Water shut-off valve tool
AssigneePersonal and Recreational Products, Inc.
InventorTimothy A. Shiner
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A water shut-off valve tool is configured to be deposited entirely within an in-ground enclosure housing a water shut-off valve. The handle of the tool extends laterally to opposing sides of a shaft of the tool, and includes four separate finger apertures along its lateral extent. Each finger aperture is configured to receive a different one of a user's fingers. The handle includes four, converging arched portions. An exterior of each arched portion defines a partial arch on an outer edge of the handle and an interior of each arched portion defines a perimeter of a different one of the finger apertures.
Claims20
A method, comprising:
- receiving a water shut-off valve tool, the tool comprising:
- a handle;
- an elongate shaft extending from the handle, and
- a tool tip at the end of the shaft, the tool tip comprising a water shut-off valve engaging profile, the profile configured to engage and turn a profile of the valve and operate the valve between open and closed as the tool is being turned;
- and
- depositing the water shut-off valve tool entirely within an in-ground enclosure housing a water shut-off valve with the shaft extending laterally between opposing sides of the enclosure, where the water shut-off valve tool is deposited with the longest dimension of the shaft extending horizontally.
A method, comprising:
- withdrawing a water shut-off valve tool residing entirely within an in-ground enclosure housing a water shut-off valve from the enclosure, where the water shut-off valve tool is withdrawn from a position with the longest dimension of an elongate shaft extending laterally, the water shut-off valve tool comprising:
- a handle,
- the elongate shaft extending from the handle, and
- a tool tip at the end of the shaft, the tool tip comprising a water shut-off valve engaging profile, the profile configured to engage and turn a profile of the valve and operate the valve between open and closed as the tool is being turned;
- and
- operating the valve with the tool.
A water shut-off valve tool system for residing in an in-ground enclosure housing a municipal water shut-off valve, comprising:
- a handle;
- a shaft extending from the handle;
- and
- a tool tip at the end of the shaft, the tool tip comprising a water shut-off valve engaging profile, the profile configured to engage and turn a profile of the valve and operate the valve between open and closed as the tool is being turned,
- the largest dimension between the handle and tool tip being 12 inches or less, the water shut-off valve tool system being sized to be stored with the longest dimension of the shaft extending laterally within the in-ground enclosure housing.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.