UNIVERSAL DRAIN FOR SANITARY DEVICES

Abstract

 A universal drain (10) for a hygienic/sanitary device (100), comprising: a first half-body (20), designed to be positioned at an inlet of a drain hole (101) of the hygienic/sanitary device, the first half-body (20) having a first central hole (22); and a second half-body (30), designed to be positioned at an outlet of the drain hole (101), the second half-body (30) having a second central hole (32), the second half-body (30) being connected to the first half-body (20) by means of a connecting element (40) which extends axially through the first central hole (22) and the second central hole (32), each half-body (20, 30) being provided with peripheral openings (24, 34) which are designed to drain a liquid downstream of the respective half-body (20, 30), the connecting element (40) has a third central hole (42), the connecting element (40) being designed to connect a closure plug (50) to the universal drain based on an insertion of a stem (52) of the closure plug (50) into the third central hole (42).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a universal drain. The drain according to the invention is particularly useful and practical in the sector of hygienic/sanitary devices (briefly: "sanitary fixtures") such as washbasins, bidets or the like.

[0002] As is known, a "drain outlet" (briefly: "drain") is a device that is adapted to connect a sanitary fixture to a trap arranged downstream of that sanitary fixture. Typically, any drain comprises a head portion, adapted to be positioned at the inlet of a drain hole of the sanitary fixture, and a bottom portion, adapted to be positioned at the outlet of that same drain hole.

[0003] In drains of the "universal" type (briefly: "universal drains"), the head portion belongs to a first half body, while the bottom portion belongs to a second half body. When a universal drain is arranged vertically, the first half-body constitutes an upper half body, while the second half-body constitutes a lower half body.

[0004] During the installation of a universal drain in the respective sanitary fixture, the two half-bodies are first positioned so as to arrange the head portion and the bottom portion in their set positions. Then, the two half-bodies are connected to each other, by way of a central fixing screw. The drain is then fixed to the trap, which in turn is connected to a drainage pipe protruding from the wall against which the sanitary fixture is placed.

[0005] Furthermore, a closure plug (briefly: "plug") is typically accommodated inside each drain, and makes it possible to prevent the passage of liquid from the sanitary fixture to the trap, thus making it possible, when the plug is closed, to fill the basin of the sanitary fixture with this liquid.

[0006] Although they offer advantages such as, for example, the fact that they can be applied to a wide range of sanitary fixtures, conventional universal drains are not devoid of drawbacks.

[0007] A first drawback consists in the fact that the presence of the fixing screw means that a quick coupling mechanism cannot be used to couple the plug to the respective drain. For example, conventional universal drains are not adapted to engage plugs like the one shown in the figures of Italian patent no. 102019000003369, in the name of this same applicant.

[0008] As a consequence, in conventional universal drains, the plug is typically screwed to the first half body, by way of an adapted system of threading. Typically, the threading of the plug is made of plastic, while the threading of the first half-body is made of metal, in particular brass.

[0009] A second drawback consists in the fact that screwing in the plug entails the presence of a threaded coupling that does not allow a cover of the plug to be oriented with respect to the geometry of the basin of the sanitary fixture. But in some cases, the cover has a non-cylindrical (for example, square, rectangular, trapezoidal) geometric shape, which needs to be aligned with a surface of the basin.

[0010] A third drawback consists in the fact that, in closure systems fitted with conventional universal drains, installation of the plug entails a high risk of assembly errors on the part of a technician, in particular during maintenance. For example, when the technician screws in the plug, the difference in material between the threading of the plug and the threading of the first half-body can facilitate a misalignment between the threading of the plug and the threading of the first half body. In turn, this misalignment can entail an anomalous inclination of the cover, preventing the plug from providing a seal and, therefore, from ensuring a hydraulic closure. In any case, maintaining control of the orientation of the plug during the step of screwing requires exceptional manual dexterity and expertise on the part of the technician. Furthermore, if a logo is provided on the cover, determining the correct positioning of the cover can be an extremely complex matter.

[0011] The aim of the present invention is to overcome the limitations of the known art described above, by devising a universal drain that has superior versatility and practicality.

[0012] Within this aim, an object of the present invention is to conceive of a universal drain that is adapted to engage a plug fitted with a quick coupling mechanism.

[0013] Another object of the present invention is to conceive a universal drain that can make the installation of a plug simpler, more effective and safer.

[0014] Another object of the present invention is to provide a universal drain that is capable of simplifying the installation of a pressure-operated plug.

[0015] Another object of the present invention is to conceive a universal drain that is capable of reducing the risk of assembly errors during installation of a plug.

[0016] Another object of the present invention is to provide a universal drain that is capable of reducing the risk, during installation of the plug, that the drain could cause an unwanted inclination of the plug.

[0017] Another object of the present invention is to provide a universal drain that can be used on any existing type of hygienic/sanitary device.

[0018] Another object of the present invention is to provide a universal drain that is highly reliable, easily and practically implemented, and economically competitive when compared to the known art.

[0019] This aim and these and other objects which will become better apparent hereinafter are achieved by a universal drain according to claim 1.

[0020] The above aim and this and other objects that will become more apparent hereinafter are also achieved by a closure system according to the independent claim 6, as well as by a hygienic/sanitary device according to the independent claim 10.

[0021] Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become better apparent from the description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of the universal drain according to the invention, illustrated by way of non-limiting example with the aid of the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a closure system that comprises a universal drain according to the invention;

Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the closure system of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a side view of the closure system of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view taken along the plane IV-IV of the drain of the closure system of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a cutaway view of a hygienic/sanitary device that comprises the drain of the closure system of Figure 3.

[0022] With reference to the figures, a universal drain according to the present invention, generally designated by the reference numeral 10, comprises a first half-body 20, a second half-body 30, and a connecting element 40.

[0023] The universal drain 10 constitutes a self-contained unit. In other embodiments, the universal drain 10 is part of a closure system 80 that (in addition to the universal drain 10) further comprises a plug 50. When either the universal drain 10 on its own, or the closure system 80 in its entirety, is installed in a hygienic/sanitary device 100, the hygienic/sanitary device 100 can be considered as comprising the universal drain 10.

[0024] The first half-body 20 is adapted to be positioned at the inlet of a drain hole 101 of the hygienic/sanitary device 100. By contrast, the second half-body 30 is adapted to be positioned at the outlet of the drain hole 101. For example, in Figure 5, the first half-body 20 is accommodated in an inlet portion 103 of the drain hole 101; by contrast, the second half-body 30 is arranged adjacent to an outlet portion 105 of the drain hole 101, so as to be located immediately downstream of the inlet portion 105.

[0025] The first half-body 20 has a first central hole 22, while the second half-body 30 has a second central hole 32. In other words, each half-body 20, 30 has a respective central hole 22, 32.

[0026] Furthermore, each half-body 20, 30 is provided with peripheral openings 24, 34.

[0027] The peripheral openings 24, 34 are designed to drain a liquid downstream of the respective half-body 20, 30.

[0028] Basically, in the figures, each peripheral opening 24 forms a passage for fluid through the first half-body 20, while each peripheral opening 34 forms a passage for fluid through the second half-body 30.

[0029] In the preferred and illustrated embodiment, the peripheral openings 24 of the first half-body 20 are arranged peripherally with respect to the first central hole 22. By contrast, the peripheral openings 34 of the second half-body 30 are arranged peripherally with respect to the second central hole 32.

[0030] The second half-body 30 is connected to the first half-body 20, by way of a connecting element 40.

[0031] Preferably, an external threading 46 of the connecting element 40 engages an internal threading 38 of the second central hole 32. In this manner, the connecting element 40 makes it possible to connect the second half-body 30 to the first half-body 20 in a simple and effective manner.

[0032] The connecting element 40 extends axially through the first central hole 22 and the second central hole 32. In other words, the connecting element 40 has an axial extension, and extends from one half-body to the other by passing through the two central holes 22, 32 mentioned above.

[0033] The connecting element 40 has its own central hole 42, referred to below as "third central hole".

[0034] Furthermore, the connecting element 40 is designed to connect a plug 50 to the universal drain 10 based on an insertion of part of that plug 50 into the third central hole 42. In other words, the third central hole 42 is shaped to be engaged, occupied or passed through by the plug 50 in order to connect that plug 50 to the universal drain 10.

[0035] In turn, the plug 50 is shaped to mate with the universal drain 10 in a condition of use in which at least part of a stem 52 of that plug 50 engages the third central hole 42, for example in the manner shown in Figure 4.

[0036] Basically, in Figure 1, the plug 50 can be coupled to the universal drain 10 by inserting the stem 52 (or at least part of it) into the third central hole 42.

[0037] As a consequence, the third central hole 42 makes it possible to use the connecting element 40 not only to connect the two half-bodies 20 and 30 together, but also to connect the plug 50 to the universal drain 10.

[0038] The presence of the third central hole 42 is particularly useful and practical for applying plugs with a quick coupling mechanism to the universal drain 10.

[0039] Preferably, the third central hole 42 has no threading. In this manner, installation of the plug 50 can occur in a simple, effective and safe manner, so avoiding the risks deriving from a threaded coupling between plug and drain.

[0040] In the preferred and illustrated embodiments, the connecting element 40 is a drilled screw.

[0041] In particular, the third central hole 42 extends axially, starting from a head portion 44 of the connecting element 40.

[0042] Basically, in the figures, the connecting element 40 differs from the typical central fixing screws discussed above in that they are perforated in the middle, along an axial direction.

[0043] Preferably, the head portion 44 has a greater transverse footprint than the first central hole 22. For example, in the mentioned figures, the first central hole 22 has a smaller diameter than the transverse footprint of the head portion 44. In this manner, the head portion 44 prevents the connecting element 40 from ending up further downstream with respect to the first central hole 22. This aspect is particularly useful and practical during installation of the plug 50.

[0044] In some variations of embodiment, which are simpler to implement, the third central hole 42 is a dead hole. In alternative variations of embodiment, the third central hole 42 is a through hole. Using a through central hole 42 makes it possible to obtain a connecting element 40 that is particularly light.

