Patent ID: 6042084
Filing Date: 2000-03-28
Classification: F15B,F16K

Abstract:
In a valve assembly,a valve body having an elongated cylinder therein,a piston axially reciprocable in said cylinder,an axially compressible spring in said cylinder having a first end bearing against said piston,a spring retainer in said cylinder,an abutment in said cylinder holding said retainer in bearing engagement with a second end of said spring to maintain said spring under predetermined compression,said valve body having a slot communicating with said cylinder through which said retainer may be introduced transversely into said cylinder when said spring is held under further compression in excess of said predetermined compression,said retainer having an axially extending locking tab,said slot being shaped to clear said tab when said spring is thus held under such further compression and said retainer is introduced into said cylinder,said tab, when said spring is released from such further compression and said retainer engages said abutment, being overlain and blocked by a portion of said body to prevent said retainer from falling out of said cylinder through said slot.