Child safety stool

Abstract

A child safety stool that includes movable engaging elements for selectively engaging the stool with the raised base portion of a cabinet so as to prevent tipping. The stool includes a main body, one or more engaging elements, and a locking mechanism. The main body has a top surface and a front surface, the top surface being a step surface. The one or more engaging elements extend rearwardly from the main body. The locking mechanism is in mechanical connection with the one or more engaging elements and is for selectively locking the one or more engaging elements in an engagement position with the raised base portion of the structure, whereby the stool is prevented from tipping when the one or more engaging elements are in the engagement position.

1 . A tip-resistant stool for aiding access to an elevated surface of a structure having a raised base portion comprising: 
 a main body having at least a top surface and a front surface, the top surface being a step surface;    one or more engaging elements extending rearwardly from the main body; and    a locking mechanism in mechanical connection with the one or more engaging elements, the locking mechanism for selectively locking the one or more engaging elements in an engagement position with the raised base portion of the structure,    whereby the stool is prevented from tipping when the one or more engaging elements are in the engagement position.    
   
   
       2 . The tip-resistant stool of  claim 1  further including a selectively accessible intermediate step, the intermediate step being made accessible when the one or more engaging elements are in the engagement position.  
   
   
       3 . The tip-resistant stool of  claim 2  wherein the intermediate step comprises a recess in the front surface of the main body including an intermediate step surface disposed within the interior of the main body, the intermediate step having a predetermined size to accommodate a user's foot.  
   
   
       4 . The tip-resistant stool of  claim 3  further including a selectively movable blocking member cooperating with the one or more engaging elements such that the blocking member restricts access to the intermediate step when the one or more engaging elements are not in the engagement position.  
   
   
       5 . The tip-resistant stool of  claim 1  wherein the main body is box-shaped.  
   
   
       6 . The tip-resistant stool of  claim 1  wherein the step surface has a non-skid coating.  
   
   
       7 . The tip-resistant stool of  claim 1  including two engaging elements.  
   
   
       8 . The tip-resistant stool of  claim 1  wherein the one or more engaging elements are rigid arms.  
   
   
       9 . The tip-resistant stool of  claim 8  wherein the locking mechanism locks the one or more engaging mechanism in the engagement position with the use of cables and pulleys.  
   
   
       10 . The tip-resistant stool of  claim 1  wherein the one or more engaging elements are L-shaped arms.  
   
   
       11 . The tip-resistant stool of  claim 1  wherein the locking mechanism includes a rotary plate on the front surface of the main body, wherein rotation of the rotary plate causes the one or more engaging members to be locked in the engagement position.  
   
   
       12 . The tip-resistant stool of  claim 12  wherein the rotary plate includes an artistic design, wherein the artistic design is properly aligned when the one or more engaging elements is in the engagement position.  
   
   
       13 . The tip-resistant stool of  claim 1  wherein the locking mechanism is a pull-down lever.  
   
   
       14 . The tip-resistant stool of  claim 1  wherein the engaging elements include a locking ratchet mechanism.  
   
   
       15 . A tip-resistant stool for aiding access to an elevated surface of a structure having a raised base portion comprising: 
 a main body having at least a top surface and a front surface, the top surface being a step surface;    one or more engaging elements extending rearwardly from the main body; and    a raising mechanism in mechanical connection with the one or more engaging elements, the raising mechanism for selectively raising the one or more engaging elements in an engagement position with the raised base portion of the structure,    whereby the stool is prevented from tipping when the one or more engaging elements are in the engagement position.    
   
   
       16 . The tip-resistant stool according to  claim 15  wherein the raising mechanism is activated by the weight of a user.