U.S. patent application number 10/975502 was filed with the patent office on 2006-03-23 for skimmer plug valve and method of using same.
Invention is credited to Dean Christopher Beaton.
Application Number | 20060059615 10/975502 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46321667 |
Filed Date | 2006-03-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060059615 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Beaton; Dean Christopher |
March 23, 2006 |
Skimmer plug valve and method of using same
Abstract
A skimmer shut-off or plug valve includes an in-line water flow
unit that is adapted to be secured in-line to a skimmer suction
inlet and an in-line water flow control unit which is adapted to be
secured in-line to the water flow unit, which units are rotated
relative to one another between a fully open position and a fully
closed position to adjustably control the flow of suctioned water
through the skimmer suction inlet.
Inventors: |
Beaton; Dean Christopher;
(San Diego, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
JERRY RICHARD POTTS
3248 VIA RIBERA
ESCONDIDO
CA
92029
US
|
Family ID: |
46321667 |
Appl. No.: |
10/975502 |
Filed: |
October 28, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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29212810 |
Sep 7, 2004 |
|
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10975502 |
Oct 28, 2004 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
4/507 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04H 4/1272
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
004/507 |
International
Class: |
E04H 4/00 20060101
E04H004/00 |
Claims
1. In a pool skimmer system, a shut-off valve, comprising: an
in-line water flow unit adapted to be secured in-line to a skimmer
suction inlet; and an in-line water flow control unit adapted to be
secured in-line to said in-line water flow unit and rotatable
between a fully open position and a fully closed position to
control the flow of suctioned water through the skimmer suction
inlet.
2. The shut-off valve according to claim 1, wherein said water flow
unit is a ported water flow unit to facilitate the flow of
different volumes of suctioned water through the skimmer suction
inlet.
3. The shut-off valve according to claim 2, wherein said water flow
unit has a unitary construction.
4. The shut-off valve according to claim 3, wherein said water flow
unit includes a threaded base, which is adapted to be threaded
in-line to the skimmer suction inlet.
5. The shut-off valve according to claim 2, wherein said ported
water flow unit is a quarter-sectioned ported water flow unit.
6. The shut-off valve according to claim 1, wherein said water flow
unit includes a pair of oppositely disposed stops for interacting
with said water flow control unit to limit its rotation to about
ninety degrees relative to said water flow unit.
7. The shut-off valve according to claim 1, wherein said water flow
control unit is a multi-position water flow control unit to
facilitate adjusting the flow of suctioned water through the
skimmer suction inlet to different volumes of suction water per
minute.
8. The shut-off valve according to claim 2, wherein said water flow
control unit is a ported water flow control unit to further
facilitate the flow of different volumes of suctioned water through
the skimmer suction inlet.
9. The shut-off valve according to claim 1, wherein said water flow
unit has a unitary construction.
10. The shut-off valve according to claim 8, wherein said water
flow unit and said water flow control unit each have a unitary
construction.
11. The shut-off valve according to claim 8, water said ported
water flow control unit is a quarter-sectioned water flow control
unit.
12. The shut-off valve according to claim 1, wherein said water
flow unit and said water flow control unit are spring biased to
provide a sufficient rotational resistance to allow relative
rotation only under at least a predetermined force.
13. The shut-off valve according to claim 12, wherein said
predetermined force is a predetermined hand force.
14. A plug valve, comprising: a threaded base unit having at least
two water path openings; and a flow control unit mounted in-line
with said threaded base unit for relative rotational movement to
adjustably control the flow of water through said at least two
water path openings.
15. The plug valve according to claim 14, wherein said flow control
unit includes a least two water path openings and at least two
water path walls for facilitating adjusting the control of the flow
of water through said base unit.
16. The plug valve according to claim 15, wherein said base unit
and said control unit are coupled together under a spring biased to
provide relative rotational resistance for preventing relative
rotation except under a direct predetermined force.
17. The plug valve according to claim 16, wherein said direct
predetermined force is at least a sufficient force to prevent
accidental rotation due to the flow of water through said flow
control unit.
18. A method of adjustably controlling the flow of suctioned water
through a skimmer system, comprising the steps of: providing an
in-line multi-position skimmer plug valve; threadably mounting said
skimmer plug valve in-line with a suction inlet associated with
said skimmer system; and adjusting said skimmer plug valve to
provide a desired flow of suctioned water in the skimmer
system.
19. The method of adjustably controlling the flow of water through
a skimmer system according to claim 18, wherein said step of
adjusting includes hand adjusting said skimmer plug value between a
fully open position and a fully closed position.
20. The method of adjustably controlling the flow of water through
a skimmer system according to claim 19, wherein said step of
providing said in-line multi-position skimmer plug valve includes
providing said in-line multi-position skimmer plug valve with a
sufficient resistant force so that said step of adjusting is only
possible under a predetermined hand and finger force.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part application of
U.S. Ser. No. ______, entitled "Skimmer Plug Valve", by Dean C.
Beaton, filed on Sep. ______, 2004.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] [Not Applicable]
REFERENCE TO MICROFICHE APPENDIX
[0003] [Not Applicable]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] 1. Field of the Invention
[0005] This application relates to shut-off valve devices. In
particular, this invention relates a to a multi-position shut-off
value device for controlling the flow of suctioned water in a pool
skimmer system.
[0006] 2. Background of Prior Art
[0007] Shut-off valves are well known in the prior art. However,
there is a need for a new and improved shut-off valve for a pool
skimmer system that is low cost, and very convenient to open or
close for making pool maintenance and cleaning easy and efficient
to accomplish.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] In a preferred embodiment of the invention a skimmer
shut-off or plug valve includes a water flow unit that is adapted
to be secured in-line to a skimmer suction inlet and a water flow
control unit which is coupled to the water flow unit and which is
rotatable between a fully open position and a fully closed position
to adjustably control the flow of suctioned water through the
skimmer suction inlet.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] The above mentioned features and steps of the invention and
the manner of attaining them will become apparent, and the
invention itself will be best understood by reference to the
following description of the embodiments of the invention in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:
[0010] FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of a skimmer system, which
includes a skimmer plug valve, which is constructed in accordance
with the present invention;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a greatly enlarged perspective view of the skimmer
plug valve of FIG. 1;
[0012] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the skimmer plug
valve of FIG. 1;
[0013] FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the skimmer plug valve of FIG.
2;
[0014] FIG. 5 is a right side elevational view of the skimmer plug
valve of FIG. 2;
[0015] FIG. 6 is a left side elevational view of the skimmer plug
valve of FIG. 2;
[0016] FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of the skimmer plug valve of
FIG. 2;
[0017] FIG. 8 is a greatly enlarged perspective view of the skimmer
plug valve of FIG. 2, illustrating the bottom of the threaded water
flow unit; and
[0018] FIG. 9 is a bottom plan view of the water flow control unit
of FIG. 2.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE
INVENTION
[0019] Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to FIGS.
1-3, there is illustrated a skimmer shut-off or plug valve 10,
which is constructed in accordance with the present invention. As
best seen in FIG. 1, the skimmer plug valve 10 is threadably
secured in-line to a water suction line 12 of a conventional
skimmer 11 to help facilitate maintenance and cleaning purposes of
an associated pool or spa, such as the pool 13. As will be
explained hereinafter in greater detail, since the skimmer plug
valve 10 is hand adjustable and is mounted for easy and convenient
access at the bottom of the skimmer 11, the skimmer plug valve 10
is not likely to be lost or stolen and eliminates the need for
other kinds of plug tools. The skimmer plug valve 10 is adjustable
to different suction flow rates thereby meeting all the
requirements of conventional skimmer systems. Moreover, since the
skimmer plug valve 10 is very convenient to open or close, the
skimmer plug valve 10 also makes maintenance and cleaning easy and
efficient to accomplish without interfering with the basic
functions of an existing skimmer system.
[0020] To provide the skimmer plug valve 10 with durability and a
high degree of reliability, the skimmer plug valve 10 utilizes for
it major components, low density, rigid plastic as a preferred
material. Environmentally friendly, this material is molded into
the required component shapes, of which the preferred embodiment
requires a cylinder form having an outside diameter that
facilitates hand screwing the skimmer plug valve 10 into the water
suction line 12.
[0021] Considering now the skimmer plug valve 10 in greater detail
with reference to FIGS. 2-3, the skimmer plug valve 10 generally
comprises a base structure or an in-line water flow unit 20, a top
structure or a water flow control unit 22, and a biasing
arrangement 24. The water flow unit 20 and the water flow control
unit 22 are biased together by the biasing arrangement 24 and are
coupled for relative rotational movement about the center
longitudinal axis of the biasing arrangement 24, as best seen in
FIG. 2.
[0022] The water flow unit 20, as best seen in FIG. 1, is adapted
to be secured in-line to the inlet of the skimmer suction line 12,
while the water flow control unit 22 is adapted to be secured
in-line to the water flow unit 20. When so mounted, the water flow
unit 20 and the water flow control unit 22 are able to rotate
relative to one another about ninety degree to effect a suction
line flow rate that is adjustable over a range between a fully
opened suction line condition to a fully closed suction line
condition depending upon their relative rotational positions with
respect to one another.
