Shower valve system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9650768-B2
Application number	US-201314410049-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 12, 2013
Priority date	Jul 17, 2012
Publication date	May 16, 2017
Grant date	May 16, 2017

Abstract

A valve assembly for a shower/tub system is provided. The assembly includes a valve body assembly having a molded base, a first inlet connection fitting configured to fluidly attach a first fluid source to the molded base, a second inlet connection fitting configured to fluidly attach a second fluid source to the molded base, a first outlet connection fitting configured to fluidly attach a shower fixture to the molded base, and a second outlet connection fitting configured to fluidly attach a tub nozzle to the molded base.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A valve assembly for a shower/tub system comprising:
a valve body assembly including a molded base including a plurality of circumferentially spaced tabs, a valve cartridge housing coupled to the molded base, a first connection fitting molded with the base, a second connection fitting spaced from the first connection fitting and molded with the base, a third connection fitting spaced from the second fitting and molded with the base, and a fourth connection fitting spaced from the third connection fitting and molded with the base, wherein the plurality of circumferentially spaced tabs resist axial movement of the valve cartridge housing;
a first inlet terminal adapter configured to operably couple with the first connection fitting to provide fluid communication between a hot water supply source and the molded base;
a second inlet terminal adapter configured to operably couple with the second connection fitting to provide fluid communication between a cold water supply and the molded base;
a first outlet terminal adapter configured to operably couple with the third connection fitting to provide fluid communication between a shower fixture and the molded base; and
a second outlet terminal adapter configured to operably couple with the fourth connection fitting to provide fluid communication between a tub spout and the molded base.

2. The valve assembly of claim 1 , wherein the base is molded from a polymer, and the valve cartridge housing is formed from a metal.

3. The valve assembly of claim 2 , wherein a cold formed portion of the valve cartridge housing axially retains the valve cartridge housing to the molded base.

4. The valve assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a mixing valve cartridge received within the valve cartridge housing and in fluid communication with the molded base.

5. The valve assembly of claim 1 , wherein the molded base further comprises a molded portion molded around a metal insert, the valve cartridge housing coupled to the metal insert.

6. The valve assembly of claim 1 , wherein the molded base is formed by insert molding a molded portion around a metal insert.

7. The valve assembly of claim 6 , wherein the molded portion includes at least a portion of one or more quick-connect type fittings.

8. The valve assembly of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the outlet terminal adapters includes a connection end molded from a thermoplastic or chlorinated polyvinyl chloride.

9. The valve assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a housing seal positioned between the cartridge housing and the molded base.

10. The valve assembly of claim 1 further comprising a retaining ring, wherein the retaining ring cooperates with the molded base to resist axial and rotational movement of the valve cartridge housing.

11. The valve assembly of claim 10 , wherein the retaining ring includes a plurality of axially extending tabs and a plurality of radially extending tabs, the axially extending tabs cooperating with a plurality of tabs on the insert to resist rotational movement of the cartridge housing, and the radially extending tabs cooperating with a plurality of tabs on the insert to resist axial movement of the cartridge housing.

12. A valve assembly comprising:
a valve body configured to be supported within a shower wall, the valve body including a first inlet, a second inlet, a first outlet, and a second outlet, wherein the first inlet is configured to be fluidly connected to a first fluid source and the second inlet is configured to be fluidly connected to a second fluid source, the first outlet is configured to be fluidly connected to a first outlet fixture and the second outlet is configured to be fluidly connected to a second outlet fixture, wherein the valve body includes a molded body overmolded around a metal insert, the molded body providing fluid passageways connecting the first and second inlets to the first and second outlets, a first inlet quick-connect fitting configured to accept a terminal adapter fluidly connected to the first fluid source, and a first outlet quick-connect fitting configured to accept a terminal adapter fluidly connected to the first outlet fixture;
a mixing valve at least partially supported by the valve body configured to combine fluid from the first inlet and second inlet prior to fluid exiting through at least one of the first or second outlets;
a valve cartridge housing operably coupled to the molded body and at least partially encircling the mixing valve; and
a retaining ring, the retaining ring cooperating with the molded body and the insert to resist axial and rotational movement of the cartridge housing.

13. The valve assembly of claim 12 , further comprising a second inlet quick-connect fitting configured to accept a terminal adapter fluidly connected to the second fluid source, and a second outlet quick-connect fitting configured to accept a terminal adapter fluidly connected to the second outlet fixture.

14. The valve assembly of claim 12 , wherein the valve body includes a valve cartridge housing operably coupled to the molded body.

15. The valve assembly of claim 12 , wherein the quick-connect fitting comprises:
a housing attached to a quick-connection portion of the molded body; and
a retention ring attached to the terminal adapter and held in place by the housing and a retention clip.

16. The valve assembly of claim 12 , wherein at least a portion of the quick-connect fitting is overmolded as an integral part of the molded body.

17. The valve assembly of claim 12 , wherein the retaining ring includes a plurality of axially extending tabs and a plurality of radially extending tabs, the axially extending tabs cooperating with a plurality of tabs on the insert to resist rotational movement of the cartridge housing, and the radially extending tabs cooperating with a plurality of tabs on the insert to resist axial movement of the cartridge housing.

18. A shower/tub fluid delivery system comprising:
a showerhead;
a tub spout;
a valve body assembly fluidly connected to the showerhead and tub spout, a plurality of quick-connect fittings overmolded with the valve body assembly and defining a first fluid inlet, a second fluid inlet, a shower outlet, and a tub outlet;
a first terminal adapter coupled to a hot water supply line and configured to connect with the quick-connect fitting of the first fluid inlet;
a second terminal adapter coupled to a cold water supply line and configured to connect with the quick-connect fitting of the second fluid inlet;
a shower outlet terminal adapter coupled to the showerhead and configured to connect with the quick-connect fitting of the shower outlet;
a tub outlet terminal adapter coupled to the tub spout and configured to connect with the quick-connect fitting of the tub outlet; and
the valve body assembly supporting a cartridge configured to mix fluid from the first and second fluid inlets and a molded component providing fluid passageways connecting the showerhead and tub spout to the first and second fluid inlets.

19. A shower/tub fluid delivery system comprising:
a showerhead;
a tub spout;
a valve body assembly fluidly connected to the showerhead and the tub spout, a plurality of quick-connect fittings overmolded with the valve body assembly and defining a first fluid inlet and a second fluid inlet;
the valve body assembly supporting a cartridge configured to mix fluid from the first and second fluid inlets and a molded component providing fluid passageways connecting the showerhead and tub spout to the fir

Assignees

• Masco Corp
• Delta Faucet Co

Inventors

• Johnson Brian Wayne
• Huffington Todd Andrew
• Patton Paul

Classifications

• E03C1/0408

  Water installations especially for showers (E03C1/06 takes precedence; shower heads B05B1/18) · CPC title

• F16L37/144

  the securing element being U-shaped · CPC title

• Y10T137/86566

  Rotary plug · CPC title

• E03C1/042 Primary

  Arrangements on taps for wash-basins or baths for connecting to the wall · CPC title

• E03C1/023 Primary

  with flow distribution, e.g. diverters · CPC title