EP1338707B1

EP1338707B1 - Device for opening and closing a plug for sanitary fittings

Info

Publication number: EP1338707B1
Application number: EP03003076A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Baki Gyözö
Original assignee: Silfra SpA
Current assignee: CRS SpA
Priority date: 2002-02-21
Filing date: 2003-02-12
Publication date: 2006-06-21
Anticipated expiration: 2023-02-12
Also published as: ITMI20020356A0; ATE331091T1; DE60306221D1; ES2266654T3; DE60306221T2; ITMI20020356A1; EP1338707A1

Abstract

A device for opening and closing a plug for sanitary fittings comprises a movable portion (1), to be coupled to a plug element, and slidably engaged with a fixed portion (2), to be mounted on a drain coupled to the discharging outlet of the sanitary fitting. The device further comprises means (3), driven with a rotary-translating movement, operating against a resilient means (4), thereby allowing the plug element to be switched from an open or raised position, to a closed or lowered position, by pushing on the plug element itself. <IMAGE>

Description

Background of the invention

The present invention relates to a device for opening and closing a plug for sanitary fittings as set forth in the preamble of claim 1.
Plugs for wash-basins, bath tubs, bidets and the like, comprising a mushroom element which can be driven from the outside by a lever system, are already known.
In particular, prior devices for operating prior plug elements are usually affected by the drawback that they require a perfect calibration and a continuous adjustment since, because of corrosion phenomena, scale deposits and mechanical clearances, they tend to not perfectly close the draining ducts.
GB-A 1 180 676 discloses a device having the features of the preamble of claim 1. This known device comprises an end sleeve closing the lower end of an insert to which it is coupled by means of a bayonet coupling. The upper edge of said sleeve is provided with teeth.
EP-A 288 731 relates to a drainage plug comprising a movable tubular portion, a tubular fixed portion and a rotary tubular portion. When the rotary tubular portion is axially moved, the geometry of its contact sufaces causes a rotation of said portion.
A similar device is known from US-A 3 333 815 which is provided with a spring mechanism comprising a movable tubular portion, a tubular fixed portion and a rotary tubular portion.

Summary of the invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide a device for opening and closing a plug for sanitary fittings, which is improved with respect to conventional prior plugs.
Within the scope of the above mentioned aim, a main object of the present invention is to provide such a device for opening and closing a plug for sanitary fittings which can be easily and quickly operated, and which does not require complex and antiaesthetic operating leverages.
Another object of the present invention is to provide such a device which can be easily applied to existing sanitary fittings.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide such a plug operating device which does not practically require any maintenance operation, and is very safe and efficient in operation.
According to the present invention, the above mentioned aim and objects, as well as yet other objects, which will become more apparent hereinafter, the achieved by a device for opening and closing a plug for sanitary fittings, which comprises a movable portion, adapted to be coupled to a plug element, and slidably engaged with a fixed portion, mounted an a drain associated with the outlet of the sanitary fitting, and rotary-translating means, operating against resilient means so as to allow said plug element to be switched from an open or raised position to a closed or lowered position, by pressing on said plug element

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent hereinafter from the following detailed disclosure of a preferred, though not exclusive, embodiment of the invention, which is illustrated, by way of an indicative, but not limitative, example, in the accompanying drawings, where:

Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of the device for opening and closing a plug for sanitary fitting, according to the invention;
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the device in an assembled condition thereof;
Figures 3 and 4 are perspective views, as partially cross-sectioned, illustrating two operating steps of the device according to the present invention;
Figure 5 is an elevation, cross-sectioned view, illustrating a plug for bath tubs, including the device according to the present invention;
Figure 6 is a further perspective view of the plug for bath tubs, including the device according to the present invention;
Figur 7 is an elevation, cross-sectioned view, of a wash-basin plug including the device according to the present invention; and
Figure 8 is a further perspective view of a plug for wash-basin, including the device according to the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to the above mentioned figures, the device for opening and closing a plug for sanitary fittings, according to the present invention, and generally indicated by the reference number 100, comprises a movable portion 1, adapted to be coupled to a plug element, and slidably engaged with a fixed portion 2, adapted to be mounted on a drain of the sanitary fitting.
Inside the fixed portion 2 is arranged a rotary portion 3, including an axially extending hole, housing therein a coil spring 4, in turn engaged with a spring guide 5.
Figures 5 and 6 show an exemplary application of the device 100 to a plug designed for a bath tub.
In such an application, the movable portion 1 is coupled to a plug 6, by coupling wings 11, whereas the fixed portion 2 is screw engaged with the drain 7.
The plug 6 comprises a gasket 8, for providing sealing properties, with the plug being closed, as shown in figure 5.
Figures 7 and 8 show an exemplary application of the device 100 to a wash-basin plug element.
In such an application, the movable portion 1 is coupled to a plug 6, by coupling wings 11, as in the preceding application, whereas the fixed portion 2 is screw engaged with the drain 17.
The plug 6 comprises a gasket 8, providing the plug with sealing properties in its closed position, as shown in figure 7.
The drain 17 is suitably shaped, and comprises side holes 18, adapted to communicate the wash-basin outlet with the ducts formed in the gap 19 of the ceramics bowl 21, coupled to the overflow outlet thereof.
The top portion of the drain 17 is of tapering configuration and, at the bottom thereof, a sealing gagket 20 is applied to the drain, for preventing water from entering the space between the drain and top surface of the ceramics bowl 21.
The operation of the device according to the present invention is substantially the same, independently from its application.
The movable portion 1, in particular, is rigidly fastened to the plug 6 and is designed for providing an axial movement, i.e. a vertical movement, with respect to the fixed portion 2 which is mounted on the drain, 7 or 17, and which is stationary.
The rotary portion 3, in turn, can perform an axial and rotary movement, and is urged to contact the fixed portion 2 under the urging force applied by the spring 4.
By pressing on the plug 6, for example by a hand, the movable portion 1, which is rigid with the plug 6, will be axially displaced thereby causing the rotary portion 3 to turn, owing to the combined effect of the inclined abutment elements 12, provided on the fixed portion 2, and of the front teeth 13, provided on the rotary portion 3, and also having an inclined configuration.
Figure 3 shows the device according to the invention in a condition thereof corresponding to an open position of the plug, with the maximum raising opening stroke, and in which the movable portion 1 abuts against the fixed portion 2 through a bottom i inner edge 15, provided for abutting against the bottom surface of the inclined abutments 12 of the fixed portion 2.
Figure 4 shows a condition of the device according to the invention corresponding to a closure condition of the plug, in which the movable portion 1 is lowered so as to cause the longitudinal inner ridges 14 to abut against the front teeth 13 of the rotary portion 3.
It has been found that the invention fully achieves the intended aim and objects.
In fact, the invention provides a device which allows to easily open and close the plug of a bath tub, a wash-basin or other sanitary fitting, by simply applying to the plug a pressure force, by a hand, or by a foot, in the case of a bath tub, thereby eliminating all the leverages which were conventionally used in such an application.
With respect to prior devices, the device according to the present invention provides a larger raising stroke for the plug, and accordingly a better raising stroke for the plug, and accordingly a better water outflow, and a less size of the device between the plug element and sanitary fitting drain.
The closure point, shown in figures 5 and 7, in particular, will be determined by the weight of the plug, i.e. it is not rigidly determined by any mechanisms, thereby allowing to optimally exploiting the gasket.
Also after a long period of use, a possible deterioration of the outer diameter of the gasket, will not hinder a proper sealing, since the plug, because of its weight, will be lowered for a greater distance, thereby allowing the gasket to operate on a less diameter of the drain, which has a conical intern contour.
Moreover, since the contacting and movable portion can be made of a plastics material, the friction therebetween will be very reduced, while providing a better movement without any electrocorrosion risks.
On the other hand, in prior devices, the opening and closing movements are obtained by exploiting the motion of metal parts on plastic tracks, with a great friction and wear of the involved pieces.

Claims

Device for opening and closing a plug for a sanitary fitting, said device comprising a movable tubular portion (1) coupled to a plug (6), a tubular fixed portion (2) slidably engaged within said movable portion threaded on a drain (7, 17) intended to be associated with an outlet of the sanitary fitting, and a rotary tubular portion (3) rotatively and axially movably engaged within said tubular fixed portion (2) and housing a coil spring (4) engaged by a spring guide (5), wherein said movable tubular portion (1) is provided with circumferentially arranged coupling wings (11) for engaging said plug (6),
and wherein said tubular fixed portion (2) is provided with a plurality of circumferentially arranged inclined abutment elements (12) engageable with front inclined teeth (13) provided on said rotary tubular portion (3), thereby as said plug (6) is pressed, said movable tubular portion (1) is axially displaced to cause said rotary tubular portion (3) to turn to allow said plug (6) to be switched from an open or raised position to a closed or lowered position,
characterized in that as said device is arranged in the plug opening condition thereof, with a maximum raising stroke, said movable portion (1) abuts against said tubular fixed portion (2) through an inner bottom edge (15) on the movable tubular portion (1) abutting against a bottom surface of the inclined abutment elements (12) of said tubular fixed portion (2), whereas in the closure position of said device, said movable tubular portion (1) is raised such that inner longitudinal ridges (14) of said movable tubular portion (1) abut against said front teeth (13) of said rotary tubular portion (3).
Device according to claim 1, wherein said plug (6) comprises a gasket (8) for sealing said plug (6) in a closed condition thereof with respect to an edge of said drain (7, 17).
Device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the top portion of said drain (7, 17) is tapered, and at the bottom thereof is applied a sealing gasket (20).