Water Drip Regulation Attachment for Spigots and Faucets

Abstract

The present invention relates to a drip attachment for residential and commercial outdoor spigots/faucets for avoiding freezing of water pipes and spigots and minimizing wastage of water by limiting dripping of water to 5-40 drops per minute. The attachment is designed to mount onto a spigot and provides extrusion of water flowing from the spigot to release 5-40 drops of water per minute. More specifically, the attachment has a screw-on section having female threads for engaging to the spigot and has fixed baffles/valves in an extrusion section limiting number of drops of water. The screw-on section has a rubber gasket for prohibiting any leakage and the attachment has a tapered water drip portion and a bottom opening for releasing water drops in a desired rate.

Claims

1. A drip device for metering a faucet to control a water flow therethrough, the drip device comprising: a screw-on portion having a female threaded section for screwing onto a male threaded faucet spigot end; an extrusion portion having at least one baffle for passing the water flow therethrough; and a drip exit portion having a tapered nozzle that narrows from a first end proximal to said extrusion portion to a second end distal to said extrusion portion.

2. The drip device of claim 1, wherein said screw-on portion comprises a cavity for passing the water flow therethrough.

3. The drip device of claim 2, wherein said screw-on portion comprises a terminal end having a rubber gasket therearound for sealing against the male threaded faucet spigot end.

4. The drip device of claim 3, wherein said drip device comprises a length from about 2 inches to about 5 inches, inclusive.

5. The drip device of claim 4, wherein said drip exit portion includes a length from about 0.25 inches to about 0.75 inches.

6. The drip device of claim 5, wherein said drip device meters a plurality of water drops from an actuated water faucet from about 5 drops to about 40 drops per minute.

7. The drip device of claim 6, wherein said drip device is comprised of a PVC plastic.

8. The drip device of claim 6, wherein said drip device comprised of a lightweight metal.

9. A drip device for metering a faucet to control a water flow therethrough, the drip device comprising: a screw-on portion having a female threaded section for screwing onto a male threaded faucet spigot end; an extrusion portion having at least one baffle for passing the water flow therethrough; and a drip exit portion having a tapered nozzle that narrows in size from a first end proximal to said extrusion portion to a second end distal to said extrusion portion, and wherein a distance from said first end to said second end is between 0.25 inches to about 0.75 inches, inclusive.

10. The drip device of claim 9, wherein said screw-on portion comprises a cavity for passing the water flow therethrough.

11. The drip device of claim 10, wherein said screw-on portion comprises a terminal end having a rubber gasket therearound for sealing against the male threaded faucet spigot end.

12. The drip device of claim 11, wherein said drip device comprises a length from about 2 inches to about 5 inches, inclusive.

13. The drip device of claim 12, wherein said drip device meters a plurality of water drops from an actuated water faucet from about 5 drops to about 40 drops per minute.

14. The drip device of claim 13, wherein the drip device is comprised of a PVC plastic.

15. The drip device of claim 13, wherein the drip device is comprised of a lightweight metal.

16. A method for prohibiting a freezing of a water pipe and a faucet in cold weather, the method comprising the steps of: providing a faucet attachment configured to threadingly mount to a faucet spigot end, wherein said faucet attachment comprises an extrusion portion for providing an extrusion effect to a flow of water received from the faucet spigot end when activated; attaching said faucet attachment to the faucet spigot end; turning on the faucet by opening a faucet handle to release a flow of water; controlling the flow of water through said faucet attachment by extruding at least a portion of the flow of water from a threaded screw-on portion, through said extrusion portion, and out through a drip exit portion; wherein said controlling the flow of water includes a metered drip of water from said drip exit portion; wherein said extrusion portion includes at least one baffle for passing the flow of water therethrough; wherein said drip exit portion includes a tapered nozzle narrowing from a first end proximal to said extrusion portion to a second end distal to said extrusion portion; and wherein a distance from said first end to said second end is from about 0.25 inches to about 0.75 inches, inclusive.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein said screw-on portion includes a cavity for passing the flow of water therethrough.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein said screw-on portion includes a terminal end having a rubber gasket therearound for sealing against the threaded faucet spigot end.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein said faucet attachment includes a length from about 2 inches to about 5 inches.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein said faucet attachment meters a plurality of water drops from an actuated water faucet from about 5 drops to about 40 drops per minute.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:

[0023] FIG. 1A illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of a spigot drip attachment of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

[0024] FIG. 1B illustrates a top perspective view of one potential embodiment of the spigot drip attachment of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

[0025] FIG. 1C illustrates a bottom perspective view of one potential embodiment of the spigot drip attachment of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

[0026] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the process of attaching one potential embodiment of the faucet attachment of the present invention to a faucet in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

[0027] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of the faucet attachment of the present invention being mounted onto a faucet in accordance with the disclosed architecture; and

[0028] FIG. 4 illustrates an internal illustrated view of one potential embodiment of the drip attachment device of the present invention releasing drops of water in accordance with the disclosed architecture to prevent freezing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0029] The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.

[0030] As noted above, there exists a long-felt need in the art for an inexpensive device that easily prevents frozen pipes in cold weather. There is also a long-felt need in the art for a device that can be used with any conventional faucet and spigot for controlling constant dripping of water at a very low rate of several drops per minute. Additionally, there is a long-felt need in the art for a faucet attachment that prevents freezing of water pipes while not wasting excessive water. Moreover, there is a long-felt need in the art for a pipe freezing prevention device that obviates a need to maintain a warm ambient temperature around a frozen pipe. Further, there is a long-felt need in the art for a faucet attachment device that obviates the requirement of installation of plumbing insulation. Further, there is a long-felt need in the art for a faucet attachment device that is easy and inexpensive to use and can be used with any faucet/spigot. Finally, there is a long-felt need in the art for a user-friendly and effective plastic/metal attachment that can be easily used with a standard residential or commercial outside water spigot for regulating dripping of water to avoid freezing while reducing wastage of water.

[0031] The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is a novel simple drip attachment for mounting onto a spigot/faucet. The attachment includes a top screw-on section, a water hose-type rubber gasket inserted into the screw-on section, a fixed set of baffles/valves in a middle extrusion section for providing extrusion principles to water, a bottom water drop release portion for releasing water drops, wherein the attachment enables only 5-40 drops of water per minute to be released from the spigot for prohibiting freezing of water inside a pipe of the spigot while also not wasting excessive water.

[0032] Referring initially to the drawings, FIG. 1A illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of the spigot drip attachment of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture. The spigot drip attachment 100 of the present invention is designed as a plastic or metal attachment for a standard residential outside water spigot for regulating flow of water to a rate that avoids freezing of pipes while minimizing wastage of water. The drip attachment 100 includes a one-piece structure and can be easily screwed onto any residential or commercial faucet/spigot for offering a fail-safe approach to pipe freeze mitigation for consumers.

[0033] More specifically, the drip device 100 has a screw-on section 102 used for easily screwing onto a male threaded spigot/faucet end. The screw-on section 102 has a cavity 108 functions as a faucet adapter and forms a seal around the faucet for eliminating leakage of liquid. An extrusion section 104 extends below from the screw-on section 102 and is configured to operate on principle of extrusion thereby enabling (i.e., metering) about 5-40 drops of water to be released from drip exit or nozzle 106. The drip exit portion 106 is positioned at the bottom of the drip attachment 100 and releases drops of water at a constant rate.

[0034] The attachment 100, once screwed onto a faucet, does not require any maintenance and is easy to install and use. Preferably, the faucet to which the attachment 100 is attached, can be turned (i.e., counterclockwise) about ½ to 1 full turn for effectively activating the attachment 100. It should be noted that the attachment 100 enables generally only 5-40 drops of water to be released and thus avoids freezing of pipes while minimizing wastage of water even when the faucet is turned on for long periods.

[0035] The attachment 100 can be made of heavy-duty plastic like poly-vinyl chloride (PVC) or a lightweight metal. The attachment 100 may come in a variety of colors and has a total length from about 2″ to about 5″, thus making the attachment 100 portable and easy for storage.

[0036] FIG. 1B illustrates a top perspective view of the spigot drip attachment 100 of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture. As illustrated, the screw-on section 102 has a plurality of female thread cut-outs 110 positioned on its interior surface. The cut-outs 110 allow a secure and tight mounting of the attachment 100 on the male threaded faucet/spigot. The screw-on section 102 also has a water hose-type rubber gasket 112 for creating a seal and prohibiting any leakage around the faucet.

[0037] The extrusion section 104 includes a continuous opening 114 comprising a fixed set of baffles/valves as illustrated in FIG. 5. The extrusion section 104 functions to control pressure of the water received from a faucet and therefore only a desired number of water drops are dripped from the attachment 100.

