JP3750033B2

JP3750033B2 - Shower head support device

Info

Publication number: JP3750033B2
Application number: JP32357396A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 敬通田中; 充夫坪田
Original assignee: 株式会社ケーブイケー
Priority date: 1996-11-18
Filing date: 1996-11-18
Publication date: 2006-03-01
Anticipated expiration: 2016-11-18
Also published as: JPH10147963A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
この発明は、シャワーヘッドの支持装置に関するものである。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
近年、湯水等の水栓にホース等の可撓管を用いて接続されたシャワーヘッドを備えた洗面台や流し台等が広く用いられている。そして、この種の洗面台等においては、シャワーヘッドの基端部を、この可撓管が挿通された状態で抜き差し自在に収容支持する支持装置が用いられることが多い。かかる支持装置では略筒状に突出する収容支持部と、この収容支持部に装着固定される中空状の支承部材とを備え、シャワーヘッドの基端部は、この支承部材内に収容支持されるのが一般的である。その際、シャワーヘッドの基端部と、支承部材とはセレーションを用いた歯合や、スライド突起とスライド溝との係合等の手法により連結され、この結果、シャワーヘッド全体が支承部材、引いては、収容支持部に回転不能な状態に支持されることが多い。
【０００３】
一方、支承部材の収容支持部への固定には、（ａ）ネジ止め、ビス止め等を用いるのが一般的とされていたが、（ｂ）近年、支承部材に嵌合突起を設け、この突起を収容支持部の設けられた嵌合用孔に嵌合させる手法（特開平７−１９７５０１号公報）も提案されている。
【０００４】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
しかし、前記（ａ）及び（ｂ）の手法には以下の様な欠点がある。
即ち、前者（ａ）のネジ止め、ビス止め等を用いれば、収容支持部及び支承部材に対してネジ孔、ビス孔等を設ける工程が必要となったり、このネジ孔に雄ネジを螺合する工程やビス孔にビスを打ち込む工程等が必要となる。これに加え、ネジやビスを用いる分だけ部品点数が多くなるため、支持装置の製造コストを高くしたり、製造上の手間を大きくし易い。また、収容支持部等のネジ孔、ビス孔等の周囲の部分等では、応力割れが生じ易くなる等の問題もある。
【０００５】
更に、前者（ａ）の場合には、収容支持部等に対して、ネジ孔、ビス孔等の他に、シャワーヘッドからの支承部材や収容支持部の内部につたわる水、湯等を外部へと排出するため水抜き孔を設けることが必要となる。また、後者（ｂ）の嵌合突起と嵌合用孔とを嵌合させる場合にも、収容支持部等に対して、この嵌合用孔の他に、同様な水抜き孔を設けることが必要となる。従って、いずれの場合にも、支承部材を固定するための孔とは別個に水抜き孔を設ける分だけ、支持装置の製造工数を増加させると共に、支持装置の外観を低下させることが多い。
また、後者（ｂ）の場合には、支承部材に設けられた嵌合突起と、収容支持部に設けられた嵌合用孔とが精度良く嵌合することが必要となる。このため、嵌合突起及び嵌合用孔を形成したり、支承部材を収容支持部に固定する作業に、ある程度の手間を必要としている。
この様に、従来のシャワーヘッドの支持装置では、支承部材の収容支持部への固定方法に起因した種々の問題点を有している。
【０００６】
本発明は前記問題点を解決するものであり、製造効率が高く、製造コストの低廉なシャワーヘッドの支持装置を提供することを目的とする。
【０００７】
【課題を解決するための手段】
請求項１のシャワーヘッドの支持装置（以下、「支持装置」という。）は、略円筒状に突出する収容支持部を有する支持装置本体と、前記収容支持部の内部に装着された中空状の支承部材とを備え、所定の水栓に可撓管を介して接続されたシャワーヘッドの基端部分を、その可撓管が前記支承部材に挿通された状態で抜き差し自在に収容するシャワーヘッドの支持装置であって、
前記収容支持部の内部の少なくとも下部に配設され該収容支持部の内方に突出する水切り部と、収容支持部の下面側であって前記水切り部よりも突出端側の部位に穿設された係合用透孔と、前記支承部材の基体部より片持ち梁状に延設された梁状部と、前記梁状部の後端より突出するとともに水が流通可能な排水用クリアランス若しくは水が流通可能な排水用空間を有する状態で前記係合用透孔に係合する係合突起とを備え、
前記梁状部と前記基体部との間に設けられた切り欠きの空間が備えられ、
前記係合突起を前記係合用透孔に係合させることにより支承部材を収容支持部に固定したことを特徴とする。
【０００８】
本発明では収容支持部の係合用透孔に支承部材の係合突起を係合させて、支承部材を収容支持部に固定する。その際、係合用透孔と係合突起との間等に、水が流通可能な排水用クリアランス若しくは水が流通可能な排水用空間が設けられ、これらが水抜き口（孔）として機能する。即ち、収容支持部に設けられた１つの係合用透孔が、支承部材を固定するための係合孔と、水抜き口（孔）とを兼任する。従って、収容支持部等に対して、係合孔と水抜き口（孔）とを別々に設ける必要がなくなり、支持装置の製造工数が削減し、製造効率の向上と製造コストの低廉化を図ることができる。また、この様に、収容支持部等に設けられる孔の数が最小限に止められるため、支持装置の外観を向上させられる。
【０００９】
また、ネジ、ビス等の部品が不用な点でも、作業効率の向上と製造コストの低廉が図られる。
更に、係合突起を係合用透孔に嵌合させるのではなく、両者を単に係合させるものであり、しかも、両者間に水が流通可能な排水用クリアランス若しくは水が流通可能な排水用空間が設けられることを予定している。従って、係合突起及び係合用透孔の形成に余り高い精度を要求しなくとも係合孔と水抜き口（孔）の機能を果たすことが可能であり、この点からも製造効率の向上と製造コストの低廉が図られる。
【００１０】
請求項２の支持装置は、請求項１の支持装置において、係合突起を、その外面の一部が係合用透孔の内面の一部に係合するよう構成し、係合突起の外面と係合用透孔の内面との間に水が流通可能な排水用空間を設けている。
本発明は、前記請求項１の発明に述べた「水が流通可能な排水用空間」の一例を示している。そして、本発明によると、収容支持部等の内部につたわる水等を、係合突起の外面と係合用透孔の内面との間に設けられた排水用空間を通じて装置の系外へと、円滑に排出させられる。
【００１１】
また、収容支持部の突出端に切り欠き部を設け、支承部材に前記切り欠き部に係合する突部を設けてもよい。
このように切り欠き部に突部を挿入することで、切り欠き部と、突部との係合により、支承部材が収容支持部に対して回動することがなく支承部材の収容支持部への固定がより一層、強固になる。また、支承部材及び収容支持部の位置合わせを、確実且つ容易に行うことができる。
【００１２】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下、この発明の一実施の形態を図１から図５に基づいて説明する。
先ず、図１は、本支持装置の概略を説明するための一部に縦断面を示す斜視図である。また、図２は、図１の支持装置の構成部品を説明するための一部に縦断面を示す斜視図である。更に、図３は本装置を構成する収容支持部１１及び支承部材２を説明するための斜視図である。
この装置は、図１に示す様に、洗面台の洗面器（図示を省略）の上面に立設された湯水混合水栓Ｌと一体とされている。また、この装置は、所定のホースＳを用いて、湯水混合水栓Ｌに接続されたシャワーヘッドＨの基端部Ｋを、このホースＳを挿通させた状態で抜き差し自在に収容するものである。
【００１３】
そして、この装置は、装置本体１と、支承部材２とを備えている。
このうち、装置本体１は、洗面器（図示を省略）の斜め上方に突出する収容支持部１１を備えている。この収容支持部１１は図２及び３に示す様に、略円筒形状とされている。
また、突出端の下方の壁部には、略平面矩状の切り欠き部１１ａが設けている。
更に、収容支持部１１の下部には、図１及び２に示す様に、略ドーナツ板形状とされた水切り部１１ｂが装着されている。尚、この水切り部１１ｂとしては、ゴム製若しくは樹脂製等のパッキングを用いることができる。但し、水切り部１１ｂの中央に設けられた孔は、基端部Ｋの抜き差しに伴うホースＳの移動を妨げない大きさに設けることが必要である。水切り部は、装置本体１と別体のものに限られず収容支持部１１に一体的に形成されるものでもよい。また、図示はしていないが、水切り部は水の流下を略完全に阻止できるならば、略半円のドーナツ板形状のものなど収容支持部１１の下部にのみ水切り部を設けてもよい。
【００１４】
また、収容支持部１１の水切り部１１ｂよりも突出端側の下方壁部分には、略平面長円形状の係合用透孔１１ｃが設けられている。尚、この透孔１１ｃと、切り欠き部１１ａとは、収容支持部１１の軸線に沿って、同一直線上に並んでいる。また、切り欠き部１１ａの方が係合突起２４よりもやや幅広とされている。
【００１５】
一方、支承部材２は樹脂等の弾性素材を一体成形して作製した中空品である。この支承部材２は、図２及び３に示す様に、円筒形よりその前端側を除く下方の壁部分を略平面矩形状に切り欠いた外形とされた基体部２１と、基体部２１の前端側の下方壁部分より片持ち梁状に延設された梁状部２２と、この基体部２１の前端側の下方壁部分から下方に突出する突部２３と、梁状部２２の後端より下方に突出する係合突起２４とを備えている。そして、突部２３は、支承部材２を収容支持部１１に装着した場合に、切り欠き部１１ａに位置合わせ可能な位置に設けられ、また、この突部２３の外形は、切り欠き部１１ａの外形と凹凸の反転したものとなっている。
【００１６】
また、係合突起２４は略舌片形状とされており、その横断面は係合用透孔１１ｃの約１／３の大きさとされている。そして、図４及び５に示す様に、支承部材２を収容支持部１１に装着した場合、係合用透孔１１ｃの前方側（収容支持部１１の突出端側）に位置合わせされる。具体的には、係合突起２４の前方の外面が係合用透孔１１ｃの前方の内面に係合する。そして、係合突起２４の後方の外面と係合用透孔１１ｃの後方の内面との間に、空き部分、即ち、水が流通可能な排水用空間Ｐが形成される。
尚、この係合突起２４と、突部２３も、支承部材２の軸線に沿って、同一直線上に設けられている。
図４は支承部材２を収容支持部１１に装着した場合の一部縦断面図であり、図５は係合突起２４と係合用透孔１１ｃとの関係を説明するための一部裏面図（図１の矢印Ｘの方向より観察したもの）である。
【００１７】
また、図２に示す様に、支承部材２の内壁は段差状とされている。そして、前方に位置する内径の広い内壁部分には、シャワーヘッドＨの基端部Ｋの前方に設けられたセレーションＲと歯合する溝Ｍが設けられている。但し、シャワーヘッドＨの基端部Ｋと、支承部材２の連結方法は、このセレーションＲ及び溝Ｍを用いた歯合に限定されない。例えば、基端部Ｋに設けられたスライド突起を、支承部材２に設けられたスライド溝に係合するもの等であってもよい。
【００１８】
次に、支承部材２の収容支持部１１に対する装着方法を簡単に説明する。
先ず、図３に示す様に、支承部材２の後端を、収容支持部１１の突出端の前方に配置する。このとき、支承部材２に設けられた係合突起２４ｃ及び突部２３を下方側に位置する様にしておく。
次いで、梁状部２２を支承部材２の内部方向に撓せながら、支承部材２を収容支持部１１内に挿入する。このとき、切り欠き部１１ａに支承部材の係合突起２４を挿入し、そのまま直線的に収容支持部１１に支承部材２を挿入する。前記したように透孔１１ｃと、切り欠き部１１ａとは、収容支持部１１の軸線に沿って、同一直線上に並んでいるおり、切り欠き部１１ａの方が係合突起２４よりもやや幅広とされているので、支承部材２の周角度の位置決め案内を簡便に行うことができ、支承部材２の装着作業性を向上させることができる。
さらに、支承部材２を直線的に押し込む際に、係合突起２４が切り欠き部１１ａの少なくとも奥端を超えた時点で、切り欠き部１１ｂに突部２３が挿通し始める位置に係合突起２４と突部２３を設けると、装置本体１に対して支承部材２がほぼ回動することなく上記の装着作業を行うことができる。
更に、係合突起２４が係合用透孔１１に到達したところで、梁状部２２が復元する。そして、係合突起２４が係合用透孔１１ｃに係合し、この装着を完了する。このとき、係合突起２４の後方に水抜き口（孔）として機能する排水用空間Ｐが形成される。
【００１９】
次に本装置の作用を説明する。
本装置では、収容支持部１１に設けられた１つの係合用透孔１１ｃが、支承部材２を固定するため係合孔と、水抜き口（孔）とを兼任する。従って、収容支持部１１に複数の孔を別々に設ける必要がないため、製造工数を削減し、製造効率の向上と製造コストの低廉化を図ることができる。また、この様に、収容支持部１１に設けられる孔の数を最小限に止められるため、支持装置の外観の向上を図ることができる。
【００２０】
また、前記の様に、支承部材２の収容支持部１１への装着作業を簡単に行なうことができる点でも、製造効率の向上と製造コストが低廉化を図られる。特に、この作業に際し、ネジ、ビス等を用いない点からも、製造効率の向上と製造コストの低廉化を図ることができる。また、ネジ、ビス等を用いる場合の様な「応力割れ」等の不具合を生じない点でも優れている。更に、本装置では、係合突起２４と係合用透孔１１ｃの形成に、余り高い精度を要求されない点でも、製造効率の向上と製造コストの低廉が図られる。
【００２１】
また、突部２３及び切り欠き部１１ａの働きで、この突部２３及び切り欠き部１１ａの働きにより、支承部材２の収容支持部１１への固定がより一層、強固になる。また、支承部材２及び収容支持部１１の位置合わせが容易である点からも、製造効率の向上等が図られる。
更に、従来の洗面台の多くは、収容支持部１１等から洗面台の内部へと流下する水、湯を溜め込むためのトレイ等を内部に配置している。しかし、本装置では水等が収容支持部１１の内部へと侵入した場合にも、排水用空間Ｐを通じて装置の系外へと円滑に排出させられる。しかも、収容支持部１１の下部には、水切り部１１ｂが装着されているため、この水等が洗面台（図示を省略）の内部へと流下することを略完全に阻止できる。従って、本装置を用いることで、洗面台の生産性の向上、構造の単純化、製造コストの低廉化等を図ることもできる。
【００２２】
尚、前記従来技術に係わる「支持装置（特開平７−１９７５０１号公報）」では、支承部材（フック）の内周面の水抜き孔よりも突出端寄りに、この内周面をつたって流下する水流を弱めるための「突起」を設けることが提案されている。これは、水流を水抜き孔に確実に導くことを意図したものと考えられる。これに対し、本装置では、流下する水等が、支承部材２の梁状部２２と、基体部２１との間に設けられた２筋の切り欠きの空間（図３中のｄ、ｅ）に導かれ、排水用空間Ｐに確実に到達する。たとえ、排水用空間Ｐを通過しても、この空間Ｐの後方に設けられた水切り部１１ｂが流下する水等をせき止める。従って、本装置では、前記従来技術に示す「突起」を敢て設けるまでもなく、水等の洗面台（図示を省略）の内部への流下を略完全に阻止できる。
【００２３】
尚、前記各請求項に示した発明の範囲は、前記具体的に示した実施の形態に示すものに限定されるものではない。即ち、前記実施の形態の他に、種々の変形例を例示することができる。
先ず、係合用透孔１１ｃ及び係合突起２４の形状は、前記実施の形態に示すもに限定されずない。例えば、図６に示す様に、係合用透孔５１１ｃの孔形を円形とし、係合突起５２４の形状を半円板形状とすることもできる。尚、この図は、係合突起５２４と係合用透孔５１１ｃとの関係を説明するための一部裏面図である。
【００２４】
この変形例では、係合用透孔５１１ｃ及び係合突起５２４の形状の単純化が図られ、支持装置の製造効率のより一層の向上と製造コストのより一層の低廉が図られる。但し、係合用透孔１１ｃ、５１１ｃ及び係合突起２４、５２４の形状としては、実施の形態及びこの変形例に示す以外の形状（平面三角、平面矩形形等）を選択することもできる。
更に、第２の変形例として、図７（ａ）及び（ｂ）に示す装置を例示できる。尚、図７（ａ）は支承部材６２を収容支持部６１１に装着した場合の一部縦断面図であり、図７（ｂ）は係合突起６２４と係合用透孔６１１ｃとの関係を説明するための一部裏面図である。
【００２５】
この変形例では、図７（ａ）及び（ｂ）に示す様に、係合突起６２４の横断面に沿った外周を係合用透孔６１１ｃの大きさと略等しくすると共に、係合突起６２４の中央にその表裏両面を貫通する貫通孔６２４ａ（Ｐ）を設けている。そして、支承部材６２を収容支持部６１１に固定した場合、この貫通孔６２４ａ（Ｐ）が排水用空間Ｐとなる。この変形例によっても、実施の形態と同様な効果が得られる。尚、この変形例では、係合突起６２４を係合用透孔６１１ｃに嵌合したり、押し込むことも考慮される。しかし、係合突起６２４は貫通孔６２４ａ（Ｐ）を有し、比較的、圧縮変形させることがことが容易なため、係合突起６２４及び係合用透孔６１１ｃの形成を、それ程、高精度に行なう必要はない。
更に、第３の変形例として、図８に示す様にものを例示できる。尚、図８は係合突起７２４と係合用透孔７１１ｃとの関係を説明するための一部裏面図である。この変形例は、第２の変形例の貫通孔６２４ａ（Ｐ）の代わりに、係合突起７２４の表裏両面に切り欠き７２４ａ（Ｐ）を設けている。そして、この変形例においても、第２の変形例と同様な作用を発揮する。
【００２６】
また、第４の変形例として、図９（ａ）、（ｂ）に示すものを例示できる。尚、図９（ａ）は支承部材８２を収容支持部８１１に装着した場合の一部縦断面図であり、図９（ｂ）は係合突起８２４と係合用透孔８１１ｃとの関係を説明するための一部裏面図である。
この変形例では、図９（ａ）に示す様に、係合突起８２４を長めにして、その下端部８２４ａを収容支持部８１１の外側へとはみ出させている。また、係合突起８２４の外面の前後端を係合用透孔８１１ｃの内面の前後端に係合させると共に、係合突起８２４の両サイドに、排水用空間Ｐ１、Ｐ２を形成している。
本変形例では、両排水空間Ｐ１、Ｐ２に浸入した水、湯等を係合突起８２４の側面に沿って流下させ、係合突起８２４の下端部８２４ａへと確実に到達させ、下端部８２４ａより滴下させる。従って、本変形例によると、排水空間Ｐ１、Ｐ２より、導き出される水等が装置本体１の下部側の外壁８１ａをつたわることを確実に防止できる。
【００２７】
更に、第５の変形例として図１０（ａ）、（ｂ）に示すものを例示できる。
尚、図１０（ａ）は支承部材９２を収容支持部９１１に装着した場合の一部縦断面図であり、図１０（ｂ）は係合突起９２４と係合用透孔９１１ｃとの関係を説明するための一部裏面図である。
この変形例では、係合突起９２４の横断面を係合用透孔９１１ｃよりもやや小さくしている。そして、支承部材９２の収容支持部９１１ｃに固定した場合、係合突起９２４の外面と、係合用透孔９１１ｃの内面との間に、隙間、即ち、水が流通可能な排水用クリアランスＱを生じさせている。この変形例では、このクリアランスＱが、前記各排水用空間と同様な働きをする。
一般的に係合する突起と孔との間の隙間は、製造工程で通常の精度において通常０．２〜０．３ミリメートルの範囲で生じ、この隙間により水を流通させることが可能である。
この場合は係合突起及び係合用透孔の製造工程で通常の精度において生じるこのような隙間が前記排水用空間と同様な働きをする。
したがって、係合突起及び係合用透孔の形成に余り高い精度が要求されないため、製造効率の向上と製造コストの低廉がより図られる。
【００２８】
【発明の効果】
以上の様に、請求項１の支持装置では、収容支持部に対して、係合孔と水抜き口（孔）とを別々に設ける必要がないため、支持装置の製造工数を削減し、製造効率の向上と製造コストの低廉化を図ることができる。また、収容支持部に設けられる孔の数を最小限にとどめられるため、支持装置の外観の向上を図ることができる。更に、ネジ、ビス等を用いず、部品点数を少なくできる点からも、作業効率の向上や作業コストの低廉化が図られる。更に、係合突起及び係合用透孔の形成に、余り高い精度が要求されない点からも、製造効率の向上と製造コストの低廉が図られる。
また、請求項２の支持装置によると、収容支持部等に浸入した水を、係合突起の外面と係合用透孔の内面との間に設けられた排水用空間を通じて装置の系外へと円滑に排出させられる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】発明の実施の形態の支持装置の概略を説明するための一部に縦断面を示す側面図である。
【図２】発明の実施の形態の支持装置の構成部品を説明するための一部に縦断面を示す側面図である。
【図３】発明の実施の形態の支持装置の構成する収容支持部１１及び支承部材２を説明するための斜視図である。
【図４】発明の実施の形態の支承部材２を収容支持部１１に装着した場合の一部縦断面図である。
【図５】発明の実施の形態の係合突起２４と係合用透孔１１ｃとの関係を説明するための一部裏面図（図１の矢印Ｘの方向より観察）である。
【図６】第１の変形例に係わる係合突起５２４と係合用透孔５１１ｃとの関係を説明するための一部裏面図である。
【図７】図７（ａ）は第２の変形例に係わる支承部材６２を収容支持部６１１に装着した場合の一部縦断面図、図７（ｂ）は第２の変形例に係わる係合突起６２４と係合用透孔６１１ｃとの関係を説明するための一部裏面図である。
【図８】第３の変形例に係わる係合突起７２４と係合用透孔７１１ｃとの関係を説明するための一部裏面図である。
【図９】図９（ａ）は第４の変形例に係わる支承部材８２を収容支持部８１１に装着した場合の一部縦断面図、図９（ｂ）は第４の変形例に係わる係合突起８２４と係合用透孔８１１ｃとの関係を説明するための一部裏面図である。
【図１０】１０（ａ）は支承部材９２を収容支持部９１１に装着した場合の一部縦断面図、図１０（ｂ）は係合突起９２４と係合用透孔９１１ｃとの関係を説明するための一部裏面図である。
【符号の説明】
Ｈ；シャワーヘッド、Ｋ；基端部、Ｌ；湯水混合水栓、Ｓ；ホース、１；装置本体、１１；収容支持部、１１ａ；切り欠き部、１１ｂ；水切り部、１１ｃ、５１１ｃ、６１１ｃ、７１１ｃ、８１１ｃ、９１１ｃ；係合用透孔、２；支承部材、２１；基体部、２２；梁状部、２３；突部、２４、５２４、６２４、７２４、８２４、９２４；係合突起、Ｒ；セレーション、Ｍ；溝、Ｐ、Ｐ１、Ｐ２；排水用空間、ｄ、ｅ；切り欠きの空間、６２４ａ（Ｐ）、７２４ａ（Ｐ）；貫通孔、Ｑ；排水用クリアランス[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a showerhead support device.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, a wash basin or a sink provided with a shower head connected to a faucet such as hot water using a flexible tube such as a hose has been widely used. And in this kind of washstand etc., the support apparatus which accommodates and supports the base end part of a shower head detachably in the state by which this flexible tube was penetrated is used in many cases. Such a support device includes a housing support portion that protrudes in a substantially cylindrical shape and a hollow support member that is mounted and fixed to the housing support portion, and the base end portion of the shower head is housed and supported in the support member. It is common. At that time, the base end portion of the shower head and the support member are connected by a method such as engagement using serrations or engagement between the slide protrusion and the slide groove. As a result, the entire shower head is pulled by the support member and the pulling member. In many cases, it is supported by the accommodation support portion in a non-rotatable state.
[0003]
On the other hand, for the fixing of the support member to the housing support portion, (a) screwing, screwing or the like is generally used. (B) Recently, a fitting protrusion is provided on the support member. There has also been proposed a method (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-197501) for fitting a protrusion into a fitting hole provided with a housing support portion.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the methods (a) and (b) have the following drawbacks.
That is, if the former (a) screwing, screwing or the like is used, a process of providing a screw hole, a screw hole, or the like for the housing support part and the support member is required, or a male screw is screwed into this screw hole. And a step of driving screws into the screw holes are required. In addition, since the number of parts increases by using screws and screws, it is easy to increase the manufacturing cost of the support device and increase the manufacturing effort. In addition, there is a problem that stress cracks are likely to occur in the surrounding portions such as screw holes and screw holes such as the housing support portion.
[0005]
Furthermore, in the case of the former (a), in addition to screw holes, screw holes, etc., water, hot water, etc. connected to the interior of the support member from the shower head or the storage support part are externally supplied to the storage support part. Therefore, it is necessary to provide a drain hole for discharging. Further, when the latter (b) fitting protrusion and fitting hole are fitted, it is necessary to provide a similar drainage hole in addition to the fitting hole in the housing support portion and the like. Become. Therefore, in any case, the number of manufacturing steps of the support device is increased and the appearance of the support device is often reduced by the amount of the drainage hole provided separately from the hole for fixing the support member.
In the case of the latter (b), it is necessary that the fitting protrusion provided on the support member and the fitting hole provided on the housing support portion be fitted with high accuracy. For this reason, a certain amount of labor is required for the operation of forming the fitting protrusion and the fitting hole or fixing the support member to the housing support portion.
As described above, the conventional showerhead support device has various problems due to the method of fixing the support member to the housing support portion.
[0006]
The present invention solves the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a showerhead support device that has high manufacturing efficiency and low manufacturing costs.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The showerhead support device according to claim 1 (hereinafter referred to as “support device”) includes a support device main body having a storage support portion protruding in a substantially cylindrical shape, and a hollow shape mounted inside the storage support portion. A shower head comprising a support member and removably accommodating a proximal end portion of a shower head connected to a predetermined water faucet via a flexible tube in a state where the flexible tube is inserted through the support member. A support device,
A draining portion disposed at least in the lower portion of the housing support portion and projecting inwardly of the housing support portion, and formed on a lower surface side of the housing support portion and at a projecting end side than the draining portion. A through-hole for engagement, a beam-like portion extending in a cantilever shape from the base portion of the support member , and a drainage clearance or water protruding from the rear end of the beam-like portion and allowing water to flow therethrough. An engagement protrusion that engages with the engagement through-hole in a state having a drainable space that can be circulated,
A notch space provided between the beam-like portion and the base portion is provided,
The support member is fixed to the housing support portion by engaging the engagement protrusion with the engagement through hole.
[0008]
In the present invention, the support member is fixed to the storage support portion by engaging the engagement protrusion of the support member with the engagement through hole of the storage support portion. At that time, a drainage clearance through which water can flow or a drainage space through which water can flow is provided between the engagement through hole and the engagement protrusion, and these function as a drain port (hole). That is, one engagement through-hole provided in the housing support portion serves both as an engagement hole for fixing the support member and a water drain port (hole). Accordingly, it is not necessary to separately provide an engagement hole and a drainage hole (hole) for the accommodation support portion, etc., reducing the number of manufacturing steps of the support device, improving the manufacturing efficiency, and reducing the manufacturing cost. be able to. In addition, since the number of holes provided in the accommodation support portion or the like is minimized as described above, the appearance of the support device can be improved.
[0009]
In addition, it is possible to improve the working efficiency and reduce the manufacturing cost even when parts such as screws and screws are unnecessary.
Further, the engaging protrusion is not engaged with the engaging through hole, but is simply engaged with each other, and the drainage clearance or the drainage space through which water can flow between the two. Is scheduled to be established. Therefore, it is possible to fulfill the functions of the engagement hole and the drainage hole (hole) without requiring too high accuracy for the formation of the engagement protrusion and the engagement through hole. Manufacturing costs can be reduced.
[0010]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the supporting device according to the first aspect, wherein the engaging protrusion is configured such that a part of the outer surface engages with a part of the inner surface of the engaging through hole, A drainage space through which water can flow is provided between the inner surface of the engagement through hole.
The present invention shows an example of the “drainage space through which water can flow” described in the first aspect of the present invention. According to the present invention, the water or the like that passes through the interior of the housing support portion or the like is smoothly transferred to the outside of the apparatus through the drainage space provided between the outer surface of the engaging protrusion and the inner surface of the engaging through hole. To be discharged.
[0011]
Further, a notch portion may be provided at the protruding end of the housing support portion, and a protrusion that engages with the notch portion may be provided on the support member .
By inserting the protrusion into the notch portion in this way , the support member does not rotate with respect to the accommodation support portion due to the engagement between the notch portion and the projection portion, to the accommodation support portion of the support member. The fixing becomes even stronger. In addition, the positioning of the support member and the housing support portion can be performed reliably and easily.
[0012]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
First, FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a longitudinal section in a part for explaining the outline of the support device. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a longitudinal section in part for explaining the components of the support device of FIG. Further, FIG. 3 is a perspective view for explaining the accommodation support portion 11 and the support member 2 constituting the apparatus.
As shown in FIG. 1, this apparatus is integrated with a hot and cold water mixing tap L erected on the upper surface of a washbasin (not shown) of the washstand. In addition, this apparatus uses a predetermined hose S to accommodate the base end K of the shower head H connected to the hot and cold water mixing tap L while allowing the hose S to pass therethrough. .
[0013]
The apparatus includes an apparatus main body 1 and a support member 2.
Among these, the apparatus main body 1 is provided with the accommodation support part 11 which protrudes diagonally upward of a washbasin (illustration omitted). As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the housing support portion 11 has a substantially cylindrical shape.
Further, a substantially planar rectangular cutout portion 11a is provided on the wall portion below the protruding end.
Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a draining portion 11 b having a substantially donut plate shape is attached to the lower portion of the housing support portion 11. As the draining portion 11b, a packing made of rubber or resin can be used. However, the hole provided in the center of the draining portion 11b needs to be provided in a size that does not hinder the movement of the hose S when the base end portion K is inserted or removed. The draining part is not limited to a separate body from the apparatus main body 1 and may be formed integrally with the housing support part 11. Although not shown in the drawings, the draining portion may be provided only at the lower portion of the housing support portion 11 such as a substantially semi-circular donut plate shape as long as the draining portion can substantially completely prevent the water from flowing down.
[0014]
In addition, a substantially planar oval-shaped through hole 11c is provided on the lower wall portion of the housing support portion 11 on the protruding end side of the draining portion 11b. The through hole 11c and the cutout portion 11a are aligned on the same straight line along the axis of the housing support portion 11. Further, the cutout portion 11 a is slightly wider than the engagement protrusion 24.
[0015]
On the other hand, the support member 2 is a hollow product made by integrally molding an elastic material such as resin. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the support member 2 includes a base portion 21 having an outer shape in which a lower wall portion excluding the front end side of the cylindrical shape is cut out into a substantially planar rectangular shape, and the front end of the base portion 21. From the lower wall portion on the side, a beam-like portion 22 extended like a cantilever, a protrusion 23 projecting downward from the lower wall portion on the front end side of the base portion 21, and the rear end of the beam-like portion 22 And an engaging protrusion 24 protruding downward. And the protrusion 23 is provided in the position which can be aligned with the notch part 11a when the support member 2 is mounted on the housing support part 11, and the outer shape of the protrusion 23 is the same as that of the notch part 11a. The outer shape and the unevenness are reversed.
[0016]
Further, the engagement protrusion 24 has a substantially tongue-like shape, and the cross section thereof is about 約 the size of the engagement through hole 11c. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, when the support member 2 is attached to the accommodation support portion 11, the support member 2 is aligned with the front side of the engagement through hole 11 c (the protruding end side of the accommodation support portion 11). Specifically, the outer surface in front of the engaging protrusion 24 engages with the inner surface in front of the engaging through hole 11c. An empty portion, that is, a drainage space P through which water can flow, is formed between the outer surface behind the engagement protrusion 24 and the inner surface behind the engagement through hole 11c.
The engaging protrusion 24 and the protrusion 23 are also provided on the same straight line along the axis of the support member 2.
4 is a partial longitudinal sectional view when the support member 2 is mounted on the housing support portion 11, and FIG. 5 is a partial back view for explaining the relationship between the engagement protrusion 24 and the engagement through hole 11c. (Observed from the direction of arrow X in FIG. 1).
[0017]
Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the inner wall of the support member 2 has a stepped shape. And the groove | channel M which meshes | engages with the serration R provided ahead of the base end part K of the shower head H is provided in the inner wall part with a large internal diameter located ahead. However, the connection method of the base end K of the shower head H and the support member 2 is not limited to the engagement using the serration R and the groove M. For example, a slide projection provided on the base end K may be engaged with a slide groove provided on the support member 2.
[0018]
Next, a method for attaching the support member 2 to the accommodation support portion 11 will be briefly described.
First, as shown in FIG. 3, the rear end of the support member 2 is disposed in front of the protruding end of the housing support portion 11. At this time, the engagement protrusion 24c and the protrusion 23 provided on the support member 2 are positioned on the lower side.
Next, the support member 2 is inserted into the housing support portion 11 while the beam-like portion 22 is bent toward the inside of the support member 2. At this time, the engaging protrusion 24 of the support member is inserted into the notch portion 11a, and the support member 2 is inserted straight into the accommodation support portion 11 as it is. As described above, the through hole 11 c and the cutout portion 11 a are aligned on the same straight line along the axis of the housing support portion 11, and the cutout portion 11 a is slightly wider than the engagement protrusion 24. Therefore, positioning guidance of the circumferential angle of the support member 2 can be easily performed, and the mounting workability of the support member 2 can be improved.
Further, when the support member 2 is pushed linearly, the engagement protrusion 24 is located at a position where the protrusion 23 starts to be inserted into the notch 11b when the engagement protrusion 24 exceeds at least the back end of the notch 11a. When the projection 23 is provided, the mounting operation can be performed without substantially rotating the support member 2 with respect to the apparatus main body 1.
Furthermore, when the engaging protrusion 24 reaches the engaging through hole 11, the beam-like portion 22 is restored. Then, the engagement protrusion 24 engages with the engagement through hole 11c, and this mounting is completed. At this time, a drainage space P that functions as a drainage hole (hole) is formed behind the engagement protrusion 24.
[0019]
Next, the operation of this apparatus will be described.
In this apparatus, one engagement through hole 11 c provided in the accommodation support portion 11 serves both as an engagement hole and a drainage hole (hole) for fixing the support member 2. Therefore, since it is not necessary to separately provide a plurality of holes in the housing support portion 11, the number of manufacturing steps can be reduced, the manufacturing efficiency can be improved, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced. Moreover, since the number of holes provided in the accommodation support part 11 can be minimized as described above, the appearance of the support device can be improved.
[0020]
Further, as described above, the manufacturing efficiency can be improved and the manufacturing cost can be reduced in that the mounting work of the support member 2 on the housing support portion 11 can be easily performed. In particular, it is possible to improve the manufacturing efficiency and reduce the manufacturing cost from the point of not using screws, screws or the like in this work. Further, it is also superior in that it does not cause problems such as “stress cracking” as in the case of using screws, screws and the like. Furthermore, in the present apparatus, the manufacturing efficiency can be improved and the manufacturing cost can be reduced in that the engagement protrusion 24 and the engagement through hole 11c are not required to have a very high accuracy.
[0021]
In addition, due to the action of the protrusion 23 and the notch part 11a, the fixing of the support member 2 to the housing support part 11 is further strengthened by the action of the protrusion 23 and the notch part 11a. Moreover, improvement of manufacturing efficiency etc. is achieved also from the point that the positioning of the support member 2 and the accommodation support part 11 is easy.
Furthermore, many of the conventional wash basins have a tray for storing water, hot water, and the like flowing down from the housing support portion 11 and the like into the wash basin. However, in the present apparatus, even when water or the like enters the inside of the housing support portion 11, the water is smoothly discharged out of the system through the drainage space P. Moreover, since the draining portion 11b is attached to the lower portion of the housing support portion 11, it is possible to almost completely prevent the water and the like from flowing into the washstand (not shown). Therefore, by using this apparatus, it is possible to improve the productivity of the wash basin, simplify the structure, reduce the manufacturing cost, and the like.
[0022]
Incidentally, in the “support device (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-197501)” related to the above-described prior art, the inner peripheral surface of the support member (hook) is moved closer to the protruding end than the drain hole on the inner peripheral surface. It has been proposed to provide “protrusions” to weaken the water flow. This is considered to be intended to reliably guide the water flow to the drain hole. On the other hand, in this apparatus, the water or the like flowing down is a space of two notches provided between the beam-like portion 22 of the support member 2 and the base portion 21 (d and e in FIG. 3). To reliably reach the drainage space P. Even if it passes through the drainage space P, the water draining portion 11b provided behind the space P blocks the water flowing down. Therefore, in the present apparatus, it is possible to substantially completely prevent the water or the like from flowing into the washstand (not shown) without providing the “projections” shown in the prior art.
[0023]
The scope of the invention described in each claim is not limited to that shown in the specific embodiments described above. That is, various modifications can be illustrated in addition to the above embodiment.
First, the shapes of the engagement through holes 11c and the engagement protrusions 24 are not limited to those shown in the above embodiment. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the hole shape of the engagement through hole 511c may be circular, and the shape of the engagement protrusion 524 may be a semicircular disk shape. This figure is a partial rear view for explaining the relationship between the engaging protrusion 524 and the engaging through hole 511c.
[0024]
In this modification, the shapes of the engaging through holes 511c and the engaging protrusions 524 are simplified, and the manufacturing efficiency of the support device is further improved and the manufacturing cost is further reduced. However, as the shapes of the engagement through holes 11c and 511c and the engagement protrusions 24 and 524, shapes other than those shown in the embodiment and this modification (a plane triangle, a plane rectangle, etc.) can be selected.
Furthermore, as a second modification, an apparatus shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B can be exemplified. 7A is a partial longitudinal sectional view when the support member 62 is mounted on the housing support portion 611, and FIG. 7B illustrates the relationship between the engagement protrusion 624 and the engagement through hole 611c. It is a partial back view for doing.
[0025]
In this modified example, as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the outer periphery along the cross section of the engaging protrusion 624 is made substantially equal to the size of the engaging through hole 611c, and the center of the engaging protrusion 624 is set. Are provided with through holes 624a (P) penetrating both the front and back surfaces. And when the support member 62 is fixed to the accommodation support part 611, this through-hole 624a (P) becomes the space P for drainage. Also by this modification, the same effect as the embodiment can be obtained. In this modification, it is considered that the engaging protrusion 624 is fitted into or pushed into the engaging through hole 611c. However, since the engagement protrusion 624 has a through hole 624a (P) and is relatively easy to compress and deform, the formation of the engagement protrusion 624 and the engagement through hole 611c can be performed with high accuracy. There is no need to do it.
Furthermore, as a 3rd modification, what can be illustrated as shown in FIG. FIG. 8 is a partial back view for explaining the relationship between the engaging protrusion 724 and the engaging through hole 711c. In this modified example, notches 724a (P) are provided on both front and back surfaces of the engaging protrusion 724 instead of the through hole 624a (P) of the second modified example. Also in this modified example, the same effect as in the second modified example is exhibited.
[0026]
Moreover, what is shown to Fig.9 (a), (b) can be illustrated as a 4th modification. 9A is a partial longitudinal sectional view when the support member 82 is mounted on the housing support portion 811. FIG. 9B illustrates the relationship between the engagement protrusion 824 and the engagement through hole 811c. It is a partial back view for doing.
In this modified example, as shown in FIG. 9A, the engagement protrusion 824 is elongated, and the lower end portion 824 a protrudes outside the housing support portion 811. In addition, the front and rear ends of the outer surface of the engagement protrusion 824 are engaged with the front and rear ends of the inner surface of the engagement through-hole 811c, and drainage spaces P1 and P2 are formed on both sides of the engagement protrusion 824.
In this modification, the water, hot water, etc. that have entered the drainage spaces P1, P2 flow down along the side surfaces of the engagement protrusions 824, and reliably reach the lower end portion 824a of the engagement protrusions 824, from the lower end portion 824a. Let it drip. Therefore, according to the present modification, it is possible to reliably prevent the led water or the like from the drain spaces P1 and P2 from passing through the outer wall 81a on the lower side of the apparatus body 1.
[0027]
Furthermore, what is shown to FIG. 10 (a), (b) can be illustrated as a 5th modification.
FIG. 10A is a partial longitudinal sectional view when the support member 92 is mounted on the housing support portion 911, and FIG. 10B illustrates the relationship between the engagement protrusion 924 and the engagement through hole 911c. It is a partial back view for doing.
In this modification, the cross section of the engagement protrusion 924 is slightly smaller than the engagement through hole 911c. When the support member 92 is fixed to the accommodation support portion 911c, a gap, that is, a drainage clearance Q through which water can flow, is generated between the outer surface of the engagement protrusion 924 and the inner surface of the engagement through hole 911c. I am letting. In this modification, the clearance Q functions in the same manner as each of the drainage spaces.
In general, the gap between the engaging protrusion and the hole is usually in the range of 0.2 to 0.3 millimeters with normal accuracy in the manufacturing process, and water can be circulated through this gap.
In this case, such a gap generated with normal accuracy in the manufacturing process of the engaging protrusion and the engaging through hole functions in the same manner as the drainage space.
Accordingly, since the formation of the engagement protrusion and the engagement through hole does not require a very high accuracy, the production efficiency is improved and the production cost is further reduced.
[0028]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, in the support device according to the first aspect, it is not necessary to separately provide the engagement hole and the drainage hole (hole) for the housing support portion. The efficiency can be improved and the manufacturing cost can be reduced. Further, since the number of holes provided in the housing support portion can be minimized, the appearance of the support device can be improved. Furthermore, from the point that the number of parts can be reduced without using screws, screws or the like, the work efficiency can be improved and the work cost can be reduced. Furthermore, the manufacturing efficiency can be improved and the manufacturing cost can be reduced because the formation of the engaging protrusion and the engaging through hole does not require a very high accuracy.
According to the support device of claim 2, the water that has entered the housing support portion and the like is taken out of the system of the device through the drainage space provided between the outer surface of the engagement protrusion and the inner surface of the engagement through hole. It can be discharged smoothly.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a side view showing a longitudinal section in part for explaining the outline of a support device according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a side view showing a longitudinal section in part for explaining components of the support device according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view for explaining an accommodation support portion 11 and a support member 2 constituting a support device according to an embodiment of the invention.
4 is a partial longitudinal sectional view when the support member 2 according to the embodiment of the invention is mounted on the accommodation support portion 11. FIG.
5 is a partial rear view (observed from the direction of arrow X in FIG. 1) for explaining the relationship between the engaging protrusion 24 and the engaging through hole 11c according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a partial rear view for explaining the relationship between an engaging protrusion 524 and an engaging through hole 511c according to a first modification.
FIG. 7A is a partial longitudinal sectional view when the support member 62 according to the second modification is mounted on the accommodation support portion 611, and FIG. 7B is a relation according to the second modification. It is a partial back view for demonstrating the relationship between the joint protrusion 624 and the through-hole 611c for engagement.
FIG. 8 is a partial back view for explaining the relationship between an engaging protrusion 724 and an engaging through hole 711c according to a third modification.
FIG. 9A is a partial longitudinal sectional view when the support member 82 according to the fourth modification is mounted on the accommodation support portion 811, and FIG. 9B is a relation according to the fourth modification. It is a partial back view for demonstrating the relationship between the joint protrusion 824 and the engagement through-hole 811c.
10 (a) is a partial longitudinal sectional view when the support member 92 is attached to the housing support portion 911, and FIG. 10 (b) illustrates the relationship between the engagement protrusion 924 and the engagement through hole 911c. FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
H: Shower head, K: Base end portion, L: Hot water / water mixing faucet, S: Hose, 1; Device main body, 11; Storage support portion, 11a; Notch portion, 11b; Drainage portion, 11c, 511c, 611c, 711c, 811c, 911c; engaging through hole, 2; support member, 21; base portion, 22; beam-like portion, 23; projection, 24, 524, 624, 724, 824, 924; Serration, M; Groove, P, P1, P2; Drainage space, d, e; Notch space, 624a (P), 724a (P); Through hole, Q: Drainage clearance

Claims

A shower comprising a support device main body having a housing support portion projecting in a substantially cylindrical shape, and a hollow support member mounted inside the housing support portion, and connected to a predetermined water faucet via a flexible tube A support device for a shower head that accommodates a base end portion of the head in a state in which the flexible tube is inserted into the support member so as to be freely inserted and removed,
A draining portion disposed at least in the lower portion of the housing support portion and projecting inwardly of the housing support portion, and formed on a lower surface side of the housing support portion and at a projecting end side than the draining portion. A through-hole for engagement, a beam-shaped portion extending like a cantilever from the base portion of the support member , and a drainage clearance or water protruding from the rear end of the beam-shaped portion and allowing water to flow therethrough. An engagement protrusion that engages with the engagement through-hole in a state having a drainable space that can be circulated,
A notch space provided between the beam-like portion and the base portion is provided,
A support device for a shower head, wherein a support member is fixed to an accommodation support portion by engaging the engagement protrusion with the engagement through hole.

The engaging protrusion is configured so that a part of the outer surface thereof engages with a part of the inner surface of the engaging through hole, and water can flow between the outer surface of the engaging protrusion and the inner surface of the engaging through hole. 2. The shower head support device according to claim 1, wherein a space for use is formed.