Patent ID: 7243675

Claim:
A drop tube segment adapted for use with a liquid reservoir, the drop tube segment comprising: a) conduit including an end portion and a sidewall including a sidewall portion at least partially defining an interior housing area; b) valve assembly including: i) a valve member attached to the end portion of the conduit; ii) a float; iii) a linkage device pivotally connected to the valve member and adapted for communication with the float; iv) a driver member at least partially disposed in the interior housing area and adapted to selectively engage the linkage device, the driver member in communication with the float such that movement of the float causes rotation of the driver member, wherein an adjustment of the float in response to a liquid level in a liquid reservoir may rotate the driver member to engage the linkage device to facilitate in adjusting the position of the valve member with respect to the end portion of the conduit; v) a first sealing member in direct sealing engagement with both a sealing surface of the driver member and a sealing surface of the sidewall portion to inhibit fluid from leaking into the interior housing area; vi) a pivot bearing at least partially disposed in the interior housing area, wherein the pivot bearing is in communication with the float such that movement of the float causes rotation of the pivot bearing; and vii) a shaft, wherein a first portion of the shaft is positioned within an aperture in the driver member, a second portion of the shaft is positioned within an aperture in the linkage device and a third portion of the shaft is positioned within an aperture of the pivot bearing; and wherein the aperture of the driver member and the cam member are each provided with a fluid tight closed end that cooperate together to trap the shaft with respect to the conduit.