ALEXANDRIA, Va., June 17 -- United States Patent no. 12,312,782, issued on May 27, was assigned to Kohler Co. (Kohler, Wis.).
"Slow close insert for faucets" was invented by Perry D. Erickson (Sheboygan, Wis.).
According to the abstract* released by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office: "A faucet assembly includes a spout, a hand-held sprayer, and a slow-close insert. The hand-held sprayer is coupled to a hose that extends through the spot and movable between a retracted position in which a portion of the hand-held sprayer is located within the spout and an extended position. The slow-close insert includes an inner sleeve and a spring. The inner sleeve is disposed at least partially within the spout and operable between a first position and...