Patent ID: 6009897
Filing Date: 2000-01-04
Classification: E03B,F16K,Y10T

Abstract:
A valve lock for removably blocking an access pipe to an underground valve, comprising:a cylindrical hollow pipe;a plurality of closure wedges at the ends thereof having first and second wedge surfaces, said closure wedges each having a semi-cylindrical outer surface;a base wedge fixed to an end of said pipe, the base wedge having a first closure wedge-engaging surface facing said first wedge surface;a thrust wedge longitudinally spaced from said base wedge by said plurality of closure wedges, said thrust wedge having a second closure wedge-engaging surface facing said second wedge surface;an actuation device engaged to said thrust wedge driving said second closure wedge-engaging surface against said second surface and said first surface against said first closure wedge engaging-surface forcing said plurality of closure wedges radially outwardly,whereby said semi-cylindrical outer surfaces of said closure wedges engage an inner wall surface of the access pipe over a significant circumferential extent of the inner wall surface.