Shield device for pressurized gas cylinder

Abstract

The invention relates to a shield device for a pressurized gas cylinder, said shield device comprising a headpiece made of a plastic material having mutually arranged handling portions, and at least one cover made of a plastic material configured to close said headpiece from an upper side. The shield device further comprises at least one bracket fixed to an upper part of said cylinder, at least two intermediate pieces connected to said at least one cover, and at least two connection elements for enabling said at least two intermediate pieces and said at least one bracket to be detachably connected.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] SHIELD DEVICE FOR PRESSURIZED GAS CYLINDER

[0003] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0004] The present invention relates to portable pressurized gas cylinders, and more particularly to a shield device for a portable pressurized gas cylinder.

[0005] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0006] Pressurized gas cylinders are widely used in both domestic and industrial fields, and the commonly preferred material in the manufacture of said cylinders is steel. However, there are various disadvantages in the use of pressurized gas cylinders manufactured from steel material. Chief among these disadvantages is the problem of portability. In existing steel cylinders, there is a shield manufactured from the same material as the body of the cylinder, i.e., from steel. The characteristic properties of steel material lead to significant problems in the use of such a shield, since the shield also comprises handling grips. Particularly, the rigid structure of steel creates a comfort problem when the user grips the handling grip, and from an ergonomic perspective, the creation of surfaces suitable for gripping by the human hand cannot be ensured. This situation, especially when the cylinder contains a maximum level of gas, leads to serious difficulties in use and ergonomic problems for users.

[0007] On the other hand, applications where the shield is manufactured from plastic material are also known from the prior art. Said plastic shields can be mounted to the cylinder body by means of screw fastening elements. In such applications, specially designed screw systems can be used for fixing the shields to the cylinder body.

[0008] However, in existing plastic shield applications as well, various disadvantages are observed. For example, in a screwed arrangement, the production time is long and the cost is at a relatively high level.

[0009] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] To overcome the aforementioned drawbacks, the object of the present invention is to provide a shield device that is easily mountable, cost-effective, and ergonomically convenient for use.

[0011] In accordance with its objects, the present invention relates to a shield device for a pressurized gas cylinder, comprising a headpiece made of a plastic material having mutually arranged handling portions, at least one cover made of a plastic material configured to close said headpiece from an upper side, characterized by comprising at least one bracket fixed to an upper part of said cylinder, at least two intermediate pieces connected to said at least one cover, and at least two connection elements for enabling said at least two intermediate pieces and said at least one bracket to be detachably connected.

[0012] According to some exemplary embodiments of the invention, the bracket according to the invention may have a monolithic form. According to some exemplary embodiments of the invention, the bracket according to the invention may have various forms, preferably being circular. According to some exemplary embodiments of the invention, the bracket according to the invention may have a form extending upwards from the cylinder. According to some exemplary embodiments of the invention, the bracket according to the invention may comprise two pieces extending mutually when mounted separately to the cylinder.

[0013] According to some exemplary embodiments of the invention, the cover according to the invention may have a monolithic form. According to some exemplary embodiments of the invention, the cover according to the invention may have various forms, preferably being circular. According to some exemplary embodiments of the invention, the cover according to the invention may consist of two pieces extending mutually when mounted separately to the cylinder. According to some exemplary embodiments of the invention, the cover according to the invention may comprise downwardly extending connection extensions for connection with each intermediate piece.

[0014] According to some exemplary embodiments of the invention, the "connection element" may preferably comprise a form-fit structure. For example, the connection element may comprise a lug and a recess into which this lug is seated. The intermediate piece according to the invention may comprise a lug. In this case, the bracket may comprise a recess corresponding to each lug of the intermediate piece. According to some exemplary embodiments of the invention, the bracket according to the invention may comprise a lug for each intermediate piece. In this case, each intermediate piece may comprise a recess. According to some exemplary embodiments of the invention, the number of connection elements is at least two. Again, according to some exemplary embodiments of the invention, the connection elements may be positioned spaced apart from each other and preferably may be positioned symmetrically opposite each other with respect to the cylinder axis. According to some exemplary embodiments of the invention, it should also be appreciated that the "connection element" may be a snap-fit connection.

[0015] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES In Figure 1 , a representative drawing of the cylinder and the shield device arranged to be on the upper side thereof is provided in an exploded view.

[0016] In Figure 2, a representative drawing of a sectional perspective view of the cylinder and the shield device arranged to be on the upper side thereof is provided.

[0017] DESCRIPTION OF THE PART NUMBERS INDICATED IN THE FIGURES

[0018] 1 Cylinder

[0019] 1.1 Valve opening

[0020] 1.2 Cylinder upper side

[0021] 2 Shield device

[0022] 2.1 Headpiece

[0023] 2.1.1 Handling portion

[0024] 2.1.2 Cover space

[0025] 2.2 Cover

[0026] 2.2.1 Cover upper piece

[0027] 2.2.2 Cover extension

[0028] 2.2.3 Connection ends

[0029] 2.2.4 Cover-headpiece connection piece

[0030] 2.3 Intermediate piece

[0031] 2.3.1 Intermediate piece-headpiece connection

[0032] 2.3.2 Screw recess

[0033] 2.3.3 Lug

[0034] 2.4 Bracket

[0035] 2.4.1 Recess

[0036] 2.4.2 Bracket extension

[0037] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0038] In Figure 1 , a representative drawing of the cylinder (1) containing a pressurized gas such as LPG and the shield device (2) arranged to be on the upper side thereof is provided in an exploded view. At the uppermost end portion of the cylinder (1), a valve opening (1.1) is provided for the placement of a valve (not shown in the figure). The shield device (2), to be described below, is placed on the upper side (1 .2) of the cylinder such that said valve opening (1.1) remains in the center.

[0039] The shield device (2) according to the invention generally comprises a headpiece (2.1), a cover (2.2), a bracket (2.4), and an intermediate piece (2.3) providing connection between the cover (2.2) and the bracket (2.4).

[0040] The bracket (2.4) is generally fixed to the upper side (1.2) of the cylinder (1) using a welding method. Since the cylinder (1) is often manufactured from a material such as steel, which cannot be damaged by the pressurized gas therein, the bracket (2.4) may be made of a material suitable for welding with the cylinder (1), for example, a steel material such as S235JR. The bracket (2.4) can be manufactured in various forms. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, it may be in sheet metal form (preferably with a thickness such as 2mm) and, as seen in the figures, may be arranged in the form of two separately and mutually extending pieces. In such a case, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, each bracket (2.4) may have a form defining a ring-like segment. The arrangement of the bracket (2.4) as two separate pieces is a matter of design preference, and it should be appreciated that this bracket (2.4) may be in a monolithic, preferably circular form.

[0041] Each bracket (2.4) may have upwardly extending bracket extensions (2.4.2). According to some exemplary embodiments of the invention, although each bracket (2.4) comprises two bracket extensions (2.4.2), it should be appreciated that the number of these bracket extensions (2.4.2) may be one, three, etc. Each bracket extension (2.4.2) comprises a recess (2.4.1). Into these recesses (2.4.1), lugs (2.3.3), which will be described later, are seated. Between these extensions (2.4.2), there is preferably a gap.

[0042] As seen in the figures, a headpiece (2.1) is seated onto the upper side (1 .2) of the cylinder (1). The headpiece (2.1) comprises two mutually extending handling portions (2.1 .1), and on the lower sides of these handling portions (2.1.1), there is a space for the fingers of a hand to pass through. According to some exemplary embodiments of the invention, the lower side of the headpiece (2.1) may be arranged in a fully circular form so as to completely cover the upper side (1 .2) of the cylinder (1). The upper side of the headpiece (2.1), on the other hand, may be arranged in the form of ring-like segments. On the upper parts of these ring-like segments, there are cover spaces (2.1.2). According to some exemplary embodiments of the invention, the headpiece (2.1) may be manufactured from a plastic material, preferably from a thermoplastic material, which is polypropylene. When the headpiece (2.1) is seated on, i.e., mounted to, the upper side (1 .2) of the cylinder, the headpiece (2.1) covers some parts forming the bracket (2.4) and the intermediate piece (2.3) (to be described later) and the cover (2.2), and these components become invisible when viewed from the outside.

[0043] Again, as seen in the figures, the cover spaces (2.1.2) on the upper side of the headpiece

[0044] (2.1) are closed by means of respective covers (2.2). These covers (2.2) may, in a compatible manner, be in the form of ring-like segments. Each cover (2.2) comprises a cover upper piece (2.2.1) and cover extensions (2.2.2) extending downwardly therefrom. According to some exemplary embodiments of the invention, although each cover (2.2) comprises two cover extensions (2.2.2), it should be appreciated that the number of these cover extensions (2.2.2) may be one, three, etc. According to some exemplary embodiments of the invention, the cover (2.2) may be manufactured from a plastic material, preferably from a thermoplastic material, which is polypropylene.

[0045] At the lower portions of each cover extension (2.2.2), connection ends (2.2.3) are arranged. These connection ends (2.2.3) are formed to enable connection to the intermediate pieces (2.3) that will be described below. Each cover (2.2) comprises coverheadpiece connection pieces (2.2.4) extending downwards from the cover upper piece

[0046] (2.2.1). These cover-headpiece connection pieces (2.2.4) of the cover (2.2) are fitted into recesses (not shown in the figures) located in the headpiece (2.1).

[0047] The connection between the cover (2.2) and the bracket (2.4) is provided by means of an intermediate piece (2.3). For this purpose, the upper side of the intermediate piece (2.3) and the lower side of the connection ends (2.2.3) of the cover are connected to each other by joining. This connection, according to some exemplary embodiments of the invention, may be of a form-fit structure. The intermediate piece (2.3) comprises a lug (2.3.3) in an L-like form on its outer surface. This lug (2.3.3) is designed in a form that provides a detachable connection to the above-described bracket recess (2.4.1).

[0048] The longitudinal portion of the intermediate piece (2.3) may be in the form of a ring-like segment. The lug (2.3.3) is located on the upper side of this longitudinal portion, while on its lower side, there is a radially extending intermediate piece-headpiece connection

[0049] (2.3.1). This intermediate piece-headpiece connection (2.3.1) of the intermediate piece (2.3) is fitted into recesses (not be shown in the figures) located in the headpiece (2.1). In the middle portion of the intermediate piece-headpiece connection (2.3.1), a screw recess

[0050] (2.3.2) is provided, and after the intermediate piece (2.3) is fitted to the headpiece, a screw is screwed such that it remains within this screw recess (2.3.2). According to some exemplary embodiments of the invention, the number of intermediate pieces (2.3) to be used is equal to the number of bracket extensions (2.4.2). In the figures, the number of intermediate pieces (2.3), as with the bracket extensions, is shown as four. According to some exemplary embodiments of the invention, the intermediate piece (2.3) may be manufactured from a plastic material, preferably from a thermoplastic material, which is polypropylene or polyoxymethylene.

[0051] It should be appreciated that the detachable connection of the intermediate piece (2.3) with the bracket (2.4) may include alternative arrangements. For example, the lug (2.3.3) may be provided on the bracket (2.4) instead of on the intermediate piece (2.3). In this case, the recess (2.4.1) will also be arranged on the intermediate piece (2.3).

[0052] According to some exemplary embodiments of the invention, forthe assembly of the shield device (2), the lugs (2.3.3) on the intermediate pieces (2.3) are passed into the recesses (2.4.1) on the brackets (2.4), then the headpiece (2.1) is seated on the cylinder upper side, thereafter the intermediate piece-headpiece connections (2.3.1) are firmly seated in the corresponding recesses in the headpiece (2.1). Subsequently, screwing is performed such that it seats in the screw recess (2.3.2) in the middle portion of the intermediate pieceheadpiece connection (2.3.1), and the cover (2.2) is seated in the cover space (2.1 .2) in the headpiece (2.1); meanwhile, the connection ends (2.2.3) are seated onto the intermediate piece (2.3) from the upper side by an interference fit. Thus, since the lugs (2.3.3) are passed into the recesses (2.4.1), the cylinder (1) can be easily lifted by hand.

Claims

CLAIMS1 . A shield device (2) for a pressurized gas cylinder (1), comprising a headpiece (2.1) made of a plastic material having mutually arranged handling portions (2.1 .1), at least one cover (2.2) made of a plastic material configured to close said headpiece (2.1) from an upper side, characterized by comprising: at least one bracket (2.4) fixed to an upper part of said cylinder (1), at least two intermediate pieces (2.3) connected to said at least one cover (2.2), and at least two connection elements for enabling said at least two intermediate pieces (2.3) and said at least one bracket (2.4) to be detachably connected.

2. A shield device (2) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the at least two connection elements comprise a form-fit structure.

3. A shield device (2) according to claim 2, characterized in that each of said at least two connection elements comprises a lug (2.3.3) and a recess (2.4.1) wherein said lug (2.3.3) is seated.

4. A shield device (2) according to claim 3, characterized in that said lug (2.3.3) is provided on said intermediate piece (2.3) and said recess (2.4.1) is provided on said bracket (2.4); or said lug (2.3.3) is provided on said bracket (2.4) and said recess (2.4.1) is provided on said intermediate piece (2.3).

5. Ashield device (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said bracket (2.4) has a monolithic form.

6. A shield device (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said bracket (2.4) consists of two mutually extending pieces (2.4.2) when mounted separately to the cylinder (1).

7. A shield device (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said cover (2.2) has a monolithic form.

8. A shield device (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 4 or 6, characterized in that said cover (2.2) consists of two mutually extending pieces when mounted separately to the cylinder (1).

9. Ashield device (2) according to claim 6, characterized in that said bracket (2.4) is in a ringlike segment form.

10. A shield device (2) according to claim 8, characterized in that said cover (2.2) is in a ringlike segment form.1 1 . Ashield device (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said headpiece (2.1) and said cover (2.2) are manufactured from a thermoplastic material, which is preferably polypropylene.

12. Ashield device (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said intermediate piece (2.3) is manufactured from a thermoplastic material, which is preferably polypropylene or polyoxymethylene.

13. A pressurized gas cylinder (1), characterized in that it comprises the shield device (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

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