Importance

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Abstract

A ring for mounting a drive element on a valve using a snap connection is provided with a collar and a plurality of locking elements, which together form a receptacle for a shoulder of the drive element. The locking elements are segments of a sheet metal annulus and extend through slots in the collar to the interior of the ring, and include flanges as tool gripping locations. An O-ring disposed in a slot in the collar radially inwardly biases the locking elements, the leading edges of which are chamfered. The shoulder includes outward projections that are correspondingly chamfered and push the locking elements outward as the drive element is inserted into the ring. As the locking elements recoil, a snap connection is made. The ring may be screwed or snapped onto the valve, and the configuration allows a drive element to be snapped into place using the ring or screwed directly onto the valve using a screw cap, without modifying the drive element.

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First Claim