Patent ID: 7686017
Filing Date: 2010-03-30
Classification: A62B,B63C,F16K,G05D,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A fluid flow control valve for a second stage scuba regulator comprising: a housing defining a central passageway having fluid inlet and fluid outlet openings and an outer flange extending from the housing proximate the fluid inlet opening; a pressure responsive element disposed within said passageway for selectively opening and closing said inlet opening to fluid flow in response to pressure exerted thereon at said inlet opening; a mechanism disposed within said passageway for exerting a bias force against said pressure responsive element sufficient to close said inlet opening to fluid flow absent a preestablished level of pressure exerted on said pressure responsive element in opposition to said bias force; a retainer device for removably securing said pressure responsive element and bias force exerting mechanism within said passageway; and a regulator passageway proximate a mouthpiece and an air inflator valve operatively connected to a buoyancy control device, the housing partially disposed through the regulator passageway and the outer flange having a diameter larger than a diameter of the regulator passageway to secure the housing to the regulator passageway and being disposed outside the regulator passageway; wherein said pressure responsive element comprises a fluid stop member adapted to selectively open said inlet opening to fluid flow in response to fluid pressure exerted thereon at said inlet opening in opposition to said bias force; wherein the fluid stop member has an upper solid surface preventing fluid through the inlet opening when the fluid stop member is engaged with the inlet opening; wherein said housing includes an attachment portion proximate said inlet opening for selective coupling to a source of high-pressure fluid and the housing includes an inner flange extending from the housing proximate the fluid outlet opening and disposed outside the regulator passageway and within a regulator cavity and; further comprising a receiver device threadably connected to the housing to secure the fluid outlet opening of the housing within the regulator cavity.