GB2600941A

GB2600941A - Valve

Info

Publication number: GB2600941A
Application number: GB2017807.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Evans Roger; Smith Andrew
Original assignee: Navigator MSL Ltd
Current assignee: Navigator MSL Ltd
Priority date: 2020-11-11
Filing date: 2020-11-11
Publication date: 2022-05-18
Anticipated expiration: 2040-11-11
Also published as: GB202017807D0; GB2600941B

Abstract

A ball valve 1 comprises a handle 3 and a sleeve 40 removably mountable on to the handle 3. The sleeve may be made from polymer and may be coloured or have indicia thereon.

Description

VALVE

Field of Invention:

The present invention relates to valves and in particular, but not exclusively, to a valve used to control the flow of a fluid in a water system. The valve includes means for indicating information relating to the arrangement of the water system.

Background:

A valve is a component used to control the transmission or flow of a fluid through a pipe in a fluid flow system such as a domestic or industrial oil or water system. Valves are required to be durable and resistant to contamination.

A valve can be used to direct the flow of fluid depending on the number of inlets and outlets that connect to the valve. The flow rate of fluid can also be controlled by opening or closing the valve fully or partially depending on the flow channels in the valve and their relative orientations to the inlet and outlets Opening or closing of the valve is typically achieved by turning a handle, and this is particularly useful to start or stop fluid transmission through the valve in a time-efficient manner. For example, the valve may be closed in an emergency when fluid transmission should be stopped, or when a downstream component has failed and the component requires to be repaired or replaced. Control of the fluid transmission is also useffil when the fluid is a gas that requires intermittent use, thereby reserving the gas by opening its flow only when it is needed. In these circumstances, a user can control the valve using the handle which alleviates the need to otherwise locate a tool such as a spanner.

Typically, a manually operated valve is opened or closed conveniently using a handle The handle is usually coated with a vinyl coating to produce a red coloured or blue coloured valve handle so that the user may install the valve to corresponding locations of the fluid flow system for the transmission of hot or cold fluid, respectively. Identification of the hot or cold fluid flow circuit is easily discernible, even where pipes of two systems are adjacent or in parallel.

The valve is often provided with a handle to ensure rotation of the valve is calibrated and for convenience to the user as provided by the manufacturer that manufactures the valve according to a quality standard. The handle is attached to the valve securely, to ensure to valve is safe to use in operation. The handle is also designed using high-strength materials according to a particular design and is therefore an integral feature of the valve.

Manufacturers generally supply valves with handles that are pre-coated i.e. the handles have a permanent coating that is coloured, for example, red, blue or yellow. This provides consumers with the choice of colour when buying a valve. The coatings are usually thick, durable vinyl coatings as valves, although used in a domestic setting are also relied on by industries where high-pressure systems are employed. Due to high pressure fluid flow or prolonged time periods, manual rotation of a valve may require considerable force. However, as the use of the valve itself is generally for either a hot or cold system then red-coloured or blue-coloured valves are predominantly found in the marketplace. The material expense of a coating and its application to the handle during the manufacturing of the valve is an expense that is later borne by the consumer. Further, excess coating materials may be unused resulting in material wastages.

In the instance that a retailer has a lack of, for example, blue-coloured valves suitable for cold water systems, a user would not ordinarily purchase a red-coloured valve despite the red-coloured valve being mechanically fit for purpose. The indication provided by the coloured handle is an obviously important factor in selecting a valve but is conventionally limited to temperature when there are other important variables that could be useful to indicate to the operator. In another instance, where a plumbing system is dismantled, re-use of a valve in another system is limited. For example, a red-coloured valve previously used in a hot water system is not readily transferable for installation in a cold water system, and there are other instances where this lack of flexibility is limiting and inefficient. Where a lever or handle fails, a user may be required to replace the entire valve or obtain a replacement handle, and being pre-coated again presents the user with limited options.

Overall, a pre-coated valve handle attached to a valve carries significant environmental and cost implications due to materials and the resulting limited application of the valve component.

Accordingly the invention seeks to provide a valve that mitigates at least one of the above-mentioned problems, or to at least to provide an alternative valve to known valves.

Summary of Invention:

According to one aspect, there is provided a valve, comprising: a handle and a sleeve, said sleeve being removably mountable on to the handle.

The valve can be sold with a plurality of sleeves, for example one coloured red to indicate use in a hot water line and one coloured blue to indicate use in a cold water line. This enables the user to select the appropriate colour when installing the valve into a system, such as a water system. It also means that stores only have to stock one type of valve that can be used in both hot water and cold water lines, which simplifies stock management. The invention also enables a user to remove the valve from a cold water line and place it into a hot water line, or vice versa, and to change the sleeve to ensure that the valve is correctly labelled in its new line. The invention also reduces waste.

The sleeve can be arranged to slide on to the handle. The sleeve can be arranged to slide on to the handle starting from a first end of the handle. The sleeve can be arranged to slide off the handle The sleeve can envelope at least part of the handle, and typically a substantial part of the handle.

The handle can include an elongate portion. The sleeve can be arranged to slide on to the elongate portion. The sleeve can be arranged to slide on to the elongate portion starting from a first end of the elongate portion. The sleeve can be arranged to slide off the elongate portion. The sleeve can envelope at least part of the elongate portion, and typically a substantial part of the elongate portion.

The sleeve can be elongate. The sleeve is generally tubular.

The sleeve can cover a part of at least two or more sides of the handle.

The sleeve can comprise resiliently deformable material.

The sleeve can include at least one polymer material.

The sleeve can comprise a first end having a first opening configured to receive the handle The cross-sectional area of the sleeve can substantially match the transverse cross-section of the handle, and preferably the transverse cross-section of the elongate portion.

The first opening can be dimensioned to provide a positive allowance relative to a transverse cross-sectional area of the handle. The first opening can be dimensioned to provide a positive allowance relative to a transverse cross-sectional area of the elongate portion.

The first opening can be dimensioned to provide a negative allowance relative to a transverse cross-sectional area of the handle. The first opening can be dimensioned to provide a negative allowance relative to a transverse cross-sectional area of the elongate portion.

The sleeve can comprise a second end. The second end can have a second opening. The second opening can allow air to escape from the sleeve when the sleeve is mounted on to the elongate portion. Alternatively, the second end of the sleeve can be closed.

The cross-sectional area of the second opening can be less than the cross-sectional area of the first opening. This provides a relatively small hole for escaping air, while at the same time provides an end wall to engage an end of the handle.

The elongate portion can be rectilinear.

The handle can include a locking formation. The sleeve can include a locking formation. The handle and sleeve locking formations are engageable with one another to releasably secure the sleeve to the handle. The locking formations can be arranged to enable the sleeve to be applied easily, but typically requires a tool in order to remove the sleeve. This means that the sleeve cannot easily be tampered with and will not fall off accidently.

The sleeve locking formation can comprise one of an aperture and a protrusion. The handle locking formation can comprise the other of the aperture and the protrusion. Preferably the sleeve includes the aperture.

The protrusion can comprise at least one inclined surface that enables a part of the sleeve to slide over the protrusion as the sleeve is mounted on to the handle.

The protrusion can comprise a wedge. The wedge is configured for releasably securing the sleeve to the handle by engaging the aperture. The aperture can be trapezium shaped when viewed in plan. The wedge can be trapezium shaped when viewed in plan.

The handle locking formation can be located on the elongate portion of the handle. The elongate portion can include the protrusion.

The handle locking formation can be located on a side of the handle that faces towards a valve body. This is typically an underside of the elongate portion The sleeve locking formation can be located adjacent the first end of the sleeve.

The handle locking formation can be located in a central part of the handle. The handle locking formation can be located towards one end of the elongate portion.

The inclined surface of the protrusion can form an obtuse angle relative to a plane extending in a direction substantially parallel to the elongate portion. The protrusion can be arranged on the elongate portion such that the first side faces generally towards the first opening in the sleeve as the sleeve is mounted on to the elongate portion. This enables the sleeve to slip over the protrusion as it slides on to the elongate member, until the protrusion is aligned with the aperture.

The protrusion can comprise a retaining surface that is arranged to block removal of the sleeve from the handle. The retaining surface interacts with the sleeve, typically with an edge that defines the aperture, to block the sleeve from being removed from the handle. With this arrangement, a tool is generally required to prise part of the sleeve over the retaining surface in order to remove the sleeve from the handle, without damaging the sleeve. The handle having both the inclined surface and the retaining surface, enables the sleeve to be easily applied to the handle and to be difficult to remove from the handle The retaining surface can be arranged substantially perpendicular relative to a plane extending in a direction substantially parallel to the elongate portion. The protrusion can be arranged on the elongate portion such that the second side faces generally away from the first opening in the sleeve as the sleeve is mounted on to the elongate portion. This prevents the sleeve from easily slipping off the elongate portion.

The retaining surface can be arranged substantially parallel to the inclined surface. For example, the protrusion can comprise an inclined tongue that protrudes outwards from the elongate portion.

The depth of the protrusion is typically greater than the thickness of a sleeve wall.

The protrusion can be formed using a forming process including, but not limited to: die forming, sheet metal forming, mechanical punching or stamping. A particularly advantageous process is mechanical punching or stamping since the protrusion is formed from the handle material.

The handle can comprise metal. For example, the handle can comprise steel, such as stainless steel.

The sleeve can comprise at least one colour including, but not limited to red or blue to indicate hot or cold respectively.

The sleeve can comprise indicia. The indicia can include at least one of: text, arrows and symbols.

The valve can be manually operable. In some embodiments, the handle is attached to a valve stem. The stem can be attached to a rotatable member that is arranged to control the flow of fluid through the valve body. The valve can be manually operated by a user turning the handle. Turning the handle rotates the stem, which rotates the rotatable member. The rotatable member can comprise a ball located within a valve body. Thus the valve can comprise a ball valve or a lever ball valve. The rotatable member can include a bore formed through the rotatable member. The bore provides a flow path for fluid to pass through the rotatable member. The rotatable member can comprise a disc. The rotatable member can be oriented in an open position to allow maximum fluid to flow through the valve body. The rotatable member can be oriented in a closed position to block the transmission of fluid through the valve body. The rotatable member can be oriented between the open and closed positions to allow partial fluid through the valve body.

The sleeve can include at least one of an anti-bacterial additive; a fluorescent finish, for example provided by a fluorescent coating and/or a fluorescent additive, ultraviolet (UV) resistance and anti-static property.

The valve can be suitable for use in a water system for controlling the flow of water.

Brief Description of Drawings

Embodiments will now be described, by way of example only and with reference to accompanying drawings having like-reference numerals, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of a first embodiment of a valve according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of a handle component from Figure 1, Figure 3 is a schematic top plan view of a sleeve component for the handle from Figure 1, Figure 4 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of the sleeve of Figure 3, Figure 5 is a schematic end view of the sleeve of Figure 3, Figure 6 is a schematic plan view of the underside of the sleeve of Figure 3, F gure 7 is a schematic plan view of the underside the handle of Figure 1; Figure 8a is an enlarged schematic cross-sectional side view of a handle locking formation, Figure 8b is an enlarged schematic cross-sectional side view of an alternative handle locking formation, and Figure 9 is an enlarged schematic plan view of a sleeve locking formation Detailed Description: The embodiments described herein relate to a valve comprising a handle.

The following description presents exemplary embodiments and, together with the drawings, serves to explain principles of the invention. The scope of the invention is not intended, however, to be limited to the precise details of the embodiments, since variations will be apparent to a skilled person and are deemed also to be covered by the claims.

Descriptive terms should also be given the broadest possible interpretation; e.g. the term "comprising" as used in this specification means "consisting at least in part of' such that interpreting each statement in this specification that includes the term "comprising", features other than that or those prefaced by the term may also be present. Related terms such as "comprise" and "comprises" are to be interpreted in the same manner. Directional terms such as -vertical", "horizontal", "up", "down", "top", "bottom", "upper" and -lower" are used for convenience of explanation usually with reference to the illustrations and are not intended to be ultimately limiting if an equivalent function can be achieved with an alternative dimension and/or direction.

Figure 1 shows a valve 1 according to an embodiment of the invention. The valve 1 includes a handle 2 and a sleeve 40 that is releasably attachable to an elongate portion 30 of the handle.

The handle 2 is attached to a valve stem 5 and configured to rotate about an axis Y. The handle 2 includes a first end 3 located at one end of the elongate portion 30 of the handle 2 and a second end 4 proximal to the valve stem 5 Preferably, the handle 2 is made from metal such as a steel, including tool steel alloys or grades of stainless steels. Optionally, the handle 2 is made mainly or entirely of metal. In some embodiments, the handle 2 includes a composite material or a polymer material provided it has the rigidity to operate effectively as a handle The valve 1 can be manually operated by a user rotating the handle 2 about the axis Y to rotate the valve stem 5 about the axis Y. Turning the handle 2 rotates the stem 5 about the axis Y which in turn rotates a rotatable member 7 located within a valve body 9. Therefore, turning the handle 2 adjusts, in use, the flow rate of a fluid that is transmitted through the valve body 9 through rotation of the rotatable member 7. Figure 1 shows a "ball valve" which includes a rotatable spherical plug. In this arrangement, the rotatable member7 comprises a "ball" 6. The ball 6 is hollow comprising a bore which provides a flow channel 8 extending through the ball 6, the rotatable member 7 having apertures at each end. The ball 6 is housed in a seat 10 within the valve body 9. Optionally, the seat 10 includes packing that surrounds the ball 6.

In some embodiments, the rotatable member 7 comprises a rotatable disc forming a gate valve. In other embodiments, the valve 1 is a tap valve whereby axial movement or rotation of the handle 2 or knob results in the axial movement or rotation of a stem or screw that presses down on the end of a pipe preventing the fluid from entering into the valve as will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art. The degree of axial displacement of the stem or the extent of rotation of the screw controls the rate of fluid flow through the valve body. Hence, the rotatable member 7 includes any member that is displaced via axial, radial or rotational movement, preferably via the handle 2 to control the transmission of a fluid media in the valve body 9.

The valve 1 is configured to control the transmission of fluid between inlet and outlet ports by allowing or preventing the transmission of fluid between the ports. The valve 1 includes a range of valves known in the art including but not limited to diverter valves, shutoff valves, bypass valves, selecting valves and directional valves or sample valves, purging valves mixing valves, and constant flow valves as will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art. The valve 1 is suitable for use in a water system for controlling the flow of water. However, it will be appreciated that the valve 1 can be arranged for transmitting other fluids (liquids and/or gases) including compressed liquids or gases or other chemicals.

The valve body 9 has an inlet 11 and an outlet 13 that are proximal to a first end 15 and a second end 17 of the valve body 9, respectively. The valve body 9 has a central longitudinal axis X. The inlet 11 and outlet 13 can be aligned with the central longitudinal axis X of the body. The first end 15 and second end 17 are each configured to receive tubes or pipes or other fluid carrying members that are connected to the ends 15,17 of the valve 1. Optionally, the ends 15,17 each include threads on their inner or outer surfaces and are configured to receive bolts or caps or collar nuts 27 that are fastened to secure the pipes to the respective ends 15,17 of the valve body 9.

The inlet 11, outlet 13 and rotatable member 7 are aligned about an axis X extending through the valve body 9, when the valve 2 is fully open. The inlet 11 and outlet 13 communicate via the rotatable member 7 to allow the transmission of fluid through the valve body 9. Optionally, the valve 1 includes additional inlet or outlet ports to form, for example, three-way valves in which the rotation of the rotatable member 7 is used to control the flow of fluid from a single inlet and to two outlets or from two inlets into a single outlet or to divert flow from one inlet between two outlets. Optionally, the valve 1 may include a four-way or a five-way valve, or a valve including more than five ports. In five-way ball valves, for example, fluid transfer may flow from a single bottom inlet to one of four separate lines as will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art. Such multi-port valves can be used to divert flow of a source fluid exiting from one port to another port via rotation of the rotatable member 7 depending on the configuration of the rotatable member 7 including, for example, the number and positioning of the apertures.

In use, fluid is transmitted through the valve body 9 when the rotatable member 7 is rotated using the handle 2 to an "open position" thereby aligning the flow channel 8 of the rotatable member 7 with the inlet 11 and outlet 13. Therefore, as the flow channel 8 formed through the rotatable member 7 is aligned with the inlet 11 and outlet 13 pipes and flow of fluid media through the valve body 9 is permitted. However, rotation of the rotatable member 7 about the Y axis, which in use is achieved by turning of the handle 2 to a "closed position", will stop the transmission of fluid through the valve body 9 as the flow channel 8 is made unavailable to the flowing media thereby preventing the transmission of fluid through the valve body 9. When the valve is in the closed position, the flow channel 8 is typically arranged orthogonally to the inlet 11 and outlet 13.

Optionally, the ball 6 can include at least one additional flow channel 8 to provide a plurality of flow channels through the ball 6. The flow channel 8 between the ports may vary depending on the angular position of the rotatable member 7 about the axis Y with the flow controlled via a corresponding angular positioning of the handle 2 The handle 2 includes a first side 33 that faces generally towards the valve body 9 and a second side 35 that faces generally away from the valve body 9. The elongate portion 30 of the handle enables the user to easily grip and rotate the handle 2 about the axis Y. Rotation of the handle 2 rotates the valve stem 5 which rotates the rotatable member 7 within the valve body 9 thereby adjusting, in use, the flow of fluid through the valve body 9. The elongate portion 30 of the handle 2 is spaced apart from the valve body 9 to enable the user to grip the handle 2 firmly thereby distancing the users fingers away from the valve body 9. This is achieved by a portion of the handle 2 that extends away from the axis X distancing the elongate portion 30 further from the axis X than the portion of the handle 2 that is attached to the valve stem 5, without any actual increase in the height of the valve stem 5 away from the axis X. In the two-way valve shown in the figures, the flow channel 8 in the rotatable member 7 is in an "open position" allowing the transmission of fluid from the inlet 11 to the outlet 13. Rotation of the rotatable member 7 by about 90 degrees relative to the axis Y results in shutting off the valve in a "closed position" as the flow channel 8 faces in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the axis X. Any fluid flowing through the inlet 11 of the valve is stopped by a surface of the ball 6 adjacent to the flow channel 8 which is oriented in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the axis X. In the "open position", the elongate portion 30 is preferably aligned in a direction substantially parallel to the axis X (as shown). In the "closed position", the elongate portion 30 extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axis X. In other embodiments, in the "open position", the elongate portion 30 is extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axis X. Optionally, in the "closed position" the elongate portion 30 is aligned in a direction substantially parallel to the axis X. For valves having three or more ports, the degree of rotation of the rotatable member 7 for controlling the transmission of fluid can vary The degree of rotation in rotating the handle 2 from the "open position" to the "closed position" or vice versa resulting in a corresponding rotation of the rotatable member 7 to open and close the transmission of fluid through the valve body 9 is preferably about 90 degrees or a "quarter turn". Therefore, the "open position" and the "closed position" relative to the rotation of the handle 2 may be angularly spaced about the axis Y by about 90 degrees. Optionally, the angular spacing about the axis Y between the "open position" and the "closed position" relative to the rotation of the handle 2 may be less than 90 degrees or between about 90 and about 360 degrees depending on the number of ports and the configuration of the rotatable member 7 which may vary depending on the application. For example, for two-way valves the maximum degree of rotation is set to about 90 degrees, while in three-port valves it is set to about 180 degrees, for four-way valves it is between about 270 to about 360 degrees, and for five-way valves it is about 360 degrees Rotation of the handle 2 between the "open position" and the "closed position" results, in use, in a partially open flow channel 8 thereby allowing a partial transmission of fluid through the valve body 9 to the outlet 13. In the partially open position, the flow rate of the fluid transmission through the valve body 9 is constricted, and relatively reduced as compared with that of the "open position-due to the resistance provided by the partial opening of the flow channel 8.

