US2202971A - Faucet - Google Patents

Description

A. M. vEDoE FAUCET Filed Dec. 11, 1957' June 4, 1940.

16 Iwvewow ANTON Nl. VEooE @E J Patented June 4, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 4 Claims.

This invention relates to faucets and more particularly to water faucets or taps. In one aspect the invention is concerned with a faucet of the self-closing type so constructed that the closing action is delayed a predetermined period of time. Such faucet is more particularly applicable to use in public places where water taps are carelessly left open with a resulting waste of water and wherein the automatic closing of the faucet after a predetermined period of time would eliminate this waste. I am aware that faucets of this type are not broadly new and accordingly, it is an object of my invention toproduce an improved and superior faucet of this type which will serve the intended function with greater efficiency and which is so constructed that it can be manufactured, assembled and serviced with greater facility than has been possible with such faucets heretofore known. The purpose of the faucet is to provide a ilow of water sufficiently long to permit washing of the hands, leaving both hands free, but which faucet will automatically close at the end of the predetermined period.

During the period that the faucet is open it is desirable that the water flow shall be such as to provide a suitable flow without such pressure as to cause splashing and waste. To this end, a further aspect of my invention relates to cooperating means for regulating this ow. In accordance with the invention, this means is in the nature of a second and adjustable valve in the faucet and under the control of the valve stem whereby the flow may be easily and conveniently regulated by manipulating the valve stem and without requiring disassembling of the faucet.

For a better understanding of the invention, together with other and further objects thereof, reference is had to the accompanying drawing, in which y Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a faucet embodying my invention,

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken on line 2 2 of Fig. 1 and showing the faucet in closed position,

Fig. 3 is a like sectional View showing the faucet in open position, and

Figs. 4, 5 and 6 are cross-sectional views taken on lines 4 4, 5 5 and 6 6 of Fig. 2.

Referring now to thev drawing by reference characters, 'I0 indicates the body of the faucet having a chamber therein and a downwardly eX- tending casing with an inlet ow passage I2 therethrough and an exit spout I4 both in communication with the chamber. 'Ihe faucet is adapted to be mounted on a support I5 and connected to a rwater supply` pipe at I6. 'I'he body is recessed at the top end of the casing to receive a metallic valve seat member 26 which ts within this recess against a soft metal washer 2I resting on an annular shoulder at the inner end of the casing. 'Ihe member 2B has a centrally disposed opening 22 therethrough and its edge is chamfered to form an annular boss extending into the chamber and providing an annular shoulder around the boss. Mounted in the chamber outwardly of and in alignment with the passage I2 is a cylinder I8, the cylinder being a removable part of the faucet and preferably a piece of tubing open at both ends. The inner end of the cylinder rests on said annular shoulder and fits over the boss, whereby accurately and securely locating and seating the inner end of the cylinder and forming a closure therefor. The chamber is provided with cylindrically curved wall surfaces engaging and supporting the cylinder against lateral movement at both ends thereof and intermediate the ends. Water is adapted to flow upwardly through the opening 22 and outwardly through an opening 24 in the bottom end of the cylinder, the faucet body being annularly chambered at 25 to accommodate flow from the opening 24 -in all rotative positions of the cylinder.

A valve stem 26 extends through the cylinder I8, through the opening 22 and into the passage I2, and carries a Valve 28 on its inner end cooperating with the seat at-the opening 22. The stem also passes through an opening 29 in a piston 30 engaging the cylinder wall, the piston at said opening providing a seat for a second valve 32 fixed to the steminwardly of the piston. The valves 28 and 32 are held in spaced relation on the stern by a tube mounted on the stem therebetween, as illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3, the combined valves and tube being held in place by a lock nut threaded to the inner end of the stem. Transverse pins 33 carried by the stem outwardly of the piston are so spaced from the valve 32 that the stem has a limited longitudinal movement relative to the piston, as is apparent from Figs. 2 and 3.

Outwardly of the cylinder I8 the casing is provided with a threaded recess to receive a bushing 34, the bushing being threaded into the recess against a soft metal washer 35 and abutting against the outer end of the cylinder. In such position the bushing serves to secure the piece 20 and the cylinder in fixed position in the casing. The stem 26 passes upwardly through the bushing which is provided with a packing 36 surrounding the stern. A by-pass 38 extends from the cylinder through the stem to the chamber at the Aother side of the piston and the ow capacity of this by-pass may be varied by a needle valve 40 threaded longitudinally into the stem at 42. A stem actuating cap 44 is secured by a screw threaded pin 45 to the outer end of the stem and a spring 46 surrounding the stem is housed within a chamber 41 within this cap and the bushing, the spring acting against the cap to normally move the stem outwardly.

Flow of water into the passage I2 may be controlled by a valve 48 cooperating with a valve seat 59 and having a portion 52 of relatively large diameter in threaded engagement with the casing at 54, the portion 52 being recessed at 56 to permit uniform ow of water therethrough in all positions of adjustment thereof. It will be apparent that this construction provides a rugged and firm support which maintains the valve 48 in proper alignment with its seat at all times. The outer end of this valve is provided with a slot 58 for receiving a bit BU on the inner end of the valve stem. Inward movement of the stem is limited by a stud 32 threaded into the bushing and forming a stop for engagement by the cap 44, the cap being recessed at 64 to receive the stud 62 and provide access to the threaded pin 45. As illustrated in Fig. 3, the stud 62 provides a stop for limiting inward movement of the stem to a posil tion short of engagement of the bit 60 within the slot 53. The stud 62 also prevents rotation of the stem, whereby preventing unwarranted adjustment of the valve 48.

When it is desired to rotatably adjust the valve S8- 52, the stud 62 is removed whereupon the stem bit may be forced into engagement with the slot 5B and they valve rotated with the stem. Thus this valve may be adjusted to give a desired rate of flow without disassembling the faucet and it will be furthermore apparent that, when the faucet is to be disassembled for repairs, the valve 48 may rst be brought to the fully closed position and the water shut off merely by rotating the valve through the use of the stem as a rotating medium.

The use and operation of my improved faucet is believed to be apparent. In the normal position of the faucet (Fig. 2), the spring 46 holds the valve 28 closed. Depressing of the cap 44 forces the stem 26 inwardly and opens both valves 28 and 32 whereupon water flows past the valve 28 and out the spout I4. Depressing of the stem also causes inward movement of the piston 30, by pins 33, whereupon water ows past the valve 32 into the chamber above the piston. When pressure on the cap 44 is released, the spring tends immediately to move the stem outwardly. This action at once closes the valve 32 and further outward movement of the stem is checked by the water trapped within the cylinder I8 outwardly of the piston. Outward movement of the stem and closing of the valve 28 are thereupon delayed for the period of time consumed in the trapped water escaping through the bypass 38, and this time period may be varied by adjusting the needle valve 4D. It will be furthermore apparent that this needle valve is hidden in the valve stem where it is conveniently accessible merely by removing the cap 44.

The amount of water permitted to ow from the spout may also be conveniently regulated by removing the stud 62, forcing the stem to its innermost position and the bit 60 into the slot 58, and then rotating the stem and valve 48 to give the flow desired. As illustrated in Fig. 3, the stud 62 normally acts as a stop preventing rotation or longitudinal movement of the stem to this innermost position. Attention is also called to the general assembly of my improved faucet, the same comprising the body l0 and the relatively simple and easily manufactured parts cooperating therewith all o which are easily assembled into the faucet unit. The faucet may also be easily and conveniently serviced without water flow interference merely by closing the valve 48 through the use of the stem as a valve rotating means, as above described.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

l. A faucet comprising a body having a chamber therein and relatively angular casing and spout elements having passages therethrough in communication with the chamber at their inner ends, the body having a recess including an annular shoulder at the inner end of the casing, a metallic valve seat member fitting within the recess against said shoulder and having a centrally disposed opening therethrough and a chamfered edge providing an inwardly extending boss surrounded by an innular shoulder, a piece of tubing open at both ends providing a removable cylinder in the chamber in alignment with the casing and having one end tting over and enclosing the boss and seating against said shoulder, a vaive stem in the cylinder extending through said opening in the valve seat member and carrying a valve cooperating with the valve seat at said opening, a spring operative on the stem to move 'the Valve onto the seat and close the opening, a piston operating in the cylinder and having a flow opening therethrough, a second valve carried by the stem inwardly of and cooperating with the piston in position normally closing the flow opening under the action of the spring, inward movement of the stem being adapted to open both valves, means carried by the stem to move the piston inwardly with the stem after opening of the second valve, means providing a limited flow lay-pass from the cylinder, and a member threaded into the body outwardly of the cylinder and serving to secure the cylinder from outward longitudinal movement.

2. A faucet comprising a body having a chamber therein and relatively angular casing and spout elements having passages therethrough in communication with the chamber, a valve seat member at the inner end of the casing having a centrally disposed opening therethrough, a tubular removable cylinder in the chamber in alignment with the casing and having an open end cooperating with the valve seat member, the chamber having curved wall surfaces relatively spaced along and at the ends of the cylinder and engaging the cylinder to support it against lateral movement within the chamber, a valve stem in the cylinder extending through said opening in the valve seat member and carrying a valve cooperating with the valve seat at said opening, a spring operative on the stem to move the valve onto the seat and close the opening, a piston operating in the cylinder and having a flow opening therethrough, a second valve carried by the stem inwardly of and cooperating with the piston in position normally closing the How opening under the action of the spring, inward movement of the stem being adapted to open both valves, means carried by the stem to move the piston inwardly with the stem after opening of the second valve, means providing a limited flow bypass from tho cylinder, and a member threaded into the body outwardly of the cylinder and serving to secure the cylinder from outward longitudinal movement.

3. A faucet comprising a casing having a flow passage therethrough, a flow controlling valve in the passage in threaded engagement with the casing, rotation of the valve in opposite directions being adapted respectively to open and close the valve, a valve stem in the passage outwardly of said valve, a second ow controlling valve car- `ried lby the stem outwardly of the rst named valve, means providing a connection between the rst named valve and the stem whereby rotation of the stem rotates the rst named valve, and removable stop means preventing rotation of the stem.

4. A faucet comprising a casing having a flow passage therethrough, a flow controlling valve in the passage in threaded engagement with the casing, rotation of* the valve in opposite directions being adapted respectively to open and close the valve, a valve stem in the passage outwardly of said valve, a second ow controlling valve carried by the stem outwardly of the first named valve, cooperating means carried by the stem at its inner end and by the rst named valve at its outer end for rotating the valve with the stem when said means is engaged, a spring normally holding the stem outwardly to a position wherein said cooperating means are disengaged, and removable stop means preventing inward longitudinal movement of the stem to a -position engaging said cooperating means.

ANTON M. VEDOE.

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