Water discharge fitting

Abstract

The present invention discloses a water discharge fitting including a foldable water discharge pipe, the water discharge pipe being rotatably connected to a fitting body through a connecting member wherein the connecting member and the fitting body are formed locking with each other, wherein the locking has at least one locking step. The invention further discloses a one-lever mixer, especially for installation in trailers and caravans, including a water discharge fitting.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims convention priority from German patent application no. 20 2004 005 561.9, with a filing date of Apr. 7, 2004. The specification and drawing of the German patent application are specifically hereby incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a water discharge fitting having a foldable water discharge pipe, the water discharge pipe being rotatably connected to a fitting body through a connecting member. The invention further relates to a one-lever mixer, especially for installation in trailers and caravans.

Water discharge fittings having a foldable water discharge pipe are known and are installed especially in trailers and caravans. In caravans, trailers and campers, there is often the necessity of inserting very low fittings in sinks with foldable glass cover. Especially, the thus used fittings are usually not allowed to exceed the height of 40 mm. However, the known previous fittings have the disadvantage that fatigue of the discharge pipe connection occurs after certain time of use or even at different temperatures. This results in the discharge automatically lowering or being thrown upwards upon turning on the water flow. Up to now, the strength of the discharge has been achieved by the friction of two plastic parts or by insertion of large-dimensioned O-rings. However, also with these solutions, again and again, problems with respect to strength of the discharge pipe connection occur.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, it is the object of the present invention to provide a generic water discharge fitting, which ensures increased strength of a discharge pipe connection of a foldable water discharge pipe.

This object is solved by a water discharge fitting having the features of claim 1.

Advantageous developments are described in the dependent claims.

A water discharge fitting according to the invention has a foldable water discharge pipe, the water discharge pipe being rotatably connected to a fitting body through a connecting member, and the connecting member and the fitting body being formed locking with each other, wherein the locking has at least one locking step. Due to the possibility of locking the connecting member and the fitting body in at least one locking step, it is ensured that the water discharge pipe can be securely maintained in an operational position or is securely maintained in a folded rest position or transporting position. Therein, for locking the connecting member and the fitting body, according to an embodiment according to the invention, at least one projection can be formed inside the fitting body, wherein the projection is insertable and lockable in at least one recess formed inside the connecting member.

However, in another embodiment according to the invention, it is also possible that at least one projection is formed inside the connecting member, wherein the projection is insertable and lockable in at least one recess formed inside the fitting body. By locking the connecting member and the fitting body, on the one hand, the strength of the discharge pipe connection is ensured, and also on the other hand, for example during travel of a trailer, there cannot arise any rattling noises due to a loose discharge pipe.

In another advantageous development of the invention, at least two recesses are circularly disposed. Therein, it is possible to dispose a plurality of recesses radially equally spaced apart. Thereby, on the one hand, it is ensured to bring the water discharge pipe without problem from a rest position into an operational position or vice versa, and on the other hand, by a plurality of recesses, the inclination angle of the water discharge pipe can be varied nearly in any manner.

In another advantageous development of the invention, the projection or projections is or are disposed resiliently, respectively. Thereby, it is possible, despite the locking or toothing of the connecting member with the fitting body, to transfer the water discharge pipe into the corresponding locking positions without too high effort. One possibility of development is the formation of the projection or projections from resilient material. Further, it is possible that the projection and the recesses are each formed rounded.

A one-lever mixer according to the invention, especially for installation in trailers and caravans, has a water discharge fitting according to the previously described embodiments.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon reading and understanding this specification, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further details, features and advantages of the invention are explained in more detail in the embodiments described and graphically illustrated below. There show:

FIG. 1 a schematic representation of an inventive water discharge fitting according to a first embodiment;

FIGS. 2a and 2b a schematic representation of two different locking positions of the water discharge fitting according to FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 a schematic representation of an inventive water discharge fitting according to a second embodiment; and

FIGS. 4a and 4b a schematic representation of two different locking positions of the water discharge fitting according to FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows in a schematic view a water discharge fitting 10 according to a first embodiment. The water discharge fitting has a foldable water discharge pipe 12, which is rotatably connected to a fitting body 16 through a connecting member 14. The connecting member 14 is formed cylindrically and has a housing 28 with a housing opening 30. The housing opening 30 serves for detachably inserting the water discharge pipe 12. The fitting body 16 is also formed cylindrically in the region of connection to the connecting member 14, and additionally has water supplies 26 as well as a securing device 42 with a male thread for securing the water discharge fitting 10. Additionally, a turning on/off device 22 having a lever 24 adjoins to the fitting body 16. In the illustrated embodiment, its a so-called one-lever mixer.

One recognizes that the connecting member 14 and the fitting body 16 are formed locking with each other, wherein the locking has two locking steps. Therein, inside the fitting body 16, a projection 18 is formed, wherein the projection 18 is insertable and lockable in two recesses formed inside the connecting member 14. Especially, the type of locking becomes clear from the detail drawing X. One recognizes that the two recesses 20 are circular and disposed in an angular distance of 90°. Further, one recognizes that the projection 18 is placed centrally on a spring member consisting of the spring arms 38 and 40. Additionally, a frame 34 is formed inside the connecting member 14, which forms a sleeve 32 for receiving a connecting pin 36 of the fitting body 16. Therein, the frame 34 is connected to the inner circumference of the housing 28 through legs 44. The water discharge pipe 12, the connecting member 14, the fitting body 16 as well as the turning on/off device 22 are usually made of plastics.

FIGS. 2a and 2b show a schematic illustration of two different locking positions of the water discharge fitting 10 according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 2a, an operational position of the water discharge fitting 10 is illustrated. One recognizes that the water discharge pipe 12 is approximately perpendicularly to an imagined mounting plane. One recognizes that the resiliently supported projection is locked in a first recess 20. In FIG. 2b, a rest or transporting position of the water discharge fitting 10 is illustrated, respectively. One recognizes that the water discharge pipe 12 is now approximately parallel to an imagined mounting plane. Additionally, it has been rotated within the opening 30 of the housing 28 of the connecting member 14.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic illustration of a water discharge fitting 10 according to a second embodiment. The water discharge fitting 10 again has a water discharge pipe 12 formed in straight manner in the now described embodiment. The water discharge pipe 12 is again secured in the connecting member 14. The connecting member 14 and the fitting body 16 are also formed locking with each other, wherein the locking has a plurality of locking steps. Therefore, a projection 18 is formed inside the fitting body 16, wherein the projection 18 is insertable and lockable in a plurality of recesses 20 formed inside the connecting member 14. This particularly becomes clear from the detail drawing X. One recognizes that the recesses 20 are again disposed circularly. Additionally, the projection 18 and the recesses 20 are formed rounded. Therein, the projection 18 rests on the spring member consisting of the spring arms 38 and 40.

FIGS. 4a and 4b show in a schematic illustration two exemplary locking positions of the water discharge fitting 10 according to the second embodiment. In FIG. 4a, a position of the water discharge pipe 12 is presented approximately perpendicularly to an imagined mounting plane. FIG. 4b shows the water discharge pipe 12 in a position, which protrudes in the imagined mounting plane. With the illustrated embodiment, for example, a plurality of locking steps with 12° difference is possible. The locking position represented in FIG. 4b is minus 6° with respect to the imagined mounting plane. However, it is also possible to form other angular distances and thus another locking step indexing. With respect to further constructive details of the water discharge fitting 10 according to the second embodiment, we refer to the description of the first embodiment.

While certain, selected embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed herein, other embodiments of the apparatus and methods of the present invention will suggest themselves to persons skilled in the art in view of this disclosure. Therefore, it will be understood that variations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. Water discharge fitting including a foldable water discharge pipe, the water discharge pipe being rotatably connected to a fitting body through a connecting member, characterized in that

the connecting member and the fitting body are formed locking with each other, wherein the locking has at least one locking step.

2. Water discharge fitting according to claim 1, wherein at least one projection is formed inside the fitting body, and wherein the projection is insertable and lockable in at least one recess formed inside the connecting member.

3. Water discharge fitting according to claim 1, wherein at least one projection is formed inside the connecting member, and wherein the projection is insertable and lockable in at least one recess formed inside the fitting body.

4. Water discharge fitting according to claim 2, wherein at least two recesses are circularly disposed.

5. Water discharge fitting according to claim 3, wherein at least two recesses are circularly disposed.

6. Water discharge fitting according to claim 4, wherein a plurality of recesses is formed radially equally spaced apart.

7. Water discharge fitting according to claim 5, wherein a plurality of recesses is formed radially equally spaced apart.

8. Water discharge fitting according to claim 2, wherein the projection or projections is or are resiliently disposed.

9. Water discharge fitting according to claim 3, wherein the projection or projections is or are resiliently disposed.

10. Water discharge fitting according to claim 2, wherein the projection or projections are formed of resilient material.

11. Water discharge fitting according to claim 3, wherein the projection or projections are formed of resilient material.

12. Water discharge fitting according to claim 2, wherein the projection and the recesses are formed rounded.

13. Water discharge fitting according to claim 3, wherein the projection and the recesses are formed rounded.

14. One-lever mixer, especially for installation in trailers and caravans, including a water discharge fitting comprising a foldable water discharge pipe, the water discharge pipe being rotatably connected to a fitting body through a connecting member and the connecting member and the fitting body are formed locking with each other, wherein the locking has at least one locking step.

15. One-lever mixer according to claim 14, wherein at least one projection is formed inside the fitting body, and wherein the projection is insertable and lockable in at least one recess formed inside the connecting member.

16. One-lever mixer according to claim 14, wherein at least one projection is formed inside the connecting member, wherein the projection is insertable and lockable in at least one recess formed inside the fitting body.

17. One-lever mixer according to claim 15, wherein at least two recesses are circularly disposed.

18. One-lever mixer according to claim 16, wherein at least two recesses are circularly disposed.

19. One-lever mixer according to claim 17, wherein a plurality of recesses is formed radially equally spaced apart.

20. One-lever mixer according to claim 18, wherein a plurality of recesses is formed radially equally spaced apart.

21. One-lever mixer according to claim 15, wherein the projection or projections is or are resiliently disposed.

22. One-lever mixer according to claim 16, wherein the projection or projections is or are resiliently disposed.

23. One-lever mixer according to claim 15, wherein the projection or projections are formed of resilient material.

24. One-lever mixer according to claim 16, wherein the projection or projections are formed of resilient material.

25. One-lever mixer according to claim 15, wherein the projection and the recesses are formed rounded.

26. One-lever mixer according to claim 16, wherein the projection and the recesses are formed rounded.