Fluid handling – With casing – support – protector or static constructional... – Guards and shields
Patent
1987-02-27
1988-08-09
Chambers, A. Michael
Fluid handling
With casing, support, protector or static constructional...
Guards and shields
137377, 251 96, F16K 2708
Patent
active
047621443
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
This invention relates to apparatus for covering or shielding valves, and in particular is concerned with apparatus for shielding of valve stems of the type generally to be found in use with central heating radiators.
At the present time the valves of central heating radiators, whether or not they be of an adjustable type, generally have covers in the form of plastics caps which normally are either push fitted onto the valve stems or are secured by means of screws or the like engageable through apertures in the plastics caps into internally threaded ends of the valve stems. Such caps have been found to be easily damaged and very susceptible to vandalism. Removal of the caps exposes the valve stems and these can constitute a danger to safety, particularly in radiators in premises such as schools.
According to the present invention there is provided apparatus for covering valves, characterised in that the apparatus comprises means for releasably locating on a valve stem, the locating means comprising a first part, and a second part movably located on the first part, whereby, with the apparatus located on the valve stem, when the second part is in a first position relative to the first part, the apparatus is movable on the valve stem, and, when the second part moves to a second position relative to the first part, the second part clamps the appartus against movement on the valve stem, means being provided to deter unauthorised access to the locating means.
Preferably the means for deterring access comprises a housing within which the locating means is retained, the housing providing a skirt extending beyond the locating means for shielding thereof and of the valve stem. An aperture may be provided in the housing through which aperture can be inserted a tool for engaging with the second part of the locating means to move same to the first position within the first part, enabling movement of the apparatus from the valve stem. Alternatively an indication may be provided on an outer face of the housing identifying where an aperture should be formed to allow access of a tool therethrough.
Preferably also the first part has a valve operating member for engaging with a valve stem of an adjustable valve, the locating means normally being so positioned on the valve stem that the valve operating member is in an inoperative position, manual pressure requiring to be applied in the direction towards the valve stem to bring the valve operating member into operative engagement with the latter.
The first part of the locating means comprises a body having at least one open end, an inner wall of the body tapering inwardly towards the open end, and the second part comprises a collet mounting an adjustable section in the form of a plurality of resilient jaws, the latter being engageable through the open end of the body of the first part to co-operate with the inner wall thereof, and being adjustable between an outermost condition when the collet is in the first position, and an innermost condition when the collet is in the second position.
Alternatively, the first part of the locating means may comprise a body having at least one open end, and the second part may comprise a collet which is pivotally mounted at one end on the body to extend across the open end thereof, the collet being biassed from said first position extending substantially at right angles to the open end of the body into said second position extending angularly relative to the open end of the body, whereby in said second position the collet engages with a shoulder of the valve stem to clamp the apparatus thereto.
Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is an exploded view in part section of an apparatus according to a first embodiment of the invention with a valve; and
FIG. 2 is an exploded view in part section of an apparatus according to a second embodiment of the invention with a valve.
Referring to FIG. 1 of the drawings, a valve 10 of a conventional type
REFERENCES:
patent: 4369807 (1983-01-01), Camp
patent: 4549716 (1985-10-01), Warren
patent: 4616763 (1986-10-01), Ruhl
Adams, III W. Thad
Chambers A. Michael
Ford-Manwaring Limited
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