GB2040403A - Mixing valves - Google Patents

Abstract

The valve comprises (a) a hollow sleeve (1) having one outlet 6 and two, axially spaced and diametrically opposite, inlets 4, 5 for connection with hot and cold water conduits having separate control handles, and (b) a piston 9 slidable in the sleeve for movement between a first position in which said inlets are blocked and a second position in which said inlets communicate with said outlet, so that flow can be regulated independently of the hot and cold water controls. As said piston moves between said positions the flow of water varies as the two piston portions 11, 12, each provided with O-ring seals, move across the elongated inlet openings, flow from inlet 4 to the outlet being through piston passage 14. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Faucet control device The invention relates to improvements in the con ventional domestic water mixers, where separate hot and cold water control handles are provided for regulating the temperature and volume of water.

Conventional devices including means for temperature regulation are also known, but such devices are complex in design and structure and they quickly wear out and are very costly.

It is an object of the invention to provide a control device capable of controlling the outflow of water from a faucet at a given temperature, without readjusting the water temperature by operating the hot and cold water controls.

Another object of the invention is to vary the rate of flow, independently of the hot and cold water controls.

As a feature of the invention, therefore, the temperature of the water is adjusted only once and the water can be turned off or on as desired.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a device which can be economically manufactured and which utilizes long wearing o-ring seals as the primary shut-off element of the valves, so that faucets embodying the valves require little maintenance.

Other objects and advantages of the invention wiill be apparent from the consideration of the following description and claims.

The invention can be adapted both to one-outlet mixers, for use in a kitchen sink or elsewhere, and to two-outlet mixers for use in a bathroom. In the last case a diverter valve is added to the device for selecting water between a shower and a tub spout.

Figures 1 and 2 are sectional views showing the apparatus as used for an one outlet mixer in two different positions of operation.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the valve body as shown in figures 1 and 2.

Figures 4 and 5 are side sectionai views of the apparatus as shown in figure 1 (open position) in association with a spout provided with a diverter valve for tub and shower use, in two different positions of operation.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the diverter valve as shown in figures 4 and 5.

Figures 1,2 and 3 illustrate an one outlet mixer.

Therein is seen a hollow sleeve 1 which slidably receives a piston assembly 2. The sleeve 1 has a cylindrical bore 3 in which the piston 2 is slidably received.

The sleeve 1 has two inlets 4 and 5 for the supply, respectively, of hot and cold water. These inlets, being axially at different levels, are respectively adapted for connection to hot and cold water conduits each having a separate control handle (not shown). Each of the inlets is in the form of an oblong slot which is elongated in the direction of the axis of the cylindrical sleeve 1 for a purpose which will become apparent later.

The sleeve 1 has an outlet 6 which for example can lead to a conduit which terminates in a spout for flow of water in a washtub, kitchen sink or elsewhere.

At the upper end of the sleeve 1 there is a cap nut7 provided with a hole 8 which slidably receives a stem 9 of the piston 2. A handle 10 is detachably secured to the stem by means of a threaded connection at the upper end thereof. The handle facilitates movement of the piston between the positions shown in figure 1 and 2.

The piston 2 carries a portion 11 which is sealably and slidably mounted on the cylindrical bore 3. A second portion 12 is axially spaced from portion 11 and is mounted on the stem 9 also for sealed slidabie movement within the cylindrical bore 3. Portions 11 and 12 carry sealing rings 13 in respective grooves to provide the sealing engagement with the cylindrical bore 3.

The stem 9 of the piston has between the portions 11 and 12 an inlet port 14 communicating with the central flow passage 15 of the stem axially bored in it.

The piston 2 is axially displaceable in the sleeve between a first inserted position as shown in Figure 2 and a second retracted position as shown in Figure 1. In the first position each of the water inlets 4 and 5 is separately and completely blocked, so as to exclude any intercommunication between them, and no water will flow to the outlet 6. In the second position the hot and cold water inlets 4 and 5 are in communication with the outlet 6.

The rate of flow can be regulated by slightly moving the handle, and thereby the piston, in one direction or the other. Forthis reason, i.e. in order to make the rate of flow substantially proportional to the displacement of the piston, the inlets 4 and 5 are in the shape of oblong slots as previously explained.

Figures 4,5 and 6 illustrate the same apparatus as above but in association with a spout provided with a diverter valve for tub and shower use in two different positions of operation. The piston 2 is shown in figures 4 and 5 in the second retracted (open) position.

The diverter valve consists of a hollow sleeve member embodied in the spout and a piston assembly. The sleeve 16 has a cylindrical bore 17 in which the piston 18 is slidably received. At the lower end of the sleeve 16 there is an externally threaded portion 19 adapted for being connected to a conduit, such as a shower pipe.

The sleeve 16 has an inlet 20 for the supply of water entering from flow passage 21, and a second outlet 22 for flow of water into a bath tub. Inlet 20 and outlet 22 are in the form of an oblong slot which is elongated in the direction of the axia of the cylindrical sleeve 17 to avoid wear of the piston's o-ring.

The upper end of the sleeve is provided with a hole 23 with an internal groove in it for an o-ring, which slidably and seal ably receives the stem 24 of the piston 18.

The piston 18 carries a portion 25 which is sealably mounted in the cylindrical bore 17. This portion carries a sealing ring 26 in respective groove to provide the sealing engagement with the cylindrical bore 17.

A portion 29 of the stem, in contact with portion 25 of the piston, is of greater diameter than the rest of it, thus engaging the piston to stop at the right position in its upward movement as in figure 4. The lowered position of the piston as in figure 5 is communicated to the user by the full insertion of the piston and the engagement of handle 27 with the top of the sleeve.

A handle 27 is detachably secured to the stem of the piston by means of a threaded connection at the upper end thereof. The handle facilitates movement of the piston between the positions as shown in figures 4 and 5.

A slot 28 is provided in the lower portion 25 to facilitate the engagement of the piston to allow the handle 27 to be threadably engaged on the upper end of the stem 24 after the piston has been inserted into the cylindrical bore of the sleeve.

By placing, therefore, the piston in the position shown in figure 4, the outlet 22 is blocked and the water will flow to the shower. By placing it in the position shown in figure 5, outlet to the shower is blocked, and water will flow to the bath tub outlet.

While the invention has been described in conjunction with the specific embodiment thereof, it will become apparent to those skilled in the art that numerous modifications and variations can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims (2)

1. Apparatus adapted for being connected to hot and cold water supplies comprising a hollow sleeve member having hot and cold water inlets for connection to the hot and cold water supplies, and one outlet, and piston means slidably mounted on said sleeve for movement between a first position in which said inlets communicate with said outlet, and a second position in which said inlets are blocked, said piston means in its movement from one to the other position gradually opening or closing the inlets to increase or reduce the rate of flow through said inlets to said outlet, said sleeve having a cylindrical bore, said inlets being axially located at different levels, a main characteristic of the invention, said inlets being provided with oblong holes, said outlet being coaxial and coextensive with said bore, said piston means comprising a first and second piston portion axially spaced between them, confined for sealed slidable movement in said cylindrical bore, said piston means comprising a stem on which said first and second piston portions are secured, said piston portions carrying sealing rings in respective grooves to provide the sealing engagement with said cylindrical bore, said stem being of smaller diameter than said first and second piston portions, said stem having an inlet between said first and second piston portions and a central flow passage bored axiall in said stem and communicating with said inlet.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in association with a spout having a valve for selectively diverting the flow of water between two outlets, said valve comprising a hollow sleeve member having one inlet and first and second outlets and piston nieans slidably mounted in said sleeve for movement between a first position in which one of said outlets is blocked and the inlet communicates with the other outlet, and a second position in which said other outlet is blocked and the inlet communicates with said one outlet, said sleeve having a cylindrical bore, said first outlet being coaxial and coextensive with said bore, said second outlet extending laterally in communication with said bore, said first and second outlets being located on opposite sides of said inlet, said inlet and second outlet being provided with oblong holes, said piston means comprising a first piston portion confined for sealed slidable movement in said cylindrical bore, said piston portion carrying a sealing ring in respective groove to provide the sealing engagement with said cylindrical bore, said means comprising a stem on which said first piston portion is secured, said stem being of smaller diameter than said piston portion, part of said stem, in contact with said first piston portion, being of greater diameter than the rest of it, thus engaging the piston to stop at the right position in its upward movement, said piston means comprising a handle on said stem for displacement of said stem and the piston portion thereof.