US3693660A

US3693660A - Single lever valve

Info

Publication number: US3693660A
Application number: US70712A
Authority: US
Inventors: Lee V Wheelock
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1970-09-09
Filing date: 1970-09-09
Publication date: 1972-09-26
Anticipated expiration: 1989-09-26

Abstract

A single lever valve for simultaneously regulating the flow of fluid to outlet means from one or more sources. The valve comprises a base member having one or more fluid inlet passages and one or more fluid outlet passages therethrough. The fluid inlet and outlet passages form inlet and outlet openings in the top planar surface of the base member. The top surface of the base member is covered with a diaphragm. A shoe is located on the top surface of the diaphragm and causes that portion of the diaphragm beneath the shoe to be depressed against the top surface of the base member. Single lever means are provided to shift the shoe along the top surface of the diaphragm whereby the amount of fluid issuing from the inlet openings and the amount of fluid entering the outlet means may be simultaneously regulated in any desired combination.

Description

United States I Patent Wheelock [451 Sept. 26, 1972 [54] SINGLE LEVER VALVE 72 inventor: Lee v. Wheelock, 1385 Norris m, 'i"

Franklin County, Ohio 43224 Attorney-Melville, Strasser, Foster & Hoffman Filed: Sept. 9, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 70,712

A single lever valve for simultaneously regulating the flow of fluid to outlet means from one or more [52] U.S. Cl..... ..137/625.4 s rces. The valv compri es a ba e member having [51] Int. Cl ..F16k 11/00 one or more fluid inlet passages and one or more fluid [58] Field of Search ..l37/625.4, 625.46, 625.48, outlet passages therethrough. The fluid inlet and out- 137/625.4l let passages form inlet and outlet openings in the top planar surface of the base member. The top surface of References Cited the base member is covered with a diaphragm. A shoe is located on the top surface of the diaphragm and UNITED STATES PATENTS causes that portion of the diaphragm beneath the shoe 2,976,887 3/1971 Wilson ..l37/625.4 to be depressed against the top surface of the base 2,020,286 1935 t e --l37/ UX member. Single lever means are provided to shift the 3,056,418 10/1962 Adams 6! a X shoe along the top surface of the diaphragm whereby 3,435,849 4/ 1969 P" P -137/625-4 the amount of fluid issuing from the inlet openings and 3,512,547 /1970 9 al "437/6254 X the amount of fluid entering the outlet means may be simultaneously regulated in any desired combination. 1 er 3,533,436 10/1970 Parkison ..l37/625.4 X Claims, 6 Drawing Figures //34 r I 32 r 340 r 4! 1 3 f a 4 29 44a v I I7 l 1 f I 2 -28 lNVENTOR/S ATTORNEYS LEE V 'WHEELOCK PATENTEDSEPZG 1312 SINGLE LEVER VALVE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION and full on, but also to regulate how much of that fluid l0 issuing from the outlet comes from each of two or more independent sources, when plural sources are present.

2. Description of the Prior Art While the structure of the present invention may serve as a single lever valve means for regulating the flow of fluid from one or more sources, for purposes of an exemplary showing it will be described in its embodiment as a single handle faucet for household use in association with sinks, bathtubs, showers and the like. While it would be within the scope of the invention to use the structure of the present invention to control the flow and mixing of two or more wholly dissimilar fluids, again for purposes of an exemplary showing it would be described as controlling the flow and mixing of hot and cold water.

The convenience and advantages of single lever valves in household applications has long been known. As a consequence, their popularity has been ever increasing. Nevertheless, prior art valves of this type have generally been characterized by complex structure involving a large number of specially formed parts. As a consequence prior art valves have frequently been expensive to manufacture and difficult to repair.

In addition to the above, prior art single lever valves have also been particularly subject to the adverse effects of wear, mineral deposits, corrosion and the like. These factors frequently led to failure of the valve in one way or another. For example wear, mineral deposits and/or corrosion can result in a lack of positive shut off.

The present invention is directed to the provision of a single lever valve characterized by extreme simplicity. As a result, it is easy and inexpensive to manufacture and may readily be disassembled and assembled for purposes of repair or replacement. In addition, the working parts of the valve of the present invention do not come into contact with the water or fluid being regulated thereby and hence the problems of mineral deposits and corrosion have been greatly alleviated. Furthermore, by virtue of its construction the problem of wear has been greatly minimized.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The single handle faucet or valve means of the I present invention comprises a base member having a planar upper surface. In the embodiment described, the base member has two fluid inlet passages and one fluid outlet passage passing therethrough. The inlet passages and outlet passage form inlet and outlet, openings,

respectively, in the planar upper surface of the base member. This planar upper surface is covered by a resilient diaphragm. A shoe is located above the diaphragm and is adapted to depress against the upper surface of the base member that portion of the diaphragm contacted by the shoe.

Single lever means are provided to shift the shoe to various positions on the diaphragm whereby the inlet openings are simultaneously opened and closed by any desired amount. As a consequence, not only is the amount of fluid entering the outlet openings regulated, but also the amount of fluid from each inlet is controlled. Thus, if the inlets are connected to sources of hot and cold water respectively, the faucet of the present invention controls both the volume and temperature of the water issuing from the outlet.

The faucet or valve of the present invention may be provided with a mixing chamber, an adjustable or stationary spout means, and any suitable exterior configuration.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a fragmentary front elevational view of the structure of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the structure of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary cross sectional view taken along the section line 33 of FIG. 2. 7

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view taken along the section line 4-4 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5'is a cross sectional view taken along the section line 5-5 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic representation of the various primary positions attainable by the shoe of the present structure. I

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to the Figures, the valve of the present invention comprises a base member 1 which may be affixed to a support 2. It will be understood by one skilled in the art that the support means 2 will be of any suitable and well known type and will vary with the use to which the valve of the present invention is put. For purposes of an exemplary showing, the support means 2 may be considered to be the usual mounting means found in association with a kitchen sink.

The base 1 has two

inlet passages

3 and 4 therethrough. A pair of

inlet conduits

5 and 6 are connected to the

inlet passages

3 and 4 respectively. The

conduits

5 and 6 may be connected in any suitable manner such as by a force fit, by a threaded engagement, or the like. For purposes of an exemplary showing, the

conduits

5 and 6 are illustrated as entering the

inlet passages

3 and 4 with a snug fit and are brazed or soldered to the base 1 as at 7 and 8 respectively. The

conduits

5 and 6 may constitute the pipes leading from the sources of fluid to be dispensed, or they may themselves be provided with fittings (not shown) on their free ends, by which they may be attached to the usual house pipes.

Since, for purposes of an exemplary showing, the device of the present invention is being described in its use as a household faucet, conduit 5 will arbitrarily be designated the inlet conduit for hot water and conduit 6 will be arbitrarily designated the inlet conduit for cold water.

Where desired,

inlet passages

3 and 4 may be provided at their upper ends with seat-forming elements 9 and 10 respectively. Seat-forming elements 9 and 10 may again be held in place by any suitable and well known means and may be made replaceable if desired. The seat-forming elements 9 and 10 define inlet openings 11 and 12 in the upper surface la of the base member 1.

The base member 1 is also provided with an outlet passage 13. The nature and configuration of the outlet passage will, of course, depend upon the nature of the spout or conduit to which it is intended to lead. The outlet passage 13 forms an outlet opening 14 in the upper surface 1a of the base member 1.

In the particular embodiments shown, the base member 1 is illustrated as having a circular peripheral configuration. This results in a circular side wall or surface 15 on which is rotatively mounted an annular element 16 providing and annular mixing chamber 17 and having an integral spout 18. The base member 1 may be provided with an outwardly extending flange 18 at its lowermost edge, adapted to support the annular member 16. The member 16 has

annular grooves

19 and 20 to house O-

rings

21 and 22, respectively. Thus, a water tight seal is formed between the member 16 and the base 1. From the above description it will be evident that the annular member 16 and its spout 18 may be rotatively shifted about the base member 1 so that the position of the spout may be laterally adjusted.

In the particular embodiment shown, the outlet passage 13 has a first downwardly extending portion 13a and a second laterally extending portion 13b communicating with the annular mixing chamber 17.

