Cascade bath spout apparatus

Abstract: There is provided a new and useful bath spout apparatus for a bath (4) having a water inlet supply pipe (6) and a water outlet overflow opening (16). The apparatus comprises a body (10), a water inlet (12) to be connected to the water inlet supply pipe (6) and a spout (14) in fluid connection with the water inlet (12) to allow water to pass from the water inlet supply pipe (6) through the water inlet into the body and out of the spout into the bath (4). There is further provided a water outlet (16) to allow overflow water to flow from the bath. The apparatus is constructed so as to be mounted in the bath contiguous with the overflow opening.

Description: FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a bath spout for use in combination with the overflow opening of a bathtub. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION For many homeowners, the bathtub has gone beyond simply a place to wash. It is now something that must be stylish and that must fit within the decor of the room, as well as the house as a whole. Thus, tubs today are often larger and have a shape other than the classic rounded rectangle. One problem with creating a stylish bathtub is the spout, which is also a very expensive item in the bathtub. Rather than adding to the overall appearance of the tub, the spout typically is a large piece of metal which must be high and long enough to reach over the bath ledge. The end result is an obstacle the user must avoid. In order to create a stylish design, therefore, it would be preferable to have a streamline design for a spout. Such a design must compete, however, with the practical functioning of the tub and the spout as the means to fill the tub. Another such function is the overflow protection provided by the overflow opening standard in bathtubs. It is therefore desirable to have a device which can blend in to the styling of the tub and which can nonetheless perform the necessary function of filling the tub. A device which similarly cooperated with the standard overflow opening and which could be sold either as part of the tub or as a retrofit for existing tubs would also be preferable. A spout with a high flow rate is also important, particularly for today's larger tubs. The applicant is aware of attempts in the prior art to combine a spout and a water overflow outlet in which the overflow outlet has been re-engineered to allow for the bath spout function. Reference may be had for example to U.S. Patent 1,658,159 of Ernst et al., issued February 7, 1928, U.S. Patent 1,994,789 of Redmond et al., issued march 19, 1935, U.S. Patent 4,722,102 of Neugart et al., issued February 2, 1988, Canadian Patent 286,707 of Brotz, issued January 22, 1929, and Canadian Patent 138,255. U.S. Patent 3,156,931 of Holtman, issued November 17, 1964 and U.S. Patent 4,334,328 of Delepine, issued June 15, 1982 each describe a means of generating a cascade flow of water into a bath, using a different structure from the applicant's and not cooperating with the existing overflow opening of the bath. U.S. Patent 1,658,159 of Ernst et al. teaches a specially manufactured device which requires significant modifications to the standard configuration of a bathtub. Indeed, the Ernst et al. apparatus would not work on existing bathtubs today by virtue of the configuration of the pipes in those tubs. The Ernst et al. reference could not be adapted to be a retrofit apparatus for existing bathtubs. Rather, the overflow component of the bath within the Ernst et al. reference has been modified to accommodate the piping of that reference and the drainpipe must similarly be modified in order to install the apparatus taught by Ernst. DE-U-8903039 discloses a complicated water spout arrangement including a body, a water inlet, a spout, a water outlet and overflow opening. The apparatus does not teach the structure of applicant's apparatus. DE-U-8707328 similarly teaches a water spout apparatus comprising a body, a water inlet, a spout, a water outlet and an overflow opening. However it too fails to teach the structure of applicant's unique apparatus. Summary of the Invention It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a bath spout for use in combination with the overflow opening of a bathtub, which spout provides a stylish yet nonetheless effective means of filling the bathtub and which can be retrofit to an existing bathtub. According to the invention, this object is achieved by an apparatus as specified in claim 1. In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a water spout apparatus for a bath having a water inlet supply pipe and a water outlet overflow opening. The apparatus comprises a body, a water inlet to be connected to the water inlet supply pipe and a spout in fluid connection with the water inlet to allow water to pass from the water inlet supply pipe through the water inlet into the body and out of the spout into the bath. There is further provided a water outlet to allow overflow water to flow from the bath. The apparatus is constructed so as to be mounted in the bath contiguous with the overflow opening. In another aspect of the invention, the spout is constructed so as to provide a cascade flow of water from the apparatus into the bath. In another aspect of the invention, the water outlet comprises an opening positioned in a center of the body so that, in use, the opening is in fluid connection with the overflow opening. In still another aspect of the invention, the body comprises a hollow inner portion comprising the water inlet, the spout and the outlet and an annular outer portion connected to the inner portion. In another aspect of the invention, the body comprises a hollow inner portion comprising the water inlet, the spout and the outlet and a penannular outer portion releasably securable to the inner portion. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS These and other advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and upon referring to the drawings in which:- FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the apparatus of the present invention; FIGURE 2 is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus of Figure 1; FIGURE 3 is an exploded view of the embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 1; FIGURE 4 is a perspective view, partially cutaway, of an alternate embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; FIGURE 5 is a cross-sectional view of the alternate embodiment of the apparatus of Figure 5. While the invention will be described in conjunction with illustrated embodiments, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the invention to such embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In the following description, similar features in the drawings have been given similar reference numerals. Turning to the drawings, Figure 1 illustrates a water spout apparatus 2 for use in a bath 4. The bath 4 conventionally comprises a water inlet supply pipe 6 and a water outlet overflow opening and pipe 8, part of a standard drain and overflow package. The apparatus 2 comprises a body 10 and a water inlet 12 which is to be connected to the water inlet supply pipe 6. The body 10 is preferably of a hollow cylindrical shape. A spout 14 is constructed in fluid connection to the water inlet 12 so as to allow water to pass from the water inlet supply pipe 6 into the body 10 and out of the spout 14, into the bath 4. There is also provided a water outlet 16 to allow the flow of water from the bath 4 through the overflow opening 8. The apparatus 2 is constructed so that it may be mounted in the bath 4 contiguous with the overflow opening 8, typically on a wall 20 of the bath 4. A decorative cover 22 may be included within the apparatus 2, as part of the overall scope of the present invention. As shown in Figure 2, the flow of water through the apparatus 2 is illustrated by the arrows. The water will flow into the apparatus 2 from the water inlet supply pipe 6and into the water inlet 12 of the apparatus 2. From there, the water can pass through the body 10, to the spout 14 and then flow into the bath 4. As the apparatus 2 is preferably mounted on the wall 20 of the bath 4, contiguous with the overflow opening 8, overflow water can then flow from the bath 4, through the water outlet 16 of the apparatus 2 to the overflow opening 8 of the bath 4 and out, in the conventional fashion. Figure 3 illustrates an exploded view of the component parts of the embodiment of the apparatus 2 shown in Figure 1. The body 10 is primarily comprised of a hollow inner portion 30, which includes the water inlet 12, comprising an aperture 32 in a side 34 of the inner portion 30. The inner portion 30 further comprises a circular groove 36 designed to receive a gasket 38, preferably water impervious. At least one other gasket 40 is provided to also fit within the circular groove 36. An annular outer portion 42 is constructed and sized to connect to the inner portion 30, with the rings 40 placed in between the two portions 30 and 42. Another gasket 44, again preferably water impervious may be employed between the outer portion 42 and the ring 40, or within the group of rings 40, if more than ring 40 is employed. In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 1 to 3, the spout 14 is an elongated aperture 50 in a section of the outer portion 42. The aperture 50 is sized and shaped so as to provide a cascade flow of water from the apparatus 2 into the bath 4. The water outlet 16 is preferably an opening in the body 10, comprised of an opening 52 in the centre 54 of the inner portion 30 and a concentric opening 56 in the centre of the outer portion 42. The openings 60 and 62 of the gasket 38 and the ring 40 respectively are similarly concentric with the openings 52 and 56. In this manner, the water outlet 16 allows the apparatus 2 to be mounted on the wall 20 contiguous with the existing overflow opening 8 of the bath 4 without interfering with the function of that overflow opening 8. An alternate embodiment of the invention is shown in Figures 4 and 5. The overall principle of construction and operation of the apparatus 102 is the same as apparatus 2 shown in Figures 1 to 3. The body 104 is not cylindrical in shape.. Rather, it comprises a tapered projection 106 which houses the water inlet 108 of the apparatus 102, to be connected to the water inlet pipe 6 of the bath 4. From the inlet 108, the water flows through the hollow inner portion 110 to the spout 112, comprising nozzle 114, and out to the bath 4. The nozzle 114 is designed and constructed to provide a similar cascade flow of water as the elongated aperture 50, in the first embodiment, does. The water outlet 120 comprises a plurality of apertures 122 located within a centre 124 of the inner portion. The outer portion 126 is penannular in construction so that the overflow of water is unimpeded through the apertures 122 to the overflow opening 8 of the bath 4. The opening in the penannular ring is oriented to mate with the nozzle 114 when the outer portion 126 is connected to the inner portion 110, by screws 128 or similar fasteners. With either embodiment, the apparatus 2 or 102 can be retrofit to an existing bath 4 or can be part of a new construction of a bath, in place of a conventional water spout. A streamline, fashionable appearance is thus achieved. Thus, it is apparent that there has been provided in accordance with the invention a bath spout that fully satisfies the objects, aims and advantages set forth above. While the invention has been described in conjunction with illustrated embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description as described by the appended claims.

Claims: A water spout apparatus for a bath (4) having a water inlet supply pipe (6) and a water overflow opening, said apparatus (2) comprising: a body (10); a water inlet (12) to be connected to said water inlet supply pipe (6); a spout (14) in fluid connection with said water inlet (12) to allow water to pass from said water inlet supply pipe (6) through said water inlet (12) into said body (10) and out of said spout (14) into said bath (4); a water outlet (16) to allow overflow water to flow from said bath (4), wherein said apparatus is constructed so as to be mounted in said bath (4) contiguous with said overflow opening, characterized in that said apparatus is further constructed such that said water outlet (16) is connectable to a standard drain and overflow package. A water spout apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said body (10) has a hollow cylindrical shape. A water spout apparatus according to one of the previous claims, wherein said spout (14) is constructed so as to provide a cascade flow of water from said apparatus into said bath (4). A water spout apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said spout (14) is a fan-shaped opening in a sidewall of said body (10). A water spout apparatus according to one of the previous claims, wherein said water outlet (16) comprises an opening (52, 56) positioned in a center of said body (10) so that, in use, said opening is in fluid connection with said overflow opening. A water spout apparatus according to one of the previous claims, wherein said water inlet (12) is an aperture (32) on a side (34) of said body (10). A water spout apparatus according to one of the previous claims, wherein said body (10) comprises a hollow inner portion (30) including said water inlet (12) and said water outlet (16) and an annular outer portion (42) including said spout (14) connected to said inner portion (30). A water spout apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said spout (14) is an elongated aperture (50) in a section of said outer portion (42). A water spout apparatus according to one of the previous claims, wherein said body (10) comprises a hollow inner portion (30) comprising said water inlet (12) and said water outlet (16) and a penannular outer portion (42) including said spout (14) releasably securable to said inner portion (30). A water spout apparatus according to one of the claims 7 to 9 further comprising a water impervious gasket (40) between said inner and outer portions. A water spout apparatus according to one of the previous claims constructed so as to be installed on an existing bath.

Inventors: JACQUES FARMER
Applicants: JACQUES FARMER
Application year: 1999
Main classification: E03C1
IPC codes: E03C1