OPTIMIZED PROTECTION DEVICE FOR VALVE SYSTEMS
A modular mechanical protection device with adjustable openings and a removable obstruction plate addresses the limitations of existing systems by adapting to various pipe diameters and configurations, enhancing installation flexibility and reducing costs.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- FR · FR
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- FONDERIES DE BROUSSEVAL & MONTREUIL
- Filing Date
- 2024-06-17
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-12
AI Technical Summary
Existing mechanical protection devices for buried valve systems are limited to specific configurations, requiring a large inventory of fittings and leading to preparation errors and schedule disruptions due to the need for precise matching of valve system types and pipe diameters.
A modular mechanical protection device with a lower and upper part, featuring adjustable openings and a removable obstruction plate, allowing adaptation to various pipe diameters and configurations, including hexagonal, octagonal, and decagonal shapes, and accommodating different connecting pipes.
Enables universal installation across diverse valve systems, reduces manufacturing costs, simplifies inventory management, and streamlines on-site operations by adapting to multiple pipeline configurations with a single device.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
Title of the invention: OPTIMIZED PROTECTION DEVICE FOR VALVE SYSTEMS technical field
[0001] The present invention relates to the general technical field of street and water supply valve systems associated with drinking water supply pipes. In order to supply, for example, dwellings, it is necessary to make a connection between the supply pipe and a branch pipe or connecting pipe to a water volume meter.
[0002] The invention relates more particularly to the technical field of mechanical protection devices for buried tap systems, also called fountain tabernacles.
[0003] In the present text, the term "Pick-up" is used when a supply line is pressurized. In this case, a pick-up collar is fitted with a pick-up valve, and the supply line is drilled through this valve.
[0004] In the present text, the term "empty connection" is used when a supply line is empty. In this case, a fitting can be directly fitted onto a clamp, and a valve, called a shut-off valve, can be fitted onto the branch line connected to the fitting.
[0005] In the present text, the term "Mechanical protection device" is used to refer to a fountain cover. A fountain cover protects, for example, a service tap, a shut-off tap, or a valve head of a shut-off valve in a supply network.
[0006] The invention relates more particularly to a mechanical protection device and to a fountain assembly including in particular such a mechanical protection device.
[0007] The terms "valve system" must therefore be understood in a broad sense, that is to say, encompassing supply valves, stop valves, isolation valves, which include a square of operation which must remain accessible with a fountain key. Previous technique
[0008] In order to protect buried valve systems and in particular to guarantee access to operating squares using a fountain key, it is known to use fountain covers, for example made of concrete or polyurethane, which are specifically adapted to a very precise type of valve system, by For example, a horizontal connection, a vertical connection, and / or specific diameters of connecting pipes. To create a connection with a supply pipe, it is therefore necessary to have a stock of different fountain fittings to accommodate all the pipe configurations encountered. A lack of stock of the correct part number or preparation errors can disrupt the progress of a project and consequently its schedule. Description of the invention
[0009] The object of the invention is therefore to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art by proposing a new mechanical protection device usable in various configurations of buried valve systems.
[0010] Another object of the invention aims to propose a new mechanical protection device for tap systems whose installation and manufacture are particularly simple and economical.
[0011] The objects assigned to the invention are reached by means of a protective device for buried tapping systems, allowing access over time to a square of operation of a tap or valve with a waterworks key, comprising a lower part and an upper part delimiting a space around the tapping system, characterized in that the lower part comprises a base from which extends at least one peripheral rising wall provided with at least one lower opening, said lower opening being made in the rising wall from the upper edge of said rising wall, the upper part comprising a dome provided with an access opening and at least one peripheral descending wall provided with an opening and an opposite opening made in the descending wall from the lower edge of said descending wall,The rising wall fits onto or into the descending wall, and the additional opening may overlap the lower opening.
[0012] According to one embodiment, the rising wall has two or more openings of different dimensions, allowing the passage of a connecting pipe of different diameter, the dimension of the opening being greater than or equal to the dimension of the largest lower opening.
[0013] According to one embodiment, the lower opening or openings are located opposite a positioning light provided in the rising wall to allow engagement in the lower part of a support collar or a fitting of the valve system, the opposite opening being able to overlap the lights.
[0014] According to one embodiment, the rising wall and the falling wall have a hexagonal, octagonal or decagonal shape in cross-section and horizontal section.
[0015] According to another embodiment, the rising wall and the falling wall have a cylindrical shape.
[0016] According to one embodiment, the access opening has an oblong shape to allow axial adjustment of an extension tube with the operating key.
[0017] According to one embodiment, the bottom of the lower part includes a removable obstruction plate.
[0018] According to one embodiment, the obstruction plate is formed and dimensioned to provide, depending on the assembly configuration of the lower and upper parts, to obstruct a light or the opposite opening.
[0019] According to one embodiment, the lower part and the upper part are made of metal such as cast iron, steel, aluminum or any other alloys or of polyurethane, plastic, pvc or composite materials or of concrete or of reinforced concrete.
[0020] The objects assigned to the invention are also reached using a fountain assembly, called a keyed valve, comprising at least one keyed valve head, at least one extension tube and a protective device as described above.
[0021] The protective device according to the invention has the enormous advantage of being able to be installed in different buried tapping systems and to adapt to different diameters of connecting pipes.
[0022] Another advantage of the protective device according to the invention lies in the manufacture of a single model, adaptable to the various pipeline configurations encountered. This results in reduced manufacturing costs and a smaller inventory of products.
[0023] A substantial advantage is related to the ease of managing preparation and implementation with a single protective device in stock that integrates the different pipeline assembly configurations.
[0024] Furthermore, the work of the operators on the construction site is simplified by the ease of implementation of the solution comprising the protective device according to the invention. Brief description of the figures
[0025] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description, made with reference to the accompanying drawings, given by way of non-limiting examples, in which:
[0026] [Fig.1a] [Fig.1a] is an exploded, perspective view of an example of an embodiment of a protective device according to the invention adapted to a horizontal service tap,
[0027] [Fig.lb] [Fig.lb] is a perspective view and from another direction of an element of an example embodiment of a protective device of [Fig. la].
[0028] [Fig. 1e] [Fig. 1e] is an enlarged perspective view of the element of [Fig. 1b],
[0029] [Fig. 2] [Fig. 2] is an exploded view of the protective device of Figure 1 adapted to a large diameter connecting pipe,
[0030] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is an exploded view of the protective device of Figure 1 adapted to a connecting pipe with a smaller diameter,
[0031] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is an illustration of the protective device of Figure 1, a once in place,
[0032] [Fig.5] [Fig.5] is an exploded view, in perspective, of another example of an embodiment of a protective device according to the invention adapted to a vertical service tap and a large diameter connecting pipe,
[0033] [Fig.6] [Fig.6] is an exploded view, in perspective, of another embodiment of the protective device according to the invention for a vertical service tap, adapted to a smaller diameter connecting pipe,
[0034] [Fig.7] [Fig.7] is an exploded, perspective view of another example of implementation of a protective device conforming to the invention, adapted to a shut-off valve,
[0035] [Fig.8] Figure 8 illustrates, in cross-section and horizontal view, a first example of the implementation of a protective device in different usage configurations,
[0036] [Fig.9] Fig.9 illustrates, according to a horizontal cross-section, a second example of the implementation of a protective device in different usage configurations, and
[0037] [Fig. 10] The [Fig. 10] illustrates, according to a cross-section and horizontal, a third example of the realization of a protection device in different usage configurations. Detailed description of the invention
[0038] Structurally and functionally identical or similar elements, present on several distinct figures, are assigned the same numeric or alphanumeric reference.
[0039] Fig. 1a is an exploded perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a protective device according to the invention. Fig. 1b is a perspective view, along another direction, of an element of an exemplary embodiment of a protective device of Fig. 1a, and Fig. 1e is an enlarged perspective view of the element of Fig. 1b.
[0040] The protective device is adapted to a horizontal service tap 1. The latter has a square operating part 2 and is connected to a supply pipe 3, via a service saddle 4. The horizontal service saddle 1 thus allows a connecting pipe 5 to be connected to the supply pipe 3.
[0041] The protective device comprises a lower part 6 and an upper part 7, defining a space around the tap system. In the example illustrated, this system is made up of the horizontal service tap 1.
[0042] During backfilling of the excavation, an extension tube 8 is attached to the upper part 7, which supports a valve head 9 located at roadway level. The extension tube 8 and the valve head 9 are known components and are therefore not described further herein.
[0043] The lower part 6 comprises a base 10 from which extends at least one peripheral rising wall 11. The rising wall 11 is provided with at least one lower opening 12a. This opening is formed in the rising wall 11 from the upper edge 1la of said rising wall 11.
[0044] In the illustrated embodiment, the rising wall 11 has two openings 12a and 12b of different dimensions, allowing the passage of connecting pipes of different diameters.
[0045] The lower opening 12a is located opposite a positioning light 13a provided in the rising wall 11, to allow engagement in the lower part 6 of the support collar 4 or of a fitting of the valve system.
[0046] The lower opening 12b is located opposite another positioning light 13b provided in the rising wall 11, to allow engagement in the lower part 6 of the support collar 4 or of a fitting of the valve system.
[0047] The upper part 7 comprises a dome 14 provided with an access opening 15 and at least one peripheral descending wall 16.
[0048] The access opening 15 is for example oblong, thus allowing alignment of the extension tube 8 with the operating square 2.
[0049] The descending wall 16 is provided with two opposite openings 17a and 17b, made in the descending wall 16 from the lower edge 16a of said descending wall 16.
[0050] The dimension, more specifically the width, of the opening 17a is greater than or equal to the dimension of the larger or wider lower opening 12a or 12b. The dimension (in particular the width) of the opposite opening 17b is, in turn, equivalent to the dimensions of the positioning lights 13a and 13b.
[0051] The rising wall 11 fits onto or into the descending wall 16 and the opening 17a is superimposed on one of the lower openings 12a or 12b when the lower parts 6 and upper 7 are assembled around the intake tap 1. The choice of the lower opening 12a or 12b is made according to the diameter of the connecting pipe 5. The opposite opening 17b then overlaps one of the lights 13a or 13b.
[0052] According to an example of assembly of the upper part 7 and lower part 6, the lateral openings 12a, 12b and the lights 13a, 13b are obstructed by the upper part 7, depending on its relative position with respect to the lower part 6. The opening 17a and the opposite opening 17b, being themselves obstructed by the lower part 6.
[0053] According to an exemplary embodiment, the rising wall 11 and the descending wall 16 present a hexagonal shape in cross-section and horizontally. The rising wall 11 thus presents a succession of wall sections comprising respectively in counter-clockwise direction, a section with the opening 12a, a solid section, a section with the opening 12b (small), an empty section corresponding to the positioning light 13a located opposite the opening 12a (large), a solid section and an empty section corresponding to the other positioning light 13b.
[0054] According to an advantageous embodiment, the base 10 of the lower part 6 has a removable blocking plate 10a. The blocking plate 10a is removed from the base 10, for example, when the lower part 6 is positioned on a vertical service tap. In this embodiment, the blocking plate 10a allows the opening 13a or 13b located opposite the opening 12a or 12b, which will have been selected according to the diameter of the connecting pipe 5, to be blocked.
[0055] Fig. 2 is an exploded view of the protective device adapted to a large diameter connecting pipe 5, for example between 32 mm and 63 mm.
[0056] Fig. 3 is an exploded view of the protective device adapted to a connecting pipe 5 with a smaller diameter, for example between 10 mm and 32 mm.
[0057] To switch from the configuration of [Fig.2] to the configuration of [Fig.3], or vice versa, it is sufficient to rotate the lower part around a vertical axis, to select the appropriate lower opening 12a or 12b.
[0058] Fig. 4 illustrates the protective device, once in place, when the descending wall 16 of the upper part 7 is fitted into the ascending wall 11 of the lower part 6.
[0059] Fig. 5 is an exploded view, in perspective, of another example of the realization of a protective device adapted to a vertical service tap 18 and a large diameter connecting pipe 5.
[0060] Fig. 6 is an exploded view, in perspective, of another example of an embodiment of the protection device adapted to a vertical service tap 18 and a connecting pipe 5 with a smaller diameter.
[0061] In the two configurations illustrated respectively in [Fig.5] and [Fig.6], the removable plate 10a is separated from the base 10 and unused when the protective device is put in place, to block the openings 13a, 13, or 17b, depending on the choice of outlet diameter 12a or 12b.
[0062] Figure 7 is an exploded view, in perspective, of another embodiment of a protective device, adapted to a shut-off valve 19 located on the supply line 3. The blanking plate 10a is separate from the bottom 10 and is not used. The lower part 6 is positioned on the shut-off valve 19 so that the operating square 2 is positioned within the internal space delimited by the lower part 6 and the upper part 7, once inserted into said lower part 6.
[0063] A suitable rotation on itself (around a vertical axis) of the lower part 6 makes it possible to close on the one hand all the lower openings 12a and 12b and on the other hand all the positioning lights 13a and 13b provided in the rising wall 11 as soon as the upper part 7, which is provided with only two opposite openings 17a and 17b, is fitted into the lower part 6.
[0064] Fig. 8 illustrates, according to a cross-section and horizontal, a first example of the realization of a hexagonal-shaped protection device, in different configurations of use.
[0065] In the first configuration, the opening 12a of the lower part 6 is superimposed on the opening 17a of the upper part 7 and the opposite opening 17b of the upper part 7 is superimposed on the light 13a of the lower part 6. This corresponds for example to the configuration of [Fig.2].
[0066] In the second configuration, the opening 12b of the lower part 6 is superimposed on the opening 17a of the upper part 7 and the opposite opening 17b of the upper part 7 is superimposed on the light 13b of the lower part 6. This corresponds for example to the configuration of [Fig.3].
[0067] In the third configuration, the opening 12b of the lower part 6 is superimposed on the opening 17a of the upper part 7 and the opposite opening 17b of the upper part 7 is superimposed on the light 13b, which is obstructed by the obstruction plate 10a of the lower part 6. This corresponds to the configuration of [Fig.5].
[0068] In the fourth configuration, the opening 12a of the lower part 6 is superimposed on the opening 17a of the upper part 7 and the opposite opening 17b of the upper part 7 is superimposed on the light 13a, which is obstructed by the obstruction plate 10a. This corresponds to the configuration of [Fig.6].
[0069] In the fifth configuration, the openings 12a and 12b and the lights 13a and 13b of the lower part 6 are obstructed by the upper part 7. The obstruction plate 10a is removed from the bottom 10 and remains unused. This corresponds to the configuration of [Fig. 7].
[0070] Figure 9 illustrates, in cross-section and horizontal view, a second embodiment of a cylindrical protective device in various usage configurations. The lower portion 6 has three openings 12a, 12b, and 12c, each adapted to a connecting pipe of a different diameter. Opposite the openings 12a, 12b, and 12c, the lower portion 6 has a single opening 13a extending over a given angular sector. The opening 17a and the opposing opening 17b also extend over cylindrical angular sectors.
[0071] In the first configuration, the opening 12c of the lower part 6 is superimposed on the opening 17a of the upper part 7 and the opposite opening 17b of the upper part 7 is superimposed on the light 13a of the lower part 6. This corresponds for example to the configuration of [Fig.2].
[0072] In the second configuration, the opening 12a of the lower part 6 is superimposed on the opening 17a of the upper part 7 and the opposite opening 17b of the upper part 7 is superimposed on the light 13a of the lower part 6. This corresponds for example to the configuration of [Fig.3].
[0073] In the third configuration, the opening 12b of the lower part 6 is superimposed on the opening 17a of the upper part 7, and the opposite opening 17b of the upper part 7 is obstructed by the blocking plate 10a. This corresponds, for example, to the configuration of [Fig. 5] or 6. By simply rotating the lower part 6, it is possible to position the opening 12a or 12c opposite the opening 17a and thus select different diameters of connecting pipe connected to a vertical service tap 18.
[0074] In the fourth configuration, the openings 12a, 12b, 12c and the light 13a are obstructed by the upper part 7. The obstruction plate 10a is detached and unused. This corresponds to the configuration of [Fig. 7].
[0075] Figure 10 illustrates, in cross-section and horizontal view, a second embodiment of a decagonal protective device in various usage configurations. The lower portion 6 has three openings 12a, 12b, and 12c, each adapted to a connecting pipe of a different diameter. Opposite the openings 12a, 12b, and 12c, the lower portion 6 has openings 13a, 13b, and 13c. The opening 17a and the opposite opening 17b extend over opposite faces of the decagon.
[0076] In the first configuration, the opening 12a of the lower part 6 is superimposed on the opening 17a of the upper part 7 and the opposite opening 17b of the upper part 7 is superimposed on the light 13a of the lower part 6. This corresponds for example to the configuration of [Fig.2].
[0077] In the second configuration, the opening 12c of the lower part 6 is superimposed on the opening 17a of the upper part 7 and the opposite opening 17b of the upper part 7 is superimposed on the light 13c of the lower part 6. This corresponds for example to the configuration of [Fig.3].
[0078] In the third configuration, the opening 12b of the lower part 6 is superimposed on the opening 17a of the upper part 7 and the opposite opening 17b of the upper part 7 is obstructed by the obstruction plate 10a. This corresponds for example to the configuration of [Fig. 5] or 6.
[0079] In the fourth configuration, the openings 12a, 12b, 12c and the lights 13a, 13b, 13c are obstructed by the upper part 7. The obstruction plate 10a is detached and unused. This corresponds to the configuration of [Fig. 7].
[0080] Thus, depending on its position relative to the lower part 6, the upper part 7 can obstruct all of the openings 12a, 12b, 12c and the lights 13a, 13b, 13c.
[0081] One can easily imagine a configuration in which one or more vertical walls on the lower part 6 and upper part 7 would have been added in order to cover other assembly possibilities, in particular smaller or larger tap diameters. The upper part 7 and lower part 6 would then have additional openings.
[0082] It is evident that the present description is not limited to the explicitly described examples, but also includes other embodiments. Thus, a described technical feature may be replaced by an equivalent technical feature without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the claims.
Claims
Demands
1. Protective device for buried tap systems, allowing continued access to a square of operation (2) of a tap (1, 18) or a valve (19) with a waterworks key, comprising a lower part (6) and an upper part (7) delimiting a space around the tap system, characterized in that the lower part (6) comprises a base (10) having a removable blocking plate (10a), from which extends at least one peripheral rising wall (11) provided with at least one lower opening (12a, 12b, 12c), said lower opening (12a, 12b, 12c) being provided in the rising wall (11) from the upper edge (1la) of said rising wall (11),the upper part (7) comprising a dome (14) provided with an access opening (15) and at least one peripheral descending wall (16) provided with an opening (17a) and an opposite opening (17b) formed in the descending wall (16) from the lower edge (16a) of said descending wall (16), the ascending wall (11) fitting onto or into the descending wall (16) and the additional opening (17) being capable of overlapping the lower opening (12a, 12b, 12c), the lower opening or each lower opening (12a, 12b, 12c) being located opposite a positioning light (13a, 13b, 13c) formed in the ascending wall (11) to allow the engagement in the lower part (6) of a support collar (4) or a fitting of the valve system, the opposite opening (17b) being likely to overlap with the openings (13a) or (13b) or (13c).
2. Protective device according to claim 1, characterized in that the rising wall (11) has two or more openings (12a, 12b, 12c) of different dimensions, allowing the passage of a connecting pipe (5) of different diameter, the dimension of the opening (17a) being greater than or equal to the dimension of the largest lower opening (12a, 12b, 12c).
3. Protective device according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the rising wall (11) and the falling wall (16) have in cross-section and horizontal a hexagonal, octagonal or decagonal shape.
4. Protective device according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the rising wall (11) and the falling wall (16) have a cylindrical shape.
5. Protective device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the access opening (15) has an oblong shape to allow axial adjustment of an extension tube (8) with the operating key (2).
6. Protective device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the obstruction plate (10a) is formed and dimensioned to provide, depending on the assembly configuration of the lower (6) and upper (7) parts, to obstruct a light (13a, 13b, 13c) or the opposite opening (17b).
7. Protective device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the lower part (6) and the upper part (7) are made of metal such as cast iron, steel, aluminum or any other alloys or of polyurethane, plastic, pvc or composite materials, of concrete or reinforced concrete.
8. Fountain assembly comprising at least one extension tube (8), at least one keyed nozzle head (9) and a protective device conforming to any one of claims 1 to 7.