Device for coupling an appliance to a cartridge of pressurized fluid

A valve coupling assembly for the coupling of an appliance to a valve head of a cartridge containing pressurized fluid, the valve coupling assembly comprising:

• a central core adapted for attachment to the appliance, the central core delimiting a passageway through which the pressurized fluid passes to the appliance, the passageway including a first axial bore along a longitudinal axis of the central core, the first axial bore forming a first opening on the underside of the central core;
• a cylindrical part located within the first opening of the first axial bore and having a sealed interface with the first axial bore, the cylindrical part including a second axial bore forming a second opening, the second axial bore containing an axial end piece for penetrating a valve within the valve head when the valve head is inserted into the second opening, the axial end piece being located along the longitudinal axis within the second axial bore, and the cylindrical part having radially projecting studs around the second opening of the second axial bore, the studs having peripheral faces forming cams, the studs being separated by spaces wider than the studs;
• an annular part rotateably attached to the central core around the first axial bore, the annular part having longitudinal tabs extending away from the first opening of the central core, the longitudinal tabs being narrower than the spaces, the longitudinal tabs forming gaps between one another, the gaps being wider than the studs, each tab having a cylindrical bearing surface on an interior perimeter and a catching tooth on an exterior perimeter, the catching tooth formed so as to fit tightly within an internal groove formed along an inner side of a rolled annular rim of a valve bowl on the cartridge, the valve bowl surrounding the valve head;
• and
• a turning member having a hub surrounding the annular part and a lever extending radially from the hub, an interior surface of the hub having longitudinal projections that engage longitudinal grooves formed on an outer perimeter of the annular part, the turning member rotating the annular part when the lever is rotated about the longitudinal axis, the turning member capable of rotating between an unlocked position and a locked position, the unlocked position permitting flexion of the tabs, and the locked position prohibiting flexion of the tabs;
• wherein beginning from the unlocked position, the longitudinal tabs flex inward between the studs as the catching teeth round the rolled annular rim when the valve coupling assembly engages the valve bowl of the cartridge, the longitudinal tabs thereafter sliding into the internal groove as the tabs flex outward, the longitudinal tabs being braced against the rolled annular rim as the turning member rotates the annular part about the longitudinal axis from the unlocked position to the locked position, causing the cams of the studs to engage the cylindrical bearing surfaces of the tabs, pushing the tabs outward.