초록 ▼

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. The keg neck receives a dual valve system which is op

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. The keg neck receives a dual valve system which is operated by the coupler. The improved coupler is placed over the keg neck and is positively secured thereto by a three 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.

대표청구항 ▼

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 having first and second valves therein adapted to

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 having first and second valves therein adapted to be operated by said coupler assembly to move said valves between an open and a closed position, said coupler assembly comprising: (a) a coupler body having a side fitting extending therefrom connected to a first passage within said coupler body and further including a depending skirt portion receivable over said valve assembly receiving member and having at least one aperture extending therethrough; (b) a probe member movable within said coupler body having a fitting connected to one end of said probe member, said probe member defining a passageway therethrough in communication with said fitting; (c) said probe member being movable within said coupler body between an open and a closed position whereby in said open position said coupler body actuates said valves of said valve assembly to connect said passages in said coupler assembly to said open valves and in said closed position said passages are sealed from said valves of said valve assembly; (d) actuating means for moving said probe between said first and second position, said actuating means comprising a lever assembly and a handle member connected to said lever assembly providing means for moving said lever assembly from an open position to a closed position, said lever assembly being pivotally secured to said coupler body for movement about a pivot axis, said lever assembly having engaging means for engaging said probe member, whereby pivoting of said lever assembly about said pivot axis moves said probe between said open position and said closed position, said lever assembly further comprising two lever arms spaced from each other and extending parallel from said pivot axis, said coupler body defining a pivot flange extending from one side thereof, each of said lever arms having one end pivotally secured to one side of said pivot flange by a pivot pin, the other end of said lever arms being connected to each other by a cross-member, said handle extending outwardly from said cross-member for grasping by an operator; (e) retaining means for holding said probe in said open and said closed positions; and (f) securement means for releasably securing said coupler assembly to said valve assembly receiving member including at least one locking member movable within said aperture formed in said skirt portion from a first position spaced apart from said valve assembly receiving member to a second position in pressural engagement with said valve assembly, and operating means for selectively moving said locking member from said first position to said second position, said operating means comprising a ring shaped member rotatably carried by said coupler body, said ring shaped member having a cam surface adapted to engage said locking member to move said locking member from said first to said second position upon rotation of said ring shaped member relative to said coupler body from a first position to a second position, said ring shaped member including an inwardly extending locking tab having an aperture therethrough, said coupler body including a top surface and a bottom surface, a radially inwardly extending slot formed intermediate said top and bottom surfaces for closely receiving said locking tab of said ring member, and a pin receiving bore extending from said top surface to said slot.