Fluid handling – Systems – Programmer or timer
Patent
1992-11-12
1994-06-21
Hepperle, Stephen M.
Fluid handling
Systems
Programmer or timer
137599, 137607, 137613, 25112904, F16K 1124
Patent
active
053220862
ABSTRACT:
A faucet-control device which enables users to control water flow in a basin fixture (10) by leaning against the front of the fixture (10) with a lower limb. Eight embodiments (A-H) are described. A normally-closed, electrically-controlled valve (16, 44, 46, or 62) controls water flow. A thin, flat, normally-open, momentary-contact, pressure-actuated mat switch (14) controls the valve (16, 44, 46, or 62). Any user in a normal stance may activate the mat switch (14) by applying a small pressure with a lower limb. In Embodiment A, activating the mat switch (14) opens the valve(s) (16), allowing water to flow. In Embodiment B, two stacked mat switches (14 and 14A) control a two-stage valve (44). In Embodiment C, a capacitive mat (50) enables the user to select continuously variable flow rates with a lower limb. A servo-drive circuit (48) converts variable capacitance from the capacitive mat (50) to an amplified current which drives a servo valve (46). In Embodiment D, the servo-drive circuit (48 ) drives a mixing valve (62). The mixing valve (62) provides continuously variable water temperatures in response to varying pressure on the capacitive mat (50). Embodiments E-H utilize four different faucet configurations, in combination with the valves (16, 44, 46, or 62) from Embodiments A-D.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3491381 (1970-01-01), Cathcart
patent: 3638680 (1972-02-01), Kopp
patent: 3751615 (1973-08-01), De Loisy
patent: 3830991 (1974-08-01), Durocher
patent: 3898737 (1975-08-01), Cope
patent: 4189792 (1980-02-01), Veach
patent: 4757943 (1988-07-01), Sperling et al.
patent: 4823414 (1989-04-01), Piersimoni
patent: 4884725 (1989-12-01), Ahad
patent: 5074520 (1991-12-01), Lee
patent: 5095941 (1992-03-01), Betz
patent: 5135028 (1992-08-01), Rickenbach
LandOfFree
Hands-free, leg-operated, faucet-control device does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Hands-free, leg-operated, faucet-control device, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Hands-free, leg-operated, faucet-control device will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2215617