US1261627A - Automatic safety-valve. - Google Patents

Description

A. E. RUCHTY. AUTOMATIC SAFETY vALvE. APPLICATION FILED OCT. 3| 19H- Patented Apr. 2,191&

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AUTOMATIC SAFETY VALVEl APPLICATION FILED oc.a,19|1.

Patented Apr. 2, 1918.

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Patented Apr. 2,1918.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3- ALEXANDER E. RUCHTY, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO.

AUTOMATIC SAFETY-VALVE.

Specication of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 2, 1918.

Application filed October 3, 191'?. Serial No. 194,571.

` To @ZZ whom, it may concern:

Beit known that I, ALEXANDER E. RUCHTY, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Cincinnati, in the county of Hamilton and State of Ohio, have invented new and useful Improvements in Automatic Safety-Valves, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates broadly to gas stoves and burners and more particularly has reference to an automatic safety valve.

The invention has for its primary aim and object to provide a valve of the above character designed to automatically shut off the flow of gas in-and to a gas stove burner should a strong draft or the like accidentally blow out the light, thus preventing the escape of gas.

It is an equally important object of this invention to provide a valve of the above character wherein the construction is such that the operation is at all times automatic and acts to shut off the How of gas when the pressure of the gas is very low and thereby avoids flickering and the possible suf'focation of persons, etc.

As a further improvement, the present invention embraces the provision of an alarm signaling system operated simultaneously with the valve for informing'persons that the gas is shut off.

More particularly this invention includes the provision of a device of the above character designed for use on various types of furnaces and stoves, etc., the parts thereof being simple and capable of being readily applied and adjusted.

Additional objects of this invention include the provision of retaining means for normally holding the resiliently controlled valve open, said means being also adapted/ for closing the alarm circuit subsequent to the release of the valve arm; to provide improved means for mounting the main lever and also 'to provide means in connection with the lever and subject to the action of the heat and cold for varying the position of the lever.`

Among the other aims and objects of this invention may be recited the provision of a device of the character mentioned wherein the parts are few, the construction simple, the cost of production low and the eiiiciency high.

Other improvements and novel details in the construction and arrangement of the various parts of the apparatus will be brought out more in detail in the description to follow, which for a clear understandmg of the invention should be considered in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, and wherein is disclosed for the purpose of illustration a convenient and satisfactory embodiment of the invention. It is to be noted in this connection that minor changes in the construction and arrangement of parts may be made without departing from the principle of operation of the various parts.

The invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which Figure l is a top plan of the invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged top plan of one end of the device;

Fig. 3 is a transverse section taken on line 3 3, Fig. l;

Fig. 4 is an elevational detail partly in section on line 4 4, Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a sectional detail taken on line 5-5, Fig. l;

Fig. 6 is a perspective detail of the plate; y

Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic view.

Fig. 8 is a longitudinal sectional detail of the means for connecting the sections of the main lever.

Similar characters of reference are employed in all the above described views to indicate corresponding parts.

Referring now, more particularly, to the accompanying drawings, there is provided a stove frame indicated in its entirety by the numeral 1 being of a rectangular conformation and composed of sides 2 and ends 3 formed desirably of pipe tubing, the ends thereof being connected by suitable joints t. An inlet pipe 5 is arranged in communication with the front end 3 while a manually operable valve G serves as a means for normally controlling the passage of gas through the front end and into a burner 7 which in the present instance consists of a perforated pipe section, one end of which is closed and is connected to the rear end 3 while the outer end is connected to a flame regulator 8 which in turn is arranged in communication withthe front end 3.

lWith a view toward providing improved means for controlling the flow of gas into the burner 7 when the valve 6 is left open, a tapered valve casing 9 is interposed between the flame regulator 8 and the front end of the frame l while a valve stem 10 is niounted rotatably in the casing and isY pin 1G or. the like is mounted on a joint 4 positioned near the inner end of the front end of the frame while suitable resilient means such as the coil spring 17 has its respective ends connected to the projection and to the pin. and is tensioned so as to normally hold the valve in the head 11 in a closed position. An arm 18 also projects from. the stem as indicated in Figs. 1 and 2 and serves a purpose that will presently appear. As intimated improved ineansi have been provided for automatically actuating the valve and in reducing this feature of the invention to practice a pair of threaded rods or posts 19 are mounted respectively on the inner end 3 and on the side- 2 adjacent the inner end* 3 while sleeves 2O are disposed thereabout. A lever'21 has its inner end pivotally arranged about one of the posts 19 anc isi held in position thereon by an adjustable element such as a nut 22. An arm 23 has its inner end connected' on the other kpost 19 and isy held in position against the upper edge of the sleeve by a suitable nut 2.4. A substantially rectangular plate 25 has one end removably connected through the instrumentality of suitable fastening devices such as screws 26 to the outer end of the arm 23 while the opposite end of the plate is connected to the lever adjacent the inner end thereof; rl`his plate, as is apparent, is arranged transversely above the burner 7 and is covered with a coating 27 to prevent disiiitcgrating thereof when subjected to the action ofthe flames acting against the under surface thereof. The plate is also. provided with a plurality of slots 28.V and openings 29 to facilitate cooling so that it will contract suddenly after the gas is turned off or blown out. Y The preferred means for connecting the plate to the lever consistsl of clamping plates 30 arranged respectively on the upper surface of the plate and oli-the under surface ofthe lever and connected by means of suitable fastening devices such as screws 31. The outer end of the lever 21 is off-set as at 32 while the odset is constructed in sections the inner section 33 being stationary while the outer section 34 is adjustably connected thereto..

The preferred means for connecting the sections consists of apair of plates 35 the inner ends of whichv are rigidly connected on the upper and lower surfaces of the stationary section 33 through the instrumentality of suitable fastening devices 36 while the opposite ends of the plates 35 are slotted as at 37 to receive suitable fastening devices such as screws 38 adjustably engaged iii the section 34. Of course by loosening the screws the plates may be adjusted while the screws may be subsequently tightened to hold the sect-ions in adjusted position, Vthe arrangement being indicatedV in Fig. 8.

'in order to guide the movement of the lever 21 the outer end of the section 34 is bifurcated as at 39 while a roller 40 is rotatably mounted therebeneath and operates upon the arin 41 the inner end of which is rigidly secured to a plate 42 carried by the sleeve 43 which in turn is adjustably mounted onv the front end 3 of the frame. Suitable fastening devices such as set screws 44 are adjustably mounted through the sleeve the inner ends thereof being adapted for frictional yengagement with the front end 3 so as to hold the sleeve in various positions of adjustment and an upright post 45 is mountedl on the plate 42 which is formed preferably of fiber, and serves as a stop and has electrical contact in a manner that will hereina-fter become apparent.

As intimated7 improved means have been provided for removably holding the valve in an open position. In reducing this feature of the invention to practice, a catch 46 is employed bei-ngl preferably formed from a single strip of resilient metal the inner end of which is" rigidly connected to a bracket 47 carried by the intermediate' portion 48 ofthe lever while the metal is'bent adjacent its outer end to' providel al bill 49 designed for engagement with the outer end ofthe valve arm 18, the arrangementl being illustrated in Fig. 1.

Coperating; with the catchA 46 and the valve" arm 18 is a hook 501p-ivotally mountedk on the section 34 adjacent the outer end thereof through the instrumentality of a suitable fastening` device 5:1. Suitable resilient means such ask a bowed spring 52 has its inner endl rigidly secured to the section 34 of the lever by means of.v a suitable fastening device whiley the oppositel end is connected as at 54 tothe inner end of the hoolr and is tensionedfagainst the inner end of the hook which is designed for engagenient with the extreme outer end of the ari-n 18 is placed'behind the bill 49 andi asthe metal plate 25 expands the lever 21 will be moved toward the valve arm Yto consequently permit of` the engagement of the outer end'of, the catch 55 behind the hook 50,

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In this connection it will be observed that the outer end of the hook 50 is positioned so as to be engaged by the valve arm and is moved by the latterl against the tension of the spring 52 so as to release the outer end 55 of the catch. By this arrangement therefore it will be appreciated that in the event of the burner being accidentally blown out or if 'the pressure thereof is dangerously low the metal plate 25 will cool and contract which moves the lever 2l away from the valve and 'inasmuch as the hook coperates with the outer end of the catch to hold the catch it is apparent that during movement of the lever the valve arm 18 will be released and it is automatically returned to a closed position to shut otf the gas through the instrumentality of the coil spring. As intimated during its return movement the arm strikes the outer end of the catch 50 and moves the latter against the tension of the spring 52 to consequently allow the spring to automatically engage the post or stop 45.

Cooperating with the releasing means is the improved alarm circuit composed of conducting wires 56 the inner ends ot' which are arranged in circuit with a suitable source of power such as a series of batteries 57 and with an alarm such as a bell 58 while the outer ends are respectively grounded to the bracket 47 as at 59 electrically connected to the post 45 through the instrumentality of a binding screw 60 engaged in the fiber plate 42 and contacting with the inner end of the post 45. In this connection it will be observed that as soon as the catch 46 strikes the post 45 the circuit will be closed to sound the alarm.

In View of the foregoing description it is believed that a further detailed description of the operation of the invention is entirely unnecessary. Likewise it is believed that the advantages of the invention will readily be apparent.

As many changes could be made in the above construction and many apparently widely different embodiments of this invention could be made without departing from the scope of the same, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as ilustrative and not in a limited sense. It is also to be understood that the language used in the following claims is intended to cover all the generic and specific features ott the invention herein described and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.

I-Iaving thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. The combination with a gas burner and a valve for controlling the flow of gas thereto, of an arm projecting from the valve, a pivotally mounted lever, a metal plate positioned above the burner and connected to the lever and subject to the action of heat and cold so as to control the movement of the lever, a catch mounted on the lever for releasably holding the valve arm, and serving as a contact, a movably and resiliently mounted hook for retaining the catch while the catch is engaged on the arm and positioned so as to be engaged by the arm and moved to release the catch subsequent 'to the release of the arm, a coil-spring connected to the valve for automatically returning the valve to a closed position subsequent to the release of the arm, a stationary contact post engageable by the catch subsequent to release of the catch and an alarm in circuit with the contact.

2. The combination with the burner of a gas stove, ot' a valve for controlling the passage of gas to the burner, an arm projecting from the valve, a movably mounted lever on the stove, an expanding and contracting 'plate connected to the stove and lever and positioned above the burner so as to expand when the gas is lighted and contract when the gas is extinguished, a resilient catch on the lever for' retaining the arm, a resiliently mounted hook on the lever for holding the catch when the latter is engaged on the arm and positioned so as to be engaged by the arm and moved to release the catch immediately subsequent to the release of the arm, and a coil spring connected to the valve for automatically returning the valve to a closed position subsequent to the contracting of the plate when the gas is extinguished and the release of the arm from the catch.

3. The combination of a burner of a gas stove, of a valve for controlling the passage of gas to the burner, an arm projecting from the valve, a movably mounted lever on the stove, an expanding and contracting plate connected to the stove and the lever positioned above the burner so as to be expanded when the gas is lighted and contracted when the gas is extinguished, coperative means on the stove and the lever for guiding the movement of the lever, a resilient catch on the lever for retaining the arm, a stop for limiting the movement of the catch subsequent to the release of the arm, a resiliently mounted hook on the lever for removable engagement with the catch when the latter is engaged on the arm and positioned so as to be engaged by the arm and moved to release the catch immediately subsequent to the release of the arm, and a coil spring connected to the valve and to the stove and designed to automatically return the valve to a closed position subsequent to the contracting of the plate when the gas is extinguished and the release of the arm from the catch.

4. The combination of a burner of a gas stove, ,of a valve for controlling the passage otgas to the burner, an arm projecting from the valve,y a movably mounted lever on the stove, an expanding and contract-ing plate connected to the stove and the lever and positioned above the burner so as to be expanded when the is lighted and contracted when the gas is extinguished, cooperative means on the stove and the lever for guiding the movement of the lever, a resilient catch on the lever for retaining the arm, a resiliently mounted hook on the lever for removable engagement with the catch when the latter isv engaged on the arm and positioned so asto be engaged by the arm and moved to release the catch immediately subsequent to the release of the arm, al stop for limiting the movement of the catch subsequent to the release of the arm, a source of energy in circuit with the stop and catch7 and a signal alarm in circuit. with the source of energy, the stop andthe catch and designed to be sounded when the catch contacts with the stop.v

5. rlhe combination with the burner 0I" a gas stove, of a val-ve for controlling the passage of gas to the burner, an arm projecting Jfrom the valve7 a movably mounted lever on the stove, an expanding and contracting plate connected to the stove and to the lever and positioned above the burner so as to be expanded When the gas is-lighted and contracted When the gas is extinguished, the outer end of the lever being i'ormed in sections, means for adjustably connecting the' sections, coperative means onthe stove and the outer section for guiding the 1novement of the lever, a resilient catchy on the lever for retaining the arm, a hook pivotally mounted on the outer section of the lever, a springy connected to the nook for holding the hook in engagement With the catch when the latter is engaged on the arm and positioned so as 'to be engaged by the arm subsequent to the release of the arm and moved to automatically release the catch immediately subsequent to the release ot the arm, and a coil spring for returning the valve to a closed position subsequent to the contracting of the plate when the gas is extinguished and the release of the arm from the catch.

In testimony whereof l afx my signature.

ALEXANDER E. RCHTY.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for iive cents each, by addressing the "Commissioner of Patents, Washington, ID. C.

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