Abstract:
A pop-up bubbler assembly for drinking fountains or other appliances that includes a head with a dispensing spout that rises upward out of a housing to dispense an arc of clean water when activated. The bubbler head then drops back down into the housing after water flow stops such that the dispensing spout is covered when not in use.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The invention relates to a pop-up bubbler assembly for dispensing water. More particularly, the invention relates to a water dispensing assembly for a drinking fountain wherein a bubbler head rises upward out of a housing to dispense an arc of clean drinking water when activated. The bubbler head then drops back down into the housing after water flow stops such that the dispensing nozzle is covered when not in use. It is further contemplated the pop-up bubbler assembly could be used to dispense water into bathtubs and sinks. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Regrettably, while drinking fountains provide desirable refreshment, the potential for contamination is great. Contaminants may easily settle on the bubbler head through which water is emitted and be passed to an individual during use. Suffice to say that some level of protection from contamination is highly desirable. 
     The traditional mechanics of a drinking fountain are simple, well known, and well understood. A drinking fountain produces a controlled delivery of fluid upon activation by an individual in need of liquid refreshment. Activation is achieved through a turn valve, lever valve, or pushbutton valve connected to a drinkable water supply. When activated, water is emitted from a bubbler head fixedly mounted to a drain bowl or basin until the valve is released. The water is projected in a parabolic stream from the bubbler head to the bowl allowing the individual to drink from the emitted stream. Any excess water is received in the bowl and encouraged by the shape of the bowl to enter a drainage system. Most drinking fountains are not cleaned on a regular basis leaving the movement of the water as the only force fighting contamination. 
     Contamination of drinking fountains may occur in any number of ways. For one, airborne pathogens common in nearly every environment may land on the drinking fountain. In other instances the environment itself contributes undesirable contaminants. This can be seen where a fountain is near construction that might emit harmful debris. Similarly, outdoor fountains located adjacent any form of maintained park land, golf course, lawn or garden are subject to exposure to chemicals and unclean water sources used in the greens keeping. 
     It has been found that contamination of drinking fountains may be limited through the implementation of movable drinking fountain components. While this does not eliminate all contaminants, the protective effects of movable drinking fountain components can be highly desirable. One approach has been use of a vertically movable water delivery part for presentation of the outpouring water suitably high and convenient to be taken in the mouth. This is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 1,044,033 to Dunphy. The water delivery part descends to a lower position to have a place of occupancy in a portion of the fountain in which water is trapped. The delivery portion is thereby always rinsed prior to use. 
     A similar concept is seen in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0023370 to Hong. A pop-up protective cover or cap for preventing bubbler head contact with undesired contaminants is disclosed. The cover normally encloses the bubbler head, but when the water supply is turned on the cover hydraulically rises up to an elevated position allowing for projection of a water stream. 
     The previous uses of movable bubbler heads or components thereof to limit contamination suffer from several disadvantages. First, those fountains in which the bubbler head is recessed within a pool of water are subject to the contaminants within the water. The bubbler heads on these fountains are continuously subjected to any contaminants within the water supply or provided by the environment. This results in an increase in the likelihood that the contaminants will be passed along to a fountain user or otherwise adversely affect the function of the fountain. Second, those fountains employing movable covers are limited in that their bubbler heads are fixed in a single position. It would be an advantage to have the ability to reposition the bubbler head depending on its use (e.g., depending on height of the user, strength of water pressure, or shape of the drain bowl). Further, a movable cover may retain contaminants underneath it to which the bubbler head is continuously exposed when in an unused position. Ideally, a drinking fountain with the least chance for contamination is most preferred. While the previous attempts for preventing contamination of drinking fountains claim to eliminate contamination, they are limited in the protection provided. 
     A need, therefore, exists for a pop-up bubbler for a drinking fountain, wherein the bubbler head rises from a housing. The present invention provides such a pop-up bubbler while providing liquid refreshment without contamination. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a pop-up bubbler assembly for drinking fountains or other appliances that includes a head with a dispensing spout that rises upward out of a housing to dispense an arc of clean water when activated. The bubbler head then drops back down into the housing after water flow stops such that the dispensing spout is covered when not in use. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a pop-up bubbler assembly for dispensing a fluid from a bubbler head having a longitudinal bore spaced between a first end and a closed second end and the bore ending in a lateral spout from which fluid is projected, a housing having an upper surface and lower surface and a channel extending therebetween within which the bubbler head is retained to travel between a storage position and an in-use position and upon activation fluid pressure causes the bubbler head to rise from an opening in the channel at the upper surface of the housing to dispense fluid from the spout. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a bubbler head having a top cap at the closed second end which cooperates with the opening to form a seal between the housing and bubbler head when the bubbler head is in the storage position. 
     It is also another object of the present invention to provide the top cap with a convex upper surface and the housing with a frustoconical upper surface, such that the top cap convex upper surface is continuous with the upper surface of the housing so as to form a convex surface preventing the pooling of fluid thereon. 
     It is yet another object of the present invention to provide the bubbler head with an O-ring along its length which cooperates with the channel to form a seal when the bubbler head is in its in-use position. 
     It is still another object of the present invention to provide the channel with a first section and a second section having a diameter larger than the diameter of the first section and a cavity between the first diameter section and the second diameter section and the cavity having a diameter larger than the diameter of the second section. 
     It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide the bubbler head with a flange piece and top cap at opposite ends both having diameters larger than the first section diameter, thereby preventing entry of the flange piece and the top cap into the first section of the channel. 
     It is also a further object of the present invention to provide the bubbler head with a flange piece connected to its first end and the flange piece includes an alignment extension having a shaped circumference and a removable retainer for maintaining the flange piece within the housing of the pop-up bubbler assembly wherein the retainer has an alignment extension receiving hole shaped to match the circumference of shaped alignment extension. 
     It is still a further object of the present invention to provide the bubbler head with a flange piece having at least one lateral fluid delivery orifice which is only accessible when the flange piece is positioned within the cavity between the first diameter section and the second diameter section. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a spring positioned between the bubbler head and housing to retain the bubbler head within the housing during inactivation of the assembly. 
     Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description when viewed in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which set forth certain embodiments of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing the pop-up bubbler assembly of the present invention mounted to a drinking fountain bowl. 
         FIG. 2  is an enlarged perspective view of the pop-up bubbler assembly of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of the pop-up bubbler assembly of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a partially unassembled cross-sectional view depicting use of an alignment tool. 
         FIG. 5  is a diagram depicting an embodiment for connecting the pop-up bubbler assembly to the drain bowl. 
         FIG. 6  is an exploded unassembled view showing the pop-up bubbler assembly of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The detailed embodiment of the present invention is disclosed herein. It should be understood, however, that the disclosed embodiment is merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, the details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a basis for teaching one skilled in the art how to make and/or use the invention. 
     With reference to the attached drawings, a pop-up bubbler assembly  20  for a drinking fountain  10  is disclosed. The present pop-up bubbler assembly  20  includes a bubbler head  30  having a longitudinal bore  35  spaced between a first end  32  and a closed second end  34  and ending in a lateral spout  36  from which water is projected. The assembly also includes a housing  50  having a central channel  70 . The central channel  70  includes an opening and different diameter sections within which the bubbler head  30  is retained for travel between a storage position and a use position. A spring  60  is positioned between the bubbler head  30  and the housing  50  to retain the bubbler head  30  within the housing  50  during inactivation of the pop-up bubbler assembly  20 . Storage of the bubbler head  30  within the housing  50  reduces contamination of the fountain. 
     The traditional mechanics of a drinking fountain  10  are simple, well known, and well understood. Generally, upon activation, a drinking fountain  10  controls delivery of fluid from a water source under pressure in a manner permitting an individual to drink. Although a water source is disclosed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, various fluid sources may be used without departing from the spirit of the present invention. A control valve connected to a drinkable water source is activated to emit the fluid from a bubbler head assembly  20  fixedly mounted to a drain bowl or basin  100  until the control valve is released. The fluid is projected in a continuous parabolic stream from which the individual may drink. Excess fluid is caught within the drain bowl or basin  100  causing it to enter a drainage system. 
