Water filter abstract
A pipe mounting apparatus for a water filter includes a first half
body with a top, a first pipe assembly, a second half body with
a top, a second pipe assembly and a mounting bracket. The first
pipe assembly is formed on the top of the first half body and has
a pump inlet and a pump outlet. The second half body is attached
to the first half body. Likewise, the second pipe assembly is formed
on the top of the second half body and communicates with the first
pipe assembly to form a water filtering loop. The mounting bracket
is mounted over the two half bodies to support a booster pump. Consequently,
the booster pump will be quickly and easily connected to the pump
inlet and the pump outlet with fittings or pipes to pump the water
into the water filter.
Water filter claims
What is claimed is:
1. A pipe mounting apparatus for a water filter, and the pipe mounting
apparatus comprising: a first half board assembly comprising a first
half body having a top, a bottom, a front, a rear and two opposite
sides; a first filter mounting device formed on the bottom of the
first half body and comprising a first housing mounting seat with
an inside formed from the bottom of the first half body; a first
filter mounting seat with an inside formed on the bottom of the
first half body in the inside of the first housing mounting seat;
a second housing mounting seat with an inside formed on the bottom
of the first half body; and a second filter mounting seat with an
inside formed on the bottom of the first half body in the inside
of the second housing mounting seat; a first pipe assembly formed
on the top of the first half body and comprising a water inlet pipe
formed on the top of the first half body and having a supply water
inlet and an inside opening communicating with the inside of the
first housing mounting seat; a first longitudinal pipe formed from
the front to the rear on the top of the first half body and having
a pump outlet and an inside opening, the first longitudinal pipe
communicating with the inside of the first filter mounting seat;
a pump outlet pipe formed on the top of the first half body and
having a pump outlet and an inside opening communicating with the
inside of the second housing mounting seat, the pump outlet pipe
communicating with the inside opening of the first longitudinal
pipe; a switch recess with a bottom defined through the top of the
first half body and communicating with the inside of the second
filter mounting seat; and a first connecting pipe formed adjacent
to the switch recess and having an upper channel and a lower channel,
the upper channel communicating with the switch recess at an upside
position and the lower channel communicating with the switch recess
through the bottom; a differential pressure switch mounted in the
switch recess; and a first mounting assembly formed on the top of
the first half body; and a second half board assembly coupled to
the first half board assembly and comprising a second half body
attached to the first half body and having a top, a bottom, a front,
a rear and two opposite sides; a second filter mounting device formed
on the bottom of the second half body and comprising a third housing
mounting seat with an inside formed on the bottom of the second
half body; a third filter mounting seat formed with an inside on
the bottom of the second half body in the inside of the third mounting
seat; a fourth housing mounting seat with an inside formed on the
bottom of the second half body; and a fourth filter mounting seat
with an inside formed on the bottom of the second half body in the
inside of the fourth housing mounting seat; a second pipe assembly
formed on the top of the second half body and comprising a second
connecting pipe formed on the top of the second half body and communicating
with the first connecting pipe in the first pipe assembly, the second
connecting pipe having an upper channel and a lower channel, where
the upper channel in the second connecting pipe communicates with
the upper channel in the first connecting pipe and the inside of
the third filter mounting seat, and the lower channel in the second
connecting pipe communicates with the lower channel in the first
connecting pipe and the inside of the third housing mounting seat;
a second longitudinal pipe formed on the top from the front to the
rear of the second half body and having a preformed outlet and an
inside opening communicating with the inside of the third filter
mounting seat, the second longitudinal pipe communicating with the
inside of the fourth housing mounting seat; a drain pipe formed
on the top of the second half body and having a drain outlet and
an inside opening communicating with the inside of the third housing
mounting seat; a tank pipe formed on the top of the second half
body and having a tank outlet and an inside opening communicating
with second longitudinal pipe; and a water outlet pipe formed on
the top of the second half body and having a water outlet and an
inside opening communicating with the inside of the fourth filter
mounting seat; and a second mounting assembly formed on the top
of the second half body.
2. The pipe mounting apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further comprising
a shut-off valve mounting recess defined through the top of the
first half body corresponding to the first housing mounting seat
and communicating with the inside of the first housing mounting
seat; a flood switch mounting recess defined through the top of
the second half body and communicating with the inside of the fourth
housing mounting seat; and a wire guide device formed on the top
at one side of the first half body opposite to the connecting pipe
and comprising a guide seat and an end plate, the guide seat formed
on the top of the first half body and the end plate attached to
the guide seat.
