NZ750503A - Hose attachment - Google Patents

Abstract

When cleaning horse stables, filling troughs or water vessels with water via a hose takes considerable time for a worker to be standing still and unable to do other tasks. This leads to a lot of unproductive wasted time. The hose attachment 10 comprises a bent tubular extension 12 having a hose fitting 14 at a first open end 32 thereof. The hose fitting 14 comprises a valve 24 operable via a handle 26 to control fluid flow. The extension 12 is fluidly connected to the hose fitting 14 and fluid can flow from the first open end 32 thereof to a distal second open end 34 which serves as the fluid outlet. The tubular extension 12 is bent to a shape which allows the extension 12 to be hung onto a rim edge portion of a liquids container with the outlet 34 directed into the liquids container. ting 14 at a first open end 32 thereof. The hose fitting 14 comprises a valve 24 operable via a handle 26 to control fluid flow. The extension 12 is fluidly connected to the hose fitting 14 and fluid can flow from the first open end 32 thereof to a distal second open end 34 which serves as the fluid outlet. The tubular extension 12 is bent to a shape which allows the extension 12 to be hung onto a rim edge portion of a liquids container with the outlet 34 directed into the liquids container.

Description

HOSE ATTACHMENT Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a hose attachment, specifically to a hose filler attachment for filling/refilling water containers/vessels. The invention however is not limited to this use.

Background of the Invention When cleaning horse stables, filling troughs or water vessels with water via a hose takes considerable time for a worker to be standing still and unable to do other tasks. This leads to a lot of unproductive wasted time.

The present invention seeks to overcome or substantially ameliorate at least some of the deficiencies of the prior art, or to at least provide an alternative.

It is to be understood that, if any prior art information is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the information forms part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.

Summary of the Invention According to a first aspect, the present invention provides an attachment for connection to an outlet of a hose for delivering liquid from the hose to a container having an upper rim, the attachment comprising: a tubular extension having a first open end for attachment to the hose outlet and a second open end, wherein the extension is bent to rest on the upper rim in use with the second open end directed towards an interior of the container.

In one embodiment, the attachment comprises a hose fitting at the first open end for quick attachment to a hose connector.

In another embodiment, the hose fitting comprises a valve to control fluid flow.

In another embodiment, the extension is made from metal or substantially rigid plastics material.

In another embodiment, the extension is generally bent back onto itself such that the first and second open ends extend in generally the same direction.

In another embodiment, the extension comprises a straight first section, a second section extending generally perpendicularly to the first section, and a third section extending from a distal end of the second section and directed generally towards the first open end.

In another embodiment, the first to third sections together form a receiving space therebetween, wherein a distal end of the third section is spaced from the first section to define an entry into the receiving space.

In another embodiment, the extension comprises a fourth section extending from the third section in a direction generally away from the first section and the second section.

In another embodiment, the third section is angled at about 45° relative to the second section.

In another embodiment, the fourth section is generally perpendicular to the third section and is at about 45° relative to the first section.

In another embodiment, the first to fourth sections generally lie in the same plane.

In another embodiment, the portions of the extension between adjacent sections are curved sections of the tubular extension body.

In another embodiment, the second section is a curved section.

In another embodiment, the extension is made to be flexible or resilient.

In another embodiment, the second open end is substantially adjacent the first open end.

In another embodiment, the extension comprises an automatic shut-off valve which shuts off fluid flow when a certain liquid level in the container is reached.

In another embodiment, the extension comprises a seat which receives the upper rim, the seat being substantially aligned vertically with the first open end in use.

In another aspect, the invention provides an attachment for connection to an outlet of a hose for delivering liquid from the hose to a container having an upper rim, the attachment comprising a tubular extension having a body with a first open end for attachment to the hose outlet and a second open end, the body being generally bent back onto itself such that the first and second open ends are substantially adjacent each other, wherein the bent extension forms a receiving space which receives the upper rim in use with the second open end directed towards an interior of the container.

In another aspect, the invention provides an assembly comprising a hose having the attachment of the above.

Other aspects of the invention are also disclosed.

Brief Description of the Drawings Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present invention, preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of examples only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows (a) side view and (b) side perspective view of a hose attachment according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figures 2 and 3 show the hose attachment in an example use.

Description of Embodiments It should be noted in the following description that like or the same reference numerals in different embodiments denote the same or similar features.

Figure 1 shows a hose attachment 10 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The hose attachment 10 comprises a bent tubular extension 12 having a hose fitting 14 at a first open end 32 thereof.

The hose fitting 14 comprises a short tube having a first end 20 shaped for fitting to other known hose connectors. A second end 22 of the hose fitting 14 is attached to the first open end 32 of the extension 12. A valve 24 operable via a handle 26 is installed in the hose fitting 14 to control fluid flow from the first end 20 to the second end 22.

The extension 12 is fluidly connected to the hose fitting 14 and fluid can flow from the first open end 32 thereof to a distal second open end 34 which serves as the fluid outlet.

The tubular extension 12 is made from metal or substantially rigid plastics material and is bent to a shape which allows the extension 12 to be hung onto a rim edge portion of a liquids container with the outlet 34 directed into the liquids container.

The extension 12 comprises a first section 40 which extends aligned with the hose fitting 14, a second section 42 extending generally perpendicularly to the first section 40, a third section 44 extending from a distal end of the second section 42 and directed generally towards the first open end 32 but spaced therefrom, and a fourth section 46 extending in a direction generally away from the first section 40 and the second section 42. The fourth section 46 has the second open end 34.

