US3186433A

US3186433A - Faucet

Info

Publication number: US3186433A
Authority: US
Inventors: Lloyd W Bills; Douglas I Hoiberg
Original assignee: MARK CHEMICAL CO
Current assignee: MARK CHEMICAL CO
Priority date: 1962-09-14
Filing date: 1962-09-14
Publication date: 1965-06-01
Anticipated expiration: 1982-06-01

Description

June 1, 1965 L. W. BILLS ETAL m mmmww in 6 w w m Ev ,3 m 6 W A s -mm m H w v m M m y a L N m m 0 H FAUCET Filed Sept; 14, 1962 loyd W. Bills, Downey,

United States Patent $186,433 FAUCET and Douglas 1. Hoiherg, Fullerton, Calif., assignoi's, by mes'ne assignments, to Mark. chemical cmn riny', Anaheim, Califi, a limited partnership W Y Filed Sept. 14, 1962, Ser. No; 223,774

4 Claims. (Cl.137-609) The present invention relates to a faucet and more particularly to such a faucet having an inlet member and'a housing in which selective positioning thereof automatically regulates fluid flow therethrough. The invention was developed 'in connection with the solving of certain problems encounteredin the provision .of an improved rnultiple outletmixing faucet and is illustrated in such embodiment although suitable for many other uses.

The faucet of the present invention is a companion development to a fluid mixing apparatus having three discharge spouts inwhich venturi mixing devices are disposed in two ofth'e spouts for the purpose of introducing selected augmenting fluids to a carrier fluid flowing through the faucet; In actualpractice, the carrier fluid frequently is water and the additive fluids frequently are respectively a disinfectant and a detergent. The first discharge spoutis' used in delivering clear water, while the other tw'o'spou'ts deliver mixtures of the water and their respective additive fluids.

Itis particularly desirable precisely to control the rate mixtures, as well asthe direction of of'flow of the" fluid their discharge; Previously known have notbeen fully satisfactory inth'eir valving structuresand have inadequately attained accurate control of the rate of discharge from 'their'respective spouts. Also, the force requirements to control the rate of flow have not been considered to be at an optimum minimum value. In addition, certain of the previous devices have not. been satisfactory because of failure of'the sealing structures provided to prevent leakage during operation.

Accordingly, it is a'n object of the present invention to provide 'an improved fluid control for faucets.

Another object isto provide a faucet having an inlet member and' a housing in which selective positioning thereof automatically regulates fluidflow throughthe faucet.

Another object is to 'provide' a multiple outlet faucet in which the outlets can beselectively positioned and in which discharge from the outlets is individually controlled by such positioning.

Another object isto provide such a faucet in which the'flui'd control isexercised in accordance with a predetermined pattern by'a cam.

Another object is to provide such a faucet in which the cam is stationary.

Another object isto provide such a faucet in which the card is replaceable to-modify the pattern orsequence of fluidecntrol.

Another object is to' provide a multi-position faucet which positively controls both 'thedirectidn of discharge and the rate of fluid now through the faucet.

Another object is to provide a multi-position faucet which is swingable about" a fluid inlet and maintains a sealing relationship between the component parts at all times. r

Another object is to provide a multi-position faucet which requires a minimum of force to' swingto a plurality of flow controlling ositions.

Another object is to'p'rovide amulti position swing faucethavi'ng a housing which permits ready servicing of the'faucet in the eventof the necessity of replacement faucets of this type on which is rotatably mounted an enclosed 3,186,433 Patented June 1, 1965 'ice of any parts worn after an extended period of operation.

A further object is to provide a faucet construction wherein a minimum number of components are arranged for relative movement thereby minimizing leakage problems and reducing the number of sealing elements required.

These, together with other objects, will become more fully apparent upon reference to the following description and accompanying drawing;

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a multi-position faucet incorporating the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary view in longitudinal, vertical section taken on line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view in longitudinal, vertical section taken on line 3-3 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is 'an enlarged view in verticaltransverse section taken on line 4-4 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary view in horizontal,- longitudinal se'ction'taken on line 55 of FIG. 3.

Referring to the drawing, a multi-p osition swing spout faucet embodying the principles of the present invention is shown as generally providing a tubularinlet member housing 11. A fluid chamber 12 is provided in the housingin cornmunication with the tubular inlet member as well as three separate flow passageways, indicated at 13, 14,- and 15, respectively. A plurality of discharge spouts 16, 17, and 18' are secured to the housing in individual communication withres'pective

flow'passageways

13, 14, and 15.

Three

flow control valves

20, 21 and 22 are mounted in the housing 11 normally blocking communication between the fluidchamber 12 and the

passageways

13, 14, and and being urged to a closed position by fluid under pressure in the chamber 12. A cam plate 23 is rigidly mounted on the tubular inlet member 10 in stationary position and is provided with'a profile 2'4 having effective portions or lobes, indicated at 25, 26, and 27, corresponding to positions at which the respective spouts are intendedto discharge as will subsequently be described in greater detail. Relative rotational movement'between the housing 11 and the inlet member 10 causes the lobes of the cam plate 23 to engage

respective valves

20, 21, and 22 rocking the valves to open positionand thereby selectively establishing communication between the chamber12 and the

spouts

16, 17 and 18. The relative positions of the housing and the cam plate determine both the direction as well as the rate of flow offluid through the faucet.

Details of components Referring more particularly to FIGS. 2- and 4 of the drawing, it will be seen that'the tubular inlet member 10 has an inner bore and a circumscribing wrench head or nut 31. Internal threads, indicated at 32, permitco'nnection of the inlet member to a pipe 33 leading from a fluid source, not shown, such as a, conventional water supply line. The tubular inlet member 10 also provides an external cylindrical journal 34, adjacent to the wrench head and generated about an axis of rotation corresponding to the longitudinal axis of the inlet member. v p

The housing 11 provides a, centrally locatedboss 40 having a vertical bore therethrough, thereby a'ffording'a bearing surface 41 fitted in cir cumscribing relation on the mm 34* and" adapting the housing rqr selective positioning about the axis of rotatiori. A ably interposed between the annular nut 31 and the housgasket 41 is prerering 11 to seal the structure against fluid leakage while permitting relative movement of these members.

The boss extends upwardly within the housing and terminates in an upper annular rim 43. A thrust washer 44 encircles the inlet member 10 and overlies the annular rim 43 to support the cam plate 23. A retaining nut 45 is screw-threaded. on the inlet member 10 to maintain the housing and the inlet member in an assembled condition and to pre-load the gasket 52 to a suflicient extent to eifect a seal between the housing and the inlet member. As may be most clearly seen in FIG. 5, a radially inwardly directed tongue 46 on the cam plate 23 is received an axial locking groove 47 provided on the inlet member 10. An O-ring is received in an annular groove provided in the journal 34 and serves as a packing member between the journal and the bearing surface of the vertical bore 41. It will be apparent that the cam plate can conveniently be removed to substitute any other cam plate having. a desired number and relationship of the lobes.

To provide communication between the fluid chamber 12 and the housing 11 and eachof the

flow passageways

13, 14, and 15, three annular valve seats 55 are screwthreadably retained in the floor of the fluid chamber by means of respective threaded bores 56. Each of the valve seats is provided with respective annular sealing members 57 which cooperate with respective valves in alternately blocking and admitting flow of fluid from the chamber 12 to the respective passageway associated with each valve. Each valve seat 55 is annular in form and defines a respective valve port 58. The valve seats and their associated structure are conveniently substantially identical.

Each valve provides a valve head 60 from which is longitudinally extended a stem 61. Near its extended end, the stem carries an annular collar 62 and a rounded, diametrically enlarged retainer 63. Associated with each valve is a respective helically spiral biasing and centering spring 65, located on its valve by means of the retainer 63 and bearing against the collar 62.

A removable cover 70 is secured to the housing 11 and held in place by means of a plurality of capscrews 71 extended therethrough and engaged in the housing. A gasket 72 received in an annular groove 73 formed in the housing 11 engages the cover to serve as a seal to render the chamber 12 fluid-tight. Three spring seats 74 are formed as circular recesses in the cover and located to receive the springs 65 and thereby serve as a centering reference for each of the

valves

20, 21 and 22.

Although the present invention has utility in other forms of multi-position faucets, as a specific example of utility, the discharge spouts 16 and 18 are provided with structure to add an augmenting fluid to the carrier fluid entering through the inlet member 10. Accordingly, each of the flow passageways associated with these spouts, namely passageways 13 and 15, is provided with a venturi such as that illustrated at 80 in FIG. 3 of the drawing. An additive fluid inlet 81 communicates with the passageway at the low pressure zone of the venturi and is connected to a source of additive fluid, not shown. As described in the aforementioned co-pending application, examples of additive fluids used in commercial forms of mixing faucets are disinfectant and detergent solutions. Other types of additive fluids may be utilized, and other devices may be employed for introducing the additive fluids into the carrier'fluid, as desired. The structure described in this respect is for the purposes of illustrating utility of the invention and is not of restrictive significance.

Each of the flow passageways 13 and 15, when provided with the venturi 80 and the additive fluid inlet 81, is also placed in communication with a suitable vacuum breaker, generally indicated at 82. The vacuum breaker maybe of any suitable form and since it is not an essential to the subject invention, it is detail. It serves to permit its associated spout'to drain, minimizes the likelihood of contamination of the carrier now shown in greater venturi in passageway 15 angular relationship cordingly, the valve port 58 angular position of the housing Operation The operation of the described embodiment of the subject invention is believed to be readily apparent and is briefly summarized at this point. Assuming that the faucet is to be employed in selectively controlling the direction and rate of flow of water from a source, not shown, and admitted to the inlet member 10 through pipe 33, the member 10 is rigidly secured to the pipe by means of the internally threadedannular nut 31. The additive fluid inlets 81 are also connected to suitable, sources of additives, for example, a detergent supply which leads to the venturi associated with passageway 13 of discharge spout 16 and a disinfectant supply which leads to the associated with the spout 18.

Assuming that only clear water is desired from the central spout 17, the housing 11 is rotated about the axis defined by the journal 34 so that the lobe 26 of the cam profile 24 engages the valve 21, as illustrated in FIG. 5. The valve is tipped on the valve seat to admit water from the fluid chamber 12 through the valve port 58. The open valve 21 thereby establishes communication between the passageway 14 and the chamber 12 and indirectly establishes communication between the spout 17 and the fluid chamber. It will be observed that small changes in the between the housing 11 and the inlet member 10 can control the rate of flow of water through the valve 21, the magnitude of such change being dependent upon the particular profile selected for the lobe 26 of the cam plate 23.

In like manner, the housing 11 can be rotated relative to the inlet member so that either of the

lobes

25 and 27 can engage respectively either of the

valves

20 and 22. Assuming that the housing has been rotated in a clockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 1, until the lobe 25 engages the stem 61 of the valve 20, this valve is then tipped to an open position as illustrated in FIG. 4. Ac-

associated with the respective valve seat 55 of the valve 20 is opened to admit carrier .fluid to the flow passageway 13. The carrier fluid flowing through the venturi undergoes a reduction in pressure suflicient to admit the additive fluid at atmospheric pressure through the conduit 81. Slight variations in the is eifective to vary the opening of valve 20. Therefore, the faucet is elfective to control not only the direction of discharge but which spout through which fluid is discharged, the fluid mixture and the flow volume. Cam, platesof other lobe spacing can be substituted to achieve any desired position of discharge for the spouts and the lobes can even be of increased number to cause discharge through one or more of the spouts at a plurality. of positions.

The particular construction of the housing cover 70 affords ease of assembly while insuring the positive location of each of the conical springs 65 associated with the

valves

20, 21 and 22. The cover provides respective spring seats 74 for each of the springs thereby assuring positive and rapid closing of each of the valves upon rotation of the housing to a position where all of the valves are free from their

respective efiective portions

25, 26 and 27 of the cam plate 23. Also, in the event that any of the cornponents of the faucet are required to be replaced following extensive use, the faucet can bereadily serviced by removal of the cover 70 and the cam plate to permit access to all of the

valves

20, 21, and 22 and their respective valve seats 55 as well as-to the cam plate 23 for repair or replacement purposes. 7

It will also be observed that a mini-mumnumber of sealing members are required in the faucet construction to prevent leakage of the particular carrier fluid between the inlet member 10 and the housing 11 rotatably mounted thereon. In the faucet the cam plate 23 is secured to the associated witheach of the flow passageways 13, 14, and

in the housing 11, are mounted in the rotatable por-' tion of the faucet; 'I'liis'eonstruction permits both the direction and rate other of fluid from the inlet member 10" to be contfdlle'd merely by selecting an appropriate position of the housing" angularly related to the inlet member. By discreetly adjusting the angular position of the housing, the rate of flow can be varied after initial opening'df one ofthe"

valves

20, 21 and 22. Throughout such movement of the'housing', the seal members 42 and 48aie effective in controlling leakage between the housing 11 and inlet 10. r 7

Accordingly, a multi-position faucet structure is provided by the present invention which permits the addition of augmenting fluids through one or more discharge spouts as well as control of both the angular position of discharge and the rate of flow of the fluid through the faucet.

Although the invention has been herein shown and described in what is conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention, which is not to be limited to the details disclosed herein but is to be accorded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent devices and apparatus.

Having described my invention, what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A faucet having a plurality of discharge spouts adapted for movement about an axis of reference through a predetermined range thereby to control the direction and rate of flow of fluid comprising a housing having a chamber therein and a plurality of discharge passageways leading from the chamber; a plurality of discharge spouts rigidly mounted on the housing and extended therefrom in respective circumferential positions relative to said axis, each of said spouts being in communication with a respective one of said passageways; means mounting the housing on the inlet pipe to provide communication between the chamber and the inlet and movement of the housing about said axis through a prcdetermined range; a plurality of poppet valves mounted in the chamber and biased against the housing by fluid pressure in the chamber, each being adapted to close a respective one of said passageways and to block communication between the chamber and a respective one of said spouts, each of said valves having an elongated stem extended therefrom; and a cam member rigidly secured to said inlet pipe and provided with a profile having a plurality of circumferentially spaced lobes each being engageable with a respective one of said valve stems upon movement of the faucet to a predetermined circumferential position in said range of movement.

2. A faucet having a plurality of discharge spouts adapted for movement through a predetermined range thereby to control the direction and rate of flow of fluid comprising a fluid inlet tube providing a cylindrical bearing surface concentric with an axis of rotation; a housing having a central portion having a bore therein and providing a journal surface circumscribing said bearing surface in substantially sealing relationship, the housing having an inner chamber in communication with the inlet tube and also having a plurality of discharge passageways leading from said chamber; a plurality of discharge spouts each being in communication with a respective one of. said passageways; a plurality of poppet valves seated in said chamber and arranged to be urged into seated engagement with the housing by fluid pressure in the chamber, each of said valves normally blocking a respective passageway and interrupting communication between the same and a respective one of said spouts, said' valves being circumferentially spaced about said axis; an elongated stem extended from each of said valves; and a cam plate rigidly secured to the inlet pipe and disposed within said chamher, the plate having a profile provided with a'plurality of circumferentially s aced effective portions, each being located relative to'the others and to said valves to effect engagement of only one stem during swinging movement of the housing through said ran e whereby the fluid'rna'y be selectively discharged through said spouts at various respective circumferential positions.

to permit swinging inlet tube and also having a'plur'ality 3. A faucet having" a plurality of discharge spouts adapted for movement through a predetermined range thereby to control the direction and rate of flow offlu'id comprising a fluid inlet tube providing a' cylindrical bearing surface concentric: with an axis of rotation; a housing having a central'portiofi having a bore therein and providing a journal surface circumscribing' said bearing surface in substantially sealing relationship, the lionsing having an inner chamber in' communication "with the of discharge passageways leading from said chambena lurality of discharge spouts each being in communication with a respective one of said passageways; a plurality of disc-shaped poppet valves seated in said chamber and arranged to be urged into seated engagement with the housing by fluid pressure in the chamber, each of said valves normally blocking a respective passageway and interrupting communication between same and a respective one of said spouts, said valves being circumferentially spaced about said axis; an elongated stem extended from each of said valves; a plurality of springs each connected to a respective ones of said stems and disposed within the chamber to urge a respective valve to a closed position; and a cam plate rigidly secured to the inlet pipe and disposed within said chamber, the plate having a profile provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced lobes located relative to the others and to said valves to effect engagement of only one stem at a time during swinging movement of the housing through said range whereby the fluid may be selectively discharged through said spouts at various respective circumferential positions. 7

4. A faucet having a plurality of discharge spouts adapted for movement through a predetermined range thereby to control the direction and rate of flow of fluid comprising a fluid inlet tube providing a cylindrical bearing surface concentric with an axis of rotation; a housing having a central portion having a bore therein and providing a journal surface comprising said bearing surface in substantially sealing relationship, the housing having an open cavity therein circumscribing and in communication with the inlet tube, the housing also having a plurality of valve ports circumferentially spaced about the inlet and respectively providing communication between the cavity and a plurality of passageways in the housing; seal means circumscribing the inlet pipe and engaging the housing to provide a fluid seal therebetween while permitting relative rotational movement; a plurality of discharge spouts each being in communication with a respective one of said passageways; a plurality of disc-shaped poppet valves seated in said cavity and arranged to be urged into seated engagement with the housing across the respective valve ports by the pressure of fluid discharged from the inlet tube and contained within the cavity, each of said valves normally closing a respective one of said ports thereby blocking a respective passageway and interrupting communication between same and a respective one of said spouts, said valves being circumfer entially spaced about said axis; an elongated stem extended from each of said valves in a direction away from the corresponding port and leading into the cavity; a cam plate rigidly secured to the inlet pipe and disposed within said cavity, the plate having a profile provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced lobes, each being located relative to the others and to said valves to effect engagement of only one stem by each lobe during swinging movement of the housing through said range whereby the fluid may be selectively discharged through said spouts at various respective circumferential positions; a coveradapted to be secured to the housing and to closesaid cavity to form an inner chamber within the housing, the cover having a plurality of spring seats arranged about said axis to correspond to the arrangement of said valve ports; a plurality of conical springs, each having an apex end engaged, against a respective valve stem and a second end seated on the corresponding spring seat of said cover, said spring being adapted to urge the valve havingsaid stem into seated engagement with the housing across the corresponding valve port; seal means interposed between the cover and the housing; and means detachably securing the cover to the housing insure axial alignment of said spring seats and said valve ports whereby each of the valves is urged toward a closed position but permitted to open independently incident to swinging of the housing about the inlet tube and engagement of one of the valve stems by a respective one of said effective portions of the cam plate.

including indexing meansto References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 7/20 Hibner -I 137595 XR 3/34 Lundgren 251203 4/35 Petersen et al. 251256 XR 11/42 Beckman 251349 XR 7/44 Downey 251258 4/50 Wolf 137-616 XR 8/55 Whitsel 1376l6'.7 12/61 Lamp et al 137614.11 XR 9/63 Bills et al 137616.7 XR

FOREIGN PATENTS 1 l/51 France.

4/ 5 3 Italy.

LAVERNE D. GEIGER, Primary Examiner.

Claims

1. A FAUCET HAVING A PLURALITY OF DISCHARGE SPOUTS ADAPTED FOR MOVEMENT ABOUT AN AXIS OF REFERENCE THROUGH A PREDETERMINED RANGE THEREBY TO CONTROL THE DIRECTION AND RATE OF FLOW OF FLUID COMPRISING A HOUSING HAVING A CHAMBER THEREIN AND A PLURALITY OF DISCHARGE PASSAGEWAYS LEADING FROM THE CHAMBER; A PLURALITY OF DISCHARGE SPOUTS RIGIDLY MOUNTED ON THE HOUSING AND EXTENDED THEREFROM IN RESPECTIVE CIRCUMFERENTIAL POSITIONS RELATIVE TO SAID AXIS, EACH OF SAID SPOUTS BEING IN COMMUNICATION WITH A RESPECTIVE ONE OF SAID PASSAGEWAYS; MEANS MOUNTING THE HOUSING ON THE INLET PIPE TO PROVIDE COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE CHAMBER AND THE INLET AND TO PERMIT SWINGING MOVEMENT OF THE HOUSING ABOUT SAID AXIS THROUGH A PREDETERMINED RANGE; A PLURALITY OF POPPET VALVES MOUNTED IN THE CHAMBER AND BIASED AGAINST THE HOUSING BY FLUID PRESSURE IN THE CHAMBER, EACH BEING ADAPTED TO CLOSE A RESPECTIVE ONE OF SAID PASSAGEWAYS AND TO BLOCK COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE CHAMBER AND A RESPECTIVE ONE OF SAID SPOUTS, EACH OF SAID VALVE HAVING AN ELONGATED STEM EXTENDED THEREFROM; AND A CAM MEMBER RIGIDLY SECURED TO SAID INLET PIPE AND PROVIDED WITH A PROFILE HAVING A PLURALITY OF CIRCUMFERENTIALLY SPACED LOBES EACH BEING ENGAGEABLE WITH A RESPECTIVE ONE OF SAID VALVE STEMS UPON MOVEMENT OF THE FAUCET TO A PREDETERMINED CIRCUMFERENTIAL POSITION IN SAID RANGE OF MOVEMENT.