Abstract of
GB2180040
A tap control mechanism operates between fixed stops which may be formed by the ends of a cam slot which receives a pin 5 on a spindle 2 with a screw threaded end (Fig. 1) fitting into an axially-movable closure member 3. It may be adjustable so as to accommodate different "Seat Depths" adopted by individual manufacturers making it acceptable as a replacement unit. The mechanism may operate with a 90 DEG action from open to closed position and the cam slot may have a flat part providing a 'parked' position and be so shaped that the closing tongue is reduced to almost zero for easy operation. The compression of the washer onto the seal can be preset then locked to repeat for all subsequent closing cycles until such time as further compression is required due to washer wear when the adjustments may be repeated.
- APPLICATION WITHDRAWN, TAKEN TO BE WITHDRAWN OR REFUSED ** AFTER PUBLICATION UNDER SECTION 16(1)
INPADOC patent family
1
Operating mechanism for domestic taps
Inventor: GOODALL FREDERICK
Applicant: GOODALL FREDERICK
EC:F16K31/52B
IPC: F16K31/52;F16K31/52; (IPC1-7): F16K31/44
Publication info: GB2180040 A - 1987-03-18 GB8619658D D0 - 1986-09-24
2
No title available
Inventor:
Applicant:
EC:
IPC:
Publication info: GB8521792D D0 - 1985-10-09
List of citing documents
Claims
**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **.
SPECIFICATION
Improvements in the operating mechanism for domestic taps
This invention relates to an improvement to the weli known opening and closing mechanism which uses a male and female thread.
Screw th reads have a regular pitch (threads per inch) and the pitch selected for a tap is of necessity a compromise between a course thread which will generate quick spindle rise and a fine thread foreasy compressionof the tap washer against the seat and this is of especial importance when the opening and closing sequance is restricted to a quarter revolution ofthe operating spindle on handle.
According to the present invention the tap washer can be raised or lowered quickly but progressively slowing down the fallofthe washer as it approaches the seat of the tap and finally reducing to virtually zeroasthewasher is compressed onto the seat. The closing action can continue into a parked position up to a fixed mechanical stop.Due to the almost zero "pitch"atthe moment when the tap isclosed there- sistance to the necessary compression of the washer is much less than the usualscrew th read andre- quires very little torque for positive closure. A desirablefeature especiallywhenthetap is operated by children etc.
The mechanism can be preset to control maximum compression of the washer to prevent damage and ensure extended washer life.
A specific embodiment will now be described by way of example by reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 Shows in perspective a spindle cross drilled and fitted with drive pin or pins with lower end screwed left or right hand thread. Not shown is provision for attaching operating knob and suitablehydraulic seals eg, '0' rings.
Figure2 illustrates a sleeve showing oneofthe grooves on profiled slots as an example. The external surface can be screwed for fitting direct into a tap body or suitable bush. An unthreaded portion may be required to accomdate suitable sealing means with provision for the non rotatable valve head in the bottom.
Figure 3 shows the approximate profile of a slot in which the drive pin rides illustrating the quick rise and fallofthe spindle when turned and the levelling out and parking positionas thewasher is com- pressed onto the seat and the tap closed.
Figure4illustrates a typeofvalve head screwed femaleto assemble with spindlethread and fitted with suitable tap washer. This valve head can be located in the sleeve Figure 2 and, fitted with antirotational meanswill rise and fallinthetraditional manner according to the pitch of the thread as the spindle isturned but will always remain underthe overall controlofthe drive pins and the profiled slots.
The slots can be arranged to both increase and reducetheeffective pitch of the thread in a negative or positive way eg. tolift the washerfurtherfrom the seat in the drawing mode and when closing retain the feature of progressively reducing the faceofthe washer relative to spindle rotation as the washer approachestoseatandtofinallycompressthe washer onto the seat with the minimumtorquefor effective operation by children etc.
Figure 5illustrates the complete mechanism with fixing device eg. a locknut (1 ) ready for assembly into tapbody-directorwith a suitable reducing bush.
Thespindle(2) is screwed into the valve head (3) and fitted into the sleeve (4). The non rotatable feature engaged (6) and the drive pin assembled (5).
CLAIMS
1. Atapcontroll mechanism requiring a minimum turning action ofeg 900 to fully open an close tap and operating between fixed open and closed stops.
2. Atap controll mechanism which relative to the operating handle opens and closes quickly but which slows down the closing speed of the valve/washer as it approaches the seat, reducing to virtual zero as the washer is compressed onto the seat and continuing into a safe parked position.
3. A device which substantially reduces the operating torque required to open and close a tap marking itsuitableforyoung children but to incorporate limiting stops to prevent damage from excessive torque which reduces washer life in traditional screw down taps.
4. A device which can be adapted to fit into all tap bodies in current production or as a replacement unit into existing taps regardless of varying "depths of seat" ie the dimension from the top face of the body down to face of the seat.
5.A tap control I mechanism in which the compression of the washer onto the seat can be presetthen locked to repeat for all subsequent closing cycles.
6.A tap control I mechanism which can be adjustedto accomodatewasherwearandthen resume the normal opening and closing sequence.
Description
SPECIFICATION
Improvements in the operating mechanism for domestic taps
This invention relates to an improvement to the weli known opening and closing mechanism which uses a male and female thread.
Screw th reads have a regular pitch (threads per inch) and the pitch selected for a tap is of necessity a compromise between a course thread which will generate quick spindle rise and a fine thread foreasy compressionof the tap washer against the seat and this is of especial importance when the opening and closing sequance is restricted to a quarter revolution ofthe operating spindle on handle.
According to the present invention the tap washer can be raised or lowered quickly but progressively slowing down the fallofthe washer as it approaches the seat of the tap and finally reducing to virtually zeroasthewasher is compressed onto the seat. The closing action can continue into a parked position up to a fixed mechanical stop.Due to the almost zero "pitch"atthe moment when the tap isclosed there- sistance to the necessary compression of the washer is much less than the usualscrew th read andre- quires very little torque for positive closure. A desirablefeature especiallywhenthetap is operated by children etc.
The mechanism can be preset to control maximum compression of the washer to prevent damage and ensure extended washer life.
A specific embodiment will now be described by way of example by reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 Shows in perspective a spindle cross drilled and fitted with drive pin or pins with lower end screwed left or right hand thread. Not shown is provision for attaching operating knob and suitablehydraulic seals eg, '0' rings.
Figure2 illustrates a sleeve showing oneofthe grooves on profiled slots as an example. The external surface can be screwed for fitting direct into a tap body or suitable bush. An unthreaded portion may be required to accomdate suitable sealing means with provision for the non rotatable valve head in the bottom.
Figure 3 shows the approximate profile of a slot in which the drive pin rides illustrating the quick rise and fallofthe spindle when turned and the levelling out and parking positionas thewasher is com- pressed onto the seat and the tap closed.
Figure4illustrates a typeofvalve head screwed femaleto assemble with spindlethread and fitted with suitable tap washer. This valve head can be located in the sleeve Figure 2 and, fitted with antirotational meanswill rise and fallinthetraditional manner according to the pitch of the thread as the spindle isturned but will always remain underthe overall controlofthe drive pins and the profiled slots.
The slots can be arranged to both increase and reducetheeffective pitch of the thread in a negative or positive way eg. tolift the washerfurtherfrom the seat in the drawing mode and when closing retain the feature of progressively reducing the faceofthe washer relative to spindle rotation as the washer approachestoseatandtofinallycompressthe washer onto the seat with the minimumtorquefor effective operation by children etc.
Figure 5illustrates the complete mechanism with fixing device eg. a locknut (1 ) ready for assembly into tapbody-directorwith a suitable reducing bush.
Thespindle(2) is screwed into the valve head (3) and fitted into the sleeve (4). The non rotatable feature engaged (6) and the drive pin assembled (5).
CLAIMS
1. Atapcontroll mechanism requiring a minimum turning action ofeg 900 to fully open an close tap and operating between fixed open and closed stops.
2. Atap controll mechanism which relative to the operating handle opens and closes quickly but which slows down the closing speed of the valve/washer as it approaches the seat, reducing to virtual zero as the washer is compressed onto the seat and continuing into a safe parked position.
3. A device which substantially reduces the operating torque required to open and close a tap marking itsuitableforyoung children but to incorporate limiting stops to prevent damage from excessive torque which reduces washer life in traditional screw down taps.
4. A device which can be adapted to fit into all tap bodies in current production or as a replacement unit into existing taps regardless of varying "depths of seat" ie the dimension from the top face of the body down to face of the seat.
5.A tap control I mechanism in which the compression of the washer onto the seat can be presetthen locked to repeat for all subsequent closing cycles.
6.A tap control I mechanism which can be adjustedto accomodatewasherwearandthen resume the normal opening and closing sequence.
**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.
