Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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1 MONOBLOCK FAUCET
The present invention refers to a monoblock faucet
of the type in which the outflow of water is achieved by
previously tilting an operatinc handle mounted on the body
itsel' of the faucet upward, anc in which the outflow of
o:. ~.at~T- cr coid Ovate: is achisved b~~ aartiai turmno
of the operating handle.
The faucet of the invention includes a series of
improvements so that the opening of the faucet is done
normally in the cold water position, thus preventing the
hot water heater from igniting which is produced when the
opening of the faucet is done in the hot water position.
Including an outflow adjustment device so that the user
can adjust the amount of flow , for the purpose of rati-
onalising the water consumption to the needs of each moment,
has also been provided for as ar. improvement.
In all monoblock faucets a top operating handle that
generally is operated towards one side or the other, with
regard to the symmetric axis that coincides with the one
of the faucet pipe, is mounted in all faucets in order to
achieve cold water or hot water positions, in such a way
that the outflow in any position requires the handle to
be tilted upward. In other words, when the cited handle
is aligned in the same vertical plane as the faucet pipe
(position in which the user tends to leave it after each
use for purposes of aesthetics) that position is considered
the middle one between the cold water and the hot water,
in such a way that if the faucet is opened in such a posi-
tion, it is obvious that cold water and hot water will be
mixed (the water comes out warm) which leads to the igni-
ting of the hot water heater and the corresponding energy
output. This energy output is unnecessary in the event
that the user only requires cold water.
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1 On the other hand, in many occasions the user does not
need the entire flow that the faucet provides, thus, un-
necessary consumption is caused.
Although there are valves or devices that can adjust
the flow, it is no less certain that such means would
necessarily= have to be included in the faucet in the
ma-~u=actu ~~ n~ or~cess o: the f aucet ; in other v.~~rd~ , no
adjustment device that can be included in faucets al-
ready manufactured or marketed is known.
The monoblock faucet object of the invention has
a series of particularities foreseen to prevent the above
cited inconveniences,.in other words, so that the faucet
is normally opened in the cold water position and so that
the outflow can be adjusted in accordance with the user's
needs.
In this sense, one of the improvements consists of
providing a specially designed operating handle, which is
formed by a body whose contour is rather triangular with
rounded vertexes, the corresponding contour tending to
form a circular sector, which in the roundest end area
has a short circular necked projected towards the bottom
surface, through which it adapts to the body of the fau-
cet, or else to an adaptation supplement provided in said
body of the faucet. It has the particularity that on that
bottom surface it has a square iron rod for coupling to
the corresponding rod with a complementary shape, belong-
ing to the water flow control body, said control body
being called hereinafter the "cartridge." The handle
coupling iron square rod has its symmetric axis slightly
out of phase with regard to the symmetric axis of the
element or rod on which it is coupled, in such a way that
the rotation limit position towards one side, the symmetric
axis of the handle coinciding with the symmetric axis of
the outlet pipe, will correspond to the cold water maximum.
ra,": ,
s
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1 Therefore, Given that the handle tends to face the
pipe and that position corresponds wit_:~ the cold water
ou tf low , it is obvious tha t the open _-.:: of the f auce t
will normally be done in the max~mur~ :old water position,
:, and the position in which the hct wat~- starts to flow
out will only be reached when the ha~~:~~e is clearly turn-
ed towards the ief t , prio~° ra_smG t:~_ han:~ie m crder
to open the faucet.
This raising or tilting of the handle to open the
faucet is done sideways and backwards, in other words,
upward and to one side.
The hot water maximum will be obtained when the han-
dle turns toward the maximum limit opposite the cold water
limit, the angle being about 110 from the initial limit
or cold water outflow position., the hot water starting
to flow out when it has been turned about 55~ from the
cited initial position.
Another improvement consists of the handle being
made in such a way that it is practically inserted in the
top part of the body of the faucet, occupying almost the
entire extension of the top part, all of this in such a
way that the handle remains rather close to the body of
the faucet, in the cited superimposed position that cor-
responds to the closed position. In this position it is
Practically impossible to raise the handle with one's
fingers in order to open the faucet. It is necessary
to previously turn the same so that once it is out of
phase anglewise with regard to the body or pipe of the
faucet the tilting upward of the cited handle and the
3U opening of the faucet can be achieved.
