Multi-function fixture for a lavatory system

• US 10,041,236 B2
• Filed: 06/08/2016
• Issued: 08/07/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 06/08/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bradley Fixtures Corporation (Bradley Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Bradley Corporation
• Inventors: Loberger, John M., Kluck, Scott M., Haas, William L., Dodge, Jason T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Shaw, Benjamin R
• Application Number:
  US15/176,406
• Publication Number:
  US 20170356173A1
• Time in Patent Office: 790 Days
• Field of Search: 4628, 4678
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 10/48 Drying by means of hot air hair-drying devices A45D20/00; curative hot-air baths A61H33/06; electric heating elements H05B
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 2005/1218 Table mounted; Dispensers integrated with the mixing tap
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 2210/00 Combinations of water taps, soap dispensers and hand dryers
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 5/12 for liquid or pasty soap
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/0404 Constructional or functional features of the spout
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/057 touchless, i.e. using sensors
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/18 Sinks, whether or not connected to the waste-pipe

Abstract

Systems and methods for a multi-function lavatory fixture are disclosed. The lavatory fixture includes a first and second leg, where a first end of each leg is configured to be mounted to a deck and a second end of each leg is located over a basin of the lavatory fixture. A connecting section extends between the second ends of each leg and includes outlets to dispense water, soap, and air to wash a user'"'"'s hands. The fixture also includes indicators located proximate each of the outlets to indicate to the user the location of each outlet. A sensor located near each outlet identifies the presence of a user'"'"'s hands near the outlet and dispenses water, soap, or air accordingly. A controller within the lavatory fixture receives inputs from each sensor and activates the appropriate pump, fan, valve, and the like to deliver the desired product at the appropriate outlet.

Claims

1. A lavatory system comprising:

a basin having a first side, a second side opposite the first side, a third side extending between the first side and the second side, and a fourth side extending between the first side and the second side;

a fixture extending over the basin for dispensing soap, water and air, the fixture having a first leg, a second leg spaced apart from the first leg, and a connecting section for connecting the first leg to the second leg;

a first passage in the first leg;

a second passage in the second leg;

a first tube for carrying the water through one of the first passage and the second passage;

a second tube for carrying the soap through one of the first passage and the second passage;

at least one first exit point along the connecting section for dispensing the water;

at least one second exit point along the connecting section for dispensing the soap; and

at least one third exit point along the connecting section for dispensing the air.

2. The lavatory system of claim 1, wherein:

the fixture is a single casting,

the first leg includes a first base,

the second leg includes a second base, and

each of the first and second bases are configured to attach to the basin.

3. The lavatory system of claim 1, further comprising:

a deck having a generally planar upper surface surrounding at least a portion of the basin;

a first hole in the deck for receiving a portion of the first base; and

a second hole in the deck for receiving a portion of the second base.

4. The lavatory system of claim 1, wherein the first passage is configured to maximize an area for air flow through the first leg.

5. The lavatory system of claim 4 wherein the first leg includes:

an inner wall separating the first passage from the connecting section; and

an air outlet proximate the inner wall, wherein the air outlet is the at least one third exit point and wherein the inner wall equalizes the air flow within the first passage by pressure shock when the air flow hits the inner wall thereby bending the air flow generally 90°

to point downwardly and exit the air outlet.

6. The lavatory system of claim 5, further comprising a nozzle located in the air outlet that is configured to straighten the air flow through the air outlet.

7. The lavatory system of claim 6, further comprising a grid within the nozzle for preventing items from getting into the air outlet.

8. The lavatory system of claim 4, further comprising a boss located in the air flow within the first passage shaped to minimize air disturbance as the air flow travels over the boss.

9. The lavatory system of claim 1, further comprising an aerator mounted proximate the at least one first exit point, and wherein the aerator is configured with an entrance for the first tube, and wherein the entrance adds a swirling motion to the water.

10. The lavatory system of claim 9 wherein:

the connecting section includes an upper surface and a lower surface, and

the aerator is nearly flush with the lower surface of the connecting section.

11. The lavatory system of claim 10, further comprising a translucent material for constructing at least a portion of the lower surface of the connecting section so that sensors can sense through the material.

12. The lavatory system of claim 1, further comprising:

a first indicator identifying the at least one first exit point;

a second indicator identifying the at least one second exit point; and

a third indicator identifying the at least one third exit point.

13. The lavatory system of claim 12 further comprising a control circuit that enables each of the first indicator, the second indicator, and the third indicator to indicate to a user where to put hands of the user.

14. The lavatory system of claim 1, further comprising a drain channel extending longitudinally between the first side and the second side of the basin, wherein a rear surface of the drain channel is defined in part by the third side of the basin and a front surface of the drain channel abuts a lower edge of the fourth side, wherein the fourth side is sloped downward from a front of the basin toward a rear of the basin.

15. The lavatory system claim 14 further comprising:

a drain opening extending through a lower surface of the drain channel; and

a drain cover removably mounted to the drain opening, wherein the drain cover defines a surface displaced above and substantially covering the drain channel and extending between the first side and the second side of the basin.

16. The lavatory system of claim 15 wherein the drain cover further includes a plurality of bumpers located at intervals along both a front side and a rear side of the drain cover and, when the drain cover is inserted in the drain channel, the bumpers are positioned between the front side of the drain cover and the front surface of the drain channel and between the rear side of the drain cover and the rear surface of the drain channel.

17. A fixture for a lavatory system having a deck and a basin in the deck, the lavatory system configured to be mounted to a lavatory wall, the fixture is operable to dispense soap, water, and air, the fixture comprising:

a first leg having a first end, a second end, and a first passage extending between the first end and the second end of the first leg, wherein the first end is configured to be mounted to the deck and the second end is configured to be positioned over the basin;

a second leg having a first end, a second end, and a second passage extending between the first end and the second end of the second leg, wherein the first end is configured to be mounted to the deck and the second end is configured to be positioned over the basin;

a connecting section between the first leg and the second leg, wherein the connecting section has a water outlet, a soap outlet and an air outlet;

a first tube operable to carry the water through one of the first leg and the second leg to the water outlet on the connecting section; and

a second tube operable to carry the soap through one of the first leg and the second leg to the soap outlet on the connecting section, wherein a duct to transmit the air to the air outlet on the connecting section is defined by one of the first passage and the second passage.

18. The fixture of claim 17 wherein the first tube and the second tube extend through the first passage and the air is transmitted via the second passage.

19. A lavatory fixture for a wash station, the lavatory fixture comprising:

a first generally r-shaped leg having a first end, a second end, and a first passage extending through the first leg, wherein the first end of the first leg has a first mounting surface and an opening in communication with the first passage and extending through the first mounting surface, and

a second generally r-shaped leg, displaced from the first leg, the second leg having a first end, a second end, and a second passage extending through the second leg, wherein the first end of the second leg has a second mounting surface and an opening in communication with the second passage and extending through the second mounting surface, wherein the first and second mounting surfaces each engage a surface to mount to the lavatory fixture, and

an outlet portion having a first end, a second end, and a plurality of outlets wherein;

the first end of the outlet portion is connected to the second end of the first leg,

the first end of the outlet portion has a third passage and an opening establishing fluid communication between the first passage and the third passage,

the second end of the outlet portion is connected to the second end of the second leg,

the second end of the outlet portion has a fourth passage and an opening establishing fluid communication between the second passage and the fourth passage, and

a first outlet, selected from the plurality of outlets is located proximate the first end of the outlet portion, is in communication with the third passage, and is further in communication with an air blower via the first and third passages to discharge air.

20. The lavatory fixture of claim 19 wherein:

the wash station includes a deck and a basin mounted in the deck;

the lavatory fixture extends over the basin; and

the surface engaged by each of the first and second mounting surfaces is the deck of the wash station.