Faucet coupling structure

A structure for coupling a faucet or a similar device includes: a faucet with a connecting pipe portion extending there-from; a connecting body with an annular coupling portion formed at one end and connected to a liquid supply source to discharge liquid through the faucet; a fastening nut screw-coupled to the annular coupling portion; a pressing ring coupled to the connecting pipe portion; and a grab ring configured to grab an outer circumference of the connecting pipe portion to have the connecting pipe portion not to be detached from the coupling portion. The fastening nut can be detached from the coupling portion by rotating the faucet and the connecting pipe portion with the engaging configurations of the pressing ring and the fastening nut in engaged position, and an angular position of the faucet can be adjusted to a preferred position in assembly by rotating the faucet and with the engaging configurations of the pressing ring and the fastening nut in disengaged position.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a structure for coupling a faucet or similar device to a water/liquid supply source, and more particularly, to a structure for coupling a faucet or another kind of liquid supply device to a liquid supply source, which allows the faucet (or another kind of liquid supply device) to be conveniently connected to the liquid supply source, while enabling adjustments of the connection angle of the faucet (or another liquid supply device) to be oriented at a desired angle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A water supply unit collectively refers to a device installed in an indoor wall or a similar structure. The water supply unit is supplied with water through piping from a water supply source, and then drains water through a faucet or a drain pipe.

As illustrated inFIG. 1, a water supply unit typically includes a connecting body100that connects a water supply pipe to a faucet for dispensing water. The water supply pipe is connected to one end of the connecting body100, and the faucet is connected to the other end of the connecting body100. Such a water supply unit is disclosed in Korean Patent Application Publication No. 10-2010-0063411 entitled “Water Supply Unit Having Stop Function” (Jun. 11, 2010).

The connecting body100is typically embedded in the wall. More particularly, the connecting body100is installed in a casing200embedded in the wall, and the connecting body100is maintained in a securely fixed state at the installation position. Thus, the connecting body100is securely installed without movement in order to fix and support the faucet300.

The connecting body100is connected to the faucet300by a threaded engagement. The faucet300has a fastening pipe portion with a screw thread, and the fastening pipe portion is coupled to the connecting body100by a threaded engagement.

Here, a sealing member (not shown) needs to be strongly compressed in order to prevent water from leaking from the connection point at which the fastening pipe portion and the connecting body100are connected to each other. For this, the faucet should sufficiently be rotated until the fastening pipe portion of the faucet does not move any further. However, when the faucet is completely coupled to the connecting body, the faucet is often stopped at an undesired position upon complete rotation of the faucet. It is very difficult to have the faucet positioned at an exact vertical position when the faucet is completely coupled because there exist many determining factors for this, for example, such as elasticity of the sealing member, and the length and number of turns of the screw thread.

Thus, it is often compromised to have the faucet rotated more or less than necessary so that the faucet stops at the exact vertical position. However, if the faucet is rotated more than the optimal degree, an excessive amount of pressure applies to the sealing member, and this causes damages to the sealing member. In contrast, if the faucet is rotated less than the optimal degree, the sealing member cannot be compressed with appropriate pressure, and this causes water to leak.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been made in an effort to solve the above and other problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a structure for coupling a faucet or similar device to a water/liquid supply source, in which the structure is capable of enabling a user to install a faucet (or similar device) while freely adjusting the angle of the faucet to a desired degree when connecting the faucet (or similar device) to a connecting body. Another object of the present invention is to provide a faucet coupling structure capable of enabling a user to separate a faucet (or similar device) without using a separate tool, thereby improving convenience for maintenance.

According to the present invention, the faucet coupling structure provides a grab ring which is configured to have the connection pipe portion of the faucet not to be detached by itself, a pressing ring which is configured to expand the grab ring and enabling to detach the connecting pipe portion, and a fastening nut which is configured to encase the pressing ring and restrain the pressing ring in position. The connecting pipe portion and the pressing ring rotate together, and the pressing ring can be rotated while selectively engaging with the fastening nut.

Accordingly, the faucet can securely maintain its position in its regular use mode, and the faucet can also be freely rotated after releasing the engagement between the pressing ring and the fastening nut to adjust the angle of the faucet at suitable position in installation mode, while also enabling the fastening nut to be uncoupled from the coupling structure in order to repair and maintain components of the system, by holding and rotating the faucet by hand without using a tool and with the pressing ring and the fastening nut positioned in the engaged position.

According to the present invention, it is possible to install the faucet while freely adjusting the angle of the faucet when connecting the faucet to the connecting body. When separating the faucet, the user can separate the faucet by holding and rotating the faucet by hand without using a separate tool, such that convenience for maintenance is improved.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

According to the principles of the present invention, the below described faucet coupling structures are proposed in order to easily install the faucet while freely adjusting the angle of the faucet to set at a preferred position, as well as to enable easy detachment of the coupling structure without using special tools to facilitate the maintenance of the components thereof.

In order to accomplish the above described and other objects of the present invention, a faucet coupling structure provides: a faucet with a connecting pipe portion; a connecting body with an annular coupling portion configured to connect to the connecting pipe portion to discharge liquid through the faucet; a fastening nut screw-coupled to the annular coupling portion; a pressing ring coupled to the connecting pipe portion; and a grab ring configured to grab an outer circumference of the connecting pipe portion to have the connecting pipe portion not to be detached from the coupling portion. Accordingly, the fastening nut can be detached from the coupling portion by rotating the faucet and the connecting pipe portion while firstly having the engaging configurations of the pressing ring and the fastening nut positioned in an engaged position, and an angular position of the faucet can be adjusted to a preferred position by rotating of the faucet while firstly having the engaging configurations of the pressing ring and the fastening nut positioned in a disengaged position. The positioning of the engaging configurations can be controlled preferably by an operating nut which is screw-coupled to the connecting pipe portion.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference toFIGS. 2 to 5.

FIG. 2is an exploded view illustrating a faucet coupling structure according to the present invention,FIG. 3is a view illustrating, in a cross-sectional view, a state in which a faucet is installed by means of the faucet coupling structure according to the present invention,FIG. 4is an enlarged view of the part “A” inFIG. 3, which illustrates a state in which engaging protrusions are disengaged and the angle of the faucet can be adjusted according to the present invention, andFIG. 5is an enlarged view of the part “A” inFIG. 3, which illustrates a state in which the engaging protrusions are engaged and a fastening nut can be separated by rotating the faucet according to the present invention.

According to the present invention, faucet300has a connecting pipe portion320, and the connecting pipe portion320is coupled to a connecting body100. The connecting body100is generally embedded in the wall. A water/liquid supply pipe400is connected to one end of the connecting body100, and a coupling portion120is formed at the other end of the connecting body100. When the connecting body100is embedded in the wall, the coupling portion120is exposed to the outside of the wall, and the connecting pipe portion320of the faucet300is engaged with the coupling portion120. Thus, water/liquid can be supplied to the faucet300via the water/liquid supply pipe400and the connecting body100, and dispensed through the faucet300.

In the present invention, the faucet coupling structure further includes a grab ring220, a pressing ring240, a fastening nut260, and an operating nut340for operating the pressing ring240in order to couple the connecting pipe portion320and the coupling portion120together. To prevent a leakage of water/liquid, an appropriate sealing means, for example, a sealing ring or gasket can be provided to seal a gap between the connecting pipe portion320and the coupling portion120.

The grab ring220has a ring shape and has teeth that protrude toward the center of the grab ring220. The teeth are inclined toward the inner direction of the coupling portion120. The grab ring220is installed within the coupling portion120in a manner such that the connecting pipe portion320is inserted through the grab ring220. Thus, when the connecting pipe portion320of the faucet300is inserted in the coupling portion120, the end of the connecting pipe portion320pushes the teeth as it moves forward, and as a result, the connecting pipe portion320can be inserted through the grab ring220. On the contrary, when the connecting pipe portion320is moved backward, the teeth cause friction with the outer circumferential surface of the connecting pipe portion320, and as a result, the connecting pipe portion320is not easily pulled out. In addition, a catching groove322can be formed in the outer circumference of the connecting pipe portion320, and in this configuration, the end portions of the teeth of the grab ring220are to be caught by the catching groove322, preventing the connecting pipe portion320from being pulled out.

The pressing ring240has an annular tube shape and a predetermined length, and the connecting pipe portion320is inserted in the pressing ring240. The pressing ring240is moved forward and backward along the connecting pipe portion320. When the pressing ring240is moved forward, the front end of the pressing ring240pushes the teeth of the grab ring220, and the grab ring220is expanded while stretching the teeth. When the connecting pipe portion320is moved backward in this state, the connecting pipe portion320can be pulled out and separated from the coupling portion120.

