Faucet illumination device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10697628-B2
Application number	US-201815958414-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 20, 2018
Priority date	Apr 25, 2017
Publication date	Jun 30, 2020
Grant date	Jun 30, 2020

Abstract

An illumination device for a faucet includes an opaque base supported above a translucent diffuser. A plurality of light emitters is supported by a substrate intermediate the base and the diffuser, wherein light from the light emitters is transmitted through the diffuser and outwardly to provide a display of substantially uniform light.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. An illumination device for a faucet, the illumination device comprising:
a base formed of an opaque material, the base including an inner wall, an outer wall laterally spaced from the inner wall, an upper wall extending between the inner wall and the outer wall, and a recess defined between the inner wall, the outer wall and the upper wall a delivery spout operably coupled to said base of said faucet;
a diffuser formed of a translucent material, the diffuser positioned laterally outwardly from the inner wall of the base and positioned longitudinally below the outer wall of the base;
a substrate positioned within the recess intermediate the base and the diffuser;
a plurality of light emitters supported by the substrate;
at least one deflector supported by the upper wall of the base to reflect light from the plurality of light emitters; and
wherein the diffuser is configured to diffuse light from the light emitters laterally outwardly.

2. The illumination device of claim 1 , wherein the substrate comprises a printed circuit board including a plurality of electrically conductive traces coupled to the plurality of light emitters.

3. The illumination device of claim 2 , further comprising an electrical wire coupled to the conductive traces and a power supply.

4. The illumination device of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of light emitters comprises a light emitting diode.

5. The illumination device of claim 4 , wherein the light emitting diodes are spaced apart to define a closed loop of continuous light diffused by the diffuser.

6. The illumination device of claim 1 , wherein the base further includes an upper surface defined by the upper wall for supporting said delivery spout, and a locator wall extending upwardly from the upper surface for locating said delivery spout.

7. An illumination device for a faucet, the illumination device comprising:
a base formed of an opaque material, the base including an inner wall, an outer wall laterally spaced from the inner wall, an upper wall extending between the inner wall and the outer wall, and a recess defined between the inner wall, the outer wall and the upper wall;
a diffuser formed of a translucent material, the diffuser positioned laterally outwardly from the inner wall of the base and positioned longitudinally below the outer wall of the base;
a substrate positioned within the recess intermediate the base and the diffuser;
a plurality of light emitters supported by the substrate;
wherein the diffuser is configured to diffuse light from the light emitters laterally outwardly;
wherein the base further includes an upper surface defined by the upper wall for supporting a delivery spout, and a locator wall extending upwardly from the upper surface for locating the delivery spout; and
an escutcheon, the inner wall of the base being supported by the escutcheon.

8. The illumination device of claim 1 , further comprising a sensor configured to detect the presence of a user and generate an activation signal, the plurality of light emitters being activated in response to the activation signal.

9. An illumination device for a faucet, the illumination device comprising:
a base formed of an opaque material, the base including an inner wall, an outer wall laterally spaced from the inner wall, an upper wall extending between the inner wall and the outer wall, and a recess defined between the inner wall, the outer wall and the upper wall;
a diffuser formed of a translucent material, the diffuser positioned laterally outwardly from the inner wall of the base and positioned longitudinally below the outer wall of the base;
a substrate positioned within the recess intermediate the base and the diffuser;
a plurality of light emitters supported by the substrate;
wherein the diffuser is configured to diffuse light from the light emitters laterally outwardly;
a first sensor configured to detect ambient light and generate a first signal in response to detected light intensity above a predetermined value;
a second sensor configured to be enabled in response to the first signal and, when enabled, to detect the presence of a user and generate a second signal; and
wherein the plurality of light emitters are activated in response to the second signal.

10. The illumination device of claim 9 , wherein the first sensor comprises a photo resistor, and the second sensor comprises an acoustic sensor.

11. The illumination device of claim 1 , wherein the light emitters are configured to direct light longitudinally downwardly toward the diffuser.

12. A faucet comprising:
a faucet body;
a base formed of an opaque material, the base including an upper wall supporting the faucet body, and an outer shield extending downwardly from the upper wall;
a diffuser formed of a translucent material, the diffuser positioned laterally outwardly from the inner wall of the base and positioned longitudinally below the outer wall of the base;
a substrate supported by a lower surface of the upper wall of the base;
a plurality of light emitters supported by the substrate; and
a plurality of deflectors supported by the upper wall of the base, each of the deflectors including opposing angled surfaces to reflect light from the plurality of light emitters.

13. A faucet comprising:
a faucet body;
a base formed of an opaque material, the base including an upper wall supporting the faucet body, and an outer shield extending downwardly from the upper wall;
a diffuser formed of a translucent material, the diffuser positioned laterally outwardly from the inner wall of the base and positioned longitudinally below the outer wall of the base;
a substrate supported by a lower surface of the upper wall of the base;
a plurality of light emitters supported by the substrate; and
an escutcheon supporting the base.

14. The faucet of claim 12 , wherein the substrate comprises a printed circuit board including a plurality of electrically conductive traces coupled to the plurality of light emitters.

15. The faucet of claim 14 , further comprising an electrical wire coupled to the conductive traces and a power supply.

16. The faucet of claim 12 , wherein each of the plurality of light emitters comprises a light emitting diode.

17. The faucet of claim 16 , wherein the light emitting diodes are spaced apart to define a closed loop of continuous light diffused by the diffuser.

18. The faucet of claim 12 , wherein the faucet body comprises a delivery spout, and the base further includes a locator wall extending upwardly from the upper surface and received within the spout for locating the spout.

19. The faucet of claim 12 , further comprising a sensor configured to detect the presence of a user and generate an activation signal, the plurality of light emitters being activated in response to such activation signal.

20. A faucet comprising:
a faucet body;
a base formed of an opaque material, the base including an upper wall supporting the faucet body, and an outer shield extending downwardly from the upper wall;
a diffuser formed of a translucent material, the diffuser positioned laterally outwardly from the inner wall of the base and positioned longitudinally below the outer wall of the base;
a substrate supported by a lower surface of the upper wall of the base;
a plurality of light emitters supported by the substrate;
a first sensor configured to detect ambient light and generate a first signal in response to detected light intensity above a predetermined value;
a second

Assignees

• Delta Faucet Co

Inventors

• Rosko Michael Scot
• Sawaski Joel D

Classifications

• E03C1/0404

  Constructional or functional features of the spout · CPC title

• B05B1/1618

  where said valve is a double-seat lift valve · CPC title

• E03C2001/0415

  having an extendable water outlet · CPC title

• B05B1/18

  Roses; Shower heads · CPC title

• F21Y2103/33

  annular · CPC title