Abstract: A valve system in which a magnetic valve is in series with a manually-operated valve and contact with the handle of the manually-operated valve initiates flow via the electronic controller whereas, upon loss of contact, a proximity detector controls the magnetic valve when an object, such as a user's hand, is in range. The manual contact is superordinate and proximity detection is subordinate and the proximity detector remains permanently switched on during the operating duration.

Abstract: A valve system in which a magnetic valve is in series with a manually-operated valve and contact with the handle of the manually-operated valve initiates flow via the electronic controller whereas, upon loss of contact, a proximity detector controls the magnetic valve when an object, such as a user's hand, is in range. The manual contact is superordinate and proximity detection is subordinate and the proximity detector remains permanently switched on during the operating duration.

Abstract: A faucet has a tubular faucet arm, a water-pressurizable hose in the arm having an outer end, and a head housing mounted on the hose outer end, extending along an axis, formed with a radially throughgoing slot, and dimensioned to be grasped in one hand. Body structure in the head communicates with the hose outer end and forms first and second valve seats and a nozzle assembly mounted on the body structure forms a first outlet communicating with the first valve seat and a second outlet communicating with the second valve seat. A valve element is displaceable in the body structure between a first end position engaging the first seat and diverting flow from the hose to the first outlet and a second end position engaging the second seat and diverting flow from the hose to the second outlet. A lever partially projecting through the slot from the housing is pivoted on the body structure.

Abstract: A faucet assembly has a conduit defining a flow path between a supply of water and an outlet, a mechanical valve in the conduit and having an open position and a closed position, and a lever coupled to the mechanical valve for shifting it between its open and closed positions. A proximity detector has a detection field adjacent the outlet and a controller connected between the proximity detector and an openable and closable servo valve is activatable for opening the servo valve on detection of an object in the field of the proximity detector. A position-detecting switch associated with the mechanical valve is connected to the controller for activating this controller on shifting of the mechanical valve into its open position and for deactivating the controller on shifting of the mechanical valve into its closed position.

Abstract: A valve assembly has a housing having an abutment and a valve cartridge in the housing having an actuating stem displaceable about a flow-control axis for varying a flow rate between a maximum flow and a minimum flow and about a temperature-control axis for varying temperature of the flow. A handle connected to the stem carries another abutment engageable with the housing abutment in a position of the valve cartridge corresponding to partial flow through the cartridge. A deflectable override button on the handle is operable to displace the handle abutment out of engagement with the housing abutment.

Abstract: A mixing valve has a housing holding a fixed valve plate a flat outer surface generally centered on and perpendicular to an axis and formed offset from the axis with a pair of angularly offset and axially throughgoing inlet ports and offset therefrom with a pair of axially throughgoing outlet ports. Hot and cold water is supplied under pressure to the inlet ports and passages in the housing connect the outlet ports to respective users, e.g. a faucet and a shower. A movable valve plate in the housing has an inner surface flatly engaging the outer surface of the fixed valve plate and an opposite outer surface and is formed with an axially throughgoing inlet port alignable with the fixed-plate inlet ports and offset from the respective inlet port an axially throughgoing outlet port alignable with the fixed-plate outlet ports.

Abstract: A faucet has a base provided with a valve for supplying water under pressure and a tubular U-shaped spout having an inner end pivotal in the base and an opposite downwardly directed outer end forming a downwardly open seat. A hose has an inner end connected in the base to the water-supply valve, an intermediate portion extending through the tubular spout, and an outer end carrying an end fitting formed with a rearwardly directed abutment and fittable in the seat of the spout in a seated position with the abutment engaged against the spout outer end.

Abstract: A flow-control valve has a valve housing and a valve element in the housing rotatable about an axis through at most 360.degree. between a fully open position for substantially unimpeded fluid flow through the housing and a fully closed position for substantially no fluid flow through the housing and through intermediate positions for intermediate levels of flow through the housing. A spindle coupled to the element extends along and is jointly pivotal with the element about the axis. A handle fixed on the spindle is provided offset from the axis with a handle stop so that the handle stop orbits about the axis as the handle and spindle are rotated to adjust the valve.

Abstract: A shield is used in combination with a wall having an outer surface and formed with a throughgoing hole having an edge and with a plumbing fixture almost entirely recessed behind the wall surface and having a control part projecting forward through the hole past the surface. The shield is elastically deformable waterproof and is formed unitarily with a cup-shaped body generally surrounding the plumbing fixture and with an annular bellows-type cuff surrounding the control part and having a rear edge unitarily joined to the body and a front edge fixed to the wall surface at the hole edge. The plumbing fixture also has a laterally projecting connection nipple behind the wall adapted to be mated with a pipe behind the wall and the body is formed with a laterally throughgoing orifice fitted tightly around the nipple. Furthermore the shield is unitarily formed with an annular flange projecting laterally from the front edge of the cuff and fixed to the wall surface at the hole edge.

Abstract: A faucet body mounted on a wall and having a connecting pipe projecting from the wall and having an outer end secured via a faceted nut to the body, has escutcheon with a sleeve centered on an axis, formed with an external screwthread, and formed with at least one axially extending and radially inwardly projecting ridge engageable with facets of the faucet-assembly nut so as to rotationally couple the sleeve to the nut. An outer ring fitting around the sleeve has an internal screwthread meshing with the screwthread of the sleeve and has a rear face. A seal set in and projecting axially rearwardly from the rear face of the ring engages the wall.

Abstract: A fitting is formed with an outwardly open generally cylindrical bore centered on an axis and having an inner surface of a predetermined inner diameter. A tube end fits axially into the bore and is formed with a radially outwardly open groove, and a partial stiff sleeve of elastically deformable and strong material is engaged in the groove and has a frustoconically outwardly flared sharp outer edge of a predetermined outer diameter. Interengaging formations on the sleeve and on the tube end spread the sleeve and force the edge to bite into the inner surface of the bore on axial outward displacement of the sleeve and tube end. An elastomeric seal ring on the tube end offset from the groove radially outwardly engages the bore.

Abstract: A plumbing fixture that is recessed in a wall and that has a part projecting through a hole in the wall is provided with an escutcheon having a main plate shaped to fit around the part flatly against the wall and to cover the hole, at least one fastener engageable through the main plate with the fixture to press the plate against the wall, a cover plate fittable on the main plate over the fastener, and formations integrally formed with the plates and securing the plates together. The main plate has an outer periphery provided with a soft seal ring engaging the wall. In addition the main plate has inward of its outer periphery a central recess in which the cover plate is received. The formations include pins unitarily formed on the cover plate and complementary seats unitarily formed in the main plate.

Abstract: A valve assembly adapted for connection to separate hot- and cold-water supply pipes has a core centered on an axis and formed with a pair of input passages having output ends and diametrally oppositely opening input ends and with an output passage having an output end and an input end and respective substantially identical input fittings formed with respective fitting passages and fitted diametrally oppositely to the core with the fitting passages opening into the input ends of the input passages. Respective connections carried on the input fittings communicate with the respective fitting passages. These connections are connected to the respective hot- and cold-water supply pipes. At least one valve is fixed in the core covering the output ends of the input passages and the input end of the output passage for feeding hot and cold water from the respective input passages to the output passage. An output fitting is fixed to the core over the output end of the output passage.

Abstract: A valve assembly comprises a valve body having an nonplanar outer surface and formed with a threaded seat opening at the surface and with a passage opening into the seat. A valve in the body supplies water through the passage to the seat and a metallic tube having a threaded inner end engaged tightly in the seat forms an extension of the passage. A decorative sleeve engaged concentrically around the tube has an inner end shaped to fit flush against the body outer surface. A retaining device is engaged between the outer end of the tube and the outer end of the sleeve for pressing the inner end of the sleeve against the body outer surface. The retainer for the tube includes a snap ring fitted to the outer end of the tube and an elastomeric washer engaged between the snap ring and the tube outer end.

Abstract: A wall-mount faucet assembly has a wall fitting adapted to be recessed in a wall and having an externally threaded stem projecting from the wall centered on an axis and formed with hot- and cold-water outlet ports. This fitting is formed with hot- and cold-water inlet ports behind the wall. A mixing faucet having an internally threaded collar engageable with the stem is rotatable thereon for axially displacing the faucet on the fitting. The faucet is formed in the collar with hot- and cold-water inlets connected in the fitting to the outlet ports. An adapter engaged in the collar between the faucet and the fitting has hot- and cold-water passages with upstream ends at the respective outlet ports and downstream ends at the respective inlets. The downstream ends are concentric such that the inlets connect thereto in any angular position of the faucet on the fitting.

Abstract: The connecting fitting member for a cold and warm water mixing valve includes a coupler mounted in a structure wall, which has passages for two or more pipe connections and from which additional passages lead for connection of the mixing valve branch in a substantially transverse direction. The housing of the mixing valve has a base surface corresponding to the upper surface of the coupler. This connecting fitting member is improved, since a fitting member is inserted or mounted in the housing of the mixing valve, with which it is possible to reverse the connections for the cold and warm water by a rotation of 180.degree. and to fix the mixing valve in any angular position in the coupler.

Abstract: A mixing valve has a base plate adapted to be fixedly mounted on a base fitting and a housing sleeve centered on an axis, mounted on the base plate for rotation about the axis, and formed with a radially open window. A stationary valve plate is fixed on the base plate inside the sleeve and formed with at least two incoming liquid ports and one outgoing water port spaced therefrom. A movable valve plate flatly sitting on the stationary plate inside the sleeve is formed with a chamber alignable with the ports therein. This movable plate is angularly and radially displaceable relative to the axis so the chamber variously overlaps and interconnects the ports. A control member fixed inside the sleeve to the movable valve plate is pivoted on the inner end of a control member also pivoted on the sleeve and having an outer end projecting radially from the sleeve through the window. The sleeve has a lower end rotatably mounted on the base plate and an internally threaded upper end.

Abstract: A mixing valve is provided with modular self contained units for controlling the volume, controlling mixtures ratio, and providing pressure balancing. Each unit may be separately replaced.

Abstract: A valve slide plate is described in which flow noises are reduced. A flow passage for regulating through-flow volume or mixture is recessed in the surface of the valve plate. The flow passage is of expanded cross-section within the plate.

Abstract: A single-handle mixing faucet of the type having a rotatable axially movable hollow piston for the selection of the mixing ratio and flow volume includes improved seals for sealing between the walls of the valve casing and a cylindrical sleeve inserted into the valve casing. The seals are of two piece construction and include a rim-type molded body bent to follow the configuration of the sleeve and a sealing member which is carried by the molded body. Inlet apertures on the sleeve are longitudinal slots of specific configuration. Noise silencing is enhanced by use of perforated disks or a porous cylinder.