Patent US3552427A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3552427A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Valve cap
Assignee: Elster Perfection Corp
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Filing: 1968-04-23
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Granted: 1971-01-05
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Expires: 1988-04-23
Abstract
Abstract A valve cap for releasably covering the outlet of a drain valve draincock having a cup-shaped body covering the draincock aperture and integral fingers adapted to secure the cap releasably to the drain valve.
Inventors
- 👤 Irvin D Jacobson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 03:44
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16K; F16K27/00; F16K27/08; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/6851; Y10T137/7043; Y10T137/7062
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
119 words
A valve cap for releasably covering the outlet port of a drain valve comprising: a cup-shaped body having an end wall; a sidewall means extending transversely from said end wall; at least two resilient spaced apart fingers integral with and extending transversely from said end wall; latch means integral with said fingers at the ends of said fingers opposite said end wall; said fingers having intermediate their length pivotal means whereby said fingers and latch means are capable of movement transverse to and independent from said end wall and said sidewall; said latch means thereby being adapted to be releasably secured to said drain valve by said fingers being releasably received by and outwardly based against the drain valve.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
119 words
A valve cap for releasably covering the outlet port of a drain valve comprising: a cup-shaped body having an end wall; a sidewall means extending transversely from said end wall; at least two resilient spaced apart fingers integral with and extending transversely from said end wall; latch means integral with said fingers at the ends of said fingers opposite said end wall; said fingers having intermediate their length pivotal means whereby said fingers and latch means are capable of movement transverse to and independent from said end wall and said sidewall; said latch means thereby being adapted to be releasably secured to said drain valve by said fingers being releasably received by and outwardly based against the drain valve.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
112 words
The valve cap of claim 1 wherein; said end wall has an outer and inner surface; said inner surface of said end wall having a plurality of spaced apart resilient tabs extending transversely from said inner surface and concentrically situated about said inner surface; the positioning of said tabs being such that when said cap is placed on said drain valve the exterior portion of a draincock on said drain valve contacts said tabs when said latch means are secured to said drain valve whereby said tabs are caused to flex and maintain stress on said latch means and thereby aid in keeping said latch means tightly secured to said drain valve.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
80 words
The valve cap of claim 2 in combination with a drain valve; said drain valve having an annular outlet port defining an aperture at the exterior end thereof; said aperture communicating with valve opening and closing means in said valve; webbing extending radially and laterally from said draincock; said wEbbing having a plurality of slots extending therethrough; said slots capable of releasably receiving said latch means of said fingers to thereby releasably secure said valve cap to said drain valve.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The valve cap of claim 3 wherein; said pivotal means are substantially rigid generally rectangular members integral with the outermost portion of said sidewall and the innermost portion of said fingers.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
The valve cap of claim 4 wherein; said pivotal means are positioned at generally right angles to said fingers and said sidewalls and are positioned between said end wall and the longitudinal midsection of said fingers.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
61 words
The valve cap of claim 5 wherein; said sidewall has at least two generally U-shaped notches in its outer perimeter at the location of each of said fingers; said pivotal means being attached to the innermost portion of the perimeter of said notched sidewall and the innermost portion of said finger thereby maintaining said fingers within the plane of said sidewall.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US969776A
Cited
US2768766A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-01-04 | 1974-07-06 | 1975-01-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-01-04 | 1978-07-06 | 1979-01-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-01-04 | 1982-07-06 | 1983-01-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |