Provided are gas distribution apparatus with a delivery channel having an inlet end, an outlet end and a plurality of apertures spaced along the length. The inlet end is connectable to an inlet gas source and the outlet end is connectable with a vacuum source. Also provided are gas distribution apparatus with spiral delivery channels, intertwined spiral delivery channels, splitting delivery channels, merging delivery channels and shaped delivery channels in which an inlet end and outlet end are configured for rapid exchange of gas within the delivery channels.

A quick pressure reducer and cylinder valve for use with an SCBA includes a cylinder valve that connects to a pressure vessel, a pressure reduction assembly for reducing the pressure of breathing air provided by the pressure vessel, a probe, and an inlet/latch assembly. The probe includes a notch and a threadless probe tip, and the inlet/latch includes a corresponding receptacle and one or more latches adapted to fit into the notch to retain the probe in the receptacle. A pushbutton switch in the receptacle is triggered by insertion of the probe tip therein, thereby providing an electrical signal. Probes of different sizes may be used to correspond to different pressure capacities, and the inlet/latch assembly may be arranged either to permit the insertion of only one probe size or may be arranged to accept different sizes but to function differently based on the size of the probe. The latches are inoperable except at or below a nominal pressure.

Provided are gas distribution apparatus with a delivery channel having an inlet end, an outlet end and a plurality of apertures spaced along the length. The inlet end is connectable to an inlet gas source and the outlet end is connectable with a vacuum source. Also provided are gas distribution apparatus with spiral delivery channels, intertwined spiral delivery channels, splitting delivery channels, merging delivery channels and shaped delivery channels in which an inlet end and outlet end are configured for rapid exchange of gas within the delivery channels.

The present invention provides a sub-frame (10) for a valve body (12) having two or more location surfaces (14, 16), said sub-frame (10) comprising a first and a second portion (10a, 10b) having mutually confronting contact surfaces (18a, 18b), sides (20a, 20b) and front and back surfaces (22a, 22b) and mutually confronting engagement surfaces (24a, 24b and 26a, 26b) wherein said mutually confronting contact surfaces (18a, 18b) are shaped to engage with each other upon placement together of the two portions (10a, 10b) and said mutually confronting engagement surfaces (24a, 24b and 26a, 26b) are shaped to engage with one or other of said one or more location surfaces (14, 16) on the valve body (12).

A pressurized gas containing system has a cowling and mounting ring which supports a valve and regulator on a cylinder containing gas under pressure.