The present invention relates to a universal embedding system, in particular for sanitary faucets or fittings.
A conventional embedding system for sanitary fittings provides to split to the embedding element into a pre-embedding generally plate-like part and a functional part.
Thus, by a single plate-like embedding element, it is possible to satisfy different operating functions, depending on the functional part which is applied to the embedding assembly or macro-group, for example only a shower, a shower with a fitting assembly, and so on.
Prior embedding systems functionally provide to use two inlets and two outlets (see for example
Moreover, in prior embedding systems, each functional group or assembly is affixed to the plate-like element by fixed flange means, to which may be affixed or connected only a small number of functional components operating according to different operating manners.
Finally, even if prior embedding systems provide that the embedding macro-group is of a sealed type, wherein in case of a leakage of the overall box-like housing of the embedding system the water is conveyed inward, the prior sealing means, which comprise a simple snap engaging, use a gasket system of poor efficiency since it insulates only the top region of the embedding manifold body.
Document DE 10 2008 013694 B3 discloses substantially the preamble of claim 1.
Accordingly, in view of the above mentioned drawbacks of prior embedding systems, the aim of the present invention is to provide a universal modular embedding system, in particular for sanitary faucets or fittings, including two inlets and four outlets, thereby allowing to make an increased number of functional assemblies/groups by using the same macro-assembly or embedding part.
Within the scope of the above mentioned aim, a main object of the invention is to provide such a modular embedding system the functional components/groups of which may be split into modular elements, thereby optimizing a number of components/groups which could be made and with a further possibility of turning through 90° at least one element of each component/assembly.
Another object of the present invention is to provide such an embedding system including gasket means which are structurally very simple and may be assembled and disassembled in a very quick manner while being very efficient to protect at least an embedding functional part against possible water leakages.
A further object of the present invention is to provide such an embedding system which may be removably coupled to a support plate specifically designed for aiding a dry assembling of a desired functional group or assembly.
Another object of the present invention is to provide such an embedding system in which, during the assembling operating step, it is possible to select the assembling direction among four preset assembling directions, thereby allowing to use the same embedding macro-group to achieve, for each target configuration, four different functional components/groups.
A further object of the present invention is to provide such an embedding system including at least six functional assemblies/groups for achieving at least ten different functional operating combinations.
Another object of the present invention is to provide such an embedding system in which, depending on a position selected for the embedding macro-group and the functional macro-group itself, it is possible to connect a target outer part with remarkable aesthetic finishing features.
A further object of the present invention is to provide such an embedding system in which the outlet number (for example a maximum of four coplanar outlets or a frontal outlet) and the selection of the outlet to be used may be freely selected by a user and may be achieved preferably by a turning movement of the functional component/group.
A further object of the present invention is to provide such an embedding system allowing to reverse the water flows, in case a thermostatic cartridge is installed therein in an improper manner for a normal operation, and this without affecting the attachment of the embedding macro-group, and without a need of performing masonry operations, but by means of a simple rotary movement of the thermostatic drive or command unit.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide such a universal embedding system the components of which may be made, at a competitive cost, starting from easily available materials, as well as by using existing machines or which may be easily designed and/or made by one skilled in the art.
According to one aspect of the present invention, the above mentioned aim and objects, as well as yet other objects, which will become more apparent hereinafter, are achieved by a universal embedding system for hydraulic faucets or fittings, having the features of the claim 1.
Further characteristics of the universal embedding system according to the present invention are set out in the dependent claims.
Further details and advantages of the universal embedding system according to the present invention will become more apparent hereinafter from the following detailed disclosure of a currently preferred embodiment of said system being shown, by way of an indicative but not limitative example, in the accompanying drawings, where:
With reference to the above mentioned figures,
The inventive system comprises a universal embedding macro-group, generally indicated by the reference number 1, comprising a box-like body 1′ (
In this case, the knobs M′ and M″ would allow, for example, to operate or drive as desired the spindles of the valve assemblies 1B″ and 1B′″, respectively.
With reference to
The manifold 3 according to the present invention comprises two inlets, that is two side inlets 3″ and four side outlets 6′ and 6″.
According to a further aspect of the present invention, with said manifold 3 is removably associated a gasket 4 made of a substantially resilient material and comprising a plurality of annular elements 6 for snap coupling with the two inlets and four outlets of the manifold 3.
More specifically, by the functional elements shown in
1—a conventional mixing single command or drive (F+A); 2—a thermostatic mixing single drive (E+A); 3—a conventional mixing single drive+a 2-way switching device (for coplanar outlets to the water fittings) (F+D); 4—a thermostatic mixing single drive+2-way switching device (for coplanar outlets to the water fittings) (E+D); 5—a conventional mixing single drive+a 3-way switching device (for coplanar outlets to the water fittings) (F+C); 6—a thermostatic mixing single drive+a 3-way switching device (for coplanar outlets to the water fittings) (E+C); 7—a conventional mixing single drive+a 4-way switching device (for coplanar outlets to the water fittings) (F+C); 8—a thermostatic mixing single drive+a 4-way switching device (for coplanar outlets to the water fittings) (E+C); 9—a conventional mixing single drive+a front outlet (F+B); 10—a thermostatic mixing single drive+a front outlet (E+B).
With reference to
In fact, for operatively coupling the functional assemblies or groups to the manifold 3′, the Applicant has specifically designed a coupling system allowing to turn to four mutually perpendicular positions the functional groups thereby always providing a proper location of the cartridge for opening the related driving rod, independently from a selection of the orientation of the embedding part.
In the case of the above mentioned thermostatic cartridge CT, this system would allow, as stated, to reverse the water flows without affecting the embedded body fittings.
Vice-versa, in analogous prior systems, are conventionally used flange fixing systems without however any possibility of turning the functional component but merely fixing other components of different machining configurations.
With reference to
More specifically, with reference to
The manifold 3, according to the present invention, is characterized by a machining of the top plane for a suitable coupling with the functional assemblies for machining the slanted water passage, being sealed by the related plugs, that is the embedded plug or outlet of
Moreover, each sleeve comprises a machined portion for a suitable locating of the contoured gasket 4 of
Further components constituting the embedding macro-group of the present invention are the two shells shown in
More specifically,
In fact, the embedding macro-group provides the possibility of applying, by means of screws and bolts, the support plate of
The embedding macro-group further provides to apply the closing plugs, for example the shower plug of
With respect to the mentioned functional groups providing, as disclosed, a use of aesthetic/functional covering cartridges (see also the details c-d-e-f of
According to the present invention, to provide the functional system has been designed a particular geometry of the details communicating each inlet of the cartridge CT with the respective inlet hole on the manifold 3, independently from the orthogonal orientation.
This system, for example in case of a conventional lever single drive, allows to freely direct the embedded assembly while holding a fixed opening direction of the lever whereas, in case of a thermostatic single drive, it allows to reverse, as stated, the inlet water flow without a need of operating on the manifold.
In this connection please make reference to
By way of a further example, in case of a functional switching assembly including two outlets, the particular configuration of the adapter herein provided allows to communicate each cartridge outlet with two outlets of the manifold while allowing to freely select the sleeve to be used among the four available outlets.
Please also make reference to
Advantageously, for the above disclosed functional adapters and assemblies, the same flange system is held, for clamping to the manifold 3 and with a specifically designed configuration to allow said functional assembly to be orthogonally arranged while leaving a possibility of performing a free rotary movement through 90°, according to requirements, for example in case of a coupling of a three-way configuration adapter to choose which one of the four outlets will not be used.
With respect to the “mouth” adapter and related gasket, they also comprise advantageously, according to the invention, the same flange system for clamping to the manifold and the same outer configuration compatible with the embedding top casing guides.
From the above disclosure it should be apparent that the invention fully achieves the intended aim and objects.
In fact, the Applicant has provided a universal embedding system which, differently from all the prior art systems including two inlets and two outlets, provides to use a manifold assembly or group having two inlets and four outlets.
Thus, it is possible to provide an increased number of functional components by using the same embedding macro-group and, for example, departing from the shower application by providing a use even for a front outlet embedding mixer, for example a basin mouth of an integrated drive embedding type.
Moreover, owing to the inventive idea to split the functional components/groups into single groups having a single function (for example either mixer only or switching assembly only), the number of components/groups which may be made is greatly increased by the possibility of turning through 90° the orientation of each component/assembly.
Although the invention has been disclosed with reference to a preferred embodiment thereof, this embodiment is susceptible to several modifications and variations all coming within the inventive idea.
In particular, the contingent materials and size may be any, according to requirements.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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MI2015A0394 | Mar 2015 | IT | national |
This application is a continuation of Ser. No. 15/556,315 which claims priority to PCT/IB2016/000298 and MI2015A000394, all of which are incorporated by reference.
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5418986 | Warkus | May 1995 | A |
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Number | Date | Country |
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103669495 | Mar 2014 | CN |
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20190085537 A1 | Mar 2019 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 15556315 | US | |
Child | 16192101 | US |