PLUMBING REPAIR SUMP SYSTEM

Abstract

A pump out system removes a liquid from a worksite and includes a pump, a power source, a rigid spacer, a coupling, and a flexible discharge hose. The pump moves the liquid from an intake of the pump to an output of the pump in response to receiving power. The power source selectively connects to the pump to provide power to the pump. The rigid spacer connects the power source to the pump and spaces the power source from the submersible pump. The coupling sealingly secures the rigid spacer to the pump and prevents ingress of the liquid into the rigid spacer and a cavity defined by the coupling and the pump. The flexible discharge hose connects to the output of the pump and communicates the liquid from the output of the pump away from the worksite.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This non-provisional patent application claims priority to U.S.

Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/031,924, filed May 29, 2020, and titled “PLUMBING REPAIR SUMP SYSTEM,” the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the reproduction of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING OR COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to systems and methods for repairing plumbing systems. More particularly, this invention pertains to pumping water out from plumbing worksites.

To access broken water lines, malfunctioning plumbing valves, and malfunctioning water meters, a hole around the relevant lines and valves must be dug. In the case of a malfunctioning meter or main valve, the hole may already be present around the relevant parts. However, when the hole is dug or the valve or meter are removed, the hole fills with water from the lines or water source. The hole must be drained to begin work on the broken components of the water system. Since the water has nowhere to be drained to, the water must be pumped out of the hole. This is currently done by a manual handpump. While effective and reliable, a manual handpump takes a significant amount of time to empty most holes big enough to work in, and if water continues draining into the hole, the hole will refill with water causing the plumber to cease working on the water system and again pump the water out of the hole. The plumber cannot repair the water system while keeping the hole free from water, so the job becomes of a cycle of working on the water system until the water becomes problematic, pumping the water out of the hole, and returning to working on the water system until the water must again be pumped out of the hole. Electric pumps do not solve these problems because main line water plumbing issues typically happen far from houses (and the house's electrical outlets) and such electric pumps are centrifugal pumps not designed to draw water up several feet to prime themselves. Gas powered pumps do not solve these problems because they too are centrifugal pumps incapable of drawing water up a significant vertical height to prime the pump, and they require significant time and effort to stop and restart.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Aspects of the present invention provide a battery powered miniaturized sump pump capable of lifting water several feet for discharge. The pump can be switched on and off via a switch at the worksite (i.e., hole dug to access the plumbing problem), and an integral hose discharges the water outside of the worksite hole.

In one aspect, a pump out system is configured to remove a liquid from a worksite. The pump out system includes a pump, a power source, a rigid spacer, a coupling, and a discharge hose. The pump is configured to move the liquid from an intake of the pump to an output of the pump in response to receiving power. The power source is configured to selectively connect to the pump to provide power to the pump. The rigid spacer is configured to connect the power source to the pump and space the power source from the pump. The coupling is configured to sealingly secure the rigid spacer to the pump and prevent ingress of the liquid into the rigid spacer and a cavity defined by the coupling and the pump. The flexible discharge hose is configured to connect to the output of the pump and communicate liquid moved to the output of the pump away from the worksite.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a partially exploded schematic diagram of a pump out system according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the pump out system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the pump out system of FIGS. 1 and 2 in which a handle of the pump out system is removed and a recharge port of the pump out system is visible.

FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the pump out system of FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 in which the handle of the pump out system is removed and the recharge port of the pump out system is visible

FIG. 5 is a top isometric view of the pump out system of FIGS. 1-4 in which the handle of the pump out system is removed and the recharge port of the pump out system is visible

FIG. 6. is an enlarged perspective side view of an end of a flexible discharge hose of the pump out system of FIGS. 1-5.

Reference will now be made in detail to optional embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in accompanying drawings. Whenever possible, the same reference numbers are used in the drawing and in the description referring to the same or like parts.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While the making and using of various embodiments of the present invention are discussed in detail below, it should be appreciated that the present invention provides many applicable inventive concepts that can be embodied in a wide variety of specific contexts. The specific embodiments discussed herein are merely illustrative of specific ways to make and use the invention and do not delimit the scope of the invention.

To facilitate the understanding of the embodiments described herein, a number of terms are defined below. The terms defined herein have meanings as commonly understood by a person of ordinary skill in the areas relevant to the present invention. Terms such as “a,” “an,” and “the” are not intended to refer to only a singular entity, but rather include the general class of which a specific example may be used for illustration. The terminology herein is used to describe specific embodiments of the invention, but their usage does not delimit the invention, except as set forth in the claims.

As described herein, an upright position is considered to be the position of apparatus components while in proper operation or in a natural resting position as described herein. Vertical, horizontal, above, below, side, top, bottom and other orientation terms are described with respect to this upright position during operation unless otherwise specified. The term “when” is used to specify orientation for relative positions of components, not as a temporal limitation of the claims or apparatus described and claimed herein unless otherwise specified. The terms “above”, “below”, “over”, and “under” mean “having an elevation or vertical height greater or lesser than” and are not intended to imply that one object or component is directly over or under another object or component.

The phrase “in one embodiment,” as used herein does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, although it may. Conditional language used herein, such as, among others, “can,” “might,” “may,” “e.g.,” and the like, unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain embodiments include, while other embodiments do not include, certain features, elements and/or states. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements and/or states are in any way required for one or more embodiments or that one or more embodiments necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without operator input or prompting, whether these features, elements and/or states are included or are to be performed in any particular embodiment.

Referring generally now to FIGS. 1, 3, and 4, a pump out system 110 is configured to remove a liquid from a worksite and includes a pump 120, a power source 122, a rigid spacer 124, a coupling 126, and a flexible discharge hose 128. With reference to FIG. 1, the pump 120 is configured to move the liquid from an intake 134 of the pump 120 to an output 136 of the pump 120 in response to receiving power. In one embodiment, the pump 120 is a 12 volt direct current (DC) pump. In one embodiment, the pump 120 is a submersible centrifugal pump. In one embodiment, the pump 120 has a first end 138 and a second end 140, the first end 138 is opposite the second end 140, the coupling 126 is secured to the first end 138, the intake 134 is located at the second end 140, and the output 136 is between the first end 138 and the second end 140.

With reference to FIGS. 1, 3, and 4, the power source 122 is configured to selectively connect to the pump 120 to provide power to the pump 120. With reference to FIG. 1, in one embodiment, the power source 122 includes a housing 146 and a battery 148. With reference to FIG. 2, the power source 122 further includes a switch 150. With reference to FIG. 1, in one embodiment, the battery 148 is a 12 volt DC battery. Thus, the power source 122 operates at 12 volts direct current. In one embodiment, the housing 146 defines a cavity 152, the battery 148 is disposed in the cavity 152, and the housing 146 is configured to prevent ingress of the liquid into the cavity 152 and the rigid spacer 124. In other words, the housing 146 is weatherproof. In one embodiment, the power source 122 further includes padding 154 (e.g., foam blocks, spray-in expanding foam, elastomeric inserts, etc.) configured to reduce movement of the battery 148 relative to the housing 146. With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, in one embodiment, the power source 122 also includes a handle 164 (e.g., bent metal) configured to aid a user in transporting the pump out system 110. With reference to FIGS. 3, 4, and 5, in one embodiment, the battery 148 (shown in FIG. 1) is rechargeable and the power source 122 further includes a recharge port 168 configured to selectively connect the battery 148 to a charger (not shown). With reference to FIGS. 1, 3, and 4, in one embodiment, the power source 122 further includes an adapter 172 configured to threadably engage with the rigid spacer 124. More specifically, in one embodiment, the adapter 172 is a threaded flange attached to the housing 146 with threaded fasteners 174. In one embodiment, the housing 146 includes a box 182 and a cover 184 configured to sealingly engage with the box 182. With reference to FIG. 5, the cover 184 defines a hole 188 configured to receive the switch 150 (e.g., a toggle switch, a push button a rocker, etc.). In one embodiment, the cover 184 is mounted to the box 182 via threaded fasteners 174 (e.g., screws). With reference to FIG. 2, in one embodiment, the handle 164 is attached to the cover 184 via threaded fasteners 174.

With reference to FIGS. 1, 3, and 4, the rigid spacer 124 is configured to connect the power source 122 to the pump 120 and space the power source 122 from the pump 120. In one embodiment, the rigid spacer 124 is a tube connecting the power source 122 to the pump 120. In one embodiment, the rigid spacer 124 is formed of plastic (e.g., polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polypropylene, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), etc.). With reference to FIG. 4, in one embodiment, the rigid spacer 124 includes a sleeve 194 and an adapter 196 secured (e.g., glued, welded, screwed, etc.) to an end 198 of the sleeve 194. In one embodiment, the adapter 196 is threaded into the flange of the power source 122.

With reference to FIG. 1, the coupling 126 is configured to sealingly secure the rigid spacer 124 to the pump 120 and prevent ingress of the liquid in the worksite into the rigid spacer 124 and a cavity 202 defined by the coupling 126 and the pump 120 together with the rigid spacer 124. In one embodiment, the coupling 126 is flexible (e.g., an elastomeric boot). In one embodiment, the coupling 126 is secured to the rigid spacer 124 via one or more of a hose clamp, an adhesive, shrink fitting, and welding (e.g., ultrasonic, friction, infrared, etc.). In one embodiment, the coupling 126 is secured to the pump 120 via one or more of a hose clamp, the adhesive, shrink fitting, and welding.

With reference to FIG. 1, the flexible discharge hose 128 is configured to connect to the output 136 of the pump 120 and communicate the liquid from the output 136 of the pump 120 away from the worksite (e.g., out of the hole into which the pump 120 is inserted by a user). With reference to FIGS. 3-6 in one embodiment, the flexible discharge hose 128 is a corrugated hose.

With reference to FIG. 3, in one embodiment, the pump out system 110 further includes a weight 208. With reference to FIG. 1, a first end 210 of the flexible discharge hose 128 is configured to connect to the output 136 of the pump 120, and the weight 208 (shown in FIG. 3) is configured to attach to the flexible discharge hose 128 at a second end 212 of the flexible discharge hose 128 opposite the first end 210 of the flexible discharge hose 128.

With reference to FIG. 6, in one embodiment, the pump out system 110 further includes a hose fitting 218 configured to attach to the flexible discharge hose 128 at the second end 212 of the flexible discharge hose 128. In one embodiment, the hose fitting 218 is integral with the weight 208 and is thus weighted.

With reference to FIG. 6, in one embodiment, the pump out system 110 further includes a loop 224 configured to receive a ground stake or staple (not shown). This secures the second end 212 of the discharge hose 128 to the ground outside the worksite such that when the pump 120 turns on (i.e., motor starts), the second end 212 of the discharge hose 128 does not fall back into the worksite (e.g., hole). The loop 224 is configured to attach to the flexible discharge hose 128 at the second end 212 of the flexible discharge hose 128.

With reference to FIG. 1, in one embodiment, the pump out system 110 further includes wiring 230 (shown in phantom) configured to place the power source 122 in electrical communication with the pump 120. The wiring 230 extends through the rigid spacer 124. More specifically, the rigid spacer 124 acts as a sleeve for the wiring 230. In one embodiment, the wiring 230 extends through a hole 236 defined in a bottom 238 of the housing 146. In one embodiment, the switch 150 (shown in FIGS. 2-5) is connected to the wiring 230.

With reference to FIG. 1, in one embodiment, the pump out system 110 also includes a connector 244 configured to secure the flexible discharge hose 128 to the output 136 of the pump 120. More specifically, the connector 244 is connected to the output 136 of the pump 120 and the flexible discharge hose 128 is connected to the connector 244. In one embodiment, the connector 244 is barbed. In one embodiment, the connector 244 is bent (e.g., to a 90 degree angle).

With reference to FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, in one embodiment, the pump out system 110 also includes a clip 250 configured to secure the flexible discharge hose 128 to one or more of the rigid spacer 124 and the power source 122.

In operation, the user places the pump end of the pump out system 110 into a hole exposing plumbing to be repaired. The user turns the power source 122 on to activate the pump 120. The pump 120 includes a motor driving an impeller and a float switch. The switch of the power source may be a three position switch including off, on, and float switch. In the float switch position, the power source 122 provides power to the float switch, and the in the on position, the float switch is bypassed to directly provide power via wiring from the switch to the motor of the pump. The pump 120 transfers water from the hole into the flexible discharge hose 128, and the flexible discharge hose 128 communicates the water up out of the hole and laterally onto the ground a distance away from the hole (i.e., worksite) when on or active (i.e., when the motor is receiving power directly from the switch or via the float switch). In other words, a method to remove a liquid from a worksite includes providing the pump out system 110, placing the intake 134 of the pump 120 in the liquid, unfurling the flexible discharge hose 128 away from the worksite, and selectively providing power from the power source 122 to the pump 120. It should be appreciated that the weight 208 and/or the loop 224 may aid in retaining the second end 212 of the flexible discharge hose 128 at a location away from the worksite.

In one embodiment, the pump system includes a 1100 gph 12 volt bilge pump. The power supply is a 4″×5″ sealed 12 volt DC battery. The pump is held in place with a 1.5″×2″ flexible rubber coupling. A 30″ long piece of PVC is attached to the 1.5″ end of the rubber coupling. The piece of 1.5″ PVC will also act as a sleeve for pump wire splices to extend out the top of the PVC pipe. A 1.5″ male adapter is glued to the top of the 1.5″ PVC. A threaded 1.5″ galvanized flange and a 6″×6″ weatherproof electric box houses the battery and connects it to the pump. The flange is attached to the box with 2 0.25″ nuts and bolts. The 1.5″ male adapter is threaded into the 1.5″ flange and wire is passed through a ¼″ hole drilled in the bottom of the weatherproof housing. A hole is cut in the top of the box to install a toggle switch. The battery is placed in the housing and foam is used to fill the space around the battery. The switch is wired in to the battery and wires, and the top of the box is screwed on. A handle (e.g., bent metal) is attached to the top of the housing to aid in inserting and removing the spacer and pump from a worksite hole. A 1″ barbed elbow is connected to the 1″ discharge port of the pump, and a 6′ piece of 1″ corrugated hose is connected to the elbow barb.

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.

It will be understood that the particular embodiments described herein are shown by way of illustration and not as limitations of the invention. The principal features of this invention may be employed in various embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize numerous equivalents to the specific procedures described herein. Such equivalents are considered to be within the scope of this invention and are covered by the claims.

All of the compositions and/or methods disclosed and claimed herein may be made and/or executed without undue experimentation in light of the present disclosure. While the compositions and methods of this invention have been described in terms of the embodiments included herein, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that variations may be applied to the compositions and/or methods and in the steps or in the sequence of steps of the method described herein without departing from the concept, spirit, and scope of the invention. All such similar substitutes and modifications apparent to those skilled in the art are deemed to be within the spirit, scope, and concept of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Thus, although there have been described particular embodiments of the present invention of a new and useful PLUMBING REPAIR PUMP SYSTEM it is not intended that such references be construed as limitations upon the scope of this invention except as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A pump out system configured to remove a liquid from a worksite, said pump out system comprising:

a pump configured to move the liquid from an intake of the pump to an output of the pump in response to receiving power;

a power source configured to selectively connect to the pump to provide power to the pump;

a rigid spacer configured to connect the power source to the pump and space the power source from the pump;

a coupling configured to sealingly secure the rigid spacer to the pump and prevent ingress of the liquid into a cavity defined by the rigid spacer, coupling, and the pump; and

a flexible discharge hose configured to connect to the output of the pump and communicate the liquid from a first end of the flexible discharge hose at the output of the pump to a second end of the flexible discharge hose away from the worksite.

2. The pump out system of claim 1, wherein the power source comprises a housing, a battery, and a switch.

3. The pump out system of claim 2, wherein:

the cavity is a first cavity;

the housing defines a second cavity;

the battery is disposed in the second cavity; and

the housing and rigid spacer are configured to cooperate to prevent ingress of the liquid into the second cavity and the rigid spacer.

4. The pump out system of claim 2, wherein the power source further comprises padding configured to reduce movement of the battery relative to the housing.

5. The pump out system of claim 2, wherein the power source further comprises a handle configured to aid a user in transporting the pump out system.

6. The pump out system of claim 2, wherein the battery is rechargeable and the power source further comprises a recharge port configured to selectively connect the battery to a charger.

7. The pump out system of claim 1, wherein the pump is a submersible centrifugal pump.

8. The pump out system of claim 1, wherein the power source and pump are configured to operate at 12 volts direct current.

9. The pump out system of claim 1, further comprising a weight, wherein the first end of the flexible discharge hose is configured to connect to the output of the pump, and the weight is configured to attach to the flexible discharge hose at the second end of the flexible discharge hose opposite the first end of the flexible discharge hose.

10. The pump out system of claim 1, further comprising a hose fitting, wherein the first end of the flexible discharge hose is configured to connect to the output of the pump, and the hose fitting is configured to attach to the flexible discharge hose at the second end of the flexible discharge hose opposite the first end of the flexible discharge hose.

11. The pump out system of claim 1, further comprising a loop configured to receive a ground stake or staple, wherein the first end of the flexible discharge hose is configured to connect to the output of the pump, and the loop is configured to attach to the flexible discharge hose at the second end of the flexible discharge hose opposite the first end of the flexible discharge hose.

12. The pump out system of claim 1, wherein the coupling is flexible and formed of one or more of the materials of rubber or silicone.

13. The pump out system of claim 1, wherein:

the coupling is secured to the rigid spacer via one or more of a hose clamp, an adhesive, a shrink fitting, or ultrasonic welding; and

the coupling is secured to the pump via one or more of a hose clamp, an adhesive, a shrink fitting, or ultrasonic welding.

14. The pump out system of claim 1, further comprising wiring configured to transfer electrical power from the power source to the pump, wherein the wiring resides at least partially within and extends through the rigid spacer and the rigid spacer is configured to form a water tight connection with both the pump via the coupling and the power source such that water in the worksite cannot reach the wiring.

15. The pump out system of claim 1, further comprising a connector configured to secure the flexible discharge hose to the output of the pump.

16. The pump out system of claim 1, wherein:

the pump has a first end and a second end;

the first end of the pump is opposite the second end of the pump;

the coupling is secured to the first end of the pump;

the intake is located at the second end of the pump; and

the output of the pump is between the first end of the pump and the second end of the pump.

17. The pump out system of claim 1, further comprising a clip configured to releasably secure the flexible discharge hose to one or more of the rigid spacer or the power source, wherein:

the power source comprises an adapter configured to threadingly engage with the rigid spacer.

18. A method to remove a liquid from a worksite comprising:

providing a pump out system, wherein the pump out system comprises: a pump configured to move the liquid from an intake of the pump to an output of the pump in response to receiving power; a power source configured to selectively connect to the pump to provide power to the pump; a rigid spacer configured to connect the power source to the pump and space the power source from the pump; a coupling configured to sealingly secure the rigid spacer to the pump and prevent ingress of the liquid into the rigid spacer and a cavity defined by the coupling and the pump; and a flexible discharge hose configured to connect to the output of the pump and communicate the liquid from to the output of the pump away from the worksite;

placing the intake of the pump in the liquid;

unfurling the flexible discharge hose away from the worksite; and

selectively providing power from the power source to the pump.

19. A pump out system configured to remove a liquid from a worksite, said pump out system comprising:

a pump configured to move the liquid from an intake of the pump to an output of the pump in response to receiving power;

a power source configured to selectively provide power to the pump;

a rigid spacer configured to connect the power source to the pump and space the power source from the pump;

a flexible discharge hose configured to connect to the output of the pump and communicate the liquid from a first end of the flexible discharge hose at the output of the pump to a second end of the flexible discharge hose away from the worksite; wherein:

the rigid spacer is configured to connect to both the pump and the power source via a water tight connection.

20. The pump out system of claim 19, wherein:

the pump further comprises a float switch;

the power source comprises a 3 position switch, said switch having an off position, an on position and a float switch position;

in the on position, the switch provides power to a motor of the pump such that the motor runs so long as the switch is in the on position and the power source has power; and

in the float switch position, the switch provides power to the motor of the pump via the float switch such that the motor of the pump runs only when the float switch indicates the presence of water at the pump, the switch is in the float switch positions, and the power source has power.