As is most clearly seen in FIGS. 1, 3 and 5, the upper surface 10 of the base member 1 is covered by a diaphragm 23. The diaphragm may be made of any suitable flexible material such as rubber, reinforced rubber, plastic or the like. The diaphragm, in turn, is surmounted by a cylindrical housing or body 24. The base member 1 has a plurality of perforations spaced about its periphery. The diaphragm 23 has a plurality of matching perforations 26. The housing 24 also has a plurality of matching perforations 27, which are threaded. Thus, the base 1, diaphragm 23 and housing 24 may be held in assembly by a plurality of bolts 28 passing through the

coaxial perforations

25, 26 and 27.

The housing 24 may be provided with an annular flange 29, adapted to serve as a stop to prevent upward shifting of the annular member 16. The housing 24 may also have a cap means 30 affixed to its upper end. While the manner in which the cap 30 is attached to the housing does not constitute a limitation on the present invention, for purposes of an exemplary showing it is illustrated as being threadedly engaged therewith, as at will be described hereinafter.

The single lever element or actuator of the valve of the present invention is indicated at 35. The lowermost end of the actuator has affixed thereto a hemispherical flange element 36. The flange element 36 has a flat surface 36a. An additional rod-like element, coaxial with the actuator 35, extends downwardly from the surface 36a of the flange element. It will be understood by one skilled in the art that the actuator 35, the flange element 36 and the rod-like element 37 could comprise a single, integral structure.

The concave inner surface 34a of the plastic insert 34 serves as a bearing surface for the hemispherical flange element 36. Thus, the insert 34 and the flange element 36 cooperate to form a pivot means so that a lateral shift of the actuator 35 in any direction will produce a lateral shift of the rod-like element 37 in an opposite direction.

In FIG. 3 a sleeve is illustrated, having a central bore 380 of a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the rod-like element 37. The sleeve 38 is mounted on the rod-like element 37 with a sliding fit. The sleeve 38 has a closed end 38b which is provided with external threading, as, at 39. A washer-like element 40 is threadedly engaged on the end 38b of the sleeve, and forms an annular flange thereon. A compression spring 41 is located about the sleeve. One end of the compression spring abuts the flat surface 36a of the hemispherical element 36. The other end of the spring 41 abuts the annular flange 40. The purpose of spring 41 will be described hereinafter.

Referring again to FIG. 3 a shoe (generally indicated at 42) is illustrated as abutting the top surface of diaphragm 23. The shoe comprises a disc-like element 42a having a covering element 42b. The covering element may be made of any suitable material capable of sliding along the top surface of the diaphragm 23 while producing a minimum of wear on the diaphragm. For example, the covering element 42 may be made of plastic or the like.

The disc-like element 42a has a centrally located, upstanding ball 43. The end 38b of the sleeve 38 may be provided with a depression receiving an insert 44 having a socket 44a. The insert 44 may be made of wearresistant plastic or the like and maybe held in place by any suitable means including a frictional fit. The ball 43 is adapted to be received in the socket 44a. Thus, the shoe 42 is affixed to the sleeve by a ball-socket joint enabling universal movement of the shoe with respect to the sleeve.

From the above description, it will be evident that a lateral shifting of actuator 35 in any direction will cause ashift of the shoe 42 along the top surface of the diaphragm 23, in an opposite direction. The spring 41 serves two purposes. First of all, it assures that the shoe is pressed firmly against the top surface of the diaphragm 33, irrespective of its position on the diaphragm. Simultaneously, the spring 41 will assure that the hemispherical flange element 36 is firmly seated in the plastic insert bearing means 34.

While the peripheral configuration of the shoe 42 does not constitute a limitation of the present invention, it must be so sized that in one position the shoe will depress the diaphragm firmly against the seats of both inlet openings 11 and 12. Similarly, the shoe must be so sized that in another position it covers neither inlet opening 11 or 12. I

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic representation of the four major positions achievable by the shoe 42 when shifted by actuator 35. The outer circle 45 represents the periphery of the base 1 and the diaphragm 23. In addition, inlets 11 and 12 are shown, as is outlet 14. The four circles A, B, C and D illustrate the four major positions of the shoe 42. Again, it will be remembered that that portion of the diaphragm directly beneath the shoe will be urged thereby against the top surface of the base 1.

