US3815873A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Valve assembly
Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Co
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Filing: 1973-06-07
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Granted: 1974-06-11
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Expires: 1993-06-07
Abstract
Abstract A valve assembly including a split retaining ring captured in a recess between a retainer and a backup plate, and a valve stem having a tapered end received in a cavity in the retainer and a circumferential groove receiving the split retaining ring to lock the valve assembly together, the split retaining ring being expandable to ride over the surface of the valve stem from the tapered end to the groove to facilitate assembly.
Inventors
- 👤 F Hendrick
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 13:58
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16K; F16K1/00; F16K1/32; F16K1/48; F16K1/482; F16K1/485
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
264 words
A valve assembly comprising a valve stem having a tapered end and a circumferential groove longitudinally spaced from said tapered end; retainer means having a body with a cavity therein receiving said tapered end of said valve stem, flange means extending from said body, and an internal shoulder formed at an end of said body in said cavity; a backup plate surrounding said body of said retainer means and having flange means extending therefrom and a wall having an aperture therein aligned with said cavity in said body of said retainer means, said wall extending over said internal shoulder to define a recess surrounding said valve stem and aligned with said circumferential groove in said valve stem; a resilient valve face disposed between said flange means of said retainer means and said flange means of said backup plate; and a split retaining ring received in said circumferential groove in said valve stem and extending into said recess to be captured between said retainer means and said backup plate, said retaining ring having an initial shape to be captured between said retainer means and said backup plate and being expandable to ride over the surface of said valve stem betweeN said tapered end and said circumferential groove whereby said valve assembly can be assembled by inserting said tapered end of said valve stem through said aperture in said backup plate and said retaining ring into said cavity in said body of said retainer means such that said retainer ring expands to ride over the surface of said valve stem and contracts into said circumferential groove.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
264 words
A valve assembly comprising a valve stem having a tapered end and a circumferential groove longitudinally spaced from said tapered end; retainer means having a body with a cavity therein receiving said tapered end of said valve stem, flange means extending from said body, and an internal shoulder formed at an end of said body in said cavity; a backup plate surrounding said body of said retainer means and having flange means extending therefrom and a wall having an aperture therein aligned with said cavity in said body of said retainer means, said wall extending over said internal shoulder to define a recess surrounding said valve stem and aligned with said circumferential groove in said valve stem; a resilient valve face disposed between said flange means of said retainer means and said flange means of said backup plate; and a split retaining ring received in said circumferential groove in said valve stem and extending into said recess to be captured between said retainer means and said backup plate, said retaining ring having an initial shape to be captured between said retainer means and said backup plate and being expandable to ride over the surface of said valve stem betweeN said tapered end and said circumferential groove whereby said valve assembly can be assembled by inserting said tapered end of said valve stem through said aperture in said backup plate and said retaining ring into said cavity in said body of said retainer means such that said retainer ring expands to ride over the surface of said valve stem and contracts into said circumferential groove.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
58 words
A valve assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein said circumferential groove in said valve stem has a rounded ''''V'''' configuration in cross section with sloping sides to permit said retaining ring to expand and move out of said circumferential groove if sufficient force is applied in a direction to remove said valve stem from said valve assembly.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
54 words
A valve assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein said valve stem is cylindrical, said body of said retainer means is cylindrical with said cavity and said internal shoulder, axially formed therein, and said backup plate has a cylindrical cup-shaped portion coaxially surrounding said body with said aperture formed in a bottom wall thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
49 words
A valve assembly as recited in claim 3 wherein said flange means of said retainer means is an annular flange extending transversely from the axis of said body and said flange means of said backup plate is an annular flange extending transversely from the axis of said cup-shaped portion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
57 words
A valve assembly as recited in claim 4 wherein said circumferential groove in said valve stem has a rounded ''''V'''' configuration in cross section with sloping sides to permit said retaining ring to expand move out of said circumferential groove if sufficient force is applied in a direction to remove said valve stem from said valve assembly.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
A valve assembly as recited in claim 5 wherein said retaining ring has a ''''C'''' configuration.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
A valve assembly as recited in claim 6 wherein said retaining ring is circular in cross section.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
38 words
A valve assembly as recited in claim 6 wherein said recess is annular and is of a size to accommodate said retaining ring when said retaining ring is expanded to ride over the surface of said valve stem.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
A valve assembly as recited in claim 8 wherein said retainer means is a single member formed of metal, and said backup plate and said retaining ring are formed of metal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
38 words
A valve assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein said recess is annular and is of a size to accommodate said retaining ring when said retaining ring is expanded to ride over the surface of said valve stem.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-06-10 | 1977-12-10 | 1978-06-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-06-10 | 1981-12-10 | 1982-06-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-06-10 | 1985-12-10 | 1986-06-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |