Tank filling device with telescoping faucet

Abstract

The invention relates to a filling device (1) intended to be installed on a toilet tank (2), the device (1) comprising a tap (3), the tap (3) comprising: - a main telescopic body (31) comprising a male part (311) and a female part (312) extending along a longitudinal axis X and movable in height on the male part (311), the female part (312) having a water channel, - an annular sealing gasket ensuring the seal between the male part (311) and the female part (312), the water channel being secant to the longitudinal axis X, and the annular sealing gasket is carried by the female part (312).

Description

[0001] The field of invention is that of the design and manufacture of sanitary equipment.

[0002] More specifically, the invention relates in particular to a device for filling a flush tank.

[0003] Toilet blocks generally include a bowl and a flush cistern above the bowl to allow the bowl to be rinsed and cleaned after use.

[0004] To do this, a user activates a flush trigger device which empties the tank, the water then being directed towards the bowl to flush out any material present and rinse it.

[0005] When the tank is empty, or almost empty, water is injected into the tank to fill it to a predetermined maximum level and thus allow a future flush.

[0006] For this, the tanks generally include a tap associated with an automatic shut-off mechanism to stop the flow of water when a maximum water level is reached.

[0007] The faucet is coupled directly or indirectly to a building's water pipe.

[0008] The shut-off mechanism generally comprises a float movable relative to the tap and associated with shut-off means.

[0009] When filling, the float, which floats on the surface of the water, rises with the water level and drives the shut-off means. When the water reaches its predetermined maximum level in the tank, the shut-off means completely shut off the water inlet.

[0010] Depending on certain needs, it may happen that a siphoning of a building's water network is carried out.

[0011] The water contained in the pipes is then sucked out.

[0012] During this suction, the water contained in the flush tank can be sucked up through the outlet pipe and discharged into the building's drinking water pipes through the water inlet pipe. In some cases, the water contained in the flush tanks can be mixed with chemicals such as detergents or household products, for example.

[0013] Also, when the water in the flush tank is mixed with a chemical, it becomes unfit for use.

[0014] However, during siphoning, the water is recovered and can, if necessary, be reinjected into the building's water pipes.

[0015] As a result, water containing chemicals that was previously in the flush tank can end up in pipes leading to drinking water points, such as kitchen sinks or bathroom sinks, or even shower fixtures.

[0016] Water, and especially the chemicals it carries, then presents a danger to users since it cannot be drunk and can even be toxic, or even harmful to health.

[0017] To avoid this, new standards and rules have emerged so that when siphoning occurs, the water in the flush tank cannot be sucked out.

[0018] To meet these new standards or rules, one solution used is to move the tap water outlet away from the maximum water level in the tank.

[0019] In other words, when the tank is full, a minimal air reserve is created below the lowest point of the faucet outlet.

[0020] For example, this air reserve measured in height can be of the order of 20 to 30mm.

[0021] So, depending on the different sizes of tanks available in the market, different sizes of taps need to be manufactured to match the set of available tanks.

[0022] This involves a multitude of taps to manufacture, which presents a cost for the manufacturer which is then passed on to the end buyer.

[0023] Furthermore, this creates too much choice for users who may then get lost and buy a tap that does not correspond to the model of tank they have. If the tap is incorrect, water from the tank can then be sucked up during siphoning and present a health risk if re-injected into the building's pipes.

[0024] Furthermore, other standards and / or rules must be respected by the taps to be placed on the market.

[0025] A first standard concerns the evacuation of an overflow of filling in the tank, this test being combined with the need for an air reserve so that when an overflow is present in the tank and cannot be evacuated, a siphon cannot suck up the water which may contain chemicals.

[0026] This test consists of checking the evacuation of excess water within a given time via an overflow pipe provided for this purpose in the tank.

[0027] In addition, another rule must be respected to allow a faucet to be placed on the market.

[0028] This rule concerns the absence of a moving seal along the tap below a critical water level allowed in the tank.

[0029] This permissible critical water level is measured from the bottom of the tank. At a minimum, the permissible critical level is equal to a safety margin measured from an upper end of the overflow discharge pipe, opposite the bottom of the tank.

