Faucets including a pull-out dispensing unit, such as a spout sprayhead or a side spray, generally utilize a retractor, such as a weight or a spring, to help retract a hose back into a rest position after the dispensing unit has been removed from its docking station by the user. The hose typically extends below the mounting surface of the faucet behind the sink. More particularly, the hose travels from the faucet valve above the mounting surface, loops down and returns back above to attach to the dispensing unit.
If a weight is used as a hose retractor, it is generally attached to the hose using some sort of clamp. By clamping the weight to the hose, the effective length of the hose is shortened if the weight is placed on the portion of the hose past the loop (generally the bottom), closest to the sprayhead, or is ineffective over the final portion of the travel if placed before the loop (generally the bottom), closest to the valve. As an alternative, a sliding weight as a hose retractor provides a substantially constant force on the hose independent of dispensing unit position since the sliding weight is always located near the bottom of the loop due to gravity. Generally, the sliding weight is more efficient if the coefficient of friction between the hose and the weight is as small as possible and the mass of the weight is as great as possible. The contact surface of the weight generally should be corrosion resistance. Cost constraints on designs and material weight are often competing factors.
According to an illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure, a hose weight for use with a faucet outlet hose fluidly coupled to a dispensing unit includes an outer housing having a shell. The shell includes an outer wall, an inner wall, a first end wall, and a chamber defined between the outer wall, the inner wall, and the first end wall. A cap is secured to the shell and defines a second end wall. A filler is received within the chamber, the filler comprising a granular material having grains each with a major dimension of between 0.005 inches and 0.079 inches.
According to another illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure, a hose weight for use with a faucet outlet hose fluidly coupled to a dispensing unit includes an outer housing having a shell formed of a polymer. The shell includes a cylindrical outer wall, a cylindrical inner wall, a first end wall, and an annular chamber defined between the cylindrical outer wall, the cylindrical inner wall and the first end wall. The inner wall defines a passage for slidably receiving a faucet hose. A cap formed of a polymer is secured to the shell and defines a second end wall. The cap includes a center opening aligned with the passage defined by the inner wall. The polymer of the outer housing has a density of between 0.03 lbs. per cubic inch and 0.09 lbs. per cubic inch. A filler is received within the chamber and comprises a metallic material having a density between 0.09 lbs. per cubic inch and 0.37 lbs. per cubic inch.
Additional features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of the illustrative embodiments exemplifying the best modes of carrying out the invention as presently perceived.
The detailed description of the drawings particularly refers to the accompanying figures in which:
The embodiments of the invention described herein are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to precise forms disclosed. Rather, the embodiments selected for description have been chosen to enable one skilled in the art to practice the invention.
Referring initially to
An illustrative retractor or hose weight 30 is slidably mounted on the hose 24 and is configured to help retract the hose 24 back into the rest position shown in
In both
The outlet hose 24, 24′ may be constructed in any conventional manner, including use of a polymer. In one illustrative embodiment, the outlet hose 24, 24′ comprises a cross-linked polyethylene (PEX). In still other illustrative embodiments, the outlet hose 24, 24′ may comprise a polymer and/or composite liner surrounded by a covering (not shown), such as a protective sleeve or braiding. The protective sleeve may be formed of conventional materials, such as metal or polymeric fibers. Illustratively, the outlet hose 24, 24′ has an outer diameter of approximately 0.48 inches (approximately 1.219 centimeters).
With further reference to
The outer wall 46 illustratively has an outer diameter (OD) of between approximately 2 inches and 2.5 inches, while the inner wall 48 illustratively has an inner diameter (ID) of between approximately 0.5 inches (1.27 centimeter) and 1 inch (2.54 inches). In one illustrative embodiment, the outer diameter (OD) of the outer wall 46 is approximately 2.1 inches (5.334 centimeters), and the inner diameter (ID) of the inner wall 48 is approximately 0.72 inches (1.829 centimeters). The inner wall 48 defines an axially extending passage 54 for slidably receiving the outlet hose 24, 24′. An inner surface 56 of the inner wall 48 includes a dual taper. More particularly, upper and lower tapered inner surfaces 56a and 56b extend radially outwardly from a center portion 57. Each tapered inner surface 56a, 56b is inclined by an angle α (illustratively equal to 3 degrees) from vertical, which helps the hose weight 30 glide along the hose 24, 24′.
A cap 60 is secured to the shell 44 and defines a second end wall 62. The cap 60 may illustratively be formed of a polymer, although other suitable materials such as metals may be substituted therefor. In one illustrative embodiment, both the shell 44 and the cap 60 are formed of a polymer having a density of between 0.03 lbs. per cubic inch (0.83 grams per cubic centimeter) and 0.09 lbs. per cubic inch (2.491 grams per cubic centimeter). In one illustrative embodiment, the polymer of the shell 44 and the cap 60 is a molded acetal having a density of approximately 0.04 lbs. per cubic inch (1.107 grams per cubic centimeter).
The filler 42 is received within the chamber 52 and illustratively comprises a metallic material. In certain illustrative embodiments, the filler 42 is a granular material. Alternatively, the filler 42 may be solid, such as sintered steel or lead.
In certain illustrative embodiments, the filler 42 comprises a plurality of metallic particles or grains 64. More particularly, the filler 42 may comprise steel shot includes a plurality of grains 64 having a density of between 0.09 lbs. per cubic inch (2.491 grams per cubic centimeter) and 0.37 lbs. per cubic inch (10.242 grams per cubic centimeter). In certain illustrative embodiments, the filler 42 comprises steel shot including grains 64 having a density between 0.25 lbs. per cubic inch (6.92 grams per cubic centimeter) and 0.37 lbs. per cubic inch (10.242 grams per cubic centimeter).
As shown in
In certain illustrative embodiments, the filler 42 may comprise various combinations of different types of steel shot. For example, the filler 42 may comprise at least one of S-330, S-390 and S-460 steel shot. More particularly, the filler 42 in one illustrative embodiment includes a mixture of S-330 and S-460 steel shot.
Illustratively, the hose weight 30 has a total weight between approximately 0.5 lbs. (0.227 kilograms) and 1 lb. (0.454 kilograms). In one illustrative embodiment, the outer housing 40 has a weight of approximately 0.05 lbs. (0.023 kilograms) and the filler 42 has a weight of approximately 0.55 lbs.+/−0.05 lbs. (0.249 kilograms+/−0.023 kilograms), such that the hose weight 30 has a total weight of approximately 0.6 lbs.+/−0.05 lbs. (0.272 kilograms+/−0.023 kilograms).
The cap 60 is illustratively secured to the shell 44 through shear joints 65a and 65b defined by ultrasonic welds 66a and 66b. Alternatively, the shear joints 65a and 65b may be formed through spin welding. More particularly, an outer mounting ring 68 of the cap 60 is secured to an inner surface of the outer wall 46 of the shell 44, and an inner mounting ring 70 of the cap 60 is secured to an outer surface of the inner wall 48 of the shell 44. Alternatively, the cap 60 may be secured to the shell 44 through other conventional means, such as adhesives, heat staking, brazing, or fasteners, including a threaded connection.
With further reference to
As the shell 44 and the cap 60 telescope together, they continue to melt along the vertical walls 46, 68 and 48, 70. Welding is accomplished by first melting the small, initial contact area and then continuing to melt with a controlled interference along the vertical walls 46, 68 and 48, 70 as the shell 44 and the cap 60 telescope together (
Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to certain preferred embodiments, variations and modifications exist within the spirit and scope of the invention as described and defined in the following claims.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20160090719 A1 | Mar 2016 | US |