Abstract:
An adjustable return fitting, includes a return fitting housing having a housing interior; a water jet adjustment dial rotatably carried by the return fitting housing, the water jet adjustment dial having a dial interior accommodating the return fitting housing; and a peg slot in the dial interior of the dial body, the peg slot disposed in angular relationship to a rotational axis of the water adjustment dial; and a baffle including a baffle stem in the housing interior of the return fitting housing, a baffle tab carried by the baffle stem and a baffle tab peg carried by the baffle stem in offset relationship to the baffle stem, the baffle tab peg engaging the peg slot; and a baffle disk carried by the baffle stem in the housing interior of the return fitting housing.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is related to application Ser. No. 12/930,535, filed Jan. 10, 2011 and entitled ADJUSTABLE RETURN FITTING. 
     FIELD 
     Illustrative embodiments of the disclosure generally relate to return fittings for swimming pools, spas and the like. More particularly, illustrative embodiments of the disclosure relate to an adjustable return fitting which can be adjusted to select the force of a water jet directed into a pool, spa or the like. 
     BACKGROUND 
     A conventional swimming pool includes a pump and filter assembly having an inlet which is connected to one or multiple drains in the bottom of the pool. An outlet of the pump and filter assembly is connected to multiple return fittings provided at intermittent spacing with respect to each other in the sides of the pool. The pump and filter assembly draws water from the pool, filters the water and returns the water through the multiple return fittings in the sides of the pool. Spas, or “hot tubs”, may be fitted with a similar arrangement to filter the water in the spa. 
     Conventional return fittings in swimming pools and spas are typically not adjustable such that the force of the water jet which is ejected from the return fittings into the pool or spa is not selectable. 
     SUMMARY 
     Illustrative embodiments of the disclosure are generally directed to an adjustable return fitting. An illustrative embodiment or the adjustable return fitting includes a return fitting housing having a housing interior; a water jet adjustment dial rotatably carried by the return fitting housing, the water jet adjustment dial having a dial interior accommodating the return fitting housing; and a peg slot in the dial interior of the dial body, the peg slot disposed in angular relationship to a rotational axis of the water adjustment dial; and a baffle including a baffle stem in the housing interior of the return fitting housing, a baffle tab carried by the baffle stem and a baffle tab peg carried by the baffle stem in offset relationship to the baffle stem, the baffle tab peg engaging the peg slot; and a baffle disk carried by the baffle stem in the housing interior of the return fitting housing. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Illustrative embodiments of the disclosure will now be made, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is side view of an illustrative embodiment of the adjustable return fitting; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded side view of an illustrative adjustable return fitting; 
         FIG. 3  is a front view of an exemplary return fitting housing of an illustrative adjustable, return fitting, with a baffle disposed in the return fitting housing and positioned in a closed orientation; 
         FIG. 4  is a top view of the exemplary return fitting housing with the baffle positioned in the closed orientation; 
         FIG. 5  is a front view of the exemplary return fitting housing with the baffle positioned in an open orientation; 
         FIG. 6  is a top view of the exemplary return fitting housing with the baffle positioned in the open orientation; 
         FIG. 7  is a rear view of an exemplary water jet adjustment dial of an illustrative embodiment of the adjustable return fitting; 
         FIG. 8  is a side view, taken along viewing lines  8 - 8  in  FIG. 7 , of the exemplary water jet adjustment dial; 
         FIG. 9  is a sectional view, taken along section lines  9 - 9  in  FIG. 7 , of the exemplary water jet adjustment dial; 
         FIG. 10  is a front view of an illustrative embodiment of the adjustable return fitting, with the baffle oriented in an open orientation; 
         FIG. 10A  is a rear view of an exemplary water jet adjustment dial of the adjustable return fitting, with the baffle oriented in the open orientation; 
         FIG. 10B  is a side view of the exemplary water jet adjustment dial, more particularly illustrating an exemplary position of a baffle stem of the baffle in the open orientation of the baffle; 
         FIG. 11  is a front view of an illustrative embodiment of the adjustable return fitting, with the baffle oriented in a partially closed orientation; 
         FIG. 11A  is a rear view of an exemplary water jet adjustment dial of the adjustable return fitting, with the baffle oriented in the partially closed orientation; 
         FIG. 11B  is a side view of the exemplary water jet adjustment dial, more particularly illustrating an exemplary position of the baffle stem in the partially closed orientation of the baffle; 
         FIG. 12  is a front view of an illustrative embodiment of the adjustable return fitting, with the baffle oriented in a closed orientation; 
         FIG. 12A  is a rear view of an exemplary water jet adjustment dial of the adjustable return fitting, with the baffle oriented in the closed orientation; 
         FIG. 12B  is a side view at the exemplary water jet adjustment dial, more particularly illustrating an exemplary position of the baffle stem in the closed orientation of the baffle; 
         FIG. 13  is a side view of an exemplary baffle which is suitable for implementation of an illustrative embodiment of the adjustable return fitting; 
         FIG. 14  is a sectional view, taken along section lines  14 - 14  in  FIG. 13 , of a baffle disk of the baffle, more particularly illustrating a blowout plug opening in the baffle disk and a blowout plug in the blowout plug opening; 
         FIG. 15  is a sectional view, taken along section lines  14 - 14  in  FIG. 13 , of the baffle disk of the baffle, more particularly illustrating ejection of the blowout plug from the blowout plug opening in the baffle disk responsive to excessive fluid pressure applied against the blowout plug; and 
         FIG. 16  is a top view of a swimming pool and a spa adjacent to the swimming pool, with multiple return fittings according to illustrative embodiments of the disclosure mounted in the side of the swimming pool and the spa, respectively. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the described embodiments or the application and uses of the described embodiments. As used herein, the word “exemplary” or “illustrative” means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” or “illustrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. All of the implementations described below are exemplary implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to make or use the invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the claims. Moreover, the illustrative embodiments described herein are not exhaustive and embodiments or implementations other than those which are described herein and which fall within the scope of the appended claims are possible. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description. Relative terms such as “front” and “rear” as used herein are intended for descriptive purposes only and are not necessarily intended to be construed in a limiting sense. 
     Referring initially to  FIGS. 1-15  of the drawings, an illustrative embodiment of the adjustable return fitting is generally indicated by reference numeral  1  in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The adjustable return fitting  1  includes a return fitting housing  2  having a housing wall  3  which may be generally elongated and cylindrical. The return fitting housing  2  may have a housing interior  4  ( FIG. 3 ). A housing collar  5  may be provided on the exterior of the housing wall  3  at one end of the return fitting housing  2 . Multiple finger grooves  5   a  may be provided in the outer circumference of the housing collar  5 . Housing threads  6  may be provided on the exterior of the housing wall  3  on one side of the housing collar  5 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 3-6 , a pair of aligned or registering baffle slots  7  may extend into the return fitting bevel  8  and the housing wall  3  and communicate with the housing interior  4  for purposes which will be hereinafter described. The return fitting housing  2  may be PVC (polyvinylchloride) or other material which is consistent with the functional requirements of the adjustable return fitting  1 . As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , a pair of wall pins  3   a  (one of which is illustrated) may extend from the housing wall  3  into the housing interior  4  for purposes which will be hereinafter described. 
     A positionally-adjustable baffle  10  may be provided in the housing interior  4  of the return fitting housing  2 . As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the baffle  10  may have a generally elongated baffle stem  15  and a baffle disk  11  on the baffle stem  15 . In some embodiments, the baffle disk  11  may include a semicircular large disk portion  11   a  and a semicircular small it portion  11   b  which extend from opposite sides of the baffle stem  15 . The small disk position  11   b  has a radius which is smaller than a radius of the large disk portion  11   a . The large disk portion  11   a  of the baffle disk  11  may have a diameter which generally corresponds to or is slightly smaller than the diameter of the housing interior  4  of the return fitting housing  2 . A baffle foot  16  may terminate a first end of the baffle stem  15 . A baffle tab  17  may terminate a second end of the baffle stem  15 . A baffle tab peg  18  may extend from the baffle tab  17  for purposes which will be hereinafter described. As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the baffle tab peg  18  may be disposed in offset relationship with respect to a longitudinal axis of the baffle stem  15 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 3-6 , the baffle stem  15  may be inserted in the registering baffle slots  7  provided in the return fitting bevel  8  and the housing wall  3  with the baffle foot  16  and the baffle tab  17  outside the housing wall  3 . Accordingly, the baffle disk  11  of the baffle  10  may be pivotally mounted in the housing interior  4  of the return fitting housing  2  at the baffle slots  7 . The baffle  10  may be deployed between a closed orientation, as illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4  and in which the baffle disk  11  substantially blocks the housing interior  4  of the return fitting housing  2 , and an open orientation, as illustrated in  FIGS. 5 and 6  and in which the baffle disk  11  substantially unblocks the housing interior  4 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 13-15 , in some embodiments, a blowout plug opening  12  may extend through the large disk portion  11   a  or the smaller disk portion  11   b , as illustrated, of the baffle disk  11 . A blowout plug  13  may be fitted in the blowout plug opening  12  via a friction or interference fit. The blowout plug  13  may be adapted to become dislodged from the blowout plug opening  12  responsive to application of a predetermined magnitude of fluid pressure against the blowout plug  13 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 14 and 15 . 
