US20070039656A1

US20070039656A1 - Retainer band and a valve using the same

Info

Publication number: US20070039656A1
Application number: US11/205,058
Authority: US
Inventors: Wen-Shun Huang
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-08-17
Filing date: 2005-08-17
Publication date: 2007-02-22

Abstract

The present invention relates to a retainer band and a valve using the retainer band. The retainer band comprises an annular ring, a gasket and a block member. The annular ring has two terminals, which are opposite to each other. The gasket is formed on a periphery of the annular ring and is perpendicular to the annular ring. In addition, the valve comprises a body, an outlet pipe and an adaptor connected the body and the outlet pipe. The annular ring is provided to install around the adaptor and the block member is provided to wedge in between the two terminals of the annular ring. Therefore, when the outlet pipe is mounted on the second connecting portion of the adaptor, an entry of the outlet pipe tightly covers the annular ring and the block member, and is pressed against the gasket.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates generally to a retainer band, in particular, a retainer band is provided for a rotating element to move smoothly and securely on an object, and prevents from the rotating element being easily extracted from the object. Substantially speaking, the object is a faucet, and the rotating element is an outlet pipe that rotates on the faucet.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 5 shows a conventional faucet assembly comprising a faucet body 1 c and an outlet pipe 10 c.
FIG. 6 discloses another conventional faucet assembly, which comprises a faucet body 1 c, an adaptor 10 b, two O-rings 11 b, an outlet pipe 12 b. The faucet body 1 b is for receiving water and controlling the water flow, and the adaptor 10 b is to connect the faucet body 1 b to the outlet pipe 12 b. The two O-rings 11 b with elasticity and larger outer diameters can prevent the outlet pipe 12 b from being easily extracted, once the outlet pipe 12 b is inserted into the adaptor 10 b.
However, by only relying on the elastic expansion of the two O-rings 11 b to prevent the extraction of the outlet pipe 12 b will not last for long. Furthermore, the outlet pipe 12 b is constantly turned, and the abrasion enforced on the two O-rings 11 b will wear them out easily. As a result, the two O-rings 11 b will no longer adhere to the inner sleeve of the outlet pipe 12 b. Thus, the outlet pipe 12 b will come off easily.
In addition, to prevent the outlet pipe 12 b from coming off, the two O-rings 11 b are tightly connected onto the inner wall of the outlet pipe 12 b. This will keep the outlet pipe 12 b from turning smoothly, and thus turning the outlet pipe 12 b will become strenuous.
Moreover, when turning the outlet pipe 12 b, the entry of the outlet pipe 12 b will scrape against a contact surface of the faucet body 1 b, and damage its outer appearance.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

It is therefore an objective of the present invention to provide a retainer band, which is made of plastic and comprises an annular ring, and a block member. Wherein the annular ring has two terminals, which are opposite to each other. In addition, the block member is wedged in between the two terminals.
The present invention, briefly summarized, in one embodiment discloses the retainer band further comprising a gasket. The gasket is formed on a periphery of the annular ring and perpendicular to the annular ring. This type of retainer band is to apply specifically to a valve, such as a faucet.
Among which, the valve includes a body, an outlet pipe, and an adaptor connected the body and the outlet pipe. As a result of the annular ring being installed onto the adaptor, and the block member being wedged in between the two terminals of the annular ring, hence, as the outlet pipe is mounted on the adaptor, the entry of the outlet pipe is tightly engaged with the annular ring and the block member and pressed against the gasket.
It is important to note that before wedging the block member in between the two terminals, the annular ring is in an elastic and expandable state. This indicates that an internal diameter of the annular ring can be expanded, and thus, the annular ring enables to be easily installed onto the adaptor.
When the block member is wedged in between the two terminals, the internal diameter of the annular ring is slightly expanded, and the expanded internal diameter remains slightly expanded by the block member. This shows that an outer diameter of the retainer band is slightly stretched to allow the entry of the outlet pipe tightly covering the retainer band to prevent extracting from the adaptor.
Most importantly, because the inner diameter of the retainer band is slightly expanded, the retainer band enables to move and turn smoothly on the adaptor. Hence, the outlet pipe connected to the adaptor will also enable to move and turn smoothly for the user's convenience.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The invention will be more clearly understood after referring to the following detailed description read in conjunction with the drawings wherein
FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the first embodiment;
FIG. 3 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of the first embodiment;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a retainer band of a second embodiment of present invention;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a conventional faucet; and
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another conventional faucet.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the present invention, which discloses a retainer band 2 made of plastic and a valve, such as a faucet, using the retainer band 2.
The valve, namely the faucet, comprises a body 1, an adaptor 10, two rubber rings and an outlet pipe 3. The body 1 is to receive water and control the water flow. The adaptor 10 has a first connecting portion 101 and a second connecting portion 102, and the first connecting portion 101 is connected to the body 1. The two rubber rings 11 are respectively installed around the second connecting portion 102 of the adaptor 10, and the outlet pipe 2 is mounted on the second connecting portion 102 of the adaptor 10.
Furthermore, the retainer band 2 of FIG. 1 is installed around the second connecting portion 102 of the adaptor 10, near the first connecting portion 101 The retainer band 2 comprises an annular ring 20, a gasket 21 and a block member 22. The annular ring 20 has two terminals 200 which are opposite to each other and a gap 20 a is formed in between the two terminals 200. The gasket 21 is formed on a periphery of the annular ring 20 and perpendicular to the annular ring 20. The block member 22 is wedged in between the two terminals 200 of the annular ring 20.
Accordingly, the annular ring 20 is adjustable elastically via the gap 20 a. This shows that an internal diameter of the retainer band 2 can be stretched and expanded, and easily installed onto the second connecting portion 102 of the adaptor 10.
Moreover, by wedging the block member 22 in between the two terminals 210, within the gap 20 a, will cause the internal diameter of the annular ring 20 to be slightly expanded and remain in the slightly expanded state. This shows that when the outer diameter of the retainer band 2 is slightly enlarged, an entry 30 of the outlet pipe 3 will, in the state of mounting on the second connecting portion 102 of the adaptor 10 be tightly engaged with the annular ring 20 of the retainer band 2, and will not be easily extracted from the adaptor 10. The above-mentioned state is also disclosed in FIG. 2. Under this circumstance, the entry 30 of the outlet pipe 3 tightly covers the annular ring 20 and the block member 22, and is pressed against the gasket 21.
Because the inner diameter of the retainer band 2 is slightly expanded, thus enables it to move and turn smoothly on the adaptor 10. Hence, the outlet pipe 3 installed to the adaptor 10 via the retainer band 2 will also enables the outlet pipe 3 to move and turn smoothly for the user's convenience as shown in the FIG. 3. Furthermore, the internal diameter of the annular ring 20 is slightly expanded as the block member 22 is wedged within the gap 2 a of the annular ring 20 and thus forms a space between the annular ring 2 and the adaptor 10. The space enables the retainer band 2 to turn smoothly on the adaptor 10.
It is also shown in FIG. 2 that the retainer band 2 is installed onto the adaptor 10 is obstructed by a flange 31 formed on the adaptor 10. Moreover, the retainer band 2, in fact, traverses along with the outlet pipe 3, so an outer wall of the retainer band 2 will not be worn out but tightly fitted to an inner wall of the entry 30 of the outlet pipe 3. Accordingly, even though the two rubber rings 11 are worn out, the outlet pipe 3 can still traverse smoothly through the retainer band 2 and will not be easily extracted from the adaptor 10.
In addition, with the protection of the annular ring 20 and the gasket 21 of the retainer band 2, the entry 30 of the outlet pipe 3 will not be scraped by turning of the outlet pipe 3.
FIG. 4 shows another type of the retainer band 2 a as a second embodiment of the present invention. In the second embodiment, a side of the block member 22 a of the retainer band 2 a is pivotally connected to one of the two terminals 200 a of the annular ring 200. For instance, in the process of injection molding the retainer band 2 a, a side of the block member 22 a is integrally formed pivotally on the terminal 200 a of the annular ring 200 similar to a burr formation process. This type of the retainer band 2 a not only consists of the above-mentioned functions, it also keeps the block member 22 a from gone missing.
Additionally, each type of above-mentioned retainer bands can be applied on other turning parts of a faucet. In a broad perspective, any rotating element that rotates on an object can use such a retainer band to permit direct extraction from its connection by exerting a certain force or by a certain tool but will not be easily extracted, and enables the rotating element to turn smoothly on the object.
While the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been set forth for the purpose of disclosure, modifications of the disclosed embodiments of the present invention as well as other embodiments thereof may occur to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to cover all embodiments, which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A retainer band comprising:

an annular ring, having two terminals, in which the two terminals are opposite to each other; and

a block member, wedged in between the two terminals.

2. The retainer band of claim 1, further comprises a gasket formed on a periphery of the annular ring and being perpendicular to the annular ring.

3. The retainer band of claim 1, wherein a side of the block member is pivotally connected to one of the two terminals of the annular ring.

4. A valve comprising:

a body for receiving water and controlling the water flow;

an adaptor having a first connecting portion and a second connecting portion, the first connecting portion being connected to the body;

two rubber rings, respectively installed around the second connecting portion of the adaptor;

a retainer band, installed around the second connecting portion of the adaptor, and near the first connecting portion; and

an outlet pipe, mounted on the second connecting portion of the adaptor;

wherein the retainer band comprises:

an annular ring, having two terminals, in which the two terminals are opposite to each other;

a gasket, formed on a periphery of the annular ring and being perpendicular to the annular ring; and

a block member, wedged in between the two terminals of the annular ring, when the outlet pipe is mounted on the second connecting portion of the adaptor, an entry of the outlet pipe tightly covers the annular ring and the block member, and is pressed against the gasket.