APRON-FRONT SINK

• US 20120222211A1
• Filed: 12/02/2011
• Published: 09/06/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 03/04/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kohler Company
• Original Assignee: Kohler Company
• Inventors: Booth, Shawn J., Giefer, James S.
• Granted Patent: US 9,173,487 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 4/619
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 77/022 Work tops
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 77/06 for incorporating sinks, with or without draining boards, splash-backs, or the like constructional features of draining boards A47L19/02; sinks E03C1/18
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/18 Sinks, whether or not connected to the waste-pipe
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/186 Separate partition walls, lids, protecting borders, or the like, for sinks
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/33 Fastening sinks or basins in an apertured support

Abstract

A sink is provided. The sink includes a basin having a first side wall, an opposite second side wall and a front wall. The sink also includes a rim supported at and extending outwardly from an upper end of the first and second side walls in a substantially horizontal orientation. The sink further includes an apron extending vertically below the rim and laterally between a first end and an opposite second end to define a front portion of the sink. The first end of the apron extends outwardly past the rim associated with the first side wall and the second end of the apron extends outwardly past the rim associated with the second side wall.

Claims

1. A sink comprising:

a basin having a first side wall, an opposite second side wall and a front wall;

a rim supported at and extending outwardly from an upper end of the first and second side walls in a substantially horizontal orientation; and

an apron extending vertically below the rim and laterally between a first end and an opposite second end to define a front portion of the sink,

wherein the first end of the apron extends outwardly past the rim associated with the first side wall and the second end of the apron extends outwardly past the rim associated with the second side wall.

2. The sink of claim 1, wherein the first end of the apron and the second end of the apron are configured to at least partially overlap a front face of a cabinet on which the sink is supported.

3. The sink of claim 2, wherein the first and second ends of the apron have a rear edge that is configured to be positioned adjacent to the front face of the cabinet.

4. The sink of claim 3, wherein the rear edge is configured to be substantially parallel with and abut the front face of the cabinet.

5. The sink of claim 1, wherein the apron is offset from the basin such that there is a gap between the front wall of the basin and the apron under the rim.

6. The sink of claim 1, wherein the first and second ends of the apron have a lateral side wall that is substantially perpendicular to the a front surface of the apron.

7. The sink of claim 1, wherein the apron has a height that less than a height of the basin.

8. The sink of claim 1, wherein the apron has a height that is substantially the same as a height of the basin.

9. The sink of claim 1, wherein the basin and the apron are formed of cast iron.

10. The sink of claim 1, wherein the basin and the apron are formed of a metal sheet material.

11. A sink comprising:

a basin having a first side wall, an opposite second side wall and a front wall;

a rim supported at and extending outwardly from an upper end of the first and second side walls in a substantially horizontal orientation; and

an apron coupled to the rim and extending vertically below the rim, the apron extending laterally between a first end and an opposite second end to define a front portion of the sink,

wherein the front wall of the basin is angled downwardly and rearwardly from the rim to a floor of the basin.

12. The sink of claim 11, wherein the apron is offset from the basin such that there is a gap between the front wall of the basin and the apron under the rim.

13. The sink of claim 12, wherein the only structure coupling the apron to the basin is the rim.

14. The sink of claim 11, wherein the first end of the apron extends outwardly past the rim associated with the first side wall and the second end of the apron extends outwardly past the rim associated with the second side wall.

15. The sink of claim 14, wherein the first end of the apron and the second end of the apron are configured to at least partially overlap a front face of a cabinet on which the sink is supported.

16. The sink of claim 14, wherein the first and second ends of the apron have a rear edge that defines a vertical plane that is configured to be substantially parallel to the front face of the cabinet.

17. The sink of claim 16, wherein a front upper edge of the basin is positioned forward of the vertical plane.

18. The sink of claim 11, wherein the first and second ends of the apron have a lateral side wall that is substantially perpendicular to the a front surface of the apron.

19. The sink of claim 11, wherein the basin and the apron are formed of cast iron.

20. A sink assembly comprising:

a cabinet having a front wall defining a recess;

a sink supported by the cabinet and received by the recess, the sink comprising;

a basin having a first side wall, an opposite second side wall and a front wall;

a rim supported at and extending outwardly from an upper end of the first and second side walls in a substantially horizontal orientation; and

an apron extending vertically below the rim and laterally between a first end and an opposite second end to define a front portion of the sink,

wherein the first end of the apron extends outwardly past the rim associated with the first side wall and the second end of the apron extends outwardly past the rim associated with the second side wall.