SINK DRAIN

Abstract

SINK DRAIN The invention relates to a sink drain (1), comprising a cup body (2), onto which a strainer (3) is slidably attached, and actuation means (4), which include a lever (40) rotatably connected to the cup body (2) and an actuating cable (41) connected to the lever (40) and capable of being actuated to move the strainer (3) to open or close the drain (1). The actuating means (4) also include a support element (5) fixed to the cup body (2) and having a housing with a lateral insertion opening, a connecting sleeve (6) housed in the housing of the support element (5) and receiving the actuating cable (41), and a removable closing flap (7), which opens / closes the lateral insertion opening of the housing. Figure to be published for the abstract: Figure 1A

Description

Title of the invention: SINK DRAIN Scope

[0001] The present invention relates to a sink drain.

[0002] The drain in question is advantageously usable to allow water to flow from a sink (or washbasin) to a drain pipe, and can be used in both residential and professional settings.

[0003] The drain fitting is preferably usable for kitchen, bathroom or laundry sinks, but it can of course be used for sinks in general, regardless of their use.

[0004] The present invention therefore falls within the industrial sector of the production of hydraulic devices and accessories, and in particular of plugs. Prior art

[0005] Drains are available on the market which allow water to flow from a sink into a drain pipe. These drains consist of a cup body, fixed to the lower part of the sink basin and hydraulically connected to the drain pipe, and a strainer, located in the sink basin, at the level of the drain opening, and connected to the cup body by a sleeve, with a seal between the two, so that the cup body is fixed to the basin and the water flows without leaks.

[0006] The drains also include a component equipped with a seal, which is placed under the strainer, and an elongated rod which slides inside the socket to allow vertical movement of the strainer from a raised flow position to a lowered position to prevent water from flowing towards the drain pipe.

[0007] These traditional type plugs allow the user to manually move the strainer, as needed, to allow or prevent the flow of water from the sink basin into the drain pipe.

[0008] However, these solutions of drains with manual strainer have proven to be impractical to use.

[0009] That is why, over time, technical solutions have been developed to automatically move the strainer by means of an actuator (mechanical or electrical) placed on the edge of the sink basin.

[0010] These solutions are known on the market as automatic drains.

[0011] More specifically, automatic drain plugs comprise a mechanical or electrical actuator connected to a metal cable which is fixed at one end to an actuation mechanism. In particular, the actuation mechanism is connected to the elongated rod of the strainer, so that it moves from the raised position to the lowered position under the effect of the cable's movement by means of the actuator.

[0012] To ensure the proper functioning of this automatic device, the cable must be taut, without any slack. Traditional drains achieve this by passing the cable through a sliding guide located on a connecting element that is attached to the cup body by means of a plate. More specifically, the plate is screwed onto the cup body with a screw and supports the connecting element in which the cable is housed to slide.

[0013] The known types of drain plugs have proven, in practice, not to be without drawbacks.

[0014] The main disadvantage of these plugs is that they are impractical and difficult to assemble and disassemble.

[0015] Indeed, for their assembly and disassembly, it is necessary to insert the cable into the connecting element, mount the connecting element onto the mounting plate, and then attach the latter to the cup body by inserting and tightening the fixing screw. Not only are these operations time-consuming, but they are also impractical and complex to perform. In fact, in some cases, the sink is installed inside cabinets where access to the drain is limited, particularly at the point where the automatic device's plate is attached. This makes using tools for installing and removing the plate even more cumbersome and difficult.

[0016] Another disadvantage is that these operations are not easy for the end user to perform and require the use of specialized personnel.

[0017] Consequently, traditional drains of the type described above are difficult to dismantle in order to replace the automatic device, for example in the event of malfunction or breakage of the actuator, cable or other installed electromechanical components. Disclosure of the invention

[0018] In this situation, the problem underlying the present invention is therefore to eliminate the problems of the aforementioned known technique by proposing a sink drain that is easy and simple to disassemble and assemble, even for unqualified personnel.

[0019] The objective of the present invention is achieved by means of a sink drain comprising: a cup-shaped body, which is provided with a central guide sleeve, which is equipped internally with a guide channel extending along a main direction of development, and a drain conduit extending around the guide sleeve; a strainer provided with an elongated rod that slides into the guide channel of the guide sleeve, and which moves along the main direction of development between a raised position, allowing the passage of water in the drain pipe, and a lowered position, preventing the passage of water in the drain pipe; actuation means, which include a lever, pivotally connected to the cup body and capable of rotating about an axis of rotation, and an actuation cable, which extends between a first end, connected to the lever, and a second opposite end, capable of being connected to an actuator capable of moving the actuation cable along an actuation direction orthogonal to the axis of rotation and the main direction of development, of rotating the lever about the axis of rotation and of controlling the movement of the strainer from the raised position to the lowered position.The actuation means comprise: a support element, fixed to the cup body, which is provided with a housing equipped with a lateral insertion opening; a connecting sleeve, hollow internally, in which the actuating cable is slidably housed, and which is housed in the housing of the support element. The connecting sleeve is adapted to be inserted into the housing, through the lateral insertion opening, along an insertion direction orthogonal to the actuation direction, and is fixed to said housing for movements along the actuation direction. The actuation means also comprise a cover element, which is connected to the support element and is adapted to move from an open position to a closed position to open / close the insertion opening of the housing.

[0020] Another objective of the present invention is to make available a drain plug requiring a reduced number of components for its production.

[0021] Another objective of the present invention is to make available an economically produced drain plug.

[0022] Another objective of the present invention is to provide a drain plug that is stable and durable during its use.

[0023] In accordance with these latter objectives and according to a particular feature of the invention, the connecting sleeve is suitable for being housed in the housing of the support element, sliding freely along the insertion direction.

[0024] According to another particular feature of the invention, one of the connecting sleeve and the support element is provided with at least one groove which extends circumferentially around the direction of actuation, and the other of the connecting sleeve and the support element is provided with at least one engagement protrusion which extends radially with respect to the direction of actuation and engages in the groove, in order to make the connecting sleeve and the support element fixed together for movements along the direction of actuation.

[0025] According to another particular feature of the invention, the groove and the engagement protuberance are shaped to allow mutual rotation of the connecting sleeve and the support element around the direction of actuation.

[0026] According to another particular feature of the invention, the groove is located on the connecting sleeve and the snap-in protrusion is disposed on the support element.

[0027] According to another particular feature of the invention, the connecting sleeve is provided with two grooves which develop circumferentially in depression from an external lateral surface of the connecting sleeve and which are spaced apart from each other along the direction of actuation; the support element is provided with two snap-in protrusions, each snapping into a corresponding groove of the connecting sleeve.

[0028] According to another particular feature of the invention, the interlocking element extends along the direction of actuation between a rear opening, oriented towards the second end of the actuation cable, and an opposite front opening, oriented towards the first end of the actuation cable; when the cover element is in the closed position, the housing is accessible from the outside exclusively through the front and rear openings.

[0029] According to another particular feature of the invention, the support element is provided with at least one snap slot, and the cover element is provided with at least one hooking fin, capable of snapping into the snap slot of the support element, in order to make the cover element fixed to the support element in the closed position.

[0030] According to another particular feature of the invention, the hooking fin of the cover element is configured to snap into place by snapping into the snapping slot of the support element.

