Backflow-preventer

• US 5,551,483 A
• Filed: 08/17/1994
• Issued: 09/03/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 08/17/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: KWC AG (Michael Pieper, MBA)
• Original Assignee: KWC AG (Michael Pieper, MBA)
• Inventors: Hochstrasser, Ferdinand
• Primary Examiner(s): RIVELL, JOHN A
• Application Number:
  US08/291,473
• Time in Patent Office: 748 Days
• Field of Search: 137/218, 137/844, 137/846, 137/847, 137/850, 137/853
• US Class Current: 137/846
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/104 using a single check valve
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 15/145 the closure elements being shaped as a solids of revolution, e.g. cylindrical or conical
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 15/148 the closure elements being fixed in their centre
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7882 Having exit lip
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7889 Sleeve

Abstract

To the housing part of a backflow-preventer for a sanitary device there is fastened an outer sleeve, made from elastomeric material, exhibiting a sleeve section which is distanced from the housing part. The outer sleeve embraces an inner sleeve which is fixedly supported to the housing and includes a supporting section, which is dimensioned such that the inner sleeve, when acted on by water flowing in the direction of flow, cannot fold inward. The sleeve section bears, under pretensioning, against the supporting section and is expanded by the pressure of the water so as to clear an opening between the sleeve section and the inner sleeve. If the water current is interrupted, the outer sleeve immediately bears again against the inner sleeve. The end sections of the inner and outer sleeves are configured like a sealing lip. The backflow-preventer prevents water from flowing back, even under the least underpressure on the feed side. Moreover, it is not sensitive to foreign bodies.

Claims

1. A backflow-preventer for sanitary devices, especially for sanitary fittings, which comprises:

a housing having a conduit, the housing including an outer sleeve, formed of an elastomeric material, which is disposed in the conduit and is fastened in a sealtight manner to the housing part and which includes a free-ending sleeve section, facing an outlet end of the conduit, wherein the sleeve section, upon water flowing through the outer sleeve from an inlet end of the conduit to the outlet end thereof, is elastically expandable,

an inner sleeve which engages the outer sleeve and is fixed to the housing, the inner sleeve including a supporting section which is fold-resistant to water pressure, and

a sealing lip section which adjoins said supporting section in the direction of the outlet end, the sleeve section of the outer sleeve engaging, under pretensioning, the supporting section and sealing lip section, of the inner sleeve, forming a sealing lip interacting with the sealing lip section and ending at least substantially in proximity with a free end of the inner sleeve, and

a bearing element on which the inner sleeve is disposed and a plurality of ribs protruding from the housing, downstream from the outer sleeve, wherein the ribs project into the conduit and support said bearing element.

2. The backflow-preventer as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inner sleeve is cup shaped and is positioned on the bearing element so as to cover the bearing element on a side facing the inlet.

3. The backflow-preventer as claimed in claim 2, wherein, between the supporting section of the inner sleeve and the bearing element, a free space is formed.

4. The backflow-preventer as claimed in claim 1, wherein the outer sleeve is shaped, in an end region on an inlet side, like a rim flange and covers a near-sided end of the housing.

6. The backflow-preventer as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bearing element has in a center portion thereof an opening extending in an axial direction, the inner sleeve comprises an elastomeric material, a journal is provided for fastening the inner sleeve to the bearing element, and wherein the journal extends in the direction of the outlet end.

7. The backflow-preventer as claimed in claim 6, wherein the opening in the bearing element includes a bottleneck portion, the journal of the inner sleeve has at an outer end thereof an end section, the outside diameter of which is larger than the inside diameter of the bottleneck, and wherein said end section is fitted in a button-like fashion through the bottleneck.

5. A backflow-preventer for sanitary devices, especially for sanitary fittings, which comprises:

a housing having a conduit, the housing including an outer sleeve, formed of an elastomeric material, which is disposed in the conduit and is fastened in a sealtight manner to the housing part and which includes a free-ending sleeve section, facing an outlet end of the conduit, wherein the sleeve section, upon water flowing through the outer sleeve from an inlet end of the conduit to the outlet end thereof, is elastically expandable,

an inner sleeve which engages the outer sleeve and is fixed to the housing, the inner sleeve including a supporting section which is fold-resistant to water pressure, and

a sealing lip section which adjoins said supporting section in the direction of the outlet end, the sleeve section of the outer sleeve engaging, under pretensioning, the supporting section and sealing lip section of the inner sleeve, forming a sealing lip interacting with the sealing lid section and ending at least substantially in proximity with a free end of the inner sleeve wherein the outer sleeve is shaped, in an end region on an inlet side, like a rim flange and covers a near-sided end of the housing and wherein a circumferential bead is formed on the rim flange of the outer sleeve, on the outer side of the housing.