Hot and cold water mixer tap with thermostatic unit and flow diverter unit

Abstract

This invention relates to a hot and cold water mixer tap for bath tubs, showers and the like which incorporates a multi-functional group comprising a thermostatic unit ( 14 ) to control mixing and temperature of the water, and of a flow diverter unit ( 15 ) to selectively deliver water to one or at least two outlets. The thermostatic unit ( 14 ) and the flow diverter unit ( 15 ) are pre-assembled in a cartridge configuration and one part of the thermostatic unit forms a means for controlling the flow deviator.

1 . A hot and cold water mixer tap for bath tubs, showers and the like characterised in that it incorporates a multi-functional group comprising a thermostatic unit ( 14 ) to control mixing and temperature of the water, and of a flow diverter unit ( 15 ) to selectively deliver water to one or at least two outlets, and wherein the thermostatic unit ( 14 ) and the flow diverter unit ( 15 ) are pre-assembled in a cartridge configuration and a part of the thermostatic unit forms a means for controlling the flow diverter unit.  
     
     
         2 . The hot and cold water mixer tap according to  claim 1  wherein, in the multi-functional group, the thermostatic unit ( 14 ) has a coaxial control knob ( 41 ) with a handle or lever ( 32 ) to control the flow diverter unit, each turning independently of each other.  
     
     
         3 . The hot and cold water mixer tap according to  claim 1  wherein, in the multi-functional group, the thermostatic unit ( 14 ) includes a cartridge body ( 20 ) associated at the bottom with a base ( 22 ), closed and fixed at the top to a sleeve ( 23 ) and forming a mixing chamber ( 26 ) in which a first hot water inlet ( 24 ) and a second cold water inlet ( 25 ) are provided, wherein in said mixing chamber ( 26 ) a control piston ( 34 ) is located to control the quantity of hot and cold water entering under the control of a heat sensitive bulb ( 35 ) connected indirectly to said knob ( 41 ) of the thermostatic unit, and wherein the flow diverter unit ( 15 ) includes a turning distributor plate ( 30 ) adjacent to the bottom ( 22 ) of the cartridge body and having a hole or an out of centre opening ( 31 ) in communication with said mixing chamber ( 26 ) and which is positionable in line with at least two water output ports ( 29 , 29 ′) connected to a same number of outlets.  
     
     
         4 . The hot and cold water mixer tap according to  claim 3 , wherein the cartridge body ( 20 ) is located in the tap body and able to turn; the bottom ( 22 ) is fixed blocked in said tap body; the distributor plate ( 30 ) rests and turns on said bottom and depends on rotation from said cartridge body ( 20 ), and the rotation of the cartridge body is controlled by the control handle or lever ( 32 ) of the flow diverter unit, by means of the sleeve ( 23 ) to which it is attached.  
     
     
         5 . The hot and cold water mixer tap according to claims  3  and  4 , wherein a stop dowel ( 20   a ) fixed to the cartridge body ( 20 ) extends and engages a locator slot ( 22   a ) setting the rotation limit of the distributor plate ( 30 ) placing either the hole or out of centre opening ( 31 ) of the latter in line with each of the ports ( 29 , 29 ″) to deliver water to each of the outlets according to the selection made.  
     
     
         6 . The hot and cold water mixer tap according to any of the previous claims, wherein the cartridge group is enclosed in a container to set the external dimensions.  
     
     
         7 . A cartridge group to control mixing and delivery of hot and cold water in taps for sanitary plants characterised by a thermostatic unit ( 14 ) to control mixing and temperature of the water and by a selector flow diverter unit ( 15 ) for delivering water towards one or at least two outlets, the thermostatic unit ( 14 ) and the flow diverter unit ( 15 ) being pre-assembled in a cartridge configuration, and a part of the thermostatic unit forming a means of control of the flow diverter unit, the thermostatic unit ( 14 ) having control knob ( 41 ) coaxial with a control handle or lever ( 32 ) of the flow diverter unit.