Stopcock

• US 4,003,403 A
• Filed: 06/10/1974
• Issued: 01/18/1977
• Est. Priority Date: 06/10/1974
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: C.R. Bard, Inc. (Becton, Dickinson & Co)
• Original Assignee: International Paper Company
• Inventors: Nehring, John R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Rosenthal, Arnold
• Application Number:
  US05/477,906
• Time in Patent Office: 953 Days
• Field of Search: 251/309, 251/310, 251/311, 251/312, 137/625.24, 137/625.47, 137/625.41
• US Class Current: 137/625.41
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 11/0836 having all the connecting conduits situated in more than one plane perpendicular to the axis of the plug
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 5/0214 Plug channel at 90 degrees to the inlet
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 5/025 Particular coverings or materials
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 251/904 Snap fit plug valves
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/86823 Rotary valve
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/86871 Plug

Abstract

A stopcock is disclosed which comprises a body suitable for molding, having an axial bore, axially and angularly spaced apart inlet and outlet passageways through the body and intersecting the bore, and a stem rotatably mounted within the bore, the stem having an elongated slot extending radially partially therethrough and a port angularly spaced from the intersection of the slot and the stem surface and intersecting the slot at the interior of the stem. The stem is rotatable from a position effecting fluid flow communication between the passageways to a position obturating at least one of the passageways. Vent means are provided to permit removal of all liquid from the passageways.

Claims

1. A stopcock comprising:

a. a body having a bore extending axially therethrough, first, second and third passageways extending transversely through said body and intersecting said bore, said second and third passageways being axially spaced from said first passageway, and each of said passageways being angularly spaced from said other passageways about the periphery of said bore;

b. a stem mounted for rotation within said bore, said stem having a side wall, a first end wall, a second end wall spaced axially from said first end wall, a handle on one of said end walls, an axially elongated slot extending radially partially through said stem and intersecting said side wall, and first and second ports, each of said ports being angularly spaced from the intersection of said slot and said side wall about the periphery of the stem, said first and second ports also being angularly and axially spaced apart, and said ports intersecting said slot at the interior of said stem, the axial length of said slot being greater than the axial spacing between said first and said second and third passageways;

said stem being rotatable between a first position wherein said first and second passageways are in fluid flow communication through said slot and said first port and wherein said third passageway is obturated and a second position therein said first and third passageways are in fluid flow communication through said slot and said second port and wherein said second passageway is obturated; and

said stem also being rotatable into a third position wherein said first passageway is obturated, said third position lying angularly between said first and said second positions.

2. A stopcock as defined in claim 1 wherein said stem is tapered from said first end wall toward said second end wall and includes a radial projection adjacent to said second end wall, said projection having a shape and size enabling said stem to be inserted through the bore of said body on assembly and providing an abutment preventing said stem from being removed from said body.

3. A stopcock as defined in claim 1 including a vent through said body and communicating with at least one of said passageways, said vent being sufficiently small to effect air flow communication between said one of said passageways and the atmosphere while precluding flow of liquid through said vent.

4. A stopcock as defined in claim 2 wherein said projection is a bead having a radially directed shoulder spaced from said second end wall and a base tapered from said shoulder toward said second end wall, said tapered base facilitating insertion of said stem through said body and said shoulder restraining removal of said stem from said body.

5. A disposable stopcock comprising:

a. a plastic molded body having a tapered bore extending axially therethrough, an inlet passageway and first and second outlet passageways extending transversely through said body and intersecting said bore, each of said passageways being angularly spaced from said other passageways about the periphery of said bore, and said inlet and at least one of said outlet passageways being axially spaced apart;

b. a plastic molded stem mounted for rotation within said bore, said stem having a side wall, a first end wall, a second end wall spaced axially from said first end wall, a handle on said first end wall, an axially elongated slot extending radially partially through said stem and intersecting said side wall, and first and second ports angularly spaced from the intersection of said slot and said side wall about the periphery of the stem, said first and second ports being angularly spaced apart and intersecting said slot at the interior of said stem, the axial length of said slot being greater than the axial spacing between said inlet and said at least one of said outlet passageways;

said stem being tapered from said first end wall toward said second end wall and having a radially projecting bead adjacent to said second end wall, said bead having a shoulder spaced from said second end wall and a base tapered toward said second end wall, said bead having a shape and size facilitating insertion of said stem through said body and said shoulder abutting the exterior surface of said body to restrain removal of said stem from said body;

said stem being rotatable between a first position wherein said inlet and said first outlet passageways are in fluid flow communication through said slot and said first port and wherein said second outlet passageway is obturated and a second position wherein said inlet and said second outlet passageways are in fluid flow communication through said slot and said second port and wherein said first outlet passageway is obturated; and

said stem also being rotatable to a third position wherein said inlet passageway is obturated, said third position lying angularly between said first and said second positions.

6. A stopcock as defined in claim 5 including stop means for preventing rotation of said stem in one direction when said stem is in said first position and for preventing rotation of said stem in another direction when said stem is in said second position.

7. A disposable stopcock comprising:

a. a plastic molded body having a bore extending axially therethrough, first, second and third passageways extending transversely through said body and intersecting said bore, said passageways being angularly spaced apart about the periphery of said bore, at least two of said passageways being axially spaced apart, a vent through said body and communicating with at least one of said passageways adjacent to said bore to effect air flow communication between said one of said passageways and the atmosphere, and a hydrophobic air filter across said vent;

b. a plastic molded stem mounted for rotation within said bore, said stem having a side wall, a first end wall, a second end wall spaced axially from said first end wall, a handle integrally formed on one of said end walls, an axially elongated slot extending radially partially through said stem and intersecting said side wall, first and second ports angularly spaced from the intersection of said slot and said side wall about the periphery of the stem and intersecting said slot at the interior of said stem;

said first and second ports being angularly and axially spaced apart, the axial length of said slot being greater than the axial spacing between the axially spaced passageways;

said stem being rotatable between a first position wherein said first and second passageways are in fluid flow communication through said slot and said first port, a second position wherein said first and third passageways are in fluid flow communication through said slot and said second port and a third position wherein there is not fluid flow communication between said first passageway and either of said second and third passageways.

8. A stopcock consisting of only two parts,

a. a plastic molded body having a tapered bore extending axially therethrough, first, second and third passageways extending transversely through said body and intersecting said bore, said passageways being angularly spaced apart about the periphery of said bore, and at least two of said passageways being axially spaced apart;

and

b. a plastic molded stem mounted for rotation within said bore, said stem having a side wall, a first end wall, a second end wall spaced axially from said first end wall, a handle integrally molded on one of said end walls, an elongated slot extending radially partially through said stem and intersecting said side wall, the axial length of said slot being greater than the axial spacing between the axially spaced passageways, first and second ports angularly spaced from the intersection of said slot and said side wall about the periphery of the stem and intersecting said slot in the interior of said stem;

said first and second ports being angularly and axially spaced apart corresponding to the spacing of said passageways;

said stem being tapered from said first end wall toward said second end wall and having a radially projecting bead integrally molded thereon adjacent to said second end wall;

a radial projection extending from one of said stem and said body and abutting an exterior surface on one end of the other of said stem and said body to restrain removal of said stem from said body;

said stem being rotatable between a first position wherein said first and second passageways are in fluid flow communication through said slot and said first port, a second position wherein said first and third passageways are in fluid flow communication through said slot and said second port and a third position wherein at least two of said passageways are obturated; and

said stem and said body having cooperating stop means for preventing rotation of said stem in one direction when said stem is in one of said positions and for preventing rotation of said stem in another direction when said stem is in another of said positions.

9. A stopcock comprising:

a. a plastic molded body having a bore extending axially therethrough, first, second and third passageways extending transversely through said body and intersecting said bore, said passageways being angularly spaced apart and at least two of said passageways being axially spaced apart, a vent through said body and communicating with at least one of said passageways adjacent to said bore to effect air flow communication between said one of said passageways and the atmosphere;

b. a plastic molded stem mounted for rotation within said bore, said stem having a side wall, first end wall, a second end wall spaced axially from said first end wall, a handle integrally formed on one of said end walls, an axially elongated slot extending radially partially through said side wall, first and second ports angularly spaced from the intersection of said slot and said side wall about the periphery of the stem and intersecting said slot at the interior of said stem;

said first and second ports being angularly and axially spaced apart, the axial length of said slot being greater than the axial spacing between the axially spaced passageways;

said stem being rotatable between a first position wherein said first and second passageways are in fluid flow communication through said slot and said first port, a second position wherein said first and third passageways are in fluid flow communication through said slot and said second port and a third position wherein there is no fluid flow communication between said first passageway and either of said second and third passageways.

10. A disposable stopcock comprising:

a. a body having a bore extending axially therethrough, inlet and outlet passageways extending transversely through said body and intersecting said bore, said passageways being axially spaced, and said passageways also being angularly spaced apart about the periphery of said bore, and said body also having a vent extending through said body and communicating with at least one of said passageways, said vent being sufficiently small to effect air flow communication between said one of said passageways and the atmosphere while precluding flow of liquid through said vent;

b. a stem mounted for rotation within said bore, said stem having a side wall, a first end wall, a second end wall spaced axially from said first end wall, a handle on one of said end walls, an axially elongated slot extending radially partially through said stem and intersecting said side wall and a port angularly spaced from the intersection of said slot and said side wall about the periphery of the stem and intersecting said slot at the interior of said stem, the axial length of said slot being greater than the axial spacing between said inlet and outlet passageways;

said stem being rotatable between a first position wherein said inlet and said outlet passageways are in fluid flow communication through said slot and said port and a second position wherein at least one of said inlet and outlet passageways is obturated.