Abstract:
A gas valve assembly for a barbecue is provided. The assembly includes a distributor that has a gas inlet conduit and a diversion conduit connected to the inlet conduit, the diversion conduit having branches through which the inlet gas is distributed, and control valves adapted for their connection to a burner, each control valve having a main body and a connection conduit extending therefrom. The connection conduit of each control valve is partially housed inside a respective branch of the diversion conduit. Retainers that are independent to the connection conduit and the distributor pass through grooves or holes in the respective branches and connection conduits to affix, or to ensure fixation, of the valves to the distributor.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority as a regular U.S. Utility Application from the Spanish Application No. U200700654 filed on Mar. 26, 2007, the subject matter of which hereby being incorporated by this reference herein in its entirety as though fully set forth herein. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a gas valve and distributor assembly adapted for connection to a barbecue and, specifically, to the fixing of control valves to a distributor. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Outdoor gas barbecues which are operated by multiple gas valves are known. Dual gas valve assemblies, for example, generally comprise a pair of control valves that control the passage of gas towards individual burners located in the barbecue and a distributor connected to a gas supply conduit that diverts the gas towards said control valves. Conventional distributors comprise a plurality of branches threaded internally and externally for their connection to the corresponding control valve. These types of threaded connections usually slow down the assembly and also make the process of manufacture of the elements making up the dual valve more costly. 
         [0004]    Another of the problems presented by this type of threaded connection is the correct positioning of the control valves in relation to the distributor. It is known that said control valves, more specifically the shafts of said control valves, must be inserted into housings disposed on the plate of the barbecue, where they are coupled to control levers, it being necessary for said shafts to be positioned concentrically in relation to said housings. It is necessary, therefore, that said control valves are correctly aligned, which is not always easy to achieve by means of threaded connections. Known threaded connections for fixing control valves to the distributor comprise a conic frustrum thread that moves inside a cylindrical thread of the distributor, said conic frustrum thread gradually being compressed during its movement. 
         [0005]    In addition, this type of threaded connection restricts to a certain extent the use of materials in the manufacture of gas valves due to the compression suffered by the threaded element. Thus, for example, the use of brass in this type of thread is known, but not aluminium, as said material cannot withstand significant compressions, with the thread breaking easily. 
         [0006]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,199,589 B1 discloses a dual valve assembly that comprises a pair of control valves and a distributor connected to said control valves. The distributor comprises a gas inlet with a central axis, and a first and second diversion branch, both symmetrical in relation to the central axis, and each control valve comprises a main body with a cylindrical extension that extends towards the exterior continuously from said main body and which is housed in the first and second branch respectively of the distributor. For the fixing of said extensions to the distributor, each diversion branch has a flat end bent towards the inside of the branch, and the cylindrical extension of each control valve includes a flat part so that once it has been fixed by means of the internal bend, the control valve is prevented from rotating. In other embodiments an O-ring seal is also added between the cylindrical extensions inserted inside the branch in order to improve the sealing of the connection. 
       SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0007]    An object of the invention is to provide a gas valve assembly adapted for connection to a barbecue as it is defined in the claims and as described herein. 
         [0008]    In one embodiment a dual gas valve assembly is provided that comprises a distributor that has a gas inlet conduit, and a diversion conduit connected to said inlet conduit and which comprises branches through which the inlet gas is distributed, and control valves adapted for their connection to a burner, each control valve comprising a main body and a connection conduit that extends continuously projecting itself from a lateral or other surface of said main body, the connection conduit of each control valve being fixed to each respective branch of the diversion conduit. The connection conduit of each control 
         [0009]    Valve is partially housed inside each respective branch. 
         [0010]    The gas valve assembly also comprises retainers that ensure the fixing of the control valves to said distributor, said retainers being independent to the connection conduit and the distributor and said retainers passing through the diversion conduit and the connection conduit housed within the diversion conduit with the object of keeping said control valves fixed to the distributor. This type of fixing system simplifies the process of manufacture of the pieces, and as it avoids threaded connections, the assembly achieves a gas-tight connection and also prevents the incorrect positioning of each control valve in relation to the distributor as well as preventing said control valves rotating on the distributor once the unit has been assembled. 
         [0011]    These and other advantages and characteristics of the invention will be made evident in the light of the drawings and the detailed description thereof. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is an exploded view of an embodiment of a valve assembly according to the invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a three-dimensional view of the valve assembly of  FIG. 1 , assembled. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a ground view of the distributor built into the valve assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a lateral view of the distributor built into the valve assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the distributor of  FIG. 3  according to the V-V line. 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is a front view of one of the two control valves built into the valve assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is a top view of one of the two control valves built into the valve assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  is a lateral view of one of the two control valves built into the valve assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 9  is a front view of a second embodiment of a retainer of the distributor and the control valves of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view of the connection of the control valve to the distributor through the retainer shown in  FIG. 9 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0022]    In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be understood, however, to one skilled in the art, that the present invention may be practiced without some or all these specific details. In other instances, well known process operations have not been described in detail in order not to unnecessarily obscure the present invention. 
         [0023]      FIGS. 1 and 2  show a gas valve assembly adapted to a barbecue (not shown in the figures) in an embodiment of the invention. The gas valve assembly comprises a distributor  2  that distributes an inlet gas Q′ towards control valves  3  and  4 , disposed on both sides of said distributor  2 . 
         [0024]    The distributor  2 , shown in detail in  FIGS. 3 to 5 , is made of a lightweight, malleable material, preferably aluminium, and preferably obtained by an injection procedure. Said distributor  2  has a gas inlet conduit  2   a  and a substantially cylindrical diversion conduit  2   b , which is connected to said inlet conduit  2   a  and which distributes the inlet gas Q′ through branches  2   d  and  2   e  of said diversion conduit  2   b , said branches  2   d  and  2   e  being coaxial. In alternative embodiments branches  2   d  and  2   e  are not coaxial. 
         [0025]    In one embodiment the inlet conduit  2   a  is disposed perpendicularly and symmetrically in relation to said diversion conduit  2   b , substantially forming a “T” with said diversion conduit  2   b  and it has an external thread  12  through which said distributor  2  is fixed to a gas conduit not shown in the Figures. The distributor  2  also includes a support element  2   c  that extends continuously and perpendicularly in the form of a “T”, from a lateral surface of the diversion conduit  2   b , so that its axis of symmetry coincides with the axial axis of the inlet conduit  2   a . The base  15  of the support element  2   c  comprises symmetrical fixing holes  14  for the fixing of the valve assembly to a support of the barbecue not shown in the Figures. Other types of support elements which are capable of fixing the valve assembly to a support of a barbecue may also be used. 
         [0026]    The diversion conduit  2   b  at each branch  2   d  and  2   e  has a first housing  16  and a second housing  17 , said second housing  17  being of a smaller diameter and depth than the first housing  16 , and said first housing  16  and second housing  17  being cylindrical and coaxial with the diversion conduit  2   b.    
         [0027]    In the embodiments of  FIGS. 1 and 2  the control valves  3  and  4 , which are fixed to each respective branch  2   d  and  2   e  of the diversion conduit  2   b , are specular to each other and, as a result, one of them will be described from this point onwards, said description being valid for the corresponding specular area. In alternative embodiments of the invention the control valves are neither specular nor identical to one another. 
         [0028]    The control valve  3  shown in its entirety in  FIGS. 1 and 2  comprises a valve shaft  5  adapted on one end for the fixing of a control lever not shown in the Figures, a main body  6  with a connection conduit  22  that is fixed to an end of the branch  2   d  of the diversion conduit  2   b , a regulator element  7  coupled to the valve shaft  5  and inserted into said main body  6 , and a fixing support  8  that connects the valve shaft  5  to said main body  6 . 
         [0029]    Said fixing support  8  has a base plate  8   a  with ears that are screwed to the main body  6 , a cylindrical prolongation  8   b  that extends axially from one of the surfaces of the base plate  8   a , housing the valve shaft  5  in its interior, and peripheral edges  8   c  that extend axially from the opposite surface of the base plate  8   a , and which are housed in the cavity  31  of the main body  6 . The valve shaft  5  is disposed with an end, a first flat radial tab  5   a  and a second radial tab  5   b  that extends longitudinally according to the axial axis of said valve shaft  5 , which come up against the base plate  8   a  thereby preventing the disassembly of the valve shaft  5  in relation to the valve body  6 . 
         [0030]    Additionally the regulator element  7  comprises a hollow main member  7   a  with a substantially conic frustrum shape, which includes a through hole  7   b  on the lateral surface, so that to enable the passage of gas Q″ to the burners, the regulator element  7  must be rotated by means of the lever until said through hole  7   b  coincides with the connection conduit  22  of the main body  6 . Said regulator element  7  also comprises a cylindrical body  7   c  that extends axially from the main member  7   a , a spring  9  being housed in its interior and whose other end comes up against the base plate  8   a , and with said cylindrical body  7   c  including a pair of coaxial cuts  7   d  in which are housed the radial tabs  5   a  and  5   b  of the valve shaft  5 . 
         [0031]    Furthermore, the main body  6  of revolution, shown in detail in  FIGS. 6 to 8 , has a cavity  31  in which is housed the conic frustrum regulator element  7  and an outlet conduit  30  with a first part  30   a  typically coaxial with said regulator element  7  and connected to said cavity  31 , and with a second part  30   b  whose axial axis may form an angle with the axial axis of the first part  30   a , said second part  30   b  being threaded internally for its fixing to a burner. 
         [0032]    As shown in the exemplary embodiments depicted in the Figures, the substantially cylindrical connection conduit  22  extends continuously from the lateral surface of the main body  6 , so that the axial axis is substantially perpendicular to the axial axis of said main body  6 , and has a first segment  23  continuous with the lateral surface of the body  6  and a second segment  24  coaxial with and adjacent to said first segment  23  and of a smaller diameter and length than said first segment  23 . Said first segment  23  includes a pair of radial projections  25  and  26 , which in a preferred embodiment are disposed diametrically opposed to each other and symmetrical in relation to the axial axis of the main body  6 . The first projection  25  being of a width D 25  and the second projection  26  of a width D 26 , so that the width D 25  is greater than the width D 26 . In alternative embodiments, the first and second projections are not diametrically opposed. 
         [0033]    For the correct positioning of the respective control valves  3  and  4  in relation to the distributor  2 , the diversion conduit  2   b  includes on the end of each branch  2   d  and  2   e , a first groove  20  and a second groove  21  which, in a preferred embodiment, are axial and diametrically opposed to each other, the width D 20  of the first groove  20  being greater than the width D 21  of the second groove  21 . The two first grooves  20  are preferably symmetrically aligned with each other in relation to the axial axis of the diversion conduit  2   b , as are the two second grooves  21 . As a result, when the connection conduit  22  is coupled to the distributor  2 , the first radial projection  25  is housed tightly in the first groove  20  and the second radial projection  26  is housed tightly in the second groove  21 , the width D 21  of the second groove  21  being smaller than the width D 25  of the first projection  25  in order to prevent assembly errors. In an embodiment, the connection conduit  22  is reinforced by means of a pair of ribs  27 , situated in the connection of said connection conduit  22  to the main body  6 , and are typically coplanar to each other and perpendicular in relation to the first projection  25  and second projection  26 . 
         [0034]    When the control valves  3  and  4  are assembled in the respective branches  2   d  and  2   e  of the distributor  2 , the first segment  23  of the connection conduit  22  is partially housed tightly inside the first housing  16  while the second segment  24  is wholly housed tightly inside the second housing  17 , said second segment  24  comprising an O-ring seal, or other suitable sealing means  13  fitted against its exterior wall with the object of creating a gas-tight connection. 
         [0035]    The dual valve comprises retainers  10 , shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , for the fixing of the control valves  3  and  4  to the distributor  2 . The retainers  10  comprise elongate members, such as two elastic rods, symmetrically disposed in relation to the axial axis of the diversion conduit  2   b  of the distributor  2 , said rods  10  being independent to the connection conduit  22  and the distributor  2 , and passing transversally through said connection conduit  22  and said diversion conduit  2   b  for their fixing. In one embodiment said rods  10  are hollow and include an axial through opening  10   a  that run along their length in order to facilitate their assembly and fixing and to prevent unwanted disassembly. 
         [0036]    The diversion conduit  2   b  includes transversal fixing holes  19 , preferably disposed symmetrically on each side of the first groove  20  and the second groove  21 , which pass through said diversion conduit  2   b , and the connection conduit  22  of the main body  6  comprises in the first segment  23  receptacles in the form of transversal holes or grooves  28  (as shown), so that the rods  10  pass through said fixing holes  19  and are housed in said receptacles. The fixing holes  19  and the receptacles are disposed symmetrically in relation to the axial axis of the diversion conduit  2   b.    
         [0037]    In another embodiment, the invention comprises some or all of the characteristics of the embodiments previously described, with the difference that instead of comprising rods  10  as retainers, it includes a pair of elastic staples  11 , each one of which is fixed to one of the branches  2   d  and  2   e  of the diversion conduit  2   b . The staple  11 , shown in detail in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , has a central part  11   b  in the form of an arch adaptable to the external surface of the branch  2   d , from the ends of which extend parallel arms  11   c , the distance between both arms  11   c  being such that it is necessary to compress said arms  11   c  for their insertion into the respective fixing holes  19 . Said arms pass through the distributor  22 , being housed in the respective grooves  28  of the diversion conduit  22 , said diversion conduit  22  being fixed to the distributor  2 . The ends of the arms  11   c  project out of the diversion conduit  22  to recover, or partially recover, their initial position thereby preventing the accidental disassembly of the staple. 
         [0038]    Other embodiments of the invention will be appreciated by those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention. Furthermore, certain terminology has been used for the purpose of descriptive clarity, and not to limit the present invention. The embodiments and preferred features described above should be considered exemplary, with the invention being defined by the appended claims.