Faucet mounted water filter

A water filter apparatus, comprising:

• a base having first and second ends;
• said base including a water inlet upstanding from a first end of said base and attachable to a water faucet, a first water outlet downwardly directed from said first end of said base for discharging unfiltered water, a second water outlet downwardly directed from a second end of said base for discharging filtered water and a filter cartridge seat;
• a replaceable filter cartridge, said cartridge comprising a subassembly including a closed outer cylindrical shell having top and side walls defining a chamber therein, a filter element disposed within said filter chamber and a filter cartridge base, said filter base including an outlet port in communication with said base second water outlet, said outlet port including a latch flange;
• a diverter valve having an outlet duct, in communication with said water inlet, for selectively permitting the flow of water through said base first water outlet and said filter cartridge;
• latch means for releaseably securing said cartridge in said cartridge seat, said latch means including a latch button, a latch slide slideable connected to said latch button and a spring, said spring providing a biasing force to said latch slide, said latch slide being adapted to engage said latch flange, said latch slide biasing force providing substantially secure engagement of said latch slide and latch flange;
• and
• an end-of-use indicator in communication with said diverter valve and said filter cartridge, said indicator including flow monitoring means for measuring the cumulative volume of water flow into said filter cartridge.

A faucet mounted water filter device, comprising:

• a housing member constructed and arranged to removably secure the water filter device on a household faucet;
• a filter cartridge in fluid communication with said housing member;
• latch means for removably securing said filter cartridge to the water filter device, said latch means including a latch button, a latch slide slideable connected to said latch button and a spring, said spring providing a biasing force to said latch slide, said latch slide being adapted to engage said housing member, said latch slide biasing force providing substantially secure engagement of said latch slide and housing member;
• and
• an end-of-use indicator having flow monitoring means for measuring the cumulative volume of water flow to said filter cartridge.