AU2019206113A1

AU2019206113A1 - Water mixer control

Info

Publication number: AU2019206113A1
Application number: AU2019206113A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Andrew John Cocks
Original assignee: Phoenix Industries Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Phoenix Industries Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2018-08-02
Filing date: 2019-07-19
Publication date: 2020-02-20

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a water mixer control. The water mixer control comprises: a mixer body with a cold water inlet for receiving water from a cold water supply line and a hot water inlet for receiving water from a hot water supply line, and a water outlet; a progressive cartridge having an opening, the progressive cartridge associated with the mixer body and operable to allow water to flow to the water outlet from the cold water inlet only, the hot water inlet only, both water inlets simultaneously, or neither water inlet; a rotatable drive disc directly or indirectly connected to the progressive cartridge, and having a forwardly projecting handle protrusion; a retaining plate having an opening through which the handle protrusion projects, the opening defining a circular path extending between two ends, along which the handle protrusion may travel; and a dress plate releasably connected to the retaining plate and through which the handle protrusion projects, whereby the handle protrusion can be moved by finger manipulation along the circular path between the two ends to control the adjustment of the progressive cartridge, wherein one end of the path positions the cartridge opening to prevent the flow of water, partial rotation allows the flow of cold water only and the opposite end of the path positions the cartridge opening to allow flow of hot water only, with positioning in between the ends allowing adjustment of the proportion of hot and cold water flowing to the water outlet.

Description

Water mixer control

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a water mixer control for controlling the temperature of the water flowing through an associated water outlet. The present invention may find particular, though not exclusive, use in bathroom or kitchen fittings such as showers, baths, basins and the like.

Background of the invention

Progressive cartridges are used in water mixers to adjust the water temperature flowing out of the water mixer. They are also able to adjust the water pressure. One known progressive cartridge is produced by Fluehs, which allows for rotational movement of a spindle. A first condition prevents water flow. Rotation of the spindle a first degree aligns an opening partially with a cold water inlet allowing the flow of cold water. Further rotation positions the opening fully in alignment with the cold water inlet further increasing the volume of cold water flow. Further rotation partially closes the cold water flow, whilst partially aligning the opening with the hot water inlet to allow flow of hot water, thus providing mixed water. Further rotation aligns the opening fully with the hot water inlet allowing only hot water to flow. The final stage of rotation begins to partially misalign the opening reducing the hot water volume flow. To turn the water flow off, rotation in the opposite direction back to the first condition is required.

The user interface for water mixer controls that utilise progressive cartridges are typically a standard single tap handle that is grasped by the hand in the usual way and rotated about a central axis that is connected to the spindle of the progressive cartridge to control the water mixer.

It is a desire of the present applicant to provide an alternative water mixer control that has a low profile extending from the surface to which it is mounted.

Reference to any prior art in the specification is not an acknowledgment or suggestion that this prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in any jurisdiction or that this prior art could reasonably be expected to be understood,

1002625143 regarded as relevant, and/or combined with other pieces of prior art by a skilled person in the art.

Summary of the invention

According to a first aspect, the present invention provides a water mixer control, including:

a mixer body with a cold water inlet for receiving water from a cold water supply line and a hot water inlet for receiving water from a hot water supply line, and a water outlet;

a progressive cartridge having an opening, the progressive cartridge associated with the mixer body and operable to allow water to flow to the water outlet from the cold water inlet only, the hot water inlet only, both water inlets simultaneously, or neither water inlet;

a rotatable drive disc directly or indirectly connected to the progressive cartridge, and having a forwardly projecting handle protrusion;

a retaining plate having an opening through which the handle protrusion projects, the opening defining a circular path extending between two ends, along which the handle protrusion may travel; and a dress plate releasably connected to the retaining plate and through which the handle protrusion projects, whereby the handle protrusion can be moved by finger manipulation along the circular path between the two ends to control the adjustment of the progressive cartridge, wherein one end of the path positions the cartridge opening to prevent the flow of water, partial rotation allows the flow of cold water only and the opposite end of the path positions the cartridge opening to allow flow of hot water only, with positioning in between the ends allowing adjustment of the proportion of hot and cold water flowing to the water outlet.

The drive disc is preferably a circular plate that rotates about a central axis. The handle protrusion may be located at or adjacent the peripheral edge. The drive disc can be connected to the spindle of the progressive cartridge directly. Alternatively an

1002625143 adaptor is used to connect the drive disc to the spindle to allow for adjustment of the distance between the drive disc and the progressive cartridge during installation.

The retaining plate can be connected to the mixer body directly, or may be connected via an adjustment flange around its peripheral edge. This allows the drive disc to rotate freely, whilst being contained between the retaining plate and the adjustment flange.

The opening has a circular path that extends between the two ends, each positioned apart to allow maximum travel of the handle protrusion between 180° and 240°. The opening may be a semicircular slot.

An outer ring may be positioned over the opening and connected to, for movement with, the handle protrusion. The outer ring may form a complete circle, such that externally the slot does not appear to have ends.

The dress plate may connect to the retaining plate. The connection may be at the outer edge of the retaining plate and may include a snap lock connection so that it may be readily removed and replaced with another dress plate. Removal of the dress plate may also allow for removal and replacement of the outer ring with another outer ring, potentially of different colour. The dress plate may be rectangular.

The dress plate may define a central circular opening, the outer edge of which coincides with the outer edge of the circular path along which the handle protrusion may travel. A central area of the retaining plate may coincide with the inside edge of the circular path along which the handle protrusion travels.

The front face of the dress plate and central area of the retaining plate may provide a flush front face of the control. The outer ring may also be flush with the dress plate and central area front surfaces. The depth of the dress plate may be defined by a peripheral flange, the edge of which abuts against the mounting surface. Those parts of the system outside the mounting surface are concealed within the dress plate.

In one embodiment, the progressive cartridge may provide a hollow shaft that forms the water outlet of the mixer body. A second hollow shaft may be provided

1002625143 through the centre of the drive disc that is in fluid communication with a water outlet spout projecting from the central area of the retaining plate.

Further aspects of the present invention and further embodiments of the aspects described in the preceding paragraphs will become apparent from the following description, given by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief description of the drawings

FIG 1 is a perspective view of a water mixer control according to a first embodiment mounted to a wall surface;

FIG 2 is a perspective view of a water mixer control according to a second embodiment mounted to a wall surface;

FIG 3 is a front view of the water mixer control of FIG 2;

FIG 4A is a front perspective view of a water mixer control according to another embodiment, similar to the first embodiment;

FIG 4B is a cross-sectional side perspective view of the water mixer control of FIG 4 mounted to a wall surface;

FIG 5A is a partial cross-sectional side perspective view of the water mixer control mounted to a wall surface;

FIG 5B shows the water mixer control of FIG 5A from a rear angle;

FIG 6 is an exploded side perspective view of the water mixer control of FIG 4;

FIG 7 and FIG 8 are cross-sectional side perspective views of the drive disc, outer ring and progressive cartridge combination with an adaptor positioning the drive disc in two different locations;

FIG 9 is an exploded side perspective view of a water mixer control similar to the second embodiment of FIG 2; and

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FIG 10 and FIG 11 are cross-sectional side perspective views of the drive disc, outer ring and progressive cartridge combination with an adaptor positioning the drive disc in two different locations.

Detailed description of the embodiments

FIG 1 shows a water mixer control 10 mounted to a wall surface 12, for example a tiled shower wall, as illustrated. The water control mixer is associated with a water outlet spout, such as an overhead shower rose (not shown), with the mixer control being operational to start and stop the flow of water out of the shower rose and control the water pressure and temperature of the outflowing water.

I0 It will be appreciated from FIG 1 that what is presented to the user is a flush, low profile dress plate 14 that minimally protrudes outwardly from the wall surface 12. The remaining components of the mixer control are located on the other side of the wall surface in a wall cavity, or are contained within the depth of the dress plate 14, as will be described further below.

Presented to the user is a dress plate 14, with a circular ring 16 and a handle in the form of a finger manipulated knob 18. The knob 18 is illustrated in its first position being equivalent to 12 o’clock on a dial, which would be 0° rotation. This is the starting position where the water is prevented from flowing. To activate the water flow, the knob 18 is pushed clockwise around a circular path that coincides with the circular ring 16.

>0 Cold water temperate indicator 20 is coloured blue to show that a first zone of the ring releases cold water. The cold water flows at low pressure to begin with and then increases in pressure as the knob is slid around the circular path. Once the knob is moved to the end of the first zone, which would be equivalent to 3 o’clock or 90° rotation, the cold water would be at full pressure. As the knob is moved through a 25 second zone towards the red hot water temperature indicator 22, between 90° and 180°, the pressure remains constant, but the amount of cold water decreases and the amount of hot water increases. At 180° or 6 o’clock, only hot water is flowing, at full pressure. Further rotation past 180°, typically up to 240°, and the pressure of the hot water reduces. To stop the water flow completely, the knob is slid back around the 30 circular path in an anti-clockwise direction to the first 0° position.

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Another embodiment is shown in FIGS 2 and 3, whereby a water outlet spout 24 is built into the mixer control 10 to form a bath mixer. The spout 24 extends out from the central area 26 inside the circular ring 16. Equally, the mixer control could sit horizontally on a bench surface, with a curved spout extending upwardly to create a hob 5 mixer. In the case of the bath mixer illustrated, the knob may be limited to rotate along the circular path to only 180° from the first position so that it can be manipulated by a finger on a single hand.

Whilst it is appreciated that the parts of the mixer control that protrude from the mounting surface are minimal, there are mechanisms behind the dress plate that allow 10 such as flat appearance.

FIG 4A shows a complete mixer control 10 for use as a shower mixer. A mixer body 28 is provided. The mixer body may be known to those in the industry as a breech, which includes a cold water inlet 30 on the right side, a hot water inlet 32 on the left side (FIG 5A) and a water outlet 34 on the top side. A forward opening 36 is sized to receive 15 a progressive cartridge 38. The details of these parts are best illustrated in the exploded view of FIG 6. Mounting means is provided to enable the mixer body 28 to be mounted to a component behind the mounting surface, for example a wall stud, using screws 40. The cold water inlet 30 is intended to be connected to a cold water supply line (not shown) and the hot water inlet 32 is intended to be connected to a hot water supply line ’0 (not shown). The outlet 34 is connected to a pipe that transfers the outflowing water to the shower rose.

A progressive cartridge 38 is inserted into the forward opening 36 and sits within the mixer body 28. The progressive cartridge is shown as a solid part in FIG 4A and 4B. A progressive cartridge will be readily understood by a person skilled in the art, and an 25 example of one is shown in FIGs 5A and 5B. The cartridge 38 includes two openings 33 that align with a respective cold water inlet opening 31 and hot water inlet opening (not shown) in fluid flow communication with the cold water inlet 30 and hot water inlet 32, respectively. An internal disc 35 is rotated by the spindle. The disc has a wedge shaped opening. As the disc is rotated from its starting position, in a clockwise direction, the 30 disc opening is positioned to align with the cold water inlet opening only allowing flow of water from the cold water inlet 30 to the outlet 34. Further rotation of the cartridge

1002625143

2019206113 19 Jul 2019 positions the disc opening partially across both the cold water inlet opening and the hot water inlet opening, so that cold water and hot water can flow through the disc opening, providing outflowing water of mixed temperature. Further rotation moves the disc opening to align with the hot water inlet opening to allow flow of hot water only to the 5 outlet 34.

The cartridge 38 includes a spindle 46 that is connected to a rotatable drive disc 48 (see FIG 4B). The drive disc 48 is a circular, generally flat disc, with a protrusion 50 on its front face that forms part of the knob 18. The drive disc 48 also includes a central hollow shaft 52 into which the spindle 46 is inserted. Advantageously, an adaptor 54 IO can be used to join the drive disc to the spindle and allow for length adjustment during installation. As shown in FIGs 7 and 8, the adaptor 54 is press fit onto the end of the spindle 46 and secured with a screw. The adaptor 54 has an outer thread that threadingly engages with the internal thread in the hollow shaft 52 of the drive disc. Rotation of the knob 18 rotates the drive disc 48, which rotates the spindle 46 and the 15 cartridge to open and align the openings.

A retaining plate 56 is positioned in front of the drive disc 48, but is not connected to it. The retaining plate has an opening 58 that defines a circular path extending between two ends 60, 62. The opening 58 is essentially a semicircular slot or guide cut into a pressed metal disc. The retaining plate 56 forms the central area 26 that is visible ’0 by the user. The opening 58 is sized and shaped to receive the handle protrusion 50 through it and acts as the guide to ensure the handle protrusion 50 follows the circular path when manipulated.

The retaining plate 56 is attached to the mixer body 28 via an adjustment flange 64. The adjustment flange 64 has a tubular section 66 that connects over the end of the 25 forward opening 36. The drive disc 48 sits in the space defined between the adjustment flange 64 and the retaining plate 56, whilst not being connected to either component so that it is free to rotate within this space. The ends 60, 62 of the opening 58 limit the movement of the handle protrusion 50 from the first position at end 60 to the final position at end 62.

The circular ring 16 has an indent 68 that allows it to sit over the handle protrusion 50 in front of the retaining plate 56. The circular ring 16 effectively covers the

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2019206113 19 Jul 2019 opening 58 from being visible to the user. The circular ring 16 is not attached to the retaining plate 56, so it freely rotates with the drive disc 48 as the handle protrusion 50 is moved. The inner opening of the circular ring 16 is complementary to the outer perimeter of the central area 26, such that it slides easily about the central area 26 as it 5 is rotated and the front surface of the circular ring 16 and central area 26 are flush.

The dress plate 14 has a central circular opening 70, a flat front surface and edge flanges 72 that define the depth that the mixer control 10 projects from the mounting surface 12. The flanges 72 snap lock onto the edges of the retaining plate 56 to hold it in place against the mounting surface 12. The handle 18 is then fitted to the I0 end of the handle protrusion 50, with the rear surface of the handle 18 sitting flush against the flush front surfaces of the dress plate, the circular ring and the central area, such that it slides along these surfaces. The handle 18 is held to the handle protrusion 50 using a small screw 76.

Installation of the mixer control will now be described. The mixer body 28 is 15 located behind the wall surface 12 with a circular opening 74 provided in the wall surface (as shown in FIG 5B). The cartridge 38, adaptor 54 and adjustment flange 64 can all be inserted through the opening 74 and connected to the mixer body 28. The front of the flange 64 sits against the front of the mounting surface 12. The drive disc 48 is positioned in front of the flange 64 and is connected to the adaptor 54, with the ’0 protrusion 50 positioned in the first position. The retaining plate 56 is connected to the flange 64 using screws. The retaining plate 56 is fitted in front of the drive disc 48 with the opening 58 positioned over the handle protrusion 50. The circular ring 16 is then connected over the handle protrusion 50 and the retaining plate 56. As the dress plate 14 is snap fitted to the retaining plate, it can be removed and replaced with a dress plate 25 of a different appearance, i.e. colour or material relatively easily. The circular ring 16 can also be replaced to allow for rings of different colours or materials to create combinations of rings and dress plates to be tailored. To remove the dress plate, the handle 18 would first need to be removed, and it too could be replaced with a handle of a different colour or material.

As can be seen from FIGs 4B and 5B, the front of flange 64, the drive disc 48 and the retaining plate 56 all sit within the depth of the dress plate flanges 72,

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2019206113 19 Jul 2019 concealed from the user. The central area 26 of the retaining ring and the circular ring 16 both sit within the central opening 70 of the dress plate.

The basin mixer embodiment illustrated in FIGs 2 and 3 is constructed in a very similar arrangement to the shower mixer embodiment. As shown in FIGs 9 to 11, the 5 main difference is that the mixer body 28 does not have an upward outlet 34. Instead, the progressive cartridge 38 has a hollow shaft 80, such that water can flow forward through the cartridge. The hollow shaft 80 is in fluid communication with a hollow shaft 82 projecting from the front surface of the drive disc 48. The hollow shaft 82 projects through a central opening (not shown) in the central area 26 of the retaining plate 56. I0 The outlet spout 24 connects to the central area 26 and the hollow shaft 82 is inserted into the end of the outlet spout 24, whilst allowing it to freely rotate as the drive disc is rotated. The other difference is that the opening 58 in the retaining plate is shorter, limiting rotation to 180° so that the handle can be manipulated with a single finger and reach the second end before the spout 24 gets in the user’s way.

