WO2007144918A1

WO2007144918A1 - Water spout

Info

Publication number: WO2007144918A1
Application number: PCT/IT2007/000344
Authority: WO
Inventors: Elio Bregoli
Original assignee: Ib Rubinetterie S.P.A.
Priority date: 2006-06-14
Filing date: 2007-05-14
Publication date: 2007-12-21
Also published as: ITMI20061150A1; EP2032768A1

Abstract

Water spout The present invention relates to a water spout (1), wherein the pipe (2) from where water is dispensed is movable like a joystick for allowing/preventing the dispensing or for dispensing mixed hot and cold water.

Description

DESCRIPTION "Water spout"

[0001] The present invention relates to a water spout for sanitary systems, for example for a washbasin or a bath, or a kitchen sink. [0002] Especially for aesthetic purposes, some water spouts have recently been devised for which the dispensing handle is integrated in the pipe, concentric thereto, with handle surfaces jointed to that of the pipe, so that the handle itself is little detectable. [0003] However, such embodiments exhibit some drawbacks. [0004] Among the others it should be noted that in order to dispense the water the user must grip with a hand the handle, usually arranged in the lower side of the pipe, and turn it so that the water jet that comes out of the dispensing outlet impinges the wrist and a part of the arm of the user himself. [0005] As an alternative, the user is forced to grip the handle by bending the arm, so that the dispensed water jet does not impinge him/her.

[0006] The object of the present invention is to provide a water spout which should meet the above requirements of little perception impact of the handle while overcoming the disadvantages mentioned with reference to the prior art. [0007] Such object is achieved by a water spout obtained according to claim 1. The dependent claims describe embodiment variations.

[0008] The features and advantages of the water spout according to the present invention will appear more clearly from the following description, made by way of an indicative and non-limiting example with reference to the annexed figures, wherein: [0009] - figure 1 shows a perspective view of the spout according to the present invention, according to a preferred embodiment; [0010] - figure 2 shows a plan exploded view of the water spout of figure 1;

[0011] - figure 3a to 3d show plan views of the spout in a closed configuration

(figure 3a) and in different opened configurations;

[0012] - figure 4 shows a section view of the water spout of figure 1 ; [0013] - figure 5 shows the enlarged detail V of figure 4; and

[0014] - figure 6 shows a schematic view of the overlapping between the openings of the body and the bottom openings of the water spout cartridge.

[0015] With reference to the annexed figures, reference numeral 1 globally denotes a water spout. [0016] Spout 1 comprises an internally hollow pipe 2 that extends between an engagement opening 4 and a dispensing opening 6, intended for water dispensing.

[0017] Pipe 2 comprises a gripping portion 8, wherein the water spout 6 opens, suitable for being moved by a user for dispensing water.

[0018] According to a preferred embodiment, the gripping portion 8 exhibits an annular connecting portion 10 and an annular dispensing portion 12, jointed to the first one and having said dispensing opening 6.

[0019] The connecting portion 10, generally cylindrical, mainly extends along a connection axis X-X, for example rectilinear, while the dispensing portion 12 mainly extends along a dispensing axis Y-Y. [0020] The connection axis X-X is separate from the dispensing axis Y-Y and is incident thereto.

[0021] In particular, the connecting portion 10 and the dispensing portion 12 are jointed according to a hook shape, such that the dispensing portion 12 forms an acute angle with the connecting portion 10 on the side facing the user. [0022] Moreover, spout 1 comprises dispensing means, associable to at least one water inlet duct, operatively associated to pipe 2 at the engagement opening 4 and suitable for allowing/preventing the water passage from the water inlet duct to the dispensing opening 6.

[0023] According to a preferred embodiment, said dispensing means comprise a cartridge 20 suitable for being controlled for allowing/preventing the water passage from the water inlet duct to the dispensing opening 6.

[0024] Preferably, cartridge 20 is of the joystick type, that is, provided with a control lever 22.

[0025] Moreover, spout 1 comprises a containment body 30, wherein cartridge 20 is at least partly seated. The containment body 30 is surmounted by pipe 2.

[0026] The containment body 30 is associable to a cold water inlet duct for the inlet of cold water and a hot water inlet duct for the inlet of hot water, whereas cartridge

20 is suitable for allowing the mixing of hot water and cold water according to amounts predetermined by the user. [0027] In particular, body 30 exhibits openings 34, 36 at bottom 32, in communication with respective openings of cartridge 20 (figure 6).

[0028] Hot water and cold water are fed by the household distribution system to openings 34, 36 of body 30 and through them they flow in cartridge 20, where they mix according to amounts desired by the user, determined by the position taken by lever 22. The mixed water comes out through opening 24 located on the bottom of the cartridge and, through air space 38 obtained in body 30 between the wall of body 30 and cartridge 20 itself, is fed to pipe 2, according to a feeding path 39 that exits from body 30, slightly touching the cartridge itself.

[0029] According to a preferred embodiment, spout 1 comprises engagement means, operatively connected to said pipe 2 for supporting it in a movable manner. [0030] Preferably, said engagement means comprise an articulation element 40 having a contact surface 42 at least partly spherical. Pipe 2 is arranged on said contact surface 42 of the articulation element 40. [0031] Moreover, said articulation element 40 holds cartridge 20 inside body 30. [0032] Preferably, moreover, said engagement means comprise an articulation connection 50 at least partly seated in pipe 2, on the side of the engagement opening 4. The articulation connection 50 surmounts the articulation element 40. [0033] Moreover, the articulation connection 50 is integral to pipe 2, exhibits a through duct 52 for dispensing the water, and is engaged with lever 22 of cartridge 20, so that moving pipe 2 controls the movement of lever 22 and cartridge 20 is therefore controlled as desired.

[0034] Preferably, moreover, spout 1 comprises an articulation sealing element 60, of a material suitable for obtaining a seal, arranged in compression between the contact surface 42 of the articulation element 40 and the articulation connection 50. [0035] According to a preferred embodiment, moreover, spout 1 comprises water feeding means for feeding the mixed water from said dispensing means to the dispensing outlet 6 of pipe 2.

[0036] Preferably, the feeding means comprise a tube 61 , seated in pipe 2, in fluid engagement at an end with the dispensing means and at the other end, open towards the dispensing outlet 6 of the pipe.

[0037] Preferably, moreover, an air space 62 is obtained between tube 61 and the wall of pipe 2.

[0038] Advantageously, the mixed water in output from the feeding duct and intended to be dispensed flows inside tube 61. This prevents the wall of pipe 2 from becoming very hot due to the contact with hot water, preventing the user from moving pipe 2 according to the needs or even representing a hazard thereto.

[0039] Preferably, tube 61 comprises at least one flexible portion 64 and even more preferably, an extending telescopic portion 66.

[0040] Advantageously, the flexibility of the flexible portion 64 allows adapting the pipe to the shape, for example arched or hook-wise, of pipe 2.

[0041] According to a further embodiment, the water feeding means comprise a connection tang 70, seated in pipe 2, on the side of the engagement opening 4, connected to the dispensing means.

[0042] In particular, the feeding path 39 of the mixed water leads into the connection tang 70 which in turn, is in fluid connection with tube 61 , so that the mixed water is fed by the feeding means to the dispensing outlet 6.

[0043] According to an even further embodiment, spout 1 comprises an internal insert 80 seated in pipe 2, on the side of the dispensing outlet 6.

[0044] The internal insert 80 is suitable for breaking the water flow being dispensed from tube 61 , for obtaining a dispensing water jet having greater section than the jet dispensed from the tube.

[0045] According to a preferred embodiment, spout 1 comprises an end insert 90 partly inserted in the pipe, on the side of the dispensing outlet.

[0046] The internal insert 80 is comprised between the end of tube 61 and the end insert 90, which inserts into the pipe so as not to leave air spaces with the wall thereof.

[0047] In the standard use of spout 1 , when the user needs to dispense a water jet, it is sufficient to move pipe 2 from the stand-by position (figure 3a), for example tilting it towards the user. [0048] The inclination of pipe 2 is transmitted to lever 22 of cartridge 20 by the articulation connection 50, controlling the cartridge to open (figure 3b).

[0049] To have a warmer or colder jet of mixed water it is sufficient to tilt the pipe rightwards or leftwards, thus controlling the cartridge so that it dispenses warmer or colder mixed water. [0050] Advantageously, the mixed water, even very hot, does not cause an excess heating of pipe 2 to be moved, since the mixed water flows in tube 61 , separate from the wall of pipe 2.

