Patent Application
20060289372
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to kitchen organizers, and in particular, to an organizer that is adapted to be positioned over a kitchen sink adjacent the water faucet.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Many kitchens are becoming increasingly cluttered with dishes, utensils and other cooking and food items. In particular, larger families living in smaller homes (having smaller kitchens) have an increased need to better organize the kitchen area to minimize hazardous situations and to increase efficient use of the kitchen area.
The area around a kitchen sink is often the major hub of activity in a busy kitchen. Dirty dishes and utensils are often stacked inside the kitchen sink, or on the countertop adjacent the kitchen sink. In addition, cleaning accessories (such as soap, detergent, scrubs, cleaning pads, etc.) and dish racks are often placed next to the kitchen sink, and they typically occupy a lot of precious space adjacent a kitchen sink.
Thus, there remains a need to better organize the area around a kitchen sink.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an organizer that is adapted to be positioned adjacent a kitchen sink, and which provides better organization and arrangement of the items that are usually found around a kitchen sink.
In order to accomplish the objects of the present invention, the present invention provides an organizer that is used adjacent a kitchen sink. The organizer includes an elongated rack portion having a first end and an opposing second end, the rack portion further including a front frame and a rear frame.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the front frame defines a curved open space at about the center of the front frame to accomodate the faucet of a kitchen sink.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the organizer further includes a first end support on which the first end of the rack portion is supported, and a second end support on which the second end of the rack portion is supported.
The following detailed description is of the best presently contemplated modes of carrying out the invention. This description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating general principles of embodiments of the invention. The scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.
Referring first to
The end supports 14 and 16 can be identical to each other, and function as (i) a support for a set of legs 34, 38 and 32, 36, respectively, and (ii) a container. The end supports 14, 16 can be made from plastic, or a metal. Referring also to
An optional holder 60 is adapted to be seated on the top edges of the walls 40, 42, 44, 46 of the end support 16. The holder 60 can be a plastic tray having side walls 62, 64, 66 extending upwardly from a base 68, and with a shallow recess 70 and an elongated vertical tubular section 72 extending vertically downward from the base 68. The shallow recess 70 can be oval-shaped and adapted to retain jewelry, rings, wedding bands, watches and similar items. The elongated section 72 can be adapted to hold knives and other elongated utensils and items. The base 68 of the holder 60 is adapted to be seated on the top edges of the walls 40, 44, with the recess 70 and the elongated section 72 extending into the enclosed space 48.
Similarly, another optional holder 80 is adapted to be seated on the top edges of the walls of the end support 14. The holder 80 can be a plastic tray having side walls 82, 84, 86 extending upwardly from a base 88. An elongated holding section 90 extends vertically downward from the base 88. The holding section 90 has walls that define an enclosed space for receiving knives, forks, spoons and other elongated utensils and items. Dividing walls 92 can be provided in the enclosed space of the holding section 90 to allow the user to separate the various elongated items that are held inside the holding section 90. The base 88 of the holder 80 is adapted to be seated on the top edges of the walls of the end support 14, with the holding section 90 extending into the enclosed space inside the end support 14.
The organizer 10 can be assembled by inserting the legs 32, 34, 36 and 38 of the rack portion 12 into the appropriate channel 52 or 54 of the corresponding end support 14 or 16. The holders 60 and 80 are optional, and can be seated on the end supports 14, 16 if desired. The holder 60 can be positioned on either end support 14 or 16, and the holder 80 can be positioned on either end support 14 or 16, depending on how the kitchen is arranged. In addition, other holders (not shown) having different recesses, holding sections and features can be provided by the manufacturer together with the rack portion 12 (or as after-market items) so that the owner of the organizer 10 can choose from a variety of different holders to suit his or her needs. Again, the holders 60 and 80 are non-limiting examples only, as any holder having any configuration or features can be used with any of the end supports 14, 16.
Once the organizer 10 has been assembled, the organizer 10 can be positioned adjacent the kitchen sink for use.
Referring to
While the description above refers to particular embodiments of the present invention, it will be understood that many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit thereof. The accompanying claims are intended to cover such modifications as would fall within the true scope and spirit of the present invention.
