EP2898152B1

EP2898152B1 - Kit for fixing tap on a surface

Info

Publication number: EP2898152B1
Application number: EP13774475.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Karl FEARNLEY
Original assignee: Kohler Mira Ltd
Current assignee: Kohler Mira Ltd
Priority date: 2012-09-18
Filing date: 2013-09-18
Publication date: 2019-11-06
Anticipated expiration: 2033-09-18
Also published as: CN107227769B; GB201216602D0; GB2505951B; GB2505951A; GB201620646D0; GB2544658A; HK1212405A1; GB2544658B; CN107227769A; WO2014045033A1; EP2898152A1; CN104812969B; CN104812969A

Description

The present invention concerns improvements in or relating to installation of a plumbing fitting on a deck having a surface with an opening for a water supply connectable to the plumbing fitting. The invention has particular, but not exclusive application to the installation of faucets such as taps, valves and mixers.
Faucets are commonly installed on the deck of plumbing fixtures such as basins, sinks or baths. Typically, the faucets are secured to the deck from below which often involves several components to be installed from the underside of the deck. Access to the underside of the deck is often restricted with only limited space available in which to work. As a result, installation can be awkward and may require two people - one to hold the faucet in place on the deck and another to secure the faucet from below the deck.
In view of the above, a need exists for improved apparatus, systems and methods for installing plumbing fittings on a deck that overcomes or at least mitigates the problems and disadvantages aforementioned and which may simplify installation by allowing an installer to fix the plumbing fitting to the deck without assistance and which may allow faster installation.
Apparatus according to the preamble of claim 1 is known from WO2008/026983A .
According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a fixing kit for mounting a plumbing fitting on a deck having a surface with an opening as defined in claim 1. Optional features are the subject of claims 2 to 11.
It may be that the fastening member is axially retained relative to the base part and is rotatable relative to the base part. The fastening member may be axially retained in a positive manner.
The elongate coupling member may have an external threaded portion for connecting the elongate coupling member to the plumbing fitting. For example the elongate coupling member may connect to a threaded bore in the underside of the plumbing fitting.
The elongate coupling member may have a further external threaded portion for connecting the elongate coupling member to the fastening member. For example the elongate coupling member may connect to a threaded bore in the fastening member.
It may be that the elongate coupling member comprises a rod having external threaded portions at opposite ends for connection to the plumbing fitting and to the fastening member.
The base part may be configured to seat on the underside of the deck around the opening when the fastening member is tightened. The deck may be clamped between the plumbing fitting and the base part by tightening the fastening member to urge the base part against the underside of the deck with the plumbing fitting seated on top of the deck.
The base part may include a plate with the fastening member rotatably connected to the plate. The plate may be rigid. The fastening member may be directly connected to the plate. The base part may include a gasket or similar spacer element located between the plate and the underside of the deck. The gasket may be resilient.
The fastening member may be configured to be tightened by hand. Alternatively or additionally, the fastening member may be configured to be tightened with a tool. For example the fastening member may have an external profile that facilitates tightening by hand and/or with a tool. Thus the fastening member may have a hexagonal external profile that can be gripped by hand and which can also be engaged by a tool to tighten the fastening member. In this way, the fastening member can be initially tightened by hand with final tightening to securely fix the plumbing fitting to the deck being achieved using the tool.
The fastening member may comprise a nut engageable with the external threaded portion of the elongate coupling member such that the plumbing fitting is secured by tightening the nut. The nut may have a bore to receive the external threaded portion of the elongate coupling member.
The bore may have a lead-in portion and an internal threaded portion with the external threaded portion of the elongate coupling member being a clearance fit in the lead-in portion and engageable with the threaded bore portion for tightening the fastening member.
The nut may be rotatably connected to the plate by any suitable means. The connector means may axially retain the nut in a positive manner. The connector means may provide a permanent connection or a releasable connection. For example, a head portion of the nut may be inserted through a hole in the plate and be permanently secured by swaging or releasably secured by a removable retainer such as a circlip. In this way, a sub-assembly of the plate and fastening member may be provided in which the fastening member is axially retained relative to the plate and rotatable relative to the plate. The fastening member may be axially located and retained relative to the plate. Combining the plate and fastening member in a sub-assembly facilitates installation of a plumbing fitting by one person in a simple manner.
The nut may be pivotally and rotatably connected to the plate by any suitable means so that the nut can be tipped to clear the external threaded portion of the elongate coupling member and then tipped back and tightened onto the external threaded portion of the elongate coupling member.
According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of mounting a plumbing fitting on a deck having a surface with an opening as defined in claim 12.
The method may include connecting each fastening member to the base part so that the or each fastening member is axially retained relative to the base part and is rotatable relative to the base part.
The fastening members may be connected to the base part so as to be axially retained relative to the base part and rotatable relative to the base part.
The fixing kit may be suitable to carry out the method according to the second aspect of the invention.
Other features, benefits and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description hereinafter of exemplary embodiments which are provided for the purpose of illustration only. Many modifications and variations of the exemplary embodiments will be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art. Therefore the invention which is limited according to the appended claims is not limited to the exemplary embodiments which are now described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a plumbing fitting;
Figure 2 is a perspective view of component parts of a fixing kit embodying the invention for installing the plumbing fitting of Figure 1 on a deck;
Figure 3 is a perspective view of a sub-assembly of the fixing kit shown in Figure 2;
Figure 4 is a perspective view of the plumbing fitting and fixing kit in an assembled condition with the deck omitted for clarity;
Figure 5 is a view in the direction of arrow A in Figure 4 with the deck added in section;
Figure 6 is a view in the direction of arrow B in Figure 4 with the deck added in section; and
Figure 7 is a sectional view of the plumbing fitting and fixing kit I the assembled condition with the deck added.

Referring to the drawings, a fixing kit 1 for installing a plumbing fitting 3 on a deck 5 is shown. In this embodiment, the plumbing fitting 3 is a tap and the deck 5 is a basin. It will be understood the invention is not limited to taps and that the fixing kit could be used for installation of other plumbing fittings. It will also be understood the invention is not limited to use with basins and that the fixing kit could be used for installation of plumbing fittings on other decks including sinks or baths or countertops.
The tap 3 may be a mixer tap and has a body 7 for connection to supplies of hot and cold water (not shown). A valve mechanism (not shown) housed in the body 7 is operable by means of a control handle 9 mounted on the body 7 to control flow rate and temperature of water delivered to a spout 11 having an outlet (not shown) for discharge of water. Such valve mechanisms and control handles are well known to those skilled in the art and are not described further herein.
The tap body 7 is adapted to seat on an upper surface 5a of the basin 5 around an opening 13 in the basin 5. A washer 15 is preferably interposed between the tap body 7 and the upper surface 5a of the basin 5. The washer 15 may be made of rubber or similar material and is preferably resilient.
The fixing kit 1 includes one or more, in this embodiment two, elongate coupling members 17a, 17b in the form of, for example, rods, that are attached at one end to the tap body 7. For example a threaded portion of the rods 17a, 17b may be screwed into two blind tapped bores 19a, 19b that extend in an axial direction from the underside of the tap body 7. The rods 17a, 17b pass through the opening 13 in the basin 5 when the tap 3 is mounted on the upper surface 5a of the basin 5. The rods 17a, 17b may be made of metal or alloy or plastics.
The fixing kit 1 also includes a base part 21 adapted to seat on a lower surface 5b of the basin 5 around the opening 13 in the basin 5. The base part 21 includes a clamping plate 23 and optionally a gasket 25 interposed between the clamping plate 23 and the lower surface 5b of the basin 5. The clamping plate 23 may be made of metal or alloy or plastics and is preferably rigid. The gasket 25 may be made of rubber or similar material and is preferably resilient.
The clamping plate 23 has one or more, in this embodiment three, formations 23a in the form, for example, of integrally formed tabs, spaced around the peripheral edge and the gasket 25 has a corresponding plurality of aligned formations 25a in the form, for example, of integrally formed notches 25a, that receive the tabs 23a to locate the gasket 25 relative to the clamping plate 23. The number of tabs 23a and notches 25a may be varied or replaced by any other means to locate the gasket 25 relative to the clamping plate 23.
The fixing kit 1 also includes one or more, in this embodiment two, fastening members 27a, 27b in the form, for example, of nuts, attached to the clamping plate 23, preferably directly attached to the clamping plate 23, by any suitable means such that the fastening members 27a, 27b are axially located and retained relative to the clamping plate 23 and are rotatable relative to the clamping plate 23. Any means of achieving this may be employed. For example, in this embodiment, each nut 27a, 27b has a head portion 29a, 29b preferably of reduced cross-section. The head portion 29a, 29b may be cylindrical. The head portion 29a, 29b extends through a hole 31a, 31b in the clamping plate 23 and has an annular groove 33a, 33b in which a retainer such as a circlip 35a, 35b is received to secure releasably the nuts 27a, 27b to the clamping plate 23. In this way the clamping plate 23 is positioned between each circlip 35a, 35b and body of the associated nut 27a, 27b. As a result, the nuts 27a, 27b are axially located and retained relative to the clamping plate 23 in a positive manner and are rotatable relative to the clamping plate 23. Any other arrangement for axially locating and retaining the nuts 27a, 27b relative to the clamping plate 23 while allowing the nuts 27a, 27b to rotate relative to the clamping plate 23 may be employed.
In this way, the clamping plate 23 with attached nuts 27a, 27b and, where provided, the gasket 25 forms a sub-assembly for ease of handling during installation. The nuts 27a, 27b are free to rotate relative to the clamping plate 23 for engagement with the rods 17a, 17b inserted through the opening 13 in the basin 5 when installing the tap 3 on the basin 5. Attaching the nuts 27a, 27b to the clamping plate 23 so that the nuts 27a, 27b are axially located and retained while being capable of rotating relative to the clamping plate 23 prevents the nuts 27a, 27b being inadvertently separated from the clamping plate 23. This has benefits for the manufacturer, supplier and installer. For example loss of parts during shipment, storage and installation can be avoided. Also there are fewer part for assembly during installation.
In use, the rods 17a, 17b are attached to the tap body 7, and the tap body 7 with the washer 15 on the underside is seated on the upper surface 5a of the basin 5 with the rods 17a, 17b extending through the opening 13 in the basin 5. The clamping plate 23 with the gasket 25 located on the upper surface is positioned under the opening 9 with the nuts 27a, 27b suspended from the clamping plate 23 to align the nuts 27a, 27b with the lower ends of the rods 17a, 17b. The nuts 27a, 27b have axial through bores extending from one end to the other end of the nuts 27a, 27b. Each through bore preferably has a lead-in portion 37a, 37b and a threaded portion 39a, 39b. The lead-in portion 37a, 37b is arranged above the threaded portion 39a, 39b. The threaded end portions of the rods 17a, 17b are a clearance fit in the lead-in portions 37a, 37b and the nuts 27a, 27b are rotatable to engage the threaded portions 39a, 39b with the threaded end portions of the rods 17a, 17b. The clamping plate 23 and gasket 25 are raised by tightening the nuts 27a, 27b on the rods 17a, 17b to seat on the underside 5b of the basin 5 and fix the tap 3 to the basin 5. The nuts 27a, 27b preferably have hexagonal or other suitable external forms that allow tightening by hand and/or by a suitable tool such as a socket wrench or spanner.
The threaded portion 39a, 39b of the nuts 27a, 27b may be of different lengths. The lead-in portions 37a, 37b of the nuts 27a, 27b may be of different lengths. The combined length of the threaded portion 39a and lead-in portion 37a of the nut 27a may be the same as the combined length of the threaded portion 39b and lead-in portion 37b of the nut 27b. In this embodiment, threaded portion 39b of nut 27b is of shorter length than threaded portion 39a of nut 27a and the lead-in portion 37b of nut 27b is of longer length than lead-in portion 37a of nut 27a. The combined length of the threaded portion and lead-in portion of both nuts is the same. This arrangement allows tightening of one nut to start before the other nut and reduces the number of turns to tighten the nut having the shorter threaded portion (and/or longer lead-in portion) which speeds up installation. In some embodiments the threaded portions 39a, 39b may be the same length and/or the lead-in portions 37a, 37b may be the same length. In some embodiments, the lead-in portion 37a, 37b may be omitted from one or more of the nuts 27a, 27b. Alternatively or additionally, one of the rods 17a, 17b may be of shorter length than the other rod such that the associated nut can be tightened with fewer turns which speeds up installation.
Incoming hot and cold water supplies (not shown) can be connected to inlets (not shown) on the underside of the tap body 7 through the opening 13 in the basin 5. For this, the clamping plate 23 has a cut-out section 41 to accommodate the hot and cold water supplies and the gasket 25 has a larger cut-out section 43 to accommodate the rods 17a, 17b and the hot and cold water supplies. The gasket 25 also provides clearance between the head portions 29a, 29b of the nuts and the underside 5b of the basin 5 for rotating the nuts 27a, 27b to secure the tap 3 to the basin 5. In a modification (not shown) the clamping plate may be configured to provide clearance between the head portions 29a, 29b of the nuts and the underside 5b of the basin 5 for rotating the nuts 27a, 27b to secure the tap 3 to the basin 5.
The hot and cold water supplies may be flexible hoses configured for connection to the inlets by any suitable means. For example the hoses may be provided with connectors that screw into the inlets in the underside of the tap body 7 or with connectors that are a push-fit in the inlets in the underside of the tap body 7. The hot and cold water supplies may be connected to the inlets before or more preferably after the tap 3 has been secured to the basin 5.
Features of the fixing kit may provide any of the following advantages:

installation of the tap by one person in a simple manner
faster installation
easier alignment of the tap on the basin

It will be understood the invention is not limited to the embodiment above-described. For example the fixing kit may comprise one or more rods for attaching to the plumbing fitting with a corresponding number of nuts rotatably mounted on the clamping plate. It may be that each rotatable nut is permanently secured to the clamping plate. For example a head portion of the nut may extend through a hole in the clamping plate and be swaged or otherwise configured to secure the nut to the clamping plate so that the nut is axially located and retained relative to the clamping plate and is rotatable relative to the clamping plate. It may be that a quick/release thread/nut may be employed to secure the clamping plate on the underside of the basin. It may be that each nut is pivotally and rotatably connected to the clamping plate by any suitable means so that the nut can be tipped to clear the external threaded portion of the elongate coupling member and then tipped back and tightened onto the external threaded portion of the elongate coupling member. It may be that the rods are connected to the body of the plumbing fitting as described in the exemplary embodiment. Alternatively, the plumbing fitting may include a separate base mounting element that is secured to the deck with the body of the plumbing fitting being connectable to the base mounting element. It may be that the plumbing fitting is connected to supplies of hot water and cold water. Alternatively, the plumbing fitting may be connected to a supply of hot water only or to a supply of cold water only. It may be that the plumbing fitting includes any type of faucet for controlling flow and/or temperature of water such as taps, valves, mixers and like fittings.
As utilized herein, the terms "approximately," "about," "substantially", and similar terms are intended to have a broad meaning in harmony with the common and accepted usage by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the subject matter of this disclosure pertains. It should be understood by those of skill in the art who review this disclosure that these terms are intended to allow a description of certain features described and claimed without restricting the scope of these features to the precise numerical ranges provided. Accordingly, these terms should be interpreted as indicating that insubstantial or inconsequential modifications or alterations of the subject matter described and claimed are considered to be within the scope of the invention as recited in the appended claims.
It should be noted that the term "exemplary" as used herein to describe various embodiments is intended to indicate that such embodiments are possible examples, representations, and/or illustrations of possible embodiments (and such term is not intended to connote that such embodiments are necessarily extraordinary or superlative examples).
References herein to the positions of elements are used to describe the orientation of various elements in the Figures. It should be noted that the orientation of various elements may differ according to other exemplary embodiments, and that such variations are intended to be encompassed by the present invention as recited in the appended claims.
It is important to note that the construction and arrangement of the plumbing fittings as shown in the various exemplary embodiments are illustrative only. Those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) within the scope of the invention as recited in the appended claims. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements, the position of elements may be reversed or otherwise varied, and the nature or number of discrete elements or positions may be altered or varied. The order or sequence of any process or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may also be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the various exemplary embodiments within the scope of the present invention as recited in the appended claims.

Claims

A fixing kit (1) for mounting a plumbing fitting (3) on a deck (5), said deck having a surface with an opening (13), the fixing kit (1) including a base part (21) arranged, in use, on an underside of the deck , characterized in that the fixing kit includes at least two elongate coupling members (17a, 17b) connectable to the plumbing fitting (3) so as to extend, in use, through the opening in the deck (5) and at least two fastening members (27a, 27b) connected to the base part, the fastening members (27a, 27b) being axially retained and rotatable relative to the base part (21), wherein the elongate coupling members (17a, 17b) and fastening members (27a, 27b) have co-operating threaded portions such that, in use, the plumbing fitting (3) is secured to the deck by tightening the fastening members (27a, 27b) to urge the base part (21) against the underside of the deck (5) and the elongate coupling members (17a, 17b) and fastening members (27a, 27b) have co-operating threaded portions (39a, 39b) configured so that fewer turns are required to tighten at least one of the fastening members (27a, 27b).
A fixing kit according to claim 1, wherein each elongate coupling member (17a, 17b) comprises a rod having external threaded portions at opposite ends for connection to the plumbing fitting (3) and to the fastening member (27a, 27b).
A fixing kit according to any preceding claim, wherein the base part (21) includes a plate (23) with the fastening members (27a, 27b) rotatably connected to the plate (23).
A fixing kit according to claim 3, wherein the base part (21) includes a gasket (25) or spacer element located between the plate (23) and the underside of the deck (5).
A fixing kit according to claim 3 or claim 4 wherein each fastening member (27a, 27b) is axially located and retained relative to the plate (23).
A fixing kit according to any of claims 3 to 5, wherein each fastening member (27a, 27b) comprises a nut having a bore to receive the threaded portion of the elongate coupling member (17a, 17b).
A fixing kit according to claim 6, wherein the bore has a lead-in portion (37a, 37b) and an internal threaded portion (39a, 39b) with the threaded portion of the elongate coupling member (17a, 17b) being a clearance fit in the lead-in portion and engageable with the threaded bore portion for tightening the fastening member (27a, 27b).
A fixing kit according to claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the nut is rotatably connected to the plate (23) by means that provide a permanent connection or a releasable connection (35a, 35b).
A fixing kit according to any of claims 3 to 5, wherein the fastening member (27a, 27b) comprises a nut that is pivotally and rotatably connected to the plate (23) so that the nut can be tipped to clear the threaded portion of the elongate coupling member (17a, 17b) and then tipped back and tightened onto the threaded portion of the elongate coupling member (17a, 17b).
A fixing kit according to any preceding claim, wherein one of the fastening members (27b) has a shorter threaded portion (39b) and a longer lead-in portion (39a) than the other fastening member (27a) such that it can be tightened with fewer turns.
A fixing kit according to any preceding claim, wherein one of the elongate coupling members (17a, 17b) is shorter than the other elongate coupling member (17a, 17b) such that the associated fastening member (27a, 27b) may be tightened with fewer turns.
A method of mounting a plumbing fitting (3) on a deck (5) having a surface with an opening (13), the method characterised by including providing at least two elongate coupling members (17a, 17b) connectable to the plumbing fitting, attaching the elongate coupling members to a plumbing fitting, positioning the plumbing fitting on top of the deck so that the elongate coupling members extend, through the opening in the deck, providing a base part (21) including at least two rotatable fastening members (27a, 27b) rotatably connected to the base part for engagement with the elongate coupling members (17a, 17b), positioning the base part on an underside of the deck, and rotating the fastening members to engage complementary threaded portions of the elongate coupling members and fastening members to tighten the fastening member and urge the base part against the underside of the deck and providing the elongate coupling members and fastening members with co-operating threaded portions (39a, 39b) configured so that at least one fastening member can be tightened with a reduced number of turns.