Fluid handling – Processes – Cleaning – repairing – or assembling
Reexamination Certificate
2000-04-06
2001-10-16
Lee, Kevin (Department: 3753)
Fluid handling
Processes
Cleaning, repairing, or assembling
C137S269000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06302131
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to the installation of plumbing fittings, generally and, more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to a novel system and method of installing bath and shower plumbing fittings.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Numerous difficulties arise in installing plumbing fittings, in both residential and commercial settings, where the sizes and shapes and configurations of various components needed to complete a plumbing connection are not standardized. Such problems are described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,376,888 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,842,009, both of which are incorporated herein in their entirety.
Two types of valve arrangements are found in the industry, for example a cycling valve which allows volume control as shown for example in U.S. Pat. No. 5,562,120 which is incorporated herein in its entirety, and a lever actuated valve which allows both temperature and temperature control of a mixed flow, as illustrated for example in U.S. Pat. No. 5,794,650 which is incorporated herein in its entirety.
One object of the present invention is to provide a system and method for installing plumbing fittings which offers interchangeability of components and increased flexibility.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a system and method for installing plumbing fittings which facilitates upgradability.
Other objects of the present invention, as well as particular features, elements, and advantages thereof, will be elucidated in, or be apparent from, the following description and the accompanying drawing figures.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention achieves the above objects, among others, by providing the following.
In one aspect, the present invention relates to a plumbing installation system comprising at least one housing body, a first cartridge which is removably attachable to the housing body, a second cartridge which is removably attachable to the housing body, wherein the first and second cartridges are functionally dissimilar, and wherein the first and second cartridges are of substantially similar depth.
In yet another aspect, the present invention relates to a method of installing plumbing fittings comprising providing at least one housing body, providing a first cartridge which is removably attachable to the housing body, providing a second cartridge which is removably attachable to the housing body, wherein the first and second cartridges are functionally dissimilar; and wherein the first and second cartridges are of substantially similar depth, and installing one of the cartridges onto s the aid housing body.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4930538 (1990-06-01), Browne
patent: 5402827 (1995-04-01), Gonzalez
patent: 5524668 (1996-06-01), Matsuo et al.
patent: 5730184 (1998-03-01), Monch
American Standard International Inc.
Lee Kevin
LandOfFree
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