Lavatory system

• US 8,857,786 B2
• Filed: 11/25/2009
• Issued: 10/14/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 01/23/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bradley Fixtures Corporation (Bradley Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Bradley Fixtures Corporation (Bradley Corporation)
• Inventors: Bayley, Graeme S., Loberger, John, Doorhy, Brendan, Mazza, Joseph, Gaza, Brian, O'Brien, Donald
• Primary Examiner(s): JACYNA, J CASIMER
• Application Number:
  US12/626,519
• Publication Number:
  US 20100132112A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,784 Days
• Field of Search: 462/3, 462/4, 461/9, 463/1, 4638-640, 464/3, 251/129.04, 251/129.03
• US Class Current: 251/129.04
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/057 touchless, i.e. using sensors
• CPC Class Codes: E03D 5/105 touchless, e.g. using sensors
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/04 Systems determining the presence of a target

Abstract

A lavatory system is provided that includes a first wash station having a first fluid dispensing fixture and a first drain, a second wash station having a second fluid dispensing fixture and a second drain, a support structure extending between the first wash station and the second wash station and at least one array of photovoltaic cells supported at the support structure. The at least one array of photovoltaic cells is configured to provide power for operating both the first fluid dispensing fixture and the second fluid dispensing fixture.

Claims

1. A lavatory system comprising:

a support structure comprising;

a lower portion supporting a wash basin configured to operate as a continuous receptacle for a first fluid dispensing fixture and a second fluid dispensing fixture; and

an upper portion comprising a shelf positioned above the wash basin, the shelf having a front surface, a bottom surface and a top surface defining a recess, wherein the first and second fluid dispensing fixtures are coupled to the bottom surface of the shelf and actuated based on a detection system housed in the front surface of the shelf detecting the presence of a user in front of the shelf; and

at least one array of photovoltaic cells provided within the recess of the top surface of the shelf and configured to provide power for operating the detection system, the first fluid dispensing fixture, and the second fluid dispensing fixture, wherein the photovoltaic cells are positioned below the top surface of the upper portion of the support structure, and wherein a liquid sealer is applied to the least one array of photovoltaic cells which hardens relatively clear to cover the at least one array of photovoltaic cells such that the top surface of the upper portion of the support structure and the sealer define a continuous and planar outer support surface of the support structure; and

a power management system comprising;

an energy storage element configured to receive and store electrical energy generated by the photovoltaic cells; and

a switch configured to disconnect the energy storage element from providing power to the detection system, the first fluid dispensing fixture, and the second fluid dispensing fixture so to conserve electrical energy if the level of ambient light drops below a predetermined value.

2. The lavatory system of claim 1 wherein the shelf extends in a horizontal direction above the wash basin, the first fluid dispensing fixture, and the second fluid dispensing fixture.

3. The lavatory system of claim 2 wherein the at least one array of photovoltaic cells comprises a first array of photovoltaic cells, a second array of photovoltaic cells and a third array of photovoltaic cells, the first array of photovoltaic cells, the second array of photovoltaic cells and the third array of photovoltaic cells each being visually separated from each other by the upper surface of the shelf.

4. The lavatory system of claim 3 wherein the sealer covers the first array of photovoltaic cells, the second array of photovoltaic cells and the third array of photovoltaic cells.

5. The lavatory system of claim 3 wherein the first array of photovoltaic cells, the second array of photovoltaic cells and the third array of photovoltaic cells are electrically coupled to each other and together provide power for operating both the first fluid dispensing fixture and the second fluid dispensing fixture.

17. The lavatory system of claim 3, wherein the power management system is coupled to the first array of photovoltaic cells, the second array of photovoltaic cells, and the third array of photovoltaic cells, the power management system configured to receive power from the first array of photovoltaic cells, the second array of photovoltaic cells, and the third array of photovoltaic cells and distribute the power to the first and second fluid dispensing fixtures.

6. A lavatory system providing at least one wash station, the lavatory system comprising:

at least one basin;

at least one fixture supported at the at least one basin;

a support structure having a first portion to which the at least one fixture is coupled and a second portion comprising a countertop, the countertop defining a bottom surface, a side surface, and an outer top surface, the top surface of the countertop having at least a first recess and a second recess formed in the outer top surface, and the side surface of the countertop housing a detection system for detecting the presence of a user in front of the countertop; and

at least a first and second group of photovoltaic cells positioned within the first and second recesses defined by the countertop, the at least first and second groups of photovoltaic cells configured to provide power to the at least one fixture, the first group of photovoltaic cells being visually separated from the second group of photovoltaic cells by the outer top surface of the countertop, and

a power management system comprising;

an energy storage element configured to receive and store electrical energy generated by the first and second group of photovoltaic cells; and

a switch configured to disconnect the energy storage element from providing power to the detection system and the at least one fixture,

wherein the first and second groups of photovoltaic cells are positioned below the outer top surface of the countertop, and wherein a liquid sealer is applied to the first and second groups of photovoltaic cells which hardens relatively clear to cover the first and second groups of photovoltaic cells such that the outer top surface of the countertop and the sealer define a continuous and planar support surface.

7. The lavatory system of claim 6 wherein the sealer is provided in the first recess and the second recess to cover the first and second groups of photovoltaic cells without extending above the outer top surface of the countertop.

8. The lavatory system of claim 6 wherein the sealer is a resin comprising a first layer provided under the first and second groups of photovoltaic cells and a second layer provided on top of the first and second groups of photovoltaic cells.

9. The lavatory system of claim 6 wherein the at least one fixture comprises a first fluid dispensing fixture and a second fluid dispensing fixture, and wherein the first and second groups of photovoltaic cells provide power to both the first fluid dispensing fixture and the second fluid dispensing fixture.

10. The lavatory system of claim 6 further comprising a third group of photovoltaic cells supported at the countertop, the third group of photovoltaic cells being visually separated from both the first group of photovoltaic cells and the second group of photovoltaic cells by the outer top surface of the countertop.

11. The lavatory system of claim 10 wherein the first, second and third groups of photovoltaic cells are electrically coupled to each other.

12. A lavatory system providing at least one wash station, the lavatory system comprising:

at least one basin;

at least one fixture supported at the at least one basin;

a support structure having a first portion to which the at least one fixture is coupled and a second portion comprising a countertop;

a detection system located at a side surface of the countertop for detecting the presence of a user in front of the lavatory system; and

at least one photovoltaic cell provided within a recess defined by an outer top surface of the countertop and configured to provide power for operating the at least one fixture,

a power management system configured to control power to the detection system and the at least one fixture from the at least one photovoltaic cell;

wherein a top surface of the at least one photovoltaic cell does not extend above the outer top surface of the countertop and a liquid sealer is applied to the at least one photovoltaic cell which hardens relatively clear to cover the at least one photovoltaic cell within the recess such that a top surface of the hardened sealer and the outer top surface of the countertop are coplanar and define a continuously flat surface.

13. The lavatory system of claim 12 further comprising:

a first wash station comprising a first fluid dispensing fixture and a first drain; and

a second wash station comprising a second fluid dispensing fixture and a second drain,

wherein the support structure supports the first wash station and the second wash station, and wherein the countertop extends in a horizontal direction above the first fluid dispensing fixture and the second fluid dispensing fixture and spans a length between the first wash station and the second wash station.

14. The lavatory system of claim 13 wherein the at least one photovoltaic cell comprises a first array of photovoltaic cells and a second array of photovoltaic cells that are electrically coupled to each other to provide power for operating both the first fluid dispensing fixture and the second fluid dispensing fixture.

15. The lavatory system of claim 14 wherein the at least one photovoltaic cell further comprises a third array of photovoltaic cells.

16. The lavatory system of claim 15 wherein a portion of the countertop extends upward between the first array of photovoltaic cells, the second array of photovoltaic cells and the third array of photovoltaic cells to visually separate the first, second and third arrays of photovoltaic cells.