Pinch valve
First Claim
1. A pinch valve assembly for selectably controlling fluid flow through one of two resiliently deformable tubes, the pinch valve including a body member having a first wall joined in spaced relation to a second wall by a singular compression surface to define a recess in the body member, the compression surface supporting both of the tubes, and a selector lever mounted on the body member for movement between two selectable positions, the improved pinch valve comprising:
- a unitary abutment integrally formed from the selector lever extending within the recess towards the compression surface; and
a rocker supported on the tubes and located within the recess intermediate the compression surface and said abutment, said rocker operable in a first position for pinching one tube against the compression surface thereby blocking fluid flow therethrough while permitting fluid flow through the other tube when the selector lever is in one of the selectable positions and operable in a second position for pinching said other tube against the compression surface thereby blocking fluid flow through said one tube when the selector lever is in the other selectable position, said rocker is slidably engaged by said abutment for movement of said rocker between said first and second operable positions for isolating the tubes from sliding contact with said abutment thereby preventing frictional wear of the tubes.
10 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A pinch valve for selectably controlling flow of fluid through one of two resiliently deformable tubes used e.g., for transporting water in a steam iron. The valve comprises a body member defining a compression surface supporting each one of the tubes. A selector lever is pivotally mounted on the body for selectably moving an integral cam abutment between individual tube shut-off positions. A rocker element supported on the tubes is captively held in the body member intermediate the selector lever and the compression surface for rocking movement between tube pinching positions. The cam abutment continually presses on the rocker causing the rocker to bear upon each one of the tubes on the compression surface. As the selector lever is pivoted, the cam abutment engageably slides along the rocker to rock the rocker between its tube pinching positions. The tubes are thus isolated from sliding contact with the cam abutment by the interposed rocker thereby preventing frictional wear of the tubes.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. A pinch valve assembly for selectably controlling fluid flow through one of two resiliently deformable tubes, the pinch valve including a body member having a first wall joined in spaced relation to a second wall by a singular compression surface to define a recess in the body member, the compression surface supporting both of the tubes, and a selector lever mounted on the body member for movement between two selectable positions, the improved pinch valve comprising:
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a unitary abutment integrally formed from the selector lever extending within the recess towards the compression surface; and a rocker supported on the tubes and located within the recess intermediate the compression surface and said abutment, said rocker operable in a first position for pinching one tube against the compression surface thereby blocking fluid flow therethrough while permitting fluid flow through the other tube when the selector lever is in one of the selectable positions and operable in a second position for pinching said other tube against the compression surface thereby blocking fluid flow through said one tube when the selector lever is in the other selectable position, said rocker is slidably engaged by said abutment for movement of said rocker between said first and second operable positions for isolating the tubes from sliding contact with said abutment thereby preventing frictional wear of the tubes. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification