GB2233894A - Obturating device - Google Patents

Abstract

An obturating device 11 for controlling flow from the outlet of a receptacle such as a sink or a bath, comprises a plug retainer part 13 for placement within the outlet and a co-operating plug part 17 for closing the outlet. The plug part 17 is held captive with respect to the plug retainer pan 13 by a spring-loaded bayonet connection 19 comprising slots 31 formed in a hollow portion 27 of the part 13 and laterally-extending pins 35a, 35b, of a "T"-shaped stem 37 carried by the plug part 17. To close the outlet, the plug part 17 is pushed downwardly with a slight rotation. To open the outlet, the plug part is again depressed, but with a slight rotation in the opposite direction. <IMAGE>

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO OBTURATING DEVICES This invention relates to obturating devices for outlets from receptacles and is particularly, though by no means exclusively, concerned with obturating devices for outlets from receptacles such as sinks and baths.

According to the present invention, an obturating device for an outlet from a receptacle comprises a plug retainer part for placement within the outlet, and a plug part for closing the outlet, means permitting relative displacement between the plug part and the plug retainer part, between a compact configuration whereby the plug part closes the outlet, and an extended configuration whereby the plug part ceases to close the outlet, and means operable so as to urge the two parts from the compact towards the extended configuration.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is an expanded view in perspective of an obturating device, Figure 2 is a plan view of the plug retainer part of the device of Figure 1, Figures 3 and 4 are views in perspective depicting the device of Figure 1 in closed and open positions respectively, Figure 5 is an expanded side view, partly in section, of an alternative obturating device, Figures 6 and 7 are side views, partly in section, of the device in Figure 5 in closed and open positions, respectively, and Figures 8, 9 and 10 illustrate details of the device.

With reference first to Figures 1 to 4, an obturating device 11 is illustrated thereby which is intended as a conversion kit for use with a water retaining receptacle 10 (Figure 4), in the form of a hand basin, or, alternatively, a bath, having an outlet 15, whereby the device 11 is used to control the flow through the outlet. The device 11 comprises a plug retainer part 13 for placement within the outlet 15, and a co-operating plug part 17, for closing the outlet, the plug part being held captive with respect to the plug retainer part 13.

The device 11 is also provided with means comprising a compression spring 23 operable, with the plug and plug retainer parts in the compact configuration, to urge the two parts 13, 17 towards the extended configuration (Figure 4).

The plug part 17 is held captive with respect to the plug retainer part 13, by means 19 which permit relative displacement between the plug part 17 and the plug retainer part 13, between a compact configuration (Figure 3) whereby the plug part 17 closes the outlet 15 and an extended configuration (Figure 4) whereby the plug part 17 ceases to close the outlet 15. The means 19 is also operable to prevent undue relative displacement between the two parts 13, 17.

Furthermore, the means 19 include spring means 23 operable to urge or bias the plug part 17 away from the compact and towards the extended configuration.

The means 19 comprise co-operable elements of a bayonet connection.

The plug retainer part 13 is of moulded plastics material and comprises a ring portion 24, a multiplicity of arms 25 extending radially inwardly from the ring portion 24, a hollow cylindrical portion 27 upstanding at the juncture of the said arms 25 and a multiplicity of resilient fingers 29 upstanding with a degree of outwards inclination at intervals around the ring portion 24.

The bayonet connection elements of the means 19 comprise, on the one hand, a pair of oppositely-disposed slots 31 formed in the wall of the hollow cylindrical portion 27 and, on the other hand, a pair of pins 35 forming part of and projecting laterally in opposite directions from the free end of a "T"-shaped stem part 37 dependant from the plug part 17. The pins 35 are located by the slots 31.

The means 19 also include the spring means 23. The means 19, in addition to holding the two parts 13, 17 captive, permit limited relative movement therebetween, and are also operable when the device 11 is in the compact configuration, to move towards the extended configuration. this is achieved by forming the slots 31 so that their lower ends have lateral extensions 31a.

The plug part 17 comprises a moulding of plastics material and has a cap closure portion 41, a hollow cylindrical portion 39 projecting axially from the underside of the cap portion 41 and an apertured skirt portion 46 also projecting downwardly from the underside of the cap portion 41 to serve as a trap against the passage of large debris to the outlet 15.

The cap portion 41 has a soft rubber ring 53 extending around the underside thereof.

The stem part 37 is secured to and depends from the underside of the cap portion 41 axially of the cylindrical portion 39 thereof.

The biased spring 23 surrounds the cylindrical portion 27 of the plug retainer part 13 and is received within the hollow of the cylindrical portion 39 where it encompasses the stem 37.

In operation, the assembled obturating device 11 is located with the plug retainer part 13 within the outlet 15, the outwardly inclined fingers 29 of the retainer part 13 flexing inwardly at insertion and thereafter frictionally contacting the circumferentially extending wall of the outlet 15, so as to hold the part 13 in place within the outlet.

The outlet 15 has an annular escutcheon plate 57, the diameter of which is less than that of the outlet 15. The inwardly projecting lip of the escutcheon plate 57 constitutes an abutment preventing the inserted plug retainer part 13 against ready withdrawal from the outlet 15.

Depression of the plug part 17 from the extended configuration, against the bias of the spring 23 brings the rubber sealing ring 53 into contact with the escutcheon plate 57. Slight compression of the ring 53 under further pressure, accompanied by a slight, limited rotation of the plug part, operates the device 11 whereby the pins 35 of the stem 37 are caused to enter the lateral extensions 31a of the slots 31. The device 11 is thereby held in the compact configuration, closing the outlet 15 against the flow of water from the receptacle.

To open the obturating device 11, a slight, limited rotation of the cap portion 41 of the plug part in the opposite direction causes the pins 35 to be freed from the lateral extensions 31a of the slots 31.

The plug part 17 is then impelled upwardly by the spring 23 so as to open the outlet 15. The pins 35 and slots 31 engage so as to guide the plug part 17 during this opening movement.

Rotation of the plug part 17, when the plug part is operated so as to close or open the outlet 15, is limited by the extent of the slots 31 of the bayonet connection.

Whilst a specific embodiment of the embodiment has been described and illustrated, other implementations are possible.

For example, the cap portion 41 of the plug part 17 may be in the form of a spider, having resilient legs which project radially outwardly and inclining downwardly from the body of the plug part,.

The legs would be deflected, under downwards pressure applied to the plug part 17 by contact with the outlet surround, eg the escutcheon plate 57. The plug part 17 would, as before, be latchable by eg a bayonet type or other suitable connection means; and release of the said connection means would free the plug part, potential energy stored in the resiliently deflected legs urging the plug part of move upwardly, away from the plug retaining part 13.

With reference now to Figure 5, 6 and 7, the obturating device 60 comprises a plug retainer part 61 for placement within the outlet 15 and a plug part 62 for closing the outlet, the plug part 62 being held captive with respect to the plug retainer part 61.

The device 60 is provided with means permitting relative displacement between the plug and retainer parts 62, 61 between a compact configuration (Figure 6) whereby the plug part 62 closes the outlet 15 and an extended configuration (Figure 7) whereby the plug part ceases to close the outlet 15.

A compression spring 63 is operable to urge the plug and retainer parts 62, 61 from the compact towards the extended configuration.

The plug retainer part 61 comprises a generally cup-shaped body with a central portion 65, an outer ring-shaped portion 66 and four equi-spaced radially-extending arms 67 interconnecting the parts 65, 66. the outer portion 66 comprises a resilient ring 68 which ensures a good seal between the plug retainer part 61 and the outlet 15. A central pillar 69 (see also Figure 8) extends uprightly from the central portion 65. The pillar 69 is formed with an internal recess 70 for locating the lower end of the spring 63. The pillar 69 is also formed with an external recess 71 having downwardly tapered sides. A socket 72 extends inwardly from the recess 71 towards the centre of the pillar 69, in a lateral direction.

The plug part 62 comprises a cap portion 75 and an integral disc-like portion 76 disposed beneath. The portions 75, 76 define therebetween a peripheral groove 77 which locates a resilient sealing ring 78 co-operable with the rim 79 of the plug retaining part 61, as shown in Figure 6.

A central pillar 80 (see also Figure 9), of hollow form, extends downwardly from the plug part 62. The lower end of the pillar 80 is formed with a plurality of water drain slots 81.

The hollow of the pillar 80 serves to locate the upper end of the compression spring 63.

The recess 71 of the pillar 69 houses a resilient member in the form of a control spring 85 (Figure 5). The lower end 85a of the spring 85, which is therefore carried by the plug retainer part 61, is located by the socket 72. The upper end 85b of the spring 85, which is generally "S"-shaped, carries a cap 86 of plastics material.

The wall of the hollow pillar 80 of the plug part 62 defines a cuniform, substantially heart-shaped groove 87 which serves as a guide. The upper or capped end 85b of the spring 85 projects outwardly into the groove 87, so as to be located thereby. The depth of the co-operating groove varies as follows.

With reference to Figure 10, portion A of the groove 87 varies in depth in a ramp-like manner and along its length, from a relatively shallow bottom end to a relatively deep upper end. Portion B extends ramp-like onwards from portion A still deeper to meet portion C. Portion C extends ramp-like from portion B, to terminate even further in depth, to meet portion D. Portion D extends ramp-like from portion C, initially deeper still, then decreasing in depth to terminate adjacent to bottom end of portion A, where portion D is relatively shallow.

The meeting points of portions A, B, C and D are formed so that as the end 85b of the spring 85 "travels" relative to and within the groove 87 (as explained hereinafter), the end 85b is constrained to "trip" from one adjacent portion to the other, in one direction only, ie the direction indicated by arrow 88.

The spring 85 operates as follows. Finger pressure on the plug part 62, when in the open position (Figure 7), pushes the plug part downwardly against the bias of the spring 63. The downward movement causes relative movement between the capped end 85b of the control spring 85 and the groove 87 whereby the stationary end "travels" along portion A of the groove, with a slight rotation, due to the constraining groove to portion C thereof, by way of portion B. The plug part 62 is now in its outlet closing position.

To move the plug part 62 back to the open position (Figure 7), further finger pressure is applied to the plug part, whereupon end 85b of the control spring 85 clears groove portion C to enter groove portion D, so that the spring 63 takes over and the plug part 62 rises away from the plug retainer 61. The upward movement of the plug part 62 causes the stationary control spring end 85b to "travel" along groove portion D, back to its original position, to open the outlet 15. A slight, limited rotation of the plug part again takes place during displacement, due to the constraint applied to the end 85b, by the groove 87.

Claims (6)

1. An obturating device for an outlet from a receptacle comprising a plug retainer part for placement within the outlet, and a plug part for closing the outlet, means permitting relative displacement between the plug part and the plug retainer part, between a compact configuration whereby the plug part closes the outlet, and an extended configuration whereby the plug part ceases to close the outlet, and means operable so as to urge the two parts from the compact towards the extended configuration.

2. An obturating device as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said means permitting relative displacement are operable with a limited rotation of the plug part when movement takes place between one configuration and the other.

3. An obturating device as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein the means permitting relative displacement comprise co-operable elements of a bayonet connection.

4. An obturating device as claimed in Claim 3 wherein the co-operable elements comprise a pair of oppositely-disposed slots formed in the plug retainer part and a pair of laterally-disposed pins forming part of the plug part.

5. An obturating device as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 4, wherein the means operable to urge the two parts from the compact to the extended configuration comprise spring means.

6. An obturating device as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 5, wherein the plug retainer part is provided with upstanding resilient fingers operable to hold said part in place within the receptacle outlet.

6. An obturating device as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 5, wherein the plug retainer part is provided with upstanding resilient fingers operable to hold said part in place within the receptacle outlet.

7. An obturating device as claimed in Claim 1 or 2 wherein said means permitting said relative displacement comprise a resilient member located by a co-operating groove of cuniform shape.

8. An obturating device as claimed in Claim 7, wherein the groove varies in depth along its length.

9. An obturating device as claimed in Claim 7 or 8, wherein the resilient member is carried by the plug retainer part and the co-operating groove is defined by the plug part.

10. A receptacle having an outlet and provided with an obturating device as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 9 for controlling flow through said outlet.

11. An obturating device, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 4 of the accompanying drawings.

12. An obturating device, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 5 to 10 of the accompanying drawings.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1. An obturating device for an existing drain outlet from a receptacle, the device comprising a plug retainer part for frictional retention within and by the outlet, and a plug part for closing the outlet, means permitting relative displacement between the plug part and the plug retainer part, between a compact configuration whereby the plug part closes the outlet, and an extended configuration whereby the plug part ceases to close the outlet, and means operable so as to urge the two parts from the compact towards the extended configuration.

2. An obturating device as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said means permitting relative displacement are operable with a limited rotation of the plug part when movement takes place between one configuration and the other.

3. An obturating device as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein the means permitting relative displacement comprise co-operable elements of a bayonet connection.

4. An obturating device as claimed in Claim 3 wherein the co-operable elements comprise a pair of oppositely-disposed slots formed in the plug retainer part and a pair of laterally-disposed pins forming part of the plug part.

5. An obturating device as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 4, wherein the means operable to urge the two parts from the compact to the extended configuration comprise spring means.