Abstract: Apparatus and method for selecting, displaying and automatically controlling water flow rates and temperatures at the outlets of devices used in plumbing fixtures such as sinks, bathtubs, showers, or lavatories; the apparatus includes a temperature sensor at the water output, a control panel for selecting desired output water temperatures and flow rates, a comparator for comparing the selected temperature to the output temperature, and for generating signals to control separate hot and cold water valves to achieve and automatically maintain, within limits, any desired combination of flow rate and temperature. In one embodiment the comparator is embodied in a microprocessor which receives a digital signal representative of the actual water temperature, and generates a modified signal to adjust hot and cold water flow to the output means until the actual output temperature matches the selected temperature within a small error range while maintaining flow rate at a constant level.

Abstract: A control valve is placed between a water supply pipe and a delivery device such as a tub spout or a shower head. The control valve includes a cylinder open at the discharge end. The supply line is connected to the other end of the cylinder by a series of radial inlet ports. A slide closure in the cylinder moves to open and at least partially to close the inlet ports by a thermal sensor located upstream of the valve. The closure freely passes water on opposite sides so that the closure is balanced and unaffected by fluid pressure. Resetting of the control valve is quickly achieved as soon as safe conditions are sensed under reduced flow conditions.

Abstract: An escutcheon plate for the bath overflow fitting conventionally mounts a trip lever for operating the bath drain plug. The center of the lever is pivoted on the escutcheon plate to provide an outer handle end and an inner crank end. The outer handle end is tilted up or down to open or close the drain plug. A spring arrangement stabilizes the lever in both positions, the central position being unstable. A simple wire spring is attached at opposite ends to the lever and a fulcrum located inwardly of the pivot axis of the lever. The spring acts as a toggle, being compressed to a maximum when its points of attachment are in line with the lever pivot axis. A bistable arrangement is provided in the simplest possible manner.

Abstract: A drain closure includes a flexible seal member formed as a segment of a sphere and centrally mounted on a post located at the center of the drain. The seal member is bistable between opposite involuted positions. In one position its free edges snap downwardly to engage the flange of the drain nut and in the other position its free edges snap upwardly to open the drain. The post is guided for limited vertical movement in a centrally hubbed retainer so that downwrd movement of the post flips the seal member to its upwardly involuted position. A relatively rigid disk slidably mounted about a button attached to the top of the post shields the seal member from a hard stream of water issuing from the spout above, thereby preventing the closure member from accidentally snapping closed. Also, the disk shields the closure member from the current of waste water draining through the device, thereby preventing accidental closure.

Abstract: The lever mechanism includes an easy-to-clean cowl which covers the end of a fixture containing a mixing valve. A generally cylindrical fulcrum bracket, attached to the valve body, forms the topmost static element of the fixture. The cowl has a central cup that projects centrally into the fulcrum bracket. The mixing valve control stem is pivotally coupled to the bottom of this cup. A cowl skirt surrounds the fulcrum bracket. A fulcrum member, advantageously either a pin or a ball, is attached to the cowl interior and projects into an annular, outwardly opening receiving groove at the periphery of the fulcrum bracket. Tilting of the operating lever cowl moves the valve stem axially to control flow volume. During such tilting the fulcrum member moves radially in the receiving groove; this changes the location of the fulcrum point so as to prevent lateral displacement of the valve stem. Angular motion of the cowl imparts concomitant mixture controlling angular movement to the mixing valve stem.

Abstract: A connection between a handle and a valve stem is provided by a snap latch arrangement. The usual button at the top of the handle carries a dog bar that prevents the detent from releasing when the button is in place. But when the button is removed, the handle is automatically removable by upward force. No attachment screw need be manipulated. When the handle is removed, a cartridge can be removed. The cartridge includes a frontally facing segment that fits into the cylindrical contour of the valve body cup. The segment is snapped outwardly whereupon the segment, together with associated valve parts can be lifted from the valve cup for repair or replacement.

Abstract: A closure head of a plumbing valve engages a protruding bead formed around one opening of a hollow highly flexible sealing member. Supply fluid is conducted to the interior of the sealing member through another opening. The hollow sealing member provides a flexible lip surrounding the bead, the lip responding to pressure of the supply to urge the bead firmly into engagement with the closure head. The lip deflects upon engagement with the closure head and its inner side is free of restraints that would prevent deflection. Limits are placed upon movement of the head while no effective limits are placed upon deflection of the lip. A lip around the supply port to the sealing member also effects a static seal. The sealing member is snap fitted into the bottom of a removable cage.

Abstract: This invention relates to a single-handled valve for controlling both combined volume and relative proportion of hot and cold water. A control valve stem extends between diametrically disposed moldable sealing members, the sealing members respectively cooperating with hot and cold water inlet openings. The axial and angular positions of the stem determine the combined volume and relative proportion while the sealing members perform all of the sealing functions between the inlet openings and the valve outlet.

Abstract: A valve control stem extends through a thick sleeve-like sealing member fitted in a valve body. The sealing member has a short passage linking a body inlet port with the control stem. The passage has an intermediate enlargement forming an atrium or pressure chamber. The chamber forms outer and inner lips which are urged by supply pressure to seal against the valve body on the outside and (in the OFF position) against the control stem on the inside. A ring insert in the atrium provides a mechanical assist positively forcng the lips into sealing position and corrects for any imperfections in the lips that might otherwise prevent initiation of a proper seal. A reliable and effective seal is achieved.

Abstract: A water mixing valve comprising a fixed valve seat and a valve plate which is slideable over the valve seat, means providing two modes of slideable movement of the valve plate with respect to the valve seat, one being a shifting movement and the other a rotational movement, and a porting arrangement in the valve seat and a cooperating system of passages in the valve plate, permitting shifting of the valve from a full on to a full off position at any desired mixture of hot and cold water, and permitting positioning of the valve to obtain changes in temperature of the water without change in volume, and changes in volume of the water without change in temperature.