Abstract:
A vehicle waste water valve in the form of a gate valve having a retractable gate movable in response to a movable gate which is vertically movably by way of cable pull assembly. The cable pull assembly includes an outer jacket sheath with a solid cable inside the sheath which is axially movable, and has its free end connected to the gate stem. The cable pull sheath is held in an axial manner by way of its connection within a termination block, wherein a threaded member is threaded into the termination block and into the cable pull sheath, where the threaded member extends along an axial length of the cable pull sheath. The termination block in turn can be threadably attached to a cable pull body, which in turn is latchably attached to the valve body.

Description:
This application claims benefit of Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/149,785 filed Aug. 19, 1999. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Brief Description of the Invention 
     The subject invention relates to a manually actuated valve for plumbing purposes, and more particularly, to a valve which can be installed on a recreational vehicle for the storage, and subsequent discharge of waste waters held therein. 
     2. Discussion of the Prior Art 
     In recreational vehicles and motor homes, storage tanks are provided for storage of the waste waters accumulated during the travels, from both the kitchen and lavatory facilities. When the user is traveling away from a rest area or camp ground area, storage tanks are provided beneath the vehicle which accumulate the waste waters. When the user returns to an area where drainage facilities are available, the vehicles can be pulled adjacent to the facilities, and a valve can be opened, allowing for the drainage of the waste waters. 
     As the drain must be adjacent to an edge of the vehicle, originally, these valves were too, along an edge of the vehicle where the valve actuator could be accessed, typically some type of actuation mechanism which imparts movement to a gate of a gate valve. The market then moved towards an under mount valve, where the actuator was positioned adjacent to an outer edge of the vehicle, such that the valve itself could be hidden; but a drainage pipe and the actuation member were adjacent to the edge of the vehicle. The actuation member includes a cable pull assembly, where a cable is axially movable within an outer sheath, and the cable is attached to a gate for movement of the gate. Such an assembly is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,678,802 to Launder. Herein incorporated by reference. 
     One of the shortcomings to this design, particularly in the commercialized version, is that the cable assembly is comprised of a very stiff jacket around the cable, which includes a heavy steel band integrated therein. This heavy cable is necessary because of the clamshell style clamps which provide the only means of securing the jacket to the valve assembly by grippingly engaging the cable jacket. While the clamshell style clamps hold the cable jacket merely with pressure, the cable is resultantly limited in its flexibility and routing through the vehicle. Secondly, the heavy steel band can rust due to moisture exposure. In addition, a permanently affixed shoulder adjacent the actuating handle on the cable assembly requires that the cable be inserted from the exterior of the vehicle, thereby, preventing, preassembly of the cable to the valve. 
     An object of the invention is to provide a cable pull actuated valve including a cable having a more pliable outer covering for easier routing of the cable within the vehicle, the cable cover being composed of materials which will not rust or otherwise degrade. 
     Another object of the invention is to have a cable mechanism preassembled to the valve mechanism before the valve is installed in the recreational vehicle to simplify installation thereof. 
     An additional object of the invention is to provide a cable pull actuated valve wherein the outer covering of the cable is mechanically fixed to preclude longitudinal movement thereof relative to a valve body. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The objects of the invention were accomplished by providing a cable pull assembly comprised of a shroud member, and a cable positioned within an internal bore of the shroud member, where the cable can be pulled at one end thereof, for activation of a mechanism at the opposite end thereof. The assembly further comprises a termination block for attaching to the shroud member for axial fixation of the shroud member, and the termination block includes at least one longitudinal aperture. A first aperture receives the cable pull assembly therein, and the shroud being held from movement in the longitudinal direction within the termination block by a fixing fastener. Another object of the invention is to provide a three layer shroud including an outer non-metallic shroud, an inner non-metallic shroud, and an internal metallic sheath sandwiched therebetween. 
     In another aspect of the invention, a gate valve assembly comprises a valve body having a fluid passageway therethrough, and a gate movable in a transverse direction to the passageway with a valve stem for moving the gate in the transverse direction. A cable pull body is also included having a cable receiving aperture therethrough, the cable pull body having retaining legs on one end thereof, with a latching mechanism for snap latching to the valve body, and a cable retaining mechanism at the other end thereof. A cable pull mechanism is fixed to the cable pull body by the cable retaining mechanism, and the cable pull mechanism comprises an elongate tubular shroud having a cable therein, the cable being fixed to the gate, yet movable within the shroud to activate the gate between open and closed positions. The cable includes a removable handle for activation of the mechanism, and is capable of being threaded through a recreational vehicle from where the gate valve assembly is located to the exterior of the recreational vehicle where the handle will be mounted. 
     In yet another aspect of the invention, a gate valve assembly comprises a valve body having an opening therethrough for fluid, and a gate movable in a transverse direction to the opening with a valve stem for moving the gate in the transverse direction. A cable pull body is included having a cable receiving aperture therethrough, with the cable pull body being attached to the valve body. A cable pull mechanism is further included comprising an elongate tubular shroud having a cable therein being fixed to the gate, and longitudinally movable within the shroud between open and closed positions. A cable retaining mechanism fixes the cable pull mechanism to the cable pull body, and comprises a termination block for attaching to the shroud for longitudinal fixation of the shroud, and a fixing fastener which is held in the longitudinal direction to the termination block, and which holds the cable shroud in the longitudinal direction. 
     There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description herein that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will now be described with reference to the drawing figures, where: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the valve assembly; 
     FIG. 2 is a view similar to that of FIG. 1 showing the major components in a disassembled manner, poised for assembly; 
     FIG. 3 is a top view of the termination block of the assembly, which fixes the cable pull assembly to the valve body; 
     FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view taken through lines  4 — 4  of FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 5 is a side view of the termination block of FIG. 4; 
     FIG. 6 is a lower plan view of the cross sectional view of FIG. 4; 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the handle portion of the assembly shown in an exploded form. 
     FIG. 7 a  is a cross sectional view through the handle of the assembly taken along lines  7   a  of FIG.  7 . 
     FIG. 8 is a side view of the valve assembly, partially broken away to show the attachment of the termination block to the cable pull assembly; 
     FIG. 9 is an exploded view of an alternate embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 10 is an assembled view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 9; and 
     FIG. 11 is a prospective view of a recreational vehicle having the valve assembly installed therein. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     With reference first to FIGS. 1 and 11, the valve assembly of the preferred embodiment of the invention is shown generally at  2  for use in a recreational vehicle  3 , Valve assembly  2  comprises a valve member or body  4 , a cable pull assembly  6  and a cable pull body shown at  8 . It should be appreciated that valve member  4  will include an inlet port at  10  and an exit port at  12 , where a gate member  14  is positioned medially between the inlet  10  and outlet  12  ports, to regulate the flow of fluid between the ports. In this particular case, the gate  14  will remain in the closed position, until the waste waters need be drained as discussed above. It should also be appreciated that the cable pull assembly  6  includes an actuation handle  16  operatively connected to the gate member  14 , such that vertical movement of the handle  16  as viewed in FIG. 1, moves the gate member  14  vertically into the open position to discharge the waste waters. 
     With reference now to FIGS. 2-6, the individual items of the assembly  2  will be described in greater detail. With reference first to FIG. 2, the valve member  4  includes identical, and opposing, flange members  22 , where each includes a mounting flange section  24  with a protruding fitting section  26  which can be used to mount the valve member to inlet or discharge piping (not shown). The flange members  22  are flanking the gate valve housing  30  which includes a lower housing section  32  having mounting faces  34  for abutment against the flanges  22 . The housing member  30  further comprises an upper body section  36  having substantially parallel faces  38  which include a latching rib at  40  which defines a downwardly facing latching face at  42 . A valve stem is shown at  44  which is operatively connected through the upper body portion  36 , and is connected to the gate member  14 . It should be clear that vertical movement of the valve stem portion  44  has a direct correlation of the movement of the gate member  14 . 
     With respect still to FIG. 2, the cable pull body  8  includes an upper body portion  50  having a termination block receiving cavity at  52 , with an aperture at  54  extending through the body member  50  in a transverse direction to intersect with the cavity  52 . The body member  50  further includes two latching leg members  56  which include reduced thickness tip sections  58  at the free ends thereof, and further comprises a latching rib  60  which defines an upwardly facing latching surface at  62 . A plurality of apertures  64  extend into the sidewall of the cable pull body  8  as best shown in FIG.  2 . 
     With reference still to FIG. 2, a termination block member is shown at  70  which is profiled for slidably receipt within the block receiving cavity  52  and includes an opening at  72  for receipt of the cable pull assembly. With respect now to FIGS. 3-6, the termination block  70  will be described in greater detail. As shown first in FIG. 3, the termination block  70  includes an upper face at  74 , which defines the opening  72  therein. The opening  72  is comprised of a cable receiving opening at  76  together with a fastener receiving opening at  78 . It should be appreciated that the openings  76  and  78 , as viewed in FIG. 3, are of an intersecting circular configuration. As shown best in FIG. 4, opening  78  extends from the top face  74  through to a lower face at  80 . Meanwhile the opening  76  stops shy of extending through to the lower face  80 , but rather is counter sunk to form an upwardly facing stop surface at  82 . An aperture at  84  communicates with the opening  76  to provide a continuous opening between the top  74  and bottom  80  surfaces. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, an aperture  86  extends through a side wall  88  but does not extend into the opening  76 . 
     With reference again to FIG. 2, the cable pull assembly  6  is comprised of a flexible sheath or shroud member  90  which has an axial opening therethrough for receiving a solid cable member  92 , the solid cable member  92  being longitudinally movable with the movement of the handle  16  as is well known in the art. Such a cable can be purchased from Cable Manufacturing &amp; Assembly Co. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the sheath  90  is comprised of an outer rubber member with an inner Teflon sheath, with a stainless steel wire mesh in between the inner and the outer sheath members. This allows the cable pull assembly  6  to be very pliable yet gives the cable member  92  a low frictional movement passageway for the operation. Finally, a locking collect at  100  is shown which includes a thread able opening from the lower side  102  and includes a cable receiving opening at  104 , profiled to receive the cable  92 . The collect  100  also includes a threaded aperture at  106  profiled for receiving a set screw  108 . 
     Now referring to FIGS. 7 and 7 a , cable pull assembly  6  includes an enlarged portion  110  at the upper end of sheath member  90 . Enlarged portion  110  includes a threaded end  112  having external threads for securing cable pull assembly  6  to a frame member  114  or panel of the recreational vehicle. Frame  114  includes an aperture  115  for receiving threaded end  112 . Two pairs of locking washers  116  and nuts  117  are placed about threaded end member  112  adjacent frame member  114 , one pair on each side thereof, for purposes of securing cable pull assembly  6  to the frame. To secure actuation handle  16  to cable pull assembly  6 , cable  92  is provided with a hexagonally shaped head  118  at the upper most portion thereof, and actuation handle  16  has a hexagonally shaped bore  119  for receiving hexagonal head  118 . In assembling actuation handle  16  to cable pull assembly  6 , hexagonal head  118  is inserted into hexagonal bore  119  until the hexagonal head abuts on seating surface  125  of actuation handle  16 . The handle is secured with a screw  121 , which engages internally threaded bore  123  of hexagonal head  118 . The head of screw  121  seats in tapered counter bore  124  of actuation handle  16  so that the screw is substantially flush with the top of the handle. 
     With reference now to FIGS. 2-8, the assembly of the valve member  2  will be described in greater detail. It should be appreciated that the sheath assembly  90  of the cable pull assembly  6  is receivable in the aperture  76 , with the solid cable portion  92  extending through the aperture  84 , in the termination block  70 . The cable sheath  90  is receivable into the aperture  76  until the end face of the cable sheath  90  abuts the surface  82 . At this point a threaded fastener  120  is thread ably received into the aperture  78 , which causes engagement between the fastener threads and the outer sheath member of the sheath assembly  90 . In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the outside diameter of the threaded fastener  120  is somewhat smaller than the diameter of the aperture  78 , so that the threaded aperture, absent the cable sheath in the aperture  72 , could be received in a sliding fashion. However due to the intersecting circular configuration of apertures  76  and  78 , when the cable sheath  90  is placed within the aperture  76 , the cable sheath  90  overlaps within the profile of aperture  78  causing an interference fit between the threaded fastener  120  with the outer sheath of the sheath assembly  90  and with the peripheral wall of the aperture  78 . In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the overlap of the intersecting circles of the aperture  76  and  78  is equal to the depth of the thread of the threaded fastener. It has been found that the thread will engage along the longitudinal length of the outer sheath member  90 , and self thread along its longitudinal length, causing minimal deformation of the outer configuration of the sheath  90 , while it still holds the sheath member in its axial manner. 
     The collect member  100  can now be thread ably received on to the top of the valve stem  44  as shown best in FIG.  7 . The cable pull body  8  can now be received over the upper housing portion  36  of the valve body  4 , so that the latching surfaces  62  on the inside of the leg members  56  are snap latch ably received beneath the latching shoulder  42 , also best shown in FIG.  7 . It should be appreciated that the reduced thickness tip  58 , in this configuration, are received in the transverse grooves  28  in the top of the valve body housing, as shown in FIG. 7, which prevents outward deformation of the leg member  56 . With the cable sheath member  90  fixed in the aperture  72 , the termination block  70  can now be received in the cavity  52 , with a threaded fastener  122  received through the aperture  54  of the cable pull body, which is self tapping into aperture  86  of the termination block  70 . This threadable receipt of the threaded member  122  will now hold the termination block  70  in axial fixation with the cable pull body  8  while the cable pull assembly  6  is also held longitudinally fixed by way of the termination block  70 . At this point the cable  92  has been received in the aperture  104  at the top of the collect  100 , and the set screw can be accessed through an aperture  64  to tighten and fix the solid cable member  92  relative to the valve stem  44 . 
     The design for mounting cable assembly  6  to frame member  14  as shown in FIGS. 7 and 7 a  enables the cable pull assembly to be preassembled to the valve body using the steps above prior to installing the valve body in the recreational vehicle. To install valve assembly  2  in the recreational vehicle, first protruding fitting section  26  is attached to the appropriate discharging pipe of the vehicle. Cable  92  and sheath member  90  are then conveyed within the recreational vehicle to the point where threaded end  112  will be attached to the frame or panel using lock washers  116  and nuts  117  and subsequently attaching actuating handle  16  to the hexagonal shaped head  118  using threaded fastener  121 . 
     With respect now to FIGS. 9 and 10, an alternate embodiment of the invention is shown where the grooves  28  in the valve body housing are not made available due to the valve design. In this event, the cable pull body  8 ′ is used which includes a similar latch structure including ribs  60 ′ mounted on an internal surface of the legs  56 ′. In this particular design, the grooves  28  are not available for supporting and preventing outward deflection of the legs  56 ′. Therefore, two hermaphroditic latching straps  200  are included, each having latch arms  202  which engage with latching apertures  204 , as shown in FIG.  9 . With the latching straps  200  in a surrounding relationship to the legs  56 ′, outward deflection of the legs  56 ′ is once again prevented. 
     Various modifications of the above preferred embodiment can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, although the termination block in the preferred embodiments uses two longitudinally extending openings, it is possible to secure the sheath member in the termination block using one large opening capable of accepting both the fastener and the sheath member or the opening for the fastener may intersect the opening for the sheath member at an angle thereto. In addition, the shape of the opening or openings may be varied from the circular configuration used in the preferred embodiment. Also, other methods of mechanically fixing the sheath member to preclude longitudinal movement thereof relative to the valve member may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Furthermore, other types of latching configurations may be used to attach the cable pull body to the valve body. In addition, it should be realized that the exact frame member, panel member or other portion of the recreational vehicle that the actuating handle and the cable pull assembly is attached to is irrelevant to the scope of the invention. 
     While the invention has been taught with specific reference to these embodiments, someone skilled in the art will recognize that other changes can be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the following claims rather than by the description.