[0001] This invention relates to a fitting device for taps, which permits fitting of the
tap to a base surface from the upper part of said base.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Currently existing systems for fitting taps including means for securing the tap
body to a base surface. Said securing means have the main disadvantage of being accessible
only from the lower part by means of a suitable tool. In consequence, fitting the
taps is a very uncomfortable task for fitters.
[0003] An objective of this invention is therefore to achieve a fitting device for taps
that can be used comfortably and easily by tap fitters, in which fitting can be carried
out by means of a suitable tool by gaining access to the fitting device from the upper
part of the tap body.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The fitting device of the invention manages to resolve the aforesaid disadvantages,
while presenting other advantages which will be described.
[0005] The tap fitting device of this invention is characterised in that said means of fixing
the tap body to a base surface are made up of a pair of swivelling bodies that can
be moved over the length of a threaded stem, and are able to swivel between a substantially
vertical position and a substantially horizontal position, said threaded stem being
provided with an upper recess to make the stem rotate in relation to the tap body
using a suitable tool, with access to that recess being possible through an orifice
provided in the upper part of said tap body.
[0006] Thanks to this characteristic, the tap can be fitted from its upper part, which is
much more comfortable for the tap fitter. Moreover, thanks to the presence of the
two swivelling bodies, locking of the tap body into position is ensured once it has
passed through the orifice of the base surface, when the threaded stem is made to
rotate.
[0007] Advantageously, said swivelling bodies can have associated elastic means that exercise
pressure to force them to take up their substantially horizontal position.
[0008] Preferably, said means for fixing the fitting device to the tap body are made up
of a nut which is housed in a complementary orifice of the tap body.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] For a better understanding of all that has been outlined, some drawings are attached
which, schematically and solely by way of non-restrictive example, show a practical
case of embodiment.
[0010] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the fitting device of this invention.
[0011] Figure 2 is an elevation view of the tap body with the fitting device of this invention
in a position prior to fitting; and
[0012] Figure 3 is an elevation view similar to that of Figure 2, with the tap body fitted
onto a base surface.
DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0013] As Figure 1 shows, the fitting device of this invention, marked in general with number
reference 1, includes a threaded stem 2, a pair of swivelling bodies 3 that move along
it, and a nut 4 fitted onto the upper part of said stem 2.
[0014] On the upper part of said stem 2 there is a recess 5 suitable for insertion of a
tool.
[0015] The swivelling bodies 3 can swivel between a substantially vertical position and
a substantially horizontal position, while said swivelling bodies 3 have associated
elastic means (not shown in the figures) to force said bodies 3 to adopt their substantially
horizontal position.
[0016] For fitting of the tap body 6 onto a base surface, such as a washbasin or a bath,
the nut 4 has firstly to be housed in a complementary cavity provided in the tap body
6, leaving the nut 4 blocked in this position. As the nut 4 is placed on the upper
part of the threaded stem 2, the stem will be fitted onto the tap body 6.
[0017] The next step will be to place the swivelling bodies 3 in their substantially vertical
position (shown in Figure 2). They can be placed thus manually, for due to the action
of the elastic means said bodies 3 will be in their substantially horizontal position.
[0018] Thanks to adoption of this position, the swivelling bodies 3 and the lower part of
the stem 2 will be able to pass through the orifice provided in the base surface (Figure
2).
[0019] Once the swivelling bodies 3 have passed through the hole of the base surface 7,
they will take up their substantially horizontal position due to the effect of gravity
and thanks to the action of the elastic means.
[0020] When the swivelling bodies 3 are in their substantially horizontal position (Figure
3), the recess 5 must be accessed in order to make the threaded stem 2 rotate by means
of a suitable tool. Access to the recess will be had from the upper part of the tap
body 6 through an orifice 8 provided in it.
[0021] Fitting of the tap will thus be much more comfortable than if the fitting device
had to reached from is lower part.
[0022] Despite the fact that reference has been made to one specific embodiment of the invention,
it will be obvious to a person skilled in the art that the fitting device described
allows of many variations and modifications, and that all the details mentioned may
be replaced by others that are technically equivalent, without departing from the
scope of protection defined by the attached claims.
1. Fitting device for taps, which includes means for fixing it to the tap body (6) and
means for fixing the position of the tap body (6) to a base surface (7), characterised in that said means of fixing the tap body (6) to a base surface (7) are made up of a pair
of swivelling bodies (3) that can be moved over the length of a threaded stem (2),
and are able to swivel between a substantially vertical position and a substantially
horizontal position, said threaded stem (2) being provided with an upper recess (5)
to make the stem rotate in relation to tap body (6) using a suitable tool, with access
to that recess being possible through an orifice (8) provided in the upper part of
said tap body (6).
2. Fitting device as claimed in Claim 1, characterised in that said swivelling means (3) have associated elastic means that exercise pressure to
force them to take up their substantially horizontal position.
3. Fitting device as claimed in Claim 1, characterised in that said means for fixing the fitting device (1) to the tap body (6) are made up of a
nut (4) which is inserted into a complementary orifice of the tap body (6).