FAUCET WITH WAND AND WAND ACCESSORY

Abstract

The present invention provides a faucet with a wand and a wand accessory. The wand accessory provides improved spray performance. The wand accessory includes an upstream end and a downstream end. The upstream end includes a wand accessory connector. The downstream end includes at least one wand accessory nozzle. The wand accessory nozzle is operable to fluidly communicate with a wand opening in a spray face of the wand.

Claims

1. A faucet, comprising: a hub, the hub being operable to connect to a mounting surface; a spout, the spout including a receptor and a wand, the receptor being operable to connect to the hub, the wand being operable to mount in the receptor, the wand being operable to pull away from the receptor; and a wand accessory, the wand accessory being operable to connect to the wand; the wand including a shell, a waterway, and a spray face; the shell being operable to pull away from the receptor; the waterway being operable to be substantially disposed in the shell, the waterway including an inlet region and an outlet region, the inlet region including an inlet passage, the outlet region including an outlet passage, the inlet region being operable to connect to a water hose, the waterway including a conduit disposed between the inlet passage and the outlet passage; the spray face being operable to connect to the outlet region of the waterway, the spray face including a wand opening and a wand connector, the wand opening being operable to fluidly communicate with the conduit and the outlet passage and deliver water from the spray face in the form of a stream; the wand accessory including a first end and a second end, the first end including a wand accessory connector, the second end including a wand accessory nozzle, the wand accessory nozzle being operable to fluidly communicate with the wand opening in the spray face; wherein the wand accessory is operable to sealably connect to the wand when the wand accessory connector on the wand accessory engages the wand connector on the spray face; and wherein the wand accessory is operable to convert the stream of water delivered from the wand opening in the spray face to a spray of water delivered from the wand accessory nozzle of the wand accessory.

2. The faucet of claim 1, wherein a region of the spray face is formed from a compressible material, and the wand accessory is sealably connected to the wand when the first end of the wand accessory is seated against the region of the spray face that is formed from the compressible material.

3. The faucet of claim 2, wherein the compressible material is an elastomer.

4. The faucet of claim 1, wherein the wand accessory is sealably connected to the wand via an O-ring.

5. The faucet of claim 1, further including a plurality of wand accessories, wherein: each wand accessory is operable to connect to the wand; each wand accessory includes a first end and a second end, the first end including a wand accessory connector, the second end including a wand accessory nozzle, the wand accessory nozzle being operable to fluidly communicate with the wand opening in the spray face; each wand accessory is operable to sealably connect to the wand when the wand accessory connector on the wand accessory engages the wand connector on the spray face; and each wand accessory is operable to convert the stream of water delivered from the wand opening in the spray face to a spray of water delivered from the wand accessory nozzle of the wand accessory.

6. The faucet of claim 5, wherein the second end of at least one wand accessory includes a plurality of wand accessory nozzles.

7. The faucet of claim 5, wherein the second end of each wand accessory includes a different number of wand accessory nozzles than the second end of each other wand accessory.

8. The faucet of claim 5, further including an accessory rack, the accessory rack being operable to support each wand accessory.

9. The faucet of claim 8, further including a mounting bracket, the mounting bracket being operable to support the accessory rack.

10. A faucet, comprising: a hub, the hub being operable to connect to a mounting surface; a spout, the spout including a receptor and a wand, the receptor being operable to connect to the hub, the wand being operable to mount in the receptor, the wand being operable to pull away from the receptor; and a wand accessory, the wand accessory being operable to connect to the wand; the wand including a shell, a waterway, a diverter valve, and a spray face; the shell being operable to pull away from the receptor; the waterway being separately formed from the shell, the waterway being operable to be substantially disposed in the shell, the waterway including an inlet region and an outlet region, the inlet region including an inlet passage, the outlet region including a first outlet passage and a second outlet passage, the inlet region being operable to connect to a water hose, the waterway including a first conduit, a second conduit, and a third conduit disposed between the inlet passage and the first outlet passage and the second outlet passage, the waterway including a diverter valve chamber, the diverter valve chamber being disposed between the first conduit and the second conduit and between the first conduit and the third conduit; the diverter valve being operable to be received in the diverter valve chamber, the diverter valve being operable to divert fluid flow between the first conduit and the second conduit and between the first conduit and the third conduit; the spray face being operable to connect to the outlet region of the waterway, the spray face including a wand opening, a plurality of wand nozzles, and a wand connector, the wand opening being operable to fluidly communicate with the second conduit and the first outlet passage and deliver water from the spray face in the form of a stream, the wand nozzles being operable to fluidly communicate with the third conduit and the second outlet passage and deliver water from the spray face in the form of a spray; the wand accessory including a first end and a second end, the first end including a wand accessory connector, the second end including a wand accessory nozzle, the wand accessory nozzle being operable to fluidly communicate with the wand opening in the spray face; wherein the wand accessory is operable to sealably connect to the wand when the wand accessory connector on the wand accessory engages the wand connector on the spray face; and wherein the wand accessory is operable to convert the stream of water delivered from the wand opening in the spray face to a spray of water delivered from the wand accessory nozzle of the wand accessory.

11. The faucet of claim 10, wherein a region of the spray face is formed from a compressible material, and the wand accessory is sealably connected to the wand when the first end of the wand accessory is seated against the region of the spray face that is formed from the compressible material.

12. The faucet of claim 11, wherein the compressible material is an elastomer.

13. The faucet of claim 10, wherein the wand accessory is sealably connected to the wand via an O-ring.

14. The faucet of claim 10, further including a plurality of wand accessories, wherein: each wand accessory is operable to connect to the wand; each wand accessory includes a first end and a second end, the first end including a wand accessory connector, the second end including a wand accessory nozzle, the wand accessory nozzle being operable to fluidly communicate with the wand opening in the spray face; each wand accessory is operable to sealably connect to the wand when the wand accessory connector on the wand accessory engages the wand connector on the spray face; and each wand accessory is operable to convert the stream of water delivered from the wand opening in the spray face to a spray of water delivered from the wand accessory nozzle of the wand accessory.

15. The faucet of claim 14, wherein the second end of at least one wand accessory includes a plurality of wand accessory nozzles.

16. The faucet of claim 14, wherein the second end of each wand accessory includes a different number of wand accessory nozzles than the second end of each other wand accessory.

17. The faucet of claim 14, further including an accessory rack, the accessory rack being operable to support each wand accessory.

18. The faucet of claim 17, further including a mounting bracket, the mounting bracket being operable to support the accessory rack.

19. A faucet, comprising: a hub, the hub being operable to connect to a mounting surface; a spout, the spout including a receptor and a wand, the receptor being operable to connect to the hub, the wand being operable to mount in the receptor, the wand being operable to pull away from the receptor; and a wand accessory, the wand accessory being operable to connect to the wand; the wand including a shell, a waterway, a diverter valve, and a spray face; the shell being operable to pull away from the receptor; the waterway being separately formed from the shell, the waterway being operable to be substantially disposed in the shell, the waterway including an inlet region and an outlet region, the inlet region including an inlet passage, the outlet region including a first outlet passage and a second outlet passage, the inlet region being operable to connect to a water hose, the waterway including a first conduit, a second conduit, and a third conduit disposed between the inlet passage and the first outlet passage and the second outlet passage, the waterway including a diverter valve chamber, the diverter valve chamber being disposed between the first conduit and the second conduit and between the first conduit and the third conduit; the diverter valve being operable to be received in the diverter valve chamber, the diverter valve being operable to divert fluid flow between the first conduit and the second conduit and between the first conduit and the third conduit; the spray face being operable to connect to the outlet region of the waterway, the spray face including a wand opening, a plurality of wand nozzles, and a threaded wand connector, the wand opening being operable to fluidly communicate with the second conduit and the first outlet passage and deliver water from the spray face in the form of a stream, the wand nozzles being operable to fluidly communicate with the third conduit and the second outlet passage and deliver water from the spray face in the form of a spray; the wand accessory including a first end and a second end, the first end including a threaded wand accessory connector, the second end including a wand accessory nozzle, the wand accessory nozzle being operable to fluidly communicate with the wand opening in the spray face; wherein the wand accessory is operable to sealably connect to the wand when the threaded wand accessory connector on the wand accessory engages the threaded wand connector on the spray face; and wherein the wand accessory is operable to convert the stream of water delivered from the wand opening in the spray face to a spray of water delivered from the wand accessory nozzle of the wand accessory.

20. The faucet of claim 19, wherein the threaded wand connector at least partially surrounds the wand opening, and the plurality of wand nozzles at least partially surround the threaded wand connector.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] FIG. 1a is an assembled perspective view of a faucet with a wand and a wand accessory according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1b is an assembled perspective view of the wand and the wand accessory of FIG. 1a;

[0009] FIG. 2a is a partially exploded perspective view of the faucet with the wand and the wand accessory of FIG. 1a, and FIG. 2b is a partially exploded perspective view of the wand and the wand accessory of FIG. 1b;

[0010] FIG. 3a is a further partially exploded perspective view of the faucet with the wand and the wand accessory of FIG. 1a, and FIG. 3b is a further partially exploded perspective view of the wand and the wand accessory of FIG. 1b;

[0011] FIG. 4a is an even further partially exploded perspective view of the faucet with the wand and the wand accessory of FIG. 1a, and FIG. 4b is an even further partially exploded perspective view of the wand and the wand accessory of FIG. 1b;

[0012] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the wand of FIG. 1a, taken along a central longitudinal axis of the wand;

[0013] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the wand accessory of FIG. 1a, taken along a central longitudinal axis of the wand accessory;

[0014] FIGS. 7a-7c are views of a spray face and a wand accessory according to another exemplary embodiment of the present inventionFIG. 7a is an assembled perspective view, FIG. 7b is a partially unassembled perspective view, and FIG. 7c is a further partially unassembled perspective view;

[0015] FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional view of a faucet with a wand and a wand accessory according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0016] FIGS. 9a-9b are views of wand accessories, an accessory rack, and a mounting bracket according to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventionFIG. 9a is an assembled perspective view, and FIG. 9b is an unassembled perspective view; and

[0017] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a wand accessory according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] The present invention provides a faucet with a wand and a wand accessory.

[0019] The wand accessory for a faucet more effectively and efficiently cleans bottles (e.g., baby bottles and water bottles) by spraying high pressure water into the bottoms and other hard to reach surfaces of the bottles. The wand accessory can also be used to clean glasses, pans, other containers, and other surfaces. The wand accessory can be used with a pullout or pulldown faucet. The pullout or pulldown faucet includes a faucet wand. The wand accessory is attached to a face of the faucet wand. The wand accessory provides a stronger and more focused spray than the faucet wand.

[0020] An exemplary embodiment of a faucet 10 of the present invention is shown in detail in FIGS. 1a-4b. In the illustrated embodiment, the faucet 10 includes a hub 12, a spout 14, and a handle 16. The spout 14 includes a receptor 18 and a wand 20. The faucet 10 further includes a wand accessory 22. A base of the hub 12 is connected (either directly or indirectly) to a mounting surface (such as a counter or sink). An upstream end of the receptor 18 is connected to the hub 12. In the illustrated embodiment, the upstream end of the receptor 18 is connected to a top of the hub 12. In an exemplary embodiment, the upstream end of the receptor 18 is connected to a side of the hub 12. An upstream end of the wand 20 is mounted in a downstream end of the receptor 18. The wand 20 is operable to pull away from the receptor 18. The wand 20 is operable to deliver water from the faucet 10. The handle 16 is connected to the hub 12. In the illustrated embodiment, the handle 16 is connected to the side of the hub 12. In an exemplary embodiment, the handle 16 is connected to the top of the hub 12. The handle 16 is operable to move relative to the hub 12.

[0021] An exemplary embodiment of the wand 20 is shown in detail in FIGS. 1a-5. In the illustrated embodiment, the wand 20 includes a shell 24 and a waterway 26. The shell 24 is operable to pull away from the receptor 18. The waterway 26 is separately formed from the shell 24. The waterway 26 is substantially disposed within the shell 24.

[0022] An exemplary embodiment of the waterway 26 is shown in detail in FIGS. 4a-5. The waterway 26 includes an inlet region 28 and an outlet region 30. The inlet region 28 includes an inlet passage 32. The outlet region 30 includes a first outlet passage 34 and a second outlet passage 36. In the illustrated embodiment, the first outlet passage 34 is inside the second outlet passage 36. The inlet region 28 is connected to a water hose. The waterway 26 includes a first conduit 38, a second conduit 40, and a third conduit 42 disposed between the inlet passage 32 and the first outlet passage 34 and the second outlet passage 36. In the illustrated embodiment, the waterway 26 includes a pause valve chamber 44 and a diverter valve chamber 46. In the illustrated embodiment, the pause valve chamber 44 is disposed in the first conduit 38. In the illustrated embodiment, the diverter valve chamber 46 is disposed between the first conduit 38 and the second conduit 40 and between the first conduit 38 and the third conduit 42.

[0023] Additionally, in the illustrated embodiment, the wand 20 includes a pause valve 48 and a diverter valve 50. The pause valve 48 is received in the pause valve chamber 44. The pause valve 48 pauses flow through the first conduit 38. The diverter valve 50 is received in the diverter valve chamber 46. The diverter valve 50 diverts flow between the first conduit 38 and the second conduit 40 and between the first conduit 38 and the third conduit 42.

[0024] Although the wand 20 has been shown and described as including the first outlet passage 34, the second outlet passage 36, the first conduit 38, the second conduit 40, the third conduit 42, the pause valve chamber 44, the diverter valve chamber 46, the pause valve 48, and the diverter valve 50, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the wand 20 may not include each of these components or may include a different number of each of these components. For example, the wand 20 may include more or less than two outlet passages, may include more or less than three conduits, may not include the pause valve chamber, may not include the diverter valve chamber, may include more than one diverter valve chamber, may not include the pause valve, may not include the diverter valve, and/or may include more than one diverter valve.

[0025] Further, in the illustrated embodiment, the wand 20 includes a spray face 52. The spray face 52 is connected to the outlet region 30 of the waterway 26.

[0026] An exemplary embodiment of the spray face 52 is shown in detail in FIGS. 1a-5. The spray face 52 includes a wand opening 54, a plurality of first or wand nozzles 56, and a first or wand connector 58. In the illustrated embodiment, the wand opening 54 is central, and the wand nozzles 56 surround the wand opening 54. In an exemplary embodiment, the wand nozzles 56 are integrally formed with the spray face 52. The wand opening 54 fluidly communicates with the second conduit 40 and the first outlet passage 34 and delivers water from the spray face 52 in the form of a stream. The wand nozzles 56 fluidly communicate with the third conduit 42 and the second outlet passage 36 and deliver water from the spray face 52 in the form of a spray.

[0027] Although the spray face 52 has been shown and described as including the wand nozzles 56, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the spray face 52 may not include this component or may include a different number of this component. For example, the spray face 52 may not include wand nozzles 56, may include more or less wand nozzles 56, or may include different types of wand nozzles 56.

[0028] In an exemplary embodiment, the wand connector 58 at least partially surrounds the wand opening 54. In the illustrated embodiment, the wand connector 58 completely surrounds the wand opening 54. In an exemplary embodiment, the wand nozzles 56 at least partially surround the wand connector 58. In the illustrated embodiment, the wand nozzles 56 completely surround the wand connector 58.

[0029] Moreover, in the illustrated embodiment, the wand 20 includes a wand nut 60, a first O-ring 62, a first screen 64, a check valve 66, a pause valve retaining clip 68, a diverter valve retaining clip 70, a pause valve spring 72, a diverter valve spring 74, an actuation button 76, a second O-ring 78, a second screen 80, a gasket 82, and an aerator 84. These components of the wand 20 are well-known in the art and, thus, will not be described in greater detail.

[0030] An exemplary embodiment of the wand accessory 22 is shown in FIGS. 1a-4b and 6. The wand accessory 22 includes a first or upstream end 86 and a second or downstream end 88. The upstream end 86 includes a second or wand accessory connector 90. The downstream end 88 includes at least one second or wand accessory nozzle 92. The wand accessory nozzle 92 is operable to fluidly communicate with the wand opening 54 in the spray face 52.

[0031] The wand accessory 22 is operable to connect to the wand 20. More specifically, the wand accessory 22 is operable to connect to the wand 20 when the wand accessory connector 90 on the wand accessory 22 engages the wand connector 58 on the spray face 52 of the wand 20. The wand accessory 22 is operable to convert the stream of water delivered from the wand opening 54 in the spray face 52 to a spray of water delivered from the wand accessory nozzle 92 of the wand accessory 22.

[0032] The wand accessory 22 can be connected to the wand 20 via various attachment mechanisms. Exemplary attachment mechanisms includes a threaded attachment, a magnetic attachment, a twist and lock attachment, a snap attachment, and a bayonet attachment. However, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that other attachment mechanisms could be used. In the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 1a-6, the wand connector 58 is threaded, and the wand accessory connector 90 is threaded. In the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 1a-6, the wand accessory 22 is operable to connect to the wand 20 when the wand accessory connector 90 threadably engages the wand connector 58. In the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 7a-7c, the wand connector 58 includes guide slots, and the wand accessory connector 90 includes pins. In the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 7a-7c, the wand accessory 22 is operable to connect to the wand 20 when the pins of the wand accessory connector 90 are received in the guide slots of the wand connector 58.

[0033] The wand accessory 22 is operable to sealably connect to the wand 20. The sealable connection can be made using compressible material integrally formed with the wand 20 and/or the wand accessory 22 or using a separate seal (e.g., an O-ring). In the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 1a-6, a region 94 of the spray face 52 between the wand connector 58 and the wand nozzles 56 is formed from a compressible material, and the wand accessory 22 is operable to sealably connect to the wand 20 when the upstream end 86 of the wand accessory 22 is seated against the region 94 of the spray face 52 of the wand 20. In an exemplary embodiment, the compressible material is an elastomer. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 8, the faucet 10 includes a third O-ring 96, and the wand accessory 22 is operable to sealably connect to the wand 20 when the third O-ring 96 is received between the wand accessory 22 and the spray face 52 of the wand 20.

[0034] In the illustrated embodiment, the wand accessory 22 includes an interior cavity 98 that is generally hollow. However, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the wand accessory 22 could include interior structure that facilitates the flow of water to the wand accessory nozzle 92. In the illustrated embodiment, a width of the interior cavity 98 at the upstream end 86 of the wand accessory 22 is greater than a width of the interior cavity 98 at the downstream end 88 of the wand accessory 22. In the illustrated embodiment, the interior cavity 98 tapers from the upstream end 86 of the wand accessory 22 to the downstream end 88 of the wand accessory 22.

[0035] The wand accessory 22 can have various types of wand accessory nozzle 92. Exemplary nozzle types includes a multi-directional spray nozzle, a power jet spray nozzle, and a rotating water spray nozzle.

[0036] In an exemplary embodiment, the faucet 10 includes a plurality of wand accessories 22. In the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 9a-9b, the faucet 10 includes three wand accessories 22, 22, and 22. Each wand accessory 22, 22, 22 is operable to connect to the wand 20. Each wand accessory 22, 22, 22 includes the upstream end 86 and the downstream end 88.

[0037] The upstream end 86 of each wand accessory 22, 22, 22 includes the wand accessory connector 90. Each wand accessory 22, 22, 22 is operable to connect to the wand 20 when the wand accessory connector 90 engages the wand connector 58 on the spray face 52 of the wand 20. Each wand accessory 22, 22, 22 is operable to sealably connect to the wand 20 when the wand accessory connector 90 engages the wand connector 58 on the spray face 52 of the wand 20 via any sealing mechanism, such as the region 94 or the third O-ring 96.

[0038] The downstream end 88 of each wand accessory 22, 22, 22 includes the wand accessory nozzle(s) 92, 92, 92. Each wand accessory nozzle 92, 92, 92 is operable to fluidly communicate with the wand opening 54 in the spray face 52. Each wand accessory 22, 22, 22 is operable to convert the stream of water delivered from the wand opening 54 in the spray face 52 to a spray of water delivered from the wand accessory nozzle(s) 92, 92, 92.

[0039] In an exemplary embodiment, the downstream end 88 of at least one wand accessory 22 includes a plurality of wand accessory nozzles 92. In the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 9a-9b, the downstream end 88 of each wand accessory 22, 22 includes a plurality of wand accessory nozzles 92, 92. In the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 9a-9b, the downstream end 88 of each wand accessory 22, 22, 22 includes a different number of wand accessory nozzles 92, 92, 92 than the downstream end 88 of each other wand accessory 22, 22, 22. Moreover, in an exemplary embodiment, the downstream end 88 of each wand accessory 22, 22, 22 has a different nozzle type than the downstream end 88 of each other wand accessory 22, 22, 22.

[0040] The wand accessory 22 can be stored in various storage locations. Exemplary storage locations includes a free-standing countertop rack and a mounted cabinet door rack. In an exemplary embodiment, the faucet 10 includes an accessory rack 100. The accessory rack 100 is operable to support at least one wand accessory 22. In the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 9a-9b, the accessory rack 100 is operable to support three wand accessories 22, 22, 22.

[0041] In an exemplary embodiment, the faucet 10 includes a mounting bracket 102. The mounting bracket 102 is operable to support the accessory rack 100. In the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 9a-9b, the mounting bracket 102 is operable to support the accessory rack 100 on a vertical surface (such as a wall or cabinet).

[0042] In an exemplary embodiment, the wand accessory 22 includes an outer surface 104 that is textured. The textured outer surface 104 provides a better grip for a user of the wand accessory 22. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 10, the textured outer surface 104 incudes ribs.

[0043] One of ordinary skill in the art will now appreciate that the present invention provides a faucet with a wand and a wand accessory. Although the present invention has been shown and described with reference to a particular embodiment, equivalent alterations and modifications will occur to those skilled in the art upon reading and understanding this specification. The present invention includes all such equivalent alterations and modifications.