Patent ID: 6199581
Filing Date: 2001-03-13
Classification: E03D,F16K,Y10T

Abstract:
A fill valve assembly for selectively filling a fluid reservoir, said fill assembly comprising:an upright standpipe adapted to be mounted within the fluid reservoir for delivering fluid therethrough, said standpipe includes a fixed tube portion and an adjustable tube portion telescopically attached to said fixed tube portion;a fill valve mounted to said adjustable tube portion of said standpipe, said valve being movable between a closed portion preventing the flow of fluid and an open position so as to allow the flow of fluid therefrom; andmeans for adjusting a length of said standpipe along a plurality of discrete positions to vary the position of said fill valve within the reservoir, said means including a plurality of lateral grooves formed in an exterior surface of said fixed tube portion defining said discrete positions and a locking clip mounted to said adjustable tube portion selectively engageable with said lateral grooves to prevent telescoping movement of said adjustable tube portion relative to said fixed tube portion;said fixed tube portion including opposing flat surfaces extending longitudinally along said fixed tube portion whereby rotation of said adjustable tube portion in a first direction aligning said locking clip with said flat surfaces facilitates telescoping adjustment of said adjustable tube portion relative to said fixed tube portion and rotation of said adjustable tube portion in a second direction engaging said locking clip with one of said lateral grooves prevents telescoping adjustment.