Waterway connection

• US 7,793,677 B2
• Filed: 08/04/2008
• Issued: 09/14/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/29/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Delta Faucet Company (Masco Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Masco Corporation Of Indiana (Masco Corporation)
• Inventors: Pinette, Thomas
• Primary Examiner(s): HEPPERLE, STEPHEN M
• Application Number:
  US12/185,769
• Publication Number:
  US 20080289709A1
• Time in Patent Office: 771 Days
• Field of Search: 137/375, 137/606, 137/15.18, 137/315.12, 251/310, 264/271.1, 264/277
• US Class Current: 137/15.18
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/0403 Connecting the supply lines to the tap body
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 11/207 with two handles or actuating mechanisms at opposite sides of the housing
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 19/006 Specially adapted for faucets
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0318 Processes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0491 Valve or valve element assembling, disassembling, or replacing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/6014 Faucet type [e.g., domestic water use, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7036 Jacketed
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87684 Valve in each inlet
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/9464 Faucets and spouts

Abstract

A coupler for a faucet is disclosed which couples a first waterway component and a second waterway component, the coupler being an overmold component.

Claims

1. A method of delivering water with a faucet, the method comprising the steps of:

positioning a valve body between an upstream waterway component which receives water from a supply and a downstream waterway component which provides water to a fluid outlet, the valve body includes a metal sleeve and an internal structure including a recess which holds a seal assembly, the internal structure being a polymeric material;

positioning a seal assembly in the recess of the internal structure of the valve body, the seal assembly having a fluid conduit through which water may pass;

positioning a valve in the valve body, the valve being moveable relative to the valve body and the valve cooperating with the seal assembly to prevent a communication of water to the downstream waterway when the valve is in a first position and to allow the communication of water to the downstream waterway when the valve is in a second position;

wherein a waterway component is interposed between the valve body and the downstream waterway component, the waterway component having a fluid inlet in fluid communication with a fluid outlet of the valve body and a fluid outlet in fluid communication with the downstream waterway component;

positioning the fluid inlet of the waterway component proximate to the fluid outlet of the valve body; and

coupling the waterway component to the valve body with a coupler which is spaced apart from the fluid passing through the valve body and the waterway component, the coupling step including placing the valve body and the waterway component in a mold, and overmolding at least a portion of the valve body and the waterway component, the overmold being the coupler;

wherein the coupler alone maintains the position of the waterway component relative to the valve body.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein when the valve is in the second position water is communicated from the upstream waterway component to the downstream waterway component by the steps of:

traveling generally vertical through a first portion of the valve body;

passing through the fluid conduit in the seal assembly positioned in the recess of the internal structure of the valve body;

passing through a fluid conduit provided in the valve; and

traveling generally horizontally and out of the valve member and onward to the downstream waterway component.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the metal sleeve of the valve body is brass and the internal structure of the valve body is a thermoplastic material.