Variable length valve

Claim 2

A variable length inline fluid valve comprising a tubular valve body having aligned inlet and outlet openings, a first end surface defined at one of said openings, means within the body for regulating fluid flow therethrough, a flange integrally formed on said valve body at the other of said openings having a cylindrical surface, a collar having a complementary cylindrical surface mating with said flange surface and defining a second end surFace opposite said first end surface, whereby movement of said collar longitudinally along said flange surface provides variability of the distance between said end surfaces, and means for locking said collar in adjusted position along the flange, said locking means including a split on said collar allowing expansion and contraction, and a fastener at said split which when tightened contracts the circumference of said collar locking it to said flange.

Claim 3

A variable length inline fluid valve as in claim 1, wherein said flange surface is internal of said collar surface.

Claim 4

A variable length inline fluid valve as in claim 2, wherein the complementary surfaces of said flange and said collar are threaded so turning said collar relative said flange provides substantially infinite variability of the distance between said inlet and outlet end surfaces.

Claim 5

A variable length inline fluid valve as in claim 2, and means for limiting collar longitudinal travel and preventing complete disengagement from said flange.

Claim 6

A variable length inline fluid valve as in claim 4, wherein said means includes a lug extending from said collar and a stop screw mounted thereon for engagement with said flange.

Claim 7

In a variable length inline fluid valve having a tubular valve body with aligned inlet and outlet openings, a first end surface at one of said openings and means within the body for regulating fluid flow therethrough, the improvement in means defining a second end surface opposite the first end surface which includes a flange on said valve body having an outer threaded surface, a split collar having an inner threaded surface mating with said flange surface whereby turning said collar relative said flange provides substantially infinite variability of the distance between said first and second end surfaces, fastener means for the collar which when tightened contracts the threaded surface of said split collar for locking said split collar at a given position along said flange, and a stop screw mounted on a lug extending from said collar and coacting with said flange for limiting collar longitudinal travel and preventing complete disengagement thereof from said flange.

Claim 8

In a variable length inline fluid valve having a tubular valve body with aligned inlet and outlet openings, a first end surface at one of said openings and means within the body for regulating fluid flow therethrough, the improvement in means defining a second end surface opposite the first end surface which includes a flange on said valve body having an outer threaded surface, a split collar having an inner threaded surface mating with said flange surface whereby turning said collar relative said flange provides substantially infinite variability of the distance between said first and second end surfaces, fastener means for the collar which when tightened contracts the threaded surface of said split collar for locking said split collar at a given position along said flange, and a stop screw mounted on a lug extending from said collar and coacting with said flange for limiting collar longitudinal travel and preventing complete disengagement thereof from said flange.