Water filter abstract
A spout-mounted water filter assembly suitable for use with a shallow
sink having a short necked spout. The water filter assembly includes
a water filter unit and an extension pipe which provides additional
vertical clearance between the base of the sink and the outlet of
the filter unit. The extension pipe may further be dimensioned to
provide additional clearance relative to an inner edge of the sink
in order to prevent interference between the water filter unit and
the sink. The water filter assembly of the present invention is
versatile and may be configured in a variety of orientations to
fit a variety of sink/faucet combinations.
Water filter claims
What is claimed is:
1. A faucet mounted water filter assembly for connection to a dispensing
end of a water spout, said filter assembly being supportably mounted
to the spout of the faucet and providing additional clearance between
a base of a sink and a dispensing portion of said assembly, said
assembly comprising:
an extension pipe having a spout end and a filter end;
water filter means for filtering water, said water filter means
having a water inlet and a water outlet;
first connecting means for supportably connecting said water inlet
to said filter end so that said water outlet is disposed above a
horizontal plane passing through the dispensing end of the spout
thereby providing additional clearance relative to the base of the
sink; and
second connecting means for supportably connecting said spout end
to the dispensing end of the spout.
2. The water filter assembly according to claim 1 wherein said
second connecting means adjustably engages said spout end in one
of a plurality of positions on a radius of a vertical axis of the
dispensing end of the spout.
3. The water filter assembly according to claim 1 wherein said
first connecting means adjustably engages said water filter means
in one of a plurality of positions on a radius of a vertical axis
of said filter end.
4. The water filter assembly according to claim 1 wherein said
water outlet is displaced from the dispensing end along a longitudinal
direction of the spout.
5. The water filter assembly according to claim 1 wherein said
first connecting means includes a threaded adapter for engaging
with mating threads on said filter end, a gasket, and a threaded
collar for engaging with corresponding threads on a neck of said
water filter means.
6. The water filter assembly according to claim 1 wherein said
second connecting means includes a threaded adapter for engaging
with mating threads on the dispensing end of the spout, a gasket,
and a threaded collar for engaging with corresponding threads on
said spout end.
7. The water filter assembly according to claim 1 wherein said
extension pipe is generally S-shaped.
8. The water filter assembly according to claim 7 wherein said
S-shaped extension pipe has a first lower U-shaped portion proximate
said spout end, a generally vertical leg, and an upper inverted
U-shaped portion proximate said water filter means.
9. A water filter extension device for use with a faucet spout-mounted
water filter unit disposed above a sink, the extension device supporting
the filter unit and providing at least one of additional vertical
and horizontal clearance between an outlet of the filter unit and
a base of a sink relative to a dispensing end of a spout, said extension
device comprising:
a rigid extension pipe having a spout end and a filter end;
a first connecting means for supportably connecting said spout
end to the spout;
a second connecting means for supportably connecting said filter
unit to said filter end so that the outlet of the filter unit is
rigidly disposed above the spout relative to the sink.
10. The water filter extension device according to claim 9 wherein
said second connecting means adjustably engages said extension pipe
in one of a plurality of positions on a radius of a vertical axis
of the dispensing end of the spout.
11. The water filter extension device according to claim 9 wherein
the outlet of the filter unit is displaced from the dispensing end
along a longitudinal direction of the spout.
12. The water filter extension device according to claim 9 wherein
said second connecting means includes a threaded adapter for engaging
with mating threads on the dispensing end of the spout, a gasket,
and a threaded collar for engaging with corresponding threads on
said spout end of said extension pipe.
13. The water filter extension device according to claim 9 wherein
said first connecting means includes a threaded adapter for engaging
with mating threads on said filter end of said extension pipe, a
gasket, and a threaded collar for engaging with corresponding threads
on the water filter unit.
14. The water filter extension device according to claim 9 wherein
said extension pipe is generally S-shaped.
15. The water filter extension device according to claim 14 wherein
said S-shaped extension pipe has a first lower U-shaped relative
proximate said spout end and an upper inverted U-shaped portion
proximate said filter end .
Water filter description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to faucet mount water filters,
and specifically to an extension for mounting a water filter to
a spout of a water faucet to enable users to fill a variety of drinking
containers at the faucet.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A variety of spout-mounted water filters are known, such as those
described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5017286; 4680116; 4686037 and
4770768. By way of example, the '286 patent discloses a main filter
housing containing a carbon block filter element which is attached
to a spout using a threaded connector. The connector is provided
with external threads which mesh with internal threads on a dispensing
end of the spout. Filtered water is dispensed from an outlet on
a bottom portion of the main filter housing. The water filter unit
may additionally be provided with a diverter knob or lever for selectively
dispensing filtered or unfiltered water.
The configuration of the '286 patent is typical of other such prior
art units in that the outlet(s) for dispensing filtered/unfiltered
water are located below the level of the faucet spout. This configuration
reduces the clearance for positioning a cup or other conventional
drinking container to receive the filtered/unfiltered water. Specifically,
the prior art filter units are unsuitable for use in conjunction
with a shallow sink such as a bathroom sink. In addition, such conventional
filter units may provide inadequate clearance in a kitchen sink
for dispensing water into a tall pot, vase or the like.
Conventional spout-mounted water filter units share a further problem
in that they may not be suitable for use with a relatively short
necked spout, such as commonly used in bathrooms, due to interference
between the edge of the sink and the filter unit.
In view of these and other deficiencies of the prior art, it is
a general objective of the present invention to provide an improved
spout-mounted water filter which provides additional vertical clearance
between the base of the sink and the outlet of the filter unit.
A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved
spout-mounted water filter assembly which is displaced away from
the inner sink edge along a longitudinal axis of the spout in order
to provide clearance between the edge of the sink and the filter
unit.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an extension
for use in adapting conventional spout mounted water filter units
for use with shallow sinks and/or short necked spouts.
These and other objects of the invention are discussed or will
be apparent from the following detailed description of the invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The above-listed objects are met or exceeded by the water filter
assembly of the present invention. A feature of the present water
filter assembly invention is that additional clearance is provided
between the outlet of the filter unit and the base of the sink relative
to conventional spout mounted water filters, enabling the present
filter assembly to be used with shallow sinks. Further, the water
filter assembly of the present invention is configured to provide
clearance along the longitudinal axis of the spout for enabling
the filter unit to be mounted on a short necked spout without impinging
on an edge of the sink. Another feature of the present invention
is that it is easy to install and use, and may be retained in a
variety of positions relative to the faucet spout.
More specifically, the present water filter assembly is intended
for connection to a spout of a water faucet and includes an extension
pipe having a spout end and a filter end, a filter unit having a
water inlet and a water outlet, a first connection assembly on the
filter end for connecting the filter end to the water inlet of the
filter unit, and a second connection assembly on the spout end for
connecting the spout end to the spout such that the water outlet(s)
of the filter unit is disposed above the outlet of the spout. This
configuration is an improvement over prior art water filters in
that it provides additional vertical and horizontal clearance relative
to the base of a sink, allowing a taller glass or container to receive
the filtered/unfiltered water. The present water filter assembly
is particularly suited for use in conjunction with a shallow sink
having a short necked spout such as commonly used in bathrooms.
According to another aspect of the preferred embodiment, the filter
assembly of the present invention may be mounted on a radius of
a vertical axis of the dispensing end of the spout. This feature
provides the user with flexibility in installing and using the present
invention in conjunction with sinks and faucets of various shapes
and sizes.
According to yet another aspect of the preferred embodiment, the
filter unit may be mounted on a radius of a vertical axis of the
filter end. This feature of the present invention provides even
greater adaptability in using the present invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
A preferred embodiment of the present invention is described with
reference to the drawings where:
FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a conventional spout mounted
filter unit mounted on a spout;
FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the water filter assembly of
the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of the body portion
of the water filter assembly of the present invention;
FIG. 4 is an exploded sectional view of FIG. 3 including a fragmentary
side view of the extension pipe of the present invention;
FIGS. 5A-5E are overhead plan views of the water filter assembly
of the present invention;
FIG. 6 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of the spout end
of the extension pipe of the present invention; and
FIG. 7 is an exploded sectional view of FIG. 6 including a fragmentary
side view of the spout.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
A conventional faucet spout-mounted water filter unit is depicted
in FIG. 1 and is designated generally by the reference number 10.
