FAUCET VALVE WITH SAFETY HANDLE
First Claim
1. A faucet for controlling the dispensing of liquids comprising:
- a valve body having a valve chamber with an inlet and an outlet;
a valve element in the valve chamber movable from a first position for blocking flow between the inlet and outlet to a second position for permitting flow between the inlet and the outlet;
an operating stem having an inner end operatively connected to the valve element and an outer end located external to the body;
a bonnet;
an insert member rotatably connected to the bonnet and defining an opening through which the stem extends, wherein said bonnet and insert member are secured to the body and enclose said valve element in said valve chamber, wherein said insert is located such that no portion of said insert member is clamped between said bonnet and said body;
spaced-apart guide walls projecting outwardly from said insert member external to said valve chamber;
an actuator handle assembly operatively coupled to the outer end of the stem, said actuator handle assembly including a lever pivotally connected to the outer end of the stem and a cam actuator movably connected to the lever, wherein said cam actuator moves to and between;
(i) an engaged position in which pivoting movement of said lever relative to said stem is effective to cause said lever to exert a pulling force on said stem sufficient to move said valve element from its first position to its second position; and
,(ii) a disengaged position in which pivoting movement of said lever relative to said stem is ineffective to cause said lever to exert a pulling force on said stem sufficient to move said valve element from its first position to its second position.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A faucet for controlling the dispensing of liquids includes a valve body having a valve chamber with an inlet and an outlet. A valve element is located in the valve chamber and is movable from a first position for blocking flow between the inlet and outlet to a second position for permitting flow between the inlet and the outlet. An operating stem has an inner end operatively connected to the valve element and an outer end located external to the body. A bonnet is included, and an insert member is rotatably connected to the bonnet and defines an opening through which the stem extends. The bonnet and insert member are secured to the body and enclose the valve element in the valve chamber. The insert is located such that no portion of the insert member is clamped between the bonnet and the body. Spaced-apart guide walls project outwardly from the insert member external to the valve chamber. An actuator handle assembly is operatively coupled to the outer end of the stem. The actuator handle assembly includes a lever pivotally connected to the outer end of the stem and a cam actuator movably connected to the lever. The cam actuator moves to and between: (i) an engaged position in which pivoting movement of the lever relative to the stem is effective to cause the lever to exert a pulling force on the stem sufficient to move the valve element from its first position to its second position; and, (ii) a disengaged position in which pivoting movement of the lever relative to the stem is ineffective to cause the lever to exert a pulling force on the stem sufficient to move the valve element from its first position to its second position.
21 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A faucet for controlling the dispensing of liquids comprising:
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a valve body having a valve chamber with an inlet and an outlet; a valve element in the valve chamber movable from a first position for blocking flow between the inlet and outlet to a second position for permitting flow between the inlet and the outlet; an operating stem having an inner end operatively connected to the valve element and an outer end located external to the body; a bonnet; an insert member rotatably connected to the bonnet and defining an opening through which the stem extends, wherein said bonnet and insert member are secured to the body and enclose said valve element in said valve chamber, wherein said insert is located such that no portion of said insert member is clamped between said bonnet and said body; spaced-apart guide walls projecting outwardly from said insert member external to said valve chamber; an actuator handle assembly operatively coupled to the outer end of the stem, said actuator handle assembly including a lever pivotally connected to the outer end of the stem and a cam actuator movably connected to the lever, wherein said cam actuator moves to and between; (i) an engaged position in which pivoting movement of said lever relative to said stem is effective to cause said lever to exert a pulling force on said stem sufficient to move said valve element from its first position to its second position; and
,(ii) a disengaged position in which pivoting movement of said lever relative to said stem is ineffective to cause said lever to exert a pulling force on said stem sufficient to move said valve element from its first position to its second position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A faucet for controlling the dispensing of liquids comprising:
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a valve body having a valve chamber, an inlet to the valve chamber, an outlet from the valve chamber, and a valve seat located between the inlet and the outlet; a valve element in the valve chamber movable to and between a first position engaged with the seat and a second position spaced from the seat; an operating stem having an inner end operatively connected to the valve element and an outer end; a bonnet including an insert member rotatably connected thereto, said bonnet connected to said body such that said bonnet and insert member enclose said valve element in said valve chamber, said insert member defining an opening through which said stem extends such that said outer end of said stem is located external to said valve chamber, wherein said insert member is positioned so as not to be clamped between said bonnet and said body; spaced-apart guide walls projecting outwardly from said insert member external to said valve chamber; an actuator handle assembly including a lever connected to the outer end of the stem and a cam actuator movably connected to the lever, wherein said cam actuator moves relative to said lever to and between; (i) an engaged position in which said actuator handle assembly is operative to move said valve element from said first position to said second position; and
,(ii) a disengaged position in which said actuator handle assembly is inoperative to move said valve element from its first position to its second position.
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Specification