Abstract: A pivot assembly provides an economical means for reducing the load on a manually operated hand jack by providing a pivot point on the body of a connecting rod which allows for an additional degree of movement. The pivot assembly may include a thrust bearing to further reduce friction on the connection rod.

Abstract: A skirt guided control valve provides streamlined flow and minimum resistance to flow in flow up and flow down conditions when the valve is open. The skirt guided control valve has a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, a passageway disposed between the fluid inlet and fluid outlet, a valve seat and a valve plug with a skirt. The valve seat and the skirt portion of the valve plug include one or more straight or non-blended edges cooperating with contoured surfaces to provide for streamlined flow.