Clutched joint for articulating faucet

摘要

A joint for an articulating faucet includes a first housing, a second housing, and a clutch assembly. The first housing defines a first inner cavity and the second housing defines a second inner cavity. The second housing is coupled to the first housing such that fluid may flow from the first inner cavity to the second inner cavity. The clutch assembly is coupled to at least one of the first housing and the second housing and is configured to apply a resistive torque that inhibits movement of the first and second housings relative to each other. The clutch assembly includes a clutch pin, an interface member, and an end cap. The end cap is coupled to a first end of the clutch pin and the interface member. Movement of the end cap varies the magnitude of the resistive torque applied by the clutch assembly.

主权项

1. A joint for an articulating faucet, comprising:
a first housing rotatably coupled to a second housing; a clutch pin including a movable end cap; an annular clutch disc defining an aperture that receives the clutch pin; a first friction element coupled to the annular clutch disc with a first standoff; a second friction element in contact with the first friction element and coupled to the second housing with a second standoff, wherein at least one of the first standoff and the second standoff is spherical and comprises a synthetic material, wherein relative movement between the first friction element and the second friction element provides a resistive torque that inhibits relative motion between the first housing and the second housing; and an interface member coupled to the annular clutch disc and configured to apply a force to at least one of the first friction element and the second friction element that varies based on the position of the movable end cap.