US3776373A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System for replacing faucet handles
Assignee: CREST GOOD Mfg CO Inc
•
Filing: 1972-07-10
•
Granted: 1973-12-04
•
Expires: 1992-07-10
Abstract
Abstract A system for replacing worn faucet handles. The system includes standardized faucet handles capable of replacing different types of faucet handles of many different plumbing fixture manufacturers. The standardized handles have interior recesses of the same non-circular cross section for receiving adaptors of the same external cross section matching that of the handle recesses. The adaptors however are provided with internally toothed recesses which have different characteristics for matching the different splined ends of valve stems of different manufacturers. A gauge is used for selecting a proper adaptor, this gauge being in the form of a plate formed with a series of toothed openings all of which have different characteristics. These openings can be tried one after the other on the splined end of a given valve stem until an opening is found which has a snug precise fit with respect to the particular splined end which is tested. The plate which forms the gauge carries adjacent the several openings indicia for identifying the different adaptors, so that once a proper opening is found on the gauge, the indicia adjacent the latter opening will indicate which adaptor should be used for the standardized handle.
Inventors
- 👤 J Mullen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 05:44
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16K; F16K27/00; F16K31/00; F16K31/44; F16K31/60; F16K31/602; G; G01; G01B; G01B3/00; G01B3/34
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
268 words
For use in a system for replacing faucet handles, a gauge plate formed with a plurality of toothed openings of different characteristics for respectively receiving the splined ends of valve stems of different characteristics, so that the openings of said plate can be placed on the splined end of a given valve stem until an opening matching the splined end of a particular valve stem is found, a group of adaptor members at least some of which are identical and a group of handle members at least some of which are identical, with one of said groups including members of different heights, said plate carrying adjacent each opening indicia for identifying adaptor members which will fit the splined end of a valve stem received in a given opening of said plate, whereby when using a plurality of adaptors adapted to fit on different valve stems while capable of being received in said handle members, one of said handle members can be used to replace any worn handle, at least some of said toothed openings being provided with a plurality of indicia respectively identifying members of said one group which are of different heights so that for a given valve stem it is possible to locate the replacement handle member at a proper elevation, said handle members respectively being formed with recesses for receiving said adaptor members with said recesses being deep enough to receive an adaptor with the latter located entirely within said recess, while use of a member of said one group of a greater or lesser height will control the elevation of the replacement handle member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
268 words
For use in a system for replacing faucet handles, a gauge plate formed with a plurality of toothed openings of different characteristics for respectively receiving the splined ends of valve stems of different characteristics, so that the openings of said plate can be placed on the splined end of a given valve stem until an opening matching the splined end of a particular valve stem is found, a group of adaptor members at least some of which are identical and a group of handle members at least some of which are identical, with one of said groups including members of different heights, said plate carrying adjacent each opening indicia for identifying adaptor members which will fit the splined end of a valve stem received in a given opening of said plate, whereby when using a plurality of adaptors adapted to fit on different valve stems while capable of being received in said handle members, one of said handle members can be used to replace any worn handle, at least some of said toothed openings being provided with a plurality of indicia respectively identifying members of said one group which are of different heights so that for a given valve stem it is possible to locate the replacement handle member at a proper elevation, said handle members respectively being formed with recesses for receiving said adaptor members with said recesses being deep enough to receive an adaptor with the latter located entirely within said recess, while use of a member of said one group of a greater or lesser height will control the elevation of the replacement handle member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
246 words
For use in a system for replacing faucet handles, a gauge plate formed with a plurality of toothed openings of different characteristics for respectively receiving the splined ends of valve stems of different characteristics, so that the openings of said plate can be placed on the splined end of a given valve stem until an openIng matching the splined end of a particular valve stem is found, said plate carrying adjacent each opening indicia for identifying an adaptor which will fit the splined end of a valve stem received in a given opening of said plate, whereby when using a plurality of adaptors adapted to fit on different valve stems while capable of being received in a standardized handle, the latter handle can be used to replace any worn handle, said system including a plurality of adaptors of different heights, and at least some of said toothed openings being provided with a plurality of indicia respectively identifying adaptors of different heights so that for a given valve stem it is possible to locate the standardized replacement handle at a proper elevation, the system including a plurality of identical faucet handles each formed with a recess for receiving an adaptor, said recess being deep enough to receive an adaptor of maximum height so that if with the latter adaptor in a given handle the latter is situated at too high an elevation, an adaptor of lesser height can be used to lower the elevation of the handle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
246 words
For use in a system for replacing faucet handles, a gauge plate formed with a plurality of toothed openings of different characteristics for respectively receiving the splined ends of valve stems of different characteristics, so that the openings of said plate can be placed on the splined end of a given valve stem until an openIng matching the splined end of a particular valve stem is found, said plate carrying adjacent each opening indicia for identifying an adaptor which will fit the splined end of a valve stem received in a given opening of said plate, whereby when using a plurality of adaptors adapted to fit on different valve stems while capable of being received in a standardized handle, the latter handle can be used to replace any worn handle, said system including a plurality of adaptors of different heights, and at least some of said toothed openings being provided with a plurality of indicia respectively identifying adaptors of different heights so that for a given valve stem it is possible to locate the standardized replacement handle at a proper elevation, the system including a plurality of identical faucet handles each formed with a recess for receiving an adaptor, said recess being deep enough to receive an adaptor of maximum height so that if with the latter adaptor in a given handle the latter is situated at too high an elevation, an adaptor of lesser height can be used to lower the elevation of the handle.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
The combination of claim 2 and wherein said recesses in the standardized handles are of a non-circular cross section, and said adaptors all having a cross sectional configuration matching that of the handle recesses.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
48 words
The combination of claim 3 and wherein the system includes a plurality of containers for respectively containing different adaptors with a plurality of identical adaptors being situated in each container, and said containers carrying indicia capable of being identified according to the indicia carried by said gauge plate.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
The combination of claim 4 and wherein each adaptor is formed with an internal recess which is provided with interior teeth for matching the splined end of a valve stem.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
83 words
The combination of claim 5 and wherein each adaptor is formed with an opening to be aligned with a threaded opening of a valve stem, and each handle being formed with a bore to be aligned with the adaptor opening and the threaded opening of the valve stem, and a screw for passing through the bore of the handle, the opening of the adaptor, and into the threaded opening of the valve stem for maintaining the latter assembled with the adaptor and handle.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-12-03 | 1977-06-04 | 1977-12-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-12-03 | 1981-06-04 | 1981-12-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-12-03 | 1985-06-04 | 1985-12-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |