WO1990002282A1

WO1990002282A1 - A faucet with two outlets having a depression inverter device

Info

Publication number: WO1990002282A1
Application number: PCT/US1989/003427
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alfons Knapp
Original assignee: Masco Corp; Masco Corp of Indiana
Current assignee: Masco Corp; Masco Corp of Indiana
Priority date: 1988-08-18
Filing date: 1989-08-10
Publication date: 1990-03-08
Anticipated expiration: 1991-02-18
Also published as: DE3990977T1; GB2230079B; GB9008312D0; AU635501B2; IT1223777B; DK174220B1; DK96190D0; GB2230079A; DK96190A; DE3990977C2; CA1311663C; IT8867764A0; AU4218889A

Abstract

A faucet with two outlets having a diverter valve mounted in the faucet body (1) of which has a bore (6) therethrough. The bore (6) through the faucet body (1) has no screw threads crossing through it. The first connection element (13) which is used to feed a small shower head or some other apparatus, is inserted in a way in which it can be rotated creating a seal into the bore of the body of the faucet. This connection has a screw threaded section (15) of smaller diameter than the bore of the faucet near its internal end. The second connection element (20) having a fixed flow nozzle or a support for an adjustable nozzle is inserted into the bore or the faucet's body at the opposite side to where the first connection element (13) for the small shower head is located. This connection element (20) has a screw threaded section which is complementary to the screw threaded section of the first connection.

Description

A FAUCET WITH TWO OUTLETS HAVING A DEPRESSION INVERTER DEVICE

Technical Field The present invention refers to a faucet with two outlets having a diverter valve mounted therein.

Background of the Invention Faucets with diverter valves are commonly used with kitchen sinks. Usually in these faucets, the first outlet is connected to a flexible tube which has at its other end a small shower head or hand spray. The hand spray incorporates a valve which is normally closed to the flow of water but can be manually opened. The second outlet supplies a faucet spout which is usually adjustable. The function^' of the diverter valve mounted in the faucet is normally that of providing water flow to the faucet spout when the spray head is off. However, if the valve of this spray head is opened to the flow of water, the flow is diverted to the small hand spray to the exclusion of the faucet spout.

Desirably these faucets have a body containing volume control and temperature mixing mechanisms for supplying variable flow rates of hot and cold water. From the lower part of the body, the first outlet has a flexible pipe connected thereto that supplies a hand held spray. From the upper part of the faucet body, a second outlet is connected to a faucet spout which is fixed or has a support fixed to the faucet body. A spout is adjustably connected to the support. The connection of flexible piping has been screwed into the body. However, a particular problem occurs in the joining of the faucet spout or the support to the faucet body. The fixed spout must have a definite orientation that is not provided by a normal screwed connection. Also, any support for an adjustable faucet spout must have a defined orientation, at least in the cases in which the support has an adjustable faucet spout mounted thereto by a pin or lug that is disengageable from the nozzle at a particular rotated position which is opposite to the rotated orientation of the spout at which it normally functions. For this reason, the spout or support for an adjustable spout has been fixed to the body by means of soldering, but this gravely disturbs the automatic production operations when the manufacturing of the body is done by automatic machines. Furthermore, soldering deters the attainment of a good finishing of the object. Besides, because the diverter valve mechanism is inserted inside the body of the faucet between the two outlets, the presence of a soldered connection which does not allow disassembly, makes the mounting of the diverter valve mechanism more difficult. Further, above all, a permanent solder connection makes the disassembly that is required for revisions and repairs very difficult.

What is needed is a faucet with two outlets and having a diverter valve mounted therein in a way in which the mounting of the fixed spout or support for an adjustable flow nozzle can be done easily with automatic production with the assurance that the orientation of this connection is adequately precise. Further, what is needed is a faucet that provides an easy mounting of the diverter valve mechanism. And finally, a faucet is needed that assures the dismounting of all the parts without difficulty so that there is easy access to the internal parts of the diverter valve.

Summary of the Invention

In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a body of the faucet has, for the two supply outlets, a bore which passes through the body of the faucet and has no screw threads. The first supply outlet has a connection element for piping which can be flexible for supplying a small hand held spray head or other apparatuses. The connection element is inserted into the first end of the bore in a way to create a seal and has a screw threaded section near its interior end. The screw threaded section has a diameter less than the diameter of the bore in the body of the faucet. The second outlet at the second end of the bore has a second connection element which can either be a fixed faucet spout or a support for an adjustable faucet spout that is inserted in the second outlet of the bore to create a seal. The second outlet of the bore is at the opposite side of the first outlet. The fixed spout or support has, near its internal end, a screw threaded section to which the interior end of the connection element is threadably engaged. At least one or both of the first and second connected elements in the respective first and second outlets have a seat adapted to receive a diverter valve mechanism.

The mounting of the two connection elements onto the body of the faucet can be done simply by inserting the two connection elements from the opposite extremities of the faucet's bore and thus screwing them together so that both the connections can then be fixed to the body of the faucet. Because the reciprocal screwing between the connections requires only the relative rotation between both, the relative rotation can be obtained by turning one or the other of the connections. It is possible to turn the second connection element until it reaches the proper orientation with respect to the body of the faucet, and to then proceed by holding the second connection element fixed and rotating only the first connection element (the orientation of which is not critical) . Alternatively, the second connection element may be keyed to the bore to provide its proper orientation with only the first connection element rotated when being fastened to the second connection element. Similar operations can be done easily either manually or with mechanized apparatuses; and they permit the correct orientation of the second connection such that when screwing is finished and locked in, the two connections and the body of the faucet remain very solidly joined together as if they were one piece.

In the execution of the described operations, the correct orientation of the second connection element with respect to the body of the faucet can be assured by the operator or by the machinery that does the reciprocal screwing of the two connections. Alternatively, the second connection element and the body of the faucet can have complementary elements that permit engagement of the second connection element in the bore only in its correct orientation. These members can be simply made up of, for example, corresponding keys and notches in the second connection element and of the body of the faucet, or something similar inserted in holes which correspond in the two parts.

The diverter valve mechanism is preferably inserted in one of the two connection elements before its insertion into the bore of the faucet's body. In this way, the two connection elements can always be disassembled by unscrewing them reciprocally and then the diverter valve mechanism can be extracted from the body of the faucet together with the flow connections and is therefore immediately accessible.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Reference now will be made to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a mixing faucet in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the second connection element shown in Fig. 1; and

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the first connection element shown in Fig. 1.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment

The faucet represented in Fig. 1 has a body 1 having a mixing chamber 2 closed with a cover 3 in which a valve cartridge 8 is mounted. The cartridge 8 houses a valve mechanism for controlling the volume and temperature of the mixed water. This cartridge can be operated by means of a stem 9 which projects through the cover 3 of the faucet. The stem 9 is attachable to a knob or handle not shown. The hot and cold water is carried to the cartridge 8 through the inlet conduits 4 within the body 1 of the faucet. The inlet conduit pipes 4 lead to the supply pipes 10 (only one conduit 4 and only one pipe 10 are visible in Fig. 1). The mixed flow, under the control of the cartridge 8, is reversed in chamber 2 of the body 1 from where, through a laterally positioned delivery conduit 5, it starts towards the connection elements 13 and 20. The elements 13 and 20 are mounted within a vertical bore 6 in body 1. The bore 6 passed completely through the body with both ends of the bore 6 having an enlarged diameter. In addition, the body has a hollowed out seat 7 for a support pillar 11.

The first connection element 13, as clearly shown in Fig. 3, supplies a small hand held spray head via flexible piping (not shown) . The element 13 is generally cylindrical and is adapted to be inserted from its base into the bore 6 of body 1. The element 13 has an enlarged diameter section 14 corresponding to the enlarged end section of bore 6 and has a seat for a gasket ring adapted to seat the seal between the connection element 13 and the body 1 of the faucet. The connection element 13 extends toward the inside with an externally threaded section 15 of decreased diameter that has screw thread 16 and forms internally a seat 17 constructed to seat a diverter lip valve 35. Also, the connection element 8 includes a downwardly extending pipe 18. One part of the extremity 19 of the pipe's trunk 18 is externally screw threaded. In the embodiment shown, the pipe 18 is constructionally separated from the cylindrical connection element 13 and is fixed to it by soldering, press fitting, screwing or other adaptive procedures. Alternatively, the pipe 18 and element 13 can also be constructed or machined to form an integral single piece.

