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US 5,398,717 AGranted
Fluid valve
AssigneeKohler Co.
InventorZoltan Goncze
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A removable cartridge type valve which affords right and left hand conversion in the same valve. A stop member which affords the conversion is preferably positioned outwardly of the valve housing so that the conversion can be made without turning off the water supply. The stop member requires only a rotation of 90.degree. on the valve stem and also serves to retain the valve stem in a valve housing.
Claims9
A fluid valve, comprising:
- a valve body having an axial bore for receiving fluid from an inlet and providing fluid to an outlet;
- at least one stop surface at an upper portion of the valve body;
- a stationary valve element and a movable valve element both positioned in the valve body for regulating fluid flow through the valve in response to rotation of the movable element over the stationary element;
- a rotatable spindle positioned within an upper end of the axial bore of the valve body, the spindle having one end extending outside the valve body and an opposite end for causing the movable valve element to move;
- and
- a stop member positionable around the spindle so as to rotate therewith, the stop member having a projection for abutting against the valve body stop surface in a rotational position of the spindle, the stop member also including at least one projecting member for engagement with a groove on the rotatable spindle so as to restrict axial movement of the stop member along the spindle.
3 more elements
A removable cartridge valve for use in a faucet housing, the housing being of the type having at least one inlet in its bottom and a side outlet, the cartridge valve comprising:
- a valve body having an axial bore and an open lower end for fluid communication with the inlet in the bottom of the housing and at least one outlet in the valve body for fluid communication with the outlet in the housing;
- at least one stop surface at an upper portion of the valve body;
- a stationary valve element and a movable valve element both positioned in the valve body for regulating fluid flow through the valve in response to rotation of the movable element over the stationary element;
- a rotatable spindle sealed within an upper end of the axial bore of the valve body, the spindle having one end extending outside the valve body;
- a drive member connected to the movable valve and the spindle;
- at least two stop faces disposed on the spindle;
- and
- a stop member having at least one stop surface and at least one stop face for respective engagement with the valve body stop and the spindle stop faces, the stop member also including at least one projecting member for engagement with a groove on the rotatable spindle;
- the valve and the stop member being constructed and arranged so that when the stop member and the stop face of the stop member is removed from contact with one of the spindle stop faces, rotated and replaced so that the stop member stop face contacts another of the spindle stop faces, the valve can be converted from a right hand to a left hand operation or a left hand to a right hand operation.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.