US20120103438A1

US20120103438A1 - One-handle Type Faucet having a double anti-reverse function to prevent waste materials from flowing backward into the faucet when disaster happens

Info

Publication number: US20120103438A1
Application number: US12/916,973
Authority: US
Inventors: Jui-Feng Ko
Original assignee: Chung Cheng Faucet Co Ltd
Current assignee: Chung Cheng Faucet Co Ltd
Priority date: 2010-11-01
Filing date: 2010-11-01
Publication date: 2012-05-03

Abstract

A faucet includes a faucet body provided with a receiving chamber, a first outlet port and a second outlet port, a first check valve mounted in the receiving chamber of the faucet body and located between the first outlet port and the second outlet port of the faucet body, a water output unit mounted on the faucet body and having an inner portion provided with a receiving space connected to the second outlet port of the faucet body, and a second check valve mounted in the receiving space of the water output unit. Thus, the first check valve co-operates with the second check valve to form a double anti-reverse function to prevent the waste water from flowing backward into the water entrance of the faucet body so as to protect the water source of the faucet.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a faucet and, more particularly, to a one-handle type faucet.
2. Description of the Related Art
A conventional faucet comprises a faucet body having an inner portion provided with a receiving chamber and having a periphery provided with a first outlet port and a second outlet port each connected to the receiving chamber, a control valve mounted in the receiving chamber of the faucet body, a water output unit mounted on the faucet body and connected to the second outlet port of the faucet body. The faucet body is provided with a water entrance connected to the receiving chamber. The receiving chamber of the faucet body is connected between the water entrance, the first outlet port and the second outlet port of the faucet body. The water entrance, the first outlet port and the second outlet port of the faucet body are isolated from each other and are connected by the receiving chamber of the faucet body. The first outlet port of the faucet body is connected to a spout (not shown). The second outlet port of the faucet body is connected to a spraying unit through the water output unit. The spraying unit includes a nozzle head, a press button, a hose and a connector. The connector of the spraying unit is connected with the water output unit. In operation, when the spraying unit is closed, the water can be delivered to the spout by control of the control valve and is sprayed outward from the spout for use with a user. On the contrary, when the spraying unit is opened by pressing the press button, the water can be delivered to the spraying unit. Thus, the water can be injected outward from the nozzle head of the spraying unit for use with the user. However, when the spraying unit is placed in a drainage or sink, the waste water from the drainage or sink easily flows through the spraying unit, the water output unit and the second outlet port of the faucet body into the receiving chamber of the faucet body and is delivered into the water entrance of the faucet body to pollute the water source of the faucet body, thereby causing danger to the user.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a faucet, comprising a faucet body having an inner portion provided with a receiving chamber and having a periphery provided with a first outlet port and a second outlet port each connected to the receiving chamber, a first check valve mounted in the receiving chamber of the faucet body and located between the first outlet port and the second outlet port of the faucet body, a water output unit mounted on the faucet body and having an inner portion provided with a receiving space connected to the second outlet port of the faucet body, and a second check valve mounted in the receiving space of the water output unit.
The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a one-handle type faucet having a double anti-reverse function to prevent waste materials from flowing backward into the faucet when disaster happens.
According to the primary advantage of the present invention, the plug of the second check valve is tightly inserted into the socket of the water output unit to isolate the water output unit from the second check valve, while the sealing gasket of the first check valve presses the peripheral wall of the receiving chamber to isolate the second outlet port of the faucet body from the water entrance of the faucet body so that the first check valve co-operates with the second check valve to form a double anti-reverse function to prevent the waste water from flowing backward into the water entrance of the faucet body so as to protect the water source of the faucet.
Further benefits and advantages of the present invention will become apparent after a careful reading of the detailed description with appropriate reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective assembly view of a faucet in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a first check valve of the faucet as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a second check valve of the faucet as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a front cross-sectional assembly operational view of the faucet as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a front cross-sectional assembly operational view of the faucet as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a front cross-sectional assembly operational view of the faucet as shown in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings and initially to FIGS. 1-4, a faucet in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a faucet body 4 having an inner portion provided with a receiving chamber 41 and having a periphery provided with a first outlet port 44 and a second outlet port 43 each connected to the receiving chamber 41, a first check valve 2 mounted in the receiving chamber 41 of the faucet body 4 and located between the first outlet port 44 and the second outlet port 43 of the faucet body 4, a water output unit 3 mounted on the faucet body 4 and having an inner portion provided with a receiving space 32 connected to the second outlet port 43 of the faucet body 4, and a second check valve 1 mounted in the receiving space 32 of the water output unit 3.
The faucet body 4 is provided with a water entrance 42 connected to the receiving chamber 41. The receiving chamber 41 of the faucet body 4 is connected between the water entrance 42, the first outlet port 44 and the second outlet port 43 of the faucet body 4. The water entrance 42, the first outlet port 44 and the second outlet port 43 of the faucet body 4 are isolated from each other and are connected by the receiving chamber 41 of the faucet body 4. The first outlet port 44 of the faucet body 4 is connected to a spout (not shown). The second outlet port 43 of the faucet body 4 is connected to a spraying unit 5 through the water output unit 3 and the second check valve 1. The spraying unit 5 includes a nozzle head 51, a press button 52, a hose 53 and a connector 54. The connector 54 of the spraying unit 5 is connected with the second check valve 1.
The first check valve 2 includes a valve housing 24 mounted in the receiving chamber 41 of the faucet body 4 and having an inner portion provided with a flow channel 240 which is connected to The first outlet port 44 of the faucet body 4 and has a peripheral wall provided with a flange 243, a valve shaft 21 movably mounted in the flow channel 240 of the valve housing 24, a sealing gasket 25 mounted on the valve shaft 21 to move in concert with the valve shaft 21 and abutting a peripheral wall of the receiving chamber 41, and a stopper 22 mounted on the valve shaft 21 to move in concert with the valve shaft 21 and detachably abutting the flange 243 of the valve housing 24 to isolate the flow channel 240 of the valve housing 24 from The first outlet port 44 of the faucet body 4.
The valve housing 24 of the first check valve 2 has a surface provided with a plurality of transverse connecting openings 242 each connected between the flow channel 240 of the valve housing 24 and the water entrance 42 of the faucet body 4. The valve housing 24 of the first check valve 2 has a peripheral wall provided with a retaining groove 241 to receive an O-ring 23 which presses the peripheral wall of the receiving chamber 41. The flow channel 240 of the valve housing 24 is connected between the receiving chamber 41 and The first outlet port 44 of the faucet body 4, and the receiving chamber 41 of the faucet body 4 is connected between the flow channel 240 of the valve housing 24 and the second outlet port 43 of the faucet body 4.
The valve shaft 21 of the first check valve 2 has a first end 211 provided with a first mounting portion 212 for mounting the stopper 22 and has a second end 214 provided with a second mounting portion 213 for mounting the sealing gasket 25.
The stopper 22 of the first check valve 2 has a tapered shape and is located between the flange 243 of the valve housing 24 and The first outlet port 44 of the faucet body 4.
The sealing gasket 25 of the first check valve 2 is located between the receiving chamber 41 of the faucet body 4 and the flow channel 240 of the valve housing 24 to isolate the second outlet port 43 of the faucet body 4 from the water entrance 42 of the faucet body 4. The sealing gasket 25 of the first check valve 2 has a tapered thin wall 250 pressing the peripheral wall of the receiving chamber 41 to isolate the receiving chamber 41 and the second outlet port 43 of the faucet body 4 from the flow channel 240 of the valve housing 24 and the water entrance 42 of the faucet body 4. The tapered thin wall 250 of the sealing gasket 25 has a substantially V-shaped cross-sectional profile. The tapered thin wall 250 of the sealing gasket 25 is flexible and contractible radially and inwardly to detach from the peripheral wall of the receiving chamber 41 to connect the receiving chamber 41 of the faucet body 4 to the flow channel 240 of the valve housing 24.
The water output unit 3 is located between the second outlet port 43 of the faucet body 4 and the second check valve 1. The receiving space 32 of the water output unit 3 is connected between the second outlet port 43 of the faucet body 4 and the second check valve 1 and has a peripheral wall provided with a socket 33.
The second check valve 1 is located between the water output unit 3 and the spraying unit 5 and includes a slide 12 movably mounted in the receiving space 32 of the water output unit 3, a plug 11 mounted on the slide 12 to move in concert with the slide 12 and detachably inserted into the socket 33 of the water output unit 3 to interrupt a connection between the receiving space 32 of the water output unit 3 and the second check valve 1, a mounting tube 15 mounted on the water output unit 3 and spaced from the slide 12, and an elastic member 13 biased between the mounting tube 15 and the slide 12 to push the plug 11 toward the socket 33 of the water output unit 3.
The mounting tube 15 of the second check valve 1 has an inner portion provided with a flow conduit 150 connected to the receiving space 32 of the water output unit 3, and the receiving space 32 of the water output unit 3 is connected between the second outlet port 43 of the faucet body 4 and the flow conduit 150 of the mounting tube 15. The mounting tube 15 of the second check valve 1 has a first end provided with a first outer thread 151 engaging the lower end of the water output unit 3 and a second end provided with a second outer thread 152 engaging the connector 54 of the spraying unit 5. The mounting tube 15 of the second check valve 1 has a mediate portion provided with a stop shoulder 153 located between the first outer thread 151 and the second outer thread 152 for mounting an O-ring 14 which presses a peripheral wall of the receiving space 32.
The slide 12 of the second check valve 1 is located between the socket 33 of the water output unit 3 and the mounting tube 15. The slide 12 of the second check valve 1 has a first end provided with a recessed mounting section for mounting the plug 11 and a second end which has an inner portion provided with a plurality of longitudinal connecting channels 122 and has a surface provided with a plurality of transverse connecting slots 123 connected to the longitudinal connecting channels 122. The longitudinal connecting channels 122 and the transverse connecting slots 123 of the slide 12 are connected between the receiving space 32 of the water output unit 3 and the flow conduit 150 of the mounting tube 15.
In operation, referring to FIGS. 4-6 with reference to FIGS. 1-3, when the spraying unit 5 is closed, the water can be delivered to the spout. In such a manner, when water from the water entrance 42 of the faucet body 4 is delivered through the receiving chamber 41 of the faucet body 4 and the transverse connecting openings 242 of the valve housing 24 into the flow channel 240 of the valve housing 24, the first end 211 of the valve shaft 21 is pushed by the water pressure to form a clearance 60 between the stopper 22 and the flange 243 of the valve housing 24 so that the water from the water entrance 42 of the faucet body 4 in turn flows through the receiving chamber 41 of the faucet body 4, the transverse connecting openings 242 of the valve housing 24, the flow channel 240 of the valve housing 24 and the clearance 60 into The first outlet port 44 of the faucet body 4 as shown in FIG. 4 and is sprayed outward from the spout for use with a user. At this time, the sealing gasket 25 of the first check valve 2 has a tapered thin wall 250 pressing the peripheral wall of the receiving chamber 41 to isolate the receiving chamber 41 and the second outlet port 43 of the faucet body 4 from the flow channel 240 of the valve housing 24 and the water entrance 42 of the faucet body 4 so as to prevent the water in the flow channel 240 of the valve housing 24 from entering the second outlet port 43 of the faucet body 4.
