US 11,703,143 B2
Meter valve
Eric Manternach, Decatur, IL (US); and Timothy Bain Ervin, Apison, TN (US)
Assigned to Mueller International, LLC, Atlanta, GA (US)
Filed by Mueller International, LLC, Atlanta, GA (US)
Filed on Apr. 10, 2020, as Appl. No. 16/845,848.
Prior Publication US 2021/0317928 A1, Oct. 14, 2021
Int. Cl. F16K 5/02 (2006.01); F16K 35/06 (2006.01)
CPC F16K 35/06 (2013.01) [F16K 5/0242 (2013.01)] 29 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A valve key for a meter valve comprising:
a key body defining an upper key body end and a lower key body end;
a key head extending from the upper key body end; and
a key stem extending from the lower key body end, wherein the key stem, key head, and key body define a monolithic structure, the key stem defining an extension portion and a securing portion, the extension portion configured to extend through a lower valve opening of the meter valve, the securing portion defining a securing portion engagement surface;
wherein the securing portion is configurable in an un-deformed configuration and a deformed configuration, a securing portion width of the securing portion is greater in the deformed configuration than in the un-deformed configuration, and the securing portion width in the deformed configuration is configured to be greater than a width of the lower valve opening; and
wherein the securing portion engagement surface defines an annular, planar surface, and in the deformed configuration, the securing portion defines a substantially planar outer surface opposite the securing portion engagement surface and distal to the extension portion.