TYLER, Daniel, Jason (Calleo House49 Theobald Street,Borehamwood, Hertfordshire WD6 4RT, GB)
GOLD, Jonathan, Morris (Calleo House49 Theobald Street,Borehamwood, Hertfordshire WD6 4RT, GB)
TYLER, Daniel, Jason (Calleo House49 Theobald Street,Borehamwood, Hertfordshire WD6 4RT, GB)
Claims
1. A tap spout cover for use in protectively covering off a water spout of a bath tap, said tap spout cover comprising
an elongate housing defining an entrance, an outlet and an enclosure between said entrance and said outlet; and
one or more spout-grips extending from said housing into said enclosure,
wherein the entrance of the housing is arranged for receipt of the water spout of a bath tap by the enclosure, and each spout-grip is arranged to grip part of a water spout received thereby such as to hold the housing in place with the water spout covered off whilst permitting water flow from a spout exit of the water spout to the outlet.
2. A tap spout cover according to claim 1 , wherein the tap spout cover covers off that part of the bath tap, which in use, becomes hot as a result of hot water passing through it.
3. A tap spout cover according to claim 2, wherein the tap spout cover covers off only that part of the bath tap, which in use, becomes hot as a result of hot water passing through it.
4. A tap spout cover according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein said one or more spout-grips are provided as a series arranged in spaced fashion along the housing from the entrance end thereof.
5. A tap spout cover according to any of claims 1 to 4, comprising from two to eight spout-grips.
6. A tap spout cover according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein each spout-grip defines a gripping rim.
7. A tap spout cover according to claim 6, wherein said gripping rim lies in the plane of and extends across part of a cross-section of the housing.
8. A tap spout cover according to either of claims 6 or 7, wherein the gripping rim has a resiliently flexible nature.
9. A tap spout cover according to any of claims 6 to 8, wherein the gripping rim defines an essentially circular profile.
10. A tap spout cover according to any of claims 1 to 9, wherein the entrance defines a circular profile.
11. A tap spout cover according to claim 10, wherein the entrance has a circular entrance rim provided thereto.
12. A tap spout cover according to any of claims 1 to 11 , wherein the outlet defines a circular profile.
13. A tap spout cover according to claim 12, wherein the outlet has a circular outlet rim provided thereto.
14. A tap spout cover according to any of claims 1 to 13, wherein the housing has a tubular form.
15. A tap spout cover according to claim 14, wherein said tubular form comprises a series of tubular segments.
16. A tap spout cover according to claim 15, wherein said series of tubular segments are in articulated arrangement.
17. A tap spout cover according to any of claims 14 to 16, wherein each spout- grip comprises a gripping rim of circular profile and the centre-point of said circular profile of said gripping rim coincides with the central point of the cross-section of the tubular form housing.
18. A tap spout cover according to any of claims 6 to 17, wherein each spout-grip defines at least one connective member extending from an interior wall of the housing to the gripping rim thereof.
19. A tap spout cover according to claim 18, wherein the connective member has the form of a sheet, which extends to a circular form gripping rim.
20. A tap spout cover according to either of claims 19 or 20, wherein the connective members are arranged to channel plural flows of water there between, thereby in use, affecting the form of the water flow at the outlet of the housing.
21. A tap spout cover according to any of claims 1 to 20, wherein the housing is generally resistant to deformation in response to squeezing thereof.
22. A tap spout cover according to any of claims 1 to 21 , wherein the housing is formed of a plastic polymer material.
23. A tap spout cover according to claim 22, wherein said plastic polymer material has a low heat transfer coefficient.
24. A tap spout cover according to either of claims 22 or 23, wherein the plastic polymer is a Neoprene (trade name) type material.
25. A tap spout cover according to any of claims 1 to 24, wherein each spout-grip is formed of a plastic polymer or rubber material.
26. A tap spout cover according to any of claims 1 to 25, wherein the housing is provided with a novelty outer covering.
27. A tap spout cover to any of claims 1 to 26 in kit of parts form. |
Tap cover
Technical Field
The present invention relates to a tap cover suitable for use in protectively covering at least the spout of a bath tap to prevent an infant's harmful interaction therewith during the infant's time in the bath.
Background to the Invention
Every parent or carer is aware that when bathing an infant in a domestic bath there is the risk that the infant will reach out and touch a hot tap, or alternatively just accidentally brush against a hot tap, thereby burning itself on a hot surface thereof. To address this risk, protective bath tap covers have been developed. Such tap covers are typically arranged to protectively cover off. at least that part of the bath tap, which in use, becomes hot as a result of hot water passing through it. Various prior art forms of bath tap cover are known including those formed of foam and those having an inflatable form. These prior art forms typically comprise a protective cap that fits over the top (i.e. over the tap control handles) of the bath tap and extends down the sides thereof.
A general problem faced by the designer of a bath tap cover is that these days many forms, styles, sizes and shapes of bath tap arrangement are available for use in combination with a domestic bath. These include arrangements having separate hot and cold bath taps and those in which hot and cold tap controls are provided to a single unit that defines a common 'mixer' spout, through which both hot and cold water may flow, in use thereof. Various bath tap arrangements are for example,
shown at Figures 1a to 1c. One solution to this problem would be to provide a bespoke bath tap cover for each and every type of bath arrangement, but from a commercial standpoint this is not attractive since it would be very expensive in practice.
In solution to the above problem the present invention provides a bath tap spout cover that is arranged to be suitable for use with many different types of bath tap arrangement including those with separate hot and cold taps; those defining a single mixer spout; and those with a spout that is separate from the water flow controls. The present invention comprises an elongate housing defining an entrance, an outlet and an enclosure between said entrance and the outlet. One or more spout-grips extend from the housing into said enclosure. The entrance of the housing is arranged for receipt of the water spout of a bath tap by the enclosure, and each spout-grip is arranged to grip part of a water spout received thereby such as to hold the tap spout cover in place with the water spout covered off whilst permitting hot water flow from a spout exit of the water spout to the outlet. Thus, in use, at least the spout element of the bath tap, which is of course the part that becomes hot during flow of hot water there through, is protected from the infant.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a tap spout cover that is suitable for protective use with different arrangements of bath taps.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a tap spout cover that is provides for effective safe channelling of hot water from a bath tap arrangement.
Summary of the Invention
According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a tap spout cover for use in protectively covering off a water spout of a bath tap, said tap spout cover comprising
an elongate housing defining an entrance, an outlet and an enclosure between said entrance and said outlet; and
one or more spout-grips extending from said housing into said enclosure,
wherein the entrance of the housing is arranged for receipt of the water spout of a bath tap by the enclosure, and each spout-grip is arranged to grip part of a water spout received thereby such as to hold the housing in place with the water spout covered off whilst permitting water flow from a spout exit of the water spout to the outlet.
There is described herein a tap spout cover. The tap spout cover is arranged to be suitable for use in protectively covering off at least part of a bath tap. The bath tap typically forms part of a bath tap arrangement that is suitable for use in combination with a domestic bath. The tap spout cover is arranged to be suitable for use with many different types of bath tap arrangement as are commonly found in domestic baths. Such arrangements include those in which the spout of the bath tap is fully integral with the other parts thereof, and those in which a separate spout forms part of a bath tap arrangement with other features (e.g. water control handles) spaced there from.
The bath tap spout cover is for protective use. It will therefore be appreciated that the tap spout cover suitably covers off that part of the bath tap, which in use, becomes hot as a result of hot water passing through it. Typically, therefore the tap spout cover is arranged to cover off at least that part of a bath tap arrangement, which becomes hot during use thereof. In embodiments, the tap spout cover is arranged to cover off only that part of a bath tap arrangement, which becomes hot during use thereof.
The bath tap spout cover is particularly suitable for protective use during bathing of an infant where there is the risk that the infant will reach out and touch a hot tap or alternatively just accidentally brush against the hot tap, thereby burning itself on the hot surface thereof.
The tap spout cover comprises an elongate housing, which defines an entrance thereto, an outlet there from and an enclosure between the entrance and the outlet.
The entrance of the housing is arranged for receipt of at least the water spout part of a bath tap by the enclosure, which is arranged to be inserted spout exit end first. The entrance is therefore sized and shaped for this purpose. Generally, the entrance has an essentially circular profile and is suitably defined by an essentially circular entrance rim provided at the entrance end of the housing. Other embodiments defining different entrance profiles (e.g. rectangular) are also envisaged.
The outlet of the housing is arranged to permit water flow there through. In particular, during use of the tap spout cover herein, there is permitted flow of water from a spout exit of a water spout that has been received within the enclosure to the outlet. The outlet is therefore sized and shaped for this purpose. Generally, the outlet has an essentially circular profile and is suitably defined by an essentially circular outlet rim provided at the outlet end of the housing. Other embodiments defining different outlet profiles (e.g. rectangular) are also envisaged.
The housing has a generally elongate form. Suitably, the housing has a tubular form, which may in embodiments be formed in combination from a series of tubular segments. Tapered tubular forms are also envisaged. Suitably, the housing has a degree of flexibility e.g. such that a curving path from the entrance to the exit thereof may be provided for. In one particular aspect, the housing has a tubular form defined by a series of tubular segments in articulated arrangement, wherein the articulation adds to the flexibility of the tubular path defined thereby.
A hose-shaped housing is envisaged in embodiments herein. A slinky-form housing is envisaged in embodiments herein.
The housing is defined to have a protective function in preventing transfer of heat from a hot tap, particularly from the water spout thereof, through the wall(s) of the housing. The materials of construction of the housing are also selected in view of the intended protective function. In embodiments, the housing is generally resistant to deformation in response to squeezing thereof (e.g. by the hand of an infant), wherein the degree of resistance to deformation is arranged to be sufficient to prevent any undesirable interaction between a squeezing hand/fingers and the hot water spout. Some 'cushioning' deformation may be permitted. In embodiments, the housing is formed of a plastic polymer material, particularly one having a low heat transfer coefficient and a degree of resistance to deformation. In embodiments, the plastic polymer is an injection-moulded plastic polymer material (e.g. polypropylene or polyvinyl chloride). In one aspect, the plastic polymer is a Neoprene (trade name) type material.
In embodiments, the outer part of the housing is provided with a novelty outer cover such as an animal form (e.g. dragon or crocodile). The purpose of this novelty cover is to make the tap spout cover more pleasing to the infant. For example, the outlet may be positioned to coincide with the mouth of an animal form outer cover.
One or more spout-grips extend from the housing into the enclosure. In use, each spout-grip is arranged to grip part of a water spout received by the enclosure such as to meet the first requirement of holding the housing in place with the water spout covered off and the second requirement of permitting water flow from a spout exit of the water spout to the outlet. It will be appreciated that each of these requirements should be considered according to the intended purpose and function of the tap spout cover. In particular, the spout-grips should in combination provide sufficient gripping function such as to hold the housing in place (i.e. in its position of
protectively covering off at least the water spout of the bath tap) during a typical use scenario.
Typically, the one or more spout-grips are provided as a series of spaced spout-grips arranged along the housing from the entrance end thereof. In one preferred embodiment, from two to eight, particularly from three to six spout-grips are provided. In another embodiment, a single continuous spout-grip is provided.
Each spout-grip extends from the housing into the enclosure. Suitably, each spout- grip defines a gripping rim, which lies in the plane of and extends across part of a cross-section (in the direction of the path from the entrance to the exit) of the housing. Suitably, the gripping rim has a resiliently flexible character such that it flexes outwards when the water spout of the bath tap is inserted and then flexes inwardly to grip that spout.
In one embodiment, the gripping rim defines an essentially circular profile, wherein suitably the centre-point of that circular profile coincides with the central point of the cross-section (in the direction of the path from the entrance to the exit) of the housing. Thus, where the housing defines a circular cross-section (e.g. because it has a tubular form) the circular rim forms a 'circle within a circle' (i.e. circular rim within circular housing cross-section), wherein suitably the centre of those circles is common. In combination, the plural circular gripping rims of plural spaced spout- grips form a spaced 'sleeve' for receipt of the water spout of a bath tap. Other embodiments defining different gripping rim profiles (e.g. rectangular) are also envisaged.
In embodiments, each spout-grip defines at least one connective member (e.g. sheet or limb or branch) extending from the interior wall of the housing to the gripping rim thereof. Thus, the connective member(s) connect the interior wall of the housing to the gripping rim. Suitably, the connective member(s) have a degree of flexibility. In embodiments, the connective member takes the form of a sheet (e.g. a ring-shaped
sheet), which extends to a circular form gripping rim. In embodiments, the connective members are arranged to allow water flow there between. In embodiments, the form of the connective members (or e.g. of holes provided thereto) is arranged to channel ('extrude') plural flows of water there between, thereby creating an aesthetically more pleasing form of water flow at the outlet of the housing.
The materials of construction of the spout-grips are selected in view of the intended gripping function thereof. Suitably, each spout-grip is formed of a plastic polymer or rubber material, particularly one having a suitable degree of flexibility.
It will be appreciated that the elements of the tap spout cover herein may be manufactured and supplied separately and /or supplied as a pre-assembly or a kit of parts. The present invention encompasses all of these separate component parts and any assemblies thereof.
Brief Description of the Drawings
The invention will now be described further with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-
Figures 1a to 1c show perspective views of examples of bath tap arrangements;
Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a tap spout cover in accord with the present invention;
Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the tap spout cover of Figure 2 as used in combination with a first bath tap arrangement;
Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the tap spout cover of Figure 2 as used in combination with a first bath tap arrangement;
Figure 5 shows a perspective view from the front of a variant of the tap spout cover of Figure 4, in which a novelty outer dressing is provided;
Figure 6 shows a perspective view from the back of a variant of the tap spout cover of Figure 5; and
Figure 7 shows a perspective view from the front of a variant of the tap spout cover of Figure 5, in a bent over configuration.
Referring now to the drawings, Figures 1a to 1c show various forms of bath tap arrangement. The bath tap arrangements of Figures 1a and 1b comprise a pair of separate hot 1a and cold 1b taps. Each tap 1a, 1b defines a respective hot 3a and cold 3b control handle and water spout 5a, 5b. The overall shape and styling of the taps 1 a, 1b of Figures 1a and 1 b are however, clearly very different. The bath tap arrangement of Figure 1c is of the mixer tap 1 form, which defines separate a hot 3a and cold 3b control handles, but a single mixer water spout 5. The tap spout cover herein is arranged for use with both of these 'separate taps' and 'mixer tap' forms of bath tap arrangement, amongst others.
Figure 2 illustrates a first embodiment of a tap spout cover 10 herein. Figure 3 shows that tap spout cover 10 when used in combination with a first bath tap arrangement 1 , which is of the 'mixer tap' type (i.e. similar to Figure 1c) having separate hot 3a and cold 3b control handles, but a single water spout 5. Figure 4 shows that tap spout cover 10 when used in combination with a second bath tap arrangement 1 , which also is of the 'mixer tap' type and has separate hot 3a and cold 3b control handles that protrude from a wall-mounting, and again a single water spout 5 that also protrudes from a wall-mounting.
In more detail, the tap spout cover 10 comprises an elongate tubular form housing 20 comprising a series of tubular segments 22a to 22d in articulated arrangement.
The tubular form housing 20 may therefore flex readily along its elongate form to adopt various curved path shapes. The tubular housing 20 has an entrance 24 defined by an entrance rim 25 of circular profile; an outlet 26 defined by an outlet rim 27 of circular profile; and an enclosure 28 between the entrance 24 and the outlet 26. It will be appreciated that the enclosure 28 is of generally circular cross-sectional profile. The tubular housing 20 and tubular segments 22a to 22d thereof is in embodiments, formed of a plastic polymer material, which has a low heat transfer coefficient (e.g. Neoprene (trade name) type material) and which resists deformation in response to squeezing thereof.
A series of spout-grips 30a to 3Oe in spaced relationship to each other extend from the housing 20 into the enclosure 28 thereof. Each spout-grip 30a to 3Oe defines a circular profile gripping rim 32 (spout-grip details labelled on spout-grip 30a only for clarity), which lies in the plane of and extends across part of a circular profile cross- section of the tubular housing 20 such that the centre-point of the circular profile of said gripping rim 32 coincides with the central point of the cross-section of the tubular form housing 20. The gripping rim 32 is formed of a rubber material and therefore has a resiliently flexible nature. Each spout-grip 30a to 3Oe defines a sheet-form connective member 34 extending from an interior wall of the housing 20 to the gripping rim 32 thereof. The connective member is provided with plural water flow holes 36 (only some labelled, for clarity) arranged to channel plural flows of water there between, thereby in use, affecting the aesthetic form and to soften the feel of the water flow at the outlet 26 of the tubular housing 20.
Referring now to Figures 3 and 4, it will be seen that in use, the entrance 24 of the tubular housing 20 is arranged to receive the water spout 5 of a bath tap 1 by the enclosure 28. The spout-grips 30a to 30c (3Od to 3Oe do not grip in the configuration, as shown) are arranged to grip that water spout 5 such as to hold the tubular housing 20 in place with the water spout 5 covered off whilst permitting water flow from a spout exit 6 of the water spout 7 to the outlet 26. Thus, the tap spout cover 10
covers off that water spout 5 part of the bath tap 1 , which in use, becomes hot as a result of hot water passing through it.
Figures 5 to 7 show a variant of the tap spout cover 110 of the first embodiment that has been adapted such that the outer part of the tubular housing 120 is provided with a novelty outer cover 140 in the form of an animal head. The outlet 124 of the tubular housing 120 is positioned to coincide with the mouth 142 of the animal form. The tubular housing again, has plural gripping elements 130 (only one visible in Figure 6) extending along the length thereof.
The application of which this description and claims form part may be used as a basis for priority in respect of any subsequent application. The claims of such subsequent application may be directed to any feature or combination of features described therein. They may take the form of product, method or use claims and may include, by way of example and without limitation, one or more of the following claims: