Electric faucet valve operator adapter

• US 5,318,070 A
• Filed: 08/21/1992
• Issued: 06/07/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 08/19/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Edward C. Surabian
• Original Assignee: Edward C. Surabian
• Inventors: Surabian, Edward C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hepperle, Stephen M.
• Application Number:
  US07/933,888
• Time in Patent Office: 655 Days
• Field of Search: 137/607, 137/606, 137/359, 137/360, 137/594, 137/597, 137/569, 4/192, 4/196, 4/623, 4/628, 251/129.04, 251/129.11, 251/248
• US Class Current: 137/606
• 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: F16K 19/006 Specially adapted for faucets
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/86171 With pump bypass
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87684 Valve in each inlet

Abstract

A portable electric adapter unit is installed by removing the operating knobs or levers of an existing household faucet and locking the unit to the exposed valve stems. Switches on the unit control motors which drive a gear chain which, In turn, rotate the respective valve stems thereby controlling the temperature and flow of water. A liquid soap dispenser is included in the assembly as well as a pair of switches that allow for setting of the rotation direction of the motors during installation.

Claims

1. An electric adapter for a faucet valve comprising:

at least one stem adapter fitted to a valve stem of a faucet, said stem adapter being coupled to an output shaft;

at least one drive mechanism coupled to said said adapter, said drive mechanism including a motor gear, at least one intermediate reduction gear, and a drive gear coupled to said output shaft;

at least one motor for driving said drive mechanism;

a source of electrical energy connected to said switch;

at least one manually actuated switch having a means for driving said drive mechanism bidirectionally;

a housing for said motor; and

a soap dispenser, said dispenser further comprising;

a reservoir;

a bipositional valve having a first position for manually directing soap and a second position for electromechanically delivering soap; and

an electromechanical means for actuating said soap delivery, said soap dispenser being seated in said housing.

2. An electric adapter for a faucet valve comprising:

first and second stem adapters, each adapter fitted to a valve stem of a faucet, said first stem adapter fitting on a hot water valve stem and said second stem adapter fitting on a cold water valve stem, said stem adapters being coupled to an output shaft.;

first and second drive mechanisms, each drive mechanism coupled to one said adapter, each drive mechanism including a motor gear, at least one intermediate reduction gear, and a drive gear coupled to said output shaft;

first and second motors for driving said drive mechanisms;

at least one source of electrical energy connected to first and second switches, said switches activating said motors; and

at least one manually actuated switch having a means for driving said drive mechanisms bidirectionally;

wherein said first and second switches operate said drive mechanisms either individually or simultaneously; and

a third switch for initially setting the rotational direction of said first and second motor means.

3. The adapter of claim 2 further comprising a soap dispenser, said dispenser further comprising:

a reservoir;

a bipositional valve having a first position for manually directing soap and a second position for electromechanically delivering soap;

an electromechanical means for actuating said soap delivery, said soap dispenser being seated in said housing.

4. The adapter of claim 3 wherein said dispenser is connected to at least one intermediate reduction gear, said dispenser further comprising an actuating means.