Abstract:
A vertical shock responsive fluid valve assembly capable of automatically closing a fluid valve in response to earthquake forces or other shock forces of a predetermined magnitude. The vertical shock responsive valve assembly has a flow control mechanism having a cradle that holds a movable ball in a recess at a point perpendicular in relation to a horizontal base plate, where the ball can be rotated 360° in any direction during seismic actions or other shock forces and rolls out of its recess at a predetermined force such that it ricochets off a housing cover covering the cradle and pushes a trip fork mechanism having elongated walls to provide additional leverage when the force strikes the trip fork mechanism that is mounted on a pivoting mechanism, thereby releasing a swing arm which has a disc on the end that functions as a plug for the hole in the valve body to interrupt gas or fluid flow therein.

Description:
This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 10/160,981 filed on May 30, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,527,004, which application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 10/041,102 filed on Dec. 28, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,502,599, which application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 09/668,003 filed on Sep. 21, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,394,122 issued May 28, 2002. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   This invention relates to valves and valve devices for automatically closing a valve to stop the flow of a fluid in a conduit when the device is subjected to shock and vibration forces such as experienced during an earthquake. The improved shock sensor and actuation device uses gravity to aid in activating a valve closure mechanism. 
   2. Description of the Prior Art 
   Various mechanisms to sense shock and vibration to activate the closing of a valve exist in the art. Such shock actuated valves generally are inserted in a fluid flow line, have a rotating valve element for opening and closing the fluid flow line, and have a mechanism to maintain an open valve position until such time as a shock or vibration of specified characteristics is sensed by a device which then causes the valve to close. 
   The present invention relates to shutoff valves which use a weight in the form of a ball to sense shock or vibration which force displaces the ball from a normal rest location to actuate a mechanism to cause a valve to close. Reference to U.S. Pat. No. 4,915,122 issued Apr. 10, 1990 shows a shock actuated valve which uses a ball motion to actuate a valve due to earthquake forces and similar shock forces. The improved device modifies the pedestal on which the ball rests to allow gravity force to act on the ball once it has been moved from its position of rest to aid in the actuation of the shock actuation control mechanism. The modification of adding a step to the pedestal upper perimeter surface improves the accuracy for the elapsed time for the valve to be actuated once a specified force has been sensed. In previous art mechanisms the ball motion may be compounded by the ball not initially actuating the shock actuation control mechanism due to for example the ball moving, but rebounding or retreating from an initially urged position to be moved to a second position by the forces. These non-actuating motions of the ball delay valve closure which may increase the possibility of damage as for examples during an earthquake. 
   It is desirable to provide a vertical shock responsive fluid valve assembly with the capability of automatically closing a fluid valve in response to earthquake forces or other shock forces of a predetermined magnitude. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   One object of the invention is to improve reliability of the closure of a fluid valve when specified shock and vibration forces are sensed by a sensor mechanism element of the fluid valve. Another object is to improve the repeatability of the actuation of the fluid valve automatic closure. 
   Alternatively, the present invention is a vertical shock responsive fluid valve assembly capable of automatically closing a fluid valve in response to earthquake forces or other shock forces of predetermined magnitude. 
   It is an object of the present invention to provide a vertical shock responsive valve assembly which is adapted to automatically close off the flow of a controlled fluid in response to earthquake forces or other shock forces of a predetermined magnitude. 
   It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a vertical shock responsive valve assembly which includes a flow control mechanism having a cradle that holds a movable ball in a recess at a point perpendicular in relation to a horizontal base plate, where the ball can be rotated 360° in any direction during seismic actions or other shock forces and rolls out of its recess at a predetermined force such that it ricochets off a housing cover covering the cradle and pushes a pipe that is mounted on a pivoting parallelogram lever mechanism, thereby releasing a swing arm which has a disc on the end that functions as a plug for the hole in the valve body to interrupt gas or fluid flow therein. 
   It is also an additional object of the present invention to provide a vertical shock responsive valve assembly which includes a flow control mechanism having a cradle that holds a movable ball in a recess at a point perpendicular in relation to a horizontal base plate, where the ball can be rotated 360° in any direction during seismic actions or other shock forces and rolls out of its recess at a predetermined force such that it ricochets off a housing cover covering the cradle and pushes a trip fork that is mounted on a pivoting parallelogram lever mechanism, thereby releasing a swing arm which has a disc on the end that functions as a plug for the hole in the valve body to interrupt gas or fluid flow therein. 
   It is a further object of the present invention to provide a vertical shock responsive fluid valve assembly that actuates a controlled valve entirely mechanically, to avoid the necessity for provision of an auxiliary pneumatic, electrical or other power source, and thereby prevent problems which might be caused by failure of such a power source. 
   It is a further object of the present invention to provide a vertical shock responsive fluid valve assembly with an improved leveraged valve closing actuation means that actuates a controlled valve entirely mechanically, to avoid the necessity for provision of an auxiliary pneumatic, electrical, or other power source, and thereby prevent problems which might be caused by failure of such power source. 
   Further novel features and other objects of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, discussion and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Referring particularly to the drawings for the purpose of illustration only and not limitation, there is illustrated: 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a fragmental vertical sectional elevation view of an open shock action valve as disclosed in prior art. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a fragmented generally vertical sectional view of the shock actuation control mechanism taken along line  2 — 2  of  FIG. 1  and includes the ball in its rest position on the pedestal as disclosed in prior art. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a fragmented generally vertical sectional view of the shock actuation control mechanism with improved pedestal. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a fragmented generally vertical sectional view of the shock actuation control mechanism with the ball displaced from its state of rest to engage the vertical tube. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a top plan view of the shock actuation control mechanism. 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of alternatively the present invention of a vertical shock responsive valve assembly. 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective of the present invention vertical shock responsive valve assembly without the housing cover attached thereto. 
       FIG. 8  is an enlarged fragmentary view of the present invention vertical shock responsive valve assembly, showing the flow control mechanism in its open condition. 
       FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of the present invention vertical shock responsive valve assembly, showing the flow control mechanism in dashed lines in its closed condition. 
       FIG. 10  is an exploded perspective view of the shock actuated responsive mechanism in accordance with the present invention. 
       FIG. 11  is an enlarged fragmentary view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention vertical shock responsive valve assembly, showing the flow control mechanism in its open condition. 
       FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional view of the present invention vertical shock responsive valve assembly shown in  FIG. 11 , showing the flow control mechanism in dashed lines its closed condition. 
       FIG. 13  is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment of the present invention of a vertical shock responsive valve assembly, where fluid flows downwardly. 
       FIG. 14  is a perspective of the alternative embodiment of the present invention vertical shock responsive valve assembly illustrated in  FIG. 13 , without the housing cover attached. 
       FIG. 15  is an enlarged fragmentary view of the alternative embodiment of the present invention vertical shock responsive valve assembly illustrated in  FIG. 14 , showing the flow control mechanism in its open condition. 
       FIG. 16  is a cross-sectional view of the alternative embodiment of the present invention vertical shock responsive valve assembly illustrated in  FIG. 15 , showing the flow control mechanism in dashed lines in its closed condition. 
       FIG. 17  is an exploded perspective view of the shock actuated responsive mechanism in accordance with the alternative embodiment of the present invention illustrated in  FIG. 16 . 
       FIG. 18  is perspective view of a variation of the alternative embodiment of the present invention vertical shock responsive valve assembly, showing the flow control mechanism in its open condition where fluid flows upwardly. 
       FIG. 19  is a cross-sectional view of the variation of the alternative embodiment of the present invention vertical shock responsive valve assembly shown in  FIG. 18 , showing the flow control mechanism in dashed lines its closed condition. 
       FIG. 20  is an exploded perspective view of the shock actuated responsive mechanism in accordance with the alternative embodiment of the present invention illustrated in  FIG. 19 . 
       FIG. 21  is an enlarged fragmentary view of another alternative embodiment of the present invention vertical shock responsive valve assembly with an improved leveraged valve closing actuation means, showing the flow control mechanism in its open condition. 
       FIG. 22  is a cross-sectional view of another alternative embodiment of the present invention vertical shock responsive valve assembly with an improved leveraged valve closing actuation means, showing the flow control mechanism in dashed lines in its closed condition. 
       FIG. 23  is an exploded perspective view of the shock actuated responsive mechanism having the improved leveraged valve closing actuation means in accordance with the alternative embodiment of the present invention illustrated in  FIGS. 21 and 22 . 
       FIG. 24  is perspective view of a variation of another alternative embodiment of the present invention vertical shock responsive valve assembly with an improved leveraged valve closing actuation means, showing the flow control mechanism in its open condition where fluid flows upwardly. 
       FIG. 25  is a cross-sectional view of the variation of the other alternative embodiment of the present invention vertical shock responsive valve assembly with an improved leveraged valve closing actuation means, showing the flow control mechanism in dashed lines in its closed condition. 
       FIG. 26  is an exploded perspective view of the shock actuated responsive mechanism with an improved leveraged valve closing actuation means in accordance with the alternative embodiment of the present invention illustrated in  FIGS. 24 and 25 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Although specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings, it should be understood that such embodiments are by way of example only and merely illustrative of but a small number of the many possible specific embodiments which can represent applications of the principles of the present invention. Various changes and modifications obvious to one skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains are deemed to be within the spirit, scope and contemplation of the present invention as further defined in the appended claims. 
   Referring to  FIG. 1 , an automatic shock actuated valve of the prior art is illustrated. This valve is that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,915,122 issued Apr. 10, 1990 and which valve description is incorporated herein by reference for disclosure of the preferred embodiment of the instant invention. The prior art reference includes as co-inventors the two inventors of this instant disclosure. While this prior art reference is included to present a preferred embodiment of the improvement mechanism, it is understood the structure and principles can be used with other ball weight actuating valves. 
   There is illustrated a shock and vibration force responsive valve assembly ( 10 ) which is adapted to automatically close off the control of a fluid through a conduit. The assembly includes a tubular main body ( 11 ) having flanges ( 12 ) and ( 13 ) at its opposite ends connectable by fasteners ( 14 ) to abutting flanges ( 15 ) of adjacent conduit or pipe sections to connect the body into a pipeline. The illustration orientation is such that fluid, for example, natural gas, flows in a left to right direction as viewed in  FIG. 1  in an inner passage ( 16 ), partially illustrated, in body ( 11 ) and parallel to a central horizontal axis of the passage. 
   The flow control mechanism includes a circular valve element ( 18 ) which is engageable with an annular seat ( 19 ) formed in body ( 11 ) to close off the flow of fluid through the assembly ( 10 ) valve element ( 18 ) is carried by arm ( 20 ) which swings about a horizontal axis ( 21 ) between a closed position and the open position illustrated in  FIG. 1 . Arm ( 20 ) and the carried valve disc ( 18 ) are releasably retained in the open position by engagement of arm ( 20 ) with latch pin ( 22 ) carried by a second arm ( 23 ) which is mounted for swinging movement about a horizontal axis ( 24 ) between the position illustrated in  FIG. 1  and the dashed line position illustrated therein. Arm ( 23 ) is in turn releasably retained in position by a shock actuation control mechanism ( 25 ). The control mechanism ( 25 ) is principally contained in housing ( 58 ) having bulge ( 59 ). The housing ( 58 ) is attached to the tubular main body ( 11 ) at annular flanges ( 62 ) which have a sealing O-Ring ( 63 ). The housing ( 58 ) is retained by circular clamp ( 60 ) and fasteners ( 61 ). 
   The control mechanism ( 25 ) includes a weight or mass ( 36 ) illustrated as a ball. When disc valve ( 18 ) is in the open position the ball ( 36 ) is supported on a pedestal ( 37 ) extending upwardly along vertical axis ( 38 ). The pedestal as illustrated is an externally cylindrical form about axis ( 38 ) and has an upwardly facing shallow circular recess ( 39 ) to retain the ball ( 36 ) in its centered, at rest position. The pedestal ( 37 ) is attached to the body ( 11 ) by plate ( 40 ) and fasteners ( 41 ). 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a vertical tube ( 42 ) centered about axis ( 38 ) is disposed about and spaced from pedestal ( 37 ), and is movable upwardly and downwardly relative to the pedestal ( 37 ). The tube ( 42 ) is mounted for vertical movement by a parallelogram mechanism ( 43 ), including two similar parallel upper links ( 44 ) each pivoted at one end to the tube ( 42 ) by a horizontal pin ( 45 ) extending through vertical slot ( 46 ) in pedestal ( 37 ), and each pivoted by a second parallel horizontal pin ( 47 ) to a pair of vertical bracket arms ( 48 ) projecting upwardly from and attached to plate ( 40 ). The parallelogram mechanism also includes two similar parallel lower links ( 49 ) each pivoted by a first pin ( 50 ) to tube ( 42 ) and by a second pin ( 51 ) to bracket arms ( 48 ). A downward movement of the tube ( 42 ) causes a rightward swinging movement of cross pin ( 54 ) to release arm ( 20 ) for closure of the valve ( 10 ) by seating valve element ( 18 ) by a spring force. 
   The tube ( 42 ) is yieldingly urged upwardly, as for example by a leaf spring or plate spring ( 57 ). When ball ( 36 ) is moved laterally from its centered position in any horizontal direction relative to pedestal ( 37 ) the weight engages the upper edge of tube ( 42 ) and displaces the tube ( 42 ) downwardly relative to the pedestal to move cross pin ( 54 ) carried on projection ( 53 ) out of notch ( 55 ) in arm ( 23 ) and allows downward swinging movement of arm ( 23 ) to cause the valve to close. The amount of shock or vibration force to displace ball ( 36 ) from recess ( 39 ) is determined by the shape and depth of the recess ( 39 ) and the mass of the ball ( 36 ). In some instances the ball ( 36 ) may be displaced by a force which causes ball ( 36 ) partial engagement with vertical tube ( 42 ), but due to force frequency or other factors the ball ( 36 ) does not downwardly displace the vertical tube ( 42 ) sufficiently and the ball ( 36 ) retreats to a second position. This motion delays the actuation of the valve ( 10 ) and thereby the ceasing of flow of the fluid. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 3 through 5 , an improved pedestal ( 37 ) embodiment is illustrated. The pedestal ( 37 ) upper end has been modified to create a ridge ( 1 ) or circular protrusion with generally cylindrical recess ( 2 ) therein and a step or offset ( 3 ) circumferentially formed external to the ridge ( 1 ). While a cylindrical recess is discussed in the embodiment other recess shapes, such as that disclosed in the prior art, may be used with the circumferential external offset ( 3 ). The ball ( 36 ) is supported on pedestal ( 37 ) and retained in its central, at rest position by ridge ( 1 ). 
   When a shock or vibration force is experienced by the shock actuation control mechanism ( 25 ), the ball ( 36 ) is displaced when such force reaches a specified value. If the force is of sufficient strength and duration, the ball ( 36 ) is urged upwardly and over the ridge ( 1 ). Once the center of gravity of the ball ( 36 ) passes the vertical center position of the ridge ( 1 ), gravitational force will act on the ball ( 36 ) to move it downwardly toward offset ( 3 ). This vertical gravitational force combines with the horizontal force displacing the ball ( 36 ) to force the vertical tube ( 42 ) in a downwardly direction actuating closure of the valve ( 18 ). 
   The offset ( 3 ) must be sized to aid the ball ( 36 ) engagement with vertical tube ( 42 ), but not be so large as to inhibit the return of the ball ( 36 ) to its central position when the valve assembly ( 10 ) is reset after the shock and vibration forces have ceased. The vertical tube ( 42 ) top end may also be beveled ( 4 ) for more controlled uniform force application by the ball ( 36 ). The diameter of the ridge ( 1 ) and the size of the offset ( 3 ) are adjusted to cause the valve to close upon sensing the specified motion forces. In this embodiment the value at which the ball ( 36 ) will be caused to engage the vertical tube ( 42 ) may be adjusted by changing the inside diameter of the ridge ( 1 ). It has been found by experiment that for minor adjustment the ball ( 36 ) may be impacted by a force, as from example a hammer, causing a spreading impact force to the ridge ( 1 ). 
   Use of the improved pedestal structure has been found by experiment to improve the accuracy of the time for mechanism response to specified shock and vibration forces to be repeatable to within 0.001 of a second. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 6 through 9 , alternatively, there is shown at  110  the present invention shock and vibration force responsive valve assembly which is adapted to automatically close off the flow of a controlled fluid such as natural gas through a conduit in response to seismic forces or other shock forces of a predetermined magnitude. The valve assembly  110  includes a tubular main valve body  111  having flanges  112  and  113  at its opposite ends connectable by fasteners to abutting flanges of adjacent conduit sections or pipe sections (not shown) to connect the main body  111  into a pipeline. It may be assumed that natural gas or another controlled fluid flows in a downward direction (top to bottom) as shown by the flow arrow  109  through an inner passage  116  formed in the main body  111  and parallel to a central vertical axis  117  of the inner passage  116 . 
   The valve assembly  110  further includes a flow control mechanism which has a circular disc valve  118  engageable with an annular seat  119  formed in the main valve body  111  to close off the flow of fluid through the valve assembly  110  (see  FIG. 9 ). The disc valve  118  is carried by a swing arm  120  which swings about a horizontal axis  121  between the closed condition (see  FIG. 9 ) and the open condition (see  FIG. 8 ). The arm  120  and the carried disc valve  118  are releasably retained in the open condition of the valve by engagement of the arm  120  with a latch pin  154  carried by a projection trip arm  123 . The trip arm  123  is in turn releasably retained in its position by a shock responsive mechanism  125  which is contained within a dome shaped housing cover  158  having a bulge  159 . The housing cover  158  is attached to the tubular main body  111  at annular flanges  162  which have a sealing O-Ring  163  or other gasket. The housing cover  158  is retained by a circular clamp  160  typically formed of two semicircular sections secured together at their opposite ends by fasteners such as screws, rivets, or other suitable fasteners. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 8 ,  9  and  10 , the shock actuated responsive mechanism  125  includes a weight or mass  136 , such as a metal ball. When the disc valve  118  is in the open position, the ball  136  is supported on a cradle  137  which extends outwardly and away from the main body  111 . The cradle  137  has a flat horizontal base plate  170  and two opposite arms  172  that extend away from the base plate  170  and attached to a vertical plate  140  which is then attached to the main body  111  by fasteners. The base plate  170  has a circular recess  139  therethrough which has contour to normally retain the ball  136  in its centered position. The ball  136  is displaceable from the centered position relative to the cradle  137 , as to the position represented in broken lines in  FIG. 9 , by shock induced movement of the cradle  137  relative to the ball  136 , during which movement the inertia of the weight resists movement thereof with the cradle  137 . 
   A horizontal cylindrical tube or pipe  142  is disposed between the two opposite arms  172  of the cradle  137  and located adjacent to the base plate  170  and is movable in a horizontal direction relative to the cradle  137 . The horizontal cylindrical tube  142  is mounted for horizontal movement by a parallelogram mechanism  143 , including a projection trip arm  123 , a first pair of parallel links  128  extending downwardly from the trip arm  123  and a second pair of parallel links  130  extending downwardly from the trip arm  123 , each pair of links pivoted at one end of the horizontal tube  142  by a horizontal pin  145  extending through a horizontal slot  146  in the horizontal cylindrical tube  142  and secured by a pair of fasteners  126 , each pair of links pivoted by a second parallel horizontal arm  147  to a pair of horizontal bracket arms  148  projecting outwardly from and attached to the vertical plate  140  and secured by a second pair of fasteners  132 . The projection trip arm  123  is located above the ball  136 . A horizontal movement of the horizontal cylindrical tube  142  causes a cross pin  154  to release the swing arm  120  for closure of the valve assembly  110  by seating the disc valve  118  by a spring force. 
   The horizontal cylindrical tube  142  is yieldingly urged outwardly by a leaf spring or plate spring  157  which is mounted to the vertical plate  140 . When the ball  136  is moved laterally from its centered position in any horizontal direction relative to the cradle  137 , the weight engages the outer end of the horizontal cylindrical tube  142  and displaces the horizontal tube  142  horizontally relative to the cradle  137  to move the cross pin  154  carried on the projection trip arm  123  and allows horizontal swinging movement of the projection trip arm  123  to cause the disc valve  118  to close. The amount of shock or vibration force to displace the ball  136  from the circular recess  139  is determined by the shape of the recess  139  and the mass of the ball  136 . The outer end of the horizontal cylindrical tube  142  may also be beveled  164  for more controlled uniform force application by the ball  136 . 
   The ball  136  and its associated parts are enclosed within the dome shaped housing cover  158  which is attached to and projects outwardly from the main valve body  111 . Thus, the housing cover  158  effectively closes an opening  124  at the side of the main body  111 . When a shock or vibration force is experienced by the shock actuated responsive mechanism  125 , the ball  136  is displaced when such force reaches a specified value. If the force is of sufficient strength and duration, the ball  136  is urged upwardly and out of the circular recess  139 . The ball  136  rattles around within the housing cover  158  and there is no way to know which direction the ball  136  will rattle since it is in a horizontal configuration. The ball  136  might rattle directly against the outer end of the horizontal tube  142  to trip the valve assembly  110 . Alternatively, it can rattle sideways against the housing cover  158  or up, front or back against the housing cover and ricochet off the housing cover to then strike the horizontal cylindrical tube  142  to trip the valve assembly. The ball  136  can rotate 360° in any direction, and thereby hits the housing cover  158  and then ricochets off the housing cover  158  and strikes the horizontal cylindrical tube  142  to activate the valve assembly to cover the disc valve  118 . The ball  136  thus automatically resets itself in the centered position when permitted to do so. 
   Referring to  FIG. 10 , there are shown the positions of the projection trip arm  123  and the vertical plate  140  for a vertical shock and vibration force responsive valve assembly for fluid flow from bottom to top (see  FIGS. 11 and 12 ). It will be appreciated that the positions of the projection trip arm and the vertical plate can be rotated 180° for fluid from top to bottom (see  FIGS. 8 and 9 ). 
   Referring to  FIGS. 11 and 12 , there is shown at  210  an alternative embodiment of the present invention shock and vibration force responsive valve assembly which is adapted to automatically close off the flow of a controlled fluid such as natural gas through a conduit in response to seismic forces or other shock forces of a predetermined magnitude. This embodiment of the present invention is very similar to the embodiment just discussed above and the only difference is the nature and configuration of the projection trip arm  223  which is located underneath the ball  236  and the vertical plate  240  of the shock actuated responsive mechanism  225 . All of the parts of this embodiment are correspondingly numbered in a 200 series reference number rather than a 100 series reference number used in the embodiment just discussed above arrangement. 
   The valve assembly  210  includes a tubular main valve body  211  having flanges  212  and  213  at its opposite ends connectable by fasteners to abutting flanges of adjacent conduit sections or pipe sections (not shown) to connect the main body  211  into a pipeline. It may be assumed that natural gas or another controlled fluid flows in an upward direction (bottom to top) as shown by the flow arrow  209  through an inner passage  216  formed in the main body  211  and parallel to a central vertical axis  217  of the inner passage  216 . 
   The valve assembly  210  further includes a flow control mechanism which has a circular disc valve  218  engageable with an annular seat  219  formed in the main valve body  211  to close off the flow of fluid through the valve assembly  210  (see  FIG. 12 ). The disc valve  218  is carried by a swing arm  220  which swings about a horizontal axis  221  between the closed condition (see  FIG. 12 ) and the open condition (see  FIG. 11 ). The arm  220  and the carried disc valve  218  are releasably retained in the open condition of the valve by engagement of the arm  220  with a latch pin  254  carried by a projection trip arm  223 . The trip arm  223  is in turn releasably retained in its position by a shock responsive mechanism  225  which is contained within a dome shaped housing cover  258  having a bulge  259 . The housing cover  258  is attached to the tubular main body  211  at annular flanges  262  which have a sealing O-Ring  263  or other gasket. The housing cover  258  is retained by a circular clamp  260  typically formed of two semicircular sections secured together at their opposite ends by fasteners such as screws, rivets, or other suitable fasteners. 
   The shock actuated responsive mechanism  225  includes a weight or mass  236 , such as a metal ball. When the disc valve  218  is in the open position, the ball  236  is supported on a cradle  237  which extends outwardly and away from the main body  211 . The cradle  237  has a flat horizontal base plate  270  and two opposite arms that extend away from the base plate  270  and attached to a vertical plate  240  which is then attached to the main body  211  by fasteners. The base plate  270  has a circular recess  239  therethrough which has contour to normally retain the ball  236  in its centered position. The ball  236  is displaceable from the centered position relative to the cradle  237 , as to the position represented in broken lines in  FIG. 12 , by shock induced movement of the cradle  237  relative to the ball  236 , during which movement the inertia of the weight resists movement thereof with the cradle  237 . 
   A horizontal cylindrical tube or pipe  242  is disposed between the two opposite arms  272  of the cradle  237  and located adjacent to the base plate  270  and is movable in a horizontal direction relative to the cradle  237 . The horizontal cylindrical tube  242  is mounted for horizontal movement by a parallelogram mechanism  243 , including a projection trip arm  223 , a first pair of parallel links extending upwardly from the trip arm  223  and a second pair of parallel links extending upwardly from the trip arm  223 , each pair of links pivoted at one end of the horizontal tube  242  by a horizontal pin extending through a horizontal slot in the horizontal cylindrical tube and secured by a pair of fasteners, each pair of links pivoted by a second parallel horizontal arm to a pair of horizontal bracket arms  248  projecting outwardly from and attached to the vertical plate  240  and secured by a second pair of fasteners. A horizontal movement of the horizontal cylindrical tube  242  causes a cross pin  254  to release the swing arm  220  for closure of the valve assembly  210  by seating the disc valve  218  by a spring force. 
   The horizontal cylindrical tube  242  is yieldingly urged outwardly by a leaf spring or plate spring which is mounted to the vertical plate  240 . When the ball  236  is moved laterally from its centered position in any horizontal direction relative to the cradle  237 , the weight engages the outer end of the horizontal cylindrical tube  242  and displaces the horizontal tube  242  horizontally relative to the cradle  237  to move the cross pin  254  carried on the projection trip arm  223  and allows horizontal swinging movement of the projection trip arm  223  to cause the disc valve  218  to close. The amount of shock or vibration force to displace the ball  236  from the circular recess  239  is determined by the shape of the recess  239  and the mass of the ball  236 . The outer end of the horizontal cylindrical tube  242  may also be beveled  264  for more controlled uniform force application by the ball  236 . 
   The ball  236  and its associated parts are enclosed within the dome shaped housing cover  258  which is attached to and projects outwardly from the main valve body  211 . Thus, the housing cover  258  effectively closes an opening  224  at the side of the main body  2111 . When a shock or vibration force is experienced by the shock actuated responsive mechanism  225 , the ball  236  is displaced when such force reaches a specified value. If the force is of sufficient strength and duration, the ball  236  is urged upwardly and out of the circular recess  239 . The ball  236  rattles around within the housing cover  258  and there is no way to know which direction the ball  236  will rattle since it is in a horizontal configuration. The ball  236  might rattle directly against the outer end of the horizontal tube  242  to trip the valve assembly  210 . Alternatively, it can rattle sideways against the housing cover  258  or up, front or back against the housing cover and ricochet off the housing cover to then strike the horizontal cylindrical tube  242  to trip the valve assembly. The ball  236  can rotate 360° in any direction, and thereby hits the housing cover  258  and then ricochets off the housing cover  258  and strikes the horizontal cylindrical tube  242  to activate the valve assembly to cover the disc valve  218 . The ball  236  thus automatically resets itself in the centered position when permitted to do so. By way of example, only the weight or ball  136  and  236  can be made of steel. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 13 through 16 , there is shown at  310  another alternative embodiment of the present invention shock and vibration force responsive valve assembly which is adapted to automatically close off the flow of a controlled fluid such as natural gas through a conduit in response to seismic forces or other shock forces of a predetermined magnitude. The valve assembly  310  includes a tubular main valve body  311  having flanges  312  and  313  at its opposite ends connectable by fasteners to abutting flanges of adjacent conduit sections or pipe sections (not shown) to connect the main body  311  into a pipeline. It may be assumed that natural gas or another controlled fluid flows in a downward direction (top to bottom) as shown by the flow arrow  309  through an inner passage  316  formed in the main body  311  and parallel to a central vertical axis  317  of the inner passage  316 . 
   The valve assembly  310  further includes a flow control mechanism which has a circular disc valve  318  engageable with an annular seat  319  formed in the main valve body  311  to close off the flow of fluid through the valve assembly  310  (see  FIG. 9 ). The disc valve  318  is carried by a swing arm  320  which swings about a horizontal axis  321  between the closed condition (see  FIG. 16 ) and the open condition (see  FIG. 15 ). The arm  320  and the carried disc valve  318  are releasably retained in the open condition of the valve by engagement of the arm  320  with a latch pin  354  carried by a projection trip arm  323 . The trip arm  323  is in turn releasably retained in its position by a shock responsive mechanism  325  which is contained within a dome shaped housing cover  358  having a bulge  359 . The housing cover  358  is attached to the tubular main body  311  at annular flanges  362  which have a sealing O-Ring  363  or other gasket. The housing cover  358  is retained by a circular clamp  360  typically formed of two semicircular sections secured together at their opposite ends by fasteners such as screws, rivets, or other suitable fasteners. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 15 ,  16  and  17 , the shock actuated responsive mechanism  325  includes a weight or mass  336 , such as a metal ball. When the disc valve  318  is in the open position, the ball  336  is supported on a cradle  337  which extends outwardly and away from the main body  311 . The cradle  337  has a flat horizontal base plate  370  and two opposite arms  372  that extend away from the base plate  370  and attached to a vertical plate  340  which is then attached to the main body  311  by fasteners. The base plate  370  has a circular recess  339  therethrough which has contour to normally retain the ball  336  in its centered position. The ball  336  is displaceable from the centered position relative to the cradle  337 , as to the position represented in broken lines in  FIG. 16 , by shock induced movement of the cradle  337  relative to the ball  336 , during which movement the inertia of the weight resists movement thereof with the cradle  337 . 
   A trip fork mechanism  342  is disposed between the two opposite arms  372  of the cradle  337  and located adjacent to the base plate  370  and is movable in a horizontal direction relative to the cradle  337 . The trip fork  342  comprises a semicircular base member  341  which is contoured at an angle “A” relative to the horizontal. The angle “A” is preferably 45 degrees although any angle from 15 degrees to 75 degrees will function with the alternative embodiment of the present invention. The trip fork  342  further comprises a pair of spaced apart parallel vertical walls  351  and  353  having openings  346  therethrough. The trip fork mechanism  342  is mounted for horizontal movement by a movable mechanism which by way of example is a parallelogram mechanism  343 , including a projection trip arm  323 , a first pair of parallel links  328  extending downwardly from the trip arm  323  and a second pair of parallel links  330  extending downwardly from the trip arm  323 , each pair of links pivoted on the vertical walls  351  and  353  of the trip fork mechanism  342  by a horizontal pin  345  extending through the horizontal openings  346  in the vertical walls  351  and  353  of the trip fork mechanism  342  and secured by a pair of fasteners  326 , each pair of links pivoted by a second parallel horizontal arm  347  to a pair of horizontal bracket arms  348  projecting outwardly from and attached to the vertical plate  340  and secured by a second pair of fasteners  332 . The projection trip arm  323  is located above the ball  336 . A horizontal movement of the trip fork mechanism  342  causes a cross pin  354  to release the swing arm  320  for closure of the valve assembly  310  by seating the disc valve  318  by a spring force. 
   The trip fork mechanism  342  is yieldingly urged outwardly by a leaf spring or plate spring  357  which is mounted to the vertical plate  340  by rivets  359 . When the ball  336  is moved laterally from its centered position in any horizontal direction relative to the cradle  337 , the weight engages the base member  341  of the trip fork mechanism  342  and the contoured surfaced of the base member  341  enables both the weight and acceleration of the ball  336  to act on the trip fork mechanism  342  to cause the trip fork mechanism to be displaced in a horizontal direction and thereby move the cross pin  354  carried on the projection trip arm  323  and allows horizontal swinging movement of the projection trip arm  323  to cause the disk valve  318  to close. The amount of shock or vibration force to displace the ball  336  from the circular recess  339  is determined by the shape of the recess  339  and the mass of the ball  336 . As illustrated in  FIG. 16 , there is a gap between the horizontal base  341  of trip fork mechanism  342  and the ball  336  and the semicircular shape of the contoured horizontal base  341  further facilitates action of the ball  336  to hit the trip fork mechanism  342 . The contoured angle “A” preferably at 45 degrees further facilitates activation of the trip fork mechanism  342  by both the acceleration and weight of the ball  336  coming in contact with the contoured surface set at an angle “A” of base mechanism  341 . 
   The ball  336  and its associated parts are enclosed within the dome shaped housing cover  358  which is attached to and projects outwardly from the main valve body  311 . Thus, the housing cover  358  effectively closes an opening  324  at the side of the main body  311 . When a shock or vibration force is experienced by the shock actuated responsive mechanism  325 , the ball  336  is displaced when such force reaches a specified value. If the force is of sufficient strength and duration, the ball  336  is urged upwardly and out of the circular recess  339 . The ball  336  rattles around within the housing cover  358  and there is no way to know which direction the ball  336  will rattle since it is in a horizontal configuration. The ball  336  might rattle directly against the base member  341  of the trip fork mechanism  342  to trip the valve assembly  310 . Alternatively, it can rattle sideways against the housing cover  358  or up, front or back against the housing cover and ricochet off the housing cover to then strike the base member  341  of trip fork mechanism  342  to trip the valve assembly. The ball  336  can rotate 360° in any direction, and thereby hits the housing cover  358  and then-ricochets off the housing cover  358  and strikes the trip fork mechanism  342  to activate the valve assembly to cover the disc valve  318 . The ball  336  thus automatically resets itself in the centered position when permitted to do so. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 18 ,  19  and  20 , there is shown at  410  an alternative embodiment of the present invention shock and vibration force responsive valve assembly which is adapted to automatically close off the flow of a controlled fluid such as natural gas through a conduit in response to seismic forces or other shock forces of a predetermined magnitude. This embodiment of the present invention is very similar to the embodiment just discussed above and the only difference is the nature and configuration of the projection trip arm  423  which is located underneath the ball  436  and the vertical plate  440  of the shock actuated responsive mechanism  425 . All of the parts of this embodiment are correspondingly numbered in a 400 series reference number rather than a 300 series reference number used in the embodiment just discussed above. 
   The valve assembly  410  includes a tubular main valve body  411  having flanges  412  and  413  at its opposite ends connectable by fasteners to abutting flanges of adjacent conduit sections or pipe sections (not shown) to connect the main body  411  into a pipeline. It may be assumed that natural gas or another controlled fluid flows in an upward direction (bottom to top) as shown by the flow arrow  409  through an inner passage  416  formed in the main body  411  and parallel to a central vertical axis  417  of the inner passage  416 . 
   The valve assembly  410  further includes a flow control mechanism which has a circular disc valve  418  engageable with an annular seat  419  formed in the main valve body  411  to close off the flow of fluid through the valve assembly  410  (see  FIG. 19 ). The disc valve  418  is carried by a swing arm  420  which swings about a horizontal axis  421  between the closed condition (see  FIG. 19 ) and the open condition (see  FIG. 18 ). The arm  420  and the carried disc valve  418  are releasably retained in the open condition of the valve by engagement of the arm  420  with a latch pin  454  carried by a projection trip arm  423 . The trip arm  423  is in turn releasably retained in its position by a shock responsive mechanism  425  which is contained within a dome shaped housing cover  458  having a bulge. The housing cover  458  is attached to the tubular main body  411  at annular flanges  462  which have a sealing O-Ring  463  or other gasket. The housing cover  458  is retained by a circular clamp typically formed of two semicircular sections secured together at their opposite ends by fasteners such as screws, rivets, or other suitable fasteners. 
   The shock actuated responsive mechanism  425  includes a weight or mass  436 , such as a metal ball. When the disc valve  418  is in the open position, the ball  436  is supported on a cradle  437  which extends outwardly and away from the main body  411 . The cradle  437  has a flat horizontal base plate  470  and two opposite arms that extend away from the base plate  470  and attach to a vertical plate  440  which is then attached to the main body  411  by fasteners. The base plate  470  has a circular recess  439  therethrough which has contour to normally retain the ball  436  in its centered position. The ball  436  is displaceable from the centered position relative to the cradle  437 , as to the position represented in broken lines in  FIG. 19 , by shock induced movement of the cradle  437  relative to the ball  436 , during which movement the inertia of the weight resists movement thereof with the cradle  437 . 
   A trip fork mechanism  442  is disposed between the two opposite arms  472  of the cradle  437  and located adjacent to the base plate  470  and is movable in a horizontal direction relative to the cradle  437 . The trip fork mechanism  442  comprises a semicircular base member  441  which is contoured at an angle “A 1 ” relative to the horizontal. The angle “A 1 ” is preferably 45 degrees although any angle from 15 degrees to 75 degrees will function with the alternative embodiment of the present invention. The trip fork mechanism  442  further comprises a pair of spaced apart parallel vertical walls  451  and  453  having openings  446  therethrough. 
   Referring to  FIG. 20 , the trip fork mechanism  442  is mounted for horizontal movement by a movable mechanism which by way of example is a parallelogram mechanism  443  including a projection trip arm  423 , a first pair of parallel links  426  and  428  extending upwardly from the trip arm  423  and a second pair of parallel links  430  extending upwardly from the trip arm  423 , each pair of links respectively pivoted at one end vertical walls  451  and  453  by a horizontal pins  445  extending through the horizontal openings  446  and secured by a pair of fasteners  426 , each pair of links pivoted by a second pair of pins  447  to a pair of horizontal bracket arms  448  projecting outwardly from and attached to the vertical plate  440  and secured by a second pair of fasteners  432 . A horizontal movement of the trip fork mechanism  442  causes a cross pin  454  to release the swing arm  420  for closure of the valve assembly  410  by seating the disc valve  418  by a spring force. 
   The trip fork mechanism  446  is yieldingly urged outwardly by a leaf spring or plate spring  457  which is mounted by rivets to the vertical plate  440 . When the ball  436  is moved laterally from its centered position in any horizontal direction relative to the cradle  437 , the weight engages the semicircular base member  441  of trip fork mechanism  442  and the angle “A 1 ” further enables the inertia as well as the weight of the ball to act upon the ball  436  to act upon the trip fork mechanism  446  and causes the trip fork mechanism  442  to move horizontally relative to the cradle  437  and move the cross pin  454  carried on the projection trip arm  423  and allows horizontal swinging movement of the projection trip arm  423  to cause the disc valve  418  to close. The amount of shock or vibration force to displace the ball  436  from the circular recess  439  is determined by the shape of the recess  439  and the mass of the ball  436 . 
   The ball  436  and its associated parts are enclosed within the dome shaped housing cover  458  which is attached to and projects outwardly from the main valve body  411 . Thus, the housing cover  458  effectively closes an opening  424  at the side of the main body  411 . When a shock or vibration force is experienced by the shock actuated responsive mechanism  425 , the ball  436  is displaced when such force reaches a specified value. If the force is of sufficient strength and duration, the ball  436  is urged upwardly and out of the circular recess  439 . The ball  436  rattles around within the housing cover  458  and there is no way to know which direction the ball  436  will rattle since it is in a horizontal configuration. The ball  436  might rattle directly against the ball member  441  of trip fork mechanism  442  to trip the valve assembly  410 . Alternatively, it can rattle sideways against the housing cover  458  or up, front or back against the housing cover and ricochet off the housing cover to then strike the trip fork mechanism  442  to trip the valve assembly. The ball  436  can rotate 360° in any direction, and thereby hits the housing cover  458  and then ricochets off the housing cover  458  and strikes the trip fork mechanism  442  to activate the valve assembly to cover the disc valve  418 . The ball  436  thus automatically resets itself in the centered position when permitted to do so. By way of example, only the weight or ball  436  can be made of steel. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 21 through 23 , there is shown at  510  another alternative embodiment of the present invention shock and vibration force responsive valve assembly with an improved leveraged valve closing actuation means, which is adapted to automatically close off the flow of a controlled fluid such as natural gas through a conduit in response to seismic forces or other shock forces of a predetermined magnitude. The valve assembly  510  includes a tubular main valve body  511  having flanges  512  and  513  at its opposite ends connectable by fasteners to abutting flanges of adjacent conduit sections or pipe sections (not shown) to connect the main body  511  into a pipeline. It may be assumed that natural gas or another controlled fluid flows in a downward direction (top to bottom) as shown by the flow arrow  509  through an inner passage  516  formed in the main body  511  and parallel to a central vertical axis  517  of the inner passage  516 . 
   The valve assembly  510  further includes a flow control mechanism which has a circular disc valve  518  engageable with an annular seat  519  formed in the main valve body  511  to close off the flow of fluid through the valve assembly  510 . The disc valve  518  is carried by a swing arm  520  which swings about a horizontal axis  521  between the closed condition (see  FIG. 22 ) and the open condition (see  FIG. 21 ). The arm  520  and the carried disc valve  518  are releasably retained in the open condition of the valve by engagement of the arm  520  with a latch pin  554  carried by a projection trip arm  523 . The trip arm  523  is in turn releasably retained in its position by a shock responsive mechanism  525  which is contained within a dome shaped housing cover  558  having a bulge  559 . The housing cover  558  is attached to the tubular main body  511  at annular flanges  562  which have a sealing O-Ring  563  or other gasket. The housing cover  558  is retained by a circular clamp  560  typically formed of two semicircular sections secured together at their opposite ends by fasteners such as screws, rivets, or other suitable fasteners. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 21 ,  22  and  23 , the shock actuated responsive mechanism  525  includes a weight or mass  536 , such as a metal ball. When the disc valve  518  is in the open position, the ball  536  is supported on a cradle  537  which extends outwardly and away from the main body  511 . The cradle  537  has a flat horizontal base plate  570  and two opposite arms  572  that extend away from the base plate  570  and attached to a vertical plate  540  which is then attached to the main body  511  by fasteners. The base plate  570  has a circular recess  539  therethrough which has contour to normally retain the ball  536  in its centered position. The ball  536  is displaceable from the centered position relative to the cradle  537 , as to the position represented in broken lines in  FIG. 22 , by shock induced movement of the cradle  537  relative to the ball  536 , during which movement the inertia of the weight resists movement thereof with the cradle  537 . 
   A trip fork mechanism  542  is disposed between the two opposite arms  572  of the cradle  537  and located adjacent to the base plate  570  and is movable in a horizontal direction relative to the cradle  537 . The trip fork  542  comprises a semicircular base member  541  which is contoured at an angle “A” relative to the horizontal. The angle “A” is preferably 45 degrees although any angle from 15 degrees to 75 degrees will function with the alternative embodiment of the present invention. The trip fork  542  further comprises a pair of spaced apart parallel vertical walls  551  and  553  having two openings  346  in each of the vertical walls. The improvement in the present invention involves doubling the height H of the vertical walls  551  and  553 . The new design increases the leverage of the force so it reduces the required weight of the ball to produce the same force as with the immediately previous alternative design. By using a ball of the same weight, the inertia force is increased because of the increased leverage of the action of the ball  536  against the semicircular base member  541  having an impact on the vertical walls  551  and  553  which doubles the leverage in view of the fact that the height of the vertical wall is increased. The trip fork mechanism  542  is mounted for horizontal movement by a movable mechanism  543 , including a projection trip arm  523 , and a pair of parallel links  530  extending downwardly from the trip arm  523 , the pair of links pivoted on the vertical walls  551  and  553  of the trip fork mechanism  542  by horizontal pins  545  extending through the horizontal openings  546  in the vertical walls  551  and  553  of the trip fork mechanism  542  and secured by a pair of fasteners  526 . The second set of parallel links illustrated in  FIG. 17  of the previous embodiment is not necessary in this alternative embodiment. The concept of the present invention improvement is that the lower two sets of horizontal pins extend through openings  546  in elongated vertical walls  551  and  553  to attach the longer vertical wall to the one set of parallel links  530  and by having this increased height, the leverage of the action of the ball  536  against the semicircular base member  541  increases the force so that the inertial force of action to close the valve is increased because of the increased leverage due to the increased vertical height of walls  551  and  553 . The projection trip arm  523  is located above the ball  536 . A horizontal movement of the trip fork mechanism  542  causes a cross pin  554  to release the swing arm  520  for closure of the valve assembly  510  by seating the disc valve  518  by a spring force. 
   The trip fork mechanism  542  is yieldingly urged outwardly by a leaf spring or plate spring  557  which is mounted to the vertical plate  540  by rivets  559 . When the ball  536  is moved laterally from its centered position in any horizontal direction relative to the cradle  537 , the weight engages the base member  541  of the trip fork mechanism  542  and the contoured surfaced of the base member  541  enables both the weight and acceleration of the ball  536  to act on the trip fork mechanism  542  to cause the trip fork mechanism to be displaced in a horizontal direction and thereby move the cross pin  554  carried on the projection trip arm  523  and allows horizontal swinging movement of the projection trip arm  523  to cause the disk valve  518  to close. The amount of shock or vibration force to displace the ball  536  from the circular recess  539  is determined by the shape of the recess  539  and the mass of the ball  536 . As illustrated in  FIG. 22 , there is a gap between the horizontal base  541  of trip fork mechanism  542  and the ball  536  and the semicircular shape of the contoured horizontal base  541  further facilitates action of the ball  536  to hit the trip fork mechanism  542 . The contoured angle “A” preferably at 45 degrees further facilitates activation of the trip fork mechanism  542  by both the acceleration and weight of the ball  536  coming in contact with the contoured surface set at an angle “A” of base mechanism  541 . 
   The ball  536  and its associated parts are enclosed within the dome shaped housing cover  558  which is attached to and projects outwardly from the main valve body  511 . Thus, the housing cover  558  effectively closes an opening  524  at the side of the main body  511 . When a shock or vibration force is experienced by the shock actuated responsive mechanism  525 , the ball  536  is displaced when such force reaches a specified value. If the force is of sufficient strength and duration, the ball  536  is urged upwardly and out of the circular recess  539 . The ball  536  rattles around within the housing cover  558  and there is no way to know which direction the ball  536  will rattle since it is in a horizontal configuration. The ball  536  might rattle directly against the base member  541  of the trip fork mechanism  542  to trip the valve assembly  510 . Alternatively, it can rattle sideways against the housing cover  558  or up, front or back against the housing cover and ricochet off the housing cover to then strike the base member  541  of trip fork mechanism  542  to trip the valve assembly. The ball  536  can rotate 360° in any direction, and thereby hits the housing cover  558  and then ricochets off the housing cover  558  and strikes the trip fork mechanism  542  to activate the valve assembly to cover the disc valve  518 . The ball  536  thus automatically resets itself in the centered position when permitted to do so. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 24 ,  25  and  26 , there is shown at  610  an alternative embodiment of the present invention shock and vibration force responsive valve assembly with an improved leveraged valve closing actuation means which is adapted to automatically close off the flow of a controlled fluid such as natural gas through a conduit in response to seismic forces or other shock forces of a predetermined magnitude. This embodiment of the present invention is very similar to the embodiment just discussed above and the only difference is the nature and configuration of the projection trip arm  623  which is located underneath the ball  636  and the vertical plate  640  of the shock actuated responsive mechanism  625 . In addition, the trip fork mechanism is inverted 180 degrees so that the circular base page  641  is located above the ball rather than below the ball as will be discussed later on. All of the parts of this embodiment are correspondingly numbered in a 600 series reference number rather than a 500 series reference number used in the embodiment just discussed above. 
   The valve assembly  610  includes a tubular main valve body  611  having flanges  612  and  613  at its opposite ends connectable by fasteners to abutting flanges of adjacent conduit sections or pipe sections (not shown) to connect the main body  611  into a pipeline. It may be assumed that natural gas or another controlled fluid flows in an upward direction (bottom to top) as shown by the flow arrow  609  through an inner passage  616  formed in the main body  611  and parallel to a central vertical axis  617  of the inner passage  616 . 
   The valve assembly  610  further includes a flow control mechanism which has a circular disc valve  618  engageable with an annular seat  619  formed in the main valve body  611  to close off the flow of fluid through the valve assembly  610 . The disc valve  618  is carried by a swing arm  620  which swings about a horizontal axis  621  between the closed condition (see  FIG. 25 ) and the open condition (also see  FIG. 25 ). The arm  620  and the carried disc valve  618  are releasably retained in the open condition of the valve by engagement of the arm  620  with a latch pin  654  carried by a projection trip arm  623 . The trip arm  623  is in turn releasably retained in its position by a shock responsive mechanism  625  which is contained within a dome shaped housing cover  658  having a bulge. The housing cover  658  is attached to the tubular main body  611  at annular flanges  662  which have a sealing O-Ring  663  or other gasket. The housing cover  658  is retained by a circular clamp typically formed of two semicircular sections secured together at their opposite ends by fasteners such as screws, rivets, or other suitable fasteners. 
   The shock actuated responsive mechanism  625  includes a weight or mass  636 , such as a metal ball. When the disc valve  618  is in the open position, the ball  636  is supported on a cradle  637  which extends outwardly and away from the main body  611 . The cradle  637  has a flat horizontal base plate  670  and two opposite arms that extend away from the base plate  670  and attach to a vertical plate  640  which is then attached to the main body  611  by fasteners. The base plate  670  has a circular recess  639  therethrough which has contour to normally retain the ball  636  in its centered position. The ball  636  is displaceable from the centered position relative to the cradle  637 , as to the position represented in broken lines in  FIG. 25 , by shock induced movement of the cradle  637  relative to the ball  636 , during which movement the inertia of the weight resists movement thereof with the cradle  637 . 
   A trip fork mechanism  642  is disposed between the two opposite arms  672  of the cradle  637  and located adjacent to the base plate  670  and is movable in a horizontal direction relative to the cradle  637 . The trip fork mechanism  642  comprises a semicircular base member  641  which is contoured at an angle “A 1 ” relative to the horizontal. The angle “A 1 ” is preferably 45 degrees although any angle from 15 degrees to 75 degrees will function with the alternative embodiment of the present invention. The trip fork mechanism  642  further comprises a pair of spaced apart parallel vertical walls  651  and  653  having two openings  646  in each of the vertical walls. The improvement in the present invention involves doubling the height H of the vertical walls  651  and  653 . The new design increases the leverage of the force so it reduces the required weight of the ball to produce the same force as with the immediately previous alternative design. By using a ball of the same weight, the inertia force is increased because of the increased leverage of the action of the ball  636  against the semicircular base member  641  having an impact on the vertical walls  651  and  653  which doubles the leverage in view of the fact that the height of the vertical wall is increased. The trip fork mechanism  642  is mounted for horizontal movement by a movable mechanism  643 , including a projection trip arm  623 , and a pair of parallel links  630  extending downwardly from the trip arm  623 , the pair of links pivoted on the vertical walls  651  and  653  of the trip fork mechanism  642  by horizontal pins  645  extending through the horizontal openings  646  in the vertical walls  651  and  653  of the trip fork mechanism  642  and secured by a pair of fasteners  626 , the pair of links pivoted by a second parallel horizontal arm  647  to a pair of horizontal bracket arms  648  projecting outwardly from and attached to the vertical plate  640  and secured by a second pair of fasteners  632 . The second set of parallel links illustrated in  FIG. 20  of the previous embodiment is not necessary in this alternative embodiment. The concept of the present invention improvement is that the lower two sets of horizontal pins extend through openings  646  in elongated vertical walls  651  and  653  to attach the longer vertical wall to the one set of parallel links  630  and by having this increased height, the leverage of the action of the ball  636  against the semicircular base member  651  increases the force so that the inertial force of action to close the valve is increased because of the increased leverage due to the increased vertical height of walls  651  and  653 . In addition to these changes, for this embodiment where gas flows from bottom to top, it is found to be advantageous to orient the trip fork mechanism 180 degrees from the previous embodiment so that the horizontal base member  641  rests above ball  636 . Having the trip fork mechanism oriented in 180 variation from the previous embodiment works better with the valve closing means in the orientation as depicted in  FIG. 25 . With the horizontal base plate located below the ball  636 , it could possibly serve to interfere with the tripping of the valve. By having the horizontal base plate  641  located above the ball  636 , no such interference occurs. 
   Referring to  FIG. 26 , the trip fork mechanism  642  is mounted for horizontal movement by a movable mechanism which by way of example is a mechanism  643  including a projection trip arm  623 , and a pair of parallel links  630  extending upwardly from the trip arm  623 , the pair of links respectively pivoted at one end of vertical walls  651  and  653  by horizontal pins  645  extending through the horizontal openings  646  and secured by a pair of fasteners  626 . The second set of parallel links illustrated in  FIG. 20  of the previous embodiment is not necessary in this alternative embodiment. The concept of the present invention improvement is that the lower two sets of horizontal pins extend through openings  646  in elongated vertical walls  651  and  653  to attach the longer vertical wall to the one set of parallel links  630  and by having this increased height, the leverage of the action of the ball  636  against the semicircular base member  651  increases the force so that the inertial force of action to close the valve is increased because of the increased leverage due to the increased vertical height of walls  651  and  653 . The projection trip arm  623  is located below the ball  630 . A horizontal movement of the trip fork mechanism  642  causes a cross pin  654  to release the swing arm  620  for closure of the valve assembly  610  by seating the disc valve  618  by a spring force. 
   The trip fork mechanism  646  is yieldingly urged outwardly by a leaf spring or plate spring  657  which is mounted by rivets to the vertical plate  640 . When the ball  636  is moved laterally from its centered position in any horizontal direction relative to the cradle  637 , the weight engages the semicircular base member  641  of trip fork mechanism  642  and the angle “A 1 ” further enables the inertia as well as the weight of the ball to act upon the ball  636  to act upon the trip fork mechanism  646  and causes the trip fork mechanism  642  to move horizontally relative to the cradle  637  and move the cross pin  654  carried on the projection trip arm  623  and allows horizontal swinging movement of the projection trip arm  623  to cause the disc valve  618  to close. The amount of shock or vibration force to displace the ball  636  from the circular recess  639  is determined by the shape of the recess  639  and the mass of the ball  636 . 
   The ball  636  and its associated parts are enclosed within the dome shaped housing cover  658  which is attached to and projects outwardly from the main valve body  611 . Thus, the housing cover  658  effectively closes an opening  624  at the side of the main body  611 . When a shock or vibration force is experienced by the shock actuated responsive mechanism  625 , the ball  636  is displaced when such force reaches a specified value. If the force is of sufficient strength and duration, the ball  636  is urged upwardly and out of the circular recess  639 . The ball  636  rattles around within the housing cover  658  and there is no way to know which direction the ball  636  will rattle since it is in a horizontal configuration. The ball  636  might rattle directly against the ball member  641  of trip fork mechanism  642  to trip the valve assembly  610 . Alternatively, it can rattle sideways against the housing cover  658  or up, front or back against the housing cover and ricochet off the housing cover to then strike the trip fork mechanism  642  to trip the valve assembly. The ball  636  can rotate 360° in any direction, and thereby hits the housing cover  658  and then ricochets off the housing cover  658  and strikes the trip fork mechanism  642  to activate the valve assembly to cover the disc valve  618 . The ball  636  thus automatically resets itself in the centered position when permitted to do so. By way of example, only the weight or ball  636  can be made of steel. 
   Defined in detail, the present invention is a vertical shock actuated valve assembly adapted to automatically close off the flow of a controlled fluid through a conduit in response to a shock or vibration force of a predetermined magnitude and having a shock actuated responsive mechanism comprising: (a) a cradle having a horizontal base plate and a pair of arms extending away from the horizontal base plate and opposing each other and attached to a vertical plate which in turn is attachable to a main body of said valve assembly, the horizontal base plate having a central circular bore therethrough in which a weight in the form of a ball is supported and retained thereon; (b) a mechanism including a projection trip arm, a pair of parallel links extending from said trip arm, the mechanism movably attached to the valve assembly by pin means extending through said pair of parallel links; (c) a trip fork mechanism having a contoured semicircular base member and a pair of elongated spaced apart vertical walls by which the trip fork mechanism is secured between said parallel links of said mechanism by pin means, the elongated vertical walls providing additional leverage when a force is applied on the semicircular base plate, the trip fork mechanism located adjacent to said horizontal base plate such that the contoured semicircular base member faces said ball; and (d) a housing cover enclosing said ball, said cradle, said mechanism, and said trip fork mechanism so that when said ball is moved out of said central circular bore and retained on said horizontal base plate by the housing cover and rattles around and ricochets off the interior of the housing cover, the ball thereby strikes said contoured semicircular base member of said trip fork mechanism to cause a cross pin to release a swing arm to cause a valve member to move against a valve seat and thereby activate said valve assembly to stop the flow of the fluid therethrough. 
   Defined broadly, the present invention is a vertical shock actuated valve assembly having valve closing means and adapted to automatically close off the flow of a fluid through a conduit in response to a shock or vibration force of a predetermined magnitude and having a shock actuated responsive mechanism comprising: (a) a cradle having a horizontal plate and at least two arms extending away from the horizontal plate and attached to a vertical plate which in turn is attachable to a main body of said valve assembly, the horizontal plate having a central bore therethrough in which a weight is supported and retained thereon; (b) a mechanism including a projection trip arm having attachment means extending therefrom, the mechanism movably attached to the valve assembly by said attachment means; (c) a trip fork mechanism having a base member and a pair of elongated spaced apart vertical walls by which the trip fork mechanism is secured between said attachment means of said mechanism, the elongated vertical walls providing additional leverage when a force is applied on said horizontal base member, the trip fork mechanism located adjacent to said horizontal base plate such that the base member faces said weight; and (d) a cover enclosing said weight, said cradle, said mechanism, and said trip fork mechanism so that when said weight is moved out of said central bore and retained on said horizontal plate by the cover and rattles around and ricochets off the interior of the cover, the ball thereby strikes said base member of said trip fork mechanism to activate valve closing means of said valve assembly to stop the flow of the fluid therethrough. 
   Defined more broadly, the present invention is a vertical shock actuated valve assembly having a valve closing means and having a shock actuated responsive mechanism comprising: (a) a horizontal plate having a bore therethrough in which a weight is supported and retained centrally on the horizontal plate, the horizontal plate attached to the valve assembly; (b) a movable mechanism movably attached to the valve assembly; (c) a trip fork mechanism having a base member and a pair of elongated spaced apart vertical walls by which the trip fork mechanism is movably attached to said movable mechanism, the elongated vertical walls providing additional leverage when a force is applied on said base member, the trip fork mechanism located adjacent to said horizontal plate such that the base member faces said weight; and (d) a cover enclosing said weight, said horizontal plate, said movable mechanism, and said trip fork mechanism so that when said weight is moved out of said bore and retained on said horizontal plate by the cover and rattles around and ricochets off the interior of the cover, the ball thereby strikes said base member of said trip fork mechanism to activate the valve closing means of said valve assembly to stop the flow of the fluid therethrough. 
   Defined even more broadly, the present invention is a shock actuated valve assembly having a shock actuated responsive mechanism comprising: (a) a horizontal plate having a bore therethrough in which a weight is supported and retained centrally on the horizontal plate, the horizontal plate attached to the valve assembly; (b) a movable mechanism movably attached to the valve assembly; (c) a trip fork mechanism having a base member and elongated means to movably attach the trip fork mechanism to said movable mechanism, the elongated means providing additional leverage when a force is applied to the base member, the trip fork mechanism located adjacent to the horizontal plate such that the base member faces said weight; and (d) a cover enclosing said weight, said horizontal plate, said movable mechanism, and said trip fork mechanism so that when said weight is moved out of said bore and retained on said horizontal plate by the cover and rattles around and ricochets off the interior of the cover, the weight thereby strikes said base member of said trip fork mechanism to activate said valve assembly to stop the flow of the fluid therethrough. 
   Further defined more broadly, the present invention is a vertical shock actuated valve assembly adapted to automatically close off the flow of a controlled fluid through a conduit in response to a shock or vibration force of a predetermined magnitude and having a shock actuated responsive mechanism comprising: (a) a horizontal plate having a bore therethrough in which a weight is supported and retained centrally on the horizontal plate, the horizontal plate attached to the valve assembly; (b) a movable mechanism movably attached to the valve assembly; and (c) a trip fork mechanism having a base member and elongated means to movably attach the trip fork mechanism to said movable mechanism, the elongated means providing additional leverage when a force is applied to the base member, the trip fork mechanism located adjacent to the horizontal plate such that the base member faces said weight; (d) whereby when the shock or vibration force is experienced by said shock actuated responsive mechanism, said weight is displaced when such force reaches the predetermined magnitude causing said weight to roll out of said bore to strike said trip fork mechanism to cause the trip fork mechanism to move in a horizontal direction to thereby actuate and close said valve assembly to stop the flow of the fluid therethrough. 
   Further defined even more broadly, the present invention is a shock actuated valve having a shock responsive mechanism comprising: (a) a horizontal plate having a bore therethrough in which a weight is supported and retained centrally on the horizontal plate and means for attaching to a main body of said shock actuated valve; and (b) a trip fork mechanism having elongated walls and having at least a portion located adjacent to said weight; (c) whereby when the shock or vibration force is experienced by said shock responsive mechanism, said weight is displaced when such force reaches the predetermined magnitude causing said weight to move out of said bore to strike said trip fork mechanism and cause it to move in a horizontal direction to thereby actuate and close said shock actuated valve to stop the flow of the fluid therethrough. 
   Of course the present invention is not intended to be restricted to any particular form or arrangement, or any specific embodiment, or any specific use, disclosed herein, since the same may be modified in various particulars or relations without departing from the spirit or scope of the claimed invention hereinabove shown and described of which the apparatus or method shown is intended only for illustration and disclosure of an operative embodiment and not to show all of the various forms or modifications in which this invention might be embodied or operated. 
   The present invention has been described in considerable detail in order to comply with the patent laws by providing full public disclosure of at least one of its forms. However, such detailed description is not intended in any way to limit the broad features or principles of the present invention, or the scope of the patent to be granted. Therefore, the invention is to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.