Tap

Abstract

A tap is disclosed. The tap includes a shell having an upper hollow member and a lower cover attached to the upper hollow member. The upper hollow member is formed with a top opening. A single-piece valve body is received in the shell and has an inlet port, an outlet port and a chamber in fluid communication with the ports. In addition, a valve core is movable in the chamber and has a spindle extending to the exterior of the shell through the top opening. The tap further includes a handle connected to a distal end of the spindle for moving the valve core and thereby regulating a flow of liquid from the outlet port of the valve body.

1 . A tap comprising:
 a shell having an upper hollow member and a lower cover attached to said upper hollow member, said upper hollow member being formed with a top opening,   a single-piece valve body received in said shell, said valve body having an inlet port, an outlet port and a chamber in fluid communication with said ports;   a valve core movable in said chamber, said valve core having a spindle extending to the exterior of said shell through said top opening; and   a handle connected to a distal end of said spindle for moving said valve core and thereby regulating a flow of liquid from said outlet port of said valve body.   
   
   
       2 . The tap as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said upper hollow member is formed with a first fastening, and where said valve body is formed with a second fastening cooperative with said first fastening to connect said valve body to said upper hollow member. 
   
   
       3 . The tap as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said upper hollow member has an inner stop positioned so that said lower cover may be engaged with and attached in place to said upper hollow member. 
   
   
       4 . The tap as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein said inner stop is configured as three inwardly-projecting protuberances. 
   
   
       5 . The tap as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said chamber is defined partially by a cylindrical threaded wall, and wherein an annular retainer is mounted around said spindle in a location immediately above said upper hollow member, and has a threaded collar extending through said top opening of said upper hollow member and threadedly engaged with said cylindrical threaded wall, thereby limiting the movement of the valve core to a range within said chamber. 
   
   
       6 . The tap as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said lower cover has a first orifice to expose said outlet port and a second orifice to expose said inlet port. 
   
   
       7 . The tap as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said single-piece valve body is made of glass fiber reinforced plastic.