NZ522489A - Tap spindle operator with jaws movable radially to grip spindle, with projecting stops on jaws - Google Patents

Abstract

The operator 2 has jaws 4 retained within housing 5. By rotating shaft 7 jaws 4 are moved inwardly to grip valve spindle 3 so that it can be turned by crutch 16.

Description

5224 8 9 )\ intellectual property office of n.z. 7 NOV 2002 RECEIVED Patents Form No. 5 OurRef: MH504156 Patents Act 1953 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION APPARATUS FOR OPERATING A TAP We, THAMES WATER UTILITIES LIMITED, a company incorporated under the laws of United Kingdom of Gainsborough House, Manor Farm Road, Reading, Berks RG2 OJN, United Kingdom hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: PT05A74148 1 ^ | A J 300028941 1 1 APPARATUS FOR OPERATING A TAP The invention relates to apparatus for operating a tap, such as a tap comprising a valve member operated by a spindle.

The majority of properties have a boundary stop tap on the communication pipe from the water company main into the building. The tap is commonly referred to as the "stop cock" and is conventionally located within the frontage of the • property or on the adjacent highway. The tap defines the boundary of ownership between the water company and customer, the customer being responsible for the pipe downstream of the tap.

For the purposes of plumbing works within the building, the stop tap can be operated to isolate the supply into the property. In certain circumstances, taps ^ are found to.be defective as the 'T' handle or crutch on top of the fitting is missing from the spindle. Access to the tap is often awkward and is governed by the buried depth of the supply. In such circumstances, a water company representative may be called to operate the tap using a temporary tool or replace the tap. Costs to the water company are inevitable in both cases.

It is an object of the present application to seek to mitigate disadvantages such as these.

According to the invention there is provided a tap-operating apparatus for operating a tap comprising a valve member operated by a spindle, the apparatus comprising jaw means operable to clamp the spindle, and a housing for retaining the jaw means, the arrangement being such that relative movement between the jaw means and the housing causes clamping and de-clamping of the jaw means, said relative movement being provided by an actuator for moving the housing in a direction substantially normal to intellectual PROPERTY office of n.z. 1 2 FEB 2004 RECEIVED the direction of clamping, and stop means for preventing movement of the jaw means in said direction, said stop means comprising one or more projections on said jaw means.

It is preferred that the housing includes a cam for clamping the jaw means, and most preferably the cam is a linear cam. This provides a convenient mode of operation.

The housing is movable in a direction substantially normal to the direction of clamping to clamp the jaw means. This is useful for example when the tap to be operated is in a confined space.

The jaws may be movable in a direction substantially normal to the direction of clamping to clamp the jaw means.

The apparatus may include an actuator, the arrangement being ■ such that movement of the actuator causes the housing to move relative to the jaw means. The actuator may comprise a shaft in sliding engagement with the housing such that the housing can move linearly thereon. This is advantageous in that it allows the apparatus to be used to operate a tap remote from the operator.

The apparatus may include locking means to lock the jaw means in a given position and the locking means may comprise a lock nut on the shaft. The jaw means may comprise formations on their clamping surfaces to assist in clamping.

In an alternative configuration the locking means may comprise a radial ratchet disposed between the shaft and the housing. intellectual property office of n.z. 12 FEB 2004 RECEIVED 3 In a further alternative arrangement the housing and shaft may be connected via a tension latch mechanism. The tension latch mechanism may include a screw adjuster and pivot to adjust tension on the latch.

In a further alternative configuration the shaft and housing may include a ratchet mechanism by which the position of the shaft relative to the housing can be maintained.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a method for operating a tap, including the use of apparatus as defined hereinabove.

The invention will be further described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a sectional side elevation of apparatus according to the invention positioned on a typical stop tap; Figure 2 is a plan view of serrations on the jaws of the apparatus of Figure 1; Figures 3a to 3f illustrate the sequence of operation of the apparatus of Figure l; Figure 4 is a side sectional elevation of a first alternative form of apparatus according to the invention; Figure 5 is a section along line A-A in Figure 4; Figure 6 is a side sectional view of a second alternative form of apparatus according to the invention in a first position; 4 Figure 7 is a side sectional view of the apparatus of Figure 6 in a second position; Figure 8 is a side sectional view of apparatus according to a still further embodiment of apparatus according to the invention; Figure 9 is a perspective view illustrating operation of the embodiment of Figure 8; * Figures 10a to 10c show a still further alternative embodiment of apparatus according to the invention; Figures 1 la and 1 lb show a still further embodiment of apparatus according to the invention; and Figures 12a and 12b show a tool for use with the embodiments of Figures 10 and 11.

Referring to the drawings there is illustrated apparatus 1 for operating a tap 2, the tap 2 comprising a valve member operated by a spindle 3, the apparatus 1 comprising jaw means 4 for clamping the spindle 3, the jaw means 4 being retained within a housing 5, the arrangement being such that relative movement between the jaw means 4 and housing 5 causes clamping and de-clamping of the jaw means 4.

