INFINITY AND UNDER MOUNT CONVERTIBLE SINK CONFIGURATION DEVICE AND METHOD

Abstract

A convertible sink configuration device and method converts a counter recessed sink into an infinity sink and back again. The method and device enable the covering of a drain and the majority of a counter recessed sink opening area to present a spa like infinity sink and back again with ease. The device may include a sink insert attached to a base support. The base support may attach to a supporting mechanism.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application number 61/775,295, filed Mar. 8, 2013, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to sink configurations and, more particularly, to infinity and under mount convertible sink configuration device and method.

There are many water, waste drains and fixtures in the bathroom and other rooms with water systems. Drains are connected to take away waste or dirty water to the sewage which may remind the user of filth. That is the reason that most drains are hidden away in spa like environments. However, a vanity sink cabinet with counter recessed sinks is never equipped with such a device to hide the drain, and/or the sink to create this ambiance.

Current products are limited to the specific product that hides the drain from plain view such as a cover for a toilet and a custom shower which is equipped with a hidden drain.

As can be seen, there is a need for a convertible sink configuration device and method for conversion of a counter recessed sink into an infinity sink and back again with ease.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a convertible sink configuration device comprises: a base support having a top side and a bottom side; a supporting mechanism attached to the bottom side of the base support, wherein the supporting mechanism is adjustable in height; and a sink insert attached to the top side of the base support.

In another aspect of the present invention, a convertible sink configuration device comprises: a base plate having a top side and a bottom side; a plurality of upper legs attached to the bottom side of the base plate, wherein the plurality of upper legs have a hollow interior and an open bottom end; and a plurality of lower legs adjustably inserted into the hollow interior of the plurality of upper legs, wherein the plurality of lower legs has a bottom end; and a sink insert attached to the top side of the base plate.

In a further aspect of the present invention, a method for converting a vanity sink from an under mount to an infinity sink configuration comprises: adjusting the height of a base support by adjusting the height of a supporting mechanism attached to a bottom side of the base support; attaching a sink insert to a top side of the base support, wherein the sink insert, the supporting mechanism, and the base support define a convertible sink configuration device; placing the convertible sink configuration device in contact with a sink; and allowing for a drain gap between the perimeter of the sink insert and the sink and counter.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention shown in use;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a section view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, taken along line 4-4 in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 5 is a detail section view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the adjustment of the lower legs.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a convertible sink configuration device and method that may convert a counter recessed sink into an infinity sink and back again. The infinity sink is a cover that is the same or similar material to a countertop or basin at a size that is smaller than the opening of the countertop to allow water to flow from the surface of the cover to the basin below to produce a visual effect of water vanishing or extending to “infinity”. The method and device enable the covering of a drain and the majority of a counter recessed sink opening area to present a spa like infinity sink and back again with ease. The device may include a sink insert attached to a base support. The base support may attach to a supporting mechanism.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 through 5, a convertible sink configuration device 10 may include a base support 28. The base support 28 may have a top side 30 and a bottom side 32. The base support 28 may have a supporting mechanism 34 attached to the base support 28. In certain embodiments, the supporting mechanism 34 may attach to the bottom side 32 of the base support 28. The supporting mechanism 34 may be adjustable, so that the height of the supporting mechanism 34 and base support 28 may vary. In certain embodiments, the supporting mechanism may be of a fixed height. A sink insert 12 may be attached to the top side 30 of the base support 28.

In certain embodiments, the base support 28 may be a base plate 14, a bracket or the like. In some embodiments, the supporting mechanism 34 may be a plurality of legs 36 having a bottom end 38. In certain embodiments, the plurality of legs 36 may include a plurality of upper legs 16 and a plurality of lower legs 18.

The plurality of upper legs 16 may include a hollow interior 40 and an open bottom end 42. The plurality of lower legs 18 may be a size smaller than the plurality of upper legs 16. The plurality of lower legs 18 may be adjustably inserted into the hollow interior of the plurality of upper legs 16. In certain embodiments, a plurality of feet 20 may be attached to a bottom end 38 of the plurality of lower legs 18 to reduce damage to the sink 24.

In certain embodiments, the plurality of legs 36 may be adjusted as a whole, or only several legs may be adjusted. While the Figures show the plurality of upper legs 16 and the plurality of lower legs 18 being adjusted in height, the supporting mechanism 34 may be height adjusted by various mechanisms. The sink insert may be of the same material or similar to the countertop 22 or sink basin 24.

A method of converting a vanity sink from an under mount sink to an infinity sink configuration may include the following. The supporting mechanism 34 may be attached to the base support 28. In certain embodiments, the plurality of feet 20 may be attached to the bottom end 38 of supporting mechanism 34 so that the surface of the sink 24 may not be scratched. The height of the combination may be adjusted so that when the sink insert 12 is attached to the top side 30 of the base support 28, the level of the device 10 approximately matches the level of a countertop 22 or a level predetermined by the user. The sink insert 12 may then be attached to the top side 30 of the base support 28. The device 10 may be placed in contact with the sink 24. Starting with a counter recessed sink, the device 10 may be positioned so that a drain gap 26 may be between the perimeter of the sink insert 12 and the sink 24 and countertop 22. With the device 10 in place, as a faucet is turned on, water will first hit the device 10 and flow through the drain gap 26 at the perimeter before flowing into the under mount sink 24. The counter recessed sink may now act as an infinity sink at this time. The entire device 10 may be easily removable to convert the sink 24 back into a counter recessed sink.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as plurality forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A convertible sink configuration device comprising:

a base support having a top side and a bottom side;

a supporting mechanism attached to the bottom side of the base support; and

a sink insert attached to the top side of the base support.

2. The convertible sink configuration device of claim 1, wherein the supporting mechanism is adjustable in height.

3. The convertible sink configuration device of claim 1, wherein the base support comprises a base plate.

4. The convertible sink configuration device of claim 3, wherein the supporting mechanism comprises a plurality of legs having a bottom end.

5. The convertible sink configuration device of claim 4, further comprising a plurality of feet attached to the bottom end of the plurality of legs.

6. A convertible sink configuration device comprising:

a base plate having a top side and a bottom side;

a plurality of upper legs attached to the bottom side of the base plate, wherein the plurality of upper legs have a hollow interior and an open bottom end; and

a plurality of lower legs adjustably inserted into the hollow interior of the plurality of upper legs, wherein the plurality of lower legs has a bottom end; and

a sink insert attached to the top side of the base plate.

7. The convertible sink configuration device of claim 6, further comprising a plurality of feet attached to the bottom end of the plurality of lower legs.

8. The convertible sink configuration device of claim 6, wherein the plurality of upper legs and plurality of lower legs comprise four of each.

9. A method for converting a vanity sink from an under mount to an infinity sink configuration comprising:

adjusting the height of a base support by adjusting the height of a supporting mechanism attached to a bottom side of the base support;

attaching a sink insert to a top side of the base support, wherein the sink insert, the supporting mechanism, and the base support define a convertible sink configuration device;

placing the convertible sink configuration device in contact with a sink; and

allowing for a drain gap between the perimeter of the sink insert and the sink and counter.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the base support comprises a base plate.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the supporting mechanism comprises a plurality of legs.