Patent US3863671A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3863671A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Vacuum regulator control
Assignee: Zero Manufacturing Co
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Filing: 1973-03-12
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Granted: 1975-02-04
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Expires: 1993-03-12
Abstract
Abstract A vacuum regulator control for maintaining a predetermined partial vacuum in a milking circuit has an L-shaped linkage lever that is fulcrumed adjacent the juncture of the upright leg and the horizontal leg of the lever. A ball valve is suspended from a pivot point near the upper end of the upright leg so that the valve can seat when the lever pivots on the fulcrum, and prevent ambient pressure from entering the circuit. When the vacuum drops below the desired amount, the valve is drawn downwardly to unseat, allowing ambient air to enter the circuit. A weight is slidably mounted on the horizontal leg to adjust the force which must be exceeded before the valve unseats. Sliding the weight along the horizontal leg with respect to the fulcrum point, varies the force needed to unseat the valve and, consequently, the degree of partial vacuum being maintained in the circuit. By using a fulcrumed lever, the amount of force needed to seat and unseat the valve is favorable to closely regulate and maintain the desired degree of vacuum in the circuit.
Inventors
- 👤 Bernard Heimann
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 21:54
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16K; F16K24/00; F16K24/06; A; A01; A01J; A01J5/00; A01J5/04; A01J5/047; A01J5/048; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/7722; Y10T137/7837; Y10T137/785; Y10T137/7897; Y10T137/7904; Y10T137/7907; Y10T137/7908
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
179 words
A vacuum regulator control for admitting air in a circuit under partial vacuum, comprising an inlet with a valve seat communicating with said circuit and a movable valve body positioned adjacent said seat to open and close same, an L-shaped lever member located above said seat and said member comprising an upwardly extending leg and a generally horizontal leg, said horizontal leg being supported on a fulcrum, said valve body being pivotably connected to the upper part of the upwardly extending leg at a location substantially above said fulcrum, said valve body being unseatable when the partial vacuum exceeds a predetermined amount and the pivot connection on said lever is moved to its lowermost position, said valve body being seatable in its uppermost position to maintain the partial vacuum in said circuit, said pivot connection being movable upwardly and in a non vertical direction towards said fulcrum, weight means on said horizontal leg, the position of said weight means being adjustable with respect to said fulcrum to vary the degree of partial vacuum needed to unseat said valve body.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
179 words
A vacuum regulator control for admitting air in a circuit under partial vacuum, comprising an inlet with a valve seat communicating with said circuit and a movable valve body positioned adjacent said seat to open and close same, an L-shaped lever member located above said seat and said member comprising an upwardly extending leg and a generally horizontal leg, said horizontal leg being supported on a fulcrum, said valve body being pivotably connected to the upper part of the upwardly extending leg at a location substantially above said fulcrum, said valve body being unseatable when the partial vacuum exceeds a predetermined amount and the pivot connection on said lever is moved to its lowermost position, said valve body being seatable in its uppermost position to maintain the partial vacuum in said circuit, said pivot connection being movable upwardly and in a non vertical direction towards said fulcrum, weight means on said horizontal leg, the position of said weight means being adjustable with respect to said fulcrum to vary the degree of partial vacuum needed to unseat said valve body.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The control of claim 1 wherein said weight is an elongated element with a lower upright portion and an upper portion that is inclined to the vertical.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The control of claim 2 wherein said upper portion is inclined towards the valve body, whereby the center of gravity of the weight is located between said upper portion and the valve body.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
The control of claim 3 wherein the upper portion of said lever member and the valve body are housed in a casing and said weight is a bar, the upper portion of which is bent towards said casing.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The control of claim 1 wherein said valve body is pivotably connected to said lever with a swingable link.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
44 words
The control of claim 1 wherein said seat is located in a housing and comprises an aperture that extends generally horizontal, said valve body being movable upwardly to close said seat and said housing being connectable to an opening in a horizontal circuit line.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The control of claim 1 wherein said weight means is slideably mounted on said horizontal leg.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
The control of claim 1 wherein said horizontal leg and upwardly extending leg are integral and interconnected by a substantially 90* bend, said fulcrum being located adjacent said bend and above said seat.
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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) | 1978-02-03 | 1978-08-05 | 1979-02-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-02-03 | 1982-08-05 | 1983-02-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-02-03 | 1986-08-05 | 1987-02-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |