GB2312490A - Child resistant cover for taps - Google Patents

Abstract

A valve (e.g. a tap) actuator cover comprises a body 61 having a cavity 2 in which the actuator is received in use to prevent access to the actuator. The body is secured to a valve by elements 62, 63 which may be traversed to increase the available opening for receiving the actuator when fitting the cover. The elements may be secured by coupling arrangements 64, 65 to prevent elements 62, 63 traversing laterally when a force is applied to the body.

Description

Field of Invention: The present invention relates to the field of technology pertaining for a child resistant cover for an actuated valved assembly. More specifically the invention relates to an improved safety cover for the embodiment of the actuator.

Description of the Prior Art: The present invention relates generally to a device for a tap.

The invention has particular application as a safety device to prevent unauthorised use of a hot water tap by a child and is herein described in this context. However, it should be appreciated that the invention is not limited to this particular use.

Childern are highly susceptible to being scalded when operating a hot tap without supervision. This is a problem because childern often have easy access to taps, especially in a bath, and a child may not be supervised at all times.

It is known to provide a safety cap for an actuated valved assembly consisting of two members, a body for receiving the actuator and a base portion for securing the cover relative to the actuator. The body portion is secured by a threaded internal wall portion which permits the base to be threadly engaged. Attachment and removal of a cover having a threaded coupling of this type is time consuming. Moreover, the threaded coupling may also become distorted in the event the cover is subjected to severe heat or impact, thereby making the cover very difficult to remove.

In order to overcome the aforementioned problems with a threaded coupling for the safety cap of an actuated valved assembly there have been attempts to provide alternative forms of coupling mechanism wherein the cap may be secured to the base portion without requiring a direct threaded engagement between the body and base portion. The use of tabs, latches and bayonet type couplings between the body and base portion. However, though mechanisms of this type do overcome the inherent problems associated with threaded couplings, they nevertheless have other disadvantages. For example, the coupling mechanisms are often quite complex, expensive to manufacture and difficult to install.

The aforementioned devices include a more serious problem which is related to the two member construction. One or more of the bodies could be lost or damaged. A child is inherently capable of hiding an element of the device. This is typically the smaller base element.

The present invention is an improved design as disclosed in the International Publication number WO 95/18326.

Summary of the Invention It is an objective of the present invention to provide an improved safety cap assemble for a tap or an actuated valved assembly.

It is another object of the invention to provide an improved safety cap assembly for a tap or an actuated valved assembly wherein the cap may be easily and quickly attached to the actuator for enclosing and protecting the valved discharge opening and removed from the actuated assembly for gaining access to the actuator.

It is a further objective of the invention to provide a safety cap assembly for an actuated valved assembly wherein the assembly is of simple construction and economical to manufacture.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide a safety cap assembly for an actuated valved unit wherein the cap consists of one body to secure the device from accidental loss of a component.

These and other objectives of the invention are realised by providing a safety cap assembly as described herein. It would be convenient hereafter to describe embodiments of the device with further reference to the accompanying drawings.

In the Drawings : Figure 1A illustrates a side elevation view of a first embodiment of the device: Figure 1B illustrates a plan view of a first embodiment of the device with the elements (62 and 63) in containment operation and Figure 1 C illustrates a plan view of a first embodiment of the device with the elements (62 and 63) in the receiving position.

Figure 2A illustrates both a cross sectional view and a side elevation view of a second embodiment of the device: Figure 2B illustrates a plan view of a second embodiment of the device.

Figure 3A illustrates a side elevation view of a third embodiment of the device: Figure 3B illustrates a plan view of a third embodiment of the device with the element 52 in receiving operation and Figure 3C illustrates a plan view of a third embodiment of the device with the element 52 in containment operation.

Figure 4A illustrates a side elevation view of a forth embodiment of the device: Figure 4B illustrates a plan view of a forth embodiment of the device.

Description of the Invention As illustrated in figure 1A, the device 1 is a one part construction, typically formed from a plastic or other suitable material. The device contains typically two locking elements 62 and 63 which may traverse to increase or decrease the available actuator receiving area to the cavity 2.

The device 1 contains a coupling arrangement to secure the detachable end of the elements 62 and 63 to the body 61. The coupling arrangement 64 and 65 act to prevent the locking element traversing in the lateral direction when an external force is applied to the body 61. The coupling arrangement is arranged to be child resistant which typically can only be released by a combination such as an axial and lateral motion. However it should be appreciated that other coupling arrangements may be used and these could incorporate any child resistant, snap fit or locking arrangement know in the art.

The movable elements 62 and 63 are typically permanently attached to the body 61 by a pivoting arrangement 66 and 67. This pivot typically allows the elements to traverse 180 degrees in two plains, but it should be appreciated that other pivoting arrangements may be used.

Figures 2A and 2B illustrates a second embodiment for the device 1 with traversing elements 42 and 43. These elements typically two off, pivot around an arrangement 44 which typically allows the traverse of 180 degrees in a single plain. Figure 2B illustrates the elements 43 in the receiving position whilst element 42 is in the containment position. The elements 42 and 43 are secured to the body 41 by a pivoting arrangement. When the elements are in the containment position the bodies upper lip 42 is coupled to the elements lower lip 45. This arrangement increases the device' s lateral strength which reduces manufacturing costs. This arrangement provides a screen around the coupling arrangements which prevents a child understanding the disengaging logic.

Figure 3A, 3B and 3C illustrate a third embodiment of the device 1. This device is similar in construction to the previously shown devices. This device has typically, a single element 52 which is secured to the body 51. This element typically has two ends 55 and 56. The ends 55 and 56 move along the body perimeter typically by two grooves 53 and 54. A child proof restraint may be applied to the two ends 55 and 56, to secure the ends in a relative position to the body 51. The element may traverse typically by a circular ring 57 attached to the inside of the body 51. This ring 57 is located typically opposite to the grooves 53 and 54 and acts as one of the fixing points to the body 51. The element 52 may typically be constructed to give elasticity and to be biased to the position as shown in 3C.

Figure 3B shows the element 52 in the actuator receiving position. Figure 3C shows the element 52 in the actuator containing position.

Figure 4A and 4B illustrates a forth embodiment similar to those shown previously. The element 32 is secured to the body 31 by a typical pivoting arrangement 33. This pivot may typically allow the element 32 to traverse in 180 degrees in a single plain. Typically the single element 32 is circular with a section removed from its centre 35. When the actuator is located in the cavity 2 the removed section 35 allows the element 32 to traverse around the actuator shaft to a containing position. The outer edge 36 of the element 32 couples with the bodies protruding lip 34. This engagement gives the device strength in the lateral direction and reduces manufacturing costs by allowing a thinner wall device to be constructed.

Figure 4B shows the element 32 in the receiving position.

Claims (10)

Claims:

1 A device for use on an actuated valved unit, the device consisting of a body element providing a cavity in which the actuator is able to be received, and securing means operable to secure the device relative to the tap in a position where the actuator is received in the cavity, the device being arranged such that in said position the body portion prevents manual operation of the actuator, and wherein the securing means includes base elements secured to the body portion.

2 A device according to claim 1 wherein a coupling means secures the base elements together, and a coupling means comprising of interengaging elements.

3 A device according to claim 1 and 2, wherein the coupling means is arranged such that release of the base elements from said position is child resistant.

4 A device according to claim 1, 2 and 3 wherein the base elements provide an aperture of fixed or variable size, through which a part of the actuator valved unit is arranged to extend.

S A device according to claim 1, 2, 3 and 4 wherein the base elements may consist of one or a plurality of elements.

6 A device according to claim 1, 3 and 4 wherein the base elements may consist of a biased element secured to the body portion by a plurality of elements.

7 A device according to claim 1, 3 and 4 wherein the base elements are secured by a pivoting means.

8 A device for use on an actuated valved unit substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

9 A device according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 7 wherein the securing means is arranged such that the base elements may traverse in more than one plain.

10 A device according to claim 6 wherein the biasing element may be biased to reduce the available actuator receiving area.