Valve assembly and coupler therefor

• US 4,736,926 A
• Filed: 11/07/1986
• Issued: 04/12/1988
• Est. Priority Date: 11/07/1986
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Micro Matic USA, Inc. (Micro Matic A/S)
• Original Assignee: Draft Systems Incorporated
• Inventors: Fallon, Merton R., Froehler, John R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cohan, Alan
• Application Number:
  US06/928,183
• Time in Patent Office: 522 Days
• Field of Search: 137/212, 137/614.06, 137/322, 251/149.9, 285/87, 285/88, 285/317, 285/320
• US Class Current: 251/149.9
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0832 with two valves disposed concentrically
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/125 Safety means, e.g. over-pressure valves
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/314 Unitary mounting for gas pressure inlet and liquid outlet
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/6137 Longitudinal movement of valve

Abstract

An improved coupler or tapping mechanism and valve system for obtaining access to a container of fluid. In a container of fluid, and particularly a keg for beer, a valve assembly receiving member or keg neck extends from the top of the container. This keg neck receives a flat top, dual valve system which is operated by the coupler. The improved coupler is placed over the keg neck and is positively secured thereto and sealed relative to the valve assembly by a two point locking mechanism which engages the external surfaces of the keg neck. A safety locking mechanism is provided which prevents removal of the coupler from the keg neck as long as the dual valves are in an open fluid tapping position.

Claims

1. A coupler assembly for use with a valve sealing arrangement for sealing a container of fluid of the type having a valve assembly for providing access to the container and a valve assembly receiving member secured to the container, said valve assembly receiving member having a longitudinally extending axial centerline, a peripheral rim portion and at least one valve therein having a flat surface disposed proximate said peripheral rim portion and being operable by said coupler assembly when said assembly is connected to said valve receiving assembly to move said valve between an open and a closed position, said coupler assembly comprising:

(a) a coupler body having longitudinally extending axial centerline and first and second portions, said second portion being receivable over said peripheral rim portion of said valve assembly receiving member;

(b) sealing means carried by said second portion of said coupler body for sealably engaging said flat surface of said one valve when said coupler assembly is connected to said valve assembly receiving member;

(c) a probe member adapted to cooperate with said valve of said valve assembly when said coupler assembly is connected to said valve receiving assembly, said probe member being movable within said coupler body between a first position wherein said valve is closed to a second position wherein said valve is open; and

(d) locking means for automatically releasably securing said coupler assembly to said valve assembly receiving member upon movement of said coupler assembly relative to said valve assembly receiving member from a first position wherein said axial centerline of said coupler assembly is angularly inclined relative to the axial centerline of the valve assembly receiving member to a second position wherein said coupler assembly and said valve assembly receiving member are axially aligned, said securement means comprising;

(i) a first radially inwardly extending arcuate segment carried by said second portion of said coupler body for engagement with said peripheral rim portion of said valve receiving member;

(ii) a latching member pivotally connected to said coupler body and circumferentially spaced from said arcuate segment for movement between a first position in locking engagement with said peripheral rim portion of said valve assembly receiving member to a second position spaced apart from said peripheral rim portion of said valve assembly receiving member; and

(iii) biasing means for yieldably urging against movement of said latching member toward said second position, said latching member having a first hook-like extremity including an outer surface engageable with said valve assembly receiving member upon movement of said coupler assembly toward said second position to automatically urge said latching member toward said second position.

2. A coupler assembly as defined in claim 1 including safety means carried by said coupler body for preventing movement of said latching means to said second position when said probe member is in said second position.

3. A coupler assembly as defined in claim 2 in which said coupler assembly includes a lever assembly operably coupled with said probe member for moving said probe member between a valve opening and a valve closing position and in which said safety means comprises a second extremity provided on said latching member, said second extremity being located so that when said latching member is in said first position and said lever assembly has moved said probe into a valve opening position, said lever assembly engages said second extremity to block movement of said latching member between said first and second positions.

4. A coupler assembly for use with a valve sealing arrangement for sealing a container of fluid of the type having a valve assembly for providing access to the container and a valve assembly receiving member secured to the container, said valve assembly receiving member having a longitudinally extending axial centerline, a peripheral rim portion and at least one valve therein having a flat surface disposed proximate said peripheral rim portion and being operable by said coupler assembly when said assembly is connected to said valve receiving assembly to move said valve between an open and a closed position, said coupler assembly comprising:

(a) a coupler body having longitudinally extending axial centerline and first and second portions, said second portion being receivable over said peripheral rim portion of said valve assembly receiving member;

(b) sealing means carried by said second portion of said coupler body for sealably engaging said flat surface of said one valve when said coupler assembly is connected to said valve assembly receiving member;

(c) a probe member adapted to cooperate with said valve of said valve assembly when said coupler assembly is connected to said valve receiving assembly, said probe member being movable within said coupler body between a first position wherein said valve is closed to a second position wherein said valve is open; and

(d) an operating handle pivotally connected to said coupler body, said operating handle including an outer surface and being pivotally movable between a valve opening position and a valve closing position;

(e) locking means for automatically releasably securing said coupler assembly to said valve assembly receiving member upon movement of said coupler assembly relative to said valve assembly receiving member from a first position wherein said axial centerline of said coupler assembly is angularly inclined relative to the axial centerline of the valve assembly receiving member to a second position wherein said coupler assembly and said valve assembly receiving member are axially aligned, said securement means comprising;

(i) a first radially inwardly extending arcuate segment carried by said second portion of said coupler body for engagement with said peripheral rim portion of said valve receiving member;

(ii) a latching member pivotally connected to said coupler body and circumferentially spaced from said arcuate segment approximately 180°

for movement between a first position in locking engagement with said peripheral rim portion of said valve assembly receiving member to a second position spaced apart from said peripheral rim portion of said valve assembly receiving member, said latching member comprising a first hooklike portion and a second elongated portion having a substantially flat end; and

(iii) biasing means for yieldably urging against movement of said latching member toward said second position said hook-like portion of said latching member including an outer surface engageable with said valve assembly receiving member upon movement of said coupler assembly toward said second position to automatically urge said latching member toward said second position; and

(e) safety means carried by said coupled body for preventing movement of said latching means to said second position when said probe member is in said second position, said safety means comprising a portion of said outer surface of said operating handle, said portion of said outer surface being movable into close proximity with said flat end of said second elongated portion of said latching member when said valve is in an open position, said portion of said outer surface of said operating handle blocking movement of said latching member toward said second position.