Handle connection systems and methods

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11598446-B2
Application number	US-202217746413-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 17, 2022
Priority date	May 17, 2018
Publication date	Mar 7, 2023
Grant date	Mar 7, 2023

Abstract

A process includes inserting a valve cartridge in a fitting of a yoke. The process also includes placing a ring around the fitting after inserting the valve cartridge in the fitting. The process also includes placing a nut around the fitting after placing the ring around the fitting. The process also includes threading the nut onto the fitting after placing the nut around the fitting. The process also includes tightening the nut against the ring. The process also includes pressing a handle onto the ring after tightening the nut against the ring.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A process for installing a handle to a faucet comprising:
inserting a valve cartridge in a fitting of a yoke;
placing a nut around the fitting after inserting the valve cartridge in the fitting;
threading the nut onto the fitting after placing the nut around the fitting; and
pressing the handle onto the nut after threading the nut onto the fitting.

2. The process of claim 1 , further comprising:
placing a cap over a valve stem of the valve cartridge; and
threading the cap into the fitting.

3. The process of claim 1 , further comprising fastening an engagement crown to a valve stem of the valve cartridge before pressing the handle onto the nut;
wherein pressing the handle onto the nut causes coupling of the engagement crown to the handle.

4. The process of claim 1 , wherein:
placing the nut around the fitting comprises placing the nut against a top surface of an escutcheon; and
pressing the handle onto the nut comprises separating, by the nut, the handle from the top surface.

5. The process of claim 4 , wherein threading the nut onto the fitting comprises separating, by the nut, a flange of the nut from the top surface.

6. The process of claim 4 , wherein pressing the handle onto the nut comprises receiving, by a channel of the nut, a projection of the handle.

7. The process of claim 4 , wherein pressing the handle onto the nut comprises at least one of:
deflecting a projection of the handle relative to a projection of the nut; or
deflecting a projection of the nut relative to a projection of the handle.

8. A process for installing a handle to a faucet comprising:
inserting a valve cartridge in a fitting of a yoke;
placing a ring around the fitting after inserting the valve cartridge in the fitting;
placing a nut around the fitting after placing the ring around the fitting;
threading the nut onto the fitting after placing the nut around the fitting;
tightening the nut against the ring; and
pressing the handle onto the ring after tightening the nut against the ring.

9. The process of claim 8 , further comprising:
placing a cap over a valve stem of the valve cartridge; and
threading the cap into the fitting.

10. The process of claim 8 , further comprising fastening an engagement crown to a valve stem of the valve cartridge before pressing the handle onto the ring;
wherein pressing the handle onto the ring causes coupling of the engagement crown to the handle.

11. The process of claim 8 , wherein:
placing the ring around the fitting comprises placing the ring against a top surface of an escutcheon; and
pressing the handle onto the ring comprises separating, by the ring, the handle from the top surface.

12. The process of claim 11 , wherein threading the nut onto the fitting comprises separating, by the ring, a flange of the nut from the top surface.

13. The process of claim 8 , wherein pressing the handle onto the ring comprises receiving, by a channel of the ring, a projection of the handle.

14. The process of claim 8 , wherein pressing the handle onto the ring comprises at least one of:
deflecting a projection of the handle relative to a projection of the ring; or
deflecting a projection of the ring relative to a projection of the handle.

Assignees

• Kohler Co

Inventors

• Mooren Brian J
• Rieth Andrew J

Classifications

• F16K31/60 Primary

  Handles {(form, features or function of taps or faucet handles for domestic plumbing installations E03C1/04)} · CPC title

• B25G3/12

  Locking and securing devices · CPC title

• F16K31/607

  characterised by particular material, by special measures to obtain aesthetical effects, or by auxiliary functions, e.g. storage · CPC title

• E03C1/0412

  Constructional or functional features of the faucet handle (valve actuating members as such F16K31/60) · CPC title

• B25G3/18

  comprising catches or pawls · CPC title