U.S. patent application number 10/665213 was filed with the patent office on 2005-03-24 for extension for top of refrigerant can for dispensing without a valve.
Invention is credited to Cannan, George.
Application Number | 20050061014 10/665213 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34312855 |
Filed Date | 2005-03-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050061014 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Cannan, George |
March 24, 2005 |
Extension for top of refrigerant can for dispensing without a
valve
Abstract
The extension for top of refrigerant can for dispensing without
a valve is used for supplying refrigerant to the air conditioning
unit of a vehicle using a conventional refrigerant charging hose.
The extension allows the contents of the refrigerant can to be
delivered without having to attach a conventional shutoff valve to
the canister. The extension includes a seal over the opening in the
refrigerant can with a valve stem that extends through the center
of the seal. The extension includes an actuator cap that fits over
the seal on the top of the canister. The actuator cap houses an
actuator for releasing the contents of the container. The actuator
has a depression tab that is hingedly connected to the interior of
the actuator cap for releasing the contents of the canister into
the charging hose that is secured to a threaded projection on the
front of the cap.
Inventors: |
Cannan, George; (Lakewood,
NJ) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LITMAN LAW OFFICES, LTD.
P.O. BOX 15035 CRYSTAL CITY STATION
ARLINGTON
VA
22215
US
|
Family ID: |
34312855 |
Appl. No.: |
10/665213 |
Filed: |
September 22, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
62/292 ;
62/77 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 83/24 20130101;
F25B 2345/006 20130101; B60H 1/00585 20130101; F25B 2345/001
20130101; B65D 83/206 20130101; F25B 45/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
062/292 ;
062/077 |
International
Class: |
F25B 045/00 |
Claims
1. An extension for releasing pressurized contents of a canister,
comprising: an actuator cap having an outer peripheral surface, a
top end, a bottom end, and an aperture formed in said top end, said
bottom end having an opening adapted for mounting onto the
canister; a depressible actuator tab disposed across the aperture
and hingedly secured to said actuator cap, said actuator tab having
a valve stem receiving orifice for receiving a valve stem disposed
on the canister and a discharge channel in fluid communication with
the valve stem for delivering the pressurized contents of the
canister; a threaded projection extending outward from the outer
peripheral surface of said actuator cap, the projection having a
discharge orifice disposed along the end of the projection, said
threaded projection being adapted to receive a threaded connector
from a conventional discharge hose; and an actuator hinge for
securing said actuator tab to said actuator cap, said actuator
hinge allowing said actuator tab to move freely from an unactuated
position to a depressed actuated positior whereby said actuator
tab, when depressed, is adapted for contacting the valve stem of
the canister to release the pressurized contents of the canister,
the contents being delivered through the discharge channel and out
of the discharge orifice on said projection.
2. The extension for releasing the pressurized contents of a
canister according to claim 1, further comprising an actuator cap
lid secured to said actuator cap.
3. The extension for releasing the pressurized contents of a
canister according to claim 2, further comprising a hinge attaching
said actuator cap lid to said actuator cap.
4. The extension for releasing the pressurized contents of a
canister according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of
finger grooves disposed on a top surface of said actuator tab for
providing a frictional surface.
5. The extension for releasing the pressurized contents of a
canister according to claim 1, further comprising an integrated
locking mechanism for securing said actuator tab in the depressed
actuated position, said locking mechanism comprising a lock hook
integrally formed in said actuator cap and an engaging hook
disposed along a bottom surface of said actuator tab.
6. A refrigerant canister with an extension for releasing
pressurized contents of the canister, comprising: a housing having
a generally cylindrical main body with a top surface, an opening in
said top surface and a upstanding rim surrounding said opening; a
housing cover sealably secured to said upstanding rim to seal said
opening; a valve stem disposed through the center of said housing
cover having a top portion and a bottom portion, said top portion
projecting upward from said housing cover; an actuator cap having
an outer peripheral surface, a top end, a bottom end, and an
aperture formed in said top end, said bottom end having an opening
adapted for mounting onto the canister; a depressible actuator tab
disposed across said aperture and hingedly secured to said actuator
cap, said actuator tab having a valve stem receiving orifice for
receiving said valve stem and a discharge channel in fluid
communication with said valve stem for delivering the pressurized
contents of said canister; a threaded projection extending outward
from said outer peripheral surface of said actuator cap, said
projection having a discharge orifice disposed along the end of the
projection; and an actuator hinge for securing said actuator tab to
said actuator cap, said actuator hinge allowing said actuator tab
to move freely from an unactuated position to a depressed actuated
positior whereby said actuator tab, when depressed, contacts the
valve stem of the canister to release the pressurized contents of
the canister, the contents being delivered through the discharge
channel and out of the discharge orifice on said projection.
7. The refrigerant canister with an extension for releasing the
pressurized contents of the canister according to claim 6, further
comprising a discharge member secured to said threaded projection,
wherein said discharge member delivers the contents of said
canister to a vehicle air conditioning unit
8. The refrigerant canister with an extension for releasing the
pressurized contents of the canister according to claim 7, wherein
said discharge member is a refrigerant discharge hose comprising an
elongate tubular body having a receiving end, a discharge end, a
threaded fitting for engaging said threaded projection disposed on
said receiving end, and a disconnect coupler fitting for engaging a
vehicle air conditioning unit disposed on said discharge end.
9. The refrigerant canister with an extension for releasing the
pressurized contents of the canister according to 8, wherein said
discharge member is integrally formed to said actuator cap.
10. The refrigerant canister with an extension for releasing the
pressurized contents of the canister according to claim 8, wherein
said discharge member is adapted to be removed from said threaded
projection.
11. The refrigerant canister with an extension for releasing the
pressurized contents of the canister according to claim 6, further
comprising an actuator cap lid secured to the said actuator
cap.
12. The refrigerant canister with an extension for releasing the
pressurized contents of the canister according to claim 12, wherein
said actuator cap lid is hingedly secured to said actuator cap by a
hinge.
13. The refrigerant canister with an extension for releasing the
pressurized contents of the canister according to claim 6, further
comprising a plurality of finger grooves disposed on a top surface
of said actuator tab for providing a frictional surface.
14. The refrigerant canister with an extension for releasing the
pressurized contents of the canister according to claim 6, further
comprising an integrated locking mechanism for securing said
actuator tab in the depressed actuated position, said locking
mechanism comprising a lock hook integrally formed in said actuator
cap and an engaging hook disposed along a bottom surface of said
actuator tab.
15. A vehicle refrigerant canister with an extension for delivering
pressurized contents of the canister to an air conditioning unit of
a vehicle, comprising: a housing having a generally cylindrical
main body with a top surface, an opening in said top surface and a
upstanding rim surrounding said opening; a housing cover sealably
secured to said upstanding rim to seal said opening; a valve stem
disposed through the center of said housing cover having a top
portion and a bottom portion, said top portion projecting upward
from said housing cover; an actuator cap having an outer peripheral
surface, a top end, a bottom end, and an aperture formed in said
top end, said bottom end having an opening adapted for mounting
onto the canister; a depressible actuator tab disposed across said
aperture and hingedly secured to said actuator cap, said actuator
tab having a valve stem receiving orifice for receiving said valve
stem and a discharge channel in fluid communication with said valve
stem for delivering the pressurized contents of said canister; a
threaded projection extending outward from said outer peripheral
surface of said actuator cap, said projection having a discharge
orifice disposed along the end of the projection; an actuator hinge
for securing said actuator tab to said actuator cap, said actuator
hinge allowing said actuator tab to move freely from an unactuated
position to a depressed actuated position; and a refrigerant
charging hose secured to said threaded projection for delivering
the released contents of said canister to the air conditioning unit
of the vehicle, said charging hose having an engaging end, a
discharge end, a threaded fitting disposed on said engaging end for
engaging said threaded projection and a disconnect fitting disposed
on said discharge end for engaging the air conditioning unit of the
vehicle; whereby said actuator tab, when depressed, contacts the
valve stem of the container to release the pressurized contents of
the container, the contents being delivered through the discharge
channel and out of the discharge orifice on said projection into
said charging hose to be delivered to the vehicle air conditioning
unit.
16. The refrigerant canister with an extension for releasing the
pressurized contents of the canister according to 15, wherein said
charging hose is integrally formed to said actuator cap.
17. The refrigerant canister with an extension for releasing the
pressurized contents of the canister according to claim 15, wherein
said charging hose is adapted to be removed from said threaded
projection.
18. The refrigerant canister with an extension for releasing the
pressurized contents of the canister according to claim 15, further
comprising an actuator cap lid secured to the said actuator
cap.
19. The refrigerant canister with an extension for releasing the
pressurized contents of the canister according to claim 18, wherein
said actuator cap lid is secured to said actuator cap by a
hinge.
20. The refrigerant canister with an extension for releasing the
pressurized contents of the canister according to claim 15, further
comprising an integrated locking mechanism for securing said
actuator tab in the depressed actuated position, said locking
mechanism comprising a lock hook integrally formed in said actuator
cap and an engaging hook disposed along a bottom surface of said
actuator tab.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to air conditioning apparatus,
and more particularly to a refrigerant delivery assembly for
delivering refrigerant to an air conditioner from a canister
containing pressurized refrigerant using a standard, reusable
charging hose secured to a threaded dispensing cap.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] A common technique for adding refrigerant to an automobile
air conditioning unit is to connect a charging hose assembly
between a suction line service fitting on the air conditioning unit
and a small canister containing refrigerant, and then allowing the
refrigerant to flow through the charging hose into the air
conditioning unit. The conventional charging hose assemblies
include a charging hose, a shutoff valve connected to one end of
the hose and a disconnect coupler fitting secured to the other end
of the hose. The shutoff valve is screwed onto a threaded outlet
portion disposed on the top surface of the canister and the coupler
fitting is secured to the service fitting on the air conditioning
unit. The lever on the top of the valve is rotated to lower a
piercing pin member located inside the valve. The pin member
pierces the outlet portion of the canister. The lever on the valve
is then rotated in the opposite direction to allow the charging
hose to communicate with the interior of the canister. This allows
the contents of the canister to flow through the charging hose into
the air conditioning unit.
[0005] Several problems exist with the current method for adding
refrigerant to an automobile cooling system. One problem is that
there is a high possibility of discharging an undesirable amount of
refrigerant into the atmosphere. If the disconnect coupler fitting
is removed before the shutoff valve is closed, all of the remaining
refrigerant in the canister will escape into the atmosphere.
Another problem with the current method is that it is extremely
time-consuming to have to add the valve to each canister of coolant
and then secure the standard charging hose onto the valve. Finally,
an additional problem with the present delivery method is that is
difficult to control the amount of refrigerant being added into the
air conditioning unit.
[0006] The following patent documents disclose inventions improving
on the current automobile refrigerant delivery methods or methods
and devices for discharging other materials from an aerosol type
canister.
[0007] Several patents disclose improved distribution caps for
monitoring the amount of pressurized material being released from
an aerosol type canister. European Patent 49,180, published on Apr.
7, 1982, discloses a one-piece distribution cap for a pressurized
container and its assembly. United Kingdom Patent 2,097,061,
published on Oct. 27, 1982, discloses an actuator cap for
pressurized dispensers. U.S. Pat. No. 3,314,576, issued on Apr. 18,
1967 to Focht et al., discloses a cap for dispensing aerosols.
German Patent 4,303,157, published on Aug. 11, 1994, discloses an
actuating device for metering closure of a pressurized container.
Each of the above caps includes an integrated push button or lever
that is manually depressed to release a portion of the contents of
the pressured canister. The portion of the contents that is
released is regulated by the duration that the push button or lever
is depressed.
[0008] Several patents disclose devices for, and methods of, adding
refrigerant to an automobile air conditioning unit using shutoff
valves as discussed above. U.S. Pat. No. 6,385,986, issued on May
14, 2002 to Ferris et al., discloses a refrigerant charging hose
assembly. U.S. Pat. No. 6,481,221, issued on Nov. 19, 2002 to
Ferris et al., and U.S. patent Publication No. 2002/0189265,
published on Dec. 19, 2002, each disclose an apparatus, methods and
compositions for placing additive fluids into a refrigerant
circuit. U.S. Pat. No. 6,360,554, issued on Mar. 26, 2002 to
Trachtenberg, discloses a single can automotive air conditioner
refill and treatment. Each of these patent documents discloses a
device for adding refrigerant to an automobile air conditioning
unit using a shutoff valve that is screwed to the top of the
canister.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 4,895,190, issued on Jan. 23, 1990 to Gillen,
discloses an actuator and hose assembly for aerosol containers. The
actuator includes a fluid hose having a conventional fitting at one
end for coupling the hose with a fluid receiver and an actuator sub
assembly coupled to the other end of the hose. The sub assembly
comprises an actuator cap sealed to the top of a canister having a
press down actuator for releasing the contents of the canister. The
hose is connected to the actuator by a hose connector.
[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 4,941,600, issued on Jul. 17, 1990 to
Berriochoa et al., discloses a dispenser lock assembly for a
pressurized container. The lock assembly locks the valve stem of an
aerosol container in the open position. The lock assembly includes
a cap with an interior recess and an actuator tab connected to the
cap and extending across the valve stem within the interior recess.
A hook portion is provided on a ring lock for engaging the tab when
the tab is depressed to move the valve to the open position.
[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 5,305,784, issued on Apr. 26, 1994 to Carter,
discloses a tire inflation hose assembly. The hose assembly
connects a container of pressurized tire inflation material and a
valve system of a tire. The hose assembly includes a release valve
assembly for coupling to the container and for releasing the
pressurized material contained inside. A tube transports the
released material to a nozzle that is adapted for matting with the
valve stem of the tire.
[0012] U.S. Pat. No. 5,611,466, issued to Hsiao on Mar. 18, 1997,
discloses a releasing unit for a container in which a pressurized
material is enclosed. The releasing unit has a cap a nozzle
assembly with a hose portion. The nozzle assembly is engaged to a
releasing valve of the container and the cap has a skirt portion
mounted to a top of the container and having a slot defined in the
skirt portion for the hose to extend through.
[0013] U.S. Pat. No. 6,382,469, issued on May 7, 2002 to Carter et
al., discloses a tire inflation actuator. The actuator has a body
that is securable to container of pressurized material. The
actuator includes a depressible finger tab for releasing the
contents of the container and a latch for releasably securing the
tab in a depressed position. A hose is secured to the actuator for
delivering the contents of the container.
[0014] None of the above mentioned patents disclose an actuator cap
having a threaded projection for receiving the threaded connector
of a conventional refrigerant charging hose.
[0015] None of the above inventions and patents, taken either
singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention
as claimed. Thus an extension for the top of a refrigerant can for
dispensing without a valve, thereby solving the aforementioned
problems, is desired.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0016] The extension for the top of a refrigerant can for
dispensing without a valve is used for supplying refrigerant to the
air conditioning unit of a vehicle engine. The extension for the
top of the can is adapted for using a conventional refrigerant
charging hose for delivering the contents of the can to the air
conditioning unit. The extension also allows the same charging hose
to be reused several times. The extension allows the contents of
the refrigerant can to be delivered to a vehicle without having to
attach a conventional shutoff valve to the top of the canister.
[0017] The present invention includes a seal over the opening in
the top of the refrigerant can. The seal includes an aerosol valve
stem that extends through the center of the seal. The extension
includes an actuator cap that fits over the seal on the top of the
canister. The actuator cap houses an actuator for releasing the
contents of the container. The actuator has a depression tab that
is hingedly connected to the interior of the actuator cap. When a
pressing force is applied to the depression tab, the valve stem is
forced downward, releasing a controlled portion of the contents of
the refrigerant canister.
[0018] The actuator cap also has a threaded projection extending
outward from its front surface. The threaded projection is adapted
to receive a threaded connector on a first end of a conventional
refrigerant charging hose. The charging hose is connected in fluid
communication with the valve stem through a channel in the
projection so that as the contents of the refrigerant canister are
released, the contents are directed through the charging hose to
the vehicle.
[0019] Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to
provide an extension for the top of a refrigerant canister that
does not require securing a conventional shutoff valve to the top
of the canister.
[0020] It is another object of the invention to provide an
extension for the top of a refrigerant canister that allows a
conventional refrigerant charging tube to be secured to the
canister and then reused with subsequent canisters.
[0021] It is a further object of the invention to provide an
extension for the top of a refrigerant canister that allows the
user to easily regulate the portion of the canister contents that
is released.
[0022] It is an object of the invention to provide improved
elements and arrangements thereof for the purposes described which
is inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing its
intended purposes.
[0023] These and other objects of the present invention will become
readily apparent upon further review of the following specification
and drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] FIG. 1 is an environmental, perspective view of an extension
for the top of a refrigerant can for dispensing without a valve
according to the present invention.
[0025] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the extension for the top of
the refrigerant can according to the present invention.
[0026] FIG. 3 is an exploded, perspective view of the extension for
the top of the refrigerant can according to the present
invention.
[0027] FIG. 4A is a top view of an actuator cap of the extension
for the top of the refrigerant can according to the present
invention.
[0028] FIG. 4B is a side cross-sectional view of the actuator cap
of the extension for the top of the refrigerant can according to
the present invention.
[0029] Similar reference characters denote corresponding features
consistently throughout the attached drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0030] The present invention is an extension for the top of a
refrigerant can for dispensing the contents of the can without the
use of an attachable shutoff valve. The present invention may be
designed as an extension that will be added to a pre-existing
refrigerant canister, or as a new refrigerant canister having the
discharging extension secured to the top of the canister. According
to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the extension
is designed for delivering refrigerant from a pressurized canister
to the air conditioning unit of a vehicle. FIG. 1 is an
environmental perspective view of the refrigerant canister with the
discharge extension 10 secured to a vehicle air conditioning
unit.
[0031] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the refrigerant can with
extension 10 according to the present invention. The refrigerant
can with extension 10 generally comprises a pressurized fluid
canister 20 with an actuator cap 30 attached to the top of the
canister 20. According to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention, the pressurized fluid canister 20 contains vehicle air
conditioning refrigerant. FIG. 2 further depicts a conventional
refrigerant charging hose 60 secured to the actuator cap 30. The
refrigerant can with extension 10 may be designed with the charging
hose 60 integrally secured to the actuator cap 30, or preferably,
the refrigerant can with extension 10 may be designed to receive a
pre-existing charging hose 60 so that the charging hose 60 may be
removed and reused with subsequent refrigerant cans 10.
[0032] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the present
invention 10 depicting its individual elements. The refrigerant can
with extension 10 comprises the refrigerant canister 20, a canister
cover 70, an actuator cap 30, and an actuator cap lid 50. The
canister 20 has vertical sidewalls forming a generally cylindrical
main body 20 with a sloped top end and a bottom end 22. A canister
opening 26 is disposed in the center of the top end. The top end
has an upstanding rim 24 surrounding the opening 24. The upstanding
rim 24 is adapted for securing the actuator cap 30 to the can.
[0033] The canister cover 70 is disposed over the opening 26 in the
top of the canister 20. The canister cover 70 has a circular lip
portion 72 that is disposed around the entire circumference of the
canister cover 70. The lip portion 72 mounts the canister cover
onto the upstanding rim 24 on the canister 20 to form a seal that
prevents the contents of the canister 20 from escaping. The
canister cover 70 has a conventional upwardly biased and extending,
axially movable, tubular aerosol valve stem 74. The valve stem 74
extends through the center of the canister cover 70 having a bottom
portion 76 that extends into the canister 20. The valve stem 74 is
upwardly biased by the pressure of the contents of the canister 20,
and may also be additionally biased by a biasing means, such as a
spring (not shown). The valve stem 74 is coupled inside of the
canister cover 70 so that when the stem 74 is shifted or moved
downwardly, the contents of the canister 20 are released. When
downward pressure on the stem 74 is removed and the stem 74 is
released, the stem 74 is upwardly biased by the pressure inside of
the canister 20 so that it returns to its original position to
prevent further release of the canister 20 contents.
[0034] The actuator cap 30 comprises a generally cylindrical bottom
skirt portion 31 having an overall diameter, and further comprises
an upper rim portion 34 having an overall diameter that is slightly
smaller than that of the bottom skirt portion 31. The lower skirt
portion 31 is adapted for mounting the actuator cap 30 onto the
canister 20. The interior of the bottom skirt portion 31 is hollow,
defining an opening along the bottom edge 32 of the actuator cap
32. The bottom edge 32 of the actuator cap 30 frictionally engages
the upstanding rim 24 of the canister 20 to securely mount the
actuator cap 30.
[0035] The upper rim portion 34 extends from the lower skirt
portion 31 and provides an aperture or a top opening for
accommodating a depressible actuator tab 36. The upper rim portion
34 does not extend around the entire outer periphery of the
actuator cap 30 in order to provide a recess in the rim portion 34,
as shown in FIG. 3. The recess provides access to the actuator tab
36. The actuator tab 36 is pivotally secured to the actuator cap 30
by a flexible actuator hinge 40 (shown in FIG. 4A).
[0036] The actuator cap 30 further comprises a threaded projection
38 that extends outwardly from the upper rim portion 34 of the cap
30. The threaded projection 38 is adapted for receiving a threaded
connector of a discharge tube for delivering the released contents
of the canister 20 to the air conditioning unit of a vehicle. The
threaded projection 38 includes an opening 39 that allows the
released contents of the canister 20 to pass out of the actuator
cap 30. Preferably, the threaded projection 38 has a diameter of
{fraction (7/16)} inches and a pitch of 20 threads/inch to
accommodate an automobile air conditioning unit. For alternative
applications the threaded projection has a diameter of {fraction
(8/16)} or 1/2 inches and a pitch of 16 threads/inch. These
dimensions, however, are only exemplary and do not limit the
threaded projection 38. The dimensions of the threaded projection
38 may be altered to accommodate any fastener.
[0037] The actuator cap lid 50 is an openable, protective cover
that is secured to the actuator cap 30. The lid 50 has a flat top
surface 54 that prevents incidental depression of the actuator tab
36 when the invention 10 is not in use. The lid 50 further
comprises a open bottom portion 52 that is adapted for releasably
fitting over the upper rim portion 34 of the actuator cap 30. The
lid 50 is hingedly secured to the actuator cap 30 by a hinge 55
disposed along the lid 50.
[0038] FIG. 4A is a top view of the actuator cap 30. The actuator
tab 36 is a depressible tab that is pressed downward by the user's
finger. The top surface of the actuator tab 36 includes a plurality
of finger gripping grooves 37. The gripping grooves 37 provide a
frictional surface for the user's fingers. The actuator tab 36 is
secured to the cap 30 by hinge 40. The hinge 40 allows for movement
of the actuator tab 36 between an unactuated position and a
depressed actuated position. In the depressed actuated position the
valve stem 74 is actuated to release the contents of the canister
20.
[0039] FIG. 4B is a side cross sectional view of the actuator cap
30. A stem receiving orifice 33 is disposed on the bottom of the
actuator tab 36. When the actuator cap 30 is positioned on the top
of the canister 20, the stem receiving orifice 33 engages the top
of the valve stem 74. The actuator cap 30 further comprises a
discharge channel 35 that extends through the center of the
threaded projection 38 to the discharge opening 39. The discharge
channel 35 is in fluid communication with the valve stem 74 so that
as the contents of the canister 20 are released through the valve
stem 74 the discharge channel 35 will transfer the contents out of
the discharge opening 39.
[0040] The actuator cap 30 may optionally include an integrated
locking mechanism. The locking mechanism holds the actuator tab 36
in a depressed actuated position without the user having to hold
his finger on the tab 36. The locking mechanism preferably
comprises a lock hook 42 that is integrally formed in the skirt
portion 31 of the actuator cap 30. The locking mechanism also
comprises a lock engaging hook 44 on the bottom of the actuator tab
36. Once the actuator tab 36 is depressed to a certain degree, the
engaging hook 44 engages the lock hook 42 to lock the actuator tab
36 in place.
[0041] FIG. 3 depicts a conventional refrigerant charging hose 60.
The charging hose 60 is a conventional hose used my mechanics for
delivering refrigerant to the air conditioning unit of a vehicle.
The charging hose 60 comprises an elongate tubular main body 61
having a receiving end 62 and a discharge end 63. A threaded
fitting 64 is secured to the receiving end 62 of the charging hose
60. The threaded fitting 64 engages the threaded projection 38 of
the actuator cap 30. A disconnect coupler fitting 66 is secured to
the discharge end 63 of the charging hose 60. The disconnect
fitting 66 is a conventional fitting that is adapted to couple with
the recharging nipple on a vehicle air conditioning unit. The
canister with extension 10 may be designed with a discharge hose
integrally mounted to the threaded projection 38. This would
require, however, that a new hose be used every time a new canister
was used. According to one preferred embodiment of the present
invention the threaded projection 38 is adapted to engage the
threaded fitting 64 of a pre-existing conventional charging hose 60
so that the charging hose 60 may be removed and re-used with
subsequent canisters 20.
[0042] To operate the refrigerant canister with extension 10 the
user must first secure the actuator cap 30 to the top of the
canister 20. Next the threaded fitting 64 of the charging hose 60
is secured to the threaded projection 38 of the actuator cap 30.
The lid 50 is then removed revealing the actuator tab 36. The user
than depresses the actuator tab 36 to engage the valve stem 74 and
to release a portion of the canister's 20 contents. The user may
hold the actuator tab 36 down manually or use the locking device to
hold the tab 36 in the actuated position. The present invention 10
allows the user to regulate the portion of the contents that is
being released. If the user only needs to deliver a small amount of
refrigerant to a vehicle, then once the desired amount of the
contents is discharged, the user simply removes pressure from the
actuator tab 36 and replaces the lid 50 for later use.
[0043] According to certain aspects of the present invention 10,
the actuator cap 30 may be designed in two different forms. The
actuator cap 30 may be made pre-attached to a new canister 20. The
actuator cap 30 may also be made as an attachment for a
pre-existing canister 20. The actuator cap 30 is capable of fitting
onto any conventional aerosol type canister.
[0044] It is to be understood that the present invention is not
limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and
all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.
* * * * *