A water conduit

Abstract

A water faucet (10, 70,,100) comprising a connection arrangement (14) for mounting the faucet, the faucet having a body section (16). The body section (16) comprises an inner core section (26) extending from the body section (16), the inner core section (26) having an axial bore (27) therethrough. An outer expandable member (30) is arranged coaxial with the inner core section (26) and external thereof. A first end of (32) the expandable member (30) is proximal the body section (16) and a second end (34) of the expandable member (30) is distal the body section (16). An end element (36) is positioned adjacent the second end (34) of the expandable member (30) and an actuation mechanism (40, 50, 76) is provided that can draw the end element (36) towards the body section (16) to axially compress the expandable member (30), resulting in radial expansion of the expandable member(30).

Description

[0001]

[0002] A Water Conduit

[0003] Field of the Invention

[0004] This invention relates to a fluid conduit, particularly to a water faucet or a tap and, more especially to a kitchen or bathroom tap.

[0005] Background to the Invention

[0006] Water faucets, such as taps on sinks and bathrooms, are conventionally fitted into preformed apertures in the sink or bathtub; however, fitting the faucet normally requires access to both sides of the aperture, because respective parts are placed on each side of the aperture and connected to one another, with elastomeric seals being required on each side of the surface. This may be in the form of threaded sections that are screwed to each other to clamp around the sink or bath. If the seals are not properly located, there is a significant risk of water leaking through the surface.

[0007] A problem with such existing arrangements is that installation is difficult, due to the depth of the sink unit or bathtub, and this is a particular problem with kitchen sinks. As such, an installer will need to have access to both sides of the surface in which the faucet is being installed, and, oftentimes, two people are required. A further problem with conventional arrangements is that where threaded connections of this type are used, they can loosen over time, leading to leaks. Summary of the Invention

[0008] Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a water faucet comprising: a body section; an inner core section extending from the body section, the inner core section having an axial bore therethrough and an inner core support extending transversely across the bore, the inner core support having an aperture therein; an outer tubular elastomeric expandable member coaxial with the inner core section and external thereof, a first end of the expandable member being proximal the body section and a second end of the expandable member being distal the body section; and an end element adjacent the second end of the expandable member, the end element having an internal end element support, the end element support further comprising an aperture therein; wherein, a rotatable member extends through the aperture of the inner core support and through the aperture of the end element support, with the end element engaging with the rotatable member such that rotation of the rotatable member moves the end element axially along the rotatable member and when the end element is drawn towards the body section, this axially compresses the expandable member, resulting in radial expansion of the expandable member; and wherein one end of the rotatable member is externally accessible through an external surface of the water faucet.

[0009] The present invention provides a mechanism for securing a conduit, such as a water faucet or tap, to a surface. It will be appreciated that when the end element is spaced away from the body section, the expandable member has a first, extended position, in which the diameter of the expandable member has a first dimension. When the end element is moved towards the body section, the expandable member is moved into a second, compressed position; compressed between the end element and the body section. In this second, compressed position, the expandable element is compressed axially and expands radially, which results in an enlarged diameter. Therefore, when the expandable element is in the first, extended position, it can pass through an aperture that is slightly larger than the diameter of the aperture. Subsequently, upon moving into the compressed position, the diameter of the expandable section is increased so that it is larger than the diameter of the aperture. As a result, the arrangement cannot pass back through the aperture when in the second, compressed position. This locks the arrangement in place within a surface.

[0010] The inner core section is arranged to reinforce the lower part of the arrangement, and it also ensures that the expandable member, which is arranged around the inner core section, cannot expand inwardly. As a result, when the expandable member is compressed axially, it is forced to expand radially outwards. Thus, the inner core forces the expandable member to increase in diameter when compressed, preventing the arrangement from passing back through the surface, when installed.

