Transportable modular washstand

• US 6,401,274 B1
• Filed: 02/01/2001
• Issued: 06/11/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 10/25/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Wilbert Incorporated (Berkshire Hathaway Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Wilbert Incorporated (Berkshire Hathaway Incorporated)
• Inventors: Brown, Henry F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Huson, Gregory
• Assistant Examiner(s): LE, HUYEN D
• Application Number:
  US09/775,303
• Time in Patent Office: 495 Days
• Field of Search: 462/6, 462/5, 462/4, 462/0, 461/9, 462/7, 462/8, 463/9, 464/0, 464/3, 464/4, 464/6, 465/0, 465/3, 451/6, 451/7, 451/8, 451/9
• US Class Current: 4/626
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 1/02 Portable toilet tables; Wash cabinets or stands for automobiles B60R; for railway cars B61D; for ships B63B; for aircraft B64D; connected to waste pipe E03C
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/16 Wash-fountains connected to the waste-pipe

Abstract

A central steel column serves as a core module for a portable washstand. The column extends upwardly from a horizontal foot, and has foot pumps which communicate with a water intake tube and with water spouts. In addition, the central column has fasteners, such as adjustable bands, for connecting fresh and waste water receptacles to the column. A yoke may have pins which extend into the rims of the receptacles to connect them to the column. The receptacles may be conventional cylindrical drums, which support a molded plastic countertop with washbasins positioned beneath the spouts. For decorative purposes, a molded front panel extends between the countertop and the base, and together with a sheet rear panel encloses the two drums. Paper towel and soap dispensers may be connected to the central column.

Claims

1. A portable washstand comprising:

a foot for engaging a support surface;

a central column which extends upwardly from the foot;

at least one water dispensing spout mounted to the central column;

a water intake tube extending from the central column;

a pump communicating with the water intake tube and the at least one water dispensing spout, such that operation of the pump draws from the water intake tube and supplies to said spout;

a fresh water receptacle positioned adjacent the central column, and positioned to receive the water intake tube within the fresh water receptacle;

a waste water collecting receptacle positioned adjacent the central column;

at least one fastener engaging the fresh water receptacle and the waste water collecting receptacle and connecting them to the central column;

a countertop positioned over the fresh water receptacle and the waste water collecting receptacle and having portions defining at least one wash basin, wherein the at least one water dispensing spout is positioned to discharge water into the at least one wash basin;

a drain connected to the at least one wash basin, the drain communicating the waste water collecting receptacle to conduct water discharged into said basin into said waste water collecting receptacle.

2. The portable washstand of claim 1 wherein the foot extends sidewardly beneath the fresh water receptacle and the waste water collecting receptacle.

3. The portable washstand of claim 1 wherein the at least one fastener comprises a flexible strap connected to the central column to define loops within which the receptacles are received, the strap being capable of being tightened to encircle and clasp the receptacles to the central column.

4. The portable washstand of claim 3 wherein the at least one fastener further comprises:

a threaded rod extending rearwardly from the column; and

a block threadedly engaged with the threaded rod, and engaging against the flexible strap, such that rotation of the threaded rod acts to adjust the distance between the column and the block to thereby adjust the tension applied to the flexible strap.

5. The portable washstand of claim 1 further comprising:

a base underlying the foot;

a molded front panel extending from the base to the countertop; and

a rear panel extending from the base to the countertop, wherein the front panel and the rear panel enclose the receptacles.

6. The portable washstand of claim 1 wherein the countertop has portions defining a plurality of wash basins, and wherein the wash basins are connected to one another such that the water received within all of the wash basins drains to a single wash basin, and from there is passed through the drain to the waste water collecting receptacle.

7. The portable washstand of claim 1 wherein a flange protrudes upwardly from the foot, the flange being positioned frontwardly of the column to receive a strap thereover.

8. The portable washstand of claim 1 wherein the countertop has portions defining two wash basins, and a frontwardly facing segment extending above the washbasins, and two side segments, one extending on either side of the frontwardly facing segment, and wherein at least one paper towel dispenser and one soap dispenser are attached to the frontwardly facing segment and at least one of the side segments.

9. The portable washstand of claim 1 further comprising:

a molded plastic base beneath the foot; and

a front panel which extends from the base to the countertop.

10. The portable washstand of claim 1 further comprising:

a central member removably engaged with the column, the central member extending rearwardly between the fresh water receptacle and the waste water receptacle;

a first spacer fixed to the central member;

a second spacer fixed to the central member rearwardly of the first spacer;

a pin extending from each of the first spacer and the second spacer;

portions of the fresh water receptacle defining holes through which pins from the first spacer and the second spacer extend; and

portions of the waste water receptacle defining holes through which pins from the first spacer and the second spacer extend.

11. The portable washstand of claim 1 further comprising a hinge extending between the countertop and one of the receptacles, to allow the countertop to be pivoted upwardly to reveal the receptacles and permit access thereto.

12. The portable washstand of claim 11 wherein the at least one water dispensing spout projects upwardly above the level of the receptacles, and engages the countertop when it is pivoted upwardly to support the countertop in an open configuration.

13. The portable washstand of claim 1 further comprising:

a housing for paper towels mounted to the countertop along a front edge thereof; and

portions of the countertop which define at least one access opening allowing access to the receptacles positioned beneath the countertop, wherein the housing is connected by a a hinge to the countertop, and wherein frontward pivoting of the housing reveals the at least one access opening.

14. The portable washstand of claim 13 wherein the at least one water dispensing spout projects upwardly above the level of the receptacles, and engages the countertop when it is pivoted frontwardly.

15. A portable washstand comprising:

an upwardly extending central column;

at least one water dispensing spout mounted to the central column;

a water intake tube extending from the central column;

at least one first flexible strap formed into a loop and connected to the central column;

a first receptacle positioned adjacent a first side of the central column within the at least one first flexible strap loop;

a member positioned to urge against the at least one first flexible strap, to apply tension to the first flexible strap between the member and the central column, to permit the first receptacle to be clasped within the loop;

a second receptacle connected to a second side of the central column, wherein one of the first receptacle and the second receptacle is positioned to receive the water intake tube and serves as the fresh water receptacle, and the other receptacle serves as a waste water receptacle;

a pump communicating with the water intake tube and the at least one water dispensing spout, such that operation of the pump draws from the water intake tube and supplies to said spout;

a countertop positioned over the fresh water receptacle and the waste water collecting receptacle and having portions defining at least one wash basin, wherein the at least one water dispensing spout is positioned to discharge water into the at least one wash basin; and

a drain connected to the at least one wash basin, the drain communicating with the waste water collecting receptacle to conduct water discharged into said basin into said waste water collecting receptacle.

16. The portable washstand of claim 15 wherein the countertop has portions defining two wash basins, and the two wash basins are connected together by a communicating trough.

17. The portable washstand of claim 15 wherein there are two spouts which extend upwardly from the column.

18. The portable washstand of claim 15 wherein the at least one first flexible strap loop encompasses the second receptacle.

19. The portable washstand of claim 15 wherein the member positioned to urge against the at least one fastener comprises:

a threaded rod extending rearwardly from the column; and

a block threadedly engaged with the threaded rod, and engaging against the flexible strap, such that rotation of the threaded rod acts to adjust the distance between the column and the block to thereby adjust the tension applied to the flexible strap.

20. The portable washstand of claim 15 further comprising:

a central member removably engaged with the column, the central member extending rearwardly between the fresh water receptacle and the waste water receptacle;

a first spacer fixed to the central member;

a second spacer fixed to the central member rearwardly of the first spacer;

a pin extending from each of the first spacer and the second spacer;

portions of the fresh water receptacle defining holes through which pins from the first spacer and the second spacer extend; and

portions of the waste water receptacle defining holes through which pins from the first spacer and the second spacer extend.

21. The portable washstand of claim 15 further comprising a hinge extending between the countertop and one of the receptacles, to allow the countertop to be pivoted upwardly to reveal the receptacles and permit access thereto.

22. The portable washstand of claim 21 wherein the at least one water dispensing spout projects upwardly above the level of the receptacles, and engages the countertop when it is pivoted upwardly to support the countertop in an open configuration.

23. The portable washstand of claim 15 further comprising:

a housing for paper towels mounted to the countertop along a front edge thereof; and

portions of the countertop which define at least one access opening allowing access to the receptacles positioned beneath the countertop, wherein the housing is connected by a a hinge to the countertop, and wherein frontward pivoting of the housing reveals the at least one access opening.

24. The portable washstand of claim 23 wherein the at least one water dispensing spout projects upwardly above the level of the receptacles, and engages the countertop when it is pivoted frontwardly.

25. A core module for assembly with a fresh water receptacle and a waste water receptacle, to form a washstand, the core module comprising:

a rigid central column extending upwardly from a foot, the central column defining an interior cavity;

a first foot pump mounted to the foot;

a water intake tube extending from the central column at a position above the foot pump and communicating with the foot pump, the water intake tube extending exterior to the central column to be received within a fresh water receptacle;

a spout fixed to the central column above the foot pump;

a conduit extending within the central column interior cavity between the first foot pump and the spout, for conducting water drawn in through the water intake tube and advanced by the foot pump to the spout;

a fastener assembly extending from the central column to engage a receptacle exterior to the column and to connect said receptacle to the central column.

26. The washstand core module of claim 25 wherein the fastener assembly comprises a flexible strap connected to the central column to define a loop within which a receptacle is receivable, and a fastener mounted to the column to engage against the strap causing it to tighten about a receptacle and clasp it to the central column.

27. The washstand core module of claim 25 wherein a flange protrudes upwardly from the foot, the flange being positioned frontwardly of the column to receive a strap thereover.

28. The washstand core module of claim 25 wherein the fastener assembly comprises:

a threaded rod extending rearwardly from the column; and

a block threadedly engaged with the threaded rod, and engaging against the flexible strap, such that rotation of the threaded rod acts to adjust the distance between the column and the block to thereby adjust the tension applied to the flexible strap.

29. The portable washstand of claim 25 further comprising:

a central member removably engaged with the column and extending rearwardly therefrom;

a first spacer fixed to the central member;

a second spacer fixed to the central member rearwardly of the first spacer;

a pin extending from each of the first spacer and the second spacer for reception within holes defined by portions of fresh water and waste water receptacles attached to the column.

30. A core module for assembly with a fresh water receptacle and a gray water receptacle, to form a washstand, the core module comprising:

a rigid central column extending upwardly from a foot, the central column defining an interior cavity;

a first foot pump mounted to the foot;

a water intake tube extending from the central column at a position above the foot pump and communicating with the foot pump, the water intake tube extending exterior to the central column to be received within a fresh water receptacle;

a spout fixed to the central column above the foot pump;

a conduit extending within the central column interior cavity between the first foot pump and the spout, for conducting water drawn in through the water intake tube and advanced by the foot pump to the spout;

a fastener assembly extending from the central column to engage a receptacle exterior to the column and to connect said receptacle to the central column.

31. The washstand core module of claim 30 wherein the fastener assembly comprises a flexible strap connected to the central column to define a loop within which a receptacle is receivable, and a fastener mounted to the column to engage against the strap causing it to tighten about a receptacle and clasp it to the central column.

32. The washstand core module of claim 30 wherein a flange protrudes upwardly from the foot, the flange being positioned frontwardly of the column to receive a strap thereover.

33. An apparatus for assembly with two barrels to form a washstand, the assembly comprising:

a base;

a central column which extends upwardly from the base;

two water dispensing spouts mounted to the central column;

first flexible strap portions formed into a loop and connected to a first side of the central column;

second flexible strap portions formed into a loop and connected to a second side of the central column, opposite the first side;

at least one tensioning mechanism connected to the central column and cooperating with the first flexible strap portions and the second flexible strap portions to permit a first cylindrical barrel to be engaged within the loop of the first flexible strap, the first barrel defining a water supply receptacle, and cooperating with the second flexible strap portions to permit a second cylindrical barrel to be engaged within the loop of the second flexible strap, the second barrel defining a waste water receptacle;

a water intake tube positioned to draw water from the first cylindrical drum;

a pump communicating with the water supply tube and the spouts, such that activation of the pump moves water from the first cylindrical drum to the spouts;

a countertop spaced above the base and above the flexible strap portions, the countertop having portions defining two wash basins, wherein the water dispensing spouts are positioned to discharge water into the wash basins; and

a drain communicating with the second drum to discharge water from the basins into the second drum.