BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a removable device for opening and closing sanitary
fitting outlets.
[0002] Plugs for washbasins, path tubs, bidets and so on, comprising a mushroom element
which can be driven from outside by a lever system are already known.
[0003] Prior driving device for driving prior plugs are usually affected by the drawback
that they require a perfect calibrating and a continuous adjustment since, because
of corrosion phenomena, scales and other drawbacks, said plugs are not adapted to
provide a perfect closure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] Accordingly, the aim of the present invention is to provide a device for opening
and closing a plug for sanitary fittings, which is improved with respect to prior
like devices.
[0005] Within the scope of the above mentioned aim, a main object of the present invention
is to provide such device for opening and closing a plug for sanitary fittings which
can be easily and quickly operated and which, moreover, does not require complex and
unaesthetic linking systems.
[0006] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide such a device which can
be easily applied to existing sanitary fittings.
[0007] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide such a device which is
operatively very efficient, without requiring maintenance or servicing operations.
[0008] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide such a device for opening
and closing sanitary fitting outlets, which can be easily assembled and removed and
which, accordingly, allows the sanitary fitting outlet to be quickly and easily cleaned
and serviced-inspected.
[0009] 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 removable device for opening and closing sanitary fitting outlets, comprising
a plug including an opening and closing mechanism and adapted to be connected to a
drain assembly rigid with an outlet hole of a sanitary fitting, characterized in that
said plug and opening and closing mechanism are coupled to said drain assembly by
a coupling ring.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] 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 an exploded perspective view of the closing and opening device according
to the present invention;
Figure 2 is a further perspective view of that same closing and opening device, being
shown in an assembled condition thereof;
Figure 3 is a cross-sectioned elevation view of the device and an outlet, with a related
drain assembly, to which said device can be applied;
Figure 4 is a partially cross-sectioned elevation view illustrating the subject device
applied to the outlet and in a closure or closing position thereof;
Figure 5 is a partially cross-sectioned elevation view illustrating the subject device
applied to the outlet and in an opening position thereof.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0011] With reference to the number references of the above mentioned figures, the device
according to the present invention comprises a plug 1, on which a gasket 2 is assembled,
and a ring 4, to be affixed to the thread 3 of the plug opening and closing mechanism.
[0012] The ring 4 operates as a filter and seat for arranging the mechanism on the drain
assembly 5.
[0013] In particular, the mechanism can be arranged in the drain assembly by merely causing
it to bear on said drain assembly, without other operations.
[0014] Likewise, for removing the opening and closing mechanism, it is sufficient to raise
it.
[0015] More specifically, the opening and closing mechanism can be made of any types of
opening and closing mechanism, for example of the type constituting the subject matter
of another patent application in the name of the same Applicant and comprising a movable
part designed for connecting to the plug and slidably engaged with a fixed part which,
in turn, can be assembled on the drain assembly associated with the outlet.
[0016] More particularly, said opening and closing mechanism comprises means which can be
rotatively and translatorily displaced, operating against a respective elastic means,
thereby allowing the plug to be displaced from an open or raised position to a closed
or lowered position, by pressing on said plug.
[0017] The ring 4, allowing the opening and closing mechanism to be coupled to the drain
assembly, comprises radially extending fins, and a water passage free region; the
drain assembly 5, in turn, comprising a seat or recess for housing the device therein.
[0018] The device according to the present invention operates as thereinbelow disclosed.
[0019] The drain assembly 5 is assembled on the outlet hole of a sanitary fitting 6, and
the subject device is arranged in said drain assembly 5.
[0020] At a closure position, as shown in figure 4, the device has its gasket 2 in contact
with the frustum of cone shaped wall of the drain assembly 5 thereby preventing water
from flowing therethrough.
[0021] By pressing on the plug, said gasket 2 will be brought to a raised position.
[0022] In particular, said gasket will be disengaged from the drain assembly thereby allowing
water A to pass therethrough and being discharged, as is clearly shown in figure 5.
[0023] The device can be easily removed for cleaning it and for inspecting the outlet, if
desired or required.
[0024] It has been found that the invention fully achieves the intended aim and objects.
[0025] In fact, the invention provides a device for opening and closing sanitary fitting
outlets, which can be easily assembled and removed, thereby allowing it to be quickly
cleaned.
[0026] In practicing the invention, the used materials, as well as the contingent size and
shapes, can be any, according to requirements and the status of the art.
1. A removable device for opening and closing an outlet of a sanitary fitting, comprising
a plug including an opening and closing mechanism and adapted to be coupled to a drain
assembly rigid with an outlet hole of a sanitary fitting, characterized in that said plug and opening and closing mechanism are coupled to said drain assembly by
a coupling ring.
2. A device, according to claim 1, characterized in that a sealing gasket is assembled on said plug.
3. A device, according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said coupling ring is fixed to a thread included in the opening and closing mechanism,
and is adapted to operate as a filter and a locating recess for arranging said opening
and closing mechanism on said drain assembly.
4. A device, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said device is arranged into said drain assembly by merely bearing said device on
said drain assembly, without other coupling operations, and, likewise, said opening
and closing mechanism being adapted to be removed by merely raising it.
5. A device, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said opening and closing mechanism comprises a movable part, to be coupled to said
plug and slidably engaging with a fixed part, in turn adapted to be mounted on said
drain assembly associated with the outlet, said opening and closing mechanism comprising
moreover means adapted to be driven with a rotary-translatory movement and operating
against an elastic means thereby allowing said plug to be displaced from an open position,
or raised position thereof, to a closed or lowered position thereof, by pressing on
said plug.
6. A device, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said coupling ring comprises radially extending fins and a free region for allowing
water to pass therethrough, said drain assembly including a seat for housing said
device therein.
7. A device, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said drain assembly is adapted to be mounted on an outlet hole of a sanitary fitting
and said device being arranged in said drain assembly; in a closure or closing position
thereof, said device having its gasket contacting a frustum of cone shaped wall of
said drain assembly and preventing water from passing therethrough; by pressing on
said plug, said gasket being raised thereby said gasket is disengaged from said drain
assembly to allow water to pass therethrough and to be discharged therefrom.
8. A device, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said device is adapted to be easily removed to clean it and to inspect the outlet
thereof.
9. A device, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said device comprises one or more of the disclosed and/or illustrated characteristics.