Manure shut-off valve and lever for operating the same

Abstract

The invention relates to a shut-off valve (1), such as a manure shut-off valve. The manure shut-off valve comprises a valve body (2) which defines a passage, and a shut-off valve (9) which is slidable relative to the valve body between a first position in which it closes the passage and a second position in which it leaves clear the passage. A drive pin (4) connected to the shut-off valve is provided with a lever (5) with a rotation point (10) for displacing the shut-off valve between the first and second position with the drive pin. According to the invention, the lever is provided with securing means for securing the shut-off valve in the second position. The invention also relates to such a lever for operating an actuable element.

Description

[0001] MANURE SHUT-OFF AND EEVER FOR OPERATING THE SAME

[0002] The invention relates to a shut-off valve, such as a manure shut-off valve, comprising a valve body which defines a passage, and a shut-off valve which is slidable relative to the valve body between a first position in which it closes the passage and a second position in which it leaves clear the passage, wherein a drive pin connected to the shut-off valve is provided with a lever with a rotation point for displacing the shut-off valve between the first and second position with the drive pin.

[0003] Manure shut-off valves are per se known and are used to close for instance manure silos, manure tanks, silos and the like. Manure shut-off valves generally have a relatively simple construction, making them simple to operate and maintain.

[0004] For operation of their shut-off valve, manure shut-off valves are generally provided with a drive pin which is connected to the shut-off valve. The drive pin can for instance run through the valve body, and is particularly guided through a slide bearing.

[0005] Relatively strict requirements are generally made of manure shut-off valves, specifically in the field of mechanical integrity and durability. For this reason manure shut-off valves are usually manufactured from a metal, such as brass and / or steel.

[0006] The shut-off valves, optionally together with the drive pin, are therefore generally relatively heavy. It is nevertheless common for the manure shut-off valves to be installed such that the shut-off valve must be moved vertically upward to open the manure shut-off valve. In order to facilitate this movement it is known to provide a lever which is anchored on the valve body on one side and acts on the drive pin on the other. Although the lever facilitates opening of the shut-off valve, it adds even more movable weight.

[0007] Due to this relatively high weight, the manure shut-off valve has a tendency to close itself under the influence of the force of gravity, which after all urges the shut-off valve back downward when the manure shut-off valve is disposed with the drive pin upward and the lever is not being operated.

[0008] This application therefore has for its object to provide a manure shut-off valve which can remain open or can be left open in simpler manner.

[0009] According to the invention, this object is achieved by a shut-off valve of the type stated in the preamble, wherein the lever is provided with securing means for securing the shut-off valve in the second position.

[0010] Providing securing means enables the shut-off valve to remain in the second position without the lever having to be operated. The position of the securing means on the lever has the advantage that the securing means can make use of the lever action, whereby they need withstand relatively small forces for securing the shut-off valve, for instance compared to securing means acting directly on the drive pin.

[0011] It is practical to embody the lever such that the rotation point is reciprocally displaceable in an operating plane in which the lever acts. In this way use can be made of a reciprocal movement of at least a part of the lever for the purpose of locking and / or releasing the securing means. The provision can thus be made to arrange the securing means on the lever which moves reciprocally in this same operating plane when the lever is operated.

[0012] More generally, the securing means can for this purpose be arranged on the lever. The securing means can further engage on a different part of the manure shut-off valve which does not move in the same way. The securing means can for instance engage on the valve body, on the drive pin, or on a part of the lever lying on an opposite side of the rotation point.

[0013] In order to make the rotation point move reciprocally in the operating plane it is possible to connect the lever to the valve body via a pivoting or swivelling connection. An arm can for instance be provided between this connection and the rotation point. It is further possible to incorporate setting means, such as for instance a bushing or a support sleeve, in the pivoting or swinging connection in order to limit tightening of a screw connection or other connecting method. In this way the system cannot be connected too tightly, which could result in an increased force required to uncouple the lever from the securing means.

[0014] The securing means can be arranged at the position of the rotation point.

[0015] In this way, particularly when a stated arm is used, the securing means are subject to a relatively great, possibly maximum movement in the operating plane. The maximum movement can facilitate the locking and / or releasing of the manure shut-off valve. Alternatively or additionally, at the position of the rotation point the securing means are relatively far removed from a point of engagement for a user, such as a handle, and / or from the connection of the lever to the valve body. In this way use can be made of the lever action for the purpose of locking and / or releasing the securing means, and / or use can be made of the distance to the valve body in order to allow a small movement perpendicularly of the operating plane at the position of the rotation point. It is precisely by means of this displacement that an easily operated shut-off valve can be achieved.

[0016] It may be desirable to make the securing means engage on the drive pin in the second position of the shut-off valve.

[0017] The drive pin generally has sufficient mechanical strength for a connection to the lever. It is further usual to lubricate the drive pin for guiding through the valve body. When the securing means act on the drive pin, they can make use of the same lubrication, if advantageous for locking or releasing of the securing means. The securing means can for instance comprise at least one block which defines a receiving space for receiving the drive pin at least partially.

[0018] By receiving the drive pin securing means can be locked. Removing the drive pin from the block can then result in releasing of the securing means.

[0019] The rotation point can particularly he in a straight line with the lever and the pivoting or swinging connection when the securing means engage on the lever or drive pin. In this way no torque is exerted on the drive pin when a lateral force is exerted on the lever by a user. This may result in a user having to exert less force to operate the manure shut-off valve. If this force were great, bending of parts of the manure shut-off valve may occur during operation of the manure shut-off valve. Such a torque can also result in wear in the drive pin, lever and optional connecting means, making it desirable to reduce this torque as much as possible.

[0020] A construction which is simple to operate is obtained when the at least one block is mounted on a holder which is reciprocally displaceable relative to the drive pin in order to let the drive pin into and out of the receiving space or secure it.

[0021] The holder can for instance be said arm. Said displacement can for instance comprise or be a displacement perpendicularly of the operating plane. The displacement can particularly be caused in that the block is provided with sliding surfaces acting on the drive pin when the securing means are being locked or released. The sliding surfaces may benefit from the lubrication of the drive pin. The sliding surfaces can for instance be formed by chamferings of the block or the blocks.

[0022] The holder can be biased to a position in which the drive pin is secured. In this way a shutoff valve can be manufactured which can be operated in extremely simple manner and for instance automatically clamps or snaps into the second position. The locking or releasing of the securing means can then take place by a displacement of the securing means counter to the biasing force. It is precisely this displacement that can be caused automatically during operation of the lever by the sliding surfaces on the block or the blocks of the securing means.

[0023] The lever can be connected releasably to the valve body by means of a mounting ring and a fastening means, such as a screw or bolt, engaging on the valve body. In this way the lever can be arranged and removed in simple manner, for instance for installation or maintenance. The lever can thus also be replaced or utilized elsewhere.

[0024] It is particularly favourable for the fastening means to be disposed radially relative to an axis of a passage for the drive pin.

[0025] The mounting ring can particularly be substantially circular on its outer side. The mounting ring is more particularly rotation-symmetrical in respect of external and internal shape. Using a mounting ring enables the lever to be mounted at different rotation positions on the valve body, i.e. in a desired position. This makes the lever usable in more cases, since a rotation position that provides sufficient space for the lever can be opted for. Use of a mounting ring, optionally in combination with the radially disposed fastening means, is particularly advantageous, particularly if the fastening means is situated or can be situated substantially inside the mounting ring, as compared to the prior art. This is because use is made in the known solutions of a system of for instance hooks which engage on the valve body. Because the hooks extend radially, it is not possible when space is limited to opt for any random rotation of the lever relative to the valve body. A lever with a mounting ring, particularly with a (radially extending) fastening means (at least partially and / or placeable) therein, is thus per se usable.

[0026] It is noted that, instead of a mounting ring, other types of fastening means can be used while preserving the same advantage, as long as these fastening means are substantially rotation- symmetrical. This advantage can be achieved without the securing means.

[0027] In order to facilitate operation, the lever can be provided with a handle, optionally at a distance from the rotation point, such as at the free end of the lever.

[0028] It is per se known for the lever to be connected pivotally to the valve body. In the prior art the pivot axis is then however placed at a distance from the drive shaft. When applying a force to the lever, the distance between the drive shaft and the pivot axis functions as an arm, whereby a torque is applied between valve body and drive shaft. Such a torque is unfavourable for operation of the valve body, since the torque must be withstood by for instance guiding of the drive shaft. This withstanding can provide for a greater resistance against displacement of the drive shaft, and it is precisely this resistance that is already great in some cases.

[0029] In order to increase the convenience of use, the pivot axis is therefore displaced according to the invention, so that it crosses the drive shaft. In this way there is no or hardly any distance, so that there is no torque. This is because any downward or upward force on the lever then supports at the position of the drive shaft, which therefore experiences no torque. This makes it possible to operate the lever in particularly simple manner, i.e. with little force.

[0030] Said position of the pivot axis can further or alternatively contribute to a compact construction. Said construction is particularly compact in the plane in which the lever moves. The shut-off valve can hereby be mounted in simpler manner at different angular positions defined around its drive shaft. This can be particularly relevant when placing the shut-off valve close to other shut-off valves, conduits, hoses or other parts. The shut-off valve becomes more versatile in this way.

[0031] The position of the pivot axis as described here can be applied with any feature described above, and to the lever which will be described below (independently of the valve). It is then irrelevant whether securing means are provided or not. It is noted that the pivoting connection essentially forms a second point of rotation of the lever. According to the invention, this second point of rotation is thus preferably placed at the position of the drive shaft, as seen in a view of the plane in which the lever moves.

[0032] The invention also relates to a lever for operating a shut-off valve, wherein the shut-off valve has a valve body and a shut-off valve with a drive pin displaceable relative to the valve body, wherein the lever has valve body mounting means for connecting the lever to the valve body, and drive pin mounting means for connecting the lever to the drive pin, and a rotation point of the lever, wherein the lever is displaceable between a first position in which the valve body mounting means and the drive pin mounting means are situated relatively close together and a second position in which the valve body mounting means and the drive pin mounting means are situated relatively far apart, wherein the lever is provided with securing means which are configured to secure the lever in the second position.

[0033] Such a lever can have the above described advantages when it is arranged on a (manure) shut-off valve. The lever and specifically the securing means thereof can further have the above described features described above in relation to the (manure) shut-off valve as a whole, in any combination per se.

[0034] The lever can also be used to operate a different actuable element, i.e. elements other than a shut-off valve. Particularly, every element requiring substantially linear displacement during operation can be operated by the lever. The blocking principle and / or the rotation-symmetrical mounting means, particularly the mounting ring, may have the same advantages here. In an actuable element in general the lever engages on one side on a body, for instance using body mounting means, and on the other on a drive element requiring displacement relative to the body for operation, for instance with drive element mounting means, similarly to the valve body and the drive pin as described above in relation to the shut-off valve.

[0035] Generally speaking, the valve body can thus be replaced with a body, and the drive pin with a drive element. References to the shut-off valve can thus be generalized accordingly, for instance to “actuable element”.

[0036] Particularly, the lever can be movable in an operating plane, and the rotation point is reciprocally displaceable in the operating plane.

[0037] Alternatively or herein, the securing means can be arranged at the position of the rotation point, and preferably be configured to engage on the drive pin in the second position.

[0038] Alternatively or herein, the securing means comprise at least one block which defines a receiving space for receiving the drive pin at least partially, and wherein the at least one block is optionally mounted on a holder which is reciprocally displaceable in a depth direction of the receiving space under bias. Alternatively or herein, the valve body mounting means comprise a mounting ring with a through-hole which extends substantially radially relative to a centre of the mounting ring. The mounting ring can define a passage for the drive pin. Said radial arrangement enables a fastening means extending through the through-hole to engage in the centre of the valve body, defined as the axis of the drive pin, whereby a particularly strong connection can be obtained which suffices to apply the force of the lever to the valve body.

[0039] In order to facilitate fastening of the mounting ring it is possible for the mounting ring to consist of two or more parts which can be mutually connected. The shut-off valve can thus also be installed in small and / or limited spaces, making it more versatile.

[0040] The invention is further described with reference to the accompanying figures, in which: Figure 1 shows schematically a perspective view of a manure shut-off valve, which is opened;

[0041] Figure 2 shows schematically a front view of the manure shut-off valve of figure 1;

[0042] Figure 3 shows schematically a side view of the manure shut-off valve of figure 1 ;

[0043] Figure 4 shows schematically a perspective view of the manure shut-off valve of figure 1, which is closed here;

[0044] Figure 5 shows a front view of the manure shut-off valve of figure 4;

[0045] Figure 6 shows a side view of the manure shut-off valve of figure 4;

[0046] Figure 7 shows a perspective and partially exploded view of a shut-off valve;

[0047] Figure 8 shows schematically a perspective view of the connecting means of the manure shut-off valve of figure 7;

[0048] Figure 9 shows schematically a cross-section of the connecting means of the manure shutoff valve of figure 7; and

[0049] Figure 10 shows schematically a front view of the manure shut-off valve of figure 7 in the opened and closed position.

[0050] Corresponding elements are designated in the figures with the same reference numerals. The figures show a manure shut-off valve 1 with a valve body 2 defining a passage 3. In figures 1 - 3 the passage 3 is open, and in figures 4 - 6 the passage 3 is closed with a shut-off valve 9. For this purpose the shut-off valve 9 is displaceable between a first position in which it closes the passage (figures 4 - 6) and a second position in which it leaves clear passage 3 (figures 1 - 3). The manure shut-off valve 1 has a drive pin 4 which is connected to shut-off valve 9, and a lever 5 which acts on the drive pin 4. The lever 5 is mounted on valve body 2 by means of a mounting ring 15. It is noted that the mounting ring 15, and thereby the lever 5, is here shown in a random rotation position. Other rotation positions are also possible owing to the rotation symmetry of mounting ring 15. The mounting ring 15 has a through -hole 16 through which a bolt 17 is placed in order to engage on the valve body 2 and so fix the mounting ring 15. At the position of mounting ring 15 a first arm 11 of the lever is mounted rotatably about a rotation point 10. Provided at the opposite end of first arm 11 is a second rotation point 6, so that a second arm 13 of lever 5 can rotate about a rotation axis R. A handle is provided in order to operate the lever.

[0051] Displacing the handle 8 upward relative to valve body 2 operates lever 5 to pull the drive pin 4 vertically upward. Hereby, shut-off valve 9 opens and is received in a shut-off valve space 14 in the valve body. Passage 3 is then clear. In order to connect lever 5 to drive pin 4 a shaft 12 is provided, which is connected to drive pin 4 and protrudes through the second arm 13 of lever 5.

[0052] When lever 5 is operated, the rotation point 6 moves laterally (from the left to the right and back in figures 2 and 5). The rotation point 6 is here first located at the position of the drive pin 4 (figures 1 - 3, shut-off valve opened) and then laterally thereof (figures 4 - 6, shut-off valve closed). In order to secure the shut-off valve in the open position (figures 1 - 3) two blocks 7, which enclose the drive pin 4 in this position, are provided on lever 5. For this purpose the blocks 7 are each provided with sliding surfaces 18 which co-act with drive pin 4 in order to urge the blocks 7 outward upon mutual contact, when shut-off valve 1 is moved from the closed to the open position. The sliding surfaces 18 are for this purpose formed by a chamfering of the blocks 7. Blocks 7 further each have a recess 19 which is semi -cylindrical and receives drive pin 4 at least partially. When drive pin 4 falls into the recesses 19, blocks 7 move toward each other again under bias of for instance the first arm 11, so that blocks 7 engage on drive pin 4 and the shut-off valve is secured. The displacement of blocks 7 is thus in the axial direction which is defined by the rotation point 6 of the lever.

[0053] Figures 7, 8 and 9 show an alternative construction method for the shut-off valve, for instance that of the previous figures. Relative to figures 1 - 6, this construction method differs in that the mounting ring 15 is constructed from two parts 97. The two parts 97 together form the whole ring 15. The final difference is that support sleeves 99 are incorporated for fastening of arms 11, 13 to respectively mounting ring 15 and the rotation point, so that the bolts used for connecting rotation points 6 and 10 cannot be fastened such that they prevent rotation. In this way these rotation points can rotate sufficiently freely and are not impeded in their movement by the connecting means.

[0054] Figure 10 shows the manure shut-off valve 1, which can be manufactured according to the construction technique of figures 1 - 6 or conversely that of figures 7 - 9, wherein the opened state is drawn in broken lines. As seen in the plane of the figure, in which the lever moves, the rotation point 10 lies at the position of the drive shaft. A pivot axis S, around which rotation is possible at the rotation point (of arm 11 relative to mounting ring 15), runs through the drive shaft 4. In this case the longitudinal axis D of drive shaft 4 is shown, so that it will be apparent that there is no arm between rotation point 10 and this longitudinal axis. When lever 5 is operated, a substantially (in the figure) vertical force is exerted thereon, whereby it moves (in clockwise direction in the figure). Hereby, lever 5 ends in the position shown in full lines and the manure shut-off valve is opened. It can be seen that rotation point 10 and rotation point 12 are placed in a straight line. During operation of lever 5 rotation point 12 moves over this line in the direction of rotation point 10. Rotation point 6 however also moves laterally. The placement of these rotation points 6, 10 and 12 cancels out the torque that would occur on rotation point 10 in a conventional arrangement of lever 5, whereby only a vertical force is exerted on drive pin 4. This results in the drive pin running more smoothly, this providing convenience of use. Although the invention is described above on the basis of a specific example and a number of embodiments, the invention is not limited thereto. The now following claims define the invention further.

Claims

Claims1. Shut-off valve, such as a manure shut-off valve, comprising a valve body which defines a passage, and a shut-off valve which is slidable relative to the valve body between a first position in which it closes the passage and a second position in which it leaves clear the passage, wherein a drive pin connected to the shut-off valve is provided with a lever with a rotation point for displacing the shut-off valve between the first and second position with the drive pin, characterized in that the lever is provided with securing means for securing the shut-off valve in the second position.

2. Shut-off valve according to the foregoing claim, wherein the lever is movable in an operating plane, and the rotation point is reciprocally displaceable in the operating plane.

3. Shut-off valve according to any one of the foregoing claims, wherein the securing means are arranged on the lever.

4. Shut-off valve according to the foregoing claim, wherein the securing means are arranged at the position of the rotation point.

5. Shut-off valve according to any one of the foregoing claims, wherein the securing means engage on the drive pin in the second position of the shut-off valve.

6. Shut-off valve according to the foregoing claim, wherein the securing means comprise at least one block which defines a receiving space for receiving the drive pin at least partially.

7. Shut-off valve according to the foregoing claim, wherein the at least one block is mounted on a holder which is reciprocally displaceable relative to the drive pin in order to let the drive pin into and out of the receiving space or secure it.

8. Shut-off valve according to the foregoing claim, wherein the holder is biased to a position in which the drive pin is secured.

9. Shut-off valve according to any one of the foregoing claims, wherein the lever is connected releasably to the valve body by means of a mounting ring and a fastening means, such as a screw or bolt, engaging on the valve body.

10. Shut-off valve according to any one of the foregoing claims, wherein the lever is provided with a handle.

11. Shut-off valve according to any one of the foregoing claims or the preamble of the first claim, wherein the lever is connected to the valve body for pivoting about a pivot axis, wherein the pivot axis crosses the drive pin.

12. Lever for operating an actuable element, such as a shut-off valve, wherein the actuable element has a body, such as a valve body of the shut-off valve, and a drive element displaceable relative to the body, such as a shut-off valve with a drive pin displaceable relative to the valve body, wherein the lever has valve body mounting means for connecting the lever to the body, and drive element mounting means for connecting the lever to the drive element, such as drive pin mounting means for connecting the lever to the drive pin, and a rotation point of the lever, wherein the lever is displaceable between a first position in which the body mounting means and the drive element mounting means are situated relatively close together and a second position in which the body mounting means and the drive element mounting means are situated relatively far apart, wherein the lever is provided with securing means which are configured to secure the lever in the second position.

13. Lever according to the foregoing claim, wherein the lever is movable in an operating plane, and the rotation point is reciprocally displaceable in the operating plane.

14. Lever according to any one of the foregoing claims 12 - 13, wherein the securing means are arranged at the position of the rotation point, and are preferably configured to engage on the drive pin in the second position.

15. Lever according to the foregoing claim, wherein the securing means comprise at least one block which defines a receiving space for receiving the drive pin at least partially, and wherein the at least one block is optionally mounted on a holder which is reciprocally displaceable in a depth direction of the receiving space under bias.

16. Lever according to any one of the foregoing claims 12 - 15, wherein the valve body mounting means comprise a mounting ring with a through-hole which extends substantially radially relative to a centre of the mounting ring.

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