1. A fluid supply assembly fluidly connectable to a source of fluid, comprising:
a housing;
a hydraulic assembly supported within the housing, wherein the hydraulic assembly is configured and adapted to pressurize the fluid which is supplied to a fluid supply valve assembly;
a tank assembly supported within the housing for retaining a quantity of pre-conditioned fluid therein; the tank assembly including:
an insulated housing defining a reservoir therein;
a screen disposed within the reservoir for dividing the reservoir into a first chamber and a second chamber;
a pair of first heat sinks extending into the first and second chambers of the reservoir;
a pair of second heat sinks provided on an exterior of the insulated housing: and
peltiers interconnecting the first and second heat sinks within one another: and
a filter assembly supported within the housing and in fluid communication with the hydraulic assembly.
2. The fluid supply assembly according to claim 1, wherein the hydraulic assembly includes:
a support body;
a solenoid shut-off operatively disposed on the support body;
a pressure regulator operatively associated with the solenoid shut-off; and a fluid supply line fluidly connected to the pressure regulator.
3. The fluid supply assembly according to claim 2, further comprising a solenoid filter in fluid communication with the-solenoid shut-off.
4. The fluid supply assembly according to claim 3, further comprising a fan plate assembly operatively associated with the tank assembly and being configured and adapted for maintaining the pre-conditioned fluid contained therein at a relatively low temperature.
5. The fluid supply assembly according to claim 4, wherein the fan plate assembly is operatively associated with the second heat sinks.
6. The fluid supply assembly according to claim 5, wherein the filter assembly includes:
a filter housing;
a sediment filter disposed within the filter housing; and
a carbon-block filter disposed within the housing.
7. The fluid supply assembly according to claim 6, further comprising a display supported on the housing thereof, the display including a plurality of LEDs, and a printed circuit board operatively associated with each LED.
8. The fluid supply assembly according to claim 6 wherein the sediment filter and the carbon-block filter are replaceable.
9. The fluid supply assembly according to claim 6, wherein the sediment filter and the carbon-block filter are automatically replaceable.
10. The fluid supply assembly according to claim 9, further comprising a mechanism for automatically replacing at least one of the sediment filter and the carbon-block filter.
11. The fluid supply assembly according to claim 10, wherein the automatic filter replacement mechanism includes:
a first button actuatable by a user for closing a fluid supply valve which supplies fluid to the filter assembly and for activating a release mechanism which disconnected at least one of the sediment filter and the carbon-block filter from the filter housing; and
a second button actuatable by the user, following replacement of at least one of the sediment filter and the carbon-block filter with at least one new sediment filter and carbon-block filter, which fluidly secures the at least one new sediment filter and carbon-block filter to the filter housing, opens the fluid supply valve which supplies fluid to the filter assembly, and resets a counter which monitors use of the filter assembly and alerts the user when a predetermined threshold level is reached.
12. The fluid supply assembly according to claim 1, wherein the filter assembly is replaceable.
13. The fluid supply assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a mounting bracket for connecting the housing of the fluid supply assembly to a supporting structure.
14. A fluid supply assembly connectable to a source of fluid, comprising:
a housing;
a hydraulic assembly supported within the housing, wherein the hydraulic assembly is configured and adapted to pressurize the fluid which is supplied to the fluid supply valve assembly, the hydraulic assembly including:
a support body;
a solenoid shut-off operatively disposed on the support body;
a pressure regulator operatively associated with the solenoid shut-off;
a fluid supply line fluidly connected to the pressure regulator; and
a solenoid filter in fluid communication with the solenoid shut-off;
a tank assembly supported within the housing for retaining a quantity of pre-conditioned fluid therein, the tank assembly including:
an insulated housing defining a reservoir therein;
a screen disposed within the reservoir for dividing the reservoir into a first chamber and a second chamber;
a pair of first heat sinks extending into the first and second chambers of the reservoir;
a pair of second heat sinks provided on an exterior of the insulated housing; and
peltiers interconnecting the first and second heat sinks within one another;
a filter assembly supported within the housing and in fluid communication with the hydraulic assembly, the filter assembly including:
a filter housing;
a sediment filter disposed within the filter housing; and
a carbon-block filter disposed within the housing;
a fan plate assembly operatively associated with the second heat sinks of the tank assembly and being configured and adapted for maintaining the pre-conditioned fluid contained therein at a relatively low temperature.
15. The fluid supply assembly according to claim 14, further comprising a display supported on the housing thereof, the display including a plurality of LEDs, and a printed circuit board operatively associated with each LED.
16. The fluid supply assembly according to claim 14, wherein the sediment filter and the carbon-block filter are replaceable.
17. The fluid supply assembly according to claim 14, wherein the sediment filter and the carbon-block filter are automatically replaceable.
18. The fluid supply assembly according to claim 17, further comprising a mechanism for automatically replacing at least one of the sediment filter and the carbon-block filter.
19. The fluid supply assembly according to claim 18, wherein the automatic filter replacement mechanism includes:
a first button actuatable by a user for closing a fluid supply valve which supplies fluid to the filter assembly and for activating a release mechanism which disconnected at least one of the sediment filter and the carbon-block filter from the filter housing: and
a second button actuatable by the user, following replacement of at least one of the sediment filter and the carbon-block filter with at least one new sediment filter and carbon-block filter, which fluidly secures the at least one new sediment filter and carbon-block filter to the filter housing, opens the fluid supply valve which supplies fluid to the filter assembly and resets a counter Which monitors use of the filter assembly and alerts the user when a predetermined threshold level is reached.
20. The fluid supply assembly according to claim 14, wherein the filter assembly is replaceable.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
Claims
1. A form for casting a concrete retaining wall block having a front, a top, a bottom, two sides and a rear, said form including a base, four form sides mounted to pivot relative to said base between closed and open positions, said four form sides forming a cavity having an open top and a closed bottom, said bottom forming the front of a block cast in said cavity, a first of said form sides forming a top of a block cast in said cavity, a second of said form sides forming a bottom of a block cast in said cavity, a third of said form sides forming one side of a block cast in said cavity, and the fourth of said form sides forming the other side of a block cast in said cavity, and a locking mechanism adapted to releasably lock said form sides in said closed position.
2. A form for casting a concrete retaining wall block, as set forth in claim 1, and including a resilient face insert in said cavity supported on said base, said resilient face insert having a surface defining said cavity bottom and adapted to form a front on a retaining wall block cast in said cavity.
3. A form for casting a concrete retaining wall block, as set forth in claim 2, and wherein said resilient face insert surface is configured to impart a predetermined ornamental appearance to the front of a retaining wall block cast in said cavity.
4. A form for casting a concrete retaining wall block, as set forth in claim 1, and including a rail mounted on said base to surrounding said form sides, and wherein said form sides are spaced from said rail when in said closed position and abut said rail when in said open position.
5. A form for casting a concrete retaining wall block, as set forth in claim 1, and wherein said first side includes at least one knob former for forming at least one raised knob on the top surface of a block cast in said cavity.
6. A form for casting a concrete retaining wall block, as set forth in claim 5, and wherein said first side includes two spaced knob formers aligned parallel to and spaced from said cavity bottom, said knob formers forming at least two raised knobs on the top surface of a block cast in said cavity.
7. A form for casting a concrete retaining wall block, as set forth in claim 6, and further including a resilient lift hook recess forming insert mounted on said first side between said knob formers, said lift hook recess forming insert having a groove adapted for engaging and resiliently holding a rod which is to be embedded in a block cast in said form, said lift hook recess forming insert forming a recess in the top of a block cast in said cavity and positioning such rod in such block to extend across such recess.
8. A form for casting a concrete retaining wall block, as set forth in claim 6, and further including a groove former secured to said second side to extend between said third and fourth sides adapted to form a groove extending across the bottom surface of a block cast in said cavity, and wherein said groove former is spaced from said cavity bottom the same distance as said knob formers.
9. A form for casting a concrete retaining wall block, as set forth in claim 1, and further including a minimum fill indicator in said cavity located to indicate a minimum acceptable depth to a block cast in said cavity.
10. A form for casting a concrete retaining wall block, as set forth in claim 9, and wherein said minimum fill indicator comprises a raised ridge in said cavity extending horizontally across at least one of said form sides.
11. A form for casting a concrete retaining wall block, as set forth in claim 1, and further including a resilient lift hook recess forming insert mounted on said first side, said lift hook recess forming insert having a groove adapted for engaging and resiliently holding a rod which is to be embedded in a block cast in said form, said lift hook recess forming insert forming a recess in the top of a block cast in said cavity and positioning such rod in such block to extend across such recess.
12. A form for casting a concrete retaining wall block, as set forth in claim 1, and further including stop members on said first and second form sides located to prevent said third and fourth form sides from pivoting when said form sides are in said closed position, and at least one releasable locking mechanism adapted to extend between and engage said first and second form sides when in said closed position, said locking mechanism preventing said first and second form sides from pivoting when said locking mechanism engages said first and second form sides.
13. A form for casting a concrete retaining wall block, as set forth in claim 12, and wherein said first and second form sides are parallel when in said closed position, and wherein said third and fourth form sides each form an angle of less than 90 to said base in said cavity.
14. A form for casting a concrete retaining wall block, as set forth in claim 2, and wherein said four form sides are mounted to pivot relative to said base from a point below and away from said face insert whereby said sides move away from said face insert when pivoted to the open position whereby any debris on said sides falls away from said face insert.
15. A form for casting a concrete retaining wall block, as set forth in claim 1, and further including a top block insert mounted on said first form side, said top block insert forming a top surface which is recessed below an upper edge of a front of a on a block cast in said form cavity.
16. A form for casting a concrete retaining wall block, as set forth in claim 15, and further including at least one resilient lift hook recess forming insert mounted on said top block insert, said lift hook recess forming insert having a groove adapted for engaging and resiliently holding a rod which is to be embedded in a block cast in said form, said lift hook recess forming insert forming a recess in the top of a block cast in said cavity and positioning such rod in such block to extend across such recess.
17. A form for cast a concrete retaining wall block, as set forth in claim 16, further including a half block insert mounted on said second form side, said half block insert separating said form cavity into two cavities, each of said two cavities being adapted for casting a half width retaining wall block.
18. A form for cast a concrete retaining wall block, as set forth in claim 17, and wherein two resilient lift hook recess forming inserts are mounted on said top block insert, one for forming a recess in the top of a half block cast in each of said two cavities and for positioning a rod in each such block to extend across such recess.
19. A form for cast a concrete retaining wall block, as set forth in claim 2, and further including a half block insert mounted on said second form side, said half block insert separating said form cavity into two cavities, each of said two cavities being adapted for casting a half width retaining wall block, and wherein said face insert has surfaces for forming the front of retaining wall blocks cast in each of said two cavities.
20. A concrete retaining wall block comprising a textured front, a horizontal top, a horizontal bottom, two sides each forming an angle of less than 90 relative to said front, and a rear, two knobs extending from said top, said knobs being spaced apart and having a predetermined spacing from said front, a groove in said bottom having said predetermined spacing from said front, said groove having a size and shape for receiving the knobs on an adjacent lower block in a retaining wall constructed from said block, a recess in said top, and a lift hook embedded in said block to extend across said recess to form a lifting point for said block.
21. A concrete retaining wall block, as set forth in claim 20, and wherein said two knobs are semispherical.
22. A concrete retaining wall block, as set forth in claim 21, and wherein said groove is shaped to facilitate alignment of two retaining wall blocks when stacking one retaining wall block on another retaining wall block.
23. A concrete retaining wall block, as set forth in claim 20, and wherein said two knobs are cylindrical.
24. A concrete retaining wall block, as set forth in claim 20, and further including a lifting loop extending from the rear of said block.
25. A concrete retaining wall block, as set forth in claim 20, and wherein said knobs and said groove have the same predetermined spacing from said front whereby stacked retaining wall blocks have a vertical front.
26. A concrete retaining wall block, as set forth in claim 20, and wherein said knobs have a greater predetermined spacing from said front than said groove whereby stacked retaining wall blocks have a generally sloping front.
27. A method of casting a concrete retaining wall block comprising the steps of:
a) casting a retaining wall block by pouring concrete into a cavity in a form wherein a front face of the block is formed in a bottom of said cavity, a rear of the block is formed at an open top of said cavity, and the top, bottom and sides of the block are formed by sides of said form;
b) opening said form by moving the sides of the cavity away from the cast block while the block remains supported by a portion of the form which forms the front face of the block;
c) lifting the block from said open form.
28. A method of casting a concrete retaining wall block, as set forth in claim 27, and wherein said form is opened by pivoting said form sides on a form base.
29. A method of casting a concrete retaining wall block, as set forth in claim 27, and prior to casting a concrete retaining wall block, securing one or more inserts to said form selected from the group consisting of a face insert, a top block insert, a groove insert, a knob former insert, and a lift hook recess forming insert.
30. A method of casting a concrete retaining wall block, as set forth in claim 27, and further including the step of forming a lifting loop at the rear of the cast block by embedding a rod in the poured concrete before such concrete hardened with a loop of said rod extending from the rear of the block.
31. A form for casting a concrete retaining wall block having a textured front, a top, a bottom, two sides and a rear, said form including a base, four form sides mounted to pivot relative to said base between closed and open positions, said four form sides when in said closed position forming a cavity having an open top, an insert forming a closed bottom to said cavity adapted for forming the textured front of a block cast in said cavity, a first of said form sides forming a top of a block cast in said cavity, a second of said form sides forming a bottom of a block cast in said cavity, a third of said form sides forming one side of a block cast in said cavity, and the fourth of said form sides forming the other side of a block cast in said cavity, and a locking mechanism adapted to releasably lock said form sides in said closed position.
32. A form for casting a concrete retaining wall block having a textured front, a top, a bottom, two sides and a rear, as set forth in claim 31, and wherein said insert is releasably secured at the bottom of said cavity.
33. A form for casting a concrete retaining wall block having a textured front, a top, a bottom, two sides and a rear, as set forth in claim 32, and wherein said insert is releasably secured to said form base.
34. A form for casting a concrete retaining wall block having a textured front, a top, a bottom, two sides and a rear, as set forth in claim 31, and further including a stop for limiting pivotal movement of said form sides when in said open position.