Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02230938 2001-07-27
TITLE OF INVENTION
Improvements in Diverter Valves with Integral Back Flow
Preventer and Inlet and Outlet Check Valve Mechanisms and Improvements
Therefor.
FIELD OF INVENTION
This application relates to a diverter valve with integral,
atmospheric type vacuum breaker and inlet and outlet check valves which finds
particular application to deck mounted installations such as a roman tub. In
particular, the diverting valve finds application in a deck mounted tub with
an
overflow below the flood level rim of the fixture. Unique installations may
therefore be adapted for use with this unique valve.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Back flow preventers and check valves are used in commercial and
household installations, for example, bidets, Roman tubs, barber shop and
hairdressing salon fixtures, laboratory sinks, food processing facilities,
chemical
manufacturing, metal plating facilities and all types of plumbing applications
where the potable water outlet when installed is below the flood level rim of
the
fixture, just to name a few, to prevent the contamination of the potable water
supply. The water in each case is used in different manners and the
installation
of back flow preventers and check valves would be required for each use to
protect the water supply from contamination or a separate back flow preventer
and check valve would be installed in the line in advance of the components in
the system. For example, in residential installations of a bidet, the water is
diverted to the rim or the spray. In a soaking or whirlpool bath tub the water
is
diverted to the spout, shower head or removable hand-held shower. A number
of proposals have been made for the diversion of fluids. Various methods and
CA 02230938 1998-02-26
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devices have been used to protect the potable water system from contamination.
The premises may be isolated to protect the purveyor's water distribution
system
by installing a back flow preventer at the water line into the building. An
area
may be isolated when a portion of the building has toxic material used there.
That portion of the building should be isolated by installing a back flow
preventer so as to protect the individual consumer using the water within the
building. Finally one may individually isolate each fixture or piece of
equipment
from the water system such as is the case in Applicant's own structure
described
in Canadian Patent 1,225,006 and United States Patent 4,589,438 which provides
atmospheric back flow prevention, in a compact, easily manufactured, effective
unit. The present invention describes improvements thereto by adding a
plurality of checking devices and improves the structure and repair of the
diverting valve.
It is well known that any deck mounted faucet with removeable
spout or where the water spout outlet is installed below the flood level rim
of
the fixture that installation is required by law to have a vacuum breaker with
check valves. These codes are set out by the ASME, CAN/CSA, IAPMO and
CABO/ANSI (ADA} codes. Any installation for which there is risk of
contamination to the potable water system. Such installations must meet all
codes by providing vacuum breakers and check valves. In doing so, however,
there is a considerable amount of cost resulting from installation of
individual
vacuum breakers with separate checks and the necessary piping to and from all
the components along with the labour costs and the continual maintenance costs
of such individual components. It would therefore be advantageous to provide
all of these features within a cartridge system heretofore unknown. It would
be
desirable to have deck mounted valves with an integral cartridge accessible
from
the top for repair without requiring dismantling the deck mounted
installation.
It would also be advantageous to repair such a cartridge which may malfunction
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by merely removing such cartridge from the top of the deck simply by removing
the diverter valve handle.
It is therefore an object of this invention, to provide a diverter
valve with, integral atmospheric type vacuum breaker and inlet and outlet
check
valves in an integral structure which is entirely reliable and easily serviced
from
the top.
It is therefore another object of this invention to provide a deck-
mounted tub installation wherein the spout is an integral part of the overflow
and is below the flood level rim of the fixture including a diverter valve
which
meets all of the code requirements set out above.
It is a further object of this invention to provide a multiple deck
mounted tub installation system including a diverter valve with integral
atmospheric-type vacuum breaker and inlet and outlet check valves which
conform with all codes and is economical and practical to acquire and
maintain.
Further and other objects of the invention will be realized by those
skilled in the art from the following summary of the invention and detailed
description of preferred embodiments thereof.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to a primary aspect of the invention, there is provided a
diverter valve with integral back flow preventer and inlet and outlet check
valves comprising a housing having two ends, one end for receiving a valve
cartridge in use and preferably having detents provided proximate that end,
the
housing having an outer wall and an inner wall, the inner wall defining an
opening extending from proximate one end to proximate the other end of the
housing, the housing having an inlet port, preferably extending from one end
of
the housing toward the cartridge receiving end of the housing and into the
housing opening, the housing having at least two outlet ports, preferably
extending through the housing from the outer wall to the inner wall into said
housing opening, preferably said at least two outlet ports being directed on
the
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same plane and opening into the housing opening; a stationary body sleeve
having a first end and preferably having detents disposed proximate the first
end
for locking a preferred retaining ring in position and a second end and an
inner
and outer wall defining a chamber, the second end of the body sleeve for
insertion within the housing opening to proximate the inlet port in use, the
body sleeve having an integral inlet tube within the chamber in communication
with the inlet port of the housing in use and extending a predetermined
distance
in the chamber from the inlet port of the housing towards the cartridge
receiving
end of the housing and beyond the first end of the body sleeve to an open end,
the open end of the inlet tube having disposed therewith a check to allow flow
out of the open end but not back into the open end of the inlet tube, the
chamber
of body sleeve being defined by the outer wall of the inlet tube and the inner
wall
of the body sleeve, the body sleeve having disposed therewith openings
extending from the chamber to the outer wall of the body sleeve and in direct
communication with the at least two outlet ports of the housing, some of the
openings of the body sleeve being provided with a check which allows flow out
from the chamber toward the ports of the housing but prevents any flow from
the ports to the chamber, in a preferred embodiment at least one of said
openings
further comprise a plurality of radially disposed small openings working in
cooperation with a check which is preferably a disk shaped seal with integral
seal
portions proximate the circumference thereof to seat within the outer wall of
the
body sleeve and having a central opening to allow flow from the plurality of
radially disposed small openings from the chamber to the housing outlet ports,
and having a sealing surface disposed proximate each of the plurality of
radially
disposed openings to prevent any flow from the outlet ports of the housing to
the chamber; a moveable diverting stem having a first open end and a second
vented end wherein a handle is disposed in use and having an inner and outer
wall, preferably the outer wall having provided therewith a detent for
engagement with a stop of the preferred retaining ring which retains the
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moveable diverting stem and stationary body sleeve in engagement with one
another, the first and second ends of the moveable stem providing therebetween
a hollow wherein is disposed the open end of the inlet tube and the check
thereof in use, preferably the check further comprising a resilient member
tapering outwardly away from the inlet tube toward the inner wall of the
moveable stem thereby allowing flow from the inlet tube to the chamber yet
preventing flow from the chamber into the open end of the inlet tube, the
first
end of the stem for insertion within the chamber of the stationary body
sleeve,
surrounding the integral inlet tube, to proximate the end of the inlet tube
proximate the inlet port of the housing, the diverting stem having disposed
proximate the first open end a single opening (preferably provided with a seat
for
a seal surrounding the opening) for selected communication with the openings
of the stationary body sleeve; a closure reciprocal from a position spaced
from the
open end of the inlet tube and check closing the upper end of the diverter
valve
to the atmosphere, to a position closing the inlet tube of the diverter valve
to
atmosphere, whereby when fluid is fed through the inlet tube into the valve
the
closure is moved away from the open end of the inlet tube closing the valve to
atmosphere to permit the fluid to pass out the open end of the inlet tube into
the
valve, and when fluid is not passed through the inlet tube, the closure closes
the
open end of the inlet tube and vents the valve to atmosphere, wherein when
assembled the stem sleeve maybe selectively moved to communicate the single
opening of the stem sleeve with the openings of the stationary body sleeve and
fluid will flow to the selected outlet port of the housing, for example to a
spout,
shower head or removable hand-held shower.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a
diverter valve with integral atmospheric type vacuum breaker and inlet and
outlet check valves and for connection to a faucet or other valve which faucet
or
other valve controls water flow to the diverter valve, a housing having two
ends, one end for receiving a valve cartridge in use and having detents
provided
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proximate that end, the housing having an outer wall and an inner wall, the
inner wall defining an opening extending from proximate one end to proximate
the other end of the housing, the housing having an inlet port, preferably
extending from one end of the housing toward the cartridge receiving end of
the
housing and into the housing opening, the housing having at least two outlet
ports, preferably extending through the housing from the outer wall to the
inner
wall into said housing opening, preferably said at least two outlet ports
being
directed on substantially the same plane and opening into the housing opening;
a stationary body sleeve having a first end preferably having detents disposed
proximate the first end preferably for locking a retaining ring in position
and a
second end and an inner and outer wall defining a chamber, the second end of
the body sleeve for insertion within the housing opening to proximate the
inlet
port in use, the body sleeve having an integral inlet tube within the chamber
in
communication with the inlet port of the housing in use and extending a
predetermined distance in the chambers from the inlet port of the housing
towards the cartridge receiving end of the housing and beyond the first end of
the body sleeve to an open end, the open end of the inlet tube having disposed
therewith a check to allow flow out of the open end but not back into the open
end of the inlet tube, the chamber of body sleeve being defined by the outer
wall
of the inlet tube and the inner wall of the body sleeve, the body sleeve
having
disposed therewith openings extending from the chamber to the outer wall of
the body sleeve and in direct communication with the least two outlet ports of
the housing, the openings of the body sleeve being provided with a check which
allows flow out from the chamber toward the outlet ports of the housing but
prevents any flow from the outlet ports to the chamber, in a preferred
embodiment said openings further comprise a plurality of radially disposed
small openings working in cooperation with a check which is preferably a disk
shaped seal with integral seal proximate the circumference thereof to seat
within
the outer wall of the body sleeve and having a central opening to allow flow
CA 02230938 1998-02-26
from the plurality of radially disposed small openings from the chamber to the
housing outlet ports, and having a sealing surface disposed proximate each of
the
plurality of radially disposed openings to prevent any flow from the outlet
ports
of the housing to the chamber; a moveable diverting stem having a first open
end and a second vented end wherein a handle is disposed in use and having an
inner and outer wall, preferably the outer wall having provided therewith a
detent for engagement with a stop of the preferred retaining ring which
retains
the moveable diverting stem and stationary body sleeve in engagement with one
another, the first and second ends of the moveable stem providing therebetween
a hollow wherein is disposed the open end of the inlet tube and the check
thereof, preferably the check further comprising a resilient member tapering
outwardly away from the inlet tube toward the inner wall of the moveable stem
thereby allowing flow from the inlet tube to the chamber yet preventing flow
from the chamber into the open end of the inlet tube, the first end of the
stem for
insertion within the chamber of the stationary body sleeve, surrounding the
integral inlet tube, to proximate the end of the inlet tube proximate the
inlet port
of the housing, the diverting stem having disposed proximate the first open
end
a single opening (preferably provided with a seat for a seal surrounding the
opening) for selected communication with the openings of the body sleeve; a
closure reciprocal from a position spaced from the open end of the inlet tube
and
check closing the upper end of the diverter valve to the atmosphere, to a
position closing the inlet tube of the diverter valve to atmosphere, whereby
when fluid is fed through the inlet tube into the valve the closure is moved
away from the opening in the inlet tube closing the valve to atmosphere to
permit the fluid to pass out the opening of the inlet tube into the valve, and
when fluid is not passed through the inlet tube, the closure closes the open
end
of the inlet tube and vents the valve to atmosphere, wherein when assembled
the stem sleeve maybe selectively moved to communicate the single opening of
the stem sleeve with the openings of the stationary body sleeve and fluid will
CA 02230938 1998-02-26
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flow to the selected outlet, for example to a spout, shower head or removable
hand-held shower.
According to another aspect of the invention, the moveable stem
may further comprise a tube having an outer surface whose dimensions
correspond substantially to the inner surface dimensions of the inner wall of
the
body sleeve defining the chamber and providing an intimate close tolerance fit
therebetween yet allowing movement of the stem within the body sleeve.
According to yet another aspect of the invention there is provided a
cartridge for a valve housing having outlets, the cartridge comprising a
stationary body sleeve for fixed insertion within the housing and having
outlet
ports permanently aligned with the outlets of the housing, a moveable
substantially hollow stem sleeve inserted within the stationary body sleeve
and
having an opening selectively alignable with the ports of the stationary body
sleeve, the body sleeve and hollow stem being connected to one another by a
retaining ring which aligns and maintains the cartridge as a unit in the
housing.
Preferably the retaining ring includes stops to limit the travel of the
moveable
hollow stem and preferably engageable with a detent provided with the exterior
of the hollow stem, preferably the housing and the retaining ring include
detent
portions to fix the position of the body sleeve with respect to the housing
while
allowing motion of the moveable stem within the limits of the stops provided.
In a preferred embodiment the cartridge, and the cartridge components are
structured substantially as described in the first two paragraphs of this
summary
of invention.
According to yet another aspect of the invention, there is provided a
diverter valve with integral vacuum breaker back flow preventer and inlet and
outlet check valves comprising a housing having two ends, one end for
receiving a valve cartridge in use, the housing having an outer wall and an
inner wall, the inner wall defining an opening extending from proximate one
end to proximate the other end of the housing, the housing having an inlet
port,
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the housing having at least two outlet ports; a stationary body sleeve having
a
first end and a second end and an inner and outer wall defining a sleeve
opening, the second end of the body sleeve for insertion within the housing
opening to proximate the inlet port in use, the body sleeve having an inlet
within the sleeve opening in communication with the inlet port of the housing
and extending a predetermined distance in the sleeve opening from the inlet
port of the housing towards the cartridge receiving end of the housing to an
open end, the inlet port having disposed therewith a check to allow flow from
the inlet port but not back to the inlet port, the body sleeve having disposed
therewith openings extending from the sleeve opening to the outer wall of the
body sleeve and in direct communication with the at least two outlet ports of
the
housing, some of the openings of the body sleeve having been provided with a
check which precludes reversal of flow into the valve; a moveable diverting
stem having a first open end and a second vented end wherein a handle is
disposed in use and having an inner and outer wall, the first and second ends
of
the moveable stem providing therebetween a hollow stem chamber wherein is
disposed the waterway in use, the first end of the diverting stem for
insertion
within the sleeve opening of the stationary body sleeve, to proximate the
inlet
port of the housing, the diverting stem having disposed proximate the first
open
end a single opening for selected communication with the openings of the
stationary body sleeve; a closure moveable from a position spaced from the
open
end of the stem chamber closing the upper end of the diverter valve to the
atmosphere, to a position closing the stem chamber of the diverter valve to
atmosphere, whereby when fluid is fed through the valve the closure is moved
away from the open end of the stem chamber closing the valve to atmosphere to
permit the fluid to pass into the valve, and when fluid is not passed through
the
stem chamber, the closure opens the open end of the stem chamber to
atmosphere and vents the valve to atmosphere, wherein when assembled the
stem may be selectively moved to communicate the single opening of the stem
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with the openings of the stationary body sleeve and fluid will flow to the
selected
outlet port of the housing, for example to a spout, shower head or removable
hand-held shower.
According to yet another aspect of the invention there is provided a
deck-mounted diverting valve with integral vacuum breaker, back flow
preventer and inlet and outlet check valves for diverting premixed water from
at
least one supply valve to one of at least two and preferably at least three
tub
accessories, (for example shower nozzles, spouts, jets, hand-held shower
nozzles,
body shower nozzles, pumps, disinfectant circuits or the like), said diverting
valve comprising:
a housing having an opening for receiving a cartridge, said housing
having an inlet to receive water from the at least one supply valve,
and at least two and preferably at least three outlets, at least one of
said outlets being a primary outlet (for example full capacity flow
from the valve to be coupled to a spout) and the remaining
auxiliary outlets being restricted in flow, (for example to supply a
telephone shower, body shower and other accessories),
said cartridge having an inlet port and at least two and preferably
three outlet ports, said cartridge including a vacuum breaker and a
check on the inlet port to said cartridge, and having a rotatable
member for selective alignment of one of the at least two and
preferably three outlet ports with one of the at least two and
preferably at least three outlets of the housing; some of said outlet
ports, and preferably said auxiliary ports having checks provided
therewith and having flows of restricted volume compared to the
flow capacity of the primary outlet of the valve, at least one of said
at least two and preferably at least three of said outlets ports being
the primary port and providing full capacity flow to one of the at
least two and preferably three outlets of said valve,
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wherein said rotatable member of said cartridge may be selectively aligned
with
one of the desired housing outlets without turning off the water supply. In a
preferred embodiment the diverting valve meets all ASME, CAN/CSA, IAPMO
and CABO/ANSI (ADA) codes which effectively requires, for deck mounted
installations with water paths to overflow, jet or any other type of outlet
located
below the flood level rim of the fixture, a vacuum breaker and check valves.
For
all outlets to the tub the above-mentioned diverting valve structure will
provide
these code requirements which are provided internally within the valve without
the need for external checks on the outlets from the valve with the exception
of
the full flow outlet port wherein an external check may be installed depending
on the installation.
According to yet another aspect of the invention there is provided a
cartridge for a valve housing having outlets, the cartridge comprising a
stationary body sleeve for fixed insertion within the housing and having
outlet
ports permanently aligned with the outlets of the housing, a moveable
substantially hollow stem sleeve inserted within the stationary body sleeve
and
having an opening selectively alignable with the ports of the stationary body
sleeve, the body sleeve and hollow stem being connected to one another by a
retaining ring which aligns and maintains the cartridge as a unit in the
housing.
In a preferred embodiment the diverting valves embodying the
invention as described above may be installed as a deck mounted fixture in a
tub,
whirlpool, soaking bath, spa, roman tub, or the like wherein the tub spout is
located below the flood line rim of the respective fixture. In such a
situation the
building code requires prevention of contamination of the potable water
system.
The present embodiments of the diverter valve meets these code requirements
by providing a vacuum break back flow preventer and check on the inlet to the
valve, and checks on some of the outlets of the valve, all contained within
the
cartridge. Further, the diverting valve can be repaired by replacing the
cartridge
from the top of the valve by removing the handle and replacing the cartridge
in
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its entirety. If the valve fails for some reason, a leak will be evident from
the
vacuum breaker under the handle. The prior art structures do not normally
"show" this condition without the surrounding wall being damaged.
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention the deck
mounted diverting valve may be installed in a tub assembly further comprising
a spout, the rotatable member or stem for selective alignment of the primary
outlet port of said cartridge and said spout, or said rotatable member or stem
for
selective alignment of one of an auxiliary outlet of said cartridge and a hand-
held
shower or a body shower. Preferably the flow to the spout is up to
substantially
thirty gallons per minute, and the flow to the hand-held shower and the
auxiliary outlet is substantially up to eleven gallons per minute at sixty
pounds
per square inch line pressure.
According to another embodiment of the invention, the deck
mounted diverting valve may be installed in a tub assembly further comprising
a waste overflow having an inlet to the tub positioned within the waste
overflow and for selective alignment with the primary outlet port of said
cartridge, a hand shower nozzle being disposed at each end of said tub and for
selective alignment with one of the auxiliary outlets of said cartridge.
Preferably
the flow to the waste overflow is up to substantially thirty gallons per
minute,
and the flow to the hand-held shower is substantially up to eleven gallons per
minute at sixty pounds per square inch line pressure.
According to another embodiment of the invention, the deck
mounted diverting valve may be installed in a tub assembly having a top and
bottom further comprising a high volume jet nozzle, preferably positioned
proximate the bottom of said tub, for selective alignment with the primary
outlet
port of said cartridge, preferably a low volume jet nozzle being positioned
intermediate the top and bottom of the tub above the horizontal plane of the
high volume jet nozzle for selective alignment with one of the auxiliary
outlet
ports of said cartridge, and preferably a hand-held shower nozzle for
selective
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alignment with one of another of said auxiliary outlet ports of said
cartridge.
Preferably the flow to said high volume jet is up to substantially thirty
gallons
per minute, and the flow to the low valve jet nozzle and the hand-held shower
nozzle is substantially up to eleven gallons per minute at sixty pounds per
inch
line pressure. By utilizing the high and low volume jets, the user can refresh
the
tub water with hot water below the waterline to provide much more uniform
mixing of the water and comfort to the bather providing a more uniform water
temperature throughout the water contained in the tub as opposed to the water
temperature of a tub of water filled only from the top through a spout. The
same
maximum flow capacities apply as discussed above.
According to another embodiment of the invention, the deck
mounted diverting valve may be installed in a tub assembly further comprising
a whirlpool pump having an inlet and an outlet whose inlet is for selective
alignment with the primary outlet port of said cartridge, wherein a check is
provided in the connection between said pump and said outlet port of said
cartridge, the outlet of said pump being connected to a predetermined number
of
whirlpool jets disposed in said tub and the inlet of said pump being connected
to
a suction port provided in said tub to circulate the water in a conventional
manner, preferably a hand-held shower nozzle is provided for selective
alignment with all remaining auxiliary outlets of said cartridge to prevent
stagnant water from accumulating, or alternatively an additional body shower
nozzle is also provided for selective alignment with an auxiliary outlet of
said
cartridge. An auxiliary check valve is provided on the supply line to the pump
to prevent contamination of the potable water. The same flow capacities are
available as discussed above. This installation may be utilized to sterilize
the tub
following hospital uses such as water births, while preventing contamination
and back flow to potable water. Alternatively, a disinfectant dispenser
including
a circuit may be utilized with the above-mentioned installation wherein in
this
embodiment the body shower nozzle is replaced by a disinfectant container on
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the low volume auxiliary line for selective alignment with an auxiliary outlet
port of the cartridge. A check is also provided in the auxiliary line to
protect the
water supply backing up from the pump. The disinfectant may be provided in a
solid disk form and placed in the disinfectant container for one use only. As
the
water passes through the container, the disinfectant is dissolved and fed
directly
to the pump outlet and whirlpool jets and coincidentally to the tub without
the
pump running if desired. The tub may therefore easily be disinfected after
each
use as required in hotels, hospitals and other institutions. The same flow
rates
apply as discussed above.
The invention will now be illustrated with reference to drawings of
embodiments of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a general perspective view of the use of the Diverter
Valve embodying the invention and illustrated in a preferred embodiment of
the invention.
Figure 2 and 3 are cut away sectional views of the components
making up the diverted valve and illustrated in a preferred embodiment of the
invention.
Figure 4, 4a, and 4b are illustrations of the cartridges installed in the
Diverter Valve illustrating the various outlet positions of the cartridge and
illustrated in a preferred embodiment of the invention.
Figure 5 and 5a are illustrations of the stationary body sleeve and
inlet tube illustrating the various outlets of the body sleeve and illustrated
in a
preferred embodiment of the invention.
Figure 6 and 6a are cross sectional views of the entire assembly of
the Diverter Valve and illustrated in a preferred embodiment of the invention.
Figure 7, 7a and 7b are illustrations of the assembled cartridge and
housing of the Diverter Valve showing the various outlets from the valve and
illustrated in a preferred embodiment of the invention.
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Figure 8 is a top sectional view of the Diverter Valve assembly
illustrated in a preferred embodiment of the invention.
Figure 9, 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d, 9e, and 9f are various views of the retainer
ring illustrating the various components thereof and shown in a preferred
embodiment of the invention.
Figure 10, 10a, and 10b are side, top, and cut away views of the check
valve for the inlet tube 42 which is illustrated in a preferred embodiment of
the
invention.
Figure 11 is a cross sectional view of the float 50 proximate the top
of the inlet tube 42 having a stopper 51 and illustrated in a preferred
embodiment of the invention.
Figure 12 and 12a shows the generally flat disk design for the check
mechanism enclosing the openings 44a of the stationary body sleeve 40 and
illustrated in a preferred embodiment of the invention.
Figures 13 and 14 illustrate a deck-mounted tub installation
utilizing separate water supply valves to supply the diverter valve
illustrated in
preferred embodiments of the invention.
Figures 15 and 16 illustrate a deck-mounted tub installation
including the diverter valve having a high-volume jet outlet to the tub
utilized
to fill the tub and illustrated in a preferred embodiment of the invention.
Figures 17, 18 and 19 illustrate a deck-mounted tub installation
utilizing the preferred diverting valve and including a whirlpool tub and
necessary jets connected to the main high-volume outlet line of the diverting
valve and illustrated in a preferred embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE
INVENTION
Similarly as taught in my Canadian Patent 1,225006 there is
illustrated a Diverter Valve 10 which is installed on for example a deck D for
a
roman tub to receive hot and cold water from valve mechanisms 5 and 6 which
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provide hot or cold water and variations of the flow and mixtures thereof to
the
diverting valve 10. For this example valve 5 will supply hot water and valve 6
will supply cold water. Therefore the supply tubing 1 and 2 are providing cold
water into the bottom of faucet valve 6 and hot water into the bottom of
faucet
valve 5. Cold and hot water are therefore inlet to the bottom of the Diverting
Valve 10 via tubes 3 and 4 and fitting 8 to inlet coupling 8a and inlet 26 of
the
housing 20 of the Diverting Valve 10. By rotating the handle 20a of the
housing
20 the user may select with this embodiment one of three positions; a spout to
the tub(not shown), a fixed wall shower head (not shown), a supply tubing 7
extending to a hand held shower unit, (also not shown). Alternatively any
other
alternative fixtures may be provided for which back flow prevention is
desired.
Referring now to Figure 2 and 3 there is illustrated the installation of the
components of the handle and the assembly of the trim for the valve and the
components of the valve. Therefore there is provided a control handle 20a
attached to the Diverting stem 30 having an engaging portion 31 which engages
with the opening proximate the bottom of the handle portion 20a as shown. The
handle portion 20a includes venting portions 20f to allow the valve to vent to
atmosphere when not in operation. To enable this to occur a float 50 is
provided
which is moved from a position as illustrated closing the inlet tube 42 of the
stationary body sleeve 40 of the valve assembly to a position closing the vent
32b
of the valve assembly thereby allowing water into the chamber 48. The
Diverting stem 30 therefore is moveable within the stationary body sleeve 40
which are held together as an integral package by a retaining ring 70 as best
seen
in figures 4, 4a ,and 4b. A trim portion 20d extends down to flange portion
21a
covering thereover via flange portion 20e to provide the proper trim for the
Diverting valve 10. Integral with the handle portion is a downwardly depending
skirt 20c which covers the diverting stem 20 and provides for a venting
chamber
20f and 20g which vents the cartridge via the windows 32a through the passage
20g, 20f, and 20b out to atmosphere thereby providing a vacuum breaking path.
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This path of course is closed by the top of float 50 via the movement and
sealing
of the float 50 in relation to the above mentioned passage as will be
described
here in after.
The inlet tube 42 therefore is provided with a one way check
mechanism 60 proximate the top thereof which is located at a predetermined
position below the top end 32a of the inlet tube to allow proper functioning
of
the float mechanism 50 and to provide checking of the fluid flowing from the
top of tube 42 to the passage 48 between the tube 42 and the inner wall 40d of
the
stationary sleeve 40. Therefore the fluid will pass one way down into the
chamber 48 but will not pass back from the chamber 48 back into the inlet tube
42
thereby providing a check mechanism and protection for the inlet water.
Referring now the Figure 4, 4a, and 4b there is illustrated the
cartridge 10a of the Diverter Valve 10 comprising the moveable Diverting Stem
30 moveable within the stationary body sleeve 40 and being retained together
by
retaining portion 70 having locking portions 73b and 73a which engage with
tabs
43a and 43b respectively of the body sleeve as best seen in figure 5 and 5a.
The
locking ring, as best seen in Figure 9, and Figures 9a through 9f, includes an
opening portion 70a to allow the locking ring to rest on the flange 41 of the
stationary body sleeve 40 under the flange portion 72 after the opening 70a
allows
passage of detent 34 through said opening 70a during assembly thus allowing
the
bottom of flange 72 to rest on flange 41. The opening 73b will engage with the
tab
portion 43b and the opening 73a will engage with the tab portion 43a.
An opening 32a provided proximate the top of stem 30 allows
venting of the valve as described in relations to Figures 2 and 3. The stem 30
therefore is moveable within the body 40 within the limits of the detent 34
and
the locking ring 70 as provided by stops 71b an 71a. These positions therefore
provide a full range of selectivity from the openings 44 and the single
opening
45. The openings 44 are provided for shower outlets and have reduced volume
in relation to opening 45 which includes the reinforcing bar 45a to retain the
seal
CA 02230938 1998-02-26
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from collapsing into the opening 45 as best seen in figure 6a or from sliding
through the opening 45 when the Diverting valve is operated. Typically the
opening 45 would lead to the spout for the Roman tub whereas the multiplicity
of openings 44a would lead to a shower or a telephone shower. A unique check
valve 44b is provided, as best seen in Figure 12 and 12a, which seats in the
seating
provided around the opening 44a via the ring 44b(1) provided with the gasket
44b. When water comes out of opening 44a it will pass through opening 44b(3)
of
the check valve 44b. However any water attempting to backup into the outlet
will be prevented by the occluded face 44b(2) of the one way check valve
provided. As best seen in Figure 6a a single outlet is provided from the
Diverting stem which is typically sealed by an "O" ring 35a. Therefore this
single
outlet is aligned selectively with the outlets 25, 27 or 28 when water is
inlet into
the valve through inlet 26.
Referring to Figures 5 and 5a the stationary body sleeve is illustrated
having an inlet tube integral therewith at 42 having a top at 42a and a check
receiving portion 42b wherein the check 60 is positioned as best seen in
figure 6a.
The stationary body 40 therefore has an outer diameter 40c an inner diameter
40d
a gasket receiving portion 40a, and an opening 44, 45 and 46 as previously
described. The inlet tube has an inner diameter 46a an outer diameter 46b. The
inner diameter 40d of the outer body 40 and the outer diameter 46b of the
inlet 42
defines a chamber 48a where water will pass from the outlet 42a of the inlet
tube
to the chamber passing the check valve 60 (but not passing back to the inlet
tube)
and then selectively out of one of the openings 44 or 45 and 28, 27, or 25 of
the
housing 20. This can be best seen in relation to Figures 7, 7a and 7b and the
reader is referred to these figures in relations to the aforementioned
paragraph.
Referring now to Figure 6 and 6a the entire assembly is illustrated
in cross section with the stem 30 selecting the outlet 28 and the outlet 45
and
therefore sending the water to the spout. The water will pass up the inlet
tube to
opening 6a, overflow by raising the vacuum breaker 50 so that portion 50a
CA 02230938 1998-02-26
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engages with opening 32b, sized to receive the flange or cylinder size 50a
thereby
closing the valve to atmosphere via the seal 52a raised against the bottom of
the
opening 32b thereby sealing the diverting valve from atmosphere and allowing
water to pass over into the chamber 48a and selectively out of the valve. When
a
shower is selected typically there is a head of water retained in the shower
feed
pipe or telephone tubing. Since the telephone tubing is not always within the
tub in a Roman tub it is preferred to prevent any dripping from the telephone
shower onto for example the floor. Therefore a check valve is provided
proximate the outlet as well to prevent water from passing fluid back into the
valve from the telephone shower or the shower nozzle. As described in relation
to figure 12, 12a and figure 5a the vacuum breaker in essence works
identically
with the previously described vacuum breaker of my previous Canadian Patent
1,225,006 with the exception of enhanced features of the float and the plug 51
providing a much tighter package. When water is shut off therefore from
entering the valve the Diverter Valve float 51 will close the end of the inlet
tube
42a and therefore allow the passage of air into the valve and thereby
preventing
creation of a vacuum in the valve with all the known problems that this may
create.
Figures 9 through 9f describe the retaining ring as previously
described with all of the components thereof including an opening 70a and
detents 71a and 71b, and detents 73a and 73b which engage with the cartridge
as
previously described.
Referring to Figure 10-10b there is described the unique check device
provided as best seen in Figure 6a which includes a substantially flexible
material
have a shape substantially shown having a tapering bottom portion 61 and a
substantially more biased tapered form 60a and a substantially cylindrical
section
62 which butts up against the detent portion 42b of the inlet tube 42. The
slanting
surfaces 60 and 61 therefore provide the checking and tight fit. The inner
diameter of the moveable diverting stem 30 and the inlet tube providing an
inlet
CA 02230938 1998-02-26
-20-
chamber 48 by preventing the passage of the fluid back from the passage 48 to
the
inlet tube 42.
Referring to Figure 11 there is described the float mechanism 50
having a tapered wall 50a in order to shut off the venting of the valve as
previously described in cooperation with the seal 53 and shut off the top of
the
inlet tube via stop 51 and downwardly depending skirts 52. The float of course
is
sized to fit within the portions of the inlet tube at 54 and breather opening
42b at
50a.
Referring to Figure 12 and 12a as previously described there is
provided the unique check mechanism 4 and 4b which retains in the opening 44
as best seen in Figure 4b so that the face 44b(2) will prevent any fluid from
re-
entering the opening 44a but the opening 44b(3) will allow passage of the
fluid
from opening 44a to the selected outlet. It is recommended that the material
for
both the checks of Figures 10 and 12 be made from epdm 60 duro.
Referring now to Figures 1 and 13 through 19, there is illustrated
various deck-mounted installations utilizing the diverting valve described
herein advantageously which results in various unique tub installations
heretofore unrealized, especially in view of the requirements of the building
code as set out in ASME, CAN/CSA, IAPMO and CABO/ANSI (ADA) codes.
Therefore, many installations heretofore impractical or expensive and
uneconomical may be realized such as spas, Roman tubs, soaking bath tubs,
whirlpools and the like. The diverting valve receives its supply of water from
supply valves such as those illustrated in Figure 13 wherein the hot and cold
water supply valves are separate, or alternatively from a supply valve such as
illustrated in Figure 16 which may be a single-lever spool valve. Regardless
of
the supply, the water therefore enters at the bottom of the valve into the
cartridge as previously described and may be diverted to any of the three
outlet
ports at 100a, 100b or 100c. The diverting valve 100 therefore is positioned
appropriately to the desired outlet. The outlets 100a and 100b are somewhat
CA 02230938 1998-02-26
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restricted in all embodiments described herein having a maximum flow of
approximately 11 gallons per minute at 60 psi. The spout outlet 100c has a
capacity of 30 gallons per minute at full flow. The restrictions in the
cartridge
which lead to the outlets 100a and 100b and the integral checks as best seen
in
Figure 4 results in the limited flow capability of eight gallons per minute of
these
outlets versus the full flow substantially as illustrated in Figure 4A which
leads
to the outlet 100c in all embodiments. At 30 gallons per minute, the copper
tubing normally connected to the diverting valve of this installation is
typically
1/2" to provide the full-flow and quick-fill capability of the tub in each of
the
embodiments of the invention illustrated herein. Most embodiments take
advantage of the three position diverting valve 100. Equally, the diverting
valve
may have more than three positions, but for simplicity of illustration, only
three
positions are described. Another important aspect of the code is that there be
no
stagnant water. So in, for example, Figure 17, although a three-position valve
is
provided, both of the auxiliary outlets 100a and 100b are joined together to
flow
to the hand-shower 120. Another advantage of the present invention utilizing
the diverter valve is the fact that the water does not have to be closed off
from
the water supply valves in order to re-direct the water. The diverting valve
provides both the low-flow option and the high-pressure option to flush all of
the systems and remove the risks of contamination of any stagnant water. The
deck-mounted valve is accessible to repair from the deck and not from the
bottom in all installations and embodiments. Only the whirlpool installations
require a separate check valve to prevent contamination of potable water since
the full-bore 30-gallon per minute outlet from the diverting valve does not
have
a check provided normally, since in most instances the water from this port is
directed to a spout. Where full volume flow is connected to an outlet, pump or
the like which is below the flood rim of the deck, it is recommended that an
auxiliary check valve be used. Great savings therefore can be realized in the
cost
of installation. Three separate checks and vacuum breakers are avoided by
CA 02230938 1998-02-26
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providing them within the valve on the inlet and two on the auxiliary outlets.
The labour and material savings have also been realized in comparison to
installing separate checks and vacuum breakers on those lines as well as the
maintenance costs should these separate component valves break.
Referring now to Figure 13 and Figure 1, the diverting valve 100 of
the invention described above is installed on a deck and is supplied through
supply line 111 which extends from the separate valves 105 and 106 for hot and
cold water supplied through inlets 105a and 106a respectively. The water is
carried from each separate valve 105 and 106 along lines 106b and 105b to the
supply line 111 going into the bottom of the diverting valve 100 as best seen
in
Figure 1 then passing through the cartridge assembly of the diverting valve as
previously described as best seen in Figure 2 having integral vacuum breaker
and
check on the inlet supply. The cartridge is operated by the bather (not shown)
which engages the stem portion 32 as seen in Figure 3 in a conventional
manner.
Then the handle therefore is operated, it may be positioned by the user at
three
positions, one for water to exit via the main high-volume supply outlet at
101c
which does not have a check wherein the fluid flows through line 115a to the
spout 115 to fill the tub. Alternatively, the operator may position the
diverting
valve to outlets 101a or 101b so that the water may flow to either outlet 100a
and
100b connected to feedlines 116a and 111a respectively to go to the body
shower
116 or the hand shower 110. The tub T is provided with an overflow at T1 and a
drain at T2 as is well known.
Figure 14 illustrates an embodiment similar in every respect to that
illustrated in Figure 13 with the exception that the shower 116 is replaced by
a
second hand-held shower at 120. The operation of the diverting valve is
identical. The tub includes all of the limitations previously described in 13
as
well. Advantageously, however, the full-flow outlet port of the diverting
valve
100 at 100c is connected via the line 130a to a filled port 130 located in the
waste
overflow T1 of the tub T. The spout therefore of the embodiment of Figure 13
is
CA 02230938 1998-02-26
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eliminated allowing for the filling of the tub to be accomplished through the
waste overflow. However, to provide contamination protection, check valves
and vacuum breakers are included and embodied in the feed line from the outlet
at 100c or within the cartridge itself which is preferred. The installation
includes
two hand-held showers 110 and 120 which may include quick-connect, high-
pressure, stainless-steel-braided hoses and trim accessories to allow for use
of the
high pressure and the high temperature capabilities of the valve of
160°F and 125
psi maximum operating temperature and pressure. This installation still meets
all of the code requirements specified above.
Referring now to Figures 15 and 16, there is illustrated the use of
jets J1, J2 and J3 to fill the tub T. The jets J2 and J3 are connected to the
high-
volume outlet port 100c of the diverting valve 100. The lines Ja therefore
lead to
this high-volume jet to allow for mixing of the hot water to obtain a uniform
temperature in the tub. This is advantageous over the use of a spout so that
the
water is well mixed in the tub for the bather. A supplementary jet J1 is
provided
in Figure 15 from one of the auxiliary outlets 100a along a supply line Jb to
allow
for a lower-volume fill proximate the top of the tub once the primary amount
of
water has entered the tub. This allows for slow mixing of the water into the
tub.
The jets may be advantageously used as is normally expected for massaging
one's
back or the like without the provision of a pump. The hand-held shower 110 is
provided via the supply line 111a at auxiliary outlet 100b for both
installations of
Figure 15 and 16. However, since the supply valve in Figure 16 is a single-
lever
spool valve having either thermostatic temperature control or pressure-
balancing spool volume control, the main supply therefore to the valve is
accomplished in the desired manner. The diverting valves therefore may be
alternatively directed to a body shower in Figure 16 via supply lines 140a.
