Flow control apparatus, system and method

• US 5,255,398 A
• Filed: 01/07/1992
• Issued: 10/26/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 07/30/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Margaret A. Flynn, Raymond F. Flynn
• Original Assignee: Margaret A. Flynn, Raymond F. Flynn
• Inventors: Flynn, Raymond F., Flynn, Margaret A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Recla, Henry J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): BARRETT, GLENN
• Application Number:
  US07/817,739
• Time in Patent Office: 658 Days
• Field of Search: 4/490, 4/496, 4/498, 4/503, 134/174, 141/387, 137/614.2, 239/574, 251/155, 251/156, 251/147, 251/148, 251/150, 417/234, 417/423.3, 415/148, 415/203, 415/206, 415/211.2
• US Class Current: 4/496
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 4/10 Coverings of flexible material

Abstract

A water flow control device, flow control system and method of using available swimming pool water for a source of water, adapted to be connected to conventional swimming pool hose apparatus for rapidly serving swimming pools for winter and spring cleanup. The flow control device can be used to rapidly fill water tubes, consisting of large vinyl bags which are used to anchor the four sides of conventional swimming pool cover used to cover swimming pools when not in use. The flow control device includes dual check valves, the first check valve controlling the flow and the second preventing reverse flow, a nozzle, a hose section, a valve housing, a flow control handle, a flow chamber, and check valve seats. The swimming pool flow control system incorporates a source of water and an improved flow control device, of 11/2" id., conventional vacuum hose and a plurality of water tubes, a submersible pump connected to pump water at high volume, low pressure, adapted to receive standard pool vacuum hose, for anchoring a generally rectangle cover for covering a swimming pool, typically partially filled with water when not used during periods of non use, generally in the winter months and cold climates. An alternate embodiment flow control system incorporates a nozzle control device having a unitary check valve for flow control connected to an in-line disconnect device and a union check valve having an internal check valve for preventing reverse flow.

Claims

1. A flow control apparatus for servicing a swimming pool including filling water tubes comprising:

a) a source of water contained in a swimming pool;

b) a submersible pump having an outlet;

c) electrical switch means for controlled operation of the submersible pump;

d) a hose having an one end connected to a nozzle means and another end connected to a union check valve means mounted on the outlet of the submersible pump submerged in the swimming pool, comprising a flexible vacuum hose having an annular collar attached to said one end of the hose; and

e) nozzle means for controlling the flow of water through the hose and filling a water tube comprising;

i) a housing having an one end and another end, the one end being adapted to fit into the annular collar attached to the one end of the hose, including an inner flow control chamber and having an inlet and an outlet;

ii) a check valve mounted within the inner flow control chamber; and

iii) control means for operating the check valve for opening and closing the check valve;

f) union check valve means for preventing back flow of water in the hose mounted on the outlet of the submersible pump and attached to another end of the hose.

2. The flow control apparatus of claim 1 wherein the hose includes a hose disconnect means for relieving pressure build-up in the hose.

3. A flow control apparatus for servicing swimming pools including filling water tubes comprising:

a) a source of water contained in a swimming pool;

b) a submersible pump having an outlet;

c) electrical switch means for controlled operation of the submersible pump;

d) a hose having an one end connected to a nozzle means and another end connected to a union check valve means mounted at the outlet of the submersible pump for carrying water in large volumes and at low pressure from the submersible pump submerged in the and filling a water tube swimming pool, comprising a flexible vacuum hose having an annular collar at said one end; and

e) nozzle means for controlling the flow of water through the hose comprising;

i) a housing having an one end and another end, the one end being adapted to fit into the annular collar attached to the other end of the hose in sealable cooperation therewith, including an inner flow control chamber and having an inlet and an outlet;

ii) a check valve hingeably mounted within the flow control chamber for movement of said check valve between an open position and a closed non-flowing position; and

iii) control means for moving the check valve between a closed position and an open position comprising a piston sealably mounted in the housing adjacent the check valve, the piston being movable between a extended position and a depressed position wherein the piston extends into the housing for engagement with the first check valve to lift the check valve off its seat;

f) union check valve means for preventing back flow of water in the hose mounted at another end of the hose for connection with the submersible pump; and

g) hose disconnect means for relieving pressure build-up in the hose.