CA2263610C

CA2263610C - Adjustable height sink module

Info

Publication number: CA2263610C
Application number: CA002263610A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Laurent Pepin
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-02-19
Filing date: 1999-02-19
Publication date: 2001-05-08
Anticipated expiration: 2019-02-19
Also published as: CA2263610A1

Abstract

An adjustable height sink module comprises a structure with a horizontal counter and a sink mounted therein. The counter is vertically movable upon rotation of an endless screw installed below the counter and connected to an electrical motor. The motor is manually energized by a switch, and de-energized by the same switch or an additionnal safety bar installed on the lower horizontal surface of the counter.

Description

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.

- 2 -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;

- 3 -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.

-4-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.

- 5 -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

-6-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.

Claims

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. A vertically adjustable sink module comprising:
a horizontal panel forming a counter;
a sink installed in said horizontal panel;
first and second vertical sidle walls on opposite sides of said panel;
moving means for vertically moving said horizontal panel and said sink mounted therein between said first and second vertical side walls;
first switch means for actuating said moving means; and safety switch means mounted on a lower surface of said horizontal panel, said safety switch means stopping said moving means when pressure is applied thereon to thereby protect a user.

2. The vertically adjustable sink module of Claim 1 wherein said moving means comprises an electric motor and an endless screw.

3. The vertically adjustable sink module of Claim 1 wherein said safety switch comprises an elongated bar extending along a front edge of said lower surface of said horizontal panel.

4. The vertically adjustable sink module of Claim 1 wherein said first and second vertical side walls have sliders mounted thereon, said sliders comprising an angle iron.

5. The vertically adjustable sink module of Claim 1 further comprising a first vertically depending wall extending downwardly from a front edge of said horizontal panel, a horizontal wall section extending inwardly from said downwardly extending wall, and a second inwardly and downwardly extending wall extending from said horizontal panel.