Movable sink steps providing clearance access

Abstract

An apparatus includes a step secured adjacent to a sink that moves into an accessibility clearance zone adjacent the sink to assist users, such as children, in reaching a sufficient height to use the sink, and the step also moves out of the accessibility clearance zone to provide clearance for individuals needing feet, leg and knee clearance assistance to use a sink, such as persons in wheelchairs and scooters.

1 . An apparatus comprising:
 a support base coupled to a step, wherein the step moves between a stowed vertical position that maintains body accessibility to a lavatory fixture, lavatory accessory or lavatory counter space for a user of a wheeled mobility aid and a horizontal use position, wherein the support base is fixedly coupled to at least one of a wall and floor adjacent the lavatory fixture, lavatory accessory or lavatory counter space.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the step rotates upward and downward between the horizontal use and stowed vertical positions. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein a top stepping surface of the step is generally parallel to a floor surface in the horizontal use position. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the top stepping surface of the step in the stowed vertical position is at the stowed position to either a left side adjacent the lavatory fixture, lavatory accessory or lavatory counter space or a right side adjacent the lavatory fixture, lavatory accessory or lavatory counter space. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the step includes a top stepping surface movably coupled to the support base so that the step moves between the horizontal use position, wherein the top stepping surface is supported above a floor surface, and the stowed vertical position, wherein the top stepping surface of the step is raised above the support base. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the support base is coupled to a floor at either a left side adjacent the lavatory fixture, lavatory accessory or lavatory counter space or a right side adjacent the lavatory fixture, lavatory accessory or lavatory counter space. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the support base is coupled to a wall at either a left side adjacent the lavatory fixture, lavatory accessory or lavatory counter space or a right side adjacent the lavatory fixture, lavatory accessory or lavatory counter space, 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the step rotates upward and downward between the horizontal use and stowed vertical positions. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a foot coupled to the step. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the foot is movably coupled to the step. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the foot is foldable toward a bottom surface of the step opposite a top stepping surface. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , further comprising an link movably coupled to the support base, step and foot. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising an attachment bracket coupled to the support base and to a wall that meets a floor surface. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising an attachment bracket coupled to the support base and to a floor surface. 
     
     
         15 . An apparatus comprising:
 a step that moves between a stowed vertical position that maintains body accessibility to a lavatory fixture, lavatory accessory or lavatory counter space for a user of a wheeled mobility aid and a horizontal use position, wherein the step is fixedly coupled to at least one of a wall and floor adjacent the lavatory fixture, lavatory accessory or lavatory counter space.   
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the step is coupled to a wall at either a left side adjacent the lavatory fixture, lavatory accessory or lavatory counter space or a right side adjacent the lavatory fixture, lavatory accessory or lavatory counter space. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the step is coupled to a floor at either a left side adjacent the lavatory fixture, lavatory accessory or lavatory counter space or a right side adjacent the lavatory fixture, lavatory accessory or lavatory counter space. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the step is coupled to a floor and to a wall at either a left side adjacent the lavatory fixture, lavatory accessory or lavatory counter space or a right side adjacent the lavatory fixture, lavatory accessory or lavatory counter space. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , further comprising a hinge coupling the step to a support base. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the step is coupled to a wall at either a left side adjacent the lavatory fixture, lavatory accessory or lavatory counter space or a right side adjacent the lavatory fixture, lavatory accessory or lavatory counter space. 
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the step is coupled to a floor at either a left side adjacent the lavatory fixture, lavatory accessory or lavatory counter space or a right side adjacent the lavatory fixture, lavatory accessory or lavatory counter space. 
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the step is coupled to a floor and to a wall at either a left side adjacent the lavatory fixture, lavatory accessory or lavatory counter space or a right side adjacent the lavatory fixture, lavatory accessory or lavatory counter space. 
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , further comprising s step link coupled to the support base and to a folding foot coupled to the step. 
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein the step is coupled to a wall at either a left side adjacent the lavatory fixture, lavatory accessory or lavatory counter space or a right side adjacent the lavatory fixture, lavatory accessory or lavatory counter space. 
     
     
         25 . The apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein the step is coupled a floor at either a left side adjacent the lavatory fixture, lavatory accessory or lavatory counter space or a right side adjacent the lavatory fixture, lavatory accessory or lavatory counter space. 
     
     
         26 . The apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein the step is coupled to a floor and to a wall at either a left side adjacent the lavatory fixture, lavatory accessory or lavatory counter space or a right side adjacent the lavatory fixture, lavatory accessory or lavatory counter space. 
     
     
         27 . An apparatus comprising a retractable step fixedly coupled to at least one of a wall and floor at either a left side adjacent a lavatory fixture, lavatory accessory or lavatory counter space or a right side adjacent a lavatory fixture, lavatory accessory or lavatory counter space. 
     
     
         28 . The apparatus of  claim 27 , wherein the step is coupled to move above a support base coupling the step to the at least one of a wall and floor. 
     
     
         29 . The apparatus of  claim 27 , wherein the step is coupled to a movable foot. 
     
     
         30 . The apparatus of  claim 27 , wherein the step is coupled to a hinge.