Retractable bathroom fixture
United States Patent 3884258
A bathroom fixture assembly for delivering water to a bathtub or the like at a predetermined temperature and wherein the assembly includes a delivery spout which is pivotally mounted for movement between a first outwardly extending position wherein water is delivered therethrough and a second retracted position wherein no water is delivered. The assembly includes a tubular member adapted to be connected to a water inlet line, the tubular member having an outlet opening in the side wall thereof. A sleeve surrounds the tubular member opening and includes an outlet opening in the wall thereof. A discharge spout extends outwardly from the opening of the sleeve, and the sleeve and spout are mounted for rotational movement about the tubular member so as to selectively align the two openings to permit flow of water therethrough when the discharge spout is directed outwardly, and to close the openings when the discharge spout is rotated to a retracted vertical position. Also, temperature control means is provided which is adapted to automatically adjust the relative quantities of water entering from hot and cold water lines to thereby maintain a preselected temperature.
US Patent References:
/1138187.html
Bridges - May 1915 - 1138187
/1218879.html
Luzzi - March 1917 - 1218879
Fluid control unit
Goshaw - April 1935 - 1996330
Fluid control for duplicators
Storck et al. - February 1937 - 2069730
Water temperature regulating device
Garrett et al. - September 1942 - 2296917
/1138187.html
Bridges - May 1915 - 1138187
/1218879.html
Luzzi - March 1917 - 1218879
Fluid control unit
Goshaw - April 1935 - 1996330
Fluid control for duplicators
Storck et al. - February 1937 - 2069730
Water temperature regulating device
Garrett et al. - September 1942 - 2296917
Application Number:
05/422274
Publication Date:
05/20/1975
Filing Date:
12/06/1973
View Patent Images:
Export Citation:
Primary Class:
Other Classes:
137/360, 4/615, 137/801, 137/636, 236/12.150, 137/616.700
International Classes:
E03C1/042; E03C1/06; F16K11/10
Field of Search:
4/145,146,148,149,191,192,194,168,169 251/149.8,349 236/12R 137/636,636.1,615,616.7,360,361,801,359
US Patent References:
Primary Examiner:
Klinksiek, Henry T.
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
Parrott, Bell, Seltzer, Park & Gibson
Parent Case Data:
The present application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 279,663, filed Aug. 10, 1972, now abandoned.
Claims:
That which is claimed is
1. A bathroom fixture assembly having provision for selectively delivering water to a bathtub, shower, or the like at two separate spaced locations and at a predetermined temperature, and comprising
2. The bathroom fixture assembly as defined in claim 1 further comprising independently operable flow control valve means positioned between said temperature control means and said internal passageway of each of said shower head and tub faucet for controlling the volume of water entering the internal passageway thereof.
3. The bathroom fixture assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said receptacle means comprises a first rectangular box for mounting said shower head, and a second rectangular box for mounting said tub fixture, each of said first and second rectangular boxes including a bottom wall and port means extending through said bottom wall for carrying any water received in the box to a drain.
4. The bathroom fixture assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for manually adjusting the relative quantities of water received from said hot and cold water lines includes
5. The bathroom fixture assembly as defined in claim 4 wherein said temperature responsive means includes means positioned within said housing for pivoting said lever arm upon a change in temperature of the water therein to thereby automatically adjust the relative quantities of water entering through said first and second entry ports and thereby substantially maintain a preselected temperature regardless of a change in pressure in one of the hot and cold water lines.
6. The bathroom fixture assembly as defined in claim 5 wherein said means for pivoting said lever arm includes a helical bimetallic spring operatively connected between said manually operable control means and said lever arm, said spring being adapted to pivot said lever arm upon a change in temperature thereof.
7. The bathroom fixture assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein each of said shower head and tub faucet includes sealing means disposed intermediate the associated tubular member outer surface and sleeve inner surface for precluding passage of the water axially therebetween.
8. The bathroom fixture assembly as defined in claim 7 wherein said tubular sleeve of each of said shower head and tub faucet includes a closed end and an open end such that said tubular member may be assembled thereinto by inserting the same through said open end, and means for maintaining said tubular member associated within said tubular sleeve.
1. A bathroom fixture assembly having provision for selectively delivering water to a bathtub, shower, or the like at two separate spaced locations and at a predetermined temperature, and comprising
2. The bathroom fixture assembly as defined in claim 1 further comprising independently operable flow control valve means positioned between said temperature control means and said internal passageway of each of said shower head and tub faucet for controlling the volume of water entering the internal passageway thereof.
3. The bathroom fixture assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said receptacle means comprises a first rectangular box for mounting said shower head, and a second rectangular box for mounting said tub fixture, each of said first and second rectangular boxes including a bottom wall and port means extending through said bottom wall for carrying any water received in the box to a drain.
4. The bathroom fixture assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for manually adjusting the relative quantities of water received from said hot and cold water lines includes
5. The bathroom fixture assembly as defined in claim 4 wherein said temperature responsive means includes means positioned within said housing for pivoting said lever arm upon a change in temperature of the water therein to thereby automatically adjust the relative quantities of water entering through said first and second entry ports and thereby substantially maintain a preselected temperature regardless of a change in pressure in one of the hot and cold water lines.
6. The bathroom fixture assembly as defined in claim 5 wherein said means for pivoting said lever arm includes a helical bimetallic spring operatively connected between said manually operable control means and said lever arm, said spring being adapted to pivot said lever arm upon a change in temperature thereof.
7. The bathroom fixture assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein each of said shower head and tub faucet includes sealing means disposed intermediate the associated tubular member outer surface and sleeve inner surface for precluding passage of the water axially therebetween.
8. The bathroom fixture assembly as defined in claim 7 wherein said tubular sleeve of each of said shower head and tub faucet includes a closed end and an open end such that said tubular member may be assembled thereinto by inserting the same through said open end, and means for maintaining said tubular member associated within said tubular sleeve.
Description:
The present invention relates to a bathroom fixture assembly which is adapted to control the flow of water into a tub, shower or the like and which is designed to be retracted within a wall receptacle when in the "off" position and to be extended outwardly when in the "on" position.
In modern bathtub and shower arrangements, it is conventional to mount a shower outlet above the tub and to provide a suitable valve such that the water may be selectively delivered through the bathtub spout or the shower outlet. In such arrangements, the outwardly extending bathtub spout presents a substantial danger to the user of the shower, since he may easily slip and strike the spout during a fall.
To alleviate this danger, it has been proposed to mount the bathtub spout for pivotal movement so it may be retracted within the wall, and to include therein a valve arrangement wherein the valve is closed to prevent passage of water therethrough when the spout is pivoted upwardly to its retracted position. Thus in the retracted position, the water is prevented from flowing through the bathtub spout and is directed to the shower outlet. However, such prior retractable spouts as are known to the applicant are relatively complex in their structure, and incorporate a ball check valve and other cooperating components which substantially increase the price of the fixture. Also, such ball valves are prone to stick and otherwise malfunction to further limit the utility of the device.
It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide a retractable bathroom fixture which is simple in design and foolproof in operation.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a retractable bathroom fixture which is adapted to deliver water to a bathtub or the like when in its outwardly directed position, and which is adapted to turn off the water when pivotally moved to its retracted position.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a bathroom fixture assembly which includes temperature control means for automatically adjusting the temperature of the water entering the discharge spout so as to maintain a preselected temperature regardless of a change in pressure in one of the hot and cold water lines.
These and other objects and advantages of the present invention are achieved in the embodiment illustrated herein by the provision of a bathroom fixture assembly which includes a tubular inner member adapted to be connected to an inlet water line, and which defines a cylindrical outer surface having a radial outlet opening extending therethrough. A tubular sleeve closely surrounds the tubular member and is pivotally movable in relation thereto, the sleeve having a second radial opening which is adapted to be selectively positioned to overlie the opening of the tubular member. Thus by pivotally moving the sleeve, the two outlet openings may be aligned to permit passage of water therethrough, or separated to preclude passage of the water. A delivery spout is carried by the sleeve and communicates with the sleeve outlet opening to carry the water to a desired point of discharge, the spout serving as a convenient means for pivotally moving the sleeve between its two positions. A temperature control or mixing valve is connected to the inlet water line for supplying water thereto at a preselected temperature. Also a flow control valve may be interposed between the mixing valve and the tubular inner member to control the volume of water flowing outwardly from the spount.
Some of the objects and advantages of the invention having been stated, others will appear as the description proceeds, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which
FIG. 1 is a perspective view, partly sectioned, of a bathtub and shower arrangement incorporating the features of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of the bathtub and shower arrangement shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is an exploded isometric view of the valve portion of the bathroom fixture as shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a vertical section view of the valve portion of the bathroom fixture in assembled form;
FIG. 5 is a vertical section view of the valve portion of the bathroom fixture and taken at right angles to the view shown in FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 is a partly sectioned elevation view of the temperature control or mixing valve of the present invention;
FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 7--7 of FIG. 6, and
FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of the temperature control lever of the mixer valve.
Referring more specifically to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates the manner in which the present invention may be employed in a bathtub and shower arrangement. Specifically, the bathtub 10 includes a lower bathtub fixture 12 which is adapted to deliver water to the tub, and an upper shower fixture 14.
The water delivery system is shown in dotted lines in FIG. 1 and includes a hot water line 16, a cold water line 18, a temperature control or mixing valve 20 connected to the hot and cold lines, and a delivery line 22 which branches into the lines 23, 24 for delivering the proportioned quantities of hot and cold water to the fixtures 12 and 14 respectively. A conventional flow control valve is disposed in each of the lines 23, 24, the valve 25 being disposed in line 23 and the valve 26 being in line 24. As shown in FIG. 2, the tub 10 includes an overflow drain opening 27 which communicates with a drain line 28.
The lower fixture 12 for delivering water to the tub is adapted to be pivotally moved between a first outwardly extending position (shown in dashed lines in FIG. 2) wherein water may be delivered therethrough when the valve 25 is open, and a second retracted or vertically directed position (shown in solid lines in FIGS. 1 and 2) wherein water is not delivered therethrough even though the valve 25 remains open. In this latter configuration, water will be directed upwardly through the delivery line 24 to the shower outlet 14, assuming the same is in the outwardly directed position as shown in dashed lines in FIG. 2 and the valve 26 is open. If both fixtures 12 and 14 are retracted, no water will be delivered even though the valves 25 and 26 remain open. Thus, in accordance with the present invention, the water may be shut off with the valves 25 and 26 remaining open at a preselected position to provide a desired volume of flow. Upon reopening one of the fixtures, the delivered water will automatically be of the desired flow volume, and such volume may of course be controlled by manually adjusting the appropriate one of the valves 25 and 26.
The valve portion of the fixture 12 is shown in detail in FIGS. 3-5 and includes a tubular inner inlet member 30 which is fixedly connected at one end to the water line 23 by means of the tapered threads 32 in a conventional manner. The member 30 comprises a peripheral wall 34 which defines an internal passageway 36 for receiving the water from the line 23, and a cylindrical outer surface 38 which defines a central axis 40. An outlet opening 42 extends radially through the wall 34 and communicates with the internal passageway 36.
A tubular sleeve 44 surrounds the member 30 and comprises a peripheral wall 46 which defines a cylindrical inner surface 48 which is coaxially disposed about the central axis 40 and closely overlies the surface 38 of the member 30. The sleeve 44 includes a closed end 49 and an opposite open end 50 such that the tubular member may be assembled with the sleeve by inserting the tubular member through the open end 50. Also, the sleeve is pivotally movable for limited rotation about the tubular member 30 in the manner hereinafter further explained, and includes an outlet opening 51 extending radially through the sleeve wall 46. As seen in FIG. 4, the opening 51 is aligned with the opening 42 along the axis 40 when the two members are assembled.
To maintain the assembly of the sleeve 44 and tubular member 30, the member 30 is provided with a rearwardly facing circumferential shoulder 52, and the sleeve is provided with external threads 53. A female threaded member or nut 54 is adapted to mate with the threads 53, and includes a forwardly facing internal shoulder 55 as best seen in FIG. 4. A washer 56 may be interposed between the shoulders 52 and 55, such that when the nut 54 is assembled on the sleeve 44, the tubular member 30 will be maintained at a fixed axial location between the end wall 49 and shoulder 55.
As noted above, the inner cylindrical surface 48 of the sleeve 44 closely overlies the cylindrical surface 38 of the tubular member 30, and this relationship serves to prevent water from passing through the opening 42 and moving axially between the two cylindrical surfaces. To further guard against such leakage, there may be provided a pair of circumferential channels 58 in the surface 38 of the tubular member, with a resilient O-ring 60 mounted in each channel to sealably engage the two members.
To direct the water from the outlet opening 51 of the sleeve to the desired point of discharge over the tub 10, there is provided a delivery spout 61 fixedly carried by the sleeve 44 so as to be rotatable therewith. By design, when the spount 61 of the fixture 12 is outwardly directed as shown in dashed lines in FIGS. 2 and 5, the sleeve outlet opening 51 is aligned with the opening 42 of the member 30 to permit passage of the water therethrough, and when the spout is directed upwardly, the outlet opening 51 is non-aligned with the opening 42 such that no water may pass therethrough.
To mount the spout 61 to the sleeve 44, the sleeve is provided with an integral radially directed tubular extension 62 to form a T-joint, the extension 62 defining a cylindrical bore 63 which communicates coaxially with the opening 51 in the wall 46, and the free end portion of the extension includes the external threads 65. An upwardly directed circumferential shoulder 66 is positioned in the bore 63 for engaging the lower end of the spout 61, and an internally threaded nut 68 is designed to threadedly engage the threads 65, the nut 68 including a downwardly directed shoulder 69 for engaging a cooperating shoulder 70 on the delivery spout to thereby maintain the assembly of the spout to the tubular sleeve. A resilient, saddle-shaped, hollow sealing member 72 is positioned within the bore 63 and extends between the lower end of the spout 61 and the surface 38 to enhance the effectiveness of the seal between the surface 38 and surface 48 of the tubular sleeve when the spout is rotated to the upward position as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5.
While the above description relates particularly to the bathtub spout 12, it will be understood that the shower outlet 24 is of a similar construction, except that the shower outlet 14 mounts a conventional nozzle or spray head 74 at the end of the delivery spout 61.
The structural details of the temperature control or mixing valve 20 are shown in FIGS. 6-8. In the illustrated embodiment, the valve includes a housing 76 defining an enclosed chamber 77, a face plate 78 attached to the housing for sealably enclosing the chamber 77, a first entry port 79 for connecting the enclosed chamber to the hot water line 16, a second entry port 80 for connecting the enclosed chamber to the cold water line 18, and a discharge port 81 for connecting the enclosed chamber to the delivery line 22.
A lever arm 82 is mounted within the enclosed chamber of the housing for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis defined by the rod 83, the lever arm being rotatably attached to the rod as best seen in FIG. 8 and so as to be freely rotatable with respect to the rod. The lever arm 82 is positioned to define a first end 85 positioned above the first entry port 78, and a second end 86 positioned above the second entry port 80.
A helical bimetallic flat spring 88 is operatively connected between the lever arm 82 and rod 83 such that any rotational movement of the rod is translated through the spring to rotate the lever arm. More particularly, one end 89 of the spring is fixedly connected in a slot in the lower surface of the rod 83, while the opposite end 90 of the spring is positioned within the horizontally disposed fork 92, the fork being integrally connected to the second end 86 of the lever arm 82.
The left end of the rod 83 as seen in FIG. 7 extends through a plurality of sealing rings 93 and plug 94 carried within the extension 95 of the housing 76, and the end is operatively connected to an external knob 96 (FIG. 1) by which the user is able to rotate the rod 83 and thereby control the temperature of the water flowing through the mixing valve 20 as hereinafter further explained. A first plug 97 is pivotally carried at the first end 85 of the lever arm, the plug 97 being generally cylindrical and including a conical lower end portion 98 which extends downwardly into the first entry port 79 such that the plug 97 acts to increasingly close the first entry port upon being lowered thereinto.
