U.S. patent application number 11/234776 was filed with the patent office on 2006-06-29 for dish rack.
Invention is credited to Paul Michael Johnson.
Application Number | 20060138063 11/234776 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36610163 |
Filed Date | 2006-06-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060138063 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Johnson; Paul Michael |
June 29, 2006 |
Dish rack
Abstract
A dish rack is mounted to a non-countertop surface adjacent a
sink so that the dish rack is located a working distance above the
sink by enough separation that the sink is usable as it normally
would be. In one embodiment, the dish rack is movable between a
first position where the dish rack is positioned over the sink, and
a second position where the rack is stowed in a position away from
the sink. In an alternate embodiment, the dish rack is fixedly
mounted in the working position. A removable drip tray channels
water directly to a desired location in the sink. The dish rack
does not occupy or occlude any counter space at any time.
Inventors: |
Johnson; Paul Michael;
(Moab, UT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
IPSOLON LLP
111 SW COLUMBIA
SUITE 710
PORTLAND
OR
97201
US
|
Family ID: |
36610163 |
Appl. No.: |
11/234776 |
Filed: |
September 23, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60635741 |
Dec 13, 2004 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
211/41.3 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 19/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
211/041.3 |
International
Class: |
A47G 19/08 20060101
A47G019/08 |
Claims
1. A dish rack configured for mounting to a non-countertop surface
adjacent a sink, comprising: a dish rack defined by a wire shelf; a
drip tray supported below the wire shelf; a dish rack mount
attached to said wire shelf, said mount including a bracket
attachable to said non-countertop surface, and said bracket
configured for allowing said dish rack to be moved between a first
position in which the dish rack is spaced apart from and above said
sink so that said sink is accessible and a second position in which
the dish rack is located away from said sink.
2. The dish rack according to claim 1 wherein the dish rack
includes a support frame having an end plate and said dish rack
mount is further defined by a hinge in said end plate so that when
said end plate is mounted to a vertical surface said dish rack is
pivotal about said hinge between the first and second
positions.
3. The dish rack according to claim 2 in which the drip tray is
attached to the support frame and in which the drip tray includes
upwardly extending shallow peripheral walls.
4. The dish rack according to claim 3 wherein the drip tray is
defined by a plate having a drain opening therein so that when the
dish rack is in the first position the drain opening is positioned
above the sink.
5. The dish rack according to claim 4 wherein the peripheral walls
are configured to contain water within the tray when the dish rack
is in the first position and wherein the plate is sloped to
facilitate channeling of water into the drain opening when the dish
rack is in the first position.
6. The dish rack according to claim 5 wherein the drip tray is
removably attached to the support frame.
7. The dish rack according to claim 1 wherein said dish rack mount
bracket is defined by longitudinally extendable slide members that
allow the dish rack to be extended and retracted along said slide
members between the first and second positions.
8. The dish rack according to claim 7 wherein the longitudinally
extendable slide members are configured for mounting to an
horizontal surface.
9. A dish rack for use with a sink, comprising: a wire shelf; a
drip tray supported below the wire shelf in a position to receive
water dripping through the wire shelf, said drip tray including a
base member and shallow peripheral walls; mounting means for
mounting said wire shelf to a non-countertop surface so that said
dish rack is at all times above and spaced apart from said
sink.
10. The dish rack according to claim 9 wherein said mounting means
is configured for allowing said wire shelf to be movable between an
in-use position in which the wire shelf, and a storage position in
which the dish rack is positioned away from the sink.
11. The dish rack according to claim 10 wherein said non-countertop
surface is a vertical surface adjacent said sink and said mounting
means comprises a hinged bracket for mounting to said vertical
surface to permit pivotal movement about said hinged bracket
between the in-use and storage positions.
12. The dish rack according to claim 10 wherein said non-countertop
surface is an horizontal surface and said mounting means comprises
longitudinally extendable and retractable rails attached to said
dish rack so that the dish rack may be slid along said rails
between the in-use and storage position.
13. The dish rack according to claim 9 wherein said drip tray
defines drain means for channeling water into a desired location in
the sink when said dish rack is in the in-use position.
14. The dish rack according to claim 13 wherein said drain means
further comprises a removable drip tray attached to the dish rack
in a position to collect water when the drip tray is in the in-use
position.
15. The dish rack according to claim 14 wherein said drip tray
includes a drain opening in a desired position relative to the
sink.
16. A dish rack, comprising: an open mesh tray having opposite ends
and a mounting bracket on one end, wherein said mounting bracket is
configured for attachment to a vertical surface so that said dish
rack is spaced apart from an underlying sink by enough distance
that the sink is normally accessible; a drip tray supported
entirely below said open mesh tray.
17. The dish rack according to claim 16 wherein said mounting
bracket is configured to allow the open mesh tray and the drip tray
be moved between an in-use position in which said dish rack is
operatively positioned above a sink, and a storage position in
which said dish rack is stowed away from said sink.
18. The dish rack according to claim 17 wherein said drip tray
includes a drain opening so that water in said drip tray is
channeled into said sink when the dish rack is in the in-use
position.
19. The dish rack according to claim 18 wherein said drip tray is
removably attached to said dish rack.
20. The dish rack according to claim 19 wherein said drip tray is
further defined by a planar plate that slopes toward said drain
opening.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to dish racks useful for drying
dishes and utensils and the like, and more specifically to a dish
rack mounted to a surface in an operating position in which the
dish rack is positioned over and above a sink. In one preferred
embodiment, the dish rack is movable between the operating position
and a storage position in which the dish rack is stowed away from
the sink.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Nearly every household has a dish rack. These are simple
wire or mesh-framed devices that are generally placed on a
countertop next to a sink--typically a kitchen sink--for holding
dishes, pots, pans, utensils and the like after they have been
washed. Most dish racks include a separate drip tray into which the
rack fits, and many types of dish racks include separate utensil
trays. Water dripping from the wet dishes and utensils drips into
the drip tray and is emptied into the sink. When they are not being
used, dish racks are typically stored in a convenient location near
the sink, usually under the sink or in an adjacent cupboard or
pantry.
[0003] Perhaps because dish racks are so useful, they are
ubiquitous. However, dish racks tend to be somewhat
cumbersome--they need to be moved from their storage location to
the counter to be used, and stored again when not needed. Moving
the racks around is not difficult, but can be bothersome when done
several times a day, and especially when the particular racks
include separate pieces such as drip trays and utensil racks. Wet
drip trays tend to drip water where it is not wanted. In addition,
dish racks necessarily occupy a significant amount of counter space
next to a sink when they are being used. In many households,
counter space is limited, and using the space with a dish rack
decreases the amount of countertop that is available for other
uses.
[0004] There is a need, therefore, for improvements in the design
and functionality of dish racks.
[0005] The present invention is dish rack that is mounted to a
surface that is typically found adjacent to sinks, such as
cupboards or other cabinets or walls. When the dish rack is in the
operating position, it is spaced apart from the sink and adjacent
countertops so that both are usable for typical purposes. The dish
rack may be mounted so that it is movable between an in-use
position where the dish rack is positioned over the sink so that
water drips directly into the sink, and a storage position where
the disk rack is stored out of the way. Alternately, the dish rack
may be fixedly mounted in the in-use position. In either case, the
rack does not occupy any counter space in either the in-use or
storage positions, freeing up the counters adjacent the sink for
other uses.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] The invention will be better understood and its numerous
objects and advantages will be apparent by reference to the
following detailed description of the invention when taken in
conjunction with the following drawings.
[0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first illustrated
embodiment of a dish rack according to the present invention,
showing the dish rack mounted to a cabinet adjacent to a sink, and
illustrating the dish rack in the in-use position.
[0008] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the dish rack according to
the present invention shown in isolation.
[0009] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a drip tray.
[0010] FIG. 4 is perspective view of a utensil rack.
[0011] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the dish rack shown in FIG.
1 mounted to a cabinet, and illustrating the dish rack in the
storage position.
[0012] FIG. 6 is an elevation view of an alternative embodiment of
the dish rack according to the present invention, showing one
alternate manner of mounting the rack so that the rack may be moved
between the in-use and storage positions.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0013] With reference now to the drawing figures, and especially to
FIG. 1, a dish rack 10 according to the present invention is shown
mounted to a vertical wall 12 of a cabinet 14. In FIG. 1, dish rack
10 is shown in a working position or "in-use" position; that is,
the dish rack is positioned over a sink 16 with the lowermost edge
18 of the dish rack separated from upper limit of the sink by
approximately the same distance that the lowermost edge 20 of
cabinet 14 is separated from countertop 22. It will be appreciated
that in this position, there is sufficient space beneath the dish
rack and the sink so that the sink may be used as it normally would
be. In the illustrated embodiment the lowermost edge 20 is
separated from countertop 20 by a typical spacing, which is
preferably about 18 inches. It will be appreciated that the spacing
between a countertop and an overlying cabinet may vary
considerably. Nonetheless, the dish rack 10 is mounted so that at
all times it is spaced apart from the underlying sink by an
operable and working distance that is defined by enough separation
between the lower portion of the rack and the sink that the sink
and adjacent countertops are normally usable. Preferably, the
operable or working distance between the lower edge of the dish
rack and the sink will be at least about 12 inches.
[0014] Dish rack 10 is generally defined by a wire rack that is
configured for holding dishes and the like while they dry. As
illustrated in FIG. 2, dish rack 10 comprises a wire shelf shown
generally at 24, and defined by a plurality of spaced apart wire
members 26. The wire members 26 are connected at opposite ends to a
supporting frame, referenced generally with number 28. Supporting
frame 28 defines a generally open rectangular box that has upper
longitudinal arm members 30 interconnected on one end with an upper
end member 32 and on the opposite end with an end plate 34. As
detailed below, end plate 34 comprises a lower plate 69 that is
hinged 72 to an upper plate 71. Corner members 36 depend downwardly
at the two corners of the frame 28 furthest removed from cabinet 14
and have the lower ends connected to lower longitudinal arm members
38 (only one of which is visible in FIG. 2). Lower longitudinal arm
members 38 extend parallel to upper longitudinal arm members 30,
and are connected to lower plate 69 of end plate 34. Two
intermediate longitudinal arm members 40 are positioned between the
upper and lower longitudinal arm members, and have their ends
connected to the lower plate 69 and corner members 36,
respectively. An angular supporting member such as member 42 may
optionally be added to frame 28 if additional strength is
desired.
[0015] Plural upright wire members 44 are connected to wire members
24 as illustrated to define slots for holding dishes as they dry.
Upright wire members 44 are generally in the shape of an inverted
U.
[0016] As best shown in FIG. 2, near their opposite ends, wire
members 24 are bent over the intermediate longitudinal arm members
at about a 90.degree. angle and have their terminal ends attached
to lower longitudinal arm members 38. All of the interconnections
between the various support members in support frame 28, and the
interconnections between the wire members and the frame and the
wire member to wire member connections are preferably sturdy, as
with welded connections. Preferably, the wire members are coated
with a flexible material such as a plastic coating. The frame
member may also be coated. It will be appreciated that dish rack 10
is an open mesh tray structure configured for holding dishes while
they dry, and that the rack may thus be fabricated from plastics as
well as metals and other materials.
[0017] A drip tray 44 is shown in isolation in FIG. 3. Drip tray 44
is a generally rectangular member having roughly the same
peripheral dimensions as dish rack 10, and includes relatively
shallow upwardly extending side walls 46 around the perimeter of
the tray. As described above, dish rack 10 is fabricated as a mesh
rack. As such, a person standing in front of the sink 16 in FIG. 1
would be able to see items placed in the dish rack, and also would
be able to see through the window 82. Because the side walls 46 of
drip tray 44 are relatively shallow, they do not occlude the view
of either items placed in the dish rack, or through the window.
[0018] In the illustrated embodiment, the drip tray 44 defines a
plate member in which each opposite side of the plate is angled
downwardly and inwardly toward the center of the drip tray, and
slightly toward the near end of the drip tray at the middle (the
near end being the end of the tray nearest the viewer in the
figures), with the lowest portion of the tray thus being at drain
holes 48 (when the tray is in the in-use position shown in FIG. 1).
The drip tray may also be planar so long as the side walls 46 are
suitably high to contain the water draining onto the tray.
[0019] Drip tray 44 is preferably configured so that it may be
removably connected to the lower portion of dish rack 10. There are
many different equivalent structures and attachment systems that
may be used to attach drip tray 44 to dish rack 10. In the
illustrated embodiment, tray 44 has two hooks 50 and 52 on one end
of the tray. The hooks engage cooperative openings 54 and 56 in the
lower plate 69 end plate 34. With the two hooks engaging the
openings in the end plate, the drip tray may be pivoted about the
hooks to move the drip tray to the position shown in FIG. 1. The
tray is locked in this position with a latch loop 58 on the end of
the drip tray opposite the hooks. The latch loop 58 is pivotal
about its attachment to the support frame and thus releasably
engages a cooperative knob 60 on the support frame 28. If drip tray
44 is attached to dish rack 10 as described above, the tray may be
easily removed for cleaning.
[0020] A representative removable utensil tray 62 is illustrated in
FIG. 4. Utensil tray 62 fits into the dish rack 10 as shown in FIG.
1, and may be secured in this position with latches and the like.
The utensil tray is optional.
[0021] The manner of mounting dish rack 10 will now be described.
Several dish rack mounting systems are described herein for
mounting the rack so that it may be moved between the in-use
position and the storage position. In the illustrated embodiments,
the mounting system is defined by a bracket that attaches to a
non-countertop surface and which allows movement of the dish rack
between the positions shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 5. In an
alternative embodiment, the dish rack is fixedly mounted in the
in-use position, but may be removed if desired. In all cases, the
mounting system is designed to stably mount the dish rack so that
it is capable of holding securely even heavy pots, pans and the
like. Moreover, as noted above, regardless of which mounting system
is utilized, the dish rack must be mounted so it is sufficiently
spaced apart from the sink and countertops so that both are usable
for their normal purposes. Stated another way, the dish rack is
mounted a sufficient distance above the sink and adjacent counters
that the dish rack does not interfere with normal use of the sink
or counters regardless of what position the dish rack is in.
[0022] In the first illustrated embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 through
5, the uppermost edge 70 of lower plate 69 includes a hinge 72 that
interconnects to upper plate 71. As shown in FIG. 1, end plate 34
defines a bracket that is fastened to the surface of vertical wall
12 of cabinet 14 with suitable fasteners such as screws or bolts
73. A backing plate (not shown) may optionally be placed between
end plate 34 and cabinet 14 before the dish rack is mounted.
Furthermore, the dish rack may be pre-mounted to a decorative
board, which is then mounted to the cabinet. The upper plate 71 is
mounted in a position on wall 12 such that the lower edge of the
dish rack is roughly flush with the bottom of cabinet 14 as shown
in FIG. 1. When mounted in this manner, the dish rack is held in a
horizontal position, parallel to the countertop 22 when the dish
rack is in the in-use position, with end plate 34 resting against
the surface 22. The dish rack is stable and capable of reliably
holding even heavy pots and pans, and does not move about when
loading and unloading pans.
[0023] When not in use, the dish rack 10 may easily be pivoted
about hinge 72 from the in-use position shown in FIG. 1 into the
storage position shown in FIG. 5. The path the dish rack follows
when pivoted from the in-use position (FIG. 1) to the storage
position (FIG. 5) is shown with arrow B in FIG. 5. The movement of
the dish rack 10 in both directions is shown with arrow A in FIG.
1. Various latching mechanisms may be employed to retain the dish
rack 10 in the storage position. As one example, a hook 74 is
attached to end member 32 of frame 28. Hook 74 engages a loop
attached to cabinet 18. Spring-loaded or friction hinges also work
well to maintain the dish rack in the storage position, and
magnetic latches or snap-type latches may similarly be used instead
of the traditional hook 74.
[0024] With reference once again to FIG. 1, it may be seen that
when the dish rack is in the in-use position, water dripping from
dishes held on the rack flows onto drip tray 44 and through drain
holes 48 directly into the sink 16 (arrow B, FIG. 1). Water from
the dishes is therefore directed to a desired position in the sink
rather than over a wide area. It will be readily appreciated that
the location of the drain holes and/or the angled slope of the drip
tray 44 may be adjusted so that water is directed to a different
desired location in the underlying sink. Preferably, the drain
holes are located so that water does not drip onto faucets.
Depending on the distance between the wall 12 and sink 16, spacers
may be placed between end plate 34 and wall 12 to adjust the
position of the dish rack over the sink in the in-use position. In
addition, the vertical position on wall 12 at which upper plate 71
is bolted to the wall may be varied to change the distance between
the drip tray 44 and the sink 16.
[0025] A first alternative mounting system for dish rack 10 is
illustrated in FIG. 6. In this embodiment, the dish rack is mounted
beneath the lower surface of cabinet 14 with a bracket defined by
longitudinally extendable drawer slides 80, which allow the dish
rack to be slid horizontally on the drawer slides between the
in-use position (shown in solid lines) and the storage position
(shown in phantom lines) (arrow C). In the in-use position, water
drips into the sink 16 at arrow D. Only one drawer slide 80 is
shown in FIG. 6, but it will be understood that a second slide must
be mounted to the back side of the dish rack. The extendable drawer
slides 80 may be connected to support frame 28, at upper
longitudinal arms 30, in any appropriate manner. Because dish rack
10 has a relatively low profile, even when mounted in the position
shown in FIG. 6, there is sufficient distance between the lower
edge of the dish rack and the underlying countertop that the
counter may be used as it normally would be.
[0026] In the drawings, dish rack 10 is mounted to the cabinet that
is on the left side of the sink (from the perspective of the
viewer). The dish rack may of course be mounted on the right side
of the sink.
[0027] As noted previously, the disk rack 10 may also be mounted so
that it is fixed to a vertical surface. In this case, the hinge 72
may be omitted so that end plate 34 is a solid, non-hinged member.
If desired, the wire shelf portion 24 may be removably attached to
the end plate 34 so that while the end plate is fixed, the dish
rack may nonetheless be removed.
[0028] From the foregoing description and the attached drawings, it
will be readily apparent that the dish rack 10 described herein
requires no space on the countertop 22 whatsoever. Even when in the
in-use position, the sink 16 and adjoining countertops may be used
normally, and water runoff from the dripping dishes runs directly
back into the sink--eliminating a source of water damage to
countertops. Furthermore, even in kitchens that include a window
above the sink, such as window 82 shown in the figures, the dish
rack does not interfere with or occlude the view through the
window.
[0029] Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that a
variety of equivalent and alternative structures may be made. For
example, the dish rack 10 may be mounted in a cabinet enclosure
that is built-in to, or added onto, cabinet 14. Such a built-in
cabinet may have a door that closes the enclosure for the dish rack
so that when the dish rack is in the storage position, it is hidden
from view. With the alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 6, a skirt
board may be attached to the cabinet to hide the dish rack when it
is in the storage position.
[0030] The dish rack 10 according to the present invention may
further be mounted to a wall surface in kitchens that do not
include a cabinet adjacent the sink. For example, with a different
hinge arrangement that allows the dish rack to be pivoted over the
sink, the dish rack may be mounted to the wall 86 that lies behind
the sink.
[0031] The dish rack 10 is easily mounted in most kitchens,
including those found in RVs, trailers, and the like.
[0032] Finally, although in the illustrated embodiment dish rack 10
is shown used with a kitchen-type sink 16, it will be appreciated
that the present invention contemplates mounting the dish rack in
other locations over an equivalent drain.
[0033] While the present invention has been described in terms of a
preferred embodiment, it will be appreciated by one of ordinary
skill that the spirit and scope of the invention is not limited to
those embodiments, but extend to the various modifications and
equivalents as defined in the appended claims.
* * * * *