Kohler Company

Muhammad Iqbal

Dana F Buccicone

Carl R Schwartz

Jeffery J Kreutzer

A cartridge type valve is disclosed which is capable of having the flow of hot and cold water to the valve reversed. An adapter is provided which is receivable in a valve body and has two independent passages. In one position, the adapter effects respective fluid communication between hot and cold water inlet pipes and hot and cold water inlets in the stationary valve portion. In a second position, when the adapter is removed from the valve body and turned over, communication between the hot and cold water inlet pipes and the hot and cold water inlets in the stationary valve portion is reversed. An adjustable temperature control feature is also provided.

Fluid valve

A fluid control valve is disclosed. Preferably, a plastic body member of the cartridge is provided. A valve stem is provided that includes a pair of metal stop elements extending radially outward. A metal stop table is mounted around the stem to limit rotational movement of the valve stem through contact with the stop elements. The legs have radially-projecting extensions which are designed to fit in recesses within the valve housing to prevent rotation of the stop table. Excess rotational forces applied to the valve stem after the cartridge reaches a fully open or closed position are translated through the stop table and directly into the valve housing without stressing the plastic body member.

Fluid control valve

A delayed closing metering type valve is provided which has a bleed control and entry device utilizing a single air passage and a minimum number of parts. In one embodiment, the air passage is generally T-shaped and a metering pin with a conical portion fits into a straight wall portion of an air passage. In another embodiment, an elongated screw member is positioned against a flexible ring member having a passage therein for compressibly increasing or decreasing the air passage in the flexible ring member. The metering valve is fabricated in a manner so as to be easily attached in a faucet housing or removed therefrom as a cartridge unit.

Metering valve

A faucet has a body with a hollow inner cavity and a spout which opens into the inner cavity. A valve assembly is located within the inner cavity to control the flow of water from a source into the spout. The valve assembly comprises a housing with an inlet chamber which opens into a ring-shaped channel, an outlet chamber having an opening centrally located with respect to the ring of the channel, and a diaphragm to selectively close the communication of the inlet and outlet chambers. A solenoid includes a plunger that is biased by a spring against the diaphragm and an electromagnetic coil to pull the plunger away from the diaphragm. A proximity sensor is included to detect the presence of an object adjacent the faucet and energize the coil. A safeguard alarm mechanism is provided to deenergize the coil after a given interval if the object continues to be detected and thereafter periodically briefly energize the solenoid until the object is removed.

Solenoid operated faucet

In an embodiment, a three way diverter valve assembly is provided which can divert water to a bathtub in one instance and to a shower or a hand held shower in two other instances. The valve assembly is easily assembled or disassembled while affording a positive shut off between the two shower outlets. A vacuum breaker feature is also provided which reduces 'welding' to the valve body. In addition, a vacuum effect is reduced when operating between the shower outlet positions and the bath outlet. Also, the valve is constructed to reduce water hammer.

Diverter valve and vacuum breaker usable therewith

A removable cartridge type valve is provided which has a minimum number of parts yet affords right and left hand conversion for cold and hot water usage in the same valve. A cross shaped groove is provided on the top of the movable disk, and the stem selectively is inserted into one or the other arm of the groove. The valve also provides a secure fitment of the valve stem in the valve body through the use of a grooveless type retaining member. Further, any tendency for bottom gasket members to be forced down out of the valve housing is eliminated by the use of an L-shaped gasket. Binding is also reduced by thinning the gasket adjacent the intersection of the arms of the L on the gasket.

Growing community of inventors

Sheboygan, WI, United States of America

Muhammad Iqbal