Earthquake actuated fluid flow obstructing device

Claim 1

In combination with a tubular member that has a first end through which fluid enters to flow through said tubular member, a device for terminating the flow of said fluid through said tubular member when said device is subjected to an earthquake shock of greater than a predetermined magnitude, said device including: a. a hollow valve body having first and second spaced openings therein, with said body including an internal seat adjacent said first opening, said first end of said tubular member connected to said first opening in said tubular member, and said fluid being supplied to said tubular member through said second opening in said body; b. a transverse shaft rotatabLy and sealingly supported in said body, said shaft having a first end portion that projects from said body; c. a valve member pivotally movable in said body, and rigidly secured to said shaft, said valve member normally occupying a first position to permit fluid to flow through said body to said tubular member, but said valve member capable of occupying a second position in which it is in sealing contact with said seat to prevent fluid from flowing through said body to said first tubular member; d. a first arm secured to said first end portion of said shaft and normally disposed thereto, said arm having an outer end portion; e. spring means that at all times tend to pivot said arm, shaft and valve member in a direction to dispose said valve member in said second position; f. a second arm rigidly secured to said body, said second arm including an outer end portion adjacently disposed to said outer end portion of said first arm when said valve member is in said first position; and g. a pendulum assembly pivotally supported from said second arm and capable of pivoting both longitudinally and transversely relative to said body when said device is subjected to an earthquake shock, with said assembly removably engaging said outer end portion of said arm to maintain said valve member in said first position, and said pendulum assembly when subjected to an earthquake shock above a predetermined magnitude pivoting either longitudinally or transversely relative to said body to become disengaged from said outer end portion of said first arm to allow said spring means to pivot said first arm, shaft and valve member to dispose said valve member in said second position where it will so remain until said first arm, shaft and valve member are manually pivoted to dispose said valve member in said first position and said pendulum assembly in engagement with said outer end portion of said first arm.