Abstract: One-handle and two-handle valve cartridges have an increased maximum flow rate and/or a decreased size (e.g., volume). Accordingly, the valve cartridges achieve an improved flow rate to volume relationship.

Abstract: A water filtration system includes a faucet assembly and a filtration assembly. The filtration assembly includes a filter assembly; a filter bracket or mounting assembly for securing the filter assembly to a support surface or structure; and a filter manifold assembly including an unfiltered water inlet for connecting to an unfiltered water supply and a filtered water outlet for connecting to a valve assembly of the faucet assembly. The filter assembly interfaces with the filter manifold assembly to provide filtered water to the faucet assembly under control of the valve assembly. A filter that otherwise would not interface with the filter bracket/mounting assembly and/or the filter manifold assembly can be adapted to work in the water filtration system by using a filter adaptor assembly.

Abstract: A one-handle valve cartridge includes an actuating mechanism, wherein an amount of force required to operate the actuating mechanism is insensitive to a load applied to the valve cartridge during installation of the valve cartridge in a valve body. Accordingly, the valve cartridge can operate over a wide range of installation loads and can be properly installed without using a specialized tool or mechanism.

Abstract: A one-handle valve cartridge includes an actuating mechanism, wherein an amount of force required to operate the actuating mechanism is insensitive to a load applied to the valve cartridge during installation of the valve cartridge in a valve body. Accordingly, the valve cartridge can operate over a wide range of installation loads and can be properly installed without using a specialized tool or mechanism.

Abstract: One-handle and two-handle valve cartridges have an increased maximum flow rate and/or a decreased size (e.g., volume). Accordingly, the valve cartridges achieve an improved flow rate to volume relationship.

Abstract: A faucet spout fixture provides for spout mounting and removal from above a supporting surface such as a sink deck, without disconnection of the water supply conduits beneath the sink deck. The fixture includes a faucet spout which has a water passage and a water discharge in communication with the passage. There is a water inlet in the spout which communicates with the passage. A water supply assembly is located beneath the supporting surface and there is a spout waterway adjustably connected to the water supply assembly, which spout waterway extends into the spout water inlet. There is a clamp member adjustably mounted on the spout waterway to be positioned against and on top of the supporting surface sink deck. A spout fastener extends through an opening in the clamp member and is held in position therein by a portion of the spout waterway. The spout fastener adjustably cooperates with a threaded bore on the spout to removably fasten the spout against and on top of the supporting surface.

Abstract: A metering faucet includes a housing and a faucet metering cartridge positioned within the housing and having an outwardly extending faucet stem which is movable along a stem axis. There is a cartridge cap which is positioned within the housing and has a portion extending over and in contact with the cartridge stem to provide an inward force thereon. A handle is pivotally mounted to the housing on one side of the stem axis, with the handle having a portion which extends through a housing opening to contact the cartridge cap. Upon pivotal movement of the handle, an inward force is applied on the cartridge stem. The handle has a force applying area which extends a substantial distance from the pivotal mounting of the handle and terminates at the diametrical opposite side of the pivotal mounting of the handle.

Abstract: A metering faucet includes a housing and a faucet metering cartridge positioned within the housing and having an outwardly extending faucet stem which is movable along a stem axis. There is a cartridge cap which is positioned within the housing and has a portion extending over and in contact with the cartridge stem to provide an inward force thereon. A handle is pivotally mounted to the housing on one side of the stem axis, with the handle having a portion which extends through a housing opening to contact the cartridge cap. Upon pivotal movement of the handle, an inward force is applied on the cartridge stem. The handle has a force applying area which extends a substantial distance from the pivotal mounting of the handle and terminates at the diametrical opposite side of the pivotal mounting of the handle.

Abstract: A metering faucet includes a housing and a faucet metering cartridge positioned within the housing and having an outwardly extending faucet stem which is movable along a stem axis. There is a cartridge cap which is positioned within the housing and has a portion extending over and in contact with the cartridge stem to provide an inward force thereon. A handle is pivotally mounted to the housing on one side of the stem axis, with the handle having a portion which extends through a housing opening to contact the cartridge cap. Upon pivotal movement of the handle, an inward force is applied on the cartridge stem. The handle has a force applying area which extends a substantial distance from the pivotal mounting of the handle and terminates at the diametrical opposite side of the pivotal mounting of the handle.

Abstract: A faucet spout fixture provides for spout mounting and removal from above a supporting surface such as a sink deck, without disconnection of the water supply conduits beneath the sink deck. The fixture includes a faucet spout which has a water passage and a water discharge in communication with the passage. There is a water inlet in the spout which communicates with the passage. A water supply assembly is located beneath the supporting surface and there is a spout waterway adjustably connected to the water supply assembly, which spout waterway extends into the spout water inlet. There is a clamp member adjustably mounted on the spout waterway to be positioned against and on top of the supporting surface sink deck. A spout fastener extends through an opening in the clamp member and is held in position therein by a portion of the spout waterway. The spout fastener adjustably cooperates with a threaded bore on the spout to removably fasten the spout against and on top of the supporting surface.

Abstract: A faucet spout fixture provides for spout mounting and removal from above a supporting surface such as a sink deck, without disconnection of the water supply conduits beneath the sink deck. The fixture includes a faucet spout which has a water passage and a water discharge in communication with the passage. There is a water inlet in the spout which communicates with the passage. A water supply assembly is located beneath the supporting surface and there is a spout waterway adjustably connected to the water supply assembly, which spout waterway extends into the spout water inlet. There is a clamp member adjustably mounted on the spout waterway to be positioned against and on top of the supporting surface sink deck. A spout fastener extends through an opening in the clamp member and is held in position therein by a portion of the spout waterway. The spout fastener adjustably cooperates with a threaded bore on the spout to removably fasten the spout against and on top of the supporting surface.

Abstract: A bidet spout assembly includes a nozzle which has a body and a projecting conduit which functions to connect the nozzle to a water supply. The nozzle body has an interior water passage and the upper end of the nozzle body terminates in a generally planar seal seating surface. The nozzle body has an exterior wall with a threaded area thereon. A removable decorative outer cover is positioned about the nozzle body and has an interior wall with a threaded area thereon positioned for cooperation with the nozzle outer wall threaded area to removably secure the cover on the nozzle. A seal is positioned on the nozzle seal seating surface and is held in position by an aerator positioned on the seal. The aerator is held in position by the portion of the cover interior wall.

Abstract: A dual position fastener for use in attaching a plumbing fitting having an exteriorly threaded conduit to sink decks of varying thickness has an elongated, generally cylindrical body with an interior bore. The bore is threaded. There is a radial extension at one end of the elongated body with the radial extension having oppositely facing generally parallel surfaces, which surfaces are essentially normal to the axis of the bore. One of the parallel surfaces is at the end of the fastener, with the other of the parallel surfaces being axially spaced from the one end. Each radial surface is adapted to abut the underside of a sink deck when the fastener is used in attaching a plumbing fitting. The one radial surface abuts the underside of a sink deck and the elongated body extends away from the sink deck in one position or use of the fastener, with the other radial surface abutting the underside of a sink deck and the elongated body extending toward the sink deck in a second position or use of the fastener.

Abstract: A spray device for use as an alternate water discharge to a faucet has a body with a handle and a spray head. The spray head has discharge openings therein. There is a trigger movable on the body between an off position and an on position. There is a chamber within the body which is in communication with a source of water under pressure and there is a water passage between the chamber and the discharge openings. A valve is movable within the chamber in response to movement of the trigger to connect the source of water under pressure through the chamber, to the water passage, and then to the discharge openings. The water passage is formed between closely spaced facing walls having a textured surface thereon to create adequate surface tension with water within the water passage, whereby water therein will not move to the discharge openings unless the water passage is connected to the source of water under pressure.

Abstract: A faucet handle has a generally cylindrical ceramic body, with a bore extending axially through the body. A mounting member extends through the bore and has an enlarged head on the exterior end thereof. The interior end of the mounting member has threads for attachment to the faucet control member. There is a cylindrical chamber formed between the exterior of the mounting member and the surface of the bore and there is an axially extending cushioning insert positioned within the chamber. The insert extends substantially about the mounting member within the chamber and is there to prevent damaging contact between the mounting member and the ceramic body.

Abstract: A spray device for use as an alternate water discharge to a faucet has a body with a handle and a spray head. The spray head has a first central water discharge in the form of a localized stream and a second peripheral spray type water discharge. There is a trigger which is movable on the body between an inoperable position, a first operable position, and a second operable position. In the first operable position water passes through the spray head central discharge and in the second operable position water passes through the peripheral spray. There is a chamber within the body which communicates with the first and second water discharges and there is a water passage in the handle communicating with the chamber. A piston is movable within the chamber and there is a water passage within the piston which may connect to the handle water passage. A stem is positioned within the chamber and is connected to and movable with the piston. The stem has a seal for closing the piston water passage.

Abstract: A faucet diverter valve for directing water to either a faucet discharge or to an alternate water flow device such as a spray includes a valve body having an inlet, a faucet outlet, and an alternate water flow device outlet. There is a chamber in the valve body with the inlet and outlets opening into the chamber. A stationary diverter valve member is positioned within the chamber. A portion of the diverter valve member and the chamber wall form a restricted water flow passage therebetween. There is a water passage in the valve member connecting the valve body inlet and the upstream side of the restricted passage. The alternate water flow device outlet is located at the downstream side of the restricted passage. The valve member has openings therein positioned adjacent to and in communication with the restricted water flow passage. There is a flow path in the valve member connecting the valve member openings and the faucet outlet.