Utility shutoff key
US5456278A · kind A · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 2, 1994 |
| Grant date | Oct 10, 1995 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 2, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T137/0318
- WIPO fieldMachine tools
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
This invention is a dual shutoff key which is a single tool for shutting off both gas and water utilities. This capability is important in emergencies, such as approaching hurricanes or after an earthquake. The key consists of a main bar having a U-channel at one end for main water valve shutoff, and a skew slot for main gas valve shutoff. Hinged to the main bar is a lever bar which can swing out at right angles to the main bar to provide leverage when turning a normally tight or even corroded water valve. The main bar is long enough to reach down to below-ground water valves, and the lever bar is long enough to provide a torque of 150 foot-pounds. This enables persons with limited manual strength--such as children, the handicapped and the elderly--to shut off water. For gas shutoff the main bar provides sufficient leverage and the lever bar is placed in the folded position adjacent to the main bar. The lever bar is held in place by detents in the folded position. For storage, the folded key can be suspended from the gas slot. A self-luminous band on the outside of the folded lever bar helps retrieval of the key from storage during dark when an emergency has knocked out electric li…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.