     The present invention promotes a reduction in contamination by providing a pop-up bubbler assembly  20  including a bubbler head  30  that moves between a storage position where the bubbler head  30  is hidden from the external environment by positioning it in the housing  50  and an in-use position where the bubbler head  30  is extended from the housing  50  for dispensing water. Movement of the bubbler head  30  within the housing  50  is controlled by fluid pressure generated by the water source and the bias of a spring  60 . 
     Generally, and as will be discussed below in greater detail,  FIG. 1  is a diagram depicting a drinking fountain  10  including a pop-up bubbler assembly  20  with the bubbler head  30  in its storage position in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 2  shows the pop-up bubbler assembly  20  with its bubbler head  30  in its use position in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     More particularly, the bubbler head  30  includes an elongated cylindrical body with a central fluid passageway  35  extending therethrough (shown in broken lines). The bubbler head  30  includes a threaded inlet first end  32 , a second closed end  34  and an outlet spaced below the second closed end to form a spout  36 . The point at which the fluid passageway  35  exits the bubbler head  30  defines the spout  36  from which fluid exits the bubbler head  30 . The fluid passageway  35  extends from the inlet first end  32  to the spout  36  defining a path for fluid coming from a pressurized water source, extending through the bubbler head  30  and exiting at the spout  36  for consumption or dispensing into a basin by individuals using the present pop-up bubbler assembly  20 . 
     The bubbler head  30  includes a top cap  38  at its second end  34  opposite the threaded inlet first end  32  and an outwardly extending flange piece  40  connected to end  32 . The flange piece  40  includes a male threaded section  45  which cooperates with female threads  37  in fluid passageway  35  at its first inlet end  32 . The dispensing spout  36  of the bubbler head  30  is in the form of an upwardly angled bore running from the interior of the bubbler head  30  to the exterior. The angle of the bore can vary and depends upon the parabolic fluid dispensing path one desires to achieve. 
     The bubbler head  30  is contained within a cylindrical housing  50  shaped and dimensioned to support the bubbler head  30  while permitting movement of the bubbler head  30  relative to the housing  50 . Movement of the bubbler head  30  within the housing  50  is controlled by a series of interacting components and a spring  60  biasing the bubbler head  30  toward its storage position. With this in mind, and as will be discussed below in greater detail, the bubbler head top cap  38  and the flange piece  40  are of a greater diameter than the remainder of the bubbler head  30  along its length. The enlarged top cap  38  facilitates sealing of the bubbler head  30  and controlled downward movement of the bubbler head  30 , while the flange piece  40  is shaped and dimensioned to center the bubbler head  30  within the housing  50  and create hydraulic pressure causing upward movement of the bubbler head  30 . 
     In practice, activation of the fountain  10  creates sufficient fluid pressure to overcome the force of the spring  60  and pushes the bubbler head  30  out of the housing  50  to its use position. Fluid flow is created through the activation of a control valve (not shown) in a conventional manner. Once the bubbler head  30  reaches a height at which the bubbler head  30  spout  36  clears the housing  50 , fluid is projected from the spout  36  in traditional fashion. The fluid travels from a drinkable water source to the bubbler head  30  where it is dispensed in a parabolic path to the drain bowl  100 . Any unconsumed fluid is delivered to the drain bowl  100  where it is directed, due to the bowl&#39;s  100  concave shape, to a drainage system through a drain hole  102 . When activation ceases, the control valve is released and the flow of fluid from the water sources ceases, the fluid pressure decreases within the pop-up bubbler assembly  20  and the force of the spring  60  causes the bubbler head  30  to return to its storage position in the housing  50 . 
     As briefly mentioned above, the elevation of the bubbler head  30  from its storage position within the housing  50  is due to hydraulic pressure generated when the control valve is activated and water pressure is applied to the flange piece  40  at the first inlet end  32  of the bubbler head  30 . The spring  60  is positioned between the bubbler head  30  and the housing  50  in a manner which retains the bubbler head  30  within the housing  50  in its storage positioned prior to activation. More specifically, the spring  60  includes a first end  62  and a second end  64 . The first end  62  engages the flange piece  40  formed at the first inlet end  32  of the bubbler head  30 , while the second end  64  of the spring  60  engages lower rim  75  of the upper section  74  at channel  70  and abuts thereagainst during operation. More particularly, and in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the spring  60  surrounds the bubbler head  30 . In this way, the second end  64  of the spring  60  is held in position, against lower rim  75  of section  74  while the first end  62  of the spring  60  applies a downward force upon the flange piece  40  of the bubbler head  30  causing the bubbler head  30  to move downwardly when fluid pressure is not overcoming the bias of the spring  60 . 
     As those skilled in the art will certainly appreciate, the rate of ascension of the bubbler head  30  is controlled due to the spring constant of the spring  60 . As such, springs  60  of various strengths may be selected to suit the water pressure of the locality in which the present invention is employed. 
     The downward bias of the spring  60  draws the top cap  38  of the bubbler head  30  into a tight seal with the rim  54  at the opening of the central channel  70  of the housing  50 . The bubbler head  30  is, therefore, contained within the housing  50  whenever the drinking fountain  10  is not in use, thereby limiting exposure to contaminants. The top cap  38  includes an O-ring  56  which further aids in providing a tight seal with the rim  54  recessed in upper surface  53 . The upper surface of the top cap is convex and continuous with the upper frustoconical surface  53  of housing  50  when in the storage position. 
     The housing  50  is cylindrical, although those skilled in the art will appreciate that a variety of shapes could be employed without departing from the spirit of the present invention. The housing  50  includes a frustoconical upper surface  53  with a recessed rim  54  and a bottom end  52 . A central channel  70  extends along the length of the cylindrical housing  50  between the upper surface and bottom end  52 . Interaction of the bubbler head  30  with the central channel  70  and rim  54  of the housing  50  helps to control movement of the bubbler head  30  between its in-use position and its storage position. With this in mind, the central channel  70  has different diameter sections along its length. The upper surface  53  of the housing  50  is preferably sloped downward and away from the opening of the central channel  70  to draw fluid and/or contaminants away from the pop-up bubbler assembly  20 . The bubbler head  30  moves within the central channel  70  during operation of the drinking fountain  10 . While at rest, the bubbler head  30  sits within the central channel  70  of the housing  50  in a storage position. The top cap  38  of the bubbler head  30  is dimensioned to cooperate with the rim  54  at the opening of the housing&#39;s central channel  70  to prevent the bubbler head  30  from descending beyond the rim  54  of the housing  50  while forming a seal between the housing  50  and the top cap  38 . 
     The bubbler head  30  is positioned within the central channel  70  formed in the housing  50  and is slidably moveable therein. The central channel  70  includes a lower section  72  slightly greater than the diameter of the bubbler head  30  flange piece  40  for permitting movement of the bubbler head  30  within the central channel  70  and an upper section  74  smaller than the diameter of both the top cap  38  and the flange piece  40 . Movement of the bubbler head  30  through the upper section  74  is thereby bounded by the bubbler head top cap  38 , as it forms a seal with the housing  50 , and the bubbler head  30  flange piece  40  whose diameter prevents movement into the upper section  74 . A cavity  76  is formed within lower section  72  of the central channel  70  at a position spaced slightly below the meeting point of upper section  74  and lower section  72  of the central channel  70 . This cavity  76  is greater in diameter than the bubbler head flange piece  40  and provides a passageway for water when the bubbler head  30  ascends beyond a desired level. Upon activation and reaching the elevated position wherein the flange piece  40  is aligned with the cavity  76 , the water pressure will equalize with the spring  60  bias and the bubbler head  30  is lifted due to hydraulic pressure with the flange piece  40  resting aligned with the cavity  76 . 
