| Claims 1. A securement device for a tap having a tap body with a bottom face and at least one water supply shaft extending from the tap body bottom face to pass through an aperture in a sink or bath comprising: a) a support member adapted to be connected to the tap body spaced from the tap body bottom face, and b) at least one force applicator to force the support member away from the tap body, in use the tap body being placed adjacent one side of a sink or bath with the tap shaft or shafts extending through the sink or bath aperture, and said force applicator engaging the other side of the sink or bath remote from the tap body and the support member and pushing the support member away from the tap body to secure the tap body on the sink or bath. 2. A securement device according to Claim 1, wherein the support member comprises a support plate with at least one cut-out to receive a threaded tap pillar forming a water supply shaft of a tap. 3. A securement device according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the force applicator is a threaded shaft passing through a threaded aperture in the support member. 4. A securement device according to Claim 3, wherein a first end of the threaded shaft includes a manually-operated handle, or hex head or screw driver slot. 5. A securement device according to Claim 4, wherein a second end engages the sink or bath. 6. A securement device according to Claim 5, wherein the second end, in use, is connected to a sink or tap plate which engages the sink or tap to distribute the load on the sink or bath. 7. A securement device according to Claim 6, wherein the plate slides on guide rods connected to the support member to prevent it from rotating relative to the support member. 8. A securement device according to Claim 6 or 7, wherein one face of the plate may be of resilient material to engage the sink or bath. 9. A securement device according to any preceding claim, wherein there is a pair of nuts threaded onto the tap pillar with the plate loosely located between the nuts to secure the support plate to the pillar in a position spaced from the tap body. 10. A securement device according to any of Claims 1 to 8, wherein the support member is a support plate with a pair of spaced cut-outs to receive spaced threaded tap pillars forming water supply shafts of a mixer tap, in the use the support plate can abut nuts on the pillars when the force applicator forces the support plate away from the tap body. 11. A securement device according to any of Claims 1 to 8, wherein the support member is a support plate spaced from a tap body bottom face of a monobloc tap by a bolt. 12. A force applicator for use with a securement device for a tap, the tap having a tap body with a bottom face and at least one water supply shaft extending from the tap body bottom face to pass through an aperture in a sink or bath, the force applicator comprising: a) a threaded shaft, b) a manually operated handle at a first end of the threaded shaft, c) a second end of the threaded shaft, wherein the second end engages the sink or bath, where, in use, the force applicator applies a force to force part of the securement device away from the tap body, and secure the tap body on the sink or bath. 13. A tap arrangement including a tap body and a securement device and/or force applicator as claimed in any preceding claim. 14. A method of securing a tap body having one or more tap pillars to a surface comprising inserting the or each pillar through holes formed in the surface, and using a securement device or force applicator a claimed in any preceding claim to secure the tap body to the surface. |
The present invention relates to a securement device for a tap.
Many single or mixer taps have a tap body with one or more water feed pillars with an external thread extending below the tap body bottom face. To secure the tap to a sink or bath, each pillar is inserted through a tap aperture, and a back nut rotated on the pillar so sandwiching the sink or bath surface adjacent the aperture between the tap body bottom face and the back nut, whereby to secure the tap to the sink or bath.
Monobloc taps also exist which are pre -plumbed with water feed pipes which pass through a sink or bath aperture. Bolts passing through a back plate are screwed into the monobloc tap so sandwiching the sink or bath surface adjacent the aperture between the tap body and the back plate, whereby to secure the tap to the sink or bath.
Several problems arise with the method of securing such taps to sinks or baths. Firstly, it can be very awkward to screw back nuts onto pillars or plates to monobloc taps as they are often inaccessible. Secondly, it can be very awkward to connect water feed pipes to the feed shafts as they are often relatively inaccessible. Thirdly, over time the back nut or plate bolts corrode making them very difficult to remove, whereby it can be difficult to remove the taps if a leak occurs or taps need replacing, again as they are often relatively inaccessible.
Plumbers can often harm themselves plumbing-in repairing or removing taps, which has health and safety implications, and considerable time can be spent on these tasks so adding to costs.
The invention seeks to provide a solution to this problem. According to the present invention there is provided a securement device for a tap having a tap body with a bottom face and at least one water supply shaft extending from the tap body bottom face to pass through an aperture in a sink or bath comprising:
a) a support member adapted to be connected to the tap body spaced from the tap body bottom face, and
b) at least one force applicator to force the support member away from the tap body, in use the tap body being placed adjacent one side of a sink or bath with the tap shaft or shafts extending through the sink or bath aperture, and said force applicator engaging the other side of the sink or bath remote from the tap body and the support member and pushing the support member away from the tap body to secure the tap body on the sink or bath.
The support member preferably comprises a support plate with at least one cut-out to receive a threaded tap pillar forming a water supply shaft of a tap.
The force applicator can be removable, or it can remain fixed to the support member when the securement device is in use. Preferably, the force applicator is a threaded shaft passing through a threaded aperture in the support member. Preferably, one first end of the threaded shaft includes a manually-operated handle, or hex head or screw driver slot.
Preferably, a second end engages the sink or bath.
In one embodiment, the second end of the force applicator, in use, is connected to a sink or tap plate which engages the sink or tap to distribute the load on the sink or bath. The sink or tap plate may slide on guide rods connected to the support member to prevent it from rotating relative to the support member. One face of the plate may be of resilient material to engage the sink or bath.
The securement device comprises a single force applicator in one embodiment of the invention. In other embodiments, the securement device may comprise two or more force applicators. In one embodiment, the support member is a support plate with a cut-out to receive a threaded tap pillar forming a water supply shaft of a single tap. A pair of nuts are threaded to the tap pillar and, in use, the nuts can be threaded onto the pillar with the plate loosely located between the nuts to secure the support plate to the pillar in a position spaced from the tap body.
In another embodiment, the support member is a support plate with a pair of spaced cut-outs to receive spaced threaded tap pillars forming water supply shafts of a mixer tap. In use, the support plate can abut nuts on the pillar when the force applicator forces the support plate away from the tap body.
The pair of cut-outs are preferably both located along one single edge of the support plate. The distance between the cut-outs is equal to the distance between the tap pillars, such that the cut-out can fit over the pillars in situ.
Alternatively, the cut-outs can be at opposite edges of the support plate, and the support plate can have a resilient mechanism, such as a spring or cam mechanism, to lock it in place on the tap pillars, or it may simply be of a size that it fits snugly between the tap pillars and is positioned by, for example, tilting it to fit it into place and then moving it into a more horizontal disposition to cause it to fit tightly between the tap pillars with the pillars received in the opposing cut-outs.
In a further embodiment, the support plate has a cut-out to receive an overflow pipe. The overflow cut-out may be located at a different edge to that of the cut-out or cut-outs designed to receive the threaded tap pillars.
In yet another embodiment, the support member is a support plate spaced from a tap body bottom face of a monobloc tap by a bolt.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a force applicator for use with a securement device for a tap, the tap having a tap body with a bottom face and at least one water supply shaft extending from the tap body bottom face to pass through an aperture in a sink or bath, the force applicator comprising:
a) a threaded shaft,
b) a manually operated handle at a first end of the threaded shaft,
c) a second end of the threaded shaft, wherein the second end engages the sink or bath,
wherein, in use, the force applicator applies a force to force part of the securement device away from the tap body, and so secure the tap body on the sink or bath.
Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 shows a cross-section view of a single tap secured to a bath or sink;
Figure 2a shows a cross-section view of a mixer tap secured to a bath or sink;
Figure 2b shows a cross-section view of an alternative embodiment of a mixer tap secured to a bath or sink;
Figure 2c shows an embodiment of a support plate for a mixer tap;
Figure 2d shows an alternative embodiment of a support plate for a mixer tap; Figure 2e shows another alternative embodiment of a support plate for a mixer tap; Figure 2e shows yet another alternative embodiment of a support plate for a mixer tap; and
Figure 3 shows a cross-section view of a monbloc tap secured to a bath or sink.
Referring to Figure 1 there is shown a single tap 1. Tap 1 has a tap body 2 with a bottom face 3 and threaded tap pillar 4, forming a water supply shaft, extending from the tap body bottom face to pass through an aperture 5 in a sink or bath rim "A".
A support member in the form of a support plate 10 is provided with a "U-shaped" cut-out 10A to receive the threaded tap pillar. A pair of nuts 11, 12 are threaded onto the pillar 4, with the plate 10 loosely located between the nuts 11, 12 to secure the support plate to the pillar in a position spaced from the tap body. A force applicator is provided in the form of a screw threaded bolt 13 to force the plate 10 away from the tap body 2. Bolt 13 has a first end with a hex head or screw driver slot 14 adapted to engage with a screw driver "X" (or manually operated handle - not shown). Bolt 13 has a second end which engages with one side of a sink or bath plate 15. The other side of plate 15 has a resilient rubber face to engage against the sink or bath rim "A". Plate 15 is also provided with a cut-out 15B to receive the threaded tap pillar 4.
In use the tap body 2 is placed adjacent one side of a sink or bath with the pillar 4 extending through the sink or bath aperture. Plate 10 is placed between nuts 11, 12 with bolt 13 and plate 15 extending above plate 10. Clockwise rotation of shaft 13 by screw driver "X" pushes plate 1 against the other side of the sink or bath remote from the tap body, and pushes the support plate 10 away from the tap body 2 to secure the tap body on the sink or bath. Tap 1 can easily be removed by rotating shaft 13 anti-clockwise whereby plates 10 and 15 can slide off pillar 4 and the tap lifted out of the aperture 5 in the sink or bath rim.
Nut 12 may form part of a tap connector to connect a water piper "Y" to the pillar 4. The tap connector may in some circumstances be secured to the tap body before the pillar 4 is passed through the aperture 5 in the sink or bath rim.
Referring to Figure 2 there is shown a mixer tap 21. Tap 21 has a tap body 22 with bottom faces 23 A, 23B and threaded tap pillars 24A, 24B, forming a water supply shaft, extending from the tap body bottom faces to pass through apertures 25A, 25B in a sink or bath rim "B".
A support member in the form of a support plate 30 is provided with "U-shaped" cut-outs 30A, 30B to receive the threaded tap pillars 24A, 24B. Nuts 31, 32 are threaded onto the pillars 24A, 24B to secure the support plate 30 to the pillars in a position spaced from the tap body 22. Nuts 31, 32 may form part of a tap connector to connect water pipes "Y" to the pillars 24A, 24B. A force applicator is provided in the form of a screw threaded bolt 33 to force the plate 30 away from the tap body 22. Bolt 33 has a first end with a manually operated handle 34 (or hex head or screw driver slot adapted to engage with a screw driver). Bolt 33 has a second end which engages with one side of a sink or bath plate 35. The other side of plate 35 has a resilient rubber sheet 36 to engage against the sink or bath rim "B". Nylon™ stabilising pins 37A, 37B act as guides to help prevent the plate 35 rotating relative to plate 30 when shaft 33 is rotated. These may of course be of other materials.
In use, the tap body 22 is placed adjacent one side of a sink or bath with the pillars 24A, 24B extending through the sink or bath apertures 23 A, 23B. Clockwise rotation of the shaft 33 by handle 34 pushes plate 35 against the other side of the sink or bath rim remote from the tap body, and pushes the support plate 30 away from the tap body 22 to secure the tap body on the sink or bath. Tap 21 can easily be removed by rotating shaft 33 anticlockwise whereby plate 30 can slide off pillar 4 and the tap 21 lifted out of the aperture 23 A, 23B in the sink or bath rim "B".
The tap connectors 31, 32 may in some circumstances be secured to the tap body before the pillars 24A, 24B pass through the aperture 23A, 23B in the sink or bath rim.
