BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a pump; and more particularly a rechargeable portable
utility pump.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention provides a utility pump featuring a new and unique combination
of a housing and a battery. According to some embodiments of the present invention,
the housing may be configured with a series configuration of integral pumps, and also
configured with a battery receiving portion having electrical terminals for receiving
power for providing to the series configuration of the integral pumps; and the battery
may include a protruding portion with corresponding electrical terminals configured
to contact the electrical terminals of the battery receiving portion to provide power
to the series configuration of the integral pumps when the protruding portion of the
battery is inserted into the battery receiving portion of the housing and rotated
in one direction to an "ON" position, and also configured so as not to contact the
electrical terminals when the battery is not rotated to the "ON" position.
[0003] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the utility pump may also
include one or more of the following features:
The series configuration of the integral pumps may include a first centrifugal pump
and a second centrifugal pump.
[0004] A suction side of the first centrifugal pump may be configured to receive a fluid
through a lower strainer unit, and/or a discharge of the first centrifugal pump may
be configured to be directly integrated into a corresponding suction side of the second
centrifugal pump so that the fluid is then discharged out the second centrifugal pump
through a fitting.
[0005] The utility pump may include a rechargeable battery pack and printed circuit board
(PCB) controls that are housed inside a thermoplastic assembly or housing.
[0006] The protruding portion may also include a cylindrical wall with an O-ring configured
to frictionally engage and make sealing contact with an internal wall of the battery
receiving portion to prevent the fluid from contacting the electrical terminals and
the corresponding electrical terminals when the battery is inserted into the battery
receiving portion, so that the utility pump may be operated when either partially
and totally submersed in the fluid.
[0007] The battery receiving portion may include an internal wall configured with at least
one axial channel therein; and the protruding portion may include an external wall
having at least one protruding portion configured to engage the at least one axial
channel for guiding and orienting the battery when inserted into the battery receiving
portion into a first rotational position.
[0008] The internal wall of the battery receiving portion may also be configured with at
least one partial circumferential channel; and the at least one protruding portion
may also be configured to engage the partial circumferential channel for rotating
the battery from the first rotational position when the protruding portion of the
battery is inserted into the battery receiving portion of the housing into either
a second rotational position, including the "ON" position where the series configuration
of integral pumps is turned "ON", or to a third rotational position, including the
"OFF" position where the series configuration of the integral pumps is turned "OFF."
[0009] The at least one axial channel may also include two axial channels disposed on opposite
sides of the battery receiving portion, and the at least partial circumferential channel
may also include two partial circumferential channels; and the external wall of the
protruding portion may include two protruding portions configured to engage respectively
the two axial channels for guiding and orienting the battery when inserted into the
battery receiving portion, and also to engage the two partial circumferential channel
for positioning the battery in either the second rotational position ("ON") or the
third rotational position ("OFF").
[0010] The two axial channels may be configured and dimensioned with different sizes, and
the two protruding portions may be configured and dimensioned with corresponding different
sizes, so that the battery can only be inserted into the battery receiving portion
with one orientation.
[0011] The at least one partial circumferential channel may include a flexible locking device
having a first face and a second face and being configured on a flexible hinge portion.
The first face may be configured on an angle so as to respond to the at least one
protruding portion and flex the flexible locking device downwardly into an opening
or slot and below the channel surface so as to allow the at least one protruding portion
to slide or pass by when the battery is rotated in the one direction in the battery
receiving portion. The flexible locking device may be configured to flex back upwardly
above the channel surface once the at least one protruding portion slides or passes
by the first face. The second face may be configured to extend into the partial circumferential
channel above the channel surface so as to prevent the at least one protruding portion
from passing or sliding by when the battery is rotated in an opposite direction in
the battery receiving portion so as to lock the battery in the battery receiving portion
so it cannot be removed.
[0012] The housing may also include a switch configured to respond to a switching actuation
and move the flexible locking device downwardly into the opening or slot and below
the channel surface to allow the at least one protruding portion to pass by when the
battery is rotated in the opposite direction in the battery receiving portion, so
that the battery may be moved to the first rotational position and removed from the
battery receiving portion.
[0013] The battery receiving portion may also be configured with a flat wall having the
electrical terminals arranged thereon; and the protruding portion may also be configured
with a corresponding flat wall having the corresponding electrical terminals arranged
thereon for contacting the electrical terminals when the battery is inserted into
the battery receiving portion and rotated.
[0014] The housing may also have a detachable two-part construction, including a lower part
configured with openings to receive fluid to be pumped, and an upper part configured
with an outlet port for providing the fluid being pumped.
[0015] The battery may be a rechargeable battery.
[0016] The battery may also include a cover position having an arrow-shaped member configured
to provide a visual indication of the orientation of the battery.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0017] The drawing, which is not necessarily drawn to scale, includes the following Figures:
Figure 1 is a top perspective view of a portable bilge pump according to some embodiments
of the present invention;
Figure 2 is a front view of the portable bilge pump shown in Figure 1 with the battery
inserted, according to some embodiments of the present invention;
Figure 3 is a front view of the portable bilge pump shown in Figure 1 without the
battery inserted, according to some embodiments of the present invention;
Figure 4 is a side view of the portable bilge pump shown in Figure 1 according to
some embodiments of the present invention;
Figure 5 is a partial perspective view of the portable bilge pump shown in Figure
3 according to some embodiments of the present invention;
Figure 6 is a side view of a battery that forms part of the portable bilge pump shown
in Figure 1 according to some embodiments of the present invention;
Figure 7 is a back view of the battery shown in Figure 6 according to some embodiments
of the present invention; and
Figure 8 is a perspective view of the battery shown in Figure 6 according to some
embodiments of the present invention.
Figures 9a, 9b show a utility pump according to some embodiments of the present invention,
where Figure 9a is an isometric view of the utility pump, and Figure 9b is a cross-sectional
view of the utility pump shown in Figure 9a.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0018] Figures 1-8 show a pump generally indicated as 10 that features a new and unique
combination, arrangement or configuration of a housing 12 and a battery 14, including
a rechargeable battery, which is disclosed and claimed in patent application serial
no.
13/222,303, filed 31 August 2011, consistent with that set forth below. For the convenience of the reader, it is noted
that the subject matter shown in Figures 9a and 9b and the description thereof set
forth below form the basis of the additional subject matter of the instant continuation-in-part
patent application as set forth herein.
[0019] As shown by way of example in Figures 3 and 5, the housing 12 may be configured with
a battery receiving portion generally indicated as 16 having electrical terminals
18a, 18b for receiving power to the pump 10. The battery receiving portion 16 is configured
or formed as a cavity in part of the housing 12 that is dimensioned to receive some
portion of the battery 14, consistent with that described herein.
[0020] As shown by way of example in Figures 6-8, the battery 14 may include a protruding
portion 20 with corresponding electrical terminals 22a, 22b configured to contact
the electrical terminals 18a, 18b of the battery receiving portion 16 to provide power
to the pump 10 when the protruding portion 20 of the battery 14 is inserted into the
battery receiving portion 16 of the housing 12 as shown in Figure 2 and rotated in
one direction indicated by arrow A (Figure 2) to an "ON" position, and also configured
so as not to contact the electrical terminals when the battery 14 is not rotated to
the "ON" position. The battery 14 is not rotated to the "ON" position when it is any
other rotational position other than in the "ON" position, e.g., including when it
is in a battery insert position generally indicated by reference label I in Figures
2-3, and also including when it is in the "OFF" position.
[0021] As shown by way of example in Figure 6, the protruding portion 20 may also include
a cylindrical wall 24 with an O-ring 26 configured to frictionally engage and make
sealing contact with one cylindrical internal wall 28 of the battery receiving portion
16 as shown in Figures 3 and 5 to prevent the fluid from contacting the electrical
terminals 18a, 18b (Figure 3) and the corresponding electrical terminals 22a, 22b
(Figure 7) when the battery 14 is inserted into the battery receiving portion 16 as
shown in Figure 2, so that the pump 10 may be operated when either partially and totally
submersed in the fluid. The configuration of the cylindrical wall 24 and O-ring 26
includes the cylindrical wall 24 having an annular channel or groove for receiving
and retaining the O-ring 26 therein, as well as embodiments in which the O-ring 26
is arranged on the cylindrical wall 24 without using an annular channel or groove.
