US3581768A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ice diverter valve
Assignee: Follett Products LLC
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Filing: 1969-04-15
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Granted: 1971-06-01
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Expires: 1989-04-15
Abstract
Abstract This invention is directed to a valve for directing the flow of ice from a single inlet source to any one of two or more receivers through separate ducts. The ice is passed from the single inlet to a selected outlet through a rotary valve body having a longitudinal duct having its inlet end axially aligned with the single inlet and its discharge end radially offset for selective registry with the outlets which are disposed on the locus of a circle having the same radius as that of the duct offset. Power means are provided to initiate rotation of the valve body from one position to another and spring loaded toggle means are provided to complete the movement of the valve body.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert F Conti
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 19:24
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16K; F16K11/00; F16K11/02; F16K11/06; F16K11/072; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/8593; Y10T137/86493; Y10T137/86509; Y10T137/86517; Y10T137/86533; Y10T137/877; Y10T137/87788; Y10T137/87804
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
136 words
In a valve for diverting a flow of material from a single inlet to a selected one of at least two outlets spaced from said single inlet, a valve body rotatably supported intermediate said inlet and said outlets and provided with a longitudinally extending duct having an entrance end axially aligned with said single inlet and a discharge end radially offset from the axis of rotation of said valve body, said outlets being disposed along the locus of a circle whose radius is equal to the offset radius of the discharge end of said duct, means for rotating said valve body to register the discharge end of said duct with a selected one of said outlet, and means associated with the valve body and the outlets for preventing flow of the material through any nonselected outlets.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
136 words
In a valve for diverting a flow of material from a single inlet to a selected one of at least two outlets spaced from said single inlet, a valve body rotatably supported intermediate said inlet and said outlets and provided with a longitudinally extending duct having an entrance end axially aligned with said single inlet and a discharge end radially offset from the axis of rotation of said valve body, said outlets being disposed along the locus of a circle whose radius is equal to the offset radius of the discharge end of said duct, means for rotating said valve body to register the discharge end of said duct with a selected one of said outlet, and means associated with the valve body and the outlets for preventing flow of the material through any nonselected outlets.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
52 words
The diverter valve of claim 1 in which said valve body and said outlets are so arranged that material flowing through said duct and an outlet in registry therewith will be sheared as said valve body is rotated for regiStry of the discharge end of said duct with another of said outlets.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
131 words
The diverter valve of claim 2 in which said valve body is a cylinder rotatable about its longitudinal axis and rotatably supported at one end of said single inlet and rotatably supported at its other end by an axially extending drive shaft, and in which said rotating means includes a radially extending toggle arm affixed to said drive shaft and adapted to contact said registration means, resilient biasing means extending from an outer position on said toggle arm to a fixed connection, power means for rotating said shaft to a position where said toggle arm passes dead center and for thereafter permitting said resilient biasing means to flip said toggle into contact with said registration means and effect accurate registration of the discharge end of said duct with an associated outlet.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
47 words
The diverter valve of claim 3 in which the said power means for rotating said shaft comprises a reversible motor having a drive sprocket provided with an overrun hub, a driven sprocket affixed to said shaft and an endless sprocket chain connecting said drive and driven sprockets.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
62 words
The diverter valve of claim 4 in which said single inlet is a tube extending through a first vertical supporting plate and in which said outlets are tubes extending through a second vertical supporting plate disposed in spaced parallel relation to said first supporting plate, the diameter of said duct and the inside diameters of said inlet and outlet tubes being equal.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-05-31 | 1974-11-30 | 1975-06-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-05-31 | 1978-11-30 | 1979-06-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-05-31 | 1982-11-30 | 1983-06-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |