GB2439561A - A pond water level maintainer - Google Patents

Abstract

A pond water level maintainer comprising a float valve, the float valve comprising a valve unit 4, and a float 2 connected to a lever arm 3. The float 2 moves up and down with changes in the water level of the pond, the valve 2 being open when the float is below a predetermined level 8 to allow water to flow into the pond and is shut off upon reaching the predetermined level 8. The float valve is attached to the side of the pond via an adjustable bracket 9 which can be used to set the predetermined water level 8 of the pond. The water level maintainer is capable of working with low pressure water as well as mains supply, and is constructed of materials (e.g. plastic and stainless steel) that are corrosion resistant and not harmful to wildlife or pond ecosystems. The components are also designed for self cleaning for extra durability.

Description

<p>I</p>

<p>Description</p>

<p>Pond Water Level Maintainer The aim of this device is to protect pond life as well as expensive pond' pump equipment, all of which are designed to operate within water.</p>

<p>This device will maintain the pond water level to a user desired depth.</p>

<p>By using a float and valve the pond can be topped up with water as and when required.</p>

<p>The device is designed to operate very quietly (CLAIM 8) so a marker is used to show green when the device is in the OFF position (figure 1 box 6). If the device is ON the marker will have dropped so no green marker Pond water levels drop for several reasons including the following: Evaporation, leakage, spillages and by animals.</p>

<p>We have designed this piece of equipment to not only maintain the water level of the pond, but also to provide the customer with peace of mind especially while they are away (known by personal experience of coming home to a half empty pond).</p>

<p>The device is capable of working with low pressure water as well as mains supply. This is good because the device can be connected to a water butt or other water storage container to be used to supply the water (CLAIM 6). The water outlet holes from the main pipe and water valve are always above water level (figure 1 & 2 box 7) so also create an anti-siphon feature to protect the mains water supply and adhere to any water company bye-laws (CLAIM 9).</p>

<p>The device is constructed of materials (plastic and stainless steel) that are not harmful to wildlife or pond ecosystems (CLAIM I & 2). The components are all also corrosion resistant and designed for long life (CLAIM 3 & 7).</p>

<p>The device must be connected to a source of water, for ease of this we use a standard size garden hose connector (figure 1 & 2 & 3 box 1).</p>

<p>The main water connector is located at the bottom of the device so that any piping or hose work can be submerged in the pond water and hidden from view.</p>

<p>Description</p>

<p>Pond Water Level Maintainer When installed using the adjustable bracket (figure 1 & 2 box 9), the device must be set to the optimum water depth using the line marked on the outside of the device (figure 1 & 2 box 8). The bracket is designed so that the device can be adjusted up/down to set the optimal water level (figure 1 & 2 box 11)(CLAIM 10). The bracket should be made of tough plastic or a non-corrosive metal.</p>

<p>As the device is now installed should the pond water level start to go down for any reason the internal float would also go down activating the device (figure 1 & 2 box 2). The float is mounted freely onto guides on a central shaft which is also the main water inlet pipe (figure 1 & 2 box 12). The float has a metal / plastic rod attached (figure 1 & 2 box 5) which connects to a lever arm (figure 1 & 2 box 3) which would then move downwards with the float.</p>

<p>As this happens the opposite end of the lever would raise releasing the water control valve (figure 2 box 4) & (figure 4) thus allowing the water to flow out of the valve (figure 2 box 7) and through the holes at the bottom / side of the device (figure 3 box 10).</p>

<p>The holes are covered with a fine plastic mesh to protect the pond wildlife (CLAIM 2) and also to prevent pond debris from entering the device (figure 3 box 10). As the new water flows from the top (figure 1 & 2 box 7) it passes over the internal components and helps to keep them free from dirt and thus it is self cleaning reducing the need for maintenance (CLAIM 4 & 5) the valve is of standard size so that replacement diaphragms are easily obtained from a plumbers merchant.</p>

<p>As the water being replaced in to the pond is fresh tap water containing various chemicals that are good for humans but bad for aquatic life, the device is not designed to fill a new pond without the addition of de-chlorinating chemicals. However as the device is primarily designed to top up only water lost via evaporation and spillages etc, the small amount of water used would not pose a threat to the pond or its wildlife.</p>

<p>Description</p>

<p>Pond Water Level Maintainer Now the water level is up to the optimal water level set by the customer to the pre marked water line on the outside of the device (figure 1 & 2 box 8).</p>

<p>The float has risen to its highest point and has lifted the end of the lever arm to its top position (figure 1 box 2 & 3) which in turn makes the green marker visible to the customer (figure 1 box 6) to show the device is now off and the pond level is OK. The opposite end of the lever arm is now pushing the water valve to the closed position (figure 1 box 4) & (figure 4) stopping the flow of water out of the device.</p>

<p>The outer case of the device should be made from plastic capable of withstanding extended periods of exposure to the suns UV light.</p>

<p>The device is designed to be positioned on the edge of a pond I pool I water feature that is susceptible to water loss by any of the reasons previously mentioned.</p>

Claims (1)

1. <p>CLAIMS</p>

   <p>Pond Water Level Maintainer 1. Materials used in construction are non detrimental to pond and other aquatic environments.</p>

   <p>2. Designed to be safe for pond life.</p>

   <p>3. Components designed to be corrosion resistant.</p>

   <p>4. Self internal cleaning design.</p>

   <p>5. Low maintenance with user serviceable parts.</p>

   <p>6. Operational with both high and low water pressures.</p>

   <p>7. Long life performance, valve tested to over 2 million operations.</p>

   <p>8. Silent operation.</p>

   <p>9. Anti-Siphon design to protect fresh water supply.</p>

   <p>10. Water level adjustment via attached bracket.</p>