Faucets And Spouts Patents (Class 137/801)
  • Patent number: 11920691
    Abstract: A valve assembly includes a first mixing valve, a second mixing valve, a housing configured to receive the first mixing valve and the second mixing valve, and a check valve. The housing defines a first fluid inlet, a second fluid inlet, a first fluid passage, and a second fluid passage fluidly coupling the second fluid inlet to the first mixing valve and the second mixing valve. The first fluid passage includes a first fluid inlet chamber fluidly coupled to the first fluid inlet, a first connecting passage fluidly coupling the first fluid inlet chamber to the first mixing valve, and a second connecting passage fluidly coupling the first fluid inlet chamber to the second mixing valve. The check valve is coupled to the housing and configured to substantially prevent fluid from flowing from the first mixing valve to the first fluid inlet chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Bradley Fixtures LLC
    Inventors: Ryan Pfund, Heming Dai
  • Patent number: 11913200
    Abstract: A faucet includes a spout, a water level sensor, and a controller. The spout includes a water outlet having a first set of nozzles oriented at an angle with respect to a central axis defined by the water outlet such that water discharged from the first set of nozzles converges at the central axis at a focal distance from the water outlet. The water level sensor is disposed on the spout, and is configured to detect a distance between the water outlet and a level of water in a container disposed below the water outlet. The controller is configured to control the flow of water through the water outlet based on a comparison between the detected distance and the focal distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventor: Chanseol Chung
  • Patent number: 11905690
    Abstract: A faucet having a base that is mountable to a support, a spout moveably coupled to the base and having an outlet for dispensing water, and a valve that controls a flow of water to an outlet, where the valve is opened in response to the spout being moved relative to the base to a first position, and the valve is closed in response to the spout being moved relative to the base from the first position toward a second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Chanseol Muraoka
  • Patent number: 11781665
    Abstract: A faucet includes a base and a valve cartridge disposed in the base. The valve cartridge can control a flow of water. The faucet includes a structure that supports the valve cartridge. The structure includes a mount having a first protrusion, a second protrusion, and a smooth portion that extends between the first protrusion and the second protrusion. The structure includes a lock plate that detachably couples to the mount. The lock plate can engage the first protrusion in a first rotational position to secure the lock plate relative to the first protrusion. The lock plate can slide along the smooth portion in a second rotational position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: KOHER CO.
    Inventor: Perry Erickson
  • Patent number: 11739859
    Abstract: In a valve actuating device (1), a bi-stable mechanism (13), by which an auxiliary valve (7) of a pressure-actuatable main valve (2) can be controlled, is set up in such a way that at least one stop point for an open position of the main valve (2) can be adjusted by a rotational movement of a valve element (10) in order to adjust a manual operating element (11) for the auxiliary valve (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Neoperl GmbH
    Inventors: Marc Tempel, Yichao Bian
  • Patent number: 11598438
    Abstract: A faucet pipe fitting assembly, a faucet connecting structure and a faucet are disclosed. A faucet pipe fitting assembly includes a pipe joint unit and at least two pipes. The pipe joint unit has joint portions corresponding in number to the pipes. The pipes are integrally formed with the pipe joint unit. The pipes communicate with the joint portions of the pipe joint unit, respectively. The faucet pipe fitting assembly has the advantages of stable connection and convenient connection with a valve seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: YOUSHI (XIAMEN) SANITARY WARE INDUSTRIAL CO, LTD.
    Inventor: Zhangsen You
  • Patent number: 11434626
    Abstract: Disclosed is a fitting structure of a water outlet device. The fitting structure comprises a fixed block, hoses, and joints. A peripheral of the fixed block comprises first position holes configured to be fixedly disposed with the hoses. The joints are fixedly connected to first ends of the hoses disposed above an upper surface of the fixed block, and each of the joints comprises a first water outlet passage and a second water outlet passage in communication with the first water outlet passage. An axis of each of the first water outlet passages and an axis of a corresponding one of the hoses is coaxial. The second water outlet passage is parallel to and is staggered with the first water outlet passage by a preset distance. The joints are staggered with the hoses by the preset distance in a radial direction and an outward direction of the fixed block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: Xiamen Solex High-Tech Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dingwei Huang, Xiaohu Yan, Yicong Xie, Wenjing Xiong, Wenxing Chen
  • Patent number: 11203857
    Abstract: A faucet apparatus and method of implementing a faucet apparatus are disclosed herein. In an example embodiment, the apparatus includes a body integrated or coupled to a base, where the body includes surfaces within which are formed first and second orifices that respectively extend inward into the body along first and second axes, respectively. A first cross-section of the first orifice taken perpendicular to the first axis has a first size and a first shape that are, respectively, substantially identical to a second size and a second shape of a second cross-section of the second orifice taken perpendicular to the second axis. The apparatus also includes a spout having a first end supported within the first orifice, and a sensor structure having a cross-sectional surface supported within the second orifice, where each of the first end and cross-sectional surface is configured to fit complementarily within either of the orifices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventors: Matthew A. Schmitt, Gregory Chesack, Mauricio Medaets
  • Patent number: 11186973
    Abstract: A faucet assembly including a spout with two fluid channels spaced apart from one another by a void. In an illustrative embodiment, the fluid channels converge near at least one outlet of the faucet assembly to create a desired flow pattern (e.g., waterfall flow) when the water source is operational and fluidly coupled to the faucet assembly. In an illustrative embodiment, the faucet spout is formed through additive manufacturing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: Delta Faucet Company
    Inventors: Michael Scot Rosko, Thad J. Eads
  • Patent number: 11098809
    Abstract: A mixing tap for dispensing water includes a tap body having a fitting end for fitting the tap body in or on a fitting opening, an spout fitted in or on the tap body and provided with a dispensing end, a mixing device arranged in the tap body. The mixing device includes a first inlet for cold water, a second inlet for hot water and an outlet for mixed water, and a hose having a nozzle. The mixing tap has an accommodation duct which runs from the fitting end to the dispensing end for receiving at least a portion of the hose. The hose is displaceable with respect to the spout between a pulled-out position, in which the hose protrudes with respect to the dispensing end, and a normal position, in which the hose does not extend with respect to the dispensing end or to a lesser degree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: Quooker International, B.V.
    Inventor: Niels Theodoor Peteri
  • Patent number: 11097696
    Abstract: Provided is a washer nozzle that since a plurality of stepped portions (stepped wall portions) formed in a stepped shape in a flow direction of the cleaning liquid are provided in a flow path between an inflow hole and a discharge port in a main body portion, it is possible to spread the cleaning liquid in a width direction of the flow path by causing the cleaning liquid flowing from an upstream side to collide with stepped surfaces of the plurality of stepped portions one after another. Therefore, even when a flow rate of the cleaning liquid is small, without increasing a discharge capacity of a washer pump, it is possible to disperse the cleaning liquid fully in the width direction of the flow path, and it is possible to uniformly discharge the cleaning liquid to substantially the entire surface of an imaging lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: MITSUBA Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroki Tokunaka
  • Patent number: 11078948
    Abstract: A fastener boss includes a body having a receiving column. The receiving column includes a first section with a first wall thickness and a second section with a second wall thickness wherein the first wall thickness is greater than the second wall thickness. A motor vehicle component incorporating the fastener boss is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Santiago Yepes Gallo, Bhavani S. Thota, Linh Ngoc Doan, Ryan Mowery
  • Patent number: 11060628
    Abstract: A valve assembly includes a first mixing valve configured to mix hot fluid and cold fluid to provide a first mixed fluid, a second mixing valve configured to mix hot fluid and cold fluid to provide a second mixed fluid, and a housing configured to receive the first mixing valve and the second mixing valve. The housing defines a hot fluid inlet configured to be fluidly coupled to a supply of hot fluid, a cold fluid inlet configured to be fluidly coupled to a supply of cold fluid, a hot fluid passage fluidly coupling the hot fluid inlet to the first mixing valve and the second mixing valve, and a cold fluid passage fluidly coupling the cold fluid inlet to the first mixing valve and the second mixing valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: Bradley Fixtures Corporation
