U.S. patent application number 11/670793 was filed with the patent office on 2008-08-07 for stemware drying rack.
Invention is credited to Morgan Whitney O'Hara.
Application Number | 20080185352 11/670793 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39675265 |
Filed Date | 2008-08-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080185352 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
O'Hara; Morgan Whitney |
August 7, 2008 |
Stemware Drying Rack
Abstract
The stemware drying racks are configured to support stemware to
permit drying of the stemware, and may be configured to position
the stemware over a well of a sink to permit drainage of water or
the like directly into the well of the sink. The stemware drying
racks may include a base that is mountable to a sidewall of a sink,
such as with suction cups or the like, and/or a base that is
configured to rest upon a divider of a sink for support. The base
may include one or more pairs of spaced apart prongs for supporting
stemware, with the space between the prongs sized to receive a stem
of the stemware and support the stemware in an inverted orientation
over a well of the sink.
Inventors: |
O'Hara; Morgan Whitney; (El
Paso, TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FITCH EVEN TABIN AND FLANNERY
120 SOUTH LA SALLE STREET, SUITE 1600
CHICAGO
IL
60603-3406
US
|
Family ID: |
39675265 |
Appl. No.: |
11/670793 |
Filed: |
February 2, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
211/13.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 15/505 20130101;
A47L 15/50 20130101; A47B 73/00 20130101; A47L 19/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
211/13.1 |
International
Class: |
A47G 29/00 20060101
A47G029/00 |
Claims
1. A stemware drying rack mountable on a sink divider for
supporting one or more glasses, the rack comprising: a base; a pair
of spaced apart supports depending relative to the base; a support
upstanding relative to the base; and a pair of prongs extending
outwardly from the upstanding support, the prongs having a gap
therebetween for receiving a stem of a glass.
2. The stemware drying rack of claim 1, wherein a second pair of
prongs extend outwardly from the upstanding support, the second
pair of prongs having a gap therebetween for receiving a stem of a
glass.
3. The stemware drying rack of claim 1, wherein a second support is
upstanding relative to the base and includes one or more pairs of
outwardly extending prongs having a gap therebetween for receiving
a stem of a glass.
4. The stemware drying rack of claim 1, wherein one or more pairs
of outwardly extending prongs are position on an opposite side of
the upstanding support relative to the other pair of prongs.
5. The stemware drying rack of claim 1, wherein ends of the prongs,
opposite the upstanding support, are directed either upwardly or
downwardly relative to the remainder of the prongs.
6. The stemware drying rack of claim 1, wherein the pair of spaced
apart depending supports are spaced apart by a distance sufficient
to receive a sink divider therebetween when the rack is mounted on
a sink divider.
7. The stemware drying rack of claim 6, wherein the distance
between the spaced apart depending supports decreases away from the
base.
8. The stemware drying rack of claim 1, wherein the upstanding
support and the pair of prongs are formed of wire.
9. The stemware drying rack of claim 1, wherein a support rib
extends between one of the prongs and the upstanding support.
10. A stemware drying rack mountable to a sink wall for supporting
one or more glasses, the rack comprising: a support; at least one
suction cup for adhering the support relative to a sink wall; and
at least one pair of prongs extending outwardly from the support,
each pair of prongs having a gap therebetween to receive a stem of
a glass.
11. The stemware drying rack of claim 10, wherein at least a
portion of the support is formed of wire.
12. The stemware drying rack of claim 10, wherein the support and
the prongs are formed of wire.
13. The stemware drying rack of claim 10, wherein ends of the
prongs opposite the support are directed at an angle relative to
the remainder of the prongs.
14. A dryer for stemware comprising: a lower portion having a pair
of spaced apart supports with a gap therebetween for receiving a
divider of a sink; and an upper portion having an upstanding
support and at least one pair of outwardly projecting of prongs,
the prongs having a gap therebetween for receiving a stem of a
glass.
15. The dryer for a stemware glass of claim 14, wherein the upper
portion is formed of wire.
16. The dryer for a stemware glass of claim 15, wherein the lower
portion is formed of wire.
Description
FIELD
[0001] This disclosure generally relates to stemware drying racks,
and more particularly to stemware drying racks mountable to or on
sinks and sink dividers.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Drying racks are often used to support dishes and glasses
while drying following washing. One example of a typical drying
rack is positioned on a drain pan adjacent a sink in order to
permit water or other such fluids draining from the dishes or glass
to collect in the pan and drain into the sink. This can reduce
drainage onto the counter or other areas adjacent the sink.
However, many drying racks are not specifically configured to
support stemware, which can be taller than typical drinking
glasses, more fragile or costly than typical drinking glasses
and/or more susceptible to tipping over than typical drinking
glasses. Racks specifically configured to support stemware are
often configured for use in dishwashers or for resting on a counter
adjacent a sink, with no provision for collecting drained
fluids.
[0003] U.S. Patent No. D518936 discloses a wine glass holder for
use with a dish rack. However, the holder is not disclosed as being
mountable to a sink or sink divider, or to position stemware over a
sink. Thus, provision for collecting drained fluids can be
necessary if fluids are not desired to be on the counter or the
like.
[0004] Other patents disclose racks for use in dishwashers or the
like. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,214,031, discloses a rack for
storing stemmed glassware in pendant position, such as in an
automatic glass washer. U.S. Pat. No. 4,589,556 discloses a holder
for use in mounting long stemmed articles, such as glassware,
within a dishwasher. The holder has a base that is specifically
configured and structured to provide stable support on a
conventional rack of a dishwasher. However, the use of such racks
or holders can be limited because not all glassware is suitable for
use in a dishwasher, a user may not have a dishwasher and/or a user
may prefer not to clean glassware using a dishwasher. Moreover,
such racks or holders are not disclosed as being mountable to a
sink or sink divider, or to position stemware over a sink.
[0005] Some dish or dishcloth drying racks are positioned in or
over sinks. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,865,325 discloses a
dishcloth drying rack and tool-carrying basket that is attachable
to a sink divider using suction cups. U.S. Pat. No. 2,323,454
discloses a guard for a drainboard for the purpose of preventing
dishes from sliding or falling from the drainboard. The guard has a
portion that fits over a partition of a sink, and the drainboard
spans from one side of the sink to the partition. Neither of these
patents discloses supporting stemware.
SUMMARY
[0006] Drying racks for stemware or other suitable dishware are
disclosed herein that are configured to be mountable to or on sinks
and sink dividers. The stemware drying racks are configured to
support stemware to permit drying of the stemware, and may be
configured to position the stemware over a well of a sink to permit
drainage of water or the like directly into the well of the
sink.
[0007] The stemware drying racks may include a base that is
mountable to a sidewall of a sink, such as with suction cups or the
like, and/or a base that is configured to rest upon a divider of a
sink for support. The base may include one or more pairs of spaced
apart prongs for supporting stemware, with the space between the
prongs sized to receive a stem of the stemware and support the
stemware in an inverted or upright orientation over a well of the
sink.
[0008] In one aspect, a stemware drying rack mountable on a sink
divider for supporting one or more glasses is provided. The rack
includes a base, a pair of spaced apart supports depending relative
to the base, a support upstanding relative to the base; and at
least one pair of prongs extending outwardly from the upstanding
support. The prongs having a gap therebetween for receiving a stem
of a glass. The pair of spaced apart depending supports may be
spaced apart by a distance sufficient to receive the sink divider
therebetween when the rack is mounted on the sink divider.
[0009] The stemware drying rack may include a second pair of prongs
extend outwardly from the upstanding support, where the second pair
of prongs also have a gap therebetween for receiving a stem of a
glass. The second pair of prongs may be facing in the same or
opposite direction as the first pair of prongs. The multiple pairs
of prongs may be mounted to a common upstanding support, or to
different upstanding supports. Ends of the prongs, opposite the
upstanding support, are directed either upwardly or downwardly
relative to the remainder of the prongs. The base, the upstanding
support and the prongs may be formed of plastic, metal, wire or
combinations thereof.
[0010] In another aspect, a stemware drying rack is disclosed that
is mountable to a sink wall for supporting one or more glasses or
other dishware. The rack includes a support, at least one suction
cup for adhering the support relative to a sink wall, and at least
one pair of prongs extending outwardly from the support, where each
pair of prongs may have a gap therebetween to receive a stem of a
glass. The base, the upstanding support and the prongs may be
formed of plastic, metal, wire or combinations thereof. Ends of the
prongs opposite the support may be directed at an angle relative to
the remainder of the prongs.
[0011] In yet another aspect, a dryer for stemware is disclosed
having a lower portion having a pair of spaced apart supports and
an upper portion having an upstanding support and at least one pair
of outwardly projecting of prongs, the prongs having a gap
therebetween for receiving a stem of a glass.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a
stemware drying rack mounted on a sink divider and having an
upstanding support with two pairs of prongs extending outwardly to
support a pair of glasses;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the stemware drying rack of
FIG. 1 shown without the pair of glasses and the sink divider;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a
stemware drying rack having a pair of upstanding supports each with
two pairs of prongs extending outwardly for supporting glasses;
[0015] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a
stemware drying rack having a pair of upstanding supports each with
three pairs of prongs extending outwardly for supporting
glasses;
[0016] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a
stemware drying rack having a pair of upstanding supports each with
a pair of prongs extending outwardly for supporting glasses;
[0017] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of a
stemware drying rack having a upstanding support mountable to a
sink or sink divider with suction cups and with two pairs of prongs
extending outwardly for supporting glasses;
[0018] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a sixth embodiment of a
stemware drying rack having a wire upstanding support mountable to
a sink or sink divider with suction cups and with two pairs of wire
prongs extending outwardly for supporting glasses; and
[0019] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a seventh embodiment of a
stemware drying rack having two pairs of upstanding wire supports
with prongs extending outwardly for supporting glasses.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] Stemware drying racks are disclosed herein and illustrated
in FIGS. 1-8 that are configured to be mountable to or on sinks and
sink dividers. The stemware drying racks are configured to support
stemware to permit drying of the stemware, and may be configured to
position the stemware over a well of a sink to permit drainage of
water or the like directly into the well of the sink. The stemware
drying racks may include a base that is mountable to a sidewall of
a sink, such as with suction cups or the like, and/or a base that
is configured to rest upon a divider of a sink for support. The
base may include one or more pairs of spaced apart prongs for
supporting stemware, with the space between the prongs sized to
receive a stem of the stemware and support the stemware in an
inverted orientation over a well of the sink. Using such stemware
drying racks advantageously provides a convenient apparatus for
supporting stemware during drying and, in some circumstances,
positioning the stemware over the well of a sink.
[0021] The stemware 1 may include a bowl 3 spaced from a foot 7 by
a stem 5, as illustrated in FIG. 1. However, the stemware drying
racks disclosed herein may be used to support other suitable
glassware and dishware.
[0022] Sinks typically have one or more wells. As illustrated by
way of example in FIG. 1, a sink 2 may include a pair of wells 10
and 12 separated by a divider or dividing wall 4. The dividing wall
4 has a pair of generally parallel side walls 6 and 8 connected by
a top wall 14. In the embodiments of stemware drying racks
illustrated in FIGS. 1-5 and 8, the racks include a base having a
pair of depending supports spaced by a platform. The depending
supports are spaced apart by a distance sufficient to permit each
of the supports to be adjacent to one of the side walls 6 and 8 of
the sink divider 4, with the platform resting on the top wall 14 of
the sink divider 4. In the embodiments of the stemware drying racks
illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, suction cups or the like are provided
to secure the racks to a wall of the well of the sink.
[0023] Turning now to the details of a first embodiment of a
stemware drying rack 20, illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the rack
includes a base for mounting the rack 20 on a divider 4 between two
wells 10 and 12 of a sink 2 and two pairs of spaced apart prongs 30
and 40 for supporting the stemware over one of the wells 10 or 12
of the sink 2 in an inverted orientation to permit drainage of
water or the like from the stemware into the well 10 or 12 of the
sink 2. The base includes a pair of depending supports 24 and 26,
as illustrated in FIG. 2, that are attached at their upper ends to
a platform 22. The depending supports 24 and 26 are spaced a
distance w apart, where the distance w is selected to permit
insertion of a sink divider 4 between the depending supports 24 and
26. Another support 28 extends upwardly from the platform 22. One
end of the upwardly extending support 28 is connected to the
platform 22, and the other end of the support is connected to the
pairs of spaced apart prongs 30 and 40. The pairs of prongs 30 and
40 are spaced apart by a gap g.sub.2. The upwardly extending
support may be connected along an edge of the platform 22, such as
generally planar with one of the depending supports 26 as
illustrated in FIG. 2, or may be positioned elsewhere along the
platform 22. Each of the pair of prongs 30 and 40 are similar or
identical in construction. Thus, the configuration of each of the
pairs of prongs 30 and 40 will be described with reference to one
of the pair of prongs 30. The pair of prongs 30 includes outwardly
extending segments 31 and 32 spaced apart by a gap 34 having a gap
distance g.sub.1. Although the segments 31 and 32 are illustrated
in FIG. 1 as being generally parallel, they may also be either
diverging or converging. One end of each of the segments of the
prongs 31 and 32 is connected to the upwardly extending support 28,
while the opposite and outwardly ends of the segments 31 and 32 of
the prongs may optionally include upturned tips 36 and 38. The
upturned tips 36 and 38 can restrict removal, such as inadvertent
removal, of stemware from the rack 20.
