Abstract:
A laboratory faucet has a base, a spout and a vacuum breaker wherein at least a portion of the vacuum breaker is cast within an upper portion of the spout. The upper portion of the spout assists in protecting the vacuum breaker from vandalistic acts. Additionally, the base of the faucet is advantageously designed to provide access to the valve operators to allow use of the valve operators at a location to minimize drippage from the operator&#39;s hands onto a counter top. Furthermore, the base may be configured with a gas supply controlled by valves.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to devices which are utilized to provide liquid and/or gaseous fluids and, more particularly, to faucets having a liquid outlet and a gas outlet and a method of producing the same. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Laboratory faucets are necessary in many environments including industrial, government, health care, and education where scientific/technical work is being performed. Many public and private schools in this country have some type of science laboratory facility. Some laboratory facilities utilized in these schools include laboratory sinks and faucets. Some faucets provide the capability of supplying water from a single source such as a hot or cold water source. Other faucets provide the ability to mix cold and hot water to allow a user to provide water at a variety of ranges of temperatures. Some faucets also include a vacuum breaker connected at some location to the spout. Additionally, some prior art faucets include a base unit which may also supply a vacuum, or various pressurized gasses for various kinds of burners, equipment, or other uses. 
     Vacuum breakers in faucets may be utilized to prevent fluid from entering through the outlet nozzle of the faucet and proceeding through the spout to the water inlet to potentially contaminate the water supply. A lower pressure at the inlet than at the outlet may produce this situation. Vacuum breakers often utilize a piston which moves to prevent back flow between the inlet and the outlet should a low pressure situation arise at the inlet. As the piston seals off the inlet from the outlet, the outlet is then opened to the environment through an air passageway. The piston action assists in preventing contamination of the water supply. 
     A need exists to provide a method of manufacturing laboratory faucets wherein at least a portion of the vacuum breaker is integrally formed within a portion of the spout of the water supply of the faucet. 
     Additionally, the protecting cap on prior art vacuum breaker designs typically extends outwardly of the piping supplying the water to the outlet of the nozzle. A need exists to protect this cap from vandalism such as by striking with a blunt object such as a hammer, chair leg, etc. 
     Furthermore, the base designs of the prior art laboratory faucets could be improved by orienting at least a portion of the operators above the sink. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention recognizes and addresses the foregoing disadvantages, and others, of prior art construction and methods. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a laboratory faucet and a method of constructing a laboratory faucet which provides a faucet having a protected vacuum breaker which is more vandal resistant. 
     An additional object of the present invention is to provide a method of forming a faucet wherein a portion of the spout is constructed to include a portion of the vacuum breaker therein. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide operators which may be located at least partially above a sink. 
     A laboratory faucet constructed in accordance with the present invention comprises a mixing faucet with a hot and cold inlet in a single outlet for water flow. As water enters the spout proceeding toward the nozzle, water passes through a vacuum breaker. The vacuum breaker is preferably formed to at least some extent within the spout casting. Other machining steps may be necessary to complete construction of the vacuum breaker at least partially within the spout. Additionally, the cap of the vacuum breaker is preferably less than or equal to a width of the top portion of the spout. This feature assists in protecting the vacuum breaker cap from vandalism. 
     The base of the laboratory faucet preferably includes angled planes housing the water valves. The angled planes assist in locating at least a portion of the valve operators above a sink in a preferred embodiment. Angled portions of a rear section of the base contain gas valves which are supplied by a gas inlet through a bottom portion of the base. The angular relationship of the gas valve operators relative to the water valve operators has been found to minimize interference between the two. 
     Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiment of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Each of these examples provides an explanation of the invention, not a limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those schooled in the art that modifications and variations can be made to the present invention without departing from the scope of the invention. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment as viewed at an angle from the side, 
     FIG. 2 is a plan view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the front; and 
     FIG. 3 is a plan view of the present invention as viewed from the side with internal workings illustrated in phantom. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     FIGS. 1-3 illustrate a preferred embodiment of a laboratory faucet  10 . The faucet  10  is preferably comprised of a base  12  connected to a spout  14 . The base  12  is preferably located atop a counter wherein connections, illustrated as cold water inlet  16 , hot water inlet  18 , and gas inlet  20  may proceed therethrough. The connections are preferably connected to their respective supplies, namely, the cold water inlet  16  is connected to a cold water source, the hot water inlet is preferably connected to a hot water source and the gas inlet  20  is preferably connected to a source of gas, such as propane, acetylene, natural gas, or any other gas source utilized in a laboratory environment. Furthermore an air source, a vacuum source, or another appropriate source may be connected to the gas inlet  20 . As the fluids enter the base  12  through the connections, the various fluids are directed to outlets in the base whether it be through the nozzle  72  connected to the spout  14  for liquid or through gas outlets  22 ,  24 . The connections also preferably assist in the mounting of the base  12  to a counter or other support. The connections may connect to a lower portion of the base  12  or may extend into a cavity within the base  12 . 
     Preferably, the base  12  includes extensions  26 ,  28 . The extensions  26 ,  28  assist in housing valves for controlling the flow of water through the faucet  10 . A mixing faucet is illustrated as the preferred embodiment. A single water faucet, namely a water faucet that dispenses water from a single source which typically has only one valve for supplying water from the source also is another embodiment. In that embodiment, only one extensions  26 ,  28  may be present along with a valve, at least partially disposed therein. The other extensions  26 ,  28  may be machined off for a smooth surface, left as an extrusion, or otherwise omitted. 
     The extensions  26 ,  28  house, at least partially, a valve therein. A cap such as caps  28 ,  30  may be utilized to assist in holding the valve in place. The caps  28 ,  20  are preferably packing nuts which may be additionally secured with a set screw. Valve operators  34 ,  36  are utilized to operate the valves to control the flow of the water from the faucet  10 . The handles  34 ,  36  illustrated are forged brass four arm handles. End caps  38 ,  40  may be utilized to identify water source such as hot or cold and/or may be utilized to protect a connection mechanism such as a screw which may be utilized to hold the handle  34 ,  36  to valve stems. The end caps  38 ,  40  illustrated are colored plastic index discs secured with an adhesive. Although handles  34 ,  36  are illustrated as water controls, other operators including wing blades or other operators could be utilized. 
     The extensions  26 ,  28  are preferably substantially cylindrical wherein portions of the extensions  26 ,  28  have an exterior surface which is substantially circular. The extensions  26 ,  28  preferably connect with the base  12  through a smooth transitional curve  48 . The extrusions  26 ,  28  are preferably integral to the base  12 . 
     In the preferred embodiment, the base  12 , including extensions  26 ,  28 , is forged from a brass material. Of course, other methods known in the art may also be utilized to manufacture the base  12  according to the presently preferred embodiment. 
     The base  12  additionally houses at least a portion of the gas supply, if utilized. As shown in FIG. 1, the gas supply consists of a gas inlet  20  which directs gaseous fluid to gas outlet  22 . The gas inlet  20  and gas outlet  22  are connected through the base  12 . In order to connect the gas outlet  22  to the base  12 , preferably the base  12  is drilled and fitted with a gas valve  52 . The gas valve  52  preferably is comprised of a gas valve body  54  housing the valve mechanism such as a ball valve or other valve. The gas valve operator  56  is illustrated as a handle. Typically, valves of this nature are often in the closed position as illustrated in FIG. 1 when the valve operator  56  is substantially perpendicular to the central axis of the valve body  54 . When the gas valve operator  56  is substantially located along the axis of the valve body  54 , the valve is open. Connected to the outlet of the gas valve  52  is gas outlet  22 . In the preferred embodiment, a nonremovable ten serration hose end is utilized. This outlet-type may be utilized with a flexible hosing to transport the gas to a secondary use device. Of course, other gas outlets  22  styles may also be utilized. 
