Abstract: A thread milling cutter for forming threads on a pipe end is provided with a platform that is mounted on a slide table and movable by threaded connection to rod; the milling cutter includes a head supporting a plurality of milling cutters in separate, rotatable shafts with a common drive for all the shafts and if desired, for the head.

Abstract: A locking device for a ball valve of the type having an operating stem includes a post attached to the valve body with the post extending parallel but spaced axially from the valve stem and formed to receive a locking pin between the post and valve stem to prevent rotation of the stem.

Abstract: An electrically-insulated pipe coupling includes a first tubular metal body, a second tubular metal body which has a cylindrical section and which has molded onto it an electrically-insulating covering extending over the end of the body and a portion of the cylindrical section, a coupling member for securing the two metal bodies together at their respective ends and which is disposed over the juncture of the two metal bodies in such a manner that a portion of the electrically-insulating covering molded onto the second tubular body extends beyond the coupling member, and an electrically-insulating barrier extending outwardly from the cylindrical section of the second tubular body and disposed about the portion of the electrically insulating covering extending beyond the coupling member.

Abstract: A handwheel expansion mechanism including a meter adapter, a handwheel body and an expansion cup. The expansion cup is slidingly engaged with the meter adapter, and the handwheel body is rotationally coupled to the meter adapter. Rotation of the handwheel body cause the handwheel body to create a space between the base of the meter adapter and the handwheel body. At the same time, metal-on-metal contact between the handwheel body and the expansion cup causes the expansion cup to pushed along the meter adapter.

Abstract: A three-way wet barrel fire hydrant includes an enlarged intermediate barrel section, which effectively reduces pressure loss in the fire hydrant. The hydrant barrel is formed by an improved sand molding process which requires the mold parting line of the barrel to be selected to coincide with the centerline of the upper nozzle opening. In this manner, a pattern which forms the sand mold may be removed cleanly from the molding sand, thereby eliminating the need of multiple side cores during the casting process.

Abstract: A plug-type gas valve in which a key with a radially extending passageway is supported to rotate between open and closed positions within a bore in a valve body, the passageway establishing communication between diametrically spaced inlet and outlet ports when the key is in its open position. O-rings are positioned in grooves formed in the outer surface of the key above and below the passageway and seal against the wall of the bore in the body to prevent leakage. To lubricate the O-rings and further guard against leakage, grease is injected into pairs of axially extending grease channels formed in the outer surface of the key. To prevent the grease from being blown out of the valve by high pressure when the valve is partially open, one grease channel of each pair communicates only with the upper O-ring groove while the other grease channel of each pair communicates only with the lower O-ring groove.

Abstract: A three-way wet barrel fire hydrant includes an enlarged intermediate barrel section, which effectively reduces pressure loss in the fire hydrant. The hydrant barrel is formed by an improved sand molding process which requires the mold parting line of the barrel to be selected to coincide with the centerline of the upper nozzle opening. In this manner, a pattern which forms the sand mold may be removed cleanly from the molding sand, thereby eliminating the need of multiple side cores during the casting process.

Abstract: A three-way wet barrel fire hydrant includes an enlarged intermediate barrel section, which effectively reduces pressure loss in the fire hydrant. The hydrant barrel is formed by an improved sand molding process which requires the mold parting line of the barrel to be selected to coincide with the centerline of the upper nozzle opening. In this manner, a pattern which forms the sand mold may be removed cleanly from the molding sand, thereby eliminating the need of multiple side cores during the casting process.

Abstract: The present invention provides a valve assembly having a bore fitted with an operating member, whereby the operating member operatively controls a valve member to permit or prevent fluid flow through the valve assembly. The bore extends along a longitudinal axis and has a selected diameter in one portion and a diameter greater than the selected diameter on an interior portion. The bore further includes an annular transition portion extending with diminishing diameter from the interior portion to the one portion of the bore. The operating member is substantially cylindrical and includes a first portion which closely interfits with the one portion of the bore and a second portion which has an annular convex surface disposed to face the transition portion of the bore. The annular convex surface of the operating member and the transition portion of the bore form a metal-to-metal seat which performs desirably in a high temperature environment.

Abstract: A corrosion resistant valve stem coupling for use in selected fire hydrants whose water valves are frequently opened and closed. The valve stem coupling is coated with a compressible, non-oxidizable, corrosion protection coating which does not oxidize and is not worn off in situations of repeated use. In one embodiment, the compressible coating is a nylon coating applied to the valve stem coupling with a fluid-bed, powder coating method.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a ball valve member for cooperation with a valve and a ball valve member includes utilizing a cutting tool having first and second annular cutting surfaces with one of the cutting surfaces having a smaller radius than the other cutting surface whereby a slot is cut in the surface of the ball valve member to a greater depth than heretofore possible for permitting greater penetration of a valve stem into the ball valve member and recess is formed adjacent the slot for the ball valve stem for receiving a lug member mounted on the stem to increase torque transmission to the ball valve element when the operation step is rotated.

Abstract: In a gate valve, the valve member is connected to an operating stem which extends upwardly through an opening in the housing for connection to a hand wheel rotatably carried by a yoke through which a portion of the stem extends; rotation of the hand wheel is transferred to linear motion of the valve stem through a split pair of threaded nut members the upper one of which is rotatably engaged with the hand wheel and the lower one of which is rotatably carried in a bore of the support yoke through which a threaded portion of the stem extends; the upper and lower nut members are intergaged to prevent relative rotation therebetween and are of identical configuration.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a ball valve member for cooperation with a valve and a ball valve member includes utilizing a cutting tool having first and second annular cutting surfaces with one of the cutting surfaces having a smaller radius than the other cutting surface whereby a slot is cut in the surface of the ball valve member to a greater depth than heretofore possible for permitting greater penetration of a valve stem into the ball valve member and a recess is formed adjacent the slot for the ball valve stem for receiving a lug member mounted on the stem to increase torque transmission to the ball valve element when the operation stem is rotated.

Abstract: A valve housing is provided with an interior passage therethrough with the passage having two spaced apart valve seats; a first check valve member for engaging the first valve seat has a valve stem movably carried in a hollow shaft; the second valve member is itself provided with a tubular stem having an open end and which is slidably fitted on the exterior of the hollow shaft; separate coil springs are provided for urging each valve member toward a closed position on the respective valve seat whereby the each valve member is operable independently of the other valve member.

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 improved compression type valve for a fire hydrant or the like includes an improved resilient valve member for sealingly engaging a seating ring in order to control the passage of fluid through the valve. The improved valve member is provided with a first bevel extending from a side surface thereof toward the top surface of the valve member, and with a second bevel which extends from the first bevel to the top surface. The second bevel prevents pressure which is applied to the valve element from causing the top surface of the valve element to deform around its circumference and break off, as was the case with prior art valve members of this type.

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.