Second stage demand regulator

• US 5,503,140 A
• Filed: 08/01/1994
• Issued: 04/02/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 02/04/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: U.S. Divers Co., Inc.
• Original Assignee: U.S. Divers Co., Inc.
• Inventors: Winefordner, Carl, Hermansen, Frank
• Primary Examiner(s): Lewis, Aaron J.
• Application Number:
  US08/283,836
• Time in Patent Office: 610 Days
• Field of Search: 128/200.29, 128/201.27, 128/201.28, 128/204.26, 128/205.24, 137/102, 137/908
• US Class Current: 128/200.29
• CPC Class Codes: A62B 9/022 Breathing demand regulators SCUBA diving regulators B63C11/22
• CPC Class Codes: B63C 11/2227 Second-stage regulators B63C11/2245 takes precedence

Abstract

A regulator of the type used for second stage regulation of air or breathing gas having a circular portion and a valve body mounted within the body. A diaphragm is mounted in the circular portion which responds to pressure differentials on either side of the diaphragm with a spring loaded poppet for valving gas. Two angled walls extend from the circular portion, each forming a plane which intersects the other, and at least one exhaust valve is mounted in each of the two respective walls which are angled to each other forming an angled cavity adjacent the valves.

Claims

1. A demand regulator for or second stage regulation of air or breathing gas comprising:

a regulator body having a circular portion;

a valve body mounted within said regulator body;

a diaphragm mounted in said regulator body circular portion which responds to pressure differentials on either side of said diaphragm;

a breathing gas chamber formed in part by said circular portion and in communication with said diaphragm and also in communication with at least two exhaust valves;

spring loaded poppet means within said valve body for valving gas into said regulator body;

lever means extending into said circular portion in contact with said diaphragm and said poppet means wherein said lever means provides a greater mechanical advantage of movement in its initial movement with said diaphragm and a lesser mechanical advantage at a point after initial movement;

two angled walls extending from said circular portion each which intersects the other, and;

at least two exhaust valves, mounted in the regulator body within the two respective walls which are angled to, and intersect each other.

2. The regulator as claimed in claim 1 wherein:

said two angled walls extending from said circular portion intersect in a line which is at an angle of less than 90°

from a plane which is parallel to said diaphragm.

3. The regulator as claimed in claim 2 wherein:

said two angled walls slope toward an axis of said diaphragm as they extend away from said diaphragm.

4. The regulator as claimed in claim 3 wherein:

said planar-walls intersect at a line which slopes inwardly a center of said circular portion.

5. The regulator as claimed in claim 3 further comprising:

openings in said two angled walls having a webbed portion to which said exhaust valves are mounted.

6. The regulator as claimed in claim 5 further comprising:

mushroom valves having a stem with a bell shaped portion at a base having an undercut;

an opening within said webbed portion into which said bell shaped portion of said stem can be received and held by said undercut.

7. The regulator as claimed in claim 6 further comprising:

a cylindrical tubular portion adjacent to said circular portion of said regulator;

a poppet valve mounted in said cylindrical portion connected to an inlet from a source of pressurized gas, and;

lever means in contact with said diaphragm and with said poppet valve for causing said poppet valve to move based upon a pressure differential within said circular portion.

8. The regulator as claimed in claim 7 further comprising:

a mouthpiece attached to an outlet of said regulator.

9. A demand regulator having an inlet from a source of pressurized gas, and an outlet for a user comprising:

a regulator body having a circular portion in which a diaphragm is mounted which responds to a user'"'"'s inhalation and exhalation;

at least two planar walls formed within said regulator body which intersect each other and which depend from said circular portion;

at least one exhaust valve comprising a mushroom valve in communication with said regulator body and respectively mounted in at least each of said planar walls of said regulator body.

10. A regulator body for a poppet valve connected to a source of gas which is to be regulated for the use of a breather comprising:

a circular portion of said regulator body forming a circular cylindrical portion into which a diaphragm of said regulator body is seated for purposes of moving in response to variances in inhalation and exhalation pressure of a user;

a mouthpiece in fluid connected relationship to said circular cylindrical portion;

a cavity underlying said circular cylindrical portion formed of at least two planar walls which intersect each other;

at least one mushroom valve mounted in each respective planar wall; and

,

openings within said planar walls for allowing the passage of air through said mushroom valves within said planar walls.

11. The regulator body as claimed in claim 10 further comprising:

webs formed within said openings of each planar wall having an intersection centrally oriented within said opening;

a stem forming a portion of said mushroom valves; and

,

openings central to said webs for receiving said stem.

12. The regulator body as claimed in claim 11 further comprising:

an enlargement on said stem for receipt within said openings in said webs.