US2987079A - Single lever faucet - Google Patents

Description

June 6, 1961 o. v. PAGE SINGLE LEVER FAUCET '2 Sheets-Sheet 1 r: 4} 1/5 INVENTOR. 4 I l a 24 05144440 v. PAGE BY tag; .5 a0 4 0 L\ 83 M w 94M ATTOENEYS June 6, 1961 Filed Feb. 5, 1959 o. v. PAGE 2,987,079

SINGLE LEVER FAUCET 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 *lllli N 266A xw INVEN TOR.

OSWALD l4 PAGE W, W z 1 ATTORNEYS United tates Filed Feb. 5, 1959, Ser. No. 791,312 3 Claims. (Cl. 137625.17)

This invention relates to fluid controls and more particularly to a new and improved fluid control valve wherein a single lever is actuatable to operate the valve and provide a regulated fluid output flow of one fluid or of a mixture of a plurality of fluids.

A primary object of the present invention is the provision of a new and improved fluid control valve especially designed for use with a plurality of different temperatured fluid inlet sources and wherein said valve has a single lever that is actuatable in one direction to control the volume of output fluid flow of one or a mixture of said plurality of fluids and actuatable in another direction to pre-select the proportionate amount of the fluid and/or fluids in said output flow.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved single lever control valve especially designed for use with a plurality of different temperatured fluids as referred to in the last object, and wherein the volume of fluid output flow for said mixture of fluids may be variably selected by operation of said lever in said one direction without effecting the proportioning adjustment made to said lever.

Still another object of the present invention is the provision of a new and improved fluid control especially designed for use with a plurality of different temperatured fluid inlet sources, and wherein said control has fluid control valve means which are actuatable by a single lever in one direction to an on position to provide a pre-selected volume of output fluid flow of one or of a mixture of said plurality of fluids, and actuatable while in said on position, in another direction, to pre-select a proportionate amount of the fluid and/ or fluids in said fluid output flow.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved single lever control valve for use with a plurality of fluid inlet sources which, when not performing a mixing function prevents any commingling of said fluid inlet sources.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a new and improved single lever fluid control and mixing valve as referred to in the above objects and further characterized by its structural simplicity, the ease of assembly of its parts and apparent low cost of manufacture.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be realized by one skilled in the art to which it pertains upon reference to the following description of several preferred embodiments thereof and to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of one form of single lever fluid control valve embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view taken approximately on line 2-2 of FIG. 1, however, with the valve stem moved to its on position;

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the form of sealing pad used with the valve of FIG. 1, with said pad removed from the valve to more clearly show its configuration;

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of a second embodiment of single lever fluid control valve embodying the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view taken atent substantially on line 4-4 of FIG. 3 with the valve stem moved on its on position, and turned to a mixing" position;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view of a third embodiment of single lever fluid control valve embodying the present invention and shown in its fully closed position;

FIG. 6 is a transverse section view taken substantially through the plane of line 66 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view of a fourth embodiment of single lever control valve embodying the present invention and which is also shown in its fully closed position;

FIG. 8 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially through the plane of line 8-8 in FIG. 7;

FIG. 8A is a perspective view of the sealing pad utilized in the valve embodiment of FIGS. 7 and 8;

FIG. 8B is a perspective view similar to FIG. 8A but showing the opposite side of the sealing pad;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view of a fifth embodiment of fluid control valve embodying the present invention and also shown in its fully closed position;

FIG. 10 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially on line 1010 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary longitudinal view of an alternate form of valve stem especially designed for use With the control valve of FIG. 1 showing the side configuration of the fluid diverting portion of said stem; while FIG. 12 is a view similar to FIG. 11 however with the valve stem rotated approximately degrees to show the frontal configuration of the fluid deflecting stern portion.

Briefly, the several preferred embodiments of the novel and improved single lever fluid control valve of the pres ent invention, as shown herein in FIGS. 1 to 8 inclusive, is embodied merely for purposes of illustration for use in a fluid circuit having two separate fluid sources, each having a different temperature, for instance, hot and cold water, and which valve is operative to provide a controlled output flow of one or both of said fluids of a predetermined amount and mixture, or temperature. The instant fluid control valve is also operative in response to its being actuated to an ofl position to seal the fluid inlets connected thereto and hence stop the aforesaid output fluid flow and also to prevent a commingling of the inlet sources within the valve proper.

In the embodiment of control valve shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, said valve is connected in fluid circuit with what shall be hereinafter referred to as separate sources of hot and cold soft water, and, in addition, to a third separate source of cold hard" water, the latter being preferably used for drinking purposes. The mixing valve is operative in a manner similar to the operation of the other valve forms to selectively provide a controlled output flow of one or both of said soft water sources of a predetermined quantity and mixture or temperature, or a controlled output flow of a predetermined quantity of said hard cold water.

The several embodiments of fluid control valve, as herein shown, are also each especially designed for use in a domestic installation such as a sink or wash basin. However, as will be hereinafter apparent to the artisan, the inventive concepts of the instant valve are also applicable for use in other types of valve constructions, for example, as a valve especially designed for use in a shower or tub appliance.

Therefore, the following disclosure of the preferred valve forms described herein is not intended to define limitations as to the invention concepts of the same.

Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2, one embodiment of control valve of the present invention is herein shown, and includes a substantially cylindrical adapter member 4 formed of a suitable metallic material and having an internally threaded counterbore 5 formed centrally in its lower end, and intowhich the upper end of a valve body 6 is threadably received, said adapter member and valve body being thus disposed in longitudinal axial prolongation relative to each other. A suitable seal, such as rubber O-ring 7 may be interposed between the adjoining surfaces of said counterbore and valve body to thus provide a fluid leakproof seal therebetween.

The valve body 6, as seen more clearly in FIG. 2, has achamber 8 formed centrally therein which extends long tudinally therethrough, while in its instant form being substantially square in cross sectional configuration. A pair of counterbore ports 9 and 1 are formed in said valve body, and extend radially inwardly toward the center of the latter from diametrically opposite sides thereof and communicate with the aforesaid chamber 8. A hot water supply tube 11 and a cold water supply tube 12 are adapted to be inserted into the counterbored ports 9 and 10 respectively, being rigidly secured therein by means of soldering, or the like. In this manner, the separate sources of hot and cold water are each connected in fluid circuit with the valve body chamber 8.

The adapter member 4 is also centrally provided with a channel 13 which communicates on its lower end with the aforementioned counterbore and hence the valve body chamber 8, and at its upper end wtih a plurality of circumferentially spaced ports as indicated at 14, and which preferably extend radially outwardly from the center of the adapter member, and which connect at their respective outer ends with an annular groove 15 formed on the outside surface of said adapter member.

The instant form of control valve is also provided with means to direct a controlled flow of fluid to the basin or sink of the domestic appliance, and for this purpose a tubular shaped support member or sleeve, as identified by the reference character 16, is slidably disposed over the adapter member 4 and has a port 17 formed in the annular wall thereof which is so positioned as to communicate with the aforementioned annular groove 15. A suitable spout 18 is rigidly mounted on the outside surface of said tubular sleeve in such manner as to connect with the port 17 as seen in FIG. 1, and is arranged to extend outwardly therefrom and over the appliance basin or sink. The tubular sleeve is also mounted over the adapter member 4 in such manner as to be freely rotatable to swing the spout 18 to any one of a plurality of positions over the basin or sink. A pair of O-rings 19', each being carried within an annular recess 20 formed in said adapted member above and below the aforesaid annular groove 15 formed on the latter, are arranged to engaged with the inside surface of the lower end of the tubular sleeve 16, and hence provides a fluid leak-proof seal therebetweten.

The upper end of the aforesaid sleeve is integrally provided with a radially inwardly projecting rim portion 21 which is arranged to extend over and slidably engage with the upper end face of bushing member 22, the latter being preferably placed within said sleeve and resting endwise upon the upper surface of the adapter member 4 so as to slidably support said sleeve throughout its rotatable actuation. If desired, a suitable fastener such as fiat head screw {23 may be carried in the sleeve member and has a smooth shank portion 24 which is adapted to extend into the annular groove 15 to thus assist in guiding said member during its actuation. With this construction the tubular sleeve 16, as will be hereinafter apparent, is also effective to retain the above described components in their normal operative position as viewed in FIG. 1.

The bottom end of the valve body 6 is formed with a shallow recess 7a. into which is brazed the head of a plug 8a by brazing ring a, said plug also having an externally threaded shank portion 9a which extends downwardly from the said valve body in substantial longitudinal prolongation. Said shank portion is adapted to be extended into a mounting hole 12a located in a structural member A of the aforesaid domestic sink or basin installation, being secured therein by means of suitable washers 13a and a lock nut 14a. In this manner, the adapter member 4 protrudes upwardly through an opening 15a in a metal escutcheon B restingrupon the basin of the installation such as to position the spout 18 over the latter in the normal way.

As previously mentioned, the present form of fluid control valve is intended to provide a fluid output flow through the spout 18 of one or of a mixture of both the hot and cold water inlet sources, said flow being controlled as to volume and temperature.

To accomplish this, novel valve means are provided in the instant control valve, being interposed between the aforesaid inlet supply tubes 11 and 12 and said spout, and hence effective to control the fluid flow therebetween. More specifically, said valve means, as herein shown, includes a metallic, substantially cylindrical valve stem 26 which has its lower end centrally disposed in the valve body chamber 8. Said valve stem extends substantially vertically upwardly through the channel 13 in the adapter member 4 connecting with said chamber, being spaced radially inwardly of the walls of the same so as to define an annular passageway 27 therebetween. Said valve stem thence projects upwardly of said channel and through an aperture 28 formed centrally in the upper portion of said adapter member, and terminates thereabove within the aforementioned sleeve member 22. A suitable O-ring 29, carried within an annular groove 30 formed in said adapter member and opening to said stem, is positioned to engage with the surface of the latter and thereby provide a fluid leak-proof seal therebetween.

The instant form of valve means also includes a pair of sealing pads 32, which are disposed in the chamber 8 on preferably diametrically opposite sides of the valve stem 26, and which operate to center the latter in said chamber while also being effective to direct the inlet flow of hot and/or cold water into the chamber 8. As seen in FIG. 2, each sealing pad is substantially rectangular in section and is integrally formed with an arcuate groove 36 on its inner face, which groove preferably extends longitudinally centrally through the same. The contour of the arcuate grooves on each of said pads enables the curved pad surfaces defined thereby to closely fit partially around predetermined arcuate portions on the circumference of the valve stem 26. It is also intended that said pads engage the valve stem with a predetermined pro-load pressure so as to normally provide a fluid leakproof seal therebetween, but said pressure being of such magnitude as to permit relative movement therebetween. As is shown in FIG. 2, each pad is substantially of the same thickness, having such dimension that only a part of the circumferential surface of said stem is embraced by said arcuate grooves so as to define a pair of separate fluid channels 39 between said stem and walls of the valve body chamber 8. Each of said channels communicates at its upper end with the aforesaid passageway 27. Each of said pads, in addition, is provided with a port 41 which communicates on its innermost end with the arcuate groove 36 and hence the valve body chamber 8, and at its opposite end with one of the aforesaid ports 9 or 10 connected respectively to the hot or cold water supply tubes 11 and 12. The end of the port in each of said pads remote from the valve stem 26 is counterbored, as is indicated at 42 which, with the adjacent wall of chamber 8 forms an annular recess which receives a suitable seal such as rubber O-ring 44. Another suitable seal which may readily be used is a quad ring as referred to in the art. Said seal is preferably of such size as to afiord a sufficient fluid leak-proof seal between the pad and valve body and also to press said pad against the valve stem under a predetermined pro-load pressure.

3 Other operational features attributed-"to said seal as utilized in its present form will be hereinafter-described.

The sealing pads of the present embodiment of valve structure and also in the valve embodiments hereinafter to be described are preferably constructed of a suitable prefabricated material, the structural characteristics of which will now be described.

As will be understood in the art, with the control valve connected in fluid circuit with the aforesaid inlet sources of hot and cold water, the fluid atmosphere of the valve inside is oftentimes undergoing transitional temperature changes. Therefore, in order that said temperature conditions do not aifect the operative association between the sealing pads and the valve stem, the latter normally being preferably constructed of a suitable stainless steel, the pads are constructed of a synthetically formed material which affords substantially good wearing properties while presenting a low coeificient of friction to the movement of said stem, while at the same time, having highly effective self-sealing characteristics while perhaps experiencing a slight cold flow. Said sealing pad material is also intended to exhibit very high resistance to the effect of the moist atmosphere in which it is operating, and also to resist absorbing any fluids to which it may be subjected. Said pad material is also intended to be substantially unafiected by any sudden rapid changes in the temperature of the inlet fluids so as to prevent the sealing pad from being twisted or otherwise changed from its original configuration. In the present form of control valve, wherein the inlet fluids are cold and hot water, said pad material must therefore be capable of sustaining its original configuration while operating within a wide range of temperatures.

Still another important structural feature desired of the sealing pad formed of the aforesaid prefabricated material is that it should be capable of accommodating for minor changes in the surface and/or axial configuration of the valve stem 26. The prefabricated material is intended to be sufliciently flexible to thus enable the sealing pad to maintain its sealing engagement with said valve stem and valve body while thus accommodating for the aforesaid minor structural changes in valve stem.

Several materials have been found to have the above noted qualities, but I prefer to combine one of a plurality of various materials with a base material known as Teflon in the art, and which is a poly tetrafluoroethylene resin sold commercially under the above name by the E. I. du Pont de Nemours & Company of Wilmington, Delaware. To this base material, I preferably add one of the following component materials, the quantity of which is identified by the volume it occupies, as defined in percentage, to the total volume of the combined material.

Teflon and one of the following:

Percent of volume Graphite 15-25 Copper 30-85 Glass fibers 20-25 Molybdenumdisulphids approximately 5 Still another synthetically formed material that has been found to present suitable operational and structural properties for said sealing pad is that material sold commercially under the name Kel-F by the M. W. Kellogg Company of New Jersey and which is a polymer of trifluorochloroethylene characterized by the formula (CF CF Cl) good resistive properties to permanent deformation, and are, therefore, adequately suited for the present use.

As will also be further understood in the art, the manufacturing tolerances need not be as rigidly maintained when using a synthetic sealing pad as when utilizing a metallic pad. In actual use, it has been determined that with a pair of said synthetic sealing pads disposed within the instant valve chamber 8 in their above described operational location, the width of said pads may be such that a clearance of the order of .007.O10 inch may be experienced between the side surfaces of said pads and the side walls of said chamber. In like manner, each of said pads may be of such a thickness that a clearance of the order of .006 inch may also be experienced between the end surface of each pad, opposite the arcuate groove 36, and the adjoining apertured wall of said chamber. With the sealing pads thus formed and mounted in the valve chamber 8 wherein the aforesaid spacing is realized between said pads and chamber walls, it is hence realized that said pads are actually floatably suspended within the aforesaid chamber by and between the O-ring 44 and the valve stem 26, the surfaces of the arcuate grooves 36 and the O-ring 44 engaging respectively with the valve stem 26 and adjacent walls of the chamber 8 in substantially a fluid leak-proof relation. In this manner, said sealing pads are also substantially self aligning and hence capable of maintaining the valve stem 26 in its central location within the chamber 8.

The sealing pad may also be formed of a suitable metallic material such as brass or bronze and function in substantially the same manner as described above for the aforesaid fabricated pad material. However, it has been found that when using a metallic sealing pad, the dimensions therefor must be very closely maintained in order that the valve structure function property. It has also been discovered that the metallic sealing pad, being substantially non-flexible, is not adequately capable of accommodating for minor eccentricities in the configuration of the valve stem 26.

To provide for the transgression of either and/ or both the cold and hot water sources into the valve proper, the valve stem 26, adjacent its lower end, is formed with a channel 46, which extends transversely diametrically across said stem. The length of the channel as considered along the circumference of the stem is seen to extend through an arc of substantially 180 degrees and is also seen to be of such dimension as to be able to connect with either and/or both of the inlet ports 41 while connecting with either of the aforesaid chambers 39. With this construction, it is realized, for instance with reference to FIG. 2, that the stem 26 may be positioned (as shown) such that the channel 46 is in registry With the port 41 which connects with the port 10 and hot water supply tube 12, whereby an inlet flow of hot water may be supplied to the fluid channels 3 9. In this position, the arcuate surface of the valve stem opposite to said stern channel is seen to engage with the sealing pad associated with the opposite side of the chamber 8 in a fluid leakproof relation such that the port 9 and connected cold water supply are disconnected or sealed from the chamber 8. Considering again the construction as seen in FIG. 2, it may hence be realized that the valve stem may be rotated approximately 180 degrees from the position illustrated in such manner that only the cold water supply, as provided by supply tube 11, may be permitted to flow into the aforesaid fluid channels 39 of the valve body. As is now further apparent, said valve stem also may be so positioned that the channel 46 formed therein is in registry with the port in each of said sealing pads in any pre-selected relationship such that a mixture of the hot and cold water may flow into the fluid channels 39, and hence provide afluid mixture of a predetermined temperature.

With reference directed particularly to FIG. 1, the valve stem 26 is shown in its off position in solid lines,

wherein the aforesaid stem channel 46 is located above both of the ports 41 in the sealing pads 32 such that the solid portion of the valve stem below the channel 46 engages with said pad in a fluid leak-proof relation effective to seal said ports and connected hot and cod water inlets from the aforementioned fluid channels 39.

Said valve stem is adapted to be slidably variably movable downwardly through the valve body 6 from the above defined off position as viewed in FIG. 1, to one of a plurality of on positions, including the fully on position indicated in dot-dash lines in FIG. 1, whereby the aforesaid stem channel 46 registers with either and/ or both of said ports, and hence permits a corresponding ignlet water flow into the aforementioned fluid cham- To provide for this movement of the valve stem, its upper end is formed with a reduced shank portion 48 which extends upwardly centrally through the aforesaid cylindrical sleeve 22. A guided lift member 49, substantially U-shaped in configuration and having upstanding arms 56 and 51, is rigidly fastened at its base part to said stern shank portion by means of fastener 52 and lock nut 53. 'lhe inner wall 55 of the cylindrical sleeve 22 is additionally provided with diametrically opposed parallel grooves 56 extending longitudinally therealong and which slidably accommodate the arms 50 and 51 of said guide member. A rocker arm 58, has its inner end extending between the aforesaid depending arms of the guide lift member 49 and is pivotally attached to the cylindrical sleeve 22 by means of a suitable pin 59, said pivotal connection being in alignment with the axis of said valve stem. Said rocker arm thence extends from this pivotal connection angularly upwardly of the valve stem 26 and outwardly through the upper end of the tubular support member 16. As previously mentioned, the outer surface of said support member, at its uppermost end, is curved inwardly toward its axis. This curved surface portion is adapted to slidably interfit the curved inner surface 62 of a hollow cap member 63, the latter being somewhat oval-shaped in sectional configuration and placed over and enclosing said upper end of the support member. The cap member is also rigidly mounted on a valve stem operating lever 64, which has its inner end securely fastened to the aforesaid rocker arm 58. In this manner said cap member is retained in its operative position on the outer surface of support member 16, being effective to prevent any foreign material from entering into the valve body 6. The cap member is also operative to form a protective covering closing the open upper end of the valve body in all working positions of the valve stem operating lever 64 as will be hereinafter apparent.

The rocker arm 58 is, in addition, integrally formed with a laternally extending flat shoulder 65 adjacent its lower end, having a plurality of external segmental gear teeth 67 (,arcuate about 59 as a center) and which mesh with suitably shaped internal rack teeth 68 formed on the guided lift member arm 51.

With this construction it will now be apparent that with a pivotal actuation of the operating lever 64- in an upward direction, as view in FIG. 1, the rocker arm 58 is also pivoted clockwise about pin 59 such that the valve stem 26 is slidably driven longitudinally downwardly into the valve body 6 to one of a plurality of on positions to carry the valve stem channel 46 into any pro-selected degree of registration with either and/ or both the ports 41 in the sealing pads 32 and thereby provide a predetermined volume of inlet fluid flow of either and/ or both the hot and cold water supply sources into the fluid chambers 39 and hence through the connected annular chamber 13 in, the adapter member 4 and communicating ports 14 to the spout 18..

With both the hot and cold water inlet sources conneoted to the fluid channels 39, the inlet fluid flow from each of said :sources enters into the passageway 27 and the casing base wall 81.

is substantially mixed therein before passing through the ports 14, 15, 17 and connected spout 18.

With a fluid inlet flow established through either and/ or both ports 41, the pressure exerted by said inlet flow tends to squeeze the O-ring 44 of the actuated port or ports more deeply into its annular supporting recess. Consequently, as the O-ring tends to be flattened out, it exerts a greater pressure on the adjoining walls of the valve body chamber 8 and the sealing pad 32 associated therewith, forming said recess, such as to increase the liquid leak-proof seal therebetween. In addition, as said 0-ring presses against its associated sealing pad, said pad, in turn, presses more firmly against the valve stem 26. Therefore, with either and/or both hot and cold water flowing into the valve proper, the pressure exerted thereby is effective to assist in retaining the valve stem in its actuated position and in addition provides a more eflective fluid leak-proof seal between the sealing pads and the valve stem. It will now be further realized that with the valve stem being moved to a pre-selected on position it may thereafter be rotated to carry the stem channel 46 into selective registration with either and/or both the ports 41 in the sealing pads 32 such that the proportion of the respective cold and hot water sources entering into the aforesaid fluid chambers 39 may be varied and hence provide a mixed fluid inlet flow of a preselected temperature, which may then flow through the above described fluid passageways connected thereto and out through the spout 18.

It will also be realized that with the fluid channels 39 communicating at all times with the aforesaid passageway 27 and the lower end of the chamber 8, any fluid that may transgress to the latter may bleed out through said channels to said passageway and hence prevent the valve stem from being pressure-locked in an actuated condition, as will be understood in the art.

Summarizing the above operation of the control valve structure thus described, it is seen that the rate of the total fluid flow through the valve proper is controlled by a longitudinal movement of the valve stem 26 through the valve body 6 which changes the effective area of either and/or both of the inlet ports 41 in the sealing pads that register with the valve stem channel 46. In like manner, the proportional amount of each fluid entering into the fluid chambers 39 forming a mixed flow and hence the temperature of the fluid inlet flow is regulated by a rotational movement of the valve stem while the latter is in its on position which is effective to change the position of registry of said stem channel 46 relative to either and/0r both of said sealing pad inlet ports.

In FIGS. 3 and 4 I have shown another form of single lever control valve which also embodies the same inventive concepts as are hereinabove described.

Specifically, the instant form of control valve, as herein shown, includes a hollow casing 75 which has an enlarged central .part 76 and a pair of tubular parts 77 and 78 integrally connected with the latter and preferably on opposite sides thereof. A suitable source of hot water (not shown) is adapted to be connected to the tubular part 77, whereas, a source of cold water (not shown) is connectable to the tubular part 78.

A cylindrical sleeve 84 is placed end-wise centrally into the casing 75, its lower end being partially disposed within a partition which is formed integrally with In addition said sleeve is formed with a square aperture 85 which as is seen in FIG. 3, extends longitudinally centrally therethrough. Ports 86 and 87 are formed in said sleeve, preferably at diametrically opposite sides thereof and communicate at their innermost ends with the aforesaid aperture 85 and at their outer end with channels 82, the latter, in turn, formed in said partition and connecting with the tubular casing parts 77 and 78.

A cylindrical adapter member or plug 88 has its one end threadably disposed in the throat 79, and preferably 8 abutting the upper face of the sleeve 84 and extending upwardly therefrom in substantial longitudinal prolongation, as is best seen in FIG. 3.

A tubular member 89 mounts a spout 90 and as particularly seen in FIG. 3, said member is placed end-wise over a plug 88 which is threadably attached at its lower end to the central casing part 76. The tubular member is attached to the plug 88 by means of a threaded collar 93 in such manner as to be freely rotatable on the aforesaid plug 88 to thus locate the spout 80 in any pre-selected position over the basin appliance (not shown) of the domestic installation. Suitable O-rings, as are indicated at 95a are carried by said plug and engage with the inside surface of the tubular member 89 on opposite sides of the spout 90, and hence provide a suitable fluid leak-proof seal therebetween.

A cylindrical plug 88 is formed with a suitable mixing chamber 97 which opens at its lowermost end to the afore said square aperture 85 in the sleeve 84, and thence extends upwardly therefrom to communicate with a cylindrical bore 98 formed in the medial part of said plug. Said chamber receives the fluid flow transgressing through the valve body in a manner presently to be described.

The outside surface of the plug 88 is provided with an annular recess which, with the interior wall of the surrounding tubular member 89 forms an annular chamber 105. A port 106 connects the upper end of said annular chamber in fluid circuit with the spout 90, carried on said tubular member. In like manner, as herein shown a pair of ports 107 preferably spaced in diametrically opposed relation to each other connect the lowermost end of said chamber 105 to the upper end of the previously mentioned cylindrical bore 98.

The valve means adapted for use in the present form of control valve includes a cylindrical valve member 108 which is disposed within the square aperture 85 in the aforesaid sleeve 85. Said valve member is located centrally with said square aperture, substantially in radially inwardly spaced relation to the walls thereof, by means of a pair of sealing pads 109 and 110, respectively. Said pads are preferably constructed of the same synthetic material as the pads 32 in the previous form of control valve, having also substantially the same operational clearances between the surfaces thereof and the walls of said square aperture so as to be somewhat floatably suspended within the latter, and functioning similarly to said pads 32 so as to permit'the valve member 108 to be rotatably and slidably movable Within the sleeve 84 while yet engaging with said valve member in a fluid leak-proof relation and hence effective to prevent a transgression of fluid between the engaging surfaces thereof. Said sealing pads may also be constructed of the aforementioned metallic material in such case taking on the operational characteristics of said material as above described. As best seen in FIG. 4, the thickness of each of the aforesaid sealing pads 109 and 110 is such that only pre-selected spaced arcuate portions of the surface of said valve member are embraced by the same and thereby define a pair of fluid inlet channels 111 between the mutually facing sides of said pads, said channels communicating at their upper ends with the aforesaid mixing chamber 97. The instant sealing pad 109 is likewise provided with a counterbored port 113, located much like the port 41 in the previous form of sealing pad 32, in such manner as to communicate at its outer end with the inlet port 87 in the sleeve 84 and hence the tubular casing port 77 and connected hot water inlet source. The port 113, at its inner end, opens to the surface of the arcuate groove 114 formed on the inner face of said pad. In like manner, the sealing pad 110 is provided with a counterbore 115 which connects at its outer end to the inlet port 86 and hence to the cold water inlet, and at its inner end to the inner curved face of its associated arcuate groove on said pad.

