Abstract: A torch combination characterized by a torch handle having a body, barrel and head with at least fuel and oxygen passageways and at least fuel and oxygen valves and an improvement comprising respective check valve bodies disposed in fluid communication with respective fuel and oxygen passageways and connected with a torch handle and having check valve subassemblies received in chambers in each. The two respective check valves subassemblies include a guide having a retainer disposed in one end thereof. The retainer has a seal adjacent its interior end with a moveable seat biased thereagainst inside the guide. Respective first and second means hold guide and retainer together and hold the check valve subassembly within the chambers. Hose connectors are connected with respective fuel and oxygen passageways such that the check valve subassembly block any reverse flow into the hoses and regulators and prevent danger of explosion.

Abstract: A poppet located in the opening of an annular seat member for use in a body for forming a check valve. The poppet has a resilient seal for engaging a seat formed in the seat member for forming a seal therebetween and which also prevents removal of the poppet from the opening of the seat member. A spring normally urges the poppet in a direction to urge the seal against the seat. The poppet has ribs slidably located in slots formed in the seat member to prevent rotation of the poppet to minimize spring failure. The poppet and seat assembly can be located in the body in either direction to allow the check valve to be used for different purposes. Safety stops are provided in the body for the poppet to prevent shearing of the seal in the event of use in excessive pressure conditions.

Abstract: A cutting torch that obviates the tendency to bow because of unequal heating of tubes therewithin and, consequently, keeps its tip at the same relative angle with respect to the material being cut, characterized by the usual tip, head, body, barrel, oxygen and fuel flow control valves and cutting oxygen valve and having the improvement of having both the pre-heat tube and the cutting oxygen tube assembly sealingly connected to the head and only one of the pre-heat tube and the cutting oxygen tube assembly sealingly and rigidly connected to the body and the other thereof slidably engaging the body so as to permit body movement longitudinally thereof to compensate for differential expansion between the slowly cooled pre-heat tube with its slow flow of oxygen and fuel and the more rapidly cooled cutting oxygen tube assembly with its periodic rapid flow of cutting oxygen.

Abstract: A torch that can employ any of the gaseous welding fuels, even at low pressure, without sustained burning on flashback, characterized by the usual tip, head, body, barrel, oxygen and fuel flow control valves, cutting oxygen valve, cutting oxygen tube assembly and pre-heat tube interconnecting the body and the head and having the improvement of having the pre-heat tube include a diffuser, an outer tube section for conveying the fuel, an inner tube section for conveying the oxygen, a mixer having a mixer orifice that causes the oxygen to be passed therefrom in a high speed jet for aspirating a low pressure fuel into admixture therewith, and a spiral disposed immediately upstream and adjacent the mixer. The mixer has a frusto-conical nose section and operates in conjunction with the spiral to break up any combustion wave that occurs on flashback and dissipate the heat associated therewith, so there is no sustained burning even if a flashback does infrequently occur.