BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a foldaway mixing faucet construction specifically designed for sanitary fittings in general.

As is known, a very important problem is that of making novel fitting arrangements for bath rooms, by providing a possibility of easily modifying conventional delivery faucets for sanitary fittings, thereby providing novel products which, in addition to greatly improving the aesthetic aspect, also allow to reduce to a minimum the occupied space.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the aim of the present invention is to solve the above mentioned problem, by providing a foldaway mixing faucet construction for sanitary fittings in general, allowing to be easily withdrawn only at a use operation thereof.

Within the scope of the above mentioned aim, a main object of the present invention is to provide such a faucet construction which can be driven in a very easy and quick manner and which, moreover, has a very reduced size, without negatively affecting its operating characteristics.

Another object of the present invention is to provide such a mixing faucet construction which can be easily and quickly installed to a wall and prefabricated elements and which, moreover, allows to easily fit the parts to be exposed to the view only

after the assembling in the masonry, thereby preventing the products from being aesthetically damaged.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide such a foldaway mixing faucet construction, for sanitary fittings in general, which, owing to its specifically designed features, is very reliable and safe in operation.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the above mentioned aim and objects, as well as yet other objects, which will become more apparent hereinafter, are achieved by a foldaway mixing faucet construction for sanitary fittings in general, characterized in that said mixing faucet construction comprises a box-like body to be recessed in a wall and the like, and designed for housing a manifold coupled to a mixing assembly, which controls a cold water inlet duct, a hot water inlet duct and a water delivery duct.

Said box-like body can be closed by an openable door for accessing a driving element for driving said mixing assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent hereinafter from the following detailed disclosure of a preferred, though not exclusive, embodiment of a foldaway mixing faucet construction for sanitary fittings in general, which is illustrated, by way of an indicative, but not limitative, example in the figures of the accompanying drawings, where:

Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view illustrating the foldaway mixing faucet construction

according to the present invention, applied to a wall;

Figure 2 is further perspective view, partially broken-away, showing the subject faucet construction applied to a wall; Figure 3 is a schematic top plan view illustrating the mixing faucet construction with its door in an open condition and showing, by dashed lines, a protective element to be used during the installation of the faucet to the wall; Figure 4 is a front view of the mixing faucet construction, and specifically showing the main component elements thereof;

Figure 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the faucet construction, substantially taken along the line V-V of figure 4;

Figure 6 shows a further cross-sectional view of the faucet construction substantially taken along the line VI-VI of figure 5;

Figure 7 shows a further cross-sectional view substantially taken along the line VII-VII of figure 5;

Figure 8 is a schematic view showing a mixing faucet construction for a washbasin, illustrated in a closed condition thereof;

Figure 9 shows the washbasin mixing faucet construction, in a partially open condition thereof;

Figure 10 shows the washbasin mixing faucet construction in an open condition thereof;

Figure 11 shows a bidet mixing faucet construction, in a closed condition or position thereof;

Figure 12 shows the bidet mixing faucet construction in a partially opened position or condition thereof;

Figure 13 shows the bidet mixing faucet construction in an open condition thereof;

Figure 14 shows a mixing bathtub faucet construction with a switching device, in a closed condition thereof;

Figure 15 shows the bathtub mixing faucet construction with switching device, in a partially opened condition thereof;

Figure 16 shows the bathtub mixing faucet construction with switching device, in an open condition thereof;

Figure 17 shows a shower mixing faucet construction, in a closed condition thereof;

Figure 18 shows the shower mixing faucet construction, in a partially open condition thereof;

Figure 19 shows the shower mixing faucet construction in an open position or condition thereof;

Figure 20 is a perspective exploded view showing a washbasin mixing faucet construction; Figure 21 is a further perspective exploded view showing the bidet mixing faucet construction;

Figure 22 is a further perspective exploded view illustrating the bathtub mixing faucet construction and related switching device; and Figure 23 is a further perspective exploded view illustrating the shower mixing faucet construction.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to the number references of the above mentioned figures, the foldaway mixing faucet construction for sanitary fittings in general, comprises a box-like body, generally indicated by the

reference number 1, which can be recessed into a wall and houses a manifold 2 which, by means of screws 3, can be clamped on a bottom of a vessel or container 1.

More specifically, the manifold 2 comprises, in its inside, a mixing assembly which, for example, is constituted by a mixing cartridge 4, which is restrained by a cartridge holder cap or socket 5, and being held in a desired position by a cartridge pressure element 6 and a cartridge cover 7. In particular, said cartridge 4 is designed for controlling a cold water inlet duct 10, a hot water inlet duct 11 as well as a water delivery duct, generally indicated by the reference number 12 which, advantageously, comprises a flexible hose, which is provided, at its end portions, with fitting ring nuts 13 and 14.

Advantageously, on the hot water duct 11 a check valve 15 is provided, for preventing water from reflowing. A first peculiar or main feature of the present invention is that a protective element 20 is moreover provided, said protective element being adapted to be housed in said box-like body 1 and being designed for preventing, during the recess installation operations, cement and other undesired materials from contacting the hydraulic components.

After installation, the protective element 20, covering the above mentioned manifold, can be removed, and being herein provided a middle box-like element 21, therethrough the manifold 2 is caused to flush pass.

More specifically, the middle or intermediate box-like body 21 can be coupled, so as to adjust its position, with respect to the wall, by coupling pins 22

and related clamping nuts 23, allowing to properly arrange the middle body with respect to the wall.

To said middle body 21 are coupled a first rotary element 30, including supporting arms 31 which, at the other end portions thereof, are articulated to a door 32.

The latter, in turn, is coupled to a rod 33, which is rotatably supported by a second pivot pin 35, to which a delivery barrel 35a is connected. Thus, the arms 31 and rod 33 practically provide a parallelogram articulated arrangement.

The first pivot pin 30 is coupled, through a bottom peg 36 and a top locking element 37 allowing to provide a connection with the middle body and house therein a preloading spring 38, of an adjustable type, to provide the closing force.

The adjustment is performed by a clamping element 39 engaging with the mentioned preloading spring. Likewise, a second spring 40 is furthermore provided for resiliently coupling the rod 33 and second pivot pin 35, thereby allowing the delivery barrel 35a, coupled to the pivot pin 35, to be withdrawn.

At the bottom thereof, the second pivot pin 35 is supported by a 90° fitting 41, coupled to an inlet element 42, on which can be coupled the connection ring-nut 14.

On the cartridge 4 is moreover provided an adjusting knob 50, allowing to perform the water flow- rate and mixing adjustment.

On the door 32 a covering element 60 is arranged, operating for covering all of the technical components, thereby providing a very good and clean

aesthetic aspect.

To said door 32 is coupled, from the portion opposite to the pivot point of the arms 31 and rod 33, a locking pin 61. Said locking pin 61 is engaged with a restraining mechanism 62, of a push-push type, allowing to perform a proper locking operation.

The door 32, covered by the covering element 60, is latched by a latching pin 61. As a user desires to perform an opening operation, it will be sufficient to provide a small pressure so as to cause the door to move away parallel to itself, owing to the articulated parallelogram connection provided by the arms 31 and rod 33. Accordingly, the delivery belt 36 will be rotatively withdrawn toward its delivery position.

Moreover, a decelerating assembly. 73 is provided, for holding the door opening speed or rate constant . In a bidet embodiment, which, for example, is shown in figure 21, an articulated joint 70 is arranged on the delivery barrel 35a, for ^' properly orienting the delivery jet breaker 71.

As is clearly shown in figures 14, 15, 16 and 22, it is moreover possible to provide a bathtub embodiment, including a switching device 74, in which the delivery barrel is not provided inside the box-like body, but is otherwise provided a top fitting 75 for coupling to the delivery mouth or outlet, which is conventionally arranged at the overflow assembly and a side fitting 76 for coupling to the shower flexible hose .

With reference to figures 17, 18, 19 and 23, a

further shower embodiment is herein shown, which does not comprise the delivery barrel or switching device 74 arranged inside the box-like body.

Only the top fitting, also indicated by the reference number 75 and coupling to the shower arm is herein provided.

From the above disclosure it should be apparent that the invention fully achieves the intended aim and objects . In fact, the invention provides a mixing faucet construction, of a foldaway type, which can be coupled to a wall in a perfectly flush condition, owing to the specifically designed fitting elements included therein. The invention, as disclosed, is susceptible to several modifications and variations, all of which will come within the scope of the invention.

Moreover, all the constructional details can be replaced by other technically equivalent elements. In practicing the invention, the used materials, as well as the contingent size and shapes, can be any, depending on requirements.