Play sink for children

Abstract

A play sink for children has a sink tub with an open drain aperture over a removable drain water tank with a lid defining a drain water tank inlet directly under drain aperture, and a drain water tank fill indicator positioned to rise within the drain water tank inlet in response to the drain water tank filling to a predetermined level. The tank fill indicator is positioned to be visible from above through the drain aperture of the sink tub while leaving an open flow path. A faucet extends from a fresh water tank over the sink tub and has a manipulable valve and a faucet inlet bowl extending upward through the floor of the fresh water tank and secured by a faucet attachment nut disposed within the tank.

Description

[0001] PLAY SINK FOR CHILDREN

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] This invention relates to play sinks, and more particularly to such sinks that allow children to pretend to wash toys in a limited flow of water.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] Children learn through imitating adult household tasks, such as cleaning and cooking. Real water provides a realism to play washing, but also introduces a risk of spills. Furthermore, standing water of any significant depth raises other concerns. What is needed is a fun and engaging way for young children to participate in cleaning activities in a safe manner.

[0006] SUMMARY

[0007] Various aspects of the invention feature a play sink for children, with a sink tub supported by a frame and defining a sink interior and an open drain aperture at a lower extent of the interior.

[0008] According to one aspect of the invention, a removable drain water tank is disposed below the open drain aperture of the sink tub and has a drain water tank body and a lid covering the drain water tank body. The lid defines a drain water tank inlet through a central portion of the lid and has an upper surface contoured to direct water falling on the lid toward the drain water tank inlet. The drain water tank lid also has a drain water tank fill indicator positioned to rise within the drain water tank inlet in response to the drain water tank filling to a predetermined level. The drain water tank inlet is positioned to be proximate the sink drain aperture, such that when risen the tank fill indicator is visible from above through the drain aperture of the sink tub while leaving an open flow path.

[0009] In some cases, the drain water tank fill indicator comprises a float, such as a float pivotably attached to the lid adjacent the drain water tank inlet.

[0010] In some embodiment, the drain water tank lid has a flexible pawl positioned to be received within a notch defined in an underside of the sink tub to latch the drain water tank to the sink tub until released.

[0011] In some examples, the play sink also has a fresh water tank supported by the frame and defining an interior volume for holding water, and a faucet attached to the fresh water tank and extending over the sink tub. The faucet has a manually mani pulable faucet valve operable to open and close a flow path leading from the interior volume of the fresh water tank through the faucet.

[0012] In some cases, the faucet has a faucet inlet bowl extending upward through a faucet mount aperture defined in a floor of the fresh water tank and into the interior volume. In some embodiments a faucet attachment nut is disposed within the interior volume of the fresh water tank and threaded onto the faucet inlet bowl. The faucet attachment nut is preferably larger in lateral extent than the faucet mount aperture and bears against the floor of the fresh water tank to retain the faucet attached to the fresh water tank.

[0013] Im some instances the faucet attachment nut has a skirt extending about the faucet inlet bowl and at least partially defining at least one water feed aperture providing hydraulic communication from outside the skirt to inside the skirt with the skirt bearing against the floor of the fresh water tank. Thehe faucet inlet bowl may define at least one side aperture positioned just above the floor of the fresh water tank, to provide hydraulic communication from inside the skirt of the faucet attachment nut to inside the faucet inlet bowl.

[0014] In some embodiments, the faucet inlet bowl has a bowl floor and a tubing connector extending from an underside of the bowl floor, the faucet further including a flexible water feed tube secured to the tubing connector and extending to the faucet valve.

[0015] According to another aspect of the invention, the play sink has a fresh water tank supported by the frame and defining an interior volume for holding water, and a faucet attached to the fresh water tank and extending over the sink tub. The faucet has a manually manipulable faucet valve operable to open and close a flow path leading from the interior volume of the fresh water tank through the faucet, with the faucet having a faucet inlet bowl extending upward through a faucet mount aperture defined in a floor of the fresh water tank and into the interior volume. A faucet attachment nut is disposed within the interior volume of the fresh water tank and threaded onto the faucet inlet bowl. The faucet attachment nut is larger in lateral extent than the faucet mount aperture and bears against the floor of the fresh water tank to retain the faucet attached to the fresh water tank.

[0016] In some embodiments, the sink tub defines an open drain aperture at a lower extent of the sink interior, the play sink further having a removable drain water tank disposed below the open drain aperture of the sink tub. The drain water tank has a drain water tank body and a lid covering the drain water tank body, the lid defining a drain water tank inlet positioned to be proximate the sink drain aperture.

[0017] In some examples, the faucet attachment nut has a skirt extending about the faucet inlet bowl and at least partially defining at least one water feed aperture providing hydraulic communication from outside the skirt to inside the skirt with the skirt bearing against the floor of the fresh water tank.

[0018] In some cases, the faucet inlet bowl defines at least one side aperture positioned just above the floor of the fresh water tank, to provide hydraulic communication from inside the skirt of the faucet attachment nut to inside the faucet inlet bowl.

[0019] In some embodiments, the faucet inlet bowl has a bowl floor and a tubing connector extending from an underside of the bowl floor.

[0020] In some instances, the faucet also has a flexible water feed tube secured to the tubing connector and extending to the faucet valve.

[0021] The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

[0022] DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0023] Fig. l is a front perspective view of an assembled play sink, with front doors removed for illustration.

[0024] Fig. 2 is a vertical, fore-aft cross-sectional view of Fig. 1, taken along line 2-2.

[0025] Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of the sink tub and drain water tank area of Fig. 2, with the float in a lowered position.

[0026] Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of the sink tub and drain water tank area of Fig. 2, with the float in a raised position.

[0027] Fig. 5 is a vertical, side-side cross-sectional view of the sink tub and drain water tank.

[0028] Fig. 6 is an enlarged view of the drain water tank latch area of Fig. 3.

[0029] Fig. 7 is a perspective view, looking down into the sink tub from the right.

[0030] Fig. 8 is the same as Fig. 7, but with the drying rack removed.

[0031] Fig. 9 is an enlarged view of the faucet portion of Fig. 2.

[0032] Fig. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the components of the faucet assembly.

[0033] Fig. 11 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the valve in a closed position. Fig. 12 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the valve in an open position. Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.

[0034] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] Referring first to Figs. 1 and 2, a play sink 10 for children has a frame 12, a sink tub 14 supported by the frame, and a removable drain water tank 16. The sink tub 14 defines a sink interior 18 and an open drain aperture 20 at a lower extent of the interiorm and the removable drain water tank 16 is disposed below the open drain aperture 20 of the sink tub, so that water draining through the aperture is collected in the drain water tank, which can be removed for disposal of the collected water. The frame 12 is in the form of a cabinet with an upper counter surface 22, into which the sink tub 14 is recessed. The cabinet has two hinged front doors, which have been removed in this view to show the inside of the cabinet. The left door can be opened to access a slide-out drawer 24 and a lower cabinet bay, and the right door can be opened to access the drain water tank 16, which is supported on a shelf 26.

[0036] A fresh water tank 28 is supported by the frame and defines an interior volume for holding water. A faucet 30 is attached to the fresh water tank and extends over the sink tub 14, such that water dispensed from the water tank via the faucet falls into the sink interior 18. The tank slides down over a bracket 29 secured to the vertical backsplash rising from the back of the frame 12, and can be removed by lifting it off of the bracket.

[0037] Referring next to Figs. 3-5, the drain water tank 16 includes a drain water tank body 32 and a lid 34 covering the drain water tank body. The lid 34 defines a drain water tank inlet 36 through a central portion of the lid, the lid having an upper surface 38 contoured to direct water falling on the lid toward the drain water tank inlet 36. The drain water tank lid 34 also has a drain water tank fill indicator 40 positioned to rise within the drain water tank inlet in response to the drain water tank 16 filling to a predetermined level. The drain water tank inlet 36 is positioned to be proximate (e.g., just below, directly below) the sink drain aperture 20, such that when risen the tank fill indicator 40 is visible from above through the drain aperture 20 of the sink tub 14 while leaving an open flow path. The tank indicator has a frustoconical protrusion 42 that extends upward through the drain water tank inlet 36 to be visible just below the sink drain aperture 20 when raised (Fig. 4) and that is spaced below the inlet when lowered (Fig. 3). It is pivotably mounted to the underside of the sink between a pair of projections 41 and is bouyant in water. Thus, the tank indicator will pivot upward due to bouyancy and will reach the raised position shown in Fig. 4 when the water level in the drain water tank has reached its predetermined ‘full’ level, somewhat below lid 34. Vertical cross baffles 43 within the tank indicator separate the underside of the tank indicator into four compartments, each of which can retain some proportion of air as the water level rises in the drain water tank, providing bouyancy for the indicator. In this manner the tank fill indicator can be said to be a float that is pivotably attached to the lid adjacent the drain water tank inlet. The overall structure of the tank indicator is such that its walls are of similar thickness, enabling efficient molding in a two-part mold. The drain water tank inlet 36 does not engage the tank fill indicator continuously about the perimeter of the frustoconical protrusion when raised, such that the tank fill indicator never fully blocks the drain water tank inlet. The lid 34 has a rim 44 surrounding upper surface 38 and defining an overflow space for excess water. The sink drain aperture 20 has no plug and the sink tub 14 is never intended to hold water. Rather, a child can play at washing things under a flow of water from faucet 30 within the sink tub, as the water flows down through the aperture and into the drain water tank.

[0038] Referring also to Fig. 6, the drain water tank lid 34 has a flexible pawl 46 positioned to be received within a notch 48 defined in an underside of the sink tub to latch the drain water tank 16 to the sink tub 14 until released. Pawl 46 is molded integrally with the lid and has a projection 50 extending upward from a horizontal, flexible arm 52 that extends laterally from the rim 44. The arm extends beyond the projection to form an exposed tab 54 that can be pressed downward, such as by pinching the tab and the underlying lip of the drain water tank between thumb and forefinger, to elastically flex arm 52 to release projection 50 from notch 48 to enable the drain water tank to be slid out from under the sink tub for emptying. An angled rib on the back side of projection 50 may engage the outer sink tub skirt wall to help depress the projection as the drain water tank is reinstalled. The rim 44 of the drain water tank lid 34 is higher on the two sides of the drain water tank to help guide the drain water tank during insertion, and forms front comers that positively limit the insertion travel of the tank, to position the drain water tank inlet 36 directly under the drain aperture 20 of the sink tub.

[0039] Referring next to Figs. 7 and 8, sink tub 14 is molded to form a basin with a deeper portion contining the drain aperture 20, and a shallower portion defining a ribbed shelf 56, onto which toy dishes can be placed to dry. A separate molded drying rack 58 is sized to rest on the shelf and has vertical posts 60 for supporting drying objects. Referring next to Figs. 9 and 10, faucet 30 includes a clamshell faucet housing 62 made up of an upper housing 62a and a lower housing 62b, which together house a manually manipulable faucet valve 64 operable to open and close a flow path 66 leading from the interior volume 68 of the fresh water tank through the faucet. The two halves of the faucet housing are held together in a permanent manner, such as by ultrasonic welding, glue bosses, or one-way snaps, for example. The faucet housing 62 is held to the water tank by a faucet attachment nut 70 that threads onto an outer thread of a faucet inlet bowl 72 of the upper housing 62a, with o-rings 74 sealing between the base of the inlet bowl and the faucet mount aperture at the bottom of the fresh water tank, through which the inlet bowl is inserted. With the bowl inserted, the retainer cap 70, which is larger in lateral extent than the faucet mount aperture, is threaded onto the bowl from the inside of the fresh water tank to bear against the floor of the fresh water tank, to hold the faucet securely in place. Flow path 66 extends, in order, through water feed apertures 76 at the lower edge of the skirt of faucet attachment nut 70, about an annular gap between the nut and the bowl, through side apertures 78 in the side wall of inlet bowl 72 just above the floor of the fresh water tank, through the interior cavity 80 of the inlet bowl, through an integrally molded tubing connector 82 depending from the otherwise solid floor 84 of the inlet bowl, along a flexible hose 86 pressed onto spout 82, through a molded valve body 88 onto which the other end of hose 86 is pressed, and through a faucet outlet nozzle 90, opening over the sink tub. The water feed apertures 76 at the lower edge fo the faucet attachment nut skirt, together with the annular gap and the side apertures of the inlet bowl, form an effective filter to prevent any large objects from getting into the inlet bowl and fouling valve 64.

[0040] Referring also to Figs. 11 and 12, valve 64 includes, in addition to valve body 88, a valve stem 92 extending into the valve body and sealed by o-rings 94 and 96, a valve stem retainer 98 that axially retains the valve stem in the faucet housing and that is keyed to the valve stem for rotation, and a valve handle 100 keyed to the valve stem retainer. With the valve handle 100 turned upward, perpendicular to the faucet housing as shown in Fig. 11, valve stem 92 is rotated to block the flow path, effectively turning off the faucet. With the valve handle 100 turned 90 degrees, in line with the handle as shown in Fig. 12, the valve stem 92 is rotated to open the flow path, effectively turning on the faucet. O-rings 94 and 96, and friction between a lip 101 of valve stem retainer 98 and an inside surface of the faucet housing provide a slight resistance to turning the valve on and off. Vertical ribs 102 extending upward from lower faucet housing 62b, both provide rigidity and limit movement of hose 86 once assembled. Apertures 104 through the underside of lower faucet housing 64b provide a grip point for holding the faucet housing during assembly with faucet attachment nut 70.

[0041] While a number of examples have been described for illustration purposes, the foregoing description is not intended to limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the scope of the appended claims. There are and will be other examples and modifications within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A play sink for children, the sink comprising: a frame; a sink tub supported by the frame and defining a sink interior and an open drain aperture at a lower extent of the interior; a removable drain water tank disposed below the open drain aperture of the sink tub, the drain water tank comprising a drain water tank body and a lid covering the drain water tank body, the lid defining a drain water tank inlet through a central portion of the lid, the lid having an upper surface contoured to direct water falling on the lid toward the drain water tank inlet; wherein the drain water tank lid also comprises a drain water tank fill indicator positioned to rise within the drain water tank inlet in response to the drain water tank filling to a predetermined level; and wherein the drain water tank inlet is positioned to be proximate the sink drain aperture, such that when risen the tank fill indicator is visible from above through the drain aperture of the sink tub while leaving an open flow path.

2. The play sink of claim 1, wherein the drain water tank fill indicator comprises a float.

3. The play sink of claim 2, wherein the float is pivotably attached to the lid adjacent the drain water tank inlet.

4. The play sink of any of the above claims, wherein the drain water tank lid comprises a flexible pawl positioned to be received within a notch defined in an underside of the sink tub to latch the drain water tank to the sink tub until released.

5. The play sink of claim 1, further comprising: a fresh water tank supported by the frame and defining an interior volume for holding water; and a faucet attached to the fresh water tank and extending over the sink tub, the faucet comprising a manually manipulable faucet valve operable to open and close a flow path leading from the interior volume of the fresh water tank through the faucet.

6. The play sink of claim 5, wherein the faucet comprises a faucet inlet bowl extending upward through a faucet mount aperture defined in a floor of the fresh water tank and into the interior volume.

7. The play sink of claim 6, wherein the play sink further comprises a faucet attachment nut disposed within the interior volume of the fresh water tank and threaded onto the faucet inlet bowl; the faucet attachment nut being larger in lateral extent than the faucet mount aperture and bearing against the floor of the fresh water tank to retain the faucet attached to the fresh water tank.

8. The play sink of claim 7, wherein the faucet attachment nut comprises a skirt extending about the faucet inlet bowl and at least partially defining at least one water feed aperture providing hydraulic communication from outside the skirt to inside the skirt with the skirt bearing against the floor of the fresh water tank.

9. The play sink of claim 8, wherein the faucet inlet bowl defines at least one side aperture positioned just above the floor of the fresh water tank, to provide hydraulic communication from inside the skirt of the faucet attachment nut to inside the faucet inlet bowl.

10. The play sink of any of claim 6, wherein the faucet inlet bowl has a bowl floor and a tubing connector extending from an underside of the bowl floor, the faucet further comprising a flexible water feed tube secured to the tubing connector and extending to the faucet valve.

11. A play sink for children, the sink comprising: a frame; a sink tub supported by the frame and defining a sink interior; a fresh water tank supported by the frame and defining an interior volume for holding water; a faucet attached to the fresh water tank and extending over the sink tub, the faucet comprising a manually manipulable faucet valve operable to open and close a flow path leading from the interior volume of the fresh water tank through the faucet, thefaucet comprising a faucet inlet bowl extending upward through a faucet mount aperture defined in a floor of the fresh water tank and into the interior volume; and a faucet attachment nut disposed within the interior volume of the fresh water tank and threaded onto the faucet inlet bowl; the faucet attachment nut being larger in lateral extent than the faucet mount aperture and bearing against the floor of the fresh water tank to retain the faucet attached to the fresh water tank.

12. The play sink of claim 11, wherein the sink tub defines an open drain aperture at a lower extent of the sink interior, the play sink further comprising a removable drain water tank disposed below the open drain aperture of the sink tub, the drain water tank comprising a drain water tank body and a lid covering the drain water tank body, the lid defining a drain water tank inlet positioned to be proximate the sink drain aperture.

13. The play sink of claim 12, wherein the faucet attachment nut comprises a skirt extending about the faucet inlet bowl and at least partially defining at least one water feed aperture providing hydraulic communication from outside the skirt to inside the skirt with the skirt bearing against the floor of the fresh water tank.

14. The play sink of claim 13, wherein the faucet inlet bowl defines at least one side aperture positioned just above the floor of the fresh water tank, to provide hydraulic communication from inside the skirt of the faucet attachment nut to inside the faucet inlet bowl.

15. The play sink of any of claim 11, wherein the faucet inlet bowl has a bowl floor and a tubing connector extending from an underside of the bowl floor.

16. The play sink of claim 15, wherein the faucet further comprises a flexible water feed tube secured to the tubing connector and extending to the faucet valve.

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