Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
LOW PROFILE FAUCET HANDLE ASSEMBLY FOR A ROMAN TUB
BACKGROUND
a. Field
[0001] This disclosure relates generally to faucet handle assemblies used
in Roman tubs to
turn the flow of fluids directed to spouts and handshowers on and off and
control the
temperature of the fluids. More specifically, this disclosure pertains to a
handle assembly that
has a relatively low profile and that is capable of installation from either
above or below the
deck of the tub.
b. Background Art
[0002] In a Roman tub, the water spout and other water outlets as well as
the handles used
to turn the flow of fluids directed to spouts and other water outlets on and
off and control the
temperature of the fluids are located on a deck of the tub as opposed to a
nearby wall.
Conventional handle assemblies for Roman tubs must be installed from above the
deck and
include valve bodies that are disposed substantially above the deck. As a
result, the assemblies
include handles with relatively high profiles that are aesthetically
unpleasing and that can
interfere with entry and exit to the tub. Further, tubs must generally include
access panels to
facilitate service of the assemblies below the deck.
[0003] The inventors herein have recognized a need for a faucet handle
assembly that will
overcome one or more of the above-identified deficiencies.
BRIEF SUMMARY
[0004] A faucet handle assembly for a Roman tub is provided. In
particular, a handle
assembly is provided that has a relatively low profile and is capable of
installation from either
above or below the deck of the tub.
[0005] A faucet handle assembly in accordance with one embodiment
includes a valve body
extending along a longitudinal axis and defining a cartridge cavity. The valve
body includes a
lower end with water inlet passages and a water outlet passage and a threaded
external surface
and an upper end with a threaded internal surface. The assembly further
includes a mixing
cartridge carried in the cartridge cavity of the valve body and having a
rotatable stem. The
assembly further includes a cartridge spacer carried in the cartridge cavity
axially between the
cartridge and the water inlet and outlet passages of the valve body. The
assembly further
CA 3009969 2018-06-28
includes a fastener having a threaded external surface with a portion threaded
to the threaded
internal surface of the upper end of the valve body. The assembly further
includes an upper
mounting ring having a hub disposed about the upper end of the valve body and
a flange
extending radially outwardly from the hub.
[0006] A faucet handle assembly in accordance with another embodiment
includes a valve
body extending along a longitudinal axis and defining a cartridge cavity. The
valve body
includes a lower end with water inlet passages and a water outlet passage and
a threaded
external surface and an upper end with a threaded external surface and a
threaded internal
surface. The assembly further includes a mixing cartridge carried in the
cartridge cavity of the
valve body. The mixing cartridge includes a lower end having water inlet
passages and a water
outlet passage and an upper end having a rotatable stem. The assembly further
includes a
cartridge spacer carried in the cartridge cavity axially between the cartridge
and the water inlet
and outlet passages of the valve body and including inlet passages in fluid
communication with
the water inlet passages in the valve body and the water inlet passages in the
mixing cartridge.
The assembly further includes a fastener open at each end and having a
threaded external surface
with a portion threaded to the threaded internal surface of the upper end of
the valve body. The
assembly further includes an upper mounting ring having an internally threaded
hub threaded to
the threaded external surface of the upper end of the valve body and a flange
extending radially
outwardly from the hub.
[0007] The foregoing and other aspects, features, details, utilities, and
advantages of the
disclosed embodiments will be apparent from reading the following description
and claims, and
from reviewing the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] Figure 1 is a partially cut-away perspective view of a Roman tub
incorporating a
faucet system with one embodiment of a faucet handle assembly.
[0009] Figure 2 is an exploded, perspective view of the faucet handle
assembly of Figure 1.
[0010] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the faucet handle assembly
of Figure 1.
[0011] Figure 4 is a perspective view of a mixing cartridge and cartridge
spacer of the
faucet handle assembly of Figure 1.
[0012]
2
CA 3009969 2018-06-28
[0013] Figure 5 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the cartridge
spacer of the
faucet handle assembly of Figure 1.
[0014] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the cartridge spacer of
Figure 5.
[0015] Figure 7 is an exploded perspective view of a stem extender,
fastener and a hot limit
stop ring of the faucet handle assembly of Figure 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference numerals are
used to identify
identical components in the various views, Figure 1 illustrates a Roman tub 10
for use in
bathing. Roman tub 10 includes a tub 12 and a faucet system 14. Tub 12
includes an inner wall
16 that defines a basin 18 configured to contain water and one or more persons
or other objects.
Tub 12 further includes an outer wall 20 that is spaced from the inner wall 16
to define an
interior space 22. A portion of outer wall 20 has been removed in Figure 1 to
illustrate
components of Roman tub 10 that disposed within space 22. Tub 12 further
includes a generally
horizontal mounting deck 24 that extends between walls 16, 20 and forms a
perimeter rim for
basin 18. Deck 24 includes a plurality of mounting passages that extending
from an upper
surface 26 of deck 24 to a lower surface 28 of deck 24 and communicate with
space 22. These
passages are configured to received components of faucet system 14.
[0017] Faucet system 14 is provided to control fluid flow into basin 18
of tub 12. System
14 comprises a three-part Roman tub faucet system and, in accordance with
certain aspects of
the teachings disclosed herein, comprises a lower-profile, flush-mount system.
In the illustrated
embodiment, system 14 includes a faucet spout assembly 30, a faucet handshower
assembly 32
and a faucet handle assembly 34 in accordance with one embodiment of the
present teachings.
Assemblies 30, 32, 34 extend through corresponding mounting passages in deck
24 with
portions of assemblies 30, 32, 34 located above deck 24 and other portions
located below deck
24. System 14 is fluidly coupled to cold and hot water supplies 36, 38 through
fluid conduits 40,
42. Conduits 40, 42 are coupled to handle assembly 34 which outputs a mixture
of cold and hot
water to another fluid conduit 44. Conduit 44 transfers fluid to a diverter
valve 46 which in turn
directs fluid to either spout assembly 30 or to handshower assembly 32
(through a conduit 48).
In particular, handshower assembly 32 may include an actuator (not shown) that
may be
actuated directly by the user or indirectly by the user (e.g., by movement of
assembly 32) and
3
CA 3009969 2018-06-28
cause diverter valve 46 to direct fluid to handshower assembly 32. When the
actuator is not
actuated, diverter valve 46 directs fluid to spout assembly 30.
[0018] Referring now to Figures 2-3, one embodiment of a handle assembly
34 of faucet
system 14 in accordance with the present teachings is shown. Handle assembly
34 is provided
to turn the flow of fluids directed to spout assembly 30 or handshower
assembly 32 on and off
and control the temperature of the fluids. Handle assembly 34 may include a
valve body 50, a
lower mounting ring 52 and washer 54, an upper mounting ring 56 and seal 58, a
mixing
cartridge 60, a cartridge spacer 62, a stem extender 64, a fastener 66, a hot
limit stop ring 68,
and, as shown in Figure 3, an escutcheon 70 and a handle 72.
[0019] Valve body 50 houses mixing cartridge 60 and cartridge spacer 62
and serves as a
connection point for fluid conduits 40, 42, 44. Valve body 50 protects
cartridge 60 and spacer
62 from foreign objects and elements and supports and orients cartridge 60 and
spacer 62. Body
50 is configured to be received within a mounting passage within deck 24. In
accordance with
aspects of the present teachings, body 50 is configured to locate mixing
cartridge 60
substantially below upper surface 26 of deck 24 to establish a relatively low
profile for handle
assembly 34 above deck 24. Valve body 50 is further configured to allow
insertion of valve
body 50 (and the assembly of components including mixing cartridge 60, spacer
62, stem
extender 64, fastener 66 and stop ring 68) into the mounting passage in deck
24 either from
above deck 24 or below deck 24. Valve body 50 is substantially cylindrical in
shape and
extends along a longitudinal axis 74. Valve body 50 defines a cartridge cavity
76 configured to
receive mixing cartridge 60 and spacer 62. A lower end 78 of valve body 50
(i.e. the
longitudinal end of valve body 50 configured to be located nearer to lower
surface 28 of deck 24
than upper surface 26 of deck 24 after assembly), includes a pair of water
inlet passages 80, 82
and an outlet passage (not shown) configured to receive one end of conduits
40, 42, 44. Body
50 may be made from brass and copper connectors at an end of each conduit 40,
42, 44 may be
soldered to body 50 to create a water tight connection. End 78 further defines
a threaded
external surface 84. Referring to Figure 3, surface 84 is disposed
intermediate the longitudinal
end surfaces of valve body 50 and is configured to be located below lower deck
surface 28 in
deck 24 after insertion into the mounting passage in deck 24. An upper end 86
of valve body 50
(i.e., the longitudinal end of valve body 50 configured to be located nearer
to upper surface 26 of
deck 24 than lower surface 28 of deck 24 after assembly) includes a reduced
diameter end flange
88 that defines a threaded external surface 90 and a threaded internal surface
92. Portions of
4
CA 3009969 2018-06-28
surfaces 90, 92 may be radially aligned. Flange 88 has a diameter that is less
than the diameter
of the mounting passage through deck 24 (such that the radially outer surface
90 is spaced from
the radially inner surface of deck 24 defining the mounting passage).
Referring to Figure 3, in
the illustrated embodiment, portions of each surface 90, 92 are disposed above
and below upper
surface 26 of deck 24 after assembly.
[0020] Lower mounting ring 52 and washer 54 are provided to secure the
position of valve
body 50 after insertion through deck 24 and prevent subsequent upward movement
of valve
body 50 along axis 74. Ring 52 defines an internal thread that may be threaded
to surface 84 of
lower end 78 of valve body 50. Washer 54 may be disposed about valve body 50
between lower
surface 28 of deck 24 and ring 52. The outer diameter of ring 52 and washer 54
is greater than
the diameter of the mounting passage through deck 24.
[0021] Upper mounting ring 56 is also provided to secure the position of
valve body 50
after insertion through deck 24 and prevent subsequent downward movement of
valve body 50
along axis 74. Ring 56 has a hub 94 that is sized to be received within the
mounting passage of
deck 24 and to locate hub 94 radially between end flange 88 of valve body 50
and the wall of the
mounting passage. Hub 94 includes an internal thread that is configured to be
threaded to the
external threaded surface 90 of end flange 88 of valve body 50. In alternative
embodiments, hub
94 may be coupled to valve body 50 using alternative fastening techniques
including welds,
adhesives and pins or may be integrated with valve body 50 such that valve
body 50 and upper
mounting ring 56 form a unitary (one-piece) structure. Ring 56 further
includes a flange 96 that
is located at one end of hub 94 and extends radially outwardly from hub 94.
Flange 96 has a
diameter that is greater than the diameter of the mounting passage such that
flange 96 rests on
upper surface 26 of deck 24 after assembly. Flange 96 may define a groove on a
side facing
upper surface 26 of deck 24 that is configured to accept seal 58 therein. Seal
58, which may
comprise an 0-ring seal, gasket or bead of sealant, is disposed between flange
96 of ring 56 and
surface 26 of deck 24 and prevents fluids or other contaminants from passing
through the
mounting passage in deck 24.
[0022] Mixing cartridge 60 controls whether the flow of water is on or
off from conduits
40, 42 to conduit 44 and the temperature of the water output through conduit
44 to spout
assembly 30 or handshower assembly 32. Referring again to Figure 2, cartridge
60 includes a
lower end 98 having water inlet passages that are configured to receive hot
and cold water from
conduits 40, 42 and a water outlet passage that is configured to deliver a
mixture of hot and cold
CA 3009969 2018-06-28
water to conduit 44. Cartridge 60 includes an upper end 100 having a rotatable
stem 102
configured to be coupled to handle 72. In accordance with one aspect of the
present teachings,
cartridge 60 may comprise a high-flow mixing cartridge and, in particular, may
comprise a
ceramic mixing cartridge (although it should be understood that cartridge 60
may assume other
valve constructions including compression or spring/seat/plate constructions).
The cartridge
may include one stationary ceramic disc having openings configured to
communicate with the
water inlet and output passages in lower end 98 of valve body 50 and another
movable ceramic
disc that is coupled to stem 102 and handle 72 and has openings configured for
varying degrees
of alignment with the openings in the stationary ceramic disc upon movement of
the handle 72
and stem 102. The movable disc rotates with handle 72 and stem 102 to control
the temperature
of water output to conduit 44. Cartridge 60 is configured to be received at
least partially within
cartridge cavity 76 in valve body 50 and to be carried within cavity 76. In
accordance with one
aspect of the present teachings, a predominant portion of the axial extent of
cartridge 60 is
carried below an upper surface of the valve body 50 contributing to the
relatively low profile of
handle assembly 34.
[00231 Cartridge spacer 62 is provided to space mixing cartridge 60 from
the bottom of
cartridge cavity 76 and the inlet and outlet water passages in lower end 78 of
valve body 50 and
to facilitate a high flow rate of water output by handle assembly 34. The
mixture of water
formed in cartridge 60 is output through a radially outer surface of cartridge
60 in order to
generate a high fluid flow rate through cartridge 60. The water then travels
downward through
cavity 76 between cartridge 60 and the radially inner walls of valve body 50
and is output from
body 50 through an outlet passage to conduit 44. To facilitate a low-profile
design, the outlet
passage is formed in the bottom wall of valve body 50 parallel to inlet
passages 80, 82. Spacer
62 facilitates a high flow rate through the outlet passage by establishing a
large area connecting
the flow area between cartridge 60 and the internal wall of valve body 50 and
the outlet passage
in valve body 50. Although cartridge 60 and spacer 62 are separate structures
in the illustrated
embodiment, it should be understood that cartridge 60 and spacer 62 could
alternatively be
formed as a unitary (one-piece) body. Referring again to Figure 3, spacer 62
is carried in
cartridge cavity 76 axially between mixing cartridge 60 and the water inlet
and outlet passages
80, 82 in valve body 50. Spacer 62 includes inlet passages 104, 106 in fluid
communication
with water inlet passages 80, 82 in valve body 50 and the water inlet passages
in mixing
cartridge 60. Referring to Figures 4-6, in one embodiment spacer 62 may
include a plate 108
6
CA 3009969 2018-06-28
and a plurality of fluid stems 110, 112 (it should be understood, however,
that plate 108 and
stems 110, 112 may alternatively be formed as a unitary (one-piece) body).
Plate 108 includes
fluid passages 104, 106 that are aligned with inlet passages 80, 82 in valve
body 50 upon
installation of spacer 62 within cavity 76 of valve body 50. Plate 108 also
defines an area 114
connecting the flow area between cartridge 60 and the internal wall of valve
body 50 and the
outlet passage in valve body 50 as described above. Plate 108 may further
include an orientation
feature 116 that prevents improper installation of the mixing cartridge 60 by
positioning mixing
cartridge 60 within valve body 50. In the illustrated embodiment, feature 116
comprises a recess
within plate 108 configured to receive an axially extending projection 118
from cartridge 60.
Fluid stems 110, 112 are annular in shape and define fluid conduits between
the inlet passages
80, 82 in valve body 50 and the fluid inlet passages 104, 106 in plate 108.
Stems 110, 112 may
each define a pair of axially spaced grooves configured to receive seals 120,
122 (such as 0-ring
seals) used to seal the connections between stems 110, 112 and plate 108 and
valve body 50,
respectively. It should be understood, however, that other types of seals may
be used between
stems 110, 112 and plate 108 and/or valve body 50 including face seals. Stems
110, 112 may
further include filters 113 disposed within the fluid conduits. Alternatively,
or in addition, filters
113 may also be located within inlet passages 104, 106 in plate 108. By
locating filters 113 in
spacer 62, filters 113 may be replaced independent of cartridge 60 and may be
replaced from
above deck 24.
[0024] Referring again to Figure 2, stem extender 64 is provided to
increase the effective
length of stem 102 in mixing cartridge 60. Extender 64 defines an opening a
lower longitudinal
end configured to receive stem 102 therein and is coupled to stem 102 for
rotation therewith. It
should be understood, however, that stem 102 and extender 64 may be formed as
a unitary (one-
piece) part in mixing cartridge 60. Referring to Figure 3, an upper
longitudinal end of stem
extender 64 is configured for coupling to handle 72.
[0025] Fastener 66 is provided to secure mixing cartridge 60 within valve
body 50.
Fastener 66 may also be used to set a temperature or hot limit stop by
locating stop ring 68.
Fastener 66 is separate from upper mounting ring 56 to facilitate service of
assembly 34 from
above deck 24 after installation of assembly 34. Fastener 66 may comprise a
bonnet nut that is
open at each longitudinal end. A lower longitudinal end may be configured to
receive a portion
of mixing cartridge 60 therein. An upper longitudinal end may be configured to
receive portions
of stem 102 of mixing cartridge 60, stem extender 64 and hot limit stop ring
68. Fastener 66
7
CA 3009969 2018-06-28
may have an outer diameter that varies along the length of fastener 66. A
lower end portion 124
of fastener 66 may have the largest outer diameter and is configured to engage
the radially inner
surface of end flange 88 of valve body 50. In particular, portion 124 may have
a threaded
external surface 126 that is threaded to the threaded internal surface 92 of
end flange 88 of the
upper end 86 of valve body 50. An upper end portion 128 of fastener 66 may
have the smallest
outer diameter and is configured to be received within handle 72. Referring to
Figure 7, upper
end portion 128 may include an internal broach feature 130 formed in the
radially inner surface
of portion 128 that is configured to locate hot limit stop ring 68. Feature
130 may, for example,
comprise a plurality of axially extending splines configured to engage mating
splines on hot
limit stop ring 68. Referring again to Figure 3, an intermediate portion 132
between portions
124, 128 may have an outer diameter that is greater than the outer diameter of
upper end portion
128, but less than the outer diameter of lower end portion 124. Intermediate
portion 132 may
have a threaded external surface 134 for a purpose described below.
[0026] Hot limit stop ring 68 is provided to limit the amount of hot
water from conduit 42
that may enter mixing cartridge 60 and, ultimately, be directed to conduit 44
and spout assembly
30 or handshower assembly 32. Ring 68 is annular in shape and is configured to
be received
within and carried in the opening in upper end portion 128 of fastener 66
radially between stem
extender 64 and the radially inner surface of fastener 66. Referring again to
Figure 7, ring 68
has a shape on a radially outer surface that is complementary to the shape of
the radially inner
surface of fastener 66 and, in particular, to the internal broach feature 130
in fastener 66 in order
to position ring 68 within upper end portion 128 of fastener 66. Ring 68
limits the degree of
rotation of handle 72, stem extender 64 and stem 102, and therefore, the
alignment between fluid
passages within mixing cartridge 60 to limit the amount of hot water that may
be output by
cartridge 60.
[0027] Escutcheon 70 provides a surface to support handle 72 for relative
rotation and a
decorative cover for upper mounting ring 56. An external surface of escutcheon
70 may be
conical in shape. An inner surface of escutcheon 70 defines an internal thread
configured to
engage an external thread 134 on intermediate portion 132 of fastener 66.
Escutcheon 70 is
sized to cover and hide upper mounting ring 56.
[0028] Handle 72 provides an interface for a user to control the flow of
water and
temperature of water exiting spout assembly 30 or handshower assembly 32.
Handle 72 has a
body 136 that is configured to receive stem extender 64 therein and may be
coupled to stem
8
CA 3009969 2018-06-28
extender 64 using a set screw or another fastener. Body 136 may further be
configured to
receive stop ring 68 as well as the upper portions 128, 100 of fastener 66 and
mixing cartridge
60, respectively. Handle 72 further includes a skirt 138 depending from body
136. Skirt 138 is
configured to rest on escutcheon 70 and hides fastener 66 and stem extender
64. Although a
particular handle is shown in the illustrated embodiment, it should be
understood that handle 72
may assume a variety of forms.
[0029] A faucet handle assembly 34 in accordance with the present
teachings represents an
improvement relative to conventional handle assemblies. The inventive handle
assembly 34 has
a structure that allows the valve body 50 and components supported by the
valve body 50 such
as mixing cartridge 60, spacer 62, fastener 66 and stem extender 64, to be
installed and serviced
from above or below deck 24 thereby eliminating the need for access panels in
the tub 12.
Further, by locating most components below or partially below the upper
surface 26 of deck 24,
assembly 34 has a relatively low profile that is aesthetically pleasing and
reduces potential
interference with entry and exit to the tub 12.
[0030] While the invention has been shown and described with reference to
one or more
particular embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those of skill in the
art that various
changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and
scope of the
invention.
9
CA 3009969 2018-06-28
