Multi-functional valve

• US 5,107,896 A
• Filed: 07/09/1991
• Issued: 04/28/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 07/09/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Matrix It Limited (Airdri Limited)
• Original Assignee: John J. Gianfrancesco
• Inventors: Otto, Frank J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Rosenthal, Arnold
• Application Number:
  US07/727,456
• Time in Patent Office: 294 Days
• Field of Search: 137/625.29, 137/625.47, 210/418, 210/424
• US Class Current: 137/625.29
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 35/043 Reversible faucet filters
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/003 using household-type filters for producing potable water, e.g. pitchers, bottles, faucet mounted devices C02F9/20 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 11/085 with cylindrical plug
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/86726 Valve with bypass connections
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/86871 Plug

Abstract

A multi-functional valve has a combined safety, bypass, shut-off and inservice capability. The multi-functional valve is modified to attach directly to the cylinder of an exchange unit of water treatment. This multi-functional valve has a base member and a head portion. The base member fits onto the exchange cylinder. The head portion of the multi-functional valve includes a water receiving section capable of being tapped directly into the waterline. Mounted to the head section is a lever arm to move the valve to the desired position.

Claims

1. A multi-functional valve including a housing and piston member, and having a combined safety, bypass, shut-off and inservice capability to be applied to a water treatment system, wherein:

a. said housing has a base member and a head portion;

b. said base member includes a securing means for securing said valve to a cylinder;

c. said cylinder forms a part of said water treatment system;

d. said piston member includes a sealing mechanism capable of operably cooperating with said housing;

e. said piston member has a shut-off position, a filtered position and an unfiltered position;

f. said piston member is movably mounted within said housing;

g. a lever is operably connected to said piston member;

h. said lever is situated exterior in relation to said housing;

i. said piston includes a wall;

j. said sealing mechanism includes at least one member encircling said piston member and at least one member mounted in said wall;

k. said base member includes an inlet and an outlet;

l. said head portion includes a water receiving section capable of being tapped directly into a waterline;

m. said piston member has a filtered position, a bypass position, and a closed position;

n. said piston member is actuated by a single lever;

o. said water receiving section includes a headtube tappable directly into a waterline;

p. said head portion includes a piston aperture to receive said piston member;

q. said piston aperture substantially terminates at said base member;

r. an operating means is secured to said piston member;

s. said headtube, said base base inlet and said base outlet may communicate;

t. said piston member changes communication of said headtube, said base base inlet and said base outlet by moving through said filtered position, said bypass position, and said closed position;

u. said filtered position blocks water flow through said headtube and permits water to flow through said cylinder;

v. said unfiltered position blocks passage of water into said cylinder and permits complete by-pass of said cylinder;

w. said closed position cuts off water flow;

x. said headtube includes a first headtube end to receive said incoming water by being secured to a first cut end of a main water line;

y. said headtube includes a second headtube end to receive a second cut end of a main water line;

z. said headtube end and said headtube end serve to connect said valve to said main waterline and close said main waterline;

aa. said cylinder includes an axial outlet tube;

ab. said axial outlet tube is coaxial with said base unit;

ac. said piston member is of a generally cylindrical shape;

ad. said piston member has a base fitting into said piston aperture;

ae. said base includes a concave central portion;

af. said piston member includes a handle top oppositely disposed from said concave central portion;

ag. said handle top includes a first end portion of a lever; and

ah. said lever is operably secured to said piston member.

2. The multi-functional valve of claim 1 wherein:

a. said piston member changes from said filtered position, to said bypass position, and to said closed position by a one-quarter turn between a pair of adjoining positions;

b. said head portion includes a headtube passing through said headportion;

c. said water treatment system includes said cylinder and a prefilter unit;

d. said cylinder includes a cylinder head; and

e. said cylinder head has female threads therein to receive said valve.

3. The multi-functional valve of claim 1 wherein:

a. said cylinder receives said base member;

b. said base member includes a base inlet and a base outlet;

c. said base member and said head portion share a common central axis; and

d. said base outlet is substantially centrally located on said central axis of said base member and said head portion.

4. The multi-functional valve of claim 1 wherein:

a. said cylinder includes a cylinder head;

b. said cylinder head includes female threads therein to receive said valve; and

c. said base member includes male threads capable of threadably meshing with said female threads.

5. The multi-functional valve of claim 1 wherein:

a. said piston member includes an angled aperture to direct water from said first headtube end into said base unit inlet and thence into said cylinder; and

b. said angled aperture communicates with said first headtube end and said base unit inlet with said piston-shaped actuating member in said filtered position

6. The multi-functional valve of claim 1 wherein:

a. said piston member includes a bypass aperture to direct water from said first headtube end to said second headtube end; and

b. said bypass aperture communicates with said first headtube end and said second headtube end with said piston-shaped actuating member in said bypass position.

