Patent Publication Number: US-7594706-B2

Title: Adjustable sliding sink drawer

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/737,902 filed Nov. 18, 2005 for Sliding Bathroom Sink Drawer, which application is incorporated here by this reference. 

   TECHNICAL FIELD 
   This invention relates to storage compartments that slide in and out in a drawer-like manner, particularly those that are adjustable to fit in a given space. 
   BACKGROUND ART 
   Bathroom and kitchen countertops are often cluttered with the many gadgets and personal items that seem to gravitate to those areas. Oftentimes, storage cabinets typically found around bathroom and kitchen sinks are not sufficient to store all of these items. Additionally, in the typical sink cabinet design, the under-counter space around the basin portion of the sink is generally left open and is unused. Therefore, there exists a need to provide a storage compartment to utilize the space around the basin portion of the sink. Furthermore, because of the various sink shapes and sizes and the various sink cabinetry designs, there exists a need for the storage compartment to be adjustable to accommodate those various designs. 
   DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION 
   The present invention is directed to an adjustable sliding sink drawer for providing a drawer-like storage area to occupy all or most of the under-counter space around a sink, particularly a bathroom sink. The adjustable sliding sink drawer is particularly shaped to fit a cavity defined by the underside of a sink, the underside of the surface to which the sink is mounted (e.g., the countertop portion of a cabinet), and the vertical supports for the sink (e.g., the legs or side walls of the cabinet). An example of such a cavity is depicted in  FIG. 1 . By contrast, in traditional sink cabinet designs, this space is often open space, is merely closed off by a decorative panel, or remains otherwise unavailable as an area to store items. 
   In a version of the invention, the storage compartment has a front panel, a left side panel, a right side panel, a left rear panel, a right rear panel, a cutout panel, and a bottom panel. The combination of these elements forms an open-topped storage compartment having a bottom, closed sides, and a cutout in the storage compartment such that the storage compartment may fit around the washbasin. 
   The front panel is generally rectangular and has a top edge, a bottom edge, a left end, and a right end. The left side panel has a front end, a rear end, a top edge, and a bottom edge. The front end of the left side panel is connected to the left end of the front panel. The left side panel extends from the front panel in a generally perpendicular direction. 
   The right side panel has a front end, a rear end, a top edge, and a bottom edge. The front end of the right side panel is connected to the right end of the front panel. The right side panel extends from the front panel in the same generally perpendicular direction as the left side panel. 
   The left rear panel has a left end, a right end, a top edge, and a bottom edge. The left end of the left rear panel is connected to the rear end of the left side panel. The left rear panel extends from the left side panel in a generally perpendicular direction. 
   The right rear panel has a left end, a right end, a top edge, and a bottom edge. The right end of the right rear panel is connected to the rear end of the right side panel. The right rear panel extends from the right side panel in a generally perpendicular direction. 
   The cutout panel has a top edge and a bottom edge, and the cutout panel is connected to the right end of the left rear panel and the left end of the right rear panel. The cutout panel is shaped and dimensioned to fit around the washbasin. 
   The bottom panel is shaped and dimensioned to connect, and form a generally planar surface between, the bottom edges of each of the front panel, the left side panel, the right side panel, the left rear panel, the right rear panel, and the cutout panel. 
   The invention also provides a method of furnishing a storage compartment having the steps of providing a storage compartment as described above; connecting a first drawer glide roller to the left side panel and connecting a second drawer glide roller to the right side panel; connecting a first drawer glide rail to the underside of the countertop, the first drawer glide rail being in corresponding relation to the first drawer glide roller; connecting a second drawer glide rail to the underside of the countertop, the second drawer glide rail being in corresponding relation to the second drawer glide roller; positioning the storage compartment on the underside of the countertop such that the cutout panel fits around the basin portion of the sink; and connecting the first drawer glide roller to the first drawer glide rail and connecting the second drawer glide roller to the second drawer glide rail, such that the storage compartment may slide under the countertop and out from under the countertop. 
   The adjustable sliding sink drawer can be formed from wood, plastic, metal, wire, or similar materials; it can also be formed from a combination of such materials. The adjustable sliding sink drawer opens easily with or without drawer handles, and that ease of opening and closing is less likely to deteriorate with use than the hinged door design of some other devices. The adjustable nature of some embodiments of the invention permit the adjustable sliding sink drawer to be retrofitted to existing sink cabinets and around existing sinks, and take full advantage of the entire area under the existing sink cabinet top. Non-adjustable embodiments are also disclosed, and they are suitable, for example, in new sink cabinet installations. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of an adjustable sliding sink drawer installed adjacent to a bathroom sink. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an embodiment of an adjustable sliding sink drawer. 
       FIG. 3  depicts a perspective view of an embodiment of an adjustable sliding sink drawer showing an example of the adjustability illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 4  depicts a plan view of the bottom of an embodiment of an adjustable sliding sink drawer. 
       FIG. 5  depicts a perspective view of an embodiment of a sliding sink drawer in which the components are not adjustable. 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of an embodiment of an adjustable sliding sink drawer. 
   

   BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 
   The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of presently-preferred embodiments of the invention and is not intended to represent the only forms in which the present invention may be constructed or utilized. The description sets forth the functions and the sequence of steps for constructing and operating the invention in connection with the illustrated embodiments. However, it is to be understood that the same or equivalent functions and sequences may be accomplished by different embodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of the invention. 
   Referring to the figures, in an embodiment of the invention an adjustable sliding sink drawer  10  has a left side panel  18 , a right side panel  16 , a left front panel  12 , a right front panel  14 , a left center tray  22 , and a right center tray  20 . 
   The left side panel  18 , the right side panel  16 , the left center tray  22 , and the right center tray  20  are shaped to permit insertion of the embodiment, in a drawer-like manner, into a cavity adjacent to a sink, particularly a bathroom sink, such as that depicted in  FIG. 1 . 
   The left front panel  12  is generally rectangular and has a left and a right end. The right front panel  14  is also generally rectangular and has a left end and a right end. The left end of the right front panel  14  is slidably connected to the right end of the left front panel  12 . In some embodiments, the left front panel  12  and right front panel  14  may be a generally continuous piece referred to as simply the front panel. 
   The right side panel  16  has a generally horizontal bottom surface  24 , a generally vertical side wall  26  at a side edge of the horizontal bottom surface  24 , a generally vertical rear wall  28  at a rear edge of the horizontal bottom surface  24 , and a generally vertical front wall  30  at a front edge of the horizontal bottom surface  24 . The side wall  26  and the rear wall  28  are each generally rectangular. The front wall  30  is slidably connected to the right end of the right front panel  14 . The length of the right side panel  16  and the right center tray  20  each allows space for plumbing, the plumbing being generally at the rear of the under-counter space around the sink. 
   The right center tray  20  has a generally horizontal bottom surface  32  and a generally vertical wall  34  at a central edge of the right center tray  20 . The right center tray  20  further has a rear end  36  and a front end  38 . The horizontal bottom surface  32  of the right center tray  20  overlaps or underlaps at least a portion of the horizontal bottom surface  24  of the right side panel  16 . The rear end  36  of the right center tray  20  is slidably connected to the rear wall  28  of the right side panel  16 . The rear end  36  of the right center tray  20  and the rear wall  28  of the right side panel  16  define a right-side rear panel. In some embodiments, the right-side rear panel may be a generally continuous piece. The vertical wall  34  of the right center tray  20  is shaped and dimensioned to fit, preferably closely, around the right side of the basin portion of the sink. 
   The left center tray  22  has a generally horizontal bottom surface  40  and a generally vertical wall  42  at a central edge of the left center tray  22 . The left center tray  22  further has a rear end  44  and a front end  46 . The front end  46  of the left center tray  22  is slidably connected to the front end  38  of the right center tray  20 . The vertical wall  42  of the left center tray  22  is shaped and dimensioned to fit, preferably closely, around the left side of the basin portion of the sink. 
   The vertical wall  34  of the right center tray  20  and the vertical wall  42  of the left center tray  22  may be arc-shaped to partially surround the basin portion of the sink. In some embodiments, the vertical wall  34  of the right center tray  20  and the vertical wall  42  of the left center tray  22  may have a series of slats, the slats being connected end-to-end to at least partially suround the washbasin. Refer also to  FIG. 3 . In a version of such an embodiment, there are five generally rectangular slats. A first slat  72  is connected at a first end to the left end of the right-side rear panel ( 36 ,  28 ). The first slat  72  extends from the right-side rear panel ( 36 ,  28 ) in a generally perpendicular direction, the generally perpendicular direction being toward the front panel ( 12 ,  14 ). A second slat  74  is connected at a first end to the right end of the left-side rear panel ( 44 ,  52 ). The second slat  74  extends from the left-side rear panel ( 44 ,  52 ) in a generally perpendicular direction, the generally perpendicular direction being toward the front panel ( 12 ,  14 ). A third slat  76  has a right end and a left end. The third slat  76  is generally perpendicular to each of the first slat  72  and the second slat  74 , and it is generally parallel to the front panel ( 12 ,  14 ). The third slat  76  is proximate the front panel ( 12 ,  14 ), relative to the first slat  72  and the second slat  74 , which are each relatively farther away from the front panel ( 12 ,  14 ). A fourth slat  78  is connected to a second end of the first slat  72  and to the right end of the third slat  76 . A fifth slat  80  is connected to a second end of the second slat  74  and to the left end of the third slat  76 . The angle between the third slat  76  and the fourth slat  78  and the angle between the third slat  76  and the fifth slat  80  are each between 90 degrees and 180 degrees. Preferably, each of these angles is about 135 degrees. In another version of the invention, there are three slats that form three sides of a rectangle to partially surround the basin portion of the sink. 
   The vertical wall  34  of the right center tray  20  and the vertical wall  42  of the left center tray  22 , whether arcuate, formed from slats, or otherwise formed, are also referred herein as the cutout panel. The cutout panel is connected to the right end of the left-side rear panel and the left end of the right-side rear panel, and the cutout panel is shaped and dimensioned to fit around a washbasin. Preferably, the cutout panel fits closely around the washbasin. 
   The left side panel  18  has a generally horizontal bottom surface  48 , a generally vertical side wall  50  at a side edge of the horizontal bottom surface  48 , a generally vertical rear wall  52  at a rear edge of the horizontal bottom surface  48 , and a generally vertical front wall  54  at a front edge of the horizontal bottom surface  48 . The rear end  44  of the left center tray  22  is slidably connected to the rear wall  52  of the left side panel  18 . The rear end  44  of the left center tray  22  and the rear wall  52  of the left side panel  18  define a left-side rear panel. In some embodiments, the left-side rear panel may be a generally continuous piece. The front wall  54  is slidably connected to the left end of the left front panel  12 . The horizontal bottom surface  40  of the left center tray  22  overlaps or underlaps at least a portion of the horizontal bottom surface  48  of the left side panel  18 . As with the right side panel  16  and the right center tray  20 , the length of the left side panel  18  and the left center tray  22  each allows space for plumbing, the plumbing being generally at the rear of the under-counter space around the sink. 
   In other versions of the invention, the left side panel  18 , the right side panel  16 , the left center tray  22 , and the right center tray  20  may each have a generally vertical wall, each having a bottom edge. A separate bottom panel  56  may be cut to fit between them, connecting the bottom edges, once the adjustable sliding sink drawer  10  has been sized to fit the particular sink and cabinet geometry.  FIG. 6  depicts one such embodiment. 
