US 11,898,643 B1
Dual union ball drain valve with T-flow adjustability
Christopher W. Mason, Granger, IN (US)
Assigned to NIBCO Inc., Elkhart, IN (US)
Filed by NIBCO Inc., Elkhart, IN (US)
Filed on Dec. 28, 2022, as Appl. No. 18/090,139.
Int. Cl. F16K 11/087 (2006.01); F16K 5/06 (2006.01); F16K 37/00 (2006.01); F16K 31/60 (2006.01); F16K 27/06 (2006.01)
CPC F16K 11/087 (2013.01) [F16K 5/0605 (2013.01); F16K 27/067 (2013.01); F16K 31/602 (2013.01); F16K 37/00 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
9. A dual union valve, comprising:
a tee-shaped valve body having a fluid passageway between a first port, a second port disposed opposite said first port, and a third port, said third port disposed perpendicular to said first and second ports;
a first valve assembly disposed at the intersection in said tee-shaped valve body, said first valve assembly including a ball with three openings that can be positioned within the fluid passageway, said ball coupled to a stem having a T symbol that corresponds to the three openings such that the side of the ball that has no fluid passageway opening is in alignment with the flat top of the T symbol;
a removable handle coupled to said stem;
at least one handle stop located on said valve body, permitting the handle to rotate within a 90 degree range;
a first fitting with a first union coupling having an internal threaded surface that couples with an external threaded surface on said first port; and
a second fitting with a second union coupling having an internal threaded surface that couples with an external threaded surface on said second port.