Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
215 words
A fluid filter comprising: a helically coiled member forming an axially expandable and contractable helix, said member having a first side facing in one axial direction of the helix and a second side facing in the opposite axial direction of the helix, a first pair of coaxial ribs substantially coextensive with and projecting axially of the helix from said first side of said member, and a single coaxial rib substantially coextensive with and projecting axially of the helix from said second side of said member, said helix having a normal contracted configuration wherein the adjacent helix coils abut one another with the single rib along each helix coil engaging between the rib pair along an adjacent helix coil to retain the helix coils in coaxial alignment wherein the helix forms a tubular body containing an axial flow passage, the ribs being interengaging on the adjacent helix coils and having aligned notches at intervals therealong forming a multiplicity of openings communicating said axial flow passage to the exterior of the helix, filter elements secured to said member and extending outwardly from said helix to form a myriad of filter passages communicating with said openings, and wherein said helix is axially expandable to separate the adjacent helix coils and the filter elements thereon for backwashing the filter.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
215 words
A fluid filter comprising: a helically coiled member forming an axially expandable and contractable helix, said member having a first side facing in one axial direction of the helix and a second side facing in the opposite axial direction of the helix, a first pair of coaxial ribs substantially coextensive with and projecting axially of the helix from said first side of said member, and a single coaxial rib substantially coextensive with and projecting axially of the helix from said second side of said member, said helix having a normal contracted configuration wherein the adjacent helix coils abut one another with the single rib along each helix coil engaging between the rib pair along an adjacent helix coil to retain the helix coils in coaxial alignment wherein the helix forms a tubular body containing an axial flow passage, the ribs being interengaging on the adjacent helix coils and having aligned notches at intervals therealong forming a multiplicity of openings communicating said axial flow passage to the exterior of the helix, filter elements secured to said member and extending outwardly from said helix to form a myriad of filter passages communicating with said openings, and wherein said helix is axially expandable to separate the adjacent helix coils and the filter elements thereon for backwashing the filter.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
A fluid filter according to claim 1, wherein: said filter elements comprise strips of pliant material taken from the group consisting of a woven, foam and fibrous material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
208 words
A filter assembly comprising: a tank including a hollow body having one end closed by a tank end wall and an opposite open end, a removable cover closing said open end, and means releasably securing said cover to said body, a filter within said tank comprising a helically coiled member forming an axially expandable and contractable helix extending between said tank end wall and cover, and filter elements secured to said member and extending radially out from said helix to form a myriad of filter passageways between the elements communicating the interior of said tank about said filter to the interior of said helix through a multiplicity of openings between adjacent coils of the helix, said tank having an inlet communicating to the tank interior about said filter and an outlet communicating to the interior of said helix at one end thereof, and means securing the ends of said helix to said tank end wall and cover, respectively, whereby said helix has a normal axially contracted configuration when said cover is in place on said tank body and said helix is axially expandable by axial removal of said cover from said tank body to separate the adjacent helix coils and thereby enlarge said openings for backwashing the filter.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
208 words
A filter assembly comprising: a tank including a hollow body having one end closed by a tank end wall and an opposite open end, a removable cover closing said open end, and means releasably securing said cover to said body, a filter within said tank comprising a helically coiled member forming an axially expandable and contractable helix extending between said tank end wall and cover, and filter elements secured to said member and extending radially out from said helix to form a myriad of filter passageways between the elements communicating the interior of said tank about said filter to the interior of said helix through a multiplicity of openings between adjacent coils of the helix, said tank having an inlet communicating to the tank interior about said filter and an outlet communicating to the interior of said helix at one end thereof, and means securing the ends of said helix to said tank end wall and cover, respectively, whereby said helix has a normal axially contracted configuration when said cover is in place on said tank body and said helix is axially expandable by axial removal of said cover from said tank body to separate the adjacent helix coils and thereby enlarge said openings for backwashing the filter.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
121 words
A filter assembly according to claim 3, wherein: said member has a first side facing in one axial direction of the helix and a second side facing in the opposite side of the helix, a first pair of coaxial ribs substantially coextensive with and projecting axially over the helix from said first side of said member and a single coaxial rib substantially coextensive with and projecting axially of the helix from said second side of said member, the single rib along each helix coil engages between the rib pair along an adjacent coil to retain the helix coils in coaxial alignment when the helix is contracted, and the ribs being interengaging and having aligned notches at intervals therealong forming said openings.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
A fluid filter according to claim 4, wherein: said filter elements comprise strips of pliant material taken from the group consisting of a woven, foam and fibrous material.