Handle assembly for a portable pressurized gas cylinder

1. A method of assembling a portable gas cylinder comprising the steps of:

a) providing a gas cylinder for receiving a pressurized gas, the cylinder including an upper portion having a valve port and an annular mounting collar surrounding the valve port;

b) providing a handle assembly including a housing configured to mate with the upper portion of the gas cylinder, the housing having a central aperture for gaining access to the valve port, and an annular retention channel formed in an undersurface of the housing, extending about the periphery of the central aperture for receiving the annular mounting collar of the gas cylinder;

c) mating the housing of the handle assembly with the upper portion of the gas cylinder so that the mounting collar of the gas cylinder is located within the retention channel of the housing; and

d) engaging a blocking ring within the aperture of the housing to secure the mounting collar of the gas cylinder within the retention channel of the housing.

2. A method of assembling a portable gas cylinder according to claim 1 , wherein the step of mating the housing of the handle assembly with the upper portion of the gas cylinder so that the mounting collar of the gas cylinder is located within the retention channel of the housing includes positioning a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart arcuate flanges extending radially outwardly from the mounting collar within a corresponding plurality of circumferentially spaced apart arcuate seating areas formed in the retention channel of the housing.

3. A method of assembling a portable gas cylinder according to claim 1 , further comprising the step of rotating the handle assembly relative to the gas cylinder to position the plurality of circumferentially spaced apart arcuate flanges extending radially outwardly from the annular mounting collar within a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart arcuate reception grooves formed within the reception channel of the housing.

4. A method of assembling a portable gas cylinder according to claim 3 , further comprising the step of engaging a pair of diametrically opposed engagement tangs formed on the blocking ring within a pair of corresponding diametrically opposed engagement ports formed in the housing of the handle assembly on the periphery of the central aperture to prevent further rotation of the handle assembly relative to the gas cylinder.

5. A portable gas cylinder comprising:

a) a gas cylinder including an upper portion having a valve port and an annular mounting collar surrounding the valve port;

b) a handle assembly including a housing having a body portion configured to mate with the upper portion of the gas cylinder, a pair of diametrically opposed gripping handles extending upwardly from the body portion of the housing and a central aperture providing access to the valve port, wherein an annular retention channel is formed in an undersurface of the housing, extending about the periphery of the central aperture for receiving the mounting collar of the gas cylinder; and

c) a blocking ring for securing the mounting collar of the gas cylinder within the retention channel of the handle assembly, wherein the mounting collar includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart radially outwardly extending arcuate flanges, and the annular retention channel includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart arcuate reception grooves for receiving the plurality of flanges when the handle assembly is rotated relative to the gas cylinder upon the mating thereof.

6. A portable gas cylinder as recited in claim 5 , wherein the annular retention channel includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart arcuate seating areas adjacent to the plurality of circumferentially spaced apart arcuate reception grooves for initially accommodating the circumferentially spaced apart radially outwardly extending arcuate flanges prior to rotating the handle assembly relative to the gas cylinder.

7. A portable gas cylinder as recited in claim 5 , wherein the blocking ring includes an upper horizontal rim portion and lower vertical hub portion, and wherein a pair of diametrically opposed engagement tangs extend downwardly from an outer periphery of the rim portion for engaging a pair of corresponding diametrically opposed engagement ports formed in the housing of the handle assembly on the periphery of the central aperture to prevent further rotation of the handle assembly relative to the gas cylinder by blocking an adjacent arcuate flange of the mounting collar from moving out of an arcuate reception grooves.

8. A portable gas cylinder as recited in claim 7 , wherein the blocking ring includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart deflectable arcuate ramps that project radially outwardly from the hub portion to mechanically engage below the undersurface of housing to secure the blocking ring to the housing.

9. A portable gas cylinder as recited in claim 8 , wherein the deflectable arcuate ramps of the blocking ring are adapted and configured to produce an audible sound upon engagement with the undersurface of the housing to provide an indication that the blocking ring is firmly secured to the housing.

10. A handle assembly for a portable gas cylinder comprising:

a) a housing having a body portion configured to mate with an upper portion of the gas cylinder and including a pair of diametrically opposed gripping handles extending upwardly from the body portion, the housing defining a central aperture for gaining access to a valve port of the cylinder, wherein an annular retention channel is formed in an undersurface of the housing, extending about the periphery of the central aperture, for receiving an annular mounting collar of the gas cylinder which surrounds the valve port; and

b) a blocking ring for securing the mounting collar of the gas cylinder within the retention channel of the handle assembly, wherein the blocking ring includes an upper horizontal rim portion and lower vertical hub portion, and wherein a pair of diametrically opposed engagement tangs extend downwardly from an outer periphery of the rim portion for engaging a pair of corresponding diametrically opposed engagement ports formed in the housing of the handle assembly on the periphery of the central aperture to prevent further rotation of the handle assembly relative to the gas cylinder by blocking an adjacent arcuate flange of the mounting collar from moving out of an arcuate reception grooves.

11. A handle assembly for a portable gas cylinder as recited in claim 10 , wherein the annular retention channel includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart arcuate reception grooves for receiving a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart arcuate flanges extending radially outwardly from the annular mounting collar when the handle assembly is rotated relative to the gas cylinder upon the mating thereof.

12. A handle assembly for a portable gas cylinder as recited in claim 11 , wherein the annular retention channel includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart arcuate seating areas adjacent to the plurality of circumferentially spaced apart arcuate reception grooves for initially accommodating the circumferentially spaced apart radially outwardly extending arcuate flanges prior to rotating the handle assembly relative to the gas cylinder.

13. A handle assembly for a portable gas cylinder as recited in claim 10 , wherein the blocking ring includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart deflectable arcuate ramps that project radially outwardly from the hub portion to mechanically engage below the undersurface of housing to secure the blocking ring to the housing.

14. A handle assembly for a portable gas cylinder as recited in claim 13 , wherein the deflectable arcuate ramps of the blocking ring are adapted and configured to produce an audible sound upon engagement with the undersurface of the housing to provide an indication that the blocking ring is firmly secured to the housing.