Water spout extender for a sink

Abstract

An apparatus is provided for use by a child or disabled person in a sink with a faucet. The apparatus includes the faucet that controls water delivered to the sink through a water spout and a water transfer conduit that is attached to and wholly supported by the water spout, said water transfer conduit catching water falling from the water spout and laterally delivering the water to an area adjacent a user side of the sink.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The field of the invention relates to devices that facilitate hand-washing for small children or the disabled.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Residential sinks are constructed for the ease of use by the buyer. Such sinks are usually supported by a cabinet of a height and depth that is convenient for the average adult. In most instances the cabinet is located along a wall.

The faucet is typically located along a back of the sink along the wall. The faucet is usually provided with one or more control handles for the control of water flow and a water spout that extends upwards over the sink for the discharge of water.

Often the water spout is relatively short and does not extend very far into a basin of the sink. The reason for the shortness of the spout is to maximize the area and utility of the sink and to minimize splash. The water spout of the faucet is typically directed outwards to direct water towards the user and to allow any unused water to fall towards a center of the sink.

While faucets have been optimized for the average user, sinks are often not particularly easy to use by a small child or disabled person to use. Accordingly, a need exists for a means for simplifying the use of sinks by small children and the disabled.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a faucet extender shown in a context of use in accordance with an illustrated embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 2a-b show side and front views of the faucet of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3a-c show top, side and end view of the faucet extender of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 4a-b show an alternate embodiment of the faucet and extender of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 5a-b show the extender of FIG. 1 under an alternate embodiment;

FIGS. 6a-c show top, side and end views of the extender of FIGS. 5a-b;

FIG. 7 shows an alternate embodiment of the extender of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 8 shows an alternate embodiment of the extender of FIG. 1.

SUMMARY

According to one of the teachings of the present invention, an apparatus is provided for use by a child or disabled person in a sink with a faucet that controls water delivered to the sink through a water spout. The apparatus includes a water transfer conduit that is attached to and wholly supported by the water spout, said water transfer conduit catching water falling from the water spout and laterally delivering the water to an area adjacent a user side of the sink.

According to another teaching of the present invention, there is provided in a water conduit for use with a faucet wherein the water transfer conduit further comprises an open channel having a bottom and opposing elevated sides that extend from the spout to the user side.

According to still another teaching of the present invention, there is provided in a water conduit for use with a faucet wherein the bottom and sides further comprise a V-shaped cross-section.

According to still another teaching of the present invention, there is provided in a water conduit for use with a faucet wherein the bottom and sides further comprise a circular cross-section.

According to still another teaching of the present invention, there is provided in a water conduit for use with a faucet wherein the water transfer conduit further comprises a water backflow barrier that connects to the bottom and opposing sides on a spout end of the water transfer conduit.

According to still another teaching of the present invention, there is provided in a water conduit for use with a faucet wherein water transfer conduit further comprises a downward incline from the spout to the user side.

According to still another teaching of the present invention, there is provided in a water conduit for use with a faucet further comprising a strap with opposing ends of the strap connected to opposing sides of the water transfer conduit at a location proximate a distal end of the spout and where the strap extends over the spout.

According to still another teaching of the present invention, there is provided in a water conduit for use with a faucet further comprising first and second straps with opposing ends of each strap connecting to the opposing sides of the water transfer conduit, said first strap located at a facet end of the water spout and said second strap located proximate a distal end of the spout, with the first and second straps extending over the spout.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 shows a faucet extender (water transfer conduit) 10, in a context of user, generally in accordance with an illustrated embodiment of the invention. Under the illustrated embodiment, the extender 10 attaches to and is fully supported by the faucet 12. The extender 10 functions to catch water falling from the faucet 12 and to deliver the water 18 to a user's side 16 of the sink 14.

The extender 10 allows small children (with arms too short to reach the spout 20) to have full access to the water 18 without help from an adult for any of a number of necessary tasks (e.g., hand washing, teeth brushing, etc.). The extender also has utility for disabled persons (i.e., people in wheelchairs) who cannot easily reach the faucet side of the sink.

FIGS. 2a-b show top and side view of the faucet 12 and extender 10 of FIG. 1. FIGS. 3a-c show top, side and end view of the extender 10 of FIGS. 1 and 2.

As may be noted from FIG. 3c, the extender 10 may generally have a hemispherical cross section that includes a bottom 22 and a pair of opposing, upright sidewalls 24, 26. A water backflow barrier 28 may be provided on the faucet end of the extender 10 that connects the bottom 22 and sidewalls 24, 26 and that prevents water from flowing backwards, towards the faucet.

The bottom 22 may be angled downwards by an appropriate angle 30. The angle 30 may be selected to provide a relatively rapid flow without splashing.

The tops of the sides 24, 26 may also be angled downward. The downward angle in this regard may be selected simply for aesthetics.

Also included along the sides 24, 26 near the faucet end of the extender 10 may be a number of slotted openings 32, 34, 36, 38. Attached to these openings may be a first and a second strap 40, 42.

The straps 40, 42 may extend over a top of the spout 20. The straps 40, 42 may be adjustable using a set of screws 44, 46 to accommodate different size spouts 20 and to allow for easy removal of the extender 10. The front strap 42 may be adjusted to increase or decrease the angle 30 of the extender 10.

In another embodiment, only a first strap 42 is used to attach and support the extender 10 from the spout 20. In this embodiment, the strap 42 attaches to the top of the spout 20. Since most of the weight of the extender 10 is towards the right (i.e., on the user side 16), the discharge end of the extender 10 would tend to tilt downward causing the backflow barrier 28 to abut a bottom side of the spout 20 resulting in a stable mounting arrangement.

FIGS. 4a-b show front and side views of the extender 10 with a double handle faucet. As may be noted from FIGS. 4a-b, the extender 10 may be used with any of a number of different faucet configurations.

FIGS. 5a-b shows the extender 10 of FIG. 1 under an alternate embodiment (now labeled 20). FIGS. 6a-c show top, side and end views of the extender of FIGS. 5a-b.

The extender 20 of FIGS. 6a-c includes a bottom 48 and upright opposing sides 50, 52 and a backflow barrier 58 that are similar to previous embodiments. However, the extender 20 also includes a set of flanges 54, 56.

The flanges 54, 56 are provided with a set of elongated slots 60, 62, 64, 66. As with previous embodiments, opposing ends of a pair of straps 68, 70 may be attached to the slots 60, 62, 64, 66. The straps 68, 70, in turn may be used to attach the extender 20 to the spout 20.

FIGS. 7 and 9 show additional cross-sections that may be used for the extenders 10, 20. As shown in FIG. 7, the cross-section of the bottoms 22, 48 may be rectangular. Alternatively, the cross-sections may be triangular as shown in FIG. 9.

It should be noted that the extender 10, 20 is specifically intended to operate at atmospheric pressure and not at the pressure of the faucet or at any pressure above atmospheric pressure. This is because the gentle flow of water from the slightly inclined extender 10, 20 prevents splashing and encourages children to practice good hygiene.

A specific embodiment of a faucet extender has been described for the purpose of illustrating the manner in which the invention is made and used. It should be understood that the implementation of other variations and modifications of the invention and its various aspects will be apparent to one skilled in the art, and that the invention is not limited by the specific embodiments described. Therefore, it is contemplated to cover the present invention and any and all modifications, variations, or equivalents that fall within the true spirit and scope of the basic underlying principles disclosed and claimed herein.

Claims

1. An apparatus for use by a child or disabled person in a sink with a faucet that controls water delivered to the sink through a water spout, said apparatus comprising a water transfer conduit that is attached to and wholly supported by the water spout, said water transfer conduit catching water falling from the water spout and laterally delivering the water to an area adjacent a user side of the sink.

2. The apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the water transfer conduit further comprises an open channel having a bottom and opposing elevated sides that extend from the spout to the user side.

3. The apparatus as in claim 2 wherein the bottom and sides further comprise a V-shaped cross-section.

4. The apparatus as in claim 2 wherein the bottom and sides further comprise a circular cross-section.

5. The apparatus as in claim 2 wherein the water transfer conduit further comprises a water backflow barrier that connects to the bottom and opposing sides on a spout end of the water transfer conduit.

6. The apparatus as in claim 2 wherein water transfer conduit further comprises a downward incline from the spout to the user side.

7. The apparatus as in claim 2 further comprising a strap with opposing ends of the strap connected to opposing sides of the water transfer conduit at a location proximate a distal end of the spout and where the strap extends over the spout.

8. The apparatus as in claim 2 further comprising first and second straps with opposing ends of each strap connecting to the opposing sides of the water transfer conduit, said first strap located at a facet end of the water spout and said second strap located proximate a distal end of the spout, with the first and second straps extending over the spout.

9. In a sink with a faucet that controls water delivered to the sink through a water spout, the improvement residing in a water transfer conduit that is attached to and wholly supported by the water spout, said water transfer conduit catching water falling from the water spout and laterally delivering the water to an area adjacent a user side of the sink.

10. The apparatus as in claim 9 wherein the water transfer conduit further comprises an open channel having a bottom and opposing elevated sides that extend from the spout to the user side.

11. The apparatus as in claim 10 wherein the bottom and sides further comprise a V-shaped cross-section.

12. The apparatus as in claim 10 wherein the bottom and sides further comprise a circular cross-section.

13. The apparatus as in claim 10 wherein the water transfer conduit further comprises a water backflow barrier that connects to the bottom and opposing sides on a spout end of the water transfer conduit.

14. The apparatus as in claim 10 wherein water transfer conduit further comprises a downward incline from the spout to the user side.

15. The apparatus as in claim 10 further comprising a strap with opposing ends of the strap connected to opposing sides of the water transfer conduit at a location proximate a distal end of the spout and where the strap extends over the spout.

16. The apparatus as in claim 10 further comprising first and second straps with opposing ends of each strap connecting to the opposing sides of the water transfer conduit, said first strap located at a facet end of the water spout and said second strap located proximate a distal end of the spout, with the first and second straps extending over the spout.