CUTTING BOARD AND STRAINER STORAGE APPARATUS FOR USE WITH A SINK

Abstract

An equipment storage apparatus permits kitchen equipment to be enclosed in a stored position proximate the sink or an exposed position above the sink's bowl. The equipment storage apparatus includes a compartment coupled to an opening in the countertop proximate a side of the bowl, a support block slidably mounted to an interior of the compartment, and a frame pivotably mounted to the support block and designed to secure a kitchen equipment member therein. The frame is stored within the compartment to enclose the kitchen equipment member in the storage position. The support block is slidably adjusted within the compartment to permit the frame to pass through the opening in the countertop and pivotably adjust to position the kitchen equipment member above the bowl of the sink in the exposed position.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION

The application claims priority to provisional patent application U.S. Ser. No. 62/077,643 filed on Nov. 10, 2014, the entire contents of which is herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

The embodiments herein relate generally to storage devices for cooking equipment such as cutting boards and strainers.

Kitchen equipment for cooking such as cutting boards and strainers are often used near a sink. This setup allows users to chop food items such as vegetables and easily dispose the remaining scraps into a garbage disposal device within the sink's drain. Using a strainer next to a cutting board allows users to easily transfer vegetables washed in the sink to the cutting board.

One problem faced by individuals using cutting boards, strainers and other accessories is that these items take up significant space on counters, drawers or cabinets when not in use. When left on the counter, these items promote clutter in the kitchen area. It is a burden for individuals to retrieve these items from drawers or cabinets because they may be located far away from the sink or the items may be misplaced.

Several cutting board or strainer mounting devices for securing these items to a sink exist as disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publications 2005/0110203 and 2013/0312176, and U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,041,964 and 6,341,770. However, these devices do not allow the user to store the cutting board or strainer away from the sink when not in use. In particular, these devices do not permit the cutting board or strainer to be stored out of sight nearby the sink for an easy retrieval at a later time.

As such, there is a need in the industry for a cutting board and strainer storage apparatus that is used with a sink, which addresses the limitations of the prior art.

SUMMARY

An equipment storage apparatus configured for use with a sink is provided. The sink comprises a countertop coupled to at least one bowl. The storage apparatus is configured to permit kitchen equipment to be enclosed in a stored position proximate the sink or an exposed position above the bowl of the sink. The equipment storage apparatus comprises a compartment comprising a top opening, side walls and a bottom wall opposite the top opening, the compartment coupled to an opening in the countertop proximate a side of the bowl, a support block slidably mounted to an interior of the compartment, and a frame pivotably mounted to the support block and configured to secure a kitchen equipment member therein, wherein the frame is configured to be stored within the compartment to enclose the kitchen equipment member in the storage position, wherein the support block is configured to slidably adjust along a longitudinal axis of the compartment to permit the frame to pass through the opening in the countertop and pivotably adjust to position the kitchen equipment member above the bowl of the sink in the exposed position.

In alternative embodiments, the equipment storage apparatus comprises a pair of compartments coupled to a pair of openings in the countertop proximate the bowl, each compartment comprising a support block slidably mounted to an interior of the compartment, and a pair of frames operably connected to the pair of compartments, each frame pivotably mounted to one of the support blocks and configured to secure a kitchen equipment member therein, wherein each frame is configured to be stored within one of the compartments to enclose the kitchen equipment member in the storage position, wherein each support block is configured to slidably adjust within one of the compartments to permit the frame to extend above the countertop and pivotably adjust to position the kitchen equipment member above the bowl of the sink in the exposed position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The detailed description of some embodiments of the invention will be made below with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein the figures disclose one or more embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of certain embodiments of the storage apparatus;

FIG. 2 depicts a perspective view of certain embodiments of the storage apparatus taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 depicts a perspective view of certain embodiments of the storage apparatus depicting lid 14 in the open position;

FIG. 4 depicts a perspective view of certain embodiments of the storage apparatus depicting the cutting board and strainer in extended orientations;

FIG. 5 depicts a perspective view of certain embodiments of the storage apparatus depicting the cutting board and strainer in functional orientations;

FIG. 6 depicts a perspective view of certain embodiments of the storage apparatus taken along line 6-6 in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 depicts a cross-sectional view of certain embodiments of the storage apparatus taken along line 7-7 in FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 depicts a cross-sectional view of certain embodiments of the storage apparatus taken along line 8-8 in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 depicts a cross-sectional view of certain embodiments of the storage apparatus taken along line 9-9 in FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 depicts an exploded perspective view of certain embodiments of the storage apparatus;

FIG. 11 depicts a perspective view of certain embodiments of the storage apparatus depicting the cutting board in a stored position;

FIG. 12 depicts a perspective view of certain embodiments of the storage apparatus depicting the cutting board in an extended orientation; and

FIG. 13 depicts a cross-sectional view of certain embodiments of the storage apparatus taken along line 13-13 of FIG. 11.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS

As depicted in FIG. 1, the storage apparatus is configured for use with sink unit 11 and comprises cutting board 10a, strainer 10b, storage compartments 12 and hinged lids 14. Each hinged lid 14 is pivotably mounted to sink unit 11 and is configured to remain closed to store cutting board 10a or strainer 10b as depicted in FIG. 2 or open as depicted in FIG. 3. In a preferred embodiment, sink unit 11 comprises a gooseneck-type faucet to enhance sink space and functionality. Although the figures depict sink unit 11 as having two bowls, it shall be appreciated that a single bowl or an alternative number of bowls may be used instead.

As depicted in FIG. 4, cutting board 10a and strainer 10b can be extended out of storage compartments 12 to expose frames 18, handles 20 and hinge portions 22. Cutting board member 16 comprises slotted handle 21 and is inserted within frame 18 to the left of sink unit 11. Strainer member 24 is inserted within frame 18 to the right of sink unit 11. It shall be appreciated that cutting board member 16 and strainer member 24 can be assembled on either side of sink unit 11. As depicted in FIG. 5, cutting board member 16 and strainer member 24 are pivotably adjusted via hinge portions 22 to rest on top of sink unit 11. As depicted in FIG. 6, adjustable latch 23 is affixed to frame 18 of cutting board member 16. Adjustable latch 23 helps to secure cutting board member 16 in place. In this configuration, a user can easily transfer washed foods such as fruits and vegetables from strainer member 24 to cutting board member 16, and to dispose chopped scrap items into sink unit 11 to be disposed by a garbage disposal unit (not shown).

FIGS. 7-9 depict the components of the storage apparatus in more detail. It shall be appreciated that the components used to secure cutting board member 16 and strainer member 24 are the same. For illustrative purposes, attention is focused on cutting board member 16. Cutting board member 16 is pivotably mounted to sliding roller block 26 via hinge portion 22. Rollers 27 are operably connected to sliding roller block 26 by hinge pins 29. This allows sliding roller block 26 to slidably adjust along channels 30 of storage compartment 12. It shall be appreciated that each storage compartment 12 may have a pair of channels 30 that engages with corresponding rollers 27 on sliding roller block 26.

Each sliding roller block 26 comprises stop 28, which is a lip configured to contact countertop 11a of sink unit 11. This contact prevents cutting board member 16 and frame 18 from detaching from storage compartment 12. As depicted in FIG. 9, a portion of frames 18 rest on countertop 11a when cutting board member 16 and strainer member 24 are placed on top of sink unit 11. As depicted in FIG. 10, cutting board member 16 and strainer member 24 can both be easily removed from the storage apparatus for cleaning. Once completed, cutting board member 16 and strainer member 24 can be easily reassembled. Cutting board member 16 and strainer member 24 may be detachably coupled to frames 18 by snap-fit components or alternative mechanical fasteners.

As depicted in FIG. 11, in an embodiment of the invention, the storage apparatus comprises shock absorbing support springs 34 configured to contact sliding roller block 26 in the storage configuration. In this storage configuration, a user can push down on handle 20 to compress shock absorbing support springs 34. Once handle 20 is released, shock absorbing support springs 34 decompress and expose handle 20 above compartment 12. This enables the user to easily pull handle 20 upward to an extended configuration as depicted in FIG. 12. The user can then pivotably adjust cutting board member 16 on top of sink unit 11 via hinge elements 32 of frame 18. FIG. 13 depicts a cross-sectional view of certain embodiments of the storage apparatus.

In operation, cutting board member 16 and strainer member 24 are placed within frames 18. Cutting board member 16 and strainer member 24 retract within storage compartments 12 when not in use. To use the items, cutting board member 16 and strainer member 24 are slidably adjusted out of storage compartments 12 as depicted in FIG. 4. Cutting board member 16 and strainer member 24 are pivotably adjusted on top of sink unit 11 as depicted in FIG. 5. This enables a user to easily transfer washed foods such as fruits and vegetables from strainer member 24 to cutting board member 16, and to dispose chopped scrap items into sink unit 11 to be disposed by a garbage disposal unit (not shown). Cutting board member 16 and strainer member 24 can be adjusted to retract back within storage compartments 12.

In an alternative embodiment, hinged lids 14 are removed from sink unit 11. In this configuration, the top portions of frames 18 remain flush with the top of countertop 11a in the stored positions. A rubber seal (not shown) may be disposed between the top portions of frames 18 and storage compartments 12 to prevent foreign objects such as dirt, water, or the like, from falling into the compartments.

It shall be appreciated that the components of the storage apparatus described in several embodiments herein may comprise any known materials in the field and be of any color, size and/or dimensions. It shall be appreciated that the components of the storage apparatus described herein may be manufactured and assembled using any known techniques in the field.

Persons of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate that numerous design configurations may be possible to enjoy the functional benefits of the inventive systems. Thus, given the wide variety of configurations and arrangements of embodiments of the present invention the scope of the invention is reflected by the breadth of the claims below rather than narrowed by the embodiments described above.

Claims

1. An equipment storage apparatus configured for use with a sink, the sink comprising a countertop coupled to at least one bowl, the storage apparatus configured to permit kitchen equipment to be enclosed in a stored position proximate the sink or an exposed position above the bowl of the sink, the equipment storage apparatus comprising:

a compartment comprising a top opening, side walls and a bottom wall opposite the top opening, the compartment coupled to an opening in the countertop proximate a side of the bowl;

a support block slidably mounted to an interior of the compartment; and

a frame pivotably mounted to the support block and configured to secure a kitchen equipment member therein, wherein the frame is configured to be stored within the compartment to enclose the kitchen equipment member in the storage position, wherein the support block is configured to slidably adjust along a longitudinal axis of the compartment to permit the frame to pass through the opening in the countertop and pivotably adjust to position the kitchen equipment member above the bowl of the sink in the exposed position.

2. The equipment storage apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a roller member coupled to the support block, wherein the roller member is configured to engage with a channel disposed along the interior of the compartment, thereby permitting the support block to slidably adjust within the compartment.

3. The equipment storage apparatus of claim 2, wherein the support block comprises a lip configured to contact the countertop to prevent the frame from detaching from the compartment.

4. The equipment storage apparatus of claim 3, further comprising a handle coupled to the frame.

5. The equipment storage apparatus of claim 4, further comprising a spring assembly disposed within the compartment and comprising a first spring and a second spring, wherein the support block compresses the first and second springs in the storage position, wherein the first and second springs decompress when the kitchen equipment member is in the exposed position.

6. The equipment storage apparatus of claim 5, further comprising a lid pivotably mounted to the countertop opening.

7. An equipment storage apparatus configured for use with a sink, the sink comprising a countertop coupled to at least one bowl, the storage apparatus configured to permit kitchen equipment to be enclosed in a stored position proximate the sink or an exposed position above the bowl of the sink, the equipment storage apparatus comprising:

a pair of compartments coupled to a pair of openings in the countertop proximate the bowl, each compartment comprising a top opening, side walls and a bottom wall opposite the top opening, each compartment comprising a support block slidably mounted to an interior of the compartment; and

a pair of frames operably connected to the pair of compartments, each frame pivotably mounted to one of the support blocks and configured to secure a kitchen equipment member therein, wherein each frame is configured to be stored within one of the compartments to enclose the kitchen equipment member in the storage position, wherein each support block is configured to slidably adjust within one of the compartments to permit the frame to extend above the countertop and pivotably adjust to position the kitchen equipment member above the bowl of the sink in the exposed position.

8. The equipment storage apparatus of claim 7, further comprising a roller member coupled to each support block, wherein the roller member is configured to engage with a channel disposed along the interior of the compartment, thereby permitting the support block to slidably adjust within the compartment.

9. The equipment storage apparatus of claim 8, wherein each support block comprises a lip configured to contact the countertop to prevent the frame from detaching from the compartment.

10. The equipment storage apparatus of claim 9, further comprising a spring assembly disposed within each compartment and comprising a first spring and a second spring, wherein the support block compresses the first and second springs in the storage position, wherein the first and second springs decompress when the kitchen equipment member is in the exposed position.