US3776412A

US3776412A - Gas cylinder structure and valve-protecting element therefor

Info

Publication number: US3776412A
Application number: US00292648A
Authority: US
Inventors: W Mink
Original assignee: LUXFER USA Ltd
Current assignee: LUXFER USA Ltd
Priority date: 1972-09-27
Filing date: 1972-09-27
Publication date: 1973-12-04
Anticipated expiration: 1990-12-04

Abstract

A compressed-gas cylinder having an integral neck for attachment of a valve or the like, with a rigid, hollow, open-ended valveprotecting element rotatably mounted on the neck. The protecting element includes a sleeve surrounding the neck and held in place by a retaining ring snap-fitted into an annular recess on the neck outwardly of the sleeve. An enlarged, generally outwardly flaring portion of the protecting element is formed integrally with and projects outwardly from the sleeve for laterally enclosing and protecting a valve mounted on the neck. Openings are provided in the wall of this enlarged portion to afford access to the valve and to enable use of the protecting element as a handle for the cylinder.

Description

[111 3,776,412 i4 1 Dec. 4, 1973 GAS CYLINDER STRUCTURE AND VALVE-PROTECTING ELEMENT THEREFOR [75] Inventor: Wilbur H. Mink, Riverside, Calif.

73 Assignee: Luxfer USA Limited, Riverside,

Calif.

22 Filed: Sept. 27', 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 292,648

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS Germany 137/377 Primary Examiner-William T. Dixson, Jr. Assistant ExaminerAllan N. Shoap Attorney-Christopher C. Dunham et al.

[57 ABSTRACT A compressed-gas cylinder having an integral neck for attachment of a valve or the like, with a rigid, hollow, open-ended valve-protecting element rotatably mounted on the neck. The protecting element includes a sleeve surrounding the neck and held in place by a retaining ring snap-fitted into an annular recess on the neck outwardly of the sleeve. An enlarged, generally outwardly flaring portion of the protecting element is formed integrally with and projects outwardly from the sleeve for laterally enclosing and protecting a valve mounted on the neck. Openings are provided in the wall of this enlarged portion to afford access to the valve and to enable use of the protecting element as a handle for the cylinder.

4 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PATENTEUUEE 41973 SHEET 3 [1F 3 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to compressed-gas cylinders, and in particular to new and improved structures mountable thereon to protect valves or the like attached to such cylinders'and to provide handles for the cylinders.

Metal-walled cylinders are widely employed for containing gas under pressure, and such cylinders are commonly provided with a neck at one end, on which is mounted a valve or other instrum'entality, e.g., to effect controlled release of the contained gas. Merely by way of example, cylinders of this type are used to hold gaseous carbon dioxide for carbonation of beverages, or industrial or welding gases.

Owing to their smooth, elongate shape, cylinders of the type described are somewhat inconvenient to handle. Moreover, the exposed, projecting valve on such a cylinder is vulnerable to misadjustment or damage, ei-

ther by impacts with objects or hard surfaces incident to handling of the cylinder, or by blows from moving objects when the cylinder is stationary.

Accordingly, it has heretofore been proposed to provide a protecting structure mounted on the neck of the cylinder adjacent the valve, to shield the valve from impacts and blows to which the valve would otherwise be subject, for example, if the cylinder is dropped or tipped over. One widely-used valve-protecting structure is a cap threadedly mounted on the cylinder neck and more or less completely enclosing the valve. Since the cap must be removed before a hose or other attachment can be connected to the valve, it does not protect the valve during use of the cylinder; moreover, the necessity of removing the cap results in a high rate of loss of such caps, with attendant undesired expense for replacement, as the cap is likely to be mislaid after removal.

It has alternatively been proposed to provide a protecting structure, e.g., threadedly mounted on the cylinder neck, and having one or more openings both to enable access to the shieldedvalve and to adapt the protecting structure for use asa handle in carrying the cylinder. The valve customarily has a fitting thatv projects on one side thereof for connection of a hose or pressure line, regulator, or other attachment, and also commonly has a hand wheel positioned at its outer extremity; the lateral access opening of the protecting structure is intended to enable connection of the hose, pressure line or other attachment to the fitting, while the hand wheel is accessible through an enlarged end opening of the protecting structure.

Although the threaded engagement of the protecting structure with the cylinder neck afi'ords a secure connection between the. structure and the cylinder, it is attended with disadvantages, not only because it requires provision of threads on the cylinder neck as well as on the protecting structure, but also because. it hinders desired access to the interior of the protecting structure. In particular, this threaded engagement prevents ready positioning of the openings of the protecting structure in alignment with the valve fitting, as is necessary to enable connection or adjustment of a hose or other attachment to the valve fitting within the protective structure. The openings themselves permit only limited access to the structure. interior. Therefore, initial mounting of the protective structure and an associated valve in appropriately aligned positions on a cylinder has been a difficult procedure; and connection or adjustment of attachments to the valve fitting after the protector is in place has presented further difficulties. Alternative proposals for mounting a protective structure on a cylinder neck have been, in general, structurally complex and hence more or less costly and inconvenient.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a gas cylinder structure having a new and improved protecting element for shielding a valve or the like on the neck of a compressed gas cylinder and for serving as a handle for the cylinder, with substantially enhanced freedom and ease of access to the interior of the element as desired to facilitate connection, adjustment and replacement of attachments to the valve fitting, i.e., for release of the contents of the cylinder and/or charging of the cylinder.

Another object is to provide a new and improved protecting element of such type, capable of being readily mounted on a cylinder.

To these and other ends, the present invention broadly contemplates the provision of a hollow, openended protecting element mounted on the cylindrical neck of a compressed gas cylinder or the like so as to be freely rotatable relative to the neck but secured against axial movement relative to the neck. In accordance with the invention, the protecting element includes a sleeve having a smooth cylindrical opening for receiving the neck of the cylinder and an outwardly facing annular surface surrounding the outer extremity of that opening, the sleeve being so dimensioned that a portion of the neck projects outwardly beyond the annular surface. The protecting element further includes an enlarged, generally outwardly flaring portion formed integrally with the sleeve and projecting outwardly therefrom for laterally enclosing and shielding a valve or the like mounted on the cylinder neck; this enlarged portion has at least one lateral opening for access and connection of attachments to the valve fitting. The terms inner or inwardly and outer or outwardly as used herein refer to directions respectively toward and away from the cylinder.

Further in accordance with the invention, a retaining ring is mounted in a recess formed in the aforementioned outwardly projecting portion of the cylinder neck and projects laterally'of the neck for engaging the annular surface of the sleeve to prevent outward movement of the sleeve relative to the neck while permitting rotation of the protecting element relative to the neck. Conveniently, this ring is a resiliently deformable split annulus snap-fitted into the recess, which may be an annular groove formed in the cylindrical neck surface or may be defined by the inwardly facing surface of a laterally projecting annular land or ridge formed on the neck surface; in the latter case, the land or ridge has a diameter larger than that of the major extent of the neck surface (so as to hold the ring in place) but smaller than the inner diameter of the sleeve, i.e., to

valve or the like mounted on the cylinder neck, and a second lateral opening bridged outwardly by the lip for receiving a human hand to enable use of the element as a handle for the cylinder.

In the described structure, the retaining ring provides a secure attachment of the protecting element to the neck of the cylinder as necessary for use of the element as a handle, and for ensuring that the element will effectively protect a valve (mounted on the cylinder neck) against blows and impacts. At the same time, this mounting arrangement permits free rotation of the protecting element around the neck, so that the access opening of the element may readily be aligned with a laterally projecting fitting of a valve mounted on the neck, for connection of a hose, pressure line, regulator, or other device to such fitting. The lip in effect defines a large opening at the outer end of the protecting element, and the access opening (extending through the lip) is effectively continuous with this end opening, further enhancing freedom of access to instrumentalities shielded by the element.

Moreover, the rotatable mounting of the protecting element greatly facilitates initial installation of the element and an associated valve on a cylinder, i.e., because no care need be taken to achieve initial alignment of the access opening with the lateral fitting of the valve, such alignment being immediately achieved whenever desired by simple turning of the mounted protecting element. This mounting also eliminates the need to provide threads on the outer wall of the cylinder neck. The use of a split ring snap fitted in a recess on the cylinder neck affords an especially rapid, convenient and economical way of securing the protecting element to the neck, with a minimum of modification of conventional cylinder neck structure. As an additional advantage, the protecting element of the invention not only serves to shield an enclosed valve and to provide a handle for carrying a cylinder (or for moving the cylinder by rolling) but may also be used as a base to support the cylinder, i.e., if the cylinder is inverted so that the valve fitting and neck are oriented downwardly, as may be desired, e.g., when the cylinder contains a gas in liquified form.

Thus there is provided a valve protecting element and handle for a compressed gas cylinder, affording important advantages of economy and especially enhanced convenience of mounting and subsequent connection of attachments to the shielded valve. Problems such as provision of external threads on the cylinder neck, and subsequent thread wear are avoided. The element need not be removed from the cylinder, but remains in place during use of the cylinder (i.e., even when a hose, regulator or other attachment is mounted on the valve) to continue serving its functions as a handle for the cylinder and a protector for the valve. Since the element is not removed, the problems of loss and cost of replacement associated with conventional valve caps are avoided. Moreover, with this element, it is not necessary to provide a separate neck ring for the cylinder as now conventionally employed. While the element of the invention is described herein, for purposes of illustration, as used with a compressed gas cylinder (and is adapted for use with a wide variety of conventional cylinders), it will be appreciated that the element of the invention is also capable of use for other similar purposes to provide shielding for structures such as valves on cylindrical necks in various kinds of equipment.

Further features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the detailed description hcreinbclow set forth, together with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one end of a gas cylinder structure incorporating a valve-protecting element embodying the present invention in a particular form;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the end portion and neck of a compressed gas cylinder of generally conventional type but adapted to receive the protecting element of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the cylinder neck of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the protecting element of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the element of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational sectional view of the element of FIG. 4 as assembled on the neck of the cylinder of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of one form of retaining ring suitable for use in mounting the protecting element of the invention on a cylinder neck; and

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 6 but showing a modified configuration of the protecting element.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring first to FIG. 1, the embodiment of the invention there illustrated is incorporated in structure including a generally conventional metal-walled compressed gas cylinder 10, e.g., fabricated of an aluminum alloy and having an elongated cylindrical shape with a rounded end wall 11 terminating in a neck 12 on which may be mounted a valve 14 for effecting controlled release of the contained gas through an outlet fitting 15 that projects laterally from the valve, i.e., in a direction transverse to the long axis of the cylinder. A protecting element 16 embodying the invention is mounted on the neck 12 in surrounding relation to the valve 14.

As more particularly shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the cylinder neck 12, formed integrally with the cylinder and projecting from the end wall 11 in coaxial relation to the cylinder, has a cylindrical outer wall 18 of relatively short axial extent and a central bore 19 communicating with the interior of the cylinder; this bore may be internally threaded for engagement with mating external.

threads of the valve. For mounting the protecting element of the invention, an annular recess 20 is formed in the neck outer wall 18, and spaced a short distance inwardly from the outer extremity of the neck. In the cylinder shown, the recess 20 constitutes a machine groove, i.e., a groove cut into the neck wall.

The protecting element 16 of the invention, in a presently preferred embodiment, is shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. This element is generally rigid (although it may be more or less flexible), and is a unitary, integrally formed structure, e.g., fabricated of metal or of a suitable molded plastic. It includes a sleeve portion 22 for receiving the cylinder neck 12 and an enlarged portion 24 projecting outwardly from the outer end of the sleeve portion 22 for laterally surrounding and shielding the valve 14 mounted on the neck 12 in spaced relation to the valve.

A smooth-walled cylindrical central opening 25 is formed in sleeve 22, extending through the sleeve from the inner extremity to the outer extremity thereof for receiving cylinder neck 12. The diameter of opening 25 is selected so that the sleeve will fit closely around the neck, yet with sufficient clearance to permit ready rotation of the element 16 in relation to the neck. At its outer extremity, opening 25 is surrounding by a flat annular surface 26 facing outwardly, e.g., lying in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the opening 25.

In the form shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the major extent of the enlarged portion 24 of element 16 is a wall 27 of outwardly flaring frusto-conical configuration, terminating outwardly in a short cylindrical wall 28 which provides an annular lip 29 for the element; this lip 29 lies in a plane parallel to the plane containing surface 26, i.e., perpendicular to the axis of opening 25. The enlarged portion 24 is disposed in coaxial relation to opening 25.

As thus formed, the element 16 constitutes a hollow, generally outwardly flaring structure having an opening 25 at its inner end of relatively small diameter, sufficient to accommodate the neck 12, and a much larger opening defined by lip 29 at its outer extremity in coaxial relation to the inner opening. The wall of the element 16 is rigid and preferably of sufficient thickness and strength to support the weight of the cylinder on which the element is mounted, as well as to shield the valve 14 effectively against blows or impacts.

A large lateral opening 30 is formed in one side of the frusto-conical wall 27 and cylindrical wall 28 of the enlarged portion 24. As shown, this opening is U-shaped or keyhole shaped and extends upwardly through the lip 29, providing a gap 30a in the lip. A second lateral opening 32 through the wall 27 of enlarged portion 24 is shown as positioned in diametrically opposed relation to opening 30; unlike opening 30, opening 32 does not extend upwardly through the lip 29, but is instead bridged by a portion 29a of that lip. Additional openings may also be made in the side wall of portion 24 of element 16, if desired.

The assembly of element 16 with the cylinder is further illustrated in FIG. 6. As there shown, the cylinder neck 12 is inserted through opening of sleeve 22 until the inner extremity of sleeve 22 abuts a shoulder portion 11a of the enlarged cylinder end wall 11 at the base of neck 12. The axial dimension of the sleeve opening 25 is shorter than that of the neck wall 18, so that when the sleeve abuts the cylinder shoulder 114,

a portion of the cylinder neck 12, including groove 20, projects outwardly beyond opening 25, i.e., beyond the A retaining ring 34 is inserted in the recess or groove annular outer surface 26 of that opening.

20, outwardly of surface 26. As thus mounted, the ring 34 projects laterally from the cylinder neck wall 18, in

into placein the groove or recess 20, the outer wall of which holds the ring against outward axial movement relative to the neck.

In the described assembly, the element 16 is secured against any substantial axial movement in either direction relative to the cylinder 10 by the snap ring 34 and cylinder shoulder 1 1a respectively disposed for engagement with the outer and inner extremities of sleeve 22 of element 16. Therefore, the element 16 can be used as a handle to lift the cylinder, and also provides assured effective protection for the enclosed valve 14. However, the clearance between the cylindrical sleeve opening 25 and the cylindrical neck wall 18, and also the clearances between ring 34, sleeve 22 and shoulder 11a, are sufficient to permit free rotation of the element 16 about the long axis of the cylinder 10, as stated above.

The valve 14 (FIG. 1) threaded in and projecting outwardly from the bore 19 of the neck 12, and laterally shielded by the element 16, is accessible through the large keyhole opening 30 in the side of element 16 as well as through the outer end opening of element 16, this outer end opening being continuous with opening 30 through the gap 30a in lip 29. The valve may (for example) be installed after the protecting element is in place, as there is no need to provide initial alignment of the lateral outlet fitting 15 with the access opening 30 of the element. When desired, the rotatable element 16 is simply turned (about the axis of the cylinder) until the opening 30 is aligned with the valve outlet fitting 15. A hose, pressure line, regulator or other attachment may then readily be connected to the outlet fitting 15, through opening 30, without interference by the protecting element. The dimensions of the element 16, its end opening, and the keyhole opening 30 continuous therewith, are selected to accommodate with clearance a valve and tools necessary for such connection or adjustment of an attachment to the valve, while the hand wheel 14a of the valve is accessible for manual adjustment through the end opening of element 16.

The other lateral opening 32 of element 16 is shaped to permitinsertion of a human hand for use of the bridging lip portion 29a as a handle grip, enabling use of the element 16 as a handle in picking up and carrying the cylinder to which it is attached. Furthermore, since the lip 29 of element 16 is disposed in coaxial relation to cylinder 10 and in a plane perpendicular to the ,1 axis oficylinder 10, the element 16 can be used as a base for supporting the cylinder 10 in an inverted standing position, i.e., a position in which the neck 12 is oriented downwardly.

An alternative configuration for the protecting ele- {ment of the invention is illustrated.in FIG. 8 as neck. Conveniently, the retaining ring 34'may bea re silientlydeformable split annulus, e.g., a so-called snap ring fabricated of steelor the like, and shown in plan view in FIG. 7. As there illustrated,'the ring 34 is open' neck 12 and is then released so that it resiliently snaps mountedon the same cylinder 10 described above, i.e.

by means of the same snap ring 34. The protecting element 16' of FIG. 8 includes a sleeve portion 22' (which may be essentially identical to the sleeve 22 of the element 16 of FIGS. 1 7) and an enlarged portion 24', generally similar in arrangement to the enlarged portion 24 of the above-described element 16 but differing therefrom in specific details of shape. Portion 24' of element 16' has a short frusto-conical wall 50 flaring outwardly from the sleeve 22' to a large diameter cylindrical wall 52 of substantial axial extent; i.e., in the structure of FIG. 8, the axial extent of the cylindrical wall 52 of enlarged portion 24' is greater than the axial extent of the frusto-conical wall 50 joining wall 52 to sleeve 22'. At its outer extremity, wall 52 provides an annular lip 29; lateral openings 30 and 32 (respectively corresponding to the

openings

30 and 32 in the element of FIGS. 1 7) are formed in the wall 52.

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the features and embodiments hereinabove specifically set forth but may be carried out in other ways without departure from its spirit.

I claim: 1. Gas cylinder structure comprising a. a compressed-gas cylinder; and b. a cylindrical neck projecting outwardly from a wall of said cylinder for receiving a valve or the like; wherein the improvement comprises 0. a hollow, open-ended protecting element including i. a sleeve having a smooth cylindrical opening receiving said neck for rotatably mounting said element thereon and an outwardly facing annular surface surrounding the outer extremity of said opening, and ii. an enlarged, generally outwardly flaring portion formed integrally with said sleeve and projecting outwardly therefrom for shielding a valve or the like mounted on said neck, said enlarged portion having at least one lateral opening for access to the interior of the element; d. said neck having a portion projecting outwardly beyond said annular surface of said sleeve, with an annular recess formed in said outwardly projecting portion of said neck; and

e. a retaining ring mounted in said recess and projecting laterally thereof for engaging said annular surface of said sleeve to prevent outward movement of said sleeve relative to said neck while permitting rotation of said element relative to said neck.

2. Structure as defined in claim 1, wherein said ring is a resiliently deformable split annulus snap-fitted into said recess.

3. Structure as defined in claim 2, wherein said enlarged portion of said element has an annular outer lip, a first large lateral opening extending outwardly through said lip for facilitating access to a valve or the like on said neck, and a second lateral opening bridged outwardly by said lip forreceiving a human hand to enable use of the element as a handle for the cylinder.

4. Structure as defined in claim 3, wherein said neck projects from one end wall of said cylinder in coaxial relation thereto, and wherein said annular lip of said enlarged portion of said element lies in a plane perpendicular to the long axis of said cylinder, for use of said element as a base for supporting said cylinder with the neck thereof oriented downwardly.

Claims

1. Gas cylinder structure comprising a. a compressed-gas cylinder; and b. a cylindrical neck projecting outwardly from a wall of said cylinder for receiving a valve or the like; wherein the improvement comprises c. a hollow, open-ended protecting element including i. a sleeve having a smooth cylindrical opening receiving said neck for rotatably mounting said element thereon and an outwardly facing annular surface surrounding the outer extremity of said opening, and ii. an enlarged, generally outwardly flaring portion formed integrally with said sleeve and projecting outwardly therefrom for shielding a valve or the like mounted on said neck, said enlarged portion having at least one lateral opening for access to the interior of the element; d. said neck having a portion projecting outwardly beyond said annular surface of said sleeve, with an annular recess formed in said outwardly projecting portion of said neck; and e. a retaining ring mounted in said recess and projecting laterally thereof for engaging said annular surface of said sleeve to prevent outward movement of said sleeve relative to said neck while permitting rotation of said element relative to said neck.

3. Structure as defined in claim 2, wherein said enlarged portion of said element has an anNular outer lip, a first large lateral opening extending outwardly through said lip for facilitating access to a valve or the like on said neck, and a second lateral opening bridged outwardly by said lip for receiving a human hand to enable use of the element as a handle for the cylinder.