[0002] In the tap product sector it is known to use dispensing devices fitted with a control lever provided with a ball joint enabling the rotation thereof in order to change the flow rate of the water dispensed and to mix two fluids, such as hot water and cold water.

Usually the control lever is associated to a handle fastened onto a free end of the lever and suitable to be grasped by the user for the activation of the tap. The handle moved by the user rotatably tows the control lever.

[0003] Such handles, however, have considerable dimensions in order to ensure sufficient lever. Besides, due to wear and the dirt that is inevitably trapped between the lever and the tap body, such handles have a staggered and poorly progressive operation, and do not enable a continuous and accurate adjustment of the flow rate of fluid to be dispensed.

[0004] The object of the present invention is to provide a tap which overcomes the drawbacks mentioned with reference to the prior art.

[0005] Such drawbacks and limitations are resolved by a

tap in accordance with claim 1.

[0006] Other embodiments of the tap according to the invention are described in the subsequent claims.

[0007] Further characteristics and the advantages of the present invention will be better understood from the description given below of the preferred but not limiting embodiments thereof, wherein: [0008] figure 1 represents a perspective view of a tap according to the invention; [0009] figure 2 represents a cut-away view of the tap of figure 1 ; [0010] figure 3 represents a perspective view of the tap of figure 1, in an activation step by a user; [0011] figure 4 represents a section view of the tap of figure 1 along plane A of figure l, in an operation configuration; [0012] figure 5 represents a section view of the tap of figure 1 along plane A of figure 1, in a further operation configuration; [0013] figure 6 represents a section view of the tap of figure 1 along plane B of figure 1.

[0014] The elements or parts of elements in common between the embodiments described below will be indicated with the same numerical references.

[0015] With reference to the abovementioned figures, 4

generally indicates a tap.

[0016] The tap 4 comprises a tap body 8, for example with a cylindrical body in relation to an axis W, destined to be housed on a support, such as for example a shelf of a basin, sink and similar.

[0017] Preferably, the tap body 8 has a thread 12 on an external surface 10 thereof suitable to for example enabling the body to be screw mounted in a threaded seat or enabling special ring nuts or washers 16 to be screwed in order to enable the tap body 8 to be mounted for example on a shelf.

[0018] The tap body 8 encloses a cavity 18 suitable to house a dispensing device 20.

[0019] Said cavity 18 is defined by an inner surface 22 opposite the outer surface 10.

[0020] The tap body 8, at an end suitable to receive the dispensing device 20, comprises a collar 23 such as of a circular shape, suitable to form a rest and a stop of tap body 8 on a shelf. Preferably the collar 23 is one with the tap body 8.

[0021] Particularly, the collar 23 identifies a first face 23'suitable to abut against a shelf for the tap body to be fitted and a second face 23''opposite said first face 23'in relation to axis W.

[0022] The dispensing device 20 can be connected to at

least one inlet 24 to receive a fluid to be dispensed and at least one outlet 26 for said fluid to be dispensed.

[0023] For example the dispensing device 20 can be connected to two inlets 24 for the supply of hot water and cold water respectively to be mixed and dispensed through the outlet 26.

[0024] The dispensing device 20, at one control end 28, is provided with a control lever 30 suitable to rotate selectively in order to put at least one inlet 24 with the outlet 26 in fluid communication.

[0025] Said control lever 30 has a substantially cylindrical shape and extends along an axis Z. The control lever 30, at a first end 31 is operatively connected to the control end 28 of the dispensing device 20.

[0026] For example, the control lever 30 can be hinged to the dispensing device 20 so as to rotate in relation to an axis X perpendicular to a plane A and to modify the flow of fluid dispensed through the at least one outlet 26.

[0027] According to one embodiment, the control lever 30 is hinged so as to rotate around the axis X from a closure position, illustrated for example in figure 4 to an opening position, illustrated for example in figure

5.

[0028] In the closure position, the control lever 30 is inclined so that on plane A the axis Z forms with axis W an angle of for example 10 sexagesimal degrees. In this position the control lever 30 prevents the fluid connection between the at least one inlet 24 and the outlet 26, so as to block the dispensing of the fluid.

[0029] In the opening position, the control lever 30 is inclined so that, on the plane A, the axis Z forms with the axis W an angle for example of 20 sexagesimal degrees, from the opposite side to the closure position, in order to enable the fluid connection between the inlet 24 and the outlet 26, and therefore the dispensing of fluid.

[0030] According to one embodiment, the control lever 30 is hinged to the dispensing device 20 through a ball joint 32, in order to be able to rotate in relation to at least two axes X, Y angled to one another and to be able to mix advantageously the fluids intercepted by at least two inlets 24 and channel them towards the at least one outlet 26. For example the lever can rotate in relation to an axis Y perpendicular to a plane B, said plane being in turn orthogonal to plane A.

[0031] Various types of dispensing device 20 are known, provided with a control lever 30 and suitable to

regulate the dispensing of a flow of fluid, all compatible with the invention herein.

[0032] The control lever 30, at a second end 34, opposite to the first end 31 in relation to the axis Z, comprises a threaded stretch 36.

[0033] Advantageously the tap 4 comprises a stop element 38 suitable to cooperate with the dispensing device 20.

[0034] According to one embodiment, the stop element 38 has a substantially cylindrical shape with an axis T and is provided with an aperture 42 passing through the stop element 38 and suitable to be passed through by said control lever 30.

[0035] Preferably, the stop element 38 couples mechanically to the dispensing device 20 at the control end 28 and is substantially coaxial thereto. In other words, in an assembly configuration the axis T of the stop element substantially overlaps with axis W of the tap body 8.

[0036] Preferably, the stop element 38, at an end facing the control end 28 is substantially counter-shaped in relation to the control end itself of the dispensing device 20, so as to abut against the control end.

[0037] According to one embodiment, the substantially flat abutment surface 46 is perpendicular to axis T, so that, in an assembly configuration of the stop element

38, the abutment surface 46 is perpendicular to axis W of the tap body 8.

[0038] According to a further embodiment, the abutment surface 46 is flat and is not perpendicular to the axis T and to the axis W of the tap body. In other words, the abutment surface 46 is enclosed within an inclined plane in relation to a plane perpendicular to axes T and W.

[0039] According to a further embodiment, the abutment surface 46 is not flat but it is a portion of a spherical surface, i. e. it is part of a spherical cap and can be both concave and convex from the opposite side to the control end 28.

[0040] According to a preferred embodiment, the stop element 38, at an end opposite to the control end 28 of the dispensing device 20, comprises a abutment surface 46 substantially flat and perpendicular to axis S. The abutment surface 46 has substantially a circular crown shape and is coaxial to the aperture 42 and the control end 28.

[0041] Preferably, the stop element 38 is fitted inside the cavity 18 of the tap body 8 between the dispensing device 20 and the inner surface 22 of the tap body 8 in order to form an axial bond for the dispensing device 20, i. e. along the axis W and a radial bond, i. e. perpendicular to the axis W.

[0042] Preferably, in an assembly configuration of the stop element 38 on the dispensing device 20, the abutment surface 46 is aligned with the face 23''of the collar 23 of the tap body 8; in other words the abutment surface 46 and the end surface are aligned with one another and make a substantially continuous surface.

[0043] Preferably, the face 23''is shaped such that, in an assembly configuration of the stop element 38 on the tap body 8 there is continuity between the face 23''and the abutment surface 46. In other words, the face 23'' is joined with the abutment surface 46.

[0044] Advantageously, the control lever 30 of the dispensing device 20 is free to rotate through the aperture 42 of the stop element 38, without interfering therewith.

[0045] The tap 4 advantageously comprises a drive element 50 that can be associated to the control lever 30 for the movement of the control lever 30.

[0046] According to one embodiment, the drive element 50 has an overall cylindrical shape in relation to the axis S and comprises a seat 54, passing through the drive element 50.

[0047] Said seat 54, in an assembly configuration, is suitable to house at least a portion of the control lever 30.

[0048] Particularly, the seat 54 has a section greater than the section of the control lever 30 in relation to a plane substantially perpendicular to axis W and axis S, in order to enable the passage of the control lever 30.

[0049] At one end faced towards the dispensing device 20, along the axis S, the drive element 50 has a coupling portion 56 having a circular crown shaped section and defining a rest surface 57 suitable to abut and/or rest against the abutment surface 46 of the stop element 38.

[0050] The coupling portion is advantageously counter- shaped in relation to the corresponding abutment surface 46 in order to ease the relative sliding between the rest surface 57 and the abutment surface 46.

[0051] Preferably, the rest surface 57 is flat and is parallel to the abutment surface 46.

[0052] According to a further embodiment, the rest surface 57 and the abutment surface 46 are curved surfaces, such as portions of spherical caps suitable to slide relative to one another.

[0053] Preferably, the coupling portion 56 is made in a plastic or polymeric material.

[0054] Preferably, the drive element 50 comprises a ring- shaped portion or rib 58 suitable to rotatably tow the control lever 30.

[0055] Advantageously the rib 58 is suitable to tow the control lever 30 by interacting with a stretch of a side wall of the control lever itself. According to one possible embodiment, the drive element 50, and more precisely its rib 58, are not fixed or mounted directly on the control lever 30 but interact therewith, when following a movement of the control organ, the latter and particularly the rib 58 come into contact, optionally borrowed, with the control lever 30.

[0056] Particularly the rib 58 comprises a thrust surface 60, having for example a truncated cone configuration.

[0057] The rib 58 forms a narrowing of the seat 54 in relation to a plane perpendicular to the axis S.

[0058] According to a possible embodiment, the rib 58 defines a concave housing 62 on the opposite side to the abutment surface 46; said housing 62 extends from the rib 58 in the opposite direction to the coupling portion 56.

[0059] According to a possible embodiment, the tap 4 comprises coupling means 66 interposed between the drive element 50 and the control lever 30 so as to enable an easier interaction between the control lever 30 and the drive element 50.

[0060] The coupling means 66 cooperate with the control lever 30 and the drive element 50 so as to enable the

motion of the drive element to be transmitted to the control lever 30.

[0061] According to an embodiment, said coupling means 66 comprise a body 68 for example substantially spherical suitable to be contained in said housing 62 and suitable to abut against the thrust surface 60 of the rib 58 for the motion to be transmitted from the drive element 50 to the control lever 30.

[0062] Preferably, the coupling means 66 comprise elastic means 70 suitable to elastically push the body 68 to abut against the thrust surface 60 of the rib 58.

[0063] According to an embodiment, said elastic means 70 comprise a spring 74 coaxially mounted around the control lever 30 on the opposite side to the hinging point of the control lever 30 to the dispensing device 20. A nut 78, mounted on the threaded stretch 36 locks in position the spring 74 in order to keep the spring 74 compressed between the nut 78 and the body 68, so as to force the body 68 to abut against the thrust surface 60.

[0064] Advantageously, the coupling means 66 by elastic means 70 and the body 68, if present, are forcedly interposed between the drive element 50 and the control lever 30. In other words, the contact between the drive element 50 and the control lever 30 is mediated by the coupling means, preferably in correspondence with a

stretch of the side surface of the control lever itself.

[0065] Advantageously the tap comprises a cover 82 suitable to cover at least partially the drive element 50.

[0066] The cover 82 has for example a cylindrical shape and is substantially hollow in order to be fitted on the drive element 50.

[0067] The cover 82 can be coupled to the drive element 50 by a forced type coupling or by the use of threaded connection means 86. In other words, the cover 82, suitable to be grasped, does not act directly on the control lever 30 but through the drive element 50 and optionally the coupling means 66.

[0068] Preferably on its outer surface, i. e. opposite to the associable drive element 50, the cover 82 presents an ergonomic shape suitable to facilitate the grip by the user.

[00691The operation of the tap according to the invention will now be described.

[0070] In particular, a user can manoeuvre the driving device 50 making the same slide along the abutment surface 46.

[0071 The drive element 50 tows with it the control lever 30 that rotates so as to dispense the fluid through the tap 4, according to the rotation motions

enabled by the type of hinging of the control lever 30 in relation to the dispensing device 20.

[0072] For example the drive element 50 can be moved back and forth to change the flow rate to be dispensed, along a first driving axis for example Y and move the drive element towards the right and the left in order to mix as desired two or more fluids to be dispensed, along a second driving axis such as X perpendicular to the first driving axis.

[00731 If allowed by the hinging type of control lever 30, the drive element 50 can be moved along any direction including a plane containing the abutment surface.

[0074] As may be appreciated from the description, the drawbacks presented by prior art taps can be overcome by the tap disclosed.

[0075] Particularly, the tap according to the invention is of a small size. In fact, as no lever is fixed to the control lever the tap according to the invention does not require wide manoeuvring room as in the case of prior art taps.

[00761 Besides, the tap according to the invention can be operated with a grip that is ergonomic and simple to manufacture.

[00771 The guiding translation movement of the drive

element allows an accurate adjustment of the flow rate to be dispensed, in a continuous and controlled manner.

[0078] In other words, the rest provided by the abutment surface enables to shift the drive element in a progressive and ergonomic manner, thus preventing a staggered operation of the tap.

[0079] By providing a drive element 50 which is not directly fixed to the control lever 30 simplifies mounting and enables to associate a rotation movement of the control lever 30 to a translation movement of the drive element 50. By providing that the drive element 50 interacts with the control lever 30 in correspondence with a stretch of side surface of the latter one advantageously obtains a reduction in dimensions above all in height and a more smooth and ergonomic motion.

[0080] By originally providing coupling means 66 enables to ensure both the interaction between the drive element 50 and the control lever 30 and the contact between the drive element 50 and the stop element 38.

[0081] Advantageously providing a drive element 50 suitable to receive the control lever 30 makes the tap according to the present invention suitable to any type of adjustment device 20, thus also enabling tap assemblies already in use to be modified thereby reducing costs and mounting operations.

[0082] It is understood that variants and/or additions to what described and illustrated above may be provided.

[0083] For example the cover 82 can be omitted. Besides the connection between the drive element 50 and the control lever 30 can be made by elastic means alone without the presence of a body 68, or the body 68 may have different shapes and sizes other than those described and illustrated and in particular it may not be spherical.

[0084] As previously mentioned above the abutment surface 42 may be flat and perpendicular to the axis W or inclined in relation thereto or also of a spherical shape for example convex or concave.

[0085] The tap according to the present invention could for example be made without coupling means 66, i. e. with a direct contact between the drive element and the control lever, optionally providing otherwise the contact between the drive element and the stop element.

[0086] A man skilled in the art, in order to satisfy contingent and specific requirements, will be able to make a number of modifications and variants to the tap described above, all being contained within the scope of protection the invention as defined by the following claims.