US2032881A - Fire hydrant - Google Patents

Description

March 3, 1936.v H M, LOF-TON 4 2,032,881

FI RE HYDRAN T Filed Nov. 1l, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet l 24 a ne. a0. a@ /f \V 5,6 l as I l 7a 8 l5 A9 l l March 3, 1936. H. M LOFTON f 2,032,881l

FIRE HYDRANT Filed NOV. 1l, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Mar. 3, 1936 NlTED STATES PATENT OFFICE My present invention relates to nre hydrants and is an improvement upon the construction of hydrant for which Letters Patent No. 1,717,392 was issued to me on June 18, 1929, and also upon 5 the construction illustrated in an application Serial No. 561,338 filed by me on September 5, 1931; and more particularly to improvements which relate to the upper structure of the hydrant including means for holding the valve stem 10 against rotation during the opening and closing movements of the main valve, and the means for imparting a reciprocating motion to the said valve stem.

My invention also has special reference to the 13 thorough lubrication of the mechanism employed for imparting the reciprocating movements to the valve stem, whereby the same is maintained in a lubricated condition, and hence easy of operation.

2O My invention also embodies certain features of construction in the stock or barrel of the hydrant body which extends above the ground and embodying a structure of less resistance to fracture than the main barrel or casing so that in the event of the upper part of the nre hydrant being forcibly struck by a truck or because of impact, the said weakened portion would become broken and limit the damage to a small easily repaired portion of the barrel.

According to the invention, the hydrant comprisesstock and bonnet parts combined with a valve to control the flow of water through the stock, a reciprocating shaft for operating the valve, means arranged in the upper part of the 3,3 hydrant for guiding the shaft and preventing it from rotating, a transverse member providing an oil reservoir in the upper part of the stock, and surrounding the upper portion of the shaft for lubricating said shaft where it passes through the i oil reservoir, means for fastening the oil reservoir between the stock and bonnet parts, an oil tight packing interposed between the reservoir and the means for preventing rotation of the valve shaft, a rotatable nut arranged at the top of the hy- 3 drant for reciprocating the valve shaft, said nut having an annular flange seated in the upper part of the hydrant structure above the oil reservoir, and means for supplying oil upward by capillary action to the said annular flange.

,g i Referring to the drawings: Fig. l is a vertical sectional View of the lower or valve portion of the nre hydrant, more particularly illustrating the main valve, the means for draining the stock or barrel of the hydrant, and also showing the 5,; means for centralizing and guiding the main valve axially; Fig. 2 is a, vertical section through the upper portion of the hydrant including the special construction of the stock or barrel, the means for imparting vertical reciprocation of the valve stem, and the oiling devices; Fig. 3 is a vertical section illustrating the overflow means in connection with the oil reservoir; and Fig. 4 is a transverse section taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 2.

2 is the body of the shoe and is made flat on the bottom portion 4 thereof. The shoe is provided with a4 lateral tubular flange portion 3 adapted for making connection with the supply main in the street. The upper portion 3a of the shoe is flanged and bolted to the flanged lower end of the stock I4 by bolts I3 and with a packing I2 interposed between the flanges. The upper opening in the shoe is screw threaded as at 6 into which the seat ring 5 is screwed, and said seat ring has its lower conical seating portion 1 extended downward below the screw threaded portion and formed with a slight clearance 8 from the vertical wall 1a. At the upper end of the juncture 8 of the parts 'I and 1a, there is provided an annular groove extending part-way into the seat ring and part-way into the flanged end 3a of the shoe, the grooved portion 9 extending into the seat ring on three sides, whereas the groove I0 extending into the flanged end of the shoe has its grooved portion formed of two annular surfaces at an angle to each other. When the seat ring 5 is screwed down into the flanged end 3a of the shoe, the gasket II normally of rectangular or square shape is caused to assume a different shape by coi-action between the walls of the annular groove. It is manifest that the inclined walls I0 formed in the upper flanged end 3a of the shoe provide a wedge action upon the lead or other gasket which causes it to be pressed tightly into the recess 9 in the seat ring, and in being so pressed the horizontal shoulder in the bottom of the groove forms an interlock with the gasket so that when the seat ring is unscrewed upward and removed, it carries with it the said gasket I I. It will be seen that as this gasket fits tightly into the undercut part of the seat ring portion, it nts the grooved portion I0 of the shoe in such av manner as to permit immediate separation therefrom upon screwing the seat ring upward for removal. In other words, the gasket becomes firmly attached to the seat ring and readily detached from the upper flanged portion 3a of the shoe. From Fig. 1, it will also be seen that the greatest diameter of the gasket in the Seat ring 5 is equal to or less than the diameter therein.

of the threads 6 of the flanged portion 3a of the shoe, so that the gasket is in no way injured by removal and re-insertion of the seat ring.

I5 is the main valve and comprises an upper disk-like body I6 having formed integral therewith a downwardly extending tubular shaft portion I9, a series of disks of leather or other suitable material forming a tapered packing adapted in shape to iit the beveled seat 1 of the seat ring 5, and a bottom annular plate I8 fitting loosely over the tubular shaft I9 and clamped in position thereon by means of nut 2I and lock nut 22 screwed upon the threaded portion 20 of the tubular shaft. In this manner, the leather packing of the main valve may be tightly clamped together between the two metal parts I6 and I8. The operating shaft or valve rod 24 has a screw threaded end 25 which is screwed into lthe upper disk-like body I6 of the main valve and is pinned therein by a transverse pin 25 so that said shaft and'valve piece move as launit :and without rotation.

23 are ports or passages from the space at the bottom of the stock I4 fand .downward and into the hollow passage portion :of the tubular Yshaft I9. The main valve and its :operating stem or shaft 24 .is permitted to vhave vertical movement but prevented from .being rotated. The interior of the shoe Aand the bottom portion thereof is provided with a cylindrical casting 21a whichjis internally -tted with a bronze bushing 25| of tubular like form and Ypreferably with -outwardly curved upper and lower endswas shown. This tubular bushing 21 is provided about .half way up with lateral drainage-aperturesS, said apertures opening yinto an `annular `drainage chamber 35 formed between the casting y21a andthe annular bushing, the said annular vdrainage space i36 extending considerably above the aperture 135 4and having a drainage tubular vportion 37| `whose upper end opens into the upper portion df the annular space 36 vand providing an outlet from said space at a considerable distance above the drainage aperture 35.

Surrounding the tubular sha-ft I9 and movable with it is a fluid tig-ht piston 28, said piston vforming an annular spacing .circularl body having clamped between said body and a washer plate 3D a fcup shaped leather packing 3I. Similar-ly, at the bottom'of the piston rspacing circular `body is arranged afdownwardly extending leather `cup packing 3-2 'which is clamped in position by the clamping plate 33 and nuts `34 screwed upon the lower end -of the tubular lshaft I9 rI'he cylindrical bushing 21 isaxiall-yperfec-t alinement with the axis of the main valve so that itacts to `positively guide the main valve .and .its attached piston axially of the valve seat.

Y The drainage water from the stock .I4 of the hydra-nt fiows Lby gravity .through the -or-ifices 23 in the upper annular body part I6 of the main valve, said waterl flowing downward through the tubular vshaft I9 lto -a level -below the piston'28 The level of this drainage water rises in the said 'cylinder .21 Yand passes outwardly through the lateral por-.t 3.5 Kthereinand thence through the annular space 36 and into the upper open end of the tubular drain portions 31, the upper end thereof being a-t ,or somewhat higher tha-n the lower -cup shaped leather packing 32 of the piston 28. In this manner, the leather packing is maintained submerged 'in the waste water from the hydrant, and if, for any reason, the hydrant was 1'out lof use fora long period, the water in the lower part yof the cylinder 21 will be retained at .a level which will be above the said packing 32 and consequently keep it in a moist and pliable condition. It is also evident that if packing 3|, and in that manner maintain thesame in a pliable and workable condition.

The piston 28 being positively connected with the main valve I5 and spaced therefrom, said parts are each adapted-to be subjected to the pressure of the water supply entering the shoe, said pressure operating upon the underside of the main valve I 5 and upon the upper side of the piston 28. By reason of this construction, the main valve is substantially counter-balanced by the piston 28 and greatly reduces the amount of effort required to open the main valve. The main valve is somewhat larger in diameter than the diameter of the piston 29 of the counter-balance and waste valve. some excess pressure to normally hold the main valve closed upon its seat, it is equally desirable that the excess pressure be reduced to an amount only sufficient to insure a tight valve and, at the same time, to be limited to such an extent that I the counter-balance effect yoperates to reduce the .power `necessary to open the valve to a minimum. The counter-balance feature of my improvements, while being of the same nature as shown -in my patent hereinbefore referred to, in association with other features of improvements, is important and insures desirable results over and above what is illustrated in my said previous patent. While the valve may be opened to any degree desired, its total movement is limited by the contacting between the under part of the annular plate I8 yof the main valve and the upper rim of the'cylindrical casting 21a and `bushing 21 thereof.

Aside from the functions of the parts illustra-ted in Fig. 1 acting as a means for counter- 1,;

.balancing the main valve I5 to facilitate its opening and closing movement, I have arranged for holding the main valve concentric with the seat ring 5 by employing the balanced valve cylinder 21 precisely in line with the valve seat, this being A.

accomplished by means of the spacer or piston 28 fitting fairly within the said balanced valve cylinder 21 through the connections I9 between said piston or spacer .and the main valve itself.

The advantages of this arrangement are highly important for the reason `that it removes all cross obstructions from any point above the valve opening, thereby permitting unimpeded flow of water when the main valve is opened. rPhe drain is entirely automatic and requires no .synchronized f:

or screw adjustment of any kind and is entirely proof against derangement for the reason that when the main valve is closed the lower cupped leather 32 rises vsufficiently above the hole 35 in the bronze casing or cylinder 21, thereby permitting the water to flow out 'from the point above the main valve of the hydrant through the openings 35, as previously pointed out.

Referring more particularly to Figs. 2 and 3, illustrating the upper portion of the hydrant, and especially those portions above the ground level, the following features may be enumerated. At the upper end of the stock I4 there is tted an annular section 38 of relatively short vertical lengths and of a more or less weak condition relatively to the strength of the stock I4 and the body part 46a immediately above it, the purpose and object of which is to lprovide a weakened part of less strength than the stock or body portion so that in case of severe impact by collision of a While it is desirable to have heavy truck or car, the said weakened portion will be ruptured before any damage would be done to the stock, hose nozzle or operating means at the top of the hydrant. Furthermore, this weakened section 38 may be formed with a corrugated surface providing annular weakened portions which also may embody certain ornamental features. I deem it immaterial whether the corrugations are formed upon the outer surface or upon the inner surface, since the results would be the same.

Immediately above the weakened section 38 of v the stock and the body portion 46a, before referred to, there is provided a transverse plate 46 bolted to the upper portion of the body part 46a by bolts 41 and in a water tight manner, said plate having its central portion provided with a deep cup 42 constituting an oil reservoir and said cup extending centrally downward at 48 and provided within its lower part with a vertical aperture of polygonal cross section, as indicated at 60 in Fig. 4. 6| is an operating stubshaft extending vertically through a stuffing box 49 having packing 50 therein. The stub-shaft has its lower end formed of polygonal cross section, as shown at 58 in Fig. 4, and loosely ts within the polygonal aperture 6U o-f the rigid portion 48. In this manner, the stub-shaft may be adjusted up or down but cannot rotate. Screwed into the bottom portion 58 of the stub-shaft 6I is the screw threaded upper end 51 of the valve rod 24, the said parts 51 and 58 being secured against relative rotation by means of a transverse pin or rivet 59. Any other suitable means may be employed for permitting the valve rod to be held against rotation during its vertical reciprocation. Any suitable packing means may be employed about the stub-shaft 6|, but that shown is well adapted to its purpose. This packing comprises the asbestos or other suitable packing 50 held down in a packed condition about the shaft by an annular gland portion slidably surrounding the shaft. The gland 5| is, in turn, forced downward into clamping position by means of an annular flange portion 52 surrounding the stub-shaft and being forcibly adjusted toward the gland by means of studs 53 provided with adjustable nuts 53a. In this manner, oil 55 within the cup 42 may be received to a level close to the upper rim 54 of the cup, this level being assured by an overflow pipe 56 extending upwardly from near the bottom of the cup to an outward discharge 51a through the cup immediately below the rim 54 thereof, as clearly indicated in Fig. 3. There is shown in Fig. 2 a lateral nozzle 39, the same opening to the interior of the body portion 46a below the transverse diaphragm plate 46 and in direct communication with the stock or barrel portion |4. There may be more than one such nozzle and the same are provided with caps of the usual construction.

Arranged above the transverse diaphragm plate 46 and extending above the oil reservoir 42 is a bonnet 45 which is clamped in position above the body portion 46a by means of clamping bolts 44 which extend through the flanged portion of the bonnet and the flanged portions of the transverse diaphragm plate 46 and upper flange of the body 46a. The bonnet preferably rests upon hub or spacing portions 43 extending upwardly from the face ofthe transverse plate portion 46. 15 is an operating nut loosely screwed upon the threaded portion 62 at the upper end of the stub-shaft 6|, and this nut is provided with a polygonal upper end 15a upon which an operating wrench may be applied for rotating it. I'his nut is, furthermore, provided with an annular flange 63 at its upper portion, which flange rests upon theupper surface 64 of a socket portion and is held in such position by a threaded bushing 65 which is screwed down into the upper end of the bonnet. In this manner, the rotation of the nut 15 will cause the stub-shaft 6| (together with its valve stem 24) to be raised or lowered while at the same time being held against rotation. 12 is an oil port arranged in the upper portion of the bonnet and inclined downward so that oil squirted through said port will be delivered into the reservoir 42, and said port is normally closed by a spring actuated valve device 13 which permits the entrance of the oil supplying means while normally holding the said port in sealed condition against the entrance of dirt.

Arranged about the annular flange 63 of the revolving nut 15 is a wick-like material 14, said wick extending downwardly at 1| through a guide tube secured at its upper end in the bonnet and so positioned that the wick may extend downwardly and into the lubricating oil 55 within the reservoir 42. By means of this wick the oil will rise by capillary action and will thus supply lubricant to the revolving portions of the nut and any excess will return to the reservoir about the outer surface of the nut 15. The extreme upper end of the nut is preferably provided with an oil passage 66 normally closed by a screw 61, the lower end of said passage discharging upon the top of the stub-shaft 6| so as to lubricate the screw connection between it and the nut. Any surplus oil thus supplied may overflow through the lateral passages 68 and und its way back into the reservoir, and this may be facilitated by the hole 63a through the annular flange 63 of the nut. By these means, the operating nut and screw threaded portion of the stub-shaft may be properly lubricated so as to be easy of operation at all times.

While the wick feature 1| may be omitted if desired, nevertheless, I prefer to employ such wick since it is a constantly operating lubricating means which obviates a necessity for attending to the lubrication of the hydrant except over long intervals.

The holding of the valve stem 24 against rotation at a point entirely above the main valve, as I have provided for in the improvement described in the present application, is of considerable value as it brings the resistance to torsional strain wholly upon the stub-shaft 6| at the top of the main or valve shaft and thereby removes all torsional strain from the latter and the mechanism connected at the lower end thereof; and moreover, the removal of the torsional strain from the valve shaft |4 permits a lighter and less expensive and obstructive shaft to be employed for operating the valve.

These improvements at the upper portion of the hydrant not only provide for lubrication but they bring all of the working parts in position where it is impossible for them to freeze, and particularly so as the stuffing box and oil reservoir project downwardly and into .an air tight compartment, thus giving it practically what is equivalent to being in a vacuum chamber, which is assured to a more or less extent due to the filling of the water in the main stock when the hydrant is draining itself.

In respect to the overflow means comprised in the pipe 56 shown in Figs. 2 and 3, it will be understood that any excess of oil introduced into the reservoir 42, either directly or indirectly, will cause the more impure oil at the bottom of the reservoir to be discharged through the opening 51a and find its way into the space immediately above the diaphragm plate 46 and escape therefrom through the space 16 Yformed between the perimeter of the said plate and the downwardly extending flange I1 of the bonnet 45. By keeping the oil Within the reservoir to a definite height, all the working parts are insured as to the supply needed, and in this manner the working parts are capable of lasting many times the life of ordinary unlubrica-ted parts at the upper part of the hydrant. f

Of course, the hydrant structure shown and described herein may be modified and changed in various ways without .departing from the invention herein set forth and hereafter claimed.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A hydrant comprising stock and bonnet parts, a valve to control the flow of water through the stock, a reciprocating shaft for operating the valve, means arranged in the upper part of the hydrant for guiding the shaft and preventingit from rotating, an voil reservoir secured to the upper part of the stock and surrounding the upper portion of the shaft for lubricating said shaft where it passes through the oil reservoir, means for supporting the oil reservoir independently of the bonnet part, an oil tight packing interposed between the reservoir and said first means, a rotatable nut arranged at the top of the hydrant for reciprocating the valve shaft, said nut having an annular flange seated in the upper part .of Athe hydrant structure above the oil reservoir, :and means for supplying oil upward by capillary action to the said annular flange.

.2. A hydrant comprising stock and bonnet parts, a valve to control the flow of water through the stock, a reciprocating shaft for operating the valve, means arranged in the upper part of the hydrant for guiding the shaft and preventing vit from rotating, .an oil reservoir secured to the upper part of the stock and surrounding the upper portion of` the shaft for lubricating said shaft where it passes through the oil reservoir, means forsupporting the oil reservoir independently of the bonnet part, an oil tight packing interposed between the reservoir and the means for preventing rotation of the valve shaft, a rotatable nut arranged at the top of the hydrant for reciprocating the valve shaft, said nut having an annular flange seated in the upper part of the hydrant structure, and means for supplying Aoil to the said annular flange of the nut, said oil supplying means comprising a wick extending from the oil reservoir to the rotatable nut portion of the means for imparting reciprocating motion to the valve shaft.

3. A hydrant comprising stock and bonnet parts, a valve to control the flow of water Y through the stock, a reciprocating shaft for operating the valve, means arranged in the Vupper part of the hydrant for guiding the shaft and preventing it from rotating, an oil reservoir secured to the upper part of the stock and surrounding the upper portion of the shaft for lubricating said shaft where it passes through the oil reservoir, means for supporting the oil reservoir independently of the bonnet part, an oil tight packing interposed between the reservoir and the means for preventing rotation of the valve shaft, a rotatable nut arranged at the top of the hydrant for reciprocating the valve shaft, said rotatable nut having an annular flangeseated in the upper part of the hydrant structure, means for supplying oil to the said annular flange of the nut, said oil supplyingV means comprising a Wick extending from the oil reservoir to the rotatable nut portion of Vthe means for imparting reciprocating motion to the valve shaft, said wick having its upper portion arranged about and in contact with the annular flange of the rotatable nut.

4. In a fire hydrant, the combination of the stock and a vertically reciprocable valve operatingshaft with an oil reservoir within the stock at its upper part and through which the shaft extends, a packing arranged within the oil reservoir and between said reservoir and the shaft for providing an oil tight bearing, a rotatable nut `journaled in the upper part of the hydrant above the reservoir and screwed upon the shaft for reciprocating it, and a vertical wick extending from the oil reservoir to the journal bearing of the nut.

5. A hydrant comprising stock and bonnet parts, a valve to control the ilow of water through the stock, a reciprocating shaft for operating the Valve, means arranged in the upper part of the hydrant for guiding the shaft and preventing it from rotating, an oil reservoir secured to the upper part of the stock and surrounding the upper portion oi the shaft for lubricating said shaft vwhere it passes through the oil reservoir, means for supporting the oil reservoir independently of the bonnet part, an oil tight packing interposed between the reservoir and the rst means, a rotatable nut arranged at the top of the Y hydrant for reciprocating the valve shaft, and means for supplying lubricant from the reservoir to the valve operating means above the reservoir.

6. A hydrant comprising stock and bonnet parts, a valve to control the flow of water through the stock, a reciprocating shaft for operating the valve, means arranged in the upper part of the hydrant for guiding the shaft and preventing it from rotating, an oil reservoir secured to the upper part of the stock and surrounding theupper portion of the shaft for lubricating said shaft where it passes through the oil reservoir, means for supporting the oil reservoir independently of the bonnet part, an oil tight packing interposed between the reservoir and the means for preventing rotation of the valve shaft, and a rotatable nut arranged at they top of the hydrant for reciprocating the valve shaft, said oil reservoir provided with an overiiow aperture leading into the bonnet space which space provides a drainage port for escape of excess of oil from the reservoir to the outside of the stock and bonnet parts, said bonnet secured to the stock and extending over the oil reservoir and carrying the rotatable nut and provided with means above the reservoir for supplying oil thereto.

7 A hydrant having a stock, a main valve and shaft therefor, a stub-shaft forming a jointed extension of the Valve shaft, said stub-shaft eX- ternally screw threaded at its extreme upper end and having the portion immediately below the said threaded end made smoothand threadless, means removably mounted adjacent the union of the stock and bonnet parts including an oil reservoir for surrounding the stub-shaft and arranged to provide a smooth vertical sliding oil tight connection between the stub-shaft and the oil reservoir, oil packing means tightly positioned about the lower end of the threadless portion of the stub-shaft and below the stationary means, and a hollow nut at the lower end of the stub-shaft into which the upper end of the valve stem is screwed for permitting reciprocation of the valve stem but preventing rotation thereof.

8. In a hydrant having shoe, stock and bonnet parts, a valve to control the flow of water through the stock, and a reciprocating shaft for operating said valve, transverse means held between said stock and bonnet parts providing means for guiding the shaft and preventing its rotation, said transverse means also provided with an oil reservoir surrounding part of said shaft, and means to prevent water from passing from said .stock into said reservoir.

9. In a hydrant having shoe, stock and bonnet parts, a valve to control the flow of water through the stock, and a reciprocating shaft for operating said valve, transverse means held between said stock and bonnet parts providing means for 25 guiding the shaft and preventing its rotation, said transverse means also provided with an oil reservoir surrounding part of said shaft, packingl to prevent water from passing from said stock into said reservoir, gland means for said 30 packing, and means for adjusting said gland.

10. A hydrant comprising stock and bonnet parts, a valve to control the flow of water through the stock, a reciprocating shaft for operating the valve, means arranged in the upper part of the hydrant for guiding the shaft and ypreventing it from rotating, an oil reservoir secured to the upper part of the stock and surrounding 'the upper portion of the shaft for lubricating said shaft Where it passes through the oil reservoir,

40 means for supporting the oil reservoir independently of the bonnet part, an oil tight packing interposed between the reservoir and said first means, a gland for said packing, means for adjusting said gland, a rotatable nut arranged at 45 the top of the hydrant for reciprocating the valve shaft, said nut having an annular flange seated in the upper part of the hydrant structure above the oil reservoir, and means for supplying oil upward by capillary action to the said an- 50 nular flange.

11. A transverse member for hydrants having stock and bonnet parts, a valve, and a valve operating shaft, said member comprising annular' means for fastening same between the stock and 55 bonnet parts, an oil reservoir for surrounding part of said shaft, packing means for retaining the oil in said reservoir, and means for preventing rotation of said shaft.

12. A transverse member for hydrants having 60 stock and bonnet parts, a valve, and a valve operating shaft, said member comprising annular means for fastening same between the stock and adjacent the union of the bonnet and stock providing means for guiding the shaft, said transverse means also being provided with an oil reservoir surrounding part of said shaft, and means to prevent water entering said reservoir from said stock.

14. A transverse member for hydrants having a casing including stock and bonnet parts, a valve, and a valve operating shaft, said member comprising means for removably securing the same within the casing adjacent the union of the stock and bonnet parts, an oil reservoir for surrounding part of said shaft, and packing means for preventing water entering said reservoir from said stock.

15. In a hydrant having a shoe, stock and bonnet parts, a valve to control the flow of water through the stock, and a reciprocating shaft for operating said valve, transverse means held between said stock and bonnet parts providing for guiding the shaft, said transverse means also being provided with an oil reservoir surrounding part of said shaft, and means for preventing Water entering said reservoir from said stock.

16. A transverse member for hydrants having stock and bonnet parts, a valve, and a valve operating shaft, said member comprising means for fastening the same between the stock and bonnet parts, an oil reservoir for surrounding part of said shaft, and packing means for preventing water entering said reservoir from said stock.

17. In a hydrant having a casing including a shoe, stock and bonnet parts, a valve to control the ow of water through the stock, and a reciprocating shaft for operating the valve, transverse means removably mounted in said casing adjacent the union of said stock and said bonnet providing means for guiding the shaft and preventing its rotation, said transverse means also being provided with an oil reservoir surrounding part of said shaft, and means for preventing water entering said reservoir from said stock.

18. A transverse member for hydrants having a casing including stock and bonnet parts, a valve, and a valve operating shaft, said member comprising means for fastening the same Within said casing adjacent the union of said casing and bonnet parts, an oil reservoir for surrounding part of said shaft, packing means for preventing Water entering said reservoir from said stock, and means for preventing rotation of said shaft.

HERBERT M. LOFTON.

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