US 12,013,055 B2
Lighted municipal valve key
Charles Smith, Algonac, MI (US); and Gregory Coventry, Auburn Hills, MI (US)
Assigned to CPI Excavating, Inc., Harrison Township, MI (US)
Filed by CPI Excavating Inc., Harrison Township, MI (US)
Filed on Nov. 12, 2020, as Appl. No. 17/095,922.
Application 17/095,922 is a continuation of application No. 14/705,622, filed on May 6, 2015, granted, now 10,876,651.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/989,135, filed on May 6, 2014.
Prior Publication US 2021/0062934 A1, Mar. 4, 2021
Int. Cl. F16K 31/46 (2006.01); B25B 23/18 (2006.01); E03B 9/02 (2006.01); F16K 31/60 (2006.01)
CPC F16K 31/607 (2013.01) [F16K 31/46 (2013.01); E03B 9/02 (2013.01)] 17 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method to turn on or turn off a valve in a municipal valve box, curb box or gate well utilizing a municipal key, said method comprising:
providing a valve actuator engaging end;
providing an elongated extension portion capable of extending into a municipal valve box, curb box or gate well;
connecting the elongated extension portion with said valve actuator engaging end;
providing a handle portion which extends laterally on both sides of said elongated extension portion;
connecting the handle portion with said elongated extension portion on an end of said elongated extension portion opposite said valve actuator engaging end;
providing said valve actuator engaging end with a valve opening key;
providing a light for illumination of the municipal valve;
connecting said light on the valve actuator engaging end;
recessing said light in the valve actuator engaging end;
providing a switch located coaxially with said elongated extension portion on the handle to turn on said light wherein said switch is a pressure switch which automatically turns off when pressure is removed;
electrically connecting said switch to said light via an internal wire within said elongated extension portion;
providing an encircling collar on said handle to protect said switch from unintended actuation, said collar projecting as high or higher than said switch;
inserting said extended portion into a municipal valve box curved box or gate well and depressing said switch in a direction toward said valve actuator engaging end to turn on said light to illuminate the municipal valve;
aligning the valve actuator engaging end with said municipal valve while illuminating the valve with said light without the necessity of looking through the valve handle; and
rotating said handle to turn the municipal valve on or off and wherein the light is automatically turned off after releasing the switch.