U.S. patent application number 10/752615 was filed with the patent office on 2005-07-07 for device for drying objects.
This patent application is currently assigned to Rudolph MARTORELLA. Invention is credited to Kidd, R. Christopher, Martorella, Rudolph.
Application Number | 20050145583 10/752615 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34711643 |
Filed Date | 2005-07-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050145583 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Martorella, Rudolph ; et
al. |
July 7, 2005 |
Device for drying objects
Abstract
A device for supporting objects for drying. This device contains
a basin, for receiving fluid that drips off of these drying
objects. Attached to the basin is a first rack, wherein this first
rack has a front end and a back end. The back end of the said at
least one rack is rotatably supported within the basin. In
addition, there is also a second rack. This second rack is
rotatably attached to the basin and when in use extends in a
substantially upright or vertical position. Both the first rack and
the second rack comprise a series of parallel extending support
members that are spaced apart from each other to receive a plate
between these parallel extending members. These parallel extending
members are also designed to support a series of pots on either the
first rack or the second rack wherein these parallel extending
members allow water to drip down through the members and into the
basin. This device can also include a support rack that can be
inserted into a basin and be used to secure the support element in
place to allow the support element to set the first rack at a
particular height.
Inventors: |
Martorella, Rudolph; (Great
Neck, NY) ; Kidd, R. Christopher; (New York,
NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WILLIAM COLLARD
COLLARD & ROE, P.C.
1077 NORTHERN BOULEVARD
ROSLYN
NY
11576
US
|
Assignee: |
Rudolph MARTORELLA
|
Family ID: |
34711643 |
Appl. No.: |
10/752615 |
Filed: |
January 7, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
211/41.6 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 19/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
211/041.6 |
International
Class: |
A47G 019/08 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A device for supporting objects for drying comprising: a) a
basin; b) at least one rack having a first end and a second end
wherein said second end is attached to said basin; c) at least one
additional rack rotatably attached to said basin, said at least one
additional rack and said at least one rack for supporting the
objects above the basin wherein said at least one rack and said at
least one additional rack each comprise a series of substantially
parallel extending support members wherein said substantially
parallel extending support members are spaced apart a sufficient
distance to receive a plate there between; d) a support element
rotatably attached to said at least one rack, wherein said support
element is for rotatably adjusting a height of said first end of at
least one rack; e) at least one flange coupled to said at least one
additional rack forming a rack flange; and f) at least one flange
coupled to said basin forming a basin flange, wherein said at least
one rack flange is adapted to selectively snap over said at least
one basin flange to lock said at least one rack and said at least
one additional rack in a locked position.
2. The device as in claim 1, further comprising a series of support
strips disposed within said basin wherein said support strips are
designed to support said support element in a position to keep said
plurality of legs from rotating when said plurality of legs are
supporting said at least one rack.
3. The device as in claim 1, wherein said basin contains a
plurality of substantially vertical walls to enclose said
basin.
4. The device as in claim 1, further comprising an adjustable tray
attached to said basin for supporting a series of utensils.
5. The device as in claim 4, wherein said adjustable tray is
adjustable so as to fold down into said basin.
6. The device as in claim 1, wherein said at least one rack, said
at least one additional rack, and said support element are
adjustable to collapse into said basin.
7. The device as in claim 4, wherein said adjustable tray comprises
a top tray, a bottom tray and an intermediate removable tray and a
plurality of legs wherein said bottom tray is coupled to said
basin, said top tray is coupled to said bottom tray via said legs
and said intermediate removable tray fits inside said bottom
tray.
8. The device as in claim 7, wherein said intermediate removable
tray includes a plurality of holes to allow said intermediate
removable tray to drain water when removed from said bottom
tray.
9. The device as in claim 8, wherein said intermediate removable
tray further comprises a tab for allowing a user to remove said
intermediate removable tray from said bottom tray.
10. The device as in claim 1, wherein said at least one additional
rack is made from a flexible material which bends to allow said
rack flange to adjust to slide over said basin flange to lock said
at least one additional rack in place.
11. The device as in claim 10, wherein said at least one additional
rack is made from plastic.
12. The device as in claim 1, wherein said rack flange and said
basin flange are formed in semi-cylindrical shapes.
13. A device for supporting objects for drying comprising: a) a
basin; b) at least one rack having a first end and a second end
wherein said second end is attached to said basin; c) at least one
additional rack rotatably attached to said basin, said at least one
additional rack and said at least one rack for supporting the
objects above the basin wherein said at least one rack and said at
least one additional rack each comprise a series of substantially
parallel extending support members wherein said substantially
parallel extending support members are spaced apart a sufficient
distance to receive a plate there between; d) a support element
rotatably attached to said at least one rack, wherein said support
element is for rotatably adjusting a height of said first end of at
least one rack; e) at least one support rack that can be placed
within said basin, said at least one support rack having at least
one indent for receiving said support element so that support
element can be selectively secured to allow said support element to
support said at least one rack at a particular height. f) at least
one flange coupled to said at least one additional rack forming a
rack flange; and g) at least one flange coupled to said basin
forming a basin flange, wherein said at least one rack flange is
adapted to selectively snap over said at least one basin flange to
lock said at least one rack and said at least one additional rack
in a locked position.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The invention relates to a device for supporting objects for
drying. More particularly, this invention relates to an adjustable
device that is designed to allow plates, pots, kitchen utensils and
silverware to dry.
[0003] Other dishracks are known in the art. In particular, U.S.
Pat. Nos. 378,692; 815,480; 990,454; 1,564,594; 1,712,342;
1,714,629; 1,822,087; 2,443,404; 2,479,118; 2,516,088; 2,708,037;
2,841,288; 2,936,898; 2,958,424; 3,025,967; 3,027,041; 3,464,566;
4,169,638; 4,726,475; 4,756,582; 4,969,560; 5,119,943; 5,332,105;
5,480,035; 5,485,927; 5,503,279; 5,651,525; 6,170,676; 6,179,134;
6,357,605 incorporated herein by reference; U.S. Pat. No. 6,502,704
incorporated herein by reference; U.S. Pat. No. 6,516,956
incorporated herein by reference.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The invention relates to a device for supporting objects for
drying. This device contains a basin, for receiving water that
drips off of these drying objects. Attached to the basin is a first
rack. This first rack has a front end and a back end wherein the
back end is rotatably supported within the basin. In addition,
there is also a second rack that is rotatably attached to the
basin. Both the first rack and the second rack contain a series of
parallel extending support members or slats that are spaced apart
from each other to receive a plate there between. The slats or
members are spaced far enough apart so that they allow water to
drip down through the bars or slats and into the basin.
[0005] In addition, rotatably coupled to the first rack is a
support bar or a set of legs. These legs are for rotatably
adjusting the height of the front end of this rack. Furthermore,
disposed within the basin is a series of support strips or tabs
wherein the support tabs are designed to support the legs or
support bar in a particular position to keep these legs from
rotating when the support bar is supporting the rack. The support
strips extend parallel to each other inside the basin and have at
least two breaks or gaps in them allowing a support bar to be
inserted therein.
[0006] This device is also designed to prevent any water or other
materials from flowing onto a counter top outside of the basin. For
example, when in use, the catch basin or basin contains a series of
substantially vertical walls to trap this water within the basin.
In this way, the water will not flow outside of the basin and onto
a counter top. However, there are at least two drainage holes
disposed within the substantially vertical walls to allow a user to
easily pour out the water disposed within the basin into a
sink.
[0007] The device also contains an adjustable tray attached to the
basin for supporting a series of utensils. The adjustable tray also
comprises a set of adjustable legs rotatably attached to the basin,
and a top plate attached to the adjustable legs, wherein this top
plate has holes for supporting the silverware and utensils in an
upright manner. The top plate is adjustable from a folded up
position to a folded down position so that the tray can be stored
easily. The tray can be selectively removed from the basin by
removing a bottom tray first, and then removing the adjacent trays
as well.
[0008] One of the benefits of this invention is that it can be
folded down into a storage position wherein the rack can then be
stored away. To facilitate this feature, there is also a lock
disposed within the basin wherein this lock is designed to receive
a complimentary lock in the form of a flange to lock the second
rack in place in the basin. These flanges can be formed in the form
of a substantially semi-cylindrical shape wherein these flanges can
extend along in a substantially elongated manner. These flanges can
be formed such that their rounded sides can snap, one over the
other so that a first flange attached to the second rack, can snap
over a second flange attached to the basin, locking the first
flange in place underneath the second flange.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] Other objects and features of the present invention will
become apparent from the following detailed description considered
in connection with the accompanying drawings which disclose one
embodiment of the present invention. It should be understood,
however, that the drawings are designed for the purpose of
illustration only and not as a definition of the limits of the
invention.
[0010] In the drawings wherein similar reference characters denote
similar elements throughout the several views:
[0011] FIG. 1 represents a perspective view of the invention;
[0012] FIG. 2 represents a top perspective view of a blown up
section of the invention;
[0013] FIG. 3 represents a top perspective blown up view of the
invention in a second position relative to FIG. 2;
[0014] FIG. 4 represents a side perspective view of the
invention;
[0015] FIG. 5A is a front side view of a support rack;
[0016] FIG. 5B is a top plan view of the support rack in FIG.
5A;
[0017] FIG. 5C is a side view of the support rack in FIG. 5A;
[0018] FIG. 5D is a perspective view of the support rack shown in
FIG>5A;
[0019] FIG. 6A is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment
of a basin; and
[0020] FIG. 6B is a perspective view of a support rack inserted
into the basin shown in FIG. 6B.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0021] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the invention which is
essentially a device 10 for drying plates, pots and silverware.
This device includes a first rack 12, which includes a plurality of
substantially parallel spaced support elements or members 13 for
example, in the form of flat bars or slats. There is also a
complimentary opposite rack 14 coupled to basin 20. Rack 14
includes a plurality of parallel spaced slats or support members
15. Substantially parallel support elements 13 and 15 can
essentially be of any desired shape; such as rods or support
members in a star shaped profile, as well.
