U.S. patent application number 12/378528 was filed with the patent office on 2010-08-19 for multi stage sink strainer with positive mechanical stops.
Invention is credited to Kim V. Peterson.
Application Number | 20100205734 12/378528 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42558598 |
Filed Date | 2010-08-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100205734 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Peterson; Kim V. |
August 19, 2010 |
Multi stage sink strainer with positive mechanical stops
Abstract
A multi stage sink strainer with positive mechanical stops for
providing a sink strainer that is superior in function and
appearance. Having mechanical stops for easy positive operation and
the ability to be removed as an assembly for easy cleaning. Also,
having locating features to ease the assembly of the components.
Also, having the ability to be appearance customized by the
consumer. The inventive device includes a strainer cup, a stopper
and a stopper support. The strainer cup provides a fine stage of
straining and serves to contain the strained material. The cup
includes features that provide mechanical stops for operation. The
cup also provides features for removal as an assembly. The cup also
includes locating features that ease the assembly of the
components. The cup also includes features that allow for the
stopper to be held in multiple orientations. The stopper is sized
and shaped to cover the fine straining holes 5 with a sealing area
while also providing a coarse straining stage. The stopper support
provides a means of locating and supporting the stopper in it's
various open, closed and assembly positions. It's centralized
position under the stopper gives the assembly an enhanced overall
appearance.
Inventors: |
Peterson; Kim V.;
(Manchester, GA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KIM PETERSON
PO BOX 88
MANCHESTER
GA
31816
US
|
Family ID: |
42558598 |
Appl. No.: |
12/378528 |
Filed: |
February 17, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
4/287 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E03C 1/262 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
4/287 |
International
Class: |
A47K 1/14 20060101
A47K001/14 |
Claims
1. A sink basket, stopper and support assembly comprising: i) A
basket portion configured and dimensioned to be receivable and
removable within an existing sink drain opening, the bottom portion
having a plurality of openings, said basket portion having
mechanical stops to limit movement of said support portion, said
basket portion having features for locating said support portion
when receiving said support portion. ii) A stopper portion
configured and dimensioned to be receivable and removable within
said basket portion, said stopper having an open and closed
position, said stopper portion when in the open position is sized
to limit the size of strained material from flowing around said
stopper periphery, said stopper portion when in the closed position
is sized to cover the plurality of openings in said basket portion
limiting the flow of fluid thru said openings. iii) A support
portion having ribs configured and dimensioned to hold said stopper
portion in the open and closed positions, said support portion
having at least one locating feature to locate said support portion
when being received in said basket portion, said support portion
being attached centrally underneath said stopper portion, said
support portion having at least one feature to releasably attach
said support portion to said basket portion.
2. The device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said basket portion has
at least one sealing surface to limit flow of fluids between said
basket portion and the sink opening.
3. The device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said basket portion has
a sealing surface to limit flow of fluids between said basket
portion and said stopper portion when stopper portion is in the
closed position.
4. The device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said basket portion has
a plurality of openings for allowing fluid flow when said stopper
portion is in the open position.
5. The device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said basket portion has
openings configured to accept said support portion when in the
closed position.
6. The device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said basket portion has
at least one feature for limiting the movement of said support
portion between a closed position and an open position.
7. The device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said basket portion has
at least one feature for locating said support portion when
receiving said support portion.
8. The device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said stopper portion
has at least one sealing surface for limiting flow of fluids
between said basket portion seal of claim 3 and said stopper
portion when stopper portion is in the closed position.
9. The device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said stopper portion is
configured and dimensioned to create a gap between said stopper and
said basket when in the open position, for the purpose of limiting
the size of strained material from flowing around said stopper
portion's periphery.
10. The device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said stopper portion
has at least one feature for grasping said stopper portion
facilitating the movement of said stopper between the open and
closed positions.
11. The device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said support portion
has at least three legs for stability configured to support the
stopper in the open position when bottom of legs are in contact
with said basket portion bottom.
