Patent ID: 8360391

Claim:
A device, comprising: a stem hub configured to be attached to a fitting body; a rotatable stem located at least partially within the stem hub, wherein the rotatable stem is configured to rotate within the stem hub, and wherein the rotation of the rotatable stem operates a blocking element in the fitting body; an upper stem coupled to a first end portion of the rotatable stem such that rotation of the upper stem rotates the rotatable stem, wherein the upper stem moves between a locked position and an unlocked position in a direction parallel to the rotational axis of the rotatable stem and the upper stem, the upper stem moving towards the stem hub when moving to the locked position and away from the stem hub when moving to the unlocked position; a metal seal positioned between the upper stem and the stem hub, wherein the metal seal is engaged by the upper stem and the stem hub when the upper stem is moved into the locked position; and an operating mechanism comprising a clamp ring that engages the upper stem such that movement of the clamp ring in the direction parallel to the rotational axis of the rotatable stem and the upper stem moves the upper stem in said direction and between the locked position and the unlocked position; wherein rotation of the upper stem is inhibited in the locked position; and wherein the upper stem is allowed to rotate once the upper stem begins movement away from the locked position and towards the unlocked position, said movement comprising movement away from the stem hub and disengagement of the metal seal, and wherein rotation of the upper stem rotates the rotatable stem once said movement begins.