U.S. patent application number 16/428691 was filed with the patent office on 2020-03-19 for faucet with wand and wand accessory.
The applicant listed for this patent is Moen Incorporated. Invention is credited to Andrew M. Heitmann, Ki Y. So.
Application Number | 20200087900 16/428691 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 69772791 |
Filed Date | 2020-03-19 |
View All Diagrams
United States Patent
Application |
20200087900 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Heitmann; Andrew M. ; et
al. |
March 19, 2020 |
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.
Inventors: |
Heitmann; Andrew M.;
(Westlake, OH) ; So; Ki Y.; (Seven Hills,
OH) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Moen Incorporated |
North Olmsted |
OH |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
69772791 |
Appl. No.: |
16/428691 |
Filed: |
May 31, 2019 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62732090 |
Sep 17, 2018 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E03C 1/086 20130101;
E03C 1/0404 20130101 |
International
Class: |
E03C 1/04 20060101
E03C001/04 |
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
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 62/732,090, filed Sep. 17, 2018, the entire
disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates generally to a faucet with a
wand and a wand accessory, and, more particularly, to a wand
accessory that provides improved spray performance.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Faucets with wands are well known. Such faucets with wands
are used in residential and commercial applications, such as in
kitchens, laundry rooms, utility rooms, and various other
locations. Difficulties can be encountered in obtaining desired
spray performance from faucets with wands.
SUMMARY
[0004] The present invention provides a faucet with a wand and a
wand accessory.
[0005] In an exemplary embodiment, the faucet includes a hub, a
spout, and a wand accessory. The hub is operable to connect to a
mounting surface. The spout includes a receptor and a wand. The
receptor is operable to connect to the hub. The wand is operable to
mount in the receptor. The wand is operable to pull away from the
receptor. The wand accessory is operable to connect to the wand.
The wand includes a shell, a waterway, and a spray face. The shell
is operable to pull away from the receptor. The waterway is
operable to be substantially disposed in the shell. The waterway
includes an inlet region and an outlet region. The inlet region
includes an inlet passage. The outlet region includes an outlet
passage. The inlet region is operable to connect to a water hose.
The waterway includes a conduit disposed between the inlet passage
and the outlet passage. The spray face is operable to connect to
the outlet region of the waterway. The spray face includes a wand
opening and a wand connector. The wand opening is 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 includes a first end and a second end. The first end
includes a wand accessory connector. The second end includes a wand
accessory nozzle. The wand accessory nozzle is operable to fluidly
communicate with the wand opening in the spray face. 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. 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.
[0006] In an exemplary embodiment, the faucet includes a hub, a
spout, and a wand accessory. The hub is operable to connect to a
mounting surface. The spout includes a receptor and a wand. The
receptor is operable to connect to the hub. The wand is operable to
mount in the receptor. The wand is operable to pull away from the
receptor. The wand accessory is operable to connect to the wand.
The wand includes a shell, a waterway, a diverter valve, and a
spray face. The shell is operable to pull away from the receptor.
The waterway is separately formed from the shell. The waterway is
operable to be substantially disposed in the shell. The waterway
includes an inlet region and an outlet region. The inlet region
includes an inlet passage. The outlet region includes a first
outlet passage and a second outlet passage. The inlet region is
operable to connect to a water hose. The waterway includes 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 includes a diverter valve chamber. The
diverter valve chamber is disposed between the first conduit and
the second conduit and between the first conduit and the third
conduit. The diverter valve is operable to be received in the
diverter valve chamber. The diverter valve is 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 is
operable to connect to the outlet region of the waterway. The spray
face includes a wand opening, a plurality of wand nozzles, and a
wand connector. The wand opening is 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
are 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 includes a first end and a
second end. The first end includes a wand accessory connector. The
second end includes a wand accessory nozzle. The wand accessory
nozzle is operable to fluidly communicate with the wand opening in
the spray face. 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. 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.
[0007] In an exemplary embodiment, the faucet includes a hub, a
spout, and a wand accessory. The hub is operable to connect to a
mounting surface. The spout includes a receptor and a wand. The
receptor is operable to connect to the hub. The wand is operable to
mount in the receptor. The wand is operable to pull away from the
receptor. The wand accessory is operable to connect to the wand.
The wand includes a shell, a waterway, a diverter valve, and a
spray face. The shell is operable to pull away from the receptor.
The waterway is separately formed from the shell. The waterway is
operable to be substantially disposed in the shell. The waterway
includes an inlet region and an outlet region. The inlet region
includes an inlet passage. The outlet region includes a first
outlet passage and a second outlet passage. The inlet region is
operable to connect to a water hose. The waterway includes 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 includes a diverter valve chamber. The
diverter valve chamber is disposed between the first conduit and
the second conduit and between the first conduit and the third
conduit. The diverter valve is operable to be received in the
diverter valve chamber. The diverter valve is 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 is
operable to connect to the outlet region of the waterway. The spray
face includes a wand opening, a plurality of wand nozzles, and a
threaded wand connector. The wand opening is 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 are 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 includes a
first end and a second end. The first end includes a threaded wand
accessory connector. The second end includes a wand accessory
nozzle. The wand accessory nozzle is operable to fluidly
communicate with the wand opening in the spray face. The wand
accessory is operable to sealably connect to the wand when the wand
accessory connector on the wand accessory engages the threaded wand
connector on the spray face. 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.
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
invention--FIG. 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 invention--FIG. 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.
* * * * *