Safety shut off valve

• US 5,758,682 A
• Filed: 06/05/1996
• Issued: 06/02/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 06/05/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Jimmy D. Cain
• Original Assignee: Metal Goods Manufacturing Co
• Inventors: Cain, Jimmy D.
• Primary Examiner(s): RIVELL, JOHN A
• Application Number:
  US08/658,658
• Time in Patent Office: 727 Days
• Field of Search: 137/68.14, 137/71, 137/543.13
• US Class Current: 137/68.14
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 17/40 with a fracturing member, e.g. fracturing diaphragm, glass, fusible joint valves opening on surplus pressure F16K17/14
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 29/02 with a cut-off device in one of the two pipe ends, the cut-off device being automatically opened when the coupling is applied
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 55/1007 Couplings closed automatically when broken
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/1654 Separable valve coupling or conduit
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/1789 Having pressure responsive valve
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7934 Spring abuts removable valve stem guide

Abstract

A safety shut off valve has a tubular body with an axial guide therein. A poppet is secured to a shaft slidably supported by the axial guide. A tubular seat received within the tubular body has a seating surface against which the poppet seats when in the closed position. The body including a stop member that engages a plunger portion extending from the poppet to hold the poppet open. The body having a circumferential area of weakness therearound so that if the body is severed along the area of weakness, the stop member is removed and the poppet is allowed to close to prevent fluid flow through the body.

Claims

1. A safety shut off valve comprising:

a tubular body having first and second ends and a circumferential breaking point spaced from the second end, the body having an internal circumferential groove therein spaced between said body first end and said breaking point;

an axial guide positioned within said body;

a poppet having a cylindrical shaft and a concentric enlarged external diameter flange portion having a circumferential seating surface thereon, the cylindrical shaft being slidably supported by said guide, the poppet being moveable between a valve open and a valve closed position, the poppet having a plunger portion extending from said flange portion in the direction opposite of and coaxially with said cylindrical shaft;

a tubular seat slidably positioned within said tubular body and having a circumferential seating surface contacted by said poppet seating surface when said poppet is in said closed position;

a stop member mounted within said body against which said plunger seats and by which said poppet is held in said poppet open position, the stop member being positioned between said circumferential breaking point and said body second end;

spring means urging said poppet towards said valve closed position, said poppet moving to said poppet closed position when said body is severed at said break point to close said body against fluid flow therethrough; and

a removable expandable ring received within said groove in said tubular body against which said tubular seat is positioned and by which said seat is held within said tubular body against force applied by said poppet when in said valve closed position.

2. A safety shut off valve according to claim 1 wherein said tubular body is formed in two parts comprising a tubular first body having first and second ends and a tubular second body having first and second ends, the second body first end being removably attached to said first body second end whereby the first and second tubular bodies are held in co-axial relationship, said circumferential breaking point being formed on said second body and said stop member being mounted within said second body between said circumferential break point and said second body second end.

3. A safety shut off valve according to claim 1 wherein said stop member is integrally formed within said body.

4. A safety shut off valve according to claim 1 wherein said guide has a circumferential portion engaging an internal circumferential surface within said body and an elongated integral tubular control portion that slidably receives said poppet cylindrical shaft.

5. A safety shut off valve according to claim 1 wherein said guide is removably pressed fitted within said body.

6. A safety shut off valve according to claim 2 wherein said first body has threads at said second end and said second body has mating threads at said first end thereof whereby said second body is removably threadably attached to said first body.

7. A safety shut off valve according to claim 2 wherein said first body is formed of an elongated tubular member having a first internal diameter communicating with said first body first end and a second internal diameter communicating with said first body second end providing an internal ledge against which said axial guide is positioned.

8. A safety shut off valve according to claim 2 wherein said tubular first body and said tubular second body are each of substantially the same external diameters.