Patent ID: 6983759
Filing Date: 2006-01-10
Classification: F16K,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A valve, comprising: a valve body having first and second ends, the valve body defining a hollow valve body interior extending between the first and second ends that couples the first and second ends in fluid communications; an opening-defining portion of the valve body that defines an access opening in the valve body; isolator means for enabling a user to selectively stop and unstop fluid communications between the first and second ends of the valve body, including a valve-stopping mechanism removably mounted within the access opening; and connection-facilitating means on the opening-defining portion of the valve body for facilitating the fluid-tight removable connection of a separate isolation valve assembly to the opening-defining portion of the valve body in a position over the access opening that enables the user to remove the valve-stopping mechanism from the access opening through the isolation valve assembly; wherein the valve body is a one-piece structure.