US3228568A

US3228568A - Counter-attachable beverage dispenser

Info

Publication number: US3228568A
Application number: US403212A
Authority: US
Inventors: Herman H Harr
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1964-10-12
Filing date: 1964-10-12
Publication date: 1966-01-11
Anticipated expiration: 1983-01-11

Description

Jan. 11, 1966 H. H. HARR COUNTER-ATTACHABLE BEVERAGE DISPENSER Filed Oct. 12, 1964 FIG.

INVENTOR. HERMAN H. HARR ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,228,568 COUNTER-ATTACHABLE BEVERAGE DISPENSER Herman H. Harr, 238 Fells Road, Essex Fells, NJ. Filed Oct. 12, 1964, Ser. No. 403,212 Claims. (Cl. 222-183) This invention deals with a dispenser which is attachable to a fountain counter and which is used for dispensing carbonated or uncarbonated beverages. More specifically, it relates to a dispenser having a relatively high hollow frame base with an opening for egress of the beverage concentrate or syrup discharge tube, and a support means which combines the features of a lateral positioner and support for said frame, as well as a support for the faucet.

In copending application Serial No. 324,069, filed on November 15, 1963, by Herman H. Harr, now Patent No. 3,204,830, there is described a drink dispenser counter attachment having a low frame designed to hold beverage concentrate flowing from an inverted bottle of concentrate disposed thereover. Attached to this frame is a support therefor as well as for the faucet used for dispensing the beverage. The faucet is designed to dispense either carbonated or uncarbonated water alone, or a mixture of syrup and water. The dispenser described herein is designed to be used with a faucet of this type. However, the present dispenser affords a number of valuable features not enjoyed by that disclosed in the aforesaid application. For example, the beverages are dispensed above the counter. Also, a much simpler and yet sturdier support is provided having multiple utility features.

The invention will be more readily understood by reference to the accompanying drawing in which a preferred embodiment is described, and in which FIGURE 1 presents a side elevational view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, in condition to receive an inverted bottle of syrup, when it is ready for the dispensing of beverages. FIGURE 2 illustrates a top or plan view of the embodiment shown in FIGURE 1, minus the faucet, while FIGURE 3 depicts a bottom view of the unit shown in FIGURE 2. FIGURE 4 shows an enlarged cross-sectional side elevational view of a portion of the dispenser taken along a plane along line 4-4 of FIGURE 1, with the faucet cut away. FIG- URE 5 illustrates a side View of the upper portion of a different embodiment of a mounting unit of the present invention, while FIGURE 6 depicts a side view thereof. FIGURE 7 shows a top or plan cross-sectional view of the upper clamp and housing portions of another embodiment, while FIGURE 8 presents a cross-sectional side view of the portion illustrated in FIGURE 7. The same numerals refer to similar parts in the various figures.

Referring again to the drawing, numeral 10 represents a hollow shell frame or base, made of a hard plastic, metal, or the like, and having a centrally disposed indentation or corrugation 11 serving as a stop for concentrate receptacle 12, and for strengthening said frame. The concentrate receptacle has a closed bottom 13 provided with an outlet nipple 14. The upper portion of receptacle 12 is open, and its upper edge is provided with a resilient bumper channel strip 15, on which rests the inverted bottle of concentrate or syrup (not shown).

A hole 16 is provided in constricted portion 11 of base 10 for permitting extension therethrough of tube 17 carrying concentrate from nipple 14. Also, a larger hole 18 is provided in the lower wall portion of base 10 for mounting therein of the dispensing faucet, designated generally as 19.

As shown in FIG. 4, the mounting or support for base 10 and faucet 19 comprises a U-shaped clamp 20 which 3,228,568 Patented Jan. 11, 1966 is mounted over the edge 21' of a counter 21. The upper side 22 of clamp 20 rests on top of counter 21, and on its end is attached positioning and strengthening arm 23 pivoted at its center by pivot 24. Arm 23 has a length substantially equal to the inner diameter of frame 10, and thus serves both as a positioning member and as a support for the hollow shell of frame 10. Thumbscrew 25 mounted on arm 26 of clamp 20 insures a tight grip on counter 21, which grip is insured by lock nut 27.

Although arm 23, projecting away from each side of clamp top 22 is generally adequate as a strengthening and positioning element for base 10, an additional arm 23' may be attached to pivot 24 at right angles to arm 23, for additional strengthening and support of shell base 10. Also, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, arms 23a and 23b may be used in lieu of pivoted arm 23 for the same purposes. In this case, the ends of the arms are driven into

holes

34 and 35 drilled into the sides of clamp top 22.

Welded to the upper rear vertical portion of clamp 20 at its lower end is a vertically-directed supporting and mounting plate 28 which has a hole 29 for mounting therein of faucet 19. Faucet 19 is separated from plate 28 by a Washer and it project-s beyond the edge 21' of counter 21, so as to leave adequate room to permit entry therethrough of tube 30 which carries water, under pressure, to faucet 19, via connecting coupling 31. The faucet is held in place by means of nut 32. Tube 17 has its discharge end connected to concentrate inlet 33 of faucet 19;

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, plate 28 may be made separable from clamp 20, to which it is attachable by means of screws or bolts 36. This is desirable if receptacle 12 and base 10 are made of one piece, so that clamp 20 may be separated from plate 28 to facilitate adjustment of coupling 31 and nut 32. If desired, plate 28 may be made as a part of base 10 during the manufacture or molding thereof.

