and drain pipes and electric cables, as well as drying racks, cutlery funnels, and similar kitchen utensiles. Part of the space in the fitting trough can be utilised as a storage compartment provided with a cover. The side of the fitting trough facing the worktop constitutes a back plate required for the vertical position of the worktop to be adjustable. The fitting trough may be provided only at necessary points of the kitchen design, or its functional characteristics may be integrated in the upper or lower cabinets at the corresponding point. Cf. figures 2 and 3.

The chief advantage of the invention is that it is suitable for any user groups. The adjustable worktop provides good working ergonomy, and the kitchen provides good working safety in minimising the need for climbing with the low-positioned set of upper cabinets which is easy to use. The frame depth which is larger than in prior art kitchen solutions allows new functions and applications in the positioning of dining and other auxiliary tops and kitchen furnishings, and the utilisation of foot space to facilitate work. In most cases, fitting the new kitchen, which has a frame depth about 60 cm larger than currently used conventional kitchens, on existing and new premises hardly causes any problems, let alone is impossible. In contrast, the new kitchen offers the user new, more versatile and effective ways of utilising even a limited kitchen space. The position of the upper cabinets allows the windows to be more freely positioned, and, if desired, a substantially larger window area to be used on the back wall of the kitchen furnishings, this wall being often covered by the upper cabinets in conventional kitchens in order to provide the necessary storage capacity. In this way, natural light and the view from the window may be more effectively utilised. This is particularly important in kitchens with small disposable floor and wall areas. In larger kitchen spaces, there will, of course, be window walls or window wall areas free of furnishings also in existing kitchen designs. The kitchen offers larger storage capacity than prior art kitchen solutions, without, however, increasing the number of cabinet doors and fittings. This solution provides the total amount of storage space required at appreciably lower cost within the same floor area, while requiring a smaller number of cabinets in the longitudinal direction of the worktop. Accordingly, one may note that this kitchens involves a marked increase in the functional and visual characteristics and a new potential, compared to conventional kitchens. The kitchen is suitable for all standard kitchen plans: kitchens with an i-shape, an shape, a u-shape, a tubular shape or of island type.

Depending on the situation, it may be combined with prior art furnishings based on a 60 cm frame depth already existing in some part of the kitchen. For instance, in 1- shaped and u-shaped plans, cabinets with a depth of approx. 60 cm for kitchen apparatus - cf. the plan view exemplified in figure 6. The kitchen design may use

and apply standard doors and worktops. Conventional upper cabinets and lower cabinet doors are applicable as such. Designs supplied by other manufacturers can be easily adapted to this lower cabinet which is deeper than conventional lower cabinets. Elements of conventional lower cabinets with a depth of approx. 60 cm can be used as such in cases where the user does not wish to make use of the increased storage capacity. In this way, the kitchen can be given the aspect, plan design, colours, door and worktop materials and other details adapted to the site and to the user's wishes, utilising the large prior art choice available. Besides new residential and public premises, the kitchen is suitable also for renovated objects.

The fitting trough allows water and drain connections, as well as electric plugs, to be carefully located at desired points without having to change the position of existing connections. Water and drain connections can also be fitted inside the baseboard. The advantages of the fitting trough appear particularly as ease and variability of the electrical installations.

Since the properties adapted to the needs of the aged and the disabled are integrated in the kitchen of the invention, the kitchens for these groups have the same price and offer the same options regarding colours, door designs and worktop materials as conventional kitchens generally do. This also avoids the air of an institution frequently inherent to such kitchens.

The drawbacks of prior art kitchens mentioned above are eliminated and the aims and advantages of the invention mentioned above are achieved with the kitchen in accordance with the invention, which is characterised by the features defined in the characterising clause of the claim.

Figure 1 shows a schematic section of the basic design of the kitchen, which can be adapted to all the different user groups.

Figure 2 shows a section of a basic design application of the kitchen with a stationary worktop.

Figure 3 shows a section of an application of the kitchen for the disabled, which is provided with a stationary worktop.

Figures 4 and 5 shows a schematic comparison between the properties of the storage capacities of a prior art kitchen and that of the invention.

Figure 6 shows an example of the basic design of the kitchen.

Figure 7 shows a type section of the kitchen.

Figure 8 shows a number of optional applications of the kitchen including sectional drawings.

The invention will be described in greater detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 shows a schematic section of the basic design of the kitchen suitable for any user groups as described above, in which the vertical position of worktop 2 is adjustable.

Figure 2 shows a version of the kitchen with simpler and more compact functions, in which the actual worktop 2 is located at a height of approx. 85 to 90 cm. The fitting trough 4 may be excluded, or provided only at the necessary points.

Figure 3 shows a kitchen application for the aged and the disabled, in which worktop 2 is located at a height of approx. 70 cm, assuming that a higher worktop level and adjustability are not called for in practice in such cases. Fitting trough 4 and the upper cabinets 1 have been lowered accordingly. The fitting trough may be left out, or provided only at necessary points.

Figure 4 shows a kitchen in accordance with the invention and figure 5 a solution in accordance with the invention, which are simplified schematic views/plan drawings illustrating the properties related to the utilisation of the length of the disposable space and the storage capacity of the kitchen.

Using the same used floor area and overall length of the cabinets, the number of cabinets decreases in the kitchen of the invention, compared with conventional kitchen 7 having a depth of 60 cm. The lower number of doors and fittings reduces the total cost. The disposable length thus saved can be used either as additional storage capacity or worktops 2, foot space 11, or for other similar purposes.

Figure 6 shows an example of a plan drawing of a u-(l-)shaped landscape kitchen of the invention. The upper cabinets 1 and the fitting trough 4 placed below these are located in the horizontal plane next to worktop 2. This enables the worktop to be freely adjusted in the vertical direction. The worktop, its different elements and associated auxiliary tops 6 may be partly stationary - less frequently movable or have work places that can be rapidly adjusted in the vertical direction. Windows can be freely placed above the upper cabinets. Part of the kitchen unit can be accomplished by utilising the conventional frame depth 7 of approx. 60 cm.

Figure 7 shows a type section of the kitchen. Window space will be available above the upper cabinets 1. Fitting trough 4 is placed next to the worktop, providing the

back plate required for worktop 2 to be adjustable. In the space 8 between the lower cabinets 3 and the worktop, located at a height of 80 to 90 cm from the floor, drawers for cutlery and other utensiles are provided, which can be shifted or replaced, if necessary, when the worktop height is altered. Worktops and auxiliary tops 6 can be freely graded relative to each other, and the height of each one of them can be adjusted to the desired height. Pull-out drawers or other similar functional units 12 have been placed in the upper cabinets. The greater depth of the lower cabinets compared with conventional kitchens has been utilised with pull-out lower cabinets 5 on wheels or pull-out drawers with a depth greater than that of conventional drawers.

The upper cabinets, the fitting trough and the worktop are supported by means of a console and/or legs, and thus the position and the amount of lower cabinets and foot space can be varied at the option of the user, or they are supported by the lower cabinets, i.e. placed on top of the lower cabinets. The worktop lighting is performed with a fluorescent tube or any similar lighting fixture 9 placed at the upper corner of the upper cabinets.

Figure 8a, b, c, d, e, f shows sectional drawings of a number of optional embodiments of the kitchen in accordance with the invention. Sections of kitchen equipment 10 are shown merely symbolically to visualise the overall design, and need not to be specified or positioned in this conjunction. Movable upper cabinet structures la and ib, as shown in figure 8e, can also be used in the kitchens of the invention.

The new kind of kitchen enables kitchens, dining rooms and living rooms to be combined or divided in far more versatile and varying ways than in conventional kitchens. Possible options are landscape kitchens realised in a protruding part of the facade, or e.g. low rustic kitchens, in which the upper cabinets do not dominate the back wall, nor does the kitchen thus dominate the living room. With the kitchen fE background facing the living room, sufficient visual obstruction is provided, the space above this still being ample and continuous. The background may accommodate cabinets, sets of compartments, open shelves etc., opening up towards the living room. The lower section of the upper cabinets may comprise a service hatch through which food is passed to a dining table in the dining room or living room. The frame depth, being greater than that of conventional kitchens, allows a pull-out dining top to be placed below the worktop to serve the kitchen (or the dining room), and thus a separate dining table, requiring additional floor area in the

kitchen, is not necessarily called for. The kitchen top can be divided into separate functional sections: a stove section, an auxiliary top section, etc. Connected to lower cabinets equipped with wheels, these can be moved, for instance for use in a summer kitchen arranged on an outdoor terrace. In principle, there is seldom a need to alter the vertical position of the worktop, such cases being the purchase of a new kitchen and installation of the furnishings, new inhabitants moving into the house, a family member becoming disabled, or the user growing old, entailing poorer capability of moving. The worktop or certain parts of it can be firmly mounted, however, so as to be readily movable by hand in rare cases, or to have work places that can be rapidly adapted to common use by the healthy and the disabled members of the family, for instance by means of a mechanical or similar vertical adjusting system. In connection with the kitchen of the invention, the stationary position of the worktop means that sets of drawers and similar, having an appropriate height, have been placed in the space between the lower surface of the worktop and the upper surface of the lower cabinets. The sets of drawers forming a separate element in the kitchen unit, because they can be added or removed or transferred to other cabinets, they do not impede the change of the vertical position of the worktop. The advantages of the storage capacity, which is more effective than in conventional kitchens, are particularly accentuated in smaller kitchens to be located in a short space. More foot space is left below the worktop, which facilitates the work, because the standard length of worktops also determines the length of the kitchen unit itself. If the entire frame depth is to be utilised, the lower cabinets of the kitchen are used with similar e.g. pull-out drawers equipped with slide mechanisms or wheels as those used in lower cabinets with a depth of approx. 60 cm. Thus, while being more effective, the lower cabinets are as easy to use as in conventional kitchens. For instance lower cabinets intended for garbage sorting containers can be given additional usable depth. The depth of the lower cabinets of the kitchen may vary according to the situation. When a lower cabinet with a depth of approx. 60 cm is used such that it is located in the rear part of the cabinets, from where it can be pulled out, a variant is produced, in which usable foot space is provided below the front edge of the worktop, allowing a person to sit there. In the upper cabinets, pull- out drawers with slide mechanisms can be used, so that they are still easier to use than before. In upper and lower cabinets used by elderly or disabled people, movable drawers and a worktop or worktop sections can be operated electrically by means of a push button, beside manual operation. Kitchen machinery and devices are placed in the lower or upper cabinets or in cupboards, as in existing kitchens.

The worktop lighting can be arranged by placing lighting fixtures at the upper edge of the upper cabinets, or by connecting wired or opalescent glass surfaces e.g.

illuminated from behind, to the front surface of the worktop, in the background of a stove or any similar work place. If the upper cabinets continue to the door height, the worktop can be illuminated at the desired height by means of lighting fixtures connected to the front part of the upper cabinets. If desired, the overall look can be enhanced by giving the upper part of the upper cabinet a plastic shape. The plug sockets are placed in closed spaces within the front face of the upper cabinets, or in an open compartment on the upper surface of the fitting trough, or inside the cupboard itself. Flexibility is provided regarding the installation of electric cables for the stove and other kitchen apparatus, as well as water and drain connections for the sinks. The kitchen is accomplished with the appearance, ground plan, colours, door and worktop materials, etc. the user chooses.

The kitchen is not exclusively limited to the examples described above, but may vary within the scope of the following claims.