Funny ha-ha or funny hmmm?
I was REALLY surprised when I saw this new remote-controlled prototype mechanism at the Rev-A-Shelf booth on Saturday. In fact, I couldn't believe it!
I wrote to Rev-A-Shelf in December 2007 to ask if my idea for a strictly vertical shelf-lowering mechanism was something they could think of putting into their line, as I thought it would be very useful for everyone, not just me.
Here's an email I sent a month or two later, after Rev-A-Shelf asked me for more details, and I think I must have sent my original email into their website comment box.
From:Susan Serra, CKD [mailto:sserrackd@gmail.com]
Sent:Wednesday, January 16, 2008 3:49 PM
To:Ward, Kevin
Subject:Re:
Kevin, I believe I gave some information on dimensions, but if I didn't, I will again. First, take a look at my blog:http://www.thekitchendesigner.org/journal/2008/1/14/the-kitchen-walls-came-down-my-apartment-remodel.html Look at the oven/refrigerator wall since it's been opened up. I will be getting a smaller refrigerator, a sub zero, built in. The microwave will go away from that spot. I'll be getting high end appliances. I'll have about 54" in width between the wall and the refrigerator. I want that 54" to be perfectly flat, one material, no cabinet doors, just something decorative. The hood I will get will be like this, very minimalistic to keep this sleek theme:http://www.faberonline.com/cristalhc.html I'll end up having around 24" in width between the new refrigerator and the hood. Since I'll have no doors, I'd like some sort of storage solution that will sit up in that area, able to be pulled STRAIGHT down and back up again, of course, as easily as possible. I think this could be a very innovative design and storage solution.
The response I received from the Product Development Manager was that they currently do not make anything like this. I knew that. And, here is what I saw at the show. I mean, I can't help but wonder!
Monday, May 4, 2009 at 11:07AM
Reader Comments (6)
Funny Hmmmm...you may have given them a great idea?
Yup. You have to wonder about that.
I worked with someone, who as a teenager, recalled an idea he had while visiting a very large and well known Wisconsin manufacturing plant of sinks, tubs, etc. The young man's father had been awarded an all expense paid trip back to the factory for a high ranking sales reward and brought his son with him for the trip to the factory. During the factory tour he got to meet the CEO, and the son described how to design a better kitchen sink. The CEO was so impressed with this bright young man, he brought him right into the board room to have him explain his idea to the executives. The kid nervous and excited to be sitting in the boardroom, explaining and drawing his idea for a sink with two depths, and two unequal sized basins. A sink very similar to the one he sketched out in the board room was introduced a year or so later and remains one of the most popular sinks sold out of that factory. Fact or fiction? Hmmm. Makes one wonder.
At the time, as a kid, he was satisfied with sharing his idea and getting a pat on the back. In hind sight, makes him wish he would have filed a patent on his design.
Unless you send a non-disclosure form before the conversation takes place people will run with anything. The reverse lift looks very helpful. Did they give any hint to what the msrp will be?
Ann, Yes, I'm aware of the ND issue. Just saying...! Unfortunately, I can't remember who said around $1500, Hafele in the other post or Rev-a-Shelf. I'll ask my husband, he was there.
Susan, I kind of doubt it, really, it's such a simple concept, but you never know!
Laurie, what a story! Thanks for sharing it with all the details. Very interesting. Makes you want to say "sheesh!"
Neet idea. Kinda like the new Gaggenau Wall Oven.
Have you ever used this pull down shelf also from Rev-A-Shelf?
A.
Hello Arne, thanks for stopping by. I used to have an Uncle Arne! The second link did not work. I don't think their urls are different for every page. Yes, you're right about the Gaggenau Wall oven. I'm surprised it's taken this long to make something like that (the lift mechanism).