GB2612300A

GB2612300A - A stowable sink system for a vehicle and vehicle comprising a stowable sink system

Info

Publication number: GB2612300A
Application number: GB2114439.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Clews Paul
Original assignee: Alpha Mfg Hixon Ltd
Current assignee: Alpha Mfg Hixon Ltd
Priority date: 2021-10-08
Filing date: 2021-10-08
Publication date: 2023-05-03
Also published as: GB202114439D0

Abstract

A stowable sink system 100 for a vehicle, such as a lorry cab, comprising: a reservoir 110; a clamshell sink 120, comprising a first part 122, a second part 124, a tap 126; wherein the two parts are hinged to form the clamshell arrangement in which the two parts are moveable from a first closed position (figure 1C), to a second position with the two parts fixed open; wherein the tap is mounted on the sink such that in the first position it is concealed by the two parts and it is accessible in the second position; wherein the second part comprises a basin for holding water expelled from the tap; a mount 130, wherein the reservoir is mounted on top thereof; one or more moveable arms 140, wherein the sink is connected to the arms, and the arms are connected to the mount; wherein the arms enable transition between a stowed configuration and a deployed configuration via rotation of the arms relative to the mount and rotation of the sink relative to the arms; wherein when stowed the sink is located in a space next to the reservoir on top of the mount (figure 1D); wherein when deployed the sink is suspended away from the reservoir and the mount via the arms.

Description

TITLE

A stowable sink system for a vehicle and a vehicle comprising a stowable sink system.

TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a stowable sink system for a vehicle and a vehicle comprising a stowable sink system. Some relate to a stowable sink system for a vehicle and a vehicle comprising a stowable sink system in the automotive industry.

BACKGROUND

Some vehicles have facilities which can be used by drivers and passengers when they are on the road. For example a lorry cab may have a bed, TV, microwave and other facilities for use by the driver and passengers.

BRIEF SUMMARY

According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments there is provided a stowable sink system for a vehicle, comprising: a reservoir; a clamshell sink, comprising a first part, a second part, a tap; wherein the first part and the second part are hinged to form a clamshell arrangement in which the first part and the second part are moveable from a first position where the first part and the second part of the clamshell are closed, to a second position with the two halves of the clamshell open at a fixed position; wherein the tap is mounted on the sink such that in the first position it is concealed by the first part and the second part and it is accessible in the second position; wherein the second part comprises a basin for holding water expelled from the tap when the clamshell sink is in the second position; a mount, wherein the reservoir is mounted on top of the mount; one or more moveable arms, wherein the clamshell sink is connected to the one or more moveable arms, and the one or more moveable arms are connected to the mount; wherein the one or more moveable arms enable transition between a stowed configuration and a deployed configuration via rotation of the one or more arms relative to the mount and rotation of the clamshell sink relative to the one or more arms; wherein in the stowed configuration the clamshell sink is located in a space next to the reservoir on top of the mount; wherein in the deployed configuration the clamshell sink is suspended away from the reservoir and the mount via the one or more moveable arms.

In some, but not necessarily all, examples, the reservoir is configured to enable supply of hot and cold water to the tap, wherein the system comprises a cold water pipe and a hot water pipe for supplying hot and cold water from the reservoir to the tap.

In some, but not necessarily all, examples, the reservoir comprises a pump and a water tank, wherein the pump is configured to take water from the water tank and pump some water out of the reservoir for heating, pump some water directly out of the reservoir to provide cold water in the cold water pipe for the tap and also pumps water that has returned from being heated out of the reservoir in the hot water pipe for providing the hot water to the tap.

In some, but not necessarily all, examples, the reservoir has a closeable opening in the top of it for refilling the reservoir with water.

In some, but not necessarily all, examples, the reservoir has a hose connection on a wall of the reservoir for refilling the reservoir by hosepipe.

In some, but not necessarily all, examples, the mount is provided on two side supports on opposite sides of the mount.

In some, but not necessarily all, examples, the side supports comprises rails and the mount comprises means for sliding on the rails, to move the reservoir, clamshell sink and the one or more moveable arms relative to the side supports.

