ES2265076T3 - BASE ELEMENT TO SET A TAP AND FIXING METHOD. - Google Patents

Abstract

A base element (380 ¿) to be installed in a mounting hole of a tap that drills a tap mounting plate such as a countertop and to which a tap must be fixed by fitting the tap into the base element ( 380¿) from the upper side, characterized in that said base element (380¿) is a cylindrical element arranged in such a way that the axial direction thereof, in use, extends perpendicularly to the faucet mounting plate, said element of base (380 ¿) is asymmetric with respect to the longitudinal direction when it is installed in the mounting plate for the tap, and said base element (380¿) is provided with a mark (A, B) that indicates the front side or later of the base element (380).

Description

Base element to fix a tap and method of fixation.

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a method to fix a tap on a piece of furniture such as a countertop and a base element to be installed in a tap mounting hole. Plus particularly, the present invention relates to a method suitable to easily and safely hold a tap to a countertop working only from the top side of the countertop and using a base element (adapter) that is fixed to The countertop

Prior art

A structure is shown in Figure 21 conventionally used to fix a desired item, by example a tap, on a mounting surface of a base of assembly, for example the top of a countertop.

This structure includes a threaded tube 202 attached to a tap 200, a mounting hole 206 practiced in a worktop 204, into which threaded tube 202 is inserted, and a fixing nut 208 capable of screwing into threaded tube 202. This structure allows to fix the tap 200 on the countertop 204 inserting the threaded tube 202 into the mounting hole 206 from the mounting surface, that is the upper part, and screw the fixing nut 208 on the threaded tube 202 on the hidden side of Countertop 204.

However, this structure requires screwing and tighten the fixing thread 208 on the hidden side of the countertop 204. This reduces the efficiency of the installation's work since it is It requires a lot of time to fix the tap.

To solve this problem, a adapter set to attach to a countertop. The tap is set to the countertop through the adapter set.

Figures 22A, 22B show an example of well-known structures that use said adapter set (JP 02-158492 A).

In these figures, the number 210 designates a adapter set comprising an adapter 212, a pair of fasteners 214, and screw elements 216 whose number (two) corresponds to the number of fixations 214.

In this structure, they are screwed in first the screw elements 216 in the corresponding holes threads 218 of the respective fasteners 214. Next, orient the two fixings 214 inwards, leaving them facing each other, that is, the fasteners 214 are turned towards the center of the hole of assembly 206. In this state, fasteners 214 are introduced by the mounting hole 206 from the top side of the countertop 204.

Once the 214 fixings have been introduced, the turn so that they are facing out on the hidden side of the countertop 204 and contact the bottom side of the countertop 204. In this state, the screw elements are tightened 216 from the top side of countertop 204 to install the adapter assembly 210 on the countertop, such that the countertop 204 is sandwiched between adapter 212 and the fixings 214.

Next, an adapter 212 is mounted on lower end of tap 200 and tap 200 is fixed on the adapter 212 by means of a screw, whereby the tap 200 is fixed on countertop 204.

This structure has the advantage that the adapter assembly 210 and faucet 200 can be fixed on the worktop mounting surface 204 working solely for the upper side of the countertop 204.

However, the structure has the problem next. Since each of the fasteners 214 is connected to the adapter 212 by means of a screw element 216, when exerted on tap 200, generically on a pipe 220, a force in direction of rotation that exceeds the permissible limit, each setting 214 rotates on the axis of the corresponding screw element 216 and is moves with respect to adapter 212. This causes a strike of the tap 200 in a rotational sense and therefore the resistance of fixation of the tap 200 in a rotational direction on the hole of Assembly 206 is low relative to countertop 204.

There is also the possibility that the fixation 214 exit through mounting hole 206 of countertop 204 due to the rotation of the fixation 214.

Although the above description corresponds to case of fixing the tap on a mounting base such as a countertop, the aforementioned problems are common to cases of fixing a item other than a tap on a mounting base default

In the case of fixing a tap in the hole of assembly of a countertop or the edge of a sink, since the faucet is located behind a sink or sink, the work of holding the tap must be carried out behind the battery or the washbasin, so the operator will have to adopt a posture of very difficult work, which reduces the work performance of installation. In addition, a special wrench is required to tighten a nut from the front of the sink or sink.

Consequently, various structures to fix a tap on a mounting hole of a mounting base, such as a countertop or an edge of a washbasin, working only on the upper side of the structure mounting

One of the structures comprises an element of annular base arranged on the top side of a countertop, a mounting element arranged on the underside of the countertop, and a screw that is inserted through a hole made in the base element and then screwed into a threaded hole of the mounting element to fix the base and then fix a tap to the base. The structure is known in the art (JP 09-259183 A).

Figures 38 to 40 are views in perspective showing the structure of the JP document 09-259183 A. A 360 countertop is provided with a mounting hole 361 (Figure 40) practiced on it and on which places an annular base element 363. Below the mounting hole 361 is placed a horseshoe element 364. The base element 363 and the horseshoe element 364 are provided of openings 365, 366 (Figure 39), respectively. Is according In Figure 39, a screw 367 is inserted through the openings 365 and 366 and a nut 368 is screwed into one end of the screw 367. Next, the horseshoe element is introduced 364 through mounting hole 361 downstream, as shown in Figure 40, so that the horseshoe element 364 face towards the bottom side of the edge of the hole assembly 361.

Then screw 367 and the edge of mounting hole 361 is tight between the element of horseshoe 364 and base element 363, thus fixing the base element 363 on the countertop 360.

The base element 363 is provided with a outer thread formed on its outer periphery. About the element of base 363 a faucet 369 is fixed using a clamping nut 360, such as a union nut.

The horseshoe element 364 is provided with a slot 371 integrated in the opening 365 and the nut 368 is provided with projections 372 that fit in slot 371. Before tightening screw 364, the screw is pulled up 367 so that the horseshoe element 364 contacts with the bottom side of the counter 360 and projections 372 of the nut 368 fit into slot 371. In this way you can tighten the screw 367 without turning the nut 368. Then it will introduces a support element 373 through the central hole 374 of the base element 363 to prevent rotation of the horseshoe element 364 when screw 367 is tightened.

In the conventional structure for fixing taps mentioned above, tap 369 is fixed on the base element 363 by means of clamping nut 370. However the clamping nut 370 is very visible, which not only spoils aesthetics but it is also easy to accidentally get lost the nut.

Therefore, the applicant for this request has proposed, in Japanese Patent Publication JP 10-317439 A, a structure for fixing taps in the which fits the bottom end of the tap into the base element and the tap is fixed on the base element by means of a screw prisoner.

Figures 26A and 27A are sectional views longitudinal showing the structure to fix taps according to the invention of JP 10-317439 A, the Figures 26B and 27B are sectional views taken respectively by a line 26B-26B of Figure 26A and by a line 27B-27B of Figure 27A, and Figures 28 and 29 are section views taken respectively by a line 28-28 of Figure 26A and along one line 29-29 of Figure 27A. Figures 30 and 31 are Exploded perspective views to explain the structure.

A countertop 301 has a hole made of assembly 304 between a trailing edge 302 and a stack 303. An element of base 380 is fixed to the countertop 301 through the hole of assembly 304 using a horseshoe washer 382 and screws 384

The base element 380 is provided with two projections 383 that project from the inner surface of the same and through 383H through holes formed in the projections 383 and through which the respective screws are introduced 384

The base element 380 is also provided with four small 385 projections that are projected from the inner surface thereof, down and at the lower end of the base element, to come into contact with the surface inside mounting hole 304.

A body 386 of the tap has at its bottom a concave part 388 which fits on the base element 380 and is connects to base element 380 by means of a captive screw 390 and a hooking element 392.

The base element 380 is provided with a threaded hole 394 in a part facing the front of the countertop 301. The captive screw 390 is screwed into the hole threaded 394 through a conical hole 396 formed in the body 386 of the tap and an opening 412 formed in a ring of coating 410 described below.