Referring now to Figures 1 and 2 the handle 2 includes a lip portion 25 proximal to the second end 4 of the handle 2 that extends in a direction substantially parallel to the axis Y. The valve stem 5 includes a stop pin or handle stop (not shown) extending from the valve stem 5 in a radial direction relative to the axis Y. The handle stop is in the rotational pathway of the handle 2 so that, in use, as the handle 2 is rotated about the axis Y, the lip portion 25 engages the handle stop and further rotation of the handle 2 is prevented with the exception of its rotation in the reverse direction, relative to the axis Y. For example, if the handle 2 is rotated about the axis Y in an anticlockwise direction then once the lip portion 25 engages the handle stop, further rotation of the handle 2 in the anticlockwise direction is inhibited by the handle stop, and the handle 2 can then only be rotated in a clockwise direction relative to axis Y. Thus, the handle stop sets the angular displacement about the axis Y that is available for the rotation of the handle 2.

Preferably, the handle 2 is rotated about the axis Y in an anticlockwise direction relative to the axis Y to move the handle 2 from the "open position" to the "closed position". Optionally, the handle 2 is rotated about the axis Yin a clockwise direction relative to the axis Y to move the handle 2 from the "open position" to the "closed position" The position of the handle stop on the valve stem 5 is arranged to control the degree of rotation of the handle 2 from the "open position" to the "closed position". Rotation of the handle 2 is thus limited to prevent the handle 2 from rotating beyond a set degree of rotation about the axis Y. In the "open position", the flow channel 8 is aligned with the inlet II and the outlet 13 to allow the flow of fluid from the inlet 11 to the outlet 13.

Optionally, the ball 6 may be configured to provide a flow channel 8 that extends in a substantially parallel direction relative to the axis X and/or a substantially perpendicular direction relative to the axis X depending on the number of ports and their positioning about the axis Y. For example, in a three-way valve the rotatable member 7 may be configured to provide L-pattern flow wherein the handle 2 rotation is limited to 180 degrees. Rotation of the handle 2 by 180 degrees diverts the transmission of fluid between a first outlet or a second outlet while rotation of the handle 2 by 90 degrees shuts off the transmission of fluid to either of the outlets. Therefore, in a three-way valve, the "open position" provides transmission of fluid to only one of two outlets at a given time and the "closed position" prevents transmission of fluid to either of the two outlets. The rotatable member 7 may be configured to control fluid transmission in multi-port valves to provide a variety of flow patterns including L-pattern flow or T-pattern flow or other flow patterns.

The valve stem 5 is housed in the valve body 9 using a stem gland screw 19 and/or stem packing 21. The valve stem 5 includes a fastener or nut 23 for securing the handle 2 to the valve body 9. Optionally, the nut 23 includes a spring washer and the valve stem 5 includes a stem seal.

The sleeve 40 is removably mounted on to the handle 2. Preferably, the sleeve 40 is removably mounted on to the elongate portion 30 of the handle The sleeve 40 is arranged to slide on to the elongate portion 30 of the handle 2. In use, the sleeve 40 slides on to the elongate portion 30 of the handle 2 by a user applying a first force F. The sleeve 40 is arranged to slide off from the elongate portion 30 of the handle 2. In use, the sleeve 40 slides off from the elongate portion 30 of the handle 2 by a user applying a second force F2.

The sleeve 40 envelopes at least part of the elongate portion 30, and typically a substantial part of the elongate portion 30 when the sleeve 40 is mounted on to the handle 2. The sleeve 40 can be arranged to cover the elongate portion 30 entirely, and can extend beyond the elongate portion 30 toward the valve stem 5. Typically, the sleeve 40 covers a part of at least of two sides of the handle 2, and preferably a part of at least the first side 33 and the second side 35 of the handle 2 The handle 2 includes a locking formation for securing the sleeve 40 to the handle 2. The locking formation is typically located on the elongate portion 30. The locking formation comprises a protrusion 37 (see Figure 8a). The locking formation is preferably located on a side of the elongate portion 30 that faces towards the valve body 9, for example, the protrusion can be located on the first side 33 of the handle. Optionally, the locking formation can be located on a side of the elongate portion 30 that faces away from the valve body 9, for example the locking formation can be located on the second side 35 of the elongate portion 30 or on an edge of the elongate portion.

Referring now to Figures 3 to 6, the sleeve 40 includes a first end 41, a second end 43, a first side 45 and a second side 47. The sleeve 40 is colour-coded and includes at least one colour including but not limited to red or blue to indicate hot or cold respectively. Optionally, the sleeve 40 is colour-coded to indicate a property of the fluid being or to be transmitted through the valve, for example, if the fluid includes hot water then a bright red sleeve 40 colour may be used, or if the fluid includes a hazardous fluid such as a flammable fluid then the sleeve 40 may be coloured with alternating black and yellow stripes to indicate a hazardous fluid. In another example, the sleeve 40 mounted on to the handle 2, in use, may be replaced with a different sleeve 40 during maintenance such as plumbing repair or to indicate that repair is underway and that the handle 2 should not be rotated. A suitable colour may be selected to indicate that the valve 1 is out of order. The sleeve mounted on to a handle may be replaced at any given time depending on the nature of its usage or condition or the as required by the given application.

The sleeve 40 can include indicia including but not limited to text, arrows and symbols to indicate additional information to the user. Optionally, the indicia include arrows to indicate the direction in which the handle 2 should be rotated to move the valve 1 into the "open position" or the "closed position". The indicia may compliment the colour of the sleeve. Optionally, the indicia may include dimensions of the valve or of the inlet or of the outlet or of the pipes connecting to the valve. Optionally, the indicia include details of the valve including the valve type, manufacturer or date of installation or service. The indicia may include graphics, logos or symbols, details of engineering standards or warnings. The indicia may include information relating to a property of the fluid being or to be transmitted through the valve. The indicia may include any information deemed useful. Hence, the removably mountable sleeve 40 provides numerous advantages for various sleeves of colour and design to fulfil a variety of different purposes and applications. Preferably, the side of the sleeve 40 that includes the indicia is opposite to the side of the sleeve 40 that includes a locking formation as will be discussed hereinafter.

The first end 41 of the sleeve 40 includes a first opening 49 configured to receive the elongate portion 30. The first opening 49 extends within the sleeve from the first end 41 to an inner surface 44 of the second end 43 of the sleeve 40. Thus the sleeve 40 is tubular.

The sleeve 40 is mounted on to the handle 2 by a user bringing the first end 41 of the sleeve into contact with the first end 3 of the handle 2. The sleeve 40 is arranged to slide on to the elongate portion 30 of the handle 2. The sleeve 40 is then placed over the elongate portion 30 by the user, by inserting the elongate portion 30 into the first opening 49. The sleeve is arranged to slide on to the elongate portion 30 starting from the first end 3 of the handle 2 as the user applies a force Fi to slide the sleeve 40 over the elongate portion 30.

The cross-sectional area of the first opening 49 substantially matches the transverse cross-sectional area of the elongate portion 30 and/or optionally, the first end 3 of the handle 2. The first opening 49 can be dimensioned to provide a negative allowance relative to a transverse cross-sectional area of the elongate portion 30 to provide an interference fit. This increases the Force Fl required to slide the sleeve 40 on to the elongate portion 30 as compared with a fit with a larger clearance, however, the resulting interference fit enables the sleeve 40 to be securely mounted on the handle 2 based purely on the dimensions of the sleeve 40 and its elasticity.

Alternatively, the first opening 49 can be dimensioned to provide a positive allowance relative to a transverse cross-sectional area of the elongate portion 30 to provide a clearance fit. This reduces the Force Fi required to slide the sleeve 40 on to the elongate portion 30 relative to an interference fit. Typically the elongate portion 30 is rectilinear. Optionally, the elongate portion 30 may include a degree of curvature on one or more of its sides and/or edges. For these embodiments, the positive allowance can be particularly useful as a clearance is provided that helps to overcome the curvature of one or more sides and/or edges of the elongate portion 30 when mounting the sleeve 40 on to the elongate portion 30.

The sleeve 40 includes a resiliently deformable material. Optionally, the sleeve 40 is made mainly or entirely of a resiliently deformable material to allow the sleeve 40 to stretch over the elongate portion 30 as it is being mounted on to the handle 2. This is particularly useful for achieving an interference fit of the sleeve 40 on the elongate portion 30. The sleeve 40 includes at least one polymer material. The sleeve 40 is preferably made from a plastic material, such as polyethylene, polypropylene or PVC. Optionally, the sleeve 40 is made from a composite material.

The sleeve 40 can include a second opening 51 configured to allow air to escape, in use, as the sleeve 40 is being mounted on to the elongate portion 30. This may be particularly useful for sliding the sleeve on to the handle 2 in order to fully slide the sleeve 40 on to the handle 2 until the first end 3 of the handle 2 contacts the inner surface 44 of the second end 46 of the sleeve 40 ensuring a good fit is achieved. Preferably, the second opening 51 is located at the second end 43 of the sleeve 40 and extends between the inner surface 44 and an outer surface 46 of the second end 43 of the sleeve 40. This ensures that air is able to escape until the last part of the sleeve 40 slides on to the elongate portion 30 of the handle 2. In other embodiments, the second opening 51 is omitted, and the second end 43 of the sleeve 40 is closed. In embodiments that include the second opening 51, the cross-sectional area of the second opening 51 is typically less than the cross-sectional area of the first opening 49.

