Faucet assembly

• US 20110120581A1
• Filed: 11/23/2009
• Published: 05/26/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 11/23/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Component Hardware Group Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Component Hardware Group Incorporated
• Inventors: Burns, Martin P.
• Granted Patent: US 8,348,229 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 137/801
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/057 touchless, i.e. using sensors
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/9464 Faucets and spouts

Abstract

The faucet assembly employs a sensor on the side of the spigot to control the flow of water from the spigot. An initial waving of a user'"'"'s hand across the sensor causes the spigot to be opened and a subsequent waving of the user'"'"'s hand across the sensor causes the spigot to be closed.

Claims

1. A faucet assembly comprising

a spigot for dispensing a flow of water through a predetermined path;

a supply pipe for delivering water to said spigot;

a solenoid valve in said pipe for movement between a closed position in said pipe to block a flow of water through said pipe to said faucet and an open position to allow passage of a flow of water to said faucet;

a control box for selectively emitting a first signal to said valve to move said valve to said open position and for selectively emitting a second signal to said valve to move said valve to said closed position;

a sensor spaced from said predetermined path for sensing movement of an object thereby and for emitting a control signal to said control box in response to a sensed movement thereby; and

an electrical circuit in said control box for receiving a control signal from said sensor and actuating said control box to emit said first signal to said valve in response to reception of an initial control signal from said sensor and to emit said second signal to said valve in response to reception of a second control signal from said sensor within a predetermined time period.

2. A faucet assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said sensor is mounted on said spigot.

3. A faucet assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said sensor is mounted at a remote location from said spigot.

4. A faucet assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said box is mounted on said supply pipe.

5. A faucet assembly as set forth in claim 1 further comprising an electrical power line extending from said control box and electrically connected to said electric circuit for delivery of electric power thereto.

6. A faucet assembly as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a battery within said control box and electrically connected to said electric circuit for delivery of electric power thereto.

7. A faucet assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said electric circuit includes an adjustable timing switch for adjusting said predetermined time period.

8. A faucet assembly as set forth in claim 7 wherein said timing switch actuates said control box to emit said second signal to said valve in response to expiration of said predetermined time period without a second control signal being received from said sensor.

9. A faucet assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said sensor emits a control signal to said control box in response to a sensed movement thereby within a range of from 13 to 17 centimeters.

10. A faucet assembly comprising

a spigot for dispensing a flow of water in a predetermined path;

a supply pipe for delivering water to said spigot;

a solenoid valve in said pipe for movement between a closed position in said pipe to block a flow of water through said pipe to said faucet and an open position to allow passage of a flow of water to said faucet;

a control box mounted on said pipe for selectively emitting a first signal to said valve to move said valve to said open position and for selectively emitting a second signal to said valve to move said valve to said closed position;

a sensor mounted on said spigot in spaced relation to said predetermined path for sensing movement of an object thereby within a predetermined range and for emitting a control signal to said control box in response to a sensed movement thereby; and

an electrical circuit in said control box for receiving a control signal from said sensor and actuating said control box to emit said first signal to said valve in response to reception of an initial control signal from said sensor and to emit said second signal to said valve in response to reception of a second control signal from said sensor within a predetermined time period, said electric circuit including an adjustable timing switch for adjusting said predetermined time period.

11. A faucet assembly as set forth in claim 10 wherein said timing switch actuates said control box to emit said second signal to said valve in response to expiration of said predetermined time period without a second control signal being received from said sensor.

12. A faucet assembly as set forth in claim 10 wherein said sensor emits a control signal to said control box in response to a sensed movement thereby within a range of from 13 to 17 centimeters.