In some, but not necessarily all, examples, the one or more moveable arms are configured to self-stop in the deployed configuration to prevent further movement away from the stowed configuration.

In some, but not necessarily all, examples, the system comprises one or more gas struts connected to the one or more moveable arms, wherein the one or more gas struts are configured to provide a resistive force when the one or more moveable arms are moving from the stowed configuration to the deployed configuration, and wherein the one or more gas struts are configured to aid movement of the one or more moveable arms from the deployed configuration to the stowed configuration.

In some, but not necessarily all, examples, each of the one or more moveable arms comprises a pair of struts which are pivotally mounted at one end to the mount and are linked at the other end by pivoting links.

In some, but not necessarily all, examples, the second part of the clamshell sink comprises a handle for aiding in moving the clamshell sink from the stowed configuration to the deployed configuration and vice versa.

In some, but not necessarily all, examples, the sink comprises hose connected to the spout of the tap, wherein the spout of the tap is moveable from the handle of the tap with the hose connected to the spout of the tap to provide a shower hose.

In some, but not necessarily all, examples, the basin has a partially open back so that when the clamshell sink is moved from the second position to the first position any water in the basin falls out of the partially open back.

According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments there is provided a vehicle comprising the stowable sink system of any of the preceding thirteen paragraphs.

In some, but not necessarily all, examples, the stowable sink is located in a compartment on the side of the body of the vehicle.

In some, but not necessarily all, examples, the side supports are fixed to the compartment to enable sliding movement of the mount, reservoir, clamshell sink, the one more moveable arms into and at least partially out of the compartment.

In some, but not necessarily all, examples, the vehicle is a lorry cab.

According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments there is provided examples as claimed in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Some examples will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIG. 1A shows an example of the subject matter described herein; FIG. 1B shows an example of the subject matter described herein; FIG. 10 shows an example of the subject matter described herein; FIG. 1D shows an example of the subject matter described herein; FIG. lE shows an example of the subject matter described herein; FIG. 1F shows an example of the subject matter described herein; FIG. 1G shows an example of the subject matter described herein; FIG. 1H shows an example of the subject matter described herein; FIG. 2 shows an example of the subject matter described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1A illustrates an example stowable sink system 100 for a vehicle. The stowable sink system 100 comprises a reservoir 110, and a clamshell sink 120. The clamshell sink 120 comprises a first part 122, a second part 124 and a tap 126. The first part 122 and the second part 124 are hinged to form a clamshell arrangement in which the first part and the second part are movable from a first position where the first part and the second part of the clamshell are closed, to a second position with the two halves of the clamshell open at a fixed position. In FIG. 1A, the clamshell sink is shown in the second position 150. In FIGS. 10, 1D, 1E, 1G, the clamshell sink is shown in the first position 155.

The tap 126 is mounted on the sink such that in the first position 155 it is concealed by the first part 122 and the second part 124 and is accessible in the second position 150.

The second part 124 comprises a basin 125 for holding water expelled from the tap 126 when the clamshell sink 120 is in the second position 150.

The system 100 also comprises a mount 130. The reservoir 110 is mounted on top of the mount 130. The system 100 also comprises one or more movable arms 140. The clamshell sink 120 is connected to the one or more movable arms 140 and the one or more movable arms are connected to the mount 130.

In the example of FIGS. 1A to 1G the system comprises two movable arms 140.

The one or more movable arms 140 enable transition between a stowed configuration 170 and a deployed configuration 160 via rotation of the one or more arms 140 relative to the mount 130 and rotation of the clamshell sink 120 relative to the one or more arms 140.

In the stowed configuration 170, illustrated in FIGS. 1D, 1E, the clamshell sink 120 is located in a space 175 next to the reservoir 110 and on top of the mount 130.

In the deployed configuration 160 the clamshell sink 120 is suspended away from the reservoir 110 and the mount 130 via the one or more movable arms 140.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1A to 1G, the system 100 provides a stowable sink, which can be used in a vehicle. For example, the stowable sink can be stowed away in the stowed configuration 170 into a compartment of a vehicle along with the reservoir and then can be deployed from a compartment of a vehicle when it is to be used by moving the sink into the deployed configuration 160, where the sink 120 is suspended away from the mount 130 and the reservoir 120 and is also, in this example, suspended below the mount 130 and the reservoir 110.

