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

Full Description:
This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 09/668,003 filed on Sep. 21, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,394,112 issued May 28, 2002. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to valves and valve devices for automatically closing a valve to stop the flow of a fluid in a conduit when the device is subjected to shock and vibration forces such as experienced during an earthquake. The improved shock sensor and actuation device uses gravity to aid in activating a valve closure mechanism. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Various mechanisms to sense shock and vibration to activate the closing of a valve exist in the art. Such shock actuated valves generally are inserted in a fluid flow line, have a rotating valve element for opening and closing the fluid flow line, and have a mechanism to maintain an open valve position until such time as a shock or vibration of specified characteristics is sensed by a device which then causes the valve to close. 
     The present invention relates to shutoff valves which use a weight in the form of a ball to sense shock or vibration which force displaces the ball from a normal rest location to actuate a mechanism to cause a valve to close. Reference to U.S. Pat. No. 4,915,122 issued Apr. 10, 1990 shows a shock actuated valve which uses a ball motion to actuate a valve due to earthquake forces and similar shock forces. The improved device modifies the pedestal on which the ball rests to allow gravity force to act on the ball once it has been moved from its position of rest to aid in the actuation of the shock actuation control mechanism. The modification of adding a step to the pedestal upper perimeter surface improves the accuracy for the elapsed time for the valve to be actuated once a specified force has been sensed. In previous art mechanisms the ball motion may be compounded by the ball not initially actuating the shock actuation control mechanism due to for example the ball moving, but rebounding or retreating from an initially urged position to be moved to a second position by the forces. These non-actuating motions of the ball delay valve closure which may increase the possibility of damage as for examples during an earthquake. 
     It is desirable to provide a vertical shock responsive fluid valve assembly with the capability of automatically closing a fluid valve in response to earthquake forces or other shock forces of a predetermined magnitude. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     One object of the invention is to improve reliability of the closure of a fluid valve when specified shock and vibration forces are sensed by a sensor mechanism element of the fluid valve. Another object is to improve the repeatability of the actuation of the fluid valve automatic closure. 
     Alternatively, the present invention is a vertical shock responsive fluid valve assembly capable of automatically closing a fluid valve in response to earthquake forces or other shock forces of predetermined magnitude. 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a vertical shock responsive valve assembly which is adapted to automatically close off the flow of a controlled fluid in response to earthquake forces or other shock forces of a predetermined magnitude. 
     It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a vertical shock responsive valve assembly which includes a flow control mechanism having a cradle that holds a movable ball in a recess at a point perpendicular in relation to a horizontal base plate, where the ball can be rotated 360° in any direction during seismic actions or other shock forces and rolls out of its recess at a predetermined force such that it ricochets off a housing cover covering the cradle and pushes a pipe that is mounted on a pivoting parallelogram lever mechanism, thereby releasing a swing arm which has a disc on the end that functions as a plug for the hole in the valve body to interrupt gas or fluid flow therein. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a vertical shock responsive fluid valve assembly that actuates a controlled valve entirely mechanically, to avoid the necessity for provision of an auxiliary pneumatic, electrical or other power source, and thereby prevent problems which might be caused by failure of such a power source. 
     Further novel features and other objects of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, discussion and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Referring particularly to the drawings for the purpose of illustration only and not limitation, there is illustrated: 
     FIG. 1 illustrates a fragmental vertical sectional elevation view of an open shock action valve as disclosed in prior art. 
     FIG. 2 illustrates a fragmented generally vertical sectional view of the shock actuation control mechanism taken along line  2 — 2  of FIG.  1  and includes the ball in its rest position on the pedestal as disclosed in prior art. 
     FIG. 3 illustrates a fragmented generally vertical sectional view of the shock actuation control mechanism with improved pedestal. 
     FIG. 4 illustrates a fragmented generally vertical sectional view of the shock actuation control mechanism with the ball displaced from its state of rest to engage the vertical tube. 
     FIG. 5 illustrates a top plan view of the shock actuation control mechanism. 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view of alternatively the present invention of a vertical shock responsive valve assembly. 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective of the present invention vertical shock responsive valve assembly without the housing cover attached thereto. 
     FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the present invention vertical shock responsive valve assembly, showing the flow control mechanism in its open condition. 
     FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the present invention vertical shock responsive valve assembly, showing the flow control mechanism in dashed lines in its closed condition. 
     FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the shock actuated responsive mechanism in accordance with the present invention. 
