Check cover assemblies for backflow prevention assemblies with integrated test cock protection shroud

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11719352-B2
Application number	US-202117400686-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 12, 2021
Priority date	Aug 17, 2020
Publication date	Aug 8, 2023
Grant date	Aug 8, 2023

Abstract

A check cover assembly for a backflow prevention (BFP) assembly including a dome-shaped base with an upstanding shroud, wherein the shroud forms an inner area configured to receive a test cock to support and protect the test cock. The shroud forms a gap for accessing the test cock to selectively open and close the test cock while installed in the inner area. The base forms a passageway from the inner area into the BFP assembly configured so that when the test cock is open, a pressure reading of a pressure zone in the BFP assembly can be taken via the test cock. A retention fork is in a slit formed in the shroud so that the test cock is captured in the inner area but the test cock can be removed from and inserted into the inner area without rotation when the retention fork is removed from the slit.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A valve assembly for a backflow prevention device having a body defining an interior, the valve assembly comprising:
a test cock releasably connected to the body for easy repair and replacement, the test cock being in fluid communication with the interior and having a ball valve housing; and
an upstanding shroud coupled to the body, wherein: the shroud forms an inner area configured to surround the test cock when connected to the body to support and protect the test cock; the shroud forms a first void for accessing an actuation feature of the test cock to selectively open and close the test cock while installed in the inner area; and the shroud forms a second void for connecting testing equipment to the test cock.

2. A valve assembly as recited in claim 1 , wherein the shroud forms a slit, and further comprising a retention fork in the slit so that the test cock is selectively captured in the inner area but the test cock can be removed from and inserted into the inner area without rotation when the retention fork is removed from the slit.

3. A check cover assembly for a backflow prevention (BFP) assembly configured to be fixed in a fluid network, the check cover assembly comprising:
a test cock coupled to the BFP assembly; and
a base assembly connected to the BFP assembly, the base assembly including an upstanding shroud, wherein the shroud forms an inner area configured to closely surround the test cock to support and protect the test cock by limiting travel of the test cock, wherein the test cock and upstanding shroud are configured so that the test cock can be removed and replaced without removing the upstanding shroud,
wherein the shroud has a cup-shaped sidewall and forms an open end and only a single U-shaped gap in the sidewall for accessing the test cock to selectively open and close the test cock while installed in the inner area, and the test cock has a distal end coupling extending out of the open end of the shroud.

4. A check cover assembly as recited in claim 3 , wherein the base assembly has a base that is dome-shaped.

5. A check cover assembly as recited in claim 3 , wherein the base assembly forms a passageway from the inner area into the BFP assembly configured so that when the test cock is open, a pressure reading of a pressure zone in the BFP assembly can be taken via the test cock.

6. A check cover assembly as recited in claim 3 , wherein a banking surface in the inner area compliments a banking surface of the test cock to further stabilize the test cock.

7. A check cover assembly as recited in claim 3 further comprising a retention fork in a slit formed in the shroud so that the test cock is captured in the inner area but the test cock can be removed from and inserted into the inner area without rotation when the retention fork is removed from the slit.

8. A check cover assembly as recited in claim 7 , wherein:
the retention fork has two flat tines with a gap therebetween, the gap and the tines being sized to snugly fit into a groove of the test cock and the slit; and
the base assembly forms a hollow to create a socket portion of a ball-and-socket joint formed between the check cover assembly and a check valve assembly in the BFP assembly.

9. A check cover assembly as recited in claim 3 , wherein the base assembly forms a passageway from the inner area that aligns with a lumen formed in a check valve assembly in the BFP assembly, the lumen being in fluid communication with a pressure zone within the BFP assembly so that when the test cock is open, a pressure reading of the pressure zone can be taken via the test cock.

10. A check cover assembly as recited in claim 3 , wherein the check cover assembly further comprises a second base assembly with a second upstanding shroud on the second base assembly, wherein the second shroud forms an inner area configured to receive a second test cock to support and protect the second test cock while allowing opening of the second test cock in place to allow pressure testing of a second pressure zone within the BFP assembly.

11. A check cover assembly as recited in claim 3 , wherein the base assembly and the shroud are unitarily formed from a composite polymer.

12. A check cover assembly as recited in claim 3 , wherein the base assembly is configured to allow the test cock to be replaced with a different component and the different component is selected from the group consisting of: a pressure sensor; a pressure switch; a temperature sensor; a flow sensor; and combinations thereof.

13. A check cover assembly as recited in claim 3 , wherein the test cock includes a central body and a distal end coupling extending from the central body in a direction away from the BFP assembly.

14. A check cover assembly as recited in claim 13 , wherein the shroud wraps around the central body.

15. A check cover assembly as recited in claim 13 , wherein the shroud at least partially wraps around the central body and the distal end coupling extends out of an open end of the shroud.

16. A check cover assembly as recited in claim 15 , wherein the central body further includes a proximal end coupling for connecting to a base of the base assembly.

17. A backflow prevention (BFP) assembly comprising:
a body defining an inlet and an outlet, the inlet and the outlet configured to connect to a fluid network, wherein the body defines a plurality of zones;
a test cock in fluid communication with a first zone of the plurality of zones, the test cock having: a housing; a first coupling end connected to the housing and configured to releasably mount without rotation; a second coupling end connected to the housing and configured to releasably connect to a test fixture, wherein the first and second coupling ends extend along an axis; and an actuation feature connected to the housing and for opening and closing the test cock, the actuation feature extending perpendicular to the axis; and
a check cover including: a base connected to the body; and an upstanding shroud connected to the base, wherein the shroud forms an inner area configured to receive the test cock to support the housing of the test cock and protect the test cock, wherein the shroud forms a gap for accessing the actuation feature of the test cock to selectively open the test cock while installed in the inner area for pressure testing the first zone in the BFP assembly, wherein during mounting of the test cock, the actuation feature slides linearly within the gap, and after mounting, the second coupling end extends out of the inner area for connecting to the test fixture.

18. A BFP assembly as recited in claim 17 , further comprising: a second base connected to the body; and a second upstanding shroud on the second base, wherein the second upstanding shroud forms an inner area configured to receive a second test cock to support and protect the second test cock while allowing selectively opening of the second test cock in place to allow pressure testing of a second zone in the BFP assembly, wherein each test cock is a ball valve.

Assignees

• Watts Regulator Co

Inventors

• Doughty Jason

Classifications

• F16K15/033

  spring-loaded · CPC title

• F16K27/003

  Housing formed from a plurality of the same valve elements · CPC title

• F16K27/0227

  with the valve members swinging around an axis located at the edge of or outside the valve member · CPC title

• F16K15/066 Primary

  with a plurality of valve members · CPC title

• E03B7/077

  Arrangement of backflow preventing devices · CPC title