Dual handle mixing faucet

Claim 1

A dual handle faucet for mixing and supplying hot and cold water, said faucet comprising: a substantially symmetrical faucet casing having hot and cold water inlets and a mixed water outlet, said faucet casing having extending transversely therethrough a cylindrical bore; a cylindrical valve seat body fixedly positioned and supported within said bore; said valve seat body having adjacent each axial end thereof an annular axial sleeve-shaped end portion having an outer diameter less than the diameter of said valve seat body, the axial outer face of each said end portion forming a valve seat; said valve seat body having therein two separate substantially L-shaped passages, each said L-shaped passage comprising a first outlet portion extending axially of said valve seat body through a respective said end portion thereof, and a second inlet portion extending radially outwardly from said first outlet portion through said valve seat body to the exterior thereof and joined to a respective of said hot and cold water inlets; said valve seat body having therein a substantially T-shaped passage comprising a first axial portion extending axially through a portion of the axial length of said valve seat body at a position therein between the outer peripheral surface thereof and said axial end portions thereof, and a second radial portion extending radially outwardly from said first axial portion through said valve seat body to the exterior thereof and connected to said mixed water outlet; a pair of valves mounted in said faucet casing, one each adjacent a respective of said valve seats; and a pair of valve actuators, one each attached to a respective of said valves, each said valve actuator comprising a handle for selectively independently moving the respective said valve between a closed position contacting the respective valve seat and blocking fluid communication between the respective said L-shaped passage and said T-shaped passage, and an open position spaced from said respective valve seat and allowing fluid communication between said respective L-shaped passage and said T-shaped passage, said handles being arranged in cantilever fashion adjacent one another such that they may be simultaneously operated by hand, said handles having end portions and said faucet casing having an outlet portion configured such that said faucet casing outlet portion limits movement of said handles in a direction to achieve movement of said valves to said closed positions thereof.