LAVATORY SYSTEM

• US 20100132112A1
• Filed: 11/25/2009
• Published: 06/03/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 01/23/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bradley Fixtures Corporation (Bradley Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Bradley Fixtures Corporation (Bradley Corporation)
• Inventors: Mazza, Joseph, O'Brien, Donald, Loberger, John, Doorhy, Brendan, Gaza, Brian, Bayley, Graeme S.
• Granted Patent: US 8,857,786 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 4/631
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/057 touchless, i.e. using sensors
• CPC Class Codes: E03D 5/105 touchless, e.g. using sensors
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/04 Systems determining the presence of a target

Abstract

A lavatory system is provided that includes a first wash station having a first fluid dispensing fixture and a first drain, a second wash station having a second fluid dispensing fixture and a second drain, a support structure extending between the first wash station and the second wash station and at least one array of photovoltaic cells supported at the support structure. The at least one array of photovoltaic cells is configured to provide power for operating both the first fluid dispensing fixture and the second fluid dispensing fixture.

Claims

1. A lavatory system comprising:

a first wash station comprising a first fluid dispensing fixture and a first drain;

a second wash station comprising a second fluid dispensing fixture and a second drain;

a support structure extending between the first wash station and the second wash station; and

at least one array of photovoltaic cells supported at the support structure and configured to provide power for operating both the first fluid dispensing fixture and the second fluid dispensing fixture.

2. The lavatory system of claim 1 wherein the support structure comprises a countertop that is functionable as a shelf and is sized to at least support a beverage container, the at least one array of photovoltaic being supported by the countertop.

3. The lavatory system of claim 2 wherein the countertop extends in a horizontal direction above the first fluid dispensing fixture and the second fluid dispensing fixture.

4. The lavatory system of claim 2 wherein at least one recess is provided in an upper surface of the countertop in which the at least one array of photovoltaic cells is received.

5. The lavatory system of claim 2 wherein the at least one array of photovoltaic cells comprises a first array of photovoltaic cells, a second array of photovoltaic cells and a third array of photovoltaic cells, the first array of photovoltaic cells, the second array of photovoltaic cells and the third array of photovoltaic cells each being visually separated from each other by the upper surface of the countertop.

6. The lavatory system of claim 5 wherein a sealer covers the first array of photovoltaic cells, the second array of photovoltaic cells and the third array of photovoltaic cells, and wherein the sealer and the upper surface of the countertop cooperate to define a continuous support surface.

7. The lavatory system of claim 5 wherein the first array of photovoltaic cells, the second array of photovoltaic cells and the third array of photovoltaic cells are electrically coupled to each other and together provide power for operating both the first fluid dispensing fixture and the second fluid dispensing fixture.

8. A lavatory system providing at least one wash station, the lavatory system comprising:

at least one basin;

at least one fixture supported at the at least one basin;

a support structure having a first portion to which the at least one fixture is coupled and a second portion comprising a countertop; and

at least a first and second group of photovoltaic cells supported at the countertop and configured to provide power to the at least one fixture, the first group of photovoltaic cells being visually separated from the second group of photovoltaic cells by the countertop.

9. The lavatory system of claim 8 wherein the first and second groups of photovoltaic cells are supported at the countertop without extending above an upper surface of the countertop.

10. The lavatory system of claim 9 wherein the upper surface of the countertop defines a first recess that receives the first group of photovoltaic cells and a second recess that receives the second group of photovoltaic cells.

11. The lavatory system of claim 10 wherein a sealer is provided in the first recess and the second recess to cover the first and second groups of photovoltaic cells without extending above the upper surface of the countertop.

12. The lavatory system of claim 11 wherein the sealer is a resin comprising a first layer provided under the first and second groups of photovoltaic cells and a second layer provided on top of the first and second groups of photovoltaic cells.

13. The lavatory system of claim 8 wherein the at least one fixture comprises a first fluid dispensing fixture and a second fluid dispensing fixture, and wherein the first and second groups of photovoltaic cells provide power to both the first fluid dispensing fixture and the second fluid dispensing fixture.

14. The lavatory system of claim 8 further comprising a third group of photovoltaic cells supported at the countertop, the third group of photovoltaic cells being visually separated from both the first group of photovoltaic cells and the second group of photovoltaic cells by the countertop.

15. The lavatory system of claim 14 wherein the first, second and third groups of photovoltaic cells are electrically coupled to each other.

16. A lavatory system providing at least one wash station, the lavatory system comprising:

at least one basin;

at least one fixture supported at the at least one basin;

a support structure having a first portion to which the at least one fixture is coupled and a second portion comprising a countertop; and

at least one photovoltaic cell supported at the countertop and configured to provide power for operating the at least one fixture,

wherein a top surface of the at least one photovoltaic cell does not extend above a top surface of the countertop so that a continuous support surface is provided.

17. The lavatory system of claim 16 further comprising:

a first wash station comprising a first fluid dispensing fixture and a first drain; and

a second wash station comprising a second fluid dispensing fixture and a second drain,

wherein the support structure supports the first wash station and the second wash station, and wherein the countertop extends in a horizontal direction above the first fluid dispensing fixture and the second fluid dispensing fixture and spans a length between the first wash station and the second wash station, the countertop being functionable as shelf and sized to at least support a beverage container.

18. The lavatory system of claim 17 wherein the at least one photovoltaic cell comprises a first array of photovoltaic cells and a second array of photovoltaic cells that are electrically coupled to each other to provide power for operating both the first fluid dispensing fixture and the second fluid dispensing fixture.

19. The lavatory system of claim 18 wherein the at least one photovoltaic cell further comprises a third array of photovoltaic cells.

20. The lavatory system of claim 19 wherein a portion of the countertop extends upward between the first array of photovoltaic cells, the second array of photovoltaic cells and the third array of photovoltaic cells to visually separate the first, second and third arrays of photovoltaic cells.