Water dispensing system for vehicles

Abstract

A water dispensing system adapted for fully integrated installation within a vehicle for use in a wide variety of water dispensing applications and uses is disclosed. The system includes a water storage tank, a pump having an inlet in fluid communication with the water storage tank, a water hose having an inlet in fluid communication with the pump outlet, and a manually actuated flow control nozzle in fluid communication with the hose outlet. A vehicle fuel tank is partitioned so as to provide dual compartments capable of holding both fuel for the vehicle, and water for use with the system. The pump is preferably electrically connected to the vehicles electric power system. In an alternate embodiment, a compressed gas functions as the pumping source thereby eliminating the need for an electric pump. It has been found that using a partitioned tank to hold both water and fuel results in heating the water thereby providing the user with a source of warm water for use in any of a wide variety of purposes, such as washing the vehicle, bathing, and fire extinguishing.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

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STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

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COPYRIGHT NOTICE

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyrights rights whatsoever.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to water dispensing systems, and more particularly, to a vehicle-mounted water dispensing system for permanent installation and full integration into a vehicle for the purposes of washing and fire extinguishing by delivering water expelled under high-pressure.

2. Description of Related Art

Pressurized water dispensing systems are relatively common. Attempts have been made to minimize the weight of these systems and make them portable. Accordingly, the prior art reveals a number of smaller portable pressure washing systems known to incorporate lighter motors, thereby providing a significantly less powerful stream of water than may often be desired for a given purpose. One application and desired use for a pressurized water dispensing system is for washing vehicles such as trucks and motor homes that require frequent cleaning of dirt and insects. These devices remain heavy, however, particularly when filled with water and fully fueled.

Because of the aforementioned shortcomings of the prior art in this field, there is a need for a pressurized water dispensing system for use with vehicles such as trucks, which can be permanently mounted and incorporated within such vehicles eliminating the burdensome transportation, unpacking, and setting up required by the portable systems of prior art.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention overcomes the limitations and disadvantages in the art by providing a water dispensing system adapted for fully integrated installation within a vehicle. The system includes a water storage tank, a pump having an inlet in fluid communication with the water storage tank, a water hose having an inlet in fluid communication with the pump outlet, and a manually actuated flow control nozzle in fluid communication with the hose outlet. In a preferred embodiment, the vehicle fuel tank is partitioned so as to provide dual compartments capable of holding both fuel for the vehicle, and water for use with the system. The pump is preferably electrically connected to the vehicles electric power system. In an alternate embodiment, a compressed gas functions as the pumping source thereby eliminating the need for an electric pump. It has been found that using a partitioned tank to hold both water and fuel results in heating the water thereby providing the user with a source of warm water for use in any of a wide variety of purposes, such as washing the vehicle, bathing, and fire extinguishing.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved portable water dispensing system.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a water dispensing system adapted for full integration within a vehicle.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle mounted water dispensing system wherein water is contained within a partitioned fuel tank.

In accordance with these and other objects, which will become apparent hereinafter, the instant invention will now be described with particular reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1 and 2 are perspective views of a truck adapted with a water dispensing system in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a partial detail view of the water dispensing system;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the truck adapted with the water dispensing system depicting a detailed view of the hose and manually actuated flow control nozzle;

FIGS. 5 and 6 are partial perspective views of the mounting configuration for the tank and pump components;

FIG. 7 is a schematic representation of the system;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a vehicle adapted with an alternate embodiment fire extinguishing system; and

FIG. 9 is a schematic thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference now to the drawings, FIGS. 1-8 depict a vehicle 10, adapted with a water dispensing system, generally referenced as 20, fully integrated and installed within vehicle 10. Water dispensing system 20 generally includes a tank 30, a pump 40, a hose 50, and a flow control nozzle 60. In a preferred embodiment, tank 30 comprises a partitioned fuel tank of the type commonly found on commercial trucking vehicles. Accordingly, tank 30 includes first and second internal fluid tight compartments, generally referenced as 32 and 34, adapted for holding liquids. First and second compartments, 32 and 34, typically contain fuel and hydraulic fluid. It has been found, however, that truckers hauling loads rarely use the hydraulic compartment. Accordingly, the present invention makes use of the hydraulic fluid compartment 32 to store water.

The present invention further includes a means of pressuring the water for dispensing. In a preferred embodiment an electric pump 40 is disclosed. Pump 40 is preferably an electrically powered centrifugal pump, having an inlet pipe 42 in fluid communication with the water filled compartment 32 of tank 30. Pump 40 further includes an outlet 44 adapted for connection to an inlet 52 of flexible hose 50. Pump 40 is further connected to a suitable power source, such as the vehicle battery 12, by a manual switch 46. Switch 46 is preferably mounted on vehicle 10 within proximity to a storage 14 compartment for pump 40 and hose 50. Hose 50 is preferably sufficiently flexible to allow for ease of use and coiled storage, while being sufficiently strong to contain pressurized water provided thereto by pump 40. Pump 40 is preferably an electrically powered centrifugal pump, electrically connected to a suitable power source such as the vehicle battery 12 as shown in FIG. 7. In an alternate embodiment, pump 40 may be replaced by a source of compressed gas in fluid communication with fluid compartment 32 so as to force water from the compartment by pressure.

As discussed above, hose 50 has an inlet 52 in fluid communication with pump outlet 44, and further includes a hose outlet 54 adapted for mating connection with a manually actuated flow control nozzle 60. Manually actuated flow control nozzle 60 is preferably a normally closed flow control device including a pistol grip structure having an inlet 62 adapted for connection to hose outlet 54, an outlet 64 adapted for emitting a spray of liquid, a handle 66, and a manual actuator 68.

Thus, to use the system, the user first fills fluid compartment 32 with water, then activates pump 40 by closing on/off switch 46 thereby providing a pressurized flow of water to hose 50 and manually actuated flow control nozzle 60. The user is then able to direct a controlled stream of water from flow control nozzle 60 by manual actuation of actuator 68. It has been found that using a partitioned tank to hold both water and fuel results in heating the water thereby providing the user with a source of warm water for use in any of a wide variety of purposes, such as washing the vehicle, bathing, and fire extinguishing.

FIGS. 8 and 9 depict an alternate embodiment, generally referenced as 70, for use in extinguishing vehicle fires. In this embodiment, a pressure vessel 72 adapted with a charge valve 73 is mounted within the vehicle. Pressure vessel 72 is filled with a suitable extinguishing agent, such as water or foam, and then pressurized with a pressurizing agent, such as air or any other suitable gas. Pressure vessel 72 is in fluid communication with a conduit 74 having at least one fire sprinkler head module 76. A heat sensor integrated within module 76, controls the discharge of the fire extinguishing agent from pressure vessel 72 in response to temperature. In addition, the system may further include an integrated impact sensor (e.g. accelerometer) to activate the device in response to impact. The primary purpose of this embodiment is to provide a system capable of automatic actuation in the event of a vehicle fire.

The water dispensing system according to the present invention functions to dispense pressurized water for a variety of purposes. It has been found that using a partitioned vehicle fuel tank, and particularly a compartment thereof designed to contain hydraulic fluid, as a water tank provides a tank suitable for storing a sufficient volume of water for use in a wide variety of applications.

The instant invention has been shown and described herein in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A vehicle fluid dispensing system for installation within a vehicle, said system comprising: a fluid tank; a pump having an inlet in fluid communication with said fluid tank and an outlet; said pump electrically connected to a power source; an on/off control switch for activating said pump; a hose having a first end in fluid communication with said pump outlet and a second end; and a flow control nozzle in fluid communication with said hose second end.

2. A vehicle fluid dispensing system according to claim 1, wherein said water tank comprises a fuel tank with an internal partition forming first and second liquid tight compartments.

3. A vehicle fluid dispensing system according to claim 1, wherein said flow control nozzle is manually actuated.

4. A vehicle fluid dispensing system according to claim 1, wherein said flow control nozzle comprises a fire sprinkler.

5. A vehicle fluid dispensing system for installation within a vehicle, said system comprising: a pressure vessel having an inlet and an outlet, said pressure vessel at least partially filled with a fluid and pressurized; said outlet in fluid communication with a conduit; said conduit in fluid communication with a normally closed valve having an outlet, said valve incorporating means for opening said valve in response to impact; at least one normally closed sprinkler in fluid communication with said valve outlet, said sprinkler including means for opening said sprinkler in response to heat.