United States Patent (19) [11] 3,834,416

Parkison (45) Sept. 10, 1974

(54) CERAMIC DISC FAUCET VALVE trolling the flow of a fluid, such as water, to be deliv
(75) Inventor: Richard G. Parkison, Somerville ered from a faucet. The valve structure includes a
N.J. housing having a tapered inner wall shaped to have a
73) Assignee: American Standard Inc., New York, central cylindrical opening for receiving and guiding a
N.Y. rotatable longitudinal stem. Two ceramic discs
mounted about the stem and in intimate contact with
22 Filed: Feb. 26, 1973 each other are arranged so that the upper disc is held
(21) Appl. No.: 335,616 stationary against motion about and along the stem,
while the lower disc is coupled to the stem to rotate
Related U.S. Application Data with the stem without introducing any rotation of the
63 Continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 244,503, April 17, upper disc. The coupling of the lower disc to the stem
1972. is achieved by a spider member having an opening to
receive and grip a tang at the base of the stem. The
52 U.S. Cl.......... 137.1550, 137/625.31, 137/454.2, spider member also has extended arms which reach to
251/180, 251/304 about the periphery of the lower disc and cause the
51) Int. Cl....... F16k 5/04, F16k 5/18, F16k 47/14 lower disc to follow any rotary movement of the stem.
58 Field of Search.................... 251/304, 313, 180; The spider member also applies spring pressure
137/625.31, 550, 625.17, 454.2, 454.5, against the under surface of the lower disc to hold it in
454.6, 625.46 contact with the upper disc. Each of the ceramic discs
has a plurality of ports through which the fluid flows
56 References Cited when the ports of the lower disc are in alignment with
UNITED STATES PATENTS those of the upper disc but, when the stem is rotated
2,089,943 8/1937 Busby........................ 1371625.46 X to dis-align the ports of the two discs and eliminate
2,935,293 5/1960 Monson..................... 1371625.31 X any overlap between the ports of the two discs, the
3,067,768 12/1962 Borg.......................... 1371625.31 X fluid flow will be stopped. The contiguous surfaces of
3,159,179 12/1964 De Lain.......................... 137.1550 X the two discs are very smooth and flat to prevent leak
3,273,850 9, 1966 Kolze.............................. 251/304X age of fluid between the discs and additionally to mini
3,372,709 3, 1968 Dolter............................ 1371625.31 mize friction and drag. A handle may be affixed to the
3,433,264 3/1969 Parkison........................ 137/625.17 top of the stem to control the rotary motion of the
3,465,782 9/1969 Parkison et al............ 1371625.31 X stem. Screens may be positioned above the upper disc
3,473,562
3,677,516
10/1969
7/1972
Ellison.................. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137,1549.
Hicks.............................. 251/304 X
and they may be held within the tapered wall of the
housing and, being in the fluid flow path, they serve to
Primary Examiner-William R. Cline minimize noise that would otherwise be generated by
Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Jefferson Ehrlich; Robert the rapid fluid flow through the valve structure.
G. Crooks
11 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures
57 ABSTRACT
This application discloses a valve structure for con

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CERAMC DSC FAUCET WALVE tang is upset or staked so that the spider member is
locked to the lower portion of the stem. Hence, any ro
The present application is a continuation-in-part of tary movement of the stem will not only cause the tang
applicant's copending application Serial No. 244,503 to rotate through a corresponding angular displace
filed Apr. 17, 1972, entitled "Ceramic Disc Faucet' 5 ment thereby carrying the spider member through a
and assigned to the same assignee. similar angular displacement, but the lower ceramic
This invention relates to control valves for use in fau disc will also be translated axially through a similar an
cets for kitchen sinks or lavatories and the like, for pro gular displacement to correspondingly change the rela
viding either hot water or cold water to such faucets so tive positions of the apertures of the lower or rotary ce
that, when two such valves are employed, the sepa 10 ramic member with respect to the apertures in the
rately supplied hot and cold water may be mixed in the upper or fixed ceramic member. Thus, by mere rota
conventional way by the user and the mixed water dis tion of the stem, the spider and the lower ceramic disc
charged from the faucet. will be translated through a rotary angle corresponding
The present invention is directed to an improved to the rotation of the stem, thereby changing the flow
control valve which embodies a relatively small car 15 rate through the tandem apertures of the two disc
tridge which embodies novel features and is otherwise members as may be desired without separating the disc
superior in its performance characteristics not only as members from each other.
to ease of operation and ease of maintenance, but as to A feature of this invention resides in the employment
a longer life span, especially when compared to a con of a spider member at the base of the stem bearing the
ventional type of valve for a sink or lavatory which em 20 two ceramic disc members, the spider member being
ploys a vertically movable rubber-like washer element made of a springy material, such as stainless steel or
positioned above and movable toward and away from phospher bronze, so that the spider member will exert
a stationary valve seat, and which has been used for a continuous upward pressure against the lower disc to
decades in conventional faucets for plumbing fixtures maintain it in continual contact with the contiguous
for controlling the flow of water into the sink or lava 25 upper disc and thereby prevent water leakage between
tory. the discs. The surfaces of the discs, which are in contin
In accordance with the present invention, the control ual contact, are hard and very flat and maintain a leak
valve includes a pair of hard, smooth, flat, long-lasting, proof seal by continual adherence between the flat con
contacting ceramic members or discs, one of which is tacting adjacent surfaces. The smoothness of the sur
always stationary and entirely free of any motion, while faces of such discs minimizes friction or drag between
the other ceramic member is rotatable over a limited the discs.
angle about its center or axis, but is never movable Another of the features of this invention is that there
along the axis, so that both discs are continuously in are no rubber or other elastomer parts at the apertured
contact. One of the features of the present pair of ce or water ports of either disc. Hence, by confining all the
ramic members is that they are both provided with an 35 flow control paths to ceramic surfaces, there will be no
equal number of through apertures, preferably a plural expansion or contraction of any such elastomer mem
ity of apertures, such as three (or four or more) in num bers due to temperature or other parameters. As is well
ber, all axially aligned with each other. When the aper known, such elastomer members readily undergo ex
tures of the two discs are fully out of alignment, the pansion with rise in the temperature of the water or
flow of water through the tandem arranged apertures 40 otherwise, and undergo a corresponding contraction
will be completely interrupted. On the other hand, when the temperature recedes. Any and all such
when the apertures within the two discs are fully changes in temperature necessarily involve a signifi
aligned, the flow of water through the tandem-arranged cant, unexpected and undesired change in the water
apertures will be at the maximum rate. The flow can be flow rate. Such changes can be troublesome in many
adjusted to any intermediate rate merely by manual, 45 instances. This type of faulty operation is completely
rotary adjustment of the rotatable disc. obviated by this invention.
In accordance with this invention, both ceramic disc Furthermore, the rotary stem is of the so-called non
members will have a common central aperture through rising type and serves to avoid any vertical displace
which will be inserted a rotary stem which is manually 50 ment of either of the ceramic discs, the unchanged ver
rotatable to adjust the flow rate through the valve. The tical positions of which are so critically important in the
function and organization of the rotary stem, as will be practice of this invention. There is, therefore, no stem
explained, will be to initiate the rotation of the lower threaded backlash which is generally encountered in
disc without changing the position of the upper one, conventional faucet valves and which introduces diffi
and the lower disc may be rotated through an angle al 55 culties in maintaining constant the preselected quanti
ways corresponding to the angular rotation of the ro tites of water traversing the faucet.
tary stem. The two discs are in axial alignment at all In accordance with the present invention, each of the
times while the stem is angularly displaced by any de two ceramic discs is provided with a plurality of ports,
sired amount within predetermined limits. such as three ports, for example. Thus, the flow of fluid
In further reference to the present invention, the 60 through the valve is divided into three ports in the ex
lower end of the rotary stem will be provided with a ample. By employing a plurality of ports, quieter opera
tang or other protuberance, and the tang or protuber tion will be achieved without increasing the selected
ance will be mechanically coupled to and held by a spi total or overall fluid flow rate.
der member having arms or tentacles which are firmly In accordance with an option of this invention, two
gripped to the peripheral regions of the lower, rotatable 65 (or more) screens may be positioned and held co
ceramic member. The tang will fit into an aperture of axially about the stem and may be located between the
the spider member which is shaped to correspond to upper ceramic disc and the spout through which the in
the cross-sectional configuration of the tang so that the coming water is to be discharged. If employed, these
 3
3,834,416 4
screens serve to significantly diminish the noise factor LD2 and LD3 which receive and are gripped by the
inherent in most conventional valve mechanisms. Fur three upwardly projecting arms or tentacles SP, SP2
thermore, such screens will be positioned and main and SP3 of the spider member SP. The spider member
tained in a self-cleaning condition, but in the event that SP also has a somewhat elongated central opening SPO
they do become clogged, an alternate path for the for receiving and gripping the tang TG of the stem ST
waterflow is provided so as not to create a water block so that the tang TG is upset or staked to lock the spider
ade. member SP to the stem ST, whereupon the spider
And still furthermore, the valve structure compo member SP and the stem ST move together as a unitary
nents of this invention, including the valve stem, the ce structure.
ramic discs and the spider member, will be housed in 10 A cylindrical rubber or elastomer seal ring SR is posi
a body member to form a substantially self-contained tioned between a counterbore face SPF in the spider
cartridge. The cartridge will be assembled at the fac member SP and the lower surface of the disc LD (see
tory and may be sold and transported as a unit. The car FIGS. 1, 2 and 3). This seal ring SR serves to prevent
tridge can be quickly and easily installed upon the sink water leakage through the central openings of discs LD
or lavatory or other fixture and may be just as quickly 15 and UD, so that no water may flow upwardly from the
and easily removed for repair or replacement. threaded water pipe TP through the spaces between
This invention, together with its further objects and discs LD and UD and stem ST.
features, will be better and more clearly understood An externally threaded sleeve TS is joined to the in
from the more detailed description and explanation ternal threaded segment of the faucet body FB, as
hereinafter following when read in connection with the 20 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The valve body is firmly seated
accompanying drawing in which: on the upper rim of the sleeve TS, thereby limiting the
F.G. 1 illustrates an exploded view of the structure of downward movement of the valve body VB. A leg VBL
the components to be included within a cartridge, on the valve body VB (see FIG. 1) nests into a notch
along with the threaded sleeve that surrounds the car NT in the threaded sleeve TS to rotationally secure and
tridge, 25 orient the cartridge in the body VB. A cap nut CN,
FIG. 2 illustrates a view of the structure of the inven which is internally threaded, engages the upper exter
tion as applied to a faucetfitted with hot and cold water nal threaded segment of the sleeve TS. When the cap
valves, this figure showing, in cross-section along the nut CN is threadedly tightened to sleeve TS, it will hold
axis of the valve structure, the principal components of 30 the body VB in a steady, immovable position within the
the control valve of this invention; faucet body FB. The body VB may be regarded as a
FIG. 3 illustrates a front elevational view, in crosssec cartridge which houses several components including
tion, of the general arrangement of the structure of this the discs LD and UD.
invention; An O-ring OR1 is positioned in the space around the
FIG. 4 shows a plan view, taken along lines a-a of 35
outer periphery of the upper disc UD and hence is posi
FIG. 3, of the underside of the lower or rotary ceramic tioned between the upper peripheral surface of the
disc element of this invention; lower disc LD, the lower peripheral (horizontal) seg
FIG. 5 shows a plan veiw, taken along lines b-b of ment of the valve body VB, and the inner (vertical)
FIG. 3, of the upper side of the upper or stationary disc wall of the faucet body FB, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.
element of this invention; The O-ring OR1 serves to prevent leakage of water into
FIG. 6 shows an underside view of the two ceramic 40 the faucet body FB via the very small annular space be
discs when they are in their fully open position; tween the outer rim of the valve body VB and adjacent
FIG. 7 shows a similar underside view of the relative inner wall of the faucet body FB.
