JP2002519603A - Limiting device for single control mixing valve - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) Summary The cartridge (40) for the single handle mixing valve (34) includes a stop limiter to limit the normal movement of the single handle (16). The stop limiter comprises a pivotable control stem (5) and a supporting component (3). The supporting component (3) has an outer arm (10) with teeth (11) that can flex under sufficient force. The control stem (5) has a projection (13) mounted in its recess (9). The projection (13) has teeth (14) which engage with the teeth (11) to limit the movement of the stem (5).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

【Technical field】

The field of the invention relates to single-control mixing valves, and more particularly to devices which normally limit the maximum flow rate of the mixing valve, but which, when necessary, allow the user to exceed this limited diversion by emergency action.

[0002]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A flow restrictor of the type referred to herein may be a single control to prevent waste of water and to avoid uncontrolled squirting of water or hammer knock which may result from sudden or excessive opening and closing of valves. It is often inserted into a cartridge for a mixing valve of the type. Some examples of restriction devices of this type are disclosed in US Pat.
This is described in No. 1.

[0003] However, sometimes it is necessary to get over the restriction device inserted in the cartridge. This requirement arises because the user wants to increase the flow rate, or wants to use the same model cartridge for both equipment that requires a flow restriction and equipment that does not need this restriction.

[0004] In most known cartridges of the type in question, the restriction device is inserted inside the cartridge. In these devices, disabling the device is not possible unless the cartridge is removable. Removal and reattachment of cartridges is generally not feasible for unskilled users and is also quite difficult for plumbers.

[0005] In US Pat. No. 5,559,791, the restriction device comprises a free rotating disc which is held in place by a resilient release ring. The top of the valve arm can be removed without completely disassembling the mixing valve. This rotating disk has the function of limiting the movement of the control stem to the mixing position which gives a large amount of water. This limitation can be overcome for further movement of the control lever to the full flow position. In order to achieve this overrun, the rotating disk is provided with elastically bent projections. Additional parts are mounted on the control stem of the cartridge, which mates with an operating handle mounted on the control stem. This additional part works with the rotating disc to align it with the operating handle and further has teeth, the teeth of which are elastically bent projections on the rotating disc limit the travel of the control stem and at the same time the operating handle. Allows greater flow positions to be reached when greater force is applied. However, this restriction device cannot be removed or disabled without complicated operation and without changing the operating characteristics of the valve. Furthermore, this flow restrictor is very large. Limiters of this construction cannot be applied to standard cartridges either due to limited available space or due to the shape of the outer arm of the control stem which cannot be changed. The control stem must be compatible with normal cartridge mounting and operating handle components.

[0006] What is desired is a limiting device for a mixing valve that can be removed by a very easy and quick operation that can be performed by an unskilled person. Preferably, the restriction device has the same dimensions and external shape of the mixing valve cartridge, but has both a cover and a control stem compatible with those of the cartridge without the restriction device. In addition, the cartridge can be mounted on a conventional valve and remains interchangeable with a conventional cartridge without restriction. In addition, cancellation of the flow restriction function does not change other characteristics of the valve.

[0007]

Summary of the Invention

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a cartridge valve assembly includes a stop limiter.
The stop limiter comprises a pivotally mounted control stem having an outer arm raised from a supporting component. The supporting component is provided with a protrusion on at least one side of the control arm adjacent the stem. The control stem is operated such that it pivots so as to limit the stroke of the control stem at a certain level of force between two positions, preferably between a closed position and a predetermined stop limit position corresponding to a predetermined flow rate. It has its own outer arm portion with at least one projection adapted to mate with the projection of the supporting component. The protrusion of the control stem is on a removably placed component of the outer arm of the stem so as not to alter the external structure of the control stem in the part adapted to mount the operating handle.

[0008] The protrusion supported by the control stem can be selectively removed therefrom when the stop limiter should be deactivated. Deactivation of the stop limiter is relatively easy due to the installation of a removable projection on the outer arm of the control stem. The cartridge does not need to be removed and need not be removed from the body of the valve to which the cartridge is attached. Furthermore, the presence of the projections supported on the control stem does not alter the external structure of the control stem in the area intended to receive the operating handle. The presence of the stop limiter does not force any change of the cartridge cover, so the cartridge can be made in a form that can be replaced with a normal cartridge that does not incorporate the stop limiter and used in a normal valve You can do it.

