US2173064A - Plumbing fixture - Google Patents

Description

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 J. S. JUDELL PLUMBING: FIXTURE iled Sept. 28, 1957 Sept. 12, 1939.

INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY Sept. 12, 1939. J. s. JUDELL PLUMBING FIXTURE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 28, 1937 ATTORNEY5- Patented Sept. 12, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE- Application September 28, 1937, Serial No. 166,138

3Cialms.

The present invention relates generally to improvements in the art of dispensing liquids, and relates more particularly to various improvements in the-construction and operation of plumbing 5 fixtures especially applicable to kitchen sinks or the like, for the purpose of controlling diversified dispensation of water from one or more supply lines to various portions of the sink.

disposed between the valves which control the delivery of the water from the supply lines in regulated quantities. Most of these'prior fixtures are formed of irregular brass castings, and in order to present a neat and finished appearance, the rough castings must be dressed and plated at all exposed surfaces, andthe packing 5 glands coacting with the valve actuating stems must be likewise finished. This mode of finishing these plumbing fixtures is both tedious and costly, thereby necessarily making the final product rather expensive, and also making the fixtures '30 most diificult to clean because of theirregular nature of the exposed highly polished surfaces thereof.

It is also desirable, when utilizing such combination plumbing fixtures in connection with kitchen sinks or the like wherein dish washing is a frequent occurrence, to have some means for effecting rinsing of the dishes or other objects disposed upon the drain boards of the sink. This has been done by attaching one end of a rubber hose directly to the outlet end of the faucet'spout, and by providing the opposite end of the hose with a spray head which can be moved freely to any portion of the sink structure to rinse the dishes and other objects resting thereon. The attachment of such a rinsing or spraying hose is rather difficult and inconvenient, and the hose which is obviously quite unsightly, mustbe disconnected whenever it is desired to spout water directly from the faucet. This prior expedient for tionable both because of its diiiiculties in use and its undesirably unpleasant appearance.

The present invention therefore contemplates provision of an improved faucet assemblage, as p ci y of the comb at on y where n the spraying or rinsing is therefore relatively objec-' rough and irregular surfaces of the valves and other portions of the fixture are thoroughly concealed by a neat but durable and relatively inexpensive shield or coverin which may be conveniently applied or removed for cleaning and I inspection of the concealed parts. 7

The present. invention also contemplates the provision of a simple, compact, neat and most efficient rinsing attachment for faucets or the like,'which while being associated directly with 0 the faucet, will permit unobstructed and unimpaired normal use thereof. a V

Some of the more specific objects and advantages'of my present improvement are as follows:

To provide an attractive combination faucet 15 and spray fixture which can be manufactured at moderate cost, and which can be conveniently installed, inspectedand operated.

To provide an extremely simple but durable swing spout faucet assemblage having neat apg. pearance and which is capable of being readily cleaned.

To provide an improved valve assembly for faucets or the like, which is normally well protected, but which is also conveniently accessible 5 for adjustment or renewal of parts.

To provide an improved spray attachment for sinkfaucets or the like, which is normally conferes with the normal use of a sink with which the appliance is associated.

To provide an improved combination fixture a embodying interchangeably usable or operable parts, such as a spout for normally discharging water in the form of a solid je't directly into the basin of a sink, and a shower head for delivering the water in the form of a spray toward any portion of the sink.

To provide an improved faucet structure wherein water from several sources may bemixed and. thereafter quickly and conveniently diverted and dispensed through either of several outlets.

These and other specific objects will be apparent from the following detailed description.

A clear conception of embodiments of the several features constituting the present improvement, and of the mode of constructing and of using plumbing fixtures built in accordance with the invention, may be had by referring to the drawings accompanying and forming a part of this specification wherein like reference char- 5 acters designate the same or similar parts in the various views.

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal vertical section through a fragment of a relatively standard kitchen sink,

showing a front view of one of the improved plumbing fixtures applied to the sink and having the rinsing spray nozzle and hose withdrawn from normal concealment;

Fig. 2 is a transverse vertical section through the sink taken along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1, and showing an end view of the improved fixture with the rinsing spray nozzle and hose positioned as when not in use;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged transverse vertical section through the center of the improved fixture, taken along the line 3-3 of Fig. 1, and showing the flow diverting valve in upper position so as to divert the fiow through the rinsing hose;

Fig. 4 is a further enlarged central transverse vertical section through the diverting valve portion of the improved fixture, showing the valve in the same position as in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a similar section through the diverting valve portion of the improved fixture, showing the valve in lower position so as to divert the flow throughthe swing spout;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged central longitudinal section through the improved fixture, the section being taken along the line 6-6 of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 7 is a similarly enlarged transverse central section through one of the water supply control valves, the section being taken along the line of Fig. 1.

While the invention has been shown and described herein as being specifically embodied in a special type of faucet assemblage especially adapted for use in connection with a kitchen sink, it is not the intent to thereby unnecessarily restrict the scope, since some of the novel features are obviously more generally applicable to plumbing fixtures for other types of liquid dispensing and wash bowl assemblages.

Referring to the drawings, the relatively standard sink assembly shown in Figs. 1 and 2, comprises in general a sink having a basin 9 provided with a lower drain I0 and 'also having drain boards II for dishes or other objects formed integral with the opposite ends thereof, and hot and cold water supply pipes |2 extending beneath an integral portion l3 of the sink directly in back of the basin 9. The extreme rear portion or back wall l4 of the sink is also formed integral with the drain boards H and with the portion l3, and the upper part of the sink wall I14 has a fiat horizontal deck |5 adapted to coact with a partition or building wall I6. and providing a vertically elongated concealed unobsltructed space ll in back of the supply pipes The present improved plumbing fixture which is shown generally in Figs. 1 and 2, and more in detail in Figs. 3 to '7 inclusive, comprises in general laterally spaced hot and cold water supply control valves l8, l9 associated with the pipes I2 and formed integral with a common discharge conduit 20 having upper and lower outlet openings 2|, 22 respectively disposed centrally thereof; an upwardly extending stem 23 and a handle 24 secured to each stem 23 for opening and closing the corresponding valve I8, I 9; a swing spout 25 extending upwardly from and swingably attached to the conduit 20, and communicating with the upper outlet opening 2|; a removable sheet metal concealing cover 26 for the valves l8, l9 and for the conduit 20 resting upon the sink portion I3, and normally held in position by the handles 24 and spout 25; an outlet fitting 21 coacting with the lower surface of the sink portion l3 and with the central portion of the conduit 20 and communicating with the lower outlet opening 22; a flexible hose 28 having one end secured to the clamping fitting 21 and extending through a guiding sleeve 29 attached to the upper sink deck IS; a spray-nozzle or head 30 carried by the opposite end of the hose 28; and means for interchangeably connecting the outlet openings 2|, 22 with the interior of the conduit 20 so as to effect delivery of water either from the spout 25 or from the spray head 30.

The interiors of the.main hot and cold water supply valves l8, l9, are of relatively standard construction, and each of these valves has a vertically movable valve disk 3| confined within a socket in the lower end of its stem 23 and cooperable with a fixed seat 32 formed integral with the corresponding valve casing, to control the delivery of water from the adjacent supply pipe |2 into the common conduit 20. The valve casings which are cast integral with the opposite ends of the conduit 20, are adapted to be fastened to the sink portion l3 by means of clamping nuts 33, and the stems 23 are provided with enlarged threaded medial portions 34 having screw thread coaction with internal threads formed integral with the valve casings. Each main valve casing is also provided with a threaded removable upper closure cap 35 which is pierced by the adjacent stem 23, and which carries and encloses a packing 36 adapted to coact with the enlarged portion of the stem 23 when the valve is open so as to prevent leakage. The valve casings and conduit 20, and the packing retaining caps 35 are formed of cast metal, preferably brass, and the exteriors of these parts need not be machined or otherwise dressed or finished.

The valve actuating handles 24 may be formed of moulded hard material such as Bakelite, and are provided with internal annular recesses 31, being detachably secured to the square upper ends of their respective valve stems 23 by means of screws 38. The swing spout 25 which extends upwardly from the medial portion of the discharge conduit 20, is preferably plated or other- 0 wise externally finished, and has a reverse bend at the upper portion thereof in order to direct the jet delivered therefrom, into the sink basin 9. The lowermost portion of the spout 25 is snugly fitted for limited turning within the outlet opening 2|, being provided with a snap ring 39 for holding the spout in place, and the i threaded spout retaining nut 43 coacts with this 7 sleeve 42 and confines a packing ring 44 thereagainst so as to prevent leakage.

The removable sheet metal concealing cover 26 for the valves 8, 9 and for the conduit 20, is externally finished as by plating and polishing, and has integral annular upwardly extending flanges 45 which are normally disposed within the annular recesses 31 of the handles 24, to thereby totally enclose the packing caps 35 as well as the main valves and the conduit 26.

These flanges 45 are preferably of relatively large external diameter in order to enhance the stable and massive external appearance of the valve assemblages, andthe medial upper portion of the cover is provided with a circular opening of suflicient size to permit the cover 26 to be placed downwardly over the spout retaincover 26 is thus normally flrmly clamped in posithe swing spout is provided with an annular tion, it may be readily removed to permit access to the main valves and to all other parts of the faucet assemblage, by merely removing the handles 24 and the cap 46 which normally hold the cover in place. i

The lower interior of the supporting end of diverter valve seat 41 at the upper outlet opening 2|, and the fitting 21 which is disposed coaxial with the faucet 25 is provided with another diverting valve seat 48 at the lower outlet opening 22. The spray dispensing hose 28 is attached to the fitting 21 beneath the sink portion l3 and may be retained thus attached by means of a, lock ring 49, and the spray head 30 may be similarly attached to the opposite movable end of the hose 23 by a retainer ring 56. The spray head 30 may be of any desiredtype, and is preferably provided with a handle 5| for effecting convenient manipulation of the spray nozzle, and when the head 30 is not in use, the hose :8 will be concealed within the free ,space H in back of the sink. The vertical hose guiding sleeve 29 is attached to the upper. deck l5 of the sink within the space I1 by gneans of an attaching and clamping ring nut 52, and the hose 28 will slide freely through this sleeve 29'."

The water from within the conduit 26 may be interchangeably diverted either through the out- :55 carried by the medial portion of the swing spout. The upper end of the rodv 54 is provided with an actuating grip handle 56, and the lower extremity-thereof has a spherical head 51 which is engaged by the inwardly turned upper end of asleev'e 58 to the lower end of which the valve 53 is removably attached, by means of a screw 59. The upp r portion of the diverter valve 53 is adapted to coact with the upper seat 41 on the spout 25 to control the flow from the conduit 20 through the outlet opening 2| as shown in Fig. 5, and the lower portion of the same valve 53 is adapted to interchangeably coact with the lower seat 48 on the fitting 21 to control the let opening 22 as shown in Fig. 4. This interchangeable operation may obviously be effected by merely sliding therod 54 vertically with the aid of the handle 56. i

The manner of attaching the improved plumbing fixture to a sinksuch as shown in Figs. 1, 2

pending upon the position of adjustment ofthe diverter valve 53. If the actuating rod 54 is raised to position the valve 53 against the upper seat 41 as shown in Fig. 4, the mixture of hot and cold water, or either, will flow through the outlet opening 22 into the hose 28 and from thence through the spray head 30. The spray head 30 may be readily moved to any portion of the sink structure and the spray may be delivered in any desired direction with the aid of the handle 5|.

If the diverter valve 53 is moved downwardly into engagement with the lower seat 46, as shown in Fig. 5, then the flow of water will be through the upper outlet opening 2| and through the swing spout 25, the water being delivered downwardly in the form of a jet into thebasin 9 of the sink. The swing spout v25 may be conveniently' adjusted within the limits flxed by the abutments 40, to deliver the jet of water into variousportions of thebasin 9, in the same manner as is possible withthe ordinary swing spout faucet. 1

If it becomes desirable to replace the valves 3| or the valve 53, the closure cover 26 may be conveniently removed by merely releasing the retaining cap 46 and by removing the handles 24. The nuts 35, 43 will then be conveniently accessible, and upon removal of the former, the valves 3| may be readily removed, whereas removal of the latter will permit convenient removal of the spout 25 and of the diverter valve 53.

-' From the foregoing description it will be apple faucet and spray assemblage, which is neat in appearance, durable in construction, and highly flexible in use. Either the spout 25 or the spray head 30 may be used interchangeably without disturbing the position of the other of these elements, and interchangeable use of the 'spout 25 and of the spray head 30 in no manner affects the normal operation of the main valves. The escutcheon cover 26 produces an extremely neat appearance and also provides an assemblage which can be kept thoroughly cleaned at all times. This closure cover does not however prevent convenient access to all elements of the assemblage, and the cylindrical flanges 45 add- Theclosure cover 26 moreover thoroughly conceals the rough castings which are disposed therebeneath, and protects the faucet against possible injury. Since this cover is preferably formed of sheet metal, it may be readily replaced when damaged, thereby restoring the normal appear-J ance to the assemblage. While the spray head 30 is at all times conveniently accessible for use, the hose 28 is normally concealed beneath the sink, and this hose may be readily replaced when it becomes no longer fit for use. The improved faucet has proven highly successful in actual commercial use, and can be conveniently manufactured for sale at moderate cost.

It should be understood that it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact details of construction and to the precise mode of operation herein shown and described, for various modifications within the scope of the claims may occur to persons skilled in the art.

I claim:

l. A plumbing fixture comprising, a pair of laterally separated valve casings rigidly connected by an integral transverse conduit, each of said casings having outer and inner alined openings and the mid-portion of said conduit also having outer and inner alined openings, a liquid supply pipe attached to each of said casings and communicating with the inner opening thereof, a valve in each of said casings operable by a handle and a stem passing through the outer opening thereof, a spray connection attached to said conduit and communicating with said inner conduit opening, a spout attached to and communicating with said outer conduit opening, a valve in said conduit and being adjustable to interchangeably divert the flow through either of said conduit openings, a rod for actuating said diverter valve extending axially through said spout, a common removable cover for said valve casings and said conduit, said cover having end openings pierced by said valve stems and normally concealed by the'actuating handles thereon and also having a central opening pierced by said spout, and means associated with said conduit and said cover adjacent said spout and remote from said valves for clamping said cover in position.

2. A plumbing fixture comprising, a pair of laterally separated valve casings integrally united by a transverse conduit, each of said casings having inner and outer alined threaded openings and the center of said conduit midway between said casings also having inner and outer alined threaded openings, a liquid supply pipe secured to and communicating with the inner opening of each of said casings, a valve in argabei each of said casings operable by a handle and a stem passing through'the outer opening thereof, a spray connection secured to and communicating with the inner central conduit opening, an outwardly directed spout having an elongated straight portion attached to and communicating with said outer central conduit opening, a ball diverter valve in said conduit between said central openings and being movable to interchangeably divert the flow through either of said central openings, a thin and flexible common removable cover for said valve casings and said conduit, said cover having end openings pierced by said valve stems and normally concealed by the actuating handles thereon and also having a central opening pierced by said spout, and means adjustably attached to said conduit and coacting with said cover near said spout and remote from said valves for clamping said cover in position.

3. A sink fixture comprising, a pair of laterally separated valve casings rigidly connected by a transverse conduit, each of said casings having outer and inner alined openings and the mid-portion of said conduit also having outer and inner alined openings, a concealed liquid supply pipe communicating with each of said inner casing openings, a valve in each of said casings operable by a stem passing through the outer opening thereof, a flexible spray connection having concealed attachment to the inner conduit opening and being longitudinally movable for concealment through an .opening in the sink remote from said casings and conduit, a spout attached to and communicating with said outer conduit opening, a diverter valve in said conduit between the openings therein, an actuator for said diverter valve extending axially through said spout, a common cover for said valve casings having sleeve portions pierced by said valve stems, and clamping means for said casing coacting therewith only adjacent said spout and remote from said casings.

JULIUS S. JUDELL.

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