Patent Document

RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/959,276 filed on Aug. 5, 2013, by Donald Allan Brinkmann of Golden, Colo., US, as inventor that claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/679,795 filed on Aug. 6, 2012 by Donald Allan Brinkmann of Golden, Colo., U.S. as inventor. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to a support for an article for use with the support interfacing with multiple base components. More specifically, the present invention is a support device that removably engages a self contained cleaning utensil wherein the support device directs fluid seepage from the cleaning utensil to a selected area in relation to the base component. 
       BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
       [0003]    Cleaning utensils are constantly becoming more numerous and varied over time in performing more specialized functions leading to a plethora of these handheld utensils being randomly placed throughout the kitchen countertop area adding to clutter and potentially a soap scum and water/grease stains on the countertop requiring cleaning. As a more modern development in particular related to scrubbers for dishes, glasses, and cooking utensils, is a self contained scrubbing brush and scouring pad, wherein a reservoir is disposed within an integral handle that contains a dishwashing liquid, thus eliminating the need for the separate application of dishwashing liquid, resulting in faster, easier, and more convenient dish, glass, and cooking utensil washing as the dishwashing liquid automatically dispenses to the sponge/brush/pad. 
         [0004]    However, this self contained scrubbing brush and scouring pad again is usually placed upon the countertop, or in the sink, or adjacent to the sink edge and with this self contained scrubbing brush and scouring pad not having any sophisticated valves or shutoffs to prevent the seepage or wicking of the dishwashing fluid from the scrub brush or scouring pad portion thereby resulting in a gooey mess of oozed out dishwashing liquid, that also typically semi solidifies into almost a paste type substance when exposed to the atmosphere. Thus leaving a sticky gooey mess to clean up from the surface that is adjacent to the scrub brush or scouring pad, not to mention the waste of dishwashing liquid. 
         [0005]    Wherein an ideal solution to this problem would be to support the scrub brush or scouring pad portion above the reservoir to help prevent the seepage or wicking of the dishwashing fluid from the scrub brush or scouring pad portion, and to have or provide flow channels for the dishwashing liquid seepage that does occur being the residual dishwashing liquid from the scrub brush or scouring pad portion to drain to a specific location to make clean up on the seeped dishwashing liquid easier. 
         [0006]    Looking at the prior art, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,619,604 to Stillman, disclosed is a tray for supporting a cleaning utensil that has a holder for supporting a cleaning utensil that includes a support platform that is designed to support and retain a portion of a cleaning utensil, the holder also has a drainage conductor near a front edge of the support platform. In Stillman, the portion of the cleaning utensil is retained via a continuous retention ridge protrusion adjacent to a drainage channel, wherein a suction cup is for attaching the holder to a countertop or sink lip. 
         [0007]    Continuing in the prior art, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,991,200 to Stillman which is a continuation of U.S. Pat. No. 6,619,604 also to Stillman, the &#39;200 patent discloses a holder for supporting a cleaning utensil that includes a support platform that is designed to support and retain a portion of a cleaning utensil, the holder also has a drainage conductor near a front edge of the support platform. In Stillman, the portion of the cleaning utensil is retained via a continuous retention ridge protrusion adjacent to a drainage channel, wherein a suction cup is optional for attaching the holder to a countertop or sink lip. 
         [0008]    Further in the prior art, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,322,382 to Hull et al., disclosed is a combination lotion applicator and support stand, wherein the desire is to have the sponge portion slightly lower than the lotion reservoir that is disposed within the handle with the goal being to keep the sponge wetted with the lotion, which the support stand facilitates, see  FIGS. 1 and 2 . Also in Hull, the lotion applicator and stand are a matched set sold in combination, noting that a cover  20  is always used in conjunction with the sponge, thus to preclude external seepage of the lotion from the sponge due to the handle causing the lotion to gravity flow into the sponge. 
         [0009]    Also, in the prior art, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,038,955 to Studer et al., disclosed is a paintbrush caddy that clips upon the edge of a paint tray while providing an inclined drainage platform for the paintbrush to reside against, thus allowing residual paint to drip back into the tray while retaining the brush via drain apertures  66 , see  FIGS. 2, 3, and 4 . Studer also uses a spring loaded clamping means that is utilized to provide a removably engagable attachment to the tray edge while keeping the drainage platform at an angle to accommodate the paint drainage back into the tray. 
         [0010]    Continuing, in the prior art, in U.S. Pat. No. 7,500,580 to Hawkins disclosed is a bracket that straddles the upper edges of an open paint can to form a bridge across the open paint can top that facilitates a clip type hanger disposed at a mid point in the bracket to suspend a paintbrush over the open can of paint such that brush paint drips fall back into the can, see  FIGS. 3, 4, and 5 . In Hawkins, the bracket can also be used to secure the paint can lid closed as shown in  FIG. 6 . 
         [0011]    What is needed is a low cost, compact, and easy to install article support device that supports an article in the form of a cleaning utensil with a self contained cleaning sponge/scouring pad with a dishwashing detergent dispensing reservoir, wherein the article is supported in an upright manner to minimize seepage of the dishwashing detergent from the sponge/pad resulting in waste of the dishwashing detergent and the resultant gooey mess of seeped dishwashing detergent, and if seepage does occur, it is directed to an appropriate area. 
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
       [0012]    Broadly, the present invention is a support device for an article that is adjacent to a sink margin, the support device including a first arcuate flexible finger having a longitudinal axis, with the first finger having a proximal end portion and an opposing distal end portion. Further included is a second arcuate flexible finger having a lengthwise axis, with the second finger having a proximal end portion and an opposing distal end portion. Also, a shoulder element that is sized and configured to cradle the article in an upright position, the shoulder element is disposed in an attached manner therebetween the first proximal end portion and the second proximal end portion. Wherein the first flexible finger, the shoulder element, and the second flexible finger approximately form an inverted “U” shape that frictionally straddles the sink margin. Wherein operationally, the support device cradles the article in the upright position adjacent to the sink margin. 
         [0013]    These and other objects of the present invention will become more readily appreciated and understood from a consideration of the following detailed description of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention when taken together with the accompanying drawings, in which; 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0014]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of the support device that includes the first arcuate flexible finger, its longitudinal axis, the first finger proximal end portion, the first finger distal end portion, the second arcuate flexible finger, its lengthwise axis, the second finger proximal end portion, the second finger distal end portion, the shoulder element, the cradle segment, and the inverted “U” shape; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  shows a use perspective view of the support device straddling the margin of the sink, with the cradle segment, the shoulder element, the first arcuate flexible finger, and the second flexible finger; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  shows a use perspective view of the support device straddling the margin of the sink, with the cradle segment, the shoulder element, the first arcuate flexible finger, and the second flexible finger, wherein the cradle segment is supporting the article in an upright position, with the article in the form of a cleaning utensil being the self-contained cleaning sponge having dishwashing detergent disposed therein; 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of the base portion of the shoe assembly including the extension of the base, and the depression of the base; 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  shows a perspective view of the shoe assembly with the base portion, the extension of the base, the depression of the base, the cup, the bottom of the cup, the opposing lip of the cup, the cup bottom being accommodated in the base, the flexible clip, the inward portion of the flexible clip, the opposing outward portion of the flexible clip, the cradle portion of the clip, and the base upon the surface; 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  shows a perspective use view of the shoe assembly with the base portion, the extension of the base, the depression of the base, the cup, the bottom of the cup, the opposing lip of the cup, the cup bottom being accommodated in the base, the flexible clip, the inward portion of the flexible clip, the opposing outward portion of the flexible clip, the cradle portion of the clip, and the base upon the surface, wherein the article is in the form of a cleaning utensil being self contained cleaning sponge having therein disposed dishwashing detergent, wherein the depression is receiving a portion of the article and the flexible clip cradling the opposing portion of the article; 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  shows a perspective view of the platform device with the retention basin, the peripheral portion, the spillway margin, the raised rib, the extension, with the extension depending outwardly opposite of the raised rib, and the bi-modal shaped ridge that projects parallel to the raised rib; 
