U.S. patent application number 11/457738 was filed with the patent office on 2008-11-20 for collapsible dish rack.
Invention is credited to Charles Bain, Paul M. Segall.
Application Number | 20080283480 11/457738 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40026443 |
Filed Date | 2008-11-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080283480 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Segall; Paul M. ; et
al. |
November 20, 2008 |
Collapsible Dish Rack
Abstract
A dish rack convertible between and expanded and collapsed
configurations. The dish rack has at least three support surfaces,
with a first support surface pivotally connected to a base tray, a
second support surface pivotally connected to the first support
surface, and a third support surface pivotally connected to the
second support surface. In the collapsed configuration, each of the
three support surfaces and the base tray are in a generally
parallel arrangement.
Inventors: |
Segall; Paul M.; (El Paso,
TX) ; Bain; Charles; (West Dundee, IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FITCH EVEN TABIN AND FLANNERY
120 SOUTH LA SALLE STREET, SUITE 1600
CHICAGO
IL
60603-3406
US
|
Family ID: |
40026443 |
Appl. No.: |
11/457738 |
Filed: |
February 6, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60699630 |
Jul 15, 2005 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
211/41.6 ;
211/126.1; 211/195 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B 81/04 20130101;
A47F 7/0064 20130101; A47L 19/02 20130101; A47J 47/16 20130101;
A47L 19/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
211/41.6 ;
211/126.1; 211/195 |
International
Class: |
A47B 43/00 20060101
A47B043/00; A47L 19/00 20060101 A47L019/00 |
Claims
1. A dish rack convertible between a collapsed configuration and an
expanded configuration, the dish rack comprising: a generally
rectangular tray having a base and at least three edges extending
upwards therefrom; a generally rectangular first support surface
having a lower end pivotally attached to the tray; a generally
rectangular second support surface pivotally attached to the first
support surface at a midpoint; a generally rectangular third
support surface having a lower end pivotally attached to the second
support surface; an expanded configuration of the dish rack having
the first and second support surface positioned at acute angles
relative to the tray and the third support surface positioned at an
angle relative to the second support surface; and a collapsed
configuration of the dish rack having the first, second, and third
support surfaces and tray generally parallel to each other and
nested within an interior section of the tray.
2. The dish rack according to claim 1 wherein the first and second
support surfaces are pivotally connected to one another to permit
pivotal movement about an axis located about midway along the first
support surface.
3. The dish rack according to claim 1 wherein the third and second
support surfaces are pivotally connected to one another to permit
pivotal movement about an axis located at a lower region of the
second support surface.
4. The dish rack according to claim 1 wherein the first support
surface is pivotally connected to the tray to permit pivotal
movement about an axis located at the lower end of the first
support surface.
5. The dish rack according to claim 1 wherein the support surfaces
are each comprised of frames generally disposed about one or more
peripheries of the support surface.
6. The dish rack according to claim 1 wherein the width of the
third support surface is less than the width of the second support
surface, the width of the second support surface is less than the
width of the first support surface, and the width of the first
support surface is less than the width of the tray to permit
nesting of the third support surface relative to the second support
surface, the second support surface relative to the first support
surface, and the first support surface relative to the interior
section of the tray.
7. The dish rack according to claim 1 wherein the interior section
of the tray contains at least one opening at the base of the tray
where the opening in the base is large enough to use as a grip, and
where the base is at a slight angle of incline that increases as
the distance away from the opening increases.
8. The dish rack according to claim 1 wherein the tray has at least
one stop that is located on the base of the tray at an end opposite
the pivotal attachment of the first support surface relative to the
tray, and where a lower end of the second support surface rests
against the stop in the expanded configuration to prevent the
second support surface from pivoting beyond an angle greater than
an acute angle with the tray.
9. The dish rack according to claim 1 wherein the tray has at least
one locking bracket that is located on the tray at an end opposite
the pivotal attachment of the first support surface relative to the
tray, and where the locking bracket is positioned along an outer
perimeter edge of the tray.
10. The dish rack according to claim 9 wherein the locking bracket
fixedly holds the first frame in place by snapping around an upper
edge of the first support surface in the collapsed
configuration.
11. A dish rack connected to a tray for collecting and draining
water used for drying objects, the dish rack comprising: a
generally rectangular tray having a base and at least three edges
extending upwards therefrom; a generally rectangular first support
surface having a lower end pivotally attached to the tray, the
first support surface being positioned at an acute angle relative
to the tray; a generally rectangular second support surface
pivotally attached to the first support surface at a midpoint, the
second support surface being positioned at an acute angle relative
to the tray; a generally rectangular third support surface having a
lower end pivotally attached to the second support surface, the
third support surface being positioned at an angle relative to the
second support surface.
12. The dish rack according to claim 11 wherein the first and
second support surfaces are pivotally connected to one another to
permit pivotal movement about an axis located about midway along
the first support surface.
13. The dish rack according to claim 11 wherein the third and
second support surfaces are pivotally connected to one another to
permit pivotal movement about an axis located at a lower region of
the second support surface.
14. The dish rack according to claim 11 wherein the first support
surface is pivotally connected to the tray to permit pivotal
movement about an axis located at the lower end of the first
support surface.
15. The dish rack according to claim 11 wherein the support
surfaces are each comprised of frames generally disposed about one
or more peripheries of the support surface.
16. The dish rack according to claim 11 wherein the width of the
third support surface is less than the width of the second support
surface, the width of the second support surface is less than the
width of the first support surface, and the width of the first
support surface is less than the width of the tray to permit
nesting of the third support surface relative to the second support
surface, the second support surface relative to the first support
surface, and the first support surface relative to the interior
section of the tray.
17. The dish rack according to claim 11 wherein the interior
section of the tray contains at least one opening at the base of
the tray where the opening in the base is large enough to use as a
grip, and where the base is at a slight angle of incline that
increases as the distance away from the opening increases.
18. The dish rack according to claim 11 wherein the tray has at
least one stop that is located on the base of the tray at an end
opposite the pivotal attachment of the first support surface
relative to the tray, and where a lower end of the second support
surface rests against the stop in an expanded configuration to
prevent the second support surface from pivoting beyond an angle
greater than an acute angle with the tray.
19. The dish rack according to claim 11 wherein the tray has at
least one locking bracket that is located on the tray at an end
opposite the pivotal attachment of the first support surface
relative to the tray, and where the locking bracket is positioned
along an outer perimeter edge of the tray.
20. A method of shifting a dish rack between an expanded
configuration and a collapsed configuration, the dish rack having
first, second and third support surfaces and a base tray being in a
generally parallel arrangement in the collapsed configuration, the
method comprising: folding a third support surface into a generally
parallel arrangement relative to a second support surface; folding
the second support surface into a generally parallel arrangement
relative to a first support surface; folding a first support
surface into a generally parallel arrangement relative to a base
tray.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority of U.S. Provisional Patent
Appln. No. 60/699,630, filed on Jul. 15, 2005, which is hereby
incorporated by reference in its entirety.
FIELD
[0002] This disclosure relates generally to a dish rack for
supporting objects during drying, and more particularly to a dish
rack that is convertible between an expanded configuration and a
collapsed configuration.
BACKGROUND
[0003] One type of dish rack includes a plurality of support
surfaces that are fixed relative to each other. An example of such
a dish rack is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,708,037. However, a
disadvantage of such a dish rack is that its fixed support surfaces
can prevent the rack from being collapsed into a smaller
configuration, such as for storage.
[0004] Another type of dish rack has a pair of rack elements
connected at their midsections to permit them to fold into a
collapsed configuration. In the unfolded configuration, a pair of
support surfaces are positioned in a V-shaped arrangement. One
example of such a dish rack is disclosed in U.S. Design patent No.
D258,928. Another similar dish rack design is disclosed in U.S.
Design patent No. D252,251. One disadvantage of such dish racks is
that water draining from between slits of the support surfaces can
undesirably pool onto the counter top or other location where the
dish rack is used.
SUMMARY
[0005] A convertible dish rack is disclosed that is convertible
between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration.
The convertible dish rack is comprised of a tray attached to a
first support surface that is pivotally attached to the tray, a
second support surface that is pivotally attached to the first at a
midpoint, and a third support surface pivotally attached to the
second support surface. When the dish rack is in an expanded
configuration the first and second supports are positioned at acute
angles to the tray and the third support is positioned at an angle
relative to the second support. When in the collapsed configuration
the first, second, and third support surfaces and the tray are
generally parallel to each other and the support surfaces are
nested within an interior section of the tray.
[0006] The first and second support surfaces are pivotally
connected at a midpoint to allow pivotal movement about an axis
located at the connection point. The third and second support
surfaces are also pivotally connected to one another at a lower end
which allows pivotal movement about this connection point. The
first support surface is pivotally connected to the tray to allow
pivotal movement about an axis located at a lower end of the first
support surface.
[0007] The support surfaces may comprise frames disposed about one
or more peripheries of the support surface. Alternatively, the
support surfaces may be connected directly to each other. The width
of the third support surface is less than the width of the second,
which is less than the width of the first, which is less than the
width of the tray.
[0008] The dish rack further comprises at least one opening at the
base of the tray for draining water. The at least one opening may
comprise a single opening that is sized for use as a hand grip. The
dish rack may also comprise at least one stop at the base of the
tray to hold the second support in place when in the expanded
configuration and at least one locking bracket on the tray to snap
around the upper edge of the first support surface to hold it in
place when in the collapsed configuration.
[0009] A dish rack is disclosed connected to a tray for collecting
and draining water. The dish rack is comprised of a tray attached
to a first support surface that is pivotally attached to the tray
and the first support surface being positioned at an acute angle
relative to the tray. A second support surface is pivotally
attached to the first at a midpoint and is positioned at an acute
angle relative to the tray. A third support surface is pivotally
attached to the second support surface and is positioned at an
angle relative to the second support surface.
[0010] The first and second support surfaces are pivotally
connected at a midpoint to allow pivotal movement about an axis
located at the connection point. The third and second support
surfaces are also pivotally connected to one another at a lower end
which allows pivotal movement about this connection point. The
first support surface is pivotally connected to the tray to allow
pivotal movement about an axis located at a lower end of the first
support surface.
[0011] The support surfaces may comprise frames disposed about one
or more peripheries of the support surface. Alternatively, the
support surfaces may be directly connected to each other. The width
of the third support surface is less than the width of the second,
which is less than the width of the first, which is less than the
width of the tray.
[0012] The dish rack further comprises at least one opening at the
base of the tray for draining water. The opening may be sized for
use as a hand grip. The dish rack may also comprise at least one
stop at the base of the tray to hold the second support in place
when in the expanded configuration.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the collapsible dish rack in
its expanded configuration;
[0014] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the collapsible dish rack of
FIG. 1 in a partially collapsed configuration;
[0015] FIG. 3 is another perspective view of the collapsible dish
rack of FIG. 1 in a partially collapsed configuration;
[0016] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the collapsible dish rack of
FIG. 1 in a fully collapsed configuration;
[0017] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a support surface
and a frame of the collapsible dish rack of FIG. 1;
[0018] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the support surface and the
frame of FIG. 5 is an assembled arrangement; and
[0019] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a cross-section of support
surfaces and frames of the collapsible dish rack of FIG. 1 without
the tray.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] Apparatus and methods are disclosed herein and illustrated
in FIGS. 1-7 for a collapsible dish rack that is convertible
between an expanded configuration and a collapsed configuration.
The dish rack has a plurality of support surfaces for supporting
dishware, such as when the dishware is drying. The collapsible dish
rack preferably includes a catch tray for collection of any water
dripping down from dishware positioned on the rack when the rack is
in its expanded configuration. In addition, the tray provides for
compact storage of the support surfaces when the rack is in its
collapsed configuration.
[0021] Wet dishware can be stacked onto multiple layers of a dish
rack where the racks are configured as in FIG. 1. There is a large
rack on an upper level that can hold any size dishware and a
smaller rack on a lower level that can store smaller sized items.
Dishware may include any items that may be found in a kitchen area,
such as dishes, plates, pots, pans, glasses, cups, saucers,
utensils and the like. When plates are being stacked on the rack,
they can conveniently fit between the slots in the wire rack which
will support the plates upright and allow for multiple plates to be
stored, or alternatively, can be laid flat on the rack. Similarly,
cups, utensils, cookware, and the like may all be stored on the
dish racks by being laid across the rack surface.
[0022] In the expanded configuration, the drying rack can accept
and support dishware for drying. Also in the expanded
configuration, the dish rack is located over a catch tray which
collects the dripping water from the dishes. The tray can be
configured to permit water to drain from an opening located at one
end of the tray. Moreover, the end of the tray having the opening
may be positioned at a lower elevation that the opposite end of the
tray to permit water or other liquid to drain toward the opening.
When there is no dishware to dry and stack, the drying rack can be
easily folded up into the interior of the tray. Preferably, though
not necessarily, the tray can include upstanding sidewalls so that
the support surfaces of the dish rack can nest within the tray in
the collapsed configuration.
[0023] Turning now to the details of the dish rack, the dish rack
10 contains a generally rectangular tray 12 used for collecting and
draining water where the tray 12 is laid flat on a horizontal
surface when the rack 10 is in an expanded configuration, as shown
in FIG. 1. The tray 12 comprises a base 20 in an interior area and
sidewalls 21 that extend vertically upwards therefrom. The base 20
and the edges 21 together form the interior section of the tray 12.
At one end of the base 20 there is an opening 22 which is used for
draining water that collects in the interior section of the tray
12. The base 20 of the tray 12 can be at a slight incline, starting
from a section of the base 20 near the opening 22 and continuing at
an inclined angle towards the opposite end of the tray 12, such
that any water that collects in the tray 12 will tend to flow
towards the opening 22. The opening 22 is sized such that it is
large enough to use as a grip or handle by placing one's fingers
therethrough Optionally, a handle 24 may be included on the end of
the opening 22 for easier gripping. Alternatively, one or more
smaller drain holes may take the place of the opening 22 or be used
in conjunction with the opening 22.
[0024] The drying or support surfaces of the rack 10 include three
collapsible support surfaces which are positioned over the interior
section of the tray 12 when the rack 10 is in its expanded
configuration. The first support surface 14 includes a generally
rectangular wire platform 44 and a first support frame 36
surrounding one or more peripheries of the platform 44, and
preferably three peripheries. The platform 44 and frame 36 may
comprise a number of different materials, such as wood, plastic, or
metal, but preferably metal is used for the platform 44 and a
plastic is used for the frame 36. The wire platform 44 includes
vertical slots between metal rods. The distance between the slots
may be set at any reasonable distance to allow proper support of
dishware without it falling through, and is preferably sized to
accommodate an edge of plate. This configuration allows for thin
dishware, such as plates, to be placed securely through the slot so
that part of the plate is above the support surface 14 and a part
of the plate is below the support surface 14. The wire platform 44
extends only in about half of the region surrounded by the frame
36, as illustrated in FIG. 1. The portion of the frame 36 opposite
the wire platform 44 is pivotally connected about a pair of pivot
members 34 to sidewalls 21 of the tray 12.
[0025] The second support surface 16 includes a generally
rectangular wire platform 46 and has a second frame 38, where both
are similar in material and configuration to the first support
surface 14. The second support surface 16 preferably extends within
the entire second frame 38. The second support surface 16 is
pivotally attached relative to the first support surface 14, and
preferably the first and second frames 36 and 38 are connected by a
pair of pivot members 30 at a midpoint along the first and second
frames 36 and 38. When the rack 10 is in its expanded
configuration, the second support surface 16 and first support
surface 14 generally form an `X` shape.
[0026] The width of the second support surface 16 is less that the
width of the first support surface 14, so that the second support
surface 16 may be at least partially nested within the first
support surface 14 when the rack 10 is in its collapsed
configuration.
[0027] The first and second support surfaces 14 and 16 are
supported in the expanded configuration in part by the pivot
members 34 between the tray 12 and the frame 36 of the first
support surface. The first and second support surfaces 14 and 16
are also supported in the expanded configuration in part by stops
26 located on the bottom surface or base 20 of the tray 12. The
stops 26 may be made of rubber and separately inserted into
apertures formed in the base 20. The stops may alternatively be
integrally formed in the base 20 of the tray 12. The stops 26 are
located such that they are generally opposite the pivot members 34
between the first frame 38 and the tray 12. The position of the
stops 26 ensures that the lower end of the second support surface
16 contacts the base 20 and forms an acute angle relative to the
tray 12 that is generally equivalent to the acute angle formed
between the lower end of the first frame 36 and the tray 12. When
the rack 10 is in its collapsed configuration, the stops 26
preferably do not interfere with the nesting of the support
surfaces 14 and 16 in the tray 12, and may be located such that
they protrude through the slots or openings between rods of the
wire platforms 44 and 46.
[0028] The third support surface 18 also includes a generally
rectangular wire platform 42 partially surrounded by a frame 40,
and is similar in material and construction to the first and second
support surfaces 14 and 16. The third support surface 18 is smaller
in size than the other two supports, as illustrated in FIG. 1. One
end of the frame 40 is pivotally attached to the second frame 38
via a pair of pivot members 32. The width of the third support
surface 18 is preferably less than the width of the second support
surface 16 such that the third support 18 may be nested within the
frame 38 of the second support surface 16 when the rack 10 is in
its collapsed configuration. The third support surface 18, when in
an expanded position, is at an angle relative to the second support
16 such that dishware can be placed between the adjacent lower
portion of the second support surface 16 and the third support
surface 18. When in the expanded position, a lower cross rod of the
wire platform 42 abuts against the lower portion of the second
support surface to limit pivoting of the third support surface
beyond a predetermined amount.
