Abstract:
A valve nut removal and replacement system including a plurality of associated tools and methods used for above ground access to, replacement of, and maintenance of worn, misshaped, abused or otherwise faulty valve nuts located at a subsurface location. A system is provided including tool components, many of which can be configured for multiple uses. The system provides for the cleaning and removal of a retainer nut, for the removal of a damaged valve nut, and for the installation and securing of a new valve nut from a remote above ground location.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims benefit from the earlier filed U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/809,768 entitled “Adjustable Actuating Lock-on Wrench with Nut Puller” filed May 31, 2006, and is hereby incorporated into this application by reference as if fully set forth herein. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to water distribution systems, and more particularly, relates to above ground servicing of underground water distribution valve nuts which have deteriorated or which have been damaged beyond suitable use. A system having multiple and configurable tool devices is used to remove and replace such water valve nuts. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0005]    Various wrench systems and nut removal tools and nut puller devices have existed and been used for some time. Wrench systems and nut removal tools are shown, for example, in the following United States of America patents: 
         [0006]    U.S. Pat. No. 7,118,091. Tool for controlling water supply (Price. Oct. 10, 2006). A tool for shutting off water supplies; however, this tool is not designed for other environments and applications, such as sanitary sewer valves or replacing a rounded valve stem nut. Also, a shim may be needed for adjustment. 
         [0007]    U.S. Pat. No. 7,000,897. Apparatus and method for operating a water valve (Chick. Feb. 21, 2006). Uses a spring-loaded button to engage and hold an inner shaft to an outer shaft, which provides less than optimal size adjustment capability. Designed for water valve applications only. 
         [0008]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,928,906. Large self-forming socket (Marks. Aug. 16, 2005). Requires a collar with shelf around the center pin to protect the bias spring from over-compression. 
         [0009]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,802,337. Valve can extension (Phipps. Oct. 12, 2004). This invention relates to an underground access conduit for the adaptation or extension of the access conduit to grade level. Also, this invention is designed for use on a curb stop accessed through a conduit (known as a valve can, valve box, or curb box), which makes this invention less than universal. 
         [0010]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,776,068. Valve operator (Reuschel, et al. Aug. 17, 2004). This invention requires a motor and a torque converter for power, making it less cost efficient and more cumbersome to operate. 
         [0011]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,349,622. Multipurpose valve opening tool (Lemaire, et al. Feb. 26, 2002). A compact tool designed to grip a number of different size valve stems, but not a rounded valve stem nut. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0012]    The general purpose of the present invention is to provide a valve nut removal and replacement system which will repair or maintain a sanitary sewer valve, a fire hydrant supply valve, or water main systems from above ground, thereby eliminating the need to excavate at the site. The invention includes configurable components having one or more associated subcomponents located at one or more ends of different sufficiently long shafts or tubes. The use of such components facilitates delivery of the subcomponents or other features of the invention to the underground site of and for interfacing with water control valve nuts and associated components. The components of the present invention can be arranged and utilized in different combinations and sequences as each step involved in use of the invention dictates. Major components, structures or assemblies of the present invention include, but are not limited to, a valve nut puller tool, an accessory tool shaft for use with a plurality of accessory tool attachments, such as brushes or other attachable devices, a removably attachable T-handle which can be secured to and used in conjunction with the valve nut puller tool and also with the accessory tool shaft and associated plurality of accessory tool attachments, a valve nut replacement tool, a valve nut supply plate which can include configured replacement valve nuts or other suitably sized and configured valve nuts, and a stem matching plate used for determining the size and/or shape of a valve nut center cavity. Various components can be assembled for use as a cleaning device where one of a plurality of attachments, such as a rotary brush, can be used with the accessory tool shaft and removably attachable T-handle to clean debris, dirt or other foreign objects to suitably expose a retainer nut or retainer bolt which secures a damaged water valve nut to a valve stem. Another combination of components, such as the accessory tool shaft and a nut socket tool, can be arranged to rotatably remove a retainer nut or retainer bolt from the valve stem of the underground valve. Other components can be assembled including the valve nut puller tool having a configurable fixture at one end and the removably attachable T-handle at the other end combined to forcibly extract a damaged water valve nut from a valve stem of an underground valve. The valve nut puller tool is used to extend along and through a valve box to contact, grasp and extract the damaged valve nut. The nut replacement tool is used to position a suitable replacement valve nut on a bared underground valve stem. 
         [0013]    According to one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a valve nut removal and replacement system for use in the removal of and replacement of an underground damaged valve nut without removing the underground valve from the earth. 
         [0014]    One significant aspect and feature of the present invention is a valve nut removal and replacement system which is operated remotely from above ground. 
         [0015]    Another significant aspect and feature of the present invention is the use thereof as a cleaning device which has removably attached cleaning brushes, thread cleaners as well as other attachments which may be utilized for other than cleaning, including a tap and a die, each of which may be operated remotely above ground to the underground site of a valve. 
         [0016]    Still another significant aspect and feature of the present invention is the use of a nut socket tool in conjunction with an accessory tool shaft for remote removal of a retainer nut on an underground valve stem. 
         [0017]    Yet another significant aspect and feature of the present invention is the use of a valve nut puller tool, the components of which can be configured and utilized for multiple uses. 
         [0018]    A further significant aspect and feature of the present invention is the use of a fixture at the end of the valve nut puller tool which can be configured and used as a guide for the cleaning tool and associated components thereof. 
         [0019]    A further significant aspect and feature of the present invention is the use of a fixture at the end of the valve nut puller tool which can be configured and used as a guide for the accessory shaft when in use with accessory tool attachments and associated components thereof. 
         [0020]    A further significant aspect and feature of the present invention is the use of a fixture at the end of the valve nut puller tool which can be configured and used remotely and forcibly to remove a damaged valve nut in various stages of disrepair from the valve stem of an underground valve. 
         [0021]    A still further significant aspect and feature of the present invention is the use of a threaded actuator shaft interacting with a cam to pivotally position opposed levered arms for entry into a valve box for facilitating the entry of a valve nut into a receptor cavity. 
         [0022]    A still further significant aspect and feature of the present invention is the use of a threaded actuator shaft interacting with a cam to position opposed levered arms for grasping and forcibly removing a remotely located valve nut from a remotely located valve stem. 
         [0023]    A still further significant aspect and feature of the present invention is the use of a valve nut replacement tool to deliver and install a replacement valve nut upon a remotely located valve stem on a remotely located valve. 
         [0024]    A still further significant aspect and feature of the present invention is the use of a valve nut supply plate and a stem matching plate to readily and easily determine and supply a suitably sized replacement valve nut. 
         [0025]    A still further significant aspect and feature of the present invention is the use of interface devices which protect threaded surfaces of threaded components of the invention. 
         [0026]    Having thus briefly described embodiments of the present invention and having mentioned some significant aspects and features of the present invention, it is the principal object of the present invention to provide a valve nut removal and replacement system. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0027]    Other objects of the present invention and many of the attendant advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals designate like parts throughout the figures thereof and wherein: 
           [0028]      FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a valve nut removal and replacement system of the present invention; 
           [0029]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view of a valve nut puller tool of the system shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0030]      FIG. 3  is a view of the assembled end structure of the valve nut puller tool aligned with a damaged valve nut; 
           [0031]      FIG. 4  is a cross section view along line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 3  showing the relationship of the end structure to a connecting tube and threaded actuator shaft; 
           [0032]      FIG. 5  is an isometric view of one of the replacement valve nuts in spaced alignment with a nut receptacle socket at one end of the valve nut replacement tool; 
           [0033]      FIG. 6  is a cross section view of the replacement valve nut along line  6 - 6  of  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0034]      FIG. 7  is a bottom view of the replacement valve nut; 
           [0035]      FIG. 8  shows the cleaning process incorporating components of the invention to clean the area around and about a retainer nut prior to using a socket tool and nut socket; 
           [0036]      FIG. 9  illustrates the use of a socket tool to remove a retainer nut from a valve stem in order to allow subsequent removal of a damaged valve nut; 
           [0037]      FIG. 10  illustrates the insertion of a fully assembled valve nut puller tool into a valve box for the purpose of the subsequent engagement with and removal of a damaged valve nut; 
           [0038]      FIG. 11  illustrates the capture of a damaged valve nut within a nut receptor cavity; 
           [0039]      FIG. 12  illustrates the unitary removal of the valve nut puller tool, the damaged valve nut and other closely associated components from a valve box where the damaged valve nut has been disengaged from the valve stem of a valve; 
           [0040]      FIG. 13  illustrates the use of the extended interface/thread protector and valve nut puller tool to remove a damaged valve nut from a valve stem having an internally threaded hole where the fully assembled valve nut puller tool is inserted into the valve box; 
           [0041]      FIG. 14  illustrates the capture of the damaged valve nut within the valve nut receptor cavity; 
           [0042]      FIG. 15  illustrates the unitary removal of the valve nut puller tool, the damaged valve nut and other closely associated components from the valve box where the damaged valve nut has been disengaged from the valve stem; 
           [0043]      FIG. 16  illustrates the replacement of a valve nut on a valve stem utilizing the valve nut replacement tool; 
           [0044]      FIG. 17  shows a replacement valve nut installed on and secured upon a valve stem by a new retainer nut in engagement with the threads of the valve stem; and, 
           [0045]      FIG. 18  shows a shortened valve nut puller tool, an alternative embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0046]      FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a valve nut removal and replacement system  10  of the present invention including, but not limited to, a valve nut puller tool  12 , an accessory tool shaft  14 , a removably attachable T-handle  16 , a valve nut replacement tool  18 , a valve nut supply plate  19  having posts upon which various size and style replacement valve nuts  20   a - 20   n , which preferably are stainless steel, can be stored, and a stem matching plate  22  having various size numbered stems  23   a - 23   n  extending vertically therefrom. Components of the valve nut puller tool  12  include an elongated tube  24 , an end structure  26  having variable geometry aligned and secured to one end of the tube  24 , a hex head  28  at one end of a threaded actuator shaft  30 , whereby the threaded actuator shaft  30  extends along the interior of the tube  24  to threadingly engage and operate a cam  32  in the end structure  26 , a top shouldered bushing  34  (best seen in  FIGS. 2 and 8 ) including a bevel  33  ( FIG. 8 ) located at the lower portion of the bushing passage aligned and secured within the upper end of the elongated tube  24  for guidance of the upper region of the threaded actuator shaft  30  or for guidance of other components, a washer  36  and nut  37  ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ), the latter of which threadingly engages the upper region of the threaded actuator shaft  30 , and opposed levered arms  38  and  40  pivotally mounted in the end structure  26  interacting with a cam  32  for angular positioning of opposed levered arms  38  and  40 . For the purpose of illustration, brevity and clarity, a one-piece housing  42 , which is a component of the end structure  26 , is shown divided in section form as housing halves  42   a  and  42   b  where the housing half  42   a  is shown distanced from the opposite housing half  42   b  where the latter is shown in fixed engagement with one end of the elongated tube  24 . An interface/thread protector  39  and an extended interface/thread protector  41  are included for attachment at the lower end of the threaded actuator shaft  30  for use thereupon depending on the style of the damaged valve nut which is to be removed and are used as an interface and to prevent damage to the end of the threaded actuator shaft  30  and to the external or internal threads of a valve stem associated with a particular style of valve nut. Additional components of the end structure  26  in association with other components and features of the invention are shown in detail in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , as well as in other figures. 
         [0047]    The accessory tool shaft  14  also shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  8  and  9  is preferably and generally round having one end configured as a hex head  46  or other suitable configuration for connection and communication with the removably attachable T-handle  16  or with an electric drill or other rotational device in order to rotate the accessory tool shaft  14  and appropriate attachment tool later described in detail. The opposite end of the accessory tool shaft  14  includes a square drive connector  47  having a body hole  49  extending therethrough. The square drive connector  47  can accommodate a tool receptor  48  having a bore  50 , whereby the tool receptor  48  can be secured to the square drive connector  47 , such as by the use of a pin  51  extending through opposed holes  53  (one shown) of the tool receptor  48  and through the body hole  49  in the square drive connector  47 . A plurality of opposed threaded mounting holes  52  (one shown) near the lower end of the tool receptor  48  are used for fixing a variety of accessory tool attachment devices within the bore  50  of the tool receptor  48 . Set screws  54  extend through the threaded mounting holes  52  to secure the selected accessory tool attachment to the tool receptor  48 . The variety of useful accessory tool attachments can include, but are not limited to, a thread cleaner die  56 , a rotary brush  58  having internal inwardly extending bristles, a rotary brush  60  having outwardly and downwardly extending bristles, a tap drill  62  and a tap  64  each of which includes shafts  56   a ,  58   a ,  60   a ,  62   a  and  64   a , respectively. The square drive connector  47  can also accommodate a nut socket tool  65  of appropriate features and desired size by the use of a pin  66  extending through opposed holes  67  (one shown) in the nut socket tool  65  and through the body hole  49  of the square drive connector  47 . 
         [0048]    The removably attachable handle  16  shown in  FIG. 1  can be brought into rotary action use by connecting it to the hex head  28  of the valve nut puller tool  12  or to the hex head  46  of the accessory tool shaft  14 . The removably attachable handle  16  includes a body  68 , a triangular shaped mating hole  69  in the body  68  which hole can suitably accommodate the hex heads  28  and  46  of the valve nut puller tool  12  and accessory tool shaft  14 , respectively, where each hex head  28  or  46  can be secured therein by using a threaded locking shaft  70  which threadingly engages the body  68  and which is operated by a three bar handle  71 . Actuating bars  72   a  and  72   b  are secured to and extend from the body  68  for applying rotary motion to the valve nut puller tool  12  or accessory tool shaft  14 . 
         [0049]    The valve nut replacement tool  18  shown in  FIG. 1  includes a robust tube  74  with a striking surface  76  at one end which is suitable for repeated forceful blows thereupon by a mallet or hammer. A nut receptacle socket  78 , being substantially a square and open structure having an open end, is located at the opposite end of the tube  74  for loading one of the valve replacement nuts  20   a - 20   n.    
         [0050]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the end structure  26  of the valve nut puller tool  12 , as well as other previously described components of the valve nut puller tool  12 .  FIG. 3  is a view of the assembled end structure  26  aligned with a representative damaged valve nut  80 . With reference to  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 , the present invention is further described. As previously described, the housing  42  is shown as a housing half  42   a  and as a housing half  42   b  for purposes of illustration and clarity, although the housing  42  is a unitary structure. The housing  42  is described referring to the housing half  42   a  with the understanding that various features or structures are common to both housing halves  42   a  and  42   b , except as noted. Continuously connected and adjacent round cavities, passageways, collars or partial arcuate cavities included at the upper portion of the housing  42  are utilized to accommodate tubular or round components of the valve nut puller  12  which connect thereto or which are located therein, including a bottom shouldered bushing  86 , the lower end of the tube  24  and the lower end of the threaded actuator shaft  30 . A collar  88  of tubular shape at the upper portion of the housing  42  accommodates the interior bottom end of the tube  24  which is suitably secured thereto. The interior of the collar  88  defines a passageway  90 , preferably being round, for the accommodation of a bottom portion of the threaded actuator shaft  30 . A bevel  91  at the top end of the collar  88  assists in the alignment and entry of the lower end of the threaded actuator shaft  30  with the collar  88  and other components. A bushing cavity  92  conforming to the general shape of the bottom shouldered bushing  86  is continuous with and extends downwardly from the passageway  90  for accommodation of the bottom shouldered bushing  86  which is frictionally engaged therein. The bottom shouldered bushing  86  guidingly accommodates the lower portion of the threaded actuator shaft  30  or of other devices, such as the accessory tool shaft  14 . A tool accommodation cavity  94 , preferable being round, is continuous with and extends downwardly from the lower region of the bushing cavity  92  for accommodation of tools such as, but not limited to, the nut socket tool  65  or the tool receptor  48  which can be used with the accessory tool shaft  14  and associated for cleaning or other associated functions. The tool accommodation cavity  94  also accommodates the upper portion of the cam  32 , as later shown in  FIG. 4 . In different modes of operation, the threaded actuator shaft  30  or the accessory tool shaft  14  can pass directly or indirectly or align within one or more of the following components including the tube  24 , the collar  88 , the passageway  90 , the bottom shouldered bushing  86 , the bushing cavity  92 , the tool accommodation cavity  94  and the lower region of the housing  42 . An arcuate tool accommodation space  96  shown at the mid-portion of the housing half  42   b  and an opposing mirror image like arcuate tool accommodation space  97  similar to the arcuate tool accommodation space  96  extend downwardly from the tool accommodation cavity  94  at the mid-portion of the housing  42 . 
         [0051]    The lower portions of the housing  42  form a valve nut receptor cavity  98  having a square profile for alignment with and accommodation of a damaged valve nut  80 , as seen in  FIG. 3 , or in rare occurrences, one of the replacement valve nuts  20   a - 20   n . The valve nut receptor cavity  98  is formed of opposed front and back planar walls  100  and  102  and opposed interrupted left and right planar walls  104  and  106  extending downwardly to form the lower portion of the housing  42  (i.e., housing halves  42   a  and  42   b ) where opposed vertically oriented slots  108  and  110  ( FIG. 3 ) are included in the interrupted left and right planar walls  104  and  106 , respectively, to accommodate movement of the levered arm  38  and the levered arm  40 . The slot  110  is delineated by a vertically aligned planar surface  109   a , a horizontally aligned surface  109   b , and a vertically aligned surface  109   c . The slot  108  is delineated by a vertically aligned planar surface  111   a , a horizontally aligned surface  111   b , and a vertically aligned surface  111   c . The levered arm  38  and the levered arm  40  are similar wherein each arm includes a follower cam  112 , a pivot hole  114  extending through the follower cam  112 , and an inwardly extending jaw  116  whereby the jaws  116  are utilized to intimately engage a damaged valve nut  80 , such as described later in detail. Horizontally aligned body holes  118  and  120  extend through the mid-body region of the housing  42  (housing half  42   a ) in alignment with oppositely aligned threaded holes  122  and  124  of the mid-body region of the housing  42  (housing half  42   b ). Pivot bolts  126  and  128  preferably having Allen heads extend through the body holes  118  and  120 , through the pivot holes  114  of the levered arms  38  and  40 , respectively, and are secured in the threaded holes  122  and  124  to thereby pivotally and removably attach the levered arms  38  and  40  to the housing  42 . The levered arms  38  and  40  can be pivotally actuated by the cam  32  to operate about the pivot bolts  126  and  128 , whereby the levered arms  38  and  40  align within and are accommodatingly positioned in and along the slots  108  and  110 . The cam  32 , which includes an interior threaded hole  130  and a bevel  131  at the top of the threaded hole  130 , aligns between the arcuate accommodation spaces  96  and  97  of the housing  42  and also aligns within the tool accommodation cavity  94  to be vertically positioned therealong by engagement with and by rotary action of the threaded actuator shaft  30  which is turned by the removably attachable T-handle  16 . The bevel  131  assists in alignment and entry of the lower end of the threaded actuator shaft  30  with the threaded hole  130 . The cam  32  includes opposing top lobes  132   a  and  132   b , opposing bottom lobes  134   a  and  134   b , a non-lobe flat surface  136  between the top lobe  132   a  and the bottom lobe  134   a  and are opposite non-lobe flat surface  138  between the top lobe  132   b  and the bottom lobe  134   b  where appropriate features thereof interact with the follower cam  112  of the levered arm  38  and the levered arm  40 , respectively, to angularly position the levered arm  38  and the levered arm  40  about the pivot bolts  126  and  128 , respectively. The cam  32  also includes vertically oriented opposed flat surfaces  113  and  115  extending substantially between the edges of the top lobes  132   a  and  132   b , the edges of the bottom lobes  134   a  and  134   b  and between the edges of the non-lobe flat surfaces  136  and  138 . Also shown in  FIG. 2  are the interface/thread protector  39  and the extended interface/thread protector  41  which are threadingly engaged and affixed to the bottom of the threaded actuator shaft  30  and which interface with various styles of valve stems. The interface/thread protector  39  has internal threads and includes a contact plate  39   a  at the lower region for contacting the top of a valve stem and the extended interface/thread protector  41  has internal threads and includes a contact shaft  41   a  for contacting a valve stem having an internally threaded hole, as shown later in detail. 
         [0052]      FIG. 4  is a cross section view along line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 3  showing the relationship of the end structure  26  to the elongated tube  24  and the threaded actuator shaft  30 . Shown in particular is the relationship of the cam  32  with the levered arms  38  and  40 . The follower cams  112  of the opposed levered arms  38  and  40  are shown in alignment to the non-lobe flat surfaces  136  and  138 , respectively, of the cam  32  without contact with but in near proximity to the top lobes  132   a  and  132   b  and the bottom lobes  134   a  and  134   b  of the cam  32 . The threaded actuator shaft  30  is shown extending directly through the elongated tube  24 , the passageway  90  of the collar  88 , the center of the bottom shouldered bushing  86 , the tool accommodation cavity  94 , and in threaded engagement with and extending slightly beyond the threaded hole  130  of the cam  32 . The threaded actuator shaft  30  also extends indirectly through the bushing cavity  92 . Attachment of and rotation of the removably attachable T-handle  16  ( FIG. 1 ) to the hex head  28  at one end of the threaded actuator shaft  30  provides for the rotation of the threaded actuator shaft  30  to position the centrally located cam  32  upwardly or downwardly along the vertical axis of the end structure  26 . The cam  32  is precluded from rotation about the vertical axis of the fixture  26  by the close relationship of a portion of the flat surface  115  ( FIG. 2 ) of the cam  32  against the upper region of the planar surfaces  109   a  and  111   a  and a portion of the flat surface  113  of the cam  32  against the upper region defined by the planar surfaces  109   c  and  111   c  of the housing  42 . The cam  32  interacts with the follower cams  112  of the levered arms  38  and  40  to pivotally position the levered arms  38  and  40  inwardly or outwardly about the pivot bolts  126  and  128 , respectively, whereby the levered arms  38  and  40  are utilized in various modes of operation. 
         [0053]      FIG. 5  is an isometric view of one of the replacement valve nuts  20   a  in spaced alignment with the nut receptacle socket  78  at one end of the valve nut replacement tool  18 ,  FIG. 6  is a cross section view of the replacement valve nut  20   a  along line  6 - 6  of  FIG. 5 , and  FIG. 7  is a bottom view of the replacement valve nut  20   a . The nut receptacle socket  78  ( FIG. 5 ) is used to grasp and to place the universal replacement nut  20   a  or other nuts, such as, but not limited to, the valve nuts  20   a - 20   n  on the stem of various valves, such as later described in detail. Each of the replacement valve nuts  20   a - 20   n  has externally located opposed grooves  140   a  and  140   b  in close proximity to its bottom and a centrally located valve stem receptacle  142  in the general shape of a truncated pyramid including a plurality of successively smaller angled gripping surfaces  144   a - 144   n  on the walls of the valve stem receptacle  142  which leads to a circular opening  145  and a top recess  146 . The replacement valve nut  20   a  also has a bottom recess  147  in axial alignment with the valve stem receptacle  142 . The top recess  146  accommodates the head of a retainer bolt or a retainer nut used to fasten a replacement valve nut  20   a - 20   n  to a valve stem and the circular opening  145  accommodates either a valve stem or the threaded portion of a retainer bolt. The nut receptacle socket  78  includes a robust end plate  148 , opposed side plates  150  and  152  connected to and extending from the end plate  148 , and opposed flexible side plates  154  and  156 , whereby each side plate  150 ,  152 ,  154  and  156  is common to and extends perpendicularly from the end plate  148 . A passage hole  157  is included in the end plate  148  which aligns with and communicates with the interior of the tube  74 . The passage hole  157  can accommodate the upper portion of a valve stem, if required. The end plate  148  is suitably attached, such as by a weldment, to the tube  74  of the valve nut replacement tool  18 . The flexible side plates  154  and  156  include inwardly extending angled tabs  154   a  and  156   a , respectively, which forcibly engage grooves  140   a  and  140   b  of the replacement valve nut  20   a  in order to facilitate capture of any such nut within the interior of the nut receptacle socket  78 . Accordingly, the replacement valve nut  20   a  includes beveled edges  158  and  160  which facilitate the flexing of the angled tabs  154   a  and  156   a  outwardly when the replacement valve nut  20   a  is forcibly loaded into the nut receptacle socket  78 . The replacement valve nut  20   a  is seated fully into the nut receptacle socket  78  when the angled tabs  154   a  and  156   a  are forcibly and intimately engaged in the grooves  140   a  and  140   b  in order to retain the replacement valve nut  20   a  within the nut receptacle socket  78  for placement on a valve stem, as later described in detail. Preferably, the top of the replacement valve nut  20   a  or other such nut intimately contacts the end plate  148  of the nut receptacle socket  78 . A mallet, a hammer, or other suitable and substantial striking device is used to strike the striking surface  76  of the valve nut replacement tool  18  containing the replacement valve nut  20   a  to forcibly engage the replacement valve nut  20   a  with a valve stem. Subsequent to placement on a valve stem, the angled tabs  154   a  and  156   a  can be forcibly disengaged from intimate contact with the grooves  140   a  and  140   b , whereby the nut receptacle socket  78  is then freed from engagement with the replacement valve nut  20   a  which frictionally engages the valve stem. 
       MODE OF OPERATION 
       [0054]      FIGS. 8-17  illustrate the various modes of operation of the present invention. 
         [0055]      FIGS. 8-17  are cross section views illustrating various situations involving the relationship of various components of the invention to a valve  162  having a valve stem  164  and including the damaged valve nut  80  of questionable integrity which could be worn, deformed, corroded or otherwise unsuitable for general use, including nut flats which have been rounded or deformed to the point of unuseability. The nut in question can be removed and replaced with another nut which could be an identical nut or which could be one of the replacement valve nuts, such as  20   a , for example and illustration. A retainer nut  168  engages threads  170  at the top of the valve stem  164  in order to maintain suitable intimate engagement of the interior flatted and tapered surfaces (a truncated pyramid shape) of the damaged valve nut  80  with the corresponding and similar complementary shape of the valve stem  164 . The valve  162  is shown at the bottom of a valve box  172  extending downwardly to a location in the earth  174  distant from the surface of the earth. 
         [0056]      FIG. 8  illustrates the cleaning process incorporating components of the invention to clean the area around and about the retainer nut  168  using the accessory tool shaft  14 , the tool receptor  48 , and the rotary brush  60 . To accomplish the cleaning process, the pivot bolts  126  and  128  are removed to allow removal of the levered arms  38  and  40  from the end structure  26 . The threaded actuator shaft  30  is rotated to disengage from the cam  32 , thereby allowing removal of both from the end structure  26 , thus creating room in the end structure  26  for accommodating the accessory tool shaft  14  and rotary brush  60 , the latter of which is attached to the lower end of the accessory tool shaft  14  through use of the tool receptor  48 . Preferably, the hex head  46  of the accessory tool shaft  14  is bottom loaded through the lower and open end of the housing  42 , along and through the arcuate accommodation space  96 , the tool accommodation cavity  94 , the bottom shouldered bushing  86 , the collar  88 , the interior of the elongated tube  24 , and the top shouldered bushing  34 . In the alternative, the accessory tool shaft  14  only can be top loaded in the reverse order of that just described and the tool receptor  48  and rotary brush  60  can be attached to the square drive connector  47  by use of the pin  51  and the set screws  54 , respectively. Thus, the accessory tool shaft  14  is aligned within and guided by the top shouldered bushing  34  and the bottom shouldered bushing  86 , whereby the remaining associated components of the end structure  26 , the tube  24 , and the accessory tool shaft  14 , and closely associated components are lowered down through the valve box  172  to engage the damaged valve nut  80 . The valve nut receptor cavity  98  at the bottom of the end structure  26  assists in the alignment over and about a portion of the damaged valve nut  80 , thereby centering and aligning the rotary brush  60  over and about the retainer nut  168 . A powered device, such as an electric drill, or the removably attachable tool handle  16  or other hand operated device, can then be attached to the hex head  46  of the accessory tool shaft  14  to rotate the accessory tool shaft  14  and attached rotary brush  60  to clean the threads  170  of the valve stem  164  and the retainer nut  168  and the area around and about the retainer nut  168  in order to facilitate the use of the accessory tool shaft  14  and nut socket tool  65 . Manual rotation of the accessory tool shaft  14  and attached rotary brush  60  without any mechanical advantage device can also be used if desired. The same insertion methods can be used to load and to use other components associated with the accessory tool shaft  14 , such as, but not limited to, use of the thread cleaner die  56 , the rotary brush  58 , the tap drill  62 , or the tap  64 . 
         [0057]      FIG. 9  illustrates the use of the accessory tool shaft  14  and the nut socket tool  65  to remove the retainer nut  168  from the valve stem  164  in order to allow subsequent removal of a damaged valve nut  80 . If the cleaning procedure has been accomplished, and the rotary brush  60  or other attachment is then removed from the end structure  26 . If the retainer nut  168  does not require cleaning, as in the procedure described in  FIG. 8 , use of the rotary brush  60  is not required, whereby the end structure  26  can be configured for affixing the nut socket tool  65  to the accessory tool shaft  14 . Such configuration requires removal of the pivot bolts  126  and  128  in order to remove the levered arms  38  and  40  from the end structure  26  subsequent to which the threaded actuator shaft  30  is rotated to disengage from the cam  32 , thus allowing removal of the threaded actuator shaft  30  and the cam  32  from the end structure  26  in order to create room in the end structure  26  for accommodating the accessory tool shaft  14  and the nut socket tool  65 . Top loading of the accessory tool shaft  14  can be initiated by inserting the end of the accessory tool shaft  14  with its square drive connector  47  through the top shouldered bushing  34 , the interior of the tube  24 , the collar  88 , the bottom shouldered bushing  86 , the tool accommodation cavity  94 , along and through the arcuate accommodation space  96 , and thence through the lower and open end of the housing  42  where the square drive connector  47  can suitably engage and be secured to the nut socket tool  65  by use of the pin  66 . In the alternative, the accessory tool shaft  14  can be bottom loaded in reverse order through the components previously described, whereby the hex head  46  of the accessory tool shaft  14  is inserted first through the lower region of the remaining components of the end structure  26 . With this method, the nut socket tool  65  can be secured to the square drive connector  47  before or after bottom loading. In either loading method, the accessory tool shaft  14  is aligned within and guided by the top shouldered bushing  34  and the bottom shouldered bushing  86 , whereby the remaining components of the end structure  26 , the tube  24 , the accessory tool shaft  14 , and nut socket tool  65 , and closely associated components, are lowered unitarily through the valve box  172  to engage the retainer nut  168 . The valve nut receptor cavity  98  at the bottom of the fixture  26  assistingly aligns over and about a portion of the damaged valve nut  80 , thereby centering and aligning the nut socket tool  65  over and about the retainer nut  168  for mutual engagement. The accessory tool shaft  14  can then be rotated, such as by the use of an electric drill, or the removably attachable T-handle  16  in engagement with the hex head  46  of the accessory tool shaft  14  to cause disengagement of the retainer nut  168  from the threads  170  of the valve stem  164 , whereby the retainer nut  168  is removed therefrom. After removal of the retainer nut  168  from the valve stem  164 , the end structure  26 , the accessory tool shaft  14 , and nut socket tool  65 , the tube  24  and closely associated components are unitarily removed from the valve box  172  pending removal of the damaged valve nut  80  or other nut. The retainer nut  168  is then removed from the valve box  172 . 
         [0058]      FIG. 10  illustrates the insertion of the fully assembled valve nut puller tool  12  into the valve box  172  for the purpose of subsequent engagement with and removal of a nut, such as, but not limited to, the damaged valve nut  80 . Prior to such insertion, the valve nut puller tool  12  is preconfigured to pivotally position the jaws  116  of the levered arms  38  and  40 . For purposes of example and illustration, if the tube  24  of the valve nut puller tool  12  were to be held constant in space without any other support, the weight of the threaded actuator shaft  30  would cause downward gravitational positioning of the threaded actuator shaft  30  and the cam  32 , whereby the opposed top lobes  132   a  and  132   b  would come into intimate contact with the follower cams  112  of the levered arms  38  and  40 , thereby causing the outward positioning of the levered arms  38  and  40  about the pivot bolts  126  and  128 , respectively, whereby the levered arms  38  and  40  are extended in an outward direction, such as represented by the position of the levered arms  38  and  40  shown in dashed lines. Such extension may be incompatible with the size of the valve box  172  and, as such, the degree of extension may be controlled by adjustably rotating the nut  37  downwardly along the threaded actuator shaft  30  and against the washer  36  and the top of the tube  24 , thereby raising the threaded actuator shaft  30  and the cam  32 , whereby the opposed top lobes  132   a  and  132   b  of the cam  32  with the aid of gravity are repositioned during intimate contact with the follower cams  112  to adjust the levered arms  38  and  40  inwardly, with gravitational assistance, to a lesser extended mid-position at a desired angle, as shown in  FIG. 10 , suitable for descent into the valve box  172 . Such an adjustable configuration provides for angular control of the levered arms  38  and  40  and jaws  116 . The valve nut puller tool  12  in this configuration is preferably grasped by the tube  24  and lowered unitarily into the valve box  172  to insert the damaged valve nut  80  into the valve nut receptor cavity  98  until the interface/thread protector  39 , which is firmly engaged and threadingly engaged over and about the lower end of the threaded actuator shaft  30 , intimately contacts the top of the valve stem  164 . The threads  170  of the valve stem  164  and the threads of the threaded actuator shaft  30  are protected by using the interface/thread protector  39 , as well as providing an interface between such threaded components. 
         [0059]      FIG. 11  illustrates the capture of the damaged valve nut  80  within the valve nut receptor cavity  98 . Capture of the damaged valve nut  80  is accomplished by rotation of the threaded actuator shaft  30  within the tube  24  by turning the removably attached T-handle  16 . The threaded actuator shaft  30  is actuated moving the cam  32  upwardly along the threaded actuator shaft  30 , whereby the follower cams  112  on the levered arms  38  and  40  are disengaged from the top lobes  132   a  and  132   b  to transit the non-lobe flat surfaces  136  and  138  without engagement therewith until the bottom lobes  134   a  and  134   b  are forcibly engaged by the follower cams  112  of the levered arms  38  and  40 , thereby pivoting the levered arms  38  and  40  about the pivot bolts  126  and  128  to cause levered arms  38  and  40  and their jaws  116  to move inwardly. Such action forcibly positions the lower portion of the levered arms  38  and  40  against the damaged valve nut  80  and forces the opposing jaws  116  of the levered arms  38  and  40  to a fixed and locked position beneath the opposed lower edges of the damaged valve nut  80 , thus fixing and locking the position and relationship of the levered arms  38  and  40  with respect to the bottom lobes  134   a  and  134   b  of the cam  32  and to the cam  32  into a unitary structure the geometry of which is virtually unalterable. Further rotation of the threaded actuator shaft  30  is continued, whereby the threaded actuator shaft  30  and interface/thread protector  39  increasingly bear against the top of the valve stem  164  to cause the positionally fixed opposed levered arms  38  and  40 , in fixed combination with the cam  32 , to move unitarily and transfer an upwardly directed force between the jaws  116  of the opposed levered arms  38  and  40  and the top of the valve stem  164  to forcibly remove the damaged valve nut  80  from the valve stem  164 . Once the damaged valve nut has been separated, the nut  37  can be adjusted downwardly to bear against the washer  36  and the top shouldered bushing  34 , thereby fixing the position of the threaded actuator shaft  30  in relationship to the unitarily fixed and combined cam  32 , levered arms  38  and  40 , and damaged valve nut  80 . Then, the valve nut puller tool  12  is removed from the valve box  172  by grasping the tube  24  or the removably attached handle  16 . Upward movement of the cam  32  in the housing  42  is accommodated by the tool accommodation cavity  94 . During any positioning of the cam  32 , the opposed levered arms  38  and  40  and the jaws  116  are accommodated by the opposed slots  108  and  110 , respectively. 
         [0060]      FIG. 12  illustrates the unitary removal of the valve nut puller tool  12 , the damaged valve nut  80  and other closely associated components from the valve box  172  where the damaged valve nut  80  has been disengaged from the valve stem  164  of the valve  162  and where the damaged valve nut  80  is now firmly affixed within the end structure  26 . Replacement of the damaged valve nut  80  by a suitable replacement valve nut, such as one of the replacement valve nuts  20   a - 20   n , is typified by the replacement valve nut  20   a  from the valve nut supply plate  19  ( FIG. 1 ) and which can now be accomplished by use of the valve nut replacement tool  18 , as illustrated in  FIG. 16 . The numbered stems  23   a - 23   n  of the stem matching plate  22  can be used to determine and select a nut  20   a - 20   n  of an appropriate internal size and/or shape as correspondingly provided on the valve nut supply plate  19 . 
         [0061]      FIG. 13  illustrates the use of the extended interface/thread protector  41  during the removal of a damaged valve nut  80  from a different valve stem  178  having an internally threaded hole  180  where the fully assembled valve nut puller tool  12  is inserted into the valve box  172  for the purpose of the subsequent engagement with and removal of a nut, such as, but not limited to, a damaged valve nut  80 . In  FIG. 13 , the mode of operation is similar to that described with respect to  FIG. 10 . In this illustration, the extended interface/thread protector  41  has replaced the interface/thread protector  39  of  FIG. 10 . A retainer bolt  176  is shown (for the purpose of illustration), which bolt has previously been removed from the valve stem  178  where such valve stem  178  has an internally threaded hole  180 , by the same method described with respect to  FIG. 9  for removal of the retainer nut  168 . The internally located threads of the extended interface/thread protector  41  threadably engage the threads at the bottom end of the threaded actuator shaft  30 . Protection is thus afforded to the internally threaded hole  180  of the valve stem  178  and to the threads of the threaded actuator shaft  30  by the use of the extended interface/thread protector  41 , as well as providing an interface between such threaded components. 
         [0062]      FIG. 14  illustrates the capture of the damaged valve nut  80  within the valve nut receptor cavity  98 . In  FIG. 14 , the mode of operation is substantially the same as that described with respect to  FIG. 11 . The extended interface/thread protector  41  is shown extending into the internally threaded hole  180  of the valve stem  178  for the purpose of providing a forcible contact with the valve stem  178  at the bottom of the internally threaded hole  180 . The same forcible relationship exists between the cam  32 , the extended interface/thread protector  41 , the levered arms  38  and  40 , jaws  116 , the valve stem  178 , and the damaged valve nut  80 , as previously described with respect to  FIG. 11 . 
         [0063]      FIG. 15  illustrates the unitary removal of the valve nut puller tool  12 , the damaged valve nut  80 , and other closely associated components from the valve box  172  where the damaged valve nut  80  has been disengaged from the valve stem  178  of the valve  162 . In  FIG. 15 , the mode of operation is substantially the same as that described with respect to  FIG. 12 , illustrating the unitary removal of the valve nut puller tool  12 , the damaged valve nut  80 , and other closely associated components from the valve box  172  where the damaged valve nut  80  has been disengaged from the valve stem  178  of the valve  162 . 
         [0064]      FIG. 16  illustrates the replacement of a nut, such as the replacement valve nut  20   a  or other suitable nut, such as may be required on the valve stem  164  of the valve  162  shown herein. The same method is used to install a replacement valve nut  20   a  on the alternative valve stem  178  of the valve  162  (shown in  FIG. 14 ). With reference to  FIG. 5  and  FIG. 16 , the process for replacement is now described. The replacement valve nut  20   a  is loaded into the nut receptacle socket  78 , whereby the flexible side plates  154  and  156  and the angled tabs  154   a  and  156   a  are flexibly urged outwardly by forcible contact with the beveled edges  158  and  160  of the replacement valve nut  20   a , whereupon the replacement valve nut  20   a  is subsequently and forcibly maneuvered into the confines of the nut receptacle socket  78  until the angled tabs  154   a  and  156   a  springingly engage the grooves  140   a  and  140   b , respectively, on the exterior surfaces of the replacement valve nut  20   a . The valve nut replacement tool  18 , including the replacement valve nut  20   a , is lowered into the valve box  172  to align the valve stem receptacle  142  of the replacement valve nut  20   a  over and about the valve stem  164  and to place the replacement valve nut  20   a  on the valve stem  164 . Upon such suitable alignment and placement, the remotely located striking surface  76  of the tube  74  can be suitably struck by a mallet or hammer to impart a downwardly directed force on the tube  74  to the nut receptacle socket  78 , whereby such force is further transmitted to the replacement valve nut  20   a , thereby causing suitable frictional engagement of the inner gripping surfaces  144   a - 144   n  of the replacement valve nut  20   a  with the angled planar sides of the valve stem  164 . Upon such suitable frictional engagement, as just described, the valve nut replacement tool  18  is pulled upwardly to cause flexible disengagement of the angled tabs  152   a  and  154   a  from the grooves  140   a  and  140   b , and thus from the replacement valve nut  20   a  which is now frictionally engaged upon the valve stem  164 . The valve nut replacement tool  18  is withdrawn from the valve box  172  and a new retainer nut  168  ( FIG. 17 ) is made to engage the threads  170  of the valve stem  164  and to engage the top of the replacement valve nut  20   a  by the combined use of the accessory tool shaft  14  and nut socket tool  65  with the appropriately configured end structure  26  and associated components in use with the tube  24  which provides for suitable alignment in a manner mostly similar to that as previously described for removal of a retainer nut  168  such as shown in  FIG. 9 . 
         [0065]      FIG. 17  shows a replacement valve nut  20   a  installed on and secured upon the valve stem  164  by a new retainer nut  168  in engagement with the threads  170  of the valve stem  164 . The retainer nut  168  is located in and maintains a low profile within the top recess  146  of the replacement valve nut  20   a . A new retainer bolt  176  can also be installed (in a manner similar to that described for installation of the new retainer nut  168 ) to engage and maintain a low bolt head profile within the top recess  146 , whilst engaging the internally threaded hole  180  of the alternative valve stem  178  shown in  FIG. 13 . 
         [0066]      FIG. 18  shows an alternative embodiment of a valve nut puller tool  12   a  of the present invention. It can be appreciated that the valve nut removal and replacement system  10  may be used to remove a damaged valve nut  80  at a location lying well beneath the surface of the earth or at street level. However, other conditions may exist where an excavation is made where a valve having a damaged valve nut is totally unearthed, whereby personnel have close and direct access at the same level as the damaged valve nut. In such a scenario, use of the valve nut removal and replacement system  10 , such as shown in  FIG. 1 , is possible, but difficult, due to the complexity of support of personnel in accessing the upwardly located top regions of the invention. Conceivably, personnel could stand on a ladder to use the invention, but a more practical approach is to provide a valve nut puller tool  12   a , which is a shortened and slightly modified version of the valve nut puller tool  12  and which can be used at the same level as the damaged valve nut. The main differences are the exclusion of the tube  24  and the removably attached T-handle  16  and the permanent addition of a T-handle  182  to a shortened threaded actuator shaft  30   a . However, for compactness and other considerations, such as bulkiness, ease of packaging, shipping and the like, the valve nut puller  12   a  could be furnished for use with the removably attachable T-handle  16 , whereby a hex head, such as hex head  28 , would be located at the top of the threaded actuator shaft  30   a  in lieu of the T-handle  182 . The teachings of and the operation of the valve nut puller tool  12   a  are similar to that described for the operation of the valve nut puller tool  12 . The accessory tool shaft  14  and the valve nut replacement tool  18  could also be shortened for use as previously described. 
         [0067]    Various modifications can be made to the present invention without departing from the apparent scope thereof.