GB2223674A - Sinks - Google Patents

Abstract

A divider 1 for a liquid receptacle such as sink 16 comprises a plate-like member having a resilient sealing strips along its sides and bottom edge. The plate-like member may have a hollow space therein containing a toggle mechanism 9 for urging the sealing strip outwardly. The sink may have outlets 17, 18 and slots in opposed walls for receiving the plate-like member. <IMAGE>

Description

"Improvements Relating to Sinks" This invention relates to domestic sinks. At least, it is primarily for such sinks, but it could have application to other vessels for holding liquids.

The domestic kitchen sink is now usually made in stainless steel, and it may have one basin or two. A single basin is usually quite large, but that is often very wasteful of water, and in any event it is not always large enough to accept the biggest kitchen utensils, such as a grill or oven pan. Often, only one end at a time can be immersed, which makes it difficult to clean quickly and which prevents the washer up resorting to the lazy way of tackling it, namely leaving it to soak.

Double basin units suffer from the same defect, even though one basin may be substantially larger than the other.

It is the aim of this invention to provide a sink unit where a large basin is available, but which can be selectively reduced in size when the full area is not required.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a sink divider comprising a generally rectangular plate-like member, with resilient sealing means along three edges.

This will be designed to fit vertically into, and front-to-back across,a sink to divide it into two separate basins, the sealing means engaging opposite walls and the bottom of the sink. It could simply be a press fit, but that may not be too reliable, or it may require too much force, and so preferably there will be means for urging the sealing means outwardly along at least one of the two upright edges. Thus the divider can be easily fitted into place, and then clamped by the outward movement of the sealing means engaging the sink walls.

This movement may be generated by various mechanical devices, such as a toggle mechanism with an over-centre locking action. Alternatively, there could be a screw mechanism. The divider will preferably be double skinned and such mechanism will be largely concealed between the two skins.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a sink having two spaced apart drain outlets, the cross-section of the sink over at least some of the distance between said outlets being substantially uniform.

Thus, with a divider at outlined above, and corresponding to said cross-section, the divider can be fixed at any position within said distance by pressure of its sealing means against the walls of the sink. This gives two basins, each of which are individually drainable. When a really large sink is required, the divider is simply removed.

For a better understanding of the invention, one embodiment will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which: Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal section through a sink divider, Figure 2 is a section on the line II-II of Figure 1, to an enlarged scale, Figure 3 is a section on the line III-III of Figure 1, to an enlarged scale, and Figure 4 is a vertical section of a sink equipped with such a divider.

The divider is a generally rectangular platelike member 1, but with two parallel skins or walls 2 and 3 with a space between. This can be formed from a single sheet of stainless steel bent into a narrow "U" configuration as seen in Figure 2. Along the outside of the narrow web 4 there is fitted a rubber or soft plastics sealing strip 5, and this extends around the lower, rounded corners and up the vertical or near-vertical edges. Here the walls 2 and 3 are inturned, as shown by rims 6 in Figure 3, and the sealing strip 5 is trapped by its edges inside these rims. But its longitudinal centre portion is exposed and bulges slightly proud.

Behind each such longitudinal centre portion there is a bar 7 extending over the whole extent.

Each bar has links 8 to a toggle mechanism 9 comprising two nearly aligned rods 10 pivoted at the centre to a vertical shaft 11 with an operating handle 12 at its upper end clear of the member 1.

The walls 2 and 3 are joined along their upper edges, and the space between them capped, by a longitudinal cover 13, and the shaft 11 passes through this with collars 14 and 15 on either side to limit movement.

In the full-line upper position shown, the toggle is "broken", and the bars 7 exert no pressure on the sealing strip 5. But when the handle 12 is pressed down, the rods 10 straighten, causing the bars 7 to bulge the sealing strip 5 further outwards. The rods 10 just go over-centre before the collar 14 engages the cover 13, and so the mechanism is locked in that position.

Referring to Figure 4, a sink has a single basin 16 with two drain outlets 17 and 18 near opposite ends. The bottom of the basin slopes down immediately around each outlet, but over the central portion, whose limits are indicated by broken lines -AA-and BB, the bottom of the sink is level and the cross section of the basin is uniform. The divider can be fitted at any position within this zone, being placed vertically as shown in Figure 4 and then locked in position by depression of the handle 12, which clamps the sealing strip 5 against the side walls. The downward pressure on the member 1 as this is being done is sufficient to make a good seal between the lower edge of the divider and the bottom of the sink. But even if the seal is not perfect, minor leakage can be tolerated with the provision of two drain outlets 17 and 18.

It will be understood that other mechanisms are possible for pressing out the sealing strip 5, and it could be done along one upright edge only. However, the symmetrical arrangement is preferred.

It is assumed that a mixer tap will be provided with an arm of sufficient length to reach outside the central zone AA-BB into both ends of the basin.

In a further variation, the sink is provided with one or more slots into which a divider plate can be dropped, thus making a clamping device or a very tight fit unneccessary. The slots could be provided with resilient strips rather than the plate itself, and this could be arranged and shaped to present a surface substantially flush with the walls and base of the sink in their relaxed state. Thus traps for dirt may be avoided.

Claims (12)

1. A divider for a liquid receptacle such as a domestic sink comprising a generally rectangular plate-like member with resilient sealing means along three edges.

2. A divider as claimed in Claim 1, wherein there are means for urging the sealing means outwardly along at least one of the two opposed edges having sealing means.

3. A divider as claimed in Claim 2, wherein it is of double skinned construction and the urging means are largely concealed between the two skins.

4. A divider as claimed in Claim 2 or 3, wherein the urging means includes a toggle mechanism with an over-centre locking action.

5. A divider as claimed in Claim 2 or 3, wherein the urging means includes a screw mechanism.

6. A sink divider substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1, 2 and 3 of the accompanying drawing.

7. A sink having two spaced apart drain outlets, the cross section of the sink over at least some of the distance between said outlets being substantially uniform.

8. In combination, a sink as claimed in Claim 7 and a divider as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 6.

9. A sink having slots in opposed walls to receive opposed edges of a generally rectangular plate-like member.

10. A sink as claimed in Claim 9, wherein the slots have resilient sealing means along their length.

11. A sink as claimed in Claim 10, wherein the resilient sealing means, when relaxed, are generally flush with the associated walls.

12. In combination a sink as claimed in Claim 9 and a divider as claimed in Claim 1.