Abstract:
A polymeric cradle having a base with a rectangular receiving surface emulating the surface of a brick. From the center of this receiving surface there extends a valve receptor of generally hexagonal cross section formed with oppositely disposed valve receiving mouths and generally oppositely disposed standards functioning to align the cradle within the saddle portion of a curb box and to align a valve stem of a valve supported at the mouths. The mouths are configured so as to permit universal utilization with a wide variety of valve configurations and sizes.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application claims the benefit of provisional Application No. 60/680,120, filed May 12, 2005, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH  
       [0002]     Not applicable.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     Public water supplies as provided to metropolitan regions from municipal or private water service entities are distributed from a grid of mains and branches along rights or way or easements of user facilities. These distribution conduits are buried below ground surface at depths varying with the depths of average frost lines, main branch depths of three feet to four feet being common in the Midwest region of the United States.  
         [0004]     Contracting entities connect these mains with residences or buildings from “curb stop” valves now typically using polymeric pipe. Thus, the valve-to-polymeric pipe connections are provided with compression fittings, the couplings being secured by tightening compression nuts located on the valves. The valves conventionally are configured for accommodating three quarter inch OD or one inch OD plastic pipe.  
         [0005]     To afford above-ground surface access to the valves, the generally saddle configured-bell ends of elongate curb boxes are located over the valves in somewhat straddling fashion. These pipe-like structures typically are formed of cast iron and extend usually with an adjustable extension and lid to ground surface with the purpose of permitting valve actuation access from the surface. Support of the weight of the curb boxes typically is from a brick located beneath the valve against which the end of the saddle portion freely abuts. With this arrangement, access to turn the valves on or off is by an elongate valve actuating rod which is extended from ground surface through the curb box. These tools are configured with a key end called upon to engage the valve stem for rotational actuation. The curb box, brick and valve combination are assembled in an excavation, the elongate curb box being held in a vertical orientation as the excavation site is backfilled following the mounting of pipe to the valve.  
         [0006]     Such water service installations have proven to be problematic. In the course of construction activity following their placement, the region of their location often will be subjected to construction off-road traffic. As this off-road traffic encounters relatively fresh backfill adjacent the curb boxes they will be forcefully displaced into a broad variety of orientations, a substantial number of which results in a valve-curb box alignment precluding access by the actuating rods. In this regard, a misalignment of as little as of 1½ inches can result in installation failure. The procedure for necessary repair is to dig out the backfill and vertically re-align the valve curb box, whereupon the repeated excavation again is backfilled. It is not uncommon for this corrective procedure to be carried out at about 50% of the service installations within about a three month interval following placement. The cost of such correction not only involves the labor of re-digging and re-backfilling, but also the cost associated with delayed water service as may be required during the final stages of building construction.  
         [0007]     Proposals have been made to replace the supporting brick with a form of alignment cradle. The practicality of this approach has been impaired by virtue of the myriad of valve structures encountered in the field. A resulting myriad of cradle structures then are called for. These cradle structures proposed further are configured to evoke a relatively rigid physical union between the valve and the curb box. Such interconnection may, in itself, provoke an installation failure.  
         [0008]     Similar curb box-based service installations have been provided in connection with the distribution of natural gas. For instance, some valves are configured with directionality features permitting their use either for water services or gas services. However, such gas service installations now are being supplanted by gas valving architectures which automatically turn off gas input on being disturbed and automatically turn on gas services as such time as the disturbance may be corrected.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0009]     The present invention is addressed to a universal cradle having a configuration lending its use to a significant variety of fluid valve configurations. Intended principally for use in water distribution from mains or branches into commercial buildings or homes, the cradle provides for a maintenance of acceptable curb-box-valve and valve stem relative orientations, allowing desired access to the valves with elongate turn-on and shut-off tools manipulated from terrain surface. Valves of given configuration typically are sold in two sizes, a large size intended for interconnecting 1 inch outside diameter (O.D.) pipe and a smaller size intended for interconnecting 0.75 inch O.D. pipe. Thus, the cradle provides improved support and alignment not only for different valve configurations, but also for different sizes of the valves having those configurations.  
         [0010]     The cradle is configured with a base of rectangular periphery having a normally upwardly disposed receiving surface dimensioned to emulate the surface of a brick. Accordingly, field personnel will encounter an inherent familiarity with its use. Its length, extending along a medial base axis, is of sufficient extent to provide spaced apart smooth bearing surfaces located to freely abuttably receive and support the spaced apart box end surfaces of the saddle portion of a curb box. The base is light but rigid, the receiving surface being integrally formed with a reinforcing rib lattice or grid.  
         [0011]     A valve receptor extends normally from the receiving surface at a location between the bearing surfaces. The receptor exhibits a generally hexagonal cross section internally and is configured with outwardly disposed upwardly extending reinforcing ribs which are mutually aligned such that when the cradle is installed within a curb box saddle; it is properly aligned as the outside surfaces of the ribs slide along the interior of the saddle portion. Two aligned and oppositely disposed mouths are provided in the valve receptor, which extend from its top to a location above the receiving surface to establish an internal cavity and oppositely disposed cradling ridges or edges. The mouths also establish two generally oppositely disposed upstanding standards which not only incorporate certain of the noted ribs but also function to align the stem portion of a valve carried between the two mouths. Certain of the smaller size valves are configured with very small stem portions and, thus, the cradle is supplied with annulus shaped polymeric and somewhat flexible shims which fit over the stem portions and are dimensioned to then engage each of the interior surfaces of each of the two standards. One particular larger size valve is configured with a downward extending protrusion having a large hexagonal component threaded thereto. To accommodate this singular large valve configuration, a hexagonal cavity is formed in the base opposite the receiving surface such that for this particular valve installation the cradle is turned upside down and the hexagonal component of the valve is inserted in the cavity.  
         [0012]     The cradle is configured such that relative sliding motion is permitted between the curb box box end surfaces and the bearing surfaces of the cradle receiving surface. That relative rotative sliding is limited to a limit angle of about 300 through the utilization of oppositely disposed stop flanges extending normally upwardly from the longitudinal edges of the cradle receiving surface. The cradles may be configured as an integral unit of a polycarbonate polymeric material to provide a high degree of rigidity or from an ABS material where a certain amount of “give” or minor breakage may be considered beneficial to its use.  
         [0013]     Other objects of the invention will, in part, be obvious and will, in part, appear hereinafter.  
         [0014]     The invention, accordingly, comprises the apparatus possessing the construction, combination of elements and arrangement of parts which are exemplified in the following detailed disclosure. For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0015]      FIG. 1  is perspective view of the assembly of a curb box with a curb stop valve and supporting brick as known in the prior art;  
         [0016]      FIG. 2  is a partial cross section of a curb box saddle and curb stop valve displaced upon the upper surface of a brick as may be encountered with prior art procedures;  
         [0017]      FIG. 3  is a sectional view taken through the plane  3 - 3  in  FIG. 2 ;  
         [0018]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of one configuration of a valve which may be employed with the invention;  
         [0019]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of another configuration for a valve which may be employed with the invention;  
         [0020]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of another valve configuration which may be employed with the invention;  
         [0021]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a curb stop valve installation similar to that shown in  FIG. 1  but employing a cradle according to the invention;  
         [0022]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a cradle according to the invention;  
         [0023]      FIG. 9  is a front elevational view of the cradle shown in  FIG. 8 ;  
         [0024]      FIG. 10  is a side elevational view of the cradle shown in  FIG. 8 ;  
         [0025]      FIG. 11  is a top view of the cradle shown in  FIG. 8 ;  
         [0026]      FIG. 12  is a bottom view of the cradle shown in  FIG. 8 ;  
         [0027]      FIG. 13  is a partial perspective view of a curb box saddle portion and cradle according to the invention as associated with the valve configuration of  FIG. 5 ;  
         [0028]      FIG. 14  is a sectional view taken through the plane  14 - 14  shown in  FIG. 13 ;  
         [0029]      FIG. 15  is a sectional view taken through the plane  15 - 15  shown in  FIG. 14 ;  
         [0030]      FIG. 16  is a sectional view similar to  FIG. 14  showing a cradle and curb box saddle portion associated with the valve illustrated in  FIG. 4 ;  
         [0031]      FIG. 17  is a sectional view taken through the plane  17 - 17  shown in  FIG. 16 ;  
         [0032]      FIG. 18  is a sectional view similar to  FIG. 14  and showing the association of a curb box saddle portion with a cradle according to the invention and a larger size of the valve configuration shown in  FIG. 6 ; and  
         [0033]      FIG. 19  is a sectional view taken through the plane  19 - 19  shown in  FIG. 18 . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0034]     In the discourse to follow a typical curb stop valve installation utilizing a curb box in conjunction with a brick is described. Following that description typically encountered relative misalignment of the curb box and curb stop valve are illustrated. Next, the different shapes of curb stop valves are illustrated. As noted above, these shapes may be associated with larger valves, for instances, accommodating delivery pipe of one inch outside diameter (O. D) or smaller valves of the same general shape which accommodate ¾ inch O. D. delivery pipe. Notwithstanding having similar shapes, both the size and shape of these valves are accommodated by the universal cradle structure of the invention. Because of the universality which was achieved, suggested dimensions are presented as the description of the cradle unfolds.  
         [0035]     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a typical curb box and curb stop valve installation is represented generally at  10 . Installation  10  incorporates a two component curb box represented generally at  12  which is a pipe-like structure having an open interior disposed about a box axis  14 . The lower component  16  of box  12  extends to a lower disposed saddle portion  18  with a transverse opening  20  extending through it. Saddle portion  18  extends about the transverse opening  20  to provide oppositely disposed spaced apart box end surfaces, one of which is seen at  22 . The upper end of lower component  16  generally is threaded with widely spaced threads which function to threadably engage the interior of curb box upper component  26 . Component  26  extends upwardly to ground surface at an annular opening  28  which is normally covered and uncovered for access to a subterranean valve. That curb stop valve is represented generally at  30  resting upon the upper surface  32  of a brick represented generally at  34 . Transverse opening  20  of saddle portion  18  of the curb box lower component  16  is seen to straddle valve  30 . In this regard, each of the box end surfaces, one of which is shown at  22 , engages the upper surface  32  of brick  34 . Valve  30  is configured with a centrally disposed base portion  36  from which upwardly extends a stem portion  38  which is, in turn, configured with an upwardly extending key which is rotatable to open or close the valve. Valve  30  is shown with a valve axis  40  and a delivery pipe is seen at  42  having been coupled with a compression fitting  44  of the valve. Valve  30  is turned off and on from the terrestrial surface utilizing an elongate tool represented generally at  46 . Tool  46  is configured with an elongate rod  48  coupled at its uppermost end with a transverse crank handle  50  and extending downwardly to a slotted rod keyway  52 . To actuate valve  30  on and off, that slot or keyway must engage the corresponding valve key of stem portion  38 . Note in the instant demonstration that the valve  30  stem is not vertically aligned with the rod  48  and associated rod keyway  52 . This poses difficulties in actuating the valve  30  if not impossibilities requiring a reinstallation of the system of curb box and curb stop valve. The skewed geometry is one of relative movement between the valve  30  and the associated curb box  12  as well as brick  34 .  
         [0036]     Field installation personnel encounter a variety of failures of alignment between the curb box and curb stop valve. Very often this misalignment is a result of surface compression due to movement of the curb box both angularly and laterally. Thus, the misalignment being referred to herein may be considered to be a result of relative movement between valve and curb box. In the figures to follow, components of the curb box continue to be described in conjunction with the identifying numeration set forth in  FIG. 1 . A different shaped valve is shown in  FIG. 2  as represented in general at  60 . Valve  60  is shown having a valve axis  62  along with a valve base portion,  64 , and compression nut fittings  66  and  68  oppositely disposed and spaced apart along the axis  62 . A generally centrally disposed stem portion is shown at  70  extending upwardly to an upwardly extending valve key  72 . Note that the valve  60  also is configured with a protrusion  74  which depends downwardly from the base portion  64 . The bottom surface of protrusion  74  is seen engaged with the upper surface  32  of brick  34  and relative movement between valve  60  and the saddle portion  18  of the curb box has resulted in an association between valve and saddle portion wherein stem portion  70  has shifted laterally from left to right in the sense of the figure. This poses difficulties if not impossibilities for engagement of the rod keyway  52  with the valve key  72 .  
         [0037]     Looking to the sectional view of  FIG. 3  the valve  60  is seen not only to have relatively shifted laterally, but also to have relatively rotated about its axis  62 . That rotation, as noted above may be manifested by the movement of the curb box  12  and its compressibly associated supporting brick  34 . The geometric relationship between rod keyway  52  and valve key  72  illustrates a second level of difficulty carrying out any remote actuation of valve  60 . Returning momentarily to  FIG. 1 , it may be observed that valve  30  is shown with a relative rotation about its axis  40 . The figure also identifies both box end surfaces  22  and  24 .  
         [0038]     Now considering the shape and proportion of the valves, reference is made to  FIGS. 4, 5  and  6  showing the shapes of three typically encountered valves. As noted above, these valves may be relatively larger being sized to accommodate one inch O. D, pipe or may be smaller in proportion when utilized with 0.75 inch O.D. pipe. Valve  60  reappears in  FIG. 4 . In the figure, it may be observed that base portion  64  is configured with oppositely disposed coaxially arranged extensions  76  and  78 . The outer surfaces of these extensions  76  and  78  exhibit the same diameter, i.e., the base is symmetrical extending to each compression fitting. The compression fittings  66  and  68  are seen to be configured with respective compression nuts  80  and  82 . Note, additionally, that the downwardly depending protrusion  74  is of generally cylindrical shape and extends to a protrusion end surface  84 . The cradle of the invention is called upon to accommodate for the downward protrusion  74  while maintaining an alignment of stem portion  70  with the box axis  14  ( FIGS. 1-3 ). Additionally, the cradle must permit field personnel access to the compression nuts  80  and  82  permitting their loosening and tightening without cradle interference. Those support criteria must be available for both a large valve size suited for 1 inch O.D. pipe and smaller valve proportioning suited for 0.75 inch O.D. pipe.  
         [0039]     Looking to  FIG. 5 , valve  30  reappears, again being represented numerically identified in general at  30 . As before, valve  30  is configured with a base portion  36  disposed symmetrically about value axis  40 . From that base portion, a stem portion  38  extends upwardly and perpendicularly to axis  40 . Note, that there is no protrusion extending from base  36  as earlier described at  74  in connection with valve  60 . The base portion  36  is configured with oppositely disposed base portion extensions represented generally at  90  and  92 . It may be noted, however, that the surface configuration of extension  90  is different than that of extension  92 . Extension  92  exhibit a surface having what may be considered a diametric extent which is larger than that of extension  90 . Only portions of the external surface of extension  90  are of generally cylindrical curvature and the surface configuration of extension  92  is quite different from that of extension  90 . In this regard, the extension  92  exhibits a cylindrical surface at  94  which transitions into a generally hexagonal peripheral configuration at  96 . In effect, extensions  90  and  92  may be considered asymmetrical. Valve  30  is configured with compression fittings  44  and  45  which include respective compression nuts  98  and  100 . Stem portion  38  is seen to extend to a valve key  102  intended for engagement with rod keyway  54  of rod  46  ( FIGS. 1 and 3 ).  
         [0040]     Looking to  FIG. 6 , another valve structure is represented generally at  110 . Valve  110  incorporates a base portion which is disposed about a valve axis  114 . Base portion  112  is configured with generally cylindrical extensions  116  and  118  which support oppositely disposed respective compression fittings represented generally at  120  and  122 . Fittings  120  and  122  are configured with respective compression nuts  124  and  126 . Extending upwardly from base portion  112  is a stem portion  128  having an upwardly depending valve key  130 . Valve  110  further is configured with a protrusion represented generally at  132  which incorporates a threadably attached protrusion component of generally hexagonal-shaped periphery as shown at  134 . Where valve  116  is configured in lager proportion suited for 1 inch O.D. pipe attachment, the hexagonal component is quite large, for example, the distance between parallel surfaces of the hexagon being about 2½ inches. By contrast, the corresponding dimension for a valve  110  configured for attachment with 0.75 inch O. D. pipe is about 2⅛ inch.  
         [0041]     Referring to  FIG. 7  and revisiting installation  10 , valve  30  now is seen to be supported by a cradle configured according to the invention and represented generally at  140 . Box end surface  22  is in freely abutting adjacency with one of two oppositely disposed bearing surfaces of the normally upwardly disposed receiving surface  142  of a cradle base represented generally at  144 . Cradle  140  supports valve  30  in a manner wherein its stem portion as at  38  is generally aligned with axis  14 . Accordingly, the keyway  54  of rod key  52  is readily asserted over the valve key  102  of valve  30 . Base portion  36  or any extensions of such base portions will be seen to be supported by the cradle  140  which is slidably aligned within curb box lower component  16  saddle portion  18 . In general, the receiving surface  142  of the cradle  140  is dimensioned and configured to emulate the corresponding upper surface  32  of a brick  34  as described in connection with  FIG. 1 . Surface  142  which is normally upwardly disposed is smooth such that should the curb box lower portion  16  be subject to relative rotation about axis  14 , box end surfaces as at  22  will slide but the amount of such rotative sliding is limited by stop flanges as at  146  and  148  which extend upwardly from surface  142 . The extent of such permitted relative rotation is about 30°.  
         [0042]     Looking to  FIG. 8 , a perspective view of the cradle  140  is presented. In the figure, the receiving surface  142  reappears at the top of base  144 . Additionally, stop flanges  146  and  148  are seen located along the longitudinal peripheries of base  144 . Base  144  extends along a longitudinal base axis  154  and exhibits a length along that axis of about 8.75 inches which is effective to receive the saddle portion  18  spaced apart box end surfaces  22  and  24  ( FIG. 3 ) at corresponding oppositely disposed bearing surfaces represented generally at  156  and  158 . The width of base  144  is about 4.0 inches. Fixed to and extending generally normally from the base receiving surface  142  at a location between bearing surfaces  156  and  158  is a valve receptor represented generally at  160 . Receptor  160  is configured with an upstanding receptor wall represented generally at  162 . Wall  162  has a maximum length extending from the receiving surface  142  of base  144  to a top or maximum top surface  164 . Receptor wall  162  is reinforced with four externally disposed elongate ribs  166 - 169  and two shorter ribs  170  and  171 . Wall  162  and its associated ribs  166   171  exhibit a cross section having a maximum dimension extending between the outer surfaces of oppositely disposed ribs as seen in  FIG. 10  of about 3.15 inches. This dimensioning as revealed in connection with  FIG. 11  is provided between oppositely disposed ribs  167  and  169 ;  168  and  170 ; and  166  and  171 . The dimension permits slidable insertion within the transverse opening of saddle portion  18  as illustrated in connection with  FIG. 7 . However, as noted above, relative rotation between bearing surfaces  156  and  158  and the box end surfaces  22  and  24  continues to be available.  
