Gate valve actuator

An external actuator for manually operating a gate valve, said gate valve having a housing and a linearly sliding gate in the housing movable between open and closed positions, and an elongated valve stem attached to the gate valve to slide in a reciprocal path of motion along the longitudinal axis of the valve stem, the actuator comprising:

• a support member, said support member extending along and spaced from the valve stem, the valve stem exteriorly positioned of said support member, said support member defining a first opening and a second opening;
• means for fastening the support member to the gate valve housing, said fastening means attached to said support member;
• a link member, said link member extending along said support member, said link member exteriorly positioned of said support member;
• a handle, said handle mounted in said first opening of said support member;
• a first means for pivotally connecting said link member to said handle, said first connecting means mounted in said second opening;
• and
• a second means pivotally connecting said link member to the valve stem, wherein said handle manually moves said link member thereby moving the gate between open and closed positions.