Normally, the pipe is fixed to the connecting device, for instance by soldering or welding. The connecting device comprises a so-called service valve, which will ensure that gas does not escape from the connecting device.

Mostly in hospitals it is considered normal practise to connect a gas connecting means in a detachable manner to the connecting device, a gas consumer apparatus being connected to the gas connecting means through a plug or a gas consumer coupling. The gas consumer apparatus can be an oxygen inhaling or therapeutic apparatus, a suction ejecting device or other similar device. Thus, the gas connecting means operates as an adapter between a connecting device fixedly attached to a gas pipe and a gas consumer apparatus.

Prior Art Presently available gas connecting means comprise a protruding tubular section. Normally, the gas connecting means is screwed onto the connecting device. The tubular section will engage the service valve when the gas connecting means is connected to the connecting device to open the service valve. To prevent gas from escaping from the gas connecting means a valve formed as a so-called gas opener is arranged in the gas connecting means. The gas opener is moved to an open position when a coupling or a plug of a gas consumer apparatus is connected to the gas connecting means.

In this arrangement there will normally be a gas pressure over the gas opener. The sealing means, normally 0-rings or similar devices, that are provided at the gas opener will be exposed to wear when the coupling of the

gas consumer apparatus repeatedly is inserted in and withdrawn from the connecting device. Furthermore, it is not unusual that the coupling of the gas consumer apparatus is damaged or is out-of-flatness as a result of a careless use. Such damages or irregularities will affect also the sealing capability of the sealing means in a negative way, for instance by damaging the 0-rings. When the sealing capability of the sealing means is deteriorated the risk of a gas leakage increases, which will cause problems. The gas connecting means normally is formed with guide means or fitting means to ensure that only couplings of a gas consumer apparatus and an associated gas connecting means can be connected. A system having such guide means is called GASINDEX.

Summary of the Invention An object of the invention is to lower the risk of a gas leakage of the type described above. This object has been achieved by the invention having the features of claim 1.

Further objectives and advantages with the invention are apparent from the description and the dependent claims below. In one embodiment of the invention the gas connecting means can be connected to the connecting device in an arbitrary angle.

Brief description of the drawings The invention will be described below in connection with an embodiment thereof, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which FIG 1 is a schematic section view of a gas connecting means and a connecting device according to prior art, FIG 2 is a schematic sectional view of a gas connecting means according to the invention and a connecting device,

FIG 3 shows in more detail a section from line IV-IV in FIG 4 of an embodiment of a gas connecting means according to the invention that is connected to a connecting device, and FIG 4 is a plan view from above showing the gas connecting means in FIG 3.

Detailed description In a prior art embodiment according to FIG 1 a connecting device 12 is fixedly attached to a gas pipe 11. A central hollow space of the connecting device 12 receives a service valve 13 formed as a washer. The washer covers completely a gas outlet 15 of the connecting device 12 and normally is pressed into the position shown by a helical spring (not shown).

A gas connecting means 10 according to prior art technique can be connected to the connecting device 12. The gas connecting means 10 is provided with an operating means 16 comprising a protruding tubular section 20. The protruding tubular section 20 will, at the connection of the gas connecting means 10 to the connecting device 12, engage the service valve 13 to open the service valve and to allow gas to flow out through recesses 36 at the end of the protruding tubular section 20. To prevent gas from escaping through a central opening 19 of the gas connecting means a valve formed as a so-called gas opener 18 is provided in the gas connecting means. The gas opener is actuated into an open position when a coupling or a plug 21 of a gas consumer apparatus is connected to the gas connecting means.

In the embodiment according to FIG 2 a connecting device 12 is fixedly connected to a gas pipe 11. The connecting device 12 can be of a conventional type. A central hollow space of the connecting device 12 receives a service valve 13 having a washer shaped valve body 14. The washer completely covers a gas outlet 15 of the connecting device 12 and is normally pressed into the position shown by a helical spring (not shown). The

washer will be pressed into the position shown also without the helical spring when gas is supplie at an overpressure through the pipe 11. In this position there is no leakage of gas.

A gas connecting means 10 according to the invention is connected to the connecting device 12. The gas connecting means 10 comprises an elongated slidable operating means 16. In the embodiment shown in FIG 2 the operating means 16 constitutes an extension of a specifically designed gas opener 18. The operating means 16 comprises also an intermediate adapter means 17. After connecting the gas connecting means 10 to the connecting device 12 the adapter means 17 has reached the position indicated by a dash and dot line. In this position the service valve 13 is not affected at all and therefore will remain in a closed position. As a result there can be no leakage of gas, even if the gas opener 18 or the sealing means around it has been damaged.

Preferably the adapter means 17 ends with a pointed section 22, and a corresponding pointed recess 23 is formed in the service valve 13. In this way it is avoided that the adapter means 17 becomes inclined or is positioned in an inaccurate way.

Not until the plug 21 is inserted into the gas connecting means 10 and engages the gas opener 18 the service valve 13 will be affected. When the plug 21 depresses the gas opener 18 the point of the adapter means 17 will depress the service valve 13 to allow gas to flow out through the gas outlet 15 of the connecting device 12. The gas may then flow freely through the gas connecting means 10 into the plug 21 passing by the opened gas opener 18. From that position the gas will reach the gas consumer apparatus that is connected to the plug.

In other embodiments according to the invention the gas opener 18 and the operating means 16 are formed by separate mechanical components. However, the operating means 16 or the adapter means 17 have such an extension or such a design that the service valve 13 remains

unaffected when the gas connecting means is connected to the connecting device. Furthermore, the operating means 16 is arranged to be affected by a plug 21, or a similar means of a gas consumer apparatus, that is inserted into the gas connecting means 10.

FIG 2 also shows how the gas connecting means 10 according to this embodiment of the invention can be connected to a connecting device 12. A flange 24 extends around the connecting device 12 and engages the gas connecting means 10. A ring 25 is provided under the flange 24. A plurality of holes is formed in the ring 25 for receiving screws. The gas connecting means 10 is formed with holes 26 in which screws inserted through the holes of the ring can be secured. Preferably the holes 26 are threaded. As a result of the gas connecting means 10 and the connecting device 12 being connected to each other without any requirement of a specific position of rotation it is possible to arrange the gas connecting means 10 in an arbitrary angular position in relation to the connecting device 12. In this way also the connection of different types of gas consumer apparatuses is facilitated.

In the embodiment according to FIG 3 a gas connecting means 10 is connected to connecting device 12 in the way schematically shown in FIG 2.

The gas connecting means 10 is connected also to a disengagement sleeve 27 through a gas outlet part 33. The disengagement sleeve 27 is used to lock and unlock, respectively, a plug 21. Furthermore, the disengagement sleeve 27 comprises also a gas-identifying ring 28 that is unique to each type of gas.

The pointed section 22 of the adapter means 17 is close to contact with the valve body 14 of the service valve. Thereby the gas outlet 15 is closed. A first helical spring 29 maintains the service valve 13 safely closed by biasing the valve body 14 against the gas connecting means 10. In a similar way a second helical spring 30 of the gas opener 18 safely is closed by biasing against a valve seat, or against an O-ring 31 arranged at the valve seat. Further 0-rings are arranged in a conventional manner at different

connecting points. Two guide pins 32, one of which shown in FIG 3, are also arranged between the gas connecting means 10 and the disengagement sleeve 27. The guide pins 32 are attached in holes that are bored in the gas connecting means 10 at a position that is unique to each type of gas, thereby ensuring that it is possible to mount only the appropriate gas outlet part 33 after dismantling for service or a similar task. The gas outlet part 33 is attached to the gas connecting means 10 by two locking screws 35.

The gas connecting means 10 is connected to the connecting device 12 in the following manner. A flange 24 extends around the connecting device 12, the flange engaging the gas connecting means 10. A ring 25 is arranged below the flange 24. A plurality of holes is formed in the ring for receiving screws 34. The gas connecting means 10 is formed with holes 26, in which the screws inserted through the holes in the ring can be attached.

The gas connecting means 10 and the connecting device 12 are clamped together by screwing the screws 34 into the holes 26.

The plan view of FIG 4 shows that the gas connecting means 10 is formed as a rectangular plate having holes 26 in the corners for receiving the screws 34. The locking screws 35 are available through holes in the disengagement sleeve 27.