Liquid storage and dispensing device

[57] ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to portable devices for storing and intermittently dispensing liquid such as water. The device can be used as a child’s toy, if desired. The rearmost portion of the device includes a one-piece, one-way valve that prevents the flow of contained liquid from the device when the same is charged preparatory to use. The elastomeric tubular storage member affixed to the one-way valve is expandable both longitudinally and radially in accordance with admission of liquid contents therein. The liquid charge is stored under pressure, by virtue of the elastomeric, resilient nature of the tubing, and is selectively released through the nozzle structure of the invention by intermittent hand pressure upon the actuating handle of the device. Such actuating handle is cradled or pivoted to a nozzle member constructed in a very simplified manner so as to minimize manufacturing and assembling costs.

Claims, 6 Drawing Figures

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PATENTEDMAY 91972

3,661,327

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3,661,327

LIQUID STORAGE AND DISPENSING DEVICE

The present invention relates to liquid charging and discharging devices and, more particularly to a new and improved device of the type described by which chargeable liquids such as water may be stored under pressure and selectively dispensed or squirted from the device in a desired manner.

The subject of the present invention is ideally suited as a child’s toy which can be transported from place to place.

According to the present invention, the subject device comprises essentually a three-element unit. Namely, a nozzle fitting and one-way valve combination, an elastomeric, resilient, expandable storage member, and a nozzle device’ which is easily made, assembled, and manipulated for selective release of liquid contained within the storage member through the nozzle of the device.

Filling of the central tubular storage member is accomplished by simply screwing the nozzle fitting of the device onto a conventional outside water tap, and turning the tap on. The handle control of the nozzle is fulcrumed so as to pinch the tu- 20 bular storage member closed at the forward portion thereof, to allow for the filling of the device. Subsequently, the nozzle fitting may be removed from the tap, with the one-way valve portion of such tap operating as to retain liquid within the tu1 ' · - moved about from place to place and actuated by depression of the handle so as to release water contents from the device in a pressured stream.

Accordingly, the principal object of the invention is to provide a new and improved device for containing and selectively releasing liquids such as water.

A further object is to provide a child’s toy having a nozzle equipped with a liquid storage chamber.

A further object is to provide in a device of the type described, a one-piece, one-way valve, the same co-acting with the hose or tubular member of the invention such that the valve is closed in the absence of liquid pressure being applied to the charging nozzle fitting.

An additional object is to provide in a liquid discharge device a suitable nozzle construction that is very inexpensive to manufacture and assemble.

The features of the present invention which are believed to be novel are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The present invention, both as to its organization and manner of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an elevation, partially in section, of the water 5Q charge and discharge device made in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an elevation of the forward portion of the structure of FIG. 1 and is similar to FIG. 1, illustrating that depression of the handle member of the device operates so as to release 55 liquid from the storage area of the device.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary, enlarged detail, taken along the line 3—3 in FIG. 1, illustrating an optional nozzle-handle configuration.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary section, taken along the line 4—4 in 60 FIG. 1, illustrating one configuration by which the nozzle and valve portion of the device can be fabricated; in FIG. 4 the condition of zero inlet pressure is applicable.

FIG. 5 is similar to FIG. 4 but illustrates the expansion of the tubular storage member of the device when fluid pressure is 65 applied to the inlet nozzle thereof, this to fill the expandable, elastomeric, tubular storage member of the device.

FIG. 6 is similar to FIGS. 4 and 5 but illustrates that once inlet pressure is released, the liquid contents of the tubular storage device captured therewithin is isolated from discharge 70 rearwardly through such one-way valve portion of the device.

In FIG. 1, member 10 includes an enlarged rearward extremity 11 which serves as a retention means to accommodate the mounting of the forward end 12 of elastomeric, expandable, tubular storage member 13. The hollow interior of 75 ι-------- vpviuuug Cio _vu ttiaut iiqutu W1UUI1 Hie LU- » . . . , — ---bular storage member. The device, accordingly mav be ²⁵ , ^{ereln&gt; thls t,me}· member 21 A, corresponding to member 21 ______1 -1____. n « . OJ&gt; J m PIZIC fl α_ηχ1 rizviiz to ««J ____X.__1 . Λ — member 13 is designated as 14 and communicates with central bore 15 of member 10. Lower portion 16 extends rearwardly, as shown, and includes a lateral terminal end 17 engaging tubular storage member 13.

Member 10 also includes rise portion 18 which has a concave arcuately formed seat 19 receiving depending circular tab or fulcrum 20 of control or handle member 21. Control member 21 may have a forward ball-shaped end 22 and in any event includes a depending terminal end 23 disposed oppositely, relative to end 17 of member 10. A circular elastomeric member 24, such as a rubberband, is slipped over members 10 and 21 so as to retain the ends 23 and 17 mutually together, that is, on opposite sides of tubular storage member 13, in the absence of hand pressure applied as indicated in FIG. 2. When hand pressure is applied such as to thrust the forward end of member 21 downwardly, see FIG. 2, lateral end 23 will rise so as to remove the constriction at tubular storage member 13 which theretofore existed at A, see FIG. 1. Accordingly, manual pressure as shown in FIG. 2 will open the tubular storage member 13 so that liquid may be forcibly ejected from the nozzle portion B of the device, through bore 15.

FIG. 3 illustrates optional embodiment of the invention in FIGS. 1 and 2, now is provided with a central aperture 25 receiving pin 26. The latter comprises a pivot pin which is disposed between the upstanding ears 27 and 28 of modified member 10A, corresponding to member 10 in FIGS. 1 and 2.

Accordingly, the depending tab 20 in FIG. 1 serves as a fulcrum which seats in the socket or recess 19. Alternatively, see FIG. 3, there is simply a pivotal engagement relative to the parts illustrated.

When the user intends to release a portion of water under 35 the pressure within tubular storage member 13, such water may be so released as indicated in FIG. 2. A gradual, intermittent release of water will of course allow the elastomeric tubular storage member to reduce its size, both elongitudinally and radially, until its original dimensions are gradually achieved.

The rearward extremity 30 of tubular storage member 13 is shown disposed over the forward extremity 12 of tubular storage member 13. Valve 31 may either be integral with a water-tap fitting 32, to comprise a composite part 33, or may be a separate part threaded into or otherwise affixed into a standard fitting. Valve 31 has a closed end portion 34, a chamfered, peripheral, front side 35, and a generally cylindrical portion 36. The latter includes liquid apertures 37 and 38 which provide communication for liquid, such as water, through the rearwardly facing water-tap fitting 32 into and through valve 31. Valve 31 comprises a one-way valve, such that when water is entering the nozzle as at C in FIG. 5, elastomeric storage member 13 will tend to expand, elongitudinally and radially, and hence permit the water to proceed in the direction of arrows D and E, through apertures 37 and 38, into the interior of elastomeric storage member 13. Where’ elastomeric member 13 is composed of rubber tubing such as surgical tubing, and the same will not elongate but will also expand radially. This explains for the greatly enlarged cross-section of the tubular member 13 as illustrated in FIG. 5.

Where the water is turned off, as by the conventional tap handle H, FIG. 1, then the absence of pressure at the interior of the valve 31 will cause the forward portion F of storage member 13 to collapse against 35, so that none of the liquid stored within member 13 can proceed. outwardly in the reverse direction, i.e. out of fitting 32. Hence, that portion 39 of member 13 will act to effectively seal apertures 37 and 38 of the valves so that no liquid will escape to the left, in the reverse direction. Thus, such liquid L as is stored within the interior of member 13 is available for use.

In operation, after the unit is liquid-filled, by actuation of tap handle H, the tap is returned to closed and the nozzle fitting 32 is screwed from the tap. The construction of the device, as illustrated in FIG. 6, will cause the water to be retained within the interior of the elongated and radially en3,661,327 and arranged such that, in the absence of the presence of pressurized liquid, at said one-way valve means, for entrance there-through and into said storage member, that portion of said storage member which engages said one-way valve means 5 seals said aperture means to prevent reverse liquid flow therethrough.

3. A nozzle for selectively releasing water from a pressurized water supply contained in a tubular storage member, said nozzle comprising an elongate nozzle member having a ¹⁰ central aperture communicating with the interior of said tubular storage member and a first rearwardly extending, reaction portion disposed proximate the forward extremity of said tubular storage member when connected to said nozzle, said nozzle also including a forwardly directed handle member ad¹³ justably secured and squeezable toward said nozzle member and having a rearwardly directed extension provided with a second reaction portion, said first and second reaction portions being cooperatively disposed to cooperate together so as ₂θ to pinch together the opposite sides of said tubular member, when so connected to said nozzle, and hence prevent liquid flow there-through to said nozzle, and resilient constraining means engaging said first and second reaction portions for so urging said reaction portions mutually together to shut off fluid flow in the absence of squeeze-together type manual pressure applied to said handle member and said nozzle member to open said nozzle.

4. Structure according to claim 3 wherein said handle member includes a central fulcrum means rockingly engaging 2q said nozzle member.

5. Structure according to claim 3 wherein said handle member is pivoted to said nozzle member.

6. Structure according to claim 3 wherein said handle member is provided with an elongate area for a handle 3₅ squeeze grip, said first and second reaction portions comprising mutually facing apex abutments.

***** larged tubing 13, preparatory to the user releasing such liquid, under the controlled pressure of the tubing, out of nozzle member IS. In actuating the device, the user will simply depress handle member 21 so that liquid will squirt out the nozzle portion D of the device. See FIG. 2. When pressure is removed or released, then the tensioned rubberband 24 will urge the transverse rearward ends 17 and 23 of members 10 and 21 inwardly in the position shown in FIG. 1, so as to cut off the supply of water to the nozzle area B of member 10.

What is provided, hence, is a new and improved device for storing liquids such as water. This device is easily connectable to a conventional outside water tap. This device, if desired, can be completely removed from the water supply, such as the outside water tap, and transported about from place to place, as desired, for intermittent use.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from this invention in its broader aspects.