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  
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of and incorporates in its entirety herein by reference the contents of the following co-pending applications: application Ser. No. 60/294,749 filed on May 31, 2001, entitled “Micro Irrigation Pump” 
     
    
     
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT  
         [0002]    Not applicable.  
         REFERENCE OF AN APPENDIX  
         [0003]    Not applicable.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0004]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0005]    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.  
           [0006]    2. Brief Description of the Related Art  
           [0007]    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.  
           [0008]    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.  
           [0009]    Thus a solution is needed which overcomes the above problems and limitations of the prior art.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0010]    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.  
           [0011]    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  
       [0012]    Referring briefly to the drawings, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:  
         [0013]    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.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the present invention.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 2 is a side view of the present invention.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 3 is a front view of the present invention.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 4 is a top view of the present invention.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIGS. 5 a, b, c  depict an exploded view of various components of the present invention.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 6 depicts the various positions of the multi-position handle component of the present invention.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 7 depicts a cut-away top view of the present invention.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 8 is a front view of the frame component of the present invention.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 9 is a side view of the frame component of the present invention.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 10 is a cut-away top view of the surge cylinder of the present invention.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 11 is a tip view of the component of the pumping system of the present invention.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 12 is an isometric view of the lower frame and surge cylinder of the present invention.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 13 is a front view of the treadle of the present invention.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIGS. 14 a  and  b  are a top view and side view respectively of the treadle of the present invention.  
         [0028]    [0028]FIGS. 15 a  and  b  are a side and top view of the piston of the present invention.  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 16 is a top view of various components of the piston of the present invention.  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 17 is a front view of the handle of the present invention.  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 18 is a top view of the foot valve of the present invention.  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 19 is a cross section view of the foot valve of the present invention.  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 20 is a top cut away view of the foot valve of the present invention.  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 21 is a side view of the handle of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0035]    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.  
         [0036]    Novel features of one embodiment of the subject invention include the following:  
         [0037]    Layout or orientation of the pump. The present solution comprises one or more dual-action (suction and pressure) cylinders slightly off-center on a transverse see-saw-style rocker with one foot on either end. This allows use of the legs, minimizes the number of pivot points required and allows provision of a pressure head.  
         [0038]    An outlet valve 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.  
         [0039]    An inlet valve design which allows the present solution to be changed without the use of fasteners, while still providing a large flow area.  
         [0040]    Fastenerless construction. Fasteners are not used in the present solution.  
         [0041]    The built-in surge chamber. This chamber, on either or both the suction and pressure side of the pump, facilitates smooth water flow.  
         [0042]    Portability of the pump. The present solution is portable and completely free-standing.  
         [0043]    A multi-position handle. 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 depends on the ratio of the pressure and suction heads.  
         [0044]    A contoured footpad. The footpad is contoured to allow continuous comfort and maximum pumping efficiency.  
         [0045]    For a thorough description of the present invention, reference is now made to the detailed embodiments of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings.  
         [0046]    Turning now to FIG. 1, there is shown an isometric view of the present invention and its various components. There is shown a frame having a pivotally mounted rocker for mounting contoured footpads, a surge chamber for containing a dual action piston and cylinder with an outlet valve and a multi position handle. Turning now to FIG. 2 the side view of the present invention is shown. Turning now to FIG. 3, the front view of the pump of the present invention. FIG. 4 depicts a top view of the pump of the present invention. Turning to FIG. 5 there is shown a isometric cut away view of the valve box of the present invention. FIG. 5 a  depicts the cut away cylinder and surge chamber showing the multipel apertures and contoured lower valve support surface. FIG. 5 b  depicts the ismetric view of the outlet valve, showing the valve seal, which is inserted throught the larger hole shown and stretched over the upper support surface and tensioned by the concavity of the lower support surface. A detailed view of the outlet valve is shown if FIG. 5 c . Turning now to FIG. 6 there is shown four isometric views of the pump of the present invention wherein the pump handle is depicted in each of four different positions possible for operation of the pump. Turning now to FIG. 7 there is shown a top cut-away view of the pump of the present invention. Turning now to FIG. 8 there is shown a front view of frame of the frame component of the present invention. Turning now to FIG. 9, there is shown a side view of the frame component of the present invention. Turning now to FIG. 10 there is shown a top cut away view of the various components of the valve assembly of the present invention. Turning now to FIG. 11, there is shown the pressure valve of the pump assembly of the present invention. Turning now to FIG. 12 there is shown an isometric view of the pump frame and surge cylinder mount of the present invention. Turning now to FIG. 13, there is shown a front view of the treadle of the present invention having thereon a first and second foot suppport, a first and second foot rest, pivot connecting points and a treadle connector. Turning now to FIG. 14, there is shown a top and side view of the treadle of the present invention showing both the first and second foot supports as well as the pivot connecting points for pivotally mounting to the pump connecting rod. Turning now to FIG. 15 there is shown a top and side view of the piston of the present invention. Turning now to FIG. 16 there is shown a top view of the piston of the present invention showning the piston pivot, the piston pivot support, the piston rod, the leak valve holder the poston disk and the reinforcement bar. Turning now to FIG. 17, there is shown a front view of the pump handle of the present invention showing the handle shaft, first and second stem and hand grip. Turning to FIG. 18 there is shown a top view of the foot valve. Turning now to FIG. 19 there is shown a cross-section view of the foot valve. Turning to FIG. 20 there is shown a top view of the foot valve having a foot valve plate, a corner plate, valve rod, valve rod, valve washer, foot valve pipe, washer, inner wire and an outer wire. Turning now to FIG. 21 there is shown a side view of the handle assemble of the present invention.  
         [0047]    2. Advantages  
         [0048]    The present solution minimizes the limitations of the prior solutions by allowing a user the present solution to:  
         [0049]    Use his/her legs to suck water and push it above their own position;  
         [0050]    Change the valves and perform other maintenance without the use of any tools or fasteners;  
         [0051]    Pump water in a smooth, efficient flow;  
         [0052]    Move the pump easily for security or use in multiple locations;  
         [0053]    Adjust the position of the handle for maximum comfort; and  
         [0054]    Provide maximum power to the pump via the contoured footpads.  
         [0055]    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.