US3473173A - Adjustable lavatory - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 21, 1969 v. K. MAcluLAlTls ET Ax. 3,473,173

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ADJUSTABLE LAVATORY 8 Sheets-Sheet Filed Feb. 23, 1968 nited States Patent O 3,473,173 ADJUSTABLE LAVATORY Vytantas K. Maciulaitis, Chicago, .lohn E. Svabek, Jr., Westchester, and Donald C. Schreck, Sr., La Grange, lll., assignors to Crane Co., Chicago, Ill., a corporation of illinois Filed Feb. 23, 1968, Ser. No. 707,635

Int. Cl. A47k 1/04 ILS. Cl. 4-176 24 Claims ABSTRACT F THE DISCLUSURE Vertically adjustable lavatory including base cabinet assembly surmounted by upright cabinet assembly. Cabinet assemblies are raised and lowered relative to base frame on bearing shafts by power unit in base cabinet assembly. Expandable skirt maintains cabinet enclosure. Water supply and control provide instant hot water and remote temperature and flow control.

Background- Summary-Prior art This invention relates to lavatories, and in particular, to lavatories which are adjustable in height.

Lavatories of xed height have conventionally been installed in bathrooms to ideally accommodate the person of medium stature. Only in recent years have lavatories which are vertically adjustable to accommodate persons of varying height become reasonably well known. Lavatories of this type are exemplified by the disclosures in U.S. patents issued to Eriksson No. 2,716,757 and Haughey No. 3,011,177.

Presently known lavatories of the vertically adjustable type are notably lacking in acceptable features. Apparatus for raising and lowering the lavatory basin and related equipment is antiquated and ineicient, as well as being bulky and cumbersome to install. Such lavatories do not provide an adequate enclosure for sub-basin equipment in their various raised and lowered positions. In addition, no vertically adjustable lavatory presently known permits the use of a tall, upright cabinet and mirror assembly surmounting the base cabinet assembly, which includes the basin. A lavatory without such a convenience stands little chance of commercial success in this day.

Other areas where present day vertically adjustable lavatories are wanting include their water supply systems. Water supply control has not improved much since the rst modern, vertically adjustable lavatories became available.

The invention is embodied in a greatly improved vertically adjustable lavatory. As such, an object of the invention is to provide a vertically adjustable lavatory which includes an upright cabinet assembly with an associated mirror unit.

Another object of the invention is to provide a vertically adjustable lavatory wherein improved power height adjustment means are employed in a novel and eective manner.

It is still another object to provide a vertically adjustable lavatory including a new and improved expandable enclosure for the sub-basin equipment in the lavatory, wherein a protective and decorative structure is assured regardless of the adjusted height of the lavatory.

It is yet another object to provide improved water supply and control systems, including a facility for providing an instantaneous supply of hot water to the user upon demand.

The foregoing and other objects are realized in accord with the invention by providing a lavatory including a base cabinet assembly surmounted by an upright cabinet assembly and mounted on vertically disposed support ICC shafts for vertical sliding movement on bearing sleeves. The shafts are mounted on the base platform of the lavatory frame and braced from the upright back panel of the frame.

In one aspect of the invention, a closed-circuit hydraulic power unit raises and lowers the cabinet assemblies on their mounting shafts. The power unit includes an axial tluid motor which interconnects the frame base and the base cabinet assembly. A unitary, motor-purnp-fluid reservoir provides fluid under pressure to actuate the axial iluid motor at the instance of the user. In another aspect of the invention, an electrically actuated screw-jack type power unit provides the lifting force.

Water control is through remote control valve assemblies which provide a wide range of selected temperatures and ow rates for normal hand and hair ablutions. A remote controlled rim wash for the basin is also provided. These functions are remotely controlled from a panel unit immediately above the basin by the user.

Brief description of the drawings The invention, including its construction and method of operation, along with other objects and advantages thereof, is illustrated more or less diagrammatically in the drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of the adjustable lavatory embodying features of the invention, in its raised position;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational View of the lavatory, in its lowered position;

FIGURE 3 is a front elevational view of the lavatory, in its raised position, with parts broken away;

FIGURE 4 is a partial front elevational View of the base of the lavatory, in its lowered position;

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged front elevational view, partially in section, of the base cabinet assembly and a portion of the upright cabinet assembly in the lavatory;

FIGURE 6 is a side elevational view, partially in section, of that portion of the lavatory shown in FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 7 is a further enlarged front elevational view of the water control system in the base cabinet assembly;

FIGURE 8 is a further enlarged side elevational view of the water control system in the base cabinet assembly;

FIGURE 9 is a further enlarged side elevational view of one form of the power adjustment unit for the lavatory;

FIGURE l0 is a greatly enlarged front elevational view of a portion of the cabinet assembly support and skirt structure;

FIGURE 11 is also a greatly enlarged front elevational View of the cabinet assembly skirt structure;

FIGURE 12 is a front elevational view of another form of the power adjustment unit for the lavatory; and

FIGURE 13 shows a diagram of the electrical circuit for the power unit and controls for the lavatory.

Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to FIGURES 1-4, a lavatory embodying features of the present invention is illustrated generally at 10. The lavatory 10 includes a base cabinet assembly 12, upon which is mounted an upright cabinet assembly 13. The rigidly connected base and upright cabinet assemblies 12 and 13 are supported from the door 15 on a frame 16. The frame 16 includes a horizontal base 18 resting on the oor 15 and an upright 19 rigidly connected to the base 18.

The rigidly interconnected base and upright cabinet assemblies 12 and 13 are adapted to move vertically relative to the frame 16. According to the invention, a skirt assembly or enclosure means 22 provides a telescoping enclosure and connection between the base cabinet assembly 12 and the base 18, regardless of whether the cabinet assemblies 12 and 13 are in a raised, intermediate, or

3 lowered position. In this light, FIGURES 1 and 2 illustrate the lavatory in its uppermost postion with the skirt assembly 22 forming an enclosure means, for items housed within, fully extended, while FIGURES 2 and 4 illustrate the lavatory in its lowermost position, with the skirt assembly 22 collapsed.

Turning now to FIGURES 5-11, the base 18 comprises a generally rectangular platform member 25. The platform member 25 is adapted to rest flush on the oor 15 of a bathroom, for example. The upright 19 includes a back panel member 27 extending upwardly from the platform member 25. The back panel member 27 is generally rectangular in configuration, vertically elongated. It is fastened to the back of the platform member 25 at the base of the panel member 27 by suitable fastening means (not shown).

The platform member 25 and the back panel member 27 are rigidly braced in perpendicular relationship to each other by generally triangular shaped side panel members 28. As seen in FIGURE 5, the base of each side panel member 28 is seated in a recess 30 formed in the upper surface 31 of the platform member 25 along a side edge thereof. The side panel members 28 are secured to the platform member 25 in their respective recesses 30 by suitable fastening means (not shown).

Referring to FIGURE 6, the rear edge 33 of each side panel member 28 extends into Hush engagement with the back panel member 27 where each side panel member is also secured to the back panel member by suitable fastening means (not shown). The side panel members 28 have front edges 37 which are inclined rearwardly from adjacent the platform member 25 to a point 38 immediately above the base cabinet assembly 12 in the upright cabinet assembly 13. Above this point 38, the side panel members 28 have a constant width to their upper ends 39 spaced slightly below the upper end of the back panel member 27.

Completing the frame. 16 is a narrow front panel member 42. The member 42 extends between the side panel members 28 adjacent the front edge of the platform member 25 and is secured by suitable means (not shown) to both.

Fastened to the outer surface of both the platform member 25 and the narrow front wall member 42 is a facing element 45. The facing element 45 has a shallow channel configuration so that its flanges 46 extend over the top of the member 42 and under the bottom of the platform member 25, while its Web 46a is secured to the front surface of each of these members by suitable means (not shown).

Referring to FIGURES l0 and 1l, side facing elements 47 broadly similar to the front facing element 45 extend along each side of the platform member 25, from the front to the back thereof. These side facing elements 47 are fastened to the side faces of both the platform member 25 and the side panel members 28 by suitable means (not shown). Unlike the front facing element 45, the side facing elements 47 do not have an upper flange.

The facing elements 45 and 47 actually form components of the skirt assembly 22 for the base cabinet assembly 12. When the base and cabinet assemblies 12 and 13 are in a raised position, as viewed in FIGURE 1, for example, these facing elements 45, 47 form the visible lower portion of the frame 16. The construction and operation of the skirt assembly 22 will hereinafter be discussed.

The base cabinet assembly 12 and the upright cabinet assembly 13 are supported from the frame 16 for vertical movement between a raised position and a lowered position, as has been pointed out. To this end, a pair of horizontally elongated support feet are fastened to the upper surface 31 of the platform member 25 in spaced relationship along each side edge of the platform member 25, immediately inside corresponding side panel members 28. Each support foot 50 comprises a base plate 51 having a cylindrical socket 52 welded to its uppermost surface adjacent its rear end. The base members 51 are secured to the platform member 25 by suitable fastening means (not shown). The sockets 52 are positioned immediately in front of the back panel member 27. A triangular web 53 is welded to each base member 51 and corresponding socket 52 to provide support for the sockets.

Seated in each socket 52 and extending upwardly therefrom in parallel relationship with the back panel member 27 is a shaft 57. As seen in FIGURE 6, the shafts 57 terminate immediately above the base cabinet assembly 12 (in its lowered position) and are fastened to the back panel member 27 by conventional bracket means 58. The bracket means 58 encircle corresponding shafts 57 and are fastened to the upright back panel member 27 by suitable fastening means (not shown).

Mounted for vertical sliding movement on the shafts 57 is a cantiliver arm assembly 65. The base cabinet assembly 12 is mounted on the cantilever arm assembly 65 for vertical movement relative to the frame 16. The upright cabinet assembly 13 is also supported from the cantilever arm assembly 65 for simultaneous vertical movement relative to the frame 16.

The cantiliver arm assembly 65 comprises a pair of horizontally disposed, parallel cantilever arms 70. Each arm 70 has a vertically extending leg 71 formed unitarily with it at its inner end. The free ends of corresponding arms 70 and legs 71 are interconnected by unitarily formed diagonal braces 72.

Each leg 71 has a pair of vertically displaced sleeve bearings 75 and 76, of conventional construction, welded to it. The upper sleeve bearing 75 is disposed adjacent the inner end of a corresponding arm 70 in each arm assembly 65, while the lower sleeve bearing 76 is disposed adjacent the juncture of a corresponding leg 71 and brace 72. The sleeve bearings 75 and 76 slidably engage a corresponding shaft 57 in a well-known manner for vertical movement on the shaft.

The cantilever arm assembly `65 further includes a cross bar 80 which extends between the legs 71 and is welded thereto in a conventional manner. A hydraulic power unit 81 mounted on the platform member 25 is operatively connected to the bar 80 and, according to the invention, is effective to raise and lower the cantilever arm assembly 65 and, accordingly, the base and upright cabinet assemblies 12 and 13. The construction and operation of the hydraulic power unit `81 will hereinafter be discussed in detail.

As has been pointed out, the base cabinet assembly 12 is mounted on the cantilever arm assembly 65. The cabinet assembly 12 includes a table and lavatory basin member 82 which is nested between the horizontally disposed arms 70 of the arm assembly 65. The table and lavatory bowl member 82 is preferably fabricated in one piece. It includes a relatively large, rectangular table top 84 having flange 85 depending therefrom. Inside the flange 85 are two elongated pads 85a which rest on and are secured to the arms 70 of the cantilevered arm assembly 65 by suitable means (not shown). Depending from the table top 84 between the arms 70 is the lavatory basin 86 itself.

The basin 86 is, of course, adapted to receive, and retain, water at the instance of the user. The lavatory 10` has various means for providing controlling, and dispensing this water. Water dispersing and control will hereinafter be discussed in detail.

Depending from the periphery of the table top 84 in slightly spaced relationship from the flange 85 is an outer lip 90. The lip 90 actually depends only from the sides and front of the table top 84 so as to define an upwardly extending slot 91 around these three sides. Referring again to FIGURES 1-4, as well as FIGURES 5 and 6, the identical side walls 93 and the front wall 94 of the base cabinet assembly 12 extend upwardly into and are seated in corresponding segments of the slot 91.

The side walls 93 are generally rectangular in configuration. Their rear edges extend into adjacent relationship with the back panel member 27. At their forwardmost edges they support between them the front wall 94 and a fioor segment 95. The front wall 94 comprises an elongated upper wall panel 98 rigidly secured to the side walls 93, and a pair of door panels 99 pivotally connected to the corresponding side walls 93 and adapted to be pulled open outwardly with the handles 100. Opening the doors 100 provides access to a space beneath the basin 86 on the yfloor segment 95 for storage or the like.

To retain the side walls 93 and, accordingly, the front wall 94 and floor segment 95 snugly seated against the periphery of the table top 84, the side walls 93 are also rigidly secured to the cantilever arm assembly 65. As seen in FIGURE 5, support brackets 101 extending laterally from the arms 70 of the cantilever arm assembly 65 are secured to the side walls 93.

To provide lateral support for each side wall 93, as seen in FIGURE 5, and 11, a pin 102 is rigidly seated in each side wall 93 on a mounting screw and extends inwardly therefrom through a vertical slot 103 in the corresponding side panel member 28 of the frame 16. Each pin 102 has a threaded inner end secured to the lower end of a corresponding leg 71 in the cantilever arm assembly 65 by conventional nuts 104.

It will now be seen that when the hydraulic power unit 81 raises and lowers the cantilever arm assembly 65, it moves the entire base cabinet assembly 12, including the table and lavatory basin member 82, side walls 93, front wall 94 and oor segment 95 upwardly or downwardly.

As the base cabinet assembly 12 is raised and lowered, a functional and decorative enclosure is maintained by the skirt assembly 22, as has been pointed out. The skirt assembly 22 includes the facing elements 45, 47, extending around the platform 25 to form a lower skirt element, and three additional skirt elements 105, 106 and 107.

The skirt elements 45, `47, 105, 106 and 107 are all fabricated of sheet metal but may be made of other compositions. The skirt element formed by the facing elements 45 and 47 is fastened to the periphery of the frame platform member 25 in the manner hereinbefore discussed, intermediate skirt elements 105 and 106 are slidably fastened to the side panel members 28 of the frame 16, and the upper skirt element 107 is fastened to the lower periphery of the cabinet side walls 93 and the bottom of the oor segment 95.

The upper skirt element 107 is channel-shaped in cross-section and defines three sides of a rectangle. Its upper ange 107a underlies and is fastened to the lower periphery of the cabinet side walls 93 and the bottom of the oor segment 95 by any conventional fastening means. Its lower flange 107b underlies the outwardly extending upper fiange 106a of the intermediate skirt element 106.

The intermediate skirt element 106 also denes three sides of a rectangle and is mounted for sliding movement on a pair of guide rods 108 afxed to corresponding side frame panel members 28 in vertical recesses 108a adjacent corresponding rear edges of the panel members by L- brackets 10811 and suitable fastening bolts. The rods 108 carry sliding brackets 108C which extend outwardly and are fastened to the upper flange 106a of the intermediate skirt element 106 by welding.

The inwardly extending lower flange 106b of the skirt element 106, in turn, underlies the outwardly extending upper ange 105a of the intermediate skirt element 105. The skirt element 105 is identical in shape to the skirt element 106, but is slightly smaller in width and depth so as to facilitate telescoping within the skirt element 106, as the skirt element 106 does with the upper skirt element 107.

The skirt element 105 is mounted for sliding movement on the guide rods 108 in a manner identical to the mounting of the skirt 106. Each rod 108 carries another sliding bracket 108d which extends outwardly and is fastened to the upper flange a of the skirt element 105 by welding.

