CLIAMS:We Claim :

1. A faucet, comprising:
a body having a substantially hollow lower portion and a substantially flat top surface providing a storage shelf, wherein the body includes an opening formed within the lower portion;
a plurality of water inlets received within the body;
a control assembly coupled to the body and fluidly connected to the plurality of water inlets, wherein the control assembly is configured to control both a volume and a temperature of a water supply for the faucet by controlling the flow of water from the plurality of water inlets;
a shower outlet at least partially received within the body;
a bath outlet contained within the body and configured to route the water supply to the opening; and
a diverter assembly coupled to the body and fluidly connected to the control assembly and the shower and bath outlets, wherein the diverter assembly is configured to route the water supply from the control assembly to one of the shower outlet and the bath outlet.
2. The faucet of claim 1, wherein the shower outlet includes a vertical portion extending out of the body and above the top surface.
3. The faucet of claim 2, further comprising:
a housing coupled to the body and extending vertically relative to the top surface, wherein the housing is configured to at least partially cover the vertical portion of the shower outlet.
4. The faucet of claim 3, wherein the body is configured to mount to a substantially vertical mounting surface such that the top surface of the body is substantially horizontal relative to the vertical mounting surface.
5. The faucet of claim 4, wherein the housing is configured to mount to the vertical mounting surface, and wherein the body and the housing, when mounted to the vertical mounting surface, combine with the vertical mounting surface to cover the bath outlet and the shower outlet such that the bath outlet and the shower outlet are not visible to a user of the faucet.
6. The faucet of claim 1, wherein the bath outlet includes a spout, and wherein the spout is internal to the body.
7. The faucet of claim 6, wherein the spout is configured to fit within the opening of the lower portion such that the bath outlet expels the water supply through the opening without extending beyond the opening.
8. The faucet of claim 1, wherein the control assembly includes a control handle coupled to a first face of the lower portion of the body, and wherein the control handle is moveable in a first plane to control the temperature of the water supply and moveable in a second plane to control the volume of the water supply.
9. The faucet of claim 8, wherein the diverter assembly includes a diverter handle coupled to the lower portion of the body, wherein the diverter handle is moveable to route the water supply from the control assembly to one of the shower outlet and the bath outlet, and wherein the diverter handle is coupled to a second face of the lower portion of the body.
10. A bath and shower system, comprising the faucet of any of claims 1 through 9 and an overhead shower head fluidly connected to the shower spout.
Dated this 16th day of February, 2015
For Kohler India Corporation Private Limited
By their Agent

(GIRISH VIJAYANAND SHETH) (IN/PA 1022)
KRISHNA & SAURASTRI ASSOCIATES ,TagSPECI:FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
[See section 10, Rule 13]

BATH AND SHOWER FAUCET;

KOHLER INDIA CORPORATION PRIVATE LIMITED, A CORPORATION ORGANIZED AND EXISTING UNDER THE LAWS OF INDIA, WHOSE ADDRESS IS 138/6, 6TH A CROSS, RMV EXTENSION SADASHIVNAGAR, BANGALORE, KARNATAKA 560 080, INDIA

THE FOLLOWING SPECIFICATION PARTICULARLY DESCRIBES THE INVENTION AND THE MANNER IN WHICH IT IS TO BE PERFORMED.

BACKGROUND
[0001] The present application relates generally to the field of faucets. More specifically, the present application relates to at least four-way bath and shower faucets.
[0002] Some faucets, bath faucets in particular, include separate inlets for receiving hot and cold water, as well as separate outlets for sending water from the faucet to either an overhead shower or a bathtub. Such “four-way” faucets may include separate control valves for controlling the inlet of hot and cold water, respectively, to the faucet, as well as separate diverters for controlling the flow of water from the faucet to the overhead shower and the bathtub, respectively. The control valves and the diverters are often subject to significant wear from frequent use, which may reduce the effectiveness of the faucet until the worn component is replaced or repaired.
[0003] Bath faucets also typically include a bath spout for routing water from the faucet to the bathtub. The bath spout is often shaped and positioned such that the bath spout protrudes from the faucet body, which may cause the bath spout to be more susceptible to wear or damage from contact with persons or objects. The bath spout may comprise a significant portion of the hardware, and thus the material cost, for the faucet. Additionally, the bath spout may be included as a single piece with the faucet, such that any damage to the bath spout may require replacement of the entire faucet.
SUMMARY
[0004] One embodiment relates to a faucet. The faucet includes a body having a substantially hollow lower portion and a substantially flat top surface providing a storage shelf, wherein the body includes an opening formed within the lower portion, a plurality of water inlets received within the body, and a control assembly coupled to the body and fluidly connected to the plurality of water inlets, wherein the control assembly is configured to control both a volume and a temperature of a water supply for the faucet by controlling the flow of water from the plurality of water inlets. The faucet also includes a shower outlet at least partially received within the body, a bath outlet contained within the body and configured to route the water supply to the opening, and a diverter assembly coupled to the body and fluidly connected to the control assembly and the shower and bath outlets, wherein the diverter assembly is configured to route the water supply from the control assembly to one of the shower outlet and the bath outlet.
[0005] Another embodiment relates to a bath and shower system, including a faucet and an overhead shower device. The faucet includes a body having a substantially hollow lower portion and a substantially flat top surface providing a storage shelf, wherein the body includes an opening formed within the lower portion, a plurality of water inlets received within the body, and a control assembly coupled to the body and fluidly connected to the plurality of water inlets, wherein the control assembly is configured to control both a volume and a temperature of a water supply for the faucet by controlling the flow of water from the plurality of water inlets. The faucet also includes a shower outlet at least partially received within the body, a bath outlet contained within the body and configured to route the water supply to the opening, and a diverter assembly coupled to the body and fluidly connected to the control assembly and the shower and bath outlets, wherein the diverter assembly is configured to route the water supply from the control assembly to one of the shower outlet and the bath outlet.
[0006] The foregoing is a summary and thus by necessity contains simplifications, generalizations and omissions of detail. Consequently, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. Other aspects, inventive features, and advantages of the devices and/or processes described herein, will become apparent in the detailed description set forth herein and taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is a top, front, and left perspective view of a faucet, according to an exemplary embodiment.
[0008] FIG. 2 is a front view of the faucet of FIG. 1, according to an exemplary embodiment.
[0009] FIG. 3 is a top, front, and right perspective view of the faucet of FIG. 1, according to an exemplary embodiment.
[0010] FIG. 4 is a left side view of the faucet of FIG. 1, according to an exemplary embodiment.
[0011] FIG. 5 is a top, front, and left perspective exploded view of the faucet of FIG. 1, according to an exemplary embodiment.
[0012] FIG. 6 is a partially exposed view of the faucet of FIG. 1, according to an exemplary embodiment.
[0013] FIG. 7 is a top, front, and right perspective view of a faucet, according to an exemplary embodiment.
[0014] FIG. 8 is a front view of the faucet of FIG. 7, according to an exemplary embodiment.
[0015] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a faucet system including the faucet of FIG. 1 and a shower head, according to an exemplary embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] Before turning to the figures, which illustrate the exemplary embodiments in detail, it should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the details or methodology set forth in the description or illustrated in the figures. It should also be understood that the terminology is for the purpose of description only and should not be regarded as limiting. An effort has been made to use the same or like reference numbers throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.
[0017] Referring generally to the FIGURES, a four-way bath and shower faucet and faucet system are shown, according to an exemplary embodiment. The bath and shower faucet is shown to include a body having a substantially hollow lower portion and a substantially flat top portion providing a storage shelf. The body may be a single piece or the top portion and the lower portion may be separate pieces that are coupled or otherwise connected. The body includes an opening formed within the lower portion, which may be used to expel water from the body to a bathtub or other basin positioned below the faucet.
[0018] The bath and shower faucet also includes a plurality of water inlets received within the body. The water inlets may be fluidly connected to a water source and configured to route a supply of hot and cold water to the faucet. The faucet also includes a control assembly coupled to the body and fluidly connected to the plurality of water inlets. The control assembly controls the volume and temperature of a water supply for the faucet. For instance, the control assembly may include a mixing valve configured to control the volume and temperature of the water supply by metering or otherwise controlling the flow of water from the plurality of water inlets. The control assembly may also include a control handle coupled to the mixing valve. The control handle may be manipulated by a user of the faucet to control the volume and temperature of the water supply.
[0019] The faucet also includes a shower outlet at least partially received within the body. The shower outlet is intended to route the water supply to an overhead shower device. The faucet may also include a housing at least partially covering the shower outlet. The faucet also includes a bath outlet contained within the body. The bath outlet routes the water supply to the opening of the body and is intended to expel the water supply into an associated basin or otherwise to an area below the faucet. The faucet also includes a diverter assembly coupled to the body and fluidly connected to the control assembly and the shower and bath outlets. The diverter assembly is configured to route the water supply from the control assembly to one of the shower outlet and the bath outlet.
[0020] Before discussing further details of the faucet and/or the components thereof, it should be noted that references to “front,” “back,” “rear,” “top,” “bottom,” “inner,” “outer,” “right,” and “left” in this description are merely used to identify the various elements as they are oriented in the FIGURES. These terms are not meant to limit the element which they describe, as the various elements may be oriented differently in various applications.
[0021] It should further be noted that for purposes of this disclosure, the term “coupled” means the joining of two members directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary in nature or moveable in nature and/or such joining may allow for the flow of fluids, electricity, electrical signals, or other types of signals or communication between the two members. Such joining may be achieved with the two members or the two members and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two members or the two members and any additional intermediate members being attached to one another. Such joining may be permanent in nature or, alternatively, may be removable or releasable in nature.
[0022] Referring to FIGS. 1 through 6, a bath and shower faucet 100 is shown, according to an exemplary embodiment. The faucet 100 includes a body 110. The body 110 may provide a shell for housing various internal components of the faucet 100, which are shown more particularly in FIGS. 5 and 6. The body 110 may be mounted to a vertical mounting surface (e.g., a shower wall) and/or a horizontal mounting surface (e.g., the edge of a bathtub) when the faucet 100 is installed. The body 110 is shown to include an upper portion 112 and a lower portion 114. The upper portion 112 provides an approximately flat top surface which may be used as a storage shelf, such as for bath-related products. The upper portion 112, and thus the top surface, is intended to be substantially horizontal when the body 110 is mounted to a vertical mounting surface. The lower portion 114 is generally hollow and configured to store internal components of the faucet 100.
[0023] As illustrated in FIG. 5, the upper portion 112 and the lower portion 114 may be separate pieces, although in other embodiments the body 110, including the upper portion 112 and the lower portion 114, may be a single piece component. The upper portion 112 and the lower portion 114 may share one or more dimensions. For instance, the upper portion 112 may be sized or shaped to fit within or atop the lower portion 114. The upper portion 112 and the lower portion 114 (i.e., the body 110) may be formed from the same or similar materials. For instance, the upper and lower portions 112, 114 may both be formed from a metal or plastic suitable for the faucet 100. In an exemplary embodiment, the upper portion 112 is made from a material configured to support objects stored atop the body 110, such as glass or an acrylic material.
[0024] The upper portion 112 is shown in FIGS. 1 through 6 to include a curved border 170 that extends at least partially around the outside edge of the upper portion 112. The curved border 170 is configured to provide a rounded edge or border at locations where the substantially horizontal top face of the upper portion 112 connects to a substantially vertical face of the lower portion 114. For instance, the curved border 170 is shown at the edges of the upper portion 112 which connect the upper portion 112 with vertical faces 172 and 178 of the lower portion 114. At these locations, the curved border 170 may provide one or more rounded edges for the body 110 of the faucet 100. In the illustrated embodiment, the curved border 170 is shown to extend along only the left and front edges of the upper portion 112 (according to the orientation of FIG. 1) because the lower portion 114 is rounded at the right side of the body 110 (according to FIG. 1) and the back side of the body 110 (according to FIG. 1) is intended to be mounted to a vertical mounting surface. However, in other embodiments, the curved border 170 may extend along the entire border of the upper portion 112.
[0025] The lower portion 114 includes faces 172, 174, 178, and 184, each of which are at least partially exposed. Faces 172 and 178 are connected to the top portion 112. Faces 172 and 178 are approximately flat and substantially vertical relative to the substantially horizontal top face of the upper portion 112. Face 172 extends along the front of the body 110 and face 178 extends along the left side of the body 110 (according to the orientation of FIG. 1). Face 172 is substantially rectangular in shape other than a control portion 176 of the face 172 which is configured to accommodate control handle 142. In the illustrated embodiment of the FIGURES, the control portion 176 of face 172 is substantially circular or rounded to match the shape of the control handle 142. In other embodiments, the control portion 176 may be shaped otherwise to match a shape or a dimension of the control handle 142. The control portion 176 of the face 172 has a greater diameter than the height of the remainder of face 172, extending from the upper portion 112 to the bottom of the lower portion 114.
[0026] Face 178 includes a diverter portion 180 configured to accommodate diverter handle 152. The diverter portion 180 is similar to the control portion 176 of face 172 and may have a similar shape. In the illustrated embodiment of the FIGURES, the diverter portion 180 of face 178 is substantially circular or rounded to match the shape of the diverter handle 152. In other embodiments, the diverter portion 180 may be shaped otherwise to match a shape or dimension of the diverter handle 152. The face 178 has a first height (i.e., length from the bottom of face 178 to the upper portion 112) on a first side of the diverter portion 180 and a second height on a second side of the diverter portion 180. In an exemplary embodiment, the diameter of the diverter portion 180 is approximately equal to one of the first height and the second height.
[0027] Face 174 is connected to face 172. Face 174 has a slope or gradient relative to the substantially vertical face 172. In the illustrated embodiment, the face 174 is sloped toward the center of the body 110 and extends to the bottom of the lower portion 114. The face 174 includes opening 132 formed within the face 174. The opening 132 provides an outlet for water to flow from the body 110 to an area below the faucet 100. The opening 132 has a slope similar to the slope of the face 174. In an exemplary embodiment, the slope or gradient of the face 174 and the opening 132 are configured to route water flowing from the opening 132 in a particular direction below the faucet 100. Face 184 is connected to face 174 and face 178. Face 184 is similar to face 174, having a slope or gradient relative to the substantially vertical face 178. In the illustrated embodiment, the face 184 is sloped toward a center of the body 110.
[0028] The lower portion 114 also includes a rounded face 186 on the right side of the body 110 (according to the orientation of FIG. 1). The face 186 is connected to the upper portion 112 and the control portion 176 of the face 172. In the illustrated embodiment, the face 186 has a rounded shape to substantially match the shape of the control handle 142 and the shape of the control portion 176. At the connection between the face 186 and the upper portion 112, the face 186 includes a step 182 down to a top face 188 of the lower portion 114 (shown in FIG. 5). In an exemplary embodiment, the step 182 has a height approximately equal to the width of the upper portion 112 such that the face 186 is substantially flush with the top face of the upper portion 112 when the upper portion 112 is connected to the lower portion 114 as shown. The step 182 may include mating features configured to connect the lower portion 114 to the upper portion 112, such as clips or fasteners.
[0029] Still referring to FIGS. 1 through 6, the faucet 100 also includes a shower outlet 120, a bath outlet 130, a control valve assembly 140, and a diverter assembly 150. The shower outlet 120 and the bath outlet 130 are at least partially stored within the body 110. The shower outlet 120 and the bath outlet 130 are configured to route water from within the faucet 100 (i.e., from within the body 110) to a connected component for expelling the water as part of a bath and shower system. In an exemplary embodiment, the shower outlet 120 is configured to route water to a connected overhead shower device such as shower device 902 (shown by way of example in FIG. 9). In this embodiment, the bath outlet 130 may be configured to route water to a bathtub or other basin positioned below the faucet 100 via opening 132. The diverter assembly 150 is configured to direct a water supply to one of the shower outlet 120 and the bath outlet 130 based on manipulation of the diverter handle 152 by a user of the faucet 100. The diverter assembly 150 may receive the water supply from the control valve assembly 140. The control valve assembly 140 receives water from a water source outside of the faucet 100 (i.e., via inlets 160 and 162). The control valve assembly 140 is configured to control both the temperature and the volume of the water that reaches the diverter assembly 150 (and eventually the shower outlet 120 or the bath outlet 130) based on user manipulation of the control handle 142.
[0030] As shown in FIG. 6, the faucet 100 includes cold water inlet 160 and hot water inlet 162 that are at least partially stored within the body 110. In an exemplary embodiment, the inlets 160 and 162 are received by the body 110 and at least partially covered by the body 110 such that the water inlets 160 and 162 are not visible to a user of the faucet 100 when the body 110 is mounted to a vertical mounting surface. The water inlets 160 and 162 may include fluid conduits (e.g., pipes, hoses, etc.) for routing fluid to a desired destination within the body 110. In an exemplary embodiment, the water inlet 160 includes a conduit 166 for routing cold water to the control valve assembly 140 and the water inlet 162 includes a conduit (not shown) for routing hot water to the control valve assembly 140. The inlets 160 and 162 are described as routing cold water and hot water, respectively, to the control valve assembly 140, but in other embodiments the inlets 160 and 162 may receive water of any temperature or another type of fluid depending on the application of the faucet 100.
[0031] The control valve assembly 140 includes a single control (i.e., control handle 142) that is configured to control both the volume and the temperature of water leaving the faucet 100 via the shower outlet 120 or the bath outlet 130. The handle 142 may be manipulated by a user of the faucet 100 to control the volume and temperature of the water. In an exemplary embodiment, the handle 142 is moveable in a first plane to control the temperature of the water and the handle 142 is moveable in a second plane to control the volume of the water. For instance, the handle 142 may be moved inward or outward (i.e., away from or toward the body 110) to control the volume of water exiting the faucet 100 and left or right (i.e., clockwise or counterclockwise) to control the temperature of water exiting the faucet 100. The handle 142 is coupled to the front face 172 of the lower portion 114 (i.e., at the control portion 176) according to the configuration shown in FIG. 1, but the handle 142 may be otherwise positioned in other embodiments. For instance, the handle 142 may be located at faces 178 or 186, or positioned atop the body 110 and coupled to the upper portion 112.
[0032] The handle 142 includes an elongated member 144 that may be utilized to manipulate (i.e., rotate) the handle 142. The elongated member 144 may also provide an indication of the current state (i.e., volume and temperature) of the water in the faucet 100. For instance, the orientation (e.g., direction) of the member 144 may provide an indication of the temperature and water pressure of the water supply or output from the faucet 100 at any time. In other embodiments, the handle 142 may include other features for manipulating the handle, such as a gripping feature. The handle 142 may also include another indicator for determining the temperature or water pressure of the water supply, such as an electronic indicator that displays the temperature and current water pressure.
[0033] The control valve assembly 140 also includes a hub 148 for receiving water from the inlets 160 and 162. In an exemplary embodiment, the inlets 160 and 162 are fluidly connected to the hub 148 (e.g., by conduits such as conduit 166) and configured to provide a supply of hot and cold water to the hub 148. The hub 148 may be coupled to a mixing valve such as valve 146 that is configured to meter (i.e., regulate) the hot and cold water from the inlets 160 and 162 so that the water output from the faucet 100 has a desired temperature (i.e., according to the position of handle 142). In one embodiment, the inlets 160 and 162 provide a constant or fixed supply of water to the faucet 100. In this embodiment, the mixing valve 146 may open or close the inlets 160 and 162 to varying degrees, allowing a determined volume of water into the hub 148 in order to meet the desired temperature and water pressure for the water supply.
[0034] In the illustrated embodiment, the mixing valve 146 is coupled to the handle 142 and controls the temperature of the water supply according to manipulation of the handle 142 in a first plane (e.g., left to right). In this embodiment, the water supply is released from the hub 148 at a pressure or volume according to manipulation of the handle 142 in a second plane (e.g., up or down). For instance, the mixing valve 146 may control the volume or rate (i.e., water pressure) of the water supply that is sent to the diverter assembly 150. In another embodiment, the control valve assembly 140 may include another valve configured to control the volume of water released from the hub 148 according to the position of the handle 142.
[0035] The diverter assembly 150 is fluidly connected to the control valve assembly 140 and configured to receive water from the control valve assembly 140. In the illustrated embodiment, the diverter assembly 150 receives water from the hub 148 via conduit 164. The diverter assembly 150 includes diverter handle 152, which is moveable to control whether the water received from the control valve assembly 140 is routed to the shower outlet 120 or the bath outlet 130. The handle 152 is shown to have an approximately circular shape. The handle 152 is configured to be rotated left or right (i.e., counterclockwise or clockwise) to route fluid to either the shower outlet 120 or the bath outlet 130. The handle 152 includes a knob 154 that may be utilized by the user to manipulate the handle 152. The knob 154 may also provide an indication of a current state of the faucet 100, including whether water is being supplied to the shower outlet 120 or the bath outlet 130. For instance, the knob 154 may be pointed to the left or right to indicate the current faucet function.
[0036] In other embodiments, the handle 152 may have another configuration or shape. For instance, the handle 152 may be any type of lever, button, switch, or other control configured to switch the faucet 100 between two or more output states (e.g., shower function, bath function, etc.). The handle 152 is positioned on the left side of the body 110 according to the configuration shown in FIG. 1, but in other embodiments the handle 152 may be positioned elsewhere on the body 110. In some embodiments, the handle 152 may be sized or shaped similarly to the handle 142. For instance, the handles 152 and 142 may be interchangeable in some embodiments, such that the same replacement handle can be used for either the control valve assembly 140 or the diverter assembly 150.
[0037] The diverter assembly 150 receives water from the control valve assembly 140 at hub 158, which may be similar to hub 148. The hub 158 is fluidly connected to the control valve assembly 140 via the conduit 164 and configured to receive a temperature and volume-controlled water supply from the hub 148. The diverter assembly 150 also includes a diverter 156. The diverter 156 may be a valve, cartridge, or other similar device configured to divert or route the water supply received at the hub 158 in a specific direction (i.e., to the shower outlet 120 or the bath outlet 130). The diverter 156 is coupled to the handle 152. As the handle 152 is moved (e.g., rotated), the diverter 156 may rotate accordingly to route the water supply in the desired direction. In other embodiments, the faucet 100 may include more than two fluid outlets, and the diverter assembly 150 may be configured to route water to the more than two fluid outlets based on the position or manipulation of the handle 152. For instance, the faucet 100 may include a hand shower outlet or another outlet related to a bath and shower system. In such an embodiment, the single diverter 156 is configured to simultaneously block water flow to two or more outlets while routing the water supply to a desired outlet.
[0038] The shower outlet 120 may be a fluid pipe or other conduit configured to direct water to an overhead shower device. The shower outlet 120 is fluidly connected to the hub 158 and configured to receive a water supply from the hub 158 based on a position of the diverter handle 152. The shower outlet 120 is bent such that a portion of the shower outlet 120 is positioned horizontally within the body 110 and fluidly connected to the diverter hub 158, and another portion of the shower outlet 120 extends vertically from the body 110 in order to fluidly connect to a shower head or similar device.
[0039] The shower outlet 120 is shown to be at least partially covered by a housing 122. The housing 122 may be connected to the body 110 and may be made from a similar material. In an exemplary embodiment, the housing 122 is made from a material intended to cover and protect (i.e., prevent damage to) the shower outlet 120. The housing 122 may be shaped according to a shape of the shower outlet 120, such as having a similar length or width. In the illustrated embodiment, the housing 122 has a rounded front face (according to the orientation of FIG. 1) to approximately match a shape of the shower outlet 120. The housing 122 is shown to extend vertically from the body 110 relative to the horizontal upper portion 112. The housing 122 extends the length of the shower outlet 120 to cover any portion of the shower outlet 120 that is not otherwise covered by the body 110.
[0040] In an exemplary embodiment, the housing 122 is configured to mount to a vertical mounting surface along with the body 110. In this embodiment, the housing 122 fits to the wall in order to at least partially encase and protect the shower outlet 120 in combination with the vertical mounting surface and/or the body 110. The housing 122 is shown to be a separate piece from the body 110, but in other embodiments the housing 122 and the body 110, including the upper portion 112 and/or the lower portion 114, may be a single piece. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 5, the upper portion 112 and lower portion 114 are shown to include a cutout 116 that is shaped to accommodate the shower outlet 120 and the housing 122.
[0041] The bath outlet 130 is intended to route water to a bathtub or other basin positioned below the faucet 100. The bath outlet 130 is received within the body 110. The bath outlet 130 is at least partially contained within or covered by the body 110. In an exemplary embodiment, the body 110 covers the bath outlet 130 when the body 110 is mounted to a vertical mounting surface, such that the bath outlet 130 is not visible to a user of the faucet 100. For instance, the body 110 may fit against the vertical mounting surface such that the body 110 and vertical mounting surface in combination encase the bath outlet 130 and hide the bath outlet 130 from view.
[0042] The bath outlet 130 is shown to include a spout 134 for expelling the water supply from the bath outlet 130. The bath outlet 130 also includes a conduit 136 for routing water from the diverter hub 158 to the spout 134 to be expelled from the bath outlet 130. The spout 134 may be wider than the conduit 136 in order to provide a less concentrated (i.e., lower pressure) water flow than that flowing through the conduit 136. The spout 134 is shown to be rectangular in shape, but may have another shape in other embodiments. The spout 134 is internal to the body 110 such that the spout 134 does not extend beyond the opening 132 formed within the lower portion 114. In an exemplary embodiment, the opening 132 is sized according to the spout 134. The spout 134 may be positioned within the opening 132 such that the water flows out of the body 110 directly from the spout 134. The spout 134 may be angled downward relative to the horizontal upper portion 112, such that any water expelled from the spout 134 flows to an area below the faucet 100. In an exemplary embodiment, the spout 134 is angled or sloped according to the slope of face 174. The opening 132 in the body 110 may be positioned at an angle to approximately match the angle of the spout 134.
[0043] Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 8, a bath and shower faucet 700 is shown, according to another exemplary embodiment. The bath and shower faucet 700 is similar to the bath and shower faucet 100. The features of faucet 700 are numbered in FIGS. 7 and 8 to correspond with the reference numbers of similar features of faucet 100 as shown in FIGS. 1 through 6. Further, any of the above description related to the faucet 100 may be applied accordingly to the faucet 700.
[0044] In the illustrated embodiment, the faucet 700 includes a body 710 having an upper portion 712 and a lower portion 714. The faucet 700 also includes a shower outlet 720, a bath outlet 730, and a hand shower outlet 790. The shower outlet 720 is similar to shower outlet 120 and is configured to send water from the body 710 to an overhead shower device fluidly connected to the faucet 700. The bath outlet 730 is similar to bath outlet 130 and is configured to allow water to flow from the faucet 700 to an area below the faucet 700 (i.e., a bathtub) via opening 732. The hand shower outlet 790 is configured to send water from the body 710 to a fluidly connected hand shower 792. The hand shower 792 includes a shower head 794 and a conduit 796 fluidly connected to the hand shower outlet 790 and configured to route fluid from the outlet 790 to the shower head 794. The hand shower 792 also includes a connector 798 configured to connect the conduit 796 (and thus the hand shower 792) to the hand shower outlet 790.
[0045] Still referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, the faucet 700 also includes a control valve assembly 740, and a diverter assembly 750. The control valve assembly 740 is similar to control valve assembly 140. The control valve assembly 740 is configured to receive water from a water source outside of the faucet 700. The control valve assembly 740 controls both the temperature and the volume of the water that reaches the diverter assembly 750 (and eventually the shower outlet 720, the bath outlet 730, or the hand shower outlet 790) based on user manipulation of the control valve assembly 740. The diverter assembly 750 is similar to the diverter assembly 150. The diverter assembly 750 includes an at least three-way diverter that is similar to diverter 156. The three-way diverter of assembly 750 is configured to direct a water supply to one or more of the shower outlet 720, the bath outlet 730, and the hand shower outlet 790 based on manipulation of the diverter assembly 750 by a user of the faucet 700. For instance, the three-way diverter may simultaneously block two of the outlets 720, 730, and 790 in order to divert water to the remaining outlet 720, 730, or 790.
[0046] Referring now to FIG. 9, a bath and shower system 900 is shown, according to an exemplary embodiment. The bath and shower system 900 includes the faucet 100 and a shower device 902 fluidly connected to the faucet 100. In this embodiment, the faucet 100 and the shower device 902 are mounted to vertical mounting surface 904 (i.e., a wall). As mounted, the body 110, in combination with the vertical mounting surface 904, covers the bath outlet 130 and the inlets 160 and 162 such that the bath outlet 130 and inlets 160 and 162 are not visible to a user of the system 900. Similarly, the body 110 and the housing 122, in combination with the vertical mounting surface 904, cover the shower outlet 120 such that the shower outlet 120 is not visible to a user of the system 900. According to the system 900, the faucet 100 is configured to route water to the shower device 902 at a temperature and water pressure adjusted by a user of the faucet 100. The control handle 142 is moveable in a first plane to modify the volume or water pressure of the water supply to the diverter assembly 150, and moveable in a second plane to modify the temperature of the water supply. The diverter handle 152 is moveable to divert the water supply received from the control valve assembly 140 to the shower device 902 via the shower outlet 120.
[0047] The construction and arrangement of the elements of the faucet as shown in the exemplary embodiments are illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements. The elements and assemblies may be constructed from any of a wide variety of materials that provide sufficient strength or durability, in any of a wide variety of colors, textures, and combinations. Additionally, in the subject description, the word “exemplary” is used to mean serving as an example, instance or illustration. Any embodiment or design described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments or designs. Rather, use of the word “exemplary” is intended to present concepts in a concrete manner. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure. Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions, and arrangement of the preferred and other exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims.
[0048] The order or sequence of any process or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. Any means-plus-function clause is intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents but also equivalent structures. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may be made in the design, operating configuration, and arrangement of the preferred and other exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims.