Abstract:
An in line mechanical timing valve is disclosed. The valve has an inlet capable of being coupled to a water source and an outlet. A valve housing is fluidly coupled to the inlet and the outlet to control water flow between the inlet and the outlet. A bisecting cylinder is installed perpendicular to the inlet and outlet. The bisecting cylinder has a central axis and a diaphragm which has an open position allowing water flow to the outlet and a closed position preventing water flow to the outlet. A dial knob has an extended position and a retracted position. The dial knob is rotatable about the central axis of the bisecting cylinder when in the retracted position. A timing mechanism has a windup shaft parallel to the central axis of the bisecting cylinder. One end of the windup shaft has one end coupled to the dial knob which allows the timing mechanism to be set by the dial knob. A shaft parallel to the central axis of the bisecting cylinder is inserted through the timing mechanism. The shaft has a first end which is coupled to the diaphragm and an opposite second end which is coupled to the dial knob. The dial knob may be rotated to set the timing mechanism to remain in an extended position for a set period of time.

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates generally to the field of water valve timers. More specifically, the present invention is directed to an in-line mechanical timer which controls a valve for irrigation applications.  
       BACKGROUND OF INVENTION  
       [0002]     There has been a need for timer valves which permit flow of water for certain periods of time. These valves include a water inlet and an outlet. A water source, such as a spigot, is connected to the inlet while a hose or other watering device is coupled to the outlet. The valve is controlled by a timing device which will open the valve and keep it open to allow water flow to the outlet. In such a manner, a user simply sets the timer for a determined period of time. The user does not have to return to the valve to shut off the water flow to prevent over watering.  
         [0003]     Various timer mechanisms have been used in the past. For example an electric timer has been used. Electronic timers may be analog or digital and may also use electrical power to actuate the valve. Such timers are very accurate, but suffer from several shortcomings. If the electrical power is supplied by a battery, the timer has a limited life. Further, the timer must be constructed to protect the battery from outside elements increasing the weight of the device and the number of component parts. Alternatively, electrical power may be supplied through a standard electrical outlet. However, this limits the effective range of the valve as it must be placed in proximity to an electrical outlet in order to function. Also, electrical devices have some safety risk due to electrical shock.  
         [0004]     Another type of timer which has been used is a water driven timer such as that described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,708,264. Such a timer has an impeller interposed between the inlet and outlet of the valve and is rotated by the water flow. A gearing system is coupled to the impeller to eventually activate the valve to stop the water flow. The impeller based timer is self running and thus does not require an independent power source. However, this type of timer suffers from inaccuracy as the rotational speed of the impeller depends entirely on water flow which may not be constant from source to source. In addition, if the water flow is low pressure, the valve may not shut off properly.  
         [0005]     A variety of valves have used mechanical wind up timers. These timers do not require an external power source and operate using a spring which is wound up and gradually released to activate the valve. However, such timers are mechanically complex and require more internal space in the valve housing thus increasing manufacturing costs. Further, since the timing mechanism does not directly couple to the valve, additional torque must be generated by the spring and thus the valve is not as efficient.  
         [0006]     Thus, there is a need for a mechanical timer in which the mechanical components are in-line with the valve to conserve space. There is a further need for a mechanical timer which is accurate but requires no outside power sources. There is also a need for a mechanical timer which has a less complex assembly.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     These needs and others may be met by the present invention, one example of which is a timer valve for controlling the flow of water. The valve has a main body having an inlet and outlet for communication of water through the valve. A valve is located between the inlet and outlet, the valve having a plunger shaft therethrough which activates the valve. A timing mechanism is provided which controls the plunger shaft, the timing mechanism has gearing and a windup shaft which turns the gearing. The windup shaft extends parallel to the plunger shaft. A control mechanism is coupled to the windup shaft and allows the timing mechanism to be set to move the plunger shaft to activate the valve for a predetermined amount of time.  
         [0008]     Another example of the present invention is a timing valve having an inlet capable of being coupled to a water source and an outlet. A valve housing is fluidly coupled to the inlet and the outlet to control water flow between the inlet and the outlet. A bisecting cylinder valve is provided perpendicular to the inlet and outlet, the bisecting cylinder having a central axis and a diaphragm which has an open position allowing water flow to the outlet and a closed position preventing water flow to the outlet. A dial knob has an extended position and a retracted position and the dial knob is rotatable about the central axis of the bisecting cylinder when in the retracted position. A timing mechanism has a windup shaft parallel to the central axis of the bisecting cylinder, the windup shaft having one end coupled to the dial knob. A plunger shaft is parallel to the central axis of the bisecting cylinder and inserted through the timing mechanism. The plunger shaft has a first end which is coupled to the diaphragm and an opposite second end which is coupled to the dial knob. The dial cap may be rotated in the retracted position to set the timing mechanism to remain in the retracted position for a set period of time.  
         [0009]     It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are not limiting but are intended to provide further explanation of the invention claimed. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute part of this specification, are included to illustrate and provide a further understanding of the method and system of the invention. Together with the description, the drawings serve to explain the principles of the invention. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS  
       [0010]     These and further aspects and advantages of the invention will be discussed more in detail hereinafter with reference to the disclosure of preferred embodiments, and in particular with reference to the appended Figures wherein:  
         [0011]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a mechanical timer valve according to one example of the present invention;  
         [0012]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the components of the mechanical timer valve in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0013]      FIG. 3  is a cross section of the valve chamber in the mechanical timer valve of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0014]      FIG. 4A  is a front perspective view of the timing mechanism of the mechanical timer valve in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0015]      FIG. 4   b  is a back perspective view of the timing mechanism of the mechanical timer valve in  FIG. 1  and  
         [0016]      FIG. 5  is an exploded view of the parts of the timing mechanism in  FIGS. 4A and 4B . 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0017]     While the present invention is capable of embodiment in various forms, there is shown in the drawings and will hereinafter be described a presently preferred embodiment with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the invention, and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiment illustrated.  
         [0018]      FIGS. 1-2  show a mechanical timing valve  10  which is one example of the present invention. The mechanical timing valve  10  has a main body  12  which has a water inlet  14  and a water outlet  16 . The main body  12  also has a dial knob  18  and a corresponding indicator collar  20 . The water inlet  14  has a hose coupler  22  which is a standard sill cock connector although other types of hose connectors may be used such as a quick connect connector. The water outlet  16  has a male coupling member  24  which has a threaded exterior  26  for coupling to a hose or another watering device.  
         [0019]     The dial knob  18  has a gripping surface  28  which has various indentations  30  to facilitate gripping the dial  18  and turning the dial  18 . The indicator collar  20  has a series of time markings  32  which may be aligned with an indicator  34  located on the surface of the body  12 . The dial knob  18  may thus be turned so the appropriate time marking  32  is aligned with the indicator  34  to set the amount of time the valve remains open. The time ranges in this example range from 0-180 minutes, but of course other time ranges may be used. Other means of setting time may be used. For example, the time markings may be marked on the body  12  and the indicator could be placed on the dial knob  18 .  
         [0020]     The dial knob  18  is installed opposite an end piece  36  on the body  12  and contains a diaphragm weld cap  38  in place over an outlet valve chamber  40  formed in the interior of the body  12 . The weld cap  38  holds a spring  42  which is located around a plunger  44 . The spring  42  and plunger  44  are in contact with a diaphragm  46 . The spring force of the spring  42  biases the diaphragm  46  away from the weld cap  38  to close the valve and prevent water flow between the inlet  14  and the outlet  16 . A plunger shaft  48  has one end  50  which is inserted through a center hole  52  in the diaphragm  46  and is put in contact with the plunger  44 . The plunger shaft  48  has an opposite end  54  which is inserted through the valve chamber  40  to a socket  56  which is on the interior of the dial knob  18 .  
         [0021]     A weld cap  58  is inserted on the plunger shaft  48  and in conjunction with an O-ring  60  prevents water from leaking from the outlet valve chamber  40 . The plunger shaft  48  runs through a timer mechanism  62  which is installed on the outlet valve chamber  40  opposite the diaphragm  46 . The timer mechanism  62  has a wind up shaft  64  which is inserted in the socket  56  on the dial knob  18 . The dial knob  18  encloses an end cap  66  through which the plunger shaft  48  and wind up shaft  64  are inserted. A timer shaft weld cap  68  and O-ring  70  are inserted on the wind up shaft  64  to separate the timer mechanism  62  and the end cap  66 .  
         [0022]     The inlet  14  includes a cylindrical shank coupling  80  which has an interior shoulder  82 . A hose washer  84  is seated on the interior shoulder  82  and provides a seal between a spigot and the inlet  16 .  
         [0023]      FIG. 3  shows a cross section perspective view of the outlet valve chamber  40 , which in conjunction with diaphragm  46 , make up the valve that controls water flow between the inlet  14  and the outlet  16 . The diaphragm  46  is constructed of a reslient material such as plastic or rubber and includes a metal insert  85  for stiffening and support. The inlet  14  and outlet  16  form a lateral cylinder  86 . A horizontal cylinder  88  is formed at a right angle to the lateral cylinder  86 . The horizontal cylinder  88  has an end wall  90  which is in proximity to the timer mechanism  62 . An interior cylinder  92  has one end which is closed off by the end wall  90  and an open end  94  which is the same height as the horizontal cylinder  88 . An inlet aperture  96  is formed in the horizontal cylinder  88  facing the inlet  14 . A wall  98  and a semi-circular top surface  100  are formed from the exterior of the interior cylinder  92 . The top surface  100  in conjunction with the body  12  form the outlet valve chamber  40 . An intermediary valve chamber  102  is formed by the diaphragm  46 , the weld cap  38  and the horizontal cylinder  88 .  
         [0024]     The horizontal cylinder  88  has an outlet aperture  104  opposite the inlet aperture  94  which permits water flow from the interior of the interior cylinder  92  to the lateral cylinder  86  and the outlet  16 . The diaphragm  46  is seated over the open end of the horizontal cylinder  88  and the interior cylinder  92 . In this position, the diaphragm  46  prevents water between the horizontal cylinder  88  and the interior cylinder  92  from flowing into the interior of the interior cylinder  92 . The diaphragm  46  is preferably constructed of resilient and flexible material such as rubber or plastic. The diaphragm  46  has a series of small holes  106  which run through the thickness of the diaphragm  46 .  
         [0025]     In operation, the diaphragm  46  is kept in a closed position against the open end of the cylinders  88  and  92  by the plunger  44  which is urged against the diaphragm  46  by the spring  42 . Water from the cylinder  88  flows through the small holes  106  into the intermediary valve chamber  102  resulting in water pressure from the intermediary valve chamber  102  adding additional force on the plunger  44  to keep the diaphragm  46  closed.  
         [0026]     When the plunger shaft  48  is moved toward the end cap  36 , it compresses the spring  42  and allows the plunger  44  to be moved into the diaphragm weld cap  38 . Without the spring  42  pushing the plunger  44 , water pressure from water flowing into the inlet  14  and out the horizontal cylinder  88  pushes the diaphragm  46  away from the cylinders  88  and  92 . Water is then allowed to exit the intermediary valve chamber  102  through the center hole  52  of the diaphragm  46 . The flow of water exiting the valve chamber  102  through the center hole  52  is greater than the flow of water entering the intermediary valve chamber  102  through the small holes  106 . Water may then flow between the diaphragm  46  and the cylinders  88  and  92  through the interior of the interior cylinder  92  and out the outlet  16 . Once the plunger shaft  48  is allowed to move back away from the weld cap  38 , the spring  42  is released, pushing the plunger  44  and diaphragm  46  over the cylinders  88  and  92 , closing the valve. The plunger  44  also blocks water flowing out of the intermediary valve chamber  102  through the center hole  52  in the diaphragm  46  causing the intermediary valve chamber  102  to be filled via water flowing in through the small holes  106 .  
         [0027]     The position of the plunger shaft  48  is controlled by the position of the dial knob  18  relative to the main body  12 . In order to set the timer, a user will push in the dial knob  18  toward the body  12  and rotate the dial knob  18  to the desired time on the indicator collar  20  aligned with the indicator  34  as shown in  FIG. 1 . In so doing the dial knob  18  will move relative to the end cap  66  which will lock the dial knob  18  in place and thus move the shaft  48  into the plunger  44  and compress the spring  42 . The shaft  48  is held in this position by the dial knob  18 . The diaphragm  46  is then moved away from the cylinders  88  and  92  by water pressure and water may flow to the outlet  16 . The valve is thus open allowing water to flow from the inlet  14  to the outlet  16 .  
         [0028]     The dial knob  18  has an interior surface  110  with two tabs  112  and  114 . Two holes  116  and  118  are drilled or cored into the tabs  112  and  114  respectively. Two pins  120  and  122  are installed in the holes  116  and  118  respectively and extend from the interior surface  110  of the dial knob  18 . The end cap  66  has a cylindrical body  130  with a top collar  132  and a bottom collar  134 . The exterior surface of the cylindrical body  130  has a series of parallel ridges  136  and  138 . The top collar  132  and parallel ridge  136  form a circumferential track  140  which is open to a vertical slot  142  which is formed on the top collar  132 . The bottom collar  134  and the ridge  138  form a second circumferential track  144 . The second circumferential track  144  has a vertical slot  146  which extends from the ridge  138  and a stop  148 . The pin  120  travels in the vertical slot  142  and the circumferential track  140  while the pin  122  travels in the vertical slot  146  and the circumferential track  144 .  
         [0029]     In operation, the valve is normally closed with the dial knob  18  in an extended position allowing the spring  42  to push the diaphragm  46  over the cylinders  88  and  92  and the shaft  48  against the dial knob  18 . By pushing the dial knob  18  in a retracted position toward the main body  12 , the pin  120  is pushed into the track  140  and the pin  122  is pushed into the track  144 . By rotating the dial cap  18 , the pins  120  and  122  are fixed in the tracks  140  and  144  and hold the dial knob  18  in the retracted position thus pushing the shaft  48  into the plunger  44  and opening the valve. The stop  148  prevents the roller pin  122  from moving all the way around the track  144  and thus the dial knob  18  from being rotated fully around. As will be explained below, rotating the dial knob  18  winds the timing mechanism  62  which slowly turns the dial knob  18  back to the position where the pins  120  and  122  are aligned with the vertical slots  142  and  146 . When the pins  120  and  122  are aligned with the notches  142  and  146 , the spring  42  is released, closing the valve by forcing the diaphragm  46  over the cylinders  88  and  92 . In addition, the spring  42  forces the dial knob  18  back into its extended position via the shaft  48 .  
         [0030]      FIGS. 4A, 4B  and  5  are views of the timing mechanism  62  which is mounted in the valve body  12  in line with the shaft  48  and a central axis of the valve chamber  40 . The windup shaft  64  is rotated by rotating the dial knob  18 . The timing mechanism  62  has two opposite plates  150  and  152  which are fixed in place by pins  154 ,  156  and  158 . The windup shaft  64  is seated in a socket  160  which is on the plate  152 . A washer  162  is attached to the end of the windup shaft  64  and has a tab  163 . The washer  162  rotates with the windup shaft  64  and stops the shaft  64  when the tab  163  contacts a stop  164  formed on the plate  152 . In this manner, the windup shaft  64  may only be turned a full rotation. The windup shaft  64  is attached to one end of a coil spring  166  that is held in place on the plate  150 . The other end of the coil spring  166  is crimped around a tab  168  extending from the plate  150 .  
         [0031]     The plates  150  and  152  form a gearbox  170  that provides resistance against the spring force of the coil spring  166 . The coil spring  166  is wound up when the windup shaft  64  is turned via the dial knob  18 . The coil spring  166  is released on a gradual basis turning the wind up shaft  64  back to its original position.  
         [0032]     The windup shaft  64  has a drive gear  172  which is mounted opposite the spring  166  on the side of the plate  150 . The drive gear  172  meshes with a sun gear  174  which is mounted on a shaft  176  which is held between the plates  150  and  152 . The sun gear  174  is coupled to a planetary gear  178  which meshes with a sun gear  180  which is mounted on a shaft  182  which is held between the plates  150  and  152 . In turn, the sun gear  180  is coupled to a planetary gear  184  which meshes with a sun gear  186  which is mounted on a shaft  188  which is held between the plates  150  and  152 . The sun gear  186  is coupled to a planetary gear  190  which meshes with a sun gear  192  which is mounted on a shaft  194  which is held between the plates  150  and  152 . The shaft  194  also has a planetary gear  196  which is rotated with the sun gear  192 . The planetary gear  196  meshes with a sun gear  198  which is mounted on a shaft  200  which is held between the plates  150  and  152 . The sun gear  198  is coupled to a sprocket  202  which has a series of circumferential notches  204 .  
         [0033]     A rocker arm  206  is mounted to swing on a shaft  208 . One end of the rocker arm  206  has a pin  210  which rests in the notch  204  of the sprocket  202 . When the sprocket rotates, the pin  210  is moved and thus the rocker arm  206  swings on the shaft  208 . The opposite end of the rocker arm  206  has gear teeth  212  which mesh with a pin  214 . The pin  214  extends from a flywheel  216  which is mounted on a shaft  218  between the plates  150  and  152 . The shaft  218  is attached to one end of a spiral spring  220 . The other end of the spiral spring  220  is attached to a pin  222  on the plate  152 . The series of gears and the resistance of the spring  220  permit the coil spring  166  to rotate the windup shaft  64  slowly to its original position at a constant rotational velocity. The time required to return to the original position is determined by the sun and planetary gears and the angular position that the windup shaft  64  is turned.  
         [0034]     The timing mechanism  62  is relatively simple in operation allowing decreased manufacturing and assembly costs. Further, the timing mechanism  62  is installed in-line with the components of the valve  10  to provide compact and internal design of the body  12 .  
         [0035]     It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the method and system of the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, the present invention is not limited by the foregoing descriptions but is intended to cover all modifications and variations that come within the scope of the spirit of the invention and the claims that follow.