Escutcheon Type Support Patents (Class 137/359)
  • Patent number: 6360774
    Abstract: A sanitary fitting including a fitting body with at least one supply channel and at least one discharge channel, at least one supply line which is flow-connected to the supply channel for providing flow connection to a supply network, a drain arm which is flow-connected to the discharge channel, at least one actuating element for adjusting the amount of flow and/or flow temperature, and a fastening element for fastening the fitting body to a base, the fastening element including at least one receiver for frictionally engaging the at least one supply thereby removably securing the fitting body to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: Ideal-Standard GmbH & Co. oHG
    Inventors: Albert Becker, Josef Behr
  • Patent number: 6345643
    Abstract: Faucet valve chamber body composed of a controlling valve body, an inlet tube, a main tube body and an outlet/inlet sleeve. The valve chamber body is assembled with a handle, a casing, an upper clamping block, a washer, a sealing ring and a lower clamping block. An upper end of the controlling valve body is provided with a driving rod milled with a casing outer thread section and a stepped stop block. A lower portion of the controlling valve body is milled with a locking outer thread section. The inlet tube is milled with an internal inlet tunnel and an upper annular engaging section. A middle portion of the inlet tube is milled with a stepped section to which an annular flow-guiding rib is adjacent. A lower end of the inlet tube is milled with locking outer thread section. The main tube body is milled with an internal receiving tunnel. Inner circumference of the upper end of the receiving tunnel is formed with a locking inner thread section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2002
    Assignee: Chung Cheng Faucet Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Hsi Chia Ko
  • Patent number: 6341617
    Abstract: A water mixer for a sink, the water mixer comprising a mixing chamber having a hot water tap pillar and cold water tap pillar for controlling a supply of hot and cold water to respective inlets of a mixing chamber. Outlets from the mixing chamber supply water to the hollow interiors of the hot and cold water tap pillars which are interconnected by a mixer conduit joined with a nozzle for discharging water to the sink. The mixing chamber is provided with a shuttle valve formed by a truncated conical poppet valve receivable in a valve seat in response to water pressure from hot and or cold mixing chamber acting of a plate member connected by shaft to the poppet valve. The pressure on the plate develops when a spray head valve is operated to cause a flow of water from the mixing chamber to the spray head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2002
    Assignee: Barber Wilsons & Company Limited
    Inventor: John A. Wilson
  • Patent number: 6301727
    Abstract: A modular tub spout assembly for use in removably attaching a tub spout on a threadless water pipe extending outwardly from a bath wall without affecting connection of the pipe to a water supply system behind the bath wall includes a tub spout insert, a sleeve and a seal member. The insert has an interior passage, at least a portion of which is of a size to provide a close, but sliding, fit on the pipe. The sleeve has an internal diameter providing a close, but sliding, fit on the pipe and there is a chamber in the insert formed and adapted to closely fit about the sleeve exterior. The seal member is also positioned within the chamber in the insert. A fastener extends within the aligned openings in the insert and sleeve to fix the insert on the pipe. There is a tub spout shell extending over and enclosing the insert and a fastener to attach the shell to the insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: Moen Incorporated
    Inventors: John E. Bertrand, David J. Kruszewski
  • Patent number: 6279604
    Abstract: A handle for a shower valve has a fixed portion having a first bearing surface and a movable portion having a second bearing surface. A spring biases the first and second surfaces into engagement. The fixed portion includes a chassis that is threadedly attached to a valve body. The chassis mounts an interchangeable lower shell that has a decorative finish or shape. Rotation of the lower shell causes rotation of the chassis for installation or removal of the handle on the valve body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: Moen Incorporated
    Inventors: Yaakov Korb, John C. Corry, Eric M. Weber, William R. Markowitz, Michael J. Kennedy, Alfred Schiazza, Julius E. Nachod, III
  • Patent number: 6276004
    Abstract: A modular shower arm assembly for use in removably attaching a shower fixture to the unthreaded end of a pipe extending outwardly from a shower stall wall without affecting connection of the pipe to a water supply system behind the shower wall uses an adapter sleeve closely fitting over the pipe and located within a chamber in the shower arm water passage. There is a threaded fastener which extends from the top or upper surface of the shower arm, where it is normally unseen, to mount the sleeve and the shower arm to the pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignee: Moen Incorporated
    Inventors: John E. Bertrand, Michael A. Brattoli
  • Patent number: 6267136
    Abstract: A faucet assembly including a resilient reinforcing member that ensures the faucet set compresses a sealing gasket to prevent leaks. The faucet set is secured to the deck or mounting flange of a sink from below the sink using installation nuts that can fasten the faucet set to the sink mounting location using threaded members. A gasket fits between the top of the sink mounting flange and the bottom of the faucet set. On the opposite side of the sink flange mounting location for the faucet set, a resilient stiffener is placed that contains apertures through which the mounting threaded members extend. The installation nuts are threaded onto the threaded members compressing the resilient reinforcing member. The resiliency and modulus of the reinforcing member ensures that the gasket is compressed by the faucet set even if some stress is applied during use of the faucet set no gap appears between the faucet set, the gasket and the sink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2001
    Inventor: Floyd M. Johnson
  • Patent number: 6220279
    Abstract: A faucet assembly 30 includes an underbody 36 having end bodies 40 and 42 which are linked by conduits 44 with a center body 38, and further includes a spout 32 and a attached shank 34, all of which are to be assembled with a deck 56. Portions of the upper ends of the end bodies 40 and 42 are each formed with an annular groove 72 which extend through holes 60 and 62 in the deck 56. A pair of trim flanges 48 and 52 are each formed with a platform 160 having an opening 162 extending therethrough which facilitates the positioning of portions of the platform within the annular groove 72 to retain the underbody 36 with the deck 56. Another hole 58 is formed in the deck 56 above the assembled center body 38 and is formed with an axial passage 76 for receipt of the shank 34.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Emhart Inc.
    Inventor: Donald J. Segien
  • Patent number: 6220278
    Abstract: A top mountable faucet for mounting on a sink or countertop having a wall with an opening, a supporting surface at one side, and a clamping surface at an opposite side. The faucet includes a base adapted to be positioned on the supporting surface. A body extends from the base, and includes a lip spaced from said base. An escutcheon surrounds the body and is interposed between the base and the lip. A clip is interposed between the escutcheon and lip to lock the escutcheon over said base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Bruce M. Sauter, Michael T. Seum
  • Patent number: 6209153
    Abstract: A quick-install mounting nut assembly for connecting a shank of a faucet to a deck with the shank having an enlarged upper portion disposed above the deck and a smaller diameter lower portion extending through an opening of the deck. A strap of the assembly is loosely disposed on the lower portion of the shank to be axially raised thereon. The strap has a pair of ears formed thereon with apertures therein. A pair of clips are connected to the ears of the strap and each has an aperture therein aligned with the apertures of the ears of the strap. Each of the clips has a clamping portion biased downwardly into engagement with the lower portion of the shank. A pair of fastener members are separately disposed through the apertures of the strap and the clips and are in threaded engagement with the clips. A pair of nuts are separately disposed upon the ears of the strap to be threadedly engaged by the fastener members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: Emhart Inc.
    Inventor: Donald J. Segien, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6202686
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a faucet which includes a one-piece manifold body and a swivel spout pivotably mounted on the body. The body preferably has first and second leg portions for accepting fluid flow therethrough. The faucet may also preferably include an escutcheon coupled to the body, a cartridge coupled to the body, and a retainer ring interposed between the cartridge and the body. In one preferred embodiment, the faucet may include an auxiliary outlet mechanism which may include a diverter valve disposed in the body, as well as a hand spray coupled to the body and in fluid communication with the diverter valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: American Standard Inc.
    Inventors: Walter Pitsch, Juergen Mueller
  • Patent number: 6195818
    Abstract: An apparatus that provides for the quick and easy installation and removal of Roman Tub Spouts onto a water fitting comprising a water spout, a quick connect member, a trim escutcheon, a hub, a pair of deck nuts and a lock washer. The quick connect member screws into a Tee fitting, or the like, in the plumbing system. The hub screws into the base of the spout and slidably engages the smooth end of the quick connect member. The trim escutcheon is disposed between the spout and hub to provide support to the hub and to conceal the hub while providing decorative ornamentation to the apparatus. Once the spout and trim escutcheon are properly positioned on the quick connect member, a set screw fastens the assembly in place. The deck nuts are positioned above and below the tub surface to hold the apparatus in place on the tub surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Inventors: Barbara Rodstein, Joaquin Serrano, Ron Bowers
  • Patent number: 6192529
    Abstract: A modular shower arm construction for use in removably attaching a shower fixture to an unthreaded end of a pipe extending outwardly from a shower wall without affecting connection of the pipe to a water supply system behind the shower wall includes a tubular shower arm, an adapter and a coupling nut. The adapter is fixed to the pipe, either by a set screw or through the use of a threaded nipple. The tubular shower arm has an outwardly flared end which extends within the coupling nut and the coupling nut is threaded onto the adapter and holds the tubular shower arm to the assembled components. An escutcheon overlies and covers all of the connecting elements and is removed when the tubular shower arm and adapter are removed from the unthreaded end of the pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: Moen Incorporated
    Inventors: Timothy P. Jones, Norman E. Limpert, Gerald M. Mitchell, Martin Zummersch
  • Patent number: 6189569
    Abstract: The faucet housing assembly comprises an escutcheon and an undercover plate. The undercover plate fits into the undersurface of the escutcheon forming a snap-fit engagement, there being no need for any fasteners between the undercover plate and the escutcheon. The escutcheon is secured onto a faucet with fasteners and the undercover plate is assembled into the undersurface of the escutcheon. The base section of the undercover plate includes an opening disposed on each side. A strut abuts the outside edge of each opening. Each strut engages one of a pair of mounting posts extending downward from the undersurface of the escutcheon. An arcuate lip extends from the center arched section of the undercover plate, the arcuate lip being positioned about a spout outlet. The arcuate lip forms an abutting engagement against a pair of rib members positioned about the aerator on the undersurface of the escutcheon, the rib members compressing the arcuate lip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Masco Corporation of Indiana
    Inventor: Keith A. Calhoun
  • Patent number: 6178993
    Abstract: A covering rosette (4) for a sanitary wall-fitting comprises, in a manner known as such, a covering plate (6) which is capable of being fastened to the wall-fitting and an ornamental hood (5) which is detachably fastened to the covering plate (6). Covering plate (6) and ornamental hood (5) are each provided with passage openings (8, 18) for a region of the wall-fitting onto which an ornamental cap (1) is capable of being pushed from outside. On the covering plate (6) and/or on the ornamental hood (5) at least one spring shackle (25) is provided, the boundary surface (25c) of which pointing towards the axis of the passage openings (8, 18) is situated in the tension-free state on a circle, the diameter of which is equal to or smaller than the outside diameter of the push-on ornamental cap (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: Hansa Metallwerke AG
    Inventor: Hans Oberdorfer
  • Patent number: 6178981
    Abstract: A universal-fit replacement flange and handle set includes a template formed with an easily torn apart material and having a pair of lugs which have free ends with pre-punched holes spaced at a distance from one another. The set further includes mounting brackets, each having opposite ends formed with openings and pivotally mounted on the lug by its one end to pivot in a position, wherein the other end is attached to a support surface. The set has a flange and handle assembly having a pair of recesses spaced at a distance equal to the distance between the pre-punched holes. The recesses are aligned with the pre-punched holes and are traversed by fasteners attaching the flange and handle assembly to the brackets upon removing the template. The set further includes an adapter enabling adjustment of a handle of the flange and handle assembly with respect to the support surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: Resources Conservations, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Wales
  • Patent number: 6161568
    Abstract: A decorative pipe protector that can be positioned around a copper water supply pipe to both provide a decorative appearance and protect the copper water supply pipe from corrosion. The pipe protector includes a trim tube extending axially between a first end and a second end. The trim tube includes an inner surface having an inner diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the water supply pipe such that the trim tube can be slid onto the water supply pipe. The second end of the trim tube includes an attachment portion formed along its inner surface having a reduced diameter approximately equal to the outer diameter of the water supply pipe. The attachment portion of the trim tube is sweat soldered to the outer diameter of the water supply pipe to provide a liquid-tight seal between the two components. The second end of the trim tube includes external threads that receive a water shut-off valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Inventor: Kenneth J. Dragotta
  • Patent number: 6123106
    Abstract: A thrust washer for a mounting assembly disposed below an opening in a deck for mounting a faucet above the opening in the deck. A plurality of water lines extend through the opening in the deck to be connected to the faucet. The thrust washer being wider than the opening in the deck and formed in the shape of a "W" with a central opening at its midpoint for connection thereof to the mounting assembly. The thrust washer has a pair of outer legs defining wings which create an enlarged space above the central opening thereof adjacent the top of the "W". The thrust washer defines a solid, squat member having a height substantially equal to one-half the distance of the enlarged space thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2000
    Assignee: Emhart Inc.
    Inventor: Evan A. Benstead
  • Patent number: 6079448
    Abstract: A faucet assembly includes a body connected to an outlet member on the top thereof and a water pipe connected to the underside thereof, a valve member movably received in the body and operatably connected to the outlet member so that when pushing the outlet member, the valve member is lowered to open the communication between the body and the outlet member. The body has a ridge extending radially outward from the outside thereof and a hook member connected to the outlet member so that when the outlet member is pushed, the hook member is engaged with the ridge to keep the valve member in position so that the water flows out from the outlet member. The hook member is disengaged from the ridge by shifting a bar connected to the hook member so that the valve member closes the body again.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Inventor: Shih-Ping Lee
  • Patent number: 6070614
    Abstract: A faucet mounting system for positioning and supporting a faucet valve body and a rotatable receptor on a sink deck includes a stand and a bearing member. The faucet valve body is mounted in the stand above the sink deck and the bearing member is formed and adapted to be mounted on the sink deck. The bearing member has a central opening to accommodate water conduits extending from the sink deck to the valve body. The rotatable receptor moves about the valve body and is supported for rotation on the bearing member. There are cooperating elements on the bearing member and the stand for interlocking these two elements together to prevent relative rotation there between. The bearing member has arcuately spaced stops which limit rotation of the receptor on the bearing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Assignee: Moen Incorporated
    Inventors: John C. Holzheimer, Nagib Nasr
  • Patent number: 6065491
    Abstract: A blind alignment sillcock with non-vibrating loose wall mounting. The sillcock includes a spout and water regulating handle assembly, a tube portion, and a wall mounting portion. The tube portion has a threaded portion with a keyway slot therein that extends at a position in line with a valve stem of the spout and water regulating handle assembly, and which provides a reference for assuring that the valve stem is properly facing up when the blind alignment sillcock with non-vibrating loose wall mounting is being fastened blindly from behind the wall. The wall mounting a portion includes a nut plate that has a nut that threadably receives the tube portion. The leading face of the nut plate has teeth for engaging the interior side of the wall. The nut has a plurality of keyway slots that extend radially outwardly, with each keyway slot being alignable with the keyway slot in the threaded portion of the tube portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2000
    Inventor: Walter A. Rider
  • Patent number: 6058972
    Abstract: A valve body has a hollow rigid housing formed with at least two outwardly open sockets centered on respective axes that extend generally perpendicularly of each other and a connector body fitted in one of the sockets at an intersection of the axes and having an outer face directed outwardly in the one socket and an inner face directed outward in the other socket. The connector body is also formed with a plurality of passages extending between the faces. A valve cartridge is secured to the connector-body outer face. In addition an insert body fitted in the other socket has an inner face engaging complementarily with the connector-body inner face and is formed with passages having inner ends opening into the connector-body passages at the connector-body inner face and outer ends. One of the inner faces is formed as a recess and the other as a complementary projection such that when fitted together the connector body is fixed in the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: Friedrich Grohe AG
    Inventors: Dieter Kahle, Eberhard Stolle
  • Patent number: 6014985
    Abstract: A drop-in faucet valve is installed from above a sink countertop. The drop-in valve includes an outer cylindrical sleeve having a diameter less than the diameter of a hole in the sink countertop. The valve itself is seated within the sleeve. The sleeve includes a water flow fitting portion such as a bottom or side fitting portion having a diameter less than or equal to the diameter of the sleeve. The water flow fitting portion engages a water flow conduit, and may include a female threaded portion engageable with a male threaded portion of a further water flow conduit such as a flexible outlet hose. The sleeve is dropped into the hole in the sink countertop. An escutcheon holds the sleeve in place above the sink countertop. A lock nut is threaded over the sleeve, up to the bottom of the countertop. The hose outlet is threaded to the outlet hole in the side fitting portion of the sleeve from under the sink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Assignee: IW Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Jerome Warshawsky
  • Patent number: 6006784
    Abstract: An automatic water faucet in which the neck portion can be easily attached to the sink, after a common base for receiving the faucet has been attached. To achieve such a purpose, the automatic water faucet comprises a water faucet seat and a neck portion. The water faucet seat is constructed to engage with the neck portion by inserting the neck portion into the water faucet seat and rotating the former repeatedly to the latter so as to assemble them together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Assignee: Uro Denshi Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hidetaka Tsutsui, Makoto Kodaira, Noboru Nakajima
  • Patent number: 5983917
    Abstract: An installation aid for facilitating the installation of a faucet body of a two handle faucet to a sink deck. The aid has a frusto-conical configuration with a skirt formed of resilient circumferentially spaced apart legs extending radially outwardly downwardly from a top under a retention cap with fingers that removably attach the installation aid to an enlarged head of a spout tube extending upwardly from a central part of a faucet body having spaced valve tubes which along with the spout tube having the temporarily attached installation aid are inserted upwardly through sink deck holes from below the sink deck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: Masco Corporation of Indiana
    Inventor: Kurt J. Thomas
  • Patent number: 5979489
    Abstract: A faucet fitting system having interchangeable components useable in both single handle and dual handle faucet fixtures. The component system is designed to allow the same putty plate with breast plate, waterway spout, aerator and mounting nuts to be used with the various escutcheons, metering valves and waterways associated with the single handle and dual handle faucet fixtures. Specially constructed water valves, putty plates and escutcheon constructions useable in conjunction with the system are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: American Standard Inc.
    Inventor: Walter Pitsch
  • Patent number: 5975140
    Abstract: A gooseneck faucet is composed of a gooseneck tube, a faucet body, and a threaded tube. The gooseneck tube is provided at one end thereof with a spout and at another end thereof with a water inlet having outer threads. The faucet body is composed of a shell and an inner body. The shell is provided with a flow control valve hole and a water outlet having inner threads, whereas the inner body is provided with a control valve water tract and a water discharging tract. The threaded tube is provided with a fastening nut for fastening one end of the threaded tube with a drinking fountain. The threaded tube is fastened at another end thereof with one end of the control valve water tract of the inner body of the faucet body. The gooseneck tube is fastened at another end thereof with the faucet body such that the outer threads of the water inlet of the gooseneck tube are engaged with the inner threads of the water outlet of the shell of the faucet body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Inventor: Ching-Yi Lin
  • Patent number: 5960490
    Abstract: A faucet fitting system having interchangeable components useable in both single handle and dual handle faucet fixtures. The component system is designed to allow the same putty plate with breast plate, waterway spout, aerator and mounting nuts to be used with the various escutcheons, metering valves and waterways associated with the single handle and dual handle faucet fixtures. Specially constructed water valves, putty plates and escutcheon constructions useable in conjunction with the system are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Assignee: American Standard Inc.
    Inventor: Walter Pitsch
  • Patent number: 5950663
    Abstract: A faucet installation system is provided including at least one base assembly coupled to a water source and having an upper extent fixedly coupled to and extending from an aperture formed in a sink. The upper extent has an O-ring formed thereon. A faucet is provided having an inlet bore formed therein for releasably receiving the upper extent in a sealed manner for receiving water therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Inventor: Terence M. Bloomfield
  • Patent number: 5947149
    Abstract: A handle assembly is connectable to a valve stem of a valve extending from a deck mounting above an escutcheon flange engaging the valve and the deck. The handle assembly includes a handle adapter to which a handle is connected. The handle adapter has a lower section on which a handle hub, bell shaped, is journaled. The handle hub is threadedly connected to the escutcheon flange to operatively connect the handle adapter to the valve stem with no visible connection means showing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: Emhart Inc.
    Inventor: Darren M. Mark
  • Patent number: 5894613
    Abstract: A faucet escutcheon and mounting member therefor includes an escutcheon having a generally central opening for a faucet body and a defined shape surrounding the faucet body opening. The mounting member has a defined shape similar to that of the escutcheon and dimensionally smaller whereby the mounting member is located within the confines of the escutcheon when both are mounted on a sink deck. The mounting member has a plurality of outwardly extending flexible fingers in yielding contact with the interior of the escutcheon whereby when said escutcheon and mounting member are positioned on a sink deck there is essentially no movement therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1999
    Assignee: Moen Incorporated
    Inventor: Mark C. Fenn
  • Patent number: 5893387
    Abstract: An electrically controlled faucet is disclosed which is operable by pushing a button or placing hands within the operating range of a sensor. The faucet is mounted to a sink deck or like surface using specially configured gasket means which insure against slippage of the faucet on the deck. The gasketing means provide special channels through which electrical operating wires can be securely passed from the faucet to operating means below the sink deck. These operating means include a solenoid valve that controls fluid flow through the faucet and a temperature control valve fluidly linked to the solenoid valve. Solenoid disabling pressure buildup in the line linking the temperature control valve and solenoid is bled through special bleed means in the temperature control valve inlets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1999
    Assignee: Speakman Company
    Inventors: Graham H. Paterson, Willard A. Denham
  • Patent number: 5865211
    Abstract: An installation aid for facilitating the installation of a faucet body of a two handle faucet to a sink deck. The aid has a frusto-conical configuration with a skirt formed of resilient circumferentially spaced apart legs extending radially outwardly downwardly from a top under a retention cap with fingers that removably attach the installation aid to an enlarged head of a spout tube extending upwardly from a central part of a faucet body having spaced valve tubes which along with the spout tube having the temporarily attached installation aid are inserted upwardly through sink deck holes from below the sink deck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Assignee: Masco Corporation of Indiana
    Inventor: Kurt J. Thomas
  • Patent number: 5853024
    Abstract: A one-piece, leakproof, top-mountable valve body for lavatories which has a uniform, screwthreaded outer diameter and parallel inlet and outlet ports in its bottom surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1998
    Assignee: Perani, Inc.
    Inventor: James W. Life
  • Patent number: 5836201
    Abstract: A solvent recovery dryer having a flow sensing device in communication with the output of the solvent recovery dryer. The flow sensing device is in operable communication with a computer and the computer calculates the flow rate of liquid being recovered, and controls the dryer when a certain flow rate is reached. The computer also stores and displays flow rate data. The flow sensing device provides for nearly continuous monitoring of the flow rate, and also provides for accurate monitoring of flow rates at high and low levels of liquid flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignee: Industrial Towel & Uniform, Inc.
    Inventors: Jodell L. Drew, David L. Foshey, Michael D. Johnson
  • Patent number: 5829469
    Abstract: This apparatus is to retrofit an existing, non pressure balanced mixing valve to provide pressure balanced operation. The apparatus includes a diverter which leads hot and cold water out of the existing valve body to a pressure balanced mixing valve. The mixed blended water from the pressure balanced mixing valve is returned to the diverter which directs the blended water to the existing outlet(s) in the existing valve body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: Joseph P. Sileno, Jr. Revocable Trust
    Inventors: Joseph P. Sileno, Jr., Gary R. Mueller
  • Patent number: 5826788
    Abstract: A handle assembly for a rotating shaft which reduces shaft wobble. The handle assembly has a bearing in the form of a split ring which is arcuate in cross section to provide a reduced friction when the bearing is placed between the shaft and a housing axial bore. The handle assembly is employed to engage and rotate the stem of a valve. In a preferred manner, the bearing affords a cavity for a shaft lubricant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1998
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventor: John C. Redding
  • Patent number: 5813431
    Abstract: A water valve mounting assembly for use in attaching a water valve such as a shower valve to a wall of a bathroom or other type of room having washing facilities includes a valve body positioned on the exterior side of the wall in alignment with an opening in the wall. There is a mounting plate positioned on an exterior side of the wall and aligned with the valve body and wall opening, with the mounting plate being attached to the valve body and having a generally central recessed area extending toward and into the wall opening. The mounting plate has a plurality of spaced barbs adjacent its periphery, which barbs extend toward and are embedded in the exterior surface of the wall about the wall opening, with the embedded barbs preventing turning movement of the mounting plate relative to the wall and the valve body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1998
    Assignee: Moen Incorporated
    Inventors: Lonnie F. Cool, Robert G. Schmedding
  • Patent number: 5791365
    Abstract: A unitary (one-piece) escutcheon plate is formed by a flexible member provided with a central aperture and a radially extending cut permitting it to flex and be placed over a pipe without removing a fixture affixed thereon and may include indicia or adornment and be placed over an existing escutcheon plate, if desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1998
    Inventor: Steve Harbaugh
  • Patent number: 5778471
    Abstract: A device for storing a supply of emergency potable water includes a tank member which is especially configured to store unobtrusively in the home. The tank member is configured to connect into the domestic fresh cold water supply to an automatic clothes washer, and to sit alongside of the clothes washer, possibly in a gap defined between this washing machine and an adjacent clothes dryer machine. The tank member is configured to insure that a circulation of water occurs each time the washing machine draws fresh cold water during operation to wash clothing, and to insure that sediment does not collect in the tank member. Thus, a self-refreshing supply of potable water is provided which is of no significant inconvenience to store in the home. Further, the tank member, or a tray-like member nested atop this tank member, is configured to form a convenient adjunct and continuation of horizontal utility surfaces provided commonly at the top of clothes washers and dryers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1998
    Inventor: Timothy J. Collison
  • Patent number: 5746244
    Abstract: A faucet 10 having a copper tube waterway 44 assembled to hot water valve 40 and cold water valve 42 to control the discharge of water for the waterway 44, and a housing 12 with a base 14 and a spout 16 formed therein. A unitary member 74 including a throat plate 76 is connected to cover the spout 14 and mount the waterway 44 therein, and a putty plate 78 to cover the base 14 and be connected thereto by fasteners 94. The connection of the throat plate 76 to the spout 14 is by ribs 116 that wedgingly engage bosses 56 of the spout 14 to interconnect the spout 14 and the throat plate 76 and simultaneously mount the waterway 44 therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1998
    Assignee: Emhart Inc.
    Inventors: Curtis Scott Woolley, Sr., Arthur Corpuz Inocelda
  • Patent number: 5725008
    Abstract: A faucet assembly including a resilient reinforcing member that ensures the faucet set compresses a sealing gasket to prevent leaks. The faucet set is secured to the deck or mounting flange of a sink from below the sink using winged nuts that can fasten the faucet set to the sink mounting location using threaded members. A gasket fits between the top of the sink mounting flange and the bottom of the faucet set. On the opposite side of the sink flange mounting location for the faucet set, a resilient stiffener is placed that contains apertures through which the mounting threaded members extend. The winged nuts are threaded onto the threaded members compressing the resilient reinforcing member. The resiliency and modulus of the reinforcing member ensures that the gasket is compressed by the faucet set even if some stress is applied during use of the faucet set no gap appears between the faucet set, the gasket and the sink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1998
    Inventor: Floyd M. Johnson
  • Patent number: 5697393
    Abstract: An adjustable anti-freeze faucet assembly for mounting within a wall of the building comprises a telescoping water pipe with pieces configured for telescopic sliding movement to vary the length of the pipe, a faucet spout coupled to an outlet end of the pipe and a valve body mounted within the pipe proximate an inlet end. A valve handle is mounted proximate the pipe outlet end near the faucet spout, and a telescoping valve control stem extends in the pipe from the valve handle to the valve body. The control stem telescopes with the length of the pipe such that the valve body is maintained generally stationary with respect to the pipe length. When the faucet assembly is installed, the faucet spout and valve handle are at the cold outside surface, while the valve body is maintained proximate the warm inside surface of the building wall to prevent freezing of the water in the valve body and pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1997
    Inventor: John Raymond Mirlisena, Sr.
  • Patent number: 5673724
    Abstract: A hot and cold water faucet having a concave base and hot and cold water outlets in the base which, following the concave curvature, are positioned forwardly of a rearwardly located inlet into the faucet, and thus the water connections from opposite directions to the faucet inlet converge at an angle rather than head-to-head and this contributes to better mixing into a luke warm temperature of the water flowing into the faucet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1997
    Inventor: Jack Abel
  • Patent number: 5669407
    Abstract: A valve and cover plate construction for mounting a valve assembly in a plastic faucet cover plate and for securing the plate to a deck of a sink. The valve and cover plate construction comprise an annular seat formed inside of a flange in the cover plate in which the valve is disposed, a plastic split annular retaining washer adapted to be seated on annular seat, and an annular flange having an abutting surface on the bonnet of the valve assembly adapted to abut against the top of the retaining washer and press it against the seat when the valve assembly is inserted into the flange of the cover plate. The bonnet also has an annular flange having an undercut in its bottom into which is inserted a sealing member such as an O-ring. The sealing member is encapsulated on three sides by the material forming the bonnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1997
    Assignee: Masco Corporation of Indiana
    Inventor: Robert W. Bailey
  • Patent number: 5660203
    Abstract: A mixing faucet adapted to be mounted on a support body having an outside face, an inside face, and a hole extending between the faces has a faucet body adapted to sit on the outside face over the hole, a mixing valve in the body having hot- and cold-water inlet ports and a mixed-water outlet port, and a rigid tubular stem fixed to the body, extending through the hole, formed with a passage connected to one of the ports, having at the outer face an external screwthread, and having an outer end. At least one conduit extends through the hole and is connected to another of the ports. A nut is threaded onto the external screwthread of the stem and bears against the inside face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 26, 1997
    Assignee: Friedrich Grohe AG
    Inventors: Werner Gnauert, Stefan Steinhoff
  • Patent number: 5642755
    Abstract: A faucet 30 includes a housing 32 having a base 34 and a spout 36. The base 34 and the spout 36 are each formed with an opening which communicate with each other to form an opening of the housing. A putty plate 54 is formed in a configuration similar to a configuration of the opening of the base 34. The putty plate is formed with a ledge 57 on which is formed a pair of spaced "L" shaped channels 80 and a locking tab 76 with a latch bar 78. A throat plate 104 is formed with a body 106 with a ledge 116 extending therefrom. The ledge 116 is formed with a pair of spaced tabs 118 and 120 extending from one side of the ledge and an elongated hole 122 formed in the ledge between the tabs. A pair of bosses 124 and 126 with holes 128 are formed in spaced portions of the body 106. The tabs 118 and 120 of the throat plate 104 are located in the channels 80 of the putty plate 54 and the latch bar 78 is located in the hole 122 to retain the throat plate with the putty plate as an assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 1, 1997
    Assignee: Emhart Inc.
    Inventors: Darren M. Mark, Donald J. Segien, Jr., Curtis S. Woolley
  • Patent number: 5595212
    Abstract: An improved inlet stop fixture for conventional hot and cold inlets to plumbing fixture which is threaded onto a male pipe thread with a nipple, to prevent a gap of uncontrolled length from the fixture to the wall. The improved inlet stop system includes a new intermediate element, namely a water inlet tube extension, which fits between the conventional pipe nipple and the valve fixture itself. The inlet tube extension includes an inlet coupling section, an O-ring collar, with an O-ring, and a fixture coupling threaded nipple at the far end. The water inlet tube extension is threaded onto the nipple that extends through the wall. Alternately, a non-threaded solder type connection water inlet tube extension may be connected to a non-threaded copper tube for a solder connection. In either embodiment, the inner O-ring is provided in a groove to produce a sliding fit over the body of the valve fixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1997
    Assignee: I. W. Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerome Warshawsky, Frank Antoniello
  • Patent number: 5588681
    Abstract: A valve mounting device holds a valve in a fixed position and prevents rotation of the valve during operation of the valve handle. The device includes a tubular sleeve dimensioned to receive a valve body and in one embodiment has a notch for receiving a valve supply tube exit typical in angle stop valves. The sleeve is affixed to a guide tube which bends the flexible pipe through a predetermined arc for engaging the valve and holding the sleeve end valve in position. The guide tube is affixed to a rigid structure such as a wall or partition member thereby holding the valve and pipe in a rigid position. Escutcheon plates are adapted to provide support to the guide tube and sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1996
    Inventor: Alan D. Parks
  • Patent number: 5586573
    Abstract: A faucet and sensor mounting includes a faucet spout and an elastomeric filler ring having a central opening stretchable to pass over the faucet spout to provide for positioning the filler ring on a sink deck and about a previously installed spout. There is a trim plate which has a faucet spout opening of a size to pass over the faucet spout to provide for positioning the trim plate in place on a previously installed faucet spout. The trim plate faucet spout opening is of a size to cover a portion of the filler ring with an interior portion of the filler ring extending closely about the faucet spout and outwardly through the trim plate faucet spout opening. There is a sensor opening in the trim plate spaced from the faucet spout opening and a sensor is positioned in the sensor opening. There is an anti-rotation pin opening adjacent the sensor opening and an anti-rotation pin positioned in the opening and extending into the sensor to prevent rotation thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1996
    Assignee: Sloan Valve Company
    Inventor: Richard A. Nortier