Adjustable return fitting

An adjustable return fitting, includes a return fitting housing having a housing interior; a water jet adjustment dial rotatably carried by the return fitting housing, the water jet adjustment dial having a dial interior accommodating the return fitting housing; and a peg slot in the dial interior of the dial body, the peg slot disposed in angular relationship to a rotational axis of the water adjustment dial; and a baffle including a baffle stem in the housing interior of the return fitting housing, a baffle tab carried by the baffle stem and a baffle tab peg carried by the baffle stem in offset relationship to the baffle stem, the baffle tab peg engaging the peg slot; and a baffle disk carried by the baffle stem in the housing interior of the return fitting housing.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is related to application Ser. No. 12/930,535, filed Jan. 10, 2011 and entitled ADJUSTABLE RETURN FITTING.

FIELD

Illustrative embodiments of the disclosure generally relate to return fittings for swimming pools, spas and the like. More particularly, illustrative embodiments of the disclosure relate to an adjustable return fitting which can be adjusted to select the force of a water jet directed into a pool, spa or the like.

BACKGROUND

A conventional swimming pool includes a pump and filter assembly having an inlet which is connected to one or multiple drains in the bottom of the pool. An outlet of the pump and filter assembly is connected to multiple return fittings provided at intermittent spacing with respect to each other in the sides of the pool. The pump and filter assembly draws water from the pool, filters the water and returns the water through the multiple return fittings in the sides of the pool. Spas, or “hot tubs”, may be fitted with a similar arrangement to filter the water in the spa.

Conventional return fittings in swimming pools and spas are typically not adjustable such that the force of the water jet which is ejected from the return fittings into the pool or spa is not selectable.

SUMMARY

Illustrative embodiments of the disclosure are generally directed to an adjustable return fitting. An illustrative embodiment or the adjustable return fitting includes a return fitting housing having a housing interior; a water jet adjustment dial rotatably carried by the return fitting housing, the water jet adjustment dial having a dial interior accommodating the return fitting housing; and a peg slot in the dial interior of the dial body, the peg slot disposed in angular relationship to a rotational axis of the water adjustment dial; and a baffle including a baffle stem in the housing interior of the return fitting housing, a baffle tab carried by the baffle stem and a baffle tab peg carried by the baffle stem in offset relationship to the baffle stem, the baffle tab peg engaging the peg slot; and a baffle disk carried by the baffle stem in the housing interior of the return fitting housing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the described embodiments or the application and uses of the described embodiments. As used herein, the word “exemplary” or “illustrative” means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” or “illustrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. All of the implementations described below are exemplary implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to make or use the invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the claims. Moreover, the illustrative embodiments described herein are not exhaustive and embodiments or implementations other than those which are described herein and which fall within the scope of the appended claims are possible. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description. Relative terms such as “front” and “rear” as used herein are intended for descriptive purposes only and are not necessarily intended to be construed in a limiting sense.

Referring initially toFIGS. 1-15of the drawings, an illustrative embodiment of the adjustable return fitting is generally indicated by reference numeral1inFIGS. 1 and 2. The adjustable return fitting1includes a return fitting housing2having a housing wall3which may be generally elongated and cylindrical. The return fitting housing2may have a housing interior4(FIG. 3). A housing collar5may be provided on the exterior of the housing wall3at one end of the return fitting housing2. Multiple finger grooves5amay be provided in the outer circumference of the housing collar5. Housing threads6may be provided on the exterior of the housing wall3on one side of the housing collar5. As illustrated inFIGS. 3-6, a pair of aligned or registering baffle slots7may extend into the return fitting bevel8and the housing wall3and communicate with the housing interior4for purposes which will be hereinafter described. The return fitting housing2may be PVC (polyvinylchloride) or other material which is consistent with the functional requirements of the adjustable return fitting1. As illustrated inFIG. 2, a pair of wall pins3a(one of which is illustrated) may extend from the housing wall3into the housing interior4for purposes which will be hereinafter described.

A positionally-adjustable baffle10may be provided in the housing interior4of the return fitting housing2. As illustrated inFIG. 2, the baffle10may have a generally elongated baffle stem15and a baffle disk11on the baffle stem15. In some embodiments, the baffle disk11may include a semicircular large disk portion11aand a semicircular small it portion11bwhich extend from opposite sides of the baffle stem15. The small disk position11bhas a radius which is smaller than a radius of the large disk portion11a. The large disk portion11aof the baffle disk11may have a diameter which generally corresponds to or is slightly smaller than the diameter of the housing interior4of the return fitting housing2. A baffle foot16may terminate a first end of the baffle stem15. A baffle tab17may terminate a second end of the baffle stem15. A baffle tab peg18may extend from the baffle tab17for purposes which will be hereinafter described. As illustrated inFIG. 2, the baffle tab peg18may be disposed in offset relationship with respect to a longitudinal axis of the baffle stem15. As illustrated inFIGS. 3-6, the baffle stem15may be inserted in the registering baffle slots7provided in the return fitting bevel8and the housing wall3with the baffle foot16and the baffle tab17outside the housing wall3. Accordingly, the baffle disk11of the baffle10may be pivotally mounted in the housing interior4of the return fitting housing2at the baffle slots7. The baffle10may be deployed between a closed orientation, as illustrated inFIGS. 3 and 4and in which the baffle disk11substantially blocks the housing interior4of the return fitting housing2, and an open orientation, as illustrated inFIGS. 5 and 6and in which the baffle disk11substantially unblocks the housing interior4.

As illustrated inFIGS. 13-15, in some embodiments, a blowout plug opening12may extend through the large disk portion11aor the smaller disk portion11b, as illustrated, of the baffle disk11. A blowout plug13may be fitted in the blowout plug opening12via a friction or interference fit. The blowout plug13may be adapted to become dislodged from the blowout plug opening12responsive to application of a predetermined magnitude of fluid pressure against the blowout plug13, as illustrated inFIGS. 14 and 15.

A water jet adjustment dial28is rotatably mounted with respect to the housing wall3of the return fitting housing2such as in a manner which will be hereinafter described. As illustrated inFIGS. 7-9, the water jet adjustment dial28may include an annular outer dial wall29having a front dial edge30and a rear dial edge31. A front dial wall33(FIG. 9) may extend from the front dial edge30of the outer dial wall29. A dial interior39may be formed by the outer dial wall29and the front dial wall33. An inner dial wall32may be disposed inside the dial interior39and concentric with the outer dial wall29. In some embodiments, finger grooves29a(FIG. 3) may be provided in the exterior surface of the outer dial wall29. A dial bevel34may protrude from the front dial wall33. A dial opening35(FIG. 9) may extend through the dial bevel34and communicate with the dial interior39. As illustrated inFIGS. 10,11and12, in some embodiments, a generally curved wall slot33amay extend through the front dial wall33.

A peg guide36extends from an inner surface of the outer dial wall29into the dial interior39. The peg guide36may be generally elongated and may generally conform to the curvature of the interior surface of the outer dial wall29. As illustrated inFIG. 9, the peg guide36may be disposed in angled relationship to a rotational axis44of the water adjustment dial28. Thus, when the water jet adjustment dial28is viewed in cross-section, as illustrated inFIG. 9, the peg guide36may angle generally from the rear dial edge31toward the front dial edge30. A wall indentation32amay be provided in a rear edge of the inner dial wall32. The wall indentation32amay extend generally parallel to the peg guide36. A generally elongated peg slot37may be formed by and between the peg guide36and the wall indentation32a. As further illustrated inFIG. 9, the peg slot37may be disposed in angled relationship to a rotational axis44of the water adjustment dial28. The peg slot37may have a baffle open position37a, a baffle closed position37band a baffle midpoint position37cbetween the baffle open position37aand the baffle closed position37b. In some embodiments, multiple peg guide notches38may be provided along the length of the peg guide36in facing relationship to the peg slot37for purposes which will be hereinafter described. The peg guide36may extend adjacent to the wall slot33ain the front dial wall33.

As further illustrated inFIG. 2, in assembly of the adjustable return fitting1, the baffle stem15of the baffle10is inserted in the registering baffle slots7(FIG. 3) in the housing wall3of the return fitting housing2such that the baffle disk11is pivotal between the closed position (FIGS. 3 and 4) and the open position (FIGS. 5 and 6) in the housing interior4. The housing wall3is inserted through the dial interior29inside the inner dial wall32of the water jet adjustment dial28. The return fitting bevel8of the return fitting housing2may be disposed inside the dial bevel34of the water jet adjustment dial28.

As illustrated inFIGS. 10A and 10B, the baffle foot16of the baffle10may be disposed in the dial interior39between the outer dial wall29and the inner dial wall32. The baffle tab17of the baffle10may be disposed in the dial opening35inside the inner dial wall32. The baffle tab peg18extends through the wall indentation32aof the inner dial wall32and protrudes into the peg slot37(FIG. 9) between the wall indentation32aand the peg guide36. As illustrated inFIGS. 10,11and12, the baffle tab peg18may be visible through the wall slot33ain the front dial wall33.

As illustrated inFIG. 2, a nozzle cap70may be inserted through the dial bevel34of the water jet adjustment dial28into the housing interior4of the return fitting housing2. The nozzle cap70may include a cylindrical nozzle cap wall71. A generally semicircular wall extension72may extend from a rear edge of the nozzle cap wall71. A nozzle opening75(FIG. 10) may be formed by the nozzle cap wall71. In some embodiments, a nozzle flange78(FIGS. 10,11and12) may be provided in the nozzle opening75to deflect liquid as is it is ejected from the cap opening75. An annular cap flange74may extend from a front edge of the nozzle cap wall71. As illustrated inFIG. 1, the cap flange74may engage the dial bevel34when the nozzle cap70is inserted in the return fitting housing2. A pair of L-shaped pin slots73(one of which is illustrated inFIG. 2) may extend through the nozzle cap wall71. Accordingly, the pin slots73receive and accommodate the respective wall pins3awhich extend from the housing wall3of the return fitting housing2to secure the nozzle cap70to the return fitting housing2.

As the water jet adjustment dial28is rotated in either direction, the return fitting housing2and the nozzle cap70remain stationary. The baffle tab peg18on the baffle tab17of the baffle10rides along the peg guide36and traverses the peg slot37(FIG. 9) in the water jet adjustment dial28. The angled trajectory of the peg guide36causes the peg guide36to rotate the baffle stem15, which rotates the baffle disk11in the housing interior4of the return fitting housing2. Accordingly, when the baffle stem peg18is located in the baffle open position37aof the peg slot37, as illustrated inFIG. 10B, the baffle10is positioned in the open orientation, as illustrated inFIGS. 10 and 10A, to minimally block or impede flow of fluid through the housing interior of the return fitting housing2. When the baffle stem peg18is located in the baffle closed position37bof the peg slot37, as illustrated inFIG. 12B, the baffle10is positioned in the closed orientation, as illustrated inFIGS. 12 and 12A, to maximally block or impede flow of fluid through the housing interior4of the return fitting housing2. When the baffle stem peg18is located in the baffle midpoint position37c, as illustrated inFIG. 11B, the baffle10is positioned in the partially closed orientation, as illustrated inFIGS. 11 and 11A, to partially block or impede flow of fluid through the housing interior4of the return fitting housing2. As an operator of the adjustable return fitting1manually rotates the water jet adjustment dial28and the baffle tab peg18traverses the peg guide36, the baffle tab peg18may “bump” or “snap” into the peg guide notches38in the peg guide36, providing tactile feel to the operator as the baffle10changes positions.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the water jet adjustment dial28can be selectively rotated in such a manner that the baffle tab peg18is located at any position between that of the baffle open position37a(FIG. 10B) and that of the baffle closed position (FIG. 12B) to achieve a continuum of flow-impeding capability of the baffle10between the minimal impeding position illustrated inFIGS. 10 and 10Aand the maximal impeding position illustrated inFIGS. 12 and 12A.

Referring next toFIG. 16of the drawings, in exemplary application, multiple adjustable return fittings1may be installed in a swimming pool40to return water50to the swimming pool40after filtering of the water50. Each adjustable return fitting1may be selectively adjusted to select the strength or force of the water jet50which is ejected from that adjustable return fitting1. The swimming pool40may have a conventional design with a swimming pool bottom42and a swimming pool side43which form a swimming pool interior41. Multiple adjustable return fittings1may be provided in the swimming pool side43at spaced-apart intervals with respect to each other.

At least one pool drain46may be provided in the swimming pool bottom42. At least one pool drain conduit48may be disposed in fluid communication with the pool drain or drains46. A pool pump and filter assembly47may be disposed in fluid communication with the pool drain conduit or conduits48.

Each adjustable return fitting1may be disposed in fluid communication with the pool pump and filter assembly47through a corresponding pool return conduit49. Each adjustable return fitting1may be mounted in the swimming pool side43of the swimming pool40such that the water jet adjustment dial28protrudes beyond the surface of the swimming pool side43.

During operation of the pool pump and filter assembly47, water50may be continually or intermittently distributed from the swimming pool40through the drains46and the respective pool drain conduits48to the pool pump and filter assembly47. In the pool pump and filter assembly47, impurities and contaminants (not illustrated) are removed from the water50typically in the conventional manner. After filtering, the pool pump and filter assembly47pumps the water50through the pool return conduits49to the respective adjustable return fittings1. At each adjustable return fitting1, the water50flows through the housing interior4(FIG. 10) of the return fitting housing2and the dial opening35in the water jet adjustment dial28, respectively, and is ejected into the swimming pool40through the nozzle opening75of the the nozzle cap70.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the baffle10can be selectively oriented in the housing interior4of the return fitting housing2to selectively vary the strength or force of the water jets50which are ejected from the nozzle opening75of the nozzle cap70into the swimming pool40. By selective rotation of the water jet adjustment dial28of each adjustable return fitting1, the baffle10may be selectively oriented in the housing interior4to the position illustrated inFIGS. 12 and 12Ain which the baffle10substantially blocks or impedes flow of water through the housing interior4and eliminates the water jets50or minimizes the force of the water in the water jets50which are ejected through the nozzle opening75. Conversely the baffle10may be selectively oriented in the housing interior4to the orientation illustrated inFIGS. 10 and 10Ain which the baffle10facilitates flow of water through the housing interior4and maximizes the force of the water in the water jets50ejected through the nozzle opening75. The baffle10may be selectively oriented in the housing interior4to positions which are between the maximal flow-impeding orientation illustrated inFIGS. 12 and 12Aand the minimal flow-facilitating orientation illustrated inFIGS. 10 and 10Ato achieve a continuum of ejection force in the water jets50as they are ejected through the nozzle opening75.

As further illustrated inFIG. 16, in some applications, multiple adjustable return fittings1may be provided in a spa or hot tub52to return water50from a hot tub pump and filter assembly58. The hot tub52may be adjacent to the swimming pool40, as illustrated, or separate from the swimming pool40and may include a hot tub bottom53and a hot tub side54. A hot tub drain55may be provided in the hot tub bottom53. The hot tub pump and filter assembly58may be disposed in fluid communication with the hot tub drain55through a hot tub drain conduit59. The adjustable return linings1may be provided in the hot tub side54at spaced-apart intervals with respect to each other. The adjustable return fitting1may be disposed in fluid communication with the hot tub pump and filter assembly58through respective hot tub return conduits60.

Operation of the adjustable return fittings1in the hot tub52may be as was heretofore described with respect to the swimming pool40. Accordingly, during operation of the hot tub52, water50may be continually or intermittently distributed from the hot tub52through the hot tub drain55and the hot tub drain conduit59, respectively, to the hot tub pump and filter assembly58. The hot tub pump and filter assembly58filters the water50and pumps the water50back into the hot tub52through the hot tub drain conduits60and adjustable return fittings1, respectively. By selective rotation of the water jet adjustment dial28(FIGS. 1-10) on the return fitting housing2of each adjustable return fitting1, the orientation of the baffle10in the housing interior4of the return housing fitting2is adjusted to vary the force of the water jet or jets50which are ejected from each adjustable return fitting1, as was heretofore described.

While the illustrative embodiments of the disclosure have been described above, it will be recognized and understood that various modifications can be made in the disclosure and the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications which may fall within the spirit and scope of the disclosure.