Sink With Storage Rack Assembly

Abstract

A combined sink and storage rack assembly is disclosed. The assembly includes a sink basin, a work area integral with the sink basin, and a wire rack hung underneath the work area at a side of the basin. Spring clips mounted on the sink basin and work area hook the rack. Sections of the rack's wire that insert into the spring clips are coated with an elastomer, such as silicone rubber, in order to dampen vibrations transmitted from the sink.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application claims priority based on U.S. provisional application 61 / 174,003 filed Apr. 30, 2009.STATEMENT OF FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT[0002]Not applicable.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]The present invention relates to sinks having a storage rack depending there from for holding varied accessories useful with the sink. More particularly, it relates to such assemblies provided with means to dampen vibrations transmitted through the sink basin.[0004]Typically sinks have a basin for holding water, with a drainage hole for draining the water at the bottom. Sinks additionally contain upper rims extending outward. There sometimes is also a substantially flat work / drain area integral with the basin at its side.[0005]The drainage hole at the bottom of the basin is connected to a sewer pipe. Often, a garbage disposal is installed between the drainage hole and sewer pipe to grind up waste. Garbage disposals can be a signifi...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0012]In preferred forms there is a first hook mounted to a lower surface of the work area and a second hook mounted to an outside side surface of the basin. The rack is preferably a metal wire rack having wire portions that can be hooked by the hooks so as to hang the rack there from. An elastomer such as silicone rubber is positioned over the wire portions to deaden vibrations.

[0015](a) the rack has a shelf having a raised lip at a front portion to help prevent items from falling off the rack; and

[0017]Although the sink and rack may be made of a variety of materials, metal is a preferred material for the sink, and also a preferred base material for the rack. However, especially when the base material for the rack is a metal it is preferred that those portions of the rack to be contacted by a hook be coated with an elastomer. Such a coating allows the wires of the rack to snugly fit into fasteners such as spring clips, while at the same time dampening any vibrations transmitted from the sink to the rack.

[0019]Thus, a consumer is provided with an option to affix an accessory storage rack without using up valuable storage space on the floor of the sink cabinet. Otherwise wasted space can now be used for storage when desired, at relatively little additional cost.

Problems solved by technology

Garbage disposals can be a significant source of vibration transmitted through the sink assembly.

However, the floor space of these cabinets is often needed for other purposes such as storing sponges, dishwashing powder, and scrubbers.

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