When the actuator 35 is in its rearwardmost position, (as viewed in FIG. 2) the shoe will be in its forwardmost position, indicated by circle A. In this position, it will be noted that the shoe overlies both the inlet opening 11 and the inlet opening 12 in the base 1. As a consequence, the diaphragm 23 will be depressed firmly against these openings (or the seat elements 9 and 10 of these openings, when used) and no fluid can issue from either inlet opening. As a consequence, no fluid will issue from the outlet and the faucet is in its full off position.

When the actuator 35 is shifted to its forwardmost position, (as viewed in FIG. 2) the shoe 42 will be shifted to its rearwardmost position, indicated by circle B. In this position, it will be noted that the shoe overlies neither of the inlet openings 11 and 12 and fluid in an equal amount can issue from both and enter the outlet opening 14. If, as aribitrarily stated above, hot water issues from inlet opening 11 and cold water issues from inlet opening 12, the water entering outlet opening 14 will vbe made up of equal amounts of hot and cold water. It will further be understood that as the shoe is shifted from position A to position B, the water entering outlet opening 14 will be an equal mixture of hot and cold water, but will vary in volume from zero volume at position A to full volume at position B.

When the actuator 35 is shifted to its lefthandmost position (as viewed in FIGS. 1 and 2), the shoe will as sume the position indicated by circle C. In this position, it will be evident that inlet 12 remains closed while inlet 1 1 is fully open. Thus, the water entering outlet 14 will be all hot and at full volume. By the same token, as the shoe is shifted from position A to position C, only hot water will enter the outlet 14, but its volume will increase as the shoe is shifted toward position C.

Finally, when the actuator 35 is in its righthandmost position (as viewed in FIGS. 1 and 2) the shoe 42 will assume the position indicated by circle D. In this position, the inlet 1 1 remains closed and the inlet 12 is fully open. As a consequence, water entering outlet 14 will be all cold and at full volume. As the shoe shifts from position A to position D only cold water will enter the outlet 14, but the volume thereof will increase as the shoe approaches position D.

When actuator 35 is shifted forwardly to a position somewhere between its forwardmost position and its righthandmost position (as viewed in F IG. 2i.e. in the general direction indicated by arrow E), the shoe will be shifted to a position between those indicated by circle D and circle B. Under these conditions, the inlet opening 12 will remain open and the inlet opening 11 will be partially open. As the shoe approaches circle D the inlet opening 11 will approach its closed condition.

. As the shoe approaches circle B the inlet opening 11 will approach its open position. Thus, water entering the outlet 14 will comprise a mixture of cold water and more or less hot water, depending on the position of the slice. Ina similar manner, as the actuator is moved between its forwardmost position and its lefthandmost position (as viewed in FIG. 2i.e. in the general direction of arrow F), the inlet opening 11 will open and remain open, and the inlet opening 12 will be partially open. The amount by which inlet opening 12 is open will depend upon whether the shoe is nearer position B or position C. As a consequence, under these circumstances water entering outlet 14 will comprise a mixture of hot water and more or less cold water depending upon the position of the shoe.

From the above description, it will be evident that by simple manipulation of the actuator 35, water of any temperature and in any desired volume can be obtained from the spout 18. It will further be evident that the valve of the present invention is characterized by a minimum of parts and an extremely simple construction. Finally it will be noted that all of the moving parts are located within the housing 24 and above the diaphragm 23. These parts are therefore not contacted by the water or fluid and thus are not subject to mineral deposits, corrosion, or the like. It will further be evident that the structure of the present invention is such as to minimize the problem of wear. While the diaphragm 23 is readily replaceable,a proper choice of materials both for the diaphragm and for the shoe cover element 42b, together with proper lubrication, should ensure that the-diaphragm will have a very long service life.

Modifications may be made in the invention without departing from the spirit of it. For example, while the valve of the present invention has been described in the form of a faucet, it will be readily understood that it could be used simply as a valve means for regulating both the volume and the mixture of two separate fluids entering into a single outlet or conduit.

