EP0493976A1

EP0493976A1 - Safety device for a keg valve assembly

Info

Publication number: EP0493976A1
Application number: EP91312071A
Authority: EP
Inventors: R.B. "Harwood" South Ridge Cook; A.W. Johnson; D.N. Lowe; P.J. Impett
Original assignee: Universal Equipment Co London Ltd
Current assignee: Universal Equipment Co London Ltd
Priority date: 1990-12-27
Filing date: 1991-12-27
Publication date: 1992-07-08
Also published as: IE914560A1

Abstract

A safety device (16) for a spear valve assembly (1) for insertion into the neck of a beer keg includes at least one movable locking member (16) which, after insertion of the spear valve assembly (1) into the keg neck, moves outwardly relative to the spear valve. The locking member (16) is biassed outwardly and prevents the spear valve (1) from being blown out of the keg by engagement behind the keg neck.

Description

This invention relates to a delivery device for delivering a liquid from a container to a dispenser, particularly for delivering beer from a keg, and to a safety device therefor.
With keg beer the keg is provided with a spear valve which includes a beer assembly valve located in the keg neck and a stainless steel down tube which projects into the beer in the keg. The spear valve normally closes the keg and, when the keg on site for dispensing, a tapping head is connected, in known manner, which applies a CO₂ overpressure and allows beer to be supplied under pressure to the dispense tap at the point of sale.
However, a problem has arisen with this system when it is desired to remove the spear valve from the keg. When this is done, for example for cleaning, it is required that the residual CO₂ gas pressure within the keg be evacuated first. If, by human error, the step of gas evacuation is omitted, or if spear removal is attempted by someone who is untrained in spear valve removal, for example, someone attempting to gain access to the beer illegally, there is a danger of the spear valve being blown out of the keg with considerable force by the keg gas pressure. This could, of course, seriously injure the person concerned.
This problem has been addressed, for example, in GB 2188040 where a projection is provided on the valve assembly which engages against the keg neck in the event of release under pressure. However, in that arrangement it is essential that the valve housing and valve body are coupled together only after the valve body with its projection has been moved down through the keg neck. Assembly is therefore awkward.
An object of the present invention is to provide an improved safety device for a delivery device such as a spear valve.
According to the present invention, there is provided a safety device, suitable for fitting to a keg spear valve, comprising at least one locking member which, when fitted, is movable relative to the spear valve whereby the keg spear valve may be inserted into a keg neck without disassembly, the or each locking member, during insertion, moving outwardly relative to the spear valve, once through the keg neck, so that the or each locking member will prevent the spear valve from being ejected from the beer keg by residual pressure by engagement behind the keg neck.
Suitably, the or each locking member pivots on the spear valve and is biassed outwardly relative to the spear valve so that, on insertion, the or each locking member moves inwardly relative to the spear valve so as to pass through the keg neck before moving to the outer locking position.
In a preferred arrangement, the safety device is for a keg spear valve including a valve body having a down tube with a bell-shaped outer portion, a beer valve and a valve sealing member, the or each locking member being fitted inside the bell-shaped outer portion and including a locking ear which is biassed by the valve sealing member to project through an opening in the bell-shaped outer portion.
In an alternative arrangement, the safety device includes a body having at least two locking members loosely pivoted thereon such that, on attachment to the spear valve and insertion into a keg neck, they move by gravity into a position in which they will engage behind the keg neck. Alternatively, the locking member or members may be spring-biassed into an outer position. The locking members may be pivoted for movement in the direction of insertion or pivoted for movement laterally.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a spear valve assembly for insertion into the neck of a beer keg including at least one movable locking member which, after insertion of the spear valve into the keg neck, moves outwardly relative to the spear valve so that the locking member or members prevent the spear valve from being blown out of the keg by engagement behind the keg neck. Preferably, the spear valve assembly includes a spear valve assembly including a valve body having a down tube with a bell-shaped outer portion, a beer valve and a valve sealing member, the or each locking member being fitted inside the bell-shaped outer portion and including a locking ear which is biassed by the valve sealing member to project through an opening in the bell-shaped outer portion.
In an alternative arrangement, the spear valve assembly includes a spear valve assembly comprising a valve sleeve for engagement with a keg neck and a valve body releasably engaged with the valve sleeve and including a down tube for projecting into beer in a keg, a valve co-operable with the valve sleeve to close the keg, and spring means acting between a reaction member on the down tube and the valve biassing the valve into its closed position, a locking member pivoted to the valve body and being biassed into its outer locking position by the spring means and acting against the reaction member.
The spear valve may include a valve sleeve and integral valve body with down tube or a separate valve sleeve and valve body. In the latter arrangement, the beer valve sleeve and valve body may be engaged together by means of a bayonet connection with protrusions on the valve body engaging within T-shaped recesses on the valve sleeve. As a further safety measure to prevent the valve sleeve being separated from the valve body and blown off by residual pressure, it is preferred that the recesses be provided with a locking position into which the respective protrusion may be located and that the valve sleeve and valve body then be retained in that position by means of a rubber seal whereby the valve sleeve and valve body may not be separated without removal or destruction of the rubber seal.
The invention also includes a method of converting a keg spear into a safety keg spear to prevent the spear being ejected on unintentional pressurized release, the spear including a valve sleeve for engagement with the keg neck, a valve body having a down tube for projecting into beer in a keg and a valve for controlling fluid flow through the spear, and a skirt on one of the valve sleeve or the valve body including openings for the throughflow of beer during filling, the method comprising:
forming a further opening in the skirt, locating a safety device having a projecting portion within the skirt and biassing the safety device outwardly so that the projecting portion projects through the said further opening after insertion through the keg neck so as to engage behind the neck on unintentional pressurized release.
The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a known form of spear valve assembly;
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the valve body of a first embodiment of valve assembly of the invention;
Figure 3 is a perspective view of the safety device of the first embodiment;
Figure 4 is a diagrammatic longitudinal cross-section of the valve assembly of the first embodiment;
Figure 5 is a perspective view of an alternative safety device;
Figure 6 is a perspective view of the valve body for use with the safety device of Figure 5;
Figure 7 is a diagrammatic side view showing a third embodiment of safety device in accordance with the invention for use with the spear valve assembly of Figure 1;
Figures 8a and 8b illustrate an arrangement of retainer for two safety devices in accordance with Figure 7;
Figure 9 is a diagrammatic side view showing a fourth embodiment of safety device in accordance with the invention for use with a spear valve including an integral down tube;
Figure 10 is a diagrammatic side view of a fifth embodiment of safety device in accordance with the invention for use with the spear valve assembly of Figure 1;
Figure 11 is a diagrammatic plan view of the arrangement shown in Figure 9;
Figure 12 is a longitudinal sectional view of a further embodiment of safety spear valve assembly in accordance with the invention during insertion;
Figure 13 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view on 12-12 in Figure 12;
Figure 14 is a partial longitudinal sectional view of the safety spear valve assembly of Figure 12 fully inserted into the keg neck;
Figures 15a and 15b illustrate a safety device similar to the embodiment of Figures 12- 14;
Figure 16 is a cross-sectional elevation of a seventh embodiment of safety spear valve, in accordance with the invention, positioned in a keg neck (the keg neck and keg being shown in phantom with the keg broken away);
Figure 17 is a diagrammatic side elevation in the direction of arrow A in Figure 16 with the component parts being of a safety device highlighted;
Figure 18 is an exploded perspective view of the components of the safety device;
Figure 19 is a diagrammatic plan view showing the relative positions of the component parts of the safety mechanism when assembled;
Figure 20 is a cross-sectional elevation of an eighth embodiment of safety spear valve;
Figure 21 is a diagrammatic side elevation in accordance in the direction of arrow B with the components parts of the safety device highlighted;
Figure 22 is an exploded view of the components of the safety device shown in Figure 20;
Figure 23 is a diagrammatic plan view of Figure 20; and,
Figure 24 is a side elevation of a modified locking ring for the spear valve assembly of Figure 1.

In the drawings, Figure 1 shows a spear valve assembly (1) including a locking ring (2), a valve sleeve (3) and a valve body (4). The valve body (4) includes a projection (5) and engages with recesses (6) in the valve sleeve (3) by a bayonet connection. A beer valve (7) including an annular rubber sealing member (8) is located within the valve body (4) and the body further includes a depending down tube (9). The down tube (9) has an annular shoulder (10) forming a seating for a spring (11) which biasses the beer valve (7) to a closed position. An O-ring seal (12) for sealing against the keg neck is also shown. The operation of this equipment is very well known and will not be described in detail. The principle is that when top pressure is applied to beer in the keg and when the valve (7) is open, ie. lowered against the action of the spring (10), the beer will flow up the down tube (9) and through openings in the valve (7).
The recesses (6) on the valve sleeve (3) are T-shaped and the valve sleeve (3) may be engaged and disengaged from the valve body (4) by turning to align the projections (5) with the openings (not shown) to the recesses (6) in a bayonet type connection whereupon the spring (10) pushes the valve sleeve (3) with the O-ring seal (11), valve (7) and rubber sealing member (8) outwardly. The spear valve assembly is kept in position in the keg neck by the locking ring (2), the screw threads of which engage with cooperating screw threads on the inside of the keg neck.
In order to prevent the spear valve assembly from being blown out unintentionally by residual pressure within a keg on removal of the locking ring (2), the spear valve assembly is provided with safety devices as shown.
In Figures 2, 3 and 4 in which like parts have been given the same reference numbers, a first embodiment of safety device is disclosed. In this arrangement, the down tube (9) of the valve body (4) has a bell-shaped outer portion (13). The portion (13) is formed with a plurality of arcuate openings (14) for the throughflow of beer during filling and a longitudinal slot (15).
The safety device of this embodiment comprises a safety lock plate (16) clearly shown in Figure 5. The lock plate (16) includes retaining tangs (17) and (18), a pivoting retaining arm (19) and a locking ear (20) which projects outwardly and, when assembled, projects through the slot (15). In the event of attempted release of the spear valve assembly (30) whilst there is residual pressure in the keg, the movement of the assembly (1) is restricted by engagement of the locking ear (20) with the underside of the keg neck. The retaining tang (17) and retaining arm (19) prevent the safety lock plate (16) being forced out of the slot (15). The retaining tang (18) prevents inward movement of the plate (16). The rubber sealing member (8) of the beer valve (7) provides a resilient backing to the plate (16) allowing pivoting movement as will be explained but preventing total inward displacement.
In order to assemble the spear valve assembly of this embodiment, the safety lock plate (16) is inserted into the bell-shaped outer portion (13) of the down tube (9) with its pivot retaining arm (19) resting on the internal ledge of the 'bell' and the locking ear (20) projecting through the slot (15). The retaining tang (17) is then positioned against the internal diameter of the bell-shaped portion (13) and the retaining tang (18) manipulated to hook under the underside of the outside of the ledge of the bells. The spear valve assembly (1) is then assembled with the valve spring (11) located within the down tube (9), the beer valve (7) seated within the rubber sealing member (8) and the seal (12) positioned about the bayonet-locked valve sleeve (3).
Once assembled, the spear valve assembly (1) is entered into the keg neck (21) normally, until it meets resistance caused by safety lock plate ear (20) riding on the bottom internal shoulder of the keg neck. Firm pressure is then applied on the spear valve assembly (1) which causes the ear (20) to pivot inwards sufficiently for the ear (20) to 'pop' past the neck shoulder and spring back behind the shoulder. The spear valve assembly is then screwed home in the normal fashion.
When removing the spear valve assembly (1) from the keg neck (21), the residual pressure within the keg should be released. However, in the event of removal of the locking ring (2) whilst the keg is in its pressurized state, the spear valve assembly (1) will be pressurized upwards only as far as the safety lock plate ear (20), abutting the underside of the keg neck shoulder allows. The residual pressure will then be released safely. The locking ring (2) is removed with a specific removal tool to guard against unauthorized tampering with the keg. Once the ring (2) has been removed, the valve sleeve (3) is removed by uncoupling the bayonef connection with the valve body (4). Next the rubber sealing member (8) is removed which exposes the safety locking plate (16) which can then be pulled back to allow withdrawal of the valve body (4) and down tube (9).
If desired, the arrangement of the first embodiment can be fitted to existing spear valve assemblies and simply machining a slot (15).
In Figures 5 and 6 a similar arrangement is disclosed except that the safety lock plate (16) has two ears (20) which project through a larger aperture (22) in the bell-shaped portion (13).
Figures 7 and 8a and 8b illustrate a third embodiment of safety device where a retainer (23) having two locking members (24) (only one shown in Figure 7) is welded to the outside of the down tube (9). The locking members (24) are metal dogs loosely pivoted by a respective hinge pin (25) extending between side supports (26). On insertion, the dogs (24) are held in an aligned position (as shown in dotted lines in Figure 7) so that they are free of the keg neck (21) and the spear valve may be seated as previously. However, once clear of the keg neck (21), the dogs (24) fall by gravity to a position illustrated in full lines in Figure 7 so that they give the spear valve a greater lateral extension than the mouth of the keg.
As a consequence, on attempted withdrawal or possible blow-out of the spear valve with the keg in its normal upright position, the dogs (24) engage behind the keg neck (21) and are prevented from moving further by engagement with the body of the retainer (23). Therefore, the spear valve is retained in the keg whilst allowing residual pressure to vent to atmosphere. As shown in Figures 8a and 8b, the retainer (23) is preferably a metal stamping shown in Figure 8a with the side supports (26) folded up into the position shown in Figure 8b.
In both these embodiments, the spear valve is removed by; evacuating any residual CO₂ gas from the keg, unscrewing the locking ring (2), and then inverting the keg to a 'neck down' position. This then allows the locking members or dogs (24) to fold back to their retracted position so that the spear valve can be withdrawn.
In the embodiment of Figures 10 and 11 a fifth arrangement of safety device is disclosed in which locking members (30) are pivoted to a retainer (31) so as to move laterally between retracted and extended positions shown in Figure 11. In order to insert the spear valve of Figure 9, the locking members (30) are moved to their retracted position which is within the overall lateral dimension of the spear valve so that it adopts its seating within the keg neck the locking members (30) fall outwardly by gravity to the extended position due to the angled pivot. In this extended position the locking members prevent the spear valve from being withdrawn or blown out in the same manner as earlier embodiments. The advantage of this embodiment is that the spear valve may be removed without inverting the keg. This is done by extracting the spear valve until the locking members (30) abut the inside of the keg neck - which will allow venting of any residual gas pressure - and then rotating the spear valve anti-clockwise driving the locking members (30) into the retracted position through interaction with the keg neck. This rotational movement is preferably opposite to the rotational movement of the locking ring necessary to allow movement of the spear valve so that the locking members (30) can be engaged with the keg neck.
In the embodiment of Figures 12 to 14, the valve sleeve (3) has a bayonet connection with the valve body (4) but there is no bell-shaped housing. The valve body (4) is positioned within the valve sleeve (3) and a lugged reaction plate (32) is welded to the down tube (9). In accordance with the invention, in order to prevent the spear valve assembly (1) from being blown out unintentionally by residual pressure within a keg, the spear valve assembly (1) has a safety locking member (33) in the form of a plate. The locking plate (33) is arcuate in plan as shown in Figure 13 and has a protruding locking tab (34). The locking plate (33) is loosely pivoted to the down tube (9) just above the reaction plate (32) but is biassed against the reaction plate (32) by the valve spring (11).
In use, the spear valve (1) is assembled by the valve body (4) with the locking plate (33) as a constituent part being inserted into the valve sleeve (3) and connected by means of a bayonet connection in conventional manner. The spear valve assembly (1) is then inserted into the keg neck (21) as shown in Figure 12 until the locking plate (33) abuts the keg neck shoulder (35). On continued insertion the pivoted locking plate (33) is forced upwardly against the force of the spring (11) thereby retracting the locking tab (34) within the skirt (36) of the valve sleeve (3) and allowing it to pass the shoulder (35) as shown in dotted lines in Figure 12. Once past the shoulder (35), the locking plate (33) springs outwardly to its extended position by means of spring (11) and the spear valve (1) may be screwed into position by engagement with co-operable screw threads on the inside of the keg neck.
If withdrawal of the safety spear valve (1) is attempted without evacuating any residual pressure, the locking tab (34) engages behind the keg neck (21) and engagement with the reaction plate (32) prevents the spear valve (1) from moving any further. Therefore, the spear valve (1) is retained in the keg whilst allowing residual pressure to vent to atmosphere.
Whilst complete removal of the safety spear valve requires the spear valve to be pushed back in and a tool inserted to hold the locking plate (33) in a retracted position, the pivoting of the locking plate (33) to the down tube (9) allows a complete spear assembly to be inserted into a keg easily and without complication.
The embodiment of Figures 15a and 15b is very similar to the previous embodiment except that the locking member (33) has a clearance (57) about the down tube (9) and is loosely pivoted to allow small lateral displacement as will be explained. Also, the reaction plate (32) has an annular collar (38), the outside dimensions of which correspond with the opening in the locking member (33) and the collar has a chamfered leading edge (39). The collar (38) prevents lateral movement of the locking member (33) in its locked position (full lines in Figure 15a) but as the locking member (33) is pivoted above the collar (38), the clearance (57) allows slight lateral displacement (dotted lines in Figure 15a). In this arrangement, as the spear valve assembly (1) is inserted into the keg neck (21) the pivoted locking plate (33) is forced upwardly and laterally (as permitted by clearance (57)) against the force of the spring (11) thereby retracting the locking plate (33). Once the locking plate (33) is into the keg, the plate (33) is biassed towards the reaction plate (32) by means of the spring (11) and is guided outwardly to its extended position by the chamfered leading edge (39) on the reaction collar (38). The collar (38) then takes up the clearance (57) preventing lateral displacement of the locking member (33) and the spear valve (1) may be screwed into position by engagement with co-operable screw threads on the inside of the keg neck.
If withdrawal of the safety spear valve (1) is attempted without evacuating any residual pressure, the locking plate (33) extends sufficiently far to engage behind the edge (35) of the keg neck (21) (or insert if present) and engagement with the reaction plate (32) prevents the spear valve (1) from moving any further.
Figures 16 to 19 disclose a seventh embodiment of safety device for a safety spear valve (1) normally locked in a keg neck (21) by a locking ring (2) and in which the valve sleeve (3) is integral with the locking ring (2). The valve sleeve (3) has a depending skirt (37) and an inner annular shoulder (40). The depending skirt (37), as shown in detail in Figure 19, has a plurality of arcuate openings for throughflow of beer during keg filling and a smaller opening (41) having an inwardly directed tang (42). The valve body (4) comprises a depending down tube (9) flanged at an outer end to provide a seating for the annular rubber valve seal (8). The rubber seal (8) is biassed against the shoulder (40) by an helical closure spring (43) which acts against the rubber seal of the down tube (9). The valve body (4) also includes the valve (7) located within the down tube (9) and having an annular outer shoulder. The valve spring (11) acts against the shoulder of the valve (7) biassing it into a closed position sealing against one surface of the rubber seal (8).
In order to prevent the spear valve (1) from being blown unintentionally under residual pressure from within the keg, the safety spear valve (1) has a safety mechanism, as illustrated in Figures 17, 18 and 19. The safety mechanism comprises a safety lock plate (44) and a retractor plate (45) which cooperate with the small opening (41) in the depending skirt (37). The safety lock plate (44) has a projecting locking tang (46) which, when assembled, is allowed to protrude through the small opening (41). The retractor plate (45) has an annular collar (47), an elongate slot (48) and two ears (49) which point inwards towards the centre line of the spring (43) and form a camming surface as will be explained. When assembled, the retractor plate (45) is located between the safety lock plate (44) and the depending skirt (37) with the collar (47) resting on the closure spring (43).
In use, the safety mechanism is assembled by sliding the retractor plate (45) onto the tube until it abuts onto the down tube flange. The closure spring (43) is then slide on. Next, the safety lock plate (44) is positioned backing against the closure spring (43) with the locking tang (46) protruding through the slot (48) in the retractor plate (45). The locking clip (50) is the last to be slid on. The entire assembly is then inserted into the skirt (37) and positioned such that the locking tang (46) protrudes through the small opening (41) in the skirt (37). The whole assembly is then locked with the locking clip (50) as shown in Figure 16.
In order to insert the spear valve into the keg, the spear valve is entered into the keg normally until it meets resistance caused by the locking tang (46) riding on the bottom seal shoulder (35) of the keg neck (21). Continued firm pressure will cause the spring steel of the locking tang (46) to flex towards the centre line allowing it to be forced past the shoulder (35). Once past the obstruction, the tang flexes back into its inclined position. The spear valve now screws home into its normal position and operates as a conventional spear valve.
To remove the spear valve (1), a purpose made overstroking tool is inserted into the spear valve. This causes a compression in the spring (43) and forces the retractor plate (45) downwards and inwards by engagement with the inward tang (42). The retractor ears (49) in turn, in a camming action, force the safety lock plate (44) towards the centre line, withdrawing the locking tang (46) and allowing the spear valve assembly (1) to be removed from the keg neck (21) normally.
This device allows the complete spear valve to be inserted and removed from the keg safely.
In the event of an attempted removal of the spear valve (1) from the keg whilst the keg is still in a pressurized state by unscrewing the spear valve from the keg neck (21), once unscrewed, the spear valve (1) will be pressurized upwards only as far as the locking tang (46), abutting the underside of the keg neck (21), will allow.
The embodiment of Figures 21 to 23 is similar to the seventh embodiment and similar parts are referenced with the same numerals. The safety device comprises a retractor cam plate (60), a safety lock plate (61) and a location slot (62) in the skirt (37).
The retractor cam plate (60) is assembled between the closure spring (43) and a flared end (63) of the down tube (9). The plate (60) has an operating slot (64) and is made of spring steel material which is bent at (65) to provide a resilient bias to the safety lock plate (61).
The safety lock plate (61) has a locking ear (66) which projects outwardly through the location slot (62) of the skirt (37) and a pivot notch (67) which locates in the bottom of the location slot (62). The safety lock plate (61) is restrained from passing completely through the slot (62) by lateral retaining ears (68) and has inwardly extending tang (69).
In order to assemble the safety device of this embodiment the safety lock plate (61) is first positioned in engagement with the closure skirt (37) as detailed above. The valve body (4) is then assembled comprising the down tube (9), the beer valve (7), beer valve spring (11), the valve seal (8) and the retractor cam plate (60). The assembled valve body (4) is then entered into the skirt (37) and the operating slot (64) of the retractor cam plate (60) is engaged over the engagement tang (69) of the safety lock plate (61). The closure spring (43) is then slid on and finally the locking clip (50) is engaged.
In use, the safety spear valve assembly is entered into the keg normally until it meets resistance caused by the locking ear (66) of the safety lock plate (61) riding on the bottom seal shoulder (35) of the keg neck. Firm pressure on the keg closure causes the safety lock plate (61) to pivot inwards against the spring material of retractor cam plate (60) sufficiently for it to 'pop' past the neck shoulder (35) and spring back in position behind the shoulder. The spear valve then screws home in conventional fashion.
In the event of attempted removal of the spear valve from the keg whilst the keg is in its pressurized state, the spear valve will be pressurized outwardly only as far as the ear (66) of the safety lock plate (61) abutting the underside of the keg neck shoulder (35). In order to remove the spear valve from the keg, the retractor cam plate (60) is moved further downwards by means of an overstroking head (not shown) which pushes the cam plate engagement tang (69) of the safety lock plate (61). This, in turn, pivots inwards retracting the locking ear (66) and allowing free removal of the spear valve from the keg.
In all the embodiments described, the safety device comprises one or more pivoted locking members. Although pivoted members are preferred, any member which is biassed outwardly either by gravity or spring means which, in use, increases the outside lateral dimension of the spear to a dimension greater than that of the keg neck may be used.
In Figure 24, alternative bayonet recesses (51) (only one shown) for a valve sleeve (52) of the type of spear valve assembly shown in Figure 1 are disclosed. In this arrangement, the recesses, instead of being T-shaped, have a locking position (53) which receive the internal protrusions (5) on the valve body (4). Once the valve body (4) and the valve sleeve (52) have been screwed together by twisting, a rubber seal (54) (as shown dotted) is applied which means that the down tube and valve sleeve (52) cannot be separated from one another without removal or destruction of the seal (54) because the protrusions (5) are unable to be moved to the outlets (55) to the recesses. This arrangement prevents the assembly becoming dismantled during removal and therefore prevents possible blow-out of the valve despite retention of the down tube.
All the embodiments of this invention operate, so far as filling and dispensing are concerned, in conventional manner. Thus, in the first embodiment shown in Figures 2 to 4 for example, when top pressure is applied to beer in the keg and when the beer valve (7) is opened against the pressure of the valve spring (11), the beer will flow up the down tube (9) and through openings in the beer valve (7) (one of which can be seen in Figure 4). When filling, the whole keg is inverted and the valve seal (8) together with the beer valve (7) are displaced against the valve spring (11) allowing beer to flow into the keg through the arcuate openings (14) in the bell-shaped outer portion (13) of the valve body (4).

Claims

A safety device, suitable for fitting to a keg spear valve, comprising at least one locking member which, when fitted, is movable relative to the spear valve whereby the keg spear valve may be inserted into a keg neck without disassembly, the or each locking member during insertion, moving outwardly relative to the spear valve, once through the keg neck, so that the or each locking member will prevent the spear valve from being ejected from the beer keg by residual pressure by engagement behind the keg neck.
A safety device according to claim 1, wherein the or each locking member pivots on the spear valve and is biassed outwardly relative to the spear valve so that, on insertion, the or each locking member moves inwardly relative to the spear valve so as to pass through the keg neck before moving to the outer locking position.
