Abstract: A cap permanently indicates the occurrence of tampering with a gas service valve. A substantially square base has intersecting slots differently sized to confine correspondingly sized valve cocks against rotational motion. A dome on the base covers the slots and the valve cock. Two ties of adjustable length secure the base against the valve body. The base, dome and ties are of material which is permanently altered by application of force to disorient the mounted cap sufficiently to permit operation of the valve cock. Removal of excess portions of the ties makes reuse difficult, if not impossible. The dome may be transparent so that the orientation of the valve cock can be observed without removing the cap from the valve. Markings on the dome indicate the orientation of the valve cock when the cap was installed.

Abstract: A clamp for attaching a pipeline tracer wire to a pipeline riser has an elongated riser grip which is resiliently flexible to snap onto the riser. An elongated conduit with a V-shaped groove extends integrally along the outer wall of the riser grip. The conduit receives the tracer wire therein. At least one tap screw is engagable in the groove and radially into the conduit to lock the tracer wire between the screw and the opposite inner wall of the conduit. Alternatively, a tap screw may be threadedly engaged in the upper end of the conduit to lock the tracer wire between the screw and the opposite inner wall of the conduit. Preferably, the clamp is made of non-metallic, fire retardant material such as a high density thermoplastic.

Abstract: An alignment device in which two plugs are rigidly fixed to the opposite ends of a spacing bar at a distance substantially equal to the distance between the inlet and outlet ports of the gas meter to be connected to the system is formed from a rust-free material such as nylon, preferably with an I-bar configuration and reinforced with fiberglass cords for strength. The riser is installed with one plug of the device mounted on the supplier riser so that, when the consumer riser is installed, it can be properly aligned with and connected to the other plug to later conform to the meter. Alternatively, the device could be installed between the risers by the consumer riser installer.

Abstract: A gas line override valve for connecting an external gas source to an operational gas line includes a sleeve having an inlet end and an outlet end adapted for series connection of the sleeve in the operational gas line, a hole through a wall of the sleeve and a coupling secured in the hole having a passage in pneumatic communication between a first port in the coupling external of the sleeve and a second port in the coupling internal of the sleeve, the second port having an annular seat along a perimeter thereof. A cage extending from the second port into the sleeve loosely contains a ball of diameter greater than the diameter of the annular seat. The cage has openings therethrough for continuous pneumatic communication between the inlet and outlet ends of the sleeve.

Abstract: A meter bypass swivel connector is molded with a 1/4" hole located within its upper body portion. A ball check screen or guard separates its upper body portion from its lower body portion to prevent anything from obstructing the customer's service line. A ball check assembly, including a ball, seat, and base, is snapped or screwed into the lower portion of the meter bypass swivel connector. The ball check is configured to allow an uninterrupted or unobstructed flow of gas through the customer's line with pressure as low as 5" of water column. The lower body portion is surrounded by a flange and a swivel nut rests on a metal backup ring disposed on the flange. A swivel gasket installed in the field "seals" the meter bypass swivel connector to the gas meter when the meter nut is tightened to the meter. A one-way coupler is attached in the hole in the meter bypass swivel connector in such a manner that the possibility of a gas leak would be minimal or impossible.

Abstract: A groundline stabilizing device for stablizing in-ground pipes in their original in-ground relationship has a spacing bar with clamp members fixed to its ends for receiving the pipes in transverse alignment with respect to the bar, and a plate fixed to the bar in parallel relationship to a plane passing through the bar and the pipes received in the clamps which responds to shifts in the earth to stabilize the position of the pipes relative to the surrounding earth, minimizing radial shifts on one pipe in relation to the other.

Abstract: An underground valve box for encapsulating a service valve selected from a variety of valves having vertical or horizontal cylindrical bodies with horizontal inlet and outlet lines disposed linearly through the body consists of an upright with a horizontal member defining upper and lower portions therein, a plurality of concentric steps descending downwardly and inwardly from the horizontal member into the lower portion of the base, a pair of V-shaped seats diametrically disposed in the member, a pair of diametrically oposed topwardly accessible notches in the upper portion of the base aligned with the V-shaped seats and a horizontal external lip and a body with lower and upper vertical concentric barrels integrally connected by an inwardly and upwardly tapering intermediate segment.