     FIG. 11 is an enlarged fragmentary view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention vertical shock responsive valve assembly, showing the flow control mechanism in its open condition. 
     FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the present invention vertical shock responsive valve assembly shown in FIG. 11, showing the flow control mechanism in dashed lines its closed condition. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Although specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings, it should be understood that such embodiments are by way of example only and merely illustrative of but a small number of the many possible specific embodiments which can represent applications of the principles of the present invention. Various changes and modifications obvious to one skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains are deemed to be within the spirit, scope and contemplation of the present invention as further defined in the appended claims. 
     Referring to FIG. 1, an automatic shock actuated valve of the prior art is illustrated. This valve is that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,915,122 issued Apr. 10, 1990 and which valve description is incorporated herein by reference for disclosure of the preferred embodiment of the instant invention. The prior art reference includes as co-inventors the two inventors of this instant disclosure. While this prior art reference is included to present a preferred embodiment of the improvement mechanism, it is understood the structure and principles can be used with other ball weight actuating valves. 
     There is illustrated a shock and vibration force responsive valve assembly ( 10 ) which is adapted to automatically close off the control of a fluid through a conduit. The assembly includes a tubular main body ( 11 ) having flanges ( 12 ) and ( 13 ) at its opposite ends connectable by fasteners ( 14 ) to abutting flanges ( 15 ) of adjacent conduit or pipe sections to connect the body into a pipeline. The illustration orientation is such that fluid, for example, natural gas, flows in a left to right direction as viewed in FIG. 1 in an inner passage ( 16 ), partially illustrated, in body ( 11 ) and parallel to a central horizontal axis of the passage. 
     The flow control mechanism includes a circular valve element ( 18 ) which is engageable with an annular seat ( 19 ) formed in body ( 11 ) to close off the flow of fluid through the assembly ( 10 ) valve element ( 18 ) is carried by arm ( 20 ) which swings about a horizontal axis ( 21 ) between a closed position and the open position illustrated in FIG.  1 . Arm ( 20 ) and the carried valve disc ( 18 ) are releasably retained in the open position by engagement of arm ( 20 ) with latch pin ( 22 ) carried by a second arm ( 23 ) which is mounted for swinging movement about a horizontal axis ( 24 ) between the position illustrated in FIG.  1  and the dashed line position illustrated therein. Arm ( 23 ) is in turn releasably retained in position by a shock actuation control mechanism ( 25 ). The control mechanism ( 25 ) is principally contained in housing ( 58 ) having bulge ( 59 ). The housing ( 58 ) is attached to the tubular main body ( 11 ) at annular flanges ( 62 ) which have a sealing O-Ring ( 63 ). The housing ( 58 ) is retained by circular clamp ( 60 ) and fasteners ( 61 ). 
     The control mechanism ( 25 ) includes a weight or mass ( 36 ) illustrated as a ball. When disc valve ( 18 ) is in the open position the ball ( 36 ) is supported on a pedestal ( 37 ) extending upwardly along vertical axis ( 38 ). The pedestal as illustrated is an externally cylindrical form about axis ( 38 ) and has an upwardly facing shallow circular recess ( 39 ) to retain the ball ( 36 ) in its centered, at rest position. The pedestal ( 37 ) is attached to the body ( 11 ) by plate ( 40 ) and fasteners ( 41 ). 
     Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a vertical tube ( 42 ) centered about axis ( 38 ) is disposed about and spaced from pedestal ( 37 ), and is movable upwardly and downwardly relative to the pedestal ( 37 ). The tube ( 42 ) is mounted for vertical movement by a parallelogram mechanism ( 43 ), including two similar parallel upper links ( 44 ) each pivoted at one end to the tube ( 42 ) by a horizontal pin ( 45 ) extending through vertical slot ( 46 ) in pedestal ( 37 ), and each pivoted by a second parallel horizontal pin ( 47 ) to a pair of vertical bracket arms ( 48 ) projecting upwardly from and attached to plate ( 40 ). The parallelogram mechanism also includes two similar parallel lower links ( 49 ) each pivoted by a first pin ( 50 ) to tube ( 42 ) and by a second pin ( 51 ) to bracket arms ( 48 ). A downward movement of the tube ( 42 ) causes a rightward swinging movement of cross pin ( 54 ) to release arm ( 20 ) for closure of the valve ( 10 ) by seating valve element ( 18 ) by a spring force. 
     The tube ( 42 ) is yieldingly urged upwardly, as for example by a leaf spring or plate spring ( 57 ). When ball ( 36 ) is moved laterally from its centered position in any horizontal direction relative to pedestal ( 37 ) the weight engages the upper edge of tube ( 42 ) and displaces the tube ( 42 ) downwardly relative to the pedestal to move cross pin ( 54 ) carried on projection ( 53 ) out of notch ( 55 ) in arm ( 23 ) and allows downward swinging movement of arm ( 23 ) to cause the valve to close. The amount of shock or vibration force to displace ball ( 36 ) from recess ( 39 ) is determined by the shape and depth of the recess ( 39 ) and the mass of the ball ( 36 ). In some instances the ball ( 36 ) may be displaced by a force which causes ball ( 36 ) partial engagement with vertical tube ( 42 ), but due to force frequency or other factors the ball ( 36 ) does not downwardly displace the vertical tube ( 42 ) sufficiently and the ball ( 36 ) retreats to a second position. This motion delays the actuation of the valve ( 10 ) and thereby the ceasing of flow of the fluid. 
     Referring to FIGS. 3 through 5, an improved pedestal ( 37 ) embodiment is illustrated. The pedestal ( 37 ) upper end has been modified to create a ridge ( 1 ) or circular protrusion with generally cylindrical recess ( 2 ) therein and a step or offset ( 3 ) circumferentially formed external to the ridge ( 1 ). While a cylindrical recess is discussed in the embodiment other recess shapes, such as that disclosed in the prior art, may be used with the circumferential external offset ( 3 ). The ball ( 36 ) is supported on pedestal ( 37 ) and retained in its central, at rest position by ridge ( 1 ). 
     When a shock or vibration force is experienced by the shock actuation control mechanism ( 25 ), the ball ( 36 ) is displaced when such force reaches a specified value. If the force is of sufficient strength and duration, the ball ( 36 ) is urged upwardly and over the ridge ( 1 ). Once the center of gravity of the ball ( 36 ) passes the vertical center position of the ridge ( 1 ), gravitational force will act on the ball ( 36 ) to move it downwardly toward offset ( 3 ). This vertical gravitational force combines with the horizontal force displacing the ball ( 36 ) to force the vertical tube ( 42 ) in a downwardly direction actuating closure of the valve ( 18 ). 
     The offset ( 3 ) must be sized to aid the ball ( 36 ) engagement with vertical tube ( 42 ), but not be so large as to inhibit the return of the ball ( 36 ) to its central position when the valve assembly ( 10 ) is reset after the shock and vibration forces have ceased. The vertical tube ( 42 ) top end may also be beveled ( 4 ) for more controlled uniform force application by the ball ( 36 ). The diameter of the ridge ( 1 ) and the size of the offset ( 3 ) are adjusted to cause the valve to close upon sensing the specified motion forces. In this embodiment the value at which the ball ( 36 ) will be caused to engage the vertical tube ( 42 ) may be adjusted by changing the inside diameter of the ridge ( 1 ). It has been found by experiment that for minor adjustment the ball ( 36 ) may be impacted by a force, as from example a hammer, causing a spreading impact force to the ridge ( 1 ). 
     Use of the improved pedestal structure has been found by experiment to improve the accuracy of the time for mechanism response to specified shock and vibration forces to be repeatable to within 0.001 of a second. 
     Referring to FIGS. 6 through 9, alternatively, there is shown at  110  the present invention shock and vibration force responsive valve assembly which is adapted to automatically close off the flow of a controlled fluid such as natural gas through a conduit in response to seismic forces or other shock forces of a predetermined magnitude. The valve assembly  110  includes a tubular main valve body  111  having flanges  112  and  113  at its opposite ends connectable by fasteners to abutting flanges of adjacent conduit sections or pipe sections (not shown) to connect the main body  111  into a pipeline. It may be assumed that natural gas or another controlled fluid flows in a downward direction (top to bottom) as shown by the flow arrow  109  through an inner passage  116  formed in the main body  111  and parallel to a central vertical axis  117  of the inner passage  116 . 
     The valve assembly  110  further includes a flow control mechanism which has a circular disc valve  118  engageable with an annular seat  119  formed in the main valve body  111  to close off the flow of fluid through the valve assembly  110  (see FIG.  9 ). The disc valve  118  is carried by a swing arm  120  which swings about a horizontal axis  121  between the closed condition (see FIG. 9) and the open condition (see FIG.  8 ). The arm  120  and the carried disc valve  118  are releasably retained in the open condition of the valve by engagement of the arm  120  with a latch pin  154  carried by a projection trip arm  123 . The trip arm  123  is in turn releasably retained in its position by a shock responsive mechanism  125  which is contained within a dome shaped housing cover  158  having a bulge  159 . The housing cover  158  is attached to the tubular main body  111  at annular flanges  162  which have a sealing O-Ring  163  or other gasket. The housing cover  158  is retained by a circular clamp  160  typically formed of two semi-circular sections secured together at their opposite ends by fasteners such as screws, rivets, or other suitable fasteners. 
     Referring to FIGS. 8,  9  and  10 , the shock actuated responsive mechanism  125  includes a weight or mass  136 , such as a metal ball. When the disc valve  118  is in the open position, the ball  136  is supported on a cradle  137  which extends outwardly and away from the main body  111 . The cradle  137  has a flat horizontal base plate  170  and two opposite arms  172  that extend away from the base plate  170  and attached to a vertical plate  140  which is then attached to the main body  111  by fasteners. The base plate  170  has a circular recess  139  therethrough which has contour to normally retain the ball  136  in its centered position. The ball  136  is displaceable from the centered position relative to the cradle  137 , as to the position represented in broken lines in FIG. 9, by shock induced movement of the cradle  137  relative to the ball  136 , during which movement the inertia of the weight resists movement thereof with the cradle  137 . 
     A horizontal cylindrical tube or pipe  142  is disposed between the two opposite arms  172  of the cradle  137  and located adjacent to the base plate  170  and is movable in a horizontal direction relative to the cradle  137 . The horizontal cylindrical tube  142  is mounted for horizontal movement by a parallelogram mechanism  143 , including a projection trip arm  123 , a first pair of parallel links  128  extending downwardly from the trip arm  123  and a second pair of parallel links  130  extending downwardly from the trip arm  123 , each pair of links pivoted at one end of the horizontal tube  142  by a horizontal pin  145  extending through a horizontal slot  146  in the horizontal cylindrical tube  142  and secured by a pair of fasteners  126 , each pair of links pivoted by a second parallel horizontal arm  147  to a pair of horizontal bracket arms  148  projecting outwardly from and attached to the vertical plate  140  and secured by a second pair of fasteners  132 . The projection trip arm  123  is located above the ball  136 . A horizontal movement of the horizontal cylindrical tube  142  causes a cross pin  154  to release the swing arm  120  for closure of the valve assembly  110  by seating the disc valve  118  by a spring force. 
     The horizontal cylindrical tube  142  is yieldingly urged outwardly by a leaf spring or plate spring  157  which is mounted to the vertical plate  140 . When the ball  136  is moved laterally from its centered position in any horizontal direction relative to the cradle  137 , the weight engages the outer end of the horizontal cylindrical tube  142  and displaces the horizontal tube  142  horizontally relative to the cradle  137  to move the cross pin  154  carried on the projection trip arm  123  and allows horizontal swinging movement of the projection trip arm  123  to cause the disc valve  118  to close. The amount of shock or vibration force to displace the ball  136  from the circular recess  139  is determined by the shape of the recess  139  and the mass of the ball  136 . The outer end of the horizontal cylindrical tube  142  may also be beveled  164  for more controlled uniform force application by the ball  136 . 
     The ball  136  and its associated parts are enclosed within the dome shaped housing cover  158  which is attached to and projects outwardly from the main valve body  111 . Thus, the housing cover  158  effectively closes an opening  124  at the side of the main body  111 . When a shock or vibration force is experienced by the shock actuated responsive mechanism  125 , the ball  136  is displaced when such force reaches a specified value. If the force is of sufficient strength and duration, the ball  136  is urged upwardly and out of the circular recess  139 . The ball  136  rattles around within the housing cover  158  and there is no way to know which direction the ball  136  will rattle since it is in a horizontal configuration. The ball  136  might rattle directly against the outer end of the horizontal tube  142  to trip the valve assembly  10 . Alternatively, it can rattle sideways against the housing cover  158  or up, front or back against the housing cover and ricochet off the housing cover to then strike the horizontal cylindrical tube  142  to trip the valve assembly. The ball  136  can rotate 360° in any direction, and thereby hits the housing cover  158  and then ricochets off the housing cover  158  and strikes the horizontal cylindrical tube  142  to activate the valve assembly to cover the disc valve  118 . The ball  136  thus automatically resets itself in the centered position when permitted to do so. 
     Referring to FIG. 10, there are shown the positions of the projection trip arm  123  and the vertical plate  140  for a vertical shock and vibration force responsive valve assembly for fluid flow from bottom to top (see FIGS.  11  and  12 ). It will be appreciated that the positions of the projection trip arm and the vertical plate can be rotated 180° for fluid from top to bottom (see FIGS.  8  and  9 ). 
     Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, there is shown at  210  an alternative embodiment of the present invention shock and vibration force responsive valve assembly which is adapted to automatically close off the flow of a controlled fluid such as natural gas through a conduit in response to seismic forces or other shock forces of a predetermined magnitude. This embodiment of the present invention is very similar to the embodiment just discussed above and the only difference is the nature and configuration of the projection trip arm  223  which is located underneath the ball  236  and the vertical plate  240  of the shock actuated responsive mechanism  225 . All of the parts of this embodiment are correspondingly numbered in a  200  series reference number rather than a  100  series reference number used in the embodiment just discussed above arrangement. 
     The valve assembly  210  includes a tubular main valve body  211  having flanges  212  and  213  at its opposite ends connectable by fasteners to abutting flanges of adjacent conduit sections or pipe sections (not shown) to connect the main body  211  into a pipeline. It may be assumed that natural gas or another controlled fluid flows in an upward direction (bottom to top) as shown by the flow arrow  209  through an inner passage  216  formed in the main body  211  and parallel to a central vertical axis  217  of the inner passage  216 . 
     The valve assembly  210  further includes a flow control mechanism which has a circular disc valve  218  engageable with an annular seat  219  formed in the main valve body  211  to close off the flow of fluid through the valve assembly  210  (see FIG.  12 ). The disc valve  218  is carried by a swing arm  220  which swings about a horizontal axis  221  between the closed condition (see FIG. 12) and the open condition (see FIG.  11 ). The arm  220  and the carried disc valve  218  are releasably retained in the open condition of the valve by engagement of the arm  220  with a latch pin  254  carried by a projection trip arm  223 . The trip arm  223  is in turn releasably retained in its position by a shock responsive mechanism  225  which is contained within a dome shaped housing cover  258  having a bulge  259 . The housing cover  258  is attached to the tubular main body  211  at annular flanges  262  which have a sealing O-Ring  263  or other gasket. The housing cover  258  is retained by a circular clamp  260  typically formed of two semi-circular sections secured together at their opposite ends by fasteners such as screws, rivets, or other suitable fasteners. 
     The shock actuated responsive mechanism  225  includes a weight or mass  236 , such as a metal ball. When the disc valve  218  is in the open position, the ball  236  is supported on a cradle  237  which extends outwardly and away from the main body  211 . The cradle  237  has a flat horizontal base plate  270  and two opposite arms that extend away from the base plate  270  and attached to a vertical plate  240  which is then attached to the main body  211  by fasteners. The base plate  270  has a circular recess  239  therethrough which has contour to normally retain the ball  236  in its centered position. The ball  236  is displaceable from the centered position relative to the cradle  237 , as to the position represented in broken lines in FIG. 12, by shock induced movement of the cradle  237  relative to the ball  236 , during which movement the inertia of the weight resists movement thereof with the cradle  237 . 
     A horizontal cylindrical tube or pipe  242  is disposed between the two opposite arms  272  of the cradle  237  and located adjacent to the base plate  270  and is movable in a horizontal direction relative to the cradle  237 . The horizontal cylindrical tube  242  is mounted for horizontal movement by a parallelogram mechanism  243 , including a projection trip arm  223 , a first pair of parallel links extending upwardly from the trip arm  223  and a second pair of parallel links extending upwardly from the trip arm  223 , each pair of links pivoted at one end of the horizontal tube  242  by a horizontal pin extending through a horizontal slot in the horizontal cylindrical tube and secured by a pair of fasteners, each pair of links pivoted by a second parallel horizontal arm to a pair of horizontal bracket arms  248  projecting outwardly from and attached to the vertical plate  240  and secured by a second pair of fasteners. A horizontal movement of the horizontal cylindrical tube  242  causes a cross pin  254  to release the swing arm  220  for closure of the valve assembly  210  by seating the disc valve  218  by a spring force. 
     The horizontal cylindrical tube  242  is yieldingly urged outwardly by a leaf spring or plate spring which is mounted to the vertical plate  240 . When the ball  236  is moved laterally from its centered position in any horizontal direction relative to the cradle  237 , the weight engages the outer end of the horizontal cylindrical tube  242  and displaces the horizontal tube  242  horizontally relative to the cradle  237  to move the cross pin  254  carried on the projection trip arm  223  and allows horizontal swinging movement of the projection trip arm  223  to cause the disc valve  218  to close. The amount of shock or vibration force to displace the ball  236  from the circular recess  239  is determined by the shape of the recess  239  and the mass of the ball  236 . The outer end of the horizontal cylindrical tube  242  may also be beveled  264  for more controlled uniform force application by the ball  236 . 
     The ball  236  and its associated parts are enclosed within the dome shaped housing cover  258  which is attached to and projects outwardly from the main valve body  211 . Thus, the housing cover  258  effectively closes an opening  224  at the side of the main body  2111 . When a shock or vibration force is experienced by the shock actuated responsive mechanism  225 , the ball  236  is displaced when such force reaches a specified value. If the force is of sufficient strength and duration, the ball  236  is urged upwardly and out of the circular recess  239 . The ball  236  rattles around within the housing cover  258  and there is no way to know which direction the ball  236  will rattle since it is in a horizontal configuration. The ball  236  might rattle directly against the outer end of the horizontal tube  242  to trip the valve assembly  210 . Alternatively, it can rattle sideways against the housing cover  258  or up, front or back against the housing cover and ricochet off the housing cover to then strike the horizontal cylindrical tube  242  to trip the valve assembly. The ball  236  can rotate 360° in any direction, and thereby hits the housing cover  258  and then ricochets off the housing cover  258  and strikes the horizontal cylindrical tube  242  to activate the valve assembly to cover the disc valve  218 . The ball  236  thus automatically resets itself in the centered position when permitted to do so. By way of example, only the weight or ball  136  and  236  can be made of steel. 
     Defined in detail, the present invention is a vertical shock actuated valve assembly adapted to automatically close off the flow of a controlled fluid through a conduit in response to a shock or vibration force of a predetermined magnitude and having a shock actuated responsive mechanism comprising: (a) a cradle having a horizontal base plate and a pair of arms extending away from the horizontal base plate and opposing each other and attached to a vertical plate which in turn is attachable to a main body of the valve assembly, the horizontal base plate having a central circular bore therethrough in which a weight in the form of a ball is supported and retained thereto; (b) a horizontal cylindrical tube disposed and secured between the pair of arms of the cradle and having one end located adjacent to the horizontal base plate, the one end of the horizontal tube having a beveled interior surface facing the ball; and (c) a housing cover enclosing the ball, the cradle and the horizontal tube so that when the ball is moved out of the central circular bore and retained on the horizontal base plate by the housing cover and rattles around and ricochets off the interior of the housing cover, the ball thereby strikes the one end of the horizontal tube to activate the valve assembly to stop the flow of the fluid therethrough; (d) whereby when the shock or vibration force is experienced by the shock actuated responsive mechanism, the ball is displaced when such force reaches the predetermined magnitude causing the ball to roll out of the central circular bore to strike the one end of the horizontal tube to move in a horizontal direction to thereby actuate and close the valve assembly to stop the flow of the fluid therethrough. 
     Defined broadly, the present invention is a vertical shock actuated valve assembly adapted to automatically close off the flow of a fluid through a conduit in response to a shock or vibration force of a predetermined magnitude and having a shock actuated responsive mechanism comprising: (a) a cradle having a horizontal plate and at least two arms extending away from the horizontal plate and attached to a vertical plate which in turn is attachable to a main body of the valve assembly, the horizontal plate having a central bore therethrough in which a weight is supported and retained thereto; (b) a horizontal tube disposed and secured between the at least two arms of the cradle and having one end located adjacent to the weight; and (c) a cover enclosing the weight, the cradle and the horizontal tube so that when the weight is moved out of the central bore and retained on the horizontal plate by the cover and rattles around and ricochets off the interior of the cover, the ball thereby strikes the one end of the horizontal tube to activate the valve assembly to stop the flow of the fluid therethrough; (d) whereby when the shock or vibration force is experienced by the shock actuated responsive mechanism, the weight is displaced when such force reaches the predetermined magnitude causing the weight to move out of the central bore to strike the one end of the horizontal tube to move in a horizontal direction to thereby actuate and close the valve assembly to stop the flow of the fluid therethrough. 