[0029] In the collapsed configuration of the dish rack 10,
illustrated in FIG. 4, the three support surfaces 14, 16 and 18,
along with the tray 12, are generally parallel to each other. To
fold the three support surfaces 14, 16 and 18 into the parallel
relationship, and subsequently into the tray 12 for storage, the
third support surface 18 is pivoted about the pivot members 32
toward the second support surface 16 such that it is parallel to
the second support surface 16, as indicated by the arrow A in FIG.
2. The second support surface 16 is pivoted about the pivot members
30 toward the first support surface 14 such that it is parallel to
the first support surface 14 and adjacent to it, as indicated by
the arrow B in FIG. 2. Once both the third and the second support
surfaces 18 and 16 have been collapsed in a position that is
parallel to and adjacent to the first support surface 14, the first
support surface 14, together with the second and third support
surfaces 16 and 18, pivots about the pivot members 34 toward the
tray 12 and into the interior section of the tray 12 such that all
three support surfaces 14, 16 and 18 are parallel to the tray, as
indicated by arrow C in FIG. 3.
[0030] The frames 36, 38 and 40 are preferably sized such that the
third frame 40 can nest within the second frame 38, and the second
frame 38 can nest within the first frame 36. The first frame 36 is
preferably sized such that it can nest within the interior of the
tray 12. More specifically, the third frame 40 has a thickness
t.sub.3 that is about the same size as a space s.sub.2 in the
second frame 38 between the wire platform 46 and an edge of the
frame, as illustrated in FIG. 7, such that, when parallel, the
third support surface 18 can nest within the frame 38 of the second
support surface 16. Similarly, the second frame 38 has a thickness
t.sub.2 that is about the same size as a space s.sub.1 in the first
frame 36 between the wire platform 44 and an edge of the frame such
that, when parallel, the second support surface 16 can nest within
the frame 36 of the first support surface 14. The first frame 36
has a thickness t.sub.1 that is about the same size as the height
t.sub.t of the sidewall 21 of the tray 21 to accommodate the first
support surface 14, and thus the second and third support surfaces
16 and 18, in a nesting arrangement when the dish rack 10 is in its
collapsed configuration.
[0031] To keep the support surfaces 14, 16 and 18 in place when the
dish rack 10 is in its collapsed configuration, at least one
locking bracket 28, and preferably two locking brackets 28, are
located in the sidewall 21 of the tray 12. The locking brackets 28
are preferably located at the first end of the tray 12 near the
opening 22, opposite the pivotal members 34 between the first
support surface 14 and the tray 12. As the first support surface 14
is folded down into the interior of the tray 12, it contacts the
locking bracket 28 and pushes into the locking bracket 28 out of
the way. The locking bracket 28 then returns to its extended
position to secure the first support surface 14, and thereby the
second and third support surfaces 16 and 18, in the tray 12. The
locking bracket 28 can be manually shifted to its retracted
position to permit conversion of the dish rack 10 from the
collapsed configuration to the expanded configuration.
[0032] Turning to more of the details of the construction of the
support surfaces 14, 16 and 18, each of the frames 36, 38 and 40
includes a channel or groove for receiving side rods of the wire
platforms 42, 44 and 46. As illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, the
channel 48 can be sized to generally secure the frames 36, 38 and
40 relative to the wire platforms 42, 44 and 46, although other
equally suitable methods of securing the components together may be
utilized.
[0033] Although the use of frames 36, 38 and 40 are depicted in
FIGS. 1-7, the support surfaces may comprise wire platforms
directly connected to each other, such as with hinges. For example,
the first support surface may have a pair of brackets on opposing
sides with pivot pins extending through apertures formed in the
second support surface. The third support surface may likewise
having a pair of brackets on opposing sides with pivot pins
extending through apertures formed in the second support surface.
Brackets on opposing sides of the first support surface may also be
provided, and may be connected with pivot pins to the tray.
[0034] From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that apparatus
and methods for a collapsible dish rack are disclosed. The dish
rack is not limited to the embodiments described hereinabove or to
any particular embodiments. Various modifications to the foregoing,
such as the use of a plastic grating material in place of the wire
platforms of the support surfaces, will result in substantially the
same dish rack. The dish rack is defined more particularly by the
following claims.
* * * * *