Abstract: A closure-assisted valve includes a cartridge insertable into, and removable from, the remainder of the valve structure. The cartridge includes a displaceable piston having an elastomeric sealing member at one end engageable with a flat-surfaced valve seat. At the other end, the piston includes a drive surface against which a rotatable drive member is engaged. In a preferred embodiment, certain relatively movable portions of the cartridge include a cam surface and a cam follower. The cam surface is contoured such that the piston is advanced toward a valve closed position upon rotation of the drive member, but the last portion of piston travel prior to valve closure is only under the influence of gravity and fluid forces. In order to bias the piston toward a valve closed piston, entering fluid is directed around the piston so as to aspirate the piston toward a closed position.

Abstract: An ablution faucet includes a wall-mounted control valve and a flexible conduit having a hand-held control unit at the end thereof. The hand-held control unit includes a body portion from which a nozzle projects, and a lever for controlling the flow of water through the nozzle. The body portion includes a piston which is always urged into engagement with a valve seat by water pressure and a piston-actuating member engageable by the lever. Various alternative embodiments of the piston and piston-actuating member are disclosed. The wall-mounted control valve also includes a piston which is biased to a valve-closed position by water pressure, as well as a vacuum breaker. An alternative embodiment of the invention employs a cable disposed within the hose and connected in valve-actuating relationship between the lever and the wall-mounted control valve.