     Defined more broadly, the present invention is a vertical shock actuated valve assembly having a shock actuated responsive mechanism comprising: (a) a horizontal plate having a bore therethrough in which a weight is supported and retained centrally on the horizontal plate; (b) at least two arms attached to the horizontal plate and extending away from the horizontal plate and attached to a vertical plate which in turn is attachable to a main body of the valve assembly; (c) a horizontal tube disposed and secured between the at least two arms and having one end located adjacent to the weight; and (d) a cover enclosing the weight, the horizontal plate and the horizontal tube so that when the weight is moved out of the bore and retained on the horizontal plate by the cover and rattles around and ricochets off the interior of the cover, the weight thereby strikes the one end of the horizontal tube to activate the valve assembly to stop the flow of the fluid therethrough; (e) whereby when the shock or vibration force is experienced by the shock actuated responsive mechanism, the weight is displaced when such force reaches the predetermined magnitude causing the weight to move out of the bore to strike the one end of the horizontal tube to move in a horizontal direction to thereby actuate and close the valve assembly to stop the flow of the fluid therethrough. 
     Defined even more broadly, the present invention is a shock actuated valve assembly having a shock actuated responsive mechanism comprising: (a) a horizontal plate having a bore therethrough in which a weight is supported and retained centrally on the horizontal plate and means for attaching to a vertical plate which in turn is attachable to a main body of the valve assembly; (b) a horizontal tube having one end located adjacent to the weight; and (c) a cover enclosing the weight, the horizontal plate and the horizontal tube so that when the weight is moved out of the bore and retained on the horizontal plate by the cover and rattles around and ricochets off the interior of the cover, the weight thereby strikes the one end of the horizontal tube to activate the valve assembly to stop the flow of the fluid therethrough; (d) whereby when the shock or vibration force is experienced by the shock actuated responsive mechanism, the weight is displaced when such force reaches the predetermined magnitude causing the weight to move out of the bore to strike the one end of the horizontal tube to move in a horizontal direction to thereby actuate and close the valve assembly to stop the flow of the fluid therethrough. 
     Further defined more broadly, the present invention is a vertical shock actuated valve assembly adapted to automatically close off the flow of a controlled fluid through a conduit in response to a shock or vibration force of a predetermined magnitude and having a shock actuated responsive mechanism comprising: (a) a horizontal plate and at least two arms extending away from the horizontal plate and attached to a vertical plate which in turn is attachable to a main body of the valve assembly, the horizontal plate having a bore therethrough in which a weight in the form of a ball is supported and retained thereto; and (b) a horizontal tube disposed and secured between the at least two arms and having one end located adjacent to the ball; (c) whereby when the shock or vibration force is experienced by the shock actuated responsive mechanism, the ball is displaced when such force reaches the predetermined magnitude causing the ball to roll out of the bore to strike the one end of the horizontal tube to move in a horizontal direction to thereby actuate and close the valve assembly to stop the flow of the fluid therethrough. 
     Further defined even more broadly, the present invention is a shock actuated valve having a shock responsive mechanism comprising: (a) a horizontal plate having a bore therethrough in which a weight is supported and retained centrally on the horizontal plate and means for attaching to a main body of the shock actuated valve; and (b) a horizontal tube having one end located adjacent to the weight; (c) whereby when the shock or vibration force is experienced by the shock responsive mechanism, the weight is displaced when such force reaches the predetermined magnitude causing the weight to move out of the bore to strike the one end of the horizontal tube to move in a horizontal direction to thereby actuate and close the shock actuated valve to stop the flow of the fluid therethrough. 
     Of course the present invention is not intended to be restricted to any particular form or arrangement, or any specific embodiment, or any specific use, disclosed herein, since the same may be modified in various particulars or relations without departing from the spirit or scope of the claimed invention hereinabove shown and described of which the apparatus or method shown is intended only for illustration and disclosure of an operative embodiment and not to show all of the various forms or modifications in which this invention might be embodied or operated. 
     The present invention has been described in considerable detail in order to comply with the patent laws by providing full public disclosure of at least one of its forms. However, such detailed description is not intended in any way to limit the broad features or principles of the present invention, or the scope of the patent to be granted. Therefore, the invention is to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 8