US3469603A - Fold-up tub spout - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 30, 1969 R. w. NAGEL 3,469,603

FOLD-UP TUB SPOUT Filed Feb. 23, 1967' s Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR ber'r W.' a el Sept. 30, 1969 R. w. NAGEL FOLD-UP TUB SPOUT 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 23. 1967 FIG.3

Sept. 30, 1969 R. w. NAGEL 3,469,503

FOLD-UP TUB SPOUT Filed Feb. 23, 1967 3 SheetsSheet FIG.II F|G.l2

United States US. Cl. 137625.11 12 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates in general to water spout constructions, and in particular to a new and useful fold-up spout for bathtubs whereby the spout itself may be operated to direct liquid into the tub by merely moving the spout downwardly so that the discharge opening is aligned with the bathtub.

The present invention is directed to a spout construction which is partciularly adaptable for directing liquid into a bathtub, basin, sink or the like, and it is an improvement over the prior art structures in that it may be simply and easily mounted in a recess or receptor which is carried on a mounting wall or in a recess in the tub or sink with which it is associated. The invention provides a construction in which the pouring spout itself may be operated to direct liquid into the tub merely by moving the spout downwardly so that the discharge opening is aligned with the tub. The liquid will be automatically shut off when the device is moved backwardly into the recess defined by the spout receptor.

A three port variation of the invention provides a construction in which the raising and moving of the spout into the said recess will direct the flow of water from the tub to a shower riser, when used in conjunction with a shower tub combination.

In accordance with the invention there is provided a spout receptor which is adapted to the inserted into a wall or defined in a recess of a tub or basin or the like and onto one end of which is connected an inlet conduit for the liquid.

In a preferred arrangement, the spout receptor is advantageously formed or a metal part which is brazed directly to the inlet conduit which is connected to one side thereof. The complete construction includes a removable spout body which has an inlet port on one side which is adapted to align with the discharge port of the inlet conduit. The spout body advantageously includes an annular recessed portion which fits over an annular projection or bearing defined on the receptor or the inlet conduit, so that the spout body may be pivoted thereon upwardly and downwardly. The opposite side of the spout body advantageously carries a pivot pin which is adapted to engage in a recess of the spout receptor. The pivot pin is advantageously biased outwardly into engagement with the recess of the spout receptor in order to provide the firm anchoring of the spout body within the receptor. The construction is such that when the spout body is moved to a downward or operating position in which a discharge opening therein is aligned over the tub or basin with which it is associated, a port defined in the spout body will align with the port of the inlet conduit and water will flow into the spout body and be discharged through the spout discharge. The spout body may be simply and easily pivoted by rotation around the axis of the pivot pin and the mounting of the spout body on the annular projection of the inlet conduit to cause a port which is defined on the spout body to be moved out of alignment with the port of the inlet conduit and to cause a shutting ofi of the water flow. In its upperatent O 3,469,603 Patented Sept. 30, 1969 most position, the spout body is adapted to be contained completely within the recess defined by the spout receptor. When it is moved downwardly, a stop defined within the receptor limits the movement to a position in which the spout body will extend substantially horizontally and in which position the port in the body will align with the inlet port and water will flow out through the spout discharge.

In the three port variation a shower conduit is connected to the spout receptor in close proximity to the inlet conduit. The spout body construction will consist of two ports connected by a passageway and a third inlet port which would allow water to flow out the discharge end of the spout when the inlet port was aligned with the inlet conduit. The last mentioned flow of water out the discharge end of the spout would take place when the spout 'body was in the downward, or approximately horizontal position. When the spout body is raised to its uppermost, or recessed, position the two interconnected ports align with the inlet conduit and the shower conduit, thus allowing the water to flow from the inlet conduit through the interconnecting passageway to the shower conduit and into the shower riser. This three port arrangement would require the standard valve fittings to turn the water on or oli.

A feature of the invention is the simplicity of the parts and the simple manner of the mounting of the spout to the receptor and inlet conduit. A further feature is the provision of the pivot pin construction on one side of the spout body which permits the spout body to be inserted into or easily removed from the spout receptor.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a spout which is pivotally mounted in a receptor for movement between horizontal and vertical positions.

A further object of the invention is to provide a liquid spout construction including a spout body which is adapted to be retained within a receptor and pivotally mounted on an inlet conduit at one end and by means of a pivot pin which extends outwardly from a side of the spout body into a recess in the spout receptor on its opposite end, and wherein the spout body includes a port or ports which will align with the inlet when the spout body is moved to a predetermined orientation.

A further object of the invention is to provide a spout for a tub, basin or the like, which is pivotally mounted in respect to its associated liquid supply conduit and which may be pivoted to a first position at which liquid flows out of the conduit through the spout body and is discharged therefrom and to a second position at which the liquid will not flow out of the supply conduit and into the spout body.

A further object of the invention is to provide a spout for a tub, basin or the like, which is pivotally mounted in respect to its associated liquid supply conduit and which may be pivoted to a first position at which liquid fiows out of the conduit through the spout body and is discharged therefrom and to a second position at which the liquid will flow out of the supply or inlet conduit through a passageway in the spout body to a shower conduit.

A further object of the invention is to provide a spout which may be moved to a stored position in a receptor defined within a wall space.

A further object of the invention is to provide a spout which is simple in design, rugged in construction, and economical to manufacture.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a fold-up tub spout constructed in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of FIG. 1 partially in section;

FIG. 3 is a section plan view of a fold-up tub spout construction in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 4 is a partial section taken on the line 44 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a section taken on the line 5-5 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a partial section taken on the line 6-6 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a partial section showing another embodiment of the pivot pin construction;

FIG. 8 is an end elevation of the inlet to the spout body of another embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a partial section of a plan view showing another embodiment of the port arrangement with the spout in the up or recessed position;

FIG. 10 is a partial section as in FIG. 9 showing the spout in the down or horizontal position;

FIG. 11 is a section taken on the line 1111 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is a section taken on the line 1212 of FIG. 9.

Referring to the drawings shown in FIGS. 1 through 6 in particular, the invention as embodied therein comprises a fold-up tub spout or faucet generally designated 10 which is mounted in a recessed fixture or spout receptor generally designated 12.

In accordance with the invention, the spout receptor is pan-shaped and incldues an inner wall 14, sidewalls 16 and 18, and a top wall 20 and a bottom wall 22. The receptor 12 is mounted in a wall 24 to position it 111 alignment with the upper edge of, or slightly above, a tub or basin 26. The open end of the receptor 12 is provided with a marginal flange 28 which forms a covering or finish around the opening of the wall into which the receptor is fitted.

In a preferred arrangement, an inlet fitting 30 or liquid inlet conduit is advantageously secured to the receptor in a manner such that the inner bearing projection 32 thereof extends through a sidewall 16. The inlet conduit 30 may be advantageously brazed to the receptor 12 as indicated at 34.

In accordance with the invention, the spout 10 comprises a substantially hollow element WhlCl'l 1s boxshaped including flat top and bottom walls 36 and 38 respectively, which converge from a back wall 40 to a short front wall 42. Side walls 44 and 46 taper from the rear wall 40 toward the front wall 42.

The bottom wall 38 is provided with a threaded opening 47 through which the water is discharged, and in the embodiment illustrated, is provided with an external outlet fitting 45 for effecting a straight stream discharge.

The wall 46 of the spout 10 is provided with a re cessed portion 48 receiving a rotatable boss or extens1on 50 of the conduit 30. An O-ring 52 is carried in a recess of the recessed portion 48 of the wall 46 and provides a seal between the arts.

In the embodimgnts of FIGS. 1 through 6, the wall 46 is provided with two inlet openings or ports 54 and 56 which are adapted to align with corresponding openings or ports 58 and 60 of the inlet conduit 30 when the spout 10 is positioned in a substantlally horizontal position as indicated in FIG. 1. When the spout is moved to the upward or recessed position indlcated 111 FIG. 2 from the dotted horizontal position, the holes :34 and 56 are rotated out of alignment with the openings 58 and 60 to shut 011 the inlet conduit 30 so that no water will enter into the spout 10.

A feature of the construction is the mounting of the spout 10 within the receptor 12, and for this purpose the spout 10 is provided with a solid section 60 at the uncture of the wall 44 with the rear wall 40 which has a bore 62 in which a pivot pin 64 is slidable. The pin 64 includes a pointed end portion 66 which is adapted to ride in a recess 68 defined in a side Wall '18 of the receptor 12. The pivot pin 64 is held within the bore 62 by means of a nut 70 which is threaded into a threaded recess 71 in side wall 44 in alignment with the bore 62. The pin 64 is biased in a direction outwardly by a compres- 4 sion spring 72 which bears in an interior hollow portion of the pin 64 and against the inner end of the bore 62.

When it is desired to insert the spout 10 in the receptor 12, it is merely necessary to push the pivot pin 64 inwardly within the bore 62 against the force of the compression spring 72 and to center the recess 48 over the projection 50 to align the opposite side in position over the inlet conduit 30, and to thereafter align the point 66 of the pivot pin 64 in the recess 68. When the alignment is complete, the pin is permitted to fall into the recess by the force of the compression spring 7 2.

