FIELD
This disclosure relates generally to an Air Gap Cover.
BACKGROUND
Commercial and residential sinks are often equipped with an air gap, an unobstructed vertical space between the rim of a fixture configured to prevent flooding, and the drain outlet. An air gap may prevent drain water from siphoning back into the dishwasher and contaminating dishes, or the potable water supply, for instance. An air gap fitting is often mounted on a countertop, through a hole next to a faucet. Air gap fittings may be concealed by air gap covers. Apart from facilitating backflow prevention, many people find conventional air gap covers to have minimal functionality and a lack of aesthetic appeal.
SUMMARY
The instant application discloses, among other things, an Air Gap Cover. In one embodiment, an Air Gap Cover may comprise a dispenser, such as a soap or lotion dispenser, configured to fit over an air gap fitting or an existing air gap cover, for example. Air Gap Cover may include a plurality of vents to allow water to escape into a sink. In another embodiment, Air Gap Cover may comprise a decorative covering resembling any artificial or natural object, such as a flower pot, for example. In yet another embodiment, Air Gap Cover may comprise a stand configured to hold any device such as a mobile phone, tablet, thermometer, or photo frame, for instance. A person skilled in the art will understand that Air Gap Cover may be made of various materials, including wood, plastic, rubber, metal, or carbon fiber, and may be made in various colors, shapes, and sizes.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 illustrates a plumbing arrangement including an air gap, according to one embodiment.
FIG. 2 illustrates an Air Gap Cover according to one embodiment.
FIG. 3 illustrates an Air Gap Cover according to another embodiment.
FIG. 4 illustrates an Air Gap Cover according to yet another embodiment.
FIG. 5 illustrates an Air Gap Cover according to yet another embodiment.
FIG. 6 illustrates an Air Gap Cover according to yet another embodiment.
FIG. 7 illustrates an Air Gap Cover according to yet another embodiment.
FIG. 8 illustrates an Air Gap Cover according to yet another embodiment.
FIG. 9 illustrates an Air Gap Cover according to yet another embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
FIG. 1 illustrates a plumbing arrangement utilizing an air gap, according to one embodiment. In this example, an Air Gap Fixture 140 may be mounted through an aperture in a Countertop 120, adjacent to a Faucet 130 and over a Sink 150. A Dishwasher Drain Line 180 may run from the Air Gap Fixture 140 to an installed Dishwasher 110. Sink Drain Line 160 may run from Air Gap Fixture 140 to Garbage Disposal 170, for instance. In this example, a plumbing arrangement may also include at least one Water Line 190. A person skilled in the art will understand that many other plumbing arrangements may utilize an air gap to provide backflow prevention.
FIG. 2 illustrates an Air Gap Cover according to one embodiment. In this example, an air gap fitting may pass through Countertop 120, adjacent to Faucet 130. Air Gap Cover 210 may be configured to receive an air gap fitting or existing air gap cover while also serving as a dispenser. Air Gap Cover 210 may be configured to hold and dispense any solid, liquid, or gas, for instance. For example, it may hold and dispense foam or liquid hand soap, dishwashing liquid, hand sanitizer, lotion, dishwashing tablets, or cleansing powders, for example. Air Gap Cover 210 may include a plurality of Vents 220 in the form of holes or slits, for example, which may allow water to escape into a sink. Vents 220 may be located anywhere on Air Gap Cover 210, including its front, back, top, bottom, or lateral sides. Air Gap Cover 210 may include a cavity configured to receive and fully or partially conceal an air gap fitting or an existing air gap cover. Air Gap Cover 210 may be made of various materials, including wood, plastic, rubber, metal, or carbon fiber, and any material designed to repel water. It may also be made in various colors, shapes, and sizes.
FIG. 3 illustrates an Air Gap Cover according to another embodiment. In this example, Air Gap Cover 310 may comprise a dispenser with Cavity 320 configured to receive an air gap fitting or an existing air gap cover. Cavity 320 may either fully or partially expose the air gap fitting or existing air gap cover.
FIG. 4 illustrates an Air Gap Cover according to yet another embodiment. Air Gap Cover 410 may resemble any natural or unnatural object, such as a farm animal, religious figure, or team mascot, for instance. In this example, Air Gap Cover 410 may comprise a real or artificial potted plant. Air Gap Cover may fully or partially conceal an air gap fitting or existing air gap cover, and may include a plurality of Vents 420 to facilitate water escape.
FIG. 5 illustrates an Air Gap Cover according to yet another embodiment. In this example, Air Gap Cover 510 may resemble a real or artificial potted plant and may include a Cavity 520 which may receive and fully or partially expose an air gap fitting or existing air gap cover.
FIG. 6 illustrates an Air Gap Cover according to yet another embodiment. Air Gap Cover 610 may function as any device such as a lighting fixture. In this example, Air Gap Cover 610 may comprise a lamp with a base capable of receiving a light bulb and a shade. Air Gap Cover 610 may include one or a plurality of openings anywhere on its body to allow water to escape.
FIG. 7 illustrates an Air Gap Cover according to yet another embodiment. Air Gap Cover 710 may comprise a lamp with a Cavity 720 to cover and fully or partially expose an air gap fitting or existing air gap cover, for instance.
FIG. 8 illustrates an Air Gap Cover according to yet another embodiment. Air Gap Cover 810 may be configured to receive and fully or partially conceal an air gap fitting or existing air gap cover. In this example, Air Gap Cover 810 may comprise a holder capable of securing any device such as a mobile phone, tablet, laptop, television, radio, thermometer, heater, air conditioner, fan, air purifier, or picture frame, for instance. Air Gap Cover 810 may allow a user to transmit and receive communications while washing dishes or preparing food, for example. Air Gap Cover 810 may be made of any material, including materials designed to repel water and protect electronics, for instance.
FIG. 9 illustrates an Air Gap Cover according to yet another embodiment. In this example, Air Gap Cover 910 may comprise a device holder capable of fully or partially covering an air gap fitting or air gap cover by means of a Cavity 920.
Patent Application
20160115680
