Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
311 words
A drain valve comprising: a valve body having an externally threaded first end which is adapted to be threadingly received in a female fitting, a second end opposite the first end, a linear bore extending linearly through the valve body from the first end to the second end, an annular seat disposed in said linear bore mediate the first and second ends, an internally threaded portion disposed in said linear bore mediate the annular seat and the second end, a smooth, cylindrical portion in said linear bore mediate the annular seat and the second end, and an outlet spout having an internal outlet bore which is connected with said linear bore; a valve stem having an enlarged handle portion and a cylindrical section dimensioned to be received in said linear bore from the second end, a seat seal mounting means disposed on the cylindrical section for mounting a seat seal, an externally threaded portion on the cylindrical section for engaging the internally threaded portion of said linear bore such that rotation of the valve stem relative to the valve body moves the seat seat in and out of fluid flow sealing engagement with said annular seat, and an annular seal for engaging the cylindrical section of said valve stem and said cylindrical portion of said linear bore in a fluid sealing relationship; and a stem retainer received on the valve body for releasably retaining the stem in said linear bore, said stem retainer including a projection adapted to extend through an aperture in the valve body and biasing means for resiliently biasing the projection into said valve body aperture, said projection being adapted to cooperate with an adjacent portion of the valve body when the projection is removed from the aperture for maintaining the stem retainer in a stable disabled condition while the stem retainer remains associated with the valve body.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
311 words
A drain valve comprising: a valve body having an externally threaded first end which is adapted to be threadingly received in a female fitting, a second end opposite the first end, a linear bore extending linearly through the valve body from the first end to the second end, an annular seat disposed in said linear bore mediate the first and second ends, an internally threaded portion disposed in said linear bore mediate the annular seat and the second end, a smooth, cylindrical portion in said linear bore mediate the annular seat and the second end, and an outlet spout having an internal outlet bore which is connected with said linear bore; a valve stem having an enlarged handle portion and a cylindrical section dimensioned to be received in said linear bore from the second end, a seat seal mounting means disposed on the cylindrical section for mounting a seat seal, an externally threaded portion on the cylindrical section for engaging the internally threaded portion of said linear bore such that rotation of the valve stem relative to the valve body moves the seat seat in and out of fluid flow sealing engagement with said annular seat, and an annular seal for engaging the cylindrical section of said valve stem and said cylindrical portion of said linear bore in a fluid sealing relationship; and a stem retainer received on the valve body for releasably retaining the stem in said linear bore, said stem retainer including a projection adapted to extend through an aperture in the valve body and biasing means for resiliently biasing the projection into said valve body aperture, said projection being adapted to cooperate with an adjacent portion of the valve body when the projection is removed from the aperture for maintaining the stem retainer in a stable disabled condition while the stem retainer remains associated with the valve body.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
The drain valve as set forth in claim 1, wherein said cylindrical portion is disposed mediate said internally threaded portion and said second end and said annular seal is disposed mediate the externally threaded portion and the enlarged handle portion of the stem.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The drain valve as set forth in claim 2 wherein said outlet bore is connected with said linear bore through said internally threaded portion.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
56 words
The drain valve as set forth in claim 1 wherein said seat seal mounting means comprises a generally flat support wall disposed normal to the axis of said annular seat, a detent projecting normal from said flat support wall and an enlargement on said detent such that said seat seal is frictionally received on said detent.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The drain valve as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a pair of annular ridges extending circumferentially around said cylindrical section for receiving said annular seal therebetween.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
The drain valve as set forth in claim 5 wherein said stem retainer includes a projection which extends into said linear bore such that it selectively engages one of said annular ridges upon attempted withdrawal of said valve stem.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
48 words
The drain valve as set forth in claim 1 wherein said biasing means comprises a spring segment included on said stem retainer having a gripping portion adjacent to the projection for enabling the spring segment to be flexed and the projection to be retracted from said linear bore.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The drain valve as set forth in claim 7 wherein said spring segment is disposed transverse to said linear bore.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The drain valve of claim 1 wherein said valve body, said valve stem and said stem retainer are made of a non-corroding material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
223 words
A valve comprising: a valve body having an inlet bore, an outlet bore, and a valve stem receiving bore in fluid communication with each other, an annular seat disposed between the inlet and outlet bores and substantially transverse to the valve stem receiving bore; a valve stem disposed in the valve stem receiving bore for longitudinal movement between an annular seat engaging position to prohibit the flow of fluid between the inlet and outlet bores and a position displaced from the annular seat to permit the flow of fluid between the inlet and outlet bores, the valve stem having a generally transverse surface disposed generally along its circumference; and a stem retainer mounted externally on the valve body, the stem retainer comprising a spring segment for urging a projection disposed thereon through an aperture in the valve body into the stem receiving bore for selectively engaging the transverse surface to limit the longitudinal movement of the valve stem said spring segment having a substantially arcuate conformation and said projection being elongated transverse to the stem receiving bore whereby flexure of the spring segment changes the characteristics of its arcuate conformation for enabling a part of the elongated projection to abut the exterior of the valve body, thus placing said stem retainer in a stable disable condition while remaining associated with the valve body.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
223 words
A valve comprising: a valve body having an inlet bore, an outlet bore, and a valve stem receiving bore in fluid communication with each other, an annular seat disposed between the inlet and outlet bores and substantially transverse to the valve stem receiving bore; a valve stem disposed in the valve stem receiving bore for longitudinal movement between an annular seat engaging position to prohibit the flow of fluid between the inlet and outlet bores and a position displaced from the annular seat to permit the flow of fluid between the inlet and outlet bores, the valve stem having a generally transverse surface disposed generally along its circumference; and a stem retainer mounted externally on the valve body, the stem retainer comprising a spring segment for urging a projection disposed thereon through an aperture in the valve body into the stem receiving bore for selectively engaging the transverse surface to limit the longitudinal movement of the valve stem said spring segment having a substantially arcuate conformation and said projection being elongated transverse to the stem receiving bore whereby flexure of the spring segment changes the characteristics of its arcuate conformation for enabling a part of the elongated projection to abut the exterior of the valve body, thus placing said stem retainer in a stable disable condition while remaining associated with the valve body.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
The valve as set forth in claim 10 wherein the spring segment has a gripping portion to facilitate flexing the spring segment and withdrawing the projection from the stem receiving bore.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
The valve as set forth in claim 11 wherein the spring segment is disposed transverse to the stem receiving bore.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
41 words
The valve as set forth in claim 10 wherein the projection is disposed adjacent one end of the spring segment and a releasable connecting means for releasably connecting the spring segment and the valve body is disposed adjacent the other end.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
28 words
The valve as set forth in claim 13 wherein the releasably connecting means comprises a second projection which is received in a second aperture in the valve body.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
The valve as set forth in claim 14 wherein the transverse surface is disposed on an annular ridge extending circumferentially around the valve stem.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
The valve of claim 10 wherein said valve body, said valve stem and said stem retainer are constructed of a thermoplastic material.