Valve override system

A valve override system for allowing a user to restore flow through a gate valve that has failed in the closed position. The valve override system includes an engagement assembly being designed for engaging a gate of the gate valve assembly whereby the engagement assembly is for urging the gate of the gate valve assembly into an open position to allow fluid to pass through the gate valve assembly.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to valve wrenches and more particularly pertains to a new valve override system for allowing a user to restore flow through a gate valve that has failed in the closed position.

2. Description of the Prior Art

The use of valve wrenches is known in the prior art. U.S. Pat. No. 5,320,003 describes a device for actuating underground valves to open or close the underground valves. Another type of valve wrench is U.S. Pat. No. 6,244,138 having a device for assisting in the open and closing of a valve and absorbs the shock from opening and closing the valve. U.S. Pat. No. 3,583,416 has a stem assembly that can be selectively removed when the valve stem has failed and is easily replaced with a new valve stem assembly.

While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the need remains for a system that has certain improved features that allows a user to open a gate valve that is stuck in a closed position.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention meets the needs presented above by providing an engagement means that engages the gate of the gate valve assembly and urges the gate into the open position when the valve stem has failed and can no longer be used to operate the gate of the gate valve assembly.

Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new valve override system that allows a user to quickly restore flow through a failed gate valve to allow users to continue use of the fluid flowing through the gate valve.

Even still another object of the present invention is to provide a new valve override system that reduces the amount of time that a system is down due to a failure in a gate valve.

To this end, the present invention generally comprises an engagement means being designed for engaging a gate of the gate valve assembly whereby the engagement means is for urging the gate of the gate valve assembly into an open position to allow fluid to pass through the gate valve assembly.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference now to the drawings, and in particular toFIGS. 1 and 2thereof, a new valve override system embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the reference numeral10will be described.

As best illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2, the valve override system10generally comprises an engagement means12being designed for engaging a gate2of the gate valve assembly1whereby the engagement means12is for urging the gate2of the gate valve assembly1into an open position to allow fluid to pass through the gate valve assembly1.

The engagement means12comprises a rigid elongate2member14. The rigid elongate2member14is designed for extending through a casing3of the gate valve assembly1whereby the rigid elongate2member14engages a bottom edge of the gate2of the gate valve assembly1.

The rigid elongate2member14having threads. The threads of the rigid elongate2member14are designed for threadably engaging the casing3of the gate valve assembly1. The rigid elongate2member14is designed for being rotated with respect to the casing3of the gate valve assembly1for changing the length of the rigid elongate2member14positioned in the gate valve assembly1to actuate the gate2of the gate valve assembly1. The rigid elongate2member14may comprise a ¼ inch threaded bolt having a length of about 2-½ inches.

An inhibiting member16, such as a packing nut, is designed for selectively engaging the casing3of the gate valve assembly1. The inhibiting member16is designed for inhibiting environmental communication between an interior space of the gate valve assembly1and an external environment.

The inhibiting member16is operationally coupled to the rigid elongate2member14. The inhibiting member16is designed for abutting the casing3of the gate valve assembly1to inhibit environmental communication through the casing3adjacent the rigid elongate2member14.

The inhibiting member16is threaded. The threads of the inhibiting member16threadably engage the rigid elongate2member14whereby the inhibiting member16engages the casing3of the gate valve assembly1to preload the rigid elongate2member14and inhibit the rigid elongate2member14from inadvertently separating from the gate valve assembly1.

In use, the user drills a hole through the casing3of the gate valve assembly1opposite a valve stem of the gate valve assembly1. The hole drilled into the casing3of the gate valve assembly1is tapped to provide the hole with threads. The inhibiting member16is threaded onto the rigid elongate2member14. The rigid elongate2member14is threaded into the hole drilled into the casing3of the gate valve. The rigid elongate2member14is rotated with respect to the gate valve assembly1to advance the rigid elongate2member14into the gate valve assembly1and urge the gate2into the open position. The inhibiting member16is tightened against the casing3of the gate valve assembly1to inhibit environmental communication between the interior space of the gate valve assembly1and the environment and inhibiting inadvertent rotation of the rigid elongate2member14with respect to the gate valve assembly1.