Composite valve handle

Abstract

A composite handle assembly has a primary handle bar having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, the primary handle bar having a first offset bend and a second offset bend and a step portion between the offset bends, the distal end having a cored head portion and a retaining tab, a handle plate having a retaining slot for receiving the retaining tab, a lock lever member having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, the lock lever member having a first offset bend, a second offset bend, and a step portion between the offset bends, and a pivotal connection for connecting the lock lever member within the primary handle

Claims

1. A composite handle assembly comprising: a primary handlebar having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, the primary handlebar having a first offset bend and a second offset bend and a step portion between the offset bends, the distal end having a cored head portion and a retaining tab; a handle plate having a retaining slot for receiving the retaining tab; a lock lever member having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, the lock lever member having a first offset bend, a second offset bend, and a step portion between the offset bends; and a pivotal connection for connecting the lock lever member within the primary handlebar.

2. The composite handle assembly of claim 1 wherein the primary handlebar, the handle plate, and the lock lever member are comprised of a composite material.

3. The composite handle assembly of claim 1 wherein the primary handlebar may be pivoted between 0° and 90°.

4. The composite handle assembly of claim 1 wherein the handle plate further comprises a pair of bolt openings for receiving a pair of bolts for attaching the handle plate to a butterfly valve.

5. The composite handle assembly of claim 1 wherein the handle plate is connected to the primary handlebar through the use of the retaining tab and the retaining slot.

6. The composite handle assembly of claim 1 wherein the primary handlebar further comprises an insert that snaps into the primary handlebar.

7. The composite handle assembly of claim 6 wherein the insert is color coded to identify a particular valve function.

8. A composite handle assembly comprising: a primary handlebar having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, the primary handlebar having a first offset bend and a second offset bend and a step portion between the offset bends, the distal end having a cored head portion and a retaining tab; a washer; a handle plate having a retaining slot for receiving the retaining tab and an annular space for receiving the washer; a lock lever member having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, the lock lever member having a first offset bend, a second offset bend, and a step portion between the offset bends; and a pivotal connection for connecting the lock lever member within the primary handlebar.

9. The composite handle assembly of claim 8 wherein the primary handlebar, the handle plate, and the lock lever member are comprised of a composite material.

10. The composite handle assembly of claim 8 wherein the primary handlebar may be pivoted between 0° and 90°.

11. The composite handle assembly of claim 8 wherein the washer comprises a top circular portion having a central opening, and a periphery rim portion that extends from the top circular portion.

12. The composite handle assembly of claim 11 wherein the periphery rim portion fits into the annular space.

13. The composite handle assembly of claim 8 wherein the handle plate further comprises a pair of bolt openings for receiving a pair of bolts for attaching the handle plate to a butterfly valve.

14. The composite handle assembly of claim 8 wherein the handle plate is connected to the primary handlebar through the use of the retaining tab and the retaining slot.

15. The composite handle assembly of claim 8 wherein the primary handlebar further comprises an insert that snaps into the primary handlebar.

16. A composite handle assembly comprising: a primary handlebar having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, the primary handlebar having a first offset bend and a second offset bend and a step portion between the offset bends, the distal end having a cored head portion, a socket opening, and a retaining tab; a handle plate having a retaining slot for receiving the retaining tab; a lock lever member having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, the lock lever member having a first offset bend, a second offset bend, and a step portion between the offset bends, the distal end portion having a lock lever plate having a plurality of lock lever notches with intervening teeth there between; and a pivotal connection for connecting the lock lever member within the primary handlebar.

17. The composite handle assembly of claim 16 wherein the primary handlebar, the handle plate, and the lock lever member are comprised of a composite material.

18. The composite handle assembly of claim 16 wherein the primary handlebar may be pivoted between 0° and 90°.

19. The composite handle assembly of claim 16 wherein the washer comprises a top circular portion having a central opening, and a periphery rim portion that extends from the top circular portion.

20. The composite handle assembly of claim 19 wherein the periphery rim portion fits into the annular space.

21. The composite handle assembly of claim 1, wherein the composite handle may be fabricated of a polymer material.

22. The composite handle assembly of claim 21, wherein the polymer material may be a polypropylene.

23. The composite handle assembly of claim 21, wherein the composite material forming the handle may be nylon.

24. The composite handle assembly of claim 1, and including a sensor provided with a handle plate to indicate when the handle has turned the butterfly valve into closure, and that the butterfly valve remains in closure.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] FIG. 1 is a side view of a composite handle assembly constructed according to the present disclosure installed on a product discharge valve of a tank trailer;

[0027] FIG. 2 is a top view of the composite handle assembly constructed according to the present disclosure attached to product discharge valve;

[0028] FIG. 3 is a partial bottom view of a handle plate of the composite handle assembly constructed according to the present disclosure with a washer installed;

[0029] FIG. 4 is a partial bottom view of the handle plate of the composite handle assembly constructed according to the present disclosure with the washer removed;

[0030] FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of the handle plate of the composite handle assembly with the washer installed with the cross-sectional view being taken along the plane of line 5-5 of FIG. 3;

[0031] FIG. 6 is a bottom view of a handle plate of the composite handle assembly with the washer removed;

[0032] FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of a handle plate of the composite handle assembly with the washer removed; and

[0033] FIG. 8 is a back perspective view of a washer of the composite handle assembly constructed according to the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0034] Referring now to the drawings, wherein like numbers refer to like items, number 10 identifies a preferred embodiment of a composite handle assembly constructed according to the present disclosure. With reference now to FIG. 1, the composite handle assembly 10 is shown attached to a valve stem 14 of a butterfly valve 16. The butterfly valve 16 may be opened by operation of the valve stem 14 to allow the contents (not shown) of a tank trailer to be unloaded from the tank trailer valve 18 with the use of a pressurized air piping system (not shown). The composite handle assembly 10 has a handle plate 20 which is connected to the butterfly valve 16 by use of a pair of bolts 22. The composite handle assembly 10 is used to move or pivot the internal valve stem 14 which in turn opens or closes the butterfly valve 16. The composite handle assembly 10 may be moved in a desired angle or orientation such as in a range of 0° to 90°. The composite handle assembly 10 may be constructed of any suitable composite material.

[0035] The composite handle assembly 10 comprises a primary handlebar 24 having a proximal end portion 26 and a distal end portion 28. The primary handlebar 24 also has a first offset bend 30 and a second offset bend 32 and a step portion 34 between the offset bends 30 and 32. The primary handlebar 24 may be long so that an individual can easily grasp the assembly 10 when the assembly 10 is connected to the handle plate 20. The composite handle assembly 10 also comprises a lock lever member 36 having a proximal end portion 38 and a distal end portion 40. The lock lever member 36 also has a first offset bend 42, a second offset bend 44, and a step portion 46 between the offset bends 42 and 44. A pivotal connection 48 is used to connect the lock lever member 36 within the primary handlebar 24. The bar 24 and the lock lever member 36 may be reinforced by use of internal bracing or diagonal bracing, both of which are not shown. The bracing adds structural reinforcement to the bar 24 and the member 36 to assure longevity of usage. It should be noted that the composite handle assembly 10 is normally located beneath the tank trailer 18 and is subject to flying rocks and other debris that the tank trailer 18 may encounter during transportation and reinforcement is desired. Further, the composite material that the assembly 10 is made from should be strong and durable to withstand flying rocks and other debris.

[0036] An RFID sensor may be applied, as at 43, as noted in FIG. 1, in order to provide an indication as to whether that the valve has stayed closed, after its manipulation of the butterfly valve into closure.

[0037] FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of the composite handle assembly 10 connected by the handle plate 20 to the butterfly valve 16 by the use of the bolts 22. The composite handle assembly 10 is shown to have the primary handlebar 24 having the proximal end portion 26 and the distal end portion 28. The primary handlebar 24 may have an insert 50 that snaps into the bar 24. The insert 50 may be color coded to identify the particular valve function. As can be appreciated, the composite handle assembly 10 is capable of rotating the butterfly valve 16 through an arc of 90°, as depicted by an arc line 52. The distal end portion 28 has a lock lever plate 54 having a plurality of lock lever notches 56 with intervening teeth 58 there between. The bolts 22 also serve as stops or limits for the rotation of the composite handle assembly 10. Although not shown in any detail, it is possible that the composite handle assembly 10 may include other structure such as a spring composite lever tip (not shown) that may interact with the notches 56 to further facilitate operation of the composite handle assembly 10. Optionally, the lock lever plate 54 may include a ratcheting mechanism, including a ratcheting reversal feature, to prevent the composite handle assembly 10 from prematurely or accidentally reversing operation of the butterfly valve 16.

[0038] With particular reference now to FIG. 3, a partial bottom view of the handle plate 20 of the composite handle assembly 10 is depicted. The handle plate 20 has a pair of bolt apertures 60 where are adapted for receiving the bolts 22. A washer or dust shield 62 is installed or pressed into place in an annular space 64 in the handle plate 20 to seal out dust or other contamination that can enter into the handle plate 20. The washer 62 has a central opening 66 that allows the valve stem 14 to pass there through. The primary handlebar 24 has a socket opening 68 for receiving the valve stem 14. The socket opening 68 will be configured similarly to the shape or configuration of the valve stem 14. The lock lever plate 54 having the plurality of lock lever notches 56 with the intervening teeth 58 there between is also shown being part of the handle plate 20.

[0039] FIG. 4 illustrates a partial bottom view of the handle plate 20 of the composite handle assembly 10 with the washer 62 removed and the handle plate 20 being connected to the distal end portion 28 of the primary handlebar 24. The primary handlebar 24 has a cored head portion 70 which is provided to improve the injection molding process time when manufacturing the primary handlebar 24 of the composite handle assembly 10. The handle plate 20 also has retaining slots 72 for receiving and retaining the distal end portion 28 of the primary handlebar 24 in place, as will be explained more fully herein. The handle plate 20 is also shown having the bolt apertures 60 and the annular space 64 which is used for receiving the washer 62. Again, the lock lever plate 54 having the plurality of lock lever notches 56 with the intervening teeth 58 there between is also shown being part of the handle plate 20. The handle plate 20 has a rounded tip 74 that skates on the teeth 58 of the plate 20.

[0040] Referring now to FIG. 5, a partial cross-sectional view of the handle plate 20 of the composite handle assembly 10 with the washer 62 installed in the annular space 64. The washer 62 is retained in place in the annular space 64 formed in the handle plate 20. The distal end portion 28 of the primary handlebar 24 is shown having the cored head portion 70. The handle plate 20 also has an opening 80 adjacent to the central opening 66 of the washer 62. The distal end portion 28 of the primary handlebar 24 has tabs 82 and 84 for mating with the retaining slots 72 of the handle plate 20 to connect or lock the handle plate 20 to the primary handlebar 24. The central opening 66 of the washer 62, which is aligned with the socket opening 68 of the bar 24, are also shown and are provided for receiving the valve stem 14 (not shown).

[0041] FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the handle plate 20 of the composite handle assembly 10 with the washer 62 removed and the plate 20 not being attached to the primary handlebar 24. The handle plate 20 has the retaining slots 72 positioned around a periphery edge 90 of the opening 80. The opening 80 is provided for allowing the valve stem 14 to pass there through for the valve stem 14 to fit within or be captured by the socket opening 68 (FIG. 5). The handle plate 20 is also shown having the pair of bolt openings 60, the annular space 64, the lock lever plate 54, the lock lever notches 56, and the teeth 58.

[0042] With particular reference now to FIG. 7, a side perspective view of the handle plate 20 is illustrated. The handle plate 20 is shown having the annular space 64 that is adapted for receiving the washer 62. The washer 62 may snap in place into the space 64. The washer 62 will prevent contaminants from getting into the opening 80, the cored head portion 70, and the socket opening 68. The bolt openings 60 and the retaining slots 72 are also shown.

[0043] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the washer 62. The washer 62 has the central opening 66 that allows the valve stem 14 to pass there through, a top circular portion 92, and a periphery rim portion 94 that extends from the top circular portion 92. The periphery rim portion 94 fits into the annular space G4 of the handle plate 20.

[0044] As can be appreciated, the composite handle assembly 10 is attached to the butterfly valve 16 to be used to open or close the butterfly valve 16. Once attached, the composite handle assembly 10 extends out from the valve 16 at a comfortable position and location. An operator of the assembly 10 will be able to easily grasp the bar 24 to rotate or operate the butterfly valve 16. The lock lever member 36 can also be easily grasped to operate the lock lever plate 54. Once the composite handle assembly 10 is operated, the butterfly valve 16 may be opened to unload product from the tank trailer 18. Upon the product being emptied from the tank trailer 18, the composite handle assembly 10 may be rotated in the opposite direction to close the butterfly valve 16.

[0045] From all that has been said, it will be clear that there has thus been shown and described herein a composite handle assembly. It will become apparent to those skilled in the art, however, that many changes, modifications, variations, and other uses and applications of the subject composite handle assembly are possible and contemplated. All changes, modifications, variations, and other uses and applications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the disclosure are deemed to be covered by the disclosure, which is limited only by the claims which follow.