Closing plug for washbasins and related method for applying an aesthetic covering

Abstract

The present invention relates to a closing plug (100, 101) for washbasins or the like, of the type comprising a structure (1) and an aesthetic covering (2) made of sheet metal, and to the related method for producing it. The closing plug is characterised in that it further comprises an O-ring (3), housed in a peripheral portion of the outer covering (2) bent towards said structure (1) and forcedly inserted between said structure (1) and said covering (2), in such a way as to simultaneously exercise the following functions: - preventing water infiltration between the structure (1) and the covering (2); - frictionally preventing reciprocal rotation between the structure (1) and the covering (2). The method for fixing an aesthetic covering (2) is characterised in that the following steps are provided: - creation of said aesthetic covering (2), complete with the relative finishing treatments; - forced insertion of said O-ring (3) between the structure (1) and the aesthetic covering (2), means being provided adapted to act on said O-ring (3) so as not to damage said aesthetic covering (2).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a closing plug for washbasins or the like, of the type comprising a structure and an aesthetic covering made of sheet metal, and to the method for producing it, wherein the method is essentially intended to prevent damage to the surface of said aesthetic covering.

[0002] Document DE102017114505 describes a plug for baths or showers with a body made of plastic material and a magnetisable metal cover attached to the upper surface of the body so as to completely cover it.

[0003] A magnet positioned in a housing of said body is provided to enable fixing between the cover and the body. In addition, the upper surface of the base body has a circular groove and an O-ring positioned in said groove, and compressed by the cover.

[0004] Thanks to the O-ring, the friction between the cover and the body of the plug increases, increasing the torsion resistance of the cover with respect to the body.

[0005] Document EP 2479353 describes an element for covering the drain of a shower tray.

[0006] A metal element made of enamelled sheet metal covers the drain by fitting into the recess of the shower tray and is attached to a support by means of an adhesive: the sealing between the metal element and the support is achieved by means of an adhesive material.

[0007] Thus, in the sanitary sector, there are closing plugs, covering plugs for free drainage for washbasins or the like with a mechanical plastic structure and an aesthetic covering made of sheet metal, fixed by bending, gluing or by a mechanical pressing operation.

[0008] These known fixing methods are suitable for the purpose, but have some drawbacks, as the cost and technical time of gluing is high, while mechanical pressing or bending can damage the surface of the covering.

[0009] A first object of the present invention is to propose a configuration and method for fixing an aesthetic covering to a structural component without damaging the surface of the covering, which can be painted, chrome-plated, gold-plated, etc.

[0010] A second object of the present invention is to find a fixing method that guarantees not only a mechanical seal, but also a hydraulic seal between the aesthetic covering and the structural part. This is particularly important, especially in the case of closing plugs for washbasins, because any water seeping under the covering, with its associated bacterial load, can lead to a loosening of the fixing of the covering plate, with the consequence that it will also tend to rotate on the underlying structure.

[0011] That and other objects, as will be set out below, are achieved by a closing plug for washbasins or the like and the related method and means for producing it, respectively, in accordance with claims 1, 7 and 13.

[0012] The plug is of the type comprising a structure and an aesthetic covering made of sheet metal, wherein said aesthetic covering is forcedly mounted on said structural element, and further comprises a ring, made of elastomeric material, forcedly inserted between an essentially flat part of said structure and said covering, in such a way as to simultaneously exercise the following functions: prevent water infiltration between said substantially flat part of the structure and the covering; frictionally prevent reciprocal rotation between the structure and the covering. According to the present invention, a peripheral portion of the outer covering is bent towards said structure to form a housing for said ring made of elastomeric material.

[0013] The method for fixing an aesthetic covering to a structural component of a closing plug for washbasins or the like, wherein said plug comprises a structure, said aesthetic covering made of sheet metal and a ring made of elastomeric material interposed between said structure and said aesthetic covering, involves the following operations: creation of said covering, complete with the relative finishing treatments; positioning of said aesthetic element on said structure and forced insertion of said ring made of elastomeric material between said structure and said aesthetic covering, means being provided adapted to act on said ring made of elastomeric material, i.e., guiding and pushing said ring made of elastomeric material so as to allow said ring to be interposed between said substantially flat part and said aesthetic covering, so as not to damage said aesthetic covering. Said means comprise: a seat on which said aesthetic element and said structure are placed; an O-ring guide cone which rests on the edges of said seat; an elastic gripper adapted to push said ring made of elastomeric material downwards such as an O-ring until said O-ring is released from the guide cone and jumps between the part of the structure to be covered and the covering.

[0014] Preferred embodiments and non-trivial variants of the present invention form the subject matter of the dependent claims.

[0015] It is understood that all the appended claims form an integral part of the present description.

[0016] The invention in question solves the problem of damage to the aesthetic element as the assembly only concerns the forced insertion of the ring made of elastomeric material and does not involve any operations on the aesthetic element after it has been made.

[0017] It will be immediately obvious that innumerable variations and modifications (e.g. regarding shape, size, arrangements and parts with equivalent functionality) can be made to the described invention without departing from the scope of protection of the invention, as is apparent from the appended claims.

[0018] The present invention will be best described by some preferred embodiments, provided by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figs. 1 and 2 show a plug for a washbasin, according to the invention, made from a sheet metal covering mounted on a plastic structure; Figs. 3 to 9 show the implementation procedure according to the present invention.

[0019] With reference to Fig. 1a, 100 denotes a plug for a washbasin, of the free drainage type, according to the present invention. The same plug 100 is shown in an exploded view in Fig. 1b to highlight its components, which are: a structure 1 preferably made of plastic material; an aesthetic covering 2 made of stainless steel or brass sheet, possibly galvanically treated or painted; a ring 3 made of elastomeric material, preferably an O-ring, inserted between a substantially flat part 1a of the structure 1 and the covering 2.

[0020] The ring 3 has the dual function of: preventing water infiltration between the flat part 1a of structure 1 and covering 2; frictionally preventing reciprocal rotation between said flat part 1a of the structure 1 and the covering 2.

[0021] In Fig. 2 a variant 101 of the plug according to the invention is shown, of the type with pressure opening and closing.

[0022] As is well known, mushroom plugs 100, 101 comprise a stem portion and a substantially flat portion 1a.

[0023] According to the present invention, said ring 3, made of elastomeric material, is positioned at the peripheral edge 11a of the substantially flat part 1a of the structure 1 and abutting against a peripheral portion of said aesthetic covering 2.

[0024] The peripheral portion of the outer covering 2 is bent inwards, i.e. towards said structure 1 to form a housing for said ring made of elastomeric material 3.

[0025] Said peripheral portion of the outer covering 2 is bent towards said structure 1 by more than 90° to form a continuous arched edge 2a to accommodate said ring made of elastomeric material 3 or O-ring.

[0026] Preferably said peripheral portion of said aesthetic covering 2 is bent towards said structure 1 by an angle greater than 90° without bending back on itself.

[0027] This creates a housing for the ring 3 accessible through an opening (circular in the illustrated embodiment) delimited by the substantially flat part 1a and the free end (also circular) 21a of said a continuous arched edge 2a.

[0028] Said ring 3 is then positioned compressed between the peripheral edge 11a of the substantially flat part 1a of the structure 1 and the internal walls of the housing, allowing not only to frictionally prevent reciprocal rotation between said flat part 1a of the structure 1 and the covering 2, but also allowing said structure 1 to be fixed to the covering 2.

[0029] In fact, by positioning itself as an abutment and preferably being deformed by compression between the surfaces of the flat part 1a of the structure 1 and the inner surfaces of the continuous arched edge 2a of the covering 2, said ring 3 prevents the disassembly of the structure 1 from the covering 2.

[0030] Thanks to the present invention, it is thus not necessary to use glues or the like or elements for the mutual engagement between the structure 1 and covering 2 in order to have a finished plug.

[0031] As depicted in Figure 9 the peripheral edge 11a of the substantially flat part 1a of said structure 1 may be inclined so as to facilitate insertion of the ring 3.

[0032] As illustrated in Figure 9 the substantially flat surface of the aesthetic covering 2 extends radially beyond the edge 11a of the substantially flat part 1a of said structure 1, covered by said covering 2, and then bends back as described above. The continuous arched edge 2a of the covering 2 is thus radially more external with respect to the edge 11a of the substantially flat part 1a of said structure 1.

[0033] This makes it possible to place the aesthetic covering 2 on the structure 1 without deformation and to secure the covering 2 on the structure by means of the ring 3, which exercises a retaining function.

[0034] As shown in Figure 9, the ring 3 is positioned against the inclined edge 11a of the structure 1 and held in place by the inner surfaces of the peripheral bent portion 2a.

[0035] Fig. 3 shows a seat 7 adapted to accommodate said covering 2. The plugs 100 and 101 are substantially the same in the upper part, i.e. the part on which the covering 2 is applied, therefore the equipment for applying said covering 2, which is the subject matter of the present invention, is the same in both cases.

[0036] The following Fig. 4 shows the plug 101, in particular the structure 1 resting on the covering 2, in turn resting on said seat 7, which is suitable to counteract the stresses due to assembly.

[0037] The bending of the edges of the covering 2 is done before the aesthetic treatments. The only purpose of the following operations is to assemble the three elements: structure 1, aesthetic covering 2 and O-ring 3. The assembly operation does not affect the covering 2, which is therefore not damaged, also because such operations can be carried out with means 7 preferably made of plastic material.

[0038] The flat part 1a of the structure 1 and the covering 2 are made in such a way that a space remains between them in which it is possible to insert said O-ring 3, which has the function of guaranteeing the hydraulic and mechanical seal.

[0039] The assembly procedure is as follows: the covering 2 is placed on said seat 7 (Fig. 3; the element to be covered, i.e. the flat part 1a of the structure 1, is placed on the covering 2 (Fig. 4; an O-ring guide cone 10 is placed on the edges of said seat 7 and an O-ring 3 is placed on the top of said guide cone 10 (Fig.5; with an elastic gripper 11 the O-ring 3 (Fig.6) is pushed downwards until it is released from the cone 10 (Fig.7 and jumps between the flat part to be covered 1a and the covering 2 (Fig. 8).

[0040] The elastic gripper 11 comprises a disc-shaped part 11a, from the edges of which a plurality of elastic elements 11b extend, parallel to the axis 11c of said disc 11a and oriented towards the conical guide 10. The diameter of said disc 11a is essentially equal to the upper internal diameter of the conical guide 10. Inside said elastic gripper 11 is a further element 12 whose function is to limit the radial movement of the elastic elements 11b.

[0041] According to a preferred embodiment, the elastic gripper 11 and the element 12, which has the function of limiting the radial movement of the elastic elements 11b, can be combined in a single element.

[0042] This limitation of the radial movement of the elastic elements 11b allows the O-ring to be pushed deep into the space between the flat part 1a of the structure 1 and the covering 2, as shown in the enlarged part of Fig. 9.

[0043] The compression of the component 3 ensures the required hydraulic and mechanical seal between the flat part 1a of the structure 1 and the aesthetic covering 2.

[0044] Ultimately, the equipment according to the invention ensures that the aesthetic covering 2 is not damaged because no bending is performed on it after the finishing operations have been carried out. The equipment according to the invention in fact only acts on the O-ring 3 by forcing it into the space between the structure 1 and the covering 2.

[0045] As is clear from the foregoing description, the invention solves the problem of damage to the aesthetic element 2, as the bending of the edges is carried out prior to the finishing of the aesthetic element itself.

[0046] In addition, the forced mounting of the O-Ring 3 ensures both the sealing of the structure 1, which will therefore not be damaged by water and the associated bacterial load, and the necessary mechanical friction between the covering 2 and the structure 1.

[0047] Preferred embodiments of the invention have been described. Modifications and variants, functionally equivalent to the above, which fall within the scope of protection of the invention, as outlined in the attached claims, will be apparent to a person skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A closing plug (100, 101) for washbasins comprising a structure (1) and an aesthetic covering (2) made of sheet metal, wherein said aesthetic covering (2) is forcedly mounted on said structure (1), further comprising a ring (3), made of elastomeric material, inserted by force between a substantially flat part (1a) of said structure (1) and said covering (2), in such a way as to simultaneously exercise the following functions: - prevent water infiltration between the substantially flat part (1a) of the structure (1) and the covering (2); - frictionally preventing reciprocal rotation between said substantially flat part (1a) of the structure (1) and the covering (2), characterised in that a peripheral portion of the outer covering (2) is bent towards said structure (1) to form a housing for said ring (3) made of elastomeric material.

2. Closing plug (100, 101) for washbasins, according to claim 1, characterised in that said ring (3), made of elastomeric material, is an O-ring.

3. Closing plug (100, 101) for washbasins, according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that said peripheral portion of the outer covering (2) is bent towards said structure (1) for more than 90° to form a continuous arched edge (2a) for housing said ring made of elastomeric material (3).

4. Closing plug (100, 101) for washbasins, according to one or more of the preceding claims characterised in that a substantially flat surface of the aesthetic covering (2) extends radially beyond the edge (11a) of the substantially flat portion (1a) of said structure (1) and is bent towards said structure (1) for more than 90° to form said continuous arched edge (2a) for housing said ring made of elastomeric material (3).

5. Closing plug (100, 101) for washbasins, according to one or more of the preceding claims characterised in that the housing for the ring made of elastomeric material (3) of said continuous arched edge (2a) is accessible through an opening delimited by the substantially flat part (1a) and the free end (21a) of said continuous arched edge (2a).

6. Closing plug (100, 101) for washbasins, according to one or more of the preceding claims characterised in that the peripheral edge (11a) of the substantially flat part (1a) of said structure (1) is inclined.

7. A method for fixing an aesthetic covering (2) to a substantially flat part (1a) of a structure (1) of a closing plug (100, 101) for washbasins, wherein said plug (100, 101) comprises a structure (1), said aesthetic covering (2) made of sheet metal and a ring (3) made of elastomeric material interposed between a substantially flat part (1a) of said structure (1) and said aesthetic covering (2), characterised in that the following operations are provided: - creation of said aesthetic covering (2), complete with the relative finishing treatments; - positioning said aesthetic element (2) on the substantially flat part (1a) of said structure (1) and forced insertion of said ring (3) made of elastomeric material between said substantially flat part (1a) of the structure (1) and said aesthetic covering (2), means being provided adapted to guide and push said ring made of elastomeric material (3) to enable the interposition of said ring (3) between said substantially flat part (1a) and said aesthetic covering (2) so as not to damage said aesthetic covering (2).

8. Method for fixing an aesthetic covering (2), according to claim 7, characterised in that said means comprise: - a seat (7) on which said aesthetic covering (2) and said structure (1) are placed; - an O-ring guide cone (10) which rests on the edges of said seat (7); - an elastic gripper (11) adapted to push said ring made of elastomeric material (3) downwards until said ring made of elastomeric material (3) is released from the guide cone (10) and jumps between the flat part to be covered (1a) and the aesthetic covering (2).

9. Method for fixing an aesthetic covering (2), according to claim 8, characterised in that said elastic gripper (11) comprises a disc-shaped part (11a), from the edges of which a plurality of elastic elements extend (11b), parallel to the axis (11c) of said disc (11a) and oriented towards said conical guide (10).

10. Method for fixing an aesthetic covering (2), according to claim 9, characterised in that the diameter of said disc (11a) is substantially equal to the upper internal diameter of the conical guide (10).

11. Method for fixing an aesthetic covering (2), according to claim 9, characterised in that inside said elastic gripper (11) there is a further element (12) adapted to limit the radial movement of said elastic elements (11b).

12. Method for fixing an aesthetic covering (2), according to claims 8 to 11, characterised in that said elastic gripper (11) and said element (12), adapted to limit the radial movement of said elastic elements (11b), are combined in a single element.

13. Means for fixing an aesthetic covering (2) to a substantially flat part (1a) of a structure (1) of a closing plug (100, 101) for washbasins, wherein said plug (100, 101) comprises a structure (1), said aesthetic covering (2) made of sheet metal and a ring (3) made of elastomeric material interposed between a substantially flat part (1a) of said structure (1) and said aesthetic covering (2), characterised in that said means comprise: - a seat (7) on which said aesthetic covering (2) and said structure (1) are placed; - an O-ring guide cone (10) which rests on the edges of said seat (7); - an elastic gripper (11) for pushing down said elastomeric material ring (3) until said elastomeric material ring (3) is released from the guide cone (10) and jumps between the flat part to be coated (1a) and the coating (2), and are made according to one or more of the preceding claims 9 to 12.

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