Abstract: A cartridge-type faucet valve is provided which includes a housing with an inlet, an outlet and an insert assembly (or cartridge) seat interposed between the inlet and outlet and for cooperating with a portion of an insert assembly or cartridge to provide a seal between the inlet and outlet. The insert assembly or cartridge includes a stationary elongated sleeve and a stem mounted within the sleeve which is longitudinally movable over a range of travel between a closed position and a fully open position. One section of the stem co-acts with the sleeve to control the longitudinal position of the stem. Another section of the stem cooperates with an internal surface portion of the sleeve to provide a longitudinally extending flow passage for communicating from the inlet to the outlet. A seal piece is mounted on the stem and is adapted for engagement with a stationary seating surface adjacent one end of the sleeve.

Abstract: A metering valve for controlling fluid flow is provided which includes a piston assembly disposed between a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet and mounted for relative movement within a tubular unit between a first open mode, a second open mode connecting the fluid inlet and outlet and a close mode. The assembly is biased to assume the close mode and assumes the first open mode when a predetermined first external form is applied to a valve actuating element forming a component of the metering valve. The assembly assumes the second open mode when the first external force is enhanced by a predetermined second external force applied to the valve actuating element. When the external forces are released, the piston assembly automatically returns to the close mode upon successively moving through first and second segments of travel relative to the tubular unit. The rate of travel during the first segment is substantially less than the rate of travel during the second segment.

Abstract: A metering valve is provided having a piston assembly mounted for movement between open and close modes. The piston assembly is biased to assume a close mode. The piston assembly assumes an open mode only when a predetermined external force is applied to a valve actuating element forming a component of the metering valve. When the external force is removed, the piston assembly automatically returns to the close mode. The rate of movement of the piston assembly during a first segment of travel from the open mode to the close mode is substantially slower than the rate of movement during a second segment of the travel.

Abstract: A metering valve is provided having a piston assembly mounted for movement between open and close modes. The piston assembly is biased to assume a close mode. The piston assembly assumes an open mode only when a predetermined external force is applied to a valve actuating element forming a component of the metering valve. When the external force is removed, the piston assembly automatically returns to the close mode. The rate of movement of the piston assembly during a first segment of travel from the open mode to the close mode is substantially slower than the rate of movement during a second segment of the travel.