On the contrary, when the spraying unit 5 is opened by pressing the press button 52, the water can be delivered to the spraying unit 5. At this time, the stopper 22 presses and seals the flange 243 of the valve housing 24 closely to prevent the water in the flow channel 240 of the valve housing 24 from flowing into The first outlet port 44 of the faucet body 4. In such a manner, when the water from the water entrance 42 of the faucet body 4 is delivered through the receiving chamber 41 of the faucet body 4 and the transverse connecting openings 242 of the valve housing 24 into the flow channel 240 of the valve housing 24, the tapered thin wall 250 of the sealing gasket 25 is pressed and contracted radially and inwardly by the water pressure to detach from the peripheral wall of the receiving chamber 41 so as to form a first gap 61 between the tapered thin wall 250 of the sealing gasket 25 and the peripheral wall of the receiving chamber 41, while the plug 11 of the second check valve 1 is pushed by the water pressure to compress the elastic member 13 and to detach from the socket 33 of the water output unit 3 so as to form a second gap 62 between the plug 11 of the second check valve 1 and the socket 33 of the water output unit 3 so that the water from the water entrance 42 of the faucet body 4 in turn flows through the transverse connecting openings 242 of the valve housing 24, the flow channel 240 of the valve housing 24, the first gap 61, the receiving chamber 41 of the faucet body 4, the second outlet port 43 of the faucet body 4, the receiving space 32 of the water output unit 3, the second gap 62, the longitudinal connecting channels 122 and the transverse connecting slots 123 of the slide 12 into the flow conduit 150 of the mounting tube 15 as shown in FIG. 5 and is then delivered through the hose 53 into the nozzle head 51 of the spraying unit 5. Thus, the water can be injected outward from the nozzle head 51 of the spraying unit 5 for use with the user.
After the spraying unit 5 is closed by releasing the press button 52, the first check valve 2 and the second check valve 1 are returned to a balance state as shown in FIG. 6. At this time, the plug 11 of the second check valve 1 is pushed toward the socket 33 of the water output unit 3 by the restoring force of the elastic member 13 so that the plug 11 of the second check valve 1 is tightly inserted into the socket 33 of the water output unit 3 to isolate the receiving space 32 of the water output unit 3 from the second check valve 1 so as to prevent the water in the flow conduit 150 of the mounting tube 15 from flowing into the receiving space 32 of the water output unit 3 and the second outlet port 43 of the faucet body 4. At the same time, the tapered thin wall 250 of the sealing gasket 25 is expanded radially and outwardly by the elastic force of the sealing gasket 25 so that the tapered thin wall 250 of the sealing gasket 25 presses the peripheral wall of the receiving chamber 41 to isolate the receiving chamber 41 and the second outlet port 43 of the faucet body 4 from the flow channel 240 of the valve housing 24 and the water entrance 42 of the faucet body 4 so as to prevent the water in the receiving chamber 41 and the second outlet port 43 of the faucet body 4 from entering the flow channel 240 of the valve housing 24 and the water entrance 42 of the faucet body 4.
In such a manner, even when the spraying unit 5 is placed in a drainage or sink and waste water flows through the spraying unit 5 into the flow conduit 150 of the mounting tube 15, the plug 11 of the second check valve 1 is tightly inserted into the socket 33 of the water output unit 3 to isolate the receiving space 32 of the water output unit 3 from the second check valve 1 so as to prevent the waste water from passing through the second check valve 1 into the receiving space 32 of the water output unit 3 and the second outlet port 43 of the faucet body 4, while the tapered thin wall 250 of the sealing gasket 25 presses the peripheral wall of the receiving chamber 41 to isolate the receiving chamber 41 and the second outlet port 43 of the faucet body 4 from the flow channel 240 of the valve housing 24 and the water entrance 42 of the faucet body 4 so as to prevent the waste water from passing through the first check valve 2 into the water entrance 42 of the faucet body 4.
Accordingly, the plug 11 of the second check valve 1 is tightly inserted into the socket 33 of the water output unit 3 to isolate the water output unit 3 from the second check valve 1, while the sealing gasket 25 of the first check valve 2 presses the peripheral wall of the receiving chamber 41 to isolate the second outlet port 43 of the faucet body 4 from the water entrance 42 of the faucet body 4 so that the first check valve 2 co-operates with the second check valve 1 to form a double anti-reverse function to prevent the waste water from flowing backward into the water entrance 42 of the faucet body 4 so as to protect the water source of the faucet.
Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment(s) as mentioned above, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. It is, therefore, contemplated that the appended claim or claims will cover such modifications and variations that fall within the true scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A faucet, comprising:

a faucet body having an inner portion provided with a receiving chamber and having a periphery provided with a first outlet port and a second outlet port each connected to the receiving chamber;

a first check valve mounted in the receiving chamber of the faucet body and located between the first outlet port and the second outlet port of the faucet body;

a water output unit mounted on the faucet body and having an inner portion provided with a receiving space connected to the second outlet port of the faucet body; and

a second check valve mounted in the receiving space of the water output unit.

2. The faucet of claim 1, wherein the first check valve includes:

a valve housing mounted in the receiving chamber of the faucet body and having an inner portion provided with a flow channel which is connected to the outlet port of the faucet body and has a peripheral wall provided with a flange;

a valve shaft movably mounted in the flow channel of the valve housing;

a sealing gasket mounted on the valve shaft to move in concert with the valve shaft and abutting a peripheral wall of the receiving chamber; and

a stopper mounted on the valve shaft to move in concert with the valve shaft and detachably abutting the flange of the valve housing to isolate the flow channel of the valve housing from the outlet port of the faucet body.

3. The faucet of claim 2, wherein

the faucet body is provided with a water entrance connected to the receiving chamber;

the valve housing of the first check valve has a surface provided with a plurality of transverse connecting openings each connected between the flow channel of the valve housing and the water entrance of the faucet body.

4. The faucet of claim 2, wherein the valve housing of the first check valve has a peripheral wall provided with a retaining groove to receive an O-ring which presses the peripheral wall of the receiving chamber.

5. The faucet of claim 2, wherein the valve shaft of the first check valve has a first end provided with a first mounting portion for mounting the stopper and has a second end provided with a second mounting portion for mounting the sealing gasket.

6. The faucet of claim 1, wherein

the receiving space of the water output unit has a peripheral wall provided with a socket;

the second check valve includes:

a slide movably mounted in the receiving space of the water output unit;

a plug mounted on the slide to move in concert with the slide and detachably inserted into the socket of the water output unit to interrupt a connection between the receiving space of the water output unit and the second check valve;

a mounting tube mounted on the water output unit and spaced from the slide; and

an elastic member biased between the mounting tube and the slide to push the plug toward the socket of the water output unit.

7. The faucet of claim 6, wherein

the mounting tube of the second check valve has an inner portion provided with a flow conduit connected to the receiving space of the water output unit;

the receiving space of the water output unit is connected between the second outlet port of the faucet body and the flow conduit of the mounting tube.

8. The faucet of claim 6, wherein the mounting tube of the second check valve has a first end provided with a first outer thread engaging the lower end of the water output unit and a second end provided with a second outer thread engaging the connector of the spraying unit.

9. The faucet of claim 8, wherein the mounting tube of the second check valve has a mediate portion provided with a stop shoulder located between the first outer thread and the second outer thread for mounting an O-ring which presses a peripheral wall of the receiving space.

10. The faucet of claim 7, wherein

the slide of the second cheek valve has a first end provided with a recessed mounting section for mounting the plug;

the slide of the second check valve has a second end which has an inner portion provided with a plurality of longitudinal connecting channels and has a surface provided with a plurality of transverse connecting slots connected to the longitudinal connecting channels.

11. The faucet of claim 10, wherein the longitudinal connecting channels and the transverse connecting slots of the slide are connected between the receiving space of the water output unit and the flow conduit of the mounting tube.

12. The faucet of claim 3, wherein

the receiving chamber of the faucet body is connected between the water entrance, the first outlet port and the second outlet port of the faucet body;

the water entrance, the first outlet port and the second outlet port of the faucet body are isolated from each other and are connected by the receiving chamber of the faucet body.

13. The faucet of claim 2, wherein

the flow channel of the valve housing is connected between the receiving chamber and the outlet port of the faucet body;

the receiving chamber of the faucet body is connected between the flow channel of the valve housing and the second outlet port of the faucet body.

14. The faucet of claim 2, wherein the stopper of the first check valve has a tapered shape and is located between the flange of the valve housing and the outlet port of the faucet body.

15. The faucet of claim 3, wherein the sealing gasket of the first check valve is located between the receiving chamber of the faucet body and the flow channel of the valve housing to isolate the second outlet port of the faucet body from the water entrance of the faucet body.

16. The faucet of claim 3, wherein

the sealing gasket of the first check valve has a tapered thin wall pressing the peripheral wall of the receiving chamber to isolate the receiving chamber and the second outlet port of the faucet body from the flow channel of the valve housing and the water entrance of the faucet body;

the tapered thin wall of the sealing gasket has a substantially V-shaped cross-sectional profile;

the tapered thin wall of the sealing gasket is flexible and contractible radially and inwardly to detach from the peripheral wall of the receiving chamber to connect the receiving chamber of the faucet body to the flow channel of the valve housing.

17. The faucet of claim 1, wherein

the water output unit is located between the second outlet port of the faucet body and the second check valve;

the receiving space of the water output unit is connected between the second outlet port of the faucet body and the second check valve.

18. The faucet of claim 6, wherein the slide of the second check valve is located between the socket of the water output unit and the mounting tube.