Vertically adjustable lavatory assembly

• US 5,230,109 A
• Filed: 03/06/1992
• Issued: 07/27/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 03/06/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Herman Miller Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Herman Miller Incorporated
• Inventors: Stark, James M., Chiodo, Christopher, Dearborn, Timothy C., Zaccai, Gianfranco
• Primary Examiner(s): Recla, Henry J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Eloshway, Charles R.
• Application Number:
  US07/848,415
• Time in Patent Office: 508 Days
• Field of Search: 4/263, 4/643, 4/645, 312/226, 312/227, 312/228, 312/246, 312/247, 312/297, 312/298, 312/272, 312/272.5, 160/84.1
• US Class Current: 4/645
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/324 adjustable

Abstract

A vertically adjustable lavatory assembly includes an outer frame and a carrier frame positioned within the outer frame. The carrier frame is vertically moveable within the outer frame and has a lavatory connected thereto. A lavatory is positioned outside the carrier frame and outer frame, and includes a faucet and a sink basin having an outlet opening therein. A drain line is in fluid flow communication with the sink basin outlet opening and a sewer line, and is adapted to accommodate for changes in the height of the sink basin. A plurality of supply lines are provided for supplying water to the faucet. The supply lines are also adapted to accommodate for changes in the height of the basin.

Claims

1. A vertically adjustable lavatory assembly comprising:

an outer frame having a front edge defining a substantially vertical plane;

a carrier frame positioned within the outer frame and being vertically moveable within said outer frame, said carrier frame slidably engaging said outer frame;

a lavatory including a faucet and a sink basin having an outlet opening therein, said lavatory being connected to the carrier frame and positioned substantially outside said carrier frame and outer frame;

means for vertically moving the carrier frame within the outer frame;

a drain line in fluid flow communication with the sink basin outlet opening and a sewer line, the drain line being adapted to accommodate for changes in the height of the sink basin; and

a plurality of supply lines for supplying water to the faucet, the supply lines being adapted to accommodate for changes in the height of the basin.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the means for moving the carrier frame is positioned above the carrier frame.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the means for moving the carrier frame comprises a motor and a jack screw driven by said motor, the jack screw having an upper portion rotatably attached to the outer frame and a lower portion adapted to threadably mate with an aperture in the carrier frame, whereby the carrier frame and its connected components move vertically relative to the outer frame when the screw is rotated by the motor.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sink basin depends from a substantially horizontal counter adapted for resting a person'"'"'s arms thereon.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the counter includes spaced apart lower storage members depending from lateral edge portions thereof.

6. The apparatus of claim 4, further comprising a receptacle positioned behind the counter and substantially within the carrier frame and outer frame.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising one of a mirror and an upper cabinet positioned above the lavatory and adapted to move vertically with the carrier frame.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein one of the mirror and upper cabinet is positioned substantially inside the carrier frame and is attached thereto.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising light means adapted to move vertically with the carrier frame.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an electrical outlet adapted to move vertically with the carrier frame.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising collapsible cover means for concealing the outer frame and any exposed components therein, an upper edge portion of said cover means adapted to be attached to the lavatory adjacent an underside of the sink.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the outer frame has a width defined by spaced apart, vertical side walls, and the cover means comprises upper and lower collapsible bellows having a width substantially the same as the outer frame, said upper bellows being adapted to interconnect an upper portion of the lavatory to an upper portion of the outer frame, and said lower bellows being adapted to interconnect a lower portion of the lavatory to a lower portion of the outer frame, whereby one bellows expands and the other collapses when the lavatory moves vertically, thus concealing the outer frame and any exposed components therein.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the drain line includes a rigid portion and a flexible portion, the rigid portion having a first segment extending downward from the sink basin outlet opening, a substantially horizontal second segment extending rearwardly from said first segment, and a trap-forming segment extending from said second segment, said trap-forming segment having a downwardly extending portion positioned behind a vertical plane defined by front edges of the outer frame, and said second segment being substantially adjacent a bottom surface of the basin to provide maximum clearance between the drain line and a floor.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the trap-forming segment of the drain line includes a first section extending downwardly from said second segment substantially within the outer frame, and a second section curving in a lateral direction away from the first section and bending upward, the flexible portion of the drain line extending from the second section of the trap-forming segment.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the distance between the second segment of the drain line and the bottom surface of the basin is less than two inches.

16. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the sink basin has a shroud extending downward therefrom for covering the first and second segments of the rigid portion of the drain line, said shroud having a cavity defined by a front wall, a bottom wall, and side walls.

17. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising means for limiting the range of vertical travel of the carrier frame and means for stopping the downward movement thereof when an object impedes said downward movement.

41. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the cover means lies in a vertical plane parallel to and adjacent a vertical plane defined by a front edge of the outer frame.

18. A vertically adjustable lavatory assembly comprising:

an outer frame adapted to be positioned substantially inside a recess in a wall, said outer frame including spaced apart, vertical side walls;

a carrier frame positioned inside the outer frame and being vertically moveable within said outer frame;

a lavatory including a faucet and a sink basin having an outlet opening therein, said lavatory being connected to the carrier frame and positioned outside the carrier frame and outer frame;

one of a mirror and cabinet positioned above the sink basin and adapted to be connected to the carrier frame;

cover means for concealing the outer frame and any exposed components therein;

means for vertically moving the carrier frame within the outer frame;

means for guiding the carrier frame within the outer frame;

control means for actuating vertical movement of the carrier frame;

a drain line including a rigid portion and a flexible portion, the rigid portion having a first segment extending downward from the sink basin outlet opening, a substantially horizontal second segment extending rearwardly from said first segment, and a trap-forming segment extending from said second segment, said trap-forming segment having a downwardly extending portion positioned behind a vertical plane defined by front edges of the outer frame, and said second segment being substantially adjacent a bottom surface of the basin to provide maximum clearance between the drain line and a floor; and

a plurality of flexible supply lines for supplying water to the faucet;

whereby the control means is activated to move the carrier frame and its connected components in a desired vertical direction within the outer frame.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the means for moving the carrier frame is positioned adjacent an upper portion of the outer frame.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the means for moving the carrier frame comprises a motor attached to the upper portion of the outer frame and a jack screw driven by said motor, the jack screw having a top end portion rotatably attached to a horizontal cross-member of the outer frame and a bottom end portion adapted to threadably mate with an aperture in the carrier frame, whereby the carrier frame and its connected components move vertically relative to the outer frame when the screw is rotated by the motor.

21. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the sink basin depends from a substantially horizontal counter for resting a person'"'"'s arms or various articles thereon.

22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the counter includes spaced apart lower storage members depending from lateral edge portions thereof.

23. The apparatus of claim 18, further comprising an upper cabinet positioned behind a mirror and substantially inside the carrier frame, said upper cabinet and mirror being adapted to move vertically with the carrier frame.

24. The apparatus of claim 23, further comprising a pair of receptacles positioned below the cabinet and behind the sink basin, said receptacles having a front wall depending from a back edge portion of the basin, a horizontal bottom wall, and a curved back wall, the back walls extending upwardly beyond an uppermost portion of the basin.

25. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the distance between the second segment of the drain line and the bottom surface of the basin is less than two inches.

26. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the sink basin has a shroud extending downward therefrom for covering the first and second segments of the rigid portion of the drain line, said shroud having a cavity defined by a front wall, bottom wall, and side walls.

27. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the trap-forming segment of the drain line includes a first section extending downwardly from said second segment substantially within the outer frame, and a second section curving in a lateral direction away from the first section and bending upward, the flexible portion of the drain line extending from the second section of the trap-forming segment.

28. The apparatus of claim 18, further comprising an electrical outlet and light means adapted to move with the carrier frame.

29. The apparatus of claim 18, further comprising means for limiting the range of vertical travel of the carrier frame and means for stopping the downward movement thereof when an object impedes said downward movement.

30. A vertically adjustable lavatory assembly comprising:

an outer frame adapted to be positioned substantially within a recess in a wall, said outer frame including spaced apart, vertical side walls;

a carrier frame positioned within the outer frame and being vertically moveable within said outer frame;

a lavatory including a substantially horizontal counter for resting a person'"'"'s arms or various articles thereon, a faucet, and a sink basin depending from substantially the center of the counter, said lavatory being connected to the carrier frame and positioned outside the carrier frame and outer frame;

an upper cabinet attached to the carrier frame, said upper cabinet including a mirror and being positioned substantially within the carrier frame above the counter;

upper collapsible bellows having a width substantially the same as the distance between the side walls of the outer frame, said upper bellows being adapted to interconnect an upper portion of the upper cabinet to an upper portion of the outer frame;

lower collapsible bellows having a width substantially the same as the distance between the side walls of the outer frame, said lower bellows being adapted to interconnect a lower portion of the lavatory to a lower portion of the outer frame;

means for vertically moving the carrier frame relative to the outer frame;

means for guiding the carrier frame within the outer frame;

control means for actuating vertical movement of the carrier frame;

a drain line including a rigid portion connected to an outlet opening in the basin and a flexible portion connected to a sewer line, the rigid portion having a first segment extending downward from the sink basin outlet opening, a substantially horizontal second segment extending rearwardly from said first segment, and a trap-forming segment extending from said second segment, said second segment being substantially adjacent a bottom surface of the basin to provide maximum clearance between the drain line and a floor, and said trap-forming segment having a first section extending downward from said second segment, and a second section curving in a lateral direction away from the first section and bending upward; and

a plurality of flexible supply lines for supplying water to the faucet;

whereby the control means is activated to move the carrier frame and its connected components in a desired vertical direction within the outer frame, and one bellows expands and the other bellows collapses to conceal the outer frame and any exposed components therein when said carrier frame and its connected components are in any vertical position.

31. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein the counter includes spaced apart lower storage members depending from lateral edge portions thereof.

32. The apparatus of claim 30, further comprising a pair of receptacles positioned below the cabinet and behind the sink basin, said receptacles having a front wall depending from a back edge of the counter, a horizontal bottom wall, and a curved back wall, the back walls extending upwardly beyond the height of the counter, whereby various articles can be placed in the receptacles.

33. The apparatus of claim 30, further comprising an electrical outlet and light means adapted to move with the carrier frame.

34. The apparatus of claim 30, further comprising means for limiting the range of vertical travel of the carrier frame and means for stopping the downward movement thereof when an object impedes said downward movement.

35. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein the means for moving the carrier frame is positioned adjacent an upper portion of the outer frame.

36. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein the means for moving the carrier frame comprises a motor attached to the upper portion of the outer frame and a jack screw driven by said motor, the jack screw having a top end portion rotatably attached to a horizontal cross-member of the outer frame and a bottom end portion adapted to threadably mate with an aperture in the carrier frame, whereby the carrier frame and its connected components move vertically relative to the outer frame when the screw is rotated by the motor.

37. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein the carrier frame includes a carriage member, a pair of spaced apart vertical support members, and a bottom horizontal support bracket which supports the lavatory, the carriage member having an aperture therein and a nut attached thereto in alignment with said aperture.

38. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein the means for guiding the carrier frame vertically within the outer frame comprises side pieces connected to said carrier frame which slidably bear against the side walls of the outer frame.

39. A vertically adjustable lavatory assembly comprising:

a rectangular outer frame adapted to be positioned substantially within a recess formed in a wall, said outer frame including vertical side walls, a top horizontal cross-member, and a bottom horizontal cross-member;

a carrier frame positioned within the outer frame and being vertically moveable within said outer frame, said carrier frame including a pair of spaced apart vertical support members, a bottom horizontal support bracket which supports the lavatory, a top horizontal carriage member having an aperture therein adapted to receive a jack screw, and side pieces connected thereto which slidably bear against the side walls of the outer frame for guiding the carrier frame within the outer frame;

a motor attached to an upper portion of the outer frame;

a jack screw adapted to be driven by said motor, the jack screw having a top end portion rotatably attached to the top horizontal cross-member of the outer frame and a bottom end portion adapted to threadably mate with the aperture in the top carriage member of the carrier frame, whereby the carrier frame and its connected components move vertically within the outer frame when the screw is rotated by the motor;

a lavatory including a substantially horizontal counter, a faucet, a sink basin depending from substantially the center of the counter, and lower cabinets having a plurality of drawers depending from lateral edge portions of the counter, said lavatory being connected to the carrier frame and positioned outside the carrier frame and outer frame, and said sink basin having a shroud extending downward therefrom for covering a drain line, the shroud having a cavity defined by a front wall, bottom wall, and side walls;

an upper cabinet attached to the carrier frame, said upper cabinet including a mirror and being positioned substantially inside the carrier frame above the counter;

upper light means positioned above the mirror;

lower light means positioned below the mirror;

an electrical outlet adapted to move with the carrier frame;

upper collapsible bellows having a width substantially the same as the distance between the side walls of the outer frame, said upper bellows being adapted to interconnect an upper portion of the upper cabinet to an upper portion of the outer frame;

lower collapsible bellows having a width substantially the same as the distance between the side walls of the outer frame, said lower bellows being adapted to interconnect a lower portion of the lavatory to a lower portion of the outer frame;

control means for actuating vertical movement of the carrier frame;

means for limiting the range of vertical travel of the carrier frame;

means for stopping the downward movement of the carrier frame when an object impedes said downward movement;

a drain line including a rigid portion connected to an outlet opening in the basin and a flexible portion connected to a sewer line, the rigid portion having a first segment extending downward from the sink basin outlet opening, a substantially horizontal second segment extending rearwardly from said first segment, and a trap-forming segment extending from said second segment, said second segment being substantially adjacent a bottom surface of the basin to provide maximum clearance between the drain line and a floor, and said trap-forming segment having a first section extending downward from said second segment, and a second section curving in a lateral direction away from the first section and bending upward; and

a plurality of flexible supply lines for supplying water to the faucet;

whereby the control means is activated to move the carrier frame and its connected components in a desired vertical direction within the outer frame, and one bellows expands and the other bellows collapses to conceal the outer frame and any exposed components therein when the carrier frame and its connected components are in any vertical position.

40. The apparatus of claim 39, further comprising a pair of receptacles positioned below the cabinet and behind the sink basin, said receptacles having a front wall depending from a back edge of the counter, a horizontal bottom wall, and a curved back wall, the back walls extending upwardly beyond the height of the counter, whereby various articles can be place in the receptacles.

42. A vertically adjustable lavatory assembly comprising:

an outer frame including a plurality of support members having front edges which define a vertical plane;

a carrier frame positioned substantially behind said vertical plane and being vertically moveable within said outer frame;

a lavatory including a faucet and a sink basin having an outlet opening therein, said lavatory being connected to the carrier frame and positioned substantially outside said carrier frame and outer frame;

a moving mechanism for vertically moving the carrier frame within the outer frame, said moving mechanism being positioned above the carrier frame;

a collapsible cover lying in a substantially vertical plane parallel to and adjacent said vertical plane of the outer frame, said cover being movable with the carrier frame;

a drain line in fluid flow communication with the sink basin outlet opening and a sewer line, said drain line including a rigid portion and a flexible portion, the rigid portion having a first segment extending downward from the sink basin outlet opening, a substantially horizontal second segment extending rearwardly from said first segment, and a trap-forming segment extending from said second segment, said trap-forming segment being positioned behind said vertical plane of the outer frame, and said second segment being substantially adjacent a bottom surface of the basin to provide maximum clearance between the drain line and a floor; and

a plurality of supply lines for supplying water to the faucet, the supply lines being adapted to accommodate for changes in the height of the basin.

43. The apparatus of claim 42, wherein the sink basin depends from a substantially horizontal counter having spaced apart lower storage members depending from lateral edge portions thereof.

44. The apparatus of claim 42, further comprising one of a mirror and an upper cabinet positioned above the lavatory and substantially within the carrier frame.