SINK CABINET

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to sink cabinets and, in particular, to a sink cabinet adapted to be used by young kids to wash their hands.

BACKGROUND

Due to their short height, it is difficult for young kids to use a standard sink in a house or in a day-care center to wash their hands. Since the height of standard sinks is generally adapted to adults, young kids have to stand up on a step or on a chair to reach the sink and the faucet. In day-care centers or private-home day-care, accidents may occur while kids are standing on a step to wash their hands. It is nevertheless beneficial to educate young kids to personal hygiene practices at home, but also at the day-care.

However, especially in private-home day-cares, it would not be convenient to have a permanent hand-washing installation adapted for young kids as it would occupy additional space in the standard washroom and would be of no or of limited use when the kids are absent during the evening and the night. Furthermore, there may be no room at all in a standard washroom for such a permanent installation. Such a house adapted for private-home day-care would typically have its value decreased on the resale market. Improvements for mitigating these problems are therefore desirable.

SUMMARY Accordingly, there is a provided a freestanding indoor sink cabinet for use in a standard washroom or bathroom and adapted for young kids. Such a cabinet can, if desired, be converted into a bench, either for being used as such or for its storage in a corner of the washroom or anywhere else. The resulting bench, for instance, can be used by an adult giving a bath to a kid.

The freestanding sink cabinet is for use by young kids to wash their hands. The cabinet comprises a top body having a wash basin and a faucet, the faucet having a pressurized water inlet. It also comprises a height-variable support assembly connected under said top body and having a floor engaging base. A top lid is hinged to said top body. The cabinet is convertible

into a bench upon closing the lid onto said wash basin and faucet and setting the height- adjustable support assembly to a minimum height. The cabinet helps in young kids' education to personal hygiene. It provides one or more kids with a mean to wash their hands easily and safely since the height of the wash basin and faucet is adapted to them.

Accordingly, one aspect of the invention is to provide a freestanding sink cabinet for young kids. The cabinet comprises a top body, a height-variable support assembly and a top lid. The top body has a wash basin and a faucet. The faucet has a pressurized water inlet. The height-variable support assembly is connected under the top body and has a floor engaging base. The top lid is hinged to the top body. The cabinet is convertible into a bench upon closing the lid onto the wash basin and faucet and setting the height-adjustable support assembly to a minimum height.

In another aspect, there is provided a freestanding indoor sink cabinet for young kids. The cabinet comprises a top body having a wash basin, a top lid pivotally connected to the top body movable between a horizontal position and a substantially vertical position, and a height-adjustable support assembly supporting the top body and having at least two vertical telescopically extendable side members and a cross member connected to the side members and the cross member. The bottom portions of the side members define an unitary-molded floor engaging base.

In yet another aspect, there is provided an indoor sink cabinet. The cabinet comprises a top body having a wash basin and a faucet, and a floor engaging height-adjustable support assembly positioned under the top body and having at least two height positions. The top body has an upper surface that is between 55 and 70 cm from the floor when the support assembly is at a highest of the two height positions.

In still another aspect, there is provided a toilet seat connectable to a wastewater pipe to discharge wastewater into a toilet. The toilet seat comprises a water discharging body and a seat hinged to the water discharging body. The water discharging body is connectable to the toilet using the seat fastening features of the toilet and comprises a substantially T-shaped tube. The bar of the T-shaped tube has two ends, at least one of which being connectable to the wastewater pipe. The post of the T-shaped tube opens over the toilet bowl to discharge the wastewater in the bowl of the toilet.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Further features and advantages of the present improvements will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in combination with the appended figures, in which:

Fig. 1 is a front perspective view of an example of a sink cabinet for young kids, the cabinet being shown with its lid in an open position;

Fig. 2 is a front perspective view of the cabinet of Fig. 1, the cabinet being shown with its lid in a closed position;

Fig. 3 is a rear isometric view of the cabinet of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a side elevation view of another example of a sink cabinet for young kids, the cabinet being configured for an installation over a bathtub;

Fig. 5 is an isometric view of the cabinet of Fig. 1 showing the cabinet connected to a standard sink and toilet bowl; and

Fig. 6 is an isometric view showing an example of a toilet seat to which the cabinet can be connected.

It will be noted that throughout the appended figures, like features are identified by like reference numerals.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Fig. 1 shows an example of a freestanding indoor sink cabinet 10 for young kids. The cabinet 10 comprises a top body 11 having a wash basin 14 and a faucet 16 adjacent to the wash basin 14. The top body 11 is supported by means of a support assembly 12 located under the top body 11. Since the cabinet 10 is to be used indoors, the support assembly 12 is configured and disposed to engage a floor, for example the floor of a washroom or bathroom.

The cabinet also comprises a lid 13 pivotally connected to the top body 11 by a rear hinge. The rear hinge can be designed to generate enough friction to hold the lid 13 still in any position but without requiring an intense force to move it. It can also be designed with a stopper to limit its

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pivot angle and a lock to secure the lid 13 in either end positions. The lid 13 is at least movable between a substantially vertical position and a horizontal position where the lid 13 covers the wash basin 14 and the faucet 16, as shown in Fig. 2. This way, access to the wash basin 14 and the faucet 16 is prevented and the cabinet 10 can then be used as a bench, if desired. When configured as a bench, the cabinet 10 can be used for sitting or even standing. It also allows the cabinet 10 to be more easily stored.

As shown in Fig. 1, the lid 13 can be provided with a mirror 34 located on the interior face thereof. The mirror 34 is then visible with the lid 13 is open, thus when kids wash their hands.

The top body 11 of the illustrated cabinet 10 has one or more soap holders 18 in the form of a recess in the upper surface of the top body 11, adjacent to its wash basin 14. Corresponding soap recesses 38 are provided under the lid 13. The lid 13 is designed so that the periphery of the soap recesses 38 is brought into engagement with the surface adjacent to the corresponding soap holders 18. This way, upon closing the Hd 13, any soap items on the soap holder or holders 18 will be contained if the cabinet 10 is moved. The lid 13 also has a faucet recess 36 for receiving the faucet 16 when the lid 13 is closed.

Furthermore, the support assembly 12 of the illustrated cabinet 10 comprises two wide side members 24. Each side member 24 has a sleeve-like top section 26 and a corresponding bottom section 28 in sliding engagement with the top section 26. Both bottom sections 28 are connected together using a cross member 46 located approximately in the middle. The cross member 46 is configured and disposed to have its bottom surface directly making contact with the floor. The bottom sections 28 and the cross member 46 are unitary molded for added solidity and simplicity.

Each side member 24 further includes a mechanism 22 to hold both sections 26, 28 in at least two different positions. This provides a height adjustment to the cabinet 10 so that the height of the upper surface of the top body 11 can be set to an optimum position for young kids with reference to the floor. The mechanism 22 includes a blocking device 30 comprising a retractable spring- loaded pin 30 selectively insertable into one of the plurality of holes in the top section 26. The bottom section 28 includes a corresponding hole that is brought into alignment with any of the holes of the top section 28 by changing the relative position of the two sections 26, 28.

The cabinet 10 comprises four retractable feet 44, each being located at a corresponding one of the four bottom corners of the cabinet 10. As shown on Fig. 2, the retractable feet 44 can be positioned under the side members 24 when the cabinet 10 is stored. When the cabinet 10 is used by the kids for washing their hands, the feet 44 can be extended to provide more stability. When extended, the front feet extend toward the front of the cabinet 10 and the back feet extends toward the rear of the cabinet 10. In the illustrated cabinet 10, one end of each foot 44 is mounted around a vertical pivot located under a corresponding side member 24. The feet 44 are retracted or extended by pivoting them around their pivot. Alternatively, each foot 44 can be horizontally sled between two or more clipping positions. Still, as shown, a small front drawer 50 can be provided in a dedicated drawer-receiving body located under the top body 11.

The various parts of the cabinet 10 can be made of molded plastic has and with rounded edges, which makes it solid, light and safe for the kids.

To use of the cabinet 10 as a bench, as shown in Fig. 2, the lid 13 is closed to cover and protect the wash basin 14 and the faucet 16. If required, the height of the support assembly 12 is also set to its lowest position. This way, the bottom edges of the top sections 26 of each side member 24 will rest against the upper surface of the cross member 46, thereby preventing the pins 30 from supporting the weight of a person sitting or standing on the cabinet 10 when the lid 13 is closed. Furthermore, the feet 44 are retracted if the bench is to be stored or used as a seat, or they can remain extended to provide more stability when the bench is used as a step.

Fig. 3 shows the rear side of the cabinet 10. It shows the water supply hosepipe 48 and the wastewater output 49. The water supply hosepipe 48 has one end that can be connected to the outlet of a standard faucet so as to provide pressurized water to the water inlet of the faucet 16. Alternatively, the hosepipe 48 can be connected to a water circuit having pipes within the cabinet 10. Pressurized water is supplied to the faucet 16 of the cabinet 10. Typically, the length of the water supply hosepipe is of about 1.5 meter (5 feet). The cabinet 10 can then be installed next to a standard sink. Another advantage is that the water temperature is set at the faucet of the standard sink, thus out of immediate reach of the kids which can otherwise select a hotter water temperature.

The cabinet 10 can be designed to fit over a standard toilet bowl. The toilet bowl Hd would previously be lifted and the cabinet 10 is then simply placed over the front end of the toilet bowl.

The wash basin 14 includes a wastewater output 49. In the illustrated embodiment, the wastewater output 49 includes an outlet tube. The outlet tube can send to water from the bottom of the wash basin 14 to the toilet bowl. It may include a clip to fix it to the wall of the toilet bowl such that it will not inadvertently get out of the bowl.

In order to fit over a standard toilet bowl having a height of about 38 cm for the ground and a width also of about 38 cm, the cabinet 10 has a height clearance from the ground of at least 38 cm on the rear side when set at a height for the kids to wash their hands. The width between the side members 24 is also of at least 38 cm, although it can be less for a partial insertion of the cabinet 10 around the toilet bowl.

The wash basin 14 can have a depth of about 15 cm. Thus, the height from the floor to the upper surface of the top member 11 is made adjustable between about 57.7 cm and 67.8 cm. Height positions varying within the range of about 55.0 to 70.0 cm are considered suitable for young kids of about 1 ¹ A - 2 years old, up to 6 - 7 years old. When the cabinet 10 is in its lowest height position and the lid 13 is closed, the cabinet 10 has a total height from floor to the upper surface of the lid 13 of 63.1 cm. A bench height of about 35.0 to 65.0 cm is ideal.

Fig. 4 shows an example of a cabinet 10' suitable for use near a bathtub. The end of the wastewater output 49 would then be positioned in the bathtub. The cabinet 10' being mostly similar to the cabinet 10 of Figs. 1 to 3, like features are identified by like reference numerals and the description of these is not being repeated. Unlike the first example, the cabinet 10' has two telescopically extendable back legs 24a to be positioned inside the bathtub A and two telescopically extendable front legs 24b to be positioned outside the bathtub A. The water supply hosepipe 48 can be connected, for instance, to the faucet of the bathtub A, to the hosepipe of a hand-held shower or to a faucet of the standard sink. The front legs 24b have suction cup fasteners 56 for fixing the cabinet 10' to the outside surface of the bath. Rubber pads 58 are provided under the front and back legs 24a, 24b to add stability to the cabinet 10' and to prevent scratching of the bathtub A. The cabinet 10' is also convertible into a bench for its storage. The lid 13 is provided with a pipe storage area 52 and a fastener storage 54 accessible from the

exterior face of the lid 13 and closed by a hinged or sliding door. The pipe storage area 52 is used to store the water supply hosepipe 48 and the wastewater output 49 and the fastener storage 54 can be used to store the suction cup fasteners 56.

Fig. 5 shows the sink cabinet 10 of Figs. 1 to 3 when installed in a washroom and connected to a sink 60 and a toilet 62. In this case, the cabinet 10 is installed between the sink and toilet. The input of a pipe splitter 70 is connected to the faucet of the sink 60. The splitter 70 has two outputs, one connected to the water supply hosepipe 48 and one output has a valve 72. The wastewater output 49 is connected to a toilet seat 74 that replaces the standard seat of a typical home toilet. The toilet seat 74 receives the wastewater from the wastewater output 49 connected to a connector 76 provided on the side of the hinge of the toilet seat 74. The wastewater is then discharged in the toilet bowl through a spout 78.

Fig. 6 shows the toilet seat 74. It comprises a seat 88 and a toilet lid 86 both hinged to the toilet 62 using a water discharging body 82. The water discharging body 82 is fixed to the toilet 62 as a standard toilet seat would be, using fasteners 84. The water discharging body 82 comprises a T-shaped tube, the bar of which going across the toilet from side to side and having a connector 76 on each end to alternatively connect the wastewater output 49 or a cap 80 to close the end of the tube. The wastewater output 49 can thereby be connected on either side of the toilet 62. The post of the T-shaped tube opens over the toilet bowl to provide the spout 78 discharging the wastewater in the bowl.

In the illustrated example, the toilet lid 86 is hinged around the bar of the T-shaped tube and the seat 88 is hinged to the spout 78. Alternatively, the seat 88 could also be hinged to the bar of the T-shaped tube.

As can be appreciated, the cabinet as presented and described herein can be very useful in a bathroom to help in young kids' education to personal hygiene. It provides kids with an enjoyable and safe way of washing their hands using a wash basin and a faucet adapted to them. The freestanding cabinet can be conveniently installed over the standard bathtub or toilet bowl to use even less space. When not in use to wash hands, the cabinet can be converted into a bench, which also makes it more compact for its storage.

The embodiments of the invention described above are intended to be exemplary only. Variants and equivalents are possible. For example, the cabinet is not limited to include only the various parts as illustrated in the figures. The parts can be configured and disposed differently. The faucet can be simply in the form of a spout without a handle connected to a flow regulation valve. The faucet can also be a sensor activated faucet. A faucet can be purchased separately.

The support assembly can be constructed in a wide variety of alternate configurations. For instance, the bottom sections can be made wider than the top sections. They can also include two flat sections sliding side by side, the outer flat section having holes and the inner section having a retractable pin. The pins can be replaced by other equivalents such as oversized screws or arrangements including push buttons or the like. Alternatively, the support assembly can have a single telescopically extendible side member located in the center or in the back of the top body. It is noted that a large base is then required to provide more stability to the cabinet. Still, in an alternative embodiment, the mechanism for varying the height of the cabinet can be a track having nicks for setting the height of the cabinet. In another alternative embodiment, the support assembly can include four foldable legs, one hinged under each corner of the top body. The sink height position is obtained by standing the folding legs vertically, and the cabinet can be stored in a bench height position by folding the legs such that they lie under the top body. Consequently, such cabinet only has two height positions. While providing a height adjustment has many advantages, the cabinet can be provided without height adjustment, the upper surface of the top body being already at the desired height.

To fit over the side wall of a bathtub, each wide side member such as the ones shown in Fig. 1 can be provided with an opening between the front and the rear portion thereof.

The cross member is optional and can be connected to the bottom sections using screws or another fasteners instead of being integrally molded. Its bottom surface may not necessarily or entirely be in contact with the floor. Using more than one cross member is another possibility. The use of drawer in the cabinet is only optional. The wastewater output may simply be a drain hole or a rigid tube guiding the wastewater over the toilet bowl.

As aforesaid, other variants and equivalents are possible. The scope of the invention is therefore intended to be limited solely by the scope of the appended claims.