Fluid handling – Systems – Multiple inlet with single outlet
Reexamination Certificate
2000-04-05
2001-10-09
Hepperle, Stephen M. (Department: 3753)
Fluid handling
Systems
Multiple inlet with single outlet
C251S231000, C251S288000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06298875
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to sink faucet handles.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
While most traditional sink valves use a turning motion for actuation, there have been other alternatives. One class of valves combines the hot and cold water controls into a single valve with a single handle.
This is disconcerting to many users since the conventional placement of a hot water valve on the left and a cold water valve on the right is lost. The operation itself also lacks familiarity since several standards exist.
One type is operated like a joystick with forward/back motions regulating flow while left/right motions regulate temperature. Another type must be pulled up to increase flow and twisted clockwise or counterclockwise to adjust temperature. These compound motions of a single valve are anything but ergonomic. They may look sleek, but standard dual valves are generally easier to use.
Conventional water flow cartridges with pivoting actuators, permit water to flow by pivoting on and off actuator rods, such as shown in
FIGS. 1
a
,
1
b
and
1
c
herein.
Moreover, dual valves for a sink with linear sliding motion have been available (as in the Applicants' prior U.S. Pat. No. 4,815,703 of Antoniello).
However, these low profile handles are not ideal for grasping, especially with wet hands. Also, the amount of force required to convert the sliding motion to the internal rotary motion was high since little mechanical advantage was afforded.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a sink handle valve, which is attractive and easy to use.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a sink handle valve, which does not require rotation to operate.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a sink handle valve, which moves in one axis.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a sink handle valve, which is easy to maintain.
It is yet another advantage to improve over the disadvantages of the prior art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In keeping with these objects and others, which may become apparent, the present invention is a slide valve faucet handle, which operates when the user arcuately pushes or pulls the handle back and forth in one axis, without the need to rotate the handle. The sliding valve regulates flow in a continuous linear manner as expected. The sink handle valve presents the user with separate valves in expected positions.
The attractive knobs atop short shafts are simply pushed away from the user in an arcuate fashion to increase flow or pulled toward the user to reduce or shut off flow. It is like using a one-axis joystick; no two-axis “learning” is needed here with the present invention.
Using a cartridge valve with ceramic internal components, the motion is extremely smooth, and the wear surfaces have long life. Another feature is the ease of maintenance since the valve cartridge is simply replaced entirely from the top side of the sink.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2270932 (1942-01-01), Cornelius
patent: 4736772 (1988-04-01), Ostertag et al.
patent: 4815703 (1989-03-01), Antoniello
Antoniello Frank
Warshawsky Jerome
Hepperle Stephen M.
I.W. Industries, INC
Walker Alfred M.
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