Fluid spray nozzle with trigger hold means

0001This invention relates to fluid spray nozzles, and more particularly, to nozzles for spraying liquids such as water in different stream patterns.

0002Spray nozzles, e.g, for water or other liquids, generally comprise a barrel having an axially movable valve for generating different stream patterns. The nozzle may include a pattern inducing projection in the path of the stream for causing the stream to vary from fine to course sprays. A stem is connected to the valve and projects beyond the barrel at the barrel rear. A spring urges the valve closed toward the nozzle front. A valve setting adjustment nut is threaded to the stem at the barrel rear.

0003Some garden hose nozzles also include an inlet conduit attached to and depending from the barrel, the conduit includes a connector for receiving a hose fitting for supplying pressurized water to the barrel.

0004A dual leg V-shaped valve actuator is pivoted at its apex to the inlet conduit midway along the conduit. One leg of the actuator is shaped for receiving the palm of a user, the user grasping the conduit with the fingers. The other leg of the actuator abuts a nut on the stem to force the stem via the nut and thus the valve member rearwardly open when the palm receiving leg is squeezed closed. The threaded nut adjustably sets the displacement of the valve stem in analog fashion in response to a fixed pivoting displacement of the actuator. The nut must be reset to a given spray pattern in response to a given fixed actuator displacement. It is relatively difficult and cumbersome to reset the nut to the same positions. A spray setting stop, usually a U-shaped bracket, is pivotally attached to the barrel to hold the stem via the nut in the open valve position according to a desired stream pattern determined by the nut position. To hold the valve open to different spray pattern positions requires the nut to be reset manually to approximate corresponding positions.

0005A pistol grip spray gun is disclosed in EP 0 154 091, the gun including a handle, an actuating member forming a trigger movable with respect to the handle and a barrel with an outlet for delivering a spray of liquid. The actuating member is movable from a closed position which corresponds to a dosed condition of the nozzle through a range of open positions with differing spray characteristics. Retaining means in the form of a ratchet mechanism retains the actuating member in a selected position in the range of open positions. Release means release the retaining means to allow the actuating member to return to or towards its dosed position. Return means bias the nozzle to the dosed condition. The spray characteristics can be varied and retained in a chosen characteristic by control of the trigger without the necessity of a separate adjustment of the nozzle.

0006US Pat. No. 4,572,255 discloses a liquid dispensing nozzle for dispensing liquids such as a fuel. The nozzle has an inlet port for releasably connecting the nozzle in fluid communication with a dispensing pump. A spring operated main valve is mounted within the body between the inlet port and an outlet port An operating lever selectively opens the main valve. A ball latch mechanism selectively disables the operating lever to close the main valve and includes an automatic shut off mechanism. The nozzle is provided with a hold open catch pivotally mounted. The catch has a pair of notches for releasably engaging the outboard end of the lever such that the main valve can be maintained open while unattended.

0007The automatic shut off means operates independently of the catch so that the lever is displaced by the automatic shut off means releasing and closing the main valve. However, without such an automatic shut off means as present in conventional water spray nozzles, such a catch would tend to remain in place until manually displaced to release the lever. If such a nozzle were dropped, for example, without the automatic shut off means operating, the nozzle still would dispense the liquid fuel.

0008US Pat. No. 2,931,400 discloses an automatic shut off dispensing nozzle. The nozzle has a lever that has valve open and closed positions. A latch is pivotally mounted on the nozzle body adjacent to the rear free end of the lever. The free end of the lever terminates in a hook shaped portion. The latch has a free end that is also hooked shape for complementary engagement of the lever free end to hold the lever in the dispensing position. The latch is spring loaded so that when the lever is automatically shut off, the movement of the lever disengages the mating hook end of the lever from the engaged hook end of the latch. The spring then pivots the latch to its normal lever disengaged position. However, should the nozzle be dropped, the lever remains in the liquid dispensing position since the mating hooks of the latch and lever end remain engaged in the dispensing mode. The patent further states even when the automatic shut off operates, the sudden change of position of the lever generally frees the latch. This means that it is possible that even the sudden change of lever position will not free the latch because the engaged hooks may not disengage.

