Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a specialized equipment for individuals with
special needs such
as, for example, children or handicapped people in wheelchairs. The invention
is particularly
concerned with a height adjustable sink module wick can be easily incorporated
into a standard
kitchen or bathroom assembly or others.
In the past some lavatories have been designed to meet these conditions, for
example Patents
5,230,109 (Gianfranco) and 5,050,253 (Wasek) disclose vertically adjustable
lavatories.
In the Waseck's invention hydraulic pressure is used as force generating means
for permitting and
restricting movement of a sink. The application of hydraulic pistons and fluid
control means
renders the assembly costly and complicated to install.
Gianfranco discloses a vertically adjustable lavatory positioned within an
carrier frame which is
vertically movable within an outer frame. Means for moving the carrier frame
comprise a motor
attached to an upper portion of the outer frame and a jack screw driven by
said motor. Such
an arrangement does not permit the unit to be incorporated into a standard
kitchen or bathroom
assembly.
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SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A height adjustable sink module is described in accordance with the present
invention. A sink
is mounted on a mobile horizontal counter which moves along vertical sliders
installed at side
walls and a back wall of the module. The sink is adjustably moved between an
uppermost
position which is the same as the standard bight of kitchen/bathroom cabinets,
and a lowermost
position. The counter is moved by an endless screw located below the counter
and along the
back wall.
The screw is rotated by an electric motor placed at the lower end of the
screw. The motor is
activated by a manual switch. Underneath the counter, there is installed a
safety bar which de-
energized the motor while a pressure is applied onto the bar. This protects
knees of a user in
a wheelchair by not allowing the sink to move too low, accomadating the height
of the user.
The motor and the endless screw as well us plumbing connections are covered by
a board offset
from the front edge of the counter and extended downwardly and backwardly
allowing a person
in a sitted position comfortably use the sink.
Brief description of the drawings
An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of
example, in reference
to the following drawings in which:
Figure 1
In a perspective view illustrates a sink module in accordance with an
embodiment of the present
invention, the sink module being shown in a raised configuration;
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Figure 2
In a perspective view illustrates a sink module in accordance with an
embodiment of the present
invention, the sink module being shown in a partially lowered configuration.
Figure 3
In a longitudinal cross-sectional view seen from the side illustrates part of
the inner components
of a sink module in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention,
the sink module
being in a raised configuration.
Figure 4
In a longitudinal cross-sectional view seen from the side illustrates part of
the inner components
of a sink module in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention,
the sink module
being in a lowered configuration.
Figure 5
In a longitudinal cross-sectional view seen from the back illustrates part of
the inner components
of a sink module in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention,
the sink module
being in a partially lowered configuration.
Figure 6
In a transversal cross-sectional view illustrates part of the inner components
of a sink module
in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the sink module
being in a partially
lowered configuration.
Figure 7
In an exploded view with sections taken out illustrates part of the inner
components of a sink
module in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
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Detailed Description
The counter 10 and the sink I are vertically movable inside a cabinet 6 made
of wood,
or of any other appropriate materi;~l. Their height is determined by user's
needs. The
vertical adjustment of the counter 10 and of the sink I is effected along
vertical
sliders 4. These sliders 4 are located at least at both side walls and at the
back wall of
the cabinet.
Each slider 4 is registered between two interacting outer and inner angle-
irons, 2 and
3 respectively. The outer angle-irons 2 are firmly secured to the cabinet. The
respective inner angle-irons 3 are movable along each slider. Said angle-irons
2 and 3
are made of metal or of any other <~ppropriate material.
The inner angle-irons 3 are held together by means of a flat plate 8 made of
steel or of
any other appropriate material. The plate 8 prevents the counter or horizontal
panel
from tilting sideways (to the left or to the right) and keeps it level during
its
vertical displacement.
Further on, a bearing 12 is located at each outer angle-iron 2 in order to
stabilize the
sink I and its counter 10 by preventing them from tilting back and forth
during
vertical displacement. The bearing keeps each of the inner angle-irons 3 in
place.
The platform of counter 10 is positioned on the inner angle-irons and is
restrained, at
the inside of the back wall, by the plate 8 that connects the two inner angle-
irons 3,
and by at least one flat metal plate 9 at each side wall of cabinet 6. The
lateral plates
are provided with holes and are secured, by means of screws, to the counter
10, and
by means of welding, to the inner angle-irons 3.
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The counter 10 with the sink I, and the module are moved by means of a linear
actuator system 13 having its motor secured preferably at the inside of the
back wall
of cabinet 6. An endless screw 14 of the actuator system 13 ensures the
module's
vertical movement and is secured inside a channel element 11. In this way, the
path
of the platform 10 displacement is ensured. The channel element 11 is secured
to the
metal plate 8 that keeps together the two inner angle-irons 3. Thus, the
channel
element 11 follows the path of the module platform.
The actuator requires a 115 V operating voltage. Alternatively, the actuator
operates
at a standard AC voltage normally available in the area, or may be made
operable with
any commercial DC; power source. The actuator's switch 5 can be located
preferably
on the (outer) front side of cabinet 6.
There is another switch (not shown) installed on the lower surface of the
counter and
close to the front edge. The switch has a form of an elongated bar and will de-
energize the motor when pressed upwardly. That will assure that the sink will
never
press to hard user's knees.
The counter's platform 10 is shaped in a way as to receive a sink I especially
adapted
for needs of handicapped people. Typically, the sink is only S inches deep.
The
sink's drain tube 15 was shaped and/or otherwise adapted in such a way as to
reduce
space loss underneath the sink.
In order to finish up the module build-up, boards of wood, or of any other
appropriate
material may be attached to the lateral plates 9 as well as to the cabinet 6
proprer. The
front boards may be removable such as to facilitate access for repair or
further
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adjustment of the device. Due to said front boards, both the sink's underside
and the
height adjustment device are kept :hidden when in normal use.
