Latch assembly for a pumping system and method therefor
OwnerMichael Brent Fordinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A latch assembly is disclosed. The latch assembly comprises a top latch portion, a spring, and a valve rod guide. The top latch portion has two prongs with the spring positioned therebetween. The valve rod guide has two corresponding notches to receive the two prongs. When the top latch portion is lowered toward the valve rod guide, the spring compresses against the northern end of the valve rod guide and the prongs engage the notches on the valve rod guide, thus firmly coupling the top latch portion to the valve rod guide. The latch assembly may also have a stabilizer, such as a collet adapter, coupled to a northern end of the top latch portion. The latch assembly may be used with a valve rod or a hollow valve rod.
Claims20
A latch assembly for use with a pumping mechanism comprising:
- a top latch portion, the top latch portion comprising:
- a body;
- and
- at least two prongs extending downwardly from the body;
- a spring coupled to the body of the top latch portion and positioned between the at least two prongs of the top latch portion;
- and
- a valve rod guide, the valve rod guide comprising at least two notches adapted to removably engage the at least two prongs of the top latch portion.
A latch assembly for use with a pumping mechanism comprising:
- a top latch portion, the top latch portion comprising:
- a body;
- a center channel formed through a length of the body, wherein the center channel is adapted to receive a valve rod;
- an annular ridge formed within the center channel;
- and
- at least two prongs extending downwardly from the body;
- a spring received within a southern end of the center channel of the body of the top latch portion and positioned between the at least two prongs of the top latch portion, wherein a northern end of the spring abuts the annular ridge within the center channel of the body of the top latch portion;
- and
- a valve rod guide, the valve rod guide comprising:
- a center channel formed therethrough, wherein the center channel is adapted to receive the valve rod;
- two upper ridges formed on an outer surface of a northern end of the valve rod guide, wherein the upper ridges form at least two notches and also form at least two hooks on the outer surface of the northern end of the valve rod guide, each hook and each notch being adapted to engage a corresponding prong of the top latch portion.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.