WO2016120676A1 - Drain with in-line syphon, particularly for evacuating clean water from plumbing fixtures - Google Patents

Abstract

Drain to be used for draining water from the bathroom fixtures, particularly for sinks, washbasins, bidets, showers and bathtubs, ensuring drains of minimum vertical bulk. The drain (10) for discharging water from bathroom fixtures (L) has its lower end associated with a disc (22) that is fixedly connected to a lower end of a piece of concentric pipe (21), the opposite end of which is equipped with attachment and support spokes (24) of a cap (25), with which cap (25), with the disc (22) and with the same piece of pipe (21) in the drain (10) a syphon (S) is formed for waste water, said cap (25) having a diameter slightly smaller than the internal diameter of the same drain (10), said drain (10) being able to be screwed or in any case coupled axially with a top disc (34) of a pipe (36) that is equipped with an end coupling (38) to the drain system (T), the same top disc (34) or the same coupling (38) being integral to a support column or jacket (31) of the bathroom fixture (L), said column (31) being equipped with a base (33) for solid and removable attachment to the floor of the bathroom or similar room.

Description

TITLE: "DRAIN WITH IN-LINE SYPHON, PARTICULARLY FOR EVACUATING CLEAN WATER FROM PLUMBING FIXTURES"

DESCRIPTION

The object of the present innovation is a new embodiment of drain to be used for draining clean water from bathroom fixtures, particularly for sinks, washbasins, bidets, showers and bathtubs, ensuring drains of minimum vertical bulk, as well as having the possibility of making new and original embodiments of these apparatuses.

The main characteristic of the present innovation is that of foreseeing to make an innovative drain for discharging clean water from bathroom fixtures, said drain having its lower end associated with a disc that is fixedly connected to a lower end of a piece of concentric pipe, the opposite end of which is equipped with attachment and support spokes of a cap, with which cap, with the disc and with the same piece of pipe in the drain a syphon is formed for waste water, said cap having a diameter slightly smaller than the internal diameter of the same drain, said drain being able to be screwed or in any case coupled axially with a top disc of a pipe that is equipped with an end coupling to the drain system, the same top disc or the same coupling being integral to a support column or jacket of the bathroom fixture, said column being equipped with a base for solid and removable attachment to the floor of the bathroom or similar room;

A syphon is a device normally applied to any bathroom fixture of civil housing constructions and has the well-known function of forming a hydraulic plug, against the passage of foul odours coming from the drainage pipes of clean water into the sewage system.

The same syphon also has the function of holding any possible small object or solid residue that, falling into the sink or other bathroom fixture, would have ended up falling into the drain column and could constitute a reason for clogging. For this reason, eveiy normal syphon is generally equipped with an inspection cap that allows such an object to be removed, when it is not possible to recover it with chemical products or with conventional sink plunger devices.

Different types of syphon are known that, based on their configuration, are defined as "S", "P", "gooseneck" or "bottle" shaped, as well as so-called "floor syphons" that are used in the case of unavailability of space in the height of the floor, like for example bathtubs or shower trays, where such syphoning is sometimes carried out in length, with the presence of an inspection plate far from the apparatus. This last syphoning system is generally made from lead and has recently been abandoned with the introduction of corresponding elements that are made from plastic material, which constitute a greater miniaturisation and therefore a smaller bulk. However, in the case of clogging also for these more modern floor syphons there is the drawback that it is extremely complex to free the drain with the plunger or with the use of chemical products, sometimes having to resort to the demolition of a floor part in order to be able to access the blocked syphon.

The various shapes of syphon like an "S", "P", "gooseneck" or "bottle", are generally used for drains of sinks, of washbasins and in general of bathroom fixtures that have a sufficient lower free space for their application, before their clean water to be discharged is conveyed. In all of these cases the syphon is applied beneath the bathroom fixture, placing it between its outlet mouth and the discharge pipe that can be arranged vertically, at the column, or it can in any case be connected to the end of a discharge pipe inserted in the same masonry that supports said apparatus.

In both cases, the presence of a syphon, although necessary, causes the drawback of a visually unappealing appearance of the room, requiring a cladding over it, which can be given by the application of a column, for example made from ceramic material, or by the presence of a cabinet that still hides it from view. The presence of the covering column of the syphon and of the discharge pipe results in the formation of a space, behind the column itself, which is difficult to reach in particular for cleaning of the room, whereas the presence of the cabinet actually makes the inner space hard to use, precisely due to the presence of the bulky syphon and its drain column.

In particular in making bathroom sinks, the need to support them at a part of the room, even in the presence of a column made from ceramic material that at most can cooperate in said support, as well as with the presence of said cabinets, even the most modern technology still foresees the presence of a wall or flat surface thereof, intended to be in abutment against the support wall, with the consequent drawback of limiting the embodiments of said sinks, so that there is little ability to distinguish between those made by the various manufacturers and there is not currently much chance of differentiation for a producer wanting to create an original line.

The main task of the object of the present innovation is to be able to make a drain that, in its normal dimensions, can also incorporate a complete syphoning element and with which drain it is possible to connect the clean water of a bathroom fixture to its discharge pipe with minimum bulk, both vertically and horizontally and in depth.

In such a task, another important purpose of the present innovation is to be able to make a drain that allows the elimination of the current bulky and unattractive gooseneck, bottle shaped, etc. syphoning devices, thus with the possibility of a substantial reduction in their bulk, if not the complete elimination of the columns or of the coating cabinets or covering.

A further purpose of the present innovation is to be able to make a drain that can be associated with a load-bearing column of the bathroom fixture, specifically of a sink or washbasin, which has the possibility of being arranged at any point in the room, even near to a water tap, without the need for fixing and support at a wall.

Another purpose of the present innovation is to be able to make a drain that allows the configuration of a bathroom fixture, for example of a sink or a washbasin, which can be shaped in any imaginable embodiment, not only without having to have a flat wall for resting on the masonry wall but also being able to comprise a single body, for example made from plastic material, which covers and comprises the load-bearing column and the basin for housing the sink water.

A further purpose of the present innovation is to be able to ensure the maximum cleanliness around the bathroom fixture, eliminating any difficult-to-access area.

These and other purposes are in fact perfectly achieved with the present innovation, as described as an example hereafter and in accordance with what is indicated in the attached main claim and in the other derived claims.

A more complete illustration of the proposed solution and evidence of how it achieves the specified purposes is highlighted more clearly by the description of an embodiment thereof, purely for indicating and not limiting purposes, also illustrated hereafter with the help of 5 schematic figures shown in the three attached tables and of which:

Fig. 1 of table 1 represents an axial section and exploded view of the drain with its syphon, which is the basis of the present innovation;

Fig. 2 of table 1 represents an axial section view of the column that supports the basin or bathroom fixture, as well as of its attachment base, and on top of which column the drain of fig. 1 can be housed;

Fig. 3 of table 2 represents an axial section view of the upper end of the column of fig. 2, with the drain of fig. 1 associated, depicted with its syphon part already associated and functional;

- Fig. 4 of table 3 represents a vertical view in axial section and in reduced scale of the column of figures 2 and 3 and is depicted complete with an attachment thereof to the floor of the room, as well as with its discharge pipe connected to the branch or pipe for emptying into the drain system:

Fig. 5 of table 2 represents a vertical view, in further reduced scale, of the column of fig. 4, associated with a random coating model of the same column, said coating also comprising a particular configuration of the basin for containing the sink water.

In all of the figures, the same details are represented, or are meant to be represented, with the same reference numeral.

According to the example solution in fig. 1 , a conventional drain (10) comprises a cylindrical body (1 1) with threaded outer surface and with flanged top rim (12), as well as a conventional intermediate horizontal wall (13), which is equipped with through holes (14) and with a central hub (15) with threaded central hole (16). Said holes (14) of the horizontal wall (13) make the two parts (17 - 18) of the cylindrical inner space of the same drain (10) communicate with each other, whereas the edge of the lower space (18) is equipped with its own internal threading (19). The same fig. 1 also represents the new syphoning element (20) that has a piece of pipe (21) having the lower end joined to a disc (22) with threaded outer wall (23), whereas the upper end of the same piece of pipe (21) has a series of spokes (24) that are suitable for joining it to the edges of a spherical cap (25) with internal cavity (26). Said space (26) of the cap (25) thus remains in communication with the internal space (27) of the piece of pipe (21) and with the spaces comprised between the spokes (24) for joining between pipe (21), as well as with the space (28) underneath, outside of the same pipe (21). The outer diameter of the cap (25) is specifically less than the diameter of the space (18) of the drain (10) allowing the flow of waste water coming from the upper space (17) of the drain (10), with the formation of a syphoning section (S), as specified more clearly hereafter.

With reference to fig. 2, in accordance with the constructive solution given as an example, a column (30), for example for supporting a basin or sink, substantially consists of a cylindrical body (31) the lower end of which is fixedly joined to a coupling (32) and thus preferably also to a flat base (33), at least the bottom part of said coupling (32) being equipped with threading (39).

The upper end of the same cylindrical body (31) is closed by an upper disc (34) that has a threaded central hole (35), which has a diameter such as to be able to screw in the cylindrical body (1 1) of the drain (10). Said disc (34) is fixedly joined to an internal piece of pipe (36) that extends for a slightly shorter length than the length of the outer cylindrical body (31) and that, by means of a bottom ring (37), is connected to the coupling (38), which is intended to be connected to the connection pipe (T) of the clean water drain system.

With reference to figures 2 - 4 and 5, the coupling (32) of the base (33) of the column (30) is intended to be screwed to the threaded piece (41) that projects from the base plate (40), which is fixedly attached, for example with expansion anchoring screws (43), to be fixedly connected to the floor of the room where the bathroom fixture or sink (L) to be used is to be arranged.

With particular reference to fig. 3, according to the present innovation, the syphoning element (20) is preliminarily housed in the space (18) of the drain (10), screwing its base (22) to the threading (19) of the same drain (10), so as to ensure an adequate watertight seal for the water accumulated in the space (28).

Due to the difference between the diameter of the space (18) and that of the cap (25), a circular crown is created for the passage and communication of the waste water falling from the space (17) of the drain (10), said water depositing in the space (28) and, overflowing between the spokes (24), passes through the internal space (26) of the cap (25) to be inserted in the space (27) of the piece of pipe (21), from where it flows to the discharge pipe (36), to then be collected by the coupling (38) and taken to the discharge pipe (T), as represented in fig. 4. Of course, the difference in diameter between the space (18) of the drain (10) and that of the cap (25) of the syphon (20) is determined so as to always ensure the flow of water that has entered from the space (17) of the same drain (10).

From the same fig. 3 and also from fig. 4, it can be seen that, between the upper edge of the piece of pipe (21) and the upper surface of its threaded base (22), thus in the space (28), a permanent ring of clean drain water or syphon (S) is formed, which is suitable for preventing any possible return of foul odours coming from the pipe (T) and from the drain system of the fixture.

Of course, the difference in diameter between the cap (25) and the internal diameter of the space (18) is sized so as to always ensure the flow and draining of the water dispensed into the sink (L) or other bathroom fixture, whilst still ensuring the syphoning function, as well as ensuring the collection of possible small bodies that could pass through the holes (14) of the drain (10).

The possible cleaning of the syphon (20) becomes possible by unscrewing the drain (10) from the disc (34) of the column (30) and detachment of the same syphon (20), with subsequent housing once again in its work condition.

With the present innovation, the syphon (S) is thus housed in the drain (10), which can have dimensions and bulk totally corresponding to analogous drains already found on the market, thus obtaining the possibility of eliminating the presence of the current syphoning systems outside the drain, shaped like a "gooseneck", a "P", an "S", etc., with substantial advantages in the vertical and horizontal bulk, in accordance with the specified main purpose.

The drain (10) with its syphon (20) is therefore particularly advantageous to be applied to the drains of shower trays or bathtubs, precisely due to its minimal bulk in height, even if its drain column (30) must of course be adequate in its height and for the attachment to the thiclmess of the floor and to the position of the discharge pipe (T).

Again with reference to figures 4 and 5 and to the application of the drain for example for sinks (L), it is clear that the column (30), once screwed and locked to the base plate (40), moreover in an easily removable manner, is able to autonomously support its sink or other bathroom fixture (L), in accordance with another of the specified purposes.

With reference to fig. 5, as already specified, the column (30), complete with its drain (10) with its syphoning system (20), is suitable for being coated for example with a resin mould that ensures not only the coating of the same support and drainage column (30) but also allows a water collection space to be shaped for a sink (L) of any shape, without having to respect flat surfaces for resting against a wall, in accordance with another of the proposed puiposes.

The presence of the disc or base plate (33), associated with the coupling (32) with which the column (30) is screwed to the coupling (41) of the base (40), makes it possible to have a correct finish at the base of the coating for example of resin, with which it is wished to form the covering column of the column (30) or of the entire bathroom fixture (L).

Of course, the constructive solution described and illustrated up to now should be considered purely an example and not for limiting puiposes. Indeed, it is possible to foresee, for example, for the load bearing pipe (31), instead of reaching the upper disc (34), to be joined to the bottom disc (37), whereas the same top disc (34) is supported only by the pipe (36), for a solution of a sink made by moulding of resin that in any case covers the entire column (30) and comprises the screwing of the drain (10) and of its syphon (20) into its threaded seat (35). Similarly, and in particular in the case of a drain (10) with syphon (20) to be applied for example to bathtubs, it can be foreseen to eliminate the threaded base (40) and adapt the height of the column (30) to the small size of the floor, whilst still being able to connect its coupling (38) to the head of the drain pipe (T). Furthermore, it is possible to replace the semi-spherical shape of the cap (25) with a conical or frusto-conical element, provided that it has an adequate internal space (26) for communication between the lower space (18) of the drain (10) with the syphoning space (28) and with the drain space (27) of the syphon (20).

In the various figures described up to now, the column (30) has been substantially indicated as pair of coaxial and vertical cylindrical pipes (31 - 36). In reality said pipes (31 - 36) and therefore the entire column (30) can for example have a square or rectangular section, although with coupling (32) having a threaded hole (39), to be fixed to the base (40), just as said pipes (31 - 36) can have an arched or inclined configuration, whilst still ensuring the solid support of the bathroom fixture (L) and the same functionality of the syphoning system (20) and of coupling (38) to the drain system (T).

With particular reference to fig. 1, the watertight screwing of the disc (22) of the syphon (20) to the base (19) of the drain (10), for example with teflon coating, has been specified. Of course, it is possible to join said syphon (20) to the drain (10) in a watertight manner also with other known devices, like for example with eccentric or bayonet type closure, with its functionality remaining unchanged. These and other analogous modifications and adaptations are in any case meant to be encompassed by the originality of the finding that is wished to be protected.

Claims

1. - Drain with in-line syphon, particularly for evacuating clean water from plumbing fixtures such as sinks, washbasins, bidets, showers and bathtubs, ensuring drains of minimum vertical bulk, as well as the possibility of making new and original embodiments of these apparatuses, characterised in that it foresees making a drain that has its own end associated with a disc, which is fixedly connected to a lower end of a piece of concentric pipe having the opposite end that is equipped with attachment and support spokes of a cap, with which cap, with the disc and with the same piece of pipe in said drain a syphon is formed for waste water, said cap having a diameter slightly smaller than the internal diameter of the drain itself, said drain being able to be screwed or in any case coupled axially with a top disc of a pipe that is equipped with an end coupling to the drain system, the same top disc or the same coupling being integral to a support column or jacket of the bathroom fixture, said column being equipped with a base for solid and removable attachment to the floor of the bathroom or similar room;

2. - Drain with in-line syphon, according to claim 1, characterised in that said drain (10) comprises a cylindrical body (1 1) with threaded outer surface and with flanged top rim (12), as well as a conventional intermediate horizontal wall (13), which is equipped with through holes (14) and with a central hub (15) with threaded central hole (16), said holes (14) are suitable for making the two parts (17 - 18) of the cylindrical inner space of the same drain (10) communicate with each other, whereas the edge of the lower space (18) is preferably equipped with its own internal threading (19);

3. - Drain with in-line syphon, according to claim 1, characterised in that the drain (10) can be associated with a syphoning element (20), which consists of a piece of pipe (21) having the lower end joined to a disc (22) with threaded outer wall (23), whereas the upper end of the same piece of pipe (21) has a series of spokes (24) that are suitable for joining it to the edges of a spherical cap (25) with internal cavity (26), said cavity or space (26) being in communication with the internal space (27) of the piece of pipe (21) and with the spaces comprised between the spokes (24) for joining between pipe (21), as well as with the space (28), outside the same pipe

(21);

4. - Drain with in-line syphon, particularly for the evacuation of clean water from bathroom fixtures, according to claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the disc (22) of the syphoning element

(20) can be screwed or in any case fixed in a fluid tight manner to the edge of the lower space (18) of the drain (10), to form a syphon chamber (28) having a height (S) substantially equal to the height of the pieces of pipe (21 );

5. - Drain with in-line syphon, according to claims 3 and 4, characterised in that the external diameter of the cap (25) is specifically smaller than the diameter of the space (18) of the drain

(10), allowing the flow of waste water coming from the upper space (17) of the same drain (10), for the formation of the syphon chamber (S), as well as the overflow of the same water in the inner space (27) of the piece of pipe (21), passing between the various spokes (18) and through the inner space (26) of the cap (25);

6.- Drain with in-line syphon, according to claims 1 to 5, characterised in that said drain (10) with its syphoning (20) can be screwed into the seat (35) of a top disc (34) that is equipped with a discharge pipe (36) having a final coupling (38), which is suitable for being inserted in the pipe or duct (T) for discharging clean water;

7.- Drain with in-line syphon, particularly for the evacuation of clean water from bathroom fixtures, according to claims 1 to 6, characterised in that said drain (10) with its syphoning (20) is applied to a disc (34) to which a jacket or cylindrical body (3 1) is welded or in any case fixedly joined, the lower end of which is joined to a coupling (32) and thus preferably also to a flat base (33), at least the bottom part of said coupling (32) being equipped with threading (34), to form a column (30) for containing the discharge duct (36) as well as for supporting and fixing the bathroom fixture (L);

8. - Drain with in-line syphon, according to claim 7, characterised in that the coupling (32) of the base (33) of the column (30) is intended to be screwed onto the threaded piece (41) that projects from the base plate (40), which is fixedly connected, for example with expansion anchoring screws (43), to be fixedly connected to the floor of the room where the bathroom fixture or sink (L) to be used is to be arranged.

9. - Drain with in-line syphon, particularly for the evacuation of clean water from bathroom fixtures, according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that the jacket (31) can be applied to the disc (37) for joining the pipe (36) with its discharge coupling (38), particularly for columns (30) intended to be coated for example with resins or other forms of furniture;

10.- Drain with in-line syphon, particularly for the evacuation of clean water from bathroom fixtures, according to claims 1 to 9, characterised in that it is possible to replace the semi- spherical shape of the cap (25) with for example a conical or frusto-conical shape, again with inner cavity (26).