Fluid sprinkling – spraying – and diffusing – Flow deflecting or rotation controlling means – Deflector and terminal flow element
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-06
2001-01-30
Kashnikow, Andres (Department: 3752)
Fluid sprinkling, spraying, and diffusing
Flow deflecting or rotation controlling means
Deflector and terminal flow element
C239S017000, C239S503000, C239S505000, C239S507000, C239S512000, C261S090000, C261S120000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06179228
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to a pond aerator. More specifically, the present invention relates to a spray modifier that can be used to vary the spray pattern of the pond aerator.
Pond aerators typically include an underwater pump assembly that draws cool water from the bottom of the pond and directs the water upward through a pipe to an outlet opening contained in a float positioned at the surface of the pond. The water from the under water pump exits the outlet opening positioned in the float and forms a water fountain that aerates the water to aid in the prevention of algae growth within the pond. The spray pattern of the fountain typically extends several feet above the water surface in order to aid in the aeration of the pond water.
Although the spray pattern from a conventional pond aerator sufficiently aerates the pond water for most applications, specific problems may arise when the pond aerator is utilized in a retention pond including hazardous materials, such as radioactive or hazardous waste water retention ponds. Although these types of ponds require pond aerators to prevent the growth of algae, high wind conditions may blow the fine droplets of water into undesirable locations. For example, if the pond aerator is positioned close enough to the shore of the pond, it is possible that very high winds could carry the hazardous pond water from the water fountain onto the banks of the pond and possibly further from the pond aerator. Currently, when high wind conditions occur, the owner of the pond must turn off the pond aerator to prevent the pond water containing the hazardous material from leaving the boundaries of the retention pond.
Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a spray modifier that can be operated to adjust the spray pattern of the water fountain from a pond aerator during high wind conditions or when otherwise desired by the user. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a spray modifier that can be moved from an inoperative position to an operative position from the shore of the pond. Further, it is an object of the present invention to provide a spray modifier that includes a spray diffuser that can be positioned slightly above the outlet opening of the pond aerator to reduce the overall height of the water fountain produced by the pond aerator.
It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a spray modifier that includes a locking mechanism that securely retains the support arm and spray diffuser in either the operative or inoperative position to prevent inadvertent movement of the support arm between the two positions. Additionally, it is an object of the present invention to provide a locking mechanism that includes a plunger movable between a retracted position and an extended position such that when the plunger is in the extended position, the plunger is received within a locking hole to securely retain the support arm and spray diffuser in the desired position. It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a locking mechanism that includes an electric solenoid that can be remotely operated from the shore of the pond to permit the support arm and spray diffuser to move between the operative and inoperative positions.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a spray modifier to be mounted adjacent to the outlet opening of a pond aerator such that the spray modifier can be activated to modify the spray pattern of the pond aerator. The spray modifier of the present invention includes a support arm that is pivotally mounted between a pair of spaced mounting brackets. The support arm extends between a first end and a second end and is movable between a vertical, inoperative position and a horizontal, operative position.
A spray diffuser is securely mounted to the first end of the support arm. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the spray diffuser has a frustoconical shape. When the support arm and attached spray diffuser are moved to the operative position, the spray diffuser is aligned with and positioned slightly above the outlet opening of the pond aerator. When the spray diffuser is in the operative position, the frustoconical shape of the spray diffuser deflects the spray of water leaving the pond aerator to reduce the overall height of the water fountain.
The spray modifier further includes a locking mechanism that is attached to one of the spaced mounting brackets and positioned adjacent to the support arm. The locking mechanism includes a plunger movable between a retracted position and an extended position. When the plunger is in the retracted position, the plunger is received within either a first locking hole or a second locking hole contained in the second end of the support arm. The first and second locking holes formed in the second end of the support arm are spaced from each other and are joined by arcuate plunger groove. The plunger groove is recessed from a face surface of the support arm and allows the plunger to move between the first and second locking holes.
When the support arm is in the inoperative position, the extended plunger of the locking mechanism is received within the second locking hole to positively retain the support arm in the inoperative position. When the support arm is in the operative position, the extended plunger of the locking mechanism is received within the first locking hole to positively retain the support arm in the operative position.
The locking mechanism includes a bias force exertion member that exerts a bias force on the plunger to urge the plunger to its extended position. In the first embodiment of the invention, the bias force exertion member is a bias spring positioned surrounding the plunger that exerts a bias force to urge the plunger into its extended position. A pull cord is attached to the plunger so that an outward force can be applied to the plunger to overcome the bias force and move the plunger into its retracted position.
In the second embodiment of the invention, the bias force exertion member includes an electrically operated solenoid. When the solenoid is de-energized, the solenoid urges the plunger out of the solenoid body to the extended position. When electric power is applied to the solenoid, the solenoid pulls the plunger into the solenoid body to move the plunger into its retracted position.
The locking mechanism in both the first and second embodiments allows the spray arm and the attached spray diffuser to move between the operative and inoperative positions only when the plunger of the locking mechanism is in the retracted position. In this manner, the locking mechanism is able to secure the support arm and spray diffuser in both the operative position and the inoperative position at all times other than when the locking mechanism is activated to move the plunger to its retracted position.
Various other features, objects and advantages of the invention will be made apparent from the following description taken together with the drawings.
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Ramaker Dennis L.
Wasmer David E.
Andrus Sceales Starke & Sawall LLP
Aquamaster
Evans Robin O.
Kashnikow Andres
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