(19)
(11)EP 0 181 451 B1

(12)EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION

(45)Mention of the grant of the patent:
23.11.1988 Bulletin 1988/47

(21)Application number: 85110884.5

(22)Date of filing:  29.08.1985
(51)International Patent Classification (IPC)4F16K 11/00, E03C 1/04

(54)

Two part rising cap for faucets

Aus zwei Teilen bestehende Haube für Wasserhähne

Calotte à deux parties pour robinets d'eau


(84)Designated Contracting States:
AT BE CH DE FR GB IT LI NL SE

(30)Priority: 31.08.1984 US 646252

(43)Date of publication of application:
21.05.1986 Bulletin 1986/21

(73)Proprietor: STANADYNE INC.
Windsor Connecticut 06095 (US)

(72)Inventors:
  • Schlotman, Walter F.
    Bay Village Ohio 44104 (US)
  • Grella, Raymond M.
    Elyria Ohio 44035 (US)

(74)Representative: Grünecker, Kinkeldey, Stockmair & Schwanhäusser Anwaltssozietät 
Maximilianstrasse 58
80538 München
80538 München (DE)


(56)References cited: : 
DE-A- 2 328 361
DE-A- 3 041 509
US-A- 4 103 709
DE-A- 2 734 131
US-A- 3 287 985
US-B- 25 920
  
      
    Note: Within nine months from the publication of the mention of the grant of the European patent, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to the European patent granted. Notice of opposition shall be filed in a written reasoned statement. It shall not be deemed to have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent Convention).


    Description


    [0001] The present invention relates to a faucet of the type having a faucet housing, a valve cartridge in the housing and a pivot nut connected to the valve cartridge, as set forth in the preamble of Claim 1. Such a faucet is known from US-A-3 287 985.

    [0002] The known faucet comprises a rising sleeve having two essentially circular sleeve parts, the mating surfaces of which extend transversely to the axis of the sleeve, wherein the sleeve parts, together with a cover formed of two parts threadedly connected to each other and surrounding and, at the same time sandwiching therebetween, form a rising cap. Upon assembly of this faucet, the handle is to be applied to the cap construction, including the aforementioned sleeve, and then the entire assembly is placed upon the end of the valve cartridge. This necessitates applying the operating handle to the groove provided in the pivot nut without actually seeing what is going on. It is one of the hallmarks of design of faucets of the aforementioned kind that the working parts of the faucet are embodied in a single cartridge which is readily replaced if the parts become worn or leak. Quite often, this is done by the home owner. However, it is not always easy for the homeowner to assemble the operating handle upon the end of the valve cartridge after replacement, because he cannot see what is going on. Thus, this kind of blind assembly creates some problem to unexperi- enced persons.

    [0003] It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide a faucet of the aforementioned kind, which can be easily assembled even by unexperi- enced persons.

    [0004] This objective is obtained by the characterizing features of Claim 1. Preferred embodiments of the invention are subject matter of the dependent claims.

    [0005] By the present invention, a clear open view is provided during assembly of the faucet, so that problems of the aforementioned kind are overcome.

    [0006] The present invention and its features and benefits thereof will become apparent from the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings.

    [0007] 

    Figure 1 is a partial sectional view of the faucet according to the present invention.

    Figure 2 is a side elevation view of a handle pivot cap.

    Figure 3 is a section of a handle pivot cap taken along line 3-3 of Figure 2.

    Figure 4 is a side elevation view of the two-part rising cap contained in the faucet of the present invention.

    Figure 5 is a bottom plan view of the two-part cap.

    Fig. 6 is a section taken along line 6-6 of Fig. 4.

    Fig. 7 is a view taken along line 7-7 of Fig. 4.

    Fig. 8 is a bottom plan view of the rising cap part of Fig. 7.

    Fig. 9 is a view looking in the direction of line 9-9 of Fig. 6.

    Fig. 10 is a section taken along line 10-10 of Fig. 7.


