Magnetic coupling for sprayheads
A faucet including a faucet head, a body and a magnetic coupling releasably coupling the faucet head to the faucet body.
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This application is a broadening reissue of U.S. Pat. No. 10,072,410, issued Jul. 8, 2016, which is a continuation of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/951,310, filed Jul. 25, 2013, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,404,242, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/650,330, filed Dec. 30, 2009, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,496,028, which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/059,403, filed Mar. 31, 2008, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,753,079, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/393,450, filed Mar. 30, 2006, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,909,061, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/691,389, filed Jun. 17, 2005, the disclosures of which are expressly incorporated by reference herein.
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to faucets having pullout sprayheads and, more particularly, to improvements in the manner by which the sprayhead is coupled and/or uncoupled from the faucet body.
Faucets having sprayheads that pull out from the faucet body enable users to manipulate the sprayhead independent of the faucet body and to aim the water spray directly at a target instead of requiring the user to place the target under the sprayhead. Such prior art faucets typically utilize locking bayonet connectors, or connectors comprising collars and snap fingers to produce a retaining force to couple the sprayhead to the faucet body.
One embodiment of the present invention generally provides a liquid dispensing assembly comprising a supply hose adapted to supply a liquid, a dispensing member fluidly coupled to the supply hose and adapted to dispense the liquid, a support member adapted to support the dispensing member, and a magnetic coupling to removably couple the dispensing member to the support member. The magnetic coupling includes a magnetic member supported by one of the support member and the dispensing member. The magnetic member is dipolar and has a magnetic field of between 400 and 2,000 gauss tested at 0.090 inches. The attracted member is magnetically attracted to the magnetic member and supported by the other of the dispensing member and the support member. The magnetic coupling requires between 2.0 and 12.0 pounds of force to pull the dispensing member from the support member.
Another embodiment of the present invention generally provides a method of dispensing liquid. The method comprises the steps of fluidly coupling a dispensing member to a source of liquid through a supply line, supporting the dispensing member with a support member, magnetically holding the dispensing member in a coupled position with the support member, applying force to separate the dispensing member from the support member, and placing the dispensing member proximally to the support member to removably and magnetically couple the dispensing member to the support member. The dispensing member comprises one of a magnetic member and an attracted member, the magnetic member being dipolar and having a magnetic field of between 400 and 2,000 gauss tested at 0.090 inches. The supply line is adapted to extend from the support member when the dispensing member is separated from the support member, the support member comprising the other of the magnetic member and the attracted member.
The above mentioned and other features of this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the invention itself will be better understood by reference to the following description of embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
The detailed description of the drawings particularly refers to the accompanying figures in which:
Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. Although the drawings represent embodiments of the present invention, the drawings are not necessarily to scale and certain features may be exaggerated in order to better illustrate and explain the present invention. Although the exemplification set out herein illustrates embodiments of the invention, in several forms, the embodiments disclosed below are not intended to be exhaustive or to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention to the precise forms disclosed.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSThe embodiments hereinafter disclosed are not intended to be exhaustive or limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed in the following description. Rather the embodiments are chosen and described so that others skilled in the art may utilize its teachings.
Referring first to
Referring now to
Sprayhead 10 is coupled to neck 32 of faucet body 14 by magnetic coupling 15. Magnetic coupling 15 generally includes head connector 24 coupled to sprayhead 10 and body connector 36 coupled to neck 32 of faucet body 14. As described in further detail below, head connector 24 and body connector 36 are adapted to releasably engage with one another to thereby releasably couple sprayhead 10 to neck 32 of faucet body 14.
Turning now to
Turning to
Referring now to
Base 36a includes resilient clip or snap finger 43 extending upwardly and outwardly therefrom. Slot 45 extends through neck 32 of faucet body 14 and is configured to receive clip 43. Clip 43 is snap-received within slot 45 to secure body connector 36 in neck 32 of faucet body 14. Recess 39 extends into and about a portion of the inner periphery of base 36a. Lip 41 extends from and about a portion of the outer periphery of connecting element 36b. Lip 41 is configured to engage with recess 39 to thereby couple connecting element 36b to base 36a. Base 36a may be formed of any suitable material.
Body connector 36 need not include two separate components. Rather base 36a and connecting element 36b may be integrally formed as a single unit, such that body connector 36 is one piece. In one embodiment, base 36a is formed of polymers and is at least partly overmolded to connecting element 36b. In another embodiment, base 36a is fully overmolded to connecting element 36b and encapsulates connecting element 36b. Overmolding is configured to protect the connecting elements from corrosion due to contact with fluids including water. Alternatively, corrosion may be prevented by coating or plating connecting elements. However, coatings and plating materials may be brittle and may crack due to the compressive forces that impinge on connecting elements when they are pressed into the faucet head or body. Cracking tendencies are exacerbated by large fluid temperature differences which may range from about 32° F. to about 212° F. in various faucet applications. In one embodiment, base 36a is formed of glass-filled polypropylene. Glass-filled polypropylene flows well in an injection-molding die and has good rigidity characteristics so that thin overmolding layers may be produced. In another embodiment, base 36a is formed of acetal. Acetal has good hysteresis characteristics and resists flexing fatigue.
Overmolding might create a larger gap between the connecting elements than that created by coating or plating. Gaps reduce the magnetic attractive force between connecting elements in proportion to the gap distance. The magnetic flux density of a magnetic connecting element, which corresponds to the attractive force, may be increased by increasing its surface area, thickness, or magnetic material to compensate for the increased gap. These options are generally accompanied by increases in cost. Also, an application may be size-constrained for practical or aesthetic reasons. In the case of a kitchen, bath or roman-tub faucet, products must be aesthetically pleasing and must fit within standardized openings provided in sinks, tubs and other faucet support devices.
Magnets have magnetic fields characterized by their strength and orientation. Magnetic poles are limited regions in the magnet at which the field of the magnet is most intense, each of which is designated by the approximate geographic direction to which it is attracted, north (N) or south (S). The direction of the magnetic field is the direction of a line that passes through the north and south poles of the magnet. Generally, the direction is perpendicular to the magnetic surface of the magnet. The orientation of the field may be characterized as the direction pointed to by the north pole of the magnet.
Magnets may be characterized in several different ways. For instance, the magnet type may be a permanent magnet or an electromagnet. A permanent magnet exhibits a permanent (i.e. constant) magnetic field. An electromagnet generates a magnetic field only when a flow of electric current is passed through it. The magnetic field generated by the electromagnet disappears when the current ceases.
Magnets with a single magnetic field are considered dipolar because they have two poles, a north and a south pole. The magnetic field of a dipolar magnet may interact with the magnetic field of other magnets to produce a repelling or an attracting force. The magnetic field may also interact with certain attractable materials, such as iron or steel, that are naturally attracted to magnets.
The strength of the attracting or repelling magnetic force is determined by the strength of the magnetic field of the magnet and by the degree of interaction between the magnetic field and a component that enters the field. The strength of a magnetic field is determined by the construction of the magnet. The strength of an electromagnetic field can be changed by changing the current that flows through the electromagnet. The degree of interaction is determined by the size of the magnetic surface that interacts with the component entering the field and by the distance between the magnet and the component entering the field. The magnetic force of a magnet, therefore, may be changed by changing the position of the magnet relative to another magnet or to the attractable material.
A backing element may increase the attractive force of a magnetic coupling. Referring now to
Exemplary embodiments of connectors having overmolded connecting elements and backing elements are shown in
Body connector 336 includes opening 338 extending through it and being configured to receive a water supply line therethrough. Body connector 336 includes base 336a, connecting element 336b, and backing element 336c. Body connector base 336a is overmolded to encapsulate connecting element 336b and backing element 336c. Body connector base 336a further includes clip or snap finger 343. Body connector base 336a has an external profile 340 having ribs 342 designed to fit tightly inside the neck of a faucet. Optionally, body connector base 336a has an outwardly protruding lip 345 designed to fit against the edge of the receiving end of the neck of a faucet without a collar. Body connector base 336a encapsulates connecting element 336b with material disposed over a surface 346, the encapsulating layer having a spaced-apart external surface 348 defining a layer thickness 350.
In another embodiment, body connector 336 does not have a lip and fits inside neck 32 as a suitable replacement for body connector 36. An embodiment of connector 336 without lip 345 is shown in
Backing elements 336c and 324c focus the magnetic fields to increase the attractive force and compensate for the loss of force created by gap 352. In one embodiment, a pulling force of between 2 and 12 pounds is required to pull apart head connector 324 from body connector 336. In a further illustrative embodiment, the pulling force required to separate head connector 324 from body connector 336 is between 3 and 8 pounds. In yet another illustrative embodiment, the pulling force is between 3.5 and 6 pounds. In one embodiment, each of connectors 336 and 324 have a coupling surface area between 0.4 and 2.0 square inches. In another embodiment, each of connectors 336 and 324 have a coupling surface area between 0.5 and 1.0 square inches. In one embodiment, each of connectors 336 and 324 have a magnetic field of between 400 and 2000 gauss tested at 0.090 inches. In another embodiment, each of connectors 336 and 324 have a magnetic field of between 500 and 1000 gauss tested at 0.090 inches. In one embodiment, the gap is in a range between 0.00 and 0.01 inches. In another embodiment, the gap is in a range between 0.040 and 0.080 inches. In one embodiment, the magnetic couplings satisfy the 24 hour CASS salt sprayer test according to ASTM-368. Each of connectors 324, 336 may be dipolar or multipolar.
Backing elements 336c and 324c focus the magnetic fields to increase the attractive force and compensate for the loss of force created by gap 352. In one embodiment, a pulling force of between 2 and 12 pounds is required to pull apart head connector 324 from body connector 336. In a further illustrative embodiment, the pulling force required to separate head connector 324 from body connector 336 is between 3 and 8 pounds. In yet another illustrative embodiment, the pulling force is between 3.5 and 6 pounds. In one embodiment, each of connectors 336 and 324 have a coupling surface area between 0.4 and 2.0 square inches. In another embodiment, each of connectors 336 and 324 have a coupling surface area between 0.5 and 1.0 square inches. In one embodiment, each of connectors 336 and 324 have a magnetic field of between 400 and 2000 gauss tested at 0.090 inches. In another embodiment, each of connectors 336 and 324 have a magnetic field of between 500 and 1000 gauss tested at 0.090 inches. In one embodiment, the gap is in a range between 0.00 and 0.10 inches. In another embodiment, the gap is in a range between 0.040 and 0.080 inches. In one embodiment, the magnetic couplings satisfy the 24 hour CASS salt sprayer test according to ASTM-368. Each of connectors 324, 336 may be dipolar or multipolar.
Referring again to
Unlike-poles attract and like-poles repel. Accordingly, when two dipolar magnets come into close proximity and their magnetic fields are oriented in the same direction, they attract one another. The north pole on the proximal surface of one magnet attracts the south pole on the proximal surface of the other magnet. On the other hand, when two dipolar magnets come into close proximity and their magnetic fields are oriented in opposite directions, they repel one another. For example, the north pole on the proximal surface of one magnet repels the north pole on the proximal surface of the other magnet.
Magnets may also include multiple magnetic fields with some fields oriented in a first direction and other fields oriented in a second direction that is opposite the first direction. When two multi-field magnets come in close proximity to one another, they will repel one another if the multiple fields are not oriented in the same direction and will attract one another if they are oriented in the same direction. Multi-field magnets provide two modes of operation: an attracting mode and a repelling mode. Couplings including multi-field magnets may be referred to as bi-modal couplings.
As shown in
Referring to
The magnetic coupling of sprayhead 10 to body 14 may be achieved without the use of multi-field magnets. Faucet 1 may be equipped with uni-modal magnetic coupling 115 through the use of dipolar magnets, as schematically illustrated in
The magnetic coupling need not employ two magnets. For instance, as schematically illustrated in
Turning now to
Any of the above-described embodiments may also include an electromagnet. For instance, either the head connector or the body connector may include an electromagnet switchable between an energized state and a de-energized state. As illustrated in
Turning to
While this invention has been described as having an exemplary design, the present invention may be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains.
Claims
1. A faucet comprising:
- a supply hose adapted to supply water;
- a faucet head fluidly coupled to the supply hose and including a user input configured to control dispensing of water;
- a faucet body adapted to support the faucet head and including a delivery spout receiving the supply hose, such that the faucet head extends from an end of the delivery spout;
- a magnetic coupling configured to removably couple the faucet head to the faucet body, the magnetic coupling including a first member operably coupled to the faucet head, and a second member operably coupled to the faucet body, at least one of the first member and the second member including a magnet operably coupled to at least one of the faucet head and the faucet body; and
- cooperating orientation members configured to rotationally orient the faucet head relative to the delivery spout for locating the user input for a user, the cooperating orientation members including a protrusion supported by one of the faucet head and the faucet body, and a recess supported by the other of the faucet body and the faucet head and configured to receive the protrusion to position the user input in a desired rotational orientation; and
- wherein the magnet is at least partially overmolded with a polymer, the polymer being formed into a connector adapted to couple the magnet to one of the faucet head and the faucet spout.
2. The faucet of claim 1, wherein the magnetic coupling requires between 2.0 pounds and 12.0 pounds of force to pull the faucet head from the delivery spout.
3. The faucet of claim 2 1, wherein the magnet has a magnetic field of between 400 gauss and 2,000 gauss tested at a distance of 0.090 inches.
4. The faucet of claim 1, wherein the magnetic coupling includes a first member operably coupled to the faucet head, a second member operably coupled to the faucet body, at least one of the first member and the second member includes the magnet, and at least one of the first member and the second member includes an attracted member magnetically attracted to the magnet.
5. The faucet of claim 4, wherein the first member includes the attracted member, and the second member includes the magnet.
6. The faucet of claim 4, wherein the first member includes the magnet, and the second member includes the attracted member.
7. The faucet of claim 1, wherein the magnetic coupling includes a coupling surface having an area of between 0.4 square inches and 2.0 square inches.
8. The faucet of claim 1, wherein the magnet is at least partially overmolded with a polymer, the polymer being formed into a connector adapted to couple the magnet to one of the faucet head and the faucet spout.
9. The faucet of claim 1, A faucet comprising:
- a supply hose adapted to supply water;
- a faucet head fluidly coupled to the supply hose and including a user input configured to control dispensing of water;
- a faucet body adapted to support the faucet head and including a delivery spout receiving the supply hose, such that the faucet head extends from an end of the delivery spout;
- a magnetic coupling configured to removably couple the faucet head to the faucet body, the magnetic coupling including a magnet operably coupled to at least one of the faucet head and the faucet body;
- cooperating orientation members configured to rotationally orient the faucet head relative to the delivery spout for locating the user input for a user, the cooperating orientation members including a protrusion supported by one of the faucet head and the faucet body, and a recess supported by the other of the faucet body and the faucet head and configured to receive the protrusion to position the user input in a desired rotational orientation; and
- wherein the magnetic coupling further includes a backing member configured to increase a magnetic flux of the magnet.
10. The faucet of claim 1, wherein the user input is a lever operably coupled to a valve.
11. The faucet of claim 1, wherein the magnetic coupling includes a first member operably coupled to the faucet head, a second member operably coupled to the faucet body, at least one of the first member and the second member includes the magnet, and the cooperating orientation members comprise the first member and the second member of the magnetic coupling.
12. A faucet comprising:
- a supply hose adapted to supply water;
- a faucet head fluidly coupled to the supply hose and including a user input configured to control dispensing of water;
- a faucet body adapted to support the faucet head and including a delivery spout receiving the supply hose, such that the faucet head extends from an end of the delivery spout;
- a magnetic coupling configured to removably couple the faucet head to the faucet body, the magnetic coupling including a first member operably coupled to the faucet head, and a second member operably coupled to the faucet body, at least one of the first member and the second member including a magnet;
- cooperating orientation members configured to rotationally orient the faucet head relative to the delivery spout for locating the user input for a user;
- wherein the cooperating orientation members comprise the first member and the second member of the magnetic coupling; and wherein:
- the first member includes a first magnet including multiple magnetic fields;
- the second member includes a second magnet including multiple magnetic fields; and
- at least one of the multiple magnetic fields of each of the first magnet and the second magnet is oriented in a first direction, and at least one of the multiple magnetic fields of each of the first magnet and the second magnet is oriented in second direction, the second direction is substantially opposite the first direction, such that the magnetic coupling exhibits alternate attracting and repelling modes of operation, and the magnetic coupling rotationally orients the faucet head relative to the delivery spout for locating the user input for a user.
13. A faucet comprising:
- a faucet head;
- a supply tube fluidly coupled to the faucet head;
- a faucet body including a dispensing end having a wall, the wall having an internal surface and an external surface, the internal surface defining an elongate passageway, the supply tube passing through the elongate passageway;
- a user input supported by the faucet head and configured to control dispensing of water through the supply tube;
- a magnetic coupling releasably coupling the faucet head to the dispensing end of the faucet body, the magnetic coupling including a first member and a second member, the first member including a magnet coupled to at least one of the faucet head or the faucet body; and
- cooperating orientation members configured to rotationally orient the faucet head relative to the faucet body for locating the user input for a user, the cooperating orientation members including a protrusion supported by one of the faucet head and the faucet body, and a recess supported by the other of the faucet body and the faucet head and configured to receive the protrusion to position the user input in a desired rotational orientation; and
- wherein the magnetic coupling further includes a backing member configured to increase a magnetic flux of the magnet.
14. The faucet of claim 13, wherein the magnetic coupling requires between 2.0 pounds and 12.0 pounds of force to pull the faucet head from the faucet body.
15. The faucet of claim 13, wherein the magnet has a magnetic field of between 400 gauss and 2,000 gauss tested at a distance of 0.090 inches.
16. The faucet of claim 13, wherein at least one of the first member and the second member includes an attracted member magnetically attracted to the magnet.
17. The faucet of claim 16, wherein the first member includes the attracted member, and the second member includes the magnet.
18. The faucet of claim 16, wherein the first member includes the magnet, and the second member includes the attracted member.
19. The faucet of claim 13, wherein the magnetic coupling includes a coupling surface having an area of between 0.4 square inches and 2.0 square inches.
20. The faucet of claim 13, A faucet comprising:
- a faucet head;
- a supply tube fluidly coupled to the faucet head;
- a faucet body including a dispensing end having a wall, the wall having an internal surface and an external surface, the internal surface defining an elongate passageway, the supply tube passing through the elongate passageway;
- a user input supported by the faucet head and configured to control dispensing of water through the supply tube;
- a magnetic coupling releasably coupling the faucet head to the dispensing end of the faucet body, the magnetic coupling including a first member and a second member, the first member including a magnet coupled to at least one of the faucet head or the faucet body; and cooperating orientation members configured to rotationally orient the faucet head relative to the faucet body for locating the user input for a user, the cooperating orientation members including a protrusion supported by one of the faucet head and the faucet body, and a recess supported by the other of the faucet body and the faucet head and configured to receive the protrusion to position the user input in a desired rotational orientation; and
- wherein the magnet is at least partially overmolded with a polymer, the polymer being formed into a connector adapted to couple the magnet to one of the faucet head and the faucet spout.
21. The faucet of claim 13, wherein the magnetic coupling further includes a backing member configured to increase a magnetic flux of the magnet.
22. The faucet of claim 13, wherein the user input is a lever operably coupled to a valve.
23. The faucet of claim 13, wherein the cooperating orientation members comprise the first member and the second member of the magnetic coupling.
24. A faucet comprising:
- a faucet head;
- a supply tube fluidly coupled to the faucet head;
- a faucet body including a dispensing end having a wall, the wall having an internal surface and an external surface, the internal surface defining an elongate passageway, the supply tube passing through the elongate passageway;
- a user input supported by the faucet head and configured to control dispensing of water through the supply tube;
- a magnetic coupling releasably coupling the faucet head to the dispensing end of the faucet body, the magnetic coupling including a first member and a second member, the first member including a magnet coupled to at least one of the faucet head or the faucet body;
- cooperating orientation members configured to rotationally orient the faucet head relative to the faucet body for locating the user input for a user;
- wherein the cooperating orientation members comprise the first member and the second member of the magnetic coupling; and wherein:
- the first member includes a first magnet including multiple magnetic fields;
- the second member includes a second magnet including multiple magnetic fields; and
- at least one of the multiple magnetic fields of each of the first magnet and the second magnet is oriented in a first direction, and at least one of the multiple magnetic fields of each of the first magnet and the second magnet is oriented in second direction, the second direction is substantially opposite the first direction, such that the magnetic coupling exhibits alternate attracting and repelling modes of operation, and the magnetic coupling rotationally orients the faucet head relative to the delivery spout for locating the user input for a user.
25. A method of coupling a faucet head to a faucet body, the method including the steps of:
- providing a supply hose for supplying water;
- providing a faucet head fluidly coupled to the supply hose and including a user input for controlling a valve;
- providing a faucet body for supporting the faucet head and including a delivery spout;
- coupling the faucet head to the faucet body through a magnetic coupling; and
- aligning cooperating orientation members to rotationally orient the faucet head relative to the delivery spout for locating the user input in a desired rotational orientation for a user, the cooperating orientation members including a protrusion supported by one of the faucet head and the faucet body, and a recess supported by the other of the faucet body and the faucet head and configured to receive the protrusion to position a user input in the desired rotational orientation.
26. The method of claim 25, further comprising the step of controlling the user input to control the dispensing of water through the faucet head.
27. The method of claim 25, wherein the magnetic coupling requires between 2.0 and 12.0 pounds of force to pull the faucet head from the delivery spout.
28. The method of claim 25, wherein the magnetic coupling includes a first member operably coupled to the faucet head, and a second member operably coupled to the faucet body, at least one of the first member and the second member including a magnet.
29. The method of claim 28, wherein the magnet has a magnetic field of between 400 and 2,000 gauss tested at a distance of 0.090 inches.
30. The method of claim 29, wherein the magnetic coupling includes a coupling surface having an area of between 0.4 square inches and 2.0 square inches.
31. The faucet of claim 2, wherein the magnetic coupling requires between 3.0 pounds and 8.0 pounds of force to pull the faucet head from the delivery spout.
32. The faucet of claim 3, wherein the magnet has a magnetic field of between 500 gauss and 1,000 gauss tested at a distance of 0.090 inches.
33. The faucet of claim 7, wherein the magnetic coupling includes a coupling surface having an area of between 0.5 square inches and 1.0 square inches.
34. The faucet of claim 14, wherein the magnetic coupling requires between 3.0 pounds and 8.0 pounds of force to pull the faucet head from the faucet body.
35. The faucet of claim 15, wherein the magnet has a magnetic field of between 500 gauss and 1,000 gauss tested at a distance of 0.090 inches.
36. The faucet of claim 19, wherein the magnetic coupling includes a coupling surface having an area of between 0.5 square inches and 1.0 square inches.
37. A faucet comprising:
- a faucet spout defining an elongate passageway having an outlet end;
- a water supply line passing through the elongate passageway of the faucet spout and moveable relative to the outlet end of the faucet spout;
- a pull-out faucet sprayhead detachably connected to the faucet spout and comprising an outer shell defining an interior space, a waterway comprising a receiving end and a dispensing end and a water outlet;
- wherein the receiving end of the waterway is fluidly coupled to the water supply line and the dispensing end of the waterway is fluidly coupled to the water outlet;
- wherein the water supply line, the waterway and the water outlet together define a fluid path through the faucet;
- a magnetic coupling detachably connecting the faucet sprayhead to the faucet spout, the magnetic coupling comprising a first coupling member operably coupled to the faucet spout and including a first magnetically attractive member, and a second coupling member operably coupled to the faucet sprayhead and including a second magnetically attractive member;
- cooperating orientation members configured to rotationally orient the faucet sprayhead relative to the faucet spout for locating a user input for a user;
- wherein the magnetic coupling requires between 2.0 and 12.0 pounds of force to pull the faucet sprayhead from the faucet spout; and
- wherein at least one of the first coupling member includes an overmold over the first magnetically attractive member, and the second coupling member includes an overmold over the second magnetically attractive member.
38. The faucet of claim 37, wherein at least one of the first magnetically attractive member and the second magnetically attractive member has a magnetic field of between 400 gauss and 2,000 gauss tested at a distance of 0.0900 inches.
39. The faucet of claim 38, wherein the magnetic field is between 500 gauss and 1,000 gauss tested at a distance of 0.090 inches.
40. The faucet of claim 37, wherein:
- the first coupling member comprises a base portion formed from a non-magnetic material and the first magnetically attractive member, the base portion is disposed in the elongate passageway of the faucet spout, and the water supply line passes through the first coupling member; and
- the second coupling member is supported for movement with the faucet sprayhead and comprises the second magnetically attractive member.
41. The faucet of claim 40, wherein the first magnetically attractive member is attached to the base portion at a location that is spaced from the outlet end of the elongate passageway of the faucet spout and is disposed entirely within the elongate passageway of the faucet spout, and the second magnetically attractive member is disposed outside of the interior space of the outer shell of the faucet sprayhead.
42. The faucet of claim 41, wherein:
- when the faucet sprayhead is connected to the faucet spout, the second magnetically attractive member is disposed within the elongate passageway, the first magnetically attractive member and the second magnetically attractive member are disposed adjacent to one another, and a central axis of the first magnetically attractive member is coaxial with a central axis of the second magnetically attractive member, the first magnetically attractive member and the second magnetically attractive member form a magnetic connection comprising an attractive magnetic force acting between the first magnetically attractive member and the second magnetically attractive member, and the magnetic connection is operable to maintain an attachment between the faucet sprayhead and the faucet spout; and
- when the faucet sprayhead is disconnected from the faucet spout, the second magnetically attractive member is disposed outside of the elongate passageway of the faucet spout in a spaced relationship to the outlet end of the elongate passageway of the faucet spout.
43. The faucet of claim 42, wherein when the magnetic connection is operable to maintain the attachment between the faucet sprayhead and the faucet spout, the magnetic coupling does not prohibit the faucet sprayhead from rotating relative to the faucet spout about the central axis of the second magnetically attractive member.
44. The faucet of claim 42, wherein the first magnetically attractive member is supported in the faucet spout in a ring arrangement to define an opening and the water supply line comprises a tube passing through the opening of the first magnetically attractive member.
45. The faucet of claim 44, wherein the first magnetically attractive member includes a continuous annular body.
46. The faucet of claim 40, wherein the first magnetically attractive member comprises a magnet, and the base portion is formed from a polymer.
47. The faucet of claim 40, further comprising a coupling portion retaining the first magnetically attractive member to the base portion.
48. The faucet of claim 47, wherein the coupling portion includes a lip on one of the base portion and the first magnetically attractive member, the lip engaging a surface on the other of the first magnetically attractive member and the base portion.
49. The faucet of claim 40, wherein:
- the faucet spout includes a wall defining the elongate passageway, the wall including a recess; and
- the base portion includes a protrusion received within the recess of the faucet spout.
50. The faucet of claim 37, wherein the magnetic coupling includes an attracting mode of operation and a repelling mode of operation.
51. The faucet of claim 37, wherein, when the faucet sprayhead is connected to the faucet spout, the first magnetically attractive member and the second magnetically attractive member are disposed proximate to one another.
52. The faucet of claim 51, wherein:
- the first magnetically attractive member has a lower surface;
- the second magnetically attractive member has an upper surface; and
- when the faucet sprayhead is connected to the faucet spout, the lower surface of the first magnetically attractive member faces the upper surface of the second magnetically attractive member.
53. The faucet of claim 37, wherein the second magnetically attractive member is disposed at least partially within the interior space of the outer shell of the faucet sprayhead.
54. The faucet of claim 37, wherein the waterway is a tubular member positioned in the interior space of the outer shell.
55. The faucet of claim 37, wherein the second magnetically attractive member is supported by the waterway.
56. The faucet of claim 55, wherein the second magnetically attractive member is operably coupled to the receiving end of the waterway.
57. The faucet of claim 37, wherein the magnetic coupling includes a coupling surface having an area of between 0.4 square inches and 2.0 square inches.
58. A faucet comprising:
- a faucet spout defining an elongate passageway having an outlet end;
- a water supply line passing through the elongate passageway of the faucet spout and moveable relative to the outlet end of the faucet spout;
- a pull-out faucet sprayhead detachably connected to the faucet spout and comprising an outer shell defining an interior space, a waterway comprising a receiving end and a dispensing end, and a water outlet;
- wherein the receiving end of the waterway is fluidly coupled to the water supply line and the dispensing end of the waterway is fluidly coupled to the water outlet;
- wherein the water supply line, the waterway and the water outlet together define a fluid path through the faucet;
- a magnetic coupling detachably connecting the faucet sprayhead to the faucet spout, the magnetic coupling comprising a first coupling member operably coupled to the faucet spout and including a first magnetically attractive member, and a second coupling member operably coupled to the faucet sprayhead and including a second magnetically attractive member;
- cooperating orientation members configured to rotationally orient the faucet sprayhead relative to the faucet spout for locating a user input for a user;
- wherein the magnetic coupling requires between 2.0 and 12.0 pounds of force to pull the faucet sprayhead from the faucet spout;
- wherein:
- at least one of the first magnetically attractive member and the second magnetically attractive member comprises a magnet and a backing member; and
- the at least one of the first magnetically attractive member and the second magnetically attractive member has a magnetic field of between 400 gauss and 2,000 gauss tested at a distance of 0.090 inches.
59. A faucet comprising:
- a faucet spout defining an elongate passageway having an outlet end;
- a water supply line passing through the elongate passageway of the faucet spout and moveable relative to the outlet end of the faucet spout;
- a pull-out faucet sprayhead detachably connected to the faucet spout and comprising an outer shell defining an interior space, a waterway comprising a receiving end and a dispensing end, and a water outlet;
- wherein the receiving end of the waterway is fluidly coupled to the water supply line and the dispensing end of the waterway is fluidly coupled to the water outlet;
- wherein the water supply line, the waterway and the water outlet together define a fluid path through the faucet;
- a magnetic coupling detachably connecting the faucet sprayhead to the faucet spout, the magnetic coupling comprising a first coupling member operably coupled to the faucet spout and including a first magnetically attractive member, and a second coupling member operably coupled to the faucet sprayhead and including a second magnetically attractive member;
- cooperating orientation members configured to rotationally orient the faucet sprayhead relative to the faucet spout for locating a user input for a user;
- wherein the magnetic coupling requires between 2.0 and 12.0 pounds of force to pull the faucet sprayhead from the faucet spout;
- wherein:
- the first magnetically attractive member comprises a first magnet and a first backing member; and
- the base portion comprises a polymer material molded over at least a portion of the first magnet and the first backing member.
60. A faucet comprising:
- a support body comprising a passageway having an opening;
- a water supply line comprising a tube passing through the passageway of the support body and passing through the opening;
- a pull-out faucet sprayhead detachably connected to the support body and comprising an outer shell and a water outlet in fluid communication with the water supply line;
- a magnetic coupling detachably coupling the faucet sprayhead to the support body, the magnetic coupling comprising:
- a first coupling member comprising a first magnetically attractive member disposed within the passageway of the support body, wherein the first magnetically attractive member at least partially concentrically surrounds a perimeter of the tube of the water supply line;
- a second coupling member moveable with the faucet sprayhead and comprising a second magnetically attractive member operably coupled to the outer shell of the faucet sprayhead;
- cooperating orientation members configured to rotationally orient the faucet sprayhead relative to the support body for locating a user input for a user;
- wherein the magnetic coupling requires between 2.0 pounds and 12.0 pounds of force to pull the faucet sprayhead from the support body;
- wherein at least one of the first magnetically attractive member and the second magnetically attractive member has a magnetic field of between 400 gauss and 2,000 gauss tested at a distance of 0.090 inches; and
- wherein the first coupling member further comprises a base portion formed from a non-magnetic material, the base portion disposed in the passageway of the support body, and the water supply line passes through the first coupling member;
- the first magnetically attractive member comprises a first magnet and a first backing member; and
- the base portion comprises a polymer material molded over at least a portion of the first magnet and the first backing member.
61. The faucet of claim 60 wherein first magnetically attractive member is disposed entirely within the passageway of the support body and spaced from the opening of the passageway.
62. The faucet of claim 61, wherein the second magnetically attractive member is disposed entirely outside of the outer shell of the faucet sprayhead.
63. The faucet of claim 60, wherein the magnetic coupling requires between 3.0 pounds and 8.0 pounds of force to pull the faucet head from the support body.
64. The faucet of claim 60, wherein the magnetic field is between 500 gauss and 1,000 gauss tested at a distance of 0.090 inches.
65. The faucet of claim 60, wherein:
- when the faucet sprayhead is connected to the support body, the second magnetically attractive member is disposed entirely within the passageway and is nested within the first magnetically attractive member and an attractive magnetic force acts between the first magnetically attractive member and the second magnetically attractive member; and
- when the faucet sprayhead is disconnected from the support body, the second magnetically attractive member is disposed outside of the passageway in a spaced relationship to the opening of the passageway.
66. The faucet of claim 60, wherein, when the faucet sprayhead is connected to the support body, the first magnetically attractive member and the second magnetically attractive member are disposed adjacent to one another, and a central axis of the first magnetically attractive member is coaxial with a central axis of the second magnetically attractive member.
67. The faucet of claim 66, wherein, when the faucet sprayhead is connected to the support body, the second magnetically attractive member is disposed within the passageway.
68. The faucet of claim 60, wherein at least one of the first magnetically attractive member and the second magnetically attractive member comprises a magnet.
69. The faucet of claim 60, wherein the support body comprises a faucet spout.
70. The faucet of claim 60, wherein the first magnetically attractive member is supported by the support body in a ring arrangement to define an opening, the tube passing through the opening of the first magnetically attractive member.
71. The faucet of claim 60, wherein the first magnetically attractive member includes a continuous annular body.
72. The faucet of claim 60, wherein the first magnetically attractive member is attached to the base portion at a location that is spaced from the opening of the passageway of the support body and is disposed entirely within the passageway of the support body.
73. The faucet of claim 60, wherein the first magnetically attractive member comprises a magnet, and the base portion is formed from a polymer.
74. The faucet of claim 60, further comprising a coupling portion retaining the first magnetically attractive member to the base portion.
75. The faucet of claim 74, wherein the coupling portion includes a lip on one of the base portion and the first magnetically attractive member, the lip engaging a surface on the other of the first magnetically attractive member and the base portion.
76. A faucet comprising:
- a support body comprising a passageway having an opening;
- a water supply line comprising a tube passing through the passageway of the support body and passing through the opening;
- a pull-out faucet sprayhead detachably connected to the support body and comprising an outer shell and a water outlet in fluid communication with the water supply line;
- a magnetic coupling detachably coupling the faucet sprayhead to the support body, the magnetic coupling comprising:
- a first coupling member comprising a first magnetically attractive member disposed within the passageway of the support body, wherein the first magnetically attractive member at least partially concentrically surrounds a perimeter of the tube of the water supply line;
- a second coupling member moveable with the faucet sprayhead and comprising a second magnetically attractive member operably coupled to the outer shell of the faucet sprayhead;
- cooperating orientation members configured to rotationally orient the faucet sprayhead relative to the support body for locating a user input for a user;
- wherein the magnetic coupling requires between 2.0 pounds and 12.0 pounds of force to pull the faucet sprayhead from the support body;
- wherein at least one of the first magnetically attractive member and the second magnetically attractive member has a magnetic field of between 400 gauss and 2,000 gauss tested at a distance of 0.090 inches; and
- wherein at least one of the first coupling member includes a polymer overmold over the first magnetically attractive member, and the second coupling member includes a polymer overmold over the second magnetically attractive member.
77. A faucet comprising:
- a support body comprising a passageway having an opening;
- a water supply line comprising a tube passing through the passageway of the support body and passing through the opening;
- a pull-out faucet sprayhead detachably connected to the support body and comprising an outer shell and a water outlet in fluid communication with the water supply line;
- a magnetic coupling detachably coupling the faucet sprayhead to the support body, the magnetic coupling comprising:
- a first coupling member comprising a first magnetically attractive member disposed within the passageway of the support body, wherein the first magnetically attractive member at least partially concentrically surrounds a perimeter of the tube of the water supply line;
- a second coupling member moveable with the faucet sprayhead and comprising a second magnetically attractive member operably coupled to the outer shell of the faucet sprayhead;
- cooperating orientation members configured to rotationally orient the faucet sprayhead relative to the support body for locating a user input for a user;
- wherein the magnetic coupling requires between 2.0 pounds and 12.0 pounds of force to pull the faucet sprayhead from the support body;
- wherein at least one of the first magnetically attractive member and the second magnetically attractive member has a magnetic field of between 400 gauss and 2,000 gauss tested at a distance of 0.090 inches; and
- wherein at least one of the first magnetically attractive member and the second magnetically attractive member comprises a magnet and a backing member.
78. A faucet comprising:
- a faucet spout defining an elongate passageway having an outlet end;
- a water supply line passing through the elongate passageway of the faucet spout;
- a pull-out faucet sprayhead detachably connected to the faucet spout and comprising a waterway including a receiving end and a dispensing end, and a water outlet;
- wherein the receiving end of the waterway is fluidly coupled to the water supply line, and the dispensing end of the waterway is fluidly coupled to the water outlet;
- wherein the water supply line, the waterway and the water outlet together define a fluid path through the faucet;
- a magnetic coupling detachably connecting the faucet sprayhead to the faucet spout, the magnetic coupling comprising:
- a first coupling member disposed in the elongate passageway of the faucet spout and comprising a first base formed from a non-magnetic polymer and a first magnetically attractive member, wherein the first base is molded over at least a portion of the first magnetically attractive member to at least partially encapsulate the first magnetically attractive member with the first base, the first base is disposed in the elongate passageway of the faucet spout, and the water supply line passes through the first coupling member; and
- a second coupling member supported for movement with the faucet sprayhead and comprising a second base formed from a non-magnetic polymer and a second magnetically attractive member, wherein the second base is molded over at least a portion of the second magnetically attractive member to at least partially encapsulate the second magnetically attractive member with the second base; and
- cooperating orientation members configured to rotationally orient the faucet sprayhead relative to the faucet spout for locating a user input for a user.
79. The faucet of claim 78, wherein the magnetic coupling requires between 2.0 pounds and 12.0 pounds of force to pull the faucet sprayhead from the faucet spout.
80. The faucet of claim 79, wherein the magnetic coupling requires between 3.0 pounds and 8.0 pounds of force to pull the faucet sprayhead from the faucet spout.
81. The faucet of claim 78, wherein at least one of the first magnetically attractive member and the second magnetically attractive member has a magnetic field of between 400 gauss and 2,000 gauss tested at a distance of 0.090 inches.
82. The faucet of claim 78, wherein the magnetic coupling includes a coupling surface having an area of between 0.4 square inches and 2.0 square inches.
83. The faucet of claim 78, wherein:
- when the faucet sprayhead is connected to the faucet spout, the first magnetically attractive member and the second magnetically attractive member are disposed adjacent to one another, and a central axis of the first magnetically attractive member is coaxial with a central axis of the second magnetically attractive member, the first magnetically attractive member and the second magnetically attractive member form a magnetic connection comprising an attractive magnetic force acting between the first magnetically attractive member and the second magnetically attractive member, and the magnetic connection is operable to maintain an attachment between the faucet sprayhead and the faucet spout; and
- when the faucet sprayhead is disconnected from the faucet spout, the second magnetically attractive member is disposed outside of the elongate passageway of the faucet spout in a spaced relationship to the outlet end of the elongate passageway of the faucet spout such that the magnetic connection is inoperable to maintain the attachment between the faucet sprayhead and the faucet spout.
84. The faucet of claim 83, wherein when the faucet sprayhead is connected to the faucet spout, the second magnetically attractive member is disposed within the elongate passageway.
85. The faucet of claim 83, wherein when the magnetic connection is operable to maintain the attachment between the faucet sprayhead and the faucet spout, the magnetic coupling does not prohibit the faucet sprayhead from rotating relative to the faucet spout about the central axis of the second magnetically attractive member.
86. The faucet of claim 78, wherein the first magnetically attractive member is supported in the faucet spout in a ring arrangement to define an opening, and the water supply line comprises a tube passing through the opening of the first magnetically attractive member.
87. The faucet of claim 78, wherein:
- at least one of the first magnetically attractive member and the second magnetically attractive member comprises a magnet and a backing member; and
- the at least one of the first magnetically attractive member and the second magnetically attractive member has a magnetic field of between 400 and 2,000 gauss tested at a distance of 0.090 inches.
88. The faucet of claim 78, wherein:
- the first magnetically attractive member comprises a first magnet and a first backing member; and
- the first base comprises a polymer material molded over at least a portion of the first magnet and the first backing member.
89. A faucet comprising:
- a faucet spout defining an elongate passageway having an outlet end;
- a water supply line passing through the elongate passageway of the faucet spout and moveable relative to the outlet end of the faucet spout;
- a pull-out faucet sprayhead detachably connected to the faucet spout and comprising an outer shell defining an interior space, a waterway comprising a receiving end and a dispensing end, and a water outlet;
- wherein the receiving end of the waterway is fluidly coupled to the water supply line and the dispensing end of the waterway is fluidly coupled to the water outlet;
- wherein the water supply line, the waterway and the water outlet together define a fluid path through the faucet; and
- a magnetic coupling detachably connecting the faucet sprayhead to the faucet spout, the magnetic coupling comprising:
- a first coupling member supported by the faucet spout comprising a base portion formed from a non-magnetic material and a first magnetically attractive member, wherein the base portion is disposed in the elongate passageway of the faucet spout;
- a second coupling member supported for movement with the faucet sprayhead and comprising a second magnetically attractive member;
- cooperating orientation members configured to rotationally orient the faucet sprayhead relative to the faucet spout for locating a user input for a user;
- wherein when the faucet sprayhead is connected to the faucet spout, the first magnetically attractive member and the second magnetically attractive member are disposed adjacent to one another, the first magnetically attractive member and the second magnetically attractive member form a magnetic connection comprising an attractive magnetic force acting between the first magnetically attractive member and the second magnetically attractive member, and wherein the magnetic connection is operable to maintain an attachment between the faucet sprayhead and the faucet spout against a pull force on the faucet sprayhead for detaching the faucet sprayhead from the faucet spout of between about 2 pounds force and 12 pounds force; and
- at least one of the first magnetically attractive member and the second magnetically attractive member comprises a magnet and a backing member; and
- the at least one of the first magnetically attractive member and the second magnetically attractive member has a magnetic field of between 40 gauss and 2,000 gauss tested at a distance of 0.090 inches.
90. The faucet of claim 89, wherein the first magnetically attractive member is attached to the base portion at a location that is spaced from the outlet end of the elongate passageway of the faucet spout.
91. The faucet of claim 89, wherein:
- at least one of the first magnetically attractive member and the second magnetically attractive member comprises a magnet; and
- the magnet has a magnetic field of between 400 gauss and 2,000 gauss tested at a distance of 0.0900 inches.
92. The faucet of claim 91 wherein the magnet has a magnetic field of between 500 gauss and 1,000 gauss tested at a distance of 0.090 inches.
93. The faucet of claim 89 wherein
- the first magnetically attractive member comprises a first magnet and the second magnetically attractive member comprises a second magnet; and
- each of the first magnet and the second magnet has a magnetic field of between 400 gauss and 2,000 gauss tested at a distance of 0.0900 inches.
94. The faucet of claim 93 wherein each of the first magnet and the second magnet has a magnetic field of between 500 gauss and 1,000 gauss tested at a distance of 0.0900 inches.
95. The faucet of claim 89, further comprising a coupling portion coupling the first magnetically attractive member to the base portion.
96. The faucet of claim 95, wherein the coupling portion includes a lip on one of the base portion and the first magnetically attractive member, the lip engaging a surface on the other of the first magnetically attractive member and the base portion.
97. The faucet of claim 89, wherein the first magnetically attractive member is disposed entirely within the elongate passageway of the faucet spout, and the water supply line passes through the first coupling member.
98. The faucet of claim 89, wherein the pull force on the faucet sprayhead for detaching the sprayhead from the faucet spout is between 3.0 pounds and 8.0 pounds of force.
99. The faucet of claim 89, wherein:
- when the faucet sprayhead is connected to the faucet spout, the second magnetically attractive member is disposed within the elongate passageway, and the first magnetically attractive member and the second magnetically attractive member are disposed adjacent to one another, the first magnetically attractive member and the second magnetically attractive member form a magnetic connection comprising an attractive magnetic force acting between the first magnetically attractive member and the second magnetically attractive member, and the magnetic connection is operable to maintain an attachment between the faucet sprayhead and the faucet spout; and
- when the faucet sprayhead is disconnected from the faucet spout, the second magnetically attractive member is disposed outside of the elongate passageway of the faucet
- spout in a spaced relationship to the outlet end of the elongate passageway of the faucet spout.
100. The faucet of claim 99, wherein when the magnetic connection is operable to maintain the attachment between the faucet sprayhead and the faucet spout, the magnetic coupling does not prohibit the faucet sprayhead from rotating relative to the faucet spout about the central axis of the second magnetically attractive member.
101. The faucet of claim 89, wherein the first magnetically attractive member is supported by the faucet spout in a ring arrangement to define an opening, and the water supply line comprises a tube passing through the opening of the first magnetically attractive member.
102. The faucet of claim 101, wherein the first magnetically attractive member includes a continuous annular body.
103. The faucet of claim 89, wherein the first magnetically attractive member comprises a magnet, and the base portion is formed from a polymer.
104. The faucet of claim 89, wherein, when the faucet sprayhead is connected to the faucet spout, the second magnetically attractive member is disposed within the elongate passageway, the first magnetically attractive member and the second magnetically attractive member are disposed adjacent to one another, and a central axis of the first magnetically attractive member is coaxial with a central axis of the second magnetically attractive member.
105. The faucet of claim 104, wherein:
- the first magnetically attractive member has a lower surface;
- the second magnetically attractive member has an upper surface; and
- when the faucet sprayhead is connected to the faucet spout, the lower surface of the first magnetically attractive member faces the upper surface of the second magnetically attractive member.
106. The faucet of claim 89, wherein the second coupling member is disposed outside of the interior space of the outer shell of the faucet sprayhead.
107. The faucet of claim 89, wherein the base portion of the first coupling member comprises a polymer material molded over at least a portion of the first magnetically attractive member to at least partially encapsulate the first magnetically attractive member with the base portion.
108. The faucet of claim 107, wherein the second coupling member comprises a polymer material molded over at least a portion of the second magnetically attractive member.
109. The faucet of claim 108, wherein the second magnetically attractive member comprises a second magnet and a second backing member.
110. The faucet of claim 107 wherein the first magnetically attractive member comprises a first magnet and a first backing member.
111. A faucet comprising:
- a faucet spout defining an elongate passageway having an outlet end;
- a water supply line passing through the elongate passageway of the faucet spout and moveable relative to the outlet end of the faucet spout;
- a pull-out faucet sprayhead detachably connected to the faucet spout and comprising an outer shell defining an interior space, a waterway comprising a receiving end and a dispensing end, and a water outlet;
- wherein the receiving end of the waterway is fluidly coupled to the water supply line and the dispensing end of the waterway is fluidly coupled to the water outlet;
- wherein the water supply line, the waterway and the water outlet together define a fluid path through the faucet; and
- a magnetic coupling detachably connecting the faucet sprayhead to the faucet spout, the magnetic coupling comprising:
- a first coupling member supported by the faucet spout comprising a base portion formed from a non-magnetic material and a first magnetically attractive member, wherein the base portion is disposed in the elongate passageway of the faucet spout;
- a second coupling member supported for movement with the faucet sprayhead and comprising a second magnetically attractive member;
- cooperating orientation members configured to rotationally orient the faucet sprayhead relative to the faucet spout for locating a user input for a user;
- wherein when the faucet sprayhead is connected to the faucet spout, the first magnetically attractive member and the second magnetically attractive member are disposed adjacent to one another, the first magnetically attractive member and the second magnetically attractive member form a magnetic connection comprising an attractive magnetic force acting between the first magnetically attractive member and the second magnetically attractive member, and wherein the magnetic connection is operable to maintain an attachment between the faucet sprayhead and the faucet spout against a pull force on the faucet sprayhead for detaching the faucet sprayhead from the faucet spout of between about 2 pounds force and 12 pounds force;
- the first magnetically attractive member comprises a first magnet and a first backing member;
- the second magnetically attractive member comprises a second magnet and a second backing member; and
- wherein each of the first magnetically attractive member and the second magnetically attractive member has a magnetic field of between 400 gauss and 2,000 gauss tested at a distance of 0.0900 inches.
112. The faucet of claim 111, wherein the base portion comprises a polymer material molded over at least a portion of the first magnet and the first backing member.
113. The faucet of claim 111, wherein the second coupling member comprises a polymer material molded over at least a portion of the second magnet and the second backing member.
114. A faucet comprising:
- a faucet spout defining an elongate passageway having an outlet end;
- a water supply line passing through the elongate passageway of the faucet spout and moveable relative to the outlet end of the faucet spout;
- a pull-out faucet sprayhead detachably connected to the faucet spout and comprising an outer shell defining an interior space, a waterway comprising a receiving end and a dispensing end, and a water outlet;
- wherein the receiving end of the waterway is fluidly coupled to the water supply line and the dispensing end of the waterway is fluidly coupled to the water outlet;
- wherein the water supply line, the waterway and the water outlet together define a fluid path through the faucet;
- a magnetic coupling detachably connecting the faucet sprayhead to the faucet spout, the magnetic coupling comprising:
- a first coupling member supported by the faucet spout comprising a base portion formed from a non-magnetic material and a first magnetically attractive member, wherein the base portion is disposed in the elongate passageway of the faucet spout;
- a second coupling member supported for movement with the faucet sprayhead and comprising a second magnetically attractive member;
- cooperating orientation members configured to rotationally orient the faucet sprayhead relative to the faucet spout for locating a user input for a user;
- wherein when the faucet sprayhead is connected to the faucet spout, the first magnetically attractive member and the second magnetically attractive member are disposed adjacent to one another, the first magnetically attractive member and the second magnetically attractive member form a magnetic connection comprising an attractive magnetic force acting between the first magnetically attractive member and the second magnetically attractive member, and wherein the magnetic connection is operable to maintain an attachment between the faucet sprayhead and the faucet spout against a pull force on the faucet sprayhead for detaching the faucet sprayhead from the faucet spout of between about 2 pounds force and 12 pounds force; and
- wherein at least one of the first coupling member includes an overmold over the first magnetically attractive member, and the second coupling member includes an overmold over the second magnetically attractive member.
115. A faucet comprising:
- a faucet spout defining an elongate passageway having an outlet end;
- a water supply line passing through the elongate passageway of the faucet spout and moveable relative to the outlet end of the faucet spout;
- a pull-out faucet sprayhead detachably connected to the faucet spout and comprising an outer shell defining an interior space, a waterway comprising a receiving end and a dispensing end, and a water outlet;
- wherein the receiving end of the waterway is fluidly coupled to the water supply line and the dispensing end of the waterway is fluidly coupled to the water outlet;
- wherein the water supply line, the waterway and the water outlet together define a fluid path through the faucet;
- a magnetic coupling detachably connecting the faucet sprayhead to the faucet spout, the magnetic coupling comprising:
- a first coupling member supported by the faucet spout comprising a base portion formed from a non-magnetic material and a first magnetically attractive member, wherein the base portion is disposed in the elongate passageway of the faucet spout;
- a second coupling member supported for movement with the faucet sprayhead and comprising a second magnetically attractive member;
- cooperating orientation members configured to rotationally orient the faucet sprayhead relative to the faucet spout for locating a user input for a user;
- wherein when the faucet sprayhead is connected to the faucet spout, the first magnetically attractive member and the second magnetically attractive member are disposed adjacent to one another, the first magnetically attractive member and the second magnetically attractive member form a magnetic connection comprising an attractive magnetic force acting between the first magnetically attractive member and the second magnetically attractive member, and wherein the magnetic connection is operable to maintain an attachment between the faucet sprayhead and the faucet spout against a pull force on the faucet sprayhead for detaching the faucet sprayhead from the faucet spout of between about 2 pounds force and 12 pounds force; and
- wherein the second coupling member is disposed inside of the interior space of the outer shell of the faucet sprayhead.
116. The faucet of claim 115, wherein the second coupling member comprises a polymer material molded over at least a portion of the second magnetically attractive member.
117. The faucet of claim 116, wherein the second magnetically attractive member comprises a second magnet and a second backing member.
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Type: Grant
Filed: Apr 16, 2020
Date of Patent: Mar 25, 2025
Assignee: Delta Faucet Company (Indianapolis, IN)
Inventors: Alfred Charles Nelson (Westfield, IN), Christopher Michael McGuire (Fishers, IN)
Primary Examiner: Sara S Clarke
Application Number: 16/850,681
International Classification: E03C 1/04 (20060101); B05B 15/65 (20180101);