7. The multi-functional valve of claim 1 wherein:

a. said closed position has an axis of bypass aperture perpendicular to an axis of said first headtube end; and

b. said closed position has said angled aperture oppositely disposed from said first headtube end.

8. The multi-functional valve of claim 7 wherein:

a. said piston member is sealably rotatable about its central in said valve body;

b. said concave central portion communicates with said angled aperture; and

c. said bypass aperture is removably alignable with said headtube.

9. The multi-functional valve of claim 8 wherein:

a. said piston member includes at least one linear sealing member and at least one circular sealing member;

b. said head portion includes a piston aperture;

c. said piston aperture terminates at said base portion;

d. said piston member includes an interior portion and a stepped portion;

e. said interior portion fits into and substantially fills piston aperture;

f. said stepped portion protrudes from said headportion;

g. said interior portion and said stepped portion are cylindrical in shape; and

h. said interior portion has a larger diameter than said stepped portion.

10. The multi-functional valve of claim 9 wherein:

a. said at least one linear sealing member is secured to an edge of said interior portion and parallel to an axis of said interior portion;

b. a first circular member of said at least one circular sealing member is secured to said edge of said interior portion and perpendicular to an axis of said interior portion;

c. said first circular member is secured between said stepped portion and said bypass aperture; and

d. a second circular member is secured in said base of said interior portion and concentric with said concave portion.

11. The multi-functional valve of claim 10 wherein:

a. said lever is secured to a top of stepped portion;

b. a flattened ring fits around step portion; and

c. said flattened ring is secured to said head portion thereby vertically securing said interior portion in said piston aperture.

12. A multi-functional valve having a combined safety, bypass, shut-off and inservice capability to be applied to a water treatment system, wherein:

a. said multi-functional valve includes a housing having a base member and a head portion;

b. said base member includes a securing means for securing said valve to a cylinder;

c. said cylinder forms a part of said water treatment system;

d. a piston member is operably cooperating with said housing;

e. said piston member has a shut-off position, a filtered position and an unfiltered position;

f. said piston member includes an interior portion and a stepped portion;

g. said interior portion fits into and substantially fills piston aperture;

h. said base member includes an inlet and an outlet;

i. said head portion includes a water receiving section capable of being tapped directly into a waterline;

j. said piston member has a filtered position, a bypass position, and a closed position;

k. said piston member is actuated by a single lever;

l. said piston member includes at least one linear sealing member and at least one circular sealing member;

m. said piston member includes an angled aperture to direct water from said first headtube end into said base unit inlet and thence into said cylinder;

n. said angled aperture communicates with said first headtube end and said base unit inlet with said piston member in said filtered position;

o. said piston member includes a bypass aperture to direct water from said first headtube end to said second headtube end;

p. said bypass aperture communicates with said first headtube end and said second headtube end with said piston member in said bypass position;

q. said closed position has an axis of bypass aperture perpendicular to an axis of said first headtube end;

r. said closed position has said angled aperture oppositely disposed from said first headtube end;

s. said piston member is of a generally cylindrical shape;

t. said piston member has a base fitting into said piston aperture;

u. said base includes a concave central portion;

v. said piston member includes a handle top oppositely disposed from side concave central portion;

w. said handle top receives a first end portion of a lever;

x. said lever is operably secured to said piston member;

y. said piston member is sealably rotatable about its central axis within said housing;

z. said concave central portion communicates with said angled aperture;

aa. said bypass aperture is removably alignable with said headtube;

ab. said piston member includes at least two linear sealing members and at least two circular sealing members;

ac. said head portion includes a piston aperture;

ad. said piston aperture terminates at said base portion;

ae. said interior portion and said stepped portion are cylindrical in shape;

af. said interior portion has a larger diameter than said stepped portion;

ag. said at least one linear sealing member is secured to an edge of said interior portion and parallel to an axis of said interior portion;

ah. a first circular member of said at least one circular sealing member is secured to said edge of said interior portion and perpendicular to an axis of said interior portion;

ai. said first circular member is secured between said stepped portion and said bypass aperture;

aj. a second circular member is secured in said base of said interior portion and concentric with said concave portion;

ak. said lever is secured to a top of said stepped portion;

al. a flattened ring fits around said stepped portion; and

am. said flattened ring is secured to said head portion thereby vertically securing said interior in said piston aperture.