Abstract:
A hose clearing device has a valve assembly at one end thereof, preferably a compressed air receiving valve; and, at the opposing end thereof, an attaching means for attaching the valve assembly to an elongated tube, the elongated tube requiring the substantial evacuation of undesired fluid therefrom.

Description:
This invention relates to a hose clearing device and more particularly to a hose clearing device which fits on the hose and may receive compressed air therethrough. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     When storing items for the winter, it is necessary to remove the fluid, especially undesired fluid, therefrom. Typical items, from which fluid must be removed, include fluid lines on motor homes, garden hoses and similar fluid containing items. One good way of accomplishing such a fluid clearance is to run air therethrough. However, there is no efficient way to do that. 
     Typical of the underfed fluid in these hoses or elongated tubes is water. Because water expands in volume as it transitions to ice, such expansion can cause the hose to rupture, and the hose to be ruined. 
     On ships of the United States Navy, it is customary to use hoses to apply steam to pipes for the purpose of cleaning the pipes. Customarily, such hoses are stored on deck. Condensed water in the hoses can freeze and make the hoses difficult to use. In fact, such frozen condensate can even ruin the hoses. An efficient clearing of those hoses can provide a great advantage. No such clearing device or method exists. 
     It is also feasible to put antifreeze in the appropriate lines. However, the antifreeze can have difficulty. Not only is the antifreeze an environmental hazard, it is difficult to dispose of after use. Thus, a means for clearing the fluid out of lines is desirable. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Among the many objectives of this invention is the provision of a fluid clearing device in the form of a valve assembly, capable of being removably attached to the elongated fluid container in air tight fashion. 
     Another objective of this invention is to provide a valve assembly to assist with passing air through an elongated member. 
     Yet another objective of this invention is to provide a valve assembly attachable to a male hose fixture. 
     Still, another objective of this invention is to provide a valve assembly attachable to a female hose fixture. 
     Additionally, an objective of this invention is to provide a valve assembly attachable to a hose without a fixture. 
     A further objective of this invention is to provide a valve assembly attachable to a hose with a snap assembly. 
     A still further objective of this invention is to provide a valve assembly attachable to a variety of hoses with an adapter. 
     Yet a further objective of this invention is to provide a valve assembly attachable to a steam hose in order to remove condensate therefrom. 
     These and other objectives of the invention (which other objectives become clear by consideration of the specification, claims and drawings as a whole) are met by providing a valve assembly having at one end thereof, for example, a compressed air receiving valve; and, at the opposing end thereof, an attaching device for securing the valve assembly to an elongated tube requiring the substantial evacuation of fluid therefrom. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of the hose clearing device  100  of this invention with male attachment  120 . 
     FIG. 2 depicts a perspective view of the hose clearing device  100  of this invention from FIG. 1 in use. 
     FIG. 3 depicts an exploded perspective view of the hose clearing device  100  of this invention from FIG. 1 in use. 
     FIG. 4 depicts a perspective view of the hose clearing device  100  of this invention with female attachment  130 . 
     FIG. 5 depicts a perspective view of the hose clearing device  100  of this invention from FIG. 4 in use. 
     FIG. 6 depicts an exploded perspective view of the hose clearing device  100  of this invention from FIG. 4 in use. 
     FIG. 7 depicts a perspective view of the hose clearing device  100  of this invention with snap attachment  140 . 
     FIG. 8 depicts a perspective view of the hose clearing device  100  of this invention with clamp attachment  150 . 
     FIG. 9 depicts a perspective view of the hose clearing device  100  of this invention in use on a recreational vehicle  102 . 
     FIG. 10 depicts a perspective view of the hose clearing device  100  of this invention in use on a power washer  104 . 
     FIG. 11 depicts a block diagram of the hose clearing device  100  of this invention in use. 
     Throughout the figures of the drawings where the same part appears in more than one figure, the same number is applied thereto. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     For the hose clearing mechanism, a valve assembly is present at one end thereof and a hose attachment is present at the other end thereof. The hose clearing mechanism includes a male or female member or other attaching mechanism on one end thereof for attaching to a hose, a fluid line of a recreational vehicle, a pipe for a swimming pool or other elongated tube. Reference to hose may include any and all types of an elongated tube, whether the elongated is flexible or rigid, or has other qualities. 
     A desired fluid for removing an undesired fluid such as water is air. This hose clearing mechanism with its attaching mechanism and air valve works well for clearing a hose or other elongated tube. 
     On the other end is a standard valve. This valve may receive a standard air hose from a hand pump or a compressor. As the valve is fastened to the end of the hose, with the attaching device by screwing or other relationship, the valve is secured to the hose. Air can then be applied to the valve, pass through the attaching device, and force the water out of the hose. In this fashion, the vehicle or hose, or other implement or elongated piece of tubing can be prepared for winter and have the fluid removed therefrom in an efficient manner without the use of antifreeze. 
     This air valve assembly is especially useful for clearing the steam carrying hoses customarily used by the United States Navy on board ships. Various pipes on ships are cleaned by these steam hoses. This air valve assembly can effectively clear the hoses for on deck storage. 
     Referring now to FIG. 1, FIG.  2  and FIG. 3, the hose clearing mechanism  100  has an air valve assembly  110  with a male hose attachment  120  thereon. Air valve assembly  110  is a standard valve assembly with a valve housing  122  and a valve stem  124 . Valve stem  124  permits air to pass through valve housing  122 , when valve stem  124  is contacted the air hose (not shown) from a compressor (not shown) or other air source. With male hose attachment  120 , valve assembly may be secured to the female end  126  of hose  128 . As compressed air is applied to valve assembly  110 , any liquid in hose  128  is expelled therefrom. 
     Particularly in FIG. 3, valve collar  112  in male attachment  120  receives seat groove  114  in air valve assembly  110 . This structure permits an air tight fit between air valve assembly  110  and male attachment  120 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 4, FIG.  5  and FIG. 6, the hose clearing mechanism  100  has an air valve assembly  110  with a female hose attachment  130  thereon. Air valve assembly  110  is again the standard valve assembly above described. Valve stem  124  permits air to pass through valve housing  122 . With female hose attachment  130 , valve assembly  110  may be secured to the male end  132  of hose  128 . As compressed air is applied to valve assembly  110 , any liquid in hose  128  is expelled therefrom. 
     Particularly in FIG. 6, valve collar  112  in female attachment  130  receives seat groove  114  in air valve assembly  110 . This structure permits an air tight fit between air valve assembly  110  and female attachment  130 . 
     In FIG. 7, female hose attachment  130  of FIG. 4 is replaced with snap attachment  140 . Snap attachment  140  has a female snap assembly  142  adapted to receive male snap assembly  144 , on hose  108 . The clearing procedure is then repeatable. Female snap assembly  142  and male snap assembly  144  may have their positions reversed, as shown by comparing FIG.  1  and FIG.  4 . 
     In FIG. 8, clamp attachment  150  replaces snap attachment  140 . Clamp attachment  150  has a female clamp assembly  152  adapted to receive hose  108  in a female to male relationship. Clamp screw  154  of hose clamp  156  secures hose clamp attachment  150  to hose  108 . Clamp attachment  150  is adaptable to almost any diameter of hose  108 . The clearing procedure is then repeatable. 
     As in FIG.  4  and FIG. 6, FIG. 8 has valve collar  112  in female clamp assembly  152  receiving seat groove  114  in air valve assembly  110 . This structure permits an air tight fit between air valve assembly  110  and female clamp assembly  152 . 
     Adding FIG. 9 to the consideration, hose clearing device  100  may be attached to the recreational vehicle  102 . It may be attached to the grey water line  200  or the potable water line  202 , or the sewer water line  204 , and clear any one of those lines of fluid. 
     Another variation is shown in FIG. 10, in that, hose clearing device  100 , is attached to power hose  210 . In that way, hose clearing device  100  can clear a power hose  210 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 11, a block diagram of hose clearing device  100  in use is shown. It is also possible to have only one hose clearing device  100 . Hose clearing device  100  has any type of mating member  160  oppositely disposed from the valve assembly  110 . A mating member  160  can then fit the hose clearing device  100  at the end opposed to valve assembly  110 . The mating member  160  can have or be adapted to have any type of fitting at an opposing end thereof. That mating member  160  can permit hose clearing device  100  to fit any number of different hose fittings or other elongated members. With air flowing from compressed air source  174 , or gas flow producing device through a variety of hoses, antifreeze use is at least reduced, and quite possibly avoided. 
     With any type of fitting  172 , hose clearing device  100  may fit any type of elongated hollow member and remove fluid or liquid therefrom. Thus it may be seen that hose clearing device  100  may remove fluid or liquid from any type of elongated member. 
     This application—taken as a whole with the specification, claims, abstract, and drawings—provides sufficient information for a person having ordinary skill in the art to practice the invention disclosed and claimed herein. Any measures necessary to practice this invention are well within the skill of a person having ordinary skill in this art after that person has made a careful study of this disclosure. 
     Because of this disclosure and solely because of this disclosure, modification of this method and apparatus can become clear to a person having ordinary skill in this particular art. Such modifications are clearly covered by this disclosure.