Three-position diverter valve

Abstract

A three-position diverter valve having a longitudinal stem with opposite actuating and operating ends, and a body member defining at least one inlet aperture and first and second outlet apertures. The actuating end defines a plug with a pair of O-rings attached thereto. The plug can be selectively positioned to: (1) block water entering the at least one inlet aperture; (2) permit fluid (i.e. water) communication between the at least one inlet aperture and the first outlet aperture; and (3) permit fluid communication between the at least one inlet aperture and the second outlet aperture.

1 . A three-position diverter valve, comprising:
 a stem member in the form of an elongated shaft having an external surface, an operating end and an actuating end, wherein the actuating end widens to form a plug of generally cylindrical shape, a portion of said external surface is lined with an external thread, said plug is provided with first and second annular grooves, said annular grooves circle said plug, said first and second annular grooves respectively accommodate first and second O-rings such that said O-rings circle said plug, wherein said first and second O-rings define a gap with a predetermined gap-distance interposed between said first and second O-rings; and   a body member having open front and rear ends, said body member comprising a hollow through bore interposed between said front and rear ends, said bore defines an interior bore surface, said body member defining at least one inlet aperture located proximate to the rear end of the body member, a first outlet aperture located at a point between the at least one inlet aperture and the front end of said body member, wherein the rear end of said body member defines a second outlet aperture, wherein a section of said interior bore surface defines an internal thread, wherein said at least one inlet aperture defines a width, wherein said gap-distance between said first and second O-rings is just greater than the width of said at least one inlet aperture, whereupon rotating the operating end of said stem member, the external thread of said stem member cooperatively engages with said internal thread on the internal surface of said through bore such that said stem member  120  can be selectively moved longitudinally back and for inside said bore thereby altering the position of said plug and said first and second O-rings such that the plug can selectively block fluid communication between said at least one inlet aperture and said first and second outlet apertures.