ROBINET D'EAU A UNITE DE COMMANDE TRIPLE REGLAGE

WATER FAUCET WITH TRIPLE-SET CONTROLLER

Abrégé français

L'invention concerne un robinet (10, 40) qui comprend un bec (14, 48), et un ensemble soupape que l'on peut positionner dans au moins trois positions différentes, l'eau pouvant ainsi être tirée d'un réservoir d'eau froide, d'un réservoir d'eau chaude et d'un réservoir d'eau tiède (28). L'ensemble soupape peut comprendre trois soupapes, une pour ouvrir et fermer l'écoulement d'eau entre chaque soupape et les réservoirs. Le réservoir d'eau tiède (28) reçoit de l'eau froide que le réservoir d'eau froide contient et la chauffe à la température ambiante. Au moins une poignée (18, 20, 50, 62) permet de commander les soupapes du robinet (10,40) de manière à tirer l'eau de chaque réservoir ou simultanément d'au moins deux réservoirs. L'invention concerne un système de plomberie comportant le robinet (10, 40), des conduits (22, 24, 26, 30, 52) pour chaque réservoir ainsi qu'un réservoir d'eau tiède (28).

Abrégé anglais

A faucet (10, 40) comprises a spout (14, 48), and a valve assembly that can be positioned in at least three different positions so as to draw water from a cold water reservoir, a hot water reservoir and lukewarm water reservoir (28). The valve assembly may comprise three valves, one valve for opening and closing the flow of water between each valve and the reservoirs. The lukewarm water reservoir (28) receives water from the cold water reservoir which sits therein and raises up to room temperature. At least one handle (18, 20, 50, 62) provides for controlling the valves of the faucet (10, 40) so as to draw water from each reservoir or simultaneously from at least two reservoirs. A plumbing system including the faucet (10, 40), conduits (22, 24, 26, 30, 52) for each reservoir and a lukewarm water reservoir (28) is also provided.

Revendications

11
CLAIMS
1. A faucet comprising:
- a spout;
- a valve assembly in fluid communication with the spout and being movable
between at
least a first position, a second position and a third position, the valve
assembly providing
for being in fluid communication with a cold water reservoir, a lukewarm water
reservoir
and a hot water reservoir; and
- at least one handle for moving the valve assembly between, the first, second
and third
positions;
- wherein when the valve assembly is positioned in the first, second and third
positions,
the valve assembly respectively draws water from the cold water reservoir,
lukewarm
water reservoir, and hot water reservoir.
2. The faucet of claim 1, wherein the valve assembly includes a valve
structure
being in fluid communication with the cold water reservoir, the lukewarm water
reservoir
and the hot water reservoir, and being movable between the at least first
position,
second and third positions, the at least one handle connecting to the valve
structure for
moving the valve structure between the first, second and third positions.
3. The faucet of claim 2, wherein the valve structure is further movable
between at
least one cold intermediate position between the first position and the second
position so
as to simultaneously draw water from the cold water reservoir and the lukewarm
water
reservoir.

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4. The faucet of claim 3, wherein the valve structure is further movable
between at
least one hot intermediate position between the second position and the third
position so
as to simultaneously draw water from the lukewarm water reservoir and the hot
water
reservoir.
5. The faucet of claim 1, wherein the valve assembly includes:
- a first valve in fluid communication with the spout and with the cold water
reservoir and
the lukewarm water reservoir;
- a second valve in fluid communication with the spout and with the
lukewarm water
reservoir and the hot water reservoir;
- wherein two handles are provided for opening and closing said first and
second valves
so as to respectively draw water from the cold water reservoir, lukewarm water
reservoir
and hot water reservoir.
6. The faucet of claim 5, wherein the two handles includes:
- a first handle for opening and closing said first valve so as to draw water
from the cold
water reservoir and the lukewarm water reservoir; and
- a second handle for opening and closing said second valve so as to draw
water from
the lukewarm water reservoir and the hot water reservoir.
7. The faucet of claim 6, wherein the first valve is movable between at
least one
cold intermediate position between the first position and the second position
so as to
simultaneously draw water from the cold water reservoir and the lukewarm water
reservoir with the first handle.

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8. The faucet of claim 7, wherein the second valve is movable between at
least one
hot intermediate position between the second position and the third position
so as to
simultaneously draw water from the lukewarm water reservoir and the hot water
reservoir with the second handle.
9. A plumbing assembly comprising:
- a faucet as defined in claim 1;
- a cold water conduit providing for fluid communication between the valve
assembly and
the cold water reservoir;
- a hot water conduit providing for fluid communication between the valve
assembly and
the hot water reservoir; and
- a lukewarm water conduit for fluid communication between the valve assembly
and the
lukewarm water reservoir.
10. The plumbing assembly of claim 9, wherein the lukewarm water reservoir
receives water from the cold water reservoir.

Description

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WATER FAUCET WITH TRIPLE-SET CONTROLLER
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present disclosure relates to a water faucet. More particularly, but not
exclusively, the present disclosure relates to a water faucet with a triple-
set
controller, and the plumbing assembly in use therewith.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Sinks typically have faucets that supply hot and cold water and may include a
spray feature to be used for faster rinsing. In essence, a faucet is a valve
controlling release of liquids that is commonly found in bathroom, laundry or
kitchen sinks. Usually, a faucet includes a single spout for both hot and cold
water and a single or double handle. In any case, the single handle or double
handle provide for drawing water from a hot water reservoir or a cold water
reservoir.
Often users will mix the hot and cold water in order to get a desired lukewarm
water which is wasteful since the user will draw water from the hot water tank
without the need of hot water.
Accordingly, there is a need for an improved water faucet.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore a general object of the present invention to provide an
improved
water faucet that solves the above-mentioned problems.
An advantage of the present invention is that the water faucet has a triple-
set
controller.
Another advantage of the present invention is that the water faucet has a
plumbing assembly comprising a water faucet triple-set controller and a cold
water tank, a hot water tank and a lukewarm tank.

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According to an aspect of the present invention there is provided a faucet
comprising:
- a spout;
- a valve assembly in fluid communication with the spout and being
movable between at least a first position, a second position and a third
position, the valve assembly providing for being in fluid communication
with a cold water reservoir, a hot water reservoir and a lukewarm water
reservoir; and
- at least one handle for moving the valve assembly between, the first,
second and third positions;
- wherein when the valve assembly is positioned in the first, second
and
third positions it respectively draws water from the cold water reservoir,
hot water reservoir, and lukewarm water reservoir.
According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a
faucet
comprising:
- a spout;
- a first valve in fluid communication with the spout and in fluid
communication with a cold water reservoir;
- a second valve in fluid communication with the spout and in fluid
communication with a hot water reservoir;
- a third valve in fluid communication with a lukewarm water reservoir; and
- at least one handle for opening and closing said first, second and third
valves so as to respectively draw water from the cold water reservoir,
hot water reservoir and lukewarm water reservoir.
According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a
plumbing assembly comprising:
- a faucet comprising a spout and a valve assembly in fluid
communication with the spout, the valve assembly being movable
between at least a first position, a second position and a third position;

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- a cold water conduit providing for fluid communication between the valve
assembly and a cold water reservoir;
- a hot water conduit providing for fluid communication between the
valve
assembly and a hot water reservoir;
- a lukewarm water reservoir for being in fluid communication with the
valve assembly; and
- at least one handle for moving the valve assembly between, the
first,
second and third positions;
- wherein when the valve assembly is positioned in the first, second and
third positions it respectively draws water from the cold water reservoir,
hot water reservoir and lukewarm water reservoir.
According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a
plumbing assembly comprising:
- a faucet comprising a spout, first, second and third valves and at least
one handle for opening and closing the first, second and third valves;
- a first conduit in fluid communication with a cold water reservoir
and with
the first valve;
- a second conduit in fluid communication with a hot water reservoir
and
with the second valve; and
- a lukewarm water reservoir for being in fluid communication with a
lukewarm water reservoir and with the third valve;
- wherein the lukewarm water reservoir receives water from the cold water
reservoir and wherein the handle provides for opening and closing the
first, second and third valves so as to respectively draw water from the
cold water reservoir, hot water reservoir and lukewarm water reservoir.
According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a
faucet
comprising:
- a spout;

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- a valve assembly in fluid communication with the spout and being
movable between at least a first position, a second position and a third
position, the valve assembly providing for being in fluid communication
with a cold water reservoir, a lukewarm water reservoir and a hot water
reservoir; and
- at least one handle for moving the valve assembly between, the
first,
second and third positions;
- wherein when the valve assembly is positioned in the first, second
and
third positions, the valve assembly respectively draws water from the
cold water reservoir, lukewarm water reservoir, and hot water reservoir.
In one embodiment, the valve assembly includes a valve structure being in
fluid
communication with the cold water reservoir, the lukewarm water reservoir and
the hot water reservoir, and being movable between the at least first
position,
second and third positions, the at least one handle connecting to the valve
structure for moving the valve structure between the first, second and third
positions.
Conveniently, the valve structure is further movable between at least one cold
intermediate position between the first position and the second position so as
to
simultaneously draw water from the cold water reservoir and the lukewarm
water reservoir.
Conveniently, the valve structure is further movable between at least one hot
intermediate position between the second position and the third position so as
to simultaneously draw water from the lukewarm water reservoir and the hot
water reservoir.
In one embodiment, the valve assembly includes:
- a first valve in fluid communication with the spout and with the cold
water
reservoir and the lukewarm water reservoir;
- a second valve in fluid communication with the spout and with the
lukewarm water reservoir and the hot water reservoir;

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- wherein the at least one handle for opening and closing said first and
second valves so as to respectively draw water from the cold water
reservoir, lukewarm water reservoir and hot water reservoir.
Conveniently, the at least one handle includes:
5 - a first
handle for opening and closing said first valve so as to draw water
from the cold water reservoir and the lukewarm water reservoir; and
- a second
handle for opening and closing said second valve so as to
draw water from the lukewarm water reservoir and the hot water
reservoir.
Conveniently, the first valve is movable between at least one cold
intermediate
position between the first position and the second position so as to
simultaneously draw water from the cold water reservoir and the lukewarm
water reservoir with the first handle.
Conveniently, the second valve is movable between at least one hot
intermediate position between the second position and the third position so as
to simultaneously draw water from the lukewarm water reservoir and the hot
water reservoir with the second handle.
In one embodiment, the valve assembly includes:
- a first
valve in fluid communication with the spout and with the cold water
reservoir;
- a second valve in fluid communication with the spout and with the
lukewarm water reservoir;
- a third valve in fluid communication with the spout and with the hot
water
reservoir; and
- at least one handle for opening and closing said first, second and third
valves so as to respectively draw water from the cold water reservoir,
lukewarm water reservoir and hot water reservoir.
Conveniently, the at least one handle is movable between at least one cold
intermediate position between the first position and the second position so as
to

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simultaneously draw water from the cold water reservoir and the lukewarm
water reservoir.
Conveniently, the at least one handle is movable between at least one hot
intermediate position between the second position and the third position so as
to simultaneously draw water from the lukewarm water reservoir and the hot
water reservoir.
According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a
plumbing assembly comprising:
- a faucet as defined hereinabove;
- a cold water conduit providing for fluid communication between the valve
assembly and the cold water reservoir;
- a hot
water conduit providing for fluid communication between the valve
assembly and the hot water reservoir; and
- a
lukewarm water conduit for fluid communication between the valve
assembly and the lukewarm water reservoir.
Conveniently, the lukewarm water reservoir receives water from the cold water
reservoir.
It should be noted the terms "first", "second" and "third" are used herein
arbitrarily for indicative purposes only and as such are interchangeable.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent
from a careful reading of the detailed description provided herein, with
appropriate reference to the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Further aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better
understood with reference to the description in association with the following
Figures, in which similar references used in different Figures denote similar
components, wherein:

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Figure 1 is a schematic representation of the water faucet in accordance with
an illustrative embodiment of the present description and the plumbing circuit
connected thereto;
Figure 2 is a schematic representation of the water faucet in accordance with
another illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure and the plumbing
circuit connected thereto; and
Figures 3 to 11 are schematic views of the operation of a faucet controller in
accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
With reference to the annexed drawings the preferred embodiment of the
present invention will be herein described for indicative purpose and by no
means as of limitation.
Generally stated, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure, there is
provided a faucet that comprises a spout, and a valve assembly that can be
positioned in at least three different positions so as to draw water from a
cold
water reservoir, a hot water reservoir and lukewarm water reservoir. The valve
assembly may comprise three valves, one valve for opening and closing the
flow of water between each valve and the reservoirs. The lukewarm water
reservoir receives water from the cold water reservoir which sits therein and
drops to room temperature. At least one handle provides for controlling the
valves of the faucet so as to draw water from each reservoir or from at least
two
reservoirs at the same time. A plumbing system including the faucet, conduits
for each reservoir and a lukewarm water reservoir is also provided.
Obviously, although not shown herein, the warm water of the lukewarm
reservoir could be warmed at a temperature slightly above room temperature,
such as about 85 F (about 30 C) using a heat source such as, but not limited
to, the sun, electrical power, heat from a surrounding baseboard heater, or
heat
from hot waste water (via a heat exchanger or the like).

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Figure 1 shows a faucet 10 in fluid communication with a plumbing circuit 12
thereby defining a plumbing assembly.
The faucet 10 includes a faucet spout 14 extending from a base member 16 and
including a pair of handles 18 and 20.
Each handle 18 and 20 controls a valve (not shown but well understood in the
art) for selectively opening and closing the flow of water. Handle 18 is in
fluid
communication with a hot water conduit 22 that leads to the hot water
reservoir
or tank (not shown but well known in the art) as well as a bifurcated conduit
24
that is in fluid communication with a lukewarm water conduit 26 leading to a
lukewarm water reservoir or tank 28.
Handle 20 is in fluid communication with a cold water conduit 30 that leads to
the cold water aqueduct (not shown but well known in the art) and with the
bifurcated conduit 24 leading to the lukewarm conduit 26 which is in fluid
communication with the lukewarm water tank 28.
The cold water conduit 30 is also in fluid communication with the lukewarm
water tank 28 via an ancillary conduit 32.
The lukewarm water tank 28 contains water derived from the cold water conduit
30 via the ancillary conduit 32, which is maintained therein at room
temperature.
In operation, the user can control handle 18 in order to actuate the valves so
as
to either draw water from conduit 22, which will flow into the spout 14 or
from
the bifurcated conduit 24. Similarly, handle 20 can draw water from the cold
water conduit 30 or from the bifurcated conduit 24 by actuating the valve,
which
allows for water flow from each respective conduit 24 and 30 into the spout
14.
When water is drawn from the bifurcated conduit 24, cold water will also flow
into the reservoir tank 28 via the ancillary conduit 32 thereby filling up the
water
tank 28. Water is maintained therein and its temperature raises up to room
temperature.
Handles 18 and 20 can respectively and selectively draw water from the
conduits 24 and 26 thereby drawing the water out of reservoir tank 28 which
can

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be refilled again via the aqueduct through conduit 30 and the ancillary
conduit 32.
In this way, the user can mix hot water with lukewarm water by adjusting
handle
18 to the hot water position and handle 20 to the lukewarm water position. The
user can mix lukewarm water and cold water by adjusting handle 18 to the
lukewarm water position and handle 20 to the cold water position. The user can
draw only lukewarm water by adjusting both handles 18 and 20 to the lukewarm
water position, respectively. Finally, as is known in the art, the handles 18
and
20 can provide for mixing hot and cold water.
Figure 2 shows a faucet 40 connected to a plumbing circuit 42 thereby defining
a plumbing assembly.
The faucet 40 includes a base 44 with a neck 46 upstanding therefrom and
supporting a spout 48. A single handle 50 is mounted to the neck 46. The
single handle 50 controls a valve structure (not shown) providing flow from a
hot
water conduit 22, a cold water conduit 30 and a lukewarm conduit 52.
The lukewarm water conduit 52 leads to a reservoir 28 which receives cold
water from conduit 30 via an ancillary conduit 32 and maintains it therein so
as
to raise up to room temperature.
The handle 50 controls the valves for allowing water flow from either one of
the
conduits 22, 52 and 30 as well as for mixtures between the aforementioned
conduits. As such, the user can mix hot and lukewarm water by allowing flow
from both conduits 22 and 52. The user can mix lukewarm and cold water by
allowing partial flow from both conduits 52 and 30 and finally the user can
allow
a mixture of hot and cold water by allowing partial flow from both conduits 22
and 30.
Turning now to Figures 3 to 11, the is shown a faucet controller 60 for a
faucet,
comprising a handle 62 pivotally mounted to a base 64 via pivot 66 and having
valve structure 68 with curved opening 70 for allowing water from the hot
water
opening 72, the cold water opening 74 or the ambient/warm water opening 76 to
flow there through and into the faucet spout for discharge. As explained
before,

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the user can select water from one of the opening 72, 74 or 76 to be released
or
can select mixtures from the three available water temperatures.
In Figure 3, the handle 62 is positioned to provide hot water only.
Figure 7 shows the handle so positioned as to provide warm water only. The
5 position of Figure 11 provides for full cold water flow. Yet, as
explained above
various mixtures are possible.
For example, in Figures 4, 5 and 6, the handle is so positioned in hot
intermediate positions as to provide mixtures of hot and warm (or ambient)
water. The position of Figure 4, allows for full hot water flow and partial
warm
10 water flow. The position of Figure 5 allows for full hot and warm water
flow.
The position of Figure 6 allows for partial hot water flow and full warm water
flow.
In Figures 8, 9 and 10 the handle is so positioned in cold intermediate
positions
as to provide mixtures of hot and warm (or ambient) water. The position of
Figure 8, allows for full warm water flow and partial cold water flow. The
position of Figure 9 allows for full warm and cold water flow. The position of
Figure 10 allows for partial warm water flow and full cold water flow.
Of course, although not specifically shown, hot and cold water can be mixed in
a similar manner.
The various features described herein can be combined in a variety of ways
within the context of the present description so as to provide still other
embodiments. It is to be understood that the present description is not
limited in
its application to the details of construction and parts illustrated in the
accompanying drawings and described hereinabove. The description is
capable of other embodiments and of being practiced in various ways. It is
also
to be understood that the phraseology or terminology used herein is for the
purpose of description and not limitation. Hence,
although the present
description has been provided hereinabove by way of non-restrictive
illustrative
embodiments thereof, it can be modified, without departing from the scope
thereof.

Dessin représentatif