Title of Invention	AERATOR OF A PLUMBING FIXTURE
Abstract	An aerator for a plumbing fixture is provided, especially for a washstand, water basin or tub, The plumbing fixture includes a water outlet that leads to a forward outlet end in which an aerator that is penetrated by the water is pivotally mounted via a swiveling mechanism, particularly a joint, which is removably fixed. The pivotable aerator is mounted within an outer ring that is screwed into the outlet end.

Title of Invention

AERATOR OF A PLUMBING FIXTURE

Abstract

An aerator for a plumbing fixture is provided, especially for a washstand, water basin or tub, The plumbing fixture includes a water outlet that leads to a forward outlet end in which an aerator that is penetrated by the water is pivotally mounted via a swiveling mechanism, particularly a joint, which is removably fixed. The pivotable aerator is mounted within an outer ring that is screwed into the outlet end.

Full Text	Translation of PCT/EP2005/002740 AERATOR OF A PLUMBING FIXTURE The invention relates to an aerator for a plumbing fixture, especially for a washstand, water basin, or tub. with a water outlet. An aerator, through which water flows and which is pivotally mounted via a swiveling mechanism, particularly a joint, is removably fixed to the forward end of the water outlet. It is known to fix an aerator to the forward end of a water outlet of a mixing faucet via a ball-and-socket joint. Here, the ball" and "socket joint is fixed on the water outlet and the ball has a channel, through which the water flows. Underneath the ball there is an aerator, whose discharge direction can be adjusted based on the ball-and-socket joint. Such a construction leads to a considerable installation height, so that a relatively large part is fixed on the end of the water outlet, The objective of the invention is to improve a plumbing fixture with an aerator of the type named above, such that a small installation height is achieved, and especially so that the necessary parts can be housed completely or partially in the end of the water outlet, wherein the pivoting, adjustable jet providing aerator can be screwed into outlet ends of all standard fixtures. This objective is achieved according to the invention in that the pivoting aerator is mounted within an outer ring, which is fixed, in particular screwed, in the outlet end. Such.-an aerator can"be screwed into any standard plumbing outlet "based on its standard external shape, standard external dimensions, and standard external thread. Consequently, because the aerator lies within the - 1 - ball/spherical segment of the joint and no additional attachment means are necessary underneath the ball, an especially small installation height is achieved. Furthermore, an especially simple construction with few components is provided. It is advantageous when the outer side of the aerator has a partially spherical shape and is mounted pivotally in the outer ring with this outer side. Here, the aerator itself forms the inner part of the ball-and-socket joint, so that the aerator is mounted in the outer ring without an intermediate part. This leads to an especially simple and economical construction with few parts, Especially advantageous is an aerator with a ball and socket joint, wherein the aerator is mounted completely or at least partially within the ball of the ball and-socket joint and wherein the outer ring, in which the ball/spherical segment ie mounted, is screwed in the outlet end. In this way, the outer ring with an external thread can correspond in its external dimensions to typical aerators. Here, it is advantageous when the external thread of the aerator has the standard dimensions M24 x 1 or M2G x 1. It is preferred that the ball is formed by a spherical segment. It is also advantageous when the ball/spherical segment is penetrated by an especiaUy cyiindric-al-ohannel-r in-which-the aerator-is-inserted-.- An especially simple and stable construction for low installation height is achieved when the ball/spherical segment is mounted pivotally within an outer ring. In this way, the bearing on the side facing the outlet end has a sealing ring, which lies between the inside of the outer ring and the outside of the spherical segment..so that a simple and secure seal is achieved. - 2 - It is also advantageous when a cylindrical, especially bushing-shaped region is formed on the water outlet side on the spherical segment. Here, the channel wall of the outer ring can be formed so that it expands outwardly, especially conically, in the outlet region, wherein the bushing-shaped region of the ball/spherical segment is led into contact with this expanding channel wall region when pivoted. It is further advantageous when the outer ring with the external thread can be screwed into an internal thread of the forward end of the water outlet. An especially simple and secure seal is achieved when the sealing ring contacts a region, especially a step in the interior of the water outlet, when the outer ring is screwed into the water outlet, and. in this way can be pressed. Preferably, it the aerator can be screwed into the channel of the ball/spherical segment. A simple bearing is achieved when an especially cylindrical or partially cylindrical section, which is placed in a correspondingly shaped recess of the ball or of the outer ring, projects on the outer side of the aerator as a bearing. An embodiment of the invention is shown in the drawing in a vertical section and is described in more detail below.1 Shown are -Figure-1 the aerator in-a straight alignment-and-Figure 2 the aerator in pivoted position, Figure 3 an alternative configuration with direct support of the aerator in the outer ring, -3- Figure 4 the configuration according to Figure 3 with a perspective view of the aerator. The forward end 1 of a water outlet 2 of a plumbing fixture, especially a one-arm mixing faucet, has a water outlet opening 3, in which an aerator 4 is mounted detachably. For this purpose, the cylindrical outlet opening 3 of the water outlet has an internal thread, in which an outer ring 5 of the aerator can be screwed with its external thread. The external dimensions of the aerator and thus of the outer ring 5 and also the dimensions of the external thread are standard dimensions. Here, the external thread has the size M24 x lorM28x 1. In the interior of the outer ring 5, a ball is mounted in the form of a spherical segment 6. So that the ball or the spherical segment 6 is held securely in the outer ring 5 and cannot fall outwards, the diameter of the channel wall 7 of the outer ring 5 becomes narrower as it extends outwards, in order to form a narrowest point 8, from which the channel wall 7 then expands conically outwards and thus forms a conical expansion 9 at this point. Preferably, the inner side of the outer ring 5 forms a concave bearing for the ball/spherical segment 6. The ball or spherical segment 6 mounted rotatably in the channel wall 7 is held-aga-inst-the water- outlet-2-by a- coaxiaLsealingring- 10r-which-is-pressed and forms a seal when the outer ring 5 is screwed into a gap between the outer ring 5 and ball or spherical segment 6, such that when being screwed in, the top side of the sealing ring 10 is led into contact against a step 11 of the water outlet. Thus, the triangular cross section sealing ring 10 achieves a secure seal between the ball and outer ring, so that trie water flows through the aerator 4. In addition, the sealing ring 10 contacts the step 11, so that no water can also escape between the outer ring and the outlet opening 3, _4_ The ball or spherical segment 6 has a cylindrical bushing"shaped region 12, which is formed towards the outlet side and which is led into contact with the conical expansion 9 when the ball/spherical segment pivots, so that the maximum pivoting range of the ball/spherical segment is defined in this way. Instead of a ball-and-socket joint, the pivotable part of the aerator can also be mounted pivotably by another type of joint, especially an articulated axle with two side pivot pins. The construction according to the invention achieves especially small external dimensions and, in particular, an especially small installation height, because the components are all inserted or plugged and/or screwed one inside the other. Figures 3 and 4 show a structural alternative.- Here, the outer side of the aerator 4 is formed with a partial ball shape or as a spherical segment and is mounted in the interior of the outer ring 5, without requiring an intermediate part in the form of the ball or a spherical ring 6. Two cylindrical or partially cylindrical projections 15, which are inserted into corresponding recesses 16 with a positive fit in the inner side of the outer ring 53 are formed on the outer side of the aerator 4 on opposing sides. Alternatively, the inner wall of the-outer-ring-5-forms-a-concave-ring recess for- the spherical.segment:.shaped outer side of the aerator 4. -5 - CLAIMS 1. Aerator for a plumbing fixture, especially fox a washstand, water basin, or tub, said plumbing fixture comprising a water outlet (2), with an aerator (4); through, which water flows, which is pivotally mounted via a swiveling mechanism, particularly a joint, and which is removably fixed to a forward outlet end of the water outlet, characterized in that the pivotable aerator (4) is mounted within an outer ring (5), which is fixed, especially screwed, in the outlet end. 2. Aerator according to claim 1, characterized in that an outer side of the aerator (4) is partially spherical and is mounted pivotahly with the outer side in the outer ring (5). 3 Aerator for a plumbing- fixture, especially for a washstand, water basin, or tvb, said plumbing- fixture comprising a wat-sr outlet (2), with an aerator (4), through which water flows, which is pivotally mounted via a swiveling mechanism, particularly a joint, and which is removably fixed to a forward outlet end of the water outlet, especially according to claim 1, characterized in that the aerator (4) is mounted completely or at least partially within a ball (6) of the ball-and-socket joint and that the outer ring (5), in which the ball/spherical segment is mounted, is fixed, especially screwed, in the outlet en d; 4. Aerator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outer ring (5) has an external thread with, dimensions that corresponds to typical aerators. -6- 5. Aerator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the external thread of the aerator has standard dimensions of M24 x 1 or M28 x 1. 6. Aerator according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the ball (6) is formed by a spherical segment. 7. Aerator according to one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that the ball/spherical segment (6) is penetrated by a cylindrical channel, in which the aerator (4) is placed. 8. Aerator according to one of claims 3 to 7, characterized in that the ball/spherical segment (6) is mounted pivotably within the outer ring (5). 9. Aerator according to claim 8, characterized in that the mechanism on a side facing the outlet end has a sealing ring (10), which lies between an inside of the outer ring and an outside of the spherical segment or an outside of the aerator. 10. Aerator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a cylindrical, especially bushing-shaped region (12) is formed on the water outlet side on the spherical segment (6). 11. Aerator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a channel wall of the outer ring Co) is shaped so that it expands outwardly, especially conically. forming an expanding channel wall region (7) and the bushing-shaped region (12) of the ball/spherical segment (6) comes to lie on the expanding channel wall region (7). -7 - 12. Aerator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outer ring (5) with an external thread can be screwed into an internal thread of the forward end of the water outlet (2). 13. Aerator according to one of claims 9 to 12, characterized in that the sealing ring (10) contacts a region, especially a step, in an interior of the water outlet (2) when the outer ring (5) is screwed into the water outlet and in this way is compressed. 14. Aerator according to one of claims 3 to 13, characterized in that the aerator (4) can be screwed into the channel of the ball/spherical segment (6). 15. Aerator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an inner side of the outer ring (5) forms a concave hearing for the ball/spherical segment (6). 16. Aerator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an especially cylindrical or partially cylindrical section (15), which is placed in a correspondingly shaped recess (16) of the ball (6) or of the outer ring (5), projects on an outer side of the aerator (4) as a bearing. -O An aerator for a plumbing fixture is provided, especially for a washstand, water basin or tub, The plumbing fixture includes a water outlet that leads to a forward outlet end in which an aerator that is penetrated by the water is pivotally mounted via a swiveling mechanism, particularly a joint, which is removably fixed. The pivotable aerator is mounted within an outer ring that is screwed into the outlet end.

Full Text

Translation of PCT/EP2005/002740 AERATOR OF A PLUMBING FIXTURE
The invention relates to an aerator for a plumbing fixture, especially for a washstand, water basin, or tub. with a water outlet. An aerator, through which water flows and which is pivotally mounted via a swiveling mechanism, particularly a joint, is removably fixed to the forward end of the water outlet.
It is known to fix an aerator to the forward end of a water outlet of a mixing faucet via a ball-and-socket joint. Here, the ball" and "socket joint is fixed on the water outlet and the ball has a channel, through which the water flows. Underneath the ball there is an aerator, whose discharge direction can be adjusted based on the ball-and-socket joint. Such a construction leads to a considerable installation height, so that a relatively large part is fixed on the end of the water outlet,
The objective of the invention is to improve a plumbing fixture with an aerator of the type named above, such that a small installation height is achieved, and especially so that the necessary parts can be housed completely or partially in the end of the water outlet, wherein the pivoting, adjustable jet providing aerator can be screwed into outlet ends of all standard fixtures.
This objective is achieved according to the invention in that the pivoting aerator is mounted within an outer ring, which is fixed, in particular screwed, in the outlet end.
Such.-an aerator can"be screwed into any standard plumbing outlet "based on its standard external shape, standard external dimensions, and standard external thread. Consequently, because the aerator lies within the
- 1 -

ball/spherical segment of the joint and no additional attachment means are necessary underneath the ball, an especially small installation height is achieved. Furthermore, an especially simple construction with few components is provided.
It is advantageous when the outer side of the aerator has a partially spherical shape and is mounted pivotally in the outer ring with this outer side. Here, the aerator itself forms the inner part of the ball-and-socket joint, so that the aerator is mounted in the outer ring without an intermediate part. This leads to an especially simple and economical construction with few parts,
Especially advantageous is an aerator with a ball and socket joint, wherein the aerator is mounted completely or at least partially within the ball of the ball and-socket joint and wherein the outer ring, in which the ball/spherical segment ie mounted, is screwed in the outlet end. In this way, the outer ring with an external thread can correspond in its external dimensions to typical aerators. Here, it is advantageous when the external thread of the aerator has the standard dimensions M24 x 1 or M2G x 1.
It is preferred that the ball is formed by a spherical segment. It is also advantageous when the ball/spherical segment is penetrated by an especiaUy cyiindric-al-ohannel-r in-which-the aerator-is-inserted-.-
An especially simple and stable construction for low installation height is achieved when the ball/spherical segment is mounted pivotally within an outer ring. In this way, the bearing on the side facing the outlet end has a sealing ring, which lies between the inside of the outer ring and the outside of the spherical segment..so that a simple and secure seal is achieved.
- 2 -

It is also advantageous when a cylindrical, especially bushing-shaped region
is formed on the water outlet side on the spherical segment. Here, the channel wall of the outer ring can be formed so that it expands outwardly, especially conically, in the outlet region, wherein the bushing-shaped region of the ball/spherical segment is led into contact with this expanding channel wall region when pivoted.
It is further advantageous when the outer ring with the external thread can be screwed into an internal thread of the forward end of the water outlet. An especially simple and secure seal is achieved when the sealing ring contacts a region, especially a step in the interior of the water outlet, when the outer ring is screwed into the water outlet, and. in this way can be pressed. Preferably, it the aerator can be screwed into the channel of the ball/spherical segment.
A simple bearing is achieved when an especially cylindrical or partially cylindrical section, which is placed in a correspondingly shaped recess of the ball or of the outer ring, projects on the outer side of the aerator as a bearing.
An embodiment of the invention is shown in the drawing in a vertical section and is described in more detail below.1 Shown are
-Figure-1 the aerator in-a straight alignment-and-Figure 2 the aerator in pivoted position,
Figure 3 an alternative configuration with direct support of the aerator in the outer ring,
-3-

Figure 4 the configuration according to Figure 3 with a perspective view of the aerator.
The forward end 1 of a water outlet 2 of a plumbing fixture, especially a one-arm mixing faucet, has a water outlet opening 3, in which an aerator 4 is mounted detachably. For this purpose, the cylindrical outlet opening 3 of the water outlet has an internal thread, in which an outer ring 5 of the aerator can be screwed with its external thread. The external dimensions of the aerator and thus of the outer ring 5 and also the dimensions of the external thread are standard dimensions. Here, the external thread has the size M24 x lorM28x 1.
In the interior of the outer ring 5, a ball is mounted in the form of a spherical segment 6. So that the ball or the spherical segment 6 is held securely in the outer ring 5 and cannot fall outwards, the diameter of the channel wall 7 of the outer ring 5 becomes narrower as it extends outwards, in order to form a narrowest point 8, from which the channel wall 7 then expands conically outwards and thus forms a conical expansion 9 at this point. Preferably, the inner side of the outer ring 5 forms a concave bearing for the ball/spherical segment 6.
The ball or spherical segment 6 mounted rotatably in the channel wall 7 is held-aga-inst-the water- outlet-2-by a- coaxiaLsealingring- 10r-which-is-pressed and forms a seal when the outer ring 5 is screwed into a gap between the outer ring 5 and ball or spherical segment 6, such that when being screwed in, the top side of the sealing ring 10 is led into contact against a step 11 of the water outlet. Thus, the triangular cross section sealing ring 10 achieves a secure seal between the ball and outer ring, so that trie water flows through the aerator 4. In addition, the sealing ring 10 contacts the step 11, so that no water can also escape between the outer ring and the outlet opening 3,
_4_

The ball or spherical segment 6 has a cylindrical bushing"shaped region 12, which is formed towards the outlet side and which is led into contact with the conical expansion 9 when the ball/spherical segment pivots, so that the maximum pivoting range of the ball/spherical segment is defined in this way.
Instead of a ball-and-socket joint, the pivotable part of the aerator can also be mounted pivotably by another type of joint, especially an articulated axle with two side pivot pins.
The construction according to the invention achieves especially small external dimensions and, in particular, an especially small installation height, because the components are all inserted or plugged and/or screwed one inside the other.
Figures 3 and 4 show a structural alternative.- Here, the outer side of the aerator 4 is formed with a partial ball shape or as a spherical segment and is mounted in the interior of the outer ring 5, without requiring an intermediate part in the form of the ball or a spherical ring 6. Two cylindrical or partially cylindrical projections 15, which are inserted into corresponding recesses 16 with a positive fit in the inner side of the outer ring 53 are formed on the outer side of the aerator 4 on opposing sides. Alternatively, the inner wall of the-outer-ring-5-forms-a-concave-ring recess for- the spherical.segment:.shaped outer side of the aerator 4.
-5 -

CLAIMS
1. Aerator for a plumbing fixture, especially fox a washstand, water basin, or
tub, said plumbing fixture comprising a water outlet (2), with an aerator (4);
through, which water flows, which is pivotally mounted via a swiveling
mechanism, particularly a joint, and which is removably fixed to a forward
outlet end of the water outlet, characterized in that the pivotable aerator (4)
is mounted within an outer ring (5), which is fixed, especially screwed, in the
outlet end.
2. Aerator according to claim 1, characterized in that an outer side of the
aerator (4) is partially spherical and is mounted pivotahly with the outer side
in the outer ring (5).
3 Aerator for a plumbing- fixture, especially for a washstand, water basin, or tvb, said plumbing- fixture comprising a wat-sr outlet (2), with an aerator (4), through which water flows, which is pivotally mounted via a swiveling mechanism, particularly a joint, and which is removably fixed to a forward outlet end of the water outlet, especially according to claim 1, characterized in that the aerator (4) is mounted completely or at least partially within a ball (6) of the ball-and-socket joint and that the outer ring (5), in which the ball/spherical segment is mounted, is fixed, especially screwed, in the outlet en d;
4. Aerator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outer ring (5) has an external thread with, dimensions that corresponds to typical aerators.
-6-

5. Aerator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the
external thread of the aerator has standard dimensions of M24 x 1 or M28 x
1.
6. Aerator according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the ball (6) is
formed by a spherical segment.
7. Aerator according to one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that the
ball/spherical segment (6) is penetrated by a cylindrical channel, in which the
aerator (4) is placed.
8. Aerator according to one of claims 3 to 7, characterized in that the
ball/spherical segment (6) is mounted pivotably within the outer ring (5).
9. Aerator according to claim 8, characterized in that the mechanism on a
side facing the outlet end has a sealing ring (10), which lies between an
inside of the outer ring and an outside of the spherical segment or an outside
of the aerator.

10. Aerator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a
cylindrical, especially bushing-shaped region (12) is formed on the water
outlet side on the spherical segment (6).
11. Aerator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a
channel wall of the outer ring Co) is shaped so that it expands outwardly,
especially conically. forming an expanding channel wall region (7) and the
bushing-shaped region (12) of the ball/spherical segment (6) comes to lie on
the expanding channel wall region (7).
-7 -

12. Aerator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the
outer ring (5) with an external thread can be screwed into an internal thread
of the forward end of the water outlet (2).
13. Aerator according to one of claims 9 to 12, characterized in that the
sealing ring (10) contacts a region, especially a step, in an interior of the water outlet (2) when the outer ring (5) is screwed into the water outlet and in this way is compressed.
14. Aerator according to one of claims 3 to 13, characterized in that the
aerator (4) can be screwed into the channel of the ball/spherical segment (6).
15. Aerator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an
inner side of the outer ring (5) forms a concave hearing for the ball/spherical
segment (6).
16. Aerator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an
especially cylindrical or partially cylindrical section (15), which is placed in a
correspondingly shaped recess (16) of the ball (6) or of the outer ring (5),
projects on an outer side of the aerator (4) as a bearing.
-O
An aerator for a plumbing fixture is provided, especially for a washstand, water basin or tub, The plumbing fixture includes a water outlet that leads to a forward outlet end in which an aerator that is penetrated by the water is pivotally mounted via a swiveling mechanism, particularly a joint, which is removably fixed. The pivotable aerator is mounted within an outer ring that is screwed into the outlet end.

AERATOR OF A PLUMBING FIXTURE

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