Quick-release system for mounting a faucet assembly

• US 4,186,761 A
• Filed: 05/15/1978
• Issued: 02/05/1980
• Est. Priority Date: 05/15/1978
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Carmine Guarnieri
• Original Assignee: Carmine Guarnieri
• Inventors: Guarnieri, Carmine
• Primary Examiner(s): Michalsky, Gerald A.
• Application Number:
  US05/906,258
• Time in Patent Office: 631 Days
• Field of Search: 4/191, 4/192, 137/315, 137/327, 137/359
• US Class Current: 137/315.15
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/0401 Fixing a tap to the sanitary appliance or to an associated mounting surface, e.g. a countertop
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/0403 Connecting the supply lines to the tap body
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 5/027 by means of a joint of the quick-acting type
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/6024 Particular handle or handle fastening means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/6109 Tool for applying or removing valve or valve member
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/6154 With disassembly tool engaging feature
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/6977 Escutcheon type support

Abstract

A quick-release system is disclosed for mounting a faucet assembly that includes a valve positionable on and operable from one side of a wall structure which is connected to a source of fluid on the other side of the wall structure through an opening therein. The quick-release system comprises an escutcheon, mounted in fixed relation with the valve on one side of the wall structure, that is configured to prevent its passage through the opening and an elongate, substantially inextensible stem mounted in fixed relation with the valve and the escutcheon that provides fluid communication between the valve and the fluid source. The stem is configured to extend through the opening with its free end spaced from the other side of the wall structure and is formed with at least one groove intermediate the free end and this other side. A washer, received in loose coaxial relation about the stem, is matable with the surface of the other side of the wall structure adjacent the opening and a helical coil spring, also receivable in loose coaxial relation about the stem, has an axial dimension in its relaxed condition that is greater than the distance from the groove to the other side of the wall structure. A generally U-shaped spring retainer clip is sized to be removably received in the groove and thereby defines a reaction surface that projects perpendicularly from the axis of the stem. The spring may be compressed between the reaction surface and the washer to thereby confine the wall structure between the escutcheon and washer and firmly hold the valve in its operable position.

Claims

1. A quick-release system for mounting and demounting a faucet assembly on a wall structure having an opening therein, said assembly including a valve positionable on and operable from one side of said wall structure adjacent said opening and being connected to a source of fluid located on the other side of said wall structure;

said system comprising;

an escutcheon mounted in fixed relation with said valve to be located on said one side of said wall structure, said escutcheon being configured to prevent passage of it and, therefore, said valve through said opening;

an elongate, sustantially inextensible, tubular stem, secured at one end in fixed relation to said valve and said escutcheon and providing fluid communication between said valve and said source of fluid, said stem being configured to extend through said opening with its free end, opposite said one end, spaced from said other side of said wall structure;

washer means engagable against said other side of said wall structure and configured to prevent its passage through said opening;

retainer means, generally radially mountable on and generally radially demountable from said stem in a fixed axial position relative thereto intermediate said free end and said other side of said wall structure;

platform means secured to said stem forming a shoulder that projects generally radially from the axis of said stem and faces toward said one end of said stem;

spring means compressible between said retainer means and said washer means to urge said washer means to engage said other side of said wall structure thereby confining said wall structure between said escutcheon and said washer means to hold the valve in its operable position; and

spring lifter means supportable on said shoulder for compressing said spring means against said other side of said wall structure sufficiently to permit mounting of said retainer means on said stem and demounting of said retainer means from said stem.

2. The system claimed in claim 1 wherein said stem is formed with at least one annular groove intermediate said free end and said one end and wherein said retaining means comprises:

a retainer clip shaped and sized to be radially received in and removed from said groove, said clip thereby embracing said stem and defining a reaction surface projecting generally radially from the axis of said stem.

3. The system claimed in claim 2 wherein said retainer clip is formed with tab means which may be grasped to insert and remove said clip into and from said groove.

4. The system claimed in claim 1 wherein said washer means comprises:

a washer receivable in loose coaxial relation about said stem, having a major outside dimension larger than an inside dimension of the opening whereby at least a portion of said washer abuts at least a portion of the surface of the other side of the wall structure adjacent the periphery of the opening when urged theretoward by said spring means.

5. The system claimed in claim 4 wherein said washer comprises:

a resilient washer section adapted to abut the portion of the other side of the wall structure; and

a top cap, attached to said spring means, that supports said resilient washer section.

6. The system claimed in claim 4 wherein said opening is circular and wherein said washer has a frusto-conical outer surface having a minimum radial dimension smaller than and a maximum radial dimension larger than the radius of the opening whereby said washer seats substantially coaxially in the opening when urged to engage the other side of the wall structure.

7. The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said spring means comprises:

a coil spring receivable in loose coaxial relation about said stem.

8. The system as claimed in claim 7 further comprising:

a base cap attached to the end of said spring opposite that which engages said washer means and having a radially extending surface adapted to abut said retaining means when said spring is compressed.

9. The system claimed in claim 1 wherein said spring lifter means comprises:

a lever having a bifurcated end comprising two tines separated by a distance greater than the diameter of said stem but less than the diametric dimension of said shoulder.

10. The system claimed in claim 1 wherein said stem is formed with a plurality of annular grooves spaced axially apart and located intermediate said free end and said one end and wherein said retaining means comprises:

a retainer clip shaped and sized to be radially received in and removed from any one of said grooves, said clip thereby embracing said stem and defining a reaction surface projecting generally radially from the axis of said stem whereby the compressive force exerted by said spring means may be varied by selectively receiving said retaining clip in different ones of said grooves.

11. A quick-release system for mounting and demounting a faucet assembly on a wall structure having an opening therein, said assembly including a valve positionable on and operable from one side of said wall structure adjacent said opening and being connected to a source of fluid located on the other side of said wall structure;

said system comprising;

an escutcheon mounted in fixed relation with said valve on said one side of said wall structure, said escutcheon being configured to prevent passage of it and, therefore, said valve through said opening;

an elongate, substantially inextensible, tubular stem secured at one end in fixed relation to said valve and said escutcheon and providing fluid communication between said valve and said source of fluid, said stem being configured to extend through said opening with its free end, opposite said one end, spaced from the other side of said wall structure, said stem being formed with at least one annular groove intermediate said free end and said one end;

a washer receivable in loose coaxial relation about said stem, matable in abutting relation with the surface of said other side of the wall structure adjacent said opening;

a generally U-shaped spring retainer clip sized to be generally radially mounted and generally radially demounted from said groove, defining a reaction surface projecting generally radially from the axis of said stem;

platform means secured to said stem forming a shoulder that projects generally radially from the axis of said stem and faces toward said one end of said stem;

a helically coiled spring also received in loose coaxial relation about said stem and being compressible between said reaction surface and said washer to thereby confine said wall structure between said escutcheon and said washer and firmly hold the valve in its operable position; and

a lever having a bifurcated end comprising two tines separated by a distance greater than the diameter of said stem but less than the diametric dimension of said shoulder, said lever being supportable on said shoulder and operable to compress said spring against said other side of said wall structure to permit mounting of said clip on said stem.

12. The system as claimed in claim 11 wherein said washer comprises:

a resilient washer section which abuts the portion of the other side of the wall structure; and

a top cap attached to said spring which supports said resilient washer section.

13. The system claimed in claim 12 wherein said opening is circular and wherein said washer has a frusto-conical outer surface having a minimum radial dimension smaller than and a maximum radial dimension larger than the radius of the opening whereby said washer seats substantially coaxially in the opening when urged to engage with the other side of the wall structure.

14. The system as claimed in claim 11 further comprising:

a base cap attached to the end of said spring opposite that which engages said washer means and having a radially extending surface adapted to abut said retaining means when said spring is compressed.

15. The system claimed in claim 11 wherein said retainer clip is formed by tab means by which it may be grasped for insertion and removable of said clip into and from said groove.

16. The system claimed in claim 11 wherein said stem is formed with a plurality of annular grooves spaced axially apart, intermediate said free end and said one end wherein the compressive force exerted by said spring may be varied by receiving said retaining clip in different ones of said grooves.

17. A quick-release system for mounting and demounting a faucet assembly on a wall structure having an opening therein, said assembly including a valve positionable on and operable from one side of said wall structure adjacent said opening and being connected to a source of fluid located on the other side of said wall structure;

said system comprising;

an escutcheon mounted in fixed relation with said valve to be located on said one side of said wall structure, said escutcheon being configured to prevent passage of it and, therefore, said valve through said opening;

an elongate, substantially extensible, tubular stem, secured at one end in fixed relation to said valve and said escutcheon and providing fluid communication between said valve and said source of fluid, said stem being configured to extend through said opening with its free end, opposite said one end, spaced from said other side of said wall structure;

retainer means, generally radially mountable on and generally radially demountable from said stem in a fixed axial position relative thereto intermediate said free end and said other side of said wall structure;

spring means compressible between said retainer means and said other side of said wall structure; and

a washer receivable in loose coaxial relation about said stem including a resilient washer section adapted to abut at least a portion of the surface of said other side of said wall structure adjacent the periphery of said opening, and a top cap, attached to said spring means, that supports said resilient washer section, whereby said spring means may urge said washer into abutting relation with said portion of said other side of said wall structure as aforesaid, thereby confining said wall structure between said escutcheon and said washer to hold the valve in its operable position.

18. A quick-release system for mounting and demounting a faucet assembly on a wall structure having an opening therein, said assembly including a valve positionable on and operable from one side of said wall structure adjacent said opening and being connected to a source of fluid located on the other side of said wall structure;

said system comprising;

an escutcheon mounted in fixed relation with said valve on said one side of said wall structure, said escutcheon being configured to prevent passage of it and, therefore, said valve through said opening;

an elongate, substantially inextensible, tubular stem secured at one end in fixed relation to said valve and said escutcheon and providing fluid communication between said valve and said source of fluid, said stem being configured to extend through said opening with its free end, opposite said one end, spaced from said other side of said wall structure, said stem being formed with at least one annular groove intermediate said free end and said one end;

a helical coil spring receivable in loose coaxial relation about said stem having an axial dimension in its relaxed condition greater than the distance from said groove to the other side of said wall structure;

a generally U-shaped spring retainer clip sized to be generally radially mounted on and generally radially demounted from said groove, defining a reaction surface projecting generally radially from the axis of said stem; and

a washer receivable in loose coaxial relation about said stem and including a resilient washer section that abuts at least a portion of said other side of said wall structure, and a top cap attached to said spring that supports said resilient washer section, whereby said spring is compressible between said reaction surface and said washer to thereby confine said wall structure between said escutcheon and said washer and firmly hold the valve in its operable position.