Sprinkler assembly

Abstract

A sprinkler assembly includes a base mounted on a mounting deck of a sink. A magnetic fork is pivotably coupled to a fixed structure. The magnetic fork is disposed above the base. A sprinkler includes a spray head having an outlet for ejecting liquid therefrom. The sprinkler includes a body having a bottom end received in the base. The sprinkler includes a magnetic neck interconnecting the spray head and the body. The magnetic neck is received in the magnetic fork and is magnetically attracted to the magnetic fork.

Description

[0001] Cross-references to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 63 / 727,905, filed December 4, 2024, the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The present invention relates generally to water dispensers, and more specifically to docking systems for side sprayers used with faucets and / or sink assemblies, and side sprayers with pivotable magnetic docking seats. Background Technology

[0004] Consumers typically want to use sprinklers for a variety of reasons, including loosening and removing crumbs from plates, loosening and removing food stains, cleaning various products, and for other reasons. Sprinklers can be built into faucets as part of the delivery hose or included as accessory sprinklers (such as side sprinklers). Conventional accessory sprinklers are either locked in place, making them inefficient for users who want to use the sprinkler quickly and / or efficiently, or require the user to press a button to use the sprinkler. Because locking the sprinkler in place takes time, users may occasionally disconnect the sprinkler when not in use, which may cause the sprinkler to drain into the space outside the sink and potentially cause the drained water to accumulate in unwanted areas. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This invention provides a mechanism for holding a side sprayer docked and draining water into a sink. In an illustrative embodiment, the sprayer assembly provides a magnetic docking for the side sprayer. An illustrative support or holder for the side sprayer has a recess to hold the sprayer in place via the magnetic docking. The support allows the sprayer to enter the sink face down to facilitate drainage of any residual water from the sprayer into the sink. To disengage the sprayer, the user can pull upwards on a lever to pivot the pivot arm of the recess upwards. The side sprayer can then be released from the magnetic docking by pulling laterally away from the pivot arm. The bottom of the side sprayer may have a tapered nut on the supply hose to allow docking with a wall-mounted holder, similar to existing handle spray heads.

[0006] The illustrative support has a recess containing a magnet and a pivot arm. The pivot arm facilitates docking and disconnecting the docking side sprayer, while the magnet secures the sprayer within the recess of the support.

[0007] According to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, a sprayer assembly includes: a base configured to be mounted on a mounting surface of a water tank; and a first magnetic element disposed above the base. The sprayer is configured to spray liquid therefrom. The sprayer is supported by the base and includes a second magnetic element magnetically coupled to the first magnetic element.

[0008] According to another illustrative embodiment of the invention, the sprayer assembly includes a base mounted on a mounting platform of a sink. A magnetic fork is pivotally coupled to a fixed structure. The magnetic fork is disposed above the base. The sprayer includes a nozzle having an outlet for spraying liquid therefrom. The sprayer includes a body having a bottom end received in the base. The sprayer includes a magnetic neck interconnecting the nozzle and the body. The magnetic neck is received in the magnetic fork and is magnetically attracted to the magnetic fork.

[0009] According to another illustrative embodiment of the invention, the sprayer assembly includes a base mounted on a mounting surface of a sink. A magnetic fork is disposed above the base. The sprayer includes a nozzle having an outlet for spraying liquid therefrom. A body is supported by the base. The sprayer includes a magnetic neck interconnecting the nozzle with the body. The magnetic neck is received in the magnetic fork and magnetically attracted to it. Attached Figure Description

[0010] The above-described features and objectives, as well as other features and objectives, and the means of achieving these features and objectives, will become more apparent from the following description of embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and the invention itself will be better understood, in which: Figure 1 It is a perspective view of a faucet supported by a water tank and including the illustrative side sprayer assembly described in this invention. Figure 2 yes Figure 1 An illustrative frontal perspective view of the side sprayer assembly; Figure 3 yes Figure 2 Top rear perspective view of the side sprayer assembly; Figure 4 yes Figure 2 A three-dimensional cross-sectional view of the side sprayer assembly taken along line 4-4; Figure 5 yes Figure 2 A right-side cross-sectional view of the side sprayer assembly taken along line 5-5; Figure 6 yes Figure 1 An illustrative top, front stereo, partially exploded view of the side sprayer assembly; Figure 7 yes Figure 6 The illustrative side sprayer assembly's mount and base, taken along line 7-7, is a top, front perspective, and cross-sectional view; and Figure 8 yes Figure 6 An illustrative perspective view of the upper part of the mount and base of the side sprayer assembly, front perspective, exploded view; Figure 9 yes Figure 6 An illustrative view of the side sprayer assembly, taken from the upper three-dimensional section along line 9-9. Figure 10 yes Figure 6 An enlarged partial cross-sectional view of the side sprayer nozzle along line 10-10 of the illustrative side sprayer assembly; and Figure 11 yes Figure 6 An illustrative side sprayer assembly, showing the upper part of the sprayer, front perspective, exploded view.

[0011] In these views, corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts. Although the drawings illustrate embodiments of various features and components according to the present invention, they are not necessarily drawn to scale and may exaggerate certain features for better illustration and explanation of the invention. The examples set forth herein illustrate embodiments of the invention, and such examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any way. Detailed Implementation

[0012] The embodiments of the invention described herein are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the exact forms disclosed. Rather, the embodiments described herein enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention.

[0013] First refer to Figure 1 The sink assembly 12 is shown as a sink or mounting surface 14 that supports the sink basin 16. An illustrative faucet assembly 20 is supported above the sink basin 16 by the mounting surface 14. The faucet assembly 20 is shown as an illustrative side sprayer assembly 52 and a diverter assembly 22, both of which are part of the present invention.

[0014] The illustrative faucet assembly 20 includes a water circuit assembly 21 having a hot water supply line or pipe 26 and a cold water supply line or pipe 28, configured to supply water to a control valve or mixing valve 30. More specifically, the hot water supply line 26 is fluidly connected to a hot water supply valve or stop 27, while the cold water supply line 28 is fluidly connected to a cold water supply valve or stop 29. Operation of the mixing valve 30 regulates the flow of water from the hot water supply line 26 and the cold water supply line 28 to the mixing water line or inlet pipe 32. A user input (illustratively, a handle 33) is operatively connected to the mixing valve 30 to control the flow rate and temperature of the water delivered to the mixing water inlet pipe 32.

[0015] The illustrative faucet assembly 20 includes a delivery nozzle 38 supported by a base 39 and configured to receive a nozzle outlet pipe 40 having an outlet 41 positioned above the sink basin 16 and configured to discharge water through a distributor assembly 22 from a mixing water inlet pipe 32. In this illustrative embodiment, the hot water supply pipe 26, the cold water supply pipe 28, the mixing water inlet pipe 32, and the nozzle outlet pipe 40 are all made of a polymer such as cross-linked polyethylene (PEX).

[0016] The auxiliary fluid distributor (illustratively, the side sprayer assembly 52 of this invention) includes a handheld side sprayer 54 fluidly coupled to a flexible distributor or sprayer outlet pipe or hose 56. The side sprayer 54 can provide alternating or simultaneous fluid outlets relative to the outlet 41 of the nozzle 38. The sprayer outlet pipe 56 can be fluidly connected to the nozzle outlet pipe 40 via a mixing water inlet pipe 32 and a diverter assembly 22, such that the same mixture of hot and cold water from the mixing valve 30 can be distributed from both the nozzle 38 and the side sprayer 54. The diverter assembly 22 can be a conventional design, such as that disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 7,721,761 to Thomas or U.S. Patent No. 8,646,476 to Thomas et al., the disclosures of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference.

[0017] Now for reference Figure 2 This demonstrates the connection with sink assembly 12 ( Figure 1 A separate side sprayer 54. The illustrative side sprayer 54 includes a nozzle 61 fitted to the body 58 and having a spray surface or spray outlet 55 with a plurality of spray or dispensing nozzles 59. The side sprayer 54 illustratively includes an enable input or trigger button 57. Figure 3 The enable input or trigger button is supported by the nozzle 61 and is configured to activate when pressed by the user (along the nozzle). Figure 10 (The direction of the middle arrow 63) enables the water flow through the spray outlet 55.

[0018] refer to Figure 4 and Figure 5 The button 57 of the side sprayer 54 can be operably connected to a conventional valve 62. The illustrative valve 62 may include a piston 64 slidably received within a sleeve 66 and supporting a plurality of axially spaced sealing O-rings 68a, 68b, 68c to control water flow through a passage 70 in fluid communication with the sprayer outlet pipe 56 to the outlet 55. Figure 10 Spring 72 can bias piston 64 from the open position to the closed position (along...). Figure 10 (In the direction of arrow 73). Button 57 may also be illustratively biased outward by spring 74 (in the direction of arrow 73). The user can selectively use the side sprayer 54 by operating button 57. The body 58 can be used as a handle by which the user can hold and / or manipulate the sprayer 54 while pressing button 57.

[0019] The spray nozzle assembly 53 is positioned at the outlet 55 of the side sprayer 54. As shown, the spray nozzle assembly 53 is removably threaded to the housing 51 of the nozzle head 61 while maintaining a fluid tight seal between the spray nozzle assembly 53 and the housing 51 of the nozzle head 61. In other illustrative embodiments, the spray nozzle assembly 53 may be otherwise coupled to the housing 51, for example, by means of an O-ring fit, adhesive, mechanical fastener, one-piece manufacturing, overmolding, or other methods known in the art.

[0020] The body 58 of the side sprayer 54 illustratively includes a water passage 75 (which defines a passage 70 in fluid communication with the sprayer outlet pipe 56) and is configured to be removably supported and selectively mounted by a mounting base 80. When the side sprayer 54 is not in use, the body 58 of the side sprayer 54 can be mounted on the mounting base 80. When the side sprayer 54 is in use, the body 58 of the side sprayer 54 can also be mounted on the mounting base 80, depending on the user's preference.

[0021] Mounting base 80 is connected to mounting bracket (illustratively, externally threaded shank or post 82), which is configured to facilitate connection of side sprayer 54 to sink countertop 14. Figure 1 More specifically, the mounting base 80 includes a mounting handle or post 82, the upper end of which is attached to an inclined annular hose support or guide 83, the annular hose support or guide defining a through hole or passage 84. Figure 6The sprayer outlet pipe 56 is slidably received. The hose guide 83 may be angled, or have a longitudinal axis 85 that is not parallel to the longitudinal axis 87 of the mounting handle 82, such that the longitudinal axis 85 is generally oriented in the direction in which the sprayer 54 is typically pulled away from the hose guide 83. Therefore, friction, scratches, and wear associated with the pipe 56 rubbing against the hose guide 83 are reduced as the sprayer 54 is pulled away from the hose guide 83. An O-ring 86 may be supported on the lower surface of the hose guide 83 to engage with the sink countertop 14.

[0022] refer to Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 7 and Figure 8 The mounting nut 88 can thread-engage the mounting post 82 and secure the mounting base 80 to the mounting surface 14, wherein a washer 90 is provided between the nut 88 and the mounting surface 14. The screw 92 can be used to clamp the washer 90 against the bottom surface of the mounting surface 14 to finally adjust the mounting base 80 and secure it to the mounting surface 14.

[0023] Refer again Figure 1 The flexible hose 56 is illustratively stored under the sink countertop 14 when not in use. The hose 56 allows the user to remove the body 58 of the side sprayer 54 from the base 80 for easier manipulation of the side sprayer 54's position and, consequently, the angle of the spray from the outlet 55 of the side sprayer 54. An optional counterweight (not shown) may be provided on the hose 56 of the side sprayer 54 to help retract the hose 56 under the sink countertop 14 and to facilitate placing the body 58 of the side sprayer 54 on the base 80 when not in use.

[0024] The internal thread nut 94 at the upper end of the hose 56 ( Figure 4 The nut 94 can threadedly receive the lower end of the external thread of the body 58 of the side sprayer 54. Therefore, the nut 94 secures the hose 56 to the body 58 of the side sprayer 54. The hose guide 83 may include an annular collar 96. Figure 8 When the side sprayer 54 is received in the base 80, the annular collar receives and engages the nut 94.

[0025] refer to Figures 6 to 8 and Figure 11 The side sprayer assembly 52 of the present invention further includes a retainer assembly 100 that engages with and magnetically holds the magnetic neck 102 of the side sprayer 54. The retainer assembly 100 includes a magnetic retainer, illustratively a fork-shaped member 104, which is pivotally connected to the lateral mounting arm 106 via a pivot pin 108 (e.g., a bolt 110 secured by a nut 112 and a washer 113). Figure 8The fork-shaped member 104 illustratively includes a pair of spaced-apart fork teeth 114 that can tightly receive the neck 102 of the side sprayer 54 therein. The lateral mounting arm 106 is illustratively attached to the top 118 of the vertical support post 120 by fasteners such as bolts or screws 122. The bottom 124 of the post 120 is attached by fasteners such as bolts or screws 126. Figure 8 It is attached to an annular mounting bracket or base 128, which extends outward from the hose guide 83.

[0026] Fork-shaped member 104 is illustratively retractable around pivot pin 108 in a lowered position (e.g.) Figure 3 (as shown) and the elevation position (as shown) Figure 6 Pivoting between (as shown). In the lowered position, the fork 104 can be oriented approximately fifteen degrees below the horizontal plane defined by the lateral mounting arm 106. In the raised position, the fork 104 can be oriented in or parallel to the horizontal plane defined by the lateral mounting arm 106.

[0027] like Figure 3 As shown, the fork member 104 can be in a lowered position so that the nut 94 of the hose 56 is securely received in the hose guide 83, while the neck 102 of the side sprayer 54 is received in the fork member 104. When the user wants to remove the side sprayer 54 from the mount assembly 100, he / she can grasp the body 58 and lift it upward, which pivots the fork member 104 from the lowered position to the raised position. The user can then pull the body 58 away from the fork member 104 and pull it out of the fork member. When the user wants to return the side sprayer 54 to the mount assembly 100, he / she can insert the body 58 into the fork member 104 and then push the body 58 downward, causing the fork member 104 to pivot downward until the nut 94 of the hose 56 is once again securely received in the hose guide 83.

[0028] The connection between the fork 104 and the mounting arm 106 can have sufficient frictional resistance to prevent the fork 104 from pivoting relative to the mounting arm 106 unless manually moved by the user. That is, the weight of the fork 104 alone may not be sufficient to move it from the raised position to the lowered position. In some illustrative embodiments, a first magnet 130 and a second magnet 132 can hold the fork 104 in the raised position. More specifically, the first magnet 130 can be supported by the fork 104, and the second magnet 132 can be supported by the mounting arm 106. Illustratively, when the fork 104 is in the raised position, the first magnet 130 and the second magnet 132 are magnetically connected together, and when the fork 104 is in the lowered position, the first magnet 130 and the second magnet 132 are magnetically disconnected or released from each other.

[0029] The neck 102 of the side sprayer 54 may include a U-shaped magnet 134. Figure 11 The U-shaped magnet is centered on the point on the neck 102 closest to the magnetic fork 104. The fork 104 may include a U-shaped magnet 136. Figure 8 The size and shape of the U-shaped magnet are configured to minimize the distance between magnets 134 and 136 along their U-shaped length, thereby maximizing the attractive force. Illustratively, the opening direction of the U-shaped magnet 134 (indicated by arrow 138) Figure 11 The nozzle 59 points in the same direction. The fork-shaped member 104 and the magnet 136 also open in direction 138. Although two magnets 134 and 136 are disclosed herein, it should be understood that, within the scope of this invention, either magnet 134 or 136 can be replaced by a material that is not a magnet but is attracted by a magnet (such as steel or other ferrous metals). The cover 140 can be secured to the fork-shaped member 104 by screws 142 to retain the magnet 136 within the fork-shaped member 104.

[0030] As used herein, the term “magnetism” encompasses both magnets and materials attracted by magnets (i.e., magnetically attracted materials) (such as ferrous metals).

[0031] The accompanying drawings illustrate a specific illustrative design of the nozzle 61. However, not all details of the nozzle 61 are described herein, as the invention can be applied to any nozzle design. That is, the magnetic fork 104 of the present invention can hold the magnetic neck 102 of any nozzle 61, provided that the neck 102 has a suitable size and shape. Illustrative nozzles are shown, for example, in U.S. Patent No. 7,721,761 to Thomas, U.S. Patent No. 8,152,078 to Jianglin et al., and U.S. Patent No. 8,424,781 to Rosko et al., the disclosures of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference.

[0032] Although the invention has been described with exemplary design, further modifications can be made to the invention within the spirit and scope of its contents. Therefore, this application is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention that utilize its general principles. Furthermore, this application is intended to cover such deviations from the scope of the invention as those falling within the known or customary practices in the field to which this invention pertains.

Claims

1. A sprayer assembly, comprising: A base, the base being configured to be mounted on a mounting platform of the sink; A first magnetic element is disposed above the base; as well as A sprayer configured to spray liquid from the sprayer, the sprayer being supported by the base, the sprayer including a second magnetic element magnetically coupled to the first magnetic element.

2. The sprayer assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The first magnetic element includes a magnetic fork-shaped member, the magnetic fork-shaped member including two fork teeth, and the second magnetic element is received between the two fork teeth.

3. The sprayer assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein, The second magnetic element is U-shaped, with its opening direction the same as that of the fork-shaped element.

4. The sprayer assembly of claim 2, further comprising a support column, the support column including a bottom end attached to the base, the support column supporting the fork-shaped member.

5. The sprayer assembly as claimed in claim 4, wherein, The fork-shaped member can pivot relative to the support column.

6. The sprayer assembly as claimed in claim 5, wherein, When the sprayer is supported by the base, the fork can pivot to a lowered position, and when the sprayer is manually raised above the base, the fork can pivot to an elevated position.

7. The sprayer assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The sprayer includes a fluidly connected end to a hose, and the base includes a through-hole through which the hose extends when the sprayer is manually raised above the base.

8. The sprayer assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The sprayer includes a nozzle configured to spray liquid from the nozzle, and the second magnetic element is disposed below the nozzle.

9. The sprayer assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The first magnetic element and the second magnetic element are at the same vertical level.

10. The sprayer assembly of claim 1, wherein, The first magnetic element includes at least one of a magnet and a magnetically attractive material, and the second magnetic element includes at least one of a magnet and a magnetically attractive material.

11. A sprayer assembly, comprising: A base, the base being configured to be mounted on a mounting platform of the sink; A magnetic fork-shaped component, which is pivotally connected to a fixed structure and is disposed above the base; as well as Sprayer, the sprayer comprising: A nozzle having an outlet configured to eject liquid from the nozzle; The body, having a bottom end received in the base; and A magnetic neck that interconnects the nozzle with the body, the magnetic neck being received in the magnetic fork and magnetically attracted to the magnetic fork.

12. The sprayer assembly of claim 11, wherein, The magnetic fork-shaped member includes two fork teeth, and the magnetic neck is received between the two fork teeth.

13. The sprayer assembly of claim 11, wherein, The magnetic neck includes a U-shaped magnetic element, the opening direction of which is the same as that of the fork-shaped member.

14. The sprayer assembly of claim 11, further comprising a support post, the support post including a bottom end attached to the base, the support post supporting the fork-shaped member.

15. The sprayer assembly of claim 14, wherein, The fork-shaped member can pivot relative to the support column.

16. The sprayer assembly of claim 15, wherein, When the sprayer is supported by the base, the fork can pivot to a lowered position, and when the sprayer is manually raised above the base, the fork can pivot to an elevated position.

17. The sprayer assembly of claim 11, wherein, The sprayer includes a fluidly connected end to a hose, and the base includes a through-hole through which the hose extends when the sprayer is manually raised above the base.

18. The sprayer assembly of claim 11, wherein, The magnetic fork and the magnetic neck are at the same vertical level.

19. The sprayer assembly of claim 11, wherein, The magnetic fork is formed of at least one of a magnet and a magnetic attraction member, and the magnetic neck is formed of at least one of a magnet and a magnetic attraction member.

20. A sprayer assembly, comprising: A base, the base being configured to be mounted on a mounting platform of the sink; A magnetic fork-shaped component is disposed above the base; as well as Sprayer, the sprayer comprising: A nozzle having an outlet configured to eject liquid from the nozzle; The body, which is supported by the base; and A magnetic neck that interconnects the nozzle with the body, the magnetic neck being received in the magnetic fork and magnetically attracted to the magnetic fork.

21. The sprayer assembly of claim 20, wherein, The magnetic fork-shaped member includes two fork teeth, and the magnetic neck is received between the two fork teeth.

22. The sprayer assembly of claim 21, wherein, The magnetic neck includes a U-shaped magnetic element, the opening direction of which is the same as that of the fork-shaped member.

23. The sprayer assembly of claim 20, further comprising a support post, the support post including a bottom end attached to the base, the support post supporting the fork-shaped member.

24. The sprayer assembly of claim 23, wherein, The fork-shaped member can pivot relative to the support column.

25. The sprayer assembly of claim 24, wherein, When the sprayer body is supported by the base, the fork can pivot to a lowered position, and when the sprayer is manually raised above the base, the fork can pivot to an elevated position.

26. The sprayer assembly of claim 20, wherein, The sprayer body includes a bottom end fluidly connected to a hose, and the base includes a through-hole through which the hose extends when the sprayer is manually raised above the base.

27. The sprayer assembly of claim 20, wherein, The magnetic fork and the magnetic neck are at the same vertical level.

28. The sprayer assembly of claim 20, wherein, The magnetic fork is formed of at least one of a magnet and a magnetic attraction member, and the magnetic neck is formed of at least one of a magnet and a magnetic attraction member.

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