US4017913A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Self-aligning valve assembly
Assignee: McDonnell Douglas Corp
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Filing: 1975-09-18
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Granted: 1977-04-19
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Expires: 1995-09-18
Abstract
Abstract A valve assembly for use on the inside of an enclosed water receptacle or toilet. The valve assembly incorporates a circular valve plug with spherical seating surface to close a drain hole from the inside of the waste receptacle. A helical spring and telescoping alignment tubes urge the plug into the drain hole. A spherical joint is formed between the plug and the tubes and assists in the alignment of the plug with the drain hole. The center of rotation of the spherical joint and the spherical contact surface of said joint are located on the outside of the waste receptacle when the valve plug has engaged the edge of the drain hole.
Inventors
- 👤 Ronald Iliff Judd
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 11:04
CPC Classifications
E; E03; E03D; E03D1/00; E03D1/30; E03D1/34; F; F16; F16K; F16K2200/00; F16K2200/10; F16K2200/101
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
155 words
A valve assembly for use inside of an enclosed container comprising: a support structure capable of being mounted on the inside of the container opposite of an annulus defining a drain hole, said drain hole having an inlet side and an outlet side; telescoping alignment tubes engaging said structure; a spherical ring member engaging said tubes on the end opposite said support structure to provide a spherical joint, said spherical joint having a center of rotation and a spherical contact surface; a circular valve plug with spherical sealing surface attached to said ring member; a compressible helical spring in axial alignment with said telescoping tubes to urge said plug into said drain hole; the location of said contact surface between the spherical ring member and telescoping alignment tubes and the location of the center of rotation of said spherical joint being on the outside of said drain hole when said plug has engaged said annulus.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
155 words
A valve assembly for use inside of an enclosed container comprising: a support structure capable of being mounted on the inside of the container opposite of an annulus defining a drain hole, said drain hole having an inlet side and an outlet side; telescoping alignment tubes engaging said structure; a spherical ring member engaging said tubes on the end opposite said support structure to provide a spherical joint, said spherical joint having a center of rotation and a spherical contact surface; a circular valve plug with spherical sealing surface attached to said ring member; a compressible helical spring in axial alignment with said telescoping tubes to urge said plug into said drain hole; the location of said contact surface between the spherical ring member and telescoping alignment tubes and the location of the center of rotation of said spherical joint being on the outside of said drain hole when said plug has engaged said annulus.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
154 words
A valve assembly comprising: an annulus defining a drain hole, said annulus having an inlet side and an outlet side; a valve plug having a spherical sealing surface located on said inlet side of said annulus adapted to engage the inlet side of said annulus to close said drain hole, and a spherical contact surface with a center of rotation, both of which are located on the outlet side of said annulus when said plug engages said annulus, said spherical contact surface attached to said sealing surface such that said sealing surface may rotate about said center of rotation; a support structure located on said inlet side of said annulus; and means to urge said spherical sealing surface of said plug into contact with said annulus, one end of said means attached to said support structure and the other end of said means in sliding engagement with said spherical contact surface of said plug.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
154 words
A valve assembly comprising: an annulus defining a drain hole, said annulus having an inlet side and an outlet side; a valve plug having a spherical sealing surface located on said inlet side of said annulus adapted to engage the inlet side of said annulus to close said drain hole, and a spherical contact surface with a center of rotation, both of which are located on the outlet side of said annulus when said plug engages said annulus, said spherical contact surface attached to said sealing surface such that said sealing surface may rotate about said center of rotation; a support structure located on said inlet side of said annulus; and means to urge said spherical sealing surface of said plug into contact with said annulus, one end of said means attached to said support structure and the other end of said means in sliding engagement with said spherical contact surface of said plug.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
50 words
The valve assembly of claim 2 wherein said means to urge said spherical sealing surface of said plug into contact with said annulus includes telescoping tubes and a compressible helical spring in axial alignment with said tubes biasing said spherical sealing surface of said plug into contact with said annulus.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
149 words
In a waste storage tank having an annulus defining a drain hole in the bottom of the tank, said annulus having an inlet and outlet sides, a support structure located on said inlet side of said annulus, a valve plug, and extensible means attached to said support structure biasing said valve plug into the inlet side of said annulus, an improved plug comprising: a spherical sealing surface to engage the inlet side of said annulus to close said drain hole; and a spherical contact surface with a center of rotation, both of which are located on the outlet side of said annulus when said plug engages said annulus, said spherical contact surface attached to said sealing surface such that said sealing surface may rotate about said center of rotation, said spherical contact surface of said valve plug slidably engaging said extensible means for rotation about the center of rotation.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
149 words
In a waste storage tank having an annulus defining a drain hole in the bottom of the tank, said annulus having an inlet and outlet sides, a support structure located on said inlet side of said annulus, a valve plug, and extensible means attached to said support structure biasing said valve plug into the inlet side of said annulus, an improved plug comprising: a spherical sealing surface to engage the inlet side of said annulus to close said drain hole; and a spherical contact surface with a center of rotation, both of which are located on the outlet side of said annulus when said plug engages said annulus, said spherical contact surface attached to said sealing surface such that said sealing surface may rotate about said center of rotation, said spherical contact surface of said valve plug slidably engaging said extensible means for rotation about the center of rotation.
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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) | 1980-04-18 | 1980-10-18 | 1981-04-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-04-18 | 1984-10-18 | 1985-04-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-04-18 | 1988-10-18 | 1989-04-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |