Float valve for a christmas tree watering system

• US 6,966,334 B2
• Filed: 06/24/2003
• Issued: 11/22/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/24/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Michael Bolster
• Original Assignee: Michael Bolster
• Inventors: Bolster, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): LEE, KEVIN L
• Application Number:
  US10/601,782
• Publication Number:
  US 20040261854A1
• Time in Patent Office: 882 Days
• Field of Search: 137/434, 137/429, 137/433, 137/448, 137/430, 137/442, 137/437, 47/405, 47/485, 47/79, 222/67, 733/225, 733/05, 733/17
• US Class Current: 137/434
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 27/003 Controls for self-acting watering devices
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 2033/1293 including water feeding or water level monitoring means
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 31/24 with a transmission with parts linked together from a single float to a single valve
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7423 Rectilinearly traveling float
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7436 Float rigid with valve
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7439 Float arm operated valve
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7485 Pivoted valve

Abstract

The float valve has a water inlet, a perforated bottom surface and a lift valve mounted between the water inlet and the bottom surface. A float and a rocker arm are used to raise and lower the disc of the lift valve in response to a water level inside the housing. The valve seat has a first vertical axis and the water inlet has a second vertical axis and the first and second vertical axes are parallel to each other and are spaced apart a distance corresponding substantially to a radius of the valve seat. In another feature, a stud on the rocker arm interferes with the valve stem when the float is in a down position, for leaning the valve stem away from the axes of the valve seat and of the water inlet.

Claims

1. A valve for use in a Christmas tree watering system, comprising;

a housing having an upper portion, a water inlet in said upper portion and a perforated bottom surface;

a lift valve mounted in said housing and having a circular valve seat between said water inlet and said perforated bottom surface;

a valve disc mounted between said water inlet and said valve seat and a valve stem extending from said valve disc through said valve seat; and

means to raise and lower said valve disc in response to a water level in said housing;

said valve seat having a first vertical axis and said water inlet having a second vertical axis and said first and second vertical axes being parallel to each other and spaced apart a distance corresponding substantially to a radius of said valve seat.

2. The valve as claimed in claim 1, wherein said housing comprises a clip having a hook thereon for attachment to the rim of a Christmas tree stand.

3. The valve as claimed in claim 2, wherein said clip is detachably fastened to said housing by ridge and groove engagements.

4. The valve as claimed in claim 2 wherein said housing has two separable halves and said clip encloses said two halves to retain said two halves together.

5. The valve as claimed in claim 4 wherein said means to raise and lower said valve disc comprises a float.

6. The valve as claimed in claim 5 wherein said housing comprises a float guiding cavity and said float is movably mounted in said float guiding cavity.

7. The valve as claimed in claim 6, wherein said means to raise and lower said valve disc also comprises a rocker arm pivotally mounted to said housing and engaged with said float and said valve stem.

8. The valve as claimed in claim 7, wherein said rocker arm has a rounded end and said float has a socket, and said rounded end is mounted in said socket, whereby a movement of said float is transmitted to said rocker arm.

9. The valve as claimed in claim 8, wherein said rocker arm has a clevis end and said valve stem has a thick end, and said thick end is pivotally engaged with said clevis end, whereby a movement of said rocker arm is transmitted to said valve stem and said valve disc.

10. The valve as claimed in claim 9, wherein said two separable halves comprises an upper half and a lower half, and said lift valve, said float guiding cavity, said float and said rocker arm are mounted in said upper half.

11. The valve as claimed in claim 10, wherein said upper half has a pair of holed tabs therein and said rocker arm has a transverse shaft pivotally mounted in said pair of holed tabs.

12. The valve as claimed in claim 1, wherein said valve disc has a seep hole there through.

13. The valve as claimed in claim 6, wherein said float guiding cavity has a vent hole there through.

14. The valve as claimed in claim 1, wherein said water inlet comprises a hose nipple.

15. A valve for use in a Christmas tree watering system, comprising

a housing having an upper half, a water inlet in said upper half, and a lower half;

a lift valve having and a circular valve seat between said water inlet and said lower half;

a valve disc mounted between said water inlet and said valve seat and a valve stem extending from said valve disc through said valve seat;

means to raise and lower said valve disc in response to a water level in said housing;

said valve seat having a first vertical axis and said water inlet having a second vertical axis and said first and second vertical axes being spaced apart and parallel to each other; and

means to selectively move said valve disc away from said second vertical axis.

16. The valve as claimed in claim 15 wherein said means to raise and lower said valve disc comprises a float and a rocker arm pivotally connected to said housing, to said float and to said valve stem for a seesaw movement between said float and said valve stem.

17. The valve as claimed in claim 16, wherein said rocker arm has a clevis on one end thereof, said valve stem is pivotally mounted in said clevis and said means to selectively move said valve disc comprises a stud on said rocker arm adjacent said clevis interfering with said valve stem and blocking a movement of said valve stem in said clevis.

18. The valve as claimed in claim 15, wherein said second vertical axis is offset from said first vertical axis a distance equivalent to a radius of said valve seat.

19. A valve for use in a Christmas tree watering system, comprising

a housing having an upper half, a water inlet in said upper half, and a lower half;

a lift valve having a circular valve seat between said water inlet and said lower half;

a valve disc mounted between said water inlet and said valve seat and a valve stem extending from said valve disc through said valve seat;

means to raise and lower said valve disc in response to a water level in said housing;

said valve seat having a first vertical axis and said water inlet having a second vertical axis and said first and second vertical axes being parallel to each other and spaced apart a distance corresponding to a radius of said valve seat; and

means to offset said valve disc from said second vertical axis, and away from said first vertical axis.

20. The valve as claimed in claim 19, wherein said means to offset said valve disc comprises means to lean said valve stem away from said first vertical axis.