Click-clack mechanism insertable into a drain for sanitary fixtures

Abstract

A click-clack mechanism insertable into a drain for sanitary fixtures is described. The click-clack mechanism comprises a lower portion and an upper portion coaxial with respect to a longitudinal axis and telescopically coupled to one another. The upper portion can be snap moved axially with respect to the lower portion between a raised position corresponding to an open configuration of the click-clack mechanism, and a lowered position corresponding to a closed configuration of the click-clack mechanism. The click-clack mechanism further comprises a resilient element housed in the lower portion, which resilient element counteracts the movement of the upper portion towards the lowered position, and a plug which closes the upper portion and which holds the resilient element in the lower portion. The plug is rotatable on the longitudinal axis with respect to the upper portion, in response to a force exerted by a user onto the plug, between: at least one first angular position of the plug, at which the upper portion is movable axially with respect to the lower portion for bringing the click-clack mechanism to the closed or open configuration, and at least one second angular position of the plug, corresponding to a locked configuration of the click-clack mechanism. Moreover, the plug of the upper portion is intended, in use, to be covered by the head of the drain.

Description

[0001] CLICK-CLACK MECHANISM INSERTABLE INTO A DRAIN FOR SANITARY FIXTURES

[0002] ***

[0003] DESCRIPTION

[0004] Field of the invention

[0005] The present invention concerns a click-clack mechanism insertable into a drain for sanitary fixtures, for example into a drain of a sink, and a drain for sanitary fixtures comprising said click-clack mechanism.

[0006] The click-clack mechanism can also be identified as a snap mechanism for opening and closing a drain for sanitary fixtures.

[0007] State of the art

[0008] In the sanitary fixtures industry, the expression drain tap, or more simply drain, denotes a device for closing the drain hole of sanitary fixtures, such as sinks, washbasins and tubs.

[0009] A common drain comprises a cylindrical body having a bottom grid through which the water is drained at its base and, at its top, a ring-shaped rosette delimiting the mouth for the passage of the water through the drain body. The body of the drain is insertable through the drain hole of the sanitary fixture and is intended to be screwed in the siphon itself or to be fastened to the respective siphon by means of an adapter element.

[0010] A shutter is housed in the drain body and is movable axially between an open configuration and a closed configuration, and vice-versa. When the shutter is in the open configuration, it allows the passage of water through the drain body, whereas when it is in the closed configuration, the shutter prevents the passage of water through the drain body, thus allowing the water to accumulate in the sanitary fixture. The closing of the passage of water through the drain body can be achieved by means of a gasket fastened to the shutter and / or by means of a head, or covering element, fastened at the top of the shutter, which move with the shutter between the open and closed configurations, and vice- versa.

[0011] In practice, when the shutter is in the open configuration, the gasket and / or the head of the shutter are above the rosette, define a gap therewith and therefore do not intercept the inlet of the mouth, thus allowing the passage of water through the drain, whereas when the shutter is in the closed configuration, the gasket and / or the head of the shutter are in abutment on the rosette and prevent the passage of water through the mouth.

[0012] In the traditional solutions, the opening and the closing of the drain is achieved through the use of a lever which raises and lowers the shutter; in the last ten years, drains provided with a shutter which incorporates an opening and closing mechanism similar to the snap mechanism of ballpoint pens, i.e. which mechanism is lowered and raised by the user by exerting a thrust with a finger directly onto the head of the shutter always in the same direction, i.e. downward, and in an axial direction (i.e. without needing to be rotated), have been designed.

[0013] In practice, with a first downward thrust, the shutter switches from the open configuration to the closed configuration and, with a second thrust exerted downward, the shutter switches from the closed configuration to the open configuration.

[0014] A shutter which integrates this type of opening and closing mechanism is generally identified as “click-clack mechanism" in the field, such name is an onomatopoeic expression which corresponds to the sound generated by the shutter when it snaps into a closed configuration and, successively, into an open configuration.

[0015] Drains which incorporate a click-clack mechanism are for example described in EP 1 338 707, US 8,499,376 and in US 10,865,552.

[0016] EP 1 338 707 describes a shutter which incorporates a click-clack mechanism. In particular, the shutter comprises a movable portion 1 and a fixed portion 2. The movable portion 1 is adapted for being coupled to a head 6 of a drain by means of flaps 11 , whereas the fixed portion 2 is adapted for being mounted on a drain of a sanitary fixture. The movable portion 1 is slidingly coupled to the fixed portion 2. A rotating portion 3, which has a cavity inside which a spring 4 is arranged and in turn engaged by a guide 5, is housed in the fixed portion 2.

[0017] The movable portion 1 is susceptible to axial movements, i.e. vertical, with respect to the portion 2, whereas the rotating portion 3 is also susceptible to rotations; indeed, by pressing the head 6 of the drain downward when the shutter is in the open configuration (figure 3), the movable portion 1 moves axially downward and rotates the rotating portion 3 due to the presence of inclined abutment elements 12 provided on the fixed portion 2 and of front teeth 12 provided on the rotating portion 3. When the shutter is in the closed configuration (figure 4), the front teeth 12 of the rotating portion 3 rest on longitudinal reliefs 14 of the movable portion 1.

[0018] US 8,499,376 describes, in paragraphs 48 and 49, a drain comprising a shutter 12 configured as a click-clack mechanism, identified as “pop-up mechanism" in this document. The mechanism comprises an upper portion 46 telescopically coupled to a lower portion 48 and two resilient elements 40 and 45. A central pin 44 extends through the upper portion 46 and the lower portion 48; the central pin 44 is constrained to the latter at an appropriate thread.

[0019] The upper portion 46 comprises a cavity 52 which houses the upper end of the pin 44 and the resilient element 45. Starting from the raised position, when a user provides to exert a downward thrust in the axial direction onto the head to close the shutter, the upper portion 46 is pushed towards the lower portion 48 with compression of the resilient element 45. Moreover, following this thrust, the abutment elements 54 provided on the pin 44 engage corresponding coupling surfaces 56 formed in a bushing 58, so as to lock the upper portion 46 and the lower portion 48 in the closed configuration.

[0020] The mechanism returns to the closed configuration when the user exerts a second downward pressure in the axial direction.

[0021] US 10,865,552 describes a drain comprising a click-clack mechanism, identified as “tip-toe mechanism" in this document. The document does not detail how the mechanism is made (it can indeed be configured in various ways) but compares such mechanism to the common snap mechanism of ballpoint pens, which is precisely a click-clack mechanism.

[0022] US 2012 / 00976 A1 also describes a drain 10 comprising a click-clack mechanism. The drain 10 comprises a shutter 12 (drain plug 12) which is housed in a drain body 14 (insert sleeve 14). With reference to figures 11-15, an embodiment corresponding to a drain 10 provided with locking mechanisms configured for keeping the shutter 12 constrained to the drain body 14 (paragraph 62) is described. The locking and unlocking of the shutter 12 to / from the drain body 14 are achieved by rotating the entire shutter 12 with respect to the drain body 14 (paragraph 68). As shown in figure 15, it is possible to mark arrows on the cover 32A to show the direction in which the shutter 12 must be rotated to lock or unlock the shutter 12 with respect to the drain body 14 (paragraph 72).

[0023] It may be the case that, when using drains comprising a click-clack mechanism, the drain may close accidentally, i.e. not in response to a thrust intentionally exerted by a user. For example, when there are various dishes in the sink and during the washing operations of the same, or the sink, it may occur that the drain is closed unintentionally. Whenever the user does not promptly notice the accidental closure of the drain, the water can fill the sink with the risk of overflowing, especially whenever the sink is not provided with an “overflow” drain hole.

[0024] Otherwise, it can happen that, for fun, at school, at home or in other contexts, a child can close the drain and leave the water tap open. This circumstance can also be risky, because children may not be fully aware of the risks associated with the closing of the drain when the water tap stays open.

[0025] In order to address these drawbacks, it would be preferable to have a click-clack mechanism configurable so as to prevent accidental closing of the drain, or to prevent the drain from being closed without particular awareness of the associated risks.

[0026] WO 2023 / 209453 A1 , in the name of the applicant, describes a solution according to the preamble of claim 1 . The click-clack mechanism described in WO 2023 / 209453 A1 allows to prevent the accidental closing of the click-clack mechanism by providing the upper portion 10 rotatable with respect to the lower portion 9 between at least one first angular position of the upper portion, corresponding to the click-clack mechanism enabled (unlocked configuration), and at least one second angular position of the upper portion 10 corresponding to the upper portion 10 locked with respect to the lower portion 9 in movements along the longitudinal axis (locked configuration). The upper portion 10 of the click-clack mechanism comprises a body 2 of the shutter and a plug 7. The plug 7 is constrained to and integral with the body 2; indeed, the body 2 and the plug 7 rotate one together with the other with respect to the lower portion 9 between the at least one first angular position and the at least one second angular position.

[0027] There is a need to provide a solution whose locking and unlocking mechanism of the click-clack mechanism is not easily accessible to common users of sanitary fixtures (such as for example children or customers of public places), so that they are unable to easily reconfigure the shutter to allow the drain to close.

[0028] WO 91 / 16847 describes a drain comprising a shutter provided with an overflow mechanism (from p. 9, line 22, to p. 10, line 7). In order to empty the sanitary fixture, it is possible to push the plug 12 by countering the force of the spring 21 and by then rotating the plug 12 so that to keep the drain in the open position.

[0029] Summary of the invention

[0030] Object of the present invention is thus to provide a simple, inexpensive and compact solution which solves the problems described above, i.e. a clickclack mechanism which can be configured in a locked configuration for preventing undesired closing of a drain for sanitary fixtures and which is difficult for the common users of the sanitary fixture to reconfigure in an unlocked configuration and to allow it to be closed. A further object of the present invention is to provide a drain for sanitary fixtures, which comprises a click-clack mechanism according to the present invention.

[0031] A first aspect of the present invention thus concerns a click-clack mechanism of a drain for sanitary fixtures according to claim 1 .

[0032] In the context of the present invention, click-clack mechanism means an opening and closing snap mechanism for opening and closing a drain for sanitary fixtures. As an alternative, the click-clack mechanism can be identified as a snap shutter which allows the opening and the closing of a drain for sanitary fixtures.

[0033] Moreover, in the context of the present invention, when the terms “top," “above," “upward” or “below," “under," “downward" will be used with regard to the click-clack mechanism or a drain, reference will be made to how a clickclack mechanism and a respective drain are generally installed in a siphon for sanitary fixtures, i.e. to how a technician of the field would interpret such terms based on the normal use of a click-clack mechanism.

[0034] Claim 1 concerns a click-clack mechanism insertable into a drain for sanitary fixtures, such as for example a drain for sinks or tubs. The click-clack mechanism comprises a lower portion and an upper portion.

[0035] The upper portion is constrainable, in use, to a head of a drain, or covering element; in practice, when the click-clack mechanism is inserted into a drain, the head of the drain is fastened, and preferably screwed, to the upper portion. As an alternative, the head of the drain can be glued or interlockingly fastened to the upper portion.

[0036] Preferably, the click-clack mechanism is fastened, and preferably screwed, to a drain at the lower portion.

[0037] The upper portion and the lower portion are coaxial with respect to a longitudinal axis and are telescopically coupled to one another.

[0038] The upper portion is movable axially, i.e. along the longitudinal axis, with respect to the lower portion between a raised position and a lowered position. The raised position corresponds to an open configuration of the clickclack mechanism (and of the drain), whereas the lowered position corresponds to a closed configuration of the click-clack mechanism (and of the drain).

[0039] The open configuration and the closed configuration may be defined as such considering the click-clack mechanism in use, i.e. inserted into a drain.

[0040] In particular, when the click-clack mechanism is in the open configuration, it allows the passage of water through a drain, whereas when the click-clack mechanism is in the closed configuration, it prevents the passage of water through a drain.

[0041] The upper portion is movable between the raised position and the lowered position, and vice-versa, in response to a thrust imparted by a user onto the upper portion and always directed towards the lower portion, in the axial direction or in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis. The thrust can be exerted onto the plug described hereunder and transmitted to the upper portion.

[0042] In practice, the user must always impart a thrust onto the upper portion and directed in the same direction, i.e. towards the lower portion, in order to be able to both bring the upper portion from the raised position to the lowered position and to bring the upper portion from the lowered position to the raised position.

[0043] The click-clack mechanism further comprises:

[0044] - a resilient element, or elastic element (for example a spring), housed at least partially in the lower portion. The resilient element counteracts the movement of the upper portion towards the lowered position; and

[0045] - a plug which closes the upper portion. The plug preferably holds the resilient element in the lower portion and preferably closes the upper portion from above, i.e. on top.

[0046] The plug is preferably constrained to the upper portion and moves with it when moving along the longitudinal axis.

[0047] During the normal use of the click-clack mechanism, the plug is intended, or is adapted, to be covered by a head of the drain. In practice, during the normal use of the click-clack mechanism inserted into a drain of a sanitary fixture, a head of the drain covers and hides the plug from the sight of the normal users of the sanitary fixture.

[0048] Indeed, when the click-clack mechanism is inserted into a drain, a head of the drain is fastened to the upper portion: the head of the drain covers, or hides, the plug from a user who uses the sanitary fixture, i.e. the plug is not accessible from the outside.

[0049] According to the invention, the plug is rotatable on the longitudinal axis with respect to the upper portion in response to a force (or rotation) exerted by a user onto the plug itself, preferably in a first direction and in a second direction opposite the first.

[0050] The plug is rotatable on the longitudinal axis when it is not covered or hidden by a head of the drain, i.e. when the head of the drain is not combined with the upper portion.

[0051] The plug is rotatable between

[0052] - at least one first angular position corresponding to an unlocked configuration of the click-clack mechanism. When the plug is rotated in the at least one first angular position, the plug does not interfere with the lower portion and the upper portion is movable axially relative to the lower portion for bringing the click-clack mechanism to the closed or open configuration. In practice, the click-clack mechanism is enabled;

[0053] - at least one second angular position corresponding to a locked configuration of the click-clack mechanism. When the plug is rotated in the at least one second angular position, the plug interferes with the lower portion and the upper portion is axially locked relative to the lower portion, and the closing of the click-clack mechanism is inhibited.

[0054] The plug is rotatable between the at least one first angular position and the at least one second angular position, and vice-versa.

[0055] The at least one first angular position and the at least one second angular position can be defined as such with respect to the upper portion, with respect to which the plug actually can be rotated by a user.

[0056] In other words, when the plug is rotated by a user into the at least one first angular position, the upper portion is movable axially relative to the lower portion between the raised position and the lowered position, and vice-versa. For this reason, the corresponding configuration of the click-clack mechanism is defined as unlocked.

[0057] When the plug is rotated by a user into the at least one second angular position, the upper portion is not susceptible to displacements between the raised position and the lowered position, and vice-versa. For this reason, the corresponding configuration of the click-clack mechanism is defined as locked.

[0058] The plug is preferably rotated between the at least one first angular position and the at least one second angular position when the upper portion is in the raised position, i.e. when the click-clack mechanism is in the open configuration.

[0059] In practice, in order to displace the upper portion from the raised position to the lowered position and vice-versa, a user must exert pressure towards the lower portion and directed in the direction of the longitudinal axis (or in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis). In this circumstance, the plug does not rotate with respect to the upper portion.

[0060] In order to lock the upper portion in the open position, the user must impart a rotation to the plug with respect to the upper portion (which in this circumstance stays stationary), i.e. in a circular direction with respect to the longitudinal axis.

[0061] During the switch from the open configuration to the locked configuration and vice-versa, there preferably is no axial displacement of the upper portion with respect to the lower portion, i.e. it is not necessary that the user imparts a thrust onto the upper portion towards the lower portion.

[0062] Since the plug of the upper portion is intended, during the normal use of the click-clack mechanism, to be covered by the head of the drain, during the normal use of the click-clack mechanism the plug does not stay directly accessible to common users of the sanitary fixture because it stays covered by the drain head fastened to the upper portion.

[0063] In the context of the present invention, with regard to the click-clack mechanism, “normal use” or “normal utilization" means the mere use of the click-clack mechanism inside a drain of a sanitary fixture, aimed at allowing the opening and the closing of the passage of water. Indeed, in this circumstance, the plug is covered by the head of the drain.

[0064] When the plug is not covered by the head of the drain, it could anyhow be used to open and close the passage of water in a drain but, as known to any technician of the field, this circumstance does not generally occur because during the normal use of the click-clack mechanism, the click-clack mechanism is covered and hidden by a head of the drain for aesthetic purposes.

[0065] The click-clack mechanism (and the respective plug) are instead accessible only when a particular user (such as a maintenance operator or the owner of the sanitary fixture) wishes to act thereon and, in the context of the present invention, allow or not the click-clack mechanism to be closed. It is clear that this circumstance is not considerable as a normal use of the click-clack mechanism because this situation occurs exceptionally and falls outside of the normal use of the click-clack mechanism in a sanitary fixture.

[0066] A first advantage provided by the click-clack mechanism according to the present invention is that it is configured for being brought to a locked configuration, i.e. a configuration in which the click-clack mechanism cannot be pushed to a closed configuration and, consequently, in which the respective drain cannot be closed.

[0067] The fact that the plug can be rotated into a locked configuration of the click-clack mechanism prevents both accidental closing of the click-clack mechanism and closing without particular awareness of the associated risks. Indeed, when the click-clack mechanism is in the locked configuration, common users of the sanitary fixture cannot push the click-clack mechanism to the closed configuration and cause accumulation of water in the sanitary fixture with the possibility that the water overflows.

[0068] This aspect is particularly advantageous, for example, in schools, in homes inhabited also by children or in very crowded public places, such as for example the service stations of highways. Indeed, the installer or anyhow the owner of the sanitary fixture can decide to avoid possible damages associated with a drain closed by installing the click-clack mechanism in the drain in the locked configuration.

[0069] The fact that, during the normal use of the click-clack mechanism, the plug is covered by the head of the drain is an additional safety feature compared to the fact that common users of the sanitary fixture cannot close the drain.

[0070] Indeed, once the click-clack mechanism in the locked configuration has been inserted into the drain and once the head has been fastened to the upper portion, common users of the sanitary fixture will not be likely to be able to bring the click-clack mechanism from the locked configuration to the unlocked configuration and then succeed in closing the drain. Indeed, this would imply that a common user of the sanitary fixture provides to unscrew the head of the drain from the click-clack mechanism and successively rotates the plug, with respect to the upper portion, from the locked configuration to the unlocked configuration.

[0071] It is clear that this is not very likely given that common users of the sanitary fixtures do not know the operation of the click-clack mechanism inserted into the drain and that they generally do not proceed to disassemble the drain itself present in the sanitary fixture. For these reasons, the click-clack mechanism according to the present invention allows to overcome the drawbacks arising from the known art in an easy, quick and inexpensive way.

[0072] Preferably the upper portion comprises coupling means at which the upper portion is constrained to the plug. Correspondingly, the plug is provided with one or more fastening elements engaging the coupling means of the upper portion. The coupling means and, correspondingly, the fastening elements may be configured in different ways. For example, the coupling means may comprise at least one groove, or at least one through slot, and, correspondingly, the fastening elements may comprise one or more teeth, or the coupling means may comprise a thread engaged by a corresponding thread of the plug.

[0073] The click-clack mechanism preferably comprises at least one groove, or at least one through slot, formed in the upper portion along at least one circumferential segment. Moreover, the plug is preferably constrained to the upper portion by means of its fastening elements, such as for example one or more teeth which engage said at least one groove or said at least one through slot. Thus, the plug is rotatable in said at least one groove, or in said at least one through slot, between at least one first position corresponding to the plug rotated in the at least one first angular position, and at least one second position corresponding to the plug rotated in the at least one second angular position.

[0074] The at least one groove, or the at least one through slot, extend circumferentially in the upper portion because they are preferably formed in a hollow body of the upper portion. The hollow body preferably is indeed substantially cylinder-shaped, i.e. which extends circumferentially with respect to said longitudinal axis and which is closed by said plug.

[0075] In an embodiment, the upper portion comprises a groove extending along the entire circumference of the upper portion itself, or of the body.

[0076] The upper portion, or the body, preferably comprises one or more grooves, or one or more through slots, extending for a circumferential segment of the upper portion or of the body.

[0077] In the preferred embodiment, the upper portion, or the body, comprise a series of through slots (for example four) formed on the same plane orthogonal to the longitudinal axis and each of these slots is engaged by a corresponding fastening element of the plug, i.e. for example by a corresponding tooth.

[0078] The lower portion preferably comprises a cavity extending along the longitudinal axis and within which the resilient element is at least partially housed. Moreover, the lower portion comprises at least one groove formed at the cavity of the lower portion and extending parallel to the longitudinal axis. Correspondingly, the plug comprises at least one rib, or ribbing, extending parallel to the longitudinal axis, and:

[0079] - when the plug is in the at least one first angular position, the at least one rib, or ribbing, is in the same angular position of the at least one groove of the lower portion. Thus, the upper portion is movable axially relative to the lower portion, without interference, between the raised position and the lowered position or vice-versa;

[0080] - when the plug is instead in the at least one second angular position, the at least one rib, or ribbing, is angularly offset with respect to said at least one groove and the upper portion is locked in axial movements with respect to the lower portion, because it is in interference at the at least one rib or ribbing.

[0081] When the plug is rotated in the at least one first angular position, the at least one rib, or ribbing, of the plug is preferably susceptible to sliding in the at least one groove of the lower portion, following a thrust exerted by a user onto the upper portion and directed towards the lower portion.

[0082] The lower portion preferably has an upper edge at which the at least one groove opens and the at least one rib, or ribbing, correspondingly has an end comprising an abutment surface. Thus, when the plug is in the at least one second angular position, the abutment surface abuts on the upper edge of the lower surface in response to a thrust exerted by a user onto the upper portion and directed towards the lower portion.

[0083] The at least one groove preferably extends into the cavity of the lower portion between the upper edge of the lower portion and a support surface, or step, at which the resilient element rests.

[0084] The plug preferably comprises an upper wall which closes the cavity of the lower portion and a stem extending axially from the upper wall, along the longitudinal axis, into the cavity of the lower portion. The at least one rib, or ribbing, is preferably provided on the stem.

[0085] The stem preferably juts out from the upper wall between a first end positioned at the upper wall, and a second end distal from the upper wall and which is housed in the cavity of the lower portion. The at least one rib, or ribbing, extends from the first end of the stem to an intermediate position between the first and the second ends of the stem, for example at about 5 millimeters from the second end.

[0086] The stem preferably has an inner cavity and at least partially houses the resilient element and the at least one ribbing, or rib, is provided on an outer surface of the stem, in a position opposite the respective inner cavity.

[0087] The plug is preferably rotatable with respect to the upper portion between the at least one first angular position and the at least one second angular position, and vice-versa, in response to a rotation imparted by a user onto the plug in a first direction and in a second direction opposite the first, at an engagement portion provided on the plug and which is adapted for being engaged by a corresponding tool.

[0088] The engagement portion is preferably provided on the upper wall.

[0089] The lower portion is preferably adapted, in use, for being constrained to the body of a drain, and the body of the upper portion has fastening means at which the click-clack mechanism is adapted for being fastened to a head of a drain. With respect to the longitudinal axis, the fastening means are positioned axially in an intermediate position between the lower portion and the upper wall of the plug, so that when a head of a drain is fastened at the fastening means of the body, the upper wall of the plug is covered by the head of the drain itself.

[0090] The fastening means can be configured, for example, as a threaded portion or as male and / or female elements for fastening the head of the drain in an interlocking manner, or as a surface at which the head of the drain is glued to the body.

[0091] The engagement portion is preferably a blind hole formed in the upper wall and which is adapted for being engaged by a hex key or screwdriver, or by a coin or by any other tool. Or else, the engagement portion can be configured as a notch arranged for being appropriately engaged by a coin. As an alternative, the engagement portion can be configured in a different way known by the technician of the field.

[0092] The plug preferably comprises a side wall jutting out from the upper wall and extending along the longitudinal axis: the fastening elements of the plug, which are inserted into the upper portion, are formed at such side wall.

[0093] The upper portion preferably comprises at least one engagement portion and the lower portion comprises at least one longitudinal groove formed parallel to the longitudinal axis in an outer surface of the lower portion. During the axial movements of the upper portion with respect to the lower portion, i.e. when switching from the open configuration to the closed configuration and vice- versa, said at least one engagement portion slides in the at least one longitudinal groove.

[0094] The click-clack mechanism is configured as an opening and closing snap mechanism for opening and closing a drain. Thus, the upper portion switches from the raised position to the lowered position, and vice-versa, in response to a pressure exerted onto the upper portion and always directed towards the lower portion. Obviously, the pressure can also be exerted onto the plug and, since the plug is fastened to the upper portion, it can also be transmitted to the upper portion.

[0095] The upper portion preferably comprises a ring nut fitted on the lower portion and rotatable on the longitudinal axis, with respect to the lower portion itself, in response to pressure exerted onto the upper portion in the axial direction and always directed towards the lower portion. The resilient element is arranged to be compressed during the lowering of the upper portion on the lower portion and to extend thereby bringing back the upper portion to the raised position. The ring nut comprises at least one tooth engaging a corresponding profile provided in the upper portion or in the lower portion: such profile has at least one upper seat and at least one lower seat. When the ring nut engages the at least one upper seat, the upper portion is in the raised position with respect to the lower portion; instead, when the ring nut engages the at least one lower seat, the upper portion is in the lowered position with respect to the lower portion.

[0096] In an embodiment, the profile is provided on the lower portion. The lower portion is configured as a pin at which the click-clack mechanism is adapted for being fastened in a corresponding drain. The upper portion comprises a body slidingly mounted on the pin and the ring nut engages, with the at least one tooth, a corresponding circuit formed on the outer surface of the pin. Such circuit defines a seat and a recess for housing the tooth of the ring nut. The seat is preferably positioned, with respect to a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis, between the resilient element and the recess, and:

[0097] - in the click-clack mechanism in the open configuration, the tooth is housed in said seat, and

[0098] - in the click-clack mechanism in the closed configuration, the tooth is housed in the recess.

[0099] In an alternative embodiment, the profile of the opening and closing snap mechanism is provided in the upper portion, i.e. at an inner surface of the body.

[0100] In this embodiment, the profile of the opening and closing snap mechanism comprises at least one relief jutting out radially towards the longitudinal axis and extending in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis on the inner surface of the body itself. Such profile extends between a lower edge positioned at a lower end of the body, and an upper edge. The upper edge of the relief constitutes the at least one upper seat of the profile and is engaged by the at least one tooth of the ring nut whenever the upper portion is in the raised position with respect to the lower portion. In other words, the at least one tooth of the ring nut in abutment on the upper edge of the relief corresponds to the upper portion in the raised position with respect to the lower portion.

[0101] In this embodiment, the profile preferably comprises a side extension of the at least one relief. Since the body is preferably cylinder-shaped, such side extension can also be identified as a circumferential extension of the at least one relief. Considering a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis, the circumferential extension indeed extends from a border of the relief itself. Considering a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis, the circumferential extension extends on the inner surface of the body between a lower edge positioned at a lower end of the body, and an upper edge. The upper edge defines a lower seat of the profile which is engaged by the at least one tooth of the ring nut whenever the upper portion is in the lowered position. The at least one tooth of the ring nut in abutment on the upper edge of the circumferential extension indeed corresponds to the upper portion in the lowered position with respect to the lower portion.

[0102] In this embodiment, the profile preferably comprises a plurality of reliefs and a plurality of circumferential extensions arranged circumferentially, with respect to the longitudinal axis, on the inner surface of the body, alternating between a relief and a circumferential extension.

[0103] In this embodiment, the plug preferably comprises a notched profile provided with a plurality of tooth-shaped elements angularly offset with respect to the upper edges of the reliefs and of the circumferential extensions of the profile. The ring nut is intended to go into abutment on said notched profile with its at least one tooth, thus making the opening and closing snap mechanism snap when the user provides to push the upper portion to a position completely lowered with respect to the lower portion.

[0104] In a second aspect, the present invention concerns a drain for sanitary fixtures. The drain comprises:

[0105] - a drain body that can be fastened to a sanitary fixture, for example a sink, provided with a base and a top, wherein the base comprises an opening for draining the water and the top delimits the mouth for the inflow of water into the drain body;

[0106] - a click-clack mechanism according to claims 1-21. The click-clack mechanism is housed in the drain body and is movable with respect thereto between an open configuration, at which the click-clack mechanism does not intercept the mouth and allows the passage of water through the drain, and a closed configuration, at which the click-clack mechanism closes the mouth and prevents the passage of water through the drain;

[0107] - a head of the drain, or covering element, that can be fastened to the click-clack mechanism. The head of the drain can preferably be constrained to the upper portion.

[0108] As mentioned above, the head of the drain can cover the plug of the click-clack mechanism, i.e. the head of the drain can allow to make the plug not accessible from the outside. In other words, the plug of the click-clack mechanism can be covered by the head of the drain.

[0109] The drain is indeed configurable in a first configuration and a second configuration. When the drain is in the first configuration, the head of the drain is fastened to the click-clack mechanism and covers the plug of the click-clack mechanism, thus making the plug inaccessible from the outside; instead, when the drain is in the second configuration, the head of the drain is separated from the click-clack mechanism (i.e. is not constrained thereto) and a user can access the plug to prevent or allow the drain to be closed.

[0110] In practice, when the drain is in the second configuration, a user can rotate the plug with respect to the upper portion between said at least one first angular position and said at least one second angular position, or vice-versa.

[0111] Obviously, the plug is rotatable with respect to the upper portion whether the drain is in the first configuration or in the second configuration, but the plug can be actually rotated by a user only when the drain is in the second configuration (i.e. when the plug is not covered by the head of the drain).

[0112] During the normal use of the drain and of the respective click-clack mechanism, the drain is in the first configuration because the head of the drain covers (for aesthetic and protective purposes of the click-clack mechanism) the click-clack mechanism itself. The drain is instead in the second configuration when it is necessary to prevent or allow the drain to be closed during its normal use.

[0113] The head of the drain can preferably be fastened to the upper portion of the click-clack mechanism without it being able to rotate, with respect to the upper portion, together with the plug. In practice, the rotation of the head of the drain with respect to the upper portion does not cause the plug to rotate; indeed, when the head of the drain rotates with respect to the upper portion (for example when it is screwed to / unscrewed from the upper portion), the plug stays stationary with the upper portion and does not modify its angular position with respect to the upper portion. Indeed, in order to rotate the plug with respect to the upper portion, it is necessary for a user to appropriately intervene by separating the head of the drain from the click-clack mechanism and by making the plug rotate with respect to the upper portion, which upper portion instead stays in the same angular portion with respect to the lower portion.

[0114] In practice, the rotation of the plug with respect to the upper portion is independent of the rotation of the head of the drain with respect to the upper portion (and the plug itself), and vice-versa. Therefore, even if a user should exclusively rotate the head of the drain with respect to the upper portion, he would not be able to make the click-clack mechanism switch from the locked configuration to the unlocked configuration.

[0115] As mentioned above, the upper portion of the click-clack mechanism preferably comprises fastening means, for example a threaded portion, engaged by the head of the drain; the drain body comprises a fastening portion at which the click-clack mechanism is constrained in the drain body and the plug comprises an upper wall provided with an engagement portion adapted for being engaged by a corresponding tool for rotating the plug between said at least one first angular position and said at least one second angular position, or vice-versa: the fastening means are preferably interposed, with respect to the longitudinal axis, between the upper wall and the fastening portion of the drain body. In a third aspect, the present invention concerns a method of preventing a drain for sanitary fixtures from closing. Such method comprises the steps of: a) providing a drain as described above, wherein the click-clack mechanism is in an open configuration and wherein the plug is in the at least one first angular position with respect to the upper portion (unlocked configuration); b) separating the head of the drain from the upper portion of the clickclack mechanism, thus making the plug accessible to a user; c) rotating the plug with respect to the upper portion from the at least one first angular position to the at least one second angular position, so as to bring the click-clack mechanism to the locked configuration and prevent the clickclack mechanism from being pushed to the closed configuration; d) fastening the head of the drain to the upper portion of the click-clack mechanism, so as to cover the plug with the head of the drain.

[0116] Brief list of the figures

[0117] Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become clearer in the review of the following detailed description of a preferred, although not exclusive, embodiment illustrated by way of example and without limitations with the aid of the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0118] - figure 1 is a front elevation view of a preferred embodiment of a clickclack mechanism according to the present invention, that can be inserted into a drain for sanitary fixtures, in a configuration defined as open;

[0119] - figure 2 is a front elevation view of the click-clack mechanism shown in figure 1 , in a configuration defined as closed;

[0120] - figure 3 is an exploded view of the click-clack mechanism according to the present invention, shown in figures 1 and 2 and comprising a body 2, a pin 4, a ring nut 5, a resilient element 6 and a plug 7;

[0121] - figure 4 is a sectional view considered according to the plane P-P of the click-clack mechanism shown in figure 3;

[0122] - figure 5 is an elevation view of a component, in particular of the body 2, of the click-clack mechanism shown in figure 3;

[0123] - figure 6 is a sectional view considered with respect to the plane AC-AC of the body 2 shown in figure 5;

[0124] - figure 7 is a sectional view considered with respect to the plane AD-AD of the body 2 shown in figure 5;

[0125] - figure 8 is a top plan view of the body 2 shown in figure 5;

[0126] - figure 9 is a top perspective view of the body 2 shown in figure 5;

[0127] - figure 10 is a front elevation view of a further component, in particular of the pin 4, of the click-clack mechanism shown in figure 3;

[0128] - figure 11 is a sectional view considered with respect to the plane AE-AE of the pin 4 shown in figure 10;

[0129] - figure 12 is a side elevation view of the pin 4 shown in figure 10;

[0130] - figure 13 is a sectional view considered with respect to the plane AF-AF of the pin 4 shown in figure 12;

[0131] - figure 14 is a perspective view of the pin 4 shown in figure 10;

