IP Library Granted Patent US 7,793,677
Granted Patent B2
US 7,793,677 · App. 12/185,769 · Granted Sep 14, 2010

Waterway connection

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,793,677
App. No.
12/185,769
Granted
Sep 14, 2010
Kind
B2
Abstract

A coupler for a faucet is disclosed which couples a first waterway component and a second waterway component, the coupler being an overmold component.

Claims (14)

1. A method of delivering water with a faucet, the method comprising the steps of:

positioning a valve body between an upstream waterway component which receives water from a supply and a downstream waterway component which provides water to a fluid outlet, the valve body includes a metal sleeve and an internal structure including a recess which holds a seal assembly, the internal structure being a polymeric material;

positioning a seal assembly in the recess of the internal structure of the valve body, the seal assembly having a fluid conduit through which water may pass;

positioning a valve in the valve body, the valve being moveable relative to the valve body and the valve cooperating with the seal assembly to prevent a communication of water to the downstream waterway when the valve is in a first position and to allow the communication of water to the downstream waterway when the valve is in a second position;

wherein a waterway component is interposed between the valve body and the downstream waterway component, the waterway component having a fluid inlet in fluid communication with a fluid outlet of the valve body and a fluid outlet in fluid communication with the downstream waterway component;

positioning the fluid inlet of the waterway component proximate to the fluid outlet of the valve body; and

coupling the waterway component to the valve body with a coupler which is spaced apart from the fluid passing through the valve body and the waterway component, the coupling step including placing the valve body and the waterway component in a mold, and overmolding at least a portion of the valve body and the waterway component, the overmold being the coupler;

wherein the coupler alone maintains the position of the waterway component relative to the valve body.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein when the valve is in the second position water is communicated from the upstream waterway component to the downstream waterway component by the steps of:

traveling generally vertical through a first portion of the valve body;

passing through the fluid conduit in the seal assembly positioned in the recess of the internal structure of the valve body;

passing through a fluid conduit provided in the valve; and

traveling generally horizontally and out of the valve member and onward to the downstream waterway component.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the metal sleeve of the valve body is brass and the internal structure of the valve body is a thermoplastic material.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 24, 2015
From: MASCO CORPORATION OF INDIANA
To: DELTA FAUCET COMPANY
Reel/Frame 035168/0845 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 23, 2010
From: PINETTE, THOMAS
To: MASCO CORPORATION OF INDIANA
Reel/Frame 024581/0571 →