GB2319324A

GB2319324A - Tap cover

Info

Publication number: GB2319324A
Application number: GB9713720A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alan Browning
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1996-11-14
Filing date: 1997-07-01
Publication date: 1998-05-20
Anticipated expiration: 2017-07-01
Also published as: GB2319324B; GB9623703D0; GB9713720D0

Abstract

A tap cover comprises a member (1) having a T-shaped recess (5). The member is made of a resilient, for example thermally insulating, material and the T-shaped recess is shaped such that the lateral bar of the recess is dimensioned to be greater than the dimensions of a handle (7) of a tap to be received in the recess (5). The upright leg of the recess (5) is dimensioned to have a width less than the width of a body (9) of the tap. In this way, the tap cover is adapted to be secured to the tap by means of friction between the upright leg of the recess and the body (9) of the tap.

Description

TAP COVER This invention relates to a tap cover which may be used, for example, to protect a tap from the effects of frost and/or to protect against injury to a child or other person who may come into contact with the tap.

With external taps, it is well known to insulate the pipe leading to the tap in order to protect the pipe against the effects of frost. This can be accomplished, for example, by enclosing the pipe within an insulated box structure or by wrapping insulation around the pipe, such as resilient foamed plastics material moulded to the shape of the pipe and having an axial slot.

This form of insulation works well with the pipe, but cannot effectively insulate the tap. An insulated box structure renders access to the tap difficult, while it is impractical to wrap foamed plastics insulating material around the tap.

It is also desirable to protect the tap in order to prevent, or reduce the risk of, injury to a child or other person who, when passing the tap (which protrudes outwardly from a wall of the like on which it is mounted), risks coming into contact therewith. There is no tap cover available which is able effectively to fulfill this function.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a tap cover which is able to protect a tap against the effects of frost or the like and which is able to protect against injury to children and other persons.

According to the present invention there is provided a tap cover comprising a member having formed therein a T-shaped recess, the member being made of a resilient material and the T-shaped recess being shaped such that the lateral bar of the recess is dimensioned to be greater than the dimensions of a handle of a tap to be received in the recess and the upright leg of the recess is dimensioned to have a width less than the width of a body of the tap, the arrangement being such that the tap cover is adapted to be secured to the tap by means of friction between the upright leg of the recess and the body of the tap.

The member may be made of a thermal insulating material.

The member may be made of a foamed plastics material, such as foamed polyurethane or foamed polystyrene.

For a better understanding of the present invention and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is an elevational view of one embodiment of a tap cover according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II II of Figure 1; Figure 3 is an elevational view of another embodiment of a tap cover according to the present invention; and Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IV IV of Figure 3.

The tap cover shown in Figures 1 and 2 comprises a cube 1 of resilient thermal insulating material such as a foamed plastics material (e.g. foamed polyurethane or foamed polystyrene). The cube 1 is dimensioned to encompass and insulate a tap 3 which is illustrated in Figure 2 in dashed lines.

For this purpose, the cube is formed with a T-shaped recess 5 which extends the majority of the depth of the cube 1, with the upper part (i.e. the lateral bar) of the T being dimensioned to fit around the handle 7 of the tap 3 with a clearance and with the upright leg of the T being dimensioned to be somewhat less that the diameter of the body 9 of the tap 3 in order that the cube 1 requires to be urged over the body of the tap such that the resilient nature of the material of the cube causes the cube 1 to be retained on the body of the tap by friction.

External taps tend to be manufactured to standard dimensions with the tap inclined forwardly as illustrated in Figure 2. It is therefore possible to manufacture a tap cover to standard dimensions, with the upper part of the Tshaped recess being dimensioned to accommodate the handle of the tap at an angle. Nevertheless, if required, the tap cover can be made to any convenient dimensions.

The tap cover encompasses the tap and the insulating nature of the material of the cover protects the tap against the effects of frost or the like, while the resilient nature of the cover prevents the cover being removed unintentionally while at the same time permitting ready removal at times when access to the tap is required. Further, the resilient nature of the cover prevents injury to a child or other person who might accidentally run into or otherwise risk injury from contact with the tap.

Clearly it is not essential that the tap cover should be in the form of a cube. Indeed, the cover can be manufactured in a wide range of external designs and colours without affecting the function thereof. Examples of suitable designs include the head of a lion, tiger or elephant or various forms of hat. The covers may either be coloured in accordance with the design or could be reflective or fluorescent to provide ready identification of the cover, for example in the dark.

Moreover, it is not essential that the cover should be used only in respect of external taps and indeed the cover can be used in other locations where protection from heat or cold is required (e.g. in a loft or cellar) or where it may be desirable for safety reasons.

If desired, a cut-out, for example of generally semicircular configuration, may be provided at the rear of the lower wall of the cover for the passage of a downpipe.

The tap cover shown in Figures 3 and 4 is similar to that shown in Figures 1 and 2, the difference being that the Tshaped recess 5 is shaped to conform more closely to the tap 3. That is, the upper part of the T is formed with a downwardly inclined surface 11 at the far end thereof so as to be positioned more closely to the handle 7.

Additionally, the lower part of the upright of the T is formed with an upwardly extending surface 13 which is itself formed with a protrusion 15 which extends towards the body 9 in order to fill the space between the spout 17 of the tap and the handle. The protrusion 15 can be provided irrespective of the orientation of the tap, but the inclined surface would not be required if the tap was manufactured in an upright configuration.

Claims

1. A tap cover comprising a member having formed therein a T-shaped recess, the member being made of a resilient material and the T-shaped recess being shaped such that the lateral bar of the recess is dimensioned to be greater than the dimensions of a handle of a tap to be received in the recess and the upright leg of the recess is dimensioned to have a width less than the width of a body of the tap, the arrangement being such that the tap cover is adapted to be secured to the tap by means of friction between the upright leg of the recess and the body of the tap.

2. A tap cover as claimed in claim 1, wherein the member is made of a thermal insulating material.

3. A tap cover as claimed in claim 2, wherein the member is made of a foamed plastics material.

4. A tap cover as claimed in claim 3, wherein the member is made of foamed polyurethane or foamed polystyrene.

5. A tap cover as claimed in any preceding claim and including a cut-out in a lower wall thereof for the passage of a downpipe.

6. A tap cover as claimed in claim 5, wherein the cut-out is substantially semi-circular.

7. A tap cover as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the upper part of the T of the T-shaped recess is formed with a downwardly inclined surface at the far end thereof.

8. A tap cover as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the lower part of the T of the T-shaped recess is formed with an upwardly extending surface.

9. A tap cover as claimed in any preceding claim and including a protrusion for occupying a space between a spout and a handle of the tap.

10. A tap cover substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.