While an exemplary'form of mixing chamber and spout has been described, they are not intended to constitute a limitation on the present invention and other forms may be used. As a consequence, the peripheral configuration of the base, the diaphragm, the housing and the cap may be modified as desired. In addition, it will be understood that the actuator 35 may be provided with any desired form of handle or grip.

In similar manner, when the structure of the present invention is utilized in the household, it may be given any exterior design or styling without modification of its mechanical operation.

Finally, the number and arrangement of inlet and outlet openings in the base member does not constitute a limitation on the invention. For example, the structure of the present invention could be used to regulate the flow between a single inlet opening and a single outlet opening. Under these circumstances one of the inlets 11 or 12 could be eliminated. By the same token it could be used to regulate the flow between a single inlet opening and more than one outlet openings. Thus, in FIG. 6, opening 14 could be considered a single inlet and openings 11 and 12 could be outlets. Finally, more than two inlet openings and/or more than one outlet openings could be provided if the occasion demands.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

l. A valve for regulating the flow of fluid from at least one inlet to at least one outlet, said valve comprising a member having a planar surface and at least one fluid inlet opening in said surface communicating with an inlet passage in said member and at least one outlet opening in said surface communicating with an outlet passage in said member, a resilient diaphragm overlying said surface and said inlet and outlet openings, valve actuating means overlying said diaphragm, said valve actuating means comprising a shoe adapted to abut said diaphragm, resilient means for urging said shoe against said diaphragm and thereby urging that portion of the diaphragm beneath said shoe against said surface of said member, means for shifting said shoe laterally and substantially in a plane parallel to said surface and between a position wherein said at least one inlet opening is closed by said diaphragm and a position wherein said at least one inlet opening is open, whereby the flow of fluid from said at least one inlet opening to said at least one outlet opening may be regulated from full on to full off.

2. The structure claimed in claim 1 wherein said means for shifting said shoe comprises single lever means.

3. The structure claimed in claim 1 wherein said means for shifting said shoe comprises an elongated lever having a first end and a second end, means for mounting said lever at a point between said first and second ends with said first end extending toward said diaphragm, means for mounting said shoe to said first end of said lever, said mounting means for said lever being pivotal so that a lateral shifting of said second end of said lever results in a lateral shifting of said first end and said attached shoe in an opposite direction, said means for mounting said shoe to said first end of said lever being so configured that said shoe maintains said abutting relationship with said diaphragm irrespective of the position of said lever.

4. The structure claimed in claim 3 wherein said means for mounting said shoe to said first end of said lever comprises an elongated sleeve slidably mounted on said first end of said lever, said sleeve having a closed end extending toward said diaphragm, said closed end having a socket therein, said shoe having a ball thereon receivable in said socket, said ball and socket comprising a universal joint between said shoe and said sleeve.

5. The structure claimed in claim 4 wherein said lever has a flange thereon between said mounting point and said first end thereof, said sleeve having a flange adjacent said closed end thereof, said means for urging said shoe against said diaphragm comprising a compression spring surrounding said lever and said sleeve, one end of said spring abutting said lever flange, the other end of said spring abutting said sleeve flange whereby said spring constantly urges said sleeve and said attached shoe toward said diaphragm.

6. The structure claimed in claim 1 including first and second inlet openings in said planar surface of said member, said first and second inlet openings communicating respectively with first and second inlet passages in said member, a single outlet opening in said surface communicating with an outlet passage in said member, said shoe being shiftable between a position wherein both ofsaid first and second inlet openings are closed by said diaphragm and positions wherein either or both of said inlet openings are opened by said diaphragm in any desired amount, whereby both the total volume of said fluid entering said outlet opening and the amount of fluid from each of said first and second inlet openings making up said total volume may be regulated.

7. The structure claimed in claim 6 wherein said first inlet passage is connected to a source of hot water and said second inlet'passage is connected to a source of cold water whereby shifting of said shoe will control both the volume and temperature of the water entering said outlet opening.

8. The structure claimed in claim 6 wherein said means for shifting said shoe comprises single lever means.

9. The structure claimed in claim 6 wherein said means for shifting said shoe comprises an elongated lever having a first end and a second end, means for mounting said lever at a point between said first and second ends with said first end extending toward said diaphragm, means for mounting said shoe to said first end-of said lever, said mounting means for said lever being pivotal so that a lateral shifting of said second end of said lever results in a lateral shifting of said first end and said attached shoe in an opposite direction, said means for mounting said shoe to said first end of said lever being so configured that said shoe maintains said abutting relationship with said diaphragm irrespective of the position of said lever.

10. The structure claimed in claim 9 wherein said means for mounting said shoe to said first end of said lever comprises an elongated sleeve slidably mounted on said first end of said lever, said sleeve having a closed end extending toward said diaphragm, said closed end having a socket therein, said shoe having a ball thereon receivable in said socket, said ball and socket comprising a universal joint between said shoe and said sleeve.

11. The structure claimed in claim 10 wherein said lever has a flange thereon between said mounting point and said first end thereof, said sleeve having a flange adjacent said closed end thereof, said means for urging said shoe against said diaphragm comprising a compression spring surrounding said lever and said sleeve, one end of said spring abutting said lever flange, the other end of said spring abutting said sleeve flange whereby said spring constantly urges said sleeve and said attached shoe toward said diaphragm.

12. A valve comprising a base member having a planar upper surface, said base member having first andv second fluid inlet passages and a fluid outlet passage therein, said first and secondinlet passages and said outlet passage forming respectively first and second inlet openings and an outlet opening in said planar upper surface of said base member, a resilient diaphragm overlying said upper surface of said base member including said inlet and outlet openings therein, said upper surface of said base member and said overlying diaphragm being surmounted by a hollow housing, said housing having a cap means, valve actuating means mounted above said diaphragm, said valve actuating means comprising a shoe having a bottom surface adapted to abut the upper surface of said diaphragm, means for urging said shoe against said diaphragm and that portion of said diaphragm beneath said shoe against said upper surface of said base member, means for shifting said shoe along'said upper surface of said diaphragm between a valve full off position and an infinite number of valve on positions, said means for shifting said shoe comprising an elongated lever, said lever extending through an opening in said cap means with its lowermost end within said housing and its uppermost end outside said housing and above said cap means, means for mounting said shoe to said lowermost end of said lever, there being a universal joint between said lever and said cap means whereby a lateral shifting of said uppermost end of said lever in a given direction will cause a lateral shifting of the lowermost end of said lever and the attached shoe in an opposite direction, said means for mounting said shoe to said lowermost end of said lever being so configured that said shoe maintains said abutting relationship with said diaphragm irrespective of the position of said lever, in said valve full off position said shoe covers and said diaphragm closes said first and second inlet openings preventing fluid from either inlet opening from entering said outlet opening, in said valve on positions said shoe uncovers and said diaphragm opens either or both of said inlet openings by any desired amount whereby both the total volume of fluid entering said outlet opening and the amount of that total volume coming from each of said first and second inlet openings can be regulated.

13. The structure claimed in claim 12 wherein said first inlet passage is connected to a source of hot water and said second inlet passage is connected to a source of cold water whereby shifting of said shoe will control both the volume and temperature of the water entering said outlet opening.

14. The structure claimed in claim 12 wherein said means for mounting said shoe to said lowermost end of said lever comprises an elongated sleeve slidably mounted on said lowermost end of said lever, said sleeve having a closed end extending toward said diaphragm, said closed end having a socket therein, said shoe having a ball thereon receivable in said socket, said ball and socket comprising a universal joint between said shoe and said sleeve.

15. The structure claimed in claim 14 wherein said lever has a flange thereon-within said housing and ad jacent said universal joint between said lever and said cap means, said sleeve having a flange adjacent said closed end thereof, said means for urging said shoe against said diaphragm comprising a compression spring surrounding said lever and said sleeve, one end of said spring abutting said lever flange, the other end of said spring abutting said sleeve flange whereby said spring constantly urges said sleeve and said attached shoe shoe toward said diaphragm.

Claims

1. A valve for regulating the flow of fluid from at least one inlet to at least one outlet, said valve comprising a member having a planar surface and at least one fluid inlet opening in said surface communicating with an inlet passage in said member and at least one outlet opening in said surface communicating with an outlet passage in said member, a resilient diaphragm overlying said surface and said inlet and outlet openings, valve actuating means overlying said diaphragm, said valve actuating means comprising a shoe adapted to abut said diaphragm, resilient means for urging said shoe against said diaphragm and thereby urging that portion of the diaphragm beneath said shoe against said surface of said member, means for shifting said shoe laterally and substantially in a plane parallel to said surface and between a position wherein said at least one inlet opening is closed by said diaphragm and a position wherein said at least one inlet opening is open, whereby the flow of fluid from said at least one inlet opening to said at least one outlet opening may be regulated from full on to full off.

6. The structure claimed in claim 1 including first and second inlet openings in said planar surface of said member, said first and second inlet openings communicating respectively with first and second inlet passages in said member, a single outlet opening in said surface communicating with an outlet passage in said member, said shoe being shiftable between a position wherein both of said first and second inlet openings are closed by said diaphragm and positions wherein either or both of said inlet openings are opened by said diaphragm in any desired amount, whereby both the total volume of said fluid entering said outlet opening and the amount of fluid from each of said first and second inlet openings making up said total volume may be regulated.

7. The structure claimed in claim 6 wherein said first inlet passage is connected to a source of hot water and said second inlet passage is connected to a source of cold water whereby shifting of said shoe will control both the volume and temperature of the water entering said outlet opening.

9. The structure claimed in claim 6 wherein said means for shifting said shoe comprises an elongated lever having a first end and a second end, means for mounting said lever at a point between said first and second ends with said first end extending toward said diaphragm, means for mounting said shoe to said first end of said lever, said mounting means for said lever being pivotal so that a lateral shifting of said second end of said lever results in a lateral shifting of said first end and said attached shoe in an opposite direction, said means for mounting said shoe to said first end of said lever being so configured that said shoe maintains said abutting relationship with said diaphragm irrespective of the position of said lever.

12. A valve comprising a base member having a planar upper surface, said base member having first and second fluid inlet passages and a fluid outlet passage therein, said first and second inlet passages and said outlet passage forming respectively first and second inlet openings and an outlet opening in said planar upper surface of said base member, a resilient diaphragm overlying said upper surface of said base member including said inlet and outlet openings therein, said upper surface of said base member and said overlying diaphragm being surmounted by a hollow housing, said housing having a cap means, valve actuating means mounted above said diaphragm, said valve actuating means comprising a shoe having a bottom surface adapted to abut the upper surface of said diaphragm, means for urging said shoe against said diaphragm and that portion of said diaphragm beneath said shoe against said upper surface of said base member, means for shifting said shoe along said upper surface of said diaphragm between a valve full off position and an infinite number of valve on positions, said means for shifTing said shoe comprising an elongated lever, said lever extending through an opening in said cap means with its lowermost end within said housing and its uppermost end outside said housing and above said cap means, means for mounting said shoe to said lowermost end of said lever, there being a universal joint between said lever and said cap means whereby a lateral shifting of said uppermost end of said lever in a given direction will cause a lateral shifting of the lowermost end of said lever and the attached shoe in an opposite direction, said means for mounting said shoe to said lowermost end of said lever being so configured that said shoe maintains said abutting relationship with said diaphragm irrespective of the position of said lever, in said valve full off position said shoe covers and said diaphragm closes said first and second inlet openings preventing fluid from either inlet opening from entering said outlet opening, in said valve on positions said shoe uncovers and said diaphragm opens either or both of said inlet openings by any desired amount whereby both the total volume of fluid entering said outlet opening and the amount of that total volume coming from each of said first and second inlet openings can be regulated.

15. The structure claimed in claim 14 wherein said lever has a flange thereon within said housing and adjacent said universal joint between said lever and said cap means, said sleeve having a flange adjacent said closed end thereof, said means for urging said shoe against said diaphragm comprising a compression spring surrounding said lever and said sleeve, one end of said spring abutting said lever flange, the other end of said spring abutting said sleeve flange whereby said spring constantly urges said sleeve and said attached shoe shoe toward said diaphragm.