With this construction, it is hence realized that the flow of each of the cold and hot water inlets is restricted 10 to the aforesaid inlet ports 86 and 87, and their respec tive sealing pad ports 113 and 115.

As is likewise seen in FIG. 4, the counterbored portion in each of the ports 113 and 115, cooperates with the adjoining surface of the sleeve 84 to define an annular recess which surrounds the inlet port 86 or 87 associated therewith, and into which a rubber O-ring 1 18 is disposed. Like in the previously described embodiment, a sealing member commonly referred to in the art as a quad ring may also be utilized in said recess. Said seal is intended to operate in the identical manner to the O-ring 44 disclosed in the previously described embodiment, and hence an additional recitation of its function is deemed unnecessary.

With reference again directed to FIG. 4, the valve member 108 is provided with a channel 120 which extends circumferentially through the annular wall of the same for an arc of preferably 180 degrees. This preferred construction is such as to enable said valve stem channel 120 to be carried into communication with either and/or both ports 113 and 115 whereby the latter are connected in fluid circuit with the spout 90, in a manner as will presently be described, and hence permit a predetermined fluid flow of either and/or both the cold and hot water inlet sources to transgress therethrough.

The valve member 108, as seen in solid lines in FIG. 3, is disposed in its closed position, wherein the aforesaid channel is above the ports 113 and 115 and hence the latter are sealed from the interior of the valve proper. In this position, the sealing pads 109 and 110 engage with said valve member such as to prevent any flow of fluid through said valve.

The valve member 108 is hence adapted to be movable longitudinally downwardly through the aforesaid sleeve 84 to a position such as is shown in dotted lines in FIG. 3, or any intermediate position, and thence while being held in said position, to be rotatably moved to carry the valve member channel 120 in said member into any one of a plurality of positions of registry with either and/or both the ports 113 and 115.

For this purpose a suitable valve stem, such as is indicated by the reference numeral 122, is centrally disposed within the casing 75 and extends into and is rigidly connected at its lower end to the valve member 108 by means of fastener 125.

As best seen in FIG. 3, the portion of the valve stem disposed within the valve member 108' is spaced inwardly of the wall of said member being inwardly curved in such manner as to provide ample clearance to thus define a passageway as indicated at 127 between the surface of said stem and the adjacent surface of said valve member, said passageway communicating with the valve member channel 120 such as to accommodate a suitable flow of fluid therethrough when said valve member is in any of its open positions of adjustment.

The valve stem 122, immediately above its inwardly curved portion, is integrally provided with an upstanding conical-shaped part, as seen at 128 which forms a valve head operable in conjunction with a suitable O-ring as indicated at 130 carried within the aforesaid plug 88, surrounding said stem to thus define a valve seat. Said O-ring is intended to engage with the tapered surface of said conical-shaped port 128 of the valve stem when the latter is in its closed position so as to seal the fluid passageways located thereabove to fluid flow.

The upper part of the valve stem 122, as seen in FIG. 3, extends upwardly through the plug 88, being surrounded therein by a suitable packing material 131. Said stem then protrudes upwardly through and above a packing gland nut 132 threadedly disposed in the upper end of the plug 88.

As best seen in FIG. 3, the slotted end of an operating lever 133 extends into the upper end of the tubular member 89 and over the upper end of the valve stem 122, being connected to the latter by a pin 136.

som

With this connection thus made between the lever 1 33 and stem 122, it is now seen that by swinging said lever about the stem axis, the valve member108 will also be correspondingly rotated.

To move the valve stem 122 and hence the attached valve member 108 longitudinally through the aforesaid valve sleeve 84, a flat plate as seen at 138 is placed end-wise into the tubular member 89 such that its one end rests upon the upper surface of the valve plug 88 and is slidable thereon. The opposite end of said plate projects upwardly into a slot 134 in the lever 133 and is provided with an aperture 139, the latter being elongated in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the valve stem. A pin 140 is freely'extendable into said aperture and has its ends anchored to the lever 133 spaced from the pin 136. A ring 137 is disposed in an annular groove 137a located on the inner surface of the tubular member 89 adjacent its upper end, and is integrally pro.- vided with a tongue 138a which projects into the aforesaid slot in the lever 133 and above the adjacent upper end of the plate 138. Said ring is intended to be carried around its supporting groove with a rotatable move ment of said lever such that the tongue 138a remains in its position above said plate.

With this construction, it will thus be understood that by swinging the lever 133 in a vertical plane upwardly as viewed in FIG. 3, the plate 138 will be retained in the position shown, and hence said lever will be fulcrumed about the pin 140 to cause a corresponding downwardly directed movement to the valve stem 122 and attached valve member 108.

This movement will unseat the conical-shaped part 128 of said stem from the O-ring 130 thereby connecting the several internal fluid passageways, as are above described, in circuit with the spout 90, and, if said lever movement is of sufllcient magnitude it will also carry the valve member 103 to a level within the aforesaid sleeve 84 such that its channel 120 is moved to a plane which enables the latter to be carried into registry with either and/or both the inlet ports 113 and 115 in the sealing pads 109 and 110, respectively.

With the valve stem 122 and valve member 108 in this latter position, it will thus be understood that with a rotatable movement of the aforesaid lever 133, said valve member channel may be carried into selective registration with the aforesaid inlet ports 113 and 115 Whereby either the cold or hot water inlet sources or a mixture of both may be connected in circuit to the aforesaid fluid passageways and spout 90 flowing through the valve structure in the direction of the arrow F in FIG. 3. With this latter movement of the valve member whereby the proportionate amount of either or both the hot and cold water inlet sources is pre-selected, it will hence be realized that by movingthe valve stem in alongitudinal direction within the sleeve 84, the volume of the output flow may thereafter be selectively regulated. It will now be realized that in the instant form of valve means wherein the sealing pads are interposed between the fluid inlet ports and the adjustable valve member 108 the latter of which controls the input flow to said casing, and in addition with said sealing pads preferably constructed of a synthetic material .of the type hereinabove described, said sealing pads are thus operative in a manner identical to the pads 32 of the previous form to provide a highly efiicient control valve which is capable of operating through substantially a wide range of temperatures.

Summarizing the operation of the present form of mixing valve structure, it is now seen that the volume of the fluid flow through the valve is controlled by a longitudinal movement oflthe valve stem 122 which changes'the effective area of either and/ or both ofthe inlet ports,113 and 115 that registers with the valve member channel 120. In like manner the proportionate amountof each fluid and hence the temperature of the total fluid flow 'is regulated by a rotational movement of the valve stem while the latter is in its -on'position.

In FIGS. 5' and 6 I show another embodiment of single lever control valves whereinseveral of the elements used therein are identical to those disclosed in the previous valve embodiment of FIG. 1; said identical elements being therefore designated in the instant form by the same reference numerals as were previously denoted. The particular modification as employed in the present valve structure will hence be hereinafter more fully explained. Referring now to FIG. 5, the instant form of control valve includes a cylindrical adapter member 4a, which corresponds to member 4 in the FIG. 1 valve construction, said instant member being modified in that the mixing chamber 146 is formed centrally therein adjacent its one end and is partially constricted at its one extremity by means of an angular wall 147, the under surface of which faces said mixing chamber to thus form an upwardly and inwardly inclined annular valve seat 148. In the present modified valve structure, the previously described solid plug 8a is replaced by a' cup-shaped member 150 which is threadably disposed within the internally threaded counterbore 5a in said modified adapter member 4a in such manner as to extend in axial prolongation thereto. The interior of said cup-shaped member 150, as is best seen in FIG. 6, is centrally provided with a rectangular-shaped chamber 152' which communicates at its one end with the mixing chamber 146.

As in the previously described embodiment of control valve, the instant valve structure also includes the tubular shaped support member 16 upon which is rigidly mounted the spout 18, said tubular member in turn being disposed over the adapter member 4d and suitably movably fastened thereto through the cooperative association of the aforementioned fastener 23 and peripheral groove 15, the latter also being provided in the modified form of adapter member 4a. Said adapter member 4a is also centrally provided with passageway 151 adjacent the valve seat 148, said passageway in turn connecting at its opposite end with a series of circumferentially spaced ports 152'.

As in said previously described embodiment the tubular sleeve is also provided with a port 17 which connects the spout 18 in circuit with the passageway 151 and mixing chamber 146 to thus provide for the output fluid flow to transgress therethrough.

The aforementioned cup-shaped member 150 is also preferably formed with inlet ports 153 and 164 into which is rigidly secured by brazing or the like one end of a conduit 155 and 156, respectively, the opposite ends of said conduits, each in turn, connecting to separate sources of cold and hot water. As best seen in FIG. 6, said inlet ports 153 and 154 are preferably disposed in said cup-shaped member a substantially diametrically opposed relation such that they communicate with opposite sides of the chamber 152.

The present form of valve construction is also operable to provide a regulated output flow from either and/ or both the aforesaid hot and cold water inlet sources, and for this purpose said control valve includes valve meaus'comprising a cylindrical sleeve 158 which is disposed in an endwise position withinthe aforesaid chamber 152, being preferably centrally located therein by means of a pair of sealing pads 159.

Each of the sealing pads 159 is preferably constructed of the same material and/or materials utilized for the paids 32 in the previous valve construction, and, in addition, is centrally provided with a couuterbored inlet port 161 which communicates at its innermost end with the chamber 152, and at its outer end with its adjacent fiuid inlet port 153 or 154.

With'each of the sealing pads #159 disposed in their operative position in the chamber 152, the portions of the inlet port 161 having the larger diameter, together with the adjacent end wall of the chamber 152 surrounding each of theinlet ports 153 and 154, defines a recess into which is disposed at suitable seal such as a quad ring 163. Said quad ring is intended to be of a preselected configuration and possesses sutficient resilient characteristics as to engage with the wall of said chamber 152 and to force its associated sealing pad toward and against the sleeve 158 under a predetermined pressure.

Each of said pads is also formed on its inner face with an arcuate groove 167, the contour of which corresponds to the circumference of the sleeve 158 whereby the surface of said grooves embraces the latter and closely fits around the surface of said sleeve in substantially a fluid leak-proof relation.

The sealing pads, in addition, are each preferably constructed under the same manufacturing tolerance as are hereinabove defined for the pads 32 in the FIG. 1 valve embodiment, and hence, when placed in their operative position within the chamber 152, are normally slightly spaced from the walls of the latter as to be floatably suspended by and between said sleeve and quad ring seal.

As seen in FIG. 5, the diameter of the chamber 152 is slightly larger than the diameter of the mixing chamber 146 thereby forming an annular rim 168 therebetween. The sealing pads 159 are preferably long enough to extend longitudinally completely through the chamber 152 such that one end of said pad abuts against the closed end of the chamber 152 and the opposite end similarly abuts against the aforesaid annular rim 168. In this manner, each of said pads is prevented from being moved longitudinally through and out of said chamber.

The cylindrical sleeve 158 is also provided with a slot 170 which preferably extends circumferentially at least 180 degrees therearound, adjacent one end of said sleeve. With this construction, it is intended that the sleeve 158 be manipulated by means identical to the valve actuating means in the previous valve form of FIG. 1 to hence position said slot 170 in preselective registry with either and/ or both of the sealing pads inlet ports 161 and thus provide a regulated fluid flow of either hot or cold water or a preselected mixture of said fluids to the spout 18.

For this purpose, a valve stem 172 extends centrally through the adapter member 4a and into the cylindrical sleeve 158, in radially inwardly spaced relation to the latter, being provided on its lower end with a head portion 173 having an annular downwardly facing annular shoulder 174. Said shoulder is adapted to extend over one face of an inwardly projecting rim 175 formed on the inner face of the cylindrical sleeve 158 and a flat plate placed over the opposite face of said rim and rigidly fastened as at 176 to the valve stem head portion 173 effective to securely fasten the aforesaid sleeve 158 to said stem. An annular fluid passage 177 is thereby defined between the outer surface of said stem and the inner surface of said sleeve.

Valve stem actuating means identical to that disclosed and described in the previous FIG. 1 valve structure is also utilized to obtain the desired movement for the valve stem and attached cylindrical sleeve in the instant valve embodiment, and therefore said actuating means need not be additionally disclosed nor further described in detail.

As seen in FIG. 5 the cylindrical sleeve 158 is disposed in the upper portion of the chamber 152 whereby the sleeve slot 170 is not in registry with either of the sealing pad inlet ports 161. This position is therefore defined as the valve closed position.

In this valve closed position, a resilient valve element 178 carried on the medial portion of the valve stem 172 seats against the aforementioned valve seat 148 and hence seals the mixing chamber 146 from the spout 18 and interconnected fluid passageways 17, 152 and 151.

The cylindrical sleeve 158 is thereafter movable downwardly with said valve stem within the chamber 152, as viewed in FIG. 5, by the previously described valve actuating means, to thus carry its slot into any desired vertical plane and degree of registry with either and/or both of the aforesaid sealing pad ports 161 to thus enable a indicated by the arrow A. As a result an additional force attributed to said flow will tend to force the sealing pad more firmly against the cylindrical sleeve 158.

As is also seen in FIG. 5, the valve stem head portion 173, substantially directly opposite the slot 178, is provided with an annular wall which inclines upwardly in the direction of fluid input flow.

This particular valve stem configuration is operative to substantially decrease valve noise created as a result of the input fluid sources entering the chamber 152 under pressure and being therefor diverted in still another direction to the interior of the valve proper. The inlet fluid flow passes through the sleeve slot 178 and is directed across said sleeve and toward the valve stem. 172. With the annular wall 180 formed on said valve stem, and with the same inclined upwardly and inwardly in the direction of fluid flow through the valve, said inlet flow is diverted in a much less abrupt manner which thereby creates substantially less turbulence and hence is effective to substantially reduce the aforementioned audible noise.

In FIGS. 7 and 8, another form of control valve is herein shown embodying the concepts of the present invention, the particular construction thereof now to be described in detail.

As best seen in FIG. 7, the instant valve structure includes a valve housing 181, comprising an upper and a lower housing part 182 and 183, respectively, said housing parts being integrally connected end to end, one to the other, in substantial axis prolongation. Said upper housing part 182 is centrally internally provided with a chamber 184 which communicates at its lower end with a similar shaped cavity 185 provided in said lower housing part 183. The lowermost end of the housing-part 183 is provided with an internally threaded aperture 185a which communicates with the cavity 185. A suitable plug 186a is threadably disposed in said aperture and hence provides access to the interior of the valve housing 181. As the diameter of the upper housing part 182 is substantially greater than the diameter of the lower housing part 183, the respective diameters of the aforesaid chamber and cavity in said housing parts are likewise corresponding; the adjoining ends of the latter thereby defining a concentrically located annular rim portion 187.

The valve structure also includes a suitable cylindrical plug 188 which corresponds to the plug 88 in the valve construction of FIG. 3, being modified in its present form by having an exteriorly extending annular shoul-v der 189 adapted to lie over the upper end face of the housing part 182 as is seen in FIG. 7, said annular shoulder being rigidly secured to said housing preferably at spaced peripheral points thereon by means of fasteners 191 to thus secure said plug in its operative position over the valve housing 181. The plug 188 is also centrally provided with a suitable bore 192, said bore communicating at its lowermost end with a counterbore 193 defining an annular groove 194 at its upper end. A suitable resilient seal such as O-ring 195 may be partially disposed within said groove so as to project outwardly therefrom and into the aforementioned counterbore 193, said projecing portion hence defining an annular valve seat.

The remaining construction for the plug 188 may be identical to the plug 88 utilized in the previous valve structure of FIG. 3 and hence not required to be further described or explained. In like manner, it may also be The valve means for the present valve embodiment includes a valve stem 240 which is disposed in the valve housing 231 and has a bulbous-like end 241 extending into the housing chamber 232. Said valve stem is centrally positioned with said chamber by means of a plurality of identically formed sealing pads 242 which are rectangular in section and adapted to be interposed between the surface of the aforesaid valve stem end 241 and the adjacent walls of said hex-shaped chamber 232.

As best seen in FIG. 10, said pads are spaced substantially 120 degrees one from the other within said chamber so as to lie against each of the chamber walls containing the aforementioned inlet ports 233-235, respectively.

In addition, each of the sealing pads 242 is centrally provided with a counterbored port 243 which communicates on its outer end with the inlet port associated therewith and on its inner end with the housing chamber 232. The inner surface of each said sealing pads is also shaped to conform to the circumferential surface of the valve end 241 so as to closely -fit over the same in a substantial fluid leak-proof seal.

The counterbored portion of the sealing pad port 243, together with the adjacent chamber wall, define a recess into which is disposed a suitable resilient sealing means, such as a quad ring as indicated at 245. Said quad ring is adapted to press the sealing pad against the surface of the valve end 241 under a predetermined pressure and thereby maintain the aforementioned leak-proof seal therebetween. In this manner said pad is floatably suspended etween the chamber wall and valve stem 240.

The instant valve stem is also formed with a slot 246, extending partially transversely through the valve end 241 in substantial perpendicular relation to the valve stem axis and which also projects circumferentially therearound a distance greater than the distance between any two adjacent sealing pad ports.

With reference now directed to FIG. 9, the valve stem 241 is herein shown in its valve closed position wherein a valve element 248 carried thereby upwardly of its valve end 241 is seated against an annular valve seat 249 formed on a valve housing plug which corresponds to the plug 4a in the valve embodiment of FIG. 5. In this position the housing chamber 232 is sealed from the spout carrying means mounted over the aforesaid plug. Merely to minimize the present disclosure, it may be assumed that the configuration and structural assembly of the housing plug, spout carrying sleeve and valve stem actuating means in the instant valve form are identical to that for the plug 4a, sleeve 16 and the valve actuating means of the aforesaid FIG. 5 embodiment. Hence the same reference numerals will be used in the instant valve structure to denote like elements.

To connect the spout 18 to either or both of the hot and cold soft water inlet sources, as identified by the conduits 236 and 237, respectively, the valve stem 241 is moved downwardly from its FIG. 9 closed position, by the aforementioned valve actuating means, to carry its slot 246 to a pre-selected transverse plane with respect to the sealing pad ports, and thereafter rotated to move said slot 246 into predetermined registry with either or both of the aforesaid sealing pad ports communicating with the housing inlet ports 233 and 234.

The connected hot and/or cold soft water inlet soures will thence pass into the housing chamber 232 through said communicating sealing pad ports and valve stem slot 246 and transgress upwardly through the housing plug bore and communicating ports 14 to the valve sleeve port 17 and spout 18.

To provide an output flow of cold hard water from the instant control valve, the valve stem is actuated to position the slot in communication with the inlet housing port 235 and connected conduit 238 as is seen in FIG. 10. With said stem thus positioned, the cold hard water 18 inlet source is connected to the valve chamber 232 and the above described fluid passageway in the valve housing plug 4a and thence to the spout 18 through the aforesaid port 17 in the sleeve 16.

It will now be apparent that the quantity or the volume of inlet flow into the valve housing chamber 232 is controlled by a longitudinal adjustment being made to the valve stem 241 whereby a pro-selected slot area is brought into communication with the sealing pad part or ports. In like manner, to provide for a separate cold or hot sof water inlet flow or a mixture of both of said inlet sources, or a separate cold hard water inlet flow, the valve stem is rotated in such manner as to connect the aforesaid slot 246 in communication with respectively the housing inlet port 233, inlet ports 233 and 234, or inlet port 235. And further it will also be realized that the temperature of the aforesaid mixture of hot and cold soft water may be selectively regulated by additional rotational adjustments being made to the valve stem to position the slot 246 in any desired ratio of communica tion with the housing inlet ports 233 and 234.

