Patent US4437481A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4437481A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Self-actuating drip valve
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1982-05-20
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Granted: 1984-03-20
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Expires: 2002-05-20
Abstract
Abstract A self-actuating drip valve for attachment to a standard faucet for the prevention of freezing of exposed water pipes. An elongated housing includes means for securing one end of the housing about the open end of the faucet. A valve seat is provided within the housing so that it is substantially adjacent to the faucet when the device is in use. Substantially concentric extendible walls extend between the elongated housing and a base plate. A valve stem, terminating in a valve tip, is secured to the base plate and extends within the extendible walls. The base plate may be adjusted by threadable means for moving the valve relative to the valve seat.
Inventors
- 👤 John M. Chamberlin
- 👤 John R. Chamberlin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 20:58
CPC Classifications
E; E03; E03B; E03B7/00; E03B7/09; E03B7/10; E03B7/12; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/1189; Y10T137/1244; Y10T137/1353; Y10T137/1842; Y10T137/1939; Y10T137/1963
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
136 words
A self-actuating drip valve for attachment to a standard faucet to prevent freezing of exposed water pipes comprising: a housing defining a normally closed chamber removably attachable to said faucet; valve seat means, said valve seat means being adjacent said faucet and a portion of said housing when said housing is secured to said faucet; a double-walled bellows fillable with a liquid between said walls having a proximal end attached to said housing and a distal end remote from said housing; valve means extending substantially coaxially within said bellows in all positions of said valve means and having a proximal end for mating with said valve seat means and a distal end attached to said distal end of said bellows whereby said valve is moved away from said seat when said liquid in said bellows freezes.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
136 words
A self-actuating drip valve for attachment to a standard faucet to prevent freezing of exposed water pipes comprising: a housing defining a normally closed chamber removably attachable to said faucet; valve seat means, said valve seat means being adjacent said faucet and a portion of said housing when said housing is secured to said faucet; a double-walled bellows fillable with a liquid between said walls having a proximal end attached to said housing and a distal end remote from said housing; valve means extending substantially coaxially within said bellows in all positions of said valve means and having a proximal end for mating with said valve seat means and a distal end attached to said distal end of said bellows whereby said valve is moved away from said seat when said liquid in said bellows freezes.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The drip valve of claim 1 further comprising means for adjusting said valve relative to said seat.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
60 words
The drip valve of claim 2 wherein said adjusting means comprises a female threaded section in the end of said housing adjacent said bellows; and a male threaded section contiguous with said bellows at the proximal end of said bellows for mating with said female threaded section whereby rotation of said bellows moves said valve relative to said valve seat.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The drip valve of claim 1 further comprising at least one orifice extending into the space between said double walls of said bellows; and removable plug means in said orifice.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The drip valve of claim 1 wherein said bellows is of a material having a high thermal conductivity.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The drip valve of claim 1 wherein the material of said bellows is selected from the group consisting of bronze, steel or brass.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The drip valve of claim 1 wherein said valve means further comprises seating material between the tip of said valve means which mates with said valve seat.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The drip valve of claim 1 wherein said valve means is integral with said bellows.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The drip valve of claim 1 wherein said valve means is removably secured to said distal end of said bellows.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The drip valve of claim 1 wherein said body and said valve means are of a material of low thermal conductivity.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
The drip valve of claim 1 wherein said body and said valve means are of a rigid plastic material.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
The drip valve of claim 1 further comprising nucleating means between said double walls of said bellows.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
138 words
A self-actuating drip valve for attachment to a standard faucet to prevent freezing of exposed water pipes comprising: a housing; means for securing one end of said housing about the open end of said faucet; a valve seat within said housing substantially adjacent said faucet when said open end of said housing is secured to said faucet; a base plate; a bellows having spaced, substantially concentric extendable walls coupled between said base plate and said housing for containing fluid therebetween; valve means for mating with said valve seat extending substantially coaxially within the inner of said extendable walls in all positions of said valve means and being secured to said base plate; and means for adjusting said base plate, said extendable walls and said valve means so as to move said valve means relative to said valve seat.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
138 words
A self-actuating drip valve for attachment to a standard faucet to prevent freezing of exposed water pipes comprising: a housing; means for securing one end of said housing about the open end of said faucet; a valve seat within said housing substantially adjacent said faucet when said open end of said housing is secured to said faucet; a base plate; a bellows having spaced, substantially concentric extendable walls coupled between said base plate and said housing for containing fluid therebetween; valve means for mating with said valve seat extending substantially coaxially within the inner of said extendable walls in all positions of said valve means and being secured to said base plate; and means for adjusting said base plate, said extendable walls and said valve means so as to move said valve means relative to said valve seat.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
46 words
The drip valve of claim 13 wherein said means for securing said one end of said housing about said open end of said faucet comprises a female threaded section at one end of said housing for mating with the standard threaded terminal end of said faucet.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
50 words
The drip valve of claim 13 wherein said adjusting means comprises a female threaded section in the end of said housing adjacent said walls; and a male threaded section contiguous with said walls at the end of said walls opposite said base plate for mating with said female threaded section.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
27 words
The drip valve of claim 13 further comprising at least one orifice extending into the space between said concentric walls; and removable plug means in said orifice.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
12 words
The drip valve of claim 13 wherein said extendable walls are corrugated.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
13 words
The drip valve of claim 13 wherein said extendable walls comprise a bellows.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
19 words
The drip valve of claim 13 wherein said extendable walls are of a material having a high thermal conductivity.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
20 words
The drip valve of claim 13 wherein said walls are selected from the group consisting of bronze, steel or brass.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
27 words
The drip valve of claim 13 wherein said valve means further comprises seating material between the tip of said valve means which mates with said valve seat.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
16 words
The drip valve of claim 13 wherein said valve means is integral with said base plate.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
17 words
The drip valve of claim 13 wherein said valve means is removably secured to said base plate.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
21 words
The drip valve of claim 13 wherein said body and said valve means are of a material of low thermal conductivity.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
19 words
The drip valve of claim 13 wherein said body and said valve means are of a rigid plastic material.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
13 words
The drip valve of claim 13 further comprising nucleating means between said walls.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1987-03-20 | 1987-09-19 | 1988-03-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-03-20 | 1991-09-19 | 1992-03-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-03-20 | 1995-09-19 | 1996-03-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |