Kohler Company

Clarence E Klessig

Thomas E Gaffney

Alan J Weir

Douglas J Brouwer

Gary A Fleischmann

Dana F Buccicone

Stanley M Grycan

In a shut-off or diverter valve, an anti-cavitation valve located downstream of the shut-off or diverter valve member vents an outlet passageway to the atmosphere to minimize cavitation in an outflowing column of water which has suddenly been isolated from the inlet. The anti-cavitation valve may be located in the interior of the shut-off or diverter valve member. When the pressure gradient between atmospheric pressure and the pressure in the just closed outlet passageway exceeds the force exerted by a spring, the anti-cavitation valve opens an air passageway communicating between the atmosphere and the outlet passageway. Part of the air passageway may be in the interior of the push rod of the diverter valve member.

Anti-cavitation valve

A handle assembly includes an open-ended sleeve connectable to a valve stem by a screw inserted and removed through the open end. A removable cap has four cross openings which align with four cross openings in the sleeve. Two cross members are placed in the cross openings and interfitted inside the sleeve. In one embodiment, the internal connection is provided in part by a hole in one of the cross members. In a preferred embodiment, the cross members have contacting surfaces for engaging the sleeve and the cap. The handle assembly is adjustable for use with a variety of sleeves.

Handle assembly

A handle assembly which is attachable to a conventional valve stem and includes a decorative handle member is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, an adapter element has an interior splined surface that mounts on the valve stem. The adapter also includes external splines and an annular flange. The adapter is positioned within a central opening in an escutcheon. A mounting screw fastens the adapter to the valve stem, with the escutcheon trapped beneath the adapter due to the presence of the annular flange. A post member has internal splines which engage the external splines of the adapter so that the parts rotate together. In addition, the post member has external splines which engage a splined opening in a handle. The handle comprises a bottom lever bar and a top lever bar. A strap cap is positioned over the handle and has a threaded hole to receive an upwardly-directed bolt. The bolt presses the handle between the strap cap and the post member. In the final step of assembly, a threaded surface on the escutcheon is rotatively engaged with a threaded surface on the post member, thereby pressing the adapter element between the escutcheon and the post member.

A faucet handle assembly includes an open-ended sleeve connectable to a valve stem by a screw inserted and removed through the open end. A handle projects laterally through openings in the sleeve, and a removable thimble covers the open end, the handle passing through openings in the thimble to hold the thimble in place. In the preferred embodiment, the handle and sleeve openings are non-circular and there are spacers and decorative end nuts to hold the handle axially. The invention is also useful for other items such as towel racks and robe hooks.

Faucet handle assembly

An actuating valve serves as a pilot to a control valve for a valve controlled flushing system for a tank-type toilet installation which comprises a siphon flush valve, and a control valve that allows supply water to flow into the tank to initiate siphonic action, to supplement flow through the siphon flush valve and to refill the tank, which control valve utilizes a piston which is ordinarily seated in a closed position by supply line pressure. The actuating valve is located in a bypass passage between the supply pressure and a timing pressure chamber of a control valve. The actuating valve comprises a triggering mechanism, a valve housing, an internal passageway through the valve housing for the flow of supply water and the transfer of supply line pressure, valve means positioned in said housing which upon activation of the triggering mechanism interrupts the flow of supply water and the transfer of supply line pressure through the passageway until the pressure on the piston of the control valve is relieved, the timing pressure chamber is emptied, and the control valve is opened to initiate a flushing cycle and means for disengaging the triggering mechanism to prevent premature or improper use from interfering with the completion of the initiated flushing cycle.

Actuating valve

A flush valve of the siphon type with a supply jet feeding into the upleg is provided with a flap-float valve that is responsive to water level and serves to divert the supply flow to refill the tank after completion of a flushing action. In the preferred embodiment, the float of the flap-float valve is disposed in a chamber which insures that it will operate only after full completion of the flushing action, slide means are provided on the chamber for adjusting the amount of water used, there is an overflow chamber built onto the downleg to provide the usual water seal, and the valve includes means to provide a rim wash.

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Sheboygan, WI, United States of America

Clarence E Klessig