Patent ID: 6799596
Filing Date: 2004-10-05
Classification: F16K,F16L,Y10T

Abstract:
A safety shut-off valve, comprising:a valve housing; a detachable end portion connected to said valve housing by a region of reduced strength; a valve element disposed within said valve housing and being displaceable between an open position that permits flow through the valve and a closed position that substantially prevents flow through the valve; a biasing element engaged with said valve element to urge said valve element toward said closed position; and a retainer element disposed within said valve housing and including a plurality of arm segments engaged against said detachable end portion adjacent said region of reduced strength to initially maintain said valve element in said open position; and wherein imposition of a force onto said detachable end portion results in at least partial detachment from said valve housing along said region of reduced strength, said at least partial detachment causing at least one of said plurality of arm segments to disengage said detachable end portion, said disengagement of said at least one of said plurality of arm segments from said detachable end portion causing deformation of said plurality of arm segments remaining in engagement with said detachable end portion to permit said biasing element to displace said valve element toward said closed position.