Sanitary mixing valve

Claim 1

A sanitary mixing valve comprising: an interchangeable valve body made of ceramic material and a replaceable cartridge having control elements operably mounted therein; said valve body, being of unitary design, is removabl mounted to a connecting member; said connecting member including a cylindrically shaped housing having a base portion which is formed having water supply passages therein, is mounted to said control elements; sealing means interposed between said valve body and said connecting member to provide a watertight fit; said control elements mounted to said base portion; said housing formed with collar-like steps extending around the outside surface thereof; each of said collar-like steps having differing diameters which increase downwardly toward the base portion thereof; each of said collar-like steps, having an axial seal mounted thereon and which interacts with corresponding steps formed around the inner surface of said valve body to provide a watertight seal therebetween; said cartridge having an externally threaded upper end; an internally threaded ring being coupled to said threaded upper end of said cartridge to hold said inner housing in place; and a second threaded ring having a horizontally extending collar which threadedly engages said internally threaded ring to mount said cartridge to said valve body.