GB979734A - Improvements in or relating to connecting means in gas supply systems - Google Patents

Abstract

979,734. Pipe couplings. WRIGHT, BINDLEY & GELL Ltd. Aug. 29, 1963 [Sept. 1, 1962], No. 33634/62. Heading F2G. A connecting device for a gas supply system comprises two co-operating parts 10, 24, the part 10 being connectible at 23 to a bulk supply container and the part 24 being connectible at 27 to a gas consuming appliance. The part 10 is adapted to be coupled to the part 24 by a projecting sleeve 11 in the wall of which are balls 12, their seating holes being such that the balls are capable of projecting at least predominantly either inwardly or outwardly of the wall of the sleeve. The part 24 is adapted to be coupled to the part 10 by a spigot 15 screwed in an outlet 32 and having a central tapered portion 15 and an outer tapered portion 37. At the inner end of the tapes 37 there is a groove 44 and beyond that is a ridge, ending in a shoulder. Against this shoulder is a flange 43 which is part of an outer sleeve 39 that surrounds the spigot 15 and is urged outwardly by a spring 40. When the parts are coupled together the balls 12 ride along the tapes 37 and are thus pushed outwardly of the wall of the sleeve 11, the sleeve 39 also receding, until the balls snap into the groove 44. When this position is reached the spring 40 moves the sleeve 39 to overlie the balls, thus preventing them from leaving the groove 44 and preventing the connecting means from becoming disconnected. The action of coupling the parts together causes the central tapered portion of the spigot 15 to seat in a socket 13 in the valve body 10, making a sealed connection through an 0-ring 14. Coinciding with the axis of the spigot 15 is a plunger 35 which is normally held back by a spring, but when a valve operating member 30 is turned on its axis by a lever 36 a suitably shaped portion thereof engages the end of the plunger 35 and forces it outwardly. The plunger engages the stem 19 of a valve member 18 in the body 10 which is thus moved, against a spring 21, to open the valve. In this position the lever 36 obstructs inward movement of the outer sleeve 39. Thus coupling and uncoupling may only be accomplished when the lever 36 is in the " valve off " position and disconnection may not take place when the lever is in the " valve on " position. The pressure of gas supplied to the outlet 27 is regulated by a flexible diaphragm 25 which, by means of a lever system 31, co-operates with a valve member 34 which, with its seating 33, controls the flow of gas to the outlet. A safety valve 9 is fitted.