Patent Publication Number: US-6712094-B1

Title: Connection structure for faucet water discharge tube and faucet body

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The invention relates to a connection structure for faucet water discharge tube and faucet body, and particularly an improved connection structure to resolve the problems of connecting the water discharge tube by soldering that occur to modern faucets. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Conventional faucets generally are made by casting. Because of the constraint of casting molds, the shapes of the faucets are limited. Moreover, casting process creates a lot of environmental problems. In recent years the growing awareness of exterior design has made conventional faucets losing their appeal in the market place. Faucet producers have been trying to focus more creative designs to meet more demanding market requirements. The mainstream of this trend is to target the shape of the faucet body and the water discharge tube. FIG. 1 illustrates a typical example. However the connection of the faucet body  10  and the water discharge tube  11  generally is done by soldering on the connection juncture as shown in FIG.  2 . In such a structure, the spout  12  of the faucet body  10  communicates with the water discharge tube  11  to form a passage. However such a connection method has the following disadvantages: 
     1. The connection juncture of the faucet body  10  and the water discharge tube  11  includes three dimensional curved lines. It has dead angles. Thus the polishing process becomes very difficult. The cost is higher. And exterior quality after polishing does not always meet aesthetic requirements. 
     2. Soldering process unavoidably produces pores and cavities, or defective soldering spots. The pores and cavities will cause water leaking or seeping problems. The defective soldering spots could result in not secured connection and tend to break or rupture when subject to impact. 
     3. Soldering process generates waste gases and high temperature. It could cause harmful effects or professional illness to working people. 
     Therefore how to overcome the problems incurred to soldering of the faucet and to develop an improved connection structure for faucets are the main focus of the present invention. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The primary object of the invention is to provide a connection structure for faucet water discharge tube and faucet body that is accomplished by fastening to eliminate the difficult polishing process and to greatly reduce fabrication costs and improve the appeal of the finished products. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a connection structure for faucet water discharge tube and faucet body that is accomplished by fastening to prevent pores or defective soldering from occurring and to increase production yield and effectively reduce the loss resulting from defective products. 
     Yet another object of the invention is to provide a connection structure for faucet water discharge tube and faucet body that is accomplished by fastening to prevent professional illness or injury caused by high temperature and waste gases resulting from the soldering process. 
     In order to achieve the foregoing objects, the invention has a two-step opening formed on an inner wall of the faucet body to couple with an outer screw coupling duct which has a flange ring formed on one end. The outer screw coupling duct further couples with a seal ring on a neck adjacent to the inner side of the flange ring. The outer screw coupling duct is inserted into the two-step opening from the interior of the faucet body and to enable the flange ring to engage with the two-step opening to form a watertight coupling. There is a water discharge tube which has an inner wall coupled with a coupling bushing that has external screw threads. The coupling bushing has internal screw threads to couple with an outer screw section of the outer screw coupling duct to enable the water discharge tube to communicate with the interior of the faucet to form a passage. The faucet thus made has a smooth connection juncture. 
     The foregoing, as well as additional objects, features and advantages of the invention will be more readily apparent from the following detailed description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a conventional faucet water discharge tube to connect to a faucet body. 
     FIG. 2 is a side view of a conventional faucet water discharge tube connected to a faucet body, partly cutaway. 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the invention. 
     FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the invention. 
     FIG. 5 is a side view of the invention, partly cutaway. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the faucet  20  of the invention includes a faucet body  21  which is a hollow duct with an opening formed on the top end for coupling with a handle seat  22 . On the inner wall of the faucet body  21 , there is a two-step opening  211  which has one smaller inner diameter and one larger inner diameter for coupling with an outer screw coupling duct  30  and a coupling bushing  40  to engage with a water discharge tube  23 ; wherein: 
     the outer screw coupling duct  30  has an outer screw thread section  301 , a flange ring  31  formed on one end thereof, a neck  302  adjacent to an inner side of the flange ring  31  to couple with a seal ring  32 , and an axial through hole  303  formed therein. One end of the through hole  303  adjacent to the flange ring  31  forms a tool notch  304 ; and 
     the coupling bushing  40  is a hollow sleeve which has internal screw threads  41  to couple with the outer screw thread section  301  of the outer screw coupling duct  30  and external screw threads  42  to couple with an inner screw hole  231  of the water discharge tube  23 . The coupling bushing  40  has a rear end formed a radial turning notch  43  to engage with a tool for screwing the coupling bushing  40  in the inner screw hole  231  of the water discharge tube  23 . 
     For assembling the invention, first, tightly screwing the coupling bushing  40  in the inner screw hole  231  of the water discharge tube  23  by wedging a tool in the turning notch  43  and turning the coupling bushing  40 ; inserting the outer screw coupling duct  30  from the interior of the faucet body  21  into the two-step opening  211  and extending the outer screw thread section  301  outside the two-step opening  211  with the contact rim  232  of water discharge tube  23  matching the corresponding connecting location of the faucet body  21 , then keeping the water discharge tube  23  and the faucet body  21  stationary and putting a tool inside the faucet body  21  to wedge into the tool notch  304  of the outer screw coupling duct  30 , and screwing the outer screw thread section  301  in the internal screw threads  41  of the coupling bushing  40 . Thus complete the assembly of the water discharge tube  23  and the faucet body  21 . The connection may be done rapidly at a lower cost. The connection juncture also is smooth and looks more appealing (as shown in FIG.  3 ). 
     Referring to FIG. 5, the two-step opening  211  formed on the inner wall of the faucet body  21  may couple with the flange ring  31  of the outer screw coupling duct  30 . The flange ring  31  and the seal ring  32  form a leak-proof combination. The outer screw thread section  301  couples with the coupling bushing  40  located in the water discharge tube  23  to form a passage. 
     By means of the construction and embodiment set forth above, the structure of the invention offers a simple design to enable assembly be accomplished rapidly and form a smooth connection on the outer surface. Product defects and loss can be reduced. The difficult polishing process is eliminated. Production cost is lowered and the aesthetic appeal of the finished products is enhanced. 
     While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been set forth for the purpose of disclosure, modifications of the disclosed embodiment of the invention as well as other embodiment 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 invention.