Copper tube service valve

Claim 1

A self-tapping service valve for a tubular line, comprising: a generally cylindrical centrally bored housing having wrench flats intermediate its ends and having a diametrically reduced periphery at one end portion terminating in a truncated conical-shaped line piercing tip, said housing having external threads extending between said wrench flats and said tip, said housing having a valve seat formed on the wall defining its bore in its end portion opposite said tip; an air valve sealing with the valve seat; a tubular member having one end portion transversely bifurcated for forming a U-shaped slot having a bighT portion formed on a radius substantially the same as the outside radius of a line to be tapped and defining a pair of legs straddling a line to be tapped, said tubular member having a wall thickness substantially equal with respect to the wall thickness of a line to be tapped; and, a centrally bored, counterbored and internally threaded bushing coaxially soldered within the end portion of said tubular member opposite its bifurcated end, said bushing having a length not greater than the spacing between the tubular member bight portion and its end opposite its legs, said bushing having an annular seat facing toward its threaded counterbore.