Remote controlled faucet

Claim 2

A remote controlled faucet having a nozzle defining a water discharge flow path, valve assembly means adapted for attachment to the nozzle within the flow path, said valve assembly means including a valve member and drive means for selectively displacing the valve member into the flow path, sending means located distant from the valve assembly for transmitting wireless radio control signals, said valve assembly including receiving means in communication with the sending means, said drive means being actuatable in response to said signals, said sending means including a foot pedal hingedly mounted to a base member having a sloped surface, the foot pedal being resiliently urged away from the sloped surface and yieldably displaceable toward the surface for completing a circuit to actuate the sending means.

Claim 3

A remote controlled faucet as claimed in claim 1 wherein the receiving means is adapted to generate command signals to the drive means.

Claim 4

A remote controlled faucet as claimed in claim 2 wherein the drive means includes a motor.

Claim 5

A remote controlled faucet as claimed in claim 3 wherein the valve assembly defines a passageway for confining the discharge flow path.

Claim 6

A remote controlled faucet as claimed in claim 4 wherein the valve member is slidably mounted for rectilinear displacement into the passageway.

Claim 7

A remote controlled faucet as claimed in claim 4 wherein the receiving means is selectively deactivatable for optional manual operation of the faucet.

Claim 8

A remote controlled faucet as claimed in claim 4 wherein the sending means is adapted for foot operation.

Claim 9

A remote controlled faucet as claimed in claim 7 wherein the sending means is actuatable by at least one of foot pressure and foot position.

Claim 10

A remote controlled faucet as claimed in claim 7 wherein the sending means is adapted for transmitting multiple control signals to the receiving unit.

Claim 11

A remote controlled faucet as claimed in claim 1 further including coupling means for securing the valve assembly to the faucet nozzle for retrofit installation.

Claim 12

A remote controlled faucet having a nozzle defining a water discharge flow path, valve assembly means adapted for selective attachment to the nozzle, said valve assembly means defining a longitudinal passageway for providing a continuous flow path from the nozzle to a discharge opening, said valve assembly means further including a valve member, drive means for engaging the valve member and selectively displacing the valve member into said passageway for intercepting the flow path, said drive means being activated by a remote sending unit, said sending unit being foot actuable for transmitting a radio signal, a receiving unit in communication with the sending unit, said receiving unit being adapted for transmitting command signals to actuate the drive means, the valve assembly means further including switch means, said switch means being adapted for deactivating the drive means and for retaining the valve member without the passageway to provide optional manual operation of the faucet.

Claim 13

A remote controlled faucet having a nozzle defining a water discharge flow path, valve assembly means adapted for selective attachment to the nozzle, said valve assembly means defining a longitudinal passageway for providing a continuous flow path from the nozzle to a discharge opening, said valve assembly means further including a valve member, drive means for engaging the valve member and selectively displacing the valve member into said passageway for intercepting the flow path, said drive means being activated by a remote sending unit, said sending unit being foot actuable for transmitting a radio signal, a receiving unit in communication with the sending unit, said receiving unit being adapted for transmitting command signals to actuate the drive means, the valve assembly means further including switch means, said switch means being adapted for deactivating the drive means and for retaining the valve member without the passageway to provide optional manual operation of the faucet.

Claim 14

A remote controlled faucet as claimed in claim 1 wherein the sending unit is positionable within an operating distance of approximately five feet from the receiving unit for radio communication without external antennas.

Claim 15

A remote controlled faucet as claimed in claim 1 wherein the sending unit is operable by the application of foot pressure, said use of foot pressure being adapted for completing a circuit to actuate the sending unit.

Claim 16

A remote controlled faucet as claimed in claim 13 wherein the sending unit includes a foot pedal hingedly mounted to a base member, said base member having an inclined surface, said foot pedal being resiliently urged away from said inclined surface and being yieldably displaceable toward the inclined surface for completing a circuit for actuating the sending unit.

Claim 17

A remote controlled faucet as claimed in claim 11 wherein the drive means includes a pinion gear, said valve member includes a gear rack wherein said pinion gear engages the gear rack for displacing the valve member.

Claim 18

A remote controlled faucet as claimed in claim 15 wherein the valve member is rectilinearly displaceable for coaction with a recessed portion of the passageway to provide sealing engagement.

Claim 19

A remote controlled faucet as claimed in claim 11 further including a coupler member, said coupler member being threaded at opposite ends, one end of said coupler member being adapted for threadable engagement with the nozzle and an opposite end of said coupler being engageable with the valve assembly means.