Portable basin assembly and method of use thereof

Abstract

A portable basin assembly and methods of use thereof are provided. The portable basin assembly includes a frame configured to convey the assembly along a support surface; a basin having a waste mounted atop the frame; at least one water outlet for directing a flow of water into the basin; and a mounting system for mounting at least one of a waste water tank and a clean water tank to the assembly. The mounting system includes: a docking interface for docking with and fluidly connecting at least one of the waste water tank to receive water from the waste of the basin and the clean water tank for providing a source of clean water; and at least one alignment member for aligning the at least one of the waste water tank and the clean water tank relative to the frame and the docking interface.

Claims

1. A portable basin assembly comprising: a frame; a basin having a waste mounted atop the frame; at least one water outlet for directing a flow of water into the basin; and a mounting system for mounting at least one of a waste water tank and a clean water tank to the assembly, said mounting system comprising: a docking interface for docking with a receiving interface provided on the at least one of the waste water tank and the clean water tank and fluidly connecting at least one of the waste water tank to receive water from the waste of the basin and the clean water tank for providing a source of clean water; and at least one alignment member for aligning the at least one of the waste water tank and the clean water tank relative to the frame and the receiving interface of the at least one of the waste water tank and the clean water tank relative to the docking interface for docking when the at least one of the waste water tank and the clean water tank is mounted relative to the assembly, said at least one alignment member comprising a pair of opposed protruding ridges protruding inwards from an inner surface of a front end and opposed rear end of the frame for aligning relative to and being at least partially received in corresponding grooves defined along opposed sidewalls of at least one of the waste water tank and the clean water tank.

2. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising one or more panels mounted on an upper surface and front and rear ends of the frame.

3. The assembly of claim 2, further comprising the clean water tank for providing the source of clean water and the waste water tank for receiving water from the waste of the basin.

4. The assembly of claim 3, wherein each of the tanks further comprises a side panel mounted thereon configured to form a housing for the assembly together with the one or more panels mounted on the upper surface and front and rear ends of the frames.

5. The assembly of claim 3, wherein the docking interface is configured to dock with, and fluidly connect with the receiving interface of the clean water tank.

6. The assembly of claim 5, wherein the receiving interface comprises an outlet opening and the docking interface comprises a water inlet connectable to the outlet opening for forming a fluid-tight connection.

7. The assembly of claim 6, wherein the water inlet comprises a male connection fitting connectable to female connection fitting associated with the outlet opening.

8. The assembly of claim 6, wherein, in use, when the clean water tank is aligned and slid, or rolled, into the assembly, the male connection fitting of the water inlet is inserted into the female connection fitting of the outlet opening thereby allowing a source of clean water to exit the tank via the outlet opening and be conveyed to the at least one water outlet via pump.

9. The assembly of claim 6, wherein the at least one alignment member aligns the clean water tank relative to the frame and the docking interface and the waste water tank relative to the frame.

10. The assembly of claim 9, wherein the corresponding grooves are defined along opposed sidewalls of the clean water tank and the waste water tank.

11. The assembly of claim 10, wherein the at least one alignment member further comprises a pair of protrusions protruding from the docking interface on opposing sides of the water inlet.

12. The assembly of claim 11, wherein the pair of protrusions are mounted to a base mount mounted to the docking interface and the protrusions are slidable relative to the base mount between retracted and extended positions.

13. The assembly of claim 12, wherein the pair of protrusions are configured to align relative to and be at least partially received in corresponding depressions formed in, or defined on, the receiving interface of the clean water tank when the tank is fully rolled, or slid, into the assembly.

14. The assembly of claim 13, wherein the protrusions retract from the extended position to the retracted position as the tank is rolled, or slid, into the assembly.

15. The assembly of claim 14, wherein movement of the protrusions from the extended position to the retracted position at least partially dampens sliding or rolling of the tank into engagement with the docking interface.

16. The assembly of claim 11, further comprising a retaining mechanism for retaining engagement between the docking interface and the receiving interface.

17. The assembly of claim 16, wherein the retaining mechanism comprises a sliding plate operatively associated with the receiving interface and configured to hook behind shoulders of the pair of protrusions of the docking interface to retain the docking interface in engagement with the receiving interface.

18. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the mounting system is configured to fluidly connect the clean water tank with the at least one water outlet and the waste water tank with the waste of the basin.

19. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the mounting system is configured to enable the waste water tank and the clean water tank to be slid or rolled into, or out of, the frame of the assembly.

20. A method of mounting at least one of a waste water tank and a clean water tank to a portable basin assembly, said method comprising: aligning and moving the tank relative to the assembly such that the tank at least partially abuts with at least one alignment member of a mounting system of the portable basin assembly for alignment of the tank relative to a frame and a receiving interface of the tank relative to a docking interface of the assembly, said at least one alignment member comprising a pair of opposed protruding ridges protruding inwards from an inner surface of a front end and opposed rear end of the frame for aligning relative to and being at least partially received in corresponding grooves defined along opposed sidewalls of the at least one of the waste water tank and the clean water tank; and pressing the tank into the docking interface for docking the receiving interface with the docking interface and fluidly connecting at least one of the waste water tank to receive waste water from a waste of a basin of the assembly and the clean water tank for providing a source of clean water.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

(1) Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows:

(2) FIG. 1 is an upper perspective view of a portable basin assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention;

(3) FIG. 2 is a front view of the portable basin assembly as shown in FIG. 1;

(4) FIG. 3 is an upper perspective view of the portable basin assembly as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 with the housing removed to show the fitted waste water and clean water tanks;

(5) FIG. 4 is a front view of the portable basin assembly as shown in FIG. 3;

(6) FIG. 5 is a top view of the portable basin assembly as shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 with the housing, basin and water outlet removed;

(7) FIG. 6 is an upper perspective, sectional view of the portable basin assembly as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 with the tanks removed;

(8) FIG. 7 is a sectional view of part of a docking interface, a receiving interface and a retaining mechanism of the assembly for docking and fluidly connecting the tanks to the assembly; and

(9) FIG. 8 is a view of part of the receiving interface and retaining mechanism of the assembly shown in FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(10) FIGS. 1 to 8 show a portable basin assembly (100) and parts thereof according to an embodiment of the present invention.

(11) Referring to FIG. 1, the portable basin assembly (100) includes a frame (110; not visible); a basin (130) having a waste (140) mounted atop the frame (110; not visible); at least one water outlet in the form of an applicator (150) and hose (152) for directing a flow of water into the basin (130); at least one waste water tank (310; not visible) and at least one clean water tank (410; not visible); and a mounting system (210; not visible) for mounting the waste water tank (310; not visible) and the clean water tank (410; not visible) to the assembly (100).

(12) Referring briefly to FIG. 3, the frame (110) is formed from metal.

(13) The frame (110) defines an upper surface (112) atop which the basin (130) is mounted, an opposed lower surface (114), a front end (115), an opposed rear end (116) and opposed sides (118) of the assembly (100).

(14) The frame (110) is formed from a plurality of frame members (120) joined together. Specifically, the frame (110) includes a lower pair of longitudinally extending frame members (122) extending between the opposed sides (118) and defining the lower surface (114) and an upper pair of longitudinally extending frame members (124) extending between the opposed sides (118) and defining the upper surface (112).

(15) The lower and upper pairs of longitudinally extending frame members (122, 124) together define the front and rear ends (115, 116).

(16) Each pair of longitudinally extending frame members (122, 124) is joined together by one or more transversely extending cross frame members (126).

(17) Further, the pairs of longitudinally extending frame members (122, 124) are joined to one another by vertical frame members (128) defining a height of the frame (110).

(18) The various frame members (120) are joined together using conventional means, such as, e.g., one or more mechanical fasteners and joining components.

(19) The frame members (120) are each of a tubular construction with a substantially rectangular cross section.

(20) Referring back to FIG. 1, the frame (110; not visible) includes one or more feet (160) for supporting the frame (110; not visible) and other components of the assembly (100) atop a support surface.

(21) The feet (160) are mounted to the lower surface (114) of the frame (110; not visible). The frame (110; not visible) includes four feet (160) with each foot (160) being located at or near a corner of the frame (110; not visible).

(22) Each foot (160) is height adjustable, for example by rotating the foot (160) relative to the frame (110).

(23) As shown, the assembly (100) further includes a housing (170) having one or more panels (172) mounted to the frame (110; not visible) for concealing internal features of the assembly (100) and/or providing a desired aesthetic look.

(24) The panels (172) are made of wood, plastic or metal material or materials and are fastened to the frame (110; not visible) with one or more mechanical fasteners as known in the art.

(25) Referring again briefly to FIG. 3, the frame (110) and the housing (170; not shown) of the assembly (100) together define opposing tank receiving bays (180) located at each side (118) of the frame (110) each configured to receive a tank (310, 410) therein.

(26) Referring again to FIG. 1, the basin (130) is a ceramic basin.

(27) The basin (130) includes a base (132) having the waste (140), a rim (134) and at least one sidewall (136) extending upwardly from the base (132) to the rim (134). The rim (134) extends from an upper portion of the at least one sidewall (136) and extends along an edge of the at least one sidewall (136).

(28) The waste (140) is centrally located within the base (132).

(29) As shown, the rim (134) and/or the at least one sidewall (136) of the basin (130) further define at least one recessed rim portion (135). The at least one recessed rim portion (135) is sized and shaped to receive or at least partially accommodate the back of a neck of a person having his or her hair washed or rinsed in the basin (130).

(30) Referring to FIG. 2, the basin (130) is mounted atop the frame (110; not visible) near one of the opposed sides (118) of the frame (110; not visible).

(31) The basin (130) is pivotally mounted atop the frame (110; not visible) such that the basin (130) is tiltable about a vertical axis and so that the basin (130) is tiltable towards and away from a person having his or her hair rinsed and/or washed.

(32) As indicated, at least one water outlet in the form of an applicator (150) and hose (152) is operatively associated with the basin (130). The applicator (150) and hose (152) are in fluid communication with the clean water tank (410; not visible) containing a source of clean water via a pump (610; shown in FIG. 6) and a water regulating arrangement (620; shown in FIG. 6) configured to maintain a flow of clean water into the basin (130) at a desired temperature.

(33) Referring to FIG. 1, the flow of water through the applicator (150) and hose (152) is selectively controlled by selective control of the pump (610; shown in FIG. 6). In this regard, a push button (154) provided in the basin (130) and operatively associated with the pump (610; shown in FIG. 6) is configured to activate and deactivate the pump (610; shown in FIG. 6) and thereby selectively control the flow of water through the applicator (150) and hose (152).

(34) Referring to FIG. 4 and as indicated, the assembly (100) includes at least one waste water tank (310) and at least one clean water tank (410).

(35) Each tank (310, 410) is formed of plastic and has a cuboidal shape.

(36) The tanks (310, 410) are configured to be fully received within the frame (110) via the mounting system (210), which will be described later. The tanks (310, 410) are arranged in a side-by-side arrangement with the waste water tank (310) positioned beneath the waste (140; not visible) for fluidly receiving waste water therefrom.

(37) Each tank (310, 410) includes a base wall (312, 412), an opposed upper wall (313, 413) and four sidewalls extending therebetween. The four sidewalls include an inner sidewall (314, 414) configured to be received first in the assembly (100), an opposed outer sidewall (316, 416) and opposed side sidewalls (318, 418).

(38) Referring briefly to FIG. 3, each tank (310, 410) has a side panel (174) mounted to the outer sidewall (316, 416) with one or more mechanical and/or chemical fasteners. As shown in FIG. 1, the side panel (174) sits flush with a remainder of the housing (170) of the assembly (100) when the tank (310; not visible) to which the panel (174) is mounted is fully received within the frame (110; not visible) of the assembly (100).

(39) Referring to FIG. 5, at least the waste water tank (310) includes a first inlet opening (320) for receiving waste water from the waste (140; not shown) of the basin (130; not shown). The first inlet opening (320) is defined in the upper wall (313) of the tank (310).

(40) In use, the first inlet opening (320) aligns with the waste (140; not shown) of the basin (130; not shown) and/or a passage, pipe or tubing extending therefrom so that waste water can readily drain into the tank (310) from the waste (140; not visible) of the basin (130; not visible) via the first inlet opening (320).

(41) Referring briefly to FIGS. 7 and 8, the clean water tank (410; shown only in FIG. 7) includes an outlet opening (420) in the form of a female quick connect fitting for providing a flow of clean water to the at least one water outlet. The outlet opening (420) is located on a lower portion of the inner sidewall (414; shown only in FIG. 7) near the base wall (412; shown only in FIG. 7).

(42) Best shown in FIG. 8, the female quick connect fitting (420) includes at least one sealing member to facilitate engagement of the outlet opening (420) when the tank (410; shown only in FIG. 7) is mounted via the mounting system (210). This will be described in detail later.

(43) Further, the female quick connect fitting of the outlet opening (420) includes a valve (not visible) for closing the outlet opening (420) when not fluidly connected to the assembly (100).

(44) Referring to FIG. 2, each of the tanks (310, 410; not visible) includes four caster wheels (280) mounted to an underside of the base wall (312, 412; not visible) for moving each tank (310, 410; not visible) along a support surface and for sliding the tanks (310, 410; not visible) into and out of engagement with the assembly (100) via the mounting system (210; not visible).

(45) Advantageously, the assembly (100) can be conveyed across the support surface by the wheels (280) mounted to the underside of each tank (310, 410; not visible). In such embodiments, the feet (160) mounted to the frame (110; not visible) are raised prior to moving the assembly (100) and then lowered to re-engage the support surface once the assembly (100) is parked in a desired location.

(46) Referring to FIG. 6 and as mentioned, the assembly (100) includes a mounting system (210) for mounting at least one waste water tank (310; not visible) and at least one clean water tank (410; not visible) to the assembly (100).

(47) The mounting system (210) mounts the waste water tank (310; not visible) to the assembly (100) such that the first inlet opening (320; not visible) is positioned beneath the waste (140; not shown) of the basin (130) for receiving waste water.

(48) The mounting system (210) mounts the clean water tank (410; not visible) to the assembly (100) so that the outlet opening (420; not visible) is in fluid communication with the applicator (150; not shown) and hose (152) of the at least one water outlet for directing a flow of water into the basin (130).

(49) Referring to FIG. 7, the mounting system (210) includes a docking interface (220) for docking with a receiving interface (430) provided on the clean water tank (410) and fluidly connecting the clean water tank (410) to the assembly (100).

(50) The receiving interface (430) includes the outlet opening (420) as previously described. The docking interface (220) includes a water inlet (222) configured to mate with and connect to the outlet opening (420) of the receiving interface (430).

(51) Referring briefly to FIG. 8, the water inlet (222; not shown) and the outlet opening (420) are connectable by a quick connect fitting arrangement. The water inlet (222; not shown) includes a male quick connect fitting and the outlet opening (420) includes female quick connect fitting connectable to the male quick connect fitting of the water inlet (222; not shown) for fluidly connecting them together.

(52) Referring back to FIG. 7, the water inlet (222) include one or more sealing members extending at least partially about the plug formation, such as, e.g., washers, to form a fluid-tight seal when inserted into the outlet opening (420).

(53) In use, when the clean water tank (410) is aligned and rolled into the assembly (100), the water inlet (222) of the docking interface (210) is inserted into the outlet opening (420) of the tank (410) thereby allowing the source of clean water to exit the tank (410) via the outlet opening (420) and be conveyed to the at least one water outlet via the pump (610; shown in FIG. 6) and the water regulating arrangement (620; shown in FIG. 6).

(54) The docking interface (220) further includes a bracket (224) on which the water inlet (222) is mounted. The bracket (224) includes a stepped central portion on which the water inlet (222) is be mounted so that the water inlet (222) protrudes forward of the docking interface (220) for at least partial insertion into the corresponding outlet opening (420) of the tank (410).

(55) The mounting system (210) further includes alignment members for aligning both the waste water tank (310) and the clean water tank (410) relative to the frame (110; not shown) and for aligning the clean water tank (410) relative to the docking interface (220).

(56) Referring briefly to FIG. 4, alignment members in the form of two pairs of opposed protruding ridges are provided on an inner surface of the front and rear ends (115, 116). The protruding ridges protrude inwards and extend at least partially across a central portion of the inner surfaces of both the front and rear ends (115, 116) of the assembly (100).

(57) Corresponding grooves (230) are defined at least partially along the opposed side sidewalls (318, 418) of the tanks (310, 410) and extending from the inner sidewalls (314, 414) at least partially towards the outer sidewalls (316, 416).

(58) In use, the grooves (230) are configured to align relative to and at least partially receive the protruding ridges when the tanks (310, 410) are inserted into the assembly (100) to thereby align the tanks (310, 410) relative to the assembly (100).

(59) Referring to FIG. 6, further alignment members in the form of protrusions (240) protrude outwards from the docking interface (220) and a central divide between the tanks (310, 410; not shown).

(60) Referring to FIG. 7, the protrusions (240) are configured to align relative to and be at least partially received within corresponding depressions formed in the receiving interface (430) of the clean water tank (410) and the inner sidewall (314) of the waste water tank (310), when the tanks (310, 410) are fully rolled into the assembly (100).

(61) Each protrusion (240) includes a pair of opposed ends and an elongate body extending therebetween.

(62) The pair of opposed ends include a proximal end (242) slidably mounted to the docking interface (220) or the central divide and an opposed distal end (244).

(63) The elongate body includes a cylindrical proximal portion (243) and a conical distal portion (245) that tapers towards the distal end (244). The proximal portion (243) and the distal portion (245) are delineated by a shoulder (246) of greater diameter than the proximal portion (243).

(64) Each protrusion (240) is slidable between a retracted position and an extended position. Each protrusion (240) is spring-mounted so that movement to the retracted position works against the force of a biasing member in the form of a coil spring mounted about the proximal portion (243) between the docking interface or central divide and the shoulder (246) of the protrusion (240).

(65) As indicated, each protrusion (240) is configured to align relative to and be at least partially received in corresponding depressions formed in or defined on the receiving interface (430) or the inner sidewall (314) of the clean water tank (410) and the waste water tank (310), respectively, when the tanks (310, 410) are fully rolled into the assembly (100).

(66) In addition to aligning the tanks (310, 410) relative to the frame (110; not shown) and the docking interface (220), the protrusions (240) additionally function to dampen the rolling of the tanks (310, 410) into engagement and prevent inadvertent damage.

(67) As indicated above, the clean water tank (410) includes the receiving interface (430) for mating with the docking interface (220) of the mounting system (210) of the assembly (100) and fluidly connecting the tank (410) to the assembly (100).

(68) The receiving interface (430) is defined on the inner sidewall (414) of the tank (410) at or near the base wall (412; not shown) for engagement with the corresponding docking interface (220).

(69) The receiving interface (430) includes the outlet opening (420) connectable to the water inlet (222) of the docking interface (220) as well as the corresponding depressions for receiving the protrusions (240).

(70) The assembly (100) further includes a retaining mechanism for retaining engagement between the docking interface (220) and the retaining interface (430) as well as between the waste water tank (310) and the protrusions (240) extending from the central divide.

(71) The retaining mechanism includes a sliding plate (510) operatively associated with the receiving interface (430) of the clean water tank (410) and a portion of the inner side wall (314) of the waste water tank (310) and configured to hook around the shoulder (246) of the corresponding protrusions (240) to retain engagement between the tanks (310, 410) and the assembly (100).

(72) Each sliding plate (510) includes a pair of notches (512) defined in an upper edge configured to each fit around the cylindrical proximal portion (243) of a corresponding protrusion (240) behind the shoulder (246) to retain engagement between the sliding plate (510) and the protrusion (240).

(73) Each sliding plate (510) is slidably mounted in a vertical orientation and vertically slidable from a raised engagement position to a lowered release position. The sliding plate (510) is biased into the raised engagement position by one or more biasing mechanisms or members. Movement of the sliding plate (510) to the release position works against the force of the one or more biasing mechanisms or members.

(74) Referring to FIG. 6, an actuating mechanism in the form of an operable handle and cable arrangement (520) is operatively associated with each sliding plate (510) and configured to slidably move the sliding plate (510) to the release position.

(75) A first end of a cable (522) of the arrangement (520) is operatively associated with a lower edge of the sliding plate (510) and an opposed second end of the cable (522) is operatively associated with an operable handle (524) of the arrangement (520).

(76) In use, movement of the operable handle (524) applies tension to the cable (522) and causes the sliding plate (510) to slide at least partially towards the release position against the biasing force thereby release any retained protrusion (240). When the operable handle (524) is released, the tension is released, and the sliding plate (510) slides back to the engagement position under the force of the biasing force.

(77) As shown, the cable (522) extends from the first end operatively associated with the lower edge of each sliding plate (510) underneath the base wall (312, 412; not shown) of the tanks (310, 410; not shown) and at least partially along the outer sidewall (316, 416; not shown) of the tanks (310, 410; not shown) to a height corresponding to a height of the operable handle (524) mounted thereon. The cable (522) extends between the outer side wall (316, 416; not shown) of each tank (310, 410) and the side panel (174) mounted thereon to a height of the operable handle (524) mounted to the side panel (174).

(78) Referring again to FIG. 8, in some embodiments, the female quick connect fitting of the outlet opening (420) is operatively associated with the sliding plate (510) of the retaining mechanism such that movement of the sliding plate (510) to the release position also disengages or disassociates the female quick connect fitting of the outlet opening (420) from the male quick connect fitting of the water inlet (222; not shown).

(79) Specifically, and as shown, movement of the sliding plate (510) into the release position causes the sliding plate (510) to come into contact with, and depress or move, at least part of a release actuating member or mechanism of the female quick connect fitting thereby causing release of the male quick connect fitting.

(80) As shown, the sliding plate (510) includes a central opening (515) through which the outlet opening (420) at least partially extends and is mounted thereto for at least partial movement therewith between the release and engagement positions.

(81) Referring back to FIG. 1, the assembly (100) further includes a touch screen interface (900) for controlling operation of at least the pump (i.e., flowrate) and the water regulating arrangement (i.e., water temperature). The touch screen interface (900) further includes a display for displaying operating information of the assembly (100), such as, e.g., the water level in the tanks (310, 410; not shown), the water temperature and/or the flow rate.

(82) In the present specification and claims (if any), the word comprising and its derivatives including comprises and comprise include each of the stated integers but does not exclude the inclusion of one or more further integers.

(83) Reference throughout this specification to one embodiment or an embodiment means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearance of the phrases in one embodiment or in an embodiment in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more combinations.

(84) In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims (if any) appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art.