A safety device according to claim 1 or 2, for a keg spear valve including a valve body having a down tube with a bell-shaped outer portion, a beer valve and a valve sealing member, the or each locking member being fitted inside the bell-shaped outer portion and including a locking ear which is biassed by the valve sealing member to project through an opening in the bell-shaped outer portion.
A safety device according to claim 1, including a body having at least two locking members loosely pivoted thereon such that, on attachment to the spear valve and insertion into a keg neck, the locking members move by gravity into a position in which they will engage behind the keg neck.
A spear valve assembly for insertion into the neck of a beer keg, the assembly including at least one movable locking member which, after insertion of the spear valve assembly into the keg neck, moves outwardly relative to the spear valve so that the locking member or members prevent the spear valve from being blown out of the keg by engagement behind the keg neck.
A spear valve assembly according to claim 5, wherein the or each locking member pivots on the spear valve and is biassed outwardly relative to the spear valve.
A spear valve assembly according to claim 5 or 6, including a valve body having a down tube with a bell-shaped outer portion, a beer valve and a valve sealing member, the or each locking member being fitted inside the bell-shaped outer portion and including a locking ear which is biassed by the valve sealing member to project through an opening in the bell-shaped outer portion.
A spear valve assembly according to claim 5, comprising a valve sleeve for engagement with a keg neck and a valve body releasably engaged with the valve sleeve and including a down tube for projecting into beer in a keg, a valve co-operable with the valve sleeve to close the keg, and spring means acting between a reaction member on the down tube and the valve biassing the valve into its closed position, a locking member pivoted to the valve body and being biassed into its outer locking position by the spring means and acting against the reaction member.
A spear valve assembly according to claim 8, wherein the locking member is annular and mounted about the down tube, a clearance between the locking member and the down tube permitting lateral displacement in a pivoted position for insertion and the clearance being filled by a collar on the reaction member when the locking member is in its locking position.
A keg safety spear assembly for insertion into a keg neck comprising a valve sleeve for engagement with the keg neck, a valve body having a down tube for projecting into beer in a keg, a valve for controlling fluid flow through the spear assembly, and a safety device including at least one movable outwardly projecting portion such that, in a position of rest and when inserted in a keg, it projects laterally beyond the dimensions of the keg neck to be caught thereby in the event of unintentional pressurized release.
A keg safety spear assembly according to claim 10, wherein the valve sleeve has a depending skirt including a plurality of openings for the throughflow of beer during filling and an opening through which said portion of the safety device projects such that the safety device is positioned within the depending skirt.
A keg safety spear assembly according to claim 11, wherein the safety device includes a safety lock plate with said portion and a separate retractor plate having an elongate opening through which said portion also projects.
A keg safety spear assembly according to claim 10, wherein the down tube has bell-shaped outer portion defining a skirt which includes openings for the throughflow of beer during filling and an opening through which the said portion of the safety device projects.
A keg safety spear assembly according to claim 13, wherein the said portion is a planar locking ear and the opening through which it projects is a slot.
A keg safety spear according to claim 11, wherein the safety device includes a safety lock plate with said portion and an inward extension, and a separate retractor plate having an elongate opening through which the inward extension projects.
A keg spear valve assembly according to claim 10 or 13, wherein the valve sleeve and the valve body are engaged together by protrusions on the valve body engaging within the recesses in the valve sleeve in a bayonet connection, the recesses each including a locking position into which the respective protrusion may be located, the valve sleeve and the valve body then being retained in their locking position by means of an annular seal.
A keg including a keg spear valve in accordance with any of claims to 16.
A method of converting a keg spear into a safety keg spear to prevent the spear being ejected on unintentional pressurized release, the spear including a valve sleeve for engagement with the keg neck, a valve body having a down tube for projecting into beer in a keg and a valve for controlling fluid flow through the spear, and a skirt on one of the valve sleeve or the valve body including openings for the throughflow of beer during filling, the method comprising:
forming a further opening in the skirt, locating a safety device having a projecting portion within the skirt and biassing the safety device outwardly so that the projecting portion projects through the said further opening after insertion through the keg neck so as to engage behind the neck on unintentional pressurized release.
A safety device according to claim 1 and substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the separate embodiment of the accompanying drawings.
A keg spear valve according to claim 5, and substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the separate embodiments of the accompanying drawings.