Valve body

• US 7,896,025 B2
• Filed: 06/29/2007
• Issued: 03/01/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Masco Corporation Of Indiana (Masco Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Masco Corporation Of Indiana (Masco Corporation)
• Inventors: Hanson, James Richard
• Primary Examiner(s): FOX, JOHN C
• Application Number:
  US11/824,211
• Publication Number:
  US 20090001310A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,341 Days
• Field of Search: 137/454.6, 137/652.4, 469/5
• US Class Current: 137/454.6
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/04 Water-basin installations specially adapted to wash-basins or baths valves, faucets, mixing valves, taps F16K
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 27/0263 multiple way valves
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 31/002 actuated by temperature variation thermo-electric F16K31/025
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7668 Retained by bonnet or closure
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/86815 Multiple inlet with single outlet

Abstract

A valve assembly for controlling water flow to a water delivery device. The valve assembly includes a valve body and a valve cartridge sealingly received within the valve body.

Claims

1. A valve assembly for controlling water flow to a water delivery device, the valve assembly comprising:

a valve body formed of a malleable metal and including a sidewall extending between opposing first and second ends along a longitudinal axis, the sidewall including a wall thickness, and a length between the first and second ends;

wherein the sidewall defines a cross-sectional major dimension extending laterally relative to the longitudinal axis, and a cross-sectional minor dimension extending laterally relative to the longitudinal axis and perpendicular to the cross-sectional major dimension, the ratio of the length to the major dimension being greater than 1, and the ratio of the major dimension to the wall thickness being greater than 30; and

a valve cartridge sealingly received within valve body, such that the valve body is substantially water-tight.

2. The valve assembly of claim 1, wherein the valve body is formed from a lead-free material.

3. The valve assembly of claim 2, wherein the valve body is formed of stainless steel.

4. The valve assembly of claim 1, wherein the sidewall has a thickness between 0.01 inches and 0.125 inches.

5. The valve assembly of claim 4, wherein the sidewall has a thickness substantially equal to 0.060 inches and a major dimension substantially equal to 2 inches.

6. The valve assembly of claim 1, wherein the valve body includes a retaining lip integrally formed and extending outwardly from the sidewall proximate the first end.

7. The valve assembly of claim 1, wherein the valve body includes a plurality of slots stamped within the sidewall proximate the first end.

8. The valve assembly of claim 7, further comprising a retainer including a plurality of tabs configured to be received within the plurality of slots formed within the valve body, the retainer configured to retain the valve cartridge within the valve body.

9. The valve assembly of claim 1, wherein the valve body further includes an end wall integrally formed with the sidewall at the second end, the end wall including a stamped opening for receiving a plurality of conduits fluidly coupled to the valve cartridge.

10. The valve assembly of claim 9, further comprising a receiver coupled to the second end of the valve body, the receiver fluidly coupling the plurality of conduits with the valve cartridge.

11. The valve assembly of claim 1, wherein the valve body has a non-circular cross-section defined by opposing arcuate portions and planar portions of the sidewall.