Referring to Figure 2b, there is shown an alternative mixer tap 21. A support member 30 is provided with "U-shaped" cut-outs 30A, 30B to receive the threaded tap pillars 24A, 24B. The support member 30 is also provided with a "U-shaped" cut-out 60 to receive an overflow unit. A force applicator is provided in the form of two screw threaded bolts 61 A, 6 IB to force the plate 30 away from the tap body 22. The bolts have a first end 62A, 62B with a hex head or screw driver slot adopted to engage with a screwdriver, and a second end which engages with one side of the sink or bath plate 35. The two threaded bolts 61A, 61B prevent the plate 35 rotating relative to plate 30 when each bolt 61A, 61B is rotated.
Referring to Figures 2c, 2d, 2e, 2f, there are shown alternative embodiments of support member 30. Figure 2c shows a support member 30 with "U-shaped" cut-outs 30A, 30B to receive the threaded tap pillars, and on the opposite side of the support member 30, a "U-shaped" cutout 60 to receive part of an overflow unit.
In the alternative embodiment shown in Figure 2d, the cut-outs 30A, 30B are provided on the same side of the support member 30 as cut-out 60.
Figure 2e shows a support member 30 with "U-shaped" cut-outs 30C, 30D designed to receive the threaded tap pillars. The cut-outs 30C, 30D are positioned at opposite ends of the support member 30. The support member 30 is of a size that it fits snugly between the tap pillars and is positioned by, for example, tilting it to fit it into place.
Figure 2f shows an embodiment of the support member 30 in which the support member 30 is formed from two separate ends 63A, 63B, and each these ends 63A, 63B is provided with a "U-shaped" cut-out 30C, 30D to receive the threaded tap pillars. A resilient member in the form of a spring 64 forms a connection between the two ends 63A, 63B of the support member 30. The spring 64 tends to force the ends 63A, 63B outwards. The support member 30 is positioned by compressing the spring 64 and fitting the support member 30 between the tap pillars. The spring 64 then relaxes and forces the ends 63 A, 63B outwards so that the cut-outs 30C, 30D fit snugly against the tap pillars.
Alternatively a cam-arrangement, for example a lever-operated cam, in which, as a lever is rotated, a cam surface moves the ends 63A and 63B apart, can be used, or other arrangements for driving the ends away from each other.
Referring now to Figure 3, there is shown a monobloc tap 41. Tap 41 has a tap body 42 with a bottom face 43 and pair of water shafts 44A, 44B, extending from the tap body bottom face 43 to pass through an aperture 45 in a sink or bath rim "C".
A support member in the form of a support plate 50 is provided with a "U-shaped" cut-out 50A to receive the threaded shaft 46 extending from bottom face 43. A pair of nuts 51, 52 are threaded onto the shaft 46, with the plate 50 loosely located between the nuts 51, 52 to secure the support plate to the shaft 46 in a position spaced from the tap body.
A force applicator is provided in the form of a screw threaded bolt 53 to force the plate 50 away from the tap body 42. Bolt 53 has a first end with a manual handle 54 (or hex head or screw driver slot adapted to engage with a screw driver - not shown). Bolt 53 has a second end which engages with one side of a sink or bath plate 55. The other side of plate 55 has a resilient rubber face 56 to engage against the sink or bath rim "C". Plate 55 is also provided with a cut-out 55A to receive the threaded shaft 46.
In use the tap body 42 is placed adjacent one side of a sink or bath with the shaft 46 and water supply shafts 44A, 44B extending through the sink or bath aperture 45.
Clockwise rotation of shaft 53 by handle 54 pushes plate 55 against the other side of the sink or bath remote from the tap body, and pushes the support plate 50 away from the tap body 42 to secure the tap body on the sink or bath. Tap 41 can easily be removed by rotating shaft 53 anti-clockwise whereby plates 50 and 55 can slide off shaft 46 and the tap lifted out of the aperture 45 in the sink or bath rim.
The invention may take a form different from that specifically described above.
Further modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without department from the scope of the present invention.