Abstract:
A tool that can be used even in confined quarters with fluid distribution system branch pipe connecting valves, such as corporation valve stops and ball valves, while giving the user an indication of the location of the connecting valve turn key in relation to the connected to distribution pipe, thus helping to eliminate the need for excavating wider trenches. The tool has a top connecting element ( 10 ) with a means for attaching ( 20 ) to a torque force transfer tool, such as a ratchet wrench, and which through the encompassing effect of its sides ( 30 N,  30 E,  30 S, and  30 W, or alternatively  30 C) and through its torque force transfer contact surfaces ( 30 E and  30 W or alternatively  41 E,  41 W,  70, 75 L  75 R, and  80 ) provides more protection and better effective distribution of torque force to the body of such connecting valves and enables easier installation.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
         [0001]    None.  
         STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT  
         [0002]    Not applicable.  
         BACKGROUND OF INVENTION  
         [0003]    1. Field of Invention  
           [0004]    This invention relates to tools, in particular to tools that enable the manipulation of valve bodies, specifically a tool for facilitating the installation, tightening, loosening, and removal of apparatuses that connect customer service branch pipes to main distribution pipes; typically these connecting apparatuses contain valves and hence are known as corporation stop valves, corporation stops, service tees, elbows, straight transition fittings, and ball valves.  
           [0005]    2. Discussion of Prior Art  
           [0006]    Many fluid distribution systems include water mains and gas mains with customer service lines connected to the mains for supplying individual customers. The customer service lines are also known as branch pipes or branch lines. Most of these mains and branch pipes are buried several feet in the ground.  
           [0007]    Fittings for connecting branch pipes to the mains usually incorporate a valve therein, either a corporation stop valve or a ball valve, depending on the specifications, collectively referred to as connecting valves. Corporation stop valves may also be called corporation stops, service tees, elbows or straight transition fittings. Connecting valves have turn keys which enable the connecting valve to be opened or closed and thereby respectively allowing or disallowing the flow of fluid.  
           [0008]    Typically these connecting valves are threaded to connect to the appropriate threads of a main pipe. As a result, almost invariably the connecting valves to the branch pipes are also buried several feet underground. When the mains, the branch pipes, and the connecting valves are installed, they are all installed in relatively narrow trenches. The trenches are typically narrow because there is greater expenditure of time and money in excavating (and in some instances shoring up) wider trenches and frequently there is greater risk of damaging other lines in the area and/ or of disruption to traffic flows. Further, wider trenches increase the possibility of third party pedestrians injuring themselves. As a result of the narrow trenches, the installation of the connecting valves and branch pipes off of the main pipe is done in very confined quarters. Further despite the frequently encountered confined quarters, installation specifications frequently require that the turn key on the connecting valve be located at a particular place in relation to the main, for example at twelve o&#39;clock, three o&#39;clock or six o&#39;clock.  
           [0009]    The confined quarters have created conflicts between the manufacturers of the connecting valves and the employees of the contractors who install the connecting valves. Manufacturers have insisted that the installers use only flat wrenches when installing the connecting valves. However the problem with using flat wrenches lies in the fact that to properly use them and to achieve the necessary amount of torque, a wide space must be available. This requirement does not meet the field conditions in most instances.  
           [0010]    The employees of many installation contractors have resorted to using pipe wrenches to install the connecting valves. However pipe wrenches frequently cause distortion of the corporation stop valve body, which eventually leads to leakage. The use of a pipe wrench will void the manufacturer&#39;s warranty.  
           [0011]    The problem inherent in the conflict has not been resolved to date because manufacturers have relied upon the voiding of their warranty to escape liability and the installers have relied upon the fact that resulting leakage frequently doesn&#39;t show itself for several years and that artful use of the pipe wrench may avoid detection by the manufacturer. Significant amounts of time and money are spent determining whether pipe wrench distortion has caused a leakage and determining who bears the cost of the leakage—the municipality, the installer, or the manufacturer. Each leakage repair requires significant expenditure of funds to fix and entails locating a leak, digging the surrounding ground up, and replacing the non-working part. And in the replacement of the part, the cycle repeats itself as the hole or trench dug is invariably even more narrow than the original trench.  
           [0012]    The inventor is unaware of any socket, let alone any tool, designed specifically for the installation, tightening, loosening, and removal of connecting valves.  
         SUMMARY  
         [0013]    In accordance with the present invention a servicing socket for branch pipe connecting valves comprises an enclosure with a top connecting piece that connects to a torque force transfer tool, for example a ratchet wrench, and slips over the main body of a connecting valve thereby transferring the torque force from the user to the connecting valve and thus enabling the user to expeditiously install and tighten, and alternatively to expeditiously loosen and remove, the connecting valve in close quarters without damaging the connecting valve. The preferred embodiment of the invention includes a means to quickly ascertain the location of the turn key for the connecting valve in relation to the distribution pipe being connected to, for example at twelve o&#39;clock, three o&#39;clock or six o&#39;clock.  
         OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES  
         [0014]    Accordingly, several objects and advantages of the servicing socket for branch pipe connecting valves are:  
           [0015]    (a) to provide a tool that can be used in installing, tightening, loosening and removing connecting valves even in confined quarters;  
           [0016]    (b) to provide a tool that can be used in installing, tightening, loosening and removing connecting valves more easily;  
           [0017]    (c) to provide a tool that provides more protection for connecting valves during the installation, tightening, loosening, and removal of connecting valves;  
           [0018]    (d) to provide a tool that during installation, tightening, loosening, and removal does not damage connecting valves when properly used;  
           [0019]    (e) to provide a tool that during installation, tightening, loosening, and removal more effectively distributes torque force to connecting valves;  
           [0020]    (f) to provide a tool that helps eliminate the need to excavate wider trenches to enable the installation, tightening, loosening, and removal of connecting valves;  
           [0021]    (g) to provide a tool that does not void manufacturer&#39;s warranties with regard to connecting valves and is an alternative tool to a flat wrench; and  
           [0022]    (h) to provide a tool that during installation, tightening, loosening, and removal indicates where the connecting valve&#39;s turn key is located in relation to the distribution pipe being connected to, for example at twelve o&#39;clock, three o&#39;clock or six o&#39;clock.  
           [0023]    Further objects, advantages and novel features of the servicing socket for branch pipe connecting valves will become apparent to those skilled in the art and others from a consideration of the specification, drawings and ensuing descriptions and further objects, advantages and novel features may be learned by those skilled in the art and others from practical use of (practice using) the servicing socket for branch pipe connecting valves. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS  
       [0024]    The servicing socket for branch pipe connecting valves can be better understood with reference to the appended drawing sheets. Please note that in the drawings, closely related figures have the same number but different alphabetic suffixes.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 1 is a perspective (isometric) view of the preferred embodiment: a basic “square” embodiment of the servicing socket for branch pipe connecting valves.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 2 is a plan view of the preferred embodiment: a basic “square” embodiment of the servicing socket.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 3 is a perspective (isometric) view of an alternative “square” embodiment of the servicing socket that includes guideplates.  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 4 is a plan view of a basic “square” embodiment of an alternative “square” embodiment of the servicing socket that includes guideplates.  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 5 is a perspective (isometric) view of an alternate embodiment of the basic “square” version of the servicing socket for use with a connecting valve insert attachment.  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 6 is a plan view of an alternate embodiment of the basic “square” version of the servicing socket for use with a connecting valve insert attachment.  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 7 is a perspective (isometric) view of a basic “round” embodiment of the servicing socket, machined to fit the connecting valve with a gripping slot.  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 8 is a plan view of a basic “round” embodiment of the servicing socket, machined to fit the connecting valve with a gripping slot  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 9 is a perspective (isometric) view of a basic “round” embodiment of the servicing socket with machined valve contact spots.  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 10 is a plan view of the connecting valve insert attachment that is used with FIGS. 5 and 6.  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 11 is an isometric view of the connecting valve insert attachment inside the socket cavity.  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 12 is an isometric view of a “square” embodiment of the servicing socket showing the attachment means as a post extending from the top connecting piece.  
