GB2416019A

GB2416019A - Flow diverter for taps

Info

Publication number: GB2416019A
Application number: GB0513390A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Oscar Nember
Original assignee: ZIPPONI RUBINETTERIE DI NEMBER; Zipponi Rubinetterie di Nember Oscar
Current assignee: ZIPPONI RUBINETTERIE DI NEMBER; Zipponi Rubinetterie di Nember Oscar
Priority date: 2004-07-05
Filing date: 2005-06-30
Publication date: 2006-01-11
Also published as: GB0513390D0; ITBS20040029U1

Abstract

A flow diverter for taps comprises a tap body defining a first housing 11 for a valve unit controlling flow, a delivery opening 13, a second housing 15 to receive a flow diverter which can be connected at its outlet to an additional use, and a conduit 12. The diverter comprises a diverter body 17 and a plug 18 which can move axially and is associated with first and second valve seat 14,19. The plug 18 has a longitudinal hole 26, 27. Axial movement of the plug enables fluid delivery either to delivery opening 13 or to opening 20.

Description

FLOW DIVERTER FOR TAPS

This invention relates to the field of taps and relates in particular to a flow diverter which is applicable to taps for baths, and the like to control the flow of water selectively to the mouth of the tap with which it is associated or to an additional use, generally a shower, connected thereto.

Flow diverters for the application considered here generally comprise a body incorporating a plug interacting alternately with two valve seats in the said body. The plug can in fact move between a position closing a first valve seat to deliver water to the mouth of the tap via the second seat and another position closing the second seat to deliver water to a shower, for example, through the first seat.

Usually flow diverters of the abovementioned type are fitted directly to the mouth of the tap, in front of the unit opening and closing the tap, in a position which in addition to being aesthetic involves some complexity in the casting of the tap body.

One object of this invention is to provide and construct an innovative flow diverter located in a rear part of a tap body through which the flow of water passes longitudinally when delivered to an additional use such as a shower.

Another object of the invention is to provide and use a flow diverter which makes it possible to simplify casting of the tap body to which it is fitted and also to render the aesthetic appearance of the tap simpler and more elegant.

Yet another object of the invention is therefore to provide and supply a tap for baths and the like combined with a flow diverter in an original way for simpler construction and easier assembly of the resulting whole.

These objects and the implicit advantages deriving therefrom are achieved through a flow diverter for taps according to claim 1 and having therefore a plug which can move axially between a position opening the passage of water only to the mouth of the tap and a position opening the passage of water only to the additional use, in which the water passes longitudinally through the said plug when it is in the position opening the water passage only towards the additional use.

Further details of the invention will be apparent from the following description with reference to the appended indicative and non-restrictive drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows in cross-section part of a tap with a flow diverter in the position delivering water to the mouth of the tap, and Figure 2 shows a similar cross-section of the tap with the flow diverter in the position delivering to an additional use.

In the said drawings a tap body generically indicated by 10, which forms a first housing 11 for a valve unit - not shown - opening, closing and controlling the flow of water and a conduit 12 for the selective passage of water to a delivery opening 13 in a direction of arrows B or to an additional use, such as a shower, along the line of arrows D as illustrated.

In a known manner the unit opening, closing and controlling the flow of water may comprise a mixer valve with or without a thermostat unit, to which hot and cold water are delivered from their corresponding distribution systems.

Along conduit 12 within the valve body there is provided a first axial valve seat 14 which is provided with a second housing 15 for a flow diverter 16 within the posterior part of the said tap body.

This flow diverter 16 comprises a hollow body 17, preferably but not necessarily cylindrical, screwed into and therefore immobilized in second housing 15 of the tap body, and a plug 18, which is fitted and can be moved like a piston within the body of the diverter. More specifically, diverter body 17 has an inner extremity defining, directly or via a spacer 17', a second front valve seat 19 at a distance from first valve seat 14 provided along conduit 12 within the body of the tap, and an outer extremity to which is connected a tube 20, which is usually flexible, directed to the additional use. Plug 18 has an inner extremity bearing a seal 21 in a position such that it can alternately engage with first valve seat 14 or second valve seat 19 in response to axial movements of the plug.

For axial movement plug 18 is attached through a radial pin 22 to a manual control handle 23 located on the outside of the body of diverter 17 and movable thereon. Connecting pin 22 passes into a hole 24 made in the wall of the diverter body, and seals 25 are fitted to the plug both above and below the level of that hole, Plug 18 has a longitudinal hole 26, which is closed off at the inner extremity of the plug but communicates with radial holes 27, while at the upper extremity of the plug it is open to pipe 20 connected to the diverter body.

Finally, plug 18 of the flow diverter is stressed by a spring 28, which normally holds thrust into the position in which the second valve seat is closed by means of its end seal 21 as illustrated in Figure 1.

With plug 18 of the diverter in this position water originating from the control unit located in first housing 11 of tap body 10 passes into conduit 12 but can only pass through first valve seat 14, which is then open, to be then delivered through the mouth of tap 13. Conversely, by operating the handle against the force of spring 28, plug 18 is displaced into the position closing off first valve seat 14 as illustrated in Figure 2, thus shutting off the passage of water to the mouth and at the same time opening the passage of water from conduit 12 to the additional use through radial hole 27 and longitudinal hole 26 in the plug and tube 20 connected to the diverter body. The flow diverter therefore maintains this position until the pressure of water shutting off the tap through the valve units is reduced or until the plug is returned to the position shutting off the second valve seat through action on the control handle.

Claims

1. Flow diverter for taps comprising a tap body defining a first housing (11) for a valve unit opening, shutting off and controlling a flow of water, a mouth for the delivery of water to a use, such as a bath or the like, a second housing (15) to receive the flow diverter which can be connected at its outlet to an additional use, such as a shower, and a conduit (12) communicating with both the said first housing and the second delivery mouth and with the said second housing, characterized in that it comprises a diverter body (17) secured in the said second housing (15) having an inner extremity facing the said conduit (12) and an outer extremity connected through a pipe to the said additional use, and a plug (18) which can move axially within the said diverter body and is associated with a first valve seat (14) for delivery of water to the said mouth and a second valve seat (19) for delivery of water to the said additional use in order to selectively open and shut off the same, and in that the plug (18) has a longitudinal hole (26, 27) which places the said conduit (12) in the body of the tap in communication with the tube connecting to the additional use when the plug is in the position shutting off the said first valve seat and opening the said second valve seat.

2. Flow diverter according to claim 1, in which the first valve seat (14) is provided in an intermediate part of the said conduit (12) in the body of the tap, the second valve seat (19) is placed in front of and at a distance from the first valve seat, directly or indirectly defined by an extremity of the body of the diverter (17) facing the first valve seat, and in which the said plug (18) has an extremity with a seal (21) designed to engage alternately with the first valve seat (14) or the second valve seat (19) in response to axial movements of the plug.

3. Flow diverter according to claims 1 and 2, in which the said plug (18) has a longitudinal hole (26) which is closed off at the inner extremity of the plug but communicates with radial holes (27), while at the other extremity of the plug it opens to the tube (20) connecting the outlet from the diverter to the additional use.

4. Flow diverter according to the preceding claims, in which the plug (18) is attached to a handle located on the outside of the diverter body which can move thereon to make axial movements.

5. Tap for baths and the like characterized by a flow diverter according to the preceding claims located in a posterior part of the tap body, away from the delivery mouth.

6. Flow diverter for taps substantially as described, illustrated and claimed for the purposes specified.