US 12,422,069 B2
Valve and coupling
Steven A. Wortmann, Slatington, PA (US); and Douglas R. Dole, Whitehouse Station, NJ (US)
Assigned to VICTAULIC COMPANY, Easton, PA (US)
Filed by Victaulic Company, Easton, PA (US)
Filed on May 24, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/323,019.
Application 16/563,009 is a division of application No. 15/267,755, filed on Sep. 16, 2016, granted, now 10,408,370, issued on Sep. 10, 2019.
Application 18/323,019 is a continuation of application No. 16/563,009, filed on Sep. 6, 2019, granted, now 11,668,417, issued on Jun. 6, 2023.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/340,090, filed on May 23, 2016.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/220,290, filed on Sep. 18, 2015.
Prior Publication US 2024/0068607 A1, Feb. 29, 2024
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. F16L 23/04 (2006.01); F16K 1/22 (2006.01); F16K 1/226 (2006.01); F16K 27/02 (2006.01); F16L 29/00 (2006.01); F16K 31/60 (2006.01); F16L 17/04 (2006.01)
CPC F16L 23/04 (2013.01) [F16K 1/22 (2013.01); F16K 1/2263 (2013.01); F16K 1/2265 (2013.01); F16K 27/0218 (2013.01); F16L 29/007 (2013.01); F16K 31/602 (2013.01); F16L 17/04 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A valve, comprising:
a first segment and a second segment attached end to end surrounding a central space, each of said segments having first and second circumferentially arranged projections extending toward said central space;
a valve body positioned within said central space, said valve body having an outer surface facing said segments and an inner surface defining a bore therethrough, said first and second circumferentially arranged projections being engageable with said outer surface for securing said valve body within said central space;
a closing member positioned within said bore, said closing member being movable between an open and a closed configuration;
a stem attached to said closing member for moving said closing member between said open and said closed configuration;
first and second connection members positioned at opposite ends of said first and second segments for effecting end to end attachment of said segments;
a liner overlying said inner surface of said valve body and surrounding said bore, said liner sealingly engaging said closing member when in said closed configuration;
a first support body positioned adjacent to said first connection members, said first support body having a surface facing said valve body and first and second posts in spaced apart relation extending away from said central space, said first post of said first support body engaging said first segment, said second post of said first support body engaging said second segment; and
a second support body positioned adjacent to said second connection members, said second support body having a surface facing said valve body and first and second posts in spaced apart relation extending away from said central space, said first post of said second support body engaging said first segment, said second post of said second support body engaging said second segment; wherein
said surfaces of said first and second support bodies engage said liner, and said posts engage said segments, whereby said first and second support bodies support said first and second segments in spaced apart relation in a pre-assembled configuration.