Patent ID: 7980268
Filing Date: 2011-07-19
Classification: F16K,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A valve assembly for controlling water flow in a faucet, the valve assembly including: a hot water inlet; a cold water inlet spaced from the hot water inlet; an outlet spaced from the hot water inlet and the cold water inlet; a valve mechanism configured to selectively control flow of the water from the hot water inlet and the cold water inlet to the outlet; a stem assembly including a ball supported for pivoting movement about a first axis and a second axis perpendicular to the first axis, a knuckle extending downwardly from the ball and operably coupled to the valve mechanism, a stem supported within the ball, the stem being substantially L-shaped and including an upwardly extending leg and a laterally extending leg, the laterally extending leg extending substantially parallel to the first axis; an upper housing including an arcuate surface cooperating with the ball of the stem assembly; and a coupling member including an arcuate surface cooperating with the ball of the stem assembly and an opening receiving the knuckle of the stem assembly, the coupling member configured to couple to the upper housing such that the ball of the stem assembly is secured intermediate the arcuate surfaces of the upper housing and the coupling member.