US3355107A - Drinking fountain - Google Patents

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US3355107A
US3355107A US563336A US56333666A US3355107A US 3355107 A US3355107 A US 3355107A US 563336 A US563336 A US 563336A US 56333666 A US56333666 A US 56333666A US 3355107 A US3355107 A US 3355107A
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wall
water
fountain
outlet
drinker
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US563336A
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John P Hansel
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FILTRINE Manufacturing CO
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FILTRINE Manufacturing CO
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    • EFIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E03WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE
    • E03BINSTALLATIONS OR METHODS FOR OBTAINING, COLLECTING, OR DISTRIBUTING WATER
    • E03B9/00Methods or installations for drawing-off water
    • E03B9/02Hydrants; Arrangements of valves therein; Keys for hydrants
    • E03B9/20Pillar fountains or like apparatus for dispensing drinking water

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  • the patent application discloses two embodiments of wall mounted tamper-proof drinking fountains.
  • One embodiment is the usual recessed type for mounting in a vertical wall, and the other is a semi-recessed type in which a portion of the bottom drain projects outwardly from the wall in which the fountain is mounted.
  • the principal features of the disclosure are that the drinking fountain is vertically disposed with an opening on one side into which a drinker must put his face to drink, and having a low wall across the bottom of the fountain in which there is a smooth water valve plunger in the top thereof so arranged that the drinkers hand operating the water valve plunger protects the face of the drinker should he be jostled while drinking.
  • This invention relates in general to a drinking fountain, and more specifically it relates to a wall mounted tamperproof drinking fountain.
  • the invention intends to provide a water valve pluger operator positioned in such a way that when it is in use, the hand operating it will act as a protective cushion for the drinkers face.
  • a further object is to provide a drinking fountain having a perfectly smooth face in which all of the assemblying fastenings are concealed from ordinary view to prevent tampering therewith.
  • Another object is to provide a recessed drinking fountain which has a chamber opening with an overall clearance between all parts therein to allow normal movement of the head of the drinker without the possibility of injurious contact.
  • the invention also contemplates a drinking fountain in which there are three plain vertically extending side walls and a bottom having a drain, constituting a vertical chamber open on one vertical side and into which a drinker must put his face to drink.
  • a water outlet arranged to dire-ct a stream of water to fall at the drain; the water outlet having a planar generally flush and smoothly rounded rectangular cover through which the stream of water passes.
  • Across the fourth side of the chamber there is a low wall over which the face of the drinker must project and projecting upward through the top of the wall in the middle portion thereof is a smooth water valve plunger to lie below the drinkers face when in use. Protection is provided to the drinker in the event of jostling by the plain vertical side walls, the smooth and gen erally flush cover of the water outlet, and by the use of the drinkers hand on the plunger.
  • the invention provides a Water outlet bubbler for a drinking fountain in which there are walls forming an upright cavity open on one vertical side with a floor sloping toward one side thereof.
  • a water jet means is arranged to direct a jet of water into the cavity in a laterally upward direction from a position in the walls of the cavity that is above the lowest point of the sloping floor.
  • a bubbler cover is fixed to the walls of the cavity so as to cover the vertical opening and it has therein an enlarged and elongated outlet opening which is in general aligned with the axis of the jet means so as to allow the Water jet to pass therethrough.
  • the cover is thin and rectangular in appearance with smoothly rounded upper corners and is arranged so as to allow drainage from the sloping floor of the cavity.
  • FIGURE 1 is a perspective of a drinking fountain made in accordance with the present invention.
  • FIGURE 2 is a vertical section taken along line 2-2 of FIGURE 1;
  • FIGURE 3 is a greatly enlarged partial vertical section taken along line 3-3 of FIGURE 2;
  • FIGURE 4 is a front elevation of the, nozzle block of FIGURE 3;
  • FIGURE 5 is a horizontal section taken along line 2-2 of FIGURE 4;
  • FIGURE 6 is a vertical section of a mounting bracke taken along line 6-6 of FIGURE 1;
  • FIGURE 7 is a vertical section of a second mounting bracket taken along line 7-7 of. FIGURE 1;
  • FIGURE 8 is a perspective of an alternate embodiment of a drinking fountain made in accordance with the present invention.
  • FIGURE 9 is a vertical section taken along line 99 of FIGURE 1;
  • FIGURE 10 is an enlarged fragmented vertical section taken along line 10-10 of FIGURE 9;
  • FIGURE 11 is an enlarged exploded perspective of the bubbler shown in FIGURE 10.
  • a drinking fountain 10 is shown in FIGURE 1 as a recessed type which is arranged to be placed in a recess of a vertical wall (shown in phantom). Also, as shown in FIGURE 1, the fountain is fiush with the wall and has no valve handles or other devices projecting from the wall so that the drinker or passer-by cannot injure himself or catch his clothing.
  • the fountain 10 comprises a vertically elongated pan-like chamber 12, having an opening 14 on one vertical side. Disposed at the periphery of the chamber 12 there is a vertically arranged lip portion 16 arranged to overlap the vertical wall into which the fountain is placed.
  • the bottom of the chamber '12 has a sloping portion 18 which is pitched toward a drain 20.
  • a water outlet 24 which is arranged to project a stream of water (shown in phantom) with an initially upward trajectory to fall at the drain 20.
  • the outlet 24 is provided with a smooth and rounded cover or lip portion 26.
  • a low wall 28 which provides therebehind a basin 30 above the drain 20.
  • the top 32 of the wall is relatively wide and is as shown in FIG- URE 2 with a slightly rearwardly downward incline.
  • a smooth valve plunger 34 Projecting upwardly through the top of the wall 28, a smooth valve plunger 34 is arranged to be depressed and thus cause a water stream to be projected from the outlet 24.
  • the valve plunger 34 is located at the top of wall 28 and not within chamber 12 to prevent any unsanitary buildup in the fountain through use of the plunger.
  • valve plunger 34 when the valve plunger 34 is operated, some portion of the operators hand must cover it. Thus, when the face of the person to receive the drink is placed within the chamber 12, to intercept the stream of water, the hand of the operator acts as a cushion for such face in the event of a jostling.
  • the water outlet 24 for the drinking fountain may be provided with a water outlet bubbler which comprises a vertically elongated block 38, having a side projecting nozzle portion 40, in which the fluid outlet 24 is disposed.
  • the side projecting nozzle portion 40 is arranged to project through an opening in a side wall 42 of the chamber 12.
  • the passage 46 is conventionally made by drilling the block, and as can be seen with reference to FIGURES 4 and 5, the passage 46 is preferably arranged with a slightly rearward component, so that the existing water stream from the block will have not only an upwardly initial trajectory but a rearward component combined therewith. This can be seen in an illustration with reference to FIG- URE 2. Further, when the drain is positioned rearwardly of a transverse vertical plane that passes through the outlet 24, the direction of the stream of water causes the splashing to be more toward the rear of the basin 30, and minimizes the splashing that may be directed toward the person using the fountain. As shown in FIGURE 3, the water outlet bubbler 24 with the projecting nozzle 40 is recessed in the side wall 42 of the fountain to eliminate the possibility of any injury to the mouth and teeth of the drinker in the event of a jostling during the act of drinking.
  • the relationship between the outlet 24 and the plunger 34 is such that the average size persons face will be slightly above the top 32 of the wall when drinking, and the position of the hand is such as to cushion the drinkers face should he be jostled while drinking.
  • the projecting nozzle portion 40 has disposed above its periphery a groove 48. Into this groove there is fitted the edges of the cover plate 26.
  • the cover plate is arranged with rounded edges as can be seen with reference to FIG- URES 4 and 5, and is slid downwardly over the face of the projecting nozzle portion 40 in the grooves 48.
  • the aperture 24A therein is aligned with the outlet 24 so as to allow the stream to pass easily therethrough, while the dimensions of the cover plate 26 are such as to hold the plate slightly spaced from the face of the nozzle block projecting portion 40. Accordingly, should for any reason the aperture 24a be completely covered, the water will pass downwardly in the space between the cover and the projecting portion 40.
  • a fastening 50 is placed so as to hold the cover in position.
  • the fastening preferably has a contour for operating it which is recessed.
  • Such a fastening is the Allen type, which requies a special wrench to turn the fastening. The most important other factor is its location where it may not be normally seen.
  • the block 49 is connected by the usual flexible tubing 52, into the body of a valve 34A which controls the flow of water from a source (not shown).
  • FIGURE 1 in the opening 14 of chamber 12 there is a substantial clearance between the water outlet 24 and the opposite wall of the chamber 12 for normal movement of the head of the drinker without the possibility of injurious contact and for use by a drinker wearing a hat.
  • the drinker does not have to aim his head at the water outlet in order to avoid any injurious contact on the walls of the chamber 12, or in the case where the drinker is wearing glasses, the possibility of breakage of glasses by a mere misjudgment is eliminated.
  • there is a substantial clearance between the front ledge or wall 28 and the upper lip portion 16 of the chamber to eliminate the possibility of injury when the drinker lowers and raises his head in using the fountain. This feature is essential when the fountain is located at a height convenient for children to eliminate the possibility of injurious contact to adult users.
  • the overall clearance is substantial in order to eliminate injurious contacts through normal use of the fountain, as well as for the convenience of the users thereof.
  • the drinking fountain illustrated herein is of the completely recessed type and is mounted with brackets that are concealed after such mounting as shown in FIGURES 1, 6 and 7.
  • the upper bracket support 54 shown in FIG- URE 7 consists of an offset portion 54A that is fastened into the wall by fastener 56, with there usually being two of these, one on either side.
  • the upper lip portion 16 of the fountain has a turned-under edge 16A, which engages the offset portion 54A and is held thereby.
  • the lowermost lip portion 16 of the fountain is mounted as shown in FIGURE 6, where in a bracket 60 is connected inside of the outer face of the wall 28 and extends downwardly, so that a fastening 62 may pass therethrough into a portion of the wall.
  • Each bracket has provided therein a hole 64, with there being one of these brackets on either side of the fountain and a facing plate 66 having pins 66A arranged to enter the aperture 64 when the plate is in position with the lower edge of the plate being fastened into an angle iron mounting bracket 68 by two fastenings 70.
  • these fastenings may be the tamper-proof type described with reference to the bubbler above, so that they may not be easily removed without a special tool.
  • FIGURES 8, 9, 10 and 11 A drinking fountain alternate embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGURES 8, 9, 10 and 11 in which similar numbers have a prefix of one hundred will be used to describe elements of the drinking fountain that are the same or have similar functions to those parts shown in the embodiment of FIGURE 1.
  • the fountain 110 comprises a verticallyelongated pan-like chamber 112 having an opening 114 on one vertical side. Disposed at the periphcry of. the chamber 112 there is a vertically arranged lip portion 116 arranged to overlap the vertical wall onto which the fountain is placed (as shown in phantom). The bottom of the chamber 112 has a sloping portion 118 which is pitched toward a drain 120.
  • a water outlet or bubbler 124 which is arranged to project a stream of water (shown in phantom) with an initially upward trajectory to fall at the drain 120.
  • the outlet 124 is provided with a thin generally rectangular smooth cover with rounded lip portions 126.
  • a low wall 128 which in this embodiment projects outwardly from the plane of the wall to form a low shelf-like projecting portion 128A which encompasses the basin 130 above the drain 120.
  • the top 132 of the wall 128 is relatively wide and, as shown in FIGURE 9, has a slightly rearwardly downward incline. Projecting upwardly through the top of the wall 128 a smooth valve plunger 134 is arranged to be depressed and thus case a jet of water to be projected from the outlet 124 as aforesaid.
  • FIGURE 1 when the valve plunger 134 is depressed, some portion of the operators hand must cover it.
  • the hand of the operator acts as a cushion for the face of the operator in the event he is jostled or subjected to an outside force.
  • the smoothly rounded rectangular shaped cover 126 projects so little from the plane of the side wall that such jostling or outside force could not result in the drinker being damaged should he come in contact with the cover plate.
  • the water bubbler or outlet 124 which is located in the side wall of the drinking fountain 110 may be either the type previously described with respect to the embodiment of FIGURE 1 or may comprise the type illustrated in FIGURES and 11 wherein a back wall 80A and side walls 80B, 800 along with the fioor 82 form an upright cavity 84 open on one vertical side with the floor 82 sloping toward the opening.
  • a water jet means 86 is aflixed in a circular opening 82A in the floor 82 wherein the nozzle portion 86A is screwed onto a nozzle body portion 86B and clamps therebetween, in a water sealed relationship, the floor 82. Water is supplied to the jet means by a supply tube 88 that is connected with the valve 134 in the manner shown in FIGURE 3.
  • the jet means 86 is arranged such that it will direct a stream of water generally upwardly and laterally into the cavity from a position in the cavity where it is above the lowest point 82B of the sloping floor 82.
  • the side walls 80B and 800 are integrally connected as shown in FIGURE 11 to a side wall of the drinking fountain and have projecting vertical edges 80B and 80C which provide in conjunction with the edges of the drinking fountain side wall, vertical slots 85 bounding either side of the cavity opening 84.
  • the bubbler cover 126 is fixed to the projecting walls 808 and 800 as shown in FIGURE 10, and has therein an enlarged and elongated outlet opening 126A, which is in general alignment with the axis of the jet means 86 so that the water jet emanating from such means may be projected upwardly and outwardly through the opening 126A.
  • the cover 126 has vertical side edges 126B and 1260 which are arranged to form grippers so that the cover may be slid over the edges 80B, 80C of the cavity 84 and in the slots 85 with the top of the cover 126D resting across the top bounding side of the cavity. Thus, when the cover is in place, it is securely held over the opening 84 of the cavity.
  • a concealed fastening 150 of the so-called Allen type is secured on the back side 1260 of the covers and into the 6 e e 6 o t a th c ve 26 m y o b mo ed- Further, as the fastening is on the back side of the bubbler plate 126, it is not likely to be seen by any user of the fountain and therefore makes the fountain tamperproof.
  • the cover is channel-shaped and stands away from the wall of the chamber 112.
  • the water jet means 86 if still running, would have the water flow outward-1y under the lower slope of the cove1'126 along the sloping floor 82 and into the chamber 112.
  • the drinking fountain illustrated in FIGURES 8 and 9 being of the semi-recessed type is mounted with brackets that are concealed after mounting in the same manner as the embodiment illustrated in FIGURES 1, 6 and 7 so as to provide a drinking fountain in which none of the fastenings may be seen and which, therefore, is as tamper-proof as is possible.
  • the particular advantage of the drinking fountain co'nfigurations illustrated is that they have a minimum number of parts to which access may be obtained. All of the edges and parts are either concealed or are made smooth and rounded. The clearance provided between all parts and edges is sutficient for normal movement of the head of the drinker without injurious contact.
  • the bubbler and valve are recessed without any nuts, screws or joints exposed to eliminate the possibility of tampering or removal thereof. The only operating parts that are exposed is the top of the plunger and the cover plate for the bubbler.
  • the general configurations are such as to provide very simple and extremely safe drinking fountains that may be used in public buildings, with a minimum of maintenance, and more importantly, a minimum of hazard of the users thereof.
  • a drinking fountain comprising three plain vertical ly extending side walls and a bottom constituting a vertical chamber open on one vertical side and into which a drinker must put his face to drink, a drain in said bottom, a water outlet in one wall arranged to direct a stream of water to fall toward said drain, said outlet having a planar generally flush and smoothly rounded cover through which said stream of water passes, a low wall across the fourth side of said chamber over which the face of said drinker must project and a smooth water valve plunger projecting upward through the top of said wall in the middle portion thereof to lie below said drinkers face when in use, whereby the plain vertical side walls, the smooth and generally flush cover and the drinkers hand on said plunger provide protection in the event of jostling.
  • a drinking fountain according to claim 1 in which said cover is removably attached to said wall and is normally fixed thereto by concealed fastening means.
  • a drinking fountain according to claim 1 in which said water outlet is a water bubbler having walls forming an upright cavity open on one vertical side with a floor sloping toward one side thereof, said walls of said cavity fixed in a wall of said chamber to provide said vertical cavity opening in said chamber side wall, a water jet means arranged to direct a jet of water into said cavity in a laterally upward direction from a position in said wall-s that is above the lowest point of said sloping floor, a bubbler cover fixed to said walls to cover said vertical opening and having an enlarged and elongated outlet opening therein in general alignment with the axis of said jet means to allow said water jet to pass therethrough and said cover being thin and rectangular in appearance with smoothly rounded upper corners and arranged to allow drainage from said sloping floor of said cavity.
  • a drinking fountain according to claim 3 in which said drain is rearwardly of a transverse vertical plane passing through the outlet of said nozzle block and said cover outlet is above the level of said wall top.
  • a drinking fountain according to claim 1 in which said outlet is a vertically elongated block having a side projecting nozzle portion in which there is a fluid outlet, said portion arranged to project through an Opening in a wall of a drinking fountain, a fluid inlet in the lower portion of said block opposite from said outlet, a fluid passage therein connecting said inlet and outlet and arranged to project said stream of water with an initially upward trajectory, said projecting nozzle portion having a peripherally situated groove immediately adjacent the line of emergence of said projecting nozzle portion from the wall of said fountain, and a rounded and smotth cover for said projecting portion having an aperture aligned with the outlet from said portion and having edges retained in said groove to maintain said cover slightly spaced from said projecting nozzle portion at said outlet.
  • a drinking fountain according to claim 1 in which said fountain has a low shelf-like portion encompassing said basin and extending outwardly from said opening in 8 i said pan-like chamber with said relatively wide top wall having said valuve plunger positioned therein.
  • a drinking fountain according to claim 1 in which there is substantial clearance between all walls and water outlet in said chamber to allow normal movement of the head of the drinker before, during, and after the act of drinking without injurious contact.

Description

Nov. 28, 1967 J, HANSEL 7 3,355,107
- DRINKING FOUNTAIN Original Filed Oct. 14, 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR JOHN P. HANSEL Nov. 28, 1967 R. HANSE'L 3,355,107
DRINKING FOUNTAIN Original Filed Oct. 14, 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet 23 V INVENTOR JOHN P. HANSEL Nov. 28, 1967 J. P. HANSEL- 3,355,107
DRINKING FOUNTAIN Original Filed Oct. l4, 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 ATTORNEY Nov. 28, 1967 J. P. HANSEL 3, ,1 7
' DRINKING FOUNTAIN I Original Filed Oct. 14, 1965 4' Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR JOHN P. HANSEL ATTORNEY 3,355,107 DRINKING FOUNTAIN John P. Hansel, Riverside, Conn, assignor to Filtrine Manufacturing Company, Waldwick, N.J., a corporation of New Jersey Continuation of application Ser. No. 505,100, Oct. 14, 1965. This application June 29, 1966, Ser. No. 563,336
7 Claims. (Cl. 239-29) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The patent application discloses two embodiments of wall mounted tamper-proof drinking fountains. One embodiment is the usual recessed type for mounting in a vertical wall, and the other is a semi-recessed type in which a portion of the bottom drain projects outwardly from the wall in which the fountain is mounted. The principal features of the disclosure are that the drinking fountain is vertically disposed with an opening on one side into which a drinker must put his face to drink, and having a low wall across the bottom of the fountain in which there is a smooth water valve plunger in the top thereof so arranged that the drinkers hand operating the water valve plunger protects the face of the drinker should he be jostled while drinking.
This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 505,100, filed Oct. 14, 1965, which was a continuation-in-part of an application, Ser. No. 347,468, filed Feb. 26, 1964.
This invention relates in general to a drinking fountain, and more specifically it relates to a wall mounted tamperproof drinking fountain.
In many public buildings and particularly hospitals, schools, penal institutions and psychiatric treatment facilities, there exists the problem that some of the using public may tamper with the drinking fountain, or at least attempt to remove parts thereof for multivarious purposes. More specifically, there exists the dangerous problem in psychiatric care institutions or prisons of the ever-present desire on the part of some of the inmates to remove certain of the parts of the fountain in order to make some type of weapon.
There also exists the possibility that the person using such a fountain could be jostled or otherwise caused to be involuntarily moved during use of the fountain. It is conventional that the water outlets from drinking fountains consist of a sizeable projecting nozzle and guard therefor which, at least on some occasions, has caused injury to the face and teeth to some of those using the same. Moreover, often the valve operators for the water valves have handles projecting outwardly that are of such a substantial size that they too, under some circumstances, can constitute a hazard.
In the recessed type of fountain, such as the conventional stainless steel fountain, there is also the problem of limited clearance between the Water outlet and opposite wall of the recess for the drinker to place his head easily therein without injurious contact. Because of this limited area, the drinker has to actually aim his head at the water outlet or bubbler in order to avoid hitting his head on the opposite wall of the recess. Miscalculation may cause injurious contact and even breakage of glasses. Moreover, in the case of the conventional recessed type of fountain located at a height convenient for children there, exists the problem of a limited clearance between the upper and lower sides of the opening for use by an adult without the possibility of injurious contact. Also, because of the limited clearance the drinker wearing a hat cannot use the fountain without its prior removal.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a drinking fountain in which the water outlet or bubbler projects very little and has a smooth rounded cover therefor, and is placed in such a position that it is unlikely to come in contact with any portion of the face irrespective of any precipitated motion, to which the face may be subjected.
Further, the invention intends to provide a water valve pluger operator positioned in such a way that when it is in use, the hand operating it will act as a protective cushion for the drinkers face.
A further object is to provide a drinking fountain having a perfectly smooth face in which all of the assemblying fastenings are concealed from ordinary view to prevent tampering therewith.
Another object is to provide a recessed drinking fountain which has a chamber opening with an overall clearance between all parts therein to allow normal movement of the head of the drinker without the possibility of injurious contact.
Accordingly, the invention also contemplates a drinking fountain in which there are three plain vertically extending side walls and a bottom having a drain, constituting a vertical chamber open on one vertical side and into which a drinker must put his face to drink. In one wall of the chamber there is a water outlet arranged to dire-ct a stream of water to fall at the drain; the water outlet having a planar generally flush and smoothly rounded rectangular cover through which the stream of water passes. Across the fourth side of the chamber there is a low wall over which the face of the drinker must project and projecting upward through the top of the wall in the middle portion thereof is a smooth water valve plunger to lie below the drinkers face when in use. Protection is provided to the drinker in the event of jostling by the plain vertical side walls, the smooth and gen erally flush cover of the water outlet, and by the use of the drinkers hand on the plunger.
Additionally, the invention provides a Water outlet bubbler for a drinking fountain in which there are walls forming an upright cavity open on one vertical side with a floor sloping toward one side thereof. A water jet means is arranged to direct a jet of water into the cavity in a laterally upward direction from a position in the walls of the cavity that is above the lowest point of the sloping floor. A bubbler cover is fixed to the walls of the cavity so as to cover the vertical opening and it has therein an enlarged and elongated outlet opening which is in general aligned with the axis of the jet means so as to allow the Water jet to pass therethrough. The cover is thin and rectangular in appearance with smoothly rounded upper corners and is arranged so as to allow drainage from the sloping floor of the cavity.
Other advantages, objects and features obtained by use of the invention will be apparent from the following description and drawings which are merely exemplary.
In the drawings:
FIGURE 1 is a perspective of a drinking fountain made in accordance with the present invention;
FIGURE 2 is a vertical section taken along line 2-2 of FIGURE 1;
FIGURE 3 is a greatly enlarged partial vertical section taken along line 3-3 of FIGURE 2;
FIGURE 4 is a front elevation of the, nozzle block of FIGURE 3;
FIGURE 5 is a horizontal section taken along line 2-2 of FIGURE 4;
FIGURE 6 is a vertical section of a mounting bracke taken along line 6-6 of FIGURE 1;
FIGURE 7 is a vertical section of a second mounting bracket taken along line 7-7 of. FIGURE 1;
FIGURE 8 is a perspective of an alternate embodiment of a drinking fountain made in accordance with the present invention;
FIGURE 9 is a vertical section taken along line 99 of FIGURE 1;
FIGURE 10 is an enlarged fragmented vertical section taken along line 10-10 of FIGURE 9; and
FIGURE 11 is an enlarged exploded perspective of the bubbler shown in FIGURE 10.
A drinking fountain 10 is shown in FIGURE 1 as a recessed type which is arranged to be placed in a recess of a vertical wall (shown in phantom). Also, as shown in FIGURE 1, the fountain is fiush with the wall and has no valve handles or other devices projecting from the wall so that the drinker or passer-by cannot injure himself or catch his clothing. The fountain 10 comprises a vertically elongated pan-like chamber 12, having an opening 14 on one vertical side. Disposed at the periphery of the chamber 12 there is a vertically arranged lip portion 16 arranged to overlap the vertical wall into which the fountain is placed. The bottom of the chamber '12 has a sloping portion 18 which is pitched toward a drain 20. Out of a side wall 22 of the chamber 12, there is a water outlet 24 which is arranged to project a stream of water (shown in phantom) with an initially upward trajectory to fall at the drain 20. The outlet 24 is provided with a smooth and rounded cover or lip portion 26.
Across the lowest portion of the opening 14 of the chamber 12 there is disposed a low wall 28 which provides therebehind a basin 30 above the drain 20. The top 32 of the wall is relatively wide and is as shown in FIG- URE 2 with a slightly rearwardly downward incline. Projecting upwardly through the top of the wall 28, a smooth valve plunger 34 is arranged to be depressed and thus cause a water stream to be projected from the outlet 24. The valve plunger 34 is located at the top of wall 28 and not within chamber 12 to prevent any unsanitary buildup in the fountain through use of the plunger.
As shown in FIGURE 1 in phantom, when the valve plunger 34 is operated, some portion of the operators hand must cover it. Thus, when the face of the person to receive the drink is placed within the chamber 12, to intercept the stream of water, the hand of the operator acts as a cushion for such face in the event of a jostling.
The water outlet 24 for the drinking fountain may be provided with a water outlet bubbler which comprises a vertically elongated block 38, having a side projecting nozzle portion 40, in which the fluid outlet 24 is disposed. The side projecting nozzle portion 40 is arranged to project through an opening in a side wall 42 of the chamber 12. On the side of the block 38 that is opposite from the outlet, there is an inlet 44 while a fluid passage 46 is provided within the block and the projecting nozzle portion 40, so as to connect the outlet 24 with the inlet 44. The passage 46 is conventionally made by drilling the block, and as can be seen with reference to FIGURES 4 and 5, the passage 46 is preferably arranged with a slightly rearward component, so that the existing water stream from the block will have not only an upwardly initial trajectory but a rearward component combined therewith. This can be seen in an illustration with reference to FIG- URE 2. Further, when the drain is positioned rearwardly of a transverse vertical plane that passes through the outlet 24, the direction of the stream of water causes the splashing to be more toward the rear of the basin 30, and minimizes the splashing that may be directed toward the person using the fountain. As shown in FIGURE 3, the water outlet bubbler 24 with the projecting nozzle 40 is recessed in the side wall 42 of the fountain to eliminate the possibility of any injury to the mouth and teeth of the drinker in the event of a jostling during the act of drinking.
As can be seen with reference to FIGURES 1 and 3, in particular, the relationship between the outlet 24 and the plunger 34 is such that the average size persons face will be slightly above the top 32 of the wall when drinking, and the position of the hand is such as to cushion the drinkers face should he be jostled while drinking.
The projecting nozzle portion 40 has disposed above its periphery a groove 48. Into this groove there is fitted the edges of the cover plate 26. The cover plate is arranged with rounded edges as can be seen with reference to FIG- URES 4 and 5, and is slid downwardly over the face of the projecting nozzle portion 40 in the grooves 48. The aperture 24A therein is aligned with the outlet 24 so as to allow the stream to pass easily therethrough, while the dimensions of the cover plate 26 are such as to hold the plate slightly spaced from the face of the nozzle block projecting portion 40. Accordingly, should for any reason the aperture 24a be completely covered, the water will pass downwardly in the space between the cover and the projecting portion 40. On the rear side of the projecting portion, a fastening 50 is placed so as to hold the cover in position. To make the unit tamper-proof, the fastening preferably has a contour for operating it which is recessed. Such a fastening is the Allen type, which requies a special wrench to turn the fastening. The most important other factor is its location where it may not be normally seen.
The block 49 is connected by the usual flexible tubing 52, into the body of a valve 34A which controls the flow of water from a source (not shown).
As shown in FIGURE 1 in phantom, in the opening 14 of chamber 12 there is a substantial clearance between the water outlet 24 and the opposite wall of the chamber 12 for normal movement of the head of the drinker without the possibility of injurious contact and for use by a drinker wearing a hat. The drinker does not have to aim his head at the water outlet in order to avoid any injurious contact on the walls of the chamber 12, or in the case where the drinker is wearing glasses, the possibility of breakage of glasses by a mere misjudgment is eliminated. Also, as shown in FIGURE 1, there is a substantial clearance between the front ledge or wall 28 and the upper lip portion 16 of the chamber to eliminate the possibility of injury when the drinker lowers and raises his head in using the fountain. This feature is essential when the fountain is located at a height convenient for children to eliminate the possibility of injurious contact to adult users. The overall clearance is substantial in order to eliminate injurious contacts through normal use of the fountain, as well as for the convenience of the users thereof.
The drinking fountain illustrated herein is of the completely recessed type and is mounted with brackets that are concealed after such mounting as shown in FIGURES 1, 6 and 7. The upper bracket support 54 shown in FIG- URE 7 consists of an offset portion 54A that is fastened into the wall by fastener 56, with there usually being two of these, one on either side. The upper lip portion 16 of the fountain has a turned-under edge 16A, which engages the offset portion 54A and is held thereby.
The lowermost lip portion 16 of the fountain is mounted as shown in FIGURE 6, where in a bracket 60 is connected inside of the outer face of the wall 28 and extends downwardly, so that a fastening 62 may pass therethrough into a portion of the wall. Each bracket has provided therein a hole 64, with there being one of these brackets on either side of the fountain and a facing plate 66 having pins 66A arranged to enter the aperture 64 when the plate is in position with the lower edge of the plate being fastened into an angle iron mounting bracket 68 by two fastenings 70. As before, these fastenings may be the tamper-proof type described with reference to the bubbler above, so that they may not be easily removed without a special tool.
A drinking fountain alternate embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGURES 8, 9, 10 and 11 in which similar numbers have a prefix of one hundred will be used to describe elements of the drinking fountain that are the same or have similar functions to those parts shown in the embodiment of FIGURE 1. The fountain 110 comprises a verticallyelongated pan-like chamber 112 having an opening 114 on one vertical side. Disposed at the periphcry of. the chamber 112 there is a vertically arranged lip portion 116 arranged to overlap the vertical wall onto which the fountain is placed (as shown in phantom). The bottom of the chamber 112 has a sloping portion 118 which is pitched toward a drain 120. Out of the side wall of the chamber 112 there is a water outlet or bubbler 124 which is arranged to project a stream of water (shown in phantom) with an initially upward trajectory to fall at the drain 120. The outlet 124 is provided with a thin generally rectangular smooth cover with rounded lip portions 126.
Across the lowest portion of the opening 114 of the chamber 112 there is disposed a low wall 128 which in this embodiment projects outwardly from the plane of the wall to form a low shelf-like projecting portion 128A which encompasses the basin 130 above the drain 120. The top 132 of the wall 128 is relatively wide and, as shown in FIGURE 9, has a slightly rearwardly downward incline. Projecting upwardly through the top of the wall 128 a smooth valve plunger 134 is arranged to be depressed and thus case a jet of water to be projected from the outlet 124 as aforesaid.
Accordingly, as is illustrated in FIGURE 1 in phantom, when the valve plunger 134 is depressed, some portion of the operators hand must cover it. Thus, when the face of the person to receive the drink is placed in a position above the basin 130 to intercept the jet of water emanating from the bubbler 124, the hand of the operator acts as a cushion for the face of the operator in the event he is jostled or subjected to an outside force. Further, the smoothly rounded rectangular shaped cover 126 projects so little from the plane of the side wall that such jostling or outside force could not result in the drinker being damaged should he come in contact with the cover plate.
The water bubbler or outlet 124 which is located in the side wall of the drinking fountain 110 may be either the type previously described with respect to the embodiment of FIGURE 1 or may comprise the type illustrated in FIGURES and 11 wherein a back wall 80A and side walls 80B, 800 along with the fioor 82 form an upright cavity 84 open on one vertical side with the floor 82 sloping toward the opening. A water jet means 86 is aflixed in a circular opening 82A in the floor 82 wherein the nozzle portion 86A is screwed onto a nozzle body portion 86B and clamps therebetween, in a water sealed relationship, the floor 82. Water is supplied to the jet means by a supply tube 88 that is connected with the valve 134 in the manner shown in FIGURE 3. The jet means 86 is arranged such that it will direct a stream of water generally upwardly and laterally into the cavity from a position in the cavity where it is above the lowest point 82B of the sloping floor 82. The side walls 80B and 800 are integrally connected as shown in FIGURE 11 to a side wall of the drinking fountain and have projecting vertical edges 80B and 80C which provide in conjunction with the edges of the drinking fountain side wall, vertical slots 85 bounding either side of the cavity opening 84.
The bubbler cover 126 is fixed to the projecting walls 808 and 800 as shown in FIGURE 10, and has therein an enlarged and elongated outlet opening 126A, which is in general alignment with the axis of the jet means 86 so that the water jet emanating from such means may be projected upwardly and outwardly through the opening 126A. The cover 126 has vertical side edges 126B and 1260 which are arranged to form grippers so that the cover may be slid over the edges 80B, 80C of the cavity 84 and in the slots 85 with the top of the cover 126D resting across the top bounding side of the cavity. Thus, when the cover is in place, it is securely held over the opening 84 of the cavity. When the cover 126 is in position, a concealed fastening 150 of the so-called Allen type is secured on the back side 1260 of the covers and into the 6 e e 6 o t a th c ve 26 m y o b mo ed- Further, as the fastening is on the back side of the bubbler plate 126, it is not likely to be seen by any user of the fountain and therefore makes the fountain tamperproof.
As can be seen with reference to FIGURES 10 and 11, the cover is channel-shaped and stands away from the wall of the chamber 112. Thus, should for any reason the opening 126A in the bubbler be closed, the water jet means 86 if still running, would have the water flow outward-1y under the lower slope of the cove1'126 along the sloping floor 82 and into the chamber 112.
The drinking fountain illustrated in FIGURES 8 and 9 being of the semi-recessed type is mounted with brackets that are concealed after mounting in the same manner as the embodiment illustrated in FIGURES 1, 6 and 7 so as to provide a drinking fountain in which none of the fastenings may be seen and which, therefore, is as tamper-proof as is possible.
The particular advantage of the drinking fountain co'nfigurations illustrated is that they have a minimum number of parts to which access may be obtained. All of the edges and parts are either concealed or are made smooth and rounded. The clearance provided between all parts and edges is sutficient for normal movement of the head of the drinker without injurious contact. The bubbler and valve are recessed without any nuts, screws or joints exposed to eliminate the possibility of tampering or removal thereof. The only operating parts that are exposed is the top of the plunger and the cover plate for the bubbler. The general configurations are such as to provide very simple and extremely safe drinking fountains that may be used in public buildings, with a minimum of maintenance, and more importantly, a minimum of hazard of the users thereof.
Although the various features of the invention have been shown as applied to several embodiments of the invention, it will be evident that changes may be made in such details and certain features may be used without others without departing from the principles of the invention.
What is claimed is:
1. A drinking fountain comprising three plain vertical ly extending side walls and a bottom constituting a vertical chamber open on one vertical side and into which a drinker must put his face to drink, a drain in said bottom, a water outlet in one wall arranged to direct a stream of water to fall toward said drain, said outlet having a planar generally flush and smoothly rounded cover through which said stream of water passes, a low wall across the fourth side of said chamber over which the face of said drinker must project and a smooth water valve plunger projecting upward through the top of said wall in the middle portion thereof to lie below said drinkers face when in use, whereby the plain vertical side walls, the smooth and generally flush cover and the drinkers hand on said plunger provide protection in the event of jostling.
2. A drinking fountain according to claim 1 in which said cover is removably attached to said wall and is normally fixed thereto by concealed fastening means.
3. A drinking fountain according to claim 1 in which said water outlet is a water bubbler having walls forming an upright cavity open on one vertical side with a floor sloping toward one side thereof, said walls of said cavity fixed in a wall of said chamber to provide said vertical cavity opening in said chamber side wall, a water jet means arranged to direct a jet of water into said cavity in a laterally upward direction from a position in said wall-s that is above the lowest point of said sloping floor, a bubbler cover fixed to said walls to cover said vertical opening and having an enlarged and elongated outlet opening therein in general alignment with the axis of said jet means to allow said water jet to pass therethrough and said cover being thin and rectangular in appearance with smoothly rounded upper corners and arranged to allow drainage from said sloping floor of said cavity. 1
4. A drinking fountain according to claim 3 in which said drain is rearwardly of a transverse vertical plane passing through the outlet of said nozzle block and said cover outlet is above the level of said wall top.
5. A drinking fountain according to claim 1 in which said outlet is a vertically elongated block having a side projecting nozzle portion in which there is a fluid outlet, said portion arranged to project through an Opening in a wall of a drinking fountain, a fluid inlet in the lower portion of said block opposite from said outlet, a fluid passage therein connecting said inlet and outlet and arranged to project said stream of water with an initially upward trajectory, said projecting nozzle portion having a peripherally situated groove immediately adjacent the line of emergence of said projecting nozzle portion from the wall of said fountain, and a rounded and smotth cover for said projecting portion having an aperture aligned with the outlet from said portion and having edges retained in said groove to maintain said cover slightly spaced from said projecting nozzle portion at said outlet.
6. A drinking fountain according to claim 1 in which said fountain has a low shelf-like portion encompassing said basin and extending outwardly from said opening in 8 i said pan-like chamber with said relatively wide top wall having said valuve plunger positioned therein.
7. A drinking fountain according to claim 1 in which there is substantial clearance between all walls and water outlet in said chamber to allow normal movement of the head of the drinker before, during, and after the act of drinking without injurious contact.
References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,207,661 12/ 1916 Taylor 23929 1,349,775 8/1920 Lyman et al 23929 1,357,436 11/ 1920 Armstrong 23929 1,497,076 6/1924 Emmett 23928 1,959,366 5/1934 Kellogg 23929 2,033,083 3/1936 Roberge 23929 2,275,200 3/1942 Purdom 239-29 FOREIGN PATENTS 496,030 1 1/1938 Great Britain. 735,238 8/1955 Great Britain.
M. HENSON WOOD, JR., Primary Examiner.
V. M. WIGMAN, Assistant Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. A DRINKING FOUNTAIN COMPRISING THREE PLAIN VERTICALLY EXTENDING SIDE WALLS AND A BOTTOM CONSTITUTING A VERTICAL CHAMBER OPEN ON ONE VERTICAL SIDE AND INTO WHICH A DRINKER MUST PUT HIS FACE TO DRINK, A DRAIN IN SAID BOTTOM, A WATER OUTLET IN ONE WALL ARRANGED TO DIRECT A STREAM OF WATER TO FALL TOWARD SAID DRAIN, SAID OUTLET HAVING A PLANAR GENERALLY FLUSH AND SMOOTHLY ROUNDED COVER THROUGH WHICH SAID STREAM OF WATER PASSES, A LOW WALL ACROSS THE FOURTH SIDE OF SAID CHAMBER OVER WHICH THE SURFACE OF SAID DRINKER MUST PROJECT AND A SMOOTH WATER VALVE PLUNGER PROJECTING UPWARD THROUGH THE TOP OF SAID WALL IN THE MIDDLE PORTION THEREOF TO LIE BELOW SAID DRINKER''S FACE WHEN IN
US563336A 1966-06-29 1966-06-29 Drinking fountain Expired - Lifetime US3355107A (en)

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Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3799439A (en) * 1972-08-25 1974-03-26 Haws Drinking Fountain Co Recessed drinking fountain and bubbler therefor
US20090120140A1 (en) * 2007-11-01 2009-05-14 Lg Electronics Inc. Washing machine

Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1207661A (en) * 1916-03-25 1916-12-05 Alfred D Taylor Sanitary drinking-fountain.
US1349775A (en) * 1917-09-04 1920-08-17 Frank T Lyman Drinking-fountain
US1357436A (en) * 1920-03-05 1920-11-02 James C Armstrong Sanitary drinking-fountain
US1497076A (en) * 1920-04-05 1924-06-10 Emmett William Page Drinking fountain
US1959366A (en) * 1929-06-27 1934-05-22 Liquid Cooler Corp Drinking fountain
US2033083A (en) * 1935-03-20 1936-03-03 Reuben B Hills Drinking fountain apparatus
GB496030A (en) * 1938-05-25 1938-11-23 William Fitzgibbons Improvements in drinking fountains and the like
US2275200A (en) * 1938-11-12 1942-03-03 Purdom Drue Mcbride Sanitary drinking fountain
GB735238A (en) * 1952-10-09 1955-08-17 Stanley Ernest Thrower Improvements in or relating to drinking fountains

Patent Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1207661A (en) * 1916-03-25 1916-12-05 Alfred D Taylor Sanitary drinking-fountain.
US1349775A (en) * 1917-09-04 1920-08-17 Frank T Lyman Drinking-fountain
US1357436A (en) * 1920-03-05 1920-11-02 James C Armstrong Sanitary drinking-fountain
US1497076A (en) * 1920-04-05 1924-06-10 Emmett William Page Drinking fountain
US1959366A (en) * 1929-06-27 1934-05-22 Liquid Cooler Corp Drinking fountain
US2033083A (en) * 1935-03-20 1936-03-03 Reuben B Hills Drinking fountain apparatus
GB496030A (en) * 1938-05-25 1938-11-23 William Fitzgibbons Improvements in drinking fountains and the like
US2275200A (en) * 1938-11-12 1942-03-03 Purdom Drue Mcbride Sanitary drinking fountain
GB735238A (en) * 1952-10-09 1955-08-17 Stanley Ernest Thrower Improvements in or relating to drinking fountains

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3799439A (en) * 1972-08-25 1974-03-26 Haws Drinking Fountain Co Recessed drinking fountain and bubbler therefor
US20090120140A1 (en) * 2007-11-01 2009-05-14 Lg Electronics Inc. Washing machine
US8567219B2 (en) * 2007-11-01 2013-10-29 Lg Electronics Inc. Washing machine

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