Water dispensing system for furniture

• US 10,626,581 B1
• Filed: 07/23/2019
• Issued: 04/21/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 09/25/2018
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Aquaphant Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Thomas Mullenaux
• Inventors: Mullenaux, Thomas
• Primary Examiner(s): Buechner, Patrick M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Melaragno, Michael J.
• Application Number:
  US16/519,213
• Time in Patent Office: 273 Days
• Field of Search: 222192
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 19/22 Combinations of bedsteads with other furniture or with accessories, e.g. with bedside cabinets bed-tables A47B23/00 ; bedside cabinets A47B79/00
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 21/00 Attachments for beds, e.g. sheet holders, bed-cover holders bed tables supported on the bedstead A47B23/02; for children's beds A47D7/00, A47D15/00; Ventilating, cooling or heating means in connection with bedsteads or mattresses
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/72 Adaptations for incorporating lamps, radio sets, bars, telephones, ventilation, heating or cooling arrangements or the like
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/08 Details
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0805 Openings for filling
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0891 for the beverage container
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/10 Pump mechanism in general F04
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2001/0097 using a pump
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2210/0001 for liquid
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2210/00028 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2210/00047 Piping
• CPC Class Codes: E03B 3/28 from humid air condensing of vapours in general B01D5/00; dehumidification of air for air-conditioning F24F3/14
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2003/144 by dehumidification only

Abstract

The water dispensing system for furniture includes a water dispensing system that is built into or attached onto an item of furniture. Water is stored within a reservoir within a water system housing and may be pumped through a first filter to one of two retractable hoses. The water is provided via a dehumidifier and second filter that draw moisture from the air and purify the resulting water. At least one retractable hose is provided, and includes a mouthpiece. When the at least one retractable hose is released, said hose is pulled back into the item of furniture to stay out of the way. When not in use, the retractable hoses are wound around spring-loaded reels.

Claims

1. A water dispensing system for furniture comprising:

a water dispensing system and an item of furniture;

wherein the water dispensing system is adapted to dispense water to occupants of said item of furniture;

wherein the water dispensing system extracts and purifies the water from atmospheric air.

2. The water dispensing system for furniture according to claim 1

wherein the water dispensing system includes a water source in the form of a water reservoir;

wherein the item of furniture comprises a bed, a futon, a Murphy bed, a pull out sofa-bed, a sofa, a couch, a recliner, a settee, or a chair.

3. The water dispensing system for furniture according to claim 2

wherein the water dispensing system comprises the water reservoir, a first filter, a dehumidifier, a second filter, a pump, a valve, a first retractable hose, a second retractable hose, a first mouthpiece, and a second mouthpiece;

wherein the water stored in the water reservoir flows through the first filter to remove impurities and is pumped to the valve;

wherein the valve starts and stops the flow of the water to the first mouthpiece via the first retractable hose or to the second mouthpiece via the second retractable hose.

4. The water dispensing system for furniture according to claim 3

wherein the water reservoir is a container for holding the water;

wherein the water reservoir has a refill port located on the top of the water reservoir and has a reservoir outlet located on the bottom of the water reservoir;

wherein the refill port is covered by a filler cap that is removed to refill the water reservoir;

wherein the water flowing out of the reservoir outlet is routed to the first filter by a first tube.

5. The water dispensing system for furniture according to claim 4

wherein the first filter houses porous material that removes impurities from the water as the water flow through the first filter;

wherein the first filter comprises a first filter inlet and a first filter outlet;

wherein the water enters the first filter through the first filter inlet and exits the first filter through the first filter outlet;

wherein as the water passes through the first filter impurities in the water become trapped within the first filter such that the water exiting through the first filter outlet is cleaner than the water that entered the first filter;

wherein the water flowing out of the first filter is routed to the pump via a second tube.

6. The water dispensing system for furniture according to claim 5

wherein the dehumidifier reduces the humidity of air passing through the dehumidifier and, in the process, collects the water as a condensate;

wherein the condensate exits the dehumidifier via a dehumidifier outlet and passes through the second filter where the condensate is made potable before being collected in the water reservoir.

7. The water dispensing system for furniture according to claim 6

wherein the second filter houses porous material that removes impurities from the water as the water flows through the second filter;

wherein the second filter comprises a second filter inlet and a second filter outlet;

wherein the water enter the second filter through the second filter inlet and exits the second filter through the second filter outlet;

wherein as the water passes through the second filter impurities in the water become trapped within the second filter such that the water exiting through the second filter outlet is potable.

8. The water dispensing system for furniture according to claim 7

wherein a first filter cartridge is replaceable, a second filter cartridge is replaceable, or both.

9. The water dispensing system for furniture according to claim 7

wherein the pump comprises a pump inlet and a pump outlet;

wherein the pump forces the water from the pump inlet to the pump outlet when the pump is activated.

10. The water dispensing system for furniture according to claim 9

wherein the pump is a reciprocating pump or a centrifugal pump.

11. The water dispensing system for furniture according to claim 9

wherein the pump is mechanically linked to an electric motor;

wherein the pump is activated when the electric motor is energized;

wherein the electric motor converts electrical energy into mechanical energy;

wherein the electric motor is energized by electricity provided via an electrical cord.

12. The water dispensing system for furniture according to claim 11

wherein a pressure sensitive switch located in the pump controls the energization of the electric motor such that the electric motor is only energized when the pressure sensitive switch senses demand for the water at the pump outlet;

wherein the water flowing out of the pump is routed to the valve via a third tube.

13. The water dispensing system for furniture according to claim 12

wherein the valve comprises a valve inlet, a first valve outlet, and a second valve outlet;

wherein the valve permits and block the flow of the water from the valve inlet to the first valve outlet or from the valve inlet to the second valve outlet;

wherein the valve permits the flow of the water from the valve inlet to the first valve outlet when the valve senses suction applied to the first valve outlet;

wherein the valve permits the flow of the water from the valve inlet to the second valve outlet when the valve senses suction applied to the second valve outlet;

wherein the water flowing out of the first valve outlet is routed to the first retractable hose via a fourth tube;

wherein the water flowing out of the second valve outlet is routed to the second retractable hose via a fifth tube.

14. The water dispensing system for furniture according to claim 13

wherein the first retractable hose is tubing that is pulled out of the front left side of the headboard and which will retract into the headboard when released;

wherein the first retractable hose winds around a first reel when retracted into the headboard;

wherein the first reel is spring-load and pressure applied to the first retractable hose at the front of the headboard causes the first reel to rotate such that the first retractable hose is pulled off of the first reel and out of the front of the headboard;

wherein when the pressure is released, the first reel rotates in the opposite direction and pulls the first retractable hose back into the headboard and around the first reel.

15. The water dispensing system for furniture according to claim 14

wherein the second retractable hose is tubing that is pulled out of the front right side of the headboard and which will retract into the headboard when released;

wherein the second retractable hose winds around a second reel when retracted into the headboard;

wherein the second reel is spring-load and pressure applied to the second retractable hose at the front of the headboard causes the second reel to rotate such that the second retractable hose is pulled off of the second reel and out of the front of the headboard;

wherein when the pressure is released, the second reel rotates in the opposite direction and pulls the second retractable hose back into the headboard and around the second reel.

16. The water dispensing system for furniture according to claim 15

wherein the item of furniture is a bed;

wherein the first mouthpiece is adapted to deliver the water from the first retractable hose into the mouth of one of the occupants of the bed;

wherein the first mouthpiece couples to the end of the first retractable hose on the front left side of the headboard;

wherein the first mouthpiece is removable and replaceable.

17. The water dispensing system for furniture according to claim 16

wherein the second mouthpiece is adapted to deliver the water from the second retractable hose into the mouth of one of the occupants of the bed;

wherein the second mouthpiece couples to the end of the second retractable hose on the front right side of the headboard;

wherein the second mouthpiece is removable and replaceable.

18. The water dispensing system for furniture according to claim 17

wherein a bed frame comprises the headboard, a footboard, a pair of side rails, and a mattress platform;

wherein the bed frame supports a mattress and houses the water dispensing system.

19. The water dispensing system for furniture according to claim 18

wherein the headboard is the portion of the bed frame that is placed against a wall;

wherein the headboard houses the water dispensing system within a water system housing accessible at the rear of the headboard;

wherein the water system housing comprises an access door to provide access for servicing the water dispensing system;

wherein the first retractable hose is accessible through a first hose aperture at the front left side of the headboard;

wherein the second retractable hose is accessible through a second hose aperture at the front right side of the headboard.

20. The water dispensing system for furniture according to claim 19

wherein the footboard is the portion of the bed frame that is opposite the headboard;

wherein the pair of side rails extend from the headboard to the footboard on both sides of the bed frame;

wherein the pair of side rails serve as a mounting point for the mattress platform;

wherein the mattress platform couples to the pair of side rails and supports the mattress;

wherein the mattress platform is a plurality of wood or metal slats running laterally between the pair of side rails.