Adjustable-length water supply adapter
AssigneeKohler Co.
InventorMatthew J. Ball
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method of installing a plumbing fixture to an outlet of a water supply assembly located behind a wall includes providing a plumbing fixture including an attachment structure. The method also includes providing an adapter configured to couple the plumbing fixture to an outlet of a water supply assembly. The adapter includes an annular body, a plurality of collars, and an engagement structure. The annular body extends between a first end and a second end and defining a bore extending therethrough. The plurality of collars is provided along an exterior of the annular body and spaced inwardly from the first end such that each of the collars is separated from an adjacent one of the collars in a lateral direction by a recess. The engagement structure is provided along the exterior at the second end.
Claims19
A method of installing a plumbing fixture to an outlet of a water supply assembly located behind a wall, the method comprising:
- providing a plumbing fixture including an attachment structure;
- providing an adapter configured to couple the plumbing fixture to an outlet of a water supply assembly, the adapter comprising:
- an annular body extending between a first end and a second end and defining a bore extending therethrough;
- a plurality of collars provided along an exterior of the annular body and spaced inwardly from the first end such that each of the collars is separated from an adjacent one of the collars in a lateral direction by a recess;
- and
- an engagement structure provided along the exterior at the second end, the engagement structure configured to engage the attachment structure to couple the plumbing fixture to the adapter;
- removing a portion of the adapter including the first end and at least one of the collars to shorten a length of the adapter;
- engaging one of the collars with a corresponding structure provided on the outlet;
- and
- engaging the engagement structure with the attachment structure to couple the plumbing fixture to the adapter after removing the portion of the adapter.
A method comprising:
- providing a plumbing fixture including an attachment structure;
- providing an adapter configured to couple the plumbing fixture to an outlet of a water supply assembly, the adapter comprising:
- an annular body extending between a first end and a second end and defining a bore extending therethrough;
- a first collar provided along an exterior of the annular body;
- a second collar provided along the exterior of the annular body;
- a recess provided along the exterior of the annular body, the recess positioned between the first collar and the second collar;
- an engagement structure provided along the exterior at the second end, the engagement structure configured to engage the attachment structure to couple the plumbing fixture to the adapter;
- and
- a driving structure formed along an interior of the annular body about a portion of the bore located adjacent the second end and configured to engage a tool received within the bore to rotate the adapter;
- engaging the engagement structure with the attachment structure;
- and
- engaging the driving structure with the tool.
A method comprising:
- providing a plumbing fixture including an attachment structure;
- providing an adapter comprising:
- an annular body defining a bore extending therethrough;
- a collar provided along an exterior of the annular body, the collar configured to engage an outlet of a water supply assembly to couple the outlet to the adapter;
- an engagement structure provided along the exterior, the engagement structure configured to engage the attachment structure to couple the plumbing fixture to the adapter;
- and
- a driving structure formed along an interior of the annular body about a portion of the bore and configured to engage a tool received within the bore to rotate the adapter;
- engaging the engagement structure with the attachment structure;
- engaging the driving structure with the tool by placing the tool within the bore;
- and
- rotating the adapter using the tool after engaging the driving structure with the tool.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.