Abstract:
A liquid line purging device includes a self-contained liquid line coupling mechanism and internal check valve system, and may be fitted, for example, to any existing home garden hose or field water supply system. Also, the device has a gas fitting, for receiving purging gas, typically air, which flows into the device, up against the check valve system, and out the liquid line to remove liquid from it. The purging device may be left connected to the hose system, and when used as described, prevents freezing of piping and hoses during sub-freezing weather.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to a water hose purging device, and more particularly to a water hose purging device that is self contained and is capable of cooperating with existing water hoses and valves. 
         [0003]    2. Related Art 
         [0004]    The use of the invented device would be readily recognized as an extremely practical scenario in any region where temperatures regularly fall below freezing and the possibility of frozen pipes and hoses and the potential breakage of same and ensuing damage is a common occurence. 
         [0005]    U.S. Pat. No. 3,845,779, Greene, Jr./Waldon Devices, Inc. address the use of a device connectedly interposed between a water faucet and a garden hose, into which pressurized air may be introduced to evacuate water from the hose. However, no means is provided within this device to prevent pressurized air from reaching internal portions of the water faucet valve and associated piping, unlike the present invented device wherein pressurized air may only flow toward the connected hose. Additionally, this U.S. Pat. No. 3,845,779 makes no mention of use of the invention therein in conjunction with frost-free hose connections. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The present invention relates generally to purging devices used to evacuate water from a water supply or drain line, especially a garden hose. 
         [0007]    The present invention may be used with building water connections that are of the non frost-free or frost-free types and functions equally well with either type. Preferably, the invented device would be used primarily with the frost-free type of building connection, as this is the type of hose valve most commonly used in regions where sub-freezing temperatures are regularly encountered and where a device of the nature of the invented device would most commonly be employed. Many other uses are also contemplated. For example, the present invention may be used with anti-siphon hose bibs, and with drains for campers and RV&#39;s. 
         [0008]    The typical frost-free hose connection is comprised of a shut-off valve approximately 12 inches or more within a building, with the operating means (valve wheel), and means for connection of a hose, located outside the building. The frost-free connection, with its water shut-off within the building, prevents freeze-up of water within the piping, as the water remains above freezing temperature due to surrounding heat within the building. 
         [0009]    Typically, a home garden hose is left connected to a frost-free spigot and is coiled upon a bracket attached to the side of the building for this purpose. Even though water flow has been shut off, the frost-free valve and hose remain at least partially full of water. Because the hose has been left connected to the valve, the valve does not have the opportunity to drain, thereby eliminating its frost-free capability. Should the hose and valve be subjected to freezing temperatures, the water left within may freeze and expand, with the possibility of pipe breakage and ensuing building flooding and water damage. 
         [0010]    Use of the present invention in conjunction with pressurized air allows a garden hose to remain connected to the building in any season and yet prevents freezing of the piping. 
         [0011]    The present invention comprises a valve body, with female threads in one first end, used to connect the valve body to, for example, an existing garden hose building connection. The opposite, second end of the valve body comprises a male thread designed to accept the female threaded connection of a garden hose. The present invention is provided with a fitting to admit pressurized air to the interior of the valve body. 
         [0012]    Within the valve body is a slideably moveable check valve used to automatically direct the flow of air or water, the position of the check valve being dependent upon the introduction of water pressure or air pressure to the valve body. 
         [0013]    Preferably, the components of the invention are made of suitably strong, lightweight, pressure and moisture resistant materials as needed to perform the functions required. 
         [0014]    The preferred embodiment of this invention is depicted as being used for home garden hoses, however, the invention is not limited to garden hose systems and may be adapted for use with other types of hose systems and with liquids other than water. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one, second end of one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the opposite, first end of the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional elevation view along the line  4 - 4  in  FIG. 8  of one embodiment of the present invention, showing the check valve in position for water flow. 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional plan view of the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 4 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional elevation view along the line  6 - 6  in  FIG. 9  of the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 4 , showing the check valve in position for air flow. 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  is a partial perspective view of one embodiment of the front section of the present invention, showing the female end (see also the right hand side end of  FIG. 3 ). 
           [0022]      FIG. 8  is an elevation view of the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 4 , showing the female end. 
           [0023]      FIG. 9  is an elevation view of the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 4 , showing the male end. 
           [0024]      FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional elevation view along the line  10 - 10  in  FIG. 5 , showing the air passages in the check valve. 
           [0025]      FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional elevation view along the line  11 - 11  in  FIG. 5 , showing the water passages in the valve bulkhead. 
           [0026]      FIG. 12  is a side elevation view showing one embodiment of the present invention in the installed configuration. 
           [0027]      FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional side elevation partial view showing the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 12  in the installed configuration. 
           [0028]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view of the female first end according to a second embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0029]      FIG. 15  is a partial perspective view of the front section of the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 14 . 
           [0030]      FIG. 16  is an exploded perspective view of the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 14 . 
           [0031]      FIG. 17  is a cross-sectional elevation view of the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 14 . 
           [0032]      FIG. 18  is an end elevation view according to a second embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0033]      FIG. 19  is an end elevation view according to a second embodiment of the present invention, depicting the rotational capability of the connection fitting. 
           [0034]      FIG. 20  is a partial cross-sectional elevation view of the dotted circle of the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 17 . 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0035]    Referring to the Figures, there are shown two, but not the only two, embodiments of the invented water hose purging system that may be used to evacuate water from a hose, thereby preventing freezing of the water left in the hose and associated piping in a winter environment. Use of the invented device also allows the hose to remain connected to building piping but eliminates the danger of frozen and broken hose or piping. 
         [0036]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the preferred hose purging device comprises of a valve assembly  10 . Valve assembly  10  has of valve body  12 , comprised of valve portions  14  and  16 , and female end A and male end B. In the preferred embodiment, valve body  12  is comprised of portions  14  and  16  to allow convenient assembly. Valve portions  14  and  16  are preferably made of high strength plastic and are permanently joined at assembly with suitably strong, waterproof adhesive applied to joining surfaces  42  and  44  and pilot diameter  24 . Other assembly methods, such as threads and seals, but not limited to same, may be employed to join the two valve housing portions  14  and  16  of valve body  12 . 
         [0037]    Contained within portion  14  at end A of valve body  12  are integrally molded female threads  17  of a suitable size and pitch to enable the valve assembly  10  to be threaded, for example, upon a typical building hose valve connection  80 . (See  FIG. 12 ). 
         [0038]    Molded integrally upon an outer diameter of valve portion  16  at end B of valve body  12  are male threads  18  of a suitable size and pitch to allow for the connection of, for example, a typical garden hose  70  using the female connector  72 . (See  FIG. 12 ). In the preferred embodiment, air fitting  20  is integrally molded upon an outer diameter of valve housing portion  16 , and is of the barbed type to accept an air hose  76 . Air fitting  20  may also employ, but is not limited to, a threaded fitting connection or one of the “quick-connect” type fittings that are standard in pressurized air connections. 
         [0039]    Referring now to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , gasket  22  is housed within valve portion  14  and is preferably comprised of a flexible, resilient, waterproof material such as rubber or similar compound. Gasket  22  is removable and replaceable as in, for example, a standard garden hose and is used to form a watertight seal when valve assembly  10  is threaded upon threads  84  of building valve  80 . (See  FIG. 12 ). 
         [0040]    Referring now to  FIGS. 5 and 7 , it will be seen that tubes  47  and  50 , containing air passages  46  and  48 , are integrally molded within valve housing portion  16 . Check valve  28  is mounted upon tube  50  using bore  30  (see  FIG. 3 ), and is designed to move left and right. Pilot diameter  24  of valve housing portion  16  is used to obtain suitable alignment with interior diameter  26  of valve housing portion  14  during assembly. 
         [0041]    Referring now to  FIGS. 4 and 11 , valve housing portion  14  contains integrally molded bulkhead  53 , comprised of surfaces  55  and  57 . Surface  55  forms a sealing surface for gasket  22 . Upon surface  57  are integrally molded raised sealing rings  56  and  58 . Surface  57  and sealing rings  56  and  58  form a sealing surface for seal  36  of check valve  28 . Bored through bulkhead  53  are central water passage  52  and radial water passages  54 . 
         [0042]    Referring now to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , seal  36 , made of a suitably strong, flexible, resilient, waterproof material, is attached to one end of check valve  28  utilizing screw  34  and correspondingly threaded hole  35  in check valve  28 . Bore  30  is contained in the opposite end of check valve  28  and centered within its diameter, and is constructed such that it may slide upon tube  50  of valve housing portion  16 . Seal  40  is contained within bore  30  and is constructed of a suitably strong, flexible, resilient, waterproof material. Bored perpendicularly to bore  30  are air passages  60 . (See  FIG. 10 ). 
         [0043]    Referring now to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , valve assembly  10  is shown in water flow mode. Check valve  28  has been moved to the right toward end B of valve assembly  10  by the pressure of water entering valve assembly  10  through end A. Water flow through valve assembly  10  is indicated by arrows W. Water under pressure flows through valve body  12 , around tube  47  and out into the atmosphere or a connected garden hose through passage  49 . Seal  40 , contained within bore  30  of check valve  28 , is compressed and held by the movement of check valve  28 , against end  51  of tube  50 , thereby sealing air passage  48  within tube  50  against the entry of water into air passage  48 . 
         [0044]    Referring now to  FIG. 6 , valve assembly  10  is shown in air flow mode. Water pressure and flow has been eliminated from valve assembly  10  using building valve  80 . (See  FIG. 12 ). Check valve  28  has been moved to the left toward end A of valve assembly  10  by pressurized air entering valve assembly  10  at air fitting  20 . Pressurized air, indicated by arrows P, flows through air passages  46  and  48 , and upon reaching seal  40 , moves check valve  28  to the left, forcing seal  36  against surface  57  and sealing rings  56  and  58  of bulkhead  53 , thereby sealing water passages  52  and  54 , preventing pressurized air from entering water passages  52  and  54 , and thence building valve  80  and associated building piping. It may be seen that as check valve  28  moves left toward end A of valve assembly  10 , air passages  60  in check valve  28  are exposed to air flow, whereupon pressurized air flows through passages  60  into the interior of valve body  12 , around tube  47 , and out through passage  49  and into a connected hose. Pressurized air within the hose forces any water remaining in the hose out through its open end. Air hose  76  may be disconnected from air fitting  20  when pressurized air is no longer required. 
         [0045]    Referring now to  FIGS. 12 and 13 , the position and angularity of the installed preferred embodiment may be seen. When no air or water pressure is contained within valve assembly  10 , check valve  28 , due to its own weight, is free to move downwardly upon tube  50  toward end B of valve assembly  10 . Water passages  52  and  54  are now open to water flow, and thus any water remaining within building valve  80  and associated piping is allowed to drain into hose  70 , thereby preventing freezing of said water within building valve  80  and associated building piping. Optionally, a suitable cap  21  may be used to cover fitting  20  and air passage  46  when an air hose is not connected to fitting  20 . 
         [0046]    Referring now to  FIGS. 14 through 20 , in a second preferred embodiment  100  of the invented device, a rotatable fitting is provided at end A. In this second embodiment, valve body  12  provides a joining means wherein fitting  90  at end A is securely and permanently fastened to valve body  12 , yet is freely rotatable through 360 degrees in either direction. After fitting  90  is connected to a building water connection, end B of valve body  12  may be rotated upon fitting  90  to allow air fitting  20  to be rotated to the most desirable position to receive air hose  76 . Modes of operation and flow of air and water remain the same as previously described. 
         [0047]    Referring now to  FIG. 14 , it may be seen that end A of valve assembly  100  is provided with a rotatable female threaded connection fitting  90 , which is permanently affixed to valve body  12  and may be used to connect valve assembly  100  to a building water connection  80 . After fitting  90  and attached valve body  12  are threaded upon a building water connection, end B of valve assembly  100  may be rotated to any desired position to facilitate convenient connection of a purging air hose  76  to fitting  20 . 
         [0048]    Referring now to  FIG. 15 , it may be observed that annular raised ring  94  is integrally molded upon surface  55  of valve body  12 . Ring  94  is comprised of inner surface  96 , outer surface  97 , and sealing surface  95 . 
         [0049]    Referring now to  FIG. 16 , it will be seen that locking ring  98  comprises raised annular ring  99 , which contains outer surface  102 . Locking ring  98  also contains interior passage  104  and sealing surface  106 . Fitting  90  may be seen to contain annular bearing surface  91  and knobs  92 . Knobs  92  provide gripping surfaces for the fingers, to aid in making a tight threaded connection to a building water connection. 
         [0050]    Referring now to  FIG. 17  and  FIG. 20 , it may be observed that fitting  90  is assembled to valve body  12  so that bearing surface  91  of fitting  90  rests upon surface  97  of annular raised ring  94  of valve body  12 . Surface  91  is free to rotate upon surface  97 . Locking ring  98 , preferably made of the same plastic compound as the other plastic valve components, with appropriate bonding adhesive applied to surfaces  102  and  106 , is now positioned so that surface  102  of locking ring  98  mates with surface  96  of annular ring  94  and surface  106  of locking ring  98  mates with surface  95  of annular ring  94 , thereby creating a permanent bond whereby fitting  90  may rotate freely with respect to valve body  12  but may not be removed from valve body  12 . When fitting  90  is threaded upon a building water connection, gasket  22  is compressed between the threaded end of the building water connection and locking ring  98 , thereby allowing water flow only through interior passage  104  in locking ring  98 , and hence into valve body  12 . 
         [0051]    Although this invention has been described above with reference to particular means, materials and embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to these disclosed particulars, but extends instead to all equivalents within the scope of the following claims.