TAP WITH WELDED INSTALLATION BASE

Abstract

TAP WITH WELDED MOUNTING BASE The invention relates to a tap with a welded mounting base, wherein said mounting base (11) comprises a part configured to join to the fixing end (12) of the tap body (10), closest to the mounting surface (100), and wherein the tap (10) comprises a threaded connecting element (13) which is fixed to the tap (10) by a first end (13.1) and receives at its other end (13.2), a clamping element (14) for fixing the tap (10) to said mounting surface (100). The mounting base (11) is formed by a metal part comprising a joining surface (15) configured to remain securely joined to the perimeter (16) of the tap body (10) by welding; and the mounting base (11) includes at least one threaded opening (17) formed by a cylindrical / annular surface, configured to receive the threaded connecting element (13). Figure for abbreviation: none

Description

Title of the invention: TAP WITH WELDED INSTALLATION BASE

[0001] The present invention relates to a tap comprising an installation base coupled to the body of said tap, where the tap remains fixed to an installation surface by joining the latter to a threaded element passing through the installation surface and to which it is fixed by tightening via a joining element from the other side of said installation surface. Background of the invention

[0002] Water supply taps having an internal overthickness at their extreme fixing area to the installation surface, in order to have a thread allowing said fixing of the tap on the threaded fixing tube, and that the latter can in turn pass through the installation surface to be fixed by a nut or similar to said installation surface, are known and are therefore part of the prior art.

[0003] This solution for creating a tap body fixing thread necessarily implies a greater expenditure of material within the structure of the tap body, in that it requires the indicated increase in thickness in order to make possible the machining of the internal thread, which will allow the coupling of the tap body and the threaded fixing tube.

[0004] To complete their installation, many of these taps use a base ring between the profile of the tap body and the installation surface, in order to prevent water from escaping through the visible area between the inside of the tap and the visible surface of the installation surface.

[0005] This base ring is coupled to the tap body by pressure packing, via the fixing between the threaded tube and the fixing nut to the installation surface by the opposite side of said installation surface relative to the position of the tap.

[0006] This installation of the base ring has the disadvantage of requiring separate assembly, in addition to the fact that its coupling may not remain perfectly concentrically aligned with the valve body. Since it is generally a simple packaging joint, this connection between the base ring and the valve body may also allow internal water leakage through this coupling area between the base ring and the valve body.

[0007] The new configuration of the tap body fixing area to the installation surface thus appears necessary in order to avoid the disadvantages of the known prior art. Description of the invention

[0008] The present invention aims to provide a tap with a welded installation base, which makes it possible to resolve the aforementioned disadvantages, while offering other advantages described below.

[0009] In accordance with this objective, and with respect to a first aspect, the present invention is based on a tap with a welded mounting base, wherein said mounting base comprises a part configured to join to the fixing end of the tap body, that is to say, the part of the tap body closest to the installation surface. The tap includes a threaded connecting element, in the manner of a tube, bolt, or similar, fixed to the tap via a first end, and receiving at its other end a clamping element for fixing the tap to said installation surface.

[0010] Advantageously, the present invention is based on the fact that the installation base is formed by a metal part comprising a junction surface configured to remain securely attached to the perimeter of the tap body by welding.

[0011] Also advantageously for the present invention, the mounting base comprises at least one threaded opening formed by a cylindrical / annular surface, configured to receive the threaded connecting element. This threaded connecting element, securely fixed to the tap body via the mounting base, extends through the mounting surface and receives a nut or similar fastener, tightening the assembly onto the mounting surface from the opposite side of the mounting surface from which the tap is mounted.

[0012] For the sake of clarity, the perimeter of the valve body should be understood to include both the profile of the end of said valve body and the lateral surfaces that constitute it. Similarly, the fixing end of the valve body should be understood to include the final portion of said valve body adjacent to the mounting surface, as well as the area of ​​the valve body previously adjacent to the mounting area of ​​the cartridge / regulating valve. As can be understood, small variations in these positions or areas do not alter either the operation or the advantageous configuration concept of this invention.

[0013] The described configuration advantageously provides a tap which, in order to join the threaded connecting element, does not need to have an increase in material thickness at its fixing end to incorporate an internal thread for attaching said threaded connecting element. This material saving reduces the cost of the tap by using an independent part, such as the mounting base, which is welded to the tap body. This results in a reduction in material costs because it is no longer it is necessary to have a material thickness as great as that of the tap body, nor exactly the same material.

[0014] In addition to reducing the material costs of the faucet, this advantageous configuration allows the junction base to be joined to the faucet before the faucet is mounted on the installation surface, thus preventing incorrect placement, movement between the two parts, and even water leaks between the installation base and the faucet body. Another advantage of this welded base configuration is the continuity of the visible parts. Having welded junctions eliminates the need for mating grooves associated with pressure packing.

[0015] According to one possible embodiment of the invention, the installation base is a metal piece whose shape creates a part protruding at the lower level in the manner of a skirt or a perimeter step, visible in relation to the body of the tap, the welded joining surface of which is located at its bearing surface of the perimeter of the profile of the tap body.

[0016] This configuration makes it possible to obtain a tap with the aforementioned advantages, which allows a slight elevation relative to the installation surface and a larger resting diameter of the tap body, in order to be able to efficiently carry out the packing by clamping through the joining element joining to the installation base.

[0017] According to another possible embodiment of the invention, the installation base is a metal piece with a shape substantially coinciding with that of the fixing end of the tap body, not protruding from the perimeter of said fixing end of the tap body, the welded joining surface of which is located at the perimeter end of the installation base and is in contact either with the perimeter of the profile of the tap body or with the inner perimeter of the tap body.

[0018] This configuration makes it possible to obtain the same effects as the independent claim in an embodiment, without visible perimeter skirts or steps, remaining hidden by the body of the tap, but fixed internally or on the profile itself in order to be able to achieve the fixing of the threaded joining element.

[0019] According to an embodiment complementary to any of the preceding embodiments, the installation base comprises a cylindrical / annular surface forming the threaded opening configured to receive the joining element and configured with an axis perpendicular to the plane of the tap installation surface.

[0020] This configuration of at least one threaded opening in the mounting base allows for the creation, on the mounting base, of a circular profile describing the threaded opening of the joining element, by bending it along the indicated axis. Subsequent machining of this surface on this axis allows for the creation of the thread surface replacing the extra thicknesses of the tap body in the prior art.

[0021] Preferably, the shape of the installation base is configured by stamping, pressing or similar process, of a metal sheet forming said shape, and the cylindrical / annular surface is machined to have the threaded opening.

[0022] This process of configuring the metal part corresponding to the installation base, makes it possible to give the desired external shape, circular or other shape which corresponds to the body of the tap, or different desired shape, with skirt or external step visible or fitted to the body of the tap, to have an elevation above the installation surface, as well as the configuration by bending, punching or similar of the threaded opening, to create said cylindrical / annular surface on an axis perpendicular to the installation surface.

[0023] Compared to any of the preceding embodiments, preferably for the invention, the installation base may have a single opening, the threaded opening having a diameter corresponding to that of a connecting element in the manner of a threaded installation tube, where the connecting element is configured to allow the passage of hydraulic lines to the cartridge / valve from inside the tap, as well as for fixing by the clamping element from the other side of the installation surface.

[0024] Alternatively, but applicable to embodiments preceding this last embodiment, the installation base has, in addition to the threaded opening configured with a reduced diameter to receive a bolt or threaded rod type joining element, also at least one other opening for the passage of hydraulic pipes.

[0025] These last two configurations thus make it possible to adapt the new basic installation concept to any of the joining element solutions conventionally used for fixing the tap to the installation surface.

[0026] Common to all the preceding embodiments, it must be taken into account that the metal part forming the installation base is preferably made of the same metallic material as the tap body or, alternatively, of a material that can be welded with the metallic material of the tap body. Brief description of the figures

[0027] To facilitate understanding of what has been presented, drawings are attached representing, schematically and solely as a non-limiting example, a practical case of an embodiment.

[0028] [Fig-1] Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the tap structure according to the state of the art.

[0029] [Fig.2] Fig.2 is a detail of the tap's threaded junction end in the tap body for a threaded tube joining element, according to the state of the art.

[0030] [Fig.3] Fig.3 is a detail of the tap's junction end with a base welded installation containing the thread for a threaded tube joining element, where the installation base has a visible outer skirt.

[0031] [Fig.4] Fig.4 is a detail of the tap's junction end with a base welded installation containing the thread for a threaded tube joining element, where the installation base does not protrude beyond the diameter of the tap body.

[0032] Description of a preferred embodiment of the invention

[0033] The taps known in the prior art, as shown in the figures Figures 1 and 2 have an internal overhang (A) at the tap body's mounting end (O), which allows for the creation of a thread (B) in the tap body (A) for coupling a connecting element. In this prior art example, this element is a threaded tube (D) that passes through the mounting surface (S) and is threaded from the other side of the mounting surface (S) using a nut (T) or similar fastener, thus clamping it against the mounting surface (S). Conventional components such as the cartridge / valve or the tap handle are not shown in Figures 1 and 2, as they are well known.

[0034] As can be seen in [Fig.2], the tap can have a tap base (G) (O) allowing the tap base diameter (O) to be increased and the described clamping packaging to be improved.

[0035] In the present preferred embodiment of the invention, and as shown in Figures 3 and 4, the tap (10) has a fixing end (12) of the tap body (10) to the installation surface (100) without overthickness, the latter having an installation base (11) formed by a metal piece, in this case stainless steel, identical to the body, welded to said fixing end (12) of the tap (10).