    Detailed description of the invention



    [0008] A single-handle faucet 10 is shown in Fig. 1. A. faucet housing 12 is mounted on a base 14 and has a spout 16 extending therefrom. A mixing valve cartridge is disposed within the housing 12. The valve cartridge may for example be of the type shown in US-B-25,920 or US-A-4,103,709. The invention should not be limited to use with a valve structure of the type shown in said patents as the described rising cap construction has application with any type of single lever mixing valve. The mixing valve has an operating stem shown at 18. The stem is capable of rotating and translating axially within a sleeve (not shown). A pivot nut 20 is fixed to the top of the valve cartridge sleeve. Near the top of the pivot nut 20 is a groove 22 which receives the interior hook portion 24 of an operating handle 26. The hook 24 surrounds the upper end of the pivot nut 20.

    [0009] The two-part rising cap 28 of the present invention has an opening 30 through which the handle 26 extends. The rising cap surround the pivot nut 20 and has a hub 31 connected to the stem 18 of the mixing valve cartridge by a screw 32. The hub 31 extends through an opening in the top of the pivot nut 20. Thus, when a user moves the handle 26, either up and down or from side to side, that motion is transferred to the mixing valve stem 18 by the rising cap 28. The pivot nut 20 serves as an internal bearing on the hub 31 and an external bearing for handle hook 24. Further details of the rising cap will be described below.

    [0010] A handle pivot cap 34 surrounds the rising cap. An insert bezel 36 fits on top of the handle pivot cap 34. A tongue 38 on the interior surface of the pivot cap 34 engages a groove 40 around the exterior of the rising cap 28 to hold the pivot cap on the rising cap. The pivot cap 34 is sufficiently snug about the rising cap to hold the two parts of the rising cap together.

    [0011] Looking now at Figs. 2 and 3, further details of the pivot cap 34 are shown. The pivot cap has a three-sided opening 42 which extends to the bottom edge of the pivot cap. This allows the cap to clear the handle 26 as the cap is placed on the rising cap. An annular groove 44 is provided on the top of the pivot cap to accommodate the bezel 36.

    [0012] Turning now to Figs. 4-10, details of the rising cap 28 are shown. The rising cap 28 is split into first and second parts. The separation line between the two parts extends through the opening 30. Thus, the opening is defined by adjoining slots formed in each of the first and second parts. The first part 46 of the rising cap 28 is shown in Fig. 6. In this embodiment, the first part 46 includes a semi-cylindrical wall 48 and an integral cover portion 50. The central hub 31 projects downwardly from the cover and connects to the stem of the valve cartridge as shown in Fig. 1. The wall 48 terminates at mating surfaces 56 and 58. The wall 48 has a projection 60 of increased thickness at its end near the mating surface 58. A slot 62 is formed in this projection. The slot extends to the mating surface 58. The slot has shoulders 64 formed on its top and bottom surfaces. The shoulders provide a line contact with the operating handle, permitting the handle to pivot with respect to the rising cap without binding. In addition to the upper and lower surfaces 64, the slot 62 has a side surface 66. The slot is open at the mating surface 58. A plurality of pins 68 are formed on the mating surfaces 56 and 58. As shown in Fig. 9, the pins have a conical shape projecting from the mating surfaces.

    [0013] The second part 70 of the rising cap is shown in detail in Figs. 7 and 8. The second part includes a semi-cylindrical wall 72 terminating at mating surfaces 74 and 76. A projection 78 of increased thickness is formed at the edge near the mating surface 76. This projection is shaped the same as the projection 60 on the first part 46. Similarly, there is a three-sided slot 80 formed in projection 78. The slot includes shoulders 82 on the upper and lower surfaces and a side edge surface 84. The slot is open on the remaining side. A plurality of holes 86 are formed in the mating surfaces 74 and 76. As seen in Fig. 10, the holes 86 have a conical shape arranged to receive the pins 68 on the first part of the rising cap.

    [0014] It can be seen in Figs. 4 and 5 that the first part 46 and the second part 70 of the rising cap fit together to form the complete rising cap 28. The first and second parts are joined along cooperating mating surfaces, with the surfaces 58 and 76 adjoining each other while on the other side the surfaces 56 and 74 adjoin. Also, the top land of the wall 72 fits against the underside of the cover 50. The pins 68 fit in the holes 86 to guide the two parts together during assembly. The semi-cylindrical walls 48 and 72 combine to form a complete cylinder. Also the three-sided slots 62 and 80 are aligned such that they define the opening 30 through the rising cap. When the two parts are joined together, the opening 30 is enclosed on four sides as the pairs of shoulders 64 and 82 define upper and lower boundaries of the opening while the surfaces 62 and 84 define the side boundaries of the opening.

    [0015] The structure of the rising cap of the present invention greatly facilitates assembly of the faucet. With the two-part rising cap of the present invention the operating handle 26 can be hooked on to the groove 22 before the rising cap is connected to the stem. This is made possible by splitting the rising cap through the opening so that the rising cap can be assembled about the operating handle. Once this has been done and the screw 32 has been secured, the pivot cap 34 is placed down over the rising cap with the slot 42 accommodating the handle 26.

    [0016] While the description above has focused on a two-part rising cap, it will be understood that the concept of splitting a cap through its handle opening could also be applied to a non-rising cap. A non-rising cap is mounted for rotation but not translation on either the valve cartridge sleeve or the faucet body. The end of the operating handle is connected to the valve stem. The handle extends through an opening in the non-rising cap and is pivoted thereto. The opening is the non-rising cap would include bearings for the pivot stub shafts on the handle.

    [0017] Whereas a preferred form of the invention has been shown and described, it should be understood that suitable modifications, changes and alterations may be made without departing from the invention's fundamental theme. For example, the opening 30 could have a configuration other than the rectangular one shown. Or a three-sided opening could be formed entirely in a mating surface of one part with no slot in the cooperating mating surface of the other part. The other part would simply provide the fourth side surface to close up the openinq.


    Claims

    1. A faucet (10) of the type having a faucet housing (12), a valve cartridge in the housing (12) and a pivot nut (20) connected to the valve cartridge; said faucet (10) comprising:

    a rising sleeve (28) connected to the valve cartridge, an operating handle (26) extending through an opening (30) in the rising sleeve (28) and being pivotally and rotationally connected to the pivot nut (20), said rising sleeve (28) comprising first and second parts (46, 70) joined together along cooperating mating surfaces (56, 58, 74, 76) the rising sleeve opening (30) being defined by adjoining slot portions (62, 80) formed in each of the first and second parts (46, 70) characterized in that said rising sleeve first part (46) extends the full height of the rising sleeve (28) and includes a semi-circular wall (48) and is integrally connected to a cover (50), the rising sleeve second part (70) includes a semi-circular wall (72) extending to the bottom of the cover (50), the mating surfaces (56, 58, 74, 78) of said sleeve parts (46, 70) extending parallel to the axis of said rising sleeve (28), with the integral cover (50) of said first part (46) forming the entire cover for said rising sleeve (28), thus providing a rising cap formed by said sleeve parts (46, 70) and the cover (50) integral to said first sleeve part (46), and that a handle pivot cap (34) is fitted over the rising cap (28) and is provided with a slot (42) penetrated by said operating handle (26).


     
    2. A faucet according to claim 1 being characterized in that said rising cap mating surfaces (56, 58, 74, 76) are provided with cooperating pairs of pins (68) and holes (86).
     
    3. A faucet according to claims 1 or 2 being characterized in including means (36, 38, 40) for interlocking said handle pivot cap (34) and said rising cap (28) for simultaneous movement.
     


    Ansprüche

    1. Wasserhahn (10) von der Art, die ein Wasserhahngehäuse (12), eine Ventilpatrone in dem Gehäuse (12) und eine Schwenknuß (20) aufweist, die mit der Ventilpatrone verbunden ist, der Wasserhahn (10) enthaltend:

