Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
213 words
In a check valve having a port, sealing means comprising a ball moveable toward and away from said port along the axis thereof, said ball having a diameter substantially larger than the diameter of said port a rigid supporting surface surrounding said port, said supporting surface having an inner annular surface surrounding said port an outer annular surface extending radially outwardly at an angle away from said ball, and an annular ridge of rounded cross-section between said inner and outer supporting surfaces extending in a direction toward said ball an integral elastomeric sealing and ball seating element positioned between said ball and said supporting surface, said elastomeric element having a central cylindrical opening an outer annular sealing bead portion an inner annular surface in contact with said supporting surface an annular groove receiving said annular ridge, and an inner ball seating surface on the ball side of said elastomeric element surrounding said central opening, and retaining means spaced radially outwardly from said ball, said retaining means having an annular end surface overlapping at least a portion of said ridge and in pressure contact with said elastomeric element outer sealing bead portion for deformation of said bead portion to provide an effective outer fluid seal without substantial deformation of said inner ball seating surface.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
213 words
In a check valve having a port, sealing means comprising a ball moveable toward and away from said port along the axis thereof, said ball having a diameter substantially larger than the diameter of said port a rigid supporting surface surrounding said port, said supporting surface having an inner annular surface surrounding said port an outer annular surface extending radially outwardly at an angle away from said ball, and an annular ridge of rounded cross-section between said inner and outer supporting surfaces extending in a direction toward said ball an integral elastomeric sealing and ball seating element positioned between said ball and said supporting surface, said elastomeric element having a central cylindrical opening an outer annular sealing bead portion an inner annular surface in contact with said supporting surface an annular groove receiving said annular ridge, and an inner ball seating surface on the ball side of said elastomeric element surrounding said central opening, and retaining means spaced radially outwardly from said ball, said retaining means having an annular end surface overlapping at least a portion of said ridge and in pressure contact with said elastomeric element outer sealing bead portion for deformation of said bead portion to provide an effective outer fluid seal without substantial deformation of said inner ball seating surface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
78 words
In a check valve as claimed in claim 1, wherein said rigid supporting surface further has an annular outer bore extending from the outer peripheral edge of said outer annular surface in a direction toward said ball, and said retaining means is mounted within said outer bore for deformation of said sealing bead portion within the annular chamber formed by said end surface, said outer bore, said outer annular supporting surface and the outer side of said ridge.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
285 words
In a check valve having a port, sealing means comprising a ball moveable toward and away from said port along the axis thereof, said ball having a diameter substantially larger than the diameter of said port a rigid supporting surface surrounding said port, said supporting surface having an inner generally flat annular surface surrounding said port generally perpendicular to the axis thereof an outer generally conical annular surface extending radially outwardly at an angle away from said ball an annular ridge of rounded cross-section between said flat and conical surfaces extending in a direction toward said ball, and an annular outer bore extending from the outer peripheral edge of said conical surface in a direction toward said ball parallel to the axis of said port an integral elastomeric sealing and ball seating element positioned between said ball and said supporting surface, said element having a central cylindrical opening having a diameter no less than that of said port an outer annular sealing bead portion of generally circular cross-section an inner generally flat annular surface in contact with said supporting surface an annular groove receiving said annular ridge, and an inner conical ball seating surface surrounding said central opening, and retaining means mounted within said outer bore spaced radially outwardly from said ball, said retaining means having an annular end surface overlapping at least a portion of said ridge and in pressure contact with said elastomeric element outer sealing bead portion for deformation of said bead portion within the annular chamber formed by said end surface, said outer bore, said conical surface and the outer side of said ridge to provide an effective outer fluid seal without substantial deformation of said inner conical ball seating surface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
285 words
In a check valve having a port, sealing means comprising a ball moveable toward and away from said port along the axis thereof, said ball having a diameter substantially larger than the diameter of said port a rigid supporting surface surrounding said port, said supporting surface having an inner generally flat annular surface surrounding said port generally perpendicular to the axis thereof an outer generally conical annular surface extending radially outwardly at an angle away from said ball an annular ridge of rounded cross-section between said flat and conical surfaces extending in a direction toward said ball, and an annular outer bore extending from the outer peripheral edge of said conical surface in a direction toward said ball parallel to the axis of said port an integral elastomeric sealing and ball seating element positioned between said ball and said supporting surface, said element having a central cylindrical opening having a diameter no less than that of said port an outer annular sealing bead portion of generally circular cross-section an inner generally flat annular surface in contact with said supporting surface an annular groove receiving said annular ridge, and an inner conical ball seating surface surrounding said central opening, and retaining means mounted within said outer bore spaced radially outwardly from said ball, said retaining means having an annular end surface overlapping at least a portion of said ridge and in pressure contact with said elastomeric element outer sealing bead portion for deformation of said bead portion within the annular chamber formed by said end surface, said outer bore, said conical surface and the outer side of said ridge to provide an effective outer fluid seal without substantial deformation of said inner conical ball seating surface.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
In a check valve as claimed in claims 1, 2 or 3, wherein said retaining means is threadably mounted for rotary axial adjustment in said outer bore.