3. The pipe mounting apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein the
first mounting assembly comprises multiple first supporting posts
protruded from the top of the first half body and each of the first
supporting posts has a screw hole; the second mounting assembly
comprises multiple second supporting posts protrudes from the top
of the second half body, and each of the second supporting posts
has a screw hole; and a mounting bracket supported by the first
and the second supporting posts and has a top adapted for bearing
a booster pump.
4. The pipe mounting apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein the
first mounting assembly further has multiple mounting recesses defined
at one side of the first half body for mounting the second half
body; and the second mounting assembly further has multiple mounting
ears formed at one side of the second half body corresponding to
the mounting recesses in the first half body and each mounting ear
has a threaded hole and is held in a corresponding one of the mounting
recesses to be fastened by means of a fastener.
5. The pipe mounting apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein each
of the first, second, third and fourth housing mounting seats further
has an exterior thread for mounting a filter housing.
6. The pipe mounting apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the
first mounting assembly has multiple mounting recesses defined at
one side of the first half body for mounting the second half body;
and the second mounting assembly has multiple mounting ears formed
at one side of the second half body corresponding to the mounting
recesses in the first half body and each mounting ear has a threaded
hole and is held in a corresponding one of the mounting recesses
to be fastened by means of a fastener.
7. The pipe mounting apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein each
of the first, second, third and fourth housing mounting seats further
has an exterior thread for mounting a filter housing.
Water filter description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a pipe mounting apparatus
for a water filter, and more particularly to a pipe mounting apparatus
that is suitable for do-it-yourself (DIY) users.
[0003] 2. Description of Related Art
[0004] Water filters are used to remove contaminating substances
from water being prepared for drinking. A water filter typically
has a booster pump, and differential pressure switches and filters
to control the flow of the water and remove the pollutants of the
water. For example, a reverse osmosis (R. O.) water filter generally
has at least two filters. It is inconvenient for a user to assemble
all the parts of the R.O. water filter that include the filters,
water tanks, connecting pipes etc. together.
[0005] Furthermore, if the home water pressure is lower than 60
psi (pounds per square inch) in supply lines, the water filter will
need a booster pump to make the water enter the water filter. However,
a conventional water filter does not have any water inlet and outlet
being preformed for the booster pump and so a user would experience
difficulty trying to install the booster pump to the water filter.
The installation of the booster pump always needs a specialist person,
such as a plumber to do the job. Otherwise, an error might occur,
especially where the pipes are connected improperly such that the
water filter will have no function.
[0006] To overcome the shortcomings, the present invention provides
a pipe mounting apparatus for a water filter to mitigate or obviate
the aforementioned problems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The main object of the invention is to provide a pipe mounting
apparatus for a water filter such that a DIY user can easily and
quickly install a booster pump for the water filter.
[0008] The pipe mounting apparatus is accomplished with use of
a first half board assembly, a second half board assembly and a
mounting bracket. The first half board assembly is coupled to the
second half board assembly and comprises a first half body and a
first pipe assembly. The first half body has a top and a bottom.
The first pipe assembly is formed on the top of the first half body
and has a pump inlet, a pump outlet and a water inlet for being
conveniently connected to a booster pump. Likewise, the second half
board assembly has a second half body and a second pipe assembly.
The second half body is attached to the first half body and has
a top and a bottom. The second pipe assembly is formed on the top
of the second half body and has a drain outlet, a water outlet and
a tank outlet for being quickly connected to the other components
of the water filter, such as pressurized water tanks, faucets or
the like. The first pipe assembly communicates with the second pipe
assembly to form a water filtering loop. The mounting bracket is
mounted over the first and the second half bodies to support a booster
pump. Consequently, the booster pump will be quickly and easily
connected to the first pipe assembly through the pump inlet and
outlet by means of fittings or kits.
