SAFETY VALVE APPARATUS FOR PREVENTING DISPERSAL OF TRANSPORTABLE MATTER
First Claim
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1. A forklift truck comprising:
- a truck frame for supporting a liquid petroleum gas (LPG) container;
an engine for powering the forklift truck, the engine being configured to run on LPG; and
a LPG supply system havinga supply conduit for supplying LPG from the LPG container to the engine,a coupler for coupling to the LPG container, anda shut-off valve installed in fluid communication with the supply conduit downstream from the coupler, the shut-off valve having a coupler end proximal the coupler and a conduit end proximal the supply conduit, the shut-off valve having a closed position and an open position wherein in the open position the shut-off valve provides a fluid flow pathway of the fluid from the coupler end to the conduit end, and in the closed position the shut-off valve blocks flow of the LPG from the conduit end to the coupler end.
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Abstract
An embodiment of the present invention relates to a valve apparatus that is designed to help protect users of liquefied propane gas (“LPG”) powered equipment from being injured while using, connecting, or disconnecting a coupler that connects an LPG supply line to an LPG container. The valve apparatus may, for example, prevent LPG from escaping into the environment while the supply line is being, or after it has been, disconnected.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A forklift truck comprising:
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a truck frame for supporting a liquid petroleum gas (LPG) container; an engine for powering the forklift truck, the engine being configured to run on LPG; and a LPG supply system having a supply conduit for supplying LPG from the LPG container to the engine, a coupler for coupling to the LPG container, and a shut-off valve installed in fluid communication with the supply conduit downstream from the coupler, the shut-off valve having a coupler end proximal the coupler and a conduit end proximal the supply conduit, the shut-off valve having a closed position and an open position wherein in the open position the shut-off valve provides a fluid flow pathway of the fluid from the coupler end to the conduit end, and in the closed position the shut-off valve blocks flow of the LPG from the conduit end to the coupler end. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method for modifying a forklift truck having a truck frame for supporting a liquid petroleum gas (LPG) container;
- an engine for powering the forklift, the engine being configured to run on LPG;
a supply conduit for supplying LPG from the LPG container to the engine; and
a coupler, having a first end configured for attachment to an upstream end of the supply conduit, to connect the supply conduit to the LPG container;
the method comprising;attaching a safety valve apparatus to the upstream end of the supply conduit, the safety valve apparatus having an upstream opening, a downstream opening, and a shut-off valve connected between the upstream opening and the downstream opening; the shut-off valve having an upstream end proximal the upstream opening and a downstream end proximal the downstream opening, the shut-off valve having a closed position and an open position wherein in the open position the shut-off valve provides a fluid flow pathway of the fluid from the upstream end of the shut-off valve to the downstream end, and in the closed position the shut-off valve blocks flow of the fluid from the downstream end to the upstream end of the shut-off valve. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
- an engine for powering the forklift, the engine being configured to run on LPG;
Specification