Receptacles – Wall supported container – Detachably supported container
Reexamination Certificate
1999-02-04
2001-04-10
Castellano, Stephen (Department: 3727)
Receptacles
Wall supported container
Detachably supported container
C220S480000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06213333
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention pertains to a tray designed to hold utensils proximate a window, such as over a kitchen sink.
2. Description of The Prior Art And Objectives Of The Invention
Frequently kitchens are designed so that the user of the sink may look through a window as a reward for enduring the drudgery of washing dishes or the like. Unfortunately, most sinks do not have convenient receptacles for a number of utensils proximate the sink. Such utensils may include, but are not limited to sponges, steel wool, towels or more conventional utensils like forks, knives and spoons.
While window boxes for flowers and the like do exist as seen in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,946,522; 4,748,770; 4,897,958; and Des. 337,938, these devices are not designed to function interiorly over a sink, and may interfere with the operation of the faucet handle. Thus, there remains a need for, and it is an objective of the present invention to provide, an interiorly mounted utensil tray which is adapted to fit over a sink and accommodate the faucet handle.
It is a further objective of the present invention to provide a multi-compartment utensil tray which may be positioned proximate the sink for the storage of utensils therein.
It is still a further objective of the present invention to provide a utensil tray with a means for leveling spacing the utensil tray from the interior surface of the wall.
It is yet a further objective of the present invention to provide a method of storing utensils proximate a sink.
These and other objectives and advantages will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon reference to the following detailed description and accompanying drawing figures.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The aforedescribed objectives and advantages are realized by providing a planar elongated member to which is affixed a pair of containers, a pair of brackets and a pair of supports. The containers are on the opposite side of the planar member from the brackets and supports. The containers are preferably spaced one from the other to allow a faucet handle to be manipulated therebetween without interfering with the motion of the handle. The supports are preferably threaded members which allow the length of the support to be infinitely, selectively changed to accommodate differently sized window sills or the like. In the preferred embodiment, one container is irregularly shaped, yet still generally rectilinear and the second container is rectilinearly shaped.
The method of use comprises positioning a tray of the above described characteristics on the interior ledge of the window sill, by hanging the brackets over the interior sill, and adjusting the supports so that the tray hangs properly. Utensils are then placed in the containers and used as needed. Furthermore, the faucet handle is then manipulated between the containers without interference from the tray of the present invention.
REFERENCES:
patent: D. 337938 (1993-08-01), Shaw et al.
patent: 2831598 (1958-04-01), Slavsky
patent: 3946522 (1976-03-01), Schifman
patent: 4048754 (1977-09-01), Laux
patent: 4748770 (1988-06-01), Cline
patent: 4897958 (1990-02-01), Brydges
patent: 4927021 (1990-05-01), Taylor
patent: 5297674 (1994-03-01), Birutis et al.
patent: 5531238 (1996-07-01), Azzarelli et al.
patent: 5857583 (1999-01-01), Chantaca et al.
patent: 5924615 (1999-07-01), McGarrah
LandOfFree
Utensil tray and method does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Utensil tray and method, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Utensil tray and method will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2495916