Abstract:
An adaptor that can connect a gas cylinder to a separate gas fitting, with a high level of safety. Vents in the threaded portion allow excess pressure to be relieved before the gas cylinder is removed from the adaptor, thereby preventing unexpected release of pressure which can injure users and bystanders. An insulating outer jacket provides an easily gripped surface and prevents contact with cold surfaces caused by gas discharge. The adaptor is easy to manufacture and includes a sturdy design to withstand heavy use without breaking.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     The present application claims priority from U.S. provisional application 60/507,880 filed on Oct. 1, 2003, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     This invention is directed towards gas fitting connections, and more particularly towards pneumatic connectors with safety venting features.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0003]     Adaptors are often used when connecting gas lines together. Some examples are inflation devices for automotive and bicycle tires, other examples include the periodic flushing and cleaning out of a gas metering system. The system consists of a nozzle with an orifice of a predetermined diameter. During the normal operation of the gas metering system it is possible for the orifice to become restricted by airborne contaminants. This restriction can cause poor performance and improper fuel to air mixture ratio. An adaptor can use compressed gas from a cylinder to clear out the restriction in the nozzle orifice assembly.  
         [0004]     Gas cylinders pose a danger to users if a cylinder is unscrewed from an adaptor before all pressure has been released. In a small size CO 2  cylinder cartridge, once the sealed end has been pierced, the cylinder will continue to expel gas after it has been unscrewed. The release of the gas under pressure is dangerous to all bystanders, and has the potential to fire the cylinder off like a projectile.  
         [0005]     Further, some present-day adaptors have a right angle formed in the adaptor. This creates a more circuitous route for the gas to follow, and also makes the adaptor more complicated and fragile. Such right-angle adaptors need to be reinforced to prevent breakage during normal use. Also, as a cylinder cartridge expels gas, both the cylinder and the adaptor will get cold by the expansion of compressed gas. The cylinder and adaptor can get so cold as to cause of risk of ‘freezer burn’ to a user, or at least cause the parts to stick to a user&#39;s hand.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0006]     The present invention is directed towards an adaptor that can connect a gas cylinder to a separate gas fitting, with a high level of safety. The present invention includes vents to allow excess pressure to be relieved before a gas cylinder is removed from the adaptor, thereby preventing unexpected release of pressure which can injure users and bystanders. The present invention also includes a novel design that is simple to manufacture, provides a sturdy unbreakable structure, and can insulate a user from freezer burn caused by gas expansion.  
         [0007]     An illustrative embodiment of the present invention includes a technique for piercing a CO 2  cylinder with a combination plastic and metallic adapter. The adapter accepts the threaded end of a gas (such as CO 2 ) cylinder. The adapter includes a piercing pin centrally located within it and also has dual o-rings to maintain a positive seal interface with the external threaded cylinder. The metallic portion of the adapter is encased by a rigid molded plastic ring that has knurls 90 degrees apart to allow it to be torqued without slipping in the user&#39;s hand. The device has a safety feature that allows pressurized gas to flow in a direct path without any excessive back pressure. The adapter also includes proximate the O-ring seal a venting geometry feature that allows the discharge of the pressurized gas prior to the removal of the cylinder. When the adapter is fully positioned on the cylinder it allows the discharge of pressurized gas which for example provides a cleaning action in a fuel feed system.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0008]     The foregoing and other features and advantages of the present invention will be more fully understood from the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:  
         [0009]      FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of an illustrative embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0010]      FIG. 1B  is a side view of the illustrative embodiment of  FIG. 1A ;  
         [0011]      FIG. 1C  is an end view of the illustrative embodiment of  FIG. 1A ;  
         [0012]      FIG. 1D  is a sectional view of the illustrative embodiment along the cutting line shown in  FIG. 1C ;  
         [0013]      FIG. 2A  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0014]      FIG. 2B  is a side view of the alternative embodiment of  FIG. 2A ; and  
         [0015]      FIG. 2C  is an end view of the alternative embodiment of  FIG. 2A . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0016]     The present invention is directed towards an adaptor device that can connect a gas cylinder or hose to a separate gas fitting, with a high level of safety.  FIG. 1A -D shows an illustrative embodiment  10  of the present invention. To use, a CO 2  or other gas cartridge is installed on one end  12 , while the other end  14  is then connected to the separate gas fitting. A feature of the present invention is one or more safety vents  16  located on one side  12  of the device  10 . In the illustrative embodiment these are in the form of vent groves  16  that run generally parallel with the length of the device body. These vent groves  16  allow the gas under pressure to escape before the cylinder can be removed, thus avoiding possible injury to the operator or bystanders (i.e. the release of the gas under pressure could make a CO 2  cylinder a projectile if it is inadvertently disconnected). In the illustrative embodiment, it has been found that with unscrewing torque applied to a gas cartridge, the gas cartridge will unscrew before the connection to the gas fitting on the end  12 , therefore vents are not required on the other side  14 . However it is within the scope of the invention to install vent groves  16  on the other side, or on both sides. Further, a different geometry or cross section may be used for the safety vents  16 .  
         [0017]     Another feature of the present invention is the construction of the device  10  provides some thermal insulation between the gas path and the other surface of the device. This helps protect users from the intense cold that can occur when gas is depressurized. This feature will be discussed further in reference to the various embodiments.  
         [0018]     Turning to the illustrative embodiment shown in  FIG. 1A-1D , the device end  12  has a ⅜×24UN-2B thread, which accepts a standard gas cartridge. When screwed on, the seal on the cartridge is pierced by a hardened pin  18 . The pin  18  may have a hex shape, which advantageously allows good penetration of the end of the gas cartridge, and then allows easy flow of gas once the cartridge is pierced or is backed off (unscrewed) a minimal amount, such as a quarter turn. The pin  18  may also have a conical shape, to allow some functionality as a control valve, whereby the cartridge can be minimally unscrewed to allow the gas flow to commence. Other shapes for the piercing pin  18  are possible, including a hollow pin to allow gas to flow through the pin itself. A standard O-ring or alternative geometry washer  20  maintains a proper seal to prevent gas leakage. The gas flows through the device (not shown) to the other end  14 . For the illustrative embodiment, the device installs on the threaded end of a Schrader fitting, this having a 0.312-32 UN-2B thread. An O-ring or other washer  22  seals the connection on that side to prevent leaking.  
         [0019]     During the discharge of gas from the cartridge, the cold temperature can cause the O-rings  20 ,  22  to shrink, and they can then fall out of the device when it is detached. The present invention includes a feature of using larger ring or gasket sizes and/or a different shape (for example flat) for one or both O-rings  20 ,  22 . Alternatively, the O-rings are installed deeper within the device  10  than typically required. This feature prevents the O-rings from being dislodged from their proper position.  
         [0020]     In typical use, first the end  14  of the device  10  is screwed onto the gas fitting, and then a gas cartridge is screwed onto the end  12 . If a user tries to unscrew the cartridge before it has fully emptied, the gas will safely vent through the vents  16 . As previously described, unscrewing torque applied to a gas cartridge will cause the gas cartridge to unscrew before the connection to the gas fitting on the end  12 . Further, a locking mechanism may be used to prevent unscrewing of the device on the end  12  unless the gas cartridge is unscrewed first, or unless the pressure inside has reached equilibrium with the outside.  
         [0021]     The embodiments shown in FIGS.  1 A-D and  2 A-C are constructed using a molded plastic knurled nut  24  around an internal metal  26  construction. This allows the user more grip for installation and removal. It also insulates the user from the cold temperature that results when the CO 2  is released into the metal device body. The manufacturing is performed by machining (or alternatively molding) the metal insert  26 . The outer plastic body  24  is molded, and while still warm, slipped over the metal portion whereupon it shrinks when cooled. The metal insert may include ridges or other surface features (not shown) to provide a more secure connection. Alternatively adhesives or connectors such as screws etc. may be used to hold the plastic portion  24  to the metal portion  26 . Other materials may be used in the manufacturing, including plastic for the metal insert  26 .  
         [0022]      FIG. 2  shows an alternative embodiment of the device  10 . This embodiment can be used to flush out gas lines such as the propane line and burner used to produce carbon dioxide in mosquito attracting and trapping devices. The metal portion  26  is extended on the end  14  that connects to the gas fitting, to allow easier attachment to a gas fitting that is somewhat inconvenient to access, for example is on a recessed panel. The molded plastic exterior  24  allows a firm grip when installing the adaptor or screwing or unscrewing a gas cylinder. Further, the exterior  24  helps insulate again the temperature of the gas inside. This also avoids condensation on the plastic exterior which might affect the user&#39;s grip. The exterior is curved in on one end to provide a better grip, and also to assist in allowing a gas cartridge to be screwed on or unscrewed. The molded plastic portion  24  preferably a bright color, such as fluorescent orange, to allow easy finding of the device. Since this device can be used outside, the bright color allows the device to stand out in case it is dropped in the grass or brush. Further, the color can provide a warning that the device has been left on a gas fitting, which assists in making sure the device is used properly.  
         [0023]     Although the present invention is described for use as a blowout adaptor, the present invention can be used in many situations where an adaptor between a gas cartridge or cylinder and an inlet or outlet is needed. Some examples of other applications include inflation such as automobiles and bicycle tires. For use with bicycles, the compact and sturdy design of the present invention allows it to be carried along with a compact gas cartridge for tire inflation that is much smaller and lighter than a typical bike pump. Other examples of applications include gas pressurizing for seltzer bottles and whipped cream.  
         [0024]     Although the invention has been shown and described with respect to illustrative embodiments thereof, various other changes, omissions and additions in the form and detail thereof may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.