US3734408A

US3734408A - Vandal-proof drinking fountain

Info

Publication number: US3734408A
Application number: US00145757A
Authority: US
Inventors: A Wright
Original assignee: HAWS DRINKING FOUNTAIN CO
Current assignee: HAWS DRINKING FOUNTAIN CO
Priority date: 1971-05-21
Filing date: 1971-05-21
Publication date: 1973-05-22
Anticipated expiration: 1990-05-22

Abstract

A drinking fountain of the type having a valve-controlled nozzle structure through which water is discharged along an upwardly and inwardly oriented trajectory toward the center of a bowl having a discharge outlet or drain connected to waste. The fountain is substantially vandal proof, and in this respect has a pedestal anchored to a floor or platform by fastener structure concealed within the interior of the pedestal after anchorage is effected. The bowl of the fountain and control valve therefor are recessed so that prying-type implements cannot be inserted between either such component and respectively underlying surfaces of the pedestal, and the shield that extends upwardly in somewhat overlying relation with the nozzle outlet is covered by a guard that seats the shield therein so as to protect the same from impact blows.

Description

States Patent 1 [54] VANDAL-PROOF DRINKING FOUNTAIN [75] Inventor: Allen C. Wright, Moraga, Calif.

[73] Assignee: Haws Drinking Fountain Company,

Berkeley, Calif.

[22] Filed: May 21, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 145,757

[52] US. Cl. ..239/29, 52/295, 52/713,

4/170, 312/229 [51] Int. Cl. ..E03b 9/20, A47k 1/04 [58] Field of Search ..239/24, 28, 29, 29.3,

[ 51 May 22, 1973 OTHER PUBLICATIONS Description and Pictures Titled Exposed-Aggregate Drinking Fountain, on page 240 of May 1966 issue of The American City Primary Examiner-Robert S. Ward, Jr. Attorney-Joseph B. Gardner [57] ABSTRACT A drinking fountain of the type having a valve-controlled nozzle structure through which water is discharged along an upwardly and inwardly oriented trajectory toward the center of a bowl having a discharge outlet or drain connected to waste. The fountain is substantially vandal proof, and in this respect has a pedestal anchored to a floor or platform by fastener structure concealed within the interior of the pedestal after anchorage is effected. The bowl of the fountain and control valve therefor are recessed so that prying-type implements cannot be inserted between either such component and respectively underlying surfaces of the pedestal, and the shield that extends upwardly in somewhat overlying relation with the nozzle outlet is covered by a guard that seats the shield therein so as to protect the same from impact blows.

12 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures Patented May 22, 1973 3,734,408

INVENTOR:

ALLEN C. WRIGHT ATTORNEY VANDAL-PROOF DRINKING FOUNTAIN This invention relates to water fountains and, more particularly, to drinking fountains and the like.

Drinking fountains of the type used in locations generally available to the public are subject to damage, both intentional and unintentional, from vandalism and misuse especially when children constitute a substantial portion of the public using such fountains. Although intentional destruction of such fountains is difficult to prevent, the likelihood of damage thereto can be considerably minimized by making the same as tamper proof or vandal proof as practicable so that the possibility of misuse, disassembly, and availability of the working parts are all minimized.

In view of the foregoing, a general object of the present invention is to provide an improved drinking fountain in which such vandal-proof features are present. Further objects, among others, of the present invention are in the provision of an improved drinking fountain of the character described in which substantially all of the functional components are concealed or otherwise made substantially inaccessible and unavailable except to authorized personnel, thereby making vandalism of the fountain and components thereof difficult; in which the fountain has a pedestal adapted to be anchored to a floor or other support therefor by fastener structure entirely concealed within the pedestal after installation; in which the bowl or receiver for waste water and the control valve are both recessed into the pedestal so that they are substantially immune to the action of prying implements that one might use to separate such components from the pedestal; and in which the usual nozzle shield is protected against impact blows that otherwise might be directed thereagainst by a shield guard forming a part of the pedestal.

Additional objects and advantages of the invention, especially as concerns particular features and characteristics thereof, will become evident as the specification continues.

An embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a drinking fountain embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a transverse sectional view taken along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged, broken transverse sectional view illustrating one of the fastener structures as it is shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a broken longitudinal sectional view taken along the line 44 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a broken longitudinal sectional view taken along the line 55 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a broken transverse sectional view taken along the line 6-6 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 7 is a broken transverse sectional view taken along the line 77 of FIG. 1.

The substantially vandal-proof drinking fountain illustrated in its entirety in FIG. 1 is denoted generally with the numeral 10. The fountain 10 includes a pedestal 11 adapted to be fixedly secured to a support there for which, for example, may be one of the floors of a building structure or a concrete pad in the case of the fountain being located outdoors, as illustrated in the drawing. In the particular fountain being considered, the pedestal 11 is a molded concrete structure elongated in a vertical direction and providing a top wall 12, a bottom wall or lower edge 14, and side wall structure 15 which, in the form shown, is of polygonal configuration. As respects the present invention, the configuration of the pedestal 11 is in no sense critical and instead of the square-shaped form shown, it could be cylindrical, triangular, or of any other suitable design.

The fountain 10 further includes a bowl 16 adapted to seat within a relatively large opening 17 provided for this purpose in the top wall 12, as shown best in FIG. 6. It may be observed in this same figure that the top wall 12 of the pedestal is also provided with a generally perimetric recess 18 bordering the opening 17, and that the bowl 16 is equipped with an outwardly extending, generally perimetric rim or lip 19 seated within the recess 18 so that it is virtually impossible to insert a tool or implement between the upwardly-facing surface of the recess 18 and downwardly-facing surface overlying the same of the rim 19, thereby obviating the possibility of vandalism of the type in which the bowl of a drinking fountain is pried loose from the pedestal thereof. The particular bowl 16 illustrated and the opening 17 in which it seats are generally cylindrical in shape which has no particular significance as respects the present invention. Accordingly, the bowl 16 and opening 17 therefor may have any desired configuration.

The bowl 16 is provided centrally with a discharge opening or drain 20 adapted to be connected to waste by means,not shown,which may be completely conventional and need not be further considered. The fountain 10 also includes nozzle structure 21 adapted to be connected to a supply line so as to receive water therefrom which is then ejected upwardly and inwardly from the nozzle structure through an outlet aperture 22 provided for this purpose. The nozzle structure 21 is also provided with an elongated, arcuate opening 24 below the aperture 22, and the opening 24 permits water to escape from the nozzle into the bowl 16 in the event that the aperture 22 is closed as, for example, by a child placing his finger thereover at the time that water is being delivered to the nozzle. As respects the fountain 10, the nozzle structure 21 is mounted upon the bowl l6 and, therefore, generally forms a part thereof.

The nozzle structure 21 includes as an element thereof a nozzle shield 25 that extends upwardly and inwardly from an edge portion of the bowl 16 toward the center thereof which is defined by the discharge opening 20. Oriented in generally overlying juxtaposition with the shield 25 is a shield guard 26 which is provided by the pedestal 11 and, in the case of the particular fountain being considered, is formed integrally with the pedestal. As shown best in FIG. 7, the shield guard 26 has a recess 27 formed in the inwardly and downwardly facing surface thereof dimensioned and configurated so as to snugly seat the nozzle shield 25 therein. Thus, the shield guard 26 is disposed along the outwardly and upwardly facing surfaces of the nozzle shield 25 and thereby protects the same in a number of ways including substantial protection against insertion of a prying implement intermediate the shield and guard, and by preventing impact forces or blows being directed against the shield which otherwise might break or deform the same. It will be apparent in FIGS. 1 and 7 that the shield guard 26 is a relatively massive component so as to provide the strength necessary to ward off impact blows.

The fountain 10 further includes a manually operable valve assembly 28 adapted to be connected in the supply line furnishing water to the nozzle structure 21, and

the pedestal 11 is provided with a recessor opening 29 along a surface of the wall structure 15 thereof which seats the valve 28 therein. More particularly in this respect, the valve 28 is mounted upon and supported by a plate 30 of generally rectangular configuration which may be substantially planar and fits snugly within the opening or recess 29, as shown in FIG. 1. Any conventional fastening means may be used to secure the plate 30 in'the position shown, and an example thereof is screw or bolt-type fasteners 31 which extend through the plate and threadedly engage nuts or threaded portions provided for this purpose within the interior of the pedestal. Advantageously, the fasteners 31 are of such character that they are tamper-proof as, for example, the fasteners disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,498,173.

The recess or opening 29 is quite deep since the wall structure 15 is relatively thick, as is most evident in FIG. 2, so that substantially the entire exposed operating component of the valve 28 lies within the confines of the recess and is protected thereby. The functional components of the valve 28 are concealed within the pedestal 11 by the plate 30, and the connection of the valve with the water supply line is also made within the interior of the pedestal so as to be concealed and protected thereby. The particular valve 28 illustrated is a press-release valve in which the valve is opened by an inwardly directed force applied to the exposed operating member, and the valve automatically returns to its closed position when the operating member is released. As respects the present invention, the valve assembly 28 may take a variety of specific forms and in terms of its structural details, constitutes no part of the present invention.

The fountain further includes fastener structure effective to fixedly secure or anchor the pedestal 11 to the support surface upon which it is positioned. In the case of the fountain 10, the support surface therefor is horizontally oriented so that the lower edge or bottom wall 14 of the pedestal seats downwardly thereupon. In the particular fountain 10 shown in the drawing, four fastener structures are employed in respective association with the polygonal side walls of the pedestal, and with the exception of their specific locations, such fastener structures are essentially identical. Accordingly, each fastener structure is denoted generally with the numeral 32, the suffixes a, 12", c, and d", being used in association with this numeral for purposes of differentiation among the four fastener structures. Prior to describing the assemblage of components constituting each of the fastener structures 32, it may be observed that the pedestal 11 is equipped with a plurality of access openings in the side wall structure 15, such openings being respectively denoted with the numerals 34a through 3411. The openings 34, it will be noted, are respectively aligned with the fastener structures 32, and are disposed adjacent the lower edge 14 of the pedestal, as is evident in FIGS. 1 and 4.

Each of the openings 34 has a tapered configuration (see FIG. 3) in which the side walls 35 and 36 thereof tend to converge inwardly so that the opening has a somewhat wedge-shaped form. Adapted to be mounted in each of the access openings 34 is a cover or closure therefor which is dimensioned so as to be snugly received within the opening and blend with the wall structure 15, thereby essentially concealing theaccess openings to the extent that their presence is not readily ascertained. The closures are respectively denoted with the numerals 37a through 37d, and they are also wedge shaped so as to fit very tightly within their associated openings. As shown in FlGS. 2 and 3, each of the closures 37 is formed of concrete, as is the pedestal 11, and they are cemented as by mortar, adhesively attached, or otherwise semipermanently affixed to the pedestal 11 within the openings 34 once the pedestal is secured in position by the fastening structures 32.

As previously indicated, the fastener structures 32 are substantially identical and are simply disposed at different locations with respect to the pedestal 11. Accordingly, the following description which is referenced particularly to the structure 32a will apply equally to all of the other structures. It might also be noted that the specific number of fastener structures used may depend to a considerable extent on the size and on the configuration of the particular pedestal, and also on the placement thereof, certain locations requiring a stronger, more sturdy anchorage than others.

Each fastener structure 32 includes first and second elements respectively denoted with the numerals 38 and 39 (the suffixes being omitted in the description for purposes of simplifying the same but being retained in the drawing). The first element 38 is fixedly secured to the pedestal 11, and the second element 39 is cooperative with the first element and is adapted to be fixedly anchored to the support upon which the fountain is mounted. In the particular embodiment of the invention being considered, the second element 39 is embedded in the concrete pad upon which the fountain is mounted, as illustrated best in FIGS. 4 and 5. The element 38 is of generally U-shaped configuration having a base leg or cross bar 40 and upwardly extending legs 41 and 42 formed integrally therewith which, at their upper ends may be turned or bent, as shown in FIG. 5,

into a hook shape, as indicated at 44, so as to form a more firm anchorage with the concrete pedestal 11. In certain embodiments of the invention, the element 38 is attached to steel reinforcing (not shown) within the wall structure of the pedestal l 1, such reinforcing being ordinarily known as a reinforcing cage. The element 38 is aligned with the opening 34 and projects downwardly thereinto, and it is positioned so that the associated cover 37 completely conceals the same.

The second element 39 embedded in the support for the fountain has a somewhat J-shaped form, as seen in FIG. 5, so as to define a strong anchorage with the support. The element 39 extends upwardly from the support and at its upper end is threaded so as to receive a nut 45 thereon. The cooperative interconnection of the elements 38 and 39 is effected by a third element 46 in the form of a foot having a horizontal section 47 adapted to extend over and seat upon the cross bar 40, and further having spaced apart legs 48 and 49, the first of which is adapted to firmly engage the exposed surface of the support upon which the fountain is mounted on one side of the cross bar 40 and the second of which extends downwardly adjacent the cross bar on the opposite side thereof. Therefore, the cross bar 40 is confined'between the legs 48 and 49 with the horizontal section 47 seated firmly upon the cross bar. The horizontal section 47 of the foot element 46 is provided centrally with an opening 50 adapted to pass the upwardly extending portion of the element 39 therethrough,*whereupon the nut 45 may be tightened downwardly (through a washer, if desired) to effect the cooperative interconnection of the elements 38 and 39 via the element 46.

The fountain is usually sold as an integer although it need not be, with the bowl 16 anchored in position, the valve assembly and plate 30 in position, and all of the fluid supply and discharge lines or conduits connected except for those connections to the water supply line and discharge conduit to waste both of which must be made at the time of the final installation. The elements 39 constituting parts of the fastener structures 32 must be positioned in the support prior to the fountain being mounted, and this is often done well in advance of the installation, usually by the cement contractor. The fastener elements 46, nuts 45, any washers to be used therewith, and the closures 37 are also supplied with the fountain for use at the time of its installation.

At the time of installation, the necessary connections are made with the water supply line and waste conduit, and this may be done prior to the fountain being anchored to the support therefor, and it may be convenient to tip the fountain to facilitate such connections especially if the conduits involved are flexible. With the pedestal 11 in position, each of the foot elements 46 is placed in position so as to interconnect the elements 38 and 39, as previously described, and nuts 45 are tightened downwardly against the horizontal sections 47 of the respectively associated feet so as to draw the lower edge 14 of the fountain into tight, firm abutment with the upper surface of the support. The nuts 45 are tightened in the usual manner using a conventional wrench, and it will be evident that the nuts are available through the respective access openings 34. After the pedestall 11 is thereby firmly anchored to the support by each of the fastener structures 32, the access openings 34 are covered by positioning the closure members 37 therein.

Since the walls 35 and 36 of each opening are tapered, and because the respectively corresponding walls of the closures 37 are tapered in a complementary manner, each closure 37 can be wedged tightly into the opening 34 therefor. Further, a mortar or other adhesive is used to securely affix each closure 37 within its opening so as to prevent unauthorized removal of the closure. Each closure has an exposed surface that corresponds in color, texture, and otherwise to the adjacent surface areas of the pedestal ll so as to be substantially indistinguishable therefrom. In addition, the mortar used to adhesively attach each closure to the pedestal is selected so as to have the same color as the pedestal and closures, thereby further tending to conceal the fact that the pedestal has closure-equipped openings which, then, does not attract the attention of a vandal to the openings and closures therefor.

The shield guard 26 protects the shield 25 from impact blows that might otherwise damage or destroy the shield, and the bowl 16 in being recessed into the top wall 12 of the fountain is generally safe from prying implements. Similarly, the plate 30 is recessed into the opening 29 in the side wall of the pedestal and is thereby protected against prying instruments while the operating lever of the valve 28 is also protected against a great variety of blows which otherwise might be directed thereagainst. It might also be observed that the nozzle structure 21 cannot be made to squirt or direct a jet of water from the aperture 22 by finger manipulation because of the presence of the opening 24, and that the discharge outlet of the bowl 16 is covered with a shield so as to restrict insertion of debris through the outlet opening into the drainage system. Accordingly, the fountain 10 is substantially vandal proof.

While in the foregoing specification an embodiment of the invention has been set forth in considerable detail for purposes of making a complete disclosure thereof, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that numerous changes may be made in such details without departing from the spirit and principles of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A substantially vandal-proof drinking fountain or the like, comprising a pedestal adapted to be fixedly secured to a support therefor and having a top wall provided therealong with a relatively large opening adapted to seat a bowl therein, fastener structure having a first element fixedly secured to said pedestal and a second element cooperative with said first element and being adapted to be fixedly anchored to such support, said pedestal being provided with an access opening through which said fastener structure is accessible to fixedly secured said pedestal to such support, and a closure for said access opening to conceal said fastener structure; said first element of said fastener structure comprising a stirrup having a substantially unobstructed cross bar, said second element thereof including an anchor, and said fastener structure further comprising a foot adapted to seat upon said cross bar and cooperatively engage said anchor to fixedly secure said pedestal to such support therefor as aforesaid.

2. The fountain of claim 1 in which a plurality of said fastener structures are provided in spaced apart relation about said pedestal, in which a plurality of access openings are provided by said pedestal in respective association with said fastener structures, in which the foot of each fastener structure has an inverted generally U-shaped configuration one leg of which is adapted to seat against such support on one side of the associated cross bar and the other leg of which is adapted to extend along the associated cross bar on the other side thereof, in which each foot is provided with an opening adapted to pass the associated anchor therethrough, in which adjustable fastener means are provided for tightening each of said feet toward such support to develop a tensile force between each stirrup and anchor to urge said pedestal toward tight seating engagement with such support, and in which a plurality of the aforesaid closures are provided in respective association with said access openings for closing the same to conceal the fastener structures associated therewith,

3. The fountain of claim 1 in which said pedestal has a relatively thick concrete side wall structure wherein said access opening is located, and in which said closure is a concrete component adapted to seat within said access opening and blend with said side wall structure so as to be substantially indistinguishable therefrom.

4. The fountain of claim 1 in which the top wall of said pedestal is provided with a generally perimetric recess bordering said large opening, and further comprising a bowl adapted to be mounted within said large opening and having an outwardly extending generally perimetric rim seatable within said recess so as to effectively prevent insertion of a prying implement between said rim and underlying surface of said recess.

5. The fountain of claim 4 and further comprising a nozzle shield adjacent an edge portion of said bowl and extending upwardly and inwardly therefrom generally toward the center thereof, and a shield guard provided by said pedestal for disposition in generally overlying relation with said shield along the outwardly and upwardly facing surface areas thereof and in substantially contiguous relation therewith to protect the same against impact forces that otherwise might be directed thereagainst.

6. The fountain of claim in which said shield guard is provided with a recess dimensioned in conformity with said nozzle shield to seat the same therein.

7. The fountain of claim 5 and further comprising nozzle structure adapted to be connected to a supply line to receive liquid therefrom, and a manually operable valve adapted to be connected in such supply line, said pedestal having a valve recess in a surface thereof along which said valve is disposed so as to be at least partially enclosed thereby for protection against vandalism.

8. The fountain of claim 7 in which said pedestal has generally vertically wall structure defining said surface along which said valve-receiving recess is located, and in which said shield guard is provided with a recess dimensioned in conformity with said nozzle shield to seat the same therein.

9. The fountain of claim 1 and further comprising a nozzle shield adjacent an edge portion of said bowl and extending upwardly and inwardly therefrom generally toward the center thereof, and a shield guard provided by said pedestal for disposition in generally overlying relation with said shield along the outwardly and upwardly facing surface areas thereof and in substantially contiguous relation therewith to protect the same against impact forces that otherwise might be directed thereagainst.

10. The fountain of claim 1 and further comprising nozzle structure adapted to be connected to a supply line to receive liquid therefrom, and a manually operable valve adapted to be connected in such supply line, said pedestal having a valve recess in a surface thereof along which said valve is disposed so as to be at least partially enclosed thereby for protection against vandalism.

11. A substantially vandal-proof drinking fountain or the like, comprising a pedestal adapted to be fixedly secured to a support therefor, fastener structure having a first element fixedly secured to said pedestal and a second element cooperative with said first element and being adapted to be fixedly anchored to such support, said first element of said fastener structure including a stirrup having a substantially unobstructed cross bar, said second element of said fastener structure including an anchor, and said fastener structure further including a foot adapted to seat upon said cross bar and cooperatively engage said anchor to fixedly secure said pedestal to such support therefor as aforesaid, said pedestal being provided with an access opening through which said fastener structure is accessible to fixedly secure said pedestal to such support.

12. The fountain of claim [1 and further comprising a closure for said access opening to conceal said fastener structure, and in which said pedestal has a relatively thick concrete side wall structure wherein said access opening is located, said closure being a concrete component adapted to seat within said access opening and blend with said side wall structure so as to be substantially indistinguishable therefrom.

Claims

2. The fountain of claim 1 in which a plurality of said fastener structures are provided in spaced apart relation about said pedestal, in which a plurality of access openings are provided by said pedestal in respective association with said fastener structures, in which the foot of each fastener structure has an inverted generally U-shaped configuration one leg of which is adapted to seat against such support on one side of the associated cross bar and the other leg of which is adapted to extend along the associated cross bar on the other side thereof, in which each foot is provided with an opening adapted to pass the associated anchor therethrough, in which adjustable fastener means are provided for tightening each of said feet toward such support to develop a tensile force between each stirrup and anchor to urge said pedestal toward tight seating engagement with such support, and in which a plurality of the aforesaid closures are provided in respective association with said access openings for closing the same to conceal the fastener structures associated therewith.

6. The fountain of claim 5 in which said shield guard is provided with a recess dimensioned in conformity with said nozzle shield to seat the same therein.

12. The fountain of claim 11 and further comprising a closure for said access opening to conceal said fastener structure, and in which said pedestal has a relatively thick concrete side wall structure wherein said access opening is located, said closure being a concrete component adapted to seat within said access opening and blend with said side wall structure so as to be substantially indistinguishable therefrom.