IP Library Granted Patent US 11,655,619
Granted Patent B2
US 11,655,619 · App. 17/527,893 · Granted May 23, 2023

Universal rough-in valve

Inventors: Hsiao Chang Li (Edison, NJ); Walter Pitsch (Washington, NJ)
Assignee: AS America, Inc.
E03C1/021F16K27/045E03C1/042E03C2201/50
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,655,619
App. No.
17/527,893
Granted
May 23, 2023
Kind
B2
Abstract

A universal rough-in valve ( 20 ) includes a valve chamber ( 34 ) configured to receive a valve manifold ( 72 ). The universal rough-in valve includes a first valve inlet ( 22 ) configured to provide a pathway for fluid from a first supply line to the valve chamber and a second valve inlet ( 24 ) configured to provide a pathway for fluid from a second supply line to the valve chamber. The universal rough-in valve includes a first valve outlet ( 29 ) configured to provide a pathway for fluid from the valve chamber to a first outlet line, and a valve manifold ( 72 ) coupled to the valve chamber.

Claims (38)

1. A universal rough-in valve comprising:

a valve chamber configured to receive a valve manifold;

a first valve inlet configured to provide a pathway for fluid from a first supply line to the valve chamber;

a second valve inlet configured to provide a pathway for fluid from a second supply line to the valve chamber;

a first valve outlet configured to provide a pathway for fluid from the valve chamber to a first outlet line; and

an eccentric fastener configured to at least temporarily couple the rough-in valve within a wall opening,

wherein

the eccentric fastener comprises a body and a head, and

the eccentric fastener head comprises a serrated outer surface configured to grip a sidewall of the wall opening.

2. The universal rough-in valve according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the body or the head define a tool engagement feature such that the fastener may be rotated from a front or a back of the fastener.

3. The universal rough-in valve according to claim 1 , wherein the eccentric fastener head is configured to engage a sidewall of the wall opening at an engagement point and the head includes a cam surface such that rotation of the fastener about a fastener axis changes the distance between the fastener axis and the engagement point.

4. The universal rough-in valve according to claim 1 , further comprising a guide, wherein the eccentric fastener is configured to couple to the guide, and wherein the eccentric fastener is configured to be moved relative to the guide with a tool.

5. The universal rough-in valve according to claim 4 , wherein the eccentric fastener comprises a threaded body configured to engage a guide opening.

6. The universal rough-in valve according to claim 4 , wherein the guide comprises a face having a plurality of tabs extending from the face, the tabs configured to align the guide within the wall opening.

7. The universal rough-in valve according to claim 6 , wherein the tabs are arranged in a circular pattern.

8. The universal rough-in valve according to claim 4 , wherein the rough-in valve comprises a receiver configured to engage the guide and to couple the rough-in valve to the guide.

9. The universal rough-in valve according to claim 8 , wherein the guide comprises a first opening configured to be aligned with the receiver when the rough-in valve is to be positioned within a wall having a first thickness, and wherein the guide comprises a second opening configured to be aligned with the receiver when the rough-in valve is to be positioned within a wall having a second thickness.

10. The universal rough-in valve according to claim 1 , comprising two eccentric fasteners.

11. The universal rough-in valve according to claim 1 , comprising a valve manifold removably positioned in the valve chamber and configured to receive a fluid mixing valve.

12. The universal rough-in valve according to claim 1 , comprising:

a fluid mixing valve removably positioned in the valve chamber; and

a ring configured to removably couple to the fluid mixing valve,

wherein the ring is configured to assist in removing the fluid mixing valve from the valve chamber.

13. The universal rough-in valve according to claim 12 , comprising a valve manifold removably positioned in the valve chamber, wherein the fluid mixing valve is removably positioned in a valve manifold cavity.

14. The universal rough-in valve according to claim 12 , wherein the fluid mixing valve is a pressure balance valve.

15. The universal rough-in valve according to claim 12 , wherein the ring is a split ring.

16. The universal rough-in valve according to claim 12 , wherein the fluid mixing valve comprises a trough configured to receive the ring.

17. A universal rough-in valve comprising:

a valve chamber configured to receive a valve manifold;

a first valve inlet configured to provide a pathway for fluid from a first supply line to the valve chamber;

a second valve inlet configured to provide a pathway for fluid from a second supply line to the valve chamber;

a first valve outlet configured to provide a pathway for fluid from the valve chamber to a first outlet line;

a valve manifold removably positioned in the valve chamber and configured to receive a fluid mixing valve, and

a diverter rough-in valve coupled to the first valve outlet,

wherein

the valve manifold includes a first manifold inlet, a second manifold inlet, a first manifold outlet, and a second manifold outlet, and

the valve manifold includes an outlet passageway comprising the first manifold outlet and the second manifold outlet, the outlet passageway including a central portion having a smaller cross-sectional diameter than at least one of the first manifold outlet and the second manifold outlet.

18. The universal rough-in valve according to claim 17 , wherein the diverter rough-in valve is configured to receive a diverter valve.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 9, 2024
From: AS IP HOLDCO,LLC
To: AS AMERICA, INC.
Reel/Frame 067933/0180 →