Patent Application
20220176393
This invention relates to the field of recreational products. More specifically, the invention comprises a ground-mounted liquid injector that can selectively add a secondary liquid to a stream of water moving through a hose.
SLIP 'N SLIDE 10 includes an elongated main panel 12. Water inlet 16 allows hose 26 to be connected to the device. Longitudinal water manifold 14 and lateral water manifold 18 carry the water supplied by the hose. Numerous opening in the two water manifolds produce water streams 20 that fall on main panel 12. The operative concept is to evenly wet main panel 12.
Main panel 12 is made of a slick polymer such as vinyl. When wet this produces a slick surface. Children use the device by running up to the panel, throwing themselves flat on the panel, and sliding along. Numerous straps 22 are provided. Stakes 24 are passed through straps 22 to secure the SLIP 'N SLIDE in position and prevent it sliding when a child uses the device.
SLIP 'N SLIDEs have been in common use since the early 1960s and they work well. However, sometimes a child lands on the main panel at too steep an angle and comes to an abrupt halt rather than sliding along. This problem is avoided by lubricating the main panel. Mild soap can be used for this purpose, with liquid soap working quite well.
Soap placed on the main panel tends to wear off rapidly when the device is used by many children. It is therefore desirable to provide a continuous feed of soap using the water that is already passing through the device. The present invention provides such a solution.
The present invention comprises a ground-mounted soap injection system that can be used with a SLIP 'N SLIDE or other similar device needing the addition of a secondary liquid such as a lubricating agent. The invention includes a liquid reservoir connected to a metering valve and an injection venturi. A hose is connected to the device and water passing through an internal passage draws the lubricating agent into the moving stream in a controlled fashion.
Spikes are provided to secure the device to the ground. The spikes may be made foldable so that the device is compact when not in use. The reservoir preferably includes a fill opening that can be accessed from the top. This allows the reservoir to be refilled while the device remains secured to the ground.
The present invention can be combined with a variety of other devices to provide the injection of a secondary liquid—such as soap. A prior art SLIP 'N SLIDE is used for the explanation of the exemplary embodiments. However, the reader should bear in mind that the invention is by no means limited to this one application. The reader should also bear in mind that the features of the various embodiments can be combined in ways that have not been specifically illustrated.
Soap dispenser 30 will generally be located near the device it is feeding. It thus presents an obstacle to running children and potentially a trip hazard. It is therefore desirable to include retention features that hold it in place.
Throttle knob 44 controls the flow of secondary liquid from the reservoir into a stream of water moving through the soap injector and exiting via outlet 40. The throttle knob controls a throttle valve in the interior of body 32—as will be explained in more detail subsequently.
The soap dispenser is secured to the ground via multiple turf spikes 38. These extend downward from the bottom of body 32. The example shown increases the surface area in contact with the ground by including first extension plate 34 and second extension plate 36. These extend laterally out from body 32. Some of the turf spikes 38 descend downward from the extension plates 34,36. In the example shown, eight turf spikes are used. These are long and slender. The tip is preferably rounded but not pointed. The rounded tip allows the soap dispenser to be pressed downward into the turf, without presenting a hazard when the device is removed from the ground. Reservoir lid 42 is preferably made strong. This configuration allows the user to press downward on the reservoir lid in order to seat the turf spikes. The user can also press downward on the extension plates 34,36.
Hinge assembly 46 pivotally connects reservoir lid 42 to the top of body 32. The hinge assembly can take many forms. In the example shown, the hinge is created by snapping pliable plastic features together. In other examples, a transverse hinge pin can be used or a separate “piano hinge” strip can be added.
Check valve 58 is preferably also provided so that the secondary liquid within the reservoir will not seep out when the device is not in use but throttle valve 56 is left open. Spring 60 normally biases the check valve to the closed position (typically by urging a sphere against a seat). Thus, when there is no flow of water through water conduit 64 check valve 58 is closed and no liquid escapes the reservoir—even if throttle valve 56 is open.
When water is flowing through water conduit 64 and venturi 63, a region of low pressure is created proximate injector outlet 62. This region of low pressure is explained by Bernoulli's Principle. The water velocity substantially increases as it passes through venturi 63, producing a reduced pressure in injector outlet 62. Reservoir 52 is vented to the atmosphere, so that the pressure on the top of the liquid within the reservoir remains fairly constant. Assuming that throttle valve 56 is at least partially open, the low pressure within the venturi sucks open check valve 58 (overcoming the closing force provided by spring 60) and allows the flow of the secondary liquid into the moving stream of water. The high velocity at the point of injection thoroughly mixes the secondary liquid into the water.
The venturi 63 is preferably sized to account for the fact that the water flowing through the conduit 64 is not simply flowing out an open nozzle. Rather, it is flowing into another dispensing device like a SLIP 'N SLIDE. Thus, the venturi is preferably made small so that suitable flow velocity through the venturi can be obtained even when the flow through conduit 64 is modest.
A “1/2” reference is provided on the throttle knob. This reference will align with reference mark 66 if throttle knob 44 is rotated 45 degrees in the clockwise direction from the position shown in
In operation the four folding outriggers 78 are pivoted into a deployed position where they snap into place. The spikes are then folded down from the outriggers.
Pawl 86 has been released from its home position—in which it engages body 32. Once released, a rotary spring pivots the lid up to the position shown in
The reader will therefore understand how the present invention provides a device for metering a desired secondary liquid (such as soap) into a moving stream of water. The invention has other features, including:
1. The throttle valve can set and maintain a precise ratio of added secondary liquid;
2. A transparent strip indicator window can be provided on the side of the body so that the user can observe the level of secondary liquid in the reservoir;
3. The link hose can be provided as part of the soap dispenser; and
4. The invention can include quick-connect fittings for the connected hoses rather than threaded fittings.
The preceding description contains significant detail regarding the novel aspects of the present invention. It should not be construed, however, as limiting the scope of the invention but rather as providing illustrations of the preferred embodiments of the invention. Many other embodiments will be made apparent to those skilled in the art. Thus, the scope of the invention should be fixed by the following claims, rather than by the examples given.
