Lavatory System

• US 20130067658A1
• Filed: 10/12/2012
• Published: 03/21/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 09/20/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bradley Fixtures Corporation (Bradley Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Bradley Fixtures Corporation (Bradley Corporation)
• Inventors: Loberger, John M., Jaworski, Jeffery S., Thielke, Mark A., Meyer, Mark A., Kohlwey, Kevin M., Carpiaux, Douglas, De Lay, Daniel J., Walters, Glenn T., Walters, Richard, Hauser, Jon W. II, Renner, I, Jason M.
• Granted Patent: US 8,950,019 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 4/623
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 2005/1218 Table mounted; Dispensers integrated with the mixing tap
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/01 for combinations of baths, showers, sinks, wash-basins, closets, urinals, or the like combinations of baths, douches, or the like, A47K4/00; cell-like units for special technical purposes E04B1/34869; panels adapted for locating conduits E04C2/52; ducts for installation lines E04F17/08
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/057 touchless, i.e. using sensors

Abstract

A lavatory system is disclosed including one or more integrated hand washing stations. Each hand washing station includes a basin, a faucet, a solenoid valve configured to control water flow to the faucet, and an electric hand dryer located adjacent the basin and the faucet so that the user of the washing station may use the faucet and the electric hand dryer without leaving the washing station. The electric hand dryer preferably includes an outlet to direct air across the associated basin so that any water that drips from the user'"'"'s hands fall within the basin. A control system may be provided to control activation of the fixtures such as the solenoid valve, the electric hand dryer, and/or soap dispenser. The control system may be configured to inhibit simultaneous activation of the solenoid valve and the hand dryer. A photovoltaic system may be provided to provide power.

Claims

1. A lavatory system comprising:

a first integrated hand washing station including a first basin, a first faucet, a first solenoid valve configured to control water flow to the first faucet, and a first electric hand dryer located adjacent the first basin and the first faucet so that the user of the first washing station may use the first faucet and the first electric hand dryer without leaving the first washing station;

a control system configured to control activation of the first solenoid valve and the first electric hand dryer, wherein the control system is configured to inhibit simultaneous activation of the first solenoid valve and the first hand dryer.

2. The lavatory system of claim 1, wherein the control system prevents activation of the first solenoid valve when the first electric hand dryer has been activated.

3. The lavatory system of claim 1, wherein the control system prevents activation of the first electric hand dryer when the first solenoid valve has been activated.

4. The lavatory system of claim 1, wherein the control system activates the first solenoid valve and the first electric hand dryer according to a predetermined timing and sequence.

5. The lavatory system of claim 1, wherein the control system:

prevents activation of the first electric hand dryer when the first solenoid valve has been activated; and

prevents activation of the first solenoid valve when the first electric hand dryer has been activated.

6. The lavatory system of claim 1, further comprising a single sensor in communication with the control system and configured to sense the presence of the user'"'"'s hands near the first hand washing station.

7. The lavatory system of claim 1, further comprising a first sensor to detect the presence of a hand of the user proximate the first faucet, and a second sensor to detect the presence of a hand of the user proximate the first electric hand dryer.

8. The lavatory system of claim 7, wherein the control system activates the first solenoid valve and the first hand dryer based on signals received from the first sensor and second sensor according to a predetermined timing and sequence.

9. The lavatory system of claim 7, further comprising a second integrated hand washing station including a second basin, a second faucet, a second solenoid valve configured to control water flow to the second faucet, and a second electric hand dryer located adjacent the second basin and the second faucet so that the user of the second hand washing station may use the second faucet and the second electric hand dryer without leaving the second washing station;

wherein the control system prevents activation of the second solenoid valve when the second electric hand dryer has been activated;

wherein the control system prevents activation of the second electric hand dryer when the second solenoid valve has been activated.

10. A lavatory system capable of providing simultaneous hand washing functionality to a plurality of users, the lavatory system comprising:

(a) a base at least partially enclosing plumbing and configured to be coupled to a wall when installed;

(b) a first integrated hand washing station coupled to the base, the first integrated hand washing station comprising;

(i) a first basin having a front top edge located at a first height above the floor;

(ii) a first faucet configured to direct water into the first basin;

(iii) a first soap dispenser;

(iv) a first electric hand dryer, wherein the first faucet, the first soap dispenser, and the first electric hand dryer are located adjacent the first basin so that a user of the first washing station may use the first faucet, the first soap dispenser, and/or the first electric hand dryer without leaving the first washing station;

(c) a second integrated hand washing station coupled to the base and spaced apart from the first integrated hand washing station, the second integrated hand washing station comprising;

(i) a second basin having a front top edge located at a second height above the floor, the second height of the second basin being different from the first height of the first basin;

(ii) a second faucet configured to direct water into the second basin;

(iii) a second soap dispenser;

(iv) a second electric hand dryer, wherein the second faucet, the second soap dispenser, and the second electric hand dryer are located adjacent the second basin so that a user of the second washing station may use the second faucet, the second soap dispenser, and/or the second electric hand dryer without leaving the second washing station.

11. The lavatory system of claim 29, wherein the first height is about 34 inches above the floor and the second height is about 31 inches above the floor.

12. The lavatory system of claim 29, further comprising a third integrated hand washing station comprising:

a third basin having a front top edge located at a third height above the floor;

a third faucet configured to direct water into the third basin;

a third soap dispenser;

a third electric hand dryer;

wherein the third faucet, the third soap dispenser, and the third electric hand dryer are located adjacent the third basin so that a user of the third washing station may use the third faucet, the third soap dispenser, and/or the third electric hand dryer without leaving the third washing station.

13. The lavatory system of claim 31, wherein the third height is approximately the same as either the first height or the second height.

14. The lavatory system of claim 31, wherein the first height is about 34 inches above the floor, the second height is about 31 inches above the floor, and the third height is about less than 30 inches above the floor.

15. A modular lavatory system configured to be coupled to a wall, the lavatory system comprising:

a first hand washing station;

a second hand washing station;

a mounting system configured to couple the first hand washing station and the second hand washing station to the wall, the mounting system comprising;

a first track mountable to the wall;

a first mounting frame coupled to the first hand washing station and configured to engage the first track to mount the first hand washing station at a first height; and

a second mounting frame coupled to the second hand washing station and configured to engage the first track to mount the send hand washing station at a second height different than the first height.