U.S. patent application number 16/408128 was filed with the patent office on 2019-08-29 for sink attachment for arranging on a sink.
The applicant listed for this patent is BLANCO GmbH + Co KG. Invention is credited to Josef KELLER, Alexandra ZVER.
Application Number | 20190264432 16/408128 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 60673371 |
Filed Date | 2019-08-29 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190264432 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
ZVER; Alexandra ; et
al. |
August 29, 2019 |
SINK ATTACHMENT FOR ARRANGING ON A SINK
Abstract
In order to create a sink attachment for arranging on a sink,
comprising a coupling device for coupling the sink attachment to a
coupling sidewall of a basin of the sink in a working position,
which can be easily and stably positioned without multiple
horizontal supporting faces having to be formed at the same height
on the sink or on a work surface on which the sink is arranged, and
without the functionality of the sink attachment or of the sink
being limited, it is proposed that the coupling device comprises an
inner coupling element that is configured to be seated, in the
working position, onto the inner side of the coupling side wall
facing the interior of the basin, and comprises an outer coupling
element that is configured to be seated, in the working position,
onto an outer side of the coupling side wall facing away from the
interior of the basin.
Inventors: |
ZVER; Alexandra;
(Kampfelbach, DE) ; KELLER; Josef; (Karlsruhe,
DE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
BLANCO GmbH + Co KG |
Oberderdingen |
|
DE |
|
|
Family ID: |
60673371 |
Appl. No.: |
16/408128 |
Filed: |
May 9, 2019 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
15850913 |
Dec 21, 2017 |
10329755 |
|
|
16408128 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E03C 1/186 20130101;
E03C 1/22 20130101; A47J 47/20 20130101; E03C 1/33 20130101 |
International
Class: |
E03C 1/33 20060101
E03C001/33; E03C 1/22 20060101 E03C001/22; A47J 47/20 20060101
A47J047/20; E03C 1/186 20060101 E03C001/186 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 22, 2016 |
DE |
10 2016 125 501.7 |
Claims
1.-15. (canceled)
16. A sink attachment for arranging on a sink, comprising a first
face-side coupling device for coupling the sink attachment to a
coupling sidewall of a basin of the sink and a second face-side
coupling device for coupling the sink attachment to a second
sidewall of the basin of the sink opposite to the coupling sidewall
of the basin, wherein the first face-side coupling device and/or
the second face-side coupling device is configured to be coupled to
the respectively assigned sidewall of the basin in such a way that
the sink attachment cannot be moved horizontally.
17. The sink attachment according to claim 1, wherein the first
face-side coupling device and/or the second face-side coupling
device comprises at least one face-side seating face on an end
region of a coupling element which is formed as a bar extending in
a longitudinal direction of the sink attachment.
18. The sink attachment according to claim 2, wherein the at least
one face-side seating face is tilted with respect to a normal
direction of a supporting face of a base body of the sink
attachment, wherein the tilt of the face-side seating face with
respect to the normal direction of the supporting face is at least
1.degree. and maximally 20.degree..
19. The sink attachment according to claim 1, wherein the first
face-side coupling device and the second face-side coupling device
are arranged on a base body of the sink attachment, the base body
having a supporting face.
20. The sink attachment according to claim 1, wherein the sink
attachment is configured to be arranged on the basin of the sink in
a working position, in which the longitudinal direction of the sink
attachment is rotated about an angle of 90.degree. with respect to
the position in which the first face-side coupling device is
coupled to the coupling sidewall of the basin of the sink and/or
the second face-side coupling device is coupled to the second
sidewall of the basin of the sink.
21. The sink attachment according to claim 1, wherein the sink
attachment is configured as a cutting board, as a bowl, as a
draining element, and/or as a grate.
22. The sink attachment according to claim 1, wherein the first
face-side coupling device and/or the second face-side coupling
device are couplable by frictional engagement to the respectively
associated sidewall of the basin of the sink.
23. The sink attachment according to claim 1, wherein the sink
attachment includes at least one supporting element for supporting
the sink attachment on a horizontal supporting face.
24. A combination comprising a sink having at least one basin and a
sink attachment for arranging on a sink, comprising a first
face-side coupling device for coupling the sink attachment to a
coupling sidewall of a basin of the sink and a second face-side
coupling device for coupling the sink attachment to a second
sidewall of the basin of the sink opposite to the coupling sidewall
of the basin, wherein the first face-side coupling device and/or
the second face-side coupling device is coupled to the respectively
assigned sidewall of the basin in such a way that the sink
attachment cannot be moved horizontally.
25. The combination according to claim 9, wherein the first
face-side coupling device and/or the second face-side coupling
device is coupled to the respectively associated sidewall of the
basin of the sink in such a way that the sink attachment is
arranged immovably on the basin, but can be removed from its
position coupled to the basin by using a force directed upward.
26. The combination according to claim 9, wherein the sink
attachment, when it is in a position coupled to the sidewalls of
the basin, is not in contact with a bottom region of the basin of
the sink.
27. The combination according to claim 9, wherein the sink
attachment, when it is in a position coupled to the sidewalls of
the basin, is secured in a manner preventing any movement in
relation to the basin in any horizontal direction parallel to the
coupling sidewall and/or the second sidewall.
28. The combination according to claim 9, wherein the coupling
sidewall of the basin and/or the second sidewall of the basin is
tilted with respect to the vertical in the installed condition of
the sink.
29. The combination according to claim 9, wherein the first
face-side coupling device is configured to couple the sink
attachment to a portion of the coupling sidewall of the basin that
is tilted with respect to the vertical by maximally 20.degree.
and/or the second face-side coupling device is configured to couple
the sink attachment to a portion of the second sidewall of the
basin that is tilted with respect to the vertical by maximally
20.degree..
30. The combination according to claim 9, wherein the sink
attachment jams between the coupling sidewall of the basin and the
second sidewall of the basin, at a working height that is specified
by a dimension of the sink attachment in a longitudinal direction
thereof.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a continuation application of U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 15/850,913, filed on Dec. 21, 2017,
which relates to the subject matter disclosed in German application
number 10 2016 125 501.7 of Dec. 22, 2016. The foregoing U.S.
Patent Application and the German Patent Application are hereby
incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a sink attachment for
arranging on a sink, comprising a coupling device for coupling the
sink attachment to a coupling sidewall of a basin of the sink in a
working position of the sink attachment.
[0003] Sink attachments are available for the basins of sinks, such
as, for example, a cutting board, a drip grate, or a bowl that can
be hung from above into the basin or can be placed on opposing
segments of a basin rim.
[0004] Here, the sink attachment is, for example, placed onto a tap
ledge of the sink on the one side, and onto a horizontal rim region
of the basin on the other side. For this, it is necessary, however,
that the front and rear supporting faces for the sink attachment,
in particular the tap ledge and the basin rim region, have a
uniform height level.
[0005] Furthermore, it is known to place a sink attachment on
horizontal supporting faces which are provided on tiers arranged in
the sidewalls of the basin. For this, a complex design of the
respective sidewalls of the basin is necessary.
[0006] A sink attachment can also be placed on a sink rim running
around the basin. Also for this, it is necessary that the sink rim
lies at the same height level everywhere.
[0007] Furthermore, it is known to set up a sink attachment on a
bottom region of the basin of the sink. This results in little
stability in the arrangement of the sink attachment on the basin
and in limited functionality of the sink attachment and of the
basin of the sink.
[0008] In the known connections described above of a sink
attachment to a basin of a sink (apart from setting up the sink
attachment on a bottom region of the basin of the sink), it is
necessary that the sink has a uniform height level in all
supporting regions on which the respective sink attachment is
placed.
[0009] There are sinks, however, in the form of troughs, in which
the tap ledge and other segments of the sink rim lie at different
height levels. Here, a connection of a sink attachment is difficult
due to the height level mismatch.
[0010] It may be further provided that the sink is arranged on a
work surface which covers parts of the sink rim, such that a height
difference exists between the top side of the work surface on the
one side, and the top side of the sink rim on the other side. Here,
the height difference of the top side of the work surface relative
to the uncovered segment of the sink rim depends on the material
thickness of the respectively used work surface, which makes the
connection of a sink attachment to a sink difficult.
[0011] The object underlying the present invention is to create a
sink attachment for arranging on a sink, which can be easily and
stably positioned on a sink, without multiple horizontal supporting
faces at the same height level having to be formed on the sink or
on a work surface on which the sink is arranged, and without the
functionality of the sink attachment or of the sink being
limited.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] The object is achieved, according to the invention, in a
sink attachment for arranging on a sink, said sink attachment
comprising a coupling device for coupling the sink attachment to a
coupling sidewall of a basin of the sink in a working position, in
that the coupling device of the sink attachment comprises an inner
coupling element that is configured to be seated, in the working
position, onto an inner side of the coupling sidewall facing the
interior of the basin, and comprises an outer coupling element that
is configured to be seated, in the working position, onto an outer
side of the coupling sidewall facing away from the interior of the
basin.
[0013] The concept underlying the present invention is to couple
the sink attachment in at least one working position of the sink
attachment not onto two opposing sides of the basin, nor onto the
sink, nor onto a work surface on which the sink is arranged, but
rather to couple the sink attachment by means of the inner coupling
element and the outer coupling element onto only a single coupling
sidewall of the basin of the sink, such that no compensation is
necessary for the height level mismatch of opposing sidewalls of
the basin of the sink or of regions of the work surface on which
the sink is arranged.
[0014] This offers the advantage that an upper rim of the coupling
sidewall, on the one side, and an upper rim of another sidewall of
the basin opposite to the coupling sidewall, or an upper side of a
work surface, which covers a sidewall opposite to the coupling
sidewall, can lie at different height levels, without thereby
impeding the coupling of the sink attachment to the basin of the
sink.
[0015] The working height of the sink attachment above the bottom
region of the basin, in which the sink attachment in the working
position is coupled to the basin of the sink, can be determined by
the design of the coupling sidewall alone, without considering the
design of the sidewall of the basin opposite to the coupling
sidewall or of a work surface on which the sink is arranged.
[0016] The coupling sidewall is preferably a front sidewall of the
basin of the sink that faces the user of the sink upon use of the
sink.
[0017] The inner side and the outer side of the coupling sidewall
are preferably connected to each other by a basin rim of the
basin.
[0018] The coupling sidewall can be formed solidly or can have a
cavity arranged between the inner side and the outer side.
[0019] In a preferred configuration of the invention, it is
provided that the inner coupling element is configured to be
seated, in the working position, substantially in area contact with
the inner side of the coupling sidewall and/or that the outer
coupling element is configured to be seated, in the working
position, substantially in area contact with the outer side of the
coupling sidewall.
[0020] The inner coupling element and/or the outer coupling element
may, in particular, be formed as a bar extending in a longitudinal
direction of the sink attachment.
[0021] Alternatively or additionally hereto, it may also be
provided that the inner coupling element in the working position is
configured to be seated onto the inner side of the coupling
sidewall at one or more, for example four, contact structures which
are each formed as a line or as a point, and/or that the outer
coupling element in the working position is configured to be seated
onto the outer side of the coupling sidewall at one or more, for
example four, contact structures which each are formed as a line or
as a point.
[0022] The inner coupling element and/or the outer coupling element
may, for example, comprise one or more pins or pegs which are
configured to be seated onto the respectively assigned side of the
coupling sidewall.
[0023] It is preferably possible to shift the sink attachment in
its working position relative to the basin of the sink along its
longitudinal direction, which preferably corresponds to a
longitudinal direction of the sink.
[0024] The inner coupling element and the outer coupling element
can be arranged on a base body of the sink attachment having a
supporting face.
[0025] Said supporting face is preferably oriented substantially
horizontally in the working position of the sink attachment.
[0026] The inner coupling element and/or the outer coupling element
may be integrally formed with the base body or produced separate
from the base body and fixed to the base body.
[0027] The inner coupling element may have an inner seating face
and the outer coupling element may have an outer seating face,
wherein the inner seating face and the outer seating face are
preferably tilted toward each other in such a way that the distance
between the inner seating face and the outer seating face decreases
with decreasing distance from the base body.
[0028] Thus, a receiving space bound by the inner seating face and
the outer seating face for an upper rim region of the coupling
sidewall tapers toward the base body.
[0029] The inner seating face and/or the outer seating face are
preferably tilted with respect to a normal direction of the
supporting face of the base body which is preferably oriented
parallel to the vertical in the working position of the sink
attachment.
[0030] Here, the tilt of the inner seating face and/or of the outer
seating face with respect to the normal direction of the supporting
face is preferably at least about 1.degree., in particular at least
about 3.degree., particularly preferably at least about
6.degree..
[0031] Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the tilt of the
inner seating face and/or of the outer seating face is maximally
about 20.degree., in particular maximally about 10.degree.,
particularly preferably maximally about 8.degree..
[0032] In a preferred configuration of the sink attachment
according to the invention, it is provided that the sink attachment
comprises a second inner coupling element that is configured to be
seated, in a second working position in which the sink attachment
is rotated about an angle of 180.degree. with respect to the first
working position, onto the inner side of the coupling sidewall, and
comprises a second outer coupling element that is configured to be
seated, in the second working position, onto the outer side of the
coupling sidewall.
[0033] In doing so, the sink attachment is formed reversibly, that
is, it can be arranged on the basin of the sink in two different
working positions, wherein the sink attachment in the second
working position is rotated about an angle of 180.degree. with
respect to the first working position.
[0034] It is especially advantageous if the sink attachment is
formed substantially symmetrical with respect to a rotation of
180.degree. about an axis of rotation running perpendicular to the
supporting face of the sink attachment through the center of
gravity thereof, and/or if the sink attachment is formed
substantially mirror symmetrical with respect to a longitudinal
median plane of the sink attachment running parallel to the
longitudinal direction of the sink attachment and perpendicular to
the supporting face of the sink attachment.
[0035] Alternatively or additionally hereto, it may be provided
that the sink attachment is configured to be seated onto the basin
of the sink in a transverse position, in which the longitudinal
direction of the sink attachment is rotated about an angle of
90.degree. with respect to the working position.
[0036] To this end, it may be provided, in particular, that the
sink attachment comprises a first face-side coupling device for
coupling the sink attachment to a coupling sidewall of the basin of
the sink and a second face-side coupling device for coupling the
sink attachment to a second sidewall of the basin of the sink
opposite to the coupling sidewall of the basin.
[0037] Thus, in the transverse position, the sink attachment is not
placed on substantially horizontal supporting faces on the basin,
nor on a region of the sink surrounding the basin, nor on a work
surface on which the sink is arranged, but rather is arranged
directly on two opposing sidewalls of the basin which are
preferably tilted with respect to the vertical in the assembled
state of the sink.
[0038] Here, it may be provided, in particular, that the first
face-side coupling device has at least one first face-side seating
face which is configured to be mounted onto the inner side of the
coupling sidewall of the basin in the transverse position, and that
the second face-side coupling device has at least one second
face-side seating face which is configured to be seated onto the
inner side of the sidewall of the basin opposite to the coupling
sidewall in the transverse position.
[0039] In this case, the sink attachment is at least partially
inserted into the basin and jams between the coupling sidewall and
the other sidewall of the basin opposite to the coupling sidewall
at a working height specified by the dimensions of the sink
attachment in its longitudinal direction.
[0040] Here, the first face-side coupling device and/or the second
face-side coupling device are preferably configured to be coupled
to the respectively assigned sidewall of the basin by positive
connection and/or by force-locking connection, in particular by
frictional connection.
[0041] The first face-side seating face and/or the second face-side
seating face are preferable tilted with respect to a normal
direction of a supporting face of a base body of the sink
attachment, which is preferably oriented in parallel to the
vertical in the transverse position of the sink attachment.
[0042] Here, the tilt of the respective face-side seating face with
respect to the normal direction of the supporting face of the base
body of the sink attachment is preferably at least about 1.degree.,
in particular at least about 3.degree., particularly preferably at
least about 6.degree..
[0043] Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the tilt of the
respective face-side seating face with respect to the normal
direction of the supporting face of the base body of the sink
attachment is maximally about 20.degree., in particular maximally
about 10.degree., particularly preferably maximally about
8.degree..
[0044] The sink attachment may, in principle, have any function and
design.
[0045] In preferred configurations of the invention, it is provided
that the sink attachment is configured, for example, as a cutting
board, as a bowl, as a draining element, and/or as a grate.
[0046] The sink attachment according to the invention is suited, in
particular, to be used to provide a supporting face on a basin of a
sink, said supporting face preferably having a substantially
horizontally oriented supporting face in a working position of the
sink attachment, wherein the sink attachment is coupled by means of
the coupling device to a coupling sidewall of the basin.
[0047] Any objects, for example tableware pieces and/or flatware
pieces, can be placed on the supporting face provided by the sink
attachment.
[0048] The sink attachment according to the invention preferably
constitutes a component of a combination of a sink comprising at
least one basin and one such sink attachment, wherein the sink
attachment is coupled by means of the coupling device to a coupling
sidewall of the basin of the sink.
[0049] Furthermore, such a combination may comprise a work surface,
on which the sink is arranged.
[0050] Here, it is preferably provided that the work surface at
least partially, particularly preferably fully, covers the upper
rim regions of one, two, or three sidewalls of the basin.
[0051] The sink is preferably configured as a kitchen sink.
[0052] It is particularly advantageous if the sink attachment
comprises a base body, on which the inner coupling element and the
outer coupling element of the coupling device are arranged,
wherein an underside of the base body connects an upper edge of the
inner coupling element facing the base body to an upper edge of the
outer coupling element facing the base body, and wherein the
underside of the base body in the working position of the sink
attachment is spaced apart from the coupling sidewall of the basin,
in particular from a basin rim on the upper side of the coupling
sidewall.
[0053] In doing so, it is possible to accommodate for resulting
manufacturing tolerances in the production of the basin of the sink
and/or in the production of the sink attachment, such that the sink
attachment can always be easily coupled to the coupling sidewall of
the basin.
[0054] The region of the coupling sidewall, to which the sink
attachment in the working position is coupled, can be formed
substantially smooth and/or substantially flat, and/or without
tiers.
[0055] It may also be provided, however, that the region of the
coupling sidewall, to which the sink attachment in the working
position is coupled, has a tier, wherein a tier complementary
hereto is preferably provided on the associated coupling
element.
[0056] Furthermore, it may be provided that the region of the
coupling sidewall, to which the sink attachment in the working
position is coupled, has a rough surface, through which a clamping
effect between the sink attachment and the coupling sidewall is
preferably increased.
[0057] It is particularly advantageous if the sink attachment in
the working position is not in contact with a bottom region of the
basin of the sink.
[0058] By coupling the sink attachment in the working position by
means of the coupling device to the coupling sidewall of the basin,
and preferably only to the coupling sidewall of the basin and to no
other sidewall, a secure, stable functioning of the sink attachment
on or in the basin is ensured.
[0059] The sink attachment can, apart from being used in the
transverse position or in the working position coupled to the
basin, additionally also be used on a work surface, for example as
a trivet, or on the bottom region of the basin, for example as a
grate.
[0060] The sink attachment can be coupled to the basin in various
positions relative to the basin.
[0061] In particular, it is possible to position the sink
attachment substantially centered on the coupling sidewall of the
basin.
[0062] The sink attachment can also be coupled to the basin offset
with respect to a centered position on the coupling sidewall, for
example offset to the left or to the right.
[0063] The sink attachment is preferably coupled substantially in
area contact with a front coupling sidewall of the basin of the
sink.
[0064] It is preferably coupled to the coupling sidewall in that it
encloses in an exactly fitting manner an upper rim region of the
coupling sidewall on the inner side facing the interior of the
basin and on the outer side facing away from the interior of the
basin with two contact elements, preferably in the form of two
longitudinal bars.
[0065] The design and the function of the sink attachment according
to the invention enable safe usage of the sink attachment, for
example in the form of a cutting board, above the basin.
[0066] Even if a free basin rim not covered by a work surface is
only available on the front sidewall of the basin facing the user,
the sink attachment can nevertheless be securely positioned,
preferably with its longitudinal direction parallel to the
longitudinal extension of the front sidewall of the basin.
[0067] In particular by means of the aforementioned face-side
coupling devices, the sink attachment can also be coupled in a
transverse position to the basin, in particular to the coupling
sidewall and to another sidewall of the basin opposite to the
coupling sidewall.
[0068] Furthermore, the cutting board can also be set up on the
work surface or on a table surface, in particular by means of
supporting elements made, for example, of an elastomer
material.
[0069] The tilt of the outer seating face of the outer coupling
element and of the inner seating face of the inner coupling element
with respect to the normal direction of the supporting face of the
sink attachment preferably corresponds substantially to the tilt of
the inner side of the coupling sidewall and to the tilt of the
outer side of the coupling sidewall in its upper rim region,
respectively, with respect to the vertical in the assembled state
of the sink.
[0070] The smallest distance between the inner coupling element and
the outer coupling element in the transverse direction of the sink
attachment is preferably smaller than the smallest horizontal
extension of the basin rim in the region of the coupling sidewall
on the upper side of the coupling sidewall in the assembled state
of the sink.
[0071] This can thus result in a compensation for the production
tolerances of the sink and the sink attachment.
[0072] The inner coupling element and the outer coupling element
and their connection to the base body of the sink attachment have
sufficient stability in order to keep the supporting face of the
sink attachment in the working position stable, even under load of
the sink attachment in the use thereof.
[0073] If the sink attachment in the working position is arranged
on the basin, the inner coupling element and the outer coupling
element have a sufficiently large vertical extension, in order to
prevent the sink attachment from tipping over relative to the
coupling sidewall of the basin.
[0074] The sink attachment is securely positioned over the interior
of the basin by being mounted on the upper rim region of the
coupling sidewall of the basin, in particular on the front sidewall
of the basin.
[0075] This enables the use of the sink attachment, in particular
on a sink in the form of a trough, in which the basin rim on the
front sidewall on the one side and on the rear sidewall opposite to
the front sidewall on the other side have different height
levels.
[0076] Upon coupling to the front sidewall of the basin, the sink
attachment in the working position is advantageously in the
proximity of the user, to whom the front sidewall of the basin
faces.
[0077] Upon configuring the sink attachment as a cutting board, the
cutting board may constitute a bridging cutting board when being
set up on the work surface.
[0078] The format of the sink attachment, in particular in the form
of a cutting board, is easy to handle and ergonomic.
[0079] The geometry, in particular the dimensions, of the sink
attachment can be easily adapted to other dimension of the basin of
the sink.
[0080] If the sink attachment provides at least one face-side
coupling device with face-side seating faces tilted with respect to
the normal direction of the supporting face of the sink attachment,
the sink attachment can be placed on these face-side seating
surfaces for drying and can therefore, in particular, be leaned
slanted against a back wall arranged behind the sink.
[0081] Further features and advantages of the invention are subject
matter of the subsequent description and of the graphic depiction
of an embodiment example.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0082] In the drawings:
[0083] FIG. 1 shows a perspective depiction of a basin of a sink,
in particular of a kitchen sink, whose upper rim is covered by a
work surface on three sides, and of a sink attachment arranged on
the basin in the form of a cutting board that, in a working
position, in which a longitudinal direction of the sink attachment
corresponds to a longitudinal direction of the sink, is coupled by
a coupling device to a front coupling sidewall of the basin;
[0084] FIG. 2 shows another perspective depiction of the
combination comprising sink, work surface, and sink attachment from
FIG. 1, with the viewing direction parallel to the long sides of
the basin;
[0085] FIG. 3 shows a top view from above onto the combination
comprising sink, work surface, and sink attachment from FIGS. 1 and
2;
[0086] FIG. 4 shows a vertical cut through the combination
comprising sink, work surface, and sink attachment from FIGS. 1 to
3, along the line 4-4 in FIG. 3;
[0087] FIG. 5 shows an enlarged depiction of region I from FIG.
4;
[0088] FIG. 6 shows a vertical cut through the combination
comprising sink, work surface, and sink attachment from FIGS. 1 to
3, along the line 6-6 in FIG. 3;
[0089] FIG. 7 shows a perspective depiction of the combination
comprising sink, work surface, and sink attachment from FIGS. 1 to
6, wherein the sink attachment in a transverse position, in which
the longitudinal direction of the sink attachment is rotated about
an angle of 90.degree. with respect to the working position
depicted in FIGS. 1 to 6, is arranged on the basin of the sink,
wherein the sink attachment is coupled by a first face-side
coupling device to the front coupling sidewall of the basin and is
coupled by a second face-side coupling device to another sidewall
of the basin of the sink opposite to the coupling sidewall;
[0090] FIG. 8 shows another perspective depiction of the
combination comprising sink, work surface, and sink attachment from
FIG. 7, with the viewing direction parallel to the long sides of
the basin;
[0091] FIG. 9 shows a top view from above onto the combination
comprising sink, work surface, and sink attachment from FIGS. 7 and
8;
[0092] FIG. 10 shows a vertical cut through the combination
comprising sink, work surface, and sink attachment from FIGS. 7 to
9, along the line 10-10 in FIG. 9;
[0093] FIG. 11 shows an enlarged depiction of region II from FIG.
10;
[0094] FIG. 12 shows a vertical cut through the combination
comprising sink, work surface, and sink attachment from FIGS. 7 to
9, along the line 12-12 in FIG. 9;
[0095] FIG. 13 shows a perspective depiction of the sink from FIGS.
1 to 12 without the work surface and without the sink
attachment;
[0096] FIG. 14 shows a top view from above onto the sink from FIG.
13;
[0097] FIG. 15 shows a perspective depiction of the sink attachment
from FIGS. 1 to 12, with a view onto an upper side of the sink
attachment;
[0098] FIG. 16 shows a perspective depiction of the sink attachment
from FIG. 15, with a view onto an underside of the sink
attachment;
[0099] FIG. 17 shows a top view from above onto the sink attachment
from FIGS. 15 and 16;
[0100] FIG. 18 shows a top view from below onto the sink attachment
from FIGS. 15 to 17;
[0101] FIG. 19 shows a front view of the sink attachment from FIGS.
15 to 18, with the viewing direction in the direction of the arrow
19 in FIG. 17;
[0102] FIG. 20 shows a side view of the sink attachment from FIGS.
15 to 19, with the viewing direction in the direction of the arrow
20 in FIG. 17;
[0103] FIG. 21 a perspective depiction of a supporting element of
the sink attachment from FIGS. 15 to 20;
[0104] FIG. 22 shows a side view of the supporting element from
FIG. 21;
[0105] FIG. 23 shows a top view from above onto the supporting
element from FIGS. 21 and 22, with the viewing direction in the
direction of the arrow 23 in FIG. 22; and
[0106] FIG. 24 shows a top view from below onto the supporting
element from FIGS. 21 to 23, with the viewing direction in the
direction of the arrow 24 in FIG. 22.
[0107] Equal or functionally equivalent elements are designated
with the same reference numerals in all figures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0108] A combination 100 depicted in FIGS. 1 to 12 comprises a work
surface 102 with a work surface section 104, a sink 108 arranged on
an underside 106 of the work surface 102 with a basin 110 and a
sink attachment 112 configured to be arranged on the basin 110,
this sink attachment 112 being configured as a cutting board 114 in
this embodiment.
[0109] The basin 110 individually depicted in FIGS. 13 and 14
comprises a bottom region 116, in which a basin drain opening 118
is provided, as well as sidewalls 120 extending nearly vertically
from the bottom region 116 upward, in particular a front first
sidewall 120a which serves as a coupling sidewall 122 in this
embodiment example, a rear second sidewall 120b opposite to the
coupling sidewall 122, a left sidewall 120c, and a right sidewall
120d, wherein the left sidewall 120c and the right sidewall 120d
connect the coupling sidewall 122 and the sidewall 120b to each
other.
[0110] Furthermore, the basin 110 comprises a basin rim 124
oriented substantially horizontally, running along the upper rims
of the sidewalls 120.
[0111] The basin 110 is preferably formed as one piece.
[0112] The basin 110 may, in principle, be made of any material,
for example of a stainless steel material, a ceramic material, a
plastics material, or a composite material.
[0113] The sink 108 may comprise, in addition to the at least one
basin 110, further basins and/or one or more draining surfaces.
[0114] The sink attachment 112 individually depicted in FIGS. 15 to
20 that is configured, for example, in the form of a cutting board
114 comprises a base body 126 which itself comprises a--preferably
substantially cuboid-shaped--baseplate 128 whose upper side forms a
supporting face 130 of the sink attachment 112.
[0115] On an underside 132 of the baseplate 128 facing away from
the supporting face 130 (cf. in particular FIGS. 16 and 18), two
inner coupling elements 134 and two outer coupling elements 136 are
arranged, which are each formed as bars 138 and 140, respectively,
and each extend in a longitudinal direction 142 of the sink
attachment 112, and are spaced apart from each other in a
transverse direction 144 of the sink attachment 112 running
perpendicular to the longitudinal direction 142 of the sink
attachment 112 and preferably parallel to the supporting face
130.
[0116] In particular, both outer coupling elements 136 each run
along an outer edge of the baseplate 128, preferably along one long
side of the baseplate 128 each.
[0117] Each inner coupling element 134 runs parallel to the
longitudinal direction 142 spaced apart from the respective
adjacent outer coupling element 136.
[0118] In the depicted embodiment example, the inner coupling
elements 134 are formed shorter than the outer coupling elements
136.
[0119] It may, in principle, also be provided, however, that the
inner coupling elements 134 are formed equally as long as the outer
coupling elements 136, or the inner coupling elements 134 may be
formed longer than the outer coupling elements 136.
[0120] Each outer coupling element 136 and its corresponding
adjacent inner coupling element 134, together with the base body
126, bound a receiving space 146 for an upper rim region of one of
the sidewalls 120, in particular of the front coupling sidewall
122.
[0121] Said receiving space 146 is bound by an outer seating face
148 of the respective outer coupling element 136 facing the inner
coupling element 134, by an inner seating face 150 of the inner
coupling element 134 facing the outer coupling element 136, and by
a region 152 of the underside 132 of the base body 126 connecting
the outer seating face 148 to the inner seating face 150.
[0122] The base body 126 and/or the coupling elements 134 and/or
136 may, for example, be made of a wood material (for example
laminated wood) or of a plastics material.
[0123] The coupling elements 134, 136 may, for example, be fixed on
the base body 126 by means of dowels, screws, and/or by
adhesion.
[0124] As can best be seen in FIG. 19, each coupling element 134 or
136 may have a substantially rectangular cross section or a
substantially trapezoid-shaped cross section.
[0125] An outer coupling element 136 preferably has a substantially
rectangular cross section, while an inner coupling element 134
preferably has a trapezoid-shaped cross section, wherein it may be
provided, in particular, that the thickness of the coupling element
134 increases with decreasing distance from the base body 126.
[0126] If the supporting face 130 of the sink attachment 112 is
oriented horizontally, then the inner seating face 150 of an inner
coupling element 134 is preferably tilted with respect to the
vertical about an angle .alpha., wherein a normal direction 154 of
the supporting face 130, in this position of the sink attachment
112, is oriented in parallel to the vertical (cf. FIG. 19).
[0127] The angle .alpha. is preferably at least about 1.degree., in
particular at least about 3.degree., particularly preferably at
least about 6.degree., and/or preferably maximally about
20.degree., in particular maximally about 10.degree., particularly
preferably maximally about 8.degree..
[0128] Each inner coupling element 134 and its adjacent outer
coupling element 136 form a coupling device 156 for coupling the
sink attachment 112 to the coupling sidewall 122 of the basin 110
in a working position of the sink attachment 112.
[0129] In the depicted embodiment, the sink attachment 112
additionally comprises a first face-side coupling device 158a for
coupling the sink attachment 112 to the coupling sidewall 122 and a
second face-side coupling device 158b for coupling the sink
attachment 112 to the sidewall 120b opposite to the coupling
sidewall 122 in a transverse position, in which the longitudinal
direction 142 of the sink attachment 112 is rotated about an angle
of 90.degree. with respect to the working position, in which the
sink attachment 112 is coupled by means of the coupling device 156
to the coupling sidewall 122.
[0130] The first face-side coupling device 158a comprises first
face-side seating faces 160a on the end regions of the outer
coupling elements 136 depicted on the right in FIG. 18.
[0131] The second face-side coupling device 158b comprises second
face-side seating faces 160b, which are arranged on the end regions
of the outer coupling elements 136 depicted on the left in FIG.
18.
[0132] As is best seen from the side view of the sink attachment
112 in FIG. 20, the face-side seating faces 160a, 160b are tilted
about an angle .beta. with respect to the normal direction 154 of
the supporting face 130 of the sink attachment 112, and thereby
tilted with respect to the vertical, when the supporting face 130
of the sink attachment 112 is oriented horizontally.
[0133] The angle .beta. is thereby preferably substantially equally
as large as the angle .alpha., about which the inner seating faces
150 of the inner coupling elements 134 of the coupling device 156
are tilted with respect to the normal direction 154 of the
supporting face 130 and with respect to the vertical, respectively,
when the supporting face 130 of the sink attachment 112 is oriented
horizontally.
[0134] Furthermore, the angle .beta. is preferably at least about
1.degree., in particular at least about 3.degree., particularly
preferably at least about 6.degree., and/or preferably maximally
about 20.degree., in particular maximally about 10.degree.,
particularly preferably maximally about 8.degree..
[0135] The tilted face-side seating faces 160a, 160b may be
produced, for example, by a milling process on the outer coupling
elements 136.
[0136] As is best seen in the FIGS. 18 and 19, end regions 162 of
the undersides 164 of the outer coupling elements 136 of the sink
attachment 112 are each provided with at least one recess 166, in
each of which one supporting element 168 is at least partially
received.
[0137] One such supporting element 168 is depicted individually in
FIGS. 21 to 24.
[0138] The supporting element 168 comprises a substantially
cylindrical shank 170 that has a likewise substantially cylindrical
head 172 which has a greater external diameter than the shank
170.
[0139] The end region of the shaft 170 facing away from the head
172 is provided with a chamfer 174.
[0140] As is best seen in FIGS. 22 and 23, multiple grooves 176,
for example three grooves 176, extend from an end region of the
shank 170 facing the head 172, parallel to the longitudinal middle
axis 178 of the support element 168, into the region of the chamfer
174.
[0141] The grooves 176 are preferably distributed substantially
equidistant about the longitudinal middle axis 178 of the
supporting element 168 in the circumferential direction of the
shank 170.
[0142] The head 172 of the supporting element 168 has a front face
180 facing away from the shank 170, whose outer edge may be rounded
off.
[0143] The supporting element 168 comprising shank 170 and head 172
is preferably integrally formed.
[0144] The supporting element 168 is preferably made of a
friction-increasing material.
[0145] The supporting element 168 may be made of a plastics
material, in particular of an elastomer material, for example of a
silicone material.
[0146] The supporting element 168 is preferably produced separately
from the outer coupling element 136 of the sink attachment 112 and
is later fixed to the outer coupling element 136, wherein the shank
170 of the supporting element 168 is received in the respective
corresponding recess 166 in one of the end regions 162 of the
underside 164 of the outer coupling elements 136 and the head 172
of the respective supporting element 168 protrudes out over the
respective recess 166.
[0147] Here, a seating face 182 of the head 172 of the supporting
element 168 protruding over the shank 170 in a radial direction of
the longitudinal middle axis 178 of the supporting element 168
preferably abuts the region of the respective underside 164 of an
outer coupling element 136 surrounding the recess 166.
[0148] The supporting element 168 may be fixed to the respective
coupling element 136 by, for example, force fit and/or by
adhesion.
[0149] Alternatively to this, it may also be provided that the
supporting element 168 is produced in situ on the coupling element
136, for example through an injection process with a material
suitable for injection molding.
[0150] The sink attachment 112 can be put on the basin 110 in the
longitudinal position or work position depicted in FIGS. 1 to 6, in
which the sink attachment 112 is coupled by means of the coupling
device 156 to the coupling sidewall 122, by bringing the sink
attachment 112 onto the basin from the top, until an upper rim
region 184 of the coupling sidewall 122 is inserted into the
receiving space 146 of the sink attachment 112 bound by an outer
coupling element 136 and an inner coupling element 134.
[0151] As is best seen in the cross section in FIG. 5, the upper
rim region 184 of the coupling sidewall 122 tapers upward to the
basin rim 124, which has a width B', which is less than the
distance B between the inner seating face 150 and the outer seating
face 148 of the coupling elements 134, 136 on the underside 132 of
the base body 126.
[0152] If the sink attachment 112 is put so far onto the coupling
sidewall 122 that the inner seating face 150 of the inner coupling
element 134 abuts the inner side 186 of the coupling sidewall 122
and the outer seating face 148 of the outer coupling element 136
abuts the outer side 188 of the coupling sidewall 122, then the
region 152 of the underside 132 of the base body 126 that connects
the outer seating face 148 to the inner seating face 150 is spaced
apart from the coupling sidewall 122 of the basin 110.
[0153] Thus, it is achieved that manufacturing tolerances of the
basin 110 and/or of the sink attachment 112 can be accommodated for
by the remaining free space between the underside 132 of the base
body 126 of the sink attachment 112 and the basin rim 124 of the
basin 110.
[0154] The inner side 186 of the coupling sidewall 122 and/or the
outer side 188 of the coupling sidewall 122 preferably have
substantially the same tilt with respect to the vertical in the
upper rim region 184 of the coupling sidewall 122 (in the assembled
state of the sink 108) as the inner seating face 150 of the inner
coupling element 134 and as the outer seating face 148 of the outer
coupling element 136, respectively, when the supporting face 130 of
the sink attachment 112 is oriented horizontally.
[0155] Thus, an area contact seating of the coupling elements 134
and 136, respectively, with the inner side 186 and with the outer
side 188 of the coupling side wall 122 of the basin 110,
respectively, is achieved.
[0156] The coupling sidewall 122 may, as depicted, have a cavity
189 arranged between the inner side 186 and the outer side 188.
Alternatively to this, the coupling sidewall 122 may be formed
solidly.
[0157] In the working position of the sink attachment 112 depicted
in FIGS. 1 to 6, the longitudinal direction 142 of the sink
attachment 112 is oriented in parallel to the longitudinal
direction 190 of the sink 108, along which the coupling sidewall
122 extends.
[0158] In this working position, the part of the sink attachment
112 which is arranged on that side of the inner coupling element
134 that is in contact with the coupling sidewall 122, which is
facing away from the outer coupling element 136 that is in contact
with the coupling sidewall 122, and which contains the center of
gravity 192 of the sink attachment 112, protrudes out over the
interior 194 of the basin 110, without resting on the sidewall 120b
of the basin 110 opposite to the coupling sidewall, or on the work
surface 102 covering said sidewall 120b.
[0159] Here, the positive connection between the coupling device
156 (comprising the inner coupling element 134 and the outer
coupling element 136) and the coupling sidewall 122 prevents the
sink attachment 112 from tipping out of the working position, in
which the supporting face 130 of the sink attachment 112 is
oriented horizontally, into the interior 194 of the basin.
[0160] The positive connection between the coupling device 156 and
the coupling sidewall 122 further prevents the sink attachment 112
from shifting relative to the basin 110 in the transverse direction
196 of the sink 108, running perpendicular to the longitudinal
direction 190 of the sink 108 and oriented horizontally in the
assembled state of the sink 108.
[0161] The sink attachment 112 can, however, be shifted relative to
the basin 110 in the longitudinal direction 190 of the sink 108, in
particular by the outer seating face 148 and the inner seating face
150 gliding on the outer side 188 and on the inner side 186,
respectively, of the coupling sidewall 122.
[0162] The sink attachment 112 is preferably formed symmetrically
with respect to a rotational axis running through the center of
gravity 192 and running perpendicular to the supporting face 130,
such that the sink attachment 112 may also be arranged on the basin
110 in a second working position rotated about the rotational axis
about an angle of 180.degree., in which the coupling elements 134,
136 not used in the first working position are in contact with the
coupling sidewall 122.
[0163] Alternatively to the arrangement of the sink attachment 112
in the longitudinal position or working position on the basin 110,
the sink attachment 112 may be put in the transverse position
depicted in FIGS. 7 to 12 coupled to the coupling sidewall 112 or
the opposing side wall 120b, respectively, by means of the
face-side coupling devices 158a and 158b, by introducing the sink
attachment 112 into the basin 110 from above, until the face-side
seating faces 160a, 160b of the face-side coupling devices 158a,
158b abut the inner side 186 of the coupling side wall 122 and the
inner side 186 of the side wall opposite to the coupling side wall
122, respectively.
[0164] In this coupled position of the sink attachment 112, the
supporting elements 168 are spaced apart from the bottom region 116
of the basin 110, such that the sink attachment 112 in the coupled
position is not in contact with the bottom region 116.
[0165] Furthermore, the sink attachment 112 in this transverse
position is not in contact with the basin rim 124 of the basin 110
and also not in contact with the work surface 102.
[0166] As is seen in FIG. 10, the sink attachment 112 in this
embodiment in its coupled position on the coupling sidewall 122 and
on the opposing side wall 120b of the basin 110 is only partially
received in the interior 194 of the basin 110.
[0167] Here, the coupling elements 134, 136 of the sink attachment
112 are located with the face-side coupling devices 158a, 158b
arranged thereon in the coupled position in the interior 194 of the
basin 110, while at least one part of the base body 126 protrudes
upward over the upper rims of the side walls 120 into an exterior
space 198 of the basin 110.
[0168] The sink attachment 112 is, in the transverse position
coupled to the basin 110, tightly locked or fixed to the side walls
122, 120b, preferably by positive connection as well as by
force-locking connection of the face-side seating faces 160a, 160b,
between the coupling side wall 122 and the opposing side wall
120b.
[0169] Because the distance between the coupling side wall 122 and
the opposing side wall 120b decreases in the region lying below the
sink attachment 112 in the transverse position, the sink attachment
112 cannot be moved farther downward out of its coupled position
toward the bottom region 116 of the basin 110.
[0170] Due to the force-locking connection between the face-side
coupling devices 158a, 158b and the side walls 122, 120b, the sink
attachment 112 can also no longer be moved in its transverse
direction 144 relative to the basin 110 in the horizontal direction
once it is coupled to the sidewalls 122, 120b.
[0171] A secure and stable locking of the sink attachment 112 in
its coupled position on the basin 110 of the sink 108 is thereby
ensured.
[0172] To remove the sink attachment 112 from its coupled position
on the basin 110, the retention force must be overcome.
[0173] The sink attachment 112 can be removed from its coupled
position on the basin 110 by using a force directed upward and by
being assisted by a minimal elastic deformation of the face-side
seating faces 160a, 160b and/or of the basin 110.
[0174] By means of the supporting elements 168, the sink attachment
112 can be placed on a drain board of the sink 108 (not depicted)
or on another base, for example on a tabletop.
* * * * *