REMOTE CONTROL FOR VALVE AND HOSE REEL SYSTEM

• US 20080223951A1
• Filed: 02/22/2008
• Published: 09/18/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/23/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Great Stuff, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Great Stuff, Inc.
• Inventors: Prosise, Roy Paul, Tracey, James B.A., Okonsky, Christian, Burke, James E.
• Granted Patent: US 9,079,748 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 239/71
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 25/16 Control of watering
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 25/165 Cyclic operations, timing systems, timing valves, impulse operations
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 1/14 with multiple outlet openings B05B1/02, B05B1/26 take precedence; with strainers in or outside the outlet opening
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 1/169 having three or more selectively effective outlets
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 1/30 designed to control volume of flow, e.g. with adjustable passages B05B11/0094 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 1/3026 the controlling element being a gate valve, a sliding valve or a cock B05B1/3006, B05B1/326 take precedence; gate valves or sliding valves in general F16K3/00; cocks in general F16K5/00
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 12/02 for controlling time, or sequence, of delivery
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 3/044 Tubular elements holding several outlets, e.g. apertured tubes, oscillating about an axis substantially parallel to the tubular element
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2701/33 Hollow or hose-like material
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 75/4484 Electronic arrangements or adaptations for controlling the winding or unwinding process, e.g. with sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 75/4486 Electric motors
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 55/07 Arrangement or mounting of devices, e.g. valves, for venting or aerating or draining apparatus for draining F16T
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 55/1022 Fluid cut-off devices automatically actuated
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/6932 With retrieval means

Abstract

An apparatus includes a handheld element and a remote control. The handheld element has a proximal end, a distal end, and an internal flow conduit. The internal flow conduit extends between the proximal and distal ends. The internal flow conduit is configured to be in fluid communication with a hose. The remote control is integrated with the handheld element. The remote control is configured to transmit wireless data signals for controlling a device associated with the hose. The device may include a reel, a valve system, a valve unit, and/or a plurality of valves.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a handheld element having a proximal end, a distal end, and an internal flow conduit extending between the proximal and distal ends, the internal flow conduit configured to be in fluid communication with a hose; and

a remote control integrated with the handheld element, the remote control configured to transmit wireless data signals for controlling a device associated with the hose, the device comprising a reel including a rotatable element on which a hose can be spooled, the remote control adapted to transmit wireless data signals to control rotation of the rotatable element.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the reel comprises a housing substantially enclosing the rotatable element, the apparatus further comprising:

a hose in fluid communication with the proximal end of the internal flow conduit of the handheld element, the hose configured to be spooled onto the rotatable element through an aperture in the housing; and

a bib coupled near a distal end of the hose, the bib sized and shaped such that the bib is unable to pass through the aperture.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the device further comprises a valve system adapted to control fluid flow through the hose, the remote control adapted to transmit wireless data signals to control movement of the valve system.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein at least one valve of the valve system comprises an adjustable flowrate valve having a maximum flow position in which the adjustable flowrate valve permits a maximum rate of fluid flow through the adjustable flowrate valve, the adjustable flowrate valve having one or more stable partially open positions in which the adjustable flowrate valve permits fluid flow through the adjustable flowrate valve at different rates less than said maximum flow rate.

5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the valve system comprises:

an inlet;

an outlet;

a flow path extending from the inlet to the outlet;

a first valve positioned along the flow path, the first valve having an open position in which the first valve permits fluid flow through the first valve, the first valve having a closed position in which the first valve substantially completely blocks fluid flow through the first valve; and

a second valve positioned along the flow path in series with the first valve, the second valve having a maximum flow position in which the second valve permits a maximum rate of fluid flow through the second valve, the second valve having one or more stable partially open positions in which the second valve permits fluid flow through the second valve at different rates less than said maximum flow rate.

