Patent US3768503A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3768503A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Regulator atmospheric pressure protector
Assignee: GOLCONDA CORP
•
Filing: 1972-10-24
•
Granted: 1973-10-30
•
Expires: 1992-10-24
Abstract
Abstract A snap-on, year around, flexible protector marginally enclosing and providing a circular chamber of air around the joint between the body and bonnet of a liquefied petroleum gas pressure regulator that prevents freezing rain, sleet, or highway splash from closing an atmospheric vent opening to the bonnet that is located in the joint.
Inventors
- 👤 E Billington
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 09:40
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16K; F16K27/00; F16K27/12; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/6851; Y10T137/6855; Y10T137/6881; Y10T137/6892; Y10T137/7043
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
160 words
In a portable domestic liquefied propane gas system having a single stage pressure reduction regulator exposed to the weather including, a body enclosing a gas flow control valve, a spring bonnet having a flared skirt portion marginally secured to the body at a joint, diaphragm means between said body and bonnet controlling said valve and carrying a pressure relief valve responsive to and venting to the bonnet gas under pressure supplied by said controlled valve, open means at said joint for venting said bonnet to atmosphere, and cover means of flexible low heat conductive, resilient material having a central portion following the external contour of said skirt in contact therewith, a marginal portion contacting the back surface of the body, and an intermediate portion spaced a substantial distance from said joint to define a circular compartment around said joint open to the atmosphere in a plurality of locations including at least one below the level of said open vent means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
160 words
In a portable domestic liquefied propane gas system having a single stage pressure reduction regulator exposed to the weather including, a body enclosing a gas flow control valve, a spring bonnet having a flared skirt portion marginally secured to the body at a joint, diaphragm means between said body and bonnet controlling said valve and carrying a pressure relief valve responsive to and venting to the bonnet gas under pressure supplied by said controlled valve, open means at said joint for venting said bonnet to atmosphere, and cover means of flexible low heat conductive, resilient material having a central portion following the external contour of said skirt in contact therewith, a marginal portion contacting the back surface of the body, and an intermediate portion spaced a substantial distance from said joint to define a circular compartment around said joint open to the atmosphere in a plurality of locations including at least one below the level of said open vent means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
55 words
The combination called for in claim 1 in which said bonnet includes a central spring housing boss having an access opening for adjusting spring tension on the diaphragm closed by a removable plug means, and said cover having a stretchable opening centrally thereof receiving said boss in sealed relationship exposing only said boss to atmosphere.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
72 words
The combination called for in claim 1 in which said joint includes the marginal edge of the diaphragm in sealed clamped relationship between the bonnet and body, said bonnet edge engaging said diaphragm having a channel therearound the outer wall of which has an aperture therethrough in communication with said circular chamber, and the inner wall of which has a bleed passageway therethrough interconnecting the channel and the interior of the bonnet.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
The combination called for in claim 1 in which said contacting relationship includes gradual divergence of walls providing a capillary relation between the walls marginally along the circular compartment forming a path of flow of water in said compartment out of contact with said joint.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
44 words
The combination called for in claim 1 in which said system and regulator is mounted on the tow bar of a trailer with said bonnet facing forward from the trailer and said open vent means is exposed at the lowest part of said joint.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
144 words
In a portable domestIc propane gas dispensing system, a single stage pressure reduction regulator exposed to weather and having a body, a bonnet and a bonnet vent at the margin of the bonnet, the combination therewith of, a weather protector received on the regulator bonnet comprising a formed flexible, low heat conductive, plastic member having a central opening to expose the regulator spring adjustment closure for servicing, a concave wall surrounding said opening to contact the regulator body beyond which it defines an axial wall portion and a reversely formed marginal radially extending snap wall engaging the back side of the regulator body to form in conjunction therewith a radially deep channel around the joint between the edges of the regulator bonnet and body, said axial wall portion having at least one drain hole therethrough for positioning at the lowest extremity of the regulator.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
144 words
In a portable domestIc propane gas dispensing system, a single stage pressure reduction regulator exposed to weather and having a body, a bonnet and a bonnet vent at the margin of the bonnet, the combination therewith of, a weather protector received on the regulator bonnet comprising a formed flexible, low heat conductive, plastic member having a central opening to expose the regulator spring adjustment closure for servicing, a concave wall surrounding said opening to contact the regulator body beyond which it defines an axial wall portion and a reversely formed marginal radially extending snap wall engaging the back side of the regulator body to form in conjunction therewith a radially deep channel around the joint between the edges of the regulator bonnet and body, said axial wall portion having at least one drain hole therethrough for positioning at the lowest extremity of the regulator.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
48 words
The combination called for in claim 6 in which said snap wall is notched to receive the inlet and outlet bosses of the regulator to free the remainder of the snap wall for ready flexure of the snap wall over the edge of the regulator for attachment thereto.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-10-29 | 1977-04-30 | 1977-10-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-10-29 | 1981-04-30 | 1981-10-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-10-29 | 1985-04-30 | 1985-10-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |