Abstract:
Spring biased retainers that are secured to a faucet base and provide gripping surfaces to engage and draw the faucet into engagement with a sink. Resilient retainer members flex to permit mounting and are normally biased to return to a retention position. In one retainer, tapered gripper and retractor pieces are axially biased for reciprocating movement in a housing. Springs fitted to the gripper and retractor pieces direct movement along cooperating inclined surfaces. Another retainer provides pivoting gripper pieces that are biased in repelling relation and have contoured gripping surfaces. Another retainer provides at least one deformable, resilient leaf spring arm that is biased in repulsion to another arm. Each arm has a contoured gripping surface that engages the sink and secures the faucet. Tapered wedging posts can be mounted to a faucet to cooperate with the spring-biased retainers.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to water faucets and, in particular, to a quick-disconnect faucet including a number of alternative resilient, spring-biased retainers adapted to a faucet base to self-attach the faucet to a plumbing fixture such as a sink. 
     If one believes the installation instructions that come with most water faucets, the installation of the faucets for kitchen and bath sinks can be a relatively simple task. In practice, however, the theory is complicated by the cramped and limited workspace that is available to the plumber and home-handymen. The water supply lines, sink and kitchen or bath cabinet walls hamper access. The necessity to work on one&#39;s back and without adequate light in the available space adjacent the sink bottom exacerbates the difficulties. Some special tools are available to assist the installer with necessary fasteners, but frequently, it is still necessary to blindly manipulate the tools from inconvenient body positions. 
     Many conventional faucets provide threaded supply lines that contain oversized washers and nuts. The faucet is secured to the sink by drawing the nuts tight to the sink bottom, which draws the faucet into compression with the sink top and any sealing mechanism placed between the faucet and sink top. Some faucets provide threaded stems that cooperate with flanged wings that grip the sink bottom. 
     A variety of faucet assemblies with quick-disconnect retainers have also been developed to facilitate faucet repair and replacement. Some of faucets including fastener assemblies adapted to threaded members are shown at U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,085,784; 5,946,746; 5,465,749; and 4,281,857. U.S. Pat. No. 4,553,277 discloses a hydraulically controlled clamp. U.S. Pat. No. 4,186,761 discloses a spring-biased fastener having a “C” clip retainer, but which requires special tooling to unload the spring to remove the clip and faucet. U.S. Pat. No. 5,515,882 discloses another spring-biased fastener that provides initial faucet retention, but depends on a threaded fastener to compress the fastener and draw the faucet tight to the sink. 
     The present invention was developed to provide a spring-biased faucet retainer that during installation resiliently self-grips the lower surface of a sink without operator intervention and draws the faucet to engage the sink. During faucet removal, the retainer can be manually manipulated to release spring-biased gripping members without special tooling. The retainer includes members that can be manually gripped and compressed, without having to view the retainer, to release the faucet for repair or replacement. The members are normally biased to an expanded condition and flex during mounting to secure the faucet once positioned on the sink. One retainer assembly provides axially directed latch and retractor pieces that are captured and biased relative to a housing and are operative to direct gripping surfaces to grip the sink. Another retainer assembly provides hinged gripper pieces having contoured gripping surfaces that are spring biased relative to each other and that pivot at a supporting housing. Another retainer assembly provides resilient, deformable leaf spring arms having contoured gripping surfaces. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is accordingly a primary object of the invention to provide a resilient, spring-biased faucet retainer system that self-mounts and releases the faucet from a sink without tools. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide a spring-biased retainer that is adaptable to a faucet base and is normally biased to self-expand and secure the faucet to the sink as the retainer is extended through mounting apertures. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide a spring-biased retainer that is adaptable to a faucet base and can be manipulated in cramped spaces by hand to release the faucet from a sink. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide a retainer having at least one spring biased gripper piece and means to overcome a normal condition and direct gripping surfaces to either release or induce gripping. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide a retainer having a housing containing one gripping surface and bound spring biased gripper and retractor pieces with tapered surfaces that cooperate with axial movement to extend and retract another gripping surface at the gripper member. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide a retainer having a housing that contains one or more hinged gripper members having contoured gripping surfaces that are spring-biased relative to each other to rotate and project from the housing. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide posts having tapered surfaces that extend from a faucet base and cooperate with at least one spring biased retainer at each faucet to optimize gripping and prevent rotational movement of the faucet, once mounted. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide a deformable resilient retainer with at least one arm that compresses and flexes to direct a contoured gripper surface relative to a sink. 
     The foregoing objects, advantages and distinctions of the invention, among others, are obtained in several spring-biased retainer assemblies shown in association to a typical faucet. The base of each faucet is modified to include at least one spring-biased retainer that aligns with a mounting aperture at a support (e.g. a sink). The retainer self-compresses during insertion to facilitate faucet mounting. Once inserted, at least one spring biased member expands to a latched condition to secure the faucet to the sink. Faucet release is achieved by manually compressing the resiliently biased retainer piece(s) and raising the faucet. 
     One disclosed retainer includes a housing that is secured to the faucet base and has a first gripping surface that grips an edge of a through hole in the sink. Gripper and retractor pieces having overlapping inclined slide surfaces cooperate with an inclined housing surface and are biased for reciprocating movement to direct a contoured gripping surface at the gripper piece to engage the sink, such that the faucet is drawn into compression with the sink. Springs fitted to the gripper and retractor pieces abut the housing and cooperate with the inclined housing surface to maintain compression. A retainer pin secures the retractor piece to the housing and a catch arm extends from the retractor piece to engage the gripper piece and effect release. 
     Posts having tapered surfaces can optionally be mounted to project from the faucet base and cooperate with one or more gripping surfaces at the spring-biased retainers. The posts can be secured to the faucet with threads, deformable rivet-like surfaces, an adhesive or a variety of other fasteners. 
     Another disclosed retainer includes a pair of gripper pieces that are biased to pivot from a housing in repelling relation. Each gripper has a gripping surface that is contoured (e.g. tapered, arcuate, elliptic and/or with lateral flaring) to promote faucet compression and prevent faucet movement. The gripper pieces are recessed and retained with hinge pins to the housing at pivot sockets. The sockets define rotation limits. 
     Another resilient retainer provides at least one deformable, resilient leaf spring arm that is biased in repulsion to another arm. The deformable retainer arm has a contoured gripping surface that draws the faucet into engagement with the sink and prevents faucet movement. 
     A variety of modifications and improvements are also disclosed that can be adapted to the present retainers and faucets outfitted with the retainers and/or posts. 
     Still other objects, advantages, distinctions and constructions of the invention will become more apparent from the following description with respect to the appended drawings. Similar components and assemblies are referred to in the various drawings with similar alphanumeric reference characters. Various features of the invention may also be configured with other features in different combinations. The description should therefore not be literally construed in limitation of the invention. Rather, the invention should be interpreted within the broad scope of the further appended claims. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 shows a side view of a typical faucet mounted to a sink shown in cross section view with a resiliently biased retainer of the invention that is shown in cross section and that is expanded to a latched condition. 
     FIG. 2 shows a side view of the faucet of FIG. 1 with the gripper and retractor pieces contracted to a mounting condition and wherein the retainer can be fit through a mounting aperture. 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective drawing of the retainer housing showing a tapered gripping surface and an inclined lower surface that secures against retainer release. 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective-drawing shown in exploded assembly to the retainer housing rotated to expose an internal chamber that contains gripper and retractor members, along with biasing springs and a keeper pin. 
     FIG. 5 shows the gripper member of the retainer of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 6 shows the retractor member of the retainer of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 7 shows a bottom view of a typical sink relative to one or more spring-biased retainers and several tapered wedging posts to cooperate to secure the faucet to the sink. 
     FIG. 8 shows a side view to a threaded wedge post. 
     FIG. 9 shows a side view of a typical faucet mounted to sinks of alternative thickness that are shown in cross section with a retainer having a pair of gripper members that are biased in repelling relation at a supporting housing and wherein the grippers are shown compressed such as during faucet mounting or to effect faucet release. 
     FIG. 10 shows the gripper members of the retainer of FIG. 9 expanded to a retention condition. 
     FIG. 11 shows a side view of a typical faucet mounted to a sink, shown in cross section, and relative to an optional spacer ring, shown in exploded assembly, that can be used with a retainer assembly having at least one resilient, deformable, leaf spring arm and that provides contoured gripping surfaces. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to FIGS. 1 through 6 drawings are shown to an improved faucet  2  that typically includes a pair of spring biased retainer assemblies  4 , but only one of which assemblies  4  is shown. FIG. 1 shows one of the retainer assemblies  4  in side profile and partial cross section with a gripper piece or member  6  expanded to engage a sink that is also shown in cross section. FIG. 2 shows the retainer assembly  4  with the gripper piece  6  retracted via a retractor member  8 . FIGS. 3 through 6 show details to a retainer housing  10 , the gripper and retractor members  6  and  8  and the relative mountings of the components of the retainer assembly  4 . 
     The retainers  4  are adaptable to faucets  2  of any conventional style and type. A typical faucet  2  includes hot and cold handles  11 , a neck  12 , and a spout  14  that may have an attached aerator  15 . Some faucets  2  provide a single flow control handle  11  and associated control valve. Water supply lines  16  depend from a base  19  and typically extend through available apertures  17  provided at a mating support, which typically is a sink  18 . Depending upon the faucet type, the retainers  4  can be positioned to mount to any available aperture  17 . A compressible seal  20  of a suitable thickness can be mounted between the faucet  2  and sink  18 . Alternatively, deformable putty can be used to seal the interface between the sink  18  and faucet  2  to prevent seepage from the sink top through any apertures  17 . 
     Typically, two retainers  4  depend from each faucet  2 . For a typical two handle faucet  2 , one retainer  4  is mounted adjacent each of two available water supply lines  16 , reference FIG. 1. A retainer housing  10  is typically formed as part of or is secured to the faucet base  19 . The housing  10  can be constructed of plastic or a formed metal. The dimensions and shape of the housing  10  and gripper and retractor members  6  and  8  can be adjusted to accommodate mounting apertures  17 , which nominally are found in the range of 1 to 6 inch diameters. The retainer  4  can also depend from the compressible seal  20 , assuming the seal  20  is separately attached to the faucet  2 . 
     The housing  10  includes a gripper surface  24  and the spring-biased gripper member  6  includes a cooperating, contoured gripping surface  26 . The shapes of the gripping surfaces  24  and  26  are formed to promote compression of the faucet  2  into the sink  18 . The contour of the surfaces  24  and  26  (e.g. tapered, arcuate, elliptic and/or with lateral flaring) can be varied as desired to accommodate each particular retainer assembly  4 . 
     During faucet mounting and with attention to FIGS. 2,  3  and  4 , the spring-biased gripper and retractor members  6  and  8  are manipulated by the installer to a mounting condition wherein the distance between gripping surfaces  24  and  26  permits the mounting of each retainer  4  through one of the apertures  17 . That is, as the retainer  4  and supply line  16  are inserted through the holes  17  with the housing  10  tipped, the aft surface  25  of the retractor member  8  is compressed inward of the housing  10  to engage and compress the gripper member  6 . Both member  6  and  8  self-compress into the housing  10  until the gripping surfaces  24  and  26  pass through the aperture  17 . Once the gripping surfaces  24  and  26  pass through the aperture  17 , the retractor and gripper members  8  and  6  are biased outward and the gripping surfaces  24  and  26  are displaced into contact with the bottom of the sink  18  and a retention condition, reference FIG. 1, wherein portions of the surfaces  24  and  26  contact the edges of the aperture  17  and other portions extend diametrically beyond the aperture  17 . 
     As mentioned, the contours of the gripping surfaces  24  and  26  exhibit contoured shapes that promote compression of the faucet  2  into the sink  18  and a wedging action. A variety of contoured shapes may be employed to this end. Preferably, the faucet  2  is held by the retainer(s)  4  so that the faucet  2  cannot move laterally, rotate etc. Over time and with the seating of the faucet  2  and attachment of the plumbing connections the faucet mounting position is sustained against normal use and abuse. The shape of the apertures  17  and/or holes in the seal  20  can also be adapted to the shape of the housing  10  to minimize faucet movement, once mounted and seated. 
     Returning attention to FIG. 1, spiral wound springs  30  and  32  abut the interior of the housing  10  and bias the gripping surfaces  24  and  26  into contact with the sink  18 . The springs  30  and  32  extend from the gripper member  6  and the retractor member  8  and generally extend parallel to the base of the sink  18 . Depending upon the shapes and mounting positions of the members  6  and  8 , the springs  30  and  32  can be positioned to direct biasing forces in any desired direction. The contour of the gripping surfaces  24  and  26  in cooperation with the axial displacement of the gripper member  6  and a retractor member  8  via the springs  30  and  32  draws the faucet  2  into the sink  18 , yet prevents the withdrawal of the retainers  4  and supply lines  16  through the holes  17 . Withdrawal can be achieved only by manually compressing the retractor member  8 . 
     The springs  30  and  32  can take a variety of forms besides the depicted wound form. For example and without limitation, one or both springs  30  and  32  can be constructed as leaf or torsion springs. The gripper and retractor members  6  and  8  can also be constructed of deformable and/or resilient materials whereby a spring-biased action is obtained with an appropriate shaping and placement of surfaces of the gripper and retractor members  6  and  8  relative to each other and/or the housing  10 . 
     As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the gripper and retractor members  6  and  8  are mounted to slide over each other at cooperating inclined surfaces as the retractor member  8  slides over an inclined bottom surface  62  of the housing  10 . The axial cooperation vertically expands and contracts the combined height of the members  6  and  8  to promote faucet compression and prevent creeping of the retractor member  8 , once the faucet  2  is mounted. Once the faucet  2  is seated, the spring  32  and incline  62  discourage creeping of the retractor member  8 . 
     Details to foregoing and the construction of the housing  10  and the gripper and retractor members  6  and  8  are depicted at FIGS. 3-6. The slide action occurs at overlapping tapered or inclined surfaces  36  and  38  at the gripper and retractor members  6  and  8  and the inclined interior surface  62  at the housing  10 . Upon axially directing the retractor member  8  inward of the housing  10  by pushing on the surface  25 , a catch arm  40  contacts a notch  42  at the gripper member  6  to compress the gripper member  6  into the housing  10 . The gripping surface  26  is eventually disengaged from the sink  18 , if previously engaged. The springs  30  and  32  are contained in bores  44  and  46  and normally bias the gripper and retractor members  6  and  8  to the extended or retention condition. This condition is further sustained due to the declination of the surfaces  36 ,  38  and  62 . 
     The gripper and retractor members  6  and  8  are retained in an interior cavity  48  of the housing  10  via a keeper pin  50  that extends through a slot  52  in the retractor member  8  and between holes  54  in the sidewalls of the housing  10 . 
     Although an axial sliding cooperation is shown between the gripper and retractor members  6  and  8 , the shapes and mounting orientations of the members  6  and  8  and cooperating surfaces  36  and  38  can be varied as desired. For example, the housing  10  and members  6  and  8  can be modified such that a portion of the retractor member  8  extends through the bottom of the housing  10  and a longitudinal pushing motion directed parallel to the supply line  16  manipulates the gripper member  6  along an orthogonal axis. Such an arrangement facilitates detachment of a faucet  2 , due to the applied pushing force on the retractor member  8 , which can be performed more easily when lying on one&#39;s back in the cramped spaces of a sink cabinet. 
     FIGS. 7 and 8 disclose an alternative mounting arrangement of a faucet  2  containing one or more of the retainer assemblies  4  that cooperate with a number of tapered posts  60 . The posts  60  cooperate with any provided retainer  4  to obtain a wedging action that discourages faucet movement. 
     FIG. 7 depicts an exemplary mounting wherein a faucet  2  is shown as it appears when looking toward the bottom of the sink  18  and through the apertures  17 . The depicted arrangement requires only one retainer  4  and several wedging posts  60  that are shown in FIG.  8 . Several posts  60  are mounted in the left aperture  17  and the single retainer  4  and a post  60  are mounted in the right aperture. The tapered surfaces  62  of the posts  60  are arranged to extend through and engage the edges of the hole  17 . This contact in combination with the compressive action of the retainer  4  prevents faucet movement. 
     The posts  60  can be secured to the faucet base  19  with threads  64 . Alternatively, the threaded surface  64  can be constructed as a deformable stud or an adhesive can be used to retain the posts  60 . The posts  60  can also be cast as part of the base  19 . 
     Positioning two posts  60  in one aperture  17  and one post  60  and a retainer assembly  4  in the other aperture  17  as depicted has been found to provide adequate retention with a single retainer assembly  4 . However, a second retainer assembly  4 , shown in dashed line at FIG. 7, can also be provided as desired at the other aperture  17 . 
     FIGS. 9 and 10 show another alternative, spring-biased retainer assembly  70  and which is shown in relation to sinks  18  of different thickness. The retainer  70  includes a housing  72  that is secured to the faucet base  19 . Pivot arms  74  and  76  are secured to the housing  72  with hinge pins  78 . A spring  80  secured between the arms  74  and  76  normally biases the arms  74  and  76  apart to the retention condition. During faucet mounting, the arms  74  and  76  rotate inward and overlap one another as shown at FIG.  9 . Once the housing  72  and arms  74  and  76  are extended past the aperture  17 , the arms  74  and  76  are biased to pivot outward and contact the sink  18 . 
     An apex  82  of each arm  74  and  76  is recessed into a socket  84  of the housing  72 . The edges of the sockets  84  cooperate with the pins  78  and are shaped to limit the rotation of the arms  74  and  76 . Appropriately shaped contoured surfaces  86  and  88  at the arms  74  and  76  contact the edges of the holes  17  and sink  18  to promote gripping and faucet retention by compressively drawing the faucet  2  into the sink  18 . 
     FIG. 11 discloses yet another retainer assembly  90  that is mounted to a faucet base  19 . The retainer  90  includes arms  92  and  94  that depend from a flange  96  that is secured to the faucet base  19  with appropriate fasteners. The retainer arms  92  and  94  are formed of a resilient, deformable material that flexes yet returns to shape, for example a spring steel or resilient plastic. 
     Contoured gripping surfaces  104  and  106  are formed in the fashion of the various disclosed gripping surfaces  24  and  26  and  86  and  88  to obtain a compressive retention with a sink base  19  when the retainer  90  is inserted through an aperture  17 . The arms  92  and  94  flex inward during mounting and spring outward once extended past the bottom edges of the apertures  17  to secure the faucet  2 . No separate fastener is required to maintain the retention forces and prevent faucet movement. Faucet release is obtained only upon squeezing the arms  92  and  94  together sufficiently to a diameter less than the apertures  17 . 
     Although both arms  92  and  94  are presently constructed of a deformable metal, it is necessary that only one of the arms  92  or  94  be deformable. The other arm  92  or  94  can provide a rigid surface, in the fashion of the housing  22 . The retainer  90  can also be constructed as a single piece with the arms  92  and  94  joined at the apex  102 . Interlocking tabs and slots can also be provided at the apex  100  of the arms  92  and  94 . A spacer or washer  108  of suitable thickness is also shown in exploded assembly that can be mounted to the aperture  17  of bottom of the sink  18  to assure a sufficient compressive, faucet retention force is obtained. 
     While the invention has been described with respect to a preferred construction and considered improvements or alternatives thereto, still other constructions may be suggested to those skilled in the art. Several of the disclosed features can also be used independently and/or combined in different combinations. For example, the positioning of the faucet  2  can also be directed by controlling the relative shapes of the housings  10 ,  72  and/or seal  20  or by including other indexing pieces, such as shaped washers. Tapered or keyed surfaces can be provided to promote a preferred orientation and/or prevent faucet movement, such as achieved with the posts  60 . The foregoing description should therefore not be literally construed and should instead be construed to include all those embodiments within the spirit and scope of the following claims.