Abstract:
A faucet fitting system having interchangeable components useable in both single handle and dual handle faucet fixtures. The component system is designed to allow the same putty plate with breast plate, waterway spout, aerator and mounting nuts to be used with the various escutcheons, metering valves and waterways associated with the single handle and duel handle faucet fixtures. Specially constructed water valves, putty plates and escutcheon constructions useable in conjunction with the system are also disclosed.

Description:
This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 09/061,792 filed on Apr. 16, 1998. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to a novel plumbing fitting component system adapted to both single handle and dual handle faucets and certain novel plumbing fixture components, and more particularly, to single handle and dual handle faucet fitting constructions with interchangeable components and improved adaptability. The faucets can be installed easily, and maintained generally from above the faucet deck, permit various component parts to be used with either single handle or dual handle faucets, may include an escutcheon in the single handle model that also functions as a cartridge cover, may include an adjustable putty plate, and may include a low-cost valve in the dual handle model which allows for selective on-off control. 
     Conventional faucet installations are generally time-consuming and difficult to install and maintain because many of the fastening members must be attached and turned from below a sink deck, at times requiring the plumbing contractor installing the fixture to work in extremely cramped quarters. After installation, the same difficult process must be followed to remove and replace the faucet. In the faucet fixture construction of the present invention and the method of installing that fixture, the fixture is inserted into openings in a sink deck and substantially installed from above except for nut-tightening from below the deck. Furthermore, the construction allows for easy maintenance of most serviceable parts from above the sink deck, thus avoiding these difficulties. 
     Conventional faucet fixtures can be constructed to use separate hot and cold water valves in a dual handle form or can be constructed to use a valve cartridge controller mixing both hot and cold water in a single handle form. Generally these two constructions require entirely separate component parts and little overlap is possible, thus requiring a large cost in manufacturing. In the component system of the present invention, at least the putty plate with breast plate, the waterway spout and aerator and the mounting nuts can each be used with the different escutcheons, metering valves, and waterway paths associated with either a single handle or a dual handle faucet fixture, thus minimizing the costs of manufacturing and the difficulty in assembling the various fixtures. 
     Conventional single handle faucet fixtures generally include a separate cartridge cover or retaining screw to keep the valve cartridge in place. This can add to the cost of manufacturing as well as create an undesired aesthetic appearance. Furthermore, since a cartridge cover or mounting screw is easily accessible, it allows unwanted tampering with the faucet. In the component system of the present invention, an escutcheon is provided for the single handle model that also functions as a cartridge cover without requiring any separate cover component, and yet conceals the access point to the valve cartridge from casual inspection while still providing easy maintenance. 
     Conventional faucet fixtures generally include a putty plate forming a seal between the sink deck and the escutcheon base. However, due to manufacturing tolerances and slight differences in the heights of various components, sometimes a gap may remain between the escutcheon and the putty plate, or between the putty plate and the sink deck. Typically, when installing a faucet, therefore, bolts are attached directly to the escutcheon from underneath the sink deck to attach it firmly to the putty plate and sink deck. In addition to requiring an additional difficult installation step and requiring difficult maintenance, the mounting bolts put an undesirable stress on the escutcheon. In the putty plate of the present invention, the periphery of the putty plate includes a flange with a resilient bowed portion and a ridge for mating with the escutcheon base despite differences in the height of the escutcheon over the sink deck, thus providing an effective seal using a simple installation procedure and eliminating any undesirable stress on the escutcheon. 
     Conventional dual handle faucet fixtures generally require two valves, one each for controlling the hot and cold water. In many cases, it is desired to turn the two valves in opposite directions when opening the flow of water. In other cases, the faucets are turned in the same direction which may be clockwise or counterclockwise, as desired. This change in rotating control direction usually requires a complicated and expensive manufacturing and installation process because valves are typically designed to be turned on in one direction only. In the valve of the present invention, the handle may selectively be turned in either clockwise or counterclockwise directions to open the valve by merely attaching the handle in one of two predefined positions during installation. Furthermore, the valve is inexpensive to manufacture and easier to install than typical valves, and may, for example, have a valve housing formed entirely of plastic. Moreover, the present invention allows the same handle construction and valve construction, and a single waterway to allow operation in opposite directions on the hot and cold water sides. This construction also allows ready changeover between faucet handles and faucet levers. 
     Accordingly, it is desired to provide a fixture system having components which can be used in both single handle faucets and dual handle faucets, and having improved components which allow for interchangeability and other advantages. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Generally speaking, in accordance with the present invention, a faucet fixture system having components usable in both single handle and dual handle faucets and associated other components, is provided. The system includes a faucet fixture component system wherein the same putty plate with attached breast plate, waterway spout and mounting nuts can be used with the different escutcheons, metering valves, and waterways associated with either the single handle or the dual handle faucet fixtures. 
     The components of the present invention include a waterway with a manifold and downward extending waterway inlets which are adapted to extend through mounting openings on a sink deck and thereafter be connected to water supplies. The waterway manifold has a spout joint and a connected spout with a nozzle. A putty plate is positioned intermediate the sink deck and the faucet. The waterway also includes at least one valve receiving portion and at least one escutcheon mounting portion near or common to each valve receiving portion. Each valve receiving portion in an assembled fixture is sealingly connected to a metering valve for controlling the flow of water through the waterway and spout. 
     The components further include an escutcheon with a base portion generally covering the waterway and a spout portion generally covering the waterway spout. The escutcheon includes at least one escutcheon opening generally corresponding to each valve receiving portion when the fixture is assembled for providing access to the corresponding valve. The escutcheon opening may also include a retaining portion which retains the metering valve in fixed position when the fixture is assembled. The escutcheon also includes at least one waterway mounting portion near each escutcheon opening. Each waterway mounting portion is engaged with a corresponding escutcheon mounting portion thus fixing the escutcheon to the waterway. 
     A putty plate with attached breast plate portion in accordance with the invention includes a substantially flat member that provides mating contact between the base of an escutcheon and a sink deck. The putty plate has apertures corresponding to the mounting openings in the sink deck and fastening members adjacent to the apertures. The waterway has mounting portions which loosely engage with the fastening members to provide relative positioning of the putty plate, the waterway and the mounting openings when the fixture is assembled. 
     The putty plate also has a ridge and a flange near the outside periphery which engage the escutcheon base to provide relative positioning of the escutcheon, the putty plate and the waterway when the fixture is assembled. The flange includes a resilient bowed portion that can adjust to differences in the distance between the escutcheon base and the sink deck. 
     The fixture component system is assembled in the manner disclosed. The putty plate is set on the waterway so that the waterway inlets extend through the putty plate apertures. In this position, the waterway nozzle will extend through a nozzle orifice on the breast plate portion of the putty plate. The waterway and the putty plate are fastened to the sink deck. The spout is connected at the spout joint of the manifold. The inlets extending through the putty plate are inserted from on top of the sink deck through the sink deck mounting openings so as to extend below the sink deck so that the waterway mounting portions engage the putty plate fastening members. A metering control valve is secured on the manifold of the waterway. The escutcheon is placed over the waterway and spout, engaging the putty plate, and the escutcheon is fastened to the waterway to generally enclose the waterway and spout within the escutcheon, and putty plate with breast plate. The metering valve is retained in place with a corresponding escutcheon opening retaining portion. 
     A single handle faucet fixture in accordance with the present invention includes a manifold with a cartridge receiving portion and an escutcheon mounting portion near it. The cartridge receiving portion supports a metering valve cartridge and the escutcheon has a corresponding opening which includes a retention portion which retains the cartridge in place without the need for an additional cap or mounting screw. The escutcheon opening also allows easy access to the metering valve cartridge. 
     An associated water valve of the present invention for use in a dual handle faucet fixture includes a stationary valve body in fluid communication with, and positioned intermediate an upper waterway and a lower waterway. The body includes a fluid inlet and fluid outlets, and a rotatable drive shaft. The drive shaft has a handle mount, and controls a rotating disk with blocking members and cutouts which control fluid communication with the fluid outlets. 
     A stationary disk having apertures cooperates with the rotating disk. The rotating disk and stationary disk rotate against each other and allow the cutouts to expose the apertures when the shaft is rotated to a first position to open a fluid flow between the lower waterway and upper waterway, and to allow blocking when the shaft is rotated to a second position to inhibit the water flow. The shaft is rotated between the first and second positions by rotating a handle on the handle mount, thus controlling the water flow through the valve. 
     The valve body also includes projections which cooperate with stops in the handle to limit rotation and allow for either clockwise or counterclockwise action to turn the faucet on or off. 
     In such a valve as described, when the handle is rotated clockwise, the shaft is rotated to a first maximum open position when the blocking member is attached to the handle mount in a first position. When the handle is attached to the handle mount in a second orientation, the shaft is rotated to the maximum open position when the blocking member is attached to the handle mount in the second position located at 90° relative to the first position. By mounting the hot water valve at a 90° rotation with respect to the cold water valve, the on-off direction of rotation for both the hot and cold sides can be easily changed by simply reorienting the handle on the handle mount. 
     Furthermore, the valve housing and drive shaft can be made substantially of plastic and requires no metal parts, yet is resilient and reliable in extended use. 
     Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a sink component system wherein certain component parts can be used in faucet fixtures of both single and dual handle construction. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a faucet fixture construction that can easily be installed and generally maintained from above a sink deck. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide an escutcheon for a single handle faucet fixture with an integrated cartridge cover thereby avoiding the need for a separate cartridge cover or mounting nut. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a putty plate between the waterway and the sink deck that attaches to the waterway and engages an escutcheon base for providing relative positioning between the sink deck, waterway and escutcheon. 
     Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a putty plate having a ridge and a flange wherein the flange has a resilient bow portion for adjusting to differences in the height of the escutcheon base over the sink deck. 
     A still further object of the present invention is to provide a single handle control waterway as a one piece casting. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a dual handle faucet in which clockwise and counterclockwise handle rotation operation can be achieved with a single valve construction, a single handle construction and a single waterway construction. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a low cost valve that can easily be installed to turn on a water flow in a clockwise direction or to selectively turn on a water flow in a counterclockwise direction. 
     Still other objects and advantages of the invention will in part be obvious and will in part be apparent from the following detailed specification. 
     The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction, combination of elements, and arrangement of parts which will be exemplified in the constructions hereinafter set forth, and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     For a fuller understanding of the invention, reference is had to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a top front left perspective view of a single handle faucet fixture constructed in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a top front left exploded view of the single handle faucet fixture depicted in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line  3 — 3  of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line  4 — 4  of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 5 is a top front left perspective view of a single handle faucet waterway constructed in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 6 is an enlarged partial sectional view of a portion of the single handle faucet fixture in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 7 is an enlarged partial sectional view showing a detail of the putty plate and escutcheon orientation in the present invention; 
     FIG. 8 is an enlarged sectional view of a portion of FIG. 7 showing the escutcheon pressed against the putty plate; 
     FIG. 9 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line  9 — 9  of FIG. 7; 
     FIG. 10 is a top front left perspective view of a dual handle faucet fixture constructed in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 11 is a top front left exploded view of the dual handle faucet fixture depicted in FIG. 10; 
     FIG. 12 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line  12 — 12  of FIG. 10; 
     FIG. 13 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line  13 — 13  of FIG. 10; 
     FIG. 14 is an exploded view of a single control water valve for use in a dual handle faucet constructed in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 15 is an elevational view of the water valve depicted in FIG. 14; 
     FIG. 16 is a sectional view taken along line  16 — 16  of FIG. 15; 
     FIG. 17 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 16 but showing the valve components in a different orientation; 
     FIGS. 18 through 27 each show detailed top plan views of the valve of FIG. 14 and a handle showing the relationship of both in different configurations in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 28 is an exploded view of an alternative embodiment of a single handle faucet fixture in accordance with the present invention; and 
     FIG. 29 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 4, but showing the assembly according to FIG.  28 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring first to FIGS. I through  9  of the drawings, a fixture component system of the present invention includes a single handle faucet fixture shown generally at  22  in three dimensional perspective view in accordance with the invention viewed from the top front left position. FIG. 1 shows an assembled faucet fixture  22 . Fixture  22  includes an escutcheon  70  in the form of a finished fixture body having an escutcheon base portion  24  and an escutcheon spout portion  26 . In the embodiment shown, at the base of escutcheon spout portion  26 , where it joins with escutcheon base portion  24 , there is an upwardly extending cartridge housing portion  28 . Escutcheon base portion  24 , escutcheon spout portion  26  and cartridge housing portion  28  together form escutcheon  70  for generally covering the internal plumbing components of the faucet and providing a finished appearance thereto. 
     Cartridge housing portion  28  is covered by a lever cap  30  which, in the embodiment shown, includes a lever handle  32 . Escutcheon  70  is fixed with respect to an internal waterway  36  of faucet fixture  22  as described more fully in detail below. 
     Interposed between escutcheon  70  and a sink deck  74  (shown in FIG.  3 ), and in mating relationship to both, there is a putty plate  34  preferably formed from a resilient plastic material, which, along with escutcheon  70  defines a substantially closed chamber generally enclosing the internal plumbing components to be described more fully below. FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of fixture  22  and depicts the relationship between the internal plumbing components, escutcheon  70  and putty plate  34 . 
     FIG. 3 shows waterway  36  fixed to sink deck  74  by mounting nuts  76  which engage an external surface of hot and cold waterway inlets  40   a  and  40   b  in a like manner typically used for dual handle fixtures (and described more fully below). In general, it is noted that prior art single handle fixtures typically braze copper tubing waterway inlets to a separate manifold unit, and must often provide separate fixation bolts in the escutcheon to secure the fixture to the sink deck with mounting nuts. Applicant&#39;s invention is much easier to fabricate, install and more rugged because only the waterway is a one piece casting and is attached through the deck to the underside of a sink, thus minimizing the stress on the escutcheon which covers the waterway. Furthermore, most faucet maintenance can be accomplished from above the sink deck by simply removing escutcheon  70 . 
     Intermediate waterway  36  and sink deck  74  there is a seal for protecting the inside plumbing of fixture  22  from water which may accumulate on sink deck  74  and to provide a finished appearance thereto. In the present invention, the seal is formed by a putty plate  34 . Putty plate  34  includes a putty plate flange  42  extending around its periphery and generally arranged to correspond with the shape of escutcheon base portion  34 . Putty plate  34  also includes a putty plate ridge  44  set just inside the periphery of flange  42  and defining putty plate flange  42 . Ridge  44  is generally adapted to correspond with the inside bottom walls of escutcheon base portion  24  in a manner such that putty plate  34  is fitted closely to escutcheon  70  when fixture  22  is assembled. Putty plate  34  has two putty plate apertures  78   a  and  78   b  adapted to correspond to the position of waterway inlets  40   a  and  40   b  and the corresponding mounting openings on sink deck  74 . 
