CA2568492A1 - Pull-down spray head with metal shell - Google Patents

Pull-down spray head with metal shell Download PDF

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Publication number
CA2568492A1
CA2568492A1 CA002568492A CA2568492A CA2568492A1 CA 2568492 A1 CA2568492 A1 CA 2568492A1 CA 002568492 A CA002568492 A CA 002568492A CA 2568492 A CA2568492 A CA 2568492A CA 2568492 A1 CA2568492 A1 CA 2568492A1
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
metal shell
spray
engine
spray head
retaining device
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
CA002568492A
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
CA2568492C (en
Inventor
Thomas Beh
Vinh Vu
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Brasstech Inc
Original Assignee
Brasstech Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Brasstech Inc filed Critical Brasstech Inc
Publication of CA2568492A1 publication Critical patent/CA2568492A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of CA2568492C publication Critical patent/CA2568492C/en
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Classifications

    • EFIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E03WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE
    • E03CDOMESTIC PLUMBING INSTALLATIONS FOR FRESH WATER OR WASTE WATER; SINKS
    • E03C1/00Domestic plumbing installations for fresh water or waste water; Sinks
    • E03C1/02Plumbing installations for fresh water
    • E03C1/04Water-basin installations specially adapted to wash-basins or baths
    • E03C1/0404Constructional or functional features of the spout
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B05SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05BSPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
    • B05B15/00Details of spraying plant or spraying apparatus not otherwise provided for; Accessories
    • B05B15/60Arrangements for mounting, supporting or holding spraying apparatus
    • B05B15/65Mounting arrangements for fluid connection of the spraying apparatus or its outlets to flow conduits
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B05SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05BSPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
    • B05B1/00Nozzles, spray heads or other outlets, with or without auxiliary devices such as valves, heating means
    • B05B1/14Nozzles, spray heads or other outlets, with or without auxiliary devices such as valves, heating means with multiple outlet openings; with strainers in or outside the outlet opening
    • B05B1/18Roses; Shower heads

Abstract

An spray head includes a spray engine and a metal shell retained on the spray engine. The spray head is assembled by fitting the shell onto the spray engine and seating the shell against a cushioning ring. A retaining device is attached to the spray engine to secure the shell is position. A surface finish is applied to the outer surface of the shell to achieve a desired appearance.

Description

PULL-DOWN SPRAY HEAD WITH METAL SHELL
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a spray head having a spray engine and a metal shell retained on the spray engine.
Spray heads for use in homes commonly have hand-held or extending portions allowing the user to manipulate the direction of water spray as desired.
Recently, spray heads have been manufactured in separate pieces including a spray engine and a spray cover designed to be placed over the spray engine. The spray covers are formed to include the necessary retaining elements to secure the spray cover to the spray engine.

By separately providing the components of the spray head the user can select among different spray covers providing a desired look. The spray covers are plastic to provide an inexpensive and lightweight device that can be easily manipulated by the user. However, adding surface finishes after forming the spray covers is difficult because many plating materials are not compatible with a plastic base.
However, forming a metal spray cover that includes the necessary retaining elements requires that the spray cover be formed using a casting or forging process.
Spray covers manufactured from a casting or forging process result in a heavy difficult to use cover.

It is therefore desirable to provide a spray head having a metal shell which is light weight and simply retained to a spray engine.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An example spray head according to this invention includes a spray engine and a metal shell retained on the spray engine.

The spray head is assembled by fitting the shell onto the spray engine and seating the shell against a cushioning ring. A retaining clip or threaded nut secures the shell in position. The cushioning ring between the spray engine and the shell eliminates slack and prevents the shell from rattling once assembled.
The shell is manufactured using a hydroform process, that provides the desired lightweight product. A surface finish is applied to the outer surface of the shell to provide a desired appearance. The shell is a separate piece that is finished separately from other components of the spray head.
These and other features of the present invention can be best understood from the following specification and drawings, the following of which is a brief description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a perspective view of an example spray head of the present invention having a spray engine and a shell;
Figure 2a is an exploded view of an example spray head of the present invention;
Figure 2b is an assembled view of an example spray head of the present invention;
Figure 3a is an exploded view of another example spray head of the present invention;
Figure 3b is an assembled view of another example spray head of the present invention;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Figure 1 illustrates a spray head 10 having a spray engine 12 and a shell 14.
The spray head 10 is connected to a water supply pipe 16 through the spray engine 12. The spray engine 12 has a threaded portion 18 located proximate to a first end 20 for securing the spray head 10 to the water supply tube 16. Water exits through a second end 22 of the spray engine 12, as illustrated. The shell 14 surrounds a portion of the spray engine 12. The spray engine 12 is self-contained and includes the first end 20 and the second end 22 that are accessible through opposing ends of the shell 14. Water enters the first end 20, passes through the interior of the spray engine 12, and exits the second end 22. Therefore providing a waterproof seal between the shell 14 and the spray engine 12 is not required.
Referring to Figures 2a and 2b, a cushioning ring 24 is placed on the spray engine 12 and is seated against a surface 26. The shell 14 is then assembled onto the spray engine 12 and seated against the cushioning ring 24. An inside surface of the shell 14 contacts the cushioning ring 24. A retaining clip 28 engages the spray engine 12 to secure the shell 14 in position. The retaining clip 28 is a snap ring, but may be any type of clip able to retain the shell 14 to the spray engine 12.
The retaining clip 28 surrounds a majority of the circumference of the groove 35 proximate to the first end 20 of the spray engine 12. Once the retaining clip 28 is placed into the groove 35 around the diameter of the first end 20 force must be applied to spread ends of the retaining clip 28 apart in order to remove the retaining clip 28 from the spray engine 12, thereby holding the retaining clip 28 to its proximate location and preventing the retaining clip 28 from separating from the spray engine 12 during normal operation. Additionally, the cut-out slots 37 of the metal shell 14 engage with the protrusion tabs 36 of the spray engine 12 to prevent rotation of the shell 14 with respect to the spray engine 12. The cushioning ring 24 is disposed between the surface 26 and the shell 14 to bias the shell 14 against the retaining clip 28. The bias pressure provided by the cushioning ring 24 substantially eliminates slack between the retaining clip 28 and the shell 14 to prevent relative movement and rattling between the shell 14 and the spray head 10.
The shell 14 is manufactured using a hydroform process. Using a hydroform process provides a shell that is thinner than is possible either by a casting or forging process. The thinner shell 14 provides a desirable light weight spray head 10.
Additionally, using metal to form the shell 14 provides a shell having a solid feel that is pleasing to a user and of a lighter weight. The shell 14 is preferably brass, but may be any type of metal. The shell 14 includes an outer surface 34 to which a surface finish is applied. The surface finish provides a desired appearance for the spray head 10. For example, a powder coating may be applied to achieve a particular color of the shell 14. The metal shell 14 may also be plated with different metal finishes, such as chrome. Because the shell 14 is a separate piece, the spray engine 12 need not be part of the finishing process. Separate finishing of the shell 14 from the spray engine 12 prevents potential damage to the spray engine 12 during the finishing process. For example, heating required in a powder coating process is not compatible with the pray engine 12.
Referring to Figure 3a and 3b, another example the spray head 100 includes a spray engine 102 and a shell 104. A cushioning ring 106 is placed on the spi-ay engine 102 and is seated against a surface 108. The shell 104 is assembled onto the spray engine 102 and seated against the cushioning ring 106. A threaded nut 110 is threaded onto a threaded portion 112 of the spray engine 102 to secure the shell 104 in position. The threaded portion 112 extends from the spray engine 102 proximate to a first end 114 for receiving the threaded nut 110. The threaded portion extends a length past the threaded nut 110 when assembled. The length extending past the threaded nut 110 is used to attach the spray head 100 to the water supply tube 16.
The cushioning ring 106 biases the shell 104 against the threaded nut 110.
The bias pressure prevents the threaded nut 110 from unscrewing from the spray engine 102. Additionally, the cut-out slots 118 of the metal shell 116 engage with the protrusion tab 117 of the spray engine 102 to prevent rotation of the shell 104 with respect to the spray engine 102. The shell 104 is metal, preferably brass, and manufactured using a hydroform process. The shell 104 has an outer surface 116 to which surface finishes are applied to achieve a desired appearance.
The example spray heads 10 and 100 may be used for any type of faucets where it is desirable to provide a spray head with a variety of finish appearances.
Although a retaining clip 28 and a threaded nut 110 are described other methods of removably securing the shells 14 and 104 to the spray engines 12 and 102 may be used. The spray engines 12 and 102 are self-contained and include components contained within a housing operable independent of the shells 14 and 104.
Although a preferred embodiment of this invention has been disclosed,, a worker of ordinary skill in this art would recognize that certain modifications would come within the scope of this invention. For that reason, the following claims should be studied to determine the true scope and content of this invention.

Claims (22)

1. A spray head for a faucet assembly comprising:
a self-contained spray engine;
a metal shell disposed around at least a portion of the spray engine; and a retaining device for removably securing the metal shell to the spray engine.
2. The spray head of claim 1, wherein the retaining device is a retaining clip.
3. The spray head of claim 2, wherein the spray engine includes a groove extending around the diameter of the spray engine wherein the retaining clip is positioned within the groove.
4. The spray head of claim 1, wherein the spray engine has a threaded portion and the retaining device is a threaded nut threaded onto the threaded portion.
5. The spray head of claim 1, wherein the metal shell includes an outer surface for receiving a surface finish.
6. The spray head of claim 1, wherein the metal shell comprises a hydroform metal shell.
7. The spray head of claim 1, wherein the metal shell comprises a brass shell.
8. The spray head of claim 1, wherein the metal shell comprises a stainless steel shell.
9. The spray head of claim 1, wherein a cushioning ring is located between the metal shell and the spray engine to bias the metal shell toward the retaining device.
10. The spray head of claim 1, wherein the self-contained spray engine comprises a spray engine which is encased within a housing and operable independent of the metal shell and retaining device.
11. A spray head for a hand-held faucet assembly comprising:
a spray engine having a retaining device first portion;
a metal shell disposed around at least a portion of the spray engine wherein the retaining device first portion extends from the metal shell; and a retaining device second portion interfitting with the retaining device first portion for removably securing the metal shell to the spray engine.
12. The spray head of claim 11, wherein the retaining device first portion comprises a groove extending around the diameter of a spray engine housing and the retaining device second portion comprises a retaining clip positioned within the groove and contacting an exterior surface of a metal shell.
13. The spray head of claim 11, wherein the retaining device first portion comprises a threaded portion and the retaining device second portion comprises a threaded nut threaded onto the threaded portion and contacting an exterior surface of a metal shell.
14. The spray head of claim 11, wherein the metal shell includes an outer surface for receiving a surface finish.
15. The spray head of claim 11, wherein the metal shell comprises a hydroform metal shell.
16. The spray head of claim 11, wherein the spray engine comprises a self-contained spray engine which is disposed at least partially within a housing and operable independent of the metal shell and retaining device.
17. A method adding a surface finish to a spray head comprising:
a. forming a metal shell including an outer surface for receiving a surface finish;
b. applying a surface finish to the metal shell; and c. securing the metal shell to a spray engine with a retaining device.
18. The method of claim 16, wherein said step a) includes forming the metal shell using a hydroform process.
19. The method of claim 16, wherein said step c) includes positioning the metal shell around the spray engine and aligning slots formed in the shell with protrusions on the spray engine to prevent rotation of the metal shell with respect to the spray engine.
20. The method of claim 16, wherein said step c) includes positioning a retaining clip within a groove in a spray engine housing and contacting the exterior surface of the metal shell with the retaining clip.
21. The method of claim 16, wherein said step c) includes threading a nut onto a threaded portion of the spray engine.
22. The method of claim 16, wherein said step c) includes placing a cushioning ring between the spray engine and the metal shell to bias the metal shell toward the retaining device.
CA2568492A 2006-03-06 2006-11-22 Pull-down spray head with metal shell Expired - Fee Related CA2568492C (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US11/368,543 US7717362B2 (en) 2006-03-06 2006-03-06 Pull-down spray head with metal shell
US11/368,543 2006-03-06

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA2568492A1 true CA2568492A1 (en) 2007-09-06
CA2568492C CA2568492C (en) 2013-04-02

Family

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA2568492A Expired - Fee Related CA2568492C (en) 2006-03-06 2006-11-22 Pull-down spray head with metal shell

Country Status (2)

Country Link
US (1) US7717362B2 (en)
CA (1) CA2568492C (en)

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US10063815B1 (en) 2011-09-26 2018-08-28 Jenesia1, Inc. Mobile communication platform
US9175459B2 (en) * 2013-12-26 2015-11-03 Global Union Industrial Corp. Water supply device with double supply modes
USD946115S1 (en) * 2020-08-11 2022-03-15 Delta Faucet Company Faucet sprayer

Family Cites Families (16)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1561275A (en) * 1924-01-16 1925-11-10 Standard Brass Casting Co Shower head
JPS62106861A (en) * 1985-10-31 1987-05-18 Nippon Seiki Co Ltd Protective device in electromotive spray apparatus
DE4029792A1 (en) * 1990-09-20 1992-03-26 Grohe Kg Hans Hand shower fastener with hose holder - has through hole in holder, with topend supporting shower head
US5090624A (en) * 1990-11-20 1992-02-25 Alsons Corporation Hand held shower adapted to provide pulsating or steady flow
US5127580A (en) * 1991-07-19 1992-07-07 Fu I Liu Shower head assembly
IT230875Y1 (en) * 1993-10-06 1999-07-05 G S R L Ab SHOWER HEAD
US5829469A (en) * 1995-10-10 1998-11-03 Joseph P. Sileno, Jr. Revocable Trust Apparatus for retrofitting a non-pressure balanced mixing valve to provide pressure balanced operation
US6220297B1 (en) * 1999-08-23 2001-04-24 Masco Corporation Of Indiana Pull-out spray head having reduced play
US6173910B1 (en) * 1999-10-14 2001-01-16 Chya Ye Industrial Co., Ltd. Press structure of washing head for kitchen cabinet
ITMN20000013A1 (en) * 2000-03-10 2001-09-10 Amfag Spa REMOVABLE SHOWER FOR KITCHEN
US6270023B1 (en) * 2000-06-07 2001-08-07 David K. Farley Hand held shower head with unitary filter housing
US6446278B1 (en) * 2001-08-31 2002-09-10 Han Chun Lin Adjustable holder device for shower nozzle or the like
US6619567B1 (en) * 2002-07-15 2003-09-16 Globe Union Industrial Corp. Structure of a flexible water tap
US6848126B2 (en) * 2003-05-29 2005-02-01 Saint-Ange Marcellus Washing bowl mobile chair
US6880768B2 (en) * 2003-07-30 2005-04-19 Jing Mei Industrial Holdings Limited Handheld spraying device with quick disconnect assembly
US7077342B2 (en) * 2004-05-25 2006-07-18 Ching Shenger Co., Ltd. Shower head assembly

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CA2568492C (en) 2013-04-02
US20070235570A1 (en) 2007-10-11
US7717362B2 (en) 2010-05-18

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Effective date: 20171122