US1307346A - Lock fob stop-boxes - Google Patents

Description

P. R.'CRALL.

I LOCK FOR STOP BOXES. APPLICATION FILED own. 1918- Patented June 24, 1919.

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a wgewtoz PJWLQMRGWZZ UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

PRENTISS R. CRALL, 0F COLUMBUS OHIO.

LOOK FOR STOP-BOXES.

Application filed December 21, 1918.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, PRENTISS R. CRALL, a citizen of the United States, residing at C0- lumbus, in the county of Franklin and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Looks for Stop-Boxes, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to the improvement of locks for stop boxes such as are ordinarily employed in connection with water and gas service pipes.

The objects of my invention are to provide an improved means for locking the cap or top memberof a stop box in connection with the top of said box; to so construct and arrange the parts of my improved lock, ing device that access to the locking bolt which is ordinarily employed is prevented unless the sealing member is broken.

It is well known that a plumber or other person having a suitable tool may readily remove the locking bolt which is ordinarily employed in stop boxes thereby permitting of the removal of the cap or top plate and of the insertion into the stop box of a key or other tool for the purpose of turning the "alve which controls the supply of water or gas to certain premises and it is an object of my invention not only to prevent the unauthorized turning of the valve but to show at a glance whether or not the lid of the stop box has been removed.

The preferred embodiment of my invention is shown in the accompanying sheet of drawing wherein similar characters of ref erence designate corresponding parts and wherein,

Figure 1 upper portion of a proved looking or sealing tion therewith,

Fig. 2 is a vertical section of the same,

Fig. 3 is an enlarged vertical section of the ordinary stop box bolt and portions of the parts connected thereby, my improved device being shown in its locked or sealed position, and

Fig. 4 is a face view of the locking washer or disk which I employ in the manner hereinafter described.

Referring to the drawing 1 represents the usual cylindrical stop box such as is ordinarily used by gas and water companies and through which access is gained to the valve which controls a supply of water and gas to the adjoining premises. The upper is a view in elevation of the stop box havlng my 1111- device in connec- Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented J une 24, 1919.

Serial No. 267,854.

and otherwise open end of the stop box body is provided with the usual inwardly projecting horizontal lug 2. Three (3) represents the separately formed lid or cap plate of the stop. box which is designed to cover said stop box and which is formed with a suitable depression 4. This depression or seat 4 is designed to receive the enlarged head 5 of a bolt or screw 6, the threaded portion of which is adapted to engage opposing openings in the depressed portion at of the cap 3 and in the box lug 2, the latter being a threaded opening. In carrying out my in vention I employ about the stem of the bolt 6 adjacent its head 5 alocking disk 7. This disk has a short collar like member 8 projecting downward from about its central opening when theouter or marginal portion of the disk is formed with a plurality of radial cuts or incisions 9 which result in the production of radial spring tongues 10. These spring tongue portions as indicated more clearly in Fig. 3 of the drawing are preferably beveled or gradually reduced in thickness toward their outer ends and are bent downward at a suitable incline from the body of the disk. The disk 7 or that portion thereof which immediately adjoins the downturned member 8 bears upon a washer 11 which washer has an outwardly extending base flange 1 2, the circumferential outer side of which is beveled as indicated in the drawing. A washer 11 is seated upon the floor of the depression 4 in the cap plate. Thirteen (13) represents a looking or sealing cap which is preferably of inverted cup shape and which is designed as a housing for the upper portion of the bolt and its head together with the disk 7 and washer 11. In

' forming this locking cap I provide on its inner face near its lower end a continuous internal shoulder 14, the internal surface of the cap from the level of its shoulder to cap base being beveled internally as indicated at 15; this bevel was corresponding with and contacting with the beveled outer surface of the washer flange 12 when the locking cap is in its locked position. Then the locking cap is pressed into the locked position shown in Figs. 2 and 8 of the drawing it will be understood that the internal beveled surface 15 of the cap is intended to come into contact with the ends of the locking tongues 10 causing the latter to be depressed or sprung downward and inward until they have reached the level of the the shoulder 14 at which point said tongues will be permitted to spring outward and engage the shoulder 14. This engagement of the shoulder 14 and the spring locking tongues will serve to clearly lock the cap member 13 from removal from its locked position about the bolt head. It is obvious that the presence of the flanged washer 8 will prevent manipulation of the spring tongues from outside the cap by the insertion of any in strument beneath the edge of the cap.

The locking cap being in the position described and shown inthe drawing it will be readily understood that access to the head of the bolt which is necessary to disconnect the cap plate 3 and the stop box is prohibited. In fact the nature of my improved lock is such that access to the head of the bolt can only be attained by breaking the cap member 13. These cap members it will be understood may bemade of comparatively cheap material such as cast iron which will admit of their being broken by representatives of the gas or water companies who are authorized to turn on or olf water from certain premises, without incurring more than anominal expense. It will be further understood that the finding of a stop box with a broken cap member will at once be an indication that some unauthorized person has gained access to the valve which controls the supply of water to the adjacent premises, whereas under the present practice of exposing the head of the locking bolt permits anyone to gain access to the stop box without leaving any indication that such access has been gained.

From the above description it will be seen that my device is simple in construction, can be produced at low cost of manufacture and will result in a great saving to water and gas supply companies.

iat I claim is: 1. In a locking device for stop boxes, the combination with a stop box body, a sep arately formed top plate therefor and, a bolt adapted to unite said top plate and stop box, of a locking member beneath the head of said bolt and a sealing cap having internal means for engagement with said locking member when the cap is pressed downward over the head of the bolt.

2. In a locking device for stop boxes, the combination with a. stop box body, a top plate therefor and a bolt uniting said top plate and stop box, of a locking disk mounted on said bolt beneath the head of the latter, said disk being provided with spring tongues, and a sealing cap having a shoulder on its inner wall surface adapted when said cap is presseddownward over said bolt head to engage said spring tongues.

3. In a locking device for stop boxes, the combination with a stop box body, a top plate therefor and a bolt uniting said top plate and stop box, of a locking disk 1nount ed on said bolt beneath the head of the latter, said disk being provided with spring tongues, a washer also mounted on said bolt beneath said spring locking disk and a sealing cap having an internal shoulder which is adapted to be engaged by the said spring tongues when said cap is in place over the head of the bolt.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

PRENTISS R. GRALL.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each. by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G.

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