In FIGS. 11 and 12 an alternate form of valve stem is herein shown, which is especially designed to reduce audible noise in the valve construction created as a result of, for example, when a low volume of water is introduced into the interior of the valve proper.

The instant modified valve stem is especially designed for use in a valve structure as is herein shown in FIG. 1, however, as will be understood in the art, the valve stem may be susceptible to various other modifications and hence used in other valve embodiments without departing from the inventive concepts for the same as are hereinafter defined.

Specifically, the valve stem of FIGS. 11 and 12 takes the form of a solid cylindrical bar 256 which is centrally provided on its one end with a longitudinal bore 257 defining thereby a tubular portion 256a. Said bore, remote from the aforementioned one end of the valve stem, communicates with a transverse slot 258 formed in said valve stem corresponding to slot 46 of the FIG. 1 valve embodiment and which is also preferably of substantially semi-circular configuration. This circumferential projection for the slot 258 may be pre-selected for various modifications of valve structure, it being required that said slot project a distance sufiicient to communicate simultaneously with both the cold and hot water inlets for the instant class of control valve so as to obtain a mixture of said fluids.

A solid plug formed of any suitable material and which is identified by the reference numeral 264 is pressedinto the valve stem bore 257, preferably abutting against its closed end,,,and has a portion disposed within the confines of the aforementioned transverse slot 258.

The latter portion of the plug 264 is provided with an arcuately formed, downwardly and outwardly inclined fiuid diverting surface, as indicated at 265, said arcuate surface facing toward the slot opening. Said surface, as best seen in FIG. 11, preferably extends downwardly from substantially the axis of the valve stem and thence outwardly to the inner wall surface of the aforementioned valve stem tubular portion 25611 at the transverse plane wherein the latter connects with the bottom of the slot 258.

With this particular construction for the instant valve stem 256 and with the same disposed in the valve structure of FIG. 1 in place of the valve stem 26, and thence with said modified stem actuated to position the slot 258 in communication with one or both of the Water inlets 11 and 12, it will be realized that as the water passes into the aforesaid slot it is partially diverted in an upward or downstream direction by the fluid diverting surface 265 of said valve stem. As a result, the velocity of the water inlet flow is not reduced as abruptly as is the case when utilizing a valve stem such as stem 26 having a slot 46.

"19 This isyespecially so when the water inlet volumeis o'f a .relatively low value. Consequently there is substantially less tendency "for said-inlet flowto'become turbulent to the extent that it generates an audiblenoise as it'passes through said slot and through the valve interior to the spout 18. The valve structure as thus modified is hence operable to provide a regulated fluid output flow with substantially little or no audible noise.

Having thus described several preferred embodiments of single lever control valve it is now realized that in each disclosed embodiment, the total quantity of fluid flow through the valve proper is controlled by a longitudinal actuation of the respective valve stem. Also, it is now realized that in each of the disclosed valve structures, the proportionate amount of hot and/ or cold water; or cold hard water as in the valve of FIG. 9, is regulated by a rotatable actuation being made to the particular valve stem construction therein utilized while the latter is in one of its on positions.

It is also to be realized that additional modifications may be made to the several valveembodiments herein shown, for example, the sealing pads in the valves of Figs. 1 and 3, may be formed so as to completely embrace the valve stem surface whereby the channels 39 and 111 respectively are no longer utilized. In this instance the valve stemof FIG. 1 would necessarily have to be hollow, connecting at one end to the slot 46 and at its opposite end with the annular chamber 27 in the plug 4. And, in the valve of Fig. 3, the inlet water flow with the modified sealing pads would transgress through the connected slot 120 in the sleeve 108 in its normal course and upwardly through the annular opening 127.

Having thus described in detail several preferred control valve embodiments ofmy invention what I claim-is:

, 1. A fluid control valve for use with a plurality of sources of difiierent fluids and effective to provide a regulated output fluid flow therefrom, comprising a valve body having a chamber formed therein, fluid inlet means for each of said fluid'sources separately communicating with said chamber, outlet means communicating with said chamber and operable to direct an output fluid flow from said body, a control valve in said'body including a cylindrical valve member movably disposed in said chamber, sealing pads disposed insaid chamber being interposed With slight clearance between said valve member and the walls of said chamber and each pad extending entirely around one of said inlet means, each of said sealing pads having through port means communicating with its associated inlet means, fluid channel ,means operatively connected with said control valve and responsive to a predeterminedactuation ofsaid valve-member-being actnatable to selectively connect said'port means to said chamber for directing apredetermined fluid flow from said connected fluidinlet means to said chamber, each of 'said'pads having an *arcuate surface contacting said cylindrical valve member throughout'the length of said pad, and sealing means operatively engageable with said sealing pads and the walls of said chamber being open in its plane tosaid port means "and responsive to the input fluid'fiow-therethrough and through said port means to cause a sealing relation between said sealing pads and said valve member.

2. A fluid control valve for use with a plurality of sources of different fluids and effective to provide a regulated output fluid flow therefrom, comprising a valve body having a chamber formed therein, fluid inlet means for each of said fluid sources separately communicating with said chamber, outlet means communicating with said chamber and operable to direct an output fluid flow from said'body, valve means in said body including a cylindrical valve member disposed in said chamber for axial and rotative movement, said valve member having means defining a channel thereon normal to its axis, sealing pads disposed in said chamber being interposed with slight clearance between said valve member and the walls of said chamber and each pad extending entirely around one 'of said inlet means, each of said sealing pads havingthrough port means communicating with its associated inlet means, each of said pads having an arcuate surface contacting said cylindrical valve member throughout the length of said pad, said valve member being actuatable'to selectively connect said valve member channel to said port means and inlet means for directing an input fluid flow from said connected fluid inlet means to said chamber, and a resilient uninterrupted sealing ring between each pad and the adjacent chamber wall and surrounding its associated inlet means, said ring being mounted on the marginal surface defining the port means of said pad and expandable by fluid pressure from said inlet means.

3. A fluid control valve as defined in claim 2, wherein said pads are spaced circumferentially to provide a passage between themparallel to the axis of said valve member, said'passage forming part of said outlet means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,126,478 Joyce Ian. 26, 1915 2,818,878 Russell Jan. 7, 1958 2,868,497 Graham Ian. 13, 1959 2,886,282 *Miller May 12, 1959 2,888,041 "'Moen May 26, 1959

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