[0030] Therefore, only seals that can only be used in one position, for example a seal located between an opening in the tank wall and the tap, are permitted.

[0031] This also means that a multitude of taps need to be manufactured to suit the different tank heights, which represents a cost for the manufacturer which is then passed on to the end buyer.

[0032] Furthermore, this also creates too much choice for users who can then get lost and buy a tap that does not correspond to the model of tank they have. In the event of a tap error, water from the tank can then be sucked up during siphoning and present a health risk if re-injected into the building's pipes.

[0033] In the field of the invention, patent documents published under numbers CN 1 375 047, WO 00 / 19135, US 2002 / 0134432, and AU 3 331 678 are also known, which describe taps intended to be mounted in flushing cisterns. In these documents, the height adjustment of the taps causes a variation in the height measured between a lower part of an annular seal and a low point of the tap's water distribution means. GB 1 588 216 A also describes a filling device having a tap, a housing for receiving a seal being provided to ensure sealing between a male part and a female part of the tap. The female part is not telescopically mounted on the male part.

[0034] The invention aims in particular to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art.

[0035] More specifically, the invention aims to propose a device for filling a flush tank which can be adapted to different tank heights while complying with the standards or rules in force.

[0036] The invention also aims to provide such a filling device which is simple to implement for a user.

[0037] The invention further aims to provide such a tap which ensures a seal between a water inlet of a building to which the tank is intended to be connected, and the interior of the tank to avoid generating an overfilling of the tank.

[0038] These objectives, as well as others which will appear subsequently, are achieved thanks to the invention which relates to a device according to claim 1.

[0039] Such a filling device can therefore be adapted in height while respecting current standards.

[0040] More specifically, the fact that the annular seal is carried by the female part makes it possible to maintain a constant height between the waterway and the annular seal, and therefore to comply with the standard concerning the air reserve.

[0041] In other words, the fact that the annular seal is carried by the female part ensures that the water level cannot be above the annular seal, regardless of the adjustment of the water circulation opening / closing means. More precisely, the water level cannot reach the height of the annular seal.

[0042] Furthermore, the height requirement of the tap according to the invention is reduced compared to taps of the prior art since the waterway is not carried by a head which extends the main body.

[0043] Advantageously, the waterway extends perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

[0044] The perpendicular extension of the waterway relative to the longitudinal axis contributes to reducing the height requirement of the tap according to the invention.

[0045] According to an advantageous aspect, the female part is movable in height on the male part between a high position and a low position, the annular seal being presented, in the high position, in the vicinity of and below the open upper end of the male part.

[0046] Thus, the annular seal is found in all circumstances between the first part and the second part.

[0047] Therefore, the tap seal is achieved whether the female part is in its high position, in its low position, or in an intermediate position between its high position and its low position.

[0048] According to another advantageous aspect, the female part has an internal wall having an annular shoulder for positioning the annular seal, the device comprising an insert for locking the annular seal in position.

[0049] The seal is thus held in position even when the first part is not inserted into the second part.

[0050] Furthermore, the locking insert prevents the annular seal from being pulled in when the first part is moved relative to the second part.

[0051] In this case, the locking insert advantageously comprises a ring intended to be in contact with the annular seal, at least two elastically deformable tabs extending from the ring and each having one end provided with a protrusion, the female part having at least two cavities each intended to receive one of the protrusions.

[0052] The locking insert is thus easily inserted into the second part of the main body and can be easily removed to allow replacement of the annular seal if necessary.

[0053] According to another advantageous aspect, the male part has a section having a series of external notches, the female part having at least two elastically deformable legs each provided with a foot intended to take place in one of the external notches to lock the female part in height on the male part.

[0054] The external notches thus offer different predetermined height positions of the female part in relation to the male part.

[0055] According to an advantageous aspect, the filling device comprises a member for locking the female part in height on the male part.

[0056] This locking member ensures that the female part is held in one of the high, low or intermediate positions in relation to the female part.

[0057] This ensures that current standards are met, as the tap retains its set position when installed in the tank. The female part then retains its position after the tap has been installed thanks to the locking device.

[0058] According to another advantageous aspect, the legs are each movable between a position spaced from the external notches in the absence of constraint and a position engaged in an external notch, and in that it comprises a ring slidably mounted on the female part between a position without constraint on the legs and a position covering the legs tending to bring them into the engaged position.

[0059] The cooperation between the legs and the ring ensures that the female part is held in position relative to the male part.

[0060] In other words, when the ring is in its overlapped position, the legs are immobilized in their engaged position, which prevents the female part from moving over the male part.

[0061] In this case, the legs have a boss to retain the ring in the overlap position.

[0062] The bosses allow the ring to be held in its overlapping position, and therefore the female part to be held in position relative to the male part.

[0063] According to another advantageous aspect, the male part and the connecting end are made in one piece.

[0064] The faucet is therefore simple to manufacture and install since the number of parts it contains is limited.

[0065] In addition, production costs are controlled and assembly time is reduced.

[0066] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention, given as illustrative and non-limiting examples, and the appended drawings among which: there figure 1 is a sectional view of a tank comprising a filling device according to the invention, according to a first embodiment; the figure 2 is an exploded perspective view from above of the filling device of the figure 1 ; there figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the filling device figures 1 And 2 ; there figure 4 is a perspective view from above of a female part of a tap of the filling device according to the invention; the figure 5 is an enlarged detail view of a lower end of the female part of the tap of the filling device according to the invention; figure 6 is a side view of the filling device according to the invention; the figure 7 is a detailed sectional view of the tap of the filling device according to the invention, the figure 8 is a detailed sectional view of a lower part of the filling device according to the invention, according to a second embodiment; figure 9 is a detailed cross-sectional view of the filling device according to the invention, the tap being in a so-called high-rise configuration, the figure 10 is a detailed cross-sectional view of the filling device according to the invention, the tap being in a so-called low-height configuration.

[0067] There figure 1 illustrates a filling device 1 intended to be installed on a toilet tank 2 and to be coupled to water supply means 100.

[0068] The reservoir 2 has a wall 21 provided with an orifice 22 dedicated to the passage of a part of the filling device 1, this orifice 22 extending between an internal face 23 and an external face 24 of the wall 21.

[0069] The filling device 1 comprises a tap 3 intended to be coupled to the water supply means 100.

[0070] According to the first embodiment illustrated in the figure 1 in particular, the water supply means 100 are coupled directly to the tap 3.

[0071] As seen on the figure 1 , the tap 3 of the filling device 1 is inserted into the orifice 22 of the wall 21 of the tank 2.

[0072] Tap 3 is now described with reference to figures 1 à 7 , 9 And 10.

[0073] In reference to the figure 2 , tap 3 includes: a main body 31 intended to extend in height inside the tank 2; a connection end 32 dedicated to extending outside the tank 2.

[0074] As illustrated on the figures 1 And 2 , the main body 31 of the tap 3 carries water circulation opening / closing means 33 and water distribution means 34.

[0075] The water circulation opening / closing means 33 are located between the water supply means 100 and the water distribution means 34.

[0076] As seen on the figures 1 And 2 , the filling device 1 also comprises means 4 for controlling the water circulation opening / closing means 33.

[0077] These control means 4 are in the form of a float 41 mounted to slide along the main body 31, and a rod 42 connecting the float 41 to the water circulation opening / closing means 33.

[0078] In operation, the float 41, which floats on the surface of the water contained in the tank 2, moves along the main body 31 and drives the rod 42 which controls the water circulation opening / closing means 33 to allow water to enter the tank via the distribution means 34 until a maximum level is reached. When the maximum water level in the tank 3 is reached, the float 41 causes, via the rod 42, the movement of the water circulation opening / closing means 33 and therefore the stopping of the filling of the tank 2.

[0079] According to the principle of the invention, the main body 31 is telescopic and comprises a male part 311 and a female part 312 movable in height relative to each other.

[0080] More precisely, the female part 312 is mounted to move in overlapping with the male part 311.

[0081] As seen on the figures 1 And 2 , the female part 312 carries the water distribution means 34 and the water circulation opening / closing means 33.

[0082] With reference to the exploded view of the figure 2 , the filling device 1, and more precisely the tap 3, comprises an annular seal 5 ensuring the seal between the male part 311 and the female part 312 of the main body 31 of the tap 3.

[0083] As illustrated in the figure 2 , the male part 311 of the main body 31 of the tap 3 has: an open upper end 3111; a lower end 3112 opposite the upper end 3111, and an end stop 3113 intended to be fixedly mounted on the internal face 23 of the tank 2.

[0084] The male part 311 also has an external face provided with external notches 3114, the role of which will be explained below.

[0085] In reference to the figure 4 , the female part 312 presents, for its part: a lower end 3121, and an upper end 3122 opposite the lower end 3121.

[0086] The upper end 3122 of the female portion 312 is a closed end.

[0087] As explained previously, the female part 312 is mounted telescopically relative to the male part 311 along a longitudinal axis X.

[0088] More specifically, the female part 312 receives the male part 311 and is therefore mounted overlapping the male part 311.

[0089] The longitudinal axis X is also the axis along which the tap 3 extends.

[0090] The female part 312 also has a waterway 3123 located between the lower end 3121 and the upper end 3122.

[0091] Waterway 3123 intersects the longitudinal axis X.

[0092] More precisely, waterway 3123 extends perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X.

[0093] The female part 312 further has an internal wall 3124 which carries an annular shoulder 3125 intended to receive an annular seal 5 to ensure sealing between the male part 311 and the female part 312 of the main body 31.

[0094] The annular seal 5 is mounted integral with the female part 312 by means of a locking insert 8.

[0095] This makes it possible to position the annular seal 5 in a fixed manner relative to the waterway 3123, and thus to meet the normative requirements, in particular with regard to the air reserve and the immobility of the annular seal 5 relative to the maximum water level in the tank.

[0096] In reference to the figure 2 and to the figure 7 , the locking insert 8 comprises a ring 81 from which extend two legs 82 each having a protrusion 83 at an end opposite the ring 81.

[0097] The protrusions 83 project radially outwards from the locking insert 8.

[0098] The locking insert 8, visible on the figures 2 And 7 , allows the annular seal 5 to be kept locked in the female part 312.

[0099] The tap 3 further comprises a ring 51 intended to come to the bottom of the shoulder 3125 of the female part 312. The ring 51 is not very deformable. In other words, the elastic deformation of the ring 51 is low.

[0100] This keeps the annular seal 5 sandwiched between the locking insert 8 and the ring 51 so as to prevent it from escaping from the shoulder 3125.

[0101] To maintain the locking insert 8 in a position for retaining the annular seal 5, the female part has a pair of cavities 3126 in which the protrusions 83 of the locking insert 8 are housed.

[0102] In addition to maintaining the annular seal 5 in the female part 312, the locking insert 8 allows easy maintenance of the valve 3, in particular with regard to the replacement of the annular seal 5.

[0103] To replace the annular seal 5, it is sufficient to press on the protrusions 83 to push them out of the cavities 3126 in which they are received. The locking insert 8 can then be extracted from the female part 312, which gives access to the annular seal 5, which allows its replacement.

[0104] Furthermore, the integral retention of the annular seal 5 in the female part 312 makes it possible to maintain a constant height H between a lower part of the annular seal 5 and a low point 341 of the distribution means 34.

[0105] As can be seen on the figures 9 And 10 , the lower part of the annular sealing gasket 5 is the one which is in contact with the locking insert 8.

[0106] The height H is defined so that it is greater than or equal to 20 mm.

[0107] As explained above, the main body 31 is telescopic. More precisely, the male part 311 slides inside the female part 312.

[0108] The main body 31 can thus adopt several different predetermined heights.

[0109] In other words, the female part 312 is movable in height on the male part 311 between a high position ( figures 3 , 7 And 9 ) and a low position ( figure 1 , 6 And 10 ).

[0110] More particularly, as illustrated on the figures 3 And 9 , the female part 312 slides on the male part 311 according to a stroke C.

[0111] For example, with reference to the figure 7 , when the tap 3 is in a position of maximum extension, the upper end 3111 of the male part is spaced from the upper end 3122 of the female part 312.

[0112] Furthermore, the annular seal 5 is presented in the vicinity of and below the upper end 3111 of the male part 311.

[0113] To be able to adopt one of the extension positions, as illustrated in the figures 4 And 5 , the female part 312 has, at its lower end 3121, at least two elastically deformable legs 3127.

[0114] Each leg 3127 carries a foot 3128 extending radially inwardly from the female portion 312.

[0115] In reference to the figure 2 , the male part 311 has, for its part, a section having a plurality of external notches 3114 in which the feet 3128 are intended to be housed.

[0116] Thus, the height of the tap 3 relative to the wall 21 of the tank 2, and in particular of the waterway 3123, is modified as a function of the external notch 3114 in which the feet 3128 of the female part 312 are housed.

[0117] The legs 3127 are thus each elastically deformable and mobile between: a position separated from the notches 3114 in the absence of constraint, and a position engaged in a notch 3114 (under the constraint of the elasticity of the material constituting the main body 31).

[0118] To block the first part 311 relative to the second part 312, the filling device 1 comprises a ring 9 intended to cooperate with the legs 3127 of the female part 312.

[0119] The ring 9 forms, with the legs 3127 and the external notches 3114, a member for locking the height of the female part 312 on the male part 311.

[0120] More particularly, with reference to the figure 6 , the ring 9 is slidably mounted on the female part 312 between a position without constraint on the legs 3127 and a position covering the legs 3127 tending to bring them into the engaged position.

[0121] On the figure 6 , the ring 9 is in its position without constraint on the legs 3127 and therefore allows the sliding of the male part 311 in the female part 312.

[0122] In its leg covering position 3127 (as shown in the figures 1 And 3 ), the ring 9 is in cooperation with the bosses 3129 of the legs 3127, which prevents its movement along the female part 312.

[0123] As seen on the figure 1 , the filling device 1 comprises a second seal 6 intended to ensure sealing between the end stop 3113 and the internal face 23 of the tank 2.

[0124] Furthermore, the filling device 1 comprises a tightening nut 7 intended to cooperate with a connection end 32 of the tap 3. More precisely, the tightening nut 7 is intended to cooperate with an end thread 321 made on the connection end 32.

[0125] The connecting end 32 is located in the extension of the first part 311 of the main body 31.

[0126] More precisely, the connecting end 32 and the first part 311 of the main body 31 are made in one piece, that is to say they form a single-piece assembly.

[0127] The connecting end 32 has an end thread 321. The clamping nut 7 is intended to cooperate with the end thread to securely couple the tap 3 to the tank 2.

[0128] Thus, the tap 3 is blocked on the tank 2 by pinching between the tightening nut 7 and the end stop 3113, which has the effect of compressing the second seal 6 and therefore of creating a seal between the inside and the outside of the tank 2 at the level of the orifice 22.

[0129] The tightening nut 7 has a collar 71 intended to be brought into contact with the external face 24 of the tank 2.

[0130] According to a second embodiment illustrated in the figure 8 , the tightening nut 7 has an external thread 74 opposite the collar 71. The external thread is intended to allow coupling with the water supply means 100.

[0131] The external thread 74 of the clamping nut 7 is located on an end part of the clamping nut 7 and is for example produced by a brass overmolding.

[0132] According to the second embodiment, the filling device 1 also comprises an external seal 10 intended to ensure sealing between the tightening nut 7 and the connection end 32.

[0133] The external seal 10 is carried by the connecting end 32.

[0134] More particularly, the connecting end 32 has at least one annular groove 322 formed in the end thread 321.

[0135] The tightening nut 7 has, for its part, a smooth bore 73 in the extension of a thread 72, the smooth bore 73 being designed in diameter to ensure a sealed connection with the external seal 10.

[0136] The smooth bore 73 extends between the tapping 72 and the collar 71.

[0137] The external thread 74 is substantially at the same level as the tapping 72.

[0138] When installing the filling device 1 in the tank 2, the user estimates the necessary height to be given to the tap 3 and then positions the feet 3128 of the legs 3127 of the female part 312 in one of the external notches 3114.

