Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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TWO HANDLE PULL-OUT FAUCET
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a pull-out sink faucet, and more
particularly, to a
pull-out sink faucet with independent hot and cold water control and a pull-
out
head that changes between a spray mode and a stream mode when attached or
detached from the faucet.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Faucets are often provided with a pull-out head. The pull-out head allows the
user to point water flow from the pull-out head to destinations where the flow
is
useful and where conventional faucets may not reach. For example, when
washing pots and pans, the user may pull out the head and direct the flow into
the pots and pans rather than moving about the pots or pans under the faucet.
Thus, the pull-out head is typically much lighter and much easier to negotiate
then the item that is being washed.
Faucets with pull-out heads have offered varied output patterns. To that end,
output patterns have included a stream pattern, which is typically from an
aerator
or a spray pattern, which is typically from a spray ring or an arrangement of
nozzles. A switch or the. like, which requires manual actuation by the user,
is
typically employed to switch between the output patterns available. In
addition,
flow control is typically adjusted by a singular mixing valve rather than
independent hot and cold water control valves. As such, pull-out head faucets
may require the user to manually switch between spray modes and use a single
mixing valve to regulate water flow and temperature.
Accordingly, it is desirable to provide an improved pull-out head faucet that
switches between the output spray patterns without requiring the use of a
manual
switch and further provide independent hot and cold water control to the
faucet.
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SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A dual-handle control faucet is constructed in accordance with the present
invention and includes a pull-out head and a faucet base. The pull-out head is
operable between a first water discharge pattern and a second water discharge
pattern. The pull-out head switches from the first water discharge pattern to
the
second water discharge pattern upon disengagement with the faucet base, which
provides for hands-free switching between two spray patterns.
Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent
from
the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that
the
detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred
embodiments of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only
and
are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The present invention will become more fully understood from the appended
claims, the detailed description, and the accompanying drawings of the
exemplary embodiments wherein:
Figure 1 is an environmental view of a pull-out faucet having a pull-out head
and
independent hot and cold water controls constructed in accordance with the
principles of the present invention;
Figure 2 is a perspective top view of a faucet base plate of the pull-out
faucet of
Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a perspective view of a central body of the pull-out faucet of
Figure 1;
Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of the components of the pull-out
head
of the present invention;
Figure 5 is a perspective view of a flow toggle of Figure 4;
Figure 6 is a perspective view of an aerator housing of Figure 4;
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Figure 7 is a perspective view of an aerator assembly of Figure 4;
Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the pull-out head in a stream mode
constructed in accordance with the present invention;
Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of the pull-out head in a spray mode;
Figure 10 is an exploded perspective view of the components of the pull-out
head
constructed in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present
invention;
Figure 11 is a perspective view of a flow toggle of Figure 10;
Figure 12 is a perspective view of a diverter of Figure 10;
Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view of the pull-out head of a Figure 10 shown
in
the stream mode;
Figure 14 is a cross-sectional view of the pull-out head of Figure 10 shown in
the
spray mode;
Figure 15 is a perspective view of an underbody structure constructed in
accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 16 is a detailed view of the underbody structure of Figure 15 in
partial
cross-section; and
Figure 17 is a perspective exploded view of an exemplary lavatory assembly
constructed in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The following description of the preferred embodiments is merely exemplary in
nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or
uses.
With reference to Figures 1, 2 and 3, a pull-out faucet of the preferred
embodiment of the present invention is generally indicated by reference
numeral
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10. The pull-out faucet 10 includes a faucet base 12 to which a spout 14 is
connected. The faucet base 12 includes a hot water control 16, and a cold
water
control 18, both of which provide fluid regulation and are disposed on
opposite
ends of the faucet base 12. The faucet base 12 further includes a central body
20 into which the fluid flows from the hot and cold water control 16, 18. A
faucet
cowling 22 provides a decorative cover for the faucet base 12 and protects the
faucet base 12 from the environment in which it was installed. The spout 14 is
composed of a swivel base 24 and a neck 26. A pull-out head 28 is configured
to
be removably mounted to the spout 14. The pull-out faucet 10 is conventionally
mounted to a sink 30 (shown in shadow) or any other suitable location.
Conventional mounting of the pull-out faucet 10 further includes connection to
a
conventional hot water supply line 32 and a conventional cold water supply
line
34.
The hot water control 16 further includes a hot water regulator or valve 36
that is
seated in a hot water control mounting body 38. A hot water supply line
connection point 40 is connected to the hot water control mounting body 38. A
hot water cupper pipe 42 connects the hot water control mounting body 38 to
the
central body 20. The cold water control 18 further includes a cold water
regulator
or valve 44 that is seated in a cold water control mounting body 46. A cold
water
supply line connection point 48 is connected to the cold water control
mounting
body 46. A cold water cupper pipe 50 connects the cold water control mounting
body 46 to the central body 20.
The central body 20 includes a hot fluid input 52, a cold fluid input 54, and
a
mixed fluid output 56. The control body 20 also includes a hose pass-through
58.
The control body 20 is connected to the faucet body 12. One skilled in the art
will
readily appreciate that the central body 20 may be located at various point in
the
faucet base 12 and be secured by various forms of connection.
In a conventional installation, as shown in Figure 1, the pull-out faucet 10
is
mounted on top of a deck 64 (shown in shadow) of the sink 30. Positioned in a
central location on the faucet base plate 60 is the central body 20, from
which the
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hot water cupper pipe 42 and the cold water cupper pipe 50 extend to the hot
water control 16 and cold water control 18, respectively. The hot water cupper
pipe 42 connects to the hot water regulator 36 contained within the hot water
control mounting body 38. The hot water control mounting body 38 is also
configured to accept a hot water supply line 32 at the hot water supply line
connection point 40. As such, the hot water regulator 36 controls the flow of
hot
water into the central body 20, thereby controlling the amount of hot water
emitted from the pull-out head 28. The cold water cupper pipe 50 connects to
the
cold water regulator 44 contained within the cold water control mounting body
46.
The cold water control mounting body 46 is also configured to accept a cold
water supply line 34 at the cold water supply line connection point 48. The
cold
water regulator 4.4, like hot water regulator 36, controls the flow of cold
water to
the pull-out head 28.
The faucet base 12 is mounted to the deck 64 of the sink 30. The hot water
control mounting body 38 and the cold water control mounting body 46, however,
pass through the deck 64 allowing hot and cold water supply lines 32, 34 to be
connected to the hot and cold water supply line connection points 40, 48,
respectively, beneath the deck 64. It should be appreciated by one skilled the
art
that decorative cowlings may be used to cover various components of the pull-
out
faucet 10. These cowlings may serve to protect the components covered by the
cowling from the elements inherent in a sink installation or may serve the
sole
function of aesthetic appeal.
One skilled in the art will readily appreciate that mounting configurations of
the
pull-out faucet 10 may take many forms, such that, the faucet 10 may be
mounted to a conventional sink, a wash tub, a bath tub, or any location
requiring
a regulated water supply. The various locations, therefore, may motivate many
possible types of installations resulting in various components mounted above
or
beneath the deck of the sink or the like. Other types of installations may
exclude
the sink or the sink deck altogether.
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The central body 20 is connected to the hot water cupper pipe 42 and the cold
water cupper pipe 50 at the hot fluid input 52 and the cold fluid input 54,
respectively. Variable amounts of hot and cold water mix within the central
body
20 and flow out of the mixed fluid output 56. The mixed fluid output 56 is
connected to a hose 66, which passes through the spout 14 and is ultimately
connected to the pull-out head 28. One skilled in the art will readily
appreciate
that many faucet spout and faucet base configurations are possible; such that,
the faucet base of the preferred embodiment can be connected to many different
spout configurations, while the faucet spout of the preferred embodiment can
connected to many different faucet base configurations.
The spout 14 includes the swivel base 24 and the neck 26, from which the
pull-out head 28 is detached. The pull-out head 28 is attached to the hose 66
which includes a weight 68, threaded connectors 70 and quick-disconnect
connectors 72. The hose 66 is connected to the mixed fluid output 56 of the
central body 20 and then connected to the pull-out head 28. The hose 66 when
connected to the mixed fluid output 56 is passed through the deck 64 of the
sink
30, which may provide a loop of hose slack 74 to hanging beneath the deck 64.
The weight 68 is coupled to the hose 66 along a general mid-point of the hose
slack 74. The hose 66 may be further divided into sections and secured by the
threaded connectors 70 or the quick-disconnect connectors 72. Use and
placement of the weight 68, the threaded connectors 70, and quick-disconnect
connectors 72 may be installation dependent, therefore, use, placement, or
exclusion of the weight 68, threaded connectors 70, and the quick-disconnect
connectors 72 do not serve to limit the invention or its operability.
The fluid flow path of the pull-out faucet 10 originates with the hot and cold
water
supplied by the hot and cold water supply lines 32, 34 that are connected to
the
hot water supply line connection point 40 and the cold water supply line
connection point 48, respectively. Hot and cold water flow into the hot water
control mounting body 38 and the cold water control mounting body 46,
respectively. The hot water regulator 36 and the cold water regulator 44
regulate
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the amount of hot and cold water that flows into central body 20 through hot
fluid
input 52 and the cold fluid input 54 via the hot water cupper pipe 42 and the
cold
water cupper pipe 50 respectively. The now mixed hot and cold water exits the
central body 20 through the mixed fluid output 56. The hose 66, connected to
the
mixed fluid output 56, carries the now mixed water beneath the deck 64 of the
sink 30 and then back up through the deck 64 as the hose 66 passes through the
hose pass-through 58 of the central body 20. The hose 66 continues to carry
the
mixed water though the spout 14 and connects with the pull-out head 28 at the
end of the spout 14. The mixed water is ejected through the pull-out head 28
for
use in the sink 30 or the like.
With reference to Figures 4, 5, 6a, 6b, and 7, pull-out head 28 includes a
retainer
ring 76 that passes through an outer housing 78 to connect to a hose connector
82. A spring 80 and a first sealing ring 84 are connected to the hose
connector
82. A rubber gasket 86, a hold-down nut 88, and a rubber washer 90 are
contained within an aerator assembly 92. A second sealing ring 94 is connected
to an aerator housing 96 that connects with the outer housing 78.
The hose connector 82 further includes a hose connection point 98, which may
connect with the hose 66 using a first threaded portion 100. A second threaded
portion 102 connects with the retainer ring 76. A first sealing ring seat 104
is
configured to accept the first sealing ring 84. A sealing face 106 defines a
flow
output orifice 108 that contains a flow deflector 110, a flow deflector lip
112, and
standoffs 114. The aerator housing 96 further includes an aerator assembly
seat
116, a spray ring 118, and a second sealing ring seat 120 configured to accept
the second sealing ring 94.
With reference to Figure 4, 8, and 9, the pull-out head 28 is configured such
that
a portion of the hose connector 82 passes from inside the outer housing 78 and
connects with the retainer ring 76, which sits generally atop the outer
housing 78.
The retainer ring 76 is connected to the hose connector 82 by rotating the
retainer ring 76 onto the second threaded portion 102 and then both the
retainer
ring 76 and the hose connector 82 may move as one unit relative to the outer
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housing 78. One skilled in art will readily appreciate that many other methods
exist to connect the retainer ring 76 and the hose connector 82, one such
exemplary method is a snap-fit. Notwithstanding the manner by which the outer
housing 78 is attached to the retainer ring 76, the pull-out head 28 is
further
configured so that the spring 80 is captured between an annular flange 124 of
the
outer housing 78 and the hose connector 82 when the retainer ring 76 is
attached
to the hose connector 82.
The first sealing ring seat 1O4 on the hose connector 82 is configured to
accept
the first sealing ring 84. The seated first sealing ring 84 positions and
secures
the hose connector 82 in the outer housing 78 and seals the interior of the
outer
housing 78 above the first sealing ring 84. Insertion of the hose connector 82
into
the outer housing 78, therefore, causes the first sealing ring 84 to contact
and
seal against the interior of the outer housing 82. Furthermore, the first
sealing
ring 84 seals the hose connector 82 to the outer housing 78 so that the fluid
within the pull-out faucet 10 is unable to travel beyond the first sealing
ring 84 in
the direction of the retaining ring 76.
The rubber gasket 86 is configured to sit within an inner ring 122 of the hold-
down nut 88; thus, when seated the rubber gasket 86 and the hold-down nut 88
are essentially one assembly. When the hold-down nut 88 is rotated to secure
the aerator assembly 92 in the aerator housing 96, the rubber gasket 86 may
rotate with the hold-down nut 88. Nevertheless, the rubber gasket 86 remains
operable in any angular orientation even though it rotates with the hold-down
nut
88. When the hold-down nut 88 is rotated over the aerator assembly 92, the
hold-down nut 88 secures the rubber washer 90 against the aerator assembly 92;
thus, securing both the rubber washer 90 and the aerator assembly 92 within
the
aerator housing 96.
The hose connector 82 includes the sealing face 106 that defines the flow
output
orifice 108. The flow deflector 110 and the flow deflector lip 112 extend from
the
output orifice 108 by use of the standoffs 114. The sealing face 106 includes
an
annular arcuate portion 126 and within the annular arcuate portion 126 is the
flow
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output orifice 108. The hose connector 82, thus, has an internal channel 128
that
runs from the hose connector point 98 to the flow output orifice 108.
Extending
from the flow output orifice 108 is the flow deflector 110, which contains a
flow
deflector lip 112. The flow deflector 110 is disposed above the flow output
orifice
108 by four standofFs 114.
With the hose connector 82 connected with the retaining ring 76 and the
aerator
assembly 92 secured within the aerator housing 96, the outer housing may be
secured to the aerator housing 96 to ultimately assemble the pull-out head 28.
The aerator housing 96 is configured to accept the second sealing ring 94,
such
that when the outer housing 78 is rotated to attach to the aerator housing 96
the
second sealing ring 94 is compressed between the outer housing 78 and the
aerator housing 96. Compression of the second sealing ring 94 prevents fluid
from exiting the pull-out head 28 from the area where the outer housing 78 and
the aerator housing 96 connect.
In Figure 8, the pull-out head 28 is presented in stream mode, which is
generally
indicated by reference numeral 132. In Figure 9, the pull-out head 28 is
presented in a spray-mode, which is generally indicated by reference numeral
130. Switching between the spray-mode 130 and the stream-mode 132 is
effectuated by movement of the hose connector 82, such that moving the hose
connector 82 to the bottommost point of its travel results in the pull-out
head 28
entering the stream-mode 132. In turn, moving the hose connector to the
topmost point of its travel results in the pull-out head 28 entering the spray-
mode
130.
In the spray-mode 130, the hose connector 82 is in the topmost point of its
travel,
such that the flow deflector lip 112 of the flow deflector 110 has moved up
and
sealed against the rubber gasket 86. Sealing of the flow deflector lip 112
against
the rubber gasket 86 prevents the fluid from continuing past the rubber gasket
86,
thereby forcing the fluid to flow over and past the outside of the hold-down
nut 88.
As indicated by flow-indicating arrow 134, the fluid continues into an annular
channel 136 and then is finally emitted from a spray ring 118.
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In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the spray ring contains
16
rectangular openings 142 with the dimensions of about 0.04 inches by about
0.05
inches. The fluid exits the rectangular openings 142 in spray columns that are
individually perceivable when compared to the column of flow from the aerator
assembly 92. One skilled in the art will read ily appreciate that the
rectangular
openings 142 may be sized in various dimensions. To that end, the rectangular
openings 142 may be circular openings or any other suitable geometric shape.
Furthermore, the dimensions may be sized in any suitable configuration as to
produce streams from the spray ring 118.
In the stream-mode 132, the hose connector 82 is in the bottommost point of
its
travel, such that the sealing face 106 and the annular arcuate portion 126
seal
against the rubber gasket 86. When sealed, the flow deflector 110 is disposed
beneath the rubber gasket 86, such that the fluid is forced to flow out of the
flow
output orifice 108 and into the aerator assembly 92. To that end, the fluid is
unable to flow beyond where the annular arcuate portion 126 has sealed against
the rubber gasket 86, which prevents any fluid from flowing through to the
spray
ring 118. As such, fluid flowing from the pull-out head 28 in the stream mode
132
only flows though the aerator assembly 92 in a stream output.
In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the aerator assembly 92
is
commercially available from Neoperl, Inc. (Waterbury, CT) under the model name
Perlator. The fluid exits the aerator assembly 92 in a large column and lacks
the
individually perceivable streams when compared to water exiting the spray ring
18 when the pull-out head 28 is in the spray mode 130. One skilled in the art
will
further appreciate that the ultimate pattern produced can be varied with
modification of the aerator assembly 92 or the spray ring 118.
Switching between the spray mode 130 and the stream mode 132 may be
effectuated by attachment or detachment of the pull-out head 28 to the end of
the
neck 26 of the spout 14. With the pull-out head 28 attached to the spout 14,
the
pull-out head 28 remains in the stream mode 132 because the end of the neck 26
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has pushed the retaining ring 76 and thus the hose connector 82 down to the
bottommost point of its travel.
In Figure 8, the pull-out head 28 is shown in the stream mode 132 and, as
such,
the spring 80 is configured to be in a rest condition 138. In Figure 9, the
pull-out
head is shown in fihe spray mode 130 and, as such, the spring 80 is configured
to
be in a compressed condition 140. It, therefore, follows that movement of the
spring 80 from the rest position 138 (Figure 8) to the compressed condition
140
(Figure 9) generates a spring force in the spring 80; such that, the spring 80
imparts a predetermined force in an attempt to return to its rest position
138.
The pull-out head 28, however, is configured to remain in the spray mode 130
while water or a like fluid flows through the pull-out head 28. Fluid flow
through
the pull-out head 28 in the spray mode 130, therefore, imparts a sufficient
pressure on the sealing face 106 to maintain the pull-out head 28 in the spray
mode 130. As such, when the fluid flow is discontinued, the spring force
imparted by the spring 80 in the compressed condition 140 is sufficient to
restore
the pull-out head 28 to the stream mode 132. It follows, therefore, that the
spring
force imparted by the spring 80 in the compressed condition 140 is less than
the
pressure exerted on the sealing face 106 of the hose connector 28 in the spray
mode 130.
Typically when the pull-out head 28 is attached to the neck 26, the pull-out
head
remains in the stream mode 132. When a user (not shown) wishes to detach the
pull-out head 28 from the neck 26, the user may grasp the outer housing 78 or
the aerator housing 96 and draw the pull-out head 28 away from the neck 26 and
manipulate the head accordingly. As the user draws the pull-out head 28 away
from the neck 26, the hose 66, the weight 68, and the neck 26 are configured
to
slightly restrain the pull-out head 28 so that the action of drawing the pull-
out
head 28 out of the neck 26 causes the pull-out head 28 to change from the
stream mode 132 to the spray mode 130.
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As noted above, if fluid is flowing through the pull-out head 28, the head 28
will
remain in the spray mode 130. If no fluid is flowing through the head, the
pull-out
head 28 will revert back to the stream mode 132 when the force generated by
the
action of drawing the pull-out head 28 out of the neck 26 no longer exists.
Furthermore, the pull-out head 28 may drawn from the neck 26 while fluid flows
through the pull-out head 28, but the user may subsequently discontinue fluid
flow through the pull-out head 28 by, among other things, shutting off the
faucet
10. When fluid flow is discontinued, the pull-out head 28 reverts back to the
stream mode 132. Regardless of whether the pull-out head 28 is attached or
detached to the neck 26 or whether fluid is flowing through the pull-out head
28,
the user may manually push or pull on the retaining ring 76 to manually switch
the pull-out head 28 between the spray mode 130 and the stream mode 132.
A user may also detach the pull-out head 28 from the neck 26 of the faucet 10
but grasp the retaining ring 76 instead of the outer housing 78 or aerator
housing
96 of the pull-out head 28. In doing so, the pull-out head 28 is prevented
from
switching into the spray mode 130. The user may subsequently grasp the
retainer
ring 76 and pull to switch the pull-out head 28 from the stream mode 132 to
the
spray mode 130.
It should be appreciated by one skilled in the art that the retaining ring 76
may
take many forms or may not be included with the pull-out faucet 10. For
example, the retainer ring 76 may take the form of a knob or collar attached
to
the hose 66 or any such head control mechanism that assists the user in
switching between the spray patterns of the pull-out head 28. As such, one
skilled in the art should further appreciate that the spray mode 130 and the
stream mode 132 or exemplary spray patterns and the pull-out head 28 may be
configured with alternative spray pattern configurations.
Figures 10 through 14 depict the pull-out head 28 constructed in accordance
with
a preferred alternative embodiment of the present invention_ As such,
reference
numerals that depict similar structures may be used to denote structures
common
to the various embodiments. It should be appreciated by one skilled in the art
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that structures disclosed in any one embodiment may be interchangeable with
other embodiments. It should also be appreciated that the disclosed
embodiments of the present invention are descriptive in nature and do not
serve
to limit the invention to the disclosed embodiments.
With reference to Figures 10, 11, and 12, the pull-out head 28 includes an
upper
housing piece 200 that is connected to a lower housing piece 202 and
hereinafter
collectively referred to as a housing 204. A flow toggle 208 is contained
within
the housing 204 and includes a threaded portion 236 that may connect to the
hose 66, which passes through the upper housing 200. A spring 206, is
contained between the flow toggle 208 and the upper housing 200. The flow
toggle 208 includes positioning lugs 238 and a flow toggle gasket seat 210 in
which a flow toggle gasket 212 is seated. The flow toggle 208 further includes
a
flow duct 214, a flow duct top gasket seat 216, and a flow duct bottom gasket
seat 218. A flow duct top gasket 220 is seated in the flow duct top gasket
seat
216 and a flow duct bottom gasket 222 is seated in the flow duct bottom gasket
seat 218.
The flow duct 214 of the flow toggle 208 is configured to reciprocate through
a
central aperture 224 defined by a diverter 226. The diverter 226 further
defines
an annular plurality of apertures 228 arranged around the central aperture
224. It
should be appreciated that the central aperture 224 is not fluidly connected
to the
annular plurality of apertures 228 and vice-versa. In addition, the diverter
226 is
connected to the lower housing piece 202 and secured in place when the lower
housing piece 202 is connected with the upper housing 200.
Secured between the diverter 226 and the lower housing 202 is a spray ring
230.
A flow screen 232 is contained within the spray ring 230. A flow screen gasket
234 is disposed between the diverter 226 and the flow screen 232. As such, the
diverter 232 secures the flow screen gasket 234, the flow screen 232, and the
spray ring 230 in the lower housing piece, when the upper housing piece 200 is
secured to the lower housing piece 202.
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The diverter 226 may be configured to contact the flow screen gasket 234 such
that when water flows through the central aperture 224 of the diverter 226 the
flow screen gasket 232 may prevent water from traveling through the spray ring
230. In turn, when water flows through the annular plurality of apertures 228
of
the diverter 226 the flow screen gasket 234 may prevent water from traveling
through the flow screen 232.
The upper housing 200 may be configured to contain the spring 206 between
flanges 240 and an exterior face 242 of the flow toggle gasket seat 210. The
retaining lugs 238 may be configured to maintain the position of the flow
toggle
208 within the upper housing 200. The upper housing 200 may be additionally
configured to connect to the lower housing 202 with conventional screw
threads.
One skilled in the art wil l readily appreciate that many methods exist to
assemble
the housing; some such examples include snap-fits, bonding, or mechanical
fasteners.
With reference to Figures 13 and 14, the pull-out head 28 is presented in a
stream-mode (Figure 13) generally indicated by reference numeral 132 and in a
spray-mode (Figure 14) generally indicated by reference numeral 130.
Movement of the flow toggle 208 results in the motion of the flow duct 214 in
and
out of central aperture 224 of the diverter 226. When the pull-out head 28 is
in
the stream mode 132, the flow toggle 208 reaches the bottom of its motion
within
the housing 204. In the stream mode 132, the flow duct top gasket 220 enters
and seals the central aperture 224 of the diverter 226. When the pull-out head
28
is in the spray mode 130, the flow toggle 208 reaches the top of its motion.
In the
spray mode 130, the flow duct bottom gasket 222 seals within the central
aperture 224 thereby d isposing the flow duct 214 above the entrance to the
central aperture 224.
In the stream mode 132, the flow duct top gasket 220 has entered and sealed
the
central aperture 224. As such, the flow duct 214 ejects water below the now
sealed central aperture 224. Because the flow duct top gasket 220 has sealed
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the central aperture 224 above the flow duct 214, water ejected from the flow
duct 214 can only exit through the flow screen 232 of the pull-out head 28.
In the spray mode 130, the flow duct bottom gasket 222 has sealed the central
aperture 224. Because the central aperture 224 has been sealed, water flowing
from the flow duct 214 must flow through the annular plurality of apertures
228 of
the diverter 226. Water flowing through the annular plurality of apertures 228
then flows through the spray ring 230.
One skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the flow screen 232 is a
modified
conventional aerator screen, which causes the water to flow from the pull-out
head 28 in a generally uniform column. The spray ring 230, in contrast, causes
the water to spray in generally a cone-shaped pattern where individual streams
of
water may be recognizable. One skill ed in the art will further appreciate
that the
ultimate pattern produced can be vari ed with modification of flow screen 232
or
the spray ring 230. As such, the filow path of the water is determined by
movement of the flow toggle 208 through the diverter 226; notwithstanding that
fact, the ultimate pattern of water produced can be varied, made the same, or
even eliminated or sealed where no water would flow altogether.
Switching between the stream mode 132 and the spray mode 130 may be
effectuated by attachment or detachment of the pull-out head 28 to the end of
the
neck 26 of the spout 14. With the pull-out head 28 attached to the spout 14,
the
pull-out head 28 remains in the stream mode 132 because the end of the neck 26
has pushed the flow toggle 208 down to the bottommost point of its travel.
With
the flow toggle 208 down to the bottornmost point of its travel, the flow duct
214
discharges water below the central aperture 224 of the diverter 226 and water
is
delivered in the stream mode 132.
In Figure 13, the pull-out head 28 is sh own in the stream mode 132 and, as
such,
the spring 206 is configured to be in a rest condition 138. In Figure 15, the
pull-out head is shown in the spray mode 130 and, as such, the spring 206 is
configured to be in a compressed condition 140. It, therefore, follows that
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movement of the spring 206 from the rest position 138 (Figure 13) to the
compressed condition 140 (Figure 14) generates a spring force in the spring
206;
such that, the spring 206 imparts a predetermined force in an attempt to
return to
its rest position 138. The pull-out head 28, however, is configured to remain
in
the spray mode 130 while water or a like fluid flows through the pull-out head
28.
Fluid flow through the pull-out head 28 in the spray mode 130, imparts a
sufficient
pressure on the bottom face 244 of the flow toggle 208 to maintain the pull-
out
head 28 in the spray mode 130 . As such, when the fluid flow is discontinued,
the
spring force imparted by the spring 206 in the compressed condition 140 is
sufficient to restore the pull-out head 28 to the stream mode 132.
Typically when the pull-out head 28 is attached to the neck 26, the pull-out
head
remains in the stream mode 132. When a user (not shown) wishes to detach the
pull-out head 28 from the neck 26, the user may grasp the housing 204 and draw
the pull-out head 28 away from the neck 26 and manipulate the head
accordingly.
As the user draws the pull-out head 28 away from the neck 26, the hose 66, the
weight 68, and the neck 26 are configured to slightly restrain the pull-out
head 28
so that the action of drawing th a pull-out head 28 out of the neck 26 causes
the
pull-out head 28 to change from the stream mode 132 to the spray mode 130.
As noted above, if fluid is flowing through the pull-out head 28, the head 28
will
remain in the spray mode 130. If no fluid is flowing through the head, the
pull-out
head 28 is configured to revert back to the stream mode 132 when the force
generated by the action of drawing the pull-out head 28 out of the neck 26 no
longer exists. Furthermore, the pull-out head 28 may be drawn from the neck 26
while fluid flows through the p ull-out head 28, but the user may subsequently
discontinue fluid flow through the pull-out head 28 by, among other things,
shutting off the faucet 10. When fluid flow is discontinued, the pull-out head
28
reverts back to the stream mode 132.
Figures 15 and 16 depict the faucet 10 constructed in accordance with a
preferred alternative embodiment of the present invention. As such, reference
numerals that depict similar stru ctures may be used to denote structures
common
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WO 2005/098150 PCT/US2005/011027
to the various embodiments. It should be appreciated by one skilled in the art
that structures disclosed in any one embodiment may be interchangeable with
other embodiments. It should also be appreciated that the disclosed
embodiments of the present invention are descriptive in nature and do not
serve
to limit the invention to the disclosed embodiments.
With reference to Figures 15 and 16, an underbody assembly is generally
indicated by reference numeral 300. The underbody assembly 300 is a singular
cast component that may include components found in the faucet base 12. To
that end, the underbody assembly 300 is configured to include the hot water
control mounting body 38 and the hot water supply line connection point 40.
The
underbody assembly 300 also includes the cold wate r control mounting body 46
and the hot water supply line connection point 48. In contrast to the cold
water
supper pipe 50, the central body 20, and the hot water supper pipe 42, the
underbody assembly 300 is constructed as a singular unit. As such, a
connection
member 302 connects the cold water control mounting body 46 and the hot water
control mounting body 38.
A mounting collar 304 connects to the connection member 302. The mounting
collar is configured to connect to the spout 14 and is further configured to
serve
as a fluid connection between the connection member 302 and the spout 14.
The mounting collar 304 additionally defines a pop-rod channel 306 through
which a pop-rod 308 passes (Figure 17). A vacuum breaker seat 310 is
configured to accept a vacuum breaker 312 (Figure 17). It should be
appreciated
by one skilled in the art that a vacuum breaker may be located at various
points
within the faucet 10. As shown, the vacuum breaker 312 is located in the
underbody assembly 300, but may be located in either the hot or cold water
control mounting bodies 38, 46 or other suitable locations.
Similar to the central body 20, the underbody assembly includes a hose
pass-through 58, which is disposed in a central location on the underbody
assembly 300. The hose pass-through 58 is slightly canted to accommodate the
geometry of the underbody assembly 300 but still allow for the hose 66 to pass
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WO 2005/098150 PCT/US2005/011027
through the hose pass-through 58 unimpeded. The mixed fluid output 56 is
configured to connect to the hose 66 (Figure 1 ).
Figure 17 depicts the faucet 10 presented in a lavatory configuration and
constructed in accordance with a preferred alternative embodiment of the
present
invention. As such, reference numerals that depict similar structures may be
used to denote structures common to the various embodiments. It should be
appreciated by one skilled in the art that structures d isclosed in any one
embodiment may be interchangeable with other embodiments. It should also be
appreciated that the disclosed embodiments of the present invention are
descriptive in nature and do not serve to limit the invention to the disclosed
embodiments.
While there are many similar structures in a lavatory installation when
compared
to a kitchen installation, one frequent configuration difference is distance
between
the hot water supply line connection point 40 and the cold water supply line
connection point 48. In a typical lavatory installation this distance is four
inches
(about 100 millimeters), but in a kitchen installation this distance is about
eight
inches (about 203 millimeters). Notwithstanding typical installations, some
faucet
configurations only have a single water control which would not necessitate
the
above spacing. To that end, many configurations are possible and furthermore
scaling of the components from a kitchen to a lavatory instal lation is also
possible
to make the faucet 10, regardless of the installation, more appealing to the
consumer.
The description of the invention is merely exemplary in nature and, thus,
variations that do not depart from the gist of the inventior-i are intended to
be
within the scope of the invention. Such variations are not to be regarded as a
departure from the spirit and scope of the invention.
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