Flow and temperature control valve handles

Details Flow and temperature control valve handles Flow and temperature control valve handles

2000-03-06

2001-08-28

Chambers, A. Michael (Department: 3753)

Fluid handling

With casing, support, protector or static constructional...

Static constructional installations

C137S801000, C251S288000, C251S293000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06279604

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to handles and escutcheons for water control valves. Such valves are used, for example, for controlling the flow rate and temperature of a shower, tub, or the like. The escutcheon is a plate that covers an opening in a wall through which the valves extend. The escutcheon and handles typically have a decorative appearance, both as to shape and finish. It is desirable to coordinate the decorative appearance of the escutcheon and handles, not only with each other but with other fixtures such as faucets, shower heads, tub spouts, drain covers, towel bars, towel racks, soap dishes, tissue holders and toothbrush holders. Furthermore, it is preferable to be able to coordinate and/or change the decorative appearance of these items without having to alter or replace the functional components underlying the decorative exteriors. Given these concerns regarding aesthetics, the further desirability of mounting the handles and escutcheon without the use of exposed or visible fasteners will be understandable. At the same time, the handle must provide a predictable, repeatable tactile response without wobble or play to convey a sense of quality. In other words, it has to feel right to the user. The need for replaceable decorative elements without visible fasteners significantly complicates the design of the handles and escutcheons. U.S. Pat. No. 5,257,645 assigned to the present assignee addresses some of these issues. The present invention is an extension of that work.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention concerns handles for flow control and temperature control valves, such as those used in a shower. It is particularly directed to handles of the type that has interchangeable decorative elements while using common functional components. The handles also permit mounting and centering of a base escutcheon plate with no visible fasteners. Similarly, the handles themselves have no visible fasteners. This makes it straightforward to change the handles' decorative elements and/or the base escutcheon plate without having to change the functional components of the control valves.
The handle of the present invention has a chassis with a first bearing surface. The chassis is removably attached to a valve body. The handle further includes an actuating member connectable to a valve cartridge mounted in the valve body. The actuating member has a second bearing surface. A spring is disposed between the chassis and the actuating member for biasing the first and second bearing surfaces into contact with one another. Controlling the compression of the spring allows control of the pressure on the respective bearing surfaces. The handle parts are designed such that the compression of the spring is not related to the tightness of the any screws or fasteners. An interchangeable lower shell connects to the chassis and is rotatable therewith for installation of the handle. A retaining ring holds the lower shell in place prior to installation.
In another aspect the flow handle is attached to a retaining nut which is sized to reinforce a valve cartridge stop member. The nut prevents radial movement of the stop, thereby increasing its load to failure.


REFERENCES:
patent: 1654550 (1928-01-01), Muend
patent: 2355736 (1944-08-01), Klein
patent: 4186761 (1980-02-01), Guarnieri
patent: 4961443 (1990-10-01), Buccicone et al.
patent: 5082023 (1992-01-01), D'Alayer de Costemore d'Arc
patent: 5257645 (1993-11-01), Scully et al.
patent: 5947149 (1999-09-01), Mark

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