[0022] As shown by way of example in Figures 3 and 5, the battery receiving portion 16 may
include another internal wall 30a configured with at least one axial channel 32a,
32b formed therein. As shown in Figures 6-8, the protruding portion 20 may include
at least one external wall 34a, 34b with at least one protruding portion 36a, 36b
configured to engage the at least one axial channel 32a, 3ab for guiding and orienting
the battery 14 when inserted into the battery receiving portion 16 as shown in Figure
2 into a first rotational position as indicated by reference label I in Figures 2-3.
[0023] As shown by way of example in Figure 5, the internal wall 30a of the battery receiving
portion 16 may also be configured with at least one partial circumferential channel
38 that is formed between the internal wall 30a and a corresponding internal wall
30b. The at least one protruding portion 36a shown in Figures 6-8 may also be configured
to engage the partial circumferential channel 38 shown in Figure 5 for rotating the
battery 14 from the first rotation position I (Figures 2-3) when the protruding portion
20 of the battery 14 is inserted into the battery receiving portion 16 of the housing
12 as shown in Figure 2 into either a second rotational position, such as the "ON"
position where the pump is turned "ON", or to a third rotational position, such as
the "OFF" position where the pump is turned "OFF", as shown in Figure 2
[0024] As shown by way of example in Figures 3 and 5, the two axial channels 32a, 32b are
configured, disposed, arranged or formed on opposite sides of the battery receiving
portion 16. In embodiments having two protruding portions 36a, 36b (Figures 6-8),
the at least partial circumferential channel 38 may include a second partial circumferential
channel for receiving the corresponding protruding portion 36b. The second partial
circumferential channel is not shown in Figure 5, but is understood to be configured
substantially similar to the partial circumferential channel 38 and dimensioned to
receive the protruding portion 36b. Embodiments are envisioned using one protruding
portion, e.g., element 36a, so that one corresponding circumferential channel, e.g.,
element 38, may be formed in the battery receiving portion 16 for receiving the same.
In operation, when inserted into the battery receiving portion 16 the two corresponding
protruding portions 36a, 36b are configured to engage respectively the two axial channels
32a, 32b for guiding and orienting the battery 14 in the battery receiving portion
16; and the two corresponding protruding portions 36a, 36b are also configured to
engage the two partial circumferential channels 38 for rotating and positioning the
battery 14 in some other rotational position, including either the second rotational
position (i.e. the "ON" position) or the third rotational position (i.e. the "OFF"
position), as shown in Figures 2-3.
[0025] As shown by way of example in Figures 3 and 5 and Figures 6-8, the two axial channels
32a, 32b may be configured and dimensioned with different sizes, and the two protruding
portions 36a, 36b may also be configured and dimensioned with corresponding different
sizes, so that the battery 14 can only be inserted into the battery receiving portion
16 with one orientation, i.e. the larger protruding portion 36a is received by the
larger dimensioned axial channel 32a and the smaller protruding portion 36b is received
by the smaller dimensioned axial channel 32b, as shown in Figures 3 and 5-7. The scope
of the invention is not intended to be limited to any particular dimension or size
of the axial channels 32a, 32b or protruding portions 36a, 36b in relation to one
another or each other.
[0026] As shown by way of example in Figure 5, the at least one partial circumferential
channel 38 may also include a flexible locking device 40 having a first face 40a and
a second face 40b and being configured on a flexible hinge portion 42. The first face
40a is configured on an angle so as to respond to the at least one protruding portion
36a and flex the flexible locking device 40 downwardly into an opening or slot 44
and below the channel surface so as to allow the at least one protruding portion 36a
to slide or pass by when the battery 14 is rotated in the one direction A (see Figure
2) in the battery receiving portion 16. Once the at least one protruding portion 36a
has slid and passed by the first face 40a when the battery 14 is rotated in the one
direction A (Figure 2), the flexible locking device 40 is configured to flex back
upwardly above the channel surface. In this position, the second face 40b is configured
to extend into the partial circumferential channel 38 so as to prevent the at least
one protruding portion 36a from passing or sliding by when the battery 14 is rotated
in an opposite direction B (see Figure 2) in the battery receiving portion 16 so as
to lock the battery 14 in the battery receiving portion 16 so it cannot be removed.
[0027] As shown by way of example in Figures 1-3, the housing 12 may also include a switch
or button 50 configured to respond to a switching actuation, e.g., by a user pressing
the button, and move the flexible locking device 40 downwardly so the second face
40b is below the channel surface to allow the at least one protruding portion 36a
to pass by when the battery 14 is rotated in the opposite direction B (Figure 2) in
the battery receiving portion 16, so that the battery 14 may be moved to the first
rotational position I (Figure 2) and removed from the battery receiving portion 16.
The scope of the invention is not intended to be limited to the type or kind of coupling
between the switch 50 and the flexible locking device 40, and a person skilled in
the art would be able to implement such a coupling without undue experimentation.
By way of example, such a coupling may include an embodiment in which the switch or
button 50 is pressed inwardly by a user so the flexible locking device 40 moves downwardly
below the channel surface and stays in place until the switch or button 50 is pressed
a second time to release the flexible locking device 40 and moves upwardly above the
channel surface. Alternatively, such a coupling may include an embodiment in which
the switch or button 50 may be pressed inwardly by the user and held by the user so
the flexible locking device 40 moves downwardly below the channel surface and stays
in place until the switch or button 50 is released by the user such that the flexible
locking device 40 moves upwardly back above the channel surface.
[0028] As shown by way of example in Figure 3, the battery receiving portion 16 may also
be configured with a flat wall 60 having the electrical terminals 18a, 18b arranged
thereon. As shown in Figures 6-8, the protruding portion 20 may also be configured
with a corresponding flat wall 62 having the corresponding electrical terminals 22a,
22b arranged thereon for contacting the electrical terminals 18a, 18b when the battery
14 is inserted into the battery receiving portion 16 and rotated. Embodiment are also
envisioned in which the electrical terminals 18a, 18b (Figure 3) may be arranged on
the cylindrical internal wall 28 and the corresponding electrical terminals 22a, 22b
(Figures 6-8) may be arranged on the cylindrical wall 24 so as to make electrical
contact when the protruding portion 20 is inserted into the battery receiving portion
16 of the housing 12 and suitably rotated to the "ON" position. Embodiment are also
envisioned where one electrical terminal may be arranged on a flat wall and the other
electrical terminal may be arranged on a cylindrical wall, and where one corresponding
electrical terminal may be arranged on a corresponding flat wall and the other corresponding
electrical terminal may be arranged on a corresponding cylindrical wall, so as to
make electrical contact when the protruding portion 20 is inserted into the battery
receiving portion 16 of the housing 12 and suitably rotated to the "ON" position.
[0029] As shown by way of example in Figures 2, 4 and 6, the battery 14 may be configured
with a cover portion 90 having an arrow-shaped member 92 configured to provide a visual
indication of the orientation of the battery 14. For example, when the battery 14
inserted in the battery receiving portion 16, the arrow-shaped member 92 would be
pointed to the reference label I in Figure 2; when the battery 14 is rotated to the
"ON" position in the battery receiving portion 16, the arrow-shaped member 92 would
be pointed to the reference label "ON" in Figure 2; and when the battery 14 is rotated
to the "OFF" position in the battery receiving portion 16, the arrow-shaped member
92 would be pointed to the reference label "OFF" in Figure 2.
[0030] As shown by way of example in Figures 1-5, the housing 12 may be configured as a
detachable two-part construction, including a lower part 70 configured with openings
72 to receive fluid to be pumped, and an upper part 80 configured with an outlet port
82 for providing the fluid being pumped. The lower part 70 has tabs 74 (Figure 1)
and 76 (Figure 4) that are configured to be received in corresponding openings 84
(Figure 1) and 86 (Figure 4) of the upper part 80 and pressed, e.g., by fingers of
a user, to detach and release the lower part 70 from the upper part 80. The lower
part 70 is also configured with recesses 78a (Figure 1) and 78b (Figure 4) to be engaged,
e.g., with the other fingers of the user, when detaching the lower part 70 and the
upper part 80. Embodiments are also envisioned in which the pump 10 is assembled and
the two parts 70, 80 of the housing 12 are sealed together, e.g., using an ultrasonic
sealing or welding. The housing 12 may also be configured with a handle 100 as shown
in Figures 1-4 for portably carrying the pump 10.
