EP1433995A2 - Connecting device for a breakable gas cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

The device includes two symmetrical halves (9a,9b) for holding a gas bottle (18), each having a top ring (12a,12b), at least one of which is equipped with a device for fixing a gas regulator. The halves include, at their base, a device for preventing introduction of a gas bottle, and an articulation device permitting the halves to be relatively angularly displaced between a bottle introduction position and a use position in which the rings concentrically contact one another and allow reception of the regulator which locks the two halves together.

Description

The present invention relates to a device for retaining a pierceable gas cartridge.

Many devices work with a gas cartridge penetrable. These devices can be camping stoves, lamps, blow lamps, etc ...

Schematically, in addition to accessories specific to its use, the device itself consists of a device for removing gas comprising a perforating needle and a system for retaining a cartridge containing a gas, which can be punctured by the needle.

The cartridge, in a well known manner, has a shape cylindrical, consisting of a metal wall. The bottom of the cartridge is consisting of a concave sheet crimped on the metal wall. The upper part of the cartridge is curved and has, at its axis of revolution, a concave perforation area.

The implementation of these devices is done by placing the cartridge in the restraint system. The latter is fitted with a threaded ring in which the removal member is screwed.

During its screwing, the removal member punctures the cartridge at its concavity formed in its upper part.

There are two types of cartridge retention system perforable, a type called stirrups and a type called bell.

The stirrup type apparatus comprises a shell having a threaded ring on which are articulated two stirrups.

The shell covers the upper part of the cartridge and the two calipers are folded down to engage the concave bottom wall of the cartridge.

The gas sampling system is then screwed onto the hull and, at the end of screwing, the needle comes to perforate the cartridge. It must be specified that the sampling system is equipped with a seal which provides sealing around the hole in the cartridge.

When the device is operated in the manner described previously, the perforation of the cartridge is done perfectly controlled. Indeed, the gas sampling system punctures the cartridge in being perfectly guided by the threaded ring in the direction of the axis of revolution of the cartridge so that the perforation of the cartridge is done exactly at the concave perforation area formed in its upper part.

However, there may be an incorrect implementation of the device by a user who disregards the installation instructions in action. In particular, in rare cases, the system of gas sample is previously screwed onto the shell of the cartridge retainer, without it being filled with a cartridge. it may occur, for example, when the device has been stored as well.

The user may be tempted to place a cartridge in the restraint system to which the gas sampling system is screwed.

The consequence of this incorrect implementation is that the perforation of the cartridge is imperfect, that is to say, that the cartridge is punctured without being completely immobilized by the restraint system. We indeed notes that in this incorrect implementation, the user places the cartridge in the hull then tries to fold down a first stirrup, which offsets the cartridge ; making the cartridge is perforated while it is not in the perforation axis and that it is not completely immobilized by the system of restraint. There is therefore a significant risk of gas leakage, of course all the risks that this entails, in particular if the transaction occurs in a confined space or near a flame.

With regard to the bell-type apparatus, a similar principle of perforation of the cartridge is implemented.

In this type of device, the cartridge retaining members consist of a stamped metal bell open at its base and having a threaded ring at its top, and by a disc closing off the base of the bell. This disc is, in a conventional manner, fixed to the bell by a bayonet type fixing.

The implementation of a bell type device is done, first of all, by placing a perforable cartridge in the retaining members, i.e. in the bell and then closing it by the shutter disc.

Then, the gas sampling device is screwed onto the ring. the bell and, at the end of the screwing stroke, the needle punctures the cartridge present in the bell.

There may also be an incorrect implementation of this device type. Indeed, in the same way that it can happen for the caliper device, a user may attempt to insert a cartridge into a bell on which the gas sampling device is already fixed.

Perforation of the cartridge can then occur while it is not immobilized relative to the bell. So there again, there is a significant risk of gas leakage.

For these reasons, it seems essential to perfect security devices using a perforable cartridge.

More specifically, an object of the invention is to propose a device cartridge retainer which prohibits the insertion of a cartridge when the retainer is not in its configuration allowing insertion a cartridge and in particular when equipped with a sampling device gas.

• de deux demi éléments symétriques de retenue de la cartouche présentant
• à leur sommet, chacun, une bague au moins l'une d'elle étant équipée de moyens de fixation de l'organe de prélèvement et,
• à leur base, des moyens d'interdiction de l'introduction d'une cartouche et une articulation permettant un déplacement angulaire entre des deux demi éléments par rapport à leur base entre une position d'introduction permettant de placer une cartouche et une position d'utilisation dans laquelle les deux éléments sont en contact l'un de l'autre et dans laquelle les deux bagues sont concentriques et superposées, autorisant la réception de l'organe de prélèvement du gaz et réalisant le verrouillage du dispositif dans cette dernière position.

To this end, the device, according to the invention, for retaining a perforable gas cartridge capable of cooperating with a gas sampling member comprising a perforation needle is constituted

• of two symmetrical half retaining elements of the cartridge having
• at their apex, each, a ring at least one of which is equipped with means for fixing the sampling member and,
• at their base, means for prohibiting the introduction of a cartridge and an articulation allowing an angular displacement between two half elements relative to their base between an insertion position allowing to place a cartridge and a position of use in which the two elements are in contact with one another and in which the two rings are concentric and superimposed, allowing the reception of the gas sampling member and effecting the locking of the device in this latter position.

Thanks to these characteristics, the device is of an implementation significantly safer than that of known devices.

The correct implementation of the device consists, in a first time, to place the device in an insertion position, i.e. to do rotate the half elements relative to each other then place a cartridge of perforable gas in the device. In a second step, the device is placed in a position of use, i.e. a position in which the two half elements are in contact with each other and enclose the cartridge; in this position of use, the two rings are superimposed. Thirdly, the gas sampling device is introduced into the two rings and attaches to one or both. The gas sampling device passing through the two rings is used as a dowel and ensures the locking of the two half elements with respect to each other.

Any bad implementation is eliminated.

Indeed, if the gas sampling device is fixed to one of the half retaining elements, it is obvious to the user that the cartridge of gas cannot be accommodated in the device when it is in this configuration. In such a case, on the one hand one of the half elements is free which is a strong indication of incorrect implementation, on the other hand the cartridge cannot be inserted from the base since the means prohibitions are provided at this level. The user is therefore forced to withdraw the gas sampling device, and then to correctly implement the device.

If the sampling device is engaged through the two rings and locks the two half elements relative to each other, it is impossible to introduce a cartridge from the base since means of prohibition are planned at this level. The user is therefore forced to remove the gas sampling, then correctly implement the device.

To secure the sampling device to the half elements, at least one of the rings of the retaining elements present a thread onto which the sampling member is screwed.

According to a first embodiment, each half element includes a half shell on which is fitted a U-shaped stirrup having two parallel uprights connected by a transverse rod, a staple metal connecting the transverse rods of each stirrup.

In addition, the transverse rods of the stirrups have a form of handle directed towards each other.

To achieve a fitting of the half shells one relative to the other, one of the half-shells has on its contact surface at least one boss engaging in a bore in the other half-shell.

To prevent the staple from sliding relative to the rods transverse stirrups, the transverse rods have a boss which takes place in a light made at each end of the clip.

According to an advantageous characteristic, each of the two half hulls have two holes plumb with two vertical housings in which engage the amounts of stirrups prohibiting any movement of stirrups compared to the half shells.

According to a second embodiment, each half element consists of a half bell each having at its top a ring and at their base a hemispherical rim and means of articulation.

In addition, one of the half bells has two cylindrical nipples diametrically opposed, engaged in two diametrically opposite bearings, housed in the other half bell.

For a good understanding, the invention is described with reference in the attached drawing showing by way of nonlimiting examples, two forms for producing devices according to this.

Figures 1, 2, 3 show a retainer according to a first embodiment during three stages of implementation.

Figures 4, 5, 6 and 7 show a device according to a second embodiment during three stages of its implementation.

In each of the two embodiments, the gas sampling 2 is identical. In a manner known per se, this organ comprises a perforating needle 3 housed inside a tubular plunger 4. The end of the pusher 4 is provided with an O-ring 5. This member 2, which part of any gas appliance, is well known and will not be the subject of a more complete description. It should, however, be specified that the body gas sampling valve has a threaded portion 6.

Referring first to Figure 1, we see that the device comprises two half elements 9a, 9b, consisting of two half symmetrical shells 10a, 10b on each of which is respectively fitted a stirrup referenced 11a and 11b.

As shown more clearly in Figure 2, the half shells 10a, 10b are each provided with a circular ring 12a, 12b which, when the two half shells 10a, 10b are joined to each other, coincide with each other. In other words, the two rings 12a, 12b are superimposed, when the half shells 10a, 10b are in contact. They are from more fitted with a ring. One of these two rings 12a and 12b is, in Besides, threaded.

As regards the two stirrups 11a, 11b, each of them is consisting of two vertical uprights 14a, 14b which, at their upper end, fit into one of the half shells 10a, 10b and at their lower end are connected by a transverse rod 15a, 15b in the form of a handle. As we can see it in the figures, the interlocking of the stirrups is done in holes made in the half hulls. We also note that two vertical housings are practiced in each of the half shells in which the vertical uprights 14a, 14b. Thus, each stirrup is totally blocked by compared to the half shell on which it is fixed.

The stirrups are connected by a metal clip 16. This clip 16 constitutes the single articulation between the two stirrups 11a, 11b and, by therefore, between the two half shells 10a, 10b.

The clip 16 consists of a sheet metal element folded over each of its ends around the transverse rods 15a, 15b. The stems having a circular section, the clip 16 therefore allows articulation of the half shells 10a, 10b relative to each other.

To prevent staple 16 from sliding relative to the rods transverse 15a, 15b, the latter have a boss 17 which takes place in a hole made at each end of the clip 16.

The installation of a gas cartridge 18 is done as is shown in Figure 2, by rotating the two half elements 9a, 9b one by compared to each other. This allows the gas cartridge 18 to be inserted.

Then, the two half elements 9a, 9b are brought together one of the other and enclose the cartridge 18.

The cartridge is therefore held at its base by the two rods transverse 15a, 15b on which rests the concave part of the cartridge 18, radially the cartridge 18 is held by the uprights 14a, 14b of the stirrups 11a, 11b and at its top the cartridge 18 is held by the half shells 10a, 10b in contact with each other. We note that the half shell 10a has two bosses 19 which penetrate into holes 20, complementary housings in the half-shell 10b.

It can therefore be seen that the cartridge 18 is therefore perfectly maintained.

It then only remains for the user to engage the gas sampling 2 in the rings 12a, 12b and screwing it into one of the rings.

At the end of the screwing stroke, the piercing needle 3 pierces the cartridge 18.

In the second embodiment of the invention described in Figures 4 to 7, the device comprises two half elements 24a, 24b constituted of two half bells 25a, 25b. The two half bells 25a, 25b have each at their apex a threaded circular ring which when the two half bells are attached to each other, coincide with each other, which means that the two rings 26a, 26b are superimposed when the two half bells are in contact with each other.

At their base, the half bell 25a has two nipples cylindrical 27 diametrically opposite and the half bell 25b has two bearings 28 also diametrically opposed.

The cylindrical pins 27 therefore engage in the bearings 28 to make the articulation of the half bells 25a and 25b, one relative to the other.

Referring to Figure 4 which shows in perspective with a partial tearing off the device it appears that a hemispherical rim 29 is present at the base of each of the half shells 25a, 25b.

The insertion of a perforable cartridge 18 is done according to a protocol substantially equivalent to that described above for the first embodiment. Indeed, to place a cartridge 18 it is necessary, in a first time, rotate the half shells 25a, 25b one relative to the other.

This pivoting makes it possible to insert a cartridge 18 between each half bells 25a, 25b. Then the two half bells are brought together one from the other and enclose the cartridge 18. This is held at its base by the edges 29 and is held laterally and at its top by the two half bells 25a, 25b. The user can then fix the sampling device 2 in rings 26a, 26b, one of which is threaded with each of the half bells 25a and 25b, This screwing being made possible by the fact that the two rings 26a, 26b are superimposed. This superposition of the two rings appears clearly in Figure 7 which shows in section the retainer.

It should be noted that the structure of the two rings 26a, 26b, if it is shown in Figure 7 with reference to the second embodiment, is all fully transposable with regard to the first embodiment.

The invention, in each of its embodiments, solves therefore the problem of devices known in the state of the art. Indeed, the two cartridge retainers described above do not allow the installation of a cartridge only when the gas sampling device is removed from the cartridge retainer. This considerably secures devices using perforable gas cartridges since, thanks to the invention, it is no longer possible to place a gas cartridge on a retaining system for this cartridge on which the sampling member have already been installed.

It goes without saying that the invention is not limited to both forms of embodiments described above by way of nonlimiting examples, but it on the contrary embraces all embodiments.

Thus, one could consider means for fixing the gas sampling 2 from the cartridge retainer by means other than a screwing. It could for example be a clipping system.

Claims (9)

Device for retaining a pierceable gas cartridge (18) capable of cooperating with a gas sampling member (2) comprising a puncturing needle characterized in that it consists two symmetrical half elements (9a, 9b, 25a, 25b) for retaining the cartridge (18) having at their apex, each, a ring (12a, 12b, 26a, 26b), at least one of which is equipped with means for fixing the sampling member and, at their base, means for prohibiting the introduction of a cartridge and an articulation allowing an angular displacement between two half elements (9a, 9b, 25a, 25b) relative to their base between an insertion position allowing placing a cartridge (18) and a position of use in which the two elements (9a, 9b, 25a, 25b) are in contact with one another and in which the two rings (12a, 12b, 26a, 26b) are concentric and superimposed, allowing the reception of the gas sampling member (2) and locking the device in this latter position. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one of the rings (12a, 12b, 26a, 26b) of the half elements has a thread onto which the sampling member (2) is screwed. Device according to one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that each half element (9a, 9b) comprises a half shell (10a, 10b) on which is fitted a U-shaped bracket (11a, 11b) having two uprights parallel (14a, 14b) connected by a transverse rod (15a, 15b), a metal clip (16) connecting the transverse rods of each stirrup (11a, 11b). Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the transverse rods (15a, 15b) of the stirrups (11a, 11b) have a shape of loop directed towards one another. Device according to one of claims 3 to 4, characterized in that one of the half-shells (10a, 10b) has on its contact surface at least one boss (19) engaging in a bore (20) formed in the other half hull. Device according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that each of the two half-shells (9a, 9b) has two holes plumb with two vertical housings (13a, 13b) in which the uprights (14a) engage , 14b) stirrups. Device according to one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the transverse rods (15a, 15b) have a boss (17) which takes place in a hole made at each end of the clip (16). Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that each half element (24a, 24b) consists of a half bell (25a, 25b) each having at their top a ring (26a, 26b) and at their base a hemispherical rim (29) and articulation means. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that one of the half bells (25a, 25b) has two diametrically opposed cylindrical pins (27), engaged in two bearings (28) diametrically opposite, formed in the other half bell.

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