Water utility companies normally include one or more water cut-off valves between the mains supply and the customer's water meter. The provision of these cut-off valves enables the customer to turn off the water supply in order to deal with modifications to the customer's water supply service or to repair faults therein.

Cut-off valves of this type are sometimes known as shut-off valves, cocks, faucets or taps and it is to be understood that the principles of the invention are applicable to all of these types of devices.

The object of the invention is to provide a novel cut-off valve which is simple and flexible to use.

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a cut-off valve for controlling flow from a mains supply, the valve having a valve body; a spindle assembly removably coupled to the valve body, said assembly including a spindle assembly body; a spindle threadably mounted in said spindle assembly body; a valve element coupled to an end of said spindle and arranged to be seated or unseated from a valve seat by rotation of the spindle relative to said spindle assembly body; said spindle including at least one 0-ring which seals against a bore in said spindle assembly body; characterised in that, on removal of the spindle assembly from the valve body, the spindle can be rotated from its closed position in which the valve seat is seated against said

valve seat to a servicing position in which said at least one O-ring disengages said bore thereby permitting replacement of said at least one 0-ring.

In the valve defined above, the spindle assembly is removable and the spindle operated so as to expose the O-ring or 0-rings, thereby enabling inspection thereof and convenient replacement thereof, if necessary. Normally where the spindle assembly includes a stuffing box or the like, it is not usually practical to repair the assembly on site.

Because of this they are normally replaced. It will be therefore appreciated that the valve of the invention is more efficient than known arrangements.

According to the present invention there is also provided a cut-off valve having a valve body; a spindle assembly removably coupled to the valve body, said assembly including a spindle assembly body; a spindle threadably mounted in said spindle assembly body ; a valve element coupled to an end of said spindle and arranged to be seated or unseated from a valve seat by rotation of the spindle relative to said spindle body assembly; a valve seat body on which said valve seat is provided and having a mounting portion which is removably coupled to said spindle assembly body; said valve seat body including at least one O-ring which seals against a bore formed in said valve body, the arrangement being such that when the spindle assembly body is removed from the valve body, both the valve element and said valve seat can be removed from said valve body.

The valve defined above has the advantage that when the spindle assembly is removed from the valve body, both the valve element and the valve seat are accessible for inspection and/or servicing. This again is more convenient than known arrangements where the valve seat is normally integrally formed in the valve body making it difficult to service iZ1 sitl.

Water utility companies sometimes have the need to restrict the maximum flow rate available to a customer where the customer's account is in arrears. Usually this necessitates insertion of a flow restricting device or the like which is normally quite cumbersome and hence costly to carry out. In the arrangement of the invention, because the spindle assembly is removable an alternative form of spindle assembly can readily be inserted which is arranged to provide a lower maximum flow rate through the valve.

Preferably, the mounting portion includes a hollow body in which the valve element is located and into which water flows when the valve element is unseated from the valve seat and wherein the hollow body includes a preselected number and/or size of outlet openings or outlet opening therein whereby maximum flow through said valve can be selectively restricted.

Another object of the invention is to provide a valve which has a check valve provided therein to enable removal of the spindle assembly, the check valve normally being held inoperative when the spindle valve is in position. This valve has the advantage that the spindle assembly can be readily removed from the valve body without loss or substantial loss of water from the mains supply.

According to this aspect of the invention there is provided a cut-off valve for a water mains supply, the valve including a valve body having a valve chamber with an inlet and outlet; a spindle assembly removably coupled in the valve body, said assembly including a spindle assembly body ; a spindle threadably mounted in said spindle assembly body; a valve element coupled to an end of said spindle and arranged to be seated or unseated from a valve seat by rotation of the spindle relative to said spindle assembly body ; a check valve assembly mounted in said valve chamber and being arranged to prevent flow from said inlet to said outlet ; characterised in that said spindle assembly includes an operating member which

normally holds said check valve open but on removal of said spindle assembly from the tap body permits said check valve to close whereby said spindle assembly can be removed for servicing without loss or substantial loss of water through said inlet.

Water supply utilities have an obligation to maintain supplies of water to customers. Sometimes temporary water supplies need to be provided to customers or to a group of customers. An object of the invention is to provide a novel technique for coupling a temporary or auxiliary water supply to the customer.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided, in combination: a cut-off valve for a mains water supply; a valve body having a valve chamber with an inlet and an outlet; a spindle assembly removably mounted in said valve chamber, said assembly including a spindle assembly body; and an auxiliary supply assembly which can be mounted in said valve chamber after the spindle assembly has been removed therefrom to thereby permit coupling of an auxiliary supply to said auxiliary supply assembly.

Preferably, the valve includes a check valve in the valve chamber which prevents flow of water from the inlet to the outlet unless the spindle assembly is mounted in the valve chamber.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a cut-off valve which can be used in a water supply system, the valve including a check valve so that at least some parts of the valve can be removed for servicing without substantial loss of water during the servicing operation.

According to the present invention there is provided a cut-off valve having a body, an inlet and an outlet, a valve spindle mounted for movement in the body and carrying a main valve element, a main valve seat mounted in the body, a check valve mounted in the body, the check valve including a check valve element and a check valve seat, wherein the

spindle includes at least one projection which engages the check valve element and holds it unseated from the check valve seat unless the spindle is removed from the valve body or moved from its normal operating position whereupon the projection disengages the check valve element and the check valve closes.

In the cut-off valve defined above, when the spindle is removed, the check valve closes and prevents flow of water from the inlet to the outlet.

Preferably the spindle is mounted for axial movement in the valve body so that the degree of opening of the main valve seat from the main valve element regulates the rate of flow of water from the inlet to the outlet. When, however, the spindle is removed, the projection disengages the check valve element thus causing the check valve element to seat against the check valve seat. This effectively stops flow from the inlet to the outlet. Once the spindle has been removed, parts of the valve are accessible for servicing. The spindle and the main valve element can be serviced. Also, the main valve seat is accessible within the valve body once the spindle has been removed so that it too can be inspected and/or serviced.

Preferably, the cut-off valve includes a spindle assembly which includes a spindle mounting body, said spindle and a handle and wherein the spindle is mounted by means of screw threads in the spindle mounting body.

Preferably further, the spindle includes a sealing body which is fitted with one or more 0-rings and wherein said one or more 0-rings sealingly engage a bore formed in the spindle mounting body in order to permit axial movement of the spindle relative to the spindle mounting body whilst forming a seal therewith.

Preferably further, the main valve element is mounted adjacent to one end of the spindle and wherein the projection extends from the centre of the main sealing element.

Preferably further, the check valve forms part of a check valve module which is mounted in the body.

Preferably further, the check valve element includes a guide shaft which extends into the inlet of the body. This permits the cut-off valve to be made in a compact size so that it can be fitted in the space where conventional bibcocks are fitted adjacent to a domestic water meter, such as in the arrangement shown in Figure 1 of WO 00/50793.

Preferably further, the check valve module includes a hollow check valve module body within which the check valve element is located and wherein the module body includes a tubular guide portion which receives the guide shaft of the check valve element.

Preferably the arrangement is such that both the guide valve tube and guide shaft extend within the inlet of the body for compactness.

Preferably further, the module body includes an outlet, the outer periphery of which constitutes the main valve seat and the inner periphery of which constitutes the check valve seat.

Preferably further, in the operating position of the cut-off valve, said projection extends through the outlet of the check valve module body.

Because the cut-off valve defined above enables the spindle assembly to be removed without causing water to gush from the valve body, it is possible to perform various functions. These functions include: Servicing of the Spindle Assenlbly With the spindle assembly removed, the 0-rings and main valve element can be replaced. Also, the interior of the valve body is open permitting inspection and/or servicing of the main valve seat.

Presslare Besting It is possible to temporarily insert an adaptor plug fitted with a pressure gauge in place of the spindle assembly. The plug seals against the body and includes a projection which unseats the check valve element just prior to sealing of the plug in the valve body.

Once this occurs, the pressure gauge is subjected to internal pressure inside the valve body in order to read the pressure.

Temporary Water SSupply Seyvices to Adjacent Czsstoy77ers With the spindle assembly removed, a supply adaptor plug can be temporarily mounted in the valve body. The supply adaptor plug may include a valve and a coupling for connection to a temporary line to an adjacent customer. The adaptor plug includes a projection to cause opening of the check valve just prior to sealing of the adaptor plug in the valve body. The adaptor valve can then be opened to provide a temporary service to an adjacent customer via the temporary line.

The invention will now be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic view of a typical mains supply coupling to a water meter; Figure 2 is a schematic mains supply coupling to a water meter in accordance with the invention ; Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view through one embodiment of a cut-off valve of the invention in a closed position ; Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of a cut-off valve of the invention in an open position; Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view through the valve body with the spindle assembly removed; Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view through the spindle assembly; Figures 7 and 8 are cross-sectional views of parts of the spindle assembly; Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view through the valve seat mounting body;

Figure 10 is an underside view of the valve seat mounting body; Figure 11 is an underside view of the check valve assembly; Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view through the valve having an auxiliary supply assembly mounted therein; Figure 13 is an exploded view of a preferred embodiment of the cut-off valve of the invention ; Figure 14 is a view along the line 14-14; Figure 15 is a view along the line 15-15; Figure 16 is an enlarged cross-sectional view with the main valve element closed; Figure 17 is an enlarged cross-sectional view with the main valve element unseated; Figure 18 is an enlarged cross-sectional view with the spindle assembly removed; Figure 19 is an end view of the cut-off valve having a tamper proof cover coupled thereto; Figure 20 is a side view of the cut-off valve and tamper proof cover ; Figure 21 is a plan view of the cut-off valve and tamper proof cover ; Figure 22 is a perspective view of the tamper proof cover; Figure 23 is a side view of the tamper proof cover ; Figure 24 is an underside view of the tamper proof cover; Figure 25 is a schematic cross-section through one form of adaptor ; and Figure 26 is a cross-sectional view through another form of adaptor.

Figure 1 illustrates a typical connection between a water main 2 which is normally located in the trench in a street. The water main 2 is coupled to a mains supply line 4 by means of a ferrule valve 6 which is normally located close to the water main 2. The mains supply line 4 extends to a cut-off valve 8 which is mounted upstream of a water meter 10.

The cut-off valve 8 and water meter 10 are normally located on the customer's property as indicated by the property line 12. Normally also a secondary cut-off valve 14 is provided in the mains supply line 4 on the customer's property. The secondary cut-off valve 14 is normally located underground on the customer's property so that it can be accessed if the cut-off valve 8 cannot be used. This enables cut-off of the supply without the need to

disturb the road or pavement in order to get access to the ferrule valve 6.

Figure 2 illustrates a supply configuration of the invention. In this arrangement, a cut-off valve 20 of the invention is coupled between the mains supply line 4 and the water meter 10. The secondary cut-off valve 14 is not required because the configuration of the cut-off valve 20 of the invention is such that it can be conveniently serviced in situ and therefore the secondary cut-off valve 14 is not required. This of course results in substantial savings to utility companies.

Figure 3 shows the cut-off valve 20 of the invention in a closed position. It will be seen that the cut-off valve 20 includes a valve body 22 having a main valve bore 24 therein. The bore 24 defines a valve chamber 26. The valve body 22 includes an inlet spigot 28 which, in the illustrated arrangement, includes a compression fitting to enable coupling to the mains supply line 4. The body 22 includes an outlet spigot 30 which extends laterally of the valve body 22 and is provided with a fitting appropriate for coupling to the water meter 10.

The valve 20 includes a spindle assembly 32 and a check valve assembly 34. As will be described in more detail below, the check valve assembly 34 is located within the valve chamber 26 and removably mounted to the valve body 22. Similarly, the spindle assembly 32 is removably mounted to the valve body 22 and the lower part thereof is in the valve chamber 26.

The spindle assembly 32 includes a stem 36 and handle 38 to enable the cut-off valve to be operated in the normal way. That is to say, a user can rotate the stem 36 in a clockwise direction (as seen from above) in order to close the valve and rotate the stem 36 in an anti-clockwise direction in order to open the valve. As will be described in more detail below, the spindle assembly 32 can be removed from the valve body in order to access its internal components for servicing. When this happens, the check valve assembly 34 prevents flow of water from the inlet spigot 28 to the chamber 26.

The spindle assembly 32 includes a spindle assembly body 40 which is provided with threads 44 which mesh with complementary threads 42 provided in the valve bore 24.

A gasket 46 is provided to form a seal between the spindle body 40 and the valve body 22.

The spindle assembly body 40 includes a head portion 48 which is provided with internal operating threads 50. The stem 36 is provided with complementary operating threads 52 which mesh with those within the head portion 48. The meshing of the threads 50 and 52 causes axial movement of the stem 36 on rotation thereof. The lower end of the stem 36 is formed with a cylindrical stem body 54 which has a central bore 56 which opens to the lower end face 58 thereof, as best seen in Figure 7. The upper part of the body 54 is formed with grooves to receive 0-rings 60 and 62. The body 54 is axially movable in a bore 64 which extends through the spindle assembly body 40 and also opens to its lower face 68. The 0-rings 60 and 62 sealingly engage the bore 64.

As best seen in Figure 7, the body 40 includes a threaded skirt 66 projecting from the lower face 68 of the body 40 and generally surrounding the bore 64.

The spindle assembly 32 further includes a valve seat body 70, as best seen in Figures 6 and 9. The valve seat body 70 includes a base portion 72 which includes a groove for receipt of an O-ring 74 which sealingly engages the main bore 24 of the valve body. Extending upwardly from the base portion 72 is a hollow cylindrical body 76 which is provided with internal threads 78 which engage the threaded skirt 66 of the body 40.

The base portion 72 is provided with a central bore 80 which is provided with internal threads 82. The body 70 is formed with an internal shoulder, the upper face of which provides a valve seat 84. The cylindrical body 76 includes a predetermined number of openings 86 to permit water to flow therefrom, as will be described below. In the preferred arrangement there are six openings 86.

The spindle assembly 32 includes a valve disc 90 on the lower face of which is mounted a resilient valve element 92. A disc locating spindle 94 extends upwardly from the disc 90 and is located within the bore 56.

In Figures 3 and 6, the stem 36 has been rotated in a clockwise direction (as seen from above) so that the cylindrical body 54 forces the valve element 92 into the valve seat 84. This defines the closed position of the valve. In this position, water cannot pass through the inlet spigot 28 to the outlet spigot 30. When, however, the stem 36 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction, the valve element 92 is unseated from the valve seat 84, as shown in Figure 4, thereby enabling flow from the inlet spigot 28 to the outlet spigot 30.

The check valve assembly 34 includes a check valve body 100 which is provided with threads 102 adjacent to its lower face 104. The threads 102 engage with complementary threads 106 formed near the lower part of the main valve bore 24. The check valve includes a number of inlet openings 108 formed in the lower face 104, as shown in Figures 5 and 11. The body 100 includes a groove in which is located an O-ring 109 which seals against the bore 24. Located within the body 100 is a check valve element 110. The check valve element is provided with a guide skirt 112 having a bore within which is located a guide pin 114 which extends upwardly from the lower face 104. A compression spring 116 acts between the lower face 104 and the skirt 112 in order to bias the element 110 upwardly, towards a closed position thereof.

The check valve element 110 includes a bevelled edge 118 which sealingly engages a valve seat 120 formed adjacent to an outlet opening 122 formed in the upper face of the body 100.

Figure 5 shows the check valve assembly 34 mounted in the valve body 22 with the spindle assembly 32 removed. In this position, the bevelled edge 118 of check valve element 110 is seated against the valve seat 120 and therefore flow through the check valve assembly 34 is prevented. The check valve assembly 34 can be removed from the body 22 by using a tool (not shown) which is provided with keyways which engage key slots 128 formed in the upper face 124 of the body 100. The tool can be rotated to cause disengagement of the threads 102 and 106.

Normally the body 100 would be made in two parts which are connected together in order to allow mounting of the element 110 within the body. The two parts can be press fit or screw threaded together.

It will be appreciated that the check valve assembly 34 needs to be held open in order to permit flow of water from the inlet spigot 28 to the outlet spigot 30. In the valve of the invention, the spindle assembly 32 includes an operating finger 130 which projects downwardly from a mounting body 132, as shown in Figure 6. The mounting body 132 includes a hollow skirt 134 which is externally threaded in order to mesh with the threads 82 provided in the bore 80 of the base portion 72. The mounting body 132 includes a plurality of bores 136 therethrough in order to permit water flow therethrough.

As best seen in Figure 3, when the spindle assembly 32 is mounted in the valve body 22, the finger 130 passes through the outlet opening 122 of the check valve assembly 34 and engages the upper face of the check valve element 110 and displaces it downwardly. This causes unseating of the bevelled edge 118 from the valve seat 120, as shown in Figure 3. Accordingly when the stem 36 is rotated so as to unseat the valve element 92 from the valve seat 84, as shown in Figure 4, water from the inlet spigot 28 can pass through the check valve assembly 34 through the spindle assembly 32 and out of the outlet spigot 30. It will be seen that the lower face 104 of the check valve assembly 34 is somewhat spaced from the end face 140 of the main valve bore 24, as shown in Figures 3 and 4. This generally facilitates flow from the inlet spigot 28 through the openings 108.

It will be appreciated that the spindle assembly 32 can be removed from the valve body 22 by use of a spanner or the like on the head portion 48 in order to disengage the threads 42 and 44. As this occurs, the finger 130 will move upwardly thereby enabling the check valve element 110 to close. Thus, the spindle assembly 32 can be completely removed from the valve body 22 and the check valve assembly 34 will prevent any flow of water into the chamber 26.

Once the spindle assembly 32 has been removed, it can be disassembled so that its operating components can be inspected and/or replaced. Figure 7 shows the spindle assembly with the body 70 removed. This enables access to the valve disc 90 so that it can be replaced. Also, in the preferred embodiment of the invention, the stem 36 is arranged so that it can be rotated clockwise (as seen from above) more than is usually the case in a stuffing box type valve so that the body 54 projects from the skirt 66 in order to provide access to the 0-rings 60 and 62, as diagrammatically illustrated in Figure 8. This provides for a very convenient way of replacing faulty seals in the valve.

In the event that there is a failure of supply in the water main 2, the valve 20 of the invention readily permits coupling and uncoupling of an auxiliary supply assembly 150 to the valve 20 in order to provide a temporary supply of water to the outlet spigot 30. This is diagrammatically illustrated in Figure 12. In this arrangement, the valve spindle assembly 32 has been removed and the auxiliary supply assembly 150 has been inserted. The assembly 150 includes a body 152 which includes a ball valve which is operated by means of a lever 154. The upper end of the body 152 is provided with a fitting 156 for coupling to a temporary supply line 158.

The body 152 is provided with threads 160 which can mesh with the threads 42 in the bore 24 for mounting of the body 152 to the main valve body 22. A gasket 162 is provided between the body 22 and body 152 to prevent leakage. The lower end of the body 152 is provided with a circumferential groove in which is located an O-ring 164 for sealingly engaging the bore 24. The body 152 is provided with a broad recess 166 between the threads 160 and the O-ring 164, as shown. The body 152 also includes a passageway which permits fluid communication from the ball valve to the recess 166. When the ball valve is open, water from the line 158 can pass through the passageway 168 into the recess 166 and then into the outlet spigot 30. The lever 154 can be used to stop that flow if necessary. When the assembly 150 is coupled to the valve body 22, it will be seen that the check valve assembly 34 is closed. This prevents reverse flow of water through the inlet spigot 28 and also prevents flow of water from the mains supply line 4 when the mains supply pressure has been re-established. When mains supply pressure has been re-

established, the assembly 150 can be removed from the valve body 22 and the check valve assembly will be closed. The spindle assembly 32 can then be inserted in the valve body 22 thereby opening the check valve to enable operation of the cut-off valve.

The valve of the invention can be readily modified so as to provide controlled restrictions to normal flow. One convenient way in which this is done is by providing valve seat bodies 70 which have a predetermined number and/or size of openings 86 therein. Figure 9 illustrates an arrangement in which there is a single opening 170 in place of the six openings 86 of the normal configuration. A spindle having this modification can be incorporated into a spindle assembly 32 and inserted in the valve 20 of a particular customer. This is a very simple and convenient way of providing restricted flow to a customer whose account is in arrears.

Figures 13 to 18 illustrate a preferred embodiment of the cut-off valve. This valve is similar in some respects to that described earlier except that it includes a number of improvements. The first improvement is a more compact arrangement for mounting of the check valve element 110. The second concerns fixing of the valve element 92 relative to the stem body 54 so that the valve element 92 does not move when the cut-off valve is in an open position. Other improvements will be apparent from the description which follows.

Figures 13 to 18 diagrammatically illustrate a cut-off valve 202 constructed in accordance with the invention. As best seen in Figure 13, the cut-off valve 202 includes a main body 204, check valve module 206 and spindle assembly 208. The body 204 includes a threaded inlet socket 210, the exterior of which is formed with an integral nut 212. The body includes a threaded outlet socket 214, the exterior of which is formed as an integral nut 216.

The body 204 is essentially hollow and defines a main valve chamber 205. The lower interior of the body includes internal threads 218 which can mesh with external threads 220 formed on the check valve module 206. This enables the check valve module

to be mounted in the lower part of the body 204, as shown in Figure 16. The check valve module 206 includes keyways 221 on its top face to enable the module to be screwed into place using a tool (not shown) having complementary projections. The check valve module 206 includes an O-ring 222 which sealingly engages the cylindrical inner bore 224 of the body 204. The upper end of the body 204 includes threads 226 located adjacent to its upper edge. The threads 226 can mesh with complementary threads 228 formed on the spindle assembly 208 so as to permit mounting of the spindle assembly 208 in the body 204, as again shown in Figure 16.

The check valve module 206 includes a hollow body 230 defining a check valve chamber 231, the body preferably being formed from opposed upper and lower cup shaped parts 232 and 234 which are press fit together after assembly. A check valve element 236 is mounted within the body 230 prior to connecting together of the parts 232 and 234. The check valve element 236 includes a check valve head 238 and guide shaft 240. The guide shaft 240 extends within a guide tube 242 which is integrally formed with a lower end face 244 of the cup shaped part 234, as shown. The end face 244 includes four spaced openings 246 which permit flow of water from the inlet 210 into the check valve chamber 231.

The top face 248 of the cup shaped part 232 includes a central outlet bore 250. The internal peripheral edge of the bore 250 constitutes a check valve seat 252 which can cooperate with the check valve head 238, as will be described below. The external peripheral edge of the bore 250 is rounded and constitutes the main valve seat 254 which cooperates with the spindle assembly 208, as will also be described below.

The spindle assembly 208 includes a spindle mounting body 260, spindle 262 and handle 264. The spindle mounting body 260 includes a bore with internal threads 266 which cooperate with complementary threads 268 formed on the spindle 262. When the handle 264 is turned, the meshing of the threads 266 and 268 causes axial movement of the spindle 262, in the usual way.

In the illustrated arrangement, the spindle 262 includes an integral cylindrical sealing body 270, the upper part of which is provided with a pair of grooves for receipt of a pair of O-rings 272 and 274. The 0-rings 272 and 274 sealingly engage a cylindrical bore 276 formed in the mounting body 260. The sealing engagement of the 0-rings 272 and 274 with the bore 276 provides a seal to prevent escape of water between the mounting body 260 and the spindle 262. The spindle assembly 208 includes a main valve element 278. In this arrangement, the element 278 is in the form of a resilient washer which is held against the lower face 280 of the body 270 by means of a nut 282 which is threaded on the base of a projecting shaft 284 which is preferably an integral extension of the spindle 262.

As will be described in more detail below, the projecting shaft 284 normally extends through the bore 250 so that its end face 285 can engage the upper face 286 of the check valve head 238, as best shown in Figures 16 and 17.

In the normal operating position of the cut-off valve, the spindle assembly 208 is mounted within the valve body 204 by means of the threads 226 and 228. When in this position, the handle 264 can be rotated by a user so as to move the cut-off valve from a closed position as shown in Figure 16 to an open position as shown in Figure 17. It will be seen that in the normal operating position, the lower end face 285 of the projecting shaft 284 engages the upper face 286 of the check valve head 238 in order to keep it displaced from the check valve seat 252. In this way water can flow through the inlet 210 through the openings 246 into the check valve chamber 231. From the chamber 231, water can pass through the outlet 250 into the main valve chamber 205 and from there to the outlet 214. The axial position of the spindle 262 varies the gap between the main valve element 278 and the main valve seat 254 so as to control the rate of flow through the valve, in the usual way.

It will be noted in the illustrated embodiment that the guide tube 242 extends for a substantial part of its length within the inlet 210. This enables the cut-off valve to be made in a compact size, particularly in the axial dimension. The arrangement is such that the cut-off valve can be retrofitted in place of a standard bibcock. More particularly, the inlet 210 can be connected to a mains line and the outlet 214 would be connected to the inlet of

a water meter (not shown). For instance, the cut-off valve 202 can be used to replace the tap 16 in Figure 1 of WO 00/50793.

It will be further noted that in this embodiment of the invention, the valve element 278 is fixed relative to the spindle. This is an advantage over known bibcocks which have a jumper valve which normally moves up and down in accordance with water flow through the valve, even when the valve is fully open. It has been found that this up and down movement of the jumper valve causes wear. This problem is eliminated in the cut-off valve of the invention.

Also in accordance with the invention, the spindle assembly can be removed whilst the inlet 210 is connected to a mains supply. This is possible because when the spindle assembly 208 is removed, the check valve closes, as will be described below.

The spindle assembly 208 can be removed by an authorised user applying a spanner to a nut 290 which is integrally formed on the external surface of the spindle mounting body 260. Rotation of the nut 290 causes upward movement of the body 260 by virtue of the meshing engagement of the threads 226 and 228. Upward movement of the body 260 will be accompanied by upward movement of the spindle 262 to a point where, just prior to disengagement of the threads 226 and 228, the top face 286 of the check valve head 238 will engage the check valve seat 252, as shown in Figure 18. This effectively prevents flow of water through the check valve chamber 231. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the check valve element 236 is formed from brass and includes an inclined sealing face 292 which engages the seat 252 so as to form a substantially water tight seal therewith.

Once the spindle assembly 208 has been removed, it can be replaced or serviced.

In the illustrated arrangement, the spindle 262 is made of sufficient length so that by rotating the handle 264 the sealing body 270 can be substantially withdrawn from the bore 276 so as to expose the 0-rings 272 and 274 for inspection and/or replacement as

shown in Figure 13. The main valve element 278 can also be replaced whilst the spindle assembly 208 is removed. It will also be appreciated that the main valve seat 254 is also accessible and can be inspected and refaced by using appropriate tools.

The ability to remove the valve assembly also enables other convenient uses to be made of the cut-off valve, which will be described below.

In order to make the water meter less susceptible to unauthorised tampering, it is preferred that the outlet 214 and any fitting which is used to connect to the inlet of a water meter is at least partly covered so that it cannot be readily disconnected by an unauthorised user. For this purpose, the cut-off valve 202 can be used in conjunction with a cover 300 as shown in Figures 19 to 23.

As best seen in Figure 22, the cover 300 includes a hollow cylindrical body 302 having an upper face 303 which includes a large opening 304 to permit the nut 290 of the spindle assembly 208 to pass therethrough. The opening 304 includes radial extensions 306 and 308 which allow the ends of the handle 264 to pass therethrough. The lower end of the body 302 is open. Adjacent to the upper end of the hollow cylindrical body 302 is an integral semi-cylindrical cover 310. The cylindrical body is also formed with laterally extending lugs 312 and 314 and slots 316 and 318 are located adjacent to the lugs.

As best seen in Figures 19,20 and 21, the cover 300 can be fitted over the cut-off valve 202. More particularly, with the handle 264 aligned with the extensions 306 and 308, as shown in Figure 21, the cover 300 can be lowered so as to substantially surround the body 204 of the cut-off valve. The cover 310 overlies the outlet 214 and nut 216, as shown in Figure 20. The body 204 also includes lugs 320 and 322 which pass through slots 316 and 318 so as to lie adjacent to the lugs 312 and 314 of the cover 300. The lugs include aligned bores 324 and 326 so as to allow a padlock or other locking device (not shown) to be used to connect the lugs together so as to prevent unauthorised removal of the cover 300.

As mentioned above, the cut-off valve 202 of the invention is very flexible in use because the spindle assembly can be removed.

In one arrangement, an adaptor plug 330 can be provided to enable a pressure gauge (not shown) to be used to measure the internal pressure within the valve chamber 205. A simplified form of adaptor 330 is shown in Figure 25. The adaptor can be inserted in the valve body 204 to temporarily replace the spindle assembly 208. It includes a hollow body 332 having threads 334 which are the same as the threads 228 of the spindle assembly 208 permitting the adaptor to be mounted in the body. The body includes a threaded socket 335 to which a pressure gauge (not shown) can be coupled. The body 332 includes a projecting shaft 336 from its lower face. The shaft 336 performs the same function as the projecting shaft 284 of the spindle assembly 208, that is to say when the adaptor 330 is threadably mounted on the body 204, the end face of the shaft 336 engages the upper face 286 of the check valve head so as to unseat it and thus permit water to flow under pressure to within the adaptor chamber 338 through openings 340. In this way, the pressure of water supplied to the cut-off valve 202 can conveniently be measured.

The removal of the spindle assembly 208 also permits temporary connections to be made to adjacent customers of the water utility. This can, for instance, be accomplished by provision of a temporary supply adaptor 350, as diagrammatically shown in Figure 26.

The adaptor 350 includes an adaptor body 352 having threads 354 which correspond to the threads 228 of the assembly 208. When the adaptor 350 is fitted to the valve body 204, by meshing of the threads 354 and threads 226, an O-ring 355 seated in a lower face of the body 352 sealingly engages the main valve seat 254. The adaptor body 352 includes a central bore 356 and a threaded inlet coupling 358. The adaptor body 352 includes a number of spaced openings 360. When the adaptor body 352 is in position, a temporary inlet line can be connected to the inlet coupling 358 and supply water to the valve chamber 205 and thus to the outlet 214 through the openings 360.

Many modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.