Abstract:
A sprayhead especially suited for coupling to an extension hose for use in a pull-out kitchen faucet, the sprayhead including a selector subassembly for choosing between both spray and aerate modes, and a volume control built in to the sprayhead. The selector subassembly is engaged to a detent finger-button mounted on the housing that selectively diverts water flowing through an aerated flow path to an alternate spray flow path, thereby allowing manual selection between spray mode and aerate mode. The volume control is a slide switch on the housing and coupled to a rotary valve assembly for allowing the user to adjust the flow volume when in spray mode without affecting water volume in the aerate mode. When in aerate mode water is expelled from the sprayhead through an aerator output, and when in spray mode water is expelled through a series of nozzles oriented radially around the aerator output.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to faucet sprayheads, and more particularly to a sprayhead for a kitchen faucet with both spray and aerate modes, the sprayhead including a volume control for reducing/increasing the volume of water when the sprayhead is in spray mode, but with no affect on the volume of water when in aerate mode. 
   2. Description of the Background 
   Faucets, especially kitchen faucets, are commercially available in numerous designs and configurations. Many are equipped with spray heads which are intended to improve or change the water spray pattern. Some modern faucets include a pull-out spray head. Some of these include a selector to dispense either an aerated stream or spray pattern. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,938,837 to Nelson et al. issued Sep. 6, 2005 shows a faucet spray head assembly with a diverter valve to control water flow patterns. 
   A volume control would be helpful with a spray pattern, but is unnecessary with the aerated stream. No known pull-out kitchen faucet spray heads include both the selector for an easy switch from aerate mode to spray mode, plus a volume control for the spray mode that does not affect the aerate mode flow. Therefore, there is a need for an improved sprayhead that delivers water in a desirable and uniform manner, in selectable spray and aerate modes, with a volume control for reducing/increasing the volume of water when the sprayhead is in spray mode, but with no affect on the volume of water when in aerate mode. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   It is, therefore, the primary object of the present invention to provide an improved sprayhead particularly suited for a pull-out kitchen faucet that delivers water in selectable spray and aerate modes. 
   It is another object to provide a sprayhead as described above having a volume control for reducing/increasing the volume of water when the sprayhead is in spray mode, but with no affect on the volume of water when in aerate mode. 
   It is another object to provide a sprayhead as described above that is economical to manufacture and produce, yet which delivers water in a desirable and uniform manner. 
   It is another object to provide a sprayhead with both spray and aerate mode selector, and spray volume controls, in an aesthetically pleasing configuration. 
   It is still another object to provide a sprayhead configuration capable of in selectable spray and aerate modes via a selector subassembly that can be implemented in many varied aesthetic styles of faucet simply by changing an outer housing and selector button. 
   The present invention is a sprayhead for a kitchen faucet with a selector subassembly to allow a choice between both spray and aerate modes, and that includes a volume control built in to the sprayhead. 
   The sprayhead generally includes an aesthetically-pleasing outer housing with an assemblage of internal conduits defining a water input path, a spray flow path leading to a spray outlet, and an aerated flow path leading to an aerated outlet. The sprayhead includes a detent finger-button mounted on the housing and engaged to a diverter subassembly for selectively interrupting the aerated flow path to thereby divert water into the spray flow path, thereby allowing manual selection between spray mode and aerate mode. The sprayhead also includes a slide switch coupled to a rotary valve assembly for allowing the user to adjust the flow volume of the sprayhead when in spray mode without affecting water volume in the aerate mode. When in aerate mode water is expelled from the sprayhead through an aerator output, and when in spray mode water is expelled through a series of nozzles oriented radially around the aerator output. The sprayhead disclosed herein is especially suited for attachment to an extension hose for use in a pull-out kitchen faucet. When the sprayhead is in spray mode, and volume control actuator is turned, the volume of water coming from the sprayer is reduced or increased. However, when the sprayhead is in aerate mode, the volume control has no effect on the volume of water coming from the aerator. The volume control may be set by a user to a desired volume and left alone thereafter, such that any actuation back into spray mode will result in the desired water volume coming from the sprayer. Alternately, the setting for the volume control may be changed while in spray mode, to vary the volume of water coming from the sprayer on demand. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and certain modifications thereof when taken together with the accompanying drawings in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a sprayhead  2  according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention adapted for screw-connection to a pull-out faucet hose. 
       FIG. 2  is an exploded drawing of the major components of the sprayhead  2 . 
       FIG. 3  is a side cross-section of the major components of the sprayhead  2 . 
       FIG. 4  is a side cross-section of the major components of the selector sub-assembly  60 . 
       FIG. 5  is an exploded drawing of the major components of the selector sub-assembly  60 . 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective illustration of the upper conduit  90 . 
       FIG. 7  is a side cross-section of the upper conduit  90 . 
       FIG. 8  is a bottom view of the upper conduit  90 . 
       FIG. 9  is a top view of the center conduit  90 . 
       FIG. 10  is a bottom view of the center conduit  90 . 
       FIG. 11  is a side cross-section of the center conduit  90 . 
       FIG. 12  is a top view of the bottom conduit  12 . 
       FIG. 13  is a bottom view of the bottom conduit  12 . 
       FIG. 14  is a perspective view of the bottom rotary disc  74 . 
       FIG. 15  is a top view of bottom disc  74 . 
       FIG. 16  is a side cross-section of the bottom rotary disc  74 . 
       FIG. 17  is a perspective view of the volume control stem  77 . 
       FIG. 18  is a side view of the volume control stem  77 . 
       FIG. 19  is a top view of the volume control stem  77 . 
       FIG. 20  is a bottom view of the top rotary disc  72  that is mounted distally at the end of control stem  77 . 
       FIG. 21  is a side cross-section of the volume control stem  77  inclusive of the top rotary disc  72 . 
       FIG. 22  is a rear perspective view of the ring gear  100 . 
       FIG. 23  is a front perspective view of the ring gear  100 . 
       FIG. 24  is a side cross-section of the ring gear  100 . 
       FIG. 25  is an exploded illustration of the detent finger-button  120  for allowing the user to select between spray mode and aerate mode. 
       FIG. 26  is a perspective view of the diverter piston assembly  160  that is resident in the diverter chamber  162  of the central conduit  6 . 
       FIG. 27  is a side cross-section of the diverter piston assembly  160 . 
       FIG. 28  is an exploded view of the diverter piston assembly  160 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   The present invention is a sprayhead for a kitchen faucet with both spray and aerate modes, the sprayhead including a volume control for reducing/increasing the volume of water when the sprayhead is in spray mode, but with no affect on the volume of water when in aerate mode. 
     FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a sprayhead  2  according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention adapted for screw-connection to a pull-out faucet hose. The sprayhead  2  generally comprises a stylized outer housing  20  with integral detent finger-button  120  to allow the user to select between spray mode and aerate mode, and an integral slide switch  52  for reducing/increasing the volume of water when the sprayhead is in spray mode, but with no affect on the volume of water when in aerate mode. The detent finger-button  120  remains in a normally unbiased position for aerate mode, and is depressed for spray mode, the slide switch  52  remaining in position for preset of the volume of water in spray mode. 
     FIG. 2  is an exploded drawing of the major components of the sprayhead  2 , and  FIG. 3  is a side cross-section. With combined reference to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the outer housing  20  is a generally tubular downwardly-flared component with upper aperture  122 , lower aperture  124 , a radial slot  187  formed proximate the upper aperture  122  for passing the slide switch  52  and an axial slot  189  for detent-seating of the finger-button  120 . The slide switch  52  is integrally formed on an annular collar  54  formed with inwardly disposed gear teeth, and the collar  54  is rotatably seated inside the housing  20  with slide switch  52  protruding outward through slot  187  for finger access. Collar  54  is a compressible component self-captured into housing  20  by squeezing collar  54 , thereby radially compressing it, and inserting into housing upper aperture  120 . Thus, once in position, collar  54  will radially expand itself, and slide switch  52  will extend / protrude from radial slot  187 , and the collar  54  becomes captured within housing  20 . Flanged retaining cap  13  is used to hold a selector subassembly  60  in housing  20 . Cap  13  has an internal thread that attaches to an external thread on upper conduit  90 . The external extension hose (not shown) is inserted to the internal thread of upper conduit  90 . The selector sub-assembly  60  (to be described) is enclosed within the housing  20  and this provides the internal mechanism for selection between spray and aerate modes, and volume adjustment of the spray. The selector sub-assembly  60  provides a dual-output through the lower aperture  124  of housing  20 , either through a centrally-positioned aerator  70  (sealed against the selector sub-assembly  60  by a Face Seal  80 ), or a spray outlet  40  that encircles the aerator  73 . 
     FIG. 4  is a side cross-section of the major components of the selector sub-assembly  60 , and  FIG. 5  is an exploded drawing. Water enters the selector sub-assembly  60  through an upper conduit  90 , which is in fluid communication with a central conduit  6 , which is in turn in fluid communication with a lower conduit  12 . Seals  3  and  4  are interposed between the upper and central conduits  90 ,  6 , and central and lower conduits  6 ,  12 , respectively, to ensure a tight fluid coupling. Seal  5  seals the lower conduit  12  against the spray outlet  40  as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
     FIG. 6  is a perspective illustration of the upper conduit  90 ,  FIG. 7  is a side cross-section, and  FIG. 8  is a bottom view. The upper conduit  90  is a tubular member with upper internally-threaded barrel for attachment to the extension hose of the pull-out faucet. The upper barrel leads inward into a port  98  which leads outward through a lower platform  92  and through the bottom ( FIG. 8 ). A post  97  connects the upper barrel to lower platform  92 , and platform  92  is spaced from the upper barrel and is substantially open around a majority of the circumference by the open slot  94  which partially encircles the platform  92 . A circular aperture  96  enters the platform  92  from beneath to provide a nest for a volume control stem  77  (to be described). Water flowing into the upper barrel of upper conduit  90  flows inward into port  98  through the bottom of platform  92 , and continues into central conduit  6 . 
   Referring back to  FIG. 5 , a ring gear  100  is pivotally seated on the platform  92  inside upper conduit  90 , and the ring gear  100  exposes peripheral teeth outward through slot  94 . The outwardly-disposed teeth of ring gear  100  engage the inwardly disposed gear teeth of collar  54  ( FIG. 1 ), and hence the slide switch  52  protruding outward through slot  126  of housing  20  actuates the ring gear  100 . The ring gear  100  in turn is distally mounted on a volume control stem  77  that is inserted into the bottom of the circular aperture  96 . An o-ring  80  rides on the volume control stem  77  seals the stem  77  against the upper conduit  90 . Volume control stem  77  controls two rotary flow control discs  72 ,  74 , which engage in the manner of a conventional ¼ turn valve to adjust flow volume. One of the rotary flow control discs  72  is mounted integrally at the bottom of the valve control stem  77 , and the other  74  rides there beneath, the two flow control discs  72 ,  74  being biased against each other by a compression seal  78 . The compression seal  78  is similar to a standard rubber face seal, but additionally includes a “bellow” in the center section, which gives it a spring like bias and makes it more easily compressible. In this way, it is ensured that when the subassembly  60  is tightened (by collar  11  to be described), the compression seal  78  will easily deform. This also allows seal  3  to be compressed consistently, since both seal  3  and compression seal  78  are handled simultaneously by collar  11 . In addition, water pressure from beneath disc  74  helps to bias discs  72 ,  74  against each other. The discs  72 ,  74  are seated in an upper chamber  65  within the central conduit  6 . 
   The central conduit  6  itself is a complex tubular member (to be described) having triple flow paths there through, one for water input from upper conduit  90 , one for a spray flow path and one for an aerated flow path, and a diverter chamber  162  entering sidelong into the aerated flow path, and having a diverter piston assembly  160  loaded therein for selectively interrupting the aerated flow path for diverting fluid flow to the spray flow path. The diverter piston assembly  160  is detailed below and is controlled (urged in and out of the central conduit  6 ) by operation of the detent finger-button  120  on the outer housing  20 . The central conduit  6  is in fluid communication with a bottom conduit  12 , sealed there against by a bottom seal  4 . The bottom conduit  12  employs a curved facing surface  121  opposed to the input flow path of the central conduit  6  to re-direct water back upwards, into the diverter chamber  162  as will be described, and ultimately outward through the aerator  7  ( FIG. 2 ). If, on the other hand, spray output is selected, the selected volume of water exits the volume control assembly  70 , travels the spray flow path of the center conduit  6 , enters an aperture  125  in the bottom conduit  12 , and exits sidelong through annular slits  128  in the bottom conduit  12 , entering the radially-spaced holes  42  in discharge assembly  4  which form a spray exiting the lower aperture in housing  20  via the spray outlet  40  that encircles the aerator  70 . It is noteworthy that the volume control assembly  70  is downstream of the spray/stream selector piston  160 . 
   Opposing flanged collars  11 ,  14  are used to rigidly join upper conduit  90 , center conduit  6 , and lower conduit  12 , by threading on to the threads present in center conduit  6 . Both retaining collars  11 ,  14  are slip-fit over the respective upper conduit  90  and lower conduit  12  and tightening by threaded engagement. Fluid sealing between the upper conduit  90 , center conduit  60  and lower conduit  12  is achieved by the use of rubber seals  3  and  4 , respectively, as best seen in  FIG. 5 . The center conduit  6  is formed with three protruding ribs  67  that engage corresponding receiving slots internal to housing  20  to prevent rotation of selector subassembly  60  with respect to housing  20 . Selector subassembly  60  is held in place in housing  20  (prevented from falling out of aperture  124 ) by the means of flanged cap  13  described above in regard to  FIGS. 1-3 . 
     FIG. 9  is a top view of the center conduit  90 ,  FIG. 10  is a bottom view, and  FIG. 11  is a side cross-section of the center conduit  90 . The center conduit  6  is a generally tubular member with upper externally-threaded barrel for attachment to the upper conduit  90 . The center conduit defines three separate flow paths. First, the upper barrel leads into a passthrough port  61  that leads out through port  66  in the bottom ( FIG. 10 ) of the center conduit  6 , whereupon water is blocked by bottom conduit  12 , and re-directed upward into diverter chamber  162 . In addition, water flows into one of two lower apertures  64 ,  68 . The stream/spray diverter assembly  60  shown in  FIG. 3  includes a piston  160  that is inserted into a primary diverter chamber  162 . One of the two ports  64 ,  68  is selected by the piston  160 , and allowed to pass through the diverter chamber  162  continuing to the upper upper barrel of center conduit  6  and into upper conduit  90 . 
     FIG. 12  is a top view of the bottom conduit  12 , and  FIG. 13  is a bottom view of the bottom conduit  12 . Water coming out through port  66  in the bottom ( FIG. 10 ) of the center conduit  6  is blocked off and sealed by the bottom conduit  12 , which employs a curved facing surface  121  to redirect the water back upwards, into the passage  66  in the bottom of the center conduit  6  ( FIG. 10 ), and back into the primary diverter chamber  62 . The curved facing surface  121  protrudes up into passage  66 . 
   Operation of the above-described multi-mode spray head  2  will now be described by tracing the water pathway, from input through aerate mode, and from input through spray mode. As seen in  FIGS. 1-3 , initial water input comes from the existing faucet&#39;s pull-out extension hose, which extends from the faucet and screws into the upper conduit  90  that is in turn attached to the top housing  20  by means of flanged cap  13 . With regard to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the water continues into the selector sub-assembly  60  through the upper conduit  90 , conduit  90  being rigidly mounted to center conduit  6  by retaining collar  11 . 
   As seen in  FIG. 3 , the stream/spray diverter assembly  60  includes piston  160  inserted into the primary diverter chamber  162 , and a finger-button  120  pivotally mounted in the outer housing  120  that bears against the piston  160  to allow the user to make the selection of either aerated output or spray output from the sprayhead  2 . 
   If aerated output is selected, the water exits from aperture  64  as shown in  FIG. 10 . (In aerated mode, water goes forward from chamber  162 ,  FIG. 11 , straight to aperture  64 ). It then enters the aperture  123  of the bottom conduit  12  as seen in  FIG. 12 , and continues into chamber  124  ( FIG. 13 ) and exits through the aerator  7  ( FIG. 2 ). 
   On the other hand, if spray output is selected by depressing the finger-button  120  which bears against the piston  160  ( FIG. 3 ), the piston  160  blocks off flow through the center conduit  6 , and the water exits the top port  161  of the diverter chamber  162 , as seen in  FIG. 11 , within which the volume control assembly  70  for the spray water resides (the volume control assembly is inside location  65  of conduit  6  of  FIG. 11 ). The volume control assembly  70  is adjusted to select the desired volume of water by manual rotation of finger-knob  52 , which turns collar  54 , the teeth therein engaging the ring gear  100 , which turns the volume control stem  7 , which rotates the two flow control discs  72 ,  74  relative to each other thereby opening or closing the fluid coupling therewith. The selected volume of water exits the volume control stem  7  and volume control assembly  70 , reaches the bottommost surface of the upper conduit  90 , whereupon it is once again sealed off and re-directed downward, through the chamber  68  shown in  FIG. 10 . The water enters the aperture  125  of the bottom conduit  12  as seen in  FIG. 12 , and exits sidelong through the annular slits  128  of the bottom conduit  12  as seen in  FIG. 13 . From here, the water enters the radially-spaced holes  42  in discharge assembly  4  ( FIG. 2 ), and exits as a spray through those spray holes  42  which exit outward through the bottom of the sprayer housing  20 , via discharge assembly  4 . 
   The layout of the water pathway described above achieves two goals. The first is to ensure that the volume control assembly  70  affects the sprayer water only, not the aerated stream. This requires that the volume control assembly  70  be placed downstream of the spray/stream selector piston  160 . The second goal is to position the volume control knob  52  at the top of the sprayhead  2 . This necessitates placing the entire volume control assembly  70  near the top of the sprayhead  2 . The illustrated water pathway achieves the desired component locations. 
     FIG. 14  is a perspective view of the bottom rotary disc  74 ,  FIG. 15  is a top view of disc  74 , and  FIG. 16  is a side cross-section. 
     FIG. 17  is a perspective view of the volume control stem  77 ,  FIG. 18  is a side view of the volume control stem  77 ,  FIG. 19  is a top view,  FIG. 20  is a bottom view of the top rotary disc  72  which is mounted distally at the end of control stem  77 , and  FIG. 21  is a side cross-section. 
   The holes  175  in the bottom rotary disc  74  are opened or closed by rotating the volume control stem  77 , which in turn rotates the top rotary disc  72 , thereby adjusting the alignment of holes  171  in the top rotary disc  72 . The larger of the two holes  171  in the top rotary disc  72  forms a bleed path to ensure that the holes  175  in the bottom rotary disc  74  are never completely closed when the volume control knob  52  is turned to its lowest setting. Were the pathways through holes  171  in the top rotary disc  72  ever to completely close, the water from the spray mode would shut off entirely. 
   As seen in  FIG. 21 , the volume control stem  77  is an annular member shown here with a central channel and annular flange, and continuing to the integral top rotary disc  72  (Note that the channel and flange of control stem  77  are not active or critical features to the design, and are present only for manufacturing purposes). Water enters upwardly from beneath the bottom rotary disc  74 . Disc  72  rotates, and its holes ( FIG. 20 ) adjustably cover/uncover holes  175  in bottom rotary disc  74  ( FIG. 15 ). To actuate or turn the volume control stem  77 , the distal top end of the stem is formed as a keyway  178 . The ring gear  100  ( FIG. 5 ) is then attached to the keyway  178 . The outward teeth of ring gear  100  engage the inward teeth of formed on annular collar  54 , and collar  54  is turned by slide switch  52 . The entire collar  54  and slide switch  52  assembly is preferably formed of Nylon™ or like material. Slide switch  52  protrudes from the backside of the sprayhead housing  20 , and is meant to be turned by the user&#39;s index finger. Note that the illustrated collar  54  is defined by a horizontal relief cut beneath the switch  52 , and an angular cutout above the teeth. These features help in installing the annular collar  54  into the outer housing. During assembly, the annular collar  54  is squeezed and deformed such that the angular cut in the back section becomes closed. This allows the part to be assembled through the top aperture  122  of the outer housing  20  without making additional cuts in the housing  20  and/or additional cover plates attached to housing. The upper conduit  90  protrudes up through the annular collar  54  and prevents it from deforming or collapsing, as it “rides” in the central annular space. 
     FIG. 22  is a rear perspective view of the ring gear  100 ,  FIG. 23  is a front perspective view, and  FIG. 24  is a side cross-section all showing a keyed central aperture  101  for attachment to the keyway  178  of volume control stem  77 , and outwardly disposed teeth  102  for engaging the inward teeth of formed on annular collar  54 . The teeth  102  run approximately 180 degrees around the ring gear  100 . The ring gear  100  is also formed with a top recess  103  for seating against the lower platform  92  of the upper conduit  90 . 
     FIG. 25  is an exploded illustration of the detent finger-button subassembly  120  for allowing the user to select between spray mode and aerate mode, as well as an attachment bracket  122  for securement to the housing  20 . Attachment bracket  133  is a flanged mounting bracket with pivoting yoke  124  that is slidably secured inside the outer housing  20  by a clip-in detent catch  135  that engages the housing  20  (snaps over a rib present in the outer housing  20  when the finger-button subassembly  120  of FIG  25  is inserted into lower aperture  124  of housing  20  for assembly to housing  20 ). Detent finger-button  120  is pivotally secured to the yoke  124  by a transverse compression pin  127  inserted there through. A torsion spring  138  is inserted onto the pin  127  and is seated between the yoke  124  for biasing the detent finger-button  120  outward. The detent finger button  120  is exposed through the oblong slot in outer housing  20  and provides a convenient toggle-type button for selecting between aerate stream and spray output by actuating the diverter piston assembly  160  resident in the diverter chamber  162  of the central conduit  6 . The detent finger-button  120  may be constructed of rigid plastic, and the torsion spring  138  serves the purpose of resetting the diverter piston assembly  160  to aerated output mode once the faucet water is turned off at its main valve. It is noteworthy that the position of the pin  127  with respect to the outer housing  20  is very near the outside edge of the outer housing  20 . This allows matching curvature of the detent finger-button  120 , and the oblong slot in the outer housing  20 , and a reversal from the configuration normally found in sprayhead applications. Commonly, the pin  127  would be located well inside the housing, creating the necessity to make the receiving slot in the outer housing much larger than the finger-button. However, placement of the pin  127  near the surface of the housing  20 , or well outside of it, by extension of the yoke  124  creates a circular sweep path for the finger-button  120  such that oversizing of the slot in the outer housing is not necessary. This configuration provides a much closer aesthetic match between the finger-button  120  and its corresponding receiving slot. It becomes much easier to change the aesthetic appearance of the sprayhead  2 , simply by changing the outer housing  20 , and, if desired, the contour of the finger-button  120 . Note also that the finger-button  120  is formed with an inner catch  129  for engagement with the diverter piston assembly  160 . This configuration also makes initial assembly easier because the detent finger-button selector sub-assembly  120  can be assembled outside the housing  20  (the detent finger button  120  and spring attached to the attachment bracket  133  to complete the sub-assembly), and then the detent finger-button selector subassembly  120  can be installed as a unit into the housing. 
     FIG. 26  is a perspective view of the diverter piston assembly  160  that is resident in the diverter chamber  162  of the central conduit  6 ,  FIG. 27  is a side cross-section view, and  FIG. 28  is an exploded view of the diverter piston assembly  160 . The diverter piston assembly  160  comprises an annular body  262  formed of plastic or like material with a central passage  265  leading into a top recess  266 . A piston stem  270  is inserted through the central passage  265  of annular body  262 , and an O-ring  272  and retaining cap  274  are secured about the piston stem  270 . As seen in  FIG. 27  the piston stem  264  protrudes past the retaining cap  274  and is formed with a distal head  276  that is captured within the inner catch  129  of the finger-button  120  for actuation thereby. The piston stem  270  protrudes upward through the annular body  262  to another distal head  278 . A lock washer  280  is secured to the upper head  278  of piston stem  264 , and this captures a sealing assemblage on the piston stem  264  that includes a retaining washer  282 , rubber grommet  284 , retaining washer  286 , and lock washer  288  which is seated in an intermediate notch  289  in the piston stem  270 . In addition, a pair of O-rings  290 ,  292  are seated around the periphery of the annular body  262  as shown to provide a sealing engagement with the diverter chamber  162  of the central conduit  6 . In use, the annular body  262  is secured in the diverter chamber  162  by screw-threads or a keyed engagement, and the piston stem  264  remains free to slide there through effectively extracting/retracting the grommet  284  upon actuation of the detent finger-button  120  to stop or unstop the diverter chamber  162  entering sidelong into the aerated flow path of central conduit  6 , thereby selectively interrupting the aerated flow path for diverting fluid flow to the spray flow path as described previously. 
   It is noteworthy that the torsion spring  138  described above with regard to  FIG. 25  may be replaced by a standard compression spring loaded onto piston the protruding piston stem  264  and biased within the diverter chamber  162  in center conduit  6 . 
   The above-described sprayhead  2  achieves uniform delivery of water, in selectable spray and aerate modes, and allows volume control for reducing/increasing the volume of water when the sprayhead is in spray mode, with no affect on the volume of water when in aerate mode. 
   Having now fully set forth the preferred embodiment and certain modifications of the concept underlying the present invention, various other embodiments as well as certain variations and modifications of the embodiments herein shown and described will obviously occur to those skilled in the art upon becoming familiar with said underlying concept. It is to be understood, therefore, that the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically set forth in the appended claims.