12. The device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said support portion
legs of claim 11 are configured to pass thru openings of claim 5 in
said basket bottom when in the closed position.
13. The device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said support portion
legs are configured to limit movement between the open and closed
positions in conjunction with said basket portion feature of claim
6.
14. The device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said support portion
has at least one feature to locate support within said basket
portion feature of claim 7.
15. The device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said support portion
has at least one feature to releasably attach said support portion
to said basket portion.
16. The device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the sealing surface of
claim 2 is a separate component.
17. The device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the sealing surface of
claim 8 is a separate component.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates generally to sink strainers
and more specifically it relates to a multi stage sink strainer
with positive mechanical stops for providing a sink strainer that
is superior in function and appearance. Having mechanical stops for
easy positive operation and the ability to be removed as an
assembly for easy cleaning. Also, having locating features to ease
the assembly of the components. Also, having the ability to be
appearance customized by the consumer.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] It can be appreciated that sink strainers have been in use
for years. Typically, sink strainers are comprised of sink
strainers and stoppers. The bulk of which are similar in design in
that they have a strainer cup on top of a drain stopper or plug.
There have been some attempts to put the stopper on top of the
strainer cup as evidenced in U.S. Pat. No. 6,601,242 and U.S. Pat.
No. 7,032,253.
[0005] The main problem with conventional sink strainers placing
the strainer cup on top of the stopper, is all of the strainer
holes or slots are visible thereby making the product less
desirable esthetically. Another problem with conventional sink
strainers are that when putting the stopper on top of the cup, they
do not offer effective mechanical locating devices for easy
assembly or operation. Attempts to remedy this flaw have left a
less than desirable visible feature. Also, these attempts have not
provided a means of removing the strainer and stopper together as
an assembly for easy cleaning. Another problem with conventional
sink strainers are they offer very limited opportunity for
appearance customizing by the consumer.
[0006] While these devices may be suitable for the particular
purpose to which they address, they are not as suitable for
providing a sink strainer that is superior in function and
appearance. Having mechanical stops for easy positive operation and
the ability to be removed as an assembly for easy cleaning. Also,
having locating features to ease the assembly of the components.
Also, having the ability to be appearance customized by the
consumer. The main problem with conventional sink strainers placing
the strainer cup on top of the stopper, is all of the strainer
holes or slots are visible thereby making the product less
desirable esthetically. Another problem is that when putting the
stopper on top of the cup, they do not offer effective mechanical
locating devices for easy assembly or operation. Attempts to remedy
this flaw have left a less than desirable visible feature. Also,
these attempts have not provided a means of removing the strainer
and stopper together as an assembly for easy cleaning. Also,
another problem is they offer very limited opportunity for
appearance customizing by the consumer.
[0007] In these respects, the multi stage sink strainer with
positive mechanical stops according to the present invention
substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of
the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus primarily
developed for the purpose of providing a sink strainer that is
superior in function and appearance. Having mechanical stops for
easy positive operation and the ability to be removed as an
assembly for easy cleaning. Also, having locating features to ease
the assembly of the components. Also, having the ability to be
appearance customized by the consumer.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known
types of sink strainers now present in the prior art, the present
invention provides a new multi stage sink strainer with positive
mechanical stops construction wherein the same can be utilized for
providing a sink strainer that is superior in function and
appearance. Having mechanical stops for easy positive operation and
the ability to be removed as an assembly for easy cleaning. Also,
having locating features to ease the assembly of the components.
Also, having the ability to be appearance customized by the
consumer.
[0009] The general purpose of the present invention, which will be
described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new multi
stage sink strainer with positive mechanical stops that has many of
the advantages of the sink strainers mentioned heretofore and many
novel features that result in a new multi stage sink strainer with
positive mechanical stops which is not anticipated, rendered
obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art sink
strainers, either alone or in any combination thereof.
