Patent US4623120A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4623120A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Safe high pressure instrument valve
Assignee: Air Dry Corp of America
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Filing: 1985-03-22
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Granted: 1986-11-18
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Expires: 2005-03-22
Abstract
Abstract A globe valve having a main body, a bonnet, and a stem is provided with a mechanism that prevents the bonnet from being inadvertently backed off the main body. The mechanism includes a lock held to the body so that the lock is incapable of rotating as the stem is rotated, and means for releasably engaging the bonnet to the lock. For example, the lock can have a plurality of teeth that engage corresponding teeth on the bonnet. A locking ring can be used to hold the stem in the bonnet.
Inventors
- 👤 Francis Leighton
- 👤 Fred W. Trebes
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 17:43
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16K; F16K11/00; F16K11/02; F16K11/04; F16K27/00; F16K27/08; F16K35/00; F16K35/02; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/598; Y10T137/6089; Y10T137/6092
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
139 words
A valve comprising: (a) a body having an inlet, an outlet, and a passage between the inlet and the outlet; (b) a bonnet threaded onto the body; (c) a stem rotatable within the bonnet such that the stem is capable of blocking the passage; and (d) an integral, releasable locking means between the body and the bonnet for preventing the bonnet from being inadvertently threaded off the body, wherein the locking means comprises: (i) a locking element nonrotatably attached to the body such that when the bonnet is detached from the body the locking element remains nonrotatably attached to the body; (ii) a lock nonrotatably attached to the bonnet, such that when the bonnet is detached from the body the lock remains nonrotatably attached to the bonnet; and (iii) means for releasably engaging the lock and the locking element.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
139 words
A valve comprising: (a) a body having an inlet, an outlet, and a passage between the inlet and the outlet; (b) a bonnet threaded onto the body; (c) a stem rotatable within the bonnet such that the stem is capable of blocking the passage; and (d) an integral, releasable locking means between the body and the bonnet for preventing the bonnet from being inadvertently threaded off the body, wherein the locking means comprises: (i) a locking element nonrotatably attached to the body such that when the bonnet is detached from the body the locking element remains nonrotatably attached to the body; (ii) a lock nonrotatably attached to the bonnet, such that when the bonnet is detached from the body the lock remains nonrotatably attached to the bonnet; and (iii) means for releasably engaging the lock and the locking element.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The valve of claim 1 wherein the lock and the locking element each have at least one interengaging tooth.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The valve of claim 2 wherein the locking element has a plurality of teeth and the lock has a plurality of teeth capable of nonrotatable engagement with the locking element teeth.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The valve of claim 3 in which the teeth are adapted so that the locking means does not prevent the bonnet from being threaded onto the body.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The valve of claim 1 in which the locking means does not prevent the bonnet from being threaded onto the body.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
44 words
The valve of claim 1 wherein the body comprises a projection and the means for releasably engaging the lock and the locking element includes slideably attaching the locking element to the projection and using a biasing means urging the locking element against the lock.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
The valve of claim 1 including a locking ring mounted in a groove in the bonnet for engaging an expanded portion of the stem to prevent the stem from being rotated out of the bonnet.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
50 words
The valve of claim 1 in which there is a generally annular region between the top portion of the bonnet and the stem, and including a ring in the annular region for engaging an expanded portion of the stem for preventing the stem from being rotated out of the bonnet.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The valve of claim 6 in which the biasing means comprises at least one spring.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
The valve of claim 1 in which the lock and the bonnet are integral.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
The valve of claim 1 in which the lock and the locking element provide a pawl and ratchet system.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
194 words
A valve comprising: (a) a body having an inlet, an outlet, and a passage between the inlet and the outlet; (b) a bonnet threaded onto the body; (c) a stem rotatable within the bonnet such that the stem is capable of blocking the passage; and (d) an integral, releasable locking means between the body and the bonnet for preventing the bonnet from being inadvertently threaded off the body but not interfering with the bonnet being threaded onto the body, the locking means comprising: (i) a locking element nonrotatably attached to the body such that when the bonnet is detached from the body the locking element remains nonrotatably attached to the body; (ii) a lock nonrotatably attached to the bonnet, such that when the bonnet is detached from the body the lock remains nonrotatably attached to the bonnet; wherein the lock and the locking element each have a plurality of interengaging teeth, the teeth when interengaging preventing the bonnet from being rotated off the body, but not preventing the bonnet from being threaded onto the body; and (iii) releasable biasing means comprising at least one spring biasing the lock into engagement with the locking element.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
194 words
A valve comprising: (a) a body having an inlet, an outlet, and a passage between the inlet and the outlet; (b) a bonnet threaded onto the body; (c) a stem rotatable within the bonnet such that the stem is capable of blocking the passage; and (d) an integral, releasable locking means between the body and the bonnet for preventing the bonnet from being inadvertently threaded off the body but not interfering with the bonnet being threaded onto the body, the locking means comprising: (i) a locking element nonrotatably attached to the body such that when the bonnet is detached from the body the locking element remains nonrotatably attached to the body; (ii) a lock nonrotatably attached to the bonnet, such that when the bonnet is detached from the body the lock remains nonrotatably attached to the bonnet; wherein the lock and the locking element each have a plurality of interengaging teeth, the teeth when interengaging preventing the bonnet from being rotated off the body, but not preventing the bonnet from being threaded onto the body; and (iii) releasable biasing means comprising at least one spring biasing the lock into engagement with the locking element.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
13 words
The valve of claim 12 in which the lock and bonnet are integral.
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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) | 1989-11-17 | 1990-05-19 | 1990-11-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-11-17 | 1994-05-19 | 1994-11-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-11-17 | 1998-05-19 | 1998-11-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |