Automatic pull-down shelf assembly

Abstract

The present invention provides an automatic pull-down shelf assembly. The assembly can be easily installed within existing article storage racks or cabinets or new cabinets or racks can be built with this assembly. The assembly allows a user to move shelves closer to the user. The assembly includes a cabinet or rack, moving shelves, a pair of shelf guide mechanism, a prime mover, a controller and an operating device. The shelf guide mechanism includes a transition mechanism, a mounting plate, a first bracket, a vertical arm, a second bracket, a horizontal arm and a pivotal arm. The controller enables the assembly to move from a retracted position to the extended position and vice versa as per command received from the user. The assembly can be remotely controlled by software running on an operating device.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An automatic shelf assembly ( 100 ), the assembly ( 100 ) comprising:
 a cabinet or rack ( 101 );   one or more moving shelves ( 102 );   a pair of shelf guide mechanism ( 103 ) mounted to the shelves ( 102 ) for allowing a movement between an extended position, and a retracted position;   at least one prime mover ( 104   a ) that provides power to the assembly ( 100 );   a controller that receives a command for pulling down or pushing up the shelves ( 102 ) from a user via an operating device ( 114 ) through a communication module; and   Wherein the controller enables the assembly ( 100 ) to move from the retracted position to the extended position or vice versa as per command received.   
     
     
         2 . The assembly ( 100 ) claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the shelf guide mechanism ( 103 ) comprising:
 a connecting member ( 105 );   a transition mechanism ( 104 ) that actuates the connecting member ( 105 ) connected therewith;   a mounting plate ( 106 ) fixed to the rack or cabinet ( 101 );   a first bracket ( 107 ) fixed to the mounting plate ( 106 );   a vertical arm ( 108 ) fixed to the connecting member ( 105 ) that slides in the first bracket ( 107 );   a second bracket ( 110 ) fixed to the connecting member ( 105 );   a horizontal arm ( 109 ) fixed to the shelf ( 102 ) that slides in the second bracket ( 110 ); and   a pivotal arm ( 111 ) that pivotally fixed to the mounting plate ( 106 ) at a pivotal end and to the shelf ( 102 ) at a pivot arm distal end.   
     
     
         3 . The assembly ( 100 ) claimed in  claim 1  further comprising one or more sensors for sensing required parameters. 
     
     
         4 . The assembly ( 100 ) claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the user is allowed to add or remove the shelves ( 102 ) as per a height required at the extended position. 
     
     
         5 . The assembly ( 100 ) claimed in  claim 1 , wherein at the retracted position, the shelves ( 102 ) are pushed up inside the rack or cabinet ( 101 ). 
     
     
         6 . The assembly ( 100 ) claimed in  claim 1 , wherein at the extended position, the shelves ( 102 ) are pulled down outside the rack or cabinet ( 101 ). 
     
     
         7 . The assembly ( 100 ) claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the transition mechanism ( 104 ) comprises at least one of: a gear arrangement or a lead screw arrangement or a belt drive arrangement or a chain drive arrangement. 
     
     
         8 . The assembly ( 100 ) claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the pivotal arm ( 111 ) is rotatable about a pivotal axis. 
     
     
         9 . The assembly ( 100 ) claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the one or more sensors comprises at least one of: a limit switch, a proximity sensor, a displacement sensor, a vision sensor, a scanner, a position sensor, an IR sensor, an UV sensor. 
     
     
         10 . The assembly ( 100 ) claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the operating device ( 114 ) comprises at least a knob, a pressure switch, a mechanical switch, an electromagnetic switch, an electromechanical switch, a press button, a lever. 
     
     
         11 . The assembly ( 100 ) claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the operating device ( 114 ) comprises at least a mobile phone or a laptop or a computer or a tablet or a remote control. 
     
     
         12 . The assembly ( 100 ) claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the communication module is a wired communication module or a wireless communication module. 
     
     
         13 . The assembly ( 100 ) claimed in  claim 2 , wherein at the retracted position, the connecting member ( 105 ) is at a top position. 
     
     
         14 . The assembly ( 100 ) claimed in  claim 2 , wherein at the retracted position, the vertical arm ( 108 ) is extended outside the first bracket ( 107 ) and the horizontal arm ( 109 ) is retracted inside the second bracket ( 110 ). 
     
     
         15 . The assembly ( 100 ) claimed in  claim 2 , wherein at the extended position, the vertical arm ( 108 ) is retracted inside the first bracket ( 107 ) and the horizontal arm ( 109 ) is extended outside the second bracket ( 110 ). 
     
     
         16 . The assembly ( 100 ) claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the vertical arm ( 108 ) and the horizontal arm ( 109 ) are telescopic arms. 
     
     
         17 . The assembly ( 100 ) claimed in  claim 2 , wherein at the retracted position, the distal end of the pivotal arm ( 111 ) is closure to the connecting member ( 105 ). 
     
     
         18 . The assembly ( 100 ) claimed in  claim 2 , wherein at the extended position, the distal end of the pivotal arm ( 111 ) is away from the connecting member ( 105 ). 
     
     
         19 . The assembly ( 100 ) claimed in  claim 1  further comprising a lead screw arrangement ( 112 ) fixed to the rack or cabinet ( 101 ) that directly actuates a telescopic arm ( 113 ) in order to pull-down and push-up the shelves ( 102 ). 
     
     
         20 . The assembly ( 100 ) claimed in  claim 1  further comprising one or more cameras ( 116 ) arranged with the assembly ( 100 ) for observing articles or a sequence of the articles kept on the shelves ( 102 ) of the rack or cabinet ( 101 ). 
     
     
         21 . The assembly ( 100 ) claimed in  claim 20 , wherein the one or more cameras ( 116 ) are moved along one or more vertical rails ( 117   a ) linearly in a vertical direction. 
     
     
         22 . The assembly ( 100 ) claimed in  claim 20 , wherein the one or more cameras ( 116 ) are moved along one or more horizontal rails ( 117 ) linearly in a horizontal direction. 
     
     
         23 . The assembly ( 100 ) claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the operating device ( 114 ) embodies software or an app that controls at least on of: movement of one or more shelves ( 102 ) inside a rack or cabinet ( 101 ), opening and/or closure of one or more front doors ( 115 ) of the cabinet ( 101 ).