Patent ID: 6681791
Filing Date: 2004-01-27
Classification: F16K,Y10T

Abstract:
A method for determining a desired position of a handle of a valve comprising(a) providing a valve assembly comprising a valve base, a valve bonnet attached thereto, a rotatable valve stem extending coaxially through the valve bonnet, a rotatable valve handle attached to the valve stem and having a plane of rotation which is generally perpendicular to the axis of the valve stem, and a moveable indicator tab attached to the valve base or the valve bonnet and extending outward from the valve body or valve bonnet in a direction generally parallel to the plane of rotation of the valve handle, wherein the rotatable valve handle can be disposed in at least a desired first position and an undesired second position; (b) fixing the indicator tab in a circumferential position such that the rotatable handle when disposed in the desired first position renders the indicator tab invisible when viewed in a direction generally perpendicular to the plane of rotation of the valve handle, and such that the rotatable handle when disposed in the undesired second position renders the indicator tab visible when viewed in a direction generally perpendicular to the plane of rotation of the valve handle; and (c) viewing the valve assembly in a direction generally perpendicular to the plane of rotation of the valve handle to determine whether the indicator tab is visible or invisible, thereby determining whether the valve handle is in the desired first position or the undesired second position.