Faucet assembly

The faucet assembly of this invention has the usual water inlet and outlet lines. The novel portion of the faucet assembly is the visibly clear water conduits or tubes that are attached to the handles of the faucet assembly. These visibly clear tubes are in water flow connection with both the water inlet and outlet lines and therefore provide a way to determine most water flow problems in the assembly. In addition, these visibly clear tubes are aesthetically pleasing.

This invention relates to a faucet assembly and, more particularly, to a 
novel faucet structure having visual flow means therein. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
It is known to use various types of faucet assemblies for use in home 
sinks. Some are used in sinks in bathrooms, kitcnens, laundry rooms and 
basements. Some of these faucet assemblies are relatively expensive 
because of their complex structure and construction. The more simple 
inexpensive structures lack eye appeal and often are difficult to install. 
In addition, many ornamental faucet assemblies have been used which are 
both functional and appealing from a design aspect. Some of these 
ornamental faucets are disclosed in U.S. Design Pat. Nos. 141,718; 
253,607; 291,114; 294,631 and 304,609. Most of these illustrate novel 
designs for faucets having both one and two handle means, each of a unique 
configuration. Most faucet assemblies are constructed of metal with 
plastic accessories, for example, plastic snap-on indicators for both hot 
and cold handles. In addition, there are some plumbing fixtures and faucet 
assemblies constructed of plastic such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 
3,796,380 (Johnson). In Johnson, a plastic faucet assembly is constructed 
of plastic by injection molding. This type faucet has the advantage of 
providing spouts and faucets having complex shapes yet are composed of 
relatively few parts to be assembled to complete the fixture. Plastic 
construction also provices non-corrosive materials in faucet construction. 
Most faucet assemblies of the prior art are either aesthetically pleasing 
or simple in construction; few are both. Usually, eye appealing faucet 
assemblies are also complicated and detailed in construction. 
Therefore, while most faucet assemblies are designed to be functional, they 
must also provide aesthetically pleasing designs to become competitive 
with existing structures. There is a need for more aesthetically appealing 
faucet assemblies that at the same time provide functional components and 
a relatively simple construction. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a faucet assembly 
devoid of the above-noted disadvantages. 
Another object of this invention is to provide a novel faucet assembly that 
is aesthetically appealing and yet functional. 
Another still further object of this invention is to provide a novel faucet 
assembly having visible water flow means integral therewith. 
A yet another object of this invention is to provide see through handle 
means on a faucet to determine water flow in the structure. 
Still a further object of this invention is to provide a faucet structure 
having transparent tubes as part of the handle means. 
Another yet further object of this invention is to provide a simply 
constructed, efficient and aesthetically pleasing faucet assembly. 
Yet still another object of this invention is to provide a faucet assembly 
having novel handle means with visibly clear water flow conduits therein. 
These and other objects of this invention are accomplished by this 
invention by providing a faucet assembly comprising a spout or tap member 
through which water will flow. In water flow connection with this spout 
are two disk-like movable or rotatable handles, one for hot water flow 
control and the other for cold water flow control. Projecting outwardly 
from each of said disk-like handles are clear glass or plastic tubular 
semi-circles. These clear tubular semi-circles (or arc or any part 
circular configuration) are in water flow connection with the source of 
water thereby allowing water to flow through these clear tubes to not only 
provide an attractive faucet means but also to indicate when any water 
flow problems exist. For example, if water is not seen flowing through 
these tubes, it is obvious that the water flow problem exists somewhere in 
the system before the clear tubes. These clear tubes may be used directly 
on a disk-like handle or in lieu thereof they may be used adjacent a 
movable or rotatable handle in a fixed position. The critical element is 
that irrespective of their placement, the clear tubes must be in water 
flow connection with the source of water and the spout or tap. By "tubes" 
is meant throughout this disclosure any element of the faucet handles that 
show the flow of water therethrough. In operation, water will enter the 
system in an inline water supply pipe (or pipes, one hot, one cold) 
through the respective hot or cold inlet pipes connected to the faucet, 
then up to the handle portions. By slightly turning the handles to the 
open positions, water will flow through the clear plastic or glass tubes, 
through the spout feed pipe and out of the spout. The water can clearly be 
seen continuously flowing through the clear tubes as it also pours out the 
spout. The clear tubes will be mounted in one embodiment on a movable 
disk-like handle. The tube openings will be contiguous with openings in 
the disk-like handle. When the handle is turned these openings will be 
aligned with the water pipe thus allowing the water to flow into and 
through the clear tubes. Once the appropriate handle is turned, i.e. hot 
or cold, only the hot or cold (or both, if both handles turned) will flow 
through the clear tubes and out the spigot or spout. A drain plug may or 
may not be included in the assembly of this invention. If a drain plug is 
to be used it would be positioned in the usual or conventional location on 
the assembly.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING AND PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
In FIG. 1 a side perspective view of the faucet assembly 1 of this 
invention is shown. The assembly 1 comprises a spout or tap 2 in water 
flow connection to an outlet pipe 3. A water source pipe 4 feeds water 
into the faucet assembly through a hot water inlet pipe 5 and a cold water 
inlet pipe 6, each pipe 5 and pipe 6 is in water flow connection with 
water feed pipes or conduits 7 and 8, respectively. Obviously, the hot 
water inlet pipe 5 and cold water inlet pipe 6 can be alternatively 
located on either side of the top 2. The water then flows through feed 
pipes 7 and 8 to a stationary plate or disk 9 and 10, respectively. These 
stationary disks 9 and 10 have apertures contiguous with the pipe 7 and 8 
openings that enter the disks 9 and 10 (see FIG. 5). Adjacent each disk 9 
and 10 is a rotatable handle 11 and 12, respectively, that also has 
apertures therein (see FIG. 6). The apertures in handles 11 and 12 are 
contiguous with the openings of clear tubes 13 and 14 permitting water to 
flow therethrough when handle apertures are in alignment with stationary 
disk apertures. Alternatively, rotatable handles 11 and 12 may be in 
direct contact with water feed pipes 7 and 8 being sure that an 
appropriate water sealing means or gasket was positioned therebetween to 
avoid leaking when handle apertures were not in alignment with openings in 
pipes 7 and 8 or outlet pipe 3. FIG. 2 illustrates the embodiment where 
the stationary plate or plates 9 and 10 (preferred embodiment) are not 
used. In FIG. 1 water flows through hot water inlet pipe 5 and cold water 
flows through cold water inlet pipe 6 into water feed pipes 7 (hot water) 
and pipe * (cold water) through the apertures in stationary plates 9 and 
10, respectively, through aligned apertures in rotatable handles 11 and 12 
(when apertures are aligned) into tubes 13 and 14, through tubes 13 and 14 
into outlet pipe 3 (which has aligned apertures in plates 9 and 10 with 
apertures in rotatable handles 11 and 12. The water then flows 
continuously through outlet pipe 3 and out spout 2. 
In FIG. 2 a top cutaway or fragmentary view of the faucet assembly o this 
invention is shown. Water inlet pipes, hot water inlet pipe 5 and cold 
water inlet pipe 6 are shown supplying water to hot water feed pipe 7 and 
cold water feed pipe 8. Separating compartments of feed pipes 7 and 8 is a 
sealed separation plug 15 which ensures that only hot water flows through 
pipe 7 and cold water through pipe 8. Water then flows to an aligned 
aperture in handle 11 and through the visibly clear plastic tube 13. From 
there the water flows through aligned apertures in the top of rotatable 
handle 11 and in outlet pipe 3 through and out of spout 2. The water flow 
is the same through cold water inlet pipe 6, water feed pipe 8, rotatable 
handle 12, clear tube 14 and outlet pipe 3 to spout 2. In the embodiment 
shown in FIG. 2 a watertight seal 16 is positioned between rotatable 
handles 11 and 12 and pipes 3 and 7 and 8 in order to provide 
waterproofing when the apertures in handles 11 and 12 are in and out of 
alignment with the openings in pipes, 7 and 8. These same seals 16 may be 
used in the embodiment of FIG. 1, if desirable. FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 
embodiments are the same except in the structure of FIG. 2 stationary 
plates are omitted. 
In FIG. 3 the structure of the faucet assembly of FIG. 1 is shown from a 
front plan view. The water inlet pipes 5 and 6 supply the water to the 
system or assembly 1. When the apertures 17 that go through the thickness 
of stationary plates 9 and 10 are aligned with apertures 18 (that go 
through the thickness of handles 11 and 12) in rotatable handles 11 and 
12, the water freely flows through the system and out of spout 2. When 
handles 11 and 12 are turned in the off position, apertures 18 are out of 
alignment or registration with apertures 17 and the water flow is stopped. 
The flow through visible tubes 13 and 14 permit the user to determine the 
location of flow problems either before or after the tubes 13 and 14 when 
the stream of water is not emerging from the spout 2. A seal 16 may be 
used between the rotatable handles 11 or 12 and stationary disks or plates 
9 and 10, if desired. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 3 tubes 3, 7 and 8 
are fixed to stationary disks 9 and 10 in any suitable watertight manner 
such as welding, soldering or the like. 
In FIG. 4 the assembly of the stationary disk 9, rotatable handle 11 and 
visible clear plastic tube 13 is shown as they interact with each other. 
Stationary disk 9 is in water flow connection with outlet pipe 3 and feed 
pipe 7. The apertures 17 in stationary disk 9 are out of alignment with 
the apertures 18 in movable handle 11 (contiguous with tube 13 openings) 
as shown in FIG. 4. Therefor, no water will flow through tube 13 or out of 
spout 2. The handle 12 and disk 10 on the other side will be identical to 
handle 11 and disk 9. When handle 11 is turned so that tube openings and 
apertures 18 are in registration or alignment with apertures 17, the water 
flow will progress. 
In FIG. 5 the stationary plate 9 is shown connected to tubes 3 and 7 and in 
water flow alignment therewith. Note that apertures 17 in stationary plate 
9 are contiguous with pipes 3 and 7. Central core opening 19 in plate 9 
will accommodate any axle or turn means for movement of rotatable plates 
11 and 12. Any suitable known means to rotate plates 11 and 12 may be 
used. Plates 9 and 10 and rotatable handles 11 and 12 may be constructed 
of any suitable, durable material such as metal, plastic, fiberglass, wood 
etc. All tubing or pipes except for the clear tubes 13 and 14 are made 
from conventional metals or plastics. Clear tubes 13 and 14 are clear, 
transparent plastic or glass tubes made from known materials such as 
polyvinylchloride, polystyrene and the like. It is important that the 
materials used for clear tubes 13 and 14 be chemically inert and will not 
react in any fashion with water both hot and cold. 
In FIG. 6 the construction of rotatable handles 11 and 12 is shown as tubes 
13 and 14 are water tightly attached thereto. The apertures 18 in 
rotatable handles 11 and 12 are contiguous with the tube 13 end openings 
to allow the water to flow therethrough when apertures 18 are aligned with 
apertures 17 in the stationary disk 9. While the FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 show 
only with the handle 11 side of the faucet assembly 1, the other side 
(handle 12) is identical thereto. Obviously, using only one handle with a 
clear tube to show water flow rather than two handles with two handles and 
to clear tubes is within the spirit of this invention. 
The preferred and optimumly preferred embodiments of the present invention 
have been described herein and shown in the accompanying drawing to 
illustrate the underlying principles of the invention but it is to be 
understood that numerous modifications and ramifications may be made 
without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention.