US20130081202A1

US20130081202A1 - Folding space- and water-saving bathroom sink toilet system

Info

Publication number: US20130081202A1
Application number: US13/248,452
Authority: US
Inventors: Lizhong Shen
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-09-29
Filing date: 2011-09-29
Publication date: 2013-04-04

Abstract

Disclosed is a folding bathroom sink toilet system that saves space and water. The folding sink has the same width as the toilet tank and is not visible when in folded position. This system can be installed on top of the lid of any toilet on the market. The system includes: a sink made of different materials with or without art design; a semicircle drain outlet and sink overflow assembly with elastic and bendable head coupling the sink and toilet tank; a collapsible cabinet and washing platform to hold toothbrushes and other items; an adjustable hinge to hold the sink in the folding or deployed position; a dual-float water valve with pipe tee to control sink water supply to toilet tank; a water level indicator with three adjustable floating switches showing toilet tank's water in full, half full or empty; push-button switches for adding water to the toilet and flushing.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is related to saving water used to flush toilet and space in a bathroom. The conventional toilet directly uses water from pipe. In this invention, water from bathroom sink is reused to flush toilet. Unlike other invention this invention further conserves water by allowing the user to choose the amount of water needed to flush the toilet. The folding bathroom sink toilet system is a novel concept that not only saves space in the bathroom, but also is a very convenient system that put the major devices in the bathroom together, providing a new concept for everyday use in the bathroom
2. Description of the Background
Saving bathroom water is one of the ways to conserve water in modem society, especially in areas where there are constant shortages of water. Many inventions have been declaimed to save water in the house, For example, there are a few water saving inventions that reuse water in bathroom.
For example: U.S. Pat. No 6,425,148 to Chen; Jung-Hua issued Aug. 17, 2001 shows a water-saving device for a toilet comprises a tank, a tank lid mounted on top of the tank, a sink formed on the sink and communicated with a chamber in the tank via a hole in the sink, and an output tube having a lower end communicated with an inlet tube and an upper end for supplying water into the sink. A guide tube is mounted in the tank and comprises an upper end communicated with the hole of the sink and a lower end immersed in the water in the chamber of the tank such that drainage of water in the sink via the hole of the sink and the guide tube into the chamber of the tank is almost silent.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,927,481 to Martinello; Settimo issued Mar. 20, 2008 shows System for the recovery of washing liquids used in showers, wash basins, and/or baths, including a first decantation tank provided with at least one inlet connected to a downflow point of washing water, a second collection tank, an overflow partition wall adapted to separate the two tanks, a sewer drainage at the bottom of the decantation tank, adapted to be closed by a plug that can be raised by a float in the collection tank according to the liquid level therein, a drawing pump in the collection tank, controllable by a relay, or electrical float, indicating the liquid requirements of a fixture, a pipe connecting the pump of the collection tank with the fixture, the relay, or electric float, electrically connected with the pump and a valve of the fixture and controlled by a float in the collection tank for closing the electrical power supply to the pump and opening the electrical power supply of a valve for liquid flow to the fitting.
There is however no invention that directly reuses water from bathroom sinks for the purposes of toilet flushing. In a bathroom where space is limited, a space-saving bathroom sink will provide more space for other uses in everyday life. The new invention of a folding space- and water-saving bathroom sink toilet system provides the functionality mentioned above. This invention links the functionality of a combined bathroom sink and toilet system with the ability to reuse sink water for the purposes of toilet flushing.


References Cited

6425148	August 2001	Chen
7927481	March 2008	Martinello

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, a primary object of the present invention to provide a folding concealed bathroom sink for saving both space and water in conjunction with conventional toilets. This folding bathroom sink toilet system sits on the top of lid of any kind of toilet tank either existing in a bathroom or bathrooms in newly built houses, folds for space-saving and deploys for use above a toilet.
This new device is intended to control both the amount of water added to the toilet water tank and the water used for toilet flushing.
It is another object to collect water from everyday use and to store water in a conventional toilet for a second use. New device is invented to control both the amount of water added to the toilet tank or water for flushing toilet.
It is another object to provide a space-saving bathroom sink by putting the sink on top of a toilet tank. The space-saving feature of the sink is further improved by making it foldable to the width of a conventional toilet tank.
It is another object to save time and cost by combining a bathroom sink and a toilet. The new invention uses only a single water tap pipe system including one cold water inlet pipe, one hot water inlet pipe, and one drain pipe for both bathroom sink and toilet, saving one cold water inlet pipe and one drain pipe when compared to conventional bathroom. This in turn saves more space for the bathroom.
It is another object to reduce work needed to clean blocked drain pipes in a conventional sink system with a trap pipe under the sink where waste material such as hair is usually gathered. The new invention conducts water from sink to the toilet water tank which links to huge drain pipes to avoid blocking drain pipe.
It is another object to reduce pollution from chemicals needed to clean blocked drain pipes in a conventional sink system where a trap pipe under the sink usually collects waste material such as hair. The new invention conducts water from the sink to the toilet water tank which links to larger drain pipes thus avoiding any drain pipe blockage and therefore no chemicals are needed.
It is another object to make the bathroom a more enjoyable place. In the folded position the folding bathroom sink covers all items on the storage platform, making the bathroom appear neater, cleaner and more orderly. The art design on both sides and back of the bathroom sink allows one to put different kinds of art photos, especially on the back of the sink which faces outside when the sink system is in the folded position.
It is another object to provide an easy to install and disassemble bathroom sink toilet system. Anyone using a screw driver can install the sink by attaching four screws to the wall above the bathroom toilet. The rest of the setup can be completed manually. The opening and closing of the folding bathroom sink can be operated by a single handle due to the mechanic holding and connecting.
It is another object to provide a safe sink platform, since the two supporting legs, along with the mounting screws in the wall, provides additional support of the system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

The invention can be understood with reference to the following drawings.

FIG. 1 is a drawing of a main view of the folding space- and water-saving bathroom sink toilet system stowed and fully in integral cabinet enclosure against a wall and standing over a conventional toilet according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a drawing of a top view of the folding space- and water-saving bathroom sink toilet system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a drawing of a left side view of the folding space- and water-saving bathroom sink toilet system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a drawing of a left side view of the folding space- and water-saving bathroom sink toilet system deployed for use from the integral cabinet enclosure of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a drawing of a main view of the folding space- and water-saving bathroom sink toilet system deployed for use from the integral cabinet enclosure of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a drawing of a top view of the folding space- and water-saving bathroom sink toilet system of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is an abstract drawing of the folding space- and water-saving bathroom sink toilet system stowed and fully in integral cabinet enclosure against a wall and standing over a conventional toilet according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a drawing that illustrates the dual-float controlled water fill valve component with pipe tee for both toilet tank and sink water supply in the toilet tank.

FIG. 9 is a drawing that illustrates the toilet inner water level indicator with three adjustable floating switches.

FIGS. 10A and 10B are drawings of the sink and components with art design on both sides and back.

FIG. 11 is a drawing that illustrates the semicircle drain outlet and overflow assembly.

FIGS. 12A and 12B are drawings of the folding space- and water-saving bathroom sink toilet system that illustrate the controlling components outside the toilet tank (102) for adding water to the toilet tank (102) and flushing the toilet (101) with a full or a partial tank of water.

FIG. 13 is a partially exploded view drawing of FIG. 12B illustrating the collapsible cabinet.

FIG. 14 is a drawing of a top view of the adjustable supporting hinge illustrating the adjustable supporting hinge and hinge pin.

MORE DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In FIG. 1: 101 toilet, 102 toilet tank, 103 toilet tank lid, 104 sink with art design on both sides and back, 105 washing platform for sink, 106 fold-down legs, 107 handle for washing platform.
In FIG. 5: 501 collapsible cabinet, 502 cold and hot water faucet, 503 cold water tap, 504 hot water tap.
In FIG. 8: 801 a dual-float controlled water fill valve component with pipe tee for both toilet tank and sink water supply, 802 cold water inlet, 803 supply cold water pipe tee, 804 low water level float, 805 high water level float, 806 spring paddles, 807 actuating arm coupling water-stopping valve and water level floats, 808 water-stopping valve, 809 sliding low water level lock, 810 sliding high water level lock, 811 locking pin for setting the position of low water level float, 812 lock resetting spring, 813 valve platform.
In FIG. 9: 901 water level indicator with three adjustable floating switches in toilet tank, 902 wire connecting LED indicators and floats, 903 empty tank water level float switch, 904 half tank water level float switch, 905 full tank water level float switch, 906 adjustable floating pin, 907 empty tank water level LED indicator, 908 half tank water level LED indicator, 909 full tank water level LED indicator.
In FIG. 10: 1001 sink basin seat, 1002 water retaining board, 1003 water retaining board for photo frame at the back of sink, 1004 sink overflow, 1005 drain outlet, 1006 meshing ball.
In FIG. 11: 1101 semicircle drain outlet, 1102 elastic and bendable head.
In FIG. 12, 1201 power outlet, 1202 push-button switch for adding half tank of water, 1203 push-button switch for adding full tank of water, 1204 push-button switch for flushing half tank of water, 1205 push-button switch for flushing full tank of water.
In FIG. 13: 1301 washing platform inner inclined plane. In FIG. 14, 1401 adjustable supporting hinge, 1402 adjustable supporting hinge pin.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 are the perspective illustrations of the folding space- and water-saving bathroom sink toilet system. The folding bathroom sink overtop 102 the toilet tank has the same width of the toilet tank, and the inner side of 104 the sink is not visible when it is in the folded position. When the folding bathroom sink is deployed for use, it extends to the front edge of the toilet so the toilet is covered and not visible from atop. This system can be installed on 103 the lid of any kind of toilet on the market.
One-hand operation pulling 107 the handle for washing platform allows one to unfold the space- and water-saving bathroom sink toilet system. This operation also lays down 106 the fold-down legs, allowing 105 the washing platform for sink to be fully extended. All items in 501 the collapsible cabinet and the inner side of 104 the sink with art design on both sides display in front of users. The operation process is provided by 1006 the meshing ball as shown in FIG. 10 and 1306 the washing platform inner inclined plane as shown in FIG. 13. Used water is directly conducted to 102 the toilet tank through 1005 drain outlet To restore to the folded position for the bathroom sink toilet system one needs only to push upward 107 the handle for washing platform as shown in FIG. 1.
For the use of the toilet, one can first check water amount in 102 the toilet tank through 907, 908, and 909 the water level LED indicators. If 907 the empty tank water level LED indicator is on, there is no or little reusable water in 102 the toilet tank from 104 the sink. One needs to add fresh water to 102 the toilet tank by pushing either 1202 the push-button switch for adding half tank of water or 1203 the push-button switch for adding full tank of water. Pushing 1202 the push-button switch for adding half tank of water allows one to add a half tank of water to 102 the toilet tank. This is done through a wire connecting to 809 the sliding low water level lock. The drop of 809 the sliding low water level lock to half the height of 102 the toilet tank will in turn lower the height of 807 the actuating arm coupling water-stopping valve and water level floats in 102 the toilet tank and subsequently open 808 the water-stopping valve for adding water. When 804 the low water level float reaches certain height in 102 the toilet tank, a spring on 804 the low water level float will lift 807 the actuating arm coupling water-stopping valve and water level floats, locking 808 the water-stopping valve when the toilet tank is half full. 804 the low water level float will stop rising due to 811 the locking pin for setting the position of low water level float.
Pushing 1203 the push-button switch for adding a full tank of water allows one to add a full tank of water to 102 the toilet tank. This is done through another wire connecting to both 809 the sliding low water level lock and 810 the sliding high water level lock. The drop of 809 the sliding low water level lock and 810 the sliding high water level lock will in turn lower the height of 807 the actuating arm coupling water-stopping valve and water level floats to the lowest level in 102 the toilet tank and subsequently open 808 the water-stopping valve for adding water. When both 804 the low water level float and 805 the high water level float reach certain height in 102 the toilet tank, both 804 the low water level float and 805 the high water level float will lift 807 the actuating arm coupling water-stopping valve and water level floats to the height so that 809 the sliding low water level lock and 810 the sliding high water level lock reset to the location on 813 the valve platform through 812 the lock resetting spring. This will lock 808 the water-stopping valve when 102 the toilet tank is full. Flushing the toilet which lowers the height of 807 the actuating arm coupling water-stopping valve and water level floats in 102 the toilet water tank will not trigger 808 the water-stopping valve. Therefore water will not be added to 102 the toilet tank automatically.
The above embodiments are only used to illustrate the present invention, not intended to limit the scope thereof. Many modifications of the above embodiments can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

Claims

1. A folding space- and water-saving bathroom sink toilet system for use in conjunction with a toilet comprising: a) a sink; b) a drain assembly comprising a semicircular drain outlet having an elastic and bendable head and a sink overflow, said drain assembly coupled with said sink and a toilet tank; c) a collapsible cabinet comprising a washing platform for holding said sink; d) an adjustable supporting hinge for collapsing said collapsible cabinet into a folded or a deployed position; e) a dual-float controlled water fill valve component having a pipe tee coupled to a toilet tank and a sink water supply for controlling the amount of water to be added into said toilet tank; f) an inner water level indicator having a plurality of adjustable floating switches indicating variable water levels; g) a plurality of water-adding push-button switches for adding water at varying levels; and h) a plurality of flushing push-button switches for flushing said toilet using varying levels of water added by said plurality of water-adding push-button switches.

2. (canceled)

3. (canceled)

4. The folding space- and water-saving bathroom sink toilet system as recited in claim 3, wherein said drain outlet is connected to edge between the sink bottom and one side of said sink proximate to said toilet tank when said folding sink is in said folded position.

5. The folding space- and water-saving bathroom sink toilet system as recited in claim 1, wherein said folding sink further comprises a side base coupled to said toilet tank and allows the sink to be foldable.

6. (canceled)

7. The folding space- and water-saving bathroom sink toilet system as recited in claim 1, wherein said sink from said folding space- and water-saving bathroom sink toilet system has an art design on said folding sink.

8. The folding space- and water-saving bathroom sink toilet system as recited in claim 1, wherein said sink from said folding space- and water-saving bathroom sink toilet system has a transparent outer wall with a vertical gap in between said outer wall for holding photos, pictures, and paintings.

9. (canceled)

10. The folding space- and water-saving bathroom sink toilet system as recited in claim 1, wherein said collapsible cabinet (201) and washing platform for sink (105) is engaged with the sink (104) to form a sliding and complete overall folding.

11. The folding space- and water-saving bathroom sink toilet system as recited in claim 1 wherein said washing platform further comprises a cover for obscuring objects in when said collapsible cabinet is in said folded position.

12. The folding space- and water-saving bathroom sink toilet system as recited in claim 1, wherein said adjustable supporting hinge has adjustable supporting hinge pin.

13. (canceled)

14. The folding space- and water-saving bathroom sink toilet system as recited in claim 1, wherein said collapsible cabinet further comprises at least one fold-down leg for supporting said sink in said deployed position.

15. The folding space- and water-saving bathroom sink toilet system as recited in claim 1, wherein said drain outlet is at any location along the connecting edge between the sink bottom and one side of the sink which is closest to the toilet tank when the folding sink is in the folded position and the overflow assembly is at the same but upper side of the drain outlet (1005) on the sink (104).

16. The folding space- and water-saving bathroom sink toilet system as recited in claim 1, wherein said overflow assembly further comprises an inlet configuration with a push button for controlling the discharge of water in said sink.

17. The folding space- and water-saving bathroom sink toilet system as recited in claim 1, wherein said overflow assembly has a continuous curved elbow made of elastic material.

18. The overflow assembly as recited in claim 15, wherein said continuous curved elbow further comprises a tee used to connect the washbasin overflow.

19. The folding space- and water-saving bathroom sink toilet system as recited in claim 1, wherein said adjustable floating switches further comprising: an empty tank water level LED indicator, a half tank water level LED indicator, and a full tank water level LED indicator for displaying three different water levels in half full, full, or empty for the toilet tank.

20. The adjustable floating switches as recited in claim 19, wherein said adjustable floating switches further comprises a power supply comprising at least one of a battery, a rechargeable battery, solar energy panels, and electricity.

21. The folding space- and water-saving bathroom sink toilet system as recited in claim 1, further comprising: a sliding low water level lock and a sliding high water level lock coupled with said water-adding push-button switches for adding water to said toilet tank.

22. The folding space- and water-saving bathroom sink toilet system as recited in claim 1, wherein said dual-float controlled water fill valve component further comprising: a low water level float for adding a half tank of water to the toilet tank; and a high water level float for adding a full tank of water to the said toilet tank.

23. The dual-float controlled water fill valve component as recited in claim 22, wherein said pipe tee conducts tap water by the use of only one water inlet for both sink and toilet tank.

24. The folding space- and water-saving bathroom sink toilet system as recited in claim 1, wherein said dual-float controlled water fill valve component further comprises a water-stopping valve coupled with said low water level float and said high water level float through an actuating arm.

25. The dual-float controlled water fill valve component as recited in claim 24, further comprising an elevated spring paddle coupled to said low water level float for triggering a water stopping valve by subsequently lifting said actuating arm.

26. (canceled)

27. The dual-float controlled water fill valve component as recited in claim 24, wherein said actuating arm further comprising: a sliding low water level lock and a sliding high water level lock for automatically locking the water-stopping valve through lock resetting spring when the toilet tank is full.

28. The dual-float controlled water fill valve component as recited in claim 24, wherein said actuating arm is connected to sliding water level locks through the lock resetting spring for automatically locking the water-stopping valve when the toilet tank is full.

29. (canceled)