    Inventors: Ryan Pfund, Heming Dai
  • Patent number: 11060267
    Abstract: A faucet trim assembly includes faucet body subassembly and a base subassembly removably coupled to the faucet body subassembly. The faucet body subassembly includes a spout, an escutcheon coupled to the spout, and a handle coupled to the escutcheon. The spout includes a first internal passageway. The base subassembly includes a valve cartridge that is removably coupled to the base subassembly. The valve cartridge is configured to control a flow of water through the spout. The base subassembly is configured to removably couple to a sink deck independently from the faucet body subassembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Brian J. Mooren, Andrew J. Rieth
  • Patent number: 11035485
    Abstract: A faucet structure includes a valve base, an outlet hose, two input hoses, a bottom panel, a housing, a panel cover and a handle. A valve chamber is on the valve base, and a connecting tube protrudes from a supporting leg extending from a bottom of the valve chamber, which has first engaging openings at a bottom end thereof for engaging with rings grooves on the input hoses via a locking panel. Two second engaging openings are on the connecting tube for engaging with a groove on the outlet hose via a U-shaped clasp. The housing has grooves that slidingly engage the panel cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: HSUE SAM ENTERPRISE CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Wen-Tsung Lin
  • Patent number: 10961692
    Abstract: A diverter seal member for a diverter structure of a tub spout structure includes a central body, a first seal extension, and a second seal extension. The central body includes a first side, a second side, and an aperture extending completely through the central body between the first side and the second side of the central body. The first seal extension extends from the first side of the central body and around a central axis that extends axially through a center of the aperture. The first seal extension includes a first extension side, a second extension side, and an extension end. The extension end of the first seal extension extends substantially perpendicularly to the first extension side and the second extension side of the first seal extension. The second seal extension extends from the second side of the central body around the central axis of the aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Shashank Varma, Matthew J. Ball, Andrew D. Wieberdink, Evan Yee, Kellen D. Beauchesne
  • Patent number: 10960395
    Abstract: A portable liquid measuring and filtering device includes a measuring channel, at least one sensor, at least one actuating device and a filtering element. The measuring channel is used for allowing a target liquid to flow therethrough. The at least one sensor is disposed within the measuring channel for measuring the target liquid. The at least one actuating device is in communication with the measuring channel for transferring the target liquid. The filtering element is disposed within the measuring channel and arranged adjacent to the at least one actuating device for filtering the target liquid. If a measuring result of the sensor indicates that a monitored value of the target liquid is abnormal, the actuating device is enabled to transfer the target liquid. Consequently, the target liquid is filtered by the filtering element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: MICROJET TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hao-Jan Mou, Ta-Wei Hsueh, Shih-Chang Chen, Li-Pang Mo, Ching-Sung Lin, Yung-Lung Han, Chi-Feng Huang, Wei-Ming Lee
  • Patent number: 10947710
    Abstract: A faucet is provided, and the faucet includes a faucet body, an electrically controllable valve, a contact sensing unit or a proximity sensing unit, a motion sensing unit, and a control unit. The control unit determines an operation mode of the faucet based on a signal of the contact sensing unit or the proximity sensing unit, and a signal of the motion sensing unit, and controls an on-off state of the electrically controllable valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Inventor: Chun-Ping Wang
  • Patent number: 10947708
    Abstract: A faucet includes a base, a spout, a water level sensor, and a controller. The spout is coupled to the base and includes a first portion proximate to the base and a second portion adjustable relative to the first portion. The second portion includes a water outlet. The water level sensor is disposed on the second portion, and is configured to detect a distance between the water outlet and a level of water in a container disposed below the water outlet. The controller is configured to control the flow of water through the water outlet based on the detected distance between the water outlet and the level of water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventor: Chanseol Chung
  • Patent number: 10927531
    Abstract: A fluid delivery device comprises a faucet. The faucet includes a hub, a sprayhead, and a hose coupling the hub to the sprayhead. Each end of the hose has a pivot coupling. One of the pivot couplings is configured to permit rotation of the hose relative to the hub. Another of the pivot couplings is configured to permit rotation of the sprayhead relative to the hose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Delta Faucet Company
    Inventors: Terrence Lee Fourman, Jeffrey Lee Moore, Randy L. Schneider, II, Alfred Charles Nelson, Kurt Judson Thomas
  • Patent number: 10745895
    Abstract: An auto-retracting faucet spray head has an auto-retract mechanism, which includes a docking assembly provided at the end of the faucet body to facilitate automatic retraction and docking of the spray head. The docking assembly includes a spring-loaded mechanism that automatically docks the spray head to the faucet body when an adapter coupled to the spray head engages the docking assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: AS America, Inc.
    Inventor: Hsiao Chang Li
  • Patent number: 10738899
    Abstract: A faucet contains: a hollow body, a control assembly, an inlet pipe set, a mixing-water outlet pipe, a pull hose, a spray head, and an isolation pipe. The hollow body includes an inflow portion and an outflow portion. The control assembly includes a mixing valve and an operation element. The inlet pipe set includes a cold-water inlet pipe and a hot-water inlet pipe. The mixing-water outlet pipe includes a first connector and a second connector. The pull hose includes an inlet segment and an outlet segment. The spray head is connected with the outlet segment of the pull hose, and the spray head is removed from and fixed on the outflow portion of the hollow body. The isolation pipe includes a channel defined therein so that the pull hose slidably moves in the isolation pipe and avoids contacting with the inlet pipe set and the mixing-water outlet pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Globe Union Industrial Corp.
    Inventors: Yuanhao Chang, Chungyi Huang, Yiping Lin, Kuotung Ni
  • Patent number: 10675643
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a water discharge structure having a reset function which includes a body internally provided with a water flowing channel, a water outflow end of the body is provided with a first water outflow channel and a second water outflow channel; a button arranged on the body, and a reset spring arranged between the button and the body; a movable element coupled with and fitting the button; and a center shaft coupled with and fitting the movable element, an end of the center shaft is provided with a blocking element, a third spring is provided between an end of the center shaft and the body, and the body is internally provided with a reset device to drive the movable element to reset. A pull-out head includes the above-mentioned water discharge structure having a reset function, and the present invention has the function of memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: KAIPING HANSHUN SANITARY WARE INDUSTRIAL CO LTD
    Inventors: Feiwu Huang, Zhengzhen Lei, Qingquan Lai, Si Zhou
  • Patent number: 10633783
    Abstract: A magnetically positioned and engaged clothes dryer vent coupling (14, 30), having magnetic material (12, 36) arranged around the opening of a tube (22, 32) such that as the two halves of the coupling are brought into proximity, the magnetic forces minimizing repulsion and maximizing attraction align the two duct paths and bring the magnets together, forming a seal. The short length of flexible tubing (20) allows freedom of motion of the magnetic end during engagement and provides the necessary flexibility required to maintain a seal through dryer operational movement. The advantages of such a coupling are: simplified and faster dryer installation; elimination of the long length of flexible duct typically used in dry installations; shorter, more easily maintainable dryer exhaust duct path; increased dryer efficiency and increased fire safety.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Inventor: Kevin Patrick Kelley
  • Patent number: 10633839
    Abstract: A rapid installation structure of a weight assembly is disclosed. The weight assembly includes a left weight body and a right weight body to mate with each other. First sides of the left weight body and the right weight body are fixedly connected through a connecting plate. Opposite second sides of the left weight body and the right weight body are clasped through a locking buckle. The left weight body includes a left weight and a left casing covering the left weight, and is formed with a left mating face. The right weight body includes a right weight and a right casing covering the right weight, and is formed with a right mating face. The locking buckle includes an engaging buckle and an engaging recess to mate with each other. The engaging buckle and the engaging recess are disposed on the left and right mating faces, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: XIAMEN FORBETTER SANITARY WARE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Xiliang Yan, Yihui Chen
  • Patent number: 10597854
    Abstract: A sensing faucet for the integration of soap supply with water exit includes a main body configured with a mounting portion having a first mounting zone and second mounting zone, where the first mounting zone is used to accept a water supply module, and the second mounting zone a soap supply module, where an obtuse angle is formed between the first and second mounting zones. With the above structure, the soap supply module can conform to a human factor design besides the water and soap supply modules are integrated with each other in the same sensing faucet, allowing users direct soap supply according hand washing habits without needing to touch any other components, and the hand cleaning convenience can then be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Inventors: Hsiang-Hung Wang, Yu-Chang Lin
  • Patent number: 10562735
    Abstract: A stop ball for a tube for fluid or energy is provided. The stop ball comprises a singular hollow body. The hollow body comprises and is integral with a first opening for the tube and an attachment means for attaching the stop ball to the tube, the attachment means comprising a second opening for the tube. A method for attaching a stop ball according to any one of the preceding embodiments to a tube for fluid or energy is provided. The method comprising inserting the tube through all three openings; pulling the attachment means at least partly out of the hollow body; and clamping the attachment means onto the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: CEJN AB
    Inventors: Anders Lunnerhag, Lena Henåker, Filip Åkesson
  • Patent number: 10550946
    Abstract: A mixer water faucet for installation through a bore in a work surface in proximity to a water supply, includes a stationary housing extending transversely through the bore; a faucet body mounted onto the housing, rotatable relative thereto; a main and auxiliary spouts extending from the housing; main and auxiliary supply hoses extending through the housing for conveying water to the main and auxiliary spouts, respectively; and a diverter for selectably directing a supply of water to the main and auxiliary spouts, wherein the main spout rotates about a rotation axis extending through the faucet body, the rotation causing a lateral movement and partial twisting of the auxiliary water supply hose with respect to the main water supply hose thereby to allow thereby to allow freedom of movement of the auxiliary spout and the auxiliary hose during extension and retraction thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: HAMAT SANITARY FITTINGS AND CASTING LTD.
    Inventor: Shlomo Pirutin
  • Patent number: 10519635
    Abstract: A fluid delivery device comprises a faucet. The faucet includes a hub, a sprayhead, and a hose coupling the hub to the sprayhead. Each end of the hose has a pivot coupling. One of the pivot couplings is configured to permit rotation of the hose relative to the hub. Another of the pivot couplings is configured to permit rotation of the sprayhead relative to the hose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: Delta Faucet Company
    Inventors: Terrence Lee Fourman, Jeffrey Lee Moore, Randy L. Schneider, II, Alfred Charles Nelson, Kurt Judson Thomas
  • Patent number: 10497502
    Abstract: Described herein is a system for controlling a solenoid valve, which includes a driving circuit for driving a solenoid of the solenoid valve and a control unit for controlling the driving circuit. The control unit is configured for generating in the solenoid, during operation of the solenoid valve: first current signal for moving the open/close element from a first position to a second position, which is generated by the external supply network, to which the solenoid is connected; and second current signal, which is generated exclusively as a result of residual magnetism in the magnetic element of the solenoid valve and is activated when the open/close element is still in the aforesaid second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: C.R.F. Societa Consortile per Azioni
    Inventors: Andrea Pecori, Emanuele Pisano, Mitzi Puccio
  • Patent number: 10407883
    Abstract: A curved plastic faucet contains: a body, an arcuate tube, connector, and a supply head. The body includes a connection member. The arcuate tube includes an inflow segment, an outflow segment, an arc-shaped section extending to ¼ circumference length of the inflow segment from the outflow segment, and an arcuate water conduit which has an imaginary arc line being an arcuate section of a circle and a length of the arcuate section is not more than ¼ of the circle, wherein a cross section of the arcuate water conduit proximate to the inflow segment is not more than that of the outflow segment, and an outlet is defined adjacent to a lower end of the outflow segment. The connector includes an inlet and at least one stop ring. The supply head includes a guide space and a second screwing portion mating with a first screwing portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: Luo Da Shi Hardware (Huizhou) Limited Company
    Inventor: Fong-Yu Wu
  • Patent number: 10393294
    Abstract: A hammer union (100) includes a male sub (102), a threaded female sub (104), a threaded union nut (106) disposed around abutting ends of the threaded female sub and the male sub, the abutting ends of the threaded female sub and the male sub include contact surfaces (120, 122) perpendicular to a longitudinal axis (50) of the hammer union, and an outermost diameter of the perpendicular contact surfaces and a minor thread diameter of the female sub are equidistant from a longitudinal axis of the hammer union. A method of assembling a hammer union includes inserting a plurality of load segments (108) between a threaded union nut and a male sub, threadedly engaging internal threads of the threaded union nut with external threads (105) of a female sub, and engaging flat contact surfaces (120, 122) of abutting ends of the male sub and the female sub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Tep Ungchusri, Paul A. Crawford, William H. Garner, Alan R. Killingsworth, King F. Choi
  • Patent number: 10273667
    Abstract: A faucet apparatus includes a rotating operation unit that rotationally operates water spouting and shutting off operations, and a flow adjustment operation and a temperature adjustment operation of hot and cold water, an acceleration sensor that detects an attitude and a rotating movement of the rotating operation unit, and a control unit. The rotating operation unit moves without striding across a horizontal plane at a time of performing a rotating operation from a first operation position to a second operation position around a predetermined rotation axis in the water spouting state. The acceleration sensor is set in a state where a rotation axis at a time of rotating within a predetermined plane in response to the flow adjustment operation and temperature adjustment operation of the hot and cold water does not coincide with a gravity direction axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: Toto Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuro Kamiyoshi, Hideyuki Matsui, Kenichi Hashimoto, Makoto Hatakeyama, Yoshiyuki Kaneko
  • Patent number: 10260217
    Abstract: A faucet includes a sprayhead removably supported by a positioning arm. The positioning arm is articulated to provide multiple degrees of freedom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: Delta Faucet Company
    Inventors: Brian Alan Enlow, Darrell Scott Crowe, Kurt Judson Thomas, Seth Fritz, Celine Kwok Garland
  • Patent number: 10260216
    Abstract: A pull-down faucet includes a spout and a water hose movable within the spout. A spray hose connector is attached to the discharge end of the water hose. A sprayhead is in fluid communication with the spray hose connector and the water hose, and is movable between a docked position adjacent the discharge end of the spout, to an undocked position away from the spout. A magnet is secured to the interior of the spray hose connector, and a metallic element is secured near the discharge end of the spout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: XIAMEN LOTA INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chuanbao Zhu, Liming Ye, Jianping Zhou, Bentai Chen
  • Patent number: 10214885
    Abstract: A method for operating a sanitary fitting having a housing with a spout and a touch sensor, wherein in a touch mode of the sanitary fitting a tapping of a fluid can be activated by touching the touch sensor and wherein by touching the touch sensor for a period of at least 3 seconds, the touch mode is disabled. In addition, a sanitary fitting is specified, which controller is designed and provided for performing the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Grohe AG
    Inventors: Achim Mielke, Felix Hamer
  • Patent number: 10209722
    Abstract: A mixer water faucet for installation through a bore in a work surface in proximity to a water supply, includes a stationary housing extending transversely through the bore; a faucet body mounted onto the housing, rotatable relative thereto; a main spout and an auxiliary spout extending from the housing; a main water supply hose for conveying water to the main spout and an auxiliary water supply hose for conveying water to the auxiliary spout, the main water supply hose and the auxiliary water supply hose extending through the housing; and a diverter for selectably directing a supply of water to the main spout and the auxiliary spout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Inventor: Shlomo Pirutin
  • Patent number: 10207280
    Abstract: An overhead shower head with rear switch has a main body. The front of the main body is disposed with an accommodating chamber to accommodate an outlet cover including a cover plate with a ball seat, and the rear is disposed with a switch including a dial button at an eccentric position. The main body is disposed with a through hole that accommodates a water inlet joint. The water diversion body is a water diversion ball and is disposed with two outlets to form a first function waterway and a second function waterway with the inlet joint. The switch includes a first rotating shaft disposed at an eccentric position, a dial button linked to the first rotating shaft and a sealing element linked to the dial button. Thus, the overhead shower head has a short switch route to switch the outlet functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: XIAMEN SOLEX HIGH-TECH INDUSTRIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Fengde Lin, Mingfu Zhang, Wenxing Chen
  • Patent number: 10190445
    Abstract: A switchable roller finger follower includes an inner lever, an outer lever pivotably mounted to the inner lever by a pivot axle, and a coupling device. The coupling device includes a coupling pin configured to move between a locked position in which the inner lever and the outer lever are connected together for movement in at least one direction and an unlocked position in which the inner lever is movable relative to the outer lever in the at least one direction. The coupling device also includes a spring configured to bias the coupling pin in the locked or unlocked position. A de-aeration flow path is formed between an oil passage and an opening for allowing air to move out of the oil passage, past the coupling pin, and exit through the opening. The de-aeration flow path switches between being open and closed based on a position of the coupling pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
    Inventors: Pradeep Mohan Mohan Das, Faheem Ahmed, David Chandler
  • Patent number: 10138622
    Abstract: An electrically operable valve assembly for an electronic faucet includes a valve housing having an interior region for receiving a fluid, a solenoid valve, and a temperature sensor positioned outside the interior region. A heat transfer device extends between the temperature sensor and the interior region to transfer heat from fluid in the interior region to the temperature sensor. A controller is in communication with the temperature sensor and operative to control the solenoid valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Delta Faucet Company
    Inventors: Kurt J. Thomas, Derek A. Brown, Joel D. Sawaski
  • Patent number: 10124349
    Abstract: A fluid control valve includes a body, a first diverter, a second diverter, and a first actuator. The body includes an inlet configured to receive a supply of fluid. The first diverter is movable in a radial direction within the body between a first radial position and a second radial position. The second diverter is movable in a longitudinal direction within the body between a first longitudinal position and a second longitudinal position. The first actuator is operatively coupled to the first diverter and to the second diverter. The first actuator is configured to simultaneously move the first diverter between the first and second radial positions and the second diverter between the first and second longitudinal positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Perry D. Erickson, Steven Thomas Radder, Amruta Velapure
  • Patent number: 10087608
    Abstract: An apparatus, method and system for providing and dispensing various hand care alternatives from a common point of dispension, such as a faucet, for standardizing the hand care, washing, sanitizing, and drying process is disclosed. Included is a liquid flow path having an inlet in fluid communication with a liquid source and an outlet in fluid communication with a user reception point. A secondary flow path has an inlet in communication with one or more hand care alternatives and an outlet in communication with the user reception point. A first pump operatively connected to the hand care alternative and a second pump, independent from the first, pumps air. The air and hand care alternative may be mixed and foamed. In use, the air pump can provide clearing, drying and mixing functions independent from the first pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth Thomas Dobizl, Sarah Elise Gilbertson
  • Patent number: 10072401
    Abstract: A faucet including a faucet head, a body and a magnetic coupling releasably coupling the faucet head to the faucet body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: Delta Faucet Company
    Inventors: Alfred Charles Nelson, Christopher Michael McGuire
  • Patent number: 9856635
    Abstract: A faucet structure and method for assembling same is disclosed. The structure includes an outer tube, flow guiding part and cap. The outer tube is provided with an assembling gap. The flow guiding part is provided within the outer tube, and with half shells. The first half shell is provided with supplying manifold passage(s) corresponded to the assembling gap, and a first assembling ramp facing the second half shell. The second half shell is provided with a second assembling ramp facing the first half shell and inclined oppositely to the first assembling ramp, and a first threaded connection portion facing one end opening of outer tube. The cap is in correspondence with the end opening, and provided with a second threaded connection portion corresponded to the first threaded connection portion. These threaded connection portions are engaged by threaded connection, while those half shells are pressed against a tube wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Hokwang Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shen-Chen Liu
