"Drain device for sanitary fittings, kit for sanitary fittings, sanitary fitting and method for mounting a sanitary fitting" [0001] The present invention relates to a drain device for sanitary fittings, kit for sanitary fittings, sanitary fitting and method for mounting a sanitary fitting. [0002] The discharges in the tap sector are positioned in correspondence with the bottom of the wash basin, sink or bath, and include a drain housed in the ceramic or stainless steel sanitary device, and a plug connected to the drain.

[0003] The purpose of the cap is to allow the filling of sanitary fittings with water, when in the closed position, and allow the discharge, when it is in the open position.

[0004] The water that flows from the sanitary fitting is then conveyed towards a discharge, wall device, from which it flows towards the sewer. [0005] The plumbing connection between the drain and the discharge is normally made by means of a stainless steel discharge pipe, preferably equipped with related trap, which is connected to the wall discharge. The trap is fitted to prevent the flow of unpleasant smells of the discharge towards the sanitary installation. [0006] The trap is connected to the discharge pipe by means of joints, couplings and related seals.

[0007] The prior art equipment present numerous advantages .

[0008] In fact, the assembly of the drain and discharge often presents difficulties due to the fact that the holes of the tap, the drain housing and the wall discharge, often due to the "ample" dimensional tolerances, are not aligned.

In this way, the fitter takes some time to complete the assembly. The problem is further complicated when it is necessary to add the trap, an indispensable accessory to prevent the flow of unpleasant smells.

[0009] Quite often, to make up for the said disalignment, the fitter has to force the assembly of the trap exploiting the deformability of the related seals. In this way leaks of water can occur and unforeseen breakage or disassembly of the discharge pipe and/or related trap, which being full of water is of considerable weight.

[0010] The problem at the basis of the present invention is to provide a drain device for sanitary fittings which should solve the disadvantages mentioned above with reference to the prior art .

[0011] Such disadvantages are solved by a drain device for sanitary fittings in accordance with claim 1, by a kit in accordance with claim 21, by an equipment in accordance with claim 22 and by a method in accordance with claim

23.

[0012] Other embodiments of the drain device for sanitary- fittings according to the invention are described in the subsequent claims .

[0013] Further features and the advantages of the present invention will appear more clearly from the following description of preferred non-limiting embodiments thereof, wherein: [0014] figure 1 shows a partially cutaway perspective view of prior art sanitary device, applied on a wash basin;

[0015] figure 2 shows a partially cutaway perspective view of prior art sanitary device, applied on a sink;

[0016] figure 3 shows a partial cutaway view of a drain device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0017] figure 4 shows an enlargement of detail IV of figure

3;

[0018] figure 5 shows a partial cutaway view of a drain device according to further different embodiments of the present invention;

[0019] figure 6 shows an enlargement of detail VI of figure

5;

[0020] figure 7 shows a partial cutaway view of a drain device according to further different embodiments of the present invention;

[0021] figure 8 shows an enlargement of detail VIII of figure 7;

[0022] figure 9 shows a plan view of a detail of the drain device of the present invention, in two different configurations .

[0023] With reference to the above figures, reference numeral 4 globally denotes a drain device for a sanitary fitting 8, such as a wash sink, bath, bidet, a shower and the like.

[0024] Drain device 4 comprises a drain 12 associable to the said sanitary fitting 8 and equipped with a discharge hole 16, to collect and convey the waste water of the wear 8. [0025] Drain device 4 also includes a discharge pipe that extends from a first extremity 24, in correspondence to which is fluidly connected to the discharge hole 16, and a second extremity 28 in correspondence to which it is fluidly connected to a discharge or collection tank of the sanitary fitting 8.

[0026] According to an embodiment, drain 12 comprises a drain body 32 suitable to interface and to be mechanically fixed to a joint surface 34 of the sanitary fitting 8. [0027] According to an embodiment, drain 12 comprises a drain adapter 40, connected to the drain body 32, for example by means of a threaded joint, said drain adapter being normally below the joint surface 34. [0028] Drain 12, and preferably the drain adapter 40, comprise a spigot and socket section 44, having an external thread 48 or protuberance (not illustrated) to make the snap connection with the drain 12 easier. [0029] The drain 12, and preferably the drain adapter 40, also includes a stop 52 that limits the introduction depth of the drain in the sanitary fitting 8.

[0030] According to an embodiment, a plug 56 is connected to the drain 12 to allow the filling of the useful volume of the sanitary fitting 8. For example, the plug can be activated by means of a lever, of known type (not illustrated) .

[0031] Preferably, to drain 12 is connected a plug 56 equipped with a spring 60 and pressure activated in opening and in closing. [0032] Advantageously, the discharge pipe 20 can be deformed in order for it to be curved, bent and/or twisted as required to fluidly connect the drain 12 to the discharge or collection tank, manually adapting during assembly the shape of the discharge pipe 20 to the position of the connectors of the drain 12 on the sanitary fitting 8, and of the discharge on the related fixing wall.

[0033] Advantageously, the discharge pipe 20 is a corrugated pipe comprising a plurality of crests 64 alternating with undercuts 68 that ease deformation. [0034] Preferably, the discharge pipe 20 is made of stainless steel .

[0035] Advantageously, the discharge pipe 20 is made of steel subjected to a solution treatment to homogenize the alloy and diminish the hardness. [0036] In this way any bending of the pipe itself can be applied during fitting without the risk of cracking the pipe itself.

[0037] According to an embodiment , in correspondence with the above mentioned second extremity 24, the discharge pipe comprises a check ring 72 with an internal radial section 76, at least partially inserted and blocked in a groove 68 of the discharge pipe 20.

[0038] The above mentioned check ring 72 comprises an external radial section 80, adjoining and a piece with an internal radial section 76, arranged projecting in relation to the discharge pipe 20 and axially blocked against the stop 52 of the drain 12.

[0039] The check ring 72 can be made f one piece or two half rings. [0040] According to an embodiment, the device 4 comprises a fixing bushing 84, connected to the drain 12 so as to axially block the external radial section 80 of the check ring 72 against the stop 56 of the drain 12. [0041] According to an embodiment, the fixing bushing 84 is connected to the drain 12 by means of a shaped coupling. [0042] Preferably, the fixing bushing 84 is connected to the drain 12 by means of a threaded coupling. In other words, the fixing bushing 84 is screwed onto the external thread 48 of the spigot and socket section 44 of the drain adapter 40.

[0043] According to a further embodiment, the fixing bushing 84 is connected to the drain 12 by means of a snap coupling. In other words, the fixing bushing 84 is snap connected to the protuberances on the spigot and socket section 44 of the drain adaptor 40.

[0044] Preferably, the fixing bushing 84 is coaxially fitted to the discharge pipe 20, in correspondence with the first extremity 24 of the discharge pipe 20, so as to make a radial constraint to the pipe itself. The said constraint limits the movement related to the discharge pipe 20 in relation to the fixed drain 12, also during maintenance operations and guarantees the seal of the pipe 20 to the drain 12. [0045] In particular, device 4 comprises of at least one seal 92 housed at least partially in a groove 68 of the said corrugated discharge pipe 20, in correspondence with the first extremity 24 of the discharge pipe 20. [0046] Preferably, the seal 92 is arranged on the first extremity 24 before the check ring 72, from the drain 12. [0047] The seal 92 is for example a polymeric 0-ring.

[0048] According to an embodiment, the discharge pipe 20, preferably corrugated, in correspondence with the second extremity 28, comprises a fitting 96 connected on the said second extremity 28 and sealed to the discharge of the sanitary fitting 8.

[0049] Preferably, a seal 92 is introduced between the fitting 96 and the second extremity 28 of the discharge pipe 20, at least partially housed inside a groove 68 of the discharge pipe 20. [0050] Advantageously (figure 9), the corrugated discharge pipe 20 is shapes such to realize a section bent in a "U" 100 that realises the trap for the sanitary fitting. [0051] The said section bent at "U" 100 is arranged between the first and second extremity 24, 28 of the discharge pipe 20, and preferably in proximity to the first extremity 24.

[0052] The present invention also concerns a kit comprising a drain device 4 as described above. In particular, the above mentioned kit preferable comprises, the discharge pipe 20, at least one seal 92, a check ring 72, and a fixing bushing 84.

[0053] The above mentioned kit can be employed by a fitter or plumber to modify the drain device of an pre-existing sanitary fitting. In other words, the possibly damaged discharge pipe can be replaced with a corrugated pipe in accordance with the present invention, also eliminating the trap, if present, thanks to the ^W U" 100 bent section of the discharge pipe 20. [0054] The assembly method of a drain device for sanitary fittings in accordance with the present invention will now be described.

[0055] In particular, the method includes the phases to arrange a corrugated discharge pipe 20, extending from the first to the second extremity 24, 28, comprising at least one seal 92 in correspondence with the first extremity 24 of the discharge pipe 20, comprising at least one check ring 72 downstream of the seal 92 , in relation to the first extremity 24 of the discharge pipe 20. [0056] According to an embodiment, the method also includes the phase of introducing at least partially the first extremity 24 of the discharge pipe 20 into the drain hole of the drain 12 and block the first extremity 24 of the discharge pipe 20 to the drain 12, by means of the fixing bushing 84 acting on the check ring 72 which is pushed against the stop 52.

[0057] The method can also include the phase of fluidly connecting the second extremity 28 of the corrugated pipe 20 to a discharge or collection tank or the sanitary fitting 8.

[0058] Advantageously, the method includes the phase of bending a section of corrugated pipe 20, between the first and the second extremity 24,28, to realise a section bent at "U" 100, the said "U" 100 section realising a trap for the sanitary fitting 8.

[0059] As can be understood from the description, the drain device for sanitary fittings according to the present invention allows overcoming the disadvantages of the prior art . [0060] In fact, the flexible pipe used allows to be easily bent in such a way so as to be able to adapt to any sanitary fitting geometry.

[0061] Advantageously, the discharge pipe is subjected to a solution treatment to homogenize the alloy and diminish the hardness. In this way any bending of the pipe itself can be applied during fitting without the risk of cracking the pipe itself.

[0062] Furthermore, sanitary fittings can also be fitted out of sight or asymmetric in relation to the wall discharges. [0063] Therefore the fitting operation is extremely rapid and does not require the use of any tool .

[0064] The pipe itself can be advantageously bent at "U" so as to realise both the connection of the waste water as well as a trap.

[0065] In this way additional traps, separated from the pipe and connected to it by means of couplings and/or seals, which could cause leaks and unforeseen detachment of the trap, are not required. [0066] Therefore the device of the present invention is decisively more economical than the prior art devices because it does not require an additional trap. • [0067] Furthermore, the hose only has two connection points in relation to the drain or wall discharge; in this way the mechanical joints and seals are reduced as well as limiting the risk of leaks and breakages.

[0068] Furthermore, the hose can sustain knocks and deformation without the risk of detaching, breaking and related leaks. [0069] These events can occur in applications on sinks, in which the discharge pipe is accessible in the space below the sink itself, often used as storage for detergents. [0070] Advantageously, the kit of the present invention can also be fitted and adapted to pre-existing sanitary systems, allowing the elimination of the related traps or the addition of traps in installations that are without. [0071] The assembly method in accordance with the present invention allows to reduce the assembly times and costs and also to install sanitary fittings where the wall fittings or the particular configuration of the sanitary fitting itself would prevent or not recommend assembly, due to the related structural modifications required. [0072] A man skilled in the art may make several changes and adjustments to the devices described above in order to meet specific and incidental needs, all falling within the scope of the invention defined in the following claims .