Self draining valve member for use in underground water lines

Abstract

A self draining valve member for use with a water line of an underground water distribution system. The valve member comprises a cylindrical housing having screw threads formed on at least a portion of the outer surface thereof, with the screw threads being adapted to engage a threaded fitting on the water line. The housing has an inner chamber comprising first and second bores extending axially inward from the opposite ends of the housing. The chamber has a transverse wall which divides the chamber into two sub-chambers. A drain bore extends through the transverse wall to extablish flow communication between the two sub-chambers. Respective valve heads are positioned in the sub-chambers, with a valve stem extending through the drain bore and connecting the valve heads. A flange projects circumferentially from one end of the housing, and a hollow cylindrical hood extends from the flange away from the housing. Internal screw threads are formed on at least a portion of the internal surface of the hood, and a threaded plug engages the internal threads from the open end of the hood such that one end of the threaded plug can be screwed tightly against the end of the housing. An opening is provided through the threaded plug to establish flow communication between the housing and the cylindrical hood. A porous filter element is sealed between the housing and the threaded plug when the threaded plug is screwed against the second end of the conduit.