The second generally tubular connection element 20, as clearly shown in Fig. 2, supports an adjustable spout 30. The element 20 extends into the top enlarged end of the bore 6 and has an enlarged diameter section 21 seated therein. The section 21 has a seat for a gasket ring for creating a seal between the tubular element 20 and body 1 of the faucet. The tubular element 20 has an internal screw threaded 22 on its internal extremity. This screw thread 22 is adapted to screw together with the external screw thread 16 of the first connection. The tubular element 20 has an internal seat 23 constructed to receive the annular base 32 of a diverter valve mechanism. In correspondence with this seat 23, the wall of the element 20 has a lateral opening 24 in a position such that, when the second connection element 20 is mounted in its correct position in the body 1 of the faucet, the opening 24 aligns with the delivery conduit 5 in the body 1. The tubular element 20 extends upwardly to the exterior of body 1 with a reduced diameter section 25 extending above body 1. The section 25 has seats 26 for the annular sealing gaskets. The section of reduced diameter 25 of the body 20 terminates with an annular groove 27 and an integral collar 28 axially disposed above groove 27. The. collar 28 has an axial notch 29 therein. The section of reduced diameter 25 of the body 20 of the second connection has a support which can receive, in a way in which it can rotate the spout section 30 has an integral pin or lug 31 preferably biased in position. The spout 30 is oriented in such a way that the pin 31 is aligned with notch 29 and is axially moved downward until pin 31 is aligned with groove 27. The spout 30 is then rotated so that pin 31 is misaligned from notch 29 so that it then can no longer be axially lifted. This arrangement permits the easy mounting and dismounting of the adjustable spout on its support without having an accidental separation occur when the spout is in its normal functioning position. However, it is also possible to make a collar 28 which is continuous, having no notch interruption, and supply the spout with a set screw or similar set device. A set screw would be positioned under the collar 28 to axially fix the spout. The diverter valve assembly is mounted in the seats 17 and 23 which are located in the first and second flow connection elements 13 and 20. The diverter valve base 32 forms a seat of closure as well as a guide support for a stem 33 which can slide axially and has on its upper extremity, a valve had 34 and on its lower extremity, a lip valve 35 made from an elastomeric material. If the valve of the small hand held spray head is open, water can flow through opening 24 and through the first connection element and the small spray head which is connected to it. In such a case, the elements 33-35 of the diverter valve are forced by the water flow toward the bottom, the valve head 34 closes on the element 32 and shuts off the water flow through the second connection element 20 and the faucet spout 30 which is connected to it.

When the valve for the small spray head is closed, the counter pressure that is established in the small shower head is transmitted to the first connection element pushes up the elements 33-35 of the diverter valve. The valve head 34 lifts up from element 32 and the water flows through opening 20 and through the second connection to the faucet spout 30 which is connected to it.

In order to mount the device, the elements that make up the diverter valve are put all together in the seat 17 of the first connection element; and this is inserted from the bottom in the bore 6 of body 1. The second connection element is inserted into the bore 6 from the top, where upon being inserted, the second connection element takes on the correct rotated orientation. At this point, it is sufficient to screw the first connection into the second where screw threads 16 and 22 engage each other. The fasteners of element 13 to element 20 stabilize both onto body 1 of the faucet with the diverter valve correctly mounted on the inside. In particular, the second connection element has a correct rotated orientation, either because it has been purposely placed in the correct position upon mounting or because the bore 6 and body 1 assure this correct orientation. By employing the opposite operations to those now described, the device in any moment can be dismounted immediately accessing the internal parts of the diverter valve.

The screw threaded extremity 19 of the tubular section 18 of the first flow connection element 13 is used for the connecting of the flexible tube that feeds the small hand held spray head and also for securing the faucet on the edge of the sink or on another support. The tubular column 11 is simply inserted into seat 7 of body 1 and in a hollowed out section of a tailpiece 12 and these parts are brought together in the act of locking together the clamp and nut (not shown) engaging thread 19 that serves to fix the faucet without needing to use any other means of consolidation. The column 11 has the faucet at an opportune height on its support and at the same time conceals and^"protects the feeding pipes 10 and the tubular pipe 18 of the first connection element 13.

Variations and modifications of the invention are contemplated without departing from its spirit as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

The embodiment in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed is defined as follows:

1. A faucet with two outlets having a diverter valve therein, said faucet characterized by: the faucet has a body with a bore passing therethrough without screw threading; a first connection element in said bore to create a seal therebetween in a way in which it can rotate therein and be connected to an outlet conduit; a first connection element having a screw threaded section of smaller diameter than the diameter of the bore of the body located near its internal extremity; a second connection element inserted in the bore of the body from the opposite side that the first connection element is inserted; the second connection element has a screw threaded section near its internal extremity into which the screw threaded section of the first connection element is screwed and that in at least one or both of the connection elements there is a seat adapted to receive a diverter valve; said first and second connection elements having passages therethrough to allow water flow therethrough.

2. A f ucet according to claim 1 further characterized by: the second connection element and the body of the faucet being complementarily shaped to impose the correct rotated orientation of the second connection element with respect to the body of the faucet.

3. A faucet according to claim 2 further characterized by: the noted faucet body and second connection element are complementarily keyed and notched.

4. A faucet according to claim 1 further characterized by: the outlet ends of the bore which cross through the faucet's body being enlarged with respect to the rest of the bore therebetween.

5. A faucet according to claim 4, further characterized by: the noted first connection element has a cylindrical tubular body adapted to be inserted into the bore of the faucet's body with a section of increased diameter corresponding to the section of the bore's lower outlet end and having annular sealing rings with a section of reduced diameter extending into the inside forming a seat for the diverter valve and having external screw threads and with a tubular section extending toward the outside and terminating with an externally screw threaded portion.

6. A faucet according to claim 5 further characterized by: the tubular section that extends toward the exterior of the first connection element being constructionally separated and is stably connected to the tubular body of the connection element.

7. A faucet according to claim 4 characterized by: the noted second connection element having a cylindrical tubular body adapted to be inserted into the bore of the faucet's body forming a seat for the diverter valve and having internal screw threads with a section of increased diameter corresponding to the upper extremity of said bore and having an annular sealing gasket.

8. A faucet according to claim 7 further characterized by: the second connection element having a cylindrical tubular section which extends toward the interior having an annular sealing gasket and forming a support for an adjustable faucet spout mounted on said cylindrical tubular section.

9. A faucet according to claim 8, further characterized by: the cylindrical tubular section extending toward the exterior of the second connection element which has near its upper extremity an annular throat-shaped inlet confined by an interrupted collar with an axial notch therethrough for the mounting of the faucet spout having a pin means therein which can be axially inserted or removed from the support only when it is rotatably oriented in a position that is different from the normal functioning position.

10. A faucet according to claim 8 further characterized by: the cylindrical tubular section extending toward the exterior from the second connection element which has near its upper extremity an annular throat-shaped inlet confined by a collar; the faucet spout having a set screw means suitable to be used in the annular throat-shaped inlet in order to axially fix and rotatably mount the spout.

11. A faucet according to claim 1 further characterized by: its body having a hollowed out seat in order to hold a tubular support pillar which receives the pipes and having a tailpiece on its lower part and kept together by the traction exercised through the first connection element member for the stabilization of the faucet and the support member.

12. A faucet with two outlets having a diverter valve therein, said faucet characterized by: the faucet has a body with a bore passing therethrough; a first connection element in said bore to create a seal therebetween in a way in which it can rotate therein and be connected to an outlet conduit; a first connection element having a fastening section of smaller diameter than the diameter of the bore of the body located near its internal extremity; a second connection element inserted in the bore of the body from the opposite side that the first connection element is inserted; the second connection element has a fastening section near its internal extremity into which the fastening section of the first connection element is engaged and that in at least one or both of the connection elements there is a seat adapted to receive a diverter valve; said first and. second connection elements having passages therethrough to allow water flow therethrough.

13. A faucet with two outlets having a diverter valve therein, said faucet characterized by: the faucet has a body with a bore passing therethrough; a first connection element in said bore to create a seal therebetween in a way in which it can rotate therein and be directly connected to an outlet conduit; a first connection element having a first fastening section; one of said first and second fastening sections has a diameter smaller than the diameter of the bore of the body located near its internal extremity; a second connection element inserted in the bore of the body from the opposite side that the first connection element is inserted; the second connection element has a second fastening section near its internal extremity; one of said first and second fastening sections has a diameter smaller than the diameter of the bore of the body located near its internal extremity which is received in said other fastening section of the other connection element and that in at least one or both of the flow connection elements there is a seat adapted to receive a diverter valve; said first and second connection elements having passages therethrough to allow water flow therethrough.