US20060118188A1

US20060118188A1 - Faucet

Info

Publication number: US20060118188A1
Application number: US11/002,531
Authority: US
Inventors: Yao-Hua Hsu
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-12-03
Filing date: 2004-12-03
Publication date: 2006-06-08

Abstract

A faucet comprises a main body, a spindle set, and a handle. The main body has a receptacle for housing the spindle set, a cold water tube and a hot water tube respectively disposed at two ends on a bottom side thereof, and a water outlet erected from the front side thereof. The cold water tube, said hot water tube, and said water outlet are connected to the receptacle, whereby cold water and hot water can be mixed with a selected proportion, as controlled by the spindle set, for providing warm water through the water outlet. The main body is further coated with an outer layer of scald-preventing material for preventing a user from being scalded when touch the main body unintentionally. Moreover, the faucet is less expensive to make and will not deform easily.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to faucets, more particularly to a faucet for bath tubs and basins.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A faucet of the prior art comprises a main body connected with a cold water tube, cold water tube and a water outlet. The inner cavity of the main body houses a spindle set for controlling the mixing proportion of cold water and hot water, the top end of which is coupled with a handle for manipulating the spindle set. The warm water thereby mixed flows out of the water outlet for use.
Since the conventional faucets are commonly made of copper, the production cost is high. Further, a lead-removing process is necessary during the production of a faucet, which not only further increases the cost but also causes a pollution problem to the environment. To attain an NSF standard for faucets, the lead-removing process is usually done two or three times, which is costly for production of small amounts.
To cut down the cost, some manufacturers produce faucets made of plastic materials. However, plastic faucets cannot sustain heat for an extended period of time and is easy to deform, resulting in water leaking and fragility problems. The plastic faucets are therefore unpractical.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the primary objective of the present invention is to provide a scald-preventing faucet.
The secondary objective of the present invention is to provide a faucet with duration longer than that of conventional scald-preventing faucets made of plastics.
To achieve the above objectives, a faucet according to the present invention comprises a main body connected with a cold water tube, cold water tube and a water outlet. The inner cavity of the main body houses a spindle set for controlling the mixing proportion of cold water and hot water, the top end of which is coupled with a handle for manipulating the spindle set. The warm water thereby mixed flows out of the water outlet for use. The main body of the faucet is coated with an outer layer of scald-preventing material for preventing a user from being scalded when touch the main body unintentionally. The scald-preventing material is selected from foam, plastics, resin, and glass fibers.
The various objects and advantages of the present invention will be more readily understood from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the appended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a faucet according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a lateral cross-sectional view of a faucet according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a faucet according to the present invention.
FIG. 4 is another lateral cross-sectional view of a faucet according to the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a front cross-sectional view of a faucet according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1 to 5, the present invention as a faucet comprises a main body 10, a spindle set (not shown in the figures), and a handle 20.
The main body 10 further comprises a receptacle 11 for housing the spindle set, a cold water tube 12 and a hot water tube 13 respectively disposed at two ends on the bottom side of the main body 10. The cold water tube 12 and the hot water tube 13 are connected to the receptacle 11, which is in turn connected to a water outlet 14 on the front side of the main body 10. The top end of the spindle set, housed within the main body 10, is coupled with the handle 20 so that the handle 20 is capable of controlling the mixing proportion of cold water and hot water. The mixed warm water then flows through the water outlet 14, out of the faucet, as shown in FIG. 1 to 5.
The main body 10 is coated with an outer layer 30 of scald-preventing material. In this preferred embodiment, the scald-preventing material is selected from foam, plastics, resin, and glass fibers.
Thereby, a user can utilizes the handle 20 to actuate the spindle set, mixing cold water and hot water with a selected proportion. The warm water thereby mixed is guided to flow out of the water outlet 14 for use.
Since the outer surface of the main body 10 is covered with an outer layer 30 of scald-preventing material, such as foam, plastics, resin, or glass fibers, it can prevent a user from being scalded.
Since the outer surface of the main body 10 is covered with an outer layer 30 of scald-preventing material, the total cost of materials for making a faucet is cut down. Further, the main body 10 of the faucet will not deform after being used for an extended period of time, which enhances the duration of the faucet.
The present invention is thus described, and it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the present invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A faucet, comprising:

a spindle set;

a handle coupled with a top end of said spindle set; and

a main body having a receptacle for housing said spindle set, said main body further including a cold water tube and a hot water tube respectively disposed at two ends on a bottom side thereof, said main body further including a water outlet erected from a front side thereof, said cold water tube, said hot water tube, and said water outlet being connected to said receptacle, whereby cold water and hot water can be mixed with a selected proportion, as controlled by said spindle set, for providing warm water through said water outlet, said main body being coated with an outer layer of scald-preventing material.

2. The faucet of claim 1 wherein scald-preventing material is selected from foam, plastics, resin, and glass fibers.