Faucet adapter

• US 7,051,763 B2
• Filed: 04/30/2004
• Issued: 05/30/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Fiskars Oyj Abp
• Original Assignee: L.R. Nelson Corporation (Robert Bosch GmbH)
• Inventors: Heren, Lawrence
• Primary Examiner(s): FOX, JOHN C
• Application Number:
  US10/837,376
• Publication Number:
  US 20050241706A1
• Time in Patent Office: 760 Days
• Field of Search: 137/883, 251/148, 251/150, 251/151, 251/152
• US Class Current: 137/883
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 27/067 with spherical plugs
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87877 Single inlet with multiple distinctly valved outlets

Abstract

A faucet adapter including, without limitation: a valve body having a valve; an inlet end coupled to the valve body for connection to a faucet; a tubular member having an outlet end and a coupling end; and a coupling connection for coupling the tubular member to the valve body; wherein the coupling connection includes, without limitation: a barbed shank inserted into an end of the tubular member opposite the outlet end; a body member for enclosing the valve body and pressing the tubular member against the barbed shank; and a retaining ring.

Claims

1. A faucet adapter comprising:

a valve body comprising a valve;

an inlet end coupled to the valve body for connection to a faucet;

a tubular member having an outlet end and a coupling end; and

a coupling connection for coupling the tubular member to the valve body;

wherein the coupling connection comprises;

a barbed shank inserted into an end of the tubular member opposite the outlet end;

a body member for enclosing the valve body and pressing the tubular member against the barbed shank; and

a retaining ring.

2. The faucet adapter of claim 1 wherein the body member comprises two half-sections pressed together.

3. The faucet adapter of claim 1 wherein the adapter is a dual adapter comprising two valves in the valve body, two tubular members and two coupling connections.

4. The faucet adapter of claim 1 wherein the valve is a ball valve.

5. The faucet adapter of claim 2 wherein the two half-sections are welded together.

6. The faucet adapter of claim 2 wherein the two half-sections are pressed together with a mechanical connection.

7. The faucet adapter of claim 1 wherein the valve body further comprises an insulated overmold.

8. The faucet adapter of claim 1 wherein the inlet end comprises a threaded connection.

9. The faucet adapter of claim 1 wherein the outlet end comprises a threaded connection.

10. The faucet adapter of claim 1 wherein the tubular member is resistant to kinks.

11. The faucet adapter of claim 4 wherein the barbed shank has an end opposite the tubular member adapted to position the ball valve.

12. The faucet adapter of claim 1 wherein the tubular member is flexible.

13. A faucet adapter comprising:

a valve body comprising a flow control means;

an inlet end coupled to the valve body for connection to a faucet;

a tubular member having an outlet end and a coupling end; and

a means for coupling the tubular member to the valve body.

14. The faucet adapter of claim 13 wherein the coupling means comprises:

a barbed shank inserted into an end of the tubular member opposite the outlet end;

a body member for enclosing the valve body and pressing the tubular member against the barbed shank; and

a retaining ring.

15. The faucet adapter of claim 13 wherein the flow control means comprises a ball valve.

16. The faucet adapter of claim 13 wherein the flow control means comprises a diaphragm-type valve.

17. The faucet adapter of claim 14 wherein the body member comprises two half-sections pressed together.

18. The faucet adapter of claim 14 wherein the adapter is a dual adapter comprising two valves in the valve body, two tubular members and two coupling means.

19. The faucet adapter of claim 17 wherein the two half-sections are welded together.

20. The faucet adapter of claim 17 wherein the two half-sections are pressed together with a mechanical connection.

21. The faucet adapter of claim 13 wherein the valve body further comprises an insulated overmold.

22. The faucet adapter of claim 13 wherein the inlet end comprises a threaded connection.

23. The faucet adapter of claim 13 wherein the outlet end comprises a threaded connection.

24. The faucet adapter of claim 13 wherein the tubular member is resistant to kinks.

25. The faucet adapter of claim 14 wherein the barbed shank has an end opposite the tubular member adapted to position a ball for a ball valve.

26. The faucet adapter of claim 13 wherein the tubular member is flexible.