Interchangeable annular devices for plumbing fixture assemblies

Abstract

Systems, methods, and techniques for updating and personalizing plumbing fixture assemblies are provided. In some embodiments, a plumbing fixture assembly comprises at least one faucet body and at least one interchangeable annular device. The faucet body is configured to removably couple to a support structure at a proximal end. The interchangeable annular device comprises an interior surface defining an opening and is configured to removably couple to the proximal end of the faucet body. The interchangeable annular device is configured such that when it is coupled to a faucet body, one or more fluid conduit passes from an interior space of the fluid body through the opening of the annular device.

1 . A plumbing fixture assembly comprising:
 a faucet body configured to removably couple to a support structure, the faucet body comprising a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end comprising a water outlet; and   a first interchangeable annular device configured to removably couple to the proximal end of the faucet body, wherein the annular device comprises:
 an interior surface defining an opening in the first annular device, wherein the first annular device is configured such that, when the first annular device is coupled to the proximal end of the faucet body, a fluid conduit of the plumbing fixture assembly passes from an interior space of the faucet body through the opening of the first annular device; and 
 an exterior surface, wherein the first annular device is configured such that, when the first annular device is coupled to the proximal end of the faucet body and the faucet body is coupled to the support structure, the exterior surface is exposed to an exterior environment of the plumbing fixture assembly such that it is visible to a user of the plumbing fixture assembly. 
   
     
     
         2 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the exterior surface of the first annular device is configured to align with an exterior surface of the faucet body when the first annular device is coupled to the proximal end of the faucet body. 
     
     
         3 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the proximal end of the faucet body comprises a neck portion that is narrower than a middle portion of the faucet body, wherein the middle portion is between the proximal end and the distal end, and wherein the neck portion is configured to be inserted inside the opening of the first annular device. 
     
     
         4 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first annular device is configured to couple to the faucet body using threads on the interior surface of the first annular device. 
     
     
         5 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the assembly is configured such that, when the first annular device is coupled to the proximal end of the faucet body, a bottom surface of the first annular device is in contact with an upper surface of the support structure, the support structure comprising one or more of a deck plate, escutcheon, wall, countertop, sink deck, vanity top, tub deck, or floor. 
     
     
         6 . The assembly of  claim 5 , wherein a bottom surface of the proximal end of the faucet body is configured to sit atop the first annular device when the first annular device is coupled to the proximal end of the faucet body and the faucet body is coupled to the support structure, such that the first annular device spaces the faucet body of the plumbing fixture assembly apart from the support structure. 
     
     
         7 . The assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising an associated faucet component distinct from the faucet body and a second annular device configured to couple to a base of the associated faucet component. 
     
     
         8 . The assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the associated faucet component is one or more of a handle, a hand-held sprayer, and a soap dispenser. 
     
     
         9 . The assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the second annular device comprises an exterior surface having one or more visual characteristics in common with the exterior surface of the first annular device. 
     
     
         10 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the interior surface of the first annular device is one or more of elliptical-shaped, square-shaped, rectangular-shaped, and triangular-shaped. 
     
     
         11 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the exterior surface of the first annular device is one or more of elliptical-shaped, square-shaped, rectangular-shaped, and triangular-shaped. 
     
     
         12 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first annular device comprises one or more of metal, natural stone, plastic, resin, glass, and rubber. 
     
     
         13 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the exterior surface of the first annular device comprises one or more of polished chrome, brushed nickel, polished nickel, gloss black material, matte black material, hammered gold material, hammered black material, carbon fiber, knurled chrome, crystal, and marble. 
     
     
         14 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the faucet body is configured to couple to two or more interchangeable annular devices.