Float valve

A float valve for maintaining at least a minimum level of water in a plant container and installed in the base thereof, said float valve having a float to follow the water level and a water inlet for introducing water through an inlet port into the container, the float valve mounted within a housing substantially enclosing the operative components of the float valve, but allowing water flow between the housing and a reservoir provided in the base of the container, the float valve comprising:

• a valve operator includes a lever mounted for pivoting movement about a pivot point, the lever having one arm at one side of the pivot point and its other arm at the other side of the pivot point, the valve operator having an associated valve member for closing and opening the inlet port, the valve operator being movable between two operative positions comprising a closed position in which the valve member closes the inlet port and an open position in which the valve member opens the inlet port to allow water flow into the reservoir of the plant container base;
• biasing means providing a biasing force to bias the valve operator towards either one of its two operative positions;
• a switch mechanism having actuator means coupled in use to the float and movable in response to raising and lowering of the float as changes occur in the water level, the movement of the actuator means causing it to switch between a standby condition and an active condition corresponding respectively to the closed and open positions of the valve operator, the switch mechanism being constructed and arranged so that:
• the actuator means adopts its standby condition when the water level is at or above a predetermined lower level and, when in its standby condition, causes or enables the valve operator to remain in its closed position,
• the actuator switches over to its active condition when the water level falls to the predetermined lower level thereby causing or enabling the valve operator to adopt its open position so as to open the inlet port for entry of water into the container, and
• the actuator means switches back to its standby condition in response to the water level rising to a predetermined upper level above the predetermined lower level;
• the actuator means, when switching in one direction between its active condition and its standby condition, causing the valve operator to move against the action of the biasing force, whereby the biasing means is compressed by the other arm of the lever and against an inner side of a housing structure;
• and
• the valve operator further comprising a bearing surface against which the actuator means acts by travelling along the bearing surface as the valve operator is moved between the open and closed positions.