Baths – closets – sinks – and spittoons – Supply outlet for a sink or bath – Faucet or spout
Reexamination Certificate
2000-04-10
2001-10-16
Walczak, David J. (Department: 3751)
Baths, closets, sinks, and spittoons
Supply outlet for a sink or bath
Faucet or spout
C004S675000, C004S567000, 23, C137S359000, C137S801000, C285S008000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06301727
ABSTRACT:
THE FIELD OF TIE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a modular tub spout assembly in which the visible and functional elements of a tub spout may be removed without affecting or disturbing the connection between the pipe which extends through the bath wall and the water supply. It is conventional in bath installations for there to be a pipe which connects to the water supply and extends outwardly through the bath wall. The pipe is often threaded and a tub spout is threaded onto the pipe. Most homeowners are reluctant to remove an existing tub spout because of fear that in so doing they would break the connection between the pipe and the interior water supply connection which is behind the bath wall.
The present invention provides a mounting fixture for a tub spout assembly in which the decorative and functional elements of the tub spout, including the outer decorative shell as well as the insert or body which supports the shell, may be removed and replaced with elements having a different exterior appearance without affecting the behind-the-wall connection with the water supply. There is a pipe which extends outwardly through the bath wall from the water supply and this pipe may have a smooth, unthreaded end. A tub spout insert is combined with the tub spout shell and then mounted to the pipe through the use of a sleeve and a fastener which extends through aligned openings in the sleeve and the tub spout insert. Normally, this fastener will be placed at a bottom portion of the tub spout so as to be normally not visible to a user of the bath. The fastener attaches the insert and the sleeve on the unthreaded end of the pipe. Conventionally, the shell will include a diverter, with the diverter functioning in cooperation with the tub spout insert.
The entire tub spout assembly may be removed and replaced with one of a different esthetic and exterior decorative appearance without in any way affecting the connection between the water pipe which extends outwardly from the bath wall and the water supply connections behind the bath wall.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a modular tub spout assembly and more specifically to such an assembly in which the decorative appearance of the spout may be changed and the functional elements replaced without affecting the connection between the water supply and the pipe which extends outwardly through the bath wall.
Another purpose is to provide a reliable, simply constructed and easily attached tub spout assembly which provides for removal and replacement of the decorative elements of the assembly without removing or affecting the water conduit that extends outwardly from the bath wall.
Another purpose of the invention is to provide a tub spout assembly which may be easily removed by the homeowner and replaced by such an assembly of different decorative appearance with the use of only simple hand tools.
Other purposes will appear in the ensuing specification, drawings and claims.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2997058 (1961-08-01), Hall
patent: 3640305 (1972-02-01), Young
patent: 4884596 (1989-12-01), Byers et al.
patent: 4886210 (1989-12-01), Gaffney et al.
patent: 5165121 (1992-11-01), McTargette et al.
patent: 3205205-A1 (1983-03-01), None
Bertrand John E.
Kruszewski David J.
Cook Alex McFarron Manzo Cummings & Mehler, Ltd.
Le Huyen
Moen Incorporated
Walczak David J.
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