Bottle filler fixture for drinking fountain

Abstract

A bottle filler is provided for coupling to a drinking fountain that is in fluid communication with a water supply line. The bottle filler includes a frame, a spigot for dispensing liquid, and a conduit. The frame is supported on the drinking fountain and/or a structure supporting the drinking fountain. The spigot is supported on the frame. The conduit is in fluid communication with the water supply line, and the conduit provides water to the spigot.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A bottle filler for coupling to a drinking fountain that is supported by a structure, the drinking fountain in fluid communication with a water supply conduit, the bottle filler comprising:
 a frame configured to be supported on at least one of the drinking fountain and the structure supporting the drinking fountain;   a spigot for dispensing liquid, the spigot supported on the frame; and   a connection line in fluid communication with the water supply conduit, the connection line providing water to the spigot.   
     
     
         2 . The bottle filler of  claim 1 , wherein the frame includes a lower portion having a hole or slot, the hole or slot configured to receive a portion of the structure supporting the drinking fountain. 
     
     
         3 . The bottle filler of  claim 1 , wherein the structure supporting the drinking fountain includes a plurality of bolts protruding from a wall, wherein the frame includes a lower portion having a plurality of holes or slots, each of the plurality of holes or slots being configured to slide down over one or more of the bolts. 
     
     
         4 . The bottle filler of  claim 1 , wherein the frame further includes an opening, the opening configured to receive the water supply conduit therethrough. 
     
     
         5 . The bottle filler of  claim 1 , further comprising an actuator, wherein, while the actuator is activated, liquid is dispensed from the spigot, wherein, while the actuator is not activated, liquid is not dispensed from the spigot. 
     
     
         6 . The bottle filler of  claim 5 , wherein the actuator is a push button. 
     
     
         7 . The bottle filler of  claim 5 , wherein the frame includes a bottle receiving portion having a central section between two side sections, wherein the actuator is supported on one of the side sections. 
     
     
         8 . The bottle filler of  claim 5 , further comprising a valve for controlling flow to the spigot through the connection line, the valve operable to be opened when the actuator is activated, thereby permitting liquid to be dispensed from the spigot. 
     
     
         9 . The bottle filler of  claim 1 , wherein the frame includes a lower portion, a bottle receiving portion positioned above the lower portion, and a header positioned above the bottle receiving portion, the lower portion configured to engage the drinking fountain and/or the structure supporting the drinking fountain, wherein the spigot is positioned on the header. 
     
     
         10 . The bottle filler of  claim 1 , wherein the frame includes a lower portion, wherein the frame includes a panel above the lower portion configured to at least partially rest on an upper surface of the drinking fountain. 
     
     
         11 . The bottle filler of  claim 1 , wherein the frame is formed of stainless steel having a powder coat. 
     
     
         12 . A method of installing a bottle filler on a drinking fountain that is mounted to a wall, the method comprising:
 disconnecting the drinking fountain from a water supply conduit;   at least partially uncoupling the drinking fountain from a supporting structure that protrudes from the wall;   moving the drinking fountain away from the wall to form a gap between the drinking fountain and the wall;   positioning a portion of a frame of the bottle filler into the gap such that slots in the frame are positioned around the supporting structure of the drinking fountain;   connecting a connection line to the water supply conduit with a three-way fitting, the connection line providing water to a spigot supported on the frame;   securing the drinking fountain to the wall, the drinking fountain securing the frame against the wall; and   re-connecting the drinking fountain to the water supply conduit.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein at least partially uncoupling the drinking fountain from the supporting structure includes loosening a plurality of threaded nut that secure the drinking fountain against the wall, wherein securing the drinking fountain to the wall includes tightening the plurality of threaded nuts. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein positioning the portion of the frame into the gap includes positioning an opening of the frame inline with the water supply conduit to permit the water supply conduit to pass through the opening. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein each step is performed without cutting or drilling the wall. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein positioning the portion of the frame into the gap also includes positioning a tray of the frame on an upper surface of the drinking fountain, the tray configured to direct liquid into a drain of the drinking fountain. 
     
     
         17 . A bottle filler for coupling to a drinking fountain that is supported on a wall, the drinking fountain in fluid communication with a water supply conduit, the bottle filler comprising:
 a frame configured to be supported on at least one of the drinking fountain and a structure supporting the drinking fountain on the wall, a lower portion of the frame configured to be positioned between the wall and the drinking fountain;   a spigot for dispensing liquid; and   a connection line configured to be fluidly coupled to the water supply conduit to provide water from the water supply conduit to the spigot.   
     
     
         18 . The bottle filler of  claim 17 , wherein the lower portion of the frame includes a plurality of holes or slots, the plurality of holes or slots configured to receive a portion of the structure supporting the drinking fountain, wherein the structure supporting the drinking fountain includes a plurality of bolts protruding from or through the wall, each of the plurality of holes or slots being configured to slide down over one or more of the plurality of bolts. 
     
     
         19 . The bottle filler of  claim 17 , wherein the frame further includes an opening, the opening configured to receive the water supply conduit therethrough. 
     
     
         20 . The bottle filler of  claim 17 , further comprising an actuator and a valve for controlling flow to the spigot through the connection line, the valve operable to be opened when the actuator is activated, thereby permitting liquid to be dispensed from the spigot.