Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a fluid flow connector and in particular, though not necessarily solely, to a connector that permits a flexible hose to be connected to a domestic water supply tap.

Background to the Invention

In our British Patent No. GB 2 468 654 we describe and claim a fluid flow connector for connecting a flexible hose to a tap. The connector includes a flexible rubber body having an inlet that can be stretched over the spout of a tap, an outlet that can attach to a hose, and a pair of spaced attachment portions to receive a restraining strap, the restraining strap being passed around the rear of the tap to prevent the body from becoming dislodged from the tap.

Whilst the above arrangement has proved most successful in use, there is now an increasing trend to employ pressurised water systems which can cause significant inflation of flexible body and concentrate tearing stresses on the attachment portions where the restraining strap is engaged with the attachment portions.

It is an object of the invention to provide a fluid flow connector that will go at least some way in addressing the drawbacks mentioned above; or which will at least provide a novel and useful alternative. Summary of the Invention

Accordingly, in one aspect, the invention provides a fluid flow connector for attachment to a tap, said connector including a flexible body having an inlet and an outlet, the inlet being configured to sealingly engage with a spout; and a securing facility constructed and arranged to maintain said flexible body secured to said tap; said connector being characterised in that it includes a cradle configured to envelop a substantial part of said flexible body whilst allowing access to said inlet and said outlet.

Preferably said securing facility and said cradle are configured for inter- engagement.

In a second aspect the invention provides a retaining facility for retaining a flexible body in connection with a tap, the flexible body having an inlet for sealingly engaging a tap, and an outlet, said retaining facility being characterised in that it includes a cradle configured to envelop a substantial part of said flexible body whilst allowing access to said inlet and said outlet;

Preferably said retaining facility includes a securing facility constructed and arranged to releasably secure said cradle to a tap to which the inlet of said flexible body is connected.

Preferably said cradle includes a mouth which in use, substantially coincides with the inlet of said flexible body, said mouth defining an inlet plane such that an inlet axis extends perpendicular to said inlet plane, and wherein a connection between said cradle and said securing facility is configured to align said securing facility in the direction of said inlet axis. Preferably the connection between said securing facility and said cradle comprises a releasable ratchet locking system.

Preferably said cradle is formed from moulded plastics material of less flexibility than said flexible body. Preferably said cradle is formed from polypropylene.

Preferably said securing facility comprises a flexible moulded strap.

Preferably said securing facility further includes a clip constructed and arranged to bias said strap and said releasable ratchet locking system together.

In a third aspect the invention provides a method for retaining a flexible body in connection with a tap, the flexible body having an inlet for sealingly engaging a tap, and an outlet for connection to a hose, said method being characterised in that it includes substantially enveloping said flexible body using a cradle whilst allowing access to said inlet and said outlet.

Preferably said method further includes releasably securing said cradle to a tap to which the inlet of said flexible body is connected.

In a fourth aspect the invention provides a shower assembly including a pair of flexible bodies, each of said bodies having an inlet configured to sealingly engage a tap, and an outlet; a pair of cradles configured to envelop substantial parts of said flexible bodies whilst allowing access to said inlet and said outlet; a pair of securing facilities constructed and arranged to releasably secure said cradles to said taps external to said flexible bodies; a pair of hoses connected to said outlets; and a shower head connected to said hoses.

Preferably each of said securing facilities includes a strap configured to pass around a tap; a ratchet locking mechanism fixed to said cradle; and a clip constructed and arranged to bias together said strap and said ratchet locking mechanism

Many variations in the way the invention may be performed will present themselves to those skilled in the art, upon reading the following description. The description should not be regarded as limiting but rather as an illustration, only, of one manner of performing the invention. Where appropriate any element or component should be taken as including any or all equivalents thereof whether or not specifically mentioned.

Brief Description of the Drawings

One working embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1: shows a prior art hand-shower installation to which the present invention may be applied;

Figure 2: shows an isometric view of cradle forming part of a fluid flow connector according to the invention; Figure 3: shows an isometric view of a strap to be combined with the cradle shown in Figure 2;

Figure 4: shows an enlarged plan view of the cradle shown in Figure 2 illustrating the mechanism to lock the strap relative to the cradle;

Figure 5: shows a view of a fluid flow connector according to the

invention in position on a tap;

Figure 6: shows a frontal isometric view, from one side, of the fluid flow connector shown in Figures 3 to 5 but disassembled from the tap;

Figure 7: shows a view similar to Figure 6 but from the opposite side;

Figure 8: shows an isometric view of a retaining clip for use with the installation shown in the figures above;

Figure 9: shows a plan view of the clip of Figure 8 in position on a fluid connector; and

Figure 10: shows an isometric view of the clip being fastened into

position.

Detailed Description of Working Embodiment

Referring firstly to Figure 1, a hand held shower assembly 10 is shown comprising a pair of flexible bulb-like rubber bodies 11 which, in the known manner, have inlets 12 that, in use, are stretched and fitted, respectively, over the outlet spouts of hot and cold water supply taps (not shown). The outlets 13 of the bodies 11 are typically connected to hoses 14, the opposite ends of hoses 14 being joined to a Y-connector 15 where the hot and cold water streams are combined. A single hose 16 leads from the Y-connector 15 to a hand-held shower head 17.

It is well known that installations of the type shown in Figure 1 are limited by the fnctional engagement between the flexible bodies 11 and the taps to which they are fitted. Various means have been proposed in the past to retain the bodies 11 in place, one example being described in our British Patent No. GB 2 468 654. However, with the increasing prevalence of pressurised domestic water supply systems, the bodies 11 are caused to inflate substantially which leads to distortion, leakage, and even bursting or tearing where the retaining elements are attached to the bodies. The present invention addresses the problems of the existing art by providing a cradle 18 which substantially encases the flexible body 11. A securing facility, preferably in the form of strap 19, is further provided to maintain the flexible body connected to associated tap. More preferably the strap serves to tether the cradle 18 to the tap. The operating arrangement is shown in Figure 5, it being appreciated that the single tap arrangement shown in Figure 5 is simply duplicated to provide a fluid flow connection system for the arrangement shown in Figure 1.

In the form shown, the cradle 18 comprises a substantially rigid moulded cuplike structure having an inlet 20 sized to surround the inlet 12 of the flexible body 11; and a somewhat smaller outlet 21 sized to surround the outlet 13 of the flexible body. This arrangement ensures the body 11 is substantially encased within the cradle 18 and cannot be displaced from the cradle when subjected to internal water pressure. Although the cradle 18 may have a limited degree of flexibility it is less flexible than the body 11 that it supports and is structured to minimize the extent to which the flexible body 11 can expand or inflate whilst positioned therein. To this end, the cradle is preferably moulded from a plastics such as polypropylene.

To further minimise the loading applied to the flexible body 11, the cradle 18, rather than the flexible body 11, is preferably tethered to the tap. Thus, on one side, the cradle includes an abutment 22 having an eye 23 through which the strap 19 may be passed until the shaped moulded end 24 of the strap contacts the abutment. The strap may then be folded into a loop passing around the tap, and the distal end 25 passed through a releasable locking mechanism 26 provided on the opposite side of the cradle 18. In the form shown in Figure 4 the locking mechanism 26 comprises a tab 27 biased toward the outer surface of the cradle, the tab having one or more barbs 28 projecting from the inner surface thereof. In use, the strap is located in the space 29 between the tab 27 and the cradle 11, the barbs 28 engaging in transverse grooves 30 provided in the strap to provide a ratchet-type locking arrangement.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 6, tab 31 is joined to the cradle by bridging parts 32 so that substantially the mid-length of the tab is fixed to the cradle. That half 33 of the tab that includes the barbs 28 on the underside thereof, is biased toward the cradle surface. The remaining half 34 of the tab provides a pressure pad such that pressure may be applied to the pad to uncouple the barbs 28 from the grooves 30 and, thereby, allow the length of the strap to be adjusted or allow the strap to be completely withdrawn from the locking mechanism 26.

The assembly described is shown in position on a tap 35 in Figure 5. Figure 5 also illustrates how, when the connector is in position, the strap 19 is substantially perpendicular to the plane of the inlet opening 20 of the cradle, thus minimising any twisting action when pressurised water is flowing through the connection.

Turning now to Figures 8 to 10, the interaction between the barbs 28 and the grooves 30 can be enhanced by the use of a retaining clip 38 to bias the strap 19 into contact with the tab 27.

In the form shown the clip 38 is a unitary moulding including a retaining slot 39 located on one end of a flexible link 40. Provided on the opposite end of the link 40 is a head 41 that includes an aperture 42 and a projection 43. In use, before the strap 19 is engaged with the locking mechanism 26, the strap is passed through the retaining slot 39 and then engaged through the locking mechanism 26. The free end of the strap 19 is then threaded through the aperture 42, the strap pulled tight about the tap 35, and hand-pressure then applied to the projection 43 in the direction of arrow 44. It will be appreciated that this causes the grooves in the strap 19 to be biased against the barbs 28 on the underside of tab 27 thus locking the strap firmly and securely in position. The clip is sized so that, when the strap and tab are biased firmly together, edge 45 of the aperture 42 can be displaced over, and held in contact with, end surface 37 of the cradle 18. To release the strap 19, pressure is applied to the projection 43 in the reverse direction to arrow 44.

It will thus be appreciated that the invention, at least in the case of the embodiment described, has a number of significant advantages over the prior art including: i) The internal pressures to which the bodies 11 are subjected are resisted over a significant area by use of cradles 18. This, in turn, reduces the ability of the bodies to inflate and reduces the high point loadings applied to the bodies by prior art securing methods; The cradles 18 present smooth curved surfaces to the water supply and are less susceptible to trapping dirt; The cradles may be colour matched to the hoses to provide a more aesthetically pleasing installation.