Magnetic docking faucet

A faucet comprising:

• a spout extending from a first end to a second end;
• a sprayhead consisting of predominantly non-magnetically responsive components, comprising a socket, and movable between a docked position, in which the sprayhead is in contact with the second end of the spout, and an undocked position, in which the sprayhead is spaced apart from the spout;
• a hose assembly comprising:
• a hose passing through the spout, the hose having an inlet end for receiving fluid from a fluid source and an outlet end for providing the fluid to the sprayhead;
• and
• an end portion fixed to the outlet end of the hose, the end portion comprising a ball rotatably received in the socket of the sprayhead and a magnetically responsive collar that fixes the ball to the hose;
• a docking assembly located in the spout proximate the second end, the docking assembly comprising:
• a retainer having an axially-extending, first sidewall defining a bore allowing the hose assembly to pass therethrough;
• and
• a magnet defining an aperture allowing the first sidewall of the retainer to pass therethrough, wherein when the sprayhead is in the docked position, the magnet magnetically couples to the end portion of the hose, thereby applying sufficient magnetic force to the hose to retain the sprayhead against the spout;
• and
• a field expander located adjacent the magnet and configured to expand a magnetic field created by the magnet;
• wherein the retainer comprises a retaining portion, the retaining portion including the first sidewall, a barb formed at a first end of the first sidewall, and a ledge spaced axially apart from the barb such that the magnet and the field expander are trapped between the ledge and the barb, thereby retaining the magnet and the field expander on the retaining portion.