DEVICES AND METHODS FOR A MECHANICAL AUTOMATIC SHUT-OFF TO FLUID RESERVOIRS

• US 20140373924A1
• Filed: 10/19/2012
• Published: 12/25/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 10/21/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Peoples and Plumbing, LLC
• Original Assignee: Peoples and Plumbing, LLC
• Inventors: Schwarzbek, Craig, Penfil, Robert, Penfil, Sylvia, Brown, Howard, Skolnik, Bruce, Kaczperski, Jeff
• Granted Patent: US 9,574,679 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 137/1
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 21/16 closing after a predetermined quantity of fluid has been delivered F16K21/10 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 31/18 actuated by a float floats F16K33/00; float-actuated valves in steam-traps F16T1/20, in boilers F22D5/08
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 31/32 actuating a tap or cock
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0318 Processes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7439 Float arm operated valve

Abstract

Embodiments are provided for an automatic fluid shut off device having a float disposed in a fluid catch basin attached to a first end of a rod movable in a direction of rising fluid in the catch basin; a second rod end extending to a fluid supply base and terminating adjacent to a restrained latch arm end, the latch arm end configured to be pivotably displaceable upon a force by the second rod end in response to a rising fluid in the catch basin; the latch arm pivotably connected to a shut-off valve; and the shut off valve retained in an open position while the latch arm is restrained, and under a rotational force to close the shut-off valve upon a release of the latch arm in response to the force by the second rod end. The latch arm can be restrained by a latch arm retention notch extending downward and inward.

Claims

1. An automatic fluid shut off device, comprising:

a float disposed in a fluid catch basin attached to a first end of a rod movable in a direction of rising fluid in the catch basin;

a second rod end extending to a fluid supply base and terminating adjacent to a restrained latch arm end, the latch arm end configured to be pivotably displaceable upon a force by the second rod end in response to a rising fluid in the catch basin;

the latch arm pivotably connected to a shut-off valve; and

the shut off valve retained in an open position while the latch arm is restrained, and under a rotational force to close the shut-off valve upon a release of the latch arm in response to the force by the second rod end.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the latch arm is restrained by a latch arm retention notch extending downward and inward at about a 3.5 degree angle.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein a buoyancy force of the float is up to about 680 gms against the latch arm and the rotational force against the shut-off valve is at least 8000 gms.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the rotation force is supplied by a torsion spring.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the torsion spring has first and second ends generally in parallel and wherein the first torsion spring is connected to a handled rotatably attached to the shut-off valve and the second torsion spring end is attached to the base.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein the torsion spring is formed from music wire with a diameter of about 3 mms.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the shut-off valve is a 19 mm diameter four bolt, quarter-turn ball valve.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the base and latch arm are formed from and acetal polymer.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the catch basin is disposed under a water heater and is configured to displace the latch arm to a point of release in response to about 25 to 50 mms of water in the catch basin.

10. A method to shut off a water supply, comprising the steps of:

providing a first force in response to unanticipated presence of a fluid;

displacing a restrained latch arm connected to a shut-off valve handle past a stop in response to the first force;

rotating the shut-off valve connected to a fluid supply by a second force in response to a latch arm displacement beyond a release point.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the restrained latch arm is restrained by the second force.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the first force is provided by a buoyancy force and the second force is provided by a torsion spring.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the first force is about 680 gms and the second for is at least 8000 gms.