Abstract:
A portable fluid dispensing device suitable for convenient delivery of potable water. The portable fluid dispensing device includes a faucet and sink that can be conveniently located in close proximity to an individual located in a bed or chair. The sink is rotatable within a plane, and can be adjusted to a selected vertical height.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a fluid supply device, and more particularly to a portable fluid dispensing device that can be conveniently located in proximity to an individual in a bed or chair. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     There are many environments in which a portable dispensing device for dispensing potable water can be used. These environments include, but are not limited to, hospitals, nursing homes, hospices, temporary military battlefield hospitals, and the like. In such environments there are often significant space limitations. Furthermore, the individuals using the portable dispensing device may have limited mobility or be bedridden. Accordingly, it may be necessary to adjust the height of the portable dispensing device. It may also be necessary for the portable dispensing device to be positioned in very close proximity to a patient in bed. 
     The present invention provides a portable fluid dispensing device which provides a convenient, flexible, and space-efficient system, that is particularly well suited to the above-mentioned environments. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a portable fluid dispensing device comprising a support assembly for supporting a source tank for providing a source of fluid, and a waste tank for storing waste fluid; a column mounted to the support assembly; a support member extending from the column; a basin module mounted to the support member, wherein said basin module is rotatable relative to the support member; a pump for drawing fluid from the source tank; and a faucet for dispensing the fluid. 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a portable fluid dispensing device suitable for use from a bed or seated position. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a portable fluid dispensing device that can be rolled along a surface. 
     Another object of the present invention to provide a portable fluid dispensing device that can be vertically adjusted to a suitable height. 
     Another object of the present invention to provide a portable fluid dispensing device that can be horizontally adjusted to a suitable horizontal position. 
     Still another object of the present invention to provide a portable fluid dispensing device that has self-contained potable water and waste water tanks. 
     Still another object of the present invention to provide a portable fluid dispensing device that has self-contained heating unit to provide heated water. 
     Yet another object of the present invention to provide a portable fluid dispensing device that is simple and convenient to setup and operate. 
    
    
     These and other objects will become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment taken together with the accompanying drawings and the appended claims. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention may take physical form in certain parts and arrangement of parts, a preferred embodiment of which will be described in detail in the specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portable fluid dispensing device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the portable fluid dispensing device, taken along line  2 — 2  of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the portable fluid dispensing device, taken along line  3 — 3  of FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 4 is an exploded view of a portion of the portable fluid dispensing device; and 
     FIG. 5 is a schematic view of the portable fluid dispensing device, illustrating the operation thereof. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for the purpose of illustrating the preferred embodiment of the invention only, and not for the purpose of limiting same, FIG. 1 shows a portable fluid dispensing device  10  according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Portable fluid dispensing device  10  is generally comprised of a support assembly  20 , a telescoping column  40 , a support member  60 , a pump  100 , a heater  120 , a faucet  150 , a basin module  170  with associated sink body  12 , a source tank  200  and a waste tank  220 . 
     Support assembly  20  is generally comprised of a central member  22 , and legs  24  and  28 , forming an H-shaped configuration. Legs  24  and  28  extend outwardly from the ends of central member  22 . Legs  24  support a holding base  26 . Holding base  26  is dimensioned to receive source tank  200  and waste tank  220 . In a preferred embodiment, central member  22  has a length in a range of  20  inches to  35  inches. Wheels  32  are located at the distal ends of legs  24 ,  28 . In accordance with a preferred embodiment, wheels  32  are caster swivel wheels, with at least two wheels  32  having brakes. The brakes allow device  10  to be locked in a stationary position at a desired location. It should be appreciated that locating source tank  200  and waste tank  220  at the rear of support assembly  20  provides weight to counterbalance the weight of basin module  170 . 
     It should be appreciated that support assembly  20  may take the form of alternative configurations, including but not limited to, a generally rectangular structure having wheels located at each comer thereof. 
     Telescoping column  40  is connected with support assembly  20  in the general vicinity of the intersection of central member  22  and legs  24 . In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, column  40  is comprised of a first column section  40 A and a second column section  40 B. Column section  40 A has a bottom end  42   a  and a top end (not shown), while column section  40 B has a bottom end  42   b  and a top end  44   b . Bottom end  42   a  of column section  40 A is fixed to support assembly  20 . 
     Column section  40 A and column section  40 B are preferably tubular pipe, wherein column section  40 B has an internal dimension that is larger than the external dimension of column section  40 A. This allows column section  40 B to be raised and lowered relative to column section  40 A. 
     A conventional electric motor drive  50 , or alternatively a pneumatic piston, is mounted inside column section  40 A and column section  40 B to raise and lower column section  40 B. A lever arm  52  is provided to activate the motor drive or pneumatic piston, to adjust the height of column  40 . The implementation of the motor drive, pneumatic piston, and lever arm  52  will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art. 
     Support member  60  is attached to column section  40 B for movement therewith. In this regard, adjustment of the height of column  40  will result in an adjustment in the height of support member  60 . In a preferred embodiment, support member  60  is generally comprised of a pair of L-shaped brackets  60 A,  60 B. Bracket  60 A has a vertical portion  62   a  and a horizontal portion  64   a . Likewise, bracket  60 B has a vertical portion  62   b  and a horizontal portion  64   b . Preferably, brackets  60 A and  60 B are formed of conventional square or rectangular pipe. 
     Vertical portions  62   a  and  62   b  are joined together by a first mounting plate  70 , as best shown in FIG.  4 . In a preferred embodiment, mounting plate  70  is welded to vertical portions  62   a ,  62   b . Mounting plate  70  provides a support surface for supporting a heater  120 , which is described in detail below. In the embodiment shown, a metallic mounting strap  72  is welded to the back side of mounting plate  70 . Mounting plate  70 , together with brackets  60 A,  60 B, are attached to column section  40 B. Fastening means  74  (e.g., bolt, lock washer, and nut) secure mounting strap  72  to column section  40 B. 
     Horizontal portions  64   a ,  64   b  of brackets  60 A,  60 B provide a support structure for basin module  170  (as best shown in FIG.  4 ), which is described in detail below. Horizontal portions  64   a  and  64   b  are joined together by a pair of locating rings  66  and  68 . Upper locating ring  66  is preferably welded to the top surface of horizontal portions  64   a ,  64   b , while lower locating ring  68  is preferably welded to the bottom surface of horizontal portions  64   a ,  64   b . Openings  66   a  and  68   a  of locating rings  66 ,  68  are dimensioned to receive threaded pipe  181  of basin module  170 , as will be described in detail below. 
     A second mounting plate  80  is attached to column section  40 B of column  40 , as best shown in FIG.  2 . Mounting plate  80  provides a support surface for supporting pump  100 , which is described in detail below. A metallic mounting strap  82  is welded to the back side of mounting plate  80 . Mounting plate  80  is attached to column section  40 B of column  40 . Fastening means  84  (e.g., bolt, lock washer, and nut) secure mounting strap  82  to column section  40 B. 
     A third mounting plate  90  is attached to top end  44   b  of column section  40 B, as best shown in FIG.  4 . In the embodiment shown, mounting plate  90  is welded to top end  44   b  of column section  40 B. Mounting plate  90  provides a support surface for a power switch box  140 , a faucet  150  and a shelf  14 , all of which are described in further detail below. A hole  96  is formed in mounting plate  90  to receive faucet  150 . 
     Basin module  170  is generally comprised of a saddle  172 , a mounting assembly, a drain  250 , and a sink body  12 . Saddle  172  is comprised of a frame  174  having tubular two support members  176 . Frame  174  is dimensioned to receive and support sink body  12 . In a preferred embodiment, sink body  12  is press fit to saddle  172 . Support members  176  provide structural strength to saddle  172 , and support the mounting assembly. Basin module  170  is preferably located above, and generally parallel to support assembly  20 , so as to provide a gap therebetween. 
     The mounting assembly, best seen in FIG. 3, is generally comprised of spaced apart mounting plates  182  and  184 , and threaded pipe  181 . Mounting plate  182  is located between support members  176 , and is welded thereto. Mounting plate  184  is welded to the lower surface of support members  176 . Mounting plate  182  includes an opening  183  dimensioned to receive drain  250 , which is described below. Mounting plate  184  includes an opening  185  dimensioned to receive threaded pipe  181 . In this regard, threaded pipe  181  extends through opening  185  of mounting plate  184 , and is welded to mounting plate  184 . Basin module  170  is attached to support member  60  by means of threaded pipe  181 . Threaded pipe  181  is aligned along an axis A, about which basin module  170  can swivel. Frame  174  and support members  176  are preferably formed of ½ inch conduit or ¾ inch box tubing, but may also take the form of lightweight tubular plastic materials. 
     Drain  250  preferably takes the form of a conventional pop-up sink drain assembly, well known to those skilled in the art. With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, drain  250  includes a drain body  252 , an O-ring  256 , a metal ring  258 , a nut  260 , and a drain trap  262 . Drain body  252  is mounted in drain opening  13  of sink body  12 , and extends through opening  183  of mounting plate  182 , and opening  185  of mounting plate  184 . Drain body  252  includes a flange  254  that is located adjacent to the top surface of sink body  12 . O-ring  256  is located adjacent to sink body  12 . Nut  258  is located below O-ring  256 . Nut  258  engages with threads formed on the outer surface of drain body  252 , to secure drain body  252  to sink body  12 . Nut  260  is adjusted to allow basin module  170  to rotate relative to drain  250 . Drain trap  262  is connected to the lower end of drain body  252  by nut  260 . A conduit  222  is connected between drain trap  262  and waste tank  220 . It should be understood that a flexible hose (shown in phantom in FIG. 3) may be substituted for drain trap  262  and conduit  222 . 
     Basin module  170  is mounted to support member  60  by inserting threaded pipe  181  through both upper locating ring  66  and lower locating ring  68 . A threaded locking collar  190  is threadingly engaged with the end of threaded pipe  181  extending through lower locating ring  68 . Set screws  191  may be used to fix locking collar  190  to threaded pipe  181 . In a preferred embodiment, a Teflon washer  192 A is located between upper locating ring  66  and mounting plate  184 , and a Teflon washer  192 B is located between lower locating ring  68  and locking collar  190 . Teflon washers  192 A,  192 B facilitate relative rotational movement between basin module  170  and support member  60 . In a preferred embodiment, basin module  170  is movable  180  degrees about the longitudinal axis defined by threaded pipe  181 . 
     Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 5, pump  100  includes an input port  102 , an output port  106  and a power cord  101 . A conduit  104  connects input port  102  with a first tank  200 , described in further detail below. A conduit  108  connects output port  106  with T-fitting  110 . T-fitting  110  includes an input port  112 , a first output port  114   a  and a second output port  114   b . Conduit  108  is connecting with input port  112 . In a preferred embodiment, pump  100  takes the form of a FLOWJET water pump (BW series). The FLOWJET water pump has a flow rate up to 1.0 GPM (3.8 L/min), and an operating pressure up to 30 PSI (2.1 bar). This pump also includes a float switch for automatic shut-off when there is no fluid to be pumped, a check valve to prevent back flow, and a compact housing. As indicated above, pump  100  is mounted to second mounting plate  80 . 
     Heater  120  heats water supplied to faucet  150 . Heater  120  includes an input port  122  and an output port  126 . Input port  122  receives unheated water. A conduit  124  connects input port  122  with output port  114   a  of T-fitting  110 . Output port  126  supplies heated water to faucet  150 . A conduit  128  connects output port  126  with faucet  150 . In a preferred embodiment, heater  120  takes the form of an EEMAX water heater (model SP2412). As indicated above, heater  120  is mounted to first mounting plate  70 . 
     Power switch box  140  is generally comprised of a switch  142 , one or more electrical outlets  144  and a power cord  146 . Power cord  146  is used to connect power switch box  140  with an external power source, such as 120 volt AC power. Electrical outlets  144  provide connecting receptacles for pump  100  and heater  120 . Switch  142  switches power to electrical outlets  144 . As indicated above, power switch box  140  is mounted to third mounting plate  90 . It should be appreciated that a suitable portable battery power source may be substituted for the external power source. 
     Faucet  150  preferably takes the form of a conventional single handle faucet. In this regard, faucet  150  includes a cold line-in  152 , a hot line-in  154 , a single-handle valve control  156 , and a detachable nozzle  158 . As indicated above, faucet  150  is mounted to third mounting plate  90 . A conduit  160  connects cold line-in  152  with second output port  114   b  of T-fitting  110 . Conduit  128  connects hot line-in  154  with output port  126  of heater  120 . 
     As indicated above, a shelf  14  is also mounted to third mounting plate  90 . Shelf  14  provides a surface for storing items such as soap, washcloths, and other accessories. 
     Source tank  200  provides a supply of potable water. A tube  204  extends into source tank  200  to facilitate withdrawal of water therefrom. As indicated above, a conduit  104  connects source tank  200  with pump  100 . 
     Operation of portable fluid dispensing device  10  will now be described in detail with particular reference to FIGS. 1 and 5. First, source tank  200  is filled with potable water, while any waste water is emptied from waste tank  220 . Device  10  is then moved to a desired location. Wheels  32  facilitate movement of device  10 . 
     Telescoping column  40  is adjusted to a desired height by operating lever arm  52  to activate motor drive  50 , or alternatively a pneumatic piston. Basin module  170  is rotated to a desired position to facilitate use of device  10 . As indicated above, basin module  170  is rotatable 180 degrees. It should be appreciated that a sufficient gap is provided between the horizontal portions  64   a ,  64   b  of support member  60  and support assembly  20 , to allow basin module  170  to be located over the top of a bed. In this regard, support assembly  20  is rolled under a bed to locate basin module  170  over the top side of the bed. As noted above, basin module  170  may be rotated to further locate basin module  170  in a convenient position. 
     Power cord  146  is connected with an appropriate electrical outlet, and switch  142  is located in an ON position to supply power to pump  100  and heater  120 . Activation of pump  100  causes water to be drawn from source tank  200  through tube  204  and conduit  104 . Water enters pump  100  through input port  102 . Water exits pump  100  through output port  106 , and travels through conduit  108  to T-fitting  110 . 
     Water exits T-fitting  110  through first output port  114   a  and second output port  114   b . The water exiting first output port  114   a  travels through conduit  124  to input port  122  of heater  120 . This water will be heated before reaching faucet  150 . The water exiting second output port  114   b  travels through conduit  160  to cold line-in  152  of faucet  150 . 
     Heater  120  heats the water received at input port  122  to a desired temperature. Heated water exits heater  120  through output port  126 , and travels through conduit  128  to hot line-in  154  of faucet  150 . 
     When the faucet handle valve control  156  is operated to open the faucet valve, potable water is released from the nozzle  158 . The temperature of the released water is determined by the position of faucet handle valve control  156 , as is conventional with single handle faucets. 
     Water released into sink body  12  travels down drain body  252 , through drain trap  262  and conduit  222 , and into waste tank  220 . 
     Other modifications and alterations will occur to others upon their reading and understanding of the specification. It is intended that all such modifications and alterations be included insofar as they come within the scope of the invention as claimed or the equivalents thereof.