GB2461751A

GB2461751A - Mixer tap assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2461751A
Application number: GB0812848A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Stuart Michael Gizzi
Original assignee: INTATEC Ltd
Current assignee: INTATEC Ltd
Priority date: 2008-07-15
Filing date: 2008-07-15
Publication date: 2010-01-20
Anticipated expiration: 2028-07-15
Also published as: GB0812848D0; GB2461751B

Abstract

A thermostatic mixer tap assembly has a main hollow cylindrical body to each end of which cold and hot water supplies 40, 42 can be connected. A hot water passage 44 is defined within the body leading from the hot water supply 42 to a mixing body 36. A cold water passage 38 leads from the cold water supply 40 to the mixing body 36. The passage 38 provides a sleeve which surrounds the hot water passage 44 to prevent the outside of the body becoming too hot and thus a potential scalding hazard.

Description

Tap Assembly This invention concerns a tap assembly, and particularly but not exclusively a thermostatic mixer tap assembly.

Thermostatic mixer taps are regularly used in hospitals, care homes and other institutions. Such taps prevent the water temperature exceeding a set maximum level. Such taps are connectable to hot and cold water supplies, and are operated by a handle which can be moved to a position providing a required temperature of water, by appropriate proportional mixing of the hot and cold water supplies. A thermostatic cartridge may be provided to prevent water above a set maximum temperature from being supplied through the tap.

A problem encountered with such mixer taps, and also often other types of taps, is that the pipe or fitting connected to the hot water supply can become quite hot in use. This can lead to possible accidents and injuries to users who may touch or perhaps hold onto the hot water fitting.

According to the present invention there is provided a tap assembly, the assembly including a cold connection part connectable to a cold water supply, and a hot connection part connectable to a hot water supply, and a hollow sleeve part, the sleeve part being connected to the cold connection part to receive cold water therefrom, and at least partially surrounding the hot connection part so as to provide thermal insulation therearound.

The assembly may include a body which contains the cold and hot connection parts and the sleeve part. The body may be substantially solid, with the cold and hot connection parts and the sleeve part being defined by openings in the body.

The sleeve part may in use extend above and to the sides of the hot connection part.

The cold and hot connection parts may be provided substantially at respective opposite ends of the body, and may lead to an at least generally central outlet part.

The assembly may be in the form of a thermostatic mixing tap.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-Figs. 1 to 3 are respectively plan, front and side views of an existing thermostatic mixer tap; Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic plan view of the body of a thermostatic mixer tap assembly according to the invention; Fig. 5 is a view along the line A-A of Fig. 4; and Fig. 6 is a sectional view along the line B-B of Fig. 5.

Figs. ito 3 show an existing thermostatic mixer tap assembly 10. The assembly 10 includes a main hollow cylindrical body 12 which extends horizontally in use. The body 12 has recesses 14 at the rear at each end and openings therethrough to connect to cold and hot water supplies 16, 18. A filter valve 20 may connect to the body 12 at each end and be provided with a wall mounting flange 22.

A vertically extending cylindrical mixing body 24 is provided substantially centrally of the body 12 to locate a thermostatic cartridge (not shown) and settable adjustment means (also not shown). The body 26 is provided in upper and lower parts 26, 25, and an outlet pipe 30 extends forwards from the lower part 28.

A forwardly extending handle 32 is provided on the upper part 26 to enable rotation of the upper part 26 relative to the lower part 28. Rotation of the handle 32 allows operation of the assembly from a position pointing leftwards as shown in Fig. 1 parallel to the body 12 where the tap is turned off, through by pivoting to the right a cold water zone to a warm water zone when pointing forwards. The handle 32 is movable through substantially 180° so as to point to the right as shown in Fig. 1, where water issuing through the pipe will be at a preset maximum temperature such as for instance 43°C, usable for washing hands and other operations.

In use the left hand side of the body 12 would typically become warm and subsequently hot to touch, due to heating up by the hot water passing therethrough. This is a potential source of accident and injury if for example a person may touch or grab hold of this part of the body 12, or fall thereagainst.

Figs. 4 to 6 show a main body 34, and lower part of a mixing body 36 of an assembly according to the invention. In the main body 34 a passage 38 is defined from the opening 40 connectable to a cold water supply. The passage 38 extends to connect to a mid part 39 of the mixing body 36 and extends therebeyond to adjacent to an opening 42 connectable to a hot water supply, to define a sleeve part.

A hot water passage 44 is defined extending from the hot water opening 42 through an opening 45 to a lower part 46 of the mixing body 36.

The hot water passage 44 is smaller than the passage 38, and is surrounded by the sleeve part of the passage 38 on the sides thereof and also above the hot water passage 44.

In use the assembly incorporating the main body 34 can operate in a similar manner to the assembly 10. The cold water in the sleeve part of the passage 38 means that the main body 34 around the hot water passage 44 will not heat up and become hot to touch as in the assembly 10. Therefore the potential danger of burning at this part of the assembly is removed. The main body 34 and mixing body 36 are formed by casting, but other forming techniques could be used.

There is thus described a tap assembly which provides a significant advance over existing such assemblies preventing burning or scalding of users. The assembly is of relatively straightforward construction and can thus be inexpensively manufactured to operate over a long period of time.

Various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For instance the assembly may take a different form, and the respective passages from the water supplies could be differently formed and/or differently configured. Whilst the invention has been described in relation to a thermostatic mixing tap, it is to be realised that the invention could be used in a wide range of taps and other such assemblies.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A tap assembly, the assembly including a cold connection part connectable to a cold water supply, and a hot connection part connectable to a hot water supply, and a hollow sleeve part, the sleeve part being connected to the cold connection part to receive cold water therefrom, and at least partially surrounding the hot connection part so as to provide thermal insulation therearound.
2. An assembly according to claim 1, in which the assembly includes a body which contains the cold and hot connection parts and the sleeve part.
3. An assembly according to claim 2, in which the body is substantially solid, with the cold and hot connection parts and the sleeve part being defined by openings in the body.
4. An assembly according to claims 2 or 3, in which the cold and hot connection parts are provided substantially at respective opposite ends of the body.
5. An assembly according to any of the preceding claims, in which the sleeve part in use extends above and to the sides of the hot connection part.
6. An assembly according to any of the preceding claims, in which the cold and hot connection parts lead to an at least generally central outlet part.
7. An assembly according to any of the preceding claims, in which the assembly is in the form of a thermostatic mixing tap.
8. A tap assembly substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to the accompanying drawings. e -6
9. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter disclosed herein, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.