WO2008155555A1 - Dispositif de verrouillage de robinet - Google Patents

Dispositif de verrouillage de robinet Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2008155555A1
WO2008155555A1 PCT/GB2008/002116 GB2008002116W WO2008155555A1 WO 2008155555 A1 WO2008155555 A1 WO 2008155555A1 GB 2008002116 W GB2008002116 W GB 2008002116W WO 2008155555 A1 WO2008155555 A1 WO 2008155555A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
tap
set forth
handle
internal
receiving
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB2008/002116
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Kabir Hussain
Original Assignee
Kabir Hussain
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Kabir Hussain filed Critical Kabir Hussain
Publication of WO2008155555A1 publication Critical patent/WO2008155555A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16K—VALVES; TAPS; COCKS; ACTUATING-FLOATS; DEVICES FOR VENTING OR AERATING
    • F16K35/00—Means to prevent accidental or unauthorised actuation
    • F16K35/02—Means to prevent accidental or unauthorised actuation to be locked or disconnected by means of a pushing or pulling action
    • F16K35/022—Means to prevent accidental or unauthorised actuation to be locked or disconnected by means of a pushing or pulling action the locking mechanism being actuated by a separate actuating element
    • F16K35/025—Means to prevent accidental or unauthorised actuation to be locked or disconnected by means of a pushing or pulling action the locking mechanism being actuated by a separate actuating element said actuating element being operated manually (e.g. a push-button located in the valve actuator)

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a locking device for a tap/faucet. More specifically, the invention relates to a locking device incorporating a child-proof mechanism for a domestic water tap, particularly of the type commonly used outdoors.
  • the locking device prevents taps from being unnecessarily turned on by young children, and therefore prevents water wastage and potential flooding.
  • Various types of locking devices for taps are known.
  • One such type comprises a box- like structure which completely encloses the tap to be locked, a padlock being required to lock the box and prevent access to the tap.
  • a disadvantage of this type of device is that it is cumbersome to fit and remove, and also requires storage space when not in use. The user is further required to buy an additional padlock.
  • An object of the present invention is therefore to mitigate some or all of the above problems and preferably provide a locking device for a tap with a child-proof mechanism which can quickly and easily be fitted to the tap, which can then remain in place whether the tap is on or off, and which does not require an additional padlock for locking.
  • a water tap/faucet locking device for locking a water tap/faucet comprising: a first portion having a first end and a second end, a central axis running from said first end to said second end and an internal portion for cooperating with said tap; a second portion slidably engagable with said first portion along said axis, the second portion having a receiving portion for receiving a handle of said tap; a biasing member arranged between the first portion and the second portion to bias the second portion away from the first portion and towards said handle in use; a blocker to limit movement between the first and second portions; and wherein said second portion is movable between a first position in which the receiving portion receives the handle of the tap, the internal portion, blocker and receiving portion arranged so that in use said tap handle is prevented from rotating about said axis relative to said tap by more than a pre-determined angle, and a second position in which the second portion is moved against the biasing member to allow rotation of said handle.
  • the device is preferably designed to fit over a common or domestic outdoor tap (also known as a bib tap) which has a main body including a spout, and a rotatable shaft projecting from the main body at the end of which is a handle to allow rotation of the shaft, thereby opening and closing the tap to allow or prevent the flow of water.
  • a common or domestic outdoor tap also known as a bib tap
  • the handles of such taps typically comprise radially extending members, usually cylindrical in cross-section, which extend from a centre point of the handle where the handle is screwed into the tap body.
  • the device itself preferably fits around the shaft of the tap and consists of two portions; a hollow lower (in this case first) portion and a hollow upper (in this case second) portion which is preferably smaller and fits within the lower portion.
  • the lower portion houses a biasing member which engages and biases the upper portion away from the lower portion, the upper portion being axially slideable relative to the lower portion.
  • a combined blocker and child-resistant mechanism is preferably provided, more preferably in the form of a raised ridge or ridges on either the upper or lower portion, and an extending lug on the other of the upper or lower portion prevents rotation by more than a pre-determined angle between upper and lower portions.
  • the lower portion may have an internal portion at its lower end which is an interference fit with a locking nut of the tap body to prevent rotation between the lower portion and the tap
  • the upper portion may have a receiving portion for receiving the handle of the tap when the device is fitted.
  • the handle When a user attempts to open the tap by rotating the handle, the handle preferably contacts a wall of the receiving portion which in turn transfers a turning force to the upper portion. Further rotation of the handle may be prevented because the upper portion cannot rotate relative to the first portion by virtue of the blocker, and the first portion may not rotate relative to the tap because of the interference fit between the internal portion and the locking nut.
  • the upper portion is preferably narrower than the lower portion and is free to slide axially within and relative to the lower portion.
  • the receiving portion of the upper portion is preferably in the form of opposing notches or crenellations which are of a size suitable for receiving the handle of the tap. The number of such notches may be varied depending on the shape of the handle e.g. for a handle having a cross configuration the receiving portion has four notches. Other methods of receiving or blocking the handle are also possible, such as an arm or pair of arms extending from the upper portion.
  • the biasing member which biases the upper portion away from the lower portion is preferably in the form of a helical spring, which sits on or is fixed to the internal portion of the lower portion and engages a lower rim at the lower end of the upper portion.
  • the internal portion has a hexagonal inner profile to match that of the locking nut and may be removable from the lower portion so that an internal portion of a particular size can be fitted to the device to match the size of locking nut on the tap.
  • the internal portion may also have a different inner profile e.g. octagonal to match differently shaped locking nuts.
  • the locking device will be supplied with variously sized and shaped removable internal portions so that the same device can be used on a number of different taps.
  • the internal portion also acts as a seat for the biasing member.
  • a further feature of the device can be a child-resistant mechanism, which as stated above is preferably incorporated into the blocker between the upper and lower portions. More preferably, the child-resistant mechanism requires the user to twist the upper portion relative to the lower portion by a pre-determined angle before it may be pushed down relative to the lower portion to release the handle from the receiving portion.
  • the receiving portion is designed so that there is sufficient clearance between its walls and the handle of the tap to allow for this twisting action. This clearance is not sufficient to enable the tap to be opened.
  • the blocker consists of an extending ridge on the inner surface of the lower portion and an extending lug on an outer surface of the upper portion, the extending ridge extending vertically from a lower end towards an upper end of the lower portion, and then transitions via a 90° corner into a second ridge section which also engages the lug on the upper portion.
  • This second ridge portion prevents the upper portion from being axially moved relative to the lower portion in a direction against the biasing member.
  • Fitting the device to a tap is simple.
  • the user may simply remove the screw which holds the handle to the tap, place the device over the handle shaft, and then replace the handle and the screw. The device is then securely fitted to the tap.
  • the device can naturally assume its rest position with the biasing means in a non-compressed state thereby holding the upper portion away from the lower portion, the handle of the tap being received within the walls of the receiving portion.
  • Figure 1 is a side view of a standard outdoor tap.
  • Figure IA is an aerial view of the tap of figure 1.
  • Figure 2 is a perspective view of the locking device in accordance with the invention.
  • Figure 3 is a perspective view in cross-section through the first (lower) portion of the locking device
  • Figure 3A shows a helical spring which acts as the biasing member in the present invention.
  • Figure 4 is a perspective view of the second (upper) portion of the locking device.
  • Figure 5 is a side view in cross-section through the first (lower) portion of the locking device, the device attached to the tap and in its locked position.
  • Figure 6 is a side view in cross-section through the first (lower) portion of the locking device, the device attached to the tap in the un- locked position.
  • FIGS 1 and IA show a tap 10, the main features of which are a main body portion 11, spout 12, connection means 14 for connecting the tap to a water supply, handle 16, screw 18 for holding the handle in place, handle shaft 20 and locking nut 22.
  • connection means 14 for connecting the tap to a water supply
  • handle 16 usually anticlockwise
  • handle shaft 20 which will then start to move in the direction of arrow A by virtue of its threaded connection to the main body portion 11.
  • This opens a valve connection (not shown) within the main body of the tap thereby allowing water to flow from the water supply through the main body 11 and out through the spout 12.
  • To close the tap this operation is reversed and the handle is turned in the opposite direction which closes the valve.
  • FIG 2 is a general view of a tap locking device 30 which primarily consists of a cylindrical first portion 32 and a cylindrical second portion 46 contained within the first portion.
  • the second portion 46 therefore has a smaller diameter than first portion 32 to allow for smooth axial movement between the two.
  • the difference in diameters is also sufficient so that the external surface 52 of the second portion does not interfere with the blocker (described below).
  • both cylindrical portions 32 and 46 are circular in cross section.
  • the first portion 32 has a first end 34, second end 36, external surface 38 and internal surface 40.
  • the second end 36 also has an upper rim 42.
  • the second portion 46 which sits inside first portion 32, has a first end 48 (see figure 4), second end 50, external surface 52, internal surface 54, receiving portion 56 and an upper rim 58.
  • the receiving portion 56 has vertical walls 57 which engage the tap handle 16 when it is rotated. Second portion 46 can move relative to first portion 32 along axis X which passes through the centre of both portions.
  • Figure 3 is a perspective view in cross-section through the first portion 32 showing central portion 31 of the tap locking device 30.
  • a combined blocker and child-resistant mechanism 64 in the form of raised ridge portions 66, 70 and 72.
  • the vertical ridges 66 and 72 provide the blocking means and horizontal ridge 70 in this embodiment provides the means for the child-resistant feature.
  • Figure 3 also shows an internal portion 44 of the first portion 32.
  • An engaging surface 45 of the internal portion 44 is shaped to engage the locking nut 22 of the tap 10 to prevent rotation of the first portion relative to the tap.
  • the internal portion 44 has a hexagonal inner profile to match the hexagonal profile of the locking nut 22.
  • Figure 3 A shows a helical spring 60 with a first end 59 and a second end 61.
  • first end 59 of helical spring 60 sits, or is preferably fixed, to the internal portion 44 of first portion 32.
  • the second portion 46 has an extending lug 76 which extends from the external surface 52 of the second portion, which engages with the blocking and child-resistant mechanism 64 shown in figure 3.
  • the first end 48 of the second portion is a rim which engages with the second end 61 of helical spring 60.
  • the ridges 66, 70 and 72 only extend from the internal surface 40 of the first portion
  • FIG. 5 shows the tap locking device 30 fitted to the tap 10.
  • the user To fit the tap locking device 30, the user must remove the screw 18 from the tap 10 which then allows the handle 16 to be removed. The user then places the tap locking device over the handle shaft 20 such that the handle shaft is contained within the central portion 31 of the tap locking device 30. The user may have to apply slight downward pressure on the tap locking device 30 to enable factional engagement between the engaging surface 45 of the internal portion 44 and the locking nut 22. To complete the fitting procedure, the user replaces the handle 16 so that it sits within receiving portion 56 of first portion 46 and tightens screw 18.
  • the extending lug 76 of second portion 46 is positioned directly above ridge 70 and to the right of ridge 72.
  • the second portion 46 is blocked from anti-clockwise rotational movement by ridge 72.
  • a young child cannot move the device from the locked to the unlocked position because the second portion 46 is blocked from downward movement by ridge 70.
  • the tap 10 cannot be turned on, since the handle 16 cannot be rotated sufficiently as it will be blocked by wall 57 of receiving portion 56.
  • the second portion 46 cannot rotate relative to first portion 32 because of the blocker between the two portions, and the first portion cannot rotate relative to the tap because of the engagement between the internal portion 44 of first portion 32 and the locking nut 22 of the tap 10.
  • the locking device 30 is shown in the un-locked position, thereby allowing the handle 16 to be rotated and the tap 10 to be turned on.
  • extending lug 76 is positioned adjacent to and on first side 62 of ridge 66 by clockwise rotation of second portion 46 thereby allowing for downward movement of second portion 46 relative to first portion 32.
  • the unlocked position there is a clearance C between the rim 58 of the second portion 46 and a lower edge of the handle 16. The handle can therefore be turned without interference.
  • the handle is returned to its position directly above the receiving portion 56 of upper portion 46 and the locking device naturally springs back to its locked position shown in figure 5.
  • ridge 66 acts as a guide for lug 76, to ensure that when the second portion 46 is released it returns to substantially its original start position.
  • the adult can then put the device in child-proof mode by twisting the second portion until lug 76 abuts ridge 72, or alternatively this last step could be achieved by torsional biasing means (not shown).

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Preventing Unauthorised Actuation Of Valves (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention porte sur un dispositif pour empêcher de jeunes enfants d'ouvrir les robinets d'eau domestiques. Le dispositif consiste en deux parties principales : une partie inférieure creuse qui s'ajuste autour du corps principal du robinet, et une seconde partie creuse qui s'appuie à l'intérieur de la première partie et est sollicitée pour engager la poignée du robinet afin d'empêcher une rotation de celle-ci. Le dispositif a une caractéristique résistant aux enfants qui nécessite qu'un adulte tourne la seconde partie par rapport à la première partie avant que la poignée ne puisse être libérée du dispositif.
PCT/GB2008/002116 2007-06-20 2008-06-20 Dispositif de verrouillage de robinet WO2008155555A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0711876A GB0711876D0 (en) 2007-06-20 2007-06-20 Tap locking device
GB0711876.3 2007-06-20

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2008155555A1 true WO2008155555A1 (fr) 2008-12-24

Family

ID=38332396

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB2008/002116 WO2008155555A1 (fr) 2007-06-20 2008-06-20 Dispositif de verrouillage de robinet

Country Status (2)

Country Link
GB (1) GB0711876D0 (fr)
WO (1) WO2008155555A1 (fr)

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB214761A (en) * 1923-02-07 1924-05-01 James Albert Joel Improvements in and relating to gas taps
FR777527A (fr) * 1934-06-01 1935-02-22 Dispositif de sécurité pour robinets
CH475498A (fr) * 1967-06-26 1969-07-15 Gebalco Anstalt Tête de robinet

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB214761A (en) * 1923-02-07 1924-05-01 James Albert Joel Improvements in and relating to gas taps
FR777527A (fr) * 1934-06-01 1935-02-22 Dispositif de sécurité pour robinets
CH475498A (fr) * 1967-06-26 1969-07-15 Gebalco Anstalt Tête de robinet

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB0711876D0 (en) 2007-07-25

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