Abstract:
A rod activated water valve includes a valve base that mates with a standard water faucet. One end of the valve base attaches to a cylindrical valve housing which has an inward protruding lip, at least two key holes at a bottom end and an outer groove. A rod activated valve mechanism is housed within the cylindrical valve housing. A cylindrical outer sleeve is rotatably held onto the cylindrical valve housing by a C-shaped spring member and substantially covers the cylindrical valve housing thereby preventing removal of the cylindrical outer sleeve from the cylindrical valve housing and allowing free rotation of the cylindrical outer sleeve with respect to the cylindrical valve housing. A tool is required to be inserted into the key holes for installation and removal of the rod activated water valve with tamper-resistant security feature to/from a faucet.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending application Ser. No. 12/109,967 filed Apr. 25, 2008. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to the field of water valves and more particularly to a rod activated water valve for installation on standard water faucets. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Although the earth&#39;s supply of fresh water is constantly refreshed by the evaporation/condensation process, clean water is a scarce commodity in certain places, especially during drought conditions. Many families waste water unnecessarily. Even those who try to conserve water may unintentionally waste water. For example, when brushing one&#39;s teeth, most people don&#39;t shut off the water while they brush. Instead, the water is turned on, the toothpaste applied to the brush, the teeth are brushed and then rinsed, and then the water is turned off. 
     To reduce the waste of water during processes such as this, several devices have been deployed. For example, in public restrooms, proximity sensors interface with a solenoid valve are used to allow water flow only when a person&#39;s hands are beneath the faucet. Unfortunately, such a system requires plumbing changes that are not economically viable for most homeowners. 
     Another device for reducing the waste of water is a wand activated dispensing valve as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,286,000 to Katz which is hereby incorporated by reference. In this, the standard aerator is removed from the faucet and replaced with an aerator/valve combination. The valve in this device is actuated by a wand or shaft. When the user needs water, the wand is displaced in a sideward direction, thereby opening a valve within the aerator/valve assembly. When the user is finished, the wand returns to its at-rest position and the flow of water ceases. Unfortunately, the aerator/valve described is not reliable and soon fails under normal use situations. Additionally, due to the design of the valve, a phenomena known as water hammer occurs when the valve closes. Water hammer often occurs when the flow of water is abruptly halted. 
     What is needed is a rod activated valve that is reliable and reduces water hammer. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one embodiment, a rod activated water valve is disclosed including a valve base, a top end of which is threaded on an outside surface for mating with a standard water faucet thread arrangement. The valve base has a recess at the top end for capturing a recessed washer, a second end of the valve base has a threaded outside surface. A top end of a housing has a threaded inside surface for interfacing with the threaded outside surface of the second end of the valve base and has an inner diameter and an inward protruding lip at a housing bottom end. A water flow chamber has a solid cylindrical outer surface and a substantially flat, foraminous surface at one end with a centrally located aperture with a lip in its top edge. The end of the water flow chamber is held within the housing by the inward protruding lip. A rod passes through the aperture and is held in place by a rod head. A valve seat has an upper flow guide with water flow openings, an upper valve plate and an upper valve plate o-ring. The upper flow guide and upper valve plate are held within the water flow chamber and the upper valve plate o-ring interfaces within the lip of the water flow chamber. A groove of the upper valve plate fits within the second end of the valve base and the upper valve plate and the upper flow guide have a valve aperture. A valve stem fits within the valve aperture and has an enlarged end, an angled body and a valve base. A valve o-ring fits on the valve stem resting against the enlarged end such that the valve o-ring, the enlarged end of the valve stem and the upper valve plate selectively block a flow of water through the valve aperture. The valve base interfaces with the rod head such that lateral movement of the rod displaces the rod head, thereby pushing upward on the valve base resulting in the valve stem lifting to permit water to pass between the valve stem and the valve aperture. 
     In another embodiment, an improved rod activated water valve is disclosed including a rod of which one end has a rod head. The improvement includes a valve stem fitted within a valve aperture. The valve stem has an enlarged end, an angled body and a valve base. A valve o-ring is fitted on the valve stem resting against the enlarged end such that the enlarged end of the valve stem and the valve o-ring selectively block the flow of water through the valve aperture. The valve base interfaces with the rod head such that lateral movement of the rod displaces the valve head, thereby pushing upward on the valve base resulting in the valve stem lifting to permit water to pass between the valve stem and the valve aperture. Upon abatement of the lateral movement, the angled body enables a gradual reduction of the flow of water, thereby reducing water hammer. 
     In another embodiment, a rod activated water valve is disclosed including a valve base, a top end of which is threaded for mating with a standard water faucet thread arrangement. The top end of the valve base has a recess for capturing a recessed washer for preventing leaks between the water valve and the water faucet. A second end of the valve base has a threaded outside surface. A top end of a housing has a threaded inside surface for attaching to the threaded outside surface of the valve base. The housing has an inner diameter and an inward protruding lip at a bottom end. The rod activated water valve includes a water flow chamber with a solid cylindrical outer surface and a substantially flat foraminous surface at one end. An aperture is located substantially central to the flat foraminous surface and a top edge of the water flow chamber has a washer-holding lip. A rod having a rod head at one end passes through the aperture and is held by the rod head. There is a device for selectively blocking the flow of water from the standard water faucet to the water flow chamber activated by the rod head, providing for a gradual stopping of the flow of water, thereby reducing water hammer. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention can be best understood by those having ordinary skill in the art by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a conventional wand activated valve of the prior art. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates another conventional wand activated valve of the prior art. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates another conventional wand activated valve of the prior art. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a conventional faucet set used for dispensing hot and cold water adapted with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a rod activated valve of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates an exploded view of the rod activated valve of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates an exploded view of the rod activated valve of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a bottom view of a security mechanism of the rod activated valve. 
         FIG. 9A  illustrates a side plan view of an inner sleeve of the security mechanism of the rod activated valve. 
         FIG. 9B  illustrates a bottom perspective view of an inner sleeve of the security mechanism of the rod activated valve. 
         FIG. 9C  illustrates a top perspective view of an inner sleeve of the security mechanism of the rod activated valve. 
         FIG. 10A  illustrates a side plan view of an outer sleeve of the security mechanism of the rod activated valve. 
         FIG. 10B  illustrates a bottom perspective view of an outer sleeve of the security mechanism of the rod activated valve. 
         FIG. 11  illustrates a retaining spring of the security mechanism of the rod activated valve. 
         FIG. 12  illustrates a plan view of an exemplary tool for removing the security mechanism of the rod activated valve. 
         FIG. 13  illustrates a side view of an exemplary tool for removing the security mechanism of the rod activated valve. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Throughout the following detailed description, the same reference numerals refer to the same elements in all figures. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a conventional wand activated valve  10  of the prior art is shown. The wand activated valve  10  includes a cylindrical valve housing  16  that has a threaded end  18  which is fitted onto the threaded end of a faucet spout (not shown) and an aerator grill  14  at the opposite end. A wand  12  is suspended from the aerator grill  14  along the directional path of water that discharges from the wand activated valve  10 . The wand activated valve of the prior art  10  has elongated openings in the aerator grill  14  which leads to failures. Likewise (not shown), the aerator internal cylindrical surface includes elongated openings which also leads to failures. Additionally, there are no grooves or cavities for holding washers in place and, therefore, the wand activated aerator  10  of the prior art often fails due to misaligned washers. The construction of the valve stem and aperture of the prior art wand activated valve  10  often causes water hammer due to rapid stopping of the water flow. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , another conventional wand activated valve  20  of the prior art is shown. This wand activated valve  20  includes a cylindrical valve housing  28  that has a threaded end  30  which is fitted onto the threaded end of a faucet spout (not shown) and an aerator grill  24  at the opposite end. A wand  22  is suspended from the aerator grill  24  along the directional path of water that discharges from the wand activated valve  20 . A washer  32  rests on the threaded end  30  for reducing leaks between the threaded end  30  and the faucet spout. Since the washer  32  is free to move during installation, it is often misaligned leading to leakage. The wand activated valve  20  of the prior art has elongated openings in the aerator grill  24  which leads to failures. Likewise (not shown), the aerator internal cylindrical surface includes elongated openings which also leads to failures. Additionally, there are no grooves for holding internal washers in place and, therefore, the wand activated aerator  20  of the prior art often fails due to misalignment of such washers. 
     In this version of the prior art, the wand  22  passes through an irregular opening  26  in the aerator grill  24  such that the wand  20  is turnable, such that a bulge on the wand  20  will catch on the surface of the aerator grill  24 , thereby locking the wand activated valve  20  in the “on” position. This construct along with the shape and size of the holes in the aerator grill  24 , often causes failure due to stress caused by over-pushing of the wand  20 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , another conventional wand activated valve  40  of the prior art is shown. This wand activated valve  40  includes a cylindrical valve housing  48  that has a threaded end  50  which is fitted onto the threaded end of a faucet spout (not shown) and an aerator grill  46  at the opposite end. A wand  42  is suspended from the aerator grill  46  along the directional path of water that discharges from the wand activated valve  40 . A washer  52  rests on the threaded end  50  for reducing leaks between the threaded end  50  and the faucet spout. Since the washer  52  is free to move during installation, it is often misaligned leading to leakage. The aerator internal cylindrical sidewall surface (not shown) includes elongated openings which also lead to failures. Additionally, there are no grooves for holding internal washers in place, and therefore, the wand activated aerator  40  of the prior art often fails due to misalignment of such washers. The structure of the valve stem and valve aperture often causes water hammer. 
     In this version of the prior art, the wand  42  passes through an irregular opening  44  in the aerator grill  46  such that the wand  20  is turnable, such that a bulge on the wand  40  will catch on the surface of the aerator grill  46 , thereby locking the wand activated valve  40  in the “on” position. This construct, along with the shape and size of the holes in the aerator grill  46 , often causes failure due to stress caused by over-pushing of the wand  40 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , a conventional faucet set  8  used for dispensing hot and cold water is shown. The faucet set  8  includes a spout having an internally threaded open discharge end, and hot and cold manual control valves. The spout of the faucet is fitted with the rod activated valve  60  of the invention. The housing  66  has a threaded end  70  (not visible) which is fitted onto the threaded end of the faucet spout, and has a rod  62  that is suspended from the lower surface of the valve  64  along the path of the water discharged. As shown, the rod  62  is displaced, therefore, the water is flowing from the rod activated valve  60 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , a rod activated valve  60  of the present invention is shown. Visible is the housing  66 . At one end of the housing  66  is a foraminous surface  64  of the water flow chamber  67  (see  FIG. 6 ) which is held in place by a narrowing diameter of the housing  66  at its lower end. The foraminous surface  64  has a central through aperture  65  which receives the rod  62 . The aperture  65  is preferably centrally located on the lower foraminous surface  64 . Holes in the lower foraminous surface  64  are preferably circular for reliability purposes. The top end of the rod activated valve  60  is threaded  70  for mating with the threads of a standard faucet (not shown). In some embodiments, the rod is made of stiff plastic while in other embodiments, the rod is made of metal such as steel, plated steel, stainless steel and the like. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , an exploded view of the rod activated valve  60  of the present invention is shown. A substantially cylindrical housing  66  has at one end a water flow chamber  67  having a lower foraminous surface  64  and a central through aperture  65  which receives the rod  62 . The aperture  65  is preferably centrally located on the lower foraminous surface  64 . The water flow chamber  67  has a substantially solid, cylindrical side surface  72  for fitting within the housing  66 . A lip  74  is formed on the side surface  72  for holding the upper valve plate 0-ring  80  in its correct position. 
     A upper flow guide  76  and a upper valve plate  78  having a circumferential groove both fit within the water flow chamber  67 . The smaller diameter of the upper valve plate  78  fits within the inner diameter of the base  91 . The valve stem  85  has an enlarged end  88 . The valve o-ring  82  fits over the valve stem  85  and rests against the enlarged end  88 . The angled surface  86  interfacing with the enlarged end  88  provides for a gradual reduction of water flow when the valve  60  is closed, thereby reducing water hammer. At the opposite end of the valve stem  85  is a valve base  84 . The valve base  84  interfaces with the rod head  63  such that when the rod  62  is displaced, the edge of the rod head  63  pushes against the valve base  84  and lifts the valve stem  85  out of its seat on the upper valve plate  78 , thereby allowing water to flow. The lip  74  of the water flow chamber  67  interfaces with the outer edge of the upper valve plate  78 . 
     The top end of the rod activated valve  60  has a base  91  with threads  90  for attaching the housing  66  and threads  70  for mating with the threads of a standard faucet (not shown). A recessed washer  92  fits within a recess  94  (see  FIG. 7 ) at the top end of the base  91 . By fitting the recessed washer  92  in a recess  94 , the recessed washer  92  is held in position while the rod activated valve  60  is installed into a faucet spout. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 7 , an exploded view of the rod activated valve  60  of the present invention is shown from the top. A substantially cylindrical housing  66  has at one end a water flow chamber  67  having a lower foraminous surface  64 , and a central through aperture  65  (not visible) which receives the rod  62 . The aperture  65  is preferably centrally located on the lower foraminous surface  64 . The water flow chamber  67  has a substantially solid, cylindrical side surface  72  for fitting within the housing  66 . A lip  74  is formed on the side surface  72  for holding the upper valve plate o-ring  80  in its correct position. 
     An upper flow guide  76  and the upper valve plate  78 , having a circumferential groove, both fit within the water flow chamber  67 . The smaller diameter of the upper valve plate  78  fits within the inner diameter of the base  91 . The valve stem  85  has an enlarged end  88 . The valve o-ring  82  fits over the valve stem  85  and rests against the enlarged end  88 . The angled surface  86  interfacing with the enlarged end  88  provides for a gradual reduction of water flow when the valve  60  is closed, thereby reducing water hammer. At the opposite end of the valve stem  85  is a valve base  84 . The valve base  84  interfaces with the rod head  63  such that when the rod  62  is displaced, the edge of the rod head  63  pushes against the valve base  84  and lifts the valve stem  85  out of its seat on the upper valve plate  78 , thereby allowing water to flow. The lip  74  of the water flow chamber  67  interfaces with the outer edge of the upper valve plate  78 . 
     The top end of the rod activated valve  60  has a base  91  with threads  90  for attaching the cylindrical housing  66  and threads  70  for mating with the threads of a standard faucet (not shown). A recessed washer  92  fits within a recess  94  at the top end of the base  91 . By fitting the recessed washer  92  in a recess  94 , the recessed washer  92  is held in position while the rod activated valve  60  is installed into a faucet spout. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 8-11 , a tamper-resistant security mechanism will be described. The rod-activated valve for saving water often becomes a target for unwanted removal. For example, in public places, vandals often clog a drain and leave water running so it floods a washroom. The rod-activated valve system prevents such vandalism since water stops flowing when the user stops pressing on the bar. Unfortunately, vandals often resort to carrying pliers and removing a rod-activated valve system to thwart this very feature. To prevent unwanted removal, some embodiments of the rod activated valve for saving water have a tamper prevention mechanism that prevents unwanted removal and uses a special tool that enables removal. 
     As shown from the bottom in  FIG. 8 , the rod-activated valve for saving water with security feature has an outer sleeve  100  and an inner sleeve  166  which is actually a modified cylindrical valve housing  66  (see  FIG. 7 ). The bottom surface of the upper flow guide  164  is visible the same as or similar to the upper flow guide  76  shown in  FIG. 7 . The inner sleeve  166  attaches to the faucet and the outer sleeve  100  freely rotates around the inner sleeve  166 . Because of the free movement of the outer sleeve  100  over the inner sleeve  166 , the rod-activated valve for saving water with security feature cannot be removed by grasping the outer sleeve  100  and turning, since this will not result in turning of the inner sleeve  166  and hence, not disengage with the faucet. To facilitate the rotation, the inner diameter of the outer sleeve  100  is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the inner sleeve  166 . 
     Although any number of key holes  167  is anticipated, the example shown in  FIG. 8  has two key holes  167 . The key holes  167  are cut or formed in the inner sleeve  100 , preferably before the inner sleeve  166  is interfaced to the outer sleeve  100 . The key holes  167  accept a tool or key  122  (see  FIGS. 12 and 13 ) for installation and removal of the rod-activated valve for saving water with security feature. In that, tips  120  the tool/key  122  are interface with the key holes  167 . After inserting the tips  120  of the tool/key  122  into the key holes  167 , the tool/key  122  is used to rotate the inner sleeve  100 , thereby securing or removing the inner sleeve  100  from the faucet for installation or removal of the rod-activated valve for saving water with security feature. 
     As shown from the bottom in  FIGS. 9A ,  9 B,  9 C,  10 A,  10 B and  11 , the inner sleeve  166  of the rod-activated valve for saving water with security feature has a groove  168  that substantially runs circumferential around the outer surface, substantially perpendicular to the axis of the rod-activated valve assembly. The groove  168  is wide and deep enough to accept the C-shaped spring  110  such that a portion of the C-shaped spring  110  protrudes from the groove  168  and engages with an inner groove  102  of the outer sleeve  100 . In this way, once assembled together, the C-shaped spring  110  sits partially in the groove  168  of the inner sleeve  166  and partially within the inner groove  102  of the outer sleeve  100 , thereby preventing the outer sleeve  100  from being removed from the inner sleeve  166  and allowing the outer sleeve  100  to freely rotate around the inner sleeve  166 . It is anticipated that the outer sleeve  100  be made of a sturdy material such as steel, brass or copper so that the outer sleeve  100  is not easily compresses by a tool such as channel locks, thereby defeating the security system. 
     The C-shaped spring  110  is typically made of metal such as steel, brass, copper, etc. 
     To facilitate installation and removal of the rod-activated valve for saving water with security feature, the inner sleeve  166  has key holes  167 . The key holes  167  accept a tool or key  122  for installation and removal of the rod-activated valve for saving water with security feature. In the example shown, there are two key holes  167  and the tool/key  122  has two tips  120  positioned to interface with the two key holes  167 . After inserting the tips  120  of the tool/key  122  into the matching key holes  167 , the tool/key  122  is rotated, thereby rotating the inner sleeve  100  and securing or removing the inner sleeve  100  from the faucet for installation or removal of the rod-activated valve for saving water with security feature. 
     To clear the activation rod  62 , the tool/key  122  has a cutout  124 . Any shape or size of cutout  124  is anticipated. 
     Equivalent elements can be substituted for the ones set forth above such that they perform in substantially the same manner in substantially the same way for achieving substantially the same result. 
     It is believed that the system and method of the present invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood by the foregoing description. It is also believed that it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the components thereof without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention or without sacrificing all of its material advantages. The form herein before described being merely exemplary and explanatory embodiment thereof. It is the intention of the following claims to encompass and include such changes.