Latch Manipulator Mounted On Handle Or Stem Patents (Class 251/101)
  • Publication number: 20140291560
    Abstract: An electrically operable rotary actuator assembly is disclosed for opening and closing a rotary gate valve. The assembly comprises an operating shaft for operating the valve, an electrically operable actuator for imparting a rotational drive to the shaft to cause the shaft to rotate from a first rotational orientation to a second rotational orientation and biasing means for imparting a rotational bias to the shaft to cause the shaft to rotate from the second rotational orientation to the first rotational orientation. The assembly further comprises a clamp arrangement for clamping the shaft in the second rotational orientation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: R J Pond Limited
    Inventor: Richard Pond
  • Patent number: 8806906
    Abstract: A lock-out bracket secures the position of a shaft extending through an actuator, the shaft having a first end and a second end, the first end being operative for controlling a valve, the second end being coupled to a limit switch mounted on a limit switch bracket mounted to the actuator. The lock-out bracket includes a substantially flat base plate and a substantially flat lock-out tab substantially perpendicular to the base plate, the base plate defining an opening configured for matingly fitting over, receiving, and engaging the second end of the shaft. The lock-out tab defines a first hole adapted for alignment with a corresponding second hole defined on the limit switch bracket for facilitating the insertion of a lock shackle through the first hole and the second hole to secure the lock-out bracket relative to the actuator and prevent movement of the shaft and valve coupled to the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Inventor: Bryce M. Bagby
  • Patent number: 8807520
    Abstract: A system includes a set of valves and a handle, in which one valve in the set of valves is to be open at one time, and the handle is configured to move the valve between an open position and a closed position. The handle is configured to engage and disengage with the valve only when the valve is in the closed position such that the handle is not removed from the valve when the valve is in the open position. Thus, the system facilitates the sequential opening of valves in a set of valves by generally allowing a limited number of valves to be open at one time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ludovic Bunod, Guy Schermesser
  • Patent number: 8727304
    Abstract: A pinch bar for a pinch valve is comprised of a coil spring coupled to one end of an actuating rod. An opposite end of the rod is formed with, or is coupled to a device or surface, which applies a pinch force. The actuating rod slides through a fixed-in-place rod actuator. The rod actuator, spring and actuating rod thus provide a mechanism that applies a closing force inwardly, into or directed toward a cabinet attached to which is a valve body for the pinch bar and against which the pinch bar could exert a tube-closing force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Prince Castle, LLC.
    Inventors: Loren Veltrop, Christopher Lyons, Michael Pearson
  • Patent number: 8727306
    Abstract: A valve handle for a bulk commodity hopper valve, the handle including an extended handle bar member, with a valve stem socket opening near its distal end, an associated, shorter lock lever member positioned to extend generally adjacent the handle bar member, the handle bar and lock lever members having corresponding offset bends along their lengths to clear interfering equipment and being pivotally connected to one another at an intermediate position along their lengths, and a biasing spring normally biasing the proximate ends of the handle bar and lock lever members away from one another and the distal ends thereof towards one another, with the distal end of the lock lever member having a lever tip associated therewith movable into and out of engagement with the valve lock notches as the proximate ends of the handle bar member and lock lever member are squeezed together and released by a user and the valve handle is rotated to operate the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Bulk Tank, Inc.
    Inventor: David E. Sisk
  • Publication number: 20130327440
    Abstract: A gas pump handle modification comprising: a handle assembly, wherein the handle assembly includes a nozzle and a handgrip, wherein said nozzle extends from a first end of the handgrip; a lever frame extending from the handgrip, where a squeeze lever is configured within the lever frame; and a release button positioned along the handgrip, where the release button provides a means to engage the squeeze lever in an upward position to allow the release of fuel through the nozzle. The pump handle assembly also includes a hose attached to a second end of the handgrip where the hose provides a flow of fuel. In one particular embodiment, the pump handle assembly also includes a handgrip cover that covers the connection of the nozzle with the handgrip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2012
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Inventor: Stacey Kincaid
  • Patent number: 8596608
    Abstract: A sub sea valve actuator system including a piston and cylinder assembly and a return spring arranged in an actuator housing, a hydraulic pump and electric motor assembly associated with the piston and cylinder assembly, and hydraulic flow lines for hydraulic medium driving the piston and cylinder in relative displacement against a force of the return spring. The valve actuator system includes a detector configured to detect an end-of-stroke position of the piston and cylinder assembly. The detector includes at least one of: a motor current monitoring circuit unit, a hydraulic medium pressure sensor unit, a position sensor unit, and a linear variable differential transformer unit. An electromechanical arresting mechanism is arranged to be energized for releasably arresting the return spring in a compressed state in result of the detected end-of-stroke position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Veteo Gray Scandinavia AS
    Inventors: Tom Grimseth, Christian Borchgrevink, Jon Flidh, Jan Olav Pettersen
  • Patent number: 8585010
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a valve used to control fluid flow. The valve includes a handle, which is placed above a body and is connected directly or indirectly to a top portion of a stem; a cap, into which the stem is inserted, and which surrounds a top portion of the body, the cap having a plurality of locking holes formed in the circumference of a top portion thereof in a circular arrangement. The handle has a vertical hole corresponding to the locking holes and a key hole extending coaxially with or perpendicularly to the vertical hole, and is connected to the top portion of the stem to contact the top portion of the cap. Locking means is provided in the vertical hole and the locking holes to lock the handle and the cap to each other. The locked position is released using a master key, which is inserted through the key hole, thereby allowing the handle to be operated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: BMT Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jong Chan Yoon
  • Publication number: 20130284957
    Abstract: An outlet valve (700) adapted for use with a pressurized fluid container includes an outlet valve chamber (701) including an upper groove (722) and a lower groove (725), an outlet valve member (760) configured to move between substantially open and substantially closed positions in the outlet valve chamber (701), and a non-return member (780) configured to be retained in one of the upper groove (722) or the lower groove (725) in a snap-fit arrangement. When the non-return member (780) is retained in the upper groove (722) the non-return member (780) does not contact the outlet valve member (760). When the non-return member (780) is retained in the lower groove (725) the non-return member (780) blocks the outlet valve member (760) in the substantially open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2012
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicant: Norgren Limited
    Inventors: Jacek Tarczewski, Richard Edwards, Simon Gass
  • Patent number: 8550426
    Abstract: A dual-motion collar device is described, which elicits an additional motion from an operator when initiating a parking brake release in a vehicle. The collar device comprises top and bottom collars with a compressed and torsionally stressed spring there between, such that the collar device maintains a park brake plunger knob in a locked state. An operator twists the top collar to align interlocking features on the top and bottom collars, and then pushes downward to unlock the collar device. The operator then pushes downward on a park brake plunger knob around which the collar device is installed to actuate a parking brake valve assembly and release the parking brake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC
    Inventors: Duane R. Johnson, Rebecca Carter, Mark H. Sciulli, Scott R. Weslow, Timothy J. Beckwith
  • Patent number: 8528841
    Abstract: A spray switch for spray gun includes an elastic wire buckled to a main pipe of the spray gun. The elastic wire has symmetric lateral portions and symmetric guide pins on two ends thereof. A press handle pivoted to a main body of the spray gun is capable of controlling a flow of water. The press handle has an open slot for slidly arranging the spray switch. The spray switch is assembled by a guide block and a buckle unit. The guide block has symmetric guides and recesses on two lateral sides for guiding and holding the guide pins. The spray switch can be switched up and down along the open slot to switch the guide block for engaging or ignoring the guide pins so as to switch the spray gun between modes of auto spray and manual spray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Inventor: Chi-Han Cheng
  • Patent number: 8490947
    Abstract: A presettable gas valve is disclosed herein. The gas valve may have a maximum gas flow that can be adjusted to the particular requirements of the fireplace in which the gas valve is used. By way of example and not limitation, for real biomass/fuel burning fireplaces, the gas valve may be opened to its maximum level with a quarter turn of a handle. In contrast, for fake fireplaces, which require more gas flow compared to real fireplaces, the gas valve may be opened to its maximum level with a half turn of the handle. The maximum gas flow through the gas valve may be set during installation such that the user does not need to manually determine the appropriate amount of gas during use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Joe Leighton & Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: Harsharan Grewal
  • Patent number: 8444111
    Abstract: A combined valve includes a pilot mechanism and a manual mechanism. The manual mechanism includes: a flange formed with a communication passage; a housing including a holding hole formed in an axial direction for rotatably holding the manual mechanism and a storage opening part having a wider diameter than the holding hole and housing the flange in position; an operation port located in a position corresponding to the holding hole and internally holding a joint; and an exhaust port opening in an inner wall of the storage opening. The manual mechanism further includes a first sealing member forming a connecting passage to connect the operation port and the communication passage between the housing and the manual mechanism; and a second sealing member sealingly separating an opening portion of the exhaust port opening in the inner wall of the storage opening part from the connecting passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: CKD Corporation
    Inventor: Katsunori Hirose
  • Patent number: 8282073
    Abstract: A presettable gas valve is disclosed herein. The gas valve may have a maximum gas flow that can be adjusted to the particular requirements of the fireplace in which the gas valve is used. By way of example and not limitation, for real biomass/fuel burning fireplaces, the gas valve may be opened to its maximum level with a quarter turn of a handle. In contrast, for fake fireplaces, which require more gas flow compared to real fireplaces, the gas valve may be opened to its maximum level with a half turn of the handle. The maximum gas flow through the gas valve may be set during installation such that the user does not need to manually determine the appropriate amount of gas during use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Joe Leighton & Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: Harsharan Grewal
  • Patent number: 8267372
    Abstract: A cover-equipped manual valve having a ratchet mechanism for preventing rotation of a knob, comprising: a rod formed with an external thread portion on an outer periphery thereof, the rod being unconnected to the knob and held against rotation; a sliding nut of a cylindrical shape, the sliding nut being rotatably held by a body and internally formed with an internal thread portion threadedly engaged with the external thread portion of the rod; an engagement member fixed to the knob, the engagement member being elastically deformable to be engaged with the sliding nut and to be disengaged from the sliding nut when larger torque than a predetermined value is applied to the engagement member; and a knob cover of a hollow shape for covering the knob.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: CKD Corporation
    Inventor: Akinori Masamura
  • Patent number: 8157242
    Abstract: A valve actuator with manual lock is provided. The valve actuator with manual lock includes a locking button arrangement that is operably coupled to a shaft extending along an axis of rotation of a drive train. The locking button arrangement is selectively engageable with a housing of the valve actuator to lock the drive train in a selected orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Schneider Electric Buildings, LLC
    Inventors: Gerald R. Parsons, William P. Windgassen
  • Patent number: 8061683
    Abstract: Manual valve operators having a locking device are described. An example manual operator includes a lever rotatably coupled to a locking plate and has a handle that pivots between a first position to prevent rotation of the lever relative to the locking plate and a second position to enable rotation of the lever relative to the locking plate. A lockout member is removably coupled to the handle. The handle has an aperture to receive at least a portion of the lockout member. The lockout member engages a portion of the lever to prevent the handle from pivoting between the first and second positions to prevent rotation of the lever relative to the locking plate when the lockout member is coupled to the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Fisher Controls International, LLC
    Inventor: Ross E. Long
  • Patent number: 8028715
    Abstract: The present invention provides a check valve for use in a vacuum sewage pipe. The check valve includes a body having a sewage inlet and a sewage outlet to be coupled to the vacuum sewage pipe, a flap valve element disposed in the body and rotatably supported by a first shaft, and a closing mechanism. The closing mechanism can keep the flap valve element in a closed state so as to allow the flap valve element to function as a gate valve. The closing mechanism can also limit an opening degree of the flap valve element so as to allow the flap valve element to function as a check valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Ebara Corporation
    Inventors: Osamu Shimizu, Yuji Hiroto, Keisuke Ikeda, Fuyuki Ogaki
  • Publication number: 20110175002
