US3776261A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Water conserving apparatus
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-05-15
•
Granted: 1973-12-04
•
Expires: 1992-05-15
Abstract
Abstract A water conserving apparatus designed particularly for use on recreational vehicles where a limited water supply is available, the apparatus includes a valved by-pass line connected to the hot water line to return the water located within the remote end of the hot water line to downstream of the water heater.
Inventors
- 👤 C Houghton
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 17:37
CPC Classifications
F; F17; F17D; F17D1/00; F17D1/08; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/6416; Y10T137/6497; Y10T137/6851; Y10T137/6855; Y10T137/6881; Y10T137/8593; Y10T137/877
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
141 words
A water conserving apparatus comprising: a limited capacity reservoir adapted to contain water; a pump connected to said reservoir to remove water therefrom and conduct the water into a water heater; a hot water supply line connected to said water heater and upstream thereof, said hot water supply line to supply heated water to an end removed from said water heater; a by-pass line connected to said hot water supply line adjacent said end, said by-pass line to return water downstream of said water heater; and a valve connected within said by-pass line, said valve being selectively manually actuatable to conduct water through said by-pass line; said pump located exteriorly of said reservoir, a connecting line located between said reservoir and said pump, said by-pass line connected to said connecting line, whereby said by-pass line returns water downstream of said pump.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
141 words
A water conserving apparatus comprising: a limited capacity reservoir adapted to contain water; a pump connected to said reservoir to remove water therefrom and conduct the water into a water heater; a hot water supply line connected to said water heater and upstream thereof, said hot water supply line to supply heated water to an end removed from said water heater; a by-pass line connected to said hot water supply line adjacent said end, said by-pass line to return water downstream of said water heater; and a valve connected within said by-pass line, said valve being selectively manually actuatable to conduct water through said by-pass line; said pump located exteriorly of said reservoir, a connecting line located between said reservoir and said pump, said by-pass line connected to said connecting line, whereby said by-pass line returns water downstream of said pump.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
141 words
A water conserving apparatus comprising: a limited capacity reservoir adapted to contain water; a pump connected to said reservoir to remove water therefrom and conduct the water into a water heater; a hot water supply line connected to said water heater and upstream thereof, said hot water supply line to supply heated water to an end removed from said water heater; a by-pass line connected to said hot water supply line adjacent said end, said by-pass line to return water downstream of said water heater; a valve connected within said by-pass line, said valve being selectively actuatable to conduct water through said by-pass line; a second valve connected to said hot water supply line, said second valve being manually actuatable to conduct water exteriorly of said hot water supply line; and said first valve being located directly adjacent said second valve.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
141 words
A water conserving apparatus comprising: a limited capacity reservoir adapted to contain water; a pump connected to said reservoir to remove water therefrom and conduct the water into a water heater; a hot water supply line connected to said water heater and upstream thereof, said hot water supply line to supply heated water to an end removed from said water heater; a by-pass line connected to said hot water supply line adjacent said end, said by-pass line to return water downstream of said water heater; a valve connected within said by-pass line, said valve being selectively actuatable to conduct water through said by-pass line; a second valve connected to said hot water supply line, said second valve being manually actuatable to conduct water exteriorly of said hot water supply line; and said first valve being located directly adjacent said second valve.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein: said first valve being manually actuatable.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
43 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein: said pump located exteriorly of said reservoir, a connecting line located between said reservoir and said pump, said by-pass line connected to said connecting line, whereby said by-pass line returns water downstream of said pump.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
176 words
In combination with a recreational vehicle, said recreational vehicle having a limited capacity water reservoir, a pump located within said vehicle and capable of removing water from said reservoir, a water heater located within said vehicle, said pump to supply water to said water heater, a hot water supply line connected to said water heater, said hot water supply line to supply heated water to an end remote from said water heater, the conducting of water through said hot water supply line being controlled by means of a first manually actuatable valve, the improvement comprising: a by-pass line connected to said hot water supply line adjacent said end, said by-pass line to return water downstream of said water heater; and a second valve connected within said by-pass line, said second valve being selectively actuatable to conduct water through said by-pass line; said pump located exteriorly of said reservoir, a connecting line located between said reservoir and said pump, said by-pass line connected to said connecting line, whereby said by-pass line returns water downstream of said pump.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
176 words
In combination with a recreational vehicle, said recreational vehicle having a limited capacity water reservoir, a pump located within said vehicle and capable of removing water from said reservoir, a water heater located within said vehicle, said pump to supply water to said water heater, a hot water supply line connected to said water heater, said hot water supply line to supply heated water to an end remote from said water heater, the conducting of water through said hot water supply line being controlled by means of a first manually actuatable valve, the improvement comprising: a by-pass line connected to said hot water supply line adjacent said end, said by-pass line to return water downstream of said water heater; and a second valve connected within said by-pass line, said second valve being selectively actuatable to conduct water through said by-pass line; said pump located exteriorly of said reservoir, a connecting line located between said reservoir and said pump, said by-pass line connected to said connecting line, whereby said by-pass line returns water downstream of said pump.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
176 words
In combination with a recreational vehicle, said recreational vehicle having a limited capacity water reservoir, a pump located within said vehicle and capable of removing water from said reservoir, a water heater located within said vehicle, said pump to supply water to said water heater, a hot water supply line connected to said water heater, said hot water supply line to supply heated water to an end remote from said water heater, the conducting of water through said hot water supply line being controlled by means of a first manually actuatable valve, the improvement comprising: a by-pass line connected to said hot water supply line adjacent said end, said by-pass line to return water downstream of said water heater; a second valve connected within said by-pass line, said second valve being selectively actuatable to conduct water through said by-pass line; a second valve connected to said hot water supply line, said second valve being manually actuatable to conduct water exteriorly of said hot water supply line; and said first valve located directly adjacent said second valve.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
176 words
In combination with a recreational vehicle, said recreational vehicle having a limited capacity water reservoir, a pump located within said vehicle and capable of removing water from said reservoir, a water heater located within said vehicle, said pump to supply water to said water heater, a hot water supply line connected to said water heater, said hot water supply line to supply heated water to an end remote from said water heater, the conducting of water through said hot water supply line being controlled by means of a first manually actuatable valve, the improvement comprising: a by-pass line connected to said hot water supply line adjacent said end, said by-pass line to return water downstream of said water heater; a second valve connected within said by-pass line, said second valve being selectively actuatable to conduct water through said by-pass line; a second valve connected to said hot water supply line, said second valve being manually actuatable to conduct water exteriorly of said hot water supply line; and said first valve located directly adjacent said second valve.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
43 words
The combination as defined in claim 6 wherein: said pump located exteriorly of said reservoir, a connecting line located between said reservoir and said pump, said by-pass line connected to said connecting line, whereby said by-pass line returns water downstream of said pump.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-12-03 | 1977-06-04 | 1977-12-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-12-03 | 1981-06-04 | 1981-12-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-12-03 | 1985-06-04 | 1985-12-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |