Patent Document

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     N/A 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     N/A 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Water faucets that employ a vertical riser are common fixtures in commercial kitchens, especially as part of a pre-rinse unit of a dishwasher line. U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,971,520 and 5,624,074 describe a couple of examples. A common type of vertical riser has a tapered male thread that can be screwed into a tapered female thread formed in the main body of the faucet. Installing the riser into these faucet bodies, whether a new installation or a retrofit installation, involves rotation of the riser itself about its vertical axis so that the male threaded end becomes screwed into the female threaded opening in the faucet body that is fixed to the sink. As the entire riser (and whatever hardware that is attached to it) needs to be rotated, this installation can take considerable time and labor. Moreover, the extent of the bend in the upper portion of the riser requires clearance between the riser and the wall next to the sink in order to effect the rotation in a retrofit environment. Else the faucet body must be removed from the sink to screw the riser into the faucet body, a task that entails further time and labor. 
     OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is a principal object of the present invention to provide a faucet assembly with a vertical riser that is easier to install both for an initial installation and a retrofit installation. 
     It is another principal object of the present invention to provide a faucet assembly with a vertical riser that includes a positive locking mechanism to prevent rotation of the riser after installation rather than relying on an interference between flat components to prevent rotation of the riser after installation. 
     It is a still further principal object of the present invention to provide a faucet assembly with a vertical riser that includes a positive locking mechanism that can be selectively engaged and disengaged to permit selective orientation of the riser relative to the rest of the faucet assembly, both during and after installation. 
     Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description that follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. 
     To achieve the objects and in accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, a faucet assembly is provided with a vertical riser that is easier to install both for an initial installation and a retrofit installation. The faucet assembly has a main faucet body that includes a sidewall defining an axially extending cavity having a bottom that is provided with an opening that communicates with a pressurized water service. A positive locking mechanism is disposed to rest on the bottom of the cavity. A resiliently compressible star lock washer provides one embodiment of a suitable positive locking mechanism. An hollow adapter sleeve is inserted into the cavity on top of the star lock washer and has a tapered threaded axially extending portion in the hollow interior. A sealing member is configured and disposed to provide a water-tight fit between the adapter sleeve and the main faucet body. In one embodiment, the sealing member can take the form of an O-ring that is disposed between the exterior of the adapter sleeve and the surrounding sidewall that defines the cavity to effect a water-tight fit between the adapter sleeve and the sidewall of the main faucet body. A tapered threaded end of the riser is detachably connected to the adapter sleeve by being screwed into the tapered threaded portion of the interior of the adapter sleeve. A retaining nut that is slidably mounted over the riser is screwed onto the main faucet body to confine the adapter sleeve in the cavity and prevent axial movement of the adapter sleeve out of the cavity. The tightening of the retaining nut to the main faucet body applies pressure to the star lock washer via the adapter sleeve. This pressure compresses the star lock washer, which prevents rotation of the main faucet body relative to the adapter sleeve and the riser. 
     The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate at least one presently preferred embodiment of the invention as well as some alternative embodiments. These drawings, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention but by no means are intended to be exhaustive of all of the possible manifestations of the invention. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a side plan view of a presently preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2A is a partial cross-sectional view looking in the direction of the arrows designated  2 — 2  in FIG. 1 with portions cut away in some components and portions shown in cross-section in some components. 
     FIG. 2B is a partial cross-sectional view of a presently preferred embodiment taken from the same direction as in FIG. 2A but at a different stage of the assembly of the riser to the main faucet body. 
     FIG. 2C is a partial cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment looking in the same direction as in FIG. 2A but at a different stage of the assembly of the riser to the main faucet body. 
     FIG. 3 is an elevated perspective assembly view of the components shown in FIG. 2A with portions cut away in some components and portions shown in cross-section in some components. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Reference now will be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, which is not restricted to the specifics of the examples. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment, can be used on another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. The same numerals are assigned to the same components throughout the drawings and description. 
     A presently preferred embodiment of the faucet assembly of the present invention is shown in FIG.  1  and is represented generally by the numeral  10 . As shown in FIG. 1, the faucet assembly  10  is configured for regulating the flow of water from a pressurized water service such as is found in any modern city wherein fresh water is supplied from a reservoir through pipes into the city to provide a pressurized water service. The faucet assembly includes a main faucet body  12  that is configured to be connected in communication with a pressurized water service. As shown in FIG. 1 for example, a pair of wall fixtures  13 ,  14  connects the main faucet body  12  to the pressurized water service (not shown) of the building in which the faucet assembly  10  is installed. A flow of hot water is regulated through the faucet body  12  by a valve (not shown) having a manual control that can be activated by a handle  15 . Similarly, a flow of cold water is regulated through the faucet body  12  by another valve (not shown) having a manual control that can be activated by a handle  16 . As shown in FIGS. 2A,  2 B,  2 C and  3  for example, the main faucet body can include an internal passage wall  17  that defines an internal passage  18 . It is this internal passage that eventually is connected in communication with the pressurized water service via the fixtures  13 ,  14  in the wall. 
     As shown in FIG. 1 for example, the faucet assembly includes a riser  20 . One end of the riser  20  is detachably connected to the main faucet body  12  and extends vertically therefrom. The opposite end of the riser can be detachably connected to one end of a flexible hose  21 . The opposite end of the flexible hose  21  can be connected in communication with a spray nozzle valve  22  that has a lever  23  for manual operation to open and close the valve  22 . The assembly  10  also can include a rigid support such as a wall bracket  24  having one end connected to the riser  20  and an opposite end (not shown) configured to be attached to a nearby structure. As shown in FIG. 1 for example, the wall bracket  24  is fixed to a wall (not shown) near the main faucet body  12 . The manner of fixation can be any known mechanical means such as screws, nails, glue, bolts and the like. Additionally, a retention hook  25  can have one end connected by mechanical means to the riser  20  and be configured with an opposite end that can be used to retain the spray valve nozzle  22  at a convenient location near the riser  20  when the spray valve nozzle  22  is not in use by the operator. As shown in FIG. 1 for example, the grasping end of the retention hook  25  is configured as a semi-circular arcuate member. 
     In addition to the main faucet body  12 , the faucet assembly  10  desirably includes an adaptor sleeve  40  and a resiliently compressible, positive locking mechanism that prevents relative rotation between the adaptor sleeve and the main faucet body. The main faucet body defines a cavity that receives the adapter sleeve  40 . The positive locking mechanism can be provided by a star lock washer  30  that is disposed in the bottom of the cavity of the main faucet body  12 , and the bottom of the adapter sleeve  40  rests against the star lock washer  30 . Desirably, the exterior of one end of the adapter sleeve  40  retains a sealing member that is configured and disposed to provide a water-tight seal between the adapter sleeve  40  and the surrounding wall of the cavity of the main faucet body  12 . 
     The riser  20  is detachably connected to the adapter sleeve  40 . A retaining nut  60  slides over the riser  20  and is detachably connected to the main faucet body  12  to retain the adapter sleeve  40  in place in the cavity of the main faucet body. An example of these components now will be described more particularly in accordance with the configuration that is presently deemed desirable in the present invention. 
     As embodied herein and shown in FIG. 3 for example, the main faucet body  12  includes a base  26  and a sidewall  27  disposed orthogonally with respect to the base  26 . The sidewall  27  extends axially from the base  26  to define an opening  28  opposite the base  26 . The sidewall  27  defines an axially extending interior surface. As shown in FIG. 3 for example, the interior surface of the sidewall  27  is generally cylindrical throughout and defines a throat portion  29  at one end and a mouth portion  31  opposite to the throat portion  29 . 
     As shown in FIGS. 2A,  2 B,  2 C and  3  for example, the interior surface of the sidewall  27  defines an annular ledge  32  that extends in a plane that is generally parallel to the base  26 . As shown in FIG. 3 for example, one end of the ledge  32  is connected to the upper edge of the throat portion  29  of the interior surface of the sidewall  27 . The opposite end of the ledge  32  defines an edge that is connected to the lower section of the mouth portion  31  of the interior surface of the sidewall  27 . Though ledge  32  is shown in the embodiment of FIG. 2B, the ledge  32  can be eliminated from this embodiment if desired. 
     As shown in FIG. 3 for example, the interior surface of the sidewall  27  and the base  26  combine to define the side and bottom, respectively, of an axially extending cavity that is defined in the main faucet body  12 . This cavity is configured to receive the adaptor sleeve  40 . The sidewall  27  of main faucet body  12  also defines a free edge surface  27   b  that resides in an annular plane that is parallel to the annular plane defining the base  26 . 
     As shown in FIGS. 2A,  2 B,  2 C and  3  for example, the main faucet body  12  includes an internal passage wall  17  that defines an internal passage  18 . As shown in FIG. 3 for example, the main faucet body  12  defines a conduit wall  35  that defines a conduit that connects the internal passage  18  to the cavity. As shown in FIG. 3 for example, the base  26  is connected between the throat portion  29  of the interior surface of the sidewall  27  and the conduit wall  35 . As shown in FIGS. 2A,  2 B,  2 C and  3  for example, the sidewall  27  of the main faucet body  12  defines an exterior surface that is configured with a threaded portion  36  that is defined axially along the exterior surface. 
     In accordance with the present invention, a resiliently compressible, positive locking mechanism can be disposed in the cavity of the main faucet body and rests on the base of the cavity. As shown in FIGS. 2A,  2 B and  2 C for example, the resiliently compressible, positive locking mechanism can be provided by a lock washer  30  that is disposed in the cavity that is defined in the main faucet body  12 . The lock washer  30  rests on the base  26  of the cavity in the main faucet body  12 . As shown in FIG. 2A for example, the star lock washer  30  is configured so that it is biased with a predetermined thickness as measured in the axial direction. As shown in FIGS. 2B and 2C for example, the star lock washer  30  can be compressed so as to diminish the thickness of the star lock washer  30  as measured in the axial direction. Thus, the star lock washer  30  is resiliently compressible in the axial direction. Moreover, when the star lock washer  30  becomes compressed, the pressures act so as to prevent rotation of the star lock washer with respect to the base  26  of the main faucet body  12  and the adapter sleeve  40 . 
     As embodied herein and shown in FIGS. 2A,  2 B,  2 C and  3  for example, the faucet assembly includes an adapter sleeve  40 . As shown in FIG. 3, the adapter sleeve  40  has a first end  41  and a second end  42  opposed to the first end  41 . As shown in FIGS. 2A,  2 B,  2 C and  3  for example, the adapter sleeve  40  has an axially extending length that extends between the two ends  41 ,  42 . As shown in FIGS. 2A,  2 B,  2 C and  3  for example, the first end  41  of the adapter sleeve  40  defines a seat portion  44 . As shown in FIGS. 2A,  2 B,  2 C and  3  for example, the adapter sleeve  40  is configured to be received and disposed in the cavity of the main faucet body  12 , and the seat portion  44  is configured to rest against the star lock washer  30 . As shown in FIGS. 2A,  2 B,  2 C and  3  for example, the adapter sleeve  40  has a groove  43  that is defined in the exterior near the first end  41  of the adapter sleeve  40 . The groove  43  extends circumferentially around the exterior of the adapter sleeve  40  and is configured to receive an O-ring  50 . 
     As shown in FIGS. 2A,  2 B,  2 C and  3  for example, a flow channel  46  is defined through the seat portion  44  to permit fluid flow therethrough. As shown in FIG. 3 for example, the exterior of the adapter sleeve  40  is surrounded by a forward edge  45  that is disposed between the seat portion  44  and the groove  43  at the first end  41  of the adapter sleeve  40 . As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2C for example, the forward edge  45  of the adapter sleeve  40  is aligned generally with the ledge  32  that is formed in the interior surface of the sidewall  27  of the main faucet body  12 . In the alternative embodiment of FIG. 2C, the ledge  32  prevents the approach of the seat portion  44  of the adapter sleeve  40  closer than a certain predetermined distance to the base  26  of the main faucet body  12 . This distance depends on the distance between the forward edge  45  and the seat portion  44  as well as the axial length of the throat portion  29  of the interior surface of the sidewall  27  of the main faucet body  12  that exists between the ledge  12  and the base  26  of the main faucet body  12 . 
     As shown in FIGS. 2A,  2 B,  2 C and  3  for example, the adapter sleeve  40  includes a retaining flange  48  that projects radially from the exterior of the adapter sleeve  40  near the second end  42  of the adapter sleeve  40 . As shown in FIGS. 2A,  2 B,  2 C and  3  for example, the interior wall of the adapter sleeve  40  defines a tapered threaded portion  49  that is disposed between the second end  42  of the adapter sleeve and the seat portion  44  of the adapter sleeve. As shown in FIG. 3 for example, the diameter of the channel that runs axially through the adapter sleeve  40  and that is defined by the tapered threaded portion  49 , decreases as one proceeds from the second end  42  of the adapter sleeve  40  to the first end  41  of the adapter sleeve  40  where the flow channel  46  is defined through the seat portion  44 . 
     As shown in FIGS. 2A,  2 B,  2 C and  3  for example, an O-ring  50  is disposed in the groove  43  that is formed in the exterior of the adapter sleeve  40 . The O-ring  50  desirably is comprised of a deformable resilient material such as rubber, nylon, and the like. As shown in FIGS. 2A,  2 B and  2 C for example, the O-ring  50  engages the interior surface of the sidewall  27  of the main faucet body  12 . In so doing, the ring  50  forms a sealing member that is configured and disposed to provide a water-tight seal between the exterior of the adapter sleeve  40  and the interior surface of the sidewall  27  of the main faucet body  12 . 
     As shown in a truncated view in FIGS. 2A,  2 B,  2 C and  3  for example, the riser  20  defines an axially extending hollow rigid tube. The riser  20  has opposed ends. The tube defines an exterior surface. At one end of the tube, the exterior surface of the riser  20  defines a tapered threaded portion  33  that is configured to mate with the tapered threaded portion  49  of the adapter sleeve  40 . The diameter of the tapered threaded portion  33  of the end of the riser  20  increases as one moves away from the free end of the riser  20 . As shown in FIGS. 2A,  2 B and  2 C for example, the tapered threaded portion  33  of the riser  20  is screwed into the tapered threaded portion  49  of the adapter sleeve  40 . Accordingly, the riser  20  is detachably connected to the adapter sleeve  40 . 
     As embodied herein and shown in FIGS. 2A,  2 B,  2 C and  3  for example, a retaining nut  60  defines an axially extending hollow nut. As shown in FIG. 3 for example, the retaining nut  60  has a first end  61  that defines a first opening  63 . The retaining nut  60  has a second end  62  that defines a second opening  64 . The first opening  63  is configured to allow the retaining nut  60  to be screwed onto the threaded exterior surface  36  of the sidewall  27  of the main faucet body  12 . The second opening  64  is configured and sized to allow passage of the riser  20  and the second end of the adaptor sleeve, but not passage of the retaining flange  48  of the adaptor sleeve  40 . Adjacent the first opening  63 , the retaining nut  60  defines an axially extending interior surface that has a threaded portion  65  defined thereon. The threaded portion  65  is configured to mate with the threaded portion  36  of the exterior surface of the sidewall  27  of the main faucet body  12 . As shown in FIGS. 2A,  2 B and  2 C for example, the threaded portion  36  of the exterior of the sidewall  27  of the main faucet body  12  is screwed into the threaded portion  65  of the retaining nut  60 . 
     As shown in FIGS. 2A,  2 B,  2 C and  3  for example, the retaining nut  65  defines a shoulder portion  68 . The shoulder portion  68  of the retaining nut  60  extends radially from the axially extending interior surface of the retaining nut  60  to define the second opening  64 . As shown in FIGS. 2A,  2 B and  2 C for example, as the retaining nut  60  is screwed onto the sidewall  27  of the main faucet body  12 , the shoulder portion  68  of the retaining nut  60  engages the retaining flange  48  of the exterior of the sidewall of the adapter sleeve  40 . In so doing, further tightening rotation of the nut  60  forces axial movement of the seat  44  of the adaptor sleeve  40  toward the base  26  of the cavity in the main faucet body  12 . This axial movement eventually causes the seat  44  to compress the washer  30  against the base  26  of the cavity defined in the main faucet body  12 . 
     When the star lock washer  30  is sufficiently compressed between the seat portion  44  of the adapter sleeve  40  and the base  26  of the cavity defined in the main faucet body  12 , the star lock washer  30  functions as a locking mechanism that prevents relative rotation between the adapter sleeve  40  and the main faucet body  12 . Thus, the compression of the star washer  30  functions to prevent relative rotation between the adapter sleeve  50  and the main faucet body  12 . Since the riser  20  is fixed to the adapter sleeve  40  by being screwed into the adapter sleeve  40 , the riser  20  is also prevented from rotating relative to the main faucet body  12  once the retaining nut  60  is screwed onto the sidewall  27  of the main faucet body  12 . Accordingly, the relative orientation of the spray nozzle valve  22  can be selected by the installer in a relatively simple fashion. Moreover, the present invention eliminates the need for the installer to completely rotate the riser  20  round and round relative to the main faucet body  12  when installing the riser  20  of the faucet assembly  10 . 
     Each of FIGS. 2B and 2C shows a different embodiment in its locked mode wherein the locking nut is sufficiently tightened so that the compression of the star washer  30  functions to prevent relative rotation between the adapter sleeve  40  and the main faucet body  12 . As shown in FIG. 2B, which depicts the embodiment that is presently preferred, when the underside surface  68   a  of the shoulder portion  68  of retaining nut  60  contacts the upperside surface  48   b  of retaining flange  48  of adaptor sleeve  40 , further tightening rotation of the nut  60  forces axial movement of the adaptor sleeve  40  so as to compress the washer  30  against the base  26  of the cavity defined in the main faucet body  12 . In the embodiment of FIG. 2B, contact between the underside surface  48   a  of retaining flange  48  of adaptor sleeve  40  and the free edge surface  27   b  of the sidewall  27  of main faucet body  12  prevents any further axial movement of the adaptor sleeve  40  to compress the washer  30  against the base  26  of the cavity defined in the main faucet body  12 . The retaining flange  48  of the adapter sleeve  40  and the sidewall  27  of the main faucet body  12  are desirably configured so that the flange  48  contacts the free edge surface  27   b  of the sidewall  27  before the star lock washer  30  is completely compressed between the seat portion  44  of the adapter sleeve  40  and the base  26  that defines the bottom of the cavity of the main faucet body  12 . 
     In the alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 2C, the axial movement of the adaptor sleeve  40  that compresses the washer  30  against the base  26  of the cavity defined in the main faucet body  12  is limited by contact between the forward edge  45  of adaptor sleeve  40  and the ledge  32  of the interior surface of sidewall  27  of main faucet body  12 . The retaining flange  48  of the adapter sleeve  40  and the ledge  32  of the interior surface of the sidewall  27  of the main faucet body  12  are desirably configured so that the flange  48  contacts the ledge  32  before the star lock washer  30  is completely compressed between the seat portion  44  of the adapter sleeve  40  and the base  26  that defines the bottom of the cavity of the main faucet body  12 . 
     In operation, the main faucet body  12  would be installed and fixed to the wall or sink, as the case may be. The O-ring  50  is inserted into the groove  43  in the adapter sleeve  40 . The second opening  64  of the retaining nut  60  is pushed over the end of the riser  20  with the threaded portion  33 . The tapered threaded portion  33  of the riser  20  is screwed into the tapered threaded portion  49  inside the adapter sleeve  40 . The star lock washer  30  is dropped into the cavity formed in the main faucet body  12  and rests on the base  26  of the main faucet body  12 . The adapter sleeve  40  that is screwed onto the end of the riser  20  is axially inserted into the cavity of the main faucet body  12  so that the seat  44  rests against the star washer  30 . The O-ring  50  formed by a deformable elastic material forms a water-tight seal between the exterior of adapter sleeve  40  and the interior surface of the sidewall  27  of the main faucet body  12 . The first opening  63  of the retaining nut is aligned with the threaded outer surface  36  of the sidewall  27  of the main faucet body  12 . As shown in FIG. 2A for example, the retaining nut  60  is then rotated and screwed onto the threaded outer portion  36  of the sidewall  27  of the main faucet body  12 . Further rotation of retaining nut  60  causes the shoulder portion  68  of retaining nut  60  to contact the retaining flange  48  of adapter sleeve  40 . Once such contact has been made, continued rotation of the retaining nut  60  causes axial movement of the adapter sleeve  40  toward the base  26 . As shown in FIG. 2B for example, contact between the underside surface  48   a  of retaining flange  48  of adaptor sleeve  40  and the free edge surface  27   b  of the sidewall  27  of main faucet body  12  prevents any further axial movement of the adaptor sleeve  40  toward the base  26 . The two arrows shown in FIG. 2C schematically illustrate the relative axial movement of the adapter sleeve  40  toward the base  26  of the main faucet body  12  and the resulting compression of the star lock washer  30 . 
     The shoulder portion  68  of retaining nut  60  prevents axial movement of the adapter sleeve  40  and riser  20  in the direction opposite to the direction of the arrows shown in FIG.  2 C. Loosening of the retaining nut  60  permits the operator to lift the adapter sleeve  40  and riser  20  so that the seat portion  44  of the adapter sleeve disengages from the star lock washer  30  and permits rotation of the adapter sleeve  40  relative to the sidewall  27  of the main faucet body  12 . This relative rotation permits the operator to orient the position of the spray nozzle valve  22  relative to main faucet body  12 . Once the desired orientation has been obtained, the operator can rotate the retaining nut  60  to produce axial movement in the direction indicated by the arrows in FIG.  2 C and secure the adapter sleeve  40  against rotation relative to the sidewall  27  as the star lock washer  30  engages the base  26  of the main faucet body and engages the seat portion  44  of the adapter sleeve  40 . 
     While at least one presently preferred embodiment of the invention has been described using specific terms, such description is for illustrative purposes only, and it is to be understood that changes and variations may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the following claims.

Technology Category: 2