In the modified form indicated in FIG. 7, a pivot pin 65 is provided which includes a head portion 67 and a shank portion 80. The shank portion is provided with a snap washer 82 which is dimensioned so that it will not ride up the shank portion beyond a predetermined point and is arranged to receive the force of the spring 72 to urge the pointed end 67 into the recess 68. The pivot pin 65 is retained in position within the recess 62 by means of a nut 70 which is threaded into the upper end thereof, as in the other embodiment.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 8 instead of the openings 54 and 56, a single opening 84 may be provided in the end wall 46, and it will align with an opening 86 indicated in dotted lines in FIG. 8 only when the spout is moved downwardly to a horizontal operative position. The FIG. 8 shows the spout in the raised position with the openings 84 and 86 not aligned.

Thus, in accordance with the invention the spout 10 is mounted in the receptor 12 in a manner to permit it to be swung outwardly to the horizontal position in order to permit liquid flow through the conduit 30 through the spout 10 through the threaded opening 47 to which the external outlet fitting 45 is connected and through the external outlet fitting. In this horizontal position, the receptor is provided with an abutment or stop 88 which is adapted to contact a projection 90 formed on the rear wall 40 of the spout 10 to limit the downward position on the spout. The spout 10 may be rotated from the dotted line position indicated in FIG. 2 to the solid line position at which it will be recessed within the receptor 12 in a simple or easy manner. When this is done, the openings 54 and 56 are moved out of communication with the openings 58 and 60 and the liquid supply is shut off.

In some instances it is desirable to restrict or hinder the rotation of the spout 10 within the receptor, and for this purpose a set screw 92 is threaded into the wall 38 to bear against the pivot pin 64 in order to increase the frictional drag when moving the spout or for anchoring the spout in an adjusted position.

The invention is such that the liquid flow will be automatically turned on and off in accordance with the position of the spout, and the inlet may advantageously be connected, for example, to a shower, so that when the openings are not aligned, the back pressure in the inlet conduit 30 will cause a diversion of the water to the shower head.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 9 through 12 there is provision for a shower head to be incorporated into the invention. The conduit 94 consists of two passageways, a passageway leading to the shower lead 96 and an inlet passageway 98. The conduit 94 is assembled for connection to the side wall 46 of spout 10 in the manner as shown in the previous embodiment. The conduit 94 has an inlet port 100 and a shower port '102. The spout 10 has an embossment 103 adjoining the wall 46 and the rear wall 40 of spout 10. The base of the embossment which faces the conduit 94 consists of three fourths as shown in FIG. 11, port 104, and 106. The ports 104 and 105 being connected by a passageway 108, and the port 106 being completely through the embossment 103 into the interior of the spout end.

The face of the conduit 94 has the port 100 as an inlet port and a shower port 102 as shown in FIG. 12.

FIG. 9 shows the spout 10 in a recessed or raised position. This position as can be seen from FIG. 9 allows a flow of water through the inlet passageway 98 in conduit 94 through the inlet port 100 in the conduit '94, through the port 105 in the embossment 103 through the passageway 108 which is connected to the port 104 in the embossment 103 through the shower port 102 in the conduit 94 and through the shower passageway 06 in conduit 94 to a shower riser and then to the shower head.

When the spout 10 is in the downward or horizontal position as shown in FIG. 10 the face of the embossment 103 as shown in FIG. 11 is rotated so that the port 105 is aligned with the shower port 102 and the through port 106 in the embossrnent 103 is aligned with the inlet port 100 of the conduit 94 so that water may fiow directly into the interior of the spout through the spout body to the discharge end 47 and 45 of the spout.

As can be seen in the above embodiment provision is made for the incorporation in the invention of a shower conduit and a shower riser and head. This method would require that the fiow of water to the inlet passage 98 and conduit 94 be controlled by the normal bath fittings. By simply raising the spout 10 to the recessed position the water will be diverted to the shower riser and head.

The spout 10 may be easily removed in all the above embodiments from the receptor 12 by using a screw driver to depress the pivot pin within the bore provided to permit the spout to be moved away from the extension 50 of the inlet conduit, and the entire spout 10 to be disconnected from the receptor.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described in detail to illustrate the application of the inventive principles, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.

What is claimed is:

1. A water spout arrangement comprising a receptor adapted to be mounted in a fixed vertical position, an inlet conduit connected into said receptor, a tubular spout of a size permitting it to be received within the receptor, said spout having an inlet opening adjacent one end and a discharge opening adjacent the opposite end, and means for mounting said spout within said receptor with the inlet opening being pivotal with respect to said receptor and with the discharge opening being shiftable by pivoting said spout so that it is movable only over a 90 degree arc from a position within said receptor to a position in which it extends outwardly from said receptor, and perpendicular to said receptor, whereby water will flow from said spout only when it is positioned substantially horizontally with respect to the vertical position of said receptor, said means for mounting said spout Within said receptor comprising, a recess in the receptor, a bore in the side of the spout containing a hollow pin slidable therein, spring means extending into the hollow portion of the pin acting to bias said pin into the recess of said receptor and pivotally supporting said spout.

2. A water spout arrangement as defined in claim 1 wherein the said inlet conduit terminates in a cylindrical extension forming a bearing, said spout having a recessed portion rotatably supported on said cylindrical extension of said conduit and having an opening adjacent said recessed portion for the passage of liquid from said conduit to said spout, said spout being rotatable about said cylindrical extension of said conduit over an are which is perpendicular to said receptor for shifting said spout from a position at which it projects outwardly from said receptor and perpendicular thereto for the discharge of liquid through said discharge opening to a position at which a major portion is located within said receptor.

3. A water spout arrangement as defined in claim 2 wherein said inlet conduit has an opening which aligns with the opening of said spout only when said spout is oriented at a position in which the discharge is located outside of said receptor.

4. A water spout arrangement as defined in claim 3 wherein said receptor has a projecting portion defining a stop which is engageable with said spout when said spout is oriented in a position at which it extends outwardly from said receptor.

5. A water spout arrangement as defined in claim 1 wherein said bore is threaded and a retaining nut threaded into said bore and holding said pin therein.

6. A water spout arrangement for use with a basin, tub or the like, comprising a vertically oriented receptor [adapted to be mounted in a fixed position, an inlet conduit connected into said receptor, said inlet conduit terminating in a cylindrical extension forming a bearing, a tubular spout of a size permitting it to be received within the receptor, said spout having a recessed portion capable of receiving said cylindrical extension and said spout being rotatably supported on said cylindrical extension of said conduit, means for mounting said spout within said receptor comprising, a recess in the receptor, a bore in the side of the spout containing a hollow pin slidable therein, spring means extending into the hollow portion of the pin acting to bias said pin into the recess of said receptor and pivotally supporting said spout, a discharge opening defined in said spout at a spaced location from said first recessed portion, said spout being rotatable about said cylindrical extension of said conduit for shifting said spout over a degree are to a position at which it projects horizontally from said receptor for the continuous discharge of liquid through said discharge opening to a position at which a major portion is located within said receptor, said inlet conduit having at least one opening in said recessed portion of said spout only when said spout is oriented at a position in which the discharge opening is located outside of said receptor.

7. A water spout arrangement as defined in claim 6 wherein said cylindrical extension has at least two openings through which liquid may be discharged from said inlet conduit, said spout having at least two openings in said first recessed portion to permit the liquid to enter the interior of said spout, said openings to be of a size so as to be aligned with the corresponding openings of said recessed portion of said inlet conduit and located so that the openings may be aligned for liquid fiow only when said spout is oriented in a predetermined position outside of said receptor.

8. A water spout arrangement comprising a receptor adapted to be mounted in a fixed position, an inlet conduit connected into said receptor, said inlet conduit having a first passageway and a second passageway, said inlet conduit terminating in a cylindrical extention forming a bearing, said cylindrical extension having a first opening and a second opening connecting respectively with said first passageway and said second passageway, a tubular spout of a size permitting it to be received within the said receptor, said spout having a recessed portion capable of receiving said cylindrical extension of said inlet conduit and said spout rotatably supported on said cylindrical extension of said inlet conduit, said receesesd portion of said spout having a first opening for the passage of liquid from one of said openings from said inlet conduit to the interior of said spout, a second opening and a third opening in said recessed portion of said spout, a passageway connecting said second opening and said third opening in said recessed portion of said spout, a discharge opening defined in said spout at a spaced location from said recessed portion, said spout being rotatable about said cylindrical extension of said conduit for shifting said spout from a position at which it projects outwardly from said receptor for the discharge of liquid through said discharge opening to a position at which a major portion is located within said receptor.

9. A water spout arrangement as defined in claim 8 wherein liquid is admitted only through said first passageway and said inlet conduit, said first opening in said cylindrical extension of said inlet conduit aligns with said first opening in said recessed portion of said spout when the said spout is oriented at a position at which the discharge opening is located outside of said receptor.

10. A water spout arrangement as defined in claim 8 wherein said first opening and said cylindrical extension of said inlet conduit is aligned with said second opening in said cylindrical extension of said spout and said third Opening in said cylindrical extension of said spout is aligned with said second opening in said cylindrical extension of said inlet conduit when the said spout is oriented in a position of which a major portion of said spout is located within said receptor.

11. A water spout arrangement as defined in claim 8 wherein a pin member is carried in said spout on the opposite side of said recessed portion, means for biasing said pin into a recess defined in said receptor.

12. A water spout arrangement as defined in claim 11 wherein said biasing means comprises a compression spring having a hollow portion in the interior of said UNITED STATES PATENTS 515,552 2/1894 Phelps 222534 2,025,851 12/1935 Davis 251155 2,283,893 5/1942 Leslie 4--240 WILLIAM F. ODEA, Primary Examiner H. M. COHN, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R.

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