Patent Application
20070145319
This invention generally relates to a device for controlling flow through a conduit, more specifically, this invention relates to a valve trim assembly for controlling water flow to a faucet.
Devices for controlling the flow of water to a faucet are known and typically include a handle and a rotating valve. The handle communicates with the rotating valve, such that, actuating the handle opens the valve and permits flow to the faucet.
Conventional flow controlling devices are mounted adjacent a deck, such as a kitchen counter or a sink top. Ordinarily, it is desirable to position the handle in an area easily accessible to an operator. The conventional flow control device may also incorporate any number of handles to control flow to the faucet via the valve. For example, some designs include one handle for controlling the flow of hot water and a second handle for controlling the flow of cold water. Other designs include one handle for controlling the flow of both hot water and cold water. Because the handle is located above the deck in a highly visible area, the aesthetics of the handle are an important aspect of handle design.
When an operator desires a flow of water through the faucet, the operator turns the handle about the handle's axis of rotation. As the conventional handle is directly connected to the valve, actuation of the handle moves the valve from a closed position to an open position. The position of the valve and the distance between the valve and the handle varies depending on the plumbing configuration.
Conventional flow controlling devices position the axis of rotation of the handle perpendicular to the deck surface. In addition, the axis of rotation of the previous handle designs is ordinarily in-line with the axis of rotation of the valve. Because the handle experiences frequent operator interaction, the rotation path of the handle is also an important aspect of handle design and current valve configurations limit design possibilities.
Therefore, there exists a need to provide a handle and valve design wherein the axis of rotation of the handle may be angled relative to the axis of rotation of the valve. There exists a need to provide a handle and valve design wherein the axis of rotation of the handle may be parallel to the deck surface.
A flow control device includes a valve and a handle for controlling the flow of water to a faucet. The handle and the faucet are located above a deck while the valve is located below the deck, and the handle is movable about an axis angled relative to the rotational axis of the valve.
An operator actuates the handle to open the valve and to permit flow from the water supply to the faucet. The valve rotates about a valve axis of rotation and when manipulated, moves between open and closed positions to control the flow of water through a plumbing conduit. The handle includes a rotating arm having an axis of rotation, which is substantially transverse to the valve axis of rotation. The rotating arm mounts to a post and is positioned substantially parallel to the post when the valve is open. A beveled gear translates the rotation of the rotating arm to the valve.
The flow control device mounts to the deck such that a portion of the valve is located below the deck and the handle is located above the deck. Accordingly, under normal operation, the operator may view the handle, while the deck shields the plumbing conduit from view.
These and other features of the present invention can be best understood from the following specification and drawings, the following of which is a brief description.
The device 10 is typically used to control flow exiting the faucet 26 into a sink 32, such as a kitchen sink or a bathroom sink. When an operator wishes to obtain water flow from the faucet 26, the operator actuates rotating arm 20, which opens the valve 14 and permits flow to the faucet 26. The handle 18 of the device 10 mounts adjacent the deck 30, which is a countertop or other type of surface suitable for anchoring the handle 18. The handle 18 is located above the deck 30 and is positioned in an area convenient for actuation of the handle 18 by an operator. The valve 14 is primarily located below the deck 30 and hidden from view during normal operation of the valve 14.
As shown in
The plumbing conduit 34 includes male portions 36a and 36b operative to engage female conduit portions (not shown) connected to the water supply 22 and the faucet 26 respectively. The handle 18 includes a post 38 abutting the deck 30, which separates the handle 18 from the conduit 34. The flow control device 10 mounts to the deck 30 such that the valve 14 is located primarily below the deck 30 and the handle 18 is located above the deck 30. Accordingly, under normal operation, the operator may view the handle 18; the deck 30, however, shields the plumbing conduit 34 and the valve 14 from view.
The rotating arm 20 mounts to the post 38 thereby distancing the rotating arm 20 from the deck 30 and allowing the rotating arm 20 to rotate about the axis of rotation X free of interference by the deck 30. To move valve 14 from the closed position shown to an open position, the rotating arm 20 rotates approximately 90° about axis of rotation X. Other degrees of rotation are possible, for example, the rotating arm 20 may have a range of motion of 180° instead of the 90° shown. In the illustrated examples, the rotating arm 20 rotates about the axis of rotation X and is positioned substantially parallel to the post 38 when the valve 14 is in the open position.
Although the handle 18 is shown as having a single rotating arm 20, many other handle 18 designs and degrees of rotation fall within the scope of the invention. Persons skilled in the art who have the benefit of this disclosure will be able to select other suitable designs, e.g., multi-arm handles or wheel-type handles, to meet their particular needs.
The sectional view of
The spindle extension 54 includes a first end having a portion meshing with the beveled gear 50. A second end of the spindle extension 54 extends proximate the deck 30 and engages a valve stem 56. The second end includes a keyed aperture that rotatably engages the valve stem 56, such that a rotation of the spindle extension 54 rotates the valve stem 56, which moves the valve 14 of the device between open positions and closed positions.
The spindle extension 54 is partially disposed within a shaft 62 in the post 38. The shaft 62 allows the spindle extension to rotate about axis of rotation Y when the rotating arm 20 actuates the beveled gear 50. A first end of shaft 62 secures the head 46. The second end of shaft 62 abuts the surface of the deck 30, such that, when assembled, the spindle extension 54 and the beveled gear 50 are hidden from view.
Although a preferred embodiment of this invention has been disclosed, a worker of ordinary skill in this art would recognize that certain modifications would come within the scope of this invention. For that reason, the following claims should be studied to determine the true scope and content of this invention.
