TAPS
This invention relates to taps.
A conventional tap has a downwardly extending integral tubular member for conveying fluid into the tap, for connection to a fluid pipe, and for mounting the tap to a surface of, for example, a sink, bath or the like. Typically, the tubular member is provided with an outer threaded region so that when the tubular member is passed through a hole in the said surface, such that the tap rests on the surface, with the threaded region projecting therethrough, a threaded nut behind the surface can be used to clamp the tap to the surface. Mounting and demounting a tap is relatively difficult in that it is necessary to provide access to the rear of the surface of the sink or bath. Furthermore, removal is particularly difficult for the same reason and in addition it can result in damage to either the tap and its pipe member or the structure such as the sink or bath on which the tap is mounted. Often, the sink or bath top is broken and must be completely replaced, together with the tap.
This is paπicularly problematical for situations in which taps must be replaced or inspected for, for example, hygiene purposes.
Accessibility to the nut at the rear of the surface of the sink or bath is restricted because of the limited amount of space available. It is therefore difficult and at times impossible for inexperienced individuals or those with limited physical capabilities to mount, replace, remove or inspect a tap.
It is therefore a first object of the invention to overcome at least some of the above problems of the prior art by providing a tap which can be mounted without access to the remote side of the surface.
According to a first aspect of the invention there is therefore provided a tap comprising a tap body and a tap attachment member for mounting the tap body to a surface of a structure such as a sink or bath, for example, wherein the tap body and tap attachment member are in fluid communication theretogether and are adapted so that the tap body can be mounted to and/or removed from an exposed side of the surface without requiring access to the rear side of the surface.
In a preferred embodiment, the tap attachment member comprises a pipe member having a sealing means at one end thereof and the tap body comprises a pipe receiving bore for receiving said end of the pipe member. Preferably, the sealing means comprises one or more O-rings disposed, in use, between an inner surface of the pipe receiving bore and the pipe member received therein.
In a further preferred embodiment, the tap comprises mounting means for mounting the tap to the surface of the structure. Preferably, the mounting means comprises a flange member mounted on said pipe member for engaging a rear side of said surface, and a releasable clamping member mountable to said pipe member for engaging the front side of said surface when said pipe member is located within a through bore, hole, or recess in said surface. The flange member may be integral with said pipe member. The outer surface of said pipe member may be threade'd and the releasable clamping member may comprise a nut. Alternatively, or additionally, the tap attachment member may be sized or shaped so as to be an interference fit in the through bore, hole or recess. Means may be provided to prevent rotation of the tap attachment member.
In a further preferred embodiment, the tap body is provided with a tap body recess for receiving the releasable clamping member. The tap body recess may be in axial alignment with and/or form part of said pipe receiving bore. Preferably, the releasable clamping member is a polygonal shaped nut. Alternatively, the releasable clamping member is a nut having a serrated or otherwise shaped outer surface whereby the tap body can be orientated with respect to the nut so that the tap can be aligned with respect to the structure as desired.
In a preferred embodiment, the flange member is provided with one or more guide marks so that the tap attachment member can be controllably aligned whereby when the tap body is mounted to the tap attachment member, the tap is aligned as desired. Preferably, the flange member is hexagonal. In a further preferred embodiment, the tap comprises locking means for locking the tap body to the tap attachment member. Preferably the locking means are releasable. The locking means may comprise a locking recess on an outer surface of said releasable clamping member and a corresponding peg receiving bore in said tap body adjacent to said tap body recess and open on one side to said tap body recess whereby a peg can be inserted into said peg receiving bore for engaging said locking recess when said locking recess is in register with said peg receiving bore. Preferably, the peg receiving bore is at least partially threaded whereby a peg having at least a partially threaded outer surface can be used.
In a preferred embodiment, the releasable mounting means comprises a central through bore having a shaped inner surface for snap or push fitting to a corresponding shaped portion on an outer surface of said pipe member. Alternatively, the mounting means comprises a shaped portion of the inner surface of the tap body recess for snap or push fitting to a correspondence shaped portion on an outer surface of said pipe member.
The tap body may comprise a conventional tap having an adapted lower body portion attached thereto or integral therewith for cooperating with the tap attachment member.
In a further preferred embodiment of the present application, the tap is a mixer tap comprising a tap body for dispensing a mixed liquid stream derived from at least two separate streams provided to the tap, the tap attachment member defining separate pathways for the at least two streams of liquid.
Preferably the tap attachment member includes pipe members, one for each stream of liquid, the ends of said pipe members being for location within respective pipe receiving bores located within the tap body. More preferably, each pipe member is provided with sealing means which may be in the form of one or more O-rings disposed, in use, between an inner surface of each pipe receiving bore and the respective pipe member received therein.
In a further preferred embodiment in accordance with the present invention. the tap attachment member is in fluid communication with the tap body while the tap body and the tap attachment member are connected together, means being provided to prevent flow of liquid within the tap attachment member when the tap body is removed from the tap attachment member.
Preferably the tap attachment member includes a flow control member moveable between a first position in which liquid flow is permitted through the tap attachment member and a second position in which liquid flow through the tap attachment member is prevented, the tap being provided with engagement means for holding the flow control member in the first position when the tap body is attached to the tap attachment member.
Preferably, the arrangement is such that the flow control member automatically moves from the first position to the second position when the tap body is removed from the tap attachment member. More preferably, this automatic movement is effected by the action of liquid within the tap attachment member.
More preferably, the engagement means forms part of the tap body so that when the tap body is removed from the tap attachment member the flow control means are no longer held in the first position
More preferably, the attachment of reattachment to the tap body to the tap attachment member will cause the holding means to move the flow control means from the second position to the first position thereby allowing fluid communication between the tap attachment member and the tap body.
In one particular embodiment according to the present invention. the flow control means may be in the form of a pivotably mounted member located within the tap attachment member and arranged so that its pivotal movement extends between the first position, where flow through the tap attachment member is permitted, and the second position where flow is prevented.
In a second particular embodiment in accordance with the present invention the flow control means is in the form of a member arranged to move axially within the tap attachment member between the first position when flow through the member is permitted to a second position when flow is prevented, the holding mean preventing movement from said first position while the tap body is attached to the tap attachment member.
Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of examples only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-
Figure 1 is a side view of a first tap in accordance with the invention;
Figure 2 is a perspective view ofthe releasable clamping member ofthe tap of Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a side view of a second tap in accordance with the invention:
Figure 4 is a side view, partly in section, of a third tap in accordance with the present invention;
Figure 5 is a side view, partly in section, of a fourth tap in accordance with the present invention; and
Figure 6 is a side view, partly in section, of a fifth tap in accordance with the present invention.
Referring to Figure 1 , tap 1 comprises a tap body 2. Body 2 has an upper body portion 4 for dispensing water and a lower body portion 3 for engaging tap attachment member 7. Tap 1 includes control means 5, here a push button, for dispensing water from the tap. Tap attachment member 7 is clamped about surface 6 of a bath or sink for example.
Tap attachment member 7 comprises a pipe member 10 having a fixed integral lower flange 12 for engaging the rear side of surface 6. Initially, pipe member 10 is inserted upwardly through hole 23 in surface 6. The outer surface of pipe 10 comprises a screw thread 1 1 on which a releasable clamping nut 13 is mounted for engaging an exposed side of surface 6. Pipe 10 is sized so that end 8 of pipe 10 projects beyond the clamp nut 13. End 8 further comprises annular recesses for O-rings 9 for engaging an inner surface 16 of tap body 2 so as to provide sealing engagement between tap body 2 and tap attachment member 7.
Clamp nut 13 is shown in more detail in Figure 2 and has an internal thread 15 and a continuous locking recess 14 which extends around the periphery of clamp nut 13. In use, pipe 10 is inserted through hole 23 and fixed to surface 6 by means of clamp nut 13. Tap body 2 is then lowered onto tap attachment member 7 so that O-rings 9 sealingly engage with inner surface 16 of tap body 2. Furthermore, clamp nut 13 is received into a correspondingly shaped recess 24 in tap body 2 so that the lower surface 25 of tap body 2 is substantially flush with the exposed side of surface 6.
Clamp nut 13 may comprise a serrated outer surface and recess 24 may be shaped accordingly so that tap 1 can be aligned at substantially any angle. In addition, flange 12, which may be hexagonal and/or comprise guide marks, may be used to rotate pipe 10 so that tap 1 is aligned as desired when mounted on tap attachment member 7.
Once the tap body is in place, two pegs 19 are inserted into corresponding blind bores on opposite sides of body poπion 3 so as to engage locking recesses 14 on opposite sides of clamp nut 13. Blind bores 17 are provided with threaded poπions 18 for secure engagement of pegs 19 in bores 17. Bores 17 are open on one side to recess 24 so as to enable pegs 19 to engage locking recess 14 on opposite sides of clamp nut 13.
Tap body 2 may comprise a body poπion 4 which is the corresponding pan of a conventional tap. Body poπion 3 is attached to body poπion 4 by any conventional means so as to adapt body poπion 4 for engagement with tap attachment member 7. Alternatively, tap body 2 can be manufactured so that body poπion 4 and body poπion 3 are integral there together or a single unit.
It will be apparent to those skilled in the an that the invention can be used with any form of tap including screw operated taps.
Referring now to Figure 3, an alternative embodiment of the invention is shown. Here, tap attachment member 7 is provided with a shaped or moulded outer surface at 21 for engaging shaped projections or recesses 20 on inner surface 16 of tap body 2 in a snap or push fit manner. This means that tap body 2 can simply be snap or push fitted onto tap attachment member 7 with flange 12 flush against the rear side of surface 6 so that tap 1 is clamped about surface 6. In this case, item 22 may be omitted completely or may comprise a washer. Alternatively, item 22 may comprise a through bore 26 having a moulded or otherwise shaped inner surface for push or snap fitting engagement with poπion 21 of tap attachment 7.
Referring to Figure 4 of the accompanying drawings, a mixer tap includes a tap body 1 which is attached to a worktop, sink or bath 3 by means of a tap attachment member 5. Tap attachment member 5 includes a body poπion 7 having a lower integral flange 9 for engaging the lower surface of worktop 3. Tap attachment member 5 is also provided with a securing nut 11 which is in screw-threaded engagement with body poπion 7 of member 5. By turning securing nut 1 1 relative to body poπion 7 of member 5. the tap attachment member may be securely attached to worktop 3.
As indicated in Figure 4. pipes 13 extend downwardly from body poπion 5 of member 7 and provide two streams of water, typically hot and cold water, into the tap attachment member 5. Bores (not shown) are provided within body poπion 7 of member 5 to feed the two streams of water upwardly through body poπion 7 and into shoπ pipes 15 extending upwardly from body poπion 7. Each shoπ pipe 15 is provided with two axially spaced O-rings 17.
Each of pipes 15 is for location within pipe receiving bores 19 located within tap body 1 , the O- rings providing sealing engagement between pipes 15 and their respective receiving bores 19. Grub screws 21 fuπher secure the connection between tap body 1 and tap attachment member 5, the grub screws extending through radial bores in lower circumferential flange 23 of tap body 1 and into screw-threaded engagement with securing nut 1 1.
With the tap body 1 attached to tap attachment member 5. as illustrated in Figure 4. hot and cold streams of water may enter tap body 1 through tap attachment member 5 and, after mixing, may be dispensed from tap body 1. Removal of grub screws 21 allows the tap body 1 to be pulled upwardly from tap attachment member 5. Similarly, tap body 1 may be reattached to tap attachment member 5 by a simple downward push movement and subsequent re-engagement of grub screws 21 with securing nut 1 1.
Referring to Figure 5 of the accompanying drawings, a tap includes a tap body 3 1 which is attached to a worktop, sink or bath (not shown) by means of a tap attachment member 33. Only the upper part of tap attachment member 33 is shown in Figure 5 in order to illustrate this paπicular embodiment of the invention. In other respects, the tap attachment member may be similar to embodiments described in our co-pending patent application referred to above.
As shown in Figure 5, the upper pan of pipe 35 of tap attachment member 33 is provided with two O-rings 37 which provide sealing engagement between tap attachment member 33 and tap body 31 and within the pipe receiving bore 39 of tap body 31.
Located adjacent the upper end of pipe 35 is an interiorly and pivotably mounted flap member 41. This flap member 41 is capable of movement about its attachment hinge 43 between an open position shown in Figure 2 and a closed position illustrated in Figure 2A.
Tap body 31 includes a downwardly extending projection 45 which is arranged so that, when tap attachment member 33 is attached to the tap body, projection 45 extends within pipe 35 causing flap 41 to be held in its open position, as illustrated in Figure 2. When tap body 31 is removed from tap attachment member 33, then the action of water within pipe 35 will cause flap 41 to pivot about hinge 43 into the position shown in Figure 5A. In this way pipe 35 will be closed thereby preventing loss of water from tap attachment member 33.
Referring to Figure 6 ofthe accompanying drawings, there is illustrated an arrangement which is broadly similar to that shown in Figure 2. However, in this case the flow control means is provided by a bore 51 which is capable of movement between the position shown in Figure 6 where flow of water between tap attachment member 53 and tap body 55 is possible and the position shown in Figure 3A where the bore 51 is located to the open end of pipe 57 of tap attachment member 53 thereby preventing movement of water out of tap attachment member 53. As in the case of the embodiment shown in Figure 5. the tap body 55 is provided with a downward projection 59 which holds bore 51 away from the end of pipe 57 while the tap body is attached to the tap attachment member 53. When the tap body 55 is removed from tap attachment member 53, the action of water within tap attachment member 53 pushes the ball into sealing engagement with the end of pipe 57, thereby preventing flow of water out of tap attachment member 53.