The
handle H3 therefore is operated and positioned appropriately so that the
supply
of cold and hot water through inlet supply lines 141 and 142 enter the spool
valve, which may be of any construction. The water supply therefore goes from
CA 02230938 1998-02-26
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the spool valve through the outlet thereof to the inlet 111 via the supply
line
141a to the diverting valve of the present invention. The water is then
diverted
to outlets 100a, 100b or 100c as desired by the bather. A deck-mounted tub
installation therefore is provided with the supply of water entering through
the
jets J1, J2 or J3 individually or sequentially utilized by the bather. The
spout is
therefore eliminated again in these installations with superior mixing of the
hot
water and cold water into the tub and the provision of a jet feature without
the
need of a pump.
Referring now to Figures 17, 18 and 19, there is illustrated the
diverting valve of the present invention 100 having the handle access ring 101
and the outlets 100a, 100b and the full-flow 100c outlet. In each instance,
separate
valves 105 and 106 are provided which provide hot and cold water through the
inlets 105a and 106a respectively to the supply line 111 into the bottom of
the
diverting valve 100 and through the diverting valve to the various outlet
positions to which the bather can rotate the handle (not shown) to select
outlet
ports 100a and 100b which are the two auxiliary outlets or the main full-flow
outlet at 100c. The main flow outlet at 100c is connected at 30 gallons per
minute
maximum to supply line P1 which leads to the whirlpool pump P at the outlet
thereof PO located adjacent tub T. The pump would therefore be secured as in
any well known whirlpool installation. The tub T therefore is provided with an
overflow T1 and a drain T2. Further, the tub has whirlpool jets W1 through W5
located at advantageous positions to provide the user with the beneficient
aspects
of a whirlpool. A suction port S is provided which leads from the supply line
to
the pump inlet Pi. Each of the sections of pipe connecting all of the jets W1
through W5 are as required by code. Within the supply line P1 to the pump
outlet P0, a separate check valve P2 is provided. The check may be of any
design
as long as it prevents the pump pumping back to the diverting valve. As can be
seen in Figure 17, to eliminate any stagnant water, the auxiliary outlets 100b
and
100a having low flow rates of approximately 11 gallons per minute are
connected
CA 02230938 1998-02-26
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to the hand-held shower 120 via the supply lines 120a and 111a. In Figure 18,
the
addition of a body shower 116 therefore requires that the auxiliary line 116a
be
connected to body shower 116 and the line 120a be connected to the hand shower
120. Otherwise, the installations contained in Figures 17 and 18 are
identical.
The operator therefore would adjust the handles H1 and H2, and H3 and H4 in
Figure 19 to provide the correct temperature mix of the water. The diverting
valve 100 would therefore divert the water to the full-bore outlet 100c at
maximum outlet pressure and flow at 30 gallons per minute along the outlet
line P1. The outlet line P1 connects to the outlet from the pump to the supply
lines leading to the jets W1 through W5 respectively. The pump and the jet
including the piping system will be cleaned and flushed every time before the
whirlpool will be put to use. Further, the tub would therefore fill the
whirlpool
through the jets. The tub would therefore be filled to the desired level and
the
water supply would then be shut off. The pump P would therefore be started
drawing water from the suction port S to the pump inlet and pumped back
through the outlet Po to the whirlpool jets. The check valve P2 therefore
would
prevent back flow of potable water through supply line P1. The bather may then
enter the tub and may make use of the hand shower of Figure 17 or the body
shower of Figure 18 by re-directing the water to the outlet 100a without
shutting
off the water if desired. The hand-held shower 120 or the body shower 116 may
therefore be utilized while the whirlpool is operating. If a body shower
nozzle
116 is not desired, or if the diverting valves are included with a fourth low
volume auxiliary outlet which is not illustrated, a disinfectant circuit may
be
provided with the valve assembly as is best seen in Figure 19. For purpose of
illustration only, the body shower outlet 116 is eliminated and the outlet
100b is
connected to a disinfectant circuit P3 which includes a disinfectant container
C
which circuit P3 is connected via a T connector to the line P1 supplying the
pump P. The line P3 therefore has a check P4 located therein so that the
disinfectant line is sanitary at all times and it will preclude back flow to
the
CA 02230938 1998-02-26
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diverter valve. Prior to bathing or following bathing, the bather may position
the diverting valve so that the water passes through the outlet 100b through a
disinfecting container C which includes a "puck" or like disinfectant (which
may
be in any convenient form) for one-time use which had been previously placed
within the disinfectant container. The water therefore passes through the
disinfecting container C and dissolves the disinfectant materials (not shown);
the
disinfectant travels with the water flow along supply line T3 through the pump
then to the whirlpool piping system and jets at a low-volume rate of 11
gallons
per minute. The disinfectant cannot back flow to the main supply line P1 to
the
valve or through the supply line P3. It has no alternative but to go through
the
whirlpool system, then to the tub. The tub is filled above the whirlpool jets
W2
through W5, and once the desired level is obtained, the water flow is stopped,
the pump is turned on and the jets connecting the jets and the suction supply
line to the pump P are all disinfected. The tub is then drained and ready for
use.
Further, within Figure 19, more glamorous hardware is provided with the valve
assembly at handles H3 and H4. Otherwise, the installation is similar indeed
to
Figures 17 and 18. The disinfectant circuit is a necessity to meet health code
requirements primarily for hospital, institutional and hospitality
installations or
the like. Of course, it may be used domestically as well. However, the
invention
finds particular use in all of these deck-mounted installations and eliminates
the
need for separate piping lines, check valves and vacuum breakers unless
otherwise required. This is a great savings in installation cost, easy to
maintain,
and yet all code requirements are easily met by these installations.
As many changes can be made to the preferred embodiments of the
invention without departing from the scope of the invention; it is intended
that
all material contained herein be interpreted as illustrative of the invention
and
not in limiting sense.
