US3719205A

US3719205A - Quick disconnect pressurization apparatus

Info

Publication number: US3719205A
Application number: US00115010A
Authority: US
Inventors: H Harris
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1971-02-12
Filing date: 1971-02-12
Publication date: 1973-03-06
Anticipated expiration: 1990-03-06

Abstract

Quick disconnect pressurization apparatus for connection with a control valve on a pressurization bottle and adapted for pressurization of a fluid container. The apparatus includes a coupling device including a female socket for connection with the pressurization bottle, a male plug telescopically received in such female socket and quick disconnect coupling means for coupling the plug in such socket. A regulator assembly is formed with an inlet connected with the plug and includes an outlet port and a bleed valve. Conduit means is provided for connecting the outlet with the fluid container whereby the socket may be mounted on the pressurization bottle, the plug connected therewith and the conduit means connected with the fluid container to pressurize such container to a selected pressure. When it is desirable to disconnect the pressurization bottle from the container, the control valve on the pressurization may be closed and the bleed valve opened and the quick disconnect coupling means actuated to release the plug from the socket to thereby disconnect such plug without necessitating use of wrenches and the like.

Description

United States Patent 1191 Harris [4 1 March 6, 1973 [76] Inventor: Harold Ronald Harris, 17421 Canter Street, Garden Grove, Calif.

22 Filed: Feb. 12,1971

21 Appl.No.: 115,010

[52] US. Cl. ..l37/583, 137/798, 251/148, 285/86 [51] Int. Cl. ..Fl6l 29/00, Fl6k 45/00 [58] Field of Search.....l37/583, 557, 63, 231, 234.5

Primary ExaminerWilliam R. Cline Attorney--Fulwider, Patton, Rieber, Lee & Utecht [57] ABSTRACT Quick disconnect pressurization apparatus for connection with a control valve on a pressurization bottle and adapted for pressurization of a fluid container. The apparatus includes a coupling device including a female socket for connection with the pressurization bottle, a male plug telescopically received in such female socket and quick disconnect coupling means for coupling the plug in such socket. A regulator assembly is formed with an inlet connected with the plug and includes an outlet port and a bleed valve. Conduit means is provided for connecting the outlet with the fluid container whereby the socket may be mounted on the pressurization bottle, the plug connected therewith and the conduit means connected with the fluid container to pressurize such container to a 2 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures QUICK DISCONNECT PRESSURIZATION APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1 Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to devices for pressurizing fluid containers such as beverage containers for conveniently dispensing the beverages.

2. Description of the Prior Art It has been common practice to provide pressure regulators that are connected with pressurization bottles by means of threaded tube connections thereby necessitating the use of wrenches and the like to disconnect such regulators.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The quick disconnect pressurization apparatus of present invention is characterized by a coupling device including a female socket for connection with a pressurization bottle and a male plug telescopically received in such socket and having quick disconnect coupling means for coupling the plug in such socket. A regulator assembly includes an inlet connected with the plug and is formed with an outlet port and a bleed passage. A bleed valve is provided for controlling flow from such bleed passage whereby when it is desirable to disconnect from the pressurization bottle, the control valve incorporated in such bottle may be closed and the bleed valve opened to bleed pressure from the regulator body. The quick disconnect coupling means may then be actuated to release the plug from the female socket to thereby disconnect the regulator from the pressurization bottle.

An object of the present invention is to provide a quick disconnect pressurization of the type described which cannot be disconnected until the pressure has been bled from the regulator assembly.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a quick disconnect pressurization of the type described which is convenient to install and operate.

Other objects and the advantages of the present invention will be come apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a front view of a quick disconnect pressurization apparatus embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged front view, partially broken away, similar to FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view, in enlarged scale, taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of a fluid container being pressurized by the quick disconnect pressurization apparatus shown in FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The quick disconnect pressurization apparatus of present invention includes, generally, a coupling 21 formed by a socket 23 which may be connected with the control valve 25 of a pressurization bottle 27. Still speaking generally, the coupling 21 further includes a male plug 31 which is telescopically received in the female socket 23 and is coupled thereto by means of a quick disconnect latching device 33. Carried from the male plug 31 is a pressure regulator 37 which includes a bleed valve 39 and is connected to a container 41 that is to be pressurized. Consequently, when the pressurization bottle 27 is exhausted, the control valve 25 may be closed and the bleed valve 39 opened to bleed pressure from the regulator 37. The quick disconnect latching device 33 may then be actuated to release the plug 31 from the socket 23 for convenient connection with the socket 23 of a replacement pressurization bottle 27.

Referring to FIG. 1, conventional CO pressurization bottles 27 generally include control valves 25 which are formed with a neck having an externally threaded nipple 45 projecting transversely therefrom and having pressure thereto controlled by means of the valve handle 47. The socket 23 of the present invention is particularly adapted for connection with the nipple 45 and includes a hex nut 51 that is formed with a through bore and is internally threaded for being screwed onto the nipple 45. Projecting axially from such nut 51 is a socket barrel 55 which is stepped down externally at 57 to form a shoulder. The barrel 55 is formed on its interior with an annular groove 59 that receives an O-rin g 61. The interior of the barrel 55 is enlarged-in-diameter at its left extremity to form a sloped shoulder 67. A plurality of radially projecting passages 71 are formed intermediately in the wall of the barrel 55 and are spherically shaped and sized to retain respective retaining balls 73 for limited radially movement therein. The exterior of the barrel 55 is formed on its projecting end with an outwardly opening annular groove 77 which receives an exterior O-ring 79.

The male plug 31 is formed with a barrel 81 that is telescopically received within the socket barrel 55 and is formed with a through passage 83. The exterior of the barrel 81 is formed centrally with an annular release groove 85 disposed adjacent a slightly enlargedin-diameter bearing ring 87 and is then enlarged-indiameter even further to form a retaining collar 89. The exterior of the barrel 81 is then gradually reduced in diameter to form a sloped shoulder 91 for engagement with the shoulder 67. Still referring to FIG. 2, the left extremity of the plug 31 is formed with a hex nut 92 having an externally threaded nipple 93 projecting therefrom.

Telescoped over the socket barrel 55 is a retaining sleeve, generally designated 95, which is formed with a constant diameter bore 97 for receipt of such barrel 55 and is enlarged-in-diameter to form an annular retaining groove 99 for complimentary receipt of the retaining balls 73. The interior of the retaining sleeve is then formed with an annular lock-in ring 101 disposed adjacent the groove 99 and is then formed with an annular release recess 103 which has one side thereof formed by a radially inwardly projecting sealing lip 107 that engages the O-ring 77.

The regulator 37 is formed with an internally threaded bore which defines the inlet thereof and receives the threaded nipple 93 of the plug 31. The outlet of the regulator 37 is also formed by an internally threaded bore and such bore connects with a fitting on one end of a pressure conduit 117 that connects on its opposite end with the beverage container 41. The

fitting 115 preferably includes a check valve for preventing backflow from the container 41 to the regulator 37 Referring to FIG. 3, the housing of the regulator 37 is formed with a bleed passage 119 that terminates in an enlarged-in-diameter bore 121 which is externally threaded at 123 for receipt of an externally threaded insert 125 that is formed with a longitudinal through passage 127. The inner end of such insert 125 terminates in a valve seat 131 and a plunger, generally designated 123, is telescopically received in the passage 127 and is formed on its inner extremity with an enlarged-in-diameter poppet 135 which has a resilient washer 137 carried on the back side thereof for engagement of the valve seat 131. The left hand end of the plunger 133 projects through a hat-shaped cap 141 and is expanded at 143 to be retained therein. A coil spring 145 is interposed between the top of the cap 141 and a shoulder 149 formed by the insert 125 to thereby maintain such cap, and consequently, the plunger biased outwardly in the passage 127.

In operation the quick disconnect pressurization ap paratus may conveniently be utilized with conventional CO pressurization bottles 27 which include control valves 25 having the nipples 45 formed therewith. The socket 23 is mounted on the nipple 45 by screwing the hex nut 51 thereonto and the respective sockets 23 are preferably left mounted on the respective pressurization bottles 27. When it is desirable to connect a pressurization bottle 27 with a container 41 of mix or the like, the retainer sleeve 95 is slid to the right as viewed in FIG. 4 on the barrel 55 to register the relief groove 103 with the retaining balls 73 to release such balls for movement radially outwardly in the respective passages 71. Assuming that the plug 31 has previously been screwed into the inlet of the regulator 37, such regulator is grasped and the plug barrel 81 telescoped into the socket barrel 55 to cause the incline shoulder 91 to engage the retaining balls 73 and urge them outwardly in their respective passages to enable the retaining shoulder 89 of such plug barrel to clear such balls and be positioned to the right thereof as shown in FIG. 4. The retaining sleeve 95 may then be slid to the left to be positioned as shown in FIG. 4 with the groove 99 registered with the retaining balls 73 to maintain them urged inwardly against the retaining ring 87 and engaged behind the retaining collar 89.

Assuming the outlet conduit 117 has previously been connected with the beverage container 41, the pressurization apparatus is then ready to pressurize such container. The control valve is then opened by rotating the handle 47 to introduce pressure through the coupling 21 to the regulator 37. Referring to FIG. 4, it is noted that such pressure will urge the plug 31 to the left but movement to the left of such plug will be limited by the retaining balls 73 engaging behind the retaining collar 89 of such plug. CO pressure will thus be introduced through the conduit 117 to the beverage container 41 to produce pressure thereon for forcing the beverage out a conventional pouring nozzle 121. It is noted that pressurization of the regulator 37 will pressurize the bleed passage 119 (FIG. 3) and result in the bleed valve poppet 113 being urged to the left to thereby firmly seat the resilient washer 137 on the valve seat 131 to prevent escape of CO gas. Further pressurization of the coupling 33 maintains the plug 31 urged to the left thereby maintaining the bearing ring 87 registered with the balls 73 to maintain them positioned radially outwardly in the groove 99 to maintain the retaining sleeve 95 locked in its coupling position.

When the pressure produced by the CO, bottle 27 falls below a selected level, the control valve 25 may be closed by rotating the handle 47 to discontinue pressurization of the regulator 37. The bleed valve cap 141 is then depressed to raise the poppet 113 off the seat 131 to allow CO gas to escape from the bleed passage and out through the bore 127 to bleed outwardly past the cap 141 and relieve pressure from the regulator 37, it being noted that the check valve in the outlet fitting 115 will prevent pressure from being communicated back from the beverage container 41 to such regulator. Bleeding of the CO gas from the regulator body 37 will relieve pressure in the socket and plug 31 thereby freeing such plug to be telescoped to the right in the socket 23 to register the release groove of the plug barrel 81 with the retaining balls 73 to enable such retaining balls to move radially inwardly to clear the lock-in-ring 101 in the retaining sleeve so such sleeve can be slid to the right to register the release groove 103 with such balls. With such release groove 103 registered with the balls 73, the plug 31 may then be slid to the left and the balls will ride upwardly on the retaining ring 87 and over the retaining collar 89 to free such plug 31 and consequently the regulator 37. The spherical shape of the passages 71 is such that the balls will be retained therein to prevent them from dropping into the bore of the socket barrel 55. A recharged CO bottle 27 may then be coupled with the regulator 37 as described hereinabove.

It will be clear that quick disconnect pressurization apparatus of present invention may be used to pressurize containers other than the beverage container described hereinabove For example, such apparatus may be utilized to pressurize'a conduit leading to a welders torch or the like.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that the quick disconnect pressurization apparatus of the present invention provides an economical and convenient means for rapidly changing a pressurization bottle without use of wrenches or other tools. Further, the quick disconnect coupling is positively locked in place as long as pressure is maintained thereon.

Various modifications and changes may be made with respect to the aforedescribed preferred embodiment without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

I claim:

1. A quick disconnect pressurization adaptor for connection between a pressurization control valve container including a threaded nipple and a regulator including a threaded inlet port an outlet port and a bleed passage in communication with said inlet port, said adaptor comprising:

a coupling device including a barrel forming a female socket and including socket connector means for connecting with said nipple, a male plug telescopically received in said female socket and including a threaded regulator connector for connection with said inlet port, and quick disconnect latching means including a plurality of through windows a manually operable bleed valve for selectively controlling bleeding of fluid from said bleed passage; and

conduit means for connecting said outlet port of said regulator assembly with a fluid container whereby said socket may be mounted on said bottle by securing said valve connector means to said nipple and said plug may be connected to said regulator inlet port and when it is desirable to pressurize said fluid container from said pressurization container, said sleeve may be retracted, said plug inserted in said socket and said sleeve shifted to its retaining position to rapidly couple said plug and socket together, said valve then opened to apply pressure to said fluid vessel at a pressure controlled by said regulator.

2. A quick disconnect pressurization adaptor as set forth in claim 1 wherein:

said valve connector includes a nut formed with internal threads for mating with the threads on said nipple.

Claims

1. A quick disconnect pressurization adaptor for connection between a pressurization control valve container including a threaded nipple and a regulator including a threaded inlet port an outlet port and a bleed passage in communication with said inlet port, said adaptor comprising: a coupling device including a barrel forming a female socket and including socket connector means for connecting with said nipple, a male plug telescopically received in said female socket and including a threaded regulator connector for connection with said inlet port, and quick disconnect latching means including a plurality of through windows formed in the wall of said barrel, groove means formed on the outer periphery of said plug for registration with said windows when said plug and socket are in their mating position, retaining elements shiftable inwardly and outwardly in said windows, and a retaining sleeve received telescopically over said barrel and shiftable to a retaining position urging said retaining elements inwardly in said windows to engage said groove means and to a release position to free said elements to move outwardly to disengage said groove means; a manually operable bleed valve for selectively controlling bleeding of fluid from said bleed passage; and conduit means for connecting said outlet port of said regulator assembly with a fluid container whereby said socket may be mounted on said bottle by securing said valve connector means to said nipple and said plug may be connected to said regulator inlet port and when it is desirable to pressurize said fluid container from said pressurization container, said sleeve may be retracted, said plug inserted in said socket and said sleeve shifted to its retaining position to rapidly couple said plug and socket together, said valvE then opened to apply pressure to said fluid vessel at a pressure controlled by said regulator.