Flow control assembly

• US 6,484,743 B2
• Filed: 04/09/2001
• Issued: 11/26/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/09/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Zodiac Pool Systems, LLC (Fluidra, S.A.)
• Original Assignee: Zodiac Pool Care Incorporated (Fluidra, S.A.)
• Inventors: Bauckman, Mark
• Primary Examiner(s): Hepperle, Stephen M.
• Application Number:
  US09/829,163
• Publication Number:
  US 20020144728A1
• Time in Patent Office: 596 Days
• Field of Search: 137/114, 137/269, 137/271, 137/605, 137/907, 137/495, 137/527, 251/83, 15/17.4
• US Class Current: 137/114
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 4/12 Devices or arrangements for circulating water , i.e. devices for removal of polluted water, cleaning baths or for water treatment
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 11/052 with pivoted closure members, e.g. butterfly valves
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 17/0446 with an obturating member having at least a component of their opening and closing motion not perpendicular to the closing faces
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 17/06 with special arrangements for adjusting the opening pressure
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 24/06 for aerating only F16K24/02 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 137/907 Vacuum-actuated valves
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/2572 One inflow supplements another
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/5109 Convertible
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7782 With manual or external control for line valve

Abstract

Assemblies for control of fluid flow are described. The assemblies permit angular adjustment of resilient biasing mechanisms through translation of one of their ends along the assembly exteriors. Although the resilient mechanisms normally facilitate covering a bypass inlet so as to close it with a flap, the mechanisms may be latched with the bypass inlet open.

Claims

1. A flow-control assembly for use in a swimming pool cleaning system containing a water-flow hose, comprising:

a. a body comprising (i) an inlet, (ii) an outlet, (iii) a bypass inlet, and (iv) means for connecting at least one of the inlet or outlet directly or indirectly to the water-flow hose;

b. a cover positioned adjacent the bypass inlet and capable of moving from a first position in which it covers the bypass inlet to a second position in which the bypass inlet is at least partially open; and

c. means for locking the cover in the second position.

2. An assembly according to claim 1 in which the locking means comprises a tongue connected to the cover and a groove, connected to the body, for receiving the tongue.

14. An assembly according to claim 1 in which the locking means comprises a tongue directly or indirectly connected to the cover and a groove, directly or indirectly connected to the body, for receiving the tongue.

15. An assembly according to claim 1 in which the cover comprises at least one arm, further comprising a spring having a first end connected to the arm.

16. An assembly according to claim 15 in which the spring has a second end, further comprising an anchor to which the second end of the spring is connected.

17. An assembly according to claim 16 in which the body further comprises a plurality of walls, adjacent walls defining therebetween at least one slot into which the anchor may be fitted.

18. An assembly according to claim 17 in which adjacent walls define therebetween a plurality of slots, the slots providing alternative locations into which the anchor may be fitted.

19. An assembly according to claim 18 in which the body is generally tubular in shape and thereby has a circumference, with the cover and anchor being positioned approximately one hundred eighty degrees apart on the circumference.

3. A flow-control assembly comprising:

a. a body comprising (i) an inlet, (ii) an outlet, and (iii) a bypass inlet;

b. a cover positioned adjacent the bypass inlet and capable of moving from a first position in which it covers the bypass inlet to a second position in which the bypass inlet is at least partially open; and

c. means for locking the cover in the second position, such locking means comprising (i) a tongue connected to, and adapted to be rotated about at least part of, the cover and (ii) a groove, connected to the body, for receiving the tongue.

4. An assembly according to claim 3 further comprising a tab integrally formed with the tongue to facilitate manual rotation of the tongue.

5. An assembly according to claim 4 in which the cover comprises at least one arm, further comprising a spring having a first end connected to the arm.

6. An assembly according to claim 5 in which the spring has a second end, further comprising an anchor to which the second end of the spring is connected.

7. An assembly according to claim 6 in which the body further comprises a plurality of walls, adjacent walls defining therebetween at least one slot into which the anchor may be fitted.

8. An assembly according to claim 7 in which adjacent walls define therebetween a plurality of slots, the slots providing alternative locations into which the anchor may be fitted.

9. An assembly according to claim 8 in which the body is generally tubular in shape and thereby has a circumference, with the cover and anchor being positioned approximately one hundred eighty degrees apart on the circumference.

10. A flow-control assembly for use in a swimming pool cleaning system containing a water-flow hose, comprising:

a. a body having an exterior and comprising (i) an inlet, (ii) an outlet, (iii) a bypass inlet, and (iv) means for connecting at least one of the inlet or outlet directly or indirectly to the water-flow hose;

b. a cover positioned adjacent the bypass inlet and capable of moving from a first position in which it covers the bypass inlet to a second position in which the bypass inlet is at least partially open;

c. an anchor;

d. biasing means having a first end attached to the cover and a second end attached to the anchor; and

e. means for placing the anchor in any one of alternative positions along the exterior of the body, with placement of the anchor in the alternative positions changing predominantly an angle formed by the biasing means and cover.

11. An assembly according to claim 10 in which the exterior of the body is generally tubular in shape.

12. An assembly according to claim 11 in which the biasing means comprises at least one spring.

13. An assembly according to claim 10 further comprising means for locking the cover in the second position.

20. A flow-control assembly comprising:

a. a body having an exterior and comprising (i) an inlet, (ii) an outlet, and (iii) a bypass inlet;

b. a cover positioned adjacent the bypass inlet and capable of moving from a first position in which it covers the bypass inlet to a second position in which the bypass inlet is at least partially open;

c. an anchor;

d. biasing means having a first end attached to the cover and a second end attached to the anchor;

e. means for placing the anchor in any one of alternative positions along the exterior of the body, with placement of the anchor in the alternative positions changing predominantly an angle formed by the biasing means and cover; and

f. means for locking the cover in the second position.