[0139] The user then positions the ring 9 in its leg covering position 3127 (as illustrated in the figures 1 And 3 ). The ring 9 is thus in cooperation with the bosses 3129 of the legs 3127, which immobilizes the female part 312 relative to the male part 311.

[0140] The user then positions the second seal 6 around the first part 311 of the main body 31 of the tap 3 and then inserts the first part 311 of the main body 31 of the tap 3 into the dedicated orifice 22 of the wall 21 of the tank 2.

[0141] The connecting end 32 then protrudes from the tank 2.

[0142] Subsequently, the user screws the tightening nut 7 onto the connecting end 32.

[0143] If necessary, the user positions the external seal 10 in one of the annular grooves 321 of the connecting end 32, so that the smooth bore 73 cooperates with the external seal 10 to ensure sealing outside the tank 2.

[0144] The user can then connect the connection end 32 to the water supply means 100.

Claims

1. Filling device (1) intended to be installed on a toilet tank (2) and to be coupled to water supply means (100), the device (1) comprising a tap (3) intended to be coupled to water supply means (100) and the tank (2) having a wall (21) provided with an orifice (22) dedicated to the passage of the tap (3) and extending between an inner face (23) and an outer face (24) of the tank (2), the tap (3) comprising: - a main body (31) intended to extend in height inside the tank (2), the main body (31) bearing means (34) for distributing water and means (33) for opening / closing water circulation between said supply means (100) and the distribution means (34), - a connecting end (32) intended to extend outside the reservoir (2), the main body (31) being telescopic and comprising a male part (311) and a female part (312) movable in height on the male part (311), the male part (311) having an upper end (3111) open inside the female part (312), the female part (312) extending along a longitudinal axis X between an open lower end (3121) and a closed upper end (3122) in the vicinity of which the female part (312) carries the water distribution means (34) and the water circulation opening / closing means (33), the female part (312) has a water path (3123) communicating with the distribution means (34), an annular seal (5) ensuring sealing between the male part (311) and the female part (312), the water path (3123) being secant to the longitudinal axis X, characterised in that and the annular seal (5) is carried by the female part (312), so as to maintain a constant height H between a lower part of the annular seal (5) and a low point (341) of the distribution means (34), to prevent a suction of water for re-injecting it into pipes of a building, while allowing a height adjustment of the tap in order to create, when the tank is full, below the lowest point of the outlet port, a minimum air supply.

2. Filling device (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the water path (3123) extends perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X.

3. Filling device (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the female part (312) is movable in height on the male part (311) between an upper position and a lower position and in that the annular seal (5) is presented, in the upper position, in the vicinity of and below the open upper end (3111) of the male part (311).

4. Filling device (1) according to one of claims 1 and 2, characterised in that the female part (312) has an inner wall (3124) having an annular shoulder (3125) for positioning the annular seal (5), the device (1) comprising a locking insert (8) for locking the annular seal (5) in position.

5. Filling device (1) according to claim 4, characterised in that the locking insert (8) comprises a ring (81) intended to be in contact with the annular seal (5), at least two elastically deformable tabs (82) extending from the ring (81) and each having an end provided with a protrusion (83), the female part (312) having at least two cavities (3126) each intended to receive one of the protrusions (83).

6. Filling device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the male part (311) has a section having a series of external notches (3114), the female part (312) having at least two elastically deformable legs (3127) each provided with a foot (3128) intended to fit in one of the external notches (3114) to lock the female part (312) in height on the male part (311).

7. Filling device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that it comprises a member (51) for locking the height of the female part (312) on the male part (311).

8. Filling device (1) according to claim 6, characterised in that the legs (3127) are each movable between a position apart from the outer notches (3114) in the absence of stress and a position engaged in an outer notch (3114), and in that it comprises a ring (9) mounted sliding on the female part (312) between a position without stress on the legs (3127) and a position of covering the legs (3127) tending to bring them into the engaged position.

9. Filling device (1) according to claim 8, characterised in that the legs (3127) have a boss (3129) for holding the ring (9) in the overlapping position.

10. Filling device (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the male part (311) and the connecting end (32) are made in one piece.

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