Baths – closets – sinks – and spittoons – Wash receptacles – Emergency fountains
Reexamination Certificate
2000-05-08
2001-03-27
Phillips, Charles E. (Department: 3751)
Baths, closets, sinks, and spittoons
Wash receptacles
Emergency fountains
Reexamination Certificate
active
06205599
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Technical Field
This invention relates generally to a covered fountain for flushing contaminants from eyes, and more particularly to such a fountain that automatically raises the cover from the fountain and initiates a flow of rinsing fluid through at least one spray head in response to activating a push plate.
2. Background Art
Eyewash fountains are typically used in industrial and laboratory environments to provide emergency flushing of human eyes after exposure to fumes, liquids or airborne debris that may be injurious to the eyes. Many of these devices require that an affected individual locate and turn on a valve to initiate a flow of rinsing water. Sometimes the affected individual may even be required to modulate the valve to provide a stream of water at a desirable pressure and in an appropriate volume.
Emergency eyewash fountains, by the very nature of their intended use, often may go for several months, or longer, without use. This infrequent use permits rust, corrosion, bacteria and other undesirable materials to accumulate in the spray heads and supply lines. Examples of covered eyewash fountains that open automatically in response to activating a push plate that simultaneously initiates a flow of water and opens the cover are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,599,251 issued Aug. 17, 1971 to Allan C. Wright and entitled
Covered Eyewash Fountain
and U.S. Pat. No. 5,008,963 granted on Apr. 23, 1991 to Matthew I. Stein entitled
Emergency Wash Station
. Both of the above-referenced arrangements have a mechanical linkage between a flow control valve and the cover whereby the cover is pushed to an open position in response to opening the valve, and lowered to a closed position in response to closing the valve. In both arrangements, the cover cannot be raised without initiating a flow of water. Therefore, if it is desired to inspect, service, repair or otherwise access any component of the water distribution system enclosed within the fountain without a flow of water, the mechanical linkage between the flow control valve and the cover must first be disconnected.
The present invention is directed to overcoming the problems set forth above. It is desirable to have a covered eyewash fountain in which the cover can be raised for access to the spray heads, plumbing, and other fixtures disposed within the fountain without opening a flow control valve or disassembly of a linkage that automatically opens the cover in response to opening the flow control valve. It is also desirable to have such a covered eyewash fountain in which the water flow may be adjusted, or even stopped all together, after opening the cover in response to initiating flow through the water control valve by operation of a push plate, without moving the cover toward a closed position. It is also desirable to have such a covered eyewash fountain in which independent opening and closure of the cover can be carried out without moving a push plate connected to a stem of the flow control valve.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, an eyewash fountain comprises a basin having at least one upperly directly nozzle disposed in the basin, a cover disposed over the basin, and a flow control valve, movable between an open and a closed position, in fluid communication with the nozzle. The eyewash fountain further includes a push plate operatively connected to the flow control valve and selectively movable between a first position and a second position. The flow control valve is moved to its closed position in response to moving the push plate to the first position. The flow control valve is moved to its open position in response to moving the push plate to the second position. The covered eyewash fountain further includes a means for opening the cover in response to moving the push plate to the second position, and simultaneously independently opening and closing the cover without moving the push plate, and simultaneously providing closure of the flow control valve without closing the cover.
Other features of the eyewash fountain embodying the present invention include the cover being pivotally attached to the basin at a predetermined position along a peripheral edge of the cover, and the means for opening the cover in response to moving the flow control valve to an open position and simultaneously providing other functions, as described above, comprises a linkage having a first end attached to the push plate and a second end attached to the cover at a position adjacent the predetermined position along the peripheral edge of the cover at which the cover is pivotally connected to the basin. The linkage pulls the cover to an open position in response to moving the push plate to the second position. Other features includes the linkage comprising a pair of bar links, a first link of the pair having a first end pivotally attached to the push plate and a second end pivotally connected to the second link of the pair. The second end of the second bar link is pivotally attached to the cover.
Other features include the flow control valve having a stem on which the push plate is fixedly attached whereby rotation of the push plate produces a corresponding rotation of the flow control valve, and the first end of the linkage extending between the push plate and the cover is attached to the push plate at a position spaced from the flow control valve stem. Yet another feature includes the linkage being a flexible member having a length defined by the distance between the respective attachment points of the first end to the push plate and the second end to the cover when the push plate is at the first position and the cover is closed.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3413660 (1968-12-01), Lagarelli et al.
patent: 3599251 (1971-08-01), Wright
patent: 5008963 (1991-04-01), Stein
patent: 2271056 (1994-06-01), None
Encon Safety Products
Jenkens & Gilchrist. P.C.
Phillips Charles E.
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