Patent ID: 9234597
Filing Date: 2016-01-12
CPC Classification: F16K,Y10T

Claim Text:
1. A valve cartridge for a faucet comprising: a valve housing; an upper plate received within the valve housing, the upper plate including an outer surface and a first sealing surface configured to rotate about a longitudinal axis, an arcuate first connecting recess, and an arcuate second connecting recess, and a diametric axis extending intermediate the first connecting recess and the second connecting recess; the first connecting recess being a blind recess extending in an arc between opposing first and second ends, the first connecting recess extending within the first sealing surface and sealed from the outer surface, a first arc length defined between the first and second ends; the second connecting recess being a blind recess extending in an arc between opposing first and second ends, the second connecting recess extending with the first sealing surface and sealed from the outer surface, a second arc length defined between the first and second ends; wherein the first connecting recess is spaced from the diametric axis by a first offset, and the second connecting recess is spaced from the diametric axis by a second offset, the second offset being greater than the first offset; wherein the first arc length is greater than the second arc length; a lower plate received within the valve housing and restrained from moving, the lower plate including a second sealing surface sealingly engaging the first sealing surface, an inlet opening extending into the second sealing surface, and an outlet opening extending into the second sealing surface in spaced relation to the inlet opening; a stem operably coupled to the upper plate and configured to rotate the upper plate about the longitudinal axis; wherein an off position is defined when the first connecting recess is aligned with the inlet opening, and the second connecting recess is aligned with the outlet opening, such that the first sealing surface and the second sealing surface seal the first connecting recess and the second connecting recess from providing fluid communication between the inlet opening and the outlet opening of the lower plate; wherein a partially open position is defined when the upper plate is rotated relative to the lower plate from the off position, such that the first connecting recess provides for fluid communication between the inlet opening and the outlet opening of the lower plate, and second connecting recess remains sealed from the providing fluid communication between the inlet opening and the outlet opening of the lower plate; and wherein a fully open position is defined when the upper plate is further rotated relative to the lower plate from the partially open position, such that the first connecting recess provides for fluid communication between the inlet opening and the outlet opening of the lower plate, and the second connecting recess provides for fluid communication between the inlet opening and the outlet opening of the lower plate.