Gate valve with integrated support members

1. A gate valve, comprising:

a main body structure with first and second sides defining a passage therethrough;

a gate transversably positioned within the passage, suitable for occluding media flow therethrough, wherein the gate when positioned within the passage defines opposing sides, each of said sides having a peripheral margin;

first and second elastomer sleeves disposed within the passage defined by said first and second sides, each elastomer sleeve having a continuous lip section, the lip sections of the first and second sleeves engaging the peripheral margins of the gate when it occludes the passage and engaging each other otherwise;

a first plurality of rigid support segments affixed to the main body structure at the periphery of the passage on the first side of the gate, the first plurality of rigid support segments positioned radially around said first elastomer sleeve away from said passage and extending from the main body structure towards the transversal path of the gate; and

a second plurality of support segments affixed to the main body structure at the periphery of the passage on the second side of the gate, the second plurality of rigid support segments positioned radially around said second elastomer sleeve away from said passage and extending from the main body structure towards the transversal path of the gate, wherein the surface of the second rigid support member closest to the gate extends beyond the surface of the main body structure.

2. The gate valve of claim 1 wherein a surface of each of the first plurality of rigid support segments closest to the gate extends beyond the surface of the main body structure.

3. The gate valve of claim 1 wherein a surface of each of the second plurality of rigid support segments closest to the gate extends beyond the surface of the main body structure.

4. The gate valve of claim 1 wherein the second plurality of rigid segments is mirrored to the first plurality of rigid support segments.

5. The gate valve of claim 1 wherein the first plurality of rigid segments are disposed non-continuously around said first elastomer sleeve sufficient to support said gate.

6. The gate valve of claim 1 wherein the second plurality of rigid segments are disposed non-continuously around said second elastomer sleeve sufficient to support said gate.

7. A gate valve, comprising:

a main body structure with first and second sides defining a passage therethrough;

a gate transversably positioned within the passage suitable for occluding media flow therethrough, wherein the gate when positioned within the passage defines a first and second peripheral margin;

first and second elastomer sleeves disposed within the passage defined by said first and second sides, each elastomer sleeve having a continuous lip section, the lip sections of the first and second sleeves engaging the first and second peripheral margin of the gate when it occludes the passage and engaging each other otherwise;

a first recess disposed within said first side of said main body structure, said first recess extending radially around said first elastomer sleeve;

a second recess disposed within said second side of said main body structure, said second recess extending radially around said second elastomer sleeve;

a plurality of first rigid supports non-continuously disposed around said passage within said first recess; and

a plurality of second rigid supports non-continuously disposed around said passage within said second recess, said pluralities of first and second supports configured to reduce compression of said first and second elastomer sleeves when said gate engages said first and second sleeves.

8. The gate valve of claim 7 wherein said first recess is defined by a slot and a pocket configured to receive said first rigid support.

9. The gate valve of claim 7 wherein said second recess is defined by a slot and a pocket configured to receive said second rigid support.

10. The gate valve of claim 7 wherein said first recess defines an internal perimeter configured to receive said first rigid support.

11. The gate valve of claim 7 wherein said second recess defines an internal perimeter configured to receive said second rigid support.

12. A gate valve, comprising:

a main body structure with first and second sides defining a passage therethrough;

a gate transversably positioned within the passage suitable for occluding fluid flow therethrough, wherein the gate when positioned within the passage defines a first and second peripheral margin;

first and second elastomer sleeves disposed within the passage defined by said first and second sides, each elastomer sleeve having a continuous lip section, the lip sections of the first and second sleeves engaging the first and second peripheral margin of the gate when it occludes the passage and engaging each other otherwise;

a first recess disposed within said first side of said main body structure, said first recess extending radially around said first elastomer sleeve; a second recess disposed within said second side of said main body structure said second recess extending radially around said second elastomer sleeve;

a plurality of first rigid supports each at least partially disposed within said first recess; and

a plurality of second rigid supports at least partially disposed within said second recess, said first and second supports configured to prevent said gate from contacting said main body structure.

13. The gate valve of claim 12 wherein said first recess is defined by a slot and a pocket configured to receive said first rigid support.

14. The gate valve of claim 13 wherein said second recess is defined by a slot and a pocket configured to receive said second rigid support.

15. The gate valve of claim 13 wherein said plurality of first rigid supports are non-continuously disposed around said passage within said first recess.

16. The gate valve of claim 13 wherein said plurality of second rigid supports are non-continuously disposed around said passage within said second recess.