U.S. patent application number 11/322944 was filed with the patent office on 2007-07-12 for sink station with cover.
Invention is credited to James William Kendall, Richard A. Sunshine, Vicki Lyn Wyatt.
Application Number | 20070157378 11/322944 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38231314 |
Filed Date | 2007-07-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070157378 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kendall; James William ; et
al. |
July 12, 2007 |
Sink station with cover
Abstract
A sink station comprises a cabinet defining an interior space, a
basin mounted to the cabinet, and a faucet for delivering fluid
into the basin. A cover is provided for the sink station where the
cover is movable over a range of motion between a closed position
where the cover overlies the open top of the basin and a stored
position where the cover is at least partially received in the
basin. The cover can be operably coupled to the sink station
through the range of motion. The cover can be connected to the
basin through a multi-motion coupling that permits the cover to
move in a first motion and a second motion different from the first
motion to move the cover between the closed and stored positions.
The sink station can further comprise at least one storage
space.
Inventors: |
Kendall; James William;
(Stevensville, MI) ; Sunshine; Richard A.;
(Granger, IN) ; Wyatt; Vicki Lyn; (Watervliet,
MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WHIRLPOOL PATENTS COMPANY - MD 0750
500 RENAISSANCE DRIVE - SUITE 102
ST. JOSEPH
MI
49085
US
|
Family ID: |
38231314 |
Appl. No.: |
11/322944 |
Filed: |
December 30, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
4/630 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B 67/04 20130101;
E03C 1/182 20130101; A47B 2220/03 20130101; A47B 77/06
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
004/630 |
International
Class: |
A47B 77/06 20060101
A47B077/06; A47K 1/04 20060101 A47K001/04; E03C 1/00 20060101
E03C001/00 |
Claims
1. A sink station comprising: a cabinet defining an interior space;
a basin mounted to the cabinet and defining an open top; a faucet
to deliver fluid into the basin; and a cover movable over a range
of motion between a closed position, where the cover overlies the
open top to close the basin, and a stored position, where the cover
is at least partially received in the cabinet.
2. The sink station according to claim 1 wherein the cover is
operably coupled to the sink station throughout the range of
motion.
3. The sink station according to claim 2 wherein the cover is
pivotally mounted to the cabinet.
4. The sink station according to claim 2 wherein the cover is
slidably mounted to the cabinet.
5. The sink station according to claim 1 wherein the faucet
comprises a spout and the cover overlies the spout in the closed
position.
6. The sink station according to claim 5 wherein the spout is
pivotable between a first position where the spout is above the
open top of the basin and a second position where the spout is
below the open top of the basin.
7. The sink station according to claim 1 where the cabinet has an
opening that receives the cover in the stored position.
8. The sink station according to claim 7 wherein the opening is
located adjacent to the basin.
9. The sink station according to claim 1 and further comprising at
least one storage space formed in the interior space of the
cabinet.
10. A sink station comprising: a cabinet defining an interior
space; a basin mounted to the cabinet and defining an open top; a
faucet to deliver fluid into the basin; a cover sized to overlie
the basin; and a multi-motion coupling operably connecting the
cover to the cabinet to permit the cover to move in a first motion
and a second motion different from the first motion to effect
movement of the cover between a closed position and a stored
position.
11. The sink station according to claim 10 wherein the first motion
is one of a pivoting motion and a sliding motion.
12. The sink station according to claim 11 wherein the second
motion is the other of the pivoting motion and sliding motion.
13. The sink station according to claim 12 wherein the first motion
is pivoting from the closed position to an opened position and the
second motion is sliding from the opened position to a stored
position.
14. The sink station according to claim 13 wherein the cover is
received in the cabinet in the stored position.
15. The sink station according to claim 14 wherein the cabinet has
an opening that receives the cover in the stored position.
16. The sink station according to claim 15 wherein the opening is
located adjacent to the basin.
17. The sink station according to claim 13 wherein the cover is
located behind the cabinet in the stored position.
18. The sink station according to claim 10 wherein the faucet has a
spout and the cover overlies the spout in the closed position.
19. The sink station according to claim 18 wherein the spout is
pivotable between a first position where the spout is above the
open top of the basin and a second position where the spout is
below the open top of the basin.
20. The sink station according to claim 10 and further comprising
at least one storage space formed in the interior space of the
cabinet.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates generally to a sink station
and, more specifically, to a sink station that can be selectively
closed by a cover.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Laundry care generally requires large appliances, such as
washing machines and clothes dryers that are commonly housed in one
area of a home such as a dedicated laundry room, an auxiliary
entryway, or a closet. Basic laundry care and cleaning of fabric
items requires washing and drying fabric items. Often, it is
desirable to hand-wash fabric items, such as sweaters, lingerie,
and other delicate items, or only partially-wash fabric items, for
instance, when treating a stain on a fabric item. This cannot be
accomplished with a full-size washing machine and thus requires an
additional piece of equipment, such as a sink.
[0005] Fabric items that must be hand-washed or partially-washed
are usually washed in a room away from the washing machine and
clothes dryer as some laundry rooms do not have a sink. The laundry
area may have been converted from another type of room, such as an
entryway or closet, and thus were not originally equipped with a
sink, or the required plumbing for a sink. Space limitations in the
laundry room often prohibit the installation of a sink.
[0006] A homeowner must therefore wash the fabric item in another
room of the home that is equipped with a sink, which scatters the
laundry care throughout the home. The homeowner must then return to
the laundry room to dry the fabric item in the clothes dryer. The
decentralization of laundry care throughout various rooms in the
home is inconvenient to the homeowner and makes the laundry care
process more difficult.
[0007] Therefore, there is a need to be able to conveniently and
simply add a sink to a laundry room.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The invention provides for the addition of a sink station to
a laundry room in a convenient and simple manner. According to one
aspect of the invention, a sink comprises a cabinet defining an
interior space, a basin mounted to the cabinet and defining an open
top, a faucet to deliver fluid into the basin, and a cover movable
over a range of motion between a closed position, where the cover
overlies the open top to close the basin, and a stored position,
where the cover is at least partially received in the cabinet.
[0009] The cover can be operably coupled to the sink throughout the
range of motion. The cover can be pivotally mounted to the cabinet
or the cover can be slidably mounted to the cabinet. The faucet can
comprise a spout and the cover can overlie the spout in the closed
position. The spout can be pivotable between a first position where
the spout is above the open top of the basin and a second position
where the spout is below the open top of the basin. The cabinet can
have an recess that receives the cover in the stored position. The
recess can be located adjacent the basin. The sink can further
comprise at least one storage space formed in the interior space of
the cabinet.
[0010] According to another aspect of the invention, a sink
comprises a cabinet defining an interior space, a basin mounted to
the cabinet and defining an open top, a faucet to deliver fluid
into the basin, a cover sized to overlie the basin, and a
multi-motion coupling operably connecting the cover to the cabinet
to permit the cover to move in a first motion and a second motion
different from the first motion to effect movement of the cover
between a closed position and a stored position.
[0011] The first motion can be one of a pivoting motion and a
sliding motion and the second motion can be the other of the
pivoting motion and sliding motion. The first motion can be
pivoting from the closed position to an opened position and the
second motion is sliding from the opened position to a stored
position.
[0012] The cover can be received in the cabinet in the stored
position. The cabinet can have a recess that receives the cover in
the stored position. The recess can be located adjacent to the
basin. The cover can be located behind the cabinet in the stored
position.
[0013] The faucet can have a spout and the cover can overlie the
spout in the closed position. The spout can be pivotable between a
first position where the spout is above the open top of the basin
and a second position where the spout is below the open top of the
basin. The sink can further comprise at least one storage space
formed in the interior space of the cabinet.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] In the drawings:
[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a sink according to a first
embodiment of the invention, shown with a cover in a closed
position.
[0016] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the sink from FIG. 1, shown
with the cover in a stored position.
[0017] FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the sink, taken along ling 3-3
of FIG. 1.
[0018] FIG. 4 is a top view of the sink from FIG. 1 shown with
external connections to a power supply, hot water source, cold
water source, and waste system.
[0019] FIG. 5 is a rear view of the sink from FIG. 1.
[0020] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the sink from FIG. 1, shown
with the cover in a stored position and a storage compartment and
two drawers in an extended position.
[0021] FIG. 7a is a rear view of the sink from FIG. 1, shown with
the cover in the closed position.
[0022] FIG. 7b is a side view of the sink from FIG. 7a.
[0023] FIG. 8a is a rear view of the sink from FIG. 1, shown with
the cover in an intermediate position.
[0024] FIG. 8b is a side view of the sink from FIG. 8a.
[0025] FIG. 9a is a rear view of the sink from FIG. 1, shown with
the cover in a stored position.
[0026] FIG. 9b is a side view of the sink from FIG. 9a.
[0027] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of
the invention, shown with a cover, a pivoting compartment, and a
door both in a closed position.
[0028] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the sink from FIG. 10,
shown with the cover in a stored position and the pivoting
compartment and door in an extended position.
[0029] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a sink according to a
second embodiment of the invention, shown with a cover in a closed
position.
[0030] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the sink from FIG. 12,
shown with the cover in an intermediate position.
[0031] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the sink from FIG. 12,
shown with the cover in a stored position.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0032] Referring to the drawings, FIGS. 1-6 illustrate a sink
station 10 according to one embodiment of the invention. The sink
station 10 is a stand-alone unit; however, the sink station 10 is
well suited to be part of a laundry system as disclosed in our
docket no. US20050298, filed concurrently herewith, and titled
"Modular Laundry System with Horizontal Modules," our docket no.
US20050494, filed concurrently herewith, and titled "Modular
Laundry System with Horizontal Module Spanning Two Laundry
Appliances," our docket no. US20050495, filed concurrently
herewith, and titled "Modular Laundry System with Horizontally
Arranged Cabinet Module," our docket no. US20050496, filed
concurrently herewith, and titled "Modular Laundry System with
Horizontal and Vertical Modules," our docket no. US20050497, filed
concurrently herewith, and titled "Modular Laundry System with
Vertical Module," our docket no. US20050498, filed concurrently
herewith, and titled "Modular Laundry System with Cabinet Module,"
our docket no. US20050499, filed concurrently herewith, and titled
"Laundry Module for Modular Laundry System," our docket no.
US20050294, filed concurrently herewith, and titled "Modular
Laundry System with Work Surface," our docket no. US20050500, filed
concurrently herewith, and titled "Modular Laundry System with
Segmented Work Surface," our docket no. US20050501, filed
concurrently herewith, and titled "Modular Laundry System with Work
Surface Having a Functional Insert," our docket no. US20050502,
filed concurrently herewith, and titled "Modular Laundry System
with Work Surface Having a Functional Element," and our docket no.
US20050503, filed concurrently herewith, and titled "Modular
Laundry System with Shelf Module," which are incorporated herein by
reference in their entirety.
[0033] The laundry system can comprise a laundry appliance and
examples of the laundry appliance include, but are not limited to,
a washing machine, including top-loading, front-loading, vertical
axis, and horizontal axis washing machines, a dryer, such as a
tumble dryer, including top-loading dryers and front-loading
dryers, a combination washing machine and dryer, a tumbling
refreshing machine, an extractor, and a non-aqueous washing
apparatus. An exemplary non-aqueous washing apparatus is disclosed
in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0155393, which is
incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
[0034] The laundry system can also comprise a vertical laundry
module and examples of suitable vertical laundry modules are
disclosed in our docket no. US20050293, filed concurrently
herewith, and titled "Vertical Laundry Module," our docket no.
US20050504, filed concurrently herewith, and titled "Vertical
Laundry Module with Backsplash," and our docket no. US20050295,
filed concurrently herewith, and titled "Ironing Station," which
are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
[0035] The laundry system can also comprise a horizontal laundry
module and examples of suitable horizontal laundry modules are
disclosed in our docket no. US20040297, filed concurrently
herewith, and titled "Non-Tumble Clothes Dryer," which is
incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
[0036] The laundry appliance, vertical laundry module, and/or
horizontal laundry module can further comprise a hanging element,
such as is disclosed in our docket no. US20050290, filed
concurrently herewith, and titled "Retractable Hanging Element,"
which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. However,
while the sink station 10 is discussed herein as useful for laundry
room and laundry care applications, the sink station 10 is not
limited to such an application. For example, the sink station 10
can be used to retrofit a room or space that was not originally
equipped with a sink, such as a basement or a garage.
[0037] Referring to FIGS. 1-3, the sink station 10 comprises a
cabinet 12 having a front wall 14 and a rear wall 16 joined by left
and right side walls 18, 20 and enclosed by a bottom wall 22. The
cabinet 12 defines an interior space 24 of the sink station 10, and
can have an opening in one of the walls to provide access to the
interior space 24, as will be described below. The sink station 10
can have a roughly rectangular box shape with a height, width, and
depth defining the spatial dimensions of the sink station 10. By
way of example, and without limitation, the dimensions of the sink
station 10 can be 35''H.times.15.5''W.times.25.75''D. The sink
station 10 further comprises supports 25 that are connected to the
bottom wall 22. The supports 25 are illustrated as posts on which
the sink station 10 stands, however, the supports 25 can also
comprise wheels so that the sink station 10 is mobile and can
easily be moved, for example, to clean underneath or behind the
sink station 10 or to move the sink station 10 to a different
location.
[0038] A basin 26 having a peripheral rim 28 is mounted in the
cabinet 12 such that the rim 28 rests on the upper edges of walls
14, 16, 18, 20. A drainboard 30 is formed in the rim 28 of the
basin 26 to allow fluid on the rim 28 to drain into the basin 26.
The drainboard 30 comprises a shallow depression in the rim 28
having raised guides 32 that are perpendicular to the front wall 14
of the cabinet 12 to direct fluid into the basin 26. The guides 32
can also function as a scrubbing surface when hand-washing or
treating a stain on a fabric item. A cover 34 is mounted to the
cabinet 12 to provide selective access to the basin 26 and is
movable between a closed position shown in FIG. 1 where the cover
34 overlies the basin 26 and a stored position shown in FIG. 2. The
cover 34 has a front edge 35 that serves as a handgrip for the user
when moving the cover 34 from the closed position to the stored
position, or vice versa.
[0039] The basin 26 comprises a faucet 36 that delivers fluid into
the basin 26 and has a pivotable spout 38, two handles 40, 42 for
controlling the delivery of fluid through the spout 38, and a block
44 for mounting the faucet 38 to the basin 26 and through which
fluid is delivered to the spout 38. The spout 38 is pivotable
between a first position where the spout 38 extends above the open
top of the basin 26 and a second position where the spout 38 is
below the open top of the basin 26. The spout 38 can be operably
linked to the cover 34 such that the spout 38 automatically pivots
to the first position when the cover 34 is moved to the stored
position and pivots to the second position when the cover 34 is
moved to the closed position. The spout 38 can alternately be moved
between the first and second positions independently of the cover
34, requiring the user to manually pivot the spout 38.
[0040] As shown in FIG. 4, the sink station 10 is provided with the
necessary plumbing required for fluid to be delivered to the sink
station 10 and for fluid to be removed from the sink station 10. To
deliver fluid to the sink station 10, hot and cold water is piped
through separate conduits 46, 48 that fluidly connect respective
hot and cold water supplies 50, 52 to the faucet 36. The water
supplies 50, 52 can be standard household water supplies, such as a
water tank used to supply water to bathrooms and kitchens or can be
an existing water-supplied appliance, such as a washing machine.
The conduits 46, 48 extend through the mounting block 44 of the
faucet 36 and are in fluid communication with the spout 38. Flow of
fluid though the conduits 46, 48 is controlled by valves (not
shown) that are actuated by the handles 40, 42, as is well-known in
the faucet art. The handle 40 controls the flow of hot water from
the conduit 46 through the spout 38, and the handle 42 controls the
flow of cold water from the conduit 48 through the spout 38.
[0041] Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, to remove fluid from the
sink station 10, a drain 60 is formed in the bottom of the basin 26
and is in fluid communication a fluid waste system 62 through a
drain pipe 64 that extends exteriorly of the cabinet 12 though the
aperture formed in the rear wall 16. The drain pipe 64 comprises a
first and second pipe section 66, 68 and a pump 70, where the first
pipe section 66 is connected between the drain 60 and the pump 70,
and the second pipe section 68 is connected between the pump 70 and
fluid waste system 62. The fluid waste system 62 can, for example,
be a septic tank or a sewer system. A power cord 72 connected to
the pump 70 extends exteriorly of the sink station 10 through the
rear wall 16 to a power supply 74, such as an electrical outlet or
an electric generator.
[0042] Referring to FIG. 5, the cover 34 is movably mounted to the
cabinet 12 though a coupling assembly 76 located on a wall of the
cabinet 12 or contained within the cabinet 12. For example, the
coupling assembly 76 can be substantially located on the rear wall
16. The coupling assembly 76 comprises a mechanism capably of
multi-motion movement, such as a pivoting and a sliding movement,
that can occur separately or at least partially simultaneously. An
example of a suitable coupling assembly 76 is shown in FIG. 5,
although other coupling assemblies are possible and are within the
scope of the invention. The cover 34 is pivotally mounted through a
pair of hinges 78 to a guide member 80 that comprises two runners
82 that are slidably received within two generally vertical tracks
84 formed on the rear wall 16. The guide member 80 is connected to
an internal counterweight (not shown). The counterweight is
operably connected to a pulley system (not shown) that
counterbalances the cover 34 to help the user move the cover 34
from the stored position to the closed position, as will be
described in more detail below. The cover 34 can also be
counterbalanced by a linear spring operably connected to the pulley
system.
[0043] The runners 82 are provided with a stop end 86 that is
spaced from a stop end 88 of the tracks 84 when the cover 34 is in
the closed position. This spacing allows the runners 82 to move
relative to the tracks 84 in a sliding relation until the stop end
88 of the runners 82 abuts the stop end 88 of the tracks 84, as is
the case when the cover 34 is in the stored position.
[0044] A pair of projections 90 are provided on the guide member 80
and are positioned below the hinges 78. The cover 34 rests at least
partially on the projections 90 in the stored position to limit the
pivoting of the cover 34 and keep the cover 34 in a generally
vertical orientation.
[0045] The sink station 10 further comprises one or more storage
spaces provided in the interior space 24 of the cabinet 12 that are
accessed through a wall of the cabinet 12, for example, the front
wall 14. Referring to FIG. 6, the interior space 24 of the sink
station 10 is divided into multiple, separate storage spaces,
comprising two drawers 94, 96 and a pivoting compartment 98 that
open from the front wall 14 of the cabinet 12. The drawers 94, 96
are positioned in the cabinet 12 below the basin 26. The drawers
94, 96 each comprise a drawer body 100 defining a storage space 102
with an open top allowing the user to access the storage space 102
when the drawer 94, 96 is extended from the cabinet 12. A front
panel 104 is further joined to the front of the drawer body 100
using any suitable fastening means. The front panel 104 has a
handle 106 integrally formed along the top edge of the front panel
104 to enable the user to pull the drawer 94, 96 from the cabinet
12 to access the storage space 102. The drawers 94, 96 can be
mounted to slidably open from the front wall 14 of the cabinet 12
using any suitable mounting means. For example, a runner 108 can be
attached to the outer surfaces of the drawer body 100 that
interacts with a corresponding track 110 attached to the inside
surface of the left and right side walls 18, 20 of the cabinet 12
(FIG. 3).
[0046] The width and depth of the drawers 94, 96 are such that the
drawers 94, 96 can fit within the cabinet 12. The height of the
drawers 94, 96 can vary, thus providing different amount of storage
by varying the size of the storage space 102 in each drawer 94, 96.
The lower drawer 94 is preferably of a height where, for example, a
laundry aid such as a bottle of detergent can stand upright in the
drawer 94 without having to lie on a side. The preferred height for
the lower drawer 94 is about 14.25''. The upper drawer 96 is
preferably of a lesser height than the lower drawer 94. The
preferred height for the upper drawer 96 is about 5.25''.
[0047] The drawers 94, 96 can be used to provide needed storage for
laundry aids and additional equipment. A laundry aid is a substance
or agent used to clean or care for fabric items, such as, but not
limited to, a laundry detergent, fabric softener, dryer sheets,
bleach, spray-dewrinkler, or other substance used for cleaning
fabric items. Additional equipment required for laundry care can
include items such as an iron, ironing board, hangers and hanging
rods for hanging fabric items, and mesh-screens for
flat-drying.
[0048] The pivoting compartment 98 is positioned in front of the
basin 26 and comprises an open-top bin 112 defining an interior
storage space 114 that pivotally opens from the front wall 14 of
the cabinet 12. A front panel 116 is attached from the front wall
of the bin and a handle 118 is integrally formed along the upper
edge of the front panel 116. A pair of brackets 120 (FIG. 3)
operably couple the pivoting compartment 98 to the cabinet 12, such
that the compartment 98 can be opened to an acute angle .alpha. to
access the bin 112 such that items in the bin 112 will not fall out
when the compartment 98 is opened.
[0049] An exemplary description of the operation of the pivoting
cover 34 follows, with reference to FIGS. 7a-9b. It will be
apparent to one of ordinary skill that the operation procedure can
proceed in any logical order and is not limited to the sequence
presented below. The following description is for illustrative
purposes only and is not intended to limit the invention in any
manner.
[0050] To move the cover 34 from the closed position (FIGS. 7a, 7b)
to the stored position (FIGS. 9a, 9b), the user first grips the
front edge 35 of the cover 34 and exerts an upward and rearward
rotational force on the cover 34, causing the cover 34 to rotate
about the hinges 78. Continued force on the cover 34 moves the
cover 34 to an intermediate position shown in FIGS. 8a and 8b,
where the cover 34 is in an orientation that is substantially
perpendicular to the orientation of the cover 34 in the closed
position and at least partially rests on the projections 90.
[0051] Once the cover 34 is in the intermediate position, the
weight of the cover 34 causes the guide member 80, and thus the
runners 82, to move downward under gravitational force. Due to the
presence of the counterweight and pulley system, the cover 34 moves
in a controlled fashion. The runners 82 move downward relative to
the tracks 84 until the stop end 86 of the runners 82 reaches the
stop end 88 of the tracks 84, whereby the movement of the cover 34
is arrested and the cover 34 is in the stored position as shown in
FIG. 9a and 9b.
[0052] The spout 38 can be manually pivoted to the first position
when the cover 34 is in the intermediate position or the stored
position. If the spout 38 is operably linked to the cover 34, the
spout 38 can pivot to the first position as the cover 34 is moved
from the closed position to the intermediate position or from the
intermediate position to the stored position.
[0053] To move the cover 34 from the stored position (FIGS. 9a, 9b)
to the closed position (FIGS. 7a, 7b), the user grips the front
edge 35 of the cover 34 and exerts an upward force on the cover 34,
such that the runners 82 move upwardly relative to the tracks 84.
The counterweight and pulley system aids the user in lifting the
cover 34 to the intermediate position shown in FIGS. 8a and 8b.
Once the cover 34 is in the intermediate position, the user can
lower the cover 34 to the closed position by allowing the cover to
rotate about the hinges 78 under gravitational force.
[0054] Referring to FIGS. 10-11, in which like elements bear the
same reference numeral, the sink station 10 is illustrated with an
alternate set of storage features. In this embodiment, the interior
space 24 of the sink station 10 is divided into separate storage
spaces, comprising a pivoting compartment 98 and a door 130 that
opens from the front wall 14 of the cabinet 12 to reveal a storage
space 132. A handle 134 is integrally formed along the top edge of
the door 130 to enable the user to grip the handle 134 and pull the
door 130 open. A shelf 136 is positioned in the storage space 132
and can be adjustable to adjust the vertical position of the shelf
136 or to completely remove the shelf 136. In other respects, the
sink station 10 is similar to the sink station 10 shown in FIGS.
1-6.
[0055] The sink station 10 can also comprise any combination of
storage spaces. For example, the sink station 10 can singly
comprise a drawer, a door, or a pivoting compartment, or a
plurality of a single storage feature. In another example, the sink
station 10 can comprise drawer and a door. In yet another example,
the sink station 10 can comprise a drawer, a door, and a pivoting
compartment. However, it is also within the scope of the invention
that the sink station 10 can comprise none of the storage spaces
described herein.
[0056] A second embodiment of the present invention is shown in
FIGS. 12-14, where elements similar to those of the first
embodiment of the sink station 10' are identified with the same
reference numeral bearing a prime (') symbol. In this embodiment,
the sink station 10' comprises a recess 138 having an opening
adjacent to a wall of the cabinet 12'. For illustrative purposes,
the recess 138 is shown adjacent to the left side wall 18',
although the recess 138 can also be adjacent the front wall 14',
the rear wall 16', or the right side wall 20' and remain within the
scope of the invention. The cover 34' is mounted to the cabinet 12'
to provide selective access to the basin 26' and is movable between
a stored position shown in FIG. 14 and a closed position shown in
FIG. 12 where the cover 34' overlies the basin 26'. The cover 34'
has a side edge 35' that serves as a handgrip for the user when
moving the cover 34' from the stored position to the closed
position, or vice versa. The cover 34' can be movably mounted to
the cabinet 12' with a coupling assembly in the same manner as
described above; however, the coupling assembly is substantially
located on the left side wall 18'. As illustrated, the cover 34' is
received in the recess 138 in the stored position such that the
cover 34' is wholly contained within the cabinet 12' and the edge
35' is flush with the rim 28' of the basin 26'. The cover 34' can
also be removably mounted to the cabinet 12' such that the cover
34' is removed from the sink station 10' and placed in the recess
138. Additionally, it is within the scope of the invention for the
cover 34' to only be partially received within the recess 138 when
in the stored position such that the edge 35' is not flush with the
rim 28' of the basin 26'.
[0057] To move the cover 34' from the closed position (FIG. 12) to
the stored position (FIG. 14), the user first grips the side edge
35' of the cover 34' and exerts an upward force on the cover 34',
thereby moving the cover 34' to an intermediate position shown in
FIG. 13 where the cover 34' is in an orientation that is
substantially perpendicular to the orientation of the cover 34' in
the closed position, or completely removing the cover 34' from the
sink station 10'. The cover 34' is then slid downward into the
recess 138 such that the cover 34' is received within the cabinet
12'.
[0058] While shown with storage spaces comprising two drawers 94',
96' and a pivoting compartment 98', the sink station 10' can
alternately comprise a storage space closed by a door and a
pivoting compartment similar to those shown in FIGS. 10-11, or any
combination of the storage spaces described herein. The sink
station 10' can also comprise none of these storage spaces and
remain within the scope of the invention.
[0059] While the invention has been specifically described in
connection with certain specific embodiments thereof, it is to be
understood that this is by way of illustration and not of
limitation, and the scope of the appended claims should be
construed as broadly as the prior art will permit.
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