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:
Jun. 10, 2003
Filed:
May. 17, 2001
Thomas Michael Deaton, Houston, TX (US);
Other;
Abstract
An apparatus capable of retaining a shiftable valve member in an open position, the shiftable valve member mounted in a valve housing and being moveable between at least one open and at least one closed position relative to a longitudinal bore extending through the valve housing, includes a locking sleeve disposed in the valve housing. The locking sleeve is movable at least partially around the circumference of the bore from at least a first position to at least a second position. When the locking sleeve is disposed in the first position, the locking sleeve allows movement of the shiftable valve member between its open and closed positions. When the locking sleeve is disposed in the second position, the locking sleeve causes the shiftable valve member to be retained in an open position and prevents movement of the shiftable valve member into a closed position. At least one anchor is engageable with the locking sleeve and capable of at least temporarily holding the locking sleeve in at least one of its at least first and second positions.