The sleeve 40 includes a locking formation that is arranged to engage the handle locking formation when the sleeve 40 is mounted on to the handle 2. The sleeve locking formation preferably comprises an aperture 53 that extends through a side of the sleeve 40 for interlocking with the protrusion 37 on the elongate portion 30. Hence, the handle 2 and the sleeve 40 each have locking formations that are engageable for releasably securing the sleeve to the handle 2. Optionally, the sleeve locking formation is located adjacent the first end 41 of the sleeve 40. Optionally, the handle locking formation is located in a central part of the handle 2. The locations of the protrusion 37 on the handle 2 and the aperture 53 on the sleeve 40 are such that when the sleeve 40 is mounted on to the elongate portion 30, the protrusion 37 engages the aperture 53.

In some embodiments the sleeve locking formation includes the protrusion and the handle locking formation includes the aperture.

The aperture 53 is shaped as a trapezium when viewed in plan (Figure 6), and the protrusion 37 has a similar shape when viewed in plan Optionally, the aperture 53 can form any shape with at least one side dimensioned to match a corresponding side of the protrusion 37.

Referring now to Figures 6 to 9, the area of the aperture 53 when viewed in plan (Figure 6) substantially matches the area of the protrusion when viewed in plan (Figure 7) Typically, the aperture 53 is dimensioned to provide a negative allowance relative to the area of the protrusion 37 to provide an interference fit. Optionally, the aperture 53 is dimensioned to provide a positive allowance relative to the area of the protrusion 37 to provide a clearance The protrusion 37 is arranged to promote easy mounting of the sleeve 40 on to the elongate part 30 and to make it difficult to remove the sleeve 40 from the elongate part. The protrusion 37 includes a wedge 39 configured for releasably securing the sleeve 40 to the handle 2 by engaging a corresponding aperture on the sleeve 40.

Referring now to Figures 6 to 9, the protrusion 37 includes an inclined surface 59. The inclined surface 59 faces towards the first end 3 of the handle 2. The inclined surface 59 is configured such that as the sleeve 40 slides over the elongate portion 30 by applying a force Ft, the first surface of the protrusion 37 that the first end 41 of the sleeve 40 interacts with is the inclined surface 59. As the sleeve 40 is moved further along the elongate portion 30, the first surface of the protrusion 37 that the aperture 53 engages with is the inclined surface 59. The inclined surface 59 promotes the sleeve 40 to slide over the protrusion 37 and for the locking formations to engage, thereby securing the sleeve 40 on to the elongate portion 30 of the handle 2.

The inclined surface 59 of the protrusion 37 forms an angle a relative to a plane extending in a direction that is substantially parallel to the elongate portion 30. Typically, the angle a is an obtuse angle, and is preferably in the range 110 to 160 degrees. The protrusion 37 is arranged on the elongate portion 30 such that the inclined surface 59 faces generally towards the first opening 49 in the sleeve 40 as the sleeve 40 is mounted on to the elongate portion 30 enabling the sleeve to slip over the protrusion as it slides on to the elongate portion 30 until the protrusion 37 is aligned with the aperture 53.

The protrusion 37 typically includes a retaining surface 61. The retaining surface 61 is arranged to block removal of the sleeve 40 from the handle 2. The retaining surface 61 faces generally towards the second end 4 of the handle 2. The retaining surface is arranged to block a user form sliding the sleeve 40 in a direction opposite to the direction of movement of the sleeve 40 when mounting the sleeve 40 on to the handle 2. The retaining surface 61 is arranged to interact with the sleeve 40 to prevent the sleeve 40 from being removed from the handle 2. The retaining surface 61 is configured such that once the aperture 53 is aligned with the protrusion 37, a surface of the sleeve 40 that the defines the aperture 53, engages the retaining surface 61 when a user applies an axial force F2 on the sleeve 40, to move the sleeve 40 towards the first end of the handle 3. The retaining surface 61 extends outwards from the elongate portion 30, for example in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the elongate portion 30. The retaining surface 61 has a depth d, and extends outwards from the first side 33 of the handle 2 by the distance d. Hence, the protrusion 37 protrudes by a distance d from the elongate portion 30.

Typically the distance d of the retaining surface 61 and/or the depth of the protrusion 37 is equal to or greater than the thickness of a sleeve 40 wall, for example is greater than the thickness of the region of sleeve 40 wall that includes the aperture 53. Hence, the distance d is equal to or greater than the depth of the aperture 53 to allow the protrusion 37 to suitably secure the sleeve 40 to the handle 2.

Thus the protrusion 37 is arranged on the elongate portion 30 such that the retaining surface 61 faces generally away from the first opening 49 in the sleeve 40 as the sleeve 40 is mounted on to the elongate portion 30, thereby preventing the sleeve 40 from easily slipping off the elongate portion 30.

In an alternative arrangement, the retaining surface 61 may be inclined in a direction that is substantially parallel to the inclined surface 59. The retaining surface 61 may form an acute angle relative to a plane extending in a direction that is substantially parallel to the elongate portion 30 For example, the protrusion 37 may be in the form of a tongue the protrudes out of the elongate portion 30 (see Figure 8b).

The protrusion 37 is preferably formed using mechanical punching or stamping techniques. However, the protrusion 37 can be formed using other forming techniques including but not limited to forging, die pressing, sheet metal forming, or other suitable techniques known in the art. Mechanical punching and/or stamping are preferred due to the cost-effective and relatively simple nature of these techniques as compared with other manufacturing techniques. Optionally, other techniques known in the art are also suitable for forming the protrusion 37 in the handle 2. The formation of the protrusion 37 on the first side 33 of the elongate portion 30 is achieved by mechanical punching and or stamping through the second side 35 of the elongate portion 30 which results in the formation of a cavity 57 as the protrusion 37 on the first side 33 is formed. Optionally, the protrusion 37 can be formed on the second side 35 of the elongate portion 30 by mechanical punching and or stamping through the first side 33 of the elongate portion 30.

The description presents exemplary embodiments and, together with the drawings, serves to explain principles of the invention. The scope of the invention, however, is not intended to be limited to the precise details of the embodiments, since variations will be apparent to a skilled person and are deemed also to be covered by the description. For example, the sleeve can include at least one of an anti-bacterial additive; a fluorescent finish, for example provided by a fluorescent coating and/or a fluorescent additive; ultraviolet (UV) resistance and an anti-static property.

Terms for components used herein should be given a broad interpretation that also encompasses equivalent functions and features In some cases, several alternative terms (synonyms) for structural features have been provided but such terms are not intended to be exhaustive.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A valve, comprising: a handle and a sleeve removably mountable to the handle.
2. The valve according to claim 1, wherein the handle comprises an elongate portion and the sleeve is arranged to slide on to the elongate portion.
3. The valve according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the sleeve covers a part of at least of two or more sides of the handle.
4. The valve according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sleeve comprises resiliently deformable material.
5. The valve according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sleeve includes at least one polymer material.
6. The valve according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sleeve comprises a first end having a first opening configured to receive the handle.
7 The valve according to claim 5, wherein the first opening is dimensioned to provide a positive allowance relative to a transverse cross-sectional area of the handle.
8 The valve according to claim 5, wherein the first opening is dimensioned to provide a negative allowance relative to a transverse cross-sectional area of the handle.
9. The valve according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sleeve comprises a second end having a second opening.
10. The valve according to claim 9, wherein the cross-sectional area of the second opening is less than the cross-sectional area of the first opening.
11 The valve according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the elongate portion is rectilinear.
12. The valve according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the handle includes a locking formation and the sleeve includes a locking formation, wherein the handle and sleeve locking formations are engageable with one another for releasably securing the sleeve to the handle.
13. The valve according to claim 12, wherein the sleeve locking formation comprises one of an aperture and a protrusion, and the handle locking formation comprises the other of the aperture and the protrusion.
14. The valve according to claim 13, wherein the protrusion comprises at least one inclined surface that enables a part of the sleeve to slide over the protrusion as the sleeve is mounted on to the handle.
15. The valve according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the protrusion comprises a wedge configured for releasably securing the sleeve to the handle by engaging the aperture.
16. The valve according to any one of claims 12 to 15, wherein the handle locking formation is located on the elongate portion of the handle.
17. The valve according to claim 12 to 16, wherein the handle locking formation is on a side of the handle that faces towards a valve body.
18. The valve according to any one of claims 12 to 17, wherein the sleeve locking formation is located adjacent the first end of the sleeve.
19. The valve according to any one of claims 12 to 18, wherein the handle locking formation is located in a central part of the handle.
20. The valve according to any one of claims 13 to 19, wherein the protrusion comprises an inclined surface that forms an obtuse angle relative to a plane extending in a direction substantially parallel to the elongate portion.
21. The valve according to any one of claims 13 to 20, wherein the protrusion comprises a retaining surface that is arranged to block removal of the sleeve from the handle.
22. The valve according to claim 21, wherein the retaining surface is arranged substantially perpendicular relative to a plane extending in a direction substantially parallel to the elongate portion.
23. The valve according to claim 21, wherein the retaining surface is arranged substantially parallel to the inclined surface
24. The valve according to any one of claims 13 to 23, wherein the depth of the protrusion is greater than the thickness of a sleeve wall.
25. The valve according to any one of claims 13 to 24, wherein the protrusion is formed using a forming process including, but not limited to: die forming, sheet metal forming, mechanical punching or stamping.
26. The valve according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the handle comprises metal.
27. The valve according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sleeve comprises at least one colour including, but not limited to, red or blue to indicate hot or cold respectively.
28. The valve according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sleeve comprises indicia.
29. The valve according to claim 28, wherein the indicia include at least one of: text, arrows and symbols.
30. The valve according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sleeve includes at least one of an anti-bacterial additive; a fluorescent finish; ultraviolet (UV) resistance and an anti-static property.
31. The valve according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the valve comprises a ball valve or a lever ball valve.
32. The valve according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the valve is suitable for use in a water system for controlling the flow of water.