Shelevator, an Elevator for Your Shelf

Intro: Shelevator, an Elevator for Your Shelf

I was inspired to do this when I saw my senior mother standing on a stool to reach something in the kitchen. I was worried she might fall. Although, anyone could make one in a good workshop, I wanted to make it easy for anyone who might not have access to all the required tools, so I have made the harder things available through some kits on eBay. It was recently featured on Discovery Channel Canada - Daily Planet, Feb. 15, 2012, part 3.

Comments

[schwartz_retro]

I'm interested in taking this idea further. Please email me @ schwartz.retro (at) gmail (dot) com.

[Roughhewn]

This is Brilliant! Great innovation....

[sbsch]

thx so much - I thought so too but not too many others, not enuf to go to market
did get me on Dragon's Den, though no deal

[hi.chris.10]

I would love to know where to buy one because I am tall and most of my other family is shorter and I am always getting the bowls from the top shelf for them so I want to know where to buy one

[sbsch]

I am sorry to inform you that I never went to market due to insufficient demand.
May I remark though that my intent was to help those too short to reach and didn't have the presence of one tall enough to reach. For those who can reach, I always expected them to help out and make it unnecessary.
It is a good thing to be able to help others. If you do it with a smile you will engender a lot of good will and love towards yourself.
Good Luck!

[sann6]

If you have any ideas for bringing items at floor level up to you please post and do an instructable for us. I have a mother with a kidney condition who cannot bend down to get things from the bottom shelves. Does this idea work in reverse?

[sbsch]

sorry to hear of your mother's disability. I don't think the Shelevator can be made to work in reverse for the problem you describe.
However, I can suggest that, as a first step, a drawer can be constructed as per my instructable that will exactly fit any bottom shelves and can be used to at least pull out the contents of bottom shelves for easier accessibility.
If this helps, let me know and I can suggest some easy ways to affix a handle.

[tinker234]

i love the idea of this i think any cook with a high shelf would appreciate this i wonder if could set up a servo and a simple circuit o push a button and it comes down

[sbsch]

I would be happy to work with anyone who wishes to pursue this as I don't yet have the know how to do so

[tinker234]

a windsheild moror pulls it out and then gravity drops id down a conter weght makes it so it isnt going to damage the contents

[sbsch]

thx very much for your interest and idea however I wld need someone to collaborate with

[MicioGatta]

Great!!!!! :)

[HotPinkBulb]

I think this is a great idea. I think my main concern is the shelf is limited only to light things. A shelf full of cans would be hard for an elderly person to lower, and even more so to raise.

You can see that the person operating it uses an amount of strength to do so. The device could easily get away from itself causing the glass dishes to smash.

[sbsch]

yes, you are right and I meant to include a statement about that. Thx for the reminder.
There are many items in the kitchen and the rest of the house that are lightweight - these are best stored in Shelevators, eg. cereals, crackers, spices, snacks, plastic bowls & cutlery, styrofoam cups, paper towels, dish towels, baby bottles, etc.
For heavier items that must be stored high up because there is no other room, such as might be the case in a work shop, smaller drawers would be necessary, which makes it more expensive but less expensive than building a new room, I think.