GB2315017A

GB2315017A - Splash guard for a sink

Info

Publication number: GB2315017A
Application number: GB9714159A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gregory David Parish
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1996-07-06
Filing date: 1997-07-07
Publication date: 1998-01-21
Anticipated expiration: 2017-07-07
Also published as: GB2315017B; GB9614251D0; GB9714159D0

Abstract

A splash guard for a sink comprises a rigid elongate water impervious sheet of transparent (plastics) material (30) mountable adjacent taps (16) associated with the sink. The sheet may be rested with its lower edge adjacent the taps whilst its upper edge bears on an adjacent wall. The sheet may be substantially flat across its surface or curved through an angle of less than 90{ in moving from its lower to its upper edge when positioned for use. The guard may further incorporate clip means to hold the sheet at a desired angle.

Description

PROTECTIVE DEVICE DESCRIPTION The invention relates to a protective device, in particular to a device for protecting exposed water permeable surfaces adjacent sinks.

A problem which arises when filling a sink with water from a tap is that if the tap is turned on too fiercely, water will splash up as the sink is filled. The water may splash onto a surface behind the sink - that is to say to the side of the taps spaced from the sink. This presents no problem if the surface on which the water splashes is impervious to water. If it is for example a water impermeable work surface into which the sink is let, or is a tiled wall or the like. In those circumstances a user can simply wipe the work surface or tiled wall dry.

Water splashing in this way can, however, cause significant problems if the sink is surrounded and for example supported by a water permeable (e.g. wooden) frame.

In these circumstances the water splashing onto the wooden frame can lead to the frame rapidly rotting.

It is an object of the invention to provide a device which alleviates or overcomes the above noted problem.

In a first aspect the invention provides a protective device comprising a rigid, elongate water impervious sheet of material mountable adjacent a tap or taps associated with a sink and operable when so mounted to deflect water splashing from the sink back to the sink.

The device preferably has a lower edge which in use lies adjacent or bears against the or each tap with which it is to be used, the sheet extending upwardly at an angle away from the lower edge in use.

An upper edge of the sheet may be supported by a wall adjacent the sink.

The sheet may be substantially flat across its surface.

Alternatively the sheet may be curved through an angle less than 900 in moving from its lower to its upper edge in use.

Desirably, the sheet is of a transparent material. The sheet is preferably of a plastics material The protective device may further incorporate clip means for engaging the lower edge of the sheet to hold the sheet at a desired angle.

The clip means preferably comprises a pair of slot defining plates between which the lower edge of the sheet may be positioned.

The clip means may be provided with an extension fixable beneath a base bezel or bezels of the or each tap.

Alternatively, the clip means may be provided with an extension which lies, in use, beneath the sheet.

Embodiments of the invention provide that the sheet is provided with support means carried on one of its major surfaces which, in use, is spaced from the taps.

The support means may comprise one or more rods carried, in use, on the rear surface of a sheet and adapted to bear on the edge of a sink with which the device is to be used or on to a work surface in to which the sink is let.

The rods may be hingeably connected to the sheet.

The support means may comprise one or more triangular support members carried on the rear surface of the sheet such that the sheet may be held at a desired angle.

In a second aspect the invention provides a method of protecting the surrounds of a sink from water splashing from the sink comprising the placement of the device such as is defined above adjacent the sink such that water splashing up from the sink is deflected back into the sink.

The above aspects, features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following description of embodiments thereof now made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of a sink with which a device embodying the present invention is used, Figure 2 is a part sectional view drawn on the lines II-II of Figure 1, Figure 3 is an end view of the device embodying the invention, and Figures 4 to 7 illustrate different ways in which a device embodying the invention may be supported.

Figure 1 shows a combined sink/draining board arrangement 10 such as is commonly made of metal and/or plastics and which is held supported in a wooden frame parts of which can be seen at 12.

The arrangement includes a bowl 14 to the rear side of which are provided taps 16. Figures 1, 2 and 3 show the taps to be of a monobloc configuration, however, it will be appreciated that any form of tap may be used with the arrangement.

The taps 16 are mounted on a ledge 18 immediately adjacent the bowl 14 and the tap head 20 extends above the bowl 14.

The taps 16 are fixed to the ledge 18 in the usual way with one or more base bezels 22 ensuring there is a water tight connection.

Surrounding the bowl 14 and draining area there is a raised rim 24 as shown.

When the taps are turned on to fill the sink it is common for water splashes to rise above the edge of the bowl 14, above the ledge 18 and above the rim 24. It will be appreciated that in the arrangement so far described any water splashes that rise above the rim 24 would be expected to fall on wooden frame parts 12.

The device 30 of the present invention prevents this happening.

The device 30 is in the form of a rigid, clear plastics sheet locatable behind the taps to extend more than the width of the bowl 14.

It will be seen that the lower edge (as viewed in Figures 2 and 3) at one end of the clear plastics sheet 30 is notched at 32 to surround and extend across the rim 24 to the side of the sink.

The device 30, as shown in Figure 3, may simply be placed on ledge 18 and then lent at an angle such that its lower (in use) edge is adjacent or bears against the taps 16 whilst its upper edge 34 bears on an adjacent wall 36.

If it is not possible to rest the sheet 30 against a wall (for example if there is no wall adjacent the rear of the sink) then it is possible to use one or more clips 40 as shown in Figure 4. Each clip 40 comprises a pair of clear plastics material plates 42 in defining a slot in to which the lower edge of the sheet 30 may be received and an extension leaf 44 which may, if desired, be trapped under the bezel or bezels 22 of the taps 16.

Alternatively the clip 40 may be provided with means by which it is attachable to the stem of the tap (not shown).

Other alternatives for mounting the sheet 30 are shown in the remaining Figures.

The arrangement of Figure 5 is for use when there is a generally flat surface immediately behind the taps (that is to say the sink is for example let into a work surface). In the arrangement of Figure 5 there are provided one or more clear plastics material clips 46 each having a pair of slot defining plates 48 and an extension leaf 50 which in use extends away from the taps and beneath the sheet 30 (in this arrangement the notch 32 may, if desired, be omitted).

In the alternative arrangement of Figure 6 a leg or arm 52 is mounted on the rear, in use, surface of the sheet 30 to extend at an angle and bear on the surface behind the lower edge of sheet 30. With advantage the leg or arm 52 may be provided with a rubber foot 54. The leg or arm 52 may be hingeably connected at 56 to the sheet 30.

Yet an another alternative arrangement for supporting the sheet 30 shown in Figures 7 and 8 provides on its rear surface one or more triangular supports 58 which hold it at a desired angle. Again the notch 32 may be omitted if desired.

It will be appreciated by the reader that various other modifications may be made to the arrangements described without departing from the scope of the invention.

For example the sheet of the arrangement of Figure 1 may be curved in moving from its lower (in use) to its upper edge - providing the angle through which it turns in less than 900 to ensure any water splashing on it is deflected back to the sink.

It will also be appreciated that the sheet 30 may be configured to extend partially around more than one side of the sink. For example to extend at least partially along the right hand side of the bowl 14 as viewed in Figures 1 and 2.

It will be seen again by the reader that all the arrangements now described are readily removable (for cleaning) being simply lifted up and, in the arrangement in the embodiment of Figure 4, out of the slot of the clip in which it is mounted.

It is noted further that the arrangements of Figures 1 to 5 are equally usable with left or right handed sinks.

Claims

1. A protective device comprising a rigid, elongate water impervious sheet of material mountable adjacent a tap or taps associated with a sink and operable when so mounted to deflect water splashing from the sink back to the sink.

2. A device according to Claim 1, having a lower edge which in use lies adjacent or bears against the or each tap with which it is to be used, the sheet extending upwardly at an angle away from the lower edge in use.

3. A device as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein an upper edge of the sheet is supported by a wall adjacent the sink.

4. A device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the sheet is substantially flat across its surface.

5. A device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the sheet is curved through an angle less than 90" in moving from its lower to its upper edge in use.

6. A device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the sheet is of a transparent material.

7. A device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the sheet is of a plastics material.

8. A device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, further incorporating clip means for engaging the lower edge of the sheet to hold the sheet at a desired angle.

9. A device as claimed in Claim 8, wherein said clip means comprises a pair of slot defining plates between which the lower edge of the sheet may be positioned.

10. A device as claimed in Claim 8 or Claim 9, wherein the clip means is provided with an extension fixable beneath a base bezel or bezels of the or each tap.

11. A device as claimed in Claim 8 or Claim 9, wherein the clip means is provided with an extension which lies, in use, beneath the sheet.

12. A device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the sheet is provided with support means carried on one of its major surfaces which, in use, is spaced from the taps.

13. A device as claimed in Claim 12, wherein said support means comprises one or more rods carried, in use, on the rear surface of a sheet adapted to bear on the edge of a sink with which the device is to be used or on to a work surface in to which the sink is let.

14. A device as claimed in Claim 13, wherein said rods are hingeably connected to the sheet.

15. A device as claimed in Claim 12, wherein the support means comprise one or more triangular support members carried on the rear surface of the sheet such that the sheet may be held at a desired angle.

16. A method or protecting the surrounds of a sink from water splashing from the sink comprising the placement of the device such as is claimed in any one of claims 1 to 15, adjacent the sink such that water splashing up from the sink is deflected back into the sink.

17. A protective device as claimed in Claim 1 and substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 7 of the accompanying drawings.

18. A method of protecting a sink surround from splashing water making use of a device as claimed in Claim 17.