APPARATUS FOR MAINTAINING POOL OR SPA FULL LEVEL

A nozzle including an inlet portion having an inlet housing with an inlet channel having a diameter; and an outlet portion having a first end secured to a first end of the inlet portion, the outlet portion including an outlet housing, and an outlet tube carried by the outlet housing and having an inner diameter less than the diameter of the inlet channel.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to systems and methods for maintaining a fluid level in a body of water. More specifically, this invention is related to a system for connecting a water source to a nozzle configuring a float valve to control the nozzle dependent upon the water level in the body of water.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the ever-growing pool market, there exists a need to automate the process of replenishing water loss. Low water level can cause serious damage to pool water recirculating and sanitizing sub-systems. Manual replenishment of lost water is time consuming and requires constant monitoring for proper fill level. Known automated methods and systems for maintaining water level require modifications to apparatus based on the setting in which they are used. A known automated system utilizes a mechanical float cut-off action closed and opened by a sealing surface connected to a water buoyant component, but this system has a high failure rate resulting in overfilling. Therefore, a need exists for a reliable system deployable in a variety of environments.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

With the above in mind, embodiments of the present invention are related to a nozzle including an inlet portion and an outlet portion. The inlet portion may include an inlet housing with an inlet channel having a diameter. The outlet portion may have a first end secured to a first end of the inlet portion and include an outlet housing and an outlet tube. The outlet tube may be carried by the outlet housing and have an inner diameter less than the diameter of the inlet channel.

The inner diameter of the outlet tube may be between 0.125 and 0.123 inches.

The outlet housing may have an outlet channel having a diameter larger than the inner diameter of the outlet tube and at least a portion of the outlet tube may be positioned within at least a portion of the outlet channel.

A second end of the outlet housing may include a tapered protrusion having a center aligned with the outlet channel.

The outlet tube may extend through an entirety of a length of the tapered protrusion.

The outlet housing may have a transition channel with a first end proximate the inlet channel and a second, opposing end proximate a first end of the outlet tube.

The first end of the transition channel may have a diameter equal to a diameter of the inlet channel and the second end of the transition channel may have a diameter smaller than the diameter of the first end of the transition channel.

The diameter of the second end of the transition channel may be equal to a diameter of the outlet channel.

A sidewall of the transition channel may form an angle between 35 and 40 degrees with respect to a longitudinal axis of the transition channel.

The outlet portion may further include a threaded connector disposed on an exterior surface thereof.

The inlet portion may further include a threaded connector disposed on an interior surface of the inlet housing.

The inlet portion may further include a quick connect connector receptacle.

The inlet portion may rotatably secure to the outlet portion.

The valve may further include a joint secured between the inlet portion and the outlet portion. The joint may be operable to position a second end of the inlet portion at a ninety-degree angle with respect to a second end of the outlet portion.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the invention, as shown and described by the various figures and accompanying text, provides a system for maintaining a water level100. The system may include a float valve101, a securing member102, and a nozzle103. The securing member102may carry the nozzle103and float valve101and anchor the system100at a particular location to position the float valve101along a surface of the body of water. The nozzle103may be connected to a water source providing water to the body of water. As the water surface rises to a desired level, the float valve101may be operable to occlude the nozzle103to prevent further water from entering the body of water. As the water level falls, the float valve101may be operable to move away from an outlet tube118of the nozzle103and allow water to flow into the body of water to raise the water level.

The securing member102may include a support member107, an adjustable member108, and a horizontal member109. The components of the securing member102may include hollow tubes, caps, and connectors. In one embodiment, the securing member102may include PVC components, which are particularly well suited to the environment in which the system for maintaining a water level100may be utilized.

The support member107may secure directly to the float valve101. The support member107may include a cross-member111and a vertical member110. The vertical member110may secure to the cross-member111perpendicularly to one another. When the system is in operation, the cross-member111may be positioned parallel to the surface of the body of water and the vertical member110may be positioned along a plane ninety degrees from the plane of the surface of the water. In one embodiment, the vertical member110may include a vertical hollow tube127having a vertical tube cap128on a first end. A second end of the vertical hollow tube may be secured to an equal cross fitting129. The vertical hollow tube127may terminate within the equal cross fitting129or extend through the equal cross fitting129and protrude from a pair of opposing outlet portions of the equal cross fitting129. In embodiments in which the vertical hollow tube127terminates within the equal cross fitting, a second vertical hollow tube may be capture by and extend from an outlet portion of the equal cross fitting129opposing the outlet portion secured to the first vertical hollow tube127.

The equal cross fitting129may be hollow and have four outlet portions. Each of the four outlet portions may directly oppose another outlet portion and form a ninety-degree angle with two other outlet portions. The first or second hollow tube portion127extending from the outlet portion of the equal cross fitting129directly opposing the outlet portion secured to the second end of the first vertical member127may secure to a first end of a ninety-degree elbow130. The vertical member110may include all or parts of the ninety-degree elbow130, equal cross fitting129, first vertical hollow tube127, second vertical hollow tube, and vertical tube cap128.

The cross member111may include the two outlet portions of the equal cross fitting129not secured to portions of the vertical member110. Each of these outlet portions of the cross member111maybe secured to a first end of a hollow tube131,132. The second ends of each of these hollow tubes131,132may be secured to respective cross member caps133,134. Alternatively, the cross member111may include a single hollow tube131extending through the equal cross fitting129from a first side to a second, opposing side. In such an embodiment, each end of the single hollow tube131may be secured to a respective cross member cap133,134. The cross member111may include one or more fasteners135adapted to secure directly to the housing104of the float valve101. In one embodiment, the one or more fasteners135may be a pair of screws.

The horizontal member109may have a first end115secured to the ninety-degree elbow130of the support member107and a second, opposing end116secured to a tee member136. The tee member136may include a hollow tube117to rotatably capture and secure to the adjustable member108. The adjustable member may be rotatably positionable with respect to the horizontal member109.

The adjustable member108may include a mounting member112, which may be a single tube, carried by the hollow tube117and extending from opposing ends of the hollow tube117of the tee member136. Each end of the mounting member112may be secured to a first end of a respective elbow137,138. In one embodiment, each elbow137,138may form a ninety-degree angle. The second end of each elbow137,138may secure to a first end of an extension member113,114. The extension members113,114may be parallel to one another and perpendicular to the mounting member112. The second end of each extension member113,114may secure to a respective extension cap139,140. The adjustable member108may be rotated within the hollow tube117to position the extension members113at any angle between zero and three hundred sixty degrees with respect to the horizontal member109. Adjusting the angle of the adjustable member108may allow the system to be placed and retained on the side of a body of water regardless of the structure of the surface surrounding the body of water. By way of example, when the body of water is a swimming pool, there may be a coping surrounding the pool that angles up, down, or remains flat. The adjustable member108may be positioned to maximize contact with the surface upon which it rests regardless of the angle of the coping. The interior of all hollow pipes, excluding the support member107and hollow tubes131and132may be filled with dead weight to increase frame stability. The introduction of deadweight may be beneficial due to wave action created during pool use or water currents within the body of water due to circulation.

To further retain the system100in the desired position, a portion of the system100may include a slip resistant surface120. In one embodiment, a slip resistant surface120may be located along an entirety of portion of an outer perimeter surface of each extension member113,114. A slip resistant surface120may be located along an entirety of a portion of an outer perimeter surface of the horizontal member109.

The float valve101may include a housing104, a float105, and a connector106. The housing104may have a hollow interior121and a top surface122with an orifice123disposed through an entirety of the thickness of the top surface122. The orifice123may be in fluid communication with the nozzle103of the system100. The connector106may be secured to the top surface122of the housing104, be adapted to carry the nozzle103, and position the nozzle in fluid communication with the orifice123.

The float105may pivotally secure to the housing104within the hollow interior121of the housing104below the top surface122. The float105may be a hollow, generally rectangular, buoyant structure. The top surface of the float105may rise and fall as the water level of the body of water rises and falls. As the water level rises, a neoprene washer of the float105may contact and occlude the orifice123of the housing104and prevent water from passing through the nozzle103into the body of water. As the water level falls, the float105may move away from the orifice123of the housing104and allow water to pass through the nozzle103and enter the body of water. At a desired water level, the float105may prevent additional water from entering the body of water through the nozzle103. When the water level drops below a desired water level, the float105may allow additional water to enter the body of water through the nozzle103.

The nozzle103may include an inlet tube119adapted to receive water entering the nozzle103. The inlet tube119may have an inner diameter. The nozzle103may also include an outlet tube118adapted to expel water from the nozzle103into the orifice123of the housing104. The outlet tube118may have an inner diameter less than the inner diameter of the inlet tube119. In one embodiment, the inner diameter of the outlet tube may be between 0.125 and 0.123 inches. In one embodiment, the inner diameter of the outlet tube may be 0.124 inches. The outlet tube118may have an outer diameter between 0.16 and 0.15 inches. In one embodiment, the outer diameter of the outlet tube118may be 0.155 inches. A first end121of the outlet tube118may be positioned proximate the inlet to the nozzle103with a second end of the outlet tube118positioned proximate the orifice123of the housing104. As depicted inFIG. 10, the first end121of the outlet tube118may be flared. In one embodiment, the flare of the outlet tube118may form a forty-five degree angle with a longitudinal axis of the outlet tube118.

The nozzle103may include a threaded connector122. The threaded connector122may be adapted to mate with threads on the connector106of the float valve101. In one embodiment, the threaded connector122of the nozzle103may have threads located on an outer perimeter, which mate with threads on an inner perimeter of the connector106of the float valve101. The threaded connector122of the nozzle103may surround and carry at least a portion of the outlet tube118. The threaded connector122of the nozzle103may secure to the inlet tube119of the nozzle103.

The nozzle103may include a flange nut123, which may be positioned between the outlet tube118and the threaded connector122. The first end121of the outlet tube118may be positioned within a center void of the flange nut123. The flange nut123may secure to an outer diameter of the outlet tube118. The flange nut123may be captured by and carried within the threaded connector122. The flange nut123may be positioned within an inner perimeter of the threaded connector122. Space between an outer perimeter of the flange nut123and the inner perimeter of the threaded connector122may be filled with epoxy resin124. Additionally, epoxy resin124may fill an entirety of a void between the outer diameter of the outlet tube118and the inner diameter of the threaded connector122.

The nozzle may include a hose connector125. The hose connecter125may be adapted to secure to a hose, which provides water to increase the level of the body of water. In one embodiment, the hose connector125may include threads located on an inner diameter of the inlet tube119. In another embodiment, the hose connector125may include a quick connect style connector secured to or positioned on an exterior perimeter of the inlet tube119. The hose connector125may be coupled to the threaded connector122of the nozzle103. When secured to one another, the hose connector125and the threaded connector122may swivel with respect to one another. In one embodiment, a joint126may be positioned between the hose connector125and the threaded connector122. In such an embodiment, the joint126may be operable to position the fluid inlet of the hose connector125at angle of other than one hundred eighty degrees with respect to the fluid outlet of the outlet tube118. In one embodiment, the joint126may be operable to achieve an angle between one hundred eighty and ninety degrees.

In one embodiment, as depicted at least inFIGS. 13-21, a nozzle103including both an inlet portion150and an outlet portion160is shown. The nozzle103may be used with the float valve101and securing member102. As depicted, the inlet portion150of the nozzle103may include an inlet housing151with an inlet channel153. The inlet channel153may extend along an entirety of the length of the inlet housing151and be centered on the longitudinal axis thereof. The inlet channel153may be circular and have a diameter with an opening of the inlet channel153at both the first end152and second end of the inlet portion150. The first end152of the inlet portion150may secure to the first end162of the outlet portion160. In one embodiment, the inlet portion150may rotatably secure to the outlet portion160with a swivel-type connection. In one embodiment, a joint126may be secured between the first end152of the inlet portion150and the first end162of the outlet portion160. The joint126may be operable to selectively position the second end of the inlet portion150either in line with or at a ninety degree angle to the second end163of the outlet portion160.

The inlet portion150may include a hose connector125adapted to secure a hose or other water source to the second end of the inlet portion150. In one embodiment, as shown at least inFIGS. 20 and 21, the hose connector125may include a threaded connector located on an interior surface of the inlet housing151. In another embodiment, as shown at least inFIGS. 13-19, the hose connector125may include a quick connect connector receptacle.

The outlet portion160may include an outlet housing161and an outlet tube118. The outlet portion160may have a first end162and an opposing second end162. The outlet portion160may have a securing mechanism adapted to secure the second end163of the outlet portion160to an inlet of the float valve. In one embodiment, the securing mechanism may include a threaded connector122located on an exterior surface of the outlet portion160proximate the second end163.

The outlet tube118may be carried by the outlet housing161and have an opening at the second end162of the outlet portion160. The outlet tube118may be a hollow cylindrical tube carried by the outlet housing161. The inner diameter of the outlet tube118may be smaller than the diameter of the inlet channel153. In one embodiment, the inner diameter of the outlet tube may be between 0.125 and 0.123 inches, preferably 0.124 inches in diameter.

The outlet housing162may have an outlet channel164adapted to carry at least a portion of the outlet tube118. The outlet channel164may be formed through an entirety of the length of the outlet housing162and may be centered along a longitudinal axis of the outlet housing162. The diameter of the outlet channel164may be larger than the inner diameter of the outlet tube118. At least a portion of the outlet tube118may be positioned within the outlet channel164and secured therein with an interference fit or with an adhesive. The first end165of the outlet channel164may oppose the second end of the outlet channel164and may be positioned proximate the inlet portion150, or transition channel166, and distal the second end of the outlet portion163.

The outlet housing162may have a first end proximate the first end of the inlet portion150. The second end of the outlet housing162may oppose the first end of the outlet portion160and be positioned at the second end163of the outlet portion160. A tapered protrusion169may be secured to the second end163of the outlet portion160. The tapered protrusion169may have a channel formed along an entirety of its length. The channel may be cylindrical and adapted to allow a fluid to pass from the interior cavity of the outlet portion160to the exterior of the outlet portion160, exiting at a second end163of the outlet portion. The channel of the tapered protrusion169may be centered on the tapered protrusion169and aligned with the outlet channel164.

The outlet tube118may be carried by the tapered protrusion169. In one embodiment, the outlet tube118may extend through an entirety of the length of the tapered protrusion169.

The outlet housing161may also include a transition channel166. A first end167of the transition channel166may be positioned proximate the inlet channel153of the inlet housing151. Fluid may flow into the nozzle103at the second end of the inlet portion150, enter the inlet channel153, flow into the transition channel166, and exit the nozzle103through the outlet tube118. The second end168of the transition channel166may oppose the first end167and be proximate the first end121of the outlet tube121.

The diameter of the transition channel166may taper between the first end167and second end168, The first end167of the transition channel166may be adjacent the inlet channel153and have a diameter equal to the diameter of the inlet channel153. The second end of the transition channel166may be smaller than the first end167. In one embodiment, the second end168of the transition channel166may be adjacent a first end121of the outlet tube118and have a diameter equal to the interior diameter of the outlet tube188or the outlet channel164. In one embodiment, the sidewalls of the transition channel166may taper at an angle between 35 and 40 degrees with respect to a longitudinal axis of the transitional channel166.

The claims in the instant application are different than those of the parent application or other related applications. Applicant therefore rescinds any disclaimer of claim scope made in the parent application or any predecessor application in relation to the instant application. Any such previous disclaimer and the cited references that it was made to avoid, may need to be revisited. Further, any disclaimer made in the instant application should not be read into or against the parent application.