[0024] To use the stemware drying rack 20, the base of the rack 20
may placed on a divider 4 between two wells 10 and 12 of a sink 2.
More specifically, the divider 4 is positioned between the
depending supports 24 and 26 and the platform 22 rests on the top
14 of the divider 4. This can provide a stable position when the
rack 20 is supporting stemware 1 in an unbalanced configuration,
such as when the stemware is positioned only over one well 10 of a
sink 2. Once positioned on the divider 4, the stem 5 of the
stemware 1 can be inserted into the gap 34 between the segments 31
and 32 of one of the pairs of prongs 30 or 40. The stemware 1 can
be inserted between the segments 31 and 32 of the pairs of prongs
30 or 40 in either an inverted position or an upright position. In
the inverted position, the foot 7 rests against the upwardly facing
surfaces of the segments 31 and 32. In the upright position, the
bottom of the bowl 3 rests against the upwardly facing surfaces of
the segments 31 and 32. Lateral movement of the stemware 1 is
restricted by the segments 31 and 32. Positioning the stemware
drying rack 20 on the divider 4 of the sink 2 advantageously
permits fluid from the surfaces of the stemware 1 to drain into a
well 10 of the sink 2.
[0025] Depending upon the width of the sink divider 4 that the rack
20 is configured to be used with, the distance w between the
depending supports 24 and 26 may vary. For example, if the types of
sinks that the rack 20 is designed to be used with have a typical
width of the sink dividers 4 of about 4 inches, then the distance w
may be selected to accommodate such a width. Alternatively, the
distance w between the depending supports 24 and 26 may be
variable, such as by having an adjustable platform 22 or
spring-loaded or otherwise inwardly biased supports 24 or 26. The
gap distance g.sub.1 is selected to accommodate the width of a stem
5 of stemware 1. Similarly, however, the gap distance g.sub.1 can
vary, such as by having non-parallel segments 31 and 32 or inwardly
biased segments 31 and 32. Also, the gap distance g.sub.2 can vary,
such as by having movable prong pairs 30 and 40, whether slidable
or rotatable relative to the base.
[0026] Instead of having a pair of prongs 30 and 40 on one side of
the stemware drying rack 20, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, pairs
of prongs 130 and 140 may be positioned facing in one direction
from the drying rack 120, and pairs of prongs 150 and 160 may be
positioned facing in opposite directions from the drying rack 120,
as illustrated in a second embodiment of the drying rack 120 in
FIG. 3. The base and prongs of the drying rack 120 of FIG. 3 are
similar in construction to those of the rack 20 of FIGS. 1 and 2,
discussed above, having a pair of depending supports 124 and 126
connected to a platform 122. However, two upstanding supports 128
and 142 are provided, each with outwardly extending prongs 130, 140
and 150, 160. Thus, stemware can be positioned on either or both
sides of the divider 4 of the sink 2. Ribs 144 may be provided to
strengthen the prongs relative to the upstanding supports 128 and
142, as such may be used in other embodiments disclosed herein.
Although two upstanding supports 128 and 142 are illustrated in
FIG. 3, a common upstanding support could alternatively be
used.
[0027] The stemware drying racks 20 and 120 of FIGS. 1-3 disclose
two and four pairs of prongs. However, other quantities of pairs of
prongs can also be used, subject in part to the limitations imposed
by the span of the divider. For example, FIG. 4 discloses a third
embodiment of a stemware drying rack 220 having six pairs of prongs
230, 240, 250, 260, 270 and 280, with three facing in one direction
and three facing in an opposite direction. Also by way of example,
FIG. 5 discloses a fourth embodiment of a stemware drying rack 320
having two pairs of prongs 330, 360, with one facing in one
direction and the second facing in an opposite direction.
[0028] The details of construction of the stemware drying racks 220
and 320 of FIGS. 4 and 5 are similar to those discussed
hereinabove. Specifically, the stemware drying rack 220 of FIG. 4
includes a base having a pair of opposing, depending supports 224
and 226 connected to a platform 222. A pair of upstanding supports
228 and 242, which could be replaced by a common support, as
discussed above, have pairs of prongs 230, 240, 250, 260, 270 and
280 connected at their upper ends and positioned to support
stemware over wells 10 and 12 of a sink 2. Ribs 244 may optionally
be included to stiffen various locations of the rack 220.
Similarly, the rack 320 of FIG. 5 includes a pair of depending
supports 324 and 326 connected to a platform 322. Upstanding
supports 328 and 342 each support a pair of prongs 330 and 360,
with optional ribs 344 for stiffening.
[0029] The stemware drying racks may be formed of plastic, such as
by using injection molding techniques. However, some or all of
portions of the racks may be formed of wire, which can be plastic,
metal, plastic-coated metal, or other materials. For example, a
seventh embodiment of a stemware drying rack 620, illustrated in
FIG. 8, includes a base made of one material and upstanding
supports with integral, outwardly extending prongs made of wire.
The base is similar to the bases discussed above, having a pair of
spaced apart depending supports 623 and 624 attached to a platform
622. However, the platform 622 is adapted to be connected to ends
of the prongs. For instance, the platform 622 can include a
cross-piece 626 having sockets 628 for receiving ends of legs 632
and 634 of the prongs. Two pairs of prongs 630 and 640 are provided
facing in a common direction, although other numbers and
configuration of prongs can be utilized. The prongs 630 and 640 are
similar or identical in construction, including the legs 632 and
634, which are connected to outwardly extending segments 636 and
638 having a gap 646 therebetween and upturned ends 642 and 664.
The wire forming the prongs 630 and 640 may be shaped in a
continuous manner, as illustrated in FIG. 8.
[0030] As an alternative to racks that mount over the divider 4, as
discussed above, stemware drying racks 420 and 520 may be
configured to mount to surfaces of a sink 2, such as a sidewall 6
or 8 or other wall of a well 10 or 12 of the sink 2. The racks may
be made of plastic or the like, as illustrated in FIG. 6, or from
wire or the like, as illustrated in FIG. 7. In the fifth
embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 6, the rack 420 has an upstanding
support 422 is provided, having suction cups 424 mounted toward one
end and another end with outwardly extending pairs of prongs 430
and 440. Similarly, in the sixth embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 7,
the rack 520 has a support 522 with suction cups 524 mounted toward
on end and outwardly extending pairs of prongs 530 and 540 at the
other end. The pairs of prongs 530 and 540 may each include a pair
of segments 531 and 532 spaced by a gap 534 and having upturned
ends 536 and 538, similar to the wire prongs discussed above. This
embodiment also illustrates that the lengths of the prongs can
differ.
[0031] The suction cups can be mounted on either side of the
support for the racks 420 and 520, depending upon the particular
intended uses. For instance, the suction cups may be mounted on
either side of the support if the rack 420 and 520 is to be mounted
to a divider 4. However, if the suction cups are mounted on the
same side as the prongs 540, which can advantageously cause the
support to abut against the sidewall 6 or 8 of the divider 4, then
the prongs may be longer to extend to the other side of the divider
4. If the rack 420 and 520 is to be mounted to both a divider 4 or
other internal walls of the wells 10 or 12, then the suction cups
may be attached to a side of the support opposite the direction the
prongs extend. The suction cups may also be moveable between sides
of the support.
[0032] The drawings and the foregoing descriptions are not intended
to represent the only forms of the stemware drying racks in regard
to the details of construction. Changes in form and in the
proportion of parts, as well as the substitution of equivalents,
are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient;
and although specific terms have been employed, they are intended
in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for the purposes of
limitation.
* * * * *