Faucet cover and faucet

Abstract

This prevents the upper and lower cover sections from deforming in a direction that separates them from each other, or in a direction that brings them closer together. [Solution] The faucet cover 4 comprises an upper cover portion 31 that covers the upper part of the cylindrical faucet body and a lower cover portion 32 that covers the lower part of the faucet body. Furthermore, it comprises a vertical wall portion 33 that is integrated with both the upper cover portion 31 and the lower cover portion 32 to support the upper cover portion 31 and the lower cover portion 32 and extends along the radial direction of the faucet body, and a collar 50 that covers the axial end of the faucet body.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a faucet cover and a faucet.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a covered faucet. As shown in FIG. 21, the covered faucet 70 includes a cylindrical faucet body 71, a front cover body 72 that covers the upper, front, and lower surfaces of the faucet body 71, a rear cover body 73 that covers the rear surface of the faucet body 71, and a pair of side caps 74 that cover the side surfaces of the faucet body 71. When looking at the front cover body 72 along the axial direction of the faucet body 71, the front cover body 72 has a substantially U-shaped configuration. The rear end portion 72a of the upper surface of the front cover body 72 is bent downward in an L-shape, and the rear end portion 72b of the bottom surface extends rearward.

[0003] The rear cover body 73 is configured in a plate shape and has female engagement portions 73a and 73b on the upper end surface and the lower portion of the front surface. By engaging the rear end portion 72a of the upper surface of the front cover body 72 and the rear end portion 72b of the bottom surface of the front cover body 72 with these engagement portions 73a and 73b, the front cover body 72 and the rear cover body 73 are assembled. Further, by attaching a pair of side caps 74 to the front cover body 72 and the rear cover body 73, the side surface side of the faucet body 71 is sealed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, since the front cover body 72 of Patent Document 1 has a substantially U-shaped form, it has the problem that the rear end portion 72a of the upper surface and the rear end portion 72b of the bottom surface are prone to deformation in a direction that separates them from each other or brings them closer together. When the front cover body 72 deforms, there is a risk that the engagement between the front cover body 72 and the rear cover body 73 will be easily released. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The faucet cover of embodiment 1 comprises an upper cover portion that covers the upper part of a cylindrical faucet body and a lower cover portion that covers the lower part of the faucet body, and further comprises a vertical wall portion that is integrated with both the upper cover portion and the lower cover portion to support the upper cover portion and the lower cover portion and extends along the radial direction of the faucet body, and a collar that covers the axial end of the faucet body.

[0007] With this configuration, the presence of vertical walls in the faucet cover prevents deformation of the upper and lower cover portions in a direction that separates them from each other or brings them closer together.

[0008] Embodiment 2 is a faucet cover of Embodiment 1 in which the vertical wall portion has an engaging portion into which the collar engages. With this configuration, engaging the collar with the engaging portion of the vertical wall portion makes it easier to prevent the collar from coming off the faucet cover. It also helps to suppress rattling of the collar.

[0009] Embodiment 3 is a faucet cover according to Embodiment 1 or Embodiment 2, wherein the vertical wall portion is integrated at a position inside the ends of the upper cover portion and the lower cover portion along the axial direction of the faucet body. With this configuration, the space inside the ends of the upper cover portion and the lower cover portion, but outside the vertical wall portion, can be used as a space for housing the collar. This makes the collar less visible from the outside, improving the design of the faucet cover.

[0010] Embodiment 4 is a faucet having a faucet cover described in any one of Embodiments 1 to 3 and the faucet body, wherein the collar has a contact portion that contacts the faucet body.

[0011] With this configuration, the collar has a contact portion that abuts against the faucet body, which helps to suppress rattling of the collar. Embodiment 5 is a faucet in Embodiment 4, wherein the faucet body has a shaft member at its axial end, the collar has a through hole through which the shaft member is inserted, a first circumferential wall formed around the through hole and functioning as a contact portion, and a second circumferential wall formed on the outer circumference side of the first circumferential wall with a gap, and the vertical wall portion has an insertion wall that is inserted into the gap as an engaging portion into which the collar engages.

[0012] With this configuration, rattling of the collar can be suppressed by bringing the first peripheral wall of the collar into contact with the faucet body. In addition, the collar can be engaged with the vertical wall by inserting the insertion wall of the vertical wall into the gap between the first and second peripheral walls of the collar. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to the faucet cover of the present invention, deformation of the upper cover portion and the lower cover portion in a direction that separates them from each other, or in a direction that brings them closer together, can be suppressed. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0014] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a faucet. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the faucet. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the top cover. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the top cover from a different angle. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a perspective view of the top cover from yet another angle. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a perspective view of the back cover. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a perspective view of the back cover from another angle. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a perspective view of the back cover from yet another angle. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a perspective view of the color. [Figure 10] Figure 10 is a perspective view of the color from another angle. [Figure 11] Figure 11 is a perspective view of the color from yet another angle. [Figure 12] Figure 12 is a partial perspective view of the state where the top cover and the back cover are combined. [Figure 13] Figure 13 is a perspective view of the state where the top cover and the back cover are assembled to the faucet body, and just before further assembling the color. [Figure 14] Figure 14 is a partial perspective view of the faucet. [Figure 15] Figure 15 is a sectional view taken along line 15-15 of Figure 14. [Figure 16] Figure 16 is a sectional view taken along line 16-16 of Figure 14. [Figure 17] Figure 17 is a partial plan view of the faucet. [Figure 18] Figure 18 is a perspective view of the top cover of the modified example. [Figure 19] Figure 19 is a partial perspective view of the back cover and the color of the modified example. [Figure 20] Figure 20 is a partial perspective view of the back cover and the color of another modified example. [Figure 21] Figure 21 is an exploded perspective view of the conventional faucet.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0015] An embodiment of the faucet cover will be described. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the faucet 1 is installed on the bathroom wall surface W. Hereinafter, the vertical direction, the horizontal direction, and the front-rear direction when viewing the faucet 1 toward the wall surface W side will be described as the vertical direction, the horizontal direction, and the front-rear direction of the faucet 1, respectively.

[0016] The faucet 1 comprises a faucet body 2, a faucet handle 3 connected to the faucet body 2, and a faucet cover 4 that covers the faucet body 2. <Faucet body> As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the faucet body 2 is cylindrical and installed on the wall W with its axial direction extending in the left-right direction. Specifically, the faucet body 2 includes a cylindrical faucet body 10, a shaft member 20 attached to the faucet body 10, a nut (hereinafter also referred to as a fixing nut 21), and a valve member (not shown).

[0017] (Faucet body) As shown in Figure 2, the faucet body 10 has openings at both ends in the axial direction for attaching the shaft members 20. The faucet body 10 also has a hot water inlet 11 and a cold water inlet 12 on the rear side. The faucet body 10 also has a shower connection port 14 located between the hot water inlet 11 and the cold water inlet 12. The faucet body 10 also has a faucet outlet 13 on the lower side in the center in the left-right direction.

[0018] Sockets 15 and 16 are connected to the hot water inlet 11 and the cold water inlet 12, respectively. The hot water supply piping (not shown), which is located behind the wall, is connected to socket 15, which is connected to the hot water inlet 11. The cold water supply piping (not shown), which is located behind the wall, is connected to socket 16, which is connected to the cold water inlet 12.

[0019] Furthermore, a pipe 17, which is bent in a roughly L-shape, is connected to the shower connection port 14. A shower hose 18 (see Figure 1) is connected to this pipe 17. A shower head (not shown) is connected to the end of the shower hose 18.

[0020] (Shaft member, nut, valve member) As shown in Figure 2, the shaft member 20 is connected to the openings at both ends of the faucet body 10 using fixing nuts 21. The fixing nut 21 has a cylindrical main body portion 21a and a cylindrical projection portion 21b that protrudes outward in the left-right direction along the axial direction of the main body portion 21a. The outer diameter of the projection portion 21b is smaller than the outer diameter of the main body portion 21a. The main body portion 21a and the projection portion 21b may be composed of a single integrated component, or they may be composed of a combination of separate components. The shaft member 20 is rotatably connected to the faucet body 10 with its tip protruding from the inner circumference of the projection portion 21b of the fixing nut 21. A faucet handle 3, which will be described later, is attached to the tip of the shaft member 20. The base end of the shaft member 20 is connected to a valve member located inside the faucet body 10. The valve member can be operated via the shaft member 20 by rotating the faucet handle 3. Therefore, the shaft member 20 is also called the operating shaft.

[0021] <Faucet handle> As shown in Figure 2, the faucet handles 3 are connected to both axial ends of the faucet body 2. Specifically, a temperature control handle 3a, which functions as the faucet handle 3, is connected to a shaft member 20 located at the left end of the faucet body 2. A switching handle 3b, which functions as the faucet handle 3, is connected to a shaft member 20 located at the right end of the faucet body 2. The temperature control handle 3a has a push button 3a1 for switching the rotation range. By rotating the temperature control handle 3a, the water temperature can be adjusted. By rotating the switching handle 3b, it is possible to switch between water flow (on / off) and tap water flow (on / off) and shower water flow.

[0022] <Faucet cover> As shown in Figure 2, the faucet cover 4 comprises a top cover 30 that covers the top, front, and bottom of the faucet body 2, and a back cover 40 that covers the rear of the faucet body 2. The faucet cover 4 also comprises a pair of collars 50 that cover both ends in the left and right directions, which are the axial ends of the faucet body 2. By combining the top cover 30, back cover 40, and the pair of collars 50, the entire faucet body 2 is covered.

[0023] Furthermore, "entirely covered" does not mean only a state in which the faucet body 2 is completely covered by the faucet cover 4, but also includes a state in which most of the faucet body 2 is covered by the faucet cover 4. In other words, it includes a state in which a part of the faucet body 2 is exposed from the faucet cover 4.

[0024] (Top cover) As shown in Figures 3-5, the top cover 30 has an upper cover portion 31 that covers the upper part of the faucet body 2 and a lower cover portion 32 that covers the lower part of the faucet body 2. The front ends of the upper cover portion 31 and the lower cover portion 32 are curved and integrated so as to approach each other. The front ends of the upper cover portion 31 and the lower cover portion 32 cover the front part of the faucet body 2. The rear ends of the upper cover portion 31 and the lower cover portion 32 extend to the rearward side along the front-rear direction. The rear end of the upper cover portion 31 extends further rearward than the rear end of the lower cover portion 32. When viewed along the left-right direction, the top cover 30 has a roughly U-shape with a convex front side.

[0025] As shown in Figure 5, the upper cover portion 31 has a groove 31a extending in the left-right direction on the inner circumference side of its rear end. As shown in Figure 4, the rear end of the lower cover portion 32 extends in a straight line along the left-right direction. The lower cover portion 32 has a substantially semicircular notch 32a that protrudes forward at its rear end in the center in the left-right direction. The lower cover portion 32 has a first protruding wall 32b that protrudes further rearward at the rear end to the right of the notch 32a. The first protruding wall 32b protrudes rearward along the inner circumferential surface of the rear end of the lower cover portion 32. The thickness of the first protruding wall 32b is approximately half the thickness of the lower cover portion 32. Therefore, the first protruding wall 32b protrudes rearward from a position above the outer circumferential surface of the rear end of the lower cover portion 32. The first protruding wall 32b has a notch 32b1 in the center in the left-right direction.

[0026] As shown in Figure 4, the lower cover portion 32 has a second protruding wall 32c that protrudes further rearward at its rear end to the left of the notch 32a. The second protruding wall 32c protrudes rearward along the outer circumferential surface at the rear end of the lower cover portion 32. The thickness of the second protruding wall 32c is approximately half the thickness of the lower cover portion 32. Therefore, the second protruding wall 32c protrudes rearward from a position below the inner circumferential surface at the rear end of the lower cover portion 32. The second protruding wall 32c has a thickened portion 32c1 in its central part in the left-right direction. The thickness of the thickened portion 32c1 is the same as the thickness of the lower cover portion 32.

[0027] The lower cover portion 32 has a third protruding wall 32d that further protrudes to the rear at its rear end to the left of the thickened portion 32c1. The third protruding wall 32d protrudes upward from the inner circumferential surface of the lower cover portion 32 and also protrudes to the rear from the rear end of the lower cover portion 32. The third protruding wall 32d is positioned so as to overlap with the second protruding wall 32c when viewed along the vertical direction.

[0028] As shown in Figure 3, the top cover 30 has a vertical wall portion 33 located slightly to the left of the right ends of the upper cover portion 31 and the lower cover portion 32, on the inside. The vertical wall portion 33 is integrated with the upper cover portion 31 and the lower cover portion 32 at a position inside the right ends of the upper cover portion 31 and the lower cover portion 32, along the axial direction of the faucet body 2. The vertical wall portion 33 extends along the radial direction of the faucet body 2, that is, along both the front-to-back and up-and-down directions. The vertical wall portion 33 is integrated with both the upper cover portion 31 and the lower cover portion 32 and supports them. The presence of the vertical wall portion 33 in the top cover 30 prevents the upper cover portion 31 and the lower cover portion 32 from deforming in a direction that separates them from each other or in a direction that brings them closer together.

[0029] As shown in Figure 4, the front end of the vertical wall portion 33 is not connected to the front ends of the upper cover portion 31 and the lower cover portion 32. Therefore, the top cover 30 has a gap S1 between the front end of the vertical wall portion 33 and the front ends of the upper cover portion 31 and the lower cover portion 32.

[0030] The rear end of the vertical wall portion 33 extends linearly upward from the lower cover portion 32 toward the upper cover portion 31, and then extends in a diagonal upward and backward direction. The vertical wall portion 33 has a semicircular notch 33a that protrudes forward in the center of the vertical direction at the rear end. The vertical wall portion 33 also has an extending wall 33b that protrudes to the right from the edge of the notch 33a. This extending wall 33b functions as an engaging portion into which the collar 50, which will be described later, engages. Specifically, it functions as an insertion wall that is inserted into the gap S2 between the first circumferential wall 51 and the second circumferential wall 52 of the collar 50, which will be described later.

[0031] As shown in Figure 4, the extending wall 33b protrudes substantially perpendicular to the vertical wall portion 33 along the thickness direction of the vertical wall portion 33, and extends longer in the vertical direction. Therefore, the extending wall 33b also functions as a reinforcement for the vertical wall portion 33, and can suppress deformation of the vertical wall portion 33.

[0032] Furthermore, at the rear end side of the vertical wall portion 33, the distance between the lower cover portion 32 and the upper cover portion 31 along the portion where the vertical wall portion 33 extends linearly in the vertical direction is defined as distance a. That is, in Figure 4, the position of the front end of the notch 33a is the portion where the vertical wall portion 33 extends linearly in the vertical direction at the rear end side of the vertical wall portion 33. Also, the distance from the inner circumference of the front ends of the lower cover portion 32 and the upper cover portion 31 to the position on the rear end side of the vertical wall portion 33 along the front-rear direction is defined as distance b. Then, it is preferable that distance a and distance b satisfy the relationship given by equation (1) below.

[0033] a / 2 <b···(1) The above equation (1) means that it is preferable for distance b to be relatively longer than distance a. By making distance b relatively longer than distance a, it is possible to more effectively suppress deformation of the upper cover portion 31 and the lower cover portion 32 in a direction that separates them from each other or in a direction that brings them closer together.

[0034] (Back cover) As shown in Figures 6-8, the back cover 40 has a flat plate portion 42 that runs along the vertical and horizontal directions. The flat plate portion 42 is rectangular in shape, elongated in the horizontal direction, and has rounded corners. The flat plate portion 42 has three through holes 42a running along the horizontal direction. Of the three through holes 42a, the leftmost through hole 42a is for inserting the hot water inlet 11 of the faucet body 10. The rightmost through hole 42a is for inserting the cold water inlet 12 of the faucet body 10. The central through hole 42a is for inserting the shower connection port 14 of the faucet body 10.

[0035] As shown in Figure 6, the back cover 40 has a side wall 43 that extends forward from the outer peripheral edge of the flat plate portion 42 along the thickness direction of the flat plate portion 42. Of the side walls 43, the side wall 43 extending from the lower end of the flat plate portion 42 extends further forward than the side wall 43 extending from the upper end of the flat plate portion 42. The side wall 43 extending from the lower end of the flat plate portion 42 has a roughly semicircular notch 43a in the center in the left-right direction that is convex toward the rear. When the top cover 30 and the back cover 40 are combined, this notch 43a, together with the roughly semicircular notch 32a of the lower cover portion 32 of the top cover 30, forms a circular through-hole. This through-hole is through which the outlet 13 for the faucet of the faucet body 10 is inserted.

[0036] Of the side walls 43 of the back cover 40, the side wall 43 extending from the upper end of the flat plate portion 42 has a protrusion 43b on the outer circumference of the front end that protrudes upward and extends in the left-right direction. This protrusion 43b engages with the groove 31a of the upper cover portion 31 of the top cover 30 when the top cover 30 and the back cover 40 are combined.

[0037] As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the back cover 40 has flange portions 44 that extend outward on both sides in the left-right direction from the front end of the side wall 43. When viewed along the front-rear direction, the outer shape of the flange portions 44 is a rectangle that is elongated in the left-right direction.

[0038] Looking at the back cover 40 along the left-right direction, the surface of the upper end of the flange portion 44 is aligned in both the vertical and left-right directions. The flange portion 44 gradually curves forward as it approaches the lower end. The surface of the lower end of the flange portion 44 is aligned in both the front-back and left-right directions.

[0039] Hereafter, the flat plate portion 42, side wall 43, and flange portion 44 of the back cover 40 together will be referred to as the back cover body 41. As shown in Figure 6, the front end of the lower end of the back cover body 41 extends in a straight line along the left-right direction.

[0040] As shown in Figures 6 and 8, the back cover body 41 has a first stepped portion 41a formed at the front end to the right of the notch 43a in the side wall 43, where the thickness decreases from the inner circumference of the back cover body 41. In other words, the back cover body 41 has a first stepped portion 41a formed where the thickness decreases downward from the inner circumference of the side wall 43. The thickness of the first stepped portion 41a is approximately half the thickness of the side wall 43 of the back cover 40. The first stepped portion 41a has a thickened portion 41a1 in the center in the left-right direction. The thickness of the thickened portion 41a1 is the same as the thickness of the side wall 43.

[0041] The back cover body 41 has a fourth protruding wall 41b at its rear end to the right of the thickened portion 41a1, which protrudes further forward. The fourth protruding wall 41b protrudes upward from the inner circumferential surface of the front end of the back cover body 41 and also protrudes forward from the front end of the back cover body 41. The fourth protruding wall 41b is positioned so as to overlap with the first stepped portion 41a when viewed along the vertical direction.

[0042] As shown in Figure 8, the back cover body 41 has a second stepped portion 41c at its front end to the left of the notch 43a, which is formed by thinning outwards from the outer circumference of the back cover body 41. In other words, the back cover body 41 has a second stepped portion 41c which is formed by thinning outwards from the outer circumference of the side wall 43 upwards. The thickness of the second stepped portion 41c is approximately half the thickness of the side wall 43 of the back cover 40. The second stepped portion 41c has a notch 41c1 in the center in the left-right direction.

[0043] As shown in Figure 6, the back cover 40 has a total of four engaging parts, one pair on the left and one pair on the right, on the front surface of the upper end and the upper surface of the lower end of the flange portion 44, which engage with the collar 50 described later. The engaging part located on the upper end of the flange portion 44 is called the first engaging part 45, and the engaging part located on the lower end of the flange portion 44 is called the second engaging part 46. The pair of first engaging parts 45 are symmetrical to each other. The pair of second engaging parts 46 are also symmetrical to each other. In the following, the first engaging part 45 located on the right of the pair of first engaging parts 45 will be described, and the first engaging part 45 located on the left will not be described. Similarly, the second engaging part 46 located on the right of the pair of second engaging parts 46 will be described, and the second engaging part 46 located on the left will not be described.

[0044] As shown in Figure 6, the first engaging portion 45 is formed on the front surface of the upper end of the flange portion 44. In other words, the first engaging portion 45 is formed on the front surface of the upper end of the back cover body 41. The first engaging portion 45 has a U-shaped cross-section with an opening at the rear. In other words, the first engaging portion 45 has a shape in which the open portion of the U-shaped cross-section faces the rear side of the faucet body 2. The first engaging portion 45 has a pair of horizontal walls 45a spaced apart in the vertical direction and a vertical wall 45b connecting the front ends of the pair of horizontal walls 45a, and its shape when viewed from the left in the left-right direction is U-shaped. The U-shaped cross-section of the first engaging portion 45 extends along the axial direction of the faucet body 2, which is the left-right direction. Also, the first engaging portion 45 protrudes to the right from the right end of the flange portion 44. In other words, the first engaging portion 45 protrudes from the right end of the back cover body 41 along the axial direction of the faucet body 2.

[0045] As shown in Figure 6, the second engaging portion 46 is formed on the upper surface of the lower end of the flange portion 44. In other words, the second engaging portion 46 is formed on the upper surface of the lower end of the back cover body 41. The second engaging portion 46 has a plate-like shape that is aligned in the left-right and front-rear directions. The lower surface of the second engaging portion 46 is a curved surface that becomes thinner towards the rear as it moves upward. The second engaging portion 46 also protrudes to the right from the right end of the flange portion 44.

[0046] Because the first engaging portion 45 and the second engaging portion 46 protrude to the right from the right end of the flange portion 44, the area occupied by the back cover body 41 on the back side of the faucet body 2 can be reduced. This makes it easier for the worker to insert their fingers into the back side of the faucet body 2 when removing the collar 50.

[0047] (color) As shown in Figure 2, the faucet cover 4 is equipped with a pair of collars 50 that cover both ends in the left-right direction, which are the axial ends of the faucet body 2. Since the pair of collars 50 are symmetrical and have substantially the same shape, the collar 50 located on the right will be described below, and the collar 50 located on the left will not be described.

[0048] As shown in Figures 9-11, the collar 50 has flat plate portions 54 that are aligned in the vertical and front-to-back directions. The flat plate portions 54 have a roughly U-shape, with the front side being convex. The rear upper end of the flat plate portion 54 extends along the vertical direction and gradually curves forward towards the lower end. The outer shape of the flat plate portion 54 is approximately the same as the outer shape of the space formed at the right end of the top cover 30 and back cover 40 when the top cover 30 and back cover 40 are combined.

[0049] The collar 50 has a through hole 54a in the center of the flat plate portion 54 that penetrates the flat plate portion. On the right side surface of the outer periphery of the flat plate portion 54, the collar 50 has a peripheral wall (hereinafter also referred to as the "third peripheral wall 53") that protrudes to the right from the periphery of the through hole 54a. The collar 50 also has a side wall 55 that extends to the left from the outer periphery of the flat plate portion 54 along the thickness direction of the flat plate portion 54.

[0050] As shown in Figure 10, the side wall 55b located at the rear end of the collar 50 extends longer from the flat plate portion 54 than the side walls 55 at other locations. When the back cover 40 and the collar 50 are combined, the side wall 55b located at the rear end of the collar 50 follows the shape of the rear end of the flange portion 44 of the back cover 40, and together with the flange portion 44 of the back cover 40, it covers the back of the faucet body 2. Therefore, the side wall 55b at the rear end of the collar 50 functions as a back cover portion that covers the back of the faucet body 2.

[0051] As shown in Figure 9, the side wall 55a located at the front end of the collar 50 extends longer from the flat plate portion 54 than the side walls 55 at other locations. The side wall 55a located at the front end of the collar 50 extends from the flat plate portion 54 to approximately the same length as the rear cover portion. When the top cover 30 and the collar 50 are combined, the side wall 55a located at the front end of the collar 50 is inserted into the gap S1 between the upper cover portion 31 and the lower cover portion 32 of the top cover 30 and engages with the top cover 30. Therefore, the side wall 55a located at the front end of the collar 50 functions as a fitting portion that fits into the gap S1 of the top cover 30. The presence of a fitting portion in the collar 50 makes it easier to prevent the collar 50 from unintentionally detaching from the top cover 30.

[0052] As shown in Figure 11, the collar 50 has a peripheral wall (hereinafter also referred to as the "first peripheral wall 51") that protrudes to the left from the periphery of the through hole 54a on the left side surface, which is the inner circumferential side of the flat plate portion 54. In other words, the first peripheral wall 51 is formed around the through hole 54a. The collar 50 also has a peripheral wall (hereinafter also referred to as the "second peripheral wall 52") formed on the outer circumferential side of the first peripheral wall 51 with a gap S2.

[0053] The collar 50 has a third engaging portion 56 that engages with the first engaging portion 45 of the back cover 40 and a fourth engaging portion 57 that engages with the second engaging portion 46 of the back cover 40 on the inner circumference of the side wall 55b of the rear end portion which is the back cover portion.

[0054] The third engaging portion 56 is formed on the upper end side of the rear cover portion (side wall 55b). The third engaging portion 56 has a U-shaped cross-section with an opening on the front side. In other words, the open portion of the U-shaped cross-section of the third engaging portion 56 faces the front side of the faucet body 2. Specifically, the third engaging portion 56 has a pair of horizontal walls 56a spaced apart in the vertical direction and a vertical wall (part of the side wall 55b) connecting the rear ends of the horizontal walls 56a, and its shape when viewed from the right in the left-right direction is U-shaped. The right end of the pair of horizontal walls 56a is connected to the flat plate portion 54 of the collar 50. The left end of the pair of horizontal walls 56a reaches the left end of the side wall 55b of the collar 50. The U-shaped cross-section of the third engaging portion 56 extends along the axial direction of the faucet body 2, which is the left-right direction.

[0055] The fourth engaging portion 57 is formed on the lower end side of the rear cover portion (side wall 55b). The fourth engaging portion 57 has a plate-like shape that is aligned in the left-right and front-back directions. The right end of this plate-like portion is connected to the flat plate portion 54 of the collar 50. The left end of the plate-like portion reaches the left end of the rear cover portion (side wall 55b) of the collar 50. A gap S3 is formed between the lower surface of the fourth engaging portion 57 and the inner circumference of the rear cover portion (side wall 55b).

[0056] <Mechanism for assembling the faucet cover> The assembly mechanism of the faucet cover 4 to the faucet body 2 will be described below. As shown in Figure 2, when assembling the faucet cover 4 to the faucet body 2, first, bring the back cover 40 of the faucet cover 4 close to the back of the faucet body 2 from the rear side. Then, insert the hot water inlet 11, the cold water inlet 12, and the shower connection port 14 of the faucet body 10 through the three through holes 42a in the flat plate portion 42 of the back cover 40. Also, insert the faucet outlet 13 of the faucet body 10 into the notch 43a in the side wall 43 of the back cover 40.

[0057] As shown in Figure 12, next, the top cover 30 of the faucet cover 4 is brought closer to the front of the faucet body 2 and the top cover 30 and back cover 40 are temporarily fastened together. First, the first protruding wall 32b of the lower cover portion 32 of the top cover 30 is inserted between the first stepped portion 41a (see Figure 6) and the fourth protruding wall 41b of the back cover body 41. Then, the thickened portion 41a1 of the first stepped portion 41a is fitted into the notch 32b1 of the first protruding wall 32b. Similarly, the second stepped portion 41c of the back cover body 41 is inserted between the second protruding wall 32c (see Figure 5) and the third protruding wall 32d of the lower cover portion 32 of the top cover 30. Then, the thickened portion 32c1 of the second protruding wall 32c is fitted into the notch 41c1 of the second stepped portion 41c. Note that in Figure 12, the faucet body 2 is omitted, as is the upper part of the top cover 30.

[0058] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the protrusion 43b on the side wall 43 of the back cover 40 is further engaged with the groove 31a on the upper cover portion 31 of the top cover 30. By performing the above operations, the top cover 30 and the back cover 40 can be temporarily fixed to the faucet body 2. To release the temporary fixation, the above operations are performed in reverse order.

[0059] The top cover 30 and back cover 40 are temporarily fastened in such a way that on the right side of the faucet body 2, the first protruding wall 32b of the top cover 30 is positioned above the first stepped portion 41a of the back cover 40. On the left side of the faucet body 2, the second protruding wall 32c of the top cover 30 is positioned below the second stepped portion 41c of the back cover 40. The top cover 30 and back cover 40 are temporarily fastened in such a way that their upper and lower positions are reversed on the left and right sides of the faucet body 2. This makes it difficult for the temporary fastening of the top cover 30 and back cover 40 to be unintentionally released.

[0060] As shown in Figure 13, when the top cover 30 and back cover 40 are temporarily fastened together, the shaft member 20 of the faucet body 2 and the protruding portion 21b of the fixing nut 21 are inserted through the notch 33a in the vertical wall portion 33 of the top cover 30. Specifically, the shaft member 20 and the cylindrical protruding portion 21b of the fixing nut 21 are positioned on the inner circumference side of the extending wall 33b that protrudes from the periphery of the notch 33a of the vertical wall portion 33, with a slight gap between them and the extending wall 33b. The shaft member 20 further protrudes to the right of the extending wall 33b.

[0061] Next, the collar 50 is brought close to the right side of the shaft member 20, and the shaft member 20 is inserted through the through hole 54a of the collar 50. The third engaging portion 56 of the collar 50 is engaged with the first engaging portion 45 of the back cover 40. The fourth engaging portion 57 of the collar 50 is engaged with the second engaging portion 46 of the back cover 40. The side wall 55a of the front end of the collar 50, which serves as a fitting portion, is fitted into the gap S1 of the top cover 30. With the extending wall 33b of the vertical wall portion 33 of the top cover 30, which serves as an insertion wall, inserted into the gap S2 between the first circumferential wall 51 and the second circumferential wall 52 of the collar 50, the collar 50 is assembled to the faucet body 2. In other words, the collar 50 is assembled to the top cover 30 and the back cover 40 with the collar 50 engaged with the vertical wall portion 33 of the top cover 30. Details of the assembly mechanism for the collar 50 to the back cover 40 and top cover 30 will be described later.

[0062] As shown in Figure 14, when the faucet cover 4 is assembled to the faucet body 2, the right end of the top cover 30 and the right end of the flat plate portion 54 of the collar 50 are in approximately the same position in the left-right direction. In addition, the rear cover portion (side wall 55b) of the collar 50, together with the flange portion 44 of the back cover 40, becomes a single unit in appearance, covering the back side of the faucet body 2.

[0063] As shown in Figures 1, 13, and 14, the space inside (to the left) of the right end of the upper cover portion 31 and the lower cover portion 32 of the top cover 30, and outside (to the right) of the vertical wall portion 33, is used as a space for housing the collar 50. By housing the collar 50 in this space, the collar 50 is made less visible from the outside, thereby improving the aesthetic appearance of the faucet cover 4.

[0064] <Mechanism for assembling collars to the back cover and top cover> As shown in Figure 15, when the collar 50 is assembled to the back cover 40, the U-shaped first engaging portion 45 of the back cover 40 and the U-shaped third engaging portion 56 of the collar 50 interlock with each other. In other words, the pair of lateral walls 45a of the first engaging portion 45 and the pair of lateral walls 56a of the third engaging portion 56 overlap each other along the vertical direction. By engaging the U-shaped first engaging portion 45 and the third engaging portion 56 with each other, the collar 50 can be assembled to the back cover 40 in a more stable state. In addition, relative vertical movement between the back cover 40 and the collar 50 can be suppressed.

[0065] Furthermore, the plate-shaped second engaging portion 46 of the back cover 40 is inserted into the gap S3 between the plate-shaped fourth engaging portion 57 of the collar 50 and the back cover portion (side wall 55b). As a result, relative movement of the back cover 40 and the collar 50 in the vertical direction is more reliably suppressed.

[0066] The first engaging portion 45 of the back cover 40 and the third engaging portion of the collar 50 have a U-shaped cross-section that extends along the axial direction of the faucet body 2. Furthermore, the second engaging portion 46 of the back cover 40 and the fourth engaging portion 57 of the collar 50 also have a plate-like shape that is aligned with the left-right direction, which is the axial direction of the faucet body 2. Therefore, the collar 50 can be assembled to the back cover 40 by a simple operation of bringing the collar 50 closer to the back cover 40 along the axial direction of the faucet body 2.

[0067] As shown in Figure 16, when the collar 50 is assembled to the top cover 30, the extending wall 33b of the vertical wall portion 33 of the top cover 30, which serves as an insertion wall, is inserted into the gap S2 between the first circumferential wall 51 and the second circumferential wall 52 of the collar 50. In addition, the inner circumferential surface of the first circumferential wall 51 of the collar 50 abuts against the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical projection 21b of the fixing nut 21 of the faucet body 2. Therefore, the inner circumferential surface of the first circumferential wall 51 of the collar 50 functions as a contact portion that abuts against the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical projection 21b of the fixing nut 21 of the faucet body 2. Note that the inner circumferential surface of the first circumferential wall 51 of the collar 50 as a contact portion is not limited to a configuration in which the entire surface abuts against the outer circumferential surface of the projection 21b of the fixing nut 21. It is also possible to include a configuration in which a part of the inner circumferential surface of the first circumferential wall 51 of the collar 50 abuts against the outer circumferential surface of the projection 21b of the fixing nut 21.

[0068] The extended wall 33b of the vertical wall portion 33 of the top cover 30 is inserted into the gap S2 between the first peripheral wall 51 and the second peripheral wall 52 of the collar 50, thereby restricting relative movement of the top cover 30 and the collar 50 in any direction perpendicular to the left-right direction. This prevents the collar 50 from unintentionally detaching from the top cover 30. Furthermore, deformation of the upper cover portion 31 and the lower cover portion 32 of the top cover 30 in a direction that separates them from each other or brings them closer together can be more effectively suppressed. In addition, the inner peripheral surface (contact portion) of the first peripheral wall 51 of the collar 50 contacts the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical projection 21b of the fixing nut 21 of the faucet body 2, thereby suppressing rattling of the collar 50 relative to the faucet body 2.

[0069] Furthermore, attaching the collar 50 to the back cover 40 and top cover 30 makes it easier to maintain the assembled state of the back cover 40 and top cover 30. In other words, it is possible to prevent the assembled state of the back cover 40 and top cover 30 from being unintentionally released.

[0070] Figure 17 is a view of the faucet body 2 from above in the vertical direction. As shown in Figure 17, when the faucet cover 4 is assembled to the faucet body 2, the rear cover portion (side wall 55b) of the collar 50 is positioned to overlap the fixing nut 21 along the radial direction of the fixing nut 21 of the faucet body 2. For example, when performing maintenance work on the faucet body 2, if the top cover 30 and collar 50 are removed, the fixing nut 21 will be exposed in the radial direction of the faucet body 2, including the rear side of the faucet body 2. This makes it easier to insert fingers into the back side of the faucet body 2 and rotate the fixing nut 21, thus enabling efficient maintenance work. Note that in addition to fingers, an operating tool may also be inserted into the back side of the faucet body 2.

[0071] <Operation and Effects of This Embodiment> (1) The top cover 30 of the faucet cover 4 is integrated with both the upper cover portion 31 and the lower cover portion 32 to support the upper cover portion 31 and the lower cover portion 32, and has a vertical wall portion 33 that extends along the radial direction of the faucet body 2. By having the vertical wall portion 33, deformation of the upper cover portion 31 and the lower cover portion 32 in a direction that separates them from each other or in a direction that brings them closer together can be suppressed.

[0072] (2) The vertical wall portion 33 of the top cover 30 has an extended wall 33b (insertion wall) which is inserted into the gap S2 between the first peripheral wall 51 and the second peripheral wall 52 of the collar 50, as an engaging portion into which the collar 50 engages. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the collar 50 from unintentionally detaching from the top cover 30. In addition, it is possible to more effectively prevent the upper cover portion 31 and the lower cover portion 32 of the top cover 30 from deforming in a direction that separates them from each other or in a direction that brings them closer together.

[0073] (3) The vertical wall portion 33 of the top cover 30 is integrated with both the upper cover portion 31 and the lower cover portion 32 at a position inside the right end of the upper cover portion 31 and the lower cover portion 32, which are aligned with the axial direction of the faucet body 2. Therefore, the space inside the right end of the upper cover portion 31 and the lower cover portion 32, but outside the vertical wall portion 33, can be used as a space to accommodate the collar 50. This makes the collar 50 less visible from the outside, improving the aesthetic appearance of the faucet cover 4. In addition, the central side of the upper cover portion 31 and the lower cover portion 32, which are aligned with the axial direction of the faucet body 2, is more prone to deformation than other parts. By positioning the vertical wall portion 33 inside the right end of the upper cover portion 31 and the lower cover portion 32, which are aligned with the axial direction of the faucet body 2, deformation of the central side, which is prone to deformation, can be suppressed.

[0074] (4) The inner surface (contact portion) of the first peripheral wall 51 of the collar 50 contacts the outer surface of the cylindrical projection 21b of the fixing nut 21 of the faucet body 2, thereby suppressing rattling of the collar 50 relative to the faucet body 2.

[0075] <Example of changes> This embodiment can be implemented with the following modifications. This embodiment and the following modifications can be combined with each other to the extent that they do not contradict each other technically.

[0076] In this embodiment, the faucet cover 4 comprises a top cover 30, a back cover 40, and a pair of collars 50, but is not limited to this configuration. The back cover 40 may be omitted. Also, one of the pair of collars 50 may be omitted.

[0077] In this embodiment, the top cover 30 had a vertical wall portion 33 located slightly to the left of the right end of the upper cover portion 31 and the lower cover portion 32, but it is not limited to this embodiment. The top cover 30 may also have a vertical wall portion 33 at the right end of the upper cover portion 31 and the lower cover portion 32.

[0078] As shown in Figure 18, the top cover 30 may have, in addition to the vertical wall portion 33, another vertical wall portion 34 integrated with both the upper cover portion 31 and the lower cover portion 32 to support the upper cover portion 31 and the lower cover portion 32. In the embodiment having the other vertical wall portion 34, the vertical wall portion 33 may be omitted.

[0079] The extending wall 33b, which serves as an engaging portion of the vertical wall portion 33, may be omitted. In addition, the vertical wall portion 33 may have a wall portion that protrudes in the thickness direction of the vertical wall portion 33, in addition to the extending wall 33b. This wall portion may extend linearly, for example, in the vertical or front-to-back direction, for the purpose of reinforcing the vertical wall portion 33.

[0080] In this embodiment, the first engaging portion 45 of the back cover 40 has a U-shaped cross-section with an opening on the rear side, and the third engaging portion 56 of the collar 50 has a U-shaped cross-section with an opening on the front side, but the embodiment is not limited to this. The orientation of the U-shape can be appropriately selected within the range in which the first engaging portion 45 and the third engaging portion 56 can engage with each other.

[0081] As shown in Figure 19, for example, the first engaging portion 45 of the back cover 40 may have a U-shaped cross-section with an opening on the front side, and the third engaging portion 56 of the collar 50 may have a U-shaped cross-section with an opening on the rear side.

[0082] As shown in Figure 20, for example, the first engaging portion 45 of the back cover 40 may have a U-shaped cross-section with an opening on the right side, and the third engaging portion 56 of the collar 50 may have a U-shaped cross-section with an opening on the left side. In the embodiment shown in Figure 20, the first engaging portion 45 and the third engaging portion 56 extend along the vertical direction.

[0083] In this embodiment, the first engaging portion 45 of the back cover 40 protrudes from the right end of the back cover body 41 along the axial direction of the faucet body 2, but the embodiment is not limited to this. The first engaging portion 45 of the back cover 40 does not have to protrude from the right end of the back cover body 41 along the axial direction of the faucet body 2. Instead, the third engaging portion 56 of the collar 50 may protrude to the left from the left end of the back cover portion (side wall 55b) of the collar 50 along the axial direction of the faucet body 2.

[0084] In this embodiment, the first engaging portion 45 of the back cover 40 and the third engaging portion 56 of the collar 50 both have a U-shaped cross-section, but the embodiment is not limited to this. At least one of the first engaging portion 45 and the third engaging portion 56 does not have to have a U-shaped cross-section. For example, it may be flat. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0085] 1... Faucet, 2... Faucet body, 4... Faucet cover, 20... Shaft member, 21... Fixing nut, 30... Top cover, 31... Upper cover section, 32... Lower cover section, 33... Vertical wall section, 33b... Extended wall (engaging section, insertion wall), 40... Back cover, 45... First engaging section, 46... Second engaging section, 50... Collar, 51... First peripheral wall (contact section), 52... Second peripheral wall, 53... Third peripheral wall, 54a... Through hole, 55... Side wall, 55a... Front end side wall (fitting section), 55b... Rear end side wall (rear cover section), 56... Third engaging section, 57... Fourth engaging section.

Claims

1. The upper cover part covers the top of the cylindrical faucet body, A faucet cover comprising a lower cover portion that covers the lower part of the faucet body, Furthermore, the upper cover portion and the lower cover portion are integrated with each other to support the upper cover portion and the lower cover portion, and the vertical wall portion extends along the radial direction of the faucet body, A faucet cover characterized by comprising a collar that covers the axial end of the faucet body.

2. The faucet cover according to claim 1, wherein the vertical wall portion has an engaging portion into which the collar engages.

3. The faucet cover according to claim 1, wherein the vertical wall portion is integrated at a position inward from the ends of the upper cover portion and the lower cover portion along the axial direction of the faucet body.

4. A faucet having a faucet cover according to any one of claims 1 to 3 and the faucet body, The aforementioned collar is characterized by having a contact portion that contacts the faucet body.

5. The aforementioned faucet body has a shaft member at its axial end, The aforementioned collar has a through hole through which the shaft member is inserted, A first circumferential wall formed around the through hole and functioning as the contact portion, It has a second peripheral wall formed on the outer periphery side of the first peripheral wall with a gap, The faucet according to claim 4, wherein the vertical wall portion has an insertion wall that is inserted into the gap as an engaging portion with which the collar engages.

Images