Shape memory faucet

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9435107-B2
Application number	US-201314016721-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 3, 2013
Priority date	Sep 7, 2012
Publication date	Sep 6, 2016
Grant date	Sep 6, 2016

Abstract

A shape memory faucet has a base configured to be coupled to a surface, a spray head configured to direct a spray of fluid, and a faucet spout disposed between the base and the spray head, the faucet spout comprising a waterway and at least one elongated member formed from a shape memory alloy material. The faucet spout having the elongated member(s) formed from the shape memory alloy material is deformable from an initial shape corresponding to a rest position to a displaced shape corresponding to a deployed position. The elongated member(s) formed from the shape memory alloy material are operable to return the faucet spout to the rest position when released from the deployed position.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A shape memory faucet, comprising:
a base configured to be coupled to a surface;
a spray head configured to direct a spray of fluid; and
a faucet spout disposed between the base and the spray head, the faucet spout comprising a waterway and at least one elongated member formed from a shape memory alloy material disposed adjacent to the waterway,
wherein the at least one elongated member formed from the shape memory alloy material is configured to deform from an initial shape to a displaced shape when a force is exerted upon the faucet spout or the spray head, maintain the displaced shape, and automatically return from the displaced shape to substantially the initial shape when released.

2. The faucet of claim 1 , wherein the faucet spout further comprises a plurality of elongated members formed from shape memory alloy material.

3. The faucet of claim 2 , wherein the plurality of elongated members are substantially parallel and arranged symmetrically relative to the waterway.

4. The faucet of claim 1 , wherein deformation of the at least one elongated member from the initial shape to the displaced shape is repeatedly reversible.

5. The faucet of claim 1 , wherein the shape memory alloy material comprises a nickel-titanium alloy.

6. The faucet of claim 1 , wherein the shape memory alloy material comprises a copper-aluminum-nickel alloy.

7. The faucet of claim 1 , wherein the shape memory alloy material comprises a copper-nickel-beryllium alloy.

8. The faucet of claim 1 , wherein the faucet spout is configured to move in any direction about a central axis of the base.

9. The faucet of claim 1 , wherein the faucet spout is configured to bend at any angle about a central axis of the base.

10. The faucet of claim 1 , wherein a proximal end of the at least one elongated member is affixed to the base and a distal end of the least one elongated member is affixed to the spray head.

11. The faucet of claim 1 ,
wherein the faucet spout has a length extending from the base to the spray head, and
wherein the length of the faucet spout remains constant when the at least one elongated member is deformed from the initial shape to the displaced shape.

12. The faucet of claim 1 , wherein the faucet spout further comprises an outermost layer disposed about the waterway and the at least one elongated member, the outermost layer formed of at least one flexible material.

13. The faucet of claim 12 , wherein the outermost layer of the faucet spout is formed of a plurality of flexible materials, and
wherein a proximal portion of the outermost layer, proximal to the base, is formed of a first flexible material, and a distal portion of the outermost layer, distal to the base, is formed of a second flexible material, the first flexible material having a higher durometer rating than the second flexible material.

14. The faucet of claim 12 , wherein the outermost layer of the faucet spout comprises a silicone material.

Assignees

• Kohler Co

Inventors

• Rexach Rafael Alfredo
• Mazz Margaret Cecile

Classifications

• Y10T137/9464

  Faucets and spouts · CPC title

• E03C1/04 Primary

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

• B05B15/08

  Operations & Transport · mapped topic

• Y10T137/0402

  Cleaning, repairing, or assembling · CPC title

• E03C1/0404 Primary

  Constructional or functional features of the spout · CPC title