AU2020256461A1

AU2020256461A1 - Safety cut off hose

Info

Publication number: AU2020256461A1
Application number: AU2020256461A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Wei Sun
Original assignee: FIX A TAP AUSTRALIA Pty Ltd; FIX-A-TAP AUSTRALIA Pty Ltd
Current assignee: FIX-A-TAP AUSTRALIA Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2020-10-19
Filing date: 2020-10-19
Publication date: 2022-05-05

Abstract

The present invention comprises a safety cut off hose (10) that prevents damaged hoses or appliances from causing catastrophic flooding. The safety cut of hose comprises a hose with an inlet end (16) and an oulet end (18) and a fluid carrying conduit extending therebetween (28). The inlet end features a tap connector (22) that has within a safety cut off valve comprising valve body 36 with an inlet end and outlet end and which has an aperture (45) formed in its outlet end, a valve member (38) biased away from the aperture by spring (40). When the force of the water on the valve member 38 is equal to or greater than the biasing force of the spring (40), the valve member (38) becomes seated and closes aperture (45), thereby stopping the flow of water through the inlet end. The outlet end also has a tap connector (50) which has within it a flow rate limiting device which in the depicted embodiment consists of a flow rate disc (52) and o-ring (54). The flow rate limiter is used to smooth out the spikes in pressure that a connected appliance may cause in the water pressure within the hose. In use the flow rate limiter prevents flows exceeding the predetermined excess flow rate meaning that any such flows experienced are due to a burst pipe in which case the safety cut off valve operated to shut the hole off to prevent flooding.

Description

AUSTRALIA Patents Act, 1990 ORIGINAL COMPLETE SPECIFICATION

APPLICANT: Fix-A-Tap Australia Pty Limited (ACN 001 011 534)

INVENTOR: SUN, Wei

ADDRESS FOR SERVICE: Maxwells Patent & Trade Mark Attorneys Pty Ltd PO Box R1466 Royal Exchange Sydney, NSW, 1225

INVENTION TITLE: SAFETY CUT OFF HOSE

PRIORITY: Nil

The following statement is a full description of this invention including the best method of performing it known to the applicant:-

SAFETYCUT OFF HOSE TECHNICAL FIELD The invention lies in the field of plumbing apparatus used in commercial and domestic buildings. In particular the invention lies in the field of safety shut off devices to prevent flooding due to burst pipes, hoses and damaged appliances. BACKGROUND ART Burst water hoses are a problem for commercial and domestic building owners as a burst pipe or hose can release large volumes of water in a short period of time, leading to flooding and damage caused by built up water in a building. Some devices have been created that can shut off the flow of water in a hose however they are complicated, contain many moving parts and often have to be tended to after a cut off event by way of resetting the device by way of internal switching mechanisms. In many cases these devices are overly sensitive and shut down water flows when there is no burst hose or pipe. There is a need for a safety hose that is simpler in terms of its construction and more reliable in operation. It is an object of the invention to provide a safety cut off hose that ameliorates some or all of the aforementioned problems. DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION In a first aspect of the invention there is provided a safety shut off hose for preventing uncontrolled water flow from a tap or water source, the safety shut off hose comprising:

an inlet end adapted to be connected to a tap or water source;

an outlet end adapted to be connected to a water using device;

and a fluid conduit that extends therebetween the inlet end and outlet

end;

wherein the inlet end contains a shut off valve that is adapted to shut off the

flow of water provided by the tap or water source in the event the flow of water

exceeds a predetermined excess flow rate and wherein the outlet end contains a flow rate limiter to limit rate of the flow of water into the connected water using device to predetermined flow rate. Preferably the shut off valve comprises a valve seat, a valve member and biasing means wherein during operation at flow rates less than the predetermined excess flow rate, the valve member is displaced from the valve seat by the biasing means allowing water to flow past the valve member and through to the outlet end of the hose, and wherein at flow rates that exceed the predetermined excess flow rate, the force exerted by the flowing water on the valve member is sufficient to overcome the biasing means and the valve member becomes seated in the valve seat causing the flow of water to stop through the safety shut off hose.

More preferably the safety shut off valve further comprises a collar

which retains the valve member and biasing means within the valve seat which

together, form a safety cut off valve cassette that is able to be removeably

inserted from the inlet end of the safety cut off hose.

Preferably the flow rate limiter is a pressure compensating flow

regulator comprising an o-ring and flow rate disc.

In a second aspect of the invention there is provided a safety cut off

valve cassette for use in plumbing or gardening devices, fixtures or hoses

wherein the cut off valve cassette is adapted to cut off the flow of water through

the plumbing or gardening devices, fixtures or hoses when it exceeds a

predetermined excess flow rate, the safety cut of valve cassette comprising:

a cassette valve body having an inlet end and outlet end for the flow of

water;

a valve seat formed in the outlet end of the cassette valve body;

a valve member which is biased away from the valve seat by biasing

means; retaining means for retaining the valve member and biasing means within the cassette valve body; wherein during operation at flow rates less than the predetermined excess flow rate, the valve member is displaced from the valve seat by the biasing means allowing water to flow past the valve member and through the outlet end of the cassette valve body, and wherein at flow rates that exceed the predetermined excess flow rate, the force exerted by the flowing water on the valve member is sufficient to overcome the biasing means and the valve member becomes seated in the valve seat causing the flow of water to stop through the outlet of the safety cut off valve cassette.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 depicts the safety cut off hose of the present invention connected to a source of water and a water using device; Fig. 2 is a partial cutaway view of the safety cut off hose connected to a source of water; Fig. 3 is a cross section view along the horizontal axis of the safety cut off hose of the present invention; Fig. 4 is a exploded perspective view of the inlet end of the safety cut off hose of the present invention; Fig. 5 is a exploded side/top view of the safety cut off hose of the present invention; Fig. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the safety cut off valve's outlet end; Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the safety shut off valve cassette of the present invention; Fig. 8 is a exploded perspective view of the components of the flow rate limiting device at the outlet end; Fig. 9 is a top cross sectional view of the flow rate limiting device's components.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Referring to Fig. 1 there is depicted a safety cut off hose 10 of a first embodiment wherein the hose 10 is adapted to be connected directly to a source of water which in the present case is a tap 12 as well as a water using device 14. In alternate embodiments (not shown) the safety cut of hose way simply extend between a source of pressurised water and an outlet for such water. Fig. 2 depicts a cutaway view of the inlet end of a safety cut off hose 10 attached to a tap 12. Fig. 3 depicts the cross-section of safety cut off hose 10. Having regard to Figs. 2 and 3 it is noted that safety cut off hose 10 has an inlet end 16 and outlet end 18 with a hose 20 that extends therebetween. The inlet end 11 is adapted to be connected to taps via tap connector 22. In the present embodiment tap connector 22 takes the form of a hex nut with a threaded internal portion which is adapted to be threaded onto the threaded portion 21 of a tap. Tap connector 22 can take other forms including other conventional tap fittings. Tap connector 22 is connected in turn to valve housing 24 which is maintained within tap connector 22 by way of flange 26 of valve housing 24. The valve housing 24 is largely a hollow cylindrical body openings at either end. At the outlet end 18 opening of valve housing 24 there extends through inner tube 28. Inner tube may be a single ply tube or it may have multiple layers including outer reinforcing layers (not shown) which may include wires or braids to prevent or reduce kinking and twisting. Hose 20 may also comprise an outer layer which is comprised of a braided jacket 30 which in the present embodiment is a stainless steel braided or polymer layer for imparting strength to resist bursts. Traditional crimps 32 can be used adjacent to the connection between the valve housing 24 and hose 20 to strengthen the connection and to prevent damage to the hose 20. Figs. 3 and 4 depict the safety cut off valve components in detail in which it can be noted that when assembled, the safety cut off valve comprises a cassette 34 which can be inserted into the valve housing 24. This cassette 34 can be best seen depicted in Fig 7. The cassette 34 is comprised of a valve body 36 that is cylindrical and with openings at either end for water to flow

Ir iiflI),) therethrough. Cassette 34 also comprises a valve member 38 and biasing means comprising spring 40 which are both held in place within the body of the valve body 36 by spoked collar 42. In use, water flows through the apertures formed in the spoked collar and passes over the valve body 42 which is biased against the spoked collar 42. The valve body 38 has planar portions 46 which are perpendicular to the flow of the water through the valve cassette. Water flowing through the spoked collar 42 applies force to the planar surface or surfaces 46 which counteracts the biasing force provided by the spring 40. At a given rate, the flow of water exerts more force on the valve body 38 than is counterbalanced by spring 40. At that point the lower end of the valve body, namely, spigot 49, becomes seated in the lower end 43 of the valve body 36 and which then has the effect of closing the valve and shutting down the flow of water through aperture 45 formed in the lower part of the valve cassette 34. To reset the valve, the water pressure needs to be reduced to allow the spring 40 to re-bias the valve member 38 against spoked collar 42. This is usually achieved by removing the tap connector 22 from the tap, either partially or completely such that the pressure is reduced and the spring 40 can re-bias the valve body 38 to open aperture 45. In an alternate embodiment, a pressure release mechanism can be built into the safety cut off valve however that would increase complexity of the device. By releasing pressure by removing the tap connector 22 either partially or completely, this simplifies the design of the invention, thereby increasing its reliability and manufacturing efficiencies. The predetermined excess flow rate is a function of the strength of the spring 40 or biasing means used to keep the valve open as well as the shape of the valve member 38 which generates the opposite force when placed in the pathway of flowing water. The predetermined excess flow rate can be increased by increasing the strength of the spring or by increasing the planar surfaces 46 which generate the force that acts against the spring 40. Valve cassette 34 is held in place within the valve housing 24 by way of washer 48 which is adapted to be retained within the opening to the tap connector 22 from the valve housing 24. Valve cassette 34 can be easily removed by removing the washer 48 which releases the cassette from the inlet

Ir iiflI),) end 16.Valve cassettes 34 may have other applications such as for use in shower heads and gardening tap fittings and hose fittings. In a first embodiment of the invention, the shape and size of the valve member 38 and the strength of the spring 40 can be adjusted to operate at various flow rates. In the present embodiment it is designed to cut off when the flow exceeds 9L per minute. By reducing the surface area of planar portions 46 the rate at which the valve is activated is raised. By making the planar portions 46 larger, the rate at which the valve activates is reduced. The other end of safety cut off hose 10, appliance end 18, comprises a similar connector 50 for connecting the hose to an appliance or water using device (including devices such as showerheads). The connected 50 has contained within it a flow rate limiter which in the present embodiment is a pressure compensating flow regulator comprising a flow rate disc 52 and o-ring 54 which are held behind washer 56. The o-ring 54 reacts to pressure changes and adjusts its shape to decrease the amount of water going through the apertures 58 in flow rate disc 52. When a flow rate limiter is utilised within the cut off hose it has been found that the safety cut off valve engages much less often when there is an equally matched flow rate restrictor. This is because the flow rate limiter smooths over spikes in water flow cause by the connected water using device or appliance. By incorporating a flow rate limiter in hose 10, the safety shut off valve rarely shuts off the flow of water in the absence of a failure in the hose. For instance, in the present embodiment, the flow rate limiter and the safety cut off valve are set to activate or limit the flow to 9L a minute. As the flow into the device or appliance is limited to 9L per minute, the only real likelihood for a higher flow rate than 9L per minute at the tap end 16 is if the hose bursts and more than 9L a minute is released from the burst hose 20. The incorporation of a flow rate limiter in the safety cut off hose 10 improves the performance of the hose in so far as the hose required less attention during use. INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention has industrial applicability in the field of plumbing and plumbing apparatus.

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Claims

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1. A safety shut off hose for preventing uncontrolled water flow from a tap

or water source, the safety shut off hose comprising:

an inlet end adapted to be connected to a tap or water source and

containing a shut off valve cassette wherein the shut off valve cassette is

adapted to shut off the flow of water provided by the tap or water source in the

event the flow of water exceeds a predetermined excess flow rate;

an outlet end adapted to be connected to a water using device and

wherein the outlet end contains a flow rate limiter to limit rate of the flow of

water into the connected water using device to predetermined flow rate;

a fluid conduit that extends therebetween the inlet end and outlet end,

and

wherein the safety shut off valve cassette is inserted into the inlet end

of the safety shut off hose and wherein the safety shut off valve cassette

comprises:

a cassette valve body having an inlet end and outlet end for the flow of

water and wherein the cassette valve body is adapted to retained within the

inlet end of the safety shut off hose;

a valve seat formed in the outlet end of the cassette valve body;

a valve member which is biased away from the valve seat by biasing

means; retaining means for retaining the valve member and biasing means

within the cassette valve body;

wherein during operation at flow rates less than the predetermined

excess flow rate, the valve member is displaced from the valve seat by the

biasing means allowing water to flow past the valve member and through the

outlet end of the cassette valve body, and wherein at a flow rates that exceed

the predetermined excess flow rate, the force exerted by the flowing water on the valve member is sufficient to overcome the biasing means and the valve member becomes seated in the valve seat causing the flow of water to stop through the outlet of the safety shut off valve cassette.

2. The safety shut off hose of claim 1 wherein the retaining means for

retaining the valve member and biasing means within the cassette valve body

comprises a collar.

3. The safety shut off hose of claims 1 to 2 where the flow rate limiter is a pressure compensating flow regulator comprising an o-ring and flow rate disc.

4. The safety shut off hose of claims 1 to 3 wherein the safety shut off

valve cassette is removeably insertable into the inlet end of the safety shut off

hose.

5. The safety shut off hose of claims 1 to 4 wherein the fluid conduit of the safety shut off hose comprises at least one layer, including external layer, of

braided metal.

Dated this 1 6 th October 2020

Fix-A-Tap Australia Pty Limited Patent Attorneys for the Applicant MAXWELLS PATENT & TRADE MARK ATTORNEYS PTY LTD

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Fig. 1