Abstract:
A check valve system including a plumbing assembly and a check valve assembly. The plumbing assembly has at least three portals including a first portal, a second portal and a third portal. The check valve assembly is positioned to block a fluid flow entering the second portal from flowing out of the first portal. The check valve assembly includes a securing mechanism positioned in the third portal.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to plumbing, and, more particularly, to a check valve assembly added to an existing plumbing structure. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    A check valve is also known as a clack valve, a non-return valve or a one-way valve. It is a mechanical device which normally allows fluid to flow through it in only one direction. Typically, check valves are two port devices meaning they have two openings in the body, one for the fluid to enter and one for the fluid to leave through. Check valves efficiently work automatically and most are operated positionally allowing gravity to place a flapper proximate to a sealable opening in the event that a fluid tries to go in a direction causing the flapper to press against the sealing port thereby preventing fluid passing therethrough. Some check valves are spring operated so that they can operate in any orientation. The valves of the heart are essentially a check valve having an inlet and outlet for the heart ventricles. 
         [0005]    A swing check valve or a tilting disk check valve is a valve in which a disk is a movable part used to block the flow of fluid therethrough. The disk or flapper swings on a hinge or trunnion either onto the seat to block reverse flow or off of the seat to allow a forward flow of fluid through the check valve. 
         [0006]    Check valves are often utilized in commercial settings to prevent water from being sucked from a plumbing system in the event of a fire in which a fire truck pump is pumping water from a fire hydrant. Another use of a check valve is in the drainage lines of domestic and commercial properties where it is desirable to prevent the backflow of sewage and drainage water during a flood or other event that may cause a backflow. In many communities it is required in new installations to put a check valve in the exiting sewer line, typically outside of the building so that any backflow can be stopped outside of the building. 
         [0007]    Unfortunately the prior art requires someone to dig up a sewer line which does not have a check valve in order to install the check valve. Another problem is that if the check valve fails it has to be dug up to be replaced. 
         [0008]    What is needed in the art is a check valve that is easy to install into a current plumbing system, which can be maintained and replaced when necessary without requiring the digging up of the buried check valve. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    The present invention in one form is directed to a check valve system including a plumbing assembly and a check valve assembly. The plumbing assembly has at least three portals including a first portal, a second portal and a third portal. The check valve assembly is positioned to block a fluid flow entering the second portal from flowing out of the first portal. The check valve assembly includes a securing mechanism positioned in the third portal. 
         [0010]    The invention in another form is directed to a check valve including a ring, an arm extending from the ring, a securing mechanism connected to the arm and a flapper pivotally connected to the ring or the arm. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the invention will be better understood by reference to the following description of an embodiment of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  is a partial cross section of a plumbing system showing the movement of an embodiment of the check valve of the present invention in the plumbing system; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a partially cross sectioned side view of the plumbing system of  FIG. 1  illustrating the installation of the check valve of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the check valve of  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the tool used to install the check valve of  FIGS. 1-3 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a partially sectioned side view of check valve of  FIGS. 1-3  illustrating the function of the check valve in the plumbing system to a reverse flow of fluid; and 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is a partially sectioned side view of the check valve of  FIGS. 1-3  and  5  illustrating a forward flow of fluid through the check valve. 
       
    
    
       [0018]    Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplifications set out herein illustrate one embodiments of the invention, in one form, and such exemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0019]    Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to  FIGS. 1-3 , there is illustrated a check valve system  10  including a plumbing assembly  12  having a portal  14 , a portal  16  and a portal  18 . Check valve system  10  additionally includes a check valve assembly  20  that is installed with an installation tool  22 . Check valve assembly  20  is installed down an access pipe also known as a portal  14  from above the surface of the ground and it is positioned into a T plumbing fixture as shown in  FIG. 2 ; installation tool  22  is then disconnected from check valve assembly  20  and it is used to secure check valve assembly  20  into portal  18 . 
         [0020]    Check valve assembly  20  includes a ring  24 , an O-ring  26 , a flapper  28 , a hinge  30 , an arm  32 , and an over center device  34 . Over center device  34 , also referred to as a securing mechanism  34 , has a latch arm  36 , a pivot point  38 , fingers  40 , a roller  42 , a yoke  44  and a hole  46  in latch arm  36 . Securing mechanism  34  is used to secure check valve assembly  20  in portal  14  thereby allowing fluid flowing from portal  16  into portal  18  but blocking fluid flow from exiting portal  16 . Ring  24  serves as a seat to flapper  28  and also as a seal to portal  16  when installed in plumbing assembly  12 . O-ring  26  surrounds ring  24  and sets in a groove in ring  24  to more fully provide sealing of check valve assembly  20  as positioned in portal  16 . Flapper  28  is connected to hinge  30  allowing flapper  28  to swing away from ring  24 . Hinge  30  is also connected to either arm  32  or ring  24  thereby allowing pivotal movement of flapper  28 . Flapper  28  may have slight oblate shape in order to accommodate the inside shape of the T-fitting in plumbing assembly  12  so that flapper  28  can more fully open within the constraint of the T-fitting. The shape of flapper  28  is accommodated by the inside profile of ring  24  to thereby prevent the flow of fluid in the wrong direction. 
         [0021]    Arm  32  is connected to ring  24  and extends generally vertically when installed in plumbing assembly  12 . Arm  32  may have a curved surface which accommodates the curved surface of portal  14 . If portal  14  is the same diameter as portal  16  then the radius of curvature of arm  32  along the outer side will be substantially similar to the radius of curvature of ring  24 . 
         [0022]    Securing mechanism  34  also here shown as an over center device  34  includes the latch arm  36  that is pivotally connected at pivot point  38  to fingers  40 . Fingers  40  have a dual purpose in the installation process and here can be thought of as the parts extending from arm  32  to allow for convenient pivoting of a latch arm  36  about pivot point  38 . Pivot point  38  is selected to co-act with the length of latch arm  36  so that when latch arm  36  is in position the over-center nature of latch arm  36 , as it is swung contacts the inside of arm  32 , roller  42  that extends from yoke  44  engages an opposite wall of portal  14  thereby securing check valve assembly  20  in portal  14  to prevent the backflow of fluid into portal  16 . The resiliency of roller  42  allows over center device  34  to be easily installed and latched and then later removed without compromising the positioning and strength of check valve assembly  20  in portal  14 . 
         [0023]    Installation tool  22  includes a pole  48 , hooks  50  and a removal hook  52 . Pole  48  may have a handle or other mechanism along a top portion to accommodate the user. Alternatively, installation tool  22  may have a moveable engagement apparatus to securely hold, install and remove check valve assembly  20  to/from plumbing assembly  12 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , check valve assembly  20  is being lowered in through portal  14  with hooks  50  interacting with fingers  40  to properly support and position check valve assembly  20 . As check valve assembly  20  is pushed back into portal  16 , installation tool  22  is lowered thereby disengaging hooks  50  from fingers  40  and removal hook  52  is used for a dual purpose to push down latch arm  36  as shown in  FIG. 2  thereby securing check valve assembly  20  in portal  14  and portal  16 . 
         [0024]    Now, additionally referring to  FIGS. 5 and 6  there is shown the effects of flow with check valve assembly  20  properly positioned in plumbing assembly  12 . In  FIG. 5  reverse flow of fluid is prevented if the flow is attempting to move to the right. In  FIG. 6  flow from the left is allowed, with flapper  28  hinging outwardly, away from ring  24  as the fluid passes beneath flapper  28 . 
         [0025]    In the event valve assembly  20  requires maintenance or it is desirable to remove check valve assembly  20  then removal hook  52  is inserted through hole  46  and latch arm  36  is pulled thereby releasing check valve assembly  20  from portal  16  and check valve assembly  20  is pulled out through portal  14  for maintenance and/or replacement. 
         [0026]    Although not illustrated at the top of portal  14  a removable sealing cap may be placed therein so that in the event backflow occurs, as shown in  FIG. 5 , the backflow will not extend up above the ground. Advantageously the present invention allows for the retrofitting of legacy plumbing systems placing a check valve in an easy non-invasive manner by using the clean out plumbing access that often is outside the foundation of a house. Another advantage of the present invention is that it allows for the easy maintenance of check valve assembly  20  to ensure proper operation of check valve assembly  20  in its installation. Another advantage of the present invention is that securing mechanism  34  does not restrict fluid flow and that typically fluid flows from portal  16  through portal  18  and does not flow up portal  14 . Portal  14  being a cleanout or observation portal. In the event a cleaning device needs to be inserted down portal  14 , check valve assembly  20  can be removed easily to preclude the need for digging up the T fixture. 
         [0027]    While this invention has been described with respect to at least one embodiment, the present invention can be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains and which fall within the limits of the appended claims.