Abstract:
An apparatus for regulating a flow of fluid in a tube. The apparatus comprises a housing comprising a passage configured to at least partially receive the tube, an adjustment mechanism rotatably coupled to the housing and selectively configurable between a first position and a second position, and a stopper at least partially provided in the housing and coupled to the adjustment mechanism. The stopper is configured to engage the tube when the adjustment mechanism is rotated from the first position to the second position thereby constricting the tube.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS 
     The present Application claims the benefit of and priority as available under 35 U.S.C. §§ 119–21 to the following U.S. patent applications (which are incorporated by reference in the present Application): U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/461,598 titled “SPIGOT” filed Apr. 8, 2003; U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. 29/179,278 titled “SPIGOT” filed Apr. 8, 2003. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The present invention generally relates to spigots. The present invention more specifically relates to a system for regulating the flow of fluid in a hollow elongate member, such as a hose. 
     It is generally known to provide a sill cock or outdoor faucet for connection to the female end of a garden hose. Water is provided through the hose by turning the sill cock “on.” However, such known sill cocks are typically fixed in a location near the water source (e.g., at the exterior of a house), and are not readily accessible when using the “working” or free end of the hose. For example, this can prove to be problematic when attempting to control the flow of water through a water accessory (e.g., sprinkler, nozzle, etc.) provided at the free end of the hose. 
     Attempts to solve this problem include providing large or bulky portable sill cocks or spigots that enable a user to regulate the flow of water through the hose. Many of these spigots require large tools or great strength to adjust the flow of water. Further, many of these spigots do not provide easily adjusted controls or grips and can often damage the hose when controlling the flow of water. 
     Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a spigot that may be located near the free end of a hose for regulating the flow of water in the hose. It would also be desirable to provide a spigot configured for re-positionable attachment along the length of the hose. It would also be desirable to provide a spigot that is easy to use and adjust. It would also be desirable to provide a spigot that allows for selective adjustment of the flow of fluid through a tube such as a hose. 
     It would be advantageous to provide a spigot or the like of a type disclosed in the present application that provides any one or more of these or other advantageous features. The present invention further relates to various features and combinations of features shown and described in the disclosed embodiments. Other ways in which the objects and features of the disclosed embodiments are accomplished will be described in the following specification or will become apparent to those skilled in the art after they have read this specification. Such other ways are deemed to fall within the scope of the disclosed embodiments if they fall within the scope of the claims which follow. 
     SUMMARY 
     One embodiment of the invention relates to an apparatus for regulating a flow of fluid in a tube. The apparatus comprises a housing comprising a passage configured to at least partially receive the tube, an adjustment mechanism rotatably coupled to the housing and selectively configurable between a first position and a second position, and a stopper at least partially provided in the housing and coupled to the adjustment mechanism. The stopper is configured to engage the tube when the adjustment mechanism is rotated from the first position to the second position thereby constricting the tube. 
     Another embodiment of the invention relates to an apparatus for controlling a flow of fluid in a hose. The apparatus comprises a body having a channel for at least partially receiving the hose, the channel comprising a curved portion having an inner surface configured to at least partially surround a first portion of the hose. The apparatus comprises a valve rotatably coupled to the body and configured to selectively move between a first position and a second position and a clamp at least partially provided in the body and coupled to the valve, the clamp being configured to control the flow of fluid through the first portion of the hose. The clamp controls the flow of fluid through the first portion of the hose by engaging the hose such that the flow of fluid through the first portion of the hose increases or decreases as the valve is moved between the first position and the second position. 
