Human-Powered Irrigation Pump
AssigneeKickSmart International, Inc.
InventorsAlan Spybey, Martin J. Fisher, Simon M. Mugo, Alex M. Mucheru, Frederick Obudho
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A human-powered pump assembly includes a frame and a treadle pivot attached to the frame, such that the treadle pivot defines a horizontal rotational axis. The pump assembly includes a pair of treadles coupled to the treadle pivot and a rocker pivot attached to the frame, such that the rocker pivot defines a separate horizontal rotational axis. The pump assembly includes a reciprocating rocker coupled to the rocker pivot and to the pair of treadles to constrain the motion thereof, such that the rocker pivot axis is located below the treadle pivot axis.
Claims24
A human-powered pump assembly comprising:
- a frame;
- a treadle pivot attached to the frame, the treadle pivot defining a horizontal rotational axis;
- a pair of treadles coupled to the treadle pivot;
- a rocker pivot attached to the frame, the rocker pivot defining a separate horizontal rotational axis;
- and
- a reciprocating rocker coupled to the rocker pivot and to the pair of treadles to constrain the motion thereof, wherein the rocker pivot axis is located below the treadle pivot axis.
A method of operating a human-powered pump, the method comprising the steps of:
- applying a downward force to a first treadle to rotate the first treadle about a treadle pivot axis in a downward direction, the first treadle coupled to a second treadle by a reciprocating rocker rotating about a rocker pivot axis located below the treadle pivot axis, such that the second treadle rotates in an upward direction;
- and
- applying a downward force to the second treadle to rotate the second treadle about the treadle pivot axis in a downward direction, such that the first treadle rotates in an upward direction.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.