Patent Publication Number: US-9410310-B1

Title: Vertically and horizontally adjustable sink system for use by persons using a wheelchair and/or a walker

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This Application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/959,841 that was filed on Sep. 3, 2013 entitled “Modular Adjustable Sink”. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This disclosure relates to an adjustable sink for use by persons using wheelchairs or walkers, and in particular relates to a sink that is both vertically and horizontally adjustable. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     It is increasingly common to design living quarters with a sensitivity to elderly and disabled persons. Many such persons are required to utilize wheelchairs and/or walkers to move from one location to another. (For purposes herein, the word “walker” is to mean an apparatus having rigid, vertical posts interconnected so that a person needing assistance in walking may lean on hand-grips at the top of the posts and move slowly along with the walker, like two interconnected canes disposed on either side of the person.) While wheelchairs and walkers greatly assist the mobility of elderly and disabled persons, use of wheelchairs and walkers within bathrooms or washrooms gives rise to significant limitations. 
     For example, a person sitting in a wheelchair and endeavoring to utilize a sink for cleansing is confronted with the problem of the sink being an inefficient horizontal distance away from the seated wheelchair user. Additionally, a standard construction height of an upper or working surface for bathroom sinks is most often thirty-six inches. However, persons using wheelchairs are frequently severely limited in their ability to move their upper torsos and have great difficulty using a sink having a set vertical height. Even worse, persons using a walker are almost invariably unable to lean forward a significant distance to efficiently use a fixed-position sink. Hence, such elderly and disabled persons are at risk of further injury and very difficult or inadequate cleansing as a result of known bathroom sinks. 
     Efforts have been made to produce vertically adjustable sinks to aid persons in wheelchairs. For example an “APPROACH” brand vertically adjustable sink is advertised by the POPULAS Furniture Company and can be seen on the internet at: http://www.populasfurniture.com/product/approach%e2%84%a2-adjustable-sink/ This sink, however does not help a user get closer to the sink on a horizontal plane. U.S. Pat. No. 8,424,128 that issued on Apr. 23, 2013 to Dvorak shows a “drawer containing a sink” for use in a larger sink cabinet structure as a small, limited use vegetable cleaning, or “veggie” sink. This sink, however, is constructed only for convenience in storing the small sink out of the way within the cabinet and has no capacity for use by persons with limited mobility in wheelchairs and/or walkers. 
     Accordingly, there is a need for a bathroom sink that facilitates cleansing by disabled or elderly persons using wheelchairs and/or walkers and that overcomes the deficiencies of known bathroom sinks 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The disclosure is a vertically and horizontally adjustable sink system that provides for substantial vertical and horizontal movement of a sink to accommodate varying needs of elderly or disabled persons using wheelchairs and walkers. The sink system includes a sink support frame that has a rear strut with a first edge and an opposed second edge at opposed perimeter edges of the rear strut. A first arm extends from the first edge of the strut in a direction away from the rear strut and a second arm similarly extends away from the second edge of the rear strut in direction parallel to the extension of the first arm. The rear strut, first arm and second arm are configured to support a sink within a plane about parallel to a plane defined by a planar, horizontal support surface below the sink support frame, such as a floor of a bathroom or kitchen. 
     The sink system also includes a vertical adjustment mechanism secured between the sink support frame and a rear wall. The rear wall defines an approximate vertical plane about perpendicular to and above the support surface or floor and may be adjacent the rear strut of the sink support frame. The vertical adjustment mechanism includes an adjustable vertical mechanical connector secured between the rear wall and the sink support frame and is configured to permit selective vertical movement of the sink support frame vertically up and down in an axis about parallel to the vertical plane of the rear wall. A horizontal adjustment mechanism is also secured between the sink support frame and the sink. The horizontal adjustment mechanism includes an adjustable horizontal mechanical connector that is secured between the sink support frame and the sink. The horizontal mechanical connector is also configured to permit selective horizontal movement of the sink away from and toward the rear strut along a plane about parallel to the plane defined by the planar, horizontal support surface below the sink support frame. The sink system also includes flexible cold and hot water delivery lines that are secured between the rear wall below the sink support frame and an inlet of at least one sink-top faucet. The inlet of the sink-top faucet is adjacent a bottom surface of the sink. Additionally, a flexible drain pipe is secured between a drain outlet in the bottom surface of the sink and the wall below the rear strut. (For purposes herein, the word “about” is to mean plus or minus ten percent.) 
     In one aspect of the disclosure, the vertical adjustment mechanism is configured so that an upper surface of the sink selectively extends through a vertical extension range about ten inches above and about ten inches below a construction standard height of about thirty-six inches above the horizontal support surface of floor below the sink. In this aspect, the sink is also configured so that whenever a back edge of the sink is adjacent the rear strut of the sink support frame, a front edge of the sink is within a vertical plane that defines a leading edge limit. The leading edge limit prohibits motion of a leading edge of a wheel chair or a walker beyond the leading edge limit toward the rear strut of the sink support frame. The plane defining the leading edge limit plane may be formed by cabinet doors, or other such structures extending below the front edge of the sink to the floor. In this aspect, the horizontal adjustment mechanism is configured so that a front edge of the sink selectively extends through a horizontal extension range about ten inches beyond the leading edge limit. 
     In another aspect of the disclosure, the vertical adjustment mechanism may be configured so that the upper surface of the sink selectively extends through the vertical extension range about twenty inches above and about twenty inches below the construction standard height of about thirty-six inches above the horizontal support surface. Similarly, the horizontal adjustment mechanism may be configured so that the front edge of the sink selectively extends through the horizontal extension range about twenty inches beyond the leading edge limit. In a further embodiment of the vertically and horizontally adjustable sink system, the vertical adjustment mechanism may be configured so that the upper surface of the sink selectively extends through the vertical extension range about thirty inches above and about thirty inches below the construction standard height of about thirty-six inches above the horizontal support surface. In yet another aspect, the horizontal adjustment mechanism may be configured so that the front edge of the sink also selectively extends through the horizontal extension range about thirty inches beyond the leading edge limit. 
     In an additional embodiment, the vertical adjustment mechanism is secured between the sink support frame and a rear wall of a sink-cabinet. In this type of embodiment, the vertically and horizontally adjustable sink system is integrated within a common bathroom vanity or kitchen cabinet and the vertical adjustment mechanism is anchored to a component of the cabinet, such as a rear wall of the cabinet. 
     In yet a further embodiment of the vertically and horizontally adjustable sink system the sink support frame may be one of two adjustable sinks integrated within one cabinet. In this embodiment the above-described sink support frame is a first sink support frame that is integrated within a two-sink cabinet. The two-sink cabinet includes a horizontal countertop that overlies the first sink support frame and first sink within the first frame. A portion of the horizontal countertop extends horizontally beyond the first sink support frame and defines a void for receiving and securing a second sink support frame that supports a second sink. A second vertical adjustment mechanism is secured between the second support frame and a frame component of the two-sink cabinet. The second vertical adjustment mechanism includes the elements of the vertical adjustment mechanism described above and in more detail below to permit selective vertical movement of the second sink support frame vertically up and down above the horizontal countertop. Additionally, a second horizontal adjustment mechanism is secured between the second sink support frame and the second sink. The second horizontal adjustment mechanism includes the elements of the horizontal adjustment mechanism described above and in more detail below to permit selective horizontal movement of the second sink away from and toward a rear wall of the two-sink cabinet whenever the vertical adjustment mechanism has positioned the second sink support frame above the horizontal countertop. This facilitates use of the second sink by a person using a walker. 
     In another aspect of the vertically and horizontally adjustable sink system within a two-sink cabinet, the flexible cold and hot water delivery lines and the flexible drain pipe secured between the rear wall below the first sink support frame are secured to the wall by quick disconnect fittings. This facilitates efficient installation and removal of the first sink and first sink frame for only a partial duration of use of the two-sink cabinet, such as when a washroom is used by a person confined to a wheelchair for a few years, and therebefore or thereafter it is desired to use the space in the cabinet for storage or other uses whenever the first sink support frame is removed from the two-sink cabinet. 
     The adjustable vertical mechanical connector and horizontal mechanical connectors may include any apparatus known in the art that can accomplish the described functions of vertically and horizontally adjusting positions of the first and second sink frames and the first and second sinks. For example, the vertical mechanical connector may include linear slides, threaded axle and screw mechanical linkages, or rack and pinion drives, etc. to vertically move the sink support frame as described above. Similarly, the horizontal mechanical connecter may include standard slides such as utilized in ordinary cabinet drawers, or other known horizontal adjustment apparatus that can accomplish the described functions. The vertical and horizontal mechanical connectors may also include electric-motors, hydraulic pumps, pneumatic compressors or combinations thereof, or other power generating apparatus with positioning sensor control systems to permit automated movement of the sink frames and sinks from a first position for non-disabled, young or short persons to second and/or other predetermined positions for elderly or disabled persons using wheelchairs and/or walkers. For example, a control switch near the sink frames may simply be actuated from a first position to a second position to adjust the sinks between first and second predetermined positions, wherein the predetermined positions are established to meet the needs of specific persons including those using wheelchairs and/or walkers. 
     Accordingly, it is a general purpose of the present disclosure to provide a vertically and horizontally adjustable sink system for use by persons using a wheelchair and/or a walker that overcomes deficiencies of the prior art. 
     This and other purposes and advantages of the present vertically and horizontally adjustable sink system for use by persons using a wheelchair and/or a walker will become more readily apparent when the following description is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a fragmentary, raised perspective view of a vertically and horizontally adjustable sink system constructed in accordance with the present disclosure, showing a portion of a wheelchair adjacent a vertically and horizontally adjusted sink of the sink system. 
         FIG. 2  is a fragmentary, raised perspective view of another embodiment of the vertically and horizontally adjustable sink system of the present disclosure, showing an exemplary vertical adjustment mechanism. 
         FIG. 3  is a front, raised perspective view of an embodiment of the vertically and horizontally adjustable sink system within a washroom cabinet and showing the sink in a first position flush with adjacent countertops of the cabinet. 
         FIG. 4  is a front, raised perspective view of the  FIG. 3  embodiment of the vertically and horizontally adjustable sink system within the washroom cabinet and showing the sink in a second position vertically lowered to be below adjacent countertops of the cabinet. 
         FIG. 5  is a front, raised perspective view of the  FIG. 3  embodiment of the vertically and horizontally adjustable sink system within the washroom cabinet and showing the sink in a third position horizontally extended forward of adjacent countertops of the cabinet. 
         FIG. 6  is a raised, side perspective, of a two-sink cabinet embodiment of the vertically and horizontally adjustable sink system and showing a first vertically and horizontally adjustable sink disposed below a countertop of the cabinet and showing a second vertically and horizontally adjustable sink disposed within a void defined within the countertop of the cabinet. 
         FIG. 7  is a raised, side perspective, of the two-sink cabinet embodiment of the vertically and horizontally adjustable sink system of  FIG. 6  showing the first sink extended horizontally forward from the cabinet. 
         FIG. 8  is a raised, side perspective, of the two-sink cabinet embodiment of the vertically and horizontally adjustable sink system of  FIG. 7  showing the horizontally extended first sink vertically lowered below the position of the first sink in  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 9  is a raised, side perspective, of the two-sink cabinet embodiment of the vertically and horizontally adjustable sink system of  FIG. 6 , showing a second sink raised vertically above the cabinet countertop. 
         FIG. 10  is a raised, side perspective, of the two-sink cabinet embodiment of the vertically and horizontally adjustable sink system of  FIG. 9 , showing the second sink extending horizontally forward of the position of the second sink in  FIG. 9 . 
     
    
    
     PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Referring to the drawings in detail, a vertically and adjustable sink system for use by persons using a wheelchair and/or a walker is shown in  FIG. 1 , and is generally designated by the reference numeral  10 . The sink system  10  includes a sink support frame  12  that has a rear strut  14  with a first edge  16  and an opposed second edge  18  at opposed perimeter edges of the rear strut  14 . A first arm  20  extends from the first edge  16  of the strut  14  in a direction away from the rear strut  14  and a second arm  22  similarly extends away from the second edge  18  of the rear strut  14  in direction parallel to the extension of the first arm  20 . The rear strut  14 , first arm  20  and second arm  22  are configured to support a sink  24  within a plane about parallel to a plane defined by a planar, horizontal support surface  26  below the sink support frame  12 , such as a floor  26  of a bathroom or kitchen (not shown). 
     The sink system  10  also includes a vertical adjustment mechanism  30  secured between the sink support frame  12  and a rear wall  32 . The vertical adjustment mechanism shown in  FIG. 1  includes a first slide-guide rail  34  and a second slide-guide rail  36 , wherein the rails  34 ,  36  are secured to the rear wall  32  in parallel vertical alignment and also pass through the rear strut  14 . The rails  34 ,  36  provide both guidance for vertical movement of the sink support frame  12  and structural strength or support to maintain the sink support frame  12  in about a horizontal plane as the frame  12  moves vertically. Many different types of power sources and drive mechanisms may be utilized to move the sink support frame  12  vertically up and down the slide-guide rails  34 ,  36 . An exemplary vertical support mechanism  30  is shown in more detail in  FIG. 2 , and described with reference to  FIG. 2  below and details an exemplary power source.) 
     The rear wall  32  defines an approximate vertical plane about perpendicular to and above the support surface or floor  26  and may be adjacent the rear strut  14  of the sink support frame  12 . The vertical adjustment mechanism  30  includes an adjustable vertical mechanical connector, such as the first and second slide-guide rail  34 ,  36 , secured between the rear wall  32  and the sink support frame  12 . As described above, the adjustable first and second guide rails  34 ,  36  are powered to permit selective vertical movement of the sink support frame  12  vertically up and down in an axis about parallel to the vertical plane defined by the rear wall  32 . 
     A horizontal adjustment mechanism  40  is also secured between the sink support frame  12  and the sink  24 . The horizontal adjustment mechanism  40  may include standard cabinet slide bars  42  as an adjustable horizontal mechanical connector  42  that is secured between the sink support frame  12  and the sink  24 . The horizontal mechanical connector  42  is also configured to permit selective horizontal movement of the sink  24  away from and toward the rear strut  24  along a plane about parallel to the plane defined by the planar, horizontal support surface floor  26  below the sink support frame  12 . The sink system  10  also includes a flexible cold water delivery line  44  and a flexible hot water delivery line  46  that are secured between the rear wall  24  below the sink support frame  12  and an inlet  48  of at least one sink-top faucet  50 . The inlet  48  of the sink-top faucet  50  is adjacent a bottom surface  52  of the sink  24 . Additionally, a flexible drain pipe  54  is secured between the bottom surface  52  of the sink  24  and the wall  32  below the rear strut  14 . 
     Also shown in  FIG. 1  is a portion of a wheel chair  56  positioned so that the sink  24  is adjusted downward to be below an adjacent work surface  58  of a cabinet  60  and also properly positioned at the same vertical level as just above a lap  62  of a person  64  (shown only partially in  FIG. 1 ) seated within the wheelchair  56 . Additionally, the sink  24  is adjusted horizontally away from the rear strut  14  to be positioned over the lap  62  of the person  64  in the wheelchair  56  to facilitate efficient, safe and clean use of the sink  24 . 
     In one aspect of the sink system  10 , the vertical adjustment mechanism  30  is configured so that an upper surface  66  of the sink  24  selectively extends through a vertical extension range  68  of about ten inches above and about ten inches below a construction standard height of about thirty-six inches above the horizontal support surface or floor  26  below the sink  24 . The work surface  58  of the cabinet  60  (having a drawer handle  61 ) of  FIG. 1  schematically represents the construction standard height of about thirty-six inches above the floor  26 . (It is noted that the slide-guide rails  34 ,  36  in  FIG. 1  would in actuality extend further above the work surface  58  than as shown in the simplified drawing of  FIG. 1 ) 
     In this  FIG. 1  aspect, the sink  24  is also configured so that whenever a back edge  70  of the sink is adjacent the rear strut  14  of the sink support frame  12 , a front edge  72  of the sink is within a vertical plane  74  that defines a leading edge limit  74 . The leading edge limit  74  prohibits motion of a leading edge  76  (such as foot supports  27 ) of the wheel chair  56  or a walker (not shown) beyond the leading edge limit  74  toward the rear strut  14  of the sink support frame  12 . The plane defining the leading edge limit  74  may be formed by cabinet doors (not shown in  FIG. 1 ), or other such structures extending below the front edge  72  of the sink  24  to the floor  26 . In this embodiment, the horizontal adjustment mechanism  40  is configured so that the front edge  72  of the sink selectively extends through a horizontal extension range  78  of about ten inches beyond the leading edge limit  74 . 
     As described above in the Summary Section, in another aspect of the disclosure, the vertical adjustment mechanism  30  may be configured so that the upper surface  66  of the sink  24  selectively extends through the vertical extension range  68  about twenty inches above and about twenty inches below the construction standard height of about thirty-six inches above the horizontal support surface  26 . Similarly, the horizontal adjustment mechanism  40  may be configured so that the front edge  72  of the sink  24  selectively extends through the horizontal extension range  78  about twenty inches beyond the leading edge limit  74 . In a further embodiment of the vertically and horizontally adjustable sink system  10 , the vertical adjustment mechanism  30  may be configured so that the upper surface  66  of the sink  24  selectively extends through the vertical extension range  68  about thirty inches above and about thirty inches below the construction standard height of about thirty-six inches above the horizontal support surface  26 . In yet another aspect, the horizontal adjustment mechanism  40  may be configured so that the front edge  72  of the sink  24  also selectively extends through the horizontal extension range  78  about thirty inches beyond the leading edge limit  74 . In  FIG. 1 , the sink  24  is shown as integrated with a sink support box  80  to facilitate securing the sink  24  and supporting box  80  to the sink support frame  12 , and horizontal adjustment mechanism  40 . 
       FIG. 2  shows a second embodiment  90  of the vertically and horizontally adjustable sink system  90 . Components that are shown in the  FIG. 2  embodiment  90  that are virtually identical to similar components in the  FIG. 1  embodiment are show with the same reference numerals with primes (e.g., the sink in  FIG. 2  is reference numeral  24 ′) of the  FIG. 1  reference numerals.  FIG. 2  shows a sink  24 ′ drain pipe  54 ′ connected to a pivot trap  92  for ordinary flexible operation of the drain pipe  24 ′. More importantly,  FIG. 2  shows an exemplary adjustable vertical mechanical connector  94  that includes an electrical motor  96  including a “rack and pinion” type of drive to force up and down a push-post  98 . A control line  99  leads from the motor  96  to a hand-held control driver  100 , shown in the hand  102  of the person  64 ′ in the wheelchair  56 ′. The control driver  100  allows the person  64 ′ to engage the motor  96  to selectively, vertically adjust the position of the sink  24 ′ up and down along the slide-guide rails  34 ′,  36 ′. It is to be understood that this exemplary adjustable vertical mechanical connector is but one of many apparatus that many comprise vertical mechanical connector means for selectively adjusting the vertical position of the sink  24 ′. Additional adjustable vertical connectors include any known apparatus that can perform the described function. 
       FIG. 3 . Shows an adjustable sink cabinet embodiment  110  of the vertically and horizontally adjustable sink system  110  (as with  FIG. 2 , virtually identical components will be shown in  FIG. 3  as double primes of the same components in  FIG. 1 ). The  FIG. 3  embodiment  110  shows a vertically and horizontally adjustable sink  24 ″ secured within an adjustable sink cabinet  114  that includes a first work surface  116  and a second work surface  118  secured on opposed sides of the adjustable sink  24 ″. In the  FIG. 3  drawing, he adjustable sink  24 ″ is shown in an ordinary disposition to be flush with, or on about the same horizontal plane as, the two opposed work surfaces  116 ,  118 . Additionally, the adjustable sink cabinet  114  includes an adjustment gap  120  below the front edge  72 ″ of the sink  24 ″ and above a cabinet door  122 . The adjustment gap  120  defines a void of sufficient dimensions to permit vertical adjustment of the sink  24 ″ into the gap through a vertical extension range  68  of at least ten inches. 
       FIG. 4  shows the  FIG. 3  the adjustable sink cabinet embodiment  110  with the vertically and horizontally adjustable sink  24 ″ vertically adjusted downward within the adjustment gap  120 .  FIG. 5  shows the adjustable sink cabinet embodiment  110  with the vertically and horizontally adjustable sink  24 ″ horizontally adjusted outward away from the work surfaces  116 ,  118  without having been lowered as in  FIG. 4 . This deployment of the sink  24 ″ may be appropriate for a user of a walker (not shown), or an individual not needing the sink lowered, but still limited in motion. 
     In the embodiments of the vertically and horizontally adjustable sink shown in  FIGS. 3-10 , the vertical adjustment mechanism  30  may be secured between the sink support frame  12  and a rear wall  124  of a sink-cabinet, such as a two-sink cabinet  130  shown in  FIGS. 6-10 . In the cabinet embodiments of  FIGS. 3-5 and 6-10 , the vertically and horizontally adjustable sink system  10  is integrated within a common bathroom cabinet or kitchen cabinet  110 ,  130  and the vertical adjustment mechanism  30  is anchored to a component of the cabinet, such as the rear wall  124  of the cabinet  130 . 
