Abstract:
A three-position diverter valve having a longitudinal stem with opposite actuating and operating ends, and a body member defining at least one inlet aperture and first and second outlet apertures. The actuating end defines a plug with a pair of O-rings attached thereto. The plug can be selectively positioned to: (1) block water entering the at least one inlet aperture; (2) permit fluid (i.e. water) communication between the at least one inlet aperture and the first outlet aperture; and (3) permit fluid communication between the at least one inlet aperture and the second outlet aperture.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    Not Applicable. 
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not Applicable. 
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The invention is a three-position diverter valve apparatus for use with home tub-shower systems. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    As noted in U.S. Pat. No. 5,193,582 there are various diverter valves known in the art. 
         [0005]    For example, the Grohe diverter valve includes a housing that has two inlets for hot and cold water respectively and a plurality of outlets communicating with the two inlet pipes by means of a cylindrical rotating seal means having alternate holes for communicating with the various outlet pipes of the diverter valve. In this invention, a generally cylindrical seal is rotated around a vertical axis. The vertically rising surface of the cylindrical seal means contains outlet holes for communicating the water from the inlet pipes with the outlet pipes. In this mechanism, the incoming water does not affect the position of the vertically rising cylindrical seal. 
         [0006]    Another example of a diverter valve is provided by Boccini which has a cylindrically rotating valve activated by a vertically movable piston. 
         [0007]    Whatever the merits of the prior art diverter valves there is a need for a diverter valve that enables a user to turn water off or on without first having to turn the hot and/or cold supply off or on, respectively. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of a three-position diverter valve according to the present invention. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  shows an exploded view of the three-position diverter valve shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  shows a lengthwise sectional view of the three-position diverter valve shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0011]      FIGS. 4 and 5  show the three-position diverter valve of  FIG. 1  in the off position. 
           [0012]      FIGS. 6 and 7  show the three-position diverter valve of  FIG. 1  set to deliver water out of a second outlet aperture. 
           [0013]      FIGS. 8 and 9  show the three-position diverter valve of  FIG. 1  set to deliver water out of a first outlet aperture. 
           [0014]      FIG. 10  shows a table listing part numbers. 
           [0015]      FIG. 11  shows a close up view of the actuating end of a stem member. 
           [0016]      FIG. 12  shows a close up view of one end of a body member. 
       
    
    
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0017]    A three-position diverter valve having a longitudinal stem with opposite actuating and operating ends, and a body member defining at least one inlet aperture and first and second outlet apertures. The actuating end defines a plug with a pair of O-rings attached thereto. The plug can be selectively positioned to: (1) block water entering the at least one inlet aperture; (2) permit fluid (i.e. water) communication between the at least one inlet aperture and the first outlet aperture; and (3) permit fluid communication between the at least one inlet aperture and the second outlet aperture. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0018]    The invention is directed to a three-position diverter valve for use with home tub and shower systems. The three-position diverter valve of the invention is denoted generally by the numeric label “ 100 ”. 
         [0019]    Referring to the Figures in general including Table 1 ( FIG. 10 ) that lists part numbers, the three-position diverter valve  100  comprises a stem member  120  and a body member  140 . The stem member  120  is generally an elongated shaft having an operating end  160  and an actuating end  180 . The stem member  120  is shaped into a plug  190  at the actuating end  180 . A portion of the external surface  200  of the stem member  120  is lined with an external thread  220 . The stem member  120  is normally threaded into the body member  140 . 
         [0020]    The body member  140  has open front and rear ends  260  and  280  with a hollow through bore  300  interposed between the front and rear ends  260  and  280 . The bore  300  defines an interior bore surface  310 . At least one inlet aperture  320  is located proximate to the rear end  280  of the body member  140 . A first outlet aperture  340  is located at a point between the at least one inlet aperture  320  and the front end  260 . The rear end  280  defines a second outlet aperture  360 . 
         [0021]    During normal operation of the three-position diverter valve  100 , the stem member  120  is disposed coaxially at least partly within body member  140 , and the stem member  120  is rotated by means of a handle H. More specifically, stem member  120  is disposed longitudinally in bore  300  of body member  140 . In more detail, body member  140  defines a section of internal thread  380  on the internal surface bore  300 . The internal thread  380  complements external thread  220  located on stem member  120 . By means of threads  220  and  380  the stem member  120  can be moved longitudinally back and forth inside bore  300  by rotating the operating end  160  of stem member  120  whereupon stem member  120  moves backwards out of end  260  or forwards towards end  280  of body member  140 . Rotation of the operating end  160  can be achieved by means of a handle H attached to operating end  160  of stem member  120 . 
         [0022]    With the stem member  120  disposed longitudinally in bore  300  of body member  140  the cross-section of the bore  300  is sufficient to provide a passageway between the at least one inlet aperture  320  and first outlet aperture  340 . The bore  300  also provides a passageway between the at least one inlet aperture  320  and second outlet aperture  360 . 
         [0023]    The plug  190  is provided with first and second annular grooves  400  and  420 , which circle plug  190 . The first and second annular grooves  400  and  420  respectively receive and retain first and second O-rings  440  and  460  such that O-rings  440  and  460  circle plug  190 . The first and second O-rings  440  and  460  provide a tight water seal between the plug  190  and the interior bore surface  310  of bore  300  to prevent dripping. 
         [0024]    The gap g (see  FIG. 11 ) between the first and second annular grooves  400  and  420 , and hence the gap between the first and second O-rings  440  and  460 , is slightly larger than the width w of the at least one inlet aperture  320  (see  FIG. 12 ) such that by turning handle H the O-rings  440  and  460  can be positioned with an O-ring on both sides of the at least one aperture  320  as shown in  FIG. 5 . More specifically, first and second O-rings  440  and  460  can be respectively positioned between the at least one inlet aperture  320  and first outlet aperture  340 , and between the at least one aperture  320  and the second outlet aperture  360 . 
         [0025]    Either or both of first and second O-rings  440  and  460  can be made out of an elastomeric material such that the first and second O-rings  440  and  460  can be stretch fitted to fit securely into first and second annular grooves  400  and  420 , respectively. Alternatively, the first and second O-rings  440  and  460  can be glued to first and second annular grooves  400  and  420 , respectively. The first and second O-rings  440  and  460  provide a water tight seal between the rear end  180  of stem member  120  and the interior bore surface  310  of bore  300  at the rear end  280  of body member  140 . 
         [0026]    The O-rings  440  and  460  can be can be made out of any suitable material such as, but not limited to: nitrile (NBR or Buna-N), silicone (VMQ), Viton® fluoroelastomer, Kalrez® (perfuoroelastomer), fluorosilicone (FVMQ), ethylene propylene (e.g., EPM, EPDM, EP, EPR), polychloroprene (e.g., neoprene), and/or polyurethane. The O-rings  440  and  460  can have any suitable cross-section shape such as, but not limited to: a circular cross-section shape, a regular polygonal shape (e.g., square or rectangular cross-section shape), irregular polygonal shape. 
         [0027]    During normal operation of the three-position diverter valve  100  the operating end  160  of stem member  120  extends from the front end  260  of the body member  140 . The operating end  160  of the stem member  120  is adapted to receive and be rotated by handle H (shown, e.g., in  FIG. 5 ). 
         [0028]    By rotating the operating end  160  a user can select any of three operating positions wherein: (1) water is directed from the at least one inlet aperture  320  and out of the first outlet aperture  340  of the main body  140 , (2) water is directed from the at least one inlet aperture  320  and out of the second outlet aperture  360  in rear end  280  of the main body  140 , or (3) water is prevented from entering the at least one inlet aperture  320  thereby preventing water being directed out of either the first outlet aperture  340  or the second outlet aperture  360 . 
         [0029]    A ring seal  520  is fitted around the stem  120  without hindering the back and forth movement of the stem  120  when the operating end  160  is rotated (typically via a handle H). The ring seal  520  in combination with the threads  220  and  380  help ensure water does not leak from the front end  260  of the body member  140 . 
         [0030]    An optional nut  540  is fitted to the front end  260  of the body member  140 . The optional end nut  540  has a through bore of sufficient diameter to allow the stem member  120  to fit coaxially within body member  140  without hindering the rotation of the stem member  120 . 
         [0031]    By rotating operating end  160  of the stem member  120 , the plug  190  and the first and second O-rings located thereon can be selectively positioned as follows: (1) plug  190  and first and second O-rings  440  and  460  located thereon are positioned between the at least one inlet aperture  320  and the first outlet aperture  340  of body member  140  thereby directing water flow entering through the at least one inlet aperture  320  to and out of the second outlet aperture  360  at the rear end  280  of the main body  140 ; (2) plug  190  and first and second O-rings  440  and  460  located thereon are positioned between the at least one inlet aperture  320  and the second outlet aperture  360  at the rear end  280  of body member  140  thereby directing water flow entering through the at least one inlet aperture  320  to and out of the first outlet aperture  340 ; and (3) plug  190  is positioned to block water entry through the at least one inlet aperture  320  such that first O-ring  440  is positioned between the at least one inlet aperture  320  and the first outlet aperture  340  while the second O-ring  460  is positioned between the at least one inlet aperture  320  and the second outlet aperture  360  at the rear end  280  of body member  140  thereby blocking water passage between the at least one inlet aperture  320  to both outlet apertures  340  and  360 . 
         [0032]    Referring to  FIGS. 4 and 5  show the three-position diverter valve  100  of  FIG. 1  in the off position. More specifically, water is blocked from entering the main body member  140  via the at least one inlet aperture  320  when the plug  190  (not visible in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , but shown in, e.g.,  FIG. 3 ) is positioned alongside inlet aperture  320  such that first O-ring  440  is positioned between the at least one inlet aperture  320  and the first outlet aperture  340  and the second O-ring  460  is positioned between the at least one inlet aperture  320  and the second outlet aperture  360 . 
         [0033]    Referring to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , water can enter the at least one inlet aperture  320  and thence travel to and exit from the second outlet aperture  360  when the plug  190  (not visible in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , but shown in, e.g.,  FIG. 3 ) and first and second O-rings  440  and  460  are selectively positioned between the at least one inlet aperture  320  and the first outlet aperture  340  of body member  140 . More specifically, water is blocked from passing through the first outlet aperture  340  when the plug  190  and first and second O-rings  440  and  460  are selectively positioned between the at least one inlet aperture  320  and the first outlet aperture  340  of body member  140 . 
         [0034]    Referring to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , water can enter the at least one inlet aperture  320  and thence travel to and exit from the first outlet aperture  340  when the plug  190  (not visible in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , but shown in, e.g.,  FIG. 3 ) and first and second O-rings  440  and  460  are selectively positioned between the at least one inlet aperture  320  and the second outlet aperture  360  of body member  140 . More specifically, water is blocked from passing through the second outlet aperture  360  when the plug  190  and first and second O-rings  440  and  460  are selectively positioned between the at least one inlet aperture  320  and the second outlet aperture  360  of body member  140 . 
         [0035]    Referring in turn to each of the Figures with regard to which the meaning of labels and numbers shown in the Figures are described in Table 1 (see  FIG. 10 ). 
         [0036]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of the three-position diverter valve  100 . Explanation of the part numbers shown in  FIG. 1  are found in Table 1, which is shown in  FIG. 10 . 
         [0037]      FIG. 2  shows an exploded view of the three-position diverter valve  100  shown in  FIG. 1 . Explanations of the part numbers shown in  FIG. 2  are found in Table 1, which is shown in  FIG. 10 . 
         [0038]      FIG. 3  shows a lengthwise sectional view of the three-position diverter valve  100  shown in  FIG. 1 . Explanations of the part numbers shown in  FIG. 3  are found in Table 1, which is shown in  FIG. 10 . 
         [0039]      FIGS. 4 and 5  show the three-position diverter valve  100  of  FIG. 1  in the off position. More specifically, water is blocked from entering the main body member  140  via the at least one inlet aperture  320  when the plug  190  (not visible in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , but shown in, e.g.,  FIG. 3 ) is positioned alongside inlet aperture  320  such that first O-ring  440  is positioned between the at least one inlet aperture  320  and the first outlet aperture  340  and the second O-ring  460  is positioned between the at least one inlet aperture  320  and the second outlet aperture  360 . Explanation of the part numbers shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5  are found in Table 1, which is shown in  FIG. 10 . 
         [0040]      FIGS. 6 and 7  show the three-position diverter valve  100  of  FIG. 1  set to deliver water out of the first outlet aperture  340 . More specifically, water can enter the at least one inlet aperture  320  and thence travel to and exit from the first outlet aperture  340  when the plug  190  (not visible in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , but shown in, e.g.,  FIG. 3 ) and first and second O-rings  440  and  460  are both selectively positioned by rotating end  160  between the at least one inlet aperture  320  and the second outlet aperture  360  of body member  140 . More specifically, water is blocked from traveling to and exiting from the second outlet aperture  360  when plug  190  and first and second O-rings  440  and  460  located on plug  190  are positioned between the at least one inlet aperture  320  and the second outlet aperture  360  of body member  140 . Explanation of the part numbers shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7  are found in Table 1, which is shown in  FIG. 10 . 
         [0041]      FIGS. 8 and 9  show the three-position diverter valve  100  of  FIG. 1  set to deliver water out of the second outlet aperture  360 . More specifically, water can enter the at least one inlet aperture  320  and thence travel to and exit out through the second outlet aperture  360  when plug  190  (not visible in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , but shown in, e.g.,  FIG. 3 ) and first and second O-rings  440  and  460  located around plug  190  are both selectively positioned between the at least one inlet aperture  320  and the first outlet aperture  340  of body member  140 . More specifically, water is blocked from passing through the first outlet aperture  340  when the plug  190  and first and second O-rings  440  and  460  are positioned between the at least one inlet aperture  320  and the first outlet aperture  340  of body member  140 . Explanation of the part numbers shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9  are found in Table 1, which is shown in  FIG. 10 . 
         [0042]      FIG. 10  shows a table listing part numbers. 
         [0043]    The gap g (see  FIG. 11 ) between the first and second annular grooves  400  and  420 , and hence the gap between the first and second O-rings  440  and  460 , is slightly larger than the width w of the at least one inlet aperture  320  (see  FIG. 12 ) such that by turning handle H the O-rings  440  and  460  can be positioned with an O-ring on both sides of the at least one aperture  320  as shown in  FIG. 5 . More specifically, first and second O-rings  440  and  460  can be respectively positioned between the at least one inlet aperture  320  and first outlet aperture  340 , and between the at least one aperture  320  and the second outlet aperture  360 . Explanation of the part numbers shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12  are found in Table 1, which is shown in  FIG. 10 . 
         [0044]    The invention being thus described, it will be evident that the same may be varied in many ways by a routineer in the applicable arts. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the claims.