Multi-functional valve

• US 5,139,050 A
• Filed: 11/08/1991
• Issued: 08/18/1992
• 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:
  US07/789,281
• Time in Patent Office: 284 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 includes a body and a circular piston. The piston has at least one circular O-ring surrounding the piston body. There is also a side mounted O-ring with a central axis substantially perpendicular to the circular O-ring.

Claims

1. A multi-functional valve including a housing and piston member, and having a combined 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 movable 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 a groove in said wall; and

k. said at least one member encircling said piston member has an encircling axis perpendicular to an axis of said groove in said wall.

2. The multi-functional valve of claim 1 wherein said at least one member mounted in a groove in said wall is circular in nature.

3. The multi-functional valve of claim 2 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.

4. The multi-functional valve of claim 2 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.

5. The multi-functional valve of claim 2 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.

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

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

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

c. said piston aperture substantially terminates at said base member; and

d. an operating means is secured to said piston member.

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

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

b. 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;

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

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

e. said closed position cuts off water flow.

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

a. 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;

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

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

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

a. said cylinder includes an axial outlet tube; and

b. said axial outlet tube is coaxial with said base unit.

10. The multi-functional valve of claim 9 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 member in said filtered position.

11. The multi-functional valve of claim 9 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 member in said bypass position.

12. The multi-functional valve of claim 9 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.

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

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

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

c. said base includes a concave central portion;

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

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

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

14. The multi-functional valve of claim 13 wherein:

a. said piston member is sealably rotatable about its central axis 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.

15. The multi-functional valve of claim 14 wherein:

a. said head portion includes a piston aperture;

b. said piston aperture terminates at said base portion;

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

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

e. said stepped portion protrudes from said headportion;

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

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

16. The multi-functional valve of claim 15 wherein:

a. 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;

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

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

17. The multi-functional valve of claim 16 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.

18. 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 in top 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 includes a sealing mechanism;

l. said piston member includes a wall;

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

n. said at least one member mounted in a groove in said wall is circular in nature;

o. said piston member is actuated by a single lever; and

p. said at least one member encircling said piston member has an encircling axis perpendicular to an axis of said groove in said wall.

19. The multi-functional valve of claim 18 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;

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

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

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

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

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

20. The multi-functional valve of claim 19 wherein:

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

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

c. said base includes a concave central portion;

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

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

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

g. said piston member is sealably rotatable about its central axis in said housing;

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

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

j. said head portion includes a piston aperture;

k. said piston aperture terminates at said base portion;

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

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

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

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

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