Although the base-supporting arms 23 have been shown as afiixed to the clamp top 22, it is possible to employ arms which are not affixed to the clamp. For example, in FIGS. 7-8, there is shown a heavy formed spring wire, indicated generally as 37, which has a straight central portion 38 disposed against the front end of clamp top 22. Spring 37 has two

ends

39 and 40 which are ent partially around the sides of clamp top 22, and then curved forwardly and outwardly, terminating against the inner wall of base 10 with short upwardly directed

ends

41 and 42. The spring 37 is slightly longer than the internal diameter of base 10. In mounting the spring, straight portion 38 is set against the end of clamp top 22 while the spring is in tilted position. Then, the ends are lowered, which action causes the

ends

41 and 42 to be drawn tightly against the wall of base 10. The bends in

spring ends

39 and 40 serve to lock the spring in position against the end of clamp arm 22.

The unit of the present invention is mounted by attaching clamp 20 onto base 10 and then mounting faucet 19 onto arm 28 and base 10. Then, the unit is attached to counter edge 21' in the manner indicated, and tube 30 is led within base 10, and is then connected to faucet end 30. Thereafter, tube 17 extending from nipple 14, is led through hole 16 in base 10 and its end is attached to concentrate inlet 33 of faucet 19. Finally, concentrate receptacle 12 is inserted in the upper portion of base 10, and a bottle of concentrate (not shown) is inserted in inverted position in receptacle 12. The dispenser is now ready for use.

Handle 34 of faucet 19 is manipulated, so that either water (carbonated or uncarbonated) or a mixture of concentrate and water are discharged through outlet 35 of the faucet. For ordinary fountain counters, base 10 may be about 5%" high and of 5%," inside diameter.

This size accommodates the conventional concentrate bottle. Clamp 20 maybe made of A steel stock, about 2 wide, while plate 28 may be of 7 steel stock about 1 /2" wide and extending 1 /2" above clamp arm 22. It may be attached to clamp 20 by A" bolts.

From the foregoing, it can be seen that the dispenser of the present invention offers a minimum of parts and avoids a frame of excessive thickness. Yet, the unit is adequately sturdy, it permits dispensing above the counter, andenables ready assembly and disassembly.

I claim:

1. A counter-attachable beverage dispenser to be used with a dispensing faucet attachable thereto, comprising,

a hollow shell base designed to hold in its upper portion, a concentrate receptacle provided with a drain tube in its bottom, said base having a hole in its wall serving as an outlet for a concentrate drain tube, to be connected to a faucet and also having a faucet-mounting hole in its lower portion,

a clamp disposed under said base and designed to be aflixed to the edge of a counter,

a plate projecting upwardly from the rear portion of said clamp and having a faucet-mounting hole in lateral alignment with said base faucet-mounting hole, and

at least two arms projecting laterally from the upper portion of said clamp within the center of said base and extending to said base, and serving as positioners and lateral supports for said base.

2. A counter-attachable beverage dispenser to be used with a dispensing faucet attachable thereto, comprising,

a hollow round shell base designed to hold, in its upper portion, a concentrate receptacle provided with a drain tube in its bottom, said base having a hole in its wall serving as an outlet for a concentrate drain tube to be connected to a faucet, and also having a faucet-mounting hole in its lower portion below said outlet tube,

a clamp disposed under said base and designed to be affixed to the edge of a counter,

a pair of oppositely-directed arms projecting laterally from the upper portion of said clamp within the center of said base and extending at each side to said base and serving as a positioner and lateral support for said base.

3. A counter-attachable beverage dispenser according to claim 2, in which the base has a lateral inner corrugation serving as a support for a concentrate receptacle, said base being positioned slightly over the edge of said counter to provide entry space therein for a water supply tube.

4. A counter-attachable beverage dispenser to be used with a dispenser faucet attachable thereto, comprising,

a hollow shell base designed to hold, in its upper portion, a concentrate receptacle provided with a drain tube in its bottom, said base having a faucet-mounting hole in its lower portion to accommodate a faucet 'connectable to a concentrate drain tube,

a clamp, having a top portion, and disposed under said base and designed to be affixed to the edge of a counter, and

a plate projecting upwardly from the rear portion of said clamp and having a faucet-mounting hole in lateral alignment with said base faucet-mounting hole.

5. A counter-attachable beverage dispenser according to claim 4, and a formed wire spring fitting in locking relation against the forward end of the clamp top and having extending ends disposable in thrust relation against the inside of said base.

References Cited by the Examiner LOUIS J. DEMBO, Primary Examiner.

CHARLES R. CARTER, Assistant Examiner.

Claims

1. A COUNTER-ATTACHABLE BEVERAGE DISPENSER TO BE USED WITH A DISPENSING FAUCET ATTACHABLE THERETO, COMPRISING, A HOLLOW SHELL BASE DESIGNED TO HOLD IN ITS UPPER PORTION, A CONCENTRATE RECEPTACLE PROVIDED WITH A DRAIN TUBE IN ITS BOTTOM, SAID BASE HAVING A HOLE IN ITS WALL SERVING AS AN OUTLET FOR A CONCENTRATE DRAIN TUBE, TO BE CONNECTED TO A FAUCET AND ALSO HAVING A FAUCET-MOUNTING HOLE IN ITS LOWER PORTION, A CLAMP DISPOSED UNDER SAID BASE AND DESIGNED TO BE AFFIXED TO THE EDGE OF A COUNTER, A PLATE PROJECTING UPWARDLY FROM THE REAR PORTION OF SAID CLAMP AND HAVING A FAUCET-MOUNTING HOLE IN LATERAL ALIGNMENT WITH SAID BASE FAUCET-MOUNTING HOLE, AND AT LEAST TWO ARMS PROJECTING LATERALLY FROM THE UPPER PORTION OF SAID CLAMP WITHIN THE CENTER OF SAID BASE AND EXTENDING TO SAID BASE, AND SERVING AS POSITIONERS AND LATERAL SUPPORTS FOR SAID BASE.