Whitey Research Tool Co.

Ulrich H Koch

Stephen Matousek

Bernard J Gallagher

Francis J Callahan, Jr

Thomas A Voudy

Richard S DiGennaro

An operating handle comprising a sheet metal stamping or the like which includes means for providing a clamping force against an operating member when the handle is mounted thereon. The handle structure is comprised of separate handle and biasing members which each include a mounting opening through which the operating member is received. The handle and biasing members are shaped and dimensioned such that as a conventional handle nut is threadedly advanced on the operating member to force these members toward each other, the mounting openings in the members are biased in opposite directions from each other to place a clamping force against opposite sides of the operating member. The biasing member may also conveniently include stops or tabs adapted to cooperate with stops on a valve body or the like to precisely define the extreme positions to which the handle and operating member may be rotated.

Operating handle

Adaptor plate

The specification and drawings disclose a ball valve designed to be highly reliable and easily maintained. The disclosed valve comprises an intermediate body section positioned between a pair of end fittings which are connected to the body by a plurality of longitudinally extending tie bolts. The tie bolts are arranged so that with removal of one, preferably color-coded or otherwise identified, the body can be pivoted outwardly from between the end fittings. The valve further includes seal assemblies axially removable from the ends of the intermediate body section and arranged to provide a seal between the end fittings and the body as well as between the body and an internally mounted valve ball. An improved stem seal and operating handle assembly for the valve are also provided in the valve.

Fluid system device

In a device of the type having a rotatable operating member for purposes of selective adjustment thereof, a locking structure for selectively locking the device in predetermined positions. The locking structure has a lock plate affixed to the device and includes a locking portion therein. A separate lock tab member is closely received on the operating member and has a tab portion including a third locking hole which will register with one of the first and second locking holes when the operating member is moved to the predetermined positions in order that a locking member may then be passed through the aligned locking holes. Stop members included on the lock tab coact with the device itself to define the extreme rotated positions of the operating member. A handle is closely received over the operating member for conveniently rotating the member and advantageously extends in generally the opposite direction from the tab portion of the lock tab.

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Moraga, CA, United States of America

Ulrich H Koch