Apparatus for coupling pressurized water supply to recreational vehicle fresh water fill port
View Patent ↗An apparatus for coupling a pressurized water supply to a recreational vehicle (RV) fresh water fill port is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a housing with a bayonet connector adapted to engage the RV fill port, a venturi tube within the housing for accelerating water flow, and a plurality of vent ports fluidly connected to the venturi tube for venting excess pressurized water. A deflection shroud extends from the housing to redirect vented water away from the user. The vent ports have a combined flow capacity greater than the maximum flow rate of the water supply, ensuring leak-free operation. The invention may include features such as radially positioned vent ports, a deflection shroud, UV-resistant polymer construction, a sealing gasket, and a textured deflection shroud surface. An alternative embodiment describes a coupling device for transferring pressurized water to a gravity-filled tank, incorporating a passive overpressure prevention system.
1 . A coupling device for transferring pressurized water from a hose to a gravity-filled tank, comprising:
a. a connector body having:
i. a hose-receiving portion with a fitting compatible with a standard garden hose or fresh water hose,
ii. a tank-connecting portion with a releasable bayonet mount adapted to engage a fill port of the gravity-filled tank,
iii. a main conduit fluidly connecting the hose-receiving portion to the tank-connecting portion;
b. a passive overpressure prevention system integrated into the connector body, including:
i. at least one vent aperture fluidly coupled to the main conduit, the vent apertures configured to open and release water when pressure in the main conduit exceeds a threshold,
ii. a deflector extending from the connector body adjacent to the vent apertures, the deflector positioned to intercept and redirect water released from the vent apertures; and
c. wherein the vent apertures have a total flow capacity exceeding a maximum flow deliverable by a garden hose attachable to the hose-receiving portion, such that the main conduit remains substantially unpressurized.
2 . The coupling device of claim 1 , wherein the vent apertures are positioned radially around the main conduit.
3 . The coupling device of claim 2 , wherein the deflector is configured to direct released water downward and away from the bayonet mount.
4 . The coupling device of claim 3 , wherein the connector body is constructed from a UV-resistant polymer material.
5 . The coupling device of claim 3 , further comprising a built-in lanyard hole for securing the coupling device during use.
6 . The coupling device of claim 3 , wherein the main conduit has a venturi tube with a converging-diverging nozzle shape to accelerate water flow from the hose-receiving portion to the tank-connecting portion.
7 . The coupling device of claim 3 , wherein the bayonet mount includes a sealing gasket to prevent leakage at the connection with the fill port of the gravity-filled tank.
8 . The coupling device of claim 3 , wherein the deflector has a textured outer surface to improve grip during attachment and removal of the coupling device.