EP1082500A1 - Robinet a bec reglable et a levier de commande - Google Patents

Robinet a bec reglable et a levier de commande

Info

Publication number
EP1082500A1
EP1082500A1 EP99924512A EP99924512A EP1082500A1 EP 1082500 A1 EP1082500 A1 EP 1082500A1 EP 99924512 A EP99924512 A EP 99924512A EP 99924512 A EP99924512 A EP 99924512A EP 1082500 A1 EP1082500 A1 EP 1082500A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
spout
faucet
component
further characterized
cartridge
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP99924512A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Francesco Knapp
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Masco Corp
Original Assignee
Masco Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Masco Corp filed Critical Masco Corp
Publication of EP1082500A1 publication Critical patent/EP1082500A1/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E03—WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE
    • E03C—DOMESTIC PLUMBING INSTALLATIONS FOR FRESH WATER OR WASTE WATER; SINKS
    • E03C1/00—Domestic plumbing installations for fresh water or waste water; Sinks
    • E03C1/02—Plumbing installations for fresh water
    • E03C1/04—Water-basin installations specially adapted to wash-basins or baths
    • E03C1/0404—Constructional or functional features of the spout

Definitions

  • the field of this invention relates to faucets and more particularly to faucets with an adjustable delivery spout and a single operating lever.
  • Faucets with swivel spouts may easily confuse a user for determining which direction to move the operating lever in order to adjust flow rate of water and to adjust temperature mix.
  • the user in the use of normal faucets equipped with delivery spouts fixed on the faucet body, the user usually orients himself and moves the lever relative to the delivery spout, which is usually directed forward to the user and extending over the working basin or sink. The user is thus led to follow the same criterion with a faucet equipped with an adjustable delivery spout. In this case the user obtains a completely different result when the orientation of the delivery spout is substantially moved in relation to the body of the faucet.
  • the user must orient himself with a forward direction which under certain circumstances may be difficult to precisely observe.
  • the user no longer orients himself with the spout because the mixing cartridge or mixing valve is traditionally installed in a recess or cavity in the fixed body of the faucet.
  • the position of the operating lever to obtain delivery of a required flow rate of water mixed to a desired temperature must be in reference to a fixed direction with the fixed body. This direction is easily observable when the spout is in a centered forward position.
  • the position of the lever has no relation to the actual orientation of the delivery spout that is adjustable in relation to the fixed body of the valve.
  • the lever In a joystick type faucet, the lever is subject to movement in a first direction to regulate the flow rate from a full flow condition down to a shut-off position and in a second direction which is orthogonal to the first direction to regulate the mixing ratio or temperature mix.
  • the shut-off position is singular, i.e. the faucet is shut off only when the lever is moved to a central position over the fixed delivery spout.
  • the recess or cavity for installation of the mixing cartridge on the faucet is in a component of the faucet mounted for rotation with the delivery spout, that in turn is adjustable in relation to the fixed body of the faucet. Because of this feature, the cartridge valve installed in the faucet rotates together with the delivery spout. When the orientation of the spout in relation to the fixed body of the faucet is altered, the orientation for correct movement of the operating lever also rotates correspondingly. The user can then operate the lever by adopting the same criteria he is accustomed to adopt in operating faucets with fixed delivery spouts, and this is translated into greater ease of operation.
  • the orientation of the mixing cartridge is pre-determined by a recess in the same component of the faucet which integrally forms its adjustable spout.
  • the faucet employs a mixing cartridge of the open type, offering lateral delivery openings, and the component in which the orientation for the mixing cartridge is pre-determined offers a peripheral area into which the delivery openings of the mixing cartridge open and which communicate directly with an internal passage of the delivery spout.
  • the component in which the orientation of the mixing cartridge is predetermined offers a two-way rotating hydraulic coupling in relation to the fixed body of the faucet that in turn is connected to the supply pipes.
  • this rotating hydraulic coupling involves a central passage connected to one of the supply pipes and a peripheral chamber at least partially ring-shaped, connected to the other supply pipe.
  • Figure 1 illustrates an external view of a form of embodiment of the faucet whose fixed body offers an adjustable delivery spout
  • Figure 2 is a top plan view of a faucet with an adjustable spout in accordance with the prior art illustrating how the spout when rotated becomes aslant with the orientation for operation of the operating lever;
  • Figure 3 is a top plan view of the faucet shown in Figure 1 illustrating the corresponding orientation for operation of the operating lever when the spout is rotationally adjusted between two positions;
  • Figure 4 shows a segmented view of the valve as in Figure 1, illustrating the internal components of this invention
  • Figure 5 shows the fixed body in Figure 4 ;
  • Figure 6 shows the adjustable component and spout mounting the mixing cartridge in Figure 4;
  • Figure 7 illustrates a side elevational view of another embodiment of a faucet in accordance with the invention.
  • Figure 8 is a segmented view of another embodiment of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
  • a faucet 29 has a fixed body 1 on which is mounted a rotating component 11 which forms a delivery spout 14.
  • a cover 26 holds a mixing cartridge 21 in place inside the faucet 29.
  • the cartridge is equipped with an operating lever 25.
  • the lever 25 is shown in the form of an erect straight pole and is of the type commonly referred to as a "joystick".
  • this operating lever 25 can be moved in a first direction (in the plane of the drawing as shown in Figure 1) to adjust the flow rate of mixed water between full flow and a shut-off position.
  • the control lever 25 is represented in the shut-off position.
  • the operating lever can also be moved in a direction orthogonal to the first direction (perpendicular to the plane of the drawing) to regulate the mixing ratio between cold and hot water.
  • the delivery spout 14 is the only part of the faucet that has a prominent extension for indicating a well-defined direction. Because many faucets have fixed delivery spouts, the user habitually takes the direction of the delivery spout 14 as reference for correct operation of the control lever 25. The operator is thus instinctively or intuitively led to adopt the same criterion or orientation even when the delivery spout is adjustable. However, in this case, known faucets with adjustable spouts may mislead the user as shown in Figure 2.
  • the direction shown by the delivery spout 14 varies, as shown by the difference between a first centered position shown in phantom and a second rotated position. It is noted that the directions of movement of the lever 25 of the mixing cartridge, which is installed in a cavity or recess on the fixed body 1 of the faucet always remain unchanged and therefore has a variable relationship with the direction of the delivery spout 14. As shown in Figure 2, when the spout is rotated, the two orthogonal axes of motion 31,33 of the control lever 25 become aslant with respect to the spout 14 , and the lever 25 becomes aslant with respect to the spout 14 when in the shut-off position.
  • the mixing cartridge 21 from which the control lever 25 extends is in fact installed in a cavity or recess 35 of a rotating component 11.
  • the component 11 has the delivery spout 14 integrally formed therewith.
  • the cartridge is retained in the component 11 by the cover 26 which, in this case is secured to the rotating component 11.
  • the longitudinal axis of the cartridge 21 is aligned with the axis of rotation of the spout 14. Consequently, when the delivery spout 14 is adjusted in relation to the fixed body 1, the rotating component 11 also turns, and the mixing cartridge 21 also rotates together with these parts, as illustrated in Figure 3. Therefore, the two axes of movement 31,33 of the operating lever 25 rotate in relation to the fixed body 1, and remain constant or fixed with respect to the spout 14.
  • FIG. 4 illustrates the recess or cavity 35 in the rotating component 11.
  • the cavity 35 that receives the mixing cartridge 21 offers a peripheral area or gap 12, into which open out the lateral delivery openings 22 of the cartridge 21 (which is of the open type) .
  • the gap 12 communicates directly with passage 13 of the delivery spout 14.
  • the delivery spout 14 can be a component that is structurally separate from the rotating component 11 and is appropriately connected to component 11.
  • the recess or cavity 35 that receives the mixing cartridge 21 may not be directly formed in the rotating component 11 but in a component structurally separate and in turn installed in rotating component 11.
  • a two-way hydraulic connection is between the rotating component 11 and the fixed body 1 of the faucet.
  • This connection can be better seen with reference to Figures 5 and 6.
  • the rotating component 11 offers a projecting part 15 which offers a central opening 16 and a peripheral ring chamber 18.
  • the central opening 16 communicates, via a channel 17, with a first inlet 23 to the cartridge 21, while the peripheral ring chamber 18 communicates, via a channel 19, with the second inlet 24 of the cartridge 21.
  • the fixed body 1 itself of the faucet has a cavity 2 intended to rotatably receive the projecting part 15 of the rotating component 11.
  • Fixed body 1 has a central opening 3 which communicates with a connection 4 for a first supply pipe (not shown) , and a peripheral ring chamber 5 which communicates via a passage 6 with a connection 7 for the second supply pipe (not shown) .
  • the parts described are designed so that, when the rotating component 11 is mounted on the fixed body 1 of the faucet, the central openings 3 and 16 can communicate with each other and chambers 5 and 18 communicate with each other.
  • the respective passages are watertight due to seal 8 in opening 3 and ring seals 9 about ring chamber 18. In this way the supply of cold and hot water to the cartridge 21 is ensured for every rotated position of the delivery spout 14.
  • the projecting part 15 of the rotating component 11 also offers a peripheral ring groove 20 into which receives a retaining screw 10 screwed through the fixed body 1.
  • the screw 10 mechanically couples the rotating component 11 in place axially without inhibiting its rotation.
  • the ring groove 20 can be an incomplete arc for the purpose of limiting the field of rotation allowed to the rotating component 11 and to the delivery spout 14.
  • the peripheral ring chambers 5 and 18 may be incomplete arcs along the circumference .
  • the two-way rotating hydraulic connection between the fixed body 1 and the rotating component 11 can be structured differently, as is known in the prior art for these hydraulic connections.
  • multiple screws 20 may be received circumferentially about parts of the groove 20 to rotationally secure component 11 to the fixed body 1.
  • the control lever 25 is represented as a straight leg or pole but for certain applications it can be molded and shaped and used with the same internal valve mechanism.
  • the lever 25 may be contoured towards the delivery spout as is found in many known faucets.
  • the central shut-off position of the "joystick" lever 25 always corresponds to the direction of the adjustable spout 14. This shut-off position is selected so that the user is always certain of reaching complete shut-off by moving the lever towards the delivery spout. However, for certain applications, the shut-off position may be reversed, i.e. lifted up in opposition or away from spout 14 or may even be set at a 90 degree offset position for certain applications. In all situations, the shut-off position is permanently set with respect to the spout. Secondly, the orientation of operation is also set with respect to the spout. The application of the invention therefore offers two major advantages for valves with "joystick" operating lever.
  • Figure 7 illustrates how the invention can be applied to a faucet on whose fixed body 1 is not of the so called "joystick" type.
  • Figure 7 illustrates a valve that is subject to rotation about axis B-B for temperature adjustment and movement about an orthogonal axis for flow adjustment.
  • the handle may be aesthetically contoured for ease of operation about axis B-B for temperature control and for movement about the orthogonal axis for flow control.
  • the cartridge is mounted, in relation to the rotating component 11, on the axis B-B which forms an angle with the axis of rotation A-A of the adjustable spout.
  • Both axis A-A and B-B are in the plane of the drawings and aligned with the center vertical plane of the spout 14. These arrangements can turn out to be preferable in some cases, especially in view of certain shapes of the control lever.
  • this type of faucet there are many shut-off positions along an arc where the lever is in a down position away from axis B-B. As such, the lever need not be aligned with the spout to completely shut off the faucet.
  • the user still needs an orientation to correctly set the temperature.
  • the mix position is in the center of the adjustable field of operation and is centered with a fixed spout.
  • the center of the adjustable field is oriented with the adjustable spout and rotated therewith.
  • the application of the invention provides the orientation for the correct operation of the control lever 25.
  • Figure 8 illustrates another embodiment of invention incorporating a ball valve that is not a cartridge format.
  • the rotating component 11 has a recess 41 shaped to receive valve seals 43 in the downstream ends of passages 17 and 19 that seat flushly against ball valve 44.
  • Ball valve 44 has a control stem 46 passing through cap 26 and is affixed to operating lever 25.
  • the ball valve 44 is not in a cartridge format but is merely installed in appropriately shaped recess 41 in component 11. Nevertheless, as spout 14 is adjusted, component 11 is also rotated and carries with it the ball valve 44 and operating lever 25 such that the operation of lever 25 is always oriented with respect to the spout 14.
  • the actual internal drive components of the ball valve 44 are well known in the prior art and do not form part of this invention.

Landscapes

  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Hydrology & Water Resources (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Water Supply & Treatment (AREA)
  • Domestic Plumbing Installations (AREA)
  • Multiple-Way Valves (AREA)
  • Nozzles (AREA)
  • Preventing Unauthorised Actuation Of Valves (AREA)
  • Mechanically-Actuated Valves (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un robinet (29), du type à bec réglable (14) et à mitigeur (21) doté d'un seul levier de commande (25) monté dans une cavité ou évidement (35) disponible sur le robinet. L'évidement destiné au montage du mitigeur dans la soupape est formé dans un élément (11) du robinet, solidaire du bec (14). L'élément (11) dans lequel on a monté le mitigeur est raccordé au corps fixe (1) par un couplage hydraulique, pivotant, à deux voies, lequel corps est relié de manière fonctionnelle aux tuyaux d'alimentation. Lorsque l'on règle le bec (14) autour du corps fixe (1), le levier (25) est porté par l'élément (11) de manière à conserver l'orientation du levier (25) par rapport au bec (14).
EP99924512A 1998-05-26 1999-05-26 Robinet a bec reglable et a levier de commande Withdrawn EP1082500A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
ITTO980448 1998-05-26
ITTO980448 ITTO980448A1 (it) 1998-05-26 1998-05-26 Rubinetto con becco di erogazione e leva di comando orientabili.
PCT/US1999/011592 WO1999061713A1 (fr) 1998-05-26 1999-05-26 Robinet a bec reglable et a levier de commande

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1082500A1 true EP1082500A1 (fr) 2001-03-14

Family

ID=11416784

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP99924512A Withdrawn EP1082500A1 (fr) 1998-05-26 1999-05-26 Robinet a bec reglable et a levier de commande

Country Status (9)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1082500A1 (fr)
JP (1) JP2002516935A (fr)
CN (1) CN1118601C (fr)
AU (1) AU741455B2 (fr)
BR (1) BR9910720A (fr)
CA (1) CA2333070A1 (fr)
IT (1) ITTO980448A1 (fr)
TW (1) TW440661B (fr)
WO (1) WO1999061713A1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP4715265B2 (ja) * 2005-03-25 2011-07-06 パナソニック電工株式会社 シングルレバー混合水栓
JP2007198018A (ja) * 2006-01-26 2007-08-09 Matsushita Electric Works Ltd 洗面化粧台
JP4993411B2 (ja) * 2007-03-29 2012-08-08 Ｔｏｔｏ株式会社 湯水混合水栓装置
JP5291352B2 (ja) * 2008-02-08 2013-09-18 株式会社ケーブイケー 取付装置
JP5501566B2 (ja) * 2008-02-08 2014-05-21 株式会社ケーブイケー 取付装置
JP5334177B2 (ja) * 2009-03-25 2013-11-06 株式会社三栄水栓製作所 水栓
GB201122222D0 (en) * 2011-12-23 2012-02-01 Kohler Mira Ltd Improvements in or relating to ablutionary fittings
US10844580B2 (en) * 2017-12-25 2020-11-24 Toto Ltd. Faucet apparatus

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3373770A (en) * 1965-06-24 1968-03-19 Modern Faucet Mfg Co Swing spout control mechanism
JPS4914493B1 (fr) * 1969-02-27 1974-04-08
DE2829081A1 (de) * 1978-06-28 1980-01-10 Ideal Standard Sanitaere wasserarmatur mit schwenkauslauf

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See references of WO9961713A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ITTO980448A1 (it) 1999-11-26
TW440661B (en) 2001-06-16
AU4099499A (en) 1999-12-13
BR9910720A (pt) 2001-10-23
JP2002516935A (ja) 2002-06-11
CN1303453A (zh) 2001-07-11
CA2333070A1 (fr) 1999-12-02
CN1118601C (zh) 2003-08-20
AU741455B2 (en) 2001-11-29
WO1999061713A1 (fr) 1999-12-02

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