# US 9,435,107 B2 · Shape memory faucet > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,435,107 B2 - Document ID: US9435107B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/016,721 - Filed: 2013-09-03 - Published: 2014-03-13 - Granted: 2016-09-06 - Earliest claimed: 2012-09-07 - Assignees: Kohler Co. - Applicants: Kohler Co. - Inventors: Rafael Alfredo Rexach; Margaret Cecile Mazz - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9435107B2 ## CPC - E03C 1/0404: {Constructional or functional features of the spout} - B05B 15/68: Arrangements for adjusting the position of spray heads (B05B15/628, B05B15/652, B05B15/656 take precedence) - E03C 1/04: Water-basin installations specially adapted to wash-basins or baths (valves, faucets, mixing valves, taps F16K) - Y10T 137/0402: Cleaning, repairing, or assembling - Y10T 137/9464: Faucets and spouts - E03C: DOMESTIC PLUMBING INSTALLATIONS FOR FRESH WATER OR WASTE WATER (not connected to either water-supply main or to waste pipe A47K; devices of the kind used in the ground E03B, E03F); SINKS - 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) - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A shape memory faucet has a base configured to be coupled to a surface, a spray head configured to direct a spray of fluid, and a faucet spout disposed between the base and the spray head, the faucet spout comprising a waterway and at least one elongated member formed from a shape memory alloy material. The faucet spout having the elongated member(s) formed from the shape memory alloy material is deformable from an initial shape corresponding to a rest position to a displaced shape corresponding to a deployed position. The elongated member(s) formed from the shape memory alloy material are operable to return the faucet spout to the rest position when released from the deployed position. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A shape memory faucet, comprising: a base configured to be coupled to a surface; a spray head configured to direct a spray of fluid; and a faucet spout disposed between the base and the spray head, the faucet spout comprising a waterway and at least one elongated member formed from a shape memory alloy material disposed adjacent to the waterway, wherein the at least one elongated member formed from the shape memory alloy material is configured to deform from an initial shape to a displaced shape when a force is exerted upon the faucet spout or the spray head, maintain the displaced shape, and automatically return from the displaced shape to substantially the initial shape when released. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The faucet of claim 1, wherein the faucet spout further comprises a plurality of elongated members formed from shape memory alloy material. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The faucet of claim 2, wherein the plurality of elongated members are substantially parallel and arranged symmetrically relative to the waterway. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The faucet of claim 1, wherein deformation of the at least one elongated member from the initial shape to the displaced shape is repeatedly reversible. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The faucet of claim 1, wherein the shape memory alloy material comprises a nickel-titanium alloy. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The faucet of claim 1, wherein the shape memory alloy material comprises a copper-aluminum-nickel alloy. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The faucet of claim 1, wherein the shape memory alloy material comprises a copper-nickel-beryllium alloy. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The faucet of claim 1, wherein the faucet spout is configured to move in any direction about a central axis of the base. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The faucet of claim 1, wherein the faucet spout is configured to bend at any angle about a central axis of the base. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The faucet of claim 1, wherein a proximal end of the at least one elongated member is affixed to the base and a distal end of the least one elongated member is affixed to the spray head. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The faucet of claim 1, wherein the faucet spout has a length extending from the base to the spray head, and wherein the length of the faucet spout remains constant when the at least one elongated member is deformed from the initial shape to the displaced shape. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The faucet of claim 1, wherein the faucet spout further comprises an outermost layer disposed about the waterway and the at least one elongated member, the outermost layer formed of at least one flexible material. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The faucet of claim 12, wherein the outermost layer of the faucet spout is formed of a plurality of flexible materials, and wherein a proximal portion of the outermost layer, proximal to the base, is formed of a first flexible material, and a distal portion of the outermost layer, distal to the base, is formed of a second flexible material, the first flexible material having a higher durometer rating than the second flexible material. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The faucet of claim 12, wherein the outermost layer of the faucet spout comprises a silicone material.