Gas cylinder quick release device

1. A device comprising:

a cylindrical upper assembly;

a cylindrical lower assembly arranged below the upper assembly on an axis common to the upper and lower assemblies; and

a handle which is mounted to move between a first position and a second position, wherein movement of the handle from the first position to the second position imparts axial displacement of the upper and lower assemblies away from each other along the axis;

wherein the lower assembly moves downward along the axis when the lower assembly is axially displaced away from the upper assembly.

2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the lower assembly moves along the axis without tilting with respect to the axis when the lower assembly is axially displaced away from the upper assembly.

3. The device of claim 1 , wherein the upper assembly includes:

a cylindrical sleeve;

a nut threadably engaged to the sleeve; and

a bearing surface carried below the nut.

4. The device of claim 3 , wherein the lower assembly includes:

a runner having a cylindrical body with a wide base, a top annular flange, and a sidewall having a reduced diameter with respect to the base and the top annular flange; and

a bearing surface carried above the runner.

5. The device of claim 4 , wherein the handle is mounted between the bearing surfaces of the upper and lower assemblies.

6. The device of claim 1 , wherein:

a collar engages both the upper and lower assemblies; and

one of the upper and lower assemblies is fixed to the collar, and the other of the upper and lower assemblies is mounted for axially reciprocation with respect to the collar.

7. The device of claim 6 , wherein:

the collar overlaps the upper and lower assemblies in lapping engagement;

the collar includes two pieces circumferentially set apart from each other; and

the handle is received between the two pieces of the collar.

8. A device comprising:

a cylindrical upper assembly;

a cylindrical lower assembly arranged below the upper assembly on an axis common to the upper and lower assemblies; and

a handle which is mounted at diametrically opposed positions with respect to the axis, to move between a first position and a second position, wherein movement of the handle from the first position to the second position imparts axial displacement of the upper and lower assemblies away from each other the axis;

wherein the lower assembly moves downward along the axis when the lower assembly is axially displaced away from the upper assembly.

9. The device of claim 8 , wherein the lower assembly moves along the axis without tilting with respect to the axis when the lower assembly is axially displaced away from the upper assembly.

10. The device of claim 8 , wherein the upper assembly includes:

a cylindrical sleeve;

a nut threadably engaged to the sleeve; and

a bearing surface carried below the nut.

11. The device of claim 10 , wherein the lower assembly includes:

a runner having a cylindrical body with a wide base, a top annular flange, and a sidewall having a reduced diameter with respect to the base and the top annular flange; and

a bearing surface carried above the runner.

12. The device of claim 11 , wherein the handle is mounted between the bearing surfaces of the upper and lower assemblies.

13. The device of claim 8 , wherein:

a collar engages both the upper and lower assemblies; and

one of the upper and lower assemblies is fixed to the collar, and the other of the upper and lower assemblies is mounted for axially reciprocation with respect to the collar.

14. The device of claim 13 , wherein:

the collar overlaps the upper and lower assemblies in lapping engagement;

the collar includes two pieces circumferentially set apart from each other; and

the handle is received between the two pieces of the collar.