[0011] The present invention allows for fixing of the faucet, or tap, from the external surface of the faucet. Thus, the end of the rotatable member can be readily accessed from outside the faucet, when the arrangement is complete, thereby enabling it to be rotated with the faucet assembled. This saves time in installing the product, because the faucet can be placed in position and the rotatable member rotated to fix the faucet in place. The end of the rotatable member being exposed post-installation means that the device can be easily installed and adjusted. Furthermore, having a rotatable member that extends from a position externally accessible to the inner core and end element reduces the risk of mechanical failure of the device. The exposed head of the rotatable member can be readily accessed to allow direct rotation of the rotatable element.

[0012] In one arrangement, the rotatable member comprises a flexible section and a rigid section. In such an embodiment, the flexible section is, ideally, placed with in the body section, but it can be arranged adjacent or on the body section, depending upon the arrangement. Thus, it may be arranged externally of the body section in some situations.

[0013] The body section may be provided with a flange that, when installed, is positioned adjacent the top of the surface in which the arrangement is located. A seal element may be positioned between the flange and the surface to reduce the risk of water ingress under the flange and through the aperture in the surface. The tubular expandable section may extend radially adjacent the body section in addition to a seal element or in order to negate the need for a separate seal element. Preferably, the tubular expandable section has a solid external surface, which is to say that the external surface has no slits, slots or apertures therein. This is to reduce the risk of leaks through the expandable section when the tap, faucet or conduit is installed, because the expandable section forms a seal against water ingress.

[0014] It is preferable that the flexible section is connected to the rigid section of the rotatable member, and, more preferably, that the connection between the respective parts is a permanent connection. Whilst in some arrangements it might be advantageous for the flexible section to be removeable from the rigid section, thereby allowing the flexible section to be withdrawn after installation, to avoid loss of the part or complications with the parts disengaging, the parts may be permanently connected to one another.

[0015] In a particularly beneficial arrangement, the flexible section is fixedly connected to the elongate member such that rotation of the first end of the flexible section results in rotation of the rigid section of the rotatable member. In this arrangement, due to the coupling between the parts, rotation of the first end of the flexible section will result in rotation of the rigid section.

[0016] Movement of the flexible section, for example rotation thereof, may be undertaken by way of a tool. Therefore, it is useful that the first end of the flexible section is adapted to receive a tool or is adapted to fit onto a tool. Thus, a recess for accepting a screwdriver, hex-key or similar protruding element, may be present in the first end of the flexible section. Additionally, or alternatively, the first end of the flexible section may be shaped to be received in a wrench, a spanner, a drill or a recess in a changeable-end screwdriver. Similarly, where axial movement of the flexible section is desirable, which will also result in axial movement of the rigid section, a loop or aperture, or a section that can be gripped or receive a tool may be useful. It will be understood that a handle may be provided on the end of the flexible connector to allow manual rotation or operation thereof.

[0017] Axial movement of the flexible section results in axial movement of the rigid section. This arrangement may include a ratchet mechanism so that as the flexible section is moved axially, or pulled, return movement is prohibited until a release mechanism is operated. Thus, simply pulling the flexible section can draw the end element towards the body section, thereby compressing the tubular expandable element.

[0018] The rotatable member may be provided with a second substantially rigid section, with the flexible section connecting the two rigid sections. Having a flexible section between two rigid sections allows for the two rigid sections to be offset, whilst still allowing rotation of the overall rotatable member.

[0019] The rotatable member may be provided with an external thread that engages with an internal thread in the aperture of the inner core support and / or with an internal thread in the aperture of the end element support. Rotation of the threaded rotatable member will then produce axial movement of the end element, relative to the inner core. It is preferred that the aperture of the inner core support is not provided with a thread and that the end element is provided with an internal thread, so that rotation of the rotatable member results in axial movement of the end element along the rotatable member. Although it is envisaged that the rotatable member may also move axially relative to the inner core, this is less preferable, because it may result in lower compression forces.

[0020] It will be understood that in some arrangements, the flexible section may also be provided with an external thread so that axial displacement of the flexible connector can be obtained from rotation thereof, for example, by arranging a corresponding thread in the surface of the faucet. The externally threaded section of the flexible section may be arranged in a collar adjacent the first end of the flexible section.

[0021] Advantageously, the axis of the first end of the flexible section is non-coaxial with the axis of the second end of the rigid section of the rotatable member. The use of the flexible section allows the first end of the rotatable member to be offset from the axis and position of the end of the rigid section of the rotatable member. This allows the first end of the flexible section to be arranged some distance and in a different orientation from that of the rigid section of the rotatable member, thereby allowing a user to operate the fixing mechanism without requiring direct access thereto. In some arrangements, it may be useful that the flexible section is contained within a sleeve. The sleeve can protect the flexible connector and reduce the risk of the flexible connector being mechanically or chemically damaged or the flexible section being caught and not rotating properly. As the bore of the inner core may be used for the flow of fluid or for tap tails, having a sleeve to protect the flexible connector may be useful to reduce the risk of the mechanism jamming.

[0022] In another arrangement, the rotatable member is substantially rigid. This is to say that the rotatable member can be a single-piece element, preferably elongate, that extends from the inner core support. The rotatable member may extend from the body section, or housing, of the faucet, so that it protrudes to an external position on the faucet, thereby enabling the rigid section to be rotated. In an alternative arrangement, the end of the rigid rotatable member may contained within the body section, or housing, and it may be accessible from externally of the body section, for example, through an aperture in the body section.

[0023] It will be appreciated that the rotatable member may be a single element, or it may be constructed from sections that are connected together, either fixedly or releasably.

[0024] The end element may be directly connected to the expandable member, or it may sit within the end element or external thereof. In any of the embodiments, movement of the end element axially compresses the expandable element.

[0025] The expandable member is, preferably, a resiliently yieldable material, such as a rubber material. The expandable member may be provided with creases, ribs, folds or other elements that encourage a predetermined deformation upon compression of the tubular seal.

[0026] Thus, the present invention provides a mechanism for securing a conduit, tap or faucet to a surface from a single side, thereby removing the need to have access to both sides of the surface and requiring only a single person for installation. This provides a faucet or conduit that can be easily fitted from the ‘top’ side of the sink or bath, making it quicker and easier to install such a device. As will be understood by the skilled person, the faucet may be created with a spout and water control valves connected to the body section. In such an arrangement, the parts of the faucet may be mounted upon the body section after installation thereof.

[0027] Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0028] Figure 1 is a front view of a tap having a connection arrangement in accordance with the present invention, in a first position;

[0029] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the tap of Figure 1;

[0030] Figure 3 is a front view of the tap of Figure 1 with the connection arrangement in a second, fitted position;

[0031] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the arrangement of Figure 3;

[0032] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of a second tap in accordance with the present invention, in a first position;

[0033] Figure 6 is a view of a further embodiment of the present invention in a first position;

[0034] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of the tap of Figure 6;

[0035] Figure 8 is a view of the embodiment of Figure 6 in a second position;

[0036] Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of the tap of Figure 8;

[0037] Figure 10 is a view of a tap in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention;

[0038] Figure 11 is a cross-section view of the tap of Figure 10;

[0039] Figure 12 is an enlarged view of part of Figure 11;

[0040] Figure 13 is a view of the tap of Figure 10 installed in a surface;

[0041] Figure 14 is a cross-sectional view of the tap of Figure 13; and

[0042] Figure 15 is an enlarged view of part of Figure 14.

[0043] Detailed Description of Exemplary Embodiments Figures 1 to 4 show a tap 10 having an upper section 12, including a spout, and a connection arrangement 14.

[0044] The connection arrangement 14 has a body section 16 that has an upper end 18 and a lower end 20. Adjacent the lower end 20 is a radially extending flange 22 that may have an elastomeric seal fitted thereunder. Within the body section 16 is a bore 24 that allows communication through the body section 16. An inner core section 26 extends from the lower end 20 of the body section 16 and coaxially with the bore 24 of the body section 16, the inner core having its own passageway, or bore, 27 therethrough. The inner core 26 is provided with two slots diametrically opposite one another and extending along part of the length of the inner core 26. The upper end of the bore 24 of the inner core 26 is provided with an inner core support 28 that extends diametrically across the bore 24. The inner core support 28 has an aperture at its midpoint.

[0045] Arranged around the external surface of the inner core 26 is an expandable member 30. This is in the form of a tube of elastomeric material that has a first end 32 adjacent the flange 22 of the body section 16, and a second end 34 distal from the body section 16.

[0046] The first end 32 of the expandable member 30 is provided with a radially extending flange that sides underneath the flange 22 of the body section. The expandable member 30 extends along the inner core 26 so that the second end 34 of the expandable member 30 is arranged to be positioned along the length of the inner core 26.

[0047] Also arranged coaxially with the inner core 26, and external thereof, is an end element 36, which is positioned adjacent the second end 34 of the expandable member 30. The end element 36 may be affixed to the expandable member 30 at, or adjacent to, the second end 34 of the expandable member 30. Additionally, or alternatively, the end element 36 may extend radially so that it has a diameter larger than that of the expandable member 30.

[0048] The end element 36 is arranged around the inner core 26, and the end element 36 is provided with a bar 38 that extends across the diameter of the end element 36. The bar 38 constitutes an end element support and the bar 38 is received within the respective slots of the inner core 26. Thus, the bar 38 can move within the slots of the inner core 26, thereby allowing the end element to move longitudinally along the inner core. The end element support, or bar, 38, and an aperture at its midpoint, with the aperture having an internal thread.

[0049] A rigid section 40 of a rotatable member, in the form of a bolt, has an external thread along its length and a head section. The rigid section 40 of the rotatable member is arranged within the aperture of the inner core support 28 and within the aperture of the bar 38. Thus, the rigid section 40 engages the apertures of both the inner core support 28 and the bar 38, with the internal threads of the aperture of the bar 38 engaging the external threads of the rigid section 40 of the rotatable member.

[0050] The rotatable member further comprises a flexible section 50 that is arranged within the body section 16. A first end 52 of the flexible section 50 is positioned adjacent the edge of the internal bore 24, and a second end 54 of the flexible section 50 is connected to the head of the rigid section 40 of the rotatable member. The first end 52 of the flexible section 50 and the second end 54 of the connector 50 are offset so that they are not coaxial, thereby allowing the axes of the flexible section 50 and the rigid section 40 to be arranged in different orientations.

[0051] The first end 52 of the flexible section 50 is affixed to a rod 56. A first end 58 of the rod 56 is arranged to be external of the body section 16, and the second end 60 of the rod 56 is arranged to be internal of the body section 16. The flexible section 50 is connected to the rod 56 in such a way that rotation of the rod 56 also rotates the flexible section 50 and, in doing so, will rotate the rigid section 40. The first end 58 of the rod 56 is adapted to engage with, or be engaged by, a tool. The second end 60 of the rod 56 is connected to the first end 52 of the flexible section 50. The conduit where the rod 56 passes through the body section 16 is provided with a seal to reduce the risk of water ingress. It will be appreciated that the rotatable member comprises the rigid section 40, the flexible section 50 and the rod 56. All of those elements are elongate, which is to say that they are longer than their width, and, together, they create an elongate member.

[0052] Tap tails 70, which are conduits through which water can pass are fed through the passageway 27 of the inner core and into the bore 24 of the body section. The tap tails can be connected to the valves of the tap in the usual way, thereby providing water to the spout of the tap. It will be appreciated that the tap 10 operates in a conventional manner with valves and handles as required.

[0053] The connection arrangement of the tap is put into a first position, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, in which the end element 36 is positioned away distally from the body section 16, thereby extending the expandable section 30. The tap is fed into an aperture in a surface 90 until the radially extending flange is sandwiched between the flange 22 of the body section 16 and the surface 90. At this point, the rod 56 is rotated, which also rotates the flexible section 50 and that, in turn, rotates the rigid section 40. Due to the respective threads of the rigid section 40 of the rotatable member and the end element support 38, the end element is moved axially along the rotatable member 40 towards the body section 16. In moving towards the body section 16, the end element 36 axially compresses the expandable section 30, thus causing radial expansion of the expandable section 30. Due to the inner core 26 being located inwardly of the expandable member 30, when compressed axially, the expandable member 30 expands radially. The rotation of the rod 56 is continued until the compression of the expandable section 30 forms a seal between the expandable section 30 and the surface 90. Thus, the arrangement is moved to a second position in which the width of the compressed expandable section is greater than that of the aperture in the surface 90, thereby securing the tap 10 in the surface 90. The rod 56, optionally, is then covered with a seal until access is required to adjust the fitting of the tap 10.

[0054] It will be noted that the axis of the first end 52 of the flexible section 50 is non-coaxial with the axis of the second end 54 of the flexible section 50. This allows rotation of the rotatable member 40 to be effected without needing coaxial access to the rigid section 40 of the elongate rotatable member. The axes of the respective end of the flexible connector 50 may be parallel, but not necessarily coaxial.

[0055] Figure 5 shows a second embodiment of the present invention, wherein the same numerals are used for equivalent elements to those identified in Figures 1 to 4. In this arrangement, the flexible section 50 is affixed to the rigid section 40, again, such that rotation of the flexible section 50 results in rotation of the rigid section 40. A sheath 62 is provided that provides a channel through which the flexible section 50 passes. The first end 52 of the flexible section 50 is adapted to be engaged by, or to engage with, a tool to enable rotation thereof.

[0056] Figures 6 to 9 show a further embodiment of the present invention, wherein the same numerals are used for equivalent elements to those identified in Figures 1 to 5. A faucet 70 is provided that has a faucet body 72. The faucet body has an aperture, recess or channel, 74 therein. The channel 74 has a first diameter that narrows down to a second diameter, although it will be appreciated that this might not be required. The faucet body 72 is angled in this particular embodiment, to allow access to the channel 74 and to reduce the required length of the channel 74; however, that may be adapted to a particular circumstance. It will be appreciated that the faucet has a known operating mechanism, including a spout, a handle and a water control valve.

[0057] In the arrangement shown, the rotatable member is a rigid element 76, which has a first end 78 a shaft 80 and a second end 82. The first end 78 has a head 84 thereon, that sits in the wider part of the channel 74. The shaft 80 of the rigid element 76 has external threads thereupon and it passes through the narrower part of channel 74. The shaft 80 then extends through the aperture of the inner core support 28 within the aperture of the bar 38. Thus, the rigid element 76 engages the apertures of both the inner core support 28 and the bar 38, with internal threads of the aperture of the bar 38 engaging the external threads of the rigid element 76.

[0058] As the head 80 of the arrangement of Figures 6 to 9 is accessible from externally of the faucet housing 72, it can be rotated with the faucet fully constructed. Thus, the faucet can be put into place in an aperture of a surface 90 and operated as the other embodiments to draw the end element 36 towards the body 16, thereby compressing the tubular expandable member 30 axially and causing it to expand radially.

[0059] Figures 10 to 15 show a tap 100, in which features in common with the previous embodiments have been numbered accordingly. The tap 100 includes an upper section 12 that has a spout, and a connection arrangement 14. The arrangement has a body section 16 that has an upper end 18 and a lower end 20, with the lower end 20 having a radially extending flange 22. The body section 16 houses, or has mounted upon it, tap controls 17. Within the body section 16 is a bore 24 that creates a channel, or space, within the body section 16. Extending from the underside of the lower end 20 of the body section 16 is an inner core section 26, which, similarly has a bore therethrough. The inner core 26 is provided with two slots diametrically opposite one another, with the slots extending from the end of the inner core that is distal from the body section 16, in a direction towards the body section 16. The slots extend at least half of the length along the inner core 26. The upper end of the inner core 26 is provided with an inner core support 28 that extends across the bore 24, with the bore 24 extending through the inner core 26 to create a bore 27 therethrough. The inner core support 28 is provided with at least one aperture therein, and it may have further apertures therein to accommodate various parts of the tap arrangement. Preferably, the aperture in the inner core support 28 will have a smooth internal surface, or bore.

[0060] An expandable member 30 is arranged around the outside of the inner core 26, with the expandable member 30 being in the form of a tube of elastomeric material having a first end 32, arranged adjacent the flange 22 of the body section 16, and a second end 34 that is distal from the body section 16. The first end 32 of the expandable member 30 is provided with an outwardly extending radial flange. The underside of the flange 22 of the body section 16 may be provided with a groove to accommodate the radial flange of the expandable member 30. The expandable member 30 extends along at least part of the length of the inner core 26.

[0061] An end element 36 is arranged to be coaxial with the inner core 26, with the end element having a body that is arranged externally around the inner core 26, and a bar extending diametrically across the centre of the inner core 26. The bar 38 is received within the slots in the wall of the inner core 36, thereby enabling the end element to move axially along the inner core 36. The bar 38 of the end element 36 is provided with an aperture therein, with the aperture having an internal threaded section. The aperture may be offset from the axis of the end element, and it may pass diagonally through the bar 38, which is to say that it is not necessarily parallel with the axis of the end element 36. The end element 36 is connected to the expandable member 30 at, or adjacent, the second end thereof.

[0062] A rigid rotatable bolt 40 is arranged to pass through the aperture in the inner core support 28, which is, preferably a smooth bore, and into the end element 36. The bolt is threaded along at least part of its length, and the threads of the bolt 40 engage with the internal threads of the end element bar 38. Thus, the shaft of the bolt 40 is engaged with the end element and the head 42 of the bolt 40 is on the side of the flange 22 with the upper section 12. The bolt 40 may be provided with an end-stop 41 to prevent the end element 36 disengaging from the bolt 40.

[0063] The body section 16 has an aperture 44 therein that allows access to the inside of the body section 16. As a result, the head 42 of the bolt 40 is accessible from externally of the body section 16, via the aperture 44. This allows a tool 46 to be inserted into the aperture 44 that can engage with the head 42 of the bolt 40, and rotation of the tool will rotate the bolt 40. The tool 46 may be in the form of a rigid element, or it may be flexible, for example, a flexible extension shaft that can connect to a drill or a screwdriver.

[0064] Tap tails 70 can be inserted through the end element 36 and the inner core 26 and through the body section 16. The tap tails 70 may be supported through the inner core support 28, or they may pass therearound.

[0065] As with the previously described embodiments, to install the device 100, the tap 100 is put into a first position with the end element 36 distal from the body section 16, so that the expandable section 30 is extended and has a narrow width. In such a position, the tap 100 can be fed through an aperture in a surface 90. Once the expandable section flange 32 is adjacent the top face of the surface 90, the bolt 40 is rotated to bring the end element 36 towards the surface 90. In doing so, the expandable member 30 is compressed axially and so it expands radially, thereby increasing its width. The end element 36 is drawn towards the body section 16 until the expandable member 30 is compressed, or sandwiched, between the end element and the underside of the surface 90. At such time, the surface 90 is compressed between the end element 26 and the flange 22 of the body section 16, with the flange 32 of the expandable member 30 being compressed between the flange 22 of the body section 16 and the top side of the surface 90.

[0066] To remove the tap 100, the reverse is undertaken, wherein the end element 36 is moved away from the surface 90, thereby extending the expandable member 30 and reducing its width so that it can pass back through the aperture in the surface 90.

[0067] Whilst water can flow directly through the water faucet connection arrangement, it is preferable that internal conduits, such as tap tails, are provide for the flow of fluid, which may be liquid or gas. In one arrangement, two or more conduits may pass through the connection arrangement, for example, a gas conduit and / or one or more water conduits, thereby allowing for boiling and / or sparkling water to be provided from the water outlet of the faucet, the different water types passing through different conduits in the bore of the body.

[0068] The invention may be applied to a container in which liquid or gas is held, for example a tank, a barrel or a keg.

[0069] The invention has been described in respect of water; however, the present invention may be used in respect of a gas conduit or outlet, especially where internal gas conduits are used. Thus, the present invention may be applicable for securing a conduit into a surface, to provide a channel for fluid and / or smaller conduits. It will be appreciated that the inner core section may be elongated to provide a significant channel on the second side of the surface. Similarly, the inner core may be provided with a connection mechanism or part of a connection mechanism to allow a further conduit to be connected thereto. For example, the inner core may be provided with an internal or external thread, so that once installed in a surface a further pipe or hose can be connected to the inner core section.

[0070] It will be appreciated that the arrangement may be used in respect of a shower fitting or other water conduit that can be installed into a surface through an aperture, for example for hot tub jets or for supporting jets in hot tubs. Thus, where a faucet fitting may be described herein, it will be understood that it might also be used on a conduit of a different type and the disclosure is not limited solely to a faucet. The fixing arrangement described herein can be part of the device in which it is to be used, for example a faucet or waterjet, or the relevant parts can be fitted to the fixing arrangement once it is installed into an aperture. Thus, for a faucet, the fixing arrangement can be installed and then pipes pass through the conduit of the fixing and a spout can be fixed to the fixing arrangement. Alternatively, the fixing arrangement may be integral with the faucet or waterjet, particularly where water flows through the fixing arrangement, rather than through pipes passing there through.

[0071] Preferably, the expandable section will be on one side of a surface and the top section will be on the other side of the surface. Therefore, the parts sandwich the surface therebetween. It is envisaged that the fixing arrangement could be arranged with the expandable section within a conduit, so that the expandable section presses against the conduit to create a friction grip; however, a frictional engagement is less desirable than the sandwiching of the surface with the expandable section having a diameter larger than that of the aperture.

[0072] Where particular shapes are referenced herein, other shapes may be equally applicable. For example, circular parts may be made oval, triangular, rectangular, pentagonal or hexagonal, as required. Similarly, “diameter” may be considered to cover widths of noncircular shapes. Clearly, further shapes may also be put into practice without taking the device outside the scope of the present invention.

[0073] Unless otherwise prohibited, one or more features of one embodiment described herein may be incorporated into a different embodiment.

Claims

1. Claims1. A water faucet having a connection arrangement, the connection arrangement comprising: a body section; an inner core section extending from the body section, the inner core section having an axial bore therethrough and an inner core support extending transversely across the bore, the inner core support having an aperture therein; an outer tubular elastomeric expandable member coaxial with the inner core section and external thereof, a first end of the expandable member being proximal the body section and a second end of the expandable member being distal the body section; and an end element adjacent the second end of the expandable member, the end element having an internal end element support, the end element support further comprising an aperture therein; wherein, a rotatable member extends through the aperture of the inner core support and through the aperture of the end element support, with the end element engaging with the rotatable member such that rotation of the rotatable member moves the end element axially along the rotatable member, and, when the end element is drawn towards the body section, this axially compresses the expandable member, resulting in radial expansion of the expandable member; and wherein one end of the rotatable member is externally accessible through the external surface of the water faucet.

2. A water faucet according to claim 1, wherein the rotatable member comprises an elongate flexible section and an elongate rigid section.

3. A water faucet according to claim 2, wherein a first end of the flexible section is fixedly connected to the rigid section of the rotatable member, such that rotation of the first end of the flexible connector results in rotation of the rigid section.

4. A water faucet according to claim 3, wherein the first end of the flexible section is adapted to receive a tool or is adapted to fit onto a tool.

5. A water faucet according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the rotatable section further comprises a second rigid section that is connected to the first end of the flexible section, and rotation of the second rigid section rotates the flexible section.

6. A water faucet according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the axis of the first end of the rotatable member is non-coaxial with the axis of the second end of the rotatable member.

7. A water faucet according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the flexible section of the rotatable member is contained within a sleeve.

8. A water faucet according to claim 1, wherein the rotatable member is rigid with one end of the rigid rotatable member being accessible from external of the faucet housing.

9. A water faucet according to any preceding claim, wherein the rotatable member is provided with an external thread that engages with an internal thread in the aperture of the inner core support and / or with an internal thread in the aperture of the end element support.

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