SPACE-SAVING SIPHON, PARTICULARLY OF THE TYPE ALLOWING EASIER INSPECTION

Abstract

 A space-saving siphon (1), particularly of the type allowing easier inspection, characterized in that it comprises:
- a first part (2), which is shaped to be installed between a vertical drainpipe and a horizontal drainpipe (3) and is provided with an opening (4) formed on the opposite side with respect to the vertical drainpipe;
- a second part (5), which is cup-shaped and associated hermetically and removably with the first part (2) at its open portion and at the opening (4) of the first part (2) by virtue of quick release and coupling means (6) which can be operated independently of the movement of the second part (5) for the facilitated removal or installation thereof with respect to the first part (2) at least in a substantially horizontal direction.
In greater detail, the first part (2) forms a first siphoning pipe (7), which can be coupled on the vertical drainpipe, and a first siphoning chamber (8), which is hydraulically separate and external with respect to the first siphoning pipe (7) and blends with the horizontal drainpipe (3), while the second part (5) comprises within it a second siphoning pipe (9) which is associable with the first siphoning pipe (7) and communicates, at the bottom of the second part (5), with a second siphoning chamber (10), which is external to the second siphoning pipe (9) and associable with the first siphoning chamber (8). The siphoning pipes (7, 9) and the siphoning chambers (8, 10) communicate in pairs with each other at the opening (4).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a space-saving siphon, particularly of the type allowing easier inspection.

[0002] In the plumbing field, the use of so-called "space-saving" siphons, used particularly in newly designed bathrooms characterized by wall-mounted structures with storage drawers, is well known.

[0003] The concept of a space-saving siphon, which has a structure that lies adjacent to the wall, arises from the need to optimize the space below the washbasin, in order to make the best use of the available space while avoiding shaping the drawers of the structure with hollows or recesses adapted to leave the space necessary for the siphon of the traditional type.

[0004] Such space-saving siphons of the known type are not without drawbacks, among which one must count the fact that they entail a certain complexity in terms of maintenance and periodic cleaning of the siphon itself.

[0005] In fact, inspection, when necessary, can only be performed by accessing the body of the siphon, that due to the placement and/or the presence of furniture and drawers, is limited or difficult to perform.

[0006] Typically, space-saving siphons of the known type, which have a similar design to traditional siphons, have an inspection cap, normally screwed on, under the body of the siphon itself.

[0007] In these cases, in order to carry out maintenance it is necessary to place a container below the cap, so as to be able to collect the water contained in the siphon, which leaks from it once the cap is removed.

[0008] However, due to the placement of the siphon and/or the presence of furniture and drawers, it is difficult to be able to unscrew the cap, and at the same time there is a physical lack of space for the placement of the aforementioned container.

[0009] Moreover, assuming that one succeeds in the above-cited operations, in any case inspection is not easy and once the cap has been removed it is not possible to directly access the drain or completely inspect the siphon except by disassembling the pipes and the siphon itself.

[0010] To overcome these problems, advanced space-saving siphons have been provided in which the inspection cap is the siphon trap, which can be separated from the fixed part so that the water can be contained.

[0011] However, even for these advanced space-saving siphons there is the need to slide the trap downward to free it from the inner vertical pipe that creates the siphoning.

[0012] This movement compromises their use when the base of the piece of furniture is adjacent to the drain.

[0013] A further evolution of space-saving siphons consists in placing the inspection cap in a frontal position, making it easier to disassemble the cap but not solving the problem of water spillage, access to the drain, and siphon cleaning.

[0014] Moreover, this type of solution necessarily increases the space occupation between the drain hole and the bottom of the siphon, reducing installation options due to the presence of the base of the piece of furniture.

[0015] Similarly, other types of siphons also have the need to disassemble the piping in order to be able to access the drain and clean the siphon.

[0016] Another drawback of space-saving siphons of the known type is that, even though these operations are rather simple and within the user's reach, they often can create difficulties and obstacles, also due to the placement itself of the product, limiting proper maintenance of the product.

[0017] The aim of the present invention is to provide a space-saving siphon, particularly of the type allowing easier inspection, capable of obviating the drawbacks noted above.

[0018] Within this aim, an object of the present invention is to provide a space-saving siphon that simplifies and facilitates inspection operations.

[0019] Another object of the present invention is to provide a space-saving siphon that does not require usable space below it for the removal of the siphoning trap.

[0020] A further object of the present invention is to provide a space-saving siphon that allows removal of the siphoning trap without requiring the aid of containers to be placed below said trap to collecting the water that flows out of the disassembled siphoning trap.

[0021] Another object of the present invention is to provide a space-saving siphon that is constructively simple.

[0022] A further object of the present invention is to provide a space-saving siphon that gives the greatest assurances of reliability, efficiencies and operation.

[0023] This aim, as well as these and other objects that will become better apparent hereinafter, are achieved by a space-saving siphon, particularly of the type allowing easier inspection, characterized in that it comprises:

• a first part, which is shaped to be installed between a vertical drainpipe and a horizontal drainpipe and is provided with an opening formed on the opposite side with respect to said vertical drainpipe;
• a second part, which is cup-shaped and associated hermetically and removably with said first part at its open portion and at said opening by virtue of quick release and coupling means which can be operated independently of the movement of said second part for the facilitated removal or installation of said second part with respect to said first part at least in a substantially horizontal direction;

said first part forming a first siphoning pipe, which can be coupled on said vertical drainpipe, and a first siphoning chamber, which is hydraulically separate and external with respect to said first siphoning pipe and blends with said horizontal drainpipe, and said second part comprising within it a second siphoning pipe which is associable with said first siphoning pipe and communicates, at the bottom of said second part, with a second siphoning chamber, which is external to said second siphoning pipe and associable with said first siphoning chamber; said siphoning pipes and said siphoning chambers communicating in pairs with each other at said opening.

[0024] Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become better apparent from the description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of a space-saving siphon, particularly of the type allowing easier inspection, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a partially exploded front perspective view of the space-saving siphon according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a partially exploded rear perspective view of the space-saving siphon shown in Figure 1;

Figures 3 to 5 are three front perspective views of the space-saving siphon shown in the preceding figures and show sequentially the steps of removing the siphon trap.

[0025] With reference to the cited figures, the space-saving siphon, particularly of the type allowing easier inspection, generally designated by the reference numeral 1, comprises:

• a first part 2, which is shaped to be installed between a vertical drainpipe, not shown for the sake of simplicity in illustration, and a horizontal drainpipe 3, and is provided with an opening 4 formed on the opposite side with respect to the vertical drainpipe;
• a second part 5, which is cup-shaped and associated hermetically and removably with the first part 2 at its open portion and at the opening 4 by virtue of quick release and coupling means 6 which can be operated independently of the movement of the second part 5 for the facilitated removal or installation of the latter with respect to the first part 2 at least in a substantially horizontal direction.

[0026] In greater detail, the first part 2, also termed "fixed" part, forms a first siphoning pipe 7, which can be coupled on the vertical drainpipe, and a first siphoning chamber 8, which is hydraulically separate and external with respect to the first siphoning pipe 7 and blends with said horizontal drainpipe.

[0027] As regards the second part 5, also termed "movable" part, it comprises within it a second siphoning pipe 9 which is associable with the first siphoning pipe 7 and communicates, at the bottom of the second part 5, with a second siphoning chamber 10, which is external to the second siphoning pipe 9 and associable with the first siphoning chamber 8.

[0028] As will be better described hereinafter, the siphoning pipes 7 and 9 and the siphoning chambers 8 and 10 communicate in pairs with each other at the opening 4.

[0029] Advantageously, the quick release and coupling means 6 comprise at least two clips 11 which are integral with the first part 2, are located at two mutually opposite walls of the first part 2, and are selectively engageable with the protruding part 17 of the rim 12 of the second part 5.

[0030] Conveniently, a sealing gasket 13 is provided between the parts 2 and 5, contoured so as to adhere along the entire perimeter of the rim 12 and having at least two holes 14 and 15, which correspond, respectively, to the mating ends of the siphoning pipes 7 and 8 and siphoning chambers 8 and 10 so as to prevent water leakage, at the opening 4, out of the space-saving trap 1 and between the siphoning pipes 7 and 8 and the siphoning chambers 8 and 10.

[0031] Finally, for the purpose of allowing proper operation of the siphoning trap, the second siphoning pipe 9 is removably associated with the second part 5 by means of a guided coupling 16 in a direction which is normal to the rim 12 and such as to space it from the bottom of the second part 5.

[0032] The operation of the space-saving siphon 1 according to the present invention can be deduced easily from what has been described so far.

[0033] With reference to Figures 3 to 5, by acting on the clips 11 it is possible to disengage the movable part 5 from the fixed part 2 so as to move it transversely and proceed with the inspection, maintenance and cleaning operations, as well as the extraction of the second siphoning pipe 9.

[0034] Conversely, with a maneuver which is the reverse of the one just described, the space-saving siphon 1 can be reassembled.

[0035] In practice it has been found that the siphon according to the present invention achieves the intended aim and objects, since the siphoning trap can be easily removed thanks to the introduction of a quick, easy and intuitive coupling system, which allows easy removal and repositioning thereof.

[0036] Another advantage of the siphon according to the present invention is that during the step of positioning or removing the siphoning trap, the latter can be moved laterally without requiring additional space below the bottom of the siphon and avoiding the spillage of water since it remains contained in the trap itself.

[0037] A further advantage of the siphon according to the present invention resides in that once the parts are disassembled, they can be separated and thus the siphon can be completely cleaned.

[0038] Another advantage of the siphon according to the present invention resides in that by removing the siphon body, the drain can be accessed directly without having to disassemble the overlying pipes.

[0039] Another advantage of the siphon according to the present invention resides in that the overall space occupation of the siphon is minimized to achieve the hydraulic tightness required by industry standards (EN274, 50mm.) and a proper drain flow rate.

[0040] Another advantage of the siphon according to the present invention resides in that the reduction of the space occupation allows its almost unlimited installation even in the presence of wall-mounted furniture with bases adjacent to the drain.

[0041] The siphon thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims.

[0042] All the details may furthermore be replaced with other technically equivalent elements.

[0043] In practice, the materials used, so long as they are compatible with the specific use, as well as the contingent shapes and dimensions, may be any according to the requirements and the state of the art.

[0044] The disclosures in Italian Patent Application No. 102023000025758 from which this application claims priority are incorporated herein by reference.

[0045] 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 space-saving siphon (1), particularly of the type allowing easier inspection, characterized in that it comprises:

- a first part (2), which is shaped to be installed between a vertical drainpipe and a horizontal drainpipe (3) and is provided with an opening (4) formed on the opposite side with respect to said vertical drainpipe;

- a second part (5), which is cup-shaped and associated hermetically and removably with said first part (2) at its open portion and at said opening (4) by virtue of quick release and coupling means (6) which can be operated independently of the movement of said second part (5) for the facilitated removal or installation of said second part (5) with respect to said first part (2) at least in a substantially horizontal direction;

said first part (2) forming a first siphoning pipe (7), which can be coupled on said vertical drainpipe, and a first siphoning chamber (8), which is hydraulically separate and external with respect to said first siphoning pipe (7) and blends with said horizontal drainpipe (3), and said second part (5) comprising within it a second siphoning pipe (9) which is associable with said first siphoning pipe (7) and communicates, at the bottom of said second part (5), with a second siphoning chamber (10), which is external to said second siphoning pipe (9) and associable with said first siphoning chamber (8); said siphoning pipes (7, 9) and said siphoning chambers (8, 10) communicating in pairs with each other at said opening (4).

2. The space-saving siphon (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said quick release and coupling means (6) comprise at least two clips (11) which are integral with said first part (2) and can selectively engage the protruding part (17) of the rim (12) of said second part (5).

3. The space-saving siphon (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that said clips (11) are located at two mutually opposite walls of said first part (2).

4. The space-saving siphon (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a sealing gasket (13), which is interposed between said parts (2, 5), is contoured so as to adhere along all of the perimeter of said rim (12) and is provided with at least two holes (14, 15), which correspond respectively to the mating ends of said siphoning pipes (7, 9) and said siphoning chambers (8, 10), so as to prevent the leakage of water, at said opening (4), out of said siphon (1) and between said siphoning pipes (7, 9) and said siphoning chambers (8, 10).

5. The space-saving siphon (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said second siphoning pipe (9) is removably associated with said second part (5) by means of a guided coupling (16) according to a direction that is normal with respect to said rim (12).

Drawing