Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
198 words
A valve shutoff device which is activated when subjected to earth tremors or other vibratory excitation, comprising: a frame positionable in the vicinity of a valve, said valve being in a supply pipeline for combustible gases or liquids; a lever attached to the stem of said valve; means attached between said frame and said lever for biasing said lever to propel said lever in a direction in which it will move to close said valve; a catch member rotatably attached adjacent one end thereof to said frame, said lever being held by said catch member against the propulsion of said biasing; a latch member rotatably attached Adjacent one end thereof to said frame, said latch member being detachably attachable to said catch member exteriorly along the length of said catch member relative to the point said lever is held by said catch member; a weight normally balanced on said frame, and means for connecting said weight with said latch member so that the toppling of said weight moves said latch member to allow said catch member to move, thereby permitting said lever to rotate under the impetus of said biasing means and effect the closing of said valve.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
198 words
A valve shutoff device which is activated when subjected to earth tremors or other vibratory excitation, comprising: a frame positionable in the vicinity of a valve, said valve being in a supply pipeline for combustible gases or liquids; a lever attached to the stem of said valve; means attached between said frame and said lever for biasing said lever to propel said lever in a direction in which it will move to close said valve; a catch member rotatably attached adjacent one end thereof to said frame, said lever being held by said catch member against the propulsion of said biasing; a latch member rotatably attached Adjacent one end thereof to said frame, said latch member being detachably attachable to said catch member exteriorly along the length of said catch member relative to the point said lever is held by said catch member; a weight normally balanced on said frame, and means for connecting said weight with said latch member so that the toppling of said weight moves said latch member to allow said catch member to move, thereby permitting said lever to rotate under the impetus of said biasing means and effect the closing of said valve.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
A device as in claim 1 further characterized in that said biasing means comprises spring tension means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
50 words
A device as in claim 2 wherein said spring tension means is a coil spring attached to said frame by an adjustment rod attached between said coil spring and said frame, said adjustment rod being adjustably attached to said frame to permit the tension in said spring to be changed.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
A device as in claim 1 including a valve stem extension connected with said stem of said valve to extend the length thereof, said valve stem extension also being connected with said lever.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
45 words
A device as in claim 1 in which the arc of rotation of said valve stem is limited by a pair of stop means which define an on position at which said valve is open and an off position at which said valve is closed.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
A device in accordance with claim 1 wherein said latch member comprises a notched bar and said catch member is detachably attachable at said notch in said bar.