CROSS REFERENCE
This application claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/934,134 filed Sep. 21, 2022, which is incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The embodiments of the present invention relate to a mobile system and method for washing equipment, body parts, and related articles found at construction sites and similar locations.
BACKGROUND
Construction jobs typically involve various types of skilled workers such as painters, mason and stucco persons, to name just a few. One issue that arises at the construction site is cleaning tools and body parts and the disposal of dirty water. In many cases, the workers use a garden hose or other available water source on the property to clean their tools and hands/arms. This is not efficient and leaves the dirty water contaminating the ground and generally creating an unsightly mess.
Thus, there exists a need for a mobile cleaning system and method for use whereby workers can safely and efficiently clean tools and body/parts and dispose of dirty water.
SUMMARY
The embodiments of the present invention involve a 5-gallon bucket with a water spigot joined thereto and a drain system configured to attach to existing cleanout plumbing. In one embodiment, the system is fabricated using off-the-shelf parts including at least a 5-gallon bucket, spigot, plastic piping, cleanout adapters and drain components, for ease of assembly. The 5-gallon bucket is also large enough to store each of the parts necessary to fabricate the mobile cleaning system. Advantageously, the bucket, when not acting as a cleaning sink, may be used to hold water or other materials like any other bucket.
In one embodiment, the cleaning system is broadly fabricated by: (i) adding support legs to the bucket, (ii) installing a drain in the bottom of the bucket and (iii) installing the water spigot near the top of the bucket. The assembly process can be accomplished using conventional tools without any particular training. During use, additional piping and adapters are used to connect the modified bucket to a plumbing cleanout.
Other variations, embodiments and features of the present invention will become evident from the following detailed description, drawings and claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of conventional 5-gallon bucket of the type that may be modified resulting in the mobile cleaning system according to the embodiments of the present invention;
FIG. 2 illustrates a bottom surface of the 5-gallon bucket with a drain opening and openings for attachment of support legs according to the embodiments of the present invention;
FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of the 5-gallon bucket with support legs, water spigot and drain plug attached according to the embodiments of the present invention;
FIG. 4A illustrates a transparent perspective view of the 5-gallon bucket converted to a mobile cleaning system according to the embodiments of the present invention;
FIG. 4B illustrates a view of the underside of the bottom of the 5-gallon bucket converted to a mobile cleaning system according to the embodiments of the present invention;
FIG. 5A illustrates the 5-gallon bucket attached to a vertical 4″ plumbing cleanout according to the embodiments of the present invention;
FIG. 5B illustrates the 5-gallon bucket attached to a vertical 3″ plumbing cleanout according to the embodiments of the present invention;
FIG. 6A illustrates the 5-gallon bucket attached to a horizontal 4″ plumbing cleanout according to the embodiments of the present invention;
FIG. 6B illustrates the 5-gallon bucket attached to a horizontal 3″ plumbing cleanout according to the embodiments of the present invention;
FIG. 7 illustrates a transparent perspective view of the mobile cleaning system in operation according to the embodiments of the present invention;
FIG. 8 illustrates a catch net for use with the mobile cleaning system according to the embodiments of the present invention;
FIG. 9 illustrates a parts kit that may be used to fabricate the mobile cleaning system according to the embodiments of the present invention;
FIG. 10 is a flow chart detailing one methodology of assembling the mobile cleaning system according to the embodiments of the present invention;
FIG. 11 illustrates a flow chart detailing one methodology of using the mobile cleaning system according to the embodiments of the present invention;
FIG. 12 illustrates a first side view of an alternative embodiment of the mobile cleaning system according to the embodiments of the present invention;
FIG. 13 illustrates a second side view of the alternative embodiment of the mobile cleaning system shown in FIG. 12 according to the embodiments of the present invention;
FIG. 14 illustrates a side view of another alternative embodiment of the mobile cleaning system according to the embodiments of the present invention; and
FIGS. 15-17 illustrate cross-sectional, side and top views of the mobile cleaning system with a wide adapter top according to the embodiments of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles in accordance with the embodiments of the present invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications of the inventive feature illustrated herein, and any additional applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated herein, which would normally occur to one skilled in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope of the invention claimed.
Those skilled in the art will recognize that the components described herein may be fabricated using any known techniques and may be fabricated of any available materials suitable for the desired task. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the mobile cleaning system (i.e., cleanout sink) may be fabricated using off-the-shelf parts available at most hardware stores. In one embodiment, the parts and components necessary to fabricate the cleanout sink are sold as a kit and packaged in the bucket. In other embodiments, the mobile cleaning system may be purchased in assembled form whereby a manufacturer uses customized parts or a combination of customized parts and off-the-shelf parts.
FIG. 1 shows an exemplary 5-gallon bucket 100 of the type suitable for the embodiments of the present invention. While a circular 5-gallon bucket is described herein, it is well conceived that buckets of other capacities (e.g., 10 gallon) and shapes (e.g., square) may be used with the embodiments of the present invention. The bucket 100 includes handle 105 and plastic reinforcing band 110. FIG. 1 shows an opening 115 that is made and positioned in the bucket 100 to accommodate a water spigot 120 and hose adapter 121 (see FIG. 3). FIG. 2 shows the bottom of the bucket 100 with a drain opening 125 and four support leg openings 130-1 through 130-4. Like the spigot opening 115, the drain opening 125 and four support leg openings 130-1 through 130-4 are made and positioned in the bucket to accommodate support a drain system and support legs 135-1 through 135-4.
FIG. 3 shows a side view of the bucket 100 with a water spigot 120 and hose adapter 121 installed, support legs 135-1 through 135-4 (only two support legs 135-1 and 135-2 are visible in FIG. 3) installed and a drain fixture 140 installed with drain plug 145 inserted therein. In one embodiment, the support legs 135-1 through 135-4 are fabricated of PVC. While four support legs 135-1 through 135-4 are shown, they may number two or more depending on shape and position. Alternatively, the support legs 135-1 through 135-4 may be replaced by any suitable base member configured to provide height. The upper plate 141 of the drain fixture 140 sits inside the bucket 100 when the drain fixture 140 is installed. The upper plate 141 includes a series of openings 142 allowing liquids and smaller particles to drain while keeping larger particles in the bucket 100. The drain plug 145 serves to close the drain fixture 140 when not in use. FIG. 4A shows a transparent perspective view of the bucket 100 of FIG. 3 and FIG. 4B shows a view of the underside of the bottom of the bucket 100.
FIGS. 5A and 5B show the bucket 100 connected to a 4″ and 3″ vertical cleanout 101, 102, respectively, according to the embodiments of the present invention. In each version, the drain plug 145 is removed from the drain fixture 140. A straight pipe 150 is then connected to the drain fixture 140. A 4″ cleanout adapter 155 and 3″ cleanout adapter 160 are then connected to the straight pipe 150 depending on the size of the vertical cleanout 101, 102.
FIGS. 6A and 6B show the bucket 100 connected to a 4″ and 3″ horizontal cleanout 103, 104, respectively, according to the embodiments of the present invention. In each version, the drain plug 145 is removed from the drain fixture 140. An elbow pipe 165 is then connected to the drain fixture 140. A 4″ cleanout adapter 155 and 3″ cleanout adapter 160 are then connected to the elbow pipe 165 depending on the size of the cleanout 103, 104.
FIG. 7 shows the bucket 100 connected to a vertical cleanout 106 (as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B) with the water spigot 120 attached to a conventional garden hose 107 with water 108 running. FIG. 8 shows an exemplary catch net 170 of the type that may installed into the bucket 100 to capture articles from exiting the bucket via the drain. An opening 171 near the upper portion of the catch net 170 permits the catch net 170 to be fitted over the water spigot 120 while an elastic band 172 serves to attach the catch net 170 to the upper external portion of the bucket 100.
FIG. 9 shows a kit of primary components for fabricating the cleanout bucket according to the embodiments of the present invention. The kit includes the bucket 100, bucket lid 109, support legs 135-1 through 135-4, drain fixture 140, drain plug 145, straight pipe 150, elbow pipe 165, 4″ cleanout adapter 155, 3″ cleanout adapter 160, water spigot 120, hose adapter 121 and water spigot flange 122. Hardware 111 for mounting the support legs and hardware 112 for installing the water spigot is also shown. While not shown in FIG. 9, other components and parts may be used including gaskets, seals and similar items.
FIG. 10 shows a flow chart 200 detailing a method of fabricating the cleanout sink using at least the components depicted in FIG. 9. The steps listed in FIG. 10 may be reordered without impacting fabrication of the cleanout sink. At 205, a drain opening is cut in the bottom of the bucket. In one embodiment, the circular drain opening has a diameter of about 3¼ inches. At 210, four support leg openings spaced 90° apart are drilled in the bottom of the bucket. In one embodiment, the support leg openings have a diameter of about ¼ inches. At 215, a water spigot and hose adapter opening is cut into an upper portion of the bucket. In one embodiment, water spigot opening is about 2 inches below the top of the bucket and has a diameter of ⅞ inches. At 220, the four support legs are attached to the external surface of the bottom of the bucket via the openings drilled at 210. In one embodiment, a nylon bolt, washer and wingnut are used to attach each of the four support legs. At 225, a drain is installed in the drain opening formed at 205. In one embodiment, the drain comprises a drain fixture, rubber washer, cardboard washer and threaded nut. FIG. 4B shows the support legs 135-1 through 135-4 and drain installed. At 230, the water spigot is installed in the opening formed at 215. FIG. 4A shows the water spigot and hose adapter installed.
While flow chart 200 uses words such as “cut” and “drill,” those skilled in the art will recognize that the openings in the bucket may be made using any available techniques (e.g., piercing) which all synonymous as used herein.
FIG. 11 shows a flow chart 300 detailing a method of using the cleanout sink. The steps listed in FIG. 11 may be reordered without impacting use of the cleanout sink. At 305, it is determined if the cleanout on the property is vertical or horizontal. At 310 and 315, it is then determined if the cleanout is 3 inches or 4 inches in diameter. If vertical and 3 inches, at 320, a straight pipe is connected to the drain and, at 325, a 3 inch cleanout adapter is attached to the straight pipe. If vertical and 4 inches, at 330, a straight pipe is connected to the drain and, at 335, a 4 inch cleanout adapter is attached to the straight pipe. If horizontal and 3 inches, at 340, an elbow pipe is connected to the drain and, at 345, a 3 inch cleanout adapter is attached to the straight elbow pipe. If horizontal and 4 inches, at 350, an elbow pipe is connected to the drain and, at 355, a 5 inch cleanout adapter is attached to the straight elbow pipe. At 360, a hose is connected to the hose adapter. If desired, the catch net may also be attached to the bucket.
FIGS. 12 and 13 show an alternative embodiment of the cleanout sink 400 with a hose attachment. Like the previous embodiment, the cleanout sink 400 includes support legs 405-1 through 405-4, drain 410 and spigot 415. In addition, cleanout sink 400 includes a tec fitting 420, male hose adapter 425, on-off lever 430 and female hose adapter 435. FIG. 13 also shows a water source hose 440 attached to the female hose adapter 435 and a hose 445, with a spray nozzle 450, attached to the male hose adapter. In this manner, as shown in FIG. 13, spigot 415 may be used to supply water 455 to the cleanout sink 400 and/or may supply the hose 445 and attached spray nozzle 450. FIG. 13 also shows a straight pipe 460, cleanout adapter 465 and cleanout 470.
FIG. 14 shows an alternative embodiment of the cleanout sink 400 with a drain hose 475 acting as an extension of the drain 410. As shown, the cleanout sink 400 is hung from a rigid object 480 and the drain hose 475 extends from the drain 410 to the remote cleanout 470.
FIGS. 15 and 16 show an alternative embodiment of the cleanout sink 500 with a wide opening fixture 505 configured to fit onto the cleanout sink 500. As shown, the wide opening fixture 505 comprises an upper portion 510 and lower portion 515 joined by a tapered position 520. The lower portion 510 is sized to reside within the opening of the cleanout sink 500. The lower portion 510 includes a cut-out or notch 525 to accommodate the internal spigot 530 of the cleanout sink 500. FIG. 17 shows a top down view of the wide opening fixture 505.
Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to several embodiments, additional variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of the invention as described and defined in the following claims.
Patent Application
20240254745
