Patent Publication Number: US-2004040603-A1

Title: Switch valve mounting device of faucet

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001] 1. Field of the Invention  
       [0002] The present invention relates to a switch valve mounting device of a faucet, and more particularly to a switch valve mounting device of a faucet, wherein the switch valve is mounted in the inner space of the four-way valve body individually and independently, so that mounting of the switch valve is not limited by the configuration and space of the faucet body.  
       [0003] 2. Description of the Related Art  
       [0004] A conventional faucet in accordance with the prior art comprises a water outlet head, a spray head, and a switch valve mounted between the water outlet head and the spray head, so that the water may be selectively output from the water outlet head or the spray head, so as to satisfy the different requirements of the user. The conventional faucet is integrally formed with the cold water inlet connector, the hot water inlet connector, the water outlet head and the spray head. Thus, it is necessary to provide a valve jacket to function as an assembly interface of the switch valve, or the inner space of the faucet body needs to fit the size of the switch valve, so that the switch valve may be mounted in the conventional faucet conveniently. However, the faucet body needs to exactly fit the size of the switch valve, so as to mount the switch valve in the conventional faucet, thereby causing inconvenience in assembly, and thereby increasing the cost of fabrication. In addition, the manufacturer has to make faucets of different types so as to fit switch valves of different sizes, thereby increasing the cost of fabrication, and thereby causing a stock storage problem.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005] The present invention has arisen to mitigate and/or obviate the disadvantage of the conventional faucet.  
       [0006] The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a switch valve mounting device of a faucet, wherein the switch valve is mounted in the inner space of the four-way valve body individually and independently, so that mounting of the switch valve is not limited by the configuration and space of the faucet body.  
       [0007] Another objective of the present invention is to provide a switch valve mounting device of a faucet, wherein the structure of the faucet adopts a separating design.  
       [0008] A further objective of the present invention is to provide a switch valve mounting device of a faucet, wherein by the separating assembly manner, the four-way valve body may co-operate with parts or accessories of different types, thereby enhancing the versatility of the switch valve mounting device of a faucet in accordance with the present invention.  
       [0009] In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a switch valve mounting device of a faucet, comprising a four-way valve body, and a switch valve mounted in the four-way valve body, wherein:  
       [0010] the four-way valve body has an inner wall formed with an inner space for mounting the switch valve;  
       [0011] the four-way valve body has a first portion provided with a first tubular section for connection to a water outlet head, and a second portion provided with a reduced diameter second tubular section which is formed with an outer thread for connection to a spray hose of a spray head; and  
       [0012] the four-way valve body has an outer wall provided with a third tubular section for connection to a water inlet hose of a cold water control valve, and provided with a fourth tubular section for connection to a water inlet hose of a hot water control valve.  
       [0013] Further benefits and advantages of the present invention will become apparent after a careful reading of the detailed description with appropriate reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0014]FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a switch valve mounting device of a faucet in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
     [0015]FIG. 2 is a perspective assembly view of the switch valve mounting device of a faucet in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention; and  
     [0016]FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of the switch valve mounting device of a faucet. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
     [0017] Referring to the drawings and initially to FIGS. 1 and 2 with reference to FIG. 3, a switch valve mounting device of a faucet in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown. In the present invention, the structure of the faucet adopts a separating design.  
     [0018] The switch valve mounting device of a faucet in accordance with the present invention comprises a four-way valve body  10 . The four-way valve body  10  has an inner wall formed with an inner space  17  for mounting a switch valve  20 .  
     [0019] The four-way valve body  10  has a first portion provided with a first tubular section  11  which is formed with an inner thread  110  for connection to a water outlet head  30  (see FIG. 3), and a second portion provided with a reduced diameter second tubular section  12  which is formed with an outer thread  120  for connection to a spray hose  41  (see FIG. 3) of a spray head  40  (see FIG. 3).  
     [0020] The four-way valve body  10  has an outer wall provided with a third tubular section  13  which is formed with an outer thread  130  for connection to a water inlet hose  51  (see FIG. 3) of a cold water control valve  50  (see FIG. 3), and provided with a fourth tubular section  14  which is formed with an outer thread  140  for connection to a water inlet hose  61  (see FIG. 3) of a hot water control valve  60  (see FIG. 3). The third tubular section  13  of the four-way valve body  10  is formed with a water inlet hole  15  communicating with the inner space  17  of the four-way valve body  10 , and the fourth tubular section  14  of the four-way valve body  10  is formed with a water inlet hole  16  communicating with the inner space  17  of the four-way valve body  10 .  
     [0021] The inner space  17  of the four-way valve body  10  is designed to fit the size of the switch valve  20 , and has an inner edge formed with an annular insertion groove  18  for securing the switch valve  20  in the inner space  17  of the four-way valve body  10  by a C-shaped snap ring  21 . Thus, after the switch valve  20  is inserted into the inner space  17  of the four-way valve body  10 , the C-shaped snap ring  21  may be inserted into the annular insertion groove  18  of the inner space  17  of the four-way valve body  10 , so that the switch valve  20  may be secured in the inner space  17  of the four-way valve body  10  by the C-shaped snap ring  21 . In such a manner, the four-way valve body  10  and the switch valve  20  may be assembled individually and independently.  
     [0022] Referring to FIG. 3 with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the four-way valve body  10  and the switch valve  20  may be assembled individually and independently, so that mounting of the switch valve  20  is not limited by the configuration and space of the faucet. In addition, in assembly of the faucet, the first tubular section  11  of the four-way valve body  10  is connected to the water outlet head  30 , the second tubular section  12  of the four-way valve body  10  is connected to the spray hose  41  of the spray head  40 , the third tubular section  13  of the four-way valve body  10  is connected to the water inlet hose  51  of the cold water control valve  50 , and the fourth tubular section  14  of the four-way valve body  10  is connected to the water inlet hose  61  of the hot water control valve  60 .  
     [0023] In such a manner, the switch valve  20  may be mounted in the four-way valve body  10  individually and independently, and the four-way valve body  10  may be connected to the water outlet head  30 , the spray hose  41  of the spray head  40 , the water inlet hose  51  of the cold water control valve  50 , and the water inlet hose  61  of the hot water control valve  60  respectively, thereby forming a multi-part faucet structure that may be assembled in a separating manner.  
     [0024] Accordingly, in the switch valve mounting device of a faucet in accordance with the present invention, the switch valve  20  may be mounted in the four-way valve body  10  individually and independently, so as to replace the conventional faucet body that is integrally made, so that mounting of the switch valve  20  is not limited by the configuration and space of the faucet body, thereby simplifying the type and size of the switch valve  20 , so that the switch valve  20  of a single type and size is available for faucets of different types and sizes. In addition, by the separating assembly manner, the four-way valve body  10  may co-operate with parts or accessories of different types, so that the four-way valve body  10  is available for a sink, a lavatory, a bath tub or the like, thereby enhancing the versatility of the switch valve mounting device of a faucet in accordance with the present invention.  
     [0025] In conclusion, in the switch valve mounting device of a faucet in accordance with the present invention, the structure of the faucet adopts a separating design. In such a manner, the four-way valve body is used to replace the conventional faucet body that is integrally made, so that mounting of the switch valve is not limited by the configuration and space of the faucet body. In addition, by the separating assembly manner, the four-way valve body may co-operate with parts or accessories of different types, thereby enhancing the versatility of the switch valve mounting device of a faucet in accordance with the present invention.  
     [0026] Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment as mentioned above, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. It is, therefore, contemplated that the appended claim or claims will cover such modifications and variations that fall within the true scope of the invention.