Garrett R Craig

US Patent:

61092878, Aug 29, 2000

Filed:

Sep 15, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/153237

Inventors:

Thomas H. Cole - Los Angeles CA
Garrett Craig - Diamond Bar CA

International Classification:

F16K 1736

US Classification:

137 38

Abstract:

A gas line valve incorporated into the gas supply line which will automatically close when a gas line and associated building structure or ground surface is subjected to violent movement caused by an earthquake of a magnitude that could rupture or damage the gas line. The valve of this invention is manually resettable when the gas line and all utilities or appliances have been tested for gas line breakage or rupture after violent movements caused by the earthquake have ceased. The resettable earthquake valve includes a ball valve which is stored and retained in an open position with violent movements moving the ball valve to a closed position on a valve seat in the gas flow path. The ball valve is magnetically retained on the valve seat and can be reset to open position by manual activation of reset mechanism after the earthquake and aftershocks cease and all gas lines have been inspected thereby reducing the possibility of a ruptured gas line discharging gas into the atmosphere which can result in extensive fire damage to a building and possible injury to occupants.