FAUCET-SUPPORTED HOSE RETAINING APPARATUS

Abstract

A faucet-supported hose retaining apparatus. An apparatus includes a faucet coupler capable of releasably attaching to a faucet, a hose coupler capable of releasably attaching to a hose, and a connection between the faucet coupler and the faucet which provides an independent source of attachment of the apparatus to the faucet for support of the hose. Another apparatus includes a faucet connector having a faucet coupler, a hose coupler, and a connection between the faucet coupler and the faucet which provides support for weight applied from the apparatus and from the hose. Another apparatus includes a hose coil bracket having a support surface for retaining the hose, a faucet coupler, a hose coupler, and a brace extending between the faucet connector and the hose coil bracket, which provides support and stability to sustain weight applied from the hose coil bracket to the faucet connector.

Description

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates generally to hose supporting devices and, in an embodiment described herein, more particularly provides a faucet-supported hose retaining apparatus.

Typical hose storage brackets and other hose supporting devices require use of difficult or otherwise unsatisfactory installation methods. These installation methods generally require the user to drill holes and screw fasteners into the exterior surface of a building or other structure in order to mount the hose supporting devices. These methods cause damage to the exterior surface, detract from the general appearance of the property, due to the unsightly holes that remain once the device is removed, and prevent the devices from being conveniently moved from one location to another.

Hose supporting devices that require clamping onto the exterior piping of a property can also lead to plumbing damage stemming from wear and tear caused by the clamping loads and sustaining the weight of the devices.

Therefore, it will be appreciated that there exists a need for improvements in hose supporting devices. It is among the objects of the present disclosure to provide such improvements.

SUMMARY

In carrying out the principles of the present disclosure, a faucet-supported connector and hose retaining apparatus is provided which solves at least one problem in the art. One example is described below in which the apparatus provides for connecting to a faucet to both support the hose and to supply water to the hose. Another example is described below in which the weight of the apparatus and hose is supported independently by the faucet.

In one aspect, an apparatus for use with a faucet is provided. The apparatus includes a faucet connector having a faucet coupler capable of releasably attaching to a threaded outlet of the faucet, and the faucet connector having a hose coupler capable of releasably attaching to a threaded inlet of a hose. A connection between the faucet coupler and the threaded outlet of the faucet is operative to provide an independent source of attachment of the apparatus to the faucet, for support of the hose.

In another aspect, an apparatus is provided which includes a faucet connector having a faucet coupler capable of releasably attaching to a threaded outlet of the faucet, and the faucet connector having a hose coupler capable of releasably attaching to a threaded inlet of a hose. A connection between the faucet coupler and the threaded outlet of the faucet is operative to provide support for weight applied from the apparatus and weight applied from the hose.

In yet another aspect, an apparatus is provided which includes a hose coil bracket having a support surface for retaining a hose, a faucet connector having a faucet coupler capable of releasably attaching to a threaded outlet of the faucet, and having a hose coupler capable of releasably attaching to a threaded inlet of a hose. In addition, the apparatus includes at least two braces extending between the faucet connector and the hose coil bracket, the braces being operative to provide support and stability to sustain weight applied from the hose coil bracket to the faucet connector.

Combining a hose supporting device with a faucet connecting device offers convenience, portability and a storage option previously unavailable with many of the devices on the market.

These and other features, advantages, benefits and objects of the present invention will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon careful consideration of the detailed description of representative embodiments hereinbelow and the accompanying drawings, in which similar elements are indicated in the various figures using the same reference numbers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic front elevation view of a self-supporting faucet connector and hose retaining apparatus attached to a faucet and a hose;

FIG. 2 is a schematic front elevation view of the apparatus unattached to a faucet and unattached to a hose, shown retaining a hose;

FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of the apparatus attached to a faucet and attached to a hose; and

FIGS. 4-7 are schematic front elevational views of alternate configurations of the apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It is to be understood that the various embodiments described herein may be utilized in various orientations, such as inclined, inverted, horizontal, vertical, etc., and in various configurations, without departing from the principles of the present disclosure. The embodiments are described merely as examples of useful applications of the principles of the disclosure, which is not limited to any specific details of these embodiments.

Representatively illustrated in FIGS. 1-3 is an apparatus 10 which embodies principles of the present invention. The apparatus 10 is used in conjunction with a faucet 12 and a hose 20.

As depicted in FIG. 1, the apparatus 10 includes a faucet connector 16, which comprises a tubular elongated member 15 interconnected between a faucet coupler 14 and a hose coupler 18. The faucet coupler 14 is positioned at an opposite end of the tubular member 15 from the hose coupler 18.

The faucet coupler 14 is capable of releasably attaching to and detaching from a threaded outlet of the faucet 12. The hose coupler 18 is capable of releasably attaching to and detaching from a threaded inlet of the hose 20. In this manner, the hose 20 may be supplied with water from the faucet 12 when the couplers 14, 18 are operably attached to the respective faucet and hose.

Attached to the faucet connector 16 are two braces 22 which extend upwardly and outwardly from opposite sides of the faucet connector 16. Each brace 22 includes a first end connected to a hose coil retaining bracket 24 and a second, opposite, end connected to the faucet connector 16 between the couplers 14, 18.

In use, the apparatus 10 is attached to the threaded outlet of the faucet 12. The apparatus 10 is preferably connected to the faucet 12 by threading the faucet coupler 14 onto the threaded outlet of the faucet 12. The faucet coupler 14 is threaded onto the threaded outlet of the faucet 12 until a secure, leak-proof seal occurs. Thus, with a simple connection of the faucet coupler 14 to the faucet 12, the apparatus 10 is securely attached to the faucet.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the apparatus 10 is connected to the hose 20 in much the same manner. The apparatus 10 is connected to the hose 20 by placing the hose coupler 18 into the threaded inlet of the hose 20. After aligning the hose coupler 18 with the hose 20, the coupler on the inlet end of the hose 20 is rotated until a secure, leak-proof seal occurs. Thus, with a simple rotation of the coupler on the hose 20, the apparatus 10 is attached to the hose.

Preferably, at least two of the braces 22 extend between the faucet connector 16 and the hose coil bracket 24, whereby each of the braces 22 includes one end attached to the hose coil bracket 24 and another end attached to the faucet connector 16. The hose coil bracket 24 extends circumferentially between the outer end of each brace 22. The braces 22 are operative to provide support and stability to sustain weight applied from the hose coil bracket 24 to the faucet connector 16, and the hose coil bracket 24 is operative to provide a support surface for retaining the hose 20. A different number of braces 22 may be used if desired.

The faucet connector 16 preferably includes the tubular elongated member 15 sufficiently sized lengthwise to allow for placement onto the faucet 12. The member 15 may be quite short if the faucet 12 is positioned close to the ground. The faucet connector 16 provides an independent source of attachment of the apparatus 10 to the faucet 12 via the faucet coupler 14.

The faucet coupler 14 and hose coupler 18 are preferably positioned at opposite ends of the faucet connector 16 and appropriately threaded as to be capable of conveniently attaching and reattaching to the faucet 12 and hose 20. Various sized and shaped hose couplers 18 and faucet couplers 14 can be manufactured to fit various sized faucet connectors 16.

The braces 22 are preferably attached to the faucet connector 16 and hose coil bracket 24 in a manner allowing for flush positioning of the bracket against a flat vertical surface, such as a wall or side of a building. The braces 22 are preferably long enough to extend beyond the faucet connector 16 so as to allow ample space for operation of the faucet 12.

The braces 22 preferably extend at an angle relative to the faucet connector 16 so as to provide a source of stability and support to sustain weight applied from the hose coil bracket 24 to the faucet connector 16. The hose coil bracket 24 is preferably large enough to retain a standard hose 20 and extend circumferentially between the outer end of each brace 22.

Note that the apparatus 10 and each component of the apparatus 10 may have other shapes, sizes and positions as desired. For example, the bracket 24 could be positioned below the faucet 12, if desired, in which case the braces 22 could extend outwardly and downwardly from the connector 16.

The construction details are such that the apparatus 10 may be made of weatherproof material, including but not limited to plastic, rubber, metal, etc. The faucet connector 16 may be made of flexible or rigid material, and the apparatus 10 is preferably light enough in weight not to cause damage to the faucet 12.

The faucet connector 16 should be made of waterproof material such as rubber, plastic or metal so as to prevent seepage of liquid when the faucet 12 is operated. The faucet connector 16 may be rigid, flexible and/or have a swivel joint in order to accommodate various shaped and oriented faucets 12.

The faucet coupler 14 and hose coupler 18 are preferably each made of rigid material, such as metal or plastic, so as to provide a precise, aligned connection between the faucet 12 and the hose 20, respectively. The braces 22 are preferably made of sturdy material, such as metal or plastic, capable of withstanding a moderate amount of pressure and weight incurred from the hose coil bracket 24 and the hose 20. Each brace 22 may be constructed to pivot relative to the faucet connector 16 in order to alleviate and distribute some of the weight incurred from the hose coil bracket 24 and the hose 20.

The hose coil bracket 24 is also preferably composed of material, such as metal or plastic, that is sturdy enough to retain a hose 20, in addition to withstanding various weather elements if the apparatus 10 is placed in an outdoor location. Adjustments to the size and/or shape of any of the components of the apparatus 10 can be made accordingly to accommodate any particular configuration of hose 20 or faucet 12.

Referring additionally now to FIG. 2, the apparatus 10 is shown unattached to the faucet 12 and is shown unattached to the hose 20. The apparatus 10 is capable of conveniently disconnecting from the faucet 12. To uncouple the apparatus 10 from the faucet 12, the faucet coupler 14 is rotated in an opposite direction; the direction or rotation being opposite that required for securing the apparatus 10 to the faucet 12, thus disengaging the apparatus 10 from the faucet 12.

The apparatus 10 is capable of conveniently disconnecting from the hose 20. To uncouple the apparatus 10 from the hose 20, a coupler on the inlet end of the hose 20 is rotated in an opposite direction; the direction or rotation being opposite that required for securing the apparatus 10 to the hose 20, thus disengaging the apparatus 10 from the hose 20.

Alternatively, when the apparatus 10 is attached to the faucet 12, although the hose 20 is disconnected from the apparatus 10, the disconnection does not prevent the hose 20 from being secured and placed onto the surface of the hose coil bracket 24. The faucet connector 16 may still provide an independent source of attachment of the apparatus 10 to the faucet 12.

Referring additionally now to FIG. 3, the apparatus 10 is operatively connected to both the faucet 12 and the hose 20. The hose 20, while remaining connected with the apparatus 10, can retained by the hose coil bracket 24 (as depicted in FIG. 2), or it can be removed from the bracket (as depicted in FIG. 3) for use.

The illustrated embodiment is not limited to providing support for a hose 20 only, but may provide storage for a variety of flexible products including wire, tubing, cordage, etc. Additionally, if the apparatus 10 is inverted on the faucet 12, a variety of items may be placed and stored on the inner surface of the hose coil bracket 24.

In another configuration, the apparatus 10 may contain additional braces 22 and additional hose coil brackets 24. The additional braces 22 could be operative to provide supplementary support for additional weight placed on the hose coil bracket 24. The additional hose coil brackets 24 could be operative to provide extra storage options for additional hoses 20 or other products. Thus, it will be appreciated that many different configurations of the apparatus 10 are possible in keeping with the principles of this disclosure.

In another configuration, the apparatus 10 may be used with various types of faucets 12, including interior faucets 12 attached to sinks for use in various locations including restaurant kitchens, salons, hospitals, etc. The faucet connector 16 may be used as an extension to transport liquid or other portable material from a sink to another location. The braces 22 may be operative to uphold an attachment similar to a hose coil bracket, which attachment may be used to hold and store a wide range of products for use in a kitchen, salon, etc.

Although use of fasteners to attach the hose coil bracket 24 to an exterior surface of a building or other structure is not necessary, such fasteners could be used, if desired.

Referring additionally now to FIGS. 4-7, alternate configurations of the apparatus 10 are representatively illustrated. These illustrations demonstrate that a wide variety of different configurations of the apparatus 10 are possible, in keeping with the principles of the present disclosure.

In FIG. 4, the braces 22 are pivotably connected to the tubular member 15 by means of ball swivel-type connectors 26. This configuration of the apparatus 10 permits the faucet connector 16 to be angled with respect to the braces 22, bracket 24 and a wall, etc. of a building. For example, in some installations, the outlet of the faucet 12 could be angled with respect to a wall of a building from which it extends, and the configuration of FIG. 4 permits this angled orientation to be accommodated, while still allowing the bracket 24 to be maintained flush with the surface of the wall.

In FIG. 5, the braces 22 are connected to the tubular member 15 by means of splined connectors 28. Threaded retaining collars 30 secure the externally splined ends of the braces 22 within the internally splined connectors 28. This configuration enables the angular orientation between the braces 22 and the member 15 to be varied (by appropriately orienting the splined connectors 28 with respect to the splined ends of the braces 22), after which the retaining collars 30 may be tightened to rigidly secure the desired orientation.

In FIG. 6, the splined connectors 28 and braces 22 are similar to those in FIG. 5, but the tubular member 15 is itself a flexible member, thereby permitting the member to accommodate differently angled outlet ends of faucets 12. For example, the member 15 could be a short section of flexible hose, and a body 32 having the splined connectors 28 thereon could be secured to the hose by, e.g., clamps, mechanical fasteners, bonding, etc.

In FIG. 7, a conventional swivel joint 34 is included in the tubular member 15 between the faucet coupler 14 and the attachment of the braces 22 to the member. The swivel joint 34 permits the lower end of the member 15 to extend vertically, while the upper end of the member is aligned with an angled outlet of the faucet 12. In this manner, the bracket 24 can be maintained flush with an outer surface of a wall, even though the outlet end of the faucet 12 is angled with respect to the wall.

It may now be appreciated that the above description provides an apparatus 10 for use with a faucet 12. The apparatus 10 may include a faucet connector 16 which may have a faucet coupler 14 capable of releasably attaching to and detaching from a threaded outlet of the faucet 12. The faucet connector 16 may have a hose coupler 18 which may be capable of releasably attaching to and detaching from a threaded inlet of a hose 20. A connection between the faucet coupler 14 and the threaded outlet of the faucet 12 may be operative to provide support for weight applied from the apparatus 10 and weight applied from the hose 20.

The faucet connector 16 may include a tubular elongated member 15 which is connectable between the faucet 12 and the hose 20. The faucet coupler 14 may be positioned at an opposite end of the member 15 from the hose coupler 18.

The apparatus 10 may include at least two braces 22 which extend between the faucet connector 16 and a hose coil bracket 24. The braces 22 may be operative to provide support and stability to sustain weight applied from the hose coil bracket 24 to the faucet connector 16.

The braces 22 may include a first end attached to the hose coil bracket 24 and a second end attached to the faucet connector 16, in which case the hose coil bracket 24 may extend circumferentially between the first end of each brace 22.

The hose coil bracket 24 may provide a support surface for retaining the hose 20.

In another aspect, an apparatus 10 may include a faucet connector 16 which may have a faucet coupler 14 capable of releasably attaching and detaching to a threaded outlet of the faucet 12. The faucet connector 16 may have a hose coupler 18 which may be capable of releasably attaching and detaching to a threaded inlet of a hose 20.

A connection between the faucet coupler 14 and the threaded outlet of the faucet 12 may be operative to provide support for weight applied from the apparatus 10 and weight applied from the hose 20.

The faucet connector 16 may include a tubular elongated member 15 and may be connectable between the faucet 12 and the hose 20. The faucet coupler 14 may be positioned at an opposite end of the member 15 from the hose coupler 18.

The connection between the faucet coupler 18 and the threaded outlet of the faucet 12 may provide an independent source of attachment of the apparatus 10 to the faucet 12.

The apparatus 10 may include at least two braces 22 which may extend between the faucet connector 16 and a hose coil bracket 24. The braces 22 may be operative to provide support and stability to sustain weight applied from the hose coil bracket 24 to the faucet connector 16.

The braces 22 may include a first end attached to the hose coil bracket 24 and a second end attached to the faucet connector 16, in which case the hose coil bracket 24 may extend circumferentially between the first end of each brace 22.

The hose coil bracket 24 may provide a support surface for retaining the hose 20.

In yet another aspect, an apparatus 10 may include a hose coil bracket 24 having a support surface for retaining a hose 20. The apparatus 10 may also include a faucet connector 16 which may have a faucet coupler 14 capable of releasably attaching and detaching to a threaded outlet of the faucet 12, and a hose coupler 18 capable of releasably attaching and detaching to a threaded inlet of a hose 20.

The apparatus 10 may also include at least two braces 22 which may extend between the faucet connector 16 and the hose coil bracket 24, the braces 22 may be operative to provide support and stability to sustain weight applied from the hose coil bracket 24 to the faucet connector 16.

Of course, a person skilled in the art would, upon a careful consideration of the above description of representative embodiments of the invention, readily appreciate that many modifications, additions, substitutions, deletions, and other changes may be made to these specific embodiments, and such changes are within the scope of the principles of the present invention. Accordingly, the foregoing detailed description is to be clearly understood as being given by way of illustration and example only, the spirit and scope of the present invention being limited solely by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An apparatus for use with a faucet, the apparatus comprising:

a faucet connector having a faucet coupler capable of releasably attaching to a threaded outlet of the faucet, and the faucet connector having a hose coupler capable of releasably attaching to a threaded inlet of a hose; and

a connection between the faucet coupler and the threaded outlet of the faucet being operative to support a weight of the hose.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the faucet connector includes a tubular elongated member connectable between the faucet and the hose.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the faucet coupler is positioned at an opposite end of the member from the hose coupler.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at least one brace extending between the faucet connector and a hose coil bracket, the brace being operative to provide support and stability to sustain weight applied from the hose coil bracket to the faucet connector.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the apparatus includes at least two of the braces, and wherein each brace includes a first end attached to the hose coil bracket and a second end attached to the faucet connector, and the hose coil bracket extending circumferentially between the first end of each brace.

6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the hose coil bracket provides a support surface for retaining the hose.

7. An apparatus for use with a faucet, the apparatus comprising:

a faucet connector having a faucet coupler capable of releasably attaching to a threaded outlet of the faucet, and a hose coupler capable of releasably attaching to a threaded inlet of a hose; and

a connection between the faucet coupler and the threaded outlet of the faucet being operative to provide support for weight applied from the apparatus and weight applied from the hose.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the faucet connector includes a tubular elongated member connectable between the faucet and the hose.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the faucet coupler is positioned at an opposite end of the member from the hose coupler.

10. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the connection between the faucet coupler and the threaded outlet of the faucet provides an independent source of attachment of the apparatus to the faucet.

11. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising at least one brace extending between the faucet connector and a hose coil bracket, the brace being operative to provide support and stability to sustain weight applied from the hose coil bracket to the faucet connector.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the apparatus includes at least two of the braces, and wherein each brace includes a first end attached to the hose coil bracket and a second end attached to the faucet connector, and the hose coil bracket extending circumferentially between the first end of each brace.

13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the hose coil bracket provides a support surface for retaining the hose.

14. An apparatus for use with a faucet, the apparatus comprising:

a hose coil bracket having a support surface for retaining a hose; and

a faucet connector having a faucet coupler capable of releasably attaching to a threaded outlet of the faucet and the faucet connector having a hose coupler capable of releasably attaching to a threaded inlet of a hose; and

at least one brace extending between the faucet connector and the hose coil bracket, the brace being operative to provide support and stability to sustain weight applied from the hose coil bracket to the faucet connector.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the faucet connector includes a tubular elongated member connectable between the faucet and the hose.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the faucet coupler is positioned at an opposite end of the member from the hose coupler.

17. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the apparatus includes at least two of the braces, and wherein each of the braces includes a first end attached to the hose coil bracket and a second end attached to the faucet connector, and the hose coil bracket extending circumferentially between the first end of each brace.

18. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising a connection between the faucet coupler and the threaded outlet of the faucet being operative to provide an independent source of attachment of the apparatus to the faucet.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the connection between the faucet coupler and the threaded outlet of the faucet provides support for weight applied from the apparatus and weight applied from the hose.