PLASTIC PIPELINE STRUCTURE IN FAUCET

Abstract

A plastic pipeline structure may include a channeling tube, two plugs, and a cover. The channeling tube can be manufactured in a single mold with plastic materials and has a mixing base in the middle, which has one or more outlet channels. The outlet channels in the mixing base and the channels in the horizontal tubes toward both sides are connected and formed in a perpendicular manner. Each horizontal tube has an open end and a vertical tube is perpendicularly connected with each horizontal tube near the open end. Each plug is inserted into the open end of each horizontal tube. The cover placed above the channeling tube has hole through which the mixing base can be connected with a faucet. There is a blocking surface formed on the interior wall of each side of the cover to block the plugs.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention is related to a pipeline structure in a faucet, more particularly to a plastic pipeline structure that connects with the faucet having hot water and cold water lines.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As shown in FIG. 7, the conventional faucet pipeline structure consists of a channeling tube 50, two connecting tubes 60 and a cover 70. The plastic channeling tube 50 has a valve base 51 in the middle and two extension tubes 52 are perpendicularly connected to the bottom of the valve base 51. Each extension tube 52 has a plural of restricting holes 521 at the end. The plastic connecting tube 60 consists of a connecting portion 61 that has a plural of blocks 611 on the surface and an inlet portion 62. The connecting portion 61 and the inlet portion 62 are formed in a perpendicular manner. By inserting the connecting portion 61 into the extension tube 52 and engaging the blocks 611 with the restricting holes 521, the two connecting tubes can be connected with the channeling tube 50. A sealing gasket 63 is placed between the extension tube 52 and the connecting portion 62 to prevent leakage. The cover 70 has a hole 71 through which the valve base 51 can be connected with a faucet, thereby connecting the faucet with hot water and cold water lines. However, since a pipeline with two or more L-bends cannot be manufactured with a single mold, the channeling tube 50 and the connecting tubes 60 need to be manufactured separately with different molds. To manufacture the conventional pipeline mentioned above, a solid channeling tube 50 is molded and holes are drilled along the vertical axis of the valve base 51 and the horizontal axis of the extension tubes 52 to form water channels. Then two solid connecting tubes 60 are molded with another mold and holes are drilled along the axes of the connecting portion and the inlet portion to form water channels. The manufactured channeling tube 50 is then connected with the two manufactured connecting tubes 60 to form the pipeline structure with four L-bends. Therefore, the manufacturing process of the conventional pipeline requires different molds for the channeling tube 50 and the connecting tubes 60, and additional processes to form the restricting holes 521 and the blocks 611, thereby increasing the manufacturing costs and causing inconvenience in the assembling process. In addition, a common feature of a pipeline system is the existence of the water hammer effect. When the valve is closed, the movement of water in the pipeline system is suddenly obstructed, and the velocity of water causes the compression of water in the pipeline and the increase of water pressure in the pipeline. The water pressure inside the pipeline system can be as high as 500 psi and may cause damages to the pipeline and leakage. In the conventional pipeline, some space may be left between the channeling tube 50 and the connecting tubes 60 when they are connected by engaging the blocks 611 with the restricting holes 521, and thus leakage or disengagement of the connecting tubes 60 may occur due to the water pressure or the water hammer effect. Therefore, the conventional pipeline structure also has a weak structure and is subject to leakage.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The manufacturing of the conventional pipeline structure requires different molds for the channeling tube and the connecting tubes, thereby increasing the manufacturing costs and causing inconvenience in the assembling process. In addition, the conventional pipeline structure also has a weak structure and is subject to leakage problems.

To solve the problems stated above, the present invention provides a pipeline structure that may include a channeling tube, two plugs, and a cover. The channeling tube can be manufactured in a single mold with plastic materials and has a mixing base in the middle, which has one or more outlet channels. The outlet channels in the mixing base and the channels in the horizontal tubes toward both sides are connected and formed in a perpendicular manner. Each horizontal tube has an open end and a vertical tube is perpendicularly connected with each horizontal tube near the open end. There is an inlet channel inside each vertical tube that is parallel to the outlet channels of the channeling tube. Each plug is inserted into the open end of each horizontal tube. The cover placed above the channeling tube has hole through which the mixing base can be connected with a faucet. There is a blocking surface formed on the interior wall of each side of the cover to block the plugs.

Wherein, the top portion of the mixing base is threaded and therefore the mixing base can be connected with a faucet.

Wherein, the vertical tubes are threaded and therefore they can be connected with external water lines.

Wherein, each vertical tube is connected with a valve base along the vertical axis that has a channel connected with the channel inside the vertical tube.

Wherein, each plug has a head at one end and a plug body at the other end, and each plug is inserted into the open end of each horizontal tube and blocked by the blocking surface of the cover.

Wherein, the plug body has one or more grooves on the surface and a sealing gasket is placed in each groove.

Wherein, the channeling tube has one or more engaging parts near the open end and each plug body has one or more connecting parts on the surface of the plug body; and the connecting parts engage with the engaging parts when the plug body is inserted in to the open end of the horizontal tube.

Wherein the engaging parts are restricting holes and the connecting parts are blocks that mate with the restricting holes; and the blocks engage with the restricting holes when the plug body is inserted into the open end of the horizontal tube.

An advantage of the present invention is that the channeling tube can be manufactured with a single mold. The first step is to mold a structure with solid mixing base, horizontal tubes and vertical tubes. Then outlet channels are formed inside the mixing base and an inlet channel is formed in each vertical tube by drilling holes along the vertical axis. And a hole is drilled along the horizontal axis of each horizontal tube from the open end to form a channel inside each horizontal tube to connect the outlet channels inside the mixing base with the inlet channels in the vertical tubes. Therefore, the channeling tube can be manufactured with a single mold, thereby enhancing the strength of the structure and simplifying the manufacture process. In addition, the open ends can be closed by inserting the plugs into the open ends and blocking the plugs with the cover, thereby reducing the number of molds needed in the manufacturing process, decreasing manufacture costs, enhancing the strength of the structure and preventing leakage.

Another advantage of the present inventions is that the open ends can be closed by inserting the plugs into the open ends. The cover placed above the channeling tube has a hole through which the mixing base can be connected with a faucet and two blocking surfaces that block the head of the plug. Therefore, the cover enables quick fixture of the plugs and blocks the plugs, thereby preventing the plugs from disengaging with the horizontal tubes due to water pressure or the water hammer effect. The engagements of the blocks with the restricting holes of the horizontal tubes further enhance the engagements of the plugs with the channeling tube and such structure also simplifies the engagement structure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a three-dimensional view of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a three-dimensional exploded view of the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a sectional view of the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a magnified view of a part of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 illustrates a schematic view of the present invention when being used.

FIG. 6 illustrates a three-dimensional exploded view of another embodiment in the present invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates a three-dimensional exploded view of the prior art.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The detailed description set forth below is intended as a description of the presently exemplary device provided in accordance with aspects of the present invention and is not intended to represent the only forms in which the present invention may be prepared or utilized. It is to be understood, rather, that the same or equivalent functions and components may be accomplished by different embodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of the invention.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood to one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although any methods, devices and materials similar or equivalent to those described can be used in the practice or testing of the invention, the exemplary methods, devices and materials are now described.

All publications mentioned are incorporated by reference for the purpose of describing and disclosing, for example, the designs and methodologies that are described in the publications that might be used in connection with the presently described invention. The publications listed or discussed above, below and throughout the text are provided solely for their disclosure prior to the filing date of the present application. Nothing herein is to be construed as an admission that the inventors are not entitled to antedate such disclosure by virtue of prior invention.

In order to further understand the goal, characteristics and effect of the present invention, a number of embodiments along with the drawings are illustrated as following:

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the plastic pipeline structure may consist of a channeling tube 10, two plugs 20 and a cover 30. The channeling tube 10 is manufactured in a single mold with plastic materials and has a mixing base 11 that has one or more outlet channels 111. The outlet channels and the channels in the horizontal tubes 12 toward both sides are connected and formed in a perpendicular manner. Each horizontal tube 12 has an open end 121 and is perpendicularly connected with a vertical tube 13 near the open end 121. The vertical tube 13 has an inlet channel 131 that is parallel to the outlet channels 111. Each plug 20 has a head 21 at one end and a plug body 22 at the other end. Each plug 20 is inserted into the open end 121 of each horizontal tube 12. There are one or more grooves 221 on the surface of the plug body 22 and a sealing gasket 23 is placed in each groove 221 to prevent leaks from forming between the horizontal tubes 12 and the plugs 20. The channeling tube 10 has one or more engaging parts 122 near each open end 121 and each plug body 22 of the plug 20 has one or more connecting parts 222 that mate with the engaging parts 122. By inserting the plug body 22 into the open end 121 and engaging the connecting parts 222 with the engaging parts 122, the plugs 20 can be securely inserted into the channeling tube 10. The cover 30 placed above the channeling tube 10 has a hole 31 at the center through which the mixing base 11 can be connected with a faucet. There is a blocking surface 32 formed on the interior wall of each side of the cover 30 to block the plugs, thereby enhancing the stability of the engagements of the channeling tube 10 with the plugs 20.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the present invention can be used to connect external water lines (cold water line and hot water line) with a faucet 40, thereby enabling the switch from cold water to hot water and adjustment the ratio of cold water to hot water. The plugs 20 are engaged with the channeling tube 10 by inserting the plug body 22 into the open end 121, thereby closing the open ends 121 of the horizontal tubes 12. The cover 30 placed above the channeling tube 10 has hole 31 through which the mixing base 11 can be connected with a faucet and two blocking surfaces 32 that block the heads 21 of the plugs 20. Therefore, the cover 30 enables quick fixture of the plugs 20 and blocks the plugs 20, thereby preventing the plugs 20 from disengaging with the horizontal tubes 12 due to water pressure or the water hammer effect. The engagements of the connecting parts 222 on the surface of the plug 20 with the engaging parts 122 of the horizontal tubes further enhance the engagements of the plugs 20 with the channeling tube 10 and such structure also simplifies the engagement structure. The vertical tube 13 is threaded and thus it can be connected with an external water line 41. The top portion 112 of the mixing base 11 is threaded and thus it can be connected with a faucet 40. By operating the faucet 40, cold and hot water can be mixed in the mixing base 11 and the mixed water then flows out of the faucet.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the channeling tube 10 can be manufactured by molding a structure with solid mixing base 11, horizontal tubes 12 and vertical tubes 13 in a single mold with plastic materials. Holes are drilled along the vertical axis of the mixing base to form outlet channels 111. And a hole is drilled along the horizontal axis of each horizontal tube 12 from the open end 121 to form a channel inside each horizontal tube 12 that is connected with an outlet channel in the mixing base 11. And a hole is drilled along the vertical axis of each vertical tube 13 to form an inlet channel 131 inside the vertical tube 13 that is connected with the channel inside the horizontal tube 12. Thus water can flow from the inlet channels 131 to the outlet channels 111 through the horizontal tubes 12. Therefore, the channeling tube 10 can be manufactured with a single mold, thereby enhancing the strength of the structure and simplifying the manufacture process. In addition, the open ends 121 can be closed by inserting the plugs into the open ends 121 and blocking the plugs 20 with the cover 30, thereby reducing the number of molds needed in the manufacturing process, decreasing manufacture costs, enhancing the strength of the structure and preventing leakage. FIG. 6 shows another embodiment in the present invention. The channeling tube 10 can be manufactured by molding a structure with solid mixing base 11, horizontal tubes 12 and vertical tubes 13 with a single mold. Outlet channels are formed inside the mixing base 11 and an inlet channel is formed in each vertical tube 13 by drilling holes along the vertical axis. And a hole is drilled along the horizontal axis of each horizontal tube 12 from the open end 121 to form a channel inside each horizontal tube 12 to connect the outlet channels inside the mixing base 11 with the inlet channels in the vertical tubes 13. Each vertical tube 13 is connected with a valve base 141 along its vertical axis, which has a channel that is connected with the inlet channel in the vertical tube 13. The valve base 141 can be connected with a faucet.

