1. Field of Invention
The present invention is directed to a recessed wall-mounted outlet box having a stop valve connected to a water supply line and a push-pull handle assembly providing convenient, instantly accessible, manual control over the flow of inlet water through the valve. An alternative embodiment wherein the valve is controlled by turning the knob or faceplate is also disclosed.
2. Description of Related Art
Many different wall-mounted outlet boxes have previously been disclosed that contain valves for and provide access to one or more water supply lines and, sometimes, drain lines for household or commercial appliances such as, for example, washing machines, ice makers, toilets, and the like. In the past the valves used in many such outlet boxes were open and closed by rotating a hand wheel at the top of the valves. More recently, quarter turn ball valves have achieved widespread use because the handles on the valves move between fully open and fully closed positions by traversing an arc of only 90 degrees or less. Such prior art water outlet boxes are disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,983,923, 6,125,881, and 6,234,193.
The present invention is a compact and aesthetically pleasing, recessed, wall-mounted outlet box with a push-pull handle assembly that controls the operation of a stop valve connected to a water supply line between fully open and fully closed positions. The outlet box comprises a housing that can be mounted to at least one stud or other frame member disposed proximally to a water supply line inside a wall, and desirably further includes a faceplate or escutcheon with apertures through which the handle assembly and water line extend, while simultaneously concealing the valve and conduit behind the faceplate for a more aesthetically pleasing appearance and also providing a means for quickly closing or opening the valve without any manual rotation of the outwardly extending portion of the handle assembly. This feature of the invention is particularly helpful to elderly, arthritic, or otherwise partially incapacitated users who may have much greater difficulty grasping and rotating a valve handle than simply pushing or pulling a knob on the handle assembly to open or close a valve. Another feature of this invention is that the valve is easily replaceable with just a screwdriver and will cause no damage to the surrounding material such as drywall.
The handle assembly of the invention desirably comprises a pull rod, which is attached to the stop valve's handle and is linked to both the valve handle and the knob in such a way that pushing the knob toward the faceplate and the wall opens the valve and permits the flow of water through it, while pulling the knob outwardly from the wall and faceplate closes the valve to shut off water flow through the valve. Alternatively, it will be appreciated that stop valves can likewise be fabricated that will block fluid flow through the valve when the knob of the handle assembly is pressed inwardly toward the faceplate and wall, and that will allow the flow of water through the valve when the knob portion of the handle assembly is pulled away from the faceplate and the wall.
The present invention can be provided or otherwise utilized with pre-installed stop valves having inlet valve shanks that are readily attachable to valve extensions having selected fittings for use with threaded hose or pipe connectors, with compression fittings or solder for attachment to copper tubing (for hot water lines), with glueable joints such as CPVC or PVC piping, or with hose barbs that are readily attachable by crimping or the like to flexible hoses such as those made of crosslinked polyethylene (“PEX”) pipe, or of other flexible materials. The outlet box of the invention desirably further comprises a retaining block and retainer clip that help secure the stop valve and valve inlet shank, respectively, in place relative to the valve housing. This feature enables the valve to be easily replaced.
The apparatus of the invention is further described and explained in relation to the following figures of the drawing wherein:
As depicted in
As seen, for example, in
Referring to
Referring to
Stop valve 44, which is best seen in
Referring to
Referring, for example, to
In an embodiment in which stop valve 44 is a quarter-turn valve, valve handle 60 opens and closes the valve with a 90 degree arc movement. Stop valve 44 can be conventionally or specially configured. In a conventional configuration, stop valve 44 is in the “open” position when looking down at stop valve 44 and valve handle 60 is clockwise 45 degrees from valve outlet 56 and in the “closed” position when valve handle 60 is 135 degrees from valve outlet 56. In a special configuration, stop valve 44 is in the “closed” position when looking down at stop valve 44 and valve handle 60 is clockwise 45 degrees from valve outlet 56 and in the “open” position when valve handle 60 is 135 degrees from valve outlet 56. In either configuration, pulling knob 30 aligns valve handle 60 with valve outlet 56, while pushing knob 30 inwardly positions valve handle 60 transverse to valve outlet 56.
A user operates stop valve 44 of outlet box 20 by pulling knob 30 to either open or close the valve and either start or stop water flow, or by pushing knob 30 to achieve the opposite result. The effect of the particular action will depend on the valve configuration as described above.
For example, in a special configuration for a quarter-turn valve, when a user pulls on knob 30, extended handle 62 and pull rod 46 rotate valve handle 60 a quarter of a turn (90 degrees), thereby closing stop valve 44. When a user pushes knob 30 into outlet box 20, extended handle 62 and pull rod 46 rotate valve handle 60 a quarter of a turn in the opposite direction, thereby opening stop valve 44.
Stop valve 44 creates a watertight seal to valve inlet shanks 50 using o-rings 43. Retaining block 40 allows the valve to be installed or replaced quickly by hand or by using a simple tool, such as a screwdriver. Stop valve 44 can simply be pushed into or pulled out of an inlet valve shank after removing retaining block 40. Outlet box 20 can be mounted and connected to water lines during the construction of a building project to enable monitoring for water leaks. Should a water leak be discovered, stop valve 44 can be replaced before completion of construction such that the likelihood of wall damage after drywall installation is eliminated.
Additionally, since outlet box 20 can be installed during the rough-in phase of construction, stop valve 44 and the water line can stay pressurized during the construction of a building. This feature provides the ability to test and monitor stop valve 44 for leaks and other problems before drywall installation. Also, by installing the valve in the rough-in phase, you eliminate the need to use a copper stub out, thus reducing wasted piping by eliminating the need for using stub outs. The ability to test and monitor stop valve 44 during construction also results in the decreased likelihood of crossed or dead water lines. Crossed water lines can occur, for example, when a hot or cold water line is connected to the opposite water outlet. Even in the event of a crossed or dead water line, the present invention provides for a quick remedy because the water lines can simply be reattached to the proper outlet while still in the rough-in phase of construction. The present invention also eliminates the need for the use of a compression joint in copper piping applications. In some copper piping applications, a stop valve would be connected to a compression joint, which under pressure from the water line can sometimes cause the valve to split at the attachment point. This type of valve failure is most commonly seen in ⅝ inch valves.
The pull stop assembly provides for simple operation of stop valve 44 by simply pulling or pushing knob 30 while faceplate 32 is in place and provides an aesthetically pleasing appearance with no piping being visible outside of the wall. Additionally, faceplate 32 and knob 30 can be painted as desired to match the building's interior walls or decor. The smaller and more compact design takes up less space under or behind toilets, sinks, or appliances. Additionally, the more compact design uses less material and provides materials cost savings in comparison to larger valve boxes. The compactness of outlet box 20 provides for several installation advantages. For example, outlet box 20 can be mounted right-side up or upside down depending on the location and orientation of the building's water lines. Outlet box 20 can also be installed on a stud 65, a block (not depicted), or a Hyco strap 66. Additionally, two outlet boxes 20 can be installed side-by-side on one standard wooden stud to accommodate two proximally located (such as hot and cold) water lines.
The present invention can be made of plastic, metal, or any other suitable material. In particular, the valve inlet shank assembly for PEX and WIRSBO PEX piping applications can be made of a moldable polymeric material, copier, or copper alloy pursuant to ASTM standards. The valve inlet shank assembly for copper piping applications can be made of any standard copper pipe. Housing 22 and mounting plate 24 of outlet box 20 can be made of any metal or polymeric material suitable for the intended use, and preferably comprise a moldable polymeric material that is tough and resistant to cracking.
In an alternative embodiment not shown in the figures, outlet box 20 could contain two independent pull-stop assemblies. Faceplate 32 of outlet box 20 could contain two openings 33 for water connectors from an appliance that has a separate water connection for hot and cold water. In this alternative embodiment, faceplate 32 could also contain two openings 31 through which two extended handles 62 can pass to connect to two pull rods 46. A user could pull or push one or two knobs 30 to open or close one or two valves 44.
In another alternative embodiment not shown in the figures, outlet box 20 could contain two coincident pull-stop assemblies. Faceplate 32 of outlet box 20 could contain two openings 33 for water connectors from an appliance that has a separate water inlet for hot and cold water. In this alternative embodiment, however, one knob 30, one extended handle 62, and one pull rod 46 are manipulated to open or close two valves 44.
In yet another alternative embodiment not shown in the figures, faceplate 32 could contain one opening through which both the push-pull handle assembly and the water connector(s) could pass to connect to valve 44. Also alternatively, faceplate 32 could feature a cutaway section from the bottom, sides, or top through which both the push-pull handle assembly and the water connector(s) could pass to connect to valve 44.
Possible applications of the present invention include services that have a cold water connection and those that include hot and cold water connections. In particular, possible applications include toilets, faucets, vanity sinks, lavatory cabinets, pedestal sinks, kitchen sinks, icemakers, washing machines, dishwashers, water coolers, and refrigerators.
Other alterations and modifications of the invention disclosed herein will likewise become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon reading this disclosure, and the inventors intend that the invention disclosed herein be limited only by the broadest interpretation of the appended claims to which they are legally entitled.
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Entry |
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Anutami Product Disclosure, Pull Stop #309, Recessed concealed angle stop, Jul. 19, 2010. |
Number | Date | Country | |
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20130082201 A1 | Apr 2013 | US |