Patent ID: 6372132
Filing Date: 2002-04-16
Classification: C02F,E03C

Abstract:
An apparatus for housing a purifying element for filtering and purifying a fluid, comprisinga pressure vessel for holding a purifying element for filtering and purifying the fluid, the pressure vessel having inlet and outlet means for introducing the fluid into the pressure vessel and for removing the fluid from the pressure vessel, the pressure vessel having a housing having a first opening formed therein, the pressure vessel having an outer surface portion, the pressure vessel having a first end cap for closing the first opening in the housing of the pressure vessel, sealing means located between the first end cap and the housing of the pressure vessel for sealing between the first end cap and the housing, securing means for securing the first end cap to the housing when desired, the second means including a first yoke extending between the housing and the first end cap, the first end cap being substantially cylindrical in shape and having a groove extending around its circumference in its side portion for receiving the first yoke, the housing being provided with a first pair of holes that are aligned with the groove in the first end cap, wherein the first yoke secures the first end cap to the housing by extending through the first pair of holes in the housing and tangentially across the side portion of the first end cap in a portion of the groove, and level compensating support means for supporting the pressure vessel above a surface on which the apparatus rests in a secure, non-wobbling manner, the level compensating support means comprising a first ring surrounding a portion of the outer surface portion of the pressure vessel and in sliding contact with the outer surface portion of the pressure vessel, a first pair of feet extending from the first ring for supporting the pressure vessel, a second ring surrounding a portion of the outer surface portion of the pressure vessel, and a second pair of feet extending from the second ring for supporting the pressure vessel, wherein the first ring may be rotated around the outer surface portion of the pressure vessel as needed to position the feet of the first ring such that all of the feet are in contact with the surface on which the apparatus rests, the housing being provided with a second pair of holes that are aligned with the groove in the first end cap, the first yoke having a substantially inverted U-shape, the first yoke comprising a first pin having an end portion, a second pin having an end portion, and a bridge having a first end portion and a second end portion, the first pin being mounted on the first end portion of the bridge and extending therefrom, and the second pin being mounted on the second end portion of the bridge and extending therefrom parallel to the first pin, wherein the first yoke secures the first end cap to the housing by the first pin extending trough the first pair of holes in the housing and tangentially across the side portion of the first end cap in a portion of the groove and the second pin extending through the second pair of holes in the housing and tangentially across the side portion of the first end cap, the holes in the first pair of holes and in the second pair of holes being in the form of slots, and the first ring having a cut-out portion shaped to snugly receive the bridge of the first yoke and having two recesses on its inside surface to receive the end portion of the first and second pins of the first yoke when the first yoke is securing the first end cap to the housing.