MX2013000926A - ADAPTER ASSEMBLY AND SYSTEM FOR PRESSURIZED CONTAINERS. - Google Patents

Abstract

An adapter assembly (12) is provided for a pressurized gas container (14) having an internally threaded outlet port (38) that would normally receive a service valve. The adapter assembly (12) includes a housing (70) having an externally threaded lower mounting portion (71) to engage with the internally threaded outlet port (38) and a check valve (74) operationally associated with the housing ( 70). The check valve (74) has a shutter (106) for movement between a normally closed position to prevent the transfer of liquid and / or gas between the container (14) and an external device and an open position to allow the transfer. The plug (106) is movable to the open position only when a rod (42) of the outer device is operationally connected to the check valve (74). A liquid level sending unit (16) with an overfill protection device (66) is connected to a lower end of the adapter assembly (12). A liquid level indicator (76) is connected to the housing (70). The indicator (76) responds to the movement of the sending unit (16).

Description

ADAPTER ASSEMBLY AND SYSTEM FOR PRESSURIZED CONTAINERS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to fluid and level control indicating devices for tanks or other containers, and more particularly to an adapter assembly to allow tanks to be upgraded and modernized with a liquid level transducer while controlling the fluid intake and discharge.

Many areas of the world lack natural gas resources and / or centralized natural gas distribution networks that cover basic needs such as cooking, heating, bathing and so on. Therefore, homeowners in these areas often depend on bottles or cylinders of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) of various sizes, such as propane, butane, or combinations thereof, which must be filled or changed when emptied With many of these containers, no provisions are made to determine the amount of fuel remaining. Consequently, the fuel is usually terminated at the most inconvenient time, such as while cooking or taking a bath.

Additionally, many of these containers have a service valve with a hand wheel to open and close the valve to selectively connect and disconnect pressurized gas from the container to a gas appliance through a pressure regulator. In order to fill the container, first manually close the service valve and then the pressure regulator is disconnected. A source of LPG is then connected to the service valve and the valve is opened to allow the flow of LPG into the container. Once the container is filled to the appropriate level, the service valve is closed again, the LPG source is removed, the pressure regulator is switched on, and the service valve is opened to allow fuel flow to the appliance to gas. Such a construction, although safe when the proper procedures are followed, lacks security measures when the operator makes mistakes. For example, not closing the service valve before removing the pressure regulator can cause the remaining gas to escape from the container and accumulate in potentially unsafe areas. Moreover, in such systems the purge pipe that must remain open to the atmosphere during filling allows the gas to escape from the container until the proper liquid level in the container is reached and the purge pipe is manually closed.

It would therefore be desirable to provide an adapter assembly that provides indication of the level of liquid in the container with a filling stop safety device while eliminating the operator's potential error and the inconvenience associated with the connection and / or disconnection of the container of pressure regulator and / or gas lines and appliances.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION According to one aspect of the invention, an adapter assembly is provided for a pressurized gas container having an internally threaded outlet orifice that would normally receive a service valve. The adapter assembly includes a housing having an externally threaded lower mounting portion for engaging the internally threaded outlet orifice and a check valve operationally associated with the housing. The check valve has a shutter that moves between a normally closed position to prevent the transfer of liquid and / or gas between the container and an external device and an open position to allow transfer. The obturator is movable to the open position only when a stem of the outer device is operationally connected to the check valve.

According to another aspect of the invention, a system is provided for use with a pressurized gas container having an internally threaded outlet orifice that would normally receive a service valve. The system includes a stem associated with at least one of a pressure regulator, a supply hose and a gas-powered appliance, an adapter assembly, a check valve, a liquid level delivery unit, and a liquid level indicator. The rod includes a hollow connection portion with external thread. The adapter assembly includes a housing having an externally threaded lower mounting portion for coupling with the internally threaded outlet orifice, an upper perforation section with an internally threaded upper portion for coupling with the external thread of the shank and a lower perforation section with a reduced diameter portion separating the upper and lower perforation sections.

The adapter assembly further includes a check valve with a valve plug located in the housing to move between closed and open positions to close and open the fluid communication, respectively, between the upper and lower drilling sections. The obturator is movable towards the open position only when the stem is screwed into the internally threaded upper portion of the upper perforation section. The liquid level delivery unit is connected to the housing and extends from it downwards. The liquid level indicator is connected to the housing and is operationally associated with the sending unit to show the amount of liquid inside the container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES The preceding summary as well as the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention that follow will be better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying figures, in which like designations denote similar elements throughout the figures, and in which: FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a fuel delivery system showing a pressurized tank or container in cross section with an adapter assembly and its associated components connected to the container; FIG. 2 is an exploded top front isometric view of the adapter assembly in accordance with the present invention; FIG. 3 is a bottom exploded bottom isometric view of the adapter assembly; FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the adapter assembly taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 1 and showing a check valve in the closed position.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 4 with the check valve in the open position; FIG. 6 is a front top isometric view of an adapter assembly in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the adapter assembly taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 6; FIG. 8 is an upper front exploded isometric view of the adapter assembly of FIG. 6; FIG. 9 is an exploded bottom front isometric view thereof; FIG. 10 is a schematic top view of the adapter assembly showing an indicator dial in a fill indicating position when a magnet associated with the liquid level delivery unit is in a first rotational position; Y FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 10 with the indicator dial in a vacuum indicating position when the magnet is in a second rotational position.

It is noted that the figures are intended to illustrate only typical embodiments of the invention and therefore should not be considered as limiting the scope thereof. It is further noted that the figures are not necessarily in scale. The invention will now be described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION With reference to the figures, and FIG. 1 in particular, a fuel delivery system 10 is illustrated in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The fuel delivery system 10 preferably includes an adapter assembly 12 connected to a pressurized gas container 14, such as a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tank, a liquid level delivery unit 16 positioned in the container and connected to a first or lower end 17 of the adapter assembly 12, and a pressure regulator 18 of conventional construction connected to a second or upper end 19 of the adapter assembly. A gas appliance 20, such as a stove, oven, water heater, clothes dryer, refrigerator and the like, is connected to the pressure regulator 18, preferably through a manual shut-off valve 22 (shown schematically) located between the regulator and the device. The manual shut-off valve 22 provides an extra level of safety in addition to the adapter assembly 12, as will be described in greater detail below. Accordingly, it will be understood that the valve 22 can be eliminated from the system where such redundancy is not necessary.

The container 14 is preferably of conventional construction for storing LPG or other gases and / or liquids under pressure and typically includes a continuous side wall 24 bounded by a lower wall 26 and an upper wall 28 to form a hollow interior 30 to house an amount of liquid fuel 32 and gas 34 in a pressurized state. A mounting head 36 is located on the top wall 28 to receive the adapter assembly 12. The mounting head 36 typically includes an internally threaded outlet orifice 38 that normally receives a conventional service valve manually operable with a hand wheel, lever or the like (not shown) for opening and closing the valve to selectively release pressurized gas and to refill the container. It will be appreciated that the adapter assembly 12 of the present invention fits within the bore 38 and therefore eliminates the need for the manually operable service valve. A protection ring 40 extends outwardly from the upper surface 28 to protect the adapter assembly 12 from damage.

A rod 42 is operatively associated with the pressure regulator 18, the gas line and / or the gas-powered appliance and includes a hollow connection portion 44 with external thread 46 for connection to the second end 19 of the adapter assembly 12, as it will be described in greater detail below with respect to FIG. 5. A pair of arms or cranks 48 preferably extend outwardly from the shank 42- to facilitate installation and removal of the shank relative to the adapter assembly 12 without the use of hand tools. It will be understood that the stem 42 may additionally or alternatively include one or more locking surfaces for use with a wrench or other hand tool without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

The delivery unit 16 preferably includes a pivot arm 50, a float 52 connected to an external free end 54 of the pivot arm, and a rotating shaft 56 connected to an inner end 60 of the pivot arm via a gear assembly 58. A magnet 62 (FIG 3) is located at an upper end 64 of the shaft 56 and is adapted to rotate therewith as the pivot arm 52 is rocked between a full tank position (as denoted by float 52A in a line dotted when the tank is in an upright orientation or by float 52B when the tank is in a horizontal orientation) and the vacuum position (as shown by float 52 in solid line). The shipping unit 16 also preferably includes an overfill protection device (DPS) 66 which functions to close a fuel inlet opening (not shown) in the shipping unit when the liquid contents of the container 24 reach an appropriate level 32 during the filling to avoid that an excess of liquid enters the container. Further details of suitable modes of the shipping unit 16 can be found in U.S. Patent Nos. 7,654,281 and 7,293,578 and in International Publication No. W0 2008/022340, all assigned to Rochester Gauges, Inc. of Dallas, Texas. descriptions of which are incorporated by reference herein. It will be understood that other shipping units with known DPS 1s can be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Furthermore, it is contemplated that the DPS portion of the shipping unit may be modified or eliminated when other means are employed to stop a filling operation and / or to provide pressure relief or indication of when the full container condition has been reached. .

Referring now to FIGS. 2-4, the adapter assembly 12 preferably includes a housing 70 with a connector 72 for shipping unit located at the lower end 17 thereof, a check valve 74 located between the lower end 17 and the upper end 19 thereof and a liquid level indicator assembly 76 removably connected to the exterior of the housing 70 between the opposite ends.

The housing 70 is preferably manufactured or otherwise formed from suitable material such as bronze, aluminum, reinforced plastics, and the like, and is generally cylindrical in shape, with an externally threaded mounting lower portion 71 sized to fit the hole internally threaded outlet 38. Flat surfaces 73 for wrench fitting are formed around the outer periphery of the housing 70 above the mounting portion 71 to facilitate installation and removal of the adapter assembly 12 with respect to the container 14 (FIG. 1) with a wrench or other hand tool. An upper piercing section 77 and a lower piercing section 75 are formed in the housing 70. A first internally threaded portion 76 is located in the lower piercing section 75 in the first end 17, a second internally threaded portion 78 is located in the the upper perforation section 77 at the second end 19, and a third internally threaded portion 80 is located between the first and second internally threaded portions. A reduced diameter portion 82 separates the upper and lower perforation sections, and is located between the first and second internally threaded portions. A valve seat 84 is integrally formed with the reduced diameter portion 82 and faces the third internally threaded portion 80. A step or groove 86 is also integrally formed with the portion of reduced diameter to receive and hold a 0-ring 88.

The connector 72 of the delivery unit preferably includes a connector body 90 with a bore 92 extending therethrough. A circumferential flange 94 is formed on the connector body 90 and is located between an internally threaded lower portion 96 and an externally threaded upper portion 98. The opposite faces 100 for the spanner are formed on the flange 94 for engagement by a wrench or another hand tool during assembly and disassembly of the connector 72 with respect to the housing 70. As best shown in FIG. 4, the externally threaded upper portion 90 is located in the lower perforation section 75 and engages the first internally threaded portion 76 of the housing 70 so that the perforation 92 is in fluid communication with the lower perforation section 75. The lower portion internally threaded 96 is also fitted to an externally threaded upper portion 102 of the shipping unit 16 when the components are assembled together. The connector 72 can be shaped and / or sized to accommodate a wide variety of different shipping units.

The check valve device 74 preferably includes a spring seat 104, a plug 106, a compression spring 108 positioned between the spring seat and the plug, a seal 110 connected to the plug 106, a retainer 112 connected to a plug 106, and a retaining washer 114 located between the seal 110 and the retainer 112.

The spring seat 104 preferably includes a lower portion of the installation 115 with a pair of opposite spanner faces 116 for engagement by a French wrench or other tool (not shown) during assembly / disassembly, and an externally threaded upper portion. 118 engages the third internally threaded portion 80 of the housing 70 to retain the spring seat 104 in the lower piercing portion 105 in a fixed manner. A circular depression 120 is formed in the spring seat 104 to receive the compression spring 108 and a central bore 122 extends through the lower portion of the installation 114 and is in fluid communication with the depression 120.

The shutter 106 preferably includes a rod 124 with a reduced diameter guide section 126 at a lower end thereof and an enlarged receptacle 128 at an upper end thereof. The guide section 126 is located within the central bore 122 of the spring seat 104 and has an outer diameter that is preferably smaller than the internal diameter of the central bore 122 to allow fluid flow therebetween. The receptacle 128 is sized to receive the seal 110, which is preferably in the form of an elastomeric washer or the like. It will be understood that other shapes, sizes and seal types may be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The retainer 112 has a threaded lower portion 130 which extends through the retaining washer 114 and the seal 110 and into a threaded opening 132 formed in the upper end of the rod 124. An enlarged head 134 of the retainer 112 presses against the retaining washer 114 for gripping the washer and the seal 110 between the head and the receptacle 128. A slot 136 may be formed in the head 134 to receive a screwdriver or the like (not shown) during assembly / disassembly. The slot 136 also functions as a passage for the flow of liquid and gas when the rod 42 is installed as shown in FIG. 5.

Although the check valve 74 is shown constructed within the housing 70, it will be understood that a separate check valve may be provided and installed in the housing 70 in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention.

As shown in FIGS. 2-4, the liquid level indicator assembly 76 preferably includes a base 140 with a dial face 141, a transparent cover or lens 142, and a magnetically operated dial 144 connected between the base members and the cover via a roller bearing. needles for rotation with respect to them. A clip 146 is preferably connected to the back of the base 140 for attachment to the housing 70. The clip 146 is preferably constructed of a flexible material and includes a pair of legs that fit into a circumferential groove 150 formed in the housing 70. A circular depression 152 is formed in one of the spanner faces 73 of the housing 70 to accommodate a similarly shaped posterior protrusion 154 of the base 140. The posterior protrusion 154 is, in turn, shaped to receive the magnetic portion 156 of the dial. 144 As shown, the liquid level indicator assembly 76 is preferably oriented in a direction generally parallel to a central axis 157 of the housing 70 of the adapter assembly 12 so that the face of the dial 141 can be seen from the side of the container 14 ( FIG 1). However, it will be understood that the liquid level indicator assembly 76 may be oriented in any direction convenient for viewing by an operator. In accordance with a further embodiment of the invention, as will be described in greater detail below with respect to FIGS. 6-11, the indicator assembly is preferably oriented in a direction generally perpendicular or transverse to a central axis of the adapter mounting housing for viewing by an operator from an upper end of the container.

In operation, when the shaft 64 with the magnet 62 is rotated in response to the movement of the float 52 (FIG.1), the pointer 158 will rotate along a scale 160 on the face of the dial 141 of the base 140 under magnetic forces applied to the magnetic portion 156 of the dial 144 to indicate the condition of the liquid level of the container 14. Additional details of the liquid level indicator assembly, its operation in conjunction with the shipping unit 16 and variations can be found in the International Publication No. W0 2008/022340, formerly incorporated by reference. It will be understood that other known indicators may be used, with various operating means for the indicator dial.

In use, and with reference to FIGS. 1, 4 and 5, when the adapter assembly 12 is installed on the container 14 without the stem 42, the check valve 74 will be in the closed position, as shown in FIG. 4. In this position, the spring 108 exerts a biasing force against the obturator 106 which, in turn, pushes the seal 110 against the valve seat 84 to thereby prevent the escape of gas and / or liquid from the container 14. When the rod 42 (which may be associated with the pressure regulator, a hose, an external filling tank, a gas-powered appliance, and so on) is screwed into the second internally threaded portion 78 of the housing 70, the bottom frusto-conical surface 162 of the stem 42 will fit as a seal with the O-ring 88 to seal the stem to the adapter assembly. The continuous screwing on the shank inside the second threaded portion internally 78 causes the lower end surface 164 of the shank to make contact with the head 134 of the retainer 132 and move the plug 106 against the biasing force of the spring 108 and move the seal 110 of the valve seat 84. In this position, as shown in FIG. 5, a passage 166 is opened between the lower perforation section 75 and the upper perforation section 77 to allow the entry or egress of liquid and / or gas with respect to the container 14.

Referring now to FIGS. 6-9, an adapter assembly 170 preferably includes a housing 172 with a connector of the sending unit 174 attached to the lower end 173 thereof, a check valve assembly 176 located in the housing between the lower end 173 and an upper end 175 thereof and a liquid level indicator assembly 178 removably connected to the exterior of the housing 172 between the opposite ends. As shown, the indicator assembly 178 is preferably oriented in a direction generally perpendicular or transverse to a central axis 180 of the housing 172 of the adapter assembly 170 to be viewed by an operator from an upper end of the container 14 (FIG.

The housing 172 is somewhat similar to the previously described housing 70 and preferably includes an externally threaded lower mounting portion 182 sized to fit the internally threaded outlet orifice 38 of the container 14. The surfaces or faces 184 for engagement for the spanner are formed around the outer periphery of the housing 172 above the mounting portion 182 to facilitate installation and removal of the adapter assembly 12 from the container 14 (FIG.1) with a wrench or other hand tool. A circumferential groove 186 is preferably formed in the housing 172 and extends through each engagement surface 184 to removably mount the indicator assembly 178, as will be described in greater detail below. An upper piercing section 188 and a lower piercing section 190 are formed in the housing 172. A first internally threaded portion 192 is located in the lower piercing section 190 in the first end 173 of the housing 172 and a second internally threaded portion 194 it is located in the upper perforation section 188 at the second end 175. A reduced diameter portion 196 (FIG 7) separates the upper and lower perforation sections and is located between the first and second threaded portions internally. A valve seat 198 is integrally formed with the reduced diameter portion 196 and extends towards the first internally threaded portion 192. A step or slot 200 is also integrally formed with the portion of reduced diameter to receive and house an O-ring 88. .

The connector of the shipping unit 174 preferably includes a connector body 202 having an upper perforation section 204 in fluid communication with a lower perforation section 205. The upper perforation section is preferably larger in diameter than the lower section of perforation so that a lower spring seat 207 is formed at the junction of the perforation sections. A circumferential flange 206 is formed on the connector body 174 and is located between an internally threaded lower portion 208 and an externally threaded upper portion 210. The opposite faces 212 for spanner are formed on the flange 206 for fitting a spanner or another hand tool during the assembly and disassembly of the connector 174 with respect to the housing 172. As best shown in FIG. 7, the externally threaded upper portion 210 engages the first internally threaded portion 192 of the housing 172 so that the upper piercing section 204 is in fluid communication with the lower piercing section 190. The internally threaded lower portion 208 also fits in the upper externally threaded portion 102 of the delivery unit 16 when the components are assembled together. As in the previous embodiment, the connector 174 can be shaped and / or sized to accommodate a wide variety of different shipping units.

The check valve assembly 176 preferably includes a shutter 214, a compression spring 216 positioned between the lower spring seat 207 and a shutter, and a seal 218 connected to the shutter 214 to move therewith.

The obturator 214 preferably includes a circular body 220 with a lower circular receptacle 222 that serves as an upper spring seat and an upper receptacle 224 extending coaxially with the body. A post 226 extends upwardly from the upper depression 224 and preferably includes a slot 228 that functions as a passage for liquid and gas flow, when the shutter 214 is installed in the housing 172. A plurality of axially extending protrusions 230 , are formed in radially spaced locations around the body 220. The protrusions 230 serve as bearings or guides during axial movement of the obturator 14 within the housing 172 and allow fluid flow in and out of the container 14 (FIG. when the shutter 214 is in the open position. The seal 218 is located in the upper receptacle 224 of the shutter 214 to move therewith. The seal 110 preferably has the shape of an elastomeric washer or the like and presses against the valve seat 196 when the shutter 214 is biased to the closed position by the compression spring 216.

When assembled, the shutter post 226 214 is positioned in the reduced diameter portion 196 of the body 172 for linear movement with respect thereto between the open and closed positions. The spring 216 is compressed between the lower spring seat 207 of the connector 174 and the upper spring seat 222 so as to deflect the plug 214 and its accompanying seal 218 towards the closed position against the valve seat 198. A sleeve can be provided centering means 231 to ensure that the spring 216 moves in a linear fashion to avoid twisting and potential interference with the shaft 64 and / or the magnet 62 of the sending unit 16.

As in the previous embodiment, when the rod 42 (FIGS 1 and 5, which may be associated with the pressure regulator, a hose, an external filling tank, a gas-powered appliance, and so on) is screwed into the second internally threaded portion 194 (FIG. 7) of the housing 172, the lower frustoconical surface 162 of the shank 42 will fit as a seal with the O-ring 88 to seal the shank to the adapter assembly 170. The continuous threading of the shank inside the second internally threaded portion 194 causes the lower end surface 164 of the stem to contact the post 226 of the obturator 214 and move the obturator against the biasing force of the spring 216 toward the open position with the seal 218 spaced from the seat of valve 198.

As best shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the liquid level indicator assembly 178 preferably includes a base 140, a cover or transparent lens 142, and a magnetically operated dial 144 connected between the base members and the cover via needle bearings for rotation with respect to the same. A mounting bracket 234 is preferably connected to the rear of the base 140 for attaching the indicator assembly 178 to the housing 172.

The mounting bracket 234 preferably includes a first mounting portion 236 for receiving the base 140 and a second mounting portion 238 extending upwardly from the first mounting portion for connection to the housing 172. The first mounting portion 236 is preferably formed as a generally flat panel with a first opening 240. The base 140 may be removably connected to the first mounting portion 236 or permanently mounted thereto through well-known connecting means such as threaded fasteners, supports, members that are they engage each other, adhesives, welding, friction adjustment, and so on. In the same way, the second mounting portion 238 is preferably formed as a generally flat panel with a second opening 242 formed therein to receive the end upper 175 of the housing 172. Hook-shaped connecting arms 244 are spaced circumferentially around the second opening 242 and extend downwardly from the second mounting portion 238. A lower free end of each connector arm 244 is formed with a hook or projection 246 extending radially inwardly to engage the circumferential groove 186 of the housing 172 in a snap-fit movement. Guide members 248 also extend downward from the second mounting portion 238 to engage the faces 184 to ensure proper alignment of the mounting bracket 234 with the housing 172.

With this arrangement, the indicator assembly 178 is oriented in a direction generally perpendicular or transverse to the central axis 180 of the housing 172 of the adapter assembly 170 to be viewed by an operator from an upper end of the container 14 (FIG 1). In this orientation, an axis of rotation of the dial 144 is parallel to the central axis 180 of the housing 172. However, it will be understood that the mounting bracket 234 may be modified or otherwise constructed so that the indicator assembly is oriented in a direction generally parallel to the central axis 180 or at any angle with respect thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Moreover, the snap closure arrangement of the connecting arms 244 with the housing 172 facilitates installation on and removal from a container 14 when the container is exchanged.

In operation and with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11, when the axis 64 with the magnet 62 (shown in dashed line) is rotated in response to the movement of the float 52 (FIG 1), the pointer 158 will rotate along the scale 160 on the face of the base 140 due to the mutual magnetic attraction and / or the repulsion of the magnet 52 and the pointer 158, as shown by their respective north and south poles, so as to indicate the condition of the liquid level of the container 14.

It will be appreciated that the adapter assembly 170 described above uses fewer parts than the adapter assembly 12, thereby saving on the cost of extra parts and assembly time, and allows the dial to be oriented in a position that takes up little vertical space, when compared to the adapter assembly 12. Furthermore, the housing 172 is shorter in dimension than its predecessor thus saving even more in material costs.

The above described adapter mounting modes eliminate the need for manually operated service valves normally installed in tanks and their inherent disadvantageous costs, and safety concerns. The embodiments of the adapter assembly of the present invention also facilitate the safe installation and removal of in-line equipment, such as the pressure regulator when the tank is empty, while providing a structure for attaching a delivery unit within the tank. and an associated indicator outside the tank to confirm the amount of fluid remaining in the tank. When the coupled delivery unit incorporates an overfill protection device, the adapter assembly also contributes to a safe filling mechanism for the tank.

It will be understood that the term "preferably" as used throughout the description refers to one or more exemplary embodiments of the invention and, therefore, should not be construed in any limiting sense. It will be further understood that the term "connect" and its various derivatives as they may be used throughout the description refer to components that may be linked together directly or through one or more intermediate members. In addition, the terms of orientation and / or position as they may be used throughout the description, such as upper, lower, internal and others, refer to orientations and / or relative rather than absolute positions.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made to the modalities described above without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. By way of example, in spite of the fact that the check valve device is shown vertically when the container is vertically oriented, it will be understood that the check valve device can be oriented at an angle transverse to the orientation of the container in accordance with a additional embodiment of the invention. It will be understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but is intended to cover the modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims (28)

1. An adapter assembly for a pressurized gas container having an internally threaded outlet orifice that will normally be received by a service valve, characterized in that the adapter assembly comprises: a housing having an externally threaded lower mounting portion for engagement with the internally threaded outlet orifice; a check valve operationally associated with the housing, the check valve having a stopper that moves between a normally closed position to prevent transfer of liquid and / or gas between the container and an outside device and an open position to allow such transfer , said shutter being movable towards the open position only when a rod of the outer device is operationally attached to the check valve.

2. An adapter assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the housing further comprises an upper perforation section and a lower perforation section with a reduced diameter portion separating the upper and lower perforation sections with the seal being movable between the closed positions. and open to close and open the fluid communication, respectively, between the upper and lower perforation sections.

3. An adapter assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that the check valve further comprises: a seal connected to the shutter to move with it; a valve seat formed in the reduced diameter portion; a spring seat fixedly secured to the lower perforation section; Y a compression spring extending between the spring seat and the obturator to deflect the seal toward the valve seat in the closed position.

4. An adapter assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that a portion of the obturator extends through the reduced diameter portion to contact the shank of the outer device.

5. An adapter assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that the upper perforation section has internal thread to fit with the external thread of the rod of the external device.

6. An adapter assembly according to claim 5, characterized in that it also comprises a liquid level sending unit connected to the housing and extending from there downwards.

7. An adapter assembly according to claim 6, characterized in that it also comprises a liquid level indicator connected to the housing and operationally associated with the sending unit to show the amount of liquid inside the container.

8. An adapter assembly according to claim 7, characterized in that the delivery unit comprises a float connected to a pivot arm and an axis connected to the pivot arm to rotate when the pivot arm is actuated in response to a change in the liquid level in the container.

9. An adapter assembly according to claim 8, characterized in that the indicator comprises a rotary dial and further comprises a first magnet connected to an upper end of the shaft for rotation therewith and a second magnet connected to the dial, the second magnet being operative for rotate the dial when the first magnet rotates in the ej e.

10. An adapter assembly according to claim 9, characterized in that it further comprises a connector fixedly secured to a lower end of the housing, the shipping unit being fixedly fixed to the connector.

11. An adapter assembly according to claim 10, characterized in that a portion of the connector is inserted into the lower piercing portion, the connector further comprising a central bore for receiving the rotating rod of the delivery unit.

12. An adapter assembly according to claim 9, further comprising a mounting bracket with a first mounting portion connected to the indicator and a second mounting portion for connection to the housing, the second mounting portion including an opening sized to receive at least a portion of the housing.

13. An adapter assembly according to claim 12, characterized in that it further comprises: a slot formed in the housing; Y a plurality of hook-shaped connecting arms located around the opening of the second mounting portion and being oriented to snap-fit with the slot to removably attach the indicator to the housing.

14. An adapter assembly according to claim 13, characterized in that the dial can rotate about an axis generally parallel to a central axis of the housing.

15. An adapter assembly according to claim 9, characterized in that the dial can rotate about an axis extending transversely to a central axis of the housing.

16. An adapter assembly according to claim 6, characterized in that the sending unit includes an overfill protection device for interrupting the incoming flow of fluid when a condition of filling the container is reached.

17. A system for use with a pressurized gas container having an internally threaded outlet orifice that will normally be received by a service valve, characterized in that the system comprises: a shank associated with at least one pressure regulator, a supply hose and a gas-powered appliance, the shank including a hollow connection portion with external thread; an adapter assembly comprising: a housing having an externally threaded mounting lower portion for coupling with the internally threaded outlet orifice, an upper perforation section with an internally threaded upper portion for engaging the external thread of the stem and a lower perforation portion with a portion of reduced diameter that separates the upper and lower perforation portions; a check valve having a shutter positioned in the housing to move between closed and open positions to close and open the fluid communication, respectively, between the upper and lower piercing sections, said shutter being movable to the open position only when the The rod is threaded into the internally threaded upper portion of the upper drilling section; a liquid level sending unit connected to the housing and extending therefrom downwardly; and a liquid level indicator connected to the housing and operationally associated with the shipping unit to show the amount of liquid within the container.

18. An adapter assembly according to claim 13, characterized in that the check valve further comprises: a seal connected to the shutter to move with it; a valve seat formed in the reduced diameter portion; a spring seat fixedly secured to the lower perforation section; Y a compression spring extending between the spring seat and the obturator to deflect the seal toward the valve seat in the closed position.

19. An adapter assembly according to claim 18, characterized in that a portion of the plug extends through the reduced diameter portion to contact the stem of the outer device.

20. An adapter assembly according to claim 17, characterized in that the sending unit comprises a float connected to a pivot arm and an axis connected to the pivot arm to rotate when the pivot arm is actuated in response to a change in the liquid level in the container.

21. An adapter assembly according to claim 20, characterized in that the indicator comprises a rotary dial and further comprises a first magnet connected to an upper end of the shaft for rotation therewith and a second magnet connected to the dial, the second magnet being operative for rotate the dial when the first magnet rotates on the axis.

22. An adapter assembly according to claim 21, characterized in that it further comprises a mounting bracket with a first mounting portion connected to the indicator and a second mounting portion for connection to the housing, the second mounting portion including an opening sized to receive at least a portion of the housing.

23. An adapter assembly according to claim 22, characterized in that it also comprises: a slot formed in the housing; Y a plurality of hook-shaped connecting arms located around the opening of the second mounting portion and being oriented to snap-fit with the slot to removably attach the indicator to the housing.

24. An adapter assembly according to claim 23, characterized in that the dial can rotate on an axis generally parallel to a central axis of the housing.

25. An adapter assembly according to claim 21, characterized in that the dial can rotate on an axis extending transversely to a central axis of the housing.

26. An adapter assembly according to claim 20, characterized in that it further comprises a connector fixedly secured to a lower end of the housing, the shipping unit being fixedly fixed to the connector.

27. An adapter assembly according to claim 26, characterized in that a portion of the connector is inserted into the lower piercing portion, the connector further comprising a central bore to receive the rotating shaft of the delivery unit.

28. An adapter assembly according to claim 17, characterized in that the sending unit includes an overfill protection device for interrupting the incoming flow of fluid when a condition of filling the container is reached.