초록 ▼

A universal valve switch for signaling the operative state of a valve assembly is disclosed that is attached to the body of the valve assembly using a bracketing arrangement. The valve switch comprises a housing defining a chamber and an aperture formed through the housing that communicates with the

A universal valve switch for signaling the operative state of a valve assembly is disclosed that is attached to the body of the valve assembly using a bracketing arrangement. The valve switch comprises a housing defining a chamber and an aperture formed through the housing that communicates with the chamber. The valve switch may include a contact arrangement having a spring-loaded plunger that is extendable through the aperture with the plunger being operatively associated with the contact arrangement for selectively transmitting a signal to a remote panel whenever the lever is rotated out of contact with the plunger. In other embodiments, the contact arrangement may be replaced with various types of sensor assembly.

대표청구항 ▼

1. In combination, a valve switch and a valve assembly comprising:a valve body, said valve body defining a conduit adapted for selective fluid flow communication between a source of water and a sprinkler system, said valve body including a valve member, said valve member being operatively connected

1. In combination, a valve switch and a valve assembly comprising:a valve body, said valve body defining a conduit adapted for selective fluid flow communication between a source of water and a sprinkler system, said valve body including a valve member, said valve member being operatively connected to a rotatable lever for controlling fluid flow through said conduit; and a valve switch, said valve switch including a housing defining a chamber and having an aperture formed through said housing, said switch further including a plunger disposed in said chamber, said plunger being extendable through said aperture and operable between a raised position and an extended position, said plunger operatively associated with a contact arrangement for transmitting a signal when said plunger is placed in an extended position, wherein said lever is rotatable along a plane substantially similar to that of said plunger when said plunger is in said raised position to directly contact said plunger which maintains said plunger in the raised position and rotated out of contact with said plunger along said plane which forces said plunger into said extended position along a different plane. 2. The combination according to claim 1, wherein said plunger comprises a body, said body having an extension at one end defining a distal tip.3. The combination according to claim 2, wherein said distal tip is double beveled, wherein said double-beveled distal tip facilitates engagement with said lever.4. The combination according to claim 2, wherein said distal tip is flat.5. The combination according to claim 2, wherein said distal tip is single beveled, wherein said single beveled distal tip facilitates engagement with said lever.6. The combination according to claim 2, wherein said distal tip is conical, wherein said conical beveled distal tip facilitates engagement with said lever.7. The combination according to claim 2, wherein said body of said plunger further includes at least one groove and at least one handle extending outwardly from said body.8. The combination according to claim 7, wherein said switch further includes a stop actuator operatively associated with said plunger, said stop actuator being engageable with said at least one groove for locking said plunger in said extended position and disengageable with said at least one groove for releasing said plunger from said extended position.9. The combination according to claim 1, wherein said plunger is operatively associated with a spring for biasing said plunger to said extended position.10. The combination according to claim 1, wherein said housing further comprises a main housing and a cover rotatably engageable with said main housing.11. The combination according to claim 1, wherein said said lever may be rotated to place said valve member in a closed position for preventing fluid flow through said conduit, an open position for permitting fluid flow therethrough, and an intermediate position for permitting limited fluid flow therethrough.12. The combination according to claim 10, wherein said switch further comprises a tamper switch for transmitting a signal whenever said cover is opened.13. The combination according to claim 12, wherein said tamper switch includes a spring-biased actuator switch which causes transmission of said signal whenever said cover is opened.14. The combination according to claim 1, wherein said valve switch is attached to said valve assembly.15. The combination according to claim 14, wherein a bracket arrangement is used to attach said valve switch to said valve assembly.16. The combination according to claim 1, wherein said lever is rotated between said closed and open positions.17. A valve switch in combination with a valve assembly comprising:a valve body defining a conduit adapted for selective fluid flow communication therethrough, said valve body including a valve member operatively connected to a rotatable lever for permitting or preventing fluid flow through said conduit; and a switch arrangement encased in a housing having an aperture, said switch arrangement including a plunger extendable through said aperture and operable between a raised position, wherein said plunger is in direct confact with said lever and an extended position, wherein when said lever is rotated out of direct contact with said plunger along a plane, said plunger is forced to said extended position along a different plane and said switch arrangement transmits a signal. 18. A valve switch comprising:a housing defining a chamber and an aperture in communication with said chamber; a switch arrangement disposed in said chamber, said switch arrangement including a plunger extendable through said aperture and operable between a raised position wherein said plunger is in direct contact with a lever rotatable along a plane, and an extended position when said lever is rotated along said plane, said plunger being operatively associated with a contact arrangement for transmitting a signal whenever said plunger is placed in said extended position along a different plane and out of contact with said lever. 19. A method of attaching a valve switch to a valve assembly, the valve switch assembly comprising the steps of:a) providing a valve switch comprising a housing defining a chamber and an aperture formed through said housing and in communication with said chamber, said valve switch including a plunger extendable through said aperture between a raised position along one plane and an extended position along a different plane, said valve switch further including a switch arrangement which transmits a signal when the said plunger is placed in said extended position; b) attaching said valve switch to the body of the valve assembly, said valve assembly comprising a conduit with a valve member disposed across said conduit and operatively connected to the rotatable lever; c) actuating said switch arrangement such that said plunger is placed in said raised position and in direct contact with said plunger; and d) rotating said lever of the valve assembly along said one plane until said lever is out of direct contact with said plunger and places said plunger in the extended position along said different plane. 20. The method according to claim 19, wherein said step of attaching further includes using a bracket arrangement to attach said valve switch to said valve assembly.21. The method according to claim 19, wherein when said lever is brought out of direct contact with said plunger, said valve switch transmits a signal.