[0045] In some preferred embodiments, the plug 50 has a quick coupling mechanism.

[0046] In the context of the present description, "quick coupling mechanism" means a mechanism that is adapted to fix the plug 50 to the universal drain 10 based on a mere axial sliding of the plug 50, i.e., based on a translational motion that does not involve any rotation of the plug 50. For example, a snap-acting mechanism can be considered a "quick coupling mechanism". By contrast, coupling mechanisms where the operation is based on a threaded coupling cannot be considered "quick coupling mechanisms".

[0047] In the preferred and illustrated embodiments, the quick coupling mechanism is constituted by the stem 52 which has an end portion 54.

[0048] In particular, the stem 52 is designed to engage the third central hole 42.

[0049] Preferably, the stem 52 extends in the direction of the end portion 54 starting from a root portion 56. In turn, the root portion 56 has a transverse footprint that is greater than both the third central hole 42 and the end portion 54.

[0050] In particular, the root portion 56 is designed to come into abutment against the head portion 44.

[0051] Basically, when the plug 50 is inserted into the third central hole 42, the root portion 56 acts as a stroke limit.

[0052] Preferably, the plug 50 is a pressure-operated plug.

[0053] In the context of the present description, "pressure-operated plug" means a plug that is configured to be opened and closed, selectively, based on the application of pressure to the cover of the plug. In the mentioned figures, the cover of the plug 50 is indicated by the reference numeral 58.

[0054] Basically, each pressure-operated plug has an opening and closing device that, by way of a "click-clack" movement, allows the plug to be pressed downward to close the drain hole 101 of the sanitary fixture 100, and it can be pressed downward again in order to reopen the drain hole 101.

[0055] In some preferred embodiments, the closure system 80 can further comprise one or more gaskets adapted to be interposed between the universal drain 10 and the sanitary fixture 100.

[0056] In particular, the closure system 80 can further comprise a gasket 60, adapted to be interposed between a flange 26 of the first half-body 20 and the drain hole 101. In addition, the closure system 80 can further comprise a gasket 70, adapted to be interposed between a flange 36 of the second half-body 30 and the drain hole 101.

[0057] The presence of one or more gaskets like those discussed above makes it possible to obtain a perfect seal between the bottom of the sanitary fixture 100 and the universal drain 10.

[0058] In practice it has been found that the universal drain according to the present invention fully achieves the set aim and objects, in that it makes it possible to overcome the qualitative limitations of the known art that were explained above.

[0059] The invention thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims.

[0060] Except where indicated otherwise, the various embodiments described above can be combined in order to provide further and/or alternative embodiments.

[0061] Moreover, all the details may be substituted by other, technically equivalent elements.

[0062] In practice the materials employed, provided they are compatible with the specific use, and the contingent dimensions and shapes, may be any according to requirements and to the state of the art.

[0063] The disclosures in Italian Patent Application No. 102023000025893 from which this application claims priority are incorporated herein by reference.

[0064] Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly, such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.

Claims

1. A universal drain (10) for a hygienic/sanitary device (100), comprising:

- a first half-body (20), designed to be positioned at an inlet of a drain hole (101) of said hygienic/sanitary device (100), said first half-body (20) having a first central hole (22); and

- a second half-body (30), designed to be positioned at an outlet of said drain hole (101), said second half-body (30) having a second central hole (32), said second half-body (30) being connected to said first half-body (20) by means of a connecting element (40) which extends axially through said first central hole (22) and said second central hole (32);

wherein each one of said first half-body (20) and said second half-body (30) is provided with peripheral openings (24, 34) which are designed to drain a liquid downstream of the respective half-body (20, 30);

characterized in that said connecting element (40) has a third central hole (42), said connecting element (40) being designed to connect a closure plug (50) to said universal drain (10) based on an insertion of a stem (52) of said closure plug (50) into said third central hole (42).

2. The universal drain (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that said third central hole (42) is not threaded.

3. The universal drain (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that said connecting element (40) is a drilled screw.

4. The universal drain (10) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said third central hole (42) extends axially from a head portion (44) of said connecting element (40), said head portion (44) having a larger transverse dimension than said first central hole (22).

5. The universal drain (10) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said third central hole (42) is a through hole.

6. A closure system (80) for a drain hole (101) of a hygienic/sanitary device (100), characterized in that said closure system (80) comprises:

- a universal drain (10) according to one or more of the preceding claims; and

- a closure plug (50), said closure plug (50) being shaped to mate with said universal drain (10) in a condition of use in which at least part of the stem (52) of said closure plug (50) engages the third central hole (42) of the connecting element (40) of said universal drain (10).

7. The closure system (80) according to claim 6, characterized in that said closure plug (50) has a quick coupling mechanism (52, 54).

8. The closure system (80) according to claim 7, characterized in that said quick coupling mechanism (52, 54) is constituted by the stem (52) which has an end portion (54), said stem (52) being designed to engage said third central hole (42).

9. The closure system (80) according to one or more of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that said closure plug (50) is a pressure-operated plug.

10. A hygienic/sanitary device (100) comprising a universal drain (10) according to on or more of claims 1 to 5.

Drawing