6. An apparatus comprising:

a handheld element having a proximal end, a distal end, and an internal flow conduit extending between the proximal and distal ends, the internal flow conduit configured to be in fluid communication with a hose; and

a remote control integrated with the handheld element, the remote control configured to transmit wireless data signals for controlling a device associated with the hose, the device comprising a valve system adapted to control fluid flow through the hose, the remote control adapted to transmit wireless data signals to control movement of the valve system, the valve system disposed along a flow path between a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, the valve system comprising;

a first valve positioned along the flow path, the first valve having an open position in which the first valve permits fluid flow through the first valve, the first valve having a closed position in which the first valve substantially completely blocks fluid flow through the first valve; and

a second valve positioned along the flow path in series with the first valve, the second valve having a maximum flow position in which the second valve permits a maximum rate of fluid flow through the second valve, the second valve having one or more stable partially open positions in which the second valve permits fluid flow through the second valve at different rates less than said maximum flow rate.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the valve system comprises a controller configured to limit operation of the second valve based on the position of the first valve.

8. An apparatus comprising:

a handheld element having a proximal end, a distal end, and an internal flow conduit extending between the proximal and distal ends, the internal flow conduit configured to be in fluid communication with a hose; and

a remote control integrated with the handheld element, the remote control configured to transmit wireless data signals for controlling a device associated with the hose, the device comprising a valve system adapted to control fluid flow through the hose, the remote control adapted to transmit wireless data signals to control movement of the valve system, the valve system comprising a plurality of valves.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein at least one valve of the valve system comprises an adjustable flowrate valve having a maximum flow position in which the adjustable flowrate valve permits a maximum rate of fluid flow through the adjustable flowrate valve, the adjustable flowrate valve having one or more stable partially open positions in which the adjustable flowrate valve permits fluid flow through the adjustable flowrate valve at different rates less than said maximum flow rate.

10. The apparatus of claim 8, the device further comprising a reel including a rotatable element on which a hose can be spooled, the remote control adapted to transmit wireless data signals to control rotation of the rotatable element.

11. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the reel comprises a housing substantially enclosing the rotatable element, the apparatus further comprising:

a hose in fluid communication with the proximal end of the internal flow conduit of the handheld element, the hose configured to be spooled onto the rotatable element through an aperture in the housing; and

a bib coupled near a distal end of the hose, the bib sized and shaped such that the bib is unable to pass through the aperture.

12. An apparatus comprising:

a handheld element having a proximal end, a distal end, and an internal flow conduit extending between the proximal and distal ends, the internal flow conduit configured to be in fluid communication with a hose, the handheld element including an integrally formed nozzle configured to spray fluid flowing into the flow conduit from a hose fluidly attached to the proximal end of the handheld element; and

a remote control integrated with the handheld element, the remote control configured to transmit wireless data signals for controlling a device associated with the hose.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the nozzle is adjustable between a plurality of different fluid spraying properties.

14. An apparatus comprising:

a handheld element having a proximal end, a distal end, and an internal flow conduit extending between the proximal and distal ends, the internal flow conduit configured to be in fluid communication with a hose;

a remote control integrated with the handheld element, the remote control configured to transmit wireless data signals for controlling a device associated with the hose; and

a nozzle configured to be selectively and removably fluidly attached to and detached from the distal end of the handheld element, the nozzle in fluid communication with the internal flow conduit when attached.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the nozzle comprises one of a plurality of nozzles having different fluid spraying properties, each nozzle having a proximal end configured to be selectively fluidly attached to and detached from the distal end of the handheld element.

16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the proximal end of the handheld element is configured to be selectively and removably fluidly attached to and detached from a distal end of a hose, and wherein the nozzle is configured to be selectively and removably fluidly attached to and detached from the distal end of the hose.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising a valve unit having a proximal end configured to be selectively removably fluidly attached to and detached from the distal end of the hose, the valve unit having a distal end configured to be selectively removably fluidly attached to and detached from the proximal end of the handheld element, the distal end of the valve unit also configured to be selectively removably fluidly attached to and detached from the nozzle.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the device comprises the valve unit, the remote control adapted to transmit wireless data signals to control movement of the valve unit.

19. An apparatus comprising:

a handheld element having a proximal end, a distal end, and an internal flow conduit extending between the proximal and distal ends, the internal flow conduit configured to be in fluid communication with a hose; and

a remote control integrated with the handheld element, the remote control configured to transmit wireless data signals for controlling a device associated with the hose, the remote control comprising a display surface.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the handheld element and remote control are configured such that the display surface generally does not contact a ground surface when the handheld element is dragged along the ground surface by a hose attached to the proximal end of the handheld element.

21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the handheld element is elongated and has an orientation that changes from the proximal end to the distal end generally along a plane, the display facing generally parallel to the plane.

22. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the handheld element comprises an elongated handle portion and an elongated display portion oriented at an angle with respect to the handle portion, the angle between about 120 and 165 degrees, the display surface being on the elongated display portion.

23. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the display surface is recessed within an outer surface of the remote control.

24. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the display surface comprises a replaceable transparent face.

25. The apparatus of claim 19, further comprising a shock absorbing overmold disposed around the remote control.

26. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the handheld element comprises a handle portion and an interface portion, the interface portion accessible to at least one finger of a user when a hand of the user grasps the handle portion.

27. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the display surface is configured to visually present information to a user to allow the user to input a program for operations of the device.

28. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the display surface is configured to visually present information to a user to allow the user to input a program for immediate operations of the device.

29. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the display surface is configured to visually present information to a user to allow the user to input a program for future operations of the device.

30. An apparatus comprising:

a handheld element having a proximal end, a distal end, and an internal flow conduit extending between the proximal and distal ends, the internal flow conduit configured to be in fluid communication with a hose; and

a remote control integrated with the handheld element, the remote control configured to transmit wireless data signals for controlling a plurality of devices associated with the hose.

31. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein the plurality of devices comprises a reel including a rotatable element on which a hose can be spooled, the remote control adapted to transmit wireless data signals to control rotation of the rotatable element.

32. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein the reel comprises a housing substantially enclosing the rotatable element, the apparatus further comprising:

a hose in fluid communication with the proximal end of the internal flow conduit of the handheld element, the hose configured to be spooled onto the rotatable element through an aperture in the housing; and

a bib coupled near a distal end of the hose, the bib sized and shaped such that the bib is unable to pass through the aperture.

33. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein the plurality of devices further comprises a valve system adapted to control fluid flow through the hose, the remote control adapted to transmit wireless data signals to control movement of the valve system.

34. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein at least one valve of the valve system comprises an adjustable flowrate valve having a maximum flow position in which the adjustable flowrate valve permits a maximum rate of fluid flow through the adjustable flowrate valve, the adjustable flowrate valve having one or more stable partially open positions in which the adjustable flowrate valve permits fluid flow through the adjustable flowrate valve at different rates less than said maximum flow rate.

35. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein the valve system comprises:

a fluid inlet;

a fluid outlet;

a flow path extending from the inlet to the outlet;

a first valve positioned along the flow path, the first valve having an open position in which the first valve permits fluid flow through the first valve, the first valve having a closed position in which the first valve substantially completely blocks fluid flow through the first valve; and

a second valve positioned along the flow path in series with the first valve, the second valve having a maximum flow position in which the second valve permits a maximum rate of fluid flow through the second valve, the second valve having one or more stable partially open positions in which the second valve permits fluid flow through the second valve at different rates less than said maximum flow rate.

36. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein the plurality of devices comprises a valve system adapted to control fluid flow through the hose, the remote control adapted to transmit wireless data signals to control movement of the valve system, the valve system comprising a plurality of valves.

37. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein at least one valve of the valve system comprises an adjustable flowrate valve having a maximum flow position in which the adjustable flowrate valve permits a maximum rate of fluid flow through the adjustable flowrate valve, the adjustable flowrate valve having one or more stable partially open positions in which the adjustable flowrate valve permits fluid flow through the adjustable flowrate valve at different rates less than said maximum flow rate.

38. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein the valve system comprises:

a first valve positioned along the flow path, the first valve having an open position in which the first valve permits fluid flow through the first valve, the first valve having a closed position in which the first valve substantially completely blocks fluid flow through the first valve; and

a second valve positioned along the flow path in series with the first valve, the second valve having a maximum flow position in which the second valve permits a maximum rate of fluid flow through the second valve, the second valve having one or more stable partially open positions in which the second valve permits fluid flow through the second valve at different rates less than said maximum flow rate.

39. An apparatus comprising:

a handheld element having a proximal end, a distal end, and an internal flow conduit extending between the proximal and distal ends, the internal flow conduit configured to be in fluid communication with a hose; and

a remote control integrated with the handheld element, the remote control configured to transmit wireless data signals for controlling a device associated with the hose, the device comprising a valve unit having a proximal end configured to be selectively removably fluidly attached to and detached from the distal end of a hose, the valve unit having a distal end configured to be selectively removably fluidly attached to and detached from the proximal end of the handheld element, the remote control adapted to transmit wireless data signals to control movement of the valve unit.

40. The apparatus of claim 39, further comprising a nozzle configured to be selectively and removably fluidly attached to and detached from the distal end of the handheld element, the nozzle also configured to be selectively and removably fluidly attached to and detached from the distal end of the valve unit.

41. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the nozzle comprises one of a plurality of nozzles having different fluid spraying properties, each nozzle having a proximal end configured to be selectively fluidly attached to and detached from the distal end of the handheld element and also configured to be selectively fluidly attached to and detached from the distal end of the valve unit.

42. The apparatus of claim 39, wherein the valve unit has a maximum flow position in which the valve unit permits a maximum rate of fluid flow through the valve unit, the valve unit having one or more stable partially open positions in which the valve unit permits fluid flow through the valve unit at different rates less than said maximum flow rate.

43. The apparatus of claim 42, wherein the valve unit has a closed position in which the valve unit substantially prevents fluid from flowing through the valve unit.

44. The apparatus of claim 42, wherein the valve unit has a closed position in which the valve unit allows fluid to flow through the valve unit.

45. The apparatus of claim 39, wherein the device further comprises a valve system upstream of a hose connected to the proximal end of the handheld element, the valve system adapted to control fluid flow through the hose, the remote control adapted to transmit wireless data signals to control movement of the valve system.

46. The apparatus of claim 39, wherein the device further comprises a reel including a rotatable element on which a hose can be spooled, the remote control adapted to transmit wireless data signals to control rotation of the rotatable element

47. An apparatus comprising:

a handheld element having a proximal end, a distal end, and an internal flow conduit extending between the proximal and distal ends, the internal flow conduit configured to be in fluid communication with a hose, the proximal end of the handheld element configured to be selectively and removably fluidly attached to and detached from a distal end of a hose; and

a remote control integrated with the handheld element, the remote control configured to transmit wireless data signals for controlling a device associated with the hose.

48. The apparatus of claim 47, wherein the proximal end of the handheld element comprises a quick connector comprising a collar, the quick connector configured to attach to or detach from a distal end of a hose upon axial sliding movement of the collar.

49. The apparatus of claim 47, further comprising a nozzle configured to be selectively and removably fluidly attached to and detached from the distal end of the handheld element, the nozzle also configured to be selectively and removably fluidly attached to and detached from the distal end of a hose.

50. The apparatus of claim 49, wherein the nozzle comprises one of a plurality of nozzles having different fluid spraying properties, each nozzle having a proximal end configured to be selectively fluidly attached to and detached from the distal end of the handheld element and also configured to be selectively fluidly attached to and detached from the distal end of a hose.

51. An apparatus comprising:

a handheld element having a proximal end, a distal end, and an internal flow conduit extending between the proximal and distal ends, the internal flow conduit configured to be in fluid communication with a hose; and

a remote control integrated with the handheld element, the remote control configured to transmit and to receive wireless data signals for controlling a device associated with the hose.

52. The apparatus of claim 51, wherein the device comprises:

a reel including a rotatable element on which a hose can be spooled, the remote control adapted to transmit and to receive wireless data signals to control rotation of the rotatable element; and

a valve system adapted to control fluid flow through the hose, the remote control adapted to transmit and to receive wireless data signals to control movement of the valve system, the remote control configured to coordinate and sequence actions of the reel and the valve system.

53. The apparatus of claim 52, wherein the reel is configured to delay full spooling of the hose until the valve system is in a closed position.

54. The apparatus of claim 52, wherein the reel is configured to allow spooling of the hose when the valve system is in an open position.

55. The apparatus of claim 52, wherein the remote control is configured to transmit a signal including instructions for operation of the reel and instructions for operation of the valve system, and wherein the reel and the valve system are each configured to receive the signal.

56. The apparatus of claim 55, wherein the reel and the valve system are each configured to transmit an echoed version of the signal.

57. The apparatus of claim 55, wherein the reel is configured to delay said operation of the reel until the valve system has performed said operation of the valve system.

58. The apparatus of claim 55, wherein the valve system is configured to transmit a second signal upon completion of said operation of the valve system, the second signal including a status of the valve system, and wherein the reel is configured to begin said operation of the reel upon receipt of the second signal.