This disclosure is in the field of plumbing fixtures. More specifically, this disclosure is in the field of brackets for use when installing plumbing supply and drain lines during construction.
In various embodiments, the inventive plumbing fixture positions a water supply line in relation to a wall. This holds a fixture such as a tub faucet in proper position with respect to the wall and other elements of the plumbing system.
The plumbing fixture described herein provides an improved support and positioning to a water supply line used in plumbing installations such as tub or shower installations. As shown by the embodiment depicted in
The dimensions given herein are an example of a preferred embodiment but are not limiting of the claims herein. In the depicted embodiment the surface 102 is between 2.5 and 3 inches long, and is between 1 and 1.575 inches from the center of feature 104. Similarly, in this embodiment the feature 104 is between 0.5 and 0.75 inches in diameter in the circular cross-section, and has an opening between 0.5 and 0.6 inches. In some embodiments the distance from surface 102 to the distal end of feature 104 is between 2.0 and 2.5 inches. Other embodiments may have other dimensions to allow for larger or smaller water lines, differing distances between the water line and the wall surface. In some embodiments the device may have more than one water line bracket.
As shown in
A typical installation of a plumbing system, such as tub and shower fixtures, may have faucets that extend through a finish wall of the building that are supported largely or entirely by the water supply line to which they are attached. For example, a tub faucet is often supported solely by a supply line 202, which in turn is only supported and held in position by the valve assembly 200. The valve assembly 200 may not be well supported by the structure of the wall or may have flex or play in its components that reduce the rigidity of the support it provides to the tub faucet. This lack of adequate support may allow the faucet 204 to move with respect to the wall and exerting unwanted stress on the valve assembly 200 and the joints in the water supply line 202.
As shown in
In varying embodiments, the plumbing fixture 100 is positioned between the supply line 202 and an inside surface of the wall. The surface 102 of the fixture 100 positions the fixture 100 with respect to the wall. The water supply line 202 is held in position by a bracket or feature 104 on the fixture 100. The fixture may be a snap on feature as depicted. It could also utilize set screws, zip ties, or clamps of other types to hold the fixture 100 in relation to the water line. The positioning of the block 100 prevents the water supply line 202 from moving back and forth with respect to the wall. The wall-contacting surface 102 may have one or more surfaces, that may be separated such as by legs extending from the body 106. The block may alternatively or additionally be provided with extensions that contact or are attached to other parts of the wall structure such as studs.
“Substantially” means to be more-or-less conforming to the particular dimension, range, shape, concept, or other aspect modified by the term, such that a feature or component need not conform exactly. For example, a “substantially cylindrical” object means that the object resembles a cylinder, but may have one or more deviations from a true cylinder.
“Comprising,” “including,” and “having” (and conjugations thereof) are used interchangeably to mean including but not necessarily limited to, and are open-ended terms not intended to exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps.
Changes may be made in the above methods, devices and structures without departing from the scope hereof. Many different arrangements of the various components depicted, as well as components not shown, are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Embodiments of the present invention have been described with the intent to be illustrative and exemplary of the invention, rather than restrictive or limiting of the scope thereof. Alternative embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art that do not depart from its scope. Specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one of skill in the art to employ the present invention in any appropriately detailed structure. A skilled artisan may develop alternative means of implementing the aforementioned improvements without departing from the scope of the present invention.
It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations and are contemplated within the scope of the claims. Not all steps listed in the various figures need be carried out in the specific order described.
This application is a continuation in part application that claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/406,249 filed May 8, 2019, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/668,607 filed May 8, 2018, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/823,424 filed on Mar. 25, 2019, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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62668607 | May 2018 | US | |
62823424 | Mar 2019 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 16406249 | May 2019 | US |
Child | 17181724 | US |