Abstract:
A storage rack for retaining items to be dried, which can be used in conjunction with a drain basin, such as a sink, or as a stand alone system is disclosed. The rack includes a rack component having a first and second ends, first and second sides, and a plurality of foot members, a drain mat supported by the foot members, and a detachable basin attached to a side or end of the rack component. The drain mat includes two sets of positioning members of two distinct lengths on a lower surface. By engaging longer positioning members on one side of the mat and shorter positioning members on the opposite side of the mat, the mat is held in a sloped configuration. The slope may be either toward the integral spout, thereby draining water from the mat, or opposite the integral spout, thereby retaining a substantial amount of water on the mat. The latter configuration permitting the storage rack to be used as a stand alone system.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a rack for storing utensils, such as, for example, plates, bowls, pots, pans, flatware, and the like, for drying. More specifically, the present invention relates to a drying rack for use with or without a drain sink. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    As long as there has been kitchens, there has been dirty dishes. As long as there has been dirty dishes, there has been a need to wash and dry such dishes. There are basically two widely accepted methods for accomplishing this least favorite task of most every person—i.e., washing and drying by hand or by use of an automatic dishwasher. For those still employing the former method, hand drying has typically been considered inferior to air drying. However, air drying requires the wet dishes to be exposed to the air for some time to allow water to be drained or evaporated. 
         [0003]    Further, a drainage source, such as, for example, a sink or a small plastic tub is not always readily available to the user. Without such a drainage source, the possible run-off of water onto floors, counters, and the like during the drying period is most undesirable. However, the need to eventually dispose of any water retained by a drain basin typically used with such drying racks is universal. 
         [0004]    Countless attempts have been made to provide a device which meets the many structural requirements as well as aesthetic desires for a drying rack, commonly referred to as a dish rack. Such requirements include the ability to accommodate various plate, bowl and glassware sizes, the ability to store a significant amount of dishes, including flatware, for drying, the ability to prevent messy water drainage onto counters, and the ability to provide easy compact storage when not in use while still being readily constructed when needed. 
         [0005]    However, until the present device, none have addressed each of these problems with a single drying rack. The shortcomings of prior devices may be due to a perception that a small dish rack would be too flimsy or inadequate. Or, perhaps it is a failure to recognize the failings of any particular device. Nonetheless, the present invention is unique in that it addresses each of these, as well as other problems found in the prior art. By providing a drying storage rack which is sturdy, capable of accommodating a variety of items, suitable for use as a stand alone rack as well as for use with a drain sink, and small enough for storage purposes, the present invention solves these problems. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    There is disclosed herein an improved drying storage rack which avoids the disadvantages of prior racks while affording additional structural and operating advantages. 
         [0007]    Generally speaking, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved drying rack for storing a plurality of items for drying. 
         [0008]    In an embodiment there is provided a drying rack comprising a rack component and a detachable drain mat. The rack component includes an upper surface, first and second ends, first and second sides, and a plurality of foot members extending from the rack body. The drain mat is preferably made of a rigid material and includes a substantially planar surface defined by a peripheral raised edge, a lower surface, and a spout extending beyond an edge. The lower surface of the mat includes at least two sets of positioning members, one set being of a length longer than the other set. The mat is maintained in an elevated position by the foot members of the rack component engaging the positioning members of the mat. By varying the engagement between the two different sets of positioning members, an incline or slope can be imparted to the drain mat. The incline or slope may be toward or opposite (away from) the spout. 
         [0009]    In another embodiment of the present invention, a detachable basin attaches to the rack component. The basin is preferably configured to be affixed to the rack component, extending between the first and second side surfaces. 
         [0010]    It is an aspect of an embodiment of the invention to provide a drying rack with a surface of the rack component having distinct zones. For example, in one embodiment of the invention a plurality of curved planar members may define a first zone for retaining bowls, a plurality of raised members may define a second zone for retaining cups, and a plurality of straight planar members may define a third zone for retaining plates. 
         [0011]    These and other objects of the invention will become apparent from the detailed description below and the appended drawing figures. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the drying storage rack of the present invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the drying storage rack illustrated in  FIG. 1  showing the attachment of the detachable basin; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the rigid adjustable drain mat of the present invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is an elevated front view of the rigid adjustable drain mat illustrated in  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is an elevated side view of the rigid adjustable drain mat illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the opposite side being substantially identical; 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is top view of the rigid adjustable drain mat illustrated in  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is a bottom view of the rigid adjustable drain mat illustrated in  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the bottom of the rigid adjustable drain mat illustrated in  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 9  is a top perspective view of an embodiment of the detachable basin shown in  FIG. 1 ; and 
           [0021]      FIG. 10  is a side view of the drying rack shown in  FIG. 1  illustrating the drain mat inclined or sloped in a drain position. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0022]    While the invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, this disclosure will describe in detail preferred embodiments of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to the embodiments illustrated. 
         [0023]    Referring to the appended  FIGS. 1-10 , the following discussion references component  10  as a drying storage rack or merely as rack  10 . In the illustrated embodiments the drying storage rack  10  includes a rack component  12 , a drain mat  14 , and a detachable basin  16 . 
         [0024]    The rack component  12 , with particular reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , is constructed substantially of a coated wire frame in the present embodiment. The rack component  12  includes an upper surface  20  having a plurality of distinct zones, two side surfaces  21 ,  22 , created by the upward vertical extension of the horizontal surface wires  42  of the upper surface  20  to form side extensions  44 , two opposing ends  23 ,  24  and an open basin area  30  adjacent one end, and a plurality of foot members  25  created by the downward extension of wires in a J-hook configuration from the ends  23 ,  24  of the upper surface  20 . In an alternative embodiment, any number of the four ends and sides may have such upward vertical extensions. As discussed further below, the foot members  25 , while supporting the rack component  12  on a surface, such as a kitchen counter, also serve to support the drain mat  14  in an elevated, inclined position (see  FIG. 10 ). 
         [0025]    The side surfaces  21 ,  22  can be of any configuration suitable for providing structural support to the rack component  12  and support for any drying items which may lean against the individual side extensions  44 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the side surfaces  21 ,  22  are each comprised of a plurality of individual side extensions  44  which loop back to connect adjacent wires of the upper surface  20 . These horizontal surface wires  42  may be essentially paired so as to form an elongated continuous loop turned up on each side. Alternatively, the wires  42  may be the creation of a single (or several) wire member having definite ends. Naturally, a myriad of configurations are possible, too numerous to mention in this document, which will provide the necessary support to drying items and the rack component  12  itself. 
         [0026]    The surface wires  42  may be configured to form a plurality of distinct zones for retaining different items to be dried. For example, a plurality of curved planar members may define a first zone for retaining bowls, a plurality of raised members may define a second zone for retaining cups, and a plurality of straight planar members may define a third zone for retaining plates. The size and shape of the curved, raised, and straight zones may be varied on the surface to accommodate different sized items, maximize space utilization and for aesthetic purposes. Other configurations are possible, if necessary, for accommodating irregular items, such as bottles, pans, kitchen utensils, and the like. 
         [0027]    The horizontal surface wires  42  are preferably connected at their underside to two perpendicular cross wires  46 , as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The foot members  25  are preferably created as extensions of the cross wire members  46 , ending in a J-hook just below the under surface of the rack component  12 . The last or end surface wire  48  has distinct ends  49 , which turn upward at the sides  21 ,  22  before terminating. These distinct ends  49  are used to connect the detachable basin  16  to the rack component  12 , as discussed further below. 
         [0028]    Referring now to  FIGS. 3-8 , the drain mat  14  can be more readily understood. The mat  14  is preferably made from a rigid plastic material and is defined by a peripheral edge  26  about a planar surface  28 . The edge  26  is preferably raised from the planar surface  28  a distance which is tall enough to provide a barrier or wall against fluid running off the planar surface  28  at any point. A small portion of the edge  26  is not raised and either tapers downward to the planar surface  28  from both sides or ends abruptly to define an opening  29 . The opening  29  accommodates a spout  27  positioned to extend from the planar surface  28  beyond the mat edge  26 . The planar surface  28  is preferably inclined from two sides toward a midline extending from the spout  27  to the opposite side of the mat  14 . This incline or slope directs fluid to the midline during use. 
         [0029]    The drain mat  14  also includes an underside, as shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , comprised of two sets of positioning members  52 ,  54 . Preferably, the present embodiment comprises four of each positioning member  52 ,  54 , with one of each of the positioning members  52 ,  54  being situated in proximity to a corner of the mat  14 . That is, two of the first positioning members  52  are situated in corners proximate the side of the mat  14  containing spout  27 , while two other first positioning members  52  are situated in the corners proximate the side opposite the spout  27 . Similarly, each corner contains a second positioning member  54 . The first positioning members  52  are of a length which is substantially greater than the length of the second position members  54 . Preferably, the ratio of the length of the first positioning members  52  to length of the second positioning members  54  is in the range of from about 1.5:1 to about 10:1, and more preferably in the range of from about 2:1 to about 4:1. 
         [0030]    In the embodiment of  FIG. 7 , the two first positioning members  52  in the corners proximate the spout  27  are configured to align with and be equidistant from two second positioning members  54  in the corners proximate the opposite side of mat  14 . Likewise, the two second positioning members  54  in the corners proximate the spout  27  are configured to align with and be equidistant from the two first positioning members  52  in the corners proximate the opposite side of mat  14 . 
         [0031]    The first and second positioning members  52 ,  54  are cylindrical and open to provide a connection point for the ends of the cross wires  46  which form the foot members  25  of the rack component  12 . The members  52 ,  54  positively retain the wire ends to impart a slope to the mat  14 , and to prevent accidental movement of the mat  14  while supported under the rack component  12 . As shown in  FIG. 10 , to impart a slope, the ends of the cross wires  46  are engaged by the first positioning members  52  on one side of the mat and the second positioning members  54  on the opposite side of the mat  14 . When sloped toward the spout  27  (the “drain position”), fluid will naturally drain from the mat  14 . However, when mat  14  is sloped toward the side opposite the spout  27  (the “non-drain position”), a substantial amount of fluid can be retained on the mat  14 . By “substantial” it is meant an amount greater than the small but noticeable amount of, for example, water that might be retained as drops and minor pools due to the surface imperfections in the mat  14  and the natural surface tension of the coalesced fluid. 
         [0032]    The underside of the mat  14  may have additional structural components, such as ribs  53 , which support the surface  28 . The mat  14  is also preferably rectangular to allow it to be positioned a number of ways below the upper surface  20  of the rack component  12 . This allows the drying storage rack  10  to be positioned in a more convenient manner while still allowing the spout  27  to be more easily aligned with a basin (not shown), such as a sink, when desired. Certainly, the mat  14  may be made in a number of different geometric shapes, if desired. 
         [0033]    Referring now to  FIGS. 2 ,  9  and  10 , the detachable basin  16  is illustrated. The basin  16  is preferably comprised of a compartment defined by a first wall segment  32  being curved at each end to connect to a second wall segment  33 . The second wall segment  33  includes a plurality of openings  31  to allow a drying air flow to assist the drying process. The basin compartment preferably comprises at least one dividing panel  34 , but may include a plurality of such panels, which connects to each of the first and second wall segments  32 ,  33 . The panel  34  is preferably unitary, but in some constructions may be made removable. Likewise, additional panels could be unitary to the basin  16  or removable, as desired. In the present embodiment, the panel  34  divides the compartment into sub-compartments, preferably two, to maintain items separate, as necessary. 
         [0034]    The second wall segment  33  of the basin  16  also includes at least one connecting slot  36  for engaging a corresponding end surface wire  48 , as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . The connecting slot  36  preferably comprises a rounded, elongated cavity open along an outer side of the basin  16  to allow insertion of the end surface wire  48 . A slit  56  ( FIG. 9 ) in the bottom surface of the basin  16  allows for the insertion of the raised portion of the end surface wire  48  as a further means for holding the basin  16  to the rack component  12 . Alternatively, positive engaging mechanisms, such as c-clips (not shown) or the like may be used to connect the basin  16  to the edge of the rack component  12 . 
         [0035]    The floor of the basin  16  is preferably pitched toward the second wall segment  33  where a drain hole  38  is provided, as best shown in  FIG. 9 . The drain hole  38  allows water that is funneled by the sloped floor to be drained from the basin  16  and onto the drain mat  14 . Accordingly, the drain hole  38  should be positioned above the mat  14 , as shown in  FIG. 4 . The detachable basin  16  is supported on a portion of the cross wires  46  before forming foot members  25 , as also shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
         [0036]    Many different compartment variations are considered possible and fall within the intended scope of the present application. Additional basins may also be possible with some minor adjustments to the sides and ends of the rack component  12 . 
         [0037]    In use, with reference to  FIG. 2 , rack  10  is first constructed by connecting the detachable basin  16  to the rack component ends  24  at the open basin area  30  by inserting the end  49  of surface wire  48  into the connecting slot  36  on each side of the detachable basin  16 . The raised center portion of the end surface wire  48  is also inserted into slit  56  ( FIG. 9 ). Thereafter, the drain mat  14  is placed beneath the rack component  12 , resting in an elevated position on the ends of foot members  25  to be sloped in either of the directions as explained above. The mat  14  may be positioned such that the spout  27  is extending from either of the two sides  21 ,  22  of the rack  10 . If the rack  10  is being used next to a basin, such as a sink, the mat  14  can be placed in a drain position (i.e., sloped toward spout  27 ) to empty any collecting water from the stored items. When rack  10  is used as a stand alone drying storage rack, the mat  14  can be placed in the non-drain position (i.e., sloped opposite the spout  27 ) to retain any draining water. 
         [0038]    While specific embodiments have been illustrated and described, numerous modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention, and the scope of protection is only limited by the scope of the accompanying claims.