IP Library Granted Patent US 8,056,578
Granted Patent B2
US 8,056,578 · App. 12/023,842 · Granted Nov 15, 2011

Valve cartridge with lobular key

Assignee: Moen Incorporated
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,056,578
App. No.
12/023,842
Granted
Nov 15, 2011
Kind
B2
Abstract

A one-handle valve cartridge has one or more lobular keys formed on a housing of the valve cartridge. The lobular keys interface with keyways formed in a valve body.

Claims (28)

1. A valve cartridge for controlling a flow rate of a fluid and operable to be installed in a valve body, the valve cartridge comprising:

a housing having a lobular key;

an actuating mechanism;

a first fluid control disk; and

a second fluid control disk,

wherein the first fluid control disk and the second fluid control disk are disposed in the housing,

wherein movement of the actuating mechanism causes the first fluid control disk to move relative to the second fluid control disk,

wherein the lobular key is operable to interface with a corresponding curved keyway formed in the valve body.

2. A system for controlling delivery of a fluid, the system comprising a valve cartridge and a valve body,

wherein the valve cartridge is operable to control at least one of a flow rate and a temperature of the fluid, the valve cartridge including a housing having a lobular key, an actuating mechanism, a first fluid control disk and a second fluid control disk;

wherein the first fluid control disk and the second fluid control disk are disposed in the housing;

wherein movement of the actuating mechanism causes the first fluid control disk to move relative to the second fluid control disk;

wherein the valve body includes a cavity for receiving the valve cartridge;

wherein a curved keyway is formed in the valve body; and

wherein the lobular key of the valve cartridge is operable to interface with the curved keyway of the valve body.

3. The system of claim 2 , wherein the curved keyway extends from a bottom surface of the cavity to a top surface of the cavity.

4. The system of claim 2 , wherein a height of the curved keyway is between 0.780 and 0.790 inches.

5. The system of claim 2 , wherein a height of the curved keyway is approximately 0.785 inches.

6. The system of claim 2 , wherein a height of the curved keyway is between 1.076 and 1.082 inches.

7. The system of claim 2 , wherein a height of the curved keyway is approximately 1.079 inches.

8. The system of claim 2 , wherein a depth of the curved keyway is between 0.032 and 0.045 inches.

9. The system of claim 2 , wherein a depth of the curved keyway is approximately 0.039 inches.

10. The system of claim 2 , wherein a depth of the curved keyway is between 0.041 and 0.047 inches.

11. The system of claim 2 , wherein a depth of the curved keyway is approximately 0.044 inches.

12. The system of claim 2 , wherein at least a portion of a surface of the valve body circumscribing the cavity includes threads that are operable to interface with a retaining member for securing the valve cartridge in the valve body, and

wherein a depth of the curved keyway is equal to or less than a depth of the threads.

13. The system of claim 2 , wherein the lobular key is operable to interface with the curved keyway to prevent the valve cartridge from rotating within the valve body.

14. The system of claim 2 , wherein the lobular key is operable to interface with the curved keyway to align at least one aperture formed in the second fluid control disk with a corresponding aperture formed in a bottom surface of the cavity of the valve body.

Assignments (3)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Mar 22, 2023
From: FB GLOBAL PLUMBING GROUP LLC
To: FORTUNE BRANDS WATER INNOVATIONS LLC
Reel/Frame 063263/0960 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 13, 2020
From: MOEN INCORPORATED
To: FB GLOBAL PLUMBING GROUP LLC
Reel/Frame 051928/0720 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 4, 2008
From: LOPP, DARREN S.; TUCKER, W. RANDALL
To: MOEN INCORPORATED
Reel/Frame 020458/0683 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 60898579 · Jan 31, 2007
Related Publication 20090025800A1 · Jan 29, 2009