Ball valve, particularly for gases

Claim 1

A ball valve, comprising: (A) a valve body bounding a fluid flow-through passage and having a tubular jut extending along an axis; (B) inlet and outlet fittings on the body and communicating with the passage; (C) a ball shutter mounted in the passage for turning about the axis; (D) a pair of seals mounted in the passage on opposite lateral sides of the shutter, each seal sealingly engaging a respective fitting and a respective side of the shutter during said turning; (E) control means for opening and closing the valve, including a control block mounted in the jut for turning about the axis and operatively connected to the shutter, and a handle located exteriorly of the body and mounted on the control block for turning the latter and, in turn, the shutter about the axis between open and closed valve positions; (F) means on the jut for bounding an annular, enlarged groove which opens radially inwardly toward the axis; (G) said control block having a mounting surface, and an annular, reduced neck extending axially above the mounting surface; and (H) means for aligning the control block for turning about the axis, including (i) an annular washer surrounding the reduced neck with radial clearance and mounted on the mounting surface for radially inward displacement toward the neck, and for radially outward displacement into the enlarged groove, and (ii) an elongated resilient locking element insertable lengthwise into and along the enlarged groove, said locking element resiliently bearing against, and inwardly and outwardly displacing, different portions of the washer during such insertion, said locking element lockingly securing the control block in alignment with the axis after insertion.