# US 11,079,033 B2 · Check valve ball stop having gasket compression stand off > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,079,033 B2 - Document ID: US11079033B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/807,396 - Filed: 2020-03-03 - Published: 2020-09-10 - Granted: 2021-08-03 - Earliest claimed: 2019-03-05 - Assignees: Graco Minnesota Inc. - Applicants: Graco Minnesota Inc. - Inventors: Adam K. Collins; Jacob D. Higgins - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11079033B2 ## CPC - F16K 27/0209: {Check valves or pivoted valves} - F16K 15/04: shaped as balls - F16K 15/1823: {for ball check valves} - F16K 15/1825: {for check valves with flexible valve members} - F16K 27/0236: {Diaphragm cut-off apparatus} - F16K: VALVES; TAPS; COCKS; ACTUATING-FLOATS; DEVICES FOR VENTING OR AERATING {(devices for emptying and evacuating the excess liquid in valves or conduits F16L55/07)} ## Abstract This disclosure concerns a check valve that prevents over compression of a gasket. The check valve comprises a valve housing, a valve cover, and a gasket that seals between the valve housing and the valve cover. A ball fits within the valve housing. The check valve further comprises a ball stop that limits compression of the gasket as the valve cover is tightened with respect to the valve housing. The ball stop serves as a standoff between the valve housing and the valve cover that allows some compression of the gasket as the valve cover is tightened with respect to the valve housing, but at some degree of tightening the incompressible engages both the valve cover and the valve housing to prevent further tightening. Over-compression distorts the gaskets, possibly compromising its sealing function and possibly damaging the gasket. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A check valve comprising: a valve housing comprising a first annular flat surface and a first annular groove; a valve cover comprising a second annular flat surface and a second annular groove, the first annular flat surface opposing the second annular flat surface, the first annular groove opposing the second annular groove; a gasket that extends into each of the first annular groove and the second annular groove and that seals between the valve housing and the valve cover; a ball that fits within the valve housing; and a ball stop comprising a disc that seats in the valve housing such that the disc extends beyond the first annular flat surface toward the second annular flat surface so that the disc engages both of the valve housing and the valve cover to limit compression of the gasket as the valve cover is tightened with respect to the valve housing. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The check valve of claim 1, further comprising a clamp that forces the valve cover closer to the valve housing to compress the gasket. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The check valve of claim 2, wherein the clamp cannot be further hand tightened once the ball stop engages both of, and is pinched between, the valve cover and the valve housing due to engagement of the disc with both of the valve housing and the valve cover. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The check valve of claim 2, wherein the clamp includes a first arcuate portion, a second arcuate portion, a hinge that attaches the first arcuate portion to the second arcuate, and a threaded bolt that tightens the clamp. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The check valve of claim 2, wherein the clamp is a sanitary tri-clamp. ### Claim 6 (depends on 2) The check valve of claim 2, wherein the clamp includes a groove formed by angled surfaces, and wherein the groove forces the valve cover closer to the valve housing to compress the gasket as the clamp is tightened. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The check valve of claim 6, wherein the valve housing and the valve cover include respective flanges that both interface with the groove of the clamp. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The check valve of claim 1, wherein the valve housing and the valve cover include respective flanges. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The check valve of claim 8, wherein the gasket is compressed between the flanges. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The check valve of claim 1, wherein the first annular flat surface is adjacent to the first annular groove, and the second annular flat surface is adjacent to the second annular groove. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The check valve of claim 1, wherein the disc is circular. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The check valve of claim 1, wherein the ball stop is made from only metal and does not include any polymer or rubber molding. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The check valve of claim 1, wherein the ball stop includes a web within an annular outer disc portion. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The check valve of claim 13, wherein the web forms a cross of inwardly projecting members from the annular disc portion. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The check valve of claim 1, wherein the ball stop engages a ledge formed in the central bore of either the valve cover or the valve housing. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The check valve of claim 15, wherein the ledge is circumferential about the central bore of either the valve cover or the valve housing. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The check valve of claim 15, wherein the ledge forms an end of an annular socket in a main bore of either the valve cover or the valve housing, the annular socket receiving the ball stop. ### Claim 18 A check valve comprising: a valve housing; a valve cover; a gasket that seals between the valve housing and the valve cover; a ball that fits within the valve housing; and a ball stop comprising a disc that engages both of the valve cover and the valve housing to limit compression of the gasket as the valve cover is tightened with respect to the valve housing, wherein the ball stop engages a ledge formed in the central bore of either the valve cover or the valve housing, wherein the ledge positons the ball stop such that the ball stop extends beyond any part of either the valve cover or the valve housing in which the ledge is formed. ### Claim 19 A check valve comprising: a valve housing; a valve cover; a gasket that seals between the valve housing and the valve cover; a ball that fits within the valve housing; and a ball stop comprising a disc that engages both of the valve cover and the valve housing to limit compression of the gasket as the valve cover is tightened with respect to the valve housing, wherein: a ledge is formed in the valve housing, the ball stop engages the ledge, the valve housing includes a flange, the flange includes a flat annular surface that engages the gasket and against which the gasket compresses and seals, and the ledge positions the ball stop such that the ball stop is circumferentially surrounded by the flat annular surface and the ball stop extends beyond the flat annular surface to engage the valve cover. ### Claim 20 A check valve comprising: a valve housing; a valve cover; a gasket that seals between the valve housing and the valve cover; a ball that fits within the valve housing; and a ball stop comprising a disc that engages both of the valve cover and the valve housing to limit compression of the gasket as the valve cover is tightened with respect to the valve housing, wherein: a ledge is formed in the valve cover, the valve cover includes a flange, the flange includes a flat annular surface that engages the gasket and against which the gasket compresses and seals, and the ledge positions the ball stop such that the ball stop is circumferentially surrounded by the flat annular surface and the ball stop extends beyond the flat annular surface to engage the valve housing.