GB2294274A

GB2294274A - Ballvalve fitting for reduction of noise in tanks and cisterns

Info

Publication number: GB2294274A
Application number: GB9421159A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jeffrey Alan Cosby
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1994-10-20
Filing date: 1994-10-20
Publication date: 1996-04-24
Also published as: GB9421159D0

Abstract

A ballvalve fitting for a water tank or cistern comprises a flexible sleeve (26) through which inflowing water is arranged to pass and which is self-closing under pressure from surrounding water. The sleeve is held in place at the underside of a housing (10) by a resilient clip (24), thereby to reduce noise when the tank or cistern fills. In an alternative fitting, where the water exits from the top of the housing, the sleeve fits directly over a perforated cap which is part of the housing. <IMAGE>

Description

REDUCTION OF NOISE IN TANKS AND CISTERNS This invention relates to fitments for ball valves as used in water tanks and cisterns.

In one conventional ball valve arrangement for a domestic water tank or cistern, when the valve is open due to a drop in the water level, the incoming water which refills the tank or cistern sprays from a downwardly open passageway at the underside of the ball valve housing. This can result in a substantial amount of noise being generated while the tank or cistern fills.

Even in the latest approved fittings where the water for refilling the tank is directed upwards from the ball valve housing and then passes through and out of a plastics cap which is provided with downwardly facing slots or holes, one still has the problem that the water is allowed to fall from the ball valve fitting without hindrance, hence generating noise.

It is an object of the present invention to overcome or at least reduce this problem of noise.

Broadly in accordance with the present invention this is achieved by the provision of means which provides a restricted path for the water from the ball valve housing to below the water level while not permitting siphonage of water back through the valve.

This can be achieved for example by the fitting of a flexible tube of plastics material to the ball valve fitting which "softens" the downward movement of the water during the filling process but which thereafter collapses on itself due to the surrounding water to prevent upward siphonage of water into the valve.

In the case of the older conventional ball valve fitting, with downward passage of water from the underside of the ball valve housing, the flexible tube can be attached by the provision of a clip adapted to be retained on the housing, with the tube of plastics material extending from the clip to a position adjacent to the bottom of the tank or cistern.

In the case of the more recent conventional ball valve fitting, as described above, a tubular sleeve of plastics material is adapted to be fitted over the cap of the ball valve fitting and to be retained thereon, with the sleeve again extending down to a position adjacent to the bottom of the tank or cistern.

In order that the invention may be more fully understood, two presently preferred embodiments in accordance with the invention will now be briefly described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a schematic side view of a first embodiment of ball valve fitting in accordance with the invention; and, Fig. 2 is a similar schematic side view of a second embodiment of ball valve fitting in accordance with the invention.

Referring first to Fig. 1, there is shown part of a ball valve fitting for use for example in a domestic water tank or cistern. This comprises a housing 10 which is generally cylindrical in shape and which has a screw fitted cap 12 at one end. At the other end of the housing is a screw threaded sleeve 14 which carries one or more sealing rings 16 of plastics material. At the underside of the housing 10 is pivoted an arm 18 which at its other end carries a float (not shown). The pivotal connection is effected by a split pin 20. Within the housing is the conventional valve mechanism.

When the arm 18 is lowered, due to a reduction in the level of the water in the tank or cistern, the valve opens and water to refill the tank or cistern enters the fitting through the sleeve 14 and passes downwards through a short pipe 22 as indicated by arrows. In accordance with the invention, a clip 24 of suitable shape and configuration is fitted to the ball valve housing in the region of the pipe 22 so as to be retained securely on the housing. In the drawing the clip is shown separated from the housing.

The securement can be by virtue of the resilience of the clip or by the use of some more positive retaining means, such as a screw or other like fastening. The clip is apertured at the lower portion in the region of the outlet from the pipe 22 50 that water from the pipe can pass down through the clip. Secured to the bottom of the clip 22 is a sleeve 26 of plastics material which extends downwards to a position slightly above the bottom of the tank or cistern. The plastics sleeve is of a material, such as polythene, which will open itself for the passage of water downwards from the housing, but which when the tank or cistern is full will "collapse" by virtue of the surrounding water to prevent any upward siphonage of water back into the valve. The sleeve 26 is therefore self-closing.By virtue of this restriction of the downward passage of water when filling of the tank or cistern takes place, the noise associated with the previous spraying of water from the pipe 22 is overcome or at least substantially reduced.

Fig. 2 shows an alternative embodiment, based upon a more recent type of ball valve fitting. Here, the ball valve housing 10 has an upwardly directed outlet for the incoming water. Into the outlet is fitted a plastics cap 30 which directs the water first upwards and then sideways before allowing it to leave the cap through a series of slots in the underside of the cap.

In the case of this embodiment there is provided a flexible plastics sleeve 32, similar to that of the first embodiment, which here is fitted over and around the cap 30 50 as then to extend downwards again into close proximity to the base of the tank or cistern. The sleeve 32 can be provided with any suitable retaining means to hold it in place securely on the cap 30. This can be in the form of a tie or other fastening, or a clip which is a snap fit around the collar of the cap.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A ballvalve fitting for a water cistern or tank comprising a flexible tube through which inflowing water is arranged to pass and which is self-closing under pressure from surrounding water, and securing means to retain the tube in place on a water outlet which is a part of a housing for a valve mechanism.

2. A ballvalve fitting as claimed in claim 1, in which the securing means comprises a clip adapted to be fitted to the underside of the housing in an outlet therefrom, the clip being apertured' to permit the flow of water to the tube which is fitted thereto.

3. A ballvalve fitting as claimed in claim 2, in which the clip is held in place in the housing by the resilience of the clip.

4. A ballvalve fitting as claimed in claim 1, in which the tube is a sleeve adapted to be fitted directly over an existing cap in the top of the housing.

5. A ballvalve fitting substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Fig. 1 or Fig.

2 of the accompanying drawings.