IP Library Granted Patent US 8,616,235
Granted Patent B2
US 8,616,235 · App. 13/006,672 · Granted Dec 31, 2013

Valves

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,616,235
App. No.
13/006,672
Granted
Dec 31, 2013
Kind
B2
Abstract

Valves, and particularly check valves, are detailed. The valves may isolate a spring or other biasing member from flowing fluid so as to reduce the possibility of damage to the spring caused, for example, by chemicals contained in the fluid. In some versions of the valves, the spring may be positioned within a cavity of a cover sealed from the fluid.

Claims (25)

1. A valve comprising:

a. a diverter member (i) movable between an open position facilitating fluid flow therebeyond and a closed position inhibiting fluid flow therebeyond and (ii) comprising a flapper having a plurality of bores;

b. means, (i) indirectly connected to the diverter member and (ii) isolated from the fluid flow, for biasing the diverter member toward the closed position;

c. a bail configured to contact the flapper at times during use;

d. a pin received by (i) the bores of the flapper and (ii) bores of the bail; and

e. a pivot link connected to (i) the biasing means and (ii) the pin.

2. A valve according to claim 1 further comprising a cover having a cavity therein and in which the biasing means is placed inside the cavity.

3. A valve according to claim 2 in which (i) the biasing means comprises a coil spring and (ii) the cover comprises a plurality of bores.

4. A valve according to claim 2 further comprising means for covering the cavity.

5. A valve comprising:

a. a diverter member (i) movable between an open position facilitating fluid flow therebeyond and a closed position inhibiting fluid flow therebeyond and (ii) comprising a flapper having a plurality of bores;

b. means, (i) indirectly connected to the diverter member, (ii) isolated from the fluid flow, and (iii) comprising a coil spring, for biasing the diverter member toward the closed position;

c. a cover (i) comprising a plurality of bores and (ii) having a cavity therein, and in which the biasing means is placed inside the cavity;

d. a pin received by the bores of (i) the flapper and (ii) the cover;

e. a pivot link connected to (i) the coil spring and (ii) the pin; and

f. a plurality of seals configured to receive the pin on opposite sides of the pivot link.

6. A check valve configured for use as part of a water-recirculation system of a swimming pool, spa, or hot tub, the valve comprising:

a. a cover configured for attachment to a housing and comprising (i) a plurality of bores and (ii) a cavity isolatable from water of the water-recirculation system;

b. a flapper from which at least one arm extends, the at least one arm comprising a bore;

c. a coil spring having (i) a first end anchored within the cavity and (ii) a second end;

d. means, comprising a covering section, for covering the cavity;

e. a pivot link connected to the second end of the coil spring;

f. a pin (i) received by the bores of the cover and the at least one arm, (ii) connected to the pivot link, and (iii) having D-shaped ends;

g. a plurality of seals (i) receiving the pin and (ii) positioned on opposite sides of the pivot link; and

h. a bail comprising a plurality of legs, each leg defining a D-Shaped bore for snugly receiving a D-shaped end of the pin.

Assignments (12)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Feb 3, 2022
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
To: AQUA PRODUCTS, INC.; COVER-POOLS INCORPORATED; ZODIAC POOL SYSTEMS LLC; ZODIAC POOL SYSTEMS. INC.
Reel/Frame 058982/0912 →
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT ASSIGNMENT Recorded Feb 1, 2022
From: CREDIT SUISSE INTERNATIONAL
To: HSBC BANK USA, N.A.
Reel/Frame 058922/0901 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jul 26, 2018
From: ZODIAC POOL SYSTEMS, INC.
To: ZODIAC POOL SYSTEMS LLC
Reel/Frame 046634/0267 →
PATENT RELEASE (SECOND LIEN) Recorded Jul 5, 2018
From: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH
To: COVER-POOLS INCORPORATED; ZODIAC POOL SYSTEMS LLC (FORMERLY KNOWN AS ZODIAC POOL SYSTEMS, INC.); ZODIAC POOL SOLUTIONS LLC (AS SUCCESSOR IN INTEREST TO ZODIAC POOL SOLUTIONS NORTH AMERICA, INC.)
Reel/Frame 046492/0037 →
ABL INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jul 5, 2018
From: COVER-POOLS INCORPORATED; ZODIAC POOL SYSTEMS LLC; AQUA PRODUCTS, INC.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
Reel/Frame 046500/0291 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 5, 2018
From: COVER-POOLS INCORPORATED; ZODIAC POOL SYSTEMS LLC; AQUA PRODUCTS, INC.
To: CREDIT SUISSE INTERNATIONAL
Reel/Frame 046622/0001 →
PATENT RELEASE (FIRST LIEN) Recorded Jul 5, 2018
From: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH
To: COVER-POOLS INCORPORATED; ZODIAC POOL SYSTEMS LLC (FORMERLY KNOWN AS ZODIAC POOL SYSTEMS, INC.); ZODIAC POOL SOLUTIONS LLC (AS SUCCESSOR IN INTEREST TO ZODIAC POOL SOLUTIONS NORTH AMERICA, INC.)
Reel/Frame 047248/0655 →
PATENT RELEASE (ABL) Recorded Jul 5, 2018
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
To: COVER-POOLS INCORPORATED; ZODIAC POOL SYSTEMS LLC (FORMERLY KNOWN AS ZODIAC POOL SYSTEMS, INC.); ZODIAC POOL SOLUTIONS LLC (AS SUCCESSOR IN INTEREST TO ZODIAC POOL SOLUTIONS NORTH AMERICA, INC.)
Reel/Frame 046492/0026 →
ABL INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jan 13, 2017
From: COVER-POOLS INCORPORATED; ZODIAC POOL SYSTEMS, INC.; ZODIAC POOL SOLUTIONS NORTH AMERICA, INC.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
Reel/Frame 041357/0001 →
SECOND LIEN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jan 13, 2017
From: COVER-POOLS INCORPORATED; ZODIAC POOL SYSTEMS, INC.; ZODIAC POOL SOLUTIONS NORTH AMERICA, INC.
To: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH
Reel/Frame 041365/0640 →
FIRST LIEN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jan 13, 2017
From: COVER-POOLS INCORPORATED; ZODIAC POOL SYSTEMS, INC.; ZODIAC POOL SOLUTIONS NORTH AMERICA, INC.
To: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH
Reel/Frame 041368/0519 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 15, 2011
From: MASKELL, BRUCE W.
To: ZODIAC POOL SYSTEMS, INC.
Reel/Frame 025953/0038 →