Referring to Figure 1 the housing 5 is generally frusto-conical and hollow, having a polygonal base 5a the base including a circular aperture 6 through which a round section shaft 7 is passed into the interior of the housing 5. The jaw means 4 comprises four jaw members 8 which are generally wedge shaped and include inner tabs 8a. In position in the housing 5 the sloping surface 9 of each wedge is outermost, so as to be contactable by the inner wall 10 of the housing 5 which itself is sloped inward corresponding to the angle of the wall of the frusto-cone relative to its base. The shaft 7 has at its upper (as viewed) end a crutch 16 to facilitate rotation of the apparatus and gripped tap spindle 3. As illustrated in Figure 2, each jaw member 8 has on its clamping surface a number of vertical serrations 11 to assist in gripping the spindle 3.

As mentioned, the shaft 7 passes into the housing 5 via aperture 6 and the' aperture 6 and shaft 7 are provided at this point with complementary screw threads which enable the shaft 7 and housing 5 to move linearly, relative to one another. The screw threads are not shown in this drawing for the sake of clarity.

The sequence of operation of the apparatus of Figure 1 is illustrated in Figures 3 a to 3 f. Referring firstly to Figure 3 a, the apparatus 1 is positioned on the tap spindle 3 which fits between the jaw members 8 which are loosely retained in the housing, passing upwards as viewed to the extent of tabs 8a which act as stops. A box spanner 12 is fitted to the outside of the housing 5- A further box spanner 13 is fitted to the shaft 7. The box spanner 12 is secured and the box spanner 13 is rotated in a clockwise direction. As the shaft 7 is rotated it descends into the housing until it contacts the inner tabs 8a of the jaw members 8 and thus further downward movement of the shaft 7 is impeded. Continued rotation of the shaft 7 in a clockwise direction thus causes the housing 1 to move upwardly as viewed. The cam surface formed by the inner wall 10 of the housing thus acts on the jaw members 8, forcing them together around the spindle 3 thereby clamping it. Thus, relative to the shaft, axial movement of 6 the housing is translated to a movement of the jaw members 8 substantially normal thereto.

The apparatus 1 is provided with a locking nut 14 which is rotated via a further box spanner 15 to lock it against housing 1 to prevent further upward movement thereof.

The spanners are removed and the apparatus 1 is secured on the tap spindle 3. A crutch 16 is fitted to the top of the shaft 7 and secured using a bolt 17 or similar fitting.

Referring now to Figure 4 an alternative embodiment of apparatus according to the invention is illustrated. As will be appreciated, the apparatus is substantially similar to that described in relation to Figure 1 and this description will not be duplicated. However, this embodiment differs in that a radial ratchet mechanism 18 is provided inside the housing, between the housing and the shaft as illustrated in the sectional view. The shaft 7 is rotated in the housing 5 and the radial ratchet mechanism 18 locks the apparatus 1 in position on the tap spindle 3. This configuration removes the need for an external lock nut Referring now to Figures 6 and 7 there is described a third alternative embodiment of apparatus according to the invention. Again, this apparatus is similar to that described in relation to Figure 1, however in this embodiment relative movement between the shaft and housing is effected via tension latch mechanism 19 there being no screw thread attachment. The tension latch mechanism 19 consists of pivoting aims 20 attached at an upper, as viewed, part of the shaft 7 which link the shaft to the housing via pivotable links 21,22. As will be appreciated, when the arms 20 are pivoted towards one another this 7 places tension on housing 5 which is raised relative to the shaft causing the jaw members 8 to be clamped together in a similar manner to that described above. Tension on the latch and hence grip on the spindle 3 can be adjusted by varying the position of a screw adjuster on the pivot arms 20 which will vary the point of attachment of the pivotable links 21, Referring now to Figures 8 and 9, a still further embodiment of apparatus according to the invention is illustrated. Again, as will be appreciated this embodiment is similar to that described in Figure 1, however in this case there is no screw thread attachment between the shaft 7 and'the housing 5. The attachment therebetween being a vertical ratchet comprising a number of grooves 23 formed on the shaft 7 and an internal spring clip 24 in cooperation therewith disposed in an aperture 25 in the housing 5. In this embodiment the housing is provided with an external groove 26 to enable the device to be used to move the shaft 7 and housing 8 relative to one another to effect clamping of the vertical ratchet mechanism (Figure 9).

Referring now to Figures 10a to 10c a further alternative embodiment of apparatus 1 according to the invention is shown, The apparatus is similar to previous embodiments and functions in a similar way. The difference here however is that the apparatus 1 is provided with an outer hollow shaft 27 which has a 'T' shaped top end (in use) which fits around the round section shaft 7 and engages the housing 5. The base of the outer shaft has a thickened end 28 and includes on a screw threaded aperture 29, In this embodiment the housing 5 is modified so that the aperture 6 is larger, large enough to accommodate the end 28. The housing 5 also has a screw threaded aperture 29, the arrangement being such that the outer shaft 27 and housing 5 can thereby be fixed together when the apertures 29 are aligned, using, for example, a grub screw. The top 8 of the round section shaft 7 has a hexagonal section and protrudes out of the top of the outer shaft 27.

