Patent ID: 6971401
Filing Date: 2005-12-06
Classification: F16K,Y10T

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for shielding an operator from an industrial sized valve stem protruding outwardly from a valve assembly, said apparatus comprising: a cylindrical body sized and shaped for fitting about the valve stem, said body being formed from soft and resilient material and having a smooth outer surface extending about a longitudinal length of the valve stem, said outer surface being provided with surface indicia coated thereon wherein the surface indicia has a fluorescent color for drawing attention towards the valve stem, said body further having a centrally disposed longitudinal axis passing therethrough and a bore axially formed therein wherein the bore uniformly extends through the longitudinal length of said body, said body further having an open end portion and a closed end portion oppositely spaced therefrom in such a manner that said body can be slidably positioned about the valve stem without damaging said body, said body further having an aperture formed therein and situated transverse to the bore wherein the aperture penetrates said body and terminates laterally of the bore; a sleeve formed from rigid and non-corrosive material nested within the bore, said sleeve confronting an interior surface of said body and maintaining continuous surface area contact therewith such that the valve stem can not penetrate or pierce through said body during repeated use, said sleeve spanning between said open and closed end portions of said body and maintaining the valve stem spaced from said body; and a tether having opposed end portions directly connected to said body and removably attached directly to a selected portion of the valve assembly such that said body can not be separated beyond a predetermined distance from the valve stem.