GB2160942A

GB2160942A - Aerator for tap outlets with attachment for auxiliary devices

Info

Publication number: GB2160942A
Application number: GB08511337A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Leonardo Bossini
Original assignee: Bossini Leonardo & F Llo SpA
Current assignee: Bossini Leonardo & F Llo SpA
Priority date: 1984-06-27
Filing date: 1985-05-03
Publication date: 1986-01-02
Also published as: FR2566874B3; DE8513518U1; ES286801U; ES286801Y; GB8511337D0; FR2566874A3; IT8407003V0

Abstract

An aerator which can be fitted to tap outlets (5) to aerate the water as it is delivered is also provided with a rapid attachment means, comprising a groove or seat (8) made in the body (1) of the aerator, which is open (10) in order to receive the circular flange (12) of a joint or union (11) attached by means of a hose to an auxiliary device or fitting which can be supplied with and makes use of the water delivered by the delivery outlet through the said aerator. Exemplified auxiliary fittings include toothbrushes (Fig. 4) and razor blade cleaners (Figs. 5 and 6). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Aerator for tap outlets with a quick-fitting attachment for auxiliary devices or fittings which use the water delivered by the aerator The present invention relates to an aerator for tap outlets of the type having a shell body which encloses a reticular aeration unit and a threaded portion at the end for direct or indirect atachment by means of a union attached to a water delivery outlet.

So-called aerators which incorporate reticular elements which, in addition to breaking up the jet of water, encourage mixing of the water with air drawn in from the exterior through passages provided for the purpose in the aerator as a result of the flow of water delivered, are generally fitted to the outlets of water taps in washbasins, sinks, etc.

Once they have been fitted to the tap outlet known aerators have no other function or purpose than to aerate the water delivered. At present, in fact, aerators have a shell body which encloses reticular elements and incorporates a threaded portion for attachment to the tap outlet.

The object of this invention on the other hand is to provide an aerator which can be fitted to tap outlets and, in addition to performing its own function of aerating the water delivered, also constitutes means for the attachment of an auxiliary device, fitting or item of equipment which uses the water delivered.

Another object of this invention is to provide an aerator having a body designed to form a simple, convenient and fast means of attachment for devices, fittings or items of equipment which can be supplied with and make use of the water issuing from the aerator without the need for additional or supplementary means of attachment.

According to the present invention there is provided an aerator for water delivery tap outlets in wash basins or sinks, comprising a shell body which encloses a reticular aeration unit and has a threaded end portion for direct attachment or indirect attachment by an intermediate fitting, to a water outlet, wherein a semi-annular groove or seat, which can be accessed radially via a radial aperture of a width equal to the diameter of the groove or seat, is made in the said shell body in the part opposite to the said threaded portion and wherein a circular end flange of a joint or union which is attached directly, or indirectly via an extension hose to a device, fitting or item of equipment, which is provided to make use of the water delivered by the said outlet and the said aerator, is insertable into the said semi-annular groove or seat via the said aperture in the shell body.

The invention will be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 illustrates the aerator in perspective view and separately the joint or union which must be attached to the aerator in order to connect it to an auxiliary device or fitting; Figure 2 shows a lateral view of the aerator in partial cross-section and separately the joint or union; Figure 3 shows, in partial cross-section, the joint or union assembly fitted to the aerator; Figure 4 illustrates an example of a device in the form of a toothbrush which can be attached to the aerator; Figures 5 and 6 illustrate a device designed to be particularly effective for cleaning razor blades; and Figure 7 illustrates in a perspective view a structural variant of the aerator and the joint union which is attached to it.

The aerator comprises a shell 1 which incor- porates a reticular aeration unit 2 in a known manner and defines passages 3 for the ingress of air through aeration unit 2 as a result of the deliver of water. Shell 1 is provided at one end with an externally threaded portion 4 by means of which the aerator is attached by screwing to water delivery outlet 5 in washbasins, sinks or the linke, or in any event to the outlet of a tap.

Shell 1 may be attached to outlet 5 directly, if the latter is provided with an internal thread, or indirectly using an intermediate union 6 if, as shown in the drawing, outlet 5 is provided with an external thread 5', the said union 6 then having two internally threaded region 7-7' which are designed toengage external thread 4 of shell 1 and external thread 5' respectively of water delivery tap outlet 5.

In any event a semi-annular groove or seat 8 bounded above and below by shoulders 9 and 9' respectively and accessible in a radial direction via an aperture 10 of width equal to the diameter of groove or seat 8 is provided at the end opposite to threaded portion 4 or the water outlet part of aeration unit 2.

A joint or union 11 with a head 11' having a circular end flange 1 2 of a diameter and height slightly less than those of semi-annular groove or seat 8 and provided with a head gasket 1 3 is immovably attached to shell 1 of the aerator constructed. Joint or union 11 has a terminal spigot 1 4 for attachment to an extension hose 1 5 for attachment of the auxiliary device, fitting or item of equipment, such as for example a toothbrush 1 6.

Joint or union 11 and, with this the auxiliary device, the fitting or item of equipment connected to shell 1 of the aerator, is attached by locating flange 1 2 in semi-annular groove or seat 8 in the shell 1, radially through aperture 10 in the direction of arrow A in Fig. 4. The assembly is illustrated in Fig.

3 of the drawing and is secured in an axial direction by the resting of flange 1 2 against lower shoulder 9' and in a transverse direction by the friction provided by a head gasket 1 3 which makes a seal against upper shoulder 9.

This assembly is particularly simple and quick to connect and can easily be reversed to allow joint or union 11, and therefore the auxiliary device on the aerator, to be released and removed.

In the embodiment in Fig. 5, the device which is attached to the aerator is designed to provide a surface 20 on end portion 21 which is provided with holes 22 by means of which the water delivered maybe used to clean razor blades after use. In the alternative arrangement shown in Fig. 7, the connection 6' of the aerator and attached joint or union 11 can have the seats for their attachment reversed compared to Fig. 1 without affecting the concept of the invention.

It is therefore clear that the aerator described above has the additional function of enabling rapid attachment of accessory devices for delivery and making use of the water even at a distance from the delivery tap.

Claims

1. An aerator for water delivery tap outlets in wash basins or sinks, comprising a shell body which encloses a reticular aeration unit and has a threaded end portion for direct attachment by an intermediate fitting, to a water outlet, wherein a semi-annular groove or seat, which can be accessed radially via a radial aperture of a width equal to the diameter of the groove or seat, is made in the said shell body in the part opposite to the said threaded portion and wherein a circular end flange of a joint or union which is attached directly or indirectly via an extension hose to a device, fitting or item of equipment, which is provided to make use of the water delivered by the said outlet and the said aerator, is insertable into the said semi-annular groove or seat via the said aperture in the shell body.

2. An aerator for tap outlets according to claim 1, in which the said semi-annular groove or seat made in the shell body is bounded above and below by shoulders between which the circular flange of the joint or union is housed and axially secured when it is inserted into the said groove or seat and in which a head gasket, designed to make a seal against the upper shoulder of the groove or seat and radially secure the said flange and therefore the joint or union in the said groove or seat by means of friction, is fitted to the said flange.

3. An aerator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the semi-annular groove or seat is provided in the joint or union whilst a circular end flange is provided on said shell body.

4. An aerator for tap outlets, substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.