Patent ID: 7150415
Filing Date: 2006-12-19
Classification: B05B,F16K,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A pre-rinse unit spray valve, comprising: a valve body defining a first end and a second end disposed opposite the first end, the valve body defining an inlet opening at the first end and an exit at the second end; the valve body defining a hollow inlet path internally of the valve body, the inlet path having a first end and a second end disposed opposite the first end of the inlet path, the first end of the inlet path being connected to the inlet opening of the valve body, the second end of the inlet path defining an exit port; the valve body defining a hollow conduit extending generally axially and internally of the valve body, the conduit having a first end and a second end disposed opposite the first end of the conduit, the first end of the conduit defining an entrance port, the second end of the conduit defining the exit of the valve body; the valve body defining a hollow channel internally of the valve body and disposed generally transversely relative to the inlet path and defining a first end and a second end opposite the first end of the channel, the channel defining a first opening at the first end of the channel and a second opening at the second end of the channel; a valve insert having a first end and a second end disposed opposite the first end of the valve insert, the valve insert having an interior wall defining a hollow interior space with a first open end at the first end of the valve insert and a second open end at the second end of the valve insert, the valve insert being disposed within the channel so that the first open end of the valve insert is disposed at the first opening of the channel and the second open end of the valve insert is disposed at the second opening of the channel; the interior wall of the valve insert defining a valve seal surface that is disposed in the interior space of the valve insert and defines a sealing section of the hollow interior space of the valve insert; the channel being connected to the exit port of the inlet path at a location along the channel that is between where the valve seal surface of the valve insert is disposed and where the second opening of the channel is disposed; the channel being connected to the entrance port of the conduit at a location along the channel that is between where the valve seal surface of the valve insert is disposed and where the first opening of the channel is disposed; a cap configured and disposed to seal the second opening of the channel, the cap butting against the second end of the valve insert when the cap is disposed to seal the second opening of the channel; an elongated valve stem slidably disposed in the channel, the valve stem having a first end and a second end disposed opposite the first end of the valve stem, the valve stem defining a reduced diameter portion disposed between the first end and the second end of the valve stem, the first end of the valve stem being disposed closer to the first opening of the channel than to the second opening of the channel, the second end of the valve stem being disposed closer to the second opening of the channel than to the first opening of the channel; the valve stem defining a groove between the second end of the valve stem and the reduced diameter portion of the valve stem, the groove being configured to receive a sealing gasket; a sealing gasket disposed in the groove of the valve stem; a resilient biasing member disposed in the channel between the second end of the valve stem and the second opening of the channel and configured to bias the sealing gasket against the valve seal surface of the channel so as to prevent fluid flow between the inlet path and the conduit of the valve body; and an elongated handle having one end pivotally connected to the valve body at the first end of the valve body and extending past the first opening of the channel and disposed to be selectively engageable with the first end of the valve stem, the handle being pivotable between a closed position and an open position, wherein at the closed position of the handle the first end of the valve stem engages the handle and extends out of the channel through the first opening of the channel and the sealing gasket is biased against the valve seal surface of the valve insert so as to prevent fluid flow between the inlet path and the conduit of the valve body, and wherein at the open position of the handle the first end of the valve stem engages the handle and the sealing gasket is disposed away from the valve seal surface of the valve insert so as to permit fluid flow between the inlet path and the conduit of the valve body.