US1739185A

US1739185A - Float-ball valve

Info

Publication number: US1739185A
Application number: US141062A
Authority: US
Inventors: Edwin L Stimson
Original assignee: ESSEX RUBBER Co
Current assignee: ESSEX RUBBER Co
Priority date: 1926-10-12
Filing date: 1926-10-12
Publication date: 1929-12-10
Anticipated expiration: 1946-12-10

Description

Dec. 10, 1929. E. L. STIMSON 1,739,185

FLOAT BALL VALVE Filed Oct. 12, 1926 19" 7 6 g r i avwentoz 33313 Mamie 0n vgw Patented Dec. 10, 1929 as STATES PATENT OFFICE EDWIN L. STIMSON, OF EGGERTSVILLE, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO ESSEX RUBBER COM- PANY, OF TRENT ON, NEW JERSEY, A COR-IORATION OF NEW JERSEY FLOAT-BALL VALVE Application filed October 12, 1926.

The present invention relates to float ball valves such as used in flushing tanks and has for an object to provide an improved valve of this type.

The nature and objects of the invention will be better understood from a consideration of a particular illustrative embodiment t iereof for the purpose of which description reference should be made to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof and in which Fig. 1 is a top plan view ant Fig. 2 side view of a tank ball embodying the vention.

Fig. 8 is a vertical sectional view of the ball, and Figs. 4 and 5 are sectional views taken respectively on the lines 4-l and 55 of Fig. 1 showing in cross section the shape of the ribs.

The ball valve shown for the purpose of illustrating the invention comprises a lower flexible seat engaging portion 5 and an upper relatively rigid portion 6 formed for attachment to a suitable valve stem.

The upper portion may be of substantially the same thickness as the lower portion or, if desired, it may be somewhat thicker to provide greater inherent rigidity. On the outer surface of the upper portion are provided a plurality of ribs 7 so formed as to reinforce the upper portion of the ball to prvoide the desired rigidity thereof and to tend to cause a rotation of the ball either as the ball is drawn upwardly through the water upon operation of the valve lifting mechanism, or as the ball floats upwardly after the operation of said valve lifting mechanism. These ribs may be of any suitable form. As shown they are so formed as to present to the water on is a in one side an outstanding surface 8 such that the engagement of the water therewith will tend to rotate the ball. The direction of rotation as caused by the ribs is preferably such as to tend to tighten the ball on the usual threaded rod which is arranged to be engaged in the threaded spud 9 molded in the top of the ball as is usual practice. It will be noted that the ribs are wider toward the centre of Serial No. 141,062.

the ball the better to provide the desired reinforcement.

In the usual operation of the ball valve the valve is lifted by the valve operating mechanism a sufficient distance to free it from the valve seat and thereafter the valve floats upwardly due to its own buoyancy. The ball may or may not actually be rotated by the ribs during the operation of the valve lifting mechanism depending upon the degree of friction between the valve lifting mechanism and the valve stem. However, the form of the ribs is such as to tend to tighten the valve on the valve stem rather than to unscrew it and when the valve passes beyond the limit of the operated movement and during the floating movement thereof, it will be rotated on account of the shape of the ribs.

This rotation of the ball will cause it to seat in different positions on the valve seat and thereby tend to cause an even wearing of the valve. This rotation of the valves also tends to some extent to keep the valve seat clean. I

The reinforcing ribs stiffen the upper portion of the ball thus performing the function of the usual conical reinforcing member com monly used in balls of this type.

The lower portion of the ball below the annular seat engaging part is thickened to increase the rigidity of the lower half of the ball as a whole without reducing yieldability of the annular seat engaging part.

The lower portion of the ball is preferably provided with a relatively large opening whereby the ball can be made by molding upon a mandrel in a suitable mold, the mandrel being removed from the ball after the vulcanizing operation.

The foregoing description of a particular embodiment is illustrative merely and is not intended as defining the limits of the invention.

I claim:

1. A moulded rubber tank ball, comprising a lower flexible seat engaging portion, an upper relatively rigid valve stem engaging portion, and reinforcing ribs formed integrally with said upper portion and exteriorly thereof, said ribs being formed spirally of the ball to cause rotation of the ball during movement through the water.

2. A moulded rubber tank ball, comprising a lower flexible seat engaging portion, an upper relatively rigid valve stem engaging portion, and means to cause rotation of the ball during movement through the water, said means being formed integrally with the upper portion of the ball and providing reinforcement therefor.

3. A moulded rubber tank ball, comprising a lower flexible seat engaging portion, an upper relatively rigid valve stem engaging portion, and reinforcing ribs formed integrally with said upper portion and exteriorly thereof, said ribs being relatively thin and narrow at the top of the ball, becoming progressively thicker and wider at their mid portions, and progressively thinner and wider at their lower ends.

4. A moulded rubber tank ball, comprising a lower flexible seat engaging portion, an upper relatively rigid valve stem engaging portion, and reinforcing ribs formed integrally with said upper portion and exteriorly thereof, said ribs being relatively thin and narrow at the top of the ball, becoming progressively thicker and wider at their mid portions, and progressively thinner and Wider at their lower ends, said ribs being provided with spirally arranged faces adapted to cause rotation of the ball during movement through the Water.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification this 29th day of September, 1926. r

, EDWIN L. STIMSON.