WO2006089413A1

WO2006089413A1 - Valve actuator assembly

Info

Publication number: WO2006089413A1
Application number: PCT/CA2006/000259
Authority: WO
Inventors: Peter Pubben
Original assignee: Integra Dynamics Inc.
Priority date: 2005-02-22
Filing date: 2006-02-22
Publication date: 2006-08-31

Abstract

A valve actuator assembly (5) for operating a valve (20) mounted to a cabinet (45) with a door (50) and a toe board (90) and operable either with the door (50) or a cabinet mountable kick plate (70, 480), having an actuator mountable on the valve (20) for movement between a normal at rest position and a valve operating position, a door engagement member (40) adapted to engage the door (50) and for forcing the actuator into the valve operating position, and a kick plate mechanism (410) for forcing the actuator into the valve operating position independent of the door engagement member (40), wherein activation of the door engagement member (40) or the kick plate mechanism (410) is adapted to cause operation of the valve (20).

Description

VALVE ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY

1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the actuation of a valve. More particularly, the present invention relates to the actuation of a valve using a knee or foot.

2. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It has been amply demonstrated by a variety of studies and research that conventional hand operated faucets are a source of wasted water and energy and a cross contamination point for the spread of infectious diseases. Several devices have been developed and marketed to overcome these problems but all have some disadvantages. Mechanical foot pedal or knee operated faucets are expensive and often require extensive and costly modifications to plumbing and cabinetry. Infra-red sensor electrically operated faucets are costly to install, require an electrical outlet, may be erratic in operation and may permit cold and hot water cross flow. Foot pedal valves controlling the application of air pressure to water controlling valves are expensive and often difficult to install and require a compressed air source. Some devices attach to the spout of the faucet and although easily installed, they connect the cold and hot water supplies together, thereby permitting cross flow between them. Of these, ultrasound sensor electrically operated valves require batteries and are too bulky to comfortably adapt to many faucets. Other types operate by a foot control supplying fluid pressure through flexible tubing connected to a spout mounted valve. These tend to be untidy and cumbersome to operate. Examples of such devices are described and illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 5,029,806, dated JuI. 9, 1991 granted to Chaung for a "Foot-Controlled Valve" and in U.S. Pat. No. 3,536,294, dated Oct. 27, 1970, granted to Rodrigues for a "Foot-Operated Control Valve Attachment Device for Water Faucets."

Pubben, U.S. Pat. No. 5,505,227, discloses a "hands free" system for controlling the flow of water to a faucet. The system includes a pilot valve which provides pilot water of controlled pressure to operate diaphragm valves in a control block. The valves in the control block may be respectively connected between hot and cold water supply lines and a faucet. The pilot valve may be located in a position where it can be operated by a user's knee or elbow, or in another location where foot operation is possible. US Patent Application 10/456,085 (Publication No. 2004/0200987) by Houghton discloses a hands free water faucet controller device to regulate the flow rate and temperature mix using a foot controllable actuator.

Other designs include a valve actuation circuit including a foot actuator mounted to a toe board of a cabinet and a separate knee/elbow actuator operable by applying pressure to a door of a cabinet. This design is somewhat complex and utilizes two separate control circuits (one to each of the foot and the knee/elbow actuator). Moreover, two separate 3 -way valve actuators (one for the knee/elbow actuator and one for the foot actuator) are needed, adding to the complexity, and increasing system cost, installation cost and maintenance cost.

It is, therefore, desirable to have a single valve actuator operable by either foot or knee etc. and easily installed in association with a cabinet. It is further desirable to have an actuator simple in construction, reliable, economical and adjustable to the height of different cabinet toe boards.

3. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to obviate or mitigate at least one disadvantage of previous valve actuator assemblies.

In a first aspect, the present invention provides a valve actuator assembly for operating a valve, which assembly is mountable to a cabinet with a door and a toe board and operable either with the door or a cabinet mountable kick plate. The assembly has valve operating member on the valve for movement between a valve operating position and a normal at rest position, a door engagement member adapted to engage the door and for forcing the operating member into the valve operating position, and a kick plate mechanism for forcing the operating member into the valve operating position independent of the door engagement member. Preferably the door engagement member is mountable to the actuator body or the door. Preferably the kick plate mechanism is mountable to the toe board or the cabinet. The kick plate mechanism is preferably releasably lockable in the valve operating position. A kick plate portion of the kick plate mechanism is preferably pivotally mounted to the remainder of the mechanism to allow the kick plate to be pivoted upward against the toe board overhang to permit cleaning of the toe board behind the kick plate. This is important for the hospital environment. In another aspect, the present invention provides a kick plate assembly for operating a valve mounted to a cabinet having a door and a toe board, the assembly having a cam slide having an actuator body having a recess adapted to operatively connect to the valve for actuation of the operating member and a working surface distal the recess having a surface profile, a door engagement actuator mountable to the actuator body fixedly connected with the cam slide and extending therefrom and adapted to operatively engage the door, and a kick plate assembly actuator hingedly connected with the cabinet having a follower adapted to operatively connect with the working surface, wherein activation of the door engagement actuator or the kickplate assembly actuator are independently adapted to cause operation of the valve. Preferably the door engagement actuator is a door paw. Preferably the kick plate assembly actuator is a kick plate operable by a user's foot. Preferably the operating member is a valve piston and the actuator body further comprises a protuberant member extending within the recess towards the valve for engaging the valve piston in order to cause operation of the valve. Preferably the follower is adapted to engage the cam slide proximate a first side and the door engagement actuator is adapted to engage the cam slide proximate a second side, opposite the first side. Preferably the follower is adapted to engage the cam slide at a distance X from the centreline of the recess and the door engagement actuator is adapted to engage the door at a distance Y from the centreline of the recess, wherein the ratio of X: Y is approximately 1 :1.5. Preferably the surface profile is generally V- shaped. Preferably the follower engages the working surface at a notch of the V-shaped profile. Preferably a valve bushing is associated with the interface of the cam slide and the valve. Preferably a follower bushing is associated with the interface of the follower and the cam slide. Preferably the working surface has a radiused portion. Preferably the follower has a follower radius, and the radiused portion has a radius that equals the follower radius.

Preferably, the kick plate assembly actuator has a hinge base adapted to fixedly attach to the toe board, a manual hinge of a relatively short height, hingedly connectable to the hinge base, having a hinge member adapted to space the follower away from the toe board, a kick hinge hingably connectable to the manual hinge; and a kick plate attachable to the kick hinge, wherein the follower is adapted to actuate the valve upon application of pressure to the kick plate. Preferably the hinge base has a base tongue adapted to slidingly engage the manual hinge. Preferably the manual hinge has a base groove adapted to slidably engage the hinge base, and a kick groove adapted to slidingly engage the kick hinge. Preferably the kick groove is adapted to allow rotational movement of the kick hinge relative to the manual hinge in a direction up and away from the toe board while restraining relative movement in the opposite direction. Preferably, the manual hinge has a backstop means for stopping rotational movement of the kick hinge relative to the manual hinge in a direction down and towards the toe board at a pre-determined stopping point. Preferably, the backstop means comprises the kick tongue/kick groove connection in cooperation with a backstop.

In a second aspect, the valve actuator assembly in accordance with the invention is adapted for installation on a cabinet having a door and a toe board and for use with a valve including an operating member in the form of a joystick. The assembly includes a base plate for attachment to the toe board, an actuator mountable to the base plate and having a door follower for engagement by the door, the actuator being movable between an actuating position in which the actuator deflects the operating member for actuation of the valve and a normal at rest position in which the actuator does not deflect the operating member, and a kick hinge hingedly attachable to the base plate for movement between an operating position in which the kick hinge releasably deflects the operating member for actuation of the valve and a normal at rest position in which the kick hinge does not deflect the operating member, whereby the kick hinge is movable between the operating and at rest positions independently of the movement of the actuator.

Preferably, the kick hinge includes a locking hinge portion hingedly attachable to the base plate for movement between a locked position wherein the locking hinge portion releasably deflects the operating member for actuation of the valve and a normal at rest position in which the locking hinge portion does not deflect the operating member and a kick hinge portion with a kick plate for foot operation of the kick hinge. Preferably, the kick hinge portion is hingedly attachable to the locking hinge portion for movement between an active position in which foot operation of the kick plate moves the kick hinge into the operating position and a cleaning position in which the kick plate is pivoted up and away from the toe board to allow cleaning of the toe board behind the kick plate. The locking hinge portion and the kick hinge portion preferably have separate operating member deflecting portions.

Preferably, the valve assembly includes a pair of spaced apart mounts fastenable to the base plate for supporting the actuator and the kick hinge. Preferably, at least one of the assembly mounts is constructed to fixedly retain the valve when fastened to the base plate. Most preferable, both mounts are constructed to retain the valve to make the assembly left-right reversible.

Other aspects and features of the present invention will become apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art upon review of the following description of specific embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying figures.

4. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the attached Figures, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a first exemplary embodiment of a valve actuator assembly in accordance with the present invention shown associated with a cabinet and 3-way valve;

Fig. 2 is a partial cross-section view of the valve actuator assembly; Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a 3-way valve of the valve actuator assembly;

Fig. 4 is a cross-section of the 3-way valve of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the cam slide and a door engagement member of the valve actuator assembly;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the cam slide and the door engagement member of the valve actuator assembly;

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the door engagement member of the valve actuator assembly;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a hinge base of the valve actuator assembly;

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a manual hinge, kick hinge, follower, and kick plate of the valve actuator assembly;

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a manual hinge of the valve actuator assembly;

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the kick hinge and the kick plate of the valve actuator assembly;

Fig. 12 is a cross-section through the pivot joint between the manual hinge 110 and the kick hinge 120;

Fig. 13 is an exploded view of a second exemplary embodiment of a valve actuator assembly of the present invention; Fig. 14 is a partial cross-section view of the valve actuator assembly of Fig. 13, shown in a normal at rest position;

Fig. 15 is a partial cross-section view of the valve actuator assembly of Fig. 13, shown in a valve operating position (kick plate mechanism); Fig. 16 is a partial cross-section view of the valve actuator assembly of Fig. 13, shown in a valve operating position (door);

Fig. 17 is a partial cross-section view of the valve actuator assembly of Fig. 13, shown with the locking hinge in a locked position;

Fig. 18 is a partial cross-section view of the valve actuator assembly of Fig. 17, shown with the kick hinge in a released position; and

Fig. 19 is a perspective view the valve actuator assembly of Fig. 13, shown in an assembled condition and with the kick plate in a raised position.

5. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Generally, the present invention provides a kick plate assembly for controlling the flow of a fluid through a valve. The valve actuator is particularly suitable for valves of the type disclosed in US Patent No. 5,505,227, but is also applicable to other types of valves, particularly 3 -way pilot valves that can be actuated by the depression of a piston or button. A valve actuator assembly 5 in accordance with the invention as shown in the attached drawings is intended for operation of a valve 20 mounted to a cabinet 45 with a door 50 and a toe board 90 either by movement of the cabinet door 50 or by actuation of a kick plate 70 of the assembly. The assembly includes an actuator body 35 mountable in relation to the valve 20 for movement between a valve actuating position and a normal, at rest, position; a door engagement member 40 adapted to engage the door 50 and for realeasbly forcing the actuator body 35 into the valve actuating position; and a kick plate mechanism for reversibly forcing the actuator body 35 into the valve actuator position independent of the position of the door engagement member 40.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 3, showing a first embodiment of the valve actuator assembly 5 of the present invention the assembly includes a valve 20 (Fig. 3) operable by an actuator body 35 mountable on the valve 20 for slidable reciprocation between a normal at rest position and a valve operating position (Fig. 2). The actuator 35 is slidably fitted over the valve stem 21 of the valve 20. The valve 20 is fastened to a toe board 90 of the cabinet 45. The actuator body 35 is connected with a door engagement member 40 in the form of a door paw 300, which interfaces with a door 50 of the cabinet 45 (Fig. 1). The actuator body 35 has a cam end 30 operably associated with a follower 60 operatively connected to a kick plate mechanism 280 mounted to the toe board 90. Thus, the actuator body 35 is operable by either the cabinet door 50 or the kickplate mechanism 280. A valve bushing (not shown) may be included to reduce wear and friction between the actuator 35 and the valve stem 21. The follower includes a shaft 61 and a follower bushing 160 for reducing friction between and wear of the follower and the cam end 30. Preferably, the follower is cylindrical, but alternate cross sections are also suitable. The follower 60 engages the cam end 30 proximate a first side 250 and the door engagement member 40 engages the cam slide 30 proximate a second side 260 of the valve 20. In the preferred embodiment, a hinge base 80 attaches to the toe board 90 near a cabinet base 100 and manual hinge 110 hingedly connects to the hinge base 80. Similarly, a kick hinge 120 hingedly connects to the manual hinge 110. A kick plate 70 is connected to the kick hinge 120, preferably by the use of an adhesive. The kick plate 70 is preferably of a height that is chosen to correlate to the height of the toe board 90 to give good functionality and aesthetics.

In a kick plate assembly 10 of the present invention as shown in Figures 1 to 3 and 5, the cam end 30 of the actuator body 35 operatively connected to the valve 20 has a working surface 33 with a sloped surface profile 38. The door engagement member 40 is mountable to the actuator body 35 and fixedly connected therewith for operative engagement of the door 50. A kick plate assembly actuator 290 is hingedly connected to the cabinet 45, preferably to the toe board 90. The follower 60 is adapted to operatively connect with the working surface 33 of the cam end 30.

Referring to Figs. 4 and 6, the valve 20 preferably is operated by a valve piston 130 reciprocal in the valve stem 21. The actuator body 35 has a cylindrical recess 37 for movably fitting over the valve stem 21. An axially extending protuberant member 140 is provided in the recess 37 of the actuator body 35 for engagement with the valve piston 130 when the actuator body 35 is mounted on the valve stem 21, such that axial pressure on the actuator 35 by way of the door engagement member 40 or by movement of the follower along the cam end 30 axially displaces the piston 130 to activate the valve 20. Referring to Figs. 5 and 6, the actuator body 35 is connected with the door engagement member 40 having the door paw 300^'. The door engagement member 40 is slidably received in a pair of opposing tracks 36 in the actuator body 35 for axial adjustment of the position of the door paw 300 in relation to the actuator body 35. A headless screw 170 (see Fig. 1) respectively held between the door engagement member 40 and the actuator body 35 engages a screw recess 41 in the door engagement member 40 and a threaded groove 39 in the actuator body 35 to prevent axial movement of the door engagement member 40 in the tracks 36. The position of the door paw 300 relative to the actuator body 35 can be adjusted by rotation of the headless screw 170 (see also Fig. 2). This permits adjustment of the valve actuator mechanism 5 to different reset depths of the toe board 90. Preferably, the thickness of the door paw 300 is adapted for the paw to fit within the space between the door 50 and the cabinet 45.

Referring to Figs. 2, 5 and 6, the cam end 30 of the actuator body 35 has a sloped working surface 33 with a surface profile 38. Preferably, the surface profile 38 is in the shape of a V having a base 230. Preferably, operation of the kick plate mechanism results in a movement of the follower 60 along the V-shaped profile 38 from the base 230 along one of the inclined legs of the V-shaped surface profile 38. The follower 60 is located at the base 230, when the actuator body 35 and the kick plate are in the at rest position. The axial distance of the follower 60 from the valve stem 21 or the valve piston 130 is substantially constant, so that movement of the follower 60 along the surface profile 38 from the base 230 along one of the inclined ramps of the profile 38 results in the actuator body 35 being axially moved along the valve stem 21 and the protuberant member 140 axially engaging and moving the valve piston 130. One of the inclined ramps of the surface profile 38 has a groove 34 into which the follower 60 can be snapped to lock the follower in place and to maintain the actuator body 35 in the valve operating position. The headless screw 170 is used to adjust the relative position of the door engagement member 40 relative to the actuator body 35, for exact positioning of the door engagement member 40 relative to the door 50 (see Fig. 2)

Referring to Fig. 7, a door engagement member 40 in the form of a door paw 300 is adapted to connect to the cam body 35 (see Figs 5-6) and interact with the cabinet door 50 (see Fig. 1).

Referring to Figs. 8-11, the hinge base 80 is adapted to fixedly attach to the toe board 90 (see Fig. 2) and has a base tongue 180 to engage the manual hinge 110. The manual hinge 110 is hingedly connectable to the hinge base 80, and preferably is of relatively short vertical height to provide increased flexibility in fitting a wider variety of toe board heights. The manual hinge 110 supports the follower 60 spaced from the toe board 90 by a hinge member 270 to engage the cam slide 30 (see Fig. 1). The manual hinge 110 preferably has an elongate circular groove in the form of a base groove 190 which receives the base tongue 180 of the of the hinge base 80, and an elongate circular groove in the form of a kick groove 200 which receives a kick tongue 210 of the kick hinge 120. The kick plate 70 is attached to the kick hinge 120, preferably by the use of an adhesive. A backstop 240 restrains movement of the kick hinge 120 and the manual hinge 110 in a direction towards the cabinet 45, while the kick groove 200 is an open c-groove allows rotation in the opposite direction, thereby facilitating cleaning behind the kick hinge 120 and the kick plate 70 . A retainer cover 220 (see Fig. 1) keeps the kick plate assembly 10 together.

Turning now to Fig. 12, which shows the pivot joint 185 between the manual hinge 110 and the kick hinge 120, the manual hinge 110 has an elongated groove 111 for pivotally receiving an enlarged bead portion 121 of the kick hinge. The bead portion 121 has a locking projection 122 for releasably engaging one of a pair of locking recesses 112 in the groove 111. In the downwardly extending position of the kick hinge 120 as shown in Fig. 12, the locking projection 122 engages one of the locking recesses 112 to maintain the kick hinge 120 against the manual hinge 110. When the kick hinge is pivoted upward about the pivot joint 185, the locking projection 122 is moved out of the one locking recess 112 until it engages the other locking recess 112, at which point the engagement between locking projection 122 and recess 112 maintains the kick hinge 120 and, thus, the kick plate 70 in a raised position. This facilitates cleaning behind the kick plate 70, which is especially important for the hospital environment.

Figs. 13 - 19 show another embodiment of a valve actuator assembly 5 of the present invention for use with a valve 20 (Fig. 13) operable by an actuator body 35 in the form of a joystick pin 407 movable between a normal at rest position and a plurality of valve operating positions in which the joystick pin 407 is deflected from the at rest or neutral/central position. Referring to Figs. 13 -17, the valve actuator assembly 5 of this embodiment includes a base in the form of a base plate 420 for attachment to the toe board 90, a door follower assembly 500 mountable to the base plate and having a door follower 510 and door paw 300 for engagement by the door 50, the door follower assembly 500 being movable between an actuating position in which the door follower assembly deflects the joystick pin 407 for actuation of the valve 20, as will be described in more detail below, and a normal at rest position in which the door follower assembly 500 does not deflect the joystick pin 407, and a kick plate mechanism 400 including a kick hinge 470 and a kick plate 480, the kick hinge 470 hingedly attachable to the base plate 420 for movement between an operating position in which the kick hinge reversibly deflects the joystick pin 407 for actuation of the valve 20, as will be described in more detail below, and a normal at rest position in which the kick hinge 470 does not deflect the joystick pin 407, whereby the kick hinge is movable between the operating and at rest positions independently of the movement or position of the door follower assembly 500. Thus, the joystick pin 407 associated with the valve 20 is independently operable by either the door follower assembly 500 or the kick plate mechanism 400.

Preferably, the kick hinge 470 includes a locking hinge portion 430 and a kick hinge portion 471. The locking hinge portion 430 is hingedly attachable to the base plate 420 for movement between a locked position wherein the locking hinge portion 430 releasably deflects the joystick pin 407 for actuation of the valve, as will be described in more detail below, and a normal at rest position in which the locking hinge portion 430 does not deflect the joystick pin 407. The kick hinge portion 471 is preferably associated with a kick plate 480 for foot operation of the kick hinge 470. Preferably, the kick hinge portion 471 is hingedly attachable to the locking hinge portion 430 for movement between an active position in which foot operation of the kick plate 480 moves the kick hinge 470 into the operating position and a cleaning position in which the kick plate is pivoted up and away from the toe board 90 (see Fig. 19), to allow cleaning of the toe board behind the kick plate. The locking hinge portion 430 and the kick hinge portion 471 preferably have separate joystick deflecting portions.

Preferably, the valve assembly includes a pair of spaced apart assembly mounts 440,450 attachable to the base plate 420 and having a pivot pin 445 and 455 respectively for supporting the door follower assembly 500 and the kick plate mechanism 470. Preferably, at least one of the assembly mounts 440,450 is further constructed to fixedly retain the valve 20. Most preferably both assembly mounts are constructed to retain the valve to make the assembly fully left-right reversible.

In the preferred embodiment as illustrated in Figs. 13-19, the kick plate mechanism 470 includes a kick hinge portion 471 and a locking hinge portion 430. The base plate 420 attaches with fasteners 460 to the toe board 90 of the cabinet 45 near the cabinet base 100. The locking hinge portion 430 is hingedly supported on the pivot pins 445 and 455 of the assembly mounts 440,450 respectively. The assembly mounts 440, 450 are each attached to the base plate 420 and are hooked at the top into a retaining groove 580 of the base plate 420 and releasably attached to the base plate 420 at the bottom by a fastener 461 engaging a crescent shaped fastener groove 590 in the base plate 420. The door follower 510 is supported between a horizontal shoulder 600 of the base plate 420 and either one of the pivot pins 445, 455. The assembly 5 can be assembled either in a right-hand configuration (see Fig. 13) with the door follower 510 to the right side of the of the locking hinge 430 or in a left-hand configuration (not shown) with the door follower 510 to the left side of the locking hinge 430. This makes the assembly reversible. The door follower 510 has a longhole opening 610 for receiving one of the pivot pins 445, 455. This allows movement of the door follower 510 to and from the base plate 420 on the associated pivot pin 445, 455 and the support shoulder 600. The valve 20 with the protruding joystick pin 407 is retained by one of the assembly mounts 440,450 in an orientation exposing the joystick pin 407 to the door follower 510. The door follower 510 has an opening for receiving the joystick pin 407 of the valve 20 so that movement of the door follower 510 towards the base plate 420 on the support shoulder 600 and one of the pivot pins 445, 455 results in deflection of the joystick pin 407 and, thus, activation of the valve 20.

The door follower 510 is movable by movement of the cabinet door 50 towards the cabinet 45. This is achieved by way of the door paw 300 adjustably mounted on the door follower 510. The door paw 300 is adjustably received in a guide channel 500 in the door follower 510 and threadedly mounted on a headless adjustment screw 170 (see Fig. 13). Rotation of the adjustment screw 170 results in displacement of the door paw 300 along the guide channel 520 for adjustment of the axial position of the door paw 300 in the channel 520. Thus, the position of the door paw 300 relative to the door follower 510 is adjustable to permit the adaptation of the valve actuator assembly 5 to different recess depths of the toe board 90 and to permit fine adjustment of the position of the door paw 300 relative to the door 50. Preferably, the thickness of the door paw 300 is adapted for the door paw 300 to fit within the space between the closed door 50 and the cabinet 45. Referring to Fig. 16, showing a right hand assembly of the embodiment, the locking hinge portion 430 is pivotally mounted on the pivot pin 455 and has an actuating lip 640 for engagement of the joystick pin 407. The pivot pin 455 is received in a locking passage 620 which is oblong in cross-section with opposite transverse ends 621,622 and a stop nose 630 which allows the pivot pin 445, 455 to be releasably held at either transverse end. The locking passage 620 is oriented so that the transverse ends 621,622 are spaced at different distances from the actuating lip 640. Due to this orientation of the locking passage 620, movement of the pivot pin 455 along the locking passage 620 translates into a movement of the locking hinge 430 towards and away from the base plate 420 between an at rest position (see Fig. 16) in which the pivot pin 455 is at one transverse end 621 of the locking passage 620 and the joystick pin 407 is not deflected by the actuating lip 640, and a locking position (see Fig. 17) in which the pivot pin 455 is at the opposite transverse end 622 behind the stop nose 630 and the joystick pin 407 is deflected by the actuating lip 640. The locking hinge portion 430 is releasably held in the locking position by the stop nose 630. In the illustrated embodiment, the actuating lip 640 which engages the joystick pin 407 and displaces the joystick pin 407 from the at rest position towards the base plate 420 into a valve operating position when the locking hinge portion 430 is moved from the at rest position towards the base plate 420 into the locking position. The locking hinge portion 430 also has a pivot channel 650 in which a pivot nose 665 of the kick hinge portion 471 can be pivotally received and retained. The kick hinge portion 471 has a supporting lip 660 which rests on the support shoulder 600 of the base plate 420 when the kick plate 480 (see Fig. 13) and the locking hinge portion 430 are in the at rest position. The kick hinge portion 471 furthermore has a stop lip 670 which limits the pivotal movement of the kick hinge portion 471 relative to the locking hinge portion 430 to hold the kick hinge portion 471 and the attached kick plate 480 (see Fig. 17) away from the toe board 90. The kick plate 480 is preferably adhesively attached to the kick hinge portion 471 by a layer of adhesive 481 (see Fig. 13).

While the kick hinge portion 430 and locking hinge portion 471 are shown in a composite, or two-piece configuration, one skilled in the art would recognize that they could be assembled from more, or even less components. For example, they could be combined into a single kick hinge 430 with a one-way hinge added near the top of the kick plate 480 to allow the kick plate to be moved away and up from the toe board 90. While the toe board 90 is the preferred mounting point for the base plate 420, the base plate 420 may be adapted to mount to other typical surfaces, including horizontal surfaces through the use of an adapter or vertical mount.

Referring to the embodiment of the valve actuator assembly shown in Figs. 1-12, in operation via the door engagement member 40, application of pressure to the door 50 via a knee, elbow or other means, causes movement of the door engagement member 40, thus causing the cam slide 30 to depress the valve piston 130 via the protuberant member 140, causing the valve 20 to move between a valve operating position and a normal at rest position. In operation via the kick plate mechanism 280, application of pressure to the kick plate 70 causes movement of the follower 60, causing interaction between the follower 60 and the working surface 33 of the cam slide 30, thus causing the cam slide 30 to depress the valve piston 130 via the protuberant member 140, causing the valve 20 to move between a valve operating position and a normal at rest position. Referring to the embodiment of the valve actuator assembly shown in Figs. 13 -

19, the valve actuator assembly 5 may be independently intermittently operated via the door follower assembly 500, intermittently operated via the kick plate mechanism 400, continuously operated in a "locked" mode via the locking hinge portion 430, or the kick plate 480 may be partially released for access or cleaning of the toe board 90. In operation, the application of pressure to the door 50 via a knee, elbow or other means causes movement of the door paw 300 which translates through the attached door follower 510 and its actuating lip 640 to displacement of the joystick pin 407 and operation of the valve 20, independent of any movement of the locking hinge portion 430 or the kick hinge portion 471. Release of the pressure on the door 50 allows the joystick pin 407 of the valve 20 to return to the normal at rest position.

The application of pressure to the kick plate 480 by a foot, hand or otherwise, causes movement of the kick plate 480 towards the toe board 90 which translates into rotation of the locking hinge portion/kick hinge portion combination 430,471 (kick plate mechanism) from the normal, at rest position (see Fig. 16) to the activating position (see Fig. 15) about the pivot pins 445,455 and displacement of the joystick pin 407 from the at rest position by upward displacement of the actuating lip 640. When the pressure on the kick plate 480 is released, the weight of the components returns the kick hinge portion 471 and locking hinge portion 430 combination to the at rest position (see Fig. 16) allowing the joystick pin 407 to return to normal at rest position as well, thereby deactivating the valve 20.

In operation via the locking hinge portion 430, application of pressure upward and toward the base plate 420 upon the front or underside of the kick hinge portion 471 or locking hinge portion 430 moves the locking hinge portion 430 from the at rest position (see Fig. 16) towards the locking position (see Fig. 17). This movement results in displacement of the joystick pin 407 by way of the actuating lip 640 and operation of the valve 20 independent of any movement of the door 50 or the door follower 510. At the same time, the locking hinge portion 430 is moved along the locking passage 620 constrained by the pivot pins 445, 455, over the stop nose 630, and is held in place by the stop nose 430 in the locked position. The resetting force of the joystick pin 407 and the weight of the kick hinge portion 471 acting on the locking hinge portion 430 by way of the stop Hp 670 maintain the locking hinge portion 430 in the locked position with the pivot pin 455 behind the stop nose 630. To release the locking hinge 430, pressure is applied to the locking hinge 430 upward and toward the base plate 420, allowing the pivot pins 445, 455 to overcome the stop nose 630 and allow the locking hinge 430 to move along the locking hinge passage 620 constrained by pivot pins 445, 455, to release the joystick pin 407 and allow it to return to its at rest position.

In operation, to facilitate cleaning of the toe board 90 or the back side of the kick hinge portion 471 or the kick plate 480, upward pivoting of the locking hinge portion 430 in the at rest position about the pivot pins 445, 455 without movement of the kick plate 480 towards the toe board 90 disengages the supporting lip 660 of the kick hinge portion 471 from the horizontal support shoulder 600 of the base plate 420 and allows unhooking of the supporting lip 660 from the base plate 420 for rotation of the kick hinge 480/locking hinge portion 430 combination about the pivot nose 665 away from the toe board 90. Full rotation of the kick hinge portion 471 relative to the locking hinge portion 430 and of the locking hinge portion 430 about the pivot pins 445, 455 allows the kick plate 480/locking hinge portion 430 combination to be rotated upward sufficiently to enable cleaning of the toe board 90 and/or the back side of kick hinge portion 471 or kick plate 480.

The above-described embodiments of the present invention are intended to be examples only. Alterations, modifications and variations may be effected to the particular embodiments by those of skill in the art without departing from the scope of the invention, which is defined solely by the claims appended hereto.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A valve actuator assembly for operating a valve mounted to a cabinet with a door and a toe board and operable either with the door or a cabinet mountable kick plate, comprising: a. a base for mounting to the cabinet; b. an actuator body mountable on the valve for movement between a valve operating position and a normal at rest position; c. a door engagement means supported on the base for engaging the door and for forcing the actuator body into the valve operating position; and d. a kick plate mechanism supported on the base for forcing the actuator body into the valve operating position independent of the door engagement means.

2. The valve actuator assembly of claim 1 , wherein the door engagement means is a door engagement member mountable to the actuator body.

3. The valve actuator assembly of claim 1 , wherein the door engagement member is mountable to the door.

4. The valve actuator assembly of claim 1, wherein the kick plate mechanism is mountable to the toe board.

5. The valve actuator assembly of claim 1, wherein the kick plate mechanism is mountable to the cabinet.

6. A kick plate assembly for operating a valve mounted to a cabinet having a door and a toe board, comprising: a. a cam slide having i. an actuator body having a recess adapted to operatively connect to the valve; ii. a working surface distal the recess having a surface profile; b. a door engagement member mountable to the actuator body fixedly connected with the cam slide and extending therefrom and adapted to operatively engage the door; and c. a kick plate assembly actuator hingedly connected with the cabinet having a follower adapted to operatively connect with the working surface, wherein activation of the door engagement member or the kick plate assembly actuator are independently adapted to cause operation of the valve.

7. The kick plate assembly of claim 6, wherein the door engagement actuator is a door paw.

8. The kick plate assembly of claim 6, wherein the kick plate assembly actuator is a kick plate operable by a user's foot.

9. The kick plate assembly of claim 6, wherein the actuator body further comprises a protuberant member extending within the recess towards the valve, said member adapted to operate a valve piston in order to cause operation of the valve.

10. The kick plate assembly of claim 6, wherein the follower is adapted to engage the cam slide proximate a first side and the door engagement actuator is adapted to engage the cam slide proximate a second side, opposite the first side.

11. The kick plate assembly of claim 6, wherein the follower is adapted to engage the cam slide at a distance X from the centreline of the recess and the door engagement actuator is adapted to engage the door at a distance Y from the centreline of the recess, wherein the ratio of X: Y is approximately 1:1.5.

12. The kick plate assembly of claim 6, wherein the surface profile is generally a v- shape.

13. The kick plate assembly of claim 12, wherein the follower engages the working surface at a notch of the v-shape.

14. The kick plate assembly of claim 6, further comprising a valve bushing associated with the interface of the cam slide and the valve.

15. The kick plate assembly of claim 6, further comprising a follower bushing associated with the interface of the follower and the cam slide.

16. The kick plate assembly of claim 6, wherein the working surface has a radiused portion.

17. The kick plate assembly of claim 16, wherein follower has a follower radius, and the radiused portion has a radius that equals the follower radius.

18. The kick plate assembly of claim 6, wherein the kick plate assembly actuator comprises: a. a hinge base adapted to fixedly attach to the toe board; b. a manual hinge of a relatively short height, hingedly connectable to the hinge base, having a hinge member adapted to space the follower away from the toe board; c. a kick hinge hingably connectable to the manual hinge; and d. a kick plate attachable to the kick hinge, wherein the follower is adapted to actuate the valve upon application of pressure to the kick plate.

19. The kick plate assembly of claim 18, wherein the hinge base comprises a base tongue adapted to slidingly engage the manual hinge.

20. The kick plate assembly of claim 18, wherein the manual hinge comprises: a. a base groove adapted to slidably engage the hinge base; and b. a kick groove adapted to slidingly engage the kick hinge.

21. The kick plate assembly of claim 20, wherein the kick groove is adapted to allow rotational movement of the kick hinge relative to the manual hinge in a direction up and away from the toe board while restraining relative movement in the opposite direction.

22. The kick plate assembly of claim 20, wherein the manual hinge further comprises a backstop means for stopping rotational movement of the kick hinge relative to the manual hinge in a direction down and towards the toe board at a pre-determined stopping point.

23. The kick plate assembly of claim 20, wherein the backstop means comprises the kick tongue/kick groove connection in combination with a backstop.

24. The kick plate assembly of claim 6, wherein the valve is a 3-way valve.

25. A valve actuator assembly for a valve mounted to a cabinet with a door and a toe board and activated by an operating member, comprising: a base for attachment to the cabinet, a door follower mountable to the base for engagement by the door, the door follower being movable between an actuating position in which the door follower deflects the operating member for actuation of the valve and a normal at rest position in which the door follower does not deflect the operating member, and a kick plate mechanism hingedly attachable to the base for movement between an operating position in which the kick plate mechanism reversibly deflects the operating member for actuation of the valve and a normal at rest position in which the kick plate mechanism does not deflect the operating member, whereby the kick plate mechanism is movable between the operating and at rest positions independently of the movement or position of the door follower.

26. The valve actuator assembly of claim 25, wherein the kick plate mechanism includes a locking hinge portion hingedly attachable to the base for movement between a locked position wherein the locking hinge portion releasably deflects the operating member for actuation of the valve and a normal at rest position in which the locking hinge portion does not deflect the operating member, and a kick hinge portion with a kick plate for foot operation of the kick plate mechanism.

27. The valve actuator assembly of claim 26, wherein the kick hinge portion is hingedly attachable to the locking hinge portion for movement between an active position in which foot operation of the kick plate moves the kick plate mechanism into the operating position and a cleaning position in which the kick plate is pivoted up and away from the toe board to allow cleaning of the toe board behind the kick plate.

28. The valve actuator assembly of claim 27, wherein the locking hinge portion and the kick hinge portion have separate operating member deflecting portions.

29. The valve actuator assembly of claim 26, further comprising a pair of spaced apart mounts fastenable to the base for supporting the door follower and the kick plate mechanism.

30. The valve actuator assembly of claim 29, wherein at least one of the assembly mounts is constructed for retaining the valve in operating relationship with the door follower and the kick plate mechanism.

31. The valve actuator assembly of claim 30, wherein both assembly mounts are constructed for retaining the valve to make the assembly left-right reversible.