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US 9,243,389 B2Granted
Integrated kitchen faucet side spray and diverter
AssigneesDelta Faucet Company, Mercury Plastics, Inc.
InventorsKurt Judson Thomas, Derek Allen Brown
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A diverter assembly (12) for use with a faucet assembly (10) including a diverter valve (78) secured to an inlet end (80) of a sprayer tube (46) and removably received within a connector (62).
Claims24
A diverter assembly for a faucet comprising:
- a connector housing including an inlet passage, a first outlet passage, and a second outlet passage;
- a spout outlet tube having an end coupled to the first outlet passage of the connector housing;
- a diverter valve configured to be removably coupled to the second outlet passage of the connector housing in a multiple water outlet configuration, wherein water is configured to alternatively flow through the first outlet passage and the second outlet passage of the connector housing;
- the diverter valve including a diverter housing and a valve member supported by the diverter housing, the diverter housing including an inlet port in fluid communication with the inlet passage, a first outlet port in selective fluid communication with the inlet port, and a second outlet port in selective fluid communication with the inlet port, the valve member configured to control water flow from the inlet port to the first and second outlet ports;
- an auxiliary dispenser including a dispenser outlet tube having opposing first and second ends, the diverter valve coupled to the first end, and a water dispensing device coupled to the second end;
- wherein the diverter housing is fixed to the first end of the dispenser outlet tube;
- and
- a plug interchangeable with the diverter valve, and configured to be removably coupled to the second outlet passage of the connector housing in a single water outlet configuration, wherein water is prevented from flowing through the second outlet passage.
5 more elements
A faucet comprising:
- a control valve fluidly coupled to a water supply;
- an inlet tube including opposing first and second ends, the first end fluidly coupled to the control valve;
- a connector housing including an inlet passage, a first outlet passage, and a second outlet passage, the second end of the inlet tube coupled to the inlet passage;
- a spout outlet tube including opposing first and second ends, the first end coupled to the first outlet passage of the connector housing, and the second end defining a water outlet above a sink;
- a sprayer assembly including a sprayer outlet tube having opposing first and second ends, a diverter valve coupled to the first end, and a handheld sprayer coupled to the second end;
- the diverter valve including a diverter housing fixed to the first end of the sprayer outlet tube, and a valve member supported by the diverter housing;
- and
- a plug interchangeable with the diverter valve, wherein the diverter valve is coupled to the second outlet passage of the connector housing in a multiple water outlet configuration and the plug is coupled to the second outlet passage of the connector housing in a single water outlet configuration.
5 more elements
A method of coupling a dispenser assembly to a faucet, the method including the steps of:
- providing a connector including an inlet passage, a first outlet passage, and a second outlet passage;
- providing an inlet tube including an end coupled to the inlet passage of the connector;
- providing a spout outlet tube including an end coupled to the first outlet passage of the connector;
- uncoupling a sealing plug from the second outlet passage of the connector;
- providing an auxiliary dispenser including a diverter valve, the diverter valve having a diverter housing and a valve member supported by the diverter housing;
- coupling the diverter housing to the second outlet passage of the connector;
- and
- securing the diverter housing to the connector.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.