[0031] It is understood that the pump 10 is configured to contain some kind of pumping device
(not shown) inside the housing 10. Pumping devices are known in the art and the scope
of the invention is not intended to be limited to any particular type, kind or implementation
thereof either now known or later developed in the future, including by way of example,
a diaphragm pump. The pumping device itself does not form part of the underlying invention,
and thus is not shown or described in detail. Moreover, consistent with that disclosed
herein, a person skilled in the art would be able to implement such a pumping device,
e.g., a diaphragm pump, into the housing 12 without undue experimentation within the
spirit of the underlying invention in order to make the pump 10 receive the fluid
in the openings 72 (Figures 1-4) and provide the fluid from the port 82 (Figures 1
and 4). Figures 9a, 9b: Series Centrifugal Pump Configuration
[0032] Figures 9a, 9b shows a utility pump generally indicated as 200 that forms the basis
for the instant continuation-in-part application of patent application serial no.
13/222,303, filed 31 August 2011, consistent with that set forth below. Similar elements in Figures 1-8 and Figure
9 are provided with similar reference numerals for the sake of consistency. So as
to not unduly clutter Figure 9, not every element in Figure 9 is provided a reference
numeral consistent with Figures 108.
[0033] The utility pump comprises a series configuration of two centrifugal pumps 202, 204
that gives an increase in the head pressure and is integral package within the pump
housing 12.
[0034] The utility pump or pump system 200 comprises of an internal "hydraulics" assembly
which includes the two centrifugal pumps 202, 204. The suction side of the first centrifugal
pump 202 receives water through a lower strainer unit or openings 72. The discharge
of the first pump 202 is directly integrated into the suction side of the second centrifugal
pump 204. The fluid is then discharged out the second pump through a fitting 204b
for providing out a discharge 206 (Figure 9a). This hydraulic unit along with the
rechargeable battery pack 14 and printed circuit board (PCB) controls are housed inside
a thermoplastic assembly or pump housing 12.
[0035] In Figure 9, the utility pump 200 is designed to meet consumer pumping needs for
applications which AC or other DC power may not be readily available or convenient
for use.
[0036] In Figure 9a, the utility pump 200 includes a battery assembly release button 210
that may be pressed in order to allow the battery 14 to be rotated and removed from
the housing 12. See the switch or button 50 shown in Figures 1-3.
[0037] The utility pump 200 also includes pump legs 212a, 212b, 212c, and 212d for supporting
and stabilizing the utility pump 200.
The Scope of the Invention
[0038] Further still, the embodiments shown and described in detail herein are provided
by way of example only; and the scope of the invention is not intended to be limited
to the particular configurations, dimensionalities, and/or design details of these
parts or elements included herein. In other words, a person skilled in the art would
appreciate that design changes to these embodiments may be made and such that the
resulting embodiments would be different than the embodiments disclosed herein, but
would still be within the overall spirit of the present invention.
[0039] It should be understood that, unless stated otherwise herein, any of the features,
characteristics, alternatives or modifications described regarding a particular embodiment
herein may also be applied, used, or incorporated with any other embodiment described
herein. Also, the drawings herein are not necessarily drawn to scale.
[0040] Although the invention has been described and illustrated with respect to exemplary
embodiments thereof, the foregoing and various other additions and omissions may be
made therein and thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the present
invention.
1. A utility pump comprising:
a housing configured with a series configuration of integral pumps, and also configured
with a battery receiving portion having electrical terminals for receiving power for
providing to the series configuration of the integral pumps; and
a battery having a protruding portion with corresponding electrical terminals configured
to contact the electrical terminals on the battery receiving portion to provide the
power to the series configuration of integral pumps when the protruding portion of
the battery is inserted into the battery receiving portion of the housing and rotated
in one direction to an "ON" position, and also configured so as not to contact the
electrical terminals when the battery is not rotated to the "ON" position.
2. A utility pump according to claim 1, wherein the protruding portion has a cylindrical
wall with an O-ring configured to frictionally engage and make sealing contact with
an internal wall of the battery receiving portion to prevent the fluid from contacting
the electrical terminals and the corresponding electrical terminals when the battery
is inserted into the battery receiving portion, so that the series configuration of
integral pumps may be operated when either partially and totally submersed in the
fluid.
3. A utility pump according to any of the preceding claims, in particular according to
claim 1, wherein
the battery receiving portion has an internal wall configured with at least one axial
channel therein; and
the protruding portion has an external wall having at least one protruding portion
configured to engage the at least one axial channel for guiding and orienting the
battery when inserted into the battery receiving portion into a first rotational position.
4. A utility pump according to any of the preceding claims, in particular according to
claim 3, wherein
the internal wall of the battery receiving portion is configured with at least one
partial circumferential channel; and
the at least one protruding portion is configured to engage the partial circumferential
channel for rotating the battery from a first position when the protruding portion
of the battery is inserted into the battery receiving portion of the housing into
either a second rotational position, including the "ON" position where the series
configuration of integral pumps is turned "ON", or to a third rotational position,
including the "OFF" position where the series configuration of integral pumps is turned
"OFF."
5. A utility pump according to any of the preceding claims, in particular according to
claim 4, wherein
the at least one axial channel comprises two axial channels disposed on opposite sides
of the battery receiving portion, and the at least partial circumferential channel
comprises two partial circumferential channels; and
the external wall of the protruding portion includes two protruding portions configured
to engage respectively the two axial channels for guiding and orienting the battery
when inserted into the battery receiving portion, and to engage the two partial circumferential
channel for positioning the battery in either the second rotational position or the
third rotational position.
6. A utility pump according to any of the preceding claims, in particular according to
claim 5, wherein
the two axial channels are configured and dimensioned with different sizes, and the
two protruding portions configured and dimensioned with corresponding different sizes,
so that the battery can only be inserted into the battery receiving portion with one
orientation.
7. A utility pump according to any of the preceding claims, in particular according to
any of preceding claims 3 to 6, in particular according to claim 3 or 4, wherein
the at least one partial circumferential channel has a flexible locking device having
a first face and a second face that is configured on a flexible hinge portion;
the first face is configured on an angle so as to respond to the at least one protruding
portion and flex the flexible locking device downwardly into an opening or slot and
below the channel surface so as to allow the at least one protruding portion to slide
or pass by when the battery is rotated in the one direction in the battery receiving
portion;
the flexible locking device is configured to flex back upwardly above the channel
surface once the at least one protruding portion slides or passes by the first face;
and
the second face is configured to extend into the partial circumferential channel above
the channel surface so as to prevent the at least one protruding portion from passing
or sliding by when the battery is rotated in an opposite direction in the battery
receiving portion so as to lock the battery in the battery receiving portion so it
cannot be removed.
8. A utility pump according to any of the preceding claims, in particular according to
claim 7, wherein the housing has a switch configured to respond to a switching actuation
and move the flexible locking device downwardly into the opening or slot and below
the channel surface to allow the at least one protruding portion to pass by when the
battery is rotated in the opposite direction in the battery receiving portion, so
that the battery may be moved to the first rotational position and removed from the
battery receiving portion.
9. A utility pump according to any of the preceding claims, in particular according to
claim 1, wherein
the battery receiving portion is configured with a flat wall having the electrical
terminals arranged thereon; and
the protruding portion is configured with a corresponding flat wall having the corresponding
electrical terminals arranged thereon for contacting the electrical terminals when
the battery is inserted into the battery receiving portion and rotated.
10. A utility pump according to any of the preceding claims, in particular according to
claim 1, wherein the housing has a detachable two-part construction, including a lower
part configured with openings to receive fluid being pumped, and an upper part configured
with an outlet port for providing the fluid being pumped.
11. A utility pump according to any of the preceding claims, in particular according to
claim 1, wherein the battery is rechargeable.
12. A utility pump according to any of the preceding claims, in particular according to
claim 1, wherein the battery has a cover position having a arrow-shaped member configured
to provide a visual indication of the orientation of the battery.
13. A utility pump according to any of the preceding claims, in particular according to
claim 1, wherein the series configuration of the integral pumps comprises a first
centrifugal pump and a second centrifugal pump.
14. A utility pump according to any of the preceding claims, in particular according to
claim 13, wherein
a suction side of the first centrifugal pump is configured to receive a fluid through
a lower strainer unit; and
a discharge of the first centrifugal pump is configured to be directly integrated
into a corresponding suction side of the second centrifugal pump so that the fluid
is then discharged out the second centrifugal pump through a fitting.
15. A utility pump according to any of the preceding claims, in particular according to
claim 14, wherein the utility pump comprises a rechargeable battery pack and printed
circuit board (PCB) controls that are housed inside a thermoplastic assembly.