Patent ID: 8555923

Claim:
A valve assembly comprising: a) a unitary valve body having an internal cavity and at least three openings communicating with said internal cavity, said internal cavity having an interior wall and a predetermined volume; b) a first and second spaced annular sealing washer positioned within said internal cavity, said first annular sealing washer being disposed against said interior wall at one of said at least three openings to form a sealed port; c) a rigid stem member with a movable ball valve element mounted thereto, said movable ball valve element positioned between said first and second spaced annular sealing washers for rotation in said internal cavity of said valve body, said ball valve element having a flow blocking portion arranged in said internal cavity to block flow to or from said sealed port, said ball valve element having a volume smaller than said predetermined volume of said internal cavity to thereby allow fluid flow through said internal cavity and freely around said ball valve element; d) a lever on the exterior of said unitary valve body, said lever connected to said rigid stem member to selectively rotate said flow blocking portion of said ball valve element with respect to said first annular sealing washer of said one sealed port, whereby said valve assembly controls fluid flow at said one sealed port and allows fluid flow around said ball valve element between the other ports; and wherein said at least three openings of said unitary valve body comprise an inlet port, an outlet port and an auxiliary port, wherein a water hammer arrestor or fluid pressure gauge is connected to said auxiliary port, and wherein said flow blocking portion is moved to block flow through said outlet port when in an off position.