Extension device for closure mechanism
AssigneeKnob Where You Need It, LLC
InventorAdam Civilla
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An extension device for remotely opening and closing a valve from a user knob is described. The device includes a flexible connector that allows the user knob to be positioned in various places relative the valve. One use for the disclosed device is with a gas grill, wherein the gas tank is placed in a position that is not easily accessible or is difficult for some persons to access. The extension device may be mounted in various positions on or near the grill allowing the user to open and close the gas tank's valve before and after use of the grill.
Claims19
A device for remotely operating a valve, the device comprising:
- an adaptor configured to engage a tri-point valve knob on a propane tank, the adaptor comprising an upper portion and a skirt that extends downward from the upper portion of the adaptor, wherein the skirt is discontinuous such that a bottom end of the skirt forms at least a first skirt portion and a second skirt portion, and wherein the upper portion of the adaptor is configured to accept a first end of a rod,
- wherein the first skirt portion has a shorter depth than the second skirt portion;
- and
- wherein the second skirt portion includes at least one detent that is angled inwards towards a center of the adaptor and extends from an inner surface of the second skirt portion, and wherein the detent is configured to extend below a lower edge of the valve knob when the adaptor engages the valve knob.
A method for remotely operating a valve, the method comprising:
- removably coupling an adaptor to a tri-point valve knob, wherein the adaptor comprises an upper portion and a skirt that extends downward from the upper portion of the adaptor, wherein the skirt is discontinuous such that a bottom end of the skirt forms a first skirt portion and a second skirt portion, and wherein the upper portion of the adaptor is configured to accept a first end of a rod;
- wherein the first skirt portion has a shorter depth than the second skirt portion;
- wherein the second skirt portion includes at least one detent that is angled inwards towards a center of the adaptor and that extends from an inner surface of the second skirt portion;
- positioning the detent to extend below a lower edge of the valve knob;
- rotating the adaptor;
- and
- transferring the rotation of the adaptor to the valve knob, and thereby operating the valve.
A method for installing a device for remotely operating a valve, the method comprising:
- removably coupling an adaptor to a tri-point valve knob, wherein the adaptor comprises an upper portion and a skirt that extends downward from the upper portion of the adaptor, wherein the skirt is discontinuous such that a bottom end of the skirt forms a first skirt portion and a second skirt portion, and wherein the upper portion of the adaptor is configured to accept a first end of a rod;
- wherein the first skirt portion has a shorter depth than the second skirt portion;
- wherein the second skirt portion includes at least one detent that is angled inwards towards a center of the adaptor and that extends from an inner surface of the second skirt portion;
- and
- positioning the detent to extend below a lower edge of the valve knob.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.