Faucet head three-way valve

• US 5,937,905 A
• Filed: 03/28/1995
• Issued: 08/17/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 03/28/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Karen Roberta Santos, Kori Santos Lord
• Original Assignee: Robert O. Santos
• Inventors: Santos, Robert O.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Kevin
• Application Number:
  US08/412,491
• Time in Patent Office: 1,603 Days
• Field of Search: 137/636, 137/801, 137/615, 137/883, 137/862, 137/867, 137/868, 137/871, 137/878, 137/881, 4/678, 4/567, 4/615, 4/675, 4/676, 4/677, 4/568, 4/570, 4/569, 239/444, 239/443
• US Class Current: 137/871
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/0404 Constructional or functional features of the spout
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/0405 enabling multiple spray patterns
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 2001/0415 having an extendable water outlet
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/8778 Spring biased
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/9464 Faucets and spouts

Abstract

A faucet head having at least two different types of outlets, utilizes a three-way valve which permits on-off operation of the faucet distal end. In conjunction with on-off operation, the three-way valve also controls flow of water through one of the faucet head outlets.

Claims

1. An extensible kitchen faucet comprising:

a) a kitchen faucet base having an temperature control valve and a hollow member extending therefrom;

b) an extensible kitchen faucet head, said extensible kitchen faucet head connectable to the kitchen faucet base and including a flexible conduit sized to slide in and out of the hollow member, said flexible conduit connectable to a source of liquid, said extensible kitchen faucet head further comprising a kitchen faucet body having;

i) a first passageway therein, an inlet of said first passageway connected to said flexible conduit, said first passageway diverging into a second and a third passageway, each of said second and third passageways having an outlet for liquid discharge; and

ii) means for blocking flow of said liquid through one of and both of said second and third passageways.

2. The extensible kitchen faucet of claim 1, wherein said third passageway connects to a spray head outlet and said second passageway connects to a stream head outlet.

3. The extensible kitchen faucet of claim 1, wherein said second and third passageways connect to said first passageway perpendicularly to their respective longitudinal axes.

4. The extensible kitchen faucet of claim 1, wherein said faucet body is elongated and said means for blocking flow of said liquid is positioned at a distal end of said faucet body.

5. The extensible kitchen faucet of claim 1, wherein said third passageway connects to an annular outlet which surrounds an outlet of said second passageway.

6. The extensible kitchen faucet of claim 1, wherein said means for blocking flow of said liquid further comprises:

i) a first spring loaded valve positioned in said faucet body to control flow of said liquid between said first passageway and said second passageway;

ii) a second spring loaded valve positioned in said faucet body to control flow of said liquid between said first passageway and said third passageway;

iii) a rocker, each of said first spring loaded valve and said second spring loaded valve pivotally attached to said rocker;

iv) wherein each of said first and second spring loaded valves are spring biased to block said second and third passageway, respectively, when said rocker is at rest, movement of said rocker lifting one of said first and said second spring loaded valves to provide fluid flow through one of said second and said third passageways, respectively.

7. The extensible kitchen faucet of claim 6, further comprising a valve seat at a junction between said first passageway and each of said second and third passageways, each said valve seat sized to receive one of said spring loaded valves for blocking of said liquid.

8. The extensible kitchen faucet of claim 6, wherein said rocker is pivotably mounted to said faucet body to facilitate said movement.

9. The extensible kitchen faucet of claim 1, wherein said means for blocking flow of said liquid further comprises:

i) a first valve positioned in said faucet body to control flow of said liquid between said first passageway and said second passageway;

ii) a second valve positioned in said faucet body to control flow of said liquid between said first passageway and said third passageway;

iii) a rocker, each of said first valve and said second valve pivotally attached to said rocker;

iv) wherein each of said first and second valves are positioned to block said second and third passageways, respectively, when said rocker is at rest, movement of said rocker lifting one of said first and said second valves to provide fluid flow through one of said second and said third passageways, respectively.

10. The extensible kitchen faucet of claim 9, wherein each of said first and second valves include o-rings.

11. The extensible kitchen faucet of claim 9, further comprising a valve seat at a junction between said first passageway and each of said second passageway and said third passageway, each said valve seat sized to receive one of said first and second valves for blocking of said liquid.

12. The extensible kitchen faucet of claim 9, wherein said rocker is pivotably attached to said faucet body to facilitate said movement.