Abstract:
A combination valve and valve extension allows an operator to open and close a hose bib. A ball valve attaches to the free end of a hose bib. An extension member includes a coupling end that slides over the handle of the ball valve. A handle is provided at an opposite end of the extension member to allow torque to be exerted on the ball valve handle to open and close it. In this manner, a simple and cost effective method of controlling a hose bib without incurring many of the problems associated with bushes planted in front of the hose.

Description:
The present application relates to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/796,732 filed on Nov. 19, 2012 and claims priority therefrom. 
     The present application was not subject to federal research and/or development funding. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     Generally, the invention relates to a combination valve and valve extension which allows an exterior water valve or spigot to be turned on or shut off from a distance. That is, the invention is coupled to an exterior hose bib and allows the hose bib to be remotely controlled in an easy fashion. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     There are several valve types which include globe valves, gate valves, ball valves, and butterfly valves. Globe valves are typically used in hose bibs which are found on the outside of almost every American house to control the flow of water. In a globe valve, a rubber or neoprene washer is attached to a handle to cover a water supply opening and shut off the water when the handle is screwed down. Gate valves include a handle coupled to a wedge that is arranged within housing. A valve stem extends between the handle and the wedge and includes a threaded region passing through the housing. The handle of the gate valve is rotated several twists to open and close the valve by retracting or extending the wedge into a conduit extending between the input and output of the valve. 
     A ball valve utilizes a ball for controlling the flow of fluid through the valve. An opening passes through the center of the ball and allows fluid to pass through the valve when the opening is parallel to the conduit. When the ball is rotated ninety degrees, the solid region of the ball fills the conduit to close the valve. 
     A hose bib is provided on the exterior of many American homes. The hose bib usually includes either a globe valve or a gate valve. This requires the user to rotate the hose bib handle several revolutions to fully open and close the hose bib. Moreover, many homeowners plant bushes near the hose bib. It becomes difficult to turn on/off the hose bib as the bushes grow. If the bushes are watered, mud puddles may form making it difficult to operate the hose bib. 
     By way of example, there are several patents which have attempted to address the issue of extending valves. U.S. Pat. No. 4,266,320 discloses a faucet extender that includes an elongated extension member and a connection arrangement that couples the faucet extender to a valve handle. A handle is provided on the elongated extension member for transmitting rotation to the valve handle. A vertical support member is arranged near the handle for includes a lower end adapted to be driven into the ground. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,711,511 discloses a garden hose valve spindle extender that comprises an elongated rod which includes a first end having a knob and a second end having an attachment plate. The attachment plate is secured to an existing water spigot. A securement hook attaches the elongated rod to an exterior of the house. The extender lengthens the valve handle upwards such that the user does not have to bend over to actuate the garden hose valve. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,186,475 discloses a spigot handle extender which extends a valve handle. The extender includes a rotateable body and engaging means for engaging a valve handle to be rotatable conjointly therewith. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,837,481 discloses an emergency multi-purpose valve extension for use with utility control valves. The extension is for use in toilets, sinks and water heaters. The extension makes it easier for a user to turn on and off the water supply to a particular item and assists elderly and disabled in doing such. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,000,897 discloses an apparatus and method for operating a water valve. A water meter valve wrench comprises a telescoping shaft assembly having an inner and outer shaft. A handle is pivotally attached to a first end of the shaft assembly. A working coupling element is fixed or mounted onto the other end. 
     One problem associated with watering the lawn or washing the car is that many homeowners plant bushes near their home. This may cause a muddy spot when the law is watered or scratch a home owner who enters the bushes to turn on/off a hose bib. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is a combination valve and extender. The valve is preferably valve that opens and closes by turning the valve handle over a small distance. Such valves are known in the art as ball valves and butterfly valves. These types of valves are operated by turning the valve handles only a short distance, for instance a one-quarter turn. A valve extender comprises an elongated member having a first end with a handle and a second end that is preferably comprises a forked end having angled prongs that slip on either side of the valve handle to turn it on and off. Various other embodiments of the invention include a valve having different couplers that attach the handle thereto as shown in the different views. One embodiment comprises a coupler having a pair of yokes linked together with pins and which adjoins the handle to the valve such that two axis of rotation are provided to allow the handle to be elevated and traversed simultaneously. 
     The valve includes an internally threaded open end which allows it to be attached onto a hose bib that extends from the house exterior. An opposite end includes external threads that receive and mate with a hose. During operation, the closed valve is attached to the hose bib. The hose bib handle is opened to allow pressurize water to enter the valve. In one embodiment, the forked end is temporarily slid onto the valve handle and twisted to turn the water on. In like manner, the water may be turned off. This allows the user to stand on a side of a bush opposite the house and operate the valve without pushing through the bush and into moist soil or mud. 
     In one embodiment, the shutoff valve includes a handle comprising specially formed closure wings that hook to an expandable handle that attach to a hose bib or other water faucet. An end of a water hose connects to an opposite end of the shutoff valve. The valve is substantially 1½ inches in length and comprises female threads at one end for attaching to the externally threaded end of the hose bib. A ball arranged within the valve is controlled by the valve wings and handle to control a flow of water through the shutoff valve. The handle and valve may be formed from a variety of different materials readily available on the market such as chrome, brass, composite, plastic or other lightweight sturdy materials. 
     The invention is a very convenient way to be able to turn on/off outdoor hose bibs and faucets without stepping into flower beds or through bushes to accomplish the task. The invention may also comprise a u-shaped hook that loosely attaches to the valve with an end attached to the handle such that the handle rests close to or on the ground when not in use. Another option includes a ground stake on which the handle rests. 
     It is an object of the invention to teach a hose bib extension that enables a user to open and close the hose bib without having to walk through bushes planted near the house. 
     An additional object of the invention is to provide an extended elongated member which includes a handle for easily turning water on/off at a hose bib. 
     It is another object of the invention to teach a cost effective solution to a common problem experienced by the American homeowner. 
     It is a further object of the invention to teach a simple solution to assist a homeowner in conveniently watering his lawn or washing his car. 
     Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned from practicing the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention will be obtained by means of instrumentalities in combinations particularly pointed out in this specification and any appended claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1A  shows a schematic view of a first embodiment of a combination valve and valve extender along with a hose bib.  FIG. 1B  is an enlarged view of the valve and valve extender shown in  FIG. 1A . 
         FIG. 2A  shows a schematic view representing a second embodiment of the combination valve and valve extender along with a hose bib.  FIG. 2B  is an enlarged view of the valve and valve extender shown in  FIG. 2A . 
         FIG. 3A  depicts a third schematic view showing an embodiment of a combination valve and valve extender along with a hose bib.  FIG. 3B  is an enlarged view of the valve and valve extender shown in  FIG. 3A . 
         FIG. 4A  shows a fourth schematic embodiment of a combination valve and valve extender along with a hose bib.  FIG. 4B  is an enlarged view of the valve and valve extender shown in  FIG. 4A . 
         FIG. 5A  shows a fifth schematic embodiment of a combination valve and valve extender along with a hose bib.  FIG. 5B  is an enlarged exploded view of a dual directional coupler.  FIG. 5C  shows the fifth embodiment from above. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The embodiments of the invention and the various features and advantageous details thereof are more fully explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiments and examples that are described and/or illustrated in the accompanying drawings and set forth in the following description. It should be noted that the features illustrated in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, and the features of one embodiment may be employed with the other embodiments as the skilled artisan recognizes, even if not explicitly stated herein. Descriptions of well-known components and techniques may be omitted to avoid obscuring the invention. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the invention may be practiced and to further enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. Accordingly, the examples and embodiments set forth herein should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention, which is defined by the appended claims. 
     Moreover, it is noted that like reference numerals represent similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings. 
     Turning now to the invention,  FIGS. 1A ,  1 B are views of the first embodiment of the invention  1 . A quick actuation valve  20  such as a ball or butterfly valve is attached to the threaded output end of a hose bib  100 . The quick actuation valve  20  includes a body formed of a rigid material and having a first end  21  which comprises a collar having female hose threads that mates with the external threads on a hose bib. The collar is constructed to allow it to rotate relative to the body of the valve  20 . It should be noted that the valve  20  may comprise threads that mate with external threads on a sink faucet or other interior water dispensing device. An O-ring  150  shown in  FIG. 5C  is seated within the collar for preventing leaks between the threaded end of the hose bib and the collar. A second end  22  includes external hose threads for accepting a garden or yard hose. 
     The quick actuation valve  20  is installed by mating the threaded collar onto the output end of the hose bib  100 . Thereafter, the valve  20  is closed and the handle of hose bib  100  is twisted into the open position allowing water pressure to build within valve  20 . 
     A proximal end of the elongated member  10  includes a handle  12 . In the first embodiment, a distal end  11  of elongated member  10  includes a pair of prongs  13 . Each prong  13  includes a flat end  14 . Each flat end  14  includes at least one through opening for accepting fastener  25  to affix a distal end of the elongated member  10  to a valve stem  23  of valve  20  via threaded openings  26  in ears  24  which extend outward from valve stem  23 . 
     Elongated member  10  further comprises a plurality of nested members, collectively represented as element  15  in the drawings and which telescope to a length of substantially five feet (5′). Each nested member is configured to transfer torque between handle  12  and prongs  13  to allow for the valve stem  23  to be twisted from an open to a closed position and vice versa. 
     During operation, the elongated member  10  may be passed through a bush and extended during use and semi-collapsed back into the bush during nonuse. As can be realized, the handle  12  can be twisted to exert torque onto the valve stem  23  to turn it a short distance, preferably ninety degrees to actuate the valve  20 . In this manner, one is not required to enter into bushes to perform lawn and plant irrigation operations. Crimps may be provided along each of the elements  15  to ensure torque transfer between the handle  12  and valve stem  23 . 
       FIG. 2A ,  2 B show a second embodiment of the invention. In this instance, the distal end of the elongate member  10  comprises a circular member  30  having two through holes. Fasteners  25  pass through the through holes and into threaded openings  22  in valve stem  23  to fasten the distal end  11  of the elongated member  10  to the valve  20 . The operation of this embodiment is essentially the same as that mentioned above with respect to  FIG. 1A ,  1 B. 
       FIG. 3A ,  3 B show a third embodiment of the invention. The distal end  11  includes a machined portion, in this instance, a hexagon shaped end  35 , that mates with a complementary shaped recess  28  of the valve stem. The user inserts end  35  into recess  28  to turn the valve  20  on/off. The operation of this embodiment is the same as mentioned above. 
       FIG. 4A ,  4 B show a fourth embodiment of the invention. The valve stem  23  includes a plurality of undulations  29  which mate with complementary undulations  41  arranged with recess  40 . The valve operation is the same as mentioned previously. 
       FIGS. 5A-5C  show a fifth embodiment of the invention which comprises a coupler  50  having a pair of yokes  51 ,  52  linked together with pin  56  and which includes coupling end  53  that adjoins the distal end  11  of the elongated member  10  to the valve stem in a manner such that two axis of rotation are provided to allow the handle to be elevated and traversed simultaneously. This simultaneous movement ability coupled with the telescoping features of the elongated member provides a universal three dimensional adjustment ability to the instant invention. 
     First yoke  51  comprises a recess  54  having a plurality of undulations which are complementary of those shown on the valve stem (not shown in  FIG. 5A ) and similar to those indicated in  FIGS. 4A ,  4 B. The body of yoke  51  includes a pair of ears  61  having openings  55  through which pin  56  couples the yokes  51 ,  52  together. The second yoke  52  also includes a pair of ears  62  having an opening into which pin  57  is seated. Pin  57  passes through opening  58  of coupling end  53  to it to the second yoke  52 . Coupling end  53  includes a cylindrical end  59  which is seated in the distal end  11  of elongated member  10 . In this manner, the handle may be raised to a desired elevation and traversed left and right of the hose bib. It should be noted that coupling end  53  is flexible and not attached to ears  62  other than with the pin  57  to allow it to move up/down freely. 
     It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the exact construction illustrated and described above. Various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims. For instance, the various the coupler having yokes and shown in  FIGS. 5A-5C  may be modified to include the various ends that mate with the valve stem of the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 1-4 .