IP Library Granted Patent US 8,590,572
Granted Patent B2
US 8,590,572 · App. 13/334,525 · Granted Nov 26, 2013

Spout tip retention method

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,590,572
App. No.
13/334,525
Granted
Nov 26, 2013
Kind
B2
Abstract

An apparatus and method for assembling a faucet spout to retain a tube within a body of the faucet spout.

Claims (38)

1. A method of retaining a spout tube within a spout body of a faucet, the spout tube having a tip and the spout body having an inlet end, an outlet end, and a chamber, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a clip and an insert;

positioning the spout tube within the chamber of the spout body with the tip of the spout tube located proximal the outlet end of the spout body;

moving the tip of the spout tube toward the outlet end of the spout body and into the insert until the clip expands outwardly relative to the tip and into engagement with the insert; and

securing the insert to the outlet end of the spout body;

wherein the step of positioning the spout tube within the chamber of the spout body comprises the steps of:

inserting the tip of the spout tube into the inlet end of the spout body; and

moving the tip of the spout tube through the chamber of the spout body until reaching the outlet end of the spout body.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of securing a sealing ring to the tip.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of securing the insert to the outlet end of the spout body comprises snapping the insert into the spout body.

4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of coupling an aerator to the insert.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of moving the tip of the spout tube into the insert comprises positioning a shoulder of the tip against the insert.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of moving the tip of the spout tube into the insert comprises passing the tip through a narrow portion of the insert until passing a shoulder of the insert.

7. A method of retaining a spout tube within a spout body of a faucet, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a spout body having a chamber extending between an inlet end and an opposing outlet end;

supporting a retainer on a tip of a spout tube;

passing the tip of the spout tube through the chamber of the spout body from the inlet end to the outlet end;

collapsing the retainer by passing the tip of the spout tube through a narrowed portion of a receiving member;

expanding the retainer by passing the tip of the spout tube through a widened portion of the receiving member; and

wherein a first shoulder between the narrowed portion and the widened portion prevents the tip of the spout tube from withdrawing into the spout body.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein a second shoulder in spaced relation to the first shoulder prevents the tip of the spout tube from advancing toward the outlet end of the spout body.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the receiving member comprises an insert supported proximate the outlet end of the spout body.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the second shoulder is defined by the tip of the spout tube and is configured to abut the insert.

11. The method of claim 9 , further comprising the step of securing the insert to the outlet end of the spout body.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the step of securing the insert to the outlet end of the spout body comprises snapping the insert into the spout body.

13. The method of claim 7 , further comprising the step of securing a sealing ring to the tip of the spout.

14. The method of claim 7 , further comprising the step of coupling an aerator proximate the outlet end of the spout body.

15. The method of claim 7 , wherein the retainer comprises a C-shaped clip.

16. A method of retaining a spout tube within a spout body of a faucet, the spout tube having a tip and the spout body having an inlet end, an outlet end, and a chamber, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a clip and an insert;

positioning the spout tube within the chamber of the spout body with the tip of the spout tube located proximal the outlet end of the spout body;

coupling the tip of the spout tube to the insert by moving the clip toward the outlet end of the spout body and into the insert until the clip expands outwardly to engage a shoulder; and

coupling the insert to the outlet end of the spout body;

wherein the step of positioning the spout tube within the chamber of the spout body comprises the steps of:

inserting the tip of the spout tube into the inlet end of the spout body; and

moving the tip of the spout tube through the chamber of the spout body until reaching the outlet end of the spout body.

17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the step of moving the clip comprises inserting the clip into the insert along with the tip of the spout tube.

18. The method of claim 16 , wherein the insert has a window and the step of moving the clip comprises inserting the clip through the window of the insert.

Assignments (5)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jan 4, 2018
From: GOLDEN EAGLE ACQUISITION LLC
To: MERCURY PLASTICS LLC
Reel/Frame 045001/0256 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 15, 2017
From: MERCURY PLASTICS, INC.; NEO BEAM ALLIANCE, LIMITED; WILLIAM ROWLEY
To: GOLDEN EAGLE ACQUISITION LLC
Reel/Frame 044895/0682 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 24, 2015
From: MASCO CORPORATION OF INDIANA
To: DELTA FAUCET COMPANY
Reel/Frame 035168/0845 →
CONFIRMATORY ASSIGNMENT Recorded Jul 31, 2014
From: MASCO CORPORATION OF INDIANA D/B/A DELTA FAUCET COMPANY
To: MERCURY PLASTICS, INC.
Reel/Frame 033452/0476 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 14, 2013
From: NELSON, ALFRED CHARLES
To: MASCO CORPORATION OF INDIANA
Reel/Frame 031007/0936 →