[0031] According to another particular feature of the invention, the cover element is articulated on the support element, around an articulation axis parallel to the direction of actuation, and is able to rotate around the articulation axis between the open position and the closed position. Brief description of the figures

[0032] The technical features of the invention, according to the aforementioned objectives, and the advantages of the invention will become clearer in the following detailed description, made with reference to the accompanying drawings, which represent a purely illustrative and non-limiting embodiment, in which: • [Fig. 1 A] shows a perspective view of the drain that is the subject of the present invention, according to a first embodiment; • [Fig.1B] shows another view of the drain of [Fig.1A], from which a strainer has been removed; • [Fig.2] shows a side view of the drain of [Fig. 1 A]; • [Fig.3] shows a side cross-sectional view of the drain of [Fig.2]; • [Fig.4] shows a detail of the drain plug of [Fig.1A], relating to a sleeve of connection and a cover element, in the open position; • [Fig. 5] shows another view of the detail of the drain of [Fig. 4], with the connecting sleeve removed to better appreciate the cover element; • [Fig.6] shows a top view of the drain of [Fig.1B]; • [Fig.7] shows a detail of the drain of [Fig.1A], relating to the strainer; • [Fig. 8] shows a perspective view of the drain that is the subject of the present invention, according to a second embodiment, and with a cover element in the open position; • [Fig.9] shows the drain of [Fig.8], with the cover element in closed position.

[0033] Detailed description of a preferred example embodiment

[0034] With reference to the accompanying figures, a sink drain according to the present invention is represented in its entirety by reference 1.

[0035] The drain 1 in question can advantageously be used both domestically and professionally to allow liquids to flow from a sink to a drain pipe.

[0036] According to the invention, the drain 1 in question comprises a cup body 2, preferably made of plastic, which is provided with a guide sleeve 20, which is provided inside with a central guide channel 20' extending along a main development direction Y, and with an evacuation conduit 21 extending around the guide sleeve 20. In particular, the guide channel 20' is hydraulically separated from the evacuation conduit 21.

[0037] Advantageously, as shown in the accompanying figures, the cup body 2 has an internal concavity. More specifically, the cup body 2 extends from an enlarged inlet orifice 22, intended to be placed near an underside of the sink, to an outlet orifice 23, intended to be hydraulically connected to a water drain pipe, not shown in the accompanying figures.

[0038] According to a first embodiment, illustrated in figures IA and IB, the cup body 2 of the drain 1 consists of two separate elements which are connected to each other, for example by screwing.

[0039] In particular, the cup body 2 advantageously comprises an upper element 201, which is intended to be disposed near an underside of the sink and on which is located the aforementioned inlet port 22, and a lower element 202, which is disposed inferiorly, along the main development direction Y, relative to the upper element 201, to which it is fixed, and on which is located the outlet port 23.

[0040] Advantageously, the lower element is hydraulically connected, at the outlet port 23, to a fitting which hydraulically connects the evacuation conduit 21 to the evacuation pipe, and which preferably develops horizontally, essentially orthogonally to the main development direction Y.

[0041] This type of connection, known in the jargon as a body-carrying elbow, allows the drain 1 to be placed even in restricted spaces and is in fact considered a space-saving solution compared to traditional solutions with the drain 1 and the cup body 2 in one and the same body.

[0042] According to a second embodiment, illustrated in figures 8 and 9, the cup body 2 consists of a single body 203, and therefore extends with a single element between the inlet opening 22 and the outlet opening 23.

[0043] In this case, the outlet opening 23 is preferably essentially coaxial with the inlet opening 22, and the drain pipe is therefore likely to be connected below the cup body 2, and not laterally as in the case of the first embodiment.

[0044] The evacuation conduit 21 advantageously extends circumferentially around the main development direction Y of the guide sleeve 20, preferably with an essentially V-shaped development.

[0045] The drain 1 also includes a strainer 3. In particular, the strainer 3 is intended to be placed inside the sink basin, at the level of the drain opening, preferably resting on a support body positioned to cover this same drain opening. The strainer 3 is equipped with a strainer body 30 and an elongated rod 31, which is slidably engaged in the guide channel 20 of the cup-shaped body 2 along the main development direction Y.

[0046] In particular, the elongated rod 31 is capable of engaging in the drain hole of the sink basin and in the guide channel 20' of the guide sleeve 20.

[0047] Advantageously, the drain 1 includes a threaded sleeve 100 which is hollow inside. More specifically, the threaded sleeve 100 is connected to the strainer 3 and is engaged by screwing into the guide channel 20' (preferably threaded) of the sleeve 20, to connect the strainer 3 and the cup body 2, as shown in [Fig.3].

[0048] The elongated rod 31 of the strainer 3 moves along the guide channel 20' (and preferably inside the threaded sleeve), along the development direction Y, between a raised position, allowing the passage of water in said drainage conduit 21, and a lowered position, essentially preventing the passage of water in the drainage conduit 21.

[0049] In particular, the strainer 3 is provided with a stop face, oriented towards the cup body 2, which is configured to close the sink drain opening when the strainer 3 is in the lowered position, so as to essentially prevent water from passing through said drain opening.

[0050] The drain 1 also includes actuation means 4, which include a lever 40, pivotally connected to the cup body 2 and capable of rotating about an axis of rotation R, and an actuation cable 41, preferably a Bowden-type metal cable, which extends from a first end 41', connected to the lever 40, to a second opposite end 41", capable of being connected to an actuator, which may be a mechanical or electrical actuator, actuable to move the actuation cable 41 along an actuation direction X essentially orthogonal to the axis of rotation R and to the development direction Y, to rotate the lever 40 about the axis of rotation R and control the movement of the strainer 3 from the raised position to the lowered position.

[0051] More specifically, the lever 40 is articulated, preferably at its first side, on the cup body 2, and is connected to the actuation cable 41 at its second side, opposite to the first, as shown in [Fig.1A].

[0052] In accordance with the idea underlying the present invention, the actuation means 4 of the drain 1 comprise a support element 5, which is fixed to the cup body 2.

[0053] Advantageously, the support element 5 extends in projection, in a single body, from the cup body 2, and preferably extends in projection from a lateral side of the cup body 2.

[0054] In particular, according to the first embodiment, the support element 5 extends laterally in projection from the lower element 202 of the cup body 2, while in the case of the second embodiment, the support element 5 extends in projection from the single body 203 of the cup body 2.

[0055] The support element 5 is provided with a housing 50 with a lateral insertion opening 51, and a connecting sleeve 6, hollow inside, in which the actuation cable 41 is slidably housed, and which is housed in the housing 50 of the support element 5.

[0056] Advantageously, the connecting sleeve 6 has an external lateral surface 60 which is essentially cylindrical, although it does not extend with a constant diameter as described in more detail below, and the housing 50 of the support element 5 has an internal wall which is also essentially cylindrical, at least partially, so as to allow free rotation of the connecting sleeve 6 in the housing 50, in order to prevent twisting of the connecting sleeve 6 during the assembly phase. More specifically, the connecting sleeve 6 advantageously extends between two opposite ends 6', 6", at which respective insertion openings 61, communicating with each other, define a housing channel for the cable 41.

[0057] Advantageously, the connecting sleeve 6 is made of a polymer material.

[0058] The connecting sleeve 6 can be inserted into the housing 50, via the lateral insertion opening 51, along an insertion direction Z essentially orthogonal to the actuation direction X, and is made fixed to the support element 5, in the housing 50, for movements parallel to the actuation direction X.

[0059] The actuation means 4 also include a cover element 7, preferably of the flap type, which is connected to the support element 5 and which can be moved from an open position to a closed position, to open / close the insertion opening 51 of the housing 50.

[0060] In this way, the connecting sleeve 6 can be made secure, simply and easily, in the housing 50, of the support element 5, from which it can be easily removed by means of the simple opening of the cover element 7.

[0061] Advantageously, the actuation cable 41 is removably connected, at its first end 41', to the lever 40, preferably by bayonet-type connection means.

[0062] In particular, the lever 40 is advantageously provided with a housing cavity, accessible from one side of the lever 40, oriented orthogonally to the actuation direction X, and the actuation cable 41 is provided, at its first end 41', with an enlarged head, for example a spherical head, which can be inserted into the housing cavity of the lever 40 by insertion along said direction orthogonal to the actuation direction X.

[0063] Advantageously, the housing cavity of the lever 40 and the enlarged head 41 are shaped in such a way that they are made to be joined for movements parallel to the direction of actuation X.

[0064] In other words, the movement of the actuating cable 41 along the actuation direction X causes the lever 40 to rotate around the axis of rotation R, either clockwise or counterclockwise, depending on whether the actuating cable 41 is pushed or pulled by the actuator.

[0065] Advantageously, the actuation means 4 comprise a connecting tube 42, which extends projecting from the lever 40, parallel to the axis of rotation, and which is preferably formed of a single body with the latter.

[0066] In particular, the connecting tube 42 extends projecting from the lever 40 from the first side of the latter, and is preferably housed in a cylindrical receiving part located on the cup body 2, inside which the connecting tube 42 can rotate around the axis of rotation R.

[0067] Advantageously, the actuation means 4 further comprise a thrust element 43, which extends radially in projection from the connecting tube 42, preferably in a single body, and which is arranged in an essentially symmetrical manner with respect to the lever 40.

[0068] In particular, the thrust element 43 is rotatable around the axis of rotation R and acts as a thrust against the elongated rod 31 of the strainer 3 to move the latter along the development direction Y following its own rotation around the axis of rotation R.

[0069] Advantageously, the connecting sleeve 6 can be housed in the housing 50 of the support element 5, where it slides freely along the insertion direction Z.

[0070] Naturally, in particular, the sleeve 6 can slide freely in the housing 50 of the support element 5, along the insertion direction Z, when the cover element 7 is open.

[0071] More specifically, the expression "slides freely" should be understood as meaning that the connecting sleeve 6 does not essentially interfere with the support element 5 during its sliding along the insertion direction Z, apart from possible minor interferences due to dimensional tolerances. Similarly, it is understood that when the connecting sleeve 6 is extracted from the housing 50 of the support element 5, there is no mechanical obstacle or interference that would prevent the free extraction of the connecting sleeve 6 when the cover element 7 is open.

[0072] In other words, the cover element 7 is advantageously the only element which makes the connecting sleeve 6 fixed to the support element 5 for movements parallel to the insertion direction Z.

[0073] Advantageously, the support element 5 is shaped to have an insertion opening 51 and a housing 50 larger than those of the connecting sleeve 6. In particular, the connecting sleeve 6 has a footprint, along a direction parallel to the main development direction Y, which is smaller than the dimensions along the same direction of the insertion opening 51 and the housing 50.

[0074] Advantageously, one of the connecting sleeve 6 and the support element 5 is provided with at least one groove 8, which extends circumferentially around the actuation direction X, and the other of the connecting sleeve 6 and the support element 5 is provided with at least one engagement protrusion 9, which extends radially relative to the actuation direction X and engages in the groove 8, to make the connecting sleeve 6 and the support element 5 fixed together for movements along the actuation direction X.

[0075] Preferably, the groove 8 and the engagement protuberance 9 are shaped so as to be made to be fixed together for movements along the direction of actuation X, and thus to prevent the corresponding movement between the connecting sleeve 6 and the support element 5, but to allow mutual rotation of these elements, in particular to allow the rotation of the connecting sleeve 6 around the direction of actuation X, preventing its torsion during the assembly of the device 1.

[0076] Thus, the engagement protuberance 9 and the groove 8 are arranged in contact with each other by means of respective engagement surfaces which develop essentially circumferentially around the direction of actuation X, so as to ensure the mutual sliding of these surfaces in case of rotation of the connecting sleeve 6 during its assembly.

[0077] Preferably, according to the construction methods illustrated in the accompanying figures, the groove 8 is located on the connecting sleeve 6 and the snap-in protrusion 9 is placed on the support element 5.

[0078] In particular, the connecting sleeve 6 has an external lateral surface 60, and the groove 8 develops radially, in depression from the external lateral surface 60 of the connecting sleeve 6.

[0079] Advantageously, the engagement protrusion 9 develops circumferentially from an internal surface of the support element 5, towards the interior of the housing 50. In particular, the engagement protrusion 9 develops on an arc of a circle on the support element 5, which is interrupted by the insertion opening 51.

[0080] In particular, the groove 8 on the connecting sleeve 6 defines a restricted portion of this same connecting sleeve 6, in which the latter has a first reduced diameter, less than a first diameter of the connecting sleeve 6.

[0081] In addition, the engagement protrusion 9 preferably defines a restricted passage portion inside the housing 50, at the level of which the support element 5 has a second reduced diameter, less than a second diameter of the support element 5.

[0082] More specifically, the second reduced internal diameter should be understood as the distance between two diametrically opposite points of the engagement protuberance 9.

[0083] Preferably, the second reduced internal diameter defined by the engagement protuberance 9 is greater than the first reduced internal diameter defined by the groove 8.

[0084] Advantageously, the connecting sleeve 6 is provided with two grooves 8, which develop circumferentially in depression from the external lateral surface 60 of the connecting sleeve 6, and are spaced apart from each other along the direction of actuation X, and preferably the support element 5 is provided with two engagement protrusions 9, each of which engages in a corresponding groove 8 of the connecting sleeve 6.

[0085] Advantageously, the support element 5 extends between a first end 5' oriented towards the first end 41' of the cable 41, and a second end 5" oriented towards the second end 41" of the cable 41. Advantageously, the interlocking element 5 extends along the actuation direction X between a rear opening 53, oriented towards the second end 41" of the actuating cable 41, and in particular oriented at the level of the second end 5", and an opposite front opening 54, oriented towards the first end 41' of the actuating cable 41, and in particular at the level of the first end 5'.

[0086] In particular, the support element 5 comprises two opposing closing walls 55, 56 (front and rear), which are arranged at the respective ends 5', 5" of the support element 5, and on which are located the corresponding openings 54, 53.

[0087] Preferably, the rear closing wall 56 defines one of said engagement protrusions 9 and thus engages in one of the two grooves 8 of the connecting sleeve 6.

[0088] In particular, as can be seen in [Fig.4], the connecting sleeve 6 includes a first groove 8 which is housed in the housing volume 50, and a second groove 8, located upstream in the direction of advancement X, which is placed at the rear opening 53 of the support element 5, preferably by essentially closing the latter.

[0089] Preferably, said grooves 8 of the connecting sleeve 6 do not have the same diameter. In particular, the connecting sleeve 6 comprises a first enlarged section 62, which laterally delimits the first groove 8, and in turn defines the second groove 8.

[0090] Preferably, the first enlarged section 62 is housed in the housing 50 with a clearance, and interposed between the two engagement protrusions 9. In particular, the first enlarged section 62 extends between two opposite faces, which are intended to interfere with the lateral flanks of the respective engagement protrusions 9, in order to prevent the connecting sleeve 6 from sliding in the housing 50. of the support element 5, along the actuation direction X, but not the rotation of the cable 41 around the advancement direction X.

[0091] Preferably, the first enlarged section 62 has a width, measured along said actuation direction X, which essentially coincides with the distance between the adjacent lateral flanks of the two interlocking protrusions 9.

[0092] Advantageously, the connecting sleeve 6 includes a second enlarged section 63, which extends from the first groove 8 towards the first end 41' of the actuating cable 41, preferably until it protrudes from the front opening 54 of the support element 5. Alternatively, the second enlarged section 63 may be provided to extend to the front opening 54, and preferably be placed against the closing wall 55 of the support element 5.

[0093] Advantageously, when the cover element 7 is in the closed position, the housing 50 is accessible from the outside only through the front opening 54 and the rear opening 53. In this way, the housing 50 is closed and protected against the penetration of dirt.

[0094] Advantageously, the support element 5 is provided with at least one snap-in slot 52, and the cover element 7 is provided with at least one hooking fin 71, which can snap into the snap-in slot 52 of the support element 5, to make the cover element 7 fixed to the support element 5 in the closed position.

[0095] Advantageously, according to a preferred embodiment, the cover element 7 comprises a substantially flat hatch 70, which is arranged coplanarly to the insertion opening 51, closing the latter.

[0096] Alternatively, according to an embodiment of the cover element 7, the latter has a cylindrical body, which is essentially counter-profiled to the external lateral surface 60 of the connecting sleeve 6, and is positioned so as to at least partially envelop the latter when it is in the closed position.

[0097] Advantageously, the latching fin 71 extends outward from the hatch 70, preferably parallel to the axis of rotation R.

[0098] Advantageously, the entire cover element 7 is made in one piece, preferably of polymer material.

[0099] The latching fin 71 can have an elongated shape parallel to the actuation direction X, or a pivot shape, therefore elongated orthogonally to the same actuation direction X.

[0100] In addition, the cover element 7 may include a single hooking fin 71, as shown in [Fig.5], or several hooking fins 71, which are preferably arranged on opposite sides of the hatch 70.

[0101] Preferably, the hooking fin 71 of the cover element 7 is configured to snap into the snapping slot 52 of the support element 5.

[0102] For example, the hooking fin 71 is advantageously provided with an essentially wedge-shaped portion, which is configured to deform elastically and snap into place by clip in the snapping slot 52 of the support element 5.

[0103] In more detail, the support element 5 is advantageously provided with a snap-in notch 58, which extends towards the center of the insertion opening 51, and which is configured to secure the cover element 7 in the closed position, in particular by interfering with the hooking fin 71 of the latter.

[0104] More clearly, functionally, when the closing element 7 is brought into the closed position, the hooking fin 71 interferes with the snap-in notch 58, and at least one of these two elements deforms elastically to allow the passage of the hooking fin 71 and thus the closure of the closing element 7, to snap the latter into place by clip on the support element 5.

[0105] Advantageously, the support element 5 is provided with a hooking part 57, on which is located the snap-in slot 52, and preferably also the snap-in notch 58, and which preferably extends outwards to move away from the housing volume 50. Advantageously, the hooking part 57 allows the hooking fin 71 of the cover element 7 to be disengaged by acting on one end of the hooking part 57, by flexing it slightly, in order to extract the hooking fin 71 from the snap-in slot 52.

[0106] In other words, during said operating phase, it is the same latching part 57 which deforms elastically to allow the passage of the latching fin 71 and thus the closure of the closing element 7.

[0107] Of course, it is also possible that the cover element 7 does not include a hooking fin 71, and that it snaps elastically by clip into the snapping notch 58 with an edge of the hatch body 70, as shown in figures 9 and 10.

[0108] Advantageously, the cover element 7 is articulated to the support element 5, around an articulation axis parallel to the actuation direction X, and can pivot around this articulation axis between the open position and the closed position.

[0109] Advantageously, the hooking part 57 extends from one side of the support element 5 which is opposite the side on which the cover element 7 is hinged, as shown in [Fig.5].

[0110] Preferably, the cover element 7 is formed as a single body with the support element 5, and is preferably articulated to the support element 5 by means of virtual joints, defined by zones of reduced thickness interposed between the cover element 7 and the support element 5, so as to minimize the components required for the production and assembly of the drain 1.

[0111] Of course, it is also possible to provide actual means of articulation interposed between the cover element 7 and the support element 5.

[0112] The invention thus conceived therefore achieves the intended objectives.

Claims

1. Demands Sink drain assembly, including: • a cup body (2), provided with a central guide sleeve (20), equipped inside with a guide channel (20') extending along a main development direction (Y), and with an evacuation conduit (21) which extends around said guide sleeve (20); • a strainer (3), equipped with an elongated rod (31) slidably engaged in the guide channel (20') of said guide sleeve (20), and moving along said main development direction (Y) between a raised position, allowing the passage of water into said drainage conduit (21), and a lowered position, preventing the passage of water into said drainage conduit (21); • actuating means (4), comprising a lever (40), pivotally connected to said cup body (2) and capable of rotating about an axis of rotation (R), and an actuating cable (41), which extends between a first end (41'), connected to said lever (40), and a second opposite end (41"), capable of being connected to an actuator capable of moving said actuating cable (41) along an actuation direction (X) orthogonal to said axis of rotation (R) and to said main development direction (Y), of rotating said lever (40) about said axis of rotation (R) and of controlling the movement of said strainer (3) from said raised position to said lowered position; said drain being characterized in that said actuation means (4) comprise: • a support element (5), fixed to the cup body (2), which is provided with a housing (50) equipped with a lateral insertion opening (51); • a connecting sleeve (6), hollow inside, in which said actuating cable (41) is slidably housed, and which is housed in the housing (50) of said support element (5); said connecting sleeve (6) being able to be inserted into said housing (50), through said lateral insertion opening (51), along an insertion direction (Z) orthogonal to said actuating direction (X), and being made fixed to said housing (50) for movements along said actuating direction (X); • a cover element (7), which is connected to said support element (5) and which is able to move from an open position to a closed position, to open / close the insertion opening (51) of said housing (50).

2. Drain according to claim 1, characterized in that said connecting sleeve (6) is able to be housed in the housing (50) of said support element (5), sliding freely along said insertion direction (Z).

3. Drain according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that one of said connecting sleeve (6) and said support element (5) is provided with at least one groove (8), which extends circumferentially around said actuation direction (X), and the other of said connecting sleeve (6) and said support element (5) is provided with at least one engagement protrusion (9), which extends radially with respect to said actuation direction (X) and engages in said groove (8), to make said connecting sleeve (6) and said support element (5) fixed together for movements along said actuation direction (X).

4. Drain according to claim 3, characterized in that said groove (8) and said engagement protrusion (9) are shaped to permit mutual rotation of said connecting sleeve (6) and said support element (5) around said actuation direction (X).

5. Drain according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that said groove (8) is located on said connecting sleeve, and that said engagement protuberance (9) is disposed on said support element (5).

6. Drain according to claim 5, characterized in that said connecting sleeve (6) is provided with two of said grooves (8), which develop circumferentially in depression from an external lateral surface of said connecting sleeve (6), and are spaced apart from each other along said actuation direction (X); said support element (5) being provided with two of said engagement protrusions (9), each of which engages in a corresponding groove (8) of said connecting sleeve (6).

7. Drain according to claim 6, characterized in that said support element (5) extends along said actuation direction (X) between a rear opening, oriented towards the second end (41") of said actuation cable (41), and an opposite front opening, oriented towards the first end (41') of said actuation cable (41); when said cover element (7) is in said closed position, said housing (50) being accessible from the outside exclusively through said front opening and said rear opening.

8. Drain according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 7, characterized in that said support element (5) is provided with at least one engagement slot (52), and in that said cover element (7) is provided with at least one hooking fin (71), capable of engaging in the engagement slot (52) of said support element (5), to make said cover element (7) fixed to said support element (5) in said closed position.

9. Drain according to claim 8, characterized in that the hooking fin (71) of said cover element (7) is configured to snap into the snapping slot (52) of said support element (5).

10. Drain according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 9, characterized in that said cover element (7) is articulated on said support element (5), around an articulation axis parallel to said actuation direction (X), and is capable of pivoting around said articulation axis between said open position and said closed position.

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