DRAIN FOR SANITARY FIXTURES

Abstract

A drain for sanitary fixtures such as sinks, tubs or the like is described. The drain is provided with an automatic overflow mechanism, of the magnetic type, configured to be automatically activated when the water level in the sanitary fixture reaches the maximum level allowed. The overflow mechanism comprises a first magnetic element arranged on a stem of the plug, and a second magnetic element integral with the head of the plug and in-between the base and the first magnetic element. In the raised position of the plug, corresponding to the raised position of the head, the first magnetic element and the second magnetic element are magnetically coupled. When a threshold value of the water pressure acting on the head is exceeded, the first magnetic element and the second magnetic element are automatically uncoupled, causing the descent of the head towards the lowered position, corresponding to the opening of the mouth of the sanitary fixture initially closed by the plug.

The drain preferably further comprises a manual lifting mechanism to lift the plug, configured to bring back the plug to the raised closed position following activation. Preferably, also the lifting mechanism is magnetic.

Claims

1. A drain (1) for sanitary fixtures, comprising: a body (2) that can be fastened to a sanitary fixture, for example a sink, provided with a base (3) and a top (4), wherein the base (3) comprises an opening (5) for draining the water and the top (4) delimits the mouth (6) for the inlet of water in the body (2) of the drain (1); a plug (7) housed in the body (2) of the drain and movable with respect to it between a lowered position, at which the plug (7) does not intercept the mouth (6), thus allowing the passage of water, and a raised position, at which the plug (7) closes the mouth (6) and prevents the passage of water, an overflow mechanism (15) combined with the plug (7) and configured to allow the plug (7) to automatically lower, by opening the mouth (6) when a threshold value of the water pressure acting on the plug (7) itself is exceeded, wherein the overflow mechanism (15) is magnetic and comprises a first elastic element (24), characterized in that the reloading of the overflow mechanism (15) is subordinated to, following its activation, the compression of the first elastic element (24) exerted by a user.

2. Drain (1) according to claim 1, wherein the plug (7) comprises a stem (16) extending along a longitudinal axis (X) between a lower portion (14) and an upper portion (18), and a head (17) cooperating with the inner edge of the mouth (6) for sealing the mouth (6) itself and for preventing the passage of water, wherein the head (17) is coaxially fitted on the upper portion (18) of the stem (16) and is slidable relative thereto between a raised position and a lowered position with respect to the upper portion (18) of the stem (16), wherein the overflow mechanism (15) comprises a first magnetic element (19) arranged on the upper portion (18) of the stem (16), and a second magnetic element (20) integral with the head (17) and in-between the base (3) and the first magnetic (19) element, and wherein, in the raised position of the plug (7), corresponding to the raised position of the head (17), the first magnetic element (19) and the second magnetic element (20) are magnetically coupled and wherein, when a threshold value of the water pressure acting on the head (17) is exceeded, the first magnetic element (19) and the second magnetic element (20) are automatically uncoupled, causing the descent of the head (17) towards the lowered position, corresponding to the opening of the mouth (6).

3. Drain (1) according to claim 2, wherein the head (17) comprises a bushing (21) slidingly fitted on the stem (16) and an upper portion (22), which carries out the closing of the mouth (6) in the raised position, fitted on the bushing (21) with a telescopic coupling, wherein the bushing (21) and the upper portion (22) of the plug (7) are integrally movable along the longitudinal axis (X) between the raised position and the lowered position of the head (17), and the bushing (21) returns inside the upper portion (22) of the head (17), thus allowing the further lowering of the upper portion (22) in the body (2) of the drain (1), when the bushing (21) reaches a descent stop, corresponding to the overflow mechanism (15) being active and the mouth (6) being open.

4. Drain (1) according to claim 3, wherein a housing (12) provided on the base (3) acts as a descent stop for the bushing (21).

5. Drain (1) according to claim 3, wherein the second magnetic element (20) is arranged aboard the bushing (21).

6. Drain (1) according to claim 2, wherein the first elastic element (24) is interposed between the head (17) and the stem (16) of the plug (7), and wherein the first elastic element (24) can be compressed for bringing the first magnetic element (19) and the second magnetic element (20) back to magnetic coupling, following the activation of the overflow mechanism (15).

7. Drain (1) according to claim 1, comprising a lifting mechanism (8) to raise the plug (7), intended to bring the plug (7) back to the raised position, in response to a stress exerted by the user.

8. Drain (1) according to claim 7, wherein the lifting mechanism (8) comprises a second elastic element (9), deformable during the descent of the plug (7), the plug (7) comprises a third magnetic element (10) and the lifting mechanism (8) comprises a fourth magnetic element (11), the third magnetic element (10) is in-between the base (3) of the body (2) and the fourth magnetic element (11), and the second elastic element (9) exerts a thrust on the plug (7) towards the relative raised position, and wherein, in the raised position of the plug (7), the third magnetic element (10) and the fourth magnetic element (11) are magnetically coupled.

9. Drain (1) according to claim 8, wherein the fourth magnetic element (11) is stationary with respect to the body (2).

10. Drain (1) according to claim 8, comprising a housing (12) extending from the base (3) towards the inside of the body (2), and wherein a first hole (13) is obtained at the end of the housing (12) opposite the base (3), and a lower portion (14) of the plug (7) is slidingly inserted in said first hole (13) and the third magnetic element (10) is arranged on said lower portion (14) and moves with it inside the housing (12) between a lowered position and a raised position, and wherein the fourth magnetic element (11) is positioned at the first hole (13), integral with the housing (12) and, therefore, with the body (2).

11. Drain (1) according to claim 10, wherein the second elastic element (9), preferably a helical spring, is positioned inside the housing (12), functionally interposed between the base (3) of the body (2) and the lower portion (14) of the plug (7).

12. Drain (1) according to claim 8, wherein the fourth magnetic element (11) is toroidal and surrounds a lower portion (14) of the plug (7).

13. Drain (1) according to claim 10, wherein the third magnetic element (10) is arranged on the lower portion (14) of the plug 7), under the fourth magnetic element (11), and the magnetic coupling between the third magnetic element (10) and the fourth magnetic element (11) occurs at the stop of the lower portion (14) of the plug (7), the lower portion being completely raised in the housing (12).

14. Drain (1) according to claim 8, wherein the magnetic coupling between the third magnetic element (10) and the fourth magnetic element (11) is reversible, i.e. the third magnetic element (10) can be manually separated/moved away from the fourth magnetic element (11), by exerting a thrust on the plug (7).

15. Drain (1) according to claim 14, wherein the switching of the plug (7) from the lowered position to the raised position occurs in response to the initial compression of the second elastic element (9) and the first elastic element (24), exerted by the user, and to their successive extension.

16. Drain (1) according to claim 14, wherein the third magnetic element (10), the fourth magnetic element (11), the first magnetic element (19) and the second magnetic element (20) are calibrated so that the force necessary for separating the first magnetic element (19) from the second magnetic element (20) is lower than the force necessary for separating the third magnetic element (10) from the fourth magnetic element (11).

17. Drain (1) according to claim 16, wherein the force necessary for separating the first magnetic element (19) from the second magnetic element (20) is exerted by the water being at the maximum level allowed in the sanitary fixture, and the force necessary for separating the third magnetic element (10) from the fourth magnetic element (11) is exerted manually by the user by pushing the plug (7) towards the base (3) of the body (2) of the drain (1).

18. Drain (1) according to claim 7, wherein the overflow mechanism (15) is independent from the lifting mechanism (8) while opening the mouth (6) when the threshold value of the water pressure acting on the plug (7) itself is exceeded.

19. Drain (1) according to claim 7, wherein the closing of the mouth (6) by the overflow mechanism (15) is subordinated to the activation of the lifting mechanism (8) by the user.

20. Drain (1) according to claim 7, wherein the overflow mechanism (15) and the lifting mechanism (8) are housed in the drain (1) at different heights.

Description

BRIEF LIST OF THE FIGURES

[0063] Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will be better highlighted by the review of the following detailed description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment illustrated by way of example and without limitations, with the aid of the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0064] FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a drain according to the present invention, considered on a plane passing through the longitudinal axis X of the drain, in a first closing configuration;

[0065] FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the drain shown in FIG. 1, considered on a plane passing through the longitudinal axis X of the drain, in a second opening configuration of the overflow;

[0066] FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the drain shown in FIG. 1, considered on a plane passing through the longitudinal axis X of the drain, in a third reloading configuration;

[0067] FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the drain shown in FIG. 1, considered on a plane passing through the longitudinal axis X of the drain, in a fourth reclosing configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0068] With reference to FIGS. 1-3, a drain according to the present invention is denoted by the numerical reference 1 and comprises a body 2 in turn provided with a base 3 and a top 4, in practice a rosette. At least one opening 5 for draining the water is present in the base 3; the base 3 can also be configured as a grid. The top 4 delimits a mouth 6 through which the water drained from the sanitary fixture through the drain 1 flows.

[0069] A plug 7, susceptible of displacements (translations) on the longitudinal axis X between a raised position and a lowered position, is housed in the body 2 of the drain 1. In the raised position, the plug 7 seals the mouth 6, thus preventing the passage of water; in the lowered position, the plug 7 is not flush with the rosette 4 and does not close the mouth 6, thus allowing the draining of the water.

[0070] The plug 7 is supported by a lifting mechanism 8, whose function is to bring back the plug 7 to the raised position in response to a force imparted by the user, as will be explained below.

[0071] The drain 1 is provided with an overflow mechanism 15 combined with the plug 7 and distinct from the lifting mechanism 8. The operation of the overflow mechanism 15 is to allow the plug 7 to automatically lower, thus opening the mouth 6 when a threshold value of the water pressure acting on the plug 7 itself is exceeded, i.e. when a maximum level of water contained in the sanitary fixture is exceeded.

[0072] More in detail, the plug 7 comprises a head 17 cooperating with the inner edge of the mouth 6 for sealing the same mouth 6 and for preventing the passage of water. The outer diameter of the head 17, which is circular, corresponds to the inner diameter of the mouth 6. If necessary, an O-ring gasket is mounted on the head 17, otherwise it is dry-sealed, the sealing being achieved thanks to the shape-coupling of the head 17 with the inner edge of the mouth 6.

[0073] The plug 7 comprises a central stem 16 coaxial with the longitudinal axis X. The head 17 of the plug 7 is coaxially fitted on the upper portion 18 of the stem 16 and is slidable relative thereto between a raised position and a lowered position; in other words, the head 17 is constrained to the stem 16 with a telescopic coupling, so that to move with respect to the upper portion 18 of the stem 16 between a raised, or distal, position and a lowered, or proximal, position.

[0074] The overflow mechanism 15 comprises a first magnetic element 19 arranged on the upper portion 18 of the stem 16, and a second magnetic element 20 integral with the head 17 of the plug 7. The second magnetic element 20 is in a position in-between the base 3 and the first magnetic element 19.

[0075] The stem 16 is translatable along the longitudinal axis X, in particular moving with respect to the housing 12 provided at the base 3; thus, the first magnetic element 19 moves together with the stem 16 when it is pushed downwards by the user, thus causing the uncoupling of the magnetic elements 10 and 11 of the lifting mechanism 8 and the compression of a respective helical spring 9, as will be described in more detail below. When the stem 16 is stationary with respect to the body 2 of the drain 1, also the first magnetic element 19 is stationary.

[0076] In the raised position of the plug 7, corresponding to the raised position of the head 17 and to the mouth 6 being closed, the first magnetic element 19 and the second magnetic element 20 are magnetically coupled, i.e. they attract and are close to one another.

[0077] The operation of the overflow mechanism 15 is simple. When a threshold of the water pressure acting on the head 17 of the plug 7 is exceeded, the first magnetic element 19 and the second magnetic element 20 are automatically uncoupled, thus moving away from one another, causing the descent of the head 17 towards the lowered position and thus causing the opening of the mouth 6. Following the activation, the overflow mechanism 15 does not bring back the plug 7 to the raised position: the plug remains in the lowered position shown in FIG. 2, with the consequence that the whole volume of water contained in the sanitary fixture is drained. This circumstance is acceptable for example in sinks, because they usually contain few liters of water with respect to a bathtub, for example.

[0078] In practice, the manufacturer of the drain 1 will take care to select the magnetic elements 19 and 20 with the calibration corresponding to the maximum level of water desired. In other words, the magnetic elements 19 and 20 are selected to ensure the respective magnetic uncoupling when the maximum level of water is exceeded.

[0079] Preferably, the head 17 further comprises a bushing 21 slidingly fitted on the stem 16 of the plug 7, and an upper portion 22, which is the portion that physically carries out the closing of the mouth 6 in the raised position. The upper portion 22 is fitted on the bushing 21 with a telescopic coupling.

[0080] The function of the bushing is the following: the bushing 21 and the upper portion 22 of the plug 7 are integrally movable along the longitudinal axis X between the raised position and the lowered position of the head 17, i.e. are integral in the movement that brings the head 17 from the position shown in FIG. 1 to the position shown in FIG. 2. The bushing 21 returns inside the upper portion 22 of the head 17 of the plug 7, thus allowing the further lowering of the upper portion 22 in the body 2 of the drain 1, when the bushing 21 reaches a descent stop, corresponding to the overflow mechanism 15 being active and the mouth 6 being open. In practice, the descent stop of the bushing 21 is constituted by the housing 12: the bushing 21 goes in abutment against the edge of the first hole 13.

[0081] In the example shown in the figures, the second magnetic element 20 is arranged aboard the bushing 21 and is preferably toroidal.

[0082] By looking at the figures, it can be noted that the first magnetic element 19 always remains above the second magnetic element 20.

[0083] The overflow mechanism 15 comprises a first elastic element 24, in practice a first helical spring, interposed between the head 17 and the stem 16 of the plug 7. The helical spring 24 can be compressed for reloading the overflow mechanism 15, i.e. for bringing the first magnetic element 19 and the second magnetic element 20 back to magnetic coupling following the activation of the overflow mechanism 15.

[0084] In practice, when the overflow mechanism 15 is activated, the plug automatically lowers from the raised position shown in FIG. 1 to the lowered position shown in FIG. 2 because the magnetic elements 19 and 20, initially coupled to hold the plug 7, separate: the thrust exerted by the water being greater than the magnetic attraction between the magnetic elements 19 and 20. Following the relative activation, in order to reload the overflow mechanism 15, i.e. to bring it back to the raised position of FIG. 1, the user must exert a downwards thrust as shown in FIG. 3, thus compressing the helical spring 24 and bringing back the magnetic elements 19 and 20 to coupling (magnetic), i.e. close to or in contact with one another.

[0085] At this point, as explained above, by releasing the plug 7, a second elastic element 9, belonging to the lifting mechanism 8, brings back the plug 7 to the raised position with the overflow mechanism 15 ready for a new activation.

[0086] As will now be described, the overflow mechanism 15 cooperates with the lifting mechanism 8, for which the Applicant reserves the right to deposit a divisional patent application.

[0087] As disclosed above, the lifting mechanism 8 comprises a second elastic element 9, in practice a second helical spring interposed between the base 3 and the plug 7. The spring 9 operates by compression, i.e. it is compressed by the user and, by returning to is original length, pushes the plug 7 upwards to bring to in the raised position. The lifting mechanism 8 further comprises: [0088] a third magnetic element 10 fastened to the plug at its lower portion 14 and, more particularly, on a stem 16 of the plug 7 (to which its lower portion 14 belongs), and [0089] a fourth magnetic element 11 fastened to the body 2 of the drain 1.

[0090] A second elastic element 9 is also interposed between the plug 7 and the base 3 of the body 2 of the drain 1, preferably a helical spring as shown in the figures, that is compressed when the plug 7 is pushed downwards and that, when the thrust on the plug 7 ceases, exerts an upwards thrust on the plug 7 by extending to the initial length.

[0091] The thrust exerted by the helical spring 9 is preferably sufficient to bring back the plug 7 to the respective raised position; if not, the third magnetic element 10 and the fourth magnetic element 11 cooperate to ensure the proper operation of the plug, in the sense that the fourth magnetic element 11 attracts the third magnetic element 10 until bringing it to the height provided. In other words, when the helical spring 9 is not sufficient to raise the plug, the two magnetic elements 10 and 11 intervene and ensure the repositioning of the plug at the height corresponding to the raised position by magnetically coupling with one another.

[0092] The helical spring 9 of the lifting mechanism 8 is preferably arranged in a housing 12 extending towards the inside of the body 2 of the drain 1, starting from the base 3. The housing 12 is perforated on top: the stem 16 of the plug 7 is slidingly inserted through a first hole 13 obtained on the portion of the housing 12 opposite the base 2. As can be noted by looking at the figures, the third magnetic element 10 is positioned at the lower end of the stem 16 of the plug 7 and the fourth magnetic element 11 is toroidal and extends around the first hole 13; since the stem 16 cannot slip out of the housing 12, the third magnetic element 10 is always at a lower, or at most corresponding, height with respect to the fourth magnetic element 11.

[0093] The operation of the lifting mechanism 8 is simple. Following the lowering of the plug, caused by the voluntary action of the user or by the intervention of an overflow mechanism 15, the plug 7 switches from the raised position shown in FIG. 1 and corresponding to the mouth 6 being closed, to a lowered position shown in FIG. 2 and corresponding to the mouth 6 being open for the draining of the water. In order to bring back the plug 7 to the raised position shown in FIG. 1, the user must exert a downwards thrust on the plug 7 itself, i.e. must manually push the plug 7 towards the base 3 to magnetically uncouple the magnetic elements 10 and 11 and compress the helical spring 9, as shown in FIG. 3.

[0094] In particular, FIG. 3 shows the drain 1 in a third configuration for reloading both the lifting mechanism 8 and the overflow mechanism 15: the springs 9 and 24 being completely compressed, the stem 16 and the head 17 being at the respective lower stop.

[0095] FIG. 4 shows the drain 1 in a fourth configuration for returning to the closed position: the plug 7 being raised to reach the configuration shown in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 4, the spring 24 extends first, i.e. the head 17 of the plug 7 is raised with respect to the stem 16 and, in a second moment, the spring 9 extends to raise the whole stem 16 and thus the whole plug 7 with the overflow mechanism 8 already armed.

[0096] At this point, by releasing the plug 7, the helical spring 9, extending itself, raises the plug 7 towards the raised position and, as explained above, the magnetic elements 10 and 11 magnetically couple to ensure the positioning and keeping of the raised position of the plug 7.

[0097] It is thus clear that the closing of the mouth 6 by the overflow mechanism 15 is subordinated both to the compression of the spring 24 and to the activation of the lifting mechanism 8 determined by the compression of the spring 9.

[0098] As can be noted by looking at the pictures, the overflow mechanism 15 and the lifting mechanism 8 are at different heights with respect to the axis of the drain. In particular, in the examples shown, the two mechanisms 8 and 15 are coaxial and the overflow mechanism 15 is above the lifting mechanism 8.

[0099] The integration between the lifting mechanism 8 and the overflow mechanism 15 can easily be achieved by taking care to calibrate the magnetic elements 10, 11, 19, 20 so that the force necessary for separating the first magnetic element 19 from the second magnetic element 20 is lower than the force necessary for separating the third magnetic element 10 from the fourth magnetic element 11.

[0100] More in particular, the force necessary for separating the first magnetic element 19 from the second magnetic element 20 is exerted by the water being at the maximum level allowed in the sanitary fixture; the force necessary for separating the third magnetic element 10 from the fourth magnetic element 11 is exerted manually by the user with a finger, by pushing the plug 7 towards the base 3 of the body 2 of the drain 1.

[0101] The solution suggested is particularly appropriate for use in sinks, wherein very hot or dirt water or water mixed with aggressive detergents is often used, and immersing the hands may not be possible without gloves. Moreover, in sinks, it is preferable to have an overflow mechanism 15 devoid of automatic raising, because the maximum volume of water contained in sinks is limited and can be drained in a few seconds.