IMPROVED HAND PUMP ASSEMBLY

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to hand pump technology and more specifically, to an improved hand pump assembly. More specifically, the invention relates to the novel combination of a design of a piston assembly within the hand pump assembly, a design of a housing of the hand pump assembly, a design of a handle of the hand pump assembly, and a design for supporting troughs used with the hand pump in recreational activities. The improved design of the hand pump assembly provides for more efficient transfer of fluid through the hand pump assembly, an increased lifecycle for the hand pump assembly and increased safety as compared to prior art hand pumps.

The use of hand pump technology for the gathering, conveyance and use of liquid, e.g. water, has civilization development and enhancement throughout history and remains a primary source for gathering and dispersing water in developing countries. Additionally, the use of hand pump technology has expanded into recreational activities. One such recreational application is the use of hand pumps in plastic float races, e.g. duck races.

In the prior art, hand pump technology has evolved through time. However, in recent times, though components may have different designs, the technology has remained constant. A hand pump of the prior art consists of a tubular body housing assembly, a handle assembly, and a piston assembly. Further, the assembly of the prior art is an iron assembly. The tubular body housing assembly of the prior art houses a first check valve flap within the lower end of the assembly. The first check valve flap of the prior art is made of leather, and is positioned horizontally within the lower end of the tubular body housing assembly. Additionally, the tubular body housing assembly of the prior art consists of an opening proximal to the top of the assembly for expelling water from the tubular body housing assembly. The piston assembly of the prior art comprises a long shaft, lift rod, with a second check valve assembly attached at a lower end of the lift rod. The lift rod and second check valve assembly are made of iron. The second check valve assembly houses a second leather check valve flap. The second check valve flap is positioned horizontal with respect to the upright tubular housing assembly. The handle assembly is attached to the upper end of the lift rod, opposite the check valve assembly and proximal to a top of the tubular body housing assembly.

In the prior art, the hand pump assembly operates as follows. An operator raises the handle assembly opposite the lift rod. This action lowers the lift rod and the check valve assembly within the tubular body housing assembly. The movement of the lift rod and check valve assembly opens the upward biased second leather flap allowing at least a portion of the liquid, e.g. water, within the tubular housing assembly to move through the hole previously covered by the second leather flap and above the check valve assembly. The first leather flap remains horizontal, closed, during this action. The operator then lowers the handle assembly opposite the lift rod. This action raises the lift rod and the check valve assembly. The raising of the check valve assembly closes the second leather flap. The action further forces the liquid, e.g. water, out of the opening proximal to the top of the tubular housing assembly. The raising of the check valve assembly causes a pressure differential on either side of the first leather flap, where the pressure below the first leather flap is greater than the pressure above the first leather flap. This differential causes the inwardly biased first leather flap to open allowing water into the tubular housing assembly. The process of raising and lowering the handle, and the associated mechanical operations of the prior art hand pump assembly, repeats multiple times.

In the prior art, the technology of the hand pump assembly inherently has design flaws resulting in a short lifecycle for the hand pump assembly and inefficient operations of the prior art hand pump assembly. The iron design of each of the tubular housing assembly, the piston assembly, and the handle assembly results in oxidation due to interactions between the surfaces of such assemblies and the liquid, e.g. water. This oxidation, which is pronounced within the tubular housing assembly and with the piston assembly, results in rusting of the assemblies. Without a way to readily check the assembly for maintenance the rusting persists and results in failure of the respective assemblies and the hand pump assembly as a whole.

Further, the leather flaps inherently wear over time and loose effectiveness in containing and moving liquid, e.g. water, out of the tubular housing assembly. First, the leather flaps are continuously exposed to liquid reducing effectiveness of such flaps overtime. Second, the inner wall of the iron tubular housing assembly is not a planar surface free of imperfections. The inner wall contains variations which include iron burrs and slag inclusions. These imperfections contact and rub on the leather flaps wearing the leather flaps overtime. This wear results in an accelerated drop in the efficiency of the leather flaps. Further, the imperfections, which include indentations, result in the leather flaps and the check valve assembly not creating a hydraulic seal with the inner wall.

The prior art hand held pump assemblies are closed systems. Thus, maintenance on the check valve assembly and the leather flaps are difficult depending upon the design of the prior art hand pump assembly. The prior art hand pump assemblies provide basic connections for the handle to the tubular housing assembly and the lift rod. Such basic connections consist of iron fittings. As a result, the environment results in reduced efficiency of movement of the handle if not fusion of the handle due to oxidation. The handle of the prior art hand pump assemblies merely comprises the iron handle itself. A lack of a gripping component fails to counter the reduced friction between the handle and a user's hand as a result of the liquid, e.g. water. As a result, a user's hand may slip potentially causing injury to the user or damage to the mechanics of the hand held pump assembly due to the irregular motion of the handle from the user's reduced grip on the handle.

With regard to recreational activities involving the use of the prior art hand pump for float races, the prior art hand pump is placed in close communication with an elongated trough at the opening or spout proximal to the top of the tubular housing assembly. However, the prior art does not provide a mechanism which adjusts for the location of the trough and the position of the trough relative to the spout opening. As a result of the prior art interaction between the prior art pump assemblies and troughs, a substantial percentage liquid, e.g. water, leaving the pump assembly has a propensity to pour out of the trough, when dispensed towards the trough, instead of away from the pump assembly while in the trough.

As such, a need exists for an improved hand held pump assembly to meet the shortcomings of the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to hand pump technology and more specifically, to an improved hand pump assembly. More specifically, the invention relates to the novel combination of a design of the piston assembly within the hand pump assembly, a design of a housing of the hand pump assembly, a design of a handle of the hand pump assembly, and a design for supporting troughs used with the hand pump in recreational activities. The improved design of the hand pump assembly provides for more efficient transfer of fluid through the hand pump assembly, an increased lifecycle for the hand pump assembly and increased safety as compared to the prior art.

The hand pump design addresses the challenges facing traditional hand pumps by means of applying a wholly stainless steel design comprising a piston assembly having a circumferential flow of liquid transfer providing for reduced wear instead of the internal flaps and check assemblies of the prior art, bearing and bushing implements on pivotal surfaces for increased wear protection, a removable top plate for ease of maintenance on the hand pump, and a PVC grip handle for improved control and safety of operation of the hand pump.

The hand pump has a tubular section defining a tubular section cavity, where the cavity is defined by an interior face of the housing. The piston assembly is integrated within the housing with a piston positioned proximate to a lower region of the hand pump, and a lift rod, connected to the piston, extending through an opening on a top plate positioned at the upper end of the housing. The piston is preferably cylindrical with a seal, preferably an x-ring seal, about said cylinder slidably positioned in a groove about, and formed into, the outer circumference of the piston. The piston further comprises at least one arcuate recessed cavity extending from the groove to an upper surface of the piston and providing for the controlled passage of fluid from the lower region of the tubular section to its upper region. Movement of the piston assembly slidably vertically positions the x-ring between an upper ledge and lower ledge of the groove such that fluid in the tubular section cavity may either transfer between the volumes of the cavities above and below the piston or be prevented from transfer between the respective cavity volumes.

The hand pump of the present invention also includes at least one of a bearing and bushing at pivotal connection between a reciprocating handle of the hand pump and the piston first end, and a pivotal connection between the tubular housing and the handle. Such bearings and bushings provide for increased ease of movement of the handle increasing control of liquid flow through the hand pump and safety of operation of the hand pump as compared to the prior art.

The hand pump of the present invention may also include a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) handle grip as a component of the handle of the hand pump assembly.

The hand pump of the present invention may also include an adjustable support for supporting troughs used with the hand pump in recreational activities allowing for controlled positioning of the trough in proximity to a fluid outlet of the hand pump.

These and other features will be described in further detail below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an improved hand pump assembly of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the improved hand pump assembly of FIG. 1 in combination with a reservoir and an angled trough.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the improved hand pump assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the improved hand pump assembly of FIG. 1

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view, through line 5-5 of FIG. 1 illustrating a piston assembly.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the improved hand pump assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a side cross-sectional view of the piston assembly.

FIG. 8 is a side view of a seal of the piston assembly.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the seal of the piston assembly.

FIG. 10A is a cross-sectional view, through line 10A-10A of FIG. 1, of the improved hand pump assembly of the invention, illustrating a handle in a first position with the piston assembly in a raised position.

FIG. 10B is a cross-sectional view of the improved hand pump assembly of the invention, illustrating the handle progressing in an upward direction and lowering the piston assembly.

FIG. 10C is a cross-sectional view of the improved hand pump assembly of the invention, illustrating the handle further progressing in an upward direction and lowering the piston assembly.

FIG. 10D is a cross-sectional view of the improved hand pump assembly of the invention, illustrating the handle progressing in a downward direction and raising the piston assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Although the disclosure hereof is detailed and exact to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, the physical embodiments herein disclosed merely exemplify the invention, which may be embodied in other specific structures. While the preferred embodiment has been described, the details may be changed without departing from the invention, which is disclosed in the specification.

With attention to FIG. 1, an invention for an improved hand pump assembly 2 is illustrated. This hand pump 2 may be used to gather and dispense liquid, e.g. water, 4, see FIG. 2, for recreational purposes such as floating duck 6 races, see FIG. 2. Additionally, this hand pump assembly 2 may be used for utilitarian purposes. The improved hand pump assembly 2 comprises a body housing assembly 8, a piston assembly 10, a handle assembly 12, and an adjustable trough support assembly 14. The body housing assembly 8 is an elongated geometric structure with a preferably circular cross-section 29, alternatively a square or rhombohedral cross section, and is defined by a body housing upper end 16 and an opposite body housing lower end 18. The upper end 16 and lower end 18 are separated by a tubular section 20 of the body housing assembly 8. A water outlet 22 is position along the tubular section 20 in close proximity to the upper end 16. Alternatively, the liquid, e.g. water, 4 outlet 22 may be at any location along the tubular section 20. Extending from the tubular section 20 and at least partially surrounding the outlet 22, a pour spout 24 is provided. The pour spout 24 may be molded to the tubular section 20 as a unitary one-piece construction or a separate spout affixed to the tubular section 20 by a suitable conventional manner.

A piston assembly first end 26 of the piston assembly 10 extends through an opening 28 in the upper end 16. The first end 26 is in pivotal communication with the handle assembly 12.

Opposite the first end 26 at or in close proximity to the housing assembly lower end 18, the hand pump assembly 2 comprises a support base plate 30. The support base plate 30 is affixed to the housing lower end 18. Alternatively, the support base plate 30 is in unitary one-piece construction with the housing lower end 18. In an alternative aspect, the base plate 30 may be at least one of affixed or in unitary one-piece construction with the tubular section 20 above the lower end 18. The combination of the housing assembly lower end 18 and the base plate 30 provides for a hand pump assembly lower end, 27.

The adjustable trough support assembly 14 is attached to the support base plate 30, and below the outlet 22. The adjustable trough assembly 14 is further positioned in alignment with the outlet 22.

With attention to FIGS. 1 and 2, the invention for an improved hand pump assembly 2 is illustrated as part of a recreational floating duck 6 race assembly 32. The improved hand pump assembly 2 is positioned over a reservoir 34 containing liquid, e.g. water, 4. The support plate 30 of the hand pump assembly 2 may be removably attached to a structural support 36 with bolts/nails/screw (not illustrated in the figures) positioned through base through holes 38 in the support plate 30 of the hand pump assembly 2. The structural support 36 may rest over the reservoir 34 or next to the reservoir 34. A pipe 40, preferably made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), is attached to the hand pump assembly lower end 27 at, or in close proximity to, the housing assembly lower end 18. The pipe 40 extends into the reservoir 34 and is at least partially submerged in the liquid 4. The pipe 40 has an open end (not illustrated in the figures) opposite the hand pump assembly 2. Preferably, a screen 42 covers the open end of the pipe 40. The screen 42 prevents debris and solid matter within the reservoir 34 from entering the pipe 40 and proceeding into the hand pump assembly 2. The screen 42 may be made of at least one of a wire interwoven mesh, fabric interwoven mesh, and polymer interwoven mesh.

The pipe 40 can be made of multiple pipe sections 41 in linear alignment end to end from the lower end 27 and extending into the reservoir 34. Abutting ends of adjacent sections 41 are attached with a coupling 120. The coupling 120 allows for transfer of liquid 4 from one section to another when the liquid follows from the reservoir 34 through the screen 42, and into and through the pipe 40, and into the housing 8. Within at least one coupling 120 a filter 116 may be positioned. The filter 116 may be housed entirely in the coupling 120 or separate from the coupling into vertically spaced components with the filter 116 between such components. As with the screen 42, the filter 116 is designed to prevent the flow of solid particles into the housing 8.

The combination of the filter 116 and the screen 42 increases the filtration benefits provided by the screen 42 alone as compared to the prior art which allows solid particles to move into the housing of the prior art. The filter 116 may be made of at least one of a wire interwoven mesh, fabric interwoven mesh, and polymer interwoven mesh.

Unlike the prior art hand pump assemblies, which comprise loosely fitting components resulting in inefficient water transfer and providing pathways for debris and solid matter to flow through the prior art hand pump assemblies, the hand pump assembly 2 of the invention provides for precise and consistent dimensions placing an interior wall face 23, see FIG. 5, of the body housing assembly 8 in close proximity to the piston 77 as compared to the relationship of the housing assembly of the prior art hand pump and the piston assembly of the prior art hand pump. This close relationship within the hand pump assembly 2 provides for the improved efficiency of the hand pump 2 and impairs the passage of large debris and large solid matter through the hand pump assembly 2. Thus, the screen 42 and filter 116 combination further promotes an increased lifecycle of the hand pump assembly 2 as compared to the lifecycles of the prior art hand pump assemblies by preventing debris from entering the hand pump 2, being contained in the hand pump 2, and thus reducing the ability of the hand pump to work efficiently. Further, no contemplation of the use of a screen and/or filter for the prior art hand pumps would be made since the prior art hand pumps do not have the tight tolerances as described in the hand pump 2, and thus debris would enter the prior art hand pump and exit.

As can be seen in FIG. 2, a trough 44 is part of the race assembly 32. A trough first end is positioned on the adjustable trough support assembly 14 in close proximity to the pour spout 24 such that liquid, e.g. water, 4 exits the outlet 22 when the hand pump 2 is in operation. The liquid enters into the trough 44. The presence of the liquid 4 in the trough 44 allows for a duck 6 (or other buoyant object) to float. The continuous or incremental flow of liquid 4 from the outlet 22, along with the positioning of the trough 44 such that the trough 44 is positioned at a downward sloping angle with respect to the housing assembly upper end 16, and outlet 22, away from the hand pump 2, promotes movement of the duck 6 away from the hand pump 2.

With attention to FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6, the adjustable trough support assembly 14 of the hand pump 2 is further described. The trough support 14 advances the efficiency of use of the improved hand pump 2 as compared to the prior art hand pumps. As best shown in FIG. 6, the trough support 14 comprises a trough tube 46 having a trough open end 48 which opens into a trough cavity 49. The tube 46 is oriented substantially parallel, if not parallel, to the tubular section 20 with the open end in the direction of the upper end of the hand pump housing 16 and piston assembly first end 26. Two sets of tube through holes 56 are positioned in vertical alignment along the tube 46. Opposite the open end 48, the trough base plate 50 extends from the trough tube 46. The trough base plate 50 is removably affixed to the support base plate 30. An adjustable insert 52 is positionable within the trough open end 48. The trough support insert 52 is preferably cylindrical in shape with the insert 52 inserted along the longitudinal axis of the insert into the open end 48 and cavity 49. The adjustable insert 52 includes at least one, and preferably three, insert through holes 54 formed therein. When the insert 52 is positioned in the open end 48 of the cavity 49, an operator aligns one set of tube through holes 56 with one of the adjustable insert through holes 54. A cotter pin 57 or other locking mechanism is placed through the aligned through holes to maintain the insert 52 in position vertically with respect to the outlet 22 and to stabilize the rotational motion of the insert axially with respect to the length of the trough tube 46. A second through hole 54 of the insert may be aligned with the second set of through holes 56 of the tube 46, where a second pin 57 may be employed if desired. Opposite the end inserted toward trough base plate 50, the insert 52 comprises a single locking fastener 59 threadably inserted into a top end of the cylinder of the insert 52. This locking fastener 59 removably affixes the trough 44 to the insert 52, see FIG. 2. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the trough assembly 14 supports the trough 44 by securing the trough 44 to the insert 52 with the fastener 59 as previously described. The cylindrical aspect of the insert 52 allows the trough 44 to be rotated radially about trough support assembly 14 while keeping the trough 44 positioned to receive liquid 4 from the outlet 22 of the pump 2. Additionally, this provides for a permanent mounting base of a trough 44.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the adjustable trough support assembly 14 in combination with the body housing assembly 8, piston assembly 10 and handle assembly 12 provide for improved transfer of fluid into and out of the hand pump assembly 2. The operator is able to adjust the height of the trough 44 with respect to at least one of the opening 22 and pour spout 24. This adjustment feature provided by the rows of insert through holes 54 of the trough support assembly 14 allows for optimization of the liquid 4 flow down the trough 44 after leaving the outlet 22, increasing or decreasing the flow of the liquid 4 in the trough away from the hand pump assembly 2. Additionally, the adjustable trough support assembly 14 assists in the control of the amount of liquid 4 inadvertently dispensed out of the trough 44 upon leaving the outlet 22 and not into the trough 44.

With attention to FIG. 5, the body housing assembly 8 is further discussed and its interrelationship with the operation of the hand pump 2 as a whole. As previously noted, the body housing assembly 8 comprises a tubular section 20 defined, and separated, by the housing assembly upper end 16 and the housing assembly lower end 18. The tubular section 20 is made of an interior tubular wall 21 extending from the housing assembly upper end 16 and the housing assembly lower end 18. The tubular wall 21 has an interior wall face 23 and an opposite exterior wall face 25. The interior wall 23 face establishes a boundary defining the tubular section cavity 64 extending from the upper end 16 to the lower end 18. The opposite exterior face 25 contacts the outside environment. Each wall face (23, 25) continuously extends, preferably in a circle to define the annular cross-section 29, see FIG. 5, of the tubular section 20. The continuous annular cross-section 29 of the tubular section 20, which extends the length of the tubular section 20 from the upper end 16 to the lower end 18, results in the interior surface 23 being capable of acting as a continuous sealing surface at any height within the tubular section 20. Further, the tubular section 20 is made of stainless steel, whether through machining of a stainless steel tube into the annular, substantially radially constant, cross-section 29 or forging of the tubular section 20. Unlike the prior art which is known to merely provide for a stainless tubular sleeve in layered communication with an outer iron shell, the tubular section 20 is a homogenous section of stainless steel. The homogenous structure resists wear on any face or surface of the tubular section 20 notorious with the prior art which results in the advanced and quick degradation of prior art hand pumps as compared to the improved hand pump 2.

The stainless construction of the tubular section 20 results in a smooth interior wall face 23 from the upper end 16 to the lower end 18 which provides for a hydraulic seal 67 between a seal, preferably an x-ring seal, 65 of the piston 77 and the interior wall face 23. This seal 65 is more efficient than that of prior art iron hand pumps because the prior art iron hand pumps inherently have imperfections, as previously described, which cause the interior face of the prior art iron hand pumps to be substantially non-planar and having inclusions extending from the interior surface. As a result, the seal within the prior art iron hand pump has areas where liquid can pass through unintentionally due to porosity, imperfections and intermittent nature of such seal as compared to that of the seal 65 within the hand pump 2. Even where a prior art hand pump employs a stainless steel liner, radial inconsistencies with the cross-section of the prior art interior face result in inefficiencies and spaces between the prior seal and the prior art interior face along the cross-section of the prior art interior face, because the cross-section of the liner will fluctuate radially at specific distances between top and bottom of the of the tubular section of the prior art and over the length of the prior art tubular section of the prior art hand pump.

With attention to FIGS. 5 and 6, it is observed that at the hand pump assembly lower end 27, a check valve housing 68 is threadably attached to the hand pump assembly lower end 27, below the housing assembly 8. The check valve housing 68 is mounted below the support base plate 30, and exterior to the cavity 64. The check valve housing 68 houses and contains a check valve 118. The check valve 118 is positioned in the housing 68 such that the entirety of the check valve 118 is below the lower end and outside of the body housing assembly 8. The positioning of the valve 118 outside of the housing 8 provides for ease of maintenance on components of the pump as compared to the prior art. In the prior art, such valves are positioned within the housings themselves requiring difficulty in maintenance of such valves as will be describe. However, in the pump 2 the check valve 118 is exterior to the pump body housing assembly 8. Thus, to address maintenance issues with the valve 118, an operator need only unscrew the check valve housing 68 from the base plate 30. There is no need to remove the hand pump 2 from the structural support 36, see FIG. 2, on which it is secured. By contrast, the lower check valve in the prior art hand pump is positioned inside the tubular housing of the prior art hand pump and not exterior to the prior art hand pump. Thus, maintenance issues involving the lower check valve in the prior art hand pump requires removing the pump from its support and opening the tubular housing of the prior art hand pump to access the interior of the prior art hand pump. As will be discussed, accessing the interior of prior art hand pumps is difficult compared to the hand pump 2, because the hand pumps of the prior art are sealed systems lacking a door or plate which can be moved or removed for access into the pump in a single step.

As previously disclosed, the opening 28 in top plate 72 is positioned at the upper end 16. The top plate 72 is detachable from the tubular section 20 with at least one, but preferably four, threaded fasteners extending through top plate through holes and threadably tightening into threaded bore holes in the tubular section 20. Unlike the prior hand pumps which are sealed systems lacking a door or plate which can be moved or removed for access into the pump in a single step, the detachable nature of the top plate allows for improved and easy access to and maintenance of the piston assembly 10 and interior wall face 23 in a single step. It was not contemplated in the prior art hand pumps to provide for ready access to the interior of the hand pumps because the hand pumps were designed and marketed to be replaced once maintenance issues arose in the prior art hand pumps.

By contrast, in order to conduct such maintenance on the interior of the hand pump 2, an operator has to merely remove the threaded fasteners connecting the top plate 72 to the tubular section 20 and detach or remove the top plate 72 from the tubular section 72. Upon doing so, the operator has the ability to insert the operators hand into the cavity 64 and conduct the necessary maintenance. This improved access as compared to the prior art reduces downtime for a single pump and ensures greater lifespan of the hand pump 2 as compared to the prior art.

When the top plate 72 is attached to the tubular section 20, the opening provides access to, and opens into, the cavity 64. The opening 28 is oval or rectangular in shape, with the oppositely opposed long sides of such opening 28 extending between the pour spout 24 and top plate ears, a handle support, 74 positioned on the top plate 72 opposite the pour spout 24 when the top plate is attached to the tubular section 20. The elongated design of the opening 28 allows for oscillation of the piston assembly 10 towards and away from the pour spout 24 during raising and lowering of the piston assembly 10.

With attention to FIGS. 6 to 9, the piston assembly 10 is further described. The piston assembly 10 comprises a lift rod 75, which is a cylindrical shaft made of preferably stainless steel. The lift rod 75 is defined by two opposite ends (26, 78) separated by the shaft body. The lift rod 75 is positioned in the tubular section cavity 64 with the piston assembly first end 26 located out the opening 28, see FIG. 1, and the second end 78 is positioned proximate to the piston 77, see FIG. 7. The second end 78 is a threaded end, and threadably attached to a piston 77. The piston 77 is preferably cylindrical in shape and has a shape complimenting the cross-section 29 of the cavity as defined by the annular interior wall face 23, see also FIG. 5. As a result, as later described, the piston 77 is sealable against the interior wall face 23. The cylindrical shape of the piston 77 is defined by a top cylindrical face 81 and a bottom cylindrical face 82, opposite the top face 81. An annular piston groove 83 is cut, machined or formed into the side of the cylinder of the piston 77 between the top 81 and bottom 82, and at least substantially parallel to at least one of the top 18 and bottom 82, and is a channel extending about, and formed in, the outer circumference of the cylinder of the piston 77. An x-ring seal 65 is positioned in the groove 83. The x-ring seal 65 is retained in the groove 83 because the x-ring seal outer diameter 85 is equal to or greater than the piston cylinder diameter 87, which allows for sealed communication between the x-ring seal 65 and the interior wall face 23. At least one, preferably four, liquid flow arcuate passageways 88 are cut, machined or formed into the piston 77. The passageways 88 extend from the top cylindrical face 81 to a position in the groove 83. As a result of the formed arcuate passageways 88, the groove 83 which intersects with the passageways 88 is open at the passageways 88. The x-ring seal 65, made of a firm polymeric material, retains its form and rigidity to maintain a hydraulic seal 67 between the piston 77 and the interior wall face 23, see FIG. 5. Unlike the prior art hand pumps, where the flow of liquid 4 above and below the piston occurs via a leather flap positioned central to a top or bottom face of the prior art piston, the flow of liquid 4 above and below the piston 77 of the hand pump 2 occurs at the perimeter of the cylinder 77 in proximity to the circumference of the cylinder 77 eliminating the need for replacement of an interior check valve or leather flap.

A circular opening 76 is positioned at and formed at the first end 26 of the lift rod 75. The opening 76 is annular and is a through-hole. An annular bearing 93 is removably positioned within the opening 76 such that the opening 76 and bearing 93 are concentric. The bearing 93 is positioned against an inner circumference of the opening 93.

Positioned along the lift rod 75 between the second end 78 and the first end 26 a stop 90 is positioned extending at least substantially orthogonal to the lift rod 75. The stop 90 has a dimension greater than a corresponding dimension of the opening 28 in top plate 72.

With attention to FIGS. 1 and 6, the handle assembly 12 and its relationship to the other components of the hand pump 2 is further described. The handle assembly 12 has a connection end 91, where the handle assembly 12 connects to the other components of the hand pump 2, and a handle end 92 opposite the connection end 91. The separation of the connection end 91 and the handle end 92 define a length of the handle assembly 12. The handle assembly 12 is preferably machined or formed from stainless steel. The handle end 92 is coated with poly-vinyl chloride (PVC) to form a handle grip 86. Unlike the prior art assemblies which do not have a handle grip the handle grip 86 provides for increased control of the handle assembly 12 allowing the operator to control his or her grip of the handle 12 providing for increased control of liquid flow from the pump 2 as compared to the prior art pumps. Additionally, the PVC grip 86 provides for safety. In the prior art hand pumps, repeated use whether in a hand pump race game or for a utilitarian purpose result in the metals of the prior art handle assembly becoming wet, reducing the coefficient of friction between the operator's hand and the prior art handle assembly and thus reducing the ability of the operator to grip the prior art handle assembly. In return, the operator may slip her or his hand and an injury may result. The PVC grip 86 of the hand pump assembly 12, maintains a desirable coefficient of friction required for the operator to maintain a grip on the handle and safely control the handle 12 and hand pump 2. Finally, the prior art hand pumps are contemplated to have a short life span and built to maximize such, to the expense of safety. Thus, hand grips were not deemed necessary or important in the prior art due to the potential added expense in light of the fact such hand pumps would be regularly replaced.

The connection end 91 has at least one, and preferably two first connection pivot holes 94. The pivot holes 94 are aligned with the modified circular opening 76, as provided with the concentric relationship of the opening 76 and the bearing 93. Bushings 98, made of a friction reducing material e.g. brass, are respectively positioned between the pivot holes 94 and the modified opening 76 of the first end 26 in axial alignment with the combination of the modified opening 76 and the pivot holes 94. A bolt, or other connector, is inserted through the combination of the modified opening 76 and the pivot holes 94, and bushing 98, and secured with a nut or other mechanism. The application of the bearing 93 as described provides for reduced friction when the handle is pivoted. The reduced friction between the first end 26 and the bolt, or other connector, reduces wear on the first end 26 and bolt increasing the lifespan of operation of the hand pump 2. The prior art hand pumps lack a bearing positioned as described, because the prior art hand pumps are understood to last a limited amount of time before failure and with the understanding that such a hand pump would be replaced multiple times during a season or year. Thus, a need to have a bearing 93, as described in the hand pump 2, did not exist for the prior art hand pumps. Alternatively, a bushing 98 may be used in place of the bearing 93.

Between the connection end 91 and the handle 92, and preferably in close proximity to the handle end 92, a pivot point 95 is positioned. The pivot point 95 comprises a pivot through hole 96. Washers are positioned adjacent to, and concentric with respect to, the through hole 96. Preferably two washers are positioned on either side of the through hole 96. The pivot point 95 communicates with the handle support 74. Extending away from the lower end 18, opposite the pour spout 24, the handle support 74 comprises one, preferably two, handle support through holes. At least one, preferably two bushings 98 are placed within and concentric with respect to the handle support through holes. Alternatively, the bushings applied to the through holes may be placed adjacent to the through holes. The rotational communication of the pivot through hole 96/washers combination and the handle support through hole/bushing 98 combination is provided such that the pivot through hole 96/bushing 98 combination and the handle support through hole/bushing 98 combination are in axial alignment and pivot through hole 96 and handle support through hole are concentric. A bolt, or other connector, is inserted through the opening provided by the axial alignment, which is secured with a nut or other mechanism. The bushings 98 provide for reduced friction between at least two of the following, the pivot point 95, the bolt, the handle 12 and the handle support 74, when the handle 12 is rotated. It is understood bearings 93 may be substituted for the bushings 98.

With attention to FIGS. 10A to 10D, the hand pump 2 is further described. As illustrated in FIG. 10A, the hand pump 2 is in a first position 99. As such the handle end 92 is in close proximity to the body housing assembly 8, diametrically opposite to the pour support 24 from the perspective of the body housing 8. The handle end 92 is at a terminal position with respect to the housing 8, and not touching the housing 8, and will not advance farther towards the housing 8. This terminal positioning of the handle end 92 is due to the stop 90 contacting the underside of the top plate 72. The piston assembly 10 is in a static position with the piston 77 positioned in the tubular section cavity 64.

As illustrated in FIG. 10B, the handle 12, specifically the handle end 92, is lifted in an upward direction 100. This movement in the upward direction 100 of the handle results in the lowering of the piston assembly 10. The lowering of the piston assembly 10 results in a pressure differential in the cavity 64 between a first pressure in the upper volume 102 above the piston 77 and a second pressure in the lower volume 103 below the piston 77, where the pressure in the lower volume 103 is greater than the first pressure in the upper volume 102. This pressure differential results in the check valve 118 remaining closed due to an analogous pressure differential around the check valve 118. This pressure differential between the upper volume 102 and the lower volume 103 causes the x-ring seal 65 to be slidably positioned at the upper ledge 104 of the grove 83, where the upper ledge 104 defines the upper boundary of the groove 83 and restricts movement of the x-ring seal 65 upward and restricts movement of the x-ring seal 65 out of the groove 83. The position of the x-ring seal 65 at the upper ledge 104 allows for transfer of fluid 4 from the lower volume 103 through an opening between the lower ledge 105 of the groove 83, which is vertically opposite and lower than the upper ledge 104 to define the lower boundary of groove 83, and the x-ring seal 65 and into each respective arcuate passageway 89. With the passageways 89 having additional openings at the cylinder top face 81, the liquid 4 transfers through the passageways 89 into the upper volume 102. Thus, liquid 4 in the cavity 64 is transferred from the lower volume 103 to the upper volume 102 through the position of the x-ring seal 65 and not a check valve or leather flap as is taught in the prior art. The movement of fluid upward 106 into the upper volume 102 continues until the handle 12 is raised 100 to an upper terminal position, as illustrated in FIG. 10C.

As illustrated in FIG. 10D, the handle 12, specifically the handle end 92, is lowered 107 eventually returning to a position as illustrated in FIG. 10A. The lowering movement 107 of the handle raises 108 the piston assembly 10. This upward motion 108 of the piston 77 and lowering motion of the handle 107 positions the x-ring seal 65 on the lower edge 105 of the circumferential groove 83. Thus, a volumetric space for liquid 4 to flow into the passageways 89 is covered and blocked by the x-ring seal 65. Further, a peripheral edge 109 of an upper angled arm of the x-ring seal 65 becomes sealed against the interior wall face 23 about the entire cylinder circumference of the cylinder 77, preventing flow of liquid between the volumes (102, 103).

As illustrated in FIGS. 8, 9 and 10D, the x-ring seal 65 has a nearly square cross-section with inward arcuate bends along each face forming arms ending at each respective corner. With two arms, an upper arm and a lower arm, defining an outer circumference on outer side of the x-ring seal 65. And the remaining two arms defining an inner circumference on the inner side of the x-ring seal 65. The lower edge of the upper arm outer arm 109 contacts the interior wall face 23 to provide the hydraulic seal. O-rings, and valve mechanisms, of the prior art pumps are unable to both retain water and allow the cylinder to sealably slide along the interior wall face. The x-ring seal 65 is self-lubricated preventing from any rolling out of the position in the pump 2.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 10D, the upward motion 108 advances the liquid 4 in the upper volume 102 to and out the opening 22, 110. The liquid 4 proceeds into the trough 44 and advances the floating duck 6, or other buoyant item, in the race 32. As noted, the trough 44 is adjustable via the adjustable trough support assembly 14.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 10D, in the upward motion 108, the stop 90 advances upward in direction 108. However, because stop 90 has an outer dimension greater than a corresponding dimension of the opening 28, the stop 90 contacts the underside of the top plate. This contact stops the upward motion 108 of the cylinder 77. The stop 90 further halts the motion of the handle end 92. This prevents an operator from inadvertently advancing the handle to far downward 107. In the prior art, a stop is not present thus injury to an operator can result from moving the handle downward to the point the handle end is in such proximity to the tubular section to pinch the operator's hand between the handle end and the tubular section. Safety is a feature not contemplated in prior art hand pumps for they were designed for utilitarian purposes and repurposed for recreational activities.

As demonstrated above, the present invention 2 provides an improved hand pump 2. The invention 2 provides an all stainless steel construction for corrosion resistance. The invention 2 combines an improved handle 12 with a PVC grip 86, with an improved piston assembly 10 which employs a vertically positionable x-ring seal 65 and not flaps or check vales to transfer water between an upper volume 102 and a lower volume 103 of the tubular section 8 of the hand pump cavity 64. The hand pump 2 further provides for a removable top plate 72 for ease of maintenance of the tubular section 8 and the piston assembly 10. Additionally, the hand pump 2 employs bearings 93 and bushings 98 at pivot points in the hand pump 2 for ease of movement of the handle 12 and piston assembly 10, and for the goal of increased longevity of the piston assembly 10 as compared to the life span of prior art hand pumps. The hand pump 2 employs a stop 90 on the piston assembly 10 for increased safety in operation as compared to the prior art hand pumps. Finally, the hand pump 2 provides for an adjustable trough support assembly 14. These features of the hand pump 2 are combined to provide for an improved hand pump 2 in efficiency, longevity and safety as compared to the prior art, and were not necessary for the prior art hand pumps in light of the fact the prior art hand pumps were utilitarian in purposes and merely reapplied without alteration for recreational purposes with the anticipation such pumps were continuously replaced.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Furthermore, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described. While the preferred embodiment has been described, the details may be changed without departing from the invention.

IMPROVED HAND PUMP ASSEMBLY

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Provisional Applications (1)