Surface extension attachment device

Abstract

The disclosed invention is a surface extension attachment device that easily attaches and detaches to surfaces, basins, and sinks to prevent water, liquids and other materials from splashing onto, squirting, spraying, and/or wetting person(s), place(s), and/or thing(s) while using the basin, sink, or other surface, including when washing hands or utensils. At least one panel of the present invention can be made of a flexible plastic and can be made to fold over itself and can include a means to attach to itself, such that the user has the option to fold this device out of the way or remove it, when it is not needed.

Claims

1. A surface extension attachment device comprising: at least one panel or other extension attachment; at least one attaching device; said at least one attaching device attaching said at least one panel or other extension attachment to at least one surface; said at least one panel or other extension attachment is connectable or attachable or removable from at least one base, basin, sink, bar, or other structure; said at least one panel or other extension attachment having at least one of the following: parts detachably connectable to said at least one base, basin, sink, bar or other structure; a bottom detachably connectable to said at least one base, basin, sink, bar or other structure; parts connectable to said at least one base, basin, sink, bar or other structure; a bottom connectable to said at least one base, basin, sink, bar or other structure; said at least one panel or other extension attachment folds over itself and is attachable to itself in a manner whereby said at least one panel or other extension attachment remains attached to said at least one surface or at least one surface wall; a storage mechanism that stores, withdraws, slides, or retracts said at least one panel or other extension attachment while said at least one panel or other extension attachment is attached to, in line with, alongside of, on top of, or side by side with said at least one surface or at least one surface wall, or said at least one base, basin, sink, bar or other structure; said at least one panel or other extension attachment is shaped as a dome side to side when said at least one panel or other extension attachment is in an unfolded, upright position; said at least one panel or other extension attachment comprising: suction cup(s) having stems that are first placed through keyway apertures in a bar and then placed through keyway apertures in the bottom portion of said at least one panel or other extension attachment; said suction cup(s) being secured to a smaller section of said keyway apertures in a bar, and said keyway apertures in the bottom portion of said at least one panel or other extension attachment; said dome side to side shape of said at least one panel or other extension attachment being maintained by the placement of said suction cup(s) having a narrower configuration than a distance between keyway apertures in said at least one panel or other extension attachment; and said bar keeping said suction cup(s) in proper narrower configuration.

2. A surface extension attachment device comprising: at least one panel or other extension attachment; at least one attaching device; said at least one attaching device attaching said at least one panel or other extension attachment to at least one surface; said at least one panel or other extension attachment is connectable or attachable or removable from at least one base, basin, sink, bar, or other structure; said at least one panel or other extension attachment having at least one of the following: parts detachably connectable to said at least one base, basin, sink, bar or other structure; a bottom detachably connectable to said at least one base, basin, sink, bar or other structure; parts connectable to said at least one base, basin, sink, bar or other structure; a bottom connectable to said at least one base, basin, sink, bar or other structure; said at least one panel or other extension attachment folds over itself and is attachable to itself in a manner whereby said at least one panel or other extension attachment remains attached to said at least one surface or at least one surface wall; a storage mechanism that stores, withdraws, slides, or retracts said at least one panel or other extension attachment while said at least one panel or other extension attachment is attached to, in line with, alongside of, on top of, or side by side with said at least one surface or at least one surface wall, or said at least one base, basin, sink, bar or other structure; said at least one panel or other extension attachment is shaped as a dome side to side when said at least one panel or other extension attachment is in an unfolded, upright position; said at least one panel or other extension attachment wherein said dome side to side shape of said at least one panel or other extension attachment comprises at least two suction cups being at an outside, front, bottom portion of said at least one panel or other extension attachment and said at least two suction cups having stems of equal height dimension; and a third suction cup on an inside, front, bottom portion of said at least one panel or other extension attachment between said at least two suction cups, and a stem longer than the dimension of said at least two suction cup stems.

3. A surface extension attachment device comprising: at least one panel or other extension attachment; at least one attaching device; said at least one attaching device attaching said at least one panel or other extension attachment to at least one surface; said at least one panel or other extension attachment is connectable or attachable or removable from at least one base, basin, sink, bar, or other structure; said at least one panel or other extension attachment having at least one of the following: parts detachably connectable to said at least one base, basin, sink, bar or other structure; a bottom detachably connectable to said at least one base, basin, sink, bar or other structure; parts connectable to said at least one base, basin, sink, bar or other structure; a bottom connectable to said at least one base, basin, sink, bar or other structure; said at least one panel or other extension attachment folds over itself and is attachable to itself in a manner whereby said at least one panel or other extension attachment remains attached to said at least one surface or at least one surface wall; a storage mechanism that stores, withdraws, slides, or retracts said at least one panel or other extension attachment while said at least one panel or other extension attachment is attached to, in line with, alongside of, on top of, or side by side with said at least one surface or at least one surface wall, or said at least one base, basin, sink, bar or other structure; said at least one panel or other extension attachment comprising: said at least one panel or other extension attachment being tablet shaped with a flanged rectangular shaped portion at a bottom of said at least one panel or other extension attachment; said flanged rectangular shaped portion being narrower in width than said tablet shaped of said at least one panel or other extension attachment, and further comprising a latch aperture; a base having a semicircular recess, and further comprising a circular latch protrusion and a capture lip on a front side of said base; said at least one panel or other extension attachment being attached to said base when said flanged rectangular shaped portion is placed onto said capture lip and said latch protrusion, such that said latch protrusion of said base is engaged with said latch aperture of said at least one panel or other extension attachment; and said at least one panel or other extension attachment is removable from base when pressure is exerted on an exposed portion of said at least one panel or other extension attachment that is located below said semicircular recess, which disengages said latch aperture from said latch protrusion and said at least one panel or other extension attachment is released from the base.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the invention in use while washing dishes.

(2) FIG. 2 shows a perspective view from the back of the first embodiment of the invention with suction cups not yet attached to the invention.

(3) FIG. 3 shows a perspective view from the back of a first embodiment of the invention with the suction cups attached.

(4) FIG. 4 is a perspective view from the front of a first embodiment of the invention.

(5) FIG. 5 is a perspective view from the front of a second embodiment of the disclosed invention.

(6) FIG. 6 is a perspective view from the front of a third embodiment of the disclosed invention.

(7) FIG. 7 is a perspective view from the back of a third embodiment of the disclosed invention.

(8) FIG. 8 is a top view of a third embodiment of the disclosed invention.

(9) FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the disclosed invention in a folded over position.

(10) FIG. 10 is a perspective view from the back of a fourth embodiment of the disclosed invention.

(11) FIG. 11 is a perspective view from the back of a fifth embodiment of the disclosed invention.

(12) FIG. 12 is a bottom view of a fifth embodiment of the disclosed invention.

(13) FIG. 13 is a perspective view from the back of a sixth embodiment of the disclosed invention.

(14) FIG. 14 is a perspective view from the front of a sixth embodiment of the disclosed invention.

(15) FIG. 15 is a back view of the sixth embodiment of the disclosed invention.

(16) FIG. 16 is a cross sectional view of the sixth embodiment of the disclosed invention.

(17) FIG. 17 is a perspective view from the back of the seventh embodiment of the disclosed invention.

(18) FIG. 18 is a back view of the seventh embodiment of the disclosed invention.

(19) FIG. 19 is a cross sectional view of the seventh embodiment of the disclosed invention.

(20) FIG. 20 is a perspective view from the front of an eighth embodiment of the disclosed invention.

(21) FIG. 21 is a perspective view from the back of a ninth embodiment of the disclosed invention.

(22) FIG. 22 is a perspective view folded over of a ninth embodiment of the disclosed invention.

(23) FIG. 23 is a side view folded over of the ninth embodiment of the disclosed invention.

(24) FIG. 24 is a perspective front view of the tenth embodiment of the disclosed invention.

(25) FIG. 25 is a perspective back view of the tenth embodiment of the disclosed invention.

(26) FIG. 26 is a perspective view folded over of the tenth embodiment of the disclosed invention.

(27) FIG. 27 is a back view of the tenth embodiment of the disclosed invention.

(28) FIG. 28 is a cross sectional view of a latch in an open position of the tenth embodiment of the disclosed invention.

(29) FIG. 29 is a close up cross sectional view of the latch in an open position of the tenth embodiment of the disclosed invention.

(30) FIG. 30 is a cross sectional view of a latch in a closed position of the tenth embodiment of the disclosed invention.

(31) FIG. 31 is a close up cross sectional view of a latch in a closed position of the tenth embodiment of the disclosed invention.

(32) A better understanding of the disclosed invention will be obtained from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, taken in conjunction with the drawings and the attached claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(33) The ensuing detailed description provides preferred exemplary embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the disclosed invention. Rather, the ensuing detailed description of the preferred exemplary embodiments will provide those skilled in the art with an enabling description for implementing the preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention. Various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosed invention, as set forth in the appended claims.

(34) To aid in describing the disclosed invention, directional terms may be used in the specification and claims to describe portions of the present invention (e.g., upper, lower, left, right, etc.). These directional definitions are merely intended to assist in describing and claiming the disclosed invention and are not intended to limit the disclosed invention in any way. In addition, reference numerals that are introduced in the specification in association with a drawing figure may be repeated in one or more subsequent figures without additional description in the specification, in order to provide context for other features.

(35) With reference now to the drawings, a device for a SURFACE EXTENSION ATTACHMENT DEVICE (SOMETIMES REFERRED TO HEREIN AS SINK SPLASH GUARD) is shown.

(36) Referring to FIG. 1, reference number 100 refers generally to a sink splash guard. This sink splash guard 100 has a panel 115 and is attached to sink or basin 105 and being used for protection from water splashes while a user is washing dishes. The panel 115 is preferably rectangular, tablet or oval shaped.

(37) FIG. 2 shows the sink splash guard 100 that is a tablet shaped panel 115. Panel 115 has a top portion 110 and a bottom portion 130. FIG. 3 shows a plurality of suction cups 120 attached to the bottom section 130 of the panel 115. The suction cups 120 allow the sink splash guard 100 to easily attach to and detach from a sink or basin 105.

(38) Also, in the first embodiment, the suction cups 120 have a mushroom type stem 125 with a narrowed groove area. The panel 115 further comprises a keyway aperture 140 having a larger section 150 and a narrower section 160. The sink splash guard is preferably made of any pliable plastic known in the art. Some of the preferred materials include but are not limited to high-density polyethylene, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, low-density polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, silicone, metal, glass, and rubber (commonly abbreviated PVC). The panel 115 is preferably die-cut from sheet stock. Alternatively, the panels can be made by vacuum forming or injection molding.

(39) The size of the panel 115 varies to any size that works in a kitchen, laundry, utility or bathroom sink. The height of the panel 115 is preferably between 5 to 20 inches. The width of the panel 115 is between 7.5 to 20 inches. The thickness of the panel 115 is between 0.020 to 0.062 mils. The diameter of suction cups 120 are between 1.125 to 2.375 inches but preferably 1.75 inches when at rest. The diameter in use of suction cups 120 are between 1.25 and 2.5 inches and preferably 1.875 inches. Height of mushroom head 125 from top of cup is preferably 0.25 of an inch.

(40) The suction cups 120 attach to the panel 115 by placing the stem 125 of suction cup 120 through keyway apertures 140 larger sections 150 and then lifting and snapping it into the aperture 140 narrower sections 160. Alternatively, the suction cup protrusions are simply pressed into round apertures as seen better in FIG. 13.

(41) Now referring to FIG. 4, the suction cups 120 once positioned in the keyway aperture 140 are in position to be used to attach the sink splash guard 100 to a sink 105. In this first embodiment the top portion 110 has an aperture 170 also having a narrow section 180 and a larger section 190. The sink splash guard 100 of the first embodiment is removed from a sink one of two ways. The first option is to release the suction cups 120 from the sink. The second option is to unhook the suction cup protrusion 125 from the keyway aperture 140 and leave the suction cups attached to the sink. After either method of removal, the sink splash guard 100 is preferably hung from a hook or similar item near the sink 105 from aperture 170.

(42) FIG. 5 is a second embodiment of the sink splash guard 100. This embodiment has a bottom edge with two indents 210 creating a protrusion tab 220. FIG. 6 is a third embodiment of the sink splash guard 100 that now has a bottom edge with a protrusion extension tab 230 sticking out. The sink splash guard panel 115 is preferably made of a flexible plastic so that it can fold. In both embodiments two and three, as seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, the panel folds over itself and the top aperture's 170 bigger section 190 hooks onto protrusion tab 220 or protrusion extension tab 230.

(43) FIG. 9 shows panel 115 of embodiment three folded over itself. The top aperture's 170 bigger section 190 is hooked onto protrusion extension tap 230. Thus, the user has the option to fold the splash guard out of the way while still attached to the sink when it is not being used.

(44) FIG. 7 illustrates that both embodiments two and three further consist of a bar 240 configured between the suction cups 120 and keyway apertures 140. Bar 240 is preferably formed by a die cut process. The bar 240 has sideway keyway apertures 250 with a larger section 260 and narrower section 270. The narrower sections 270 are positioned towards the ends of the bar 240 on either side.

(45) The panel 115 is forced into a side to side dome 280 as seen best in top view FIG. 8. The suction cup stems 125 are first placed through the side way keyway apertures 250 and secured into narrower sections 270. Then suction cup stems 125 are placed in panel keyways 140 and secured into narrower sections 160. The dome 280 is produced by reducing the distance between the suction cups 120 compared to the distance between the keyway apertures 140. This proper spacing is achieved by utilizing bar 240.

(46) This dome 280 creates residual forces that are great enough to make the panel 115 regain its upright position after panel 115 has been unfolded. Once the suctions cups 120 are connected to the bar 240 and panel 115, the sink splash guard 100 is designed to stay together as a unit. However, the sink splash guard is easily disassembled for better cleaning and then easily re-assembled.

(47) FIG. 10 illustrates a fourth embodiment of the current invention. A second type of bar 281 is now between the suction cups 120 and the panel 115. In this embodiment there are now three suction cups 120. Both bar 240 and 281 assure that suction cups 120 are spaced properly. In this embodiment the bar 281 has the ability to stay with the suction cups 120 on the sink. Therefore, panel 115 is stored by removing it from the suction cups 120 and bar 281 and hanging it from aperture 170.

(48) FIGS. 11 and 12 are a fifth embodiment of the current invention. This embodiment has a third suction cup 300 positioned at a midway point between the other two suction cups 120. This third suction cup 300 has a longer stem 310 than the two suction cups 120 on either end. Suction cup 300 height of mushroom head extending from top of suction cup is preferably 1 inch. This longer stem 310 is another way to create the dome effect as seen more clearly in FIG. 12. This embodiment also has a slight curve to the bottom edge of the panel 115.

(49) A sixth embodiment of the sink splash guard is seen in FIGS. 13 through 16. Panel 116 is vacuum formed and there is contour 320 to help keep panel 116 stiff Panel 116 is substantially a tablet shape and further comprises a flange portion 365 at the bottom. This flange portion 365 is rectangular in shape and narrower than the width of panel 116. Panel 116 is detachably connected to a base 330.

(50) FIG. 13 shows the panel 116 apart from the base 330. Suction cups 120 have protrusions 350 that are simply pressed into the base through circular apertures 340. The bottom of panel 116 of the sixth embodiment has a latch aperture 360. The middle of base 330 has a circular latch protrusion 370 and a capture lip 380 on the front side of the base 330. Base 330 is preferably made by injection molding.

(51) Panel 116 is placed into the base 330 and the latch protrusion 370 of base goes through the latch aperture 360 of panel 116. Panel 116 also sits on the capture lip 380 of base 330. The base 330 further comprises a semicircular recess 390 on inferior aspect of the base 330.

(52) This recess 390 is used to unlatch panel 116 from base 330. Pressure on the exposed panel 116 that is below the semicircular recess 390 allows the user to disengage the latch aperture 360 off of the latch protrusion 370 and releases the panel 116 from the base 330. Thus, the base 330 remains in the sink and the panel 116 is hung on a hook from latch aperture 360.

(53) FIGS. 17 to 19 show a seventh embodiment of the sink splash guard 100. In this embodiment the panel 117 is preferably die cut and vacuum formed. Vacuum formed process is well known in the art of plastics. The mold for this embodiment's vacuum formed process would have three distinct areas. The top part of panel 117 would be one distinct area, a middle distinct area, and a bottom distinct area.

(54) Panel 117 of this embodiment also has butterfly hinged area 400 used to fold the panel 117 over. This butterfly hinged area would be formed by a mold's middle distinct area. This middle distinct area of a mold would be similar to a mountain and thus stretching butterfly hinged area 400 during the vacuum formed process. The butterfly hinged area 400 overcomes folding deformation. The butterfly hinged area 400 height is preferably between 0.25 and 0.5 inches in the center and 4 inches on either side.

