Portable Sink Stand

Abstract

A portable sink stand may be foldable between a stowed state and a deployed state. In some examples, the portable sink stand may have a substantially rectangular cuboid profile in the stowed state. The portable sink stand may comprise a sink retaining body, an upstanding partition, and a support structure. A fluid distribution system may be disposed below the sink retaining body that includes a first pipe that runs the length of the portable sink stand. In some examples, the portable sink stand may be quickly moved between the stowed state and the deployed quickly with minimal assembly. When multiple portable sink stands are utilized, the fluid distribution systems of the sink stands may be coupled together.

Description

BACKGROUND

[0001] Various portable sink stands have been developed for deployment at a remote site. Field hospitals, barracks, kitchens, mess halls, disaster relief shelters, decontamination stations, holding cells, laboratories, and schools are some applications that may require portable sink stands. When a portable sink stand is no longer needed at a site, it may be reconfigured for transportation to another site. This often requires a relatively large amount of time and many personnel. In some instances, multiple portable sink stands are arranged in a variety of plumbing configurations. These configurations may depend on the number of bathrooms, kitchens, or washing stations deployed at a remote site. The use of multiple portable sink stands and different configurations may lengthen the time and increase the number of personnel needed to setup the portable sink stands. As more institutions require portable equipment suitable for remote site applications, particularly in the military environment, there is an increasing need for equipment that is easily transportable and configurable.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0002] The detailed description is set forth with reference to the accompanying figures. The use of the same reference numbers in different figures indicates similar or identical items.

[0003] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an example portable sink stand having a partition pivotably connected to a sink retaining body, and a support structure.

[0004] FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the example portable sink stand of FIG. 1 in a deployed state.

[0005] FIG. 3 is a front elevation view of the example portable sink stand of FIG. 1.

[0006] FIG. 4 is an isometric view of an example portable sink stand in a stowed state.

[0007] FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of the portable sink stand of FIG. 4

[0008] FIG. 6 is a front elevation view of a first portable sink stand coupled to a second portable sink stand.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Overview

[0009] As discussed above, portable sink stands are often deployed at remote sites, requiring the sink stands to be transported to and set-up at the sites. Due to the need to change locations frequently and quickly, as in many applications, including the military, the sink stands are taken down and transported quite often. However, as noted above, conventional sink stands take considerable time and personnel to set-up and take down, making them ill-suited for rapid deployment. When multiple sink stands are used, and in multiple configurations, the time and number of personnel needed to deploy the sink stands in the field may be increased.

[0010] This application describes a sink stand that is collapsible to form a compact portable structure. The sink stand may be easily transported and configured. For example, the portable sink stand may be efficiently set-up and taken down, shipped, and arranged to a modular "daisy-chain" configuration. One example embodiment employs a sink retaining body pivotably coupled to an upstanding partition. The sink retaining body may include a horizontal surface positioned around a basin with a drain hole, a vertical surface extending up the back side of the horizontal surface, and a gusset that connects the horizontal surface to the vertical surface. The upstanding partition may include a planar surface that is pivotably coupled along one edge to the vertical surface of the sink retaining body.

[0011] In some embodiments, the pivotable coupling may allow the upstanding partition to be movable between a stowed state and a deployed state. In the stowed state, the upstanding partition may be substantially perpendicular to the vertical wall and substantially parallel to the horizontal surface. In the deployed state, the upstanding partition may be substantially coplanar with the vertical wall and substantially perpendicular to the horizontal surface. The portable sink stand may have latches, notches, snap fixtures, or clips to maintain the portable sink stand in the stowed state or the deployed state.

[0012] In some embodiments, the portable sink stand may include a support structure coupled to the sink retaining body and positioned below the sink retaining body when the portable sink stand is in a deployed state. The support structure may include any number of legs extending down from corners of the horizontal surface of the sink retaining body. In some examples, a back wall may be disposed between two of the legs of the support structure. In the deployed state, the legs of the support structure may make contact with the ground or floor and provide load bearing support for the portable sink stand.

[0013] In a stowed state the support structure may pivot so that the back wall of the support structure and the vertical wall of the sink retaining body are substantially perpendicular. With both the support structure and the upstanding partition folded perpendicular to the sink retaining body in the stowed state, the portable sink stand may resemble a rectangular cuboid. Handles may be positioned on the portable sink stand so that, in the stowed, rectangular cuboid state, the portable sink stand may be well-suited for carrying, stacking, storing, and/or transporting.

[0014] Some examples may include a fluid distribution system arranged in a space defined by the legs of the support structure. The fluid distribution system may include a main pipe that runs the length of the portable sink stand. The main pipe may be coupled to the drain hole of the basin. The main pipe may be used to distribute fluid into the portable sink stand and for removing fluid from the portable sink stand. Some embodiments may employ multiple portable sink stands, in which case the fluid distribution systems of the portable sink stands may be linked in series, or "daisy-chained", reducing installation time and cost. Some embodiments of this disclosure may include additional, or alternative, elements. Examples of several embodiments are disclosed with reference to the figures.

[0015] Multiple and varied example implementations and embodiments are described below. However, these examples are merely illustrative, and other implementations and embodiments may be used to deploy a portable sink stand with reduced installation time, an efficient shipping form factor, and modular "daisy-chaining" capabilities without departing from the scope of the disclosure.

Example Sink Stand

[0016] Turning now to the figures, details are provided concerning various example embodiments. In general, the embodiments disclosed in the figures are presented by way of example. The components disclosed in the figures may be combined as desired to create a portable sink stand having various configurations. The components disclosed in the figures may be rearranged, modified, duplicated, and/or omitted in some configurations.

[0017] With reference to FIG. 1, an example embodiment of a portable sink stand 100 in a deployed state is illustrated that includes a sink retaining body 102, a partition 104, and a support structure 106. In some embodiments, the sink retaining body 102 and the partition 104 may form a first compartment and a second compartment. The sink retaining body 102 may comprise a horizontal surface 108, a first gusset 110, a second gusset 112, and a rear wall 114 positioned between the first gusset 110 and the second gusset 112. In some embodiments the horizontal surface 108, the first gusset 110, the second gusset 112, and the rear wall 114 may be comprised of a rigid planar material such as sheet metal, plastic, wood, ceramic composites, or glass (e.g., glass composites). They may be separate components coupled together during a manufacturing process, or comprise a single piece of material (e.g., folded sheet metal).

[0018] In some embodiments, the sink retaining body 102 may house a first sink 116 and a second sink 118, although any number of sinks may be employed. Sink 116 may comprise a basin 120A, a faucet 122A, a knob 124A, and a drain hole 126A, while the sink 118 may comprise a basin 120B, a faucet 122B, a knob 124B, and a drain hole 126B. The first sink 116 and/or the second sink 118 may be permanently or removably affixed to the horizontal surface 108 and may comprise a same material as the sink retaining body 102 or a substantially different material. In some embodiments a horizontal shelf 128 that may be affixed to the rear wall 114.

[0019] The portable sink stand 100 of FIG. 1 may include, in some examples, the partition 104 pivotably coupled to at least a portion of a top of edge of the rear wall 114. The partition 104 may include a substantially rectangular planar base 130 and a perimeter extension 132. The perimeter extension 132, in some embodiments, may comprise a first wall 134, a second wall 136, and a third wall 138 positioned between the first wall 134 and the second wall 136. The perimeter extension 132 may protrude perpendicularly from the planar base 130. The planar base 130 of the partition 104 may provide a substantially flat surface for mounting additional components, such as a mirror 136A, a soap dispenser 136B, a shelf (not shown), or a plumbing fixture (not shown). The partition 104 may be comprised of the same material as the sink retaining body 102, or a different material, or a combination of materials.

[0020] The portable sink stand 100 may also comprise the support structure 106 coupled to and positioned below the sink retaining body 102. The support structure 106 may include a first leg 140, a second leg 142, a third leg 144, and a fourth leg 146, although any number of legs could be implemented. The first leg 140 and the second leg 142 may, in some examples, define a first side 148 of the support structure 106. Similarly, the third leg 144 and the fourth leg 146 may define a second side 150 of the support structure 106. A back wall 152 may be positioned between and coupled to the first leg 140 and the third leg 144. The legs 140-146 and the back wall 152 that comprise the support structure 106 may be comprised of substantially the same material as the sink retaining body 102 or a different material or a combination of materials.

[0021] In some embodiments, the portable sink stand 100 may have handles 154A and 154B disposed on the first gusset 110, as shown in FIG. 2. Although not illustrated in FIG. 2, the second gusset 112 and/or the rear wall 114 may additionally, or alternatively, include handles. The handles 154A and 154B may be comprised of metal or another rigid material and may be positioned substantially indented into the surface of the first support gusset 110. The handles 154A and 154B may be spring loaded so that it is flush with the first gusset wall 112 when not in use. Any number of handles may be employed, and on any surface of the portable sink stand 100.

[0022] A fluid distribution system 156 may be implemented, by way of example, substantially below the sink retaining body 102 in a space enclosed by the support structure 106, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The fluid distribution system 156 may provide enclosed ingoing and outgoing paths for fluids (e.g., water) being utilized by the portable sink stand 100. The fluid distribution system 156 may include a first pipe 156A that extends substantially between the first side 148 and the second side 150 (e.g., along a substantially horizontal line). A second pipe 156B may be included (FIG. 2), extending perpendicularly from the first pipe 156A towards the sink retaining body 102 (e.g., along a substantially vertical line). In some embodiments, the second pipe 156B may couple the drain holes 126A and/or 126B to the first pipe 156A. The first pipe 156A and the second pipe 156B may comprise any kind of plumbing fixture made of metal, plastic, rubber, ceramic, wood, or composites. There are many lengths and connection points that could define the first pipe 156A and the second pipe 156B. Depending on the distance of the first pipe 156A to the drain holes 126A and/or 126B, the second pipe 156B may comprise merely a fitting ring, or be omitted altogether.

[0023] The portable sink stand 100 may be positioned in a deployed state, such as in FIGS. 1-3, or in a stowed state, as shown in FIGS. 4-5. In the stowed state, the portable sink fixture may comprise a substantially rectangular cuboid 158, as illustrated in FIG. 4. The partition 104 may be pivotably moved so that the planar base 130 of the partition 104 is substantially perpendicular to the rear wall 114. The first wall 134 may abut the first gusset 110, forming a rectangular end 160 of the cuboid 158. The third wall 138 of the partition 104 may be positioned parallel to the rear wall 114, in some examples when the portable sink stand 100 is in a stowed state.

[0024] In some embodiments, as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, the support structure 106 may be pivotably moved when the portable sink stand 100 is changed between a deployed state and a stowed state. In the stowed state, the back wall 152 of the support structure 106 may be substantially parallel to the planar base 130 of the partition 104 and substantially perpendicular to the rear wall 114 of the sink retaining body 102, so that the back wall 152 forms a bottom 162 of the cuboid 158 and the planar base 130 forms a top 164 of the cuboid 158.

[0025] A first latch 166 may be employed, in some examples, to couple the partition 104 to the sink retaining body 102. A second latch 168 may be employed to couple the support structure 106 to the sink retaining body 102. The position of the first latch 166 may be anywhere on the portable sink stand 100 where the partition 104 abuts the sink retaining body 102 in the stowed state. Similarly, the second latch 168 may be positioned anywhere on the portable sink stand 100 where the support structure 106 abuts the sink retaining body 102. Although latches 166 and 168 are disclosed in some examples, many quantities and methods of coupling surfaces together could be used such as, fasteners, screws, clips, protrusions and cavities, hooks, and/or straps.

[0026] In some embodiments, the rectangular cuboid 158 form factor that the portable sink stand 100 may comprise in the deployed state, may allow the portable sink stand 100 to make efficient use of space during transportation.

[0027] In some examples, as illustrated in FIG. 6, a second portable sink stand 170 substantially similar in size and configuration to the first portable sink stand 100 may be provided and coupled to the first portable sink stand 100. The fluid distribution system 156 of the first portable sink stand 100 may be connected to the fluid distribution system 172 of the second portable sink stand 170 by way of a coupling pipe 174. The coupling pipe 174 may comprise a same material as the first pipe 156A, or a different material, or a combination of materials. Any number of portable sink stands 170 and 172 may be coupled together in this manner, sometimes referred to as "daisy-chaining".

CONCLUSION

[0028] Although the disclosure describes embodiments having specific structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the claims are not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described. Rather, the specific features and acts are merely illustrative of some embodiments that fall within the scope of the claims of the application.

Claims

1. A foldable sink stand comprising: a sink retaining body including a horizontal surface, a vertical surface, and a gusset wall coupling the horizontal surface to the vertical surface, an upstanding partition pivotably coupled to the sink retaining body, the upstanding partition having a perimeter extension, wherein the foldable sink stand is foldable between: a first, deployed position, in which the upstanding partition and the vertical surface are substantially parallel to one another; and a second, stowed position, in which the gusset wall and the perimeter extension abut each other so that the gusset wall and the perimeter extension form a substantially planar rectangle in the second position.

2. The foldable sink stand of claim 1, further comprising a basin coupled to the sink retaining body, wherein the basin includes a drain hole positioned below the horizontal surface.

3. The foldable sink stand of claim 1, further comprising a support structure coupled to the sink retaining body.

4. The foldable sink stand of claim 3, wherein the support structure comprises a first leg and a second leg that define a first side of the sink stand, and a third leg and a fourth leg that define a second side of the sink stand.

5. The foldable sink stand of claim 4, further comprising a fluid distribution system coupled to the sink retaining body below the horizontal surface, the fluid distribution system including: a first pipe that extends at least from the first side of the sink stand to at least the second side of the sink stand; and a second pipe that extends perpendicular to the first pipe towards the horizontal surface, coupling the drain of the basin to the first pipe.

6. The foldable sink stand of claim 1, wherein in the second, stowed position, the foldable sink stand comprises a substantially rectangular cuboid.

7. A collapsible sink stand comprising: a first compartment and a second compartment, the first compartment and second compartment being pivotable between a collapsed state and a deployed state, the first compartment comprising: an upstanding partition; and first and second sides extending perpendicularly from the upstanding partition; and the second compartment comprising: a sink retaining surface, and first and second gussets extending perpendicularly from the sink retaining surface, the upstanding partition and the sink retaining surface being substantially parallel in the collapsed state and being substantially perpendicular in the deployed state.

8. The collapsible sink stand of claim 7, comprising a support structure coupled to the second compartment, the support structure comprising: a first leg, a second leg, a third leg, and a fourth leg; a back wall coupled to the first leg and the second leg that is substantially parallel to the upstanding partition when the collapsible sink stand is in the deployed state.

9. The collapsible sink stand of claim 8, wherein the collapsible sink stand comprises a substantially rectangular cuboid when the collapsible sink stand is in the collapsed state.

10. The collapsible sink stand of claim 9, wherein in the collapsed state the back wall and the upstanding partition form a top and a bottom of the substantially rectangular cuboid, the top and the bottom being substantially parallel.

11. The collapsible sink stand of claim 10, wherein the first side extending perpendicularly from the upstanding partition and the first gusset extending perpendicularly from the sink retaining surface abut to form a first end of the rectangular cuboid.

12. The collapsible sink stand of claim 11, wherein the second side extending perpendicularly from the upstanding partition and the second gusset extending perpendicularly from the sink retaining surface abut to form a second end of the rectangular prism that is substantially parallel to the first end.

13. A portable sink stand system comprising: a first sink stand comprising: a body having a substantially rectangular horizontal surface, a first wall, a second wall, and a third wall extending vertically from the horizontal surface, the third wall being disposed between the first and second wall, and a partition pivotably coupled to the third wall, a support structure having a first leg and a second leg that define a first side, and a third leg and a fourth leg that define a second side, and a fluid distribution system disposed at least partially between the first side and the second side, the fluid distribution system including a pipe extending between the first side and the second side; and a second sink stand being substantially similar in size and configuration to the first sink, wherein: the pipe of the fluid distribution system of the first sink stand is removably coupled to the pipe of the fluid distribution system of the second sink stand.

14. The portable sink stand system of claim 13, wherein the first sink stand and the second sink stand are movable between a stowed state and a deployed state.

15. The portable sink stand system of claim 13, wherein the horizontal surface of the first sink stand includes a basin with a drain hole, the drain hole being coupled to the fluid distribution system.

16. The portable sink stand system of claim 14, wherein the first sink stand further comprises a back wall positioned between the first side and the second side of the support structure, the back wall being substantially parallel to the partition when the first portable sink stand is in the stowed state.

17. The portable sink stand system of claim 14, wherein the third wall and the partition of the body are substantially parallel in the deployed state and substantially perpendicular in the stowed state.

18. The portable sink stand system of claim 15, wherein the fluid distribution system further comprises a second pipe that couples the first pipe to the drain hole of the basin.

19. The portable sink stand system of claim 16, wherein the partition of the first sink stand further comprises a perimeter extension that extends perpendicularly from the partition.

20. The portable sink stand system of claim 19, wherein the back wall, the partition, the partition extension, the first wall, the second wall, and the third wall of the first sink stand form a substantially rectangular cuboid when the first sink stand is in the stowed state.