U.S. patent number RE30,559 [Application Number 06/073,697] was granted by the patent office on 1981-03-31 for non-rise faucet assembly.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Milwaukee Faucets, Inc.. Invention is credited to William C. Schmitt.
United States Patent |
RE30,559 |
Schmitt |
March 31, 1981 |
Non-rise faucet assembly
Abstract
A faucet assembly having a rotatable, non-rise stem and which
stem can be axially removed from its shank, the assembly having a
removable retainer clip which slides into a transverse slot in the
shank and forces the stem into proper seating engagement with the
stem and locks the stem in place. A faucet handle has a skirt which
is slipped over the retainer clip and prevents its removal from the
shank. Two such faucet assemblies are mounted on a central shank by
a telescoping connection, and interengaging means are provided
between the telescoping parts to permit their easy assembly, but
once they are assembled they are locked together and prevented from
being pulled apart. .Iadd.
Inventors: |
Schmitt; William C. (Milwaukee,
WI) |
Assignee: |
Milwaukee Faucets, Inc.
(Milwaukee, WI)
|
Family
ID: |
22115233 |
Appl.
No.: |
06/073,697 |
Filed: |
September 10, 1979 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
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929678 |
Jul 31, 1978 |
|
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Reissue of: |
735595 |
Oct 26, 1976 |
04064900 |
Dec 27, 1977 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
137/315.12;
137/606; 285/921 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16K
11/22 (20130101); F16K 19/006 (20130101); Y10T
137/87684 (20150401); Y10T 137/6014 (20150401) |
Current International
Class: |
F16K
11/10 (20060101); F16K 11/22 (20060101); F16K
011/20 () |
Field of
Search: |
;137/315,606
;251/304,288 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Schwadron; Martin P.
Assistant Examiner: Chambers; A. Michael
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Arnstein, Gluck, Weitzenfeld &
Minow
Parent Case Text
This application is a continuation of U.S. Pat. application Ser.
No. 929,678, filed July 31, 1978 now abandoned. .Iaddend.
Claims
I claim:
1. A non-rise faucet comprising a shank having a lower end through
which fluid is introduced and also having an upper end including a
stem chamber and communicable with said lower end for the reception
of fluid therefrom, an elongated and removable stem slideable into
said chamber and having a lower end forming a movable valve in said
chamber to permit regulated flow of water through said faucet upon
rotation of said stem in said chamber, said upper end of said shank
having a slot arranged generally transverse to said elongated stem,
said stem having a radial shoulder adjacent its upper end for
alignment with said transverse slot, and a removable retainer clip
having a portion slideably engaged in said transverse slot, said
portion having a recess for embracing and engaging the upper end of
said stem when said clip is inserted in said transverse slot, said
clip also having a bevelled edge at one side thereof for engagement
with said shoulder when said clip is initially inserted in said
slot, whereby further engagement of said clip into said slot causes
said shoulder and stem to be pushed downwardly in said shank for
operative engagement of said valve, said clip when inserted in said
transverse slot preventing longitudinal movement of said elongated
stem.
2. The faucet set forth in claim 1 including a handle having an
axially downwardly depending skirt, said handle being detachably
secured to the upper end of said stem, said skirt surrounding said
clip and the upper end of said shank when in assembled relationship
to thereby prevent removal of said clip from said transverse
slot.
3. The faucet set forth in claim 1 further including a laterally
extending conduit in fluid receiving communication with the shank
whereby when said valve is open, said fluid flows into said
laterally extending conduit, a central spout supporting shank
telescopingly engageable with said conduit for receiving fluid
therefrom, and interengaging mating means between said shank and
said conduit whereby said shank and conduit can be telescopingly
engaged together, said interengaging means preventing disengagement
of said shank and conduit.
4. The faucet set forth in claim 3 further characterized in that
said inter-engaging means comprises a triangularly shaped
projection and a complementary shaped opening which can be slid
together for locking engagement and wherein said triangularly
shaped projection is locked in said opening.
5. The faucet set forth in claim 2 further including a laterally
extending conduit in fluid receiving communication with said shank
whereby when said valve is open, said fluid flows into said
laterally extending conduit, a central spout supporting shank
telescopingly engageable with said conduit for receiving fluid
therefrom, and interengaging mating means between said shank and
said conduit whereby said shank and conduit can be telescopingly
engaged together, said interengaging means preventing disengagement
of said shank and conduit.
6. The faucet set forth in claim 5 further characterized in that
said inter-engaging means comprises a triangularly shaped
projection and a complementary shaped opening which can be slid
together for locking engagement and wherein said triangularly
shaped projection is locked in said opening. .Iadd. 7. A non-rise
faucet comprising a shank having a lower end through which fluid is
introduced and also having an upper end including a stem chamber
and communicable with said lower end for the reception of fluid
therefrom, an elongated and removable stem slidable into said
chamber and having a lower end forming a movable valve in said
chamber to permit regulated flow of water through said faucet upon
rotation of said stem in said chamber, said upper end of said shank
having a slot arranged generally transverse to said elongated stem,
said stem having a radial shoulder adjacent its upper end for
alignment with said transverse slot, a removable retainer clip
having a portion slidably engaged in said transverse slot, said
portion having a recess for embracing and engaging the upper end of
said stem above said shoulder when said clip is inserted in said
transverse slot, said recess extending rearwardly beyond the
forward advancing edge of said clip to provide a lateral blocking
surface on each side of said recess for engagement with said
shoulder to interlock said stem in said shank for operative
engagement of said valve while preventing longitudinal movement of
said elongated stem, and a handle having an axially downwardly
depending skirt, said handle being detachably secured to the upper
end of said stem, said skirt surrounding said clip and the upper
end of said shank when in assembled relation to thereby prevent
removal of said clip from said transverse slot. .Iaddend..Iadd. 8.
A non-rise faucet assembly comprising a unitary shank having a
lower end through which fluid is introduced and also having an
upper end including a stem chamber and communicable with said lower
end for the reception of fluid therefrom, an elongated and
removable stem slideable into said chamber and having a lower end
forming a movable disc valve in said chamber to permit regulated
flow of water through said faucet upon constrained rotation of said
stem in said chamber; an annular shoulder adjacent to the upper end
of said stem projecting radially therefrom within said stem
chamber, means for locking said stem against longitudinal
withdrawal movement from said chamber while permitting free rotary
movement thereof, comprising a pair of diametrically opposed slots
in the lateral wall of said shank at approximately the level of the
upper surface of said shoulder, and a locking clip formed of a disc
having a central elongated recess between adjacent retaining
surfaces adapted to be moved in a transverse direction through said
transverse slots to force said annular shoulder towards the lower
end of said shank by the sliding of said retaining surfaces against
the top of said shoulder while accommodating the central portion of
said stem within said elongated recess to permit free rotation
thereof. .Iaddend. .Iadd. 9. A non-rise faucet assembly comprising
a shank having a lower end through which fluid is introduced and
also having an upper end including a stem chamber and communicable
with said lower end for the reception of fluid therefrom, an
elongated and removable stem slidable into said chamber and having
a lower end forming a movable disc valve in said chamber to permit
regulated flow of water through said faucet upon constrained
rotation of said stem in said chamber, said upper end of said shank
having a pair of diametrically opposed slots arranged generally
transverse to said elongated stem, said stem having a radial
shoulder adjacent its upper end for alignment with said transverse
slots, a removable retainer clip having a portion slidably engaged
in said transverse slots, said portion having a recess for
embracing and engaging the upper end of said stem above said
shoulder when said clip is inserted in said transverse slots, and
said recess extending rearwardly beyond the forward advancing edge
of said clip to provide a lateral blocking surface on each side of
said recess for engagement with said shoulder to interlock said
stem in said shank for operative engagement of said valve while
preventing longitudinal movement of said elongated stem.
.Iaddend..Iadd. 10. The faucet assembly set forth in claim 9,
including a handle having an axially downwardly depending skirt,
said handle being detachably secured to the upper end of said stem,
said skirt surrounding said clip and the upper end of said shank
when in assembled relation to thereby prevent removal of said clip
from said transverse slot. .Iaddend.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention pertains to non-rise faucets of the type shown in my
U.S. Pat. No. 3,788,601 which issued Jan. 29, 1974, and entitled
Non-Rise Valve for Faucets or the like; and U.S. Pat. No. 3,916,951
which issued Nov. 4, 1975 for Hot and Cold Water Mixing Valve, and
wherein the elongated cartridge has a disc valve member at its
lower end which forms a valve with apertures in the shank body.
These stems must be accurately positioned within the shank so as to
provide proper sealing engagement therewith. At the same time, the
stem must be readily and easily removed for replacement of the
o-rings or repair of other parts and for cleaning thereof.
These faucet assemblies must often be coupled together to serve a
single spout and such assembly must be accomplished in an easy
manner, notwithstanding the tolerances and exact distances which
must be maintained between the separate faucets and their mounting,
for example, in the cabinet or counter top. Thus, it is highly
desirable to be able to assemble the shank with one another and
with the center spout in an easy manner and without special tools.
Once the shanks are assembled to the central spout, there is no
reason to disassemble them, because of the lack of relative
movement between the parts.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
The present invention provides a faucet assembly having a fluid
receiving shank and in which is removably mounted an elongated
valve stem for forming a valve with the shank to permit the ingress
and egress from the faucet. The invention contemplates a removable
retainer clip received in a generally transverse slot in the shank
and by means of which clip the stem is accurately and forceably
located in proper valve sealing engagement with the shank. The clip
prevents accidental removal of the stem and yet also permits easy
removal of the clip when the stem is to be removed for inspection
and/or repair.
The invention also contemplates a faucet handle which has a
downwardly depending skirt that surrounds and covers the retainer
clip and prevents its unintended removal from the faucet
assembly.
Another aspect of the present invention relates to inter-engaging,
telescoping connections between two faucet assemblies of the above
type with a central shank assembly which supports a single spout
that is served by both faucets. The connection between the central
shank and the stem shanks is such that the telescoping members have
inter-engaging and non-releasable means between them which permit
their easy assembly, but prevent their disassembly. More
specifically, these inter-engaging means are of such a size and
shape that they are readily insertable together but cannot be
disconnected once they are engaged.
These and other objects and advantages of the present invention
will appear hereinafter as this disclosure progresses, reference
being had to the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective, exploded view of a faucet assembly
embodying the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a fragmentary enlarged view of the interengageable parts
between the shank and body connection, the view showing the parts
in the disengaged position;
FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 but showing the parts in engaged
locked position;
FIG. 4 is a fragmentary, vertical, cross sectional view, on an
enlarged scale of part of one assembly as shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is a view taken generally along the line 5--5 in FIG. 4,
certain parts being shown as broken away or removed for the sake of
clarity;
FIG. 6 is a fragmentary view of a portion of the device as shown in
FIG. 4, certain parts being shown as broken away or in section for
the sake of clarity and the retainer clip being shown in the
partially assembled position; and
FIG. 7 is a fragmentary, perspective view of the retainer clip and
a portion of the shank with which it slideably engages.
DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the various parts of a
complete, dual faucet assembly made in accordance with the present
invention and includes a first valve assembly 1, a second valve
assembly 2 which are engageable with a central shank 3, which
central shank in turn supports a single spout 4 and is sealingly
engaged therewith with the conventional o-ring 5.
The valve assemblies 1 and 2 are identical in construction and
therefore a detailed description of only one is believed to be
necessary and desirable. The valve assembly 1 includes an elongated
stem S which is axially insertable in an upper portion 6 of the
entire .Iadd.unitary .Iaddend.shank 7. The shank 7 also includes a
lower portion 8 which is threaded on the outside and through which
fluid is introduced from a supply, not shown, by means of the inner
opening 10 (FIG. 4). A nut 11 is threadably engaged on the portion
8 and holds the valve assembly captive on a counter C. The complete
assembly also includes a cover 12 and its lock nut 12a. As clearly
shown in FIG. 4, handles 13 are secured by cap screws 14 on the
upper, non-circular cross sectional end 15 of the stem.
Referring in greater detail to the stem, it includes a lower disc
valve member 16 having apertures 17 therethrough and which are
alignable and non-alignable with corresponding openings in the
shank when the stem is rotated by the handle 13 in the known
manner. The stem is mounted in a chamber 18 in the upper portion of
the shank and is in sealing engagement therewith by means of the
conventional o-ring 19. Thus, when the stem is rotated to the open
position, water is permitted to flow from passage 10 in the lower
portion of the shank and upwardly through the openings 20, through
opening 17 in the valve disc and then out of a laterally extending
conduit 22 which is in communication with chamber 18.
Referring in still greater detail to the stem, it will be noted
that it has a radially extending shoulder 30 formed transversely
adjacent its upper end. When in assembled position, this shoulder
is positioned in alignment with the lower edge of the transverse
grooves .Iadd.or slots .Iaddend.33 which extend partially through
the upper portion of the shank. When in this properly assembled
position, the valve disc 16 bears in sliding sealing engagement
with resilient valve seat member 34 which is spring loaded by
springs 35 against the lower surface of the disc in the known
manner. It is important that the valve stem is properly located in
this position and remains in that position for proper operation of
the valve.
In order to insure that the stem is properly inserted in the shank
as above described, and remains locked in that position where it
can rotate during its valving function, a retainer clip 40 is
insertable in the generally transverse .[.slot.]. .Iadd.slots
.Iaddend.33 in the shank. The retainer clip has a disc-like portion
42 in which is .[.formed.]. .Iadd.provided .Iaddend.a recess 43
extending transversely across the disc-like portion 42 .Iadd.to
form a blocking surface for the shoulder 30 on each side of the
recess 43.Iaddend.. One edge of the retainer clip 40 is formed with
its lower surface as a bevelled edge 45, which bevelled edge is
adapted to ride up and engage the shoulder 30 when the clip is
inserted into the transverse slot 33, and said recess embraces the
stem.
As shown in FIG. 6, the bevelled edge 45 has just contacted the
corner 46 of the flange 30 and further insertion of the clip 40
into the transverse slot causes the shoulder and its valve stem to
be forceably pushed downwardly into the shank, thus properly and
firmly positioning the stem in its proper valve relationship with
the shank.
As shown clearly in FIGS. 4 and 5, the handle 13 has a downwardly
and axially extending skirt portion 13a which when the faucet is
assembled surrounds and encloses the clip 40 and prevents its
removal from the transverse slot and consequently possible leakage
of the faucet. In order to disassemble the faucet, it is only
necessary to remove the screws 14, lift the handle off its
non-circular connection with the top end of the stem and then grasp
the clip with the fingers and transversely slide it from the
.[.slot.]. .Iadd.slots.Iaddend.. Removal of the clip in this manner
thus frees the stem for axial withdrawal from its shank.
Non-releasable interengaging means are also provided between the
above described valve assemblies, the central shank 3, and spout 4.
This means comprises a telescoping connection which includes the
conduit 22 and the inner tubular member 60 of the central shank 3.
FIG. 2 shows the parts in disengaged position while FIG. 3 shows
the parts in engaged position. When in the engaged position, the
o-ring seal 66 forms a sealed joint between the parts and once this
connection is made, there is no occasion to disconnect that joint.
In order to insure that the joint is not disconnected inadvertently
the interengaging means between the telescoping members are shaped
to preclude their withdrawal. More specifically, one of the
telescoping members, for example, 60, has a triangular shaped
projection 67 formed thereon and which has a rear flat side 68 and
a front pointed end 69. The other telescoping member has a
complementary shaped opening 70 including a narrow passage 71
through which the projection 67 can pass. Once the connection is
made, as shown in FIG. 3, the narrow passage 71 precludes the
withdrawal of the flat surface 68 from the complementary shaped
opening 70. There is no rotation between the parts 60 and 22 and no
occasion to disconnect these parts and consequently, the seal 66
does not need replacement. Thus, tight and permanent connection is
made.
The spout also has a quick attachable and locked joint with the
central shank, similar to the non-releasable, interengaging members
above described. More specifically, the spout 4 also has a pair of
triangularly shaped projections 74 formed integrally therein, one
projection on each of opposite sides of the lower end of the spout.
Complementary shaped recesses 75 are formed in the central, upright
portion 76 of the shank 3 and these recesses also lockingly receive
their respective projections 74 when the spout lower end is slid
into the tubular portion 76, o-ring 5 therebetween forming the
fluid seal.
* * * * *