Abstract:
An improved water input method for recreational vehicles utilizing the convenience of automatic fill valve technology. Water from a pressurized source is directed to a water tank that is equipped with an automatic fill valve which efficiently regulates a continuous supply of water to the recreational vehicle through a static water tank.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
         [0001]    Not applicable.  
         BACKGROUND  
         [0002]    1. Field of Invention  
           [0003]    This invention relates to recreational vehicles, specifically to an improved water input method for recreational vehicles.  
           [0004]    2. Description of Prior Art  
           [0005]    Persons have various ways by which they get away from the hustle and bustle of every day life. One very popular diversion is the use of recreational vehicles. People who use recreational vehicles are referred to as “campers.” 
           [0006]    Campers have been limited to conventional water tanks, which do nothing more than hold water, for their recreational vehicles. Upon arrival at a campsite, campers must decide whether to use the pressurized hook-up or to fill the static water tank in the camper. Some recreational vehicles are only equipped with static water tanks based on their size. In such cases, the camper must hook to the campsite water supply and wait outside, sometimes in less than favorable weather conditions, until the tank is full and then turn off the water. It is not uncommon for campers to make numerous trips outside to the faucet depending upon size of the water tank and the amount of water required by the campers. Some tanks are so small that a couple of sinks of dishes and a few drinks of water completely deplete the water in the tank. Multiple trips to the faucet has been part an inconvenient part of the camping experience ever since the development of recreational vehicles.  
         SUMMARY  
         [0007]    The Ever-Flow Water Delivery System is a single connection for recreational vehicles that combines the maximum benefits of static water tanks and pressurized water systems.  
         OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES  
         [0008]    Accordingly, besides the objects and advantages of the Ever-Flow Water Delivery system described in our above patent, several objects and advantages of the present invention are:  
           [0009]    (a) to provide a continuous supply of water, to any type of pump system, for any type of recreational vehicle by utilizing automatic fill valve technology;  
           [0010]    (b) to eliminate the need for manufacturers to engineer multiple types of water hook-ups for recreational vehicles;  
           [0011]    (c) to utilize automatic fill valve technology in water tanks of varying size; and  
           [0012]    (d) to allow campers the convenience of a single trip to the faucet for the duration of their onsite camping experience. 
       
    
    
     DRAWING FIGURES AND PHOTOS  
       [0013]    [0013]FIG. 1 shows a side-view schematic of the Ever-Flow Water Delivery System.  
         [0014]    Photo  1  shows the external view of the working invention of the Ever-Flow Water Delivery System.  
         [0015]    Photo  2  shows the internal components of the Ever-Flow Water Delivery System.  
         [0016]    Photo  3  shows the external fixtures associated with water in-flow.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 2 is a side-view schematic for moving the water from the outside of the tank to the inside of the tank.  
         [0018]    Photo  4  shows the application of moving the water from outside of the tank to the inside of the tank.  
         [0019]    Photo  5  shows the internal apparatus of the Ever-Flow Water Delivery System.  
         [0020]    Photo  6  shows the external fixtures associated with water out-flow the the pump system of the recreational vehicle.  
     
    
     DESCRIPTION  
       [0021]    Photos  1 - 6  and FIGS.  1 ,  2 —Working Embodiment  
         [0022]    A standard garden hose quick-disconnect assembly is threaded into a {fraction (3/4)}″ (three-quarter inch) PVC coupling which is glued to a {fraction (3/4)}″ to {fraction (1/2)}″ (three-quarter inch to one-half inch) PVC reducer with female threads on the {fraction (1/2)}″ (one-half inch) side. A {fraction (1/2)}″ (one-half inch) PVC coupling is threaded into the reducer. An 8.5 inch section of {fraction (1/2)}″ (one-half inch) PVC pipe is then glued into the other side of the {fraction (1/2)}″ (one-half inch) coupling. (Photos  1  and  3 )  
         [0023]    A {fraction (1/2)}″ (one-half inch) 90-degree PVC elbow is glued to the distal end of the 8.5 inch son of {fraction (1/2)}″ (one-half inch) PVC pipe. The {fraction (1/2)}″ (one-half inch) PVC elbow is inserted into the lid of the water container through a 1″ (one inch) hole. (Photo  4 )  
         [0024]    A 7.5 inch section of {fraction (1/2)}″ (one-half inch) PVC pipe is glued to the end of the {fraction (1/2)}″ (one-half inch) 90-degree elbow and enters the inside of the water container through a {fraction (7/8)}″ (seven-eighths inch) hole on the under-side of the lid. The External Fixtures are secured to the lid by one {fraction (1/2)}″ (one-half inch). PVC “cradle” which is secured through 1″ (one-inch) hole in top of the lid. (FIG. 2)  
         [0025]    Photos  2  And  5   
         [0026]    A {fraction (1/2)}″ to {fraction (1/2)}″ (one-half inch to one-half inch) coupling, with male threads on the distal end, is glued to the distal end of the 7.5 inch section of {fraction (1/2)}″ (one-half inch) PVC pipe which is passed through lid. A valve with these specifications ({fraction (1/2)}″I.P. or {fraction (3/8)}″I.P.×{fraction (3/8)}″ O.D.) is threaded onto the distal end (male end) of the {fraction (1/2)}″ (one-half inch) PVC coupling. A {fraction (3/8)}″ (three-eighths inch) compression×{fraction (7/8)}″ (seven-eighths inch)×11″ (eleven inch) toilet supply hose is secured to-valve. The toilet supply hose is attached to an automatic water closet float valve (automatic toilet tank fill valve) which is secured to a 1.5 inch-wide aluminum brace by a coupling nut after threading the proximal end of the water closet float valve through a 1 &amp; {fraction (1/8)}″ (one and one-eighths inch) hole. Aluminum brace is secured to water container lid by 2 (two) ¼″×1.5″ (one-quarter inch by one and one-half inch) machine bolts, nuts and washers. (Photos  2  and  5 )  
         [0027]    Photo  6   
         [0028]    Out-spout is fitted with {fraction (5/8)}″ O.D.×{fraction (1/2)}″I.D.×1′ (five-eighths inch O.D. by one-half inch I.D. by one foot) section of vinyl tubing. Distal end of tubing is clamped to ¼″×2″ (one-quarter inch by 2 inch) galvanized nipple which is threaded on both ends. Distal end of galvanized nipple is attached to shut-off valve which is fitted with another ¼″×2″ (one-quarter inch by 2 inch) galvanized nipple which is fitted with a section of {fraction (5/8)}″ O.D.×{fraction (1/2)}″ I.D. (five-eighths inch O.D. by one-half inch I.D.) vinyl tubing of sufficient length which leads to the pump system. (Photo  6 )  
         [0029]    Alternative Embodiments  
         [0030]    The working embodiment of the Ever-Flow Water Delivery System utilized a 68 quart ice chest as the water tank. The water tank itself may or may not have a hinged lid and various sizes of water tanks might be used. The automatic fill valve utilized in the working embodiment is the one disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,703,653 although a different type of automatic fill valve might also be used. Accordingly, it is to be appreciated that various changes may be made in the structure and materials of the apparatus of the invention by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention.  
         [0031]    Additionally, the idea for the Ever-Flow Water Delivery System was spawned in response to a need to replace the conventional water tank in a slide-in recreational vehicle. Therefore, it is also to be appreciated that various types of changes may be made in the structure and materials of the apparatus of the invention by those skilled in the art for any type of vehicle which connects to and disconnects from pressurized water sources without departing from the spirit of the invention.  
         [0032]    Operation  
         [0033]    The Ever-Flow Water Delivery System is placed in operation when the camper connects the recreational vehicle to a pressurized water source. The water travels through the in-flow fixtures (Photos  1 ,  3 , and  4 . FIG. 2) and into the tank. The desired water level of the tank is regulated by the automatic fill valve (Photos  2  and  5 ). The water exits the tank via the out-flow fixtures (Photo  6 ) and travels to the pump system of the recreational vehicle. When it is time for the recreational vehicle to move, the camper disconnects the pressurized water source from the recreational vehicle. The camper could leave from the pressurized water source with a filled tank should the camper so choose.  
       CONCLUSION, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE  
       [0034]    Accordingly, the reader will see that the Ever-Flow Water Delivery System will provide a convenient means by which campers (and others) will enjoy a continuous stream of water with one simple hook-up regardless of the size of the recreational vehicle.