Fluid handling – With casing – support – protector or static constructional... – Guards and shields
Patent
1989-02-28
1990-06-12
Chambers, A. Michael
Fluid handling
With casing, support, protector or static constructional...
Guards and shields
137382, 13762541, F16K 2708
Patent
active
049324330
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention is directed to a mechanism for covering and protecting internal operating parts of a mixing faucet having a movable control lever which pivotally moves about a single center.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In faucets that have a single control handle, movement of the control lever in one of the directions regulates the proportion of mixing of cold and hot water which arrives at the faucet through its respective inlets, while the movement of the same control lever in another direction regulates the total flow of the mixed water supplied to the faucet. Because the control lever is movable in two different directions, the window from which the lever of the valve body cover extends is relatively large to allow motion of the lever in both directions. The window or opening can constitute an unsightly element where dirt, grease, small objects and other unwanted material can easily penetrate into the valve body causing its malfunction.
Often the opening is hidden from view by a control lever that has an integral bottom flange or cap at its base. However, the bottom of the control lever is not sufficient to effectively protect the internal machinery because there is a wide gap between the bottom flange and the cover which permits dirt to easily penetrate to the movable parts. Furthermore, both the bottom flange and a portion of the cover not covered by this integral flange are visible which either compromises or restricts the appearance of the faucet and puts narrow limits on the refinement of its design. The cover often has a finished exterior surface which increases the production expense of this particular mechanism.
What is needed is a more efficient mechanism for covering and protecting the internal operating parts of a faucet of the type considered here. An improvement is needed that minimizes design limitations affecting the faucet's appearance, and permits a more efficient construction while substantially reducing its cost.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
One aspect of the invention involves a mixing faucet with a bidirectional movable control lever pivotally movable about a single point and extending from an opening formed within a cover. One part of the cover has an exterior semi-spherical surface centered about the same point as the lever's center of movement. A thin semi-spherical cap with a complementary internal semi-spherical surface is placed over the cover and makes contact with the exterior semi-spherical surface. The cap is separate from the control lever and mounted transverse to the axis of the lever. A hood is mounted over the cover and the outer periphery of said cap. The hood has a circular window sized to be in sliding contact with the external surface of the cap.
The cap and hood protect and cover the opening in the cover regardless of the position of the control lever. The thin semi-spherical shaped cap is constructed as a separate member from the control lever and is mounted to be in direct contact with the underlying spherical section of the cover. Therefore, besides covering up the hood window, the cap protects and successfully seals the cover opening against dirt and other unwanted material from entry. This sealing effect is even more efficient due to the fact that the cap is in sliding contact with the circular window of the hood (that is, it touches the edges of the window), resulting in two efficient closures in a row. The capped unit hides all internal parts of the faucet, and the cover is mounted under the cap. Only a small portion of the cap is visible from the window in the hood so that the presence of the cap only minimally affects the appearance of the faucet which can be designed with great freedom. Finally, the cap and hood can be produced very economically; for example, in plastic or in molded metallic laminate with finishing touches and different designs desired to meet the different aesthetic possibilities adopted for the faucet. The cover need no longer be finished which can substantially reduce the cost of production of the whole asse
REFERENCES:
patent: 2216040 (1972-10-01), Schweiz
patent: 2675018 (1954-04-01), Hudson et al.
patent: 2911009 (1959-11-01), Parker
patent: 3156260 (1964-11-01), Harvey et al.
patent: 3422849 (1969-01-01), Manoogian
patent: 3872890 (1975-03-01), Hare
patent: 4226260 (1980-10-01), Schmitt
Chambers A. Michael
Masco Corporation
Permut Steven L.
Sutherland Malcolm L.
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