US4103806A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Valve guard for protecting the regulator valve on a scuba tank
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1977-01-03
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Granted: 1978-08-01
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Expires: 1997-01-03
Abstract
Abstract A valve guard is mounted on a scuba air tank and includes a protective cap which envelops and shields the air tank regulator valve from damage and abuse during both storage and use of the tank. Flexible air hoses which are coupled to the regulator valve during use may freely pass through apertures provided in the cap. The apertures provide ready access to the regulator valve without requiring removal of the valve guard from the tank. The cap defines a handle for lifting the tank without requiring engagement of the regulator valve.
Inventors
- 👤 E. Vernon White
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 15:55
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D83/00; B65D83/14; B65D83/40; F; F17; F17C; F17C13/00; F17C13/06; F17C2201/00; F17C2201/01; F17C2201/0104; F17C2201/0109; F17C2201/03; F17C2201/032; F17C2205/00; F17C2205/01; F17C2205/0103; F17C2205/0111; F17C2205/0115; F17C2205/0153; F17C2205/0157; F17C2205/0165; F17C2205/03; F17C2205/0302; F17C2205/0308; F17C2221/00; F17C2221/01; F17C2221/011; F17C2221/03; F17C2221/031; F17C2223/00; F17C2223/01; F17C2223/0107; F17C2223/0123; F17C2270/00; F17C2270/07; F17C2270/0781
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
274 words
A valve guard for protecting a regulator valve assembly of an air tank for a self-contained underwater breathing apparatus from damage and abuse during both storage and use, the air tank being of substantially cylindrical configuration and including a semispherical end having a boss located centrally thereof with the valve assembly received therein and projecting axially therefrom, the valve guard being releasably secured to and supported solely by the air tank and comprising: a. an elongate, hollow, cylindrical base portion for receiving the semispherical end of the tank and for engaging the cylindrical portion of the tank adjacent to said semispherical end, said base portion including an upper end terminating in a bearing surface which projects radially of the cylindrical base portion; b. tightening means carried by the base portion for selectively securing the base portion to the cylindrical portion of the tank by increasing the friction-gripping force therebetween; and c. a protective cap releasably secured to the base portion and projecting axially outward from the semispherical end of the tank, said cap of hollow, substantially cylindrical configuration conforming to and disposed in alignment with the cylindrical base portion and having a closed outer end for enveloping and shielding the regulator valve assembly, the cap including through apertures in the cylindrical portion thereof for permitting ready access to the regulator valve assembly, said cap being movable between an open, valve-assembly-exposing position and a closed bearing-surface-engaging position, wherein said cap is in abutting engagement with said bearing surface when in the closed position; and a locking device mounted on said cap for selectively locking the cap in the closed position relative to the base portion.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
274 words
A valve guard for protecting a regulator valve assembly of an air tank for a self-contained underwater breathing apparatus from damage and abuse during both storage and use, the air tank being of substantially cylindrical configuration and including a semispherical end having a boss located centrally thereof with the valve assembly received therein and projecting axially therefrom, the valve guard being releasably secured to and supported solely by the air tank and comprising: a. an elongate, hollow, cylindrical base portion for receiving the semispherical end of the tank and for engaging the cylindrical portion of the tank adjacent to said semispherical end, said base portion including an upper end terminating in a bearing surface which projects radially of the cylindrical base portion; b. tightening means carried by the base portion for selectively securing the base portion to the cylindrical portion of the tank by increasing the friction-gripping force therebetween; and c. a protective cap releasably secured to the base portion and projecting axially outward from the semispherical end of the tank, said cap of hollow, substantially cylindrical configuration conforming to and disposed in alignment with the cylindrical base portion and having a closed outer end for enveloping and shielding the regulator valve assembly, the cap including through apertures in the cylindrical portion thereof for permitting ready access to the regulator valve assembly, said cap being movable between an open, valve-assembly-exposing position and a closed bearing-surface-engaging position, wherein said cap is in abutting engagement with said bearing surface when in the closed position; and a locking device mounted on said cap for selectively locking the cap in the closed position relative to the base portion.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
A valve guard as called for in claim 1, including a concave walled inner support surface adjacent to and depending from said bearing surface for engaging the semispherical end of the tank.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
57 words
A valve guard as called for in claim 1, wherein the tightening means comprises a band having spaced apart ends and integral with said base portion and partially circumscribing the cylindrical portion of the tank, and means for drawing the spaced apart ends toward one another for tightening the friction-grip between the tank and the base portion.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
94 words
A valve guard as called for in claim 1, wherein said base portion comprises a hollow cylindrical member having an upper end including concave inner walls for engaging the semispherical end of the tank and having a lower end defined by a plurality of spaced apart, depending tabs collectively disposed about and in engagement with the periphery of the cylindrical portion of the tank, and wherein said tightening means comprises a strap circumscribing the cylindrical portion of the tank and disposed outboard of the tabs for urging the tabs into engagement with the tank.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
A valve guard as called for in claim 4 wherein the bearing surface is a tapered outer surface for supporting the cap and wherein the cap includes a bearing-surface-engaging end which is of complementary taper.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
A valve guard as called for in claim 1, wherein the cap and apertures define a hand-receptive handle for lifting the tank without engaging the valve guard assembly.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-07-31 | 1982-01-30 | 1982-08-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-07-31 | 1986-01-30 | 1986-08-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-07-31 | 1990-01-30 | 1990-08-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |