Filter cartridge and manifold for a water purification system

Abstract

A combined filter cartridge and manifold for use in a water purification system or the like, to facilitate substantially drip-free filter cartridge removal and replacement. The filter cartridge includes water inlet and outlet ports for respective connection with inlet and outlet fittings on the manifold. A pivoting manifold cap normally overlies and retains the filter cartridge in connected relation with the manifold fittings and a water supply coupled to the manifold. Pivoting movement of the manifold cap toward an open position shuts off the water supply and then permits filter cartridge separation from the manifold, with check valves at the manifold inlet/outlet fittings and cartridge inlet/outlet ports preventing significant water leakage. Upon installation of a replacement filter cartridge and return movement of the manifold cap to the initial closed position, cam elements on the manifold cap and filter cartridge draw the cartridge inlet/outlet ports into secure slide-on connection with the manifold inlet/outlet fittings before resuming connection with the water supply.

1 . A combined filter cartridge and manifold for a water purification system, comprising: 
 a manifold adapted for connection to a water supply, said manifold including a water supply valve, inlet and outlet fittings, and a manifold cap coupled to said water supply valve and movable between first and second positions respectively closing and opening said water supply valve; and    a filter cartridge having inlet and outlet ports adapted for respective coupling with said manifold inlet and outlet fittings;    said manifold and said filter cartridge further including interengageable means for retaining said cartridge inlet and outlet ports in secure coupled relation respectively with said manifold inlet and outlet fittings prior to opening of said water supply valve upon movement of said manifold cap from said first position to said second position, and for closing said water supply valve prior to permitting uncoupling of said cartridge inlet and outlet fittings respectively from said manifold inlet and outlet fittings upon movement of said manifold cap from said second position to said first position.    
     
     
         2 . The combined filter cartridge and manifold of  claim 1  wherein said manifold comprises a manifold bracket having said water supply valve mounted thereon, and said manifold cap being pivotally mounted on said manifold bracket.  
     
     
         3 . The combined filter cartridge and manifold of  claim 2  wherein said filter cartridge has said inlet and outlet ports carried generally at an upper end thereof, and further wherein said manifold cap has a top wall and side walls defining a downwardly open construction for substantially overlying and concealing said filter cartridge upper end when said filter cartridge is assembled with said manifold and said manifold cap is in said second position.  
     
     
         4 . The filter cartridge and manifold of  claim 1  further including check valves mounted at said filter cartridge inlet and outlet ports.  
     
     
         5 . The filter cartridge and manifold of  claim 4  further including check valves mounted at said manifold inlet and outlet fittings.  
     
     
         6 . The filter cartridge and manifold of  claim 5  further including an actuator pin carried at said filter cartridge inlet port for engaging and opening said check valve at said manifold inlet fitting, and an actuator nipple carried at said manifold outlet fitting for engaging and opening said check valve at said filter cartridge outlet port, when said filter cartridge is assembled with said manifold and said manifold cap is in said second position.  
     
     
         7 . The filter cartridge and manifold of  claim 1  wherein said interengageable means comprises at least one cam pin on said filter cartridge, and at least one cam track on said manifold cap engageable with said cam pin.  
     
     
         8 . The filter cartridge and manifold of  claim 2  wherein said interengageable means comprises at least one cam rail on said manifold bracket, at least one cam pin on said filter cartridge and engageable with said cam rail, and at least one cam track on said manifold cap and engageable with said cam pin for carrying said cam pin along said cam rail upon movement of said manifold cap between said first and second positions.  
     
     
         9 . The filter cartridge and manifold of  claim 8  wherein said at least one cam rail comprises a pair of said cam rails, wherein said at least one cam pin comprises a pair of said cam pins respectively engageable with said pair of cam rails, and wherein said at least one cam track comprises a pair of said cam tracks respectively engageable with said pair of cam pins.  
     
     
         10 . The filter cartridge and manifold of  claim 2  wherein said interengageable means comprises at least one cam pin on said filter cartridge, at least one cam track on said manifold cap, and at least one cam rail on said manifold bracket, said filter cartridge inlet and outlet ports being oriented for push-fit secure coupling respectively with said manifold inlet and outlet fittings upon sliding displacement of said at least one cam pin along said at least one cam track when said manifold cap first position, said at least one cam pin being thereupon aligned and engageable with said at least one cam rail for sliding displacement therealong to permit pivotal movement of said manifold cap from said first position to said second position.  
     
     
         11 . The filter cartridge of  claim 10  wherein said at least one cam pin comprises a pair of said cam pins, wherein said at least one cam track comprises a pair of said cam tracks, and wherein said at least one cam rail comprises a pair of said cam rails.  
     
     
         12 . The filter cartridge and manifold of  claim 1  wherein said manifold includes means for assembly with at least one additional manifold in series-connected relation.  
     
     
         13 . The filter cartridge and manifold of  claim 2  wherein said manifold bracket comprises a bracket plate, and valve body slide-fit assembled therewith, said valve body including said water supply valve and said inlet and outlet fittings.  
     
     
         14 . A combined filter cartridge and manifold for a water purification system, comprising: 
 a manifold adapted for connection to a water supply, said manifold including a manifold bracket having a water supply valve mounted thereon and further defining inlet and outlet fittings, and a manifold cap pivotally mounted on said manifold bracket and coupled to said water supply valve, said manifold cap being movable between a first position closing said water supply valve and a second position opening said water supply valve; and    a filter cartridge having inlet and outlet ports adapted for respective coupling with said manifold inlet and outlet fittings, said filter cartridge further including check valves mounted at said inlet and outlet ports;    said manifold and said filter cartridge further including interengageable means for retaining said cartridge inlet and outlet ports in secure coupled relation respectively with said manifold inlet and outlet fittings prior to opening of said water supply valve upon movement of said manifold cap from said first position to said second position, and for closing said water supply valve prior to permitting uncoupling of said cartridge inlet and outlet fittings respectively from said manifold inlet and outlet fittings upon movement of said manifold cap from said second position to said first position.    
     
     
         15 . The combined filter cartridge and manifold of  claim 14  wherein said filter cartridge has said inlet and outlet ports carried generally at an upper end thereof, and further wherein said manifold cap has a top wall and sidewalls defining a downwardly open construction for substantially overlying and concealing said filter cartridge upper end when said filter cartridge is assembled with said manifold and said manifold cap is in said second position.  
     
     
         16 . The filter cartridge and manifold of  claim 14  further including check valve means mounted generally at said manifold inlet and outlet fittings.  
     
     
         17 . The filter cartridge and manifold of  claim 16  further including an actuator pin carried at said filter cartridge inlet port for engaging and opening said check valve means at said manifold inlet fitting, and an actuator nipple carried at said manifold outlet fitting for engaging and opening said check valve at said filter cartridge outlet port, when said filter cartridge is assembled with said manifold and said manifold cap is in said second position.  
     
     
         18 . The filter cartridge and manifold of  claim 14  wherein said interengageable means comprises at least one cam rail on said manifold bracket, at least one cam pin on said filter cartridge and engageable with said cam rail, and at least one cam track on said manifold cap and engageable with said cam pin for carrying said cam pin along said cam rail upon movement of said manifold cap between said first and second positions.  
     
     
         19 . The filter cartridge and manifold of  claim 14  wherein said interengageable means comprises at least one cam pin on said filter cartridge, at least one cam track on said manifold cap, and at least one cam rail on said manifold bracket, said filter cartridge inlet and outlet ports being oriented for push-fit secure coupling respectively with said manifold inlet and outlet fittings upon sliding displacement of said at least one cam pin along said at least one cam track when said manifold cap first position, said at least one cam pin being thereupon aligned and engageable with said at least one cam rail for sliding displacement therealong to permit pivotal movement of said manifold cap from said first position to said second position.  
     
     
         20 . The filter cartridge and manifold of  claim 14  wherein said manifold includes means for assembly with at least one additional manifold in series-connected relation.