Flow control apparatus

• US 20080041471A1
• Filed: 08/17/2006
• Published: 02/21/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/17/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Speakman Company
• Original Assignee: Speakman Company
• Inventors: Kappel, Frederick M., Paterson, Graham H.
• Granted Patent: US 7,503,345 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 137/625.47
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 11/0853 having all the connecting conduits situated in a single plane perpendicular to the axis of the plug
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 5/0407 with particular plug arrangements, e.g. particular shape or built-in means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/86871 Plug

Abstract

The invention is a flow controller attachable to a water supply. The controller has a body with inlet and outlet connections and a control element positioned between the inlet and outlet. The controller has an actuator extending from the control element that permits selection of three different settings. The first setting aligns a set of openings in the control element with the inlet and outlet of the body permitting unimpeded full flow of water. A second setting aligns another set of openings, which form a weep hole, in the control element to substantially impede flow from the inlet to the outlet. A third setting aligns a third set of openings in the control element with a flow control device, to partially impede flow from the inlet to the outlet, creating a low flow.

Claims

1. A flow controller comprising:

a body, inlet and outlet connections to said body for connecting a water supply to said inlet connection and for connecting a water outlet to said outlet connection;

a control element in said body controlling fluid flow from said inlet connection to said outlet connection and having first and second openings in said control element forming a first flow path that permits full flow of water from said inlet connection to said outlet connection, third and fourth openings in said control element forming a second flow path that substantially impedes flow from said inlet connection to said outlet connection and fifth and sixth opening in said control element forming a third flow path permitting low flow from said inlet connection to said outlet connection; and

an actuator connected to the control element enabling adjustment of the control element among various flow rates.

2. The flow controller of claim 1, wherein the outlet comprises a showerhead.

3. The flow controller of claim 1, wherein the third and fourth openings comprise a weep hole.

4. The flow controller of claim 1, wherein the sixth opening includes a lip for retaining a flow restrictor.

5. The flow controller of claim 4, wherein the flow restrictor is counter sunk into the sixth opening.

6. The flow controller of claim 5, wherein an o-ring is positioned in the flow restrictor.

7. The flow controller of claim 1, wherein the actuator comprises a lever.

8. The flow controller of claim 7, wherein the lever is attached to the control element.

9. A flow controller comprising:

a housing comprising an inlet connection to said housing for connecting a water supply to said housing and a water outlet;

a control element in said housing separating said inlet connection from said outlet and having first and second openings in said control element forming a first flow path that permits unimpeded flow of water from said inlet connection to said outlet, third and fourth openings in said control element forming a second flow path that substantially impedes flow from said inlet connection to said outlet and fifth and sixth opening in said control element forming a third flow path permitting a partially impeded flow from said inlet connection to said outlet; and

an actuator to permit a user to adjust the control element between multiple settings.

10. The flow controller of claim 9, wherein the housing further comprises a showerhead.

11. The flow controller of claim 9, wherein the third and forth openings comprise a weep hole.

12. The flow controller of claim 9, wherein the sixth opening includes a lip for retaining a flow restrictor.

13. The flow controller of claim 12, wherein the flow restrictor is counter sunk into the sixth opening.

14. The flow controller of claim 13, wherein an o-ring is positioned in the flow restrictor.

15. The flow controller of claim 9, wherein the actuator comprises a lever.

16. The flow controller of claim 15, wherein the lever is attached to the control element.

17. An apparatus comprising:

0

a means for connecting a water supply to an outlet;

a means for controlling flow from said water supply to said outlet; and

a means for adjusting flow from said water supply to said outlet.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the means for connecting a water supply to an outlet comprises a body, with an inlet connection for connecting a water supply to said outlet and an outlet connection for connection to said outlet.

19. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the means for controlling flow from said water supply to said outlet comprises, a control element in a body having first and second openings through said control element to form a first flow path permitting unimpeded flow of water from an inlet connection to an outlet connection, third and fourth openings in said control element to form a second flow path that substantially impedes flow from said inlet connection to said outlet connection and a fifth and sixth opening in said control element to form a third flow path to permit a partially impeded flow from said inlet connection to said outlet connection.

20. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the means for adjusting flow from said water supply to said outlet comprises an actuator that permits a user to adjust flow between multiple settings.