US20250207375A1

US20250207375A1 - Drinking Fountain Supporting Multiple Spouts at Different Heights

Info

Publication number: US20250207375A1
Application number: US18/596,962
Authority: US
Inventors: Jeffrey A Gutknecht
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2023-12-22
Filing date: 2024-03-06
Publication date: 2025-06-26

Abstract

A drinking fountain includes two bubblers, above a basin, with a single fresh water connection, and a single drain to drain the basin. The bubblers have outlets for providing water in an arc for drinking, where the outlet heights differ in height by at least two inches, and one outlet is 36 inches or less, and the other is at least 38 inches, above the finished floor. The bubblers are each mounted on a mounting point on the fountain. The mounting points may be at different heights, and the height of the bubbler to the outlet may be the same, or the mounting points may be at the same height, and the heights of each bubbler to its outlet may be different. The basin may include an extension to provide a higher mounting point for one of the bubblers.

Description

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. provisional application No. 63/614,147 and incorporates that application in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

In general, the present invention relates to water fountains for human drinking use.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Drinking fountains in commercial buildings are commonly supplied as two different drinking fountains mounted side by side. This is to comply with Federal Regulations requiring spout heights (from the ground to the outlet) that are both below a first height, and above a second, higher, height, each of which is for providing an arc of water from which one may drink. In this case, one drinking fountain is mounted so that the spout height is at or below 36″ and another, second, separate drinking fountain would be mounted so that the spout height is at 38″ or up to 43″. This practice of using two separate drinking fountains uses more square footage area in a building then the installation of one drinking fountain with two separate spouts, thus increasing expensive square footage requirements for common areas, and requiring purchase of two separate fountains, and the cost of the additional drain line and incoming water sources for the second fountain.

BRIEF STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION

A drinking fountain includes a fresh water connection for connecting water lines to a fresh water source, water lines for connecting to the bubblers, optionally a chiller for the received fresh water, optionally a connection to electrical power, at least two bubblers (or drinking fountain spouts, or spouts), a valve assembly for each bubbler (pushbutton, lever-type, or sensor), a basin (or pan), one or more drain holes, one or more P-trap drains, a drain connection(s) to one or more drain lines, a chassis, and cover, including a rear cover and bottom cover.
Each bubbler has an outlet (or orifice) for water to exit upwardly at an angle in an arc, typically at least 4″ high from a selected spout height, and an overhanging lip. Each bubbler valve assembly permits water to selectively be released from one of the bubblers. The water lines connect the connection, the chiller, the valve assemblies, and the bubblers. The basin includes a water bowl, which may be relatively shallow, a first mounting point for the first bubbler, a second mounting point for the second bubbler, mounting point for the P-trap drain, and a raised lip around some or all of the water bowl. The basis may be circular, elongated, or compact. The bubblers are mounted to the top of the basin, to the mounting points, and optionally within the periphery of the lip. The P-trap drain connects to the underside of the basin at the drain hole at the deepest part of the water bowl.
An embodiment includes a drinking fountain basin that has two mounting points at different heights, to permit two bubblers to have different spout heights to serve people requiring different heights. An embodiment includes a drinking fountain basin with bubblers thereon in which the two bubblers have different spout heights to serve people requiring different heights. An embodiment includes a drinking fountain basin with a first bubbler with a lower spout height of 36″ or less, and a second bubbler with an upper spout height of at least 38″ (38″ or more) and up to 43″ or less. These heights are measured above finished floor (AFF). An embodiment includes a drinking fountain basin with a first bubbler and a second bubbler with a spout height difference of at least 2″ (2″ or more). An embodiment includes a drinking fountain basin that has two mounting points at different heights, and a single drain hole. An embodiment includes a drinking fountain basin that has two mounting points having a mounting point height difference of at least 2″ (2″ or more). Mounting height differences may be achieved by varying the shape of the basin or by including an extension to increase the height of one mounting point while using similar or identical bubblers.
An embodiment includes a drinking fountain that has two bubblers mounted at two different heights, to provide bubblers with differing spout heights. An embodiment includes a drinking fountain with bubblers that have different spout heights to serve people requiring different heights. An embodiment includes a drinking fountain that has a first bubbler with a spout height of 36″ or less, and a second bubbler with a spout height of at least 38″ (38″ or more), each measured AFF. An embodiment includes a drinking fountain with a first bubbler and a second bubbler with a spout height difference of at least 2″ (2″ or more). An embodiment includes a drinking fountain with single drain hole in the basin, a single connection to a fresh water source, a single connection to a drain line, and two bubblers with different spout heights. An embodiment includes a drinking fountain that has two mounting points with a mounting point height difference of at least 2″ (2″ or more).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1A is a top rear view of an embodiment of a water fountain.

FIG. 1B is a top view of the device in FIG. 1A.

FIG. 1C is a bottom view of the device in FIG. 1A (with bottom cover removed).

FIG. 1D is a front view of the device in FIG. 1A (shown in relation to a floor).

FIG. 2 is a top rear view of another embodiment of a water fountain.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A first embodiment of fountain 1 is shown in FIGS. 1A-1D, in which a drinking fountain basin has two mounting points at different heights, to permit two bubblers to have different spout heights to serve people requiring different heights. Fountain 1 includes chassis 3, bubbler system 10, fresh water system 30, drain system 40, basin 50, and electrical and cooling systems (not shown).
Chassis 3 includes front face 4 (facing the user), side faces 5 to either side of front face 4, rear cover 7, between side faces 5 and facing the wall, and bottom cover 6, any of which may have necessary holes provided therethrough for access or parts that extend therethrough. Clearance 64 is provided from floor 63 as required by regulations, typically ______.
Basin 50 is supported by chassis 3 and faces concavely upwards, with top 51 upward-facing and bottom downward-facing. Basin 50 includes water bowl 54, which is concave facing upwards, to receive water provided by fountain 1, with raised lip 55 about some or all of the perimeter of water bowl 54 to help contain water in water bowl 54. Basin 50 also includes first mounting point 57, and second mounting point 58, which are separated from one another, such as at opposing corners adjacent to front face 4, and within raised lip 55. Mounting points 57, 58 are for mounting bubbler system 10. There is a mounting point height difference 59 between the first mounting point height 67 of first mounting point 57 and second mounting point height 68 of second mounting point 58. Mounting point height difference 59 may be provided by the shape of basin 50, where a higher portion of basin 50 is formed to provide a higher second mounting point 58 (not shown), or by extension 61. Extension 61 is attached to basin 50 above water bowl 54 and extends upward by extension height 62, to mounting point 58 at the upward end of extension 61. The position of extension 61 and extension height 62 create mounting point height difference 59 and may do so where extension 61 is attached to basin 50 at a height that is the same as that of first mounting point 57. Alternatively (not shown), extension 61 is attached to a portion of chassis 3, and one or more of mounting points 57, 58 are formed on chassis 3.
Drain system 40 includes drain hole 41 formed in water bowl 54, at a lowest point, P-trap drain 42 connecting drain hole 41 to drain connection 43, which extends outwardly from rear cover 57. Water provided by fountain 1, but not drunk by the user, enters drain hole 41, passes through P-trap drain 42, and thence to drain connection 43 to be disposed of. A single drain hole 41 and a single P-trap drain 42 are provided. Additional ones could be provided but this adds cost in manufacturing.
Fresh water system 30 includes water lines 31 to provide fresh water to bubbler system 10 from a source in the building via fresh water connection 32, which extends outwardly from rear cover 57. A single fresh water connection 32 is provided. Additional ones could be provided but this adds cost in manufacturing.
Bubbler system 10 is mounted to mounting points 57, 58 and connected to fresh water system 30 to provide water flow for fountain 1, with the flow ending in water bowl 54. Bubbler system 10 includes first bubbler 14 and second bubbler 22.
First bubbler 14 includes a bubbler body with bubbler base 19, upward-facing outlet 16, lip 17 overhanging outlet 16, and lever valve assembly 18. Bubbler base 19 connects first bubbler 14 to first mounting point 57, where first bubbler 14 is mounted to first mounting point 57, connecting freshwater system 30 to outlet 16 for water flow. Lever valve assembly 18 controls water flow from outlet 16.
Second bubbler 22 includes a bubbler body with bubbler base 27, upward-facing outlet 24, lip 25 overhanging outlet 24, and lever valve assembly 26. Bubbler base 27 connects second bubbler 22 to second mounting point 58, where second bubbler 22 is mounted to second mounting point 58, higher than first mounting point 58, connecting freshwater system 30 to outlet 24 for water flow. Lever valve assembly 26 controls water flow from outlet 24.
Outlet 16 is at lower spout height 15, measured from floor 63, based upon the height of first mounting point 57 and bubbler height 20 of the bubbler body between bubbler base 19 & outlet 16. Outlet 24 is at upper spout height 23, measured from floor 63, based upon the height of second mounting point 58 and the bubbler height 28 of the bubbler body between bubbler base 27 & outlet 24. Bubbler heights 20, 28 may be the same. Extension height 62 is 2″ or more. Mounting point height difference 59 is 2″ or more. Lower spout height 15 is 36″ or less and upper spout height 23 is 38″ or more. Lower spout height 15 and upper spout height 23 differ by spout height difference 29, and spout height difference 29 is 2″ or more.
A second embodiment of fountain 1 is shown in FIG. 2 , and by reference to FIGS. 1A-1D for features that do not differ from the first embodiment, in which a drinking fountain basin with bubblers thereon in which the two bubblers have different heights and spout heights to serve people requiring different heights. Fountain 1 includes chassis 3, bubbler system 10, fresh water system 30, drain system 40, basin 50, and electrical and cooling systems (not shown). Chassis 3, drain system 40, and fresh water system 30 are as described for the first embodiment.
Basin 50 is supported by chassis 3 and faces concavely upwards, with top 51 upward-facing and bottom downward-facing. Basin 50 includes water bowl 54, which is concave facing upwards, to receive water provided by fountain 1, with raised lip 55 about some or all of the perimeter of water bowl 54 to help contain water in water bowl 54. Basin 50 also includes first mounting point 57, and second mounting point 58, which are at the same heights (first mounting point height 67 and second mounting point height 68 are the same), and separated from one another, such as at opposing corners adjacent to front face 4, and within raised lip 55. Mounting points 57, 58 are for mounting bubbler system 10. Alternatively (not shown) one or more of mounting points 57, 58 is formed on chassis 3.
Bubbler system 10 is mounted to mounting points 57, 58 and connected to fresh water system 30 to provide water flow for fountain 1, with the flow ending in water bowl 54. Bubbler system 10 includes first bubbler 14 and second bubbler 22.
First bubbler 14 includes a bubbler body with bubbler base 19, outlet 16, lip 17 overhanging outlet 16, and sensor valve assembly 11. Bubbler base 19 connects first bubbler 14 to first mounting point 57, where first bubbler 14 is mounted to first mounting point 57, connecting freshwater system 30 to outlet 16 for water flow. Sensor valve assembly 11 controls water flow from outlet 16.
Second bubbler 22 includes a bubbler body with bubbler base 27, outlet 24, lip 25 overhanging outlet 24, and sensor valve assembly 12. Bubbler base 27 connects second bubbler 22 to second mounting point 58, where second bubbler 22 is mounted to second mounting point 58, connecting freshwater system 30 to outlet 24 for water flow. Sensor valve assembly 12 controls water flow from outlet 24.
Outlet 16 is at lower spout height 15, measured from floor 63, based upon the height of first mounting point 57 and bubbler height 20 of the bubbler body between bubbler base 19 & outlet 16. Outlet 24 is at upper spout height 23, measured from floor 63, based upon the height of second mounting point 58 and the bubbler height 28 of the bubbler body between bubbler base 27 & outlet 24. Bubbler body heights 20, 28 differ by bubbler height difference 21. Lower spout height 15 is 36″ or less and upper spout height 23 is 38″ or more. Lower spout height 15 and upper spout height 23 differ by spout height difference 29, and spout height difference 29 is 2″ or more. Bubbler height difference 21 is 2″ or more.

Claims

1. A water fountain comprising:

a first bubbler and a second bubbler;

the first bubbler comprising an outlet having a lower spout height, and the second bubbler comprising an outlet having an upper spout height, and

the lower spout height and upper spout height having a spout height difference therebetween of at least two inches.

2. The water fountain of claim 1, further comprising a single drain line and a single connection to a fresh water source.

3. The water fountain of claim 1, further comprising a single basin and a single drain hole.

4. The water fountain of claim 1,

further comprising a first mounting point and a second mounting point;

the first bubbler mounted to the first mounting point and the second bubbler mounted to the second mounting point.

5. The water fountain of claim 4,

said first mounting point having a first mounting point height and said second mounting point having a second mounting point height;

wherein a mounting point height difference between the first mounting point height and said second mounting point height is 2″ or more.

6. The water fountain of claim 5,

said first bubbler having a first bubbler height and said second bubbler having a second bubbler height;

wherein said first bubbler height and said second bubbler height are the same.

7. The water fountain of claim 4,

wherein said first mounting point height and said second mounting point height are the same.

8. The water fountain of claim 7,

wherein a bubbler height difference between the said first bubbler height and said second bubbler height is 2″ or more.

9. The water fountain of claim 1,

further comprising a basin;

the basin comprising an extension extending upward by an extension height;

wherein the extension height is the same as the spout height difference.

10. The water fountain of claim 9,

wherein said first bubbler height and said second bubbler height are the same.

11. The water fountain of claim 1,

wherein a bubbler height difference between the said first bubbler height and said second bubbler height is the same as the spout height difference.

12. The water fountain of claim 1,

said lower spout height being less than 36″ and said upper spout height being more than 38″.

13. A water fountain comprising:

a basin;

a single drain hole for draining the basin;

a single connection to a fresh water source; and

a first bubbler and a second bubbler;

14. The water fountain of claim 13,

further comprising a first mounting point and a second mounting point;

the first bubbler mounted to the first mounting point and the second bubbler mounted to the second mounting point; and

wherein the second bubbler is mounted at least 2″ higher than the first bubbler.

15. The water fountain of claim 14,

the basin comprising an extension extending upward by an extension height;

wherein the extension height is at least 2″.

16. The water fountain of claim 15,

wherein said first bubbler height and said second bubbler height are the same.

17. The water fountain of claim 13,

said first bubbler having a first bubbler height and said second bubbler having a second bubbler height; and

the bubbler height difference is at least 2″.

18. The water fountain of claim 17,

wherein the bubbler height difference is the same as the spout height difference.