     
    
     REFERENCE NUMERALS IN DRAWINGS  
       [0037]    [0037] 10  Top connecting element  
         [0038]    [0038] 30 N Section of sidewall containing turn key location device  
         [0039]    [0039] 30 E Section of sidewall containing torque transfer contact surface  
         [0040]    [0040] 30 S Section of sidewall counterfacing sidewall  30 N  
         [0041]    [0041] 30 W Section of sidewall containing counterfacing torque transfer contact surface  
         [0042]    [0042] 41 E Guideplate on sidewall  31 E  
         [0043]    [0043] 50 N Turn key location device  
         [0044]    [0044] 75 L Left hand machined valve contact spot  
         [0045]    [0045] 80  Connecting valve insert attachment  
         [0046]    [0046] 20  Attachment means  
         [0047]    [0047] 30 C Cylindrical Sidewall  
         [0048]    [0048] 31 E Section of sidewall containing guideplate  41 E  
         [0049]    [0049] 31 S Section of sidewall containing slot for corporation stop packing nut  
         [0050]    [0050] 31 W Section of sidewall containing guideplate  41 W  
         [0051]    [0051] 41 W Guideplate on sidewall  31 W  
         [0052]    [0052] 50 S Slot for corporation stop packing nut  
         [0053]    [0053] 70  Gripping Slot  
         [0054]    [0054] 75 R Right hand machined valve contact spot  
         [0055]    [0055] 90  Cavity  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0056]    The preferred embodiment of a servicing socket for branch pipe connecting valves in accordance with the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 1 (isometric view) and FIG. 2 (plan view). Both FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 show the servicing socket with the bottom facing up. The servicing socket depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2 comprises a top connecting element  10 . To enable the user to turn the servicing socket, an attachment means  20  is provided in top connecting element  10  for attaching a not shown tool, such as a ratchet wrench.  
         [0057]    In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2, attachment means  20  is shown as a polygonal opening with which a rectangular drive of a socket wrench (also known as a ratchet wrench) couples. However attachment means  20  can be configured in other manners, as would be recognized by one skilled in the art, such as when it would be comprised of a post protruding from top connecting element  10  which could be configured to match the opening and size of a socket attached to a socket wrench; such a post is shown in FIG. 12.  
         [0058]    There are various possibilities with regard to the relative placement of top connecting element  10 . In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2, top connecting element  10  is fixedly attached to a sidewall  30 N and to a sidewall  30 S by welding and is placed so that a portion of top connecting element  10  lies completely between sidewall  30 N and sidewall  30 S and a portion of top connecting element  10  is situated above the top of sidewall  30 N and the top of sidewall  30 S. However, as would be recognized by one skilled in the art, top connecting element  10  can also be fixedly attached so that all top connecting element  10  lies completely between sidewall  30 N and sidewall  30 S or so that top connecting element  10  is fixedly attached atop  30 N and sidewall  30 S. In addition, top connecting element  10  can be fixedly attached in any number of ways, such as by a pin, a screw, glue, solder, electrofusing, fusing, computerized numerically controlled machining, machining, machine grooving, etc. or can even be unitary with sidewall  30 N and sidewall  30 S, as would be recognized by one skilled in the art, such as when the servicing socket is made from a mold or die cast.  
         [0059]    In the preferred embodiment in FIGS. 1 and 2, top connecting element  10  is centered in the remaining two opposing sections of the sidewall and is typically 7.62 centimeters (3 inches) in length and 3.81 centimeters (1.5 inches) in width and 0.508 centimeters (0.2 inches) thick. However, as would be recognized by one skilled in the art, top connecting element  10  can also be formed in alternate configurations such as covering more or less of the width between sidewall  30 E, and sidewall  30 W, respectively and more or less thick; the only requirement is that top connecting element  10  prove the amount of stability between the wrench and the rest of the servicing socket to transfer the torque force to the connecting valve; typically this size depends upon the distance between sidewall  30 E and sidewall  30 W and between sidewall  30 N and sidewall  30 S. Generally speaking where the distance between sidewall  30 E and sidewall  30 W is 7.62 centimeters (3 inches), then the width ranges from 2.54 centimeters (1.0 inch) to 3.81 centimeters (1.5 inches) and the thickness ranges from 0.508 centimeters (0.2 inches) to 2.54 centimeters (1.0 inch).  
         [0060]    In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2, the first encompassing means is embodied by a tube where sidewall  30 N meets along its one edge with an edge of a sidewall  30 E and along its other edge with an edge of a sidewall  30 W; a remaining edge of sidewall  30 W meets with an edge of sidewall  30 S while a remaining edge of sidewall  30 S completes the formation of a cavity  90  by meeting with the edge of sidewall  30 E. Cavity  90  is a hollow into which the connecting valve is placed, thus allowing the second connecting apparatus-associated element to encompass the connecting valve.  
         [0061]    In FIGS. 1 and 2, the first encompassing means is achieved by cut square metal tubing; however sidewall  30 N, sidewall  30 E, sidewall  30 S, and sidewall  30 W could be manufactured in various ways as one skilled in the art would recognize such as by cutting and welding sheets of metal together or molding the same or forming the same from computerized numerically controlled machining. In an alternative embodiment depicted in FIGS. 7 through 10, in place of sidewall  30 N, sidewall  30 E, sidewall  30 S, and sidewall  30 W there is a cylindrical sidewall  30 C; the cylindrical nature of sidewall  30 C forms cavity  90 . Sidewall  30 C can be manufactured in any of the ways that sidewall  30 N, sidewall  30 E, sidewall  30 S, and sidewall  30 W are.  
         [0062]    In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2, because the tubing is sized to fit the connecting valve, sidewall  30 E and  30 W are themselves the contact surface of the second connecting apparatus-associated element for transferring force applied to a wrench onto said connecting valve, thereby turning the connecting valve.  
         [0063]    However, where the connecting valve is of a smaller size, then adjustment mechanisms such as a guideplate  41 E and a guideplate  41 W are attached to sidewalls  31 E and  31 W respectively, as depicted in FIGS.  3  (isometric view) and  4  (plan view) so that there is a contact surface for transferring force applied to a wrench onto said connecting valve, thereby turning the connecting valve. Although FIGS. 3 and 4 show guideplate  41 E and guideplate  41 W as fixedly attached to a sidewall  31 E and a sidewall  31 W respectively, they could be manufactured and attached in a number of ways as would be recognized by one skilled in the art, such as when the servicing socket is made from a mold or a die.  
         [0064]    In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 3 and 4 guideplate  41 E is centered in the middle and at the bottom of the inside of sidewall  31 E while guideplate  41 W is centered in the middle and at the bottom of the inside of sidewall  31 W. Both guideplate  41 E and  41 W are each typically 3.81 centimeters (1.5 inches) in length and 5.08 centimeters (2 inches) top to bottom, leaving 2.54 centimeters (1 inch) between the top of sidewall  31 E and the top of guideplate  41 E and between the top of sidewall  31 W and the top of guideplate  41 W. Optionally both guideplate  41 E and guideplate  41 W may be formed in alternate configurations such as covering more or less of the width and height of sidewall  31 E, and sidewall  31 W, respectively; the only requirement is that each guideplate  41 E and  41 W prove the amount of contact with the connecting valve necessary to transfer the torque force to the connecting valve; typically size this ranges from 1.27 centimeters (0.5 inch) in length and 1.27 centimeters (0.5 inch) from top to bottom to 7.62 centimeters (3.0 inches) in length and 7.62 centimeters (3.0 inches) from top to bottom.  
         [0065]    In the alternative embodiment depicted in FIGS.  5  (isometric view) and  6  (plan view) where the connecting valve is of a smaller size, then an adjustment mechanism such as connecting valve insert attachment  80  depicted in FIG. 13 is attached to the connecting valve, and then there will be a proper fit for the transfer of torque force from the tool to the connecting valve together when the connecting valve and connecting valve insert attachment  80  are placed into cavity  90 . FIG. 14 shows connecting valve insert attachment  80  placed inside cavity  90  in a “square” embodiment of the invention.  
         [0066]    In the alternative embodiment depicted in FIGS. 7 through 9, the encompassing means for the second connecting apparatus-associated element takes the shape of circular tubing forming cylindrical sidewall  30 C as depicted. In FIGS.  7  (isometric view) and  8  (plan view) cylindrical sidewall  30 C is manufactured in the appropriate interior diameter sizes to connect directly with a generally round connecting valve, thus becoming the second connecting apparatus associated element. In FIG. 9 an alternative embodiment is depicted as in cylindrical sidewall  30 C there has been a modification to both the left and right sides of cylindrical sidewall  30 C: a left hand machined valve contact spot  75 L and a right hand machined valve contact spot  75 R respectively have been machined into cylindrical sidewall  30 C to provide a contact places between the flat side of a connecting valve and cylindrical sidewall  30 C.  
         [0067]    Additionally, in the alternative embodiments depicted in FIGS. 7 through 9, there is an aperture machined into cylindrical wall  30 C: in FIGS. 7 and 8, it is a gripping slot  70  as it is sized to just allow the turn key into gripping slot  70  and provides a contact surface for the transferring of torque force applied to a wrench; in FIG. 9, it is the turn key indicator  50 N and does not provide an additional contact surface for the transferring of torque force.  
         [0068]    To ascertain the location of the connecting valve turn key, the depicted embodiment in FIGS. 1 and 2 shows a turn key location device  50 N machined into sidewall  30 N, that is, a slot through sidewall  30 N; however turn key location device  50 N could be produced in any number of ways as would be recognized by one skilled in the art, such as by punch die press or by mold insertion.  
         [0069]    In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2 a slot  50 S is machined into sidewall  30 S to keep a not shown connecting valve packing nut from being placed wholly inside cavity  90 ; however slot  50 S could be produced in any number of ways as would be recognized by one skilled in the art, such as such as by punch die press or by mold insertion. Optionally, slot  50 S can be formed in alternate configurations such as a wider slot in sidewall  30 S or a square slot in said sidewall  30 S. The only requirement is that slot  50 S be large enough to allow the corporation stop valve packing nut to remain to some extent outside cavity  90 .  
         [0070]    The embodiment depicted in FIGS. 5 and 6 is a “square” embodiment and with the use of a connecting valve insert attachment  80  can be used with a generally round connecting valve. FIG. 10 is a plan view of connecting valve insert attachment  80 . FIG. 11 shows connecting valve insert attachment  80  inside of the “square” embodiment of the invention; no connecting valve is shown. Connecting valve insert attachment  80  is generally a size that just fits inside cavity  90  and is made of the same type of material as is top connecting element  10 . Connecting valve insert attachment  80  is thick enough to enable direct simultaneous contact with the connecting valve and sidewall  30 E and sidewall  30 W when connecting valve insert attachment  80  and the connecting valve are both inside cavity  90 . Connecting valve insert attachment  80  is designed to slip around the sides of connecting valves, and the design will vary to match the various connecting valves.  
