[0001] The present invention relates to a control device for tap, in particular a control device adapted for dispensing water, for example for household use .

[0002] As known, the need of reducing overall dimensions to obtain an ergonomic and functional arrangement of furniture is increasingly felt . In particular, taps and fittings are often cumbersome and not easy to clean . [0003] To obviate these disadvantages, in the prior art it is known to use taps and fittings inserted into special recesses or seats into walls or panels . These recesses or seats are then closed with wings or covers , usually flush with the same walls and panels . [0004] However, such devices are not very functional to use, especially when used frequently, and do not allow quick and immediate location of the taps and fittings and relevant controls .

[0005] The problem at the basis of the present invention is to provide a control device for tap which should solve the disadvantages mentioned above with reference to the prior art .

[0006] Such disadvantages and restrictions are solved with a control device for tap in accordance with claim

[0007] Further embodiments of the control device for tap according to the invention are described in the following claims .

[0008] Further features and the advantages of the present invention will appear more clearly from the following description of a preferred non-limiting embodiment , wherein:

[0009] figure 1 shows a perspective view of a control device for tap according to an embodiment of the present invention, in a closed configuration;

[0010] figure 2 shows a front view of the control device of figure 1 ;

[0011] figures 3 and 4 show rear perspective views of the control device of figure 1 ; [0012] figure 5 shows a perspective view of the control device of figure 1 , in an open configuration;

[0013] figures 6 and 7 show perspective views in separate parts of the control device of figure 1 ;

[0014] figures 8-10 show enlargements of details of the control device of figure 1 ;

[0015] figures 11-13 show further perspective views in separate parts of the control device of figure 1 ;

[0016] figures 14 and 15 show further front and perspective views respectively, of a further embodiment of the control device according to the invention.

[0017] Elements or parts of elements in common between the embodiments described below are referred to with the same reference numerals .

[0018] With reference to the above figures, reference numeral 4 globally denotes a control device for tap .

[0019] The control device 4 comprises a casing 8 adapted for coating at least partly the device, and also adapted for being built in an embedded seat 12 for the device . [0020] The embedded seat 12 can be obtained, for example, in a wall or in a panel 14 wherein the control device 4 is installed.

[0021] Casing 8 is preferably box shaped, and exhibits openings at a front face and at a rear face, to allow the introduction of the device as well as the passage of pipes for connecting the device to the waterworks .

[0022] Preferably, casing 8 is introduced into the embedded seat according to a shape coupling, for example built in.

[0023] Casing 8 can be at least partly closed with a covering plate 16 adapted for covering at least partly the control device . Said covering plate 16 is preferably flat and, in an assembly configuration of the device into the relevant embedded seat 12 , the plate is advantageously mounted flush with the respective wall or panel 14.

[0024] Advantageously, the control device for tap 4 comprises fluid dispensing means 20 , in fluid connection with the waterworks , and movable from an embedded position visible but contained in the embedded seat 12 to an operating position, at least partly extracted relative to said embedded seat 12 , on a side opposite to the wall .

[0025] The covering plate 16 comprises openings 22 adapted for allowing the passage, that is, the extraction of said dispensing means 20 from the embedded seat 12 , and which at the same time advantageously allow the user to see the dispensing means also when they are in retracted position inside the embedded seat 12. [0026] According to an embodiment , the fluid dispensing means 20 comprise a fluid on-off device, such as a valve or preferably a mixing cartridge 26 , having inlets for hot water and for cold water 28. The fluid dispensing means 20 can be in fluid connection with the waterworks , for example through hoses or flexible connections 30. According to an embodiment , the mixing cartridge is adapted for both mixing two different fluids , for example hot water and cold water, and for changing the flow rate of a dispensed fluid. [0027] The fluid dispensing means 20 are adapted for dispensing the fluid from the waterworks, where

waterworks means both a water supply network and any type of fluid tank .

[0028] Cartridge 26 can also be thermostatic, so as to automatically mix cold water and hot water to control the temperature of the dispensed water . Cartridge 26 comprises a control shaft 32 , adapted for rotating and integrally connected in rotation to a shutter member inside the cartridge, adapted for mixing the hot fluid and the cold fluid entering into the cartridge . [0029] Preferably, said control shaft is a splined shaft .

[0030] Advantageously, the dispensing means comprise movable control means 34 , such as an actuating button

40 , adapted for actuating the mixing cartridge for dispensing the fluid flow. [0031] The actuating button 40 can be obtained in several ways , for example using an in se . known type of button, known in the art as ^x push-pull ' , that is, a button having a retracted or non/operating position, and an extracted or control position. The button switches from one condition to the other when pressed consecutively.

[0032] According to a possible embodiment , the button comprises a button body 44 , substantially hollow and cylindrical which comprises an inside core 46 , coaxial to it and relative to which it can slide axially. [0033] The control device advantageously comprises

extraction means 50 that extract on command, and are adapted for releasing or locking said dispensing means 20 , and in particular said actuating button 40 , from the embedded position to the extracted position . [0034] According to an embodiment , said extraction means 50 comprise at least one tooth 54 , for example arranged on core 46 of button 40 , so as to lock or release in relative position the button body with the same core, coupling or releasing relative to seats or grooves 56 on the button body.

[0035] The control device 4 comprises means that affect in extracted position 60 said fluid dispensing means . In particular, said means that affect the dispensing means in extracted position comprise a spring 64 , for example of the cylindrical type, adapted for exerting an elastic thrust action between the button body and the core, so that , after the release or disengagement between the at least one tooth 54 and grooves 56 , the button body is axially pushed in extracted position. Preferably, spring 64 is contained into a sleeve 65 , coaxial relative to it .

[0036] The button body 44 preferably comprises a collar 66 having a rack 68. Preferably, said collar 66 also serves as abutment, for example against a portion of casing 8 , so as to define the maximum extraction or

operating position of the actuating button 40. [0037] The button body 44 is associated to a bottom 70 exhibiting a central hole 71, which is counter-shaped relative to said control shaft of the mixing cartridge so as to be crossed by the same shaft and obtain a shape coupling with it .

[0038] The bottom also comprises a tongue 71 ' adapted for forming, with the outer side wall of bottom 70, a seat for said rack 68. [0039] The button body 44 can also be associated to a cover 72 , visible from outside the device . [0040] In an assembly configuration of the button, cover 72 , the button body 44 , core 46 , spring 64 and bottom 70 are installed coaxially with one another and are integral in rotation with one another and with the control shaft 32 of the mixing cartridge 26 , thanks to the shape coupling between the control shaft 32 and hole 71. [0041] Preferably, bottom 70 of the actuating button 40 comprises a first pinion 74 turnably mounted relative to the same bottom, so as to engage with the rack 68 of the button body 44. The length of rack 68 is such that it stays engaged with pinion 74 during the full actuating stroke of button 40. [0042] Preferably, the control device 4 comprises damping

means 80 adapted for influencing the movement of the dispensing means 20 between the embedded position and the extracted position.

[0043] According to an embodiment , said damping means 80 comprise a sheath that covers a cylindrical seat housing the turnable pin of pinion 74 , so that the movement of rotation of pinion 74 is influenced by a friction and damping action exerted by the sheath. Preferably, said sheath is made of rubber . This rubber is suitably selected to obtain a controlled movement of the actuating button, that is to say, for example, so as to make the button take a fixed time interval to cover its stroke from the embedded position to the extracted position . [0044] Advantageously, at the button body 44 , the actuating button 40 comprises an actuating lever 84 , which preferably extends parallel to said rack 68. [0045] Said actuating lever 84 ends on a side facing the bottom with an inclined plane 86. [0046] According to an embodiment , said extraction means comprise a hook 90 , preferably having a trapezoidal shape and adapted for releasing or locking further dispensing means, such as for example a tap pipe 100. [0047] In particular, said hook 90 is housed in a recess 102 inside a seating space 104 of said tap pipe 100.

[0048] Hook 90 is elastically influenced by a clamp 106 adapted for moving the hook in extracted position relative to the seating space 104.

[0049] Hook 90 is operatively connected to a bar 108 at a first end 109. Said bar 108 , at a second end 110 , opposite to said first end 109 , comprises a flaring 112 , adapted for engaging with the inclined plane 86 of the actuating lever 84 , so that when flaring 112 engages with the inclined plane 86 , bar 108 overcomes the elastic action of clamp 106 and retracts the hook from the seating space 106 , moving it inside recess 102.

[0050] As shown, for example, in figure 9 , flaring 112 exhibits an arc section relative to a central section plane of the flaring and parallel to the button extraction direction, so that after the button extraction, the flaring does not substantially exert an action of resistance on the spring and the hook returns into recess 102.

[0051] According to an embodiment , the device comprises control means 120 of the water flow. In other words , if the cartridge does not allow direct adjustment of the water flow dispensed, the device comprises means for adjusting the flow separate from the same cartridge . For example, said means comprise a shutter valve 122 , arranged downstream of the cartridge dispensing outlet .

Said valve substantially is a rotating member that shuts said outlet section on the basis of the angle of rotation .

[0052] According to an embodiment , the valve is mechanically connected to a linkage 126 , for example through a grooved coupling. Said linkage 126 comprises an adjustment end connected to a cursor 128 , the cursor being for example arranged in the seating space 104 of the tap pipe 100 , so that a shifting movement of cursor 128 corresponds to a rotation of the linkage end and thereby, of the valve itself . Cursor 128 can be housed inside the seating space 104 , so as to be operated by the user, following the extraction of the tap pipe 100. Of course, the cursor may be replaced with any type of actuating lever, for example embedded inside the embedded seat 12.

[0053] According to a further embodiment, said shutter valve may be replaced with any shutting member, adapted for shutting the dispensed flow. Said shutting member may be actuated, for example, by a further grip, separate from the actuating button, or coaxial to it . [0054] According to an embodiment , the dispensing means 20 advantageously comprise the tap pipe 100 , in fluid connection with the waterworks . [0055] The tap pipe preferably exhibits a box-shaped pipe

body 132 and extends from a hinging end 134 to a dispensing end 136. At the hinging end 134 , the pipe is hinged by a pin 138. Said pin 138 is in fluid connection with the outlet of the mixing cartridge, as well as with the inside cavity of pipe 100 , so as to convey the water flow from the cartridge inside pipe 100. [0056] Preferably, the pipe body 132 comprises a flat wall 140 facing outwards the control device, that is to say, the user . In a retracted configuration of the pipe, said wall 140 is advantageously flush with the covering plate 16 , so that said pipe is embedded in the embedded seat 12.

[0057] At the pin, the tap pipe 100 comprises said extraction means 50 , preferably elastic , such as a bending or spiral spring 142 , adapted for influencing the tap pipe 100 so as to move it in rotation in the extracted position, up to move it in abutment with a portion of casing 8 , so as to provide a stop to the pipe movement . [0058] According to a preferred embodiment , the pin is integral in rotation with a pinion influenced by damping means 80. Said damping means 80 can comprise a sheath, for example of polymeric material , that generates a friction action between pinion and the relevant rotation seat so as to dampen the movement of rotation of the

pinion and thereby, of the pipe itself . According to a further embodiment , a cartridge may be used, comprising a second pinion, integral with a pin rotating in a seat provided with a sheath of a dampening material , said second pin being engaged with the pinion of the tap pipe .

[0059] At the dispensing end 136 , the pipe preferably exhibits an aerator 144 , screwed on the pipe end, to evenly diffuse per the water flow dispensed by the pipe . [0060] The pipe body 132 exhibits a recess 146 adapted for facing said cursor 128 , in a retracted configuration of the same . Said recess 146 extends axially for such length as to not interfere with any axial position of the cursor itself . [0061] The pipe body 132 exhibits a projection 148 adapted for coupling with the hook so as to lock the pipe in the retracted configuration, when hook 90 is in the extracted position, out of recess 102.

[0062] According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the control device comprises constraining means adapted for selectively locking or releasing said dispensing means in extended position. For example, said constraining means may comprise a tooth adapted for locking the tap pipe in extended position. [0063] Said constraining means can be selectively

controlled by said dispensing means ; for example, the tap pipe locking and releasing tooth may be actuated by the actuating button so that only after turning the actuating button to closed position, it is possible to close the tap pipe .

[0064] According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the dispensing means of the control device comprise two tap pipes, adapted for dispensing for example two fluids at different temperatures , such as cold water and hot water .

[0065] The two tap pipes can be actuated by two different actuating buttons , each operatively connected to the relevant extraction means of each tap pipe . In other words , two actuating buttons are provided, the actuation of each one extracting a single tap pipe for dispensing, for example, hot water or cold water.

[0066] According to a further embodiment , two actuating buttons are provided, each connected to a water outlet , and operatively connected to the extraction means of the same tap pipe .

[0067] According to a further embodiment of the present invention, illustrated for example in figures 14 and 15 , the control device comprises a tap pipe formed of two pipe portions 150 , 152 engaged with each other about a hinge 154 , so that in an embedded configuration of pipe

100 , illustrated in figure 14 , the two portions 150 , 152 are both embedded in the embedded seat 12 , substantially- parallel and overlapped to one another. In an extracted configuration of the pipe, illustrated for example in figure 15 , the two pipe portions 150 , 152 are parallel and contiguous with one another so that the extracted pipe portion relative to seat 12 is substantially equal to the sum of the lengths of the pipe portions 150 , 152. In this way it is possible to obtain a tap pipe having, in the extracted configuration, a length greater than the width of the embedded seat 12. In other words, it is possible to obtain a pipe of grater length without having to extend the width of the seat and thereby of the control device itself . It is therefore possible to limit the overall width of the control device .

[0068] According to a further embodiment , the control device comprises water flow diverting means, adapted for diverting the water to be dispensed, for example to a hose connected to a spout , or to a further dispensing outlet . Said diverting means may be actuated for example by a button located on the covering plate . [0069] The device can further comprise a display for displaying information, such as the dispensed water temperature, time, date and the like . [0070] Such display may for example be positioned on the

covering plate .

[0071] The operation of the control device according to the invention will now be described.

[0072] In a first closed step, the control device 4 is closed, that is , both the tap pipe 100 and the actuating button 40 are in retracted position, flush with the covering plate 16 , inside the seating space 104. In other words , both the tap pipe 100 and the actuating button 40 are embedded into the relevant seats and at the same time visible, with the visible surfaces flush with the surface of the covering plate 16.

[0073] When the actuating button 40 is pressed, it extracts, in particular teeth 54 release from grooves

56 , spring 64 pushes outwards the button which passes through the openings of the covering plate 16 and ends its stroke when the collar abuts against casing 8. [0074] Advantageously, said button extraction movement is influenced by the damping means . In particular, rack 68 engaged with pinion 74 moves the pinion in rotation; the pinion rotation motion, and thereby the button extraction motion, are dampened by the friction action of the sheath against the pinion rotation pin, so that the button extraction motion can occur in a fixed time interval . [0075] Protruding from the relevant seat, the actuating

button forms a sort of actuating grip, preferably of cylindrical shape .

[0076] When such grip is extracted from its seat, hook 90 actuates and is returned into its recess 102 , thus disengaging the tap pipe 100 which, under the elastic action of spring 142 , moves out of the seat in extended position, turning about its pin 138.

[0077] When the grip is turned, for example in clockwise direction, the mixing cartridge 26 is actuated to dispense water through the tap pipe 100.

[0078] Water may be dispensed in several ways , based on the cartridge used. For example, a thermostatic cartridge may be used to automatically control the dispensed water temperature . [0079] According to an embodiment , the mixing cartridge 26 performs a fixed flow rate mixing function between hot water and cold water . In this case, the flow rate is regulated by actuating cursor 128 which in turn, through the relevant linkage 126 , operates on the shutter valve 122 so as to suitably shut the fluid flow coming out of the mixing cartridge 26 , thus changing the water flow entering the tap pipe 100.

[0080] Advantageously, if the user does not return the grip to the closed position, turning to the stop in counter clockwise direction, thus shutting the fluid

flow, hook 90 remains inside its recess 102. Therefore, the repositioning of the tap pipe 100 in the seating space 104 cannot occur since as hook 90 remains seated into recess 102 , it cannot couple with projection 148 of the pipe itself to keep it in retracted position.

[0081] Moreover, the actuating button 40 cannot be pressed to be introduced into its seat , until it is turned to the flow closed position; in other words , it is not possible to press the button again until the water flow is interrupted.

[0082] Only after fully closing the grip again, the actuating button 40 can return into the embedded seat , if pressed into the same so as to couple teeth 54 with grooves 56 , and the tap pipe 100 can be coupled to the relevant hook 90 which, under the thrust of clamp 106 , comes out of its seat .

[0083] Both the actuating button 40 and the tap pipe 100 can also be actuated by electrical, pneumatic or hydraulic actuating means, which can preferably operate so the water dispensing is not allowed when the pipe is embedded in the relevant seat .

[0084] As it can be understood from the description, the control device allows overcoming the disadvantages of the taps and fittings of the prior art . [0085] In particular, when in closed or in embedded

position, the control device as well as the taps and fittings, are perfectly embedded in the relevant seats . [0086] Moreover, even though said devices are embedded into the relevant seats, so as to not occupy any space for the user, at the same time they are perfectly visible and easily reachable and actuable by the user. [0087] In fact, the user can not only detect the position of the control elements, even when these are not in use, but also indirectly have access to the same without having to move or open any kind of wing or cover.

[0088] The control elements for taps and fittings according to the present invention therefore are always visible, both during use and in rest condition, and at the same time they can be actuated directly and intuitively by the user without having to move any cover or wing .

[0089] A man skilled in the art may make several changes and adjustments to the control devices described above in order to meet specific and incidental needs, all falling within the scope of protection defined in the following claims .