Control ring for the adjustment of the direction and the shape of the jet of a jet deflector or of a shower head with aerator

Abstract

 Control ring for changing the deflection and shape of the jet delivered by a jet deflector, this ring (11) having a properly shaped outer surface, while its internal wall is step-shaped (12) matching the external configuration of the delivery valve body (1), so that the ring (11) can be stably fitted or disassembled by snap connection of the faying suefaces of the ring (12) and body (1).

Description

[0001] Various water delivery valves are known such as showers, jet deflectors or aerator-jets in bathrooms and kitchens having well known characteristics with the following particulars:

• the body of the delivery valves may be axially shifted with respect to the device coupling it to the pipe or to the feed cock, so as to modify the shape of the water spout
• the delivery valve may feature a simple knuckle joint in the zone connecting it to the tube or cock for orientation of the spout;
• the delivery valve may feature a double knuckle joint to allow for an extended adjustment of the water jet, as described in the Italian Patent N. 1.236.136 and the corresponding European Patent n. 0 431 235.

[0002] Therefore, it is possible to change the running water from a compact form into a shower jet by moving the delivery valve manually in axial direction, as explained before, while it is also possible to change the deflection of the jet by moving the delivery valve in angular deflection with respect to the axis of its connexion to the feed pipe or delivery cock.

[0003] Normally, the body of the delivery valve has rather limited dimensions so that it cannot be easily seized for these adjustments and these drawbacks are eliminated by this invention by means of a pre-shaped ring, snap-fastened on the body of the delivery valve so that it can be easily grasped for the above regulation.

[0004] According to this invention, the control ring subject matter of this invention, features an appropiate section, for instance a trapezoidal section, the inner surfaces of which have shapings apt to snap into the shapings on the outer surface of the delivery valve. As said before, this makes it easier to grasp the device and modifies the outer appearance of the delivery valve in a characteristic way.

[0005] The invention in question is illustrated in its practical and exemplified form in the enclosed drawings in which:

Fig.1: shows a top view of the ring subject matter of this invention;

Fig.2: shows a lateral view and partial section of the ring in fig.1;

Fig. 3: shows a lateral view of a delivery valve complete with double knuckle joint and fitted with the ring in question, its body being downwards directed to form a shower jet;

Fig.4: shows the delivery valve of Fig.3 with body upwards directed for the supply of a compact jet;

Fig.5: shows the delivery valve in fig. 3 with its body directed by means of a double knuckle joint;

Fig.6: shows the delivery valve complete with simple knuckle joint.

[0006] With reference to the above drawings, 1 refers to the valve body, screwed onto a first lower locking ring 2 which is articulated by means of a lower joint 3 formed by a sleeve with spherical head acting as the center of rotation of the valve body 1. This articulated joint 3 is mounted on a second upper locking ring 4 which ensures stable fitting of the valve on the feed tube or cock 5.This is the delivery valve with simple knuckle joint illustrated in fig.6.

[0007] The delivery valve with double knuckle joint as described in the Italian Patent n°1.236.136 and in the corresponding European Patent 0.431 235, features , between the two threaded locking rings 2,4, a sleeve 6 with two spherical heads 7,8 revolving in the two threaded locking rings 2,4. This delivery valve with double knuckle joint is shown in the figures 3, 4, and 5.

[0008] It is furthermore known that the body 1 of the delivery valve may be axially moved upwards and downwards (arrows F, F') to vary the water jet and in particular, a compact jet 10, as shown in fig.4 will be obtained when the valve body 1 is pushed up (arrow F), whereas a shower type jet 9 is obtained as shown in Fig.3, when the valve body is pushed down.

[0009] According to this invention, grasping and handling of the delivery valve body as well as adjustment of its external aspect is facilitated by a ring 11 having an appropriate external shape, such as for instance a trapezoid as shown for exemplification in the enclosed drawings, while its inner wall is step-shaped 12, matching the external shapings of the valve body 1, so that this ring can be stably mounted or removed by snap-coupling of the faying surfaces of the ring 11 and the valve body 1.

[0010] As already explained, Fig.3 shows a lateral view and partial section of the delivery valve with the ring 11 mounted on the valve body 1 according to the invention, where the valve body is raised to form a compact jet 10. The same delivery valve is partially shown in fig. 4, but with lowered body 1 to form a shower 9. Fig. 5 shows the double knuckle jointed delivery valve of fig.4 with sidewise diflected body, whereas Fig.6 shows a simple knuckled delivery valve.

[0011] According to this invention, it follows that the new ring 11 that can be snap mounted on and removed from the various types of delivery valve bodies as exemplified in the enclosed drawings, will ensure an easier handling and adjustment of the delivery valve in its various functions as jet deflector and aerator-shower.

Claims

1. Control ring for deflection and adjustment of the jet from a delivery valve consisting of a valve body (1) axially movable to change the shape of the water jet, a lower threaded locking ring (2) screwed on the valve body (1), a sleeve with simple spherical head (3) or with double spherical head (7,8) acting as a knucle joint for deflection of the valve body (1) and of the water jet, the sleeve being fixed onto an upper threaded locking ring (4) by which the delivery valve is coupled to the feed pipe or cock (5), characterized in that a properly shaped ring (11), with steps (12) shaped on the inner wall of the ring (11) matching the shapings on te outer surface of the valve body (1) so that this ring (11) can be stably fitted on or removed from the valve body (1) by snap-connection of the faying surfaces of the ring (11) and of the delivery valve body (1), thus facilitating handling and adjustment of the delivery valve both for jet deflection by means of the simple or double knuckle and for variation of the water flowing from the delivery valve in a solid jet (10) or as a shower jet (9) or vice-versa

2. Control ring as described in claim 1, characterized in that the ring may have any kind of external configuration, such as for example a trapezoid configuration.

Drawing