Universal check valve assembly

A check valve assembly, suitable for insertion into a fluid flow conduit leading from a source of fluid flow to a user of the fluid flow, said check valve assembly comprising:

• a.) a housing having an inlet port and an outlet port communicating with a central chamber in said housing;
• b.) valve means disposed in said central chamber for permitting fluid flow from said inlet port through said chamber to said outlet port, and for preventing a reversal of fluid flow from said outlet port through said chamber to said inlet port, said valve means comprising a flat disc-shaped valve seat containing a plurality of flow apertures and having first and second disc surfaces and a disc periphery, and further including reinforcing means integrally mounted on a disc surface;
• c.) first attachment means associated with said inlet port for attachment of said inlet port to a first fluid flow conduit leading from a source of fluid flow, said first attachment means including a first section having a first outer dimension and a second section having a second outer dimension different from said first dimension, whereby first fluid flow conduits of different dimensions can be attached to the inlet port of said check valve assembly;
• d.) second attachment means associated with said outlet port for attachment of said outlet port to an adapter element means;
• and,
• e.) adapter element means including means for connecting said adapter element means to said second attachment means and to a second fluid flow conduit leading to a fluid flow user.