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A garden hose spray system includes a water pump and a controller with a switch for engaging and disengaging the pump. The pump is used for boosting a water flow through the system. The controller is in communication with the pump, and directs the switch to engage the pump when the water flow exceed

A garden hose spray system includes a water pump and a controller with a switch for engaging and disengaging the pump. The pump is used for boosting a water flow through the system. The controller is in communication with the pump, and directs the switch to engage the pump when the water flow exceeds a predetermined, non-zero threshold flow rate. In certain embodiments, the system further includes a variable outlet. The variable outlet is operable at a first flow setting for a flow rate greater than the threshold and a second flow setting for a non-zero flow rate less than the threshold.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A garden hose spray system, comprising: a pump for boosting a water flow rate of a water flow through the system, the pump including an inlet and an outlet;a garden hose connector coupled to the pump outlet;a sensor configured to detect the water flow rate through the garden hose spray system rel

1. A garden hose spray system, comprising: a pump for boosting a water flow rate of a water flow through the system, the pump including an inlet and an outlet;a garden hose connector coupled to the pump outlet;a sensor configured to detect the water flow rate through the garden hose spray system relative to a threshold water flow rate, the threshold flow rate being non-zero;a controller in communication with the pump, wherein the controller turns on the pump only when the sensor detects a water flow rate above the threshold flow rate and turns off the pump when the sensor detects a water flow rate below the threshold flow rate;a variable outlet fluidly coupled to the pump, the variable outlet including a first flow setting resulting in a water flow rate greater than the threshold flow rate and a second flow setting resulting in a water flow rate less than the threshold flow rate; anda flow restriction valve fluidly coupled to the variable outlet, the flow restriction valve having an open position and a closed position, the flow restriction valve allowing the water flow to exit the variable outlet when in the open position and preventing the water from exiting the variable outlet when in the closed position. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller comprises a flow-sensitive switch. 3. The system of claim 2, wherein the variable outlet comprises at least one of a sprayer, a brush, or a broom. 4. The system of claim 3, wherein the flow restriction valve is coupled to a biased trigger such that pulling the trigger opens the valve. 5. The system of claim 4, further comprising a chemical container for injecting a chemical into the water flow. 6. The system of claim 5, wherein the garden hose connector comprises a three-quarters inch female garden hose connector. 7. The system of claim 1, further comprising a radio frequency transmitter coupled to the variable outlet and a radio frequency receiver coupled to the pump, wherein the transmitter is configured to transmit a radio frequency signal to the receiver to indicate that the variable outlet is operating at the first flow setting or the second flow setting. 8. The garden hose spray system of claim 1, wherein the first flow setting is a discrete setting that results in a water flow rate greater than zero and the second flow setting is a discrete setting that results in a water flow rate greater than zero. 9. A garden hose assist system, comprising: a water pump having a motor, an inlet, and an outlet;a garden hose connector coupled to the pump;a flow rate sensor coupled to the pump, the sensor having a status based upon measuring a water flow rate flowing through the system relative to a non-zero, positive flow rate threshold;a variable outlet fluidly coupled to the outlet of the water pump, the variable outlet including a first flow setting resulting in a water flow rate greater than the flow rate threshold and a second flow setting resulting in a water flow rate less than the flow rate threshold;a flow restriction valve fluidly coupled to the variable outlet, the flow restriction valve having an open position and a closed position, the flow restriction valve allowing the water flow to exit the variable outlet when in the open position and preventing the water from exiting the variable outlet when in the closed position; andan electronic control circuit that turns the pump on in response to the status of the flow rate sensor. 10. The garden hose assist system of claim 9, wherein the motor is an electric motor. 11. The garden hose assist system of claim 10, wherein the pump has a maximum setting configured to produce a water flow having a pressure of less than 1000 psi and a flow rate of greater than 4 gpm. 12. The garden hose assist system of claim 11, wherein the pump has a maximum setting configured to produce a water flow having a pressure of less than 200 psi and a flow rate of greater than 5 gpm. 13. The garden hose assist system of claim 11, wherein the control circuit includes a processor, a memory, and a logic module, and wherein the logic module includes instructions to turn the pump on when the flow rate sensor has a status indicating a sensed flow rate that exceeds the threshold. 14. A booster system for use with a garden hose, comprising: a water pump having a motor, wherein the pump is configured to produce a maximum water pressure of less than 1000 psi;a garden hose connector coupled to an outlet of the pump;a sensor for determining a water flow rate through the booster system;a switch configured to turn the pump on when the water flow rate exceeds a non-zero threshold flow rate and to turn the pump off when the water flow rate is below the non-zero threshold flow rate;a variable outlet fluidly coupled to the water pump, the variable outlet including a first flow setting resulting in a water flow rate greater than the threshold flow rate and a second flow setting resulting in a water flow rate less than the threshold flow rate;a flow restriction valve fluidly coupled to the variable outlet, the flow restriction valve having an open position and a closed position, the flow restriction valve allowing the water flow to exit the variable outlet when in the open position and preventing the water from exiting the variable outlet when in the closed position; anda hose storage structure for holding a garden hose proximate to the pump. 15. The booster system of claim 14, wherein the hose storage structure comprises a hose reel. 16. The booster system of claim 15, further comprising a portable wheeled-cart supporting the pump and the hose reel. 17. The booster system of claim 15, further comprising a stationary storage housing substantially enclosing the pump and the hose reel. 18. The booster system of claim 17, further comprising a controller coupled to the switch. 19. The booster system of claim 18, further comprising a garden hose attached to the variable outlet, wherein the variable outlet comprises at least one of a sprayer, a brush, or a broom, and wherein the housing is configured to store the garden hose and the variable outlet. 20. A garden hose storage and booster system, comprising: a water pump;a garden hose connector coupled to an outlet of the pump;a sensor for determining a water flow rate through the booster system;a switch configured to turn the pump on when the water flow rate exceeds a non-zero threshold flow rate and to turn the pump off when the water flow rate is below the non-zero threshold flow rate;a variable outlet fluidly coupled to the water pump, the variable outlet including a first flow setting resulting in a water flow rate greater than the threshold flow rate and a second flow setting resulting in a water flow rate less than the threshold flow rate;a flow restriction valve fluidly coupled to the variable outlet, the flow restriction valve having an open position and a closed position, the flow restriction valve allowing the water flow to exit the variable outlet when in the open position and preventing the water from exiting the variable outlet when in the closed position;a hose storage structure for holding a garden hose proximate to the pump; anda storage housing substantially enclosing the pump and the hose storage structure. 21. The storage and booster system of claim 20, wherein the hose storage structure comprises a hose reel. 22. The storage and booster system of claim 21, wherein the variable outlet comprises at least one of a sprayer, a brush, or a broom, and wherein the housing is configured to store the variable outlet. 23. The storage and booster system of claim 22, further comprising a controller coupled to the switch. 24. The storage and booster system of claim 23, wherein the switch comprises a manually-operated on/off switch. 25. The storage and booster system of claim 24, wherein the water pump comprises a centrifugal pump driven by an electric motor. 26. The storage and booster system of claim 24, wherein the water pump comprises a centrifugal pump driven by a combustion engine. 27. The storage and booster system of claim 26, wherein the switch includes a solenoid coupled to a clutch configured to engage and disengage a crankshaft of the engine with the centrifugal pump. 28. A garden hose booster control system, comprising: a water pump system including a motor, a wireless receiver, and a switch for turning the motor on and off, anda variable outlet fluidly coupled to the water pump system, the variable outlet having a first flow rate setting resulting in a water flow rate greater than a non-zero threshold flow rate, a second flow rate setting resulting in a water flow rate less than the threshold flow rate, and a wireless transmitter, wherein the transmitter is configured to transmit a wireless signal to the receiver to indicate that the variable outlet is operating at the first flow setting or the second flow setting; anda controller configured to adjust the switch based upon the signal such that the switch turns the motor on when the signal indicates the variable outlet is operating at the first flow setting and such that the switch turns the motor off when the signal indicates the variable outlet is operating at the second flow setting; anda flow restriction valve fluidly coupled to the variable outlet, the flow restriction valve having an open position and a closed position, the flow restriction valve allowing the water flow to exit the variable outlet when in the open position and preventing the water from exiting the variable outlet when in the closed position. 29. The garden hose booster control system of claim 28, wherein the water pump is a centrifugal water pump driven by an electric motor, and wherein the pump is configured to produce a maximum water pressure of less than 1000 psi. 30. The garden hose booster control system of claim 29, further comprising a first garden hose connector coupled to the pump and a second garden hose connector coupled to the variable outlet.