GB2167988A

GB2167988A - Water tap dismantling tool

Info

Publication number: GB2167988A
Application number: GB08428827A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ernest Alfred Chance
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1984-11-15
Filing date: 1984-11-15
Publication date: 1986-06-11
Also published as: GB8428827D0

Abstract

A tool for dismantling water taps without the risk of damage to the tap finish or damage to basins to which they are mounted has two functions. The first, to remove any upper cover by means of a flexible strap 20, formed into a loop carried on the end of a lever and second to use a lever which is formed at one end to fit over and surround a tap body. The internal formed shape is covered with a resilient material. A separate screw threaded link 30 is used to connect to the lever at one end and to a conventional spanner at the other. The opposite end of the spanner is applied to the water seal unit on the tap and a screw adjustment is applied to the link to move the spanner and thus rotate and unscrew the seal unit. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Water tap dismantling tool This invention provides a convenient aid to readily dismantle water taps mounted to basins or the like when an occasion arises to change a water seal washer, without the risk of damage to the plated or polished surface of the tap and without the risk of damage to the basin or the connecting water pipe inlet to the tap.

There is provided a means for removal of any separate screw fixed cover from the tap body and a means in conjunction with a conventional spanner or similar to remove the screw threaded and seated water seal washer unit without imposing strain to the mounting of the top to the basin.

It is noted that certain ranges of taps are arranged to register into a flat sided co-opting hole in a basin and so any undue strain on the tap could result in an expensive repair bill whilst servicing.

For convenience of explanation the two dismantling problems i.e. removal of a screw threaded cover from a tap body and removal of a screw fixed and seated water seal washer will be referred to as the first function and the second function respectively below.

According to the present invention there is provided for the first function a flexible strap means in the form of an adjustable loop attached to a housing carried on one end of a rigid lever type member. The loop size permits the strap to lock over a water tap cover.

For the second function there is provided a rigid lever type member that can be common with the member used for the first function. The member is shaped at one end to fit over and surround the body of a water tap. The shaped part of the member is covered internally with a resilient material to protect the finish of the tap. There is also provided a separate elongated link member which has means to connect to the lever member at one end and means at the other to connect to one end of a shank of a conventional spanner or similar, the other end of the spanner being attached to a tap water seal unit. An adjustable means is provided to the link member to urge the spanner in a movement relative to the lever member, thereby producing a rotatable force on the water seal unit.

In the embodiment described in the following sheets the housing which carries the flexible strap is mounted onto an end of a rigid lever member. It carries two fixation locations for the ends of the strap and permits the strap to form a loop means.

One of the fixation points has adjustable means in order to vary the length of the strap and the size of the loop means. The end of the housing is formed into a convex shape to guide and assist the strap to lock in position when applied to a cylindrical tap component.

Some modern types of water taps do not incorporate an upper cover but fit a large generally tubular shaped detachable knob instead, in these cases the first function of the invention does not apply.

Following is a description by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, of a method of carrying the invention into effect.

Figure 1 is a pictorial view of a typical water tap.

Figure 2 is a pictorial view of a tap with its upper cover lifted showing the water seal washer unit.

Figure 3 is a plan view of a lever member together with a flexible strap and its housing.

Figure 4 is a section l-l through Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a section li-ll through Figure 3.

Figure 6 shows a view of the separate link member.

Figure 7 is a local view of the strap and housing showing the strap fitted around a cylindrical tap cover.

Figure 8 as Figure 5 but fitted over a tap body with its top cover lifted and knob omitted.

Figure 9 shows a pictorial view of the tool fitted over a tap with a spanner and link member in position. The upper part of the tap is omitted for clarity.

Referring to Figure 1 a typical conventional water tap (1) consists of a body/spout unit (2), a knob (3) and a removable cover (4) it is retained into a basin by a register (5) and a threaded connection (6). Figure 2 shows the tap with its cover lifted to reveal a water seal washer unit (7).

Referring to Figures 3, 4 and 5 lever member (8) which carries flange (9) in its upper surface over part of its length is shaped into a loop (10) at one end, whereby the two sides formed are joined securely by a rigid bridge member (11) which is flanged each side (12) and (13) to fit against the sides of the looped end. The lower edge of flange (13) of member (11) is flanged inwardly (14). The inside of loop (10) and member (11) is covered with a resilient material (15).

The opposite end of member (8) carries a flange (16) in its lower surface towards the rear of the part, which terminates in a convex shape (17) on its open ended flanged side. A small radius (18) blends the convex shape into the normal flat surface of the lever member. Inwardly of the convex shape the lever member carries a hole (19) for mounting one end of flexible strap (20) with a plate (21) and rivet (22). The other end of strap (20) is formed into a loop (23) and fastened by washers (24) and rivet (25). This strap end is connected to the lever member with screw (26) and nut (27) through holes (28) in both flanges (9) and (16) the flanges also carry other holes (29) as an alternative position for the strap end.Referring to Figure 7 the loop of the strap is fitted over a tap cylindrical cover, the strap pulled tight against the convex surface of the housing on the end of the lever as the lever is pulled round.

Referring to Figure 6 a separate link member (30) is shaped at one end into a hock (31) of sufficient size to fit over narrowed end (32) of lever member (8). The other end of the link member is screw threaded (33). An adjustment unit (34) which is free to slide over threads (33) consists of a bush (35) which carries a hole (36) and has a 'U' shaped member (37) fixed rigidly to its side face. The member (37) is of sufficient width to fit over a shank of a conventional spanner. A nut (38) carrying side elongations (39) is screw threaded to coopt with threads (33).

To dismantle the water seal washer from the tap the looped end (10) of lever member (8) is fitted over the tap body (Figure 8) with side flange (13) flush against the tap spout. Referring to Figure 9 link member (30) is assembled with its hooked end (31) fitted over the lever member and adjustment unit (34) fitted over the shank end of a suitable spanner. The other end of which is attached to a tap water seal unit. The nut is then rotated to urge the spanner into an unscrewing movement.

Claims

1. A tool for dismantling water taps mounted to basins or the like without the risk of damage to the plated or polished surface of the tap and damage to the basin or to the connecting water pipe inlet to the tap.

2. A tool as claimed in claim 1 wherein there is provided an adjustable flexible strap means attached to a housing carried on one end of a rigid lever member.

3. A tool as claimed in claim 1 wherein there is provided a rigid lever member formed at one end to fit over and surround the body of a water tap.

4. A tool as claimed in claim 1 wherein there is provided a rigid lever member that is common in claims 2 and 3.

5. A tool as claimed in claims 1, 3 and 4 wherein the formed end of the lever member is covered internally with a resilient material.

6. A tool as claimed in claims 1, 3 and 4 wherein there is provided a separate elongated link member which has means to connect to the lever member at one end and means at the other to connect to one end of a shank of a conventional spanner or similar, the other end of which is attached to a tap water seal unit. An adjustable means is provided to the link member to urge the spanner in a movement relative to the lever member.

7. A tool as claimed in claim 6 wherein the adjustable means can be screw threaded to co-opt with screw threads on the link member.

8. A tool as claimed in claim 7 wherein the adjustable screw threaded means can carry flat shapes over part of its outer surface.

9. A tool as claimed in claim 7 wherein the adjustable screw threaded means can carry elongate shapes over part of its outer surface.