US2009651A - Tub and shower fitting - Google Patents

Description

July 30 '1935' l.. CONDE Er AL 2,009,651

TUB AND sHowER FITTING l Filed March 29,.l 1934 4 sheets-sheet` 1 July 30, 1935. CONDE Er AL 2,009,651

y TUB AND SHOWER FITTING Filed March 29, 1934 4 sheets-sheet 2 July 30, 1935. CONDE Er A1.. 2,009,651

TUB AND SHOWER FITTING Filed March 29', 1954 4 sheets-smet '3 July 30, 11935. L. CONDE Er AL TUB AND SHOWER FITTING Filed March 29, 1954 4 sheets-sheet 4 Patented July 3o, 1935 TUB AND SHOWER FITTING Loie Cond and Chester W. Hathaway, Decatur, Ill., assignors to Mueller Co., Decatur, Ill., a

corporation of Illinois Application March 29, 1934, serial No. 718,049

13 Claims.

The present invention relates to fluid controlling and regulating devices and as here shown is disclosed in connection with a combination bath tub and shower xture. .K

In the drawings herewith, are shown several adaptations of the invention, but it will be understood that these are merely illustrative and in no sense restrictive, as the invention may be developed in various mechanical ways.

Inv the drawings:

Figure l is a view in elevation of so much of a tub and shower xture as is necessary to illustrate my invention, portions of the fixture being in section to show the interior make-up and assembly.

Figure 2 is a View on an enlarged scale of the valve chamber and valve.

Figure 3 is a sectional view on substantially the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Figure 4 is a view in side elevation of a tub and shower fixture with a mixing valve, having my invention applied thereto. s

Figure 5 is a view in sideelevation, the parts being in section of so much of a fixture as is necessary to show the regulating or back pressure valve between the shower and tub spout disposed at a different point in the waterway, and

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 4 showing the regulating or back pressure valve between the shower and the tub spout disposed at another point in the waterway. I Referring to the drawings by numbers, like numbers referring to like parts in the several views, 4II) indicates any usual tub fixture having cold and hot water supplies and provided with a tub spout Il. Extending upwardly from the fixture I0 and here shown as formed integral and in vertical alignment with the spout outlet is a shower pipe I 2 having a valve chamber. From this valve chamber extends a pipe leading to the shower.

The spout II will be provided Vat any suitable point with a valve I3 adapted to be manipulated to open and close the spout and act, when closed, as a diverter to divert water to the valve chamber and shower pipe. As this diverter valve I3 may be of any usual or suitable type, either manually operated or automatic, which will serve to open and close the spout passage, it is unnecessary to illustrate or describe it in detail.

The shower pipe I2 is provided at any suitable point in its length, with a valve casing I4 having a valve seat I5 against which is seated a back pressure valve I6 provided with a stem I1 passing through a member I8 which serves to guide the stem, said member I8 being preferably screwthreaded into the inwardly projecting lugs I9 integral with the wall of the valve casing, which lugs are spaced as shown in Figure 2 to provide water passages 20. Between the member I8 and- 5 the valve I6 is a spring 2l tending to hold the valve always to its seat and this spring 2| may be graduated as to strength to meet the different water pressures encountered in different localities and graduate the opening of the valve I6` in accordance with these varying pressures. This is readily accomplished by determining the pressure in the particular locality where the installation is to be made and providing a spring of the requisite strength to take care of such pressures. Depending from the valve I6 is a sleeve 22 which has a sliding t with the port or passage through the web 23. 'Ihe sleeve 22 is provided Awith one'or more water passages 24, two being here shown which, when the valve is seated as shown in Figure 1, are closed, but when the valve is xovedV to its upper position, as shown in Figure 3, are opened to provide waterways into the valve chamber. Depending from the valve I6 is a sleeve 22 having a sliding fit with the port or passage through the web 23. This perforated sleeve 22 has two functions. It keeps the water substantially shut off until the valve has reached its full open position, whereupon water will ow through the openings 24 past the valve I6. It has the further function of substantially shutting off the water on downward movement of the valve I6 before the latter reaches its seat, thus acting as a preliminary valve to prevent wire drawing of the valve and hammering. It will be seen that the openings 24 are disposed symmetrically relative to each other, the two openings. here shown being on opposite sides of the sleeve in balanced relation so that there will be no tendency in opening or closing of the valve to lateral movement of the valve. Furthermore, the openings are of a shape, here shown as round, to give a gradually decreasing area toward their ends, thus providing for a gradual opening and closing of flow through such openings and past the valve.

In thexture described the water coming from the supply faucets will normally flow through the spout I I, it being understood that the diverter valve I3 in the tub spout will be normally open and the spring valve I6 will be closed, as shown in Figure I, shutting oil? communication to the shower, the valve closing spring 2| being so regulated relative to the water pressure that when the spout II is open, back-pressure coming from the 55 supply will be insufficient to raise the check valve I6 When it is desired to use the shower the diverter valve I3 will be closed and the pressure of the water at once diverted to the valve I6 lead.- ing to the shower. The closing of the tub spout and diversion of the water to the shower will, of course, build up sufficient pressure to raise the valve I6 from the closed position shownin Fig,- ure 1 to the open position shown in Figure 2 and permit the water to pass to the shower. When the supply is turned off or the diverter valve I3 is again opened, the spring check valve I6 will immediately close and cut off all communication with theshower pipe.

The form of the invention shown in Figure 4 is identical, so far as the valve controlling .the shower passage is concerned, with that shown in the disclosure in Figures 1, 2, and 3, but it is` adapted to tub and shower xtures of the mixing valve type.

In Figure 4, 25 indicates a mixing valve of any suitable or desired type, which mixing valve receives hot and cold water supplies from the iinlet pipes 26, conventionally shown, in the usual manner. The pipe 21 delivers from the mixing valve to the tu'b spout 28, which is provided with any desired type of diverter valve 29, either manual or automatic, which will serve to close the tub spout and divert the water to the shower.

From the mixing valve the shower pipe 30 extends upwardly and at any suitable point in the shower pipe 30, preferably, as herev shown, adjacent the-mixing valve casing is the valve casing 3I containing the valve 32 identical in all respects with that valve heretofore described in connection with the adaptation shown in Figures 1 and 2. The same operation takes place as described in connection with the other adaptations. When the diverter valve 29 is open the ow will be to the tub and the valve 32 will be held to its seat and prevent passage of water to the shower. On closing of the diverter valve 29, the water will be diverted against the valve 32 which will be opened and permit the water to pass to valve chamber 3I and the shower pipe. On cutting off the water supply or opening of the diverter valve 29, the valve 3| will immediately return to its seat and close the passage to the shower.

It will be seen that by means of a back pressure y valve in the waterway normal flow will be always through the tub spout and the shower pipe and shower will not be subjected to pressure tending to cause dripping at the shower head, for with the back pressure valve closed and the diverter Avalve in the tub spout open, there can be no pressure in the shower pipe and shower head.

In the adaptation of. the invention shown in Figure 5, the invention is adapted to a concealed fixture located behind the wall indicated by the line 33, tub spout 34, and waterway 35 being provided to which waterway the supply inlet 36 delivers, and if hot and cold water be used or a mixing valve provided, there will, of course, be two inlets 36 opposed to each other, for the hot and cold water and delivering to the waterway 35.

Let into the waterway at a point between the tub spout and the shower connection 31 is the regulating or back pressure valve 38 identical in construction and operation with the valve heretofore described.

In order that access may be had to the valve 38 for repair, replacement, or adjustment, where the fixtures are concealed behind the wall, as

tshown in Figure 5, there is provided an extension 39 projecting, as here shown, at substantially right angles, to the supply pipes 35 and 31 for the tub spout and shower, this extension 39 being provided with a closure cap 40 at its outer end. It will be observed that the valve 38 is disposed at right angles to the -main waterway or supply pipe and is aligned and centered with respect to the extension 39 so that it is readily accessible by removing the cap 40 and then by suitable tools' the valve 38 may be adjusted or manipulated or bodily removed through the extension 39, thus doing away with the necessity of having to work in the confined space behind the wall, or providing a Work opening in the face of the wall 33, as

In this adaptation of the invention the partsA are concealed behind the wall 4I, tub spout 42 projecting therefrom and receiving its supply from the waterway or supply pipe 43 which has the inlet 444, and if hot and cold-water is to be used, two inlets to control these supplies, the water supply being controlled by suitable faucets, not shown, which will project through the wall in the usual manner, or if a mixing valve be used, by means of the mixing valve, the handle of which will project through the wall in convenient position for manipulation,A as shown in the form of the invention disclosed in Figure 4.

'Ihe regulating and backpressure valve 45 is identical in its internal make-up and operation with the valve heretofore shown and described, and is mounted in a fitting 46 provided with a valve seat, seating spring, and a member to serve as a valve guide, exactly as in the construction heretofore described. The fitting 46 is provided at its ends with coupling means designed to be coupled into the shower arm, as shown, and that coupling means may be any usual desired type, there being here shown a screw threaded coupling 41. The fitting may be provided with any suitable means for setting. it up or removing it, as for example, a nut portion 48 may be provided if desired.

With the back pressure valve disposed as shown in Figures 5 and 6, there will be no pressure exerted in the shower pipe or head when the valve is closed, which pressure would tend to cause dripping at the shower head, and the supply pipes behind the back pressure valve can, of course, drain downwardly to the tub spout.

Such departures from the constructions here disclosed as amount only to mechanical skill may be made without departing from the range of the invention.

We claim:-

l. In a combined tub and shower fixture, the combination'of a fluid delivery member having a tub outlet member and a shower outlet member, an inlet member to supply said tub and shower members, a diverter valve controlling flow from said tub outlet member, and a normally closed valve controlling flow in said shower outlet member whichl opens under fluid pressure when said diverter valve' is closed.

2. In a combined tub and shower fixture, the combination of a fluid delivery member having a tub outlet member and a shower outlet member,

an inlet member to supply said tub and shower members, a manually-operated diverter valve controlling flow from said tub outlet member, and a normally closed automatically operable valve controlling flow in said shower outlet member which opens under fluid pressure when said manuallyoperated diverter valve is closed.

3. In a combined tub and shower fixture, the combination of a fluid delivery member having a tub outlet member and a shower outlet member, an inlet member to supply said tub and shower members, a diverter valve in said tub outlet member controlling flow therefrom, and a normally closed automatically operable valve in said shower outlet member controlling ow thereto which opens under fluid pressure when said diverter valve is closed.

4. In a combined tub and shower fixture, the combination of a fluid delivery member having a tub outlet member and ashower `outlet member provided with a valve chamber, anV inlet member to supply said tub and shower members, a diverter valve in said tub outlet member controlling flow therefrom, and a normally closed spring valve in the valve chamber of said shower outlet member which opens under fluid pressure when said diverter valve is closed.

5. In a combined tub and shower xture, the combination of a fluid delivery member having a tub outlet member and a shower outlet member provided with a valve chamber, a diverter valve in-said tub outlet member controlling flow `therefrom, a normally closed spring valve in the valve chamber of said shower outlet member which opens under fluid pressure when said diverter valve is closed, and means for guiding the movements of said spring valve in said valve chamber.

6. In acombined tub and shower fixture, the combination of a fluid delivery member having a tub outlet member and a shower outlet member provided with a valve chamber, a diverter valve in said tub outlet member controlling flow therefrom, a normally closed spring valve in the valve chamber of said shower outlet member which opens under fluid pressure when said diverter valve is closed, and means above and below said spring valve for guiding its movements in said valve chamber. l

'7. In a combinedtub and shower fixture, the combination oi a fluid delivery member having a tub outlet member and a shower outlet member provided with a valve chamber, an inlet member to supply said tub and shower members, a diverter valve in said tub outlet member controlling flow therefrom, a normally closed spring valve controlling flow in said shower outlet member which opens under fluid pressure, when said diverter valve is closed, and a hollow port-engaging valveFguiding sleeve projecting from said valve member.

8. In a combined tub and shower xture, the combination of a fluid delivery member having a tub outlet member, a shower outlet member provided with a valve chamber, an inlet member to supply said tub and shower members, a diverter valve in said tub outlet member controllingflow therefrom, a normally closed spring valve controlling flow in said shower outlet member which opens under fluid pressure when said diverter valve is closed, and a hollow port-engaging valve-guiding sleeve provided with apertures to effect gradual reduction of. now during closing movement of said valve.

9. In a combined tub and shower xture, the combination of a fluid delivery member having a. tub outlet member and a shower outlet member provided with a. valve chamber, an inlet me ber to supply said tub and shower members, a diverter valve in said tub outlet member controlling ow therefrom, a normally closed Valve controlling flow in said shower outlet member which opens under iluid pressure when said diverter valve is closed, and a tool receiving chamber having a removable closure to permit accessibility to said valve when said closure is removed.

10. In a combined tub and shower fixture adapted to be concealed behind a wall, the combination of a fluid delivery member, a tub outlet member projecting through the wall, a shower outlet member projecting through the wall and provided with a valve chamber, a tool receiving chamber member extending from said `valve chamber member through the wall to permit accessibility to a valve in said chamber, an inlet member to supply said tub and shower members,

a diverter valve in said tub outlet member controlling ow therefrom, and a normally closed valve controlling flow from said shower outlet member which opens under fluid pressure when said diverter valve is closed.

l1. In a combined tub and shower fixture adapted to be concealed behind a wall, the combination of a fluid delivery member having a tub outlet member and a shower outlet member provided with a valve chamber member disposed between said tub and shower outlets at an angle thereto, a tool receiving chamber member communicating with said valve chamber and projecting through the wall to permit accessibility to said valve, an inlet member to supply said tub and shower members, a diverter valve in said tub outlet controlling flow therefrom, land a normally closed valve in saidA outlet which opens under fluid pressure when said diverter valve is closed.

12. In a combined tubs and shower fixture adapted to be concealed behind a wall, the combination of a fluid delivery member having a tub outlet member and a shower outlet member provided with a valve chamber member disposed between said tub and shower outlets at an angle thereto, a tool receiving chamber member aligned with said valve chamber and projecting through the wall to permit accessibility to said valve, an inlet member to supply said tub and shower members, a diverter valve in said tub outlet controlling fiow therefrom, and a normally closed valve in said outlet which opens under fluid pressure when said diverter valve is closed.

13. In a combined tub and shower fixture adapted. to be concealed behind a wall, the combination of a fluid delivery member having a tub outlet member and a shower outlet member, a valve chamber member disposed betweenV said tub outlet and said shower outlet at right angles thereto, a tool receiving. chamber member disposed in line with said valve chamber and projecting through the wall to permit accessibility to said valve, an inlet member to supply said tub and shower members, a diverter valve in said tub outlet controlling flow therefrom, and a normally lclosed valve in said outlet which opens under fluid'pressure when said diverter valve is closed.

LoIE coND. CHESTER w. HA'IHAWAY.

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