[0009] Preferably, the protrusion on the supporting component and the protrusion on the control stem are on both sides of the control stem. This arrangement, which provides a symmetrical structure, compensates for the force balance during operation, thereby avoiding overload and enhancing the proper functioning and durability of the device.

If the user requests that the maximum flow rate of the feed determined by the restriction device be exceeded, at least one projection of the supporting component and the control stem will resilient under sufficient force. Attached to bend. In this method, when the user applies more than normal force to the operating handle of the valve, the cooperating projection flexes elastically, causing the control stem to flow at a rate greater than the set value by the stop limiter. Allow to reach the position corresponding to the feed.

The elastic deflection is obtained by the elastic structure of the projection itself, preferably by the projection supported by the supporting component. The protrusions can be made of flexible plastic. This ensures a simple and economical construction for the device.

The projection on the control stem preferably forms a part of the plate which can be inserted into and removed from the corresponding recess of the control lever. Preferably, this plate is seated in the cross section of the outer arm of the control stem. The stem can also be fitted with an external operating handle of the valve. An attached operating handle holds or secures the plate in a corresponding seat on the control stem. The plate can be easily removed from the seat or removed from the control stem when the handle is not attached to the stem. In this way, all that is required to access and remove the removable projection is to remove the valve operating handle from the cartridge control stem in a very simple operation. Inadvertent disengagement of these projections is usually hampered by the presence of an attached valve operating handle.

[0013] While the projections have been described as providing maximum flow, the projections and their associated teeth require extra force to completely close the faucet when the handle is moved toward the closed position. It can be located close to the closed position to function as the required anti-hammering device. In this way, the small time delay required to apply the extra force eliminates hammer knock that can occur due to a sharp decrease in water flow.

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference is now made to the accompanying drawings. Referring to FIG. 1, a faucet 30 having a lower body 32, a rotating spout 34, and a cap 36 containing a conventional valve component (not shown), which may or may not be of the cartridge type, is shown. Is shown. This cap has an opening 38 through which the control stem 5 passes. Referring now to FIG. 2, a cartridge 40 for a single-control mixing valve is provided, as is conventional, in a housing adapted to be introduced into a suitable chamber (not shown) in a conventional faucet 30. 1 is provided. The housing 1 has a collar 2 adapted to sit in a corresponding opening 38 in a cap 36. The collar is mounted so that it can be removed from the faucet cap and body that holds the cartridge housing 1 in place. The cartridge collar 2 has a supporting component 3 so that it can rotate about a vertical axis (in the direction in the drawing). Attach the control stem 5 so that the stem 5 has the axis A-
The pivot pin 4 extends along the transverse axis AA, as shown in FIG. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the stem 5 has an outer arm 6, which extends from the supporting component 3 and is adapted to mount an operating handle 16 of the valve. The stem extends into the cartridge housing 1 in the opposite direction to form an internal arm 7 that drives the normal internal mechanism of the cartridge 40. The components of these internal mechanisms are not described and not shown since they are not relevant to the present invention. The components described so far are known per se and, in the form shown, are characteristic of a standard type cartridge for a mixing valve to which the invention applies.

The stop limiter according to the invention relates in particular to the supporting component 3 of the control stem 5 and to the control stem 5 itself, that is to say the component shown enlarged in FIG. Usually these parts are made of plastic material. The supporting component 3 has two arm-shaped projections 10 ending with distal teeth 11. The projections 10 are located on both sides of the control stem 5. Due to the nature of the plastic material used in the production of the supporting component 3, the arm 10 has a limited elasticity, so that it normally keeps the teeth 11 in the first raised position. However, if sufficient force is applied to the tooth 10, it will flex slightly and bend slightly from its normal position. The teeth 11 have a slightly inclined or oblique mating surface 20 so that they can flex when appropriate.

The outer arm 6 of the control stem 5 has recesses 9 on both sides (only one side is visible in FIG. 3). A plate 12 is inserted into each recess 9. The plate 12 occupies almost all of the recess 9 and is preferably held in place by a friction fit or by a small snap-fit undercut. The plate 12 extends out of the recess 9 to form a projection 13 which is a tooth 1 of the arm 10 of the supporting component 3.
It has teeth 14 facing one. The teeth 14 have slightly inclined surfaces 21. The flow limiting device has a projection 10 and its teeth 11 of the supporting component 3 and a projection 13 and its teeth 14 of the outer arm 6 of the control stem 5. The control stem 5 is shown in the closed position. To open the valve, the stem 5 must be pivoted about the axis AA in the direction indicated by arrow F in FIG. When the stem 5 pivots in the aforementioned direction, the teeth 14
And when the control stem reaches a certain position, the tooth surfaces 20 and 21 come into contact with each other. At this time, the control stem 5 is normally stopped at this position, and the amount of flow of the valve is limited.

However, if a request arises, the user can exert a stronger force on the control stem 5 than usual. At this time, the teeth apply a sufficient force to the teeth 11 to elastically bend the arm 10. The teeth 11 are retracted and the teeth 14 can move through them. Two slopes 20 and 21 facilitate this effect. At this time, the control stem can assume a position corresponding to a higher flow rate feed. The device can be returned to the closed position because it has rear surfaces 23 and 24 that are heavily sloped so that they can be easily ridden during the return movement to the closed position. The projections 10 and 13 return to their normal configuration when the control stem is again moved to a position below the maximum flow rate set by the stop limiter.

The presence of both the projections 10 on the supporting component and the projections 13 on the control stem 5 should not be a hindrance and should not result in an increase in the dimensions of the cartridge or a rework of the handle 16. Note that these projections are located in a normally unused space below the handle 16.

Disabling the stop limiter simply requires removing the corresponding plate 12 from the recess 9 in the outer arm 6 of the control stem 5. To facilitate this operation, each plate 12 is provided with an access slot 15 into which a suitable tool for removing the plate can be inserted. The stop limiter can be easily reattached by inserting the relevant plates 12 into the recesses 9 respectively. When the stop limiter is disabled by the removal of the plate 12, the projection 10 shown on the supporting component remains inactive but inactive. Their presence during this non-operation does not disturb operation or cause any obstacles.

Advantageously, a part of the plate 12 extends into the area of the outer arm 6 of the control stem 5 and a part of the operating handle 16 normally connected to the control stem sits thereon. An example of this arrangement is shown in FIG. In this case, the operation handle is the handle 16
And a lever-shaped member having a connecting hub 17. The hub 17 has one cavity 1
8 which is mounted on the part of the outer arm 6 of the control stem 5.
The hub 17 secures the handle 16 by means of a screw 19 which is screwed into the screw hole 8 of the control stem. When the hub 17 is mounted on the arm 6 of the control stem,
The hub 17 holds the plate 12 in the recess 9 and prevents it from accidentally coming off. To regain access to the recess 19, the screw 19 is loosened and the operating hub 16 is removed.
Just remove it. The plate 12 can be removed from or mounted in the recess 19 without interfering with the cartridge or cover 1 or collar 2. This simple operation can be performed by any plumber or by an unskilled user.

In the illustrated embodiment, the user may apply a force sufficient to deflect arm 10 to disengage teeth 11 and 14 to provide a stop limit for the maximum flow rate that can be normally supplied. The limits imposed by the device can be exceeded. However, the structure can be easily modified to prevent any climbing over the stop limiter. First, the projections 10 of the supporting component 3 are structured in a rigid manner in such a way that the contact between the teeth 11 and 14 limits the pivoting travel of the control lever without any possibility of exceeding the limit. I can do it. Alternatively, the teeth 11 and 14 have respective negative slopes that are complementary so that the respective faces 20 and 21 are connected or hooked together in one direction to prevent further movement in the overall flow direction F. Faces 20 and 21
Can have.

A particular advantage of the present invention is that the elimination of the flow restriction feature does not change any other characteristics of the cartridge and valve. Movement of the control stem toward the position to mix more hot water remains completely independent of the flow restrictor, and therefore, any removal or replacement of the restrictor has no effect. Further, the flow restrictor has no effect on the use of the temperature restrictor.

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the form of implementation shown and described by way of example. Some examples are within the abilities of those skilled in the art. For example, the present invention can be applied to cartridges of different types than the standard shown, or to different types of non-cartridge mixing valves provided in faucet 34. Also, the limiting device shown and installed on both sides of the control stem can be applied to only one side of the stem. The type of cooperating projection of the supporting component and the control stem can be selected in various ways. The projections of the supporting component described as being made in one piece can be modified to be attached to the supporting component and, if necessary, it can be changed to be made of a different material, for example a metal. The projection can be removably attached to the control stem in a different manner than the insertion of the plate into the recess. For example, the projection may traverse a through hole in the outer arm of the control stem and possibly be the end of a contoured pivot pin. Certain methods are also possible to facilitate removal of the protrusion from the control arm. If some projections are to be elastically bent, this property of elasticity can be a property of the projections on the control stem as well as the projections on the supporting components, or of all the projections.

[0024] These and other changes and equivalents may be made as described and illustrated without departing from the scope of the invention and the scope of this patent.

[Brief description of the drawings]

1 is a perspective view, partially exploded and partially sectioned, of a faucet incorporating one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the cartridge according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged partial view with parts relevant to the application of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the portion shown in FIG. 3 with the operating handle partially sectioned;

Claims (14)

[Claims] 1. A device for restricting the normal movement of a single handle along a first direction and comprising a pivotable control stem of a supporting component and raised from said supporting component. A cartridge-type valve assembly for a single-handle control mixing valve having an outer arm portion, wherein the supporting component has a protrusion adjacent to the stem on at least one side of the control stem; The arm portion engages with the protrusion on the supporting component to limit the range of movement of the control stem corresponding to a certain amount of force when the control stem is pivoted about its own pivot axis. At least one lateral projection, and the projection of the control stem is detachably attached to the outer arm of the stem so that the control stem does not interfere with the mounting of the operating handle. Cartridge type valve assembly and forming a part of the allowed obtained components. 2. The cartridge valve assembly of claim 1, wherein the supporting component has a lateral projection on each side of the control stem, and the control stem has projections on each side. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of said protrusions on a supporting component and on a control stem is mounted in a manner that allows it to bend elastically under sufficient force. The cartridge type valve assembly defined in the above. 4. The cartridge-type valve assembly defined in claim 3, wherein at least one of the protrusions is configured to be slightly resilient. 5. The cartridge valve assembly defined in claim 4, wherein the projections supported by the supporting component have a slightly elastic structure. 6. The projection is positioned to limit normal handle movement between a closed position and a normal full flow position, and the sufficient force causes the handle to deflect the normal full movement defined by the protrusion. The cartridge-type valve assembly defined in claim 3, wherein the cartridge-type valve assembly can be moved to a position beyond a flow position. 7. The control plate of claim 1, wherein the at least one lateral protrusion on the control stem forms a corresponding plate portion removably seated in a recess of the control stem. Cartridge valve assembly. 8. The control stem, wherein the plate is removably seated on an outer arm portion of the control stem which is received by an external operating handle, which maintains the plate seated in a corresponding position on the control stem, and further on the control stem. The cartridge-type valve assembly defined in claim 7, further comprising allowing the operating handle to be removed prior to attachment of the operating handle to the valve. 9. The projection on the control stem has a first tooth depending therefrom, such that the projection on the supporting component can engage with the first tooth or the control stem. One of the first tooth and the complementary tooth having an inclined surface so that one of the first tooth and the complementary tooth has an upwardly extending complementary tooth so that one tooth can act as a bevel for the other tooth; 8. The method of claim 7, wherein one of the first tooth and the complementary tooth can resiliently bend under sufficient force such that one tooth can ride on the other tooth. Cartridge valve assembly. 10. The cartridge valve assembly defined in claim 1, wherein said protrusion is positioned to limit normal handle movement between a closed position and a normal full flow position. Three-dimensional. 11. A removable flow restrictor for a single-handle control mixing valve, wherein a first projection is seated on and extends from a side of a control stem, and a second projection is adjacent to the stem. The first and second projections interlock to limit movement of the control stem at a certain level of force to a stop position when the control stem is pivoted about its pivot axis. An apparatus characterized by the above. 12. At least one of said first and second projections is capable of flexing elastically under a sufficient force, such that when said sufficient force is applied, said projections ride on each other. The removable flow restriction device defined in claim 11, further comprising an interlock. 13. The projection is positioned to limit normal handle movement between a closed position and a normal full flow position, and the sufficient force causes the handle to move the normal handle defined by the projection. The cartridge-type valve assembly defined in claim 11, further comprising a moveable position beyond the full flow position. 14. The protrusion on the control stem has a first tooth depending therefrom, such that the protrusion on the supporting component can engage with the first tooth or the control stem. One of the first tooth and the complementary tooth having an inclined surface so that one of the first tooth and the complementary tooth has an upwardly extending complementary tooth so that one tooth can act as a bevel for the other tooth; 8. The method of claim 7, wherein one of the first tooth and the complementary tooth can resiliently bend under sufficient force such that one tooth can ride on the other tooth. Cartridge valve assembly.