U.S. patent application number 10/770898 was filed with the patent office on 2005-08-04 for retainer block for use with dish rack.
Invention is credited to Wade, Adam C., Wei, Tzu-Hao, Yang, Frank.
Application Number | 20050167374 10/770898 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34314251 |
Filed Date | 2005-08-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050167374 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Yang, Frank ; et
al. |
August 4, 2005 |
Retainer block for use with dish rack
Abstract
A dish rack has a collector tray, with the collector tray having
a compartment. A retaining block is seated in the compartment and
has at least one elongated slot. The sharp edge (e.g., blade) of a
sharp object (e.g., knife) can be inserted through the slot and be
shielded from the user by the retainer block.
Inventors: |
Yang, Frank; (Palos Verdes
Peninsula, CA) ; Wade, Adam C.; (Rancho Santa
Margarita, CA) ; Wei, Tzu-Hao; (Hacienda Heights,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Raymond Sun
12420 Woodhall Way
Tustin
CA
92782
US
|
Family ID: |
34314251 |
Appl. No.: |
10/770898 |
Filed: |
February 2, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
211/41.18 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 15/502 20130101;
A47L 19/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
211/041.18 |
International
Class: |
A47G 019/08 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. Apparatus for use with a dish rack, comprising: a raised shell,
the raised shell having two side walls, an end wall extending
between the side walls, and an angled top wall connected to the end
wall and extending between the side walls, the angled top wall
having a base; a planar section extending from the base of the
angled top wall; a flange extending from the end wall; an interior
space defined by the side walls, the end wall and the angled top
wall; and at least one elongated slot provided in the angled top
wall.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, further including at least one slot
provided in the end wall.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, further including at least one slot
provided on the planar section.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, further including a vertical wall
extending vertically downwardly from the flange.
5. An assembly, comprising: (a) a dish rack having a collector
tray, the collector tray having a compartment; and (b) a retaining
block seated in the compartment, the retaining block including: a
raised shell, the raised shell having two side walls, an end wall
extending between the side walls, and an angled top wall connected
to the end wall and extending between the side walls, the angled
top wall having a base; a planar section extending from the base of
the angled top wall; a flange extending from the end wall; an
interior space defined by the side walls, the end wall and the
angled top wall; and at least one elongated slot provided in the
angled top wall.
6. The assembly of claim 5, further including at least one slot
provided in the end wall.
7. The assembly of claim 5, further including at least one slot
provided on the planar section.
8. The assembly of claim 5, wherein the collector tray has an edge
and a dividing wall that divides the collector tray into a
plurality of compartments.
9. The assembly of claim 8, further including a vertical wall
extending vertically downwardly from the flange and positioned
adjacent either the edge of the collector tray or the dividing
wall.
10. The assembly of claim 9, wherein the flange is seated on top of
either the edge of the collector tray or the dividing wall.
11. The assembly of claim 9, wherein the planar section is seated
on top of either the edge of the collector tray or the dividing
wall.
12. Apparatus for use with a dish rack, comprising: a raised shell,
the raised shell having four side walls and a top wall extending
between the side walls; a planar section extending from one of the
side walls of raised shell; an interior space defined by the side
walls and the top wall; and at least one elongated slot provided in
the top wall.
13. The apparatus of claim 12, further including at least one slot
provided on the planar section.
14. An assembly, comprising: (a) a dish rack having a collector
tray, the collector tray having a tray edge and a dividing wall
that divides the collector tray into a plurality of compartments;
and (b) a retainer seated above one of the compartments, the
retainer having a planar section that has opposing end edges, with
each end edge seated over either a tray edge or a dividing wall,
the retainer having at least one elongated slot provided in the
planar section.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to dish racks and their
accessories, and in particular, to a retainer block that can be
used with the dish rack to protect the user from sharp edges of a
sharp object, such as the blade of knives.
[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0004] Dish racks are commonly used in dishwashers for organizing
and positioning plates, bowls, cups and utensils for washing. Dish
racks are also commonly used on kitchen countertops for positioning
plates, bowls, cups and utensils to let them dry after they have
been washed.
[0005] Most of the plates, bowls, cups and utensils can be handled
by a user without presenting any danger or harm because they do not
have sharp or blunt surfaces. However, a potentially dangerous
utensil is the knife, whose sharp blades can cut or hurt a user if
the user accidentally grabs the knife by the blade. In conventional
dish racks, a plastic collector tray is provided for receiving
utensils. The collector tray is typically divided into different
compartments for receiving different types of utensils (spoons,
forks, knives, etc.). These compartments have open tops, so that
the user merely inserts the utensil into the compartment. Knives
are more troublesome. If the user inserts the knife into an open
compartment with the blade facing down, the user can later remove
the knife in a safe manner by gripping the handle of the knife.
However, inserting the knife in this orientation may blunt the
sharp tip or blade of the knife since the tip or blade will contact
the walls of the compartment. On the other hand, if the user
inserts the knife into an open compartment with the blade facing
up, then the knife would pose a severe safety risk to anyone who
accidentally attempts to grip the knife without seeing the exposed
blade.
[0006] Therefore, there still remains a need to provide a safe
disposition for knives and sharp objects in a dish rack.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0007] It is an object of the present invention to provide a safe
disposition for knives and sharp objects in a dish rack.
[0008] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
retainer block that can safely receive and retain a knife or other
sharp object in a dish rack.
[0009] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide
a multi-purpose retainer block that can also be used to receive
other types of objects.
[0010] In order to accomplish the objects of the present invention,
the present invention provides a dish rack having a collector tray,
the collector tray having a compartment. A retaining block is
seated in the compartment.
[0011] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the
retaining block includes a raised shell having two side walls, an
end wall extending between the side walls, and an angled top wall
connected to the end wall and extending between the side walls,
with the angled top wall having a base. A planar section extends
from the base of the angled top wall, and a flange extends from the
end wall. An interior space is defined by the side walls, the end
wall and the angled top wall, and at least one elongated slot
provided in the angled top wall. The sharp edge (e.g., blade) of a
sharp object (e.g., knife) can be inserted through the slot and be
shielded from the user by the raised shell.
[0012] According to another embodiment of the present invention,
the retaining block includes a raised shell that has four side
walls and a top wall extending between the side walls, a planar
section extending from one of the side walls of raised shell, an
interior space defined by the side walls and the top wall, and at
least one elongated slot provided in the top wall.
[0013] According to yet another embodiment of the present
invention, the retaining block is a retainer having a planar
section that has opposing end edges, with each end edge seated over
either a tray edge or a dividing wall. The retainer has at least
one elongated slot provided in the planar section.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a dish rack and a retainer
block according to one embodiment of the present invention shown
with the retainer block positioned to receive knives and sharp
objects.
[0015] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the dish rack and retainer
block of FIG. 1 with the retainer block positioned to receive other
objects.
[0016] FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of a retainer block
according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 4 is an enlarged top perspective view of the retainer
block of FIGS. 1 and 3 positioned in a collector tray to receive
knives and sharp objects.
[0018] FIG. 5 is an enlarged top perspective view of the retainer
block of FIGS. 1 and 3 positioned in a collector tray to receive
other objects.
[0019] FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of a retainer block
according to another embodiment of the present invention.
[0020] FIG. 7 is a top perspective view of a retainer block
according to yet another embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0021] The following detailed description is of the best presently
contemplated modes of carrying out the invention. This description
is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the
purpose of illustrating general principles of embodiments of the
invention. The scope of the invention is best defined by the
appended claims.
[0022] FIGS. 1-5 illustrate one retainer block 10 according to the
present invention. The retainer block 10 is adapted to be used with
any conventional dish rack that has a collector tray. FIGS. 1-2
illustrate a dish rack 12 that has a novel design, but the retainer
block 10 can be used with any conventional dish rack as well. The
dish rack 12 can have the typical components of a conventional dish
rack, including, but not limited to, a wire frame base 14 for
receiving plates and large bowls, a divider section 16 that has a
plurality of divider walls for receiving plates, extending holders
18 for holding drinking glasses or wine glasses, a wine glass or
cup holder 20, and a collector tray 22 that is suspended along an
end edge 24 of the dish rack 12. The collector tray 22 can be made
from plastic, and typically has a plurality (e.g., three as shown
in FIGS. 1-2) of open-top compartments 26 defined by dividing walls
28. As best shown in FIG. 1, the retainer block 10 according to the
present invention is received inside one of these open-top
compartments 26, and positioned at the top of the compartment
26.
[0023] The retainer block 10 is illustrated in greater detail in
FIGS. 3-5. The retainer block 10 has a raised shell 52 and a planar
section 50 extending from one end of the raised shell 52. The
raised shell 52 has two side walls 54 and 56, a curved and angled
end wall 58 extending between, and connecting, the side walls 54,
56, and a curved and angled top wall 60 also extending between, and
connecting, the side walls 54, 56. The planar section 50 extends
from the base of the angled top wall 60. A small flange 62 extends
from the end wall 58, and a vertical edge 64 extends vertically
downwardly from the flange 62. The walls 54, 56, 58 and 60 define
an empty interior space 68 (see FIG. 5). A plurality of elongated
slots 70 are provided in the top wall 60 and the end wall 58. These
slots 70 are adapted to receive separate knives in the manner
described below, and can be provided in different lengths to
accomodate knives of different widths (see FIGS. 3-5). Similarly, a
plurality of elongated slots 72 can also be provided on the planar
section 50.
[0024] The retainer block 10 can be used in the following manner.
Referring first to FIGS. 1 and 4, the retainer block 10 can be
placed over any selected compartment 26 of the collector tray 22,
with the flange 62 seated on top of an edge (e.g., 78) of the
collector tray 22 and the planar section 50 seated on top of a
dividing wall 28 with the raised shell 52 of the retainer block 10
extending upwardly. Alternatively, the retainer block 10 can be
placed over any selected compartment 26 of the collector tray 22
with the planar section 50 seated on top of an edge (e.g., 78) of
the collector tray 22 and the flange 62 seated on top of a dividing
wall 28. As yet a further alternative, the retainer block 10 can be
placed over any selected compartment 26 of the collector tray 22
with the planar section 50 and the flange 62 seated on top of
adjacent dividing walls 28. The vertical edge 64 acts as a
positioning member adjacent the edge 70 or a dividing wall 28. With
the raised shell 52 extending upwardly, the user can insert the
blade(s) of one or more knives through any selected slot 70 into
the interior space 68 of the raised shell 52. Thus, the blades of
the knives will be shielded by the raised shell 52, with only the
handles of the knives extending outwardly from the raised shell 52.
This positioning of the knives (i.e., shielding of the blades by
the raised shell 52) will ensure that the user will not be able to
grip or contact the blades of the knives when removing the knives
from the dish rack 12. In addition, this positioning will minimize
blunting of the blades. Although the retainer block 10 is
illustrated herein as being for use with knives, it can also be
used to accomodate any sharp objects.
[0025] The user can also insert shorter knives through the slots 72
so that the blades of the knives will be shielded by the planar
section 50.
[0026] Referring next to FIGS. 2 and 5, the retainer block 10 can
be placed over any selected compartment 26 of the collector tray
22, with the flange 62 seated on top of an edge (e.g., 78) of the
collector tray 22 and the planar section 50 seated on top of a
dividing wall 28 with the raised shell 52 of the retainer block 10
extending inwardly into the compartment 26. Alternatively, the
retainer block 10 can be placed over any selected compartment 26 of
the collector tray 22 with the planar section 50 seated on top of
an edge (e.g., 78) of the collector tray 22 and the flange 62
seated on top of a dividing wall 28. As yet a further alternative,
the retainer block 10 can be placed over any selected compartment
26 of the collector tray 22 with the planar section 50 and the
flange 62 seated on top of adjacent dividing walls 28. The end wall
58 acts as a positioning member adjacent the edge 70 or a dividing
wall 28. With the raised shell 52 extending into the compartment
26, the interior space 68 will define a bowl-like container for
receiving small washable items, such as baby bottle nipples, corn
holders and similar items. The slots 70 in the walls 58 and 62 will
prevent water from collecting inside the interior space, thereby
allowing water to be drained therethrough.
[0027] Thus, the retainer block 10 according to the present
invention is multi-functional in that it allows the user to use it
for retaining sharp objects, and can be turned upside down to be
used for retaining small items. The raised shell 52 of the retainer
block 10 provides an effective shield against the sharp edges or
blades of the knife or other object retained in the retainer
block.
[0028] FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate two other embodiments of retainer
blocks that can be used in the present invention. Referring first
to FIG. 6, the retainer block 10a is similar to the retainer block
10 in that it has a raised shell 52a. The raised shell 52a has four
side walls 54a, 55a, 56a, 57a and a flat top wall 60a extending
between, and connecting, the side walls 54a, 55a, 56a and 57a. The
walls 54a, 55a, 56a, 57a and 60a define an empty interior space
that is similar to the interior space 68. A planar section 50a
extends from the side wall 55a of the raised shell 52a A plurality
of elongated slots 70a are provided in the top wall 60a. Similarly,
a plurality of elongated slots 72a can also be provided on the
planar section 50a. The retainer block 10a can be utilized in the
same manner as the retainer block 10 as described above.
[0029] Referring now to FIG. 7, the retainer block 10b has a single
planar section 50b. An interior space is defined under the planar
section 50b. A plurality of elongated slots 72b are provided on the
planar section 50a. The retainer block 10b can be placed over any
selected compartment 26 of the collector tray 22, with the opposing
end edges 62b and 64b of the planar section 50b seated on top of an
edge (e.g., 78) of the collector tray 22 and on top of a dividing
wall 28. Alternatively, the retainer block 10b can be placed over
any selected compartment 26 of the collector tray 22 with the
opposing end edges 62b and 64b seated on top of adjacent dividing
walls 28. The user can insert the blade(s) of one or more knives
through any selected slot 72b, so that the blades of the knives
will be shielded by the planar section 50b.
[0030] One difference between the retainer block 10b and the other
retainer blocks 10, 10a is that the retainer block 10b cannot be
inverted for use in holding smaller objects. On the other hand,
both the retainer blocks 10 and 10a can be inverted to define
bowl-like containers for receiving small washable items.
[0031] While the description above refers to particular embodiments
of the present invention, it will be understood that many
modifications may be made without departing from the spirit
thereof. The accompanying claims are intended to cover such
modifications as would fall within the true scope and spirit of the
present invention.
* * * * *