Tub valve having versatile mounting structure
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A valve assembly, comprising:
- a valve body which defines a longitudinal axis, said valve body having a top portion, a bottom portion and a groove proximate the top portion;
a top plate engageable with said groove;
a bottom plate disposed along said valve body; and
an adjustment member engaged with the bottom plate, wherein movement of the adjustment member changes a relative axial distance between the top plate and the bottom plate.
2 Assignments
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Accused Products
Abstract
A valve assembly for installation into deck-mounted tubs includes a valve body, a top plate that engages with the valve body, a bottom plate, and an adjustment member that bears against the valve body and engages with the bottom plate. The adjustment member is accessible from above the deck and moves the top plate, valve body, and bottom plate relative to each other. This allows the valve assembly to be tightened completely from above the deck even if the bottom portion of the assembly is inaccessible. The adjustment member is a jack screw or other threaded member that can be adjusted with a conventional screwdriver, eliminating the need for specialized installation tools.
35 Citations
29 Claims
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1. A valve assembly, comprising:
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a valve body which defines a longitudinal axis, said valve body having a top portion, a bottom portion and a groove proximate the top portion; a top plate engageable with said groove; a bottom plate disposed along said valve body; and an adjustment member engaged with the bottom plate, wherein movement of the adjustment member changes a relative axial distance between the top plate and the bottom plate. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A valve assembly, comprising:
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a valve body which defines a longitudinal axis, said valve body having a non-circular cross-section and a groove; a top plate having a tool opening adjacent an opening which corresponds to said a non-circular cross-section, said top plate having a tool opening adjacent said opening to expose a tool mating surfaces when said top plate is in a first rotational position in which said top plate is axially locked within said groove; a bottom plate disposed along said valve body; and an adjustment member engageable with said bottom plate, said adjustment member defining said tool mating surface, a relative axial distance between said top plate and said bottom place adjustable in response rotation of said adjustment member. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A method of installing a valve assembly comprising the steps of:
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(A) installing a valve assembly through an opening in a deck from a bottom side of the deck; (B) installing a top plate onto the valve assembly; (C) rotating the top plate within a groove in the valve assembly to align a tool opening in the top plate with a tool mating surface of an adjustment member; (D) rotating the adjustment member to reduce an axial distance between the top plate and a bottom plate to trap the deck therebetween. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24)
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25. A method of installing a valve assembly comprising the steps of:
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(A) attaching a bottom plate of a valve assembly to a base of a deck; (B) building the deck around the valve assembly; (C) installing a top plate onto the valve assembly; (D) rotating the top plate within a groove in the valve assembly to align a tool opening in the top plate with a tool mating surface of an adjustment member; and (E) rotating the adjustment member to reduce an axial distance between the top plate and a bottom plate to trap the deck therebetween. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29)
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Specification