Supports: racks – Special article – Receptacle support
Reexamination Certificate
2000-05-12
2001-05-08
Gibson, Jr., Robert W. (Department: 3634)
Supports: racks
Special article
Receptacle support
C211S094010, C211S113000, C211S162000, C248S317000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06227387
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a novel and useful apparatus for supporting utensils which is useful in the field of culinary arts.
Cooking utensils such as pots, pans, forks, knives, and the like always needed to prepare food and foodstuffs. Organizing such items is often laborious and confusing. Ideally, utensils should be hung and from a storage structure, such as a cabinet, for accessibility.
In the past, systems have been devised for holding clothing items, and other soft goods, for easy retrieval. U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,116,837, 4,427,119, and 5,590,940 describe sliding holders for ties.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,606,666 shows a cup rack in which cups are supported from a sliding U-shaped member.
Placing items such as pots and pans on a sliding support in a cabinet have proved undesirable in the past since any movement of pots and pans generates clanking or clinking noises, which can be extremely annoying.
An apparatus for supporting utensils which provides easy accessibility and eliminates noises due to movements of the utensils would be a notable advance in the culinary art field.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention a novel and useful apparatus for supporting utensils is herein provided.
The apparatus includes a base member having a surface which extends along a select dimension. The base member is linked to a structure such as a cabinet, cupboard, shelving unit, and the like. The base member may be formed with the storage structure, or retrofitted separately in accordance with the present invention. The base member may also include means for moving the base member relative to the storage structure. In such a case, an elongated element may be connected to the structure and the base member may slidingly engage the elongated element. Thus, the base member can move inwardly and outwardly relative to the storage structure being employed in the present application. Again, the base member may be a separate item or integrally constructed with the storage unit.
A plurality of fasteners for holding are connected to the surface of the base member. Each of the fasteners is capable of holding a utensil in a pendant or hanging mode. Thus, when the base member is moved relative to the storage structure, the surface of the base member travels inwardly and outwardly relative to the storage structure and positions the utensils, hanging therefrom, into an accessible position, or into a storage position, as the case may be. A plurality of holders may take the form of hooks, clips, magnetic holders, hook and pile connectors, and the like.
Sound attenuating means is also employed in the present invention for absorbing sound generated at least by a first and second utensil contacting one another when in the pendant mode. Such sound is normally associated with movement of the base member relative to the storage structure and the swinging action induced in the hanging utensils. The sound attenuating means may take the form of an element positioned between the first and second utensils, or interposed between two or more utensils. The sound attenuating means may also depend from the surface of the base member and include an element which is positioned between each of the hanging or pendant utensils. In certain cases, the sound attenuating means may include an element which is a hollow member and a line which is passed through the hollow member to permit the hollow member to at least partially surround the line. Means is also provided in one of the embodiments of the present invention for adjusting the distance between the hollow member and the surface of the base member. Such means may take the form of forming the line into a loop such that the hollow member slidingly engages the line. In many instances, the loop may be formed into a figure-eight configuration such that two strands or bights pass through the hollow member. Thus, the hollow member is adjusted outwardly or toward the surface of the base member to properly absorb sound between adjacent utensils.
It may be apparent that a novel and useful apparatus for supporting utensils has been herein described.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for supporting utensils which is capable of moving utensils inwardly and outwardly from a storage structure for utensils.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for supporting utensils to a structure which absorbs any sound generated by the contact between adjacent utensils held thereto.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for supporting utensils which may be easily retrofitted to existing storage structures for utensils and is aesthetically pleasing.
A further object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for supporting utensils to a structure which is capable of deadening sound due to the moving of adjacent utensils which is adjustable to utensils of different sizes.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for supporting utensils which is simple to manufacture and to maintain.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for supporting utensils which is space saving, maintains cleanliness, hides from view, and eliminates damage due to denting, scratching, and the like, to the utensils.
The invention possesses other objects and advantages especially as concerns particular characteristics and features thereof which will become apparent as the specification continues.
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“Kitchens”, Better Homes & Garden Books, Copyright 1996.
Gibson , Jr. Robert W.
Rose Robert J.
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