The water filter unit 10 includes a main body 12 a filter cartridge
14 a diverter knob 16 and an outlet 18. The water filter unit
10 can be operated in either of a filter mode or a by-pass mode
by turning the diverter knob 16 as shown by curved arrow 17. In
the filter mode, the water filter unit 10 dispenses filtered water
through the first outlet 18 in the base of the filter cartridge
14. Alternatively, in the bypass mode, unfiltered water is dispensed
through a second outlet 20 which is generally disposed in the same
horizontal plane as the first outlet 18 below the level of a dispensing
end 24 of a spout 22.
As depicted in FIG. 1 a connection assembly, generally designated
as 26 is used to attach the water filter unit 10 to the spout 22.
The connection assembly 26 includes a gasket, an adapter, and a
collar 56 (not shown).
The filter cartridge 14 is filled with a conventional activated
carbon filter element or media as is commonly known by those of
ordinary skill in the art. Representative filter media includes
formulations of carbon block, and/or granulated carbon for removing
impurities such as lead, heavy metals, chlorine or the like, eliminating
odors and enhancing the overall quality and flavor of the water.
In the preferred embodiment, depicted in FIG. 2 the filter cartridge
14 contains both hollow filter fibers and granulated activated carbon
(not shown) thus providing two stage filtering of the water. Upon
its exhaustion, the filter cartridge 14 may be replaced independently
of the rest of the water filter unit 10 by rotating the cartridge
about its vertical axis to disengage the cartridge from the unit.
Referring now to FIG. 2 the water filter assembly of the present
invention is designated generally by the reference number 30 and
includes the water filter unit 10 and an extension pipe 32. The
extension pipe 32 is generally S-shaped and has a spout end 34
a filter end 36 a lower U-shaped portion 38 a generally vertical
leg 40 and an upper inverted U-shaped portion 42. The respective
radii of curvature of each U-shaped portion 38 and 42 are preferably
constant, but are not necessarily equal. Specifically, in the preferred
embodiment the radius of curvature of the upper inverted U-shaped
portion 42 is larger than the radius of curvature of the lower U-shaped
portion 38.
In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 2-7 the extension pipe 32
is formed of plastic; however, one of ordinary skill in the art
will appreciate that it may be formed of metal, engineered material
or other non-toxic self-supporting materials.
Importantly, the extension pipe 32 is configured such that the
first and the second dispensing outlets, 18 and 20 are positioned
above a horizontal plane passing through the dispensing end 24 of
the spout 22 in order to provide additional clearance relative to
a base 44 of a sink 46 for receiving a glass, a cup or other type
of drinking container. While other shapes of the extension pipe
32 are contemplated and fall within the scope of the present invention,
the embodiment depicted in FIG. 2 is preferred.
Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4 a first connection assembly, generally
designated as 50 is used to attach the water filter unit 10 to
the filter end 36 of the extension pipe 32. Similar in configuration
and construction to the connection assembly 26 (FIG. 1), the first
connection assembly 50 includes a generally flat gasket 52 an adapter
54 and a collar 56. The adapter 54 is configured to fit within
a seat 58 (best seen in FIG. 4) formed within a neck 60 of the main
body 12 and is provided with external threads 62 for threadably
engaging corresponding threads 64 in the filter end 36 of the extension
pipe 32. A plurality of knurls 66 are provided on an exterior surface
of the adapter 54 to assist in threading the adapter 54 into the
filter end 36. The gasket 52 is interposed between a base 68 of
the seat 58 and the adapter 54 and has a neck 70 which is configured
to fit within a recess 72 formed in the bottom of the adapter. A
base 74 of the gasket 52 is configured to fit within the seat 58.
In addition, the adapter 54 is releasably held within the seat 58
by the collar 56 an inner lip 75 of which engages a shoulder 76
of the adapter. The collar 56 is provided with threads 77 configured
to mesh with corresponding threads 78 on the neck 60. A plurality
of knurls 79 are provided on an exterior surface of the collar 56
to facilitate threading the collar 56 onto the neck 60.
While other methods of connecting the water filter unit 10 to the
extension pipe 32 are contemplated, the first connection assembly
50 depicted in FIGS. 2-4 is the preferred embodiment. One of ordinary
skill in the art would recognize that there are many acceptable
ways of accomplishing this connection.
Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7 a description of how the extension
pipe 32 attaches to the dispensing end 24 of the spout 22 is provided.
A second connection assembly, generally designated by reference
number 80 in FIG. 7 is used to attach the spout end 34 of the extension
pipe 32 to the dispensing end 24 of the spout 22. The second connection
assembly 80 is similar to the first connection assembly 50 and
includes a generally flat gasket 82 an adapter 84 and a collar
86. Configured to fit within a seat 88 formed within the spout end
34 the adapter 84 is provided with threads 90 for threadably engaging
corresponding threads 92 on the dispensing end 24 of the spout 22.
The adapter 84 is further provided with knurls 93 on an exterior
surface to facilitate threading the adapter 84 into the dispensing
end 24 of the spout 22. Interposed between a base 94 of the seat
88 and the adapter 84 the gasket 82 has a neck 96 which is configured
to fit within a recess 98 formed in the bottom of the adapter 84
and has a base 100 which is configured to fit within the seat 88.
The adapter 84 is releasably held within the seat 88 by the collar
86 an inner lip 101 of which engages a shoulder 102 of the adapter.
Threads 103 are provided on the interior of the collar 86 to mesh
with corresponding external threads 104 on the spout end 34 of the
extension pipe 32. As is the case with the connection assembly 50
the collar 86 and the adapter 84 are tightly threaded by hand to
the corresponding receptacles to prevent leaks. To facilitate threading
the collar 86 onto the extension pipe 32 a plurality of knurls
105 are provided on an exterior surface of the collar 86.
Referring now to FIGS. 5A-5E, an explanation is provided of the
feature of the present invention where the water filter unit 10
may be mounted on a radius of a vertical axis of the filter end
36 (first adjustment feature), as well as the feature where the
water filter assembly 30 may be mounted on a radius of a vertical
axis of the dispensing end of the spout 22 (second adjustment feature).
As shown in FIG. 5A, the water filter unit 10 may be mounted on
a radius 108 of a vertical axis 106 of the filter end 36. As will
be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, the water filter
unit 10 is maintained in a fixed position relative to the extension
pipe by the tight engagement between the collar 56 and the unit
10. Thus, collar 56 must be loosened in order to allow re-positioning
of the water filter unit 10 relative to the extension pipe 32.
As shown in FIG. 5B, water filter assembly 30 may be mounted on
a radius 112 of a vertical axis 110 of the dispensing end 24 of
the spout 22. As will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in
the art, the water filter assembly 30 is maintained in a fixed position
relative to the spout 22 by the tight engagement of the collar 86
and the extension pipe 32. Thus, collar 86 must be loosened in order
to facilitate positioning of the water filter assembly 30 relative
to the spout 22.
FIG. 5C depicts an embodiment where the unit 10 and the extension
pipe 32 are angularly displaced from the axial alignment shown in
FIG. 5A. In this manner, the unit 10 may be laterally displaced
relative to the spout 22. FIG. 5D shows a reverse complimentary
displacement of the extension pipe 32 relative to the spout 22 and
the unit 10 and FIG. 5E depicts a different angular orientation
of both the unit 10 and the extension pipe 32 relative to each other
and to the spout 22.
The above described first and second adjustment features of the
present invention enable the water filter assembly to be adapted
to conform to the size and shape of a variety of sink/spout configurations.
Further, these features greatly enhance installation of the present
invention in, for example, a relatively cramped bathroom sink.
While a particular embodiment of the present spout mounted water
filter assembly and extension has been shown and described, it will
be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes and modifications
may be made thereto without departing from the invention in its
broader aspects and as set forth in the following claims. |