The adaptor 54 is also different to allow for the hollow shafts. As shown in FIGs 10 and 11, the adaptor 54 has a hollow shaft 84 that connects to the hollow shaft 80 of the cartridge 38. An outer threaded ring 86 is provided to threadingly engage with the hollow shaft 52 of the drive disc, allowing for adjustment in depth to accommodate different installation situations.

’0 The present invention provides a water mixer control that is flush with the mounting surface and has a low profile dress plate combined with a strong graphic circular ring, without including a large handle. The fronting components are interchangeable to easily allow updating of appearance.

It will be understood that the invention disclosed and defined in this specification 25 extends to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or evident from the text or drawings. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the invention.

Claims

1. A water mixer control comprising:

2. The water mixer control of claim 1, wherein the drive disc is a circular plate and is rotatable about a central axis.

3. The water mixer control of claim 1 or 2, wherein the handle protrusion is located at or adjacent a peripheral edge of the drive disc.

4. The water mixer control of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the progressive cartridge includes a spindle, and wherein the spindle is rotatably connected

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2019206113 19 Jul 2019 to the drive disc such that rotation of the drive disc causes likewise rotation of the spindle.

5. The water mixer control of claim 4, further comprising an adaptor located between and connecting the spindle to the drive disc, wherein the adaptor adjusts a distance between the spindle and the drive disc.

6. The water mixer control of claim 4 or 5, wherein the spindle is rotatably connected to an internal disc of the progressive cartridge such that rotation of the spindle causes likewise rotation of the internal disc, and wherein the cartridge opening is located in the internal disc.

7. The water mixer control of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising an adjustment flange connected to the mixer body, wherein the retaining plate is connected to the adjustment flange about a peripheral edge of the retaining plate.

8. The water mixer control of claim 7, wherein the drive disc is located between the retaining plate and the adjustment flange and is freely rotatable relative thereto.

9. The water mixer control of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the circular path is dimensioned to allow a maximum travel of the handle protrusion to be in the range of between 180° and 240°.

10. The water mixer control of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the opening in the retaining plate is in the form of a semicircular slot.

11. The water mixer control of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising an outer ring positioned over the retaining plate and connected to the handle protrusion for movement therewith, wherein the outer ring occludes the opening in the retaining plate.

12. The water mixer control of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the dress plate is releasably connected to the retaining plate by a snap lock connection at a peripheral edge of the retaining plate.

13. The water mixer control of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the dress plate includes a central circular opening, and wherein an edge of the circular opening

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2019206113 19 Jul 2019 corresponds to an outer edge of the circular path along which the handle protrusion travels.

14. The water mixer control of any one of the preceding claims, wherein a front face of the dress plate and a central area of the retaining plate provide a flush face of the water mixer control.

15. The water mixer control of claim 14 when dependent on claim 11, wherein a front face of the outer ring is flush with the front face of the dress plate and the central area of the retaining plate.

16. The water mixer control of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the dress plate includes a peripheral flange which defines a depth of the dress plate, wherein an edge of the peripheral flange is configured to abut against a mounting surface.

17. The water mixer control of claim 16 when dependent on claims 7 and 11, wherein a front of the adjustment plate, the drive disc, the retaining plate, and the outer ring all sit within the depth of the dress plate.

18. The water mixer control of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the water outlet is fluidly connected to a water outlet spout, and wherein the water outlet spout is in the form of any one of a shower rose, a bath mixer, or a hob mixer.

19. The water mixer control of claim 18, wherein, in the case of a bath mixer or a hob mixer, the water outlet spout outwardly projects from the retaining plate.

20. The water mixer control of claim 19, wherein a first hollow shaft is fluidly connected to the progressive cartridge to receive water therefrom, wherein the first hollow shaft is fluidly connected to a second hollow shaft that projects from a front surface of the drive disc and through an opening in the retaining plate, and wherein the second hollow shaft is fluidly connected to the water outlet spout to deliver water thereto.