US4945940A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tamper proof backflow prevention assembly
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1989-08-21
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Granted: 1990-08-07
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Expires: 2009-08-21
Abstract
Abstract A testable backflow prevention assembly provided with a means for preventing unauthorized access to water within the assembly throughout the differential pressure gradient of the assembly; comprising: a means for locking the valves of the test cocks, a means for lockably securing the test cocks to the backflow prevention assembly body, and a means for preventing cessation of water pressure within the backflow prevention assembly.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert B. Stevens
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 20:09
CPC Classifications
E; E03; E03C; E03C1/00; E03C1/02; E03C1/10; E03C1/106; E03C1/108; F; F16; F16K; F16K35/00; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/3149; Y10T137/3185; Y10T137/3294; Y10T137/3331; Y10T137/6851; Y10T137/7043; Y10T137/7062; Y10T137/7065
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
169 words
A testable backflow prevention assembly, provided with a means to access the water within the assembly by those authorized such access, comprising: an upstream gate valve, a primary check valve, a secondary check valve, a zone differential pressure sensing valve, a relief valve, a discharge port, a downstream gate valve, a test cock located upstream of the upstream gate valve, a test cock located between the upstream gate valve and the primary check valve, a test cock located between the primary check valve and the secondary check valve, and a test cock located between the secondary check valve and the downstream gate valve; wherein said test cocks are equipped with a locking valve such that a key is required to unlock and open the valve of the test cock, and, wherein, the test cocks are locked to the backflow prevention assembly body by means of a locking mechanism, said locking mechanism requiring a key in order to permit removal of a test cock from the backflow prevention assembly body.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
169 words
A testable backflow prevention assembly, provided with a means to access the water within the assembly by those authorized such access, comprising: an upstream gate valve, a primary check valve, a secondary check valve, a zone differential pressure sensing valve, a relief valve, a discharge port, a downstream gate valve, a test cock located upstream of the upstream gate valve, a test cock located between the upstream gate valve and the primary check valve, a test cock located between the primary check valve and the secondary check valve, and a test cock located between the secondary check valve and the downstream gate valve; wherein said test cocks are equipped with a locking valve such that a key is required to unlock and open the valve of the test cock, and, wherein, the test cocks are locked to the backflow prevention assembly body by means of a locking mechanism, said locking mechanism requiring a key in order to permit removal of a test cock from the backflow prevention assembly body.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
58 words
The testable backflow preventing assembly of claim 1, wherein the locking valves of said test cocks are comprised of: a valve stem which actuates the valve of the test cock, wherein the valve stem is equipped with a mortise that mates with a tenon key such that the valve stem can not be moved without the tenon key.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
74 words
The testable backflow prevention assembly of claim 1, wherein the means for locking a test cock to the backflow prevention assembly body comprises: a flange on the test cock for a securing bolt, a securing bolt with a securing bolt mortise which secures the test cock to the backflow prevention assembly body, said securing bolt requiring a tenon key for removal from the backflow prevention assembly body, thereby facilitating removal of said test cock.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
157 words
A testable backflow prevention assembly, provided with a means to access the water within the assembly by those authorized such access, comprising: an upstream gate valve, a primary check valve, a secondary check valve, a downstream gate valve, a test cock located upstream of the upstream gate valve, a test cock located between the upstream gate valve and the primary check valve, a test cock located between the primary check valve and the secondary check valve, and a test cock located between the secondary check valve and the downstream gate valve; wherein said test cocks are equipped with a locking valve such that a key is required to unlock and open the valve of the test cock, and, wherein, the test cocks are locked to the backflow prevention assembly body by means of a locking mechanism, said locking mechanism requiring a key in order to permit removal of a test cock from the backflow prevention assembly body.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
157 words
A testable backflow prevention assembly, provided with a means to access the water within the assembly by those authorized such access, comprising: an upstream gate valve, a primary check valve, a secondary check valve, a downstream gate valve, a test cock located upstream of the upstream gate valve, a test cock located between the upstream gate valve and the primary check valve, a test cock located between the primary check valve and the secondary check valve, and a test cock located between the secondary check valve and the downstream gate valve; wherein said test cocks are equipped with a locking valve such that a key is required to unlock and open the valve of the test cock, and, wherein, the test cocks are locked to the backflow prevention assembly body by means of a locking mechanism, said locking mechanism requiring a key in order to permit removal of a test cock from the backflow prevention assembly body.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
58 words
The testable backflow prevention assembly of claim 4, wherein the locking valves of said test cocks are comprised of: a valve stem which actuates the valve of the test cock, wherein the valve stem is equipped with a mortise that mates with a tenon key such that the valve stem can not be moved without the tenon key.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
74 words
The testable backflow prevention assembly of claim 4, wherein the means for locking a test cock to the backflow prevention assembly body comprises: a flange on the test cock for a securing bolt, a securing bolt with a securing bolt mortise which secures the test cock to the backflow prevention assembly body, said securing bolt requiring a tenon key for removal from the backflow prevention assembly body, thereby facilitating removal of said test cock.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
133 words
A testable backflow prevention assembly, provided with a means to access the water within the assembly by those authorized such access, comprising: an upstream gate valve, a primary check valve, an air inlet valve, a downstream gate valve, a test cock located between the upstream gate valve and the primary check valve, and a test cock located between the primary check valve and the air inlet valve; wherein said test cocks are equipped with a locking valve such that a key is required to unlock and open the valve of the test cock, and, wherein, the test cocks are locked to the backflow prevention assembly body by means of a locking mechanism, said locking mechanism requiring a key in order to permit removal of a test cock from the backflow prevention assembly body.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
133 words
A testable backflow prevention assembly, provided with a means to access the water within the assembly by those authorized such access, comprising: an upstream gate valve, a primary check valve, an air inlet valve, a downstream gate valve, a test cock located between the upstream gate valve and the primary check valve, and a test cock located between the primary check valve and the air inlet valve; wherein said test cocks are equipped with a locking valve such that a key is required to unlock and open the valve of the test cock, and, wherein, the test cocks are locked to the backflow prevention assembly body by means of a locking mechanism, said locking mechanism requiring a key in order to permit removal of a test cock from the backflow prevention assembly body.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
58 words
The testable backflow prevention assembly of claim 7, wherein the locking valves of said test cocks are comprised of: a valve stem which actuates the valve of the test cock, wherein the valve stem is equipped with a mortise that mates with a tenon key such that the valve stem can not be moved without the tenon key.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
74 words
The testable backflow prevention assembly of claim 7, wherein the means for locking a test cock to the backflow prevention assembly body comprises: a flange on the test cock for a securing bolt, a securing bolt with a securing bolt mortise which secures the test cock to the backflow prevention assembly body, said securing bolt requiring a tenon key for removal from the backflow prevention assembly body, thereby facilitating removal of said test cock.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-08-06 | 1994-02-05 | 1994-08-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-08-06 | 1998-02-05 | 1998-08-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-08-06 | 2002-02-05 | 2002-08-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |