Abstract:
An irrigation device (FIG.  1 ) for pumping fluids, particularly water, which can be constructed for a minimal cost and operated using only human power and having a simple and efficient mechanism making it suitable for use in undeveloped areas. The device includes a handle, contoured footpad, rocker, dual-action piston, outlet valve, and a surge chamber.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)/CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
   This application claims the benefit of and incorporates in its entirety herein by reference the contents of the following now abandoned applications: application Ser. No. 60/294,749 filed on May 31, 2001, entitled “Micro Irrigation Pump” 

   STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
   Not applicable. 
   REFERENCE OF AN APPENDIX 
   Not applicable. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates generally to irrigation devices and more particularly to a novel arrangement for pumping fluids, namely water, at minimal cost using only human power. 
   2. Brief Description of the Related Art 
   Generally classifiable as “manual water pumps”, prior art approaches include centrifugal, reciprocating and diaphragm pumps. Centrifugal pumps use a rotating turbine to suck and propel water. Reciprocating pumps use a piston in a back-and-forth motion within a cylinder. Diaphragm pumps use the displacement caused by the deformation of a flexible diaphragm to suck and propel water. 
   Limitations with the prior art pumps include the following: prior art hand-operated pumps use one-cylinder and do not provide a pressure head, or the ability to push water above the position of the pump itself. Hand operation is not as ergonomically efficient as foot operation. However, prior art foot-operated pumps use two cylinders, two pedals/treadles and a number of pivots, thus, increasing their overall cost. Specifically, many require expensive custom-machined or cast components. Furthermore, almost all of the aforementioned prior art pumps have a number of fasteners (bolts, washers, screws, latches, etc.), which commonly rust, rendering them useless over time. 
   Thus a solution is needed which overcomes the above problems and limitations of the prior art. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention overcomes the aforementioned problems of the prior art. Specifically, one of several aspects of the present invention is to assist in lifting and pushing water at minimal cost and using only human power. 
   These and other aspects, features and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description and accompanying drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Referring briefly to the drawings, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
     The accompanying Figures illustrate several views of at least one exemplary embodiment of the present invention including certain aspects, features and advantages of the present invention. 
       FIG. 1  is an isometric view of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a side view of the present invention. 
       FIG. 3  is a front view of the present invention. 
       FIG. 4  is a top view of the present invention. 
       FIGS. 5   a, b, c  depict schematic cut-away perspective and cross-sectional views of various components of the present invention. 
       FIG. 6  depicts the various positions of the multi-position handle component of the present invention. 
       FIG. 7  depicts a cut-away top view of the present invention. 
       FIG. 8  is a front view of the frame component of the present invention. 
       FIG. 9  is a side view of the frame component of the present invention. 
       FIGS. 10   a, b , and  c  are cut-away top and cross-sectional views of the surge chamber and cylinder of the present invention. 
       FIGS. 11   a, b, c , and  d  are perspective and cross-sectional views of the components of the pumping system of the present invention. 
       FIG. 12  is an isometric view of the lower frame and surge cylinder of the present invention. 
       FIG. 13  is a perspective view of the treadle of the present invention. 
       FIGS. 14   a ,  b , and  c  are a top view, side view, and front view respectively of the treadle of the present invention. 
       FIGS. 15   a  and  b  are perspective views of the piston of the present invention. 
       FIGS. 16   a, b , and  c  are a top view and side views of various components of the piston of the present invention. 
       FIGS. 17   a  and  b  are a perspective view and a side view respectively of the handle of the present invention. 
       FIGS. 18   a  and  b  are top views of components of the foot valve of the present invention. 
       FIG. 19  is a cross section view of the foot valve of the present invention. 
       FIG. 20  is a top cut away view of the foot valve of the present invention. 
       FIG. 21  is a side view of the handle of the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Referring more specifically to the drawings, for illustrative purposes the present invention is embodied in the configuration, method of operation and/or article of manufacture, generally shown in the Figures. It will be appreciated that the apparatus, method of operation and/or article of manufacture may vary as to the details of its configuration and operation without departing from the basic concepts disclosed herein. The following description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense. 
   Novel features of one embodiment of the subject invention include the following: 
   Layout or orientation of the pump  100 . The present solution comprises one or more dual-action (suction and pressure) cylinders  102  slightly off-center on a transverse see-saw-style rocker  104  with one foot on either end. This allows use of the legs, minimizes the number of pivot points  114  required and allows provision of a pressure head. 
   An outlet valve  126  design provides quicker and more efficient operation along with a large flow area. Pretensioned by the concave lower valve seal support surface, it ensures quick closing even at low pressure heads. The present solution also allows the user to change the valve seal from the inlet side of the valve, without fasteners, obviating the need to open the valvebox to change the valve seal.