  • Patent number: 9821995
    Abstract: The present system provides a beverage dispensing assembly having a radio transmitter, wherein a personal communication device having associated software receives content from a remote content management system in response to a signal from the transmitter being received at the personal communication device. The radio transmitter may be in a retaining cavity of an extender assembly which is positioned between a faucet and a tap handle of the beverage dispensing assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Bevisys, LLC
    Inventors: James Pendegraft, Martin Howell
  • Patent number: 9803783
    Abstract: This disclosure relates generally to hose couplings useful for mining applications, more particularly to a fluid coupling capable of generally fully tightened by hand, including a visual lock for visual indication and safety when in a hand-tightened position. The coupling generally includes a male portion, a female portion, a retaining member and a locking member. The male portion passes through the retaining member, and the retaining member threadingly engages the female member. The locking member prevents unthreading of the retaining member from the female member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Gates Corporation
    Inventors: Keith E. Zulauf, Donald R. Gilbreath, Randall Mark Leasure, Richard A. Eaton
  • Patent number: 9725891
    Abstract: The faucet comprises a body having a cold water inlet, a hot water inlet and a service water outlet, and housing a monocontrol mechanism, for blocking and liberating the communication between the cold water inlet and/or hot water inlet with the service water outlet; a tubular column, coupled to the body and open to the service water outlet, and onto which is mounted a first head carrying a service radial spout connected to the service water outlet; a filter cartridge mounted in the interior of the tubular column, inferiorly connected to the cold water inlet and onto which is mounted a second head which carries a filtrate radial spout connected to the outlet nozzle of the filter cartridge; and a filtrate cock for blocking and liberating the fluid communication between the cold water inlet and the filtrate radial spout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Duratex S.A.
    Inventor: Luiz Moquiuti Morales
  • Patent number: 9714503
    Abstract: An intelligent control faucet includes a faucet that includes a manual operation valve, an intelligent control module, a water egress tube, a cold water ingress tube, a hot water ingress tube, and a magnetic reed detection device. The water egress tube, the cold water ingress tube, and the hot water ingress tube are connected to the manual operation valve. The intelligent control module is connected, in a series manner, to the water egress tube. The magnetic reed detection device is mounted to the water egress tube and is connected through a feeding cable or directly to the intelligent control module. Water flow can be established or cut off through pulling the water egress tube so that the use is made easy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignees: XIAMEN FORBETTER SANITARY WARE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Zai Jun Song, Xi Liang Yan, Yi Hui Chen, Wen Bo Wu
  • Patent number: 9708801
    Abstract: A water outlet fitting having a base, a hose device with a hose and a water outlet head as well as a holding device including: a mounting portion for mounting the holding device on the base of the water outlet fitting; a locking portion on the free end of the holding device for producing detachable locking of the hose device; and a guide portion for connecting the locking portion to the mounting portion and provide a contact face for the hose device; wherein in a first handling variant the hose device is locked on the holding device, wherein in a second handling variant the hose device is removed from the holding device and is movable in relation to the holding device, and a corresponding holding device. The water outlet fitting has an operating element which is developed in the manner of a stirrup-shaped handle surrounding the water outlet and/or base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: KWC AG
    Inventors: Benjamin Wagner, Hans-Ulrich Alder
  • Patent number: 9702126
    Abstract: A faucet stepped legs and assembly method. The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b): A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading “Abstract of the Disclosure.” The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims. Therefore, any statements made relating to the abstract are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Inventor: Timothy A. Feher