Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of a combination valve assembly comprises a valve housing, an overpressure vent valve, a fill valve and a movable liquid overfill seal. The valve housing includes a longitudinal axis. The overpressure vent valve relieves excess pressure from the tank to which the assembly is affixed. The fill valve includes a fill valve pin actuatable between an open and closed configuration. The overfill seal is movable between a fluid sealing position and a fluid releasing position, and is elastically biased toward its fluid sealing position. In its fluid sealing position, the overfill seal prevents liquid from escaping the tank through the dip tube and outward of the valve assembly. Actuation of the fill valve pin toward its open position and movement of the overfill seal toward its fluid releasing position are preferably configured to both occur in the same direction, which is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A cylinder valve assembly includes an actual on-off control subsystem. An intermediate chamber extends between a probe chamber and proximal chamber of the valve body along a main axis. A control port extends radially of the main axis. A valve pin is received by the intermediate chamber and movable between closed and open positions. A control plug is received by the control port and actuatable between on and off positions. Fluid communication between the proximal and probe chambers through the valve body is enabled when the valve pin is in the open position and the control plug is in the on position. Contrastingly, such fluid communication is prevented if either the valve pin is in the closed position or the control plug is in the off position. The control plug is preferably located in radial alignment along the main axis with at least a portion of the valve pin.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for palletless shipment of gas cylinder arrays. A three-dimensional array of gas cylinders is formed from a plurality of vertically-stacked two-dimensional subarrays. First elongated voids extend through the array in a width direction at a first handle elevation. Second elongated voids extend through the array in a depth direction at a second handle elevation. The first and second elongated voids are bilaterally bounded by handle portions of adjacent gas cylinders, and vertically bounded by upper and lower surfaces of surrounding cylinders. Pairs of tunnel elements are disposed within respective elongated voids and are each configured to releasably receive a corresponding forklift tong. Vertically-disposed pillars may be provided to increase the rigidity and load distribution of the system. Flaps may radiate from the pillars to minimize impact and abrasion between adjacent cylinders during shipment.

Abstract: A pressure regulator for regulating the pressure of a fluid from an associated pressure reservoir includes a regulator body housing a shuttle assembly and supporting a multiplicity of radially-distributed service lobes. Each service lobe includes features in fluid communication with one or more chambers within the regular body, and performs a particular function relating to the pressure and contents within those chambers. Such lobes may include one or more of a bias lobe for regulating pressure within the shuttle bias chamber, a fill lobe through which the reservoir may be filled, a gauge lobe which displays the pressure within the reservoir, and a relief lobe including one or more burst disks to relieve over pressurization in the reservoir or output chamber of the regulator. Each service lobe may slideably engage a respective interface on the regulator body, and be releasably secured there by way of a threaded retainer.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of a gas pressure regulator comprise a regulator body, an adaptor sleeve, a retainer and an indexing ring. The regulator body includes a proximal portion, a distal portion, a ported intermediate portion therebetween, and a main bore. The adaptor sleeve axially receives the distal portion and includes an outer threading for engaging an air source adaptor of a paintball marker. The retainer threadably engages the main bore within the distal end, thereby axially securing the adaptor sleeve onto the distal end. The indexing ring receives the distal portion therethrough for resiliently biased axial movement of the indexing ring between a locking position and an unlocking position. When the indexing ring is in its unlocking position, the adaptor sleeve is rotatable with respect to the regulator body. When the indexing ring is in its locking position, the adaptor sleeve is rendered substantially non-rotatable with respect to the regulator body.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of a combination valve assembly comprises a valve housing, an overpressure vent valve, a fill valve and a movable liquid overfill seal. The valve housing includes a longitudinal axis. The overpressure vent valve relieves excess pressure from the tank to which the assembly is affixed. The fill valve includes a fill valve pin actuatable between an open and closed configuration. The overfill seal is movable between a fluid sealing position and a fluid releasing position, and is elastically biased toward its fluid sealing position. In its fluid sealing position, the overfill seal prevents liquid from escaping the tank through the dip tube and outward of the valve assembly. Actuation of the fill valve pin toward its open position and movement of the overfill seal toward its fluid releasing position are preferably configured to both occur in the same direction, which is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of a gas pressure regulator comprise a regulator body, an adaptor sleeve, a retainer and an indexing ring. The regulator body includes a proximal portion, a distal portion, a ported intermediate portion therebetween, and a main bore. The adaptor sleeve axially receives the distal portion and includes an outer threading for engaging an air source adaptor of a paintball marker. The retainer threadably engages the main bore within the distal end, thereby axially securing the adaptor sleeve onto the distal end. The indexing ring receives the distal portion therethrough for resiliently biased axial movement of the indexing ring between a locking position and an unlocking position. When the indexing ring is in its unlocking position, the adaptor sleeve is rotatable with respect to the regulator body. When the indexing ring is in its locking position, the adaptor sleeve is rendered substantially non-rotatable with respect to the regulator body.

Abstract: A combined fill and safety vent plug adapted to being mounted in a port in a pressure tank. A valve housing member is adapted to being mounted in a port in a pressure vessel. A fill valve is located in a fill valve socket in the valve housing member. A vent valve and an overflow system are also provided in the valve housing member. All of the functions of filling, venting, dispensing, and overflow protection are provided by elements contained in one single plug in one single port in a pressure vessel. For safety purposes, the vent valve dumps excess fluid generally laterally of the valve housing member.

Abstract: An annular bourdon tube gauge assembly comprises a bourdon tube member, a first flange element, a second flange element and a pressure level indicator, and is adapted to be mounted externally circumferentially of a portion of a body member that is adapted to confining a pressurized fluid, such as a pressure regulator. The bourdon tube is axially disposed between the first and second flange elements, and has a spiral shape, a radially inner end and a radially outer end. The radially inner end is fixed with respect to the portion of the body member. The radially outer end is free to move circumferentially responsive to changes in the fluid pressure entering a pressure receiving port at the radially inner end. The pressure level indicator is mounted to and moveable with the radially outer end, and is viewable from a position located laterally outward of the first and second flange elements.

Abstract: A safety relief fill valve adapted to being an interface for filling and relieving excess pressure from a closed fluid system. An insert shell retains a piston member for movement between fluid input and fluid holding configurations, the piston member being resiliently biased toward fluid holding configuration. When in fluid holding configuration, the piston member sealingly engages an inlet bore of the insert shell. When in fluid input configuration, the piston member allows fluid flow through the inlet bore. A housing receives the insert shell, thereby limiting relative axial movement and forming a cavity between a portion of the housing the insert shell. This cavity provides mechanical guidance and a flow channel for an overpressure relief system having fluid retaining and fluid relief configurations, the overpressure relief system being elastically biased toward fluid retaining configuration. The elastic bias is overcome responsive to excess pressure within the closed fluid system.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of a gas biased pressure regulator comprise a capsule subassembly and a regulator body. The regulator body is adapted to connect to a source of pressurized gas. The capsule subassembly is removably received within the regulator body and includes a capsule body and a piston. The piston is axially slidable between fluid release and fluid seal configurations. When the piston is in its fluid release configuration, an output chamber is placed in fluid communication with the source. When the piston is in its fluid seal configuration, the output chamber is sealed from fluid communication with the source. A pressurizable bias chamber within the capsule body contains a bias pressure urging the piston toward its fluid release configuration. Pressure from the source urges the piston toward its fluid seal configuration. The piston may also have a fluid charge configuration for facilitating the pressurization of the bias chamber.

Abstract: A fill nipple assembly for use as a fill interface on a pressure regulator may comprise a fill nipple body, a strut member and a seal member. The fill nipple body includes a main bore with a tapered section. The strut member includes a complimentary tapered surface with a seal groove for retaining a seal member. The seal member extends partially outward of the tapered surface. The tapered section and tapered surface may have respective taper angles which are substantially the same. The rear portion of the strut member may include a radially-extending strut flange adapted to axially engage the proximal end of the fill nipple body. The strut member is received by the main bore for axial movement into and out of a sealing configuration with respect to the main bore. The seal member sealingly engages the tapered section when the strut member is in its sealing configuration.

Abstract: A pressure regulator for regulating the pressure of a fluid from an associated pressure reservoir includes a regulator body housing a shuttle assembly and supporting a multiplicity of radially-distributed service lobes. Each service lobe includes features in fluid communication with one or more chambers within the regular body, and performs a particular function relating to the pressure and contents within those chambers. Such lobes may include one or more of a bias lobe for regulating pressure within the shuttle bias chamber, a fill lobe through which the reservoir may be filled, a gauge lobe which displays the pressure within the reservoir, and a relief lobe including one or more burst disks to relieve over pressurization in the reservoir or output chamber of the regulator. Each service lobe may slideably engage a respective interface on the regulator body, and be releasably secured there by way of a threaded retainer.

Abstract: Regulators for regulating gas that is delivered in discrete charges from a tank that contains compressed gas to a paintball gun, marker, or other application that utilizes or is activated by pressure controlled discrete charges of gas. The regulator has holding, discharge, and fill configurations, controlled by the movement of a piston member in a pressurized chamber, and the activation of a poppet valve on the discharge of the system. One or two low side pressure relief members are provided to prevent the over-pressurization of the pressurized chamber. An externally threaded sleeve member is non-rotatably, but axially slidably received on a distal portion of the body of the regulator so that the sleeve member and distal portion may be axially slidably disengaged, and the regulator can be rotationally positioned so that the pressure gauge is easily viewed by an operator.

Abstract: A compressed gas regulator of a piston type is disclosed in which a regulator is configured with an input valve situated entirely inside a compressed air canister, which regulator is then attached to a paintball gun, marker or other device for providing discrete charges of gas at a predetermined pressure to the attached device. The overall size and weight of the regulator are minimized, which allows increased capabilities to the user. A regulator overpressurization port vents behind a conventional safety gauge for safety purposes. Fill, gage, and canister overpressurization rupture ports are interconnected with a fill channel that extends from the canister to the ports without intersecting or interfering with the regulating components within the regulator. The input valve seat face is surrounded by a shallow generally conical surface within an input plenum. The shallow generally conical surface extends at approximately 5 to 15 degrees.

Abstract: A gas pressure regulator system comprises a regulator body and a separate port collar. The regulator body has a high pressure chamber and a low pressure chamber, and generally houses a regulator valve system to control the pressure of the fluid moving from the high pressure chamber to the low pressure chamber. The port collar has at least one high pressure port and one low pressure port, and is adapted to be mounted on the regulator body. When the port collar is in its mounted position, the high pressure ports are in fluid communication with the high pressure chamber, and the low pressure port is in fluid communication with the low pressure chamber. The port collar may be rotatable with respect to the regular body without disrupting the fluid communication between respective chambers and pressure ports. The high pressure ports may accommodate such fixtures as a high pressure burst disk assembly, a fill nipple or a pressure gauge. The low pressure port may accommodate a low pressure burst disk.

Abstract: A combined fill and safety vent plug adapted to being mounted in a port in a pressure tank. A valve housing member is adapted to being mounted in a port in a pressure vessel. A fill valve is located in a fill valve socket in the valve housing member. A vent valve and an overflow system are also provided in the valve housing member. All of the functions of filling, venting, dispensing, and overflow protection are provided by elements contained in one single plug in one single port in a pressure vessel. For safety purposes, the vent valve dumps excess fluid generally laterally of the valve housing member.

Abstract: A pair of cooking tongs is provided for use in manipulating and handling food items and displaying the temperature and degree of “doneness” of a meat during cooking. The invention comprises a pair of arms, one of which includes a fork at its end in which there is a temperature sensor. The other arm features a display which is in electronic communication with the temperature sensor. Some embodiments include a speaker which provides an audio signal indicating that the temperature of the meat has reached or passed a selected threshold. The invention allows a user to manipulate food using one hand while conveniently reading the temperature of any of a variety of meats to ensure they are cooked to a desired “doneness,” such as rare, medium rare, medium, and well done.

Abstract: An annular bourdon tube gauge assembly comprises a bourdon tube member, a first flange element, a second flange element and a pressure level indicator, and is adapted to be mounted externally circumferentially of a portion of a body member that is adapted to confining a pressurized fluid, such as a pressure regulator. The bourdon tube is axially disposed between the first and second flange elements, and has a spiral shape, a radially inner end and a radially outer end. The radially inner end is fixed with respect to the portion of the body member. The radially outer end is free to move circumferentially responsive to changes in the fluid pressure entering a pressure receiving port at the radially inner end. The pressure level indicator is mounted to and moveable with the radially outer end, and is viewable from a position located laterally outward of the first and second flange elements.