A second plug 100 is pivotally carried at the second end 86 of the lever arm, the second plug also being generally cylindrical and including a conical end portion 101 which extends downwardly into the second entry port 80 such that the second plug acts to increasingly close the second port upon being lowered thereinto. From the above description, it will be apparent that upon the user rotating the knob 96 and thus the rod 83, the lever arm 82 may be pivoted such that one of the first and second plugs is lowered into the associated entry port while the other plug is lifted from its entry port. By this arrangement, the user may manually adjust the relative quantities of water entering through the first and second ports 79 and 80.
The bimetallic spring 88 is designed to radially expand upon an increase in the temperature thereof. Thus in the event that the temperature within the enclosure 77 should rise above a predetermined level, the expansion of the spring will act to rotate the lever arm counterclockwise as seen in FIG. 6 to partially further close the inlet port 79 and partially further open the inlet port 80. Thus less hot water would be admitted into the enclosure, and more cold water would be received. Accordingly, the temperature of the water exiting through the discharge port 81 would be automatically lowered to the proper level.
Under normal circumstances, the pressure in both of the hot and cold water lines 16 and 18 will remain stable. However, in the event the pressure in one of the lines should decrease, the temperature of the water exiting through the discharge port 81 would necessarily change. For example, should a water closet within the home be flushed, the pressure in the cold water line would be reduced so as to reduce the amount of cold water entering the enclosure 77. Thus the temperature of the water within the enclosure 77 and exiting from the port 81 of the mixing valve 20 would increase. However, upon such rise in temperature, the bimetallic spring 88 will automatically act to partially further close the hot water line and partially further open the cold water line to thereby maintain the desired temperature. Thus the mixing valve 20 is adapted to maintain a preselected temperature for the water delivered therefrom, regardless of a change in pressure in one of the hot and cold water lines. As will be apparent, the same automatic adjustment would occur if there were a change in the temperature of the water in one of the hot and cold water lines.
The flow control valves 25 and 26 provide an alternative means of cutting off the flow of water through one of the fixtures 12 and 14. Thus for example, the shower fixture 14 may if desired be shut off while leaving it in its outwardly directed or open position. Also, the flow control valve 26 is particularly useful in controlling the pressure of the water exiting from the shower fixture 14 so that the user may receive a "soft" shower. Still further, the valves 25 and 26 are desirable in the event one of the fixtures 12 or 14 should develop a leak.
To mount the fixtures 12 and 14 within a wall 102 such as shown in FIG. 1, there is provided a wall receptacle for each fixture in the form of a rectangular box 103 having an open front side. The open front side of the receptacle box 103 may be provided with a suitable cover (not shown) if desired. The fixture is mounted within the box in the manner best seen in FIG. 2, such that the delivery spout is adapted to extend through the open front side. The box further includes a bottom wall 104 having a port 105 connected to a line 106 for carrying any water received in the box 103 to the drain 28. This feature serves to prevent water received in the box from draining onto and possibly staining the surface of the wall 102.
A housing 108 which is generally similar to the boxes 10 is provided for mounting the knobs of the valves 20, 25 and 26 within the wall 102. The housing 108 however includes a tapered bottom wall 109 to facilitate cleaning and drainage of water therefrom.
In the drawings and specification, there has been set forth a preferred embodiment of the invention, and although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.
In modern bathtub and shower arrangements, it is conventional to mount a shower outlet above the tub and to provide a suitable valve such that the water may be selectively delivered through the bathtub spout or the shower outlet. In such arrangements, the outwardly extending bathtub spout presents a substantial danger to the user of the shower, since he may easily slip and strike the spout during a fall.
To alleviate this danger, it has been proposed to mount the bathtub spout for pivotal movement so it may be retracted within the wall, and to include therein a valve arrangement wherein the valve is closed to prevent passage of water therethrough when the spout is pivoted upwardly to its retracted position. Thus in the retracted position, the water is prevented from flowing through the bathtub spout and is directed to the shower outlet. However, such prior retractable spouts as are known to the applicant are relatively complex in their structure, and incorporate a ball check valve and other cooperating components which substantially increase the price of the fixture. Also, such ball valves are prone to stick and otherwise malfunction to further limit the utility of the device.
It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide a retractable bathroom fixture which is simple in design and foolproof in operation.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a retractable bathroom fixture which is adapted to deliver water to a bathtub or the like when in its outwardly directed position, and which is adapted to turn off the water when pivotally moved to its retracted position.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a bathroom fixture assembly which includes temperature control means for automatically adjusting the temperature of the water entering the discharge spout so as to maintain a preselected temperature regardless of a change in pressure in one of the hot and cold water lines.
These and other objects and advantages of the present invention are achieved in the embodiment illustrated herein by the provision of a bathroom fixture assembly which includes a tubular inner member adapted to be connected to an inlet water line, and which defines a cylindrical outer surface having a radial outlet opening extending therethrough. A tubular sleeve closely surrounds the tubular member and is pivotally movable in relation thereto, the sleeve having a second radial opening which is adapted to be selectively positioned to overlie the opening of the tubular member. Thus by pivotally moving the sleeve, the two outlet openings may be aligned to permit passage of water therethrough, or separated to preclude passage of the water. A delivery spout is carried by the sleeve and communicates with the sleeve outlet opening to carry the water to a desired point of discharge, the spout serving as a convenient means for pivotally moving the sleeve between its two positions. A temperature control or mixing valve is connected to the inlet water line for supplying water thereto at a preselected temperature. Also a flow control valve may be interposed between the mixing valve and the tubular inner member to control the volume of water flowing outwardly from the spount.
Some of the objects and advantages of the invention having been stated, others will appear as the description proceeds, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which
FIG. 1 is a perspective view, partly sectioned, of a bathtub and shower arrangement incorporating the features of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of the bathtub and shower arrangement shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is an exploded isometric view of the valve portion of the bathroom fixture as shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a vertical section view of the valve portion of the bathroom fixture in assembled form;
FIG. 5 is a vertical section view of the valve portion of the bathroom fixture and taken at right angles to the view shown in FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 is a partly sectioned elevation view of the temperature control or mixing valve of the present invention;
FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 7--7 of FIG. 6, and
FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of the temperature control lever of the mixer valve.
Referring more specifically to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates the manner in which the present invention may be employed in a bathtub and shower arrangement. Specifically, the bathtub 10 includes a lower bathtub fixture 12 which is adapted to deliver water to the tub, and an upper shower fixture 14.
The water delivery system is shown in dotted lines in FIG. 1 and includes a hot water line 16, a cold water line 18, a temperature control or mixing valve 20 connected to the hot and cold lines, and a delivery line 22 which branches into the lines 23, 24 for delivering the proportioned quantities of hot and cold water to the fixtures 12 and 14 respectively. A conventional flow control valve is disposed in each of the lines 23, 24, the valve 25 being disposed in line 23 and the valve 26 being in line 24. As shown in FIG. 2, the tub 10 includes an overflow drain opening 27 which communicates with a drain line 28.
The lower fixture 12 for delivering water to the tub is adapted to be pivotally moved between a first outwardly extending position (shown in dashed lines in FIG. 2) wherein water may be delivered therethrough when the valve 25 is open, and a second retracted or vertically directed position (shown in solid lines in FIGS. 1 and 2) wherein water is not delivered therethrough even though the valve 25 remains open. In this latter configuration, water will be directed upwardly through the delivery line 24 to the shower outlet 14, assuming the same is in the outwardly directed position as shown in dashed lines in FIG. 2 and the valve 26 is open. If both fixtures 12 and 14 are retracted, no water will be delivered even though the valves 25 and 26 remain open. Thus, in accordance with the present invention, the water may be shut off with the valves 25 and 26 remaining open at a preselected position to provide a desired volume of flow. Upon reopening one of the fixtures, the delivered water will automatically be of the desired flow volume, and such volume may of course be controlled by manually adjusting the appropriate one of the valves 25 and 26.
The valve portion of the fixture 12 is shown in detail in FIGS. 3-5 and includes a tubular inner inlet member 30 which is fixedly connected at one end to the water line 23 by means of the tapered threads 32 in a conventional manner. The member 30 comprises a peripheral wall 34 which defines an internal passageway 36 for receiving the water from the line 23, and a cylindrical outer surface 38 which defines a central axis 40. An outlet opening 42 extends radially through the wall 34 and communicates with the internal passageway 36.
A tubular sleeve 44 surrounds the member 30 and comprises a peripheral wall 46 which defines a cylindrical inner surface 48 which is coaxially disposed about the central axis 40 and closely overlies the surface 38 of the member 30. The sleeve 44 includes a closed end 49 and an opposite open end 50 such that the tubular member may be assembled with the sleeve by inserting the tubular member through the open end 50. Also, the sleeve is pivotally movable for limited rotation about the tubular member 30 in the manner hereinafter further explained, and includes an outlet opening 51 extending radially through the sleeve wall 46. As seen in FIG. 4, the opening 51 is aligned with the opening 42 along the axis 40 when the two members are assembled.
To maintain the assembly of the sleeve 44 and tubular member 30, the member 30 is provided with a rearwardly facing circumferential shoulder 52, and the sleeve is provided with external threads 53. A female threaded member or nut 54 is adapted to mate with the threads 53, and includes a forwardly facing internal shoulder 55 as best seen in FIG. 4. A washer 56 may be interposed between the shoulders 52 and 55, such that when the nut 54 is assembled on the sleeve 44, the tubular member 30 will be maintained at a fixed axial location between the end wall 49 and shoulder 55.
As noted above, the inner cylindrical surface 48 of the sleeve 44 closely overlies the cylindrical surface 38 of the tubular member 30, and this relationship serves to prevent water from passing through the opening 42 and moving axially between the two cylindrical surfaces. To further guard against such leakage, there may be provided a pair of circumferential channels 58 in the surface 38 of the tubular member, with a resilient O-ring 60 mounted in each channel to sealably engage the two members.
To direct the water from the outlet opening 51 of the sleeve to the desired point of discharge over the tub 10, there is provided a delivery spout 61 fixedly carried by the sleeve 44 so as to be rotatable therewith. By design, when the spount 61 of the fixture 12 is outwardly directed as shown in dashed lines in FIGS. 2 and 5, the sleeve outlet opening 51 is aligned with the opening 42 of the member 30 to permit passage of the water therethrough, and when the spout is directed upwardly, the outlet opening 51 is non-aligned with the opening 42 such that no water may pass therethrough.
To mount the spout 61 to the sleeve 44, the sleeve is provided with an integral radially directed tubular extension 62 to form a T-joint, the extension 62 defining a cylindrical bore 63 which communicates coaxially with the opening 51 in the wall 46, and the free end portion of the extension includes the external threads 65. An upwardly directed circumferential shoulder 66 is positioned in the bore 63 for engaging the lower end of the spout 61, and an internally threaded nut 68 is designed to threadedly engage the threads 65, the nut 68 including a downwardly directed shoulder 69 for engaging a cooperating shoulder 70 on the delivery spout to thereby maintain the assembly of the spout to the tubular sleeve. A resilient, saddle-shaped, hollow sealing member 72 is positioned within the bore 63 and extends between the lower end of the spout 61 and the surface 38 to enhance the effectiveness of the seal between the surface 38 and surface 48 of the tubular sleeve when the spout is rotated to the upward position as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5.
While the above description relates particularly to the bathtub spout 12, it will be understood that the shower outlet 24 is of a similar construction, except that the shower outlet 14 mounts a conventional nozzle or spray head 74 at the end of the delivery spout 61.
The structural details of the temperature control or mixing valve 20 are shown in FIGS. 6-8. In the illustrated embodiment, the valve includes a housing 76 defining an enclosed chamber 77, a face plate 78 attached to the housing for sealably enclosing the chamber 77, a first entry port 79 for connecting the enclosed chamber to the hot water line 16, a second entry port 80 for connecting the enclosed chamber to the cold water line 18, and a discharge port 81 for connecting the enclosed chamber to the delivery line 22.
A lever arm 82 is mounted within the enclosed chamber of the housing for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis defined by the rod 83, the lever arm being rotatably attached to the rod as best seen in FIG. 8 and so as to be freely rotatable with respect to the rod. The lever arm 82 is positioned to define a first end 85 positioned above the first entry port 78, and a second end 86 positioned above the second entry port 80.
A helical bimetallic flat spring 88 is operatively connected between the lever arm 82 and rod 83 such that any rotational movement of the rod is translated through the spring to rotate the lever arm. More particularly, one end 89 of the spring is fixedly connected in a slot in the lower surface of the rod 83, while the opposite end 90 of the spring is positioned within the horizontally disposed fork 92, the fork being integrally connected to the second end 86 of the lever arm 82.
The left end of the rod 83 as seen in FIG. 7 extends through a plurality of sealing rings 93 and plug 94 carried within the extension 95 of the housing 76, and the end is operatively connected to an external knob 96 (FIG. 1) by which the user is able to rotate the rod 83 and thereby control the temperature of the water flowing through the mixing valve 20 as hereinafter further explained. A first plug 97 is pivotally carried at the first end 85 of the lever arm, the plug 97 being generally cylindrical and including a conical lower end portion 98 which extends downwardly into the first entry port 79 such that the plug 97 acts to increasingly close the first entry port upon being lowered thereinto.
A second plug 100 is pivotally carried at the second end 86 of the lever arm, the second plug also being generally cylindrical and including a conical end portion 101 which extends downwardly into the second entry port 80 such that the second plug acts to increasingly close the second port upon being lowered thereinto. From the above description, it will be apparent that upon the user rotating the knob 96 and thus the rod 83, the lever arm 82 may be pivoted such that one of the first and second plugs is lowered into the associated entry port while the other plug is lifted from its entry port. By this arrangement, the user may manually adjust the relative quantities of water entering through the first and second ports 79 and 80.
The bimetallic spring 88 is designed to radially expand upon an increase in the temperature thereof. Thus in the event that the temperature within the enclosure 77 should rise above a predetermined level, the expansion of the spring will act to rotate the lever arm counterclockwise as seen in FIG. 6 to partially further close the inlet port 79 and partially further open the inlet port 80. Thus less hot water would be admitted into the enclosure, and more cold water would be received. Accordingly, the temperature of the water exiting through the discharge port 81 would be automatically lowered to the proper level.
Under normal circumstances, the pressure in both of the hot and cold water lines 16 and 18 will remain stable. However, in the event the pressure in one of the lines should decrease, the temperature of the water exiting through the discharge port 81 would necessarily change. For example, should a water closet within the home be flushed, the pressure in the cold water line would be reduced so as to reduce the amount of cold water entering the enclosure 77. Thus the temperature of the water within the enclosure 77 and exiting from the port 81 of the mixing valve 20 would increase. However, upon such rise in temperature, the bimetallic spring 88 will automatically act to partially further close the hot water line and partially further open the cold water line to thereby maintain the desired temperature. Thus the mixing valve 20 is adapted to maintain a preselected temperature for the water delivered therefrom, regardless of a change in pressure in one of the hot and cold water lines. As will be apparent, the same automatic adjustment would occur if there were a change in the temperature of the water in one of the hot and cold water lines.
The flow control valves 25 and 26 provide an alternative means of cutting off the flow of water through one of the fixtures 12 and 14. Thus for example, the shower fixture 14 may if desired be shut off while leaving it in its outwardly directed or open position. Also, the flow control valve 26 is particularly useful in controlling the pressure of the water exiting from the shower fixture 14 so that the user may receive a "soft" shower. Still further, the valves 25 and 26 are desirable in the event one of the fixtures 12 or 14 should develop a leak.
To mount the fixtures 12 and 14 within a wall 102 such as shown in FIG. 1, there is provided a wall receptacle for each fixture in the form of a rectangular box 103 having an open front side. The open front side of the receptacle box 103 may be provided with a suitable cover (not shown) if desired. The fixture is mounted within the box in the manner best seen in FIG. 2, such that the delivery spout is adapted to extend through the open front side. The box further includes a bottom wall 104 having a port 105 connected to a line 106 for carrying any water received in the box 103 to the drain 28. This feature serves to prevent water received in the box from draining onto and possibly staining the surface of the wall 102.
A housing 108 which is generally similar to the boxes 10 is provided for mounting the knobs of the valves 20, 25 and 26 within the wall 102. The housing 108 however includes a tapered bottom wall 109 to facilitate cleaning and drainage of water therefrom.
In the drawings and specification, there has been set forth a preferred embodiment of the invention, and although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.