     Another embodiment of the invention relates to a method of producing a valve for controlling a flow of fluid in a hose having a diameter. The method comprises providing a valve configured to couple to the hose between a water source and a water accessory, wherein the valve comprises a housing having a passage configured to at least partially receive the hose, the passage comprising a curved portion having an inner surface configured to at least partially surround the hose, an adjustment mechanism rotatably coupled to the housing and selectively configurable between a first position and a second position, and a clamp at least partially provided in the housing and coupled to the adjustment mechanism, wherein the clamp is configured to engage the hose when the adjustment mechanism is rotated from the first position to the second position. The method also comprises configuring the valve to be positionable along a length of the hose so that the housing of the valve at least partially receives the hose, and configuring the valve so that activating the valve changes the diameter of the hose, thereby controlling the flow of fluid in the hose. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a spigot according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the spigot of  FIG. 1  showing an adjustment mechanism in a use position according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a top plan view of the spigot of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the spigot of  FIG. 1  along line  4 — 4  of  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 5  is a fragmentary sectional view of the spigot of  FIG. 1  showing the adjustment mechanism in the use position according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 6  is a fragmentary top plan view of the spigot of  FIG. 1  showing the adjustment mechanism in the use position according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional side view of a spigot according to an alternative embodiment. 
         FIG. 8  is a top view of the spigot of  FIG. 7  according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 9  is a side view of the spigot of  FIG. 7  according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 10  is a side view of the spigot of  FIG. 7  according to an exemplary embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Before explaining a number of preferred, exemplary, and alternative embodiments of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the details or methodology set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments or being practiced or carried out in various ways. It is also to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
     A system (shown as a faucet or spigot  10 ) for regulating the flow of a fluid (such as a liquid or water) in a hollow elongate member or hose  86  is shown in  FIG. 1  according to a preferred embodiment. Spigot  10  may be clamped to the exterior wall of hose  86  at a position along the length of hose  86  between a water source or reservoir (such as a sill cock or outdoor faucet) and a free end of the hose  86 . For example, spigot  10  may be used to regulate (e.g., control, stop, restrict, slow, increase, etc.) the flow of water through hose  86  before the water reaches a water accessory (such as a hose end or male water outlet, sprinkler, nozzle, etc.) positioned at the free end of hose  86 , according to any preferred or alternative embodiments. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , spigot  10  comprises a housing or body  20  having a channel or passage  28  for receiving hose  86 . According to a preferred embodiment as shown in  FIG. 3 , hose  86  may be positioned in passage  28 . A curved ledge or hook  30  at least partially surrounds hose  86 . A flange or lip  34  at least partially secures hose  86  in passage  28 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , spigot  10  also comprises an adjustment mechanism  40 , which functions as a valve for regulating the flow of water through hose  86 . Adjustment mechanism  40  comprises an actuator (shown as a knob or handle  70 ) for activating a plunger or ram  50 . When adjustment mechanism  40  is in an “off” or non-use position  82 , handle  70  is in the same plane or aligned with body  20 , and ram  50  is generally disengaged from hose  86  (as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3  according to a preferred embodiment). When adjustment mechanism  40  is in an “on” or use position  84 , handle  70  is rotated so that it is off-set from body  20  and ram  50  “pinches” or constricts hose  86  (as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 6  according to a preferred embodiment). When adjustment mechanism  40  is in use position  84 , the flow of water through hose is restricted so that the water accessory may be reconfigured or changed according to a preferred embodiment as shown in  FIG. 6 . According to an alternative embodiment, the flow or pressure of the water can be “metered” or adjusted so that there is less than “full” or unimpeded water flow through the hose when adjustment mechanism  40  is between non-use position  82  and use position  84 . According to alternative embodiments, the number of rotations of adjustment mechanism  40  between the non-use position  82  and the use position  84  can vary. 
     Ram  50  comprises a head or wedge (shown as an anvil  52 ) and a shaft or rod  54 . Anvil  52  includes a beveled surface with a curved crown  56  and a flat edge  58  as shown in  FIG. 4  according to a preferred embodiment. Anvil  52  is configured to move (e.g., slide back and forth) in a chamber  32  of body  20  as shown in  FIG. 5  between a first position and a second position according to a preferred embodiment. Anvil  52  is angled (e.g., downwardly) so that hose  86  is forced toward hook  30  when adjustment mechanism  40  is moved from non-use position  82  to use position  84 . When adjustment mechanism  40  is in use position  84 , anvil  52  presses hose  86  against an inner surface of hook  30 , thereby reducing the diameter of hose  86  and restricting the flow of water through hose  86  (see  FIGS. 5 and 6 ). 
     A fastener (shown as a screw thread  62 ) attaches rod  54  to handle  70  as shown in  FIG. 4  according to a preferred embodiment. When handle  70  is turned (e.g., tightened in a clockwise direction from non-use position  82  to use position  84 ), ram  50  is driven toward hook  30  to clamp hose  86 . A cutout or guide  26  of body  20  inhibits anvil  52  from pivoting relative to body  20 . Handle  70  is press or snap fit at least partially into body  20  by a flange  72 , which engages a groove  64  of body  20  (according to a preferred embodiment as shown in  FIG. 4 ). 
     Body  20  has a generally smooth shape that is “ergonomic” or intended to maximize productivity by reducing operator fatigue and discomfort as shown in  FIG. 1  according to a preferred embodiment. Body  20  has generally oblong shape with a relatively planar base  22  and a curved cover  24  according to a preferred embodiment as shown in  FIG. 1 . Base  22  may facilitate stability of spigot  10  relative to a support surface (e.g., ground, lawn, etc.) and/or provide a surface to grasp when turning handle  70  as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3  according to an alternative embodiment. The shape of body  20  is tapered such that a length  88   a  of hook  30  is greater than a length  88   b  of handle  70  as shown in  FIG. 3  according to a preferred embodiment. Handle  70  is generally smooth and relatively easy to grasp, thereby facilitating leverage and pivoting relative to body  20  as shown in  FIG. 2  according to a preferred embodiment. 
     According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the handle is about 2.5 inches in length and about 0.6 inches in width. According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the body is about 4 inches in length at the hook. 
       FIGS. 7–10  show a spigot  110  according to an alternative embodiment. Spigot  110  comprises a housing or body  120  having a channel or passage  128  for receiving a hose. A curved ledge or hook  130  is configured to at least partially surround the hose. Spigot  110  also comprises an adjustment mechanism  140 , which functions as a valve for regulating the flow of water through the hose. Adjustment mechanism  140  comprises an actuator (shown as a knob or handle  170 ) for activating a plunger or ram  150 . 
     Ram  150  comprises a head or wedge  152  and a shaft or rod  154 . Wedge  152  includes a curved surface with a crown  156 . Wedge  152  is configured to move (e.g., slide back and forth) in a chamber body  120  between a first position and a second position according to a preferred embodiment. A fastener (shown as a screw thread  162 ) attaches rod  154  to handle  170  according to a preferred embodiment. When handle  170  is turned, ram  150  may be driven toward hook  130  to clamp the hose. 
     According to various exemplary embodiments, the assemblies and components of the system may be constructed from extruded or injection molded plastic. A variety of plastics may be used for construction or assembly. For example, the spigot may be constructed or assembled from high-impact plastics, polymers, etc. Using plastic offers several advantages including that the pieces may be constructed in a variety of different colors, surface finishes, textures, opacity, etc. According to various alternative embodiments, a variety of other known or suitable materials may be used, including metals, alloys, composites, etc. Various parts of the spigot may be constructed and assembled as a single integrally formed piece or may be constructed and assembled from multiple parts. 
     It is important to note that the construction and arrangement of the elements of the spigot as shown in the preferred and other exemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the present inventions have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g. variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter disclosed in this application. For example, according to an alternative embodiment the adjustment mechanism may comprise a cam system to drive the anvil to compress the hose, which may facilitate opening and closing of the valve (i.e., regulation of the flow of water through the hose). According to another embodiment, the passage and/or the anvil may be sized to accommodate a variety of hose diameters. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention. The order or sequence of any process or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. In any claims, any means-plus-function clause is intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents but also equivalent structures. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the preferred and other exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present inventions.