positions of the two ceramic discs when they are in Another O-ring OR2 is positioned about the outer cy
their partially open position; and 45
lindrical wall of the segment ST1 of the stem ST. The
FIG. 8 shows a corresponding view of the same two O-ring OR2 is positioned near the upper end of seg
discs in their fully closed position. ment ST1 to prevent leakage of water upwardly via the
The same or similar reference characters will be em very small space between the outer cylindrical wall of
ployed to indicate and represent the same or similar the adjacent stem segment ST2 of the stem ST and the
parts wherever they may occur throughout the draw 50
adjacent inner cylindrical wall of the valve body VB.
Ing. Still another O-ring OR3, the largest of the several
Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 4 of the drawing, the stem O-rings, is positioned in a peripheral outer cavity on the
ST is shown illustratively as an elongated vertical mem outer wall of the valve body VB, as shown in FIGS. 1,
ber having four principal segments, a segment ST1 2 and 3. This O-ring serves to prevent leakage of water
which is the section about which the upper disc UD and 55 through the very small peripheral space between the
the lower disc LD are positioned, segments ST2 and outer rim of the valve body VB and the adjacent inner
ST3 about which the valve body VB is positioned, and wall of the sleeve T.S. -
a tang TG at the base of stem ST which is formed as a Handle stops HS on the valve body VB are generally
protrusion at the lower end of the segment ST1 of the illustrated in FIG. 1. These stops HS cooperate with
stem ST. The upper surface of the lower disc LD and 60 mating projections or webs (not shown) in the handle
lower surface of the upper disc UD are both highly pol HN to appropriately limit the rotational motion of the
ished and very flat and they are held continually in inti handle HN.
mate contact with each other throughout every opera If desired, two similar screens SC1 and SC2 may be
tion of the valve mechanism. The closeness of the sur positioned, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, above the
face contacts between both discs UD and LD is so inti 65 upper disc UD and may be held within the necked por
mate as to resist and actually prevent the passage or tion VB2 of the valve body VB. The screens SC1 and
seepage of water therebetween. The underside of the SC2 are located in the upward flow path to the spout
lower disc LD has three peripheral indentations LD1, SPT so as to provide a baffle for water that is dis
 3,834,416
S 6
charged through the apertures of the upper disc UD adhesion does not resist or otherwise preclude the rota
and released to the spout SPT of the faucet body FB. tion of the lower disc about the upper disc. Similarly,
These screens SC1 and SC2, preferably made of stain when the valve handle HN is rotated in the opposite di
less steel, act to diminish noise that would otherwise be rection, the rotation of the spider member SP, which is
developed by the rapid flow of water through the valve directly coupled mechanically to the stem ST via the
mechanism. tang TG and the arms SP1, SP2 and SP3 at the base of
A suitable handle HN is affixed to the upper segment the spider member SP, will cause the lower disc LD to
SG of the stem ST by means of a threaded screw mem rotate in the opposite direction without, in any way,
ber SM, as shown in FIG. 2. The handle HN may be ro changing or otherwise affecting the stationary position
tated in one direction to open the valve when pressur O of the upper disc UD.
ized incoming water is to flow upwardly from the pipe The two discs LD and UD are shown in FIG. 8 in
TP and through the apertures of the tandem-arranged their fully closed positions for stopping the flow of
discs LD and UD and against and through the screens water from the intake pipe TP to the spout SPT of the
SC1 and SC2 to the spout SPT via the opening in the faucet body FB. However, as the handle HN is rotated
faucet body FB as indicated generally by the arrows in 15
in a direction to open the valve, the three elliptical
FIG. 2. When the handle HN is rotated in the opposite openings LD11, LD12 and LD13 of the lower disc LD
direction, the flow will be reduced and, if the handle is will more and more overlap the openings UD1, UD2
rotated further to its maximum extent in the same di and UD3 of the upper disc UD, thereby gradually in
rection, the flow of water will be completely cut off. creasing the flow of water through the tandem
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the upper disc UD em 20 arranged openings or ports of the two discs.
bodies three substantially equal circularly cylindrical FIG. 7 illustrates the relative positions of the ports of
openings or ports UD1, UD2 and UD3 having their the two discs LD and UD when the valve is, say, one
axes 120° apart with respect to the center of the disc quarter open. FIG. 6 shows the port positions when the
UD. The upper disc UD has three peripheral notches valve is fully opened. The water flow through the valve
UD11, UD12 and UD13 in the upper surface of disc 25 will reach its maximum rate when the handle HN has
UD, and these notches receive corresponding projec been rotated to the fullest extent to the open position.
tions or dogs VB1, VB2 and VB3 extending inwardly The elliptically cylindrical shapes of the openings
from the inner wall of the valve body VB. These projec LD1, LD12 and LD13 of the lower disc LD serve to
tions or dogs serve to prevent the upper disc UD from assure a positive and complete opening of the valve
rotating in either direction about the stem segment 30 when water is to be turned on to its maximum extent,
ST1. Thus, the upper disc UD is held firmly fixed not as shown in FIG. 6, notwithstanding a predetermined
only against rotary motion about stem ST, but also
against vertical or translatory motion along the axis of latitude given the user to make the valve opening full
the stem ST. and complete. Likewise, as shown in FIG. 8, the ellipti
The lower rotary disc LD is shown in our illustration 35 cal shapes of the ports of the lower disc LD allow for
as embodying three openings or ports LD11, LD12 and the full closure of the valve to shut off the water flow
LD13, all of which are substantially elliptically cylindri notwithstanding an appropriate latitude given the user
cal in shape as shown in FIG. 4. The centerlines paral by this construction to effect the closure. The overlap
leling the axes of the openings LD11, LD12 and LD13 of the ports for the valve opening in full is plainly visi
are approximately 120 apart with respect to the cen 40 ble in FIG. 6 while the spacing of the ports for the valve
tral axis of the disc LD. These centerlines are aligned closing is visible from FIG.8. Intermediate positions of
with the axes of the three cylindrical openings UD1, the ports are readily selected by the user. This overlap
UD2 and UD3 of the upper disc UD, as seen in FIG. 6, feature of the construction of the tandem discs UD and
when the valve is fully open. The relations between the LD of this invention is unique.
45 As shown in FIG. 2, there will be two substantially
ports of both discs LD and UD will be explained later.
identical valves associated with the faucet body FB,
As already explained, the lower segment ST1 of stem one valve controlling the flow of cold water to the
ST has its tang TG held within the opening SPO of the spout SPT and the other controlling the flow of hot
spider member SP, and the spider arms or tentacles 50
water to the same spout SPT. Each of the two valves
SP1, SP2 and SP3 of the spider member SP are held embodies the same cartridge arrangement of compo
within the peripheral notches LD1, LD2 and LD3 of nents shown, for example, in FIG. 3, and in the cross
the lower disc LD and this disc must rotate through an section shown in FIG. 2. The details of assembly and
angle corresponding to the rotation of the spider mem connection of the faucet to the base BA of the fitting
ber SP. Hence, when the handle HN of the valve is ro 55 need not be described here because they are of conven
tated in one direction, the spider member SP will be ro tional form and are well known and understood.
tated in the same direction through a corresponding Each of the discs is illustratively shown as embodying
angle about the centerline of the stem ST and carry three ports which are angularly displaced from each
with it the lower disc LD through a corresponding an other by equal angles, such as 120. One or two ports
gular displacement. During the entire rotary movement 60 may be substituted for the three-port arrangement, but
of the lower disc LD, the upper disc UD will remain im a three-port arrangement is preferred. It will be under
movable in its fixed or stationary position. The contact stood, however, that the number of ports may be less
ing surfaces between the two discs are so finely ground than, or more than, the preferred group of three in the
that there is only a small frictional force exerted tend practice of this invention. It has been determined,
ing to resist the rotational motion as the faucet handle 65 moreover, that an arrangement embodying three ports
HN is operated by the user. It may be theorized that for each disc will materially reduce the noise property
such materials, when flat and finely ground, are held during high flow rates and hence render the operation
attracted to each other by molecular adhesion, but this relatively quiet,
 7
3,834,416 8
While this invention has been shown as embodying a body to prevent the rotation of the first disc, the second
stationary upper disc and a rotatable lower disc, it will disc having peripherally disposed indentations posi
be readily apparent that, if desired, the upper disc may tioned on its face remote from said first disc, a spider
be made rotatable while the lower disc is held station having a plurality of resilient arms mounted and held
ary at all times. The discs may be molded of a ceramic against and adjacent the lower end of the stem, said
material having more than 90 percent alumina. arms projecting upwardly and received within said in
The embodiment of two screens, such as SC1 and dentations of said second disc to mechanically press the
SC2 within the valve body VB, is merely optional and second disc against the first disc so that the second disc
may be entirely eliminated. continuously responds to the rotation of the stem to
The stem ST has been described as made of metal, O control the flow of water tandemly through the ports of
such as stainless steel. It will be apparent that the stem both discs without producing any rotation of the first
may be made of any other metal or of any plastic mate disc, a handle mounted on the valve body and mechani
rial. Similarly, the valve body VB, although described cally coupled to the other end of the stem to control the
as made of non-metallic moldable material, may be simultaneous and equal rotation of the stem and the
formed of any metallic material, such as stainless steel, 15 second disc, whereby the rotation of the stem will con
for example. trol the volume of water flowing through the ports of
It will be apparent that this invention may be embod both discs.
ied in widely varied organziations without departing 4. A valve according to claim 3, including screen
from the spirit of this invention. means positioned and retained within the valve body
What is claimed is: and disposed about the longitudinal stem downstream
1. A faucet valve for the plumbing fitting of a lava of the first disc to reduce noise that would otherwise be
tory, or the like for controlling the rate of flow of water developed by the flow of fluid through the valve.
from a first conduit to a second conduit, said faucet 5. A valve for the plumbing fitting of a plumbing fix
valve comprising first and second ceramic discs in inti ture, comprising a housing, a handle, a vertical rotat
mate contact with each other about their common in 25 able stem retained by the handle and inserted into the
terface, both discs having a central aperture and a plu housing, first and second ceramic discs each having a
rality of additional apertures having their axes parallel central opening within which the stem is inserted,
to the first conduit and extending through the respec means including a projection on the housing holding
tive discs and, when aligned with each other, water may the first ceramic disc against rotation about the stem
flow tandemly through said additional apertures from 30 and against any translation along the stem, said second
the first conduit to the second conduit and, when dis disc having peripherally disposed indentatios defined in
aligned, the flow of water may be stopped, a longitudi its face remote from said first disc, a tentacled member
nal rotatable stem positioned within the central aper hald by the base of the stem; and bound by its tentacles
tures of the first and second discs, means for continu projecting upwardly and received within said periph
ously maintaining the first disc stationary so that it can 35 eral indentations of said second disc causing the second
not be rotated, the second disc being rotatable about an disc to be pressed against the first disc and to rotate the
axis perpendicular to the interface without changing second disc in accordance with the rotation of the
the spacing between the two discs and having peripher stem, both discs having a plurality of ports traversing
ally disposed indentations positioned on its face remote 40 said discs, the ports of the first disc being aligned with
from said first disc, a spider member coupled to the the ports of the second disc to allow water to flow
base end of the stem and having a plurality of upwardly therethrough in tandem or being dis-aligned to reduce
projecting arms received within said indentations and or stop the flow of water through said ports.
gripping the peripheries of the second disc thereby so 6. A valve according to claim 5 including a plurality
that, when the stem is rotated, the spider member and 45 of screens positioned within and retained by the valve
the second disc will be jointly and equally rotated to body and disposed about said vertical stem above the
change the positions of the aperture in the second disc first disc, said screens being positioned to absorb the
with respect to the corresponding apertures in the first turbulent energy of the water streams traversing the
disc, and a handle mechanically coupled to the other valve ports and substantially reducing noise that would
end of the stem for controlling the rotation of the stem 50 otherwise be generated by the flow of water through
about its longitudinal axis. the ports of both discs.
