Baths – closets – sinks – and spittoons – Supply outlet for a sink or bath
Reexamination Certificate
2002-09-30
2004-04-13
Bennett, Henry (Department: 3751)
Baths, closets, sinks, and spittoons
Supply outlet for a sink or bath
C004S676000, C004S677000, C004S678000, C004S695000, CD23S238000, CD23S239000, CD23S243000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06718568
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to plumbing fixtures and the like, and more specifically to a faucet assembly for installation with a conventional bathroom or other sink, which permits different accessories to be installed with the faucet. The present modular faucet assembly includes a single central faucet and control valve, with the opposite left and right ends of the fixture attaching to the conventional valve passages of the sink. Different accessories, such as a liquid soap dispenser pump and a retractable spray nozzle, may then be installed through each end of the modular assembly, or the end passages may be capped as desired.
2. Description of the Related Art
Plumbing and water supply systems have long provided for both hot and cold water at various points in a structure, e.g., kitchen, bathroom, laundry, etc. Traditionally, the hot and cold water supply faucet or fixture comprised a single faucet with two separate hot and cold water control valves. In both cases, the sink, countertop, etc. to which such a system is affixed, requires a central passage for the single handle faucet, as well as separate passages to each side thereof for the hot and cold water controls as required
eeded for two handle faucets.
A later development was the single control valve for controlling both hot and cold water flow from a single central faucet or spigot. Such valves may comprise a lever handle, or alternatively a ball-shaped or otherwise configured control. While various principles of operation are used, they all provide the same general function, i.e., the use of a single control and mixer unit for controlling both hot and cold water flow from a single faucet.
Such single control units are plumbed by connecting the hot and cold water supply lines to the input fittings in the base of the control, with all water supply lines either passing through the single central opening in the back of the sink or countertop, or through the sink openings to the left and right of the central opening. Thus, the additional two openings provided conventionally for separate hot and cold water control valves are not needed for such single valve systems, and must be capped or concealed in some manner.
However, many sink installations are provided with additional convenience features, such as liquid soap dispenser pumps, separate spray nozzles and flexible water supply lines therefor, etc. Each of these additional convenience features requires an additional hole or passage in the sink back or countertop. As these features may or may not be desired in any given installation, their installation requires a custom made, or at least custom modified, sink or countertop in order to accommodate these various accessories. Yet, practically all sinks include the additional passages for separate hot and cold water control valves, even though they are not necessarily needed when a fixture using a single central control valve is installed.
The present invention provides a solution to the above problem, by providing a single modular water supply fixture having a single central faucet and single control valve which serves to control the quantity of both hot and cold water, and mix the two, using a single valve. Such devices are well known, as indicated in the discussion further above. Conventionally, such devices attach to the conventional sink passages to each side of the central passage, using fittings to each end of the assembly. The ends of the device do not include any plumbing components, and serve only as attachment points for securing the device to the underlying sink or countertop, or as openings for the hot and cold supply for the faucet.
The present invention also includes left and right passages to each side of the central faucet and control valve, which align with the conventional passages provided in the standard sink back or countertop. The present modular faucet assembly thus allows other accessories, such as liquid soap dispensing pumps and spray nozzles with their flexible supply lines, to be installed through the left and right passages of the device and through the corresponding passages in the standard sink or countertop. These accessory attachment passages also serve as anchor points for securing the fixture to the underlying sink or countertop. Thus, the sink or countertop need not be customized or modified for the inclusion of such additional features, when the present invention is used.
A discussion of the related art of which the present inventor is aware, and its differences and distinctions from the present invention, is provided below.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,571,821 issued on Mar. 23, 1971 to Jack N. Kaiser, titled “Plumbing Fixtures,” describes various embodiments of a specially configured sink to which a single control faucet and other accessories (liquid soap dispenser, drain closure lever, etc.) may be installed. One embodiment is relatively complex, including various dispensers, electrically powered accessories, etc. However, each of the Kaiser embodiments requires a specially manufactured and configured sink, with the sink including a rearwardly disposed pylon to which the other fittings are installed. While Kaiser notes that one can change the fittings and accessories of his assembly by changing the escutcheon atop the sink pylon, the fact remains that Kaiser requires a specially configured sink for installing his fixtures in the first place. In contrast, the present invention comprises a specially configured faucet assembly, which provides for installation on an existing conventional sink and which allows different accessories to be installed therewith, without need to replace an escutcheon or any of the plumbing or sink components. The present invention is thus considerably more versatile and economical than the Kaiser fixture.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,623,638 issued on Nov. 30, 1971 to Sabine Henning et al., titled “Liquid Dispenser For Shower Bath,” describes an add-on assembly comprising a wall mounted liquid soap tank connected to a dispenser which is removably attached to the shower nozzle. The Henning et al. device has no provision for attaching to a sink, and cannot serve as a mounting point for a faucet assembly and other accessories, as does the present fixture.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,625,896 issued on Dec. 2, 1986 to Gianpaolo Rocchelli, titled “Device For Dispensing Liquid Soap,” describes an add-on soap dispenser for attachment to an existing faucet assembly. The Rocchelli device fits around the base of the faucet, and requires that the faucet be at least loosened and raised from its attachment to the underlying escutcheon or plate, in order to install the Rocchelli device beneath the edges thereof. The Rocchelli device is relatively limited in comparison to the present invention, as Rocchelli provides only a soap dispenser which attaches to an existing sink faucet. In contrast, the present modular assembly provides a new faucet and control, which includes means for attaching various other fixtures thereto or capping and concealing the attachment points, as desired.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,650,470 issued on Mar. 17, 1987 to Harry Epstein, titled “Portable Water-Jet System,” describes various embodiments of an assembly which attaches to an existing water faucet or tap. The Epstein assembly essentially comprises a diverter valve which threads to the end of the faucet, a solution mixing container, and a flow control valve. The Epstein assembly provides only the relatively limited function of diverting water flow from the faucet, mixing a substance therewith, and dispensing the water and substance mix. Epstein does not provide any structure for attachment to an existing water supply system, which structure allows the modular installation of various accessories therewith as desired, as does the present modular faucet assembly invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,671,316 issued on Jun. 9, 1987 to Irlin H. Botnick, titled “Faucet Manifold,” describes a fixture having a base formed of stamped components, rather than being conventionally cast. The Botnick fixtur
Bennett Henry
Kokabi Azy
Litman Richard C.
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