[0022] First rack 12 is supported on a first end by rotatably
attaching to basin 20 and on an opposite end by a support bar 16.
Support bar 16 has legs and is essentially U-shaped and is
rotatably coupled via a hinge to first rack 12. Second rack 14
includes a flange or a locking member 17 coupled to a side section
of the rack. This flange 17 is used to lock second rack 14 on top
of first rack 12 in catch basin 20 (see FIG. 2). Catch basin 20 has
many rounded sides, however, it also has a curved back, including a
back face 21 and legs 22 that extend out therefrom. Exposed in
basin 20 are a plurality of parallel spaced locking and spacing
ribs 24. These locking and spacing ribs have breaks in them 23 and
25 which allow support bar 16 to be inserted thereto to support
first rack 12 at different angles. This design therefor makes first
rack 12 adjustable in height and angle relative to its connection
to basin 20. With both racks (12 and 14), at the first end, a first
corner of these racks couple to basin 20 while opposite corners are
coupled to a hinge (not shown) adjacent to utensil rack 30, this
hinge is then coupled to basin 20.
[0023] Utensil rack 30 is coupled to basin 20. Utensil rack 30 is
collapsible and is used as a separate rack for supporting a set of
utensils for drying. Utensil rack 30 is completely removable from
basin 20 to allow for easy cleaning of basin 20. Utensil rack 30
has a plurality of substantially square shaped receptacle openings
32a, 32b, and 32c in a top plate 34. Top plate 34 is coupled to a
base section 36 via a plurality of rotatable legs 38. Base section
36 is then coupled to catch basin 20 either by snap-in connection
or screws. In this case, there is a bottom tray 39 that is
selectively removable from basin 20 by pulling it out from basin
20.
[0024] FIG. 2 discloses a close-up view of the device shown in FIG.
1. In this view, flange 17 is shown latching underneath flange
connection or lock 26. In this case, flange 17 and flange 26 form a
locking system 27 which locks second rack 14 on top of first rack
12. With this design, device 10 can be folded up on its back face
or side to stand up on legs 22 while keeping rack 14 locked on top
of rack 12, keeping the device compact and easily storable.
[0025] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the device shown in FIG.
2 and in FIG. 1. In this view, it shows the locking system in an
unlocked position wherein flange 17 snaps out and away from flange
24. Catch basin 20 and/or rack 14 are made of a flexible material
so that flange 17 can unlatch from flange 26, making this device
selectively lockable in place, and selectively unlockable to allow
first rack 12 to move into a position for use. These flanges 17 and
26 are formed as rounded semi-cylindrical elements that are
designed to allow one flange to slide over an adjacent flange and
then snap in, in a locking manner. For example, when locking rack
14 in place, rack 14 can be pressed down such that flange 17 snap
adjusts laterally due to the flexibility of rack 14 to snap down
over opposing flange 26, wherein in this case, rack 14 can be made
of plastic or any other elastic type material to allow second rack
14 to lock in place when being snapped down.
[0026] FIG. 4 shows a side perspective view of device 10 in an
unlocked position. In this view, flange 17 is shown extending out
from the side region of rack 14 wherein flange 17 is essentially
rounded on its connection edge and extends only a fraction of a
portion of the length of second rack 14. With this design, because
rack 14 is selectively lockable and unlockable from basin 20, the
device can be easily stored or easily positioned in a position of
use. In addition, because flange 24, as shown in FIG. 3, is molded
with basin 20, it forms an easily manufactured lock accordingly
with flange 17 to selectively lock or unlock device 10.
[0027] FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C and 5D show different views of a support
rack 100 which includes a first bar 106 and a second bar 108
wherein first bar 106 and second bar 108 joined by a plurality of
cross bars 110. These plurality of cross bars 110 include a first
set of indents 102 and a second set of indents 104. First bar 106
and second bar 108 have ends that are turned down to support cross
bars 110 above basin 20a (See FIGS. 6A and 6B). Thus, while cross
bars 110 are supported above basin 20, indents 102 and 104 extend
down into a basin 20a shown in FIG. 6B to create an extended
channel for inserting support arm or support element 16. Thus this
support rack which can be selectively insertable and secured to or
rest in basin 20a, is used in place of locking and spacing ribs 24.
Because this rack 100 is selectively insertable into and removable
from basin 20a, it allows for a more simple design of basin
20a.
[0028] This more simple design of basin 20a is important because
while basin 20a can be made from any known material such as
plastic, wood or metal, if basin 20 is made from a metal, then the
more simple the design, the easier it is to mold the final product.
Therefore, for example in one embodiment basin 20a can be made from
a metal such as stainless steel, while support rack 100 can also be
made from stainless steel. Support rack can then be placed in this
simple basin 20a such that it rests in basin 20a, wherein it can
then be locked in place when racks 12 and 14 are locked in
place.
[0029] Accordingly, while at least one embodiment of the present
invention has been shown and described, it is to be understood that
many changes and modifications may be made thereunto without
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in
the appended claims.
* * * * *