# US 7,607,448 B2 · Method for modifying a plastic body valve for use in a waste water system

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- Number: US 7,607,448 B2
- Document ID: US7607448B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 11/246,457
- Filed: 2005-10-07
- Published: 2006-04-13
- Granted: 2009-10-27
- Earliest claimed: 2004-10-08
- Assignees: I-CON Systems, Inc.
- Inventors: William Robert Hawks, Jr.; Shawn D. Bush
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7607448B2

## CPC

- E03D 3/02: Self-closing flushing valves (self-closing valves in general F16K21/04)
- Y10T 137/0491: Valve or valve element assembling, disassembling, or replacing
- Y10T 137/599: Pressure regulating type valve
- Y10T 137/5994: Diaphragm type
- E03D: WATER-CLOSETS OR URINALS WITH FLUSHING DEVICES; FLUSHING VALVES THEREFOR
- Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION

## Abstract

A method is provided for retrofitting a conventional plastic valve to allow the valve to be utilized in a waste water system. The method includes strengthening the valve or valve housing using various methods.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method of retrofitting a conventional plastic valve having brass pressed insert nuts and stainless steel or aluminum bolts to allow the valve to be utilized to meet pressure requirements of at least 500 psi for use as a flush valve in a waste water system, the method comprising:
replacing the stainless steel or aluminum bolts of the valve with higher tensile steel bolts; and/or
replacing the brass pressed insert nuts of the valve with steel insert nuts.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method as claimed in claim 1, including providing a steel washer at one or more screw locations on the valve.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method as claimed in claim 1, including providing at least one metal or plastic support plate to connect two or more screw locations.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the valve comprises a valve body and cover and the method includes providing one or more clamps on the valve body and cover to distribute load along a perimeter surface of the valve body.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method as claimed in claim 1, including providing a permanent adhesive between a valve body and cover of the valve.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the valve comprises a valve body and a cover and the method includes providing a gasket between the valve body and the cover.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the valve comprises a valve body, a cover and a valve diaphragm, the method including replacing the diaphragm with a larger diaphragm to cover more of a sealing surface between the valve body and the cover.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The method as claimed in claim 1, including placing a pressure regulator in flow communication with an inlet side of the valve, the pressure regulator configured to decrease an inlet fluid pressure from a supplied value to a pre-selected discharge value.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The method as claimed in claim 1, including connecting a bypass assembly between an inlet side and an outlet side of the valve, the bypass assembly including a bypass conduit having a pressure relief valve, with the pressure relief valve configured to lift when a fluid inlet pressure is above a predetermined value.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

A waste water system incorporating a valve retrofitted as claimed in claim 1.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

A valve retrofitted as claimed in claim 1.