# US 12,215,799 B2 · Tamper switch, tamper resistant valve and valve monitor > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,215,799 B2 - Document ID: US12215799B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/691,771 - Filed: 2022-11-04 - Published: 2024-08-15 - Granted: 2025-02-04 - Earliest claimed: 2021-11-05 - Assignees: Fst Innovation Pty Ltd - Applicants: Fst Innovation Pty Ltd - Inventors: Shae Mete - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12215799B2 ## CPC - A62C 35/68: Details, e.g. of pipes or valve systems (valves in general F16K) - F16K 35/10: with locking caps or locking bars - F16K 27/12: Covers for housings - F16K 31/535: {for rotating valves (F16K31/54 takes precedence)} - F16K 37/0008: {Mechanical means (F16K37/0075 takes precedence)} - F16K 37/0041: {for measuring valve parameters (F16K37/0033 takes precedence)} - A62C: FIRE-FIGHTING (fire-extinguishing compositions, use of chemical substances in extinguishing fires A62D1/00; spraying, applying liquids or other fluent materials to surfaces in general B05; alarm arrangements G08B, e.g. fire alarms actuated by smoke or gases G08B17/10) - 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 A tamper switch, tamper resistant valve and valve monitor are disclosed. The tamper resistant valve comprises a valve housing comprising a valve case and a valve cover, the valve case comprising a base and a wall, the valve cover removable from the valve case and the valve cover defining a housing mechanical linkage or part thereof; and a gear sleeve for fitting onto a main valve drive shaft, the gear comprising a valve mechanical linkage or part thereof for inter-fitting with the housing mechanical linkage or part thereof so the valve cover can only be removed when the valve mechanical linkage or part thereof and the housing mechanical linkage or part thereof are in an access orientation and not a secure orientation. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of preventing unauthorised access to a fire protection system, the method comprising: fitting or retro-fitting a valve housing comprising a valve case and a valve cover, the valve case comprising a base and a wall, the valve cover removable from the valve case and the valve cover defining a housing mechanical linkage or part thereof; and fitting or retro-fitting a gear onto a main valve drive shaft, the gear comprising a valve mechanical linkage or part thereof for inter-fitting with the housing mechanical linkage or part thereof so the valve cover can only be removed when the valve mechanical linkage or part thereof and the housing mechanical linkage or part thereof are in an access orientation and not a secure orientation and wherein the access orientation triggers a switch. ### Claim 2 A method of manufacturing a tamper resistant valve, the method comprising: providing a valve housing comprising a valve case and a valve cover, the valve case comprising a base and a wall, the valve cover removable from the valve case and the valve cover defining a housing mechanical linkage or part thereof; and providing a gear for fitting onto a main valve drive shaft, the gear comprising a valve mechanical linkage or part thereof for inter-fitting with the housing mechanical linkage or part thereof so the valve cover can only be removed when the valve mechanical linkage or part thereof and the housing mechanical linkage or part thereof are in an access orientation and not a secure orientation and wherein the access orientation triggers a switch. ### Claim 3 A tamper resistant valve comprising: a valve housing comprising a valve case and a valve cover, the valve case comprising a base and a wall, the valve cover removable from the valve case and the valve cover defining a housing mechanical linkage or part thereof; and a gear for fitting onto a main valve drive shaft, the gear comprising a valve mechanical linkage or part thereof for inter-fitting with the housing mechanical linkage or part thereof so the valve cover can only be removed when the valve mechanical linkage or part thereof and the housing mechanical linkage or part thereof are in an access orientation and not a secure orientation and wherein the access orientation triggers a switch. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The tamper resistant valve according to claim 3 wherein the switch makes contact with a tamper prevention actuator. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The tamper resistant valve according to claim 4 wherein the tamper prevention actuator is concomitantly moved with rotation of the main valve drive shaft. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The tamper resistant valve according to claim 5 wherein the switch is triggered by movement of the tamper prevention actuator. ### Claim 7 (depends on 4) The tamper resistant valve according to claim 4 wherein the switch is triggered by movement of the tamper prevention actuator. ### Claim 8 (depends on 3) The tamper resistant valve according to claim 3 wherein the housing mechanical linkage or part thereof is defined on an insert, the insert adapted to be applied to the valve cover. ### Claim 9 (depends on 3) The tamper resistant valve according to claim 3 comprising a retainer for application to the main valve drive shaft. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The tamper resistant valve according to claim 9 wherein the retainer prevents removal of the valve case and/or the gear from the main valve drive shaft. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The tamper resistant valve according to claim 9 wherein the retainer comprises an anti-tamper retainer or one-way retainer configured to resist removal from the main valve drive shaft once applied thereto. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The tamper resistant valve according to claim 11 wherein the one-way retainer comprises one or more angled flange. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The tamper resistant valve according to claim 12 wherein the one or more angled flange interacts with a helical groove of the main valve drive shaft to prevent or hinder removal of the retainer. ### Claim 14 (depends on 9) The tamper resistant valve according to claim 9 wherein the retainer may interact with one or more mechanical feature disposed on the main valve drive shaft. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The tamper resistant valve according to claim 14 wherein the retainer comprises a circlip. ### Claim 16 (depends on 3) The tamper resistant valve according to claim 3 comprising a visual indicia indicating a status of the switch. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The tamper resistant valve according to claim 16 wherein a transparent window is comprised in the case, the transparent window positioned to allow viewing of the visual indicia.