Sink protector

A sink protector is provided that includes a frame defining a frame opening, and a grate supported by the frame. The grate includes a first grate section and a second grate section, each having a perimeter and a plurality of wires extending across each grate section to provide structure for supporting various items to be deposited in a sink. The grate is sufficiently porous to allow the unobstructed passage of water and food particles therethrough. The grate sections are pivotally connected such that at least one of the grate sections pivots about the other grate section to allow unencumbered access to the sink drain.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Disclosure

The present disclosure is generally directed to sink protectors, and more particularly to a sink protector that permits access to a sink drain without removing the sink protector from the sink.

2. Description of Related Art

Sink surfaces are typically made from enamel covered porcelain, stainless steel, or other more recent materials. Over extended periods of time, repeated use of the sink in combination with contact between the sink and various items deposited in or around the sink can cause the surfaces of the sink to become warn, damaged, and otherwise scarred or marred.

Sink protection devices have become prevalent as a way of protecting the sink during use. Sink protectors are placed within the sink on the bottom sink surface to protect the surface by minimizing or eliminating contact against the bottom surface. Conventional sink protectors are typically formed from a mat made of rubber or similar material that is placed on the bottom sink surface. The mats generally have apertures extending through that permit water to flow through the protector.

Unfortunately, in order to ensure that typical sink protectors provide adequate protection to the sink surface, they typically have only a few holes to permit water to flow through to the drain, and further do not provide access to the sink drain without removal of the mat. As a result, any food that is dropped into the sink while the protector is in place typically cannot pass through the holes, and thus cannot reach the sink drain. Furthermore, it is common that the holes become clogged with food particles, thereby further reducing the porosity of the sink protector and leading to water back ups.

Because most sinks are equipped with garbage disposal units connected to the drain, it is common to run the food into the drain for disposal. Some protectors provide a relatively small aperture extending through in alignment with the sink drain, however such apertures are not usually sufficiently large to permit access to the entire sink drain diameter. Accordingly, food waste typically cannot pass down through the protector to the drain without first having to remove the sink protector.

What is therefore needed is a sink protector that adequately shields the sink surface from damage, that is sufficiently porous to allow water to easily flow through, and that provides adequate access to the sink drain.

SUMMARY

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a sink protector is provided that includes a frame defining a frame opening, and a grate supported by the frame. The grate includes a first grate section and a second grate section. Each grate section includes a plurality of grate members defining apertures extending therethrough. The grate sections are pivotally connected such that at least one of the grate sections pivots about the other grate section.

It should be appreciated that the foregoing and other aspects of the invention will appear from the following description. In the description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part thereof and in which there is shown by way of illustration, and not limitation, preferred embodiments of the invention. Such embodiments do not necessarily represent the full scope of the invention, and reference must therefore be made to the claims herein for interpreting the full scope of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

A disclosed sink protector constructed in accordance with one aspect of the invention solves or improves upon one or more of the above-noted problems and/or disadvantages in the prior art. The sink protector has a frame supporting a screen or grate that rests on the frame. The sink protector can be placed inside a sink and can rest on the lower sink surface and cover the sink drain. The grate can be sufficiently porous to allow a food particles of greater size and number to reach the drain without clogging the sink protector with respect to the prior art. Furthermore, a section of the grate that covers the sink drain can be pivoted from a closed position to an open folded position that provides easy access to the drain. As a result, the disclosed sink protector can remain on the bottom of the sink and yet provide unencumbered access to the drain of the sink without completely removing the sink protector from the sink. A part of the sink protector also remains usable even while permitting access to the drain, if desired.

Referring toFIGS. 1 and 2, a sink protector20constructed in accordance with one aspect of the present invention is illustrated installed in a sink21. The sink21is defined by a plurality of side walls24, a bottom surface26, and a conventional sink drain28formed in the bottom surface. The sink protector20includes a substantially rectangular outer frame22that defines a frame opening30. The frame22defines the outer perimeter of the sink protector20, and extends in an elongate longitudinal direction L-L and a lateral direction A-A extending perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L-L. The frame22is an open structure that defines a pair of opposing elongate longitudinally extending edges33integrally connected to a pair of laterally extending edges35. The intersections between edges33and35are rounded. In one example, the frame22can be an injection molded component and can be fabricated from any suitable plastic, thermoplastic, or other suitable material. In one example, the material can have some resiliency or flexibility and is constructed from material that will not scratch or mar a surface of the sink.

The sink protector20further includes a grate32that is carried by the frame22and extends across the frame opening30. In the disclosed example the grate32is configured as a bent wire, welded structure having two laterally spaced grate sections34and36. In other examples, the grate can be formed from molded plastic, rubber, or other materials if desired. As illustrated, the grate section36is in alignment with the sink drain28. The first grate section34is illustrated as being attached to the frame22, while the second grate section36rests on the frame and can pivot relative to the first grate section34to expose that portion of the frame opening30that is in alignment with the sink drain28, as illustrated inFIGS. 4 and 5.

The grate32will now be described with further reference toFIG. 3. As illustrated, each section34and36comprises a half-section of the grate32and is constructed symmetrical with the other section. Accordingly, the construction of only section34is described in detail herein, it being appreciated that the description of section34likewise applies to section36, which similarly constructed and configured. Grate section34includes a grate frame38formed from a bent perimeter wire assuming a substantially rectangular configuration. The grate frame38defines the perimeter of the grate section34.

The grate frame38defines a pair of opposing longitudinally extending edges40, an outer laterally extending edge42, and an opposing inner laterally extending edge44. The longitudinally extending edges40define the lateral boundary of the grate section34, and are in alignment with the longitudinally extending edges33of the outer frame22. The outer laterally extending edge42defines the longitudinal boundary of the grate section34, and is in alignment with one of the laterally extending edges35outer frame22, while the inner laterally extending edge44extends across the frame opening30between the longitudinally extending edges33of the outer frame22. The edges40and42of the grate frames38of grate sections34and36thus define the perimeter of the grate32. The grate frame38has rounded corners matching the rounded corners of the outer frame22so that the grate section34registers with the outer frame22, as is described in more detail below.

The grate section34further includes a plurality of grate members in the form of parallel traversing wires46extending longitudinally between opposing laterally extending edges42and44. The grate wires46can be formed from a bent steel, and encapsulated by a material (e.g., rubber, plastic, or the like) that is softer and less abrasive than the underlying wire material. Each wire46defines a pair of parallel longitudinally extending wire segments48and50, each having longitudinal inner ends52and54, respectively. Each wire segment48and50can be welded or otherwise attached to the inner laterally extending edge44of the grate frame38. Each segment48and50extends longitudinally outward from the inner ends52and54and define longitudinal outer ends56and58, respectively, that terminate slightly longitudinally outward from the outer ally extending edge42of the grate frame38. The outer ends of each segment48and50can be integrally joined by a unshaped middle portion60that is disposed longitudinally outboard of the outer edge42. One or more of the segments48and50can be welded or otherwise attached to the upper surface of the outer edge42at a location longitudinally inboard of the middle portion60.

It should be appreciated that the unshaped middle portions60can define any desired radius, and that the radius correspondingly defines the lateral distance between the wire segments48and50of a given wire46. As illustrated, the middle portions60of adjacent traversing wires46alternate between a smaller radius and a larger radius, thus producing a first plurality of wires46′ having a small lateral distance between the corresponding wire segments48and50, and a second plurality of wires46″ interposed between wires46′ and defining a larger lateral distance between the corresponding wire segments48and50. The laterally central wire46is of the first plurality46′ of wires, and is flanked on both lateral sides by wires46of the second plurality of wires46″ which, in turn, are flanked by laterally outboard wires46of the first plurality of wires46′ which, in turn, are flanked by laterally outboard wires of the second plurality of wires46″.

The traversing wires46thus define a grate-like structure that forms the surface of the sink protector20on which pots, pans, and dishes can rest when in use. Furthermore, the grate32is also a relatively open structure as illustrated, defining a plurality of apertures47extending through the grate between the wires46. Because the wires46occupy relatively little surface area across the opening30(less than half the surface area of the opening30as illustrated), food, including large sized pieces, and water are therefore allowed to pass easily through the grate32to the sink drain28without having to open the frame. The sink protector20is thus constructed to be sturdy and strong so as to support dishes, pot, and pans well above the sink surface and yet provide these drain access features during use. Of course, the configuration of the grate32and pattern of the grate-like structure can change considerably without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Referring now toFIGS. 4-6, the two grate sections34and36are pivotally connected. In particular, a pair of laterally spaced hinges62connecting the inner laterally extending edges44of the grate frames38. Each hinge62defines a flat metal plate bent around the edges44of the grate frames38to form an aperture39that rotatably receives the edges44of the grate sections34and36. As will be evident to those having ordinary skill in the art, other connection methods and mechanisms can be utilized that can permit a screen or grate to have two sections which can pivot relative to one another.

During operation, the pivotable grate section36can be disposed in a closed position whereby the grate section36rests on the outer frame22and prevents unencumbered access through the frame opening30. In the closed position, the two sections34and36of the grate32are connected to one another and supported by the frame22so that they lie in a substantially flat planar configuration. The grate section36can be manually pivoted in the direction of Arrow A from the closed position illustrated to a folded, or open, position whereby the grate section36rests flat against the grate section34, thereby exposing that portion of the opening30defined by one of the longitudinally extending edges33, the integrally connected pair of laterally extending edges35, and the inner laterally extending edge44of the grate section36.

A user is advantageously provided with unencumbered access to the sink drain28when the grate section36is in the open position. At the same time, the grate section36, which is disposed on top of grate section34, can be used to support pots, pans, and dishes, and the like while permitting the relatively unencumbered flow of water through the grate sections34and36. When the grate section36is disposed on top of the grate section34, the grate frames38and wires46are in vertical alignment, and the size of the apertures47extending through the grate32is not reduced. The grate section36can subsequently be pivoted about the direction of Arrow B from the open position to the closed position.

While two grate sections34and36are illustrated as being pivotally connected, it should be appreciated that the grate32could be alternatively formed from three or more sections, at least one of which being pivotally connected to another between an open position and a closed position as described above to allow unencumbered access through the grate32(e.g., to the sink drain28). Additionally, while the grate32includes the two grate sections34and36of equal size and shape, it should be appreciated that the pivotable grate section36can define a longitudinal distance that is equal to or less than that of the remainder of the grate32such that the grate section36can rest on the remainder of the grate32when in the open position. Furthermore, while the pivot axis extends in the lateral direction A-A, one having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the pivot axis could alternatively extend in the longitudinal direction L-L or any other direction that allows one of the grate sections to be pivoted to an open position whereby access through the grate (e.g., to the sink drain28) is unencumbered.

It should be appreciated that while both grate sections34and36are pivotable about the other, grate section34is fixed to the outer frame22, thus causing the grate section34to remain stationary while the opposing grate section36is pivotable. The connection of the grate32to the frame22will now be described with respect toFIGS. 2 and 8.

Specifically, as illustrated inFIGS. 2 and 5, the frame22includes a horizontally flat rectangular seat66and a vertical lip68projecting upward from the outboard edge of the seat66. The lip68has a height less than the diameter of the outer edges42of the grate32such that the u-shaped middle portions60of the wires46clear the upper end of the lip68. The grate32is sized such that the longitudinally extending edges40and outer laterally extending edges42rest on the seat66and are disposed inboard with respect to the vertical lip68. The edges42can abut the lip68, or can be slightly spaced from the lip68. A horizontal flange70projects outward from the upper end of the vertical lip68, and is disposed beneath the middle portions60of the wires46. The flange70projects out form the vertical lip68a distance greater than the distance that the u-shaped middle portions unshaped middle portions60extend out from the outer edges42of the grate32. Accordingly, when the sink protector20is installed in the sink21, the flange70protects the sink surfaces from being brought into contact with the wires46.

Referring now toFIGS. 2 and 8, the frame22includes a plurality of projection members71extending horizontally along a portion of the seat, and projecting upward from the seat66. The projection members71are provided in pairs such that a gap is disposed between each pair of projection members71that is aligned with the longitudinally extending edges40and outer laterally extending edge42of the grate section34, respectively, to define a receptacle for the grate section34.

Specifically, the edges40and42of grate section34are sized to snap between the projection members71, which can have a curved profile such that the upper ends of the projection members define a distance therebetween that is less than the diameter of the edges40and42to ensure that the grate section34is sufficiently attached to the frame22. The projection members71can be formed from any plastic or alternative suitable material such that they possess the requisite strength to retain the grate section34during operation, and the flexibility to allow the grate section to be removed upon the application of a sufficient upward force to the edges40and42that causes the projection members71to momentarily flex as the edges40and42snap out of engagement with the members71.

The projection members71are positioned to attach the grate section34to the frame22, while the grate section36simply rests on the frame seat66. Accordingly, while the grate32permits either grate section to pivot about the other, the attachment of grate section34to the frame only permits grate section36to pivot about a laterally extending pivot axis with respect to grate section34. Because the sink protector20is symmetrical, the frame22can be installed in the sink in any desired orientation such that the grate section36can be disposed on the left-hand side of grate section34as illustrated, or rotated 180° such that the grate section36is disposed on the right-hand side of grate section34. The sink protector20can thus be advantageously positioned in the sink21with the pivotally connected grate section disposed over the sink drain28. A user can then freely access the sink drain28simply by pivoting the associated grate section out of the way.

Referring now toFIGS. 8 and 9, the sink protector20is advantageously configured to stack vertically on top of other like sink protectors, for the purposes of shipping, commercial storage, retail display, and the like. Specifically, the sink protector20includes a plurality of feet74projecting down from the frame22, and in particular from the horizontal flange70. Each foot74can be disposed at a corner of the frame, at the intersection between the longitudinally extending edges33and the laterally extending edges35, and can be curved to correspond generally to the profile of the frame22. The feet74are out of alignment with wires46, and thus are positioned to rest on top of each other as a plurality of sink protectors20are vertically stacked. Specifically, when the sink protectors20are stacked, the bottom of the feet74rest on the frame22of the sink protector below, in vertical alignment with the feet74of the sink protector below. Because the stacked sink protectors20can register with each other, the stack height is less than the cumulative height of the individual sink protectors20that are stacked. Specifically, the height of the wires46do not add to the height of the stacked sink protectors20.

It will be evident to those having ordinary skill in the art that an exemplary sink protector has been described and illustrated, and the overall size, shape, and geometric configurations of the sink protector20and its associated components can vary considerably from that disclosed herein and yet fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention. For instance, a generally rectangular configuration is disclosed, but the shape and contour of the components can vary considerably to accommodate different sized and shape sinks as desired. Additionally, the size and shape of the wires46could vary considerably from that illustrated and described herein.

Although certain embodiments have been described herein in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure, the scope of coverage of this patent is not limited thereto. On the contrary, this patent covers all embodiments of the teachings of the disclosure that fairly fall within the scope of permissible equivalents.