    eine Hubhülse (28), die mit der Ventilpatrone verbunden ist, einen Betätigungsgriff (26), der sich durch eine Öffnung (30) in der Hubhülse (28) erstreckt und schwenkbar und drehbar mit der Schwenknuß (20) verbunden ist, wobei die Hubhülse (28) erste und zweite Teile (46, 70) enthält, die entlang zusammenwirkender Paßflächen (56, 58,74,76) miteinander verbunden sind, wobei die Hubhülsenöffnung (30) durch angrenzende Schlitzteile (62, 80) definiert ist, die in jedem der ersten und zweiten Teile (46, 70 ausgebildet sind, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das erste Teil (46) der Hubhülse sich über die volle Höhe der Hubhülse (28) erstreckt und eine halbkreisförmige Wand (48) hat und integral mit einem Deckel (50) verbunden ist, das zweite Teil (70) der Hubhülse eine halbkreisförmige Wand (72) enthält, die sich zur Unterseite des Deckels (50) erstreckt, wobei die Paßflächen (56, 58, 74, 78) der genannten Hülsenteile (46, 70) sich parallel zur Achse der Hubhülse (28) erstrecken, wobei der integrale Deckel (50 des ersten Teils (46) den gesamten Deckel für die Hubhülse (28) bildet, um dadurch eine Hubkappe zu ergeben, die von ein genannten Hülsenteilen (46, 70) und dem mit dem ersten Hülsenteil (46) integral verbundenen Deckel (50) gebildet wird, und daß eine Griffschwenkkappe (34) über die Hubkappe (28) aufgepaßt ist und mit einem Schlitz (42) versehen ist, der von dem Betätigungsgriff (26) durchdrungen wird.


     
    2. Wasserhahn nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Hubkappenpaßflächen (56, 58, 74, 76) mit zusammenwirkenden Paaren von Stiften (68) und Löchern (86) versehen sind.
     
    3. Wasserhahn nach den Ansprüchen 1 oder 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß er eine Einrichtung (36, 38, 40) zum Verriegeln der Griffschwenkkappe (34) und der Hubkappe (28) für gleichzeitige Bewegung enthält.
     


    Revendications

    1. Robinet (10) du type ayant un corps de robinet (12), une cartouche de boisseau dans le corps (12) et un écrou pivotant (20) relié à la cartouche de boisseau, ce robinet (10) comprenant: un fourreau coulissant (28) relié à la cartouche de boisseau, une poignée de commande (26) s'étendant à travers une ouverture (30) dans le fourreau coulissant (28) et étant reliée à pivotement et à rotation à l'écrou pivotant (20), ce fourreau coulissant (28) comprenant une première partie (46) et une deuxième partie (70) reliées l'une à l'autre le long de surfaces coopérantes (56, 58, 74, 76), l'ouverture (30) du fourreau coulissant étant définie en rapprochant les portions d'encoche (62, 80) formées dans chacune de la première et de la deuxième partie (46, 70), caractérisé sen ce que la première partie (46) du fourreau coulissant s'étend sur toute la hauteur de celui-ci et comprend une paroi semi-circulaire (48), d'un seul tenant avec un couvercle (50), la deuxième partie (70) du fourreau coulissant comporte une paroi semi-circulaire (72) s'étendant jusqu'au bas du couvercle (50), les surfaces coopérantes (56, 58, 74, 78) des parties de fourreau (46, 70) s'étendant parallèlement à l'axe du fourreau coulissant (28) avec le couvercle d'un seul tenant (50) de la première partie (46) formant le couvercle tout entier pour le fourreau coulissant (28) procurant ainsi un chapeau coulissant formé par les parties de fourreau (46, 70) et un couvercle (50) d'un seul tenant avec la première partie (46) du fourreau, et en ce qu'un chapeau pivotant (34) équipé de la poignée est monté sur le chapeau coulissant (28) et comporte une encoche (42) dans laquelle pénètre la poignée de commande (26).
     
    2. Robinet selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que les surfaces coopérantes du chapeau coulissant (56, 58, 74, 76) sont prévues avec des paires coopérantes de tétons (68) et de trous (86).
     
    3. Robinet selon la revendication 1 ou la revendication 2, caractérisé en ce qu'il comporte des moyens (36, 38, 40) pour verrouiller ensemble le chapeau pivotant équipé de la poignée (34) et le chapeau coulissant (28) pour un mouvement simultané.
     




    Drawing