Protective cover for a valve

Abstract

A protective cover for a valve which is mounted proximally on an inlet pipe extending from a distal wall surface along a longitudinal axis provides a base cylinder wall aligned with the longitudinal axis and terminating distally with an integral base end wall. The base cylinder wall has a base slot extensive longitudinally, the slot contiguous through the base end wall radially to a medial position. a cover cylinder wall aligned with the longitudinal axis and frictionally engaged with the base cylinder wall; the cover cylinder wall having a cover slot extensive longitudinally therethrough from a distal end of the cover cylinder wall to a medial position therein. In an alternate embodiment, the base cylinder wall and end wall are replaced by a block with a longitudinal recess.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]1. Field of the Present Disclosure[0002]This disclosure relates generally to protective valve covers and, in particular, to a removable valve cover which is placed over an under-sink supply valve to protect the valve from damaging contact by the movement of items stored in the same space.[0003]2. Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98[0004]Woebbeking, US 2768766, discloses a cover for the free end of a faucet comprising a cylindrical cap having a sidewall and an end wall, said end wall having an inward side and outer end, a resilient strip secured to and extending across said inward side of the end wall and across said inner end of the sidewall, said strip terminating at its ends and outside of said sidewall in resilient fingers extending in a direction away from said end wall, said sidewall having openings registered with said fingers, said fingers having portions reaching through said openings for enga...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011]The present invention solves these problems by providing a protective cover apparatus for a control valve that is able to be engaged around a very wide range of valves. The protective cover includes a pair of cylinders, each having a closed end and an open end. An inner one of the cylinders has a cut-away portion in its side wall which extends between its open end and its closed end, and its closed end is also cut-away wherein these cutaway portions are contiguous. The outer cylinder has a slot in its side wall which extends from its open end to a medial point on its side wall. The inner cylinder, by virtue of its cut-away portions, is easily slid over a supply pipe extending from a wall or floor surface so that the axes of the inner cylinder and the supply pipe are congruent. The closed end of the inner cylinder is preferably screwed to the wall or floor surface.

[0012]Normally, a valve, of the type referred to here, is joined to the terminal end of the supply pipe, which, as mentioned, extends through the wall. Typically, the valve has a fitting such that a second pipe, a delivery pipe, may be engaged with the valve in a position at right angles with the supply pipe. The delivery pipe therefore extends from the valve in parallel with the wall. The outer cylinder is fitted over the valve and the outer cylinder's open end is slidingly and frictionally engaged with the outer surface of the inner cylinder. The outer cylinder may be long enough and have a slot that is likewise long enough to accommodate a wide range of plumbing configurations and lengths. Clearly, the outer and inners are joined coaxially. This is possible when the slot in the side wall of the outer cylinder is aligned with the delivery pipe. When the outer cylinder is in place, the supply pipe and the valve, including its valve stem and valve handle are hidden from view while the delivery pipe can be seen immerging from the present apparatus. The present invention provides a low-cost, efficient means for protectively covering a valve.

[0015]A further objective is to provide such an apparatus that is a low cost and efficient means for protecting a valve from unintentional interferences.

Problems solved by technology

The valve handle is usually exposed and unprotected, thereby subjecting it, the valve stem and the valve, to potential damaging contact.

However, such inventions fail to completely conceal and / or protect the valve handle.

Thus, such covers are not able to be applied universally, but are limited in their applications.

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