ES1255595U - FAUCET ACCESSORY (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding) - Google Patents

Abstract

Accessory for liquid dispenser taps, of the type that comprises pressable levers (2), characterized in that it comprises an upper fixing (1) that can be coupled to the tap lever (2), a lower arm (3) comprising a support (4) for a container (5), the arm (3) being configured to arrange the support (4) under the tap by pressing the lever (2). (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)

Description

DESCRIPTION

Faucet accessory

TECHNICAL SECTOR

The present invention relates to an accessory for a liquid dispenser tap. It allows the liquid to be served to a bottle or container without the user having to touch anything other than their own container.

STATE OF THE ART

Dispensers for water or other liquids that comprise a tap or valve with a pressure lever are known in the art. A well-known example is the water dispensers used in offices such as those shown in US2020247663 and USD321806. The operation of the pressure levers is always similar. The movement of the lever raises or lowers a stem that removes the closure from its seat and allows the liquid to escape. The lever usually has a horizontal axis to activate the tap and a vertical axis to guide it.

The user must place a container, generally a glass or a bottle, under the liquid outlet, and press the lever with his hand. This creates a certain hygiene problem, especially in the event of a pandemic. The lever is touched by many hands, so the sanitary state in which it may be is not known.

Much more complex systems are also known that incorporate a movement or presence sensor to activate the passage of water when it detects movement ahead. This system is expensive and complex and uses an excessive technical level for a system as simple as a dispenser.

The applicant does not know of any solution to these problems as effective as the one claimed.

BRIEF EXPLANATION OF THE INVENTION

The invention consists of an accessory for a liquid dispenser tap according to the independent claim.

This accessory for faucet allows to convert any dispenser whose faucets have an upper pressure lever or can be pressed into a "hands-free" dispenser. The accessory for faucet can be installed as standard in dispensers, so that the pressure is carried out directly on the stem , or distributed for placement in existing dispensers without requiring more touch-up than the placement of the accessory.

The memory will speak of a "front" side and a "back" side corresponding to the position of the accessory during its use. By "anterior" is understood the area most accessible to the user, and therefore farthest from the body of the dispenser. "Rear" is understood to be the area that is oriented towards the dispenser and is less accessible to the user.

Specifically, the accessory is intended for liquid dispenser taps. For the type of taps that comprise pressable levers such as those described. The accessory comprises an upper fixing that can be attached to the tap lever and a lower arm comprising a support for a container. The arm is configured to provide support under the tap by pressing the lever. This pressure will generally be done by means of the arm itself.

In one embodiment, the upper attachment comprises an insert that forms the negative of the lever. This insert will be positioned according to the lever model used. The insert can be removable for replacement.

In the most preferred embodiment, the accessory comprises a spacer articulated to the arm and finished in a stop arranged in the area where the container is placed. This spacer ensures that the distance between the arm and the distributor does not vary, and in this way that the tap does not open. Placing the container moves the stop and tilts the spacer so that it stops exercising its function.

Preferably, the link of the spacer is located between its center of gravity and the bearing. Thus the spacer is brought into position by its own weight.

Preferably, the arm comprises a centering device configured to separate the container from the main part of the arm and prevent its edge (where the user has been able to drink) from touching the arm. The centering device will be of reduced dimensions so that accidental contact with the user's hand is not easy. Likewise, you can place at points further from the hand (for example near the base of the container).

Other particular solutions are included in the dependent claims and are described in detail below.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To complement the description that is being made and in order to help a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, a set of drawings is attached in which, with an illustrative and non-limiting nature, the following has been represented.

Figure 1: perspective view of an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2: schematic section of a second embodiment A) at rest, B) serving water.

Figure 3: schematic section of a third embodiment at rest.

MODES OF EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

Next, an embodiment of the invention will be briefly described, as an illustrative and non-limiting example thereof.

The accessory is based on an upper fixing (1) that can be coupled to the lever (2) of the tap. The upper fixing (1) will generally have an internal hole with the negative of the lever (2) to be coupled. This negative can be formed by an insert (not shown) that has to be placed in the corresponding part of the accessory to form all or part of the negative. In this way, the user can adapt the shape of the upper fixing (1) to the exact shape of the lever (2) in the tap model.

The accessory is placed on the lever (2) when it is in the position of figure 2A. That is, with its free end located towards the front where the user is. Preferably the upper fixing (1) allows the rotation of the lever (2) about its vertical axis, the exact orientation will not be relevant. For this, a free space is provided through which the liquid arrival pipe can pass.

An arm (3) emerges from the upper fixing (1), which can be made in many ways. The arm (3) is finished in a support (4) for the placement of the container (5). The arm (3) can emerge from the anterior face of the upper fixation (1), in which case it is generally oblique and comprises a hole (6) for the passage of liquids towards the support (4). It can also arise from the rear face, in which case it does not require that hole (6). It is preferred that it starts from the front face to be able to leave space for the mentioned pipe.

In figure 1 the arm (3) comprises a curved upper part (31), where the hole (6) is arranged and a straight lower part (32) that is approximately vertical when the container (5) is being filled. This solution allows the container (5) to be easily positioned without the arm (3) affecting its position.

In use, the container (5) is placed on the support (4) and is pushed to produce the tilting of the accessory and the activation of the tap. The support (4) must be positioned so that it is under the tap when it is tilted. The spring of the lever (2) itself produces the return of the arm (3) to the starting position, for which it is preferred that it be made of light material or that it tends to the rest position due to the situation of its center of gravity .

Figure 2 shows a second embodiment in which a safety stop is provided that prevents activating the tap without placing a container (5). It consists of a spacer (7) articulated to the arm (3), in this case in the final support (4). The spacer (7) is defined to automatically position itself between the arm (3) and the dispenser. A projection (8) on the end of the spacer (7) projects towards the position of the container (5). The projection (8) is constructed in such a way that the positioning of the container causes the rotation of the spacer (7) and in this way the accessory can be tilted.

The spacer (7) may comprise a return spring to re-lock the accessory, but more preferably its center of gravity is shifted towards the rear, so that it locks itself into position.

Figure 3 shows a second example of the position of the spacer (7), in this case located on the arm (3). It can be seen how the projection (8) is oriented obliquely and downwards. There are many positions and designs that achieve the desired function, all starting from placing the projection (8) in the area of influence or placement of the container (5).

So that the glass or container (5) is separated from the arm (3) and it does not accidentally rub against the user's hand, a centering device (9) acts as a separator. This centering device (9) also serves to ensure that the container (5) is aligned with the tap.

Claims (1)

1- Accessory for liquid dispenser taps, of the type that includes pressable levers (2), characterized in that it comprises an upper fixing (1) that can be attached to the tap lever (2), a lower arm (3) comprising a support (4) for a container (5), the arm (3) being configured to arrange the support (4) under the tap by pressing the lever (2). 2- Accessory, according to claim 1, characterized in that the upper fixing (1) comprises an insert that forms the negative of the lever (2). 3- Accessory, according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a spacer (7) articulated to the arm (3) and finished off in a stop (8) arranged in the area of placement of the container (5). 4- Accessory, according to claim 3, characterized in that the articulation of the spacer (7) is located between its center of gravity and the support (5). 5- Accessory, according to claim 1, characterized in that the arm (3) arises from the front face of the upper fixing (1). 6- Accessory, according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a centering device (9) on the arm (3) configured to separate the container (5) from it.