CN112384724A

CN112384724A - Pedal type water flow regulating device

Info

Publication number: CN112384724A
Application number: CN202080003007.2A
Authority: CN
Inventors: D·R·莱维特; P·奥格尔维; J·梅汉; F·加西亚
Original assignee: Reinforced Bubbles Co
Current assignee: Reinforced Bubbles Co
Priority date: 2019-03-04
Filing date: 2020-03-04
Publication date: 2021-02-19
Also published as: US20200284004A1; EP3935300A1; WO2020180992A1; EP3935300A4

Abstract

A water flow regulating device has a body with an inlet opening and at least one outlet opening. Each outlet opening is associated with an actuating means which controls the flow of water out of the associated outlet opening. The user may depress a pedal or cap to selectively control the flow of water to one of the openings in the outlet.

Description

Pedal type water flow regulating device

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application serial No.62/813,447, filed on 3,4, 2019, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to flow control devices and, more particularly, to a foot-operated flow control device that is particularly suitable for use with garden hoses and garden implements such as sprinklers and water sprays.

Background

Most houses and residential buildings have a faucet (or hose faucet) for connecting to a hose to supply water to the outdoor space. For example, many houses and residential buildings have gardens and other plants grown by residents. In many areas, it is difficult to keep the rainfall uniform enough to sustain plants grown by inhabitants. Thus, water is provided to the plants from the faucet via a hose or other flexible conduit. Also, many people use water from a faucet for other activities, such as car washing, cleaning sidewalks, or other water-based activities.

For some people, it is difficult to reach the faucet due to conditions such as arthritis or other mobility difficulties. In addition, it is difficult to actuate the faucet, typically by turning the wheel handle, because the wheel handle is difficult to grasp and open and close.

In addition, building faucets are often found in inaccessible locations, such as under floors, behind shrubs, or other locations in awkward positions. Thus, it is difficult or cumbersome to turn the faucet on and off each time water flow is started and stopped. Permanently moving the faucet is an expensive solution.

Accordingly, many times, water from a faucet is used in a variety of applications. If there is only one faucet accessible, it is necessary to move the hose or water device between applications. Therefore, when the water tap must be turned on/off every time the hose is moved or the garden tool is replaced, the problem of turning on and off the water tap becomes troublesome.

Accordingly, there is a need for a device that provides an easier way to control water flow from a faucet. In addition, there is also a need for a device that provides a more accessible location for controlling water flow, and more particularly, a device that allows for control of multiple hoses even where only one faucet or faucet is provided.

Disclosure of Invention

A new flow regulating device has been invented. The new flow adjustment allows for control of water flow by foot pedal. This allows control of the flow without needing to bend over and without needing to grasp and manipulate the control at the faucet. In some embodiments, the device has a plurality of outlet openings each controlled by a foot pedal. The present flow regulating device has an inlet to be coupled with a hose, allowing the flow regulating device to be placed in a more convenient, more easily accessible location. To start or stop the flow of water, the user need only step on one of the foot pedals.

Accordingly, in at least one aspect of the present invention, the invention may be generally characterized as providing a flow conditioning device having: a body having an inlet opening and at least one outlet opening; and at least one foot pedal. Each outlet opening is associated with a foot pedal. Each foot pedal is configured to start or stop a flow of water out of the associated outlet opening. It is contemplated that the foot pedal is disposed on an upper surface of the body. It is also contemplated that the inlet opening is located on one side of the body and the outlet opening from the plurality of outlet openings is located on an opposite side of the body. It is also contemplated that the flow adjustment device includes a plurality of spikes located on an opposite side of the body relative to a side of the body that includes a foot pedal from the plurality of foot pedals. It is also contemplated that the body is formed of two members. It is even further contemplated that the body includes a manifold for dispensing water. It is also contemplated that the outlet opening is provided in a wear plate that is removably secured to the body. It is also contemplated that the device includes a plurality of actuators, and each foot pedal is in communication with one of the actuators from the plurality of actuators. It is also contemplated that each foot board includes a side wall that is visually distinguishable from the top surface of the foot board to provide a visual indication of the position of the foot board.

In another aspect, the invention may be generally characterized as providing an apparatus for regulating water flow, the apparatus having: a body having an inlet opening and at least one outlet opening; and at least one pedal. Each outlet opening may be associated with a step, and each step may be configured to move to start or stop the flow of water through the associated outlet opening. It is contemplated that at least one pedal is disposed on the upper surface of the body. It is also contemplated that the inlet opening is located on one side of the body and the at least one outlet opening is located on an opposite side of the body. It is also contemplated that the device includes a plurality of spikes on an opposite side of the body relative to the at least one pedal. The body may be formed of two members. The body may form a manifold for dispensing water. It is contemplated that the device includes at least one actuator and that each pedal is in communication with one actuator. Each tread may have a sidewall that is visually distinguishable from a top surface of the tread to provide a visual indication of the position of the tread.

In yet another aspect, the invention may broadly be said to consist in providing an apparatus for regulating water flow, the apparatus comprising: a body having an inlet configured to be secured to a water source and a plurality of outlets, each outlet from the plurality of outlets in communication with the inlet; and a plurality of actuating devices. Each actuation device is associated with an outlet from the plurality of outlets and includes a member with a bore extending therethrough. The member is configured to move to align the aperture with the inlet and associated outlet so as to initiate a flow of water from the inlet through the associated outlet. It is contemplated that each actuation device includes an upper cam member and a lower cam member. The upper and lower cam members may each have complementary configured surfaces configured to engage each other and rotate the lower cam member. Each of the actuating devices may further include at least one spring for biasing one of the upper cam member or the lower cam member. Each actuation device may further include a cover configured to be operated by a user to rotate the lower cam member. It is contemplated that each actuator includes at least one seal disposed between the bore and the inlet, and each seal may have a wall with an undulating surface. It is also contemplated that the body includes a plurality of cylindrical housings and each cylindrical housing contains one of the components of the actuation device. Each cartridge housing may have a cover configured to be manipulated by a user to move the member to align the aperture with the inlet and associated outlet. The cover may be configured to rotate the member.

In yet another aspect, the invention may be generally characterized as providing an apparatus for regulating water flow, the apparatus having: a body having an inlet configured to be secured to a water source and a plurality of outlets, each outlet from the plurality of outlets in communication with the inlet; and a plurality of actuation devices, each actuation device associated with an outlet from the plurality of outlets and each actuation device including an upper cam member and a lower cam member, the lower cam member having an aperture extending therethrough. The lower cam member may be configured to be rotated to align the aperture with the inlet and associated outlet so as to initiate water flow from the inlet through the associated outlet. It is contemplated that the device further includes a plurality of covers, each cover associated with one of the actuating devices.

Further aspects, embodiments and details of the invention, which can all be combined in any way, are set forth in the following detailed description of the invention.

Drawings

One or more exemplary embodiments of the invention will now be described in connection with the following drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a top view of an apparatus according to one or more embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 2 shows a top side perspective view of the device depicted in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a bottom elevation view of the device depicted in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 shows a bottom side perspective view of the device depicted in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 shows an exploded view of the device depicted in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of another apparatus according to one or more embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a perspective side elevation view of another device according to one or more embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is an exploded front view of the device depicted in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the cover of the device depicted in FIGS. 7 and 8;

FIG. 10A is a top view of a seal used in the device depicted in FIGS. 7 and 8;

FIG. 10B is a bottom view of the seal depicted in FIG. 10A;

FIG. 10C is a side view of the seal depicted in FIG. 10A;

FIG. 10D is another side view of the seal depicted in FIG. 10A, rotated 90 degrees as compared to the side view of FIG. 10C;

FIG. 11A is a top exploded view of a catheter used in the device depicted in FIGS. 7 and 8; and

fig. 11B is a front exploded view of the catheter of fig. 11A.

Detailed Description

As described above, new water flow regulating devices have been invented. The new device has a pedal to control the water flow, preferably by the foot of the user. Thus, with the thrust of the user's foot, the water pressure applied to the hose can be controlled without having to return to the faucet each time. The present flow regulating device can be placed in a convenient location and connected to a building faucet by a hose. Once the faucet has been opened and flows to the flow regulating device, the flow of water out of the flow regulating device is controlled by the stepping of one or more foot pedals.

With these general principles in mind, one or more embodiments of the present invention will be described with the understanding that the following description is not intended to be limiting.

As shown in fig. 1-5, the new flow regulating device 10 includes an upper body member 12 and a lower body member 14 that together form a body 16. The body 16 includes an inlet opening 18. An inlet opening 18 is provided at a forward end 20 of the body 16. A rear end 22 of the body 16, opposite the front end 20, includes at least one

outlet opening

24a, 24b, 24 c. Although the depicted embodiment includes three

outlet openings

24a, 24b, 24c, any number of outlet openings may be included, including one, two, four, five, six, etc. The inlet opening 18 and the

outlet openings

24a, 24b, 24c are each located on a neck portion 26 or recessed portion extending away from the body 16.

According to at least one aspect, the body 16 can form a manifold for distributing water to the

outlet openings

24a, 24b, 24 c. Thus, the material of the body 16 should be strong enough to withstand the water pressure from the domestic water supply. Alternatively, the body 16 may house a pipe or other conduit 29 (fig. 7) for distributing water within the body 16.

The inlet opening 18 is coupled to a hose (not shown) and thus includes a coupling member 28, which may be an 3/4 inch threaded female hose coupling. Preferably, the coupling member 28 is freely rotatable on the neck 26. In addition, each of the

outlet openings

24a, 24b, 24c is also intended to be coupled to a hose. Accordingly, each of the necks 26 associated with the

outlet openings

24a, 24b, 24c includes a coupling member 34, which may be an 3/4 inch threaded male hose coupling. The depicted

coupling members

28, 34 are merely exemplary.

In the depicted embodiment, the first outlet opening 24b is aligned with the inlet opening 18. As shown in FIG. 1, "aligned" means that the approximate centers of the inlet opening 18 and the outlet opening 24b are located along the central axis A1-A1 of the body. The

additional openings

24a, 24c are positioned such that a2-a2, A3-A3 intersecting the approximate center of the

outlet opening

24a, 24c forms an angle a1, a2 of approximately 45 deg. with the central axis a1-a1 of the center of the inlet opening 18, with the central axis a1-a 1. Furthermore, in order to provide an even flow distribution, the

additional outlet openings

24a, 24c are preferably equally spaced from the first outlet opening 24 b. The depicted arrangement is merely preferred.

Referring to fig. 5, the neck 26 of the

outlet openings

24a, 24b, 24c is preferably located on a wear plate 38 that is separate from the body 16. This will allow the wear plate 38 to be switched and made of a different material relative to the body 16. Additionally, the wear plate 38 may protect the coupling 34.

Turning to fig. 1, a plurality of

pedals

42a, 42b, 42c, preferably sized and configured to be operated by foot, are disposed on the upper surface 40 of the flow regulating device 10. Each

foot pedal

42a, 42b, 42c controls the flow of water through one of the

outlet openings

24a, 24b, 24c in the body 16. Although the depicted embodiment includes three

foot pedals

42a, 42b, 42c, any number of foot pedals may be included, including one, two, four, five, six, etc., so long as each outlet opening 24a, 24b, 24c is associated with one of the

foot pedals

42a, 42b, 42 c.

Accordingly, turning to fig. 6, each

foot pedal

42a, 42b, 42c is in communication with an

actuating device

44a, 44b, 44c that allows or prevents water flow through the respective outlet opening 24a, 24b, 24 c. The actuating means 44a, 44b, 44c may be any structure that moves between an open configuration and a closed configuration to allow or prevent water flow.

Exemplary actuators

44a, 44b, 44c include ball valves, butterfly valves, plug valves, pistons, and other structures that can be moved into and out of the water path to control water flow. The

actuators

44a, 44b, 44c may be directly engaged by the

foot pedals

42a, 42b, 42c, or the

actuators

44a, 44b, 44c may be in pneumatic, electrical, or other indirect (i.e., with intermediate structure) communication with the

foot pedals

42a, 42b, 42 c.

Preferably, the

foot pedal

42a, 42b, 42c is movable in or away from an original orientation that indicates whether the associated

actuation device

44a, 44b, 44c is in one of the open or closed configurations. To provide a visual indication as to whether the

foot pedals

42a, 42b, 42c are in the home position (and thus whether the

actuators

44a, 44b, 44c are in the open orientation or the closed orientation), the side walls 45 of the

foot pedals

42a, 42b, 42c may be visually distinguished from the top surface 47 of the

foot pedals

42a, 42b, 42c, for example, using a bright color or a different surface texture. The

foot pedals

42a, 42b, 42c may be biased to return to the original orientation, for example mechanically by means of a spring, or via the material of the foot pedals, or via pressure from, for example, the water pressure within the body 16.

For example, if the original orientation indicates that the

actuators

44a, 44b, 44c are in the closed configuration, the

foot pedals

42a, 42b, 42c may be spaced apart and extend above the upper surface 40 of the body 16 such that the side walls 45 are visually perceptible. If the

foot pedal

42a, 42b, 42c is stepped on to change the actuating means 44a, 44b, 44c to the open configuration, when the user's foot is moved away from the

foot pedal

42a, 42b, 42c, the foot pedal will stay in a displaced orientation (relative to the original orientation) in which the side wall 45 is not readily visually perceptible. Thus, by the orientation of the

foot pedals

42a, 42b, 42c, information is provided to the user regarding whether the

actuators

44a, 44b, 44c are in the open or closed configuration. This illustration is intended as an example, and it should be understood that in the original orientation of the

foot pedals

42, 42b, 42c, the side wall 45 may be visually perceived, or the

actuation devices

44a, 44b, 44c may be in the open configuration, or both.

To better maintain the flow conditioning device 10 in a desired position when deployed by a user, a plurality of spikes 46 extend away from a bottom surface 48 of the flow conditioning device 10. The spike 46 may be made of a material that is sufficiently rigid to be driven into the ground. In addition, the backing plate 50 is secured to the body 16 by, for example, the spikes 46. The pad 50 is located between the body 16 and the ground and may be made of a material that also maintains the flow conditioning device 10 in a desired position. Additionally, the shim plate 50 protects the body 16 from damage such as rocks or other hard objects adjacent the flow regulating device 10.

In use, a water supply hose with one end at the tap is coupled at its second end to the inlet opening 18 by a coupling member 28. Further hoses may be coupled to the

outlet openings

24a, 24b, 24c by their respective couplings 34. The water may be turned on at the faucet.

If the actuating means 44a, 44b, 44c is in the "closed configuration", no water will flow out of the

outlet openings

24a, 24b, 24 c. When the user wishes to initiate water flow to a particular hose, the desired

foot pedal

42a, 42b, 42c is depressed, changing the configuration of the associated

actuator

44a, 44b, 44c to the "open configuration" and thus initiating water flow through the respective outlet opening 24a, 24b, 24 c. To stop the flow of water, the

same foot pedal

42a, 42b, 42c is depressed to change the configuration of the associated

actuator

44a, 44b, 44c back to the "off configuration".

Turning to fig. 7 and 8, another apparatus 110 of the present invention is shown, wherein like features to the embodiment of fig. 1-5 have the same reference numerals, but increased by "100".

In the device 110 of fig. 7 and 8, there are two

outlets

124a, 124b, which are again each associated with an

actuating device

144a, 144 b.

As shown in fig. 8, each actuator 144a, 144b includes an upper cam member 152, an upper spring 154, a lower cam member 156, and a lower cam spring 158. The components of each actuator 144a, 144b are retained within a cylindrical housing 160 that extends out of the body 16. A cap cover 162 may be screwed to a lower end of each cylindrical housing 160, and

caps

142a, 142b may be slidably fixed to an upper end of each cylindrical housing 160. The

caps

142a, 142b can be moved up and down on the cartridge housing 160 to control the fluid flow out of the associated

outlets

124a, 124 b.

At least one protrusion 161 is provided at the top of each cylindrical housing 160. Preferably, there are two or more projections 161. Each projection 161 includes an extension 163 that projects outwardly away from an outer surface 165 of the cylindrical housing 160. The extensions 163 are sized to interfere with annular flanges 167 on the bottom of the

covers

142a, 142b (see fig. 9). The projections 161 are displaceable inwardly so that the

covers

142a, 142b can slide downwardly on the extensions 163. The extension 163 may have a sloped top surface to allow for easier assembly. Once the flange 167 has passed the extension 163, the projection 161 may return to the depicted configuration in which the extension 163 is positioned to prevent removal of the flange 167 from the cartridge housing 160. However, to allow for removal, each

cover

124a, 124b includes an access port 169 that allows the tab 161 to be pressed inward with a pin or the like so that the flange 167 can clear the extension 163 and be removed from the cylindrical housing 160.

As shown in fig. 8, each lower cam member 156 includes a body 166 having a bore 168 extending therethrough. In the "open configuration" for the actuating means 144a, 144b, the aperture 168 is aligned with the inlet opening 118 and the associated

outlet openings

124a, 124 b. Thus, water is permitted to flow from the inlet opening 118 through the body 166 of the lower cam member 156 and out of the device 110 through the associated

outlet openings

124a, 124 b. In the "closed configuration" for actuating

devices

144a, 144b, aperture 168 is misaligned with inlet opening 118. Accordingly, water is prevented from exiting the device 110 through the associated

outlet openings

124a, 124b by the body 166 of the lower cam member 156.

To change from the "open configuration" to the "closed configuration" and vice versa, the lower cam member 156 includes an upper surface 170 that is complementarily configured with a lower surface 172 of the upper cam member 152. The upper cam member 152 includes a vertical groove 174 that engages with a protrusion 175 (see fig. 11A) on the inner surface of the cylindrical housing 160.

In a known manner, when the user presses the

caps

142a, 142b, the upper cam member 152 is displaced downward. The upper surface 170 of the lower cam member 156 and the lower surface 172 of the upper cam member 152, together with the bias of the

springs

154, 158 and the slot 174 and projection cooperate to rotate the lower cam member 156 through an angle of 45 degrees about its vertical longitudinal axis. When the user releases the

covers

142a, 142b, the lower cam member rotates another 45 degrees of rotation.

As shown in fig. 10A-10D, the device 110 may include seals 176 disposed on opposite sides of the lower cam member 156 to reduce any leakage of water into and out of the body 166 of the lower cam member 156. The seal 176 may include a wall 178 that extends away from the seal 176. The wall 178 has an undulating outer surface 180 such that when viewed from the side, the outer surface 180 of the wall 178 is concave (fig. 10C), but when rotated 90 ° about its longitudinal axis, the outer surface 180 of the wall 178 is convex (fig. 10D). This configuration allows the seal 176 to conform to the cylindrical shape of the body 166 of the lower cam member 156.

Turning now to fig. 11A and 11B, conduit 129 of flow conditioning device 110 is shown in greater detail. More specifically, the conduit 129 and the cartridge housing 160 are secured together by complementary threaded

portions

190a, 190 b. The conduit 129 comprises two

conduits

129a, 129b with one of the

outlet openings

124a, 124b and one conduit 129c with the inlet opening 118. Each of these

conduits

129a, 129b, 129c includes a male threaded extension 190a that is received in a female threaded bore 190b in the cartridge housing 160.

Accordingly, with the present

flow regulating device

10, 110, the user does not need to bend down at the faucet to start and stop the water. Instead, the water flow can be started/stopped by simply pushing the pedal with the user's foot. In addition, by providing multiple outlets, each with independent control, the

flow regulating device

10, 110 allows multiple hoses to be selectively supplied with water and controlled independently of each other. Finally, by using a design that is controllable by the user's foot, the

device

10, 110 can be placed in an easily accessible location and can be operated with minimal effort to provide a more pleasing gardening experience.

It is to be understood and appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that various other components are not shown in the drawings, as the details of such components are believed to be well within the knowledge of one of ordinary skill in the art and are not necessary to the practice or understanding of the embodiments of the present invention. While at least one exemplary embodiment has been presented in the foregoing detailed description of the invention, it should be appreciated that a vast number of variations exist. It should also be appreciated that the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments are only examples, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the invention in any way. Rather, the foregoing detailed description will provide those skilled in the art with a convenient road map for implementing an exemplary embodiment of the invention, it being understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements described in an exemplary embodiment without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims and their legal equivalents.

Claims

1. An apparatus for regulating water flow, the apparatus comprising:

a body having an inlet opening and at least one outlet opening; and the number of the first and second groups,

at least one pedal, one pedal associated with each outlet opening, and each pedal configured to move to start or stop water flow through the associated outlet opening.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein at least one pedal is disposed on an upper surface of the body.

3. The device of claim 1 or 2, wherein the inlet opening is located on one side of the body, and wherein the at least one outlet opening is located on an opposite side of the body.

4. The device of any one of claims 1-3, further comprising a plurality of spikes located on an opposite side of the body relative to the at least one pedal.

5. The device of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the body is formed from two members.

6. The device of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the body comprises a manifold for dispensing water.

7. The device of any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising at least one actuation device, each pedal being in communication with one actuation device.

8. The device of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein each tread comprises a sidewall that is visually distinguishable from a top surface of the tread to provide a visual indication of the position of the tread.

9. An apparatus for regulating water flow, the apparatus comprising:

a body having an inlet configured to be secured to a water source and a plurality of outlets, each outlet from the plurality of outlets in communication with the inlet, and,

a plurality of actuating devices, each actuating device associated with an outlet from the plurality of outlets, and each actuating device comprising a member having a bore extending therethrough,

wherein the member is configured to be moved to align the aperture with the inlet and associated outlet so as to initiate a flow of water from the inlet through the associated outlet.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein each actuation device comprises an upper cam member and a lower cam member.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the upper cam member and the lower cam member each include complementary configured surfaces configured to engage each other and rotate the lower cam member.

12. The device of claim 10 or 11, wherein each actuation device further comprises at least one spring for biasing one of the upper or lower cam members.

13. The device of any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein each actuation device further comprises a cover configured to be operated by a user to rotate the lower cam member.

14. The device of any one of claims 9 to 13, wherein each actuation device further comprises at least one seal disposed between the bore and the inlet.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein each seal comprises a wall having an undulating surface.

16. A device according to any one of claims 9 to 15, wherein the body comprises a plurality of cylindrical housings, each housing one of the components of the actuation means.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising a plurality of caps, each cylindrical housing having a cap, and each cap configured to be manipulated by a user to move the member to align the aperture with the inlet and the associated outlet.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the cover is configured to rotate the member.

19. An apparatus for regulating water flow, the apparatus comprising:

a plurality of actuating devices, each actuating device associated with an outlet from the plurality of outlets and each actuating device including an upper cam member and a lower cam member, the lower cam member having an aperture extending therethrough,

wherein the lower cam member is configured to be rotated to align the aperture with an inlet and an associated outlet to initiate a flow of water from the inlet through the associated outlet.

20. The device of claim 19, further comprising a plurality of covers, each cover associated with one of the actuation devices.