US3980099A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Valve guard
Assignee: CUSTOM IRON AND SPECIALTIES Inc
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Filing: 1975-06-11
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Granted: 1976-09-14
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Expires: 1995-06-11
Abstract
Abstract A valve guard to prevent deliberate tampering with or accidental movement of a rotatable valve handle comprising a connecting member for connection to the valve body and a locking member pivotally connected to the connecting member for movement toward and away from the valve handle. The locking member includes first abutment means engageable with the valve handle in an open-valve position to lock the valve handle in the open-valve position and second abutment means engageable with the valve handle in a closed-valve position to lock the valve handle in the closed-valve position.
Inventors
- 👤 Gurney V. Youngblood
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 04:11
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16K; F16K35/00; F16K35/10; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/6851; Y10T137/7043; Y10T137/7062; Y10T137/7069; Y10T137/71; Y10T137/7256
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
194 words
A valve guard for use with a valve of the type comprising a valve body having a flowway therethrough, a valve stem extending from said valve body generally perpendicular to the axis of said flowway, and a valve handle rigidly affixed to said valve stem distal said valve body, said valve handle being rotatable about the axis of said valve stem between an open-valve position and a closed-valve position, said valve guard comprising: a connecting member for connection to said valve body in a location spaced from said valve stem along the axis of the flowway of said valve, and a locking member pivotally connected to said connecting member for movement between a locking position and a free position, said locking member including first abutment means engageable with said valve handle when said locking member is in said locking position and said valve handle is in said open-valve position to lock said valve handle in said open-valve position, and second abutment means engageable with said valve handle when said locking member is in said locking position and said valve handle is in said closed-valve position to lock said valve handle in said closed-valve position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
194 words
A valve guard for use with a valve of the type comprising a valve body having a flowway therethrough, a valve stem extending from said valve body generally perpendicular to the axis of said flowway, and a valve handle rigidly affixed to said valve stem distal said valve body, said valve handle being rotatable about the axis of said valve stem between an open-valve position and a closed-valve position, said valve guard comprising: a connecting member for connection to said valve body in a location spaced from said valve stem along the axis of the flowway of said valve, and a locking member pivotally connected to said connecting member for movement between a locking position and a free position, said locking member including first abutment means engageable with said valve handle when said locking member is in said locking position and said valve handle is in said open-valve position to lock said valve handle in said open-valve position, and second abutment means engageable with said valve handle when said locking member is in said locking position and said valve handle is in said closed-valve position to lock said valve handle in said closed-valve position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
The valve guard of claim 1 wherein said connecting member includes a loop portion for at least partially encircling a flowway extension of said valve body and a first leg depending from said loop portion, said locking member being pivotally connected to said first extension.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
The valve guard of claim 2 wherein said loop portion of said connecting member includes a free end which, with a portion of said locking member, defines a slot generally opposite said first extension for installation and removal of said valve guard from said valve.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
The valve guard of claim 2 wherein said connecting member includes a second leg disposed generally parallel to said first leg so that said loop portion and said legs form a generally U-shaped member, said locking member being pivotally connected to both of said legs.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
The valve guard of claim 2 further comprising auxiliary connecting means for connecting said locking member to said valve body in said locking position, said connecting member and said auxiliary connecting means being disposed at opposite ends of said locking member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
176 words
The valve guard of claim 1 wherein said connecting member includes means for positioning said locking member such that the plane of the movement of said locking member is generally perpendicular to the plane of movement of said valve handle and wherein said locking member comprises a cover plate disposed to overlie at least a portion of said valve handle in said locking position and a first flange depending generally perpendicularly from said cover plate, generally parallel to the plane of movement of said locking member with respect to said connecting member, said first abutment means comprising one surface of said first flange disposed to lie beside said valve handle in a potential path of motion of said valve handle when said locking member is in said locking position, and said second abutment means comprising another surface of said first flange disposed to lie beside said valve handle in a potential path of motion of said valve handle when said locking member is in said locking position and said valve handle is in said closed-valve position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
97 words
The valve guard of claim 6 wherein said cover plate includes first and second ends for positioning on opposite sides of said valve stem along the axis of said flowway and first and second side edges for positioning on opposite sides of the axis of said flowway when said locking member is in said locking position, said first flange being disposed adjacent said first end and said first side edge, and said locking member further comprising a second flange depending generally perpendicularly from said cover plate adjacent said second end and pivotally connected to said connecting member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
41 words
The valve guard of claim 7 wherein said second flange is disposed adjacent said first side edge of said cover plate and said first and second flanges are spaced apart to allow a portion of said valve handle to protrude therebetween.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
The valve guard of claim 7 wherein said locking member further comprises a third flange depending generally perpendicularly from said cover plate adjacent said first end and said second side edge of said cover plate.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The valve guard of claim 9 wherein said first and third flanges each have means defining an aperture for receipt of an auxiliary connecting means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
57 words
The valve guard of claim 9 wherein said locking member further comprises a fourth flange depending generally perpendicularly from said cover plate adjacent said second end and said second side edge and pivotally connected to said connecting member, said third and fourth flanges being spaced apart to allow a portion of said valve handle to protrude therebetween.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US961959A
Cited
US1524358A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-09-14 | 1980-03-15 | 1980-09-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-09-14 | 1984-03-15 | 1984-09-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-09-14 | 1988-03-15 | 1988-09-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |