Back to results
US 2019/0154159 A1Published application
Ball Valve with Improved Assembly Configuration
AssigneeDramm Corporation of Manitowoc
InventorsJeffrey Thomas Bucher, Logan Brent Berge
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A ball valve configured for reduced-time assembly for use with hoses and watering devices typically connected to city water supplies. In particular, the valve is configured to improve the ease of assembly by providing a one-piece snap in handle, ball and retention arrangement which interacts with a seal supported in the valve body to retain the position of the seal during insertion of the one-piece element during valve assembly.
Claims20
A ball valve comprising:
- a one-piece, integrally-molded, plastic flow-control assembly including a partial ball defining a first cylindrical flow passage having a central axis, a lower cylindrical shaft extending from one side of the ball and having a central, rotational axis which is perpendicular to the central axis, a catch arrangement extending from the lower cylindrical shaft including at least one projection, an upper cylindrical shaft having a first radius and extending from the from the side of the ball opposite to the one side and being disposed about the rotational axis, and a bearing journal having a second radius greater than the first radius, extending from the upper cylindrical shaft and disposed about the rotational axis, and a user-handle extending from the journal, the lower cylindrical shaft including a first cylindrical grove and the journal including a second cylindrical grove;
- a first seal located in the first cylindrical groove;
- a second seal located in the second cylindrical groove;
- a one piece valve body defining a second cylindrical flow passage having a second central axis, the flow body defining lower and upper bearing surfaces disposed about the rotational axis, the lower bearing surface being adjacent to a cylindrical ridge which is engaged by the projection to prevent movement of the assembly from within the valve body, the upper bearing surface being disposed about the upper cylindrical shaft and the second seal and including a shoulder to limit movement, and define the position, of the assembly within the valve body along the rotational axis, wherein the valve body defines a cylindrical valve seat grove defined by a first cylindrical seat surface and a first cylindrical wall adjacent to the flow passage, the valve seat being located adjacent to the ball;
- a ball seal including a first surface configured to conform to the surface of the ball and a first cylindrical extension which is located within the valve seat, the assembly, seals and valve body cooperating to permit rotation of the assembly between (i) a closed position wherein the ball and the ball seal cooperate to prevent fluid flow through the central flow passage such that fluid pressure within the valve forces the ball against the ball seal, and (ii) open positions wherein the assembly is rotated within the valve body such that fluid can flow through the first and second flow passages.
2 more elements
A two piece valve and seal assembly comprising:
- a one-piece, integrally-formed flow-control assembly including a partial ball defining a first cylindrical flow passage having a central axis, a lower cylindrical shaft extending from one side of the ball and having a central, rotational axis which is perpendicular to the central axis, an upper cylindrical shaft having a first radius and extending from the from the side of the ball opposite to the one side and being disposed about the rotational axis, and a bearing journal having a second radius greater than the first radius, extending from the upper cylindrical shaft and disposed about the rotational axis, and a user-handle extending from the journal, the lower cylindrical shaft including a first seal located in a first cylindrical grove and the journal including a second seal located in a second cylindrical grove;
- and
- a one piece, integrally formed valve body defining a second cylindrical flow passage having a second central axis, the flow body defining lower and upper bearing surfaces disposed about the rotational axis, the upper bearing surface being disposed about the upper cylindrical shaft and the second seal and including a shoulder to limit movement, and define the position, of the assembly within the valve body along the rotational axis, wherein the valve body defines a cylindrical valve seat grove defined by a first cylindrical seat surface and a first cylindrical wall adjacent to the flow passage, the valve seat being located adjacent to the ball, wherein a ball seal includes a first surface configured to conform to the surface of the ball and a first cylindrical extension which is located within the valve seat, the assembly, seals and valve body cooperating to permit rotation of the assembly between (i) a closed position wherein the ball and the ball seal cooperate to prevent fluid flow through the central flow passage such that fluid pressure within the valve forces the ball against the ball seal, and (ii) open positions wherein the assembly is rotated within the valve body such that fluid can flow through the first and second flow passages.
A method for assembling a two-piece valve and seals comprising the steps of:
- in a one-piece, integrally-molded, plastic flow-control assembly including a partial ball defining a first cylindrical flow passage having a central axis, a lower cylindrical shaft extending from one side of the ball and having a central, rotational axis which is perpendicular to the central axis, an upper cylindrical shaft having a first radius and extending from the from the side of the ball opposite to the one side and being disposed about the rotational axis, and a bearing journal having a second radius greater than the first radius, extending from the upper cylindrical shaft and disposed about the rotational axis, and a user-handle extending from the journal, the lower cylindrical shaft including a first cylindrical grove and the journal including a second cylindrical grove, locating a first seal within the first cylindrical groove and locating a second seal within the second cylindrical groove;
- in a one piece valve body defining a second cylindrical flow passage having a second central axis, the flow body defining lower and upper bearing surfaces disposed about the rotational axis, the lower bearing surface being adjacent to a cylindrical ridge which is engaged by the projection to prevent movement of the assembly from within the valve body, the upper bearing surface being disposed about the upper cylindrical shaft and the second seal and including a shoulder to limit movement, and define the position, of the assembly within the valve body along the rotational axis, wherein the valve body defines a cylindrical valve seat grove defined by a first cylindrical seat surface and a first cylindrical wall adjacent to the flow passage, the valve seat being located adjacent to the ball, locating a ball seal, including a first surface configured to conform to the surface of the ball, within the valve body such that a first cylindrical extension of the ball seal is located within the valve seat;
- inserting the flow-control assembly into the valve body such that the partial ball is in engagement with the ball seal;
- and
- engaging a retainer assembly with the flow-control assembly and the valve body to permit rotation of the flow-control assembly within the valve body while simultaneously restricting removal of the flow-control assembly from the valve body.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.