US3533554A

US3533554A - Combination aerator and drinking fountain

Info

Publication number: US3533554A
Application number: US739260A
Authority: US
Inventors: Paul A Mongerson
Original assignee: Standard Screw Co
Current assignee: Stanadyne LLC
Priority date: 1968-06-24
Filing date: 1968-06-24
Publication date: 1970-10-13
Anticipated expiration: 1987-10-13
Also published as: DE1914807A1; DE1914807B2

Description

Get. 13 1970.

P. A. MON-GERSCN 3,533,554

CQMBINATION AERATOR AND DRINKING FOUNTAIN Filed June 24, 1968 N r 1 w I v ,5;

MM/Waz W4///%//W5 WM7 5% Wm [far/W United States Ptt 3,533,554 COMBINATION AERATOR AND DRINKING FOUNTAIN Paul A. Mongerson, Elyria, Ohio, assignor to Standard Screw Company, Hartford, Conn., a corporation of New Jersey Filed June 24, 1968, Ser. No. 739,260 Int. Cl. E03b 9/00 US. Cl. 239-27 11 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A combination aerator and drinking fountain for attachment to a water faucet. The unit includes a generally cylindrical housing containing conventional aerating means. Rotatably mounted on the housing is a drinking fountain attachement having an upwardly directed water passage. There is a water port in the side of the housing which is aligned with the water passage when the device is to be used as a drinking fountain. Rotation of the drinking fountain attachment positions the drinking water passage as well as providing on-off control. In addition, within the cylindrical housing, are means for reducing the water pressure applied to the upwardly directed drinking water passage for controlling the pressure of a water discharged for drinking purposes. The water fountain attachment has two outlets, which, through reversal of a rotatable member, enable the user to have a choice as to the angle of the water discharge.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a combination aerator and drinking fountain attachement for a water faucet.

A primary purpose of the invention is a simply constructed, reliably operable unit of the type described.

Another purpose is a combination aerator and drinking fountain attachement including means for reducing the water pressure supplied for drinking purposes.

Another purpose is a unit of the type described including means for preventing contamination of the drinking fountain water passage.

Other purposes will appear in the ensuing specification, drawings and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention is illustrated diagrammatically in the following drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic illustration of the unit disclosed herein, in the drinking position,

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic illustration, similar to FIG. 1, but showing the unit in the non-drinking position,

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the unit illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2,

FIG. 4 is an enlarged vertical section through the unit disclosed herein in the drinking position, and

FIG. 5 is a partial vertical section, similar to FIG. 4, showing a modified unit in the non-drinking positon.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In FIG. 1 a typical faucet is indicated at 10, with the combination aerator and drinking fountain being indicated generally at 12. As will be noted by the water discharge indicated at 14, the device of FIG. 1 is in the drinking position. In FIG. 2 the same device is illustrated in the non-drinking position. Note that the handle portion of the unit 12 has been rotated approximately 180 degrees so that the water discharge port now underlies the faucet spout 10. In this way, the drinking water passage will be masked by the spout to prevent its contamination.

Turning now to FIGS. 3, 4, and 5, the unit 10 may include a generally cylindrical housing 16 having interior 18 at its upper end for use in attachment to the water faucet spout. In some applications there may be exterior threads on the housing for attachment purposes. In others, an adapter may be used to mount the unit 10. The invention should not be limited to any particular mounting means.

At the lower end of the housing 16 is an annular member '22 having a plurality of longitudinal grooves 24, which are effective to bring air upwardly for mixing with the downwardly discharging water stream. The annular member 22 may seat upon a conical shoulder 26 formed at the lower end of the housing 16. The member 22 has an inwardly directed flange 28 which mounts a conventional aerator screen 30. There are a plurality of ports or passages 32 in the member 22, which are in communication with the grooves 24 for use in directing air into the central area of the housing. The upper end of the annular member 22 mounts a water dirtribution member 34. As shown herein, the member 34 includes a lower ball-like section 36 and an upper plate-like member 38. The platelike member 38 may have a plurality of water passages or ports '40 which direct the downwardly moving water onto the ball member where it is broken up into minute sprays for subsequent passage through the screen 30 as an aerated discharge. The air from passages 24 mixes with the water below ports 40 to form the aerated stream.

Positioned above and mounted on top of the annular member 22 is a raceway 42 which is generally U-shaped in cross section and which forms an annular water passage 44 in cooperation with the inside wall of the housing 16. There is a small opening 46 in the raceway so that water may pass from the interior of the housing into the passage 44. A discharge port 48 is formed in the wall of the housing 16 and may be surrounded by an O-ring or conventional seal 50. The outer portion of the port 48 may be enlarged for seating the *O-ring 50.

A rotatable member 52 is mounted on the exterior of the housing 16 and retained in position by a shoulder 54 formed at the lower end of the housing. A snap ring 20, at the upper end of the housing 16, prevents removal of the member 52. As shown particularly in FIG. 3, the rotatable member 52 has an enlarged handle-like section which can be manipulated for moving the member 52 to either a drinking or non-drinking position. There are a pair of water passages 56 and 58 formed in the member 52 for use in directing water upwardly for drinking purposes. It should be noted that passage 56 forms a slightly different angle with the surface of the member 52 than passage 58. By reversing member 52, the user has the option of a water discharge at different angles.

FIG. 5 illustrates a modified form of the invention. A rotatable member 62 has a single upwardly-directed water passage 64. The upwardly-directed air passages 24 have been replaced by a plurality of circumferentially extending slots 66 which provide side air entry. The space 68 between the handle 62 and housing 54 provides air access to slots 66. The slots 66 are in communication with ports or passages 32 for bringing air into the central area of the housing. In all other respects the devices of FIGS. 4 and 5 are the same.

The use, operation and function of the invention are as follows:

In the closed or non-drinking position, all of the water flowing directly downwardly through the housing 16 will strike the ball member, be formed into minute sprays, and will then pass through the discharge screen 30. As the water moves downwardly through the housing, air will be drawn up passages 24, through ports 32 and will mix with the spray to form an aerated water discharge. At all times, there will be an aerated discharge. Also, water will always flow through the opening 46 into the raceway or chamber 44. However, in the closed position, no water will pass beyond port 48, inasmuch as passage 56 and port 48 are not in alignment. Seal ring 50 forms a complete seal between the rotatable member 52 and the surface of the housing 16.

When it is desired to place the unit in the drinking position, the handle 52 is rotated until passage 56 is in alignment with port 48. At that time, the water within the chamber 44 will pass through passage 56 to form an upwardly-directed water discharge for drinking purposes. Water will continuously pass thereafter through the opening 46, into chamber 44, through port 48 and into passage 56, thus continuing the water discharge. At such time as the drinking portion of the unit is no longer to be used, the handle 52 again may be rotated to a non-drinking position, which is preferably beneath the spout for sanitary purposes. There is ample clearance between the top of member 52 and the underside of the spout.

The devices of FIGS. 4 and 5 operate in the same manner, except for the difference in aerating air passages.

Of importance is the fact that the opening 46 is generally diammetrically opposed, or 180 degrees spaced from, the port 48. Spacing between approximately 60 to 180 degrees can be utilized. Also, opening 46 is smaller in cross section than port 48. In this way, there will be a reduction in pressure and velocity as water flows through the chamber 44. In some applications the raceway 42 may be formed of a flexible material so that opening 46 will close under pressure.

The various parts of the assembly may be made of I metal, certain types of plastics, and in some instances an elastomeric material, such as rubber. The invention should not be limited to a construction of any particular material. In like manner, the invention should not be limited to the specific embodiment shown.

To reverse member 52 to have a different angle of water discharge, snap ring is removed, and member 52 is turned over. The snap ring can then be replaced and the unit again attached to a faucet spout.

The unit disclosed herein is usable with any faucet, for example a basin or lavatory faucet, as well as a kitchen faucet. In this connection, the particular discharge passage used may depend upon the area of application. Whereas one angle of water discharge may be suitable for a kitchen installation, a different angle of discharge may be suitable for a bathroom faucet.

I claim:

1. In a combination aerator and drinking fountain attachment for a faucet, a generally cylindrical housing, mounting means at one end of said housing, means, within said housing, for forming an aerated discharge from the other end of said housing, a laterally directed water port in said housing, rotatable means mounted on said housing having an upwardly directed water passage, an annular raceway within said housing and masking said port, said raceway cooperating with said housing to define an annular water passage in communication with said port, and an opening in said raceway communicating with the interior of said housing, said rotatable means being movable to an on position, in which the upwardly directed water passage is in alignment with said port for directing water upwardly for drinking purposes, and an off. position in which said port and water passage are not in alignment.

2. The structure of claim 1 further characterized in that said rotatable means is shaped like and functions as a handle.

3. The structure of claim 1 further characterized in that said raceway opening is substantially circumferentially spaced from said port.

4. The structure of claim 3 further characterized in that said raceway opening is circumferentially spaced, between approximately and degrees, from the housing port, to permit the water flowing in said raceway to decrease in velocity prior to passing through said housing port.

5. The structure of claim 1 further characterized by and including sealing means surrounding said housing port and bearing against said rotatable means.

6. The structure of claim 1 further characterized by and including an outwardly directed shoulder on said housing, said rotatable means being seated on said shoulder.

7. The structure of claim 1 further characterized by means, within the housing, for reducing the water pressure supplied to said water passage.

8. The structure of claim 1 further characterized in that the means for forming an aerated discharge include at least one laterally directed opening in said housing.

9. The structure of claim 1 further characterized in that the means for forming an aerated discharge include a. plurality of upwardly extending air passages within said housing.

10. In a drinking fountain attachment for a faucet, a generally cylindrical housing, mounting means at one end of said housing, means, within said housing, for forming a water discharge from the other end of said housing, a laterally directed water port in said housing, rotatable means mounted on said housing having a pair of water passages extending in opposite directions, said Water passages each being arranged to provide different angles of water flow, with only one of said water passages being usable at a time, said rotatable means being movable to an on position, in which one of said upwardly directed water passages is in alignment with said port for directing water upwardly for drinking purposes, and an elf position in which said port and one of said water passages are not in alignment.

11. In a drinking fountain attachment for a faucet, a generally cylindrical housing, mounting means at one end of said housing, means, within said housing, for forming a water discharge from the other end of said housing, a laterally directed water port in said housing, rotatable means mounted on said housing having an upwardly directed water passage, and means, within the housing, for reducing the water pressure supplied to said laterally directed water port, including a conduit communicating with the interior of said housing and said port, said conduit including a portion having a cross sectional area less than that of said port, said rotatable means being movable to an on position, in which the upwardly directed water passage is in alignment with said port for directing water upwardly for drinking purposes, and an off position in which said port and water passage are not in alignment.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,387,718 8/1921 Hollaender 23925 3,079,088 2/1963 Hermann et al 23925 3,424,387 1/1969 Aghnides 239428.5

M. HENSON WOOD, 111., Primary Examiner.

M. Y. MAR, Ascsistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R.