In some examples the system 100 is configured so that the reservoir 110 enables supply of hot and cold water to the tap 126. In this example the system 100 comprises a cold water pipe and a hot water pipe, for supplying hot and cold water from the reservoir 110 to the tap 126. FIG. 1F shows clips 131 located on the mount 130 which are used to clip down the cold water pipe and the hot water pipe which is then led to the tap 126. The clamshell sink 120 comprises a connection point at the rear of the first part 122 to supply water from the hot and cold water pipes for supplying the water to the tap. The hot and cold water pipes may be, for example, flexible hoses.

The reservoir 110 can comprise a pump and a water tank. The pump is configured to take water from the water tank and pump some water out of the reservoir for heating, pump some water directly out of the reservoir to provide cold water in the cold water pipe for the tap and also pumps water that has returned from being heated out of the reservoir in the hot water pipe for providing the hot water to the tap 126.

The water that is pumped out of the reservoir 110 for heating can be heated via a heat exchanger provided in a vehicle which the system 100 can be installed in. In operation, the pump detects a drop in pressure when the tap 126 is turned on which triggers it to pump water so that water flows out of the tap 126. The tap 126 can be a mixer tap which can be used to mix different amounts of hot water and cold water from the hot and cold water pipes.

As illustrated in FIG. 1A, the reservoir 110 comprises a closable opening 190 on the top of it for refilling the reservoir 110 with water. As illustrated in FIG. 1A the reservoir 110 comprises a hose connection 192 on a wall of the reservoir 110 for refilling the reservoir 110 via a hosepipe.

In the example of FIG. 1A, the mount 130 is provided on two side supports 180, 182 on opposite sides of the mount 130.

The side supports 180, 182 in this example comprise rails and the mount 130 comprises means for sliding on the rails, to move the reservoir 110, clamshell sink 120 and the one or more movable arms 140 relative to the side supports 180, 182. For example, the mount 130 may comprise or be connected to rollers which slide along the rails.

In the examples shown, the second part 124 of the clamshell sink 120 comprises a handle 127. This aids the user in moving the sink from the stowed configuration 170 to the deployed configuration 160 and vice versa.

In some examples the sink 120 comprises a hose connected to the spout 128 of the tap. The spout 128 of the tap is movable from the tap handle 129 with the hose connected to the spout 128 of the tap to provide a shower hose which the user can use to help with washing.

As illustrated in FIG. 1G, the basin 125 has a partially open back 123 so that when the clamshell sink 120 is moved from the second position 150 to the first position 155 any water in the basin 125 falls out of the partially open back 123.

The one or more movable arms 140 are configured to self-stop in the deployed configuration 160 to prevent further movement away from the stowed configuration 170.

When the movable arms 140 are in the stowed configuration 170, they can also self-stop and prevent further movement away from the deployed configuration 160.

In some examples the system comprises one or more gas struts 142 which are connected to the one or more movable arms 140, as illustrated in FIG. 1H. The one or more gas struts 142 are configured to provide a resistive force when the one or more movable arms 140 are moving from the stowed configuration 170 to the deployed configuration 160. The one or more gas struts 142 are configured to aid movement of the one or more movable arms 140 from the deployed configuration 160 to the stowed configuration 170. This therefore avoids the clamshell sink 120 being deployed too quickly which could damage the mechanisms and may also provide a hazard to the user when deploying the stowable sink and also helps to stow the sink by reducing the force needed by the user to move the sink back into the stowed configuration 170.

As illustrated in FIG. 1H, the moveable arms 140 in this example each comprise a pair of struts, which are pivotally mounted at one end to the mount 130 and are linked at the other end by pivoting links 144. The struts have a U-shaped cross section, and are spaced so that they both pivotally rotate to move the clamshell sink 120 between the stowed configuration 170 and the deployed configuration 160. The struts self-stop in the deployed configuration 160 and the stowed configuration 170 as referred to above due to the legs of the u-shape for one strut abutting the legs of the u-shape of the other strut in each arm 140 in the stowed configuration 170 and the deployed configuration 160. The spacing of the pivotal connections on the mount 130 and the pivoting links 144 cause the legs of the u-shaped struts to move closer together as they approach the deployed configuration 160 and the stowed configuration 170.

In some examples, the position of the clamshell sink 120 in the deployed configuration 160 is adjustable. This enables the clamshell sink 120 to be deployed at different heights. For example, a locking pin, nut and bolt or other arrangement can be provided to prevent the u-shaped struts moving to the position in which the legs of the u-shaped struts abut in the deployed configuration 160 illustrated in the FIGS 1A-1G, but stops the moveable arms at an adjusted deployed configuration 160 in which the clamshell sink 120 is at a higher position than in the deployed configuration 160 illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1G.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example system 100. Parts of the casing of the reservoir 110 have been removed to show the water tank 200 and the pump 210 of the reservoir 110.

In some examples a vehicle comprising the stowable sink system 100 as described above is provided.

The stowable sink system 100 can be located in a compartment on the side of the body of the vehicle.

The side supports 180, 182 can be fixed to the interior of the compartment to enable sliding movement of the mount 130, reservoir 110, clamshell sink 120, the one or more movable arms 140 into and at least partially out of the compartment. This can, for example make the closable opening 190 accessible and the hose connection 192 more accessible, as well as providing further adjustment in position of the sink relative to the vehicle.

The examples provided above therefore provide a stowable sink which can be stowed in a compartment of the vehicle and then when it is deployed the sink is suspended away from the side of the vehicle to be suspended below the reservoir 110 and the mount 130.

In some examples the vehicle is a lorry cab.

Where a structural feature has been described, it may be replaced by means for performing one or more of the functions of the structural feature whether that function or those functions are explicitly or implicitly described.

The term comprise' is used in this document with an inclusive not an exclusive meaning. That is any reference to X comprising Y indicates that X may comprise only one Y or may comprise more than one Y. If it is intended to use 'comprise' with an exclusive meaning then it will be made clear in the context by referring to "comprising only one.." or by using "consisting".

In this description, reference has been made to various examples. The description of features or functions in relation to an example indicates that those features or functions are present in that example. The use of the term example' or 'for example' or 'can' or 'may' in the text denotes, whether explicitly stated or not, that such features or functions are present in at least the described example, whether described as an example or not, and that they can be, but are not necessarily, present in some of or all other examples. Thus 'example', 'for example', 'can' or 'may' refers to a particular instance in a class of examples. A property of the instance can be a property of only that instance or a property of the class or a property of a sub-class of the class that includes some but not all of the instances in the class. It is therefore implicitly disclosed that a feature described with reference to one example but not with reference to another example, can where possible be used in that other example as part of a working combination but does not necessarily have to be used in that other example.

Although examples have been described in the preceding paragraphs with reference to various examples, it should be appreciated that modifications to the examples given can be made without departing from the scope of the claims.

Features described in the preceding description may be used in combinations other than the combinations explicitly described above.

Although functions have been described with reference to certain features, those functions may be performable by other features whether described or not.

Although features have been described with reference to certain examples, those features may also be present in other examples whether described or not.

The term 'a or 'the' is used in this document with an inclusive not an exclusive meaning. That is any reference to X comprising a/the Y indicates that X may comprise only one Y or may comprise more than one Y unless the context clearly indicates the contrary. If it is intended to use 'a' or 'the' with an exclusive meaning then it will be made clear in the context. In some circumstances the use of 'at least one' or one or more' may be used to emphasis an inclusive meaning but the absence of these terms should not be taken to infer any exclusive meaning.

The presence of a feature (or combination of features) in a claim is a reference to that feature or (combination of features) itself and also to features that achieve substantially the same technical effect (equivalent features). The equivalent features include, for example, features that are variants and achieve substantially the same result in substantially the same way. The equivalent features include, for example, features that perform substantially the same function, in substantially the same way to achieve substantially the same result.

In this description, reference has been made to various examples using adjectives or adjectival phrases to describe characteristics of the examples. Such a description of a characteristic in relation to an example indicates that the characteristic is present in some examples exactly as described and is present in other examples substantially as described.

Whilst endeavoring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features believed to be of importance it should be understood that the Applicant may seek protection via the claims in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not emphasis has been placed thereon.

I/we claim:

Claims

CLAIMS1. A stowable sink system for a vehicle, comprising: a reservoir; a clamshell sink, comprising a first part, a second part, a tap; wherein the first part and the second part are hinged to form a clamshell arrangement in which the first part and the second part are moveable from a first position where the first part and the second part of the clamshell are closed, to a second position with the two halves of the clamshell open at a fixed position; wherein the tap is mounted on the sink such that in the first position it is concealed by the first part and the second part and it is accessible in the second position; wherein the second part comprises a basin for holding water expelled from the tap when the clamshell sink is in the second position; a mount, wherein the reservoir is mounted on top of the mount; one or more moveable arms, wherein the clamshell sink is connected to the one or more moveable arms, and the one or more moveable arms are connected to the mount; wherein the one or more moveable arms enable transition between a stowed configuration and a deployed configuration via rotation of the one or more arms relative to the mount and rotation of the clamshell sink relative to the one or more arms; wherein in the stowed configuration the clamshell sink is located in a space next to the reservoir on top of the mount; wherein in the deployed configuration the clamshell sink is suspended away from the reservoir and the mount via the one or more moveable arms.
2. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the reservoir is configured to enable supply of hot and cold water to the tap, wherein the system comprises a cold water pipe and a hot water pipe for supplying hot and cold water from the reservoir to the tap.
3. A system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the reservoir comprises a pump and a water tank, wherein the pump is configured to take water from the water tank and pump some water out of the reservoir for heating, pump some water directly out of the reservoir to provide cold water in the cold water pipe for the tap and also pumps water that has returned from being heated out of the reservoir in the hot water pipe for providing the hot water to the tap.
4. A system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the reservoir has a closeable opening in the top of it for refilling the reservoir with water.
5. A system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the reservoir has a hose connection on a wall of the reservoir for refilling the reservoir by hosepipe.
6. A system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the mount is provided on two side supports on opposite sides of the mount.
7. A system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the side supports comprises rails and the mount comprises means for sliding on the rails, to move the reservoir, clamshell sink and the one or more moveable arms relative to the side supports.
8. A system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the one or more moveable arms are configured to self-stop in the deployed configuration to prevent further movement away from the stowed configuration.
9. A system as claimed in claim 8, wherein the system comprises one or more gas struts connected to the one or more moveable arms, wherein the one or more gas struts are configured to provide a resistive force when the one or more moveable arms are moving from the stowed configuration to the deployed configuration, and wherein the one or more gas struts are configured to aid movement of the one or more moveable arms from the deployed configuration to the stowed configuration.
10. A system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein each of the one or more moveable arms comprises a pair of struts which are pivotally mounted at one end to the mount and are linked at the other end by pivoting links.
11. A system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the second part of the clamshell sink comprises a handle for aiding in moving the clamshell sink from the stowed configuration to the deployed configuration and vice versa.
12. A system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the sink comprises hose connected to the spout of the tap, wherein the spout of the tap is moveable from the handle of the tap with the hose connected to the spout of the tap to provide a shower hose.
13. A system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the basin has a partially open back so that when the clamshell sink is moved from the second position to the first position any water in the basin falls out of the partially open back.
14. A vehicle comprising the stowable sink system of any preceding claim.
15. A vehicle as claimed in claim 14, wherein the stowable sink is located in a compartment on the side of the body of the vehicle.
16. A vehicle as claimed in claim 15, when dependent upon claim 7, wherein the side supports are fixed to the compartment to enable sliding movement of the mount, reservoir, clamshell sink, the one more moveable arms into and at least partially out of the compartment.
17. A vehicle as claimed in any of claims 14 to 16, wherein the vehicle is a lorry cab.