Patent ID: 8312897

Claim:
A diverter valve, comprising: a housing having an internal chamber; a supply port in fluid communication with the internal chamber and coupleable to a fluid supply; a first outlet; a second outlet; a seal coupled to the housing between the supply port and the second outlet; and a stem moveable within the chamber between a first position at which the stem permits fluid communication between the supply port and the first outlet while inhibiting fluid communication between the supply port and the second outlet, and a second position at which the stem permits fluid communication between the supply port and the second outlet while inhibiting fluid communication between the supply port and the first outlet; wherein the stem includes an upstream portion, a downstream portion, and a reduced portion located between the upstream and downstream portions, the reduced portion having a reduced cross sectional area relative to the upstream portion of the stem, the stem being configured and positioned such that the reduced cross sectional area helps reduce the activation force needed to move the stem from the first position to the second position; wherein the housing also houses a mixing valve; and wherein when the stem is in the first position, the seal is proximate the upstream portion, and when the stem is in the second position, the seal is proximate the reduced portion.