In-line sleeve valve

Claim 1

An improved in-line sleeve valve comprising: a modular tubular port member; a stationary plug member affixed to and supported with said port member by a plurality of support members; a reciprocating tubular sleeve member constructed and arranged for sealable telescopic engagement with said stationary plug member in a first position, and for the passage of liquid therethrough in a second position; and resilient flexible flange means disposed between said reciprocating tubular sleeve and said modular tubing port member so as to seal the connection therebetween, said flange means being sufficiently elastic to allow easy manual displacement of said tubular sleeve from said stationary plug in order to allow the flow of liquid, but also being biased in a first direction so as to return said tubular sleeve to said first position abutting said stationary plug upon the release thereof; said resilient flange means comprising an integrally formed flanged member extending from said tubular sleeve member and having a distal connecting portion connected to said tubular port and a proximal portion extending between said tubular sleeve and said connecting portion, said flange member having an integrally formed hinge between said tubular sleeve and said proximal portion, and an integrally formed hinge between said connecting portion, said integrally formed hinges comprising a weakened portion of reduced thickness adjacent to said reciprocating tubular sleeve and said modular tubular port member which facilitate reciprocating movement of said tubular sleeve member, the remainder of said resilient flange means being of greater thickness than said weakened portion so as to provide sufficient stiffness to said resilient flange so as to bias said flange in said first direction, whereby said tubular sleeve may be manually displaced from said stationary plug and returned thereto as required.