         An inlet valve design which allows the present solution to be changed without the use of fasteners, while still providing a large flow area.   Fastenerless construction. Fasteners are not used in the present solution.       

   The built-in surge chamber  108 . This chamber  108 , on either or both the suction and pressure side of the pump  100 , facilitates smooth water flow.
         Portability of the pump. The present solution is portable and completely free-standing.       

   A multi-position handle  110 . A multi-position handle can be placed in any one of multiple positions, allowing the user to find his/her most comfortable position and even to switch when tired. This is all the more important since the ratio of effort needed on each side of the rocker  104  depends on the ratio of the pressure and suction heads. 
   A contoured footpad  112 . The footpad is contoured to allow continuous comfort and maximum pumping efficiency. 
   For a thorough description of the present invention, reference is now made to the detailed embodiments of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 
   Turning now to  FIG. 1 , there is shown perspective view of the present invention and its various components. There is shown a frame  116  having a pivotally mounted rocker  104  for mounting contoured footpads  112 , a treadle  122 , and treadle stoppers  124 , a surge chamber  108 , a dual action piston and cylinder  102  with an outlet valve and a multi position handle  110 . Pivots  114  (shown as a treadle pivot and a piston pivot) connect to the treadle  122 . Inlet pipe  118  and outlet pipe  120  are shown to indicate the flow of liquid, particularly water, through the micro irrigation pump. Turning now to  FIG. 2 , the side view of the present invention is shown. There is shown a frame  116  for mounting contoured footpads  112  and a rocker  104 , a dual action piston and cylinder  102 , a multi position handle  110 , and an inlet pipe  118 . Turning now to  FIG. 3 , the front view of the pump  100  of the present invention is shown. There is also shown a frame  116  having treadle stoppers  124  and a rocker  104  with a treadle  122 , contoured footpads  112 , and pivots  114 . Also shown are the surge chamber  108 , the dual piston and cylinder  102 , the multi position handle  110 , the inlet pipe  118 , and the outlet pipe  120 .  FIG. 4  depicts a top view of the pump  100  of the present invention showing a frame  116  having a treadle  122 , pivots  114 , and a contoured footpad  112 , a dual action piston and cylinder  102 , a surge chamber  108 , and a multi position handle  110 . Also shown are the inlet pipe  118  and outlet pipe  120 . Turning to  FIG. 5   a , there is shown a perspective cut away view of the valve box of the present invention.  FIG. 5   a  depicts the cut away cylinder  102  and surge chamber  108  showing the multiple apertures and a contoured upper valve support surface  188 . Also shown are the frame  116  and treadle stoppers  124 .  FIG. 5   b  depicts the perspective view of the outlet valve  126 , showing the valve seal  158 , which is inserted through the larger hole shown and stretched over the upper support surface  188  and tensioned by the concavity of the lower support surface  190  ( FIG. 5C ). A detailed section view of the outlet valve  126  is shown in  FIG. 5   c , which depicts the valve box  160 , including the inlet valve  106 , the outlet valve  126 , and the cylinder  102 . Turning now to  FIG. 6 , there is shown four perspective views of the pump  100  of the present invention wherein the pump handle  110  is depicted in each of four different positions possible for operation of the pump  100 . Turning now to  FIG. 7 , there is shown a top cut-away view of the pump of the present invention. There is shown an inlet pipe  118  and an outlet pipe  120  of the pump  100 , along with the surge chamber  108 , the valve box  160 , the frame  116 , the cylinder  102 , the treadle stopper  124 , and the pivot  114 . Turning now to  FIG. 8 , there is shown a front view of frame  116  of the frame component of the present invention with the footpads  112  and the treadle  122  removed. There is shown the surge chamber  108 , the pivot  114 , the cylinder  102 , the treadle stopper  124 , the inlet pipe  118 , and the outlet pipe  120 . Turning now to  FIG. 9 , there is shown a side view of the frame  116  of the frame component of the present invention with the footpads  112  and treadle  122  removed. Shown are the pivot  114 , the cylinder  102 , and the outlet pipe  120 . Turning now to  FIG. 10   a , there is shown a top cut away view of the various components of the valve assembly (showing the outlet valve  126 , the inlet valve  106 , and the valve seals  158 ) of the present invention, including the surge chamber  108  and the cylinder  102 . Turning now to  FIG. 10   b , there is shown a front section view of the cylinder  102 , taken at line B-B of  FIG. 5   a , depicting the inlet valve  106 , the outlet valve  126 , and the surge chamber  108  with a surge chamber cover  128 . The surge chamber  108  is connected to a suction channel  130 . Also shown is a pressure channel  132 . FIG. l 0   c  depicts a section view of the cylinder  102 , taken at line C-C of  FIG. 5   a , which depicts the surge chamber  108 , the cylinder  102 , and the outlet valve  126 . Turning now to  FIG. 11   a , there is shown a perspective view of a valve plate of the valve box  161 .  FIG. 11   b  depicts a section view through the valve box  160  and the cylinder  102  showing the outlet valve  126  and inlet valve  106  of the pump assembly of the present invention. The suction channel  130  is contained separately from the pressure channel  132  by a channel separator  134 . The pressure channel  132  includes the outlet valve  126 , which is secured via the outlet valve rod  164 , and the suction channel  130  includes the inlet valve  106 , which is secured via the inlet valve rod  162  and pressure washer  163 .  FIG. 11   c  depicts a side view of the outlet valve  126  in partial cross-section.  FIG. 11   d  shows a perspective view of a portion of the outlet valve  126 . Turning now to  FIG. 12 , there is shown perspective view of the pump frame  116  and surge cylinder mount of the present invention with the treadle  122  removed. Also shown are the cylinder  102 , the surge chamber  108 , the pivot  114 , the treadle stopper  124 , the inlet pipe  118 , and the outlet pipe  120 . Turning now to  FIG. 13 , there is shown a perspective view of the treadle  122  of the present invention having thereon a first and second foot support  136 , a first and second foot rest  112 , pivot connecting points  166 , and a treadle connector. Turning now to  FIG. 14   a , there is shown a top view of the treadle of the present invention showing both the first and second foot supports  136 , as well as the pivot connecting points  166  for pivotally mounting to the pump connecting rod, and the contoured foot pads  112 .  FIG. 14   b  depicts the side view of the treadle of the present invention.  FIG. 14   c  shows the front view of the treadle of the present invention including the treadle connector  138 , the pivot connecting points  166 , the contoured footpads  112 , and the treadle foot supports  136 . Turning now to  FIG. 15   a , there is shown a perspective view of the piston  151  of the present invention showing a piston pivot  140 , a piston pivot support  174 , a piston rod  142 , a leak valve  168 , a leak valve holder  144 , a reinforcement bar  172 , and piston cups  148 .  FIG. 15   b  depicts a perspective view of the piston  151  of the invention with the leak valve  168  removed. Shown are a piston disk  146 , the piston pivot  140 , the piston pivot support  174 , the piston rod  142 , the leak valve holder  144 , and the reinforcement bar  172 . Turning now to  FIG. 16   a , there is shown a top view of the piston  151  of the present invention showing the piston pivot  140 , the leak valve holder  144 , the piston disk  146 , and the reinforcement bar  172 .  FIG. 16   b  depicts a front view of the piston  151  of the present invention.  FIG. 16   c  depicts a side view of the piston  151  of the present invention showing the piston cups  148 . Turning now to  FIG. 17   a , there is shown a perspective view of the pump handle  110  of the present invention showing a handle shaft  178 , a first stem  180 , a second stem  182 , and a hand grip  176 .  FIG. 17   b  depicts a side view of the pump handle  110  of the present invention. Turning to  FIG. 18   a , there is shown a top view of the top foot valve plate  154 .  FIG. 18   b  depicts a top view of the bottom foot valve plate  155 . Turning now to  FIG. 19 , there is shown a cross-section view of the foot valve  184 . Turning to  FIG. 20 , there is shown a top view of the foot valve  184 .  FIGS. 19 and 20  depict the top foot valve plate  154 , the bottom foot valve plate  155 , a valve rod  173 , a valve washer  179 , a foot valve pipe  177 , an inner wire  150 , and an outer wire  152 . Turning now to  FIG. 21 , there is shown a side view of the handle  110  assembly of the present invention. 
   2. Advantages 
   The present solution minimizes the limitations of the prior solutions by allowing a user the present solution to:
         Use his/her legs to suck water and push it above their own position;   Change the valves and perform other maintenance without the use of any tools or fasteners;   Pump water in a smooth, efficient flow;   Move the pump easily for security or use in multiple locations;   Adjust the position of the handle for maximum comfort; and   Provide maximum power to the pump via the contoured footpads.       

   Having now described at least one embodiment of the present invention, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the foregoing is illustrative only and not limiting, having been presented by way of example only. All the features disclosed herein (including any accompanying drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same purpose, and equivalents or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Therefore, numerous other embodiments of the modifications thereof are contemplated as falling within the scope of the present invention. Hence, use of absolute terms, such as, for example, “will not,” “will,” “shall,” “shall not,” “must,” and “must not,” are not meant to limit the present invention to the exemplary embodiments disclosed herein.