Quick release slide lock for vacuum valve
First Claim
1. A vacuum valve comprising,a valve housing defining a valve chamber, the valve chamber having an opening therein for providing access to the vacuum chamber,a valve plate movable within the valve chamber from a first, open position away from the opening to a second, closed position wherein the valve plate closes the opening to the vacuum chamber,an actuator for moving the valve plate between its open and closed positions,the valve housing including a removable end plate to which the actuator and valve plate are secured, so that removal of the end plate in an upward direction separates the actuator and valve plate from the valve housing, the valve housing also including an end plate engaging member,a clamp mechanism coupled to one of the end plate and end plate engaging member, the clamp mechanism having a first position allowing separation of the end plate from the end plate engaging member and a second position that securely holds the end plate to the end plate engaging member in a sealed manner,the clamp mechanism being movable between its first and second positions in a direction transverse the direction of removal of the end plate.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A quick release clamp mechanism (10) including a pair of slide lock plates (12, 14) for engaging a series of guide screws (32) extending down from a bonnet or end plate (16) and through openings in a valve body flange (18). Toggle clamps (40) releasably engage one of the guide screws (32'"'"') and thereby can slide the slide lock plates (12, 14) by pivoting of a toggle lever (76). Sliding of slide lock plates (12, 14) causes a neck down region of openings (34) in plates (12, 14) to capture the heads of guide screws (32) and clamp bonnet plate (16) to valve body flange (18).
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A vacuum valve comprising,
a valve housing defining a valve chamber, the valve chamber having an opening therein for providing access to the vacuum chamber, a valve plate movable within the valve chamber from a first, open position away from the opening to a second, closed position wherein the valve plate closes the opening to the vacuum chamber, an actuator for moving the valve plate between its open and closed positions, the valve housing including a removable end plate to which the actuator and valve plate are secured, so that removal of the end plate in an upward direction separates the actuator and valve plate from the valve housing, the valve housing also including an end plate engaging member, a clamp mechanism coupled to one of the end plate and end plate engaging member, the clamp mechanism having a first position allowing separation of the end plate from the end plate engaging member and a second position that securely holds the end plate to the end plate engaging member in a sealed manner, the clamp mechanism being movable between its first and second positions in a direction transverse the direction of removal of the end plate.
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12. A vacuum valve comprising,
a valve housing defining a valve chamber, the valve chamber having an opening therein for providing access to the vacuum chamber, a valve plate movable within the valve chamber from a first, open position away from the opening to a second, closed position wherein the valve plate closes the opening to the vacuum chamber, an actuator for moving the valve plate between its open and closed positions, the valve housing including a removable end plate to which the actuator and valve plate are secured, so that removal of the end plate in an outward direction separates the actuator and valve plate from the valve housing, the valve housing also including an end plate engaging member, a clamp mechanism coupled to one of the end plate and end plate engaging member, the clamp mechanism having a first position allowing separation of the end plate from the end plate engaging member and a second position that securely holds the end plate to the end plate engaging member in a sealed manner, the clamp mechanism being movable between its first and second positions in a direction transverse the direction of removal of the end plate, the clamp mechanism also including a cam surface for applying a clamping force on the end plate.
Specification