Abstract: A plumbing fixture having a valve supplying water under pressure to an output and a hose outlet having an intake end has a vented backflow preventer having a housing separate from the valve and having an inlet port connected to the valve output and an outlet port connected to the hose intake end. A lower check valve in the housing has a lower seat, an upper seat, and a valve body of density greater than water movable between a lower position sitting on and blocking the lower seat and an upper position sitting on and blocking the upper seat. The housing is formed with an inlet passage leading from the inlet port to the lower seat and an outlet passage leading from between the seats to the outlet port. An upper check valve in the housing above the lower check valve has an upper seat above the lower-valve upper seat and a valve body of a density less than water and movable between an upper position sitting on and blocking the upper-valve upper seat and an upper position clear thereof.

Abstract: A plumbing fixture has a housing adapted to be secured to a support surface, forming a compartment dimensioned to snugly receive a battery, and formed with a passage extending from the compartment to the surface. Contacts exposed in the compartment are positioned to engage terminals of the battery. At least one feed conduit extends from the housing through a hole in the support surface so that liquid can be fed to the housing through the conduit. An electrically controlled valve in the housing is connected to the contacts and to the conduit for altering characteristics of fluid flow through the housing. A battery simulator is provided including a battery-replacement unit dimensioned like the battery, received in the compartment, and having terminals engaging the contacts. A flexible supply cable extends from the unit through the passage and surface and has an outer end outside the housing. A fitting on the outer end can fit with a standard line-voltage supply.

Abstract: A fixture provided with proximity sensing for operation of the valve and contactless setting of the parameters of the control circuit for operating the valve of the fixture, can have a nonvolatile memory which is effective independently of the power supply for the control circuit so that the set parameters are maintained in the memory even on battery failure and are available to restore operation with the set parameters when power is restored.

Abstract: A plumbing fixture has a housing provided with a water inlet and formed with a water outlet and with a circuit pocket. This housing is secured to a support surface. An electrically operated valve in the body between the inlet and outlet has an electrical feed wire energizable for movement of the valve between a closed position blocking flow between the inlet and outlet and an open position permitting such flow. An insert fittable in the pocket is formed with a battery compartment holding a battery. A screw or the like fixed the insert in the pocket. An electrical circuit in the insert connected to the feed wire and to the battery opens the valve on detection of a solid object in front of the housing.

Abstract: A plumbing fixture has a housing defining a chamber and having a bottom wall forming an upper surface and formed with at least one inlet port opening at the upper surface. A cartridge assembly in the chamber having a bottom surface directly confronting the bottom-wall upper surface is formed with an inlet port opening on the bottom surface in line with the bottom-wall inlet port. An inlet conduit having an end fitting extending through the inlet port and into the inlet port is formed with an outwardly open circumferential groove generally level with the surfaces. A split and spreadable snap ring fitted to the groove bears on the floor. One of the ports closely surrounds the snap ring and prevents it from spreading and a seal ring engages around the end fitting in the inlet port of the cartridge assembly.

Abstract: The invention provides a quick-acting shut-off valve for hydraulic installations, particularly for pressure balanced mixing valves such as might be used in a shower/tub installation. The shut-off valve includes a casing mounted to the installation housing adjacent an inlet port thereof, there being a reciprocable actuator sealingly retained within the casing for direct movement between first and second positions. The actuator carries a valve member at a distal end thereof for sealingly blocking the inlet port when the actuator is in its second position. When the actuator is in its first position the inlet port is open to normal water flow therethrough. The actuator utilizes a simple push-on, push-off ratchet mechanism to effect movement between the two operating positions thereof.

Abstract: A valve assembly has a valve housing having hot- and cold-water inlet ports and a mixed-water outlet port and a valve disk fixed in the housing, centered on an axis, and having a face formed with respective arcuate hot- and cold-water grooves offset diametrically opposite to each other relative to the axis, each aligned with and receiving flow from the respective inlet port, and having centers of curvature at the axis, a is also formed with a central throughgoing outlet opening. A movable valve disk sitting flat on the face of the fixed valve disk is formed with a pair of axially throughgoing arcuate openings offset diametrically opposite to each other and having centers of curvature at the axis and is also formed with a central throughgoing outlet opening aligned with the outlet opening of the fixed disk. The openings and grooves each have an arc length of less than 90.degree..