[0038] FIG. 1C illustrates a bottom perspective view of the spigot drip attachment 100 of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture. As illustrated, the drip exit or nozzle 106 has an opening 116 for releasing drops of water. The drip exit portion 106 is from about 0.25″ to about 0.75″ in length, inclusive, and is fluidly coupled to the extrusion section 104. Further, the drip exit portion 106 is tapered and helps in uniform and slow dripping of water. As illustrated, the drip exit portion 106 includes a relatively larger receiving portion 107 proximal to the extrusion section 104 that tapers or narrows to a relatively smaller discharging portion 109 distal to the extrusion section 104.

[0039] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view showing the process of screwing the faucet attachment 100 to a faucet 300 in accordance with the disclosed architecture. As illustrated, for mounting the attachment 100 to a faucet spigot 202, the attachment 100 is held upright and the female threaded screw-on section 102 is mounted and screwed to the water outlet 204 of the faucet 300. The screw-on section 102 is then screwed like a conventional hose connector to screw-on the male threads 206 of the water outlet 204.

[0040] The faucet spigot 202 can have male threads 206 for receiving female threads 110 or alternatively in other embodiments, the screw-on section 102 can be easily mounted to a faucet that does not have male threads (not illustrated).

[0041] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view showing the faucet attachment 100 being mounted onto a faucet 300 in accordance with the disclosed architecture. It should be noted that only the screw-on section 102 makes physical contact with the faucet spigot 202 such that the water outlet 204 of the faucet spigot 202 rests on the water hose-type rubber gasket 112 (illustrated in FIG. 1B) when the attachment 100 is mounted onto the faucet spigot 202.

[0042] The extrusion section 104 receives a quantity of water from the faucet spigot 202 and, using the principle of extrusion, drips or meters out from about 5 drops to about 40 drops per minute, thereby maintaining a constant, albeit slow flow of water from inside the pipe 302 to both prevent freezing and limit wastage of water.

[0043] FIG. 4 illustrates an internal view of the components of the drip attachment 100 of the present invention for releasing drops of water in accordance with the disclosed architecture. As illustrated, the screw-on section 102 circumscribes a portion of the faucet's water outlet 204 such that the female threads 110 maintain a secure attachment with the faucet spigot 202. The faucet 300 is activated by opening a handle 304 for enabling flow of water 404. The fixed set of valves 402 positioned inside the extrusion section 104 performs principle of extrusion and thus enables only a metered amount of drops 406, and more specifically from about 5 drops to about 40 drops, of water to release from the drop exit portion 106.

[0044] The rubber gasket 112 prevents leakage of water from the attachment 100 and provides flow of water from faucet spigot 202 to the drop release end 106. The attachment 100 accordingly maintains slow water movement and prevents freezing of the water inside the pipe and faucet, thereby reducing the pressure therein. Further, the attachment saves water by dripping or metering a predetermined number of water drops per minute and thus, is an easy to implement solution that is inexpensive and can be used with any conventional spigot/faucet.

[0045] The invention also discloses a method for prohibiting freezing of water pipes and faucets in cold weather using a simple and non-mechanical attachment for faucets. The method involves the steps of providing the attachment that is configured to mount to a faucet/spigot, the attachment having a plurality of valves for providing an extrusion effect to the flow or pressure of water received from the activated faucet. The attachment is mounted to the water outlet of the faucet by screwing-on the attachment and turning on the faucet by turning about one full turn to release water. An extrusion effect to the water (i.e., pressure of the water flow) received by the attachment is provided by turning ‘on’ the faucet which results in a controlled and metered release of water (i.e., 5-40 drops of water per minute) from the attachment to maintain a constant flow of water inside the faucet and associated pipe while minimizing wastage of water.

[0046] The faucet/spigot attachment 100 of various embodiments of the present invention includes a variety of colors, sizes, and materials and can be used with any outdoor faucet. Any of conventional manufacturing and molding techniques can be implemented to manufacture the attachment 100. The attachment 100 regulates (i.e., meters) the flow rate of outdoor faucets to keep pipes from freezing while minimizing wastage of water.

[0047] Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different persons may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. As used herein “faucet/spigot attachment”, “attachment”, “spigot drip attachment”, “drip attachment for faucets/spigots”, and “simple drip attachment” are interchangeable and refer to the spigot drip attachment 100 of the present invention.

[0048] Notwithstanding the foregoing, the spigot drip attachment 100 of the present invention can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that it accomplishes the above-stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the spigot drip attachment 100 as shown in the FIGS. are for illustrative purposes only, and that many other sizes and shapes of the spigot drip attachment 100 are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although the dimensions of the spigot drip attachment 100 are important design parameters for user convenience, the spigot drip attachment 100 may be of any size that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits the user's needs and/or preferences. Further, whenever a range of dimensions is given, the same is inclusive of the outer limits.

[0049] Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.

[0050] What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.