Patent ID: 6601609
Filing Date: 2003-08-05
Classification: A62B,B63C,F16K,G05D,Y10T

Abstract:
An inlet valve for a gas pressure regulator to couple the regulator to a source of pressurized gas, said valve comprising:a housing defining a central duct with gas inlet and outlet openings defined at opposite ends thereof, said housing having an attachment portion disposed at said gas inlet opening adapted for engagement with a source of pressurized gas; a pressure responsive element mounted within said duct proximate said gas inlet opening and adapted for movement between a first position for sealing said duct to prevent gas from entering said inlet opening, and a second position for opening said duct to permit gas to enter said inlet opening and pass through said duct; a mechanism disposed in said duct for exerting a preselected bias force against said pressure responsive element to maintain said pressure responsive element at said first position in the absence of gas pressure from outside said housing at said gas inlet opening in excess of said preselected bias force; a gas filter member disposed in said duct downstream from said pressure responsive element; and a retainer element for removably securing said filter, said bias force exerting mechanism, and said pressure responsive element all within said duct; wherein said source of pressurized gas is a gas hose, and said pressure regulator is a second stage regulator adapted to selectively engage a gas outlet portion of the gas hose delivering breathable gas of an intermediate gas pressure for use as an alternate gas source in a SCUBA system, said valve housing attachment portion comprising a quick connect element associated with said gas inlet opening for attachment to said intermediate gas pressure hose, said housing further including a threaded member for attaching said valve housing gas outlet opening to the second stage regulator.