Tank with automatic fill and overfill drain

Abstract

Apparatus for adjusting and maintaining the level of water in a swimming pool. The apparatus includes a tank in communication with the pool and fill and drain devices mounted in the tank for select elevational adjustment. The devices are coupled whereby elevational adjustment of one of the devices functions to simultaneously adjust the elevation of the other of the devices.

1 . A tank in communication with a swimming pool, said tank containing an automatic fill device and an overflow drain device; means mounting the fill device and drain device within the tank for unitary elevational adjustment to simultaneously adjust the height of the devices relative to the tank to obtain a desired water level in the pool.  
   
   
       2 . A tank according to  claim 1 , wherein the fill and drain devices are separate and the means mounting the devices within the tank comprises: 
 a. a support mounting the drain device to the tank for vertical movement to enable the elevation of the drain device relative to the tank to be selectively adjusted; and,    b. a connection between the drain device and fill device to elevationally move the fill device responsive to elevational adjustment of the drain device.    
   
   
       3 . A tank according to  claim 2  wherein the support comprises a screw connection between the tank and the drain device.  
   
   
       4 . A tank according to  claim 2  wherein: 
 a. the fill device is connected to a source of water under pressure and the mounting means secures the fill device for vertical extension relative to the tank in response to the pressure; and,    b. the connection comprises a stop carried by the drain device for engagement with the fill device to limit extension of the fill device.    
   
   
       5 . A tank according to  claim 2  wherein: 
 a. the mounting means secures the fill device for slidable vertical movement relative to the tank; and,    b. the connection moves the fill device vertically responsive to elevational adjustment of the drain device.    
   
   
       6 . A tank according to  claim 5  wherein the connection comprises: 
 a. an arm secured to the drain device for vertical movement therewith; and,    b. a collar on the arm engaged with the fill device to impart vertical movement of the drain device to the fill device.    
   
   
       7 . A tank according to  claim 5  wherein the connection comprises: 
 a. a disc carried by and extending around the drain device; and,    b. a follower carried by the fill device and extending therefrom into engagement with the disc to impart vertical movement of the drain device to the fill device.    
   
   
       8 . A tank according to  claim 1  wherein the means comprises: 
 a. screw mounted within the tank for rotation about a generally vertically extending axis; and,    b. a follower threadably engaged with the screw for vertical movement relative to the tank in response to rotation of the screw about the axis, said follower being connected to the fill and overflow devices to move the devices vertically with the follower.    
   
   
       9 . A tank according to  claim 8  wherein the follower extends transversely of the tank and the tank further comprises a vertically extending guide member slidably engaged with the follower to guide the follower for vertical movement in response to rotation of the screw.  
   
   
       10 . Apparatus for adjusting and automatically maintaining a predetermined water level within a swimming pool, said apparatus comprising: 
 a. a tank communicating with the pool whereby the water level within the tank is the same as that of the pool;    b. a fill valve device mounted within the tank for elevational movement relative thereto;    c. an overflow drain device mounted within the tank for elevational movement relative thereto; and,    d. means to selectively adjust the elevation of one of the devices within the tank and impart a corresponding elevational adjustment to the other of the devices.    
   
   
       11 . Apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein the means comprises: 
 a. a support mounting the drain device for vertical movement to enable the elevation of the drain device relative to the tank to be selectively adjusted; and,    b. a connection between the drain device and fill valve device to elevationally move the fill valve device responsive to elevational adjustment of the drain device.    
   
   
       12 . Apparatus according to  claim 11  wherein the support comprises a screw connection between the tank and the drain device.  
   
   
       13 . Apparatus according to  claim 11  wherein: 
 a. the fill device is connected to a source of water under pressure and the mounted for vertical extension relative to the tank in response to the pressure; and,    b. the connection comprises a stop carried by the drain device for engagement with the fill device to limit extension of the fill device.    
   
   
       14 . Apparatus according to  claim 11  wherein: 
 a. the fill device is mounted for slidable vertical movement relative to the tank; and,    b. the connection moves the fill device vertically responsive to elevational adjustment of the drain device.    
   
   
       15 . Apparatus according to  claim 15  wherein the connection comprises: 
 a. an arm secured to the drain device for vertical movement therewith; and,    b. a collar on the arm engaged with the fill device to impart vertical movement of the drain device to the fill device.    
   
   
       16 . Apparatus according to  claim 14  wherein the connection comprises: 
 a. a disc carried by and extending around the drain device; and,    b. a follower carried by the fill device and extending therefrom into engagement with the disc to impart vertical movement of the drain device to the fill device.    
   
   
       17 . A tank according to  claim 10  wherein the means comprises: 
 a. a screw mounted within the tank for rotation about a generally vertically extending axis; and,    b. a follower threadably engaged with the screw for vertical movement relative to the tank in response to rotation of the screw about the axis, said follower being connected to the fill and overflow devices to move the devices vertically with the follower.    
   
   
       18 . A tank according to  claim 17  wherein the follower extends transversely of the tank and the tank further comprises a vertically extending guide member slidably engaged with the follower to guide the follower for vertical movement in response to rotation of the screw.  
   
   
       19 . Apparatus for adjusting and automatically maintaining a predetermined water level within a swimming pool, said apparatus comprising: 
 a. a tank communicating with the pool whereby the water level within the tank is the same as that of the pool;    b. a fill valve device mounted within the tank for elevational movement relative thereto;    c. an overflow drain device mounted within the tank for elevational movement relative thereto;    d. a screw securing the drain device to the tank whereby turning of the drain device selectively adjusts the elevation of the drain device relative to the tank; and,    e. a connection between the drain device and fill device to elevationally move the fill device responsive to elevational adjustment of the drain device.    
   
   
       20 . Apparatus according to  claim 19  wherein: 
 a. the fill device is connected to a source of water under pressure and the mounted for vertical extension relative to the tank in response to the pressure; and,    b. the connection comprises a stop carried by the drain device for engagement with the fill device to limit extension of the fill device.    
   
   
       21 . Apparatus according to  claim 19  wherein: 
 a. the fill device is mounted for slidable vertical movement relative to the tank; and,    b. the connection moves the fill device vertically responsive to elevational adjustment of the drain device.    
   
   
       22 . Apparatus according to  claim 21  wherein the connection comprises: 
 a. an arm secured to the drain device for vertical movement therewith; and,    b. a collar on the arm engaged with the fill device to impart vertical movement of the drain device to the fill device.    
   
   
       23 . Apparatus according to  claim 21  wherein the connection comprises: 
 a. a disc carried by and extending around the drain device; and,    b. a follower carried by the fill device and extending therefrom into engagement with the disc to impart vertical movement of the drain device to the fill device.    
   
   
       24 . Apparatus for adjusting and automatically maintaining a predetermined water level within a swimming pool, said apparatus comprising: 
 a. a tank communicating with the pool whereby the water level within the tank is the same as that of the pool;    b. a fill valve device mounted within the tank for elevational movement relative thereto;    c. an overflow drain device mounted within the tank for elevational movement relative thereto;    d. a screw mounted within the tank for rotation about a generally vertically extending axis; and,    e. a follower threadably engaged with the screw for vertical movement relative to the tank in response to rotation of the screw about the axis, said follower being connected to the fill valve and overflow devices to move the devices vertically with the follower.    
   
   
       25 . A tank according to  claim 24  wherein the follower extends transversely of the tank and the tank further comprises a vertically extending guide member slidably engaged with the follower to guide the follower for vertical movement in response to rotation of the screw.