Cartridge assembly for regulating flows

Abstract

The present invention provides a cartridge assembly for a faucet. The cartridge assembly permits flows from a first flow source and a second flow source to flow through the cartridge assembly and to be regulated through the faucet without permitting flows from the two sources to flow simultaneously through the cartridge assembly.

I claim: 
     
       1. A cartridge assembly for a faucet, the cartridge assembly comprising:
 a cartridge shell, the cartridge shell including a first end and a second end, the cartridge shell having an exterior surface, the cartridge shell having an interior, the cartridge shell including at least one opening extending from the interior through the exterior surface between the first end and the second end; 
 a stem, the stem operable to be at least partially disposed within the cartridge shell; 
 a moveable disk, the moveable disk operable to be disposed within the cartridge shell; 
 and 
 a fixed disk, the fixed disk operable to be disposed within the cartridge shell; 
 wherein flows through the cartridge assembly flow through one end of the cartridge shell and exit through at least one opening in the cartridge shell; 
 wherein the moveable disk is operable to abut the fixed disk; 
 wherein the stem is operably connected to the moveable disk so that movement of the stem causes movement of the moveable disk relative to the fixed disk; 
 wherein the moveable disk and the fixed disk are configured such that movement of the moveable disk relative to the fixed disk creates zones of control; 
 wherein a first zone of control regulates flow from a first flow source through a range of movement of the stem from a completely-closed position, which does not permit any flow from the first flow source through the cartridge assembly, to a completely-open position, which permits a maximum flow from the first flow source through the cartridge assembly; 
 wherein a second zone of control regulates flow from a second flow source through a range of stem movement from a completely-closed position, which does not permit flow from the second flow source through the cartridge assembly, to a completely-open position, which permits a maximum flow from the second flow source through the cartridge assembly; and 
 wherein the moveable disk and the fixed disk are further configured such that movement of the moveable disk relative to the fixed disk does not permit flow from the first flow source and flow from the second flow source to be regulated simultaneously through the cartridge assembly. 
 
     
     
       2. The cartridge assembly of  claim 1 , wherein movement of the moveable disk relative to the fixed disk is rotational. 
     
     
       3. The cartridge assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the moveable disk is of generally circular shape, the moveable disk including a top side and a bottom side, the moveable disk including one opening extending from the top side through the bottom side. 
     
     
       4. The cartridge assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the opening of the moveable disk is configured such that the moveable disk presents an open-mouth shape when viewed in plan view.