Valve Assembly for a Pump

Abstract

A pump includes a bottle, an air-pumping device, a cover, a valve assembly and a buoyant. The air-pumping device is operable to pump air out of the bottle and therefore pump liquid into the bottle. The cover includes an opening and a channel. The bottle is in communication with the exterior thereof via the opening and in communication with the air-pumping device via the channel when the cover is attached to the bottle and the air-pumping device. The valve assembly is movable in the bottle between a first position for releasing the channel as the pump is in an upright position and a second position for blocking the channel as the pump is in a tilted position. The buoyant floats on the liquid in the bottle and moves the valve assembly into the second position as the bottle is almost full of the liquid in the upright position.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE

The present invention is a continuation-in-part application of co-pending application Ser. No. 13/153,457 of which the entire disclosure is incorporated herein.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates to a pump and, more particularly, to a valve assembly for a pump.

2. Related Prior Art

As discussed in application Ser. No. 13/153,457 referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is inevitably leak of the used oil 15 from the pump 30 through the channel 43 of the upper cover 40 because the channel 43 is released from the valve 18 when the used oil 15 is pulled from the pump 30.

As discussed in application Ser. No. 13/153,457 referring to FIGS. 3 to 19, the inverted-position leak-preventing device is expected to avoid any leak of used oil 15 from the pump 30. The operation of the inverted-position leak-preventing device is sometimes not fast enough to avoid leak of the used oil 15 from the pump 30.

The present invention is therefore intended to obviate or at least alleviate the problems encountered in prior art.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

It is the primary objective of the present invention to provide a pump that effectively prevents leak.

To achieve the foregoing objective, the pump includes a bottle, an air-pumping device, a cover, a valve assembly and a buoyant. The air-pumping device is operable to pump air out of the bottle and therefore pump liquid into the bottle. The cover includes an opening and a channel. The bottle is in communication with the exterior thereof via the opening and in communication with the air-pumping device via the channel when the cover is attached to the bottle and the air-pumping device. The valve assembly is movable in the bottle between a first position for releasing the channel as the pump is in an upright position and a second position for blocking the channel as the pump is in a tilted position. The buoyant floats on the liquid in the bottle and moves the valve assembly into the second position as the bottle is almost full of the liquid in the upright position.

Other objectives, advantages and features of the present invention will be apparent from the following description referring to the attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The present invention will be described via detailed illustration of several embodiments referring to the drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a pump with a valve assembly in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the valve assembly shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the valve assembly illustrated in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged partial view of the valve assembly shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a partial, cross-sectional view of a valve assembly in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a partial, cross-sectional view of a valve assembly in accordance with the third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a valve of a valve assembly in accordance with the fourth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a valve of a valve assembly in accordance with the fifth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is an exploded view of a tubular guiding element and a pusher of a valve assembly in accordance with the sixth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a tubular guiding element and a pusher of a valve assembly in accordance with the seventh embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a cut-away view of a tubular guiding element and a pusher of a valve assembly in accordance with the eighth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a cut-away view of a tubular guiding element and a pusher of a valve assembly in accordance with the ninth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a partial, cross-sectional view of a valve assembly in accordance with the tenth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a partial, cross-sectional view of a valve assembly in accordance with the eleventh embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a partial, cross-sectional view of a pump with the valve assembly shown FIG. 1; and

FIG. 16 is a partial, cross-sectional view of a pump with the valve assembly shown FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1 through 4, a pump 30 includes a bottle 31, an air-pumping device and a valve assembly 90 according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. The air-pumping device is used to pump air out of the bottle 31 to pump liquid 15 such as used oil into the bottle 31. The valve assembly 90 prevents leak of the liquid 15 from the bottle 31 when the bottle 31 is tilted or inverted.

The bottle 31 is formed with a lower open end and an upper open end. A lower cover 33 is attached to the lower open end of the bottle 31. An annular buoyant 13 is movably placed in the bottle 31.

The air-pumping unit includes a cylinder 50, a flexible piston 53, a rod 52 and a handle 51. The cylinder 50 is located in the bottle 31. The cylinder 50 is inserted through the annular buoyant 13. A lower end of the cylinder 50 is in contact with the lower cover 33 so that the space in the cylinder 50 is separated from the space in the bottle 31. A check valve assembly 34 is located in an aperture made in the lower cover 33 so that the check valve assembly 34 is located in the cylinder 50.

The flexible piston 53 is movably located in the cylinder 50. The flexible piston 53 is attached to an end of the rod 52 while the handle 51 is connected to an opposite end of the rod 52.

An upper cover 40 is formed with a handle 41, an opening 42, a channel 43 and a bore 46. The opening 42 is separated from the channel 43 while the bore 46 is in communication with the channel 43. The channel 43 includes an end closed by a plug 45. A safety valve 44 is placed in an upper end of the bore 46. The upper cover 40 further includes an annular rib that extends around the bore 46.

The upper cover 40 is placed on the bottle 31 and the cylinder 50. The space in the bottle 31 is only in communication with the space in cylinder 50 via the channel 43.

The valve assembly 90 includes an annular sealing element 91, a tubular guiding element 84, a plate 86, a valve 70, two weights 78 and a pusher 74. The annular sealing element 91 is fit in a lower open end of the bore 46.

The tubular guiding element 84 extends from the plate 86 in a slant manner, i.e., there is a slant relation between an axis along which the channel in the tubular guiding element 84 extends and a plane in which the plate 86 extends. The tubular guiding element 84 inherently includes a channel 89. The tubular guiding element 84 includes a longitudinal slot 85.

The plate 86 is made with adequate thickness so that an annular groove 87 can be made therein. The plate 86 includes an annular rib 88 in communication with the tubular guiding element 84. The annular groove 87 extends around the annular rib 88.

The plate 86 is attached to the upper cover 40. The annular groove 87 receives the annular rib of the upper cover 40. The annular rib 88 is inserted in the annular rib of the upper cover 40. The channel 89 is in communication with the bore 46. The channel 89 extends toward the opening 42 as it extends upward.

The bore 46 extends along an axis L1 that extends vertically when the pump 30 is placed in an upright position. The tubular guiding element 84 extends along an axis L2. There is a sharp angle θ between the axes L1 and L2. The angle θ is not 0°, i.e., the axes L1 and L2 do not coincide.

The valve 70 and the weights 78 are movably placed in the tubular guiding element 84. The valve 70 is in the form of a ball, and so are the weights 78. Hence, the valve 70 and the weights 78 can roll smoothly in the tubular guiding element 84.

The pusher 74 includes an upper section 75 and a lower section 76. There is a sharp angle between the upper section 75 of the pusher 74 and the lower section 76. The upper section 75 of the pusher 74 is movably inserted in the tubular guiding element 84. A screw 77 is driven in the upper section 75 of the pusher 74 via the slot 85 to keep the pusher 74 connected to the tubular guiding element 84. The lower section 76 of the pusher 74 is located out of the tubular guiding element 84 and intended to contact the annular buoyant 13.

In operation, the pump 30 is located in an upright position. A plug (not shown) is fit in the opening 42. A hose (not shown) is inserted through the plug. An end of the hose is located in the space in the bottle 31 while another end of the hose is submerged in liquid 15 contained in an oil pan. The flexible piston 53 is reciprocated in the cylinder 50 to pump air out of the space of the cylinder 50 and hence out of the space of the bottle 31. Some of the liquid 15 is hence pumped from the oil pan into the space in the bottle 31.

When the space in the bottle 31 is almost full of the liquid 15, the bore 46 and hence the channel 43 are blocked by the valve 70, which are pushed by the pusher 74, which is lifted by the annular buoyant 13, which floats on the liquid 15 that is contained in the bottle 31. Thus, no more liquid 15 can be pumped into the space in the bottle 31.

To pour the liquid 15 from the pump 30, the plug is removed from the opening 42, and the pump 30 is tilted or inverted. Due to the way in which the tubular guiding element 84 extends, the valve 70 rolls quickly in the tubular guiding element 84 to the annular sealing element 91 to abut the annular sealing element 91 to block the bore 46 and therefore the channel 43 before the liquid 15 reaches the opening 42. There is no leak of the liquid 15 from the pump 30 through the channel 43. That is, the liquid 15 only leaves the pump 30 via the opening 42.

Referring to FIG. 5, there is a valve assembly in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention. The second embodiment is like the first embodiment except that the valve 70 is in the form of a capsule and so is each of the weights 78. That is, the valve 70 is a short rod formed with two rounded ends, and so is each of the weights 78.

Referring to FIG. 6, there is a valve assembly in accordance with the third embodiment of the present invention. The third embodiment is like the first embodiment except that the valve 70 is in the form of a tablet and so is each of the weights 78. Such a tablet is made with a diameter larger than thickness.

Referring to FIG. 7, there is a valve assembly in accordance with the fourth embodiment of the present invention. The fourth embodiment is like the first embodiment except that the valve 70 is in the form of a rod that includes two flat ends.

Referring to FIG. 8, there is a valve assembly in accordance with the fifth embodiment of the present invention. The fifth embodiment is like the first embodiment except that the valve 70 is in the form of a cone with a smaller, rounded end and a larger, flat end.

To achieve identical pressure for blocking the bore 46, the valve 70 can be replaced by a larger ball while the weights 78 are saved in another embodiment. However, several small balls are better than a large ball for involving a smaller and less expensive valve assembly.

To achieve identical pressure for blocking the bore 46, the valve 70 can be replaced by a plunger while the weights 78 are saved in still another embodiment. However, several balls are better than a plunger for involving less friction on the internal face of the tubular guiding element 84 and smoother movement.

Referring to FIG. 9, there is a valve assembly in accordance with the sixth embodiment of the present invention. The sixth embodiment is identical to the first embodiment except including a circular pin 93 instead of the screw 77.

Referring to FIG. 10, there is a valve assembly in accordance with the seventh embodiment of the present invention. The seventh embodiment is like the first embodiment except including a square pin 94 instead of the circular pin 93.

Referring to FIG. 11, there is a valve assembly in accordance with the eighth embodiment of the present invention. The eighth embodiment is like the sixth embodiment except several things. At first, the tubular guiding element 84 includes two grooves 96 instead of the slots 85. The grooves 96 receive two ends of the pin 93. Secondly, a C-clip 99 is fit used to keep the ends of the pin 93 in the grooves 96. Thirdly, the pusher 74 is a circular element.

Referring to FIG. 12, there is a valve assembly in accordance with the ninth embodiment of the present invention. The ninth embodiment is identical to the eighth embodiment except three things. At first, the grooves 96 are saved. Secondly, the upper section 75 of the pusher 74 includes a slot 97. The pin 93 is inserted through the slot 97. The ends of the pin 93 are driven in the tubular guiding element 84. Thirdly, the C-clip 99 is saved.

Referring to FIG. 13, there is a valve assembly in accordance with the tenth embodiment of the present invention. The tenth embodiment is like the first embodiment except that the pusher 74 is made with a rectilinear configuration. Only a lower end of the pusher 74 is placed out of the tubular guiding element 84 when the pusher 74 is fully lifted by the annular buoyant 13, which floats on the liquid 15.

Referring to FIG. 14, there is a valve assembly in accordance with the eleventh embodiment of the present invention. The eleventh embodiment is like the first embodiment except that the upper cover 40 and the plate 86 are made one.

The valve assembly 90 can be used in another pump with reference to FIG. 15. This pump does not include the air-pumping unit shown in FIGS. 1 through 4. This pump includes a joint 54 formed on the upper cover 40. The joint 54 can be connected to an air compressor via a hose for example.

The valve assembly 90 can be used in another pump with reference to FIG. 16. This pump does not include the air-pumping unit shown in FIGS. 1 through 4. This pump includes a joint 55 formed on the upper cover 40. The joint 55 can be connected to an air compressor via a hose for example.

The present invention has been described via the detailed illustration of the embodiments. Those skilled in the art can derive variations from the embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the preferred embodiment shall not limit the scope of the present invention defined in the claims.

Claims

1. A pump including:

a bottle;

an air-pumping device for pumping air out of the bottle and therefore pumping liquid into the bottle;

a cover including an opening and a channel, wherein the bottle is in communication with the exterior thereof via the opening and in communication with the air-pumping device via the channel when the cover is attached to the bottle and the air-pumping device;

a valve assembly movable in the bottle between a first position for releasing the channel as the pump is in an upright position and a second position for blocking the channel as the pump is in a tilted position; and

a buoyant for floating on the liquid in the bottle and moving the valve assembly into the second position as the bottle is almost full of the liquid in the upright position.

2. The pump in accordance with claim 1, wherein the valve assembly includes a valve movably placed in the bottle to block the channel as the valve assembly is in the second position.

3. The pump in accordance with claim 2, wherein the valve is a ball.

4. The pump in accordance with claim 2, wherein the valve is a tablet.

5. The pump in accordance with claim 2, wherein the valve is a rod.

6. The pump in accordance with claim 5, wherein the valve includes at least one rounded end.

7. The pump in accordance with claim 2, wherein the valve is a cone.

8. The pump in accordance with claim 7, wherein the rod includes a rounded, smaller end and a flat, larger end.

9. The pump in accordance with claim 2, wherein the valve assembly includes a tubular guiding element attached to the cover so that the tubular guiding element extends toward the cover as the tubular guiding element extends upward, wherein the valve is quickly moves in the tubular guiding element into the second position to block the channel before the liquid is poured from the pump through the opening.

10. The pump in accordance with claim 9, wherein the valve assembly includes an annular sealing element fit in the channel, wherein the valve abuts the annular sealing element to block the channel in the second position of the valve assembly.

11. The pump in accordance with claim 9, wherein the valve assembly includes a plate formed at an upper end of the tubular guiding element and attached to the cover.

12. The pump in accordance with claim 9, wherein the valve assembly includes a pusher formed with an upper section movably inserted in the tubular guiding element to contact the valve and a lower section placed out of the tubular guiding element to contact the buoyant.

13. The pump in accordance with claim 12, wherein the valve assembly includes a screw inserted in the upper section of the pusher, wherein the tubular guiding element includes at least one slot for receiving at least one end of the screw.

14. The pump in accordance with claim 12, wherein the valve assembly includes a pin inserted in the upper section of the pusher, wherein the tubular guiding element includes at least one slot for receiving at least one end of the pin.

15. The pump in accordance with claim 12, wherein the valve assembly includes a pin inserted in the upper section of the pusher, wherein the tubular guiding element includes at least one groove for receiving at least one end of the pin.

16. The pump in accordance with claim 15, wherein the valve assembly includes a C-clip fit in the tubular guiding element to keep the end of the pin in the groove.

17. The pump in accordance with claim 12, wherein the valve assembly includes a pin transversely inserted in the tubular guiding element, wherein the upper section of the pusher includes at least one slot for receiving the pin.

18. The pump in accordance with claim 10, wherein there is a sharp angle between the upper and lower sections of the pusher.

19. The pump in accordance with claim 10, wherein the valve assembly includes at least one weight placed between the valve and the pusher.