Abstract:
A fluid diverter valve for attaching a dispensing system to a water source. In a first mode, water flows through the diverter valve to a first outlet which can be a faucet outlet. In a second mode, water is diverted to a fluid conduit which is fastened to a connecting member and a chemical dispenser. The connecting member provides movement of a shuttle valve which directs water n the second mode to the fluid conduit.

Description:
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     None 
     CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     None 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to a device for connecting a dispenser to a water outlet. More particularly, it relates to a connecting device for attachment to a water faucet wherein the device can divert water from a water outlet to the dispenser. 
     Diverter valves for connecting spray devices to a shower head are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,560,548 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,624,073. A diverter valve for connecting a spray device to a toilet is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,704,946. These devices are specifically designed for use with a shower head or a toilet. They do not lend themselves for use to connection with a faucet. 
     There is a need for a diverter valve which can be attached to a faucet in a manner to provide a normal water flow from the faucet and alternatively afford a diversion of water from the faucet to a dispenser. There is also a need for a diverter valve for use with a faucet which can be easily connected and disconnected. 
     Accordingly, there is a need for an improved diverter valve for use with a water faucet. 
     The objects of the invention therefore are: 
     a. Providing an improved diverter valve. 
     b. Providing a diverter valve especially adapted for use with a faucet. 
     c. Providing a diverter valve of the foregoing type which is easily connected and disconnected to a dispenser. 
     d. Providing a diverter valve of the foregoing type which includes a preventive back flow function. 
     e. Providing a diverter valve of the foregoing type which can be manufactured without special tooling and thus be cost effective. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The foregoing objects are accomplished and the shortcomings of the prior art are overcome by the diverter valve of this invention for attaching a dispensing system to a water source. The diverter valve includes a valve housing having an annular cavity, a fluid inlet, a first fluid outlet, and a second fluid outlet. The annular cavity allows fluid communication between the fluid inlet, the first fluid outlet and the second fluid outlet. A shuttle valve is slidingly mounted in the annular cavity of the valve housing. There are means for constraining said shuttle valve within the cavity. The shuttle valve is slideable within the annular cavity by water pressure to a first position in which said shuttle valve is seated adjacent the means for constraining the valve such that fluid flows between the fluid inlet and the first fluid outlet. The shuttle valve is slideable within the annular cavity to a second position in which said shuttle valve is positioned in the annular cavity of said valve housing such that fluid flows between the fluid inlet and the second fluid outlet. 
     In a preferred embodiment, a one-way valve member is positioned in the shuttle valve. 
     In one aspect, a flow passage is constructed and arranged to permit the passage of water to the first fluid outlet at a slower rate than that when the shuttle valve is moved to the second position to permit the passage of water to the second fluid outlet. 
     In another aspect, a flexible conduit is fastened to a connecting member opposite the connection to the valve housing and a chemical spray device is connected to the fluid conduit at an end opposite the connection to the connecting member. 
     In another preferred embodiment, the first fluid outlet is in the form of a faucet outlet. 
     In still another aspect, a boot member is connected to the fluid inlet for connection to a water faucet. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a side view showing the diverter valve in conjunction with a multifunction dispenser; 
         FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the diverter valve in conjunction with a connecting device; 
         FIG. 3  is a view similar to  FIG. 2  showing the connecting device engaging the diverter valve and the diverter valve in a diverting position; 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the diverter valve; and 
         FIG. 5  is a view similar to  FIG. 4  showing the diverter valve in a diverting position. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , the diverter valve generally  10  is shown connected to a Multiple Function Dispenser generally  11  by the hose  13 . This preferred dispenser is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,708,901. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2–3 , diverter valve  10  includes a valve housing  12  with an annular cavity  14 . A fluid inlet passage  16  is provided by a boot-type connection  26  which is connected to a housing  12  by the threaded connector  15 . There is a cavity  18  in fluid communication with inlet passage  16  by means of passages  19  and  25 , which conveys fluid to outlet  20 . Slideably positioned in annular cavity  14  is a shuttle valve  22 . A one-way valve  23  is positioned in valve  22 , which has a cavity portion  31 . Shuttle valve  22  is in contact with valve actuating member  28  having a seal  32  for contact with shoulder  30  in housing member  21 . Additional seals  40  and  43  are also provided on actuating member  28 . 
     A Gardena connecting device in the form of a quick connect-disconnect coupling part is shown at  41 . It is readily available from Gardena Manufacturing GmbH. It comprises an outer sleeve  42  and an inner retaining collar  44  with an annulus portion  48  for retentive contact with tabs  46  extending from outer sleeve  42 . There are locking elements  50  pivotally attached to retaining collar  44  and extending through apertures  51 . A spring  52  biases the tabs  46  of outer sleeve  42  against the annulus portion  48 . A one-way valve  54  is disposed in the central passageway  53  of the coupling part  41 . A seal is provided at  56 . 
       FIGS. 4 and 5  show an alternative embodiment  10 A with similar components referenced by the same numerals except followed by the “A” suffix. The difference between embodiment  10  and  10 A is positioning of the O-ring seal  40 A which is placed on housing member  21 A in embodiment  10 A. In contrast O-ring seal  40  is placed on actuating member  28  in embodiment  10 . 
     OPERATION 
     A better understanding of diverter valves  10  and  10 A will be had by a description of their operation. Referring to  FIGS. 1–3 , diverter valve  10  is connected to a water faucet (not shown) by means of the fluid inlet passage  16  in the form of a boot  26 . Although not shown in  FIG. 2 , the slotted shield  27  would be attached to connecting member  24  which in turn is connected to valve housing  12  by threads  29 . Slotted shield  27  will extend over actuating member  28  as positioned in  FIG. 2 . Water flows into cavity  17 , through passage  25 , into cavity  14 , through passage  19  and out through cavity  18 . Water pressure in cavity  14  acts against valve  23  and shuttle valve  22  to move it and actuating member  28  to the position shown in  FIG. 2 . In this position, shuttle valve  22  is restrained from further movement by seal  32  engaging shoulder  30 . This movement of shuttle valve  22  is effected by designing valve  23  with a cracking point such that it will permit shuttle valve  22  to move in the previously described manner without water passing through valve  23 . 
     When it is desired to dispense product from dispenser  11  as seen in  FIG. 1 , the Gardena coupling part  41  is moved over actuating member  28  and a portion of housing member  21  until the Gardena coupling part  41  engages connecting member  24  of housing member  21 . At the same time flexible locking elements  50  engage the reduced diameter section  55  of housing member  21 . The movement of locking elements  50  onto the reduced diameter section  55  is effected by the flange  57  moving against them. This is illustrated in  FIG. 3 . In this position, actuating member  28  contacts valve  54  to open it and moves shuttle valve  22  to the position shown in  FIG. 3 . In this position, it is seen that shuttle valve  22  covers passage  19 . This causes all of the pressurized water to flow through valve  23  and into cavity  31 . From there, water passes through orifice  34  into a passage  33  between valve  22  and valve housing member  12 , into cavity  37 , then into orifice  36 , into passage  38 , through valve  54  and into hose  13  through coupling  62  which connects to threaded portion  59  of retaining collar  44 . 
     When it is no longer desired to dispense product from dispenser  11 , the Gardena coupling part  41  is grasped on opposing sides through slots such as  60  on slotted shield  27  and pulled in a direction away from valve housing  12 . This is best seen in  FIG. 1 . This pulling action releases the contact of flanges  57  with locking elements  50  and allows movement of the locking elements  50  out of the reduced diameter section  55  as well as the movement of coupling part  41  away from the valve housing  12  and the actuating member  28 . Water pressure acting against shuttle valve  22  and valve  23  can then move shuttle valve  22  to the position shown in  FIG. 2 . This movement of shuttle valve  22  is effected by the predetermined cracking point of valve  23 . Water then flows through passage  19 , cavity  18  and aerator  35  as in its normal position. Aerator  35  causes a slower flow rate through outlet  20  when the diverter valve  10  is in a non-diverting position shown in  FIG. 2 , than when in the diverting position shown in  FIG. 3 . The small amount of back pressure caused by the aerator acts on valve  23  and assists in moving shuttle valve to the non-diverting position. 
     The operation of embodiment  10 A is substantially the same as previously described for embodiment  10 . One difference is the seal  40 A which will be provided between the coupling part  41  and the housing member  21 A. It will be recognized that seal  40 A is placed on housing member  21 A and not on actuating member  28 A as is seal  40  on actuating member  28 . The sealing between housing member  21 A and coupling part  41  is effected in a manner as visualized in  FIG. 3 . Another difference is the engagement of flange portion  64 A with shoulder  66 A to limit movement of valve actuating member  28 A in housing member  21 A as it slides in barrel  65 A. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3  there is shown in phantom lines an additional passage  61  between cavities  14  and  18 . This offers a minimum amount of water flow to outlet  20  even when the major portion of water is being diverted. Some plumbing codes require this as a means of preventing cross-over of hot and cold water supplies. 
     An important aspect of embodiments  10  and  10 A is the use of one-way valves  23  and  23 A to move shuttle valves  22  and  22 A in conjunction with a predetermined water pressure. The one-way valves  23  and  23 A thus serve the dual function of moving the respective shuttle valves  22  and  22 A in conjunction with a predetermined water pressure but also serving as back-check valves. 
     It will thus be seen there is now provided a diverter valve which offers a quick-connect and disconnect with a water source. The diverter valve is activated by coupling part which is readily available in the market place, thus reducing design and components costs. The dispenser valve also provides a flow-through type bleeder slot  60  that reminds users to turn off the water when the dispenser  11  is no long being used and also relieves water pressure on a faucet when water is diverted. In addition, the one-way valve  54  in the Gardena coupling part  41  serves to prevent the discharge of water from hose  13  when it is disconnected from dispenser  11 . 
     Another important aspect is in providing a diverter valve which obviates the need for a spring. This reduces maintenance costs due to faulty springs. 
     The preferred material for composing valve housing  12  and shuttle valve  22  is glass filled polypropylene. However, other plastic materials and metals can be employed. For example, acetyls and polycarbonates, as well as brass and aluminum. 
     The diverter valves  10  and  10 A have been described for use with a particular connect-disconnect coupling part  41 . It will be appreciated any such coupling part could be employed which provides movement of the actuating members  28  and  28 A of the shuttle valves  22  and  22 A, respectively. Neither is it essential that the diverter valves  10  and  10 A being employed with a particular dispenser  11 . They can be utilized in conjunction with any liquid dispensing device or apparatus. Slotted shield  27  could be eliminated. However, it does reduce accidental contact with actuating members  28  and  28 A when extended from housing members  21  and  21 A, respectively. A boot connector  26  has been described for connection to a water faucet. If desired, a commonly employed screw connector could be utilized. All such and other modifications within the spirit of the invention are meant to be within its scope as defined by the appended claims.