The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 07, 1989
Filed:
May. 24, 1988
John M Chamberlin, Pensacola, FL (US);
Other;
Abstract
A self-actuating drip for attachment to a standard faucet for the prevention of freezing of such exposed faucets and water pipes leading to the faucets. An elongated housing includes a collar for securing one end of the housing about the open end of the faucet. A tube extends from the collar and mates with a closure at its distal end. A stem extends within the tube from the closure and terminates in a tip which mates with an exit port extending through said collar. A compressible seal adjacent the stem closes the exit port between the collar and the interior of the tube when the ambient temperature is above freezing. The tube and stem are of different materials, one being plastic and the other being metal. Since the plastic and metal have different coefficients of expansion, a reduction of ambient temperature below freezing releases the seal and permits water to flow from the faucet through the tube. Once water enters the valve and flows down the internal surface of the tube, valve flow control becomes self-regulating so that the water flow is dependent on the ambient temperature and the temperature of the inlet water which combine to balance heat loss to the ambient atmosphere from the faucet, valve and line. The tube has release ports for passage of water therethrough.