Abstract:
An exemplary embodiment includes a soap dispenser designed to fit into a water faucet having a stopper-closing lift rod. The rod is removed, and the dispenser tube is inserted into the faucet base hole and down under the counter where the tube is connected to a reservoir of liquid soap. Pressing down on the top of the soap dispenser produces liquid soap through a soap spout above the water faucet spout. Pulling up on the dispenser closes the sink stopper, and pushing down opens the sink stopper. The method of doing the retrofit is also claimed, as well as electrically and mechanically operated versions.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
   One very useful embodiment of the Invention relates to the following field, although the Invention may also relate to other fields. The field of the Invention includes a retrofit soap dispensing device for a water faucet such as is typically found in bathrooms. 
   DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART 
   Typical of the prior art related to the more widely useful embodiments of the present Invention include the following patents. The following examples of related art and its limitations are illustrative and not exclusive. Other limitations of the related art will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon study of the specification and drawings of this Application. 
   Representative of related art is UK Patent Application GB2136923A which discloses a dispenser for liquid soap near the water spout. The dispenser appears to work through a hole in the faucet base but is apparently not connected to the mechanism which operates the drain stopper. The patent suggests that another hole in the faucet base could accommodate a rod to actuate the stopper mechanism. However, this invention is not a retrofit for a typical American bathroom sink faucet which contains a hole for the stopper lift rod. U.S. Pat. No. 6,718,568 discloses a liquid soap dispenser mounted to the side of a unilever faucet. Again, the soap dispenser itself is not a retrofit but is an integral part of a specially designed faucet. There is no indication that the soap dispenser controls the stopper mechanism. U.S. Pat. No. 3,018,489 discloses a soap dispenser where the soap dispensing tube is inside the water spout of the faucet. This may create problems with obtaining pure water from the water faucet since some residue of soap may be released into the water coming out of the spout. In this patent, the stopper lift rod is retained and extends down through this faucet base underneath the sink. Apparently upward or downward motion of the stopper lift rod actuates the sink drain stopper mechanism and dispenses soap. This invention is not a retrofit for an existing bathroom faucet with a stopper lift rod, but instead involves an elaborate mechanism which is claimed to dispense soap with the motion of the stopper lift rod, whether the stopper is opened or closed. 
   Regarding U.S. Pat. No. 3,018,489, the Applicant does not understand one claimed aspect of this invention. In column 3, lines 20-23 it is stated that the soap ejector is usable when the drain is open or closed; however Applicant does not understand how this can be true because that would mean that there is not enough travel of the rod which activates the soap pump. Applicant questions the claimed functioning of this arrangement. The differences and advantages of the present Invention compared to this Patent are as follows. The Invention is a retrofit which involves removing the sink stopper lift rod completely and replacing it with the dispenser tube of the Invention. In the Patent, the sink stopper lift rod is unchanged and remains in place. In the Invention, the bottom of the dispenser tube is attached to the flexible soap tube which leads to the soap reservoir. In the Patent, the bottom of the sink stopper lift rod is ultimately attached to the pump inside the soap reservoir. In the Patent, when soap is dispensed by pumping the sink stopper rod, the drain would apparently be closed contrary to the statement in the Patent that the soap can be pumped with the drain either open or closed. 
   SUMMARY 
   One of the more widely useful embodiments of the present Invention may be summarized as follows. This embodiment is exemplary only. Other embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon study of the specification and drawings of this application. One embodiment of the Invention is a device installed in a typical bathroom water faucet having a lift rod that controls the sink stopper. The sink stopper lift rod is removed and replaced by the dispenser tube of the Invention. This tube is connected to the connecting rod which is connected to the stopper actuator in the sink drain pipe. Further details are as follows. The sink lift stopper rod (not shown in the drawings) extends through a faucet base and counter hole  18  in the faucet base  4  from above the faucet base, and down under the counter top  2  where it is connected to a connecting rod  8  which connects to the stopper actuator  7  in the sink drain pipe  6 . To install the Invention, the sink stopper lift rod is removed by disconnecting it under the sink from the connecting rod  8 . The sink stopper lift rod is then removed by pulling it vertically up through the faucet base and counter hole  18 . The dispenser tube  11  of the Invention is then inserted down through faucet base and counter hole  18  and connected to the connecting rod  8 , so that downward hand pressure on the soap spout  9  and soap pump  10  causes soap to be sucked from the soap reservoir under the sink and dispensed through the soap spout  9 . Upward hand pressure on the soap pump  10  and soap spout  9  causes the dispenser tube to move upward, and by means of its connection to the connecting rod  8 , causes the stopper actuator  7  to close the drain pipe  6 . 
   PURPOSES AND ADVANTAGES 
   The purposes and advantages of the more widely useful embodiments of the present Invention include, but are not limited to, the following, and may include other purposes and advantages in different fields of use: 
   1. To provide a device which dispenses liquid soap and is a retrofit for a typical American bathroom sink faucet which has a stopper lift rod that extends through the faucet base and under the counter to operate the stopper mechanism. 
   2. To provide a device which is mechanically simple and easy to make. 
   3. To provide a device which is inexpensive. 
   4. To provide a retrofit soap dispenser which is very easily and quickly installed (typically under 10 minutes), and involves no drilling or measuring. 
   5. To provide a retrofit soap dispenser which retains the same stopper operation as the traditional stopper lift rod. 
   6. To provide a device which is aesthetically attractive because of its shape and which may be given attractive surface treatments such as a shiny metal appearance, various colors, etc. 
   7. To provide a soap dispenser which does not require drilling another hole in the counter top. 
   8. To provide a soap dispenser which will dispense soap on the user&#39;s hands when the hands are near the faucet spout, and without leaking soap onto the sink counter. 
   9. To provide a soap dispenser which may have on it images which are attractive to children and which may motivate them to wash their hands with the soap. 
   10. To provide a device which frees up bathroom counter space and improves the counter area. 
   11. To dispense soap from large bottles, which may be more economical, and to avoid messy and inconvenient refilling of the soap reservoir of conventional dispensers. 
   12. To provide a device which avoids leaving soap residue and dirty water drops all over the counter, which is often caused by use by teenagers and children. 

   
     DRAWING FIGURES 
       FIG. 1  is an overall sectional view of the Invention in place in the faucet base and extending under the counter to control the stopper actuator. 
       FIG. 2  is a similar view showing a dispenser, with reinforced base and a means for securing the dispenser underneath the counter by means of screw threads and threaded nut. 
       FIG. 3  is a close-up view showing a portion of what is shown in  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the faucet with the soap dispenser pump in place. 
       FIG. 5  shows a version of the Invention where the soap is dispensed by pressing an electric switch button on the top of the dispenser thereby activating an electric pump underneath the sink. 
       FIG. 6  is a close-up of Section A-A. 
   

   REFERENCE NUMERALS IN DRAWINGS 
   
       
         1  sink 
         2  counter top 
         3  faucet spout 
         4  faucet base 
         5  water valve knob 
         6  drain pipe 
         7  stopper actuator 
         8  connecting rod 
         9  soap spout 
         10  soap pump 
         11  dispenser tube 
         12  flexible soap tube 
         13  soap reservoir 
         14  stopper actuator bracket 
         15  stopper actuator bracket clamp 
         16  soap 
         17  tube junction 
         18  faucet base and counter hole 
         19  counter cabinet 
         20  reinforced pump base 
         21  screw threads 
         22  threaded nut 
         23  dispenser tube sleeve 
         24  bracket hole 
         25  switch wire 
         26  power pack 
         27  power wire 
         28  power plug 
         29  switch button 
         30  electric soap pump 
         31  soap tube 
         32  pump wire 
         33  soap spout base 
         34  mounting sleeve 
         35  cabinet bottom 
     
  
   BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
   This Brief Description and the Detailed Description cover only some embodiments of the Invention, and other embodiments will be clear to those skilled in the art from the description, drawings, and Alternative and Additional Embodiments. The Drawings are illustrative and not limiting. 
     FIG. 1  shows the Invention in place and extending through the hole in the faucet base down beneath the countertop where it is connected to a stopper actuator bracket which in turn is connected to connecting rod which activates the stopper actuator. In this  FIG. 1  the stopper lift rod which was originally furnished with the faucet has been removed and replaced by the Invention. 
     FIG. 2  is very similar to  FIG. 1  except that this version of the device is provided with a reinforced pump base  20  and means for securing the Invention in the faucet base by means of screw threads on the dispenser tube sleeve  23  and a threaded nut  22  which is secured underneath the counter surface. 
     FIG. 3  is merely an enlarged portion of  FIG. 2 . 
     FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the faucet base and faucet spout with the pump  10  in place, the stopper lift rod having been removed and replaced with the Invention.  FIG. 5  shows an electrical version of the Invention where, instead of a mechanically operated pump, there is an electrically operated pump which dispenses the soap when a switch button  29  above the soap spout  9  is pressed. 
   In  FIG. 5  there is a soap spout base  33  which merely supports switch button  29  and soap spout  9 , instead of containing the soap pump itself. 
     FIG. 6  is a close-up of Section A-A in  FIG. 5 . 
   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1  shows the Invention in place in the faucet base and counter hole  18  after the stopper lift rod which traditionally is part of the faucet assembly has been removed. The Figure shows the sink  1  in place in countertop  2  of counter cabinet  19 . The faucet base  4  is shown as well as faucet spout  3 , and water valve knob  5 . The drain pipe  6  of the sink is shown in partial view as well as stopper actuator  7  and connecting rod  8  which operates stopper actuator  7  when the connecting rod  8  is moved up or down. When connecting rod  8  is moved up, the stopper actuator  7  closes the drain pipe  6 , and when connecting rod  8  is moved down, the stopper actuator  7  opens the drain pipe  6 . The soap pump  10  is shown attached to soap spout  9 , and dispenser tube  11  is shown extending down from soap pump  10  to tube junction  17  were a flexible soap tube  12  is attached to the open end of the dispenser tube  11 . Attached to dispenser tube  11  is stopper actuator bracket  14  which is attached to dispenser tube  11  by stopper actuator bracket clamp  15 . The connecting rod  8  is attached to stopper actuator bracket  14  by passing through bracket hole  24 . The connecting rod  8  may be secured in the hole by means of a leaf spring (not shown) or by other means well known to those skilled in the art. When the soap pump  10  or soap spout  9  is pulled up by the hand of a user, the dispenser tube  11  moves up, as does the attached stopper actuator bracket  14  which causes connecting rod  8  to move up, thus moving stopper actuator  7  to close the drain pipe  6 . When soap spout  9  or soap pump  10  are moved down by the hand of a user, dispenser tube  11  also moves down thus causing connecting rod  8  to move down and causing the stopper actuator  7  to open the drain pipe  6 . In addition, when the soap spout  9  is pressed down, soap pump  10  draws liquid soap  16  from soap reservoir  13  up flexible soap tube  12  and soap dispenser tube  11 , and forces the soap out of soap spout  9  to the waiting hand of the user. The tube junction  17  typically comprises flexible soap tube  12  attached, by stretching, over the end of dispenser tube  11 , with flexible tube  12  being sized to snugly fit over the lower end of dispenser tube  11 . Before the Invention is attached to the faucet base  4 , the stopper lift rod (which previously extended down through faucet base and counter hole  18  and was connected to connecting rod  8 ) is removed by releasing the stopper lift rod from connecting rod  8 . When the dispenser tube  11  is inserted in place of the stopper lift rod, the stopper actuator bracket  14  is attached to the dispenser tube  11  by means of stopper actuator bracket clamp  15 , and the connecting rod  8  is connected to stopper actuator bracket  14  by passing through the bracket hole  24  in stopper actuator bracket  14 . The soap reservoir  13  is shown resting on cabinet bottom  35 . 
     FIG. 2  is essentially the same as  FIG. 1 , but it shows reinforced pump base  20  which is part of another version of the pump  10 . Such pumps are well known to those skilled in the art. In this variation, the dispenser tube  11  is secured by means of screw threads formed in a mounting sleeve  34  (attached to reinforced base  20 ) which engage the threads in threaded nut  22 . When threaded nut  22  is tightened, mounting sleeve  34  is moved down by means of screw threads  21 , and reinforced pump base  20  is pulled down against faucet base  4 . The dispenser tube  11  is connected to pump  10  and can move up and down through mounting sleeve  34  to move connecting rod  8  to open or close drain pipe  6 . 
     FIG. 3  is just a close up a portion of the configuration in  FIG. 2 . 
     FIG. 4  is an overall perspective view of the faucet base  4 , the faucet spout  3  on counter top  2 . Also shown are water valve knobs  5 , as well as the Invention in place in the faucet base hole (not shown). The soap pump  10  and soap spout  9  are visible. 
     FIG. 5  is very similar to  FIG. 1 , but it shows the electric pump version of the Invention. To operate this version, the user presses down on electric switch button  29  which is connected by switch wire  25  to power pack  26  which activates electric soap pump  30  through pump wire  32 . Power wire  27  and power plug  28  are also shown, although another version of the Invention could use a battery pack instead of a power pack that plugs into an electric outlet. Electric soap pump  30  draws soap  16  up through soap tube  31  and forces it up through flexible soap tube  12 , up dispenser tube  11  through soap spout base  33  and out soap spout  9 . Switch wire  25  would typically be routed down from switch button  29  and between dispenser tube  11  and the surrounding dispenser tube sleeve  23 . The operation of the stopper actuator  7  is the same as in  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 5  also shows a cross section AA taken through dispenser tube sleeve  23 . Section AA shows dispenser tube  11  inside dispenser tube sleeve  23  and the two parts of switch wire  25 . 
     FIG. 6  is a close-up of section A-A in  FIG. 5  and shows the two switch wires  25  running down between dispenser tube  11  and dispenser tube sleeve  23 . 
   DESCRIPTION 
   Preferred Embodiment 
   The preferred embodiment of the Invention comprises a device for inserting a liquid soap dispenser into a typical bathroom faucet having a faucet base hole for a sink stopper lift rod; it also comprises the method for the retrofit involving disconnecting the sink stopper lift rod from the stopper actuator, pulling it up and out of the faucet base hole, and inserting one embodiment of the Invention down into faucet base hole and connecting it under the sink to the connecting rod which operates the stopper actuator. Details of this embodiment, and by implication, the installation method are shown in  FIGS. 1-4 . 
   Operation of One Embodiment 
   One embodiment of the Invention is a device for inserting a liquid soap pump into an existing bathroom faucet by removing the stopper lift rod which activates the built in sink stopper. 
   A typical faucet in an American bathroom or utility room comprises a water spout or faucet spout and two associated knobs controlling hot and cold water (or alternatively a lever which controls both hot and cold water). Typically behind the water spout is a vertical stopper lift rod which controls the built in sink stopper; in other words, pulling up on the rod closes the sink stopper, and pushing down on the rod opens the sink stopper. To insert the soap pump of the present Invention, the vertical stopper lift rod is removed from the faucet assembly, and the Invention is inserted into the hole formerly occupied by the vertical rod. The top of the Invention comprises a pump for liquid soap and the bottom portion of the Invention is a stiff tube which goes down in the hole formerly occupied by the vertical lift rod, and attaches to the connecting rod which operates the built in sink stopper. The stiff tube of the Invention (dispenser tube) may contain an internal plastic tube, one end of which is attached to the flexible tube which goes into a sizable reservoir of liquid soap underneath the sink, and the other end of which goes up to the soap pump. When the Invention is in the place of the former vertical stopper lift rod, a user may press down on the Invention and soap is delivered through the soap spout of the soap pump. The user may also pull up on the Invention and close the built-in sink stopper. In essence, the Invention is an easy retrofit for an existing bathroom type faucet, and the retrofit comprises removing the vertical stopper lift rod which operates the built-in sink stopper and replacing it with the Invention. The bottom end of the Invention is easily attached to the connecting rod which operates the built-in sink stopper, by means of a stopper actuator bracket and stopper actuator bracket clamp. The connecting rod may be connected to the stopper actuator bracket by passing through a hole in the bracket. 
   The Invention allows the liquid soap pump to be installed in an existing sink without drilling another hole in the counter top supporting the sink. Also, the Invention dispenses soap in a much neater way than a separate pump off to the side of the faucet, whether the pump is placed on the countertop or inserted into the countertop. In other words, any soap spilled from the pump of the Invention would go directly into the sink, instead of falling upon the adjacent countertop. 
   The exact structure and shape of the pump may vary, but in essence it replaces the vertical rod which operates the typical built in sink stopper. There may be a version of the Invention which uses an electrically powered pump instead of a mechanical pump. In that case, the top of the device would contain a switch to activate the pump, but pulling up on the device still causes the built-in sink stopper to close, and pushing down causes the stopper to open. Various materials, colors and finishes may be used on the device as well as ornaments and pictures on the top of the pump. 
   Tests 
   The Inventor made an initial version of the Invention and a revised version including a metal reinforced tube sleeve to provide strength and durability. The drain closing lift rod was removed from the sink by the Inventor by simply unscrewing the screw that connects the drain closing hardware underneath the sink. The dispenser tube with sleeve was then inserted through the hole previously occupied by the drain closing lift rod until the pump at the top of the tube seated firmly in the hole at the top of the sink faucet. The screw was then retightened, attaching the drain closing hardware to the dispenser tube with sleeve that used to be the lift rod. Upward and downward motion was successful thus maintaining drain opening and closing operation. The flexible soap tube was attached to the dispenser tube at the bottom of the dispenser tube with sleeve. The other end of the flexible soap tube was inserted into the soap and liquid soap reservoir. In order to accommodate all medium and large soap bottles, a tapered rubber bottle stopper with a hole in it designed to accommodate the flexible soap tube was provided. From day one the Invention has been in use in the Inventor&#39;s home and has been flawlessly dispensing soap on an average of 4 to 5 times a day. The operation requires one hand for use—thumb to depress the top and palm to receive the soap. The soap spout can swing to the right or left for either hand for user preference. The installation took less than 10 minutes. 
   Additional Embodiments 
   Another embodiment of the Invention could use a battery pack in place of power pack  26 , thus avoiding the necessity of connection to an electrical outlet. 
   The soap pump  10  and soap spout  9  could be replaced by another soap dispensing means including an electric soap pump. The soap dispensing means located above the faucet base could include other embodiments such as a head with a hole or other form known to those skilled in the art. 
   The stopper actuator bracket could be replaced by another stopper actuator bracket means known to those skilled in the art, for connecting the dispenser tube to the connecting rod. The stopper actuator bracket  14  could be connected to the dispenser tube sleeve  23  as shown in  FIG. 5 , instead of to dispenser tube  11  as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
   The stopper actuator bracket clamp could be replaced by another stopper actuator bracket connecting means known to those skilled in the art, for attaching the stopper actuator bracket to the dispenser tube. 
   Instead of a retrofit, the Invention could also be sold as part of a new, whole faucet assembly including the faucet base, faucet spout, etc. 
   CONCLUSIONS, RAMIFICATIONS AND SCOPE 
   A number of changes are possible to the methods and parts described above while still remaining within the scope and spirit of the Invention. The specifics about the form of the Invention described in this application (including the specifics in the Summary, Abstract, Preferred Embodiment, Additional Embodiments, and Alternative Embodiments) are examples and are not intended to be limiting in scope. Those skilled in the art will recognize certain modifications, permutations, additions, subtractions and sub-combinations thereof. The scope of the Invention is to be determined by the claims and their legal equivalents, not the examples, purposes, summary, preferred embodiments, alternative or additional embodiments, operation, tests, etc. given above. It is intended that the claims are interpreted to include all such modifications, additions, subtractions, permutations and sub-combinations as are within their true spirit and scope.