GB2499226A - Tap with pull-out nozzle and button operated valve at the nozzle - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a tap 1 with a pull-out nozzle 2 and a lever 3 for regulating water flow. The tap 1 is provided with a stopping means (not shown), which may be a valve for stopping the water flow when the nozzle is pulled out; and a supplementary water rate regulating means 4 which may also be a valve, operated by a button 5, wherein the valve is suitable for regulating water flow when the nozzle 2 is pulled out. The supplementary water rate regulating valve 4 and water stopping means are integral with the nozzle 2. The supplementary water rate regulating valve 4 only acts when button 5 is pressed. In use, if the lever 3 is in the open position and water is flowing from the nozzle 2, when a user pulls the nozzle out, the water flow will stop until button 5 is pressed. Once the nozzle is replaced, water will again flow through the nozzle 2 as the button is held in the depressed position by an inner wall of the tap swan neck.

Description

"Tap with pull-out shower"

DESCRIPTION

5 Some embodiments of the present invention relates to a tap with pull-out shower.

In particular, some embodiments of the present invention relates to a mixer tap with pull-out shower.

10 Taps provided with pull-out showers are already known in the art.

These known taps have the drawback that, once the shower has been pulled out in open position, i.e. during water flowing, they are laid down somewhere 15 and often forgotten in open position.

As a matter of fact, in laid position, they are noiseless since water does not fall from a certain height, and thus it is easier for the user to forget it, with following flooding problems. 20 Moreover, if the user needs to direct the flow of the shower using one hand while keeping in the other hand the device to be washed or filled with water, he cannot stop or vary the water rate without before leaving the shower or the device, with following 25 drawbacks.

Some embodiments of the present invention may aim to overcome the aforementioned problems.

These and other aims may be achieved by means of a tap as claimed in following claim 1.

5 In particular, those aims may be attained by means of a tap with a pull-out shower and a lever for regulating water rate, wherein the tap is provided with:

- stopping means suitable for stopping the water 10 flow when the shower is pulled out; and

- supplementary rate regulating means, suitable for regulating water rate when the shower is pulled out, which is at least partially integral with the shower and which acts only during stimulation

15 thereof.

In the present context, the wording "works only during stimulation" means that the supplementary rate regulating means performs its function only during stimulation thereof, for example by pressing or 20 pulling a drive switch, and when the stimulation ends, i.e. the pressing or pulling is released, it does not act any more.

The wording "rate regulation", in this context, indicates a regulation from a null rate to the 25 maximum rate allowed and thus comprises also the

2

switch on and switch off position regulation.

Thanks to the combination of such features, it is possible to prevent flooding since when the shower is pulled out and the supplementary rate regulating 5 means is not stimulated, the water flow is stopped.

In other words, when the shower is pulled out, the user must purposely stimulate the supplementary rate regulating means, in order to regulate the flow rate, and when the user stops stimulating it, the 10 flow is stopped.

In further words, if the user is not in contact with the supplementary rate regulating means, or at least with the driving means thereof, it does not act and thus the flow is stopped.

15 Furthermore, thanks to the fact that the supplementary rate regulating means is at least partially integral with the shower, it is possible to regulate with the same hand both the direction of the flow and the flow rate and thus it is possible to 20 overcome the above mentioned problem.

As a matter of facts, it is possible to switch on or off or to vary the flow rate while using the shower without the need of laying it down.

According to preferred embodiments of the 25 invention, the stopping means and/or the

3

supplementary rate regulating means comprises a valve.

Preferably, the valve of the supplementary rate regulating means is driven by a button, or an 5 equivalent driving means, which is advantageously arranged at the spout of the shower.

Preferably, supplementary rate regulating means is invisible in rest position.

The wording "in rest position" means, in the 10 present context, the position of the tap with the shower pulled in.

According to preferred embodiments, the shower comprises a dual mode sprayer which is advantageously at the spout of the shower.

15 Preferably, stopping means and supplementary rate regulating means are integrated in a single device.

Preferably, the lever is further suitable for regulating water temperature.

Preferably the tap is a mixer tap.

20 More preferably the tap is a kitchen mixer tap.

Further features and advantages of some embodiments of the invention will be clear from the following description of some preferred embodiments of the tap according to the invention, made as non

4

limiting example, with reference to the attached drawings wherein:

- figure 1 shows a schematic perspective side view of a tap according to a preferred

5 embodiment of the invention in rest position;

- figure 2 shows a schematic perspective side view of the tap of figure 1 with the shower pulled out; and

- figure 3 shows a detail of figure 2.

10 With reference to figures 1-3, the numerical reference 1 indicates globally a tap according to the present invention.

Tap 1 is preferably a mixer tap and more preferably a kitchen mixer tap.

15 It is provided, in a known manner, with a pull-

out shower 2 which may be hold pulled in, i.e. in rest position, as shown in figure 1.

In this rest position, the water rate is regulated in a know manner by regulating means which 20 generally comprises at least a valve, not shown in figures, and a lever 3 which drives the valve for regulating water rate.

Lever 3 is preferably adapted also to regulate the water temperature, when the tap is a mixer tap of 25 the mono-flow type.

5

The shower 2 may be pulled out, as shown in figure 2.

In the known taps, in this operating position, the water rate is still regulated by the lever 3.

5 Thus, when lever 3 is open position, which allows water flow, and the shower 2 is pulled out, water continues flowing.

Tap 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is provided with stopping means, not shown 10 in the figures, suitable for stopping the water flow when the shower 2 is pulled out.

Consequently, when lever 3 is in open position and the water is flowing, if the user pulls out the shower 2, the water flow is interrupted. 15 The stopping means preferably comprise a valve whose actuator is connected with shower 2.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, tap 1 further comprises supplementary rate regulating means 4, suitable for regulating water 20 rate when the shower 2 is pulled out.

Supplementary rate regulating means 4 is at least partially integral with the shower 2 and acts only during stimulation, as explained in the above.

Preferably the driving means of the supplementary 25 regulating means 4 is integral with the shower 2, and

6

in particular with its spout.

Preferably, the supplementary rate regulating means 4 comprises a valve which may be a dedicated valve.

5 Said valve is driven by a button 5 which is preferably arranged at the spout of the shower 2, as shown in figures 2 and 3.

When the user pushes button 5, with the shower 2 in pulled out position, water flows; if user 10 continues exerting a pressure thereon, water continues flowing until the user releases button 5 stopping exerting pressure on it and causing water flow stopping.

According to a preferred embodiment of the 15 invention, the supplementary rate regulating means 4 is designed in such a way that, when shower 2 is pulled in, it is continuously stimulated and thus it allows continuous water flowing. This flow may be interrupted by lever 3 or by pulling out shower 2 20 (and thus stopping stimulation of the supplementary regulating means 4).

In this case, the stopping means and the supplementary rate regulating means 4 coincide.

In other words, stopping means and supplementary 25 rate regulating means 4 are integrated in a single

7

device. Preferably said device comprises button 5.

In figures 1-3 it is shown that supplementary rate regulating means 4 is arranged in such a position that it results invisible in rest position.

5 As a matter of fact, when the shower 2 is pulled in, it is hidden inside the end of the tap 1.

Preferably, the shower 2 comprises a dual mode sprayer which allows two different types of flows.

The shape of the tap and the materials used may 10 be of any known type.

The above illustrated tap may be subjected, by a man skilled in the art, with the aim of meeting contingent and specific requirements, to further modifications and variants all falling within scope 15 of protection of the invention.

8

Claims (1)

1. Tap with a pull-out shower and a lever for regulating water rate, wherein the tap is

5 provided with:

- stopping means for stopping the water flow when the shower is pulled out; and supplementary rate regulating means, for regulating water rate when the shower is

10 pulled out, which is at least partially integral with the shower and which acts only during stimulation.

2. Tap according to claim 1, wherein the stopping means comprises a valve.

i

15 3. Tap according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the supplementary rate regulating means comprises a valve.

4. Tap according to claim 3, wherein the valve of the supplementary rate regulating means is

20 configured to be driven by a button.

5. Tap according to claim 4, wherein said button is arranged at the spout of the shower.

6. Tap according to any one of previous claims,

wherein supplementary rate regulating means

25 is invisible in rest position.

7. Tap according to any one of previous claims,

9

wherein the shower comprises a dual mode sprayer.

8. Tap according to any one of previous claims, wherein stopping means and supplementary rate

5 regulating means are integrated in a single device.

9. Tap according to any one of previous claims, wherein lever is for regulating water temperature.

10 10. Tap according to any one of previous claims,

wherein tap is a kitchen mixer tap.

10

•.'????.• INTELLECTUAL

*.*. .V PROPERTY OFFICE

11

Application No: GB 1202225.7 Examiner: Mr Haydn Gupwell

Claims searched: 1-10 Date of search: 16 April 2012

Patents Act 1977: Search Report under Section 17

Documents considered to be relevant:

Category

Relevant to claims

Identity of document and passage or figure of particular relevance

X

1-5 & 7-10

US2008/067264 A1

(ERICKSON PERRY D; HANSEN DAVID E; MONTAG PATRICK H) see whole document especially the figures noting tap with pull out shower 14, a lever 18 for regulating the water rate and a supplementary water regulating and stopping means 44 that only acts when depressed.

A

None

US2003/189108 A1 (BOSIO ORLANDO)

A

None

GB2241048 A

(KUGLER FONDERIE ROBINETTERIE)

Categories:

X

Document indicating lack of novelty or inventive

A

Document indicating technological background and/or state

step

of the art.

Y

Document indicating lack of inventive step if

P

Document published on or after the declared priority date but

combined with one or more other documents of

before the filing date of this invention.

same category.

&

Member of the same patent family

E

Patent document published on or after, but with priority date

earlier than, the filing date of this application.

Field of Search:

Search of GB, EP, WO & US patent documents classified in the following areas of the UKC :

International Classification:

Subclass

Subgroup

Valid From

E03C

0001/04

01/01/2006

E03C

0001/05

01/01/2006

Intellectual Property Office is an operating name of the Patent Office www.ipo.gov.uk