Vertical indicator post with torque-reducing gearing

An indicator post for operating a valve stem of a valve and for indicating a position of the valve, the indicator post comprising:

• an elongated housing having opposite first and second ends;
• a cap secured to and covering the housing first end;
• a gear housing located at the housing second end, wherein the gear housing is configured to be secured to a valve body;
• an operating member extending through the cap, wherein the operating member is rotatable in relation to the housing;
• a stem located within the housing and comprising a first end connected to the operating member and an opposite second end;
• a coupler configured to rotate the valve stem;
• and
• a gear set located within the gear housing, wherein the gear set comprises a plurality of gears arranged to produce an output torque on the coupler that is greater than an input torque from the stem.

An indicator post for operating a valve stem of a valve and for indicating a position of the valve, the indicator post comprising:

• an elongated housing having opposite first and second ends;
• a cap secured to and covering the housing first end;
• a gear housing located at the housing second end, wherein the gear housing is configured to be secured to a valve body;
• an operating member extending through the cap, wherein the operating member is rotatable in relation to the housing;
• a stem located within the housing and comprising a first end connected to the operating member and an opposite second end;
• a coupler configured to rotate the valve stem;
• and
• a gear set located within the gear housing, wherein the gear set comprises a plurality of gears arranged to produce an output torque on the coupler that is greater than an input torque from the stem by a ratio of at least about two to one (2:1), and wherein the plurality of gears comprises:
• a spindle rotatable about a spindle axis;
• first and second gears fixed for rotation with the spindle in adjacent, spaced-apart relationship;
• a third gear fixed for rotation with the stem, wherein the first gear meshes with the third gear;
• and
• a fourth gear fixed for rotation with the coupler, wherein the second gear meshes with the fourth gear.