Keg tapping system unit and valve interlock

Claim 1

A tavern unit for a keg tapping system, to which a pressure gas duct and a beverage duct are normally connected and which is detachably connectable to a keg unit that is installed in a keg and has an upwardly opening well into which opposite lugs project radially, said tavern unit having a body with a base portion which is rotatably receivable in said well and which cooperates with said lugs to provide a bayonet connection between said units, said tavern unit also having a lever projecting substantially radially from its body, above said base portion, whereby the tavern unit can be bodily rotated for engagement and disengagement of said bayonet connection, said lever also comprising a valve actuator that is swingable relative to the body downward to a valve open position providing for communication between the interior of said keg and said ducts and upward to a valve closed position that permits separation of the units without loss of gas or beverage, said tavern unit being characterized by: abutment means rigidly fixed to said lever for up and down motion therewith and projecting downwardly from said lever, towards said base portion, said abutment means being arranged for cooperation with one of said lugs on a keg unit and having (1) a downwardly facing abutment at its bottom which is engageable with a top surface on one of said lugs when said bayonet connection is not fully engaged, to prevent the lever from swinging down to its valve open position, and (2) a circumferentially facing abutment which is engageable with an opposing circumferentially facing surface on one of said lugs when said lever is in its lowered valve open position and which thus cooperates with said lug to then prevent rotation of the tavern unit to a position in which said bayonet connection is disengaged.