GB2063426A - Knob Assembly for Sanitary Fittings - Google Patents

Abstract

A knob (2) is secured axially and rotationally relative to a stem end (6) of a sanitary fitting (1) by means of a sleeve (3), adapted to engage the stem end (6), via teeth (21) having resilient projections (61), and a cap (4). The knob (2) rests on a tapering surface (22) of the sleeve (3) and is prevented from removal off the stem end (6) by means of the cap (4) which has a shoulder (41) engaging with resilient projections (32) of the sleeve (3). The resilient projections (32) thus serve also to prevent accidental displacement of the cap, which may be colour coded to distinguish between hot and cold water, from the knob (2). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Knob Assembly for Sanitary Fittings This invention relates to the attachment of actuating knobs to sanitary fittings by means of a sleeve connected to a stem end of the fitting and to a knob by resilient portions provided on teeth of the sleeve; which connection is such as to prevent axial movement of the sleeve and the knob relative to the stem end.

From West German Patent Specification DE PS 2,342,613 a knob assembly is known where the sleeve engages with its resilient portions directly in the knob behind projections thereof.

Coaxially above the projections an opening is provided in the knob which will for example accommodate an identification disc. The identification disc in this case is retained essentially by friction in the knob opening and can therefore easily be displaced or lost.

An object of the invention is to improve the known knob assembly whereby to locate the identification disc positively in the knob opening.

According to the present invention there is provided a knob assembly for sanitary fittings including a knob, a sleeve adapted to be connected to a stem end of the fitting and the knob, and a cap, wherein the sleeve is provided with teeth for engagement with the stem end and on which are formed first resilient portions adapted to prevent axial movement of the sleeve relative to the stem end, wherein the knob has a recess adapted to accommodate the cap, wherein the sleeve is provided with one or more second resilient portions adapted to project into the cap, and wherein the or each second resilient portion is adapted to snap behind a locating collar formed in cap whereby to secure the knob in a pushed-on position on the stem end in use of the assembly.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 shows a valve top with a dome shaped knob in longitudinal section, and Figs. 2a and 2b show, respectively a plan and a section through a cap.

A valve top 1 (Fig. 1) has a projecting stem end 6 on which a plastics sleeve 3 is held in position by splines (teeth) so as to prevent rotation. Axial fixing on the stem end is ensured by first resilient snap lugs 61. On the outer cylindrical surface there is a further set of splines (teeth) 21. Sleeve 3 has a tapered portion and a reduced diameter portion 31 with a wedge shaped annular section 32 and longitudinal slots 33 so that second resilient lugs, which are wedge-shaped are produced.

On to sleeve 3 with the help of teeth 21 is pushed a knob 2. The knob 2 rests with one shoulder 22 on the tapering face of the portion 31 of sleeve 3. The reduced diameter portion 31 passes almost completely through knob 2 via hole 23.

From the outside of knob 2 coaxial with hole 23 is formed a recess 5 into which after pushing on knob 2 a cap 4 can be inserted for locking purpose. Inside cap 4 there is a locating collar 41 (Fig. 2b) behind which, on inserting cap 4, engage the wedge shaped lugs formed by annular section 32 with the aid of longitudinal slots 33. Knob 2 is -thus secured in the pushed-on position by cap 4.

Cap 4 can to advantage be a plastics injection moulding. For easy removal from an injection mould the cap is provided along its cylindrical sleeve surface 42 with longitudinal slots 43 (Figs.

2a and 2b) so that the projecting locating collar 41 does not constitute any hindrance.

To ensure smooth, trouble free transition from the cap to the end face of knob 2 the cap is provided with a convex end face 44.

The advantages provided by the invention consist particularly of the fact that the cap permits both identification of the valve, e.g. colour coding to distinguish between cold and hot water as well as locking the knob in pushed on position on the valve stem. Loss of the cap is precluded by the engagement feature.

On insertion of the cap in the knob the cylindrical sleeve surface 42 comes to rest on the wall of the recess 5 so that deflection due to the slots 43 is prevented in the installed position.

Finally the convex shape of the end face of the cap has the effect that the sleeve can extend almost completely through the knob.

Claims

1. A knob assembly for sanitary fittings including a knob, a sleeve adapted to be connected to a stem end of the fitting and the knob, and a cap, wherein the sleeve is provided with teeth for engagement with the stem end and on which are formed first resilient portions adapted to prevent axial movement of the sleeve relative to the stem end, wherein the knob has a recess adapted to accommodate the cap, wherein the sleeve is provided with one or more second resilient portions adapted to project into the cap, and wherein the or each second resilient portion is adapted to snap behind a locating collar formed in cap whereby to secure the knob in a pushed-on position on the stem end in use of the assembly.

2. A knob assembly as claimed in Claim 1, wherein that cap is made of a plastics material and is provided with a cylindrical sleeve portion fitting snugly into the recess and wherein in the cylindrical sleeve portion there are longitudinal slots.

3. A knob assembly as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the cap is provided with an end face of convex shape.

4. A knob assembly substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (4)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Knob Assembly for Sanitary Fittings This invention relates to the attachment of actuating knobs to sanitary fittings by means of a sleeve connected to a stem end of the fitting and to a knob by resilient portions provided on teeth of the sleeve; which connection is such as to prevent axial movement of the sleeve and the knob relative to the stem end. From West German Patent Specification DE PS 2,342,613 a knob assembly is known where the sleeve engages with its resilient portions directly in the knob behind projections thereof. Coaxially above the projections an opening is provided in the knob which will for example accommodate an identification disc. The identification disc in this case is retained essentially by friction in the knob opening and can therefore easily be displaced or lost. An object of the invention is to improve the known knob assembly whereby to locate the identification disc positively in the knob opening. According to the present invention there is provided a knob assembly for sanitary fittings including a knob, a sleeve adapted to be connected to a stem end of the fitting and the knob, and a cap, wherein the sleeve is provided with teeth for engagement with the stem end and on which are formed first resilient portions adapted to prevent axial movement of the sleeve relative to the stem end, wherein the knob has a recess adapted to accommodate the cap, wherein the sleeve is provided with one or more second resilient portions adapted to project into the cap, and wherein the or each second resilient portion is adapted to snap behind a locating collar formed in cap whereby to secure the knob in a pushed-on position on the stem end in use of the assembly. An embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 shows a valve top with a dome shaped knob in longitudinal section, and Figs. 2a and 2b show, respectively a plan and a section through a cap. A valve top 1 (Fig. 1) has a projecting stem end 6 on which a plastics sleeve 3 is held in position by splines (teeth) so as to prevent rotation. Axial fixing on the stem end is ensured by first resilient snap lugs 61. On the outer cylindrical surface there is a further set of splines (teeth) 21. Sleeve 3 has a tapered portion and a reduced diameter portion 31 with a wedge shaped annular section 32 and longitudinal slots 33 so that second resilient lugs, which are wedge-shaped are produced. On to sleeve 3 with the help of teeth 21 is pushed a knob 2. The knob 2 rests with one shoulder 22 on the tapering face of the portion 31 of sleeve 3. The reduced diameter portion 31 passes almost completely through knob 2 via hole 23. From the outside of knob 2 coaxial with hole 23 is formed a recess 5 into which after pushing on knob 2 a cap 4 can be inserted for locking purpose. Inside cap 4 there is a locating collar 41 (Fig. 2b) behind which, on inserting cap 4, engage the wedge shaped lugs formed by annular section 32 with the aid of longitudinal slots 33. Knob 2 is -thus secured in the pushed-on position by cap 4. Cap 4 can to advantage be a plastics injection moulding. For easy removal from an injection mould the cap is provided along its cylindrical sleeve surface 42 with longitudinal slots 43 (Figs. 2a and 2b) so that the projecting locating collar 41 does not constitute any hindrance. To ensure smooth, trouble free transition from the cap to the end face of knob 2 the cap is provided with a convex end face 44. The advantages provided by the invention consist particularly of the fact that the cap permits both identification of the valve, e.g. colour coding to distinguish between cold and hot water as well as locking the knob in pushed on position on the valve stem. Loss of the cap is precluded by the engagement feature. On insertion of the cap in the knob the cylindrical sleeve surface 42 comes to rest on the wall of the recess 5 so that deflection due to the slots 43 is prevented in the installed position. Finally the convex shape of the end face of the cap has the effect that the sleeve can extend almost completely through the knob. Claims

1. A knob assembly for sanitary fittings including a knob, a sleeve adapted to be connected to a stem end of the fitting and the knob, and a cap, wherein the sleeve is provided with teeth for engagement with the stem end and on which are formed first resilient portions adapted to prevent axial movement of the sleeve relative to the stem end, wherein the knob has a recess adapted to accommodate the cap, wherein the sleeve is provided with one or more second resilient portions adapted to project into the cap, and wherein the or each second resilient portion is adapted to snap behind a locating collar formed in cap whereby to secure the knob in a pushed-on position on the stem end in use of the assembly.

2. A knob assembly as claimed in Claim 1, wherein that cap is made of a plastics material and is provided with a cylindrical sleeve portion fitting snugly into the recess and wherein in the cylindrical sleeve portion there are longitudinal slots.

3. A knob assembly as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the cap is provided with an end face of convex shape.

4. A knob assembly substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.