Backflow bonnet and poppet

• US 7,934,515 B1
• Filed: 03/12/2008
• Issued: 05/03/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/12/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Chuck G. Freitag
• Original Assignee: Chuck G. Freitag
• Inventors: Freitag, Charles G., Towsley, Bryan L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Schneider; Craig M
• Application Number:
  US12/047,227
• Time in Patent Office: 1,147 Days
• Field of Search: 132/16, 132/17, 132/18, 137/216, 137/217, 137/218
• US Class Current: 137/217
• CPC Class Codes: E03B 7/12 by preventing freezing
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/104 using a single check valve
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/108 having an aerating valve
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/3294 Valved

Abstract

A prior art backflow bonnet and poppet is replaced by a functionally equivalent new bonnet and poppet. The new bonnet and poppet reduces risk of freeze damage with about a 50% greater strength against pressure. The new bonnet and poppet has only three parts when assembled versus six parts in the prior art. A hollow in the valve plug holds the biasing spring. The bonnet shaft rides in the hollow.

Claims

1. An atmospheric release valve comprising:

an upper bonnet having male threads to engage a port to atmosphere in a backflow device;

said upper bonnet having at least four raised arch arms which support a cylindrical central shaft and provide a plurality of atmospheric vents between adjoining arch arms;

said central shaft having a bolt extension for a cap;

said cylindrical central shaft having a bottom which is sized to be received by a cylindrical guide;

said cylindrical guide having a hollow central cavity sized to receive the cylindrical central shaft, and having a spring located at a bottom of the central cavity functioning to bias the cylindrical central shaft away from the bottom of the central cavity; and

said cylindrical guide connected to a circular base that has a valve seat on an upper ledge of its peripheral circumference.

2. The release valve of claim 1, wherein the bolt extension and the spring are made of metal, the valve seat is rubber, a washer fits around the male threads, and all other parts are made of plastic.

3. The release valve of claim 2, wherein a lower peripheral edge of the upper bonnet male threads provides an upper valve seat for the rubber valve seat.

4. An atmospheric release valve comprising:

a plastic upper bonnet having a lower portion with male threads to engage an atmospheric port of a backflow device;

said plastic upper bonnet having at least four raised arch arms which support a plastic, cylindrical central shaft and provides vents to atmosphere;

a plastic valve plug having an upper, cylindrical guide wall that reciprocates up and down around the cylindrical central shaft;

said plastic valve plug having a top peripheral ledge which forms a lower valve seat against an upper valve seat consisting of a lower peripheral edge of the male threads of the plastic upper bonnet;

said upper, cylindrical guide wall having a spring at its bottom;

wherein said spring biases the plastic valve plug away from the cylindrical central shaft of the plastic upper bonnet; and

wherein a supply water pressure under the plastic valve plug overcomes the spring bias and closes the lower valve seat against the upper valve seat.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the plastic upper bonnet further comprises a bolt for a cap.

6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the top peripheral ledge of the plastic valve plug has a rubber surface.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 further comprising a washer around the male threads of the plastic upper bonnet.