       FIGS. 6-10  show the two-sink cabinet  130  of the vertically and horizontally adjustable sink system  130 . In this embodiment, the sink support frame  12  described with reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2  may be characterized as one of two adjustable sinks integrated within one cabinet  130 . In this embodiment the above-described  FIG. 1  sink support frame  12  is a first sink support frame  132  that is integrated within the two-sink cabinet  130 . The two-sink cabinet  130  includes a horizontal countertop  134  that overlies the first sink support frame  132  and first sink  136  within the first frame  132 . A portion of the horizontal countertop extends horizontally beyond the first sink support frame and defines a void  138  (seen best in  FIGS. 9 and 10 ) for receiving and securing a second sink support frame  140  that supports a second sink  142 . 
     A second vertical adjustment mechanism  144  is secured between the second sink support frame  140  and a frame component  146 , such as opposed surfaces of the countertop  134  of the two-sink cabinet  130 . The second vertical adjustment mechanism  144  may include the elements of the vertical adjustment mechanism  30  described above with reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2  to permit selective vertical movement of the second sink support frame  140  vertically up and down above the horizontal countertop  134 . Additionally, a second horizontal adjustment mechanism  148  is secured between the second sink support frame  140  and the second sink  142 . The second horizontal adjustment mechanism  148  includes the elements of the horizontal adjustment mechanism  40  associated with  FIG. 1  described above. The second horizontal adjustment mechanism  148  is configured to permit selective horizontal movement of the second sink  142  away from and toward the rear wall  124  of the two-sink cabinet  130  whenever the vertical adjustment mechanism  144  has positioned the second sink support frame  140  above the horizontal countertop  134 . This facilitates use of the second sink by a person using a walker (not shown). 
     The two-sink cabinet  130  embodiment of the vertically and horizontally adjustable sink system  130  may include a flexible cold water delivery line  150 , a flexible hot water delivery line  152  and flexible drain pipe  154  (shown only in  FIG. 6 ) that are secured between the first sink  136  the rear wall  124  below the first sink support frame  132  by quick disconnect fittings  156 A,  156 B,  156 C. Such quick disconnect plumbing fittings  156 A,  156 B,  156 C are available from “PROBITE” brand “Quick Plumb Fittings” and can be seen at: http://www.probite.com/compare-push-connect-fittings.htm 
     Use of the quick disconnect plumbing fittings  156 A,  156 B,  156 C facilitates efficient installation and removal of the first sink  136  and first sink frame  132  for only a partial duration of use of the two-sink cabinet  130 , such as when a washroom is used by an elderly or disabled person confined to a wheelchair for a few years, and therebefore or thereafter it is desired to use the space in the cabinet  130  for storage or other uses whenever the first sink support frame  132  is removed from the two-sink cabinet  130 . 
     As described above, the adjustable vertical mechanical connector  30  and horizontal mechanical connecter  40  may include any apparatus known in the art that can accomplish the described functions of vertically and horizontally adjusting positions of the first sink frame  132  and second sink frame  140  and the first and second sinks  136 ,  142 . For example, the vertical mechanical connector may include linear slides, threaded axle and screw mechanical linkages, or rack and pinion drives, etc. to vertically move the sink support frames  12 ,  132 ,  140  as described above. 
     Similarly, the horizontal mechanical connectors  40 ,  148  may include standard slides such as utilized in ordinary cabinet drawers, or other known horizontal adjustment apparatus that can accomplish the described functions. The vertical  30 ,  144  and horizontal mechanical connectors  40 ,  148  may also include electric-motors, hydraulic pumps, pneumatic compressors or combinations thereof, or other power generating apparatus with positioning sensor control systems (not shown) to permit automated movement of the sink support frames  12 ,  132 ,  140  and sinks  24 ,  136 ,  142  from a first position for non-disabled, young or short persons to second and/or other predetermined positions for elderly or disabled persons using wheelchairs  56  and/or walkers (not shown). For example, a control switch (not shown) near the sink support frames  12 ,  132 ,  140  may simply be actuated from a first position to a second position to adjust the sinks  24 ,  136 ,  142  between first and second predetermined positions, wherein the predetermined positions are established to meet the needs of specific persons including those using wheelchairs and/or walkers. 
     While the present disclosure has been presented above with respect to the described embodiments of the vertically and horizontally adjustable sink system  10 , it is to be understood that the disclosure is not to be limited to those illustrations and described embodiments. Accordingly, reference should be made primarily to the following claims rather than the forgoing description ho determine the scope of the disclosure.