Adjustable Valve Handle

Most plumbing valves (fixtures) used in baths and showers are recessed behind a wall (usually tile) with only the operating stem of the fixture extending through the wall. Notwithstanding instructions as to proper location of such fixtures relative to the outer surface (facing a bather) of the wall, considerable dimensional variance exists in placement of such fixtures.

One approach to accommodating this variation is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,240,462 wherein the valve operating stem contains circumferential notches along its length which allow the stem to be broken or sawed off at whatever length is needed to assure proper placement of the handle on the stem to bring it in close proximity to the wall.

In contrast to the approach disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,240,462 the valve of this invention comprises a splined stem with circumferential grooves thereon over which is placed a handle with an elongated bore therein. The handle can thus be moved up and down the stem until it is in proper position relative to the wall. Securing means in the handle then permits the handle to be fixed in position on the stem without cutting or breaking off any of the stem.

The invention may be better understood from a reading of the following detailed description in conjunction with the drawings in which

FIG. 1 illustrates in side elevation a recessed valve positioned relative to a wall and the adjustable arrangement of the handle on the valve stem shown in partial longitudinal section; and

FIG. 2 is a partial end elevational view along lines 2--2 of FIG. 1 of the handle with detail of the securing means illustrated.

In FIGS. 1 and 2 a recessed valve 10 is shown with valve stem 12 extending therefrom through a suitable sized opening 14 in wall 16. A decorative escutcheon 18 covers the opening 14 in the wall and seals out water which might otherwise leak through the opening.

Placement of the valve 10 relative to the outer surface 20 of wall 16 (sometimes referred to as the "roughing-in" dimension) is illustrated in FIG. 1. The minimum dimension between the centerline of valve 10 and wall surface 20 is illustrated in "C" and the maximum as "A" plus "C".

In the situation where this roughing-in dimension is at its maximum, i.e., distance "A" plus "C", the stem 12 extends beyond wall surface 20 and escutcheon 18 just enough for the last groove 22 of the stem 12 to be engaged by securing means 24 of the handle 26. At the opposite extreme when the roughing-in dimension is at its minimum, i.e., distance "C" the stem extends well beyond the wall 20 and escutcheon 18. In prior art devices this extra length of stem would result in the handle protruding into the bathing area in a very unaesthetic relationship to the escutcheon 18. As shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,240,462 the stem 12 would have to be cut off to get the handle in proper proximity to the wall 20. In this invention, however, an elongated bore 28 in the handle accommodates the extra length of stem 12 (shown in phantom in FIG. 1).

The preferred form of means used to secure handle 26 to stem 12 is illustrated in the drawings. The securing means preferable comprises a hard plastic or nylon insert 30 received in the end of the handle 20. This insert 30 has an outer hexagonal cross-section that is received by a hexagonal socket 35 in the handle, thereby ensuring that both the socket and the handle are one cooperative unit during rotation of the handle. This insert 30 has internal splines 31 corresponding to those splines 33 on stem 12. Extending through the wall of handle 26 and insert 30 is a setscrew 32 which has a tapered end specifically designed to fit within grooves 22 on valve stem 12. If, necessary, however, the setscrew 32 may also be tightened against the splines 33 on stem 12 to hold the handle 26 in position. The splined stem 12 is interrupted by a series of grooves 22 that are spaced a distance "B" apart, preferable about 1/4 of an inch. Thus, in the embodiment illustrated, the distance "A" is about 1 inch. Accordingly this leeway in placement of valve 10 relative to wall 20 considerably simplifies installation.