The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 16, 1999
Filed:
Sep. 23, 1998
Rodney F Smith, Seymour, TN (US);
National Seating Company, Vonore, TN (US);
Abstract
There is provided a low profile valve assembly for controlling flow of air and the like. The valve assembly includes a housing defining inlet and outlet ports and a valve operator located within the housing. The operator includes a body portion seated in the housing with an axis of rotation and defining an internal passage with inlet and outlet ends. An actuator rotates the body portion a first predetermined distance to a fill position to allow flow through the internal passage and a second predetermined distance opposite the first direction to a vent position to allow flow to vent from the valve assembly through the outlet end. A spring extends from the valve operator adjacent the body portion between the axis of rotation and the valve housing. The spring extends partially about the axis of rotation to bias the body portion to an off position to substantially prohibit flow through the valve operator when the body portion is not being actuated to the fill and vent positions. The spring operates substantially within an internal space in the operator about the axis of rotation. The valve assembly includes an orifice to reduce volume flow through the valve assembly and an exhaust passage portion to reduce flow pressure between the inlet and outlet ends.