Abstract:
This invention is a prefabricated very strong in wall support for universal fixtures mounted on a wall. Fixture support connectors or arms extend from the support and hold up the fixture. The in wall support is rigidly bolted to the floor so the support bears all the weight of the fixture and transmits the weight directly to the floor. The support is manufactured to accommodate standard fixtures. The height of the mounted fixture can be varied by moving the brackets which hold the fixture support connectors up and down. Brackets can be mounted on both the front and back of the support, thereby allowing the mounting of a fixture on both sides of a wall using a single support.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS. 
     Not Applicable. 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT. 
     Not Applicable. 
     Reference to a “Microfiche appendix.” 
     Not Applicable. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to within the wall supports for wall mounted fixtures such as lavatories, urinals, hospital and laboratory sinks, and drinking fountains. 
     2. Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 37 CFR 1.98 
     Eriksson in U.S. Pat. No. 2,716,757 discloses a lavabos with a support consisting of two parallel vertical rods which are clamped to a frame which holds the basin. The support is not enclosed within the wall. 
     Brady et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 3,932,899 disclose a support frame with security means, the support frame intended to be case into an associated concrete wall. The frame consists of two parallel vertical side frame elements and parallel top and bottom frame elements. The patent discloses the elements as secured by welding. The frame is case into concrete to provide a secure and impassable support for the fixture when it is embedded in concrete. The frame has a facility attached to the vertical side frame elements. A lavatory and water closet are attached to the facility. 
     Denhart in U.S. Pat. No. 4,158,898 discloses an adjustable support for the front of a wall mounted washstand to resist the weight of a person sitting or standing on the washstand. The support is mounted below the washstand and rests on the floor in an exposed position. 
     Morris et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 4,434,516 disclose a jig for a poured concrete wall consisting of a base and top member and two vertical members each with a web and flange along the wall. Multiple fixtures are permanently mounted on the jig and cross members prevent passage of objects from one fixture to another. The jig does not bear the load of the lavatory or that of a mounted water closet, which are supported by a box-like fixture which rests on the floor. 
     Klein et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 4,979,239 disclose a support structure for wall-mounted sanitary apparatus with legs and crossmembers which support a water closet above the floor. The structure consists of two parallel crossmembers which are connected by legs inclined in a V shape. Adjustable cramps on the ends of the lower crossmember support the structure on the floor. In another embodiment, uprights are pivotally attached to the cramps and are used to support the structure in a desired elevated position. 
     Wasek in U.S. Pat. No. 5,050,253 discloses an adjustable vanity assembly with a rail assembly made of two vertical side members, a top member, and a bottom traverse support which is not flush with the floor. Gas springs which are visible below the vanity permit vertical movement of the vanity and lock the vanity at a desired vertical height. 
     Kress et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 5,148,552 disclose an assembly space apron consisting of a metal reinforced plate which is substantially resistant to bending and is embedded in foam. The apron extends below the installation module to the floor and conceals the waste water draining pipe elbow and prevents access to the area below the module. 
     Zaccai et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 5,230,109 disclose a vertically adjustable lavatory assembly with an outer frame and a movable carrier frame. The outer frame consists of a preferably rectangular support carrier frame with vertical side walls with apertures, a top cross-member and a bottom cross-member positioned horizontally between the side walls. The outer frame does not support the lavatory directly, but supports a moveable carrier frame which in turn supports the lavatory. 
     Hall in U.S. Pat. No. 5,724,773 discloses a prefabricated building module of parallel frames which support a water closet on either side. Angle brackets at the bottom of the module are anchored to the floor by anchor bolts. A larger embodiment of the module is prefabricated preferably with a ceiling and is finished with drywall. 
     SMITH YELLOW PAGES, Jay R. Smith Mfg. Co., 1998, pages 0-22, 0-L1, 0-L3, 0-L5, 0-L7, 0-L9, discloses a variety of in wall supports for off-the floor urinals and lavatory and sink supports, drinking fountain, and electric water cooler supports. The supports consist of vertical uprights with sleeves or other adjustable arm supports attached to the uprights. No unitary supports are disclosed. 
     The prior art does not disclose in wall universal fixture supports of the present invention. The present invention has the advantages of being a prefabricated unitary support which is stronger than, requires less space for installation than, and is installed with less labor than conventional prior art supports. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION. 
