Cabinet for dental/medical operatory

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a pivoting drawer for use in cabinet. The drawer slides out obliquely and rotates such that the drawer moves from a closed position to an open position in a coordinated sliding and pivoting manner. The drawer is able to be opened while avoiding objects located in front of the drawer. The drawer is particularly useful in dental operatory cabinets where efficient use of small spaces is desired. Also disclosed herein is a cabinet useful for a medical or dental operatory that includes a cabinet frame structure that defines supply space in the cabinet and includes one or more drawers. At least one of the one or more drawers is supported by the cabinet frame structure and is movable from a closed position disposed within the drawer space to an open position outside of said frame structure. The cabinet has a first end and a second end and the drawer is slidable in an oblique fashion (i.e. oblique to a vertical cross-sectional plane between the first and second ends) and rotable about a vertical axis of the drawer. The drawer moves to an open position in a coordinately obliquely sliding and pivoting motion.

1 . A cabinet useful in a medical or dental operatory, the cabinet comprising
 a cabinet frame structure that defines at least one drawer space, said cabinet comprising a first end and a second end; and   at least one drawer supported by the cabinet frame structure, said drawer being (i) movable from a closed position disposed within the at least one drawer space to an open position outside of said cabinet frame structure, (ii) obliquely slidable with respect to a vertical cross-sectional plane between said first and second ends, and (iii) rotable about a vertical axis of the drawer, wherein said at least one drawer moves to an open position in a coordinated obliquely sliding and pivoting motion.   
   
   
       2 . The cabinet of  claim 1 , wherein said cabinet frame structure comprises a base onto which said drawer is supported and further comprising a sliding assembly and a rotating assembly associated with said drawer and said base to provide said obliquely sliding and pivoting motion. 
   
   
       3 . The cabinet of  claim 2 , wherein said rotating assembly is secured to said drawer and said sliding assembly is secured to said base, or vice versa. 
   
   
       4 . The cabinet of  claim 2 , wherein said sliding assembly comprises a first and second inner sliding members and a first and second outer sliding members. 
   
   
       5 . The cabinet of  claim 2 , wherein said rotating assembly comprises an outer ring member and an inner ring member that rotate respective to each other at a ring bearing. 
   
   
       6 . The cabinet of  claim 5 , wherein said drawer comprises a bottom member that is secured to said outer ring member or said inner ring member. 
   
   
       7 . The cabinet of  claim 4 , wherein said base is secured to said inner sliding members or said outer sliding members or one of each. 
   
   
       8 . The cabinet of  claim 7 , wherein said bottom member is secured to said outer ring member, said outer sliding members are secured to said inner ring member and said inner sliding members are secured to said base. 
   
   
       9 . The cabinet of  claim 1 , wherein said drawer comprises a bottom member and said cabinet frame structure comprises a base onto which said drawer is supported, and further comprising a rotating guide assembly configured to control pivoting motion of said drawer. 
   
   
       10 . The cabinet of  claim 9 , wherein said rotating guide assembly comprises an elongated arm member having a first pivot end and a second pivot end, wherein said first pivot end is pivotably engaged to said bottom member and said second pivot end is pivotably engaged to said base. 
   
   
       11 . The cabinet of  claim 1 , wherein said cabinet comprises a front side comprising first and second ends, wherein said at least one drawer opens at either said first or second ends. 
   
   
       12 . The cabinet of  claim 1 , wherein said drawer moves to said open position according to a path that avoids an object situated in front of said drawer and moves out to a side of said object. 
   
   
       13 . A drawer useful in a dental operatory cabinet, said drawer comprising
 a bottom member and one or more side walls to define a storage space;   a rotating assembly associated with said drawer; and   a sliding assembly associated with said drawer, wherein said rotating and sliding assembly are configured such that said drawer may be moved from a closed position when supported in a drawer space defined in said dental operatory cabinet, to an open position in a coordinated obliquely sliding and pivoting motion   
   
   
       14 . The drawer of  claim 13 , further comprising an rotating guide assembly comprising an arm with first and second pivot ends, wherein said first pivot end is associated with said drawer. 
   
   
       15 . The drawer of  claim 13 , wherein said rotating assembly comprises an outer ring member and an inner ring member that rotate respective to each other at a ring bearing. 
   
   
       16 . The drawer of  claim 13 , wherein said sliding assembly comprises a first and second inner sliding members and a first and second outer sliding members. 
   
   
       17 . A cabinet useful in a medical or dental operatory, the cabinet comprising
 a cabinet frame structure that defines at least one drawer space, said cabinet comprising a first end and a second end;   at least one drawer supported by a base in the cabinet frame structure, said drawer comprising a bottom member and at least one side wall to define a storage space;   a rotating assembly associated with said at least one drawer;   a sliding assembly associated with said at least one drawer; wherein said rotating assembly and said sliding assembly are disposed between said bottom member and said base such that said drawer is (i) movable from a closed position disposed within the at least one drawer space to an open position outside of said cabinet frame structure, (ii) obliquely slidable with respect to a vertical cross-sectional plane between said first and second ends, and (iii) rotable about a vertical axis of the drawer, wherein said at least one drawer moves to an open position in a coordinated obliquely sliding and pivoting motion.   
   
   
       18 . The cabinet of  claim 17 , wherein said cabinet comprises a front side comprising first and second ends, wherein said at least one drawer opens at either said first or second ends. 
   
   
       19 . The cabinet of  claim 17 , wherein said said rotating assembly comprises an outer ring member and an inner ring member that rotate respective to each other at a ring bearing; said sliding assembly comprises a first and second inner slide members and first and second outer slide members; and said bottom member is secured to said outer ring member, said outer sliding members are secured to said inner ring member and said inner sliding members are secured to said base.