[0036] This installation base (11) is configured by stamping, deep drawing, punching, or a similar conventional process, resulting in the present embodiment in a stepped profile with an outer skirt (18) and a joining surface (15) welded between the perimeter (16) of the valve body profile (10) and the bearing surface on the installation base (11). The installation base (11) further has a threaded opening (17) with a diameter complementary to that of the joining element (13), a threaded tube in the present embodiment. This threaded opening (17) is formed by a cylindrical / annular surface, which is also produced by the deep drawing, deep drawing, or punching process and then machined.

[0037] As an alternative to the previous embodiment with a skirt (18), it is possible to attach to the tap body (10) an installation base (11) that does not protrude from the tap body (10), remains invisible from the outside, and is joined by welding, as can be seen in [Fig. 4], at the perimeter end of the installation base (11) in contact with the perimeter (16) of the profile of the tap body (10), as shown in [Fig. 4], with a joining surface (15) to the joining profiles of the two parts, the installation base (11) and the perimeter profile (16) of the tap body. Similarly, the joining could be made at the point where the installation base (11) contacts the inner perimeter (16.1) of the tap body (10), if this base is located slightly inside the cavity of the tap body (10).

[0038] The connecting element (13), fixed at a first end (13.1) by thread to the installation base (11), passes through the installation surface (100) in order to receive at its other end (13.2), a clamping element (14) which exerts a direct or indirect pressure on the other side of said installation surface (100) generating the fixing of the tap assembly (10) and installation surface (100).

[0039] As seen in previous embodiments, the connecting element (13) is based on a threaded tube with a diameter similar to that of the valve body (10), through which the hydraulic lines pass. Therefore, only the base has a threaded opening (17) for threaded attachment of said connecting element (13).

[0040] As an alternative to the preceding embodiments, a bolt or threaded rod, not shown in the figures, can be used instead of this tube. This results in the mounting base having two openings: one threaded for the threaded attachment of this type of connecting element, with a similar threaded opening configuration adapted to the diameter of the threaded rod or bolt, which is considerably smaller than that of the threaded tube; and another opening to allow the passage of hydraulic lines. This embodiment, not shown in the figures due to its similarity and the widespread knowledge of the form of a threaded rod or bolt connection, allows this welded mounting base configuration to be adapted to different connection systems.

[0041] As indicated, the junction between the installation base (11) and the fixing end (12) of the tap body (10) is made by welding, which makes it possible to seal said junction and to avoid any junction groove, as is the case in the prior art when there is a step or an external skirt visible.

[0042] Although reference has been made to a specific embodiment of the invention, it is obvious to an expert in the field that the tap with threaded installation base described can be subject to numerous modifications and variations, and that all the details mentioned can be replaced by others that are technically equivalent, without departing from the scope of protection defined by the attached claims.

Claims

Demands

1. - Faucet with welded installation base, wherein said installation base (11) comprises a part configured to join to the fixing end (12) of the faucet body (10), closest to the installation surface (100), and wherein the faucet (10) comprises a threaded joining element (13) which is fixed to the faucet (10) by a first end (13.1) and receives at its other end (13.2), a clamping element (14) for fixing the faucet (10) to said installation surface (100), characterized in that the installation base (11) is formed by a metal part comprising a joining surface (15) configured to remain securely joined to the perimeter (16) of the faucet body (10) by welding; and where the installation base (11) includes at least one threaded opening (17) formed by a cylindrical / annular surface, configured to receive the threaded joining element (13).

2. - Tap with welded installation base, according to claim 1, wherein the installation base (11) is a metal piece whose shape creates a part projecting at the lower level in the manner of a skirt or a perimeter step (18), visible in relation to the tap body (10), the welded joining surface (15) of which is located at its bearing surface of the perimeter (16) of the profile of the tap body (10).

3. - Tap with welded installation base, according to claim 1, wherein the installation base (11) is a metal piece having a shape substantially coinciding with that of the fixing end (12) of the tap body (10), not protruding from the perimeter (16) of said fixing end (12) of the tap body (10), the welded joining surface (15) located at the perimeter end of the installation base (11) is in contact either with the perimeter (16) of the profile of the tap body (10), or with the inner perimeter (16.1) of the tap body (10).

4. - Faucet with welded installation base, according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cylindrical / annular surface forming the threaded opening (17) of the installation base (11) is configured with an axis perpendicular to the plane of the installation surface (100) of the faucet (10).

5. - Tap with welded installation base, according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the shape of the installation base (11) is configured by stamping, pressing or similar process, of a metal sheet forming said shape, and the cylindrical / annular surface is machined to have the threaded opening (17).

6. - Tap with welded installation base, according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the installation base (11) may have a single opening, the threaded opening (17) having a diameter corresponding to that of a connecting element (13) in the manner of a threaded installation tube, wherein the connecting element (13) is configured to permit the passage of hydraulic lines to the cartridge / valve from inside the tap, as well as for fixing by the clamping element (14) from the other side of the installation surface (100).

7. - Tap with welded installation base, according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the installation base (11) has, in addition to the threaded opening (17) configured with a reduced diameter to receive a connecting element (13) of the bolt or threaded rod type, also at least one other opening for the passage of hydraulic lines.

Images