Abstract: An improved meter bar assembly including an elongated casting (10) having threaded inlet and outlet ports (18) and (30) along with spaced, threaded swivel receiving ports (22), (36). Shoulders (54) are located in each of the swivel receiving ports (22), (36) and an auxiliary port (70) is also located in the casting. A cylindrical tube (72) is disposed in the auxiliary port and extends into the casting (10) to provide a mechanical barrier between the outlet port (30) and the swivel port (36). A cap (76) is provided for the tube (72) and a check valve (78) disposed within the tube (72). A pair of swivel tubes, (28) and (40) are threaded into the ports (22), (36) and one of the swivel tubes (40) includes an internal check valve (96). Both swivel tubes are provided with stop surfaces (50) that abut the shoulders (54) of the associated swivel tube receiving ports to positively locate the swivel tubes (28) and (40) in the meter bar (10) and with respect to one another.

Abstract: An angled check valve has a valve housing with an inlet for admitting fluid flow into the housing in a first direction and an outlet for discharging fluid flow from the housing in a second direction. The first direction and the second direction are generally perpendicular. An inlet check assembly in the housing has a valve member movable in the first direction for preventing fluid flow from exiting the housing through the inlet. An outlet check assembly in the housing has a valve member movable in the second direction for preventing fluid flow from entering the housing through the outlet. In order to facilitate assembly and service of the check valve, the housing has an opening extending in the second direction through which the inlet check assembly and the outlet check assembly can be assembled into and removed from the housing.

Abstract: A tamperproof rotary valve which includes a valve body having a fluid flow passage extending therethrough. The passage is intersected by an actuator opening in the body and defining a valve chamber thereat. A rotary valve is disposed in the chamber for opening and closing the fluid flow passage. An actuator is journaled in the actuator opening and is coupled to the rotary valve for rotating the valve. A groove is formed about the actuator, and a contractible/expandable locking ring is disposed in the groove and projects outwardly of the groove beyond the bounds of the actuator when in a free, expanded condition. The locking ring is contractible into the groove to allow assembly of the actuator into the actuator opening. A locking groove is formed in the actuator opening in the valve body and into which the locking ring expands when the actuator is in a proper assembled position in the actuator opening.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for installing a plastic fitting and a line stopping mechanism to a main includes a stopper shaft which is used to remove a completion plug in the fitting during installation, and to control the line stopper mechanism once it is installed within the fitting; a connection between the stopper shaft and an external drive shaft is provided which includes both left and righthanded threads in order to prevent the connection from loosening while it is being torqued in different directions. A method of installing the fitting which includes electric resistance fusing is also disclosed.

Abstract: A valve body having an opening and a cover for closing the opening is provided with confronting sealing surfaces each having a circumferential recess of a specific shape to receive an elastic sealing ring; the sealing ring is provided with a tab which projects externally of the valve when assembled to indicate to proper positioning of the seal ring upon assembly; a process for manufacturing mold parts using a lost foam method includes replicating a valve part in styrene, forming a sand mold about the styrene and then pouring molten metal into the mold to destroy the styrene and fill the mold cavity thus formed.

Abstract: An abandoning plug assembly for sealing off fire hydrant ports including inner and outer retainers with a fastener connected therebetween. The inner retainer being reversible between two positions so that the assembly can accommodate port barrels of varied length using a fastener of a single length.

Abstract: A below ground meter box for a fluid meter includes a first sleeve for placement at the bottom of a pit in which the fluid meter is located, the first sleeve having apertures for receiving fluid conduits for the fluid meter and a second sleeve of greater axial length than the first sleeve but of substantially the same diameter; the upper edge of the first sleeve has internally an abutment edge spaced a small distance therefrom and externally a curved wall section extending above the upper edge so that when the second sleeve engages the upper edge of the first sleeve, the curved wall section will prevent lateral movement between the sleeves.

Abstract: A flangible ring, for securing together the adjacent flanged ends of the upper and lower barrel sections of a fire hydrant, has two weakening grooves therein instead of the usual one. One of the grooves is conventional and located in one face of the ring just inside the circular array of bolt holes in the ring. The other weakening groove is formed in the other face of the ring and is of greater mean diameter but of smaller, width and depth than the first groove. Preferably the sides of the other groove are straight in radial section, disposed at an angle of the order of 60.degree. to the face of the ring and an extension of the inner side thereof intersects the intersection of the bottom of the larger groove with a side thereof.

Abstract: A removable key operated locking device for a rotary valve includes a locking member having a tip having a selected diameter connected by a throat having a smaller diameter to a body portion which may have a slightly larger diameter than the tip portion and a predetermined length whereby the locking element is completely insertable within a specially designed receiving bore located at one end of the valve housing so as to be completely isolated from access from the exterior except by means of a plunger-type key; a locking cage is disposed within the receiving bore and is held in a predetermined locking position by cooperation with a conically-shaped annular surface formed on the surface of a portion of the locking bore; the locking cage cooperates with one end of cylinder portion of the key whereby, upon insertion of the cylindrical portion, the locking cage will be moved completely out of the path of travel of the tip portion of the locking element but will automatically engage under a spring force the neck

Abstract: A tamperproof fire hydrant which can only be operated with use of a special operating means or tool thus preventing the opening of the hydrant by unauthorized persons for unauthorized use. The hydrant is provided with the usual polygonal end portion of the rotatable operating nut extending out of the top closure member. A dome shaped cap is mounted on the polygonal end portion of the operating nut for free rotation relative thereto, the dome shaped cap having a skirt with the lower edge thereof spaced from the tubular hold down nut or top closure member of the fire hydrant to provide a limited access space to the polygonal end portion for reception of the special operating means. The special operating means is also capable of being used as a tool to remove the nozzle cap off of the usual nozzle and to install the hose coupling on the nozzle.

Abstract: A water meter service installation including both a water meter and a backflow protection device, both utilizing the same water meter box. The present installation can be retrofitted to existing meter boxes in the field as an elongated tubular extension is detachably connected to the water meter box in alignment with an opening therein, the extension extending therefrom and being capable of housing a cartridge insert member telescopingly positioned therein, the cartridge insert member having a pair of check valves in series to prevent backflow of water through the meter. By utilizing the tubular extension bolted to the exterior of the meter box, very little, if any area is taken up within the meter box and, thus, an existing meter box can still accommodate the conventional water meter while being provided with a backflow protection device in the form of a double valve cartridge insert.

Abstract: A tamperproof fire hydrant which can only be operated with use of a special operating means or tool thus preventing the opening of the hydrant by unauthorized persons for unauthorized use. The hydrant is provided with the usual polygonal end portion of the rotatable operating nut extending out of the top closure member. A dome shaped cap is mounted on the polygonal end portion of the operating nut for free rotation relative thereto, the dome shaped cap having a skirt with the lower edge thereof spaced from the tubular hold down nut or top closure member of the fire hydrant to provide a limited access space to the polygonal end portion for reception of the special operating means. The special operating means is also capable of being used as a tool to remove the nozzle cap off of the usual nozzle and to install the hose coupling on the nozzle.

Abstract: A relief valve assembly for use in backflow preventers having at least one check valve, the relief valve assembly being operable in response to changes in differential pressure across the check valve and in fluid connection downstream of the check valve for discharging liquid therefrom to atmosphere when a backflow condition occurs. The at least one check valve prevents backflow from a service pipe to the supply pipe but when the at least one check valve is fouled, and a backflow condition occurs, the relief valve assembly operates to permit the discharge of the liquid from the service line and prevent contamination of the supply line.

Abstract: A backflow preventer apparatus designed for connection between a supply pipe having liquid under pressure and a service pipe, the backflow preventer apparatus comprising a pair of check valves in series and defining a zone therebetween, a relief valve operable upon a change in differential pressure across the upstream check valve, and a vacuum breaker operable upon a drop in pressure in the zone to a predetermined pressure supply above atmospheric pressure. The differential pressure operable relief valve, when opened upon certain operating conditions, causing the zone to drain to atmosphere. The vacuum breaker operates independent of supply pipe pressure or service pipe pressure but solely on a drop in pressure in the zone.

Abstract: A relief valve assembly for use in backflow preventers having at least one check valve, the relief valve assembly being operable in response to changes in differential pressure across the check valve and in fluid connection downstream of the check valve for discharging liquid therefrom to atmosphere when a backflow condition occurs. The at least one check valve prevents backflow from a service pipe to the supply pipe but when the at least one check valve is fouled, and a backflow condition occurs, the relief valve assembly operates to permit the discharge of the liquid from the service line and prevent contamination of the supply line.

Abstract: A backflow preventer apparatus designed for connection between a supply pipe having liquid under pressure and a service pipe, the backflow preventer apparatus comprising a pair of check valves in series and defining a zone therebetween, a relief valve operable upon a change in differential pressure across the upstream check valve, and a vacuum breaker operable upon a drop in pressure in the zone to a predetermined pressure supply above atmospheric pressure. The differential pressure operable relief valve, when opened upon certain operating conditions, causing the zone to drain to atmosphere. The vacuum breaker operates independent of supply pipe pressure or service pipe pressure but solely on a drop in pressure in the zone.

Abstract: A coupling joint for releasably coupling two telescoping tubular members in sealing relationship to one another, one of the tubular members being continuously urged inwardly relative to the other tubular member whereby a seal between said members may be maintained at all times. The coupling joint, which may be utilized in a valve or the like with the valve body representing one of the tubular members and a bushing representing the other of the tubular members inserted into the open end of the valve body, includes the use of a resilient ring such as an O-ring for retaining the two tubular members together, the ring being positioned in opposed grooves in the telescoped portion of the tubular members.

Abstract: A low profile pipe clamp for use as either a repair clamp or a service clamp with a side outlet. The pipe clamp comprises a flexible band, usually of sheet metal with a gasket material on the interior thereof, the flexible band having a pair of opposed looped ends which receive tubular trunnion loading bars. The trunnion loading bars receive at least a pair of T-bolt assemblies, each assembly including one T-bolt and a nut. The T-bolt assemblies are pre-assembled in one of the trunnion bars having apertures therethrough, this trunnion bar being made of a plurality of coaxial elements whereby the T-bolt may be independently pivoted into position during assembly. The other trunnion bar is provided with slots for receiving the head of the T-bolt and is temporarily held against rotation and axial movement in the loop prior to installation of the clamp.

Abstract: A low profile pipe clamp for use in encircling a pipe such as a main or the like, the clamp being either a repair clamp or a service clamp with a side outlet. The pipe clamp comprises a flexible band, usually of sheet metal with a gasket material on the interior and having at least a pair of opposed looped ends which receive cylindrical trunnion loading bars. At least one bolt extending through the loading bars is arranged to move the trunnion loading bars toward each other to cause the looped ends of the band to draw the flexible band tightly around the pipe. The relationship of the trunnion loading bars to the bolt extending therethrough is such as to give the clamp a use for a wide range of varying outside diameters of a particular size of pipe.

Abstract: A gate valve structure for use in large diameter mains carrying fluids under high pressure, the gate valve structure being provided with an improved annular resilient seal for engaging a valve seat of the type where the valve seat provides for a face-seal and an edge-seal with intermediate sections making both a face-seal and an edge-seal. The annular resilient seal member is provided with a pair of arcuate bulges oppositely disposed thereon at positions to engage the face-seat surface of the valve seat adjacent the face-seat surface's minimum radial thicknesses to provide an increased contact in this area when the gate member is in the closed position. Additionally, the improved gate valve structure utilizes opposed ribs in the elongated chamber of the casing, the ribs being received in guideways or recesses in the periphery of the gate member so as to guide the gate member during opening and closing. Such an arrangement permits the use of smaller and lighter valve casings for large diameter mains.