Abstract:
A plumbing valve cover is disclosed for use in conjunction with under-sink plumbing to avoid interference with the operation of a flexible spray nozzle hose used in conjunction with a spray nozzle. The plumbing valve cover may be coupled to the under-sink plumbing or cabinet wall. The plumbing valve cover may partially cover the under-sink plumbing and include clearances for multiple plumbing lines which may exit a supply valve via either the top, bottom, or sides. The preferred embodiment would be a single piece, injection molded plastic apparatus comprising a horizontal member which covers the top of the valve and two vertical members. The vertical members would be angled or curved to redirect the flexible hose away from getting caught on the valve. The horizontal member can include a pitch to redirect the hose away from the cover or valve when the hose is being retracted into the cabinet.

Description:
RELATED U.S. PATENT APPLICATIONS 
   The invention relates to U.S. Pat. No. 6,807,691 issued on Oct. 26, 2004, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention relates in general to the field of under-sink plumbing valve covers, and in particular to a plumbing valve cover which is placed about an under-sink supply valve or similar object wherein such object may interfere with the operation of a spray nozzle and associated flexible, movable hose, generally used in conjunction with a kitchen sink. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Sinks or washbasins may include a spray nozzle or water dispenser which is attached to a flexible hose, where the flexible hose retracts into an opening and is stored freely under the sink. A weight or spring may be attached to the hose to assist in retracting the hose into the opening and improve storage control of the flexible hose under the sink. The hose generally is provided through an opening on the side/rear of the sink (Side Spray), or through an opening in the center of a faucet (Pullout faucet). 
   Water supply lines enter from the wall, pass through an opening in a cabinet and are coupled to a valve. A supply line exits the valve and connects to a faucet control such that the user can turn the water on and off. It is recognized that there may be hot and cold water lines, as well as multiple inlet lines exiting from each valve for other appliances such as refrigerators or dish washing machines. 
   The supply line is normally horizontal which may be the optimal orientation for installing the cabinets. The valve generally has an oval shaped handle. The handle is generally larger than the water supply line. The orientation of the plumbing and the handle on the valve creates a scenario that can interfere with the movement of the loose hose. It can be seen that a hose of sufficient length can loop below the horizontal water supply line or lines and become entrapped. This may preclude the spray nozzle from fully deploying and hindering operation or even render the nozzle useless. 
   Spray nozzle hoses normally comprise a weight to assist in drawing the hose back, below the sink, referred to as a retraction step herein. The hose can get caught on top of an object during the retraction step. 
   Hertz (U.S. Pat. No. 6,807,691)(Issued to the present Inventor) defines a design that is optimal to a valve that is parallel with a supply line. Plumbing installations can further comprise two valves positioned perpendicular to said supply line. 
   Thus, what is necessary is a low cost and efficient apparatus for avoiding the interference between the retractable hose and the plumbing and valves that provides for broad applications. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   One aspect of the present invention is to provide a low cost apparatus for at least partially shielding under-sink plumbing. 
   A second aspect of the present invention is the design of the low cost apparatus such that the apparatus will preclude interference from the under-sink plumbing with the retractable hose. 
   A third aspect of the present invention is the design of the apparatus for easy installation and removal. 
   A fourth aspect of the present invention is the design of the apparatus such that the apparatus snaps onto a feature of the plumbing. 
   A fifth aspect of the present invention is a design that includes a two-piece system which can snap, be screwed together, and the like to fasten around a feature of the plumbing. 
   A sixth aspect of the present invention is a design such that the knob for the respective valve remains exposed to allow operation without removal of the present invention. 
   A seventh aspect of the present invention is the inclusion of reference markings, notch, removable feature, and the like to provide for clearances for various supply and inlet lines as well as fitting between the cabinet and the plumbing valves. 
   A seventh aspect of the present invention is the inclusion of a label or printed identifier used for advertisement or promotional means, such as including the contact information for a respective plumber. 
   An eighth aspect of the present invention is the ability to manufacture the apparatus using injection molding. 
   A ninth aspect of the present invention is the inclusion of a slot(s), the slots providing for cable ties as a means to couple the present invention to the under-sink plumbing. 
   A tenth aspect of the present invention is the inclusion of a means to secure the present invention to at least one of the cabinet or a wall. 
   An eleventh aspect of the present invention is to fabricate the present invention of a semi-rigid or rigid material. 
   A twelfth aspect of the present invention is an application or design such to reinforce or increase the rigidity of the present invention along a line of contact of the hose. 
   A thirteenth aspect of the present invention is a cover positioned above said valve. 
   A fourteenth aspect of the present invention is a cover positioned above said valve, wherein said cover is at least one of as broad as said valve and wider than said valve. 
   A fifteenth aspect of the present invention is a cover positioned above said valve, wherein said cover is at least one of as broad as said valve and wider than said valve, wherein said cover is tapered as follows: an edge proximate the wall is wider than an edge farthest from the wall. 
   A sixteenth aspect of the present invention is a cover positioned above said valve, wherein said cover comprising at least one member which protrudes below said valve for guiding said spray nozzle hose around said valve, thus avoiding any interference. 
   A seventeenth aspect of the present invention is a cover positioned above said valve, wherein said cover comprising at least one hose guide member which protrudes below said valve for guiding said spray nozzle hose around said valve, thus avoiding any interference, said hose guide member further comprising an aperture for routing any additional plumbing. 
   An eighteenth aspect of the present invention is a cover positioned above said valve, wherein said cover further comprising at least one pitch for avoiding interference with said hose during the retraction process. 

   
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 Brief Description of the Drawings 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Nr. Index 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 10 
                 Sink 
               
               
                 12 
                 Cabinet 
               
               
                 14 
                 Faucet 
               
               
                 16 
                 Faucet handle 
               
               
                 18 
                 Spray nozzle 
               
               
                 20 
                 Flexible sprayer hose 
               
               
                 22 
                 Sink hose opening 
               
               
                 24 
                 Supply line plumbing 
               
               
                 26 
                 Supply line valve 
               
               
                 28 
                 Supply line valve handle 
               
               
                 30 
                 Inlet line plumbing 
               
               
                 32 
                 “P trap” 
               
               
                 34 
                 Flexible hose weight 
               
               
                 36 
                 Cabinet doors 
               
               
                 38 
                 Cabinet rear wall 
               
               
                 40 
                 Plumbing valve cover 
               
               
                 42 
                 Plumbing valve cover mount 
               
               
                 44 
                 Supply line connector 
               
               
                 46 
                 Valve to sink inlet line connector 
               
               
                 48 
                 Accessory supply line(s) 
               
               
                 50 
                 Flexible hose directing path 
               
               
                 52 
                 Plumbing aperture 
               
               
                 54 
                 Plumbing valve cover 
               
               
                   
                 Supporting structure 
               
               
                 60 
                 User applied lifting force 
               
               
                 62 
                 Normal force 
               
               
                 64 
                 Tangential force 
               
               
                 70 
                 Inlet line clearance 
               
               
                 72 
                 Wall mounting hole 
               
               
                 74 
                 Coupling hardware 
               
               
                 76 
                 Supporting rib(s) 
               
               
                 78 
                 Generally horizontal member 
               
               
                 80 
                 Perpendicular reinforcing member 
               
               
                 82 
                 Hose deflecting member 
               
               
                 84 
                 Pitch angle 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
       FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a kitchen sink, a supporting cabinet, and respective plumbing. 
       FIG. 2  is an isometric view of a plumbing valve shield installed in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 3  is a cross sectional side view of the installed plumbing valve shield. 
       FIG. 4  is an enlarged sectional side view of  FIG. 3  including a free body diagram further illustrating the forces provided which move a flexible hose around the plumbing valve. 
       FIG. 5  is an isometric view of an above-valve style valve shield in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 6  is an isometric view of an above-valve plumbing valve shield with downward hose directing guards in accordance with a second embodiment of the present. 
       FIG. 7  is a front view of an above-valve plumbing valve shield with downward hose directing guards in accordance with a second embodiment of the present. 
       FIG. 8  is an elevation view of an above-valve plumbing valve shield with downward hose directing guards in accordance with a second embodiment of the present. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     FIG. 1  illustrates an isometric view of a sink  10  mounted within a cabinet  12  to illustrate the need for the present invention. A faucet  14  and faucet handles  16  are generally mounted through holes located in either the sink  10  or the top of the cabinet  12 . A spray nozzle  18  may be accessed through a flexible hose opening  22  located adjacent to the faucet  14  or through a flexible hose opening in the faucet  14  (not shown in that configuration). The spray nozzle  18  is coupled to an exit end of a flexible hose  20  with an inlet end of the flexible hose  20  coupled to the plumbing (not shown) to provide water (not shown) to the spray nozzle  18 . There are many methods known to couple the hose to each fixture. The water is provided to the system through supply line plumbing  24 , a supply line valve  26  and inlet line plumbing  30 , normally one for cold water and a second for hot water. The supply line valve  26  may be designed in various configurations. The supply line valve  26  is illustrated in an angled configuration, where the supply valve handle  28  would be located in front of the plumbing. Alternatively, supply line valves  26  may be configured as a through valve where the supply valve handle  28  is located on the top of the valve. The supply line valve  26  may be configured to include one or more connections for outputs to provide for inlet lines  30  to the sink or other appliances. The water drains through a P-Trap  32  which has a first end of the P-Trap  32  is coupled to a drain (not shown) located at the bottom of the bowl of the sink  10  and a second end of the P-Trap  32  is coupled to a sewage line (not shown) generally located at the back of the cabinet. 
   It can be recognized from the illustration that the under-sink plumbing comprising supply line plumbing  24 , supply line valve(s)  26 , and supply line valve handle(s)  28  would interfere with the flexible hose  20  when the flexible hose  20  is pulled through the flexible hose opening  22  by the user. 
   The figure is provided to illustrate a general arrangement of plumbing located under a sink, where the plumbing includes a spray nozzle  18  coupled to the flexible hose  20 . 
     FIG. 2  is an enlarged section of the isometric view of  FIG. 1  including the present invention installed according to a preferred embodiment. In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention, a plumbing valve cover  40  is mechanically coupled to a cabinet rear wall  38  via at least one plumbing valve cover mount  42 . It can be recognized that there are many other methods of securing said plumbing valve cover  40  into position such as a pipe clamp around the supply valve  26 , secured by a snap feature, screws, and the like. It should be recognized that the method of installation should not limit the present invention. 
   The function of the plumbing valve cover is exhibited by the illustration whereby the design of the plumbing valve cover  40  allows at least one of the flexible hose  20  and flexible hose weight  34  to ride against the plumbing valve cover  40  thus avoiding interference between the lower service loop of the flexible hose  20  and the supply valve  26 , supply valve handle  28 , and other such plumbing. This will be described in more detail below. In the present state, as the flexible hose  20  is pulled through the flexible hose opening  22 , the plumbing would interfere with the lower service loop created by the geometry of the flexible hose  20 . The inclusion of the present invention provides a hose deflector (lower member) whereby when the service loop created in the flexible hose  20  rides against the hose deflector of the plumbing valve cover  40 ; the flexible hose  20  would not be caught in the plumbing. The bottom of the plumbing valve cover  40  is designed such that when the flexible hose  20  is pulled upwards through the flexible hose opening  22 , the lower service loop rides along the hose deflector of the plumbing valve cover  40  and moves in front of the supply valve  26 , supply valve handle  28 , and associated plumbing thus avoiding any interference. Further, by adding a pitch to the upper surface of the plumbing valve cover  40 , the flexible hose  20  rides to the side of the plumbing valve cover  40  when the flexible hose  20  is retracted into the flexible hose opening  22 . 
     FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of the plumbing valve cover  40  further illustrating the resulting motion of the flexible hose  20  respective to the plumbing valve cover  40  as the flexible hose  20  is lifted through the flexible hose opening  22 . The supply valve assembly  26  includes a supply line connector  44  for coupling the supply valve  26  to the supply line plumbing  24 , a valve to sink inlet line connector  46  for coupling the supply valve  26  to the inlet line plumbing  30  and the supply line valve handle  28 . The shape of the supply valve  26  provides ample locations for mechanically coupling the plumbing valve cover  40 , using any of known mechanical coupling methods such as a plumbing valve cover mount  42  which, in one embodiment, comprising a flange style mount as shown. The plumbing valve cover  40  would be shaped in a manner to provide for the flexible hose  20  to move along a flexible hose directing path  50  when being raised through the flexible hose opening  22  by the user. In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, said plumbing valve cover  40  comprising a generally horizontal member  78  which is designed to span across said supply valve  26  and at least one generally vertical member  82  protruding downward from said generally horizontal member. Although said generally horizontal member  78  is described as horizontal, it is recognized that by defining said generally horizontal member  78  as “generally”, any shape to span across the width of the valve would be considered within the spirit and intent of the present invention. Said generally vertical member is designed to direct the flexible hose  20  from catching on said supply valve  26 . The plumbing valve cover  40  may further include a plumbing aperture section  52  whereby additional plumbing which may exit the sides (shown later herein) of the supply valve  26 . The clearance may be included in the design as shown or of removable sections. Such removable sections may include scribe lines, precut sections, and the like to simplify the removal process. 
     FIG. 4  is a cross sectional view of the present invention as in  FIG. 3  including a free body diagram illustrating the forces which move the flexible hose  20  to avoid interfering with the plumbing. When the user lifts the flexible hose  20  through the flexible hose opening  22 , the hose introduces a user-applied force  60 . The user-applied force  60  is composed of a normal force  62  and a tangential force  64 . The tangential force  64  moves the flexible hose  20  in a manner to avoid interference with the plumbing. The illustration further introduces an accessory supply line(s)  48  shown exiting through said plumbing aperture section  52 . The illustration presents a proposed flexible hose directing path  50  providing a detail where the flexible hose  20  would move around the supply line valve handle  28 , should the design allow the supply line valve handle  28  to protrude slightly. Said plumbing valve cover  40  is installed by fastening said plumbing valve cover  40  to said cabinet rear wall  38 . 
     FIG. 5  is an isometric view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention. The described alternate embodiment includes the plumbing valve cover  40  which avoids interference with the flexible hose  20  (not shown in this figure), said plumbing valve cover  40  comprising a generally horizontal member  78 , a inlet line clearance  70 , and at least one plumbing valve cover mount  42 . The illustrated embodiment of said plumbing valve cover  40  presents said generally horizontal member  78  designed with a taper to guide the flexible hose  20  around the supply valve  26 . The taper comprising a wall width D 1  proximate the wall and a smaller, distant width D 2  across the dimension of the generally horizontal member  78  opposing the wall. Although a taper is not required, it would be desirable for assisting the interference avoidance process. Said inlet line clearance  70  is also shown, wherein said inlet line clearance  70  provides a clearance for said inlet line plumbing  30 . The preferred embodiment of said inlet line clearance  70  comprising a “U” shaped clearance providing a means for an easy installation. It can be recognized that any design shape should maintain the spirit and intent of the present invention, wherein said inlet line clearance  70  allows the user to install said plumbing valve cover  40  without disconnecting and reconnecting the primary plumbing connections. Said at least one plumbing valve cover mount  42  is preferably a flange type design with at least one wall mounting hole  72 . Said plumbing valve cover mount  42  can, optionally, be reinforced by incorporating at least one reinforcing rib(s)  76 . Additionally, said generally horizontal member  78  can, optionally, be reinforced by providing a vertical trim about the perimeter of said generally horizontal member  78  (as shown later). The plumbing valve cover  40  may be manufactured from stamped metal, molded plastic, or any other means to provide the desired shape. 
     FIG. 6  is an isometric view representative of a second embodiment of the present invention. The described an alternate embodiment which presents the plumbing valve cover  40  which avoids interference with the flexible hose  20  (not shown in this figure) and a means of mounting the plumbing valve cover  40 . Said plumbing valve cover  40  comprising said generally horizontal member  78 , said inlet line clearance  70 , at least one plumbing valve cover mount  42 , and a hose deflecting member  82 . Said hose deflecting member  82  is preferably designed to be generally downward, designed to direct the flexible hose  20  around said supply valve  26 . It can be recognized that any design to accomplish this task is considered within the spirit and scope of the present invention. Said plumbing aperture section  52  can optionally be incorporated to provide a means for accommodating accessory supply line(s)  48  as shown. One would temporarily disconnect said accessory supply line(s)  48 , position said accessory supply line(s)  48  through said plumbing aperture section  52  and re-secure said accessory supply line(s)  48 . Said plumbing valve cover  40  would be fastened to the adjacent wall via coupling hardware  74  placed through said mounting hole(s)  72 . Said plumbing aperture section  52  can further provide a means for accessing said supply valve handle  28 , easing the accessibility for the user to turn the supply valve handle  28 . Said generally horizontal member  78  can be reinforced by incorporating a perpendicular reinforcing member  80  which is generally perpendicular to and running the length of said generally horizontal member  78 . Said generally horizontal member  78  further comprising a pitched top surface, wherein said pitch is incorporated to aid in deflecting a retracting flexible hose  20 . Said pitch will be illustrated in more detail later. 
     FIG. 7  is a front, elevation view of said plumbing valve cover  40 . The illustration presents an improved view of the pitch, shown as the pitch angle  84  of the top surface of said generally horizontal member  78 . Said pitch angle  84  is provided to guide the flexible hose  20  away from the plumbing valve cover  40 /supply valve  26 . 
     FIG. 8  is a side, elevation view of said plumbing valve cover  40  illustrating the same elements taught in previous illustrations. This view presents the advantage of incorporating said plumbing aperture section  52  as a means for accessing said supply valve handle  28  allowing the user to open and close said supply valve  26 . 
   It can be recognized that the variations of design or features for achieving the aspects of the present invention should not limit the spirit, scope or intentions of the present invention. It can be recognized that advertisements may be applied via labels, printed onto the surface, embossed on the surface, molded into the material, and the like. 
   The plumbing valve cover can be manufactured using injection molding processes, metal forming processes, machining processes (although they are normally cost prohibitive), and the like. The materials can be of rubber, plastic, resins, metal, or any other (preferably cost effective) material.