(55) The panel 117 further comprises areas below 402 and above 401 the butterfly hinged area 400. These areas 401 and 402 are preferably 5.75 inches at the tallest height. The panel 117 in this embodiment is not flat. Flipping the panel 117 from the folded position to the open position requires the panel 117 contour to invert. The resistance to this inversion generates a force which keeps the panel in the open position. In the open position the area above 401 the butterfly hinge 400 is preferably 190 degrees from the folded over position.

(56) This embodiment further comprises at least three suction cups 120. At least one suction cup 121, preferably the middle suction cup, is placed in the opposite direction to the other suction cups 120. Thus, when panel 117 is folded over, at least one suction cup 121, which is positioned away from the sink wall, attaches to the top half of panel 117. This embodiment gives the option to fold the splash guard out of the way or remove the splash guard 100 when it is not needed.

(57) FIG. 20 is an eighth embodiment of the sink splash guard 100. This embodiment uses two materials. Panel 117 now has a top section 410 with a height that can be 4.5 inches. Panel 117 now also has a bottom section 420 with a height that can be 5.5 inches. Both sections 410 and 420 are made of the normal preferred materials for the panel 117.

(58) Now the butterfly hinge 430 and over molded suction cups 440 are made of over molded silicone or any rubber or similar material known in the art. Edges 450 are also over molded silicone or similar material. The diameter of suction cups 440 are between 1.125 and 2.375 inches but preferably 1.75 inches when at rest. The diameter in use of suction cups 440 are between 1.25 and 2.5 inches and preferably 1.875 inches. The center of butterfly hinge 430 is 0.25 inches to 0.5 inches in height at the mid-point and at its sides is 2 to 3 inches in height. At least one molded suction cup 440 is located at the top portion 410 of the panel 117 and is used to attach to the bottom panel section 420 holding panel 117 in a folded over position.

(59) FIGS. 21 to 23 are a ninth embodiment of the sink splash guard. The Panel 118 is now oval in shape and has an upper portion 480 and a lower portion 490. A living hinge 460 is used in conjunction with butterfly hinges 470. This embodiment is preferably produced with injection molding. The upper portion 480 has a protrusion or pin protrusion 500 which has a corresponding socket 510 on the lower portion 490.

(60) When folded over, the protrusion 500 is placed into the socket 510 to hold the panel 118 in a folded position. This ninth embodiment further comprises a lip section 520 on both the bottom edge and top edge. The lip section 520 is preferably a height of 1 inch. This lip section 520 is used to pull open the sink splash guard from the closed position. The suction cup stems 530 are recessed in this embodiment.

(61) FIGS. 24 through 31 are the tenth embodiment of the sink splash guard 100. This embodiment comprises a living hinge 540, an upper section 550 of panel 119 and a bottom section 560. Upper section 550 can be 8.5 inches wide and 5.5 inches in height. Bottom section 560 is can be 8.5 inches wide and 5.5 inches in height. An over center catch 570 holds the panel in the substantially upright unfolded position when engaged.

(62) FIG. 29 shows the detail of the over center catch 570 in an open position, which creates the upright panel 119 position. Top part of catch 570 is engaged behind the bottom part keeping the sink splash guard in an upright position. In an upright position upper section 550 is between 190 to 210 degrees in relation to its folded position.

(63) There is a hook 580 near the top edge of upper section 550. The hook 580 snaps over the bottom edge to hold the panel 119 in the folded position, as seen in FIG. 26. The panel 119 further comprises indented portions 590 which assures there will be room for suction cup stems 125 when in the folded position. FIG. 31 shows the over center catch detailed in a closed position or more precisely in a position that allows the panel 119 to fold over.

(64) In all the embodiments a design or logo can be positioned on the top front area of the panel 115 to 119. The top front area of the panel is the side of the panel 115 to 119 that faces the people. This design or logo has many options to apply it to the panel. Stickers, painting, ink stamps, silk screening, heat molded embedded designs are all ways to include the design or logo.

(65) It is recognized by those skilled in the art that changes may be made to the above described embodiments of the disclosed invention without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed but is intended to cover all modifications which are in the spirit and scope of the disclosed invention.