[0010] To attain this, the present invention generally comprises a
strainer cup, a stopper and a stopper support. The strainer cup
provides a fine stage of straining and serves to contain the
strained material. The cup includes features that provide
mechanical stops for operation. The cup also provides features for
removal as an assembly. The cup also includes locating features
that ease the assembly of the components. The cup also includes
features that allow for the stopper to be held in multiple
orientations. The stopper is sized and shaped to cover the fine
straining holes 5 with a sealing area while also providing a coarse
straining stage. The stopper support provides a means of locating
and supporting the stopper in it's various open, closed and
assembly positions. It's centralized position under the stopper
gives the assembly an enhanced overall appearance.
[0011] There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more
important features of the invention in order that the detailed
description thereof may be better understood, and in order that the
present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There
are additional features of the invention that will be described
hereinafter.
[0012] In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment
of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the
invention is not limited in its application to the details of
construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in
the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The
invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced
and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that
the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose
of the description and should not be regarded as limiting.
[0013] A primary object of the present invention is to provide a
multi stage sink strainer with positive mechanical stops that will
overcome the shortcomings of the prior art devices.
[0014] An object of the present invention is to provide a multi
stage sink strainer with positive mechanical stops for providing a
sink strainer that is superior in function and appearance. Having
mechanical stops for easy positive operation and the ability to be
removed as an assembly for easy cleaning. Also, having locating
features to ease the assembly of the components. Also, having the
ability to be appearance customized by the consumer.
[0015] Another object is to provide a multi stage sink strainer
with positive mechanical stops that acts as a sink strainer/stopper
combination with multiple stages of straining.
[0016] Another object is to provide a multi stage sink strainer
with positive mechanical stops that offers the ability to be
customized in appearance.
[0017] Another object is to provide a multi stage sink strainer
with positive mechanical stops that provides mechanical stops and
locators to make operation easy.
[0018] Another object is to provide a multi stage sink strainer
with positive mechanical stops that allows for removal as an
assembly for easier cleaning.
[0019] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will
become obvious to the reader and it is intended that these objects
and advantages are within the scope of the present invention.
[0020] To the accomplishment of the above and related objects, this
invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the
accompanying drawings, attention being called to the fact, however,
that the drawings are illustrative only, and that changes may be
made in the specific construction illustrated.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of
the present invention will become fully appreciated as the same
becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate
the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and
wherein:
[0022] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the present invention as
separated for cleaning.
[0023] FIG. 2 is a section view of the present invention in the
closed position.
[0024] FIG. 3 is a section view of the present invention in the
open position.
[0025] FIG. 4 is a bottom isometric view of the stopper and stopper
support combination.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0026] Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar
reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several
views, the attached figures illustrate a multi stage sink strainer
with positive mechanical stops, which comprises a strainer cup, a
stopper and a stopper support. The strainer cup provides a fine
stage of straining and serves to contain the strained material. The
cup includes features that provide mechanical stops for operation.
The cup also provides features for removal as an assembly. The cup
also includes locating features that ease the assembly of the
components. The cup also includes features that allow for the
stopper to be held in multiple orientations. The stopper is sized
and shaped to cover the fine straining holes 5 with a sealing area
while also providing a coarse straining stage. The stopper support
provides a means of locating and supporting the stopper in it's
various open, closed and assembly positions. It's centralized
position under the stopper gives the assembly an enhanced overall
appearance.
[0027] The strainer cup provides a fine stage of straining and
serves to contain the strained material. The cup includes features
that provide mechanical stops for operation. The cup also provides
features for removal as an assembly. The cup also includes locating
features that ease the assembly of the components. The cup also
includes features that allow for the stopper to be held in multiple
orientations. The strainer cup is shaped to fit into existing sink
drain openings as well as existing waste disposer openings.
