WO2007006100A1

WO2007006100A1 - Water saving apparatus for washing or watering

Info

Publication number: WO2007006100A1
Application number: PCT/AU2006/000985
Authority: WO
Inventors: Rocco Morena
Original assignee: Rocco Morena
Priority date: 2005-07-13
Filing date: 2006-07-13
Publication date: 2007-01-18

Abstract

There is an apparatus for washing and watering applications. The apparatus includes a mobile container (1’) for filling from a supply of water, an electrically powered pump (4') within the container (1') to enable pressurised discharge of liquid from the container (1’) through an outlet tube (7') and flexible delivery hose to a remotely located dispensing fitting and a switch operated electrical supply cord (5') for controlling power to said pump. The top of the container is fitted with a storage receptacle (17). The outlet tube (7') and electrical supply cord (5') extend through an aperture (20) in a floor (19) of the storage receptacle. The aperture is fitted with an insert (21) which provides spaced apart entry points for the outlet tube (7') and power cord (5’).

Description

WATER SAVING APPARATUS FOR WASHING OR WATERING

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to cleaning and watering equipment. More particularly, although not exclusively it discloses an improved water saving apparatus for watering applications or washing vehicles and other items

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Burgeoning urban populations and diminishing rainfall over recent years has resulted in increasingly stringent restrictions on mains water use. Activities which have been severely curtailed include garden watering and the washing of vehicles. While current restrictions still allow washing and limited watering the direct use of the mains pressure water supply is prohibited. In some areas the currently allowed method requires the use of a bucket which has to be repeatedly carried between the garden plants or vehicle and a water faucet for refills. This is obviously time consuming and results, with vehicles, in a substandard wash. Therefore many people either drive a dirty vehicle or have to incur the expense of commercial car washing facilities.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of this invention to ameliorate the aforementioned disadvantages and accordingly apparatus for washing or watering applications is disclosed, said apparatus including a mobile container for filling from a liquid supply, an electrically operated pump means associated with the container to enable pressurised discharge of liquid from said container through a flexible delivery hose to a remotely located dispensing fitting and a switch operated electrical supply cord for controlling power to said pump means.

Preferably said head comprises a brush or hose nozzle with a built-in liquid conduit through the handle.

It is further preferred that said delivery hose is releasably connectable between said pump means and brush or hose nozzle.

It is further preferred that said pump means is disposed within the container.

It is further preferred that said pump is adapted to operate from a 12 volt DC power supply.

One currently preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to that attached representations in which: -

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS figure 1 is an assembly view of an apparatus according to a first embodiment of the invention, figure 2 is a detailed view of the power plug, switch and pump for the apparatus of figure 1, figures 3 and 4 shows the complete apparatus of figure 1 in use, figure 5 is a perspective view of a container and associated fittings for a second embodiment of the invention, and figures 6 and 7 show detailed views of part of the storage receptacle fitted to the container of figure 5, and figure 8 is an edge view along the direction of arrow

A in figure 7

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring first to figures 1 and 2 the apparatus may comprise a 25 litre plastic water container 1 with carry handle 2 and removable cap 3 for filling. An electric pump 4 is disposed within the container and is connected to a flexible outlet tube 5 of say 8 mm diameter. This tube extends out through the top of the container and terminates at a snap fit connector 6 for a delivery hose. An electrical power cord 7 and switch 8 for 12 volt DC power also connects to the pump. Preferably this power cord is fitted with a plug 9 for insertion into the lighter socket of a vehicle or other suitable power supply. The washing head or hose nozzle with this embodiment preferably comprises a brush 10 or hose nozzle 16 of any suitable design. The brush handle 11 or hose nozzle 16 includes a water hose connector fitting 12 similar to that on the delivery tube and forms a conduit by which water can pass through to the bristles or through the hose nozzle. The handle may further include a shut-off valve 13 for controlling flow to the brush or hose nozzle. While the invention is not restricted to any particular design or flow capacity for the pump with this embodiment a pump as supplied by Electus Distribution under the brand name Turbo Shower Model No. PS-831-452800 has been found suitable.

In use of the apparatus as shown in figures 3 and 4 the container 1 is first filled with water from any convenient supply, a length of conventional garden hose 14 or the like is connected between the outlet tube 5 and brush 10 or hose nozzle 16 and the electrical supply cord 7 is plugged into either a power socket of the vehicle 15 or an integrated rechargeable power supply. Upon closing the switch 8 the pump 4 is activated to provide a continuous pressure flow of clean water directly to the brush or hose nozzle which can then be used to wash and subsequently rinse the vehicle without contravening any water restriction rules. From trials conducted by the inventor it has been found that a 25 litre container provides adequate water for the average size domestic vehicle. For larger vehicles or vehicles which are excessively dirty larger containers may be used within the scope of this invention. In order to conserve water the shut-off valve 13 in the brush handle or hose nozzle may be used to block flow when the brush or hose nozzle is temporarily not in use.

With the second embodiment of the invention shown in figures 5 to 8 the main components that correspond in function to those of figures 1 to 4 are identified by the same numbers which however are primed ( ' ) to distinguish them.

In this case, as shown in figure 5, the water container has a square open top and fitted storage receptacle 17 with hinged lid 18 across one side. The outlet tube 5¹ and power cord 7¹ extend through the bottom floor 19 of the receptacle to connect with the submerged pump 4' located within. When the apparatus is not in use the tube 5' and cord 7¹ can be coiled for storage in the receptacle and the lid closed over them.

As best shown in figures 6 to 8 an aperture 20 is formed in the floor 19 at one ond of the storage receptacle for entry of the outlet tube 5' and power cord 7¹ down into the water below. Preferably an insert 21 is snap fitted into this aperture to provide spaced apart entry points for said tube and power cord. The insert with this embodiment has a central portion 22 corresponding to the diameter of the aperture 20 and upper and lower flanges 23, 24 to grip the floor area 19 immediately around the aperture 20. Preferably the upper flange 23 is of reduced diameter to enable the insert to be push or snap fitted into the aperture from one side. There are cutouts 25, 26 in the flanges and central portion to provide spaced apart entry points for the outlet tube and cord. Preferably these cutouts are sized for an interference fit around the tube and power cord to resist any lateral or longitudinal movement and thereby prevent movement of the pump within the container.

It will be appreciated that this invention discloses a novel multipurpose low voltage washing and watering apparatus. Said apparatus at least in the form of the described embodiments operates at low pressure and low flow which gives the user controlled application of the correct amount of water to the area required without wastage. The apparatus can be used with a range of accessories to cover tasks including plant watering, window washing, car washing, caravan washing, boat washing, pet washing, camping and can further be adapted for use as a pumping system for small rainwater collection tanks. Clearly however the examples described are only the currently preferred forms of the invention and a wide variety of modifications may be made which would be apparent to a person skilled in the art. For example the size and shape of the container, the design and capacity of the pump and the type of washing/watering head, brush or hose nozzle used may all be changed in order to adapt the apparatus for cleaning different types of items or for watering applications as mentioned above. Also, while it is currently envisaged that the apparatus would be constructed largely from plastic the invention extends to the use of any other suitable material .

Claims

The c l aims :

1. Apparatus for watering or washing applications, said apparatus including a mobile container for filling from a liquid supply, an electrically operated pump means associated with the container to enable pressure discharge of liquid from said container for use at a watering or washing site and an electrical supply cord for powering said pump means.

2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the pump means is disposed within the container and discharges through an outlet tube and delivery hose to said washing or watering site.

3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said pump means is adapted to operate from a 12 volt power supply.

4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein a top of said container is fitted with a storage receptacle and an outlet tube and said electrical supply cord extend through a floor of said storage receptacle.

5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein said outlet and electrical supply cord extend through an aperture in said floor.

6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein the aperture is fitted with an insert having cutouts which provide spaced apart entry points for said outlet tube and cord.

7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein said insert includes a central portion which corresponds to a diameter of said aperture and opposed flanges which grip an area of said floor around the aperture.

8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein the cutouts are located in said central portion of the insert.

9. The apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein said cutouts are adapted for a close tolerance fit around the outlet tube and cord to resist movement.

10. The apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein one of said opposed flanges is of reduced diameter to enable said insert to be push or snap fitted into the aperture from one side.