   In a version of the invention, the vertical wall  34  of the right center tray  20  and the vertical wall  42  of the left center tray  22  are each lower in height than the vertical side wall  26  of the right side panel  16  or the vertical side wall  50  of the left side panel  18 . This height difference may help permit the adjustable sliding sink drawer  10  to fit around various sink geometries. In other versions, each of those heights may be the same. 
   The slidable connections and geometries of the components permit the adjustable sliding sink drawer  10  to expand to occupy the entire cavity adjacent to the sink and further permit the adjustable sliding sink drawer  10  to fit around various sink widths and designs. The slidable connections and component geometries also allow the adjustable sliding sink drawer  10  to occupy nearly all of the usable space between the sink and the walls of the cabinet in which the sink is mounted. 
   In this way, the adjustable sliding sink drawer  10  converts the otherwise unused cavity around a sink into a storage compartment. Specifically, the combination of the left side panel  18 , the right side panel  16 , the left front panel  12 , the right front panel  14 , the right center tray  20 , and the left center tray  22  creates a geometrically-shaped storage compartment, having a generally horizontal bottom and generally vertical side walls, within the adjustable sliding sink drawer  10 . In a version of the invention, vertical dividers  68  or partitions within the storage compartment may create a plurality of storage areas. See, as an example,  FIG. 5 . In other versions, there are no partitions, and the entire drawer  10  is one continuous storage compartment. 
   The left side panel  18  and right side panel  16  may each further have a drawer glide  70 . The drawer glides  70  are of the types known in the art and permit a drawer to slide open and closed, for example, by using a wheel or roller that rides on one or more rails. The closed position, in which the adjustable sliding sink drawer  10  is slid under the countertop, is as depicted in  FIG. 1 . The open position, where the adjustable sliding sink drawer  10  is slid out from under the countertop, permits access to the storage compartment within the adjustable sliding sink drawer  10 . 
     FIG. 3  depicts the slidable connections in versions of the invention. The first extensible region  58  graphically depicts the adjustability as depicted in  FIG. 2  between the left side panel  18 , the left front panel  12 , and the left center tray  22 . The second extensible region  60  graphically depicts the adjustability as depicted in  FIG. 2  between the right side panel  16 , the right front panel  14 , and the right center tray  20 . The third extensible region  62  graphically depicts the adjustability as depicted in  FIG. 2  between the left front panel  12 , the right front panel  14 , the left center tray  22 , and the right center tray  20 . In some versions of the invention, one or both of the slideable connections depicted by the first extensible region  58  and the second extensible region  60  may not be present. In some versions of the invention, the slideable connections depicted by the third extensible region  62  may not be present. Although depicted as pairs of slots and screws, where the screws push through the overlapping pieces, the slidable connections could have other structures. For example, the screws could be replaced by dowels or the slidable connections could simply be overlapping flat surfaces or tongue and groove connections. 
   While  FIG. 3  depicts extensible regions that permit the adjustable sliding sink drawer  10  to adjust in width, other extensible areas are equally contemplated within the scope of this invention. For example, extensible regions may exist within the side panels ( 16 ,  18 ) and the center trays ( 20 ,  22 ) to permit the adjustable sliding sink drawer  10  to adjust in depth. Likewise, in some embodiments the height of the side panels ( 16 ,  18 ), the front panels ( 12 ,  14 ), or the center trays ( 20 ,  22 ) may be adjustable. In an embodiment of the invention, once configured and sized to fit a particular sink and cabinet, the slidable connections are locked, glued, fastened, tightened, or otherwise fixed to prevent their further adjustment during normal use of the adjustable sliding sink drawer  10 . One benefit of the screw and slot configuration, illustrated in  FIG. 2 , is that the drawer continues to be adjustable if the consumer later chooses to use the drawer in another cabinet. 
     FIG. 5  depicts a version of the invention where the components are not slidably connected. Instead, the dimensions of the sliding sink drawer  10  are predetermined to permit installation around a given sink and cabinet geometry. Additionally, in this version of the invention, wholesalers of the drawer could be provided with a plurality of non-adjustable drawers of various sizes to retrofit various cabinet sizes. 
   The adjustable sliding sink drawer  10  may further have a decorative panel  64  or facade to cover the left front panel  12  and the right front panel  14  and provide a handle  66  for opening the adjustable sliding sink drawer  10 . Several different decorative panels  64  could be provided to match various sink cabinets. Alternatively, the consumer may use an existing decorative panel  64  or facade from their sink cabinet to cover the left front panel  12  and the right front panel  14  after installation of the adjustable sliding sink drawer  10 . Existing facades may also be provided with a handle  66  for sliding open the adjustable sliding sink drawer  10 . This latter option may be a savings of material cost for the consumer and helps to ensure that the decorative panel  64  matches the remainder of the cabinet. In some versions, the handle  66  may be attached directly to the front panel of the adjustable sliding sink drawer  10 . 
   The invention also provides a method of furnishing a storage compartment having the steps of providing a storage compartment as described above; connecting a first drawer glide roller to the left side panel and connecting a second drawer glide roller to the right side panel; connecting a first drawer glide rail to the underside of the countertop, the first drawer glide rail being in corresponding relation to the first drawer glide roller; connecting a second drawer glide rail to the underside of the countertop, the second drawer glide rail being in corresponding relation to the second drawer glide roller; positioning the storage compartment on the underside of the countertop such that the cutout panel fits around the basin portion of the sink; and connecting the first drawer glide roller to the first drawer glide rail and connecting the second drawer glide roller to the second drawer glide rail, such that the storage compartment may slide under the countertop and out from under the countertop. 
   Although a variety of dimensions are suitable and adjustability to fit a variety of sink and cabinet geometries is an important feature of many embodiments of the invention, the dimensions given in the following paragraphs were found to be useful by the inventors: 
   In a version of the invention, the front panel ( 12 ,  14 ) has a length of about 20¾ inches and a height of about 3¾ inches; the left side panel  18  has a length of about 15½ inches and a height of about 3¾ inches; the right side panel  16  has a length of about 15½ inches and a height of about 3¾ inches; the left rear panel ( 44 ,  52 ) has a length of about 3⅞ inches and a height of about 2½ inches; the right rear panel ( 28 ,  36 ) has a length of about 3⅞ inches and a height of about 2½ inches; and the distance between the right end of the left rear panel ( 44 ,  52 ) and the left end of the right rear panel ( 28 ,  36 ) is about 13 inches. 
   In a version where the vertical wall  34  of the right center tray  20  and the vertical wall  42  of the left center tray  22  have a series of five slats, the first slat  72  and the second slat  74  each may have a length of about 7¾ inches and a height of about 2½ inches; the third slat  76  may have a length of about 7 inches and a height of about 2½ inches; the fourth slat  78  and the fifth slat  80  may each having a length of about 5¼ inches and a height of about 2½ inches; and the angle between the third slat  76  and the fourth slat  78  as well as the angle between the third slat  76  and the fifth slat  80  are each about 135 degrees. 
   In an adjustable version of the invention, the length of the front panel ( 12 ,  14 ) may be adjustable between about 20¾ inches and about 28¾ inches; and the length of one or both of the right rear panel ( 28 ,  36 ) and the left rear panel ( 44 ,  52 ) may be adjustable between about 3⅞ inches and about 6⅜ inches. In versions having a series of five slats for the vertical wall  34  of the right center tray  20  and the vertical wall  42  of the left center tray  22 , the length of the third slat  76  may be adjustable between about 7 inches and 10 inches. In versions having an arcuate cutout panel, the corresponding portion of the arc-shaped wall may similarly be adjustable. 
   While the present invention has been described with regards to particular embodiments, it is recognized that additional variations of the present invention may be devised without departing from the inventive concept. 
   INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY 
   This invention can be industrially applied to the development, manufacture, and use of storage compartments that slide in and out in a drawer-like manner, particularly those that are adjustable to fit in a given space.