Adjustable Escutcheon Assembly With Spherical Fitting for Flush Mounting
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
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 and resulting in an unsightly appearance.
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, including non-perpendicular orientations, allowing for flush installation against surfaces.
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 escutcheon cannot be installed properly, but using an adjustable escutcheon assembly increases device complexity
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 one that adapts to various pipe orientations. The retainer can be positioned at multiple angles relative to the spherical fitting, enabling the assembly to accommodate pipes exiting at any angle while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the escutcheon is designed to accommodate various pipe angles, then adaptability is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The use of a spherical fitting provides a curved surface that naturally accommodates angular adjustments. The spherical geometry allows the retainer to contact the fitting at various points on its surface, enabling angle adjustment without requiring extremely precise manufacturing tolerances. The curvature of the sphere absorbs minor variations in pipe orientation while maintaining proper alignment.
3Ease of operation
If a spherical fitting with adjustable retainer is used, then ease of operation is improved, but the area of the escutcheon assembly increases
Solution Approach 1:
The escutcheon assembly is designed with nested components where the retainer fits within or around the spherical fitting, and the escutcheon plate covers both components. This nesting arrangement allows the adjustable mechanism to be compact, providing ease of operation for angle adjustment while minimizing the overall footprint of the assembly on the wall or ceiling surface.
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.