Salt platform

• US 6,190,552 B1
• Filed: 02/23/1998
• Issued: 02/20/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 05/02/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Donald B. Peddicord, Peddcord; Steve M. , Steve M. Peddcord
• Original Assignee: Donald B. Peddicord, Steve M. Peddcord
• Inventors: Peddicord, Donald B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Beck, Shrive
• Assistant Examiner(s): NECKEL, ALEXA DOROSHENK
• Application Number:
  US09/027,641
• Time in Patent Office: 1,093 Days
• Field of Search: 210/224, 210/455, 210/190, 210/228, 210/229, 172/582, 422/266, 422/274-276, 422/261, 422/311, D23/209, D23/207, D23/259-261
• US Class Current: 210/228
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 49/75 of water softeners
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/42 by ion-exchange ion-exchange in general B01J

Abstract

A grid (250, 280) is disclosed which can be used as part of a salt platform (10, 50, 80) to support salt in an ion exchange water softener. The grid is preferably formed of ABS plastic and has a border portion (252) and bands (254, 256) without holes (274) formed therethrough for strength. When the grid is used as part of a salt platform having vertically oriented members (12-24) with open upper ends, cap portions (258-270), without holes formed therethrough, are used to cover the upper ends of the members. A ring (350) can be used to fit the salt grid in the brine tank.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising:

a brine tank having an interior, an inner surface and a nominal inner diameter;

a salt grid; and

a ring having an outer surface engaging the inner surface of the brine tank and an inner surface formed by a series of cut back steps, the salt grid having an edge engaging a step on the ring selected so that the salt grid and ring fit tightly within the interior of the brine tank.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the ring is neoprene.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the ring is split.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the salt grid is ABS plastic.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 in the ring has a center, each of said cut back steps of said series of cut back steps being a different radial distance from the center.

6. A spacing apparatus for fitting a salt grid within the interior of a brine tank, the brine tank having an inner surface and a nominal inner diameter, comprising:

a ring having an outer surface engaging an inner surface of a brine tank and an inner surface formed by a series of cut back steps, a salt grid having an edge engaging a step on the ring selected so that the salt grid and ring fit tightly within the interior of the brine tank.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the ring is neoprene.

8. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the ring is split.

9. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the salt grid is ABS plastic.

10. The spacing apparatus of claim 6 wherein the ring has a center, each of said cut back steps at a different radial distance from the center.

11. A method for fitting a salt grid within the interior of a brine tank, the brine tank having an inner surface and a nominal inner diameter, comprising the steps of:

fitting a ring having an outer surface and an inner surface formed by a series of cut back steps about an edge of a salt grid so that the edge of the salt grid rests on a ledge formed between an adjacent pair of said steps; and

placing the ring and salt grid within the brine tank to determine if the ring and salt grid are a snug fit in the brine tank.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising the step of repeating the step of fitting the ring on the salt grid at a different ledge between an adjacent pair of said steps and placing the ring and salt grid within the brine tank until the ring and salt grid are a snug fit within the brine tank.

13. The method of claim 11 further comprising the step of expanding the ring at a split therein to fit the ring over the edge of the salt grid.