         [0043]     Receptor  162  is configured with two oppositely disposed supportive mouths, a first and relatively larger one being represented generally at  176 . Mouth  176  is arranged generally perpendicular to and symmetrically disposed transversely to base axis  154 . It exhibits a mouth width between receptor wall edges  178  and  180  of about 2.375 inches. As seen in  FIG. 9 , that width extends from the top  164  to the commencement of oppositely disposed mutually converging ridges  182  and  184  as seen in  FIG. 9 . Ridges  182  and  184  generally arcuately converge to a middle portion spaced above surface  142  to define a lower ridge structure and form a receiving cavity. At the lowermost central portion of the ridge defined between ridge components  182  and  184  is a relatively smaller arc edge seen in  FIG. 9  at  186 . This small central arc edge region exhibits a radius of about 0.850 inches. Aligned with the generally U-shaped mouth  176  transversely to the longitudinal axis  154  is the second generally U-shaped mouth represented generally at  190 . Mouth  190  is located further outwardly from central axis  154  than mouth  176  and thus, its principal widthwise dimension is less than that of mouth  176 . Mouth  190  extends having a maximum widthwise dimension from top  164  to the commencement of a ridge with commencement portions seen in  FIG. 9  at  192  and  194  of about 1.875 inches. The ridge defined between commencement regions  192  and  194  is generally arcuate exhibiting a radius generally commensurate with the radius of arcuate component  186  of mouth  176 . In general, the bottom of the arcuate edge portion  186  is aligned with the bottom of mouth  190  along an axis parallel to surface  142 .  
         [0044]     With the geometrical arrangement shown U-shaped mouths  176  and  190  cooperate to define relatively elongate upstanding standards represented generally at  200  and  202 . These standards are seen additionally in  FIGS. 9 and 11 , while standard  200  is seen in  FIG. 10 .  FIG. 10  also illustrates the transversely offset position of mouth  190  with respect to the centrally disposed base axis  154 .  
         [0045]     Looking to  FIG. 11 , it may be observed that valve receptor  160  is symmetrically disposed about the center point  208  defined between centrally disposed longitudinal axis  154  and center axis  210  of the base  144 . Its internal surfaces define a cavity which is generally hexagonal in configuration and the distance between oppositely disposed parallel internal surface components of that cavity is about 2.25 inches. A drainage aperture  212  is symmetrically disposed about the center point  208  and extends through the base  144 .  
         [0046]     Looking to  FIG. 12  the side of base  144  opposite the bottom of receiving surface  142  is revealed. This bottom side as represented in general at  216  is configured with a reinforcing grid extending outwardly from the bottom  218  of receiving surface  142 . Portions of that grid are identified at  220  and the outward surfaces of each of the ribs of the grid are coplanar and parallel with surface  218 . As a consequence, these ribs may be employed as an alternative to bearing surfaces  156  and  158  ( FIG. 11 ). Accordingly, such corresponding bearing surfaces are shown generally in  FIG. 12  at respective locations  222  and  224 . These rib edge defined surfaces extend about 0.38 inches outwardly from the surface  218 .  
         [0047]     Note in  FIG. 12  that centrally disposed within the base bottom side is a generally hexagonally-shaped valve base receiving cavity  226 . Parallel opposite sides of the interior of cavity  226  are spaced apart about 2.625 inches, a spacing adequate to slidably receive the hexagonal component  134  of valve  110  when configured in its larger size intended for connection with 1 inch O. D. pipe.  
         [0048]     Referring to  FIG. 13 , an enlarged view of the curb box saddle portion  18  and lower portion  16  is illustrated in operative association with cradle  140  and the smaller version of valve  30  intended for coupling with 0.75 inch pipe. The box end surfaces of saddle portion  18  at  22  and  24  are in freely abutting engagement with corresponding bearing surfaces  156  and  158  ( FIG. 11 ). Where valve  30  is of the larger size intended for 1 inch O. D. pipe coupling then its cylindrical surface  94  is located between the standards  200  and  202  ( FIG. 11 ) and its stem portion is appropriately supported thereby. However, for the smaller size the smaller valve may be positioned in either direction transversely to the longitudinal base axis  154  ( FIG. 11 ). As noted above, relative pivotal movement is permitted about axis  14  with respect to the box end surfaces  22  and  24  of saddle portion  18  and corresponding bearing surfaces  156  and  158  of receiving surface  142 . Returning momentarily to  FIG. 11 , such relative axial rotation is limited by the stop flanges  146  and  148 . For example, that limit angle is illustrated as a which is preferably about 30°.  
         [0049]     Now looking to the sectional view of  FIG. 14  as identified in  FIG. 13 , the smaller version of valve  30  is represented as being supported within mouths  176  and  190 , However, additionally provided with the cradle  140  is an annulus-shaped somewhat flexible polymeric shim  230  sometimes referred to as a “doughnut”. Shim  230  functions to mutually engage between the outer surface of stem portion  38  and the inward surfaces of standards  200  and  202 , thus maintaining that stem portion in proper alignment with the axis  14  of curb box  12 . Looking to the second sectional view at  FIG. 15 , the shim  230  is seen to be positioned in a stabilizing orientation intermediate the outer surface of stem portion  38  of valve  30  and the inward surfaces of standards  200  and  202 .  
         [0050]     Referring to  FIG. 16 , a similar cross section as shown in  FIG. 14  is presented in conjunction with valve  60  and cradle  140 . Valve  60  exhibits a symmetrical configuration in that base portion extensions  76  and  78  are essentially identically configured. Accordingly, for either of the larger versions suited for connection with 1 inch O. D. pipe or the smaller version configured for connection with 0.75 inch O.D. pipe the valve may be situated in either transverse orientation with respect to mouths  176  and  190 . The larger version of the valve is represented in  FIG. 16 .  
         [0051]     Looking to the second sectional view in  FIG. 17 , note that stem portion  70  of the valve  60  is in somewhat close adjacency with the inner surfaces of standards  200  and  202 . Thus, the valve is supported for appropriate orientation with respect to axis  14 . For the smaller version of the valve, a shim similar to that shown at  230  in  FIGS. 14 and 15  may be employed.  
         [0052]     The smaller version of valve  110  suited for connection with 0.75 inch O. D. pipe may be mounted in the same manner as the mounting of valve  60  described in connection with  FIGS. 16 and 17 . In this regard, the valve has a protrusion  132  ( FIG. 6 ) with a hexagonal periphery  134  ( FIG. 6 ). The outer surface spacing between parallel surfaces of the periphery  134  is about 2.125 inch. Accordingly, that hexagonal component will slidably nest within the hexagonal-shaped interior of the lower portion of valve receptor  160  (see  FIG. 11 ). However, protrusion  132  and its associated hexagonal periphery  134  as provided with a valve  110  of a larger variety suited for coupling with 1 inch O. D. pipe will not fit within that region.  
         [0053]     Where the larger version of valve  110  is involved, then the cradle  140  is turned upside down from its normal orientation as shown in  FIGS. 18 and 19  to reveal an upwardly disposed hexagonally-shaped valve based receiving cavity  226  as described above in connection with  FIG. 12 . Cradle  140  having thus been positioned, stop flanges  146  and  148  as well as valve receptor  160  now are embedded within the trench bottom and valve  110  is supported from protrusion  132  as it is slidably inserted within the cavity  226 . Relative movement of the entire cradle  140  is restricted by virtue of the downwardly depending components as represented at receptor  160  and flanges  146  and  148 . Relative movement of the valve  110  with respect to the surface represented by the now upwardly disposed coplanar edges of the rib structure is precluded by virtue of the cavity  226 . Additionally, freely abutting box end surfaces  22  and  24  may slide over the outer edges of the rib structure of base  144 .  
         [0054]     Cradle  140  may be formed of polymeric material. In this regard where the device may be employed in very rugged terrain requiring the withstanding of considerable forces and shock, then the device may be molded of a polycarbon polymer. On the other hand, it may be desirable in other terrain environments to permit an amount of flexure to the extent of partial breakage. For that arrangement, the cradle may be molded of a polymeric material provided as a co-polymer made from acrylonitrile, butadiene, and styrene, sometimes referred to as “ABS”. Alternatively, the cradle may be molded of high density polyethylene, referred to as “HDPE.” 
         [0055]     Since certain changes may be made in the above-described apparatus without departing from the scope of the invention herein involved, it is intended that all matter contained in the description thereof or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.