Patent ID: 7270147

Claim:
A valve assembly comprising: a body member having an inner surface forming a channel having first and second ends, and forming a seat surface within and at the first end of the channel about an orifice that faces in the direction of the second end, the channel forming a first coupler at the second end; a closure member extending along a longitudinally axis having a first end defining a closing surface, a second end including a reduced diameter portion defining an oppositely facing bearing surface, and an outer surface therebetween forming a slidable inner face with the inner surface of the body member, the closing surface configured to be received on the seat surface to close the orifice, the closing member received within the channel with the closing surface facing the seat surface, and the outer surface of the closure member including a plurality of circumferentially spaced channels formed therein that are generally parallel to the longitudinal axis; a spring member having first and second ends and received within the channel with the first end of the spring member contacting and receiving at least a portion of the bearing surface therein; and an adjustment member having first and second ends and forming a second coupler at the first end of the adjustment member that cooperates with the first coupler to mechanically link the adjustment member within the channel in various relative juxtapositions; one of the adjustment member and the body member forming an outlet passage from the channel; whereby, the adjustment member position within the channel is adjustable to alter the degree of spring compression and also the pressure on the closure member.