Sink rack and system for supporting large frying pans horizontally within the confines of a kitchen sink

Abstract

A sink rack and system for supporting large frying pans within the confines of a kitchen sink, comprising at least 2 elongate platforms configured to span across the inside confines of a sink. The elongate platforms terminate at each end at a vertical extension and the top of each vertical extension terminates at a support that is configured to rest on the top perimeter of kitchen sinks. The elongate platforms are also configured with an upper surface on which to place large frying pans horizontally within the confines of a sink. The sink rack is formed of rigid rust proof material, and at least the elongate platforms are formed of rigid rust proof and heat resistant material. In a preferred aspect of the present invention the two sides of the sink rack provide a system for receiving large hot frying pans and a variety of other cookware, by placing the platforms horizontal and parallel to each at desired distances apart, or in various horizontal V patterns within a sink.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to Canadian Patent Application No: 2,706,689 Filed Jun. 14, 2010, entitled SINK RACK AND SYSTEM FOR SUPPORTING LARGE FRYING PANS HORIZONTALLY WITHIN THE CONFINES OF A KITCHEN SINK

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed toward kitchen sink racks and, more particularly, sink racks for supporting large cookware items such as large frying pans.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Large frying pans are widely used in kitchens, and often end up having food stuff baked on and even burnt onto the bottom and sides of the frying pan often making cleaning of the frying pan difficult, in situations like this it is often desirable to fill the frying pan with hot soapy water and let it sit soaking for a period of time to loosen any baked on or burnt on food stuff before attempting to scrub the frying pan clean, however larger frying pans on their own as commonly made cannot be placed horizontally inside of most kitchen sinks as commonly made because the handles of the frying pans protrude outward farther than the perimeter of the sink, and current sink racks are not well suited for the task of supporting large frying pans horizontally within the confines of kitchen sinks.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Do to the limitations in the prior art it is often necessary to place large frying pans full of hot soapy water on the kitchen counter top or back on the stove top if someone wants to presoak a large frying pan before cleaning it. Doing this can create some potential problems such as possibly spilling hot soapy water on the counter top, the stove top, the kitchen floor and even worse, on one's self because frying pans full of water can be difficult to handle in a controlled manner, thus creating unwanted clean ups and possibly causing the kitchen floor to become slippery and dangerous should hot soapy water be spilt on the floor. Also, having to place frying pans full of soapy water on the kitchen counter or stove top uses up valuable space especially in smaller kitchens, plus it is unsightly to look at and it is just about impossible to fill a frying pan with water to the top of the rim if it has to be moved outside of the inside confines of the sink and back again. Another problem that is faced in the kitchen is when the kitchen sink already has dishes in the bottom of it and someone finds themselves having to wash even a smaller frying pan or a pot for that matter the other dishes most likely have to be removed from the sink first or the frying or pot would have to be placed directly on top of the other dishes, possibly damaging or breaking the bottom dishes. Also when transferring food stuff from a frying pan or pot to a serving dish it can get messy because of food stuffs dripping off of serving spoons or spatulas and onto the stove or countertop. Also large frying pans can be heavy; especially ones made from cast iron, so scrubbing them clean in a sink can damaging the sink, and can be very stressful on a person's fingers, wrists, arms and back especially for people with disabilities.

While there are many different types and styles of sink racks available in the prior art, they have not been particularly successful in alleviating the foregoing problems, plus typical sink racks are large and cumbersome, taking up a lot of space in a sink or on a countertop. Clearly it would be desirable to have available sink racks that can receive large frying pans directly from a hot stove in such a manner that the frying pans will safely sit horizontally within the confines of a kitchen sink with the handles of the frying pans positioned above and to the outside of the top perimeter of a sink, and does not use up valuable space while in use or while in storage.

Therefore, it is an object of this invention to provide a sink rack and system that is safe and easy to use for supporting large frying pans in a horizontal position within the confines of kitchen sinks.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a sink rack that will receive a hot large frying pan that is full of food stuff directly from a hot stove.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide a sink rack that will withstand the strain of large frying pans being filled to the top with hot soapy water and be scrubbed clean without having to worry about damaging the sink or having water spill on the counter top or floor.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a sink rack that can easily be moved to either side of a sink.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide a sink rack that takes up minimal space within a kitchen sink or in a drawer when not in use.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide a sink rack that allows the user to utilize the lower part of a sink for smaller dishes and at the same time utilize the upper part of the sink for larger cookware such as large frying pans.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide a sink rack and system that can support large frying pans and a variety of other cookware.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a sink rack and system for supporting large frying pans horizontally within the confines of kitchen sink as ordinarily made for homes, recreational vehicles and the like comprises: at least two elongate platforms configured with an upper surface on which to place large frying pans, and are made of rigid heat resistant material so they can receive a large frying pan directly from a hot stove, and are also configured to span across the inside confines of a kitchen sink. Affixed to or formed integrally with both ends of each platform are upward extensions, and affixed to or formed integrally with the top of each upward extension is a support that is configured to rest on the top perimeter of kitchen sinks.

The sink rack may be configured such that when it is placed on a kitchen sink the elongate platforms upper surfaces are horizontal and parallel to each other and at a depth inside the sink that is not greater than the vertical distance from the bottom of the frying pan to be placed on the platforms to the farthest point along the frying pans handle that would come in contact with the top perimeter of the kitchen sink when the frying pan is placed horizontally in the sink to the maximum depth that the frying pan could remain horizontal without removing or bending the handle.

The sink rack may be configured such that the upper surface of the platforms will not only support large frying pans but will also support a variety of other cookware such as smaller frying pans, pots (large and small), roasting pans, cutting boards, colanders and the like by simply moving the platforms farther apart to support larger cookware and closer together to support smaller cookware and the sink racks platforms can also be positioned in various horizontal V patterns if need be.

Preferably at least one of the sink racks elongate platforms is configured to stack on top of the other elongate platform. Alternatively the platforms may be configured in such a way that they are adjustable in length.

The sink rack may be configured such that depending on the intended use, it may be desirable to only use one of the platforms.

Preferably the bottom of the supports and the back side (the side facing the sink) of the upward extensions have padding.

The sink rack can withstand the strain of having heavy large frying pans and other heavy large cookware full of food stuff placed on the platforms for food stuff serving purposes and the strain of large frying pans and other large cookware being scrubbed clean while on the sink rack.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a sink rack for holding frying pans in a horizontal position within the confines of kitchen sinks according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view taken from another direction of the preferred embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective few of the preferred embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIGS. 1-2 illustrating a sink and the present invention together, the sink is for illustrative purposes only and forms no part of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the present invention illustrated in FIGS. 1-3 showing a sink and a large frying pan, illustrating the frying pan sitting horizontally on the sink rack within the confines of a sink, the sink and the frying pan make up no part of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the present invention illustrated in FIGS. 1-4 with the platforms positioned closer together and supporting a smaller frying pan in a horizontal position in a sink; again the sink and the frying pan form no part of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the present invention illustrating both sides of the present invention stacked together;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a further alternative embodiment of the present invention illustrating the platforms adjustable in length;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the present invention positioned in an alternative horizontal V pattern supporting a colander (strainer) in a sink, again the sink and the colander form no part of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the present invention supporting a cutting board within the confines of a kitchen sink with a piece of fruit that has been cut up and furthermore illustrates the juice from the fruit flowing into a sink, again the cutting board, the sink, the fruit and the juice form no part of the invention.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a possible accessory for raising the height that a frying pan may sit horizontally within the confines of a kitchen sink.

FIG. 11 is a side view of a frying pan and a vertical distance indicated from a point on the handle and the bottom of the frying pan.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to FIGS. 1-6, a sink rack 10 for supporting large frying pans horizontally within the confines of a kitchen sink S-1 comprises at least two elongate platforms P1 and P2 of a suitable length to span across the inside confines of a kitchen sink S-1 horizontally and with the upper surface 20 of the platforms P1 and P2 at a depth that is not greater than the vertical distance from the bottom of said frying pan F-1 to the farthest point along said frying pans F-1 handle H-1 that would come in contact with the top perimeter of the sink S-1 when the frying pan F-1 is placed horizontally in the sink S-1 to the maximum depth possible before said frying pan F-1 could not remain horizontal without removing or bending said frying pans F-1 handle H-1, an example of this vertical distance is shown in FIG. 11. The platforms P1 and P2 have an upper surface 20 on which to put large frying pans, a variety of other items such as buckets and plastic tubs and other cookware such as pots, roasting pans, cutting boards and colanders for example as best illustrated in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9. Preferably the platforms P1 and P2 are formed of rust proof rigid and preferably heat resistant material such as stainless steel, aluminum or some sort of strong heat resistant plastic. The advantage of the platforms P1 and P2 being formed of heat resistant material is that a large frying pan F-1 for example can be placed on the sink rack 10 directly from a hot stove. Being able to do this means a large frying pan, pot or casserole dish for example with food stuff in it can be placed on the sink rack 10 within the confines of said sink S-1 while still hot, and then have the food stuff transferred to an eating dish, or some other container without having food stuff falling onto the stove or counter top if some of the food stuff were to fall from a serving utensil, as it would fall into the sink instead, making cleanups much easier, plus once the food stuff has been removed from the frying pan or other cookware, the frying pan for example could be filled with washing water right where it sits, on the sink rack 10 safely within the confines of the kitchen sink.

Affixed to (or formed integrally with) both ends of each platform P1 and P2 are vertical extensions 18 formed of rigid material. The vertical extensions 18 are of a suitable length to hold the platforms P1 and P2 at a desired depth inside the confines of a kitchen sink. The back side (the side facing the sink) of the vertical extensions 18 may have some sort of padding to protect the sink from scratches.

Affixed to (or formed integrally with) the top of each vertical extension 18 is a support 16 that is configured to rest on the top perimeter of said sink S-1, The supports 16 may have padding on the bottom and may be wider than the platforms P1 & P2 and the upward extensions 18 to give the sink rack greater stability and to distribute the weight better on the top perimeter of the sink when a large full frying pan F-1 or other item is placed on the sink racks 10 platforms P1 & P2, if the supports 16 where to narrow, a risk of putting dents in the top perimeter of a sink would arise, especially when heavy loads are put on the sink rack 10.

Preferably platform P1 is slightly shorter than platform P2, this would allow platform P1 to stack on top of platform P2. This would be useful as the sink rack 10 would take up less space when not being used and the sink rack 10 could easily fit in a kitchen drawer. If platform P1 is made slightly shorter than platform P2 then the supports 16 associated with platform P1 may be slightly longer to compensate for the shorter platform P1, keeping both sides of the sink rack 10 the same overall length as illustrated in FIG. 6. Alternatively the two sides of the sink rack 10 could be made stackable by putting the vertical extensions 18 on a large enough of an out ward outward angle, this would allow either side of the sink rack 10 to be stacked on top of the other, however doing this would shorten the length of the platforms P1 and P2 and may structurally weaken the sink rack 10 if it were not made of a stronger and heavier material, which then would also add to the cost of manufacturing the sink rack 10.

Preferably the width of the platforms P1 & P2 is 1 (one) to two inches each but could be more or less than one to two inches each, the same applies for the vertical extensions 18. Alternatively though, the vertical extensions 18 could be made much smaller as the pulling strength of most materials known to man is much greater than the bendability strength.

Because the platforms P1 and P2 span across the inside of the sink, and the proximity of the vertical extensions 18 to the sink S-1 walls, this prevent the sink rack 10 from sliding back forth farther than the length of the supports, and potentially falling into the sink S-1, but does not prevent the platforms P1 and P2 from being moved sideways and on an angle to the sink walls to create a variety of horizontal V patterns between the side walls of a sink, as illustrated best in FIG. 3 and FIG. 8.

FIG. 4 illustrates a very large frying pan F-1 lying on the sink rack 10 with the handle H-1 positioned just above and to the outside of the top perimeter of the sink S-1. The platforms P1 and P2 are placed far apart to keep the frying pan F-1 stable.

FIG. 5 illustrates a large frying pan F-2 (but not as large as the frying pan F-1 in FIG. 4) lying on the sink rack 10 with the handle H-1 positioned just above and to the outside of the top perimeter of the sink S-1, and the platforms P1 and P2 are positioned closer together and to the left side of the sink S-1 leaving access to the bottom of the sink S-1 from the right side.

FIG. 7 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the present invention with the platforms P1 and P2 adjustable in length. While there may be several ways known in the art of making the platforms P1 and P2 adjustable in length, the method illustrated in FIG. 7 shows two sides to each platform 4M and 4F, 4M being the male end and 4F being the female end, and to adjust the length the two halves are pulled outward to make the main support beams longer or pushed inward to make the main support beams shorter. While having the length of the sink racks 10 platforms P1 and P2 adjustable may have some advantages, it would also add to the cost of production, it could add to the risk of structural failure, and it could add to the risk of bacteria build up if the sink rack 10 was not properly cleaned, therefor adding to the amount of maintenance required to keep the sink rack 10 in good working order.

FIG. 8 illustrates the present invention, sink rack 10 positioned in a horizontal V pattern V20 in a sink S-1 with a colander (strainer) 30 positioned within the opening of the horizontal V. Typically the colander 30 would be placed closer to the front of the sink S-1 using the front of the sink S-1 to help support the colander 30, it is placed father back in FIG. 8 only to help illustrate the V pattern V20. Being able to place the sink rack 10 in a V pattern is very useful when placing items such as colanders on the sink rack 10 as it gives extra support to the colander as it is wedged into the V and helps prevent tipping the colander 30 over when a pot full of hot pasta for example is poured into said colander. Also the wide part of the V pattern creates a large open area for water to drain from the colanders. Alternatively the colander could be configured to rest right on top of the sink rack 10 platforms P1 and P2.

FIG. 9 illustrates the sink rack 10 supporting a cutting board 40 within the confines of a kitchen sink S-1, and best depicting a piece of fruit 45 that has been cut up with the excess juice 46 from the fruit 45 flowing into the sink S-1. Being able to use cutting boards 40 together with the sink rack 10 would also be very useful when having to deal with excessively bloody meats (for example) while cutting or repackaging as the excess blood will drain directly off the cutting board 40 and into the sink S-1.

FIG. 10 illustrates the sink rack 10 and further illustrates a possible accessory 100 that when placed on the sink rack 10 platforms P1 and P2 create a higher base on which to place frying pans that have a much lower profile horizontally within the confines of the sink S-1. Possible accessory 100 shows pins attached that fit into corresponding holes in the sink racks platforms P1 and P2 to hold the accessory 100 in place, this may be done by any number of ways known in the art. Alternatively the vertical extensions 18 may be made in such a way that they are adjustable in length using any way known in the art, and while doing this may have some advantages, it would certainly add to the cost of manufacturing the sink rack 10, it may add to the risk of structural failure, and movable parts may create gaps for bacteria to form if not properly cleaned, adding once again to the amount of maintenance required to keep the sink rack 10 in good working order.

As best depicted in FIG. 7-10 the supports 16 are wider than the upward extensions 18 and the platforms P1 and P2. Also, the illustrations in FIG. 8-10 are examples of some of the other things that can be done with the present invention without departing from the scope of the invention.

While preferred methods of using the sink rack 10 have been illustrated, it will be appreciated that on occasion it may be acceptable to only use one of the platforms P1 or P2, for example, if a someone only needed to fill a large pot with cooking water and did not want to place said pot on the bottom of the sink because it had other dishes in it, and yet didn't want to hold all of the weight while the pot was being filed they could simply place one of the platforms across the sink and rest the pot on it while being filled with water. If a person chose to do this, it would be recommended that they still held the pot with one hand, only to help balance it. It is recommended however that both platforms P1 and P2 be used at all times.

Regardless of the form of the invention, preferably, all of the elements are formed of a suitable rigid rust proof, heat resistant material such as stainless steel, aluminum or any known strong rigid, rust proof, heat resistant plastic for example.

While being able to support large frying pans horizontally within the confines of a kitchen sink with the present invention may be an aid to persons without disabilities, it would most certainly be an aid to persons with disabilities such as arthritis in the fingers, wrists and elbows or suffer from back problems for example, as the sink rack 10 supports the weight of large frying pans and a variety of other large heavy cookware, and at the same time helps protect the sink from being damaged by heavy large frying pans (especially ones made of cast iron).

While preferred embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it will be recognized, however, that various changes can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and other departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A sink rack and system for supporting large frying pans horizontally within the confines of a kitchen sink, comprising:

at least two elongate platforms formed of rigid rust proof heat resistant material,

at least 4 elongate vertical extensions formed of rigid rust proof material that are affixed to or formed integrally with each end of each said elongate platform,

at least 4 supports formed of rigid rust proof material affixed to or formed integrally with the top of each said elongate upward extension, said supports configured to rest on the top perimeter of said sink,

wherein said sink rack is configured such that said elongate platforms span across the inside confines of said sink horizontally and parallel to each other at desired distances apart or in various horizontal V patterns with the upper surface of said elongate platforms positioned at a depth inside of said sink that is not greater than the vertical distance from the bottom of said frying pan to the farthest point along said frying pans handle that would come in contact with the top perimeter of said sink when said frying pan is placed horizontally in said sink to the maximum depth that said frying pan could remain horizontal without removing or bending said frying pans said handle.

2. A sink rack as claimed in claim 1, wherein said elongate platforms are configured with an upper surface on which to lay said large frying pans horizontally.

3. A sink rack as claimed in claim 1, wherein said elongate platforms are configured with an upper surface on which to lay a variety of other items such as buckets, plastic tub and cookware such as pots, roasting pans, cutting boards, casserole dishes, colanders and the like horizontally within the confines of said sink.

4. A sink rack as claimed in claim 1, wherein said vertical extensions are form of rigid heat resistant material.

5. A sink rack and system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said elongate platforms can be placed farther apart to accommodate large said frying pans or closer together to accommodate said frying pans that are not as large.

6. A sink rack as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one said elongate platform is shorter than the other to enable the shorter elongate platform to be stacked on top of the longer elongate platform.

7. A sink rack and system for supporting large frying pans horizontally within the confines of a kitchen sink, comprising:

a sink rack and system as claimed in claim 1; and,

the said elongate platforms adjustable in length.

8. A sink rack and system as claimed in claim 1, wherein when justified only one said elongate platform can be used.

9. A sink rack as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bottom of said support has padding.

10. A sink rack as claimed in claim 1, wherein the back side (the side facing said sink) of said vertical extension has padding.

11. A sink rack as claimed in claim 1, wherein said sink rack can easily fit in a kitchen drawer (as normally made) when not in use.

12. A sink rack and system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said sink racks platforms may be positioned in various horizontal V patterns within the confines of a kitchen sink.

13. A sink rack as claimed in claim 1, wherein large said frying pans and other cookware such as pots, casserole dishes and roasting pans with food stuff in them can be placed before having the food stuff transferred to eating dishes or other containers and any food stuff that may fall off of a serving utensil such as a fork, spatula or ladle falls into said sink rather than the kitchen stove or kitchen counter top, after said food stuff has been removed from said frying pan or other said cookware said frying pan or other said cookware can be filled with washing water without having to be moved.

14. A sink rack as claimed in claim 1, wherein said sink rack is an aid for persons without disabilities, said sink rack is more of an aid to persons with disabilities such as arthritic hands and wrists, weak arms and bad backs.

15. A sink rack as claimed in claim 1, wherein said sink rack aids in protecting said sink from being damaged by large heavy said frying pans and other large heavy cookware.

16. A sink rack and system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said sink rack supports small frying pans horizontally within the confines of a kitchen sink.

17. A sink rack as claimed in claim 1, wherein the side of said sink rack that has the shorter platform also has longer supports so both sides remain equally as long.

18. A sink rack as claimed in claim 1, wherein the entire said sink rack is formed of the same rigid rust proof, heat resistant material.

19. A sink rack and system as claimed in claim 1, wherein when said large frying pans are placed on said sink rack, enough of the handle of said large frying pan is above and to the outside of the top perimeter of said sink to allow said frying pan to rest horizontally on said sink racks platforms within the confines of said sink.