Portable pump

Abstract

A pump for non-flammable liquids has an improved mounting for the motor which facilitates the relatively quick and easy removal of the motor from the pump. The pump has a main body which is hollow and cylindrical. A motor housing is connected to the main body by threads at a first end and has a removable end cap on its second end. The electric motor is located in said motor housing and secured when the end cap is on the motor housing. An electronics housing has a battery adapter plate, a switch, and a discharge port, and encloses wires and electronics such that the motor pumps the liquid from the end cap, through the motor housing and the main body, and out of the discharge port when the switch is turned on.

We hereby claim as our invention: 
     
         1 . A pump assembly comprising:
 a tube having a first end, a second end, and an axis extending through the first and second ends, the tube accommodating fluid to flow therethrough;   a pump including a motor, an inner housing surrounding the motor, an outer housing surrounding the inner housing, a chamber formed between the inner housing and the outer housing, and an impeller, the pump having an inlet adjacent the first end and in fluid communication with the tube;   an outlet adjacent the second end and in fluid communication with the tube;   a handle; and   a filter assembly supported by the pump and in fluid communication with the inlet;   wherein fluid flows into the pump assembly through the inlet, around the motor, through the tube, and out of the pump assembly through the outlet.   
     
     
         2 . The pump assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the motor includes an output shaft extending into the chamber, and wherein the impeller is coupled to the output shaft and positioned in the chamber. 
     
     
         3 . The pump assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the output shaft is rotatable about a motor axis coaxial with the axis of the tube. 
     
     
         4 . The pump assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the fluid flowing into the pump assembly through the inlet flows through the chamber, and wherein the motor is sealed within the inner housing and fluidly separated from the chamber. 
     
     
         5 . The pump assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the filter assembly includes an inner surface defining at least a portion of the chamber. 
     
     
         6 . The pump assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the pump is configured to propel the fluid flow through the pump assembly and through the outlet, and wherein the pump is inoperable to draw fluid into the inlet unless the filter is supported by the pump. 
     
     
         7 . The pump assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a receptacle configured to receive a battery pack, wherein the motor is configured to be powered by the battery pack when the battery pack is received in the receptacle, and wherein the receptacle and the motor are connected by a conductor at least partially supported within the tube. 
     
     
         8 . A pump assembly comprising:
 a tube having a first end, a second end, and an axis extending through the first and second ends, the tube accommodating fluid to flow therethrough;   a pump including an impeller adjacent the first end and a motor operable for driving the impeller to draw fluid through the pump, the pump having an inlet in fluid communication with the tube;   a filter assembly coupled to the pump;   an outlet in fluid communication with the tube;   a handle adjacent the second end; and   a receptacle configured to receive a battery pack,   wherein the battery receptacle and the motor are connected by a conductor at least partially supported within the tube.   
     
     
         9 . The pump assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the pump includes an inner housing surrounding the motor, an outer housing surrounding the inner housing, and a chamber formed between the inner housing and the outer housing. 
     
     
         10 . The pump assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the impeller is coupled to an output shaft of the motor and is positioned in the chamber.