The coupling element 392 is held by a window 400 formed in a lower part of the body 386 of the tap. Window 400 comprises, as shown in Figure 30 and the Figure 31, staggered parts 402, each of them in contact with a pin 392c of the coupling element 392, and a concave part 404 in which a head 392a of the element of hitch 392. The hitch element 392 includes the head 392a in disk shape, a pair of 392b legs that project from the head 392a, and four spikes 392c that project from the faces upper and lower of the respective legs 392b.

The legs 392b are elastic. When I do not know exerts no external force on legs 392b, legs 392c they project from the inner surface of the body 386 of the tap to through window 400. The base element 380 is provided in its outer surface of concave parts 406 in which the respective legs 392b penetrate. The coating ring 410 surrounds an outer lower periphery of the faucet body 386. He Coating ring 410 has an opening 412.

To fix the tap body 386 on the countertop 301, the base element 380 is first fixed on the countertop 301 using washer 382 and screws 384, and then the concave part 388 of the body 386 of the tap is fitted on the base element 380. Previously the element of hook 392 on window 400 of body 386 of the tap and it has previously covered the body 386 of the tap with the ring of coating 410.

In this case, the opening 412 of the ring coating 410 and conical hole 396 of faucet body 386 They have been previously aligned. In this state, head 392a of hooking element 392 is pressed by the ring coating 410 and legs 392b are housed in window 400. As the pins 392c are in contact with the staggered parts 402, the cover ring 410 presses the head 392a towards the window 400 from the outside so that the legs 392b remain housed in window 400 as shown in Figure 29.

In this state, in which the legs 392b are housed in the window 400, the body 386 of the tap is mounted on the base element 380 (Figures 27, 29). Then it curls the captive screw 390 in the threaded hole 394, through the opening 412 and conical hole 396, using a screwdriver D.

Then, the ring is rotated 180º coating 410 in the circumferential direction of the tap for align opening 412 and head 392a of the hitch element 392 so that the head 392a penetrates the opening 412. According to shown in Figures 26, 28, legs 392b project from the inner surface of the faucet body 386 to penetrate the respective concave parts 406. Thus, body 386 of the tap is fixed securely on countertop 301.

In this structure, the tap body 386 is securely attached to the base element 380 by the captive screw 390 on the front side and through the element hook 392 on the back side. Even when the tap lever, no body movement occurs 386 of the tap.

Since the head of the captive screw 390 is covered by the cover ring 410, the user of the battery 303 cannot see the captive screw 390, so it is not It hurts aesthetics. Coating ring 410 cannot rotate due to the head 392a of the coupling element 392. Therefore it is not easy for the coating ring 410 to rotate accidentally.

As shown in Figure 27, the captive screw 390 can be screwed into the threaded hole 394 by the front of the faucet 310 by a tool such as a screwdriver. Since during this operation the operator can put his hands in the stack 303, the work is easy and the captive screw 390 can be tightened easily and
firmly.

Figures 32 to 37 are explanatory views of a base element and a structure to fix taps using the base element described in Japanese Patent Publication JP 10-082080 A, whose applicant is the same as this Request, Figure 32 is a sectional view showing the structure for fixing taps according to an embodiment of JP document 10-082080 A, Figure 33 is an exploded view thereof, Figure 34 is a perspective view of an element assembly, Figure 35 is an exploded view showing a way of assembling the base element, Figure 36 is a view in plant showing a state of assembly of the base element and the Figure 37 is a sectional view taken along the line 37-37 of Figure 36.

A countertop 301, which acts as a plate assembly, it has practiced a mounting hole 304 between an edge rear and a stack 303. On the countertop 301 an element is fixed base 305 through mounting hole 304 by means of screws 306 and mounting elements 307. The base element 305 has an annular shape and is provided with two convex parts 305a that are projected from the internal surface of the same and through holes 305b formed in the convex parts 305a and in the which the respective screws 306 are inserted.

Each mounting element 307, as shown in Figure 34, it comprises a tongue part 307a which is placed in contact with the underside of the countertop 301, a stop 307b in square block shape that contacts the periphery internal of the mounting hole 304, and a threaded hole 307c.

As shown in Figure 35, the screws 306 are introduced into the through holes 305b and the elements of mounting 307 are screwed into the ends of the respective screws 306. Meanwhile, the tongue portions 307 are oriented towards the center of the base element 305. In this state, they are introduced mounting elements 307 in mounting hole 304, lowering them until the base element 305 rests on the countertop 301. Next, screws 306 are tightened with a screwdriver so that the mounting elements 307 rotate half circle together with screws 306, as shown by the arrow the of Figure 36, and stops 307b come into contact with the internal surface of mounting hole 304 to prevent continue rotating the mounting elements 307. In this state, the tongue parts 307a are located under the countertop 301. When screws 306 continue to turn, the elements of assembly 307 move up by the function of its thread and tongue portions 307a come into contact with the lower side of countertop 301. If the screws are sufficiently tightened 306, the edge of mounting hole 304 is firmly vertically sandwiched between the base element 305 and the mounting elements 307, whereby the base element 305 remains firmly attached to countertop 301.

The faucet 310 is then mounted on the base element 305. The faucet 310 has a concavity 319a in its lower end. The faucet 310 is mounted on the base element 305 such that concavity 319a fits over the element of base 305. Next, a screw 309 is inserted into a hole 308 existing in a rear face of the faucet 310 and is screw into a threaded hole 309a of the base element 305, thus fixing the faucet 310 on the base element 305.

The faucet 310 is a mixer tap type kitchen comprising a 312 faucet body connected to a tube 311H hot water supply and to a supply pipe of water (described below with reference to Figure 24), a mixer mechanism 313 located above the faucet body 312, a lever 314 for operating the mixing mechanism 313, a housing upper 315 covering the mixing mechanism 313, a housing intermediate 317 provided with a spout 316 formed integrally with the same, and a final housing 318 placed on the upper housing 315

The faucet body 312 comprises a body cylindrical bottom 319 whose concavity 319a fits over the base element 305, an intermediate body 320 extending towards above from lower body 319, and upper body 321 above of intermediate body 320.

The intermediate body 320 and the upper body 321 are traversed by a water supply hole 322 hot and through a water supply hole (not shown) connected to the 311H hot water supply tube and the tube 311L water supply, and they are connected with a mouth of hot water supply and with a water supply mouth of a fixed valve element 323 of the mixing mechanism 313. Al actuate lever 314 vertically and horizontally, the condition of communication between the hot water supply mouth and the mouth of water supply and a combined mouth is switched, by means of a mobile valve element 324, to control the temperature and the water flow (mixed water) to a path 325 of mixed water feed formed in upper body 321. The mixed water flows to the end of pipe 316 through a 326 mixed water chamber in the intermediate housing 317

As mentioned earlier, to fix the faucet 310 on the countertop 301, first the base element 305 on countertop 301 using screws 306 and mounting elements 307, and then the tap 310 on the base element 305. The base element 305 can be mounted by simply entering the elements down mounting 307 through mounting hole 304 and tightening the screws 306 from the top side of countertop 301. Also, it is not The screws 306 need to be lifted, but only tighten them.

When the previous tap is a combined tap normal as shown in Figures 32 to 37, and not of the type shower (for head washing), water supply tube 311L and the 311H hot water supply tube extend down from the top of the concavity 319a of the body 312 of the tap, as shown in Figure 24.

When the tap is a 310 'combined tap of shower type, as shown in Figure 25, there is also a tube 311M mixed water outlet extending down from the upper part of the concavity 319a as shown in the Figure 25. A flexible pipe 311h is connected to the end of the 311M mixed water outlet tube. The 311h flexible pipe returns to the inside of the tap body through the element of base and is connected to a shower head 316h through the spout 316 '. The shower head 316h is removably mounted on the end of the pipe 316 '.

This base element that is used to fix the shower type faucet has a relatively outside diameter small, substantially equal to the tap body, and the inner diameter of the base element is smaller than the diameter Exterior.

Since there are some projections in the inner surface of the base element of smaller internal diameter, the interior space of the base element 303, 380, in which introduce the tubes, it is considerably small.

In the case of the tap other than the type of shower, the water supply tube 311L and the water supply tube 311H Hot water are located on the front side of the tap, according to It is shown in Figure 24, while in the case of tap 310 ' of shower type, shown in Figure 25, tube 311L of water supply and 311H hot water supply pipe they are located on the back side of the tap because the pipe flexible 311h has to be located on the front side of the tap. Therefore, the base element 305 for the type tap Shower will have its position reversed with respect to the normal type. This it is equally true in the case of the base element 380.

In the case of the faucet other than the shower type, the convex parts 305a are located on the rear side of the tap to form a relatively large S_ {1} space on the side front of the base element and to be able to introduce the 311L tube of water supply and 311H hot water supply pipe in the space S_ {1}. A space S_ {2} formed behind the 305a convex parts is not large enough to accommodate two tubes 311L and 311H.

On the other hand, in the case of the type tap shower, it is necessary to introduce three tubes: the supply tube 311L of water, the 311H hot water supply tube, and the 311M tube mixed water outlet, whereby the base element is oriented so that the convex parts 305a are located by the front side, as shown in Figure 25B, to leave the S_ {1} space on the back side.

As mentioned earlier, it is necessary know, depending on the type of tap, the correct orientation of the base element 305, 380 that allows to fix the tap acting only from the top side, and mount the base element with the correct orientation.

In most cases, the base element 305, 380 will be mounted by a plumber. Since most plumbers have no experience of assembling this type of base element, sometimes the plumber misses the orientation of the base element and assembles the base element on the countertop in the wrong direction. In this case, when trying to mount the tap on the base element, the pipes cannot be introduced through the base element, so it will be necessary to release the base element and reassemble it. This doubles the work of the fixed-
tion.

It is an object of the present invention to eliminate such error of the address of the base element in order to improve significantly the efficiency of installation work.

Figure 44A is a perspective view that shows an example of a conventional shower-type combined faucet, and Figure 44B is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line. 44B-44B of Figure 44A. A 510 tap features its upper part of a lever 512 that can pivot vertically and horizontally. The faucet 510 is provided in its intermediate part of a drum part 514, such that the drum part 514 It can rotate in a circumferential direction and is provided with a spout 516 that is projected from the drum part 514. A head of shower 518 is detachably attached to the tip of pipe 516. A flexible pipe 520 connected to shower head 518 penetrates the faucet 510 from the spout 516. The flexible pipe 520 extends down through tap 510 and is connected to tube 522 of mixed water outlet.

In addition to the 522 water discharge tube mixed, a water supply tube 524 and a tube 526 of Hot water supply extend down from the tap 510. Water and hot water from tube 524 of water supply and tube 526 hot water supply se mixed by means of a mixing valve (not shown) located in the top of tap 510 to supply mixed water to the desired temperature The mixed water reaches the shower head 518 through the 522 mixed water outlet pipe and pipe flexible 520. By operating lever 512, you can open and close the tap and control the degree of mixing of hot water.

Figure 45 is a perspective view exploded from the main parts of this combined tap. A body 530 comprises a top body 530U, to which they are connected the mixed water outlet tube 522, the tube 524 of water supply and hot water supply tube 526, a 530B cylindrical lower body, and a 530M intermediate body in rear wall shape that connects the upper body 530U and the lower body 530B. The inside of the upper body 530U is divided into a water chamber, a hot water chamber and a mixed water chamber. The highest surface of the body upper 530U has a 532 mouth for water formed on the chamber of water, a mouth 534 for hot water formed on the chamber of hot water and a mouth 536 for mixed water formed on the mixed water chamber.

The mixing valve is located above the body 530 and is covered by a top cover 538 (Figures 44A and 44B). Between the upper body 530U and the drum part 514 is place an O-ring 540 (Figure 45) to get a tightness between both.

The front side of the intermediate body 530M is An open area. Flexible pipe 520 introduced by the pipe 516 penetrates body 530 through this open area and passes by the lower body 530B in the same way as the tubes 522, 524, 526. The lower end of the flexible pipe 520 is provided with a union nut 542 (Figures 44A, 44B) to connect the pipe flexible 520 to the lower end of the water outlet tube 522 mixed.

In the case of the shower type faucet, in addition to the tube 522 mixed water outlet, tube 524 supply water, and the hot water supply tube 526, the pipe flexible 520 also passes through the cylindrical lower body 530B, as seen in Figures 44A, 44B and 45. Since the lower body diameter 530B is quite small, the nut of junction 542 of the end of the flexible pipe 520 interferes with the 522 hot water outlet pipe, 524 supply pipe water and the hot water supply tube 526, which are metallic, during the introduction of the flexible pipe 520 in the spout 516 and the passage of flexible pipe 520 through the body lower 530B, so it is difficult to introduce the flexible pipe 520 in body 530 due to friction.

Particularly when the work of fixing on the top side of the countertop using the element base as shown in Figures 26A to 31 and 38 to 40, the union nut 542 of the end of the flexible pipe interferes with a corner part of the inner periphery of the element of base, so it takes a long time to introduce the pipe flexible.

It is an object of the present invention to resolve this problem and facilitate the introduction of a flexible pipe by the body of a shower type faucet.

In a structure for fixing taps described in Japanese Patent Publication JP 10-082080 A and shown in Figures 32 to 35, the faucet 310 can be fixed on the countertop 301 fixing only the base element 305 to the countertop 301 with screws 306 and mounting elements 307 and adjusting the faucet 310 on the base element 305 and fixing it with captive screw 309. Therefore, the fixing work it's simple.

Since the screw head 309 to fix the faucet 310 to the base element 305 is, however, exposed outward, it is easy for the 309 stud screw may be damaged The screw 309 should be screwed on the back side (the back side) of tap 310 to avoid damage, but this takes a long time to screw the captive screw 309.

It is known from EP 0 724 041 A sanitary faucet comprising a hydraulic unit with a supply conduit that extends from a valve body connected to a domestic water system that feeds water hot / cold and containing usual water adjustment means. He valve body, duct and a switching valve for feed the water to a first mouth or a second mouth are enclosed and covered by two housings composed each of them by an upper envelope and a lower envelope that are complementary and assembled with each other along a plane of horizontal central union. The correct positioning of the wrapped is determined by some form elements arranged in the envelopes to locate corresponding parts of the unit hydraulics. Specifically, from an interior surface of the bottom envelope projects an ascending edge of section cross section to marry with a stepped edge corresponding arranged on the lateral surface of the first mouth. The edge of a hole that matches the lateral surface of The second mouth also acts as a locator element. Besides, the upper shell has a hole that substantially matches the lower body base to also act as an element locator

It is an object of the present invention provide a base element to be installed in a hole mounting a tap and a method to fix a tap using the base member, allowing for easy and safe installation of the tap and also provide a good duration.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention, this object is achieved through a base element like the one defined in the independent claim 1. The dependent claims 2 and 3 define preferred and advantageous embodiments of the element of base. Claims 4 to 8 define a method for fixing a tap using the base element of the present invention.

A base element of the present invention is a base element that is fixed on a mounting plate for a tap such as a countertop with a hole, whose tap is placed fitting the tap on the base element from the upper side. He base element is a cylindrical element arranged in such a way that the axial direction thereof extends perpendicular to the faucet mounting plate, the base element is asymmetric with respect to the longitudinal direction when installed in the mounting plate for the tap, and the base element is provided of a mark indicating the front or back side of the element of base.

The mark applied on the base element facilitates the recognition of the correct orientation of the element base. The brand is colored so that it is easy to distinguish it.

The base element of the present invention is symmetrical with respect to the lateral direction when installed on the mounting plate for the tap. Like the element of basis of the previous requests represented in Figures 26 a 31 and in Figures 32 to 37, the base element has a pair of convex parts formed symmetrically with respect to the direction lateral on the inner surface of the base element, whose parts Convexes are each provided with a through hole that crosses them vertically, and the convex parts are diverted to the front or back side with respect to the center of the base element, so that the base element is asymmetric with respect to the longitudinal direction.

The method of the present invention is used. to fix a tap on a countertop using said element of base.

In this case, the tap is provided with a mark indicating the mounting orientation of the base element, of so that the plumber who intends to fix the tap can choose the correct address of the base element depending on the brand.

For example, when the base element has applied a color A (for example, blue) on the front side and a color B (for example black) on the back side, the color side A of the base element is placed facing forward in the case that the faucet has the color A, and the color side B of the element The base is placed forward when the faucet has the color B. Therefore, the same base element can be used both in a tap with two pipes: a water supply tube and a tube of hot water supply, as shown in Figure 24, as with a tap with a mixed water outlet pipe and a pipe flexible in addition to the two tubes, and you can easily recognize the correct orientation of the base element.

A tap comprises: a tap body, to which a water supply tube, a water pipe are connected hot water supply, and a mixed water outlet pipe that extend down; a pipe that projects laterally from the tap body; a shower head attached so separable to the end of the pipe; and a flexible pipe connected to the shower head that penetrates down the spout and the body of the tap and is connected to the mixed water outlet pipe, whose faucet has a bottom that fits the base element mounted on the mounting base through the hole in which it fix the faucet, whose bottom part of the faucet is an annular part to through which the water supply tube, the hot water supply, mixed water outlet pipe and The flexible pipe. The tap is preferably provided with a guiding piece to guide the introduction of the flexible pipe, extending the guide piece from the annular part to the hole inside.

The guide piece to guide the pipe flexible allows flexible tubing to pass smoothly through of the tap body when the flexible pipe is introduced into the tap to install the tap.

The guide piece preferably comprises a cylindrical part, through which the flexible pipe is introduced, and a projection that projects laterally from a top of the cylindrical part and is in contact with the inner surface of the annular part, the outer surface of the part being cylindrical in contact with the hot water supply tube, the water supply tube, and the mixed water outlet tube. It is preferable that the guide piece has a part located vertically on the cylindrical part along the respective tubes. It is also preferable that the cylindrical part and said vertical part are both provided with concavities in which fit the respective tubes. This structure allows that the tap firmly resists the lateral force exerted on the tubes thanks to the guide piece.

The tap is preferably provided with a reinforcement guide piece located on the side opposite to the piece of guided with respect to the respective tubes, whose guide piece of reinforcement is in contact with the inner surface of the part annular and the respective tubes. More preferably, the piece of Guided reinforcement is provided with concavities in which the respective tubes fit. This structure allows the tap support firmly, thanks to the guide piece, the lateral force exerted on the tubes.

In a method to fix a tap of the present invention, in which a base element is fixed on the basis of mounting through a hole in a countertop and the faucet is mounted on the base element by the top side of the countertop, the base element is a cylindrical element located in such a way that the axial direction thereof extends perpendicular to the countertop, the lower end of the tap fits over the element base, the tap is fixed on the base element by means of a captive screw screwed into the base element through the bottom of the tap, a cover ring is mounted rotatably on the bottom of the tap to cover the captive screw, the cover ring has an opening or a recess in the back side of the tap, the opening or recess is in front of the captive screw when the ring is turned coating, the bottom of the tap has a concave part formed on the outer surface thereof, in which it introduces an elastic hitch element, and a part of the element hitch fits into the opening or recess to prevent rotation of the coating ring

In this method the captive screw is covered by the cover ring, so that the screw prisoner is not visible even when he is in front tap, thus improving aesthetics and preventing the captive screw may be damaged.

According to the present invention, the element of hitch fits into the opening or recess of the cover ring, thus preventing undesirable rotation of the coating ring on the tap.

In this method of this invention it is preferable that the set screw is located on the front side of the tap and the hitch element is located on the side or side faucet

Brief description of the drawings

Figure 1 is a view showing a structure to fix a tap on a countertop in its state installed;

Figure 2 is an enlarged view showing the main parts of the structure represented in Figure one;

Figure 3 is a view showing the pieces main of Figure 2 in the state in which a tap and a adapter set are separated from each other;

Figures 4A, 4B are views that show the constitution of the adapter assembly of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a perspective view that shows an adapter from the adapter set from the bottom side of the same;

Figure 6 is a view showing the assembly adapter in a state in which the adapter, a fixing, and about screw elements are mutually separated;

Figure 7 is a view showing the assembly adapter attached to the countertop;

Figure 8 is a plan view of the adapter of the adapter set;

Figures 9A, 9B are views illustrating the steps of the procedure to hold the adapter assembly on the countertop;

Figure 10 is a view illustrating the stage following Figure 9 of the procedure to hold the assembly adapter on a countertop;

Figure 11 is a view illustrating the stage following Figure 10 of the procedure to hold the assembly adapter on a countertop;

Figure 12 is a view showing the parts principals of another structure;

Figure 13 is a view showing the parts principals of another structure;

Figures 14A, 14B are views that show another structure;

Figures 15A, 15B are views that show another structure;

Figure 16 is a view illustrating some steps of the process for attaching an adapter assembly of the structure of Figure to a countertop
fifteen;

Figure 17 is a view illustrating the stages following Figure 16;

Figure 18 is a view that illustrates some stages other than the steps in Figure 16 of the procedure to hold the adapter assembly of the structure of the Figure fifteen;

Figures 19A, 19B are views that show another structure;

Figure 20 is a view showing another structure more;

Figure 21 is a view showing an example of a conventional structure for fixing a tap;

Figures 22A, 22B are views that show an example of a conventional structure to fix a tap that uses an adapter set;

Figures 23A, 23B are views in perspective of a base element;

Figures 24A, 24B are a view in perspective and a sectional view showing the assembled state of a tap;

Figures 25A, 25B are a view in perspective and a sectional view showing the assembled state of a tap;

Figures 26A, 26B are sectional views which show an example of a previous request;

Figures 27A, 27B are sectional views which show the example of Figure 26 in the course of its installation;

Figure 28 is a sectional view taken by line 28-28 of Figure 26;

Figure 29 is a sectional view taken by line 29-29 of Figure 27;

Figure 30 is a perspective view exploded showing the fixing structure of the Figure 26;

Figure 31 is a perspective view exploded showing the fixing structure of the Figure 26;

Figure 32 is a sectional view showing an example of a previous request;

Figure 33 is an exploded view for explain the structure of the example in Figure 32;

Figure 34 is an exploded view for explain the structure of the example in Figure 32;

Figure 35 is an exploded view for explain the structure of the example in Figure 32;

Figure 36 is a plan view for explain the structure of the example in Figure 32;

Figure 37 is a sectional view for explain the structure of the example in Figure 32;

Figure 38 is a perspective view exploded showing an example of the related technique;

Figure 39 is a perspective view exploded showing an example of the related technique;

Figure 40 is a sectional view showing an example of the related technique;

Figure 41 is a perspective view awake from a tap;

Figure 42 is a partial sectional view that shows the condition of the tap installation represented in the Figure 41;

Figure 43 is a sectional view taken by line 43-43 of Figure 42;

Figures 44A, 44B are a view in perspective and a sectional view showing a tap conventional;

Figure 45 is an exploded view of the main parts of the tap shown in Figures 44A and 44B;

Figures 46A, 46B are sectional views showing a structure to hold a tap;

Figures 47A, 47B are sectional views showing the example of Figures 46A, 46B in the course of its installation;

Figure 48 is a perspective view exploded showing a covering ring and a body of the tap of the example of Figures 46A, 46B;

Figure 49 is a perspective view that shows the tap body of the example of Figures 46A, 46B;

Figure 50 is a perspective view that shows the tap body of the example of figures 46A, 46B from the bottom side of it;

Figure 51 is a perspective view that shows the main tap parts of the example in the Figures 46A, 46B; Y

Figure 52 is a perspective view that Show another embodiment.

Figure 1 shows a tap attached to a countertop (mounting base). In this figure, the number 10 designates the tap as an item and the number 12 designates the countertop.

The tap 10 comprises a tap body 14 located perpendicularly on the countertop 12, a spout 18 that is extends from the body 14 of the tap and which has a mouth 16 by the which water comes out, and a control lever 20 positioned so pivoting on an upper part of the tap body 14.

The lower end of the spout 18 is attached to a cylindrical part 22 which is rotatably mounted on the tap body 14. The spout 18 can pivot laterally together with the cylindrical part 22.

The tap body 14 has a stop (no represented) that defines the limit of the pivoting displacement side of the spout 18, so that the spout 18 can pivot laterally within an angular range defined by the stop.

The faucet 10 is attached to the countertop 12 through of a hole 24 made in the countertop 12.

The number 26 designates supply tubes to supply water and hot water to tap 10. The end top of the supply tubes 26 is connected to the body 14 of the tap through the hole 24.

As shown in Figure 2, tap 10 is mounted on the countertop 12 using an adapter assembly 28.

Figures 4A, 4B, 5, 6, 7 and 8 show specifically the structure of the adapter assembly 28.

The adapter assembly 28 comprises an adapter 30, a fastener 32 and a pair of screws 34, 36, as shown in Figures 4A, 4B.

The adapter 30 to be seated on the side top (mounting surface) of countertop 12 is the semi-piece upper of a mechanism to tighten the countertop and has generically a cylindrical shape. The adapter 30 is provided with an annular flange 38 formed on the outer periphery by the side of the countertop 12. Tab 38 makes a tight contact with the top of the countertop 12 by means of an element of 40 ring type sealing.

The adapter 30 has an annular protuberance 42 that projects down from the bottom of the adapter 30. The sealing element 40 is attached to the bottom of the adapter 30 in such a way that it fits over the annular protuberance 42

The adapter 30 is provided with grooves upper and lower annular 44 formed on the outer periphery of the same and in which annular elements of tightness 46, respectively. The adapter 30 makes a contact hermetic with the inner periphery of a cylindrical part 48 (Figure 2), which will be described later, and which is located in the lower end of the body14 of the tap, using the elements sealing rings.

The adapter 30 is provided with 50 semicircular bulges (two bulges in this realization) projected inwards and formed on the surface internal of it (Figure 8). Each protuberance 50 is provided with a through hole 52 that penetrates vertically into the protuberance, as shown in Figures 6 and 8, and in which screw 34, 36 is introduced.

The adapter 30 is also provided with four semicircular projections 54 formed on the inner surface of the same so that projections 54 are separated by predetermined distances in circumferential direction (Figure 8). The adapter 30 has guiding protuberances 56 which is project down from the bottom of the respective projections 54 to a level lower than the bottom of tab 38.

The guiding protuberances 56 fit in the hole 24 with a given tolerance to guide the adapter 30 and mount the adapter 30 through the hole on the countertop 12 24.

Guide protrusions 56 facilitate placement of adapter 30 in the proper position. That is, the bottom of the adapter 30 can be properly placed in contact with the top surface of the countertop 12, around the hole 24, preventing the adapter 30 from being in a displaced position with respect to the hole 24. This ensures a large contact area between the adapter 30 and the countertop 12, that is, a large sealing area
dad

On the bottom side of the countertop 12 is placed a fastener 32 as shown in Figures 2 and 4 to sandwich the countertop 12 between it and the adapter 30. The fixing 32 is provided with a plurality of teeth 58 formed on the upper surface along the entire periphery of the fastener 32. These teeth 58 press firmly on the underside of the countertop 12.

Fixation 32 generally has a curved configuration, more particularly an arc configuration circular, whose length in the circumferential direction is greater than the half of the circumference of the hole 24.

Fixing 32 has projections 60, 62 that project inwards and are formed on the surface internal of it in positions close to the ends circumferential Each of the projections 60, 62 is provided of a threaded hole 64 that penetrates vertically in the projection 60, 62 as shown in Figure 6. Screws 34, 36 are screw into the respective threaded holes 64 of the projections 60, 62.

A projection 62 is formed in a position lower than the other projection 60 and is provided with a clip elastic 66 semicircular (contact part) as a means of alignment located on the upper surface of the projection. The Elastic clip 66 is concentric with threaded hole 64.

Screw 34 is longer than screw 36, with a fixed difference, whereby screw 34 is screwed into the threaded hole 64 and the lower end of screw 34 protrudes at the bottom of the fastener 32 until the screw 36 reaches the threaded hole 64 of the fixing 32. A nut 68 is screwed (Figure 6, Figure 11) at the lower end of screw 34 that is projects down from the bottom of the fixture 32.

Nut 68 prevents fixing 32 from falling. The nut 68 also serves as a lock nut (resistant element) to rotate fixing 32 by rotating screw 34 before of the installation on the countertop 12.

The procedure to fix the set adapter 28 of this embodiment on the countertop 12 will be described with reference to Figures 9 to 11.

As shown in Figure 9A, screw 34 longer is introduced through a through hole 52 of the adapter 30 and it is screwed into the threaded hole 64 of the fastener 32 until the lower end of screw 34 protrudes from the bottom of the fixing 32. Nut 68 is screwed into the lower projecting end of screw 34 and fully tightened, whereby nut 68 it serves as a lock nut so that the fixing 32 rotates together with the screw 34.

The fixing 32 is then turned on the screw 34 such that the free end of the fastener 32 protrudes radially from adapter 30 as shown in the Figure 9A Next, the adapter assembly 28 is inclined according to It is shown in Figure 9B. In this state, the end is introduced free of fixing 32 through hole 24.

In this way, the fixing 32 can be easily inserted through hole 24 and located on the side concealed countertop 12.

Next, the short screw is inserted 36 in the other through hole 52. The bottom of the screw 36 protrudes down from the bottom of the adapter 30.

After the previous step, screw 34 is turned so that the fixing 32 rotates together with the screw 34 on the side Hidden from countertop 12 as shown in Figure 10.

When the fixture 32 has turned to a position on the periphery of the hole 24 shown in the Figure 10 using an arrow A, the elastic clip 66 fits elastically in the short screw 36, whereby the hole threaded 64 formed in projection 62 is coaxially located with screw 36.

Then screw 36 is screwed into the threaded hole 64, which is now faced with screw 36 as shown in Figure 11. When tightening screws 34 and 36 in the threaded holes 64, the fixing 32 rises from the position shown in Figure 11 until it comes into contact with the side bottom of countertop 12 around hole 24 (Figure 7).

Tightening screws 34 and 36, countertop 12 is tightly tightened vertically between the adapter 30 and the fixing 32. In this way, the adapter assembly 28 is subject to the countertop 12.

In this state, the guiding protuberances 56 of adapter 30 are fitted in hole 24 with a slack determined, and the underside of the adapter tab 38 30 is in tight contact with the top of the countertop 12 through the sealing ring element 40 with a pressure determined. Figure 7 shows this state.

Once screw 34 is fully screwed, the nut 68 stops acting as a lock nut and, from then, it serves only as an element that prevents the fall of fixation 32, as shown in Figure 7.

Once the adapter assembly 28 is mounted on the countertop 12 as mentioned above, the cylindrical part 48 of the lower end of the faucet body 14 on the adapter 30, as shown in Figure 3, and it is screwed on a clamping screw 70 in a threaded hole 78 of the adapter 30 through an opening 74 of a coating ring 72, which It is rotatably placed around the tap body, and a opening 76 of the cylindrical part 48. Therefore, the body 14 of the tap and the adapter 30 are fixedly connected to each other so they don't turn on each other.

