Temperature limiting shower control valve

Claim 1

A valve assembly for limiting the temperature of fluid passing therethrough and adapted to be carried in a housing fluidly intermediate an inlet port and an outlet port thereof, the valve assembly comprising: (a) bracket means adapted to be secured to said housing, said bracket means including, (i) a valve seat means defining a first self centering surface, (ii) retainer means defining a second self centering surface, said second self centering surface being substantially axially aligned with said first self centering surface; said retainer means being movable with respect to said bracket means; (b) poppet means disposed adjacent said valve seat, said poppet means having a valve surface thereon; (c) temperature sensitive means mounted within said bracket means and having an actuator extending therefrom and connected to said poppet means and a reaction surface thereof seated against said second self centering surface, said temperature sensitive means being operative to move said poppet means in response to a predetermined fluid temperature value from an open position in which said valve surface is spaced from said valve seat for permitting flow therethrough to a closed position in which said valve surface of said poppet means contacts said first self centering surface of said valve seat for substantially blocking flow therethrough; (d) first biasing means for biasing said poppet means toward said open position, said first biasing means urging said temperature sensitive means toward said second self centering surface; and (e) said retainer means further including second biasing means for maintaining said second self centering surface stationary relative to said housing as said temperature sensitive means moves said poppet means between said open and closed positions, said second biasing means permitting further movement of said temperature sensitive means as fluid temperatures above said predetermined value are sensed.