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: 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 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: 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 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 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 check valve assembly for use in backflow preventer apparatus or the like, the check valve assembly being of the poppet valve type. The assembly includes a body member having a flow passage therethrough with an inlet and an outlet, the body member further having an annular valve seat in said passage and an opening in its wall opposite and coaxial with the valve seat. A tamperproof preloaded valve module is inserted through said opening for coacting with the valve seat and the module is retained in position within the body by a cover plate closing the opening.

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 service clamp for use as a fitting in tapping a hole in a main pipe and/or for supporting a branch pipe, the service clamp being particularly adapted for use when the main pipe is plastic such as polyethylene (PE) or polyvinyl chloride (PVC) although it may be used with pipe made from other material including metal pipe. The service clamp comprises two saddle parts for encircling the main pipe, one of the saddle parts carrying a branch pipe extension with a throughbore, and each saddle part carrying, prior to assembly of the service clamp, at least one of the screws or bolts used during assembling the clamp about the main pipe.

Abstract: A rotary plug valve having a plug member rotatable in a valve housing between an opened position and a closed position, the housing member having a valve seat therein with a first passage opening to the seat and a second passage opening to the seat, and sealing means such as an endless sealing ring and an endless groove encircling one of the openings of the first and second passages to the seat. The rotary plug valve is capable of two-way flow therethrough, and this is realized by providing the passage in the plug member which has the sealing means encircling its opening with a greater width in a plane transversed to the axis of rotation to the plug member than the width of the other passage.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for opening a flow-way in a main when the main is to be connected to a secondary main or service line. The apparatus includes a fitting arranged to be at least temporarily secured to the main, the fitting being provided with a cutter member for preliminarily cutting a coupon from the main to form a preliminary hole in the main and a tapping tool for progressively enlarging the hole to a predetermined size, the tapping tool directing the material from around the hole as the hole is being progressively enlarged in the predetermined direction. The tapping tool remains in the fitting and in the hole formed in the main to function as an internal mechanical connector for holding the fitting securely on the main.

Abstract: A tool for inserting a plastic pipe in a substantially axial direction into a stab-type coupling joint fitting or the like without damaging the exterior of the plastic pipe. The coupling joint fitting may be of the type having means therein for gripping the plastic pipe upon insertion of the same therein and also of the type wherein insertion of the plastic pipe activates closure means in the fitting to open the same and provide service. The means for attaching the tool to the fitting and to the plastic pipe are detachable from the tool whereby other means may be substituted therefor depending upon the sizes of the fitting and the plastic pipe upon which the tool is to be used. The actuating means for moving the attaching means for the pipe toward and away from the attachment means for the fitting is screw operated to provide ease of operation of the tool with a lever system providing a large mechanical advantage.