US3425440A - Valving unit for single lever faucet - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 4, 1969 P. M. VAN WINGEN 3,425,440

VALVING UNIT FOR SINGLE LEVER FAUCET Filed May 15, 1966 25 FIG 4 I62 2 8 /4 42 r I 27 lo I; 50 b \HII /2 94k 48 52 I2 27 43 46 /0 INVENTOR. PETER M. VAN WINGEN United States Patent VALVING UNIT FOR SINGLE LEVER FAUCET Peter M. Van Wingen, Grand Rapids, Mich., assignor to Wolverine Brass Works, Grand Rapids, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Filed May 18, 1966, Ser. No. 551,057

US. Cl. 137454.6 15 Claims Int. Cl. F16k 11/18, 1/38 ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A valving unit for a single lever faucet comprises a plate with a pair of openings therein. Like valving members for each of said openings each includes a stem which extends loosely through one of the openings and which has a valve head on its lower end and a cam follower dimensioned and journaled for free rotation axially upon its upper end.

The present invention relates to a valving unit for single lever faucets, and involves an improvement over the valve and faucet structure disclosed in the issued US. Patent No. 3,190,309 of Robert A. Staat and Aaron A. Staat, dated June 22, 1965.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved.

valving unit carrying a pair of valves, characterized by its ease of valve application, and facility of incorporating the assembled valve unit into a single lever faucet body.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved valve member for a single lever faucet, which valve member is characterized by smooth and quiet operation, and an extraordinarily long trouble-free service life.

Another object is to provide a valving unit which is highly resistant to leakage and other malfunction ordinarily attributable to corrosion or scale accumulations in use.

A further object of the invention is to facilitate and expedite the substitution of valve members and valving units in the faucet when necessary.

Another object is to provide an improved cam and follower construction in a single lever faucet, assuring long life and extended service of parts.

The foregoing and other objects are attained by the means described herein and as illustrated upon the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the improved valving unit incorporating the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the same.

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the same.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken on line 44 of FIG. 2, adding an actuating cam.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-section taken on line 5--5 of FIG. 3.

The device comprises a circular substantially flat disc 8, constituted of a rigid core piece of sheet metal or other suitable sheet material to which a coating 12 of resilient corrosion-resistant material may be applied. The core piece may be in the form of a flat disc which prior to coating, is perforated to provide circular openings 14 and 16 arranged preferably, though not necessarily, on a diameter at opposite sides of the center of the core piece.

The core piece may have formed therein also an offset aperture 18, and an edge notch 20, in some instances. The purpose of aperture 18 is to provide a by-pass opening permitting constant intercommunication between the water pressure chambers and the delivery chamber of the faucet body, to feed water under pressure to a valve- 3,425,440 Patented Feb. 4, 1969 ice equipped spray head. If the faucet is to include no spray head, aperture 18 may be eliminated from the core piece. The notch 20 is a locating device to cooperate with a lug or other protuberance within the faucet body, assuring a proper disposition of the valve plate with relation to hot and cold water feed liner entering the faucet body. The valve plate locating means is subject to structural modifications, as will be understood.

At the center of core piece 10 may be fixedly anchored an upstanding rigid post or pin 22, which may be grasped at its free end 24 in removing and replacing the valve plate unit bodily relative to the body chambers of the valve. The post or pin may serve also as a guide member for an operating cam 25, in the manner disclosed by the issued patent aforesaid. The post or pin may carry a reinforcing hub 26 to be secured upon the upper face 27 of core piece 10 by welding, soldering, or otherwise, thereby to provide a rigid anchorage.

The valve elements may be identical in form and size, and each may comprise a valve head or member 30 or 32 for closing and opening a valve port of plate 8, a cam follower 34 or 36, and a rigid stem or connector 38 or 40 spacing the cam followers from the valve members or heads. With reference particularly to FIG. 4, it is noted that connector 38 passes through valve port 42, to dispose cam follower 34 and valve member 30 at opposite faces of the valve plate 8. The valve element consisting of parts 30, 34, 38, is freely shiftable transversely of plate 8, between limits at which either the valve member 30 or the cam follower 34 contacts the plate. The cam follower and the valve member are larger in diameter than port 42, so that normally the valve element 30, 34, 38, is in assembled relationship to plate 8.

When the assembly disclosed is incorporated in a faucet body, valve member 30 is elevated to closing relationship with port 42, by pressure of water acting upon the lower face 44 of the valve member. Also, if desired, a light spring 43 may be provided, acting upon the pilot 'hub 46 of the valve member to yieldingly maintain the valve member in the closed position concentric with valve port 42. Accordingly, it will be understood that cam follower 34 normally is kept elevated above plate 8. In the elevated position of the cam follower, it is subject to camming action by the operating lever cam 25 of the faucet, which cam may apply lateral force to the follower, for tilting the valve member 30 from seating position upon port 42. Thus, the port is opened to permit flow of water therethrough, as indicated by the issued patent aforesaid.

Preferably, though not necessarily, the seat face 46 of valve number 30 may carry an annular upstanding seat ring or ridge 4 8 to about the marginal seat portion 50 of port 42. Also, by preference though not of necessity, the perimeter of valve member 30- may be serrated or notched as at 52, to augment flow of water when the valve is opened.

In fabricating the valve plate 8, said plate is treated, preferably over its entire area, 'with an impermeable and resilient enveloping coating 12. The coating may be rubber, or a compostion which is rubber-like in character, having the qualities of resiliency and impermeability to fluids, particularly water. The coating may also be of such nature as to protect the core piece 10 from con"osion, oxidation, and other deteriorizing effects. The -re siliency factor of the coating assures excellent seating of valve member 30 upon plate 8 marginally of port 42. It also discourages penmanent adherence of scale or other water-borne impurities, particularly in the region of the port, where the valving action occurs. The coating material may be vulcanized or otherwise attached to the core piece.

In fabricating the core piece 10, it may be initially formed with an undersize overall diameter, so that upon application of the coating the diameter will be increased to properly size the finished valve plate for leakproof clamping between finished parts of the faucet body and its bonnet. In so clamping the valve plate between the faucet parts, the resilient coating itself performs a leakproof gasketing function, thereby obviating the need for separate gaskets and facilitating assembly and servicing of the faucet.

Moreover, initial assembly of the valve plate unit as shown in the accompanying drawing, is greatly facilitated by reason of the fact that the resiliency of the coating material within the interior of port 42, permits cam follower 34 to be pressed through the port from below, in completing the assembly as disclosed by FIG. 4. This instantaneous assembly procedure requires that the port opening 14 initially formed in core piece 10, shall be made slightly larger in diameter than the diameter of cam follower 34. However, upon application of the resilient coating within and about port opening 14, the opening will be reduced in size to form the smaller finished port 42, which latter is of lesser diameter than that of the cam follower. Accordingly, cam follower 34 cannot be passed through port 42, without the use of deliberate force applied axially of connector 38.

In view of the foregoing explanation, it is evident that the movable valve elements can be initially assembled with the coated valve plate 8, by simply forcing the cam followers through the yieldable valve ports, whereupon the valve elements for all practical purposes are unitized with the valve plate, permitting normal handling, shipment, and storage without loss of parts. When replacing the valving unit of a faucet, the old unit may be lifted from the faucet body by means of pin 22, and a new unit may be substituted therefor by lowering the new unit into the body by means of the pin. The valve elements of the unit will not separate from plate 8, because of the undersized finished diameter of the valve ports 42.

The pin or post 22 extends above the level of cam followers 34 and 36, in all positions of valve element 30, 34, 38, and is of rigid construction. The connectors 38 are of sufiicient rigidity to ensure tilting of valve elements 30 relative to the plate seats 50, when the cam followers are displaced from perpendicularity to plate 8 by manipulation of the faucet lever and its associated operating cam.

Of importance to the present invention is the fact that follower 34, FIG 4, is freely rotatable, though not axially slidable, upon stem 38. Accordingly, any lowering and rotating of operating cam 25 when in contact with follower 34, will serve to rotate the follower relative to stem 38, thereby to greatly minimize friction and abrasive action tending to score or mutilate the follower and thereby shorten its useful life. As will readily be understood, wearing away of the follower at the area of contact with cam 25, results in ultimately reducing the angle of tilting of the valve head 30, which undesirably reduces flow of fluid through the valve. The follower is of a softer and less durable material than cam 25, and is preferably plastic-molded as will be explained. Cam 25 may be provided with a flat side 27, to avoid actuating the valve members at certain positions of the cam.

With further reference to FIG. 4, it should be noted that follower 34 is not fully spherical in form, but instead, is of a modified spherical form of mushroom shape, such that it may be formed in a mold without producing a mold parting line and gate imperfection on the equator, where the cam may bear upon the follower. In other words, the parting line of the follower-producing mold may occur in the plane of the underface 53, where cam 25 will not press against the follower. With the parting line and the gate of the mold situated in the plane of underface 53, no finishing of the follower is necessary after extraction thereof from the mold, this constituting a major production advantage. Moreover, the molded follower will leave the mold with an enveloping skin, 'which is practically non-porous and highly resistant to wear in contact with the cam.

The material from which the follower 34 may be molded, is preferably a material of the class of Celcon, nylon, or an equivalent moldable substance possessing a desired impermeability, toughness, limited resilience, and self-lubricating qualities. The shape of the follower may be part-spherical, but not to the extent of interfering with lifting thereof from a mold which parts at or very close to the underface 53. The minor element of the mold may be recessed to form the hub 54, and the axial bore 56 may be formed either in the molding, or subsequently by drilling. Bore 56 may terminate at an upper counterbore 58, for a purpose to be explained presently.

Stern or connector 38 may be reduced in diameter to provide a bearing area 60 upon which the follower 34 may freely rotate. At one end, the bearing area meets a shoulder 62 to support the boss 54 of the follower. The free end of stem 38 terminates in an enlargement or button 64 which is slightly larger in diameter than the bearing area 60.

To mount the follower upon stem 38, requires the simple operation of forcing the enlarged button end of the stem through the bore of the follower, until the button emerges at counterbore or recess 58, this being possible due to the inherent resiliency of the material of which the follower is for-med. The button precludes subsequent accidental displacement of the follower from the stem, and fits loosely within the counterbore so as to afford no interference with free rotation of the follower. The top of the button may be chamfered at 66, to ease insertion into the follower bore during assembly.

The followers 34 and 36 preferably are identical construction, and .both will be applied to the stems 38 and 40 in accordance with the procedure recited above. The followers may be applied to the stems before the valving members are applied to plate 8, if desired, due to the fact that the followers are insertable through the plate openings 42 with limited frictional resistance. Of course, the followers might be applied to the stems after insertion of the stems through the plate openings. In either case, assembly of the unit as best illustrated :by FIG. 1, involves a simple and rapid procedure having meritorious production advantages, with substantial savings of time and labor.

Ability of the followers 34 and 36 to rotate freely upon their respective stems, greatly enhances the faucet performance and assures long-term trouble-free service. Replacement of parts, if and when required, is accomplished with ease and dispatch, with a minimum of servicing expense.

It is to be understood that various modifications and changes may be made in the structural details of the device, within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A valving unit for single level faucets, comprising: a plate including a post upstanding upon one face of the plate, said plate .having a pair of valve openings therethrough which define valve seats marginally thereof at the opposite face of the plate; a pair of valving members each comprising a normally upright elongate stem extending loosely through one of the plate openings; a valve head on the lower end of the stem for seating upon the valve seat of the plate; and a cam follower dimensioned and journaled for free rotation axially upon the upper end of the stem, said follower being in position for lateral displacement by a cam movable upon said post, to abut the follower and tilt the valve head upon the seat of the plate.

2. The valving unit as specified by claim 1, wherein the rotatable cam follower is substantially hemispherical of shape, with the hemispherical portion thereof surrounding the uppermost end portion of the stem.

3. The valving unit as specified by claim 2, wherein the uppermost terminal end of the stem is provided with an enlarged button of greater diameter than the bore of the follower, the follower being formed of a material sufficiently resilient to yield and accommodate the enlarged button of the stem as the follower is forced over the button to a home position at which the button extends beyond the follower bore.

4. The valving unit as specified by claim 3, wherein the substantially hemispherical cam follower is a molded shape, in which the parting line of the mold is located at a circumferential edge of the hemispherical shape.

5. The valvin-g unit as specified by claim 1, wherein the valve openings of the plate are resiliently expandable as to circumference, and the cam followers are larger than the normal circumference of the valve openings, the expandability of said openings being sufiicient for passage of the followers completely through the open-. ings by forceful projection.

6. The valving unit as specified by claim 3, wherein the valve openings of the plate are resiliently expandable as to circumference, and the cam followers are larger in circumference than the normal circumference of the valve openings, the expandability of said openings being sufficient for passage of the followers completely through the openings by forceful projection.

7. The valying unit as specified by claim 1, wherein the cam follower is a substantially hemispherical plastic molded shape, in which the parting line of the mold is located at a circumferential edge of the hemispherical shape.

8. The valving unit as specified 'by claim 3, wherein the material of the cam follower is a moldable substance of the class of Celcon.

9. A valve member for a faucet which includes an operating cam to tilt the valve member relative to a valve body seat, said valve member comprising: an upright elongate rigid stern; a valve head on the lower end of the stern presenting a seat in a plane substantially perpendicular to the stem axis; and a cam follower to be struck by the operating lever to tilt the stem and the valve head, said follower being bored for free rotation axially upon the upper end portion of the valve stem.

10. The valve member as specified by claim 9, wherein the rotatable cam follower is substantially hemispherical of shape, with the spherical portion thereof directed away from the valve head.

11. The valve member as specified by claim 10, wherein the uppermost terminal end of the stem is provided with an enlarged button of greater diameter than the bore of the follower, the follower being formed of a material sufficiently resilient to yield and accommodate the enlarged button of the stem as the follower is forced over the button to a home position at which the button extends beyond the follower bore.

12. The valve member as specified by claim 10, wherein the substantially hemispherical cam follower is a molded shape, in which the parting line of the mold is located at a circumferential edge of the underface of the hemispherical shape.

13. The valve member as specified by claim 9, wherein the material of the cam follower is a moldable substance of the class of Celcon.

14. The valve member as specified by claim 11 'wherein the enlarged button includes a shoulder in opposition to one end of the follower bore, acting to resist withdrawal of the follower off the enlarged button end of the stem.

15. The valve member as specified by claim 14, wherein is included means precluding shifting of the follower axially along the stem toward the valve head as the follower rotates upon the stem.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 911,000 1/1909 Fitzgibbon 137636.1 X 1,020,076 3/ 1912 Bowser 251-78 1,046,111 12/1912 Schulz 25178 X 1,573,210 2/1926 Whidden 137636.2. 1,605,460 11/1926 Ostrander 251-77 X 3,155,115 11/1964 Zeigler 137-6364 3,190,306 6/1965 Staat 137636.2 X 3,190,309 6/1965 Staat 137-454.6 3,349,802 10/ 1965 Christiansen 137-636.4 X

CLARENCE R. GORDON, Primary Examiner.

U.S. Cl. X.R.

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