     Putty plate  34  is also loosely supported on waterway inlets  40   a  and  40   b  by means of opposing offset fastening members or tabs  46 . As best seen in FIG. 9, fastening members  46  loosely engage with waterway mounting portion extensions or wings  48  which are integral with and extend outwardly from waterway inlets  40   a  and  40   b  at a location generally just above sink deck  74 . Waterway mounting portion extensions  48  engage with fastening members  46  by means of a projection  46   a  in a manner which generally allows some play in the precise relative positioning of waterway  36  and putty plate  34  before final installation and tightening. Waterway mounting portion extensions  48  are positioned on waterway inlets  40   a  and  40   b  at a location which sets the height-wise positioning of waterway  36  with respect to sink deck  74 . It should be noted that fastening members  46  and waterway mounting portion extensions  48 , while shown as clips and tabs, respectively, are merely one preferred embodiment for positioning waterway  36 , putty plate  34  and sink deck  74  with respect to one another, and additional fastening embodiments are easily envisioned by one of ordinary skilled in the art. 
     Likewise, putty plate ridge  44  and putty plate flange  42  engage with the lower rim of escutcheon base  24  in a manner which allows some play between the relative positioning of escutcheon base  24  and putty plate  34  before final installation and tightening. Waterway inlets  40   a  and  40   b  extend through putty plate apertures  78   a  and  78   b which correspond to mounting holes in sink deck  74 . 
     To install fixture  22  on sink deck  74 , putty plate  34  is positioned on waterway  36 , aligning putty plate apertures  78   a  and  78   b  so that waterway inlets  40   a  and  40   b  extend therethrough. Waterway  36  with attached putty plate  34  is positioned over the sink deck so that waterway inlets  40   a  and  40   b  extend through the mounting holes of sink deck  74 . Fastening members  46  of putty plate  34  are engaged with waterway mounting portions  48  so that the combined waterway and putty plate can be installed together. Waterway  36  and putty plate  34  are secured to sink deck  74  by screwing mounting nuts  76  to the threads formed on the outer surface of the downward by extending portions of waterway inlets  40   a  and  40   b  under sink deck  74  as best shown in FIG.  3 . 
     Waterway  36  includes an attachable waterway spout  50  having at its end a waterway nozzle  52 . Waterway inlets  40   a  and  40   b  are connected to a manifold  72  which is integrally formed as part of waterway  36 . This unique construction of the present invention allows the same attachable waterway spout construction to be used with both single and dual handle fixtures. Furthermore, the waterway may be unitarily formed from plastic cast brass or other metal. 
     As shown, putty plate  34  includes a breast plate portion  54  which is adapted to fit in mating relationship to the bottom of the inside walls of escutcheon spout portion  26 , thus forming a chamber when assembled. Waterway spout  50  also joins with manifold  72  and extends generally up and away from sink deck  74  in a manner adapted to fit within the chamber formed by breast plate portion  54  and escutcheon spout portion  26  when fixture  22  is assembled. An aerator  38  is attached to waterway nozzle  52  and fixes the nozzle end portion of breast plate portion  54  to waterway nozzle  52 . 
     A single handle control cartridge  58  is positioned on top of manifold  72  which is adapted to allow water from waterway inlets  40   a  and  40   b  to be mixed, metered and directed to waterway spout  50  in a known manner for providing a selectable flow amount of hot and/or cold water. The selection of the flow amount and mix of hot and/or cold water is controlled by means of a cartridge controller  60  fixed to cartridge  58 . Cartridge controller  60  also acts as a handle mount for handle  32 . Cartridge  58  typically is arranged with various chambers selectively placed in fluid communication with waterway inlets  40   a  and  40   b  and waterway spout  50 . Cartridge  58  may be a conventional ceramic plate single handle fixture cartridge such as is well known in the art. 
     Cartridge  58  is adapted to fit within cartridge housing portion  28  when escutcheon base portion  24  is engaged with putty plate  34  and escutcheon spout base  26  is engaged with breast plate portion  54 . Cartridge  58  rests on manifold  72  and cartridge housing  28  rests on cartridge  58 . In order to sealingly fix cartridge  58  to manifold  72  and attach cartridge housing portion  28  to cartridge  58 , cartridge housing portion  28  is provided with escutcheon mounting tabs  62  and cartridge  58  is provided with corresponding cartridge mounting portions in the form of through openings  64 . In this embodiment, cartridge fasteners  66  are screwed passing through holes in escutcheon mounting tabs  62  and cartridge mounting portions  64 . The screws are matingly engaged with threaded manifold openings  80  in the top of manifold  72 . It is noted that cartridge fastener  66  may be any suitable means for fixing cartridge housing  28  to cartridge  58 , and cartridge  58  may be fixed to manifold  72 , by any suitable additional means, or may be fixed by the same means as is used to fix cartridge housing  28  to cartridge  58 , as depicted in the embodiment shown. 
     When assembled, fixture  22  is supported on sink deck  74 . However, unlike conventional fixtures, waterway  36  is the only component directly secured to sink deck  74 . During assembly or manufacture, cartridge  58  is set on manifold  72 , and cartridge fasteners  66  align it in proper position in order to allow the cartridge chambers be in selected fluid communication with waterway inlets  40   a  and  40   b  and waterway spout  50 , thus allowing regulation of the flow of water. 
     In the embodiment shown, the fastening of cartridge  58  to manifold  72  is accomplished by the same means used to fasten cartridge housing portion  28  to cartridge  58 . Thus, escutcheon  70  is fixed to waterway  36  by fixing cartridge  58  to manifold  72  and escutcheon mounting portions  62  to cartridge  58  through cartridge mount portions  64 . 
     Escutcheon  70  is set over cartridge  58 , escutcheon spout portion  26  is set over waterway spout  50 , and escutcheon base portion  24  is set generally over waterway inlets  40   a  and  40   b  and is matingly engaged with putty plate  34  by means of putty plate ridge  44  and putty plate flange  42 . As described more fully below, putty plate flange  42  is pressed towards the bottom of the walls of escutcheon base portion  24 , thus forming the matingly engaging relationship thereto and providing the desired seal. 
     Breast plate portion  54 , which is formed as part of putty plate  34  as shown in this embodiment, is in a matingly engaging relationship with the bottom of the inside walls of escutcheon spout  26  and may be held in place by, for example, being interposed between aerator  38  and waterway nozzle  52  when aerator  38  is attached to waterway nozzle  52 . An opening  54   a  in breast plate portion  54  allows a portion of nozzle  52  to extend therethrough. 
     Lever cap  30  is adapted to fit over cartridge housing portion  28  to allow smooth relative movement between lever cap  30  and cartridge housing portion  28 . Lever cap  30  is secured to cartridge controller  60  by means of a lever handle fastener  68 , which in the embodiment shown, is a set screw. Lever cap  30  is secured to cartridge control  60  in such a manner that by controlling lever handle  32 , lever cap  30  can be rotated or slid over cartridge housing  28  thereby rotating or sliding cartridge controller  60  and opening or shutting one or more of the cartridge chambers, thereby mixing water from either or both waterway inlets  40   a  and  40   b  and allowing water to flow through waterway spout  50  and waterway nozzle  52 . 
     When installing fixture  22 , mounting nuts  76  are not tightened all the way against sink deck  64  at first thus allowing some play in the relative positions of putty plate  34  and waterway  36 . Once all of the components of fixture  22  are properly aligned, mounting nuts  76  can be tightened to sink deck  74 , thus fixing in place putty plate  34  and waterway  36 . 
     Manifold  72  includes manifold spout opening  82  and manifold inlet openings  84   a  and  84   b.  Manifold inlet openings  84   a  and  84   b  correspond with waterway inlets  40   a  and  40   b  and provide fluid communication between waterway  36  and chambers in cartridge  58 . Manifold  72  also has a spout joint  86  integrally fixed on the underside of manifold  72  and connecting with manifold spout opening  82  to provide fluid communication with chambers in cartridge  58 . Waterway spout  50  is attached to waterway  36  by spout joint  86  and is in fluid communication with manifold spout opening  82 . 
     In the embodiment shown, waterway spout  50  has a threaded joint end which matingly engages with threads on the interior wall of spout joint  86 . Manifold openings  80  are also threaded in this embodiment and are adapted to matingly engage with cartridge screws  66  for affixing escutcheon  70  to cartridge  58 , and cartridge  58  to manifold  72 . 
     As described above, escutcheon mounting portions  62  of escutcheon  70  rests upon and is fixed to cartridge  58  which rests upon and is fixed to manifold  72  of waterway  36  which is fixed to sink deck  74 . Due to manufacturing tolerances in producing each of these components of fixture  22 , the height of escutcheon  70  will vary with relation to sink deck  74 . It is desirable that escutcheon base  24  mate in a sealing relationship to putty plate  34  and that putty plate  34  mate in a sealing relationship to sink deck  74 . Thus, it is desirable that the height of escutcheon base portion  24  over sink deck  74  be slightly less than the thickness of putty plate  34  above sink deck  74 . When assembled, escutcheon base portion  24  presses against putty plate flange  42 . 
     Putty plate flange  42  includes a bowed or recessed portion  88  in the form of a channel as best seen in FIGS. 7 and 8 to provide a resilient mating seal between putty plate  34  and escutcheon  70 . In this manner, escutcheon base portion  24  presses against bowed portion  88  which causes it to flex slightly to accommodate any irregularities in escutcheon base portion  24  or the sink deck. Thus, if the tolerances are met, when escutcheon mounting portions  62  mate with cartridge  58  then the bottom edge of escutcheon base portion  24  should be closer to sink deck  74  then the thickness of putty plate  34 . In order to accommodate this spacing, bowed portion  88  flexes downwardly to accommodate escutcheon base portion  24  and provide the desired sealingly mated relationship. 
