Abstract:
A tub spout with a diverter mechanism includes a housing having an external surface and an internal cavity that includes a spout outlet. A water supply conduit is located within the internal cavity and provides a fluid path that is in fluid communication with the spout outlet. A push button extends outwardly of the external surface of the housing and is movable relative to the housing between a non-diverting position where water exits the spout outlet and a diverting position where water is prevented from exiting the spout outlet. A diverter gate is positioned within the internal cavity to selectively block the fluid path and is coupled for movement with the push button. A resilient member biases the push button to the non-diverting position.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates generally to tub spout and water diverting mechanism, and more particularly to a push-activated water diverting mechanism. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Standard tub spouts utilize a pull-up or pull-down diverter mechanism that requires the user to pull on a knob to divert a water supply exiting the tub spout to another outlet, such as a showerhead for example. Standard tub spouts with vertically moving diverter gates position the diverter gate at least partially below the water supply in the non-diverting position, and when the knob is pulled upwardly, the diverter gate is pulled upwardly to block the water supply from exiting the tub spout. 
     The knobs provided in these pull-up and pull-down diverter mechanisms are relatively small in size and can be difficult to grasp. Further, the grasping motion required to pull on the knob can be difficult in accessible design (handicap) environments. Thus, a more accessible design that can be easily actuated is desirable. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one exemplary embodiment, a tub spout with a diverter mechanism includes a housing having an external surface and an internal cavity that includes a spout outlet. A water supply conduit is located within the internal cavity and provides a fluid path that is in fluid communication with the spout outlet. A push button extends outwardly of the external surface of the housing and is movable relative to the housing between a non-diverting position where water exits the spout outlet and a diverting position where water is prevented from exiting the spout outlet. A diverter gate is positioned within the internal cavity to selectively block the fluid path and is coupled for movement with the push button. A resilient member biases the push button to the non-diverting position. 
     In another embodiment according to the previous embodiment, the diverter gate is positioned at least partially vertically above the fluid path of the water supply conduit when in the non-diverting position. 
     In another embodiment according to any of the previous embodiments, the diverter gate is connected to a rod that is fixed for movement with the push button. 
     In another embodiment according to any of the previous embodiments, the resilient member comprises a spring that surrounds the rod, and when a downward force is applied to the push button, the spring is compressed and the rod moves downward to lower the diverter gate to block the fluid path of the water supply conduit. 
     In another embodiment according to any of the previous embodiments, when the push button is in the diverting position and a water supply is turned on, the fluid path of the water supply conduit remains sealed due to a force of water pressure on the diverter gate, and when the water supply is shut off, the force due to water pressure on the diverter gate falls below a force attributed to the spring and the push button is reset to the non-diverting position. 
     In another embodiment according to any of the previous embodiments, a rod mount portion surrounds the rod and is held fixed relative to the housing, and wherein the rod extends from the push button to a distal end that extends outwardly of the rod mount portion and is coupled to the diverter gate. 
     In another embodiment according to any of the previous embodiments, the rod mount portion is integral with or fixed directly to the housing. 
     In another embodiment according to any of the previous embodiments, a mounting boss within the internal cavity receives a downstream end of the supply conduit, and the diverter gate is positioned axially between the rod mount portion and the mounting boss. 
     In another embodiment according to any of the previous embodiments, a cap is held fixed to the water supply conduit, and the rod mount portion is integrally formed with or fixed directly to the cap. 
     In another embodiment according to any of the previous embodiments, the supply conduit includes a mounting boss that includes an opening to receive the cap, and wherein the resilient member comprises a spring that reacts between the push button and the mounting boss. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1A  is a cross-sectional view of a tub spout with a water diverting mechanism according to the prior art, wherein the water diverting mechanism is in a non-diverting position. 
         FIG. 1B  is a view similar to  FIG. 1 a    but showing the water diverting mechanism in a diverting position. 
         FIG. 2A  is a cross-sectional view of one example embodiment of a tub spout with a water diverting mechanism according to the subject invention, wherein the water diverting mechanism is in the non-diverting position. 
         FIG. 2B  is a view similar to  FIG. 2A  but showing the water diverting mechanism in the diverting position. 
         FIG. 3A  is a perspective view of a housing of one example configuration of the disclosed invention with a protruding button in both the diverting and non-diverting positions, wherein the button of  FIG. 3A  is in the non-diverting position. 
         FIG. 3B  is a front end view of the housing of  FIG. 3A . 
         FIG. 3C  is a side view of the housing of  FIG. 3A . 
         FIG. 3D  is a view similar to  FIG. 3A  but showing the button in the diverting position. 
         FIG. 3E  is a view similar to  FIG. 3B  but showing the button in the diverting position. 
         FIG. 3F  is a view similar to  FIG. 3C  but showing the button in the diverting position. 