2. A faucet valve according to claim 1, including a 7. A valve for controlling the flow of water in a
plurality of screens interposed between the first disc plumbing fitting, comprising a housing having an inner
and the second conduit for reducing noise that would wall in which is defined a cylindrical bore, a longitudi
otherwise be produced by the flow of water through the 55 nal stem positioned so as to be rotatable within the cy
faucet valve. lindrical bore of the housing, a handle mounted upon
3. A valve for the control of the flow of water through the upper end of the stem for rotating the stem about
a plumbing fitting for a fixture, such as a lavatory, com its longitudinal axis, first and second ceramic discs
prising first and second adjacent solid discs having flat, mounted about the stem so that the two discs adhere to
smooth contiguous surfaces so as to be in continuous 60 each other and remain in intimate contact with each
slidable contact with each other, each disc having a other, the first disc being held stationary by the housing
central aperture and a plurality of ports through which to prevent its longitudinal movement along said stem or
water may flow, said ports having their axes parallel to its rotary movement about said stem, the second disc
the first conduit, a longitudinal stem traversing the cen having peripherally disposed means defined in its face
tral apertures of both discs, a valve body in which the 65 remote from said first disc, a pair of screens positioned
discs are housed and having a protruding element adja and retained within the inner wall of the valve housing
cent to the first disc, the first disc having a peripheral and disposed about the stem each of the discs having
aperture to engage the protruding element of the valve a plurality of ports through which the water may flow
 3,834,416
9 10
when the ports of the two discs are aligned with each tation of the stem, a housing within which the stem, the
other and shut off the water flow when the ports of the screens and the discs are retained, a spring member af.
two discs are fully out of alignment with each other, a fixed to the base of the stem directly and continuously
spring mounted on the lower end of the stem and press applying mechanical pressure against the second disc
ing continuously against the second disc to hold it in in to maintain its upper face continuously in contact with
timate contact with the first disc, said spring including the lower face of the first disc, said spring member and
means cooperating with said peripherally disposed second disc having interengaging means for imparting
means of said second disc for imparting rotary move rotary movement of the valve stem to the second disc,
ment of the valve stem to the second disc, the spring and means in said housing for preventing the rotary or
being held by the stem so that it will be rotated con O longitudinal movement of the first disc, water travers
jointly with the stem, water passing through the ports ing the ports of both discs and the screens when the
of both discs thereafter traversing said screens as the ports of the second disc are aligned with the ports of
water is exited from the valve, thereby to minimize the first disc and the flow being stopped when the ports
noise generated by the flow of water. of the second disc are out of alignment with the ports
8. A valve for the control of the flow of water in a 15 of the first disc.
plumbing fitting, comprising a first circular ceramic 9. A valve according to claim 8 in which the disc is
disc having a central opening and a plurality of similar formed of ceramic material, 90 percent of which is alu
ports, a second circular ceramic disc having a central mina.
opening and a like plurality of ports, a plurality of 10. A valve according to claim 9 in which the ellipti
screens having central openings, the ports of the first 20 cally cylindrical ports of the second disc have their
ceramic disc being circularly cylindrical, the ports of minor axes substantially equal to the diameters of the
the second ceramic disc being elliptically cylindrical circularly cylindrical ports of the first disc.
and having the major axis of its ports longer than the 11. A valve according to claim 10 including a conduit
diameter of the ports of the first disc, a longitudinal ro for supplying pressurized water to the underside of the
tary stem traversing the central openings of the screens 25 second disc and a conduit for receiving the water tra
and the central openings of the first and second discs, versing the ports of both discs and the screens.
a handle affixed to the top of the stem to control the ro ck k is k

30

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65