US 12,305,782 B2
Backflow prevention assembly having a variable lay-length and orientation
Jason Doughty, Fitchburg, MA (US); Ian David Baynes, Merrimac, MA (US); Joseph Michael Burke, Deerfield, NH (US); Frank Dibenedetto, North Andover, MA (US); and Muhannad A. Bagegni, Pelham, NH (US)
Assigned to Watts Regulator Co., North Andover, MA (US)
Filed by Watts Regulator Co., North Andover, MA (US)
Filed on Sep. 9, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/941,405.
Application 17/941,405 is a continuation of application No. 17/148,115, filed on Jan. 13, 2021, granted, now 11,448,348.
Application 17/148,115 is a continuation of application No. 16/450,051, filed on Jun. 24, 2019, granted, now 10,914,412, issued on Feb. 9, 2021.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/691,037, filed on Jun. 28, 2018.
Prior Publication US 2023/0073327 A1, Mar. 9, 2023
Int. Cl. F16L 27/12 (2006.01); E03B 7/07 (2006.01); F16K 15/18 (2006.01); F16K 27/00 (2006.01)
CPC F16L 27/125 (2013.01) [E03B 7/077 (2013.01); F16K 15/184 (2021.08); F16K 27/00 (2013.01); F16L 27/1273 (2019.08)] 14 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A backflow prevention assembly, comprising:
a first shutoff valve;
a second shutoff valve;
an outer sleeve having an inner diameter, the outer sleeve connected to one of the first and second shutoff valves, the outer sleeve having a first axis;
an inner sleeve having an outer diameter, the inner sleeve connected to the other of the first and second shutoff valves, the inner sleeve is coupled to the outer sleeve for:
in-field rotation with respect to the first axis such that a rotational orientation can be varied and set to a desired rotational orientation, and/or
in-field sliding along the first axis such that a lay-length of the backflow prevention assembly can be varied and set to a desired lay-length, wherein the desired rotational orientation does not determine the lay-length and vice versa; and
a backflow prevention valve, connected to the outer sleeve, configured to allow fluid flow in a single direction; and
a spring between the inner and outer sleeves for biasing the inner and outer sleeves,
wherein:
from a distal end to a proximal end of the outer sleeve, the inner diameter narrows forming a minimum lay-length travel stop, and
the inner sleeve is coupled to the outer sleeve by inserting the inner sleeve into the distal end of the outer sleeve, the inner sleeve configured for in-field sliding from the distal end of the outer sleeve, and within the inner diameter thereof until a distal end of the inner sleeve contacts the minimum lay-length travel stop.