# US 7,611,317 B2 · Shank clip for coupling a spout and mounting shaft assembly to a motor housing and support assembly > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,611,317 B2 - Document ID: US7611317B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 11/141,592 - Filed: 2005-05-31 - Published: 2005-09-22 - Granted: 2009-11-03 - Earliest claimed: 1999-09-15 - Assignees: Technical Concepts, LLC - Inventors: Kenneth J. Muderlak; Rocky Hsieh - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7611317B2 ## CPC - A61L 9/145: {air-liquid contact processes, e.g. scrubbing} - A47K 5/1217: {Electrical control means for the dispensing mechanism} - A61L 9/12: Apparatus, e.g. holders, therefor - B05B 11/1008: {by adjusting or modifying the pump end-of-dispensing-stroke position} - B05B 11/1052: {Actuation means (locking means therefor B05B11/1059; the dispensing stroke being affected by the stored energy of a spring B05B11/109)} - B05B 12/02: for controlling time, or sequence, of delivery - E03D 9/007: {Devices for eliminating smells by diffusing deodorants in lavatories} - G01F 11/38: for liquid or semiliquid - A47K 2005/1218: {Table mounted; Dispensers integrated with the mixing tap} - B05B 11/1001: {Piston pumps (B05B11/1087, B05B11/1088, B05B11/109 take precedence)} - A61L: METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES (preservation of bodies or disinfecting characterised by the agents employed A01N; preserving, e.g. sterilising, food or foodstuffs A23; preparations for medical, dental or toiletry purposes A61K) - A47K: SANITARY EQUIPMENT; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR, e.g. TOILET ACCESSORIES - B05B: SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES (spray-mixers with nozzles B01F25/72; processes for applying liquids or other fluent materials to surfaces by spraying B05D) - E03D: WATER-CLOSETS OR URINALS WITH FLUSHING DEVICES; FLUSHING VALVES THEREFOR - G01F: MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME ## Abstract A shank clip adapted to couple a spout and mounting shaft assembly to a motor housing and support assembly in a fluid dispensing system. The shank clip comprises a first sidewall defining a perimeter that includes a first circular portion that defines a first radius; a second sidewall defining a perimeter that includes a second circular portion that defines a second radius greater than the first radius; and a bottom disposed between the first sidewall and the second side wall to define a channel. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An attachment apparatus for a fluid dispensing system comprising: a spout and an attachment shaft adapted to be mounted to a surface; a motor housing and support assembly; a shank clip comprising a first sidewall extending between a closed end of the shank clip and an open end of the shank clip and having a first portion configured to receive the attachment shaft; a second sidewall extending between the closed end and the open end and having a second portion configured to receive the motor housing and support assembly, wherein the second portion has a first end and a second end, said first end connected to a first nub and said second end connected to a second nub, said first nub connected to a first curved portion and said second nub connected to a second curved portion where said first curved portion and said second curved portion are configured to receive the motor housing and support assembly therebetween such that the shank clip can be held on said motor housing and support assembly between the first and second curved portions, wherein the first and second ends, the first and second nubs, and the first and second curved portions are disposed in a common plane; and a bottom extending between the first sidewall and the second sidewall; wherein the first sidewall, the second sidewall, and the bottom define a channel configured to receive a flange portion of the motor housing and support assembly to mount the attachment shaft to the motor housing and support assembly. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The attachment apparatus of claim 1, wherein the bottom is U-shaped. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The attachment apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first sidewall and second sidewall define substantially parallel planes. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The attachment apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first sidewall and second sidewall are both substantially U-shaped. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The attachment apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first portion has a generally circular shape extending over a first arc that exceeds 180 degrees and the second portion has a generally circular shape extending over a second arc that exceeds 180 degrees. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The attachment apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first portion has a generally circular shape extending over a first arc that exceeds 240 degrees and the second portion has a generally circular shape extending over a second arc that exceeds 240 degrees. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The attachment apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first portion defines a first radius, the second portion defines a second radius, and wherein the first sidewall extends a greater distance from the bottom than the second sidewall, and the first radius is smaller than the second radius. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The attachment apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first portion has a first pair of ends, one end of the first pair of ends connected to a generally flat first section that terminates at the open end and the other end of the first pair of ends connected to a generally flat fourth section that terminates at the open end. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The attachment apparatus of claim 8, wherein the first sidewall has a generally flat second section that connects the generally flat first section and the first portion and a generally flat third section that connects the generally flat fourth section and the first portion, and wherein the first section intersects the second section and the fourth section intersects the third section at an angle. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The attachment apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first sidewall, the second sidewall, and the bottom are made of a resilient material. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The attachment apparatus of claim 1 wherein said shank clip moves laterally relative to the attachment shaft and the motor housing and support assembly such that said first sidewall and said second sidewall flex to engage the attachment shaft and the motor housing and support assembly.