TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to valves for selectively opening and closing fluid ports and particularly relates to remotely operated linear or cam-actuated valves specifically useful for draining the bilge of a boat.

BACKGROUND

In many valve applications, it is important to design a valve consistent with predetermined criteria essential to proper operation of the valve for that particular application. For example, it is frequently desirable to have little or no control pressure for maintaining the valve in a valve-open or a valve-closed position. Additionally, it is often desirable to maintain the valve in a stable condition in either of the valve-closed or valve-open positions. Quick disassembly and reassembly of the valve when placed in use is sometimes an additional criteria, particularly where frequent use of the valve results in the potential for valve malfunction, for example, when debris -or other material tend to clog the workings of the valve. Also, it is desirable to have the valve actuated at 90 degrees to the axis of movement of the valve itself. This is because of space constraints. Additionally, valve

disassembly is necessary for each engine oil change because the drain tube from the oil pan is typically passed through the bilge hole during oil changes. Additionally, many applications require actuation of the valve from a remote location. This, of course, is frequently accomplished by using electrical signals or various types of cables for mechanically actuating the valve. However, it also presents problems which must be solved consistent with the above and other criteria for the design of the valve.

As an example of the foregoing, hazardous materials, such as chemicals, are often transported in containers between distribution and end-use sites where it is necessary to drain the containers. In certain situations, this involves opening the container on-site and installing a valve. If the contents are hazardous to workers, an obvious health and safety threat exists. However, a valve in such container operated from a remote location, albeit from another portion of the container, might safely be used, particularly where the valve is completely within and inaccessible from outside of the container.

As a further example of a particular application of a valve designed according to the above-identified criteria, a linear actuated valve may be used in a drain for the bilge of a boat. In many types of boats, for example, ski boats with inboard engines, the drain for the bilge is located directly below the

engine. To access the bilge and open the drain, it is often necessary to remove equipment, such as water skis, stacked on the boat deck and/or on the engine cover. It is also necessary for an individual to raise the engine housing cover and get down on his hands and knees to reach the handle, which is conventionally screwed into a drain port at the bottom of the bilge. Not infrequently, the handle cannot be turned because of the awkward angle and the lack of available leverage. Thus, to drain the bilge is awkward at best and may also be hazardous if the engine remains hot. Because of that substantial inconvenience and hazard, not infrequently the drain plugs in bilges are left in place at all times. While electric bilge pumps have been employed, they do not remove all of the water in the bilge. Thus, the drain in the bilge of a boat is another example of an application where a remotely actuated valve would be highly useful in accordance with the above design criteria.

Another common place for "the drain in a boat is on the lower transom. When the vessel is running, the water trapped inside goes to the lowest point adjacent the drain in the transom. When two or more people are in the boat, one can pull the plug while the other drives. In this manner, the boat can be completely drained. This is, however, very dangerous because the vessel is under power and usually results in the individuals and boat becoming greasy and wet.

In larger boats or boats with larger engines, it can be impossible.

In order to provide an efficient remotely-operated cam-actuated valve in the transom, certain design criteria must be met. For example, it is common to employ a control cable, such as a bowden cable, connected to a control station, for example, a dash on a boat, whereby the valve may be actuated by a push-pull actuator at the control station. Thus, the cam operation must be responsive to a linear push-pull arrangement. Additionally, the routing of the cable from the remote control station to the valve oftentimes requires a particular orientation of the cam-actuated valve. For example, the linear movement of the actuator cable may be in line with the valve mechanism or at right angles to the valve mechanism, depending upon the particular boat design and the routing of the control cable. Thus, it is desirable to provide a valve which is readily adaptable for different orientations of the actuating cable direction. Also, to effectively drain the bilge, the valve must be located directly adjacent the bottom of the hull. This limits the space in which the valve operation may occur and imposes an additional design constraint.

Thus, the valves of the present invention will be described in connection with their application as valves for use in draining the bilge of a ski boat

through its bottom or its transom. However, it will be understood that the valves hereof has other and different applications.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, in one form of the present invention, there is provided a novel and improved linear actuated valve, particularly useful in those applications requiring remote actuation, and wherein control pressure to maintain valve open or closed is not required, and minimal control pressure for operation is required. It is also useful in those situations where quick disassembly and reassembly of the valve is desirable. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the linear actuated valve hereof comprises a valve body in the form of an elongated sleeve with an axially opening port at one end and radial openings along the sides of the sleeve, together with a valve seat in the sleeve between the openings and adjacent the one sleeve end. Thus; the valve body ^" is disposed in a port for controlling fluid communication through the port. The sleeve has a pair of diametrically opposed slots opening laterally through the sleeve and extending substantially the majority of its length. A valve member is disposed within the sleeve and includes a seal, for example, an O-ring seal at one end, for sealing against the valve seat. The member has a lateral slot therethrough in registry with the

opposed slots of the sleeve. A cap is releasably secured over the end of the valve body remote from the valve seat and retains a helical coil spring between the cap and an end of the valve member biasing the member into a valve-closed position. A cam follower, for example, a roller, is disposed in the slot in the member.

To displace the member between valve-closed and valve-opened positions, a cam is provided which extends laterally through the registering slots of the sleeve and member. The cam may be disposed in the sleeve in either direction (180°) depending on the direction of routing of the control cable therefor. The cam has cam surfaces comprised of a pair of flats at different elevations and spaced laterally one from the other by an inclined surface. By linearly displacing the cam in the lateral direction, that is, in a direction generally normal to the axis of the valve member, the valve member may be displaced between valve open and closed positions. To displace the cam, a mechanical cable actuator, for example, a bowden cable, may be used and actuated by a control knob conveniently located in the boat, i.e., on its dash. More particularly, when the valve member lies in the valve-closed position, the cam follower carried by the valve member rests on the lower cam flat. To open the valve, the remote control knob is operated to displace the cam laterally such that the inclined cam

surface engages the cam follower, thereby raising the valve member from its seat. At the end of the cam stroke, the cam follower rests on the upper flat and the valve member lies in a full valve-opened position. Movement of the cam in the opposite direction, of course, permits the valve member to return to its closed position under the bias of the spring.

To facilitate movement of the cam, a guide is provided and includes a pair of laterally spaced guide plates having a base frame disposed therebetween. The base frame has a slot along its underside for engaging and interlocking with the base of the slots in the valve sleeve, preventing lateral movement of the guide. The cam slides along the base frame between the guide plates. The bias of the spring maintains this subassembly within the slots of the valve sleeve and member.

It will be appreciated that, with the foregoing-described arrangement, there are no control pressures applied to the remote actuator when the valve lies in either of its fully open or closed position because the spring bias operates against the cam flats. Any forces acting on the valve tending to move it from its fully closed or open positions are thus not transmitted to the remote actuator. Additionally, quick disassembly and reassembly of the valve is accomplished by this construction.

Particularly, the cap is removable from the sleeve, for example, by removing a spring clip interconnecting the cap and sleeve, thus enabling the spring to be removed through the end of the valve sleeve. Upon its removal, the guide, including the cam, the valve member and cam follower can be displaced along these slots and completely withdrawn from the sleeve through its upper end. The removed parts can thereafter be disassembled one from the other, for example, for cleaning. To reassemble the valve parts, the guide including the cam, and the valve member including the cam follower, may be inserted into the sleeve, with the guide and cam extending along the slots of the sleeve and member. The spring is then inserted and the cap is re-secured to the end of the sleeve.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the cam is provided with a lower flat and an inclined surface but without an upper flat. Thus, the spring-biased forces acting on the valve body when - the cam lies in the open position tend to move the cam toward the valve closed position. To ensure that the valve is self-closing, the cam may be provided with an aperture for receiving a coil spring. Opposite ends of the coil spring bear against the cam and a projection on the guide to bias the cam into the valve closed position.

It will be appreciated that the

foregoing-described valve is useful in many applications, but has particular use as a valve for draining the bilge of a boat. To use the valve in that application, the lower end of the sleeve may be externally threaded and threaded into the drain opening in the bottom of the hull. Conventionally, an internally threaded fitting is disposed in the drain opening and this fitting receives the externally threaded end of the sleeve. Thus, the valve body upstands from the drain opening and without any protrusions along the outside hull surface. A mechanically actuated bowden-type cable may be connected between the cam and an actuator, e.g., a control knob, located on the dash of the boat. Electrical, hydraulic or pneumatic power can be used to actuate the valve. However, manual valve operation is less expensive and more trouble-free, particularly with a bowden-type cable. Thus, the valve may be opened and closed by simple push-pull operation of a control knob on the dash. Also, there may arise an occasion for manual operation of the valve at the valve body itself. To facilitate this, the cam is extended to provide a handle accessible externally of the guide. Thus, a simple pull or push on the handle will operate the valve similarly as the remote actuation.

Further, it is desirable to provide a mechanism for quickly disconnecting the valve from the actuating cable. To this end, the valve is provided

with a guillotine mechanism for cutting the cable. Specifically, a manually-operated lever is provided at the valve which displaces a metal strip having an aperture formed in part by a cutting edge. By displacing the strip, the cutting edge severs the cable, freeing the valve for manual operation.

In another form of the present invention, there is provided a novel and improved remotely-operated cam-actuated valve, particularly useful for mounting in a drain port through the transom of a boat and which may accommodate the design features noted above. For example, the cam operation desirably should be reversible to accommodate either in-line or normal-to-in-line linear movement of the control cable for valve operation.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the cam-actuated valve hereof comprises a valve body in the form of an elongated sleeve which is preferably externally threaded at one end for threaded engagement with an internally threaded fitting secured to the outside surface of the transom of a boat. Thus, the sleeve projects from the fitting through the drain port opening in the transom and into the boat lying closely adjacent the hull bottom. The sleeve has a plurality of openings whereby water in the bilge of the boat may enter the valve sleeve for drainage, in a manner to be described. A valve stem is provided in the sleeve

for axial movement and includes a valve head carrying a seal for engagement with a valve seat at the end of the sleeve adjacent the outer surface of the transom. The valve stem extends substantially coextensively within the sleeve and a spring cooperates between abutments on the stem and the sleeve to bias the stem into a valve-closed position. Because the stem is necessarily smaller in diameter than the sleeve to accommodate passage of water through the sleeve in the valve-open condition, it is important and necessary to center the valve stem relative to the sleeve. To accomplish this, a plurality of vanes are carried either on the sleeve or the stem and which vanes project radially to engage the other of the sleeve and the stem and hence center the stem within the sleeve.

A cap is provided on the inboard end of the sleeve and carries a cam actuator for the valve in a manner which permits ready reconfiguration of the valve for in-line or normal-to-in-line linear actuation of the cam. The cap includes a head having a slot therethrough. In the slot, there is provided a guide which serves as the anchor for the fixed part of the actuating cable and also as a guide for the cam which operates the valve. Particularly, the guide includes a pair of side plates spaced one from the other and located in the slot. Between the guide plates, the cam is pivotally mounted on a pin which extends through the cam, guide plates and the head of

the cap. The cam engages the end of the valve member remote from the valve head and has high and low camming surfaces. Because the spring biases the valve stem toward the cam, the end of the valve stem acts as a cam follower against those camming surfaces. This enables the valve stem to be moved axially between valve-open and valve-closed positions, depending upon the pivotal position of the cam. The cam also includes an arm for connection with the movable cable of the actuating cable, it being appreciated that the non-movable part of the actuating cable is anchored to the guide. The cam is thus pivoted by a substantially linear movement of the movable cable through a range of movement approximately 90° to displace the valve stem axially between valve-open and valve-closed positions.

The cap, including the cam and guide, is releasably mounted on the end of the valve sleeve, enabling the cam and guide to be removed and reoriented, depending upon the orientation of the linear movement necessary to operate the valve. For example, the cam may be actuated by linear movement of the actuating cable in a direction substantially normal to the axial direction of the movement of the valve stem. Thus, the actuating cable is connected to the cam in a direction generally parallel to the transom. In order to reorient the cam for in-line movement of the valve stem, i.e., a linear movement of the actuating cable in a direction generally

parallel to the axial movement of the valve stem and normal to the transom, the cap is first removed from the sleeve. Upon its removal and removal of the pin mounting the cam in the guide, the cam is reversed in position in the guide. Additionally, when the guide and cam are remounted in the slot on the cap, the guide is reoriented 90° from its previous position. Upon assembly of the cap onto the sleeve, the arm of the cam projects to one side of the valve throughout its full range of movement. This enables linear movement of the actuating cable in a direction generally parallel to the direction of movement of the valve stem. Thus, a valve is provided for mounting in the transom which is versatile and easy to install, as well as capable of accommodating different cable routings in various boats.

Various configurations of the openings in the valve sleeve may be provided according to the present invention. For example, in a preferred embodiment, the openings comprise elongated slots disposed at circumferentially spaced positions about the ^" sleeve. Alternatively, a series of both axially and circumferentially spaced openings may be provided or a series of slots may be formed extending partway about the circumference of the sleeve, either in a radial plane or diagonally of the axis.

Additionally, the valve may be mounted in an opening in the transom without the need for a

fitting. To accomplish this, the sleeve is externally threaded and is provided with a flange at its distal end. A nut may be threaded up on the interior of the transom to secure the valve sleeve to the transom.

In a first preferred embodiment according to the present invention, there is provided a linear actuated fluid valve, comprising a valve body including an elongated sleeve having an axis, generally opposed slots through opposite side walls thereof, a first valve opening through a side wall, a second valve opening through an end of the sleeve, and a valve seat about the sleeve between the openings. A valve member is disposed in the sleeve and is movable axially between a valve closed position engageable with the seat and a valve open position spaced from the seat to enable fluid communication between the first and second openings, the member having a laterally opening slot therethrough in registry with the opposed slots of the sleeve. Means are carried by the sleeve for biasing the valve member toward one of the valve open or valve closed positions. A cam follower is carried by the member in the slot thereof, and a cam is carried by the body for movement in the slots of the sleeve and the slot of the member in a direction generally normal to the axis of the body, the cam having a surface engageable with the cam follower enabling movement of the member toward the valve open

or valve closed position in response to movement of the cam in the normal direction and the bias of the biasing means. Means are provided for linearly moving the cam along the slots.

In a further preferred embodiment according to the present invention, there is provided a valve assembly for quick disassembly comprising a valve body including an elongated sleeve having an axis, generally opposed slots through opposite side walls thereof, first and second valve openings through the sleeve and a valve seat adjacent one end of the body and between the first and second openings. A valve member is provided in the sleeve and movable axially therein between a valve closed position engaged with the seat and a valve open position spaced from the seat to enable fluid communication between the openings, the valve member having a laterally opening slot therethrough in registry with the opposed slots of the sleeve. Means are provided for moving the member between the valve open and valve closed positions including a cam follower carried by the member in the slot thereof. A cam is carried by the body for movement in the slots of the sleeve and the slot of the member in a direction generally normal to the direction of movement of the member, the cam having cam surfaces engageable with the cam follower to move the member toward one of the valve open or valve closed positions in response to movement of the cam in the normal direction. A guide is provided for

the cam extending in the slots of the sleeve and the slot of the member and means are provided cooperable between the guide and the body for preventing translational movement thereof relative to the body. A cap is disposed on the body adjacent the end of the body remote from the seat and means are provided for releasably connecting the cap and the body one to the other such that, upon releasing the cap, the cam and the guide may be displaced along the slots of the sleeve for removal through the open end of the sleeve remote from the seat and the valve member and the cam follower may be displaced through the open end of the sleeve.

In a further preferred embodiment according to the present invention, there is provided in combination a boat having a hull with a drain port therethrough for draining the bilge of the boat and a linear actuated valve having a valve body including an elongated sleeve. Means are provided for securing the sleeve to the hull. The sleeve has an axis, a first valve opening" in communication with the bilge, a second valve opening in communication with the drain port, and a valve seat between the openings. A valve member is disposed in the sleeve and movable axially between a valve closed position engageable with the seat and a valve open position spaced from the seat to enable fluid communication between the first and second openings, the member having a laterally opening slot therethrough. Means are

carried by the sleeve for biasing the valve member toward the valve closed position. A cam follower is carried by the member in the slot thereof, and a cam is carried by the body for movement in the slot of the member in a direction generally normal to the axis of the body, the cam having a surface engageable with the cam follower enabling movement of the member toward the valve closed position in response to movement of the cam in the normal direction and the bias of the biasing means. A control station is provided on the boat remote from the valve, and means operable from the remote control station are provided for linearly moving the cam along the slots to open and close the valve.

In a further preferred embodiment according to the present invention, there is provided a boat having a hull with a port through the hull, and a valve carried by the boat providing for selective fluid communication through the port, the valve including a valve sleeve having an axis and a valve seat, a valve head for sealing engagement with the seat and a stem projecting from the valve head within the valve sleeve. Means cooperable between the valve stem and the valve sleeve are provided for biasing the valve stem in a direction urging the valve head into a valve-closed position, with the valve head in sealing engagement with the valve seat. A mounting member is secured on the valve sleeve at an end thereof remote from the seat, the member having a

centrally located slot. A cam is carried by the member in the slot for pivotal movement and has camming surfaces and an actuating arm, the member having an opening through its inner end, enabling engagement of the camming surfaces with the end of the stem remote from the member. Means are provided for pivoting the cam between valve-open and valve-closed positions, including an actuator connected to the arm and movable in a substantially linear direction. Finally, means are provided for releasably securing the cam relative to the member in either of two positions, the cam in a first position thereof being secured to the member for pivotal movement between valve-open and valve-closed positions in response to linear movement of the actuator in a direction generally parallel to the axis of the sleeve, the cam in a second position thereof being mounted for pivotal movement between valve-open and valve-closed positions in response to linear movement of the actuator in a direction generally normal to the axis of the sleeve.

In a further preferred embodiment according to the present invention, there is provided a boat having a transom, a valve providing for fluid communication through the transom, including a valve sleeve having an axis and a valve seat, a valve including a head for sealing engagement with the seat and a stem projecting from the head and within the valve sleeve, together with means cooperable between

the valve stem and the valve sleeve for biasing the valve stem in a direction urging the valve head into a valve-closed poεition, with the head in sealing engagement with the valve seat, the valve sleeve having a plurality of openings therethrough, enabling ingress of fluid from the boat into the valve sleeve. A cap is secured on the valve sleeve adjacent an end thereof remote from the seat. A cam is carried by the cap for pivotal movement relative to and is engageable with a cam follower on the end of the stem remote from the head, the cam having a cam surface and being pivotal into a first position to displace the stem against the bias of the biasing means into a valve-open position, with the valve head disengaged from the seat. A plurality of radially extending projections are carried on one of the •interior surfaces of the sleeve or the stem and engageable with the other of the interior sleeve surfaces or the stem to maintain the stem substantially centered within the sleeve during operation.

Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a novel and improved linearly actuated valve for remote operation including, without limitation, features which enable ready disassembly and reassembly of the valve, maintenance of the valve in its open or closed positions without control pressure and valve actuation with minimum control pressure.

It is another primary object of the present invention to provide a novel and improved remotely-operated cam-actuated valve for mounting in the transom of a boat and which has a structure capable of reorienting its actuating cam to accommodate linear actuation thereof in multiple directions, as well as other features, such as low cost, ready and easy installation and virtually no maintenance.

These and further objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent upon reference to the following specification, appended claims and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of a boat having a valve, constructed in accordance with the present invention, disposed in the boat hull bottom for draining the bilge;

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the valve of Figure 1 with parts thereof in exploded juxtaposition relative to one another;

Figure 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the valve of Figure 1 illustrated in a valve-open position;

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3 illustrating the valve in its closed position;

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view thereof taken generally about on line 5-5 in Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of upper portions of the valve illustrated in Figures 3 and 4 with a modified cam;

Figure 7a is a view similar to Figure 4 illustrating a different form of cam whereby the valve is self-closing as well as a guillotine;

Figure 7b is a fragmentary view of the guillotine in the cutting position;

Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view thereof taken generally about on line 8-8 in Figure 7b;

Figure 9 is a plan view of a transom-mounted valve constructed in accordance with another form of the present invention;

Figure 10 is a reduced fragmentary side elevational view of the valve illustrated in Figure 9 and taken generally about on lines 10-10 of Figure 11;

Figure 11 is a reduced fragmentary plan view of the inner or cap end of the valve illustrating a

reorientation of the cam actuator therefor for in-line actuation;

Figures 12, 13, 14 and 15 are reduced side elevational views of various configurations of the valve body;

Figure 16 is a fragmentary top plan view of a valve hereof illustrating a different form of mounting to the transom;

Figure 17 is a side elevational view of the control for the valve hereof; and

Figure 18 is a cross-sectional view thereof taken generally about on line 18-18 in Figure 13.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Referring now to Figure 1, there is schematically illustrated a boat, generally designated 10, and a valve, generally designated 12, constructed in accordance with the present invention, disposed in boat 10. Boat 10 includes an inboard engine 14 driving a propeller 16 and also a dash 18 for mounting various controls, such as a steering wheel and the like, as will be appreciated by those skilled in this art. The deck of the boat is illustrated at 20, the bilge being below deck 20. It will be appreciated that the engine 14 is enclosed

within a housing, not shown, which conventionally has a cover or lid which must be raised for access to the engine compartment and, consequently, access to the valve 12 in the bilge below boat deck 20.

Referring now to Figure 2, valve 12 includes a valve body 22 comprised of a sleeve 24. With reference to Figures 3 and 4, it will be seen that sleeve 24 has a valve opening 26 through its lower end, a plurality of radially disposed openings 28 adjacent the lower end of the sleeve and a valve seat 30 between openings 26 and 28, valve seat 30 comprising a frustoconical surface. To mount the valve in the hull of boat 10, there is provided a conventional fitting 32 having an internally threaded opening corresponding to the opening 33 through the hull and which fitting is conventionally secured to the hull, for example, by screws. The lower end of sleeve 24 is externally threaded for threaded engagement with the internally threaded fitting 32. Thus, valve body 22 upstands from the bottom of the boat hull.

As best illustrated in Figure 2, valve sleeve 24 has a pair of slots 36 which open through diametrically opposite sides of the valve above valve ports 28 to define arcuate sleeve segments. Additionally, a groove 38 is disposed about sleeve 24 adjacent its upper end for reasons which will be apparent from the ensuing description.

Valve 12 also includes a valve member 40 which is axially received within sleeve 24 for movement in the axial direction. The lower end of valve member 40 is conically shaped and provided with an 0-ring seal 42 for engaging seat 30 in the valve-closed position, thus sealing ports 26 and 28 one from the other. A slot 44 is formed diametrically through valve member 40 over the majority of its length. Thus, member 40 is bifurcated to define discrete segments 46 on opposite sides of slot 44. When member 40 is assembled in sleeve 24, slot 44 lies in registry with slots 36 of sleeve 24.

A cam follower 48, for example, a roller, is disposed in slot 44 between segments 46. Cam follower 48 is carried on a shaft 50 mounted in segments 46. A disk 52 is disposed on top of member 40 but is not secured thereto.

A cap 54 comprising a generally inverted, cup-shaped cylindrical section is provided at the top of valve 12. Cap 54 includes a disk 56 along its underside and a pair of grooves 58 pass through the opposite side walls of the cap. When cap 54 is applied to valve sleeve 24, a spring clip 60 may be inserted through grooves .58 and into registering grooves 38 to maintain the cap assembled on sleeve 24 and the valve subassembly assembled within the valve. Additionally, there is provided a biasing means, for example, a helical coil spring 62, which

seats at opposite ends, when the valve is assembled, against disks 56 and 52, respectively, to bias member 40 for movement in an axially downward direction, i.e., toward the valve-closed position illustrated in Figure 4.

Disposed in the laterally registering slots 36 and 44 of the sleeve 24 and member 40, respectively, are a cam 64 and a guide 66 for the cam. Guide 66 includes a base frame 68 having a slot 70 along its underside for engaging the base of slots 36. That is, the recess or slot 70 straddles the base of slots 36 and prevents lateral movement of guide 66 in the slots. Guide 66 also includes a pair of laterally spaced guide plates 72 secured to base frame 68 and upstanding therefrom in slots 36 and 44. Each guide plate 72 includes an aperture 74 opening through its upper edge for receiving cam follower 48.

Cam 64 comprises a member slidable along the upper surface of base frame 68 between guide plates 72. Cam 64 has cam surfaces including a pair of flats 76 and 78 laterally spaced one from the other and connected one to the other by an inclined cam surface 80. It will be appreciated from a review of the drawing figures, that cam surfaces 76, 78 and 80 are designed for engagement with cam follower 48. It will also be appreciated that biasing means 62, when the valve is assembled, causes the cam follower 48 to bear against one of the surfaces of cam 64 to

maintain the subassembly, including guide 66, in the valve assembly.

Cam 64 may be translated in a lateral direction to open and close the valve, e.g., by means of a cable C. This may be a conventional bowden-type cable which may be routed, as in Figure 1, to a control knob 82 disposed on dash 18 or an otherwise readily accessible control station on the boat. Thus, by a push-pull actuation of control knob 82, cam 64 may be displaced along guide 66 to engage one of the cam surfaces 76, 78 and 80 with cam follower 48. In Figure 4, there is illustrated a screen 84 which is secured between valve sleeve 24 and the boat hull to prevent debris and the like from entering the valve openings 28 and 26.

Referring now to Figure 7, the cam 64a is illustrated with a lower flat 78a and an inclined linear surface 80a. Additionally, the cam 64a has a recess 90 for receiving the cable as well as a coil spring 92. One end of coil spring 92 abuts an annular surface 94 in the recess, while the opposite end of coil spring 92 bears against an abutment extending between the guide plates 72a. In this manner, when the cable is pulled, the cam follower bears against surface 80a to open the valve and a continuous bias is applied to the cam in the valve closing position by both the cooperation of the cam follower and inclined surface 80a, as well as by the

coil spring 92.

For emergency situations, for example, where it is necessary to immediately cut the operating cable, a guillotine mechanism 100 is provided at the valve. The mechanism 100 includes a strip 102 of steel having an aperture 104 therethrough which is sharpened about its lower edge. The strip 102 is disposed between the guide plates 72a, in suitable guides, not shown, with the cable routed through aperture 104. The upper end of strip 102 is secured to a lever 108 pivoted to and between the guide plates 72a at 100. The opposite end of the level is notched at 112 to snap-fit over a transverse pin connecting guide plates 72a one to the other. A pull ring 114 is carried by the lever 108. By pulling on ring 114 and pivoting lever 108, the strip 102 is displaced upwardly, causing the lower sharpened edge of the aperture to cut through the cable thereby freeing the valve for manual actuation.

ϊrr operation, when~it s-desired to drain ^~ the bilge of boat 10, for example, when it is placed on a trailer, valve 12 will normally lie in its closed position, as illustrated -in Figure 4. Note that cam follower 48 engages cam surface 78, enabling member 40 to be biased by spring 62 into the valve-closed position. To open the valve, knob 82 is pulled, causing cam 64 to be linearly displaced in the lateral direction, for example, from left to right,

as illustrated in Figure 4, into the position illustrated in Figure 3. Thus, cam follower 48 will ride along inclined surface 80, hence raising member 40 within sleeve 24 until it rests on flat 76. In that position as illustrated in Figure 3, the valve is in its full open position. It will be appreciated that because of the slope of the inclined surface 80, very little control pressure is required to open the valve. Also, when the valve reaches its full open position illustrated in Figure 3, there is no control pressure exerted on the control knob 82 by the valve because any tendency of the valve to move toward its closed position is resisted by cam 64 between cam follower 48 and base frame 68. Once the boat is completely drained, knob 82 may be pushed toward dash 18 to displace cam 64 from right to left, as illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, into the valve-closed position illustrated in Figure 4. Note that when the cam follower initially engages inclined surface 80, the bias of spring 62 causes a control pressure, tending to move the cam 64 to the valve-closed position.

With respect to the embodiment hereof illustrated in Figure 6, it may be desirable to manually operate the valve. To facilitate this, cam 64 may be provided with an upstanding handle 90 which projects from one end of the cam. Consequently, it will be appreciated that handle 90 may be grasped by an individual and cam 64 manually laterally displaced

between valve open and closed positions similarly as previously described with respect to the cable control of the position of the cam.

An important feature of the present invention resides in the ability of the valve to be quickly disassembled and reassembled. Referring back to Figures 2-4, it will be appreciated that the spring bias is resisted by the engagement of the spring against the cap 54 which is secured to sleeve 24 by spring clip 60. To disassemble the valve, the spring clip 60 is removed from the aligned grooves 38 and 58 to release cap 54. Upon removal of cap 54, the spring 62 and disk 52 may be removed. The entire guide 66, cam 64, as well as the member 40 and cam follower 48, may then be lifted from the sleeve 24 along slots 36 thereof for removal through the open upper end of sleeve 24. Upon removal, the cam may be removed from the guide and guide 66 removed from member 40.

- To ^~ reassemble the valve7 the cam 64 is^Lhserted between guide plates 72 and guide 66 is inserted in slot 44 of member 40. This entire subassembly may then be received in sleeve 24, with guide 66 engaging in slots 36. Disk 52 and spring 62 are then disposed in the upper end of sleeve 24 and cap 54 is applied about sleeve 24 and secured by spring clip 60. As a consequence of this construction, it will readily be appreciated that the valve may be easily disassembled

for cleaning or oil changes as necessary and reassembled for further use.

Referring to drawing Figures 9-18, there is illustrated a remotely-operated cam-actuated valve constructed in accordance with another form of the present invention and generally designated 210. Valve 210 is mounted in the drain port 212 of the transom 214 of a boat having a boat bottom 216. Drain port opening 212 is provided with a fitting 218 which includes an internally threaded opening 220 and flanges 222 for mounting, preferably by screws, fitting 218 to transom 214.

Valve 210 includes a valve body 224 comprised of an elongated sleeve having a tapering, externally threaded, end portion 226 whereby the sleeve 224 may be inserted through fitting 218 from outside transom 214 and screw-threaded into opening 220. The end of sleeve 224 outwardly of transom 214 defines a generally frustoconical-shaped valve seat 228. Sleeve 224 is smaller in diameter than drain port 212 and includes a plurality of openings about its circumference, enabling communication of fluid, for example, water in the bilge of the boat, to enter sleeve 224 for egress through the end of sleeve 24 outboard of transom 214. Various configurations of openings are illustrated in Figures 12-15, to be described. Sleeve 224 also includes a radially inwardly directed rib 230 substantially medially of

its length and also has a radially outwardly opening groove 232 adjacent its distal inner end.

An elongated valve stem 234 is disposed within sleeve 224 for axial movement therein between valve-open and valve-closed positions. Valve stem 234 mounts a valve head 236 at its outer end, head 236 including a seal, for example, an O-ring seal 238, for engagement with valve seat 228 in the valve-closed position. When assembling the valve, the valve stem 234 is inserted into sleeve 24 through its outboard end. A biasing means, for example, a helical spring 239, is disposed over the free end of stem 234, together with a washer 40 and friction washer 242. Thus, the opposite ends of the coil spring 239 bear against the rib 230 of sleeve 224 and the washer 240 on stem 234 whereby the stem is biased for axial movement into a valve-closed position, i.e., biased for movement from left to right, as illustrated in Figure 9. Valve stem 234 also includes a plurality of centering vanes 244 spaced circumferentially one from the other thereabout which lie close to, but are spaced from, the interior surface of sleeve 224. The vanes may, of course, be mounted on the sleeve and project radially inwardly to guide the stem. The centering vanes 244 enable the valve stem 234 to move axially within sleeve 224 while retaining the stem substantially coaxial of the sleeve 224.

A cap 246 is provided for closing the inboard opposite end of valve sleeve 224. For reasons which will become apparent, cap 246 is releasably secured about sleeve 224 by a spring clip 248 (Figure 10) which is received in grooves 250 of cap 246 and groove 232 of sleeve 224. Thus, spring clip 248 secures cap 246 about sleeve 224 and its removal from the grooves enables the cap to be removed axially from sleeve 224.

Cap 246 mounts the valve cam actuator. Particularly, and referring to Figure 10, cap 246 includes a head on mounting member 252 having a central slot 254 opening laterally of head 252. Slot 254 terminates in an axial direction in an opening 256 for receiving the end of valve stem 234. Disposed within slot 254 is a guide 260 comprised of a pair of guide plates 262 spaced laterally one from the other. A pair of holes 264 are disposed in the distal end of plates 262 and mount a bracket 265 for anchoring the fixed cable Cl of the remote actuator cable, for example, a bowden-type cable having fixed and movable cable parts Cl and C2, respectively. Various spacers are used to maintain plates 262 spaced one from the other. Between plates 262 is mounted a cam 266, both the cam 266 and guide 260 being mounted on a pin 268 extending through an aperture in head 252. The pin may be removable by removing the cotter pin 270 at one end thereof. It will be appreciated that when the actuator is

installed, the pin 268 lies on the axis of valve stem 264. Cam 266 is provided with high and low camming surfaces 271 and 272, respectively, which engage the distal end of valve stem 234 through axial opening 256. As best illustrated in Figure 9, when cam 266 is mounted in the illustrated full-line position, the high cam surface 271 engages the distal end of valve stem 234 to space valve head 236 from valve seat 228 against the bias of spring 239. A cam stop 273 is provided between plates 262 to limit rotation of the cam 266 before it reaches the maximum displacement of the valve. A spring 275 surrounds the actuator cable C2 between bracket 265 and a cable anchor 277 to bias the cam to the valve closed position. Thus, both the cam stop 273 and spring 275 bias the valve to its closed position. When cam 266 is rotated to the dashed-line position, the bias of spring 239 enables the distal end of valve stem 234 to follow the cam surface on cam 266 such that low surface 272 engages that end in the valve-closed position. Cam 266 has a cam arm 276, the free end of which has an opening for connecting with the movable cable of the cable actuator. Consequently, it will be appreciated that by moving the movable cable in a direction generally normal to the axis of valve stem 234, cam 266 may be rotated between the illustrated full and dashed line positions and, hence, the valve moved between valve-open and closed positions.

From a review of Figures 9 and 10, it will be

appreciated that valve 210 is mounted directly adjacent hull bottom 216 and that the linear movement of the cable actuator is normal to the axis of the valve, i.e., in a direction transverse of the boat. To enable the valve to lie as close to the hull bottom as possible, the underside of cap 246 may be provided with a flat 280 (Figure 10) so that the apertures in the valve sleeve 224 lie closely adjacent hull bottom 216.

Referring now to Figure 11, as stated previously, the cable actuator moves in a substantially linear direction generally normal to the axis of the valve when moving the cam between the dashed and full line illustration positions. It will be appreciated, however, that in certain applications, it is desirable to provide an in-line cable actuating movement, i.e., a linear cable actuating movement generally parallel to the axis of the valve. To accomplish this, cap 246 is removed from the sleeve 224 by removing spring clip 248. Pin 268 is then removed and cam 266 is reversed in position relative to the guide plates 262. When guide plates 262 are reinstalled in the slot 254, they are rotated to the position illustrated in Figure 11 and pin 268 is inserted and secured by cotter pin 270. In this manner, cam 266 is aligned for actuation by an actuating cable movable linearly in the general direction of the axis of valve stem 234 as illustrated by the arrows in Figure 11. This

facilitates the cable routing in certain types of boats.

Referring now to Figures 12-15, it will be appreciated that various types of openings in the sleeve 224 may be provided to enable bilge water to enter the valve and drain. In Figure 12, a plurality of elongated slots 284 circumferentially spaced one from the other are provided sleeve 224. In Figure

13, circumferentially extending slots 286 axially spaced one from the other may be provided. In Figure

14, a plurality of openings 288 are both circumferentially and axially spaced one from the other along sleeve 224. In Figure 15, diagonally extending arcuate slots 290 may be provided through sleeve 224. Other types of openings or slot arrangements will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in this art.

Referring now to Figure 15, there is illustrated another form of mounting for a valve sleeve 224a in transom 214. In ^{^} this form, valve sleeve 224a is ^~ externally threaded at 292 for a substantial portion of its length. The openings 284 through sleeve 224 may be of the type illustrated in Figure 12, although other types may be used.. Instead of terminating in an outwardly flared end, valve sleeve 224a terminates in a radially extending flange 294 for butting and sealing against the outboard surface of transom 214. An O-ring seal may be disposed as desired between

flange 294 and transom 214. A nut 296 is threaded on sleeve 224a to clamp sleeve 224a to transom 214. It will be appreciated that the slots 284 in sleeve 224a lie in communication with bilge water in the pump, enabling the water to drain from the boat.

The valve hereof may be formed of various types of materials. Preferably, the valve is formed of materials compatible for use in the environment contemplated. For example, the sleeve may be formed of stainless steel. The cam and valve stem may be formed of a plastic material, such as PVC. The valve stem, however, is preferably formed of Delrin.

An emergency disconnect between the cable and the cam may be provided to allow the valve to be operated in case of cable or actuator damage. Such disconnect may comprise a removable connector between the cable and cam, for example, a hairpin-shaped spring interconnecting the cam and the cable may be used. Upon disconnection, the valve can then be manually closed or opened as desired without the use of the cable.

Another feature of the present invention resides in a lock-open feature for the valve actuator hereof. To accomplish this and referring now to Figures 17-18, the valve actuator at the boat dash, includes a nut 300 mounting a shaft 302 to which is connected the actuator knob 304. The shaft 302 is,

of course, connected by conventional means, not shown, to the actuator cable. The nut is provided with a D-shaped opening 106 having a flat 308. A notch 310 is cut in the shaft, the shaft being otherwise milled flat to form a D-shaped cross-section to fit the D-shaped hole in the nut. Consequently, when the knob has been pulled from the dash sufficient to open the valve, the shaft 302 may be rotated to engage the notch 310 with the nut about the D-shaped opening, thereby locking the control knob in the valve open position. It will be appreciated that rotating the shaft in the opposite direction aligns the D-shaped shaft with the D-shaped opening in the nut, thereby permitting release of the knob and return of the valve to its closed position.

While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiment, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.