The skirt element 105 also has an inwardly extending lower flange 105b. When the base cabinet assembly 12 is in its lowered position, as best seen in FIGURES 5 and 6, this lower flange 105b of the skirt element 105 rests on the floor 15.

As the base cabinet assembly 12 is moved upwardly by the hydraulic power unit 81, the flange 107b on the upper skirt element 107, upon reaching the upper ange 106a on the skirt element 106, lifts this entire intermediate skirt element with it. The skirt element 106 is guided in its upward travel by the guide rods 108 and the guide brackets 108C. When the skirt element 106 reaches a point in its upward travel where the lowermost flange 106b engages the upper ange 105a on the intermediate skirt element 105, the skirt element 105 is also lifted. The guide rods 108 and guide brackets 108b guide the skirt element 105 in its upward travel. The full travel of the cabinet assembly 12 upwardly is approximately 10 inches. This places the lower flange 105b of the skirt element 105 immediately below the upper edge of the skirt element formed by the facing elements 45, 47 on the platform 25.

Also fixed to the cantilever arm assembly 65 for vertical movement therewith is the upright cabinet assembly 13, as has previously been pointed out. The upright cabinet assembly includes a horizontally elongated control panel unit 110 surmounted by a large, generally rectangular cabinet and mirror unit 111. Both the control panel unit 110 and the cabinet and mirror unit 111 are supported from the cantilever arm assembly 65 by a vertically arranged sub-frame 113 mounted on the cantilever arm assembly 65.

The sub-frame 113 includes an angle member 115 mounted between the arms 70 of the cantilever arm assembly 65 adjacent their rear ends and fastened thereto in a suitable manner (not shown). Bolted to the vertical ange of the angle member 115 at a short distance inwardly of each opposite end of the angle member is a rigid, vertically extending support bar 117. Each support bar 117 extends upwardly through the control panel unit 110 to a point immediately above the unit 110.

The control panel unit 110 comprises a box-like structure having generally square end walls 120 and connecting stringers (not shown) which support a front panel 121. It is from the panel 121 that the user manipulates controls for various functions of the lavatory 10. The use of the control panel 121 in operation of the lavatory 10 will hereinafter be discussed in detail.

Suitable means (not shown) are provided within the control panel unit 110 for securing it to the vertically extending support bars 117. In addition, the entire unit 110 rests on the rear upper edges of the side walls 93 in the base cabinet assembly 12. As such, the unit 110 is rigidly secured to and movable with the base cabinet assembly.

Further in the sub-frame 113, bolted between the upper ends of the vertical support bars 117 immediately above the control panel unit 110 is another angle member 124. An upright rectangular bracket is welded to the angle member 124 and extends upwardly through the cabinet and mirror unit 111. The bracket 125 includes side posts 126 which are slidable in sleeve assemblies 130 aixed to the back panel member 27 by suitable means (not shown).

The cabinet and mirror unit 111 actually comprises a central mirror section bracketed by identical medicine cabinet sections 136. The unit 111 is mounted on the bracket 125 by suitable attachment means (not shown) in the conventional framework of the sections 135, 136 so that the unit moves vertically with the panel unit 110 and the base cabinet assembly 12.

The central mirror section 135 mounts a large mirror 140 while the cabinet sections 136 mount smaller side mirrors 141. The mirrors 141 are pivotally mounted in a conventional manner on the cabinet sections 136 so that they can swing inwardly to face each other. A concave shaving mirror 141a may `be mounted in one of the mirrors 141 if so desired. A spacer member 142 is inserted between the units 110 and 111 to close the space between them.

Turning now to FIGURES 5, 6 and 9, the hydraulic actuator unit 81 is employed according to the invention to raise and lower the base and upright cabinet assemblies 12 and 13, as has been pointed out. The unit 81 comprises a conventional axial hydraulic motor 160 mounted in upright relationship on a base 161 secured to the platform member 25 immediately below the cross brace member 80 of the cantilever arm assembly 65. The uid motor is retained between the base 161 and a cap 162 with tie rods 163.

The uid motor 160 is conventional in comprisin-g a cylinder 166 in which a piston assembly (not shown) is mounted for reciprocating movement. The piston assembly terminates in a piston rod extension 168 protruding from the upper end of the closed cylinder 166. The extension 168 is threaded and secured to an L-bracket 169 mounted on the cross member 80 by a nut 170.

The uid motor 160 is energized to raise and lower the cantilever arm assembly 65 and, accordingly, the entire base and upright cabinet assembly 12 and 13, by means of a conventional rotary hydraulic pump 175. The pump 175 is mounted on the lower end of a hydraulic uid reservoir tank 176 in sealed relationship therewith. A conventional 115 volt, alternating current, reversible motor 177 is mounted on the bottom of the pump 175 and drives the pump in a well known manner.

The pump 175, reservoir 176 and reversible motor 177 unit is mounted on a vertical plate 180 secured between the base 161 and cap 162 on the uid motor 160. Suitable brackets 181 connect the reservoir 176 to the bracket 180.

The power unit 81 is operated by the lavatory user to raise or lower the cabinet assemblies 12 or 13 by merely actuating a toggle switch 185 on the right front of the base cabinet assembly 12, either up or down. The switch 185 is effective, through the control circuit C (FIGURE 13), to supply power to the motor 177 for driving it in one direction or another, thus directing uid under pressure to one end or the other of the motor 160 and raising or lowering the cantilever arm assembly 65. The circuit C, which is broadly conventional, will hereinafter be discussed in some detail.

The pump 175 is operatively connected to the motor 160, for operation of the motor when the toggle switch 185 is moved up or down from a neutral position, by a hydraulic uid conduit complex 190 containing a conventional blocking valve 191. The pump 175 forces hydraulic tluid under pressure through either the conduit 195 or the conduit 196, depending upon the direction of the operation of the pump 175, to the blocking valve 191. Depending upon which of the conduits 196 or 195 delivers fluid to the blocking valve 191, the valve 191 shunts the Huid to either the conduit 198 leading to the rod end of the cylinder 166, or the conduit 199 leading to the base end of the cylinder 166.

If the switch 185 is moved up, fluid under pressure is directed through the conduit 199 to the base end of the cylinder 166 and the piston assembly is driven upwardly, forcing the ntilever arm assembly 65 upwardly with the base and upright cabinet assemblies 12 and 13. Fluid is exhausted from the cylinder 166 through the conduit 198 and the blocking valve 191 to the conduit 196, whereby it is returned to the reservoir 176.

If the switch 185 is moved down, a ow of uid under pressure is directed from the pump 175 through the conduit 198 to the rod end of the cylinder 166 in precisely the opposite ow path. The piston assembly is caused to retract, drawing the cantilever arm assembly 65 downwardly, with the base and upright cabinet assemblies 12 and 13.

When the toggle switch 185 is centered, operation of the pump 175 stops and the blocking valve assembly 191, through its conventional arrangement of check valves (not shown), locks the fluid motor 160. The base and cabinet assemblies 12 and 13 are fixed at whatever height is selected by the user.

Referring specifically to FIGURES 5 and 6, the limits of vertical movement of the cantilever arm assembly 65 and, accordingly, the base and upright cabinet assemblies 12 and 13, as driven by the power Iunit 81, are defined by an upper limit switch 205 and a lower limit switch 206 secured in a conventional manner to the back panel member 27 of the frame 16 in vertically displaced relationship. The limit switches 205 and 206 are suitably arranged in the circuit C to open the power circuit to the motor 175 upon being engaged by corresponding operator fingers 208 and 209 mounted on the cross brace member of the cantilever arm assembly 65. The fingers 208 and 209 are of an identical, leaf-spring construction (see FIGURE 6) and extend upwardly and downwardly, respectively, from the cross brace member 80.

Turning now to the water supply system of the lavatory 10, it includes a faucet assembly 215 which has swingable spout and a hair spray assembly 216, mounted on the table top 84 behind the basin 86 in a conventional manner. A fitting 218 extends downwardly from the faucet assembly 215 through the table top 84 to where it terminates in a connection 219 with a exible water supply hose 220. The hair spray assembly 216 is connected by a liexible tube 222 to the base of the -itting 218 so that it too can receive water from the supply hose 220.

Referring particularly to FIGURES 5-8, the supply hose 220 is joined to a control valve arrangement 225 by a conventional elbow fitting 226. The control valve arrangement 225 is, in turn, connected to the cold water service pipe in a residence, for example, through the tting 227 and supply pipe sections 228, 229, 230, 231, 232, 233, with appropriate elbow and T-joints. The pipe section 233 extends through the back panel member 27 of the frame 16 to connection with the service line.

Also connected to the cold Water service pipe at the pipe section 233 is a basin rim wash nozzle 234. A ilexible tube 235 connects the nozzle 234 to a conventional vacuum release Valve in an upstanding pipe assembly 237. The pipe assembly 237 is, in-turn, connected by pipe sections 238 containing a solenoid 239 operated control valve 23911 to the aforementioned service line connection through the pipe section 233.

The valve 239a is a standard S-25 valve manufactured by the Dole Valve Company of Morton Grove, Ill. The Dole S-25 series valves are single solenoid shut-off valves having one of several selected flow rates. The valve solenoid 239 is operated from the control panel unit through the circuit C in a manner hereinafter discussed.

The valve arrangement 225 is also connected to the normal hot water service line in the residence through an instant hot water system 240. According to the invention, the instant hot water system supplies hot water immediately upon being called for without the lapse normally expected in conventional systems.

The instant hot water system 240 comprises a cylindrical tank 242 mounted on its side on suitable supports 243 secured to the platform member 25 of the frame 16. The tank 242 has a conventional heating element and thermostat mounted in its confines. The heating element. which is schematically illustrated at H in FIGURE 13, maintains the temperature in the normally full tank 242 at F., as regulated by the thermostat.

The tank 242 is connected from its back wall to the normal hot water service line in a residence, for example, through the pipe sections 245, 246, and 247, and suitable elbow and T-fittings. The stepped pipe section 250 and the fitting 251 connect the valve arrangement 255 to the tank 242.

The valve arrangement 225 comprises a temperature control valve 255 and two flow rate control valves 256. Each of the valves 255 and 256 is solenoid operated from the control panel unit 110 through the circuit C, in a manner hereinafter discussed.

The temperature control valve 255 is a standard M-26 style valve manufactured by the Dole Valve Company. As such, it is a three solenoid 261, 262, 263 thermostatic valve incorporating a hot inlet at the iitting 251, a cold inlet at the fitting 227, and a single outlet at the T-joint 265. Five water temperatures are furnished by energizing a combination of the solenoids 261-263 from the control panel unit 110 through the circuit C, in a manner hereinafter discussed.

The rate of water flow to the faucet assembly 215 through the supply hose 220 is controlled by the two llow control valves 256. Each valve 256 is a standard S-25 valve manufactured by the Dole Valve Company. They are mounted in parallel in a loop 271 fabricated of pipe sections and connected on one side of the loop to the T-joint 265 extending from the valve 255 and on the other side to the elbow tting 226 on the supply hose 220.

The solenoids 270 are energized from the panel unit 110 through the circuit C to open one or the other or both of the valves 256. One valve 256 provides a low llow rate, the other a moderate ow rate, and both together a high llow rate. Control through the circuit C from the panel unit 110 will hereinafter be discussed in greater detail.

Turning now to the control panel unit 110 itself, and referring to FIGURES 4-6, the unit includes a rearwardly inclined face panel 275. Suitably mounted on the face panel 275 are various control and service features of the lavatory 10'.

Immediately behind the hair spray assembly 216 is a horizontal row 280 of push button switches which control the solenoids 261-263 and, accordingly, the temperature control valve 255. Below the row 280 of switches is another row of push button switches which control the solenoids 270 and, accordingly, the ilow control valves 256.

Referring to the circuit C in FIGURE 13, the upper row 280 of push button switches includes an oil button switch 280x for the entire temperature and ow control function. Five other switches '280a, 28019, 280e, 280d and 280e provide water temperature adjustment in ranges delined as hot, medium hot, warm, medium cold, and cold, respectively, through control of the solenoids 261- 263.

The lower row 281 of push button switches includes three switches 281:1, 2811), and 281C, which provide llow adjustment in low, medium and high ilow rates through control of the solenoids 270. As will be recognized, another push button switch 281x is also provided in the row 281. The switch 281x controls the rim wash solenoid 239.

Also mounted on the face panel 275 (see FIGURES 4 and 5) are a pair of conventional electrical outlets 290 and 291. These outlets 290 and 291 are integrated into the circuit C in the manner seen in FIGURE 13. In addition, an electric clock radio 294 is suitably mounted on the face panel 275 and also integrated into the circuit C.

The panel 275 also carries a pair of light switches 296 and 297. The light switch '296 controls an overhead fluorescent light 298 mounted on top of the upright panel assembly 13 and extending across its width. The switch 297, on the other hand, controls a fluorescent panel light 299 mounted immediately above the rearwardly inclined panel face 275 and extending across its width. The switches 296, 297 and lights 298, 299 are integrated into the circuit C in the manner shown in FIGURE 13.

Referring particularly to FIGURE 13, the circuit C actually comprises three sub-circuits C1, C2, and C3. Each of these sub-circuits Cl-Cs receives power from a common power source P through a suitable buss arrangement 300. The sub-circuit C1, which is the llow and temperature control circuit, transforms volt, alternating current at a transformer 301 to 24-Volt, alternating current for operation of the sub-circuit. A transformer 302 performs the same function for the sub-circuit C2 which controls the motor M (177) and, accordingly, the raising and lowering of the base and upright cabinet assemblies 12 and 13. The sub-circuit C3 employs 115-volt, alternating current to operate the motor M (177), the heater H, and the lights 298 and 299, as well as provide power to the clock radio 294 and the outlets 290 and 291. Circuit breakers 305 are employed in a conventional manner in each of these sub-circuits.

To operate the lavatory 10 according to the invention, the base and upright cabinet assemblies 12 and 13 are lirst adjusted to a selected height by manipulating the toggle switch upwardly or downwardly. If the switch is toggled upwardly, a conventional two-way solenoid 306 in the sub-circuit C2 causes the motor M to begin operating in a forward direction. Fluid under pressure is pumped through the blocking valve 191 and the conduit 199 to the base of the fluid motor 190, forcing the cantilever arm assembly 65 and, accordingly, the base and cabinet assemblies 12 and 13, upwardly. At a selected height, the toggle switch is neutralized, neutralizing the solenoid 306 and stopping the motor M. The upright and base cabinet assemblies 12 and 13 are retained in the selected position by a lluid lock at the blocking valve 191.

To initiate water ow, a selected water temperature switch button is pressed. The button switches 280a-280e and 280x are interconnected mechanically in a conventional manner so that pressing one of the temperature control switches automatically closes the master switch 280x. Also, of course, pressing the switch 280x automatically opens any closed temperature control switch (only one can be closed at a time). The valve 255 is manipulated by one or more of the solenoids 261-263 to select a desired mixing of cold and hot water (unless either cold or hot is selected).

Next a desired ow rate is selected and the appropriate button switch '281a-281c is pressed to operate one or more of the solenoids 270. Normally water at a selected temperature and llow rate is emitted through the nozzle 310 of the faucet assembly 215. As will be noted, the nozzle 310 is provided with a water fountain diverter button 311 and orifice 312. Pressing the button 311 diverts water upwardly and out the oriice 312 to form a drinking fountain, if desired.

The lavatory 10 embodying features of the invention also incorporates a hair spray unit 216, as has been pointed out. Water flow may be directed out of the hair spray head 315 by pressing a suitably arranged button control (not shown) on the head 315. Water then ilows from the -tting 218 of the faucet assembly 215 through the flexible hose 222 to the head 315.

The basin 86 into which water from the faucet arrangement 215 or hair -wash arrangement 216 is directed can also be rinsed out automatically according to the invention by manipulation of the rim wash button 281x on the panel face 275. Pressing the button switch 281x causes the solenoid 239 in the sub-circuit C1 of the circuit C to open the valve 239a. A jet of cold water is ejected from the rim wash nozzle 234 around the rim of the bowl, thus rinsing out soap suds, etc.

Waste water is removed from the bowl through a conventional drain fitting 335, a llexible hose coupling 336, a drain trap 337, and a fitting 338, to a suitable waste line (not shown). A conventional drain plug assembly 340 is manipulated in a well known manner from the table 84 with a stopper control rod 341.

After use, the lavatory 10 can again be adjusted to any height desired, of course, within its aforedescribed limits. As the lavatory 10 moves up or down, the flexible hoses and tubes 220, 222, 235, and 336, Iaccommodate this movement in a well known manner.

Turning now to a modification of the lavoratory 10, it

has .been described as being raised and lowered by a selfcontained hydraulic power unit 81. However, it is conceivable that an alternate system might be employed within the purview of the invention. In this light, attention is directed to FIGURE 12 where an alternate power unit 381 is illustrated.

FIGURE l2 actually illustrates a portion of the base cabinet assembly 12, partially in section. In this modification of the invention, the cantilever arm assembly 65 and, accordingly, the cabinet assemblies 12 and 13, are raised and lowered relative to the platform 25 and the shafts 57 by a mechanical power unit 381.

The power unit 381 comprises a conventional electric motor 381a and a conventional worm gear screw-jack 381b of the Simplex type manufactured by the Templeton, Kenly Company of Broadview, Ill. The jack includes a cylindrical jack body 382 mounted in a base plate 383 on the base platform 25. The cylindrical body 382 mounts a conventional worm gear housing 384. The screw-jack 381b is actuated from the control panel unit 110 by energizing the reversible AC electric motor 38111 which, through its output shaft 391 extending into the housing 384, selectively drives the jack shaft 393 up or down. The shaft 393 is suitably connected to the cross brace 80 of the cantilever arm assembly 65.

While the several embodiments described herein are at present considered to be preferred, it is understood that various modifications vand improvements may be made therein, and it is intended to cover in the appended claims all such modifications and improvements as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What is desired to be claimed and secured by Letter Patent of the United States is:

We claim:

1. A vertically adjustable lavoratory, comprising:

(a) base means;

(b) cabinet means mounted on said base means;

(c) said cabinet means including a :base cabinet assembly having a basin therein and an upright cabinet assembly having mirror means therein;

(d) said base means including back panel means extending upwardly behind said base cabinet assembly and said upright cabinet assembly;

(e) means supporting said cabinet means for vertical movement relative to said base means;

(f) said support means extending upwardly into said upright cabinet assembly;

(g) enclosure means between said base cabinet assembly and said base means; said base means including a platform means and power means mounted on said platform means for raising and lowering said support assembly.

2. The vertically adjustable lavoratory of claim 1 further characterized in that:

(a) said enclosure means comprises an expa-ndable skirt connecting said base cabinet assembly with said base means.

3. The vertically adjustable lavatory of claim 1 further characterized in that:

(.b) said support means being mounted on said platform means and braced from said back panel means.

4. The vertically adjustable lavatory of claim 3 further characterized in that:

(a) said support means is secured to said back panel means above said base cabinet assembly in said upright cabinet assembly.

5. The vertically adjustable lavatory of claim 3,

further characterized in that:

(a) said support means comprises vertical shaft means mounted on said platform means;

(b) a support assembly slidably mounted on said shaft means for vertical movement relative thereto;

(c) said cabinet means being mounted on said support lassembly for vertical travel therewith.

6. The vertically adjustable lavatory of claim 5 further characterized by and wherein:

(a) said power means includes a closed circuit axial uid motor, fluid pump and fluid reservoir, and motor means for driving said uid pump to supply fluid to said axial motor.

7. The vertically adjustable lavatory of cla-im 6 further characterized in that:

(a) said vertical shaft means comprises a transversely spaced pair of shafts;

(b) said support assembly comprising a cantilever arm extending from each shaft and connected by cross brace means;

(c) said axial uid motor being connected to said cross brace means.

8. The vertically adjustable lavatory of claim .5

further characterized in that:

(a) `said support means comprises a sub-frame mounted on said support assembly and extending upwardly into said upright cabinet assembly;

(b) said upright cabinet assembly being secured to said sub-frame.

9. The vertically adjustable lavatory of claim further characterized in that:

(a) said sub-frame includes guide post means;

(b) means connecting said guide post means to said back panel member in vertically slidable relationship;

(c) whereby said upright cabinet assembly is fixed for movement only in a vertical direction relative to said base means.

10. The vertically adjustable lavatory of claim 9 further characterized in that:

(a) said upright cabinet assembly includes a control panel unit surmounted by a mirror and cabinet unit:

(b) said mirror and cabinet unit being secured to said sub-frame;

(c) said control panel unit being mounted on vertically extending support posts connecting said support assembly with said sub-frame.

11. The vertically adjustable lavatory of claim 9 further characterized in that:

(a) said sub-frame is rectangular in configuration;

(.b) said guide post means comprising a pair of guide posts comprising side elements in said sub-frame.

12. A vertically adjustable lavatory, comprising:

(a) base means;

(b) cabinet means mounted on said base means for vertical movement relative thereto;

(c) said cabinet means including a base cabinet assembly having a basin therein;

(d) said base means including platform means and back panel means extending upwardly therefrom behind said cabinet means;

(e) enclosure means 4between said base cabinet assembly and said base means and power means mounted on said base means for raising and lowering said base cabinet assembly.

13. The vertically adjustably lavatory of claim 12 further characterized by and wherein:

(a) said enclosure means comprises expandable skirt -means including a plurality of nested skirt elements adapted to expand in telescoping relationship when said assembly is raised and contract in telescoping relationship when said assembly is lowered so as to enclose said power means at all times.

14. The vertically adjustable lavatory of claim 13 further characterized in that:

(a) said base means comprises a platform;

(b) said cabinet assembly includes enclosure wall means;

(c) the outermost of said telescoping skirt elements being fixed to said wall means and the innermost of said skirt elements being xed to said platform.

15. The vertically adjustable lavatory of claim 14 vertically extending 5 further characterized by and including:

(a) guide means mounted on said base means in vertically extending relationship;

(b) said skirt means including at least one intermediate skirt element slidably mounted on said guide means.

16. The vertically adjustable lavatory of claim 1S further characterized in that:

(a) said outer skirt element has a horizontally disposed, inwardly extending flange formed around its lower periphery;

(b) said outer skirt element adapted to raise said intermediate skirt element when said wall means is raised by engagement of said lower iange with a horizontally disposed, outwardly extending ange formed around the upper periphery of said intermediate skirt element.

17. The vertically adjustable lavatory of claim 13 further characterized in that:

(a) said power means comprises hydraulic power means mounted on said platform means;

(b) said hydraulic power means including a closedcircuit axial iiuid motor, fluid pump, and fluid reservoir, and motor means for driving said fluid pump to supply iiuid to said axial motor for raising and lowering said cabinet means.

18. The vertically adjustable lavatory of claim 17 further characterized by and including:

(a) means on said base means supporting said cabinet means for vertical movement relative to said base means;

(b) said support means comprising vertical shaft means;

(c) a support assembly slidably mounted on said shaft means for vertical movement relative thereto;

(d) said cabinet means being mounted on said support assembly;

(e) said axial fluid motor being connected to said support assembly.

19. The vertically adjustable lavatory of claim 18 further characterized in that:

(a) said motor means in an electric motor controlled through circuit means;

(b) upper and lower limit switch means mounted on one of said back panel member and said support assembly for breaking said circuit means to stop said motor means when said cabinet means has been raised or lowered to a predetermined extent;

(c) and means on one of said back panel member and said support assembly for engaging said limit switch means to break said circuit.

20. The vertically adjustable lavatory of claim 19 further characterized in that:

(a) said support assembly carries an upper limit switch contact arm and a lower limit contact arm;

(b) said Contact arm adapted to engage and actuate said limit switches on said back panel member when said cabinet means has been raised or lowered to a predetermined extent.

21. A vertically adjustable lavatory, comprising:

(a) base means;

(b) cabinet means mounted on said base means for vertical movement relative thereto;

(c) said cabinet means including a base cabinet means having a basin therein;

(d) said base means including platform means and back panel means extending upwardly therefrom behind said cabinet means;

(e) skirt means between said base cabinet assembly and said base means;

(f) water dispensing means mounted on said cabinet means adjacent said basin;

(g) water supply means connected to said base means;

(h) conduit means containing control valve means connecting said water supply means to said water dispensing means; power means mounted on said platform means for raising and lowering said base cabinet assembly.

22. The vertically adjustable lavatory of claim 21 further characterized in that:

(a) said water supply means includes a hot water tank v having a self-contained electrical heating unit and thermostat;

(b) said valve means including a plurality of solenoid valves;

(c) circuit means connecting said valve solenoids with remote control means;

(d) said remote control means being mounted on said cabinet means for controlling said circuit to energize and de-energize said solenoids to control water temperature and flow rate from said water dispensing means.

23. The vertically adjustable lavatory of claim 22 further characterized in that:

(a) said conduit means includes three solenoid valves;

(b) two of said solenoid valves being arranged in parallel with each other and in series with a third of said solenoid valves;

(c) said third valve having inlet means from both said hot water tank and cold water supply means and adapted to mix hot and cold water according to a predetermined valve setting to obtain a selected water temperature and dispensed said selected temperature said solenoid Valves;

(d) said two valves controlling flow rate of said selected temperature water to said dispensing means according to predetermined settings of said two valve means.

24. The vertically adjustable lavatory of claim 23 further characterized n that:

(a) said water dispensing means includes basin rim wash means;

(b) said rim wash means being connected to water supply means by conduit means including a solenoid valve.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,446,509 2/ 1923 Koprowicz 4-167 1,595,791 8/1926 Lantieri 4-167 2,009,225 7/1935 Farrar 4-166 2,065,952 12/1936 Trautmann 4-170 2,716,757 9/1955 Eriksson 4-170 XR 2,810,917 10/1957 Rhoades 4-170 2,817,094 12/1957 Lessley 4-170 2,958,871 11/1960 Eskenazi 4-170 3,118,147 1/1964 Larkin 4-170 LAVERNE D. GEIGER, Primary Examiner HENRY K. ARTIS, Assistant Examiner

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