When Canadian inventor Shlomo Shwartz saw his elderly mother perching on a small stool to reach a high kitchen shelf, he was inspired to create something that would make such risky maneuvers unnecessary. The result was the Shelevator – a kitchen shelf insert that can be pulled in and out and lowered up and down, from the floor.
The Shelevator’s storage box is mounted on drawer slides, which are fastened to the inside of the top shelf compartment of a kitchen cabinet. Attached to that assembly is a retractable cord, which hangs down to a height where it can be easily reached.
To pull the Shelevator forward and out of the shelf, the user just grabs the cord and takes a few steps back with it. When they subsequently step back forward with the cord, the box is lowered down from the slides by chains attached at each of its corners. The user can then take things out of it – or put them back in – at counter level.
When it’s time to put it way, the box can be raised by once again pulling back on the cord. A rod attached to the cord is then used to push the Shelevator back into the cabinet.
Needless to say, heavy and/or often-used items probably shouldn’t be stored in it. For lighter items that aren’t needed on a daily basis, however, it looks like it could certainly prove useful.
Shlomo isn’t selling the Shelevator at the moment, although he has plans to offer kits on eBay at a price of US$39.99. He welcomes inquiries from parties interested in partnering with him on the product, and can be reached at sbs447@gmail.com
It can be seen in use in the video below.
Source: Dragon's Den
