GB2448729A

GB2448729A - Waste water diverter valve assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2448729A
Application number: GB0708023A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Robert Amos
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-04-26
Filing date: 2007-04-26
Publication date: 2008-10-29
Also published as: GB0708023D0

Abstract

The waste water diverter valve assembly 10, primarily for enabling the reuse of waste water in gardens, comprises a valve having an inlet 11 for connecting to a source of waste water, a first outlet 12 for connecting to a waste system and a second outlet 13 connected to an elongate flexible hose, the valve further comprising a valve system selectively operable to connect the inlet to either the first or second outlet. The second outlet and hose preferably have complementary screw connecting portions 15 and a flow control device may be provided at the distal end of the hose. The valve system may comprise a single valve element or two valve elements 16,17 which act separately on the first and second outlets.

Description

Waste Water Diverter Valve Assembly This invention relates to a valve

assembly for diverting the flow of waste water.

It is often difficult or illegal to water gardens or lawns etc in summer or during dry spells. However, much useful water for watering is wasted when emptying baths or taking showers etc. It's well known to provide a valve for diverting the flow of bath and other waste water into containers for later use. One such valve is disclosed in GB231 4580.

A disadvantage of known diverter valves is that it is time consuming and inconvenient to empty the water from the container into a watering can for disbursal on the garden.

Furthermore, the collected waste water can stagnate and can become unpleasant in smell if left in the container for excessive periods. It is also unpleasant for gardeners to have fill watering cans with foul smelling waste water.

I have now devised a waste water diverter valve assembly which elevates the above-mentioned problems.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a waste water diverter valve assembly comprising a valve having an inlet for connecting to a source of waste water, a first outlet for connecting to waste and a second outlet connected to an elongate flexible hose of the assembly, the valve further comprising valve means which is selectively operable to connect the inlet to either said first or said second outlets.

In use, a person is able to directly water their garden using the elongate hose of the invention without the need to collect water in a container. The provision of a hose also enables the waste water to be conveniently used for a variety of other purposes, such as for washing cars or cleaning windows.

Preferably the second outlet comprises a connector which engages a complementary connector on the proximal end of said hose. The connector on said second ouUet may comprise an external screw thread, which engages an internally screw-threaded member on the proximal end of the hose, the hose may be detachably connected to the internally screw threaded member by a further connector, such as a push-fit connector of the kind commonly used on hose pipes.

Preferably means are provided for controlling and regulating the flow of water along said hose. In order to achieve this, the distal end of the hose may be provided with a flow contol device.

In one embodiment said valve means of the valve comprises a single valve having a first position in which the inlet is connected to said first outlet and a second position in which the inlet is connected to said second outlet.

In an alternative embodiment said valve means of the valve comprises a first valve connected across said first outlet and a second valve connected across said second outlet, the user having to close said first valve and open said second valve in order to cause water to flow along said hose.

Also in accordance with the present invention there is a provided a watering system comprising a waste water diverter valve assembly as hereinbefore defined, the inlet of the valve being connected to the waste water outlet of a sanitaryware article and said first outlet being connected to waste via a waste pipe.

The valve can be located at any accessible position, since it will be appreciated that water will flow along the hose regardless of the position of the valve, as long as the distal end of the hose is located above the level of the water being drained.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of examples only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of one side of a valve of a first embodiment of waste water diverter valve assembly in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the other side of the valve of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a perspective view of one side of a valve of a second embodiment of waste water diverter valve assembly in accordance with the present invention; and Figure 4 is a perspective view of the other side of the valve of Figure 3.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, there is shown a valve of a waste water diverter valve assembly in accordance with the present invention. The valve comprises a one-piece valve body 10 of moulded plastics material defining an inlet 11 for connecting to a source of waste water and a first outlet 12 for connecting to the drain. The inlet 11 and first outlet 12 are preferably arranged for coupling with respective pipes of the kind that are typically used in plumbing installations. Such pipes may have a diameter of 1.25 inches or 1.5 inches. The pipes maybe a push-fit into the valve body 10 or they may be bonded in-situ using a so-called solvent-weld adhesive. Alternatively, the valve body 10 maybe provided with compression fittings for engaging the pipes.

The valve body 10 is further provided with a second outlet 13, which is provided at its distal end with an external screw thread 15. In accordance with the present invention, the assembly further comprises an elongate flexible hose (not shown) having an internally screw-threaded coupling on its proximal end for engaging the external screw thread 15 on the second outlet 13.

A rotatable valve member (not shown) is mounted inside the valve body 10 and is provided with an actuator 14, which can be rotated to cause water to selectively flow either from the inlet 11 to the first outlet 12 or from the inlet 11 to the second outlet 13. It will be appreciated that, in the later configuration, the waste water flows along the hose for direct use at a convenient location.

Referring to Figures 3 and 4 of the drawings, there is shown the valve of an alternative embodiment of waste water diverter valve assembly in accordance with the present invention. In this embodiment, first and second valve members (not shown) respectively extend across the first and second outlets 12, 13, the valve members being provided with respective actuators 16, 17 which can be turned to control the flow of water through the respective outlet. It will be appreciated that the valve member of the first outlet 12 needs to be closed and the valve member of the second outlet 13 needs to be open in order for water to flow along the hose.

A waste water diverter valve assembly in accordance with the present invention is simple and inexpensive in construction, yet enables a hose pipe to be used to directly dispense waste water.

Claims

Claims 1. A waste water diverter valve assembly comprising a valve

having an inlet for connecting to a source of waste water, a first outlet for connecting to waste and a second outlet connected to an elongate flexible hose of the assembly, said valve further comprising valve means which is selectively operable to connect said inlet to either said first or said second outlets.
2. A waste water diverter valve assembly according to claim 1, wherein the second outlet comprises a connector which engages a complementary connector on the proximal end of said hose.
3. A waste water diverter valve assembly according to claim 2, wherein said connector on said second outlet comprises an external screw thread, which engages an internally screw-threaded member on the proximal end of the hose.
4. A waste water diverter valve assembly according to any preceding claim, further comprising means for controlling and regulating the flow of water along said hose. * 20
5. A waste water diverter valve assembly according to claim 4, wherein the means for controlling and regulating the flow of water comprises a flow control device :w. arranged at the distal end of the hose. * *****

* 25
6. A waste water diverter valve assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein said valve means of the valve comprises a single valve having a first position in which the inlet is connected to said first outlet and a second position in which the inlet is connected to said second outlet.
7. A waste water diverter valve assembly according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein said valve means of the valve comprises a first valve connected across said first outlet and a second valve connected across said second outlet, the user havin9 to close said first valve and open said second valve in order to cause water to flow along said hose.
8. A watering system comprising a waste water diverter valve assembly according to any preceding claim, the inlet of the valve being connected to the waste water outlet of a sanitaryware article and said first outlet being connected to waste via a waste pipe.
9. A waste water diverter valve assembly substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
10. A watering system substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

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