Then the ring is turned on cover 72 to hide the opening 76 of the cylindrical part 48 and the clamping screw 70 of the tap body 14. The opening 74 of the cover ring 72 is covered with a plug 80 superficial (Figure 2).

Since in this embodiment the fixing 32 is attach to adapter 30 by screwing the two screws 34, 36, it is not produces no movement in rotational direction of the joint 32 with with respect to the adapter 30 although an external force is exerted Rotational on tap 10 after installation. Great resistance to rotation can be achieved, solving thus the problem that the tap 10 is loosened on the countertop 12 in rotational direction and fixation 32 out of the hole 24.

The fixture 32 has the shape of an arch circular that extends over the periphery of the hole 24 and that It has a large circumferential length so that the fixing 32 can make contact with the underside of the countertop 12 on a large area in the circumferential direction, thus increasing the clamping force exerted by the fastener 32 and the adapter 30 on the countertop 12.

According to this structure, a single fixation 32 is enough to fix the adapter assembly 28, thus reducing the number of pieces.

Since the fixation 32 is long in the circumferential direction, adapter 30 and fixing 32 are connected by screws 34, 36 in spaced positions each other in the circumferential direction, thus increasing the distortion resistance of adapter 30 and fixing 32 in rotational direction and thus effectively increasing the resistance in rotational direction

Since fixation 32 has a form of circular arc corresponding to the shape of hole 24, the fixing 32 does not interfere with the introduction of the tubes 26 supply or the like in hole 24, thus leaving a large hole space 24.

In this embodiment the elastic clip 66 is provided as a centering element to place the fixing on the proper place, so that screw 36 and threaded hole 64 are coaxially located with each other, thereby simple rotation of the fixing 32 can be concentrically located screw 36 and threaded hole 64 for easy screwing screw 36 in threaded hole 64.

Since the elastic clip 66 fits elastically on screw 36 to prevent displacement of fixation 32, after fixing fixation 32, fixation is not leaves its place when screw 36 is tightened in the hole threaded 64 after fixing the fixing 32 by means of a rotation of it. Therefore, screw 36 can be screwed in the threaded hole 64 while maintaining the fastener 32 in the proper site.

In the structure of this embodiment, since the nut 68 acts as a lock nut, the fixing 32 together with screw 34 by simply turning the screw 34 after the fastener 32 has been inserted through hole 24. The fixture 32 can rotate smoothly on the hidden side of the countertop 12 until elastic clip 66 fits into the screw 36.

One of the means for fixing 32 to rotate with screw 34 it is a coating material or a fixative that be applied on the surface of screw 34 or hole threaded 64 to increase the friction force.

In this embodiment, tab 38 is located over the entire circumferential length of the adapter 30 on the side of countertop 12, thus ensuring a large area of contact, that is a large sealing zone, between the adapter 30 and countertop surface 12.

Figure 12 shows another structure. The fixation 32 has a stop 90 in the form of an erect circular arc on a part of the periphery of the threaded hole 64. The fastener 32 it is located in the rotational direction because the stop 90 enters in contact with screw 36.

The screw 36 is made of a material magnetic and the stop 90 is made of magnet, or a magnet is held to stop 90, to avoid misalignment between screw 36 and the stop 90 thanks to the magnetic absorption between screw 36 and the magnet. In Figure 12, an arrow A shows the direction and margin of rotation of the fixing 32.

Figure 13 shows another structure. He adapter 30 is provided with a plate-shaped stop 82 rectangular that extends down from the bottom of it. He screw 36 and threaded hole 64 of fixing 32 remain placed coaxially with each other because the stop 82 is put on contact with the internal surface of the fastener 32.

Figures 14A, 14B show another structure plus. A fixture 92 is in the form of a rectangular plate, it is say rectangular and straight, whose length in the longitudinal direction is larger than the diameter of the hole 24.

Fixing 92 is placed across the diameter of the hole 24 on the hidden side of the countertop 12. They are introduced the screws 34, 36 through the holes 52 of the adapter 30, placed on top of countertop 12, and they are screwed into a pair of threaded holes 64, 64 made in fixing 92 of so that the countertop 12 is pressed vertically between the adapter 30 and fixing 92 to hold the adapter set 28 on the countertop 12.

Also in this embodiment, since the fixing 92 and adapter 30 are connected to each other by the two screws 34, 36, great strength can be obtained in the rotational direction

Figures 15A, 15B show another structure plus.

The adapter 30 has protrusions 50 each of them has a through hole 94 whose section horizontal is a torn hole, so that a screw 34, 36 introduced through the hole 94 can move in the direction horizontal inside the through hole 94.

Fixation 96 generally has a shape rectangular and straight, as in the embodiment of Figure 14. The fastener 96 comprises an intermediate part 98 and two parts extreme 100, 100 in the longitudinal direction that are formed regardless of intermediate part 98.

The end portions 100, 100 are arranged such that they slide in the longitudinal direction with respect to the intermediate part 98. That is, in this embodiment the fixing 96 is retractable in the longitudinal direction. The degree of retraction of the fixation 92 is set in such a way that the maximum fixation size 96 in the longitudinal direction, that is to say in the state in which the extremes are totally separated from each other, is greater than the hole diameter 24, while the minimum size of the fixing 96 in the longitudinal direction, that is in the state in the which ends 100, 100 are in the closest position the one on the other, it is smaller than the diameter of the hole 24.

Each of the end parts 100, 100 is provided with a guide face 102 inclined upwards and towards the extreme.

With reference to Figures 16 and 17, will describe an example procedure to fix the set adapter 28 of this embodiment on the countertop 12.

First, fixation 96 is adjusted to maximum size as shown in drawing (I) of Figure 16 and, in this state is placed next to hole 24 in order to introduce fixing 96 through hole 24.

The guide faces 102 come into contact with the periphery of hole 24 as shown in drawing (II) of Figure 16. In this state a downward force is exerted on the fixing 96, fixing 96 automatically shortens to shrink enough to be able to enter through hole 24 because the guide faces 102 help to shorten the fixing 96 as shown in drawing (III) of Figure 16. That is, the two end parts 100, 100 slide in the direction of approach each other.

As the end portions 100, 100 slide, the screws 34, 36 approach each other moving through the through holes 94.

After the states of the drawings (II) and (III) of Figure 16, fixation 96 is introduced into the hole 24. Then fixation 96 is lengthened as shown in drawing (IV) of Figure 17

Fixing 96 can be lengthened by exerting on the bolts 34, 36 a force in the direction of the arrows B of the drawing (IV) of Figure 17. Alternatively, it can be placed previously a return spring inside the fixing 96, so that the fixing 96 is lengthened when pressed towards out the two end parts 100, 100 by the force of the spring of return.

Next, the adapter assembly 28 is fixed on the countertop 12 tightening the screws 34, 36 as shown in the drawing (V) of Figure 17.

In this embodiment, the installation of adapter 28 on countertop 12 can be done by another procedure shown in Figure 18.

The fixation 96 is previously placed in the short state as shown by arrows B of drawing (I) of the Figure 18 and then introduced into this state through the hole 24 as shown in drawing (II) of Figure 18. Once introduced, fixation 96 is lengthened by pressing screws 34, 36 in the direction of the arrows C of the drawing (II) of Figure 18, and the adapter assembly 28 is fixed on the countertop 12 by tightening the screws 34, 36.

Figures 19A, 19B show another structure plus.

In this embodiment, the fixation 104 is made of resin with a generically curved shape, more particularly A circular arc shape.

Also in this embodiment the length of the fixation 104 in the circumferential direction is greater than that of the hole semicircle 24.

Fixing 104 is provided with a notch 106 formed on the inner surface, in the center of the direction circumferential, such that the notch 106 forms a part of thin wall 108. Fixation 104 can be elastically deformed by the thin wall part 108 in the direction of closure of the arrows F of Figure 19B, and can return to the original form due to its recovery strength when the strength of deformation.

Since the fixation 104 deforms in the closing direction (arrow direction F), it is possible to enter the fixation 104 by hole 24 in an upright position without tilting the fixing 104.

Fixing 104 can be deformed by tightening both extremes in the sense of bringing them closer to each other, that is in the sense of closing them. Alternatively, fixation 104 may be deformed exerting inward forces on the parts intermediate bolts 34, 36 or exerting forces towards inside on the parts of the screws 34, 36 that protrude through the upper ends of the through holes 94. Alternatively, the fixation 104 has in its lower part a guide face 102, whereby the fixation 104 can be guided by guide face 102 so that it deforms.

Once the fixation 104 has been introduced by the hole 24, the force exerted disappears, so that the fixation 104 widens to its original shape to overlap the underside of the countertop 12. Next, the adapter assembly 28 to countertop 12 by tightening screws 34, 36.

Figure 20 shows a structure for a Different item of faucets.

In this figure, the number 110 designates a handrails as an article that has a part at its end cylindrical 111.

The handrail 110 is attached to a wall 112, which it is the mounting base, through a hole 116 made in the wall 112 and using adapter assembly 28.

Describing it concretely, the set adapter 28 is attached to the wall 112, and the cylindrical part 111 is mount on adapter 30 of adapter assembly 28. The adapter 30 has a threaded hole 122 and the cylindrical part 111 has a opening 120. Handrail 110 can be fixed to wall 122 screwing a captive screw 118 into the threaded hole 122 of the adapter 30 through the opening 120 of the cylindrical part 111.

The adapter assembly 28 may be one of the embodiments cited above. The example in Figure 20 is sample using adapter assembly 28 of the embodiment represented in Figure 15.

Figures 23A, 23B are perspective views of a base element of the present invention. Figure 23B is a perspective view from the side opposite to Figure 23A.

A base element 380 'is the same element of base 380 of Figures 26 to 31, but with another threaded hole 395 on the side diametrically opposite the threaded hole 394 and with two pairs of recesses 406, each pair being formed such that Each threaded hole 394, 395 is located between every two recesses. Seen in plan, the base element 380 'is symmetrical with respect to to the direction that joins the threaded holes 394 and 395. Like that said base element 380, base element 380 'is provided with two projections 383 that are projected from the internal surface thereof and through holes 383H, formed in projections 383, in which some are introduced respective screws, whose through holes 383H extend parallel to the axis of the base element 380 'cylindrical. The projections 383 are located closer to the threaded hole 395 than the threaded hole 394. Therefore, on the side of the hole threaded 394 there is a large space S1 and on the side of the hole threaded 395 there is a small space S2, both referred to a line that joins projections 383 and 383.

A part of the extreme face of the element of base 380 ', located above threaded hole 394, is marked with a blue A mark, and a part of the extreme face located by above threaded hole 395 is marked with a black mark B.

The bottom side of the tap (for example, the outer surface of the cover ring 410 of Figure 30) It is also marked with a blue or black mark.

The other components of the base element 380 ' they are the same as base element 380.

The base element 380 'can be mounted on a countertop either a two-tube type faucet, like the represented in Figure 24, either a three-pipe type tap and a flexible, as shown in Figure 25. In this case, in the assembly instructions or in the corrugated cardboard container it is indicated that the base element 380 'must be mounted such that the mark that has the same color as the tap mark must stand towards the front of the countertop. Therefore, even a plumber without experience in assembling this type of element base can place the base element 380 'on the countertop without possible confusion regarding the correct orientation.

For example, when the bottom of the tap is marked with a blue mark, the base element 380 'is placed on the countertop so that the side marked with the blue mark A is facing forward. It should be noted that colors are not limited to blue and black, and they can be red, yellow, blue and so on. Alternatively, it can be previously decided that the side marked with the same color as the tap is the side later.

Although the mark is preferably applied with ink, paint or similar, coloring can be done by any procedure

The brand can be applied with any other procedure that provides discrimination. But it is preferable the coloring due to its simplicity.

As described above, this structure allows to easily and safely fix the tap on a mounting base, such as a countertop, on the upper side of The mounting base. In this case, the structure allows easy discrimination of the correct orientation of the base element regardless of the type of tap, thereby improving efficiency of installation work.

Figure 41 is a perspective view exploded from a tap, Figure 42 is a partially view section showing the installed condition of the tap represented in Figure 41, and Figure 43 is a sectional view taken by line 43-43 of figure 42.

In this embodiment they are introduced into the body 530 - whose components are the same as the body 530 of the Figures 44A, 44B - one piece 546 for guiding the flexible tube and one piece 550 for tube guidance.

The piece 546 for guiding the flexible tube it comprises a cylindrical part 546a, a flange 546b in the form of semicircular jaw that projects outward from an edge upper part of the cylindrical part 546a, and an erect part 546c that extends vertically from a rear end upper of the cylindrical part 546a. Piece 546 for guidance of the flexible tube is provided with concavities 548a, 548b and 548c formed on the outer surface of the cylindrical part 546a and of the erect part 546c, and extending vertically, in the which are introduced respectively the water outlet tube 522 mixed, the water supply tube 524 and the tube 526 of hot water supply.

The outer periphery of the flange 546b has the shape of a circular arc that extends over the periphery internal of the lower body 530B of the body 530.

The piece 550 for guiding the tubes it comprises a curved wall 550A and a flange 550b in the form of semicircular jaw that projects outward from an edge upper curved wall 550a.

The curved wall 550a has the shape of a medium cylinder divided by axial axis. The outer surface of the curved wall 550a is curved like a cylinder. Curved wall 550a is provided with three concavities 552a, 552b, 552c formed in the inner surface of it, and extended vertically, in which are housed respectively the water outlet tube 522 mixed, the water supply tube 524 and the tube 526 of hot water supply.

The outer periphery of the flange 550b has the shape of a circular arc that extends along the inner periphery of lower body 530B of body 530.

When the guiding pieces 546, 550 as well structured, they are introduced into the lower body 530B of the body 530, the outer surface of the eyelashes 546b, 550b of the respective guiding parts 546, 550 come into contact with the inner surface of the lower body 530B of the body 530, and the tubes 522, 524, 526 fit into the concavities 548a, 548b, 548c of the guide piece 546 and in the concavities 552a, 552b, 552c of the guiding piece 550, so guiding parts 546, 550 remain properly housed in the body 530.

When flexible tube 520 penetrates the body bottom 530b from the spout 516, the end of the flexible tube 520 is guided by the guide piece 546 so that the flexible tube 520 can pass through the lower body 530B gently. In this embodiment, part 546 for guiding the flexible tube has the erect part 546c. Since flexible tube 520 is introduced from the inclined spout 516, the union nut 542 located in the end of flexible tube 520 collides diagonally with the part upright 546c, slides down over the upright part 546c until it enters the cylindrical part 546a, and it smoothly exits the cylindrical part 546a to reach under the tap.

In this embodiment, piece 550 for guidance of the tubes is also housed in the lower body 530B of the body 530 as well as piece 546 for tube guidance flexible, so that the tubes 522, 524, 526 are sandwiched between guide pieces 546 and 550. That is, tubes 522, 524, 526 are attached to the lower body 530B by the guide pieces 546, 550, thereby avoiding the concentration of efforts in the gaskets (normally welded) between tubes 522, 524, 526 and the body 530 when an external lateral force is exerted on the tubes 522, 524 and 526, thus increasing the duration of the joints between the tubes 522, 524, 526 and the body 530.

In this embodiment the tap, with the pieces of guided 546, 550, it is fixed on the countertop by means of it structure depicted in Figures 26A, 26B through 31. That is, the base element 380 is fixed on the countertop 301 by means of the Horseshoe washer 382 and screws 384. Then you mount the tap without the flexible hose 520 on the base element 380. The captive screw 390 is screwed into the threaded hole 394 of the base element 380 through the opening 412 of the ring of coating 410 and then the ring is rotated 180 ° coating 410 to engage the head 392a of the element hook 392 in opening 412.

Once the tap is attached to the countertop, it insert the flexible hose 520 through the tap 516 of the tap and remove below the countertop 301. The flexible tube 520 connects to the lower end of the mixed water outlet tube 522 by union nut 542. In addition, a water pipe and a hot water pipe to water supply tube 524 and tube 526 hot water supply, respectively.

As described above, the tube flexible can easily be introduced when the tap is installed, thus significantly increasing the work efficiency of installation.

Figures 46A, 47A are sectional views vertical showing a faucet fixing structure, the Figures 46B, 47B are sectional views taken along the line 46B-46B and line 47B-47B of the Figures 46A and 47A respectively, Figures 48, 49, 50 are perspective views that show the inside of a body tap, and Figure 51 is a perspective view showing the state in which a water pipe and a hot water pipe They are connected to the tap body.

A countertop 701 has a hole made of assembly 704 between a trailing edge 702 and a stack 703. An element of base 780 is attached to the countertop 701 through the hole of assembly 704 using a horseshoe washer 782 and screws 784. A faucet body 786 has a concave part 788 at the bottom of the same that fits on the base element 780 and is fixed to the base element 780 by means of a captive screw 790 and a hitch element 792.

The base element 780 is provided with a threaded hole 794 in a part facing the front of the countertop 701. The 790 captive screw is screwed into the hole threaded 794 through a countersunk hole 796 made in the faucet body 786 and an existing opening 812 in a ring 810 coating described below.

The hitch element 792 is held by a recess 800 formed in a lower part of the outer periphery of the faucet body 786. The recess 800 comprises, as shown in Figure 48 and Figure 50, parts of slot 802, with each one of which comes in contact with each leg 792b of the element of hitch 792, and a circular concave part 804 in which the head 792a of the coupling element 792.

The coupling element 792 comprises the head 792a disk-shaped and a pair of 792b legs that project from the head 792a. The 792b legs are elastic to push the head 792a and which protrudes from the concave part 804.

The cover ring 810 surrounds the lower outer periphery of faucet body 786. The ring of coating 810 has the opening 812 and a concavity 814 formed so that they are diametrically faced.

To fix faucet 786 on countertop 701, the base element 780 is first fixed on the countertop 701 using washer 782 and screws 784, and then the concave part 788 of the faucet body 786 on the base element 780. The coupling element 792 has previously been fitted in the recess 800 of the faucet body 786 and the faucet body 786 with cover ring 810.

In this case, they have previously aligned (Figure 47) the opening 812 of the covering ring 810 and the countersunk hole 796 of faucet body 786. In this state, the head 792a of the hitch element 792 is housed in the concavity 814, so that the cover ring 810 is find it locked gently.

In this state, the faucet body 786 is mounted on the base element 780 and the opening 812 and the countersunk hole 796 with threaded hole 794 (Figures 47A, 47B). Then, using a screwdriver D, screw the captive screw 790 in threaded hole 794 through the opening 812 and countersunk hole 796.

After this, the ring of 180 ° is rotated 811 coating in the circumferential direction of the tap. According Shown in Figures 46A, 46B, head 792a of the element of hitch 792 is inserted in opening 812. In this way, the faucet body 786 is firmly attached to countertop 701.

With this structure, body 786 of the tap on the base element 780 and is firmly attached to the base element 780 by means of captive screw 790, so that even if the tap lever is operated, there is no 786 body movement of the tap.

Since the head of the 790 stud screw is covered by the cover ring 810, the user of the battery 703 cannot see the head of the captive screw 79, with what which does not spoil the aesthetics. Coating ring 810 does not it can rotate due to the head 792a of the hitch element 792. Therefore, the cover ring 810 cannot be rotated by mistake.

The cover ring 810 can be rotated pressing head 792a inwards from the represented state in Figure 46.

As can be seen in Figures 47A, 47B, the 790 captive screw can be screwed into the threaded hole 794 from the front of tap 710 using a tool such as a screwdriver. Since during this operation the operator you can put your hands in stack 703, it is easy to do the task and You can easily and firmly tighten the 790 captive screw.

As shown in Figure 50, the side top of the concave part 788 of the faucet body 786 is provided with a mouth 820 for the water pipe and a mouth 822 for the hot water pipe to which they connect respectively a water pipe 830 and a hot water pipe 832 (Figure 51). As shown in Figures 48, 49, the upper surface of the faucet body 786 is provided with an 840 mouth for water and from a mouth 842 for hot water that communicate respectively with the mouth 820 for the water pipe and with the mouth 822 for the hot water pipe, and is provided in addition to a mouth 844 for mixed water. Above the faucet body 786 is located a mixing valve that mixes the water coming from the mouth 840 of water and mouth 842 of hot water, and water mixed enters a mixed water chamber existing in the tap body 786 by mouth 844 of mixed water. The camera mixed water is connected to an 846 mixed water path which extends around the faucet body 786. The interior of route 846 of the mixed water is connected to the interior of the 850 pipe. The mixing valve is controlled by a lever single (not shown) located on top of the tap.

Although the coating ring has the opening 812, a recess may be formed instead of the opening 812

Claims (8)

1. A base element (380 ') to be installed in a tap mounting hole that drills a tap mounting plate such as a countertop and to which a tap must be fixed by fitting the tap into the tap element base (380 ') from the upper side, characterized in that said base element (380 ') is an element cylindrical arranged in such a way that the axial direction thereof, in use, extend perpendicularly to the mounting plate for the tap, said base element (380 ') is asymmetric with with respect to the longitudinal direction when installed in the faucet mounting plate, and said base element (380 ') is provided with a mark (A, B) indicating the front or back side of the element base (380 '). 2. A base element (380 ') according to the claim 1, wherein said base element (380 ') is symmetrical with respect to the lateral direction when installed on the mounting plate for the tap, said element having base (380 ') a pair of convex parts (383) formed symmetrically with respect to the lateral direction on the inner surface of the base element, whose convex parts (383) are provided each one of them with a through hole (383H) that crosses them vertically, and wherein said convex parts (383) are diverted to the front or back side with respect to the center of the base element (380 ') so that the base element is asymmetric with respect to the longitudinal direction. 3. A base element according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the mark (A, B) has been made by coloring. 4. A method to fix a tap, in which fix the base element (380 ') according to any one of the claims 1 to 3 on the mounting base through said tap mounting hole and, in use, the tap is mounted and fixed on the base element, in whose method the tap is provided with a mark to indicate the mounting direction of said base element. 5. A method to fix a tap according to the claim 4, wherein the base element is fixed according to the claim 2 on the mounting base through said hole and the tap must be mounted and fixed on the base element (380 '), in whose method said pair of convex parts (383) is deflected in the front side of said base element, three tubes are inserted: a supply tube of water, a hot water supply tube and an outlet pipe of mixed water, in the base element (380 ') behind said pair of convex parts (383) and a tube is inserted in front of the three tubes flexible shower connected to said water outlet tube mixed. 6. A method to fix a tap according to the claim 4, wherein the base element (380 ') is fixed according to claim 2 on the mounting base through said hole and the tap is mounted and fixed on the base element, in whose method said pair of convex parts (383) is deflected in the rear side of said base element and two tubes are inserted: a supply tube of water and a hot water supply tube, in the element of base in front of said pair of convex parts (383). 7. A method to fix a tap according to a any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the base element (380 ') according to any one of the claims 1 to 3 on the mounting base through said hole and mounted and fix the tap on the base element (380 '), in whose method the front side of the base element is marked (380 ') with a color A and the back side of the element is marked base (380 ') with a color B, and a part of the outer surface of the lower area of said tap with the color A. 8. A method to fix a tap according to a any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the base element (380 ') according to any one of the claims 1 to 3 on the mounting base through said hole and mounted and fix the tap on the base element, in whose method the front side of the base element is marked (380 ') with a color A and the back side of the element is marked base (380 ') with a color B, and a part of the outer surface of the lower area of said tap with the color B.