US3943727A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Portable electric water cooler suitable for outdoor use
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1974-04-10
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Granted: 1976-03-16
•
Expires: 1994-04-10
Abstract
Abstract A portable electrically refrigerated water cooler is adapted for year-round outdoor use by means of a thermostatically controlled heating cable wrapped about the water-containing components, and a similarly controlled heating element immersed in the water reservoir. A combined faucet-switch unit permits cool water to be pumped through the faucet for immediate use and prevents contaminants from entering the water when the switch is off.
Inventors
- 👤 George C. Wade
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 12:22
CPC Classifications
B; B67; B67D; B67D1/00; B67D1/08; B67D1/0857; B67D1/0858
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
223 words
A portable refrigerated water cooler comprising: a reservoir for storing water to be refrigerated; refrigeration means for cooling water passed therethrough; an electrically-actuable pump having an inlet connected to draw water from said reservoir and an outlet connected to deliver water through said refrigeration means; means for supplying electrical power to said water cooler; a combined faucet valve-switch unit for delivering cool water from said refrigeration means, said unit including: a faucet member having first and second positions and containing a flow path which in said first position provides flow communication for water from said refrigeration means to externally of said water cooler and in said second position is blocked from providing said flow communication; and an electrical switch arranged to be actuated by said faucet member in said first position, said switch being connected in circuit with said pump to apply electrical power to actuate said pump when said switch is actuated; an electrical heating cable wrapped about the outer surface of and in direct contact with said reservoir and said refrigeration means; an electrical heating element disposed in said reservoir; and thermostatically-operated switch means connected in series with said cable and said heating element and arranged to pass current from said electrical power supply means through said cable and element when the ambient temperature in said water cooler falls below freezing.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
223 words
A portable refrigerated water cooler comprising: a reservoir for storing water to be refrigerated; refrigeration means for cooling water passed therethrough; an electrically-actuable pump having an inlet connected to draw water from said reservoir and an outlet connected to deliver water through said refrigeration means; means for supplying electrical power to said water cooler; a combined faucet valve-switch unit for delivering cool water from said refrigeration means, said unit including: a faucet member having first and second positions and containing a flow path which in said first position provides flow communication for water from said refrigeration means to externally of said water cooler and in said second position is blocked from providing said flow communication; and an electrical switch arranged to be actuated by said faucet member in said first position, said switch being connected in circuit with said pump to apply electrical power to actuate said pump when said switch is actuated; an electrical heating cable wrapped about the outer surface of and in direct contact with said reservoir and said refrigeration means; an electrical heating element disposed in said reservoir; and thermostatically-operated switch means connected in series with said cable and said heating element and arranged to pass current from said electrical power supply means through said cable and element when the ambient temperature in said water cooler falls below freezing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
205 words
The portable refrigerated water cooler according to claim 1 wherein said faucet valve-switch unit comprises: a ball-in-socket valve comprising a ball member rotatably secured in a socket having an elongated aperture, said ball member including a stem projecting through said aperture such that movement of said ball member is restricted between two extreme positions defined by the ends of said elongated aperture, said two extreme positions corresponding to said first and second positions of said faucet member, said ball and stem having an outlet flow passage defined therethrough, said socket having an inlet flow passage defined therethrough and communicating with said refrigeration means to conduct water from said refrigeration means when said pump is actuated, said inlet flow passage being positioned such that it is aligned with said outlet flow passage when said faucet member is in said first position and is out of communication with said outlet flow passage when said faucet member is in said second position; a microswitch having an actuable switch arm; and a cam projecting from said ball member and positioned to actuate said switch arm in said first position of said faucet member and to be remote from said switch arm in said second position of said faucet member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
129 words
A refrigerated water cooler characterized in that it is adapted for outdoor use in sub-freezing temperatures, said water cooler comprising: a reservoir for storing water to be refrigerated; refrigeration means for cooling water passed therethrough from said reservoir; an outlet spigot connected to receive cooled water passed through said refrigeration means and conduct said cool water externally of said water cooler; actuable means for selectively delivering water from said reservoir through said refrigeration means to said outlet spigot; and thermostatically-controlled electrical heating means disposed in said water cooler for automatically maintaining the temperature in said water cooler above the freezing temperature of water; wherein said heating means comprises an electrical heating cable wrapped about the outer surface of and in direct contact with said reservoir and said refrigeration means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
129 words
A refrigerated water cooler characterized in that it is adapted for outdoor use in sub-freezing temperatures, said water cooler comprising: a reservoir for storing water to be refrigerated; refrigeration means for cooling water passed therethrough from said reservoir; an outlet spigot connected to receive cooled water passed through said refrigeration means and conduct said cool water externally of said water cooler; actuable means for selectively delivering water from said reservoir through said refrigeration means to said outlet spigot; and thermostatically-controlled electrical heating means disposed in said water cooler for automatically maintaining the temperature in said water cooler above the freezing temperature of water; wherein said heating means comprises an electrical heating cable wrapped about the outer surface of and in direct contact with said reservoir and said refrigeration means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
172 words
A refrigerated water cooler characterized in that it is adapted for outdoor use in sub-freezing temperatures, said water cooler comprising: a reservoir for storing water to be refrigerated; refrigeration means for cooling water passed therethrough from said reservoir; an outlet spigot connected to receive cooled water passed through said refrigeration means and conduct said cool water externally of said water cooler; actuable means for selectively delivering water from said reservoir through said refrigeration means to said outlet spigot; and thermostatically-controlled electrical heating means disposed in said water cooler for automatically maintaining the temperature in said water cooler above the freezing temperature of water; wherein said electrical heating means includes: a pair of electrical terminals adapted to be connected to a source of voltage; an electrical heating cable wrapped around the outer surface of and in direct contact with said reservoir and said refrigeration means; an electrical heating element disposed in said reservoir; a thermostat switch; and circuit means connecting said cable, element and thermostat switch in series between said pair of terminals.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
172 words
A refrigerated water cooler characterized in that it is adapted for outdoor use in sub-freezing temperatures, said water cooler comprising: a reservoir for storing water to be refrigerated; refrigeration means for cooling water passed therethrough from said reservoir; an outlet spigot connected to receive cooled water passed through said refrigeration means and conduct said cool water externally of said water cooler; actuable means for selectively delivering water from said reservoir through said refrigeration means to said outlet spigot; and thermostatically-controlled electrical heating means disposed in said water cooler for automatically maintaining the temperature in said water cooler above the freezing temperature of water; wherein said electrical heating means includes: a pair of electrical terminals adapted to be connected to a source of voltage; an electrical heating cable wrapped around the outer surface of and in direct contact with said reservoir and said refrigeration means; an electrical heating element disposed in said reservoir; a thermostat switch; and circuit means connecting said cable, element and thermostat switch in series between said pair of terminals.
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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) | 1979-03-16 | 1979-09-15 | 1980-03-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-03-16 | 1983-09-15 | 1984-03-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-03-16 | 1987-09-15 | 1988-03-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |