Check valve and check indicator

Claim 2

In a swimming pool system, the combination comprising: a swimming pool having a pool inlet and a pool outlet; a pump having a pump inlet and a pump outlet; said pump outlet positioned above said pump inlet and said pump inlet in flow communication with said pool outlet; a filter; said filter positioned between said pump outlet and said pool inlet such that water discharged from the pump passes through the filter before reaching the pool inlet; a check valve positioned between the pool outlet and the pump inlet; said check valve permitting the flow of water from the pool outlet to the pump inlet when the pump is operating and said valve preventing the back flow of water through the pump to the pool outlet when the pump is not operating; said check valve including a valve member with the position of the valve member determined by the flow rate of water through said check valve, and means to determine the position of said valve member when the puMp is operating, whereby the flow rate of water through the check valve and the position of the valve member indicate the presence of obstructions in the swimming pool system.

Claim 3

The swimming pool system of claim 1 including a skimmer positioned at said swimming pool outlet.

Claim 4

The swimming pool system of claim 1 including a valve inlet and a valve discharge in said check valve, and a lint catcher positioned between said valve discharge and said pump inlet.

Claim 5

A check valve comprising: a valve body having an inlet and a discharge; said body constructed for positioning of said inlet in a generally downwardly directed position and said discharge in a generally horizontally directed position; a passage within said body; said passage positioned in a generally vertical position in alignment with said inlet; a valve member positioned within said passage for generally vertical movement with respect to said inlet; said valve member having a lower end which forms a seal about said inlet with the valve member in a lowered position; damping means associated with said valve to damp the movement of said valve member within said passage; said valve member has a central portion and enlarged end members positioned at each end of said central portion; said end members having a larger lateral dimension than said central portion and an exterior surface which is contoured to the contour of said passage; said end members being smaller than said passage to provide a gap between said exterior surface and said passage which is sufficiently large to permit the flow of liquid through said gap; said end members each having a cylindrical exterior surface with said passage having a cylindrical inner surface and said gap having an annular configuration; a removable closure positioned at an end of said passage; a sight glass opening in said body; a sight glass covering said opening to permit visual observation of the position of said valve member; indicia associated with said sight glass with the position of said indicia corresponding to the position of the valve member at various flow rates through the valve body, and said indicia positioned in a substantially horizontal direction with said inlet positioned in a downwardly directed position and said discharge in a generally horizontal position.

Claim 6

A check valve comprising: a valve body having an inlet and a discharge; said body constructed for positioning of said inlet in a generally downwardly directed position and said discharge in a generally horizontally directed position; a passage within said body; said passage positioned in a generally vertical position in alignment with said inlet; a valve member positioned within said passage for generally vertical movement with respect to said inlet; said valve member having a lower end which forms a seal about said inlet with the valve member in a lowered position; damping means associated with said valve to damp the movement of said valve member within said passage; said valve member has a central portion and enlarged end members positioned at each end of said central portion; said end members having a larger lateral dimension than said central portion and an exterior surface which is contoured to the contour of said passage; said end members being smaller than said passage to provide a gap between said exterior surface and said passage which is sufficiently large to permit the flow of liquid through said gap; said end members each having a cylindrical exterior surface with said passage having a cylindrical inner surface and said gap having an annular configuration; a removable closure positioned at an end of said passage; a sight glass opening in said body; a sight glass covering said opening to permit visual observation of the position of said valve member; indicia associated with said sight glass with the position of said indicia corresponding to the position of the valve member at various flow rates through the valve body, and said indicia positioned in a substantially horizontal direction with said inlet positioned in a downwardly directed position and said discharge in a generally horizontal position.

Claim 7

The check valve of claim 4 including a lower region of said sight glass having a shape and a position that corresponds to the position of said valve member when flow through said valve is diminished, whereby the visual observation of said valve member within said region indicates the presence of an obstruction to liquid flow in the system including said check valve.

Claim 8

The check valve of claim 5 wherein said lower region has a color which differs from the color of the remainder of said sight glass.

Claim 9

The check valve of claim 6 including a seating member positioned at said lower end of said valve member; said seating member having a shape which conforms to and engages said inlet with said valve member in a lowered position to form a fluid tight seal between said valve member and said inlet, and said seating member having a color which differs from the color of the balance of said valve member and from the interior of said valve body, whereby the position of said valve member within said valve body is clearly indicated by the position of said colored seating member as observed through said sight glass.