Patent ID: 8302628

Claim:
A handle shaft assembly for use in a bottom loading coupler, the handle shaft assembly comprising a tube spacer, a handle shaft, a stuff box, and an operational handle, wherein: the stuff box is configured for insertion into a through-hole within a bottom loading coupler body and comprises first and second stuff box ends defining a cylindrical cavity therebetween, a first sealing member positioned on or in the first stuff box end, and a second sealing member positioned on or in the second stuff box end; a first end of the tube spacer is configured to be positioned within a blind counterbore of the bottom loading coupler body; the handle shaft comprises a first end positioned within the tube spacer configured to be positioned with a blind bore of the bottom loading coupler body that extends from the blind counterbore of the bottom loading coupler body, the blind counterbore and the blind bore positioned outside of an inner cylindrical cavity of the bottom loading coupler body, a linkage section configured to be coupled to a drive linkage of a poppet valve assembly, and a second end that extends through the cylindrical cavity of the stuff box; and the operational handle is mechanically coupled to the second end of the handle shaft for rotating the handle shaft in the stuff box.