GB2441150A

GB2441150A - Tap

Info

Publication number: GB2441150A
Application number: GB0702762A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Pavel Beliaev
Original assignee: Pegler Ltd
Current assignee: Pegler Ltd
Priority date: 2006-08-25
Filing date: 2007-02-13
Publication date: 2008-02-27
Anticipated expiration: 2027-02-13
Also published as: GB0616866D0; GB2441150B; GB0702762D0

Abstract

A tap comprises a body 110 and a threaded tail pipe 120 having an internal bore through which water may pass and a threaded outer surface 121. On the tail pipe 120 are a locking nut 122, a locking washer 128, a pair of anchor means 123, a washer 124 and a back nut 126. To fit the tap to a surface, the tail pipe 120 is passed through a hole in the surface. The hole is of such a size that the back nut 126 and anchor means 123 can pass through the hole but the locking nut 122 and locking washer 128 are unable to pass through. To secure the tap in position, the locking nut 122 is driven towards the back nut 126. This causes the anchor means 123 to become compressed and deform outwardly thus engaging the edges of the hole and securing the tap 100 in position.

Description

-1-2441150 Fitting a Tap to a Surface The present invention relates to

the fitting of a tap or faucet to a support surface such as a sink, basin, bath, kitchen worktop or the like.

It is known to mount a tap to a support surface which may be part of a sink, basin, or bath or which may be provided in a worktop in which a sink or the like is mounted. In a conventional arrangement, the tap has a body and a threaded tail piece, typically in the form of a tail pipe that extends from the body. The tail pipe is inserted through a hole in the support surface so that the free end of the tail pipe projects beyond an inner, usually lower, face of the support surface with the body resting on an outer, usually upper, face of the support surface. A nut is screwed onto the tail pipe so as to engage the inner face of the support surface and is tightened so that the support surface is clamped between the nut and the body of the tap. A flexible washer may be provided between the body of the tap and the outer face of the support surface and the nut may be plastic or a further flexible washer may be provided between the nut and the inner face of the support surface to reduce the risk of the support surface cracking, particularly where the support surface is made of a ceramic material, and to improve the grip between the tap and the support surface. The water supply is then * * ::* connected to the tail pipe using a suitable fitting or connection.

S *S.

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*: * Although the conventional arrangement for mounting a tap to a support *:. 20 surface is simple in concept, access to the tail pipe beneath the support surface is often very restricted making it difficult and time consuming to fit or remove a tap.

Accordingly, there is a need for an apparatus and method that will allow a tap to be fitted to a support surface much more quickly and easily than the known conventional apparatus and methods.

It is an object of the invention to provide an apparatus or fitting that can be used to mount a tap to a support surface more quickly and easily than the conventional apparatus.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a tap, adapted for mounting on a support surface, the tap comprising: a body; a threaded tail piece extending from the body; a locking nut and a back nut both threaded on the tail piece, the locking nut being provided closer to the body than the back nut; and an anchor means provided around the tail piece between said locking nut and said back nut; characterised in that said locking nut does not fit through a hole provided in said support surface for mounting the tap whereas said back nut and said uncompressed anchor means are adapted to fit through said hole but wherein said anchor means is deformable when compressed between said locking nut and said back nut such that it engages the hole and/or the support surface around the hole to secure the tap in *.

position. * ** * * *

In this manner, the tail piece provided with locking nut, anchor means and back nut may simply be dropped into a hole provided in a support surface and then * , 20 secured in position by tightening the locking nut. The compression of the anchor means causes it to deform and engage with the hole or the support surface around the hole and thus holds the tap in position. The above arrangement thus avoids the requirement to have access to the tail piece on the underside of the support surface in order to secure the tap in position.

The anchor means may comprise generally a tubular form. The anchor means may be generally deformable outwardly when compressed by the locking nut and the back nut at each end. Accordingly, the anchor means will thus engage the sides of the hole through the surface and help to secure the tap in position.

The anchor means may have an inwardly bevelled lower edge. The back nut may be provided with correspondingly sloped upper edge. This helps to urge the anchor means to deform outwardly.

The anchor means may be provided with one or more longitudinal slits. These slits may aid the outward deformation of the anchor means under compression. The slits may run upwardly from the lower edge of the anchor means, downwardly from the upper edge of the anchor means, or may not extend to either edge. In embodiment : * 15 wherein the anchor means has an inwardly bevelled lower edge, preferably the slits run upwardly from the lower edge of the anchor means. In this manner the outward *.*.

*:*::* deformation is optimised. In embodiments wherein the tap is to be fitted to a :. relatively thin surface, the slits may preferably run downward from an upper edge of * the anchor means. In such a fashion, when compressed, the outward deformation of *. 20 the anchor means will result in its upper edges engaging the underside of the surface around said hole and thus retaining the tap in position. This can be achieved by putting an anchor means as described above onto the tailpiece in the opposite orientation. In such embodiments, the back nut may also be threaded onto the tailpiece in the opposite orientation such that its flat surface engages with the flat edge of the anchor means. This helps to maintain the stability of this arrangement.

The anchor means may be formed from any suitable deformable material. The suitable material may be a composite or a plastic. The anchor means may be provided with one or more projecting teeth on its outer surface. The teeth may be of a wedge like form having an upper edge projecting substantially orthogonally to said outer surface and a lower edge at an acute angle to the outer surface. In such a manner, the upper edge of the tooth may engage with an underside of the surface upon which the tap is mounted, when the anchor means is compressed. Furthermore, this shape of wedge enables the anchor means to be readily passed through the hole in the fitting process.

In some embodiments, two or more anchor means may be provided between the locking nut and the back nut. In such embodiments, a washer may be provided between said anchor means. Preferably, in embodiments wherein the anchor means a.

has an inwardly bevelled lower edge, the washer has a correspondingly sloped upper edge. Two or more anchor means may be provided where the surface is relatively * thick, such that both anchor means are involved in engaging the hole or the under : 20 surface around the hole. This provides additional grip and thus a more secure **.

mounting of the tap.

A washer may be provided between the lower surface of the locking nut and the upperside of the mounting surface. This can improve the grip between the locking nut and the support surface.

A cover may be provided with means for enabling it to be secured in position over the locking nut. In one embodiment, the cover may be adapted to snap fit or clip over the locking nut. In other embodiments, the locking nut and the cover may be provided with co-operating features for maintaining them in a desired relative position. In particular embodiments, the cover may be provided with an internal thread and the locking nut may be provided with a corresponding external thread. In some embodiments, the external thread may be provided on an edge of a projecting flange. In an alternative embodiment, the thread may be provided upon adapted corner portions of the locking nut. The provision of the corresponding threads enables a cover having a suitable internal thread to be secured over the locking nut.

Alternatively, the locking nut in particular or the tap in general may be adapted in any other suitable manner such that the cover is maintained in position over the locking nut. The cover may have a decorative outer surface. The cover may be adapted to be tightened by hand rather than by use of a tool. The cover may be positioned around the tail piece before said locking nut is threaded on to said tail piece.

The tail piece may be formed integrally with the body or may be detachably connected to the body. Such a detachable connection may be a press fit connection, a I..

screw connection or any other suitable form of connection. One example of another suitable form of connection would be maintaining the tap body and the tail piece in connection by the use of one or more grub screws which grip onto the tail piece. The cover may also be adapted to grip onto the grub screws and thus help to maintain the cover and or the tap body in position. In embodiments wherein the tail piece is detachably connected to the body, the cover may act to help secure the tap in position relative to the tail piece.

The tail piece may comprise a pipe having an internal bore through which water can pass and a threaded outer surface. Such a tail piece is suitable for an embodiment wherein the tap controls the flow of water from a single water supply.

Alternatively, the tail piece may comprise a substantially cylindrical block having a threaded outer surface and two or more internal bores running substantially parallel to the axis of the block. Such a tail piece is suitable for an embodiment wherein there is more than one water supply to the tap.

The tail piece may be provided with suitable means to facilitate connection to a water supply pipe. The connection may be facilitated by a press fit connection, a screw connection, brazing, soldering or bonding using suitable adhesive or any other : ... suitable form of connection. In embodiments wherein there is more than one internal S...

bore, each individual internal bore may be provided with means for connection to a * *.

:1* water supply. In some embodiments with multiple bores, the individual inner bores may be provided for connection to hot and cold water supplies or to hot, cold and S 20 filtered water supplies. *.S *

In embodiments wherein multiple bores are provided, the body may provide separate internal pathways for the water supplied through each bore. The-pathways may be provided with separately operable valve means to control the flow through each pathway independently. Each pathway may fmish in a separate outlet nozzle or the pathways may all end at a common outlet nozzle.

The support surface may comprise, but is not limited to, any of: a sink, a basin, a bath or a worktop in which a sink, basin, bath or the like is mounted According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of mounting a tap to a support surface, in which the tap has a threaded tail piece that is inserted through a hole in the support surface; the method comprising: threading a locking nut and a back nut on the tail piece, an anchor means being provided around the tail piece between said back nut and said locking nut wherein said anchor means and said back nut are adapted to fit through the hole and said locking nut does not fit through the hole; passing the tail piece, back nut and anchor iS means through the hole; and tightening the locking nut such that said anchor means is S... compressed between said locking nut and said back nut wherein anchor means is * deformable under compression such that it engages the hole and/or the support surface *:*::* around the hole to secure the tap in position. S..

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* The method of the second aspect of the present invention may incorporate any *. 20 or all features described in relation to the first aspect of the present invention as desired or as appropriate.

Figure 1 shows an exploded view of a tap according to the present invention; Figure 2a shows a side view of the tap of figure 1; Figure 2b shows a front view of the tap of figure 1; Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional side view of the tap of figure 1; Figure 4a shows a side view of an alternative tap arrangement; Figure 4b shows a front view of the alternative tap arrangement; Figure 5 shows a cross-sectional side view of the alternative tap arrangement; and Figure 6 shows an exploded view of a tap for controlling multiple water supplies according to the present invention; Figure 7 is a side view of the tap of figure 6;

S * S * S..

*::::* Figure 8 is a front view of the tap of figures 6 and 7; **.* Figure 9 is a partial cross-section along the line A-A in figure 8; and *5I * *: : 15 Figure 10 is an alternative embodiment of a locking nut for use in the : present invention.

Turning to figure 1, there is provided a tap 100 comprising a body 110 and a threaded tail piece. In this embodiment, the tail piece comprises a tail pipe 120 having an internal bore through which water may pass and a thread provided on the outer surface. The body comprises a central body portion 111, a spout 112, handle 113, a lever 114 operable to turn said handle 113 and an indicator plate 115. In alternative embodiments, the indicator plate may be replaced by a suitable etching pattern or similar on handle 113. Within the body 110 is provided a mechanism 116 (see figure 3) operable to open or close a passage within the body 110 such that water may pass from the tail pipe 120 to the spout 112. The body 110 is also provided with a decorative cover 117.

Turning now to the tail pipe 120, this is provided with a threaded outer surface 121. Upon the tail pipe 120 are provided a locking nut 122, a locking washer 128, a pair of anchor means 123, a washer 124 provided between said anchor means 123, and a back nut 126. Both the locking nut 122 and the back nut 126 have threaded bores corresponding to the threaded outer surface 121 of the tail pipe 120.

The tap 100 is adapted to be mounted on a supporting surface (not shown). I...

* Typically, the supporting surface might be a sink surround or a worktop. A hole (not * *s i* shown) is provided in the surface for the tail pipe 120 to pass through. *.

In use, the locking nut 122 is screwed on to the tail pipe 121. Following * 20 locking nut 122, locking washer 128 and, one or both anchor means 123 is placed around the tail pipe 120. If both anchor means 123 are provided, the washer 124 is placed between them. Lastly, the back nut 126 is threaded on to the tail pipe 120.

Before fitting the tap to a surface, the back nut 126, is threaded towards the locking nut 122 such that the anchor means 123 are held tightly therebetween.

To fit the tap 100 to a surface, the tail pipe 120 is passed through a hole provided in the surface. The hole is of a size that the back nut 126 and anchor means 123 can pass through the hole but the locking nut 122 and locking washer 128 are unable to pass through the hole. To secure the tap 100 in position, a spanner or other suitable tool is used to rotate the locking nut 122 such that it is driven towards the back nut 126. This causes the anchor means 123 to become compressed and deform outwardly. Accordingly, they engage with the edges of the hole and secure the tap in position. As the locking nut 122 is driven down, the locking washer 128 helps maintain a secure grip between the locking nut 122 and the surface.

The anchor means 123 are typically formed from a suitable material.

Examples of suitable materials would include composites or plastics such as noryl or nylon. To assist the anchor means 123 in deforming outwardly, their lower edges :... 123a are inwardly bevelled. Similarly, the upper edges of the washer 124a and the S...

back nut 126a have corresponding slopes. Furthermore, slits 123b are provided in the * S. anchor means 123, to further assist in the outward deformation. In some *SS embodiments, particularly those wherein the surface is relatively thin (such as a

VS

stainless steel sink surround) one or more of the anchor means 123 may be provided S..

in the opposite orientation, such that when compressed the slits allow the bevelled edges I 23a to splay against the underside of the surface around the hole and secure -li-the tap in position. This is illustrated in the alternative arrangement of figures 4a, 4b and 5. To further improve the stability of the arrangement shown in figures 4a, 4b and 5, the back nut 126 may be screwed onto the tail pipe 120 in the opposite orientation, such that its flat surface (normally the undersurface) is compressed against the flat edge (normally the upper edge) of the anchor means 123.

The anchor means 123 may further be provided with outwardly projecting wedge portions 123c. The wedge portions 123c have a sloped under surface and a substantially outstanding upper surface, which eases the task of passing the anchor means 123 through the hole. The wedge portions 123c also provide the anchor means 123 with additional purchase on the sides of the hole when deformed. A further benefit is that should one of the anchor means 123 project below the under side of the support surface, when compressed, the upper surface of the wedge portion 123c may engage with the under side of the support surface, thus further securing the tap 100 in place. If the surface is relatively thin, such as a metal sink surround, only a single anchor means 123 may be used and the engagement between the upper surface of the :. wedge projections 123c and the underside of the metal sink surround may provide the :..::: primary security for the tap 100. In other instances such as when the tap is mounted S...

on a stone worktop, two (or more) anchor means 123 may be provided and the * primary security for the tap 100 may be provided by the engagement between the anchor means 123 and the sides of the hole provided.

* The locking nut 122 is provided with an external thread to correspond with an internal thread provided on the cover 117. In the embodiment shown in figures 1-9, -12 -the external thread is provided by threaded corners 122a. The cover 117 can thus be screwed down over the locking nut 122 such that its decorative outer surface lies substantially flush with the surface. An alternative to providing a locking nut 122 with threaded corners 122a is shown in figure 10. In this figure, a locking nut 122 is provided with a projecting flange 122b around its lower run. The projecting flange 1 22b has a thread 1 22c provided on its external edge corresponding to the internal thread of the cover 117. In other embodiments, the cover 117 may alternatively be secured by the use of other means such as clips or similar.

The cover 117 is also provided with a pair of 0-rings 118 and 119 to provide a watertight seal between the cover 117 and the supporting surface and between the cover 117 andthe body 110.

The end 127 of the tail pipe 120 is adapted to connect to a water supply (not shown). Typically, this would be achieved by way of a push fit or screw fit connection (not shown) or by brazing, soldering or bonding using suitable adhesive.

* 15 In the embodiments above, a single water supply is controlled by the tap 100.

: It is of course possible that in alternative embodiments, two or more water supplies ***.

are desired to be controlled by a single tap unit. Turning now to figures 6-9, a tap 200 operable to receive and control two separate water supplies is shown.

* : In this embodiment, the tap comprises a body 210 and a threaded tail piece ** 220. The tail piece 220 comprises a cylindrical block provided with a pair of internal bores 220a, 220b and a threaded outer surface 221. The bores 220a, 220b are adapted -13 -to receive water from separate supplies and direct said water into a pair of separate internal passageways (not shown) with the body 210.

Within the body 210, the flow of water through each passageway is controlled by a dedicated valve 213. The valves 213 are operated by turning handle means 214.

An indicator plate 215 can be provided on each handle 214 to indicate to a user the particular water supply controlled by the valve 213. When the valves 213 are opened, water can pass along shaft 211 and into spout 212 from where it is output at an outlet nozzle 21 2a. The shaft 211 and the spout 212 can be adapted to carry water from each supply along separate internal passageways or along a common internal passage way as required or desired.

Water is supplied to the bores 220a, 220b along supply pipes 230. The supply pipes are each provided with a connection means 231 a, 231 b at their ends for forming a watertight seal with the bores 220a, 220b. The connection means 231 a, 231 b may be push fit means, screw fit means (as shown in figures 6-9) or any other suitable means. The connection means 231 a, 231 b may each be provided with an 0-ring (not shown) to facilitate the completion of a watertight seal. Alternatively, the connection may be achieved by means of brazing, soldering or bonding using suitable adhesive. * ** * * *

In the embodiment shown, each connection means 231a, 231b comprises a * screw thread 232 corresponding to a thread provided on the interior of bores 220a and *:. 20 220b; a hexagonal section 233 for facilitating the use of a spanner to screw the connection means 231 a, 231 b into the respective bores 220a, 220b; and connector 234 for connecting the flexible hoses 230 to the connection means 231 a, 231 b. One of the connection means 231b is additionally provided with a spacer pipe 236 between the thread 232 and the hexagonal section 233. This provides some vertical separation between the hexagonal sections 233 of each connection means 231a, 231b and thus facilitates the use of a spanner to tighten the connection. This enables the supply pipes 230 to be readily connected to a pair of closely spaced bores 220a, 220b.

To fit the tap 200 to a surface (not shown) there is provided a locking nut 222, an anchor means 223 and a back nut 226, in accordance with the equivalent features described in the previous embodiments. If desired, more than one anchor means 223 can be used. Similarly, one or more washers may be provided.

As in the previous embodiments, to fit the tap 200 to a surface the tail piece 220 is passed through a hole provided. The hole is of a size such that the back nut 226 and the anchor means 223 can pass through the hole but the locking nut 222 cannot. The locking nut 222 can then be driven towards the back nut 226 by use of a spanner or similar. This causes the anchor means 223 to be deformed outwardly and engage with the edges of the hole, thus retaining the tap 200 in position. As in the s previous embodiment, a cover 217 is provided. The cover 217 may be screwed down * :* : :* over the locking nut 222, by means of an internal thread on the cover 217 and an S..

* external thread provided on the locking nut 222. In the embodiment shown, the .: 20 locking nut 222 has threaded corner 122a. It is however possible for a locking nut S..

122 of the type shown in figure 10 having a projecting flange I 22b to be used as an alternative.

In other alternative embodiments (not specifically illustrated) the tail piece 120, 220 and the body 110, 210 are detachably connected. In such cases, the cover 117, 217 may be used to fit the body 110, 210 and the tail piece 120, 220 together.

Alternatively, one or more grub screws (not shown) may be used to connect the body 110, 210 and the tail pipe 120, 220. The ends of the grub screws may be covered by the cover 117, 217 and may help to secure the cover 117, 217 in position.

It is of course to be understood that the invention is not to be restricted to the details of the above embodiments which are described by way of example only. *. *. * *** **** * * S... * ** * S * * S.

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S S S *S

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Claims

Claims 1. A tap, adapted for mounting on a support surface, the tap

comprising: a body; a threaded tail piece extending from the body; a locking nut and a back nut both threaded on the tail piece, the locking nut being provided closer to the body than the back nut; and an anchor means provided around the tail piece between said locking nut and said back nut; characterised in that said locking nut does not fit through a hole provided in said support surface for mounting the tap whereas said back nut and said uncompressed anchor means are adapted to fit through said hole but wherein said anchor means is deforniable when compressed between said locking nut and said back nut such that it engages the hole and/or the support surface around the hole to secure the tap in position.

2. A tap as claimed in claim 1 wherein the anchor means comprises a generally tubular form.

3. A tap as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the anchor means is generally deformable outwardly when compressed by the locking nut and the back nut at each end. I. * I

4. A tap as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the anchor means has an *a.

inwardly bevelled lower edge. * **

5. A tap as claimed in claim 4 wherein the back nut is provided with a correspondingly sloped upper edge.

6. A tap as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the anchor means is provided with one or more longitudinal slits.

7. A tap as claimed in claim 6 wherein the slits run upwardly from the lower edge of the anchor means.

8. A tap as claimed in claim 6 or claim 7 wherein the slits run downwardly from the upper edge of the anchor means.

9. A tap as claimed in claim 6 wherein the slits do not extend to either edge.

10. A tap as claimed in claim 8 wherein this is achieved by threading an anchor means in accordance with claim 7 on the tail piece in the opposite orientation.

11. A tap as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the anchor means is provided with one or more projecting teeth on its outer surface.

12. A tap as claimed in claim 11 wherein the teeth are of a wedge like form having an upper edge projecting substantially orthogonally to said outer surface and a lower edge at an acute angle to the outer surface.

13. A tap as claimed in any preceding claim wherein two or more anchor means are provided between the locking nut and the back nut.

14. A tap as claimed in claim 13 wherein a washer may be provided between said anchor means.

15. A tap as claimed in claim 14 wherein if the anchor means has an inwardly bevelled lower edge as claimed in claim 4, the washer provided between said * *.

anchor means has a correspondingly sloped upper edge. * *a.

* 20 16. A tap as claimed in any preceding claim wherein a washer is provided between *: * the lower surface of the locking nut and the upperside of the mounting surface.

17. A tap as claimed in any preceding claim wherein a cover is provided with means for enabling it to be secured in position over the locking nut.

18. A tap as claimed in claim 17 wherein the cover is adapted to snap fit or clip over the locking nut.

19. A tap as claimed in claim 17 or claim 18 wherein the locking nut and the cover is provided with co-operating features for maintaining them in a desired relative position.

20. A tap as claimed in any one of claims 17 to 19 wherein the cover is provided with an internal thread and the locking nut is provided with a corresponding external thread.

21. A tap as claimed in claim 20 wherein the external thread is provided on an edge of a projecting flange.

22. A tap as claimed in claim 20 wherein the external thread is provided upon adapted corner portions of the locking nut.

23. A tap as claimed in any one of claims 17 to 22 wherein the cover has a decorative outer surface.

24. A tap as claimed in any one of claims 17 to 23 wherein the cover is adapted to be tightened by hand rather than by use of a tool.

25. A tap as claimed in any one of claims 17 to 24 wherein the cover is positioned I...

around the tail piece before said locking nut is threaded on to said tail piece.

26. A tap as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the tail piece is formed integrally with the body.

27. A tap as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 26 wherein the tail piece is detachably connected to the body.

28. A tap as claimed in claim 27 wherein the detachable connection is a press fit connection, a screw connection or provided by the use of one or more grub screws which grip onto the tail piece.

29. A tap as claimed in claim 28 wherein the cover is adapted to grip onto the grub screws and thus help to maintain the cover and or the tap body in position.

30. A tap as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the tail piece comprises a pipe having an internal bore through which water can pass and a threaded outer surface.

31. A tap as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 29 wherein the tail piece comprises a substantially cylindrical block having a threaded outer surface and two or more internal bores running substantially parallel to the axis of the block.

32. A tap as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the tail piece is provided with suitable means to facilitate connection to a water supply pipe.

33. A tap as claimed in claim 32 wherein the connection is facilitated by means of a press fit connection, a screw connection, brazing, soldering or bonding using : * suitable adhesive.

34. A tap as claimed in claim 32 when dependent upon claim 30 wherein each ***.

individual internal bore is provided with means for connection to a water * *.

supply.

*: , 20 35. A tap as claimed in claim 34 wherein the individual internal bores are provided * for connection to hot and cold water supplies or to hot, cold and fiLtered water supplies. -20 -

36. A tap as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the support surface comprises any of: a sink, a basin, a bath or a worktop in which a sink, basin, bath or the like is mounted.

37. A method of mounting a tap to a support surface, in which the tap has a threaded tail piece that is inserted through a hole in the support surface; the method comprising: threading a locking nut and a back nut on the tail piece, an anchor means being provided around the tail piece between said back nut and said locking nut wherein said anchor means and said back nut are adapted to fit through the hole and said locking nut does not fit through the hole; passing the tail piece, back nut and anchor means through the hole; and tightening the locking nut such that said anchor means is compressed between said locking nut and said back nut wherein anchor means is deformable under compression such that it engages the hole and/or the support surface around the hole to secure the tap in position. I. * S * *.. S... * * * *S. * SI * S S * .5 S.. *. S S S * * S. *S.