US4767922A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Hand presence activated water faucet controller
Assignee: Honeywell Inc
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Filing: 1986-08-25
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Granted: 1988-08-30
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Expires: 2006-08-25
Abstract
Abstract An automatic faucet control including a radiation emitter directing radiation into the area of a sink where hands are to be washed and a detector positioned to receive radiation reflected from the hands to activate the water supply. The flow of water terminates when the hands are removed.
Inventors
- 👤 Norman L. Stauffer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 19:27
CPC Classifications
E; E03; E03C; E03C1/00; E03C1/02; E03C1/05; E03C1/055; E03C1/057; G; G01; G01S; G01S17/00; G01S17/02; G01S17/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
128 words
Apparatus for detecting the presence of hands at a predetermined location in a sink so as to activate a water supply and to deactivate the water supply upon removal of the hands comprising: a source of radiation; cylindrical lens means directing radiation from the source to produce a band of radiation proximate to the predetermined location in the sink such that in the presence of hands at the predetermined location, radiation is reflected from the hands along a first axis but upon the removal of hands from the predetermined location the reflection of radiation along the first axis ceases; and control means positioned along the first axis to detect reflected radiation and operable in accordance therewith to produce a control signal to activate and deactivate the water supply.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
128 words
Apparatus for detecting the presence of hands at a predetermined location in a sink so as to activate a water supply and to deactivate the water supply upon removal of the hands comprising: a source of radiation; cylindrical lens means directing radiation from the source to produce a band of radiation proximate to the predetermined location in the sink such that in the presence of hands at the predetermined location, radiation is reflected from the hands along a first axis but upon the removal of hands from the predetermined location the reflection of radiation along the first axis ceases; and control means positioned along the first axis to detect reflected radiation and operable in accordance therewith to produce a control signal to activate and deactivate the water supply.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the control means includes radiation detecting means for viewing the predetermined location.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 further including opaque means mounted along the first axis to block a portion of the radiation reflected to prevent the detecting means from receiving radiation reflected from any stream of water flowing into the sink.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 further including means modulating the energy source and filter means connected to the control means to minimize ambient radiation in the control means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the control means includes radiation detecting means operable to produce an output upon receipt of radiation.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the control means further includes a rectifier connected to the radiation detecting means to rectify the output and a comparator connected to the rectifier to compare the signal to a predetermined signal to produce the control signal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 further including opaque means mounted between the source and the lens means to block a portion of the radiation to prevent radiation from being reflected from any stream of water flowing into the sink.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-08-30 | 1992-02-29 | 1992-08-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-08-30 | 1996-02-29 | 1996-08-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-08-30 | 2000-02-29 | 2000-08-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |