Spout assembly for automatic faucets

• US 5,555,912 A
• Filed: 04/20/1995
• Issued: 09/17/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 04/20/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Zurn Industries LLC (Zilco Holdings, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Zurn Industries Incorporated (Rexnord Corporation)
• Inventors: Saadi, Robert E., Becker, Allen R., Kovey, Stephen R., Creager, Brian N.
• Primary Examiner(s): Michalsky, Gerald A.
• Application Number:
  US08/426,526
• Time in Patent Office: 516 Days
• Field of Search: 4/623, 4/678, 137/801, 251/129.04
• US Class Current: 137/801
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/0404 Constructional or functional features of the spout
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/057 touchless, i.e. using sensors
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/9464 Faucets and spouts

Abstract

A spout assembly for an automatic faucet that is easily assembled and tamper resistant has a transmitter and a receiver for use in detecting the presence of objects near the spout. The hollow spout body has an inlet opening and an outlet opening. A unitary waterway fitting is permanently fixed in the outlet opening of the spout body. The waterway fitting has a water passage therein and a sealable compartment for receiving and orienting the transmitter and receiver.

Claims

1. A spout assembly for an automatic faucet that is easily assembled and tamper-resistant comprising:

a transmitter and a receiver for use in detecting the presence of objects near the spout;

a hollow spout body having a threaded inlet opening and an outlet opening, the spout body shaped so that the inlet opening can be fastened over an opening in a surface with the outlet opening spaced therefrom;

a unitary waterway fitting for insertion in the outlet opening of the spout body, the waterway fitting comprising an inlet port, an outlet port and a passage therebetween, the waterway fitting also having a compartment for receiving and orienting both said transmitter and receiver;

a water conduit passing through the spout body and out the inlet opening and being connected to the inlet port of the waterway fitting;

an aerator threaded to the outlet port;

a cable assembly passing through the spout body and out the inlet opening and being connected at one end to the terminals on the transmitter and receiver;

a cap for sealing the interior side of the compartment;

a lens for sealing the exterior side of the compartment;

means for permanently fastening the waterway fitting into the spout body; and

means for sealing the waterway fitting in the outlet opening in the spout body.

2. The spout assembly according to claim 1 wherein the hollow spout body is cast brass chrome plated.

3. The spout assembly according to claim 1 wherein the lens is a polycarbonate plastic.

4. The spout assembly according to claim 1 wherein the cable assembly exposed outside the spout body has a convoluted stainless steel shroud.

5. The spout assembly according to claim 1 wherein the aerator is easily changeable to various optional flow rates.

6. The spout assembly according to claim 1 wherein the waterway fitting compartment is sealable.