     The single handle faucet component construction described above provides a one piece cast waterway construction heretofore not found in single handle faucets. The escutcheon body is coupled only to the waterway, not to the deck itself. The escutcheon body acts as the cartridge cover itself. As described below, the same putty plate with breast plate, mounting nuts, waterway spout and aerator may be used in the alternative embodiment of the single handle faucet as well as in the dual handle embodiment. 
     FIGS. 28 and 29 depict an alternate embodiment of a single handle faucet shown generally at  322  constructed in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention. Faucet  322  includes an escutcheon  370  having a base portion  324  and a spout portion  326 . A waterway  336  includes waterway inlets  340   a  and  340   b  and mounting portion extensions  48 . The same putty plate  34  described above may be used in conjunction with faucet  322 . In this regard, it is noted that internal ribs  327  on opposite sides of the internal surface of spout portion  326  help prevent breast plate portion  54  of putty plate  34  from being pushed inwardly. 
     In the embodiment of FIGS. 28 and 29, valve cartridge  35  is separately secured to manifold  372  with several through screws. Escutcheon  370  is separately coupled to the waterway using screws  400  which extend through holes  402  in manifold  372  and are threaded into bosses  404  formed on the underside of escutcheon  370 . Due to the low profile of cartridge housing portion  328 , a separate snap on cap  410  is provided to cover the upper portion of the valve cartridge. 
     Reference is now made to FIGS. 10 through 13 which depict an embodiment of a dual handle faucet fixture generally shown at  122  constructed in accordance with the dual handle embodiment of the present invention. Fixture  122  includes an escutcheon body  70  having an escutcheon base portion  124  and an escutcheon spout portion  126 . Escutcheon base portion  124  and escutcheon spout portion  126  together form escutcheon  170  for covering the internal plumbing components of the faucet and providing a finished appearance thereto. Escutcheon  170  is fixed with respect to an internal waterway  136  as described more fully below. Putty plate  34  is disposed between escutcheon  170  and sink deck  74  and in mating relationship to both. Putty plate  34 , which is of the same construction as used in the single handle faucet construction discussed above, together with escutcheon  170 , defines a generally closed chamber enclosing the internal plumbing components. 
     Waterway  136  is fixed to sink deck  74  by threaded mounting nuts  76  which engage with the external threaded surfaces of waterway inlets  140   a  and  140   b.  A seal is formed intermediate waterway  136  and sink deck  74  for protecting the inside plumbing of fixture  122  from water which may accumulate on sink deck  74 , and to provide a finished appearance thereto. In the present invention, this seal is formed by putty plate  34  which is the same putty plate  34  used in the single handle faucet construction described above. 
     Putty plate  34  is also affixed to waterway inlets  140   a  and  140   b  by means of putty plate fastening members  46 . Fastening members  46  engage with waterway mounting portions  148  which are integral with and extend from waterway inlets  140   a  and  140   b  at a location generally just above sink deck  74  as in the single handle faucet construction. 
     Assembly of fixture  122  onto sink deck  74  is the same as described above with respect to the single handle faucet assembly. 
     Waterway  136  includes waterway spout  50  having the same construction as in the single handle faucet embodiment. Waterway spout  50  is a separate component and joins with waterway  136  through a spout joint  186 . Spout joint  186  threadingly engages waterway spout  50  in the same manner as discussed above. In this manner, the same spout component may be used for both single handle and dual handle faucet fixtures because the individual respective waterways  36  and  136  each include a respective spout joint  86  and  186  which positions waterway spout  50  with respect to escutcheon spout portions  26  and  126  and over the bowl of a sink. Spout joint  186  is connected to and is in fluid communication with waterway inlets  140   a  and  140   b.    
     In the dual handle faucet depicted in FIGS.  10 - 13 , water valves  202  are used to separately control the flow of hot and cold water. Valve  202  is a low cost, sanitary valve constructed and adapted to fit in respective valve receiving portions  204  of waterway  136 . Valve  202  is interposed within waterway  136 , and when in a first, open position, maintains fluid communication between waterway inlets  140   a  and  140   b  and waterway spout  50 . 
     Valve  202  is retained in place by a valve nut  205 . Valve nut  205  is fixed to a corresponding portion of valve receiving portion  204  by, for example, being threadingly engaged thereto. Interposed between valve receiving portion  204  and valve nut  205  is a valve gasket  207 . The combination of valve gasket  207  and valve nut  205  not only retains valve  202  within valve receiving portion  204 , but also acts to secure escutcheon  170  to waterway  136 . 
     Valve receiving portion  204  has a design which permits the flow of fluid through the bottom from waterway inlets  140   a  and  140   b,  to a side water outlet which permits the flow of fluid to waterway spout  50 . Valve  202  includes a valve housing  228  adapted to fit within valve receiving portion  204 . Valve housing  228  is sealingly engaged to valve receiving portion  204  with a valve housing gasket  230 , set in a corresponding groove  228   a  in valve housing  228 . Valve housing  228  includes recessed opposing outlet portions  236  which are open to the side and are in fluid communication with waterway spout  50 . Valve housing  228  also includes opposing projections  229  which fit in corresponding slots  204   a  in valve receiving portion  204  to prevent rotation of the valve housing and to properly orient and position the valve housing. 
     As shown in detail in FIGS.  14 - 17 , valve housing  228  also includes a shaft bearing portion  234  on the upper portion thereof which holds and aligns a drive shaft  224  along the central axis of valve housing  228 . Drive shaft  224  includes a shaft gasket  226  which fluidly seals drive shaft  224  against valve housing  228  while permitting drive shaft  224  to rotate about its central axis within bearing portion  234 . The bottom of drive shaft  224  includes T-shaped projections  242  each having a leg  242   a  which fits in a corresponding slot  220   a  in a bone-shaped rotating disk  220 . 
     Rotating disk  220  is preferably a ceramic plate although other materials may be used. Rotating disk  220  includes opposing cutout regions  222  and opposing solid regions  223 . Rotating disk  220  is pressed against a stationary disk  216 , which is also preferably made of ceramic material. Stationary disk  216  includes opposing specially shaped apertures  218  which correspond with cutout regions  222  in rotating disk  220  when drive shaft  224  is in a first, open position, and which are blocked by solid regions  223  in rotating disk  220  when drive shaft  224  is in a second, closed position. 
     Stationary disk  216  is prevented from rotating within valve housing  228  by opposing retaining pins  230  set in corresponding slots  228   b  on the inner surface of the wall of valve housing  228 . Stationary disk  216  is held in place in valve housing  228  when valve  202  is assembled by a retaining assembly  208  including an outer ring  214  which closely with interference fits in a bottom portion of valve housing  228  and surrounds a rubber expansion gasket  210 . Rubber expansion gasket  210  is set in outer ring  214  and held in place by the outer ring. An inner ring  212  having projections  212   a  on the outside thereof helps stabilize the gasket. Retaining assembly  208  includes an inlet opening  206  in fluid communication with waterway inlets  140   a  and  140   b  on one side and apertures  218  on the other side. Rubber expansion gasket  210  extends slightly below the lower edge  228   c  of valve housing  228  and fluidly seals valve  202  in valve receiving portion  204  against the bottom  204   a  thereof. 
     In the embodiment shown, valve  202  also includes two stops  232   a  and  232   b  on the top surface of housing  228  to be described below with reference additionally to FIGS.  18 - 27 . FIG. 15 depicts valve  202  in an assembled condition. FIG. 16 shows a cross-section of assembled valve  202  when drive shaft  224  is in the second, closed position. FIG. 17 shows the valve in the first, open position. As can be seen, when drive shaft  224  is in the second, closed position, the solid regions  223  of rotating disk  220  sealingly cover and block apertures  218 , thus preventing flow of water within valve  202  and waterway  136 . However, when drive shaft  224  is rotated to the first, open position of FIG. 17, cutout regions  222  correspond with lower apertures  218  and permit water to flow from inlet portion  206  through the two disks  216  and  220  and to outlet portion  236 , and to waterway spout  50 , thus allowing fluid to flow through waterway  136 . 
     The above-mentioned first open and second closed positions may be defined by stop members  232   a  and  232   b  on valve housing  228 . Drive shaft  224  may also include two flat portions  240   a  and  240   b  on a handle mount portion  238 . Flat portions  240   a  and  240   b  define about a 90° angle with respect to one another relative to the rotational axis, and mate and engage with a corresponding handle flat portion  248  of a handle  244 . Handle  244  includes blocking members  246   a  and  246   b  which abut stops  232  and limit the extent of maximum rotation in either the clockwise or counterclockwise direction. 
     As a result of dual stops  232   a  and  232   b,  dual blocking members  246   a  and  246   b,  and dual flat portions  240   a  and  240   b,  handle  244  can be mounted in one of two orientations (with handle flat portion  248  matingly engaged with either one of flat portion  240   a  and  240   b ) which thus allows rotation in either a clockwise or a counterclockwise direction to turn drive shaft  224  from the second closed position to the first open position. Moreover, as depicted in FIG. 11, the hot water valve housing  228   d  is oriented at a 90° displacement with respect to the cold water valve housing  228   e.  This placement orients the openings in the stationary disk on the hot side at a 90° displacement with respect to the openings on the stationary disk or cold side. This helps to assure proper handle placement and rotation during installation. Therefore, depending on the requirements of the sink installation, the very same valve and handle combination may be easily assembled and used to allow a clockwise (looking from down on top) rotation to open water flow, see FIGS. 19,  20  and  27 , or to allow a counterclockwise (again looking down from on top) rotation, see FIGS. 22,  24  and  25 , to open the water flow. This feature can be particularly useful where faucet handle  244  includes a long lever  254  which would collide with the faucet spout if it were rotated towards the spout. 
     FIGS. 18 and 21 show cold water valve housing  228   e  (from FIG. 11) oriented with projections  232   a  and  232   b  in the horizontal direction. This also causes apertures  218  in stationary disk  216  to be oriented in the horizontal direction. When the components are oriented as depicted in FIGS. 18 and 21, the valve is closed since solid regions  223  of rotating disk  220  block apertures  218  in stationary disk  216 . When handle  244  is positioned on drive shaft  224  with the flat  244   a  of handle  244  against flat portion  240   a  of drive shaft  224 , as shown in FIG. 19, blocking members  246   a  and  246   b  in handle  244  will press against stop members  232   a  and  232   b  when handle  244  is rotated in a clockwise direction of arrow A as shown in FIG. 19 to close the valve. When handle  244  is rotated in the counterclockwise direction when the stop and blocking members are oriented as depicted in FIG. 19, the valve will be opened and water will flow. 
     On the other hand, when handle  244  is positioned on drive shaft  224  with the flat  244   a  of handle  244  against flat portion  240   b  of drive shaft  224  as depicted in FIG. 22, blocking members  246   a  and  246   b  in handle  244  will press against stop members  232   a  and  232   b  when handle  244  is rotated in a counterclockwise direction of arrow B to close the valve. Rotation of handle  244  in the clockwise direction when oriented as shown in FIG. 22, will cause the valve to open. 
     FIG. 20 depicts a handle  244  having a lever extension  254 . When such a handle is used on the cold side, it is desirable to prevent clockwise rotation from the closed valve position shown in FIG. 20 so that lever extension  254  does not contact the faucet spout. Since the valve is based in the orientation of FIG. 20, only rotation in a counterclockwise direction will be allowed to open the valve. 
     FIGS. 23 and 26 show hot water valve housing  228   d  (from FIG. 11) oriented with projections  232   a  and  232   b  in the vertical direction. This also causes apertures  218  in stationary disk  216  to be oriented in the vertical direction. When the components are oriented as depicted in FIGS. 23 and 26, the valve is closed. When handle  244  is positioned on drive shaft  224  with the flat  244   a  of handle  244  against flat portion  240   b  of drive shaft  224 , as shown in FIG. 24, blocking members  246   a  and  246   b  in handle  244  will press against stop members  232   b  and  232   a  when handle  244  is rotated in a counterclockwise direction of arrow C as shown in FIG. 24 to close the valve. When handle  244  is rotated in the clockwise direction when the stop and blocking members are oriented as depicted in FIG. 24, the valve will be opened and water will flow. 
     On the other hand, when handle  244  is positioned on drive shaft  224  with the flat  244   a  of handle  244  against flat portion  240   a  of drive shaft  224  as depicted in FIG. 27, blocking members  246   a  and  246   b  in handle  244  will press against stop members  232   a  and  232   b  when handle  244  is rotated in a clockwise direction of arrow D to close the valve. Rotation of handle  244  in the counterclockwise direction when oriented as shown in FIG. 27, will cause the valve to open. 
     FIG. 25 depicts a handle  244  having a lever extension  254 . When such a handle is used on the hot side, it is desirable to prevent counterclockwise rotation from the closed valve position shown in FIG. 25 so that lever extension  254  does not contact the faucet spout. Since the valve is based in the orientation of FIG. 20, only rotation in a clockwise direction will be allowed to open the valve. 
     As noted, this construction is particularly beneficial for faucet handles having long levers attached, such as lavatory fixtures adapted for use by the handicapped. In this case, when it is desired that both hot and cold valves are in an off position when the levers are perpendicular to the faucet spout, with the hot water lever pointing to the left and the cold water lever pointing to the right, the change can be made by merely reorienting the respective handles on the respective drive shafts as described above. The hot water valve on the left hand side will then be turned on by rotating the lever in a counterclockwise direction and the cold water faucet on the right hand side will be turned on by rotating the faucet lever clockwise. 
     This unique valve construction and assembly which provides that the hot and cold water valves can be oriented so that one valve includes apertures essentially parallel to the spout and the other valve includes apertures essentially perpendicular to the spout allows for a single valve construction for both hot and cold sides, a single handle construction and a single valve body (including the waterway and valve receiving portion) to accomplish both clockwise and counterclockwise opening of the valve. Thus, the same system allows ready changeover from knob handles to lever handles and vice versa, without the need to remove or replace the valves. 
     The present invention provides a unique system for single and dual handle faucet with interchangeable components which have heretofore been unavailable. The system also provides several improved components, and reduces both manufacturing costs, and manufacturing and installation time. 
     It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those made apparent from the preceding description, are efficiently attained and, since certain changes may be made in the above constructions without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. 
     It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.