Patent ID: 9045885
Filing Date: 2015-06-02
Classification: E03C

Abstract:
1. An apparatus comprising: a stem defining an inlet port for supplying fluid; a swivel head operably coupled to the stem and including a twist type diverter; the diverter including at least one seal member to switch between a first flow mode and a second flow mode of the fluid upon twisting the swivel head relative to the stem, wherein the at least one seal member comprises a plurality of diverter balls, and the valve retainer includes a plurality of retainer cavities receiving the plurality of diverter balls; a gimbal mechanism coupling the stem to the swivel head to allow swiveling of the swivel head relative to the stem, while preventing the twisting of the at least one seal member relative to the stem in response to twisting of the swivel head relative to the stem; and a swivel connector supported by the stem and including gimbal pins; wherein the gimbal mechanism includes a valve retainer operably coupled to the swivel connector and receiving the at least one seal member, the swivel connector, the valve retainer and the at least one seal member positioned in a nested arrangement, the valve retainer being restrained by the gimbal pins from rotating about a longitudinal axis upon twisting of the swivel head relative to the stem, while being configured to swivel about a transverse axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis when the swivel head is swiveled relative to the stem, the gimbal pins of the swivel connector defining the transverse axis, the transverse axis extending through the at least one seal member.