US3906990A - Diverter spout - Google Patents

Abstract

A diverter spout adapted to be mounted on the outlet of a liquid delivering pipe comprises a tubular metal casing with a diverter valve assembly mounted on the pipe in the back end of the casing. The diverter valve assembly includes a one piece plastic body that is threaded into the casing, with an internally threaded opening in the body engaging the liquid delivering pipe. The outlet of the pipe is connected through a tapered portion of the opening in the body to an outlet that leads into a water chamber. A valve member is slidably mounted in a vertical slot in the water chamber and is adapted to open and close the outlet. A tubular pressure chamber extends rearwardly from the valve member so that it covers the outlet opening when the valve is closed. An annular sealing ring is slidably mounted in the pressure chamber and seals the space between the pressure chamber and the body when the valve is closed and pressurized liquid is introduced into the pressure chamber. The valve member is opened and closed by means of a vertically disposed valve stem that is removably clipped to the valve member. The valve stem can be lowered entirely inside the casing for assembly purposes, so that the diverter valve and valve stem can be pre-assembled and inserted in the casing as a single unit.

Description

Nelson Sept. 23, 1975 DIVERTER SPOUT Merritt J. Nelson, Sparta, Mich.

[73] Assignee: Zin-Plas Corporation, Grand Rapids, Mich.

[22] Filed: May 13, 1974 [21] Appl. No.1 469,313

[75] Inventor:

Primary Examiner-l-larold W. Weakley Attorney, Agent, or FirmMcGarry & Waters [57] ABSTRACT A diverter spout adapted to be mounted on the outlet of a liquid delivering pipe comprises a tubular metal casing with a diverter valve assembly mounted on the pipe in the back end of the casing. The diverter valve assembly includes a one piece plastic body that is threaded into the casing, with an internally threaded opening in the body engaging the liquid delivering pipe. The outlet of the pipe is connected through a tapered portion of the opening in the body to an outlet that leads into a water chamber. A valve member is slidably mounted in a vertical slot in the water chamber and is adapted to open and close the outlet. A tubular pressure chamber extends rearwardly from the valve member so that it covers the outlet opening when the valve is closed. An annular sealing ring is slidably mounted in the pressure chamber and seals the space between the pressure chamber and the body when the valve is closed and pressurized liquid is introduced into the pressure chamber. The valve member is opened and closed by means of a vertically disposed valve stem that is removably clipped to the valve member. The valve stem can be lowered entirely inside the casing for assembly purposes, so that the diverter valve and valve stem can be pre-assembled and inserted in the casing as a singlle unit.

10 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures DIVERTER siPoUT BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION particularly to an improved diverter spout wherein a simple and inexpensive diverter valve assembly is preassembled and mounted as a single unit in a hollow metal casing, without requiring internal projections or structure in the casing for mounting or operating purposes.

2. Description of the Prior Art A diverter spout is a conventional bathroom fixture which is usually mounted above a bathtub for diverting the flow of water away from the bathtub spout to an overhead shower fixture by the simple mechanical actuation of a valve. Conventional diverter spouts usually are composed of a corrosion resistant metal housing or I casing, with a diverter valve mechanism being disposed within the casing. Typically, such a diverter valve mechanism is either integrally formed as a component of the casing or is formedof several metal components which are assembled by attachment to projections in the casing. Moen US. Pat. No. Re 27,819 discloses a tub diverter spout wherein the movable valve components are mounted in a valve unit that is integrally molded and machined into the interior of the casing. The entire diverter valve assembly in that reference. is mounted at the outlet of the casing, in order to provide access to the valve mechanism through the spout outlet. Holycross US. Pat. No. 3,387,816 discloses a similar type of diverter spout assembly, wherein the di verter valve mechanism is formed of several metal components which are fastened together by screws that engage internally threaded openings in projections fas tened to the interior surface of the outer casing. This diverter valve is mounted at the rear of the casing. Both of these references disclose the same type of movable valve member for blocking the flow of water through the spout when the valve member is in its closed position, but neither of the references disclose a simple and inexpensive valve mechanism for economically achieving the desired result. Both Moen and Holycross require casings that include expensive internal projec tions and substantial internal machining, and the effective operation of the type of valve mechanism used in these references is dependent upon the type of mount" ing structure that the inventors have selected for their valve. Further, removal and installation of the Moen and Holycross diverter spout assemblies is a relatively involved procedure, thus making the assembly of the diverter spouts expensive from a labor standpoint.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention. a diverter spout adapted to be mounted on the threaded outlet of a liquid delivering pipe extending from a wall comprises a hollow tubular casing and a diverter valve mechanism mounted as a unit in the casing.

