Locking device and faucet assembly

Abstract

A locking device and a faucet assembly. The locking device comprises an outer sleeve and an inner sleeve movably sleeved in the outer sleeve; a locking member is provided at one end of the inner sleeve or the outer sleeve, and the locking member is configured to be connected to a faucet, so as to lock the faucet to a countertop; the inner wall of the outer sleeve is provided with a first limiting portion, and the outer wall of the inner sleeve is provided with a second limiting portion; the outer sleeve has a retracted position and a working position during movement relative to the inner sleeve; when the outer sleeve is in the working position, the inner sleeve extends out of the outer sleeve, thereby increasing the length of the fixing device; by pushing the outer sleeve upward, the inner sleeve is retracted into the outer sleeve, causing the outer sleeve to be in the retracted position, and at this time, the outer sleeve is located within a space occupied by a sink, thereby preventing the outer sleeve from sliding downward and interfering with other objects below the sink.

Description

A locking device and faucet assembly

[0001] Cross-references to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to and is based on Chinese Patent Application No. 202520541589X, filed on March 26, 2025, with the invention entitled "A Locking Device and a Faucet Assembly", the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This invention relates to the field of faucet installation device technology, and in particular to a locking device and faucet assembly. Background Technology

[0004] Currently, when installing a kitchen faucet into a sink, the faucet's connector is first inserted into the sink, and then threaded onto a locking mechanism located under the sink to secure the faucet. However, because the sink's depth exceeds the length of the connector, the connector is completely inside the installation space under the countertop. The locking mechanism must also be located within this space to lock the connector. Furthermore, the limited installation space makes operating the locking mechanism inconvenient, and subsequent replacements and repairs can lead to a poor user experience. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This invention provides a locking device and faucet assembly, which aims to improve the ease of faucet installation and thus enhance the user experience.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution:

[0007] A locking device includes an inner sleeve and an outer sleeve that is retractably sleeved outside the inner sleeve. One end of the inner sleeve or the outer sleeve is provided with a locking member for connecting to a faucet. The inner wall of the outer sleeve is provided with a first limiting position, and the outer wall of the inner sleeve is provided with a second limiting position.

[0008] The outer cover has a storage position and a working position during the expansion and contraction process. When the outer cover is in the storage position, the inner cover is stored inside the outer cover. When the outer cover is in the working position, the first limiting position and the second limiting position engage with each other to restrict the axial and circumferential movement between the outer cover and the inner cover, and drive the inner cover to rotate by the circumferential rotation of the outer cover.

[0009] Furthermore, the inner sleeve outer wall is provided with a guide position along the axial direction. The first limiting position and the guide position are mutually concave and convex and can move back and forth along the guide position. The first limiting position can abut against the end of the guide position away from the locking member to limit the outer sleeve from continuing to move. The side of the guide position away from the locking member is connected to the second limiting position.

[0010] Furthermore, the guide position is a guide groove, and the outer wall of the inner sleeve is provided with a limiting groove that is connected to the guide groove at one end. The limiting groove extends along the circumference of the inner sleeve and forms a second limiting position. The first limiting position is a limiting block.

[0011] Furthermore, a stop is provided at the end of the guide groove away from the locking member, a first guide surface is provided at the end of the stop block away from the guide groove, and a second guide surface is provided at the end of the limiting block. When the inner sleeve is installed on the outer sleeve, the first guide surface abuts against the second guide surface.

[0012] Furthermore, the stop block has a first limiting surface at one end near the guide groove, and a second limiting surface at the other end of the limiting block. When the inner sleeve extends to its maximum length, the first limiting surface abuts against the second limiting surface.

[0013] Furthermore, the limiting groove is located at the end of the guide groove away from the locking member. When the first limiting surface abuts against the second limiting surface, the outer sleeve is rotated to allow the limiting block to slide into the limiting groove.

[0014] Furthermore, the outer wall of the inner sleeve is provided with several guide grooves and limiting grooves arranged in a uniform circular array around the axis of the inner sleeve, and the inner wall of the outer sleeve is provided with several limiting blocks that correspond one-to-one with each guide groove.

[0015] Furthermore, the inner wall of the outer cover is provided with a first snap-fit ​​position, and the outer wall of the inner cover is provided with a second snap-fit ​​position. When the outer cover is in the storage position, the first snap-fit ​​position can be detachably snapped into the second snap-fit ​​position.

[0016] Furthermore, one of the first and second snap-fit ​​positions is a protrusion and the other is a groove, with guide arc surfaces provided around the end face of the protrusion and at the opening of the groove.

[0017] A faucet assembly includes a faucet body with a connecting end, characterized in that it further includes a fixing device as described above, wherein a locking member is threadedly connected to the connecting end.

[0018] The beneficial effects of this invention are:

[0019] 1. The present invention proposes a locking device comprising an outer sleeve and an inner sleeve movably fitted inside the outer sleeve. A locking element is provided at one end of the inner sleeve or the outer sleeve. A first limiting position is provided on the inner wall of the outer sleeve, and a second limiting position is provided on the outer wall of the inner sleeve. During movement relative to the inner sleeve, the outer sleeve has a storage position and a working position. The inner sleeve extends beyond the outer sleeve, placing the outer sleeve outside the installation space under the countertop, thus expanding the operating space of the outer sleeve. Simultaneously, the first and second limiting positions cooperate to restrict axial and circumferential movement between the outer sleeve and the inner sleeve. Circumferential rotation of the outer sleeve drives the inner sleeve to rotate, causing the locking element to be threaded onto the connecting end, thereby locking the faucet to the sink and improving the ease of faucet installation. After locking, pushing the outer sleeve upwards retracts the inner sleeve inside the outer sleeve, placing the outer sleeve in the storage position. At this time, the outer sleeve is located within the installation space under the countertop, preventing the outer sleeve from sliding down and interfering with other objects under the sink.

[0020] 2. The locking device proposed in this invention has a second limiting position connected to the side of the guide position away from the locking member. Therefore, the outer sleeve can rotate circumferentially by moving a certain length along the axial direction of the inner sleeve, so that the first limiting position is connected to the second limiting position, thereby driving the inner sleeve to rotate circumferentially.

[0021] 3. The locking device proposed in this invention has a first guide surface at the end of the stop block away from the guide groove, and a second guide surface at the end of the limiting block. When the inner sleeve is installed on the outer sleeve, the first guide surface and the second guide surface abut against each other, thereby facilitating the outer sleeve to be fitted over the inner sleeve.

[0022] 4. The locking device proposed in this invention has a first limiting surface at one end of the stop block near the guide groove and a second limiting surface at the other end of the limiting block. When the inner sleeve extends to its maximum length, the first limiting surface abuts against the second limiting surface, restricting the outer sleeve from continuing to move and preventing the outer sleeve from detaching from the inner sleeve.

[0023] 5. The locking device proposed in this invention is provided with several guide grooves, limiting blocks and limiting grooves, so that the inner sleeve is subjected to force in multiple places, which further facilitates the inner sleeve to rotate through the outer sleeve.

[0024] 6. The locking device proposed in this invention has a first locking position that can be detachably locked to a second locking position, so that the outer cover has a stable storage position and prevents the outer cover from slipping down; at the same time, one of the first locking position and the second locking position is a protrusion and the other is a groove. The periphery of the end face of the protrusion and the groove opening are provided with guide arc surfaces to facilitate the mutual locking and disengagement between the first locking position and the second locking position. Attached Figure Description

[0025] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0026] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a locking device according to the present invention;

[0027] Figure 2 is an exploded view of a locking device according to the present invention;

[0028] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of a locking device of the present invention in the stowed position;

[0029] Figure 4 is a magnified view of part A in Figure 3;

[0030] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of a locking device of the present invention in the working position;

[0031] Figure 6 is a magnified view of part B in Figure 5;

[0032] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view along direction AA in Figure 5;

[0033] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of a locking device of the present invention in the working position from another angle;

[0034] Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view along the BB direction in Figure 8;

[0035] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of the maximum extension length of the inner sleeve of a locking device according to the present invention;

[0036] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of the cooperation between the limiting block and the limiting position of a locking device according to the present invention;

[0037] Figure 12 is a schematic diagram of the first step of installing a faucet component according to the present invention;

[0038] Figure 13 is a schematic diagram of the second step in the installation of a faucet component according to the present invention;

[0039] Figure 14 is a schematic diagram of step three of the installation of a faucet component according to the present invention;

[0040] In the diagram, 10 is the inner sleeve; 20 is the outer sleeve; 30 is the locking element; 401 is the first limiting position; 402 is the second limiting position; 50 is the guide position; 601 is the limiting block; 602 is the limiting groove; 70 is the guide groove; 80 is the stop block; 901 is the first guide surface; 902 is the second guide surface; 1001 is the first limiting surface; 1002 is the second limiting surface; 1101 is the first snap-fit ​​position; 1102 is the second snap-fit ​​position; 1201 is the faucet body; 1202 is the connecting end; 130 is the sink; and 140 is the installation space. Detailed Implementation

[0041] Example 1

[0042] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to Figures 1-11.

[0043] As shown in Figures 1-2, a locking device includes an inner sleeve 10 and an outer sleeve 20 that is retractably sleeved outside the inner sleeve 10. One end of the inner sleeve 10 is provided with a locking member 30, which is used to connect to a faucet. The inner wall of the outer sleeve 20 is provided with a first limiting position 401, and the outer wall of the inner sleeve 10 is provided with a second limiting position 402.

[0044] The outer sleeve 20 has a retractable position and a working position during its extension and retraction. When the outer sleeve 20 is in the retractable position, as shown in Figure 3, the inner sleeve 10 is retracted into the outer sleeve 20. When the outer sleeve 20 is in the working position, as shown in Figures 8 and 11, the first limiting position 401 and the second limiting position 402 engage in a concave-convex fit to restrict the axial and circumferential movement between the outer sleeve 20 and the inner sleeve 10, and drive the inner sleeve 10 to rotate through the circumferential rotation of the outer sleeve 20. In other embodiments, the locking member 30 may also be provided at one end of the outer sleeve 20.

[0045] In use, the inner sleeve 10 extends out of the outer sleeve 20, so that the outer sleeve 20 is located outside the installation space 140 under the countertop, expanding the operating space of the outer sleeve 20. At the same time, the first limiting position 401 and the second limiting position 402 cooperate with each other to restrict the axial and circumferential movement between the outer sleeve 20 and the inner sleeve 10. By rotating the outer sleeve 20 circumferentially, the inner sleeve 10 is driven to rotate, so that the locking member 30 is threadedly connected to the connecting end 1202, thereby locking the faucet to the sink 130 or washbasin, improving the ease of faucet installation. After locking, the outer sleeve 20 is pushed up to store the inner sleeve 10 inside the outer sleeve 20, so that the outer sleeve 20 is in the stored position. At this time, the outer sleeve 20 is located inside the installation space 140 under the countertop, preventing the outer sleeve from sliding down and interfering with other objects under the sink 130.

[0046] In this embodiment, the outer wall of the inner sleeve 10 is provided with a guide position 50 along the axial direction. The first limiting position 401 and the guide position 50 are mutually concave and convex. When the first limiting position 401 can reciprocate along the guide position 50, the first limiting position 401 can abut against the end of the guide position 50 away from the locking member 30, limiting the outer sleeve 20 from continuing to move. The side of the guide position 50 away from the locking member 30 extends circumferentially to form a second limiting position 402. Further, the guide position 50 is a guide groove 70, and the outer wall of the inner sleeve 10 is provided with a limiting groove 602 with one end connected to the guide groove 70. The limiting groove 602 extends circumferentially along the inner sleeve 10 and forms the second limiting position 402. The first limiting position 401 is a limiting block 601. Therefore, the outer sleeve 20 can rotate circumferentially when it moves a certain length along the axial direction of the inner sleeve 10, so that the limiting block 601 is engaged with the limiting groove 602, thereby driving the inner sleeve 10 to rotate circumferentially.

[0047] In this embodiment, a stop block 80 is provided at one end of the guide groove 70 away from the locking member 30, and a first guide surface 901 is provided at one end of the stop block 80 away from the guide groove 70. A second guide surface 902 is provided at one end of the limiting block 601. When the inner sleeve 10 is installed on the outer sleeve 20, the first guide surface 901 abuts against the second guide surface 902, thereby facilitating the outer sleeve 20 to be fitted over the inner sleeve 10.

[0048] In this embodiment, the stop block 80 has a first limiting surface 1001 at one end near the guide groove 70, and the limiting block 601 has a second limiting surface 1002 at the other end. When the inner sleeve 10 extends to its maximum length, the first limiting surface 1001 abuts against the second limiting surface 1002, restricting the outer sleeve 20 from continuing to move and preventing the outer sleeve 20 from detaching from the inner sleeve 10. Furthermore, the limiting groove 602 is located at the end of the guide groove 70 away from the locking member 30, as shown in Figures 10 and 11. When the inner sleeve 10 extends to its maximum length, the first limiting surface 1001 abuts against the second limiting surface 1002, and rotating the outer sleeve 20 causes the limiting block 601 to slide into the limiting groove 602.

[0049] In this embodiment, the outer wall of the inner sleeve 10 is provided with a plurality of guide grooves 70 and limiting grooves 602 arranged in a uniform circumferential array around the axis of the inner sleeve 10, and the inner wall of the outer sleeve 20 is provided with a plurality of limiting blocks 601 corresponding one-to-one with each guide groove 70. The guide grooves 70, limiting grooves 602 and limiting blocks 601 cooperate with each other, so that the inner sleeve 10 is subjected to forces at multiple points, which further facilitates the rotation of the inner sleeve 10 by the outer sleeve 20.

[0050] In this embodiment, the inner wall of the outer sleeve 20 is provided with a first snap-fit ​​position 1101, and the outer wall of the inner sleeve 10 is provided with a second snap-fit ​​position 1102. When the outer sleeve 20 is in the stored position, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, the first snap-fit ​​position 1101 can be detachably snapped into the second snap-fit ​​position 1102, so that the outer sleeve 20 has a stable stored position and prevents the outer sleeve 20 from sliding down. Furthermore, one of the first snap-fit ​​position 1101 and the second snap-fit ​​position 1102 is a protrusion, and the other is a groove. The periphery of the end face of the protrusion and the groove opening are provided with guide arc surfaces to facilitate the mutual snap-fit ​​and disengagement between the first snap-fit ​​position 1101 and the second snap-fit ​​position 1102.

[0051] In this embodiment, the working principle of the locking device is as follows:

[0052] When installing the faucet, pull the inner sleeve 10 out of the outer sleeve 20 until the inner sleeve 10 extends to its maximum length. Rotate the outer sleeve 20 in the first direction to slide the limiting block 601 on the inner wall of the outer sleeve 20 into the limiting groove 602 on the outer wall of the inner sleeve 10, so that the inner sleeve 10 extends out of the outer sleeve 20 and is fixed. At this time, the outer sleeve 20 is in the working position and the faucet can be installed and fixed. Then, the user rotates the outer sleeve 20 in the second direction opposite to the first direction, so that the limiting block 601 slides out of the limiting groove 602 and pushes the outer sleeve 20 up until the first locking position 1101 on the inner wall of the outer sleeve 20 engages with the second locking position 1102 on the outer wall of the inner sleeve 10. At this time, the outer sleeve 20 is in the storage position.

[0053] Example 2

[0054] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to Figures 12-14.

[0055] This embodiment proposes a faucet assembly, including a faucet body 1201, which has a connecting end 1202. The faucet body can be installed on a sink 130, washbasin, or other basin-shaped component. It also includes a locking device as described above, with a locking member 30 threadedly connected to the connecting end 1202. Taking a sink 130 as an example, the installation process is as follows:

[0056] S1. Insert the connecting end 1202 into the sink 130 so that the connecting end 1202 is located in the installation space 140 under the countertop, and the inner sleeve 10 extends to its maximum length. Rotate the outer sleeve 20 in the first direction so that the limiting block 601 is engaged with the limiting groove 602, as shown in Figures 8, 9 and 11. Then, insert the inner sleeve 10 into the installation space 140 under the countertop, as shown in Figure 12.

[0057] S2. The inner sleeve 10 continues to move upward until the locking member 30 is threadedly connected to the connecting end 1202; the outer sleeve 20 continues to rotate in the first direction to drive the inner sleeve 10 to rotate until the locking member 30 is locked to the connecting end 1202, as shown in Figure 13.

[0058] S3. Rotate the outer jacket 20 in the second direction, which is opposite to the rotation direction of the first direction, so that the limiting block 601 is disengaged from the limiting groove 602. The limiting block 601 moves upward along the guide groove 70, so that the protrusion is engaged with the groove, as shown in Figure 14, to ensure that the outer jacket 20 is in a stable storage position.

[0059] The above embodiments are only for illustrating the technical concept and features of the present invention, and are intended to enable those skilled in the art to understand and implement the present invention. They should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of the present invention. All equivalent changes or modifications made in accordance with the spirit and essence of the present invention should be covered within the scope of protection of the present invention. Industrial applicability

[0060] This invention provides a locking device and a faucet assembly, comprising an outer sleeve and an inner sleeve movably fitted inside the outer sleeve. One end of the inner sleeve or the outer sleeve is provided with a locking element for connecting to the faucet to lock it onto the countertop. The inner wall of the outer sleeve has a first limiting position, and the outer wall of the inner sleeve has a second limiting position. During movement relative to the inner sleeve, the outer sleeve has a storage position and a working position. When the outer sleeve is in the working position, the inner sleeve extends out of the outer sleeve, increasing the length of the fixing device. Pushing the outer sleeve upwards retracts the inner sleeve into the outer sleeve, placing the outer sleeve in the storage position. At this time, the outer sleeve is located inside the sink, preventing the outer sleeve from sliding down and interfering with other objects under the sink, thus possessing industrial practicality.

Claims

1. A locking device, characterized in that, It includes an inner sleeve and a retractable outer sleeve fitted over the inner sleeve. One end of the inner sleeve or the outer sleeve is provided with a locking member for connecting to a faucet. The inner wall of the outer sleeve is provided with a first limiting position, and the outer wall of the inner sleeve is provided with a second limiting position. The outer cover has a storage position and a working position during its extension and retraction. When the outer cover is in the storage position, the inner cover is stored inside the outer cover. When the outer cover is in the working position, the first limiting position and the second limiting position engage with each other to restrict the axial and circumferential movement between the outer cover and the inner cover, and drive the inner cover to rotate by the circumferential rotation of the outer cover.

2. The locking device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The inner sleeve outer wall is provided with a guide position along the axial direction. The first limiting position and the guide position are mutually concave and convex and can reciprocate axially along the guide position. The first limiting position can abut against the end of the guide position away from the locking member to restrict the outer sleeve from continuing to move. The second limiting position extends circumferentially from the side of the guide position away from the locking member.

3. A locking device as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The guide position is a guide groove, and the outer wall of the inner sleeve is provided with a limiting groove that is connected to the guide groove at one end. The limiting groove constitutes the second limiting position, and the first limiting position is a limiting block.

4. A locking device as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The guide groove is provided with a stop block at one end away from the locking member, the stop block is provided with a first guide surface at one end away from the guide groove, and the limiting block is provided with a second guide surface at one end. When the inner sleeve is installed on the outer sleeve, the first guide surface abuts against the second guide surface.

5. A locking device as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The stop block has a first limiting surface at one end near the guide groove, and a second limiting surface at the other end of the limiting block. When the inner sleeve extends to its maximum length, the first limiting surface abuts against the second limiting surface.

6. A locking device as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The limiting groove is located at the end of the guide groove away from the locking member. When the first limiting surface abuts against the second limiting surface, the outer sleeve is rotated to allow the limiting block to slide into the limiting groove.

7. A locking device as described in any one of claims 3-6, characterized in that, The outer wall of the inner sleeve is provided with a plurality of guide grooves and limiting grooves arranged in a uniform circumferential array around the axis of the inner sleeve, and the inner wall of the outer sleeve is provided with a plurality of limiting blocks corresponding one-to-one with each of the guide grooves.

8. A locking device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The inner wall of the outer cover is provided with a first snap-fit ​​position, and the outer wall of the inner cover is provided with a second snap-fit ​​position. When the outer cover is in the storage position, the first snap-fit ​​position can be detachably snapped into the second snap-fit ​​position.

9. A locking device as described in claim 8, characterized in that, One of the first latching position and the second latching position is a protrusion and the other is a groove. The protrusion has a guide arc surface around its end face and the groove has a slot opening.

10. A faucet assembly, comprising a faucet body, wherein the faucet body is provided with a connecting end, characterized in that, It also includes the fixing device as described in any one of claims 1-9, wherein the locking member is threadedly connected to the connecting end.

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