# US 2020/0399871 A1 · Adjustable Anti-Freeze Faucet > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2020/0399871 A1 - Document ID: US20200399871A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/968,969 - Filed: 2019-02-19 - Published: 2020-12-24 - Earliest claimed: 2018-02-19 - Assignees: The Mosack Group, Inc. - Applicants: The Mosack Group, Inc. - Inventors: Daniel Foster; Matthew Williams - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20200399871A1 ## CPC - E03B 7/12: by preventing freezing - E03B 9/025: {Taps specially designed for outdoor use, e.g. wall hydrants, sill cocks} - F16L 27/1273: {by quick-acting means} - F16L 27/1274: {by means of a swivel nut} - F16L 27/1275: {by means of at least an external threaded bolt} - E03B 9/02: Hydrants; Arrangements of valves therein; Keys for hydrants - E03B: INSTALLATIONS OR METHODS FOR OBTAINING, COLLECTING, OR DISTRIBUTING WATER (drilling wells, obtaining fluids in general from wells E21B; pipe-line systems in general F17D) - F16L: PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL ## Abstract Disclosed are embodiments of a coupling mechanism that can be used to selectively secure two sections of telescopically engaged pipe in a fixed position relative to each other and provide a fluid (e.g., gas and/or liquid) seal between to the coupling mechanism and the two pipes, regardless of whether the pipes are secured in the fixed position or are freely moveable relative to each other. In some embodiments, the coupling mechanism can be used as part of a faucet assembly, which can include an adjustable faucet assembly including the telescopically engaged pipe. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An adjustable anti-freeze faucet system, comprising: a first pipe having an inner diameter and a second pipe having an outer diameter, the first pipe inner diameter being greater than the second pipe outer diameter so as to allow the second pipe to axially traverse the first pipe in a telescoping manner; a coupling mechanism, comprising: a coupling body having a coupling body top, a coupling body bottom, a coupling body outer surface, a coupling body inner surface, and a coupling body opening within a volume of space defined by the coupling body inner surface, wherein a coupling body longitudinal axis runs from the coupling body top to the coupling body bottom, wherein the coupling body bottom is deflectable radially inward towards and radially outward away from the coupling body longitudinal axis; and a coupling handle having a coupling handle top, a coupling handle bottom, a coupling handle outer surface, a coupling handle inner surface, and a coupling handle opening within a volume of space defined by the coupling handle inner surface, wherein a coupling handle longitudinal axis runs from the coupling handle top to the coupling handle bottom; wherein the coupling handle opening at the coupling handle top is configured to receive a portion of the coupling body when the coupling body longitudinal axis is coaxial with the coupling handle longitudinal axis; wherein the coupling body opening at the coupling body top is configured to receive a distal end of the first pipe and retain the first pipe in a fixed position relative to the coupling body; wherein each of the coupling body opening at the coupling body bottom and the coupling handle opening at the coupling handle bottom is configured to receive a distal end of the second pipe and allow axial motion of the second pipe relative to the first pipe and allow axial motion of the second pipe relative to the coupling mechanism; and wherein the coupling handle is configured to selectively engage with the coupling body bottom, wherein the engagement is capable of exerting a radially inward pressure on the coupling body bottom; an exterior handle connected to the first pipe; a shut off mechanism located within the second pipe; and a telescoping rotating shaft mechanically connected to the exterior handle, the telescoping rotating shaft configured to operate the shut off mechanism. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The adjustable faucet system recited in claim 1, wherein: the engagement of the coupling handle with the coupling body generates a locked state when the coupling handle exerts the radially inward pressure on the coupling body bottom; the locked state prevents movement of the second pipe relative to the first pipe and/or the coupling mechanism by the coupling body bottom exerting pressure against an outer surface of the second pipe; the engagement of the coupling handle with the coupling body generates an unlocked state when the coupling handle does not exert the radially inward pressure on the coupling body bottom; and the unlocked state allows movement of the second pipe relative to the first pipe and/or the coupling mechanism by the coupling body bottom not exerting pressure against the outer surface of the second pipe. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The adjustable faucet system recited in claim 2, wherein the locked state is generated when the coupling handle is traversed along the coupling body longitudinal axis in a direction towards the coupling body so as to be positioned over at least the coupling body bottom, wherein at least a portion of the coupling handle inner surface exerts the radially inward pressure on the coupling body bottom. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The adjustable faucet system recited in claim 2, wherein the locked state is generated when the coupling handle is positioned over at least the coupling body bottom and is caused to move radially inward towards the coupling body longitudinal axis so that at least a portion of the coupling handle inner surface exerts the radially inward pressure on the coupling body bottom. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The adjustable faucet system recited in claim 2, wherein the coupling body is engaged by threads with the coupling handle. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The adjustable faucet system recited in claim 1, wherein the coupling handle further comprises a ring with a break that is bridged by a cam-clamp. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The adjustable faucet system recited in claim 1, wherein the coupling handle further comprises a band mechanically connected to a wormgear. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The adjustable faucet system recited in claim 1, comprising a sealing mechanism configured to provide a fluid seal between the coupling body inner surface and an outer surface of the second pipe in the locked state. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The adjustable faucet system recited in claim 8, wherein the sealing mechanism comprises: an elastomeric body; and a track formed in the coupling body inner surface, the track configured to receive and retain the elastomeric body. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The adjustable faucet system recited in claim 9, wherein the elastomeric body deforms when the second pipe is inserted into the coupling body bottom opening, and the coupling body is in the locked state, wherein the deformation forms the fluid seal. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The adjustable faucet system recited in claim 1, wherein the coupling body bottom comprises a visual indicator. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The adjustable faucet system recited in claim 11, wherein the visual indicator is located on the coupling body outer surface at or near a distal end of the coupling body bottom. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The adjustable faucet system recited in claim 12, wherein: the distal end of the coupling body bottom extends beyond a distal end of the coupling handle in a locked state of the coupling mechanism, thereby exposing the visual indicator; and the distal end of the coupling body bottom does not extend beyond a distal end of the coupling handle bottom in an unlocked state of the coupling mechanism, thereby concealing the visual indicator. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The adjustable faucet system recited in claim 1, wherein the coupling body bottom is configured as a flanged structure having at least one finger. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The adjustable faucet system recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one finger comprises a deflectable member extending from the coupling body bottom along a direction that is parallel with the coupling body longitudinal axis. ### Claim 16 An anti-freeze adjustable faucet system, comprising: a first pipe having an inner diameter and a second pipe having an outer diameter, the first pipe inner diameter being greater than the second pipe outer diameter so as to allow the second pipe to axially traverse the first pipe in a telescoping manner; a coupling mechanism, comprising: a coupling body having a coupling body top, a coupling body bottom, a coupling body outer surface, a coupling body inner surface, and a coupling body opening within a volume of space defined by the coupling body inner surface, wherein a coupling body longitudinal axis runs from the coupling body top to the coupling body bottom, wherein the coupling body bottom is deflectable radially inward towards and radially outward away from the coupling body longitudinal axis; and a coupling handle having a coupling handle top, a coupling handle bottom, a coupling handle outer surface, a coupling handle inner surface, and a coupling handle opening within a volume of space defined by the coupling handle inner surface, wherein a coupling handle longitudinal axis runs from the coupling handle top to the coupling handle bottom; wherein the coupling handle opening at the coupling handle top is configured to receive a portion of the coupling body when the coupling body longitudinal axis is coaxial with the coupling handle longitudinal axis; wherein the coupling body opening at the coupling body top is configured to receive a distal end of the first pipe and retain the first pipe in a fixed position relative to the coupling body; wherein each of the coupling body opening at the coupling body bottom and the coupling handle opening at the coupling handle bottom is configured to receive a distal end of the second pipe and allow axial motion of the second pipe relative to the first pipe and allow axial motion of the second pipe relative to the coupling mechanism; and wherein the coupling handle is configured to selectively engage with the coupling body bottom, wherein the engagement is capable of exerting a radially inward pressure on the coupling body bottom; an exterior handle connected to the first pipe; a shut off mechanism located within the second pipe; and a telescoping rotating shaft mechanically connected to the exterior handle, the telescoping rotating shaft configured to operate the shut off mechanism; wherein: the engagement of the coupling handle with the coupling body generates a locked state when the coupling handle exerts the radially inward pressure on the coupling body bottom; the locked state prevents movement of the second pipe relative to the first pipe and/or the coupling mechanism by the coupling body bottom exerting pressure against an outer surface of the second pipe; the engagement of the coupling handle with the coupling body generates an unlocked state when the coupling handle does not exert the radially inward pressure on the coupling body bottom; and the unlocked state allows movement of the second pipe relative to the first pipe and/or the coupling mechanism by the coupling body bottom not exerting pressure against the outer surface of the second pipe; wherein the coupling body bottom further comprises a visual indicator located on the coupling body outer surface at or near a distal end of the coupling body bottom. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The adjustable faucet system recited in claim 16, wherein the distal end of the coupling body bottom extends beyond a distal end of the coupling handle bottom when the locked state is generated, thereby exposing the visual indicator; and the distal end of the coupling body bottom does not extend beyond a distal end of the coupling handle bottom when the unlocked state is generated, thereby concealing the visual indicator. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The adjustable faucet system recited in claim 16, wherein the visual indicator comprises a marking and/or a shape. ### Claim 19 A coupling mechanism, comprising: a coupling body having a coupling body top, a coupling body bottom, a coupling body outer surface, a coupling body inner surface, and a coupling body opening within a volume of space defined by the coupling body inner surface, wherein a coupling body longitudinal axis runs from the coupling body top to the coupling body bottom, wherein the coupling body bottom is deflectable radially inward towards and radially outward away from the coupling body longitudinal axis; and a coupling handle having a coupling handle top, a coupling handle bottom, a coupling handle outer surface, a coupling handle inner surface, and a coupling handle opening within a volume of space defined by the coupling handle inner surface, wherein a coupling handle longitudinal axis runs from the coupling handle top to the coupling handle bottom; wherein the coupling handle opening at the coupling handle top is configured to receive a portion of the coupling body when the coupling body longitudinal axis is coaxial with the coupling handle longitudinal axis; wherein the coupling body opening at the coupling body top is configured to receive a distal end of a first pipe and retain the first pipe in a fixed position relative to the coupling body; wherein each of the coupling body opening at the coupling body bottom and the coupling handle opening at the coupling handle bottom is configured to receive a distal end of a second pipe and allow axial motion of the second pipe relative to the first pipe and allow axial motion of the second pipe relative to the coupling mechanism; and wherein the coupling handle is configured to selectively engage with the coupling body bottom, wherein the engagement is capable of exerting a radially inward pressure on the coupling body bottom. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The coupling mechanism recited in claim 19, wherein: the engagement of the coupling handle with the coupling body generates a locked state when the coupling handle exerts the radially inward pressure on the coupling body bottom; and the engagement of the coupling handle with the coupling body generates an unlocked state when the coupling handle does not exert the radially inward pressure on the coupling body bottom; the locked state prevents movement of the second pipe relative to the first pipe and/or the coupling mechanism by the coupling body bottom exerting pressure against an outer surface of the second pipe; and the unlocked state allows movement of the second pipe relative to the first pipe and/or the coupling mechanism by the coupling body bottom not exerting pressure against the outer surface of the second pipe.