Generally shaped with a bottom/seal area 4, cylindrical side 3 and
flange 1. It is provided with a flange 1 to support the assembly
and cover the drain/waste disposer opening with a seal area 12 on
the underside of flange 1 for sealing fluid flow between the cup
and the existing sink. It is further provided with a second seal
area 4 for sealing fluid flow between the cup and the stopper. It
is also provided with holes 5 shaped and sized to provide a fine
straining function. It is also provided with shaped hole features 8
& 13 to accept and locate the stopper support in its various
positions while still maintaining the fine straining function. It
is also provided with a conical recess feature 10 to assist in
proper assembly. It is lastly provided with mechanical stop
features 7 to positively position the stopper support in its
various positions. The sealing area 12 could be a lip that rests on
the sink bottom surface, or it could be a seal between the outer
cylindrical surface of the cup and the inner cylindrical surface of
the sink basin basket, it could also be a sealing area between the
bottom of the cup and sink basin basket. Optionally a colored
flexible seal 9 could be provided between the cup seal area 12 and
the sink bottom. The optional seal could be a larger diameter than
the outer diameter of the flange 1 allowing the consumer the
opportunity to customize the overall appearance. The strainer cup
could be a single piece or made from multiple pieces with a myriad
of possible shapes and configurations depending on the desired
appearance and function. The seal areas could be integral or
separate as above. The fine strainer holes could take on a myriad
of sizes, shapes and patterns. The hole features 8 could
alternatively be pockets. The features for accepting and locating
the stopper support could take on many configurations depending on
the stopper support configuration. The strainer cup could be
constructed using various materials and could incorporate secondary
treatments depending on the function and appearance desired.
[0028] The stopper is sized and shaped to cover the fine straining
holes 5 with a sealing area while also providing a coarse straining
stage. The stopper 2 in the closed position shown in FIG. 2 covers
the fine straining holes 5. Further in the closed position the
stopper seal area 14 seals against cup seal area 4 to prevent fluid
flow between the stopper and cup. In the open position shown in
FIG. 3 fluid flows thru the gap 21 between the periphery 20 of the
stopper 2 and the strainer cup wall 3. The gap is sized to provide
a coarse straining stage preventing larger filtrate material from
passing thru. In the preferred embodiment the stopper is provided
with a knob 11 for ease of use. The stopper could be a single piece
or made from multiple pieces with a myriad of possible shapes and
configurations depending on the desired appearance and function. It
could include an integral seal area or the seal area could be
composed of multiple pieces. The stopper optionally could be
provided with a flexible colored seal 15 to enhance the function
and appearance of the assembly. It could incorporate a handle 11
for ease of use that could be integral or attached. The stopper
support feature could be integral with the stopper as shown or
assembled separately. The stopper could be constructed using
various materials and could incorporate secondary treatments
depending on the function and appearance desired.
[0029] The stopper support provides a means of locating and
supporting the stopper in it's various open, closed and assembly
positions. It's centralized position under the stopper gives the
assembly an enhanced overall appearance. The stopper support
functions to hold and locate the stopper in it's open and closed
positions. The stopper support features one or more ribs 18 aligned
perpendicular to the stopper seal area 14. The ribs 18 function as
legs to support the stopper in it's open position. The ribs 18 are
sized to provide a gap 22 in the open position FIG. 3 between the
stopper seal area 14 and the cup seal area 4 allowing sufficient
fluid flow for drainage. In the preferred embodiment there would be
three or more ribs 18 to provide stable support. In the closed
position the ribs 18 pass thru the holes 8 in the cup. There would
be one or more features 16 provided for locating the support into
the cup locating feature 10. The support stop features 19 are sized
and shaped to interact with the cup stop features 7 providing
positive location of the support to the cup for moving between the
open and closed positions. There would also be provided separate
features 6 that would pass thru strainer cup hole/s 13 and resist
pulling back out in order to hold the cup and support together for
removal from the sink as an assembly. Alternatively the features 6
could rotate under a feature in the cup in the closed position to
hold the support and cup together as an assembly in the closed
position without the need to collapse as in the preferred
embodiment. The ribs 18 and the locating area 10 could be shaped to
act as ramps or cam surfaces to allow for multiple open positions.
