Patent ID: 8082945

Claim:
A top operating telescoping adjustable valve box and valve stem assembly for coupling to an underground pipeline having a service valve that opens and closes the pipeline, said assembly comprising: an upper section comprised of: a top base for placement above ground; a turnable key combined with the top base; a transition coupler combined with the top base; an upper barrel having an upper end and a lower end, the upper end being combined with the transition coupler; an alignment guide combined with the lower end of the upper barrel; an upper valve stem positioned inside the upper barrel and having an upper end and a lower end, the upper end being connected to the turnable key; and a lower section comprised of: a valve stop receiver combined with the service valve of the underground pipeline; a lower barrel combined with the alignment guide and having an upper end and a lower end, the lower end being combined with the valve stop receiver and the upper end being telescopically combined with the lower end of the upper barrel so as to be movable relative to the upper barrel; a valve receiver being adapted to operate the service valve of the underground pipeline to open and close the service valve; a lower valve stem positioned inside the lower barrel and having an upper end and a lower end, the lower end being operatively combined with the valve receiver and the upper end being telescopically combined with the lower end of the upper valve stem as to be movable relative to the upper valve stem; the lower valve stem being operatively connected to the upper valve stem so as to be turnable with the upper valve stem; whereby turning of the turnable key on the top base will turn the service valve and whereby the upper section and lower section of the assembly are vertically adjustable and are free-floating relative to each other.