     A water jet adjustment dial  28  is rotatably mounted with respect to the housing wall  3  of the return fitting housing  2  such as in a manner which will be hereinafter described. As illustrated in  FIGS. 7-9 , the water jet adjustment dial  28  may include an annular outer dial wall  29  having a front dial edge  30  and a rear dial edge  31 . A front dial wall  33  ( FIG. 9 ) may extend from the front dial edge  30  of the outer dial wall  29 . A dial interior  39  may be formed by the outer dial wall  29  and the front dial wall  33 . An inner dial wall  32  may be disposed inside the dial interior  39  and concentric with the outer dial wall  29 . In some embodiments, finger grooves  29   a  ( FIG. 3 ) may be provided in the exterior surface of the outer dial wall  29 . A dial bevel  34  may protrude from the front dial wall  33 . A dial opening  35  ( FIG. 9 ) may extend through the dial bevel  34  and communicate with the dial interior  39 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 10 ,  11  and  12 , in some embodiments, a generally curved wall slot  33   a  may extend through the front dial wall  33 . 
     A peg guide  36  extends from an inner surface of the outer dial wall  29  into the dial interior  39 . The peg guide  36  may be generally elongated and may generally conform to the curvature of the interior surface of the outer dial wall  29 . As illustrated in  FIG. 9 , the peg guide  36  may be disposed in angled relationship to a rotational axis  44  of the water adjustment dial  28 . Thus, when the water jet adjustment dial  28  is viewed in cross-section, as illustrated in  FIG. 9 , the peg guide  36  may angle generally from the rear dial edge  31  toward the front dial edge  30 . A wall indentation  32   a  may be provided in a rear edge of the inner dial wall  32 . The wall indentation  32   a  may extend generally parallel to the peg guide  36 . A generally elongated peg slot  37  may be formed by and between the peg guide  36  and the wall indentation  32   a . As further illustrated in  FIG. 9 , the peg slot  37  may be disposed in angled relationship to a rotational axis  44  of the water adjustment dial  28 . The peg slot  37  may have a baffle open position  37   a , a baffle closed position  37   b  and a baffle midpoint position  37   c  between the baffle open position  37   a  and the baffle closed position  37   b . In some embodiments, multiple peg guide notches  38  may be provided along the length of the peg guide  36  in facing relationship to the peg slot  37  for purposes which will be hereinafter described. The peg guide  36  may extend adjacent to the wall slot  33   a  in the front dial wall  33 . 
     As further illustrated in  FIG. 2 , in assembly of the adjustable return fitting  1 , the baffle stem  15  of the baffle  10  is inserted in the registering baffle slots  7  ( FIG. 3 ) in the housing wall  3  of the return fitting housing  2  such that the baffle disk  11  is pivotal between the closed position ( FIGS. 3 and 4 ) and the open position ( FIGS. 5 and 6 ) in the housing interior  4 . The housing wall  3  is inserted through the dial interior  29  inside the inner dial wall  32  of the water jet adjustment dial  28 . The return fitting bevel  8  of the return fitting housing  2  may be disposed inside the dial bevel  34  of the water jet adjustment dial  28 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 10A and 10B , the baffle foot  16  of the baffle  10  may be disposed in the dial interior  39  between the outer dial wall  29  and the inner dial wall  32 . The baffle tab  17  of the baffle  10  may be disposed in the dial opening  35  inside the inner dial wall  32 . The baffle tab peg  18  extends through the wall indentation  32   a  of the inner dial wall  32  and protrudes into the peg slot  37  ( FIG. 9 ) between the wall indentation  32   a  and the peg guide  36 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 10 ,  11  and  12 , the baffle tab peg  18  may be visible through the wall slot  33   a  in the front dial wall  33 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , a nozzle cap  70  may be inserted through the dial bevel  34  of the water jet adjustment dial  28  into the housing interior  4  of the return fitting housing  2 . The nozzle cap  70  may include a cylindrical nozzle cap wall  71 . A generally semicircular wall extension  72  may extend from a rear edge of the nozzle cap wall  71 . A nozzle opening  75  ( FIG. 10 ) may be formed by the nozzle cap wall  71 . In some embodiments, a nozzle flange  78  ( FIGS. 10 ,  11  and  12 ) may be provided in the nozzle opening  75  to deflect liquid as is it is ejected from the cap opening  75 . An annular cap flange  74  may extend from a front edge of the nozzle cap wall  71 . As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the cap flange  74  may engage the dial bevel  34  when the nozzle cap  70  is inserted in the return fitting housing  2 . A pair of L-shaped pin slots  73  (one of which is illustrated in  FIG. 2 ) may extend through the nozzle cap wall  71 . Accordingly, the pin slots  73  receive and accommodate the respective wall pins  3   a  which extend from the housing wall  3  of the return fitting housing  2  to secure the nozzle cap  70  to the return fitting housing  2 . 
     As the water jet adjustment dial  28  is rotated in either direction, the return fitting housing  2  and the nozzle cap  70  remain stationary. The baffle tab peg  18  on the baffle tab  17  of the baffle  10  rides along the peg guide  36  and traverses the peg slot  37  ( FIG. 9 ) in the water jet adjustment dial  28 . The angled trajectory of the peg guide  36  causes the peg guide  36  to rotate the baffle stem  15 , which rotates the baffle disk  11  in the housing interior  4  of the return fitting housing  2 . Accordingly, when the baffle stem peg  18  is located in the baffle open position  37   a  of the peg slot  37 , as illustrated in  FIG. 10B , the baffle  10  is positioned in the open orientation, as illustrated in  FIGS. 10 and 10A , to minimally block or impede flow of fluid through the housing interior of the return fitting housing  2 . When the baffle stem peg  18  is located in the baffle closed position  37   b  of the peg slot  37 , as illustrated in  FIG. 12B , the baffle  10  is positioned in the closed orientation, as illustrated in  FIGS. 12 and 12A , to maximally block or impede flow of fluid through the housing interior  4  of the return fitting housing  2 . When the baffle stem peg  18  is located in the baffle midpoint position  37   c , as illustrated in  FIG. 11B , the baffle  10  is positioned in the partially closed orientation, as illustrated in  FIGS. 11 and 11A , to partially block or impede flow of fluid through the housing interior  4  of the return fitting housing  2 . As an operator of the adjustable return fitting  1  manually rotates the water jet adjustment dial  28  and the baffle tab peg  18  traverses the peg guide  36 , the baffle tab peg  18  may “bump” or “snap” into the peg guide notches  38  in the peg guide  36 , providing tactile feel to the operator as the baffle  10  changes positions. 
     It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the water jet adjustment dial  28  can be selectively rotated in such a manner that the baffle tab peg  18  is located at any position between that of the baffle open position  37   a  ( FIG. 10B ) and that of the baffle closed position ( FIG. 12B ) to achieve a continuum of flow-impeding capability of the baffle  10  between the minimal impeding position illustrated in  FIGS. 10 and 10A  and the maximal impeding position illustrated in  FIGS. 12 and 12A . 
     Referring next to  FIG. 16  of the drawings, in exemplary application, multiple adjustable return fittings  1  may be installed in a swimming pool  40  to return water  50  to the swimming pool  40  after filtering of the water  50 . Each adjustable return fitting  1  may be selectively adjusted to select the strength or force of the water jet  50  which is ejected from that adjustable return fitting  1 . The swimming pool  40  may have a conventional design with a swimming pool bottom  42  and a swimming pool side  43  which form a swimming pool interior  41 . Multiple adjustable return fittings  1  may be provided in the swimming pool side  43  at spaced-apart intervals with respect to each other. 
     At least one pool drain  46  may be provided in the swimming pool bottom  42 . At least one pool drain conduit  48  may be disposed in fluid communication with the pool drain or drains  46 . A pool pump and filter assembly  47  may be disposed in fluid communication with the pool drain conduit or conduits  48 . 
     Each adjustable return fitting  1  may be disposed in fluid communication with the pool pump and filter assembly  47  through a corresponding pool return conduit  49 . Each adjustable return fitting  1  may be mounted in the swimming pool side  43  of the swimming pool  40  such that the water jet adjustment dial  28  protrudes beyond the surface of the swimming pool side  43 . 
     During operation of the pool pump and filter assembly  47 , water  50  may be continually or intermittently distributed from the swimming pool  40  through the drains  46  and the respective pool drain conduits  48  to the pool pump and filter assembly  47 . In the pool pump and filter assembly  47 , impurities and contaminants (not illustrated) are removed from the water  50  typically in the conventional manner. After filtering, the pool pump and filter assembly  47  pumps the water  50  through the pool return conduits  49  to the respective adjustable return fittings  1 . At each adjustable return fitting  1 , the water  50  flows through the housing interior  4  ( FIG. 10 ) of the return fitting housing  2  and the dial opening  35  in the water jet adjustment dial  28 , respectively, and is ejected into the swimming pool  40  through the nozzle opening  75  of the the nozzle cap  70 . 
     It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the baffle  10  can be selectively oriented in the housing interior  4  of the return fitting housing  2  to selectively vary the strength or force of the water jets  50  which are ejected from the nozzle opening  75  of the nozzle cap  70  into the swimming pool  40 . By selective rotation of the water jet adjustment dial  28  of each adjustable return fitting  1 , the baffle  10  may be selectively oriented in the housing interior  4  to the position illustrated in  FIGS. 12 and 12A  in which the baffle  10  substantially blocks or impedes flow of water through the housing interior  4  and eliminates the water jets  50  or minimizes the force of the water in the water jets  50  which are ejected through the nozzle opening  75 . Conversely the baffle  10  may be selectively oriented in the housing interior  4  to the orientation illustrated in  FIGS. 10 and 10A  in which the baffle  10  facilitates flow of water through the housing interior  4  and maximizes the force of the water in the water jets  50  ejected through the nozzle opening  75 . The baffle  10  may be selectively oriented in the housing interior  4  to positions which are between the maximal flow-impeding orientation illustrated in  FIGS. 12 and 12A  and the minimal flow-facilitating orientation illustrated in  FIGS. 10 and 10A  to achieve a continuum of ejection force in the water jets  50  as they are ejected through the nozzle opening  75 . 
     As further illustrated in  FIG. 16 , in some applications, multiple adjustable return fittings  1  may be provided in a spa or hot tub  52  to return water  50  from a hot tub pump and filter assembly  58 . The hot tub  52  may be adjacent to the swimming pool  40 , as illustrated, or separate from the swimming pool  40  and may include a hot tub bottom  53  and a hot tub side  54 . A hot tub drain  55  may be provided in the hot tub bottom  53 . The hot tub pump and filter assembly  58  may be disposed in fluid communication with the hot tub drain  55  through a hot tub drain conduit  59 . The adjustable return linings  1  may be provided in the hot tub side  54  at spaced-apart intervals with respect to each other. The adjustable return fitting  1  may be disposed in fluid communication with the hot tub pump and filter assembly  58  through respective hot tub return conduits  60 . 
     Operation of the adjustable return fittings  1  in the hot tub  52  may be as was heretofore described with respect to the swimming pool  40 . Accordingly, during operation of the hot tub  52 , water  50  may be continually or intermittently distributed from the hot tub  52  through the hot tub drain  55  and the hot tub drain conduit  59 , respectively, to the hot tub pump and filter assembly  58 . The hot tub pump and filter assembly  58  filters the water  50  and pumps the water  50  back into the hot tub  52  through the hot tub drain conduits  60  and adjustable return fittings  1 , respectively. By selective rotation of the water jet adjustment dial  28  ( FIGS. 1-10 ) on the return fitting housing  2  of each adjustable return fitting  1 , the orientation of the baffle  10  in the housing interior  4  of the return housing fitting  2  is adjusted to vary the force of the water jet or jets  50  which are ejected from each adjustable return fitting  1 , as was heretofore described. 
     While the illustrative embodiments of the disclosure have been described above, it will be recognized and understood that various modifications can be made in the disclosure and the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications which may fall within the spirit and scope of the disclosure.