    Abstract: A presettable gas valve is disclosed herein. The gas valve may have a maximum gas flow that can be adjusted to the particular requirements of the fireplace in which the gas valve is used. By way of example and not limitation, for real biomass/fuel burning fireplaces, the gas valve may be opened to its maximum level with a quarter turn of a handle. In contrast, for fake fireplaces, which require more gas flow compared to real fireplaces, the gas valve may be opened to its maximum level with a half turn of the handle. The maximum gas flow through the gas valve may be set during installation such that the user does not need to manually determine the appropriate amount of gas during use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Inventor: Harsharan Grewal
  • Patent number: 7913714
    Abstract: A check valve assembly which in an open position allows liquid to flow in one direction through the assembly including a moving sealing member which engages a seal to prevent liquid flow in a second opposite direction. The sealing member may be moved into engagement with the seal by rotation of a stem with an eccentric to block flow in both directions. A check valve and shut-off device assembly which in an open position allows liquid to flow in one direction through the assembly until gas or foam is mixed with the liquid. The shut-off device includes a sealing member which engages a seal to block flow through the assembly when foam or gas is present in the liquid. The check valve includes a sealing member which can reset the shut-off device. The check valve sealing member also engages the same sealing member to prevent any flow through the assembly in a closed position. In an open position, the check valve sealing member may engage the seal to prevent reverse flow of liquid through the assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Perlick Corporation
    Inventors: Gennady Arov, Larry M. Molinari
  • Patent number: 7780142
    Abstract: An oil pan (1) provided with a drain mechanism (10) in which an adjustable valve body (11) is disposed in a drain opening (13) in the oil pan wall and is adjustable between a closed position and an open position. A sealing member (12) made of a flexible material is arranged on the valve body (11) of the drain mechanism (10) for closing the drain opening (13) in the oil pan wall when the valve body is in the closed position. The valve body (11) is secured by a closing element on the wall of the oil pan (1) when in the closed position, and the sealing member (12) is held in the closed position by the closing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Mann+Hummel GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas Jessberger
  • Publication number: 20100175786
    Abstract: A gas pump nozzle handle block and method of use for maintaining an open flow position until the valve senses the back pressure to shut off the flow of gas, the block dimensioned so as to slide within an opening of the nozzle handle, and rotated within the opening so as to frictionally engage a bottom side of the block against an upper side of the nozzle handle below the opening of the handle and to further frictionally engage an upper side of the block against an undersurface of a valve operating lever and to push the lever toward a lower side of the nozzle handle above the opening of the nozzle handle, thereby maintaining the operating lever in an open flow position until the nozzle valve senses a back pressure to shut off a flow of gas through the nozzle valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2009
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Inventor: Michael Martin
  • Publication number: 20090261280
    Abstract: A conventional rotary valve in which is provided with a locking mechanism for fixing the degree of aperture so as to prevent misoperation and reduce accidents caused thereby, and even a previously installed valve can be converted to a valve having a locking mechanism, simply by replacing the handle alone. In a rotary valve wherein a valve element that is engaged with a stem is turned by turning the stem, which is connected to a handle, so as to open and close the valve, and having a top flange that is provided on a neck of a valve body that supports the stem, a notch is formed at the peripheral edge of the top flange, and a locking member, having a protrusion that can be latched in the notch in the top flange by way of a torsion spring, is pivotably supported at the center of the handle or on a grip portion thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2007
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Matsushita, Tomoki Matsui
  • Patent number: 7540468
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for a valve assembly comprising a valve body, a valve element, a shaft, an engagement stop, an actuator housing, a manual lockout, and a lock. The valve body includes an inlet port, an outlet port, and a flow passage extending therebetween. The valve element is disposed within the valve body flow passage, and is movable between a closed position and a full-open position. The shaft is coupled to the valve element and extends through the valve body. The engagement stop is coupled to, and extends radially from, the shaft. The actuator housing at least partially surrounds the shaft. The manual lockout is configured, upon receipt of a torque, to selectively engage and disengage the engagement stop. The lock is coupled to the actuator housing, and is movable between a lock position and an unlock position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew J. Dixon, Craig T. Dorste
  • Publication number: 20090057584
    Abstract: A valve comprises a housing, a handle for opening and closing the valve, a handle release that is engagable with the housing to prevent movement of the handle relative to the housing, and that is disengageable from the housing to enable movement of the handle relative to the housing, and a lock for maintaining the handle release engaged with the housing to prevent movement of the handle relative to the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2007
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Applicant: STRAHMAN VALVES, INC.
    Inventor: Thomas G. Krulick
  • Patent number: 7434750
    Abstract: A liquid spraying pistol for gardening including an external casing passed through by a channel within which a valve is slidingly housed which is biased by a spring and is operable by a start lever which is turnable between a closing position and a maximum opening position of said valve and a device for the locking/unlocking of said lever in the maximum opening position. The device is made up of a button elastically supported by the lever in such a way as to be able to provide, with the lever in the maximum opening position, a locking engagement between the lever and the external casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Claber S.p.A.
    Inventor: Gianfranco Roman
  • Patent number: 7401619
    Abstract: An air valve device is adapted to be fitted into an opening of an inflatable article, and includes a valve seat formed with a valve body that is disposed between an inflating port and a conduit, an axially movable member having a valve disc which is disposed in the conduit to be moved between open and closed positions, and a plunger which is connected to the valve disc and which has a head end disposed in the inflating port, a biasing member disposed to bias the valve disc to the closed position, and a releasably retaining mechanism disposed between the valve seat and the plunger to arrest axial movement of the movable member against the biasing action of the biasing member when the valve disc is in the open position, thereby facilitating inflation and deflation of the inflatable article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Inventors: Rong-Jyh Song, Tsung-Ping Yen
  • Patent number: 7389949
    Abstract: A pressure washer wand is connectable to a source of fluid. The pressure washer wand includes a housing that defines an interior and a flow path disposed substantially within the interior. The flow path includes an inlet in fluid communication with the source and an outlet. A valve at least partially defines a portion of the flow path and is movable between a closed position and an open position in which fluid travels from the inlet to the outlet. A user interface is movable between an actuated position in which the valve is open and a non-actuated position in which the valve is closed. A lock member is substantially disposed within the interior and is movable between a locked position in which the lock assembly inhibits movement of the user interface, and an unlocked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Briggs & Stratton Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory Marchand, Richard J. Gilpatrick
  • Publication number: 20070181836
    Abstract: A lever actuated pneumatic deadman valve for use in connection with pneumatic blasting equipment is ergonomically designed to reduce fatigue and strain on the operator. The valve is shaped to fit comfortably in the hand of the operator, with a spring biased lever hinged for action to fit the natural movement of the hand. A detent button is sized and positioned for easily accommodating single-handed operation. Another important feature of the deadman valve is the reconfiguration of the valve cartridge with an offset port to produce a cyclonic flow around the spool for reducing the wear on the spool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2006
    Publication date: August 9, 2007
    Inventor: Phuong Taylor Nguyen
  • Patent number: 6997148
    Abstract: An engine valve actuator for an internal combustion engine is provided. The actuator includes a housing having an opening. An adjustment member is disposed in the housing and defines a fluid chamber having a chamber wall. A piston is also disposed in the opening. The piston defines a piston chamber and has a pressure surface, a protrusion extending from the pressure surface, and a groove disposed in the pressure surface surrounding the protrusion and in fluid communication with the piston chamber. A fluid passageway is adapted to controllably communicate pressurized fluid to the housing opening. A push rod is operatively engageable with the piston and is adapted to controllably actuate an engine valve of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: David Yu-Zhang Chang
  • Publication number: 20040183041
    Abstract: A safety switch for a water dispenser includes a knob adapted to be rotatably mounted on the pushbutton and having an extension integrally formed with the knob and an abutting plate formed on an outer periphery of the extension, and a stop adapted to be integrally formed on an inner face of the panel to correspond to and engage with the abutting plate so as to prevent the movement of the pushbutton. After the rotation of the knob to misalign the abutting plate with the stop, the pushbutton is able to be pressed to release water from the water dispenser.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2004
    Publication date: September 23, 2004
    Inventor: Fang-Zhen Zheng
  • Patent number: 6592096
    Abstract: Safety device for taps provided with a disk shutter sliding in a tubular sector shaped like the arc of a circle, constituting the product outlet duct of a pasteurizing machines used in the production of creams, soups or the like. The shutter disk is connected with an operating lever endowed with a spring pin fitting into suitable hollows obtained on an element with circular sector which is concentric with respect to the rotation axis of said operating lever. Both on the operating lever and in the element with circular sector showing the hollows defining the basic positions of the operating operating lever of the shutter, reciprocal abutment means have been provided, whose purpose is to interrupt the movement of the operating lever on reaching said intermediate position in which a radial opening for product discharge is opened, thus preventing the unintentional overcoming of said position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: Ali S.p.A.
    Inventors: Gino Cocchi, Roberto Lazzarini
  • Patent number: 5386600
    Abstract: An assembly with valves (16) and (20) that permits fluid flow through the invention when the foot pedal (13) is depressed. A mechanism engaged by depressing toe kick (11) will latch pedal (13) in a position where fluid flow continues after the foot is removed. Depressing pedal (13) while the latch is engaged, causes the latch to automatically disengage. When pedal (13) is released at this time, fluid flow will stop. The assembly is designed to be installed in the cabinet (3) under a kitchen or lavatory sink (4) with all elements concealed except part of pedal (13) and part of the latch mechanism, The assembly is compact by design and is easily installed by cutting a hole for the pedal (13) in the lowest shelf of cabinet (3), securing it with screws, and routing flexible hoses from the sources of hot and cold water to the invention, and from the invention to the hot and cold water connections of a standard faucet set (5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1995
    Inventor: Robert V. Gilbert, Sr.
  • Patent number: 4944484
    Abstract: A gate valve is provided which includes a body having exterior catches and a handle with resilient latches integrally formed with the valve stem to snap lock over the catches on the body when the valve is closed. The gate valve closes and locks simultaneously to cut off flow through a passage by a single axial motion and is unlocked to open the valve by rotational motion. Further, when the resilient latches snap over the catches, the operator hears an audible snap thereby assuring the operator that the valve is securely locked in the closed position. The gate valve body is preferably formed by ultrasonic welding of two identical half members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 31, 1990
    Assignee: Ziggity Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Eldon Hostetler
  • Patent number: 4890814
    Abstract: A portable tank for storage and transport of liquids has a bottom discharge opening closed by a discharge valve connected to the bottom of the tank. The discharge valve has a hollow valve body, a movable valve disk positioned within the body, and a handle connected to the valve disk extending through an opening in the valve body. The handle is rotatable to open and close the valve. A stationary locking plate is secured to the valve body and a locking member is movably mounted on the valve handle. The locking member is movable to and from a position in which the locking member is in an interference relationship with the locking plate locking the handle and, correspondingly, the valve disk in a predetermined position when the locking member is in the interference position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1990
    Assignee: Hoover Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Larry D. Thomas
  • Patent number: 4747427
    Abstract: An angle cock which is capable of functioning in a left-handed mode or in a right-handed mode. The angle cock is a ball valve having a ball which is located within the curity of a housing, a valve stem and handle for selectively moving the ball to an open position and one of two closed positions, and a locking device for releasible locking the handle in the open position or in either of the two closed positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1988
    Assignee: Princeton Corporation
    Inventors: Laurence G. Smith, Francis E. Johnson
  • Patent number: 4678159
    Abstract: A manually actuated fluid flow control valve assembly and method of making same are provided wherein the valve assembly has an associated support structure and has a manually operated handle operatively connected to a closure device for the valve assembly and the handle is manually movable between an open and closed position thereof which define corresponding open and closed positions of the closure device and wherein the valve assembly has a manually releasable means which includes automatic lock means for automatically locking the handle once the handle and its closure device are in a closed position. In accordance with another embodiment of this invention an improved manually operated handle is provided for such valve assembly, and such handle has a weakened portion which assures easy shearing thereof under certain conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1985
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1987
    Assignee: Xomox Corporation
    Inventors: John F. Gardner, Gerald H. Morton
  • Patent number: 4538788
    Abstract: A valve mechanism for positive displacement, rotary receptacle filling machines having vertically movable valve stems operable by fixed cam tracks employs cam followers pivoted on the valve stems for movement in a vertical plane and horizontally settable means for locking them against such movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1985
    Assignee: Elmar Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Everett S. Minard
  • Patent number: 4516638
    Abstract: A soil aerating apparatus comprising a towing vehicle, a soil aerating device comprising a drum, tines extending radially from the drum, and a frame for supporting the drum for rotation about a horizontal axis. The frame includes a forward end with a draw arm, and the forward end is pivotally attached to the towing vehicle so that the frame is raised and lowered by moving the draw arm. The apparatus also includes a mechanism for moving the draw arm comprising a hydraulic cylinder including a piston rod and connected between the draw arm and the towing vehicle, and a valve operably connected to the cylinder for extending and retracting said piston rod. The valve includes a valve member movable between a position wherein the valve extends the piston rod, a position wherein the valve holds the piston rod in a fixed position, a position wherein the valve retracts the piston rod, and a position wherein the valve permits the piston rod to extend or retract in response to movement of the draw arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1983
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1985
    Assignee: Outboard Marine Corporation
    Inventors: John E. Hicks, James J. Kubat
  • Patent number: 4389014
    Abstract: In the event of a malfunction of the unit, the damper plate may be moved to and locked in the open position, to permit the furnace to operate. With the plate locked, the motor would normally run continuously, even when the furnace was not operating. This is because the closed position of the plate, necessary to turn off the motor, cannot be reached. A slip clutch, located between the motor shaft and the plate, has parts which slip relative to each other when the motor is running but the plate is locked. The contours and biasing of the parts causes one part to move a limited distance, in a direction opposite to normal. The motor is stopped in response to this oppositely directed movement.A bent portion of the plate positioning shaft is freely received in a recess elongated in and laterally spaced from the motor shaft for self-alignment and to permit the oppositely directed movement necessary to stop the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1981
    Date of Patent: June 21, 1983
    Assignee: Melnor Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Ho Chow
  • Patent number: 4271909
    Abstract: Modular fire fighting apparatus includes a power module having a turbine driven by fluid, such as water, introduced at a supply inlet to a housing for the module, a drive shaft driven by the turbine and extending from a coupling face of the housing and a fluid outlet disposed at the coupling face of the housing, and various penetrating and extinguishing tool modules each having a housing within which are disposed a fluid receiving inlet and a driven member. The penetrating and extinguishing tool modules are each adapted to be mounted on the power module such that the driven member is releasably engaged with the drive shaft and fluid supplied to the power module housing is delivered to the penetrating and extinguishing tool module housing via the fluid outlet of the power module housing and the fluid receiving inlet of the penetrating and extinguishing tool module housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1978
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1981
    Assignee: American Fire and Industrial Products Company
    Inventors: John F. Chatfield, Jr., Donald C. Bryant, James C. Daly, Friedolf Kamila
  • Patent number: 4109673
    Abstract: A combination gladhand and shutoff cock includes a dust cover attached to the shutoff cock operating handle and closing the gladhand body air outlet when the shutoff cock is in a closed position. There is a latch effective between the shutoff cock handle and the gladhand body holding the shutoff cock in a closed position and a further latch between the shutoff cock handle and the gladhand holding the handle in an open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1976
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1978
    Assignee: Sloan Valve Company
    Inventors: Charles Horowitz, Frederic Lissau