IP Library Granted Patent US 8,713,725
Granted Patent B2
US 8,713,725 · App. 12/007,453 · Granted May 6, 2014

Water outlet fitting

Inventors: Hans-Ulrich Alder (Moosleerau, CH); Michael Lehner (Graenichen, CH); Heinz Graber (Oberkulm, CH)
Assignee: KWC AG
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,713,725
App. No.
12/007,453
Granted
May 6, 2014
Kind
B2
Abstract

The rinsing device comprises a flexible connecting pipe which at one end is connected to a connecting element which may be attached to a fitting and at the other end bears a spray head with an actuating lever. The spray head is held on a holder, which protrudes outwardly from the connecting element. The connecting pipe comprises a flexible water feed pipe which is surrounded by a casing element, which is formed by a single spiral tension spring consisting of one piece. Said spiral tension spring consists of a first upright spring portion having a straight spring axis, a second curved spring portion attached thereto and a third, similarly upright spring portion having a straight spring axis, which is attached to the second spring portion. A tube-shaped protective casing extends around the casing element which protects the casing element from soiling.

Claims (19)

1. A water outlet fitting comprising a flexible water feed pipe which at one end may be connected to a water supply and at the other end is connected to a spray head, and with a bendable, deformable casing element surrounding the water feed pipe, wherein

the casing element is surrounded by a flexible tube-shaped protective casing; and

the casing element is formed by a helical spring which comprises at least first and second spring portions each having a straight spring axis in which in a resting state windings bear against one another under pretension, and a curved third spring portion arranged between said first and second spring portions having a curved spring axis in which the windings on an inner face thereof bear against one another, and on an outer face thereof are arranged at a mutual distance from one another, such that, when the spray head has been deflected relative to one of the straight spring axes, the curved spring portion, together with the two spring portions having, in the resting state, the straight spring axis, ensures that the spray head automatically returns into a resting position, in which under the action of all spring portions, the spray head adopts a stable position.

2. The water outlet fitting as claimed in claim 1 , wherein at each end of the helical spring a spring portion having a straight spring axis is provided.

3. The water outlet fitting as claimed in claim 1 , wherein an end of the first spring portion on an inlet side having a straight spring axis is supported by means of a tubular support element engaging in an inside of said first spring portion, which is preferably part of a connecting piece which may be connected to a fitting.

4. The water outlet fitting as claimed in claim 1 , wherein an end of the water feed pipe on an inlet side is fixedly clamped between a tubular clamping piece engaging in an inside of the water feed pipe and a connecting piece surrounding the water feed pipe and which may be attached to a fitting.

5. The water outlet fitting as claimed in claim 1 , wherein an end of the water feed pipe on an outlet side is fixedly clamped between a tubular clamping piece engaging inside the water feed pipe and a connecting part surrounding the water feed pipe attached to the spray head.

6. The water outlet fitting as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the protective casing on an end on an outlet side is connected to a connecting part which is attached to a nozzle part.

7. The water outlet fitting as claimed in claim 6 , wherein an end of the casing element on the outlet side terminates at a distance from the connecting part.

8. The water outlet fitting as claimed in claim 6 , wherein an end of the second spring portion on the outlet side having a straight spring axis is supported by means of a tubular support element engaging in an inside of said second spring portion, which is part of the connecting part.

9. The water outlet fitting as claimed in claim 1 , wherein in the resting state, the first spring portion having a straight spring axis is upright.

10. The water outlet fitting as claimed in claim 9 , wherein in the resting state, the second spring portion having a straight spring axis extends approximately parallel to the first spring portion having a straight spring axis.

11. The water outlet fitting as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising:

a holder for fixing the spray head in its resting position, on which the spray head is releasably held by means of magnetic force.

12. The water outlet fitting as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the helical spring forming the casing element has a plurality of spring portions having a straight spring axis, which are respectively connected to one another via a curved spring portion.

13. The water outlet fitting as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the water outlet fitting is a rinsing fitting.

14. The water outlet fitting as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the water outlet fitting is a shower spray fitting.

15. The water outlet fitting as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the windings on the inner face of the curved third spring portion bear against one another under pretension.

16. The water outlet fitting as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the spray head is fixedly mounted in a fixed distance relative to the casing element.

Assignments (3)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 20, 2024
From: KWC AG
To: FRANKE WATER SYSTEMS AG
Reel/Frame 066839/0380 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Mar 20, 2024
From: FRANKE WATER SYSTEMS AG
To: KWC GROUP AG
Reel/Frame 066839/0410 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 29, 2008
From: ALDER, HANS-ULRICH; LEHNER, MICHAEL; GRABER, HEINZ
To: KWC AG
Reel/Frame 020881/0460 →
Priority Claims (1)
EP 07000432 · Jan 10, 2007 · regional
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20080196160A1 · Aug 21, 2008