Angle cock improvements

Claim 1

In a shutoff valve for use in a transportation environment, a body having an internal passage, a chamber in said body in communication with said passage, an opening in said body in alignment with said chamber, a flexible seal member in the form of a housing positioned within said chamber and having openings therein in communication with said passage, said body opening being of a size and shape to permit movement of said seal member therethrough into position within said chamber opposite sides of said seal member having outwardly-extending lugs which mate with correspondingly-shaped and sized grooves on the inside of said chamber to prevent movement of said seal member within said chamber, air vent holes in said lugs preventing disengagement of the seal lugs from the body when the valve is closed, said seal member having peripheral bead-like sealing areas surrounding said seal member openings, said bead-like sealing areas being in sealing engagement with said chamber and each including, at each opening, a bead directly adjacent said opening, an adjacent groove, and a second bead, with said groove separating said peripheral beads, a ball member positioned within and enclosed by said housing-like seal member, said ball member being rotatable to open and close said valve, said seal member having an opening therein slightly smaller than said ball member whereby said seal member is stretched to permit insertion of said ball member, but after insertion, said seal member confines said ball member therein, a handle extending through said body and into engagement with said ball member, and a cover plate closing said body opening, with said handle permitting external operation to open and close said valve.