0009The present inventor recognizes a number of problems with the prior art nozzles such as the one just described and others. They are typically metal and or plastic and are thermally conductive. They are difficult to hold when using hot fluids. The prior art nozzles when dropped tend to squirt the pressurized fluid upon impact because of the exposed actuators. This may also in some instances cause the stop to pivot and lock the nozzle in the open valve condition while unattended, causing a continuous spray of fluid. Also, the present inventor recognizes a need for a nozzle with a quick setting spray pattern that sprays a continuous spray and is reliably repeatable to the same setting and having a relatively quick release. Also, the present inventor recognizes that some prior art nozzles may undesirably cause carpel tunnel syndrome as a result of squeezing and holding the trigger in the open spray position for long time periods.

0010In order to solve these problems it is suggested to provide a fluid spray nozzle according to independent claim 1.

0011Advantageous development of the invention are stated in the sub claims.

0012IN THE DRAWING: <ul id="ul0001" list-style="none" compact="compact"><li>FIGURE 1 is a sectional side elevation through a spray nozzle in the closed valve state according to one embodiment of the present invention;</li><li>FIGURE 2 is a front elevation fragmented sectional view of a nozzle according Fig. 1 with the interior metal elements portion taken along lines 2-2 and the exterior plastic portions fragmented for clarity of illustration;</li><li>FIGURE 2a is a sectional view of the embodiment of Fig. 1 taken along lines 2a-2a;</li><li>FIGURE 3 is a sectional side elevation view similar to the view of Fig.1 showing the spray nozzle in an open valve state; and</li><li>FIGURE 4 is a view taken at region 3 in Fig. 2 showing a portion of a quick engage-release trigger holding mechanism for holding the trigger in the open valve state.</li></ul>

0013In Fig. 1, nozzle 2 includes a housing-nozzle assembly 4, inlet fluid conduit-handle 6, trigger assembly 8, trigger guard 10 and trigger-valve open holding mechanism 12. Nozzle assembly 4 includes a metal, preferably stainless steel, barrel housing 14 which is tubular having a circular cylindrical bore 16 extending along longitudinal axis 18. The bore has a front liquid spray opening 20 and a rear opening 22. A triangular flange 21 upstands from housing 14 over and along axis 18 and has a bore 23.

0014A valve assembly 24 is disposed in front opening 20 of the bore 16. The assembly 24 comprises a circular metal, preferably stainless steel, valve seat member 26 closely received in and retained in bore 16 by retaining ring 27 which mates in a groove in the housing 14 bore 16. The member 26 is fluid sealed to bore 16 with an O-ring 28 in an annular outer groove in the seat member 26. The member 26 has a frustro-conical front spray recess 30 and an axially extending bore 32 on axis 18. The member 26 has a planar face forming a valve seat 34. To the rear of and integral with member 26 and extending axially along axis 18 from seat 34 is a annular array of spaced stem guide segments 35 (Fig. 2a).

0015Valve stem assembly 36 includes an elongated metal cylindrical stem 38. Stem 38 preferably is a silicon-brass composition. A circular cylindrical valve member 40, preferably stainless steel, is secured to a forward end of the stem 38. The member 40 fits within a bore formed by segments 35 and is centered on axis 18 by the segments. An elliptical in transverse section O-ring 42 is secured to an end region of the member 40 within the bore formed by segments 35. The member 40 traverses axially along axis 18 within the segments 35. The O-ring 42 mates with seat 34 to close the valve in direction 44, sealing the bore 16 from the front opening 20. Fluid flows in the space between the segments 35 to the O-ring 42. A spray pattern forming projection 46 is screwed to the stem 38 forward of the valve member 40. The projection 46 includes a flange portion (not shown) which retains the O-ring 42 on member 40.

0016At the rear of the stem 38 in bore 16 is a circular cylindrical, preferably stainless steel, disc 48 closely received in bore 16 and sealed thereto with an O-ring 50 in an annular groove in the disc peripheral surface. The disc 48 is retained in bore 16 by a retaining ring 52. An inner teflon seal 51 is held in place by a washer staked to the disc 48. Seal 51 engages the stem 38 in sliding sealing contact as the stem displaces in directions 44 and 122 along axis 18. Thus no liquid can escape the chamber formed by bore 16 through the front opening 20 or the rear opening 22 to the ambient atmosphere in the closed valve condition of Fig. 1.

0017A compression spring 54 is in the bore 16 surrounding the stem 38 and abuts the disc 48 at one spring end and the valve member 40 at the other spring end. The spring 54 forces the disc 48 against the ring 52 in a direction opposite direction 44 and the valve member 40 O-ring 42 in direction 44 against the seat 34 to the normally closed valve state of Fig. 1.

0018The housing assembly inlet conduit-handle 6, preferably stainless steel, comprises a tube inclined to axis 18 welded to and depending from housing 14 at a rear region of the bore 16 adjacent to the disc 48. The conduit 56 bore is in fluid communication with bore 16 and includes a hose coupling 58 for receiving a mating hose connector (not shown) for providing pressurized water or other fluid to bore 16.

0019The trigger assembly 8 includes a U-shaped, rectangular in cross section, elongated sheet metal stamped channel member forming trigger 60, Figs. 1 and 2, preferably stainless steel. Trigger 60 includes a front wall 62 and two parallel mirror image side walls 64 and 64'. Each side wall has an elongated cooling opening 65. Openings 65 permit air to circulate within the trigger 60 interior to cool it when hot fluid is coupled to the nozzle 2.

0020The front wall 62 terminates at lower edge 66 having a central slot 68, Fig. 2. The slot 68, Fig. 4, forms an edge 69. Edge 69 serves as a pawl in a manner to be explained. The front wall 62 terminates at upper edge 70 just beneath the lower surface of housing 14. A finger guard 71 extends from front wall 62.

0021The two side walls 64 and 64' at their upper ends are bent into two mirror image brackets 72 and 72'. The brackets 72 and 72' straddle the housing 14 and extend upwardly beyond the housing 14 somewhat coextensive with the flange 21. The brackets 72 and 72' each have an aperture 74 aligned coaxially with the bore 23 in flange 21. Two mating shouldered screws 76 and 78 are mounted in the bore 23 and apertures 74. A pair of spacers 80 are each between the flange 21 and a different respective bracket 72 and 72'.

0022A U-shaped metal bracket 82 has a base wall 84 and a pair of spaced legs 86 which straddle the housing 14 along axis 18. A pin 88 is secured to each bracket 82 leg 86 and pivotally receives a corresponding bracket 72 and 72'. The base wall 84 is screwed to the end of stem 38 by screw 90, Fig. 1.

0023In Figs. 1 and 2, a trigger guard 92, preferably stamped sheet metal, is attached at one end to the underside of housing 14 beneath the valve assembly 24 and at its other end to coupling 58. The guard 92, conduit 56 and the housing 14 enclose the trigger assembly 8 in a plane. In Fig. 2, the guard has a transverse width somewhat less than that of the housing 14 barrel. As shown its width is also slightly less than that of the trigger 60 front wall 62. This is acceptable. The trigger guard, conduit 56 and housing 14 protect the trigger from being activated inadvertently by impact should the assembly fall.

0024A bracket 94 is secured to the guard 92. A ratchet member 96 is pivotally secured to the bracket 94. The member 96 comprises an elongated ratchet tooth portion 98 and a activating projection 100 depending from the tooth portion 98. The tooth portion 98 has an array of ratchet teeth 102. The projection 100 depends from portion 98 and projects through opening 104 in the guard 92. A spring 106 normally biases the ratchet member 96 in direction 108 so the teeth 102 are disengaged from the pawl edge 69 of the trigger front wall 62, as shown in Fig. 1.

0025The teeth 102 are spaced any desired pitch between wall 62 and the extended end of the tooth portion 98. The spacing between adjacent teeth is sufficient to receive the wall 62 therebetween as shown in Fig. 4.

0026The entire assembly comprising the major external components as described thus far may be encased in a thermoplastic molded casing 110. The casing 110 is formed into two mirror image halves 114. The two halves 114 are formed with cavities to receive and enclose the major components such as the housing 14, the trigger guard 92, the conduit 56 and its coupling 58, the flange 21, the trigger 62 brackets 72 and 72' and the bracket 82.

0027The casing 110 has various openings including at the nozzle front and rear and for the trigger 62. An opening 116 exposes the ratchet tooth portion 98 and an opening 118 receives the projection 100 which passes therethrough. The projection 100 extends beyond the casing when the teeth 102 are engaged with the pawl edge 69, Figs. 2 and 4. The finger guard 71 protects a users fingers from the teeth 102 exposed by opening 116.

0028The casing 110 is dimensioned relative to all of the major external metal components described above and enclosed by the casing so that there is an air gap 120 between the various major external metal components and the casing 110. The air gap 120 is preferably about 3/32 inches (2.4 mm). This gap can lie in a range of about 1/16 to 1/8 inches (1.6 to 3.2 mm). This air gap spacing is not critical.

0029The air gap 120 serves an important function of providing thermal insulation between the metal components such as the housing 14, trigger guard 92 and inlet conduit 56 and the casing 110. There are a number of relatively minor contact points, not shown, between the casing 110 and the major metal components. These contact points are a relatively small percentage of the casing area so as to provide minimum overall thermal conduction between the casing and the metal components.

0030The casing 110 halves are screwed together. In the prior art where plastic components are employed for the nozzle and conduit 56, the screwing together of the plastic components causes eventual stress failure of these parts due to temperature variations in the parts. In the present embodiment, only stainless steel components are employed for the major nozzle components in direct contact with the water or other fluid being sprayed, which fluid may be hot or cold, avoiding such stress failure due to high temperature fluctuations.

0031While the casing 110 is thermoplastic material, it normally does not provide adequate thermal insulation when hot fluids such as water at 121°C (250 degrees F) are in direct contact therewith. In contrast, the air gap 120 between the casing 110 and the major components provides the desired thermal insulation. A relatively negligible barely noticeable temperature increase occurs in the external surface of the casing 110 due to the air gap 120 in the presence of water in the nozzle assembly at 121°C (250 degrees F). Such negligible temperature increase is over a period of about one hour of continuous exposure to hot water at the above temperature.

0032In operation, the nozzle 2 coupling 58 of Fig. 1 is connected to a source of pressurized water, hot or cold, or other fluids to be sprayed. The handle formed by the encased conduit 56 is held in the palm. The trigger assembly 8 receives one or more fingers. The trigger assembly is then displaced in direction 122 to a desired position in which the opened valve member releases the fluid generating the desired spray pattern. At this time the projection 100 is manually pushed upwardly in direction 124 until an aligned tooth 102 of the ratchet member 96 engages the pawl of the wall 62 edge 69, Fig. 4.

0033At this time the spring 54, Fig. 3 is biasing the valve member 40 to the left in the Fig., direction 44. Also, at the same time the spring 106 is biasing the member 96 downwardly in direction 108. This latter bias tends to disengage the engaged tooth 102 from the wall 62. This disengagement, however, in response to this bias, does not occur.

0034In Fig. 4, each tooth 102 has a forwardly inclined front rake 126 overlying the tooth root 128 between the wall 62 engaged surface 130 and the junction of the root 128 with the rake 126. This rake inclination creates a sharp edge 132 at the tooth crest. This sharp edge digs into and grips the wall 62 at surface 130. The digging and gripping action precludes the edge 132 from releasing the wall 62. This digging actiion is in response to the bias of spring 54. The spring 54 bias forces the trigger wall 62 surface 130, Fig. 4, in direction 44 about pins 88 into engagement with the edge 132 overcoming the disengagement bias of spring 106. To release the engaged tooth and edge 69, the trigger 60 is squeezed slightly in direction 122 to release the tooth 102 from engagmeent with the surface 130, Fig. 4. When this release occurs, the downward bias of the spring 106 disengages the ratchet member 96 from the edge 69 of the trigger 60 pivoting the member 96 to the valve closed position of Fig. 1.

0035Thus, it will be appreciated that the desired spray pattern can be immediately fixed in place by the engagement of the most closely aligned one of teeth 102 with the pawl edge 69. By setting the thickness of the wall 62 and the pitch of the teeth 102 according to a given implementation, different degrees of variation in spray pattern can be provided by adjacent teeth. These patterns of course are also determined by the spray pattern projection 46 and the fluid pressure in the bore 16. The teeth thus provide digital discrete variation of the spray pattern settings.

0036A spring normally biases such male fingers out of engagement with the trigger. In the alternative, ratchet teeth may be provided on the trigger 60 and a pawl provided on a pivoted lever similar to member 96 for selective engagement of the teeth.

0037Thus, the problem of carpel tunnel syndrome is minimized by permitting the user to selective releaseably secure the trigger in any one of a different spray pattern setting. Once the setting is established, the user merely holds the nozzle in any convenient fashion releasing the trigger 60, which remains held in the set spray pattern position. By merely squeezing the trigger slightly, the trigger is released and the valve shuts. Also, if the nozzle 2 is dropped the impact will not cause the trigger to be activated because of the trigger guard.

0038Hot water does not make use of the nozzle uncomfortable because of the insulation. The insulation of the casing 110 permits a user to hold the nozzle for long continuous periods without discomfort.

0039It will occur to one of ordinary skill that still other modifications may be made to the disclosed embodiment. It is intended that the invention be defined by the appended claims and not by the description given herein which is given by way of example and not limitation.