US3165067A - Combined boat hook and pump - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 12, 1965 H. GREENWALD COMBINED BOAT HOOK AND PUMP Filed Jan. 30, 1962 INVENTOR HARRY GREENWALD ATTY.

QM I United States Patent Filed Jan. 39, 1962, Ser. No. 169,828 1 Claim. (Cl. l03153) The applicant conceived the novel and inventive idea,

which was, therafter, reduced to practice, that the boat hook could be made smaller by telescoping the boat hook body and also realized that this same telescoping arrangement could be utilized to turn the boat hook into abilge pump when desirable. Further, in the development of the invention, the applicant conceived an inventive valve mechanism that would enhance the efiiciency of the original combination.

It should, therefore, be clear that the generalobject of this invention is to provide a unitary combination boat hook and bilge pump.

Another object of this invention is to provide a unitary combination of a boat hook and bilge pump utilizing a V telescopic arrangement that enables the unit to be stored in a compartively small place.

. Another object, of this invention is to provide a unitary combination of a boat hook and bilge pump utilizing a telescopic arrangement that not only enables the unit to bestored in a comparatively small space, but also performs a necessary function when the unit is utilized as a bilge pump.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel and inventive valve mechanism that can be utilized in the inventive unitary combinationof a boat hook and a bilge pump.

Another object of the invention is to provide an easily manufactured, inexpensive and easily maintained unitary combination boat hook and bilge pump with a novel and inexpensive valve mechanism provided therein.

Briefly, the preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a combined boat hook and bilge pump device that, in external appearance, resembles any boat hook. The device is provided with a telescoping arrangement whereby an inner section of the device can be inserted into an outer section when not in use to thereby reduce the storage space required for the device. Locking means are provided for preventing the inner section from moving into the outer section when the device is extended for use as a boat hook. The device has a valve arrangement at the end opposite the boat hook extensions and the inner section is constructed to perform as a plunger in a suction pump assembly in cooperation with the valve means and the outer section. The telescoping arrangement is, therefore, used as an active and essential part of the bilge pump. Manipulation of the inner section in and out of the outer section draws water into the outer section through one part of the valve mechanism on the upstroke and drives water out another part of the valve mechanism on the down stroke.

Other advantageous and inventive concepts as Well as those already mentioned will be brought out more clearly if the following is viewed in light of the accompanying drawings of which: p a

FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an end view of the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the valve body utilized in the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the valve body illustrated in FIG. 3;

FIG[ 5 is a plan view of the valve actuating element utilized with the valve body illustrated in FIG. 3; FIG. 6 is a plan view of the valve retainer element utilized with the valve body illustrated in FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a side view of the valve retainer element illustrated in FIG. 6; p

FIG. 8 is a front elevational view of the cap element utilized in the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 1; and I I FIG. 9 is a side'elevational view of .the cap element illustrated in FIG. 8.

Referring now to the drawings and particularly FIG. 1, the combination boat hook and bilge pump is illustrated in cross-section and is illustrated in its collapsed position, that is, in a position where it has the least length. The combination boat hook and bilge pump is 'comprised'of an outer elongated tube 10, which, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, is approximately three feet long from one end to the other, which has formed at one end thereof a reduced portion 12 and at the opposite end thereof an elongated slot 14. The slot 14 extends from one end of the outer boat hook element It) and is semi-circular on its inside end. An inner boat hook member 18 is positioned withinthe outer boat hook member 19 so as to be movable into and out of the outer boat hook member ill. The inner boat hook member 18, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, is approxiniately three inches smaller than the outer boat hook member it) and is substantially a hollow cylinder with a pair of diametrically opposed slots 20 positioned therein as shown in FIG. 1. Positioned at one end of the inner boat hook member 18 and attached thereto is the hook member 22 and is preferably made of a suitable plastic or equivalent material. The hook member 22 is securely attached to the inner boat hook member 18 by any feasible means and in the embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, is connected thereto by rolling one end of the inner boat hook member 18 into complementary curvilinear. grooves in a shoulder portion 24 of the hook member 22. The particular means by which the hook member 22 is attached to the inner boathook member l8is not singularly important to the invention.

The boat hookmember 22 has a longitudinal aperture 26 extending therethrough for reasons which will be explained later and has provided on one end thereof an elongated curvilinear hook element 30 and on the op posite side thereof a somewhat less elongated curvilinear hook element 32. A boat hook tip 34 is inserted into the elongated aperture 26 of the boat hook element 22 and can be composed of any suitable material, such as spe: cialy treated hard rubber or the like. The boat hook tip member 34 has providedtherein an elongated aperture 36 extending completely through the boat tip 34. The boat tip 34-is also provided with a shoulder member 38 having a plurality of spleens (not shown), the outside dimensions of which are larger than the dimensions of the aperture 26 in the boat hook 22. Therefore, the boat tip 34 is pushed into the hook element 22 and. is held thereby in a force fit. Thefit is tight enough to hold the tip 34 in the hook 22, but is not so tight as to prevent the comparatively easy removal of the tip 34 out of thelhook aperture 26 in'the hook element 22. The boat tip34 has also provided another shoulder element 4 0, which .is adapted to be surrounded by a rubber hose 42 .(or a hose made .of anysuitable plastic or the likel'g the rubber hose being of a smaller inside diameter than the outside dianr eter of the shoulder 40, but being composed of a resilient material and, therefore, held to the shoulder portion ll by means of a force or elastic lit. The hose portion 42 extends through the elongated aperture 26, and the book 22, and through the hollow portion of the inner boat hook member 18' as is clearly illustrated in the drawings and may be ofv any length, determined by the availability of space within the inner boat hook member lb.

i 'The function and use of the boat tip 34 and the elongated rubber tube 42 will be seen later on and it will be seen in connection with the operation of the device as a bilge pump. V

' A molded plastic plunger body 46 is securely attached to the inner boat hook member as best illustrated in FIG, 1. The plungerbody 46 has a shoulder portion 28 formed therein which has provided therein curvilinear grooves into which the ends of the inner boat hook member 18 can be rolled. This is the means shown in the illustrated embodiment of the invention for attaching the plunger body 46 to the inner boat hook member 13,

but any meanssuit'able and known in the art can be used. The shoulder portion 48 is solid and extends into the interior of the inner boat hook member 18. A pair of diametrically opposed, engaging extensions dd are formed on the outside of the shoulder element 48 and fit into the diametricaly'opposed slot in the inner boat hook member 18. i This aids in preventing the plunger body for rotating relative to the inner boat hook member 18. The main body portion 54 of the plunger body 46 is solid with the exception of a threaded aperture 55 provided therein for the reception of a threaded screw as, as will be seen later. Right hand threads 6 are formed on the outside of the plunger body 4s and the overall outside dimansion of-the plunger body 46 is equal to the inside diameter of the outer boat hook member ill. Positioned up towards one end-of the outer boat hook member it) are complementary thread portions 66 formed on the inside of the outer boat hook member 10 and adapted to be engaged with the threads on the plunger body.

Positioned on one side of the plunger body as are a pair of oppositely positioned leather gasket members 78 and 72, respectively. These leather gasket members are cap shaped and the outside diameter thereof is equal to the inside diameter of the outer boat hook member ti? and the purpose thereof is to seal the plunger body 46 from the portion of the outer boat hook element positioned to'the left as shown in FIG. 1. Thisis so that when tbe combination boat hook and bilge pump device vis'operated'as a bilge pump, no liquid will pass around the sides of the plunger body 56. The pair of gaskets 7t) and 72 are held in place by the mentioned screw diland a 'washerjelernent76, as clearly shown inFlG. l.

Positioned at the left-hand end of combination boat hook and bilge pump, a illustrated in FIG. 1, is the valve body 8th The valve body 34) is best illustrated in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, and comprises an intake chamber 82 and an expulsion chamber 84. The expulsion chamber $4 has an elongated orifice 86 connected thereto for expulsion of water therefrom. The valve body 8% is connected to the outer boat hook element 10 by means of rivets 99, one of a which is shown in FIG. 1 and secured thereto.

Referring now to FIGS, there is shown the valve 1% comprised of a rubber material or an equivalent and which i attached to the valve boby by means of a pair of screws not shown, but the screw holes are-illustrated in FIG. 5 and labeled 102. A pair of mirror image flaps 194 and 1% are form'edinthe valve ltlli. The flaps 1M and 106 are cut only along the semi-circular portions illustrated and that is just along the outside periphery and not of the flap 1%, as will be explained later in the operation of the valve mechanism itself.

A valve retainer ill best illustrated in FIGS. 1, 6 and 7, is positioned directly over the valve member 195, and is connected to the valve body 80 by the same pair of screws as the valve member it? through the holes 112 in the valve retainer 110, as best seen in FIGS. 6 and 7. The valve retainer illtl can be comprised of a somewhat relatively rigid material and has provided therein two apertures lid and 118, the apertures being of different shapes and the reason, therefore, will be best explained in the explanation of the valve mechanism itself to come. Positioned adjacent to the end of the valve body 89 is a circular screen 129 preferably composed of bras or copper screen stock and designed to keep out clogging elem rits from the intake chamber 82 of the valve body 83. The screen is held in position by a cap member 130, as will be more fully explained later in the assembly section of this specification. The screen 126 extends and fully covers the intake end of the valve body 80.

The cap element 130 is best shown in FIGS. 1, 8 and 9 and is composed of a material such as white rubber which is somewhat resilient as is necessary, as will be seen, inasmuch as the cap element E30 must be resilient enough to be snapped over the end of the boat hook member it The cap element 136 has provided therein an aperture 132 designed to fit around the orifice 86 and initially the aperture 132 is positioned over the orifice 86 and the remaining portion or bottom portion, as viewed in FIG. 1 of the cap element 134' is then snapped over and around the opposite side of the boat hook member 10 adjacent the pin @il, as clearly shown in FIG. I. The cap element 138 will be retained in position by the orifice $6 and also by the fact that its inside diameter is lightly smaller than the outside diameter of the boat hook member lit and will be held there by a resilient force fit. The cap element 13%, is provided with a plurality of feet 1% and form a chamber 136 enabling water to flow therein and into the intake chamber 82 to be later expelled through the expulsion chamber 84. As can be seen, the cap element 135i securely holds the screen element 129 in place against the bottom portion of the valve body 86.

ASSEMBLY Initially, a sub-assembly is made comprising the inner boat nook member 18, the plunger body 46, the pair of leather gaskets 7t and 72, the washer 76, and the threaded screw Gil. This sub-assembly is then inserted into the outer boat hook member 16 from the left side, as viewed in FIG. 1. Next, the sub-assembly, including the inner boat hook member 18 is pushed far enough to the right so that the hook member 22 can be secured thereto. The hook member 22 is secured to the inner boat hook member 18 by having the right hand end, as viewed in FIG. 1, of the boat hook member it; rolled into provided curvilinear grooves positioned in the shoulder portion 24 of the hook element 22. As previously stated, it is not a matter of great significance to the invention how the hook member 22 is secured to the inner boat hook member 13 as long as the attachment is secure.

Another sub-assembly can be made at this time and i. this sub-assembly the tip element 34 is secured to the rubber nose if: and this is readily done by stretching one end of the rubber hose 42 over the reduced shoulder portion 4% of the tip element 34. Next, the length of hose 42 secured to the tip element 34 is inserted into the elongated aperture 2s extending through the hook element 22 down through and into the hollow or center portion of the inner boat hook member 18, as can best be seen in FIG. 1. The spleens or ridges formed on the shoulder member 38 or" the tip element 34 enable a good tight grip to be formed between the Walls of the elongated aperttue 24- of the hook 22 and the shoulder portion 3% of the tip element 34. This should not be too tight, of course, because the tip element 34 should be able to be removed by a good pull, or else, as will be seen, the effectiveness of the combined boat hook and bilge pump device would be severely reduced.

Proceeding to the left hand end of the combined boat hook and bilge pump, as viewed in FIG. 1, the only remaining portion to be assembled is the valve assembly. Here again, a sub-assembly can be formed before being inserted into the outer boat hook portion end of the boat hook and bilge pump assembly.

The main valve body 80 has secured to it on its righthandside, as viewed in FIG. 1, the valve 1% and the valve retainer 110. The valve retainer 110 is placed over the valve 190 and the two are attached to the valve body 80 by a pair of screws extending (not shown) through the mentioned apentures in the valve retainer 110 and the valve 1110, and secured to the threaded recesses 101 in the valve body 811. Next, the subassembly, just described, is inserted into the outer boat hook portion of the combination boat hook and bilge pump and the orifice 86 is inserted into the previously described slot 14 provided in the outside wall of the outer boat hook member 10. As previously described, the inner end of the elongated slot 14 positioned in the outer boat hook member 10 is semi-circular and adapted to receive the orifice S6 and limits and positions the valve sub-assembly as previously described. Next, the valve assembly, as previously described, is secured to the outer boat hook member 10 by a plurality of rivets, one of these rivets being shown in FIG. 1. The valve assembly could be attached to the upper boat hook member '10 by other means, but a rivet was chosen in this embodiment of the invention. Next, the screen element 120 is placed flush up against the bottom or the outer left-hand end of the valve body 89, as viewed in FIG. 1, and finally, the elastic rubber cap 130 is snapped on the left end (as viewed in FIG. 1) of the combination boat hook and bilge pump, as has been previously described. Briefly, the orifice 86 of the valve body 80 is inserted into the hole 132 of the cap 130, and the remainder of the cap 136 is stretched and snapped into place so that the cap 139 extends around the lower periphery of the outer boat hook member 10.

OPERATION Telescopic Boat Hook Normally, when the combination boat hook and bilge pump is not in use, it is in its collapsed position, as viewed in FIG. 1. However, when the combination boat hook and bilge pump is desired to be used as a boat hook, the inner boat hook member 18 is pulled out of the outer boat hook member 111 by, for example, grasping the hook element 22 and just pulling the assembly, including inner boat hook member 18, through the hollow outer boat hook member 19. The assembly, including the inner boat hook member 18, will readily move down the inside of the outer boat hook member 10 until the thread portions 66 formed on the outer boat hook member 10 and the threaded portions 64 formed on the plunger body 46, come into contact. This contact can be readily felt by the user. At this moment, the user just twists either the outer boat hook member 1t) or the inner boat hook member 18, relative to one another, to engage the threaded portions 66 with the threaded portions 64. In this position, the outer boat hook member 10 and the inner boat hook member 18 are in a locked position and will not move relative to one another, that is, either into or away from each other and are, therefore, in the proper condition to be used as a boat hook. After the use as a boat hook has been performed, the outer boat hook member 19 or the inner boat hook member 18 are turned one relative to the other to unlock the threads 66 from the threads 64 and to, therefore, enable the telescoping of the assembly, including the inner boat hook member 18 into the outer boat hook member 10.

v 6 OPERATION .OF THE BILGE PUMP INCLUDING OPERATION OF THE VALVE MECHANISM When the combination boat hook and bilge pump is to be utilized as a bilge pump, the tip element 34 is first removed from the elongated aperture 26 of the hook element 22 by manually pulling on the tip element 34. The tip element 34, as previously stated in the assembly section, is secured to a length of rubber hose 42. This length of rubber hose 42 and the tip element 34, which will now act as a nozzle, is then removed from the interior of the combination boat hook and bilge pump. The inner end or the length of rubber tubing 42, illustrated on the left end as shown in FIG. 1, is then snapped over the outer end of the orifice 86. The projections 201 on the orifice 86 help retain the length of rubber tubing 42 secured to the end of the orifice 86. The tip element 34, which is now acting as a nozzle, can then be draped over the side of the boat or the end of the boat so as to enable the water or other liquid to be pumped from inside of theboat'into the lake or river, or the like. Next, the cap member 130 is emerged into the water or other liquid to be pumped out of the boat and the legs 134 positioned on the end of the cap 130 enable water to continually slip in and to be continually pumped out of the boat. This would not be the case if a complete cylindrical ridge was formed at the end of this cap member 13%).

Next, the curvilinear extension 30 and 32 of the tip 22 are grasped by the-pump operator and the assembly, including the inner boat hook member 18, is drawn to the right, as viewed in FIG. 1, so as to draw in water or other liquid into the interior of the louter boat hook member 11 As was previously explained, the plunger body 46 and the provided leather gaskets 70 and 72 enable a Water-tight seal to be formed between the assembly, including the inner boat hook member 18 and the inside surface of the outer boat hook member 10. Thus, as the assembly, including the inner boat hook member 18, is drawn to the right, as viewed in FIG. 1 water is drawn in through the valve, including the valve body 80, as will be explained shortly. As the assembly, including the inner boat hook member 18, is drawn to the right, as viewed in FIG. 1, a partial vacuum is created. This partial vacuum causes the flap portion 1% of the valve to move to the right as viewed in FIG. 1. Or, when positioned in the boat, to move upwardly. The opening of the flap 106 in the valve 1% is permitted because the flap 1116 is of a configuration and dimension as to be readily movable through the aperture 118 in the valve retainer 110. Therefore, water or other liquid is drawn through the screen 120 and the solid particles contained therein, de-

pending upon the size or mesh of the screen 120 are prohibited from entering the pump by the screen 120. The water or other liquid is then drawn through the inlet aperture 82 of the valve body 80, past the flap 106 of the valve 100, through the aperture 118 of the valve retainer 110, and into the inside of the outer boat hook member 10. The amount of water that is drawn depends upon the stroke taken by the operator of the pump and the assembly, including the inner boat hook member 18, can move all the way up to where the threads 66 engage with the threads 64 before any difficulty is encountered.

The partial vacuum that is caused in the inside'of the outer boat hook member 10 by the withdrawal of the assembly, including the inner boat hook member 18, also exerts a force on the flap 104 of the valve 100. However, the retainer 110 has provided therein an aperture 116 which is of a configuration and dimension such as to prevent the flap 1514 of the valve 100 from moving in an upward direction when positioned in a boat, or as viewed in FIG. 1, in a direction towards the right-hand side of the drawing. 7

Thus, it can be seen that on the upstroke or on the intake, that only flap 106 can move and Water or other liquid will be drawn in to the inner portion of the outer boat hook member 15). On the downstroke, the opposite efiect occurs. The assembly, including the inner boat hook member 18, is then pushed downwardly when positioned in the boat and to the left, as viewed in PEG. 1, and water is forced against the flap 194 in the valve 1%. The water flows through the aperture 116 of the valve retainer and exerts a force against the flap 1114, thereby moving the flap downwardly or to the left, as viewed in FIG. 1. This allows the water to enter the expulsion chamber 84 of the valve body 80 and to flow out through the orifice 86 and the tubing 42 and the tip 34 positioned exterior to the boat. The flap 164 of the valve 161 is of a configuration and a dimension such that the valve or the flap portion 1% can move through the aperture formed in the expulsion chamber 84 in the valve body 8-9, thereby permitting water to enter the expulsion chamber 84 of the'valve body 8% and out, as just explained.

At the same time that water pressure is applied to the flap 194 of the valve 1%, the water pressure is also applied to the flap 1% of the valve 1% through the aperture 118 of the valve retainer 110. The aperture formed in the intake chamber 82 of the valve body 34 is of such dimensions. and configuration that the flap 165 cannot move into the intake chamber 82, as can be seen in the drawings.

Thus, it can be seen that on the upstroke water or other liquid can only enter the combination boat hook and bilge pump, and on the downstroke water or other liquid can only be expelled from the inner poition of the outer boat hook portion 16) of the combination boat hook and bilge pump.

What has been explained is believed to be the preferred embodimentof the invention. However, many modifications and alterations can be made Without departing from the inventive scope of the invention. It is, therefore, the intention of the applicant is to cover the entire inventive concept disclosed in the foregoing in the claim which is to be restricted only by the prior art.

What; is claimed is:

'An article of manufacture comprising an elongated outer boat hook member; an elongated inner boat hook member positioned Within said outer boat hook member and dimensioned to provide a substantially waterproof seal between at least one portion of itself and the inner surface of said outer boat hook member; said inner boat hook member having a pair of curvilinear hook projections extending from one end thereof; and valve means positioned adjacent said elongated outer boat hook member comprising a valve body having an inlet chamber of a predetermined configuration and an outlet chamber of a distinct predetermined configuration and separated from said inlet chamber, a disc shaped valve element positioned adjacent both said inlet and outlet chambers and having formed therein a pair of pivotable valve fiaps through which liquid can pass, and a valve retainer positioned adjacent said valve element, said outlet chamber being shaped so as to permit a first of said flaps to swing into said outlet chamber and said valve retainer being shaped so as to prevent said first fiap from swinging through said valve retainer, said inlet chamber being shaped so as to prevent the second of said flaps from swinging into said inlet chamber and said valve retainer being shaped so as to permit the second of said flaps to swing through said valve retainer, whereby said article of manufacture can be operated to selectively pump a liquid into said outer boat hook member and then out of said outer boat hook member responsive to the manipulation of said inner boat hook member in and out of said outer boat hook member.

References titted in the file of this patent UNXTED STATES PATENTS 86,287 Dix Jan 26, 1869 103,007 Bibber May 17, 1870 237,193 Mallory Feb. 1, 1881 2,477,410 Johnson July 26, 1949 2,566,023 Gagnon Aug. 28, 1951 2,702,910 Ake Mar. 1, 1955 2,889,797 Fox June 9, 1959 2,926,693 Ziegler Mar. 1, 1960 3,010,476 Ziegler Nov. 28, 1961 3,044,410 Edmundson July 17, 1962

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