Plate valve, particularly for piston compressors

A plate valve for piston compressors, which includes a valve guard defining a plurality of first recesses, a plurality of separate concentric annular plate (1), a plurality of elongated one-piece bridges positioned between said valve guard and said annular plates, each said elongated bridge defining at least one second recess facing said valve guard, at least one spring means extending into the second recess of each bridge to extend between said bridge and said valve guard, each elongated bridge being radially oriented and extending over at least a portion of at least two of said concentric rings so as to contact at least two of said concentric rings, said bridges, when lifted away from said annular plates, being guided into the first recesses of said valve guard to enclose said first recesses except for a guiding clearance, wherein a guided height (6) of the bridges (5) is at least equal to a maximum lifting height (7) of the annular plates (1) to accommodate uneven lifting movement of said annular plates, wherein said bridges include centering elements which abut said annular plates (1), and wherein said bridges guide said annular plates relative to said valve guard (2) along the entire lift.