EP1298258B1

EP1298258B1 - Single-control mixing faucet with a horizontal mixing cartridge

Info

Publication number: EP1298258B1
Application number: EP02021579A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Riccardo Cristina
Original assignee: CRS SpA
Current assignee: CRS SpA
Priority date: 2001-09-26
Filing date: 2002-09-26
Publication date: 2007-04-18
Anticipated expiration: 2022-09-26
Also published as: DE60219565T2; EP1298258A2; ITMI20012000A0; ITMI20012000A1; ES2284763T3; DE60219565D1; ATE360119T1; EP1298258A3

Abstract

A single-control mixing faucet with a horizontal mixing cartridge further comprises a holding body which is made by a casting process to define at least two broad inner cavities therein. <??>At least one of the inner cavities is engaged by a duct and a mixing cartridge, to define at least three separated chambers inside the holding body: a hot water chamber, a cool water chamber and a mixed water chamber. <IMAGE>

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The represent invention relates to a single-control mixing faucet construction, with a horizontal mixing cartridge, which has been specifically designed for bath tubs and showers.
As is known, the method for making such a single-control faucet is very complex, mainly due to operating difficulties affecting" the faucet body casting operation.
The above difficulties cause a comparatively high waste amount in the first processing steps in which the faucet body is frequently affected by cracks and blowholes rendering the faucet body unusable.
The document US-A-5 743 463 discloses the preamble of claim 1.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the aim of the present invention is to provide such a single-control mixing faucet construction, with a horizontal mixing cartridge, particularly suitable for bath tubs and showers, which overcomes the above mentioned drawbacks affecting the prior art.
Within the scope of the above mentioned aim, a main object of the present invention is to provide such a mixing faucet construction the faucet body of which is made by a casting process, while overcoming all the above mentioned problems affecting prior casting processes.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide such a mixing faucet construction which can be made in a comparatively small time and with a cost less than that required for making conventional faucets.
According to one aspect of the present invention, the above mentioned aim and objects, as well as yet other objects, which will become more apparent hereinafter, are achieved by a single-control mixing faucet construction, according to claim 1.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent hereinafter from the following detailed disclosure of a preferred, though not exclusive, embodiment of the invention, which is illustrated, by way of an indicative, but not limitative, example in the accompanying drawings, where:

Figure 1 is a front perspective view of a single-control mixing faucet construction, for bath tubs, according to the invention;
Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the faucet construction shown in figure 1;
Figure 3 is a front view of the faucet construction of figures 1 and 2;
Figure 4 is a cross-sectioned top plan view of the faucet construction of figures 1 to 3; and
Figure 5 is a front perspective view of a single-control mixing faucet construction for showers, according to the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to the number references of the above mentioned figures, the single-control mixing faucet construction according to the present invention, which has been generally indicated by the reference number 1, comprises a holding body 2, made by any suitable casting method, so as to define therein at least two cavities, respectively indicated by the reference numbers 3 and 4, coupled to a fitting 5, provided for hot water, and a further fitting 6, provided for cold water.
The fittings 5 and 6 can further comprise eccentric fitting elements 12 and 13, of any per se known types.
The holding body 2 defines moreover an outlet 7, including an aerating device 8 and a switching element 9, in turn comprising a fitting 10 for connection to the shower flexible hose, not specifically shown, and a driving rod 11.
In the shower mixing faucet construction shown in figure 5 and generally indicated by the reference number 101, the body 102 does not include a delivery outlet, but only a fitting 110 for connecting with the shower flexible tube, not shown.
With reference to figures 2 and 4, the inner cavity 4 of the holding body 2 comprises a diaphragm 14 for connection to a bottom element or portion 15 of a mixing cartridge 16 which, advantageously can be of any suitable standard types.
The mixing cartridge 16, in particular, receives hot or warm water coming from the cavity 3 through a duct 17 applied to a port formed in the separating diaphragm or membrane 18, between the cavities 3 and 4.
The mixing cartridge 16 is moreover supplied with cold water coming from the cavity 19, coupled to the fitting 6 by a specifically designed coupling arrangement machined on the bottom element 15 and including a circular crown slot.
The mixing cartridge 16 is controlled by a control lever assembly 20, including a cartridge lever insert 21, associated with a control lever body 22, in turn including a control lever insert 23.
The mixed water exiting the cartridge 16, and passing through axially extending holes 24 formed through the bottom element 15, enters the cavity 4 to arrive at the delivery outlet 7.
The switching element 9 allows to offset the water flow to the fitting 8 for a shower flexible hose, or other auxiliary using device.
For making the subject faucet construction, the duct 17 is threaded and glued to the bottom element 15, before the assembling operation inside the cast holding body 2.
After having assembled the duct 17 - bottom element 15 assembly inside the cast holding body 2, there are defined three separated chambers, i.e. a hot or warm water chamber, defined by the cavity 3, a cold water chamber, defined by the cavity 19, and a mixed water chamber, defined by the cavity 4.
It has been found that the invention fully achieves the intended aim and objects.
In fact, the invention provides a single-control mixing faucet construction, with a horizontal mixing cartridge, comprising a cast body having gaps for the passage therethrough of water which gaps are very broad and can be made in a simple manner.
An important advantage of the invention is that the mentioned inner gaps have been obtained in said cast holding body by using insert elements, made of brass bars, which are engaged in the body during the assembling operation thereof.
The cast body can be further machined by any desired known machining equipment (for example of a CNC type), thereby greatly reducing the making time and cost.
In practicing the invention, the used materials, and the contingent size and shapes, can be any, depending on requirements and the status of the art.

Claims

A single-control mixing faucet construction (1), including a horizontal mixing cartridge (16), comprising a cast holding body (2), the cast holding body (2) defining three separated chambers inside said holding body, i.e. a hot water chamber, a cold water chamber and a mixing water chamber, characterized in that the cast holding body (2) comprises an inner central separating diaphragm or membrane (18) cast therein thereby forming in the cast holding body (2) two broad inner cavities (3, 4), the first broad inner cavity (3) forming the hot water chamber, the second broad inner cavity (4) comprising the mixing cartridge (16) and a tubular duct (17) for the mixing cartridge to receive hot water coming from the hot water chamber, the mixing cartridge arranged opposite the cold water fitting (6) of the cast holding body (2) to form the cold water chamber and the remainder of the second broad inner cavity (4) between the mixing cartridge (16) and the cast central separating diaphragm or membrane (18) outside the tubular duct (17) forming the mixed water chamber.
A mixing faucet construction, according to Claim 1, characterized in that said holding body (2) comprises at least a second diaphragm (14) for connecting a bottom element (15) included in said mixing cartridge (16), with the tubular duct (17) coupled at a hole formed in said separating diaphragm or membrane (18) of said broad inner cavities (3, 4).
A mixing faucet construction, according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said mixing cartridge (16) is supplied with cold or hot water from a third cavity (19) coupled to the cold or hot water fitting (6) respectively, by a coupling machined pattern formed on the bottom element (15).
A mixing faucet construction, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said machined coupling pattern formed on said bottom element (15) comprises a circular crown slot.
A mixing faucet construction, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the mixed water exits said mixing cartridge (16) and enters the mixed water chamber coupled to the delivery outlet, passing through axially extending holes (24) formed through said bottom element (15).
A mixing faucet construction, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said mixing cartridge (16) is driven by a control lever assembly (20) comprising a cartridge lever insert (21), coupled to a control lever body (22), in turn including a control lever insert (23).
A method for making a single-control mixing faucet construction, according to Claim 1, with a horizontal mixing carriage (16), characterized in that said method comprises the steps of:
providing a holding body (2) made by a casting process, and including at least two broad cavities (3, 4) therein,

providing at least three separated chambers inside said cast holding body (2) by insert elements (21, 23) made of brass bars, and applied in an assembling operation of said faucet.
A method, according to Claim 7, characterized in that said method comprises the step of coupling the tubular duct (17) to a bottom element (15) of the mixing cartridge (16) and assembling the duct-bottom element assembly inside the cast body.