US2128059A

US2128059A - Fusible stop for faucets

Info

Publication number: US2128059A
Authority: US
Inventors: Siegert Walter
Original assignee: Mcdonald Mfg Co A Y
Current assignee: AY McDonald Manufacturing Co
Priority date: 1936-04-06
Filing date: 1936-04-06
Publication date: 1938-08-23
Anticipated expiration: 1955-08-23

Description

Aug. 23; 1938. w. SIEGERT 2,128,059

FUSIBLE STOP FOR FAUCETS Filed April s, 1936 lllllllllllllll lllllllll 1 Patented Aug. 23, 1938 i UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FUSIBLE STOP FOR FAUCETS Walter Siegert, Dubuque, Iowa, assignor to A. Y.

McDonald Mfg. 00., Dubuque, Iowa, a corporation of Iowa Application April 6, 1936, Serial No. 72,955

26 Claims. (01. 137162) The present invention relates to self closing terial having a low melting point, which matefaucets or similar valve mechanisms, and more rial is melted upon the application of heat to in particular to novel operating means therefor. separate saidparts and to permit release of the Faucets of the self closing type have a pluhandle to close the valve of the faucet.

rality of uses and are particularly adapted for Other objects, features, capabilities and ad- 5 use in discharging gasoline, fuel oils, and the vantages are comprehended by the invention, as like from vehicle tanks, reservoirs and other will later appear and as are inherently possessed similar containers. This type of valve is northereby. mally closed by suitable mechanism which oper- Referring to the drawing:

ates the valve to close the faucet. Discharge of Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of a faucet liquid therethrough is usually effected by means of the self closing type, disclosing novel operatof a removable wrench which operates to unseat ing mechanism made in accordance with the the valve to permit the discharge of liquid therepresent invention; through. When this type of faucet is provided Figure 2 is an end View in elevation of the.

for discharging liquids from vehicle tanks and self closing faucet of Figure 1 of the drawing, 35 the like, it is intended that the driver should disclosing also in end elevation the novel operhold the faucet open until the desired quantity at g m c a s Of Figure of liquid from the vehicle tank has been dis- Fi r 3 s a View in d elevation f novel charged. In practice, however, these instrucstop means made in accordance with the present tions are not followed, and in order to be reinvention and having part8 broken y to 20 lieved of continuously holding the valve in open disclose the construction thereof more in detail;

position, the driver secures the wrench or valve F e s a View in end elevation of the p operating means in an open position by either ea s o Figure 3 0f w l propping or tying it up. This is a vicious prac- Figures 5 and 6 are views in side elevation 23 tice inasmuch as the valve being secured in open 0f o fi d forms f 01 5, t e Same having parts position greatly increases th fire hazard, h uld broken away to disclose the construction thereof a fire start, because even though the driver is more in detail;

able to drive the truck away from the fire, a Figure is a front end View Of the p means stream of inflammable liquid would follow the of Figures 5 and 6 of the drawing; :1 truck tank with serious consequences. Figure 8 is a view in side elevation of still v It is therefore an object of the present invenanother form of stop means, with parts broken tion to provide a novel operating means for holdaway to disclose the construction thereof more ing the valve open in a faucet of the self closing in detail;

type and which will be released in case a fire Figure 9 is .a front view in elevation of the starts. stop means of Figure 8 of the drawing; 35

More particularly, the present invention in- Figure 10 is a view in side elevation of still clucles as an object the idea of providing a novel another form of stop means made in accordance operating means for the valve of a faucet of the with the present invention;

self closing type which is adapted to be operated Figure 11 is a front view in elevation of the for holding the valve in open position under norstop means of Figure 10 of the drawing; and 40 mal conditions and which means is released upon Figure 12 is a fragmentary view in cross-secthe application of heat in the event a fire starts tion taken in the plane represented by line l2-I2 in the vicinity ofv the faucet. of Figure '1 of the drawing.

The present invention also contemplates the Referring now more in detail to the drawing,

idea of providing novel stop means for a faucet novel operating means made in accordance with 45 of the self closing type adapted to cooperate with the present invention is disclosed in association an operating handle or wrench for normally with a faucet 2 of the self closing type, this holding the wrench in an open position, which faucet including a housing 4 having a fitting 6 stop means is $0 formed as to release the handle adapted to be connected to a tank reservoir or upon the application of heat to the stop means. the like, and a discharge fitting 8 whereby liquid 50 Still another object of the present invention may be discharged from the tank and directed to is to provide novel stop means for an operating any suitable receptacle. Disposed within. the wrench or handle of a faucet of the self closing housing 4 and controlling the flow of liquid type, which. stop means comprises a plurality of through the communicating passageways through .55 parts suitably secured together by fusible mathe housing 4 is a valve (not disclosed) which is provided with a stem l around which is disposed a coil spring l2 seating at one end with the valve and at the other end with the housing to normally urge the Valve into closed position. The valve is normally operated to open the same by means of a rotatable spindle [4 which extends laterally of the housing 4 and which is provided with a non-circular end whereby the same may be rotated by suitable operating mechanism.

The operating mechanism disclosed in the present application comprises a wrench l6 having a handle portion [8 at one end which may be readily grasped by an operator and being provided with a locking lug portion 26 at the other end thereof which is formed with stepped locking lugs 22 on the inner face thereof. Intermediate the portions l8 and 28 of the wrench is an enlarged socket receiving portion 24 adapted to embrace the socket member 26, this. socket 26 being formed with a non-circular opening adapted to embrace the non-circular end of the valve spindle l4 and also being pivotally or rotatably mounted in the socket receiving portion 24 as by means of a rivet or the like 28, said rivet 28 allows member 20 to swing downwardly and glide over cone 32 in case member 46 has fused.

As heretofore pointed out, the present invention relates to novel operating means for faucets of the self closing type, which means includes a stop adapted to cooperate with the wrench M for holding the same in valve opening position under normal conditions, but also adapted to release the wrench to close the valve under abnormal conditions, as for example, should a fire start adjacent the faucet with the evolution of heat. In the present invention the stop means 30, disclosed in Figures. 1 and 2 of the drawing and more clearly shown in detail in Figures 3 and 4 of the drawing, comprises a Inulti-part lug in which one of the parts 32 is provided with a threaded shank 34 which may be screwed into a threaded lug 36 projecting from the housing 4 0f the faucet, a lock nut 38 being provided to positively secure the shank 34 within the lug 36. The part 32 is further provided with an oppositely disposed portion provided with a cone forming surface 40, which surface is adapted to cooperate with and seat on a complementary surface 42 defining a recess in another part 44 of the stop or lug assembly. Disposed between the surfaces 40 and 42 is fusible material 46 which serves to connect the

parts

32 and 44 together. This fusible material may be of any suitable metal alloy, shellac or the like, the material being selected because of its low melting point and having the property of holding the

parts

32 and 44 together until the application of heat, whereupon the same melts or fuses to permit release of the part 44 from the part 32. As shown in Figure 3 of the drawing, the part 44 is provided with a locking shoulder 48 adapted to be engaged by any one of the lugs 22 of the looking lug portion of the wrench l6. It will be noted that the surfaces and 42 are so formed as to provide truncated cone structures and that part 32 extends through and is fiush with the face of part "44, although it will be appreciated that surfaces 43 and 42 may be formed to provide the same structure wherein the recess formed by surface 42 terminates in spaced relation to the outer face of part 44.

When itis desired to open the valve in the faucet 2, the wrench l6, which is normally removed from association with the faucet 2, is grasped by the operator and the socket 26 placed over the end of the spindle I4. Inasmuch as the socket 26 is pivoted to the wrench l6, the spindle l4 may be rotated without looking the part 20 of the wrench engaging the stop secured to the lug 36. After the spindle has been rotated sufficiently to open the valve against the action of coil spring l2, the wrench "5 may be rotated about rivet 28 with respect to the socket 26 whereby one of the lugs 22 engages shoulder 48 of the stop assembly. When the wrench is locked in its valve opening position, discharge of liquid through the faucet is continuous and does not necessitate the immediate and continued supervision of the operator. Should a fire start in the vicinity of the faucet 2 with the evolution of heat, such heat, in striking the stop assembly, would cause the fusible material to melt, permitting displacement of part 44 from part 32 of the stop means. Upon the fusing of the material 46, the part 44 would become disengaged from part 32, thereby releasing the handle l8 and permitting the closing of the valve under the action of coil spring l2.

It will be noted that the cooperating cone forming surfaces of

parts

32 and 44 facilitate displacement of part 44 with respect to part 32 when the material 46 is fused. It will also be noted that the axes of the cone forming surfaces are offset with respect to the axis of the threaded shank 34, this eccentric relation of the surfaces in respect to the axis of the threaded shank being desirable because it is necessary to have some adjustment of the stop or lug to compensate for variations in measurements of the machined component parts of the faucet. Therefore, in order to get the maximum lift of the valve off of its seat, it is necessary in certain instances in assembling these faucets to raise or lower the stop point by adjustment of the stop or lug.

Figures 5 and 6 disclose in detail modified constructions for stop assemblies adapted for use in the mechanism disclosed in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawing. In Figure 5 the stop is of multipart construction, the part 58 comprising a. threaded shank 52 and a portion 54 formed with a cone forming surface 56, this portion 54 being received Within a recess 58 of another part 60, the recess 58 being defined by a cone forming surface complementary to surface 56.

Parts

58 and 68 are normally secured together by any suitable fusible material 62 and the threaded shank 52 of the stop mechanism is adapted to be received in a lug, such as lug 36 of Figures 1 and 2 of the drawing. Part 66 is further formed with a locking shoulder 84 engageable with any of the lugs 22 of the wrench l6.

The stop mechanism disclosed in Figure 6 of the drawing corresponds essentially to that of Figure 5 and is of multi-part

construction comprising parts

66 and 68. Part 66 is formed with the threaded shank Ill and with a recess defined by the cone forming'surface 12, which recess is adapted to receive portion 14 of part 68, which portion is provided with a cone forming surface complementary to the cone forming surface 12. As in the previous embodiments,

parts

66 and 68 are normally secured together by fusible material 16 and part 68 is further provided with a locking shoulder 18.

Figures 8 and 9 disclose in detail still another modified construction for the stop assembly, the same including

parts

80 and 82. Part 80 comprises a threaded shank 84 to which at one end is secured a plate member 86.

Part 82 is formed with a locking shoulder 88 and has secured thereto a plate 90 corresponding essentially to plate 86. It will be noted that

plates

86 and 96 are secured to parts and 82 by the opposite abutting ends of said parts, and in accordance with the present invention the

parts

80 and 82 are normally secured together by suitable fusible material 92 disposed between the plates and the abutting ends of the parts. As in the previously disclosed embodiments, melting of the fusible material permits displacement of part 82 with respect to part 88 to permit release of the wrench l6.

Figures 10 and 11 disclose still another modified construction for the stop assembly, the same comprising

parts

94 and 96, which parts are provided with cooperating extending plane surfaces secured together as by means of fusible material 98. In this embodiment, part 94 is provided with the threaded shank IUIJ for securing the stop assembly to a lug, such as 36 of the faucet housing, and part 96 is provided with the locking shoulder I02 adapted to cooperate with the wrench I6 as hereinbefore described, this locking shoulder having the slot IM for receiving a screw driver or other tool whereby the stop assembly may be screwed into seating relation with securing means, such as lug 36, and locking nut 38. It will be noted that part 96 is eccentrically arranged with respect to part 94 in a similar manner to the arrangement shown in Figures 3 and 4. The advantages of such a construction have been set forth hereinbefore in our description of the embodiment disclosed in such figures.

It is to be understood that the term cone forming surface or cone forming surfaces as used in the specification and claims is to be interpreted broadly to include those surfaces which form in part substantially the surface of a cone (truncated cone structure) or the entire surface of a cone.

While I have herein described and upon the drawing shown illustrative embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto but may comprehend other constructions, arrangements of parts, details and features without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. In valve mechanism, the combination of' a self closing faucet having a valve operating spindle, a wrench comprising a socket member attachable to said valve spindle and a handle for moving said socket member as a unit therewith for operating said valve operating spindle to open the valve, and means engageable by said wrench for holding said handle and socket in valve opening position under normal operating conditions and to release the same for movement to valve closing position upon application of heat, said means comprising a lug assembly having at least two parts connected together by fusible material, the connected surfaces of said parts being disposed in a plane substantially parallel with respect to the normal direction of movement of said handle.

2. In valve mechanism, the combination of a self closing faucet having a valve operating spindle, a wrench comprising a socket member attachable to said valve spindle and a handle for moving said socket member as a unit therewith for operating said valve operating spindle to open the valve, and means engageable by said wrench for holding said handle and socket in valve opening position under normal operating conditions and to release the same for movement to valve closing position upon application of heat, said means comprising a lug assembly having two parts provided with complementary cone forming surfaces, said surface on one of said parts circumferentially embracing the other of said surfaces, and fusible material between said surfaces for holding said parts together.

3. In valve mechanism, the combination of a self closing faucet having a valve operating spindle, a wrench comprising a socket member attachable to said valve spindle and a handle for moving said socket member as a unit therewith.

for operating said valve operating spindle to-open the valve, and means engageable by said wrench for holding said handle and socket in valve opening position under normal operating conditions and to release the same for movement to valve closing position upon application of heat, said means comprising a lug assembly having two parts, one of said parts being provided with a recess defined by a cone forming surface, the other of said parts having a projecting element defined by a cone forming surface fitting into said recess and being circumferentially embraced thereby, the fusible material between said surfaces for holding said parts together.

4. In valve mechanism, the combination of a self closing faucet provided with a housing and a valve operating spindle mounted therein, a

wrench comprising a socket member attachable to said valve spindle and a handle pivotally connected to said member for movement normal to the axis of said spindle, said handle and socket member being movable as a unit for operating said valve operating spindle to open the valve, said handle having a locking lug extending beyond said socket member, and means mounted on said housing and cooperating with said locking lug for holding said handle and socket in valve opening position under normal operating conditions and to release the same for movement to valve closing position upon application of heat,

said means comprising a lug assembly having a plurality of parts wherein said parts are connected together by fusible material.

5. In valve mechanism, the combination of a self closing faucet provided with a housing and a valve operating spindle mounted therein, a wrench comprising a socket member attachable to said valve spindle and a handle pivotally connected to said member for movement normal to the axis of said spindle, said handle and socket member being movable as a unit for operating said valve operating spindle to open the valve, said handle having a locking lug extending beyond said socket member, and means mounted on said housing and cooperating with said locking lug for holding said handle and socket in valve opening position under normal operating conditions and to release the same for movement to valve closing position upon application of heat, said means comprising a two-part lug assembly connected together by fusible material, one of said parts being secured to said housing and forming a support for the other of said parts, said other part normally cooperating with said locking lug.

6. In valve mechanism, the combination of a self closing faucet provided. with a housing and a valve operating spindle mounted therein, a wrench comprising a socket member attachable to said valve spindle and a handle pivotally connected to said member for movement normal to the axis of said spindle, said handle and socket member being movable as a unit for operating said valve operating spindle to open the valve, said handle having a locking lug extending beyond said socket member, and means mounted on said housing and cooperating with said locking lug for holding said handle and socket in valve opening position under normal operating conditions and to release the same for movement to valve closing position upon application of heat, said means comprising a lug assembly having at least two parts connected together by fusible material, the connected surfaces of said parts being disposed in a plane inclined with respect to the normal direction of movement of said handle.

'7. In valve mechanism, the combination of a self closing faucet provided with a housing and a valve operating spindle mounted therein, a wrench comprising a socket member attachable to said valve spindle and a handle pivotally connected to said member for movement normal to the axis of said spindle, said handle and socket member being movable as a unit for operating said valve operating spindle to open the valve, said handle having a locking lug extending beyond said socket member, and means mounted on said housing and cooperating with said looking lug for holding said handle and socket in valve opening position under normal operating conditions and to release the same for movement to valve closing position upon application of heat, said means comprising a lug assembly having at least two parts connected together by fusible material, the connected surfaces of said parts being disposed in a plane substantially parallel with respect to the normal direction of movement of said handle.

8. In valve mechanism, the combination of a self closing faucet provided with a housing and a valve operating spindle mounted therein, a wrench comprising .a socket member attachable to said valve spindle and a handle pivotally connected to said member for movement normal to the axis of said spindle, said handle and socket member being movable as. a unit for operating said valve operating spindle to open the valve, said handle having a locking lug extending beyond said socket member, and means mounted on said housing and cooperating with said locking lug for holding said handle and socket in valve opening position under normal operating conditions and to release the same for movement to valve closing position upon application of heat, said means. comprising a lug assembly having two parts provided with cone forming surfaces, and fusible material between said surfaces for holding said parts together.

9. In valve mechanism, the combination of a self closing faucet provided with a housing and a valve operating spindle mounted therein, a wrench comprising a socket member attachable to said valve spindle and a handle pivotally connected to said member for movement normal to the axis of said spindle, said handle and socket member being movable as a unit for operating said valve operating spindle to open the valve, said handle having a locking lug extending beyond said socket member, and means mounted on said housing and cooperating with said locking lug for holding said handle and socket in valve opening position under normal operating conditions and to release the same for movement to valve closing position upon application of heat, said means comprising a lug assembly having two parts, one of said parts being provided with a recess defined by a cone forming surface, the other of said parts having a projecting element defined by a cone forming surface fitting into said recess, and fusible material between said surfaces for holding said parts together.

10. In a valve mechanism, the combination of a self closing faucet provided with a housing and a valve operating spindle mounted therein, a wrench comprising a socket member attachable to said valve spindle and a handle pivotally connected to said member for movement normal to the axis of said spindle, said handle and socket member being movable as a unit for operating said valve operating spindle to open the valve, said handle having a locking lug extending beyond said socket member, and means mounted on said housing and cooperating with said locking lug for holding said handle and socket in valve opening position under normal operating conditions and to release the same for movement to valve closing position upon application of heat, said means comprising a twopart lug assembly having complementary plane surfaces connected together by fusible material.

11. A lug assembly comprising a plurality of parts, one of said parts having securing means and another of said parts having a locking shoulder, said parts having complementary abutting surfaces and one of said parts being circumferentially embraced by the other, and fusible material between said surfaces for holding said parts together.

12. A lug assembly comprising a plurality of parts, one of said parts having securing means and the other of said parts having a locking shoulder, said parts having complementary inclined abutting surfaces and one of said parts being circumferentially embraced by the other, and fusible material between said surfaces for holding said parts together.

13. A lug assembly comprising a plurality of parts, one of said parts having securing means and the other of said parts having a locking shoulder extending in a plane substantially parallel to the axis of said securing means, said parts having complementary plane surfaces substantially normal to said locking shoulder and the axis of said securing means, and fusible material between said surfaces for holding said parts together.

14. A lug assembly comprising a plurality of parts, one of said parts having securing means and the other of said parts having a locking shoulder,

said parts being provided with complementary cone forming surfaces, one of said surfaces circumferentially embracing the other of said surfaces, and fusible material between said surfaces for holding said parts together.

15. A lug assembly comprising a plurality of 'a cone forming surface, the other of said parts being provided with a locking shoulder and a recess defined by a cone forming surface adapted to cooperate with and circumferentially embrace said first-named surface, and fusible material between said surfaces for holding said parts together.

16. A lug assembly comprising a plurality of parts, one of said parts having securing means and an oppositely disposed recess defined by a cone forming surface, the other of said parts being provided with a locking shoulder and a portion provided with a cone forming surface adapted to cooperate with and circumferentially embrace said first-named surface, and fusible material between said surfaces for holding said parts together.

1'7. A lug assembly comprising a plurality of parts, one of said parts having securing means and a plate fitted thereto, said plate having a surface disposed in substantially flush relation with the end of said part, the other of said parts having a locking shoulder and an adjacently disposed plate having a surface disposed in substantially flush relation with the end of said part, and fusible material between said surfaces for holding said parts together.

18. A lug assembly comprising a plurality of parts, one of said parts having securing means and the other of said parts having a locking shoulder, said parts being provided with complementary cone forming surfaces, fusible material between said surfaces for holding said parts together, said locking shoulder being offset with respect to said securing means, and means for adjustment of the securing means about its axis whereby the effective position of the locking shoulder can be adjusted.

19. A lug assembly comprising a plurality of parts, one of said parts having securing means and the other of said parts having a locking shoulder, said parts being provided with complementary cone forming surfaces, fusible material between said surfaces for holding said parts together, said locking shoulder being eccentrically disposed with respect to the axis of said securing means, and means for adjustment of the securing means about its axis whereby the effective position of the locking shoulder can be adjusted.

20. A lug assembly comprising a plurality of parts, one of said parts having a threaded shank adjacent one end of the assembly and the other of said parts having a locking shoulder adjacent the other end of the assembly and disposed to lie in a plane substantially parallel to the axis of said assembly, said parts being provided with complementary cone forming surfaces, one of said parts circumferentially embracing the other, and fusible material between said surfaces for holding said parts together.

21. A lug assembly comprising a plurality of parts, one of said parts having securing means and the other of said parts having a locking shoulder the portions thereof being eccentrically disposed with respect to the axis of said securing means, and means for adjustment of the securing means about its axis whereby the effective position of the locking shoulder can be adjusted, said parts being provided with complementary cone forming surfaces and fusible material between said surfaces for holding said parts together.

22. A lug assembly comprising a plurality of parts one of said parts having a threaded shank and the other of said parts having a locking shoulder the portions thereof being eccentrically disposed with respect to the axis of said shank, and means for adjustment of the securing means about its axis whereby the effective position of the locking shoulder can be adjusted, said parts being provided with complementary cone forming surfaces, and fusible material between said surfaces for holding said parts together.

23. In valve mechanism, the combination of a self closing faucet having a valve operating spindle, a wrench comprising a socket member attachable to said valve spindle and a handle for moving said socket member as a unit therewith for operating said valve operating spindle to open the valve, and means for holding said wrench in valve opening position under normal operating conditions and to release the same for movement to valve closing position upon application of heat, said means comprising a multi-part lug assembly wherein said parts are connected together by fusible material, one of said parts having securing means and another of said parts having a locking shoulder eccentrically disposed in respect to said securing means, and means for adjustment of the securing means about its axis whereby the effective position of the locking shoulder can be adjusted.

24. In valve mechanism, the combination of a self closing faucet having a valve operating spindle, a wrench comprising a socket member attachable to said valve spindle and a handle for moving said socket member as a unit therewith for operating said valve operating spindle to open the valve, and means engageable with said wrench for holding the same in valve opening position under normal operating conditions and to release the same for movement to valve closing position upon application of heat, said means comprising a multi-part lug assembly wherein said parts have cooperating complementary cone forming surfaces, one of said surfaces circumferentially embracing the other and said surfaces being connected together by fusible material, and one of said parts having means having seating relation with said wrench.

25. In valve mechanism, the combination of a self closing faucet having a valve operating spindle, a wrench comprising a socket member attachable to said valve spindle and a handle for moving said socket member as a unit therewith for operating said valve operating spindle to open the valve, and means for holding said wrench in valve opening position under normal operating conditions and. to release the same for movement to valve closing position upon application of heat, said means comprising a multi-part lug assembly wherein said parts have cooperating complementary cone forming surfaces, one of said surfaces circumferentially embracing the other and said surfaces being connected together by fusible material, one of said parts having securing means and another of said parts having a locking shoulder eccentrically disposed in respect to said securing means, and means for adjustment of the securing means about its axis whereby the effective position of the locking shoulder can be adjusted.

26. In valve mechanism, the combination of a self closing faucet having a valve operating spindle, a wrench comprising a socket member attachable to said valve spindle and a handle for moving said socket member as a unit therewith for operating said valve operating spindle to open the valve, and means for holding said Wrench in valve opening position under normal operating conditions and to release the same for movement to valve closing position upon application of heat, said means comprising a multi-part lug assembly wherein said parts have cooperating complementary surfaces disposed at an angle to the movement of said wrench and said surfaces being connected together by fusible material, one of said parts having securing means and another of said parts having a locking shoulder eccentrically disposed in respect to said securing means, and means for adjustment of the securing means about its axis whereby the effective position of the locking shoulder can be adjusted.

WALTER SIEGERT.