Patent Abstract:
A bathtub faucet includes a body defining a channel for the flow of water. The back end of the channel fluidly connects to a water source. The front end of the channel terminates at a diverter. The diverter directs the flow of water into a volume defined by the bathtub. When not operational, the bathtub faucet does not substantially project into the bathtub volume.

Full Description:
[0001]    The present invention claims priority to U.S. 61/088,783, which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a faucet, particularly a bathtub faucet having a low profile. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Bathtub faucets can pose a safety hazard for bathers, particularly children. Prior art includes protective devices that can be fitted over the bathtub faucet and can include, for example, inflatable or padded devices that surround or encase the faucet and flexible spouts. The protective device cushions any impact that a bather may have with the faucet. Such protective devices have various drawbacks such as, aesthetics, sanitary issues, functional impairment of the faucet, the need to be placed and replaced, protrusion of the faucet into the volume defined by the bathtub, and the failure to completely protect the bather. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The present invention describes a bathtub faucet that substantially limits projection into a volume defined by the bathtub. The faucet includes a body comprising a shape. The shape preferably lacks sharp edges or corners and can be, for example, rounded, oval or chamfered. The body comprises a front face, a rear face, and defines a channel for the flow of a stream of water. At the rear face, the back end of the channel fluidly connects to a water source, such as a plumbing system. The front end of the channel terminates at a diverter at the front face. The diverter directs the flow of water into the volume of the bathtub. 
         [0005]    In embodiments, the diverter can rotate from a closed position into an open position when a stream of water passes through the channel. The body can define a recess for receiving the diverter. In the closed position, the diverter can be substantially flush with the front end of the body. In the open position, the diverter can direct the stream of water into the volume of the bathtub. 
         [0006]    When the diverter is rotatable, the diverter can close by gravity or other mechanism, such as springs or magnetic fasteners. For example, the diverter may be rotatably secured to the body of the faucet by a pin that is above the center of mass of the diverter. The stream of water can rotate the diverter into the open position. Termination of the stream can cause gravity to rotate the diverter back to the closed position. Alternatively, the diverter can be spring loaded so that the stream of water moves the diverter in the direction of the stream thereby extending the faucet into the volume of the bathtub. The springs will withdraw the diverter upon removal of the stream of water. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  is a cross-section of an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  a front view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is a cover for the front end of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is a front perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  is a front perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  is an exploded view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 7  is a side view of an alternative embodiment of the invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 8  is a front view of the embodiment of  FIG. 7 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 9  is a top view of the embodiment of  FIG. 7 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 10  is a side view of an alternative embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0017]    The invention describes a faucet  1  having a body  2  that defines a channel  6 . The body  2  includes a front face  3  and a rear face  4 . The channel  6  can extend from the rear face  4  to the front face  3 . A pipe  7  may extend from the channel  6  at the rear face  4  to facilitate connection with a plumbing supply line (not shown). The faucet  1  includes a diverter  5  that is capable of moving from a closed position to an open position  11  in response to a stream of water passing through the channel  6 . 
         [0018]    In one embodiment, as shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  4 , the front face  3  includes a recess  8 . The recess  8  permits a diverter  5  to sit substantially flush with the front face  3  when a stream of water is not flowing through the channel  6 . In embodiments, water flowing through the channel  6  rotates the diverter  5  about an axis  32  into an open position  11 . The axis  32  can be defined by a pin  9  that extends through the diverter  5  and into the body  2  of the faucet  1 . The pin  9  can be above a center of mass of the diverter  5  so that the diverter  5  will rotate back to a closed position in the absence of the stream. The rotated diverter  5  directs the flow of water away from the front face  3  and into a volume defined by a bathtub (not shown). 
         [0019]    The body  2  of the faucet  1  can be of any shape. Preferably, the body  2  will be smooth, that is, the body will not have any discontinuous edges or projections, which could increase the chance of injury to a bather. A smooth body can include, for example, a flat surface or a curved surface. A flat surface can be positioned so that it is flush with or projects slightly from a wall. Conveniently, a flat surface substantially limits projection into the volume of the bathtub. In embodiments, the front face  3  includes an oval perimeter  21  that can be substantially circular. The body  2  can comprise any suitable material such as, for example, metal, ceramic, plastic, or combinations thereof. Metals can include brass, steel, and any other suitable metal or alloy. Ceramics can include porcelain, especially as a surface finish over metal. Plastics can include any polymer or composite such as, for example, polyolefins, nylons, urethanes and combinations thereof. Composite means a material having a continuous polymer matrix in combination with a secondary component comprising ceramic, metal, another polymer, or combinations thereof. 
         [0020]    In embodiments, the body  2  can include a front face  3  comprising a resilient material such as, for example, a rubber or foam. Rubbers can include natural and synthetic materials such as polyisoprene, butyl rubber, urethanes. Resilient materials can also include foams, preferably closed cell foams. The remainder of the body  2  can include a harder material that defines the channel  6  and connects to the plumbing system. The harder material permits connection to the water supply line without leakage. 
         [0021]    The diverter  5  directs a stream of water into a volume of the bathtub. The diverter can rotate and/or translate to achieve this goal. Rotation includes movement about an axis. Translation includes movement along an axis, particularly along an axis into or toward the volume of the bathtub. In embodiments, a stream of water passing through the channel extends the diverter into the volume of the bathtub. The extension of the diverter can be greater than three inches so that the faucet of the present invention simulates the function of an ordinary bathtub faucet. Termination of the stream eliminates the extension force. The body of the faucet includes a mechanism to withdraw the diverter. Mechanisms can include, for example, springs, magnets, and combinations thereof. 
         [0022]    In embodiments, as shown in  FIGS. 3 ,  5  and  6 , a cover  31  can fit over at least the front face of the body  2 . The cover  31  can define an opening  33  that permits a diverter  5  to move away from the front face  3  of the body, such as by rotating about an axis  32 . The cover  31  can be aesthetic and/or protective. For example, the cover  31  can comprise a decorative finish or fanciful design. The cover  31  can also be protective in that it presents a surface that is smooth and substantially free of discontinuities, that is, edges. The cover  31  can also comprise a resilient material as defined above. Conveniently, the cover  31  is removably secured to the body  2  so that the cover  31  can be changed when desired or needed. Securing the cover  31  can include any suitable fastener such as, for example, a screw  34  that passes through the cover  31  and into a threaded hole  22  defined by the body  2 . Fastening can also include friction fitting, an adhesive, a snap fitting, a pin or other protrusion on one part that fits into a complementary indentation on the other part, and combinations thereof. 
         [0023]      FIG. 6  shows an embodiment of the invention including a body  2 , a cover  31 , a diverter  5 , and an O-ring  61 . A pipe  7  projects from a rear face  4  of the body  2 . The body  2  and pipe  7  define a channel  6 . The cover  31  shields the front face  3  of the body  2  and defines an opening  33 . The diverter  5  rests in a recess  8  defined by the body  2 , and is substantially flush with a exposed surface  62  of the cover  31  when water is not flowing through the channel  6 . The body  2  defines a groove  63  that receives the O-ring  61 . The O-ring  61  resists leakage of water towards the rear face  4  and also permits the cover  31  to be removably secured to the body  2  without tools. 
         [0024]    Another embodiment of the invention is shown in  FIGS. 7-9 . The faucet  1  includes a body  2  defining a channel  6  and comprising a front face  3 . The front face  3  includes a diverter  5  that directs the channel  6  into the volume of a bathtub. In this embodiment, the direction is substantially downwardly direction  71 . The faucet  1  also includes a gate  72 . Closing the gate  72  prevents water from flowing through the channel  6  and can direct the flow of water to, for example, a shower head. The gate  72  can be closed manually using a plunger  73 . 
         [0025]    In still other embodiments, as shown in  FIG. 10 , an underside  101  of the body  2  behind the front face  3  includes a chamfer  102  that angles downward from a wall  103 . The chamfer  102  includes an angle  104  that is preferably at least about 50. The chamfer  102  directs water to drain away from the wall  103  towards the front face  3  so that damage to the wall  103  can be avoided. Similarly, a top surface  105  of the body  2  can also include a second chamfer  106  defining a second angle  107  from the wall  103 . The two angles  104 ,  107  need not be the same. The chamfers  102 ,  106  can include any convenient shape including, for example, straight section, curved sections, fluted sections, and combinations thereof. 
         [0026]    Numerous modifications and variations of the present invention are possible. It is, therefore, to be understood that within the scope of the following claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described. While this invention has been described with respect to certain preferred embodiments, different variations, modifications, and additions to the invention will become evident to persons of ordinary skill in the art. All such modifications, variations, and additions are intended to be encompassed within the scope of this patent, which is limited only by the claims appended hereto.

Technology Classification (CPC): 4