Sink utensil holder

{
  "publication_number": "US11523712B1",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B1",
  "title": "Sink utensil holder",
  "abstract": "A holder for supporting a cleaning utensil. One end of the holder is configured for attachment to a horizontal surface adjacent to the vertical sink wall. The other end can be cantilevered over the sink basin and configured to receive a utensil. The holder can swivel to reposition the cantilevered end of the holder.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A sink utensil holder, comprising: (a) a transversely extending mounting post defining a transverse axis and having first and second transverse ends, (b) a means for securing the first transverse end of the mounting post to a surface with the transverse axis of the mounting post extending axially away from the surface, and (c) a clip extending radially from the mounting post from a proximal longitudinal end secured to the mounting post to a distal longitudinal end, (d) wherein the clip is rotatable about the transverse axis of the mounting post.",
    "2. The sink utensil holder of claim 1 wherein the mounting post extends orthogonal to the surface when the mounting post is secured to the surface by the securing means.",
    "3. The sink utensil holder of claim 1 wherein the securing means is a suction cup.",
    "4. The sink utensil holder of claim 3 further comprising locking lever suction cup lifters.",
    "5. The sink utensil holder of claim 1 wherein the securing means is a pressure sensitive adhesive.",
    "6. The sink utensil holder of claim 5 wherein the securing means is a stretchable double-faced synthetic rubber resin adhesive tape.",
    "7. The sink utensil holder of claim 1 wherein the clip is releasably secured to the mounting post.",
    "8. The sink utensil holder of claim 1 further comprising a resistance element operable for applying resistance against rotation of the clip about the transverse axis of the mounting post at selected rotational positions of the clip.",
    "9. The sink utensil holder of claim 1 wherein the clip has a pair of laterally spaced and laterally elastically deformable first and second arms extending radially from the transverse axis from a proximal end of each of the first and second arms to a distal end of each of the first and second arms whereby the first and second arms define a lateral gap therebetween.",
    "10. The sink utensil holder of claim 9 wherein at least one of the first and second arms is curvilinear so as to define an intermediate portion having a first lateral spacing between the first and second arms and a distal end portion having a second lateral spacing between the first and second arms wherein the first lateral spacing is greater than the second lateral spacing.",
    "11. The sink utensil holder of claim 9 wherein the first and second arms are mirror images of one another.",
    "12. The sink utensil holder of claim 10 wherein the first and second arms are mirror images of one another.",
    "13. The sink utensil holder of claim 9 wherein the first and second arms have inner facing surfaces with nubbins projecting therefrom wherein the nubbins are effective for enhancing frictional resistance to longitudinal and/or transverse sliding of a compressible item clamped between the first and second arms.",
    "14. The sink utensil holder of claim 9 wherein at least one of the first and second arms further includes a laterally projecting third arm.",
    "15. The sink utensil holder of claim 9 wherein the distal ends of the first and second arms project laterally away from one another."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "The present invention relates generally to a holder for supporting a cleaning utensil and, more particularly, to a holder for supporting a cleaning utensil such that fluids in or on the utensil head or body can be selectively drained or retained.\n\nThe present invention is a holder for a cleaning utensil, and more particularly for utensils used at a sink. Such utensils are often wet, and sometimes have cleaning fluids in a hollow handle. Other utensils, such as sponges, pads or brushes, are cleaning tools which can be wet and drip when not in use. Also, sinks often have refuse, dirty dishes or other things in them which can soil or obscure cleaning utensils. A hanger would be handy for parking a utensil above the sink floor for easy access. Additionally, it should allow selective and directed drainage of the utensil's fluids between uses. In other words, it is desirable to have the utensil in a position to prevent any inner cleaning fluids leaking out, while also allowing other fluids, such as water in a sponge head, to drain into the sink. Moreover, a hanger can help the user to organize utensils, thus reducing time spent searching.\n\nIt is meaningful to contrast the various means of access of the invention of the present disclosure with other existing devices for storing utensils some of which have only top down access, for instance baskets or cups. Such devices can obscure the utensil's handle thus requiring the user to awkwardly change their grip between the utensil's handle to the head during insertion or removal.",
  "cpc": [
    "A47J 47/20",
    "A47J 45/02",
    "A47L 13/51",
    "A47L 13/512",
    "A47L 17/00",
    "A47L 17/08"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "A47J 45/02",
    "A47J 47/20",
    "A47L 13/51"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Maxim Hurwicz"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2020-11-05",
  "publication_date": "2022-12-13",
  "grant_date": "2022-12-13",
  "priority_date": "2019-11-11",
  "application_number": "US-202017090243-A",
  "family_id": "84426471",
  "cited_by_count": 11,
  "citations": [
    "US1112744A",
    "US1981389A",
    "US6062397A",
    "US6619604B1",
    "US8684192B1",
    "US9808123B1",
    "US20150122961A1",
    "WO2017141234A1",
    "US20210076897A1"
  ]
}