US4496133A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Pinch valve assembly
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1982-03-02
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Granted: 1985-01-29
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Expires: 2002-03-02
Abstract
Abstract A pinch valve assembly includes a valve body in which a plunger is spring loaded against a portion of a flexible tube which passes through the valve body. The plunger causes the flexible tube to collapse preventing flow through the tube. Energization of a solenoid which is mounted on the valve body causes the plunger to release the tube, permitting flow. In an alternative embodiment, energization of the solenoid causes the plunger to bear on the flexible tube thereby providing a normally open valve arrangement. In another alternative embodiment the plunger bears on a plurality of flexible tubes thereby facilitating simultaneous control of different fluids.
Inventors
- 👤 Akos Sule
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 12:17
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16K; F16K7/00; F16K7/02; F16K7/04; F16K7/045; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/8593; Y10T137/87153; Y10T137/87161
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
172 words
A pinch valve assembly comprising a valve body, a solenoid housing mounted on said valve body, a solenoid coil mounted in said solenoid housing with said solenoid coil having a central bore, spring means disposed in said central bore, armature means supported by said spring means, a plunger member supported by said armature means, guide means disposed on said valve body and disposed to guide said plunger relative to said valve body, with said guide means comprising a pin member projecting from the surface of said plunger and slideably disposed with respect to a slot formed in said valve body, resilient tubing means disposed between said plunger and said valve body and with said spring means disposed to force said plunger against said tubing means and said tubing means against said valve body causing said tubing means to collapse and preventing flow through said tubing means until said solenoid coil is electrically energized, thereby drawing said armature means toward said solenoid, releasing said tubing means, and permitting flow through said tubing means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
172 words
A pinch valve assembly comprising a valve body, a solenoid housing mounted on said valve body, a solenoid coil mounted in said solenoid housing with said solenoid coil having a central bore, spring means disposed in said central bore, armature means supported by said spring means, a plunger member supported by said armature means, guide means disposed on said valve body and disposed to guide said plunger relative to said valve body, with said guide means comprising a pin member projecting from the surface of said plunger and slideably disposed with respect to a slot formed in said valve body, resilient tubing means disposed between said plunger and said valve body and with said spring means disposed to force said plunger against said tubing means and said tubing means against said valve body causing said tubing means to collapse and preventing flow through said tubing means until said solenoid coil is electrically energized, thereby drawing said armature means toward said solenoid, releasing said tubing means, and permitting flow through said tubing means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
A pinch valve assembly according to claim 1 in which said spring means comprises a helical compression spring.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
A pinch valve assembly according to claim 1 in which said plunger member has an end portion with a reduced cross-sectional area disposed bearing on said tubing means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
A pinch valve assembly according to claim 1 in which said plunger member has an upper end which is chamfered.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
A pinch valve assembly according to claim 1 in which said valve body includes retaining means for removably attaching said tubing means to said valve body.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
46 words
A pinch valve assembly according to claim 1 in which said guide means comprises a pair of oppositely directed pin members projecting from the surface of said plunger with each of said pin members slideably disposed with respect to said slot formed in said valve body.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
A pinch valve assembly according to claim 1 in which said pin member is cylindrical.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
A pinch valve assembly according to claim 1 in which said slot is elongated.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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Cited
US3264067A
Cited
US3511469A
Cited
GB1225835A
Cited
US3823724A
Cited
US4259985A
Cited
US4354984A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-01-29 | 1988-07-30 | 1989-01-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-01-29 | 1992-07-30 | 1993-01-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-01-29 | 1996-07-30 | 1997-01-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |