Non-rise faucet assembly

Abstract

A non-rise faucet assembly including a shank having a lower end through which fluid is introduced and also having an upper end with a chamber in fluid communication with the lower end. A removable stem adapted for insertion into the chamber and having a lower end forming a movable valve in the chamber is provided to permit regulated flow of fluid through the faucet assembly. The stem has an axis of rotation about which the valve is movable in response to non-rising rotation of the stem within the chamber in the shank. One of the shank and the stem has a bore arranged generally transversely of the axis of rotation of the stem and the other of the shank and the stem has a pair of diametrically opposed slots in alignment with the bore after the stem has been inserted into the chamber in the shank. The slots and the bore define a continuous passageway through the shank and the stem. A handle adapted to be secured to the upper end of the stem is provided to prevent access to and unintended removal of a unitary stop-lock member having a portion adapted to extend completely through the bore and the slots. With this construction, the unitary stop-lock member retains and limits rotation of the stem in the chamber.