GB2277443A - Sink with pull-out spout - Google Patents

Abstract

Sink combination includes a pull-out spout (24) mounted on the sink by an escutcheon (22). The spout has a flexible hose (36) connecting it to a water supply e.g. via a mixer tap (38) carried one side of the escutcheon, the spout being received in a mounting (70) laterally offset to the other side thereof. Said mounting permits rotation of the spout therein towards the center of the escutcheon but prevents rotation away from the center as by a ramped rotation guide (82) terminating in a flat end (86), the ramped face assisting removal of the spout from the mounting when rotated towards the center. The rotation guide (82) is received in a channel (102) formed in the spout. The channel (102) has flat ends (104, Fig. 4) which locate either end of the guide (82). An end (104 Fig. 4) of the channel abuts the flat end (86) of the guide (82) to prevent rotation away from the center. <IMAGE>

Description

SINK WITH PULL-OUT SPOUT The present invention relates to sinks having a water spout which may be pulled outwardly of a sink mount to direct a stream of water as desired.

Sinks of the type wherein a spout member may be removed from within a sink mount are known. A problem with many prior art assemblies is that the spout may often be removed from the sink mount in a direction such that the stream of water is directed outwardly of the sink bowl, which is undesirable. As an example, a user may remove the spout in an improper direction such that a stream of water is directed onto the floor about the sink.

The object of the invention is to provide a sink combination in which the spout is prevented from being removed from the sink in an improper direction.

According to the invention there is provided a pullout spout and sink combination as defined by Claim 1 or 7 of the appended claims.

The combination of the invention may conveniently utilise a pull-out spout of the kind described and claimed in our co-pending application GB 9124904.5 (2252039-A) of even date herewith.

An example of the invention is now more particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a pull-out sink spout assembly; Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of said assembly; Figure 3 is a partially broken-away detail perspective view of the pull-out spout mounting; Figure 4 is a view along line 4-4 in Figure 3; Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of the spout itself; Figure 5A is a sectional elevation of a portion of the spout; Figure 6 is a bottom view of a portion of the spout; Figure 7 is a perspective view of a housing of the spout; Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view on line 8-8 of Figure 7; Figure 9 is another cross-sectional view of the housing; Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view on line 10-10 of Figure 8;; Figure 11 is an enlarged section of a portion of the spout housing illustrated in Figure 8; Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view on line 12-12 of Figure 11; Figure 13 is an enlarged section of another portion of the spout housing illustrated in Figure 8, and Figure 14 is a cross-sectional view on line 13-13 of Figure 12.

A pull-out spout assembly 20 mounted on a sink 30 is illustrated in Figure 1 having escutcheon 22 mounting pull-out water spout 24 at one lateral end and a on/off mixing handle 26 at the opposed lateral end. Lift rod handle 28 is shown at the middle of escutcheon 22, and operates a pop-up stop plug in sink 30 as is well known.

Escutcheon 22 is mounted to three holes extending through sink top 32. Pull-out spout 24 may be moved outwardly to removed position 34, with hose 36 connecting a water supply to spout 24 for directing a stream of water to a desired location.

As can be appreciated from Figure 1, pull-out spout 24 is mounted near one lateral end of sink 30, and it would be undesirable to rotate the spout further away from the center of escutcheon 22 since its outlet could be directed outwardly of sink 30. For this reason, the disclosed spout 24 is constrained to rotate only counterclockwise and towards the center of escutcheon 22.

Figure 2 is an exploded view of assembly 20 which includes mixing body-sub-assembly 38 brazed to a pair of lines 40 and 42 which supply hot and cold water into mixing body 38, where they are mixed in a known fashion and returned out of mixed outlet line 44. A one-way valve 41 is preferably secured by ring 43 in each line 40,42. Mixed outlet line 44 is connected to hose 36 at threaded nipple connection 45, 46. Hose 36 has been illustrated as being relatively short, however, it should be understood that hose 36 would be of a much greater length such that spout 24 can be moved to direct a stream of water about sink 30.

Mixing body sub-assembly 38 is received within boss 47 formed on escutcheon 22. Keys 48 in boss 47 mate with notches 50 to properly align mixing body 38. Nut 52 is received on threads 54 to secure mixing body 38, and bonnet 56 is screwed down to retain the members. Bonnet 56 has skirt portion 58 received over nut 52. Mixing handle 26, Figure 1, extends through bonnet 56 and is connected to an appropriate mechanism within mixing body 38. This structure is well known in the art and forms no part of this invention.

Lift rod shank 60 extends through a central aperture 62 in escutcheon 22, and is secured by spacer 64 which has an internal ductile ring force-fit onto threads on shank 60. Washer 66 and nut 68 also secure shank 60.

Spacer 64 ensures that shank 60 is not tightened to an overly great extent when assembled, and also allows assembly 20 to be at least partially assembled when shipped. Lift rod 28, Figure 1, extends through a central aperture in shank 60 and is connected to an appropriate lift mechanism as is known in the art.

Spout shank 70 is received in a third aperture 72 formed in escutcheon 22. Keys 74 at a bottom face of a radially outwardly extending lip 75 are received in notches 76 to properly position shank 70 within aperture 72. Nut 78 is received on threads at the outer periphery of spout shank 70 to secure it in aperture 72. A washer and nut combination may also be used to further secure shank 70.

Gasket 81 is connected to the bottom of spout 24 and firmly seats spout 24 in aperture 72 in a mounted position. Spout 24 may be used to direct water while in this mounted position and gasket 81 ensures that spout 24 is securely mounted to resist movement due to any force from the discharging water stream. It may be desirable to provide assistance in removing spout 24 from aperture 72 since gasket 81 seats tightly. Lip 75 has a ramped top surface 80 which guides spout 24 out of aperture 72 when rotated. Spout 24 may be rotated on top surface 80 and gasket 81 is unseated and guided at least partially out of aperture 72. As discussed above, however, it is undesirable to allow spout 24 to rotate such that it directs a water stream outwardly of the sink.In the disclosed embodiment, it would be undesirable to allow spout 24 to rotate clockwise since that would be away from the center of escutcheon 22. To this end, rotation guide 82 is formed on top surface 80, and has ramped surface 84 at one circumferential extent and flat end 86 at the opposed circumferential extent.

The details of the rotation of spout 24 outwardly of aperture 72 are illustrated in Figure 3. Spout 24 has bottom 100 received on ramped top surface 80 of shank 70.

As spout 24 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction, ramped top surface 80 of shank 70 guides spout 24 vertically upwardly and out of aperture 72. This assists a user in removing spout 24 from aperture 72. Channel 102 extends over a small circumferential extent of bottom 100 and has flat ends 104 at each end. Elbow 106 is mounted within spout to supply fluid from hose 36 to an outlet of spout 24.

It should be understood that spout 24 is normally received vertically downwardly from the position shown in Figure 3, with rotation guide 82 received within channel 102. As shown in Figure 4, rotation guide 82 extends over a circumferential arc that is approximately equal to the circumferential arc over which channel 102 extends.

Ends 104 are formed at each circumferential end of channel 102, and thus one end 104 abuts flat end 865of rotation guide 82, while the other end 104 is positioned adjacent ramp 84. Should a user attempt to rotate spout 24 in a clockwise direction end 104 abuts flat end 86 and rotation is prevented. When a user rotates spout 24 counterclockwise, however, end 104 is guided upwardly on ramp 84 and bottom 100 is also guided upwardly on ramp surface 80. In this way, spout 24 is raised slightly out of aperture 72 unseating gasket 81 such that a user may easily remove spout 24 for use.

The construction of spout 24 itself, used in this example, is claimed in our said co-pending application GB 9124904.5 (2252039-A).

Figure 5 is an exploded view of spout 24 showing an elbow 106 received in an under cover 112 which is snapped to an upper cover 114 to form spout 24. Elbow 106 is connected to spout outlet 118 having head 119 disposed adjacent to outlet port 120. Outlet port 120 is received in a line to line close fit with end bore 122 in undercover 112. Resilient foam gasket 123 is positioned within an inner surface of upper cover 114 and biases head 119 into bore 122. The close fit between outlet port 120 and end bore 122 ensure that outlet 118 is properly positioned within spout 24. Optional keys 124 on elbow 106 may be received within notches 126 formed on spout outlet 118 to further ensure alignment and proper rotational positioning. Check valve assembly 128 and 0ring 130 are preferably received between elbow 106 and outlet 118.

Under cover 112 is snapped to upper cover 114 through front tab 132 received in notch 133 and back tab 134 received in notch 135. Preferably, one tab is first placed in one notch and the other tab is snapped into the other notch.

Upper cover 114 has rear rib 136 resting on rear ledge 137 on under cover 112 and forward rib 138 resting on forward ledge 139 when the covers 112, 114 are snapped together. The ribs provide additional rigidity to the assembled spout 24.

Center rib 140 has outer portion 142 received in notch 144 in under cover 112. Finger 146 is formed at the inner end of center rib 140 and extends beyond notch 144, abutting inner wall 148 of under cover 112. It should be understood that upper cover 118 has symmetrical ribs 136, 138 and 140 on the opposed lateral side received on corresponding structure on under cover 112.

Fingers 146 add stability, preventing inward flexing of the walls of spout 24. This is particularly desirable since under cover 112 and upper cover 114 are preferably moulded from plastic and may require extra rigidity.

Most preferably, the covers may be coated with chrome.

Elbow 106 has elbow tabs 150 extending radially outwardly. A lower portion of elbow 106 extends through aperture 151 in under cover 112. Notches 152 are formed in under cover 112. Keys 160, described below, are formed on an under surface of elbow 106 and are initially aligned with notches 152 when elbow 106 is inserted through aperture 151. With the keys in this position, tabs 150 are positioned adjacent ramps 153, thus assuring that elbow 106 is in the proper mounting position.

Channel 154 is spaced from ramp 153 and projecting tab 156 is spaced on the opposed side of channel 154.

Elbow 106 is inserted in aperture 151 and is turned counterclockwise as shown in this figure. Tabs 150 are guided upwardly on ramps 153 and snap into channels 154 to define and fix elbow 106 at the proper rotational position relative to under cover 112. Projecting tabs 156 prevent further rotation of elbow 106.

The details of the receipt of tabs 150 in channels 154 are illustrated in Figure 5A. Tab 150 is initially received in position 151, shown in phantom, at which it lies on a nominal plane 158 of under cover 112, adjacent ramp 153. As elbow 106 is rotated, tab 150 is moved upwardly on ramp 153 and eventually snaps into channel 154. Projecting tab 156 prevents further rotation of elbow 106. As shown, channel 154 has a bottom surface that extends a small distance above nominal plane 158 of under cover 112. Channels 154 thus bend tabs 150 slightly vertically upwardly from a relaxed position on nominal plane 158, and a force moment is created biasing the center of elbow 106 downwardly against under cover 112 ensuring that it is firmly mounted. Gasket 81 is received on the opposed end of elbow 106 to further lock elbow 106 to under cover 112.

Figure 6 is a bottom view of spout 24 and illustrates elbow 106 having keys 160. As described above, keys 160 are aligned with notches 152 and elbow 106 is inserted through aperture 151. Elbow 106 is then rotated until tabs 150 align with channels 154, see Figure 5A. At that time, keys 160 have rotated away from notches 152 locking elbow 106 to under cover 112.

Further, keys 160 are of different thicknesses to ensure a proper initial position of elbow 106.

The structure of under cover 112 and upper cover 114 will now be described in detail with references to Figures 7 through 14. As shown in Figure 7, spout 24 consists of under cover 112 snapped to upper cover 114.

As shown in Figure 8, upper cover 114 has notches 133 and 135 which receive tabs 132 and 134, respectively, from under cover 112. Ribs 136 and 138 abut ledge surfaces 137 and 139, respectively. Center rib 140 is received within notch 144.

Figure 9 is a view looking upwardly into upper cover 114. As can be seen, upper cover 114 is symmetrical about a central axis with laterally opposed pairs of ribs 136, 138 and 140.

Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view along line 10-10 as shown in Figure 8. Upper cover 114 has center rib 140 with outer portion 142 received in notch 144 and finger 146 abutting inner wall 148 of under cover 112. Fingers 146 thus provide additional rigidity against laterally inward flexing of spout 24.

Figure 11 is an enlarged portion of the section of Figure 8 identified by numeral 11. Tab 132 in under cover 112 is received in notch 133 in upper cover 114.

Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view along line 12-12 as shown in Figure 11. As shown, tab 132 is received in notch 133.

Figure 13 is an enlarged view of the section of Figure 8 identified by numeral 13. Tab 134 in under cover 112 is received in notch 135 in upper cover 114.

Figure 14 is a cross-sectional view along line 14-14 as shown in Figure 13. As shown, tab 134 is received in notch 135.

It should be understood that although assembly 20 has been described in some detail, several known elements thereof are not fully disclosed herein. As an example, the details of the mixing valve within mixing body 38 are not disclosed since they are well known in the art.

Claims (12)

1. A pull-out spout and sink combination comprising: a sink having a sink top; a spout connected to a supply of water in use for selectively delivering a stream of water, said spout being mounted to said sink top such that it may be removed from said sink top to direct the stream of water to a desired location, said spout being mounted laterally offset from a lateral center of said sink and said spout being free to rotate relative to said sink in a direction towards said lateral center, but being prevented from rotating in a direction away from said lateral center.

2. A combination as in Claim 1, wherein said spout is mounted in an escutcheon operatively fixed to said sink top, said escutcheon having three holes with a center hole aligned with said lateral center, a second hole spaced laterally from said lateral center, and a third hole laterally spaced from said center on an opposed side of said center from said second hole, said spout being mounted in said third hole.

3. A combination as in Claim 2, including a shank fixed in said third hole and having a ramped surface that supports said spout when it is mounted within said third hole, said ramped surface moving said spout outwardly of said third hole when it is rotated towards said lateral center to allow said spout to be easily removed from said third hole.

4. A combination as in Claim 3, wherein a rotation guide extends away from said ramped surface, said rotation guide being received in a spout channel formed in said spout, said spout channel having flat ends spaced by a first arc, said rotation guide extending for a second arc approximately equal to said first arc and having a flat end at one end and a rotation ramp at the other end, a first of said channel flat ends being forced against said rotation guide flat end preventing rotation should said spout be rotated away from said lateral center, and a second of said channel flat ends being guided up said rotation ramp should said spout be rotated towards said lateral center.

5. A combination as in Claim 3 or 4, wherein a gasket firmly seats said spout in a mounted position in said shank, and rotation towards said center unseats said spout.

6. A combination as in Claim 1, wherein rotation of said spout towards said center assists in moving said spout out of said sink top, said spout having a channel with flat ends received on a rotation guide associated with said sink top, said channel ends being spaced by a first arc, said rotation guide extending for a second arc approximately equal to said first arc and having a rotation guide flat end at one end and a rotation ramp at the other end of said second arc, a first of said channel flat ends being forced against said rotation guide flat end preventing rotation should said spout be rotated away from said lateral center, and a second of said channel flat ends being guided up said rotation ramp should said spout be rotated towards said center.

7. A pull-out spout and sink combination comprising: a sink having a sink top with an escutcheon mounted on said sink top, said sink top having three holes with a center hole on a lateral center of said sink, said center hole receiving a handle to control a drain from said sink, a second hole spaced laterally from said center hole receiving a temperature mixing handle, and a third hole spaced laterally on the opposed side of said center from said second hole; a spout connected to a supply of water in use for selectively delivering a stream of water, said spout being mounted to said sink and received within said third hole such that it may be removed from said third hole;; said spout having a channel with flat ends that are received on a rotation guide associated with said sink top, said channel ends being spaced by a first arc, said rotation guide extending for a second arc approximately equal to said first arc and having a rotation guide flat end at one end and a rotation ramp at the other enda first of said channel flat ends being forced against said rotation guide flat end preventing rotation should said spout be rotated away from said center hole, and a second of said channel flat ends being guided up said rotation ramp should said spout be rotated towards said center hole.

8. A combination as in any preceding claim wherein said spout includes a housing having an inlet aperture and an outlet aperture, with an elbow mounted in said inlet aperture and connected to said supply of water, and means to communicate the water to said outlet aperture, said elbow having an elbow tab to ensure that it is received in a fixed desired rotated position relative to said housing.

9. A combination as in Claim 5 wherein the housing is formed of an upper cover and an under cover, said under cover having said inlet aperture and said outlet aperture, one of said upper and under covers having at least one tab and the other having at least one notch, said tab being snapped into said notch to secure said upper and under covers to each other and form said housing.

10. A spout as in Claim 8 or 9, wherein said housing has at least one channel, and said elbow tab on said elbow being received in said channel to fix said elbow at said desired rotated position, a channel ramp being formed on said housing adjacent said channel and extending from a first end at a nominal planar face of said housing to a second end raised off of said nominal planar face, said channel being defined in part by said second end, a flat tab formed on said housing and raised from said nominal planar face at the opposed end of said channel such that said channel defines a pocket to receive said elbow tab, said elbow being mounted to said housing by first positioning said elbow tab adjacent said first end of said channel ramp and rotating said elbow with said elbow tab moving up to said channel ramp until said elbow reaches said desired rotated position, at which time said elbow tab snaps into said elbow channel, said elbowitab preventing further rotation of said elbow.

11. A spout as in Claim 8, 9 or 10 wherein said upper housing has a plurality of ribs at each opposed lateral side thereof, said ribs being supported on said under cover at positions between said inlet aperture and said outlet aperture to add stability to said housing.

12. A pull-out spout and sink combination substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.