IIIHIII US0051991 19A

United States Patent (19) 11) Patent Number: 5,199,119

Weber 45 Date of Patent: Apr. 6, 1993
(54) FOOT OPERATED WATER CONTROL 2,830,618 4/1958 Mitchell .............................. 137/599
2,965,906 12/1960 Muliett et al. . ... 4/170
76 Inventor: Ronald D. Weber, 1. Regulus Ct., 3,594,828 7/1971 Seek ............... 251/294
Alameda, Calif. 94501 4,045,827 9/1977 Morris et al. .. ... 4/664
4,543,850 10/1985 Bednar et al. ......................... 74/512
(21) Appl. No.: 723,584
(22 Filed: Jul. 1, 1991 Primary Examiner-Charles E. Phillips
Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Don J. Flickinger; Jordan M.
51) Int. Cl. .......................... A47K 1/04; B66D 1/14 Meschkow; Lowell W. Gresham
52 U.S. C. ........................................... 4/619; 4/630; 57 ABSTRACT
251/295
58) Field of Search ............... 251/294, 295, 242, 236, A remote control wash basin is disclosed having a foot
251/320; 4/619, 626, 630; 74/512, 529, 532 pedal operation. The foot pedal operates a crank to pull
(56) References Cited a wire cable that operates a lever to open a normally
closed push button valve. Depressing the foot pedal
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS latches the valve into the open position where it remains
1,212,085 1/1917 Metcalf. until a release pedal is depressed. The release pedal
1,256,525 2/1918 Dederer. occupies the portion of the face of the foot pedal and
1,589,353 6/1926 Bock et al. ..................... 251/294 X releases the latch to allow the foot pedal to return to its
2,187,521 1/1940 Mullett .................................... 4/166 normally non-operational position. The foot pedal oper
2,264,876 12/1941 Hackley ........ ated fluid controlling mechanism can be added to a
2,293,544 8/1942 Heine et al. ............................. 4/191
2,542,046 2/1951 Mullett et al. ... wash basin cabinet with minimal changes.
2,693,716 11/1954 Ludwig ......... ... 251/295 X
2,829,537 4/1958 Mall et al. ............................. 74/532 8 Claims, 3 Drawing Sheets
U.S. Patent Apr. 6, 1993 Sheet 1 of 3 5,199,119
U.S. Patent Apr. 6, 1993 Sheet 2 of 3 5,199,119

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U.S. Patent Apr. 6, 1993 Sheet 3 of 3 5,199,119
 5,199,119
1. 2
ing more particular description of the preferred embodi
FOOT OPERATED WATER CONTROL ments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompany
ing drawings.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates in general to water controlling The various novel features of this invention, along
devices and in particular to a faucet operating device with the foregoing and other objects, as well as the
having a foot operated valve for controlling the flow of invention itself both as to its organization and method of
water from faucets.
O
operation may be more fully understood from the fol
2. Prior Art lowing description of illustrated embodiments when
An object of the present invention is to provide a read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing,
device for use in controlling the flow of fluids, particu wherein:
larly water, the device being particularly adapted for FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention
use in controlling the flow of water to a faucet by the 15 as adapted to a wash basin with a cut away view to
use of a foot pedal. show the internal connections;
Structures are readily available for the control of FIG. 2 is a side view of the valve operation shown in
water to a wash fountain by a foot operated pedal encir the cut out section of FIG. 1;
cling the wash fountain. In the control of individual FIG. 3 is a cut away side view of the foot pedal of
wash basins the entire wash basin must be specifically FIG. 1 showing the pedal in the non-operating position;
designed to accommodate the controls and is built as a 20 FIG. 4 is a cut away view of the foot pedal of FIG. 1
particular unit. showing the foot pedal in the latched position;
Another object of the present invention, therefore, is FIG. 5 is a cut away view of the foot pedal of FIG. 1
to provide a foot operated water controlled device that showing the operation of the latch mechanism in the
can be easily adapted to wash basins or lavatory cabi latched position of FIG. 4;
nets. 25
Further, the wash basins of the prior art required that FIG. 6 is a cut away view of the foot pedal of FIG. 1
the foot pedal be continuously depressed in order to showing the operation of a release pedal to release the
have a water flow from the faucet. The person operat latching mechanism;
ing the water flow must continually stand on the foot FIG. 7 shows a partial perspective view of the latch
pedal to control the flow from the faucet This may be 30 ing mechanism interacting with the cable actuating
fine for workers and non-handicapped people but is mechanism; and
non-functional for persons who are handicapped and FIG. 8 shows an exploded view of the interaction of
cannot stand immediately adjacent to the wash basin or the parts in the foot pedal of FIG. 1.
who cannot coordinate the depression of the foot pedal DETALED DESCRIPTION OF THE
while washing themselves at the wash basin. 35
PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Therefore, another object of the present invention is
to provide a fluid controlling device that can be easily In general, the fluid controlling mechanism of the
actuated by a foot pedal and latched to continue the present invention can be used with any type of wash
flow of the fluid until released. basin such as the lavatory cabinet shown in FIG. 1. The
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION mechanism can be used to control either a single supply
of water, either hot or cold, or a dual supply mixing
This invention contemplates, among other features, valve which can supply a combination of hot and water.
the provision of a faucet operating mechanism for wash Referring now to FIG. 1, a wash basin shown as a
basins which is operated by the foot so that the operator lavatory cabinet 10 includes a sink 12 and at least one
can wash himself without necessitating the use of his 45 faucet 14. The lavatory cabinet 10 generally includes
hands in operating the device. According to the present doors. 16 which can be opened for access to the area
invention, a foot pedal can be depressed to control the internal to the lavatory cabinet 10. In FIG. 1, the lava
operation of a push button valve through a wire cable tory cabinet 10 includes a cut away portion to show the
that operates a lever to actuate the push button valve. interconnections of the mechanism of the present inven
The push button valve in turn controls the flow of the tion. Further water supply pipes and sewer interconnec
fluid into the faucet and the basin The foot pedal in tions to the sink 12 are not shown in order to simplify
cludes a latching mechanism that keeps the foot pedal the Figure while continuing to show applicant's unique
depressed to keep the valve actuated and the fluid flow structure.
ing. A separate release pedal releases the latch to permit Leading from the faucet 14 is a water connecting pipe
the return of the foot pedal and the closing of the valve 55
18 and an inlet water pipe 20 suppling the water fluid to
to stop the fluid flow. a push button valve 22. The push button valve 22 oper
An object of the present invention, therefore, is to
provide a fluid controlling mechanism that can be actu ates to control the water flow from the inlet water pipe
ated by the depression of a foot pedal and remains actu 20 to the connecting water pipe 18 for discharge of the
ated until released. water through the faucet 14. A lever mechanism 24,
Yet another object of the present invention is to pro shown in more detail in FIG. 2, operates the push but
vide a foot operated fluid controlling device that can be ton valve 22 via a wire cable 26 passing through a guide
easily adapted to presently installed wash basins to per 28 that is clamped by a clamp 30 to a standard 32
mit the continued flow of water from a faucet when the mounted to a base 34 of the lavatory cabinet 10. The
foot pedal is depressed and stops the flow of water 65 wire cable 26 and the guide 28 exit through an opening
when a release pedal is depressed. 35 in a panel 36 located at the base of the lavatory cabi
The foregoing and other objects, features and advan net 10. The wire cable 26 and guide 28 connect to a foot
tages of the invention will be apparent from the follow pedal assembly 38. A more complete operation of the
 5,199,119
3 4.
push button valve 22 of FIG. 1 as interconnected to Figures to assist in the understanding of the intercon
wire cable 26 is shown in FIG. 2. nection and operation of the present invention. A cut
Referring now to FIG. 2, the push button valve 22 away view of FIG. 3 shows the interconnection of the
has its plunger 40 operated by a lever 42 pivotally con crank actuator block 72 interfacing with the crank pin
nected to a support arm 44 through a lever pin 46 which 90 of the crank 56. The crank 56 is shown cut away to
all form a part of the lever mechanism 24, see FIG. 1. show the interaction of the camming section 76 of the
The free end of the cantilevered lever 42 is operated by crank actuator block 72 with the crankpin 90 and the
the wire cable 26 through a lever spring 48. The lever interaction of the wire cable block 54 also with the
spring 48 actuates the lever 42 by the operation of the crank 56 via the cable pin 58. The depression of the foot
wire cable 26. The lever spring 48 is held in place by a O plate 66 and the interaction of the parts of the foot pedal
retainer 50 and a washer 52. As shown also in FIG. 1, 38 is shown in FIG. 4 while the operation of the push
the wire cable 26 passes into the guide 28 for connection button valve 22 via the wire cable 26 can be shown by
to the foot pedal 38. The guide 28 is held in place in the referring to FIG. 2.
lavatory cabinet 10 by virtue of the clamp 30. The con Referring to FIG. 4, when the foot plate 66 is de
nection of the wire cable 26 and the guide 28 to the foot 15 pressed and rotates about a plate pin 96, the camming
pedal 38 is shown in the exploded view of FIG. 8. section 76 of the cable actuator block 72 presses against
The prior art is replete with various valve structures the crank pin 90 and causes the crank 56 to rotate about
having a valve stem in the form of a plunger which is the crank pin 62. The wire cable block 54 follows the
biased into a normally closed position. Lever mecha movement through the cable pin 58 and thereby with
nism 24 was especially devised for adapting a push 20 draws a portion of the wire cable 26 through the guide
button type plunger valve to open in response to the 28. In FIG. 2, pulling the wire cable 26 into the foot
pull of cables 26. It will be appreciated by those skilled pedal 38, pulls the lever 42 downward through the lever
in the art that valves having a pull type plunger can also spring 48 and the retainer 50. Pulling the lever 42 down
be actuated by cable 26. The cable may be secured to ward rotates the lever 42 about the lever pin 46 and
the pull type plunger by any conventional means, di 25 causes the plunger 40 of the push button valve to be
rectly or indirectly, such as by a clevis. depressed into the valve 22. If the push button valve 22
Referring now to FIG. 8, the guide 28 is threadably is a normally closed valve, depressing the plunger 40
connected to a side plate 50 at a rear section of the side will open the valve and cause the water flow from the
plate 50 and foot pedal 38. The wire cable 26 is shown inlet water pipe 20 into the connecting water pipe 18 to
entering from the guide 28 and by hashed line 52 inter exit out the faucet 14, see FIG.1. The depression of the
connecting to a wire cable block 54. The wire cable . foot plate 66thereby causes the water to exit the faucet
block S4 is rotatably connected to a crank 56 via a cable 14. The foot plate 66 is held into the depressed position
pin 58. The crank 56 in turn is rotatably connected to a by a latching mechanism as is shown in FIG. 5.
base plate 60 via a crank pin 62. The side plate 50 is Referring now to FIG. 5, when the foot plate 66 is
attached to the base plate 60 by screws 64. A foot plate 35 depressed and the crank pin 90 and the crank 56 is ro
66 is pivotally connected to the side plate 50 through a tated, the latch 82 is actuated forward by the latch
pin (not shown) in the position as shown by hashed lines spring 78 which is also fastened to the cable actuator
68. A corrugated resilient material 70 is fastened to the block 72 (see FIG. 8). The latch 82 pivots forward
exposed top section of the foot plate 66. The corrugated about the latch pin 84 and connects to the latch hook 92
resilient material 70 may be made of rubber or any other formed in the base plate 60 (see FIG.8). The latch 82
slip-resistant material for preventing slippage when the and the latch hook 92 hold the foot plate 66 in its de
foot plate 66 is stepped on and actuated by the foot of an pressed position This is best shown by referring to FIG.
operator. A crank actuator block 72 is connected to the 7.
interior of the foot plate 66 by screws, for instance, in a In FIG. 7, the arms of the release pedal 80 (shown in
position as shown by a hashed line 74. The crank actua 45 cross-section in FIG. 7) and the latch 82 are shown
tor block 72 includes a camming section 76 and a latch pivotally connected to the cable actuator block 82 via
spring 78. A release pedal 80 pivotally connects to the hashed lines 94. The latch spring 78 urges the latch 82 in
cable actuator block 72 together with a latch 82 through the forward position when the cable actuator block 72 is
a latch pin 84. The interconnection of the release pedal pressed downward together with the foot plate 66 (not
80, the crank actuator block 72, and the latch 82 by the 50 shown). The camming section 76 operates against the
latch pin 84 is shown in more detail in FIG. 7 add will crank pin 90 of the crank 56 to cause the wire cable 26
be discussed in more detail later in the operation of the to be pulled into the foot pedal as was discussed in FIG.
foot pedal portion of the present invention. The release 4. Thus the latch 82 is urged by the latch spring 78 to
pedal 80 also includes a corrugated resilient material 84. contact the latch hook 92 as was discussed for FIG. 5.
The release pedal 80 has its corrugated resilient material 55 Continuing with the discussion of FIG. 5, the latch
84 and its supporting block exit into an opening 86 in the ing of the latch 82 to the latch hook 92 holds the foot
foot plate 66. A release pedal spring 88 holds the release plate 66 in the depressed state. The release pedal spring
pedal 80 above the corrugated material 70 of the foot 88, fastened to the underside of the foot plate 66 then
plate 66 for release actuation as will be discussed later. urges the release pedal 80 upward to protrude from the
The camming section 76 of the cable actuator block 72 opening 86 in the foot plate 66 (see FIG. 8). In this
interfaces with a camming pin 90 of the crank 56 to position, the water is flowing from the faucet 14 and the
actually perform the movement of the wire cable 26 operator can wash himself in the standard manner as
within the guide 28. A latch hook 92 is formed in the with any lavatory system. When the operator has com
base plate 60 to interface with the latch 82. pleted his washing procedure, the operator can depress
The operation of the foot pedal 38 can best be de 65 the release pedal 80 as is shown in FIG. 6.
scribed by referring to FIGS. 3-7. FIG. 3 shows the Referring now to FIG. 6, the depression of the re
foot pedal 38 in the non-operational position. The same lease pedal 80 causes the latch 82 to rotate out of posi
reference numerals are used for the same parts in all tion from the latch hook 92 against the latch spring 78.
 5,199,119
5 6
This will release the foot plate 66. The lever spring 48 crank actuating means connected to said foot plate
will cause the wire cable to be retracted in the guide 28, for pivoting said crank;
see FIG. 2. The retraction of the wire cable 26 will a latch pivotally mounted to said crank actuating
cause the crank 56 to rotate in the clockwise direction, means;
see FIG. 4. The rotation of the crank 56 causes the foot hook means formed in said base plate for catching
plate to be released upward to its non-operational posi said latch and operable therewith to hold said foot
tion as shown in FIG. 3. The mechanism thus returns to plate when pivoted;
its non-operational position for actuation again by an release means engagable with said latch and actuable
operator when desired. apart from said foot plate; and
As shown in FIG. 1, a standard lavatory cabinet can O a cable communicating between said crank and said
be modified for foot operation control by the installa- . plunger;
tion of the apparatus of the present invention. At least whereby pivoting said foot plate pivots said crank
one pushbutton valve 22 is installed into the inlet water and therefore pulls said cable to actuate said
pipe to control the flow of the water to the faucet 14. plunger and also engages said latch with said
The lever 42 is pivotally connected to the push button 15
hook means;
valve 22 through support arm 44, see FIG. 2, to cause said release means, when actuated, rotating said
the actuation of the plunger 40 of the push button valve latch out of engagement with said hook means.
22. The free end of the lever 42 is then connected to the
wire cable 26 via the lever spring 48 and the retainer 50. 2. The foot operated mechanism as defined in claim 1,
The clamp 30 and the standard 32 hold the wire cable in 20 wherein said release means includes a release pedal
position for the apparation of the push button valve 22 positioned in an opening in said foot plate.
by fastening the standard 32 to the base 34 of the lava 3. The foot operated mechanism of claim 2, wherein
tory cabinet 10. The opening 35 is drilled in the base said release pedal is resiliently actuated to protrude
front 36 of the lavatory cabinet 10 for insertion of the above the surface of said foot plate when said foot plate
wire cable 26 and the guide 38 into the interior of the 25 is held by said latch and said hook means.
lavatory cabinet 10. The foot pedal 38 is then positioned 4. A foot operated mechanism for actuating a valve
outside of the lavatory cabinet 10 adjacent to the base controlling a water supply to a faucet of a wash basin,
front 36. The foot plate 66 can then be depressed as said foot operated mechanism comprising
shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 to actuate the pushbutton valve a lever operable to control the opening and closing of
22 to cause the water to flow. The foot plate 66 will be 30 the valve;
latched in the actuating position as discussed in FIG. 5. a cable having one end connected to said lever fo
The depression of the released pedal 80 will unlatch the moving the lever to activate the valve;
foot plate 66 and the lever spring 48 will retract the wire a base plate;
cable 26 causing the lever 42 to be released and the a crank connected to a second end of said cable and
plunger 40 to retract and thereby retract the plunger 40 35 pivotally connected to said base plate for pulling
from the pushbutton valve to stop the water flow again. said cable;
The principles of the present invention have now a foot plate pivotally connected to said base plate;
been made clear in an illustrated embodiment. It will be a crank actuating means connected to said foot plate
immediately obvious to those skilled in the art many for pivoting said crank;
modifications of structure, arrangement, proportion, the a release pedal pivotally mounted to said crank actu
element, materials, and components used in the practice ating means, movable with said foot plate yet actu
of the invention. For instance, the push button valve 22 able apart from said foot plate;
is shown normally closed and actuated open by the a latch pivotally mounted to said crank actuating
operation of the lever 42 pressing against the plunger 40 means together with said release pedal; and
of the push button valve 22. It should be obvious that by 45 hook means formed in said base plate for catching
changing the lever structure a normally open push but said latch and operable therewith to hold said foot
ton valve could be used and remain within the scope of plate in a pivoted position;
the present invention. Likewise, the push button valve whereby pivoting said foot plate pivots said crank
22 is shown operating a single inlet water pipe. It should and thereby pulls said cable to rotate said lever
be obvious that the push button valve 22 could operate 50 and also engages said latch to said hook means;
at the outlet of the mixing valve to control the hot and said release pedal, when pivoted, rotating said latch
cold water combination. It is also within the scope of out of engagement with said hook means.
the instant invention that the release pedal may assume 5. A mechanism for operating a pushbutton valve for
other structural equivalents such as a push button or controlling the flow of fluid to a faucet mounted in a
slide for the purpose of engaging or disengaging for the 55 cabinet comprising:
latch 82. The appendant claims are, therefore, intended a lever mechanism mounted to the valve and actuable
to cover and embrace any such modification, within the to operate the push button of the valve;
limits only of the true spirit and scope of the invention. a cable having one end connected to said lever mech
I claim:
1. A foot operated mechanism for use in combination 60 anism through a lever spring and a retainer;
with a valve means having a plunger for controlling a foot pedal mechanism operable to pull said lever
flow through said valve means, said plunger being bi mechanism through said cable, said lever spring
ased into a normally closed position, and for actuating and retainer operable to return said cable when
said plunger into an open position for flow through said released by said foot pedal mechanism;
valve means, said foot operated mechanism comprising: 65 means to guide said cable between said lever mecha
a base plate; nism and said foot pedal mechanism;
a crank pivotally connected to said base plate; said foot pedal mechanism including:
a foot plate pivotally connected to said base plate; a base plate;
 5,199,119 8
7
a crank connected to a second end of said cable and a foot pedal mechanism operable to pull said lever
pivotally connected to said base plate for pulling mechanism through said cable, said lever spring
said cable; and retained operable to return said cable when
a foot plate pivotally connected to said base plate; released by said foot pedal mechanism;
crank actuating means connected to said foot plate said foot pedal mechanism including:
for pivoting said crank; a base plate;
a release pedal pivotally mounted to said crank a crank connected to a second end of said cable
actuating means and actuable apart from said and pivotally connected to said base plate for
foot plate; pulling said cable;
a latch pivotally mounted to said crank actuating 10 a foot plate pivotally connected to said base
means with said release pedal; and plate; -
hook means formed in said base plate for catching crank actuating means connected to said foot
said latch and operable therewith to hold said plate for pivoting said crank;
foot plate when pivoted; a release pedal pivotally mounted to said crank
whereby pivoting said foot plate pivots said crank 15 actuating means and actuable apart from said
and therefore pulls said cable to operate said lever foot plate;
mechanism and also engages said latch to said hook a latch pivotally mounted to said crank actuating
means; means with said release pedal; and
said release pedal, when pivoted, rotating said latch hook means formed in said base plate for catch
out of engagement with said hook means. 20 ing said latch and operable therewith to hold
6. A mechanism for as defined in claim 5 wherein said said foot plate when pivoted;
release pedal is resiliently actuated and mounted in an whereby pivoting said foot plate pivots said crank
opening in said foot plate such that said release pedal and therefore pulls said cable to operate said
extends above said foot plate when said foot plate is lever mechanism and releasing said foot plate
pivoted to operate said latch mechanism. 25 allows said lever spring and retainer to retract
7. A mechanism for controlling the flow of water said cable thereby releasing said lever mecha
from a water supply to a faucet mounted adjacent to a nism; and
basin mounted in a cabinet, said mechanism comprising: whereby pivoting said releases pedal rotates said
a push-button operative valve mounted between the latch out of engagement with said hook means
water supply and the faucet; 30 and thereby releases said foot plate.
a lever mechanism mounted to said valve and actu 8. A mechanism as defined in claim 7 wherein said
able to operate the push button of the valve to release pedal is resiliently actuated and mounted in an
allow and prevent the flow of water from the water opening in said foot plate such that said release pedal
supply to the faucet, extends above said foot plate when said foot plate is
a cable having one end connected to said lever mech 35 pivoted to operate said
st
latchk mechanism.
anism through a lever spring and a retainer;

45

55

65
 UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION
PATENT NO. : 5,199, ll9
DATED : 6 April l993
NVENTOR(S) : Ronald D. Weber
it is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent is hereby
corrected as shown below:

In claim 7, column 7 line 29, delete "operative" and insert --operated .

Signed and Sealed this

Thirtieth Day of November, 1993

At est (a teen
BRUCELEMAN

Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents and Trademarks