Flow and temperature control valve handles
AssigneeMoen Incorporated
InventorsYaakov Korb, John C. Corry, Eric M. Weber, William R. Markowitz, Michael J. Kennedy, Alfred Schiazza, Julius E. Nachod, III
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A handle for a shower valve has a fixed portion having a first bearing surface and a movable portion having a second bearing surface. A spring biases the first and second surfaces into engagement. The fixed portion includes a chassis that is threadedly attached to a valve body. The chassis mounts an interchangeable lower shell that has a decorative finish or shape. Rotation of the lower shell causes rotation of the chassis for installation or removal of the handle on the valve body.
Claims30
In a valve for controlling water flow comprising a valve body having at least one inlet connectable to a water supply and at least one outlet, and a valve cartridge mounted in the valve body and actuatable for controlling water flow from the inlet to the outlet, the improvement comprising a handle for actuating the valve cartridge. the handle comprising:
- a) a chassis attached to the valve body and having a first bearing surface;
- b) an actuating member connected to the valve cartridge and having a second bearing surface, the first and second bearing surfaces being arranged for sliding contact with respect to one another;
- c) spring means between the chassis and the actuating member for biasing the first and second bearing surfaces into contact with one another.
In a valve for controlling water flow comprising a valve body having at least one inlet connectable to a water supply and at least one outlet, and a valve catridge mounted in the valve body and actuatable for controlling water flow from the inlet to the outlet the improvement comprising a handle for actuating the valve cartridge, the handle comprising:
- a) a chassis attached to the valve body and having a first bearing surface;
- b) an actuating member connected to the valve cartridge and having a second bearing surface;
- c) spring means between the chassis and the actuating member for biasing the first and second bearing surfaces into contact with one another and wherein the chassis further comprises a third bearing surface and the actuating member comprises an elbow with the second bearing surface formed therein and a lever adapter connected to the elbow and having a fourth bearing surface, the spring means biasing the third and fourth bearing surfaces into contact with one another.
In a valve for controlling water flow comprising a valve body having at least one inlet connectable to a water supply and at least one outlet, and a valve cartridge mounted in the valve body and actuatable for controlling water flow from the inlet to the outlet, the improvement comprising a handle for actuating the valve cartridge, the handle comprising:
- a) a chassis removably connected to the valve body;
- b) an actuating member connected to the valve cartridge the actuating member being mounted for rotation on the chassis;
- c) a lower shell removably attached to the chassis and having a decorative finish, the lower shell being replaceable without replacing the actuating member.
A valve unit for controlling water flow comprising:
- a valve body having inlets connectable to hot and cold water supplies and at least one outlet;
- first and second valve cartridoes mounted in the valve body and actuatable for controlling water flow from the inlet to the outlet;
- first and second handles connected to the valve cartridges;
- a base escutcheon at least partially surrounding the valve cartridges, the base escutcheon being held in place by the first and second handles.
A valve for controlling water flow comprising a valve body having at least one inlet connectable to a water supply and at least one outlet, an actuating member mounted on the valve body for rotary movement about an axis and including a movable stop, a valve cartridge mounted in the valve body and connected to the actuating member for controlling water flow from the inlet to the outlet, the valve cartridge including a fixed stop engageable with the movable stop to limit movement of the actuating member, and a retaining nut mounted on the valve body and abutting the fixed stop.
A handle for actuating a valve cartridge within a valve body, comprising a fixed portion threadedly engageable with the valve body and defining a first bearing surface, a movable portion connectable to the valve cartridge and having a second bearing surface, and a spring between the fixed and movable portions for urging the first and second bearing surfaces into engagement with one another with controlled pressure of one bearing surface on the other.
In a valve for controlling water flow comprising a valve body having at least one inlet connectable to a water supply and at least one outlet, and a valve cartridge mounted in the valve body and actuatable for controlling water flow from the inlet to the outlet, the improvement comprising a handle for actuating the valve cartridge, the handle comprising:
- a) a chassis attached to the valve body and having a first bearing surface;
- b) an actuating member connected to the valve cartridge and having a spline shaft and an end cap assembly, one of the spline shaft and end cap assembly including a second bearing surface;
- c) spring means between the chassis and the actuating member for biasing the first and second bearing surfaces into contact with one another;
- and
- d) a capture screw connecting the spline shaft and end cap assembly to compress the spring means between them, the capture screw having self-tapping threads for engaging the end cap assembly.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.