Proximity controlled sanitary fitting

• US 5,351,347 A
• Filed: 02/27/1992
• Issued: 10/04/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 03/01/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hansa Metallwerke AG (Paasikivi Family)
• Original Assignee: Hansa Metallwerke AG (Paasikivi Family)
• Inventors: Kunkel, Horst
• Primary Examiner(s): Cuchlinski, Jr., William A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): WORTH, WILLIE M
• Application Number:
  US07/842,489
• Time in Patent Office: 950 Days
• Field of Search: 4/623, 4/619, 137/392, 137/606, 137/607, 251/129.03, 361/176, 361/177, 361/179
• US Class Current: 4/623
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/057 touchless, i.e. using sensors
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87692 With common valve operator

Abstract

A proximity controlled sanitary fitting is provided with a manually operated electric selector switch (6) which is formed the same way as a handle of a conventional manually operated sanitary fitting. The selector switch (6) can be see in various operating positions associated to different operating modes of the sanitary fitting. Among these operating modes there are in particular the following ones: normal detection of a user; deactivation of the non-tactile detection; and opening the fitting regardless of the electronic detection. Thus the electric selector switch can be optically integrated into the design of the sanitary fleeing in a way readily accepted by the public.

Claims

1. A sanitary fitting for the controlled dispensing of water which comprises in combination:

(a) a main body including a spout through which a supply of water is adapted to flow,

(b) an electrically controlled valve closely associated with said main body for controlling the flow of water through said spout, an electronic proximity detector comprising a radiation emitting transmitter, and a receiver for said radiation, and an electronic unit associated with said fitting for sensing at least one of a user and a water level and producing an output control signals electrical connection means being provided for connecting the output control signal to said valve,

(c) a handle adjustably mounted to said main body,

(d) switching means operatively activated by said handle for controlling operation of said electronic proximity detector,

(e) said handle extending outwardly from said main body and separate from said spout, said handle being manually adjustable to positions that include;

(1) a first position in which said electronic proximity detector is active and sensitive to the presence of a user and provides said output control signal to said valve which controls the flow of water through said spout,

(2) a second position in which said electronic proximity detector is not active and in this position said valve is closed to prevent the flow of water through said spout, and

(3) a third position in which said electronic proximity detector is active but not sensitive to the presence of a user and in this position said valve is open to permit the flow of water through said spout.

2. A sanitary fitting according to claim 1 wherein said handle has an essentially horizontal axis of rotation.

3. A sanitary fitting according to claim 1 wherein said handle comprises one of two handles that are symmetrically arranged on said main body so that the appearance of the fitting resembles the appearance of a conventional two handle fitting.

4. A sanitary fitting in accordance with claim 1, wherein in said third position of said handle the electronic proximity detector generates a detection zone which extends in a downwardly sloped direction and in this third position said valve is opened and is only closed in response to said output control signal from the electronic proximity detector when said detector senses that the water surface below it has reached a predetermined level.

5. A sanitary fitting in accordance with claim 3 wherein said electrically controlled valve is operatively housed within the second of said two handles.