TUB SPOUT ASSEMBLY

A tub spout assembly includes a tub spout. The tub spout includes a spout inlet and a spout outlet. A diverter assembly is carried by the tub spout. The diverter assembly includes a diverter inlet and a diverter outlet. A handle is rotatable from a first position to a second position and vice versa relative to the tub spout. A sealing element is coupled to the handle so as to rotate with the handle. In the first position the sealing element is disposed apart from the diverter outlet to permit water to flow through the tub spout assembly and exit the tub spout assembly via the spout outlet. In the second position the sealing element obscures the diverter outlet to inhibit water from flowing through the spout outlet of the tub spout assembly. A torsion spring biases the handle and the sealing element toward the first position.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure generally relates to a tub spout assembly that selectively delivers water via a tub spout assembly outlet or a shower head. The present disclosure particularly relates to a tub spout assembly that includes a rotatable handle for selectively delivering water via the tub spout assembly outlet or diverting water for delivery via the shower head.

Tub spout assemblies often include a diverter for selectively delivering water via a tub spout assembly outlet or diverting water for delivery via a shower head. The diverter typically includes a rod that is translated linearly (that is, pushed or pulled) by a user to selectively deliver water via the tub spout assembly outlet or divert water for delivery via the shower head. Such a rod is a relatively conspicuous component that can reduce the aesthetic appeal of the entire tub spout assembly.

According to an illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure, a tub spout assembly delivers water and diverts water to a shower head. The tub spout assembly includes a tub spout. The tub spout includes a spout inlet that is configured to receive water. The tub spout further includes a spout outlet that is configured to deliver water from the tub spout assembly. A diverter assembly is carried by the tub spout. The diverter assembly includes a diverter inlet that is configured to receive water from the spout inlet and a diverter outlet that is configured to deliver water to the spout outlet. A handle is rotatably carried by the tub spout, and the handle is rotatable from a first position to a second position and vice versa relative to the tub spout. A sealing element is coupled to the handle so as to rotate with the handle from the first position to the second position and vice versa relative to the tub spout. In the first position the sealing element is disposed apart from the diverter outlet to permit water to flow through the tub spout assembly and exit the tub spout assembly via the spout outlet. In the second position the sealing element obscures the diverter outlet to inhibit water from flowing through the spout outlet of the tub spout assembly. A torsion spring is coupled to the handle and the sealing element. The torsion spring biases the handle and the sealing element toward the first position.

According to another illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure, a tub spout assembly delivers water and diverts water to a shower head. The tub spout assembly includes a tub spout that defines a longitudinal axis. The tub spout includes a spout inlet that is configured to receive water. The tub spout further includes a spout outlet that is configured to deliver water from the tub spout assembly. A diverter assembly is carried by the tub spout. The diverter assembly includes a diverter inlet that is configured to receive water from the spout inlet. The diverter assembly further includes a diverter outlet that is configured to deliver water to the spout outlet. The diverter outlet is disposed in a plane that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. A handle is rotatably carried by the tub spout. The handle is rotatable from a first position to a second position and vice versa relative to the tub spout about the longitudinal axis. A sealing element is coupled to the handle so as to rotate with the handle from the first position to the second position and vice versa relative to the tub spout about the longitudinal axis. In the first position the sealing element is disposed apart from the diverter outlet to permit water to flow through the tub spout assembly and exit the tub spout assembly via the spout outlet. In the second position the sealing element obscures the diverter outlet to inhibit water from flowing through the spout outlet of the tub spout assembly.

Additional features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The embodiments of the disclosure described herein are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise forms disclosed. Rather, the embodiments described herein enable one skilled in the art to practice the disclosure.

With reference initially toFIGS. 1 and 2of the drawings, an illustrative tub spout assembly10of the present disclosure is configured to couple to a water delivery pipe or riser12and a shower head pipe or riser14via a tub spout pipe15and a T-joint16. The tub spout assembly10generally includes a tub spout18that carries a diverter assembly20. A handle22of the diverter assembly20may rotate to a first, “bath”, or “tub” position (seeFIG. 1) in which the tub spout assembly10delivers water received from the water delivery pipe12to a spout outlet24. Illustratively, the diverter assembly20may rotate to the first position due to manual manipulation by a user or a force applied by a spring. The handle22may also rotate to a second or “shower” position (seeFIG. 2) in which the tub spout assembly10inhibits water flow therethrough and does not deliver water to the spout outlet24. Instead, water from the water delivery pipe12is delivered to the shower head pipe14and a shower head (not shown) coupled thereto. Illustratively, the diverter assembly20may rotate to the second position due to manual manipulation by the user. These and other features of the tub spout assembly10are described further in the following paragraphs.

With reference toFIGS. 1-6, the tub spout18includes an escutcheon or trim26that is configured to abut a wall (not shown) carrying the tub spout assembly10. The escutcheon26surrounds and couples to an inlet coupling28, illustratively through cooperating threads. The inlet coupling28couples to the tub spout pipe15and includes a spout inlet30for receiving water from the water delivery pipe12. The inlet30couples to a passageway32, and the passageway32couples to an outlet34, which delivers water to the diverter assembly20as described in further detail in the following paragraphs.

The inlet coupling28and the escutcheon26couple to a spout housing36that defines the spout outlet24. The spout housing36includes a proximal or first portion38that rotatably carries the handle22, illustratively, via gaskets40. Illustratively, the first portion38includes an outer diameter, which is less than other diameters of the spout housing36, as described in further detail below. The spout housing36also includes two notches42to facilitate internally receiving the diverter assembly20as described in further detail below. The spout housing36further includes an arcuate slot44to receive a portion of the handle22as described in further detail below. The arcuate slot44extends about a portion of the circumference of the first portion38of the spout housing36.

The spout housing36further includes an intermediate or second portion46coupled to the first portion38. Illustratively, the second portion46monolithically couples to the first portion38. The second portion46defines and extends along a longitudinal axis48of the tub spout assembly10. Illustratively, the second portion46has a hollow, generally cylindrical shape. Illustratively, the second portion46includes an outer diameter that is greater than the outer diameter of the first portion38. The second portion46further includes a transversely-extending internal wall49(seeFIGS. 5 and 6) that includes holes51. The holes51receive the diverter assembly20as described in further detail below. The internal wall49also includes an aperture53to permit flow through the second portion46of the spout housing36.

The spout housing36further includes a distal or third portion50coupled to the second portion46opposite the first portion38. Illustratively, the third portion50monolithically couples to the second portion46. The third portion50extends away from the longitudinal axis48of the tub spout assembly10and defines the spout outlet24opposite the second portion46. Illustratively, the third portion50includes a hollow, generally curved cylindrical shape.

The first and second portions of spout housings in accordance with the present disclosure may take various shapes and forms. For example, a first portion of a spout housing could have a different axisymmetric shape, such as a frusto-conical shape, or a non-axisymmetric shape. As another example, a second portion of a spout housing could extend transversely away from the first portion and the longitudinal axis.

The spout outlet24illustratively includes a gasket52and an aerator or stream straightener54. Illustratively, the stream straightener54threadably couples to the third portion50of the spout housing36at the spout outlet24.

With continued reference toFIGS. 3-6and additional reference toFIGS. 7 and 8, the diverter assembly20includes the handle22for selectively positioning the tub spout assembly10in the first (or bath) position (seeFIGS. 5 and 7) or the second (or shower) position (seeFIGS. 6 and 8). Illustratively, the handle22rotates substantially90degrees (that is, 90 degrees±5 degrees) about longitudinal axis48from the first position to the second position (e.g., clockwise) and vice versa (e.g., counter-clockwise). The diverter assembly20also generally includes a first diverter housing portion56and a second diverter housing portion58that receive water from the inlet coupling28. The housing portions56and58rotatably and internally carry a sealing element60. The sealing element60couples to the handle22so as to rotate with the handle22from the first position to the second position and vice versa. In the first position, the sealing element60is disposed apart from a diverter outlet62defined by the second diverter housing portion58to permit water to flow through the tub spout assembly10and exit via the spout outlet24. Illustratively and referring toFIG. 7, water generally flows in the direction of arrow W when the sealing element60is in the first position. In the second position ofFIG. 8, the sealing element60obscures the diverter outlet62to inhibit water from flowing through the spout outlet24of the tub spout assembly10. These and other features of the diverter assembly20are described further in the following paragraphs.

The handle22includes a first portion64that is rotatably carried by the spout housing36via gaskets40. Illustratively, the first portion64has a generally cylindrical shape. Illustratively, the first portion64is concentric with and rotates about the longitudinal axis48. The outer diameter of the first portion64may be substantially the same (that is, within 0.1 in.) as the outer diameter of the second portion46of the spout housing36. Such diameters may provide a “continuous” appearance between the first portion64of the handle22and the second portion46of the spout housing36.

The handle22illustratively also includes a boss or tab66coupled to the first portion64. Illustratively, the tab66monolithically couples to the first portion64. Illustratively, the tab66has a three-dimensional generally rectangular shape that extends transversely away from the first portion64and the longitudinal axis48.

The handle22illustratively further includes a grip or cover68coupled to the tab66. Illustratively, the cover68couples to the tab66by internally receiving the tab66and via a fastener, such as a set screw assembly70. Illustratively, the cover68has a three-dimensional generally rectangular shape that extends transversely away from the first portion64and the longitudinal axis48. The cover68includes a first surface72that is visible when the handle22is in the first or bath position (seeFIG. 7) and a second surface74that is visible when the handle22is in the second or shower position (seeFIG. 8). Optionally, the first surface72includes the word “shower” to indicate that water may be delivered via the shower head by rotating the handle22. Alternatively, the first surface72may include the letter “S” or a depiction of a shower head. Alternatively, the first surface72may include the words “bath” or “tub”, the letters “B” or “T”, or a depiction of a tub spout to indicate that the tub spout assembly10is in the bath position. Optionally, the second surface74includes the word “bath” to indicate that water may be delivered via the tub spout assembly10by rotating the handle22. Alternatively, the second surface74may include the word “tub”, the letters “B” or “T”, or a depiction of a tub spout. Alternatively, the second surface74may include the word “shower”, the letter “S”, or a depiction of a shower head to indicate that the tub spout assembly10is in the shower position.

The handle22illustratively further includes a lever, such as a fastener and specifically a screw assembly76, that couples the tab66to the sealing element60such that the sealing element60rotates with the handle22. Illustratively, the screw assembly76extends through the slot44of the spout housing36to couple the tab66to the sealing element60.

With continued reference toFIGS. 3-8and additional reference toFIGS. 9 and 10, the first diverter housing portion56couples to the inlet coupling28, illustratively, via a gasket78. Internally, the first diverter housing portion56includes an inlet80for receiving water from the inlet coupling28. The inlet80couples to a passageway82, and the passageway82couples to an outlet84, which delivers water to the second diverter housing portion58. Externally, the first diverter housing portion56includes two bosses86that are received in the notches42of the spout housing36to inhibit rotation between the first diverter housing portion56and the spout housing36. The first diverter housing portion56also includes two additional bosses88that are described in further detail below. Proximate the outlet84, the first diverter housing portion56includes a through hole90through which the sealing element60extends and in which the sealing element60is rotatably supported, illustratively, by a gasket92. The first diverter housing portion56further includes a recess94in which the screw assembly76couples to the sealing element60and in which the screw assembly76rotates about the longitudinal axis48. The recess94includes a side wall96that provides a stop that the screw assembly76abuts to define the first position.

With continued reference toFIGS. 3-6and additional reference toFIG. 11, the diverter assembly20further includes a torsion spring98that extends around the first diverter housing portion56. Generally, the torsion spring98biases the handle22and the sealing element60toward the first position, and, as described in further detail below, the torsion spring98rotates the handle22and the sealing element60from the second position to the first position if the water pressure is less than a pressure threshold. Illustratively, the torsion spring98includes a first end100that couples to the first diverter housing portion56by being received between the bosses88. The torsion spring98also includes a second end102that couples to the screw assembly76, illustratively, by engaging a side of the screw assembly76that faces toward the second position. When the screw assembly76and the sealing element60are in the first position, the torsion spring98is relatively unloaded. When the screw assembly76and the sealing element are in the second position, the torsion spring98is relatively loaded. As a result, the torsion spring98biases the handle22and the sealing element60toward the first position. The torsion spring98may have a spring constant that is sufficient to facilitate operation of the diverter assembly20as described in further detail below.

With reference toFIGS. 3-8 and 11-13, the sealing element60is rotatably coupled to the first diverter housing portion56and the second diverter housing portion58, illustratively, via gaskets92and106, respectively. The sealing element60includes a shaft108that extends along and is rotatable about the longitudinal axis48. The shaft108couples to the screw assembly76within the recess94of the first diverter housing portion56. The shaft108also couples to a blade or flap110that extends transversely away from the shaft108. Illustratively, the flap110monolithically couples to the shaft108. The flap110is disposed within the second diverter housing portion58. The flap110couples to a gasket112, illustratively, via fasteners (such as screws114) and a plate116. The gasket112illustratively has a three-dimensional generally planar oval shape, although it is contemplated that the gasket112may have other shapes. The gasket112is disposed apart from the longitudinal axis48. In both the first and second positions, the gasket112is disposed in planes that are substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis48. In addition, in the first position the gasket112is disposed apart from the diverter outlet62to permit water to flow through the tub spout assembly10and exit the tub spout assembly10via the spout outlet24. In the second position the gasket112obscures the diverter outlet62to inhibit water from flowing through the spout outlet24of the tub spout assembly10.

The surface area of the flap110opposite the gasket112may be configured such that pressure of the water within the diverter assembly20maintains the sealing element60, and the handle22, in the second position. That is, in the second position the surface area of the flap110opposite the gasket112and the pressure of the water within the diverter assembly20may provide a torque that is greater than torques acting in the opposite direction, such as the torque provided by the torsion spring98. Illustratively, the surface area of the flap110opposite the gasket112is about 0.35 in2(that is, 0.35 in2within 10 percent) for a water pressure of 125 psi and a moment arm of 0.3 in. Similarly, for a given surface area of the flap110opposite the gasket112, the pressure of the water within the diverter assembly20maintains the sealing element60and the handle22in the second position if the pressure is greater than a pressure threshold, and the torsion spring98rotates the sealing element60and the handle22to the first position if the pressure is less than the pressure threshold. These aspects are described in further detail below.

With reference toFIGS. 3-8, 14, and 15, the second diverter housing portion58couples to the first diverter housing portion56and the spout housing36, illustratively, via gaskets118and120, respectively. On an end wall122opposite the gaskets118and120, the second diverter housing portion58includes bosses124that are received in the holes51in the transversely-extending internal wall49of the spout housing36. The bosses124and the holes51thereby inhibit rotation between the second diverter housing portion58and the spout housing36. Internally, the second diverter housing portion58includes an inlet126for receiving water from the first diverter housing portion56. The inlet126couples to a passageway128, and the passageway128couples to a blind hole130that rotatably receives the shaft108and gasket112of the sealing element60. The passageway128also couples to the diverter outlet62. Illustratively, the diverter outlet62has a generally oval shape. Alternatively, the diverter outlet62may have different shapes provided that the outlet62is smaller than the gasket112. The diverter outlet62is defined by a wall132, and the gasket112abuts the wall132around the diverter outlet62to inhibit water from flowing through the spout outlet24of the tub spout assembly10in the second position. Illustratively, the wall132and the diverter outlet62are disposed in a plane that is substantially perpendicular (that is, perpendicular within5degrees) to the longitudinal axis48.

With reference toFIG. 16, when the diverter assembly20is in the first position, an operation torque M1about the longitudinal axis48is applied to the handle22to rotate the handle22and the sealing element60to the second position. M1must exceed the sum of the torques resisting rotation of the handle22and the sealing element60toward the second position. That is, M1is as shown in equation 1.

M2is the torque about the longitudinal axis48provided by the torsion spring98;

M3is the torque about the longitudinal axis48caused by water pressure on the sealing element60;

M4is the torque about the longitudinal axis48caused by friction due to rotation of the gaskets92and106;

M5is the torque about the longitudinal axis48caused by friction due to rotation of the handle22; and

M6is the torque about the longitudinal axis48caused by the weight of the handle tab66, the cover68, and the flap110.

M3is as shown in equation 2.

p is the water pressure;

Aseis the total surface area of the sealing element60on which the water pressure acts; and

dseis the moment arm for the force p·Ase.

Illustratively, in the first position M2is 3.7 in. lbs., M3is zero, M4is 0.1 in. lbs., M5is 0.41 in. lbs., and M6is zero. As a result, M1must exceed 4.31 in. lbs. to rotate the handle22and the sealing element60from the first position to the second position. If an operation force F1is applied to the cover68at a distance d1 from the longitudinal axis48, F1is as shown in equation 3.

As described briefly above, when the diverter assembly20is in the second position, the diverter assembly20may be moved to the first position by (1) applying an operation torque M1′ to the handle22about the longitudinal axis48while water is delivered through the shower head, or (2) reducing the water pressure below a pressure threshold. With reference toFIG. 17, in the case of applying the operation torque M1′ to the handle22, M1′ is as shown in equation 4.

Illustratively, in the second position M2is 3.7 in. lbs., M3is 13.13 in. lbs. (p is 125 psi, Aseis 0.35 in2, and dseis 0.3 in.), M4is 0.1 in. lbs., M5is 0.41 in. lbs., and M6is 0.1 in. lbs. As a result, M1′ must exceed 10.04 in. lbs. to rotate the handle22and the sealing element60from the second position to the first position while water is delivered through the shower head. If an operation force F1′ is applied to the cover68at a distance dl from the longitudinal axis48, F1′ is as shown in equation 5.

With reference toFIG. 18and in the case of reducing the water pressure below a pressure threshold, pt, M3′, the torque about the longitudinal axis48caused by pton the sealing element60, is as shown in equations 6 and 7.

As a result, ptis as shown in equation 8.

Illustratively, for the values provided above, ptis 29.4 psi. That is, the water pressure must be less than 29.4 psi to permit the torsion spring98to rotate the handle22and the sealing element60from the second position to the first position.

With reference now toFIGS. 19-27of the drawings, another illustrative tub spout assembly200of the present disclosure is configured to couple to a water delivery pipe or riser12and a shower head pipe or riser14via a tub spout pipe15and a T-joint16. The tub spout assembly200includes many of the same, or similar, components as the tub spout assembly10described above. For brevity, descriptions of the same, or similar, components as the tub spout assembly10are not provided in connection withFIGS. 19-27. However, the tub spout assembly200includes a diverter assembly202that differs from the diverter assembly20described above. Specifically, the diverter assembly202includes a second diverter housing portion204and a sealing element206that differ from the components described above.

Generally, the housing portions56and204rotatably and internally carry the sealing element206. The sealing element206couples to the handle22so as to rotate with the handle22from the first position (for example, the “bath”, or “tub” position; seeFIGS. 19 and 22) to the second position (for example, the “shower” position; seeFIGS. 20 and 23) and vice versa. In the first position, the sealing element206is disposed apart from a diverter outlet208defined by the second diverter housing portion204to permit water to flow through the tub spout assembly200and exit via the spout outlet24. In the second position, the sealing element206obscures the diverter outlet208to inhibit water from flowing through the spout outlet24of the tub spout assembly200. Illustratively, the diverter outlet208includes two portions209that are diametrically opposed to each other about the longitudinal axis48. Each portion209of the outlet208illustratively has a three-dimensional “pie slice” shape or sector, with an angular width about 90 degrees (that is, 90 degrees±15 degrees), although it is contemplated that the portions209of the outlet208may have other shapes.

The sealing element206includes a shaft210that extends along and is rotatable about the longitudinal axis48. The shaft210also couples to one or more blade or flaps212(illustratively, two flaps212) that extend away from the shaft210. Illustratively, the flaps212are diametrically opposed to each other about the longitudinal axis48. The surface area of the flaps212to which water applies a pressure may be considered in view of a pressure threshold (see below). Each flap212couples to a gasket214. Each gasket214illustratively has a three-dimensional “pie slice” shape or sector, with an angular width about 90 degrees (that is, 90 degrees±15 degrees), although it is contemplated that the gaskets214may have other shapes. In both the first and second positions, the gaskets214are disposed a plane that is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis48. In addition, in the first position each gasket214is disposed apart from a corresponding portion of the diverter outlet208(which illustratively include similar three-dimensional pie slice shapes and angular widths) to permit water to flow through the tub spout200and exit the tub spout200via the spout outlet24. In the second position each gasket214obscures the corresponding portion of diverter outlet208to inhibit water from flowing through the spout outlet24of the tub spout200.

In a similar manner to the diverter assembly20described above, the torsion spring98is configured to rotate the sealing element206and the handle22to the first position under certain conditions. For this purpose, the sealing element206is translatable along the longitudinal axis48relative to the first diverter housing portion56and the second diverter housing portion204. When the pressure within the assembly200(which applies a force F to the flaps212of the sealing element206; seeFIG. 21) is above a threshold and as shown inFIGS. 21-23, the sealing element206abuts an end wall216of the second diverter housing portion204that defines the outlet208. When the pressure is above the threshold and when the handle22, and therefore the sealing element206, rotate to the second position (for example, due to manual manipulation by a user), the sealing element206and the second diverter housing portion204engage one or more rotation-inhibiting elements to inhibit the sealing element206from rotating to the first position (for example, due to the torque applied by the torsion spring98). Illustratively, the rotation-inhibiting elements include protrusions218formed on the flaps212and recesses220formed on the inner surface of the end wall216(seeFIGS. 26 and 27) and for receiving the protrusions218. The rotation-inhibiting element(s) could take other forms. For example, recesses could be formed on the flaps and protrusions could be formed on the inner surface of the end wall216of the second diverter housing portion204. In any case, when the pressure falls below the threshold, a compression spring222carried by the shaft210urges the sealing element206to translate away from the end wall216of the second diverter housing portion204, and the rotation-inhibiting elements disengage. When the rotation-inhibiting elements disengage, the torque applied by the torsion spring98rotates the sealing element206and the handle22to the first position.

Various modifications and additions can be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, while the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this disclosure also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the above described features.