Abstract:
A liquid dispensing apparatus with a child-safety feature which, in one preferred embodiment, does not permit dispensing unless both a dispensing handle and an associated lever are each independently moved. In another embodiment, dispensing is prevented unless a manually-depressable, rotatable dispensing lever and a rotatable safety lock are both simultaneously actuated.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention generally relates to a dispensing valve for use in dispensing liquid from liquid containers and, more specifically, a dispensing valve with an improved operating handle. 
     The invention is especially useful for use with valves intended for dispensing hot fluids, and will be described with reference to this function. However, it will be understood that dispensing valves of the invention may be used in many environments for controlling different types of fluids. 
     A common and well known type of dispensing valve or faucet used for controlling the dispensing of fluids such as coffee, water and other beverages includes a faucet body with a downwardly-directed outlet in which fluid movement through the faucet body is controlled by an internal valve joined to an upwardly extending stem. The stem may extend out of the body through a bonnet, and movement of the stem may be controlled by a manually-operated cam actuator pivotally joined to the stem and acting against the bonnet. 
     A problem sometimes encountered with this general class of valves is the possibility of undesired discharge of fluid caused by inadvertent bumping of the dispensing actuator. The seriousness of the inadvertent dispensing depends, of course, on the nature of the fluid and the surrounding environment. For example, if a small child were to jostle a water cooler faucet and inadvertently dispense hot water, the consequences could be quite serious. 
     With a conventional faucet, the handle may be actuated through the carelessness of a small child or a slight, inadvertent touch to dispense hot water or other liquids, with potentially serious consequences. This is because with the handle of the conventional faucet actuated by leverage, the force point of the lever corresponds to the support point of the lever, and liquid is discharged simply by pushing the handle down. 
     It is also known to provide dispensing faucets with safety handles, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,449,144 to Kowalics, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,086,045 to Moon, the entire disclosures of each of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein. While there are safety advantages associated with these handles, difficulties have been encountered in operating handles of these types. For example, it can he physically cumbersome or awkward to actuate such faucets, and then to maintain such faucets in position during dispensing. 
     U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,449,144, 8,418,991 and 8,418,992, commonly assigned to The Meyer Company, also disclose dispensing faucets with safety handles. These are also physically cumbersome to actuate, requiring the thumb and index finger to squeeze together to disengage the safety lock, and then twisting the wrist to dispense. 
     Accordingly, a need continues to exist for an improved safety handle/actuator arrangement for dispensing liquids, which overcomes the above-referenced problems, while retaining advantages of such faucets. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, a liquid dispensing apparatus with a child-safety feature is provided, and includes a valve with inlet and outlet passageways. Preferably, the valve inlet passageway is in fluid communication with a source of liquid to be dispensed, and the valve outlet passageway terminates in a nozzle or other suitable dispensing end. The apparatus also includes a manually-manipulable dispensing handle, and a manually-manipulable lever that is independently movable of the dispensing handle. Moving the dispensing handle without independently moving the lever will not allow liquid dispensing to occur through the valve outlet passageway. 
     In a particularly preferred embodiment, the apparatus may also include a stopper engaging the lever, and a spring-loaded pad, such that when the handle and the lever are each independently moved, the stopper constrains movement of the pad. The apparatus may also include a plunger capable of movement between dispensing and non-dispensing positions, such that when. the handle and the lever are each independently moved and the stopper constrains movement of the pad, the plunger is moved to a dispensing position allowing liquid to be dispensed through the valve outlet passageway. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the lever may normally be spring-biased in a neutral, non-liquid dispensing position when the lever is not being manually manipulated. Similarly, the pad may be spring-biased in a neutral, non-liquid dispensing position when the lever is not being manually manipulated. When only the handle and not the lever is manually manipulated, the plunger may be maintained in the non-dispensing position. In one embodiment, the handle may be rotated about a pivot comprising the pad. Preferably, the lever is capable of rotating with the handle. 
     The liquid to be dispensed may be hot and/or cold and/or sparkling water, beverages such as coffee, soda, or other liquids. 
     In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, a method of safely dispensing a liquid includes the steps of providing a valve having inlet and outlet passageways, with the valve inlet passageway being in fluid communication with a source of liquid to be dispensed, and the valve outlet passageway terminating in a nozzle or other suitable dispensing end; providing a manually-manipulable dispensing handle and a manually-manipulable lever; and providing a plunger that is normally located in a non-dispensing position blocking the valve outlet passageway. By independently moving both the dispensing handle and the lever, the plunger is moved to a dispensing position in which the plunger no longer blocks the valve outlet passageway, allowing liquid to be dispensed through the valve outlet passageway, Conversely, moving the dispensing handle without independently moving the lever will not cause the plunger to unblock the valve outlet passageway. A stopper may be provided for engaging the lever, and a spring-loaded pad may also be provided, such that when the handle and the lever are each independently moved, the stopper constrains movement of the pad, and the plunger is moved to the dispensing position. Preferably, when only the handle and not the lever is manually manipulated, the plunger is maintained in the non-dispensing position. Also, preferably, the handle can be rotated about a pivot on the pad, and the lever can be rotated with the handle. 
     In yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, a faucet assembly for liquid dispensing is provided which includes: (a) a valve having inlet and outlet passageways, with the valve inlet passageway being in fluid communication with a source of liquid to be dispensed, and the valve outlet passageway terminating in a nozzle or other suitable dispensing end; (b) a manually-depressable, rotatable dispensing lever, with the lever supporting a rotatable safety lock; and (c) an operating stem having first and second ends, with the first end suitable shaped and sized for releasably blocking fluid passage between the valve inlet and valve outlet passageways, and the second end pivotably connected to the dispensing lever. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the valve may include a bonnet, an upper portion of the valve may be engaged to the bonnet, and the operating stem may pass through a central portion of the bonnet. 
     With this embodiment, dispensing may only be actuated by rotating both the child safety lock and the dispensing lever, thereby removing the first end of the operating stem from a position blocking fluid passage between the valve inlet and valve outlet passageways. Preferably, the operating stem is spring-loaded so as to be normally maintained in a neutral position in which the first end of the operating stem blocks fluid passage between the valve inlet and valve outlet passageways. Following the actuation of dispensing, continued dispensing may be made to occur by continuing to depress the dispensing lever, and not the safety lock. The first end of the operating stem may be connected to a valve element. 
     Preferably, an upper surface of the dispensing lever may be suitably shaped and provided with a concave configuration so as to easily accommodate depression and subsequent rotation of the dispensing lever using the human thumb or fingers. This allows depression and rotation of the dispensing lever to be easily accomplished without also causing depression and rotating of the safety lock. 
     In the preferred embodiment, dispensing is actuated only upon rotation of the dispensing lever and the safety lock in the same direction, and the safety lock is normally spring-biased in a neutral position in which dispensing cannot occur. With this embodiment, manual exertion of a force on the safety lock causing rotation, without also manually exerting a force on the dispensing lever causing rotation, will not cause the faucet assembly to dispense the liquid. Similarly, manual exertion of a force on the dispensing lever causing rotation, without also manually exerting a force on the sty lock causing rotation, will not cause the faucet assembly to dispense the liquid. In this embodiment, when the safety lock is in the neutral position, attempting to depress and rotate the dispensing lever will. result in insufficient rotation of the dispensing lever to actuate dispensing. Also, when the safety lock is in the neutral position, attempted depression and rotation of the dispensing lever will insufficiently rotate the dispensing lever to actuate dispense due to an end of the safety lock abutting the valve. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The novel features which are characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, together with further objects and attendant advantages thereof, can be better understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a front and top perspective view of one preferred water cooler with a preferring dispensing apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an enlarged perspective view of the circled portion of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is an enlarged side and partial-front cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the safety dispensing apparatus of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a side cross-sectional view showing the safety dispensing apparatus in a neutral, resting position; 
         FIG. 5  is a view similar to  FIG. 4 , showing that the safety dispensing apparatus, when pulling out the faucet handle, will not dispense liquid; 
         FIG. 6  is a view similar to  FIG. 4 , in which the child safety lever has been lifted up, moving the stopper to a rotated-down position; 
         FIG. 7  is a view similar to  FIG. 4 , showing how the safety dispensing apparatus is moved to dispense liquid; 
         FIG. 8  is a side and bottom perspective view of the safety dispensing apparatus; 
         FIG. 9  is a top and side perspective view of a second embodiment of the safety dispensing apparatus of the present invention; 
         FIG. 10  is a side sectional view of  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a view similar to  FIG. 10  in which the safety lock has been depressed and rotated, overriding the biasing spring force; 
         FIG. 12  is a view similar to  FIG. 10  in which both the dispensing lever and the safety lock have been depressed and rotating into a dispensing position; 
         FIG. 13  is a view similar to  FIG. 10  in which the safety lock is shown in the act of returning to its original position; and 
         FIG. 14  is a view similar to  FIG. 10  in which the safety lock has not been depressed and rotated before the dispensing lever is depressed into a dispensing position, which will not result in dispensing; 
         FIG. 15  is a top and side perspective view of a third embodiment of the safety dispensing apparatus of the present invention; and 
         FIGS. 16-17  are side, cross-sectional view of the safety dispensing apparatus of  FIG. 15 , shown in closed, non-dispensing positions; 
         FIG. 18  is a side, cross-sectional view of the safety dispensing apparatus of  FIG. 15 , shown in an open, dispensing position; 
         FIG. 19A  is an enlarged, side and bottom perspective view of a preferred child safety lever and associated lock, as shown in  FIG. 15 ; and 
         FIGS. 19-20  are side, cross-sectional views of the safety dispensing apparatus of  FIG. 15 , once again shown in closed, non-dispensing positions. 
     
    
    
     The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present invention. In the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Set forth below is a description of what are believed to be the preferred embodiments and/or best examples of the invention claimed, Future and present alternatives and modifications to this preferred embodiment are contemplated, Any alternatives or modifications which make insubstantial changes in function, in purpose, in structure, or in result are intended to be covered by the claims of this patent. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1-2 , one preferred embodiment of water cooler  20  is shown. Water cooler  20  may include a top  30  and a circular side  31 . This exemplary embodiment includes dispensing apparatus  23  with hot water child safety dispensing handle  21  and protruding child safety pin/lever  21   a , and cold water dispensing lever  22 , each of which are located within alcove  25 , dispensing nozzle or faucet  26 , drip tray  27  located at the bottom of alcove  25 , and cup holder  28  for cups  29 . Top  30  of cooler  20  may taper downwardly to accommodate an inverted water bottle. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , hot water intake tube  50  and cold water intake tube  51  are in fluid communication with dispensing nozzle or faucet  26 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 2-4  and dispensing apparatus  23 ,  FIGS. 3-4  show child safety dispensing handle  21  in a neutral, resting position. Child safety pin  21   a  is in a “down” position, while stopper  40  is in an “up” position. Stopper  40  terminates in a “Y” shaped end  41 , engageable to a male portion  21   b  of child safety handle  21  (a rack and pinion approach). Spring  21   c  ensures that child safety handle pin  21   a  is maintained in the normally “down” position shown. Stopper  40  is in constant engagement with male portion  21   b  of child safety handle  21 , and is in the normally “up” position shown due to the position of safety handle  21  as shown. Pad  43  is spring-loaded, using spring  40   a , to maintain handle  21  at its neutral angle, as shown. Spring-loaded plunger  47  is normally biased in the “down” position by spring  47   a , interrupting the flow of hot water through tube  50 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , it can be seen that simply pulling out child safety handle/lever  21  (i.e., rotating it clockwise about pin  47   b , as shown), will not allow hot water to he dispensed from hot water tube  50 . (Pin  47   b  is a part of plunger  47 .) The reason is that pad  43  is permitted to freely rotate, without causing any corresponding movement of plunger  47 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , lifting up child safety lever/pin  21   a  rotates stopper counterclockwise in the direction of the arrow. The stopper&#39;s rotation constrains the movement of pad  43 . Referring now to  FIG. 7 , by maintaining child safety lever/pin  21   a  in the raised position shown, and pulling out child safety faucet handle  21  in the (clockwise) direction of the arrow, as shown, stopper  40 &#39;s position continues to constrain movement of pad  43 , such that plunger  47  will be lifted upwardly (i.e., the “lever” works about fulcrum/pivot  49 , such that as plunger  47  goes up, lever  21   a  goes down). This allows the flow of hot water through tube  50  in the direction of the arrow shown, and out through dispensing nozzle  26 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 8 , hot water tube  50  is in liquid communication with hot water outlet  50   a , while cold water tube  51  is in liquid communication with cold water outlet  51   a . If another type or temperature of liquid is desired, such as sparkling water, an additional outlet  52  may be provided. Spout bracket  63  with through-holes  63   a  may be used to hold cold/hot/sparkling water or other liquids to be dispensed at one or more dispensing outlet(s)  26 , which may be which may be attached such as to locking tabs  60 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 9 , another preferred embodiment of the improved child safety faucet assembly, designated generally with the reference numeral  100 , is shown. In this exemplary embodiment, faucet assembly  100  includes main body  120 , valve  200 , and child safety dispensing handle/lever  150  with child safety lock  160 . A liquid to be dispensed first enters main body  120  through inlet end  190 , and may be dispensed through dispensing nozzle  153 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 940 , main body  120  may include inlet end  190  defining a threaded inlet passage  190   a , and a horizontal body portion  140  defining horizontal inlet passage  140   a . Valve body  200  may include a main valve body  121  defining an interior valve chamber  125 , an upper portion or bonnet  130 , and a dispensing nozzle or outlet end  153  defining outlet passage  153   a . Bonnet  130  may be threadably attached to main valve body  121 , as shown, to hold the valve in position. Operating stem or plunger  122  may pass through a central opening in bonnet  130  and terminate in flanges  123  and  124 , which retain valve element  170 . Spring  144  surrounds and normally biases operating stem  122  in the normal (downward) operating position shown in  FIG. 10 . 
     An upper portion of operating stem/plunger  122  may be pivotably connected to rear portion  253  of dispensing lever  150 , at pivot  122   a . A medial portion  154  of dispensing lever  150 , in between rear portion  253  and front, distal portion  155 , may include: a lever depression  152 , suitably sized to be depressed by the human thumb or index finger; and lock abutments  151 , Lock abutments may work as a stopper, so that when handle/lever  150  is depressed without disengaging child safety lock  160 , lock end  160   a  will contact one or more lock abutments  151  and stop. Child safety lock  160  may include a pivot-spring catching rod  160 , which rotates about lock pivot  163  located on lever  150 . One end  161   a  of spring  161  may be carried by spring housing  162 ; the other end  161   b  of spring  161  may be rigidly connected to an opposite end  162   a  of spring housing  162 . 
     In operation, in order to commence liquid dispensing, the fluid communication passage joining inlet passage  140   a  and outlet passage  153   a  must be opened. To accomplish this, faucet assembly  100  requires simultaneous, combined actions, as now explained, This is accomplished by moving child safety lock  160  in the direction of the arrow shown in  FIG. 11 , toward front, distal end  155  of dispensing lever  150 , and also simultaneously pressing down on dispensing lever  150  (i.e., both child safety lock  160  and dispensing lever  150  are simultaneously rotated counterclockwise, as seen in  FIG. 12 ). 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 13-14 , in these views safety lock  160  has not been depressed and rotated before dispensing lever  150  is rotated rearwardly ( FIG. 14 ). Dispensing will not be permitted here, as bottom portion  160   a  of safety lock  160  will be contacted by the top surface of bonnet  130 , preventing full rotation of lever  150  such that stem  122  will be prevented from lifting up, preventing dispensing. It can be seen that the counterclockwise rotation of safety lock  160  is required so that when dispensing lever  150  is rotated counterclockwise, appropriate leverage will be provided to act on plunger  122 , raising it and moving valve  170  upward so that valve  170  no longer blocks the passageway between inlet  140   a  and outlet  153   a.    
     Once dispensing commences, the user can release the child safety lock (which will remain in place) and continue dispensing simply by continuing to depress the dispensing lever; dispensing will now continue until the user releases the dispensing lever. This provides more a user-friendly dispensing without compromising the child safety function. 
     Following dispensing, upon release of dispensing lever  150 , the force from spring  144  will move operating stem/plunger  122  downward again, placing lever  150  in its normal, neutral position and causing valve element  170  to once again block any fluid. communication passage between inlet passage  140   a  and outlet passage  153   a , as shown in  FIG. 13 . Using spring  161 , spring-loaded child safety lock  160  will also revert back to its neutral position (shown in  FIG. 13 ), as well. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 10 and 15 , the upper front/distal  155  and medial  152  portions of dispensing lever  150  preferably have multiple, curved surfaces ergonomically designed for ease in depressing the lever using the thumb, for example (although fingers may be used, as well). Once lever  150  is depressed, these surfaces are also designed to facilitate continued depression without requiring the user to rotate his/her hand to an awkward position in order to fully depress the lever and continue dispensing. 
     An advantage of the present invention is the added safety feature that both lock  160  and lever  150  must be actuated before dispensing will occur. Depressing/rotating only lock  160  (in either direction), or only lever  150  (in either direction), will not actuate dispensing. Also, lock  160  is preferably sufficiently spaced from the distal and medial portions of lever  150  so that any inadvertent pressing on lever  150  is unlikely to actuate lock  160 , as required for dispensing. 
     A conventional faucet may be used for dispensing of cold liquids, although in certain environments (e.g., in environments where dispensing of any liquid, hot or cold, can have serious consequences), it may be desirable to use a faucet according to the principles of the present invention for cold liquid dispensing, as well. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 15-20 , a similar child-safety lock to that of  FIGS. 9-14  is shown, However, in this embodiment, an extension spring  261  rather than a torsional spring is used, and a different fulcrum for the child safety portion is used. Thus, in the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 9-14 , end  160   a  of lock  160  has a flat shape, and sits against plunger  122  ( FIG. 12 ) when child safety lever  150  is rotated counterclockwise. In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 15-20  (see, e.g.,  FIG. 19A ), end  260   a  of lock  260  includes a cutout portion  260   b , and two ribs  260   c . As a consequence of the different design, with the embodiment of  FIGS. 15-20 , as child safety lever  150  is rotated counterclockwise, lock end  260   a  (instead of contacting plunger  122  as with the embodiment of  FIGS. 9-14 ) contacts front surface  270  of rear portion  253  of lever  150  (again see  FIG. 19A ). Once the handle is rotated counterclockwise about fulcrum  300  with the child safety lock disengaged (see  FIG. 17 ), plunger  122  will be moved upwardly, allowing liquid to be dispensed. 
     The above description is not intended to limit the meaning of the words used in the following claims that define the invention. Other systems, methods, features, and advantages of the present invention will be, or will become, apparent to one having ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the foregoing drawings, written description and claims, and persons of ordinary skill in the art will understand that a variety of other designs still falling within the scope of the following claims may be envisioned and used. For example, consumable liquids other than water, such as but not limited to sparkling water, coffee and carbonated beverages, may also be dispensed. Further, the disclosed or claimed child-safety lever could be associated with additional or other dispensing, such as cold-water dispensing, coffee dispensing, alcoholic dispensing, etc. It is contemplated. that these or other future modifications in structure, function or result will exist that are not substantial changes and that all such insubstantial changes in what is claimed are intended to be covered by the claims. 
     The following terms are used in the claims of the patent as filed and are intended to have their broadest meaning consistent with the requirements of law. Where alternative meanings are possible, the broadest meaning is intended. All words used in the claims are intended to be used in the normal, customary usage of grammar and the English language.