Mobile sink assembly

Abstract

The present invention provides a sink assembly formed from a plurality of injection molded plastic panels having integrated connectors which are capable of being packaged and shipped in a knock-down state and constructed to form an aesthetically pleasing sink assembly. The integrated connection of the side walls, front, back, and bottom panels and sink components simplifies the sink assembly construction. The panels are formed of injection molded plastic to interlock with one another without the need for fasteners or connectors. The system incorporates a minimum number of connectors by integrally forming the connectors into the panels which are snapped together to complete the assembly.

1 . A sink assembly comprising: 
 a left side panel for enclosing the left side of said sink assembly;    a right side panel for enclosing the right side of said sink assembly;    a base panel for enclosing the bottom of said sink assembly;    a back panel for enclosing the back of said sink assembly;    a front panel for enclosing the front of said sink assembly; and    a sink for enclosing the top of said sink assembly;    said base panel is adapted to receive means to provide mobility to said sink assembly;    whereby said base panel, said left panel, said right panel, said back panel, said front panel and said sink are constructed and arranged for snap-together assembly without additional fasteners;    wherein said sink assembly can be shipped in a disassembled state and assembled on a desired site.    
   
   
       2 . The sink assembly of  claim 1  where in at least one of said left side panel and said right side panel includes; 
 a bottom portion having at least one integrally formed socket constructed and arranged to cooperate with said base panel in an overlapping and interlocking manner;    a top edge having an upwardly extending lip constructed and arranged to cooperate with said sink in an underlying manner;    a first edge having at least one integrally formed elongated socket for connection to said front panel in a perpendicular relationship;    a second edge having at least one integrally formed elongated socket for connection to said back panel in a perpendicular relationship;    an inner surface; and    an outer surface.    
   
   
       3 . The sink assembly of  claim 2  wherein said at least one elongated socket formed on said first edge is constructed and arranged to interlockingly engage a corresponding at least one boss formed into said front panel resulting in a mechanically secure connection therebetween and wherein said at least one elongated socket formed on said second edge is constructed and arranged to interlockingly engage a corresponding at least one boss formed into said back panel resulting in a mechanically connection therebetween.  
   
   
       4 . The sink assembly of  claim 3  wherein each of said bosses includes at least one spring lock fastener integrally formed thereto, said spring lock fastener is constructed and arranged to cooperate with at least one aperture integrally formed into said sockets; 
 wherein said at least one spring lock fastener engages at least one side wall of said aperture for interlocking engagement therewith.    
   
   
       5 . The sink assembly of  claim 1  wherein said base panel includes; 
 a top surface constructed and arranged to provide a rigid and generally flat surface;    a bottom surface constructed and arranged to provide rigidity and stability to said preparation station;    a front closed edge and a rear closed edge;    a left edge and a right edge, each having at least one integrally formed boss arranged in a linear fashion and extending outwardly from said left and said right edges, said at least one boss constructed and arranged to cooperate with at least one inwardly extending socket integrally formed into a lower portion of said left and said right panels for interlocking engagement therewith.    
   
   
       6 . The sink assembly of  claim 5  wherein each of said bosses includes at least one spring lock fastener integrally formed thereto, said at least one spring lock fastener is constructed and arranged to cooperate with at least one aperture integrally formed into said sockets; 
 wherein said at least one spring lock fastener engages at least one side wall of said aperture for interlocking engagement therewith.    
   
   
       7 . The sink assembly of  claim 5  wherein said bottom surface of said base panel includes at least four integrally formed caster bosses; 
 each of said caster bosses is constructed and arranged to cooperate with a caster for securement thereof without additional fasteners;    whereby said sink assembly is moveably supported upon said casters.    
   
   
       8 . The preparation station of  claim 7  wherein at least one of said casters includes a manually engageable lock; 
 wherein said lock is constructed and arranged to prevent rotation of said caster while said lock is in an engaged position and allow free rotation of said caster when said lock is in a disengaged position.    
   
   
       9 . The sink assembly of  claim 1  further including a door positioned on the front of said sink assembly, said door extending between said left panel and said right panel, said door extending upwardly between said base panel and said front panel, said door being hingedly secured to said base panel and said front panel, whereby access is provided to the interior of said sink assembly below said sink.  
   
   
       10 . The sink assembly of  claim 2  wherein said sink includes a socket formed on the bottom thereof and at each corner; 
 said left and said right side walls include a socket integrally formed at the top portion of said first and said second edges; and    further including a plurality of bosses constructed and arranged to cooperate with the sockets formed in said sink and in said side walls for interlocking engagement therewith.    
   
   
       11 . The sink assembly of  claim 10  wherein each of said bosses includes at least one spring lock fastener integrally formed thereto; 
 said at least one spring lock fastener is constructed and arranged to cooperate with at least one aperture integrally formed into said sockets;    whereby said at least one spring lock fastener engages at least one side wall of said at least one aperture for interlocking engagement therewith.    
   
   
       12 . The sink assembly of  claim 1  wherein said sink includes a faucet, a drain, and a cover; 
 said faucet is pivotable between an operative position and a stored position;    said drain is adapted to be connected to a drain hose;    said cover is constructed and arranged to cover the bowl portion of the sink when placed thereon; and    said back panel includes means to secure said cover thereto when said cover is removed from said sink.    
   
   
       13 . The sink assembly of  claim 1  further including a shelf hingedly mounted to an upper portion of said right or said left side panel; 
 wherein said shelf is pivotable between a vertical stored position and a horizontal operational position.    
   
   
       14 . The sink assembly of  claim 1  wherein the means to provide mobility to said sink assembly comprises casters mounted to said base panel.  
   
   
       15 . The sink assembly of  claim 14  wherein at least one of said casters include a releasable lock.