[0051] According to an even further advantageous aspect, to mount the internal insert 80 on tube 61 , it is sufficient to extend tube 61 through the telescopic portion 61 , and mount the internal insert 80 to the end of tube 61.

[0052] It is clear that a man skilled in the art can make changes and variations to the water spout described above, all falling within the scope of protection defined in the following claims.

Claims

1. Water spout (1) comprising:

- an internally hollow pipe (2) extending between an engagement opening (4) and a dispensing opening (6) for dispensing water; - dispensing means associable to at least one water inlet duct, operatively associated to said pipe at said engagement opening and suitable for allowing/preventing the water passage from the water inlet duct to the pipe dispensing opening; wherein said pipe comprises a gripping portion (8), wherein said water spout opens, suitable for being moved by a user for controlling said dispensing means.

2. Spout according to claim 1 , wherein said gripping portion takes on different spatial arrangements for controlling said dispensing means.

3. Spout according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said gripping portion exhibits an annular connecting portion (10), engaged with said dispensing means, and an annular dispensing portion (12), jointed to the first one and having said dispensing opening, wherein the connecting portion mainly extends along a connection axis (X-X) and said dispensing portion mainly extends along a dispensing axis (Y-Y), said connection axis exhibiting different spatial arrangements for controlling said dispensing means.

4. Spout according to claim 3, wherein said connection axis is separate from said dispensing axis and incident thereto.

5. Spout according to claim 3 or 4, wherein said connecting portion and said dispensing portion are jointed according to a hook shape, said dispensing portion forming an acute angle with said connecting portion on the side facing the user.

6. Spout according to any one of the previous claims, comprising engagement means operatively connected to said pipe for supporting it in a movable manner.

7. Spout according to claim 6, wherein said engagement means comprise an articulation element (40) having a contact surface (42) at least partly spherical, said pipe being arranged on said contact surface of the support element.

8. Spout according to claim 7, wherein said engagement means comprise an articulation connection (50) at least partly seated in said pipe, on the side of said engagement opening, said articulation connection surmounting said articulation element (40).

9. Spout according to claim 8, comprising an articulation sealing element (60), of a material suitable for obtaining a seal, arranged in compression between said contact surface (42) of the articulation element (40) and said articulation connection (50).

10. Spout according to any one of the previous claims, wherein said dispensing means comprise a dispensing cartridge (20) suitable for being controlled for allowing/preventing the water passage from the water inlet duct to the dispensing opening.

11. Spout according to claim 10, wherein said cartridge comprises a control lever (22) for controlling said cartridge.

12. Spout according to claim 11 and 8, wherein said articulation connection (50) is integral to the pipe, exhibits a through duct (52) for water dispensing and is engaged with said lever (22) of the cartridge.

13. Spout according to any one of claims 10 to 12, comprising a containment body (30), wherein said cartridge is at least partly seated, said containment body being surmounted by said pipe.

14. Spout according to claim 13, wherein said containment body is associable to a cold water inlet duct for the inlet of cold water and to a hot water inlet duct for the inlet of hot water.

15. Spout according to claim 14, wherein said cartridge is suitable for allowing the mixing of said hot water and said cold water according to amounts predetermined by the user.

16. Spout according to any one of the previous claims, comprising water feeding means suitable for feeding water from said dispensing means to said dispensing outlet of the pipe for the dispensing thereof.

17. Spout according to claim 16, wherein said feeding means comprise a tube (61), seated in said pipe, in fluid engagement at an end with said dispensing means and at the other end, open towards said dispensing outlet of the pipe.

18. Spout according to claim 17, wherein an air space (62) exists between said tube and the wall of the pipe.

19. Spout according to claim 17 OR 18, wherein said tube comprises at least one flexible portion (64).

20. Spout according to any one of claims 17 to 19, wherein said tube exhibits an extending telescopic portion (66).

21. Spout according to any one of claims 16 to 20, wherein said water feeding means comprise a connection tang (70), seated in said pipe, on the side of said engagement opening, connected to said dispensing means.

22. Spout according to any one of the previous claims, comprising an internal insert (80) seated in said pipe, on the side of said dispensing outlet, suitable for breaking the water flow being dispensed.

23. Spout according to any one of the previous claims, comprising an end insert (90) partly seated in said pipe, on the side of said dispensing outlet.

24. Spout according to any one of the previous claims, mounted on said dispensing means so as to be tilting for controlling said dispensing means.