         [0071]    In the depicted embodiments in FIGS. 1 through 12, the servicing socket and each of its members is made from milled steel. However each member of the servicing socket could be made from a selection of alternative rigid material such as aluminum, engineering plastics, plastic with or without reinforcing, high density polyethylene and various composite materials that can remain rigid under the application of torque force energy, such as galvanized steel, black iron, ductile iron, black steel, carbon fiber, metal composites, metal alloys, etc. Further, alternate fabrication processes may be used such as forged steel, casting, molding, computerized numerically controlled machining, machining, fusing, electrofusing, etc., depending on the strength and weight requirements.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OPERATION  
       [0072]    FIGS.  1  Through  4 , and  7  through  9 : Tightening/Installing  
         [0073]    The servicing socket as embodied in FIGS. 1 through 4, and  7  through  9 , in accordance with the present invention operates in the following manner. When a person desires to install a not shown connecting valve, that person starts the installation by beginning to thread the connecting valve into a not shown main pipe by hand thereby engaging the threads of the main pipe and of the connecting valve.  
         [0074]    Utilizing the invention as embodied in FIGS. 1 and 2, the installer then places the connecting valve into cavity  90  so that the turn key of the connecting valve aligns with turn key location device  50 N and the connecting valve packing nut slides into slot for connecting valve packing nut  50 S. Utilizing the invention as embodied in FIGS. 3 and 4, the installer then places the connecting valve into cavity  90  so that the turn key of the connecting valve aligns with guideplate  41 E and  41 W. As embodied in FIGS. 7 and 8, the installer then places the connecting valve into cavity  90  so that the turn key slides into gripping slot  70 . As embodied in FIG. 9, the installer also places the connecting valve so that the left hand side of the connecting valve is posited on the left hand machined valve contact spot  75 L and the right hand machined valve contact spot  75 R.  
         [0075]    After the connecting valve is in cavity  90 , the installer attaches to the servicing socket a not shown wrench through use of attachment means  20 .  
         [0076]    As embodied in FIGS. 1 and 2, after that attachment is made, the installer applies force to the wrench so that the overall engagement between contact surface of sidewall  30 E and the connecting valve and the contact surface of sidewall  30 W and the connecting valve transfers the torque force from the wrench to the connecting valve, thereby further threading the connecting valve correctly into the main pipe without damaging the connecting valve.  
         [0077]    As embodied in FIGS. 3 and 4, after that attachment is made, the installer applies force to the wrench so that the overall engagement between guideplate  41 E and the connecting valve and the contact surface of sidewall  41 W and the connecting valve transfers the torque force from the wrench to the connecting valve, thereby further threading the connecting valve correctly into the main pipe without damaging the connecting valve.  
         [0078]    In the alternative embodiments depicted in FIGS. 7 and 8, after that attachment is made, the installer then applies force to the wrench so that the overall engagement among gripping slot  70 , cylindrical sidewall  30 C, and the connecting valve transfers the torque force from the wrench to the connecting valve, thereby further threading the connecting valve correctly into the main pipe without damaging the connecting valve.  
         [0079]    In the alternative embodiments depicted in FIG. 9, after that attachment is made, the installer then applies force to the wrench so that the overall engagement among left hand machined valve contact spot  75 L, right hand machined valve contact spot  75 R, and the connecting valve transfers the torque force from the wrench to the connecting valve, thereby further threading the connecting valve correctly into the main pipe without damaging the connecting valve.  
         [0080]    FIGS.  1  Through  4 , and  7  Through  9 : Loosening/Removing  
         [0081]    As embodied in FIGS. 1 and 2, when a person desires to remove or loosen a not shown connecting valve, that person places cavity  90  over the connecting valve so that the turn key of the connecting valve aligns with turn key location device  50 N, and the connecting valve packing nut slides into slot for connecting valve packing nut  50 S.  
         [0082]    As embodied in FIGS. 3 and 4, when a person desires to remove or loosen a not shown connecting valve, that person places cavity  90  over the connecting valve so that the turn key of the connecting valve aligns with guideplate  41 E and  41 W.  
         [0083]    As embodied in FIGS. 7 and 8, when a person desires to remove or loosen a not shown connecting valve, that person places cavity  90  over the connecting valve so that the turn key slides into gripping slot  70 .  
         [0084]    As embodied in FIG. 9, when a person desires to remove or loosen a not shown connecting valve, that person places cavity  90  over the connecting valve so that the left hand side of the connecting valve is posited on left hand machined valve contact spot  75 L and right hand machined valve contact spot  75 R.  
         [0085]    After the placement of the connecting valve into cavity  90  and after the above mentioned alignments, the user then attaches a wrench through use of attachment means  20 . After that attachment is made the user then applies force to the wrench so that the overall engagement between servicing socket and the connecting valve transfers the torque force from the wrench to the connecting valve, thereby unthreading the connecting valve from the main pipe without damaging the connecting valve.  
         [0086]    [0086]FIGS. 5, 6,  10  and  11 : Tightening/Installing  
         [0087]    The operation of the servicing socket as embodied in FIGS. 5, 6, and  11 , is as follows. When a person desires to install a not shown connecting valve, that person first starts the installation by beginning to thread the connecting valve into a not shown main pipe by hand thereby engaging the threads of the main pipe and of the connecting valve. After starting the threading, the installer then places connecting valve insert attachment  80  onto the body of the connecting valve and then places the connecting valve and connecting valve insert attachment  80  into cavity  90  so that the turn key of the connecting valve aligns with turn key location device  50 N and further aligns connecting valve insert attachment  80  with sidewall  30 E and sidewall  30 W. After the connecting valve is in cavity  90  and aligned, the installer attaches a not shown wrench through use of attachment means  20 .  
         [0088]    After that attachment is made, the installer applies force to the wrench so that the overall engagement among sidewall  30 E, sidewall  30 W and the connecting valve insert attachment  80  transfers the torque force from the wrench to the connecting valve, thereby further threading the connecting valve correctly into the main pipe without damaging the connecting valve.  
         [0089]    [0089]FIGS. 5, 6,  10  and  11 : Loosening/Removing  
         [0090]    As embodied in FIGS. 5, 6, and  11  when a person desires to remove or loosen a not shown connecting valve, that person first places connecting valve insert attachment  85  onto the body of the connecting valve and then places cavity  90  over the connecting valve and then attaches a wrench through use of attachment means  20 . After that attachment is made the user then applies force to the wrench so that the overall engagement among sidewall  30 E, sidewall  30 W and connecting valve insert attachment  80  transfers the torque force from the wrench to the connecting valve, thereby unthreading the connecting valve from the main pipe without damaging the connecting valve.  
         [0091]    Although only a few embodiments of the servicing socket for branch pipe connecting valves have been described in detail above, all improvements and modifications to the servicing socket within the scope of the claims are covered by said servicing socket. Reasonable modifications and alterations of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing discussion and accompanying drawings, and it should be understood that this invention is not to be unduly limited thereto.  
       CONCLUSION RAMIFICATIONS AND SCOPE  
       [0092]    From the above, the reader will see that the servicing socket of the invention provides an easy means to turn branch pipe connecting valves without damaging the body of the connecting valve and can be used in confined quarters.  
         [0093]    Although the description above contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merely providing illustrations of some of the present embodiments of the invention. For example: the servicing socket can have other shapes, such as oval, rounded corners, trapezoidal, etc.; attachment means  20  can also be configured to be a squared extension with a length ranging from 1.27centimeters (0.5 inch) to 0.601 meters (2 feet) around which a pipe wrench could easily attach; each guideplate  40 E and  40 W could be simply individual inserts rather than being fixedly attached to a sidewall. As a further example, turn key location device  50 N can be located in other spots on the servicing socket and can be formed in alternate configurations such as a metal strip on the exterior of a sidewall, or as some indicator on the exterior of a sidewall, such as an embossed line, arrow, a painted line, an indentation, a square slot, the only requirement is that turn key location device  50 N be visible to the person using the servicing socket and accurately convey to the user the location of the connecting valve turn key in relation to a main pipe.  
         [0094]    Further it will be understood that each of the elements described in this disclosure specification, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in other types of constructions differing from the types described above. While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in tool servicing socket, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention. Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention.  
         [0095]    Hence the scope of the servicing socket for branch pipe connecting valves should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given