         FIG. 4A  is a side view of a housing of another example configuration of the disclosed invention wherein the button is protruding in the non-diverting position. 
         FIG. 4B  is a view similar to  FIG. 4A  but showing that the button is substantially flush with the housing in the diverting position. 
         FIG. 5A  is a side view of a housing of another example configuration of the disclosed invention having a tiered button with a first button portion protruding from a second button portion in the non-diverting position. 
         FIG. 5B  is a view similar to  FIG. 5A  but showing that the first button portion is substantially flush with the second button portion in the diverting position. 
         FIG. 6A  is a perspective view of another example configuration of the disclosed invention having a centrally located button on a housing body where the button is protruding in the non-diverting position. 
         FIG. 6B  is a view similar to  FIG. 6A  but showing that the button is substantially flush with the housing in the diverting position. 
         FIG. 7A  is a side section view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 6A  in the non-diverting position. 
         FIG. 7B  is a view similar to  FIG. 7A  but in the diverting position. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIGS. 1A-1B  schematically illustrate a tub spout  100  with a water diverting mechanism according to the prior art.  FIG. 1A  illustrates the tub spout  100  in the non-diverting position, and  FIG. 1B  illustrates the tub spout  100  in the diverting position. A knob  101  is used to move a diverter gate/seal assembly  103  to cover and uncover an internal water supply opening  105  within the spout  100 . The knob  101  is connected to the diverter gate/seal assembly  103  by a vertically moveable rod  107 . In the non-diverting position, the diverter gate/seal assembly  103  is arranged below the water supply opening  105 . When a water supply to the spout  100  is turned on in the non-diverting position, water travels through the water supply opening  105  and out through a tub spout outlet  109 . 
     To activate the diverting mechanism, a user grasps the knob  101  and provides an upward lifting force. The upward force moves the rod  107  and diverter gate/seal assembly  103  upward in a vertical direction relative to a housing  111  so that the diverter gate/seal assembly  103  completely covers the water supply opening  105 . In this diverting position, the diverter gate/seal assembly  103  prevents water from flowing out of the water supply opening  105  to the tub spout outlet  109 , and instead water is redirected to a second outlet (not shown). When the knob  101  is in the diverting position and the water supply is turned on, the force due to water pressure on the diverter gate/seal  103  provides sufficient force to keep the diverter gate/seal  103  in the diverting position. When the water supply for the system is shut off and/or the force due to water pressure falls below the force due to gravity, the system resets to the non-diverting position and the knob  101  returns to the position shown in  FIG. 1A . 
       FIGS. 2A-2B  illustrate a tub spout  200  that incorporates a diverting mechanism  202  of the present invention.  FIG. 2A  illustrates the diverting mechanism  202  in the non-diverting position, and  FIG. 2B  illustrates the diverting mechanism  202  in the diverting position. The tub spout  200  comprises a housing  204  having an external surface and which defines an internal cavity  206  with a spout outlet  208 . The diverting mechanism  202  includes a push button  210  that is connected to a diverter gate/seal  212  positioned within the internal cavity  206 . In the non-diverting position, the diverter gate/seal  212  is positioned at least partially above a water supply opening  214  from a supply conduit  216 . The diverter gate/seal  212  is connected to a spring  218  and the push button  210  by a rod  220 . 
     When a user applies a downward vertical force to the push button  210 , the spring  218  is compressed and the rod  220  moves downward to lower the diverter gate/seal  212  to seal the water supply opening  214 . When the water supply opening  214  is sealed, the diverting mechanism  202  is in a diverting position to prevent water from flowing through the tub spout outlet  208  and instead redirects water to a second outlet, such as to a showerhead for example, which is schematically illustrated at  222 . When the diverting mechanism  202  is in the diverting position and the water supply for the system is turned on, the water supply opening  214  remains sealed due to the force of water pressure on the diverter gate/seal  212 . When water supply for the system is shut off and the force due to water pressure on the diverter gate/seal  212  falls below the force attributed to the spring  218 , the system resets to the non-diverting position. Drain holes can also be positioned below the button to prevent water pooling. 
     The diverter gate/seal  212  includes a tab  224  that extends outwardly to connect to the rod  220 . The tab  224  can be integrally formed as one piece with the diverter gate/seal  212  or could be separately attached. In the example shown, the rod  220  includes a reduced neck portion  226  that is received within an opening  228  formed in the tab  224 . A distal end  230  of the rod  220  has a larger section than the neck portion  226 . When assembled, the distal end  230  of the rod  220  is pressed through the opening  228  which slightly expands and then retracts around the neck portion  226  in a snap fit. 
     The supply conduit  216  fits within a mounting boss  232  positioned within the internal cavity  206  of the housing  204 . The mounting boss  232  has an opening that is aligned with the water supply opening  214  that is provided at the downstream end of the supply conduit  216 . An additional internal pipe  234  is then inserted into an upstream end of the supply conduit  216 . At least one seal  236  is installed between the internal pipe  234  and the supply conduit  216  to provide a sealed connection. A set screw  238  is then used to connect the housing  204  to the internal pipe  234 . 
     The diverter gate/seal  212  comprises a gate portion  240  that extends along a substantial vertical length of the rod  220 . The diverter gate/seal  212  includes a finial/seal portion  242  that is at the upper end of the gate portion  240 . The tab  224  is at the lower end of the gate portion  240 . The finial/seal portion  242  comprises a cup-shaped extension portion with an opening  244  that receives water when in the diverting position ( FIG. 2B ). When in the non-diverting position ( FIG. 2A ) the opening  244  is blocked by the mounting boss  232 . 
     The supply conduit  216  defines a central axis A as shown in  FIG. 2A . The cup-shaped extension portion of the diverter gate/seal  212  includes an upper portion and a lower portion. When the diverter gate/seal  212  is in the non-diverting position the lower portion is vertically above the central axis A to allow water to flow freely through the supply conduit  216  and to exit at the spout outlet  208 . 
     The housing  204  includes an internal rod mount portion  250  through which the rod  220  is inserted. The rod mount portion  250  comprises a cylindrical tube that is spaced in a downstream direction from the mounting boss  232  that receives the supply conduit  216 . The distal end  230  of the rod  220  extends outwardly of the rod mount portion  250  to connect to the tab  224  of the diverter gate/seal  212 . The diverter gate/seal  212  moves vertically within an open area formed between the rod mount portion  250  and the mounting boss  232 . When the button  210  is pushed down, the rod  220  moves down, the spring  218  is compressed and the opening  244  of the diverter gate/seal  212  is aligned with the water supply opening  214  as shown in  FIG. 2B . The water pushes and holds/seals the finial/seal portion  242  of the diverter gate/seal  212  against the rod mount portion  250  when in the diverting position. When the water is turned off, the water pressure decreases and the force of the spring  218  returns the button  210  to the non-diverting position shown in  FIG. 2A . 
       FIGS. 3A-3F, 4A -B, and  5 A- 5 B depict different embodiments of a tub spout utilizing the disclosed diverter mechanism.  FIG. 3A  depicts one example configuration where a push button  300  protrudes upwardly from a downstream end of a housing  302  of a tub spout  304 . The housing  302  includes a tapering portion  306  that narrows in a direction toward the downstream end. As shown in  FIG. 3B  the button  300  is wider in a horizontal direction than the narrowed end  308  of the tapering portion  306 . When in the non-diverting position ( FIGS. 3A-3C ), the button  300  is positioned vertically above the narrowed end  308 . When in the diverting position ( FIGS. 3D-3F ), the button  300  is pressed down over the narrowed end  308  as best shown in  FIG. 3E , but still protrudes upwardly from the housing  302  as best shown in  FIG. 3F . 
       FIGS. 4A  (non-diverting) and  4 B (diverting) show another example configuration. In this example, a push button  400  lowers into a cavity (schematically indicated at  402 ) within a housing  404  when pressed into the diverting position to become substantially flush with the housing  404 . 
       FIGS. 5A  (non-diverting) and  5 B (diverting) show another example configuration with a tiered button. In this example, a push button  500  lowers into a cavity (schematically indicated at  502 ) within a housing  504  when pressed into the diverting position. The button  500  includes a first tier or first button portion  506  and a second tier or second button portion  508 . The first button portion  506  is smaller than the second button portion  508  such that when pressed downwardly, the first button portion  506  recedes into the second button portion  508  to become substantially flush with the second button portion  508 . 
       FIGS. 6A and 7A  (non-diverting) and  FIGS. 6B and 7B  (diverting) show another example configuration. In this example, a spout  600  has a housing  602  that extends from an upstream end  604  to a downstream end  606 , and a push button  608  lowers into a cavity  610  within the housing  602  when pressed into the diverting position to become substantially flush with the housing  602  as shown in  FIG. 6B . In this example, the button  608  is centrally located on the housing  602  instead of being at the downstream end  606 . 
     The tub spout  600  shows another example of a diverting mechanism  612  of the present invention that is used to control a water supply to a spout outlet  614 . The diverting mechanism  612  includes a diverter gate/seal  616  that is positioned within the internal cavity  610  and which is connected to the push button  608 . As with the previous embodiment, when in the non-diverting position, the diverter gate/seal  616  is positioned at least partially above a water supply opening  618  from a supply conduit  620 . The diverter gate/seal  616  is connected to the push button  608  by a rod  624 . 
     The supply conduit  620  includes an upwardly extending boss  626  that receives a cap  628  that extends into the button  608 . A spring  630  reacts between an inner surface of the button  608  and the upper edge of the boss  626 . The cap  628  has a cup-shaped body with an internal cylindrical rod mount  632  through which the rod  624  extends. The cap  628  is held fixed to the supply conduit  620  and includes a seal  634  to provide a sealed connection. 
     When a user applies a downward vertical force to the push button  608 , the spring  630  is compressed against the supply conduit  620  and the rod  624  moves downward through the rod mount  632  to lower the diverter gate/seal  616  to seal the water supply opening  618 . When the water supply opening  618  ( FIG. 7B ) is sealed, the diverting mechanism  612  is in a diverting position to prevent water from flowing through the tub spout outlet  614  and instead redirects water to a second outlet, such as to a showerhead for example, which is schematically illustrated at  636 . When the diverting mechanism  612  is in the diverting position and the water supply for the system is turned on, the water supply opening  618  remains sealed due to the force of water pressure on the diverter gate/seal  616 . When water supply for the system is shut off and the force due to water pressure on the diverter gate/seal  616  falls below the force attributed to the spring  630 , the system resets to the non-diverting position. 
     The diverter gate/seal  616  includes a tab  640  that extends outwardly to connect to the rod  624 . The tab  640  can be integrally formed as one piece with the diverter gate/seal  616  or could be separately attached. In the example shown, the rod  624  includes a reduced neck portion  642  that is received within an opening  644  formed in the tab  640 . A distal end  646  of the rod  624  has a larger section than the neck portion  642 . When assembled, the distal end  646  of the rod  624  is pressed through the opening  644  which slightly expands and then retracts around the neck portion  642  in a snap fit. 
     The supply conduit  620  has an upstream end that fits within a first mounting boss  650  positioned within the internal cavity  610  of the housing  602 . A downstream end of the supply conduit  620  is fit over a second mounting boss  652  within the cavity  610 . The diverter gate/seal  616  extends into the supply conduit  620  at a location between the upstream and downstream ends of the supply conduit  620 . The distal end  646  of the rod  624  extends outwardly of the rod mount portion  632  to connect to the tab  640  of the diverter gate/seal  616 . 
     An additional internal pipe  654  is then inserted into the upstream end of the supply conduit  620 . At least one seal  656  is installed between the internal pipe  654  and the supply conduit  620  to provide a sealed connection. A set screw  658  is then used to connect the housing  602  to the internal pipe  654 . 
     The diverter gate/seal  616  comprises a gate portion  660  that extends along a vertical length of the rod  624  and a finial/seal portion  662 . The tab  640  is at the lower end of the gate portion  660 . The final/seal portion  662  comprises a cup-shaped extension portion with an opening  664  that receives water when in the diverting position ( FIG. 7B ). When in the non-diverting position ( FIG. 7A ) the opening  664  is blocked by the cap  628 . 
     The supply conduit  620  defines a central axis A as shown in  FIG. 7A . The cup-shaped extension portion of the diverter gate/seal  616  includes an upper portion and a lower portion. When the diverter gate/seal  616  is in the non-diverting position the lower portion is vertically above the central axis A to allow water to flow freely through the supply conduit  620  to exit at the spout outlet  614 . 
     When the button  608  is pushed down, the rod  624  moves down, the spring  630  is compressed and the opening  664  of the diverter gate/seal  616  is aligned with the water supply opening  618  as shown in  FIG. 7B . The water pushes and holds/seals the finial/seal portion  662  of the diverter gate/seal  616  against the rod mount portion  632  of the cap  628  when in the diverting position to prevent water from exiting the outlet  614 . When the water is turned off, the water pressure decreases and the force of the spring  630  returns the button  608  to the non-diverting position shown in  FIG. 6A . 
     While the above disclosure is drawn generally to a tub fixture, it should be understood that the principles illustrated can be applied to any plumbing fixture supplying fluid to two or more outlets. Further, the diverting mechanism of  FIGS. 7A-7B  could be used with the button embodiments shown in  FIGS. 3A-3F, 4A-4B, and 5A-5B . Additionally, the diverting mechanism of  FIGS. 2A-2B  could be used with the button embodiment shown in  FIGS. 6A-6B . 
     The disclosed invention provides a more accessible design utilizing a large button on top of the tub spout, which can be pressed using a first or flat hand to provide a downward force. By positioning the diverter gate at least partially above the water supply in the non-diverting position the subject invention provides a more accessible design that can be easily actuated by a user to divert a water supply to a secondary outlet. 
     It is further understood that any of the above described concepts can be used alone or in combination with any or all of the other above described concepts. Although an embodiment of this invention has been disclosed, a worker of ordinary skill in this art would recognize that certain modifications would come within the scope of this invention. For that reason, the following claims should be studied to determine the true scope and content of this invention.