Patent US3834416A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3834416A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ceramic disc faucet valve
Assignee: Trane US Inc
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Filing: 1973-02-26
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Granted: 1974-09-10
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Expires: 1993-02-26
Abstract
Abstract This application discloses a valve structure for controlling the flow of a fluid, such as water, to be delivered from a faucet. The valve structure includes a housing having a tapered inner wall shaped to have a central cylindrical opening for receiving and guiding a rotatable longitudinal stem. Two ceramic discs mounted about the stem and in intimate contact with each other are arranged so that the upper disc is held stationary against motion about and along the stem, while the lower disc is coupled to the stem to rotate with the stem without introducing any rotation of the upper disc. The coupling of the lower disc to the stem is achieved by a spider member having an opening to receive and grip a tang at the base of the stem. The spider member also has extended arms which reach to about the periphery of the lower disc and cause the lower disc to follow any rotary movement of the stem. The spider member also applies spring pressure against the under surface of the lower disc to hold it in contact with the upper disc. Each of the ceramic discs has a plurality of ports through which the fluid flows when the ports of the lower disc are in alignment with those of the upper disc but, when the stem is rotated to dis-align the ports of the two discs and eliminate any overlap between the ports of the two discs, the fluid flow will be stopped. The contiguous surfaces of the two discs are very smooth and flat to prevent leakage of fluid between the discs and additionally to minimize friction and drag. A handle may be affixed to the top of the stem to control the rotary motion of the stem. Screens may be positioned above the upper disc and they may be held within the tapered wall of the housing and, being in the fluid flow path, they serve to minimize noise that would otherwise be generated by the rapid fluid flow through the valve structure.
Inventors
- 👤 R Parkison
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 10:25
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16K; F16K3/00; F16K3/02; F16K3/04; F16K3/06; F16K3/08; F16K19/00; F16K19/006; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/7504; Y10T137/794; Y10T137/8122; Y10T137/8593; Y10T137/86493; Y10T137/86718; Y10T137/86743
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
265 words
A faucet valve for the plumbing fitting of a lavatory, or the like for controlling the rate of flow of water from a first conduit to a second conduit, said faucet valve comprising first and second ceramic discs in intimate contact with each other about their common interface, both discs having a central aperture and a plurality of additional apertures having their axes parallel to the first conduit and extending through the respective discs and, when aligned with each other, water may flow tandemly through said additional apertures from the first conduit to the second conduit and, when disaligned, the flow of water may be stopped, a longitudinal rotatable stem positioned within the central apertures of the first and second discs, means for continuously maintaining the first disc stationary so that it cannot be rotated, the second disc being rotatable about an axis perpendicular to the interface without changing the spacing between the two discs and having peripherally disposed indentations positioned on its face remote from said first disc, a spider member coupled to the base end of the stem and having a plurality of upwardly projecting arms received within said indentations and gripping the peripheries of the second disc thereby so that, when the stem is rotated, the spider member and the second disc will be jointly and equally rotated to change the positions of the aperture in the second disc with respect to the corresponding apertures in the first disc, and a handle mechanically coupled to the other end of the stem for controlling the rotation of the stem about its longitudinal axis.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
265 words
A faucet valve for the plumbing fitting of a lavatory, or the like for controlling the rate of flow of water from a first conduit to a second conduit, said faucet valve comprising first and second ceramic discs in intimate contact with each other about their common interface, both discs having a central aperture and a plurality of additional apertures having their axes parallel to the first conduit and extending through the respective discs and, when aligned with each other, water may flow tandemly through said additional apertures from the first conduit to the second conduit and, when disaligned, the flow of water may be stopped, a longitudinal rotatable stem positioned within the central apertures of the first and second discs, means for continuously maintaining the first disc stationary so that it cannot be rotated, the second disc being rotatable about an axis perpendicular to the interface without changing the spacing between the two discs and having peripherally disposed indentations positioned on its face remote from said first disc, a spider member coupled to the base end of the stem and having a plurality of upwardly projecting arms received within said indentations and gripping the peripheries of the second disc thereby so that, when the stem is rotated, the spider member and the second disc will be jointly and equally rotated to change the positions of the aperture in the second disc with respect to the corresponding apertures in the first disc, and a handle mechanically coupled to the other end of the stem for controlling the rotation of the stem about its longitudinal axis.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
A faucet valve according to claim 1, including a plurality of screens interposed between the first disc and the second conduit for reducing noise that would otherwise be produced by the flow of water through the faucet valve.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
266 words
A valve for the control of the flow of water through a plumbing fitting for a fixture, such as a lavatory, comprising first and second adjacent solid discs having flat, smooth contiguous surfaces so as to be in continuous slidable contact with each other, each disc having a central aperture and a plurality of ports through which water may flow, said ports having their axes parallel to the first conduit, a longitudinal stem traversing the central apertures of both discs, a valve body in which the discs are housed and having a protruding element adjacent to the first disc, the first disc having a peripheral aperture to engage the protruding element of the valve body to prevent the rotation of the first disc, the second disc having peripherally disposed indentations positioned on its face remote from said first disc, a spider having a plurality of resilient arms mounted and held against and adjacent the lower end of the stem, said arms projecting upwardly and received within said indentations of said second disc to mechanically press the second disc against the first disc so that the second disc continuously responds to the rotation of the stem to control the flow of water tandemly through the ports of both discs without producing any rotation of the first disc, a handle mounted on the valve body and mechanically coupled to the other end of the stem to control the simultaneous and equal rotation of the stem and the second disc, whereby the rotation of the stem will control the volume of water flowing through the ports of both discs.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
266 words
A valve for the control of the flow of water through a plumbing fitting for a fixture, such as a lavatory, comprising first and second adjacent solid discs having flat, smooth contiguous surfaces so as to be in continuous slidable contact with each other, each disc having a central aperture and a plurality of ports through which water may flow, said ports having their axes parallel to the first conduit, a longitudinal stem traversing the central apertures of both discs, a valve body in which the discs are housed and having a protruding element adjacent to the first disc, the first disc having a peripheral aperture to engage the protruding element of the valve body to prevent the rotation of the first disc, the second disc having peripherally disposed indentations positioned on its face remote from said first disc, a spider having a plurality of resilient arms mounted and held against and adjacent the lower end of the stem, said arms projecting upwardly and received within said indentations of said second disc to mechanically press the second disc against the first disc so that the second disc continuously responds to the rotation of the stem to control the flow of water tandemly through the ports of both discs without producing any rotation of the first disc, a handle mounted on the valve body and mechanically coupled to the other end of the stem to control the simultaneous and equal rotation of the stem and the second disc, whereby the rotation of the stem will control the volume of water flowing through the ports of both discs.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
43 words
A valve according tO claim 3, including screen means positioned and retained within the valve body and disposed about the longitudinal stem downstream of the first disc to reduce noise that would otherwise be developed by the flow of fluid through the valve.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
183 words
A valve for the plumbing fitting of a plumbing fixture, comprising a housing, a handle, a vertical rotatable stem retained by the handle and inserted into the housing, first and second ceramic discs each having a central opening within which the stem is inserted, means including a projection on the housing holding the first ceramic disc against rotation about the stem and against any translation along the stem, said second disc having peripherally disposed indentatios defined in its face remote from said first disc, a tentacled member hald by the base of the stem; and bound by its tentacles projecting upwardly and received within said peripheral indentations of said second disc causing the second disc to be pressed against the first disc and to rotate the second disc in accordance with the rotation of the stem, both discs having a plurality of ports traversing said discs, the ports of the first disc being aligned with the ports of the second disc to allow water to flow therethrough in tandem or being dis-aligned to reduce or stop the flow of water through said ports.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
183 words
A valve for the plumbing fitting of a plumbing fixture, comprising a housing, a handle, a vertical rotatable stem retained by the handle and inserted into the housing, first and second ceramic discs each having a central opening within which the stem is inserted, means including a projection on the housing holding the first ceramic disc against rotation about the stem and against any translation along the stem, said second disc having peripherally disposed indentatios defined in its face remote from said first disc, a tentacled member hald by the base of the stem; and bound by its tentacles projecting upwardly and received within said peripheral indentations of said second disc causing the second disc to be pressed against the first disc and to rotate the second disc in accordance with the rotation of the stem, both discs having a plurality of ports traversing said discs, the ports of the first disc being aligned with the ports of the second disc to allow water to flow therethrough in tandem or being dis-aligned to reduce or stop the flow of water through said ports.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
66 words
A valve according to claim 5 including a plurality of screens positioned within and retained by the valve body and disposed about said vertical stem above the first disc, said screens being positioned to absorb the turbulent energy of the water streams traversing the valve ports and substantially reducing noise that would otherwise be generated by the flow of water through the ports of both discs.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
294 words
A valve for controlling the flow of water in a plumbing fitting, comprising a housing having an inner wall in which is defined a cylindrical bore, a longitudinal stem positioned so as to be rotatable within the cylindrical bore of the housing, a handle mounted upon the upper end of the stem for rotating the stem about its longitudinal axis, first and second ceramic discs mounted about the stem so that the two discs adhere to each other and remain in intimate contact with each other, the first disc being held stationary by the housing to prevent its longitudinal movement along said stem or its rotary movement about said stem, the second disc having peripherally disposed means defined in its face remote from said first disc, a pair of screens positioned and retained within the inner wall of the valve housing and disposed about the stem each of the discs having a plurality of ports through which the water may flow when the ports of the two discs are aligned with each other and shut off the water flow when the ports of the two discs are fully out of alignment with each other, a spring mounted on the lower end of the stem and pressing continuously against the second disc to hold it in intimate contact with the first disc, said spring including means cooperating with said peripherally disposed means of said second disc for imparting rotary movement of the valve stem to the second disc, the spring being held by the stem so that it will be rotated conjointly with the stem, water passing through the ports of both discs thereafter traversing said screens as the water is exited from the valve, thereby to minimize noise generated by the flow of water.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
294 words
A valve for controlling the flow of water in a plumbing fitting, comprising a housing having an inner wall in which is defined a cylindrical bore, a longitudinal stem positioned so as to be rotatable within the cylindrical bore of the housing, a handle mounted upon the upper end of the stem for rotating the stem about its longitudinal axis, first and second ceramic discs mounted about the stem so that the two discs adhere to each other and remain in intimate contact with each other, the first disc being held stationary by the housing to prevent its longitudinal movement along said stem or its rotary movement about said stem, the second disc having peripherally disposed means defined in its face remote from said first disc, a pair of screens positioned and retained within the inner wall of the valve housing and disposed about the stem each of the discs having a plurality of ports through which the water may flow when the ports of the two discs are aligned with each other and shut off the water flow when the ports of the two discs are fully out of alignment with each other, a spring mounted on the lower end of the stem and pressing continuously against the second disc to hold it in intimate contact with the first disc, said spring including means cooperating with said peripherally disposed means of said second disc for imparting rotary movement of the valve stem to the second disc, the spring being held by the stem so that it will be rotated conjointly with the stem, water passing through the ports of both discs thereafter traversing said screens as the water is exited from the valve, thereby to minimize noise generated by the flow of water.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
263 words
A valve for the control of the flow of water in a plumbing fitting, comprising a first circular ceramic disc having a central opening and a plurality of similar ports, a second circular ceramic disc having a central opening and a like plurality of ports, a plurality of screens having central openings, the ports of the first ceramic disc being circularly cylindrical, the ports of the second ceramic disc being elliptically cylindrical and having the major axis of its ports longer than the diameter of the ports of the first disc, a longitudinal rotary stem traversing the central openings of the screens and the central openings Of the first and second discs, a handle affixed to the top of the stem to control the rotation of the stem, a housing within which the stem, the screens and the discs are retained, a spring member affixed to the base of the stem directly and continuously applying mechanical pressure against the second disc to maintain its upper face continuously in contact with the lower face of the first disc, said spring member and second disc having interengaging means for imparting rotary movement of the valve stem to the second disc, and means in said housing for preventing the rotary or longitudinal movement of the first disc, water traversing the ports of both discs and the screens when the ports of the second disc are aligned with the ports of the first disc and the flow being stopped when the ports of the second disc are out of alignment with the ports of the first disc.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
263 words
A valve for the control of the flow of water in a plumbing fitting, comprising a first circular ceramic disc having a central opening and a plurality of similar ports, a second circular ceramic disc having a central opening and a like plurality of ports, a plurality of screens having central openings, the ports of the first ceramic disc being circularly cylindrical, the ports of the second ceramic disc being elliptically cylindrical and having the major axis of its ports longer than the diameter of the ports of the first disc, a longitudinal rotary stem traversing the central openings of the screens and the central openings Of the first and second discs, a handle affixed to the top of the stem to control the rotation of the stem, a housing within which the stem, the screens and the discs are retained, a spring member affixed to the base of the stem directly and continuously applying mechanical pressure against the second disc to maintain its upper face continuously in contact with the lower face of the first disc, said spring member and second disc having interengaging means for imparting rotary movement of the valve stem to the second disc, and means in said housing for preventing the rotary or longitudinal movement of the first disc, water traversing the ports of both discs and the screens when the ports of the second disc are aligned with the ports of the first disc and the flow being stopped when the ports of the second disc are out of alignment with the ports of the first disc.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
A valve according to claim 8 in which the disc is formed of ceramic material, 90 percent of which is alumina.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
34 words
A valve according to claim 9 in which the elliptically cylindrical ports of the second disc have their minor axes substantially equal to the diameters of the circularly cylindrical ports of the first disc.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
36 words
A valve according to claim 10 including a conduit for supplying pressurized water to the underside of the second disc and a conduit for receiving the water traversing the ports of both discs and the screens.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-09-09 | 1978-03-11 | 1978-09-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-09-09 | 1982-03-11 | 1982-09-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-09-09 | 1986-03-11 | 1986-09-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |