Valve assembly capable of indicating depth

A valve assembly capable of indicating a depth contains: a body and a protective cover. The body includes a holder. The protective cover is connected with the holder of the body, and the protective cover includes a fitting portion configured to fit with the holder, a peripheral portion surrounding the fitting portion, and at least one connection portion configured to connect with the fitting portion and the peripheral portion. The peripheral portion has an external fence, a front fence, a marking portion formed on at least one side of the peripheral portion, and multiple indication parts arranged on the marking portion and configured to denote depths among the multiple indication pails and the front fence respectively.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a temperature control valve or a thermostatic valve of bathroom equipment and more particularly to a valve assembly capable of indicating depth.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A temperature control valve or a thermostatic valve assembly of bathroom equipment is employed to adjust or set a temperature of a water supply. A conventional valve assembly is mounted on a wall of a bathroom and contains a body on which a holder is formed. The holder includes an accommodation chamber configured to accommodate a mixing valve covered by a decoration cover, and the holder includes a control bar for controlling the mixing valve. The holder includes a cold-water inflow connector horizontally extending from a first side thereof, a hot-water inflow connector horizontally extending from a second side of the holder opposite to the cold-water inflow connector, a first outflow connector, and a second outflow connector. Thereby, after cold water from the cold-water inflow connector and hot water from the hot-water inflow connector flow into the holder, they are controlled by the control bar so as to adjust flow and mixing rate of mixing water of the cold water and the hot water in the mixing valve, and the mixing water is controlled to flow toward the first outflow connector and the second outflow connector at a predetermined flow and a set temperature. Furthermore the mixing valve mates with a pressure balance valve so as to obtain a constant temperature.

The first outflow connector is in connection to a shower via an upper water tube, and the second outflow connector is coupled to a faucet via a lower water tube. The cold-water inflow connector has a first fixer configured to house a first stop set, and the hot-water inflow connector has a second fixer configured to house a second stop set, such that the cold water and the hot water respectively flowing through the cold-water inflow connector and the hot-water inflow connector are controlled to flow or stop flowing in maintenance.

In construction of a building, the cold-water inflow pipe, the hot-water inflow pipe, and the mixing-water outflow pipe are housed in a basic wall, such as a wooden wall, so as to test water leakage. Thereafter, tiles or other decoration materials are adhered on the basic wall. To avoid damage the valve assembly, a protective cover is connected with the body so as to protect the accommodation chamber.

A front fence of the protective cover has a depth higher than the basic wall and equal to a depth of construction, and outer walls of the tiles and other decoration material flush with the protective cover, after adhering the tiles or other decoration materials on the basic wall. To preserve the depth, a height of the protective cover higher than the basic wall is measured by a ruler or other measurement tools, when the valve assembly is locked on a wooden rack in the basic wall, thus causing measurement inconvenience and errors.

Before testing the water leakage, the protective cover is removed from the holder by unscrewing the screw bolts from the protective cover and the holder so as to fix a testing lid in the accommodation chamber, thus testing the water leakage. Thereafter, the protective cover is connected with the holder by screwing the screw bolts via the holder and the protective cover, after testing the water leakage and detaching the testing lid, thus having troublesome test of the water leakage.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary aspect of the present invention is to provide a valve assembly capable of indicating a depth which adjusts a fixing depth of the valve assembly by way of the multiple indication parts of the protective cover easily.

Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a valve assembly capable of indicating a depth in which the protective cover is fixed or is removed quickly and easily so as to facilitate installation, testing of water leakage, maintenance, and replacement.

To obtain the above aspect, a valve assembly capable of indicating a depth provided by the present invention contains: a body and a protective cover.

The body includes a holder.

The protective cover is connected with the holder of the body, and the protective cover includes a fitting portion configured to fit with the holder, a peripheral portion surrounding the fitting portion, and at least one connection portion configured to connect with the fitting portion and the peripheral portion. The peripheral portion has an external fence, a front fence, a marking portion formed on at least one side of the peripheral portion, and multiple indication parts arranged on the marking portion and configured to denote depths among the multiple indication parts and the front fence respectively.

As connecting the valve assembly, the cold-water inflow pipe, the hot-water inflow pipe, the upper water tube or the lower water tube, the user learns a distance between the basic wall and the outer face of the finished wall by way of each indication part. Thereby, the outer face of the finished wall flushes with the front fence of the protective cover as connecting the valve assembly. Each indication part of the protective cover is capable of determining a fixing depth of the valve assembly quickly by adjusting a thickness and a position of the wooden rack.

No matter the body is connected in the first direction or the second direction, the positioning plate is fixed exactly after being removed and turned 180 degrees upside down so that the arrow of the positioning plate faces upward, and the arrow of the protective cover indicates upward.

Preferably, a foolproof device is defined between the protective cover and the positioning plate so as to be applicable for the cold-water inflow seat and the hot-water inflow seat which extend horizontally, wherein the arrow of the positioning plate faces upward. After the body is in connection with the cold-water inflow pipe, the hot-water inflow pipe, the upper water tube, and the lower water tube, the positioning plate is fixed quickly after being turned upside down.

The protective cover is connected with and removed from the body easily and quickly by using the positioning plate so as to facilitate the pressure test and the maintenance. Preferably, the protective cover is connected with the body directly by way of screwing element(s), and the each indication part of the protective cover is capable of determining the fixing depth of the valve assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference toFIGS. 1-3, a valve assembly1capable of indicating a depth according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises: a body10and a protective cover20.

The body10includes a holder11.

Referring toFIG. 4, the protective cover20is connected with the holder11of the body10, and the protective cover20includes a fitting portion21configured to fit with the holder11, a peripheral portion22surrounding the fitting portion21, and multiple connection portions23configured to connect with the fitting portion21and the peripheral portion22; wherein the peripheral portion22has an external fence221, a front fence222, a marking, portion223formed on at least one side of the peripheral portion22, and multiple indication parts224arranged on the marking portion223and configured to denote depths among the multiple indication parts224and the front fence222respectively. The protective cover20includes two marking portions223arranged on two sides of the external fence221individually.

Each of the multiple indication parts224has at least one elongated element225longitudinally arranged thereon, wherein each elongated element225is any one of a through hole, a recessed slot, and a rib. Alternatively, each elongated element225is any one of a protrusion, a depression, and a stepped element.

Each indication part224further has a size symbol226corresponding to each elongated element225so as to denote a depth between each elongated element225and the front fence222.

The fitting portion21of the protective cover20has a cylindrical fence211in which a notch212is defined so as to fit with an outer wall of the holder11. The protective cover20further includes a capping portion24configured to cover the notch212, and the protective cover20includes a connection portion25configured to connect with the cylindrical fence211and the capping portion24. The connection portion25is manually snapped by a user so as to remove the capping portion24from the fitting portion21.

The connection, portion25has multiple elongated wings251configured to be manually snapped by twisting the capping portion24.

As shown inFIGS. 2 and 5, the holder11includes a cold-water inflow connector12horizontally extending from a first side thereof, a hot-water inflow connector13horizontally extending from a second side of the holder11opposite to the cold-water inflow connector12, a first outflow connector14vertically extending from a top of the holder11, and a second outflow connector15vertically extending from a bottom of the holder11opposite to the first outflow connector14. The cold-water inflow connector12has a cold-water inflow seat121configured to connect with a cold-water inflow pipe2, and the hot-water inflow connector13has a hot-water inflow seat131configured to connect with a hot-water inflow pipe3. The holder11further includes a first coupling portion111and a second coupling portion112extending on the outer wall thereof.

As illustrated inFIGS. 2 and 6, the valve assembly1further comprises a positioning plate30includes an opening31configured to fit with the holder11of the body10, a first fixing portion32and a second fixing portion33which are arranged on a peripheral side and respectively connect with the first coupling portion111and the second coupling portion112. The positioning plate30also has at least two recesses34formed on the peripheral side thereof. The fitting portion21of the protective cover20has at least two flexible feet213arranged thereon so as to retain with the at least two recesses34of the positioning plate30individually, thus connecting and removing the positioning plate30with and from the body10, as shown inFIG. 8.

The positioning plate30is made of metal and is annular, and the positioning plate30includes the opening31defined therein, the first fixing portion32, the second fixing portion33, and the at least two recesses34which are formed around the opening31.

With reference toFIGS. 3 and 5, the holder11of the body10includes an abutting fence113formed thereon; the positioning plate30includes an outer face35and an inner face36configured to contact with the abutting fence113. The abutting fence113is defined by two tabs and a stepped fringe, wherein the two tabs have the first coupling portion111and the second coupling portion112respectively formed thereon.

Referring toFIG. 5, each of the first coupling portion111and the second coupling portion112of the body10is a threaded hole. As shown inFIGS. 6 and 8, each of the first fixing portion32and the second fixing portion33is a through hole so that a first screw bolt300screws with the threaded hole via the through hole. As illustrated inFIG. 2, the positioning plate30is screwed on the body10quickly and securely.

As shown inFIGS. 7 and 9, each of the at least two flexible feet213has a hook214formed on a distal end of each flexible foot213so that each flexible foot213retains with the inner face36of the positioning plate30via each of the at least two recesses34after flexibly deforming. In this embodiment, each flexible foot213extends outward from the cylindrical fence211.

With reference toFIG. 6, the positioning plate30further includes two locking orifices37defined on the peripheral side thereof. Referring toFIGS. 2 and 4, each of the multiple connection portions23has a passing orifice231defined thereon, wherein the passing orifice231has a concaved fence232formed on an outer end thereof so as to guide a second screw bolt to screw with each of the two locking orifices37after the second screw bolt moves into the passing orifice231. The second screw bolt is configured to screw a decoration cover on the positioning plate30via the protective cover20.

As shown inFIGS. 5, 6, and 8, an angle between the first coupling portion111and the second coupling portion112of the holder11is 180 degrees, and an angle between the first fixing portion32and the second fixing portion33of the positioning plate30is 180 degrees so that the first fixing portion32and the second fixing portion33respectively connect with the first coupling portion111and the second coupling portion112. Alternatively, the first fixing portion32and the second fixing portion33individually connect with the second coupling portion112and the first coupling portion111.

As shown inFIG. 11, the cold-water inflow seat121and the hot-water inflow seat131vertically extend upward along a first direction of the body10. As illustrated inFIG. 10, the cold-water inflow seat121and the hot-water inflow seat131vertically extend downward along a second direction of the body10, wherein the angle between the first coupling portion111and the second coupling portion112of the holder11is 180 degrees so that when the body10is rotated between the first direction and the second direction, the first coupling portion111and the second coupling portion112are replaced by each other. The angle between the first fixing portion32and the second fixing portion33of the positioning plate30is 180 degrees so that when the body10is connected in the first direction, the first fixing portion32and the second fixing portion33are respectively connected with the first coupling portion111and the second coupling portion112, and when the body10is connected in the second direction, the first fixing portion32and the second fixing portion33are respectively connected with the second coupling portion112and the first coupling portion111. The positioning plate30includes a first connecting orifice38and a second connecting orifice39which are separately defined on the peripheral side of the positioning plate30.

With reference toFIG. 4, the fitting portion21of the protective cover20has a first affix bolt215and a second affix bolt216which are respectively fixed in the first connecting orifice38and the second connecting orifice39.

A diameter of the first connecting orifice38is more than the second connecting orifice39, and a shape of a cross section of first connecting orifice38is different from the second connecting orifice39. A diameter of the first affix bolt215is more than the second affix bolt216.

Referring toFIG. 12, the body10is mounted on a wooden rack W1in a basic wall W, and the holder11of the body10includes an accommodation chamber110configured to accommodate a mixing valve and a control bar for controlling the mixing valve so that after cold water from the cold-water inflow connector12and hot water from the hot-water inflow connector13flow into the holder11, they are controlled by the mixing valve and the control bar so as to mix in the first outflow connector14or the second outflow connector15at a predetermined temperature and a predetermined flow. The mixing valve mates with a pressure balance valve so as to obtain a constant temperature in the first outflow connector14or the second outflow connector15. The first outflow connector14is in connection to a shower via an upper water tube4, and the second outflow connector15is coupled to a faucet via a lower water tube5. Since the mixing valve, the control bar, the shower, and the faucet are well-known art, further remarks are not disclosed inFIGS. 1-13.

As shown inFIGS. 2 and 5, the cold-water inflow connector12has a first fixer120configured to house a first stop set122, and the hot-water inflow connector13has a second fixer130configured to house a second stop set13such that the cold water and the hot water respectively flowing through the cold-water inflow connector12and the hot-water inflow connector13are controlled to flow or stop flowing, as illustrated inFIG. 4.

With reference toFIGS. 2 and 3, the valve assembly1further a screwing sleeve40configured to screw with the holder11. The notch212of the protective cover20is fitted with the screwing sleeve40. In a pressure test of the accommodation chamber110of the holder11, a pressure testing cap50is housed in the accommodation chamber110, as shown inFIG. 13, such that the screwing sleeve40forces the pressure testing cap50to accommodate in the accommodation chamber110so as to test whether air, the cold water, and the hot water leak out of the cold-water inflow pipe2, the hot-water inflow pipe3, the upper water tube4or the lower water tube5. After constructing a finished wall, the mixing valve is housed in the accommodation chamber110and is forced by the screwing sleeve40. As shown inFIG. 12, the finished wall is constructed on the basic wall W, such as adhering tiles, wherein an alignment line L represents an outer face of the finished wall and aligns with the front fence222.

The capping portion24is twisted and snapped after constructing the finished wall so that the mixing valve is accommodated in the accommodation chamber110via the notch212of the protective cover20, and the screwing sleeve40is screwed with the holder11, thereafter the decoration cover and the control bar are mounted.

Referring toFIGS. 2, 6 and 9, two arrows301,201are marked on the positioning plate30and the front fence222of the protective cover20individually. Preferably, indicating characters, such as “UP” are marked on the front fence222so that the user knows the protective cover20is fixed upward.

After the positioning plate30is connected with the body10, it is not removable, and each flexible foot213retains with each recess34so as to fix the protective cover20with the positioning plate30. As shown inFIG. 9, each flexible foot213is pressed so as to remove the hook214from the inner face36of the positioning plate30and each recess34, thus removing the protective cover20from the positioning plate30easily and quickly.

As connecting the valve assembly1, the cold-water inflow pipe2, the hot-water inflow pipe3, the upper water tube4or the lower water tube5, the user learns a distance D between the basic wall W and the outer face of the finished wall by way of each indication part224, as illustrated inFIG. 12. Accordingly, the outer face of the finished wall flushes with the front fence222of the protective cover20as connecting the valve assembly1. Each indication part224of the protective cover20is capable of determining a fixing depth of the valve assembly1quickly by adjusting a thickness and a position of the wooden rack W1.

The first outflow connector14of the body10is mounted and faces upward or downward, as shown inFIGS. 10 and 11.

Referring toFIG. 11, the valve assembly1is connected in the first direction. As illustrated inFIG. 10, the valve assembly1is connected in the second direction, the positioning plate30is connected on the body10and faces upward by using the arrow301, and the cold-water inflow seat121and the hot-water inflow seat131vertically extend downward along the second direction of the body10, wherein the arrow301indicates upwardly, and the protective cover is fixed upward by using the arrow201.

When the valve assembly1is connected in the first direction, the arrow301of the positioning plate30indicates downward so that the positioning plate30is detached and is turned 180 degrees upside down, in the meantime, the first affix boll215of the protective cover20aligns with but does not retain with the second connecting orifice39of the positioning plate30, and the second affix bolt216is in alignment with but does not retain with the first connecting, orifice38, thus avoiding fixing the protective cover20wrongly.

No matter the body10is connected in the first direction or the second direction, the positioning plate30is fixed exactly after being removed and turned 180 degrees upside down so that the arrow301of the positioning plate30faces upward, and the arrow201of the protective cover20indicates upward, as illustrated inFIGS. 10 and 11.

Preferably, a foolproof device is defined between the protective cover20and the positioning plate30so as to be applicable for the cold-water inflow seat121and the hot-water inflow seat131which extend horizontally, wherein the arrow301of the positioning plate30faces upward. After the body10is in connection with the cold-water inflow pipe2, the hot-water inflow pipe3, the upper water tube4, and the lower water tube5, the positioning plate30is fixed quickly after being turned upside down.

The protective cover20is connected with and removed from the body10easily and quickly by using the positioning plate30so as to facilitate the pressure test and the maintenance. Preferably, the protective cover20is connected with the body10directly by way of screwing element(s), and the each indication part224of the protective cover20is capable of determining the fixing depth of the valve assembly1.

While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been set forth for the purpose of disclosure, modifications of the disclosed embodiments of the invention as well as other embodiments thereof may occur to those skilled in the art. The scope of the claims should not be limited by the preferred embodiments set forth in the examples, but should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with the description as a whole.