Axially compressible bearing
AssigneeKohler Co.
InventorsJacob R. Frye, Gabriel M. Niederlander
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Disclosed is a bearing configured to couple a faucet spout to a faucet body. The bearing includes a plurality of fingers extending parallel to a central axis of the bearing. The plurality of fingers is configured to engage with the faucet spout at an intermediate position between a first end of the bearing and a second end of the bearing. The fingers are configured to exert an outward pressure to the faucet spout. The fingers are also configured to compress in a substantially axial direction.
Claims18
A bearing configured to couple a faucet spout to a faucet body, the bearing comprising a plurality of fingers extending substantially parallel to a central axis of the bearing, wherein the fingers extend outwardly at an intermediate position along the fingers so that an inner diameter of the fingers at the intermediate position is greater than an inner diameter of the fingers at opposing ends of the fingers.
The bearing of claim 7, wherein an inner diameter of the second portion at the first end of the body is less than an inner diameter of the second portion away from the first end.
The bearing of claim 7, wherein the fingers are bowed radially outward and away from the central axis between the first end and the second end.
The bearing of claim 7, further comprising a plurality of ribs disposed proximate the second end of the body.
The bearing of claim 7, wherein the body further comprises a flange disposed at the second end of the body and extending radially outward from the body.
The bearing of claim 7, wherein the fingers are bowed radially away from the central axis in multiple positions between the first end and the second end.
The bearing of claim 7, wherein each one of the fingers is formed in a V-shape.
A faucet assembly, comprising:
- a faucet body comprising a ledge, a post extending away from the ledge, and an upper lip proximate to an upper end of the post;
- a faucet spout;
- and
- a bearing disposed between the faucet spout and the faucet body, wherein:
- a first end of the bearing is engaged with the upper lip;
- a second end of the bearing is engaged with the ledge;
- and
- the bearing is bowed radially away from the post between the first end and the second end.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.