Abstract:
A boat drain valve which incorporates a valve to open and close the drain valve. The drain valve is connected to the boat hull in a manner that provides a straight channel through the drain valve. A handle with an extension positions the grip of the handle in a location where it can be easily accessed. The grip can be positioned above operational equipment in a compartment formed by the hull of the boat and an access hatch, just under the hatch. The grip can be positioned just above the deck surface of the boat.

Description:
FIELD  
       [0001]     This invention relates to the field of drain plugs for boats and watercraft. More particularly, this invention relates to boat drain plugs that are opened and closed by mechanical linkage.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0002]     Many boats, especially boats that are transportable on trailers, have a drain hole in or near the bilge to permit removal of water that accumulates during the normal operation of the boat. The boat is typically designed so that when the boat is removed from the body of water, the drain hole can be opened and water that has accumulated in the hull drains out.  
         [0003]     Typically, the mechanism for controlling flow through the drain hole is a plug or stopper which is inserted in the drain hole to restrict the in-leakage of water when the boat is afloat on a body of water. One difficulty with existing systems is that if the boat operator fails to properly insert the plug before launching the boat it is generally very difficult to correct that problem while the boat is afloat. Typically the boat must be removed from the water so that the plug can be re-inserted.  
         [0004]     In normal operation of a boat it is commonplace for material such as leaves, twigs, paper and plastic material, and other debris to accumulate in the bilge area and other areas in the bottom of a boat. Such debris can impede or block the flow of water through the drain hole when it is opened to drain the water.  
         [0005]     What is needed therefore is a quick, inexpensive, and reliable means for closing the drain hole in a boat without removing the boat from the water, while still providing a clear, unobstructed passage for cleaning the drain hole if debris accumulates in it.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0006]     With regard to the above, in one of its embodiments the inventions provides a boat drain valve that includes a boat hull having an exterior surface and an interior surface and a generally cylindrical hull orifice from the exterior surface to the interior surface. The hull orifice has a longitudinal orifice axis. A valve that has a generally cylindrical valve throat with a passageway and a longitudinal throat axis is also provided. The valve has a valve barrier proximal to the valve throat and the valve barrier has an open position and a closed position. When the valve barrier is in its open position the passageway passes water and when the valve barrier is in its closed position the passageway is substantially water tight. There is a valve actuator linked to the valve barrier whereby the valve actuator switches the valve barrier to and from its open position and its closed position. A fastening system that includes an aperture provides a water leak proof connection between the valve and the hull orifice. The hull orifice and the aperture and the throat passageway form a straight channel.  
         [0007]     An alternate embodiment of a boat drain valve system includes a boat hull having an exterior and an interior surface and a generally cylindrical hull orifice extends from the exterior surface to the interior surface. There is a compartment having a bottom and sides that are formed substantially by the boat hull. The compartment has a deck on top, and the compartment has an access provided through a hatch on the deck. The hatch has a bottom surface that is exposed to the compartment. Operational equipment is stowed in the compartment. There is a valve having a valve throat with a passageway and a valve barrier that is proximal to the valve throat. The valve barrier has an open position and a closed position such that when the valve barrier is in its open position the passageway passes water and when the valve barrier is in its closed position the passageway is substantially water tight. A fastening system that includes an aperture provides a water leak proof connection between the valve and the hull orifice. There is a valve actuator linked to the valve barrier whereby the valve actuator switches the valve barrier to and from its open position and its closed position. There is a handle that has an extension and a grip. The extension has a proximal end, a length, and a distal end and the proximal end of the extension is attached to the valve actuator and the grip is attached to the distal end of the extension. The length of the extension is sufficient to position the grip at a point above the operating equipment such that the operating equipment does not mechanically interfere with the grip as the valve barrier is changed from its open position to its closed position, and the grip is below the bottom surface of the hatch.  
         [0008]     In a different embodiment, a boat drain valve system has a boat hull with an exterior and an interior surface and a generally cylindrical hull orifice extending from the exterior surface to the interior surface. There is a deck set in the boat hull and the deck has a top surface and an access port. A valve that has a valve throat with a passageway and a valve barrier proximal to the valve throat is also provided. The valve barrier has an open position and a closed position such that when the valve barrier is in its open position the passageway passes water and when the valve barrier is in its closed position the passageway is substantially water tight. A fastening system that includes an aperture and provides a water leak proof connection between the valve and the hull orifice. A valve actuator is linked to the valve barrier whereby the valve actuator switches the valve barrier to and from its open position and its closed position. A handle that includes an extension and a grip is used. The extension has a proximal end and a distal end and where the proximal end of the extension is attached to the valve actuator and the grip is attached to the distal end of the extension. The extension passes through the access port and positions the grip at a point above the top surface of the deck.  
         [0009]     In a further alternate embodiment, a boat drain valve has a drain hole coupling that has a cylinder with a flange at one end and an opposing distal end. The cylinder also has a conduit and an exterior wall with threads fabricated on the exterior wall. The threads extend from the distal end of the cylinder to a point near the flange. There is a nut that has a contact side and a back side. The contact side is first screwed onto the threads on the exterior wall of the cylinder leaving an engageable length of threads on the exterior wall from the back side of the nut to the distal end of the cylinder. A ball valve is used, where the ball valve has a threaded valve end, a throat with a passageway, and a ball with a straight borehole through the ball. The borehole has an operational position that includes an open position and a closed position established by a ball actuator rotating the ball in a throat in the ball valve. The threaded valve end of the ball valve is threaded onto the engageable length of threads on the exterior wall at the distal end of the cylinder such that the conduit and the throat passageway create a drain valve channel. A handle that includes an extension and grip is used. The extension has a proximal end, a length, and a distal end. The proximal end of the extension is attached to the ball actuator and the grip is attached to the distal end of the extension and the length of the extension is between approximately six inches and eighteen inches.  
         [0010]     One advantage of embodiments of this invention is the ability to close the drain valve from inside the boat. Also, in some embodiments, when the boat drain valve is open the drain valve provides a straight channel through the hull, which is a very beneficial feature. Channels that have turns or constrictions provide locations where debris can accumulate and block the flow of water. A straight passage also facilitates unclogging the drain hole if debris should accumulate. Another advantage in some embodiments is that it is easy to determine the operational position of the ball valve by simple observation of an indicator arrow.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0011]     Further advantages of the invention are apparent by reference to the detailed description when considered in conjunction with the figures, which are not to scale so as to more clearly show the details, wherein like reference numbers indicate like elements throughout the several views, and wherein:  
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is an elevational view of one embodiment of a boat drain valve according to the invention.  
         [0013]      FIG. 2  is a top view of one embodiment of a boat drain valve in the open position according to the invention.  
         [0014]      FIG. 3  is a top view of one embodiment of a boat drain valve in the closed position according to the invention.  
         [0015]      FIG. 4  is a cross section of one embodiment of a ball valve for a boat drain valve according to the invention.  
         [0016]      FIG. 5  is an elevational view of an alternate embodiment of a boat drain valve according to the invention.  
         [0017]      FIG. 6  is a schematic diagram of an alternate embodiment of a boat drain valve according to the invention.  
         [0018]      FIG. 7  is an elevational view of an alternate embodiment of a boat drain valve according to the invention.  
         [0019]      FIG. 8  is an elevational view of an alternate embodiment of a boat drain valve according to the invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0020]     With reference now to  FIG. 1 , a boat drain valve, in this embodiment drain valve  10 , is depicted. Drain valve  10  has a drain hole coupling  12  that has a cylinder  14  with a flange  18  at one end and an opposing distal end  20 . Cylinder  14  also has an exterior wall  16 , and an interior wall  17  that forms a coupling conduit  19 . A portion of the exterior wall  16  of cylinder  14  is fabricated with external threads  22 . The threads  22  extend from the distal end  20  of cylinder  14  to a point  24  near flange  18 . In this embodiment cylinder  14  is a right, straight cylinder and flange  18  is perpendicular to cylinder  14 . A nut  30  is threaded onto the threads  22 . As seen in  FIG. 1  it is important that the length of the drain hole coupling  12  and the width of nut  30  be dimensioned cooperatively such that after the nut  30  is threaded onto threads  22 , a sufficient engageable length of threads  22  remain at the distal end  20  of cylinder  14  to permit ball valve  40  to be tightly affixed to the drain hole coupling  12 , as next described.  
         [0021]     Continuing with  FIG. 1 , a ball valve  40 , having a threaded end  42  is threaded onto the threads  22  of drain hole coupling  12 . Ball valve  40  has a ball actuator  44  which, as will be discussed later, opens and closes a drain valve channel  52  through drain valve  10 . A handle  60  has an extension  62  and a grip  70 . Extension  62  has a proximal end  64  and a distal end  66 . The proximal end  64  is attached to the ball actuator  44  and the grip  70  is attached to the distal end  66  of the extension  62 . The handle  60  forms a inverted “L” shape. Typically extension  62  has a length  68  from about six inches to eighteen inches.  
         [0022]     Some embodiments incorporate features depicted in  FIG. 2 . As will be described in further detail later, a drain valve  10  may be configured in two operational conditions: an open position and a closed position. This top view of drain valve  10  depicts a position indicator  72  which indicates whether the drain valve  10  is in the open position or the closed position. In  FIG. 2  the drain valve  10  is in the open position.  
