AU706817B2 - Tap - Google Patents

Description

"TAP"

This invention relates to a tap assembly.

It is well known for the outlet of taps to be externally threaded for connection thereto by a hose having an internally threaded coupling. To connect a snap-on hose coupling to such a tap it is necessary to first screw onto the threaded tap a threaded adaptor having the spigot or male member of the snap-on hose coupling.

The present invention aims to provide an alternative to known taps.

This invention in one aspect resides broadly in a tap assembly including:- 15 an outlet including male snap coupling means; an adaptor including complementary female snap coupling means and an external threaded portion; and stop means disposed intermediate the outlet and .coo adaptor for limiting rotation of the adaptor when snap- 20 mounted on the outlet.

As used herein with reference to couplings, the expression snap-on refers to couplings in which a detent mechanism prevents respective parts of the coupling, when connected, from separating. Such couplings are also called snap-fit, snap-sure, snap-lock and snap-mounted couplings.

The stop means can take a variety of forms. It could for example be a triangular, square or hexagonal boss on the tap outlet adapted to be received within a correspondingly shaped recess in the adaptor. However it is preferred that the stop means is a recess in the outlet for receiving a rib on the adaptor.

In another aspect this invention resides broadly in an adaptor for connecting a hose having a threaded hose coupling to a tap having a snap-on coupling, the adaptor including:a snap-on coupling member for connection to the tap, a threaded coupling member fn-r cnnec to4. th I con-cr n to the threaded hose coupling, and stop means for limiting rotation of the adaptor when snap-mounted on the snap-on tap coupling.

In a further aspect this invention resides broadly in a method of fluid reticulation, the method including:connecting a tap as defined above in a fluid supply system, and connecting a hose having a snap-on coupling to the tap.

In order that this invention may be more easily understood and put into practical effect, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention, wherein:- FIG 1 is a perspective view of a tap in accordance 15 with the invention; FIG 2 is a cross-sectional elevation of the outlet of the tap of FIG 1; FIG 3 is a perspective view of a tap in accordance o .with the invention having means to prevent rotation of an adaptor when being connected thereto; FIG 4 is a cross-sectional elevation of the outlet of the tap of FIG 3, and FIG 5 is a perspective view of an adaptor having an external threaded coupling for fixing to the tap of the present invention.

As can be seen in FIGS 1 and 2, a tap 10 in accordance with the invention has a handle 12, an outlet 14 and a bore 16. The outer surface of outlet 14 is formed to constitute the spigot 18 of a conventional snap-on hose coupling.

The tap 10 is made in a conventional manner with fabrication of the spigot coupling 18 replacing fabrication of the external threading of the tap outlet in conventional taps.

Hoses having threaded couplings can be connected to taps in accordance with the present invention by first connecting a snap-fitting externally threaded adaptor as seen in FIG 5 to the tap. To prevent adaptor turning when a threaded hose coupling is screwed thereto, adaptor 20 has a rib 22 which engages in grooved recess 24 in tap 26 as illustrated in FIGS 3 and 4.

In use, a hose fitted with snap-on couplings is connected directly to the tap. It is unnecessary to S 15 first screw onto the tap an adaptor having the spigot of a snap-on coupling. If it is desired to connect a screwthreaded hose connector to the tap of the present invention, an adaptor 20 is first connected to the tap and the threaded hose connector then screwed onto adaptor It will be appreciated that the tap of the present invention has a number of advantages over known taps.

Snap-on hose couplings are increasingly replacing the older style screw-on couplings and consequently the majority of garden taps are semi-permanently fitted with an adaptor for use with snap-on couplings. The tap in accordance with the present invention avoids the inconvenience of connecting an adaptor for most uses.

Furthermore by avoiding the requirement of manufacturing two threaded surfaces, one on the tap and one on the adaptor, both material and manufacturing costs are reduced. Taps in accordance with the present invention require adaptors in a minority of uses whereas existing taps use adaptors in a majority of applications.

It will of course be realised that whilst the above has been given by way of an illustrative example of this invention, all such and other modifications and variations hereto, as wnlld h aprn o per skilled in the art, are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ainbit of this invention as is hereinafter claimed.

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:- 1. A tap assembly including:an outlet including male snap coupling means; an adaptor including complementary female snap coupling means and an external threaded portion; and stop means disposed intermediate the outlet and adaptor for limiting rotation of the adaptor when snapmounted on the outlet.

2. A assembly tap as claimed in claim 1, and substantially as described herein with reference to FIGS 3, 4 and DATED this SIXTEENTH day of FEBRUARY 1997.

JOHN IVO COBANOV by 20 PIZZEYS .o