Mixing valve anti-scald apparatus

Claim 2

Anti-scald apparatus for a mixing valve having a valve body connectable to sources of hot and cold water and a water output conduit, a rotatable valve operating stem protruding from said valve body and valve means within said valve body connected for movement with said stem to vary the proportions of hot and cold water passing through said mixing valve upon rotation of said stem, said apparatus including a fixed stop secured to said valve body proximate said stem, spaced apart first and second movable stops secured to said stem for rotation therewith, said fixed stop being located in the path of movement of said first movable stop to limit rotational stem movement in one direction and being in the path of movement of said second movable stop to limit rotational stem movement in the other direction, a manually operable handle secured to said stem for rotational movement therewith, a third movable stop carried by said handle for rotation therewith and movable between a first position between said first movable stop and said fixed stop and a second position remote from the location between said first movable stop and said fixed stop, whereby said third movable stop abuts said fixed stop and precludes rotational stem movement in said one direction prior to abutment between said fixed stop and said first movable stop when said third movable stop is in said first position, movement of said third movable stop between said first and second positions being independent of movement of said handle.

Claim 3

The apparatus of claim 1, including resilient force exerting means carried by said handle and exerting a force on said third movable stop urging said third movable stop toward said first position.

Claim 4

The apparatus of claim 2, wherein a portion of said third movable stop remote from said stem extends exteriorly of said handle, whereby said third movable stop can be manipulated manually between said first and second positions.

Claim 5

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said third movable stop comprises a member having a groove formed therein opening toward said fixed stop, said groove being out of registry with said stop when said third movable stop is in the first position and in registry with and capable of receiving said fixed stop when said third movable stop is in the second position.

Claim 6

Anti-scald apparatus for a mixing valve having a valve body connectable to sources of hot and cold water and a water output conduit, a rotatable valve operating stem protruding from said valve body and valve means within said valve body connected for movement with said stem to vary the proportions of hot and cold water passing through said mixing valve upon rotation of said stem, said anti-scald apparatus including a fixed stop projecting from said valve body proximate said stem, first and second movable stops secured to said stem for rotation therewith and having portions thereof radially outward from the axis of rotation of said stem, said fixed stop being located in the path of movement of said first movable stop to limit rotational stem movement in one direction and being located in the path of movement of said second movable stop to limit rotational stem movement in the other direction, a manual operating handle secured to said stem for unitary rotational movement therewith with a portion of said handle being located radially outward of said stem, a third movable stop carried by said handle portion and extending radially inward toward said stem, said third movable stop being movable in said handle portion toward and away from said stem between a first position between said fixed stop and said first movable stop wherein said fixed stop is in registry with the path of rotational movement of said third stop upon rotation of said stem and a second position wherein said fixed stop is out of registry with the path of rotational movement of said third stop upon rotation of said stem.

Claim 7

Anti-scald apparatus for a mixing valve having a valve body connectable to sources of hot and cold water and a water output conduit, a rotatable valve operating stem protruding from said valve body and valve means within said valve body connected for movement with said stem to vary the proportions of hot and cold water passing through said mixing valve upon rotation of said stem, said anti-scald apparatus including a fixed stop projecting from said valve body proximate said stem, first and second movable stops secured to said stem for rotation therewith and having portions thereof radially outward from the axis of rotation of said stem, said fixed stop being located in the path of movement of said first movable stop to limit rotational stem movement in one direction and being located in the path of movement of said second movable stop to limit rotational stem movement in the other direction, a manual operating handle secured to said stem for unitary rotational movement therewith with a portion of said handle being located radially outward of said stem, a third movable stop carried by said handle portion and extending radially inward toward said stem, said third movable stop being movable in said handle portion toward and away from said stem between a first position between said fixed stop and said first movable stop wherein said fixed stop is in registry with the path of rotational movement of said third stop upon rotation of said stem and a second position wherein said fixed stop is out of registry with the path of rotational movement of said third stop upon rotation of said stem.

Claim 8

The apparatus of claim 5, further including resilient means carried by said handle portion and exerting a force on said third movable stop urging said third movable stop toward said first position.

Claim 9

The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said third movable stop comprises an elongate member having a groove formed therein facing said fixed stop, said groove being out of registry with said stop when said third movable stop is in the first position and in registry with said fixed stop when said third movable stop is in the second position, such that said fixed stop may be received in said groove to permit stem movement in said one rotational direction until said first movable stop abuts said fixed stop when said third movable stop is in said second position.

Claim 10

The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said third movable stop comprises an elongate member having a groove formed therein facing said fixed stop, said groove being out of registry with said stop when said third movable stop is in the first position and in registry with said fixed stop when said third movable stop is in the second position, such that said fixed stop may be received in said groove to permit stem movement in said one rotational direction until said first movable stop abuts said fixed stop when said third movable stop is in said second position.

Claim 11

Anti-scald apparatus for a mixing valve having a valve body connectable to sources of hot and cold water and a water output conduit, a rotatable valve operating stem protruding from said valve body and valve means within said valve body connected for movement with said stem between an off position precluding water flow through said valve, intermediate positions permitting flow of cold water only and hot-cold water mixtures through said valve and a maximum hot water position remote from said off position and permitting flow of only hot water through said valve, said anti-scald apparatus including a fixed stop connected to said valve body proximate said stem, spaced apart first and second movable stops secured to said stem for rotation therewith, said fixed stop being located in the path of movement of said first movable stop to limit rotational stem movement in one direction and define said maximum hot water position and being in the path of movement of said second movable stop to limit rotational stem movement in the other direction and define said off position, a manually operable handle secured to said stem for rotational movement therewith, a third movable stop carried by said handle for rotation therewith and movable between a first position between said first movable stop and said fixed stop, wherein said third movable stop will abut said fixed stop when said stem is rotated in said first direction prior to said valve means reaching said maximum hot water position and preclude further stem rotation in said one direction, and a second position remote from the location between said first movable stop and said fixed stop, wherein said third movable stop does not impede stem rotation in said one direction to said maximum hot water position, and third movable stop control means operably connected to said third movable stop and accessible from exterior of said handle to permit manual movement of said third movable stop between said first and second positions.

Claim 12

Anti-scald apparatus for a mixing valve having a valve body connectable to sources of hot and cold water and a water output conduit, a rotatable valve operating stem protruding from said valve body and valve means within said valve body connected for movement with said stem between an off position precluding water flow through said valve, intermediate positions permitting flow of cold water only and hot-cold water mixtures through said valve and a maximum hot water position remote from said off position and permitting flow of only hot water through said valve, said anti-scald apparatus including a fixed stop connected to said valve body proximate said stem, spaced apart first and second movable stops secured to said stem for rotation therewith, said fixed stop being located in the path of movement of said first movable stop to limit rotational stem movement in one direction and define said maximum hot water position and being in the path of movement of said second movable stop to limit rotational stem movement in the other direction and define said off position, a manually operable handle secured to said stem for rotational movement therewith, a third movable stop carried by said handle for rotation therewith and movable between a first position between said first movable stop and said fixed stop, wherein said third movable stop will abut said fixed stop when said stem is rotated in said first direction prior to said valve means reaching said maximum hot water position and preclude further stem rotation in said one direction, and a second position remote from the location between said first movable stop and said fixed stop, wherein said third movable stop does not impede stem rotation in said one direction to said maximum hot water position, and third movable stop control means operably connected to said third movable stop and accessible from exterior of said handle to permit manual movement of said third movable stop between said first and second positions.

Claim 13

The apparatus of claim 9, wherein movement of said third movable stop between said first and second positions is independent of movement of said handle.

Claim 14

The apparatus of claim 10, including resilient force exerting means carried by said handle and exerting a force on said third movable stop urging said third movable stop toward said first position.