Tub spout with flexible portion and inflexible portion

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10619334-B2
Application number	US-201816000128-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 5, 2018
Priority date	Jun 5, 2018
Publication date	Apr 14, 2020
Grant date	Apr 14, 2020

Abstract

A tub spout includes a fitting, an inflexible portion, and a flexible portion. The fitting is configured to be coupled to a plumbing fixture and to receive water from the plumbing fixture. The inflexible portion is configured to receive the fitting or configured to have the fitting integrated therein, be held adjacent a wall by the plumbing fixture, and receive the water from the plumbing fixture. The flexible portion is configured to be coupled to and extend from the inflexible portion, selectively receive the water from the inflexible portion, and selectively provide the water out of the tub spout.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A tub spout comprising:
a fitting configured to be coupled to a plumbing fixture and to receive water from the plumbing fixture;
an inflexible portion configured to receive the fitting or configured to have the fitting integrated therein, be held adjacent a wall by the plumbing fixture, and receive the water from the plumbing fixture, the inflexible portion comprising:
an outlet through which the water is selectively provided; and
a first protrusion extending around the outlet; and

a flexible portion configured to be coupled to an exterior surface of the inflexible portion, extend from the inflexible portion, selectively receive the water from the inflexible portion, and selectively provide the water out of the tub spout, the flexible portion comprising a first groove extending around the flexible portion, the first groove configured to receive the first protrusion when the flexible portion is coupled to the inflexible portion.

2. The tub spout of claim 1 , wherein:
the flexible portion comprises a second protrusion extending about the flexible portion;
the inflexible portion comprises a second groove extending about the inflexible portion; and
the second groove is configured to receive the second protrusion when the flexible portion is coupled to the inflexible portion.

3. The tub spout of claim 2 , wherein the first protrusion is positioned between the second groove and the outlet.

4. The tub spout of claim 2 , wherein:
the first protrusion is contiguous with the second groove; and
the second protrusion is contiguous with the first groove.

5. The tub spout of claim 1 , wherein:
the inflexible portion is constructed from a first material and has a first aesthetic appearance;
the flexible portion is constructed from a second material and has a second aesthetic appearance;
the first material is different from the second material; and
the first aesthetic appearance is different from the second aesthetic appearance.

6. The tub spout of claim 5 , wherein:
the first material is metal or plastic; and
the second material is silicone or rubber.

7. The tub spout of claim 5 , wherein the first aesthetic appearance is chrome plated or brushed metal.

8. The tub spout of claim 1 , wherein:
the flexible portion is configured to elastically deform relative to the wall when the flexible portion is coupled to the inflexible portion, the fitting is coupled to the plumbing fixture, and the fitting is received in or integrated in the inflexible portion; and
the inflexible portion is configured to not elastically deform relative to the wall when the fitting is coupled to the plumbing fixture and the fitting is received in or integrated in the inflexible portion.

9. A tub spout comprising:
an inflexible portion configured to be held adjacent a wall, the inflexible portion comprising:
an outlet through which the water is selectively provided;
a first groove extending around the outlet; and
a fitting configured to be coupled to a plumbing fixture and to receive water from the plumbing fixture, the fitting configured to hold the inflexible portion adjacent the wall through the plumbing fixture;

a flexible portion configured to be coupled to and extend from the inflexible portion, selectively receive the water from the inflexible portion, and selectively provide the water out of the tub spout, the flexible portion comprising a first protrusion extending about the flexible portion, the first protrusion configured to be received within the first groove such that the flexible portion is coupled to the inflexible portion; and
a diverter assembly configured to be coupled to the inflexible portion between the fitting and the flexible portion, the diverter assembly comprising a gate configured to be positioned within the inflexible portion, the gate operable between a first position where the water is capable of flowing from the inflexible portion to the flexible portion and a second position where the water is prohibited from flowing from the inflexible portion to the flexible portion.

10. The tub spout of claim 9 , wherein:
the flexible portion comprises a second groove extending about the flexible portion;
the inflexible portion comprises a second protrusion extending about the inflexible portion; and
the second groove is configured to receive the second protrusion such that the flexible portion is coupled to the inflexible portion.

11. The tub spout of claim 9 , wherein:
the inflexible portion is constructed from a first material and has a first aesthetic appearance;
the flexible portion is constructed from a second material and has a second aesthetic appearance;
the first material is different from the second material; and
the first aesthetic appearance is different from the second aesthetic appearance.

12. The tub spout of claim 11 , wherein:
the first material is metal or plastic; and
the second material is silicone or rubber.

13. The tub spout of claim 11 , wherein the first aesthetic appearance is chrome plated or brushed metal.

14. The tub spout of claim 9 , wherein:
the flexible portion is configured to elastically deform relative to the wall when the flexible portion is coupled to the inflexible portion, the fitting is coupled to the plumbing fixture, and the fitting is received in or integrated in the inflexible portion; and
the inflexible portion is configured to not elastically deform relative to the wall when the fitting is coupled to the plumbing fixture and the fitting is received in or integrated in the inflexible portion.

15. A tub spout comprising:
an inflexible portion configured to be coupled to a plumbing fixture, receive water from the plumbing fixture, and be held adjacent a wall through the plumbing fixture, the inflexible portion comprising:
an outlet; and
a first groove disposed around the outlet;

a flexible portion configured to be coupled to and extend from the inflexible portion, selectively receive the water from the inflexible portion, and selectively provide the water out of the tub spout, the flexible portion comprising a first protrusion extending about the flexible portion; and
a diverter assembly configured to be coupled to the inflexible portion between a fitting and the flexible portion and operable between a first position where water is capable of being provided from the inflexible portion to the flexible portion and a second position where water is prohibited from being provided from the inflexible portion to the flexible portion;
wherein the first groove is configured to receive the first protrusion such that the flexible portion is coupled to the inflexible portion.

16. The tub spout of claim 15 , wherein:
the flexible portion comprises a second groove extending about the flexible portion;
the inflexible portion comprises a second protrusion extending about the inflexible portion; and
the second groove is configured to receive the second protrusion such that the flexible portion is coupled to the inflexible portion.

17. The tub spout of claim 15 , wherein:
the inflexible portion is constructed from a first material and has a first aesthetic appearance;
the flexible portion is constructed from a second material and has a second aesthetic appearance;
the first material is different from the second material; and
the first aesthetic appearance is different from the second aesthetic appearance.

18. The tub spout of claim 15 , wherein:
the flexible portion is configured to elastically deform relative to the wall when the inflexible portion is he

Assignees

• Kohler Co

Inventors

• Varma Shashank

Classifications

• E03C1/0404 Primary

  Constructional or functional features of the spout · CPC title

• E03C2201/30

  Diverter valves in faucets or taps · CPC title

• E03C2001/0414

  allowing different orientations of the spout or the outlet nozzle · CPC title