Field of the Invention

The present disclosure relates to a water tapping apparatus and more particularly to an adjustable water tapping apparatus that allows vertical and horizontal water or fluid flow in both directions.

Background of the Invention

Water is an essential element that is required by all organisms in order to perform the metabolic processes required to grow, reproduce, and respond to their environments. Not surprisingly, the provision of safe drinking wafer is a fundamental concern. The need and easy access for fresh wafer is particularly important, where ever a tap is used in fhe context of drinking wafer. There is a large body of prior art in the field of tapping water systems. However, conventional fap delivers (at fheir distal end) wafer or fluids mainly vertically, from up fo down. As a daily life example: when finishing feeth brushing, several people reach out to fhe tap fo drink water or rinse fheir months. Wifh conventional fap, it is difficulf for people fo reach the wafer flows wifh their monfhs at fhe distal exit of fhe tap and fhey need to bend fheir neck to reach properly fhe water flow or use a glass fo fill if with wafer prior rinsing their monfhs. It is fo note that fap spout exists to slightly modify fhe water flow laterally, nonetheless those systems never modify fhe flow laterally and at fhe same time upwards in a form of an inverted U- shaped curve or parabolic shaped curve.

In the prior art, tapping sleeves are known fo be positioned around a wafer tap for connecting the wafer tap fo the further transferring branch. A tapping valve can thus be connected between fhe tapping sleeve and fhe connecting branch for regulating water flow in fhe branch. The water fap is then tapped in a sealed manner allowing water fo flow info the branch via fhe tapping sleeve and fhe tapping valve combination. Tapping sleeves are typically comprised of steel and are attached to fhe tapping valve by means of a flange welded to the tapping sleeve's branch pipe and connected to the tapping valve by nut and bolt combinations. The tapping valves are attached to the tapping sleeve with by fixed means, usually bolds or other fixed means. In some cases, a stainless steel flange is incorporated in the tapping sleeve for connection to the flanged joint of the tapping valve. In any event, the orientation of the tapping valve is fixed relative to the tapping sleeve and hence fixed relative the overlying surface.

In this arrangement, positioning the tapping sleeve on the water tapping is done with some difficulty. In addition, the orientation of the tapping sleeve and tapping valve combination dictated by the orientation of the water tap. It would be

advantageous to provide an adjustable tapping valve that allows vertical orientation of the fluid flow in both directions of the tapping valve after installation of the combination on a water tap.

Summary of the Invention

It is one object of the present invention to provide an easy accessibility of the water (or fluids) flow of tap systems by deviating the flow laterally and upwards (from its initial direction) . It should allow the users to reach the water/fluids with their mouth in an easier and more hygienic way compared to conventional taps, in particular in way that the user does not have to bend the neck and back as much as with conventional tap systems. Further, the modification should allow the users to reach the water/fluids with their mouth in an easier way compared to conventional taps, without the necessity to bend the neck and back as much as with conventional taps. Thus, the access of water should be facilitated for all, especially for the elderly with back problems or people with back injuries. In addition, it should not be required anymore to fill a glass with water prior rinsing the mouth. However, the invention should allow the user not to get in contact directly with the tap, thus also improving the hygiene factor. Finally, the tap should be easy to install.

According to the present invention, these objects are achieved, particularly, with the features of the independent claims. In addition, further advantageous embodiments can be derived from the dependent claims and the related descriptions.

According to the present invention, the above-mentioned objects for a tap or spray head device are achieved, particularly, in that, by means of the present invention, a tap or spray head device is provided comprising a body with a canal where the fluid passes through, a body to enable the fluid flow to exit the tap head device vertically downwards when in closed position, a rotating body including a canal and a spout that enable to deviate the fluid flow laterally and upwards in open position, a spout to enable the fluid flow to exit the tap head device laterally and upwards in open position, and a head with a thread inside that enables the tap head device to be mounted on an existing tap system. The tap head device can e.g.

derivate laterally a water/fluids flow in a new trajectory having the shape of an inverted U-shaped curve or a parabolic shaped curve at the exit of the tap head device. A „poin†eau" can e.g. possess a conical extremity enabling the fluid to bounce on it and deviate its trajectory laterally and upwards. An inclined channel (compared to the horizontal axis) can e.g. enable the fluid to pass through and then exit the device via a spout. A spring can e.g. enable the valve to come back in its closed position. A body of the opening/closing device in combination with the„poin†eau" can e.g. enable the tap head device to close hermetically the spout by the action of the spring. The tap head device can e.g. be directly incorporated in a tap system. At least parts of the tap head device can e.g. be realized as plastic or metals and still presenting the same function as described previously. The tap head device's orientation in any of the 360° direction of the horizontal plan can be defined during the attachment step of the tap head device to the body of an existing tap, thus enabling the tap head device to be used for right or left handed users, or to deviate the water/fluid flow in any 360° direction of the horizontal plan. One of the advantages of the present system is that it enables to ease the process for people to reach the water or fluids flow with their months by deviating the water or fluids flow upwards and/or laterally from its initial direction. As an embodiment variant, the tap head device can e.g. comprise an opening/closing valve for deviating the fluid flow laterally and upwards instead of the rotating body, wherein the fluid flow exits the tap head device vertically downwards when in closed position and wherein the fluid flow exits the tap head device laterally and upwards in open position, and a universal adapter and a screw instead of the head with the thread to enable the installation of the tap head device to an existing tap system. This embodiment variant has the same advantage as the previous ones, in particular that it enables the users to reach out to the water or fluid flow more easily than currently existing systems.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The present invention will be explained in more detail, by way of example, with reference to the drawings in which: Figure 1 is a side view of the present invention (named alternative # 1 , which represents the perferred alternative);

Figure 2 is a side view of the present invention (alternative # 1 ) showing the open position and showing the deviated water/fluids flow;

Figure 3 is a side view of another alternative version (named alternative #2) of the present invention;

Figure 4 is a side view of the dissembled present invention (alternative #2) with the dissembled valve system;

Figure 5 is a vertical cross section of the present invention (alternative #2); showing internal elements; showing the opened position; Figure 6 is a vertical cross section of the present invention (alternative #2); showing internal elements; showing the closed position;

Figure 7 is a side view of the present invention (alternative #2) with the valve assembled; in open position and showing the deviated water/fluids flow. Figure 8 is a front view according to the alternative # 1 of tap head mounted, in closed position, the main water flow can exit the tap down & vertically (like with conventional water tap).

Figure 9 is a front view according to the alternative # 1 of tap head mounted and turned sidely in open position, the water flow is derivated sidely and upwards.

Figure 10 shows a variant of the alternative # 1 , where instead of the screw 13, as a more elegant embodiment variant, a circlips (also called a clip segment, see fig. 10) is realized, inserted into the circular score 1 1 . Also another circular score will be carved circularly within the main body 3 at the position of current screw 13. With this embodiment variant, the pipe body 2 can simply be clips inside the main body 3.

Figure 1 1 shows 3 positions of the tap head device according to alternative # 1 in more detail. As seen from fig. 1 1 , the invention can be installed as an addition to an existing tap or can be directly integrated into a new tap (all in one solution). The position of the derivated water flow can be easily defined during the original installation of the invention, where the user only needs to position the little dot (1 ) where the derivated water flow should come out. The derivated water flow will come out in the region of the position of the dot ( 1 ) . Also the strength of the derivated water flow can be adjusted by the user by rotating (2) the rotating, i.e. main body 3: the more the exit canal of the invention is aligned (3) with the blue dot (1 ) the stronger the derivated water flow is.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

The present invention belongs to the field of faucet accessories. The present invention relates to a tap spray head which is mounted (via screwing) on an existing tap, instead of the original spray head. The mounting of the present invention can be done with the help of a universal adapter that can be added into present invention union nut 1 . It is to note that several alternative versions of the same present invention can be manufactured, current section of this patent application will focus on providing the detailed description about two alternatives, alternative # 1 which represents the main alternative and alternative #2. Next part will focus on alternative # 1 and a second part will provide explanation linked to alternative #2.

ALTERNATIVE # 1

The present invention for alternative # 1 consists of a pipe body 2 with a canal 4 where the fluid flow can pass through, a union nut 1 that enables the present invention to be mounted on an existing tap system, a main or rotating body 3 that can be rotated left or right by the users, the rotation will enable the derivation of the fluid flow, an aperture 6, a canal 7 and a spout 9 that enable the exit of the deviated fluid flow when the present invention is in open position (fig. 2) . The aperture 6 is hermetically sealed when the present invention is in closed position, an optional first filter 1 2 that can be mounted at the distal end of the pipe body 2 (for example, this filter 1 2 can be a frother filter) , and an optional second filter 8 that can be mounted at the distal end of the main body 3. For example, this filter 8 can be a frother filter.

The present invention consists of a pipe body 2 assembled together with a main body 3. The main body 3 is assembled at the bottom of the pipe body 2. The main body 3 is a piece that can rotate around the pipe body 2. In closed position, meaning the main body 3 is rotated in such a way that the aperture 6 is hermetically closed, the present invention lets the water or fluids flow pass through it vertically downwards through the canal 4 inside the pipe body 2. The water or fluids flow will then exit at the distal end of the pipe body 2 through an optional filter 1 2. When the present invention is in open position FIG. 1 & 2, meaning the main body 3 is rotated in such a way that the aperture 6 communicates with the canal 4 inside the pipe body, the present invention lets the water or fluids flow pass laterally through the aperture 6 and go inside the canal 7, then inside the spout 9. Finally, the water or fluids flow will exit at the distal end of the main body 3 through an optional filter 8. It is to note that the water or fluids flow movement inside the present invention are dictated by gravity force, whereas the path that the water or fluids flow will follow is dictated by the canals design as explained in the current patent application. In the open position, the water/fluids flow will hit and bounce on the spout 9. By bouncing of the spout 9, the trajectory of the water/fluids will be deviated laterally upwards and exit present invention on the side. It is to note that the trajectory deviation of the water/fluids is facilitated by the conical shaped deepening within the spout 9. At the exit of the spout 9 the water/fluids trajectory will form an inverted U-shaped curve or a parabolic shaped curve 14 FIG. 2. This parabolic shaped curve of water/fluids flow will first go upwards then inclines downward FIG. 2. It is to note that, when the present invention is in closed position the aperture 6 is hermetically closed and no water/fluids will be able to exit via the spout 9. In closed position, the side wall of the pipe body 2 will come in contact with the aperture 6 and closes the aperture 6 hermetically.

Other conventional taps deliver water or fluids downward vertically.

Eventually conventional taps can be modified with a tap head that slightly modifies the water flow laterally. Nonetheless the flow will remain downward and is still hardly accessible to people that desire to reach the water flow with their mouth to drink or rinse their mouth.

A gasket ring 5 is placed around the pipe body 2. This gasket ring 5 is placed within a furrow. This furrow is carved around the pipe body 2. Another gasket ring 10 is placed within another furrow carved inside the main body 3. Both gasket rings 5 & 10 help prevent undesired water/fluids leakages.

A circular score 1 1 is carved circularly around the pipe body 2 distal end. A screw 13 is used in order to avoid the main body 3 from falling apart from the pipe body 2. The screw 13 is going through the main body 2 and is inserted within the circular score 1 1 of the pipe body 2. This enables to keep the pipe body 2 and the main body 3 together, while at the same time enabling the main body 3 to rotate around the pipe body 2. The mounting of the present invention to an existing tap can be realized with the help of a universal adapter that can be added into present invention union nut 1 . Instead of the screw 13, as a more elegant embodiment variant, it is possible to realize the invention according to alternative # 1 with a circlips (also called a clip segment, see fig. 10) inserted into the circular score 1 1 . Also another circular score will be carved circularly within the main body 3 at the position of current screw 13. With this embodiment variant, the pipe body 2 can simply be clips inside the main body 3.

The present invention can be installed as an addition to an existing tap: for water taps with a female distal end, the use of a universal adapter enables the fixation of present invention to the water tap. In this case, the universal adapter firstly needs to be installed to the female end of the tap, then the present invention can be screwed via the union nut 1 to the universal adapter. In the majority of the cases, the present invention can be directly mounted via the union nut 1 to the tap and without needing a universal adapter. Besides the above installation, the present invention could be an all in one solution meaning manufacturing a water tap including the present invention.

The position of the deviated water flow can be easily defined during the original installation of the present invention: the user only needs to position the aperture 6 in the direction where the deviated water flow should come out. The aperture 6 position within the pipe body 2 could be signalized to the user with the help of a mark on the outside of the pipe body 2, the mark can be any given possible symbol e.g. a dot engraved on the proximal section of the pipe body 2. After installation, the deviated water/fluids flow will come out in the region where the aperture 6 meets the canal 7 of the main body 3. This is realized by rotating the main body 3 around the pipe body 2. It is to note also, that the strength of the deviated water/fluids will be maximal when the aperture 6 and the canal 7 are perfectly aligned. By this mean, the user is able to regulate the strength of the deviated water/fluids while rotating the main body 3 around the pipe body 2: the more the aperture 6 is aligned with the canal 7 the stronger the deviated water/fluids flow is.

As an additional embodiment variant, an adapted shell, in particular for example a plastic shell, can be added on top of the invention. The shell enables a user to customize the device: for example the shell could be in any possible color with an elephant (or any other kind of printing) on it, if e.g. the use of the invention is indented for kids, etc....

ALTERNATIVE #2

The present invention for alternative #2 consists of a main body (c) including a fluid flow path there through, a universal adapter (a) in order to mount the present invention to an existing tap via a screw (b) , an opening/closing valve (d) that enables the derivation of the main fluid flow, a spout (f) to enable the exit of the deviated fluid flow when in open valve (d) position (fig. 5 & 7) or an hermetically sealed spout (f) in case of a closed valve (d) position (fig. 3 & 6), and at its distal end, present invention possesses a body (e) comprising a frother filter (o).

The present invention consists of a main body (c) with a valve (d) inserted in the distal section of the main body (c). When the valve is in closed position (FIG. 3 & 6) the present invention lets the water or fluids flow pass through vertically downwards. When the valve is in open position (FIG. 5 & 7) the piece (k) slides laterally and lets the water or fluids fall on top of the piece (k) that will be referred to as the„poin†eau" (k) . In its initial vertical trajectory, the water/fluids flow will hit the„poin†eau" (k), by doing so the water or fluid will bounce on top of this piece (k) and the trajectory of the water/fluids will be deviated laterally upwards and then the water/fluids will go through a channel (q) upward and exit the spout (f) via a hole on the side of the present invention. The trajectory deviation is due to the conical shape of the„poin†eau" (k). At the exit of the spout (f) the water/fluids trajectory will form an inverted U-shaped curve or a parabolic shaped curve (r). This parabolic shaped curve of water/fluids flow will first go upwards then incline downward (FIG. 7) . When releasing the valve (d) a spring (I) will bring the valve in the closed position and this will then allow the water/fluids to flow through the invention vertically downwards. It is to note that in its closed position the spout (f) is hermetically closed and no water/fluids can exit via the spout (f). In closed position, the„poin†eau" (k) will come in contact with the hole (p) of the body of the opening/closing device (j) to close the spout (f) hermetically.

The present invention possesses a gasket (g) (FIG. 4) at its proximal end which is responsible for hermetically closing the fixation of the present invention to an existing tap. Preferably, a filter (h) is implemented above the screw (b) to roughly filter the water/fluid entering the present invention. To connect the main body (c) of present invention to the fixation screw (b) a fixation collar (i) is used. The body of the

opening/closing device (j) is fixed transversally within the present invention. The function of the body of the opening/closing device (j) is to maintain the opening/closing valve (d) together. The sealing gasket (m) mounted on the opening/closing valve (d) has the function of keeping the spring (I) inside the body of the opening/closing device (j). The sealing gasket (m) is clipped into the body of the opening/closing device (j) . A piece referred to as the„†ire††e" (n) is fixed at the end of the opening/closing valve (d). The „†ire††e" (n) enables a better handling while opening the valve (d). It is to note that when the user releases the„†ire††e" (n), the valve (d) is closing automatically with the help of the spring (I). In this case the tension of the spring (I) enables the valve (d) to come back in its initial closed position.

The universal adapter (a) enables the fixation of present invention to an existing tap. For water taps with a female distal end, the use of a universal adapter enables the fixation of present invention to the water tap. For water taps with a male distal end, the universal adapter (a) needs to be removed. Subsequently the present invention can be directly screwed to the tap via the screw (b).

Concerning the use of the present invention and without being exhaustive, the present invention referred hereby as alternative # 1 , #2 and all other potential alternatives can be used in private homes kitchens and/or bathrooms, public spaces with water/fluids dispensers, hotel rooms and/or kitchen, nursing homes, hospitals, schools, day cares, nursery schools or any water/fluids dispensers.

While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is considered presently to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The invention should therefore not be limited by the above described embodiment, method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention as claimed.