US4257575A — Rotary ball valve having seating rings

Claim 1

Independent Claim 176 words

A plug valve comprising: A housing having a fluid passage, a plug rotatably mounted in the housing and including a gate located within said housing passage and having a passage which is communicable with said housing passage to conduct fluid when the valve is open, and a pair of seating rings mounted in said housing, said seating rings formed of anti-friction material and arranged on opposite sides of said gate such that front sides of said rings contact said gate and encircle respective ends of said gate passage in the valve-open position, said housing including support means supporting each seating ring, each support means comprising a plurality of flange segments separated by open spaces arranged in circumferentially spaced relation around said housing passage in contacting relation with the back side of an associated seating ring to urge the associated seating ring against said gate, said flange segments projecting generally radially inwardly to an inner diameter of said seating ring and being individually yieldable to enable said seating rings to conform to the shape of said gate.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 176 words

A plug valve comprising: A housing having a fluid passage, a plug rotatably mounted in the housing and including a gate located within said housing passage and having a passage which is communicable with said housing passage to conduct fluid when the valve is open, and a pair of seating rings mounted in said housing, said seating rings formed of anti-friction material and arranged on opposite sides of said gate such that front sides of said rings contact said gate and encircle respective ends of said gate passage in the valve-open position, said housing including support means supporting each seating ring, each support means comprising a plurality of flange segments separated by open spaces arranged in circumferentially spaced relation around said housing passage in contacting relation with the back side of an associated seating ring to urge the associated seating ring against said gate, said flange segments projecting generally radially inwardly to an inner diameter of said seating ring and being individually yieldable to enable said seating rings to conform to the shape of said gate.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 41 words

A valve according to claim 1 wherein each seating ring includes an annular groove on the back side thereof, each flange including an annular ridge received in said groove and forming a fluid seal between said housing and said seating rings.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 17 words

A valve according to claim 2, wherein said annular groove and ridge are each V-shaped in cross-section.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 17 words

A valve according to claim 2, wherein each groove is located radially outwardly of said flange segments.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 147 words

A valve according to claim 1, wherein said plug includes a stem connected to said gate, said stem comprising a pair of spaced arms forming a recess therebetween, each arm having a laterally extending ear at the terminal end thereof; a handle for turning said stem comprising a pair of laterally spaced surfaces for contacting outer faces of said stem to transmit rotary motion thereto, said handle including shoulders for flexing said arms inwardly toward one another as the handle is inserted onto said stem to enable said surfaces to travel past said ears, whereupon said arms snap outwardly to position each ear in overlying relation to an abutment face of said handle to prevent removal of the latter; and a cap including a tongue insertable into said recess between said arms to prevent said arms from flexing toward one another after said handle has been installed.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 147 words

A valve according to claim 1, wherein said plug includes a stem connected to said gate, said stem comprising a pair of spaced arms forming a recess therebetween, each arm having a laterally extending ear at the terminal end thereof; a handle for turning said stem comprising a pair of laterally spaced surfaces for contacting outer faces of said stem to transmit rotary motion thereto, said handle including shoulders for flexing said arms inwardly toward one another as the handle is inserted onto said stem to enable said surfaces to travel past said ears, whereupon said arms snap outwardly to position each ear in overlying relation to an abutment face of said handle to prevent removal of the latter; and a cap including a tongue insertable into said recess between said arms to prevent said arms from flexing toward one another after said handle has been installed.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 15 words

A valve according to claim 1 wherein said housing is formed of a plastic material.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 15 words

A valve according to claim 7 wherein said plug is formed of a plastic material.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 14 words

A valve according to claim 1 wherein said seating rings are formed of poly(tetrafluoroethylene).

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 175 words

In a rotary valve of the type comprising a housing having a passage and a plug including a gate rotatably mounted in said housing passage and including a passage which can be aligned with said housing passage, said plug including a stem, and a handle mounted on said stem, the improvement wherein: said stem includes a pair of spaced arms forming a recess therebetween, each arm having a laterally extending ear at the terminal end thereof, said handle including a pair of laterally spaced surfaces for contacting outer faces of said stem to transmit rotary motion to the plug, and shoulders for flexing said arms inwardly toward one another when the handle is inserted onto said stem to enable said surfaces to travel past said ears whereupon said arms position each ear in overlying relation to an abutment face of said handle to prevent removal of the latter; a cap including a tongue insertable into said recess between said arms to prevent said arms from flexing toward one another after said handle has been installed.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 175 words

In a rotary valve of the type comprising a housing having a passage and a plug including a gate rotatably mounted in said housing passage and including a passage which can be aligned with said housing passage, said plug including a stem, and a handle mounted on said stem, the improvement wherein: said stem includes a pair of spaced arms forming a recess therebetween, each arm having a laterally extending ear at the terminal end thereof, said handle including a pair of laterally spaced surfaces for contacting outer faces of said stem to transmit rotary motion to the plug, and shoulders for flexing said arms inwardly toward one another when the handle is inserted onto said stem to enable said surfaces to travel past said ears whereupon said arms position each ear in overlying relation to an abutment face of said handle to prevent removal of the latter; a cap including a tongue insertable into said recess between said arms to prevent said arms from flexing toward one another after said handle has been installed.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 31 words

Apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said arms each include a pocket facing said recess, said tongue including ridges arranged for reception in said pockets to resist removal of said cap.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 22 words

Apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said ears include inclined outer faces which are cammed inwardly by said shoulders of said handle.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 38 words

Apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said handle includes a cavity having a floor defining said abutment face, said ears overlying said floor to prevent withdrawal of said handle, said cap including a head portion occupying said cavity.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 31 words

Apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said handle includes additional shoulder means engageable with a surface on said stem to limit the extent of insertion of said handle onto said stem.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1984-03-23	1984-09-22	1985-03-24	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1988-03-23	1988-09-22	1989-03-24	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1992-03-23	1992-09-22	1993-03-24	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Rotary ball valve having seating rings

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