GB2250734A

GB2250734A - Stop and flow device for a watering can

Info

Publication number: GB2250734A
Application number: GB9121055A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Paul Anthony Bone
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1990-10-05
Filing date: 1991-10-03
Publication date: 1992-06-17
Anticipated expiration: 2011-10-03
Also published as: GB9021665D0; GB2250734B; GB9121055D0

Abstract

A stop and flow device for a watering can controls the flow of water or liquid feed being administered. The device may consist of a stopper or plug 1 or a hinged lid (15, Fig. 4) that is attached to one end of a flexible wire or cord 3, the other end leading through a spout of the watering can and being fixed to a flexible bow attachment 11 or button 12 located near the handle of the watering can (10, Fig. 2). The cord may be tensioned by resilient means incorporated in the bow 11 or button 2 such that when released or adjusted, the device moves to allow water to flow from the spout at a controlled rate. When the bow 11 or button 12 is released. the tension will return to the cord 3, and the stopper will relocate itself in the end of the spout 4, cutting off the flow of water to the end of the spout and any rose or sprinkler attachment. Alternatively the cord may be relaxed inside the watering can and tension applied by means of a pull ring 14 so as 10 restrict the flow. The device may be fitted to the watering can by means of a rubber adapter 6 and spout 5. In another embodiment the device may be incorporated integrally with the watering can. Both the flexible blow 11 and pull ring 14 may be manufactured in one piece, and cut in half at 19, so that the preferred bow or ring may be chosen. <IMAGE>

Description

WATERING CAN STOP AND FLOW DEVICE.

This invention relates to watering cans that are used to water plants.

Watering cans, of all designs,large or small and with various sprinkler attachments, are used to water plants both indoors and outdoors. The control of flow of water to the sprinkler at the end of the spout, is at present worked purely by gravity, ie, raising the spout of the watering can.

This invention enables the gardener to control the flow of water being released at the end of the spout, and to stop the flow completely, without raising or changing the position of the spout or the watering can.

According to the present invention, the stop and flow device will attach to all size and designs of watering can, and would then be adjusted to the correct position and tension to control the flow of water being administered from the watering can.

The device would attach to the end of the spout of the watering can, and a lead or nylon flex would then be guided through the spout of the can towards the handle, where it would be threaded through a small hole and attached to a a sprung bow type device. This sprung bow could in fact be a button attachment with a spring or coil incorporated into it. The flex or wire would then be adjusted to provide sufficient tension to tightly hold the stop and flow device inside the end of the spout., when the bow or button is depressed, the tension would ease, so allowing the water or liquid feed to flow from the end of the spout either directly onto the plant, or if a rose or sprinkler attachment is in position on the end of the spout, then through the sprinkler onto the plant.The amount of pressure placed on the sprung bow or button, would determine the strength of the flow, from full flow to a trickle to no flow at all.

This stop and flow device would be incorporated into a short plastic tube that would be fitted onto the end of the spout by the aid of a rubber adapter that would connect the stop and flow device to the end of the spout on the watering can, but without the rubber adapter the device could easily be incorporated into the manufacture of any design of watering can.

A further embodiment of the invention would involve exactly the same device at the end of the spout, with the same flex leading to a location near to the handle on the watering can, but the flex or cord would lead to a ring or pulling attachment that would allow the flex to remain lax or loose, until the ring was pulled and the flex would become tight slowing down or stopping the flow of water to the spout.

When the ring was released the flex would become lax again, and the water would be free flowing from the spout.

The stopper device in the spout of the watering can is so shaped as to fit snuggly inside its locating spout attachment, but could equally be manufactured in such a way as to be hinged, ie a lid type attachment whereby the lid could be closed or partially closed to control the flow of water as the pressure on the flex is altered.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now follow by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIGURE 1 showing the stop and flow device end attachment that would attach to the end of the spout.

FIGURE 2 showing the device incorporated into the manufacture of a watering can.

FIGURE 3 showing a cut away diagram of the device, as 1 incorporated into the manufacture of a watering can.

FIGURE 4 showing a hinged lid version of the invention.

The stop and flow device would consist of a cone shaped plug 1 that would fit snugly inside a plastic attachment 5 at the location 4, the cone shape would be wide enough at one end 2 to completely cover the plastic attachment at 4.

A flexible wire or nylon cord 3 would run from the cone 1 through the plastic tube 5 and through the rubber adapter 6 and into the spout of the watering can.

The cord would then be guided through the watering can towards the handle 10 , the design of watering can shown in figure 2 is irrelevant, as any design could be used.

A small hole 18 would then be inserted and the flex 3 would be guided through the hole and secured with a sprung bow 11, or a button 12, and the flex or wire would then be adjusted to provide sufficient tension for the plug or cone 1 to be tightly fitted into the end of the spout 4.

When pressure was then applied to the button or bow , the tension in the cord 3 would then be relaxed, allowing the plug 1 to become loose in the plastic tube 5 , and for water to flow at a controlled rate, depending on the amount of pressure administered to the button or bow attachment.

Once the finger or thumb released the pressure on the button completely, the tension in the cord would return, and the cone or plug 1 would return to its tight fit in the stop and flow device, at the end of the spout 4.

The rubber adapter 6 would be grooved inside 8 and tapered in shape so that it could be pushed onto the end of the watering can spout and held securly in position, equally it would be grooved at the other end to hold the plastic stop and flow device in position 5.

A spring device 13 would be incorporated into the button attachment 12 to allow the button to spring back once pressure on it was released.

Equally a hinged lid 15 could be incorporated into the end of the stop and flow attachment at 4, allowing a hinge 16 to open up the lid 15, and the said lid would be attached to the flex at 17.

As in the previous discription, the tension in the cord 3 would be controlled by the button 12 or flexible bow 11, but equally if the operator of the watering can preferred, or if the design of the watering can made it preferable, the cord or wire 3 could be relaxed inside the watering can, and pressure or tension could be applied to it by means of a ring attachment 14 rather than the button attachment 12, when this ring 14 was pulled, the cord would become tense and restrict the flow of water to the spout of the can and any rose or sprinkler attachment that was on the watering can.

Both the flexIble bow attachment 11 and the ring attachment 14 could be manufactured in one piece, and cut in half at 19, so that the preferred method of use, ie the bow attachment or the pulling ring attachment, could be incorporated into the stop and flow device, depending on the design of the watering can, and the operators ownipreference, The diagram 20 also shows an example of the bow attachment incorporated into the manufacture of a watering can.

Claims

CLAIMS.

1 A stop and flow device that attaches to, or is incorporated into the manufacture of a watering can, and will control the flow of water or liquid feed being administered to a plant, from fast flow, to a trickle, to no water at all.

The device comprises of a plug or seal that attaches to the end of the spout of a watering can, and is attached to a cord that threads through the spout by any route towards the: handle on the watering can and is threaded through a small hole and is then attached to a sprung bow or button.

This cord is adjusted to reach a tension that holds the end plug or spout cover so that it completely covers the spout, preventing any water from being released. Once this bow or button attachment is depressed the tension in the cord is eased by degrees, in turn releasing the end plug or seal by degrees allowing the water to flow from the end of the spout at variable pressures. When the button of bow attachment is released, the tension to the cord returns, preventing any water from being released, and returning the stopper or plug to its location in the end of the spout attachment.

2 A stop and flow device as claimed in claim one, that incorporates a rubber adapter attachment that enables the stop and flow device to be attached to any watering can, and is tapered in design, with ribs on its inside at either w nabling it to be secured on any width of watering can spout, and attach securely to the stop and flow device at the reverse end of the said rubber adapter.

3 A stop and flow device as described in the previous claims that has a cord or flex that is of variable length to allow a tension to be adjusted between the end plug or spout cover, and the button or flexible bow attachment located close to the watering can handle.

4 A stop and flow device as described in the previous claims whereby the flex or cord attachment could in fact be in a lax position, and tension applied to it by means of a ring or pulling attachment located close to the handle. When the ring is pulled, the plug or stopper attachment located at the end of the spout, would be pulled into position completely or partially blocking off the end of the spout, and partially or completely blocking off the water flow, the flow being controlled by theamount of pressure applied to the ring attachment. Once the ring was released, the cord or line would become lax, and the end stopper attachment Would be released, allowing the water to flow freely.

5 A stop and flow device that could be incorporated into the manufacture of a watering can, the spout on the said can being manufactured with the stopper device or plug being manufactured inside it, either at the end, or at any location inside the spout that the manufacturer felt appropriate, and would eliminate the need for the rubber adapter attachment needed with the universal stop and flow device. The bow or button attachment would also be incorporated into the watering can at the place of manufacture, and would be sold ready assembled.

6 A stop and flow device as claimed in the previous claims whereby the cord or flex attachment that connects the stopper or plug to the button, need not be wholly contained within the inside of the watering can, but could be threaded partially through the spout, leaving the inside of the watering can at any chosen spot, and travelling to the button attachment by way of the outside of the watering can.

7 A stop and flow device as described in the previous claims whereby the stopper device located at the end of the spout could in fact be a hinged lid attachment, whereby the lid could be pulled into position to cut off or reduce the flow of water to the end of the spout.

8 A stop and flow device as described in the previous claims whereby the plastic tube attachment containing the stopper or plug device, would be tapered to a design to allow the attachment of a variety of rose or sprinkler attachments.

9 A stop and flow device substantially described herein with reference to figures 1-4 of the accompanying drawings.