Here, if the pressing ring240is excessively moved forward, the front end of the pressing ring240may pass the grab ring220. Thus, the forward moving distance of the pressing ring240should be calculated in advance, and be appropriately adjusted. The front end of the pressing ring240is inclined in the shape of an arrow, such that the end of the pressing ring240can push the teeth while obliquely coming into contact with the teeth.

In the present invention, the operating nut340is disposed at the outer circumference of the connecting pipe portion320in order to move the pressing ring240forward. The operating nut340is thread-coupled to the outer circumference of the connecting pipe portion320, such that the operating nut340can be moved forward and backward along the connecting pipe portion while rotating there-around. When the operating nut340is moved forward, the front end of the operating nut340pushes the rear end of the pressing ring240so that the pressing ring240is moved forward toward the grab ring220. Since the operating nut340is thread-coupled to the connecting pipe portion320, the operating nut340can be stopped at a particular location on the connecting pipe portion320, and the operating nut340can maintain its pushing state of pushing the pressing ring240to the particular position.

The pressing ring240and the connecting pipe portion320of the faucet300are engaged with each other so as to be rotated simultaneously. For this, the interior surface of the pressing ring240is formed in a polygonal shape, and the portion of the connecting pipe portion320to be inserted in the pressing ring240is formed in the polygonal shape corresponding to the shape of the interior surface of the pressing ring240, and thus, the pressing ring240and the connecting pipe portion320can be rotated together. By this configuration, the pressing ring240is rotated together with the connecting pipe portion320when the connecting pipe portion320is rotated. This configuration also enables the fastening nut260to be rotated together with the connecting pipe portion320.

The fastening nut260is shaped to surround the pressing ring240, and the fastening nut260is fastened to the coupling portion120. The inner diameter of the fastening nut260is slightly greater than the outer diameter of the pressing ring240, such that the fastening nut260is coupled to the pressing ring240while surrounding. In a state in which the fastening nut260is coupled to the coupling portion120, the front end of the pressing ring240is caught by the fastening nut260. Thus, the pressing ring240is not to be separated from the fastening nut260. Meanwhile, in the state in which the fastening nut260is coupled to the coupling portion120, the rear end of the pressing ring240is exposed to the outside of the fastening nut260, and the pressing ring240is to be moved forward as the exposed rear end of the pressing ring240is pushed by the operating nut340.

The pressing ring240and the fastening nut260are selectively engaged with each other. Thus, when the connecting pipe portion320, which is inserted in the coupling portion120while penetrating the pressing ring240, is rotated in the state in which the pressing ring240and the fastening nut260are engaged with each other (as shown inFIG. 5), the fastening nut260is rotated together with the connecting pipe portion320. Here, since the pressing ring240and the connecting pipe portion320of the faucet300are engaged with each other, the pressing ring240is rotated together with the connecting pipe portion320when the connecting pipe portion320is rotated, and as a result, the fastening nut260is rotated together with the pressing ring240and the connecting pipe portion320.

According to the configuration described above, the fastening nut260can be coupled to or separated from the coupling portion120without using a separate tool. In the conventional art, however, it is necessary to rotate the fastening nut by using a separate tool in order to couple and separate the fastening nut. In contrast, the fastening nut260of the present invention can be coupled to or separated from the coupling portion120without using a separate or special tool because the fastening nut260can easily be rotated by rotating the faucet300while holding it by hand.

Meanwhile, when the pressing ring240and the fastening nut260are disengaged from each other (as shown inFIG. 4), the user can adjust the angle of the faucet by rotating the faucet300and the connecting pipe portion320as the connecting pipe portion320can be rotated while the fastening nut260is coupled to the coupling portion120. Thus, the user can readily adjust the angular position of the faucet300by rotating the faucet to a desired angle while without separating the components for coupling the faucet300to the connecting body100, for example, the components such as the grab ring220, the pressing ring240, and the fastening nut260.

The configuration in which the pressing ring240and the fastening nut260are selectively to be engaged with each other can be embodied, for example, by means of engaging configurations (e.g., protrusions242and262) which are formed at the outer circumference of the pressing ring240and the inner circumference of the fastening nut260, respectively. The engaging protrusions242and262can be embodied in various forms. For example, the engaging protrusions242and262can be in the form continuously protruded while defining a serrated or gear-like structure, namely, matching gear or serrations formed in the pressing ring240and the fastening nut260. Thus, the engaging protrusions formed at the outer circumference of the pressing ring240and the engaging protrusions formed at the inner circumference of the fastening nut260are engaged with one another. In this case, the engaging protrusions242and262can be positioned at the positions in which the engaging protrusions242and262can be disengaged when the pressing ring240is moved by a predetermined distance toward the grab ring220, and thus, it is possible to selectively rotate the connecting pipe portion320with respect to the fastening nut260.

When the pressing ring240is moved forward toward the grab ring220in order to disengage the engaging protrusions242and262from each other, the front end of the pressing ring240pushes the grab ring220. Thus, when force for forwardly pushing the pressing ring240is eliminated, the pressing ring240returns back to the original position by being elastically pushed by the grab ring220, and the engaging protrusions242and262of the two members engage again.

Hereinafter, the process of coupling the faucet300to the connecting body100, the process of adjusting the angle of the faucet300, and the process of uncoupling the faucet300from the apparatus according to the present invention are described. As described above, the water supply pipe is connected to one end of the connecting body100embedded in the wall, and the coupling portion120is formed at the other end of the connecting body100and exposed to the outside of the wall. In this state, the process of coupling the faucet300to the connecting body100is described below as a preferred/exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

First, a sealing member (e.g., O-ring) and grab ring220are sequentially inserted into the coupling portion120. Next, the pressing ring240is inserted in the coupling portion120, and the fastening nut260is fastened to the coupling portion120. In this state, the engaging protrusions242and262respectively formed on the pressing ring240and the fastening nut260are engaged with each other, while the rear end of the pressing ring240is exposed outside from the fastening nut260. In this manner, the pressing ring240cannot be separated from the fastening nut260unless the fastening nut is first separated.

The fastening nut260can be tightened by a separate tool. Because the faucet300is not yet coupled to the apparatus, such tool can be freely used and the fastening nut260can securely be fastened by the tool.

After the fastening nut260is completely fastened as described above, the faucet300is coupled to the connecting body100. The connecting pipe portion320of the faucet300is pushed into the pressing ring240, and the connecting pipe portion320sequentially penetrates the pressing ring240and the grab ring220, and is inserted in the internal space of the coupling portion120. Here, the connecting pipe portion320is pushed until the teeth of the grab ring220are caught by the catching groove322formed at the outer circumference of the connecting pipe portion320, and the connecting pipe portion320cannot be separated from the coupling portion120. Here, the operating nut340is previously coupled to the connecting pipe portion320.

Thereafter, the angle of the faucet300is adjusted. For this, the pressing ring240is first pushed forward by tightening the operating nut340, and then, the angle of the faucet300is adjusted by rotating the faucet300. That is, when the pressing ring240is moved forward, the engaging protrusions242and262of the pressing ring240and the fastening nut260are disengaged as illustrated inFIG. 4. The angle of the faucet300can easily be adjusted in this state as the connecting pipe portion320and the pressing ring240rotate together.

Here, when the pressing ring240is pushed to further move forward by tightening the operating nut340as described above, the front end of the pressing ring240pushes the teeth of the grab ring220, and thus expands the grab ring220. Thus, the connecting pipe portion320can be in a state enabling separation from the coupling portion120.

After completely adjusting the angle to a desired degree, the user untightens the operating nut340. As the operating nut340is untightened, the pressing ring240returns back to the original position by being pushed by the grab ring220. As a result, as illustrated inFIG. 5, the engaging protrusions242and262respectively formed on the pressing ring240and the fastening nut260are engaged with each other. Thus, the position of the faucet300is fixed in a state in which the rotation of the faucet300is restricted.

When it is necessary to uncouple the fastening nut260from the coupling portion120in order to repair or replace the components, such as, the grab ring220, the sealing member, and the pressing ring240installed to the coupling portion120, the user merely rotates the faucet300in the direction that the fastening nut260is to be released. When the faucet300is rotated, the connecting pipe portion320is rotated, and as a result, the pressing ring240and the fastening nut260are rotated together, such that the fastening nut260can be released and separated from the coupling portion120(as shown inFIG. 5). In this case, the user can hold and rotate the faucet300by hand, and as a result, the user can easily uncouple and detach the fastening nut260without using a separate or special tool. Of course, it is also possible to reattach and fasten the fastening nut260to the coupling portion120by rotating the faucet300in the opposite direction.