Sprayhead retraction assembly

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10106963-B2
Application number	US-201715819076-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 21, 2017
Priority date	Jun 13, 2016
Publication date	Oct 23, 2018
Grant date	Oct 23, 2018

Abstract

A sprayhead retraction assembly includes a hose coupled at a first end to a faucet sprayhead and at a second end to a water source. The assembly further includes a first member having a first portion that is engaged with the hose between the first and second ends of the hose. The assembly further includes a constant-force spring coupled at a first end to a second portion of the first member and coupled at a second end to a fixed surface.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A sprayhead retraction assembly comprising:
a hose coupled at a first end to a faucet sprayhead and at a second end to a water source;
a first member having a first portion that is engaged with the hose between the first and second ends of the hose; and
a constant-force spring coupled at a first end to a second portion of the first member and coupled at a second end to a fixed surface.

2. The sprayhead retraction assembly of claim 1 , wherein the second portion comprises a projection and the constant-force spring is coiled around the projection.

3. The sprayhead retraction assembly of claim 2 , wherein the constant-force spring is coupled to the projection through a first pulley axially coupled to the projection and the constant-force spring is configured to be coiled around the first pulley.

4. The sprayhead retraction assembly of claim 3 , wherein catches extend radially outwardly from an end of the projection; and
wherein the first pulley is coupled to the projection with an interference fit.

5. The sprayhead retraction assembly of claim 4 , further comprising a second member that includes an opening configured to receive the end of the projection with an interference fit.

6. The sprayhead retraction assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a first pulley and the constant-force spring is configured to coil around the first pulley.

7. The sprayhead retraction assembly of claim 6 , wherein the first pulley is coupled to one of the first member or the surface.

8. The sprayhead retraction assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a first projection extending perpendicularly from the first member;
wherein the first member is configured to be coupled to the hose through the first projection.

9. The sprayhead retraction assembly of claim 8 , further comprising a first pulley axially coupled to the first projection;
wherein the first member is coupled to the hose through the first pulley.

10. The sprayhead retraction assembly of claim 9 , wherein catches extend radially outwardly from an end of the first projection; and
wherein the first pulley is coupled to the first projection with an interference fit.

11. The sprayhead retraction assembly of claim 10 , further comprising a second member defining an opening configured to receive the end of the first projection with an interference fit.

12. The sprayhead retraction assembly of claim 9 , further comprising a second projection extending from the first member;
a second pulley axially coupled to the second projection;
wherein the constant-force spring is configured to be coiled around the second pulley.

13. A sprayhead retraction assembly comprising:
a hose configured to couple to a faucet sprayhead at a first end and to a water source at a second end;
a first pulley; and
a constant-force spring having a first end and an opposing second end, the first end coupled to the first pulley;
wherein the constant-force spring is configured to coil around the first pulley;
wherein one of the first pulley or the second end of the constant-force spring is configured to be coupled to a hose; and
wherein the other of the first pulley or the second end of the constant-force spring is configured to be coupled to a fixed surface.

14. The sprayhead retraction assembly of claim 13 , further comprising a first member;
wherein the first pulley is axially coupled to the first member; and
wherein the first pulley is coupled to the hose through the first member.

15. A sprayhead retraction assembly comprising:
a hose; and
a constant-force spring defining a first end coupled to the hose and an opposing second end configured to be coupled to a surface;
wherein the constant-force spring is configured to coil between the hose and the surface.

16. The sprayhead retraction assembly of claim 15 , further comprising a first pulley;
wherein the constant-force spring is configured to coil around the first pulley; and
wherein the constant-force spring is coupled to one of the hose or the surface through the first pulley.

17. The sprayhead retraction assembly of claim 15 , wherein the second end of the constant-force spring defines a hole; and
wherein the constant-force spring is configured to swivel about the hole when the constant-force spring coils.

18. The sprayhead retraction assembly of claim 17 , wherein the second end of the constant-force spring is coupled to the surface through the hole.

19. The sprayhead retraction assembly of claim 18 , further comprising a mounting bracket defining a peg extending therefrom;
wherein the peg is received in the hole; and
wherein the second end of the constant-force spring is coupled to the surface through the mounting bracket.

20. The sprayhead retraction assembly of claim 15 , wherein the first pulley defines a peg; and
wherein the first end of the constant-force spring defines a hole configured to receive the peg.

Assignees

• Kohler Co

Inventors

• Esche John C
• Smith Daniel E

Classifications

• E03C2001/0417

  having space-saving features, e.g. retractable, demountable · CPC title

• E03C1/0404 Primary

  Constructional or functional features of the spout · CPC title

• E03C2001/0415

  having an extendable water outlet · CPC title

• E03C1/04 Primary

  Water-basin installations specially adapted to wash-basins or baths (valves, faucets, mixing valves, taps F16K) · CPC title