Hand washer and drier mounting structure

• US 4,336,619 A
• Filed: 11/13/1979
• Issued: 06/29/1982
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/1977
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Original Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Inventors: Hinkel, Lester H., Chandler, Robert M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Levy, Stuart S.
• Application Number:
  US06/093,905
• Time in Patent Office: 959 Days
• Field of Search: 4/191, 4/DIG. 7, 4/619, 4/620, 4/624-626, 4/628, 4/630, 4/638, 4/643, 4/647-649, 4/653, 4/661, 4/443, 4/517, 4/631, 312/228, 52/34, 52/35, 248/221.1, 248/221.3, 248/224.4, 34/90, 34/197
• US Class Current: 4/619
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 10/48 Drying by means of hot air hair-drying devices A45D20/00; curative hot-air baths A61H33/06; electric heating elements H05B
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 2210/00 Combinations of water taps, soap dispensers and hand dryers
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/05 Arrangements of devices on wash-basins, baths, sinks, or the like for remote control of taps remote control of taps or the like per se F16K
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/14 Wash-basins connected to the waste-pipe
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 2001/321 Siphon or angle valve covers

Abstract

A hand washing and drying device having a recessed bowl defining a hand washing and drying space. Drying structure is provided including an air moving device which is mounted to the bowl. The air moving structure further includes an outlet opening to within the drying space defined by the recessed bowl to provide an improved utilization of the drying air provided by the air moving structure. The hand washing and drying device also includes a water tank mounted to the bowl. The device may include a housing removably enclosing the bowl and components carried thereby. A wall hanger may be provided for removably mounting the housing in providing a wall-mounted installation of the device.

Claims

1. A hand washing and drying device comprising:

a bowl defining a hand washing and drying space, a backside and first and second openings;

means for supplying hand washing material to said space including a water heating tank having an outlet, said water heating tank being mounted to said backside with said outlet opening through said first bowl opening;

air moving means including a motor-driven blower, said air moving means including said blower being mounted as a unit to said backside of said bowl, said air moving means further including an outlet received in said second bowl opening to open to said space for supplying hand drying air to said space to permit sequential washing and drying of a user'"'"'s hands in said space;

means for supporting the assembled bowl and mounted;

and wherein said bowl backside defines first and second mounting bosses and said air moving means is mounted to said first mounting boss and said water heating tank is mounted to said second mounting boss to form therewith an integral unitary subassembly.

2. The hand washing and drying device of claim 1 further including a housing removably enclosing said subassembly and a hanger removably mounting said housing and subassembly, said housing and hanger including cooperating side shoulder portions for precluding lateral displacement of the housing on the hanger.

3. The hand washing and drying device of claim 1 further including a housing removably enclosing said subassembly, said housing including a removable front panel for providing access to the elements within the housing as for servicing the same.

4. The hand washing and drying device of claim 1 further including a housing removably enclosing said subassembly, said housing including a support member, said device further including a soap dispenser having a dispensing portion and means for mounting the soap dispenser to said housing with said dispensing portion overlying said bowlspace.

5. The hand washing and drying device of claim 1 wherein said mounting bosses are juxtaposed.

6. The hand washing and drying device of claim 1 wherein electrical water heating means are immersed in said tank to be carried by said second mounting boss with said water heating tank.

7. The hand washing and drying device of claim 1 wherein electrically operable solenoid valve means are provided for controlling delivery of water to said water heating tank, said solenoid valve means being mounted to said tank to be carried by said second mounting boss with said tank.

8. The hand washing and drying device of claim 1 wherein said air moving means includes an air heating means, also supported with said blower as a unit by said first mounting boss.

9. The hand washing and drying device of claim 1 wherein said air moving means includes a duct mounting said air heating means to said bowl.

10. The hand washing and drying device of claim 1 further including a housing removably enclosing said bowl, said air moving means defining a rearwardly opening recess, and further including a hanger for removably supporting said housing and enclosed bowl and air moving means, said hanger being received within said recess so as to be hidden in the mounted arrangement of the device.

11. The hand washing and drying device of claim 10 wherein said housing includes hooks hooked onto said hanger for supporting said housing and enclosed bowl and air moving means.

12. The hand washing and drying device of claim 11 further including threaded securing means for securing the housing to said hanger to prevent lifting of said hooks therefrom.