Water Stop Valve Rough-In Sleeve Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current plumbing systems require plumbers to perform multiple time-consuming and inconvenient tasks during the rough-in and trim-out stages of building construction, including multiple trips to install water stop valves, checking for leaks, and soldering, which burdens the process and increases installation time.
Innovation Solution
A new water stop valve device with a solid cylindrical rough-in sleeve member featuring an off-set opening allows for the installation of water stop valves during the rough-in stage, eliminating the need for plumbers to return and install them later, as the valves are already attached, and includes a trim ring to hide imperfections in drywall holes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If water stop valves are installed during the rough-in stage using conventional methods, then the plumbing system can be set up earlier, but the installation process becomes extremely time-consuming and inconvenient requiring multiple plumber trips and work in cramped areas
Solution Approach 1:
The rough-in sleeve is pre-installed during the rough-in stage with the water stop valve already positioned and ready for connection. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for plumbers to return later to install valves, allowing drywall and cabinet installation to proceed without delay while maintaining ease of final connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The rough-in sleeve acts as an intermediary component that bridges the water stop valve and the wall structure. It provides a pre-formed opening and mounting structure that simplifies the installation process by eliminating the need to work in cramped spaces later, while still allowing proper valve installation and connection.
2Reliability
If conventional water stop valve installation methods are used during trim-out stage, then proper valve installation can be achieved, but plumbers must return after drywall and cabinet installation causing delays and increased labor costs
Solution Approach 1:
The rough-in sleeve and water stop valve assembly are installed during the rough-in stage before drywall and cabinets are put in place. This preliminary installation ensures proper valve positioning and connection quality while allowing the building process to continue without waiting for plumber return visits, thereby maintaining reliability while improving productivity.
3Ease of operation
If water stop valves are installed later during trim-out stage, then access to installation areas is improved, but the overall construction timeline is extended and labor costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The rough-in sleeve provides pre-formed openings and access points during the rough-in stage, allowing water stop valves to be installed early without compromising access. This eliminates the need to wait until trim-out stage when access would be easier but time loss would be greater, thereby resolving the contradiction between early installation and access difficulty.
4Reliability
If conventional installation methods are used, then water stop valves can be properly installed, but extensive hole cutting in drywall and cabinets is required creating aesthetic issues and structural concerns
Solution Approach 1:
The rough-in sleeve is installed during the rough-in stage before drywall and cabinets are finalized. This allows the sleeve to serve as a template for precise opening cuts, ensuring that holes are properly sized and positioned without compromising the appearance or structural integrity of drywall and cabinets, while still allowing proper valve installation.
Data Source
AI summary
A new and improved water stop valve assembly includes a water stop valve device having an inlet, an outlet, and a valve handle for actuating the water stop valve device between open and closed positions for controlling fluid flow between the inlet and outlet. A rough-in sleeve member having a front face with an off-set opening for slidably receiving and securing it about a portion of the water stop valve device inlet defining a single valve unit to be installed during a rough-in stage of new and remodeling building construction. The water stop valve device having a remaining portion disposed exteriorly of the front face and always within an outer circumference of the rough-in sleeve member to allow a vanity or cabinet and drywall structure to slide over the entire valve unit and always supported and retained about the rough-in sleeve member by a trim ring.