Fluid handling – With casing – support – protector or static constructional... – Static constructional installations
Patent
1996-03-11
1997-09-23
Lee, Kevin
Fluid handling
With casing, support, protector or static constructional...
Static constructional installations
1374545, F16K 1102
Patent
active
056694075
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to valve assemblies for faucets and the like and to means for mounting said assemblies to cover plates or escutcheons, particularly those made of plastic.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Valve assemblies comprised of bonnets and stems and their use with plastic cover plates or escutcheons are known and are disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,789,870. However, the conventional means for mounting these valve assemblies to plastic cover plates are generally unsatisfactory because they produce excessive strains and stresses on the cover plate. These stresses and strains sometimes result in cracking of the cover plate. Furthermore, the conventional means for mounting these valve assemblies are inefficient in production as they require the use of threaded hold down rings which require special attention to reduce cross threading. Eliminating these rings traditionally would have meant either a loose escutcheon or excessive stresses and strains which could lead to cracking of the cover.
The present invention provides a means of mounting valve assemblies to plastic cover plates without the production of excessive stresses and strains of conventional mounting systems. Furthermore, the instant invention also permits the snap fit assembly of the underbodies, cover plate, and retaining washer after the underbody assembly has been suitably tested for leakage.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The instant invention provides a valve assembly comprised of a bonnet and stem having sealing means comprised of a circumferentially extending flange on the bonnet. The flange has an undercut providing a generally U-shaped space into which is inserted a sealing member such as an O-ring. The sealing member is encapsulated in this U-shaped space and is surrounded on three sides by the metal of the flange.
The instant invention further provides an improved means for mounting the valve assembly to a plastic cover plate and simultaneously securing the cover plate to the deck of a faucet or the like. The improved means comprises an annular split retaining washer which is disposed in an annular seat in the interior of a valve assembly receiving flange in the cover plate. The retaining washer is forced against the seat by a shoulder formed on the underside of a flange in the bonnet. The cover plate is thus secured to the deck of a sink or the like.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a rear elevational view partially in section of the assembled valve assembly and cover plate;
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the valve assembly, retaining ring, and part of the cover plate;
FIG. 3 is a side elevational view in section of the valve assembly comprised of the bonnet and stem; and
FIG. 4 is a partial side elevational view in section of the valve assembly mounted in the cover plate.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring to FIG. 1 there is illustrated a mixing faucet assembly 10 having a pair of spaced apart valve assemblies 11 and 12. Valve assemblies 11 and 12 are generally identical. Since both valve assemblies are generally identical only one will be described in detail. One valve assembly is disposed in underbody 80 while the other valve assembly is disposed in underbody 82. One valve assembly controls the flow of hot water while the other controls the flow of cold water. Each underbody 80, 82 has a central passageway 84 extending therethrough and is provided with an externally threaded portion 86. Central passageway 84 has an internally threaded portion 85 adjacent its top end. A waterway 94 connects the two underbodies. A spout tube 95 is connected to waterway 94. The underbodies 80, 82 have port means 87 comprising an aperture which communicate with waterway 90. Underbodies 80, 82 also have valve seats 88 disposed in passageway 84.
The valve assembly 11 includes a hollow bonnet 14 having a central bore 15 which has an internally threaded portion 16 adjacent its top end 17. The bore 15 has a relatively smooth portion 18 beneath the threaded portion 16 for recep
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Kapustij Myron B.
Lee Kevin
Masco Corporation of Indiana
Sutherland Malcolm L.
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