Patent ID: 6920896
Filing Date: 2005-07-26
Classification: F16K,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A valve position visual indicator comprising: a. a hand wheel assembly mounted on a valve, the hand wheel assembly having a downward depending annular sleeve; b. wherein the hand wheel assembly is attached to a linear moving valve stem, wherein said stem operates to open and close the valve; c. a grommet defining a circular opening forming a band; d. said grommet being attached to and encircling a bonnet portion attached to said valve adjacent to the point where said valve stem enters the bonnet portion; e. said grommet projecting radially outward from the periphery of said valve bonnet such that an outer radius of said grommet intersects at least a portion of the path of said sleeve; f. said grommet also having a breakaway portion defined by a groove adjacent the periphery of the grommet, disposed at least partially within the vertical plane of travel of the sleeve, and a connector portion in the bottom of the groove for connecting the grommet to the breakaway portion; g. said sleeve providing means for concealing said grommet at a point of maximum travel of the stem corresponding to a valve closed position, and for exposing the band on said grommet corresponding to a valve open position.