FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to garbage disposal switches. More specifically, the present invention is a foot activated pneumatic garbage disposal switch system so that the user does not have to use their hands to operate the garbage disposal.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
When it comes to a kitchen, it is standard to have a sink so that the user can wash and clean food items and kitchen utensils. Furthermore, a garbage disposal unit is generally installed about the sink drain to collect, grind, and dispose solid garbage before entering the main sewage line. Generally, a garbage disposal unit is operated through an electrical switch to turn the device on/off. Often during the activation of a garbage disposal unit, the user's hand may be occupied or unsanitary thus forcing the user to empty or clean their hands in order to manually turn on the garbage disposal unit. The process of emptying or cleaning the user's hands can be inconvenient and time consuming depending on the situation.
An objective of the present invention is to provide a convenient switch to operate a garbage disposal unit. The present invention provides a foot activated pneumatic garbage disposal switch system for a garbage disposal unit so that the user is able to feely uses their hands for cleaning and cooking activities. Furthermore, once the user's foot is removed from the present invention, the garbage disposal unit shuts off immediately and prevents unintentional operation of a garbage disposal unit. Furthermore, the present invention can easily retrofit into the existing garbage disposal unit setup thus improving sanitary and safety aspects of the kitchen.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a front perspective view showing the foot operated bladder and the air hose of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view showing the foot operated bladder and the air hose of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a front perspective view showing the attachment of the foot operated bladder and the air hose to the sink base cabinet.
FIG. 5 is a front perspective view showing the air switch adaptor of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view showing the air switch adaptor of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a side view showing the air switch adaptor of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a schematic view showing the electrical connections of the present invention.
DETAIL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION
All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.
The present invention is a foot activated pneumatic garbage disposal switch for a garbage disposal unit 20 so that the user is able to feely uses their hands for cleaning and cooking activities. The present invention provides a convenient switch for the garbage disposal unit 20 and eliminates the traditional wall switch that electrically turn on/off the garbage disposal unit 20. In reference to FIG. 1, the present invention comprises a foot operated bladder 1, an air hose 7, an air switch adaptor 10, a sink base cabinet 16, and the garbage disposal unit 20.
In reference to general configuration of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 8, the foot operated bladder 1 is externally mounted to a toe kick 17 of the sink base cabinet 16 so that the user is able to easily reach the foot operated bladder 1 with their foot. The garbage disposal unit 20 is internally mounted within the sink base cabinet 16 and in fluid communication with a drainpipe of the sink base cabinet 16. The air switch adaptor 10 is internally positioned within the sink base cabinet 16 and functions as a user-operated electrical unit between a power source 18 of the sink base cabinet 16 and the garbage disposal unit 20. More specifically, the air switch adaptor 10 is electrically connected to the power source 18 of the sink base cabinet 16. The garbage disposal unit 20 is electrically connected to the air switch adaptor 10 so that the power source 18 is able to electrically power the garbage disposal unit 20 via the air switch adaptor 10. The foot operated bladder 1 and the air switch adaptor 10 are pneumatically connected to each other by the air hose 7 so that the user is able to selectively operate the garbage disposal unit 20. For example, when the foot operated bladder 1 is pressed by the user's foot, the air switch adaptor 10 changes from an off-position to an on-position thus activating the garbage disposal unit 20. When the user's foot is removed from the foot operated bladder 1, the air switch adaptor 10 changes from the on-position to the off-position thus deactivating the garbage disposal unit 20.
In reference to FIG. 1, the sink base cabinet 16 is traditional sink mounted kitchen cabinet so that other components of the present invention can be mounted. The garbage disposal unit 20 is mounted to the drainpipe of the sink to grind and dispose solid garbage within the present invention. Generally, the garbage disposal unit 20 is electrically powered by the power source 18 of the sink bass cabinet. Preferably, the power source 18 of the sink base cabinet 16 is an electrical receptacle that is mounted within the sink base cabinet 16. The present invention is able to eliminate the traditional wall switch that electrically turn on/off the garbage disposal unit 20 with the combine operation of the foot operated bladder 1, the air hose 7, and the air switch adaptor 10. As a result, the user is able to activate and deactivate the garbage disposal unit 20 upon their preference through the foot operated bladder 1.
The foot operated bladder 1 functions as the on/off switch for the garbage disposal unit 20. In reference to FIGS. 1-4, the foot operated bladder 1 may comprise a hollow body 2 and a first hose coupler 6. The hollow body 2 is mounted to the toe kick 17 of the sink base cabinet 16 and functions as an inflatable body so that the user can apply pressure to activate the garbage disposal unit 20. More specifically, the hollow body 2 may comprise a flat panel 3 and a concave panel 4. The concave panel 4 is perimetrically positioned around the flat panel 3 and hermetically connected to flat panel 3. As a result, the flat panel 3 is able to provide a stable platform so that the hollow body 2 can be securely mounted to the toe kick 17 of the sink base cabinet 16. Preferably, a layer of adhesive or a quantity of radially positioned adhesive material is utilized to mount the flat panel 3 to the toe kick 17 of the sink base cabinet 16. The concave panel 4 eliminates any connecting edges and lateral surfaces thus providing the maximum surface area to be pressed. The first hose coupler 6 is hermetically connected to the hollow body 2 so that a proximal end 9 of the air hose 7 is able to hermetically attach to the first hose coupler 6. More specifically, the first hose coupler 6 is hermetically connected to the concave panel 4 and positioned adjacent to the flat panel 3 so that the user's foot does not engage with the first hose coupler 6 when the hollow body 2 is pressed.
In reference to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the hollow body 2 may further comprise a plurality of friction ribs 5 to increase the friction between the concave panel 4 and the user's foot. More specifically, the plurality of friction ribs 5 is radially positioned around the concave panel 4 and adjacently connected onto the concave panel 4. As a result, the plurality of ribs is able to prevent accidental slippage of the user's foot when the hollow body 2 is pressed.
The air switch adaptor 10 is activated through a stream of air or change of air pressure so that the user is able to selectively operates the garbage disposal unit 20. In reference to FIGS. 5-8, the air switch adaptor 10 may comprise a housing 11, a pressure switch assembly 12, a second hose coupler 13, a power input feature 14, and a power output feature 15. The pressure switch assembly 12 that enables the operation of the air switch adaptor 10 mounted within the housing 11 so that the operation of the pressure switch assembly 12 can be protected from outside elements. The second hose coupler 13 is externally connected to the housing 11 so that a distal end 8 of the air hose 7 can be hermetically attached to the second hose coupler 13. Then second hose coupler 13 is in fluid communication with the pressure switch assembly 12 thus pneumatically operating the pressure switch assembly 12 from the on-position to the off-position or vice versa. The power input feature 14 being externally integrated onto the housing 11 so that the air switch adaptor 10 is able to receive the incoming electrical power. In order to receive the incoming electrical power, the power input feature 14 is electrically engaged with the power source 18 of the sink base cabinet 16. The power output feature 15 is externally integrated onto the housing 11 so that the incoming electrical power from the power input feature 14 can be distributed into the power output feature 15 through the pressure switch assembly 12. In other words, the power output feature 15 is electrically connected to the power input feature 14 through the pressure switch assembly 12. Resultantly, the garbage disposal unit 20 can be selectively powered through the pressure switch assembly 12 as the power output feature 15 is electrically engaged with the garbage disposal unit 20. Preferably, the power input feature 14 is an electrical plug, and the power output feature 15 is an electrical socket to standardize the electrical connections.
The pneumatic connection from the foot operated bladder 1 to the air switch adaptor 10 is a closed-loop system so that a stream air can travel back and forth between the hollow body 2 and the pressure switch assembly 12. The pressure switch assembly 12 can be operated as a mechanical apparatus to engage or disengage the electrical connection between the power input feature 14 and the power output feature 15.
Preferably, the air hose 7 traverses through a bottom panel 19 of the sink base cabinet 16 so that the majority of the air hose 7 can be positioned within the sink base cabinet 16 as shown in FIG. 1. As a result, the foot operated bladder 1 is only visible from the outside of the sink base cabinet 16 as the rest of the components of the present invention can be hidden within the sink base cabinet 16 thus providing a clean assembly process.
In reference to the operation of the present invention, when pressure is applied to the foot operated bladder 1 by the user's foot, a stream of air is travel from the hollow body 2 to the pressure switch assembly 12 through the air hose 7. Then, the pressure switch is changed from the off-position to the on-position thus allowing the incoming electrical power of the power input feature 14 to transfer into the power output feature 15. As a result, the garbage disposal unit 20 can be activated via the applied pressure of the hollow body 2. When pressure is removed from the foot operated bladder 1, a stream of air is travel from the pressure switch assembly 12 to the hollow body 2 through the air hose 7. Then, the pressure switch is changed from the on-position to the off-position thus disconnecting the incoming electrical power of the power input feature 14 from the power output feature 15. As a result, the garbage disposal unit 20 can be deactivated via the removal of the user's foot from the hollow body 2.
Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.
Patent Application
20240247472
