Patent ID: 7401627

Claim:
A valve which comprises: a valve body which includes a passage that extends at least partially therethrough; a valve seat which is positioned in the passage; a valve member which is movably positioned in the passage proximate the valve seat; a first sealing element which is supported on the valve member; wherein the valve member is movable between a closed position in which the first sealing element is engaged with the valve seat and an open position in which the first sealing element is separated from the valve seat; a protective member which is movably positioned in the passage adjacent the valve member; and a spring member which is positioned between the valve member and the protective member and which urges the valve member towards its closed position; wherein the protective member is movable between a first position in which the protective member is engaged with the first sealing element when the valve member is in the open position and a second position in which the protective member is retracted from the first sealing element when the valve member is in the closed position.