GB2353582A

GB2353582A - Non-return tap with integral quick-connect fitting for hose

Info

Publication number: GB2353582A
Application number: GB9920222A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Trevor Wootton
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-08-27
Filing date: 1999-08-27
Publication date: 2001-02-28
Also published as: GB9920222D0

Abstract

A tap 1 for a hose comprises housing 2, a valve to control flow, inlet 3 for connection to a water supply and outlet 5 with a male quick-connect fitting 6 that is integral with housing. The control valve preferably comprises washer 10 operated by T-handle 13 via shaft 12 and annular seating 11. Tap 2 may comprise a non-return valve upstream of washer 10 and it may be a unitary unit such as a casting made of brass. The non-return valve may comprise ball 15 biased into socket 16 by spring 17. Fitting may comprise O-ring 7, waisted section 8 and flange 9 wherein O-ring 7 and section 8 can be inserted into a female quick-connect fitting. Inlet 3 may have an external thread.

Description

Ru, 0 S p 2353582 The present invention relates to an improved tap.

It is often desirable to secure a hose pipe to a tap such as an outside tap. Many persons use plastic adaptors which screw onto the thread of outside taps. A typical adaptor is of the type having a male projection with a rubber "o-ring" which is insertable into a female connector on the end of a hosepipe forming a "quick fit/release connection". Such an adaptor is sold under the trade mark Hozelock. A difficulty with these adaptors is that they can become brittle and break over a period of time, especially if subjected to UV light, and also, in public places, these adaptors are stolen or otherwise removed. The invention seeks to provide a solution to this problem.

According to the present invention there is provided a tap comprising: a) a valve housing having a valve and a valve controller, b) a housing inlet for connection to a supply of water, and c) a housing outlet including a male projection with an o-ring seal, said housing outlet being integrally formed with valve housing.

Preferably the male projection includes a flange above the o-ring seal. Preferably the male projection is waisted between the flange and the oring seal.

2 The valve controller may include a handle which rotates a shaft to open and close the valve to control the flow of water.

The valve may include a non-return valve. The non-return valve may include a ball biased into a socket or neck by a spring, which ball is biased out of the socket by the water pressure.

Preferably the valve housing, inlet and outlet are integrally formed, such as by a unitary casting.

The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing Referring to the drawing there is shown a tap 1 having a valve housing 2. A housing inlet 33 is designed to be connected to a supply of water. The end 4 of inlet 3 is threaded to screw into an internal thread of a water supply pipe. A housing outlet 5 includes a hollow male projection 6 having at its end an o-ring 7. Above the o-ring is a waisted section 8 and a flange 9. The flange, waisted section and o-ring is designed to be inserted into the female connector of a Hozelock type of quick fit hose fitting. Housing 2, inlet 33 and outlet 5 may be formed as a unitary unit, such as casting in a metal, e.g. brass.

3 The valve housing includes a valve formed by a washer 10 which is moved towards and away from an annular seating 11 to open and close the valve to control the flow of water. Washer 10 is moved by a valve controller in the form of a shaft 12 rotated by a Tee handle 1 3). Shaft 12 passes through a removable watertight bearing 14 sealed onto the housing by a washer 14A. Operation and design of the valve is well known in the art and is not described further.

A non-return valve may be provided upstream of the washer 10 by a ball 15 which engages into a socket or neck16. Ball 15 may be spring biased into the socket by a spring 17 which ball is normally biased out of the socket by the water pressure.

The tap of the invention has no adaptors which can be removed.

The tap could be formed of any suitable material and be of any desired shape or size.

Further modifications of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for connecting a hose pipe directly to a water tap

2. As in claim 1 the water tap shall be known as Hose Tap

3. As in claim 1 and 2 the Hose Tap shall be manufactured in a cast brass.

4. As in claim 1- 2 and 3 the Hose Tap will have a male thread which shall screw into an adaptor which shall its self be connected to a water supply

5. The Hose Tap as in claim 2 will allow water to enter the tap pass though a non- return valve this will prevent the water from flowing in the reverse direction.

6. The water shall proceed through the tap and through a flow valve this win be operated via a rotary handle to control the amount of water leaving the tap

7. When the water leaves the tap through the specially shaped out let, a quick fit release connector may be used, this being fitted to a hosepipe.