Faucet with integrated push-to-connect fitting

Abstract

A valve assembly includes a body and a push-to-connect fitting. The body includes an end segment that defines a fluid outlet and a connector portion. The connector portion includes an inner peripheral wall and an outer peripheral wall. The inner peripheral wall has a first exterior surface, and includes a first portion and a second portion. The first exterior surface has a first outer diameter in the first portion and a second outer diameter in the second portion that is greater than the first outer diameter such that a stepped profile is formed along the first exterior surface. The inner peripheral wall defines a fluid inlet. The outer peripheral wall extends from the inner peripheral wall and at least partly around the fluid inlet. The outer peripheral wall has a second exterior surface with a third outer diameter that is greater than the second outer diameter.

1 . A valve assembly comprising:
 a body having a first end and a second end, the body including:
 an end segment proximate the second end that defines a fluid outlet; and 
 a connector portion proximate the first end, the connector portion including:
 an inner peripheral wall having a first exterior surface, the inner peripheral wall including a first portion and a second portion, the first exterior surface having a first outer diameter in the first portion and a second outer diameter in the second portion that is greater than the first outer diameter such that a stepped profile is formed along the first exterior surface, wherein the inner peripheral wall defines a fluid inlet; and 
 an outer peripheral wall extending from the inner peripheral wall towards the first end and at least partly around the fluid inlet, the outer peripheral wall having a second exterior surface with a third outer diameter that is greater than the second outer diameter; and 
 
   a push-to-connect fitting coupled to the body and disposed proximate the first end.   
     
     
         2 . The valve assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the second portion has a crimped end that defines the fluid inlet and receives the push-to-connect fitting. 
     
     
         3 . The valve assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the outer peripheral wall includes a lip extending perpendicular to and radially outward from the second exterior surface such that the lip has a fourth outer diameter that is greater than the third outer diameter of the second exterior surface. 
     
     
         4 . The valve assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a valve that selectively restricts a flow of fluid through the body. 
     
     
         5 . The valve assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a seal disposed in the connector portion. 
     
     
         6 . The valve assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the seal is positioned within the stepped profile. 
     
     
         7 . A valve assembly comprising:
 a body including:
 a connector portion having:
 an inner peripheral wall; and 
 an outer peripheral wall extending from and integral with the inner peripheral wall, the outer peripheral wall extending at least partly around an end of the inner peripheral wall; and 
 
 a nozzle portion defining a fluid outlet; 
   a seal disposed at least partly within the inner peripheral wall;   a push-to-connect fitting disposed at least partly within the inner peripheral wall and defining a fluid inlet; and   a valve coupled to the body, the valve selectively restricts a flow of fluid through the body.   
     
     
         8 . The valve assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the inner peripheral wall has an exterior surface with a stepped profile, and wherein the seal is positioned substantially within the stepped profile. 
     
     
         9 . The valve assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the end of the inner peripheral wall is crimped to at least partly hold the push-to-connect fitting within the inner peripheral wall. 
     
     
         10 . The valve assembly of  claim 7 , further comprising a liner disposed within the inner peripheral wall and extending at least partly through the push-to-connect fitting. 
     
     
         11 . The valve assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the liner is configured to be received within a pipe when the connector portion is secured to the pipe. 
     
     
         12 . The valve assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the connector portion includes a lip extending perpendicular to and radially outward from the outer peripheral wall. 
     
     
         13 . The valve assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the nozzle portion includes a threaded end portion. 
     
     
         14 . The valve assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the nozzle portion extends downward at an angle relative to a horizontal plane. 
     
     
         15 . The valve assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the valve is selectively repositionable between a first position that blocks or substantially blocks the flow of fluid and a second position that permits the flow of fluid. 
     
     
         16 . The valve assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the valve is selectively rotatable between the first position and the second position, or wherein the valve is selectively translatable between the first position and the second position. 
     
     
         17 . The valve assembly of  claim 15 , further comprising a handle coupled to the valve, wherein the handle facilitates selectively repositioning of the valve between the first position and the second position. 
     
     
         18 . A valve assembly comprising:
 a body having an external wall with a stepped profile, the external wall including:
 a first wall portion having a first exterior surface; 
 a second wall portion having a second exterior surface, the second wall portion coupled to the first wall portion; and 
 a third wall portion having a third exterior surface, the third wall portion coupled to the second wall portion and extending at least partly around an end of the second wall portion; 
 wherein the external wall has (i) a first outer diameter in the first wall portion, (ii) a second outer diameter in the second wall portion that is greater than the first outer diameter, and (iii) a third outer diameter in the third wall portion that is greater than the second outer diameter; and 
   a push-to-connect fitting coupled to the end of the second wall portion.   
     
     
         19 . The valve assembly of  claim 18 , wherein the end of the second wall portion defines an aperture that receives the push-to-connect fitting, and wherein the end of the second wall portion is crimped to at least partly secure the push-to-connect fitting within the body. 
     
     
         20 . The valve assembly of  claim 18 , wherein the external wall includes a lip extending substantially perpendicular to and radially outward from the third exterior surface such that the lip has a fourth outer diameter that is greater than the third outer diameter.