Abstract: A valve assembly is provided. The valve assembly includes a valve housing having an internal generally cup-shaped bore, a valve control cartridge inserted into the bore and having a rotatable control stem extending upwardly therefrom, and a bonnet nut threaded to an internal wall of the valve housing. The bonnet nut has a through channel that surrounds the control stem, and means are provided along the through channel to control a level of resistance to rotation of stem.

Abstract: A valve assembly includes a valve housing having an internal generally cup-shaped bore, a valve control cartridge inserted into the bore and having a rotatable control stem extending upwardly therefrom, and a bonnet nut having a through-bore. The bonnet nut is threaded to the valve housing such that the control stem extends through the through-bore. Flexible fingers are provided along the through-bore to control a level of resistance to a rotation of the rotatable control stem. The stem is positioned to frictionally engage the flexible fingers as the stem is rotated.

Abstract: A pressure balance unit for a valve assembly includes a first shell having a tongue extending therefrom, a second shell having a groove indented therein, and a sliding element having a shaft defining an axis. The groove in the second shell is configured to receive the tongue from the first shell for aligning the shells. The first and second shells are united using a sonic welding process. The first shell defines a first bore and the second shell defines a second bore. The first and second bores include inlet ports in circumferential faces thereof, the ports defining openings transverse to the axis. The sliding element includes a first end movable along the axis within the first bore and a second end movable along the axis within the second bore. The ends of the sliding element open and close the inlet ports by sliding across the ports.

Abstract: A universal valve body includes a front face having a circular opening for receiving a valve cartridge, a rear face, a frustoconical side wall connecting the front face to the rear face, and a first inlet port and a first outlet port obliquely disposed in the frustoconical side wall. A cap for the valve body includes a base and a structure extending from the base. The structure extending from the base may block at least one of the inlet port or outlet port in the valve body. A service valve for a valve body includes a base rotatable between an open orientation and a closed orientation relative to the valve body and a tab extending from the base. When the base is in the open orientation, the tab prevents removal of a cover from the valve body.

Abstract: A diverter cartridge for a fluid mixing valve includes an inlet adapter having a first inlet port, a second inlet port, a first outlet port and a second outlet port. The cartridge further includes a diverter plate having a first inlet channel and a second inlet channel. The diverter plate is rotatable relative to the inlet adapter between a first end position, a second end position, and a neutral position between the first and second end positions. Rotation of the diverter plate from the neutral position toward the first end position increases a volume flow rate through the cartridge and diverts the fluid to the first outlet port. Rotation of the diverter plate from the neutral position toward the second end position increases a volume flow rate through the cartridge and diverts the fluid to the second outlet port.

Abstract: A pressure balance unit for a valve assembly includes a first shell having a tongue extending therefrom, a second shell having a groove indented therein, and a sliding element having a shaft defining an axis. The groove in the second shell is configured to receive the tongue from the first shell for aligning the shells. The first and second shells are united using a sonic welding process. The first shell defines a first bore and the second shell defines a second bore. The first and second bores include inlet ports in circumferential faces thereof, the ports defining openings transverse to the axis. The sliding element includes a first end movable along the axis within the first bore and a second end movable along the axis within the second bore. The ends of the sliding element open and close the inlet ports by sliding across the ports.

Abstract: A valve assembly is provided. The valve assembly includes a valve housing and a harbor provided at a lower portion of the valve housing. The valve housing has an internal bore for receiving a valve control cartridge, and the harbor has a first recess suitable for receiving a water supply tube, and a second recess suitable for receiving a second water tube, wherein the harbor also has a slot. The valve assembly further includes the water supply tube mounted in the first recess, the second water tube mounted in the second recess, and a retainer clip positioned in the slot with that clip simultaneously engaging both tubes. The retainer clip comprises a first leg and a second leg connected by a waist to define there between a retaining area, and at least the first leg has formed thereon a notch adjacent a heel of the leg.

Abstract: A valve assembly is disclosed providing a disk valve, a retaining clip configuration, and a bonnet nut. The disk valve comprises a moveable disk having a pair of recesses that is rotatable relative to a stationary disk to regulate the flow of a fluid through two ports in communication with the disks. The retaining clip configuration comprises a hose clip engaging a retaining segment on a valve housing and two hoses to connect the two hoses to two ports on the valve housing. The bonnet nut provides a tactile resistance to an applied torque when a portion of the valve cartridge assembly is rotated in relation to the valve housing.

Abstract: A handle assembly is disclosed that is suitable for mounting a valve housing that has a valve stem to a support. In one form, the handle assembly includes a handle, an escutcheon, a bonnet, a recess, and a flexible snap ring. The handle is operationally linked to the valve stem of the valve housing for controlling movement of the valve stem. The escutcheon is positionable on a first side of the support adjacent the handle. The bonnet is linked to the valve housing. The recess is formed in one of the bonnet and escutcheon. The flexible snap member mounted to the other of the bonnet and escutcheon and suitable to snap into the recess when the bonnet and escutcheon are telescoped together, while thereafter permitting relative rotation of the bonnet and escutcheon.

Abstract: A handle assembly is disclosed that is suitable for mounting a valve housing that has a valve stem to a support. In one form, the handle assembly includes a handle, an escutcheon, a bonnet, a recess, and a flexible snap ring. The handle is operationally linked to the valve stem of the valve housing for controlling movement of the valve stem. The escutcheon is positionable on a first side of the support adjacent the handle. The bonnet is linked to the valve housing. The recess is formed in one of the bonnet and escutcheon. The flexible snap member mounted to the other of the bonnet and escutcheon and suitable to snap into the recess when the bonnet and escutcheon are telescoped together, while thereafter permitting relative rotation of the bonnet and escutcheon.

Abstract: A valve assembly is disclosed providing a disk valve, a retaining clip configuration, and a bonnet nut. The disk valve comprises a moveable disk having a pair of recesses that is rotatable relative to a stationary disk to regulate the flow of a fluid through two ports in communication with the disks. The retaining clip configuration comprises a hose clip engaging a retaining segment on a valve housing and two hoses to connect the two hoses to two ports on the valve housing. The bonnet nut provides a tactile resistance to an applied torque when a portion of the valve cartridge assembly is rotated in relation to the valve housing.

Abstract: A resilient annular bearing positionable around a rotating shaft which self-adjustingly stabilizes the shaft with respect to a sleeve in which the shaft rotates. The bearing has opposite undulating surfaces, made up of a series of alternating peaks and valley, which provide resiliency. The opposite undulating surfaces extend radially, axially or obliquely to provide radial or axial stabilization or both. The peaks may be plateaued or shaped like a truncated pyramid.

Abstract: A resilient annular bearing positionable around a rotating shaft which self-adjustingly stabilizes the shaft with respect to a sleeve in which the shaft rotates. The bearing has opposite undulating surfaces, made up of a series of alternating peaks and valley, which provide resiliency. The opposite undulating surfaces extend radially, axially or obliquely to provide radial or axial stabilization or both. The peaks may be plateaued or shaped like a truncated pyramid.

Abstract: In a shut-off or diverter valve, an anti-cavitation valve located downstream of the shut-off or diverter valve member vents an outlet passageway to the atmosphere to minimize cavitation in an outflowing column of water which has suddenly been isolated from the inlet. The anti-cavitation valve may be located in the interior of the shut-off or diverter valve member. When the pressure gradient between atmospheric pressure and the pressure in the just closed outlet passageway exceeds the force exerted by a spring, the anti-cavitation valve opens an air passageway communicating between the atmosphere and the outlet passageway. Part of the air passageway may be in the interior of the push rod of the diverter valve member.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a mechanism for remotely opening and closing a drain of a basin by means of a flexible rod moving through a non-linear tube. The rod connects a drive member, pushed or pulled by a user, with a member linked to a plug which opens and closes the drain. Within the bend of the tube, the flexible rod and/or tube are configured to leave a void between them in order to reduce friction. The configuration of the rod may include one or more bulbous ends or a lobed cross-section.