Water mixing cartridge for single control handle faucets

Abstract: A water mixing cartridge (1) for single control handle faucets comprises a fixed small plate (2) and a movable small plate (3) connected to a plate cover (4) restrained to a lever element (6) which is in turn articulated on a pivot pin (7) coupled to a tubular construction (8), the box-like body holding the mentioned elements being closed at the bottom thereof by a perimetrical frame (12) having one or more stop or pin (20) locating elements and adapted to provide a further sliding small frame (16) which can be caused to slide along its heigth direction, and including inlet and outlet ports (17) for the inlet cold water and outlet hot water.

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a water mixing cartridge for single control handle faucets, which cartridge comprises a restraining bottom element the size of which can be fitted to the thickness of the faucet components. There are already known single control handle faucet assemblies, that is faucet assemblies in which the hot water and cold water are mixed by operating a single handle or lever to provide a single temperature adjusted water flow. This single control handle faucets conventionally comprise a mixing cartridge which substantially includes a movable plate element provided for displacement with respect to a fixed plate. As the movable plate is displaced, suitable ports are opened and closed, said ports being provided through the fixed plate and connected to the hot water and cold water inlet ducts. The movable plate, in particular, is driven by a control lever or rod which is articulated on a tubular body so as to also partially swing or pivot. In prior faucet cartridges of the above mentioned type, however, the box-like body holding the mentioned operating elements is closed, at the bottom thereof, by a further plate which is snap engaged on said body. A drawback of the above disclosed faucet cartridge construction is that the fixed and movable plates can undesirably be affected by thickness variations which can originate an excessive clearance of the cartridge with a not perfect sealing thereof in the faucet body. More specifically, as the thicknesses of the plates are less than a set thickness value, a not satisfactory sealing will be provided, whereas, with excessive thickness, the components of the cartridge will be subjected to great compression loads. In the latter case, the cartridge will be subjected to operating drawbacks, because of a high friction between the movable plate and fixed plate, with a consequent possible jamming thereof. In order to overcome the above mentioned drawbacks, the bottom portion of the cartridge has been provided with slots for receiving sealing elements having a comparatively great thickness in order to overcome possible size variations. These sealing elements, however, in a case of a negative pressure in the duct, can be subjected to an undesirable suction effect, with a consequent disengaging from the seats thereof and with consequent water leakages. In order to overcome this further drawback, plastic and/or metal insert elements have been arranged within the portions provided for the inlet of water. This approach, on the other hand, has been found to be unsuitable, since the above mentioned insert elements did not provide a proper seat for the sealing elements and caused the sealing elements to be excessively hardened under compression loads. The document EP-A- 426 587 discloses a water mixing cartridge according to the preamble of Claim 1. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly the aim of the present invention is to overcome all of the above mentioned drawbacks, by providing a water mixing cartridge for single control handle faucets the bottom portion of which can be quickly and easily fitted to the overall thickness of the cartridge plates. Within the scope of the above mentioned aim, a main object of the present invention is to provide such a water mixing cartridge for single control handle faucets which allow a perfect water sealing to be obtained under any operating conditions. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide such a water mixing cartridge for single control handle faucets which is very simple in construction and very reliable in operation. According to the present invention, the above mentioned aim and objects, as well as yet other object, which will become more apparent hereinafter, are achieved by a water mixing cartridge for single control handle according to claim 1. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Further characteristics and advantages of the water mixing cartridge for single control handle faucets according to the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed disclosure of a preferred, though not exclusive, embodiment thereof, which is illustrated, by way of a merely indicative but not limitative example, in the figures of the accompanying drawings where: Figure 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the cartridge according to the invention; and Figure 2 is an exploded view illustrating the component elements forming the bottom of the water mixing cartridge according to the invention. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT With reference to the figures of the accompanying drawings, the water mixing cartridge for single control handle faucets according to the present invention, which has been generally indicated at the reference number 1, comprises a fixed plate 2 therethrough there are formed several openings communicating with the hot water and cold water inlet ducts. On the fixed plate there is arranged a movable plate 3 including a substantially elongated axial opening and being restrained to a plate cover element 4 including, at an offset position, a restraining seat 5. In this seat there is engaged one end of a control rod 6 which is articulated, through a pivot pin 7, to a tubular structure 8 provided with a bottom flange 9 restraining, through an edge portion 9', the mentioned plate cover. Between the movable plate 3 and said plate cover element there is moreover provided a sealing O-ring. The above disclosed cooperating elements are held within a box-like body 10 which is provided, at the bottom thereof, with perimetrical openings or ports 11. To said box-like body there is connected a frame 12, including corresponding upwardly directed lugs 13 and having a projecting ridge 13' adapted to be snap engaged within the mentioned perimetrical openings. On this frame there are provided one or more pins for properly locating the cartridge. On the inner side of the mentioned frame, moreover, there are defined further seats 14 therein there are engaged projection portions 15 provided along the perimetrical wall of a small frame element 16 adapted to slide along the inner opening of the mentioned frame. Said frame element 16 is furthermore provided with further openings or ports 17 respectively for the inlet hot water and inlet cold water and the mixed outlet water. Said element 16, moreover, can have any different desired thickness and is provided with perimetrical seats 18 for housing suitable perimetrical sealing elements 19. Owing to the disclosed construction, it is possible to fit the cartridge to any possible thickness variations of the component elements of said cartridge. In this connection it should be apparent that the frame 12 can be upwardly extended to be applied to an upward opened cartridge. From the above disclosure and the observation of the figures of the accompanying drawings it should be apparent that the invention fully achieves the intended aim and objects. While the invention has been disclosed and illustrated with reference to a preferred embodiment thereof, it should be apparent that the disclosed embodiments are susceptible to several modifications and variations, all of which come within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims: A water mixing cartridge in the form of a box-like body (10) for single control handle faucets comprising a fixed plate (2), a movable plate (3) coupled to a plate cover (4), said plate cover (4) being connected to a lever element (6) in turn articulated on a pivot pin (7) connected to a tubular structure (8), said box-like body (10) holding the mentioned cooperating elements and being closed, at the bottom thereof, by a bottom plate (12, 16) including inlet ports (17) for hot water and cold water and at least one outlet port (17) for mixed water, characterized in that said bottom plate consists of a bottom plate frame (12) having a central opening and of a further frame element (16), said further frame element (16) being housed in said central opening and including said inlet ports and said at least one outlet port. A water mixing cartridge according to Claim 1, characterized in that said box-like body (10) is provided with bottom perimetrical ports (11), said bottom plate frame (12) including a plurality of upwardly directed lugs (13) having a projecting ridge (13') provided for snap engaging in said perimetrical ports (11) of said box-like body, said bottom plate frame (12) further comprising at least one locating pin (20). A water mixing cartridge according to Claims 1 and 2, characterized in that inside said bottom plate frame (12) are provided a plurality of seats (14) for housing corresponding projections (15) formed along a perimetrical wall of said frame element (16), said frame element (16) being moreover provided with perimetrical seats (18) for housing sealing elements (19).

Inventors: GIRARDINI GIANCARLO, GIRARDINI, GIANCARLO
Applicants: GIRARDINI GIANCARLO, GIRARDINI, GIANCARLO
Application year: 1992
Main classification: F16K11
IPC codes: F16K11