The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 13, 1997
Filed:
Oct. 18, 1995
Daniel H Roberts, Topeka, KS (US);
Vincent J Boreas, Leawood, KS (US);
Charles A Palmer, Overland Park, KS (US);
Metcraft, Inc., Grandview, MO (US);
Abstract
A retrofittable, manually-actuated control valve kit for use in controlling the flow of water from a lavatory tap includes a valve assembly and an actuator assembly. The valve assembly includes a valve movable between flow-blocking and flow-permitting positions, a spring for biasing the valve toward the flow-blocking position, and a valve opening mechanism for opening the valve against the force of the spring in the presence of a predetermined pneumatic pressure in the opening mechanism and for relieving the predetermined pressure to release the valve for movement to the flow-blocking position. The actuator assembly supplies pneumatic pressure to the opening mechanism of the valve assembly. The actuator assembly includes a tubular body including a cylindrical inner surface and presenting opposed first and second axial ends, wherein the first end is closed except for an orifice, and an elongated plunger including a first end provided with a piston head sized for receipt in the body in sealing engagement with the inner surface and a second end protruding beyond the second end of the body and accessible for manual operation. The plunger is movable in a first direction to create a positive pressure at the orifice, and in a second direction to create a negative pressure at the orifice. A hose connects the actuator assembly with the valve opening mechanism for conveying pneumatic pressure to the valve assembly so that manual actuation of the plunger creates a pneumatic pressure within the body that is conveyed to the valve assembly to open the valve.