The third section 44 is angled at about 45° relative to the second section 42. The fourth section 46 is generally perpendicular to the third section 44, and is thus at about 45° relative to the first section 40. The tubular extension 12 is thus generally bent back on itself such that the second open end 34 is substantially adjacent the first open end 32, and the open ends 32 and 34 of the extension 12 generally extend in the same direction.

The first to fourth sections 40 to 46 generally lie in the same plane. The portions 48 of the extension 12 between adjacent sections are curved sections of the tubular extension body.

The first to third sections 40 to 44 together form a receiving space 50 therebetween.

The distal end of the third section 44 is spaced from the first section 40, defining a narrower entry 52 into the receiving space 50. The receiving space 50 is generally triangular which provides increased retention of the hose attachment 10 to the container in use.

An example use of the hose attachment 10 is shown in Figure 2 and 3. In this example use, the hose attachment 10 is used to provide liquid, typically water, into a container or vessel 60 having an upper edge rim 62. The hose fitting 14 in use will be attached to a water hose (not shown).

The hose attachment 10 is essentially hung onto the container 60, by inserting the upper edge rim 62 into the receiving space 50 via the entry 52. The curved portion 48a between the first section 40 and the second section 42 initially receives the upper rim 62. The curved portion 48b between the second section 42 and the third section 44 then rests or hooks onto the upper edge rim 62. The fourth section 46 is then generally directed towards the middle portion of the container 60. The weight of the hose attachment 10 and the hose connected thereto via the hose fitting 14 keeps the hose attachment 10 in position at the upper edge rim 62 during the filling operation. In use, the curved portion 48b thus defines a seat for the upper rim 62, with the curved portion 48b being substantially aligned vertically with the hose fitting 14 which retains the hose attachment.

The preferred embodiment thus provides a hook water filler particularly useful in the horse racing industry, thoroughbred-harness racing or any equine operation. The invention improves efficiency of water filling and makes the task of day to day stable operation easier.

The shape of the hook filler allows it to hook over many different designed water troughs and buckets. The embodiment is made from lightweight tubing extruded for strength and durability and fits to standard garden hose or up to 1” hose.

The invention allows a hose outlet to be hung onto a container to fill the container without having hold the hose. This saves a worker substantial time as it allows the worker to perform other tasks whilst the container is being filled.

Although a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described, it will be apparent to skilled persons that modifications can be made to the embodiment shown.

For example, the second section can be made into a curved section instead of being straight.

The extension 12 can also be made to be slightly flexible or resilient to allow the entry 52 to be made larger if needed to accommodate thicker rims. The resiliency of the extension can also provide a clamping action to the container to assist in retaining the hose attachment to the container.

The extension 12 can also be made to have multiple branches with separate outlets, for example for filling adjacent containers simultaneously. Each branch can then have its own control valve.

The hose attachment can also be used in other industries such as dairy, wine making and industrial fields. The hose attachment can also be used for other liquids as well as gases.

The hose fitting can also be omitted or replaced with a permanent hose fixing.

The fourth section can also be omitted with the extension terminating at the third section thereof, or the fourth section can be a shorter section directed towards the container interior.

The extension can also be adapted to have an automatic shut-off valve which shuts off fluid flow when a certain liquid level in the container is reached. The shut-off valve can include a float in the second section 42 for example.

Claims

Claims (19)

The claims defining the invention are as follows:

1. An attachment for connection to an outlet of a hose for delivering liquid from the hose to a container having an upper rim, the attachment comprising a tubular extension having a first open end for attachment to the hose outlet and a second open end, wherein the extension is bent to rest on the upper rim in use with the second open end directed towards an interior of the container.

2. The attachment of claim 1 wherein the attachment comprises a hose fitting at the first open end for quick attachment to a hose connector.

3. The attachment of claim 2 wherein the hose fitting comprises a valve to control fluid flow.

4. The attachment of claim 1 wherein the extension is made from metal or substantially rigid plastics material.

5. The attachment of claim 1 wherein the extension is generally bent back onto itself such that the first and second open ends extend in generally the same direction.

6. The attachment of claim 1 wherein the extension comprises a straight first section, a second section extending generally perpendicularly to the first section, and a third section extending from a distal end of the second section and directed generally towards the first open end.

7. The attachment of claim 1 wherein the first to third sections together form a receiving space therebetween, wherein a distal end of the third section is spaced from the first section to define an entry into the receiving space.

8. The attachment of claim 7 wherein the extension comprises a fourth section extending from the third section in a direction generally away from the first section and the second section.

9. The attachment of claim 8 wherein the third section is angled at about 45° relative to the second section.

10. The attachment of claim 9 wherein the fourth section is generally perpendicular to the third section and is at about 45° relative to the first section.

11. The attachment of claim 8 wherein the first to fourth sections generally lie in the same plane.

12. The attachment of claim 6 wherein the portions of the extension between adjacent sections are curved sections of the tubular extension body.

13. The attachment of claim 6 wherein the second section is a curved section.

14. The attachment of claim 1 wherein the extension is made to be flexible or resilient.

15. The attachment of claim 1 wherein the second open end is substantially adjacent the first open end.

16. The attachment of claim 1 wherein the extension comprises an automatic shut-off valve which shuts off fluid flow when a certain liquid level in the container is reached.

17. The attachment of claim 1 wherein the extension comprises a seat which receives the upper rim, the seat being substantially aligned vertically with the first open end in use.

18. An attachment for connection to an outlet of a hose for delivering liquid from the hose to a container having an upper rim, the attachment comprising a tubular extension having a body with a first open end for attachment to the hose outlet and a second open end, the body being generally bent back onto itself such that the first and second open ends are substantially adjacent each other, wherein the bent extension forms a receiving space which receives the upper rim in use with the second open end directed towards an interior of the container.

19. An assembly comprising a hose having the attachment of claim 1.