Pull-out faucet and hose guide

Abstract

A hose guide for a pull-down faucet, the faucet comprising a spout having a hose disposed therein and a pull-out spray head coupled to and in flow communication with the hose and configured to dock to an end of the spout; wherein the hose guide is generally U-shaped and is configured to guide the hose against an interior surface thereof during extension and retraction of the spray head; and wherein the hose guide comprises two or more tabs extending from a lower end of the U-shaped hose guide; and/or an attachment element configured to affix the hose guide to an interior wall of the spout or to an interior wall of an assembly disposed in the spout; and/or a convex parabolic-shaped portion at the interior surface of the lower end of the U-shape.

1 . A hose guide for a pull-down faucet,
 the faucet comprising a spout having a hose disposed therein, and a pull-out spray head coupled to and in flow communication with the hose and configured to dock to an end of the spout;   wherein the hose guide is U-shaped and is configured to guide the hose against an interior surface thereof during extension and retraction of the spray head; and   wherein the hose guide comprises   two or more tabs extending from a lower end of the U-shaped hose guide; and/or   an attachment element configured to affix the hose guide to an interior wall of the spout or to an interior wall of an assembly disposed in the spout; and/or   a convex parabolic-shaped portion at the interior surface of the lower end.   
     
     
         2 . The hose guide according to  claim 1 , wherein the hose guide comprises two or more tabs located towards a lower end of the hose guide. 
     
     
         3 . The hose guide according to  claim 1 , wherein the hose guide comprises an attachment element configured to affix the hose guide to an interior wall of the spout or to an interior wall of an assembly disposed in the spout. 
     
     
         4 . The hose guide according to  claim 1 , wherein the hose guide comprises a convex parabolic-shaped portion at the interior surface of the lower end. 
     
     
         5 . The hose guide according to  claim 1 , comprising a first tab and a second tab, each located towards a lower end of the hose guide and each extending from the hose guide at substantially right angles. 
     
     
         6 . The hose guide according to  claim 1 , comprising a first tab and a second tab, each located towards a lower end of the hose guide and each angled downward from the lower end of the U-shaped hose guide. 
     
     
         7 . The hose guide according to  claim 1 , comprising an adhesive attachment element on an exterior surface of the hose guide. 
     
     
         8 . The hose guide according to  claim 1 , comprising a double-sided adhesive tape attachment element on an exterior surface of the hose guide. 
     
     
         9 . The hose guide according to  claim 1 , comprising ends configured to affix the hose guide to the spout or to the assembly disposed in the spout. 
     
     
         10 . The hose guide according to  claim 1 , comprising a concave portion at an exterior surface of the lower end. 
     
     
         11 . A pull-down faucet, the faucet comprising a spout having a hose disposed therein, a pull-out spray head coupled to and in flow communication with the hose and configured to dock to an end of the spout, and a hose guide;
 wherein the hose guide is U-shaped and is configured to guide the hose against an interior surface thereof during extension and retraction of the spray head; and   wherein the hose guide comprises   two or more tabs extending from a lower end of the U-shaped hose guide; and/or   an attachment element configured to affix the hose guide to an interior wall of the spout or to an interior wall of an assembly disposed in the spout; and/or   a convex parabolic-shaped portion at the interior surface of the lower end.   
     
     
         12 . The faucet according to  claim 11 , wherein the hose guide comprises two or more tabs located towards a lower end of the hose guide. 
     
     
         13 . The faucet according to  claim 11 , wherein the hose guide comprises an attachment element configured to affix the hose guide to an interior wall of the spout or to an interior wall of an assembly disposed in the spout. 
     
     
         14 . The faucet according to  claim 11 , wherein the hose guide comprises a convex parabolic-shaped portion at the interior surface of the lower end. 
     
     
         15 . The faucet according to  claim 11 , wherein the U-shaped hose guide comprises a first tab and a second tab, each located towards a lower end of the hose guide and each extending from the hose guide at substantially right angles. 
     
     
         16 . The faucet according to  claim 11 , wherein the U-shaped hose guide comprises a first tab and a second tab, each located towards a lower end of the hose guide and each angled downward from the lower end of the U-shaped hose guide. 
     
     
         17 . The faucet according to  claim 11 , wherein the U-shaped hose guide comprises an adhesive attachment element on an exterior surface of the hose guide. 
     
     
         18 . The faucet according to  claim 11 , wherein the U-shaped hose guide comprises ends configured to affix the hose guide to the spout or to the assembly disposed in the spout. 
     
     
         19 . The faucet according to  claim 11 , wherein the U-shaped hose guide comprises a concave portion at an exterior surface of the lower end. 
     
     
         20 . The faucet according to  claim 11 , wherein the spout comprises an assembly disposed therein, wherein the assembly is one or more of a sensor assembly, a lens assembly, an indicator assembly or an actuator assembly.