Appliance

Abstract

An appliance such as a refrigerator or freezer comprising a base having a drawer, a foldable step assembly received in the drawer is disclosed. The step assembly is configured to rise out of the drawer into an extended position to provide a step when the drawer is open.

1 . An appliance comprising a base having a drawer, a foldable step assembly received in the drawer, said step assembly being configured to rise out of the drawer into an extended position to provide a step when the drawer is open. 
     
     
         2 . An appliance according to  claim 1 , further comprising a step lifting mechanism operable to raise the step assembly into the extended position. 
     
     
         3 . An appliance according to  claim 2 , wherein the step lifting mechanism is configured so that it moves the step assembly laterally whilst raising it into its extended position. 
     
     
         4 . An appliance according to  claim 3 , wherein the step assembly comprises first and second steps, the step lifting mechanism being configured to raise the second step into an extended position above the first step as the first step is being raised into its extended position. 
     
     
         5 . An appliance according to  claim 4 , wherein the drawer has a leading edge and the step lifting mechanism is configured to move the first step laterally in a forward direction in which it overhangs said leading edge of the drawer, whilst raising the first and second steps into their extended positions. 
     
     
         6 . An appliance according to  claim 5 , wherein the step lifting mechanism is configured to move the second step laterally in a rearward direction, opposite to the direction in which the first step is laterally moved, whilst raising the first and second steps into their extended positions. 
     
     
         7 . An appliance according to  claim 2 , wherein the step lifting mechanism includes first step support arms, said first step support arms each having a first pivot coupling one end of said arm to the drawer and a second pivot coupling the opposite end of said arm to the first step, the step lifting mechanism being operable to rotate at least one of said first step support arms about their respective first pivots to raise the first step into its extended position. 
     
     
         8 . An appliance according to  claim 7 , wherein the first step lies in a plane when received in the drawer and the first step support arms are configured such that said first step remains parallel to said plane as the first step is moved into its extended position. 
     
     
         9 . An appliance according to  claim 7 , wherein the first step support arms are configured to rotate beyond a centre position in which the second pivot is directly above the first pivot. 
     
     
         10 . An appliance according to  claim 7 , wherein the step lifting mechanism includes second step support arms, said second step support arms each having a first pivot coupling one end of said arm to the first step and a second pivot coupling the opposite end of said arm to the second step, the step lifting mechanism being operable to rotate at least one of said second step support arms about their respective pivots to raise the second step into its extended position. 
     
     
         11 . An appliance according to  claim 10 , wherein the second step lies in a plane when received in the drawer and the second step support arms are configured such that said second step remains parallel to said plane as the second step is moved into its extended position. 
     
     
         12 . An appliance according to  claim 10 , wherein the second step support arm is configured to rotate beyond a centre position in which the second pivot is directly above the first pivot. 
     
     
         13 . An appliance according to  claim 10 , wherein the step lifting mechanism is operable to rotate the first step support arms in a first direction and the second step support arms in the opposite direction. 
     
     
         14 . An appliance according to  claim 10 , wherein the step lifting mechanism comprises gears to drivingly couple movement of the first step support arms to movement of the second step support arms. 
     
     
         15 . An appliance according to  claim 7 , wherein the step assembly is retained in the drawer by a locking member and the step lifting mechanism includes a spring element configured to bias the step assembly into its extended position when the locking member is released. 
     
     
         16 . An appliance according to  claim 7 , comprising a motor configured to drive the first step support arm about its first pivot to rise the step assembly to its extended position or lower it back into the drawer. 
     
     
         17 . An appliance according to  claim 16 , comprising a switch configured to activate the motor. 
     
     
         18 . An appliance according to  claim 7 , wherein the step lifting mechanism comprises stops positioned such that the first and second step support arms contact said stops when said first and second support arms have rotated beyond their centre positions such that the weight of a person on said first or second steps is directed through said stops via said step support arms. 
     
     
         19 . An appliance according to  claim 1 , further comprising a release mechanism configured to release the drawer. 
     
     
         20 . An appliance according to  claim 19 , further comprising a biasing member configured to bias the drawer into its open position such that the drawer slides into its open position when the release member has been activated. 
     
     
         21 . An appliance according to  claim 20 , wherein the biasing member comprises a spring and a pulley operably coupled to the drawer. 
     
     
         22 . An apparatus comprising:
 an appliance comprising a base having a drawer, a foldable step assembly received in the drawer, said step assembly being configured to rise out of the drawer into an extended position to provide a step when the drawer is open; and   a storage unit positioned on a top surface of the appliance, the step assembly of the appliance providing access to the storage compartment by enabling a person to stand on the step assembly when said step assembly is in its extended position.   
     
     
         23 . An apparatus according to  claim 22 , wherein the storage compartment is integrally formed with the appliance. 
     
     
         24 . An apparatus according to  claim 22 , wherein the storage compartment is configured to be removably attachable to the appliance. 
     
     
         25 . An apparatus according to  claim 22 , wherein the appliance comprises a first refrigerating system for regulating the temperature of the appliance and the storage compartment comprises a second refrigerating system for regulating the temperature of the storage compartment. 
     
     
         26 . An apparatus according to  claim 22 , wherein the appliance comprises a refrigerating system and the storage compartment is connected to the refrigerating system such that said refrigerant system regulates the temperature of both the appliance and the storage compartment. 
     
     
         27 . Apparatus positionable beneath an appliance comprising a base having a drawer and a foldable step assembly received in the drawer, said step assembly being configured to rise out of the drawer into an extended position in front of the appliance to provide a step when the drawer is open.