HK1212406B - Faucet handle with valve cartridge parallel to mounting surface - Google Patents

Description

Faucet handle with valve cartridge parallel to mounting surface

Cross reference to related applications

The present invention is in accordance with the priority of 35u.s.c. § 120 claiming priority of us provisional patent No. 61/706,857 filed 2012, 9, 28, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a faucet handle for controlling fluid flow.

Background

Other faucet handles include a valve cartridge that is aligned with the axial direction of a generally cylindrical valve body so that the axis of rotation of the valve is perpendicular to the mounting surface. Maintenance or removal by unscrewing the valve core may cause the valve body to rotate about its axis.

Other faucets having handles that rotate about axes parallel to the mounting surface include integral spouts. Some faucets have two opposing valve cartridges and an integral spout. Due to these added components, a large and bulky appearance results.

Disclosure of Invention

There is a need for a faucet handle that can remove a valve cartridge without causing the valve body to rotate about its axis. There is a need for a compact faucet handle that communicates with a separate spout.

The above and other needs are met by embodiments of the present invention, which include a faucet handle configured to be mounted to a mounting surface, wherein the faucet handle includes a fluid supply line, a fluid return line, and a valve cartridge. The first portion of the valve spool provides a connecting passage between the fluid supply line to the fluid return line and allows fluid to flow from the fluid supply line to the fluid return line when the valve spool is in the open position. The faucet handle also includes a valve body having a first opening and a second opening. The valve body houses a first portion of the valve spool. The second portion of the spool extends through the first opening of the valve body. The spool extends from the first portion to the second portion in a direction substantially parallel to the mounting surface. The control handle is in contact with the second portion of the valve cartridge. When the control handle is rotated in a first direction about an axis extending from the first portion to the second portion of the valve cartridge, the valve cartridge is opened, thereby allowing fluid to flow from the supply line to the return line. When the spool rotates about the axis in a second direction opposite the first direction, the spool is closed, thereby preventing fluid from flowing from the supply line to the return line.

In certain embodiments of the invention, the valve body also houses a supply line and a return line, and the supply line and the return line extend through the second opening. The second opening can be oriented substantially perpendicular to the first opening.

In some embodiments of the invention, the control handle further comprises an open end that receives the second portion of the valve cartridge.

In certain embodiments of the invention, the valve body and the valve spool are configured such that the valve spool rotates about an axis that is substantially parallel to the mounting surface.

In some embodiments of the invention, the valve body has a first dimension in a direction in which the supply and return lines extend and a second dimension in a direction in which the valve spool extends, the valve spool rotating about an axis that is substantially perpendicular to the first dimension. The valve body can have a substantially cylindrical shape with a first dimension extending along an axial direction of the substantially cylindrical shaped valve body and a second dimension extending along a radial direction of the substantially cylindrical shaped valve body.

In certain embodiments of the invention, the first dimension of the valve body is longer than the second dimension of the valve body.

In certain embodiments of the present invention, the faucet handle further includes a mounting flange configured to secure the valve body to a mounting surface.

In certain embodiments of the invention, the cartridge seat is located between the supply line and the cartridge.

The faucet handle of the present invention eliminates the integrity of the spout assembly and provides the flexibility to supply water to a spout, a spray head, a handshower, or any other type of end-user fitting.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a three-hole faucet having a faucet handle of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a faucet handle in a closed position of an embodiment of the present invention mounted to a mounting surface.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a faucet handle mounted on a mounting surface in an open position in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of a faucet handle in an open position in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of portion a-a of a faucet handle in an open position in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 6 is an exploded view of a faucet handle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

The present invention allows for the supply of a fluid, such as water, to the valve cartridge, which passes through the mounting surface and then through the valve cartridge, the valve cartridge being operated by a control handle rotating about an axis parallel to the mounting surface, and then delivering the water back through the mounting surface.

Installation variations of the faucet handle may be achieved by interaction between the mounting flange and any additional mounting features required for a particular mounting surface. For example, the faucet handle of the present invention can be mounted on a wall, deck, floor, ceiling, or the like. Any suitable size and shape of mounting flange sufficient to support the valve body may be used with the faucet handle of the present invention. According to the invention, a fluid, such as water, is guided by a single support, the diameter of which is not greater than the diameter of the valve body. In other embodiments of the invention, the valve body is integral with the mounting flange to form a unitary body.

Fig. 1 shows a three-hole faucet kit 10 having a faucet handle 12 of an embodiment of the present invention. The faucet assembly 10 has two faucet handles 12 (hot and cold) and a spout 14. The faucet handle controls the amount of hot and cold water that flows through spout 14. In the illustrated embodiment, water will flow through the mounting surface, into the faucet handle 12, out of the faucet handle through the cartridge, back into the mounting surface, through a different portion of the mounting surface where the spout 14 is mounted, and out of the spout 14.

Fig. 2 shows the faucet handle 12 of an embodiment of the present invention in a closed position mounted on the mounting surface 16. Fluid, such as water, enters the valve body 24 via the fluid supply line 18. The spool 22 is housed within the valve body 24. A first portion of the spool 22 is located in the valve body 24, and a second portion of the spool 22 extends through a first opening of the valve body 24. The second portion of the cartridge 22 is received in the open end 34 of the control handle 26. The cartridge 22 is in contact with the control handle 26. With the control handle 26 in the closed position, water does not flow to the fluid return line 20. The cartridge seat 38 is located between the fluid supply line 18 and the cartridge 22. The cartridge seat 38 provides a sealing surface for the cartridge 22.

The outer surface of the open end 34 of the control handle 26 may have a decorative finish. Likewise, the valve body 24 may be surrounded by a decorative outer shell 32. The valve body 24 is mounted to the mounting surface 16 by a mounting flange 28. Additionally, in some embodiments, a supplemental mounting member 30 may be provided to secure the faucet handle 12 to the mounting surface 16. Mounting surface 16 may be any surface capable of supporting faucet handle 12, and faucet handle 12 may be mounted in any orientation. Because the valve spool 22 is positioned to extend generally parallel to the mounting surface 16, the screw and washer combination 36 on the top of the valve body 24 is used for decoration, rather than as a fastener.

Fig. 3 shows the faucet handle 12 in an open position. When control handle 26 is rotated about the axis along which spool 22 extends, valve 22 is rotated with handle 26 to the open position, causing fluid to flow from fluid supply line 18 to fluid return line 20 via the first portion of spool 22 as indicated by the arrows. The poppet 22 is fitted with a rubber face gasket seal (not shown) that when in contact with the poppet seat 38 forms a connecting channel to direct fluid flowing through the poppet 22. A fluid return line 20 is connected to a fluid outlet port, such as the spout 14.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of faucet handle 12 in an open position in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of portion a-a of faucet handle 12 in an open position, illustrating the path of fluid flow from fluid supply line 18 to fluid return line 20 via open valve cartridge 22. Valve body 24 may be of any suitable length L, depending upon design considerations.

As shown in FIG. 6, in certain embodiments of the present invention, valve body 24 is generally cylindrical in shape. Valve body 24 has a first dimension along the direction in which supply line 18 and return line 20 extend, and a second dimension along the direction in which spool 22 extends, spool 22 rotating about an axis that is substantially perpendicular to the first dimension. In certain embodiments, the first dimension extends along an axial direction of the generally cylindrical shaped valve body 24 and the second dimension extends along a radial direction of the generally cylindrical shaped valve body 24. In certain embodiments, the first dimension is longer than the second dimension.

Further, as shown in FIG. 6, in certain embodiments, valve body 24 is surrounded by a decorative outer shell 32. Additionally, in some embodiments, the first opening of valve body 24 through which spool 22 extends is oriented substantially perpendicular to the second opening through which supply line 18 and return line 20 extend.

In certain embodiments of the present invention, a portion of the valve body 24 is configured to securely hold the spool 22 and the spool seat 38 in place while allowing the first portion of the spool 22 to rotate from the open position to the closed position and vice versa. Additionally, the open end 34 of the control handle 26 is configured to engage a second portion of the valve cartridge 22 such that the valve cartridge 22 rotates about the rotational axis of the control handle 26. The end of the second portion of the cartridge 22 may be configured to matingly engage a complementary feature in the open end 34 of the control handle 26. In other embodiments, the end of the second portion of the cartridge 22 and the interior portion of the open end 34 of the control handle 26 may be threaded such that the cartridge 22 and the control handle 26 are secured to one another by threads (not shown).

While other faucet handles have the valve cartridge aligned with the axial direction of the generally cylindrical valve body such that the axis of rotation of the valve is perpendicular to the mounting surface, the faucet handle of the present invention disposes the valve cartridge substantially perpendicular to the axial direction of the generally cylindrical valve body. Maintenance or removal by unscrewing the valve cartridge of the other faucet handle may cause the valve body to rotate about its axis. An advantage of the present invention is that the configuration of the faucet handle of the present invention allows for removal of the valve cartridge perpendicular to the axial direction of the generally cylindrical valve body. Thus, when the valve element of the present invention is unscrewed, the valve element is prevented from rotating relative to the mounting surface. This allows for maintaining secure contact between the valve body and the mounting surface when servicing or replacing the valve cartridge.

Another advantage of the faucet handle of the present invention is that the cartridge is easily accessible and does not require removal or loosening of the valve body for servicing or removal of the cartridge. The faucet handle of the present invention can be mounted to a variety of mounting surfaces in a variety of orientations. In addition, the faucet handle of the present invention allows the valve body to be mounted at any height above the mounting surface. Accordingly, the faucet handle of the present invention provides a variety of faucet handle designs and configurations.

The embodiments described in this disclosure are for illustrative purposes only. They should not be construed as limiting the claims. As will be clear to those of skill in the art, the present invention encompasses various embodiments that are not specifically illustrated herein. While the apparatus and methods of this invention have been described in terms of exemplary embodiments, it will be apparent to those of skill in the art that variations may be applied to the apparatus and methods and in the steps or in the sequence of steps of the method described herein without departing from the concept, spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims (9)

1. A faucet handle configured to be mounted to a mounting surface, wherein the faucet handle comprises:

a fluid supply line;

a fluid return line;

a valve spool, a first portion of the valve spool providing a connecting passage between the fluid supply line to the fluid return line and allowing fluid to flow from the fluid supply line to the fluid return line when the valve spool is in an open position;

a valve body having a first opening and a second opening and housing the first portion of the spool, wherein the second portion of the spool extends through the first opening of the valve body and the spool extends from the first portion to the second portion in a direction generally parallel to the mounting surface, and the valve body housing the fluid supply line and the fluid return line and the fluid supply line and the fluid return line extend through the second opening, wherein the fluid return line is directly connected to the first portion of the spool and the fluid return line extends from a connection point connected to the spool in a direction perpendicular to the direction generally parallel to the mounting surface; and

a control handle in contact with the second portion of the valve cartridge, wherein the second portion of the valve cartridge is received in an open end of the control handle, the valve cartridge is opened when the control handle is rotated in a first direction about an axis of the valve cartridge extending from the first portion to the second portion, thereby allowing fluid to flow from the fluid supply line to only the fluid return line, and the valve cartridge is closed when the valve cartridge is rotated in a second direction about the axis, opposite the first direction, thereby preventing fluid from flowing from the fluid supply line to the fluid return line.

2. The faucet handle according to claim 1,

the second opening is oriented substantially perpendicular to the first opening.

3. The faucet handle according to claim 1, wherein the control handle further comprises an open end that receives the second portion of the valve cartridge.

4. The faucet handle according to claim 1, wherein the valve body and valve cartridge are configured such that the valve cartridge rotates about an axis that is substantially parallel to the mounting surface.

5. The faucet handle according to claim 1, further comprising a cartridge seat located between the fluid supply line and the cartridge.

6. The faucet handle according to claim 1,

the valve body has a first dimension along a direction in which the fluid supply line and the fluid return line extend and a second dimension along a direction in which the valve spool extends, the valve spool rotating about an axis that is substantially perpendicular to the first dimension.

7. The faucet handle according to claim 6,

the valve body has a substantially cylindrical shape, and the first dimension extends in an axial direction of the substantially cylindrical shape of the valve body, and the second dimension extends in a radial direction of the substantially cylindrical shape of the valve body.

8. The faucet handle according to claim 6,

the first dimension is longer than the second dimension.

9. The faucet handle according to claim 1, further comprising a mounting flange configured to secure the valve body to the mounting surface.