Patent ID: 7373953
Filing Date: 2008-05-20
Classification: F16K,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A valve assembly for plumbing installations comprising: a) a unitary valve body having an inner wall defining an inner cavity with a specified volume, a plurality of ports formed in said valve body and extending from said inner cavity, said ports being disposed in said valve body at generally 90° angles with respect to each other; b) an annular seal disposed in said inner cavity against said inner wall and around the opening of a single port to form a specified sealed port in said valve body; c) a rotatable member extending into said inner cavity and being operative generally axially perpendicular said sealed port and a plurality on non-sealed ports of said valve body; d) a lever member operative on the outside of said valve body and communicating with said rotatable shaft; e) a valve element fixed to said rotatable member, said valve element having a fluid blocking portion for sealing engagement against said annular seal of said sealed port, said valve element having a volume smaller than said specified volume of said inner cavity, whereby the movement of said lever member of said valve assembly allows fluid flow to be controlled at said sealed port while permitting continuous fluid communication through the remaining plurality of ports; f) means to fasten said lever member to said rotatable shaft; g) a device requiring a continuous fluid supply connected to one said non-sealed ports; and h) said inner cavity having a rear wall portion generally opposite said specified sealed port, wherein a washer is disposed against said back wall portion and wherein said valve element is disposed for rotation between said washer and said annular seal of said sealed port.