Abstract:
An integrated columar structure is connected to hot and cold water supplies. On the structure is separately mounted on eyewash and faucet. In an alternative embodiment a water bubbler can be substituted for the eyewash. Water passageways within the columnar structure separately supply the appropriate temperature water to the faucet and eyewash/bubbler. Valving mounted on the columnar structure, preferably with an angle oriented at an acute angle to the axis of the column, controls the temperature of water supplied to the fauce. Cold, or slightly tempered, water is supplied to the eyewash.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Application No. 61/638,861 filed Apr. 26, 2012. The aforementioned priority application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present disclosure relates to an eyewash and integral faucet combination utilizing a common support structure but with separate water supplies to insure appropriate water flow, and water temperature, through the eyewash and faucet. 
         [0003]    Emergency eyewash stations are mandated by governmental authorities to ensure worker safety, particularly in laboratories, factories, and warehouses where workers may have improper or accidental exposure to harmful chemicals. Conventionally, eyewash stations are positioned separately from sink faucets and require significant floor or deck space. 
         [0004]    There are, however, several benefits to having a system which integrates an eyewash with a faucet. Various solutions have been proposed for integral eyewash and sink faucets. Each, however, has limitations. Some proposed solutions couple eyewash attachments to existing sink faucets. Such approaches create a potential risk of slow flow or minimal to zero flow to the eyewash if the water supply to the faucet is reduced or shut off. Also, such devices typically require a user to apply multiple hand movements to actuate the eyewash, which, in an emergency, may not be properly coordinated because of panic associated with the emergency. As such, these types of attachments are not suitable for industrial use. Other proposed solutions require cumbersome installation procedures and significant modification to surrounding areas and supporting structures. 
         [0005]    Other prior art approaches to providing eyewash and faucet functions separate faucet handles from the structure supporting the eyewash. One example of such an approach is U.S. Pat. No. 6,385,794, assigned to the owner of this application. However, installation costs associated with the faucet of this patent can be substantial. For example, installation will often require extra penetrations in the deck on which handles for the faucet are mounted and extra piping connecting the faucet to the water supply. These problems are more pronounced in a typical application for the type of faucet-eyewash combination of this invention, i.e., in laboratory settings where the deck is often stone or other difficult to penetrate material. The present invention satisfies the need for an integral eyewash and faucet, utilizing a single deck penetration. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    An integral eyewash and faucet with direct connection to sources of hot and cold water provides considerable savings in time and expense of installation. Internal porting within the faucet provides independent water supply to the faucet and the eyewash. The eyewash is directly, and separately, supplied with water from the cold, or tempered, water supply utilizing an internal water passageway separate from those supplying the faucet. The latter is supplied by water whose temperature is controlled by hot and cold water faucets mounted on columnar posts of the integral eyewash and faucet. The functions of this integral eyewash and faucet can be further expanded by adding a water fountain (e.g. a bubbler) to the cold water line otherwise used to supply the eyewash. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]    The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. In the drawings: 
           [0008]      FIG. 1A  is a left perspective view of an eyewash-faucet system; 
           [0009]      FIG. 1B  is another left perspective view of the eyewash-faucet system shown in  FIG. 1A ; 
           [0010]      FIG. 1C  is a right perspective view of the eyewash-faucet system shown in  FIG. 1A ; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2A  is a top perspective view of the eyewash-faucet system shown in  FIG. 1A  with eyewash dust covers in an open position; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2B  is a top perspective view of the eyewash-faucet system shown in  FIG. 1B  with eyewash covers in a closed position; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a partial sectional view of the eyewash-faucet system shown in  FIG. 1B  illustrating internal passageways; 
           [0014]      FIG. 4A  is a partially exploded perspective view of the eyewash-faucet system shown in  FIG. 1B ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4B  is another exploded perspective view of the eyewash-faucet system shown in  FIG. 1B ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a front view of the eyewash-faucet system; 
           [0017]      FIG. 6A  is a cross-sectional right side view of the eyewash-faucet system shown in  FIG. 5  taken along line A-A of  FIG. 5 , illustrating internal water passageways; 
           [0018]      FIG. 6B  is a left side view of the eyewash-faucet system shown in  FIG. 5 , illustrating internal water passageways; 
           [0019]      FIG. 6C  is a right cross-sectional side view of an eyewash-faucet system, illustrating internal water passageways; 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  is a top view of the eyewash-faucet system shown in  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of the eyewash-faucet system shown in  FIG. 7  taken along line B-B of  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the eyewash-faucet system shown in  FIG. 7  taken along line C-C of  FIG. 7 ; and 
           [0023]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of an eyewash-faucet system having an optional cold water dispenser/bubbler. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0024]      FIGS. 1-10  show various views of an integral eyewash-faucet system  10 , having a modular mount assembly  12 , an above-deck valve assembly  14 , and a combination spout and valve assembly  16 . These assemblies are stacked on one another to form a columnar structure. The system components are mostly positioned above deck  17 , where a deck is broadly defined as a support surface, such as a countertop or sink body. Because all operational components are in a single columnar structure, only one deck penetration is needed to mount system  10  to deck  17 . 
         [0025]    As previously explained, the single deck penetration used to install the instant eyewash-faucet combination has economic advantages over other combinations that require multiple deck penetrations. Included within the overall system  10  are passageways, as further described below, which facilitate fluid communication from hot and cold water sources (not shown) to multiple water outlets. The outlets may be configured in various ways such that they are suitable for use as a faucet, eyewash, drinking spout, and/or other types of water dispensing means. Where an eyewash is included, the system is configured with passageways which preclude hot water from reaching the eyewash. This arrangement prevents damage to the eyes of a user that would otherwise result if hot water reached the eyewash. 
         [0026]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  are exploded views of the eyewash-faucet system  10 . The system generally includes three separate sections: (1) a modular mount assembly  12 , (2) an above-deck valve assembly  14 , and (3) an eyewash spray head and valve assembly  16 . These assemblies are stacked one upon another to form the single columnar-like structure with a single-hole mount to facilitate passage of hot and cold water feeds to the system  10  by utilizing a single penetration in the deck or, at most, multiple small penetrations that are cumulatively no larger than the diameter of the modular mount assembly  12 . 
         [0027]    In one configuration, as shown particularly in  FIG. 4B , the modular mount assembly  12  includes a mount body  18 , a flange base  20 , and a flange washer  22 . When mounted to a deck  17  ( FIG. 6B ), the flange washer  22  is positioned under the flange base  20 . The mount body  18  and the flange base  20  are configured for threadable engagement. Alternatively, the mount body and the flange base may be unitary. 
         [0028]    Alternatively, the assemblies may be coupled to a deck using mount washers  24 , mounting rods  26 , and mounting nuts  28 . The mount washers  24  are provided with thru-holes for the mounting rods  26 . The washers  24  and rods  26  are positioned within the coupled mount body and flange base such that the mount assembly  12  is substantially secured to a deck. Within the mount assembly  12  is a chamber  30  ( FIGS. 3 ,  6 A,  6 C, and  8 ) through which water supply conduits  102 ,  104 ,  106  pass for ultimate threaded attachment to hot and cold water passageways  96 ,  98  and  99  in valve assembly  14  (see  FIG. 3 ,  6 A and  6 C). 
         [0029]    The above-deck valve assembly  14  includes a valve body  32 , a hot water valve cartridge  34 , a cold water valve cartridge  36 , a hot water handle  38 , a cold water handle  40 , handle fasteners  42 , a hot water index  44 , a cold water index  46 , and handle collars  48 . In combination, the assembled collars and valve body form chambers to house valve cartridges  34 ,  36 . Each valve cartridge may be specified as a conventional ¼ turn cartridge or any other suitable cartridge that controls and selectively blocks liquid from an inlet point to an outlet point. In preferred configurations, each valve cartridge  34 ,  36  threadably mates respectively with handles  38 ,  40 . An upper section  41  of the valve body  32  also mates with the eyewash spray head and valve assembly  16 . 
         [0030]    The spray head and valve assembly  16  includes a spout  50  ( FIG. 4A ), having a lower spout section  52 , an upper spout section  54 , and a handle chamber  56  that houses the spout valve cartridge  72  and handle assembly  58 . The spray head and valve assembly  16  also includes a spout collar  53 . Referring to  FIG. 4B , the spout collar  53  includes an upper collar section  57  that mates with an index button  59 , a lower collar section  60  that threadably mates with the upper section  41  of valve body  32 , and a front collar section  62  that threadably mates with the rear spout section  64  of spout  50 . The lower spout section  52  is configured to mate with aerator  66 , while the upper spout section  54  is configured to mate with eyewash spray head assembly  68  or a water dispenser/bubbler  70 , the latter being described below with reference to  FIG. 10 . 
         [0031]    The handle assembly  58  includes a spout valve cartridge  72 , a retainer collar  74 , a retainer nut  76 , and an eyewash handle  78 . The cartridge  72  is configured to initiate flow of water from an internal passageway, upon application of a single force eyewash handle, such as an applied force causing lifting motion, by a user. The eyewash handle  78  preferably has a bright color, such as white, red, or yellow, and includes one or more indicia  82 ,  84  (See, e.g.  FIGS. 2A and 2B ) to indicate the purpose of the handle and the lift direction. Preferably, the cartridge  72  is configured to route cold water from a cold water source (not shown). After water flow is initiated, water will travel through the system and out of either the eyewash spray head assembly  68  or the water dispenser/bubbler  70 , as further described below. 
         [0032]    Referring to  FIGS. 4A and 4B , the eyewash spray head assembly  68  includes a bottom housing  83 , a top housing  85 , aerators  86 , caps  88 , fastening elements  90 , and various flow control elements. The flow control elements include a flow control conduit  92 , a flow control washer  94 , and a flow control adapter  95 , which upon assembly facilitate travel of water flow from the upper spout section  54  to aerators  86 . The fastening elements  90  are preferably mounting screws or other suitable elements that securely couple the eyewash spray head assembly  68  to spout  50 . In the configurations shown, caps  88  are hingedly coupled to the top housing  85  such that dust and other contaminants do not build up on aerators  86  over time. The caps may also include cap indicia which indicate the purpose of the eyewash spray head assembly and/or other features of the system. 
         [0033]    Integration of valving controlling flow of water through the eyewash-faucet system  10  is, as discussed above, an important feature of this invention. Such integrated valving must remain as readily accessible to the user after the integration as it was with prior art devices where the valving was deck mounted. Integration of this valving, however, presents unique design and placement problems which were resolved as described in more detail below. 
         [0034]    One problem with integration of valving is routing separate water passageways for the eyewash (or bubbler  70 ) and the water spout  52  within the close confines of the above-deck valve assembly  14  and spout and valve assembly  16 . For safety reasons, i.e., potential scalding of eyes bathed by eyewash spray head assembly  68 , hot water passageways cannot, under any circumstance connect with the eyewash. 
         [0035]    Another challenge in the design of the subject eyewash-faucet system  10  is the physical placement of hot and cold water valving within the columnar structure of the integral eyewash-faucet system  10 . To facilitate placement of valving and fluid passageways in valve body  32  ( FIG. 3 ), the axes  31 ,  33  of valves  34  and  36  are oriented at an acute angle to the central vertical axis β of the valve assembly  14 , preferably of about 65°. These valves advantageously intersect vertical hot and cold water inlets at about a 65° angle (see  FIG. 3 ). Preferably ¼ turn ceramic cartridges are used in valves  34  and  36 . These features minimize the volume within valve body  32  taken up by valving. Internal area within the valve body consumed by water passageways is minimized as described below. 
         [0036]    As particularly shown in  FIGS. 3 and 6A , upon assembly, the eyewash-faucet system  10  includes a cold water passageway  96 , a hot water passageway  98 , and mixing passageway  100  which allow water travel to the lower spout section  52 . These passageways are coupled to conduits  102 ,  104 , which are positioned in chamber  30  such that installation of the system is relatively simple. Upon turning hot and cold water handles  38 ,  40 , a user can therefore initiate flow of cold water through cold water passageway  96  and hot water through hot water passageway  98 . Where both hot and cold water flow is initiated, flowing water is mixed in mixing passageway  100  such that warm water exits from lower spout section  52 . Thus, a user may manipulate the release of hot and cold water in a conventional manner to provide water flow (cold, hot, or cold/hot mixture). 
         [0037]    Alternatively, the passageways for cold and hot water and mixing passageways can be formed from tubing within a relatively hollow version of the columnar structure of the eyewash-faucet system  10  (not shown). Like the embodiment illustrated in the drawings separate tubing would connect the source of cold water with the eyewash to prevent scalding the eyes of an eyewash user. 
         [0038]    With respect to the eyewash spray head assembly, upon lifting the eyewash handle  78  an eyewash valve  110  is opened which initiates cold water flow from a separate conduit  108  connected to cold water passageway  99 . As shown in  FIG. 6A , cold water passageway  99  extends to couple with a conduit  108 , having two sections  108   a  and  108   b.  Water then flows through eyewash valve  110  such that water is released from the eyewash spray head assembly  68 . 
         [0039]    Sealing elements  112  such as o-rings, quad rings, and various other types of gaskets may be disposed within the system to prevent exiting of water during use. Also, various types of fastening elements  113  may be disposed within the system to secure respective components to each other and to the deck. 
         [0040]      FIG. 10  shows an optional configuration of the system, where a water dispenser/bubbler  70  or other type of water dispensing system may be coupled to the upper spout section  54  instead of an eyewash assembly. Such an arrangement provides flexibility. The water dispenser/bubbler  70  may include a cover  114  or other device that controls the flow of water from a water source to the water dispenser outlet  116 . The water dispenser/bubbler may have any configuration such that its positioning over the upper spout section is substantially aligned with the contour of the spout  50 . 
         [0041]    As used herein cold water is meant to include water from a cold water source that is tempered with auxiliary devices attached to the cold water supply which are operated in accordance with AS SE Standard 1071, promulgated by the American National Standards Institute. Adherence to this Standard is required in some applications where very cold water flowing from an eyewash might hinder the effectiveness of the eyewash in an emergency. 
         [0042]    Any and all materials used for any components of the system, as used herein, have sufficient resistance to corrosion from water over time. Such materials include, but are not limited to, plastic materials, brass, stainless steel, copper, etc. 
         [0043]    While embodiments of this invention have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many more modifications are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The invention, therefore, is not to be restricted, except in the spirit of the following claims.