However the ramp features could be incorporated in the cup
alternatively. The ribs could take on a myriad of shapes sizes and
quantity depending on the desired configuration of the cup features
and or stopper. The support could be multiple pieces or even
integral with the stopper as shown. The support could be
constructed using various materials and could incorporate secondary
treatments depending on the function and appearance desired.
[0030] The strainer cup seals against the existing sink to prevent
fluid flow and in the closed position the stopper seal area 14
seals against cup seal area 4 to prevent fluid flow between the
stopper and cup. Thusly sealing the whole sink. The stopper and
stopper support work as a rigid assembly. In the open position the
gap 21 between the periphery of the stopper 2 and the cup wall 3 is
sized to provide a coarse straining stage preventing larger
filtrate material from passing thru while allowing sufficient fluid
flow. The ribs 18 resting on top of the cup bottom 4 are sized to
provide a gap 22 in the open position FIG. 3 between the stopper
seal area 14 and the cup seal area 4 allowing sufficient fluid flow
for drainage. When operating the assembly between open and closed
positions the Stop features 19 and 7 make contact with each other
to stop movement at the correct positions. When going from open to
closed the stop features position the rib features 18 to pass thru
the hole features 8. When going from closed to open the stop
features position the rib features 18 over the seal area 4 to hold
the assembly open. Locating feature 16 interacts with the locating
feature 10 and hole 13 to locate the stopper and stopper support
with relation to the cup. Features 6 interacts with hole 13 in such
a manner as to resist passing thru hole 13. Assembly of the Stopper
support and cup for use, and separation for cleaning is
accomplished by the collapsing of features 16 and 17 allowing
features 6 to pass thru feature 13. As an alternative hole feature
13 could be shaped to allow features 6 to pass thru without
requiring collapsing of features 16 and 17. Removing the whole
assembly as one would then be accomplished by rotating features 6
under an additional feature in the cup that would prevent features
6 from passing thru hole feature 13. As another alternative cup
wall 3 could be conical in shape being wider at the top near the
intersection of flange 1. Then the stopper could be positioned in
multiple locations relative to the cup bottom 4. This would provide
for a larger and smaller gap 21 between the stopper periphery and
the cup wall 3, thereby allowing more or less fluid flow in the
coarse straining stage.
[0031] Operation is accomplished by placing the cup as an assembly
into the opening of the existing sink or waste disposer. No tools
would be required. The stopper and support assembly are operated in
order to close or open the strainer allowing for or preventing
fluid flow. In the closed position the stopper seal area 14 rests
on top of the cup seal area 4. When opening the stopper support is
lifted in a generally vertical direction until the support features
6 make contact with the bottom of hole feature 13. At this position
the stopper/support assembly is rotated until stop features 19 and
7 make contact with each other. At this position the stopper
support assembly is released and allowed to rest in the open
position on top of the cup bottom 4 allowing fluid flow. Closing
the assembly is accomplished in reverse by rotating the
stopper/support assembly in the opposite direction until the stop
features 19 and 7 again make contact. At this position the
stopper/support assembly is released and allowed to fall into the
closed position. For cleaning purposes the stopper/support assembly
is lifted in the generally vertical direction until features 6
contact the bottom of hole feature 13. Continuing to lift the
stopper/support assembly will then also lift the cup as a complete
assembly. Once the entire assembly is removed from the sink the
stopper/support assembly can be separated from the cup by pulling
the components apart facilitated by the collapsing of features 16
and 17. Reassembly for use is accomplished in reverse by locating
feature 16 relative to hole 13 with the help of locating feature
10. Once centered the assembly is accomplished by pushing the
features 16 and 6 thru the hole 13 facilitated by the collapsing of
features 16 and 17. Once assembled the entire assembly can again be
placed in the sink or waste disposer opening.
[0032] As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and
operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent
from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion
relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided.
[0033] With respect to the above description then, it is to be
realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts
of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape,
form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are
deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and
all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings
and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed
by the present invention.
[0034] Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only
of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous
modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in
the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact
construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly,
all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to,
falling within the scope of the invention.
* * * * *