Sink accessory system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12588786-B2
Application number	US-202318537228-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 12, 2023
Priority date	Mar 12, 2021
Publication date	Mar 31, 2026
Grant date	Mar 31, 2026

Abstract

A sink accessory configured to provide functional space within a sink includes a first end, a second end opposite the second end, and a work space defined between the first end and the second end. The first end and the second end are configured to respectively engage with a first wall and a second wall of a sink to wedge the sink accessory between the first wall and second wall of the sink. Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a sink accessory system that includes a sink having a first wall and a second wall opposing the first wall, and at least one sink accessory wedged within the sink.

First claim

What is claimed:

1 . A sink accessory comprising:
a first edge having a first draft angle; a second edge having a second draft angle; and a work space defined between the first and second edges; wherein the first and second edges are configured to wedge the sink accessory within a sink.

2 . The sink accessory of claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second edges define a wall or a side.

3 . The sink accessory of claim 1 wherein a first wall and a second wall are respectively sloped at a third draft angle and a fourth draft angle and the first and second edges are configured to respectively engage with the first wall and the second wall.

4 . The sink accessory of claim 3 , wherein the first and second draft angles are within a predetermined tolerance amount of the third and fourth draft angles.

5 . The sink accessory of claim 3 , wherein the sink accessory has a first width defined between the first end and the second end, and wherein the sink has a second width defined between the first wall and the second wall.

6 . The sink accessory of claim 5 , wherein the first width is within a predetermined tolerance amount of the second width.

7 . The sink accessory of claim 1 , wherein the sink accessory is configured to be at least one of a cutting board, utility rack, wash bin, strainer, colander, or storage bin.

8 . The sink accessory of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first edge and the second edge comprises an elastic material to facilitate a flexible wedge fit within the sink.

9 . A sink accessory comprising a workspace defined between first and second angled edges, wherein the sink accessory is configured to engage walls of a sink at a height below a rim of the sink and above a bottom surface of the sink.

10 . The sink accessory of claim 9 , the sink accessory having a first width defined between the first angled edge and the second angled edge, and wherein the sink has a second width defined between the walls.

11 . The sink accessory of claim 10 , wherein the first width is within a predetermined tolerance amount of the second width.

12 . The sink accessory of claim 9 , wherein at least one of the first angled edge and the second angled edge comprises an elastic material to facilitate a flexible wedge fit within the sink.

13 . The sink accessory of claim 9 , wherein at least one of the first angled edge and the second angled edge comprises a coating to increase a coefficient of friction with at least one of the sink walls.

14 . The sink accessory of claim 9 , wherein a draft angle of the first angled edge of the sink accessory is greater than a draft angle of the second end.

15 . The sink accessory of claim 9 , wherein at least one of the first angled edge or the second angled edge comprises at least one of a strip or a ridge, the strip or ridge configured to form a friction fit between the one sink accessory and the sink.

16 . A sink accessory configured to be positioned within a sink, the sink accessory comprising:
a first edge having a first draft angle; a second edge opposite the first edge, the second edge having a second draft angle; a work space defined between the first edge and the second edge; and a first width defined between the first edge and the second edge, wherein the sink has a second width defined between a first wall of the sink and a second wall of the sink, wherein the first edge and the second edge are configured to respectively engage with the first wall of the sink and the second wall of a sink to wedge the sink accessory between the first wall and the second wall without the aid of mounting features within the sink to create functional space within the sink, wherein each of the first edge and the second edge define a wall or a side, wherein the first wall of the sink and the second wall of the sink are respectively sloped at a third draft angle and a fourth draft angle and the first and second edges are configured to respectively engage with the first wall of the sink and the second wall of the sink, wherein the first and second draft angles are within a predetermined tolerance amount of the third and fourth draft angles, wherein the sink accessory is at least one of a cutting board, utility rack, wash bin, strainer, colander, drying rack, or storage bin.

17 . The sink accessory of claim 16 , further comprising one or more features disposed at either or both of the first edge and the second edge configured to increase a coefficient of friction between the sink accessory and the first wall of the sink or the second wall of the sink, so as to prevent slipping or other movement within the sink, the one or more features comprising one or more of a high friction coating, silicone, rubber, or a high friction material, the one or more features configured to facilitate a friction fit of the sink accessory within the sink.

18 . The sink accessory of claim 16 , wherein the first width of the sink accessory is adjustable.

Assignees

• Kohler Co

Inventors

• Detlaff Ryan

Classifications

• A47J47/20 Primary

  Grids, racks or other supports removably mounted in, on or over sinks (splash guards for sinks E03C1/181, E03C1/186) · CPC title

• E03C1/186

  Separate partition walls, lids, protecting borders, or the like, for sinks · CPC title

• E03C1/18 Primary

  Sinks, whether or not connected to the waste-pipe · CPC title