Patent Description:
Bathroom and kitchen sinks come in many different sizes. More importantly, the counter areas surrounding these sinks are crucial workspace for the user. For example, in a bathroom environment, the sink may be a pedestal sink for decorative purposes (which has no counter space at all around the same), or the sink could be part of a small vanity where the counter space around the sink is very limited. In these instances, the individual using the sink to get ready (e.g., put makeup on, do their hair, shave, etc.) often places their products on the counter surrounding the sink. It thus becomes apparent that when the counter surface area is small (or nonexistent in the case of a pedestal sink) the user very quickly finds themselves without sufficient space for their stuff, to the point where the sink itself is used to hold a brush, hairdryer or other multiple items.

In a kitchen environment, the sink may not have large amounts of counter space around the same (e.g., small apartments, studios or small homes with smaller kitchens). As such, with smaller counter areas around the sink, the use of the same can sometimes be more difficult. For example, the user is cleaning dishes and utensils, and doesn't have sufficient counter space to hold the dishes or utensils before drying.

It is therefore an aspect of the present invention to provide an easy to use, easy to store device that allows a user to increase the surface area of the space around the sink and turn the sink itself into usable counter like surface area. <CIT> discloses a sink cover. <CIT> discloses a rigid foldable portable diaper changing pad. <CIT> discloses a foldable lap board.

The present invention provides a sink top accessory according to the claims. According to an implementation not independently claimed as such, the sink top accessory includes a first panel, a second panel, and a center panel. The center panel has one side connected to the first panel via a living hinge, and an opposing side connected to the second panel via a living hinge. The center panel being a different size relative to the first and second panels.

According to another implementation, the sink top accessory includes two outer panels and a center panel. The two outer panels each have a predetermined depth, and the center panel has a depth smaller than the predetermined depth of the two outer panels. The center panel being connected to the two outer panels using living hinges.

According to yet another implementation, the sink top accessory includes a center panel having opposing sides, an integrated frame of a rigid material and a first depth. A first outer panel is connected to one of the sides of the center panel via a living hinge and has an integrated frame of a rigid material and a second depth. A second outer panel is connected to the other of the sides of the center panel via a living hinge and has an integrated frame of a rigid material, and a depth equal to the second depth of the first outer panel. The first depth is smaller than the second depth such that the center panel does not interfere with operation of a sink faucet when the sink top accessory is positioned over a sink.

These and other aspects, features and advantages of the present principles will become apparent from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments, which is to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

The present principles may be better understood in accordance with the following exemplary figures, in which:.

The present description illustrates the present principles. It will thus be appreciated that those skilled in the art will be able to devise various arrangements that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the present principles and are included within its scope.

All examples and conditional language recited herein are intended for pedagogical purposes to aid the reader in understanding the present principles and the concepts contributed by the inventor to furthering the art and are to be construed as being without limitation to such specifically recited examples and conditions.

Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and embodiments of the present principles, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass both structural and functional equivalents thereof.

Reference in the specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" of the present principles, as well as other variations thereof, means that a particular feature, structure, characteristic, and so forth described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present principles. Thus, the appearances of the phrase "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment", as well any other variations, appearing in various places throughout the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.

<FIG> will show one preferred application of the sink accessory according to the invention. <FIG> will describe the details of the sink accessory and various configurations and implementations of the same, and <FIG> and <FIG> show yet other embodiments of the sink top accessory having additional features for different applications.

Referring to <FIG>, there is shown a sink generally identified as <NUM> having a countertop <NUM>, a sink <NUM> and a faucet <NUM>. The countertop <NUM> surrounding the sink <NUM> is not large, and as such, the plurality of items <NUM> that a user may use to get ready are positioned around the sink on the small countertop. From this image it is apparent that the countertop <NUM> does not have enough surface area to accommodate the user's things that they need to have at their disposal as they prepare for whatever it is they are preparing for.

<FIG> shows the sink top accessory 20A positioned on the countertop <NUM> such that a large portion of the accessory 20A is positioned over the sink <NUM>, yet supported by countertop <NUM> at the periphery thereof, with the exception of an area under the faucet <NUM> that is left open to allow continued use of the faucet as needed when the accessory 20A is positioned as shown. <FIG> shows another embodiment of the sink top accessory 20B according to the invention. In this embodiment, the center panel (discussed in more detail below) is such that the faucet <NUM> may not be used without potentially getting water on the sink top accessory 20B.

<FIG> shows the sink top accessory <NUM> in place, with the user's items <NUM> organized and positioned on top thereof such that the user no longer needs to be concerned about things falling in the sink from the countertop <NUM> or falling off the countertop <NUM> onto the floor.

<FIG> shows one embodiment of the sink top accessory <NUM> according the present invention. Initially, the applicant notes that the shape of the accessory can be modified to accommodate different size or shaped sinks. Generally, the sink top accessory <NUM> has a shortened U-shape style with two larger side portions <NUM> and <NUM> which are both connected to a smaller center portion <NUM>. The shape shown in this exemplary embodiment can be used on oval, rectangular and even some larger round sink styles. Additionally, the sink top accessory is preferably made from a silicone rubber material over-molded onto rigid frame members (discussed later), such that the silicone rubber provides a non-slip surface, and additionally can withstand very high levels of heat which could be generated by, for example, a curling iron, or a hair dryer.

In the preferred implementation, the silicone rubber is food grade methyl vinyl silicone rubber, HTV (high temperature vulcanizing). In other embodiments, other materials could be used, such as for example, polyesters, silicone based textiles, carbon fiber, kevlar or the like. Ideally the material chosen should be flexible and capable of withstanding high heat. However, more rigid materials such as plastics or a polyvinylchloride (PVC), could be used, however such materials may require the use of a different hinge structure compared to that of the living hinge.

As shown, and according to one implementation, the sink top accessory <NUM> is generally formed from silicone rubber having three (<NUM>) panels, two outer panels, <NUM> and <NUM> that are each connected to a center panel <NUM> by living hinges <NUM>. The living hinges <NUM> are preferred and enable the folding of the accessory while maintaining material consistency between panels and hinges.

Each of the three panels, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> have outer frames <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>, respectively, which include internal rigid frame members made of, for example, a metal such as steel, stainless steel or aluminum. In an alternative embodiment, the rigid internal frame members could be made of a different material so long as it exhibits sufficient rigidity and is capable of withstanding the heat of the over-molding process of the silicone rubber. In a preferred implementation, stainless steel <NUM> or mild carbon steel are the desired frame material for the outer frame members. In other implementations/embodiments, the frame could be made of plastics,.

In accordance with one preferred implementation, the outer panels <NUM> and <NUM> have a shape and are configured around the center panel <NUM> such that one outer panel <NUM> is a mirror image of the other outer panel <NUM> about the center panel <NUM>.

Referring to both <FIG> and <FIG>, the center panel <NUM> has a depth measurement D2 that is specifically configured to be smaller than the depth measurement D1 of outer panels <NUM> and <NUM> such that the accessory has an overall U-shape appearance, but more importantly, while the outer panels <NUM>, <NUM> and the front of the center panel <NUM> support the sink top accessory <NUM> on the sink top surface, the sink faucet <NUM> can still be used while the same is in place and in use as shown in <FIG>. As shown, the measurement D1 of the outer panels is generally large enough to span the depth of a sink opening such that the outer panels rest outside the periphery of the sink opening (in the countertop) to support the sink accessory across the same. The center panel preferably has a depth D2 that is smaller than measurement D1 of the outer panels. As shown in <FIG>, the depth of the center panel is only slightly less than that of the outer panels.

The folding and thereby storage capability of the sink top accessory <NUM> is a desired feature of the same. As such, in one preferred implementation, the center panel <NUM> is configured to have a width to be larger than that of the outer panels so that the outer panels <NUM>, <NUM> are folded inward over the center panel <NUM> and the folded product is neat and maintains a consistent form. According to one implementation, the side or outer panels <NUM>, <NUM> have a width that is in a range of <NUM>-<NUM>% of the width of the center panel <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the folding and storage capability of the sink top accessory <NUM> is shown. Through the implementation of the living hinges <NUM> and the different widths of the outer panels <NUM>, <NUM> compared to the center panel <NUM> discussed above, one panel <NUM> can be folded over the center panel <NUM>, and then the other panel <NUM> can be folded over panel <NUM>. When folded as shown, the size of the sink top accessory <NUM> is reduced to approximately <NUM>/<NUM> it unfolded size. In one embodiment a releasable strap <NUM> can be used to hold the accessory in its folded position for storage. The strap <NUM> can be any suitable known type of material and can use a hook and loop type fastener or any other type of adjustable strap device to selectively secure and release the same around the folded sink top accessory <NUM>. A hole <NUM> can be provided as shown which can be used to hang the sink top accessory on a hook when not in use. Once folded, the accessory <NUM> can be stored anywhere of the user's choice without taking up much space.

In another embodiment, a magnet <NUM> can be positioned inside the silicone rubber frame <NUM> so as to allow that magnet to attract to the metal inside the frame <NUM> and hold the accessory <NUM> in the folded configuration. In other embodiments, magnets <NUM> can be provided in both frames <NUM> and <NUM> and positioned so as to be attracted to each other when placed in the folded configuration shown in <FIG>. Thus, a magnetic closure system is also contemplated.

Referring to <FIG>, there is shown the sink top accessory <NUM> according another embodiment of the invention. This overall three panel (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) configuration is maintained in this embodiment, where the overall shape of the accessory <NUM> is more rounded than the other disclosed embodiments. The three panels are connected to each other via living hinges <NUM> and will operate as described above with respect to the embodiment of <FIG>. This embodiment is an example of how the overall shape of the sink top accessory of (<NUM>, <NUM>) described herein can be modified to accommodate different size sink tops, while still maintaining the inventive aspects of the invention.

The sink top accessory (<NUM>, <NUM>) described in the embodiments of <FIG> are shown to include a plurality of holes <NUM>. The holes <NUM> are not required for operation of the sink top accessory, however they do provide for some advantages. For example, they allow for water or any other liquid to pass through the accessory when positioned on a sink as intended. Additionally, the holes <NUM> operate to increase ventilation and thereby not only allow steam or vapor to pass through the device, but also helps in the drying of the same should the same get wet during use. The use of holes <NUM> also reduces the amount of silicone rubber required during the manufacturing process, thus not only helping to lower manufacturing costs, but also reducing the overall weight of the product.

Referring to <FIG> there is shown another embodiment of the sink top accessory <NUM> according to the invention. This embodiment is more directed toward a kitchen use of the accessory where the outer panels <NUM> and <NUM> with corresponding frames <NUM> and <NUM>, respectively, are a little larger than the other disclosed embodiments. More specifically, the center panel <NUM>, which is also connected to the outer panels via living hinges <NUM>, can include one or more collapsible baskets 100A, or alternatively, a formed basket 100B.

In the embodiment of the rigid or formed basket 100B, the same would be configured to drop into an opening the frame <NUM> of the center panel <NUM> specifically configured to receive the same without falling through.

In one embodiment, the collapsible basket 100A would not be removable, and the sink top accessory <NUM> can have one or two of the same (shown in <FIG> with only one). During use, the user would push down on the inside of the basket to cause the same to expand downward into the sink (once the accessory is positioned thereover). When the user is finished using the sink top accessory, the basket 100A can be collapsed, thus enabling the accessory to be folded for storage.

In another embodiment, the collapsible basket 100A could be removable. Similar to the rigid basket 100B, the opening in the center panel <NUM> would be configured to receive the collapsible basket 100A without allowing the same to fall through the accessory.

In other contemplated embodiments of the kitchen sink top accessory <NUM>, the baskets 100A, 100B disclosed herein or modified shaped versions of the same can be incorporated not only into the center panel <NUM>, but also into the outer panels <NUM>, <NUM>. It is further envisioned that multiple different size compartments or baskets could be implemented for many different applications. to assist one in cleaning food for preparation of the same.

According to yet further contemplated embodiments, the kitchen sink top accessory can be configured to be positioned over one side of a sink from front to back, rather than span across the same from side to side. In this embodiment, two or more substantially rectangular panels connected by hinges (preferably living hinges) can be configured to sit along the side of a sink and partially extend over that side of the sink. <FIG> and <FIG> show an example of this sink top accessory <NUM> according to this example, though not according to the claimed invention. Similar to the previously discussed embodiments, panels <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> are connected by living hinges <NUM>, and each panel is reinforced with an internal frame structure <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>, respectively. As shown in <FIG>, the sink top accessory <NUM> can be positioned partially, or fully over the sink <NUM>, as the user determines.

These and other features and advantages of the present principles may be readily ascertained by one of ordinary skill in the pertinent art based on the teachings herein. It is to be understood that the teachings of the present principles may be implemented in various forms of hardware, software, firmware, special purpose processors, or combinations thereof.

Claim 1:
A sink top accessory (<NUM>) comprising:
two outer panels (<NUM>, <NUM>) each having a predetermined depth being a dimension from a front towards a back of the sink top accessory (<NUM>); and
a center panel (<NUM>) having a depth smaller than the predetermined depth of the two outer panels (<NUM>, <NUM>), the center panel (<NUM>) being connected to the two outer panels (<NUM>, <NUM>) using living hinges (<NUM>).