[0132] - figure 15 is a top plan view of the pin 4 shown in figure 10;

[0133] - figure 16 is an elevation view of a further component, in particular of the ring nut 5, of the click-clack mechanism shown in figure 3;

[0134] - figure 17 is a sectional view considered with respect to the plane AG- AG of the ring nut 5 shown in figure 16;

[0135] - figure 18 is a top plan view of the ring nut 5 shown in figure 16;

[0136] - figure 19 is a top perspective view of the ring nut 5 shown in figure 16;

[0137] - figure 20 is an elevation view of a further component, in particular of the plug 7, of the click-clack mechanism shown in figure 3;

[0138] - figure 21 is a sectional view considered with respect to the plane AH-AH of the plug 7 shown in figure 20;

[0139] - figure 22 is a top plan view of the plug 7 shown in figure 20;

[0140] - figures 23 and 24 are perspective bottom and top views, respectively, of the plug 7 shown in figure 20;

[0141] - figure 25 is a sectional view considered with respect to the plane AC-AC of the click-clack mechanism shown in figure 1 , in an open configuration;

[0142] - figure 26 is a sectional view considered with respect to the plane AF-AF of figure 25;

[0143] - figure 27 is a top plan view of the click-clack mechanism shown in figure 1 ;

[0144] - figures 28A, 28B, 28C, 28D depict, in sequence, the relative movements between the upper portion 10 and the lower portion 9 during the closing and opening of the click-clack mechanism. In particular, the displacements of the tooth 45 of the ring nut 5 (shown in transparency) in the pin 4 are shown;

[0145] - figure 29 is a front elevation view of the click-clack mechanism shown in figure 1 , in a completely lowered configuration;

[0146] - figure 30 is a sectional view considered with respect to the plane AC-AC of the click-clack mechanism of figure 29;

[0147] - figure 31 is a sectional view considered with respect to the plane AC-AC of the click-clack mechanism of figure 2, in the closed configuration;

[0148] - figure 32 is a front elevation view of the click-clack mechanism shown in figure 1 in a locked configuration, i.e. with the plug 7 rotated with respect to the body 2;

[0149] - figure 33 is a sectional view considered with respect to the plane AD-AD of the click-clack mechanism shown in figure 32;

[0150] - figure 34 is a sectional view considered with respect to the plane AE-AE of the click-clack mechanism shown in figure 33;

[0151] - figure 35 is a top plan view of the click-clack mechanism shown in figure 32, where it is possible to see that the plug 7 is rotated clockwise in the body;

[0152] - figure 36 shows the plug 7 juxtaposed with respect to the pin 4, to more precisely show how the click-clack mechanism is locked;

[0153] - figure 37 is a vertical sectional front view of a drain 100 for sanitary fixtures, which comprises a click-clack mechanism 1 shown in figures 1-36 in a closed configuration, and with a head 107 of a drain screwed to the body 2 of the click-clack mechanism;

[0154] - figure 38 is a sectional vertical front view of a drain 100 for sanitary fixtures, which comprises a click-clack mechanism 1 shown in figures 1-36 in an open configuration, and with a head 107 of a drain screwed to the body 2 of the click-clack mechanism;

[0155] - figure 39 is a perspective view of a drain for sanitary fixtures, which comprises a click-clack mechanism 1 shown in figures 1-36 in an open configuration and devoid of a head screwed to the body 2. The plug 7 of the click-clack mechanism is indeed visible.

[0156] Detailed description of the invention

[0157] Figures 1 and 2 show a preferred embodiment of a click-clack mechanism 1 according to the present invention. The click-clack mechanism is insertable into a drain for sanitary fixtures, for example a drain of a sink or of a tub.

[0158] The drain can be of the type shown in figures 37 and 38, which precisely depict a drain 100 with a click-clack mechanism 1 screwed therein.

[0159] The drain 100 is made in a known way and comprises a substantially cylinder-shaped drain body 101 adapted for being screwed in an appropriate seat of a siphon of a sanitary fixture not shown in the figures. The drain body 101 extends along a longitudinal axis X’ and has a base 101a and a top 101 b opposite the base 101a. At the base 101a, the drain body 101 preferably has a thread 102 which allows to screw the drain into a corresponding siphon.

[0160] The drain body 101 is hollow, i.e. has a cavity 103 which crosses the drain body 101 from the base 101a to the top 101 b and which opens at the base 101a, at an opening 110.

[0161] At the top 101 b, the drain body 101 ends with a ring-shaped rosette 104 delimiting a mouth 105 for the passage of water through the drain body 101 ; the water enters the drain from the mouth 105 and comes out from the opening 110.

[0162] The drain 100 further comprises a fastening portion 106 of the click-clack mechanism 1 in the drain body 101. The fastening portion 106 is preferably configured as a grid which radially crosses the cavity 103 bridge-like and which has, at the longitudinal axis X’, a threaded hole inside which the click-clack mechanism 1 is screwed.

[0163] The click-clack mechanism 1 is housed in the body 101 of the drain 100 to open / close the mouth 105 and thus to allow (if in an open configuration shown in figures 1 and 38) or prevent (if in a closed configuration shown in figures 2 and 37) the passage of water through the drain body 101 .

[0164] For example, the click-clack mechanism 1 can be provided with a sealing element 108, such as a gasket for example, which is intended to intercept the ring-shaped rosette 104 when the click-clack mechanism 1 is pushed into the lowered position. In practice, as shown in figure 37, when the click-clack mechanism 1 is in the closed configuration, the sealing element 108 is in abutment on the ring-shaped rosette 104 and closes the passage of water through the drain body 101 , instead, as shown in figure 38, when the click-clack mechanism is in the open configuration, the sealing element 108 is spaced apart from the ring-shaped rosette 104 and defines a gap 109 to allow the passage of water through the drain body 101.

[0165] As will be better explained below, the drain 100 further comprises a head 107, or a covering element, screwed at the top of the click-clack mechanism 1 ; the head 107 allows to hide the click-clack mechanism 1 from sight. In practice, the head 107 has an aesthetic function and can be made of metal, plastic or ceramic.

[0166] The click-clack mechanism 1 will be better described with reference to figures 1-4.

[0167] The click-clack mechanism 1 extends along a longitudinal axis X and comprises a shutter body 2, henceforth simply identified as body 2. On top, the body 2 is preferably provided with a threaded portion 3 on which the head 107 mentioned above is adapted for being screwed. The head 107 can be fastened to the body 2 in other ways, for example it can be glued to the body 2 or interlockingly constrained in the body 2.

[0168] Generally, the body 2 thus has fastening means at which the click-clack mechanism is adapted for being fastened to a head of a drain and such fastening means can be configured, for example, as a threaded portion 3 or as interlocked male and / or female elements or as a surface at which the head 107 of a drain can be glued.

[0169] As shown in figures 3-4, the click-clack mechanism 1 further comprises, in addition to the body 2, a pin 4, a ring nut 5, a resilient element 6 and a plug 7.

[0170] These elements extend along the longitudinal axis X of the click-clack mechanism 1 , which is shared by them, and will be described more in detail hereunder; the reader is now invited to pay attention to figures 1 and 2, from which it is evident that the ring nut 5, the resilient element 6 and the plug 7, which are shown in figures 3 and 4, stay housed in the body 2, whereas the pin 4 protrudes from the bottom of the body 2, at least for a part corresponding to a threaded portion 8 of the pin 4 itself.

[0171] As shown in figures 37 and 38, the threaded portion 8 is arranged to be screwed in a corresponding hole of the fastening portion 106 of the drain 100.

[0172] The click-clack mechanism 1 is thus screwed to the drain body 101 at the threaded portion 8 of the pin 4 and is coaxial to the drain itself (the axes X and X’ coincide in figure 37). It is clear that it is possible to provide an alternative way of fastening the pin 4 to the drain body 101 , the pin 4 can for example be interlockingly inserted into the drain body 101.

[0173] By comparing figures 1 and 2, it is possible to observe that when the click-clack mechanism 1 is in an open configuration (figure 1 ), the pin 4 protrudes more from the body 2 than when the click-clack mechanism 1 is in a closed configuration (figure 2); this denotes that the body 2 and the pin 4 are susceptible to reciprocal movements with each another.

[0174] In light of the fact that, when combined with a drain 100, the click-clack mechanism 1 stays constrained to the drain body 101 at the pin 4, it is clear that when the click-clack mechanism 1 switches from the open configuration to the closed configuration and vice-versa, the pin 4 stays stationary with respect to the drain body 101 , whereas the body 2 moves with the ring nut 5 and the plug 7 towards and away from the pin 4 itself, with respective compression or extension of the resilient element 6.

[0175] Thus, in the click-clack mechanism 1 , it is possible to identify: - a lower, stationary, portion denoted by the reference number 9, and

[0176] - an upper, movable, portion denoted by the numerical reference 10 and which is susceptible to movements, with respect to the lower portion 9, between a raised position actually corresponding to the click-clack mechanism in an open configuration, and a lowered position actually corresponding to the clickclack mechanism in a closed configuration.

[0177] The lower portion 9 comprises the pin 4; in the embodiment shown, since the pin 4 is the only component of the lower portion 9, it is possible to affirm that the lower portion is constituted by the pin 4.

[0178] The upper portion 10 comprises at least the body 2, instead.

[0179] In practice, the upper portion 10 is movable towards and away from the lower portion 9 to prevent or allow the passage of water through a corresponding drain 100.

[0180] In light of what is set forth above and considering how a click-clack mechanism is generally mounted in a drain, in the description made hereunder, the pin 4 will be considered positioned below the body 2; thus, when reference will be made to a downward or upward movement of one or more of the components of the click-clack mechanism 1 , reference will be made to a movement towards the pin 4, in particular towards its threaded portion 8, or to a movement away from the pin 4, in particular from its threaded portion 8, respectively.

[0181] Moreover, when reference will be made to the reciprocal height positioning of two or more components, reference will be made to the axial positioning of such components, considering the click-clack mechanism 1 as generally screwed in a drain body 101 , i.e. vertically and with its body 2 positioned above the pin 4.

[0182] The click-clack mechanism 1 is an opening and closing snap mechanism for opening and closing a drain.

[0183] In practice, starting from the click-clack mechanism 1 in an open configuration (figure 1 ), pushing the upper portion 10 completely downward, i.e. towards the lower portion, the upper portion 10 snaps into the lowered position (figure 2) and, pushing the upper portion 10 completely downward a second time, the upper portion 10 automatically switches to a raised position. The pressure can be exerted on the head 107 of the drain or directly at the plug 7 or the body 2.

[0184] The components of the click-clack mechanism 1 mentioned above and their interconnections will be described hereunder. It is appropriate to reveal how, as will be more appropriately clarified hereunder, the embodiment of the click-clack mechanism described hereunder is only one of the possible embodiments according to which the invention can be implemented.

[0185] With reference to the embodiment shown herein, the body 2 is visible in detail in figures 5-9.

[0186] The body 2 is cylinder-shaped and extends along the longitudinal axis X between an upper end 11a, at which the threaded portion 3 is present, and a lower end 11 b.

[0187] The body 2 is hollow and has an inner surface 13 delimiting a cavity 12 extending along the longitudinal axis X.

[0188] At the inner surface 13, the lower end 11 b has a ring 14 jutting out into the cavity 12, towards the longitudinal axis X, which has an abutment surface 15. The abutment surface 15 thus extends radially and circumferentially with respect to the longitudinal axis X.

[0189] As better shown in figures 6 and 8, the ring 14 is in turn provided with teeth 16 radially extending cantileverly into the cavity 12. In the embodiment shown herein, the teeth 16 are two and face one another, i.e. form a 180° angle with each other.

[0190] In the position opposite the inner surface 13, the body 2 has an outer surface 17. On the outside, the body 2 has two lips 18a, 18b also identified as first lip 18a and second lip 18b, which radially extend from the body 2 towards the outside between the end 11 b and the threaded portion 3. The first lip 18a is proximal to the lower end 11 b, whereas the second lip 18b is proximal to the threaded portion 3.

[0191] A housing 19, which runs along the entire circumference of the body 2 and which is arranged for fastening the sealing element 108 shown in figures 37 and 38, is defined between the two lips 18a and 18b.

[0192] At the upper end 11a, the body 2 has a series of through holes 20 all formed at the same height relative to the longitudinal axis X and each of which extends for a circumferential segment. The through holes 20 have a shape similar to a through slot, in the sense that they have an extent, considered along the circumference of the body 2, greater than their height.

[0193] In the embodiment shown herein, the through holes 20 are four but it is possible to provide for a different number of through holes. In practice, the body 2 can have at least one through hole 20 extending for a circumferential segment of the body 2.

[0194] As an alternative to providing one or more through holes, it is possible to provide at least one groove in the inner surface 13 which extends for a circumferential segment or along the entire circumference of the body 2, at the upper end 11a.

[0195] As a further option, it is possible to provide one or more through holes 20 and one or more grooves of the type described above in the body 2.

[0196] In the embodiment shown herein, the through holes 20 are formed in the threaded portion 3 which is thus interrupted by the through holes 20 in some circumferential segments. On top, the through holes 20 are delimited by the body portion 2 corresponding to the upper end 11a.

[0197] The through holes 20 are shown in figures 5, 6 and 9, whereas in figure 7, which is a section considered with respect to the plane AD-AD of figure 5 (upward), it is possible to notice that the through holes 20 are de facto interspersed with the threaded portion 3.

[0198] Each through hole 20 extends between a first end 21a and a second end 21 b, or each through hole 20 anyhow extends between at least one first angular position preferably corresponding to the first end 21a, and a second angular position preferably corresponding to the second end 21 b.

[0199] A tooth 21c jutting out from the upper portion 11a and which allows to subdivide each through hole 20 into two parts, thus identifying a first angular position and a second angular position in the through hole 20, is present between the first end 21 a and the second end 21 b.

[0200] Figures 10-15 instead show the pin 4.

[0201] The pin 4 has a substantially cylinder-shaped body 22 extending along the longitudinal axis X between an upper end 22a and a lower end 22b, both depicted in figure 10. As mentioned above, the pin 4 has a threaded portion 8 positioned at the lower end 22b, by means of which the click-clack mechanism 1 is fastened in a drain 100.

[0202] The body 22 of the pin 4 is hollow and has an inner surface 23a and an outer surface 23b.

[0203] At the inner surface 23a, the body 22 defines a cavity 24 extending, as shown in figure 13, from the upper end 22a to the lower end 22b, along the longitudinal axis X.

[0204] With particular reference to figure 13, it is possible to see that the cavity 24 extends in an upper segment 24a and in a lower segment 24b; the upper segment 24a has a greater diameter than the lower segment 24b and a connecting portion 24c, at which a sectional narrowing occurs in the cavity 24, is present between the two segments 24a and 24b.

[0205] At the upper segment 24a of the cavity 24, the body 22 has grooves 25 which run along the inner surface 23a parallel to the longitudinal axis X. The grooves 25 are also shown in figure 11 , which is a section considered on the plane AE of figure 10, and in figure 15, which is a top view of the pin 4.

[0206] In the embodiment shown herein, the grooves 25 are four and are formed on the inner surface 23a, so as a 90° angle is defined between two adjacent grooves 25.

[0207] The grooves 25 extend in the inner surface 23a from the upper end 22a to the connecting portion 24c. As shown in figures 11 , 13 and 15, the connecting portion 24c has an inclined surface 26 and a step 27 radially extending towards the longitudinal axis X.

[0208] Shifting attention to the outer surface 23b of the pin 4, it can be noted that the pin 4, at the upper end 22a, has a series of teeth 28 extending in a radial and cantilever way from the body 2 towards the outside, away from the longitudinal axis X.

[0209] In the embodiment described herein, the teeth 28 are four and are arranged on the outer surface 23b of the body 22 angularly offset with respect to the grooves 25 present on the inner surface 23a, as shown in figure 15.

[0210] Moreover, two profiles generally denoted by the numerical references 29 and 29’ are formed on the outer surface 23b, between the upper end 22a of the body 22 and the threaded portion 8.

[0211] As shown in figure 12, the profiles 29 and 29’ are formed in the body 22 in opposite positions one with respect to the other, mirroring the longitudinal axis X; they are one of the components of the mechanism described hereunder that allows the snap movement. The two profiles 29 and 29’ are identical and what is described hereunder with reference to the profile 29 can thus also be extended to the profile 29’.

[0212] As shown in figure 10, the profile 29 comprises a groove 30 extending for some distance into the body 22, parallel to the longitudinal axis X, from the threaded portion 8.

[0213] The groove 30 opens into a circuit 32 better shown in figures 10 and 14. In practice, the circuit 32 is substantially a groove formed in the body 22.

[0214] Mainly, the profile 29 is thus generally a groove formed in the body 22 of the pin 4 and in which a groove 30 and a circuit 32 can be distinguished.

[0215] As far as the circuit 32 is concerned, the reader is invited to consider figures 10, 12 and 14.

[0216] First of all, it is possible to note that the circuit 32 runs around a central relief 33 extending in height up to the level of the outer surface 23b. It being a groove extending between the outer surface 23b and the central relief 33, the circuit 32 has an outer wall 34 at the outer surface 23b, and an inner wall 38 at the central relief 33.

[0217] With particular reference to figure 10, the outer wall 34 can be subdivided into an upper border, a first side border (positioned on the right in figures 10 and 14), a lower border and a second side border (positioned on the left in figures 10 and 14).

[0218] The upper border has an arc-shaped pattern and comprises, on its top, a seat 70 extending to the proximity of the upper end 22a.

[0219] The first side border has a substantially curvilinear pattern, almost outlining a semi-oval with center on the relief 33.

[0220] The lower border has, running along from the first side border to the second side border, a first concavity 35, a cusp 36 and a second concavity 37 coinciding with the end part of the groove 30 (i.e. where it opens into the circuit 29).

[0221] Finally, the second side border also has a substantially rectilinear pattern parallel to the longitudinal axis.

[0222] Instead, as far as the inner wall 38 is concerned, it is possible to note that it comprises an upper portion, a first side portion (positioned on the right in figures 10 and 14), a lower portion and a second side portion opposite the first side portion and positioned on the left in figures 10 and 14.

[0223] The upper portion of the inner wall faces the upper border of the outer wall and descends obliquely with respect to the longitudinal axis X. The first side portion and the second side portion of the inner wall respectively face the first side border and the second side border of the outer wall and have a substantially rectilinear pattern.

[0224] The lower portion of the inner wall faces the lower border of the outer wall and extends in the central relief 33, forming a recess denoted by reference 39 in figure 10. The recess 39 extends upward, i.e. towards the upper end 22a, and is positioned angularly on the inner wall 38 between the first concavity 35 and the second concavity 37 and, more in particular, between the cusp 36 and the second concavity 37.

[0225] In figures 12 and 15 it is possible to observe that the pin 4 comprises two further longitudinal grooves 31 distinct from the circuits 29 and 29’. The two longitudinal grooves 31 are formed at parts opposite one another and are in an intermediate angular position, with respect to the longitudinal axis X, between the circuits 29 and 29’ and corresponding to the one of two grooves 25, as shown in figure 15.

[0226] As shown in figure 12, the grooves 31 extend parallel to the longitudinal axis X from the threaded portion 8 to the upper end 22a (inclusive). The grooves 31 are indeed also visible in the top plan view of figure 15.

[0227] In figure 15, it is possible to see that the pin 4 has, at the upper end 22a, an upper edge 65 at which the grooves 31 open.

[0228] Shifting attention to figures 16-19, the ring nut 5 of the click-clack mechanism 1 is instead described.

[0229] The ring nut 5 is constituted by a ring-shaped body 40 extending along the longitudinal axis X and having an upper edge 40a and a lower edge 40b.

[0230] The body 40 defines a cavity 41 extending from the upper edge 40a to the lower edge 40b, at an inner surface 42 of the body 40.

[0231] A series of grooves 43 are formed along the perimeter of the body 40 at the upper edge 40a, in the inner surface 42. Each groove 43 runs along a circumferential segment of the body 40 and is delimited by extensions 44 of the inner surface 42 which extend up to the upper edge 40a. In the embodiment described herein, the grooves 43 are four and the inner surface extensions 44 that are interspersed with the grooves are as many. The inner surface extensions 44 are preferably reciprocally positioned so as to define a 90° angle between two adjacent extensions 44.

[0232] Teeth 45 of hemispherical shape, or almost hemispherical, emerge cantileverly from the inner surface 42 towards the longitudinal axis X. The teeth 45 are positioned at two extensions 44 of inner surface, just below the adjacent grooves 43. The teeth 45 are preferably provided opposite one another and together define a 180° angle. In practice, they preferably are two and face one another.

[0233] Finally, the click-clack mechanism further comprises a plug 7 described in detail with reference to figures 20-24. The plug 7 has a substantially cylindershaped body 50 extending along the longitudinal axis X between an upper end 50a and a lower end 50b.

[0234] The plug 7 defines therein a housing 51 open at the lower end 50b and closed at the upper end 50a by an upper wall 52 of the plug 7. The upper wall 52 is shown in plan view in figure 22 and in perspective view in figure 24; it has a circular shape. The upper wall has an inner surface which in part delimits the housing 51 and an outer surface facing the side opposite the inner surface.

[0235] A blind hole 46, into which a tool can be inserted, such as a hex key or screw driver, for rotating the plug 7 in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction in the body 2, is formed in the upper wall 52, at the outer surface, as will be more precisely described hereunder.

[0236] The blind hole 46 shown in the accompanying figures has hexagonal shape with engagement side portions, so as to allow the insertion of a hex key by an installer. It is clear however that a technician of the field can make the blind hole 46 of another shape which anyhow allows the insertion of an appropriate tool.

[0237] An arrow 47 directed clockwise and an arrow 48 directed anticlockwise are depicted on the upper part 52 of figures 22 and 24. A closed padlock is depicted combined with the arrow 47, whereas an open padlock is depicted combined with the arrow 48. The arrows 47 and 48 and the respective padlocks have merely illustrative purpose and allow to describe, hereunder, the operation of the click-clack mechanism more clearly.

[0238] The body 50 has a side wall 49 jutting out from the perimeter of the upper wall 52 and comprising an outer surface 53 and an inner surface 54 delimiting, in part, the housing 51. A series of teeth 55, constituting hooking means 56 of the plug 7 in the body 2, jut out in radial direction from the outer surface 53 of the side wall 49. The teeth 55 are formed just below the upper wall 52. In the embodiment described herein, the teeth 55 are four and are arranged circumferentially on the body 50, on the same plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X and equidistant from one another. The adjacent hooking means 55 preferably form, two by two, a 90° angle.

[0239] Possibly, the hooking means 56 can be made in an alternative way, according to the know-how of the technician of the field.

[0240] As shown in the figures, a cylinder-shaped stem 57, which is concentric with respect to the body 50, extends axially from the upper wall 52 into the housing 51 , as shown in the figures.

[0241] As shown in the figure 21 , the stem 57 has an upper end 57a and a lower end 57b: the upper end 57a is at the upper wall 52 of the body 50, whereas the lower end 57b extends beyond the lower end 50b of the body 50 and protrudes below from the body 50 itself.

[0242] The stem 57 is hollow, i.e. defines therein a cavity 60 delimited by the walls of the stem 57 itself. The stem has an outer surface facing the housing 51 and an inner surface delimiting the cavity 60.

[0243] The stem 57 has ribs 58 extending cantileverly from the outer surface of the stem into the housing 51 , parallel to the longitudinal axis X. Such ribs 58 run along the stem 57 for part of its length. In practice, each rib 58 extends from a first end 58a positioned at the upper wall 52 (as shown in figure 21 ), and a second end 58b positioned between the upper end 57a and the lower end 57b of the stem 57 (in a position more proximal to the latter).

[0244] For example, the ribs 58 can extend up to reaching a distance of about 5 mm from the lower end 57b of the stem 57 and form an abutment surface at the second end 58b, since they are in relief from the outer surface of the stem.

[0245] The abutment surface is denoted in the figures by the number of reference 59. Preferably, the ribs 58 are four and are arranged circumferentially equidistant from one another, so that a 90° angle is defined between two adjacent ribs 58.

[0246] The assembling of the components described above occurs in the following way, also with reference to figures 3 and 4.

[0247] The ring nut 5 is fitted on the pin 4 by inserting the threaded portion 8 of the pin 4 into the cavity 41 of the ring nut 5 and simultaneously aligning each tooth 45 of the ring nut 5 with a corresponding longitudinal groove 30 of the pin 4. Once the teeth 45 reach the respective circuit 32, the ring nut 5 is rotated and translated towards the upper end 22a of the pin 4, so that each tooth 45 is housed in a respective seat 70 of the circuit 32. This way, the teeth 28 of the pin 4 abut in the grooves 43 of the ring nut 5.

[0248] The pin 4 and the ring nut 5 are made so that to allow such an assembly. For example, the body 40 of the ring nut 5 is made so that to allow to fit the ring nut 5 on the pin 4 and to ensure both teeth 45 can slide at the same time into the profiles 29 of the pin 4.

[0249] The pin 4 and the ring nut 5 thus assembled are inserted into the cavity 12 of the body 2 from the upper end 11a, by aligning the longitudinal grooves 31 with the teeth 16 of the body 2. The pin 4 and the ring nut 5 are thus pushed towards the lower end 11 b and the teeth 16 of the body 2 stay positioned in the longitudinal groove 30, without leaving possibility of respective rotation between the body 2 and the pin 4 in the longitudinal groove 30.

[0250] The ring nut 5 thus rests on the ring 14 of the body 2, thus going into abutment on the abutment surface 15, so that the pin 4 can protrude below from the body 2, as shown in figures 1 and 2.

[0251] Also in this case, the body 2, the pin 4 and the ring nut 5 are sized to allow this assembly.

[0252] At this point, a resilient element 6, for example a spring 6, is housed inside the cavity 24 of the pin 4 and, in particular, in the upper segment 24a of the pin 4. The resilient element 6 rests at the connecting portion 24c. In particular, the resilient element 6 goes into abutment with an end thereof on the step 27.

[0253] The opposite end of the resilient element 6 protrudes from the body 2 and the plug 7 is fitted thereat.

[0254] In practice, the stem 57 of the plug 7 is fitted on the resilient element 6, so that the resilient element 6 is inserted into the cavity 60 of the plug 7.

[0255] At this point, the plug 7 is pushed towards the body 2 and inserted therein, thus compressing the resilient element 6. In particular, the plug 7 is pushed into the cavity 12 of the body 2 by the upper end 21a (with the pin 4 and the ring nut 5 already therein) and the teeth 55 of the plug 7 stay locked in the respective through holes 20 of the body.

[0256] In the click-clack mechanism 1 thus assembled, the resilient element 6 is preloaded and the plug 7 (in particular the upper wall 52) is flush with respect to the upper end 11a of the body 2. As an alternative, the resilient element 6 may not be preloaded.

[0257] In light of what is described above, what was mentioned above with regard to the operation of the click-clack mechanism 1 is clearer: the body 2, with the plug 7 and the nut 5, are susceptible to movements towards and away from the pin 4, i.e. from the lower portion 9. In these downward and upward movements, the teeth 16 of the body 2 slide in the longitudinal grooves 31 of the pin 4.

[0258] This way, the upper portion 10 can be lowered and raised with respect to the lower portion 9 to close and open the drain.

[0259] The click-clack mechanism 1 moves from the open configuration to the closed configuration when a user exerts a first downward pressure, i.e. towards the pin 4, at the plug 7 or at the body 2 (when the click-clack mechanism 1 is mounted in a drain 100, the pressure can be directly exerted onto the head 107). In this circumstance, the resilient element 6 is compressed.

[0260] The click-clack mechanism 1 instead moves from the closed configuration to the open configuration when a user exerts a second downward pressure at the plug 7 or at the body 2 (when the click-clack mechanism 1 is mounted in a drain 100, the pressure can be directly exerted onto the head 107). In this circumstance, the resilient element 6 extends to raise the upper portion 11 .

[0261] Both when the upper portion 10 is pushed downward to bring the clickclack mechanism to the closed configuration and when it is pushed downward to bring the click-clack mechanism to the open configuration, the user must push the upper portion 10 to a completely lowered position relative to the lower portion 9.

[0262] The operation of the click-clack mechanism 1 is described hereunder with reference to figures 1 , 2 and 25-31 .

[0263] As an alternative to the opening and closing mechanism described herein, it is possible to configure a click-clack mechanism in a way similar to the known art, i.e. in a way similar to the opening and closing snap mechanism of a ballpoint pen.

[0264] For example, it is possible to provide the ring nut with a series of teeth which can engage corresponding lower seats alternated to upper seats provided on the inner surface of the body 2. In this embodiment, the plug is provided with abutment surfaces complementary to the teeth of the ring nut.

[0265] Returning instead to the embodiment shown in the figures, the reader is invited to shift his attention to figures 1 and 25-27. These figures show the clickclack mechanism 1 in an open configuration, i.e. with the upper portion 10 raised with respect to the lower portion 9, so that to allow the passage of water through the drain 100 (not shown in these figures).

[0266] Figure 1 is an elevation view of the click-clack mechanism, figure 25 is a section considered with respect to the plane AC shown in figure 1 , figure 26 is a cross-section considered with respect to the plane AF of figure 25 and figure 27 is a top plan view of the click-clack mechanism shown in figure 1 .

[0267] With reference to figure 25, it is possible to see that the ring nut 5 engages, with its own teeth 45, the seats 70 of the circuits 32; the plug 7, with its own stem 57, is only partially inserted into the upper segment 24a of the cavity 24 of the pin 4 and, because of this, the housing 51 of the plug 7 is free, i.e. no elements are housed therein (the resilient element 6 is housed in the cavity 60 instead).

[0268] In figure 26 it is possible to observe that the ribs 58 of the stem 57 are aligned with respect to the corresponding grooves 25 of the pin 4, i.e. the respective angular positions coincide.

[0269] In figure 25 it is possible to observe that, when the click-clack mechanism is in the open configuration, the ribs 58, although aligned with the grooves 25, do not engage the grooves themselves but are positioned at a slightly greater height with respect to the upper edge 65 of the pin 4.

[0270] When a user wishes to prevent the passage of water inside the drain 100, he closes the click-clack mechanism 1 by completely pushing the upper portion 10 of the click-clack mechanism 1 downward.

[0271] As a result of the pressure exerted, the upper portion 10 is completely lowered onto the pin 4. This is shown in figures 29 and 30, which show the click-clack mechanism 1 with the upper portion 10 in a position completely lowered on the lower portion 9.

[0272] During the downward (and successively upward) movements of the upper portion 10 with respect to the lower portion 9, the plug 7 slides with its own ribs 86 in the grooves 25 of the pin 4.

[0273] When the click-clack mechanism 1 is in a completely lowered configuration, only the threaded portion 8 protrudes from the body 2 and the resilient element 6 reaches maximum compression.

[0274] In the completely lowered position, the plug 7 lowers and goes into abutment, or almost, with its upper wall 52 on the upper end 22a of the pin 4. This way, the stem 57 of the plug 7 is completely inserted into the upper segment 24a of the cavity 24 of the pin 4, until almost going into abutment with its own lower end 57b on the connecting portion 24c of the pin 4. Consequently, the housing 51 of the plug 7 is no longer free but is occupied by the pin 4. In the completely lowered position, the tooth 45 of the ring nut goes into abutment against the first concavity 35 or against the second concavity 37, as will be illustrated hereunder. Moreover, the ribs 86 of the plug engage the grooves 25 of the pin 4 (as shown in figure 30).

[0275] Once the pressure exerted by the user ends, the click-clack mechanism 1 goes to the closed configuration shown in figures 2 and 31. In the closed configuration, the upper portion 10 is, with respect to the lower portion 9, axially in an intermediate position between the one assumed in the open configuration and the one in the completely lowered position.

[0276] As shown in figure 31 , when the click-clack mechanism 1 is in a closed configuration, the tooth 45 of the ring nut 5 is in abutment in the recess 39 of the central relief 33 of the circuit 32. In practice, after the click-clack mechanism 1 is completely pushed downward by the user, it goes to the closed configuration, due to the upward thrust exerted by the resilient element 6, and stays in the closed configuration (until the user exerts a second downward thrust) because the tooth 45 in abutment in the recess 39 counteracts the upward thrust of the resilient element 6.

[0277] Also in the lowered configuration, the ribs 58 of the plug engage the grooves 25 of the pin 4 (as shown in figure 31).

[0278] In order to bring back the click-clack mechanism 1 to the open configuration, the user must push the upper portion 10 downward again, so that to bring it back to the completely lowered position. When the downward thrust has been completed, the resilient element 6 brings the upper portion 10 to a raised position and the click-clack mechanism automatically switches to an open configuration.

[0279] During the closing and opening of the click-clack mechanism, the reciprocal angular position of the plug 7, the body 2 and the pin 4 remains constant and corresponds to the one shown in figures 26 and 27.

[0280] As can be imagined from what is described above, the path traveled by the tooth 45 of the ring nut 5 in the circuit 32 when switching from the open configuration to the closed configuration, and vice-versa, is the one shown with reference to figures 28A-28D.

[0281] Specifically, starting from the click-clack mechanism in an open configuration, when the user exerts a first pressure in the direction depicted by the arrow in figure 28A, the tooth 45 of the ring nut 5 comes out from the seat 70, going into abutment on the upper portion of the central relief 33.

[0282] Since the upper portion has a downward descending pattern due to the downward thrust, the tooth 45 comes to abutment in the first concavity 35. When the tooth 45 is in abutment in the first concavity 35, the upper portion 10 is in a completely lowered position.

[0283] Once the thrust exerted by the user is over, the ring nut 5 raises axially with respect to the pin 4, as shown in figure 28B, due to the upward thrust exerted by the resilient element 6. The tooth 45 thus goes into abutment on the lower border of the inner wall 38, then settling in the recess 39. This way, the click-clack mechanism 1 stays in closed configuration.

[0284] When the user exerts a second downward thrust onto the upper portion 10 to open the click-clack mechanism 1 , the ring nut 5 lowers, as shown in figure 28C.

[0285] During this movement the tooth 45 moves away from the recess 39, rests on the cusp 36 which, since descending towards the second concavity 37, leads the tooth 45 into the second concavity 37, as shown in figure 28C. Also when the tooth 45 is in abutment in the second concavity 37, the upper portion 10 is in the completely lowered position.

[0286] Once this second downward thrust is completed, the resilient element 6 pushes the upper portion 10 upward, in the direction depicted by the arrow in figure 28D. Thus, the ring nut 5 slides upward and the tooth 45 runs along the circuit 32 until reaching the seat 70.

[0287] The path traveled by the tooth 45 in the circuit 32 does not only depend on the downward or upward movements of the ring nut along the longitudinal axis with respect to the pin 4 but also occurs because the ring nut 5 can rotate on the longitudinal axis X with respect to the pin 4.

[0288] The click-clack mechanism 1 can move to a locked configuration, i.e. a configuration in which the upper portion 10 is locked axially on the lower portion 9 and cannot be pushed to a lowered position by a user.

[0289] In this configuration, the click-clack mechanism 1 allows the passage of water in the drain and is prevented from moving to a closed configuration in response to a possible downward thrust exerted onto the upper portion 10.

[0290] In particular, the click-clack mechanism 1 in locked configuration is shown in figures 32-35.

[0291] By comparing figure 1 , which shows an elevation view of the click-clack mechanism 1 in unlocked configuration, and figure 32, which shows an elevation view of the click-clack mechanism 1 in locked configuration, it is possible to notice that, when the click-clack mechanism 1 is in locked configuration, the plug 7 is rotated with respect to the body 2 and the tooth 55 of the plug 7 does not engage the corresponding through hole 20 at the first end 21a (as shown in figure 1 ) but they engage it at the second end 21 b, i.e. in an angular position different from the one assumed in open configuration.

[0292] By comparing figure 1 and figure 32, it is also possible to notice that the upper portion 10 of the click-clack mechanism in locked configuration is not displaced to an axial position different from that of the upper portion 10 of the click-clack mechanism in unlocked configuration. This precisely shows that when switching from the unlocked configuration to the locked configuration, a rotation of the plug 7 occurs relative to the body 2, preferably without the necessity to also exert a thrust towards the lower portion 9, for example.

[0293] This also emerges when comparing figures 25 and 33, which show a vertical sectional view of the click-clack mechanism respectively in unlocked configuration and in locked configuration.

[0294] The axial position, on the axis X, of the ring nut 5 and of the body 2 with respect to the pin 4 and the compression of the element 6 does not differ in the two figures: i.e. only the relative position between the plug 7 and the body 2 differs in the two figures.

[0295] In figure 25 it is possible to observe that the teeth 55 engage the corresponding through hole 20 at the first end 21a (indeed, the sectional plane AC-AC of figure 1 passes right through the first end 21a); instead, in figure 33, it is possible to observe that no tooth 55 is present at the first end 21a of the through hole 20 (even though also the sectional plane AD-AD of figure 32 passes through the first end 21a).

[0296] The relative rotation between the plug 7 and the body 2 can also be noticed by comparing figures 26 and 27 (unlocked configuration) with figures 34 and 35 (locked configuration), respectively.

[0297] Compared to figure 26, in figure 34 (which is a sectional view considered with respect to the plane AE-AE of figure 33) it is possible to observe that the ribs 58 of the stem 57 are not aligned with the grooves 25 of the pin 4 but are angularly offset with respect to them (actually due to the rotation of the plug 7 with respect to the body 2). Compared to figure 27, in figure 35 (which is instead a top plan view), it is possible to observe that the plug 7 is rotated clockwise with respect to the body 2.

[0298] It is thus possible to deduce from these figures that when the plug 7 is rotated with respect to the body 2 in a locked configuration, the plug 7 is also rotated with respect to the pin 4 and the ring nut 5.

[0299] The pin 4 and the plug 7 are shown in perspective in figure 36: these components of the click-clack mechanism do not have characteristics different from those already described above but are shown to better explain the following aspect.

[0300] As set forth above, when the click-clack mechanism is in unlocked (and opened) configuration, the ribs 58 of the stem 57 are aligned with the grooves 25 of the pin 4, i.e. they have the same angular position. Although being aligned, the ribs 58 do not engage the corresponding ribs 25 but are positioned just above them, i.e. just above the upper edge 65 of the pin 4.

[0301] When a user exerts pressure onto the plug 7 to lower the upper portion 10 and bring the click-clack mechanism to the closed configuration, the plug 7 engages, with its own ribs 58, the grooves 25 of the pin and can slide in them.

[0302] When the click-clack mechanism is in a locked (and opened) configuration, the ribs 58 of the stem 57 are axially positioned at the height they assume when the click-clack mechanism is in an unlocked configuration but are angularly offset with respect to the grooves 25 of the pin 4.

[0303] Thus, if a user tries to exert pressure directed towards the pin 4 onto the plug, the plug 7 goes into abutment with its own ribs 58 on the upper edge 65, in particular with the respective abutment surfaces 59, without the possibility of sliding in the grooves 25 and moving to a lowered position.

[0304] In practice, in the locked configuration, the plug 7 (together with the body 2 and the ring nut 5) cannot be pushed towards the pin 4 due to the interference generated between the ribs 58 of the plug and the upper edge 65 of the pin 4 and, for this reason, the click-clack mechanism cannot be brought to closed configuration.

[0305] As mentioned above, the switching from the unlocked configuration to the locked configuration, and vice-versa, is achieved by rotating the plug 7 in the boy 2 by inserting a tool, such as for example a hex key, into the blind hole 46.

[0306] With respect to figure 27, in figure 35 the plug 7 is indeed rotated clockwise, i.e. towards the direction depicted by the arrow 47 associated with the respective figure of the closed padlock.

[0307] In practice, by exerting a rotation onto the plug 7 in a first direction, for example clockwise in the direction of the arrow 47, the plug 7 is rotated from a first angular position (corresponding to the unlocked configuration of the clickclack mechanism) to a second angular position (corresponding to the locked configuration of the click-clack mechanism). Conversely, by exerting a rotation onto the plug 7 in a second direction opposite the first, for example anticlockwise in the direction of the arrow 48, the plug is rotated from the second angular position (corresponding to the locked configuration of the clickclack mechanism) to the first angular position (corresponding to the unlocked configuration of the click-clack mechanism).

[0308] The fact that the click-clack mechanism can move to a locked configuration allows to prevent the click-clack mechanism 1 from being accidentally closed by a common user. For example, when washing dishes in a sink, the user does not want to run the risk of water accumulating, he / she just has to bring the click-clack mechanism to locked configuration, so that to prevent it from closing inadvertently.

[0309] Or else, bringing the click-clack mechanism 1 to locked configuration is advantageous when, at home, at school or other places attended by children, there is the risk that they close the click-clack mechanism simultaneously leaving the water tap open: bringing the click-clack mechanism 1 to locked configuration ensures the draining of the water from the sink without the risk of overflowing from the sink.

[0310] A further advantage of the click-clack mechanism 1 according to the present invention is associated with the reciprocal positioning of the plug 7, and in particular of the upper wall 52 with respect to the body 2, and in particular the threaded portion 3.

[0311] These characteristics can be described with reference to figures 37-39.

[0312] As mentioned above, figures 37 and 38 shown a vertical sectional view of a drain 100 inside which a click-clack mechanism 1 (respectively in closed and open configurations) is screwed and which is provided with a head 107 screwed to the click-clack mechanism. The head 107 is screwed to the click-clack mechanism at the threaded portion 3 of the body 2.

[0313] In figure 39 (which shows a drain 100 with a click-clack mechanism 1 devoid of a head 107), the threaded portion 3 is indeed free, i.e. is not engaged by any head 107.

[0314] A drain 100 in a first configuration, i.e. with the head 107 covering the plug 7, is shown in figures 37 and 38, whereas a drain 100 in a second configuration, i.e. with the plug 7 accessible to a user, is shown in figure 39.

[0315] From figures 37 and 38 and especially from figure 39 it is apparent that the upper wall 52 of the plug 7, where the blind hole 46 is formed, is axially at a height different from the threaded portion 3, i.e. is positioned above the thread. In practice, the threaded portion 3 of the body 2, taking the axis X' as reference, is in an intermediate position between the upper wall 52 of the plug 7 and the threaded portion 102 of the drain 100.

[0316] This means that when a head 107 is screwed to the click-clack mechanism, the head 107 covers the upper wall 52 of the plug 7.

[0317] In practice, when the head 107 is screwed to the threaded portion 3, the upper wall 52 and the respective blind hole 46 are not accessible from the outside, i.e. are covered or hidden by the head 107 (as shown in figures 37 and 38).

[0318] Instead, when the threaded portion 3 is not screwed, the head 107 (as shown in figure 39), the wall 52 and the respective blind hole 46 are accessible from the outside and are not covered or hidden by another component.

[0319] Therefore, since it is necessary to insert a tool into the blind hole 46 formed in the upper wall 52 of the plug 7 to rotate the plug 7 from the unlocked configuration to the locked configuration, and vice-versa, the switching from the unlocked configuration to the locked configuration, and vice-versa, can only be carried out by removing the head 107.

[0320] Moreover, by simply rotating the head 107 it is not possible to rotate the plug 7 with respect to the body 2, because the head 107 can be screwed and unscrewed to / from the body 2 at the threaded portion 3.

[0321] This circumstance is an advantage because it ensures that common users of the sanitary fixture cannot easily act on the click-clack mechanism, for example, to bring it from the locked configuration to the unlocked configuration, for the purpose of closing the passage of water through the drain.

[0322] In order to meet contingent and specific needs, a technician of the field can make numerous changes and modifications to the present invention in the embodiment shown and described, all thereby comprised in the protection scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A click-clack mechanism (1 ) insertable into a drain (100) for sanitary fixtures, said click-clack mechanism (1 ) comprising a lower portion (9) and an upper portion (10), wherein the upper portion (10) is constrainable to a head (107) of a drain (100), and wherein the upper portion (10) and the lower portion (9) are coaxial with respect to a longitudinal axis (X) and telescopically coupled to one another, wherein the upper portion (10) is movable axially with respect to the lower portion (9) between a raised position corresponding to an open configuration of the click-clack mechanism (1 ), at which the click-clack mechanism (1 ) allows, in use, the passage of water through a drain (100), and a lowered position corresponding to a closed configuration of the click-clack mechanism (1 ), at which the click-clack mechanism prevents, in use, the passage of water through a drain (100), and vice-versa, in response to a thrust imparted by a user onto the upper portion (9) and always directed towards the lower portion (9), wherein the click-clack mechanism (1 ) further comprises:- a resilient element (6) housed at least partially in the lower portion (9) and which resilient element counteracts the movement of the upper portion (10) towards the lowered position (9), and- a plug (7) which closes the upper portion (10) on top, wherein said plug (7) is intended to be covered by a head (107) of a drain (100), characterized in that said plug (7) is rotatable on the longitudinal axis (X) with respect to the upper portion (10) in response to a force exerted by a user onto the plug, between: at least one first angular position of the plug (7) with respect to the upper portion (9), corresponding to an unlocked configuration of the click-clack mechanism, and at which the plug (7) does not interfere with the lower portion(9) and the upper portion (10) is movable axially with respect to the lower portion (9) between said raised position and said lowered position, and vice- versa; at least one second angular position of the plug (7) with respect to the upper portion (9), corresponding to a locked configuration of the click-clack mechanism (1 ), at which the plug (7) interferes with the lower portion (9) and the upper portion (10) is not movable axially with respect to the lower portion (9) between said raised position and said lowered position, the closing of the clickclack mechanism being inhibited.

2. Click-clack mechanism (1 ) according to claim 1 , wherein said upper portion (10) is provided with coupling means at which the upper portion(10) is coupled to said plug (7), wherein said plug (7) comprises one or more fastening elements engaging said coupling means, and wherein: said one or more fastening elements engaging a first portion of said coupling means correspond to said plug (7) in said at least one first angular position and said one or more fastening elements engaging a second portion of said coupling means correspond to said plug (7) in said at least one second angular position.

3. Click-clack mechanism (1 ) according to claim 2, wherein said coupling means of the upper portion (10) comprise at least one groove, or a through slot (20), or a thread formed along at least one circumferential segment of the upper portion (10), and wherein said fastening elements of the plug (7) correspondingly comprise one or more teeth (55) engaging said at least one groove or said at least one through slot (20), or comprise a thread at which said plug (7) can be screwed or unscrewed at said thread of the upper portion (10).

4. Click-clack mechanism (1 ) according to claim 3, wherein said one or more teeth (55) engaging said at least one groove, or said through slot (20), in a first position correspond to the plug (7) in said at least one first angular position, and said one or more teeth (55) engaging said at least one groove, orsaid through slot (20), in a second position correspond to the plug (7) in said at least one second angular position.

5. Click-clack mechanism (1 ) according to claim 3 or claim 4, wherein said coupling means comprise a groove extending along the entire circumference of the upper portion (10) or wherein the upper portion (10) comprises one or more grooves and / or one or more through slots (20), each of which extends along a circumferential segment of the upper portion (10).

6. Click-clack mechanism (1 ) according to claims 2-5, wherein the upper portion (10) comprises a substantially hollow cylinder-shaped body (2) extending circumferentially with respect to said longitudinal axis (X) and which body is closed by said plug (7), and wherein said coupling means are formed in the body (2) of the upper portion (10).

7. Click-clack mechanism (1 ) according to claims 1-6, wherein the lower portion (9) comprises a cavity (24) extending along said longitudinal axis (X) and within which said resilient element (6) is at least partially housed, wherein said lower portion (9) comprises at least one groove (25) formed at said cavity (24) of the lower portion (9), said at least one groove (25) extending parallel to the longitudinal axis (X), wherein said plug (7) comprises a least one rib, or ribbing (58), extending parallel to the longitudinal axis (X), and wherein: the plug (7) in said at least one first angular position corresponds to said at least one rib, or ribbing (58), in the same angular position of the at least one groove (25) of the lower portion (9) and to the upper portion (10) movable axially with the plug (7) between the raised position and the lowered position, and vice-versa, with respect to the lower portion (9), and the plug (7) in said at least one second angular position corresponds to said at least one rib, or ribbing (25), angularly offset with respect to said at least one groove (25) and to the upper portion (10) locked in axial movements with respect to the lower portion (9).

8. Click-clack mechanism (1 ) according to claim 7, wherein the plug (7) in said at least one first angular position corresponds to said at least one rib,or ribbing (58), susceptible to sliding in said at least one groove (25) of the lower portion (9), in response to a thrust exerted by a user onto the upper portion (10) and directed towards the lower portion (9).

9. Click-clack mechanism (1 ) according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the lower portion (9) has an upper edge (65) at which said at least one groove (25) opens, wherein said at least one rib, or ribbing (58), has an end (58b) comprising an abutment surface (59) and wherein the plug (7) in said at least one second angular position corresponds to said abutment surface (59) abutting on said upper edge (65) of the lower portion (9) in response to a thrust exerted by a user onto the upper portion (10) and directed towards the lower portion (9).

10. Click-clack mechanism (1 ) according to claims 7-9, wherein said at least one groove (25) extends in said cavity (24) of the lower portion (9) between an upper edge (65) of the lower portion (9) and a support surface, or step (27), at which said resilient element (6) rests.

11. Click-clack mechanism (1 ) according to claims 7-10, wherein the plug (7) comprises an upper wall (52) and a stem (57) extending axially from the upper wall (52) into said cavity (24) of the lower portion (9) and wherein said at least one rib, or ribbing (58), is provided on said stem (57).

12. Click-clack mechanism (1 ) according to claim 11 , wherein said stem (57) juts out from the upper wall (52) between a first end (57a) positioned at the upper wall (52), and a second end (57b) distal from the upper wall (52) and housed in said cavity (24) of the lower portion (9), and wherein said at least one rib, or ribbing (58), extends from the first end (57a) of the stem (57) to an intermediate position between the first and second ends of the stem (57), for example at about 5 millimeters from the second end (57b).

13. Click-clack mechanism (1 ) according to claim 11 or 12, wherein said stem (57) has an inner cavity (60) in which said resilient element (6) is at least partially housed, and wherein said at least one rib, or ribbing (58), is provided on an outer surface of the stem (57), in a position opposite the respective inner cavity (60).

14. Click-clack mechanism (1 ) according to any one of claims 1-13, wherein the plug (7) is rotatable with respect to the upper portion between said at least one first angular position and said at least one second angular position, and vice-versa, in response to a rotation imparted by a user onto the plug (7) both in a first direction (47) and in a second direction (48) opposite the first, at an engagement portion provided on the plug (7) and adapted for being engaged by a corresponding tool.

15. Click-clack mechanism (1 ) according to claim 14, wherein the plug (7) comprises an upper wall (52) which closes a cavity (12) of the upper portion (10) and wherein said engagement portion is provided on said upper wall (52).

16. Click-clack mechanism (1 ) according to claim 15, wherein the lower portion (9) is adapted for being constrained to a corresponding drain body (101 ), wherein the upper portion (9) comprises a hollow body (2) which has fastening means (3) at which the click-clack mechanism is adapted for being fastened to a head (107) of a drain (100) and wherein, with respect to the longitudinal axis (X), said fastening means (3) are positioned axially in a position intermediate between the lower portion (9) and the upper wall (52) of the plug (7).

17. Click-clack mechanism (1 ) according to claims 15-16, wherein the engagement portion is a blind hole (46), or notch, formed in the upper wall (52) of the plug (7) and adapted for being engaged by a hex key, or screwdriver, or by a coin or anyhow by a generic tool.

18. Click-clack mechanism (1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the upper portion (10) comprises at least one engagement portion (16) guided into said at least one longitudinal groove (31 ) formed in an outer surface (23b) of the lower portion (9) during the axial movements of the upper portion (10) with respect to the lower portion (9).

19. Click-clack mechanism (1 ) according to any one of claims 1-18, configured as an opening and closing snap mechanism of a drain, wherein the upper portion (10) switches from the raised position to the lowered position, andvice-versa, in response to a pressure exerted onto the upper portion (10) along an axial direction and always directed towards the lower portion (9).

20. Click-clack mechanism (1 ) according to claims 1-19, wherein the upper portion (10) comprises a ring nut (5) fitted on the lower portion (9) and rotatable on the longitudinal axis (X), with respect to the lower portion (9) itself, in response to a pressure exerted onto the upper portion (10) along the axial direction and always directed towards the lower portion (9), and wherein said resilient element (6) is arranged to be compressed during the lowering of the upper portion (10) on the lower portion (9) and to extend to bring back the upper portion (10) to the raised position, wherein said ring nut (5) comprises at least one tooth (45) engaging a corresponding profile (29) provided in the upper portion (10) or lower portion (9), wherein said profile (29) has at least one upper seat and at least one lower seat, and wherein: the upper portion (10) raised with respect to the lower portion (9) corresponds to the ring nut (5) engaged in said at least one upper seat, the upper portion (10) lowered with respect to the lower portion (9) corresponds to the ring nut (5) engaged in said at least one lower seat.

21. Click-clack mechanism (1 ) according to claim 20, wherein said profile (29) is provided on an outer surface (23b) of the lower portion (9), wherein the lower portion (9) is configured as a pin (4) at which the click-clack mechanism (1 ) is adapted for being fastened in a corresponding drain (100), wherein the upper portion (10) comprises a body (2) slidingly mounted on said pin (4), wherein said ring nut (5) engages, with said at least one tooth (45), a corresponding circuit (32) formed on the outer surface (23b) of the pin (4), said circuit (32) defining a seat (70) and a recess (39) for housing said tooth (45), wherein the seat (70) is positioned, with respect to a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis (X), between the resilient element (6) and the recess (39), and wherein the tooth (45) is housed in said seat (70) in the open configuration of the click-clack mechanism (1 ) and the tooth (45) is housed in said recess (39)in the closed configuration of the click-clack mechanism.

22. A drain (100) for sanitary fixtures, comprising:- a drain body (101 ) that can be fastened to a sanitary fixture, for example a sink, provided with a base (101a) and a top (101 b), wherein the base (101a) comprises an opening (110) for draining the water and the top (101b) delimits the mouth (105) for the inflow of water into the drain body (101 );- a click-clack mechanism (1 ) according to claims 1-21 , the click-clack mechanism (1 ) being housed in the drain body (101 ) and configurable in an open configuration, at which the click-clack mechanism (1 ) does not intercept the mouth (105) and allows the passage of water through the drain body (101 ), or in a closed configuration, at which the click-clack mechanism (1 ) closes the mouth (105) and prevents the passage of water through the drain body (101 ),- a head (107) of the drain (100) constrainable to the upper portion (10) of the click-clack mechanism (1 ), wherein the drain (100) is configurable in: a first configuration, corresponding to the head (107) of the drain (100) fastened to the upper portion (10) of the click-clack mechanism (1 ) and which head covers said plug (7) of the click-clack mechanism (1 ), thus not making the plug (7) accessible by a user, and a second configuration, corresponding to the head (107) of the drain (100) separated from the upper portion (10) of the click-clack mechanism (1 ) and to said plug (7) accessible by a user and rotatable by a user with respect to the upper portion (10) between said at least one first angular position and said at least one second angular position, or vice-versa.

23. Drain (100) according to claim 22, wherein the upper portion (10) of the click-clack mechanism (1 ) comprises fastening means (3) which can be engaged by the head (107) of the drain (100), wherein the plug (7) comprises an upper wall (52) provided with an engagement portion adapted for being engaged by a corresponding tool for rotating the plug (7) between said at least one first angular position and said at least one second angular position, andvice-versa, and wherein said fastening means (3) are interposed, with respect to the longitudinal axis (X), between said upper wall (52) and said lower portion(9) of the click-clack mechanism.

24. Method of preventing a drain (100) for sanitary fixtures from closing, the method comprising the steps of: a) providing a drain (100) according to claim 22 or 23, wherein the click-clack mechanism (1 ) is in the open configuration, wherein the head (107) of the drain (100) is fastened to the upper portion (10) and wherein the plug (7) is in the at least one first angular position; b) separating the head (107) of the drain (100) from the upper portion(10) of the click-clack mechanism (1 ), thus making the plug (7) accessible to a user; c) rotating the plug (7) with respect to the upper portion (10) from said at least one first angular position to said at least one second angular position, so as to bring the click-clack mechanism (1 ) to a locked configuration and prevent the click-clack mechanism (1) from being pushed to the closed configuration; d) fastening the head (107) of the drain (100) to the upper portion (9) of the click-clack mechanism (1 ).

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