     As noted above, the bubbler head top cap  38  is dimensioned to prevent its descent beyond the opening at the top end rim  54  of the housing  50 . In a similar fashion, the ascension of the bubbler head  30  is also limited in height due to the dimensions of the upper first section  74  of the central channel  70  and that of the bubbler head flange piece  40 . The diameter of the bubbler head flange piece  40  is greater than the width of the upper section  74  of the central channel  70  preventing movement of the bubbler head flange piece  40  beyond the upper section  74  of the central channel  70 . 
     As discussed above, the bubbler head  30  is propelled in its ascent by the hydraulic pressure delivered from an appropriate drinkable water source. Activation of the control valve releases the fluid to travel into the central channel  70 . As the hydraulic pressure within the central channel  70  increases, the bubbler head flange piece  40  is driven upward until it reaches its resting place within the cavity  76 , compressing the spring  60  between rim  75  and flange piece  40  in the process. When the control valve is no longer activated, the hydraulic pressure decreases and the force held by the compressed spring  60  causes the spring  60  to expand. The expansion of the spring  60  pushes against the bubbler head flange piece  40  on one end and on rim  75  at its other end resulting in the descent of the bubbler head  30  to its storage position. 
     Preferably the diameter of the bubbler head flange piece  40  is as close to the diameter of the lower second section  72  of the central channel  70  as possible without losing free movement of the bubbler head  30 . Any significant difference in diameter reduces the hydraulic pressure applied to the bubbler head flange piece  40  as the fluid escapes around it. Therefore, little to no fluid is intended to escape around the bubbler head flange piece  40  until it reaches the cavity  76 . 
     The bubbler head flange piece  40  is held in position by the hydraulic pressure as the fluid fills the cavity  76 . The fluid is prevented from continuing up the central channel  70  by an O-ring  42  positioned along the bubbler head  30  which forms a seal at the meeting point of the upper first section  74  and the lower second section  72  of the central channel  70  when the bubbler head flange piece  40  is raised reaches the cavity  76 . The O-ring  42  is preferably fitted into a retaining groove  44  cut into the outer surface of bubbler head  30  to prevent its dislocation during use of the drinking fountain  10 . At least one fluid delivery orifice  46  positioned below the O-ring  42  and within the bubbler head  30  and/or the bubbler head flange piece  40 , wherein the orifice  46  is only accessible to incoming fluid upon reaching the cavity  76 . While the orifice  46  is positioned within cavity  76  it provides an avenue for escape of the fluid entering under pressure from the fluid supply line  87 . Upon entering the delivery orifice  46 , the fluid travels the length of the bubbler head  30  fluid passageway  35  until it reaches the bubbler head spout  36  from which it is ejected in a stream. 
     Force generated by the movement of the water may cause rotation and/or shifting of the bubbler head  30  relative to housing  50 . To combat this problem, an alignment extension  80  is used to guide the bubbler head  30  in its ascent and descent.  FIG. 4  depicts one embodiment of the present invention where the alignment extension tool  80  is in the form of a tailpiece fixedly attached to the bubbler head flange piece  40 . The alignment tool  80  extends downward through a dual threaded retainer  82  in the form of a ring and into a hollow threaded stud  84 . Exterior threads on the hollow threaded stud  84  connect with mating threads along the interior of the dual threaded retainer  82 . Likewise, exterior threads on the dual threaded retainer  82  connect with mating threads along the bottom of the interior of the lower section  72  of the central channel  70  to maintain flange piece  40  within the channel of the pop-up bubbler assembly  20 . 
     The alignment tool  80  has a circumference shaped to match the shape of a corresponding receiving hole  86  in the retainer  82 . The shape of the alignment tool  80  and the corresponding receiving hole  86  is such that rotation is prevented when the alignment tool  80  is passed through the retainer  82 . Further, the length of the alignment tool  80  is such that it is not fully withdrawn from the retainer  82  when the bubbler head  30  is in the highest elevated position. Thus, the alignment tool  80  keeps the bubbler head  30  in an upright position throughout operation of the drinking fountain  10  while also preventing rotation thereof. 
     A retention groove  90  is also used to maintain orientation of the components of the pop-up bubbler assembly  20 . It is also contemplated that more than one groove could be employed. Specifically, the retention groove  90  is a receiving hole at the bottom of the housing  50  into which is placed a correspondingly shaped article to prevent movement of the housing  50 . In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the article is a raised portion of the drain bowl  70  upon which the housing  50  sits. It is contemplated it may also be a separate implement, such as a pin or fastener, without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Where the article is part of the drain bowl  100  itself, the insertion of the article into the retention groove  90  prevents the housing  50  from rotating. Similarly, where the article is a separate implement, the implement is secured to both the retention groove  90  and the drain bowl  100  to prevent rotation of the housing  50 . 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a preferred embodiment for connecting the present pop-up bubbler assembly  20  to the drain bowl  100 . As those skilled in the art will certainly appreciate, the drain bowl  100  could also be a bathtub, sink or other structure without departing from the spirit of the present invention. A hollow threaded stud  84  extends downward from the housing  50  for connection to the drain bowl  100 . The end  85  of the hollow threaded stud is adapted to be connected to a water supply line  87 . A mounting hole  104  in the drain bowl  100  is shaped to accept the hollow threaded stud  84 . The mounting hole  104  may include spacing for the separate implement used to prevent rotation of the housing  50  or an additional hole is present for this same purpose. Once passed through the mounting hole  104 , the hollow threaded stud  84  is attached to a fluid supply line  87  in a conventional manner. As such, the hollow threaded stud  84  typically includes threads for attachment of a securing nut, a compression fitting, a section upon which a compression fitting may be attached, or a locking female or male piece, etc. In like manner, the separate implement, if one is used, is inserted through the mounting hole  104 , as illustrated, or the corresponding additional hole. Therefore, the pop-up bubbler assembly  20  is fixed to the drain bowl  100  by conventional methods of attachment once the hollow thread stud  84  is passed through the mounting hole  104  and securely held in place. 
     The pop-up bubbler assembly  20  is shown in an unassembled exploded view in  FIG. 6 . In preparation for assembly, the O-ring  42  is slid over the bubbler head  30  and placed within the retaining groove  44 . Also, the hollow threaded stud  84  is screwed into the dual threaded retainer  82 . Plumber&#39;s tape or other appropriate material may be applied to the threads prior to assembly to create a fluid-proof seal when connecting the components. 
     In assembling the bubbler head  30  and housing  50 , the bubbler head  30  is directed through the rim  54  of the central channel  70  in the housing  50 . The spring  60  is placed into the lower section  72  of the central channel  70  from the bottom end  52  of the housing  50  where it surrounds the bubbler head  30 . Fixing of the spring  60  in position preferably occurs when the second end  64  of the spring  60  abuts with lower rim  75  of the upper section  74  of the central channel  70 . 
     With the spring  60  in place, the bubbler head flange piece  40  is passed into the lower section  72  of the central channel where it is attached to the bubbler head  30  via mating of male threaded section  45  with female threads  37  in the first inlet end  32  of the bubbler head  20 . Extending from below the bubbler head flange piece  40  is an alignment tool  80  integrated as a part of the bubbler head flange piece  40  or fixedly attached thereto. The retainer  82  and connected hollow thread stud  84  are slid over the alignment tool  80  at its receiving shaped hole  86  and screwed into the lower section  72  of the central channel  70 . The spring  60  retains the bubbler head  30  within the housing  50  until the drinking fountain  10  is activated. Retention within the housing  50  limits exposure to contaminants experienced by other drinking fountains. 
     While the preferred embodiment has been shown and described, it will be understood that there is no intent to limit the invention by such disclosure, but rather, is intended to cover all modifications and alternate constructions falling within the spirit and scope of the invention.