Faucet cover

Abstract

To provide a faucet cover capable of preventing a change in an interval between upper ends of an opening part while ensuring ease of work through the opening part of the faucet cover.SOLUTION: A faucet cover 7 that covers a faucet body 6 comprises: a lower cover 20 having an upward-opened opening part 33 facing a maintenance part 6a of the faucet body 6; an upper cover 21 arranged on the lower cover 20; and a maintenance cover 22 closing the opening part 33 of the lower cover 20, wherein space holding parts 37, 46 are provided to hold a space between upper ends of the opening part 33.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a faucet cover for a faucet. [Background technology]

[0002] Faucets are known in which the faucet body is covered with a faucet cover to improve the design of the faucet. This faucet cover includes a lower cover, an upper cover placed on top of the lower cover, and a maintenance cover. The faucet body is equipped with a check valve and a stop valve for maintenance purposes. A maintenance opening is formed in the faucet cover at a position opposite the check valve and stop valve so that a worker can operate the check valve and stop valve during maintenance without removing the entire faucet cover from the faucet body.

[0003] When the faucet is in use, a maintenance cover is attached to the opening to block it, and when maintenance is required, the maintenance cover can be removed to expose the opening from which the check valve and stop valve can be operated (Non-Patent Document 1, page 351, exploded view of KF3008R). [Prior art documents] [Non-patent literature]

[0004] [Non-Patent Document 1] KVK SHOWER & FAUCET 2021-2022 General Catalog p.351 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The opening of the faucet cover is rectangular and surrounded by frames on all sides. However, the presence of an upper frame on the opening of the faucet cover can hinder ease of maintenance work. On the other hand, simply opening the top of the opening can cause problems such as changes in the spacing between the upper edges of the openings.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to prevent changes in the spacing between the upper ends of the openings while ensuring ease of work through the openings of the faucet cover. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problem, a faucet cover is provided that covers the faucet body, and the faucet cover has a lower cover with an upwardly open opening that faces the maintenance part of the faucet body, an upper cover that is placed on top of the lower cover, and a maintenance cover that covers the opening of the lower cover, and is provided with a spacing retaining part that maintains the spacing between the upper ends of the openings.

[0008] The spacing portion also restricts the upper ends of the openings from widening. The opening is formed by a pair of vertical frames in the lower cover and a lower frame connecting the lower ends of the pair of vertical frames, and the spacing retaining portion is composed of a pair of recessed holes formed in the pair of vertical frames and a pair of insertion protrusions formed in the upper cover that are inserted into the pair of recessed holes.

[0009] The upper cover is formed from a metal plate, and the length of the pair of insertion protrusions in the width direction, which is the direction connecting the pair of insertion protrusions, is greater than the length in the thickness direction. The maintenance cover has a pair of locking projections, which are locked to the pair of vertical frames of the lower cover. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent changes in the spacing between the upper ends of the openings while ensuring ease of work through the openings of the faucet cover. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the faucet according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the faucet according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4(a) is a partially enlarged front view of the lower cover, and FIG. 4(b) is a partially enlarged plan view of the lower cover. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a front view of the top cover. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a rear perspective view of the front cover. [Figure 7] 7(a) is a plan view of the locking protrusions of the front cover, and FIG. 7(b) is a plan view showing the state in which the locking protrusions of the front cover and the locking pieces formed on the vertical frame of the lower cover are locked together. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the state in which the recessed hole and the insertion protrusion are fitted together. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] A more detailed explanation follows. Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the faucet 1 of this embodiment. The faucet 1 shown in the figure is a deck-type hot and cold water mixer faucet that is installed on the upper surface of the edge of a bathtub or on a bathroom counter, and is capable of discharging hot and cold water by mixing hot water from a hot water supply pipe (not shown) and cold water from a cold water supply pipe (not shown). Note that hereinafter, "hot and cold water" refers collectively to hot water or cold water dispensed from the faucet 1, and includes not only a mixture of hot and cold water, but also cold water alone or hot water only. The directions in which the faucet 1 and the components that make up the faucet 1 are used are as shown in Figure 1.

[0013] As shown in Figure 1, faucet 1 has outlet unit 2 located at the top, and shower unit 3 located on the back of faucet 1, allowing the destination of hot and cold water to be switched to either one. In the state shown in Figure 1, faucet 1 has rotatable handles located on both sides of its width. Of these, the left side in the figure is temperature control handle 4 for adjusting the temperature of hot and cold water, and the right side in the figure is switch handle 5 for switching the destination and adjusting the amount of water discharged.

[0014] Figure 2 shows an exploded perspective view of the faucet 1. The faucet 1 has a faucet body 6 and a faucet cover 7. The faucet body 6 is composed of a body unit 8, an outlet unit 2, a shower unit 3, a temperature control handle 4, and a switch handle 5. The body unit 8 is primarily composed of a metal body 9. The body unit 8 has a hot water supply screw 10 connected to the hot water supply pipe and a cold water supply screw 11 connected to the cold water supply pipe attached to its lower part. The upper part of the body unit 8 has an outlet mounting part 12 with a male thread, to which the outlet unit 2 is attached. In addition, a shower mounting part (not shown) is formed on the back of the body unit 8, to which an elbow 13 of the shower unit 3 is attached, and a shower hose 14 is attached to the elbow 13. The body unit 8 has a hot water supply flow path and a cold water supply flow path formed inside it, and further has a hot water / cold water mixing part and a switching part that switches the hot water / cold water flow rate and discharge direction (neither of which are shown). A rotating shaft 15 for the hot and cold water mixing section and a rotating shaft 16 for the switching section protrude from both sides in the width direction of the body unit 8. A temperature control handle 4 is attached to the rotating shaft 15 for the hot and cold water mixing section, and a switching handle 5 is attached to the rotating shaft 16 for the switching section.

[0015] Four female threaded holes 17 are formed in a row in the width direction on the front surface of the body unit 8. Of these female threaded holes 17, the left two are connected to the hot water supply passage formed inside the body unit 8, and the right two are connected to the cold water supply passage. Of the four female threaded holes 17, check valve units 18 are disposed in the two innermost female threaded holes 17. Each check valve unit 18 can prevent backflow of hot water and cold water in the hot water supply passage and the cold water supply passage. Furthermore, stop valve units 19 are disposed in the two outermost female threaded holes 17, allowing each stop valve unit 19 to close and open the hot water supply passage and the cold water supply passage. The front portion of the body unit 8 where the check valve units 18 and stop valve units 19 are attached becomes the maintenance section 6a of the faucet body 6.

[0016] Next, the faucet cover 7 will be described. As shown in Figure 1, the faucet cover 7 covers the faucet body 6. Note that covering the faucet body 6 means that it is sufficient to cover at least a portion of the faucet body 6. As shown in Figure 2, the faucet cover 7 is made up of a lower cover 20, an upper cover 21 placed on top of the lower cover 20, a front cover 22 serving as a maintenance cover placed in front of the lower cover 20, and side collars 23 placed on both sides of the upper cover 21 in the width direction.

[0017] The lower cover 20 shown in Figure 3 is made of resin and has a rectangular cylindrical shape with a bottom, openings at the top and front, and a metal-plated surface. The lower cover 20 has a bottom 24, a back 25, both side 26, and a front 27, which are integrally molded. The bottom 24 has a generally rectangular shape that is elongated in the width direction, and two insertion holes 28 are formed through both sides in the width direction. This pair of insertion holes 28 allows the hot water screw portion 10 and the cold water screw portion 11 to pass through when the faucet body 6 is placed inside the lower cover 20. The back 25 consists of a back wall 29 of a certain height that rises upward from the back edge of the bottom 24 and two support ribs 30 formed integrally with the back wall 29 in front of it. The upper end of each support rib 30 is formed with a back-side support portion 32, which has a slit 31 extending parallel to the extension direction of the back wall 29. The side portions 26 are wall-like and rise upward from both side edges of the bottom portion 24, and are connected to the back portion 25. Each side portion 26 is formed in an arc shape that convex outward in the width direction in a plan view.

[0018] The front surface portion 27 rises upward from the front edge of the bottom portion 24 and has an upwardly facing U-shape in front view, with an opening 33 that opens upward in the center. Both widthwise sides of the opening 33 of the front surface portion 27 are connected to the side surface portions 26, forming vertical frames 34 that are the same height as the side surface portions 26. The lower side of the opening 33 is formed by a lower frame 35 that connects the lower ends of the pair of vertical frames 34. That is, the pair of vertical frames 34 and lower frame 35 of the front surface portion 27 form the upwardly opening opening 33. The opening 33 has a height and width such that the check valve unit 18 and the stop valve unit 19 face each other when the faucet body 6 is placed on the lower cover 20, but do not interfere with the lower cover 20. The front surfaces of the pair of vertical frames 34 and lower frame 35 of the front surface portion 27 have a thin, integral inner edge along the opening 33, forming a front cover mounting surface 36 on the lower cover 20.

[0019] As shown in Figures 3, 4(a), and 4(b), the upper portion of each vertical frame 34 of the front surface 27 is thicker toward the rear. A bottomed recessed hole 37 extending vertically and opening to the top surface of the vertical frame 34 is formed in the upper portion of each vertical frame 34. This recessed hole 37 is rectangular in plan view and has a constant width and thickness. Of the pair of recessed holes 37, the inner wall 37a, which is the inner wall on the inside in the width direction, is formed lower than the other inner walls of the recessed hole 37. The pair of recessed holes 37 form a spacing retainer. Furthermore, a locking piece 38 is formed in the upper portion of each vertical frame 34, protruding inward in the width direction. Each locking piece 38 is formed rearward of the recessed hole 37, and its thickness in the front-to-rear direction decreases toward the inside in the width direction. A recess is formed in the front surface of each vertical frame 34 below the recessed hole 37, providing an insertion port 39 for a front cover removal tool (e.g., a screwdriver).

[0020] As shown in Figure 3, a front protrusion 40 extending upward is formed in the center of the width of the bottom 24, and its base end is connected to the lower frame 35. An upper cover front surface support part 42 having a slit 41 is formed at the upper end of the front protrusion 40. The slit 41 is located on a line connecting the recessed holes 37 formed in the pair of vertical frames 34.

[0021] The upper cover 21 shown in Figures 2 and 5 is formed by punching and bending a single sheet of metal material, forming an inverted U-shape in side view. Both widthwise sides of the upper cover 21 are open, and the lower portions on both widthwise sides are narrow. A circular hole 43 is formed through the upper part of the upper cover 21, i.e., at a position corresponding to the outlet mounting portion 12 of the body unit 8. Furthermore, a downward-facing semi-oval notch (not shown) is formed at the rear of the upper cover 21, i.e., at a position corresponding to the shower mounting portion of the body unit 8. The front lower end of the upper cover 21 is bent into a crank shape.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 5, a front insertion portion 44 is formed in the widthwise center of the front lower end of the upper cover 21. Insertion protrusions 46 are formed on both sides of the front insertion portion 44, with notches 45 sandwiched between them. The widthwise length of each insertion protrusion 46 is longer than the thicknesswise length (thickness of the upper cover 21). The insertion protrusion 46 is generally rectangular in front view (see FIG. 8), with both corners of the lower end chamfered. The notch 45 is also generally rectangular, with chamfered corners. The pair of insertion protrusions 46 constitute spacing retainers and can be inserted into a pair of recessed holes 37 formed in the vertical frame 34. The distance between inner sides 46a, which are the widthwise inner sides of the pair of insertion protrusions 46, is slightly larger than the distance between the inner walls 37a of the pair of recessed holes 37. When the pair of insertion protrusions 46 are inserted into the pair of recessed holes 37, gaps are formed on both widthwise sides of the insertion protrusions 46 relative to the recessed holes 37, as shown in FIG. 8. 8 shows only one of the pair of insertion protrusions 46 and the pair of recessed holes 37 (the left side in FIG. 2), but the insertion protrusions 46 and the recessed holes 37 are each a symmetrical pair, and the other is the same. The lower end at the rear of the upper cover 21 is also bent in a crank shape, and this lower end forms a rear insertion portion 47.

[0023] As shown in Figure 2, each side collar 23 is made of resin and has an approximately cylindrical shape. It has fitting portions that fit into both side surfaces of the upper cover 21, and its lower end is formed in a straight line so that it can abut against the upper surface of the side surface portion 26 of the lower cover 20.

[0024] As shown in Figure 6, the front cover 22 is made of resin and shaped like a rectangular plate, with a metal-plated surface. The front cover 22 is attached to the front cover attachment surface 36 of the lower cover 20 from the front, closing the opening 33 and being approximately flush with the lower cover 20. A pair of locking protrusions 48 extending rearward are formed on both sides of the width of the rear surface of the front cover 22 (the surface shown in Figure 6). In addition, an attachment rib 49 is formed on the rear surface of the front cover 22, which abuts against the edge of the opening 33 when the front cover 22 is attached to the lower cover 20.

[0025] 7(a), a V-shaped locking groove 50 that opens outward in the width direction is formed near the tip of the locking protrusion 48. The locking groove 50 is used to lock onto the locking piece 38 of the vertical frame 34 when the front cover 22 is attached to the lower cover 20. The locking protrusion 48 has an arc-shaped portion on the tip side of the locking groove 50, which makes it easy for the locking protrusion 48 to elastically deform when it comes into contact with the locking piece 38.

[0026] Next, we will explain how to assemble the faucet 1. Note that the assembly order is an example and is not limited to this order. First, the lower cover 20 is installed, and the body unit 8 is placed inside the lower cover 20. Next, the upper cover 21 is fitted over the lower cover 20. At the rear of the upper cover 21, the rear insertion portions 47 are inserted into the slits 31 formed in the support ribs 30, and the rear surface of the upper cover 21 is supported by the rear support portions 32. At the front of the upper cover 21, the front insertion portions 44 are inserted into the slits 41 of the front projections 40, and the front surface of the upper cover 21 is supported by the upper cover front support portions 42. At the same time, the pair of insertion protrusions 46 formed on the upper cover 21 are inserted into the pair of recessed holes 37 formed in the vertical frame 34 of the lower cover 20. Next, when the outlet unit 2 is screwed to the outlet mounting portion 12 of the body unit 8 through the circular holes 43 in the upper cover 21, the upper cover 21 is pressed down from above by the outlet unit 2, firmly assembling it with the lower cover 20. Then, the side collars 23 are fitted into the upper cover 21 from the left and right sides, and the temperature control handle 4 and the switching handle 5 are attached from the outside of the side collars 23.

[0027] Next, the front cover 22 is attached to the front cover attachment surface 36 of the lower cover 20. As the front cover 22 is pushed into the lower cover 20, the locking grooves 50 of the locking projections 48 engage with the locking pieces 38, as shown in FIG. 7(b). The attachment ribs 49 of the front cover 22 come into contact with the inner edge of the opening 33 of the lower cover 20, thereby attaching the front cover 22 to the lower cover 20. Next, the elbow 13 of the shower unit 3 is attached to the shower attachment portion of the body unit 8, and the hot water screw portion 10 and the cold water screw portion 11 are attached to the body unit 8 through the insertion holes 28 of the lower cover 20. This completes the assembly of the faucet 1 shown in FIG. 1.

[0028] As shown in Figure 8, when the faucet 1 is assembled, a pair of insertion protrusions 46 formed on the upper cover 21 are inserted into a pair of recessed holes 37 formed in the vertical frame 34 of the lower cover 20. As shown in the figure, each recessed hole 37 is formed slightly wider than each insertion protrusion 46, and the insertion protrusions 46 are inserted into the recessed holes 37 with some clearance in the width direction, with the lower ends of the insertion protrusions 46 abutting against the bottom surfaces of the recessed holes 37.

[0029] Here, because the opening 33 is an upward opening, the distance between the upper ends is easily deformed by external forces, etc. Then, when the upper ends of the opening 33 widen, i.e., when the upper ends of the pair of vertical frames 34 move away from each other (to the left in FIG. 8 ), the inner walls 37a of the pair of recessed holes 37 come into contact with the inner edges 46a of the pair of insertion protrusions 46, respectively. This restricts the pair of vertical frames 34 from further moving away from each other, and restricts the expansion of the diameter between the upper ends of the opening 33. Note that the closing of the upper ends of the opening 33, i.e., the movement of the upper ends of the pair of vertical frames 34 toward each other (to the right in FIG. 8 ), is also restricted in the same way.

[0030] When performing maintenance on the faucet 1, inserting a screwdriver or the like into the insertion hole 39 formed in the vertical frame 34 will lever the front cover 22 away from the lower cover 20. The check valve unit 18 and stop valve unit 19 located in the maintenance section 6a can then be operated through the exposed opening 33.

[0031] The faucet 1 and faucet cover 7 of the above embodiment can provide the following effects. (1) The faucet cover 7 comprises a lower cover 20 having an upwardly open opening 33 facing the maintenance portion 6a of the faucet body 6, an upper cover 21 placed on the lower cover 20, and a front cover 22 as a maintenance cover that closes the opening 33 of the lower cover 20. The faucet cover 7 is provided with spacing retaining portions (recessed holes 37, insertion protrusions 46) that maintain the spacing between the upper ends of the openings 33. Therefore, even if a force acts to expand or close the openings 33 of the lower cover 20, the spacing between the upper ends of the openings 33 can be maintained. Furthermore, because the openings 33 are upwardly open, they are wider upward than when an upper frame is provided. Therefore, the openings 33 are wider without changing the overall dimensions of the lower cover 20, making maintenance work through the openings 33 easier.

[0032] (2) The spacing retaining portion restricts the upper ends of the opening 33 from widening, i.e., restricts the upper ends of the pair of vertical frames 34 from moving away from each other (to the left in FIG. 8 ). This makes it difficult for the front cover 22, which is attached by fitting it into the opening 33 of the lower cover 20, to come off.

[0033] (3) The opening 33 is formed by a pair of vertical frames 34 in the lower cover 20 and a lower frame 35 that connects the lower ends of these vertical frames 34. The spacing portion is composed of a pair of recessed holes 37 formed in the pair of vertical frames 34 and a pair of insertion protrusions 46 formed in the upper cover 21 and inserted into the pair of recessed holes 37. Therefore, when the upper cover 21 is placed over the lower cover 20, the pair of insertion protrusions 46 of the upper cover 21 are inserted into the pair of recessed holes 37 of the lower cover 20, thereby maintaining the spacing between the upper ends of the opening 33 of the lower cover 20. Furthermore, the work is easy because it is only necessary to place the upper cover 21 over the lower cover 20.

[0034] (4) The upper cover 21 is formed from a metal plate, and the width of the pair of insertion protrusions 46 is greater than the thickness of the pair of insertion protrusions 46. Therefore, the insertion protrusions 46 are resistant to deformation in the width direction, and the spacing between the upper ends of the openings 33 can be easily maintained.

[0035] (5) The front cover 22 has a pair of locking projections 48, which lock onto a pair of vertical frames 34 of the lower cover 20. The pair of vertical frames 34, to which the front cover 22 is attached, form the spacing retaining portion, and therefore the spacing retaining function can be easily achieved.

[0036] The above embodiment may be modified as follows. The opening 33 is formed on the front surface of the lower cover 20, but it may also be on the side or back surface. It may be located in a position opposite the maintenance part 6a of the faucet body 6.

[0037] The pair of recessed holes 37 do not have to be open upward. For example, the recessed holes 37 may be configured to penetrate the pair of vertical frames 34 in the front-to-rear direction, and the locking protrusions 48 may be locked into these recessed holes 37. Alternatively, the recessed holes 37 may be formed to open on the inside of the pair of vertical frames 34 in the width direction, and the locking protrusions 48 may be configured to protrude outward in the width direction, and locked into the recessed holes 37.

[0038] The spacing portion is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, a pair of protrusions may be formed on the pair of vertical frames 34, and a pair of holes into which the pair of protrusions can be inserted may be formed in the upper cover 21. The pair of insertion protrusions 46 formed on the upper cover 21 do not need to have a widthwise length greater than a thicknesswise length.

[0039] The material of each cover may be changed. The front cover 22 may be fastened to a part other than the vertical frame 34. [Explanation of symbols]

[0040] 1...faucet, 6...faucet body, 6a...maintenance part, 7...faucet cover, 8...body unit, 20...lower cover, 21...upper cover, 22...front cover (maintenance cover), 33...opening, 34...vertical frame, 35...lower frame, 37...recess (spacing retaining part), 46...insertion protrusion (spacing retaining part), 48...locking protrusion.

Claims

1. A faucet cover that covers a faucet body, The faucet cover includes a lower cover having an upwardly open opening facing the maintenance portion of the faucet body, an upper cover disposed on the lower cover, and a maintenance cover that closes the opening of the lower cover; The opening is formed by a pair of vertical frames in the lower cover, a spacing retaining portion for retaining a spacing between the upper ends of the openings; The spacing retaining portion is a faucet cover formed between the pair of vertical frames and the upper cover.

2. A faucet cover that covers a faucet body, The faucet cover includes a lower cover having an upwardly open opening facing the maintenance portion of the faucet body, an upper cover disposed on the lower cover, and a maintenance cover that closes the opening of the lower cover; The opening is formed by a pair of vertical frames of the lower cover and a lower frame connecting lower ends of the pair of vertical frames, a spacing retaining portion for retaining a spacing between the upper ends of the openings; The spacing retaining portion is a faucet cover composed of a pair of recessed holes formed in either the pair of vertical frames or the upper cover, and a pair of insertion protrusions formed in the other of the pair of vertical frames or the upper cover and inserted into the pair of recessed holes.

3. The faucet cover according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the spacing portion restricts the upper ends of the openings from widening.

4. A faucet cover as described in claim 2, wherein the upper cover is formed from a metal plate, the pair of insertion protrusions are formed on the upper cover, and the width direction length, which is the direction connecting the pair of insertion protrusions, is greater than the thickness direction length.

5. A faucet cover according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the maintenance cover has a pair of locking protrusions, and the pair of locking protrusions lock onto the pair of vertical frames of the lower cover.

Images