Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to dish racks useful for drying dishes and utensils and the like, and more specifically to a dish rack mounted to a surface in an operating position in which the dish rack is positioned over and above a sink. In one preferred embodiment, the dish rack is movable between the operating position and a storage position in which the dish rack is stowed away from the sink.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Nearly every household has a dish rack. These are simple wire or mesh-framed devices that are generally placed on a countertop next to a sink--typically a kitchen sink--for holding dishes, pots, pans, utensils and the like after they have been washed. Most dish racks include a separate drip tray into which the rack fits, and many types of dish racks include separate utensil trays. Water dripping from the wet dishes and utensils drips into the drip tray and is emptied into the sink. When they are not being used, dish racks are typically stored in a convenient location near the sink, usually under the sink or in an adjacent cupboard or pantry.

[0003] Perhaps because dish racks are so useful, they are ubiquitous. However, dish racks tend to be somewhat cumbersome--they need to be moved from their storage location to the counter to be used, and stored again when not needed. Moving the racks around is not difficult, but can be bothersome when done several times a day, and especially when the particular racks include separate pieces such as drip trays and utensil racks. Wet drip trays tend to drip water where it is not wanted. In addition, dish racks necessarily occupy a significant amount of counter space next to a sink when they are being used. In many households, counter space is limited, and using the space with a dish rack decreases the amount of countertop that is available for other uses.

[0004] There is a need, therefore, for improvements in the design and functionality of dish racks.

[0005] The present invention is dish rack that is mounted to a surface that is typically found adjacent to sinks, such as cupboards or other cabinets or walls. When the dish rack is in the operating position, it is spaced apart from the sink and adjacent countertops so that both are usable for typical purposes. The dish rack may be mounted so that it is movable between an in-use position where the dish rack is positioned over the sink so that water drips directly into the sink, and a storage position where the disk rack is stored out of the way. Alternately, the dish rack may be fixedly mounted in the in-use position. In either case, the rack does not occupy any counter space in either the in-use or storage positions, freeing up the counters adjacent the sink for other uses.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] The invention will be better understood and its numerous objects and advantages will be apparent by reference to the following detailed description of the invention when taken in conjunction with the following drawings.

[0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first illustrated embodiment of a dish rack according to the present invention, showing the dish rack mounted to a cabinet adjacent to a sink, and illustrating the dish rack in the in-use position.

[0008] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the dish rack according to the present invention shown in isolation.

[0009] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a drip tray.

[0010] FIG. 4 is perspective view of a utensil rack.

[0011] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the dish rack shown in FIG. 1 mounted to a cabinet, and illustrating the dish rack in the storage position.

[0012] FIG. 6 is an elevation view of an alternative embodiment of the dish rack according to the present invention, showing one alternate manner of mounting the rack so that the rack may be moved between the in-use and storage positions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] With reference now to the drawing figures, and especially to FIG. 1, a dish rack 10 according to the present invention is shown mounted to a vertical wall 12 of a cabinet 14. In FIG. 1, dish rack 10 is shown in a working position or "in-use" position; that is, the dish rack is positioned over a sink 16 with the lowermost edge 18 of the dish rack separated from upper limit of the sink by approximately the same distance that the lowermost edge 20 of cabinet 14 is separated from countertop 22. It will be appreciated that in this position, there is sufficient space beneath the dish rack and the sink so that the sink may be used as it normally would be. In the illustrated embodiment the lowermost edge 20 is separated from countertop 20 by a typical spacing, which is preferably about 18 inches. It will be appreciated that the spacing between a countertop and an overlying cabinet may vary considerably. Nonetheless, the dish rack 10 is mounted so that at all times it is spaced apart from the underlying sink by an operable and working distance that is defined by enough separation between the lower portion of the rack and the sink that the sink and adjacent countertops are normally usable. Preferably, the operable or working distance between the lower edge of the dish rack and the sink will be at least about 12 inches.

[0014] Dish rack 10 is generally defined by a wire rack that is configured for holding dishes and the like while they dry. As illustrated in FIG. 2, dish rack 10 comprises a wire shelf shown generally at 24, and defined by a plurality of spaced apart wire members 26. The wire members 26 are connected at opposite ends to a supporting frame, referenced generally with number 28. Supporting frame 28 defines a generally open rectangular box that has upper longitudinal arm members 30 interconnected on one end with an upper end member 32 and on the opposite end with an end plate 34. As detailed below, end plate 34 comprises a lower plate 69 that is hinged 72 to an upper plate 71. Corner members 36 depend downwardly at the two corners of the frame 28 furthest removed from cabinet 14 and have the lower ends connected to lower longitudinal arm members 38 (only one of which is visible in FIG. 2). Lower longitudinal arm members 38 extend parallel to upper longitudinal arm members 30, and are connected to lower plate 69 of end plate 34. Two intermediate longitudinal arm members 40 are positioned between the upper and lower longitudinal arm members, and have their ends connected to the lower plate 69 and corner members 36, respectively. An angular supporting member such as member 42 may optionally be added to frame 28 if additional strength is desired.

[0015] Plural upright wire members 44 are connected to wire members 24 as illustrated to define slots for holding dishes as they dry. Upright wire members 44 are generally in the shape of an inverted U.

[0016] As best shown in FIG. 2, near their opposite ends, wire members 24 are bent over the intermediate longitudinal arm members at about a 90° angle and have their terminal ends attached to lower longitudinal arm members 38. All of the interconnections between the various support members in support frame 28, and the interconnections between the wire members and the frame and the wire member to wire member connections are preferably sturdy, as with welded connections. Preferably, the wire members are coated with a flexible material such as a plastic coating. The frame member may also be coated. It will be appreciated that dish rack 10 is an open mesh tray structure configured for holding dishes while they dry, and that the rack may thus be fabricated from plastics as well as metals and other materials.

[0017] A drip tray 44 is shown in isolation in FIG. 3. Drip tray 44 is a generally rectangular member having roughly the same peripheral dimensions as dish rack 10, and includes relatively shallow upwardly extending side walls 46 around the perimeter of the tray. As described above, dish rack 10 is fabricated as a mesh rack. As such, a person standing in front of the sink 16 in FIG. 1 would be able to see items placed in the dish rack, and also would be able to see through the window 82. Because the side walls 46 of drip tray 44 are relatively shallow, they do not occlude the view of either items placed in the dish rack, or through the window.

[0018] In the illustrated embodiment, the drip tray 44 defines a plate member in which each opposite side of the plate is angled downwardly and inwardly toward the center of the drip tray, and slightly toward the near end of the drip tray at the middle (the near end being the end of the tray nearest the viewer in the figures), with the lowest portion of the tray thus being at drain holes 48 (when the tray is in the in-use position shown in FIG. 1). The drip tray may also be planar so long as the side walls 46 are suitably high to contain the water draining onto the tray.

[0019] Drip tray 44 is preferably configured so that it may be removably connected to the lower portion of dish rack 10. There are many different equivalent structures and attachment systems that may be used to attach drip tray 44 to dish rack 10. In the illustrated embodiment, tray 44 has two hooks 50 and 52 on one end of the tray. The hooks engage cooperative openings 54 and 56 in the lower plate 69 end plate 34. With the two hooks engaging the openings in the end plate, the drip tray may be pivoted about the hooks to move the drip tray to the position shown in FIG. 1. The tray is locked in this position with a latch loop 58 on the end of the drip tray opposite the hooks. The latch loop 58 is pivotal about its attachment to the support frame and thus releasably engages a cooperative knob 60 on the support frame 28. If drip tray 44 is attached to dish rack 10 as described above, the tray may be easily removed for cleaning.

[0020] A representative removable utensil tray 62 is illustrated in FIG. 4. Utensil tray 62 fits into the dish rack 10 as shown in FIG. 1, and may be secured in this position with latches and the like. The utensil tray is optional.

[0021] The manner of mounting dish rack 10 will now be described. Several dish rack mounting systems are described herein for mounting the rack so that it may be moved between the in-use position and the storage position. In the illustrated embodiments, the mounting system is defined by a bracket that attaches to a non-countertop surface and which allows movement of the dish rack between the positions shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 5. In an alternative embodiment, the dish rack is fixedly mounted in the in-use position, but may be removed if desired. In all cases, the mounting system is designed to stably mount the dish rack so that it is capable of holding securely even heavy pots, pans and the like. Moreover, as noted above, regardless of which mounting system is utilized, the dish rack must be mounted so it is sufficiently spaced apart from the sink and countertops so that both are usable for their normal purposes. Stated another way, the dish rack is mounted a sufficient distance above the sink and adjacent counters that the dish rack does not interfere with normal use of the sink or counters regardless of what position the dish rack is in.

[0022] In the first illustrated embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 through 5, the uppermost edge 70 of lower plate 69 includes a hinge 72 that interconnects to upper plate 71. As shown in FIG. 1, end plate 34 defines a bracket that is fastened to the surface of vertical wall 12 of cabinet 14 with suitable fasteners such as screws or bolts 73. A backing plate (not shown) may optionally be placed between end plate 34 and cabinet 14 before the dish rack is mounted. Furthermore, the dish rack may be pre-mounted to a decorative board, which is then mounted to the cabinet. The upper plate 71 is mounted in a position on wall 12 such that the lower edge of the dish rack is roughly flush with the bottom of cabinet 14 as shown in FIG. 1. When mounted in this manner, the dish rack is held in a horizontal position, parallel to the countertop 22 when the dish rack is in the in-use position, with end plate 34 resting against the surface 22. The dish rack is stable and capable of reliably holding even heavy pots and pans, and does not move about when loading and unloading pans.

[0023] When not in use, the dish rack 10 may easily be pivoted about hinge 72 from the in-use position shown in FIG. 1 into the storage position shown in FIG. 5. The path the dish rack follows when pivoted from the in-use position (FIG. 1) to the storage position (FIG. 5) is shown with arrow B in FIG. 5. The movement of the dish rack 10 in both directions is shown with arrow A in FIG. 1. Various latching mechanisms may be employed to retain the dish rack 10 in the storage position. As one example, a hook 74 is attached to end member 32 of frame 28. Hook 74 engages a loop attached to cabinet 18. Spring-loaded or friction hinges also work well to maintain the dish rack in the storage position, and magnetic latches or snap-type latches may similarly be used instead of the traditional hook 74.

[0024] With reference once again to FIG. 1, it may be seen that when the dish rack is in the in-use position, water dripping from dishes held on the rack flows onto drip tray 44 and through drain holes 48 directly into the sink 16 (arrow B, FIG. 1). Water from the dishes is therefore directed to a desired position in the sink rather than over a wide area. It will be readily appreciated that the location of the drain holes and/or the angled slope of the drip tray 44 may be adjusted so that water is directed to a different desired location in the underlying sink. Preferably, the drain holes are located so that water does not drip onto faucets. Depending on the distance between the wall 12 and sink 16, spacers may be placed between end plate 34 and wall 12 to adjust the position of the dish rack over the sink in the in-use position. In addition, the vertical position on wall 12 at which upper plate 71 is bolted to the wall may be varied to change the distance between the drip tray 44 and the sink 16.

[0025] A first alternative mounting system for dish rack 10 is illustrated in FIG. 6. In this embodiment, the dish rack is mounted beneath the lower surface of cabinet 14 with a bracket defined by longitudinally extendable drawer slides 80, which allow the dish rack to be slid horizontally on the drawer slides between the in-use position (shown in solid lines) and the storage position (shown in phantom lines) (arrow C). In the in-use position, water drips into the sink 16 at arrow D. Only one drawer slide 80 is shown in FIG. 6, but it will be understood that a second slide must be mounted to the back side of the dish rack. The extendable drawer slides 80 may be connected to support frame 28, at upper longitudinal arms 30, in any appropriate manner. Because dish rack 10 has a relatively low profile, even when mounted in the position shown in FIG. 6, there is sufficient distance between the lower edge of the dish rack and the underlying countertop that the counter may be used as it normally would be.

[0026] In the drawings, dish rack 10 is mounted to the cabinet that is on the left side of the sink (from the perspective of the viewer). The dish rack may of course be mounted on the right side of the sink.

[0027] As noted previously, the disk rack 10 may also be mounted so that it is fixed to a vertical surface. In this case, the hinge 72 may be omitted so that end plate 34 is a solid, non-hinged member. If desired, the wire shelf portion 24 may be removably attached to the end plate 34 so that while the end plate is fixed, the dish rack may nonetheless be removed.

[0028] From the foregoing description and the attached drawings, it will be readily apparent that the dish rack 10 described herein requires no space on the countertop 22 whatsoever. Even when in the in-use position, the sink 16 and adjoining countertops may be used normally, and water runoff from the dripping dishes runs directly back into the sink--eliminating a source of water damage to countertops. Furthermore, even in kitchens that include a window above the sink, such as window 82 shown in the figures, the dish rack does not interfere with or occlude the view through the window.

[0029] Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that a variety of equivalent and alternative structures may be made. For example, the dish rack 10 may be mounted in a cabinet enclosure that is built-in to, or added onto, cabinet 14. Such a built-in cabinet may have a door that closes the enclosure for the dish rack so that when the dish rack is in the storage position, it is hidden from view. With the alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 6, a skirt board may be attached to the cabinet to hide the dish rack when it is in the storage position.

[0030] The dish rack 10 according to the present invention may further be mounted to a wall surface in kitchens that do not include a cabinet adjacent the sink. For example, with a different hinge arrangement that allows the dish rack to be pivoted over the sink, the dish rack may be mounted to the wall 86 that lies behind the sink.

[0031] The dish rack 10 is easily mounted in most kitchens, including those found in RVs, trailers, and the like.

[0032] Finally, although in the illustrated embodiment dish rack 10 is shown used with a kitchen-type sink 16, it will be appreciated that the present invention contemplates mounting the dish rack in other locations over an equivalent drain.

[0033] While the present invention has been described in terms of a preferred embodiment, it will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill that the spirit and scope of the invention is not limited to those embodiments, but extend to the various modifications and equivalents as defined in the appended claims.