[0009] Other objects, advantages and novel features of the invention
will become more apparent from the following detailed description
when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a pipe mounting
apparatus in accordance with the present invention;
[0011] FIG. 2 is an operational, exploded perspective view of a
water filter with the pipe mounting apparatus shown in FIG. 1;
[0012] FIG. 3 is an operational perspective view of the water filter
in FIG. 2;
[0013] FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the pipe mounting apparatus
in FIG. 1;
[0014] FIG. 5 is a cross sectional plan view of the pipe mounting
apparatus along 5-5 line in FIG. 4;
[0015] FIG. 6 is a cross sectional plan view of the pipe mounting
apparatus along 6-6 line in FIG. 4;
[0016] FIG. 7 is a cross sectional plan view of the pipe mounting
apparatus along 7-7 line in FIG. 4;
[0017] FIG. 8 is a cross sectional plan view of the pipe mounting
apparatus along 8-8 line in FIG. 4;
[0018] FIG. 9 is a cross sectional plan view of the pipe mounting
apparatus along 9-9 line in FIG. 4;
[0019] FIG. 10 is a cross sectional plan view of the pipe mounting
apparatus along 10-10 line in FIG. 4; and
[0020] FIG. 11 is a cross sectional plan view of the pipe mounting
apparatus along 11-11 line in FIG. 4.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0021] With reference to FIGS. 1 2 and 4 a pipe mounting apparatus
(1) in accordance with the present invention comprises a first half
board assembly (not numbered), a second half board assembly (not
numbered), end plugs (70), resilient clamps (71) and connecting
elbows (72).
[0022] The first half board assembly is coupled to the second half
board assembly and comprises a first half body (10), a first filter
mounting device (not numbered), a first pipe assembly (not numbered),
a differential pressure switch (161) and a first mounting assembly
(mot numbered). The first half body (10) has a top (not numbered),
a bottom (not numbered), a front (not numbered), a rear (not numbered)
and two opposite sides (not numbered). The first filter mounting
device is formed on the bottom of the first half body (10) and comprises
a first housing mounting seat (11) with an inside (not numbered)
and an exterior thread (not numbered), a first filter mounting seat
(not numbered), a second housing mounting seat (12) with an inside
(not numbered) and an exterior thread (not numbered) and a second
filter mounting seat (not numbered). The first and the second housing
mounting seats (11 12) are each adapted to mount with a respective
one of a group of filter housings (60). The first filter mounting
seat is formed inside the first housing mounting seat (11) and has
an inside (not numbered) adapted to attach with a filtering core
(not numbered). Likewise, the second filter mounting seat is formed
inside the second housing mounting seat (12) and has an inside (not
numbered) adapted to attach with a filtering core (not numbered).
[0023] The first pipe assembly is formed on the top of the first
half body (10) and comprises a water inlet pipe (13), a first longitudinal
pipe (14), a pump outlet pipe (15), a switch recess (16) and a first
connecting pipe (17).
[0024] With further reference to FIGS. 5 and 6 the water inlet
pipe (13) has a supply water inlet (131) and an inside opening (not
numbered) that communicates with the inside of the first housing
mounting seat (11). The first longitudinal pipe (14) is formed from
the front to the rear on the top of the first half body (10) and
has a pump outlet (141) and an inside opening (not numbered). Also,
the first longitudinal pipe (14) communicates with the inside of
the first filter mounting seat like a tee fitting.
[0025] With further reference to FIG. 7 the pump outlet pipe (15)
has a pump outlet (151) and an inside opening (not numbered) that
communicates with the inside of the second housing mounting seat
(12). Also, the pump outlet pipe (15) communicates with the inside
opening of the first longitudinal pipe (14).
[0026] With reference to FIG. 6 the switch recess (16) is defined
through the top of the first half body (10) and communicates with
the inside of the second filter mounting seat. The switch recess
(16) has a bottom (not numbered). The differential pressure switch
(161), which is conventional, is mounted in the switch recess (16).
[0027] With further reference to FIG. 8 the first connecting pipe
(17) is formed adjacent to the switch recess (16) and has an upper
channel (171) and a lower channel (172). The upper channel (171)
communicates with the switch recess (16) at an upside position.
The lower channel (172) communicates with the switch recess (16)
through the bottom.
[0028] With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 the first mounting assembly
is formed on the top of the first half body (10) and comprises multiple
first supporting posts (101), mounting recesses (102), a shut-off
vale mounting recess (18) and a wire guide device (not numbered).
The first supporting posts (101) protrude from the top of the first
half body (10) and each of the first supporting posts (101) has
a screw hole (not numbered). The mounting recesses (102) are defined
at one side of the first half body (10) for mounting the second
half board assembly. With further reference to FIG. 5 the shut-off
valve mounting recess (18) is defined through the top of the first
half body (10) and corresponds to the first housing mounting seat
(11) to communicate with the inside of the first housing mounting
seat (11). The wire guide device is formed on the top at one side
of the first half body (10) opposite to the first connecting pipe
(17) and comprises a guide seat (80) and an end plate (81). The
guide seat (80) is formed on the top of the first body half (10).
The end plate (81) is attached to the guide seat (80) such that
the wire guide device will hold wires of a booster pump in position.
[0029] With reference to FIGS. 1 2 and 4 the second half board
assembly comprises a second half body (20), a second filter mounting
device (not numbered), a second pipe assembly (not numbered) and
a second mounting assembly (mot numbered). The second half body
(20) has a top (not numbered), a bottom (not numbered), a front
(not numbered), a rear (not numbered) and two opposite sides (not
numbered). The second filter mounting device is formed on the bottom
of the second half body (20) and comprises a third housing mounting
seat (21) with an inside (not numbered) and an exterior thread (not
numbered), a third filter mounting seat (not numbered), a fourth
housing mounting seat (22) with an inside (not numbered) and an
exterior thread (not numbered) and a fourth filter mounting seat
(not numbered). The third and the fourth housing mounting seats
(21 22) are adapted to mount with a respective one of the group
of filter housings (60), respectively. The third filter mounting
seat is formed inside the third housing mounting seat (21) and has
an inside (not numbered) adapted to attach with a filtering core
(not numbered). Likewise, the fourth filter mounting seat is formed
inside the fourth housing mounting seat (22) and has an inside (not
numbered) adapted to attach with a filtering core (not numbered).
[0030] The second pipe assembly is formed on the top of the second
half body (20) and comprises a second connecting pipe (23), a second
longitudinal pipe (24), a drain pipe (25), a tank pipe (26) and
a water outlet pipe (27).
[0031] With further reference to FIG. 8 the second connecting
pipe (23) is formed on the top of the second half body (20) and
corresponds to the first connecting pipe (17) in the first pipe
assembly. The second connecting pipe (23) has an upper channel (231)
and a lower channel (232). The upper channel (231) communicates
with the upper channel (171) of the first connecting pipe (17) and
the inside of the third filter mounting seat. Likewise, the lower
channel (232) communicates with the lower channel (172) in the first
connecting pipe (17) and the inside of the third housing mounting
seat (21).
[0032] With further reference to FIG. 9 the second longitudinal
pipe (24) is formed on the top from the front to the rear of the
second half body (10) and has a preformed outlet (241) and an inside
opening (not numbered) that communicates with the inside of the
third filter mounting seat. Also, the second longitudinal pipe (24)
communicates with the inside of the fourth housing mounting seat
(22). With reference to FIG. 10 the drain pipe (25) is formed on
the top of the second half body (20) and has a drain outlet (251)
and an inside opening (not numbered) that communicates with the
inside of the third housing mounting seat (21).
[0033] With reference to FIGS. 1 and 4 the tank pipe (26) is formed
on the top of the second half body (20) and has a tank outlet (261)
and an inside opening (not numbered) that communicates with the
second longitudinal pipe (24). The tank outlet (261) is adapted
to be connected to a pressurized water tank (not shown) that will
store the treated water under pressure.
[0034] With reference to FIGS. 4 and 11 the water outlet pipe
(27) has a water outlet (271) and an inside opening (not numbered)
that communicates with the inside of the fourth filter mounting
seat. The water outlet (271) will be selectively connected to a
faucet (not shown), a moving kit (not shown) or the like to let
water out.
[0035] With reference to FIGS. 1 2 and 4 the second mounting
assembly comprises multiple second supporting posts (201), mounting
ears (202) and a flood switch mounting recess (28). The second supporting
posts (201) protrude from the top of the second half body (20).
The mounting ears (202) are formed at one side of the second half
body (20) and correspond to the mounting recesses (102) in the first
half body (10). Each mounting ear (202) has a threaded hole (not
numbered) and is held in a corresponding one of the mounting recesses
(102). The mounting ears (202) and the mounting recesses (102) are
fastened together by means of fasteners (not numbered), such as
bolts or screws.
[0036] With further reference to FIG. 11 the flood switch mounting
recess (28) is defined through the top of the second half body (20)
and communicates with the inside of the fourth housing mounting
seat (22).
[0037] If the pressure of the supply water is high enough, a booster
pump is not needed for the water filter. The pump inlet (141), the
pump outlet (151), the preformed outlet (241), the shut-off valve
mounting recess (18) and the flood switch mounting recess (28) will
be closed with use of the end plugs (70) respectively fitting in
each of them. The end plugs (70) will be held in position by the
resilient clamps (71). The water inlet (131), the drain outlet (251),
the tank outlet (261) and the water outlet (271) will be respectively
connected to connecting elbows (72) such that the inlets or outlets
will conveniently connect to the supply lines, faucet, water tank
or others, respectively.
[0038] With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3 the pipe mounting apparatus
further comprises a mounting bracket (30) to support a booster pump
assembly (not numbered). The booster pump assembly comprises a housing
(33) and a booster pump (31) with a transformer (32). To control
the booster pump (31), a shut-off valve (40) and a flood switch
(50) that are electrically connected to the booster pump (31) will
be needed. All of the end plugs (70) and the resilient clamps (71)
except for the end plug (70) and the resilient clamp (71) in the
preformed outlet (241) will be removed. The shut-off valve (40)
and the flood switch (50) are respectively mounted in the shut-off
valve mounting recess (18) and the flood switch mounting recess
(28). The mounting bracket (30) is supported by the first and second
support posts (101 201) and has a top (not numbered) to bear the
booster pump (31). Also, the mounting bracket (30) is fastened over
the first and the second supporting posts (101 201) with fasteners,
such as bolts (not numbered). Operations and configurations of the
booster pump (31), shut-off valve (40) and flood switch (50) are
conventional, thus a detailed description is omitted.
[0039] The pump inlet (141) is connected to the booster pump (31)
by means of connecting pipes (not shown). Also, the pump outlet
(151) is connected to the booster pump (31) with a fitting (not
shown) inserted into the pump inlet (151) to close the communication
of the inside opening of the first longitudinal pipe (14) and the
pump pipe (15). Therefore, when the supply water flows into the
filter housing (60) mounted in the first housing mounting seat (11)
for a first stage filtering treatment, the water will pass through
the filtering core and flow out of this filter housing (60) through
the pump inlet (141). The water will be drawn entering the booster
pump (31) through the pump inlet (141). The booster pump (31) moves
the water into the other filter housing (60) mounted on the second
housing mounting seat (12) through the pump outlet (151) for a second
stage water filtering treatment. The water will pass through the
filtering core and enter the switch recess (16). The differential
pressure switch (161) guides the water to enter another filer housing
(60) mounted in the third housing mounting seat (21) through the
lower channels (172 232) for a third stage water filtering treatment.
At this time, a portion of the water passes through the filtering
core and returns to the switch recess (16) through the upper channels
(231 171). When the water pressure in the upper channels (171
231) and the lower channels (172 232) is equalized, the differential
pressure switch (161) will close the flow of the water 20- to stop
the treatment of the water. The residual water, or called waste
water will flow out through the drain outlet (251).
[0040] Also, the water will flow into a pressurized water tank
(not shown) through the tank outlet (261) at the same time until
the water pressure in the upper channels (171 231) and the lower
channels (172 232) is equalized.
[0041] When the water outlet (271) is opened to let water flow
out, the water will enter the filter housing (60) mounted on the
fourth housing mounting seat (40), pass through the filter for a
fourth stage water filtering treatment and finally flow out through
the water outlet (271). Meanwhile, the water pressure in the upper
channels (171 231) will be diminished so the differential pressure
switch (161) will allow the water flowing into the lower channels
(172 232) to undergo the third stage water filtering treatment
as foregoing described.
[0042] The pipe mounting apparatus for the water filter system
is convenient in use. All the user has to do is to remove the appropriate
end plugs (70) and the resilient clamps (71), and connect the pump
inlet (141) and the pump outlet (151) to the booster pump (31) with
proper fittings and connecting pipes. The operation of setting the
booster pump (31) is very easy and quick and so provides significant
assistance to a DIY user.
[0043] Even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the
present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description,
together with details of the structure and function of the invention,
the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in
detail, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of
parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent
indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the
appended claims are expressed. |