Patent Description:
Washbasins are usually permanently installed and fixed to a wall or are generally mounted on a dedicated cabinet, and therefore cannot be removed on demand due to the means of installation to the wall, the mounting of a faucet onto the washbasin, or the presence of a drain pipe downwardly extending from, and connected to, the washbasin.

Unfortunately, a washbasin is generally rather wide, on the order of <NUM> or more, and occupies considerable space in a washbasin area, such as a bathroom. A wide washbasin could restrict passage in a narrow or crowded washbasin area, especially when the washbasin area has to be accessed by a handicapped person with a wheelchair, by a caretaker with a stroller, by a parent with a child, or by an oversized person.

On the other hand, the washing of hands in a relative narrow washbasin on the order of <NUM>, such as mounted on a dedicated cabinet of the same width, is an uncomfortable procedure, which is exacerbated when it has to be accessed by a handicapped person on a wheelchair.

As prior art in the context of the present invention, <CIT> could be mentioned.

It would be desirable to provide a washbasin system whose width can be speedily and effortlessly adjusted, in order to gain more space when needed.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a washbasin system whose width can be adjusted upon demand from a first width that facilitates a user friendly washing procedure to a second width considerably narrower than the first width that improves access to the washbasin.

It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a washbasin system whose width can be adjusted speedily and effortlessly without using any special tools.

It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a washbasin system that ensures a safe and stable washbasin when positioned at the first width.

A dimensionally adjustable washbasin system comprises an upwardly open liquid collecting unit that is at least partially uncovered and in liquid communication with a drainage system; and a washbasin having at least one liquid receiving portion and a liquid discharging portion, wherein liquid introduced onto one of said liquid receiving portions is flowable into said liquid collecting unit when said liquid discharging portion is positioned above, and in communication with, said liquid collecting unit.

The washbasin system is dimensionally adjustable upon translational or pivotal displacement of the washbasin.

The washbasin system further comprises a base unit for enclosing and concealing the liquid collecting unit, wherein said base unit is configured with a slot to accommodate extension therethrough of the washbasin, wherein the slot is formed in a front wall of said base unit.

The washbasin system further comprises a linkage for both pivotally displacing the washbasin and for longitudinally displacing the washbasin through said slot, wherein a support element is pivotally connected to a side wall of base unit by a joint, and a link is pivotally connected by a joint to the liquid receiving portion of washbasin and by a joint to a portion near a terminal end of the support element.

In one currently not claimed embodiment, the washbasin system further comprises one or more support elements for supporting from below the liquid receiving portion of the washbasin. A support element may be a leg which is foldable beneath the washbasin or telescopingly extendable from the underside of the washbasin, in order to contact the underlying floor. Alternatively, the one or more support elements is connected to a wall of a building, for example in a U-shaped configuration, or to a side wall of the base unit when the base unit is employed and the washbasin protrudes outwardly from the front wall of the base unit. The wall-connected support element may be pivoted to a closed position when not in use.

In one aspect, the washbasin is elongated.

In one aspect, the washbasin has a greater width than depth.

The dimensionally adjustable washbasin system is made possible by the use of an upwardly open liquid collecting unit that is at least partially uncovered and in liquid communication with a drainage system and with a separate washbasin, which generally has a greater width than depth. Liquid introduced into or onto the washbasin, such as from an overlying faucet, is gravitationally discharged to the liquid collecting unit, and then to the drainage system. Since a drainage pipe is not connected to the washbasin, the need to disconnect the drainage pipe is obviated during dimensional adjustment of the washbasin. Accordingly, the washbasin system may be dimensionally adjusted upon demand in order to gain more space in the washbasin area when needed, following translational or pivotal displacement of the washbasin.

In an exemplary implementation, the width of the washbasin system is reduced from a first width to a second width when a handicapped person on a wheelchair approaches the washbasin system. When the handicapped person is sufficiently close to the liquid collecting unit, the washbasin is set to an operative position such that the width of the washbasin system is increased once again to the first width and the washbasin is in liquid communication with the liquid collecting unit. The handicapped person is allowed to comfortably wash his or her hands when the width of the washbasin system is set to the first width.

The washbasin system also comprises a base unit for enclosing the liquid collecting unit and for supporting the displaceable washbasin.

The washbasin may be removed and reinstalled, or even be replaced in order to change the visual appearance of the washbasin system.

Although the description refers mainly to washbasin systems suitable for hand washing and other personal hygiene, it is appreciated that the washbasin system could be used in many other applications such as for providing access to liquid in a kitchen and for industrial purposes.

To describe some principles of the invention, reference is first made to <FIG>, which illustrates one currently not claimed embodiment of a washbasin system, generally indicated by numeral <NUM>.

Upwardly open liquid collecting unit <NUM> is positioned in a central region of a washbasin area A, and has a vertical duct <NUM> with a wide-area upper edge <NUM> that defines an area significantly greater than the area defined by the discharge port of a faucet, for example at least <NUM><NUM>, e.g. <NUM><NUM>. Although vertical duct <NUM> is shown to have a rectangular cross section, it will be appreciated that it may be configured with any suitable horizontal cross section, such as a polygonal cross section or a curved cross section. Duct <NUM> is fixedly attached to the underlying floor <NUM> from which it vertically or obliquely extends to upper edge <NUM>, for a height for example of no greater than approximately <NUM> and no less than approximately <NUM>. Duct <NUM> may be a monolithic member, or alternatively may be comprised of a plurality of interconnected elements, e.g. releasably interconnected, such as elements <NUM> and <NUM> shown in <FIG>, and optionally wherein one or more elements and particularly the uppermost element is sealed to prevent outward seepage of the liquid introduced therewithin. Upper edge <NUM> may be covered with cover <NUM> shown in <FIG>.

Liquid collecting unit <NUM> also comprises a drainage pipe (not shown) in communication with duct <NUM> and with a drainage system, for example an underground drainage system. The drainage pipe, which has a width considerably less than that of duct <NUM>, is located below floor <NUM>, or alternatively its upper edge may be located slightly below floor <NUM>, to receive the liquid flowing downwardly through duct <NUM>.

Disclosed, but not currently claimed is also an embodiment, wherein washbasin system <NUM> also comprises a portable washbasin <NUM>, for example made of a relatively lightweight plastic or thermoplastic material, such as poly(methyl methacrylate), e.g. Perspex ®. Washbasin <NUM> is supported by a plurality of vertical legs <NUM>, e.g. four legs, which are held when repositioning washbasin <NUM>. Washbasin <NUM> has a lower opening <NUM> through which introduced liquid gravitates into duct <NUM>.

In use, after the user approaches the washbasin area of liquid collecting unit <NUM>, usually with the assistance of a caretaker, portable washbasin <NUM> is repositioned to the washbasin area, such that washbasin <NUM> overlies duct <NUM>. Washbasin system <NUM> has width W1 following repositioning of washbasin <NUM>, facilitating the pouring of cleansing liquid <NUM> over the hands of the user to be cleaning onto a liquid receiving portion of washbasin <NUM> and the gravitation of the soiled cleansing liquid through lower opening <NUM>, duct <NUM> and then through the drainage pipe. The wide-area duct <NUM> ensures that the soiled cleansing liquid will gravitate therethrough even though it is not perfectly aligned with opening <NUM>. Upon conclusion of the washing procedure, washbasin <NUM> is removed and the width of washbasin system <NUM> is reduced to width W2. The user is then led away from the washbasin area. To prevent any unfortunate accidents, cover <NUM>, which may be pivotally displaceable and connected to duct <NUM>, is placed over and secured to duct <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. An ornamental element <NUM>, e.g. a vase, may be placed over the secured cover <NUM>, to improve the appearance of liquid collecting unit <NUM>.

In the currently not claimed embodiment of <FIG>, washbasin system 30comprises a wide-area duct <NUM> which is integrally formed with an inclined washbasin <NUM>, such that the upper edge <NUM> of washbasin <NUM> is located above upper edge <NUM> of duct <NUM>. Elongated and inclined washbasin <NUM> is uncompromised, i.e. formed without any opening, and soiled cleansing liquid gravitates along the length of the washbasin into duct <NUM>. Although the bottom edge <NUM> of washbasin <NUM> partially covers upper edge <NUM> of duct <NUM>, the remaining opening of duct <NUM> is of sufficient wide area to ensure that all soiled cleansing liquid gravitating along the length of washbasin <NUM> will be received within duct <NUM>.

In the currently not claimed embodiments of <FIG>, a washbasin system <NUM> is provided with a fixed base unit <NUM>, such as a cabinet, adapted to enclose and conceal the liquid collecting unit. Base unit <NUM> may be openable in order to access the liquid collecting unit or the washbasin.

<FIG> is a perspective front-view of washbasin system <NUM>. In this embodiment, fixed base unit <NUM> is formed with a slot <NUM> within its front wall <NUM>. Elongated washbasin <NUM>, which may be made of plastic, ceramic or marble material, is detachable and uncompromised, being slidable along edges of slot <NUM>. System <NUM> may also comprise a faucet <NUM> installed on an upper surface <NUM> of base unit <NUM>. Alternatively, the faucet is wall mounted, so as to be fixed for example to the wall to which base unit <NUM> is also fixed. Washbasin system <NUM> is configured in such a way that the water discharged from the faucet is directed to the portion of detachable washbasin <NUM> that protrudes outwardly from base unit <NUM>. The protruding portion of washbasin <NUM> is accessible to the hands of a user, and the discharged water will gravitate to the liquid collecting unit.

It will be appreciated that any embodiment described herein may be configured with or without a faucet.

Elongated washbasin <NUM> may have a plate-like form of uniform cross section with a slightly concave shape, to ensure that the gravitating water flowing in the direction of base unit <NUM> and the liquid collecting unit will be directed towards a laterally central region of the washbasin, while preventing the gravitating water from overflowing the lateral edges of washbasin <NUM>. The shape of slot <NUM> may also be slightly concave to permit slidable displacement of washbasin <NUM>.

Washbasin <NUM> while passing through slot <NUM> is preferably positioned in an inclined manner relative to base unit <NUM> such that its protruding portion is higher than the portion thereof from which the water is discharged to the liquid collecting unit, to ensure gravitation of the flowing water. The inclination of washbasin <NUM> can be facilitated by using an inclined support or rails or by shaping the edges of slot <NUM> in a corresponding inclined manner.

It may be appreciated that washbasin <NUM> is not limited to the described shape and can be of any other shape, size, or thickness as long as the gravitating water does not overflow and flows towards base unit <NUM>. For example, the washbasin may be configured as an essentially planar plate having lateral borders that are higher than the center region of the plate or that are rounded.

<FIG> illustrates liquid collecting unit <NUM> and a portion of drainage pipe <NUM> extending therebelow to a drainage system. Liquid collecting unit <NUM>, which is mounted on the rear face <NUM> (<FIG>) of the front wall of base unit <NUM>, is shown to be rectilinear and to be spaced from the underlying floor. Any other configuration of the upwardly open liquid collecting unit is also within the scope of the invention. Each side <NUM> of liquid collecting unit <NUM> is provided with a support element <NUM> for supporting the lower discharge portion of washbasin <NUM>, while ensuring that the lower discharge portion of the washbasin is spaced from the rear wall of the liquid collecting unit and that water will be discharged into the interior of liquid collecting unit <NUM>.

When washbasin <NUM> whose protruding portion having a width W3 is removed from base unit <NUM> via the slot, the width of the washbasin system is reduced by W3, to provide the second width W2 as defined by the dimensions of basin unit <NUM> as shown in <FIG>, in order to accommodate users who need added space in a washbasin area,.

The protruding portion of washbasin <NUM> may be supported from below by a foldable leg <NUM> in contact with the underlying floor, as shown in <FIG>. When washbasin <NUM> is removed from base unit <NUM>, leg <NUM> is folded along the underside of washbasin <NUM> by pivotal connection <NUM>. Other releasable support means well known to those skilled in the art, such as one or more blocks, may be provided at the underside of washbasin <NUM>.

Such support means may be employed in conjunction with other embodiments described herein.

Alternatively, the lower discharge portion of a washbasin is formed with a discharge opening for the discharge therefrom of the gravitating water, and is engaged with, and supported by a slot <NUM> formed in the rear wall of the liquid collecting unit <NUM> as shown in <FIG>, or is in forcible contact with the rear wall <NUM> of liquid collecting unit <NUM> as shown in <FIG> such that the rearwardmost portion <NUM> of washbasin <NUM> is applied with rubber or silicon, or other low friction material.

Alternatively, the lower discharge portion of an inclined and detachable washbasin formed with a discharge opening overlies the liquid collecting unit, and is engaged with, and supported by a notch <NUM> formed in the wall <NUM> to which base unit <NUM> is fixed, as shown in <FIG>. If so desired, the width of the washbasin system may be reduced by translationally displacing the inclined washbasin inwardly via the notch and the slot formed in the base unit, and the washbasin will be supported by one or more support elements provided within the base unit, such as blocks which may have a top coating of rubber or silicon, or other low friction material.

In the currently not claimed embodiments of <FIG>, washbasin system <NUM> is dimensionally adjusted by pivotally displacing washbasin <NUM>. When not in use, elongated washbasin <NUM> is pivoted in one rotational direction by pivotal connection <NUM> mounted on wall <NUM> so as to be in contact with a portion of wall <NUM> above liquid collecting unit <NUM>, to increase the available space in the vicinity of the washbasin area. Prior to a washing procedure, washbasin <NUM> is pivoted in the opposite rotational direction, and then supporting leg <NUM> is unfolded to contact the underlying floor. Accordingly, liquid receiving portion <NUM> of washbasin <NUM> is located underneath faucet <NUM> mounted on wall <NUM> and discharge portion <NUM> of washbasin <NUM>, which is located at a height below liquid receiving portion <NUM>, is located above the upper edge of the duct of liquid collecting unit <NUM>. Thus water will gravitate along washbasin <NUM> during a washing procedure and into liquid collecting unit <NUM>.

In the embodiment of <FIG>, washbasin system <NUM> comprises a linkage for both pivotally displacing elongated washbasin <NUM> and for longitudinally displacing the washbasin through the slot formed in the front wall of base unit <NUM>. The linkage, when properly manipulated, may effect either pivotal displacement or longitudinal displacement.

A support element <NUM> is pivotally connected to a side wall of base unit <NUM> by joint <NUM>. Link <NUM> is pivotally connected by joint <NUM> to the liquid receiving portion of washbasin <NUM> and by joint <NUM> to a portion near the terminal end of support element <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A dimensionally adjustable washbasin system (<NUM>, <NUM>), comprising:
a) an upwardly open liquid collecting unit (<NUM>) that is at least partially uncovered and in liquid communication with a drainage system;
b) a washbasin (<NUM>) having at least one liquid receiving portion and a liquid discharging portion, wherein liquid introduced onto one of said liquid receiving portions is flowable into said liquid collecting unit (<NUM>) when said liquid discharging portion is positioned above, and in communication with, said liquid collecting unit (<NUM>);
c) a base unit (<NUM>) for enclosing and concealing the liquid collecting unit (<NUM>), wherein said base unit (<NUM>) is configured with a slot (<NUM>) to accommodate extension therethrough of the washbasin (<NUM>), wherein the slot (<NUM>) is formed in a front wall (<NUM>) of said base unit (<NUM>); and
d) a linkage for both pivotally displacing the washbasin (<NUM>) and for longitudinally displacing the washbasin (<NUM>) through said slot (<NUM>),
characterised in that
a support element (<NUM>) is pivotally connected to a side wall of base unit (<NUM>) by a joint (<NUM>), and a link (<NUM>) is pivotally connected by a joint (<NUM>) to the liquid receiving portion of washbasin (<NUM>) and by a joint (<NUM>) to a portion near a terminal end of the support element (<NUM>).