HOME DENTAL FAUCET WITH ACCESSORIES

Abstract

A bathroom faucet has a faucet main body for connecting to a source of liquid at a first end and to a quick release connector at a second end, the main body having a body flow axis substantially parallel to a connection flow axis of the quick release connector. A rotatable flow tip member connects through a tip member quick release connector to the body quick release connector and the tip member is able to rotate at least 180° around the body flow axis. The tip member has a fluid discharge axis substantially normal to the body flow axis. The tip member is capable of receiving a quick release connector or a threaded aerator. An elongated extension arm member has at one end an arm quick release connector for connecting to the flow control member output, and the elongated extension arm member has an accessory quick release connector for making quick release connections to accessory structures at the accessory quick release connector. In one configuration, the tip member connects to the extension arm through a second quick release connector, and the axis of the first arm connector and the axis of the second arm connector are parallel to each other. A flosser and a dental tray can connect, in various embodiments, to either the tip member or the extension arm.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119 (e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/482,881, filed Apr. 7, 2017, and entitled “Home Dental Faucet With Accessories”, incorporated by reference, in its entirety, herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to a bathroom faucet with fountain capabilities and attachable accessories such as a flossing device and a denture cleaning apparatus.

BACKGROUND

Currently there are a number of solutions for rinsing one's mouth when in the bathroom. One of these solutions attempts to cup your hands under the faucet in the sink to put water in your mouth, but this solution fails to meet the needs of the market because this option is inconvenient and prone to contamination from germs. Another solution attempts to keep a cup near the sink, but this solution is similarly unable to meet the needs of the market because the cup can become dirty and covered in toothpaste and disposable cups make unwanted waste for the environment.

Further, an individual's general bathroom routine can involve multiple steps and processes including flossing one's teeth and cleaning one's dentures. Current solutions utilize separate tools and devices to accomplish these tasks, but this solution fails to meet the needs of the market as a faucet allowing for the attachment of multiple devices could make this process quicker and easier.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It would be advantageous to have an apparatus that turns your bathroom faucet into a drinking fountain. Furthermore, it would also be advantageous to have an apparatus that improves oral hygiene as it prevents the need to cup one's hands or mouth around the faucet when brushing his/her teeth. Still further, it would be advantageous to have an apparatus that makes it easier for children and the physically disabled to use the bathroom sink. Further still, it would be advantageous to have an apparatus that allows for the attachment of different accessories, such as flossing devices and cleaning trays. Therefore, there currently exists a need in the market for an apparatus that is a faucet with at least a 180-degree, and preferably a 360 degree, rotating tip to create a fountain like feature, and which enables, in addition, attachments to rotate 180-360 degrees of rotation around the main faucet to extend the reach of the faucet, for flossing, improved denture cleaning, and other oral functions.

The invention advantageously fills the aforementioned deficiencies by providing a bathroom faucet with fountain capabilities, which provides convenience in your hygiene routine.

A bathroom faucet has a faucet main body for connecting to a source of liquid at a first end and to a quick release connector at a second end, the main body having a body flow axis substantially parallel to a connection flow axis of the quick release connector. A rotatable flow tip member connects through a tip member quick release connector to the body quick release connector and the tip member is able to rotate at least 180° around the body flow axis. The tip member has a fluid discharge axis substantially normal to the body flow axis. The tip member is capable of receiving a quick release connector or a threaded aerator. An elongated extension arm member has at one end an arm quick release connector for connecting to the flow control member output, and the elongated extension arm member has an accessory quick release connector for making quick release connections to accessory structures at the accessory quick release connector. In one configuration, the tip member connects to the extension arm through a second quick release connector, and the axis of the first arm connector and the axis of the second arm connector are parallel to each other. A flosser and a dental tray can connect, in various embodiments, to either the tip member or the extension arm.

The invention relates to a faucet structure where the faucet tip can rotate at least 180, and preferably 360, degrees, allowing the water to spray in a direction desired by the user.

The apparatus enables the attachment of added structures that can rotate 360 degrees around a main faucet axis.

The faucet apparatus enables an added reach for easy access for children and the disabled. Further, the faucet's ability to displace water upwards like a drinking fountain makes brushing your teeth or getting a drink of water easier.

The apparatus fulfills the need for a different type of bathroom faucet that adds improved function and style at the same time.

The apparatus allows for the attachment of additional accessories, including flossing and denture cleaning accessories.

Among other advantages, the faucet structure of the invention provides a faucet that does not suffer from the problems or deficiencies associated with prior solutions.

The invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are intended to be read in conjunction with both this summary, the detailed description and any preferred and/or particular embodiments specifically discussed or otherwise disclosed. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided by way of illustration only and so that this disclosure will be thorough, complete and will fully convey the full scope of the invention to those practiced in the field.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows the bottom view of the faucet device.

FIG. 2 shows the side view of the faucet device.

FIG. 3 shows a three quarter view of the faucet device.

FIG. 4 shows the top of the faucet device.

FIG. 5 shows an enlarged side view of the faucet device.

FIG. 6 shows the bottom of the faucet device.

FIG. 7 shows the faucet base structure of the faucet device.

FIG. 8 shows the base feature of a rotary tip.

FIG. 9 shows the front view of the faucet device.

FIG. 10 shows a partial cross-sectional view of the faucet device.

FIG. 11 shows a side view of the faucet device.

FIG. 12 shows a three-quarter bottom view of the faucet device.

FIG. 13 shows the top of the faucet device.

FIG. 14 shows the side view of the flossing attachment of the device.

FIG. 15 shows the front view of the flossing attachment of the device.

FIG. 16 shows the bottom view of the flossing attachment of the device.

FIG. 17 shows the isometric view of the flossing attachment of the device.

FIG. 18 shows the top view of the flossing attachment of the device.

FIG. 19 shows an exploded view of the connecting element of the flossing attachment of the device.

FIG. 20 shows a cut away view of the denture cleaning tray attachment of the device.

FIG. 21 shows the front view of the denture cleaning tray attachment of the device.

FIG. 22 shows the isometric view with the top portion with the lid open of the denture cleaning tray attachment of the device.

FIG. 23 shows the isometric view of the top portion closed of the denture cleaning tray attachment of the device with the top lid close.

FIG. 24 shows the isometric view of the bottom portion of the device open of the denture cleaning tray attachment of the device with the bottom lid open.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Following are more detailed descriptions of various concepts related to, and exemplary embodiments of, methods and apparatus according to the present disclosure. It should be appreciated that various aspects of the subject matter introduced above and discussed in greater detail below may be implemented in any of numerous ways, as the subject matter is not limited to any particular manner of implementation. Examples of specific implementations and applications are provided primarily for illustrative purposes.

The invention is directed to be a bathroom faucet with fountain capabilities and attachable accessories.

The invention is directed to a bathroom faucet 10 that allows users to easily rinse their mouth without having to place their face or cup their hands under the faucet. Referring to FIG. 11, the faucet 10 has a body portion 11 and a tip 12. The tip connects to the faucet through a quick release connection which allows the tip to rotate at least 180° and preferably up to 360° about the faucet body axis 13. In a downward position, where an aerator faces vertically downward, water passing through the faucet body and then threw the connection to the tip, exits the faucet in a downward direction. In a rotated upward position of the tip aerator, the structure creates a drinking fountain in the bathroom sink.

The invention also allows an added attachment, for example a connected extension arm 14 (FIG. 3) connected to the tip 12 at the connector, and that can rotate up to 360° around the tip axis 42, giving the faucet an extended reach. The extension can receive an aerator or can allow other attachments, in place of or in addition to the aerator, to be connected thereto. Referring to FIG. 10, a connection element 17 is shown in partial cross section as a quick release connector. Such a connector is both waterproof and leak proof and provides a through channel for the liquid passing from the main body member 11 to the tip number 12. Other connections could be used as one practiced in this field would understand.

The invention additionally allows alternate attachments in the form of, for example, a flossing device 16 (FIGS. 15-19) and a denture cleaning tray 18 (FIGS. 20-24).

Referring to the figures, FIGS. 1-13 illustrate an exemplary structure for the faucet 10, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The faucet is designed to replace an existing (bathroom) faucet, to provide a more convenient and accessible structure to access water exiting the faucet. The faucet spout or tip 12 is illustrated in two exemplary embodiments. In a first embodiment, the faucet spout 12 is rotatable 360° about a main body faucet axis 13, whereby the faucet output 26 can be rotated about axis 13 to be directed upwards and away from the sink to create a fountain of water. In a second embodiment (FIG. 3), the faucet includes other connected accessories, for example an extension arm 14 allowing the faucet to have an extended reach and additionally rotate around an axis of 42 of the main faucet tip 12.

Referring now to FIGS. 14-19, a flossing attachment 50 has a connector 52 for connection to the connector 26 of the rotating faucet tip of the main faucet body 11. The flossing attachment is generally connected to the faucet tip (or extension 14) through a quick release connection at 26 and includes a flexible stem portion 56 adapted for the directing fluid from the faucet to the exterior head portion 58 of the flossing attachment. The attachment includes removable bristled heads 60 that are easily secured to and removed to the attachment head at 62 (FIG. 18). Thus, a clamp using for example a manual finger actuated clamp mechanism 59 with the clamp actuation 61 (FIG. 19), could be used. Further, while quick release connectors are preferred, other connectors suitable for enabling convenient waterproof and leak proof connections can be employed as those practiced in the field will recognize.

Referring now to FIGS. 20-24, a denture tray attachment 70 can attach to the faucet. The exemplary denture tray attachment, illustrated in FIGS. 20-24, is generally connected, in the illustrated embodiment, to the main faucet body structure though a right angle elbow 72 having a quick release connector 74 at its distal and 76. In the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 20-24, the dental tray attachment is a tray structure adapted to direct fluid from the faucet to a denture tray 78 in which the dentures may be placed. The tray accessory includes a top lid 80 and a bottom lid 82 and includes a plurality of nozzles 84 spaced around an enclosing perimeter of the device and directed towards the interior of the tray structure to wash dentures which have been placed in it.

In one mode of operation, the top lid is first opened and the dentures placed in the tray structure. The top lid is then closed, the bottom lid is opened, and water is sprayed, through the nozzles 84 directly onto the dentures from all directions. The water drains out the bottom of the tray into, for example, the sink. Thereafter, the bottom lid is closed and the top lid is opened and water again is allowed to enter the tray, this time to allow the dentures to soak. The top lid can then be closed and the denture tray left overnight as part of a normal cleaning process,

Various related embodiments of the invention are also illustrated in Appendix A, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

While the invention has been described above in terms of specific embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to these disclosed embodiments. Upon reading the teachings of this disclosure many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will come to mind of those skilled in the field to which this invention pertains, and which are intended to be and are covered by both this disclosure and the appended claims. It is indeed intended that the scope of the invention should be determined by proper interpretation and construction of the appended claims and their legal equivalents, as understood by those of skill in the field relying upon the disclosure in this specification and the attached drawings.

Claims

1. A bathroom faucet comprising

a faucet main body for connecting to a source of liquid at a first end and having a body quick release connector at a second end, said body having a liquid flow axis substantially parallel to a connection flow axis of the quick release connector;

a tip member having a tip quick release connector for attachment to the body quick release connector for rotation of at least 180°, around the body flow axis said tip member having a discharge connection, and a fluid discharge axis, when connected to the main body, which is substantially normal to the body flow axis.

2. The bathroom faucet of claim 1 further comprising

said tip member being capable of receiving a quick release connector,

an elongated extension arm member having at one end an arm quick release connector for connecting to the tip, and

said elongated extension arm member having an accessory quick release connector for making quick release connections to accessory structures at the accessory quick release connector, and

wherein said tip connects to said extension arm at said arm quick release connector, the axis of said arm connector and said axis of said accessory connector being parallel to each other.

3. The bathroom faucet of claim 1 further comprising

a water flosser structure having an elongated body, at one end of the body having a quick release connector for connecting to one of said tip member and said elongated extension arm member.

4. The bathroom faucet of claim 1 further comprising

a dentures cleaning structure having a quick release connector at one end of an elbow channel member for connection one of said tip member and said elongated extension arm member; and

attached at its other end a dental tray for enclosing and cleaning dentures.

5. The bathroom faucet of claim wherein said dental tray comprises

a dental tray,

a closed container capable of holding liquid there within, said container having a top lid, a bottom lid, and a plurality of nozzles around its periphery,

said nozzles being in liquid communication with said channel member for enabling liquid passing through the channel member to spray into a volume enclosed by said container.