Apparatus for dispensing compressed gases

July 5, 1938. c. c. straw 2>122,897

APPARATUS FOR DISPENSING COMPRESSED GASES

Filed May 25, 1936

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Patented July 5, 1938

2,122,897

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE

2,122,897 APPARATUS FOR DISPENSING COMPRESSED GASES

Clay C. Straw, Ansonville, Pa., assignor to Oxygen Equipment and Service Co., Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois

Application May 25, 1936, Serial No. 81,642 9 Claims. (CI. 128—203)

The invention relates to new and useful improvements in apparatus for dispensing compressed gases and more especially to such improvements applied to a portable, self-contained ⁵ apparatus of the kind described, such as an oxygen service set.

Objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part hereinafter and in part will be obvious herefrom, or may be learned by prac¹⁰ tice with the invention, the same being realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations pointed out in the appended claims.

The invention consists in the novel parts, constructions, arrangements, combinations and improvements herein shown and described.

The accompanying drawing, referred to herein and constituting a part hereof, illustrates one embodiment of the invention, and together with 20 the description, serves to explain the principles of the invention.

Of the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation perspective of an _: apparatus embodying the invention, and >₅ Fig. 2 is a section plan on the line 2—2 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Objects of the invention are to provide a selfcontained, self-protecting package, complete in itself and ready for dispensing the gas by simply j₀ placing the package on a support and opening the lid or cover, the apparatus being then ready for use by merely turning on the gas and applying the inhaler to the patient or user; to provide a rigid protecting casing positionable on one end, 55 and openable to stand firmly in position, the compressed gas cylinder, meter, and associated parts being fixed to and suspended from the upper part of the interior of the casing; to provide a casing of the kind described, with a dispensing ₌0 yoke fixed to and suspended from the upper part of the interior of the casing, a compressed gas cylinder being suspended from the yoke and connected to supply gas through the yoke, the cylinder being readily insertible in and removable _;5 from the yoke while the case stands open.

Referring now in detail to the embodiment of the invention illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawing, showing an oxygen service set, a two-part casing has walls of strong, 0 rigid material, the two parts being hinged together along one vertical side edge as by hinges 2, the case being adapted to rest on one end, and when opened, as shown in Fig. 1, the two parts, resting on the floor, table or other support, con5 stitute a firm and stable support and housing for the actual apparatus. A suitable handle 3 is provided at the top so that the closed casing may be readily handled and carried in an upright position.

Within one part of the casing the gas dis pensing apparatus is fixed and suspended so that it is readily and simply accessible for use and so that the gas cylinders may be readily removed and inserted to renew the gas supply. As embodied, a strong and flrm plate 7, preferably of 5 metal, extends along the back of the casing for almost its complete length and is firmly fixed to the casing by suitable fastenings such as rivets 8. Fixed to plate 7 near its upper end by means of a nut 6 threaded on a stud bolt 9, fixed to 10 and extending from the plate, is a double gas dispensing fixture 10. This fixture has two oppositely extending pipe arms II and 12, each arm terminating in a yoke or apertured frame 13, adapted to receive and hold in suspension a gas 15 cylinder with its outlet in communication with the pipe arm II or 12.

For the purpose of facilitating the insertion and removal of the gas containers, the yokes 13 are rotatably mounted on the ends of the pipes 20 11 and 12 with a gas tight fit for the containers. As embodied (Fig. 2), the yoke is mounted on the pipe within a flange 14 fixed to the end of the pipe. A resilient apertured gasket 15 is socketed within and projects from the flange 14 and provides a resilient, tight seal with the gas opening ^Zin the top of the container. Cylinders 17 and 18 containing, and adapted to dispense, compressed gas, may be of well known form and adapted to coact with the rotatable yokes 13. The cylin- ₃₀ders are accordingly shown with squared, internally-apertured neck projections 19, adapted to fit against the resilient gaskets 15 in the outer ends of piped arms II or 12, with the interior apertures communicating, as shown in Fig. 2. _3gMounted in the exterior end of the yokes 13 are pointed, screw-threaded bolts 20, having handles 21. The points of screw bolts 20 register with indentations in and press against the outer faces of the squared necks 19 of the gas cylinders and 40 hold the cylinders firmly suspended with the con- . duits open into the dispensing fixture. The gas cylinders have the usual valve 22, whereby one cylinder can be kept closed while the other cylinder is supplying gas. ₄₅

An exhausted gas cylinder can be easily and quickly replaced by loosening the clamping screw 20, swinging the bottom end outwardly and withdrawing the cylinder. The fresh cylinder can be quickly and readily inserted in like manner. 50 This structure and manner of operation will also permit the emergency use of gas containers which are too long to go inside the case, as the gas outlet can be inserted and fixed within the yoke with the container in inclined position extend- 55 ing out in front of the case.

The dispensing fixture is equipped with a valve 25 and a pipe 26 leading into the meter 27, which is shown as a bubbling or sight feed control meter, which indicates the litres per minute of gas 60

2,122,897 ing, having a closure, a dispensing fixture fixed within said casing, means for rotatively suspending a gas container from said fixture, and means carried by said closure for resiliently pressing the gas container in position when said 5 closure is closed.

5. An apparatus for dispensing compressed gas including in combination a rigid casing adapted to rest on an end, a supporting base plate fastened to an interior wall of said cas- 10 ing, and extending over a substantial part of the wall, a dispensing fixture fixed to said base plate within the casing, a compressed gas cylinder suspended from said dispensing fixture, a gas conduit from said cylinder to said fixture, a 15 valve in said fixture, a gas flow rate indicating meter supported from said fixture, a conduit delivering gas from said fixture to said meter, and an inhaler tube to take the metered gas from said flow indicating meter. 20

6. An apparatus for dispensing compressed gas including in combination a rigid casing adapted to rest on an end, a supporting base plate fastened to an interior wall of said cas, ing and extending over a substantial part of 25 the wall, a dispensing fixture fixed to said base plate within the casing, an intake gas pipe fixed to and extending from said fixture, a compressed gas cylinder suspended from said pipe and connected thereto to supply gas to the fixture, a 30 valve in said fixture, a pipe fixed to and extending from said fixture, a gas flow rate indicating meter supported from said pipe and receiving gas therethrough from said fixture, and an inhaler tube to take the metered gas from said ₃₅flow indicating meter.

7. An apparatus for dispensing compressed gas including in combination a rigid casing adapted to rest on end, a dispensing fixture fixed to the interior of said casing near one end there- ₄₀of and contained within the casing, a compressed gas cylinder connected to deliver gas to said dispensing fixture and located entirely within the casing, a valve in said dispensing fixture, a gas flow rate indicator including a closed ves- ₄sel for receiving gas from said fixture, and an inhaler tube connected to receive the metered gas from said vessel.

8. An apparatus for dispensing compressed gas including in combination a rigid case ₅₍, adapted to rest on an end, a supporting base plate fastened centrally to an interior wall of said casing and extending over a substantial part of the wall, a dispensing fixture fixed to said base plate within the casing, gas pipes ex- _5£tending outwardly from said fixture at either side, each pipe being fitted with means for taking a compressed gas cylinder to supply gas into said fixture, a gas flow indicating meter receiving gas from said fixture, and an inhaler tube _6tto take the metered gas from said flow indicating meter.

9. An apparatus for dispensing compressed gas including in combination a rigid casing adapted to rest on end, a supporting base plate _β, fastened to an interior wall of said casing and extending over a substantial part of said wall, a dispensing fixture and a compressed gas cylinder and connection for supplying gas from the cylinder to the dispensing fixture, all suspended from said plate, a gas flow rate indicator re- ‘ ceiving gas from said fixture, and an inhaler tube for conveying gas from said indicator.

CLAY C. STRAW.

discharged. The pipe 26 discharges into a pipe 28 within the closed glass jar 27, and pipe 28 is apertured beneath the water and calibrated to indicate the volume of gas being discharged. A 5 flexible tube 32 communicates with the upper part of sealed jar 27 of the flow rate meter, and. conducts away the gas delivered into the jar by pipe 28. An inhaler 33 is connected to the other end of tube 32, the inhaler being applied 10 to the patient in the usual manner.

Means are provided for holding the containers firmly in position. A spacing block 30 is fixed to the casing floor and wall between the bottom ends of the two gas containers, and a 15 cross piece 3i is fixed to the bottom of the other part, which is the lid or closure, of the casing and presses resiliently against the bottom ends of the gas containers when the casing is closed, as shown in Fig. 2. The casing lid is fitted with 20 receptacles 3® for holding various appliances, and a hook 35 to hold the inhaler 33, the flexible tube 32 being also stored in the lid.

To put the device into use it is only necessary to open the case, open the valves as required 25 and apply the inhaler, as all the apparatus is always in place within the casing and is protected by the casing. Any gas cylinder can be removed by simply rotating it slightly with its yoke 13 on its suspension on the pipe arm, and 30 loosening the clamping screw, and the new cylinder is inserted in place in like manner. When no longer required, the inhaler may be hung up, the tube stored, and the casing lid closed and locked.

The invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific mechanisms shown and described but departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the accompanying claims without departing from the principles of the invention and without sacrificing its chief .:: advantages.