Patent ID: 7540956
Filing Date: 2009-06-02
Classification: B01D,C02F,Y10S

Abstract:
1. In the combination of a replaceable water filter cartridge having a filter body with an axially extending neck on one end, the neck having an inlet and an outlet for water, and a filter head having an outer housing defining a cylindrical interior wall having an inlet opening for water to be treated and an outlet opening for treated water, and a valve spindle disposed in the outer housing for reciprocal rotary movement on the filter body axis between flow and no-flow positions, providing connection and disconnection of the outer housing inlet opening and outlet opening with the cartridge inlet and outlet, respectively, the spindle having an interior chamber for receipt of the cartridge neck to provide said connection and disconnection, an annular mounting ring supporting the filter head and providing an interface for connection of the filter cartridge, an improved arrangement for removal and replacement of the valve spindle comprising: a spindle lock including an annular groove in an exterior wall of the spindle coaxial with the axis of spindle rotation, a slot in the groove providing an axially extending passage therethrough, and a lug on the interior of the filter head outer housing received in the groove and holding the spindle against axial displacement from the filter head outer housing over a range of spindle rotary movement, including movement between the flow and no-flow positions, the lug adapted to move circumferentially in the annular groove and axially relative to and through the slot in response to disconnection of the filter cartridge, manual rotation of the spindle beyond said range and axial movement of the spindle out of the outer housing.