Rising stem tap of plastic, preferably with a metal threaded ins

Details Rising stem tap of plastic, preferably with a metal threaded ins Rising stem tap of plastic, preferably with a metal threaded ins

1999-05-18

2000-08-01

Kaufman, Joseph A.

Valves and valve actuation

Mechanical movement actuator

Plural motions of valve

251284, 137315, F16K 3144, F16K 5100, F16K 4300

Patent

active

060954949

DESCRIPTION:

BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to taps and, in particular, to a tap body which is able to be fabricated from predominantly plastics material thereby substantially reducing the weight and cost of the tap relative to conventional taps.


BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conventional taps are fabricated from brass or similar non-corrosive material and include a tap body having a threaded mounting spigot at one end and a stuffing box at the other end. Suitably engaged, by means of a relatively course thread, with the interior of the tap body is a tap spindle which is screwed into the tap body by passing the shaft of the tap spindle through the mounting spigot and through the stuffing box before engaging the threaded exterior of the tap spindle with the threaded interior of the tap body.
After this installation has been completed, the stuffing box (which contains compressible material) is screwed further towards the tap body so as to compress the compressible material against the shaft of the spindle. This provides the desired watertight seal between the interior of the tap body and the shaft of the spindle.
The foregoing arrangement has been in use for many years and provides many advantages, particularly in terms of strength and durability. However, the arrangement suffers from a number of disadvantages, the most important of which is that the stuffing box begins to leak progressively over the years and if not re-tightened results in water moving up the shaft of the tap spindle when the tap is open. This can lead to significant deterioration and corrosion of other components, for example mounting boards adjacent the sink into which the tap is positioned, and so on.
In addition, as the cost of metal, brass in particular, increases, so the cost of the tap increases. If the tap body could be made predominantly of plastics material, then a substantial saving in both weight and cost could be achieved.
A search conducted after the priority date located U.S. Pat. No. 4,493,338 assigned to Waltec, Inc. of Canada and U.S. Pat. No. 5,580,031 assigned to Hans Grohe GmbH & Co. KG of Germany.
Both of these documents disclose tap body assemblies comprising metal components and suffer the disadvantages described above.
The present invention is directed towards the above ends with a view to substantially reducing the above disadvantages and/or substantially achieving the above advantages.


SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention there is disclosed a tap body comprising a first inner threaded portion, a plastics shroud surrounding said inner threaded portion, a substantially plastics tap spindle threadably received in said first inner threaded portion and rotatably reciprocable in tap opening and tap closing directions, and a locking collar engageable with said shroud to limit the tap opening rotation of said spindle.
Preferably, the body has a smooth bore, and the spindle has a valve carrier including a sealing means which is adapted to slidably engage said bore to provide a seal between said spindle and body.


BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the assembled tap body of the first preferred embodiment;
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the tap body of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the tap body of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a longitudinal cross-section through the tap body of FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a transverse cross-sectional view along the line A--A of FIG. 1;
FIG. 6 is a longitudinal cross-section through the assembled tap body of the second preferred embodiment;
FIG. 7 is a longitudinal cross-section through the tap body and locking collar of the third preferred embodiment;
FIG. 8 is a longitudinal cross-section through the tap body and locking collar of the fourth preferred embodiment; and
FIG. 9 is a longitudinal cross-section through the tap body, locking collar and tap shroud of the fifth preferred embodim

REFERENCES:
patent: 3788601 (1974-01-01), Schmitt
patent: 4493338 (1985-01-01), Petrusson
patent: 4699170 (1987-10-01), Diephuis
patent: 4700736 (1987-10-01), Sheen
patent: 4714278 (1987-12-01), Gassmann et al.
patent: 4799646 (1989-01-01), Rollett
patent: 5050633 (1991-09-01), Tarnay et al.
patent: 5566708 (1996-10-01), Hobbs, Jr.
patent: 5580031 (1996-12-01), Lorch

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Rising stem tap of plastic, preferably with a metal threaded ins does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Rising stem tap of plastic, preferably with a metal threaded ins, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Rising stem tap of plastic, preferably with a metal threaded ins will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-656039