According to the embodiments described above, an advantage of the present invention is that the channeling tube 10 can be manufactured in a single mold with plastic materials. The first step is to mold a structure with solid mixing base 11, horizontal tubes 12 and vertical tubes 13 in a single mold. Then outlet channels are formed inside the mixing base 11 and an inlet channel is formed in each vertical tube 13 by drilling holes along the vertical axis. And a hole is drilled along the horizontal axis of each horizontal tube 12 from the open end 121 to form a channel inside each horizontal tube 12 to connect the outlet channels inside the mixing base 11 with the inlet channels in the vertical tubes 13. Therefore, the channeling tube 10 can be manufactured with a single mold, thereby enhancing the strength of the structure and simplifying the manufacture process. In addition, the open ends 121 can be closed by inserting the plugs 20 into the open ends 121 and blocking the plugs 20 with the cover 30, thereby reducing the number of molds needed in the manufacturing process, decreasing manufacture costs, enhancing the strength of the structure and preventing leakage. Another advantage of the present inventions is that the open ends 121 can be closed by inserting the plugs 20 into the open ends 121. The cover 30 placed above the channeling tube 10 has a hole 31 through which the mixing base 11 can be connected with a faucet and two blocking surfaces 32 that block the head 21 of the plug 20. Therefore, the cover 30 enables quick fixture of the plugs 20 and blocks the plugs 20, thereby preventing the plugs 20 from disengaging with the horizontal tubes 12 due to water pressure or the water hammer effect. The engagements of the connecting parts 222 with the engaging parts 122 of the horizontal tubes further enhance the engagements of the plugs 20 with the channeling tube 10 and such structure also simplifies the engagement structure.

Having described the invention by the description and illustrations above, it should be understood that these are exemplary of the invention and are not to be considered as limiting. Accordingly, the invention is not to be considered as limited by the foregoing description, but includes any equivalents.

Claims

1. A plastic pipeline structure comprising a channeling tube, two plugs and a cover,

wherein the channeling tube can be manufactured in a single mold with plastic materials; the channeling tube has a mixing base in the middle, which has one or more outlet channels; the outlet channels in the mixing base and the channels in the horizontal tubes toward both sides are connected and formed in a perpendicular manner; each horizontal tube has an open end and is perpendicularly connected with a vertical tube near the open end; and an inlet channel is disposed inside each vertical tube that is parallel to the outlet channels in the mixing base;

wherein the plugs are inserted into the open ends of the horizontal tubes; and

wherein the cover is placed above the channeling tube; the cover has a hole through which the mixing base can be connected with a faucet; and there is a blocking surface formed on the interior wall of each side of the cover to block the plugs.

2. The plastic pipeline structure of claim 1, wherein the top portion of the mixing base is threaded and therefore the mixing base can be connected with a faucet.

3. The plastic pipeline structure of claim 1, wherein the vertical tubes are threaded and therefore the vertical tubes can be connected with external water lines.

4. The plastic pipeline structure of claim 1, wherein each vertical tube is connected with a valve base along the vertical axis and the valve base has an outlet channel connected with the inlet channel in the vertical tube.

5. The plastic pipeline structure of claim 1, wherein the plug has a head at one end and a plug body at the other end; the plug body is inserted into the open end of the horizontal tube and the head is blocked by the blocking surface of the cover.

6. The plastic pipeline structure of claim 5, wherein the one or more grooves are formed on the surface of the plug body and a sealing gasket is placed in each groove.

7. The plastic pipeline structure of claim 5, wherein the channeling tube has one or more engaging parts near each open end and each plug body has one or more connecting parts on the surface of the plug body; the connecting parts are engaged with the engaging parts when the plug body is inserted in to the open end of the horizontal tube.

8. The plastic pipeline structure of claim 7, wherein the engaging parts are restricting holes and the connecting parts are blocks that mate with the restricting holes; the blocks are engaged with the restricting holes when the plug body is inserted into the open end of the horizontal tube.