[0023] Before discussing the use of the skimmer plug valve 10, it
may be beneficial to briefly review the structure of the skimmer 11
as diagrammatically illustrated in FIG. 1. In this regard, the
skimmer 11 generally includes a basin or skimmer box 14, which is
normally mounted immediately adjacent to the pool 13. In this
regard, the skimmer box 14 is disposed in fluid communication with
the surface water W of the pool, the suction line 12 leading to a
pool pump (not shown) and an equalizing line 15 which leads to an
inlet disposed well below the top water level of the pool 13. To
facilitate flow of water W into the skimmer 11, a water passageway
P, having a floating weir 18 is provided under the pool deck D of
the pool 13, into the basin 14. Also, a diverter valve 19 is
disposed directly above and spaced from the inlets to the suction
line 12 and the equalizing line 15 so that water flow through the
basin box 14 can be diverted away from the suction line 12 or the
equalizing line 15 as needed for pool maintenance or cleaning
purposes. In this arrangement, any debris that may be flowing on
the surface of pool water W can be pulled into the skimmer 11 under
the suction force of the pool pump via the suction line 12 and into
a removable skimmer basket 17, which is mounted within the skimmer
box 14. To provide access to the skimmer basket 17 and diverter
valve 18, the skimmer 11 is also provided with a skimmer box lid
16, which covers the opening to the skimmer box 14.
[0024] Considering now the use of the skimmer plug valve 10 in
greater detail with reference to FIGS. 1-3, in use, a conventional
skimmer system is modified by threadably attaching the skimmer plug
valve 10 in-line into the inlet of the water suction line 12. The
skimmer plug valve 10 is then adjusted to affect a desired suction
flow rate for the pool 13. Then, when the suction through the
skimmer 11 must be arrested or interrupted for maintenance or
cleaning purpose, a user (not shown) simply hand rotates the water
control flow unit 22 relative to the water flow unit 20 to plug or
shut-off the suction line 12 from the other parts of the water
system. When the maintenance or cleaning task has been completed,
the user again hand rotates the water control flow unit 22 relative
to the water flow unit 20 in an opposite rotational direction to
open the suction line 12 to a desired suction flow rate.
[0025] Considering now the water flow unit 20 in greater detail
with reference to FIGS. 2-3, the water flow unit 20 has a unitary
construction with an overall generally hollow cylindrical shape.
The water flow unit 20 includes an outer circular wall 25 and a
centrally disposed boss housing or quarter-ported section 30, which
are integrally connected to one another. The wall 25 terminates in
an upper lip 21 and a lower lip 23 and includes an outer wall
surface 26 and an inner wall surface 28. The quarter-ported section
30 is integrally connected to the inner wall surface 28 as best
seen in FIGS. 3 and 7 to help define four separate equal sized
passageways or quarter section openings 41-44 respectively, within
the interior of the water flow unit 20. A pair of passageway plugs
or impervious walls 52 and 54, which are integrally connected to
the quarter-ported section 30 and the inner wall surface 28, plug
water passageways 41 and 43 respectively within the interior of the
water flow unit 20. In this regard, the water flow unit 20 has only
two open passageways, passageways 42 and 44 respectively. As will
be explained hereinafter in greater detail, the water flow control
unit 22 may be hand rotated above the passageways 41-44 in the
water flow unit 20 to adjust the opening size between the water
flow unit 20 and the water flow control unit 22, which in turn, to
the open passageways 42 and 44, to effect different water flow
rates through the plug valve 10. For example, in FIG. 7, the water
flow unit 20 and the water flow control unit 22 are shown in an
intermediate rotated position allowing something less than a fully
suction flow through the valve 10.
[0026] To help facilitate interconnecting the water flow unit 20
and the water flow control unit 22 in-line for relative rotational
movement, the boss housing section 30 include a centrally disposed
lower post 32, which has radiating outwardly therefrom a set of
passageway walls 45-48. The passageway walls 45-48 are integrally
connected to the inside surface 28 of the outer wall 25. A
centrally disposed upper post or mating boss 34 extends
perpendicularly upwardly from the center of the quarter-ported
section 30 to a distance slightly above the upper lip 21 of the
wall 25. The upstanding post 34 includes a centrally disposed
aperture 36, which is dimensioned for receiving threadably a
self-threading screw 94 forming part of the biasing arrangement 24.
The biasing arrangement 24 exerts a downward spring induced force
to provide a sufficient rotational resistance between the water
flow unit 20 and the water flow control unit 22. In this regard,
the downward force is sufficient to prevent the water flow unit 20
and the water flow control unit 22 from rotating relative to one
another due to the flow of suction water W through the plug valve
10.
[0027] Considering now the outer wall surface 26 in still greater
detail with reference to FIGS. 3 and 8, the outer wall 26 includes
a smooth upper wall segment 56 and a threaded lower wall segment
58. The lower wall segment 58 is dimensioned for being threadably
secured in line with the suction line 12. A pair of stops or
elongated tab stopping flange members 60 and 62 partially extend
along the upper wall segment 56 and are spaced equal distance from
one another in an opposing manner on opposite sides of the upper
wall segment 56. The stops 60 and 62 limit the relative rotational
movement between the water flow unit 20 and the water flow control
unit 22 to about ninety degrees which is sufficient to allow
adjustment of the flow of water through the plug valve 10 over a
range of different suction flow rates from no flow to a completely
unobstructed flow. As best seen in FIG. 3, the stops 60 and 62 are
disposed immediately adjacent to the top of the threaded wall
segment 58. In this regard, the stops 60 and 62 also function to
limit the distance the water flow unit 20 can be threadably
received into the water suction line 12.
[0028] Considering now the water flow control unit 22 in greater
detail with reference to FIGS. 2-3, 7-8, the water flow control
unit 22, has a unitary construction with an overall generally
hollow cylindrical shape. The water flow unit 22 includes an inner
cap member 63 and an outer circular wall member 64, which are
integrally connected at about their respective lower and upper lips
thereby forming a smooth seat therebetween.
[0029] The inner cap member 63 includes a circular wall 65 having a
pair of downwardly projecting tabs 91 and 93 respectively, a
centrally disposed generally rectangular anchor member 50. The wall
65 and the anchor member 50 are integrally connected together by a
pair of quarter section boss members or finger engaging members 67
and 68 respectively. The boss members 67 and 68 extend in opposite
directions from the opposing corners of the anchor member 50 for
defining a set of passageways or quarter section openings 70-73
within the interior of the water flow control unit 22. Passageways
70 and 72 are open passageways, while passageways 71 and 73 are
closed passageways.
[0030] As best seen in FIGD. 34, an impervious wall surface is
disposed at the top of the boss member 65 and 66, which are
slightly spaced apart from one another. In the diametric center
between the two boss members 67 and 68 is an aperture 79 that
extends downwardly a sufficient distance into the anchor member 50
to accommodate the biasing arrangement 24, which includes a spring
99 that is sandwiched between a pair of washers, indicated
generally 96 as best seen in FIG. 3. In use, the self-threading
screw 94 is passed through the washers 96 and spring 99 and then
guided into the aperture 79, where the screw is allowed to fall
into the aperture 36 of the mating boss 34. The self-threaded screw
94 is then tightened until it is threaded into the boss 34 at a
sufficient depth to cause a sufficient resistant force to be
created for rotating the water flow control unit 22 relative to the
water flow unit 20.
[0031] The rectangular anchor member 50 has a centrally disposed
counter bore 74 with a centrally disposed aperture 75 that extends
through the anchor member to its upper surface, which is disposed
between the boss members 65 and 66. The counter bore 74, which is
disposed on the bottom surface of the anchor member 50 is
dimensioned to receive the mating boss 36, while the aperture 75 is
dimensioned for receiving the self tapping screw 94, which forms
part of the biasing arrangement 24.
[0032] The inner cap member 63 and the outer circular wall member
64 are also integrally connected to one another in such a manner to
form a capture groove 69. The capture groove 69 as best seen in
FIG. 9, is dimensioned for receiving and capturing the upper lip 21
of the water flow unit 20 when the water flow unit 20 and water
flow control unit 22 are pressed together in alignment about the
mating boss 34 and then secured together by the biasing arrangement
24. This lip/groove arrangement holds the water flow unit 20 and
the water flow control unit 22 in perfect alignment and facilitates
their rotational movement relative to one another as will be
explained hereinafter in greater detail.
[0033] As best seen in FIGS. 2, 5-6, the flange stopping tabs 91
and 93 extending downward from the outer circular member 64 of the
water flow control unit 22, interact and cooperate with the tab
stopping flange members 60 and 62 of the water flow unit 20 to
limit their relative rotation with respect to one another. In this
regard, the water flow unit 20 and the water flow control unit 22
can only be rotated by about ninety degrees relative to one
another.
[0034] Considering the use of the plug valve 10 in still greater
detail, when the plug valve 10 is positioned in its fully closed
position passageways 42 and 71 are in complete alignment so that
their respective plugs 52, and 82 block these passageways from
allowing fluid flow. Similarly, passageways 44 and 73 are in
complete alignment so that their respective plugs 54 and 84 block
these passageways as well. While this alignment block fluid flow as
indicated, this alignment also allow free fluid flow through the
other passageway pairs 41, 70 and 43, 72 respectively, which
passageway pairs are also in alignment.
[0035] While particular embodiments of the present invention have
been disclosed, it is to be understood that various different
modifications are possible and are contemplated within the true
spirit and scope of the appended claims. There is no intention,
therefore, of limitations to the exact abstract or disclosure
herein presented.
* * * * *