     The support of this invention is mounted in a wall and is rigidly attached to the floor. The support is used to hold universal fixtures which are mounted above the floor. The support is based on a rigid frame of two parallel side bars and an upper and a lower cross bar. The upper cross bar is permanently attached to one end of each side bar, the lower cross bar is permanently attached to the other end of each side bar, the side bars are perpendicular to the cross bars, and the frame defines a plane. Both cross bars have cut-outs to accommodate services and the lower cross bar has means for attaching the lower cross bar to the floor. A bracket is adjustably attached to each side arm, and each bracket has attached a connector for universal fixtures. A universal fixture connector is used to support and connect a universal fixture to the support. A universal fixture connector is attached to the bracket and the universal fixture extends approximately perpendicular to the plane of the frame. Brackets may be attached to both the front and the rear sides of the frame which allows one frame to serve to support universal fixtures on both sides of a wall. 
     The objective of this invention is to provide an in wall universal fixture support which transmits the weight of the universal fixture directly to the floor without transmitting substantial weight to the wall. 
     Another objective of this invention is to provide an in wall universal fixture support which is prefabricated with standard dimensions which accommodates a wide variety of universal fixtures. 
     Another objective of this invention is to provide an in wall universal fixture support in which the height of the universal fixture retention arms can be varied in order to comply with regulatory requirements. 
     Another objective of this invention is to provide an in wall universal fixture support with enhanced stability. 
     Another objective of this invention is to provide an in wall universal fixture support which can be installed with a minimum of time and labor. 
     Another objective of this invention is to provide an in wall universal fixture support with reduced space requirements. 
     Another objective of this invention is to provide an in wall universal fixture support with provisions for water, waste, and vent line pipe and electrical wiring installation without further drilling or tapping. 
     Another objective of this invention is to provide an in wall universal fixture support with enhanced strength which resists overloads placed on the universal fixture. 
     Another objective of this invention is to provide an in wall universal fixture support which can be shipped to the installation site in an assembled condition which requires only the adjustment of the height of the lavatory retaining arms during installation. 
     Another objective of this invention is to provide an in wall universal fixture support of universal application for supporting standardized universal fixtures produced by any commercial manufacturer. 
     Another objective of this invention is to provide an in wall universal fixture support which may be used to support a single universal fixture on one wall or may be used to support two universal fixtures, each mounted on the opposite sides of a wall. 
     A final objective of this invention is to provide an in wall universal fixture support which is inexpensive, easily manufactured, and which is manufactured and installed without adverse effect on the environment. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING 
     FIG. 1 is a plan view of the frame. 
     FIG. 2 is a cross section view of the frame taken along line  2 — 2 . 
     FIG. 3 is a cross section view of the frame taken along line  3 — 3 . 
     FIG. 4 is a plan view of the first embodiment bracket. 
     FIG. 5 is a cross section view of the bracket taken along line  5 — 5 . 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the in wall support with the finish wall removed. 
     FIG. 7 is a side view of the in wall support showing the finish wall in cross-section. 
     FIG. 8 is a side view of the two sided in wall support used to support two universal fixtures with the finish walls in cross-section. 
     FIG. 9 is a plan view of a support for a drinking fountain. 
     FIG. 10 is a side view of the in wall support for a drinking fountain. 
     FIG. 11 is a plan view of a support for a urinal. 
     FIG. 12 is a side view of the in wall support for a urinal. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     In this patent application, the term “universal fixture” means a sink, fixed basin, urinal, drinking fountain, electric water cooler, and other similar structures, all of which have a structure which holds water, have a source of running water, have a drainpipe which removes water from the structure, and are mounted above the floor. The term “in wall” means the support is located in the space behind a finished wall. The term “services” means pipes or conduits for providing water to, removing waste water from, or venting a universal fixture, or providing wires for providing electricity to a universal fixture. 
     FIG. 1 shows the in wall support frame  20 . The frame is rectangular in shape with an elongated left side bar  30  and a right side bar  40 , both of which are permanently attached to the lower cross bar  60  and the upper cross bar  50 . The side bars  30  and  40  are parallel and each side bar is perpendicular to the upper cross bar  50  and the lower cross bar  60 . Although tubes rectangular in cross-section are used as side arms in this example, other cross-sectional shapes may be used for side arms, such as solid rectangular rods, circular rods or tubes, or other shapes with suitable strength and rigidity. Any suitable permanent and strong method of connecting the side bars and cross bars, such as securing with bolts, permanent adhesives, or welding. A preferred connecting method is robot welding in a precision locating fixture to assure consistent sizing, squareness and improved loading strength. In the preferred process, the finish weldments are cleaned and powder coated for environmental protection and ease of handling. Any suitable strong, rigid material resistant to deformation, such as steel, iron, aluminum, or fiberglass may be used in construction of the in wall support of this invention. A preferred material for the side bars and cross bars is 1010/1015 grade hot drawn steel. 
