FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to the field of table-dishwasher apparatus adapted particularly for use by the handicapped when dining.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A relatively recent review of the prior art is to be found in applicant's prior U.S. Pat. No. 6,378,537 issued Apr. 30, 2002, as well as in Applicant's co-pending patent application Ser. No. 10/378,511 for “Dining Table with Integral Dishwasher” and anticipated to issue as U.S. Pat. No. 6,832,618 on Dec. 21, 2004. The present application for patent constitutes a continuation in part of patent application Ser. No. 10/378,511.
Reference to the prior art as described in said U.S. Pat. No. 6,378,537 and patent application Ser. No. 10/378,511, as well as the teachings of said '537 patent and '511 patent application should be regarded as being incorporated herein by reference and will not be duplicated here. The reader's attention is directed to such prior art review as being useful background for understanding the present invention that represents an improvement over the apparatus described in the aforementioned '537 patent and '511 patent application.
With the above mentioned background in mind, the present invention has for its principal object that of providing a dining table with both an integral dishwasher as well as an integral pot washer of simplified construction and arrangement and adapted to provide ease of access to its washing and storage components particularly when used by handicapped individuals. Other objects will become apparent as the description proceeds.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A dining table is provided with both an integral dishwasher as well as an integral pot washer installed beneath the dining surface. An access cover formed as a panel made as a single piece resides in an opening formed in one or both side portions of the dining surface and in an open position allows the user to place dishes into and remove dishes from a roller mounted basket forming part of the dishwasher unit located below the panel. In a closed position, the panel forms a continuation of the dining surface. The integral pot washer is installed in a location accessible to diners through door openings from either of two opposite sides of the dining surface. A switch control requires both of the pot washer doors to be closed in order for the pot washer to operate. The shape and arrangement of the table, storage compartments, control panel, sink, dishwasher and potwasher facilitate use of the table-washer apparatus of the invention by those who use it for dining and particularly for those who are handicapped.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of the invention apparatus looking towards one side of the invention apparatus and indicating what the description refers to as the “ends” and “sides” of the support base on which the table is mounted.
FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the invention apparatus similar to that of FIG. 1 but with the pot washer basket extended outwardly and the storage compartment doors shown open.
FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the invention apparatus with the access covers in their closed position and with the respective extension panels in their respective high position.
FIG. 4 is a left end view of the invention apparatus of FIG. 1.
FIG. 5 is a right end view of the invention apparatus of FIG. 1.
FIG. 6 is a somewhat schematic view of the left end of the apparatus of FIG. 1 illustrating use of the apparatus by a person in a wheelchair.
FIG. 7 is an elevation view of the front side of the apparatus of FIG. 1 with all of the doors closed.
FIG. 8 is an elevation view of the back side of the apparatus of FIG. 1 with all of the doors closed.
FIG. 9 is a section view of the pot washer apparatus of FIG. 1 and in a vertical plane which passes thru the pot washer assembly taken as if looking towards the left end of the apparatus of FIG. 1 with the pot insertion door closed.
FIG. 10 is a section view of the pot washer apparatus of FIG. 1 and in a vertical plane which passes through the pot washer assembly taken as if looking towards the left end of the apparatus of FIG. 1 with the pot insertion door open.
FIG. 11 is a somewhat schematic section view taken as if looking towards the left end of the apparatus of FIG. 1 with the access covers closed and the respective extension panels in their low position.
FIG. 12 is a somewhat schematic section view taken, as in FIG. 11, as if looking towards the left end of the apparatus of FIG. 1 with the access doors open and the respective extension panels in their high position.
FIG. 13 is a somewhat schematic section view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 but without the washing apparatus and illustrating the housing structure with the access doors closed.
FIG. 14 is a somewhat schematic section view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 similar to that of FIG. 13 with the access doors open.
FIG. 15 is a bottom perspective view of an access cover with its respective extension panel in its low position.
FIG. 16 is a bottom perspective view of an access cover with its respective extension panel in its high position.
FIG. 17 is a bottom plan view of an access cover with its respective extension panel in its high position.
FIG. 18 is a somewhat schematic top plan view, with the top removed, illustrating the arrangement of the wash apparatus within the interior of the apparatus.
FIG. 19 is a partial cross-sectional view of an access cover as used in the apparatus of FIG. 1.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The description is first directed primarily to the subject matter of applicant's prior U.S. Pat. No. 6,378,537 and later to the specific improvements, which are the subject matter of the present invention. Much of the beginning description will necessarily repeat description of the '537 patent, whereas the later description will describe those improvements, which constitute the present invention.
In accordance with the objects disclosed above, FIG. 1 illustrates improved table 10 of the present invention including an integral dishwasher and potwasher. Table 10 is formed generally of a top portion comprised of dining surface 12 mounted on support base 14. Since the present invention was developed for reasons of aesthetics, efficiency, more sanitary eating area, and ease of use, table 10 is substantially permanently mounted in a selected location, and a water line, a waste line, and electric line (not shown) are appropriately connected to the enclosed dishwasher unit. Dining surface 12 contains sink 22 and electrical outlet 26 and a series of dials or switches 24 for operating the dishwasher and an optional warming surface 18. A heating element 18′ is located beneath warming surface 18.
While dining surface 12 could be configured to accommodate a single individual, dining surface 12 is illustrated in the preferred embodiment configured to accommodate at least two people. Accordingly, an access cover 20a is in a position suited to a first person being seated at table 10. An extension panel 20b illustrated by way of example as being of substantially the same thickness as that of access cover 20a joined by a hinge to access cover 20a operates in conjunction with access cover 20a and can be folded underneath access cover 20a when not in use as in FIG. 1. Also to be noted is that when access cover 20a is positioned, as in FIG. 1, its top surface is substantially flush with the top of dining surface 12 and is illustrated in FIG. 2 with a typical set of dishes and utensils (shown in dashed lines) placed for use. The access cover 20a is adapted to be positioned so as to either cover (as in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, or 11) or uncover (as in FIG. 12) the operative portion of the dishwasher below. As further explained below, one side of table 10 is fitted with an access cover 20a and extension panel 20b, and the opposite side of table 10 is fitted with a comparable access cover 20c and extension panel 20d. The respective extension panels 20b and 20d basically have two parallel positions, referred to as being high and low. The high position places their respective surfaces in the same plane as that of the dining surface 12, as shown in FIGS. 3, 12, and 16. The respective low position of extension panel 20b is illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, 11, and 15. The extension panels 20b, 20d are supported, positioned, latched, and unlatched by the later-explained mechanism.
By contrast, with regard to the manner in which the extension panels 20b, 20d are supported, positioned, latched, and unlatched, the access cover 2a is supported by means of a flange 90 secured to access cover 20a as in FIGS. 15 and 16. The flange 90 fits into a groove 91 integral to table 10 as in FIG. 19. Thus, access cover 20a can be slid towards and away from a diner. Access cover 20c operates by the same principle. With this preliminary introduction to the outer and inner access covers and their operation, the description now continues with other aspects of the invention.
Sink 22 is equipped with an electrically heated water spigot 42 for making instant coffee, tea or soup, in addition to the usual water connection 44. Pot insertion doors 28a and 28b are located to the left of the front side and the right of the back side (as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2) of support base 14 for placing larger cooking and serving utensils into the dishwasher unit of the invention. Here it should be noted that with respect to pot insertion doors 28a and 28b that the improvement to which the present invention relates is especially intended to include the means employed for accessing the pot washer basket 30 in a manner which permits the diner, irrespective of on which side of table 10 the diner is sitting, to load and unload items to be washed by the pot washer
As best seen in FIG. 3, the apparatus with the access covers 20a and 20c in their respective closed positions shown in solid line in FIG. 3 and extension panels 20b and 20d in their respective extended positions provide additional dining surfaces. Warming surface 18, in which heating element 18′ is enclosed, is located in dining surface 12, in a location between the access cover 20a and the opposite access cover 20c. Warming surface 18 is preferably of a different appearance than dining surface 12 for visibility and safety reasons. A washer control panel 16 and preferred locations for detergent reservoirs 65 and 66 are shown in FIG. 4.
FIG. 5 is a right end view of table 10 and illustrates an access door 60 that can be removed to provide maintenance on the internal mechanisms of the washer apparatus. FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of table 10 showing the ease of use of table 10 by a person P seated in a wheelchair W at the table 10. FIGS. 7 and 8 in side views of table 10 illustrate the pot washer doors 28a and 28b as well as access doors 61, 62, 63, and 64 in their respective closed positions. FIG. 9 in a section view of dining table 10 as seen in FIG. 1, illustrates the pot washer doors 28a and 28b closed and ready for a washing cycle for the pots and pans.
With pot insertion door 28a open, as in FIG. 10, and the pot washer basket 30 pulled outwards through the opening of door 28a the diner is able to load or remove pots and pans into and from the pot washer basket 30. The pot washer basket 30 slides through a slidable connections along rails 31, 32 which provides a fixed support and allow the basket 30 to go through the opening of either pot insertion door 28a or 28b, so as to make basket 30 available to a diner for loading on either side of the table. Rails 31, 32 are located as seen in FIGS. 9 and 10 so as to be substantially parallel to the plane of the surface of table 10 and are laterally offset so as to be below but not directly below either of access covers 20a or 20c as indicated in FIG. 2.
Dish-washing water-distributor arm 30a and pot-washing water-distributor arm 30c (FIGS. 11 and 12) are positioned within support base 14 in separated, horizontally and vertically spaced locations along a substantially central line CL that is parallel to the long dimension of the dining table 10 as shown in FIG. 18. Dish-washing water-distributor arm 30a is positioned relatively low in a center portion, substantially parallel to the plane of the dining surface 12, and potwashing water-distributor arm 30c is positioned relatively high and in a plane which is substantially perpendicular to the plane of dining surface 12, as best seen in FIGS. 11 and 12. When the dishwasher function operates, water distribution arm 30a sprays water in the direction of arrow S (FIG. 11) onto the dishes in chutes 36a and 36b when the pot washer function operates, the pot washing water distribution arm 30c sprays towards the basket 30 to wash pots in basket 30.
The perforate pot washer basket 30 is operatively associated with the pot washer water-distributing arm 30c, mounted within the support base 14 and movable along a fixed support path of restricted length established by rail 31, which extends between the side walls of support base 14 and that is located below but laterally offset from being directly below the location of the openings occupied by access covers 20a and 20c. The pot washer basket 30 is configured for receiving and holding selected pots, pans and the like in position for being washed by the pot washer water distributing arm 30c.
The table side portions, access cover openings, access covers, dishwasher chutes and pot washer basket are arranged so as to be accessible to the apparatus being used by a single individual sitting on either side of the support base, or by two individuals sitting on opposite sides of the support base and in either case in a manner which permits the legs of any such individual when sitting to be positioned below a selected one of the table side portions as seen in FIG. 6.
Referring next to FIGS. 11 and 12 and the perforate chutes 36a and 36b, it is to be noted that the upper back and front side panels 40a, 40b on the supportive back and front sides (as shown in FIG. 11) of support base 14 are oriented angularly to accommodate the shape of perforate chutes 36a and 36b, thus maximizing the space available for the knees of the users. Chutes 36a and 36b provide a mesh housing for dishes and utensils through which water can pass to permit thorough washing (FIG. 11). At the completion of a meal, dishes are placed in dishwashing chutes 36a and 36b for washing (FIG. 12). When all dishes are in their respective positions for washing, access covers 20a and/or 20c are closed securely. The dishwasher unit is operated to wash dishes that have been placed in chutes 36a and 36b.
As best shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the dishwasher chutes 36a and 36b assume an angular position for loading and unloading as seen in FIG. 12. However, when in the washing position, as seen in FIG. 11, the chutes 36a and 36b assume a vertical position. It can also be observed that access doors 20a and 20c, through a pivotal connection to the respective chutes 36a and 36b, cause the angular position whenever access doors 20a and 20c are moved outwardly and permit the respective chutes 36a and 36b to assume a vertical position when access covers 20a and 20c are moved inwardly as in FIG. 11. Chutes 36a and 36b slide outwardly, see FIG. 12, as access doors 20a or 20c are opened, thus causing chutes 36a or 36b to ride on rollers 85.
FIG. 13 shows a section view of dining table 10 as seen in FIG. 1, and optional hot water heater point of use 75, with access doors 61, 62, 63, and 64 are closed. The space within table 10 behind doors 61, 62, 63 and 64 also serves as a storage area for pots and pans when not in use. FIG. 14 shows a section view of dining table 10 with integral dishwasher as seen in FIG. 1, but with access doors 61, 62, 63 and 64 open. Also shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 are the hot water supply 80, cold water supply 81, and waste water line 82.
FIGS. 15 and 16 illustrate the operation of the access cover and extension panel support and positioning mechanism through a series of sequential positions. In FIG. 15, the extension panel 20b is shown in its low position, connected to access cover 20a by a hinge 27, and secured parallel to the underside of access cover 20a by a gripping means 52. When extension panel 20b is extended to the high position (as in FIG. 16), a relatively flat securing mechanism 51 swivels on pivot 53 to the underside of extension panel 20b, providing support for the dining surface above. Also shown in FIGS. 16 and 17 are the flange 90 for sliding access cover 20a in and out of the table 10 and hooks 54 and 55, which grip the dish washer basket 36a (as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12).
An alternative embodiment of access door 20a and extension panel 20b in operation with extension panel securing mechanism 78 is shown in FIG. 17. The securing mechanism 78 is shown rotated along pivot 54 towards a diner, stopped by a downwardly angled catch 79, supporting the extension panel 20b in its high position. When the extension panel 20b is moved to its low position, the securing mechanism 78 is rotated about pivot 53 towards hook 55. The extension panel 20b is then moved to its low position about hinge 27 and secured into its low position when hook 76 grips flange 77.
The invention further recognizes that there are a substantial number of single person households. In such a single person situation, eating may most commonly be done at a kitchen counter rather than at a table. The present invention therefore recognizes that the invention apparatus can be built into a counter with a single access cover, a single chute for one-side use, and a pot washer basket mounted so as to travel inwardly and outwardly with respect to only one sidewall. Such a one-sided mechanism could similarly be built into a dining table if desired.
In summary, it will be seen from the foregoing description that the table-dishwasher apparatus of the invention provides among other features the following two highly unique features:
- (1) A table-washer apparatus which permits the items being washed, particularly pots and pans, to be loaded into a basket that can be positioned in one position for loading the items being washed and which position is outward of a selected one of opposite sides of the apparatus and can be positioned in another position between said opposite sides for washing the items thereby permitting a diner sitting on either side to use said apparatus; and
- (2) A table-washer apparatus which permits a diner while sitting on one side of the apparatus to sit below a portion of the table on which the diner dines and simultaneously have access to washing apparatus particularly suited for pots and pans other dishwashing apparatus as well as having access to one or more storage compartments built into the sides of said apparatus.
Other novel features will be apparent from the description.
The above detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention is further intended to set forth the best mode contemplated by the inventor for carrying out the invention at the time of filing this application and is provided by way of example and not as a limitation. Accordingly, various modifications and variations obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art to which it pertains are deemed to lie within the scope and spirit of the invention as set forth in the following claims.
Patent Grant
7398788