     The gas outlets  22  are preferably located near a back portion  58  of the base  12 . This location has been found to provide minimal interference with a sink and/or the water controls and provide minimum extension to rear of the base  12 . The water controls, illustrated as handles  34 ,  36  are preferably located near a front portion  60  of the base  12 . This location has been found preferable as they are relatively proximate to the sink where the water would be directed to and/or above. 
     The base  12  preferably has a front face  70  which faces the nozzle  72 , also referred to as the water outlet. The front face  70  is preferably substantially planar. Disposed adjacent to the front face  70  are first faces  62 ,  64 . The first faces  62 ,  64  preferably angled relative to the front face  70 . Located on the first faces  62 ,  64  are the extensions  26 ,  28 . The locating of the extension  26 ,  28  on the first faces  62 ,  64  has been found to provide easy access to the water controls. 
     The first faces  62 ,  64  preferably angle between 10 and 70 degrees relative to a plane including a front face  70 . It is more preferable that the first faces  62 ,  64  be angled between 20 and 60 degrees relative to the plane including the front face. It is also preferred that the first faces  62 ,  64  are angled at approximately 30 degrees relative to the plane including the front face  70 . 
     The angular relationship of the first faces  62 ,  64  relative to the front face has been found to assist in locating valve operators, such as handles  34 ,  36  closer, if not above a sink. The locating of the handles in this manner allows a user with wet hands to drip over the sink instead of over a counter area. The extrusions  26 ,  28  coupled with the valve stems  42 ,  44  assist in locating at least a portion of the operators in an open or shut position forward of the plane incorporating the front portion  70 . Therefore, a portion of the operator may be located above the sink. 
     The base  12  also includes two sides faces  66 ,  68 . The side faces  66 ,  68  preferably meet at a back  74 . The back  74  is preferably a curved segment which joins the side faces  66 ,  68  together. The planes incorporating the side faces  66 ,  68  preferably meet at an angle between 10 and 80 degrees, and more preferably between 20 and 70 degrees. It is also preferred that the angle between the planes including the side faces meet between 30 and 60 degrees, and most preferably at about 50 degrees. The angular relationship of the side faces  66 ,  68  allows for the gas outlets  22 ,  24  to be disposed at a back portion  58  of the base  12  while still allowing access to the gas valve operators  56  from a side of the base  12 . Furthermore, the angular relationship reduces the likelihood that any of the operators such as handles  34 ,  36  or the gas valve operators  56  interfere with one another during operation. 
     The base  12  is connected to the spout  14  at connection  76 . Preferably the spout  14  is bolted or otherwise connected to the base  12  from within the base  12 . The spout  14  may be manufactured from a brass material by casting, however, other materials and procedures could also be utilized. The spout  14  has a bottom portion  76  which connects to the base  12 . The spout  14  extends up along a neck  78  toward an upper, or top portion  80 . The top portion  80  houses at least a portion of a vacuum breaker  82  therein. 
     In the prior art, vacuum breakers are separate components which were connected to piping typically by joining with piping. In the faucet according to the present invention, at least a portion of the vacuum breaker  82  is formed integral to the spout  14 . As can be seen in phantom in FIG. 3, the vacuum breaker  82  is comprised of a cavity  84  and a piston  87 . As water enters through the neck  78  of the spout  14  pressure at the bottom portion of the piston  87  forces the piston upwards to the upper position  88 . When the piston  87  is in the upper position  88 , water may flow into a portion of a cavity  84  and out passageway  90  and through nozzle  72 . 
     If a low pressure situation should develop in the neck, base, water inlet, or water source as compared to the nozzle  72 , the piston  87  moves from the upper position  88  to the lower position  86 . A first set of stops  92  which is preferably circular and forms a seal with the piston  87  allows the piston  87  to move to the lower position  86  when a relatively lower pressure situation develops within the neck  78 . When the piston  87  is in the lower position  86 , the vacuum is broken relative to the nozzle  72  such that no siphoning, or back flow action, occurs since air passageway  96  will be in communication with nozzle  72 . Water is not transmitted from the nozzle  72  to the water supply to potentially contaminate the water supply. Once the water pressure is greater in the neck  78  than in the cavity  84  above the piston  87 , the piston  87  moves from the lower position  86  to the upper position  88  and water may flow out the nozzle  72  through cavity  84  and passageway  90 . Other water outlets other than nozzle  72  may also be utilized. 
     A second set of stops  84  is preferably present in an annular fashion above the upper position  88  to assist in retaining the piston  87  in a normal operating position. Above the cavity  84  is located air passageway  96 . The air passageway  96  communicates with ambient air to assist in breaking the vacuum when the piston  87  is in the lower position  86 . Vacuum breaker cap  98  assists in preventing debris or other matter from entering the air passageway  96 . The vacuum breaker cap  98  is held in place preferably by a vandal resistant restraining device such as vandal resistant screws  100  illustrated. Vandal resistant screws  100  have a relatively low profile and require a special screw driver to operate. Of course, other fasteners and/or connectors may hold the cap  98  to the vacuum breaker  82  and/or the top portion  80 . 
     The particular nozzle  72  utilized in the preferred embodiment is a ten serration hose end which receives a flexible tubing. These serrations assist in maintaining the tubing in place to prevent leak by at the faucet  10 . It is preferred that the nozzle  72  is non-removable relative to the spout  14  to deter potential tampering with the faucet  10 . Other spouts or outlets may also be used instead of or in addition to nozzle  72 . 
     The spout  14  is preferably formed by casting whereby a portion of the cavity  84  is formed during the casting process. Additionally, much of the interior portion of the neck  78  is also formed during the casting process as well. Machining steps may be performed to locate a point of communication between the lower portion  76  of the spout  14  with the water connection proceeding from the water inlet(s)  16 ,  18 , if used, through the base  12  and valves controlled by valve operators  34 ,  36 . 
     The preferred method of casting a spout  14  comprises shaping a spout mold to have a shape to provide a cavity within a top portion  80  of the spout  14 . The cavity  84  in the spout  14  forms a portion of a vacuum breaker  82 . Next a substance, such as brass, is obtained in a pourable condition. The substance is then poured into the spout mold and allowed to harden to a solid form. Next, the solid spout  14  is removed from the mold. Further machining steps may then be performed. For example, the upper portion  82  of the spout  14  may be machined to accept connectors such as vandal resistant screws  100  for a vacuum breaker cap  98  to be installed. Additionally, a piston  87  may be placed within the vacuum breaker  82  and the vacuum breaker cap  98  may be appropriately placed. 
     Additional machining or other processes may be necessary in the preferred embodiment to complete construction of the cavity  84 , passageway  90 , and air passageway  96 , or other portion of the vacuum breaker  82 , as well as to connect the nozzle  72  in the top portion  80  of the spout  14 . 
     During the casting process, the top portion  80  of the spout  14  is preferably constructed to have a first width  104  greater than or equal to a second width  106  of the vacuum breaker cap  98 . By having the first width  104  of the top portion  80  greater than or equal to the second width  106  of the vacuum breaker cap  98 , a potential vandal is afforded with a relatively small opportunity to vandalize the vacuum breaker  82 . Namely, it will be very difficult to utilize a blunt object to strike the lower lip portion  102  of the cap in an attempt to destroy that portion of the faucet  10 . Although many faucets  10  may be located in places where vandal resistivity is not a concern, unfortunately some faucets  10  may be located in vandal suspect locations. The top portion  80  of the spout  14  may be tapped for receiving the screws  100 . 
     Numerous alterations of the structure herein disclosed will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art. However, it is to be understood that the present disclosure relates to the preferred embodiment of the invention which is for purposes of illustration only and not to be construed as a limitation of the invention. All such modifications which do not depart from the spirit of the invention are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.