U.S. patent application number 13/067605 was filed with the patent office on 2011-12-15 for sink rack and system for supporting large frying pans horizontally within the confines of a kitchen sink.
Invention is credited to Thomas Arthur Roenne.
Application Number | 20110303626 13/067605 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45095383 |
Filed Date | 2011-12-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110303626 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Roenne; Thomas Arthur |
December 15, 2011 |
Sink rack and system for supporting large frying pans horizontally
within the confines of a kitchen sink
Abstract
A sink rack and system for supporting large frying pans within
the confines of a kitchen sink, comprising at least 2 elongate
platforms configured to span across the inside confines of a sink.
The elongate platforms terminate at each end at a vertical
extension and the top of each vertical extension terminates at a
support that is configured to rest on the top perimeter of kitchen
sinks. The elongate platforms are also configured with an upper
surface on which to place large frying pans horizontally within the
confines of a sink. The sink rack is formed of rigid rust proof
material, and at least the elongate platforms are formed of rigid
rust proof and heat resistant material. In a preferred aspect of
the present invention the two sides of the sink rack provide a
system for receiving large hot frying pans and a variety of other
cookware, by placing the platforms horizontal and parallel to each
at desired distances apart, or in various horizontal V patterns
within a sink.
Inventors: |
Roenne; Thomas Arthur;
(Sangudo, CA) |
Family ID: |
45095383 |
Appl. No.: |
13/067605 |
Filed: |
June 14, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
211/71.01 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47J 47/20 20130101;
A47J 36/34 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
211/71.01 |
International
Class: |
A47G 29/00 20060101
A47G029/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 14, 2010 |
CA |
2,706,689 |
Claims
1. A sink rack and system for supporting large frying pans
horizontally within the confines of a kitchen sink, comprising: at
least two elongate platforms formed of rigid rust proof heat
resistant material, at least 4 elongate vertical extensions formed
of rigid rust proof material that are affixed to or formed
integrally with each end of each said elongate platform, at least 4
supports formed of rigid rust proof material affixed to or formed
integrally with the top of each said elongate upward extension,
said supports configured to rest on the top perimeter of said sink,
wherein said sink rack is configured such that said elongate
platforms span across the inside confines of said sink horizontally
and parallel to each other at desired distances apart or in various
horizontal V patterns with the upper surface of said elongate
platforms positioned at a depth inside of said sink that is not
greater than the vertical distance from the bottom of said frying
pan to the farthest point along said frying pans handle that would
come in contact with the top perimeter of said sink when said
frying pan is placed horizontally in said sink to the maximum depth
that said frying pan could remain horizontal without removing or
bending said frying pans said handle.
2. A sink rack as claimed in claim 1, wherein said elongate
platforms are configured with an upper surface on which to lay said
large frying pans horizontally.
3. A sink rack as claimed in claim 1, wherein said elongate
platforms are configured with an upper surface on which to lay a
variety of other items such as buckets, plastic tub and cookware
such as pots, roasting pans, cutting boards, casserole dishes,
colanders and the like horizontally within the confines of said
sink.
4. A sink rack as claimed in claim 1, wherein said vertical
extensions are form of rigid heat resistant material.
5. A sink rack and system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said
elongate platforms can be placed farther apart to accommodate large
said frying pans or closer together to accommodate said frying pans
that are not as large.
6. A sink rack as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one said
elongate platform is shorter than the other to enable the shorter
elongate platform to be stacked on top of the longer elongate
platform.
7. A sink rack and system for supporting large frying pans
horizontally within the confines of a kitchen sink, comprising: a
sink rack and system as claimed in claim 1; and, the said elongate
platforms adjustable in length.
8. A sink rack and system as claimed in claim 1, wherein when
justified only one said elongate platform can be used.
9. A sink rack as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bottom of said
support has padding.
10. A sink rack as claimed in claim 1, wherein the back side (the
side facing said sink) of said vertical extension has padding.
11. A sink rack as claimed in claim 1, wherein said sink rack can
easily fit in a kitchen drawer (as normally made) when not in
use.
12. A sink rack and system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said sink
racks platforms may be positioned in various horizontal V patterns
within the confines of a kitchen sink.
13. A sink rack as claimed in claim 1, wherein large said frying
pans and other cookware such as pots, casserole dishes and roasting
pans with food stuff in them can be placed before having the food
stuff transferred to eating dishes or other containers and any food
stuff that may fall off of a serving utensil such as a fork,
spatula or ladle falls into said sink rather than the kitchen stove
or kitchen counter top, after said food stuff has been removed from
said frying pan or other said cookware said frying pan or other
said cookware can be filled with washing water without having to be
moved.
14. A sink rack as claimed in claim 1, wherein said sink rack is an
aid for persons without disabilities, said sink rack is more of an
aid to persons with disabilities such as arthritic hands and
wrists, weak arms and bad backs.
15. A sink rack as claimed in claim 1, wherein said sink rack aids
in protecting said sink from being damaged by large heavy said
frying pans and other large heavy cookware.
16. A sink rack and system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said sink
rack supports small frying pans horizontally within the confines of
a kitchen sink.
17. A sink rack as claimed in claim 1, wherein the side of said
sink rack that has the shorter platform also has longer supports so
both sides remain equally as long.
18. A sink rack as claimed in claim 1, wherein the entire said sink
rack is formed of the same rigid rust proof, heat resistant
material.
19. A sink rack and system as claimed in claim 1, wherein when said
large frying pans are placed on said sink rack, enough of the
handle of said large frying pan is above and to the outside of the
top perimeter of said sink to allow said frying pan to rest
horizontally on said sink racks platforms within the confines of
said sink.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority to Canadian Patent
Application No: 2,706,689 Filed Jun. 14, 2010, entitled SINK RACK
AND SYSTEM FOR SUPPORTING LARGE FRYING PANS HORIZONTALLY WITHIN THE
CONFINES OF A KITCHEN SINK
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention is directed toward kitchen sink racks
and, more particularly, sink racks for supporting large cookware
items such as large frying pans.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Large frying pans are widely used in kitchens, and often end
up having food stuff baked on and even burnt onto the bottom and
sides of the frying pan often making cleaning of the frying pan
difficult, in situations like this it is often desirable to fill
the frying pan with hot soapy water and let it sit soaking for a
period of time to loosen any baked on or burnt on food stuff before
attempting to scrub the frying pan clean, however larger frying
pans on their own as commonly made cannot be placed horizontally
inside of most kitchen sinks as commonly made because the handles
of the frying pans protrude outward farther than the perimeter of
the sink, and current sink racks are not well suited for the task
of supporting large frying pans horizontally within the confines of
kitchen sinks.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] Do to the limitations in the prior art it is often necessary
to place large frying pans full of hot soapy water on the kitchen
counter top or back on the stove top if someone wants to presoak a
large frying pan before cleaning it. Doing this can create some
potential problems such as possibly spilling hot soapy water on the
counter top, the stove top, the kitchen floor and even worse, on
one's self because frying pans full of water can be difficult to
handle in a controlled manner, thus creating unwanted clean ups and
possibly causing the kitchen floor to become slippery and dangerous
should hot soapy water be spilt on the floor. Also, having to place
frying pans full of soapy water on the kitchen counter or stove top
uses up valuable space especially in smaller kitchens, plus it is
unsightly to look at and it is just about impossible to fill a
frying pan with water to the top of the rim if it has to be moved
outside of the inside confines of the sink and back again. Another
problem that is faced in the kitchen is when the kitchen sink
already has dishes in the bottom of it and someone finds themselves
having to wash even a smaller frying pan or a pot for that matter
the other dishes most likely have to be removed from the sink first
or the frying or pot would have to be placed directly on top of the
other dishes, possibly damaging or breaking the bottom dishes. Also
when transferring food stuff from a frying pan or pot to a serving
dish it can get messy because of food stuffs dripping off of
serving spoons or spatulas and onto the stove or countertop. Also
large frying pans can be heavy; especially ones made from cast
iron, so scrubbing them clean in a sink can damaging the sink, and
can be very stressful on a person's fingers, wrists, arms and back
especially for people with disabilities.
[0005] While there are many different types and styles of sink
racks available in the prior art, they have not been particularly
successful in alleviating the foregoing problems, plus typical sink
racks are large and cumbersome, taking up a lot of space in a sink
or on a countertop. Clearly it would be desirable to have available
sink racks that can receive large frying pans directly from a hot
stove in such a manner that the frying pans will safely sit
horizontally within the confines of a kitchen sink with the handles
of the frying pans positioned above and to the outside of the top
perimeter of a sink, and does not use up valuable space while in
use or while in storage.
[0006] Therefore, it is an object of this invention to provide a
sink rack and system that is safe and easy to use for supporting
large frying pans in a horizontal position within the confines of
kitchen sinks.
[0007] It is a further object of this invention to provide a sink
rack that will receive a hot large frying pan that is full of food
stuff directly from a hot stove.
[0008] It is yet another object of this invention to provide a sink
rack that will withstand the strain of large frying pans being
filled to the top with hot soapy water and be scrubbed clean
without having to worry about damaging the sink or having water
spill on the counter top or floor.
[0009] It is a further object of this invention to provide a sink
rack that can easily be moved to either side of a sink.
[0010] It is yet another object of this invention to provide a sink
rack that takes up minimal space within a kitchen sink or in a
drawer when not in use.
[0011] It is yet another object of this invention to provide a sink
rack that allows the user to utilize the lower part of a sink for
smaller dishes and at the same time utilize the upper part of the
sink for larger cookware such as large frying pans.
[0012] It is yet another object of this invention to provide a sink
rack and system that can support large frying pans and a variety of
other cookware.
[0013] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a sink
rack and system for supporting large frying pans horizontally
within the confines of kitchen sink as ordinarily made for homes,
recreational vehicles and the like comprises: at least two elongate
platforms configured with an upper surface on which to place large
frying pans, and are made of rigid heat resistant material so they
can receive a large frying pan directly from a hot stove, and are
also configured to span across the inside confines of a kitchen
sink. Affixed to or formed integrally with both ends of each
platform are upward extensions, and affixed to or formed integrally
with the top of each upward extension is a support that is
configured to rest on the top perimeter of kitchen sinks.
[0014] The sink rack may be configured such that when it is placed
on a kitchen sink the elongate platforms upper surfaces are
horizontal and parallel to each other and at a depth inside the
sink that is not greater than the vertical distance from the bottom
of the frying pan to be placed on the platforms to the farthest
point along the frying pans handle that would come in contact with
the top perimeter of the kitchen sink when the frying pan is placed
horizontally in the sink to the maximum depth that the frying pan
could remain horizontal without removing or bending the handle.
[0015] The sink rack may be configured such that the upper surface
of the platforms will not only support large frying pans but will
also support a variety of other cookware such as smaller frying
pans, pots (large and small), roasting pans, cutting boards,
colanders and the like by simply moving the platforms farther apart
to support larger cookware and closer together to support smaller
cookware and the sink racks platforms can also be positioned in
various horizontal V patterns if need be.
[0016] Preferably at least one of the sink racks elongate platforms
is configured to stack on top of the other elongate platform.
Alternatively the platforms may be configured in such a way that
they are adjustable in length.
[0017] The sink rack may be configured such that depending on the
intended use, it may be desirable to only use one of the
platforms.
[0018] Preferably the bottom of the supports and the back side (the
side facing the sink) of the upward extensions have padding.
[0019] The sink rack can withstand the strain of having heavy large
frying pans and other heavy large cookware full of food stuff
placed on the platforms for food stuff serving purposes and the
strain of large frying pans and other large cookware being scrubbed
clean while on the sink rack.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a sink rack for
holding frying pans in a horizontal position within the confines of
kitchen sinks according to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention;
[0021] FIG. 2 is a perspective view taken from another direction of
the preferred embodiment of the present invention illustrated in
FIG. 1;
[0022] FIG. 3 is a perspective few of the preferred embodiment of
the present invention illustrated in FIGS. 1-2 illustrating a sink
and the present invention together, the sink is for illustrative
purposes only and forms no part of the present invention;
[0023] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the present invention
illustrated in FIGS. 1-3 showing a sink and a large frying pan,
illustrating the frying pan sitting horizontally on the sink rack
within the confines of a sink, the sink and the frying pan make up
no part of the present invention;
[0024] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the present invention
illustrated in FIGS. 1-4 with the platforms positioned closer
together and supporting a smaller frying pan in a horizontal
position in a sink; again the sink and the frying pan form no part
of the present invention;
[0025] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the present invention
illustrating both sides of the present invention stacked
together;
[0026] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a further alternative
embodiment of the present invention illustrating the platforms
adjustable in length;
[0027] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the present invention
positioned in an alternative horizontal V pattern supporting a
colander (strainer) in a sink, again the sink and the colander form
no part of the present invention;
[0028] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the present invention
supporting a cutting board within the confines of a kitchen sink
with a piece of fruit that has been cut up and furthermore
illustrates the juice from the fruit flowing into a sink, again the
cutting board, the sink, the fruit and the juice form no part of
the invention.
[0029] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a possible accessory for
raising the height that a frying pan may sit horizontally within
the confines of a kitchen sink.
[0030] FIG. 11 is a side view of a frying pan and a vertical
distance indicated from a point on the handle and the bottom of the
frying pan.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0031] Referring now to FIGS. 1-6, a sink rack 10 for supporting
large frying pans horizontally within the confines of a kitchen
sink S-1 comprises at least two elongate platforms P1 and P2 of a
suitable length to span across the inside confines of a kitchen
sink S-1 horizontally and with the upper surface 20 of the
platforms P1 and P2 at a depth that is not greater than the
vertical distance from the bottom of said frying pan F-1 to the
farthest point along said frying pans F-1 handle H-1 that would
come in contact with the top perimeter of the sink S-1 when the
frying pan F-1 is placed horizontally in the sink S-1 to the
maximum depth possible before said frying pan F-1 could not remain
horizontal without removing or bending said frying pans F-1 handle
H-1, an example of this vertical distance is shown in FIG. 11. The
platforms P1 and P2 have an upper surface 20 on which to put large
frying pans, a variety of other items such as buckets and plastic
tubs and other cookware such as pots, roasting pans, cutting boards
and colanders for example as best illustrated in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9.
Preferably the platforms P1 and P2 are formed of rust proof rigid
and preferably heat resistant material such as stainless steel,
aluminum or some sort of strong heat resistant plastic. The
advantage of the platforms P1 and P2 being formed of heat resistant
material is that a large frying pan F-1 for example can be placed
on the sink rack 10 directly from a hot stove. Being able to do
this means a large frying pan, pot or casserole dish for example
with food stuff in it can be placed on the sink rack 10 within the
confines of said sink S-1 while still hot, and then have the food
stuff transferred to an eating dish, or some other container
without having food stuff falling onto the stove or counter top if
some of the food stuff were to fall from a serving utensil, as it
would fall into the sink instead, making cleanups much easier, plus
once the food stuff has been removed from the frying pan or other
cookware, the frying pan for example could be filled with washing
water right where it sits, on the sink rack 10 safely within the
confines of the kitchen sink.
[0032] Affixed to (or formed integrally with) both ends of each
platform P1 and P2 are vertical extensions 18 formed of rigid
material. The vertical extensions 18 are of a suitable length to
hold the platforms P1 and P2 at a desired depth inside the confines
of a kitchen sink. The back side (the side facing the sink) of the
vertical extensions 18 may have some sort of padding to protect the
sink from scratches.
[0033] Affixed to (or formed integrally with) the top of each
vertical extension 18 is a support 16 that is configured to rest on
the top perimeter of said sink S-1, The supports 16 may have
padding on the bottom and may be wider than the platforms P1 &
P2 and the upward extensions 18 to give the sink rack greater
stability and to distribute the weight better on the top perimeter
of the sink when a large full frying pan F-1 or other item is
placed on the sink racks 10 platforms P1 & P2, if the supports
16 where to narrow, a risk of putting dents in the top perimeter of
a sink would arise, especially when heavy loads are put on the sink
rack 10.
[0034] Preferably platform P1 is slightly shorter than platform P2,
this would allow platform P1 to stack on top of platform P2. This
would be useful as the sink rack 10 would take up less space when
not being used and the sink rack 10 could easily fit in a kitchen
drawer. If platform P1 is made slightly shorter than platform P2
then the supports 16 associated with platform P1 may be slightly
longer to compensate for the shorter platform P1, keeping both
sides of the sink rack 10 the same overall length as illustrated in
FIG. 6. Alternatively the two sides of the sink rack 10 could be
made stackable by putting the vertical extensions 18 on a large
enough of an out ward outward angle, this would allow either side
of the sink rack 10 to be stacked on top of the other, however
doing this would shorten the length of the platforms P1 and P2 and
may structurally weaken the sink rack 10 if it were not made of a
stronger and heavier material, which then would also add to the
cost of manufacturing the sink rack 10.
[0035] Preferably the width of the platforms P1 & P2 is 1 (one)
to two inches each but could be more or less than one to two inches
each, the same applies for the vertical extensions 18.
Alternatively though, the vertical extensions 18 could be made much
smaller as the pulling strength of most materials known to man is
much greater than the bendability strength.
[0036] Because the platforms P1 and P2 span across the inside of
the sink, and the proximity of the vertical extensions 18 to the
sink S-1 walls, this prevent the sink rack 10 from sliding back
forth farther than the length of the supports, and potentially
falling into the sink S-1, but does not prevent the platforms P1
and P2 from being moved sideways and on an angle to the sink walls
to create a variety of horizontal V patterns between the side walls
of a sink, as illustrated best in FIG. 3 and FIG. 8.
[0037] FIG. 4 illustrates a very large frying pan F-1 lying on the
sink rack 10 with the handle H-1 positioned just above and to the
outside of the top perimeter of the sink S-1. The platforms P1 and
P2 are placed far apart to keep the frying pan F-1 stable.
[0038] FIG. 5 illustrates a large frying pan F-2 (but not as large
as the frying pan F-1 in FIG. 4) lying on the sink rack 10 with the
handle H-1 positioned just above and to the outside of the top
perimeter of the sink S-1, and the platforms P1 and P2 are
positioned closer together and to the left side of the sink S-1
leaving access to the bottom of the sink S-1 from the right
side.
[0039] FIG. 7 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the present
invention with the platforms P1 and P2 adjustable in length. While
there may be several ways known in the art of making the platforms
P1 and P2 adjustable in length, the method illustrated in FIG. 7
shows two sides to each platform 4M and 4F, 4M being the male end
and 4F being the female end, and to adjust the length the two
halves are pulled outward to make the main support beams longer or
pushed inward to make the main support beams shorter. While having
the length of the sink racks 10 platforms P1 and P2 adjustable may
have some advantages, it would also add to the cost of production,
it could add to the risk of structural failure, and it could add to
the risk of bacteria build up if the sink rack 10 was not properly
cleaned, therefor adding to the amount of maintenance required to
keep the sink rack 10 in good working order.
[0040] FIG. 8 illustrates the present invention, sink rack 10
positioned in a horizontal V pattern V20 in a sink S-1 with a
colander (strainer) 30 positioned within the opening of the
horizontal V. Typically the colander 30 would be placed closer to
the front of the sink S-1 using the front of the sink S-1 to help
support the colander 30, it is placed father back in FIG. 8 only to
help illustrate the V pattern V20. Being able to place the sink
rack 10 in a V pattern is very useful when placing items such as
colanders on the sink rack 10 as it gives extra support to the
colander as it is wedged into the V and helps prevent tipping the
colander 30 over when a pot full of hot pasta for example is poured
into said colander. Also the wide part of the V pattern creates a
large open area for water to drain from the colanders.
Alternatively the colander could be configured to rest right on top
of the sink rack 10 platforms P1 and P2.
[0041] FIG. 9 illustrates the sink rack 10 supporting a cutting
board 40 within the confines of a kitchen sink S-1, and best
depicting a piece of fruit 45 that has been cut up with the excess
juice 46 from the fruit 45 flowing into the sink S-1. Being able to
use cutting boards 40 together with the sink rack 10 would also be
very useful when having to deal with excessively bloody meats (for
example) while cutting or repackaging as the excess blood will
drain directly off the cutting board 40 and into the sink S-1.
[0042] FIG. 10 illustrates the sink rack 10 and further illustrates
a possible accessory 100 that when placed on the sink rack 10
platforms P1 and P2 create a higher base on which to place frying
pans that have a much lower profile horizontally within the
confines of the sink S-1. Possible accessory 100 shows pins
attached that fit into corresponding holes in the sink racks
platforms P1 and P2 to hold the accessory 100 in place, this may be
done by any number of ways known in the art. Alternatively the
vertical extensions 18 may be made in such a way that they are
adjustable in length using any way known in the art, and while
doing this may have some advantages, it would certainly add to the
cost of manufacturing the sink rack 10, it may add to the risk of
structural failure, and movable parts may create gaps for bacteria
to form if not properly cleaned, adding once again to the amount of
maintenance required to keep the sink rack 10 in good working
order.
[0043] As best depicted in FIG. 7-10 the supports 16 are wider than
the upward extensions 18 and the platforms P1 and P2. Also, the
illustrations in FIG. 8-10 are examples of some of the other things
that can be done with the present invention without departing from
the scope of the invention.
[0044] While preferred methods of using the sink rack 10 have been
illustrated, it will be appreciated that on occasion it may be
acceptable to only use one of the platforms P1 or P2, for example,
if a someone only needed to fill a large pot with cooking water and
did not want to place said pot on the bottom of the sink because it
had other dishes in it, and yet didn't want to hold all of the
weight while the pot was being filed they could simply place one of
the platforms across the sink and rest the pot on it while being
filled with water. If a person chose to do this, it would be
recommended that they still held the pot with one hand, only to
help balance it. It is recommended however that both platforms P1
and P2 be used at all times.
[0045] Regardless of the form of the invention, preferably, all of
the elements are formed of a suitable rigid rust proof, heat
resistant material such as stainless steel, aluminum or any known
strong rigid, rust proof, heat resistant plastic for example.
[0046] While being able to support large frying pans horizontally
within the confines of a kitchen sink with the present invention
may be an aid to persons without disabilities, it would most
certainly be an aid to persons with disabilities such as arthritis
in the fingers, wrists and elbows or suffer from back problems for
example, as the sink rack 10 supports the weight of large frying
pans and a variety of other large heavy cookware, and at the same
time helps protect the sink from being damaged by heavy large
frying pans (especially ones made of cast iron).
[0047] While preferred embodiments of the invention have been
illustrated and described, it will be recognized, however, that
various changes can be made therein without departing from the
spirit and scope of the invention and other departures may be made
therefrom within the scope of the invention and that obvious
modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art.
* * * * *