U.S. patent application number 09/802386 was filed with the patent office on 2002-09-12 for faucet handle mechanism.
Invention is credited to Donath, Edward R. JR., McMaster, Matthew S., Patton, Owen K..
Application Number | 20020124309 09/802386 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25183557 |
Filed Date | 2002-09-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020124309 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Donath, Edward R. JR. ; et
al. |
September 12, 2002 |
FAUCET HANDLE MECHANISM
Abstract
A faucet handle mechanism for attaching a faucet handle to a
faucet valve body, which valve body has a rotatable valve stem,
includes an adapter coaxial with and attached to the valve stem for
concurrent rotation with the stem. There is an insert coaxial with
and attached to the adapter for concurrent rotation with the insert
and stem. A handle is coaxial with and attached to the insert for
concurrent rotation with the insert, adapter and valve stem. A
fastener secures the adapter, insert and handle together. There is
a generally cylindrical chassis coaxial with and extending about
the adapter, with the chassis being non-rotatably attached to the
valve body. A shell is non-rotatably mounted on the chassis, with
the chassis having an upper bearing surface which rotatably
supports a lower bearing surface on the insert. The chassis and
adapter have cooperating elements which prevent relative axial
movement therebetween.
Inventors: |
Donath, Edward R. JR.;
(Westlake, OH) ; McMaster, Matthew S.; (Medina,
OH) ; Patton, Owen K.; (Solon, OH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Daniel C. McEachran
Cook, Alex, McFarron, Manzo, Cummings & Mehler
Suite 2850
200 West Adams Street
Chicago
IL
60606
US
|
Family ID: |
25183557 |
Appl. No.: |
09/802386 |
Filed: |
March 9, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
4/678 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16K 31/60 20130101;
Y10T 137/9464 20150401; Y10T 137/6977 20150401 |
Class at
Publication: |
4/678 |
International
Class: |
E03C 001/04 |
Claims
The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or
privilege is claimed are defined as follows:
1. A faucet handle mechanism for attaching a faucet handle to a
faucet valve body having a rotatable valve stem extending outwardly
therefrom, said mechanism including: an adapter coaxial with and
attached to the valve stem for concurrent rotation therewith, an
insert coaxial with and attached to the adapter for concurrent
rotation therewith, a handle coaxial with and attached to the
insert for concurrent rotation therewith, a fastener securing said
adapter, insert, and handle together, a generally cylindrical
chassis coaxial with and extending about said adapter, said chassis
being non-rotatably attached to said valve body, a shell
non-rotatably mounted on said chassis, said chassis having an upper
bearing surface which rotatably supports a lower bearing surface on
said insert whereby said insert, adapter and valve stem may be
rotated relative to said chassis, said chassis and adapter having
cooperating means thereon which prevent relative axial movement
therebetween.
2. The faucet handle mechanism of claim 1 wherein said valve stem
includes a plurality of axially extending splines, and said adapter
has an internal bore with a configuration which mates with that of
the valve stem splines to provide for concurrent rotation
therebetween.
3. The faucet handle mechanism of claim 1 wherein said valve stem
has a D-shaped cross section, and said adapter has an internal bore
with a mating D-shaped cross section to provide a rotatable drive
connection therebetween.
4. The faucet handle mechanism of claim 1 wherein said chassis has
a plurality of circumferentially spaced axially extending
projections, the interior of said shell having a plurality of
circumferentially spaced grooves, with the spacing of said grooves
and said chassis projections being the same to provide a
non-rotatable connection therebetween.
5. The faucet handle mechanism of claim 4 wherein the grooves on
said shell are each formed by a pair of inwardly-directed ribs.
6. The faucet handle mechanism of claim 1 wherein the exterior of
said valve body and the interior of said chassis have a threaded
connection therebetween.
7. The faucet handle mechanism of claim 1 wherein the upper bearing
surface of said chassis is formed at the upper end of said chassis,
with the lower bearing surface on said insert being formed at the
lower end of said insert.
8. The faucet handle mechanism of claim 1 wherein the bearing
surface on said chassis is formed at the upper end of said chassis,
and the bearing surface on said insert is formed by a lower surface
of an intermediate outwardly-extending circumferential projection
on said insert.
9. The faucet handle mechanism of claim 1 wherein said chassis has
an inwardly-extending annular projection which overlies an
outwardly-extending annular projection on said adapter to prevent
relative axial movement therebetween.
10. The faucet handle mechanism of claim 9 wherein said chassis
inwardly-directed annular projection is at the upper end of said
chassis and forms said chassis bearing surface.
11. The faucet handle mechanism of claim 9 wherein said chassis
inwardly-directed annular projection is spaced from the upper end
of said chassis.
12. The faucet handle mechanism of claim 1 wherein the attachment
of said insert to said adapter for concurrent rotation includes a
plurality of mating axially extending projections and grooves on
said elements.
13. The faucet handle mechanism of claim 12 wherein said mating
projections and grooves are on the exterior of said adapter and on
an interior surface of said insert.
14. The faucet handle mechanism of claim 1 wherein the attachment
of said insert to said handle for concurrent rotation thereof
includes a plurality of mating grooves and projections on said
handle and insert.
15. The faucet handle mechanism of claim 14 wherein the grooves and
projections on said insert for attachment to said handle are on an
interior surface thereof, with the grooves and projections on said
handle being formed on a downwardly-extending boss, which boss
extends into said insert.
16. The faucet handle mechanism of claim 1 wherein said handle
includes a handle cap secured thereto by said fastener.
17. The faucet handle mechanism of claim 16 wherein said fastener
extends through adjoining surfaces of said adapter, handle insert,
and handle cap.
Description
THE FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a faucet handle mechanism
for attaching a faucet handle to a faucet valve body which has a
rotatable stem. Typically, such mechanisms may be used in either
two-handle faucet configurations or in a single handle faucet
configuration. The mechanism consists of a plurality of
interlocking parts, simple in construction, reliable in operation,
and which parts, when assembled, provide no visible indication of
the mechanism for attachment. The mechanism, as shown, may be used
in what is known as a widespread faucet configuration in which the
space between the hot and cold water faucet handles may be 8" or
may be used in what is termed a "mini" widespread faucet handle
configuration in which the space between handles is 4". The
mechanism may also be used in a single lever or single handle
faucet configuration in which a single handle controls both
temperature and volume of the water discharged through the faucet
spout.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a faucet handle mechanism
and in particular to such a mechanism which is simple in
construction and reliable in operation.
[0003] Another purpose of the invention is a faucet handle
mechanism, for use on a variety of different faucet configurations,
and in which the fastener or method of attaching the handle to the
valve stem is hidden from view.
[0004] Other purposes will appear in the ensuing specification,
drawings and claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] The invention is illustrated diagrammatically in the
following drawings wherein:
[0006] FIG. 1 is a perspective view, in part exploded, illustrating
a two-handle faucet;
[0007] FIG. 2 is a vertical section through the faucet handle
mechanism of FIG. 1;
[0008] FIG. 3 is a top view of the handle shell;
[0009] FIG. 4 is a section along plane 4-4 of FIG. 3;
[0010] FIG. 5 is a side view of the handle adapter;
[0011] FIG. 6 is a section along plane 6-6 of FIG. 5;
[0012] FIG. 7 is a top view of the handle adapter;
[0013] FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the handle adapter;
[0014] FIG. 9 is a side view of the handle chassis;
[0015] FIG. 10 is a section along plane 10-10 of FIG. 9;
[0016] FIG. 11 is a bottom view of the handle chassis;
[0017] FIG. 12 is a side view of the handle insert;
[0018] FIG. 13 is a top view of the handle insert;
[0019] FIG. 14 is a section along plane 14-14 of FIG. 13;
[0020] FIG. 15 is a bottom view of the handle insert;
[0021] FIG. 16 is a top view of the handle;
[0022] FIG. 17 is a section along plane 17-17 of FIG. 16;
[0023] FIG. 18 is a bottom view of the handle;
[0024] FIG. 19 is a side view of the handle cap;
[0025] FIG. 20 is a bottom view of the handle cap;
[0026] FIG. 21 is a section along plane 21-21 of FIG. 20;
[0027] FIG. 22 is a perspective, in part exploded, of a second
embodiment of faucet handle construction;
[0028] FIG. 23 is a vertical section through the faucet handle
mechanism of FIG. 22;
[0029] FIG. 24 is a side view of the handle chassis in the FIG. 22
embodiment;
[0030] FIG. 25 is a bottom view of the handle chassis of FIG.
24;
[0031] FIG. 26 is a section along plane 26-26 of FIG. 24
[0032] FIG. 27 is a side view of the handle adapter of the FIG. 22
embodiment;
[0033] FIG. 28 is a top view of the handle adapter of FIG. 27;
[0034] FIG. 29 is a bottom view of the handle adapter of FIG.
27;
[0035] FIG. 30 is a side view of the handle insert of the FIG. 22
embodiment;
[0036] FIG. 31 is a top view of the handle insert of FIG. 30;
and
[0037] FIG. 32 is a bottom view of the handle insert of FIG.
30.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0038] FIG. 1 illustrates a faucet assembly commonly known in the
trade as a two handle widespread and which includes a centrally
located spout 10 and a right side or cold water faucet handle 12
and a left side or hot water faucet handle 14. The handle 14 is
shown in exploded perspective form. Extending upwardly through the
faucet deck 16 is a faucet valve body 18 having a valve operating
stem 20. Rotation of the stem 20 controls the volume of water, from
the hot side, flowing through the spout 10.
[0039] The components of the faucet handle mechanism are
particularly shown in FIG. 1. There is an escutcheon 22 which will
extend about the valve body and a handle shell 24, which is seated
on top of the escutcheon. There is an adapter 26, a wave washer 28,
and a handle chassis 30. The wave washer will be positioned between
facing surfaces of the adapter and a handle insert 32. The handle
is indicated at 34 and there is a handle cap 36. The components
just described are shown in assembled form in the section of FIG.
2.
[0040] As indicated above, the escutcheon 22 is seated on the sink
deck and the shell 24 is seated on top of the escutcheon and forms
a portion of the faucet handle exterior, and with the handle 34 and
the handle cap 36 defines the overall appearance and usable
components for the faucet handle.
[0041] The adapter 26 has an interior bore 38 with a series of
uniformly spaced splines 40, illustrated in FIG. 8. The splines 40
on the adapter interact with the splined exterior 42 on the valve
stem 20. Thus, the adapter will drive or turn the valve stem.
[0042] The chassis 30 has an interior bore 44 with a threaded
portion 46, which threaded portion engages the exterior threads 48
on the valve body 18. The chassis 30 is thus threadedly attached to
the valve body.
[0043] The exterior of the chassis 30 has a plurality, in this case
four, uniformly spaced axially extending projections 50 which will
interact with the interior of the shell 24. As shown specifically
in FIGS. 3 and 4, the interior of the shell 24 has four pairs of
spaced ribs 52, with each pair of ribs defining a slot 54, which
slots will receive the projections 50 providing a non-rotatable
connection between the shell 24 and the chassis 30.
[0044] The exterior of the adapter 26, generally intermediate its
opposite ends, has a ledge 56 which is above a series of
projections 58 which define a series of uniformly sized grooves 60.
When the chassis 30 is positioned coaxial with and exteriorly of
the adapter 26, the inwardly extending annular shoulder 62 of the
chassis extends directly above the ledge 56. Thus, the adapter 26
is attached to and rotatable with the valve stem and the chassis 30
prevents relative axial movement between the adapter and the valve
stem. The upper surface of the shoulder 62 will form a bearing
surface for rotary movement of the handle insert 32.
[0045] As shown particularly in FIG. 2, the handle insert 32 is in
driving engagement with the adapter 26 and has a lower bearing
surface 64 formed by a flange 66 which rides on the shoulder 62 of
the chassis 30. The interior of the insert 32, as shown in FIGS.
12-15, has a chamber 68 with a series of inwardly directed
projections 70 which form a plurality of uniformly spaced grooves
72 and a non-uniform projection. These grooves and projections
interact with mating grooves and projections 76 and 78 on the
exterior of the adapter 26 to form the driving connection between
these two elements. The non-uniformity of the projections and
grooves assures proper alignment of these two elements.
[0046] The insert 32 has an upwardly extending annular shoulder 80
which defines an interior space 82 having a series of projections
84 defining a plurality of uniformly spaced grooves 86 and a
non-uniform groove 88. These grooves and projections will interact
with the interior boss 90, shown in FIG. 17, of the cap 34. As
particularly shown in FIG. 18, the exterior of the boss 90 has
projections 92, one of which, at 94, is of non-uniform size, and
grooves 96, to thereby form a driving connection between the handle
and the insert 32. The assembly of the adapter, insert and handle
are secured together by a fastener 98 which extends through the
upper portion of the adapter, through the handle insert, through
the boss 90 of the handle 34 and into a bore 100 formed in a
central boss 102 of the cap 36. The fastener 98 secures the cap to
the handle and attaches all of the rotatable elements together,
thus providing a faucet handle mechanism in which there is no
visible means of securing the mechanism to the faucet valve stem.
The cap boss 102 includes three projections 101 which seat in slots
103 in the handle 34 to assure proper orientation of these
elements.
[0047] The faucet shown in FIGS. 22-32 is commonly known in the
trade as a mini widespread, and the principal difference between
this embodiment of the invention and that shown in FIGS. 1-21, is
that the stem of the valve does not have exterior splines, but
rather has what is known as a D-shaped cross section. The faucet
valve body is indicated at 110 and the rotatable valve stem is
shown at 112. The adapter 114 has an interior bore 116 of the same
D-shaped cross section as the valve stem 112 and thus the adapter
forms the drive connection between the handle and the valve stem.
The exterior of the adapter 114 has a series of outwardly-extending
projections 118, shown in FIGS. 27 and 28, which function in the
manner of the FIG. 1-21 embodiment to interengage the adapter 114
with the insert 120. The insert 120, as in the earlier embodiment,
has an upwardly facing interior opening 122 with a series of
projections 124 which will interact with projections and grooves on
the boss 126 of the handle 128. The construction is similar to that
in the first embodiment. A fastener 130 will attach the adapter,
insert and handle by extending into the bore of the handle cap
132.
[0048] The chassis 134 again has a series of axially extending
projections 136 which will interact with the slot 138 formed
between adjoining pairs of ribs 140, again as in the FIG. 1-21
embodiment. Thus, the chassis and the shell 142 are joined
together, prohibiting rotation therebetween.
[0049] The chassis 134 extends over the adapter 114 and has an
inwardly-directed annular projection 144 which is seated on an
outwardly-extending flange 146 of the adapter when the faucet
handle mechanism is assembled as shown in FIG. 23. In this manner,
the adapter 118 is prevented from axial movement relative to the
valve stem 112. The insert 120 has an annular shoulder 148, the
lower surface of which will ride on the upper surface 150 of the
chassis 134 providing the same rotatable bearing surfaces as in the
FIG. 1-21 embodiment.
[0050] The principal difference between the two embodiments of the
invention shown is in the valve stem which necessitates a change in
the interior bore of the adapter, which also dictates a different
structural relationship for holding the adapter against axial
movement by means of the inwardly-directed shoulder of the
chassis.
[0051] The invention is particularly directed to a simply
constructed and reliable faucet handle mechanism made of a minimum
number of parts and which hides or masks any fastener which is used
to attach the handle mechanism to the valve body and the valve
stem. This provides a pleasing exterior appearance for the handle
mechanism and one which may not be vandalized as there is no
visible means to remove the handle from the valve stem. The screw
which is used to fasten the several described members together is
completely on the inside of the mechanism.
[0052] Whereas the preferred form of the invention has been shown
and described herein, it should be realized that there may be many
modifications, substitutions and alterations thereto.
* * * * *