US 11,654,583 B2
Valve operating device having a movable arm for use in exercising valves
Mark W. Wozniak, Cary, IL (US); and Jeffrey M. Swiatowy, Crystal Lake, IL (US)
Assigned to ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC., Glenview, IL (US)
Filed by ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC., Glenview, IL (US)
Filed on Jan. 15, 2020, as Appl. No. 16/743,652.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/793,750, filed on Jan. 17, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2020/0230827 A1, Jul. 23, 2020
Int. Cl. B25J 17/02 (2006.01); B25J 5/00 (2006.01); B25J 18/00 (2006.01); F16K 31/50 (2006.01); F16L 55/11 (2006.01)
CPC B25J 17/0291 (2013.01) [B25J 5/007 (2013.01); B25J 18/007 (2013.01); F16K 31/504 (2013.01); F16L 55/1108 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A valve operating device comprising:
a first pivot defining a first vertical axis and a horizontal axis;
a second pivot defining a second vertical axis;
a first arm portion between the first and second pivots, wherein the first arm portion is configured to rotate around the first vertical axis defined by the first pivot and is configured to pivot around the horizontal axis defined by the first pivot, the first arm portion being configured to pivot relative to the second pivot;
a second arm portion extending from the second pivot, wherein the second arm portion is configured to rotate around the second vertical axis defined by the second pivot;
a valve operating machine fixedly attached to an end of the second arm portion, the valve operating machine being operable to turn a key to exercise a valve; and
an actuator connected between the first pivot and the first arm portion and configured to cause the first arm portion, the second pivot, the second arm portion and the valve operating machine to pivot upward and downward relative to the first pivot around the horizontal axis.