Patent ID: 6205827
Filing Date: 2001-03-27
Classification: E05B,F16K,Y10T

Abstract:
A torque isolation system for isolating a handle from a rotatable stem, comprising:a handle;a torque isolator moveable between a coupled position wherein the torque isolator is coupled to the handle, a decoupled position wherein the torque isolator is decoupled from the handle, and a ratchet position wherein the torque isolator is decoupled from the handle if the handle is rotated in a first direction, but the torque isolator is coupled to the handle if the handle is rotated in a second direction;a stem adapter coupled to the torque isolator, the stem adapter adapted to transmit either of two possible directions of torque from the torque isolator to a valve stem;a bias member biasing the torque isolator into the coupled position; anda lock opposing the biasing of the bias member;wherein the handle defines an axially extending hole, wherein the torque isolator extends axially through the hole and a top surface of the torque isolator faces away from the handle, wherein the top surface of the torque isolator is a distance D1 from a top surface of the handle when the torque isolator is in the decoupled position, wherein the top surface of the torque isolator is a distance D2 from the top surface of the handle when the torque isolator is in the ratchet position, and wherein the top surface of the torque isolator is a distance D3 from the top surface of the handle when the torque isolator is in the coupled position.