The diverter valve mechanism comprises a one piece molded plastic body that is threaded or otherwise mounted in the casing by engagement of the outer periphery of the body with the interior of the casing. The body has a fluid opening therethrough with a threaded inlet adapted to be threaded on the liquid delivering pipe and an outlet in communication with acasing outlet. The body also includes an integrally formed longitudinal slot extending transversely across the outside of the outlet and acylindrical valve stem opening in the body that runs parallel to the longitudinal direction of the slot.

A valve member is slidably mounted in the slot between a closed position, wherein the valve member covers the outlet, and the open position, wherein the outlet is open. A tubular pressure chamber extends relatively from the valve member so as to surround the outlet when the valye member is closed. A resilient sealing ring is slidably disposed in the pressure chamber and mates=with the interior of the tubular walls of the pressure chamber and the portion of the body surrounding the outlet. When pressurized liquid is introduced into the pressure chamber through the liquid delivery pipe, the pressure of the liquid in the chamber causes the sealing ring to seal the opening between the pressure chamber and the body of the diverter valve. The pressure of the sealing ring on the body of the diverter valve also holds the valve member in its closed position untilthe liquid pressure is relieved. When the pressure is relieved, the frictional sealing engagement is broken and the valve member slides easily to its open position.

The valve member is opened and closed by means of a valve stem that slidably extends through the valve stem opening in the body and is clipped at an inner end to the valve member. Spaced parallel legs extending from the front of the valve member serve to engage and hold opposite sides of a recessed section in the inner end of the valve stem.

One of the important features of the present invention is that the body is formed as a single integral unit and includes means'for attaching the body to the easing, means for attaching the body to the liquid delivering pipe, a slot for a valve member, and a correspond ing opening for valve stem all as a single unit. Preferably, the body is attached to the casing by means of a circular internally threaded portion in the casing and a corresponding threaded exterior portion of the body, thus permitting the body to be secured to the casing by simply threading the body as a unit into the casing.

Another important feature of the present invention is that the valve member and valve stem are formed so that when the knob is removed from the valve stem, the valve stem fits completely in the casing. This permits the valve stem to be inserted prcasscmbled in the body as a unit and the unit itself threaded or otherwise fitted straight into the valve casing without having the valve stem protruding beyond the periphery of the body and interfering with the movement of the body in the easing. This is an important advantage that none of the prior art mechanisms employing this type of valve mechanism have achieved.

Still another feature of the present invention is that the opening in the body at the end of the liquid delivering pipe tapers from the end of the pipe to the outlet opening in the body. This tapering portion not only insures a smooth laminar flow of liquid from the pipe through the .outlet opening but it also serves an important scaling function such that the pipe can be threaded into the body into contact with the tapered portion at the end of the threaded opening, and the engagement of the pipe with the tapered portion seals the joint be tween the pipe and the body without requiring the use of sealing compounds on the threads.

These and other features and advantages of the present invention will hereinafter appear, and, for purposes of illustration, but not of limitation, a preferred embodiment of the present invention is described in detail below and shown in the appended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: I

FIG. 1 is a sectional side elevational view of a diverter spout according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken through line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a view like FIG. 1 showing the valve in the diverting position; and

FIG. 5 is a view like FIG. 1 showing the valve in the assembly position.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings and to FIG. 1 in particular, there is shown a diverter spout 12 which is connected to. a wall surface 14 having a threaded water pipe 16 extending therefrom. The spout comprises a hollowcasing 18 having an outlet 19 through which water may flow. A diverter mechanism 20 is housed within the casing 18 and comprises a single piece molded plastic body 22. A wall-engaging annular flange 24 extends outwardly from the rear of plastic body 22 between casing 18 and wall surface 14, thereby preventing scuffing of the wall surface by metal casing 18 during installation. The plastic body 22 is softer than brassor steel, and is also softer than the normal wall tile. The protective flange 24 thus protects the wall from scratches during installation of the spout. Threads 25 are formed in the outer periphery of the rear portion of the plastic body 22, and these threads engage a threaded inner cylindrical surface of the hollow casing 18. Water insoluble adhesives desirably are used to cement the plastic body 22 to the casing 18 at the threads A tubular central portion 26 of the body 22 has an interior threaded bore 28 terminating in a tapering bore 30 and in an outlet opening 32. The threaded bore 28 at the end of bore 30, of the body 22 can be secured to the pipe in tight fitting relationship without the use of pipe sealing compounds.

A water chamber 34 is formed forwardly of the outlet opening 32 (i.e., to the left of opening 32 according to FIG. 1 orientation), adjacent a flat back wall 66 of the central portion 26. Strengthening fins extend forwardly from the back wall 66 to strengthen the chamber 34, and flanges 38 extend inwardly from fins 40 to form a slot 62 between flanges 38 and back wall 66. Flanges 38 form the front end of water chamber 34, with fins 40 forming the sides of the water chamber. Upper member 37 covers the top of water chamber 34 and extends forwardly therefrom. A cylindrical stem housing 36 having a vertical opening 41 for a stem extends downwardly from upper member 37 at the front end of chamber 34.

A valve element 42 slides vertically through slot 62 in chamber 34 for the diverting action. The valve element 42 has a back plate 43 and a tubular pressure chamber 56 with a circular cross section extending from the rear of the back plate. A clip comprising parallel legs 44extends forwardly from the base of the back plate 43.

A resilient annular sealing ring 58 is slidably mounted within the tubular pressure chamber 56 to seal the outlet opening 32 when the valve is in the diverting position. Sealing ring 58 includes a tubular portion that engages the interior walls of the pressure chamber and an inwardly extending flange 64 that abuts rear wall 66 and surrounds opening 32.

A stem 46 is slidably received in opening 41 of the stern housing 36 and extends through an opening 45 in the top of casing 18. The stem 46 has a reduced diameter section 52 adjacent the bottom of the stem and a retaining foot 54 at the bottom of the stern. As seen in FIGS. 1 and 3, the reduced diameter section 52 snugly fits in the clip between the legs 44 so that the stem 46 is coupled to the valve element 42. A knob is threadably secured to the top of the stem 46.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the valve element 42 has a curved bottom surface which complements the inner diametrical surface of the casing 18.

In operation, the diverter structure is normally in the position illustrated in FIG. 1. In this position, the water passes through pipe 16, through opening 32, and through the chamber 34. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the water passes outwardly around stern housing 36 and downwardly around tubular valve element 42 through slot 62. The water then passes out the outlet 19.

When it is desirable to divert the water, for a shower, for example, the stem 46 is raised by pulling knob 50 upwardly until the valve element seats against the top of the chamber 34. This position is illustrated in FIG. 4. In this diverting position, the opening in the annular sealing member 58 will be positioned directly in front of the opening 32 so that the water from the pipe 16 will communicate directly and only with the interior of the tubular pressure chamber 56 through the opening in the annular sealing ring 58. This will result in an outward water pressure on sealing ring 58 from the interior of the pressure chamber. Desirably the sealing ring is made of a flexible rubbery material so that when the pressure is applied to the interior of the pressure chamber 56, the inwardly directed flange 64 of the annular sealing ring 58 will seal against the back wall 66 of the plastic body 22. Water will thus cease to flow through the pipe 16. The pressure of the sealing ring against back wall 66 also will create a frictional force sufficient to hold the valve element in diverting position as long as the water is turned on.

When the water is turned off, the pressure will be relieved from pipe 16 and the diverter valve element will fall by gravity back to the position illustrated in FIG. 1. Water can then flow through the spout in the manner set forth above.

The easy assembly of the diverter structure will now be described with reference to FIG. 5. In the initial assembly operation, stem 46 is clipped into place in the diverter with the knob 50 removed from the stem 46.

Adhesive is applied to the grooves 25 in the outer flanges of the molded plastic body 22. With the knob 50 removed from the stem, the valve will drop down until the valve abuts against the bottom surface of the hollow casing 18. The stem is dimensioned so as to be vertically insertable into the interior of the casing with the valve 42 seated ag'ainst thebottom surface thereof. This allows the assembled diverter structure to be pushed or threaded into the casing 18, thereby avoiding a separate threading action of the stem..After the diverter mechanism has reached the position illustrated in FIG. 5, the spout is turned upside down so that the end of the stem falls out of theopening in the spout. The knob is then attached to the stem. Thus the diverter mechanism is quickly and easily secured to the spout in a simple, two'step operation.

The plastic body 22 is desirably moldedfrom a material which is relatively insensitive to hot or cold water. Suitable plastic materials include ABS plastics, polyvinylehloride acrylics, polyamides, and polyurethane. In all cases, the plastic is softer than the casing, which is desirably madefrom a metal. The wall-engaging annular flange 24 provides a pressure surface to avoid marring of the wall 14 during installation of the spout.

The spout can be installed by merely threading the spout onto the pipe 16. Because of the tapered opening 30 at the end of the threaded bore 28, the coupling between the pipe 16 and body 22 needs no sealing compound. a v

It can be seen from the foregoing that the diverter spout structure of the present invention is exceptionally simple to assemble yet provides an effective and inexpensive valve construction. One of the important fac tors in the economy provided by the present invention is that the metal spout can be formed in a completely tubular form, and no internal metal projections or fittings are required in order to mount the diverter valve in the spout. The diverter valve itself is a simple and inexpensive unit, which is threaded into the spout in a simple operation. Another advantage of the present invention is that the diverter valve is mounted at the rear of the spout where it is desirable for safety purposes.

Reasonable variation and modification are possible within the scope of the foregoing disclosure, the drawings, and the appended claims without departing from the spirit of the invention.

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

l. A diverter spout adapted to be mounted on the outlet of a liquid delivering pipe comprising:

a tubular casing having a casing inlet and a casing outlet;

a diverter valve mechanism mounted in the casing and including a one-piece body secured within the interior surface of the casing and a valve member;

said body having a valve opening therethrough and means for connecting the outlet of the pipe to the body so that the pipe is in communication with the valve opening, said body further having means for reciprocably mounting said valve on a downstream side of said valve opening for movement between a closed position wherein the valve member covers the valve opening, and an open position, wherein the valve opening is open;

said valve member including a pressure chamber and a sealing ring means disposed within the pressure chamber so as to surround the valve outlet in seating engagement therewith when the valve member is in the closed position to block water flow therethrough when pressurized water is introduced into the pressure chamber: and

a valve stem having an inner end attached to the valve member and extending through an opening in the casing to an outer end outside the casing, said valve stem. being movable so as to open and close the valve member. 2. A diverter spout as claimed in claim 1 wherein: the knob means comprises a knob removably mounted on the outer end of the stern, said knob being larger than the opening in the casing so as to prevent the stem from sliding entirely within the casing; and the diverter valve mechanism isformed such that when the knob is removed the valve stem can slide entirely inside the casing; wherein the diverter valveand valve stem can be preassembled and installed in and removed from the casing as a unit. a 3. A diverter spout as claimed in claim 2 wherein: the valve member comprises a lower end that substantially matches the contour of the casing at the point opposite the lower end of the valve member, and the valve member is free to slide past its open position into contact with the casing but for the presence of the knob on the valve stem; and the distance between the lower end of the valve member and the outer end of the valve stem is less than the height of the casing at the point where the valve stem is positioned in the casing.

4. A diverter valve as claimed in claim 3 wherein:

a water chamber is integrally formed in the body downstream of the valve opening outlet, with the water chamber having a closed upper end and an open lower end and defining the transverse slot that runs longitudinally across the outlet;

the valve member is slidably mounted in the slot for transverse movement across the outlet; i

a valve stem housing is integrally formed in the body on the side of the slot opposite the outlet. and said valve stem housing has a valve stem opening therethrough, with the axis of the valve stem opening being parallel to the longitudinal direction of the slot;

the valve stem is slidably mounted in the valve stem opening with its inner end being attached to the valve member on one side of the valve stem open ing and its outer end extending from the casing at a point adjacent the upper end of the water chamher; and

the closed position of the valve member occurs when the valve member is raised all the way up into contact with the upper end of the water chamber.

5. A diverter spout as claimed in claim 1 wherein:

the casing comprises an internally threaded portion of circular cross-section;

the body has a threaded periphery of circular cross section and is mounted in the casing by engagement of its threaded periphery with the threaded portion of the casing.

6. A diverter spout as claimed in claim 1 wherein the diverter valve is mounted in the casing inlet adjacent the wall and the body is formed of a moldable plastic material and includes a peripheral flange that extends outwardly between the inlet end of the casing and the wall so as to prevent abrasion of the wall in installing and removing the diverter spout.

7. A diverter spout as claimed in claim I wherein:

the valve member comprises a pair of spaced parallel legs that extend from the opposite side of the valve member from the pressure chamber; and

the valve stem has a recessed portion adjacent to its inner end that snugly clips between said legs. 8. A diverter spout as claimed in claim 1 wherein: said pipe connection means includes a threaded bore drical valve stem housing positioned on the oppothe slot;

a valve member slidably mounted in the slot for movement between a closed position, wherein the valve member covers the outlet, and an open posifor threadably engaging a threaded end of the pipe; tion, wherein the outlet is open; and a tubular pressure chamber extending rearwardly the diameter of the bore tapers gradually inward from the valve member so as to surround the outlet from the end of the threaded portion to the valve when the valve member is closed; opening, such that the pipe sealingly engages the resilient ring means slidably disposed in said pressure tapered portion of the opening when the diverter 10 chamber and comprising side walls that mate with spout is securely threaded on the pipe. the interior of the tubular sides of the pressure 9. A diverter spout adapted to be mounted on a chamber and a flange that extends inwardly from threaded outlet of a liquid delivering pipe extended the side walls such that the flange abuts and surfrom a wall comprising: rounds the outlet when the valve member is closed, a tubular casing having a casing inlet and a casing said sealing ring means being adapted to seal the outlet extending away from the wall; space between the body and the pressure chamber a one-piece molded plastic body removably mounted when pressurized water is introduced into the presin the tubular easing by engagement of the outer sure chamber through the outlet with the valve periphery of the body with the interior of the easchamber closed; ing, said outer periphery being in sealing engagea valve stem slidably extending through the valve ment with the interior of the tubular casing, said stem opening, said valve stem having an inner end body having an axial opening therethrough with a removably clipped to the valve member and an threaded inlet means adapted to be threaded on the outer end extending outside the casing through an pipe and an outlet in communication with the casopening in the casing, said valve stem fitting ening outlet, said body further comprising an intetirely within the casing when the valve member is grally formed water chamber downstream of the lowered into contact with the bottom of the casing; outlet. said water chamber having a closed top and and an open bottom and defining a longitudinal slot exknob means removably attached to the outer end of tending transversely across the outside of the outthe valve stem and adapted to hold the outer end let, said body further comprising a transverse cylinof the valve stem outside the casing.

10. A diverter spout as claimed in claim 9 wherein the body has a cylindrical threaded outer periphery that engages a cylindrical internally threaded portion of the casing adjacent the inlet end thereof.

site side of the water chamber from the outlet, said valve stem housing having a valve stem opening

Claims (10)

1. A diverter spout adapted to be mounted on the outlet of a liquid delivering pipe comprising: a tubular casing having a casing inlet and a casing outlet; a diverter valve mechanism mounted in the casing and including a one-piece body secured within the interior surface of the casing and a valve member; said body having a valve opening therethrough and means for connecting the outlet of the pipe to the body so that the pipe is in communication with the valve opening, said body further having means for reciprocably mounting said valve on a downstream side of said valve opening for movement between a closed position wherein the valve member covers the valve opening, and an open position, wherein the valve opening is open; said valve member including a pressure chamber and a sealing ring means disposed within the pressure chamber so as to surround the valve outlet in seating engagement therewith when the valve member is in the closed position to block water flow therethrough when pressurized water is introduced into the pressure chamber; and a valve stem having an inner end attached to the valve member and extending through an opening in the casing to an outer end outside the casing, said valve stem being movable so as to open and close the valve member.

2. A diverter spout as claimed in claim 1 wherein: the knob means comprises a knob removably mounted on the outer end of the stem, said knob being larger than the opening in the casing so as to prevent the stem from sliding entirely within the casing; and the diverter valve mechanism is formed such that when the knob is removed the valve stem can slide entirely inside the casing; wherein the diverter valve and valve stem can be preassembled and installed in and removed from the casing as a unit.

3. A diverter spout as claimed in claim 2 wherein: the valve member comprises a lower end that substantially matches the contour of the casing at the point opposite the lower end of the valve member, and the valve member is free to slide past its open position into contact with the casing but for the presence of the knob on the valve stem; and the distance between the lower end of the valve member and the outer end of the valve stem is less than the height of the casing at the point where the valve stem is positioned in the casing.

4. A diverter valve as claimed in claim 3 wherein: a water chamber is integrally formed in the body downstream of the valve opening outlet, with the water chamber having a closed upper end and an open lower end and defining the transverse slot that runs longitudinally across the outlet; the valve member is slidably mounted in the slot for transverse movement across the outlet; a Valve stem housing is integrally formed in the body on the side of the slot opposite the outlet, and said valve stem housing has a valve stem opening therethrough, with the axis of the valve stem opening being parallel to the longitudinal direction of the slot; the valve stem is slidably mounted in the valve stem opening with its inner end being attached to the valve member on one side of the valve stem opening and its outer end extending from the casing at a point adjacent the upper end of the water chamber; and the closed position of the valve member occurs when the valve member is raised all the way up into contact with the upper end of the water chamber.

5. A diverter spout as claimed in claim 1 wherein: the casing comprises an internally threaded portion of circular cross-section; the body has a threaded periphery of circular cross-section and is mounted in the casing by engagement of its threaded periphery with the threaded portion of the casing.

6. A diverter spout as claimed in claim 1 wherein the diverter valve is mounted in the casing inlet adjacent the wall and the body is formed of a moldable plastic material and includes a peripheral flange that extends outwardly between the inlet end of the casing and the wall so as to prevent abrasion of the wall in installing and removing the diverter spout.

7. A diverter spout as claimed in claim 1 wherein: the valve member comprises a pair of spaced parallel legs that extend from the opposite side of the valve member from the pressure chamber; and the valve stem has a recessed portion adjacent to its inner end that snugly clips between said legs.

8. A diverter spout as claimed in claim 1 wherein: said pipe connection means includes a threaded bore for threadably engaging a threaded end of the pipe; and the diameter of the bore tapers gradually inward from the end of the threaded portion to the valve opening, such that the pipe sealingly engages the tapered portion of the opening when the diverter spout is securely threaded on the pipe.

9. A diverter spout adapted to be mounted on a threaded outlet of a liquid delivering pipe extended from a wall comprising: a tubular casing having a casing inlet and a casing outlet extending away from the wall; a one-piece molded plastic body removably mounted in the tubular casing by engagement of the outer periphery of the body with the interior of the casing, said outer periphery being in sealing engagement with the interior of the tubular casing, said body having an axial opening therethrough with a threaded inlet means adapted to be threaded on the pipe and an outlet in communication with the casing outlet, said body further comprising an integrally formed water chamber downstream of the outlet, said water chamber having a closed top and an open bottom and defining a longitudinal slot extending transversely across the outside of the outlet, said body further comprising a transverse cylindrical valve stem housing positioned on the opposite side of the water chamber from the outlet, said valve stem housing having a valve stem opening therethrough with the axis of the valve stem opening being parallel to the longitudinal direction of the slot; a valve member slidably mounted in the slot for movement between a closed position, wherein the valve member covers the outlet, and an open position, wherein the outlet is open; a tubular pressure chamber extending rearwardly from the valve member so as to surround the outlet when the valve member is closed; resilient ring means slidably disposed in said pressure chamber and comprising side walls that mate with the interior of the tubular sides of the pressure chamber and a flange that extends inwardly from the side walls such that the flange abuts and surrounds the outlet when the valve member is closed, said sealing ring means being adapted to seal the space between the body and the pressure chamber when pressurized water is introduced into the pressure chamber through the outlet with the valve chamber closed; a valve stem slidably extending through the valve stem opening, said valve stem having an inner end removably clipped to the valve member and an outer end extending outside the casing through an opening in the casing, said valve stem fitting entirely within the casing when the valve member is lowered into contact with the bottom of the casing; and knob means removably attached to the outer end of the valve stem and adapted to hold the outer end of the valve stem outside the casing.

10. A diverter spout as claimed in claim 9 wherein the body has a cylindrical threaded outer periphery that engages a cylindrical internally threaded portion of the casing adjacent the inlet end thereof.

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