Sewage hose rinsing apparatus

An RV sewage drain hose hanger that may be mounted to an RV or at a suitable location at an RV sewage dump station is disclosed. The apparatus includes an attachment point for the inboard end of the RV drain hose. When the drain hose is connected to the attachment point the hose is retained in a substantially vertical orientation with the open end of the drain hose facing upwardly. Located above the drain hose attachment is a hose support connection that supports a standard garden hose above the sewage drain hose so that the nozzle of the hose is directed downwardly into the open end of the drain hose. The hose support may be defined by a first and optional second platform, each having an opening for the hose. The flow of water from the hose nozzle is aimed directly into the open end of the sewage drain hose.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to apparatus for hanging a sewage drain hose for simplifying the process of cleaning the hose. The invention is especially applicable for use with recreational vehicle sewage drain hoses.

BACKGROUND

Many recreational vehicles (“RVs”) carry onboard sewage holding tanks. When the holding tank is full the onboard tank must be emptied into a sewage drain tank, typically at an RV dump station. The process of emptying the onboard holding tank is well known to thousands of RV enthusiasts; it can generally be described as follows:A. the inboard end of a sewage drain hose (which is typically carried on the RV) is attached to a drain fitting on the RV;B. the outboard end of the drain hose is attached to the inlet port of a sewage drain tank;C. the contents of the onboard holding tank are emptied into the sewage drain tank (by gravity flow or by pumping the contents) until the onboard holding tank is empty;D. the inboard end of the drain hose is disconnected from the drain fitting on the RV and is rinsed with a hose that is connected to a fresh water supply;E. once rinsed, the outboard end of the drain hose is disconnected from the inlet port and the drain hose is stowed in the RV.

The process described above is well known to any RV owner whose vehicle includes an onboard holding tank. A problem is also well known: rinsing the drain hose after the onboard tank has been emptied can be an awkward and messy job. After the inboard end of the drain hose has been disconnected from the drain fitting on the RV, the person draining the tank typically holds the hose in one hand while holding a garden hose in the other hand and aiming the flow of water from the hose into the now-open end of the drain hose. This takes two hands, one to hold the sewage drain hose so that it is generally vertical, and one to hold the rinse hose. This can be quite awkward. In addition, if water is not already flowing through the rinse hose, the person must find the valve and turn the water on. If the valve is not within the person's arm reach, they need to put the end of the sewage hose down while the operate the water valve. Then, when all systems are operable, aiming the flow of water into the sewage hose can be a hit-and-miss operation. This can lead to splashing, which can be unpleasant and unsanitary.

Because draining RV onboard holding tanks is a routine that takes place for nearly every RV, and given the known problems with existing drain systems, there is a need for a RV sewage drain system that simplifies the process, eliminates messy and unsanitary conditions, and which overcomes the problems with existing systems.

The present invention comprises an RV drain hose hanger that may be mounted to an RV or at a suitable location at an RV sewage dump station. The apparatus includes an attachment point for the inboard end of the RV drain hose. When the drain hose is connected to the attachment point the hose is retained in a substantially vertical orientation with the open end of the drain hose facing upwardly. Located above the drain hose attachment is a hose support connection that supports a standard garden hose above the sewage drain hose so that the nozzle of the hose is directed downwardly into the open end of the drain hose. In an embodiment, the hose support is defined by at least one garden hose support platform having an opening for the hose, and in another embodiment the hose support is defined by first and second garden hose support platforms, each having an opening for the hose. The garden hose support platforms include an opening through which the hose is inserted and generally orients and supports the hose. The garden hose support platforms may optionally include an opening with a gripping member that securely grips the hose end or a nozzle attached to the hose so that the flow from the nozzle is aimed directly into the open end of the sewage drain hose.

With the garden hose retained in the apparatus according to the invention, the water flow through the hose may be initiated. Water is directed into the sewage drain hose and the drain hose is rinsed in a hands-free operation. The operator is not required to manipulate multiple components at the same time and there are no splashes or unsanitary conditions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

The invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings. It will be understood that relative directional terms are used at times to describe components of the invention and relative positions of the parts. As a naming convention, the ground plane is considered to be a horizontal surface and relative directional terms correspond to this convention. With this convention, “upper” refers to the direction above and away from the ground plane; “lower” is generally in the opposite direction, “inward” is the direction from the exterior toward the interior of a component of the invention, “vertical” is the direction normal to the horizontal ground plane, and so on. The “inboard end” of a sewage drain hose refers to the end of the hose that is attached to the sewage drain port of an RV; the outboard end is the opposite end of the hose—that is, the end of the sewage drain hose that is inserted into the sewage dump tank opening port, which is typically at ground level since most sewage dump tanks are in-ground tanks.

With reference now toFIG. 1, the sewage hose hanger10according to the invention is illustrated as having an enclosure12defined by a cover plate14that is connected to a back plate16(also referred to as backing plate16) with a hinge18. The hose hanger10may be adapted so that the hinge18is on either side of the backing plate16. InFIG. 1the cover plate14is in its open position. As detailed below, the hose hanger10may be mounted to an exterior wall of an RV, or may be mounted to any appropriate structure such as a post adjacent to a sewage dump tank inlet port at an RV sewage dump station. Turning briefly toFIG. 4, the sewage hose hanger10is shown in with the cover plate14in the closed position, and in this position the hanger10is quite compact. As such, the compact closed position shown inFIG. 1is very aerodynamic and does not cause wind drag when the RV is being moved. It will be appreciated that when the hose hanger10is mounted to an exterior wall of an RV, it is important to have the hinge18located toward the front of the RV so that the cover plate14doesn't get blown open as the RV moves down the road from wind action. Thus, if the hose hanger is mounted on the left side of the RV (i.e., the driver side) the hinge18will be in the position shown inFIG. 1. If the hose hanger is to be mounted on the right side of the RV (i.e., the passenger side) the hinge18will be mounted opposite from that shown inFIG. 1.

The cover plate14is shown in the open position inFIGS. 1, 2 and 3. Appropriate latches (not shown) may be utilized to secure the cover plate in the closed position ofFIG. 4, and to allow the operator to open the cover plate14as shown inFIG. 1, for instance. Backing plate16includes plural mounting holes20through which fasteners such as screws may be inserted to mount the apparatus10to an RV or to a post or some other surface at an RV dump station.

In the embodiment ofFIGS. 1 through 3, and 5, there are three support plates, each of which is pivotally attached to the back plate16. The uppermost support plate is identified with reference number22and is the upper garden hose support plate (also referred to as a rinse hose support plate). The intermediate support plate is identified with reference number24and is the also a rinse hose support plate. The lowermost support plate is identified with reference number26and is the sewage drain hose attachment plate; it defines the attachment point for the inboard end of the RV's sewage drain hose100, as detailed below. InFIGS. 3 and 5the three support plates22,24and26are shown folded upwardly into their stowed positions. In this position the support plates are nested into cooperatively shaped openings (reference numbers23,25and27inFIGS. 2 and 3) in the base plate16so that the cover plate14may be in its closed position as shown inFIG. 4. As noted, each of the support plates is pivotally attached to the back plate. The pivotal attachment of the support plates is shown inFIGS. 6 through 9and is accomplished with bosses28that extend from the outer edges of the support plates and which are received in openings30in the back plate14to allow the support plates to pivot relative to the back plate. Of course, other types of hinge structures may be used to allow the support plates to pivot relative to the back plate. InFIGS. 1 and 2, the three support plates22,24and26have been pivoted about 90 degrees from the stowed positions ofFIGS. 3 and 5into their operational positions. The interior surface32of cover plate14includes three supports34,36and38. The supports34,36and38define braces that support the three support plates22,24and26, respectively, when the support plates are in their operational positions ofFIGS. 1 and 2. Thus, as seen inFIG. 1, when the support plates are pivoted into their operational positions the plates are supported in those positions by the supports. More specifically, support34supports is the upper rinse hose support plate22. The support36supports the intermediate rinse hose support plate24. And the support38supports the sewage drain hose attachment plate26. It will be appreciated that the function of the stops34,36and38may be accomplished with equivalent bracing structures, including for example support legs on the lower sides of the support plates that engage the backing plate26when the support plates are in their operational positions.

It will be noted that in the drawings the hose hanger10includes two rinse hose support plates22and24. However, the invention is equally functional with only a single rinse hose support plate22. In other words, the intermediate rinse hose support plate24should be considered as an optional component. Furthermore, more than two rinse hose support plates may be used in situations where additional rinse hose support is deemed to be desirable. Moreover, it will be understood that the back plate16serves as a mount and support for the hose supports and the sewage drain hose attachment plate26. The back plate16shown in the drawings is illustrated as a separate unit to which the supports are attached. However, the supports22and24, and the attachment plate26, may be mounted directly to a support surface such as a post located at an RV dump station, or directly to the RV. As such, the back plate, while being a component of an integrated unit as shown in the drawings, must be considered optional.

A standard garden hose typically functions as the source of water to flush and rinse the RV sewage drain hose. The upper rinse hose support plate22has an opening40that is oversized relative to the diameter of a standard garden hose and is configured to allow a standard garden hose to be inserted through the opening with some tolerance between the hose and the opening. Opening40preferably has a beveled upper edge41as shown. As detailed below, this allows the hose to be inserted but relatively loosely retained and supported in the support plate22. The oversized opening40also accommodates garden hoses of various diameters and nozzles that may be attached to the hose. The intermediate rinse hose support plate24also has an opening42, preferably beveled, that is vertically aligned and preferably coaxial with opening40in support plate22when the plates22and24are in their operational positions as inFIG. 1. The diameter of the opening42at the center of the gripping insert44is preferably less than the diameter of a standard garden hose.

The sewage drain hose attachment plate26is shown in theFIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 5, and is shown in isolation inFIGS. 8 and 9. This attachment plate facilitates connection of a standard RV sewage drain hose100to the apparatus10(shown in phantom lines inFIG. 12, for example. More specifically, all RV sewage drain hoses include a latching mechanism that allows the connector fitting (reference number52inFIG. 1) to be secured to the RV's sewage drain port (not shown). The connector fitting52is typically a bayonet-type fitting. In the illustrated embodiment, the latching mechanism is defined by opposed and oppositely oriented hooks54that extend from and are part of the fitting52. The sewage drain hose attachment plate26has an opening50. The interior circumference of opening50includes opposed extensions56, which have a greater diameter than the balance of opening50, and opposed hook-receiving ramps58adjacent to the respective extensions that define engagement locations for the hooks54. With reference toFIGS. 10 and 11, which shows the fitting52inserted into the opening50in support plate26, the hooks54are inserted into the opposed oversized extensions56but the hooks are not engaged with the ramps58. To secure the fitting52(and the attached sewage drain hose100, shown in phantom lines inFIG. 1) to the support plate26, the sewage drain hose100and the attached fitting52is rotated (counterclockwise in the view ofFIGS. 10 and 11) so that the hooks54engage the respective and opposed ramps58as shown inFIGS. 12 and 13. This engagement between the hooks54and ramps58secures the sewage drain hose fitting52to the sewage drain hose attachment plate26. Rubber fittings or surfaces may be included on ramps58to provide a more secure attachment between the fitting52and the plate26. The sewage drain hose100is illustrated schematically in phantom lines inFIG. 1and will be understood to be attached to the lower flange60of the fitting52in a conventional manner. When the fitting52is attached to the attachment plate26as shown inFIGS. 12 and 13, the opening50in the plate26underlies and is vertically aligned with the openings40and42in the upper and intermediate plates22and24, respectively, and the sewage drain hose100will be substantially vertically oriented and depend downwardly from the attachment plate26.

Operation of the apparatus10will now be described. As noted above, the apparatus10may be mounted to the exterior of an RV adjacent the location of the holding tank outlet port, or to a post or other surface at the RV dump station. Use of the apparatus10on the RV has the advantage of the RV operator always being able to use the apparatus even at RV dump stations that do not have the device. And RV dump stations benefit by mounting the device at the RV dump so that all RV owners may use the apparatus, with its associated ease of operation and sanitation benefits.

First, the apparatus10is prepared to accept the RV drain hose and the garden hose. Thus, the cover plate14is swung from its closed position ofFIG. 4into its open position as shown in, for instance,FIG. 1. Next, the three support plates22,24and26are moved from their stowed positions shown inFIG. 3, into their operational positions as seen inFIGS. 1 and 2. The fitting52at the inboard end of the RV's sewage drain hose100is to the RV's sewage tank, the outboard end of the drain hose100is inserted into the dump tank opening port, and draining of the onboard tank is commenced. When the holding tank has been drained, the fitting52on the inboard end of the RV sewage drain hose100is disconnected from the onboard holding tank outlet fitting on the RV, and the fitting52is connected to the sewage hose attachment plate26as detailed above and as shown inFIGS. 1 and 12 and 13. The nozzle end of a garden hose, or rinse hose, (not shown) is then inserted through opening40of support plate22and into the opening42of support plate24(if two support plates are used; if one support plate is used the hose is inserted only through the opening of that one plate). In this position, the rinse hose is held securely by the two support plates22and24and the nozzle of the hose is directed vertically downwardly, directly into the underlying and aligned sewage drain hose100. As such, the flow of water from the rinse hose is directed downwardly into the underlying opening of the sewage drain hose100as it is retained in the attachment plate26. A flow of water is then initiated through the rinse hose and the water flows into the sewage drain hose, rinsing and cleaning the drain hose with the discharge water flowing into the dump station tank. Because the rinse hose is held relatively loosely in openings40and42of support plate22, the garden hose may be wiggled and manipulated to direct the flow of water over the entire interior of the underlying sewage drain hose to insure a thorough rinse.

When the sewage drain hose has been sufficiently rinsed, the flow of water through the rinse hose is stopped and the hose may be removed from apparatus10and stowed as appropriate. Fitting52(and the attached sewage drain hose100) may be disconnected from support plate26by rotating the fitting52counterclockwise (in the view ofFIGS. 10 through 13) to thereby disengage the hooks54from the ramps58. The outboard end of the sewage drain hose may then be disconnected from the dump station port and the rinsed sewage drain hose may be coiled and stowed in the RV.

If the apparatus10is of the type that is attached to the RV itself, as opposed to being mounted at the RV dump station, the three support plates22,24and26are moved into their stowed positions (FIG. 2) and the cover plate14is closed and latched (FIG. 4). Furthermore, if the sewage hose attachment plate26and the at least one flush hose support plate are mounted to a support post at an RV dump station, the process of opening the cover and pivoting the support plates to their operational positions are not pertinent since the plates26,24, etc. are always in their operational positions.

An alternative embodiment of an upper support plate22is illustrated inFIGS. 14 and 15. InFIG. 14the alternative embodiment is shown in an upper perspective view, and inFIG. 15it is shown in a lower perspective view. In this alternative embodiment, the rinse hose opening40includes a flexible gripping member or insert44that has a central opening45. The gripping insert44is preferably a rubber or elastic material that is adapted to grip a garden hose end or a nozzle and hold it securely. For instance, the gripping insert44may be a rubber sheet that has plural radially extending slits46that allow the hose to be inserted into the opening40and facilitate a secure grip on the hose, but which allow the hose to be easily removed from the opening. The gripping insert44may be attached to the support plate22in opening40in many ways, for example, with a conventional heat-stake connection48as shown inFIG. 5or with adhesives. It will be understood that the intermediate support plate24may also include the optional gripping member as just described.

It will be apparent to those of skill in the art that a user may want to simply connect the fitting52to the support plate26and to hold the flush hose by hand. Because the support plate26securely retains the sewage drain hose with the parts of the hose adjacent the fitting in a substantially vertical orientation, the user is free to direct flushing water into the drain hose as desired. This one-hand operation is vastly simpler and more effective than currently used methods where the uses holds the bitter end of the sewage drain hose with one hand and tries to spray water into the hose with the other hand.

Those of skill in the art will appreciate that certain equivalent modifications may be made to the invention without departing from its scope. For example, a single garden hose support plate may be used to retain and support the garden hose. And the garden hose support plate may be defined by a cylindrical tube that supports the garden hose. Moreover, especially in the instance where the apparatus10is mounted at the RV dump station, the support plates (regardless of how they are configured) may be permanently fixed in their operational positions (e.g.,FIG. 1) and the cover plate may be omitted because aerodynamics are not of concern when the apparatus is not mounted to an RV. In another alternative embodiment, the upper and intermediate support plates may be replaced with a single hose-holding structure such as a cradle that grips the hose and directs the flow of water into the underlying sewage drain hose. As noted previously, the apparatus may be operated with a single flush hose support structure if desired.

While the present invention has been described in terms of preferred and illustrated embodiments, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill that the spirit and scope of the invention is not limited to those embodiments, but extend to the various modifications and equivalents as defined in the appended claims.