Valves and valve actuation – With material guide or restrictor
Reexamination Certificate
2000-02-25
2001-09-11
Shaver, Kevin (Department: 3754)
Valves and valve actuation
With material guide or restrictor
C251S127000, C137S801000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06286808
ABSTRACT:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
Not Applicable
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
Not Applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to faucets used adjacent plumbing fixtures such as lavatories and bath tubs. More particularly it relates to faucets that provide a gentle, gravity driven cascade of water.
Cascading water type faucets are particularly desired for aesthetic reasons, but may also have benefits in connection with bathing (e.g. ease of rinsing; gentle washing). Such faucets typically accept water at varying line pressures, provide a more constant pressure to avoid spurts and sprays, and in some of the most preferred faucets step down the pressure to provide very gentle flow. Relatively complex and large chambers are usually required to achieve these results, precluding the use of certain faucet body shapes which are desired for ornamental or other reasons.
For example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,202,181 and 4,722,509 there were disclosed mixing valves positioned in faucet housings. However, these designs permitted the exiting water to be highly pressurized, which affected the appearance of the water as it exited.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,886,210 and 5,537,696 disclosed examples of sheet flow type spouts. However, they required relatively complex designs and restricted decorative options.
Thus, it can be seen that a need exists for faucets which can provide a cascading type water flow while also providing flexibility with respect to exterior housing shape.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In one aspect the invention provides a faucet having a faucet body with a bore that is in communication a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet passage. There is also a valve unit positioned in the bore for regulating fluid flow from the fluid inlet to the fluid outlet passage. The valve unit and the faucet body are constructed and arranged so as to allow fluid to flow between the outer periphery of the valve unit and the faucet body before flowing into the fluid outlet passage. In this regard, the valve unit is in the form of a cartridge positioned in an inner housing that allows fluid exiting the valve unit to pass outside the housing and then pass (e.g. rise) between the valve unit housing and the faucet body.
In a preferred form the faucet housing has a fluid outlet, a flow restrictor is positioned in the fluid outlet, and the fluid outlet has a lateral passage for directing fluid against an inside wall of the housing before it exits the housing. In this form the faucet body also has a seat in the bore with the valve unit located on the seat.
In other preferred form there is a seal positioned between the valve unit and the seat, an upper portion of the valve unit is spaced from an inside wall of the faucet housing, the valve unit is centrally positioned in the faucet body, and the outlet passage of the faucet body feeds into a spout that radially extends from the faucet body (e.g. at an essentially right angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the valve unit).
In another aspect the invention provides a faucet having a faucet body with an inlet, a bowl portion adjacent the inlet and in communication therewith, and a spout in fluid communication with the bowl portion and extending from the bowl portion. There is also a valve unit positioned in the bowl portion for regulating fluid flow from the fluid inlet to the bowl portion. The valve unit and the faucet body are constructed and arranged to allow fluid to pass in a direction away from the inlet in the bowl portion outside of and around the valve unit before exiting the spout.
The faucets of the present invention are adaptable for mounting either on a vertical surface or a horizontal surface. In either case, water is permitted to pass outside of the valve housing (inside the faucet body) before exiting. This partial immersion of the housing around the cartridge gives the water a desirable appearance by converting flow to a gentle, gravity driven cascading flow.
In another preferred embodiment there is a flow regulator positioned the fluid outlet. It is designed to slow the rate of fluid flow and renders in more constant.
The faucets can have a wide variety of faucet body configurations, thereby providing great flexibility in ornamental design. The faucets can achieve a cascading gentle flow effect with parts that can be inexpensively made. Further, these faucets can be assembled and installed quickly. Maintenance can be performed, if needed, even by those without special plumbing skills.
These and still other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description which follows. In the detailed description below preferred embodiments of the invention are described with reference to the accompanying drawings. These embodiments do not represent the full scope of the invention. Rather the invention may be employed in other embodiments.
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Paese Andrew J.
Slothower Erich D.
Bonderer David A
Kohler Co.
Quarles & Brady LLP
Shaver Kevin
LandOfFree
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