Patent ID: 12196448

While the inventions will be described in connection with the preferred embodiments, it will be understood that the scope of protection is not intended to limit the inventions to those embodiments. On the contrary, the scope of protection is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the inventions as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTIONS

The present inventions will be described in various representative embodiments, as explained below. However, the scope of the present inventions are not limited to any of the details of the embodiments discussed below. Reference should be made to the appended claims, each of which defines a separate and distinct invention that is part of the present inventions.

Referring now toFIGS.1-3, a sink apparatus10is shown positioned in a sink12having a faucet14, which are shown in dashed lines. In a specific embodiment, the sink apparatus10may include a central support member16, a rear support member18that is mounted to the central support member14on a first side thereof, and a forward support member20that is mounted to the central support member14on a second side thereof, which may be opposite the first side of the central support member14. In a specific embodiment, the rear support member18may be shorter than the forward support member20.

In a specific embodiment, as shown inFIG.3, the central support member16may include an elongated body member22having an internal threaded bore24extending therethrough. The central support member16may include an upper threaded rod26that is threadably engaged with the internal threaded bore24at an upper end of the body member22. The central support member16may include a lower threaded rod28that is threadably engaged with the internal threaded bore24at a lower end of the body member22. In a specific embodiment, the upper threaded rod26may include an upper handle30that may be formed as part of the upper threaded rod26. In a specific embodiment, the upper handle30may be in the shape of a wing nut. In a specific embodiment, the upper threaded rod26may be connected to an upper engagement member32. In a specific embodiment, the upper engagement member32may be connected to the upper handle30. In a specific embodiment, the lower threaded rod28may include a lower handle34that may be formed as part of the lower threaded rod28. In a specific embodiment, the lower handle34may be in the shape of a wing nut. In a specific embodiment, the lower threaded rod28may be connected to a lower engagement member36. In a specific embodiment, the lower engagement member36may be connected to the lower handle34. In a specific embodiment, the upper and lower engagement members32and36may be formed from a rubber material. In a specific embodiment, the upper and lower engagement members32and36may have a trapezoidal cross-section, and may have the shorter side of the trapezoidal member positioned away from its corresponding handle30/34(i.e., at a distal end relative to its corresponding threaded rod26/28).

In a specific embodiment, the sink apparatus10may include a hinge support member38. With reference toFIGS.8-10, in a specific embodiment, the hinge support member38may include a central hinge body member40. In a specific embodiment, the central hinge body member40may be in the general shape of a cylindrical sleeve, and may include an internal bore42extending therethrough. The internal bore42is adapted to receive the elongated body member22of the central support member16, as shown for example inFIG.3. This allows the hinge support member38to be disposed for slidable movement up and down the central support member16, as discussed further below. Referring again toFIGS.8-10, the central hinge body member40may include a transverse bore44in a side wall of the central hinge body member40. The transverse bore44may be threaded and adapted for threadable engagement with a thumb screw46. A central axis of the transverse bore44may be generally perpendicular to a central axis of the central hinge body member40. The thumb screw46has a distal end adapted for engagement with the elongated body member22of the central support member16to secure the hinge support member38and lock it in place so as to prevent it from slidable movement relative to the elongated body member22when in the locked position.

Still referring toFIGS.8-10, the hinge support member38may include a left rear hinge arm48and a left forward hinge arm50, each of which extends outwardly from a left side of the central hinge body member40. The left rear hinge arm48includes a left rear transverse bore52, and the left forward hinge arm50includes a left forward transverse bore54. The left rear transverse bore52and the left forward transverse bore54are aligned so as to receive a left hinge pin56. A left hinge pivot member58may include a head60having a transverse bore62therethrough. The head60is positioned between the left rear hinge arm48and the left forward hinge arm50with the transverse bore62on the head60in coaxial alignment with the left rear transverse bore52and the left forward transverse bore54. The left hinge pin56extends through all three transverse bores52/62/54to pivotably attach the left hinge pivot member58between the left rear hinge arm48and the left forward hinge arm50. The left hinge pivot member58also includes a left threaded rod64, the purpose of which will be explained below.

Still referring toFIGS.8-10, the hinge support member38may include a right rear hinge arm66and a right forward hinge arm68, each of which extends outwardly from a right side of the central hinge body member40. In a specific embodiment, the right rear and forward hinge arms66and68may be directly opposite the left rear and forward hinge arms48and50. The right rear hinge arm66includes a right rear transverse bore70, and the right forward hinge arm68includes a right forward transverse bore72. The right rear transverse bore70and the right forward transverse bore72are aligned so as to receive a right hinge pin74. A right hinge pivot member76may include a head78having a transverse bore80therethrough. The head78is positioned between the right rear hinge arm66and the right forward hinge arm68with the transverse bore80on the head78in coaxial alignment with the right rear transverse bore70and the right forward transverse bore72. The right hinge pin74extends through all three transverse bores70/80/72to pivotably attach the right hinge pivot member76between the right rear hinge arm66and the right forward hinge arm68. The right hinge pivot member76also includes a right threaded rod82, the purpose of which will be explained below.

Referring back toFIGS.1-3, the rear support member18may include a rear elongated body member84having an internal threaded bore86extending therethrough. The rear support member18may include a rear threaded rod88that is threadably engaged with the internal threaded bore86at a left end of the rear elongated support member84. In a specific embodiment, the rear threaded rod88may include a rear handle90that may be formed as part of the rear threaded rod88. In a specific embodiment, the rear handle90may be in the shape of a wing nut. In a specific embodiment, the rear threaded rod88may be connected to a rear engagement member92. In a specific embodiment, the rear engagement member92may be connected to the rear handle90. In a specific embodiment, the rear engagement member92may be formed from a rubber material. In a specific embodiment, the rear engagement member92may have a trapezoidal cross-section, and may have the shorter side of the trapezoidal member positioned away from the rear handle90(i.e., at a distal end relative to the rear threaded rod88). In a specific embodiment, in comparison to the upper and lower engagement members32and36associated with the central support member16, the rear engagement member90may be a wider and/or have a smaller thickness.

A right end of the rear support member18may be connected to the central support member16. In a specific embodiment, as shown for example inFIGS.6and7, which illustrate the hinge support member38shown inFIGS.8-10slidably mounted to the elongated body member22of the central support member16, the left threaded rod64on the left hinge pivot member58(seeFIGS.8-10) may be threadably engaged with the internal threaded bore86of the rear elongated support member84on the rear support member18. In another specific embodiment, as shown inFIGS.1-3, a modified hinge support member38′ may be provided in which the right side of the hinge support member38′ has a right hinge pivot member76as shown inFIGS.8-10, but instead of a left hinge pivot member58and corresponding hinge arms48and50as shown inFIGS.8-10, the left side of the hinge support member38′ instead includes a fixed left threaded rod64′ that may be threadably engaged with the internal threaded bore86of the rear elongated support member84on the rear support member18.

Referring again toFIGS.1-3, the forward support member20may include a forward elongated body member94having an internal threaded bore96extending therethrough. The forward support member20may include a forward threaded rod98that is threadably engaged with the internal threaded bore96at a right end of the forward elongated support member94. In a specific embodiment, the forward threaded rod98may include a forward handle100that may be formed as part of the forward threaded rod98. In a specific embodiment, the forward handle100may be in the shape of a wing nut. In a specific embodiment, the forward threaded rod98may be connected to a forward engagement member102. In a specific embodiment, the forward engagement member102may be connected to the forward handle100. In a specific embodiment, the forward engagement member102may be formed from a rubber material. In a specific embodiment, the forward engagement member102may have a trapezoidal cross-section, and may have the shorter side of the trapezoidal member positioned away from the forward handle100(i.e., at a distal end relative to the forward threaded rod98).

A left end of the forward support member20may be connected to the central support member16. In a specific embodiment, as shown for example inFIGS.1-3,6and7, which illustrate the hinge support member38shown inFIGS.8-10slidably mounted to the elongated body member22of the central support member16, the right threaded rod82on the right hinge pivot member76(seeFIGS.8-10) may be threadably engaged with the internal threaded bore96of the forward elongated support member94on the forward support member20.

In another specific embodiment, instead of the forward engagement member102shown inFIGS.1-3that is attached to the forward threaded rod98that is part of the forward support member20, an alternative configuration may be provided. In a specific embodiment, as shown inFIGS.4-6, a handle104may be connected to or formed as part of the forward threaded rod98. The handle104may be partially in the form of a wing nut. The handle104may include a socket106that is adapted for pivotal engagement with a ball108to form a ball-and-socket joint. An internally-threaded cap110may be threadably engaged with male threads on the handle104to hold the ball108in engagement with the socket106. A cover112, such as made from silicone, may be positioned at the end of the cap110to keep water and debris out of the ball-and-socket joint. The ball108may be connected to a modified forward engagement member114. In a specific embodiment, the modified forward engagement member114may include a plurality of plugs116,118and120, the purpose of which will be explained below. The modified forward engagement member114may be mounted to a plate122that may be connected to the ball108. The ball108may include a body member having an internal bore adapted for engagement with a peg extending from the plate122.

The manner of operation and use of the present inventions will now be explained. Referring initially toFIG.1, the sink apparatus10is positioned in the sink12. In a specific embodiment, the central support member16may initially be positioned between the sink faucet14and a primary sink drain124. The upper engagement member32attached to the central support member16may be positioned in contact with a water spout on the faucet14, and the lower engagement member36attached to the central support member20may be positioned in contact with the primary sink drain124. Depending on the size of the sink and distance between the water spout and the primary sink drain124, it may be necessary to screw the upper threaded rod26and the lower threaded rod28inwardly or outwardly to shorten or lengthen the length of the central support member20by moving the upper engagement member32and the lower engagement member36towards or away from each other. Once there is sufficient clearance and proximity to place the lower engagement member36in contact with the sink drain124and then position the upper engagement member32beneath the water spout, the upper handle30connected to the upper engagement member32can then be rotated to move the upper engagement member32upwardly into secure engagement with the water spout. Note that the lower engagement member36should be sufficiently engaged with the sink drain124so as to cover it and prevent outflow of any debris when compressed air is applied to an AC drain line that is in fluid communication with the sink drain124. Alternatively, if the sink drain124already has a stopper that is in sealing relationship with the sink drain124, then the lower engagement member36can be placed on top of the stopper to hold it down and prevent it from being dislodged with compressed air is applied to the AC drain line.

Next, the forward support member20can be engaged with an overflow drain126at the front of the sink12. The forward engagement member102on the forward support member20should be placed into sealing engagement with the overflow drain126so as to prevent outflow of debris when compressed air is supplied to an AC drain line that is in fluid communication with the overflow drain. Depending on the size and shape of the overflow drain126, it may be necessary or preferable to use a modified forward engagement member114, such as shown inFIGS.4-6to fully cover and seal the overflow drain126.

Last, in a specific embodiment, the rear support member18may be engaged with a back wall of the sink12, if the additional support is deemed necessary. It is noted that the rear engagement member92may include a scratchproof material to avoid scratching the back of the sink12. The rear support member18may be used to provide additional stability and strength to keep the central support member16and the forward support member20in fixed positions when compressed air pressure is applied to the AC drain line.

It can now be seen that use of the present inventions can be used to seal all open drainage holes of the sink from the room it is in. As shown inFIG.11, support rods of various lengths can be provided for different applications such as a deeper sink, taller faucet, or some commercial applications.

This tool is used in the HVAC industry and plumbing industry for drains that terminate to a bathroom sink. This allows for pressure to be applied at the rate needed from the attic to push the clog or stoppage from the central air conditioning primary drain line, and not spray the clog or stoppage out of the sink drainage holes and all over the bathroom. This allows proper maintenance and service reducing the need to apply a towel or other means to the sink drainage holes for protection against clogs and stoppage of overspray from the drain plumbing into the bathroom space.

It is to be understood that the inventions disclosed herein are not limited to the exact details of construction, operation, exact materials or embodiments shown and described. Although specific embodiments of the inventions have been described, various modifications, alterations, alternative constructions, and equivalents are also encompassed within the scope of the inventions. Although the present inventions may have been described using a particular series of steps, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the scope of the present inventions is not limited to the described series of steps. The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. It will be evident that additions, subtractions, deletions, and other modifications and changes may be made thereunto without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the inventions as set forth in the claims set forth below. It should also be understood that various features and aspects of the various embodiments discussed above and illustrated in the Figures may be selectively incorporated with and/or removed from a specific embodiment to arrive at another specific embodiment. Accordingly, the inventions are therefore to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims. None of the claim language should be interpreted pursuant to 35 U.S.C. 112(f) unless the word “means” is recited in any of the claim language, and then only with respect to any recited “means” limitation.