Retaining means for sphygmomanometer valve control head

Claim 1

A release valve for controlling the release of fluid under pressure form a blood pressure measuirng apparatus comprising inflatable means and source means providing said inflatable means with said fluid under pressure, said release valve including a valve body communicating with said inflatable means for permitting fluid flow therebetween, valve means movable between open and closed positions with respect to said body for controlling the release of said fluid under pressure, said valve means including a control head movable to positions corresponding to said open and closed positions of said valve means, a guide element on said valve body for directing the movement of said control head, self-closing means cooperating with said valve means to maintain said valve means in said closed position, and retaining means for releasably coupling said control head and said guide element to selectively maintain said valve means in said open position against the action of said self-closing means, said retaining means including a chamber in said control head, said chamber having an opening and a first portion of a larger diameter than the outside periphery of said guide element to allow relative movement of said control head over said guide element, and a second portion narrowed to a smaller diameter than said outside periphery of said guide element to releasably couple said control head and said guide element against the action of said self-closing means in a position corresponding to said open position of said valve means.