Adjustable Escutcheon Assembly for Angled Pipe Exits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional decorative escutcheons are unable to accommodate plumbing pipes that exit walls or ceilings at angles other than 90 degrees, preventing their installation due to geometric incompatibility.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable escutcheon assembly featuring a spherical or cylindrical fitting with an adjustable retainer and interchangeable escutcheon plate that can be angled to fit pipes at various angles, allowing flush installation against surfaces regardless of the pipe's orientation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional escutcheon is used with a pipe exiting at an angle other than 90 degrees, then the pipe geometry allows for installation, but the escutcheon cannot be properly installed due to geometric incompatibility
Solution Approach 1:
The escutcheon assembly incorporates a spherical fitting with a retainer that can be adjusted to different angles, transforming a static escutcheon design into a dynamic, adjustable system. The retainer can be positioned at various angles relative to the spherical fitting, allowing the escutcheon to accommodate pipes exiting at any angle while maintaining proper installation geometry
Solution Approach 2:
The escutcheon assembly is divided into separate components: a spherical fitting, an adjustable retainer, and the escutcheon plate itself. This segmentation allows each component to be independently positioned and adjusted, enabling the retainer to bridge the angular difference between the pipe and the escutcheon mounting surface
2Adaptability or versatility
If the pipe exits the wall at a non-perpendicular angle, then the pipe installation is flexible, but the escutcheon cannot conceal the pipe exit effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The spherical fitting introduces a third dimension for adjustment, allowing the retainer to be positioned at any angle around the spherical center. This angular degree of freedom enables the escutcheon to maintain a flush, coplanar appearance with the mounting surface while accommodating pipes at various orientations
3Ease of manufacture
If an escutcheon is designed for perpendicular pipe installation, then the installation process is simple, but the escutcheon cannot be used with angled pipes
Solution Approach 1:
The spherical fitting with adjustable retainer creates a universal mounting mechanism that can accommodate pipes at any angle. This multi-functional design allows a single escutcheon assembly to serve multiple purposes: it can be used with perpendicular pipes, angled pipes, and can be adjusted to match various mounting surface orientations
Data Source
AI summary
An adjustable escutcheon assembly is provided which can be installed flush against a ceiling, wall, or other surface where a supply pipe exits the ceiling, wall, or surface at various angles. The assembly includes a fitting having a curved bearing surface and an aperture for receiving the supply pipe, a retainer which bears against and is adjustable with respect to the curved bearing surface of the fitting, and an escutcheon plate mountable to the retainer. During installation, the retainer and escutcheon plate can be rotated with respect to the pipe and fitting in order to allow flush installation of the retainer and escutcheon against the ceiling, wall, or surface at a variety of angles.