Universal joint and faucet extender provided with universal joint

Abstract

Provided are a universal joint and a faucet extender provided with the universal joint. The faucet extender comprises the universal joint and a water outlet device (A). The universal joint is provided with a connecting seat (10) and a water outlet seat (20). The connecting seat (10) is provided with an upper connecting hole (12) and a lower connecting hole (13), and the water outlet seat (20) is provided with a mounting portion (30) and a ball head portion (40). The mounting portion (30) is provided with a mounting recess (31), a mounting hole (32) and a through hole (33). The mounting hole (32) and the through hole (33) are communicated with two ends of the mounting recess (31). A water flow hole (42) runs through the ball head portion (40). One end of the ball head portion (40) is rotatably arranged in the connecting seat (10) and protrudes from the lower connecting hole (13), and the other end of the ball head portion (40) is fixedly arranged on the mounting portion (30). The water flow hole (42) is connected to the through hole (33), and the water outlet device (A) is arranged in the mounting hole (32). In addition to maintaining an original downward water outlet direction of a faucet, upward water outlet of the water outlet device (A) can also be achieved by rotating the water outlet seat (20); moreover, the overall structure is simple, costs can be reduced, and high universality is achieved.

Description

Universal joint and faucet extender with universal joint TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a universal joint, in particular, a universal joint for a faucet extender. BACKGROUND

[0002] A faucet, in particular, a faucet for a basin, has a water outlet mainly in a single form of water outlet pattern toward the downward direction. In order to increase the convenience of use, a user will additionally install a faucet extender at the water outlet of the faucet. There are various types of faucet extenders, the more common ones include a mechanical arm type faucet extender and a universal type faucet extender. The mechanical arm type faucet extender mainly includes a connecting portion, an arm portion and a water outlet portion. One end of the arm portion is pivotally connected to the connecting portion and in communication, and the other end of the arm portion is pivotally connected to the water outlet portion and in communication. The connecting portion is used to be locked to a faucet, and the user can change the direction of the water outlet by adjusting the arm portion and the water outlet portion, such as water outlet toward the upward direction to provide the user to wash face or to rinse mouth. The universal type faucet extender mainly includes a fixed portion and a water outlet head. One end of the fixed portion extends downwardly with a universal joint, and one end of the water outlet head is connected to the universal joint. In this way, the user can rotate the water outlet head with the universal joint as the center of rotation, and change the angle of the water outlet.

[0003] However, the mechanical arm type faucet extender has a large overall volume and is a multi-joint structure. In addition to having the disadvantage of occupying space and easily colliding with surrounding objects, during the adjustment of the angle, each joint needs to be adjusted to achieve the desired angle, so the overall operation is time-consuming and not convenient. In addition to the limited rotation angle of the universal type faucet extender, it can only be used to direct the water outlet downward. When the rotation angle is large, the water outlet of the universal joint will be partially blocked by the surrounding structure, resulting in a decrease in water flow and unstable phenomenon. Therefore, the overall structure of the faucet extender of the prior art has the problems and disadvantages as described above, and needs to be improved.

[0004] SUMMARY

[0005] The present invention provides a universal joint which can be installed on a faucet and increase the angle range of the water outlet of the faucet.

[0006] The universal joint provided by the present invention has:

[0007] a connecting seat having:

[0008] a connecting space formed in the connecting seat;

[0009] an upper connecting hole in communication with one end of the connecting space; and

[0010] a lower connecting hole, which is communicated with the other end of the connecting space;

[0011] a water outlet seat, which has:

[0012] a mounting portion, which has:

[0013] a mounting slot, which is formed in the mounting portion;

[0014] a mounting hole, which is formed in one end of the mounting portion and communicated with the mounting slot;

[0015] a through hole, which is formed in the other end of the mounting portion and communicated with the mounting slot; and

[0016] a ball head portion, which is connected to the mounting portion at one end and is rotatably arranged in the connecting space of the connecting seat through the lower connecting hole; the ball head portion has:

[0017] a water flow hole, which penetrates the ball head portion, and one end of the water flow hole is communicated with the through hole and the other end is communicated with the connecting space and the upper connecting hole.

[0018] The present application also provides a faucet extender, which comprises:

[0019] a universal joint as described above;

[0020] a water outlet device, which is arranged in the mounting hole of the mounting portion.

[0021] The universal joint of the present application has the advantages that when the universal joint is connected with a faucet, in addition to maintaining the downward water outlet direction of the original faucet, the water outlet device can be inclined upward by rotating the water outlet seat. When the water outlet direction is downward, it is convenient for users to wash hands or clean objects. When the water outlet direction is upward, it is convenient for users to rinse mouth or wash face. In addition, the universal joint of the present application has the advantages of simple overall structure, small size, low cost and high versatility.

[0022] The universal joint as described above, wherein the ball head portion has an extension rod, which is arranged in the lower connecting hole and protrudes from the lower connecting hole of the connecting seat and is connected to the mounting portion; the water flow hole penetrates the extension rod along the axial direction of the extension rod.

[0023] The universal joint as described above, wherein the connecting seat has:

[0024] an upper water stop ring, which is arranged in the connecting space and is close to the upper connecting hole, and the upper water stop ring is sleeved on the ball head portion; and

[0025] a lower water stop ring, which is arranged in the connecting space and is close to the lower connecting hole, and the lower water stop ring is sleeved on the ball head portion.

[0026] The universal joint as set forth in the above, wherein the ball head portion has:

[0027] An upper large ball head rotatably disposed in the connecting space; the upper large ball head has:

[0028] An upper ball groove recessed through the upper large ball head:

[0029] An opening formed at one end of the upper ball groove; and

[0030] An upper water inlet hole formed at the other end of the upper ball groove opposite to the opening;

[0031] An upper small ball head rotatably disposed in the upper ball groove and protruding from the opening of the upper large ball head; the upper small ball head connects the extension rod; the water flow hole passes through the upper small ball head and communicates with the opening of the upper large ball head.

[0032] The universal joint as set forth in the above, wherein the ball head portion has:

[0033] A lower small ball head formed at one end of the extension rod opposite to the upper small ball head and rotatably connected to the mounting portion; the water flow hole sequentially passes through the upper small ball head, the extension rod and the lower small ball head.

[0034] The universal joint as set forth in the above, wherein the ball head portion has:

[0035] A lower large ball head disposed in the mounting groove of the mounting portion; the lower large ball head has:

[0036] A lower ball groove through which the lower small ball head rotatably passes, the lower ball groove communicating with the water flow hole; and

[0037] A lower water outlet hole communicating with the mounting groove and the lower ball groove.

[0038] The universal joint as set forth in the above, wherein:

[0039] The upper large ball head has:

[0040] An upper positioning ring disposed in the upper ball groove and close to the opening of the upper large ball head, and the upper positioning ring is sleeved on the upper small ball head; and

[0041] The lower large ball head has:

[0042] A lower positioning ring disposed in the lower ball groove and away from the lower water outlet hole, and the lower positioning ring is sleeved on the lower small ball head.

[0043] The universal joint as set forth in the above, wherein:

[0044] The mounting portion has a first imaginary center line extending along the axial direction of the mounting hole;

[0045] The ball head has a second imaginary center line extending along the axial direction of the water flow hole;

[0046] The included angle between the first imaginary center line and the second imaginary center line is 30 degrees to 180 degrees.

[0047] The water outlet device is a valve or a shower head. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0048] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the present application.

[0049] Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the first embodiment of the present application.

[0050] Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the first embodiment of the present application in use.

[0051] Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the present application.

[0052] Fig. 5 is a sectional view of the second embodiment of the present application.

[0053] Fig. 6 is a sectional view of the second embodiment of the present application in a first use state.

[0054] Fig. 7 is a sectional view of the second embodiment of the present application in a second use state.

[0055] Fig. 8 is a sectional view of the second embodiment of the present application in a third use state.

[0056] Fig. 9 is a sectional view of the second embodiment of the present application in a fourth use state.

[0057] Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the present application.

[0058] Fig. 11 is a sectional view of the third embodiment of the present application.

[0059] Fig. 12 is a sectional view of the third embodiment of the present application in use. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0060] The technical means adopted by the present application to achieve the predetermined purposes are further described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the preferred embodiments of the present application.

[0061] Please refer to Figs. 1 to 3. The present application proposes a universal joint having a connecting seat 10 and a water outlet seat 20.

