Patent US4762140A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4762140A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Snap-off plug valve
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1987-05-28
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Granted: 1988-08-09
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Expires: 2007-05-28
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed is a plug valve for installation in a water supply line which will shut off flow through the line when a downstream emitting element, such as a sprinkler head, is destructively removed from the line. A fracture groove on the exterior of the valve body defines a structurally weakest point and is axially located on the body between an upstream valve seat and a downstream limit stop. The limit stop maintains the valve in an open position during normal operation. Should the downstream emitting element be destructively removed, the supply line will break at its weakest point. The limit stop, being located downstream of the weakest point, will also be removed allowing the valve to close in response to inlet water pressure only, preventing loss of water from the supply line.
Inventors
- 👤 Edward A. Davis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 15:19
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16K; F16K15/00; F16K15/02; F16L; F16L55/00; F16L55/10; F16L55/1007; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S137/00; Y10S137/91; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/1624; Y10T137/1632; Y10T137/1654; Y10T137/1789
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
262 words
A snap-off plug valve having a body with an axial flow passage, a peripheral wall therethrough, an inlet port and an outlet port to said passage, a peripheral valve seat in said passage projecting radially into said passage with an upsteam face and an internal diameter smaller than the diameter of the wall upstream from said valve seat, a relief in said wall downstream from said valve seat, with a diameter larger than the internal diameter of said valve seat, limit means overhanging said relief spaced downstream from said valve seat, a poppet passing through and slidably fitted in said valve seat, a head on said poppet loosely fitted in said relief and having radial dimensions such as to abut said limit means when brought against it, a peripheral valve seal carried by said poppet at the upstream side of said valve seat, a by-pass passage through said poppet from a point downstream from said valve seal to the downstream end of said poppet, and a fracture groove formed in said body located axially between said valve seat and said limit means which establishes an annular region of least structural resistance to distortive forces, whereby water flowing through said flow passage only, causes said head to abut said limit means and the valve seal will be held away from the valve seat and water can flow through said by-pass passage, and whereby when the body is fractured at said fracture groove, the poppet can be moved by fluid pressure to press the valve seal against the valve seat and close the valve.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
262 words
A snap-off plug valve having a body with an axial flow passage, a peripheral wall therethrough, an inlet port and an outlet port to said passage, a peripheral valve seat in said passage projecting radially into said passage with an upsteam face and an internal diameter smaller than the diameter of the wall upstream from said valve seat, a relief in said wall downstream from said valve seat, with a diameter larger than the internal diameter of said valve seat, limit means overhanging said relief spaced downstream from said valve seat, a poppet passing through and slidably fitted in said valve seat, a head on said poppet loosely fitted in said relief and having radial dimensions such as to abut said limit means when brought against it, a peripheral valve seal carried by said poppet at the upstream side of said valve seat, a by-pass passage through said poppet from a point downstream from said valve seal to the downstream end of said poppet, and a fracture groove formed in said body located axially between said valve seat and said limit means which establishes an annular region of least structural resistance to distortive forces, whereby water flowing through said flow passage only, causes said head to abut said limit means and the valve seal will be held away from the valve seat and water can flow through said by-pass passage, and whereby when the body is fractured at said fracture groove, the poppet can be moved by fluid pressure to press the valve seal against the valve seat and close the valve.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
A valve according to claim 1 in which said limit means comprises the end of a conduit segment fitted to said body.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
A valve according to claim 1 in which said valve seal is a circularly sectioned O-ring.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
A valve according to claim 3 in which said valve seat is frusto-conical, the valve seal and valve seat radially overlapping one another.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
A valve according to claim 4 in which said limit means comprises the end of a conduit segment fitted to said body.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US733372A
Cited
US1311774A
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US2804317A
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US3995694A
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US4077422A
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US4562962A
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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) | 1991-08-09 | 1992-02-08 | 1992-08-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-08-09 | 1996-02-08 | 1996-08-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-08-09 | 2000-02-08 | 2000-08-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |