Self-closing valve

Details Self-closing valve Self-closing valve

2002-01-02

2003-03-18

Hirsch, Paul J. (Department: 3754)

Valves and valve actuation

Rotary valves

Biased

C251S303000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06533243

ABSTRACT:

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
Not applicable.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
Not applicable.
REFERENCE TO A “SEQUENCE LISTING”, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING APPENDIX SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC
Not applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a fluid supply shut-off valve that automatically closes when its spring-loaded handle and latching mechanism are triggered. This invention references the following U.S. patent classifications as fields of endeavor:
CLASS 251 Valves and Valve Actuation
CLASS 137 Fluid Handling
A need exists for a practical, compact, inexpensive and “simple to manufacture” self-closing ball valve that, without the use of any electrical power, will automatically shut off the flow of fluid therethrough when its biased handle is triggered to allow valve closure. This need is reflected in our prior art U.S. Pat. No. 6,253,785.
FIG. 1
of said prior art is a self-closing ball valve assembly, but the capped riser pipe
31
, spring wheel
30
and spring
28
depicted are not practically desirable or economic. Said assembly also requires a considerable amount of space for its installation and operation.
Prior art U.S. Pat. No. 4,938,453 is also self-closing but strictly by manual release means only. It is not equipped with a means for latching its biased handle in the valve open position nor equipped with a means to trigger automatic valve closure. Said prior art also requires the addition of a costly and unnecessary mounting pad on the valve body in order to attach its hardware.
The invention disclosed herewith is practical, compact, simple, economic, and non-electric and is superior over the prior art.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The purpose of this invention is to economically render a typical prior art ball valve and its handle into a self-closing spring-loaded ball valve that can be latched in the valve open position and consequently triggered to automatically close and shut off the flow of fluid therethrough. Our U.S. Pat. No. 6,253,785 is an application where the present invention is needed and can be applied. The present invention is fabricated and assembled using “off the shelf” parts and materials that can be found in a typical hardware store. The present invention does not require a new manufactured ball valve body or handle. No hardware-mounting pad on the valve body is required. Hence minimal capital is required for tooling and production. An entire valve, handle and latch assembly can be fabricated in very short time and very economically. Clearly this invention is a significant improvement and an advantage over the prior art.


REFERENCES:
patent: 1095295 (1914-05-01), Stevens
patent: 1223353 (1917-04-01), Angell
patent: 1467615 (1923-09-01), Fairbanks
patent: 1631166 (1927-06-01), Sprague
patent: 2505145 (1950-04-01), Ryan
patent: 2609870 (1952-09-01), Riebman et al.
patent: 4092085 (1978-05-01), McMaster-Christie
patent: 4270849 (1981-06-01), Kalbfleisch
patent: 4779840 (1988-10-01), Andrea
patent: 4938453 (1990-07-01), Blanchard
patent: 6206337 (2001-03-01), Veillet, Jr.
patent: 6253785 (2001-07-01), Shumake, Jr.

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