In use, before being lowered onto the tap, a suitably sized housing and jaw assembly is attached to the outer shaft 27 via the apertures 29 and grub screw. The apparatus 1 is then placed onto the spindle 3 of the tap and the jaws are tightened onto the spindle by rotation of the round section shaft 7 via its hexagonal section end with a suitable tool. It will be noted that to achieve an effective tightening the housing 5 should preferably be held still, and this can be achieved using the kind of tool 30 shown in Figures 12a and 12b, which consists of inner and outer telescoping tubes 31, 32, the inner tube 31 having a hexagonal socket 33 and the outer tube 32 having a pair of parallel slots 34 extending from its end a distance up its length. As will be appreciated, when this tool is engaged with the apparatus 1, the inner tube can be rotated to rotate the hexagonal section end whilst the outer tube is used to keep the outer shaft 27 still, and thereby the housing 5, via the slots and 'T' top.

Referring now to Figures 11a and 1 lb, a still further embodiment of apparatus 1 according to the invention is shown. This embodiment also functions in a similar way to previously described embodiments, however the embodiment is configured to provide a more compact design. Here as before, the apparatus comprises jaw means 4 for clamping the spindle 3, the jaw means 4 being retained within a housing 5, the arrangement being such that relative movement between the jaw means 4 and housing 5 causes clamping and declamping of the jaw means 4. However, in this embodiment, the jaw means 4 and housing 5 are retained within a hollow cylindrical body 35 which has a large diameteT opening at one end and a smaller diameter opening at the opposite end, and a pair of externally mounted opposing arms 36. As in previous embodiments, a round section shaft 7 having a hexagonal section top (in use) end passes into 9 the housing 5 through an aperture therein, the shaft and aperture haying mutually interengaging screw threads, the hexagonal section top end protruding from the housing 5, and, in this case, the smaller diameter opening of the body 35. A flange 38 prevents the shaft 7 passing out the opening. The jaws 4 are fitted into the body 35 beneath the housing 5 which is shown in Figure 11a in its retracted position. The jaws 4 are held in place in the body 35 'by a plug 37 and circlip 38 which fit into the larger diameter opening of the body 35.

In use, the apparatus 1 is fitted over the spindle 3 of a tap, and the jaws 4 are moved into clamping engagement by rotation of the hexagon section end of the shaft 7 which moves the housing and jaws relative to one another. In this case, rotation of the shaft 7 causes the housing 5 to move axially toward the jaw means 4, downwardly as viewed, and clamping is effected by the inwardly tapering cam surface of the housing which forces the jaws 4 together as they move further inside.

Once again, the tool illustrated in Figures 12a and 12b can be used to effect the tightening as previously described.

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words "comprise", "comprising", and the like, are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense, that is to say, in the sense of "including, but not limited to".

Claims (16)

CLAIMS:

1. A tap-operating apparatus for operating a tap comprising a valve member operated by a spindle, the apparatus comprising jaw means operable to clamp the spindle, and a housing for retaining the jaw means, the arrangement being such that relative movement between the jaw means and the housing causes clamping and de-clamping of the jaw means, said relative movement being provided by an actuator for moving the housing in a direction substantially normal to the direction of clamping, and stop means for preventing movement of the jaw means in said direction, said stop means comprising one or more projections on said jaw means.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, the housing including a cam for clamping the jaw means.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, the earn being a linear cam.

4. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, the jaws being movable in a direction substantially normal to the direction of clamping to clamp the jaw means.

5. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, the actuator comprising a shaft in engagement with the housing such that the housing can move linearly thereon.

6. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, including locking means to lock the jaw means in a given position.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6 when dependent upon claim 5, comprising a lock nut on the shaft. the locking means INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE OF N.Z. 12 FEB 20M RECEIVED 11

8. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, the jaw means comprising formations on their clamping surfaces to assist in clamping.

9. Apparatus according to claim 6, the locking means comprising a radial ratchet disposed between the shaft and the housing.

10. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 5, the housing and shaft being connected via a tension latch mechanism.

11. Apparatus according to claim 10, the tension latch mechanism including a screw adjuster and pivot to adjust tension on the latch.

12. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 5, the shaft and housing including a ratchet mechanism by which the position of the shaft relative to the housing can be maintained.

13. Apparatus according to claim 5, including means to effect rotation of the housing and jaws without causing rotation of the actuator.

14. Apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the rotation means comprises an outer shaft around the actuator releasably attached to the housing.

15. Apparatus according to claim 5, the actuator, jaws and housing being retained within a body.

16. A method for operating a tap, including the use of apparatus according to any preceding claim. intellectual property office of n.z. 2 8 NOV 2003 received 12 Apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to accompanying drawings. intellectual property OFFICE OF n.z. 2 3 NOV 2003 RECEIVED