         [0023]      FIG. 3  depicts drain valve  10  in the closed position. Also depicted in  FIG. 3  in a partial cut-away section in  FIG. 3  is an optional gripper  15  that extends into coupling conduit  19 . Optional gripper  15  facilitates the threading of coupling  12  into the threaded end  42  of ball valve  40 . Preferably, gripper  15  is designed to be small enough that even if more than one gripper  15  is installed in coupling conduit  19 , coupling conduit  19  forms a generally unobstructed channel.  
         [0024]      FIG. 4  is a cross sectional view of ball valve  40  taken through section A-A depicted on  FIG. 2 . Ball valve  40  has a housing  41  with a threaded end  42  and a throat  50 . Throat  50  has a throat passageway  51 . In this embodiment, housing  41  of ball valve  40  is seen to be a right, straight cylinder. The threaded end  42  of ball valve  40  is seen to define a throat axis  43  through the housing  41  of ball valve  40 . A valve barrier ball  46  has a cylindrical borehole  48  through a ball flow axis  47 . Ball actuator  44  is attached to ball  46  and ball actuator  44  has an actuating axis  45 . Ball flow axis  47  is on the same plane as the throat axis  43  through the housing  41  of ball valve  40 , and ball flow axis  47  is perpendicular to actuating axis  45 . When ball actuator  44  is rotated, ball  46  is rotated around actuating axis  45 . Thus, ball actuator  44  can be used to open and close throat passageway  51  in ball valve  40 . In  FIG. 4 , ball  46  with borehole  48  is shown in an operational position termed an open position. The open position is also shown in  FIG. 2 . When ball  46  with borehole  48  is in the open position, throat passageway  51  is straight and unobstructed through ball valve  40 . Furthermore, in embodiments where both cylinder  14  of drain hole coupling  12  and housing  41  of ball valve  40  are straight cylinders, drain valve channel  52  ( FIG. 1 ) though drain valve  10  is a straight channel when the ball  46  with borehole  48  is in the open position. When grip  70  ( FIG. 3 ) is rotated to the position shown in  FIG. 3 , the ball flow axis  47  of cylindrical borehole  48  is rotated 90 degrees, thereby closing throat passageway  51 , defining an operational position that is termed a closed position.  
         [0025]      FIG. 5  depicts an alternate embodiment of a boat drain valve, specifically hull drain valve  80 . A portion of a boat hull  82  is shown, having an exterior surface  84  and an interior surface  86 . A generally cylindrical hull orifice  88  is provided through hull  82 . Hull drain valve  80  has a drain hole coupling  12  that has a cylinder  14  with a flange  18  at one end and an opposing distal end  20 . Cylinder  14  also has an exterior wall  16 . A portion of the exterior wall  16  of cylinder  14  is fabricated with external threads  22 . The threads  22  extend from the distal end  20  of cylinder  14  toward the flange  18  to a point  24  near flange  18 . Drain hole coupling  12  is inserted into hull orifice  88  such that flange  18  rests against exterior surface  84  of hull  82 . A nut  30 , with a contact side  32  and a back side  34  is threaded onto the external threads  22 . The contact side  32  of the nut  30  is tightened against the interior surface  86  of the hull with sufficient pressure to prevent water leakage between the hull orifice  88  and the exterior wall  16  of the cylinder  14 . Note that in this embodiment it is important that point  24 , where threads  22  terminate, be between the interior surface  86  and the exterior surface  84  of the hull  82  when drain hole coupling  12  is attached to the hull  82 . If needed to ensure a water leak proof connection, a gasket, washer, or sealer can be installed between the contact side  32  of nut  30  and the interior surface  86  of hull  82 , or between flange  18  and exterior surface  84  of hull  82 , or between exterior wall  16  of cylinder  14  and hull orifice  88 .  
         [0026]     Continuing with  FIG. 5 , a ball valve  40 , having a threaded end  42  is threaded onto the threads  22  of drain coupling  12 . Ball valve  40  has a ball actuator  44  which, as previously discussed, opens and closes ball valve  40 . A handle  60  has an extension  62  and a grip  70 . Extension  62  has a proximal end  64  and a distal end  66 . The proximal end  64  is attached to the ball actuator  44  and the grip  70  is attached to the distal end  66  of the extension  62 . The handle  60  forms a inverted “L” shape. Typically an extension  62  has a length  68  from about six inches to eighteen inches.  
         [0027]      FIG. 6  presents a schematic illustration of an alternate embodiment. A valve  96  is shown attached to hull  82  by a fastening system  100 . Fastening system  100  typically comprises mechanical elements such as threaded fasteners (e.g., drain hole coupling  12  of  FIG. 1 ), or adhesives, soldered joints, press fit members, or similar connections. In the embodiment of  FIG. 6 , fastening system  100  has a longitudinal axis  102  and an aperture  104 . Hull  82  has an exterior surface  84  and an interior surface  86 , and there is a generally cylindrical orifice  88  through hull  82 . Orifice  88  has a longitudinal orifice axis  90  and a orifice profile  92 . It is important that the fastening system  100  provide a water leak proof connection between valve  96  and hull  82 , such that all water flowing from outside hull  82  through hull orifice  88  passes only through valve  96 . In preferred embodiments, longitudinal axis  102  of fastening system  100  is substantially coaxial with longitudinal axis  90  of orifice  88 . If fastening system  100  is constructed to be contained entirely within the interior surface  86  of the hull  82 , then in preferred embodiments aperture  104  of fastening system  100  is substantially congruent with orifice profile  92 . However, in come embodiments, the fastening system  100  has a member that extends into hull orifice  88 . An example of that is drain coupling  12  depicted in  FIG. 5 . In such embodiments congruency is not relevant and only the coaxiality of axis  90  and axis  102  is important.  
         [0028]     Valve  96 , shown symbolically in  FIG. 6 , is characterized as having a generally cylindrical valve throat with a throat profile and a longitudinal throat axis that creates a passageway through the valve. Valve  96  also has a valve barrier (shown symbolically as the crossing point of the “X” in the symbol). Mechanically, in most embodiments, the valve barrier is designed to be proximal to the valve throat. In preferred embodiments, the longitudinal throat axis of valve  96  is substantially coaxial with the longitudinal axis  102  of the fastening system  100  and the longitudinal axis  90  of orifice  88 . The valve barrier has an open position and a closed position. When the valve barrier is in the open position the passageway in the valve throat passes water and when the valve barrier is in the closed position the passageway in the valve throat is essentially water tight. A valve actuator (shown symbolically as the circle with a stem) is linked to the valve barrier such that the valve actuator switches the valve barrier to and from its open and closed positions. In a most preferred embodiment, when the valve barrier is in its open position, the throat profile and the fastening system aperture  104  are substantially congruent, and form a straight channel that is substantially unobstructed. In a most preferred embodiment, when the valve barrier is in its closed position the straight channel is substantially water tight. The valve actuator may be a manual mechanical linkage such as handle coupled to a valve stem, or the valve actuator may be a powered linkage such as an electric motor coupled to a valve stem.  
         [0029]     A further alternate embodiment is illustrated in  FIG. 7 , where under-hatch drain valve  110  is depicted. A deck  114  is set in the boat hull  82 , and the deck has a bottom surface  116 . A hatch  118  is set in the deck  114 , and the hatch has a bottom surface  120 . The hull  82  substantially defines the bottom and sides of a compartment  112 . The bottom surface  120  of the hatch  118  and the bottom surface  116  of the deck  114  substantially define the top of compartment  112 . Items such as operational equipment  142  and  144  are frequently installed in compartment  112 . Operational equipment  142  may, for example, be safety equipment such as life vests, a fire extinguisher, or a spare battery. Operational equipment  144  may, for example, include a live well, an anchor container, a tackle box, etc. In this embodiment, drain hole coupling  12  is attached to hull  82  with nut  30 , and ball valve  40  is attached to drain hole coupling  12 , all in the manner depicted in  FIG. 5 . Ball valve  40  incorporates a ball actuator  44 . Typically, a handle  130  with an extension  132  and a grip  140  is used. The extension  132  has a proximal end  134  that is attached to ball actuator  44  and grip  140  is attached to distal end  136  of the extension  132 . The handle  130  forms a inverted “L” shape. The length of extension  132  is selected to be sufficient to position the grip  140  at a point above the operating equipment (e.g.,  144 ) such that the operating equipment (e.g.  144 ) does not mechanically interfere with the grip  140  as the ball valve  40  is changed from the open position to the closed position, but where the position of the grip  140  is below the bottom surface  120  of the hatch  118 .  
         [0030]     An alternate embodiment of a boat drain valve, under-deck drain valve  150 , is depicted in  FIG. 8 . A deck  152  is set in the boat hull  82 , and the deck has a top surface  154 . An access port  156  is provided in deck  152 . In this embodiment, drain hole coupling  12  is attached to hull  82  with nut  30 , and a ball valve  40  is attached to drain hole coupling  12 , all in the manner depicted in  FIG. 5 . Ball valve  40  incorporates a ball actuator  44 . Typically a handle  160  with an extension  162  and a grip  170  is used. The extension  162  has a proximal end  164  that is attached to ball actuator  44  and grip  170  is attached to distal end  166  of the extension  162 . The handle  160  forms a inverted “L” shape. Extension  162  passes through access port  154 . The length of extension  162  is selected to be sufficient to position the grip  170  at a point above the top surface  154  of deck  152 .  
         [0031]     The foregoing description of preferred embodiments for this invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiments are chosen and described in an effort to provide the best illustrations of the principles of the invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the invention as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally, and equitably entitled.