[0062] The connecting seat 10 is a hollow cylindrical body, and has a connecting space 11, an upper connecting hole 12, a lower connecting hole 13, an upper water stop ring 14, and a lower water stop ring 15. The connecting seat 10 surrounds the connecting space 11, and the upper connecting hole 12 and the lower connecting hole 13 respectively communicate with opposite ends of the connecting space 11. In the embodiment, the outer wall surface of the connecting seat 10 is formed with external threads adjacent to the upper connecting hole 12, but the connecting seat 10 can also be formed with internal threads. The upper water stop ring 14 is arranged in the connecting space 11 and close to the upper connecting hole 12, and the lower water stop ring 15 is arranged in the connecting space 11 and close to the lower connecting hole 13. In other embodiments, the form of the connecting seat 10 can be changed according to user needs, and the upper water stop ring 14 and the lower water stop ring 15 can also not be arranged.

[0063] In the first embodiment, the water outlet seat 20 has a mounting portion 30 and a ball head portion 40. The mounting portion 30 can be a sphere and has a mounting groove 31, a mounting hole 32, a through hole 33, and a first imaginary center line L1. The mounting groove 31 is formed in the mounting portion 30, and the mounting hole 32 and the through hole 33 are respectively formed at two ends of the mounting portion 30 and communicate with the mounting groove 31. The wall surface of the mounting hole 32 is formed with internal threads, but is not limited thereto. The first imaginary center line L1 extends along the axial direction of the mounting hole 32.

[0064] The ball head portion 40 is connected to the connecting seat 10. Specifically, one end of the ball head portion 40 is connected to the mounting portion 30, the other end is arranged in the lower connecting hole 13, and is rotatably arranged in the connecting space 11 of the connecting seat 10. The upper water stop ring 14 and the lower water stop ring 15 are respectively sleeved on the ball head portion 40. The ball head portion 40 has an extension rod 41, a water flow hole 42, an upper large ball head 43, and a second imaginary center line L2. The extension rod 41 can be one end of the ball head portion 40 connected to the mounting portion 30, and the upper large ball head 43 can be one end of the ball head portion 40 arranged in the lower connecting hole. Specifically, the upper large ball head 43 is rotatably arranged in the connecting space 11 of the connecting seat 10 and protrudes from the lower connecting hole 13 of the connecting seat 10. In the embodiment, the two ends of the extension rod 41 are respectively fixed to the upper large ball head 43 and the mounting portion 30, and the extension rod 41, the upper large ball head 43, and the mounting portion 30 can be integrally formed, so they cannot rotate relative to each other. The water flow hole 42 penetrates the upper large ball head 43 and the extension rod 41 along the axial direction of the extension rod 41. One end of the water flow hole 42 communicates with the through hole 33, and the other end communicates with the connecting space 11 and the upper connecting hole 12. The second imaginary center line L2 extends along the axial direction of the water flow hole 42. The included angle θ between the first imaginary center line L1 and the second imaginary center line L2 is 30 degrees to 180 degrees, and the included angle θ in the embodiment is 150 degrees.

[0065] When the universal joint of the present application is used in a faucet extender, the faucet extender has a universal joint as described above and a water outlet device A. The upper connecting hole 12 of the connecting seat 10 is locked to the water outlet position of a faucet (not shown). In this embodiment, the water outlet device A is a valve, but in other embodiments, the water outlet device A can be a spout, but is not limited to this. The water outlet device A has external threads at one end and a push switch at the other end, which is a standard component of the prior art, and the details of its structure will not be described again. The external threads of the water outlet device A are combined and fixed with the internal threads of the mounting hole 32 of the mounting portion 30. When the ball head portion 40 of the universal joint is rotated relative to the connecting seat 10, the direction of the water outlet device A can be changed. In this way, the direction of the water flowing out of the water outlet device A has more changes. Specifically, in addition to retaining the original direction of the faucet facing downward, when the user rotates the water outlet seat 20 until the extension rod 41 abuts against the lower edge of the connecting seat 10, the water outlet device A can be tilted upward to water (as shown in FIG. 3).

[0066] Please refer to FIGS. 4-9. The universal joint of the second embodiment of the present application is similar to the first embodiment, and the difference is that the ball head portion 40 of the water outlet seat 20 of the second embodiment also has an upper small ball head 45, and the extension rod 41 can be rotated relative to the upper large ball head 43. The upper large ball head 43 specifically can have an upper ball groove 431, an opening 432, an upper water inlet hole 433, and an upper positioning ring 434. The upper ball groove 431 penetrates the upper large ball head 43. The opening 432 and the upper water inlet hole 433 of the upper large ball head 43 are formed at opposite ends of the upper ball groove 431, respectively. The upper water inlet hole 433 communicates with the connecting space 11 and the upper connecting hole 12 of the connecting seat 10. The upper positioning ring 434 is arranged in the upper ball groove 431 and is close to the opening 432 of the upper large ball head 43. The upper small ball head 45 is rotatably arranged in the upper ball groove 431 and protrudes from the opening 432 of the upper large ball head 43, and the upper positioning ring 434 is sleeved on the upper small ball head 45, thereby preventing the upper small ball head 45 from coming off the upper ball groove 431. The upper small ball head 45 connects one end of the extension rod 41, and in this embodiment, the upper small ball head 45 and the extension rod 41 are integrally formed and cannot be rotated relative to each other. The water flow hole 42 penetrates the upper small ball head 45 and communicates with the opening 432 of the upper large ball head 43.

[0067] In this way, the upper large ball head 43 and the upper small ball head 45 can be rotated to make the whole have a larger rotation angle. For example, when the upper large ball head 43 is rotated to the maximum angle, the upper small ball head 45 can be further rotated to increase the water outlet angle of the water outlet seat 20. In other words, in the second embodiment, the angle range in which the water outlet seat 20 can be rotated includes the angle range in which the upper large ball head 43 can be rotated and the angle range in which the upper small ball head 45 can be rotated (as shown in FIG. 8). Compared with the universal joint of the first embodiment, the universal joint of the second embodiment has a larger range of rotation angles.

[0068] Please refer to FIG. 10 to FIG. 12. The third embodiment of the present application is similar to the second embodiment, except that the ball head 40 of the water outlet base 20 of the third embodiment has a lower big ball head 44 and a lower small ball head 46. Specifically, the lower big ball head 44 is rotatably disposed in the mounting slot 31 of the mounting portion 30 and protrudes from the through hole 33 of the mounting portion 30. The lower big ball head 44 has a lower ball slot 441, a lower water outlet hole 442, and a lower positioning ring 443. The lower ball slot 441 penetrates the lower big ball head 44, and one end of the lower ball slot 441 communicates with the water flow hole 42. The lower water outlet hole 442 is formed at the other end of the lower ball slot 441 and communicates with the mounting slot 31 and the lower ball slot 441. The lower positioning ring 443 is disposed in the lower ball slot 441 and is away from the lower water outlet hole 442. The upper small ball head 45 and the lower small ball head 46 are formed at opposite ends of the extension rod 41 and are integrally formed in this embodiment, but are not limited thereto. The lower small ball head 46 is rotatably disposed in the lower ball slot 441, and the lower positioning ring 443 is sleeved on the lower small ball head 46, thereby preventing the lower small ball head 46 from being separated from the lower ball slot 441. The water flow hole 42 penetrates the upper small ball head 45, the extension rod 41, and the lower small ball head 46 in sequence and communicates with the upper ball slot 431 and the lower ball slot 441.

[0069] Therefore, when the upper big ball head 43 and the upper small ball head 45 are rotated to the maximum angle, the lower big ball head 44 and the lower small ball head 46 can be further rotated to increase the water outlet angle of the water outlet base 20. In other words, in the third embodiment, the angle range in which the water outlet base 20 can be rotated includes the angle range in which the upper big ball head 43 can be rotated, the angle range in which the upper small ball head 45 can be rotated, the angle range in which the lower big ball head 44 can be rotated, and the angle range in which the lower small ball head 46 can be rotated (as shown in FIG. 12). Compared with the universal joint of the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the universal joint of the third embodiment has a larger range of rotation angles.

[0070] The advantage of the present application is that when the universal joint of the present application is connected with a faucet, in addition to being able to maintain the downward water outlet direction of the original faucet, the water outlet device A can also be inclined upward to water by rotating the water outlet base 20. When the water outlet direction is downward, it is convenient for the user to wash hands or clean objects. When the water outlet direction is upward, it is convenient for the user to rinse the mouth or wash the face. In addition, the overall structure of the universal joint of the present application is simple, small in size, and has the advantages of reducing cost and high universality.

[0071] The above merely describes the preferred embodiments of the present application, and is not intended to limit the present application in any form. Although the present application has been disclosed with the preferred embodiments as above, it is not intended to limit the present application, and any person skilled in the art can make some changes or modifications to the above disclosed technical contents to obtain equivalent embodiments with equivalent changes, as long as the changes or modifications do not depart from the technical solution of the present application. Any simple modification, equivalent change and modification made to the above embodiments according to the technical essence of the present application still belong to the scope of the technical solution of the present application.

Claims

1. A universal joint, comprising: a connecting seat, comprising: a connecting space formed in the connecting seat; an upper connecting hole communicating one end of the connecting space; and a lower connecting hole communicating another end of the connecting space; a water outlet seat, comprising: a mounting portion, comprising: a mounting groove formed in the mounting portion; a mounting hole formed in one end of the mounting portion and communicating the mounting groove; a through hole formed in another end of the mounting portion and communicating the mounting groove; and a ball head portion, one end of which is connected to the mounting portion and the other end of which is arranged in the lower connecting hole and rotatably arranged in the connecting space of the connecting seat, the ball head portion comprising: a water flow hole penetrating the ball head portion, one end of the water flow hole communicating the through hole and the other end of the water flow hole communicating the connecting space and the upper connecting hole.

2. The universal joint of claim 1, wherein, The ball head portion has an extension rod penetrating the lower connecting hole and protruding from the lower connecting hole of the connecting seat and connected to the mounting portion, the water flow hole penetrating the extension rod along the axial direction of the extension rod.

3. The universal joint of claim 2, wherein, The connecting seat has: an upper water stop ring arranged in the connecting space and close to the upper connecting hole, the upper water stop ring being sleeved on the ball head portion; and a lower water stop ring arranged in the connecting space and close to the lower connecting hole, the lower water stop ring being sleeved on the ball head portion. The ball head portion has:

4. The universal joint of claim 3, wherein, an upper large ball head rotatably arranged in the connecting space, the upper large ball head comprising: an upper ball groove recessed in the upper large ball head: an opening formed in one end of the upper ball groove; and an upper water inlet hole formed in another end of the upper ball groove opposite to the opening; an upper small ball head rotatably arranged in the upper ball groove and protruding from the opening of the upper large ball head; the upper small ball head connecting the extension rod, the water flow hole penetrating the upper small ball head and communicating the opening of the upper large ball head. The ball head portion has:

5. The universal joint of claim 4, wherein, a lower small ball head formed on one end of the extension rod opposite to the upper small ball head and rotatably connected to the mounting portion, the water flow hole penetrating the upper small ball head, the extension rod and the lower small ball head in sequence. The ball head portion has:

6. The universal joint of claim 5, wherein, a lower large ball head arranged in the mounting groove of the mounting portion, the lower large ball head comprising: a lower ball groove, the lower small ball head rotatably penetrating the lower ball groove, the lower ball groove communicating the water flow hole; and a lower water outlet hole communicating the mounting groove and the lower ball groove.

7. The universal joint according to claim 6, wherein: the upper large ball head has: an upper positioning ring arranged in the upper ball groove and close to the opening of the upper large ball head, the upper positioning ring being sleeved on the upper small ball head; and the lower large ball head has: a lower positioning ring arranged in the lower ball groove and away from the lower water outlet hole, the lower positioning ring being sleeved on the lower small ball head.

8. The universal joint according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein: the mounting portion has a first imaginary center line extending along the axial direction of the mounting hole; the ball head portion has a second imaginary center line extending along the axial direction of the water flow hole; the included angle between the first imaginary center line and the second imaginary center line is 30 degrees to 180 degrees.

9. A water faucet extender, comprising: ​ The universal joint as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8; A water outlet device is arranged in the mounting hole of the mounting portion.

10. The faucet extender of claim 9, wherein, The water outlet device is a valve or a faucet. The water outlet device is a valve or a faucet.

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