Patent Application
20070194262
A means of connecting a water line to the faucet with a tap that is easily installed and removed.
There are a number of reasons why people change out faucets. As faucets grow old they can tend to rust or loose their shiny protective coating. Sometimes, people just like to change the faucet out for a different or updated look, other want to change a faucet because it has started to leak or because they are changing the counter top which requires certain widths or types of faucets to fit the designated openings for the particular counter top. Whatever the reason for changing a faucet, the easier it is to change the better.
Depending upon the set up in a particular place where you want to change out a faucet, it can be very difficult to change it. The typical faucet connection comprises a threaded bolt on the faucet wherein the bolt receives a nut which tightens causing the faucet to seal tightly up against a faucet mount or wall wherein the on/off knobs are located. In the instance of the connections being behind a wall, then the connections would seal up against a face plate on the outside of a wall. When you are trying to tighten the nut on the bolt which is located within a wall, the wall creates a barrier. Therefore, if the water lines are all located within a wall, then you may have to bust out part of a particular wall in order to get to the faucet. An example of this type of set up would most likely occur in a bath tub area. A bath tub area usually has one or both faucets leading out from the wall. In order to change out this particular faucet, you have to be able to connect to the lines within the wall. This particular configuration in especially popular in countries outside of the United States.
Even changing out a faucet in a sink is somewhat tricky. Generally, there is not a lot of room under the sink, whether kitchen or bathroom, making it very difficult to get to the faucet. Not only do you have to get under the sink but one is at a very odd angle and that is extremely uncomfortable. On top of that, one is trying to get leverage to remove and replace the connections necessary to hold and release the actual faucet.
In one embodiment the faucet connection comprises a faucet.
In another embodiment the faucet connection comprises a sleeve.
In yet another embodiment the faucet connection comprises a tap sleeve.
In still another embodiment the sleeve is operable to attach to the tap sleeve on a first end.
In another embodiment the sleeve is operable to attach to a water line on a second end.
In yet another embodiment the tap sleeve is comprised of female thread on the inner side.
In still another embodiment the tap sleeve is operable to attach to the sleeve.
In another embodiment the tap sleeve comprises a ridge located on an upper edge.
In yet another embodiment the
Still other advantages of various embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in this art from the following description wherein there is shown and described preferred embodiments of this invention simply for the purposes of illustration. As will be realized, the invention is capable of other different aspects and embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the advantages, drawings, and descriptions are illustrative in nature and not restrictive in nature.
In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific preferred embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that logical, mechanical and electrical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. To avoid detail not necessary to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, the description may omit certain information known to those skilled in the art. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined only by the appended claims.
FIG. depicts a single faucet 10 which is capable to being attached to a tap sleeve 20. The tap sleeve 20 is comprised of female threads 30 on the inner side and is operable to attach to a sleeve 40. The tap sleeve 20 also has a ridge 50 located on the upper edge and two ridges 50 located on the outer side of the tap sleeve 20 for locating o-rings 60. The o-rings 60 function to seal the tap sleeve 20 which inserted into the sleeve 40. This seal is necessary to prevent leakage around the connection to the faucet 10. Once the o-rings 60 are placed on the tap sleeve 20, the tap sleeve 20 is inserted into the sleeve 40 and connected to the sleeve 40 by using two grub screws 70. The grub screws 70 are inserted into the sleeve 40 and engage with the tap sleeve 20 on its upper edge to hold the two pieces together. The tap sleeve 20 is then connected to the faucet 10 by using the female threads 30 to screw the faucet 10 into the tap sleeve 20. The sleeve 40 is then connected to a water line using a threaded component. Once the connection is complete, then the faucet 10 is ready for operation. In the event, that a need to change the faucet 10 arises, then the faucet 10 can disconnected by releasing the grub screws 70 from the sleeve 40 and then removing the tap sleeve 20. This alleviates the chances of causing damage to the water line in the connection and disconnection of the faucet 10.
In some instances the tap sleeve 20 will actually be inserted into the sleeve 40 when the sleeve 40 is located behind a wall. By having the tap sleeve 20 to perform this connection, the faucet 10 can be replaced as needed without having to cut a hole in the wall. The tap sleeve 20 is designed to be universal in that it will connect any faucet 10 to a typical sleeve 40 which connects to a water line. Therefore, by using the tap sleeve 20 on all faucets 10 connections, the need to cut into a wall for replacement is eliminated.
Although an embodiment of the present invention has been shown and described in detail herein, along with certain variants thereof, many other varied embodiments that incorporate the teachings of the invention may be easily constructed by those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the specific form set forth herein, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as can be reasonably included within the spirit and scope of the invention.