Only in the opening position can the handle be moved
to the cold water, hot water or mixture passages, depend-
ing on the user's desires and once the operation has ended,
after the corresponding closing, the handle is collapsed
upon the body of the faucet in order to occupy the original
1 position that prevents it from being opened again unless
it has been turned to one side as stated.
Another one of the improvemen~s consists of the twc
ccld water and hot Ovate- intake hc~_es vn the pipe, instead
of being made symmetric tc the ioncitudinal axis of said
nioe then ar a made in such a way ~7at the symmetry of
suc'- n~les ~ s recta: d~ nc an axm di solaced analewise W
terms cf the longitudinal axis itself of the pipe. The
cited angular outphasing will correspond to half the
amplitude established between the two end positions of the
operating handle, in such a way that in one of the end
positions, the one corresponding tc the cold water maxi-
mum, the symmetric axis of the handle coincides with the
symmetric axis of the pipe, while ~he other position will
be reached by turning the handle towards the hot water
side, there being numerous possibi_ities to obtain dif-
ferent water temperatures between. both limit positions.
Therefore, the purpose that is achieved with these solu-
tions is the same as the one cited above.
Another advantage consists of the cited cold water
and hot water passage holes being rude in an inclined
manner, so that based on the locki.~.g between the cartridge
and the faucet body, the locking between the symmetric
axis of the outlet holes of the cartridge also remain
displaced anglewise with regard to the longitudinal axis
of the pipe. The amplitude of the anglewise displacement
is approximately equal to half the angle formed between
the two limit positions of the handle. The symmetric
axis of the handle remains aligned with the symmetric
axis of the pipe in the cold water maximum position, in
other words, as in the previous cases.
On the other hand, it has been optionally foreseen
that the cartridge have a supplement located between the
base of the cartridge itself and t'~e seat of the faucet
body, whose supplement will have t:ze respective inclined
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1 holes for the flow of water from the faucet body to the
inside of the cartridge, obtaining the above cited angu-
lar positions, just like in the previous case.
It has also been provided for that when the cart-
s ridge is of the type in which the water outflow is done
freely from its own base, in such a case the above cited
supplementary piece will be placed between the mouth of
the water intake ducts and the seat of the faucet body.
Another improvement consists of including a flow
adjustment device, by means of which it is possible to
control the outlet flow itself. The adjustment device
is mounted on the water outlet pipe itself, in corres-
pondence with the bottom part of said pipe, for the
purpose of hiding its location.
This adjustment device is structurally comprised of
a threaded rod that has a reduction of area in correspon-
dence with the center part, so that irrespective of the
rotation position in which it is located the flow of
water will be greater or smaller.
This adjustment rod has an operating head that emer-
ges partially outside the rod and has a diametral groove
in order to facilitate changing the angular position of
the same and thus the outlet flow of water can be control-
led, with the particularity that in said head there is at
least one anular groove to house an Or-ring seal, upon
applying pressure against the smooth cylindric part of
the threaded placement hole of the adjustment device.
Advantageously, in the closed position of the
adjustment device, the total flow of water is not pre-
-~0 vented, but rather a minimum flow is allowed.
Having thus generally described the invention,
reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings
illustrating preferred embodiments and in which:
f
Figure 1 is a top plan view of the handle that forms
part of the monoblock faucet, according to one embodiment of
the present invention;
Figure 2 is a longitudinal section view corresponding to
the section presented in Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a plan view of the handle of Figure 1 placed
upon the pipe of a faucet, the symmetric axes of both bodies
coinciding, corresponding to the maximum cold water position;
Figure 4 is a similar view to Figure 3 with the handle
turned toward the maximum hot water position;
Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 3, but with the
handle mounted to the pipe in an opposite direction;
Figure 6 is a similar view to Figure 5, with the handle
turned toward the maximum hot water position;
Figure 7 is a perspective view of the handle;
Figure 8 is an elevational view of the handle mounted to
the faucet body for illustrating the tilting of the handle in
order to open the faucet;
Figure 9 is another embodiment of the handle where the
same is placed above the faucet pipe;
_g_
Figure 10 is a similar view to Figure 9 with the handle
turned slightly to the faucet pipe in order to enable the
handle to be pushed upward and tilted to open the faucet;
Figure 11 is a side view of the embodiment of Figures 9
and 10;
Figure 12 is a plan view of the base of the monoblock
faucet body on which the corresponding cartridge is to be
supported and illustrates the two openings for cold water and
hot water in the base in a position whose symmetric axis is
out of phase with respect to the symmetric axis of the
corresponding pipe;
Figure 13 is a sectional view along line C-D of Figure
12;
Figure 14 is a cross-sectional view of the monoblock
faucet with the cartridge and openings oriented in a slanted
manner;
Figure 15 is a plan view showing in a dashed line, the
faucet of Figure 14 and illustrating the cartridge
communication openings with those of the faucet body;
Figure 16 is a view similar to Figure 14 illustrating
the disposition of the middle supplement between the bottom
part of the cartridge and the seat of the base of the faucet
body;
Figure 17 is a plan view illustrating the openings;
_g_
Figure 18 is a sectional view of a further embodiment
where the supplementary piece is inserted between the
cartridge and the seat base of the faucet body where the
cartridge is of the type in which the outflow of water is
done freely from the base;
Figure 19 is a plan view illustrating the disposition of
the opening;
Figure 20 is a side view of the faucet according to the
present invention, including a flow adjustment device;
Figure 21 is a partial sectional view of Figure 20;
Figure 22 is a further sectional view of the arrangement
of Figure 20 illustrating the adjustment device in position
that permits the flowing of water through the outlet duct;
Figure 23 is a similar view to Figure 22 where the
adjustment device is placed in a position for substantially
closing the outlet duct;
Figure 24 is a partial sectional view of Figure 23.
Similar numerals used in the drawings denote similar
elements used in the text.
-9a-
With reference to the Figures, the monoblock faucet
includes a faucet body (1) with its corresponding pipe (2)
for the outflow of water.
According to the first embodiment shown in Figures 1 to
8, an operating handle (3) whose contour can be considered as
rounded and triangular, is mounted on the top of the faucet.
Its shape is close to a circular sector with an opening (4)
in correspondence with one of its corners and whose opening
is provided so that the user can insert one or two fingers in
order to easily move the handle (3).
a
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1 In the roundest part and in correspondence with the
surface considered as the bottom one, said handle (3) has
a cylindric shape (5) with a housing (5) determining a
sauare iron rod for assembiv anc coupling of said handle
(3) upon a rod (7) with a complementary shape provided
for this purpose in the faucet bodes (1), a rod (7) which
is connected to the correspor:ding cartridge (8), emerging
with the top part of the faucet body (1) so that the han-
dle (3) can be coupled.
The assembly of this handle (3) on the faucet body
is such that in a rotation limit position of the handle
(3), the symmetric axis (9) of the handle coincides with
the symmetric axis (10) of the pipe itself (2), as is
represented in figure (3), this position corresponding to
the maximum cold water point.
As of this position the handle (3) can turn towards
the left as represented in figure 4 to another limit posi-
tion that will correspond to the maximum hot water point,
the cited sector having amplitude of about 110. The
handle (3) mounted in such a way that it is projected
backward with regard to the pipe (2) is seen in figures
5 and 6.
. The functioning is as follows:
In the cold water limit position, which corresponds
to figures 3 and 5, the symmetric axis (9) of the handle
(3) is in alignment with the symmetric axis (10) of the
pipe (2), this being the normal position after each use.
Now then, in this position if the handle (3) is moved
to open the faucet, it will have to be tilted backward and
towards one side as shown in figure 8. The faucet will
open and cold water will flow out. If one wants hot water,
the handle (3) must be turned towards the other limit
position as shown in figures 4 and 6, in such a way that
from a rotation of about 55~ hot water mixed with cold water
starts to flow out. The maximum hot water is obtained in
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1 the rotation limit position opposite the initial position.
As can be seen in figures i, 3, 4, 5 and 6, the ver-
tical axis of the handle does not correspond with the
vertical axis of the rod (7) belonging to the cartridge
(8)comprising the faucet opening device, in such a wad:
that the outohasing between the citeo vertical axes ~s
due to the slant that the rod (~i mu__=t have with regard
to the square iron rod (6) on which it is mounted, when
the opening operation is started.
In a varied embodiment as is shown in figures 9, 10
and 11, the faucet includes a handle (3') whose shape is
such that the same remains situated with one part of its
bottom surface in correspondence with a recess or flat
surface (2') of the pipe itself (2), as is clearly re-
presented in the figures cited last, this handle (3')
having an elongated shape and it can be placed from a
position aligned with and superimposed upon the pipe it-
self (2) of the faucet, as is seen in figure 9, up to a
rotation limit position in the direction indicated by the
arrow represented in figure 10, with the particularity
that in the position represented in figure 9 the bottom
plane of the handle (3') remains positioned with regard
to the upper plane (2') of the pipe (2) with a minimum
separation (12), determining a groove that prevents one
from being able to insert one's finger tip in order to
tilt the handle (3') and corresponding opening of the
faucet, in such a way that in order to be able to tilt
same first of all it is necessary to turn the handle
(3') a portion, as shown in figure 10, by the user rest-
ing the palm of his hand on the area with protrusions
(11) provided for on the surface of said handle (3'.)
Once it is turned this portion, the end of the handle
(3') remains cantilevered off, which permits it to be
pushed by hand in order to tilt same which corresponds
to the opening of the faucet, as of which position the
x.
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1 user can turn the handle (3') in order to obtain the
different cold water, hot water or warm water positions.
In other words, by means of this placement of the handle
(3') it is impossible to open the faucet when the same
is aligned up with the top surface of the pips (2.) Firsz
of all the handle (3') must be turned and afterwards the
user seeks the cold water, hot water- or warm water points
desired, at which time the cited handle (3') will have its
free end pushed upward.
Another varied embodiment to achieve opening of the
faucet is done normally in the maximum cold water position
as is represented in figures 12 and 13, in which the cor-
responding cold water and hot water holes (13), provided
for in the seat (14) partition of the faucet body (1) for
the cartridge (8) are placed in such a way that the sym
metric axis (15) of the same out of alignment with
regard to the symmetric axis (10) of the pipe (2), in such
a way that this angular displacement between the axes (10)
and (15) is approximately half the degrees between the
end positions of the respective operating handle, in such
a way that when the symmetric axis of the latter coincides
with the symmetric axis (10) of the pipe (2), the position
will correspond to the cold water maximum, and if in such a
position the handle is tilted the faucet will open in the
cold water position, and in order to obtain hot water it
will be necessary to turn said handle as already stated
above .
In other words, by virtue of this positioning of the
water intake holes (13), when the handle is aligned with
the pipe (2) cold water will flow out, if the handle is
tilted and the faucet opens correspondingly.
In these figures 12 and 13 the holes or openings
(16) likewise made in the base of diametral partition
(14) of the faucet body (1) can be seen. The pivots that
emerge from the corresponding cartridge (8) will be posi-
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1 boned in holes (16) so that the cartridge (8) is locked
with regard to the faucet body ('~.;
Ir: a diff er ent embodiment show-: ~ n f figures 14 to 19 ,
en~ can see how the cartridge (8! includes a base (17)
whose corresponding hot water and cold water holes (18)
are inclined, holes (18) which a-c the ones that deter-
mine the flow of water from the =aucet body (1), in
other words from the holes (13) to the inside of the
cartridge (8), in order to flow from here through the
pipe (2), as is clearly represented in figures 14 and
15. O,~e can also see the locking holes (16) for the
pivots (19) of the base itself (17) of the cartridge
(8), where the symmetric axis (15) of the holes (18) is
displaced anglewise with regard to the symmetric axis
(10) of the pipe (2), this anglewise displacement being
approximately half the angle that determines the portion
corresponding to the limit positions of the operating
handle, the symmetric axis of said operating handle coin-
ciding with the axis (10) of the pipe (2) in the maximum
cold water position, in other words, exactly identical
to the case cited above.
In figures 16 and 17 one can see how between the seat
(14) base of the faucet body (1) and the cartridge itself
(8) a supplementary piece (17') pro«ided with the corres-
ponding inclined holes (18) as in the previous case, is
located, carrying out the locking between the cartridge
(8) and the supplementary piece (17'), as well as between
the latter and the faucet body (1), by means of the res-
pective holes (16) and stubs (19.)
In figures 18 and 19 the faucet is shown with a
cartridge (8) of the type whose water outflow is done
freely from the base itself (20) of the cartridge (8),
in such a way that in this case the supplementary part
(17 " ) likewise has its holes (18) inclined and it is al-
so locked by means of holes (16) and stubs (19). The
X0997 41
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1 holes (18) of the supplementary part (17 ") lead into
the duct (21), shown in Figure 18, through which there
is communication between the supplementary part (17 ")
and the inside of the cartridge (8).
Just like in the previous cases the symmetric axis
(15! of the holes (18) is displaced anglewise with regard
t~~ the symmetric axis of the pipe (2.
In all of the cited cases, when the symmetric axis
of the operating handle is aligned up with the symmetric
axis (10) of the pipe (2), it will correspond to the maxi-
mum cold water position, whereby the opening of the faucet
in said position will never lead to the igniting of the
hot water heater, with the subsequent energy saving which
is what is sought on the grounds of all of the described
embodiments.
On the other hand, the faucet can be completed with
a flow adjustment device, which is placed upon the bottom
surf ace of the pipe itself (2) as is seen in figure 20,
in such a way that the flow adjustment element or device
has a head (22) with a diametral groove in order to move
the same and operate said adjustment device and thus
manage to control a larger or smaller outflow of water.
In this sense, it has been foreseen that the pipe
(2) of the faucet includes inside a transversal parti
tion (23) that has a center break or middle opening (24),
in which a rod (25) that pivots around its own axis is
situ ated. The rod has two side recesses (26) that de-
fine a diametric plate (27) which constitutes the element
that limits the flow of water to adjust outlet flow.
The middle opening (24) of the transversal partition (23)
is defined by a side hole (28) made in the pipe itself
(2), hole (28) which is threaded inside for the purpose
of receiving the outer thread of the rod itself (25),
whose head (22), as has been said above, slightly sticks
outside the pipe (2), specifically through the bottom
~099~ 4.1
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1 surface of the latter so that it can be moved by means of
its diametral groove (24), by means of a suitable tool,
such as a coin, screwdriver, etc.
This diametral groove (29) of the head (22) corres-
ponding to the pivoting rod (25) is advantageously copla-
nar to the diametral plate (27) defined by the side
recesses (26) of the rod itself (25), so that its position
visually indicates the position of the diametral plate
(27) in the inside of the pipe (2), thus making the con-
trol operation easier.
The head (22) has an annular throat (30) in which a
seal (31) adjusted to the diameter of the mouth of the
side hole (28) that defines its housing, is located.
Therefore, by means of rotating the rod (25) by means
of its head (22), as has been said above, it is possible
to place the plate (27) in a position coplanar to the
partition (23), thus determining the minimum flow position,
as corresponds to figures 23 and 24, while when the plate
(27) remains transversal to the partition (23), as repre-
sented in figures 21 and 22, then the faucet provides the
,maximum flow of water, with the particularity that bet-
ween these limit positions the rod can be placed in any
of the multiple middle positions and thus the flow can
be adjusted in accordance with the user's own needs or
desires, all for the purpose of rationalising the
water consumption to the real needs of each case.
Although embodiments of the present invention have
been particularly described herein, it will be
aPPreciated by those skilled in the art that
significant modification can be made to the embodiments
without departing from the spirit, nature and scope of
the claimed invention.