     In a preferred manufacturing process, the support is prefabricated in a factory. 
     The lower cross bar is firmly attached to the floor by suitable strong and rigid fastening means. All the weight of the support and the universal fixture, and all of the loading which might be placed on the fixture, is transmitted through the support directly to the floor. None of the weight is borne by the wall. 
     FIG. 2 is a cross-section view along line  2 — 2  of FIG.  1 . Fig two shows the underside of the upper cross bar  50 . The cross bar consists of a web  52  and a flange  54  which is at a right angle to the web  52 . Both the web  52  and flange  54  are of approximately the same width. A cut-out  56  in the web  52  accommodates services such as pipes which serve to provide water, drain water, or vent the universal fixture and electrical wires. Further circular cutouts  57  and  58  provide additional spaces for services to the universal fixture. Left side bar  30  is shown in FIG. 2 where it is welded to the upper cross bar  50 . The left side bar  30  front side  32 , inside side  38 , back side  36 , and outside side  34  are also shown. The left side bar back side  36  is flush with the flange  54 . Right side bar  40  is shown in FIG. 2 where it is welded to the upper cross bar  50 . The right side bar  40  front side  42 , inside side  48 , back side  46 , and outside side  44  are also shown. The right side bar back side  46  is flush with the flange  54 . 
     FIG. 3 is a cross-section view along line  3 — 3  of FIG.  1 . FIG. 3 shows the upper side of the lower cross bar  60 . The cross bar consists of a web  62  and a flange  64  which is at a right angle to the web  62 . Both the web  62  and flange  64  are of approximately the same width. A cut-out  66  in the web  62  accommodates services such as pipes which serve to provide water, drain water, or vent the universal fixture or electrical wires. Further holes  65 ,  67 ,  68 , and  69  are used to rigidly attach the lower cross bar  60  to the floor when the in wall support is installed. Two bolts or other suitable strong fasteners are used to make the connection with the floor. A variety of suitable means may be used to make a strong, rigid connection between the lower cross bar and the floor, such as bolts, brackets, mortar, or adhesive. Left side bar  30  is shown in FIG. 3 where it is welded to the upper cross bar  50 . The left side bar  30  front side  32 , inside side  38 , back side  36 , and outside side  34  are also shown. The left side bar back side  36  is flush with the flange  64 . Right side bar  40  is shown in FIG. 3 where it is welded to the upper cross bar  50 . The right side bar  40  front side  42 , inside side  48 , back side  46 , and outside side  44  are also shown. The right side bar back side  46  is flush with the flange  64 . 
     FIG. 4 is a plan view of the first embodiment bracket  70 . The bracket  70  is rectangular with parallel long sides  71  and  73  and parallel short sides  75  and  77 . An internally-threaded socket  76  is welded to the bracket. The socket  76  receives the threaded end of an universal fixture connector or extended lavatory retention arm ( 78  in FIG. 7) which supports and retains the universal fixture. Extended slots  72  and  74  are parallel with the long sides  71  and  73 . Bracket  70  is adjustably attached to the front side of a side arm by U-bolts which extend around the side arm and the ends of each U-bolt extends through the extended slots  72  and  74 . Nuts secure the bracket to the side arm. The bracket can be adjusted vertically on the side arm. A preferred material for the bracket is 1010/1015 hot drawn steel plate with a NPS conduit coupling welded to it. A preferred material for the U-bolts and straight bolts, nuts and washers is Grade 3 steel. 
     FIG. 5 is a cross section-view taken along line  5  of FIG.  4 . Bracket  70  is shown along with slots  72  and  74  and socket  76 . Also visible are the threads  81  on the inside of the socket. The socket  76  is mounted perpendicular to the flange. 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an in wall support showing in dotted line a universal fixture, in FIG. 6, a sink  100 . FIG. 6 shows the upper side of the lower cross bar  60 . The cross bar consists of a web  62  and a flange  64  which is at a right angle to the web  62 . Both the web  62  and flange  64  are of approximately the same width. A cut-out  66  in the web  62  accommodates services such as pipes which serve to provide water, drain water, or vent the universal fixture or electrical wires. Further holes  65 ,  67 ,  68 , and  69  are used to rigidly attach the lower cross bar  60  to the floor when the in wall support is installed. Two bolts are used to make the connection with the floor. Other suitable strong fasteners may be used to make the connection with the floor. A variety of suitable means may be used to make a strong, rigid connection between the lower cross bar and the floor, such as bolts, brackets, mortar, or adhesive. 
     FIG. 6 shows the upper side of the upper cross bar  50 . The upper cross bar consists of a web  52  and a flange  54  which is at a right angle to the web  52 . Both the web  52  and flange  54  are of approximately the same width. A cut-out  56  in the web  52  accommodates services such as pipes which serve to provide water, drain water, or vent the universal fixture, or electrical wires. Further circular cutouts  57  and  58  provide additional spaces for services to the universal fixture. Left side bar  30  is shown in FIG. 6 where it is welded to the upper cross bar  50  and lower cross bar  60 . The left side bar  30  front side  32  and outside side  34  are also shown. Right side bar  40  is shown in FIG. 6 where it is welded to the upper cross bar  50  and lower cross bar  60 . The right side bar  40  front side  42  and inside side  48  are also shown. 
     A second embodiment flange is shown in FIG.  6 . The second embodiment flange  270  is identical to the first embodiment flange  70  of FIG. 4 except in the second embodiment the attachment for a lavatory retention arm consists of bolts  276  which extend through holes in the second embodiment flange  270 . The second embodiment flange  270  does not have a socket,  76  in FIG. 4. A second embodiment extended lavatory retention arm  278  is shown in FIG.  6 . The second embodiment arm differs from the first embodiment arm in the bracket attachment and in that the second embodiment arm is designed to support the universal fixture from below and to be visible while the first embodiment arm is designed to support the fixture through extension into a hole in the back of the fixture. The first embodiment universal fixture retention arm is not visible when the universal fixture is installed. 
     FIG. 6 shows the second embodiment bracket  270  and extended lavatory retention arm  278  attached to left side arm  30 , and an identical bracket and arm attached to right side arm  40 . 
     FIG. 7 is a side view of an installed in wall support. In room  94  the floor  90  and the finish wall  92  are shown in cross-section. The lower cross arm  60  is attached to the left side arm  30 . Visible in FIG. 7 is the lower cross arm web  62  and lower cross arm flange  64 . The lower cross arm flange  64  is attached to the floor  90  by bolts  82 . The upper cross arm  50  is shown along with the upper cross arm web  52  and upper cross arm flange  54 . Bracket  70  is attached to the front side  32  of the left arm  30  by U-bolts  71  and  73  which extend around the rear side  36  of the left arm  30  and are secured by nuts  75  and  77 . The socket  76  is attached to the bracket  70  and extends approximately perpendicular from the bracket  70 . The first embodiment extended lavatory retention bar  78  is attached by a threaded portion  79  to the socket  76 . 
     FIG. 8 shows a second embodiment in wall support in which one support is used to support two universal fixtures located in a first  94  and a second  194  back-to-back rooms which share a common wall. FIG. 8 is identical to FIG. 7, and the second embodiment identical to the first embodiment with respect to elements designated by a number less than  100 . The second finish wall  192  located in the second room  194  is shown in cross section. The bracket  170  is attached to the rear side  36  of the left arm  30  by bolts  171  and  173  and secured by nuts  175  and  177 . The socket connector  176  is attached to the bracket  170  and extends approximately perpendicular from the bracket  170 . The first embodiment extended lavatory retention bar  178  is attached by a thread  179  to the socket connector  176 . 
     FIG. 9 shows a plan view of a support for a drinking fountain. The in wall support frame is the same as that in FIG.  1 . The bracket  370  extends from the left side arm  30  to the right side arm  40 . Slots  372  and  374 ,  376  and  378  are used to connect the bracket  370  to left side arm  30  and right side arm  40 , respectively. U-bolt which extend around the side arms are attached to the bracket by bolts  380 ,  382 ,  384 ,  386 ,  390 ,  392 ,  394 , and  396 . Holes  314 ,  316 ,  318 , and  320  are used to accommodate connector bolts which connect the drinking fountain to the bracket  370 . Hole  310  accommodates a water source for the drinking fountain and cut-out  312  accommodates the drain pipe. 
     FIG. 10 is a side view of an installed in wall support for a drinking fountain, indicated by dotted lines at  396 . The in wall support frame is the same as that in FIG.  7 . Bracket  370  is attached to the front side  32  of the left arm  30  by U-bolts  371  and  373  which extend around the rear side  36  of the left arm  30  and are secured by nuts  380  and  384 . Universal fixture connector bolts  391  and  393  are attached to bracket  370  and extend approximately perpendicular from bracket  370 . Bolts  391  and  393  support the drinking fountain  396  and are secured by nuts  395  and  397 , respectively. 
     FIG. 11 shows a plan view of a support for a urinal. The in wall support frame is the same as that in FIG.  1 . An upper bracket  570  and a lower bracket  470  support the urinal. 
     The lower bracket  470  extends from the left side arm  30  to the right side arm  40 . Slots  472  and  474 ,  476  and  478  are used to connect the lower bracket  470  to left side arm  30  and right side arm  40 , respectively. U-bolts which extend around the side arms are attached to the bracket by bolts  480 ,  482 ,  484 ,  486 ,  490 ,  492 ,  494 , and  496 . Holes  481  and  483  are used to accommodate connector bolts which connect the urinal to the bracket  470 . Hole  410  accommodates services for the urinal. 
     The upper bracket  570  extends from the left side arm  30  to the right side arm  40 . Slots  572  and  574 ,  576  and  578  are used to connect the upper bracket  570  to left side arm  30  and right side arm  40 , respectively. U-bolts which extend around the side arms are attached to the bracket by bolts  580 ,  582 ,  584 ,  586 ,  590 ,  592 ,  594 , and  596 . Holes  514 ,  516 ,  518  and  520  are used to accommodate connector bolts which connect the urinal to the upper bracket  570 . Hole  510  accommodates the drain for the urinal. 
     FIG. 12 is a side view of an installed in wall support for a urinal, indicated by dotted lines at  500 . The in wall support frame is the same as that in FIG.  7 . Upper bracket  570  is attached to the front side  32  of the left arm  30  by U-bolts  571  and  573  which extend around the rear side  36  of the left arm  30  and are secured by nuts  580  and  584 . Universal fixture connector bolts which connect the urinal to the upper bracket are not shown in FIG. 12. A horn  510  extends from the bracket and accommodates the waste water from the urinal  500  through the fixture support to a wastewater pipe (not shown in FIG.  12 ). A gasket  512  seals the connection between the horn  510  and the urinal  500 . 
     EXAMPLE 1 
     In a preferred example, the frame was constructed of side arms of rectangular tubes 1.50″×2.00″×0.125″ in thickness, and 42.00″ in length. The cross arms were of angle iron sections with the web and flange of 2.50″ in width, 0.25″ in thickness, and 20.00″ in length. Both the side arms and cross arms were of 1010/1015 grade hot drawn steel. The support bracket was rectangular 4.00″ by 6.00″, and 0.250″ in width. The support bracket was 1010/1015 hot drawn steel plate. A 1.00″ NPS conduit coupling was robot welded to the bracket. The side arms were robot welded to the cross arms and the conduit coupling was robot welded to the bracket using precision locating fixtures to assure consistent sizing, squareness and improved loading strength. The finish weldments were cleaned and power coated for environmental protection and ease of handling. The brackets were mounted to the side arms using ⅜″-16thd., Grade 3 steel “U” bolts, nuts and washers. 
     The in wall support is precision prefabricated to accommodate standard universal fixtures widely available from manufacturers for commercial and institutional applications. The dimensions may be altered to accommodate custom or non-standard universal fixtures. The in wall support for universal fixtures of this invention is structurally stronger under a radial load than conventional supports, and requires the use of only two bolts to fasten the support to the floor, as opposed to the six or eight bolts required by conventional methods. Conventional methods use two independent vertical upright beams to support the fixture, which requires bolting of two independent beams to the floor, and, importantly, requires careful measurement to insure that the horizontal dimensions between the beams are appropriate. After the in wall support of the present invention is bolted to the floor, the only adjustment required is the vertical adjustment of the brackets. A considerable saving in skilled tradesperson labor is obtained through the use of the in wall support of the present invention, and the finished installation allows more accurate and reproducible placement of the fixture than does conventional installations. 
     The in wall support of the present invention may be installed in a minimal space between finished walls because of the provisions for providing services to the universal fixture without further drilling, tapping, or adding additional components. 
     It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the examples and embodiments described herein are by way of illustration and not of limitation, and that other examples may be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, as set forth in the appended claims.