           [0021]      FIG. 8  shows a perspective use view of the platform device with the retention basin, the peripheral portion, the spillway margin, the raised rib, and the extension, with the extension depending outwardly opposite of the raised rib, wherein the basin and extension are substantially conforming to the sink margin of the sink, the bi-modal shaped ridge that projects parallel to the raised rib, the directing of the liquids to the sink, with the ridge retainably suspending a portion of the article over the basin, wherein the article is in the form of a cleaning utensil being self contained cleaning sponge having dishwashing detergent disposed therein; 
           [0022]      FIG. 9  shows an inverted perspective view of the platform device in relation to  FIG. 7 , with the peripheral portion, the raised rib, the extension, with the extension depending outwardly opposite of the raised rib; 
           [0023]      FIG. 10  shows an inverted perspective view of the platform device in relation to  FIG. 7 , with the peripheral portion, the raised rib, and the extension, with the extension depending outwardly opposite of the raised rib in addition to the sponge support mounted on the raised rib; 
           [0024]      FIG. 11  shows a perspective view of the platform device with the retention basin, the peripheral portion, the spillway margin, the raised rib, and the extension, with the extension depending outwardly opposite of the raised rib, plus the substantial conforming to the sink margin of the sink for the basin and the extension, further the bi-modal shaped ridge that projects parallel to the raised rib and the sponge support are shown; 
           [0025]      FIG. 12  shows a perspective view of the platform device with the retention basin, the peripheral portion, the spillway margin, the raised rib, the extension, with the extension depending outwardly opposite of the raised rib, the substantial conforming to the sink margin of the sink for the basin and the extension, the bi-modal shaped ridge that projects parallel to the raised rib and the sponge support, the directing of the liquids to the sink, with the ridge retainably suspending a portion of the article over the basin, wherein the article is in the form of a cleaning utensil being self contained cleaning sponge having dishwashing detergent disposed therein, also the sponge support holding a sponge; 
           [0026]      FIG. 13  shows a perspective view of the sponge support that is removably engagable to the opposing lip of the cup, with the cup, and cup bottom shown also; and 
           [0027]      FIG. 14  shows a perspective use view of the sponge on the sponge support that is removably engagable to the opposing lip of the cup, with the cup, and the cup bottom shown also. 
       
    
    
     REFERENCE NUMBERS IN DRAWINGS 
       [0000]    
       
           50  Support device 
           55  Article 
           56  Length of article  55   
           57  Seepage of article  55  and sponge  66   
           60  Upright position or support of the article  55   
           61  Self-contained cleaning sponge of the article  55   
           62  Reservoir handle for dispensing dishwashing detergent to the sponge  61  of the article  55   
           65  Article in the form of a cleaning utensil being a self-contained cleaning sponge/brush/scouring pad  61  with dishwashing detergent dispensing reservoir  62  disposed therein 
           66  Sponge 
           70  Sink 
           71  Walls of the sink  70   
           75  Margin of the sink  70   
           80  First arcuate flexible finger 
           85  Longitudinal axis of the first arcuate flexible finger  80   
           90  First proximal end portion of the first arcuate flexible finger  80   
           95  First distal end portion of the first arcuate flexible finger  80   
           96  First curved extension of the first distal end portion  95   
           97  First concave channel of first curved extension  96   
           100  Second arcuate flexible finger 
           105  Lengthwise axis of the second arcuate flexible finger  100   
           110  Second proximal end portion of the second arcuate flexible finger  100   
           115  Second distal end portion of the second arcuate flexible finger  100   
           116  Second curved extension of the second distal end portion  115   
           117  Second concave channel of the second curved extension  116   
           120  Shoulder element 
           125  Cradle segment 
           126  Arcuate axis at the cradle segment  125   
           127  Perpendicular relationship of arcuate axis  126  to the longitudinal axis  85  and the lengthwise axis  105   
           130  Inverted “U” shape 
           135  Frictionally straddles 
           140  Shoe assembly 
           145  Cup 
           150  Bottom of cup  145   
           155  Opposing lip of cup  145   
           160  Surface 
           165  Base 
           170  Accommodate the cup bottom  150   
           175  Extension of the base  165   
           176  Peripheral ridge of the base  165   
           177  Receptacle of the base  165   
           180  Depression of the base  165   
           181  Receiving slot of the depression  180   
           185  Receiving a portion of the article  55   
           190  Flexible clip 
           200  Inward portion of the flexible clip  190   
           205  Opposing outward portion of the flexible clip  190   
           210  Cradle portion of the flexible clip  190   
           211  Curved axis of the cradle portion  210   
           212  Concave surface of the cradle portion  210   
           215  Retainably suspending an opposing portion of the article  55   
           220  Platform device 
           225  Retention basin 
           226  Floor of the retention basin  225   
           230  Peripheral portion 
           231  Outer peripheral notch in peripheral portion  230  for sponge support  280   
           232  Inner peripheral notch in peripheral portion  230  for sponge support  280   
           235  Spillway margin 
           240  Raised rib 
           245  Extension 
           250  Extension  245  depending outwardly 
           251  Reverse angled end portion of extension  245   
           255  Substantial conforming area to the sink margin of the basin  225  and extension  245   
           260  Bi-modal shaped ridge 
           261  Continuously curving concave surface of the bi-modal shaped ridge  260   
           262  Bi-modal shaped ridge  260  extending at least as high as the raised rib  240   
           265  Parallel projection of the ridge  260  and the rib  240   
           270  Ridge retainably suspending a portion of the article  55  over the basin  225   
           275  Directing liquids to the sink  70   
           280  Sponge support 
           281  Lip  155  interface of the sponge support 
           282  Drain aperture for sponge support  280   
           285  Open environment 
       
     
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0100]    With initial reference to  FIG. 1 , shown is the perspective view of the support device  50  that includes the first arcuate flexible finger  80 , its longitudinal axis  85 , the first finger  80  proximal end portion  90 , the first finger  80  distal end portion  95 , the second arcuate flexible finger  100 , its lengthwise axis  105 , the second finger  100  proximal end portion  110 , the second finger  100  distal end portion  115 , the shoulder element  120 , the cradle segment  125 , and the inverted “U” shape  130 . Next,  FIG. 2  shows a use perspective view of the support device  50  straddling the margin  75  of the sink  70 , with the cradle segment  125 , the shoulder element  120 , the first arcuate flexible finger  80 , and the second flexible finger  100 . 
         [0101]    Continuing,  FIG. 3  shows a use perspective view of the support device  50  straddling the margin  75  of the sink  70 , with the cradle segment  125 , the shoulder element  120 , the first arcuate flexible finger  80 , and the second flexible finger  100 , wherein the cradle segment  125  is supporting the article  55  is in an upright position  60 , with the article  55  in the form of a cleaning utensil  65  being self contained cleaning sponge having dishwashing detergent. Further,  FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of the base portion  165  of the shoe assembly  140  including the extension  175  of the base  165 , and the depression  180  of the base  165 . Next,  FIG. 5  shows a perspective view of the shoe assembly  140  with the base portion  165 , the extension  175  of the base  165 , the depression  180  of the base  165 , the cup  145 , the bottom  150  of the cup  145 , the opposing lip  155  of the cup  145 , the cup  145  bottom  150  being accommodated  170  in the base  165 , the flexible clip  190 , the inward portion  200  of the flexible clip  190 , the opposing outward portion  205  of the flexible clip  190 , the cradle portion  210  of the clip  190 , and the base  165  upon the surface  160 . 
         [0102]    Yet further,  FIG. 6  shows a perspective use view of the shoe assembly  140  with the base portion  165 , the extension  175  of the base  165 , the depression  180  of the base  165 , the cup  145 , the bottom  150  of the cup  145 , the opposing lip  155  of the cup  145 , the cup  145  bottom  150  being accommodated  170  in the base  165 , the flexible clip  190 , the inward portion  200  of the flexible clip  190 , the opposing outward portion  205  of the flexible clip  190 , the cradle portion  210  of the clip  190 , and the base  165  upon the surface  160 . Also in  FIG. 6 , the article  55  is in the form of a cleaning utensil  65  being self contained cleaning sponge having dishwashing detergent disposed therein, wherein the depression  180  is receiving  185  a portion of the article  55  and the flexible clip  190  cradling  210  the opposing portion of the article  55 . 
         [0103]    Continuing,  FIG. 7  shows a perspective view of the platform device  220  with the retention basin  225 , the peripheral portion  230 , the spillway margin  235 , the raised rib  240 , the extension  245 , with the extension  245  depending outwardly  250  opposite of the raised rib  240 , the bi-modal shaped ridge  260  that projects parallel  265  to the raised rib  240 . Further,  FIG. 8  shows a perspective use view of the platform device  220  with the retention basin  225 , the peripheral portion  230 , the spillway margin  235 , the raised rib  240 , the extension  245 , with the extension depending outwardly  250  opposite of the raised rib  240 , wherein the basin  225  and extension  245  are substantially conforming  255  to the sink margin  75  of the sink  70 . In addition, in  FIG. 8 , the bi-modal shaped ridge  260  that projects parallel  265  to the raised rib  240 , the directing  275  of the liquids to the sink  70 , with the ridge  260  retainably suspending  270  a portion of the article  55  over the basin  225 , wherein the article  55  is in the form of a cleaning utensil  65  being self contained cleaning sponge having dishwashing detergent disposed therein. 
         [0104]    Moving onward,  FIG. 9  shows an inverted perspective view of the platform device  220  in relation to  FIG. 7 , with the peripheral portion  230 , the raised rib  240 , the extension  245 , with the extension  245  depending outwardly  250  opposite of the raised rib  240 . Next,  FIG. 10  also shows the inverted perspective view of the platform device  220  in relation to  FIG. 7 , with the peripheral portion  230 , the raised rib  240 , the extension  245 , with the extension  245  depending outwardly  250  opposite of the raised rib  240  in addition to the sponge support  280  mounted on the raised rib  240 . Further,  FIG. 11  shows a perspective view of the platform device  220 , with the retention basin  225 , the peripheral portion  230 , the spillway margin  235 , the raised rib  240 , the extension  245 , with the extension  245  depending outwardly  250  opposite of the raised rib  240 , the substantial conforming  255  to the sink margin  75  of the sink  70  for the basin  225  and the extension  245 , the bi-modal shaped ridge  260  that projects parallel  265  to the raised rib  240 , and the sponge support  280 . 
         [0105]    Continuing,  FIG. 12  shows a perspective view of the platform device  220  with the retention basin  225 , the peripheral portion  230 , the spillway margin  235 , the raised rib  240 , the extension  245 , with the extension  245  depending outwardly opposite  250  of the raised rib  240 , the substantial conforming  255  to the sink margin  75  of the sink  70  for the basin  225  and the extension  245 . Further, in  FIG. 12 , the bi-modal shaped ridge  260  that projects parallel  265  to the raised rib  240 , and the sponge support  280 , the directing  275  of the liquids to the sink  70 , with the ridge  260  retainably suspending a portion of the article  55  over the basin  225 , wherein the article  55  is in the form of a cleaning utensil  65  being self contained cleaning sponge having dishwashing detergent disposed therein, also the sponge support  280  holding a sponge  66 . Next,  FIG. 13  shows a perspective view of the sponge support  280  that is removably engagable to the opposing lip  155  of the cup  145 , with the cup  145 , and cup  145  bottom  150  shown also. Further,  FIG. 14  shows a perspective use view of the sponge  66  on the sponge support  280  that is removably engagable to the opposing lip  155  of the cup  145 , with the cup  145 , and cup  145  bottom  150  shown also. 
         [0106]    Broadly, in looking at  FIGS. 1 through 3 , the present invention is for the support device  50  for an article  55  that is adjacent to a sink  70  margin  75 , with the support device  50  including the first arcuate flexible finger  80  having the longitudinal axis  85 , the first finger  80  having a proximal end portion  90  and an opposing distal end portion  95  and the second arcuate flexible finger  100  having a lengthwise axis  105 , the second finger  100  having a proximal end portion  110  and an opposing distal end portion  115 . Further included in the support device  50  is the shoulder element  120  that is sized and configured to cradle  125  the article  55  in an upright position  60 , the shoulder element  120  is disposed in an attached manner therebetween the first proximal end portion  90  and the second proximal end portion  110 . Wherein the first flexible finger  80 , the shoulder element  120 , and the second flexible finger  100  approximately form an inverted “U” symmetrical shape  130  that frictionally straddles  135  the sink  70  margin  75 , wherein operationally the support device  50  cradles the article  55  in the upright position  60  adjacent to the sink  70  margin  75 . Wherein the article  55  can be supported in either one of two opposing positions with the article  55  adjacent to the shoulder element  120  and the first arcuate flexible finger  80  or the article  55  adjacent to the shoulder element  120  and the second arcuate flexible finger  100 . 
         [0107]    Further on the support device  50  for the article  55 , the shoulder element  120  can further comprise a cradle segment  125  that has a continuously curving concave surface to suspend in an adjacent manner the article  55  in an open environment  285 , see  FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 . In addition, for the support device  50  for the article  55 , the cradle segment  125  can also extend for a full width of the shoulder element  120  in an arcuate axis  126  that is perpendicular  127  to the longitudinal  85  and lengthwise  105  axes to facilitate article  55  drainage or seepage  57  in the open environment  285 , again see  FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 . Also the article  55 , as shown in  FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 , can be in the form of a cleaning utensil  65  being the self-contained cleaning sponge  61  having dishwashing detergent stored in a reservoir  62  in the cleaning utensil  65  handle  62 , with the cleaning utensil  65  being supported by the support device  50  in the open environment  285 , with the open environment  285  being defined as having free and open access all around the external surfaces of the cleaning utensil  65  for seepage  57  of the dishwashing detergent to drain back into the sink  70  without the need of a drainage channel in the support device  50 , as best shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0108]    Also, on the support device  50  for the article  55  the first  80  and second  100  arcuate flexible fingers preferably depend downwardly from the shoulder element  120  in a continuous arc from the first  90  and second  110  proximal end portions to the first  95  and second  115  distal end portions along the longitudinal  85  and lengthwise  105  axes respectively to conform to the sink margin  75  and sink walls  71  on each opposing side of the sink margin  75 , as best shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . Further, on the support device  50  for the article  55  the first  95  and second  115  distal end portions can further comprise a first curved extension  96  and a respective second curved extension  116  to further support the article  55  or as preferably shown the reservoir handle  62  as shown in  FIG. 3 . Continuing, for the support device  50  for the article  55  wherein the first  96  and second  115  curved extensions can form respective first  97  and second  117  concave channels that are each coincident to the continuously curving concave surface of the cradle segment  125 , see  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
         [0109]    As an alternative embodiment, in looking at  FIGS. 4 through 6 , the shoe assembly  140  utilizes a cup  145  with a bottom  150 , and the opposing lip  155 , for upright support  60  of an article  55  upon a surface  160 , in the open environment  285  with the shoe assembly  140  including a base  165 , wherein the base  165  sized and configured to accommodate  170  the cup  145  bottom  150  and include an extension  175  with a depression  180  disposed therein to receive  185  a portion of the article  55 . Further included in the shoe assembly  140  is the flexible clip  190  having an inward portion  200  that is disposed upon the lip  155 , the clip  190  having an opposing outward portion  205  with a cradle portion  210  disposed opposite of the lip  155 , wherein operationally the cradle portion  210  retainably suspends  215  an opposing portion of the article  55  over the lip  155  facing the bottom  150  in the open environment  285 . 
         [0110]    Also, for the shoe assembly  140 , the cradle portion  210  preferably has a continuously curving concave surface  212  to suspend in an adjacent manner the article  55  in an open environment  285 , see  FIGS. 5 and 6  or detail. Also the article  55 , as shown in  FIG. 6 , can be in the form of a cleaning utensil  65  being the self-contained cleaning sponge  61  having dishwashing detergent stored in a reservoir  62  in the cleaning utensil  65  handle  62 , with the cleaning utensil  65  being supported by the shoe assembly  140  in the open environment  285 , with the open environment  285  being defined as having free and open access all around the external surfaces of the cleaning utensil  65  for seepage  57  of the dishwashing detergent to drain back into the cup  145  and depression  180  without the need of a drainage channel in the shoe assembly  140 , as best shown in  FIG. 6 . 
         [0111]    Continuing for the shoe assembly  140  wherein the cradle portion  210  can extend for a full width of the flexible clip  190  along a curved axis  211  to further support the article  55  over the lip  155  facing the bottom  150  in the open environment  285 , as best shown in  FIG. 5 . In addition, for the shoe assembly  140  the base can further comprise a peripheral ridge  176  that forms a part of the base depression  180 ; see  FIG. 4 , wherein the peripheral ridge helps to retain the article  55  seepage  57 , as best shown in  FIG. 6 . Also, for the shoe assembly  140 , the base  165  can further comprise a receiving slot  181  forming a portion of the base depression  180 , see  FIG. 4 , wherein the receiving slot  181  is operational to receive a portion of the article  55 , namely the reservoir handle  62 , to facilitate retaining different length  56  articles  55 , as best shown in  FIG. 6 . Further, on the shoe assembly  140 , the base  165  can further comprise a receptacle  177  formed from an interface as between the receiving slot  181  and the peripheral ridge  176 , as best shown in  FIG. 4 , wherein the receptacle  177  adds volume to the depression  180  for receiving a portion of the seepage  57  from the article  55 , see  FIG. 6 . Further on the shoe assembly  140 , it can further comprise a sponge support  280  that includes a support lip  281  interface that is removably engagable to the cup lip  155 , being operational to support a sponge  66  in addition to the article  55 , as shown in  FIGS. 13 and 14 . 
         [0112]    As another alternative embodiment, in looking at  FIGS. 7 through 12 , the platform device  220  is for the article  55  that is adjacent to a sink  70  with a sink margin  75 , the platform device includes the retention basin  225  including the peripheral portion  230  and the spillway margin  235 , with the retention basin  225  having a raised rib  240  adjacent to the peripheral portion  230 . Further, in the platform device  220  is the extension  245  that is affixed to the spillway margin  235 , the extension  245  depending outwardly  250  opposite of the raised rib  240 , wherein the basin  225  and the extension  245  substantially conform  255  to the sink  70  margin  75 . Also, in the platform device  220  included is the bi-modal shaped ridge  260  affixed to a portion of the spillway margin  235 , with the bimodal ridge  260  projecting parallel  265  to the raised rib  240 , wherein operationally the ridge  260  retainably suspends  270  a portion of the article  55  over the basin  225  that directs article  55  liquids  275  and seepage  57  to the sink  70 . 
         [0113]    Also, for the platform device  220  for the article  55 , wherein the bi-modal shaped ridge  260  can have a continuously curving concave surface  261  to suspend in an adjacent manner the article  55  to be elevated above a floor  226  of the retention basin  225  to operationally facilitate the article  55  seepage  57  throughout an entire area of the floor  226 , as best shown in  FIGS. 7, 8, and 12 . Further, on the platform device  220  for the article  55 , the bi-modal shaped ridge  260  can extend to at least as high  262  as the raised rib  240  to further ensure to suspend in an adjacent manner the article  55  to be elevated above the floor  226  of the retention basin  225  to operationally facilitate the article  55  seepage  57  throughout an entire area of the floor  226 , see  FIGS. 7, 8, and 12 . 
         [0114]    As for the article  55 , as shown in  FIGS. 8 and 12 , can be in the form of a cleaning utensil  65  being the self-contained cleaning sponge  61  having dishwashing detergent stored in a reservoir  62  in the cleaning utensil  65  handle  62 , with the cleaning utensil  65  being supported by the platform device  220  in the open environment  285 , with the open environment  285  being defined as having free and open access all around the external surfaces of the cleaning utensil  65  for seepage  57  of the dishwashing detergent to drain back into the entire area of the floor  226  of the retention basin  225 , via the sponge  61  being elevated above the floor  226 , i.e. not resting upon the floor  226 , with the sponge  61  being elevated above the floor  226  from the bi-modal shaped ridge  260  extending to at least as high  262  as the raised rib  240 , see  FIG. 7 , thus suspending the sponge  61  up off of the floor  226 , see  FIGS. 8 and 12 . Thus operationally allowing the sponge  61  to completely drain itself of dishwashing liquid and allow the floor  226  to completely drain of dishwashing liquid, plus having the benefit of less chance of the dishwashing liquid “wicking” up from the reservoir handle  62  to the sponge  61 , on the floor  226  to the sink margin  75  and down the sink walls  71 , as the sink walls  71  potentially being lower than the reservoir handle  62 , will via gravity draw out the dishwashing liquid from the reservoir handle  62 , potentially wasting the dishwashing liquid from the reservoir handle  62 , of which suspending the sponge  61  up off of the floor  226  helps to prevent. 
         [0115]    Continuing, for the platform device  220  for the article  55 , wherein the peripheral portion  230  can further comprise an outer peripheral notch  231 , as shown in  FIG. 9  or an inner peripheral notch  232 , see  FIG. 7  for receiving a sponge support  280 , as best shown in  FIGS. 9, 10, 11, and 12 . In addition, for the platform device  220  for the article  55 , wherein the notch  231  is oppositely positioned from the bi-modal shaped ridge  260  on the retention basin  225  to operationally facilitate the platform device  220  to support the article  55  and a sponge  66  simultaneously, as shown in  FIG. 12 . Also on the platform device  220  for the article  55  the sponge support  280  can further comprise a centrally located drain aperture  282  as shown in  FIG. 11 . Further on the platform device  220  for the article  55  wherein the extension  245  further comprises a reverse angled end portion  251  to minimize capillary action of the article seepage  57  toward the area identified as substantially conforming  255  to the sink margin, preferably the reverse angled end portion  251  has an angle of about ten to fifteen degrees as related to the sink margin  75 . 
       CONCLUSION 
       [0116]    Accordingly, the present invention of a support device has been described with some degree of particularity directed to the embodiments of the present invention. It should be appreciated, though; that the present invention is defined by the following claim construed in light of the prior art so modifications or changes may be made to the exemplary embodiments of the present invention without departing from the inventive concepts contained therein.

Technology Category: f