Manifold apparatus

Abstract

Manifold apparatus comprising a manifold body and a plurality of fluid adapters, in which the manifold body comprises a primary fluid inlet, one or more secondary fluid inlets and a fluid outlet, in which the one or more secondary fluid inlets and the fluid outlet are provided with the first part of a connection means, in which the plurality of fluid adapters are provided with the second part of said connection means and are adapted to be releasably fitted to the one or more secondary fluid inlets and/or the fluid outlet, and in which the primary fluid inlet is provided with the second part of said connection means and is adapted to be releasably fitted to the fluid outlet of another manifold body with which it is usable.

1 . Manifold apparatus comprising a manifold body and a plurality of fluid adapters, in which the manifold body comprises a primary fluid inlet, one or more secondary fluid inlets and a fluid outlet, in which the one or more secondary fluid inlets and the fluid outlet are provided with the first part of a connection means, in which the plurality of fluid adapters are provided with the second part of said connection means and are adapted to be releasably fitted to the one or more secondary fluid inlets and/or the fluid outlet, and in which the primary fluid inlet is provided with the second part of said connection means and is adapted to be releasably fitted to the fluid outlet of another manifold body with which it is usable. 
   
   
       2 . Manifold apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  in which the connection means comprises a bayonet connector. 
   
   
       3 . Manifold apparatus as claimed in  claim 2  in which the first part of the connection means comprises the slot part of the bayonet connector, and in which the second part of the connection means comprises the pin part of the bayonet connector. 
   
   
       4 . Manifold apparatus as claimed in  claim 3  in which the first part of the bayonet connector comprises a connector body with an annular opening provided with a pair of opposed L-shaped slots, in which the second part of the bayonet connector comprises an annular boss adapted to fit axially into the annular opening and be rotatable therein, in which the annular boss is provided with a pair of pins on an outer surface thereof adapted to fit into the L-shaped slots. 
   
   
       5 . Manifold apparatus as claimed in  claim 4  in which the L-shaped slots each comprise a circumferentially extending inner section comprising an upper edge and a terminal end, in which said upper edge is arranged at an angle to an outer edge of the annular opening such that the distance between said upper edge and said outer edge of the annular opening increases towards said terminal end, and in which a pin indent is provided in said upper edge at said terminal end. 
   
   
       6 . Manifold apparatus as claimed in  claim 5  in which the circumferentially extending inner section comprises an aperture formed in the side of the connector body, and in which each L-shaped slot further comprises an axially extending inlet section comprising a trough formed in a surface of the annular opening. 
   
   
       7 . Manifold apparatus as claimed in  claim 6  in which the annular boss is provided with a circumferential slot between the pins and an end of the annular boss, which slot carries an O-ring seal. 
   
   
       8 . Manifold apparatus as claimed in  claim 7  in which the one or more secondary fluid inlets are provided with non-return valves when a fluid adapter is fitted thereon. 
   
   
       9 . Manifold apparatus as claimed in  claim 8  in which the one or more secondary fluid inlets comprise a cylindrical valve chamber disposed inside the annular opening, and provided with an aperture at an inner end thereof, in which the fluid adapters are provided with a valve seat which is disposed at an outer end of the valve chamber when a fluid adapter is fitted on a secondary fluid inlet, and in which a valve member is disposed in the valve chamber. 
   
   
       10 . Manifold apparatus as claimed in  claim 9  in which the valve member comprises a ball held against the valve seat by a coil spring, in which the coil spring is held in compression inside the valve chamber between the secondary fluid inlet and the fluid adapter. 
   
   
       11 . Manifold apparatus as claimed in  claim 10  in which the manifold apparatus further comprises an inlet adapter comprising the first part of said connection means at a first side thereof, and the first part of a second connection means at a second side thereof, in which the inlet adapter is adapted to be releasably fitted to the primary fluid inlet at said first side. 
   
   
       12 . Manifold apparatus as claimed in  claim 11  in which the primary fluid inlet is provided with a non-return valve when the inlet adapter is fitted thereon. 
   
   
       13 . Manifold apparatus as claimed in  claim 12 , in which the annular boss forming a part of the primary fluid inlet forms a valve chamber therein which is provided with an aperture at an inner end thereof, in which the inlet adapter is provided with a valve seat which is disposed at an outer end of the valve chamber when the inlet adapter is fitted to the primary fluid inlet, and in which a valve member is disposed in the valve chamber. 
   
   
       14 . Manifold apparatus as claimed in  claim 13  in which the valve member comprises a shuttle held against the valve seat by a coil spring, in which the coil spring is held in compression inside the valve chamber between the primary fluid inlet and the inlet adapter. 
   
   
       15 . Manifold apparatus as claimed in  claim 14  in which the inlet adapter is adapted to fit to a solenoid valve device with which the manifold apparatus is used, at its second side thereof. 
   
   
       16 . Manifold apparatus as claimed in  claim 15  in which the plurality of fluid adapters each comprise a hose tail adapted to be fitted to a hose line with which the manifold apparatus is used. 
   
   
       17 . Manifold apparatus as claimed in  claim 16  in which the plurality of fluid adapters comprise fluid adapters with hose tails of different sizes. 
   
   
       18 . Manifold apparatus as claimed in  claim 17  in which the manifold body is provided with mounting means adapted to allow it to be mounted to a surface. 
   
   
       19 . (canceled)