MXPA98003162A - Water leak reposition set for empot mixing valves - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a replacement set of water leakage-proof flow control mechanism for mixing valves embedded in the wall, said mixing valves being of the type comprising: a pair of elbows of separate valves, recessed in the wall, having a t end connected to the water supply and a second end internally threaded to ensure a flow control mechanism, wherein each valve body has two cavities defined internally and in fluid communication by means of a radial opening threaded, the t cavity is in fluid communication with the water supply pipe while the second cavity communicates with the water outlet pipe, a control mechanism to control the water flow of the mixer valves, characterized by a replacement set of flow control mechanism comprising: a valve seat of elongated shape having an ext rowing proximal and a distal end, said distal end of the valve seat has a threaded portion for connecting to the threaded radial opening of the valve body, wherein said valve seat further includes a centrally formed hole for conducting water from the t cavity to the second cavity through said radial opening of the valve body, a ceramic disk cartridge for controlling the flow of water coming from the t cavity of the valve body through the valve seat orifice, wherein said cartridge ceramic discs is able to be coupled to the proximal end of the valve seat in a sealed manner but in fluid communication with said orifices to allow or block the flow to the second cavity of the valve body, said ceramic cartridge further includes a drive rod; coupling of irregular cylindrical shape having a distant end and a proximal end, the extremity or distant from the coupling has outside and inside diameters and the proximal end has outside and inside diameters greater than the outside and inside diameters of the distal end, the inside diameters of the coupling being greater than the outside diameter of both the ceramic disc cartridge and the valve seat to form a radial space between these and the inner wall of the coupling when installed inside it, where the ceramic disc cartridge is coupled to the proximal end of the coupling while the distal end of the coupling is coupled to the second end of the valve body to maintain the cartridge of ceramic discs and the valve seat in a functional position, a sealing gasket disposed between the second end of the valve body and the outer surface of the coupling to form a hermetic seal therebetween; a decorative escutcheon which is secured to the outer surface of the coupling at its proximal end, and a handle insurable to the stem and driving the ceramic disc cartridge by means of a clamping element

Description

SET OF REPOSITION AGAINST LEAKS OF WATER FOR VALVES RECESSED MIXERS FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to back-up kits for use in flush-mounted mixing valves and, in particular, back-up kits for water leaks in mixing valves such as shower and tub.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A number of water mixing valves for shower and tub are known in the art, provided with old mechanisms, useful for use in hotel bathrooms, private homes, schools, etc. This type of valves with old mechanisms are usually embedded in the wall of the bathroom of hotels, private houses, schools, etc. The main purpose of said mixing valves is to open or close their internal mechanism to allow or restrict, respectively, the passage of water flow, thus regulating the temperature of the water leaving the user. However, the mechanism used by the devices of the state of the art to allow or prevent the flow of the fluid has certain drawbacks due, mainly, to the type of materials used for its construction. One of the disadvantages generally found, is produced by the wear and deformation of the seal packs due to the pressure exerted by the user when opening and closing the valves, and the temperature of the liquid that passes through the packing, resulting in leakages of Water. Generally, seal packages for mixing valves with old mechanisms are made of plastic or thermoplastic materials. In this way, the pressure exerted by the user when closing the valves is generally transmitted through the valve stem comprising at its end the seal packing, which upon entering the valve seat will start a compression stage, due to its elastic or flexible properties, to seal the outlet of the water. Conversely, by releasing the pressure exerted on the seal package, it will expand to try to recover its original dimensions before compression. However, this cycle of opening and closing the mixing valves will deteriorate the elastic and recovery characteristics of the seal packaging, causing its wear, deformation and the potential failure that results in the leakage of water. In addition, another important factor to consider is the temperature of the water, every time when the seal packaging is subjected to the handling of hot water (which can reach temperatures of approximately 50-70 ° C), this generally presents greater wear and deformation in the packing seal Therefore, the user has to frequently change their old valve valve packages to solve this problem. In general, most of the efforts of the state of the art have focused solely and exclusively on the development of new mechanisms of mixing valves that are more efficient and require less maintenance for proper operation. In order to carry out the replacement of the mixing valves with old mechanisms for which they have more efficient mechanisms, it is necessary to break the wall covering (for example, flattening, tile, marble, etc.) in order to change the old and obsolete recessed valve. This is clear, without considering the high cost for its replacement.

However, there is still an imperative need for mechanisms or replacement parts for mixing valves with old mechanisms, which efficiently, easily and cheaply solve the defects of the prior art.

OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION Taking into account the shortcomings of the prior art, it is an object of the present invention to provide a set of replacement against water leaks for flush mixing valves of simple construction and operation, and yet, high efficiency to eliminate leaks of Water. Another object of the present invention is to provide a set of replacement against water leakage for flush mixing valves that reduces maintenance by preventing valve packing changes, and improve the operation of the valve by providing the opening with a turn of a quarter turn, thus reducing the effort to open and close. Still another object of the present invention is to provide a water leak replacement kit for flush mixing valves that improves appearance, by providing the possibility of changing the escutcheons and handles for new designs. A further object of the present invention is to provide a set of replacement against water leakage for flush-mounted mixing valves that prevents breaking the wall to change the old flush valve. Still another object of the present invention is to provide a set of replacement against water leaks for flush mixing valves that includes a cartridge of ceramic discs of high strength and durability (for life).

Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a water leak replacement set for flush mixing valves that eliminates the need to disable the use of the rooms due to repairs to change the old flush valve. The above objects, as well as other objects and advantages of the invention, are achieved by providing a set of water leakage replacement for flush mixing valves using the valve body already existing in the wall. The replacement set of the present invention is formed by a valve seat, a packing, a copy, a cartridge of ceramic discs. The replacement kit takes advantage of the valve body used by the old mechanism to save costs involved in the change of the flush and masonry mixing valve and materials for its placement, in addition to incorporating additional elements to give a renewed appearance with current designs. Unlike the prior art, the valve seat forming the spare set of the present invention will not directly influence the control of water flow from the supply pipe to the outlet pipe. For this reason, water leaks are eliminated because a package moved through a rod that stops against a valve seat is not used, said package subject to wear and deformation resulting in water leakage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The aspects that are considered characteristic of the present invention will be established with particularity in the appended claims. However, the invention itself, both by its organization, together with other objects and advantages of it, is TM will be better understood in the following description of certain embodiments, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a front elevational view of the flush-mounted mixing valve of the prior art. 5 Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 2-2, of the assembly of the flush-mounted mixing valve of the prior art. Figure 3 is a partial schematic view of Figure 2, showing the rod, seal packing and valve seat of the flush-mounted mixing valve of the prior art. Figure 4 is an exploded view of the water leakage replenishment kit for flush mixing valves of the present invention. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the copy shown in Figure 4 of the water leakage replenishment kit for flush-mounted mixing valves of the present invention. Figure 5a is a front view of the copy shown in Figure 5. Figure 6 is a side elevational view of the valve stem of Figure 4, of the water leakage replenishment kit for flush-mounted mixing valves of the present invention. Figure 6a is a front view of the rod shown in Figure 6. Figure 7 is a partial schematic view showing the assembled components of the water leakage back-up kit for flush-mounted mixing valves of the present invention. Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the assembly of the water leakage back-up kit for flush-mounted mixing valves of the present invention, placed in position within the valve body of the prior art.

Figure 9 is a top plan view showing both the water leakage replenishment kit for flush-mounted mixing valves of the present invention and the flush-mounted valve with the old mechanism.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODALITY Referring to the drawings, particularly to Figure 1, there is shown a flush-mounted mixing valve 1 of the state of the art in its position of use, that is, installed on the wall (not shown) of the bathroom. The flush mixing valve 1 comprises a pair of valve bodies separated from each other, each valve body includes in its interior a mechanism (not shown) to allow or block the outlet of the water flow. In general, the flush-mounted mixing valves have a decorative escutcheon 3 and a handle 5 for actuating the mechanism to allow or block the outlet of the water flow. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of Figure 1 of one of the flush-mounted mixing valves to reveal their internal construction. As seen from Figure 2, the valve 7 with the old mechanism generally comprises a valve body 9 and a control mechanism. The control mechanism of said mixing valve is housed inside the valve body 9. The control mechanism of the valve is formed by a rod 15, a valve seat 19, a seal packing 17, a guide nut 11 and a stope nut 13. In addition, the flush mixing valve 7 comprises additional elements such as a tube for covering the rod 21, a escutcheon 23 and a handle 25, which give it a special aesthetic appearance. The valve body 9 has an elbowed shape open at its ends, for the purpose of forming connections with the supply pipe, with the outlet pipe to eRK the shower or the tub, and with the control mechanism. Typically, the valve body 9 comprises two cavities therein in fluid communication through a threaded radial opening. The cavity 29 communicates through one end of the valve body 9 with the water distribution pipe of the supply network, while the cavity 31 communicates with the outlet pipe to the shower or tub through another end of the pipe. valve body 9. However, the radial opening formed between the two cavities has as its main function that of receiving the valve seat 19, which in combination with the rest of the control mechanism controls the flow of water from the supply pipe. to the outlet pipe to the shower or tub. The control mechanism is connected to the end of the valve body 9 that emerges from the wall (the end visible to the user), while the other ends remain hidden from the user. The valve seat 19 is placed inside the valve body 9 precisely in the radial opening of the valve body communicating to the cavities 29 and 31, the valve seat 19 comprises a hole in its middle part for allow the passage of water when the rest of the control mechanism is driven to its open position. The guide nut 11 is connected to the end of the valve body 9 which is visible to the user. The guide nut 11 has a hole formed therein having two different diameters. The smaller diameter of the hole of the guide nut 11 is of such dimension that it serves to receive through it the rod 15, while the larger diameter is is intended to threadably support the stuffing nut 13. This combination of guide nut 11, rod 15 and butt nut 13 together form a closure wall that allows the water to be directed towards the outlet pipe to the shower or tub. Preferably, the smaller diameter orifice of the guide nut 11 receiving the rod 15 also has a thread formed in its inner wall, which in combination with the helical cords of the rod 15 (see figures 2 and 3) will allow the controlled movement of the control mechanism of the mixing valve. The rod 15 of the control mechanism is an elongated cylindrical body comprising helical cords on its surface. The exact location of the helical cords in the rod 15 will be located in such a way that they correspond to the thread of the guide nut 11 (Figure 3). The rod 15 has a distal end and a proximal end. At the distal end of the rod 15 is a seal packing 17, while at the proximal end the handle 25 is provided, which is secured to the rod 15 by a screw 27. The seal packing 15 serves to seal the hole of the valve seat 19, thus preventing the passage of water to the cavity 31 and, consequently, to the outlet pipe to the shower. Therefore, the seal packing must be made of a flexible but pressure-resistant material exerted by both the rod and the water pressure. During the operation of the flush mixing valve with an old mechanism to allow water to escape, the user will normally turn the handle 25 as many turns as are necessary to separate the seal packing 17 from the valve seat 19, thus allowing the water to pass through. through the orifice of the valve seat towards the cavity 31 of the valve body, to be subsequently led by the outlet pipe to the shower or tub. This rotational movement of the handle 25 is transmitted by the rod 15 through the combination of the helical cords of the rod and the thread of the guide nut 11. The rod upon unscrewing retracts the seal packing disposed at the distal end of the rod 15 of the valve seat 19, thereby allowing the flow of water to flow through the orifice of the valve seat 19. Conversely, when the user wishes to close the mixing valve he will rotate in the opposite direction the handle 25 and the seal packing will press against the orifice of the valve seat, thus plugging the water flow. However, the continuous operation of the mixing valve is wearing out the seal packing. This wear also causes deformation of the seal packages due to the pressure exerted by the user when opening and closing the valves, in addition to the deformation caused by the hot water supply. All these factors lead to the deterioration of the seal packing characteristics, resulting in the potential failure of the hermetic seal that forms the packing and that produces water leakage. Therefore, the user has to disassemble the control mechanism to frequently change the packaging , of your valve to eliminate water leaks. Referring to Figure 4 therein are shown the parts that make up the set of replacement against water leaks in mixing valves of the present invention. Only the parts making up the spare set are shown, since the present invention will make use of the valve body embedded in the wall. As seen from Figure 4 the replacement set 100 of the present invention comprises a valve seat 41, a packing 43, a copy 45, a cartridge of ceramic discs 47 and an escutcheon 49. The copy 45 of the replacement set 100 of the present invention, as seen in FIGS. 5 and 5a, is irregular cylindrical in shape. The copy 45 of the replacement kit 100 has a distal end 51 and a proximal end 53. The distal end 51 of the copy 45 has an inside diameter "d", while the proximal end 53 of the copy 45 has an inside diameter "D" which is larger than the inner diameter "d" of the distal end 51. This difference in diameters allows for the proper insertion of both the ceramic disc cartridge 47 at the proximal end 53 and the packing 43 and the valve seat 41 at the distal end 51 ( see Figure 7). The proximal end of the copy 45 further includes a threaded section 59 for the assembly of the ceramic disc cartridge 47. Preferably, the dimension of the diameters d and D will be greater than those of the valve seat 41 and the ceramic disc cartridge 47, respectively, thus forming a radial space between these and the inner wall of the copy 45 to allow the flow of water. In addition, the copy 45 of the replacement set 100 of the present invention comprises on its outer surface threads 55 and 57, formed in those uniform portions of said copy 45. The thread 55 of the copy 45 will serve to receive and maintain in its position the escutcheon 49. The thread 57 of the copy 45 will serve to install and fix the spare set 100 of the present invention in the internal thread of the existing valve body to which it is desired to replace the old mechanism. The external diameter of the copy 45 can be varied, however, it will be dictated by the internal diameter of the escutcheon to be used and the internal diameter of the valve body to which it is connected. The ceramic disc cartridge 47 employed in the present invention can be any type of ceramic cartridge commercially available in the market. Preferably, the ceramic disc cartridge used in the present invention is manufactured by the STRC and CICI companies. This ceramic cartridge is assembled in the upper or near end of the copy 45 and seals in the upper part of the valve seat 41. Because the ceramic cartridge is known to those skilled in the art, we will not go into detail as to its structure and functioning. Figures 6 and 6a show the valve seat 41 of the replacement kit 100 of the present invention. The valve seat 41 is formed by an elongated metal bar comprising a proximal end 61 and a distal end 63. The proximal end 61 of the valve seat 41 is generally flared which will serve as a receiver or seat of the ceramic disc cartridge 47. The distal end of the valve seat comprises a spreading on which a thread 65 is formed, said thread 65 serving to assemble the valve seat 41 with the hole comprised in the valve body (See Figures 7 and 8). In addition, the valve seat has a central hole 67 that runs its length from the proximal end 61 to the distant end 63.

The hole 67 is generally circular in shape. However, the shape of the hole in the proximal end of the valve seat 41 is hexagonal, for the purpose of being able to insert a tool to place the valve seat in the valve body. The gasket 43 (Figure 4) is placed between the body of the valve 200 and the bottom of the copy 45 to form an airtight seal therebetween. The package 43 can be made of natural or synthetic rubber, plastic materials, etc. Preferably, the package 43 is made of neoprene. Figure 8 shows the spare set of the present invention in its condition already installed inside the valve body 81 already recessed in the wall, ie the existing valve body of the mixing valves of the state of the art. As seen from Figure 8, the valve 81 comprises a valve body 200 of the prior art and a water leakage control mechanism 202 of the present invention. The control mechanism 202 takes advantage of the valve body 200 used by the old mechanism to save costs involved in the change of the flush and masonry mixing valve and materials for its placement. An important change with respect to the state of the art is that the spare set or control mechanism 202 is formed Only by a rod 241, a seal packing 243, a copy 245 and a ceramic disc cartridge 247. Further, the flush mixing valve including the novel control mechanism 202 of the present invention, comprises additional elements such as a escutcheon 249 and a handle (not shown), to give it a fresh look with current designs. The valve body 200 as described above, comprises two internal cavities 229 and 231 in fluid communication through a threaded radial opening 230. Similarly, the radial opening 230 has the main function of assembling the distal end of the seat valve 241. However, unlike the prior art, valve seat 241 will not directly influence the flow of water from the supply pipe to the outlet pipe. For this reason, water leaks are eliminated due to the fact that a package moved by means of a rod that rests against a valve seat is not used, said package subject to wear and deformation resulting in water leakage. The spare set or control mechanism 202 is connected to the end of the valve body 200 which is visible to the user. The valve seat 241 is placed inside the valve body 200 and assembled through the distal end of the valve seat precisely in the radial opening 230 of said valve body 200. Subsequently, the lower part of the copy 245 is assembled carrying the 243 seal packaging with the outside of the valve body 200, on the top of the copy 245 the ceramic disc cartridge 247 is assembled. Once the cartridge 247 including the seal packing with the copy 245 is assembled, the assemble the lower part of the ceramic disc cartridge 247 with the distal end of the valve seat until said lower part of the cartridge 247 engages the distal end of the valve seat. During the operation of the flush mixing valve with the replacement set of the present invention, the user will turn the handle a quarter turn to allow water to flow through the hole formed in the valve seat 241 toward the ceramic cartridge 247 , wherein the water flows between the ceramic cartridge 247 and the free space between it and the inner wall of the copy 245, the liquid being directed towards the cavity 231 of the body. This rotational movement of the handle is only transmitted to the cartridge 247. Due to the great advantages of this spare set or control mechanism, movement of different parts and the use of packing to seal the flow of water is avoided, thus avoiding the wear and deformation of the mobile components that form the mixing valve, and eliminating any possibility of water leakage.

In Figure 9 the utility of the water leakage replenishment kit for flush-mounted mixing valves of the present invention compared with the mixing valve with the old mechanism is shown. Although a specific embodiment of the present invention has been shown and described in detail by way of example, it should be understood that the present is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the intention is not to limit the invention to the particular form described, but instead to cover all the modifications, equivalents and alternatives that fall within the scope of the invention as claimed by the appended claims.

Claims (8)

* CLAIMS

1. A set of replacement against water leaks for flush-mounted mixing valves of the type comprising a pair of separate valve bodies 5 to each other, each valve body includes in its interior a mechanism to open or close the fluid flow, wherein the flush mixing valves also have in their visible part the user a decorative escutcheon and a handle to operate the mechanism to open % or close the flow of the fluid, the valve body having a layered shape open at its ends to form connections with the feed pipe, with the outlet pipe at 10 the shower or tub and with the control mechanism, wherein the valve body comprises two internal cavities in fluid communication through a threaded radial opening, communicating one of the cavities with the water distribution pipe through a end of the valve body, while the other cavity communicates with the outlet pipe to the shower or tub through another end of said valve body, characterized 15 the reset kit because it comprises: * a control mechanism that is connected to the end of the valve body exiting the wall, wherein said control mechanism includes a valve seat, a copy, a packing, a cartridge ceramic disk, a escutcheon and a handle; wherein the valve seat comprises a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end of the valve seat being threadably connected to the radial opening of the valve body communicating to the two cavities formed therein; the ceramic disk cartridge is assembled at the proximal end of the copy and seals at the near end of the valve seat, the ceramic disk cartridge comprising a rod; 25 the packing is located between the valve body and the bottom of the copy% to form a hermetic seal between them; the copy has a distal end and a proximal end, the copy being of cylindrical irregular shape, wherein the distal end of the copy has an inner diameter "d", while the proximal end has an inner diameter "D" which is greater than inner diameter "d" of the distal end, this difference in diameters permitting the proper insertion of both the ceramic disc cartridge at the proximal end and the packing and the valve seat at the distal end; Y the escutcheon and the handle are the decorative elements of the replacement kit, wherein the escutcheon is secured when copied, while the handle is secured to the stem of the ceramic disc cartridge by means of a fastening element.

2. The water leakage replenishment kit for flush-mounted mixing valves, according to claim 1, further characterized in that the proximal end of the copy further includes a threaded section for the assembly of the ceramic disc cartridge. 15

3. The replacement set against water leaks for mixing valves * of embedding, according to claim 1, further characterized in that the dimension of the diameters d and D will be greater than those of the valve seat and the ceramic disc cartridge, respectively, thus forming a radial space between these and the wall inside of the copy to allow the free flow of the fluid towards the 20 cavities of the valve body.

4. The water leakage replenishment kit for flush-mounted mixing valves, according to claim 1, further characterized in that the copy of the replacement set comprises on its external surface threads formed in those uniform portions of said copy, one of which the threads of the copy to receive and 25 keep the escutcheon in position, while the other thread will serve to install and fix the spare set in the internal thread of the existing valve body to which it is desired to replace the old mechanism.

5. The water leakage replenishment kit for flush-mounted mixing valves, according to claim 1, further characterized in that the valve seat of the replacement set is formed by an elongated metal bar, wherein the proximal end of the seat of the The valve is generally flared to serve as a receiver or seat for the ceramic disc cartridge.

6. The water leakage replenishment set for flush-mounted mixing valves, according to claim 1, further characterized in that the distal end of the valve seat comprises a widening that includes a thread, said thread serving to assemble the valve seat with the hole included in the valve body.

7. The water leakage replenishment kit for flush-mounted mixing valves, according to claim 1, further characterized in that the valve seat has a centrally formed orifice that runs its length from the proximal end to the distal end to allow the Water passage when the rest of the control mechanism when driven to its open position, said orifice in the valve seat being of generally circular shape, and where the proximal end of the valve seat further comprises an orifice of larger diameter than the orifice centrally formed to insert a tool to place the valve seat in the valve body.

8. The water leakage replenishment kit for flush-mounted mixing valves, according to claim 1, further characterized in that the package is made of natural or synthetic rubber and resistant plastic materials, preferably the package is made of neoprene.