Fluid flow wand assembly

[57] ABSTRACT

This invention relates to a fluid flow wand assembly normally used with a high pressure car wash system operable alternately at the operator’s choice to discharge fluids therefrom being 1) a rinse solution, 2) a detergent solution, or 3) a combination fluid and detergent foam solution. More particularly, this invention relates to a fluid flow wand assembly having a handle assembly; a head assembly secured to the handle assembly; and a discharge assembly secured to the head assembly whereupon the head assembly is operable to direct through alternate portions of the discharge assembly to achieve a high pressure or foam discharge. The discharge assembly includes a pressure discharge rod member adapted to discharge high pressure fluids therefrom through a small orifice and a foamer discharge rod member which is operable to discharge a combination of fluid detergent and air therefrom to produce a foam type material.

Claims, 8 Drawing Figures

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FLUID FLOW WAND ASSEMBLY

Numerous types of high pressure wash wand structures are known to the prior art which are operable to discharge fluids therefrom in a hot or cold rinse or detergent solution through an orifice to achieve a high pressure spray discharge for cleaning automobiles surface and the like. The prior art handle structures have various features thereon for turning from on to off but are not alternately available for dispensing therefrom selectively 1) a high pressure rinse solution; 2) a high pressure detergent or wash solution; or 3) a foam type solution for cleansing an automobile or other surfaces.

mixture of water, soap, and air to be applied to the object to be cleansed so as to achieve high efficiency in the use of the detergent for the cleansing thereof.

One further object of this invention is to provide a fluid flow wand assembly which can be attached to any existing high pressure washing system to receive the high pressure fluid therefrom and selectively discharge the same as 1 ) a high pressure rinse solution; 2) a high pressure detergent solution; or 3) a foam type solution consisting of detergent, air, and fluid therefrom.

Another object of this invention is to provide a fluid flow wand assembly having a handle assembly adapted to receive fluid pressure therein and provided with a control means in order to be selectively operable to discharge various fluids through a pair of elongated parallel rod members to provide either high pressure discharge or a foam mixture for efficiency of washing, rinsing, and cleansing an automobile or other objects.

In one preferred embodiment of this invention, a fluid flow wand assembly is provided which may be utilized with a high pressure washing system adapted to present a rinse or detergent solution at the wand assembly at a pressure of about 500 to 800 PSI with varying gallon volume per minute therefrom. The fluid flow 20 wand assembly includes a handle assembly connectable to a conduit line from the high pressure wash system; a head assembly mounted on the handle assembly; and a discharge assembly connected to the head assembly. The handle assembly includes a main handle grip hav- 25 ing a rubber cover thereover with a fluid flow channel therethrough and one end secured by a conduit connector to the conduit line and the other end is secured to the head assembly. The head assembly includes a main valve assembly mounted within a housing mem- ³⁰ber. The housing member is of generally square or box shape having a cylindrical opening in the center and an opening in the lower portion thereof to receive fluid from the handle assembly. The valve assembly is provided with a valve member connected through a con- ³⁵ lines 3—3 in FIG° 2; nector shaft to a control knob extended from the housing member. The valve member is of a generally cylindrical shape to be rotated by the control knob within the cylindrical opening of the housing member. A for- ______________________________ ward wall of the valve member includes a discharge slot ⁴⁰ flow wand assembly of this invention, to direct pressure fluid to the discharge assembly. The control knob is operable to be rotated 30° to 90° in order to obtain different paths of fluid flow to the discharge assembly. The discharge assembly includes a pair of elongated parallel members being a pressure discharge rod member and a foamer rod member, each threadably mounted within openings in the housing member to receive fluid flow therefrom. The pressure discharge rod member includes a main elongated cylindrical body having a discharge tip on the outer end thereof. The discharge tip is formed with an orifice to regulate the amount of pressure being discharged therefrom. The foamer discharge rod member is also provided with an elongated main cylindrical body having an entrance tip adjacent the head assembly with the outer end open. The main body is provided with a plurality of holes therein adjacent the entrance area to act as an orifice structure to receive air therethrough for mixing of the fluid to be discharged to achieve the foamed mixture. The foamer discharge valve member is provided with numerous embodiments of the main body in the position, size, and relationship of the plurality of holes to achieve various operations of the invention.

One other object of this invention is to provide a fluid flow wand assembly usable with a high pressure washing system operable to supply a thick, foamy detergent

Still, another object of this invention is to provide a fluid flow wand assembly which is readily installed on existing high pressure wash systems; economical to manufacture; simple in operation; substantially maintenance free; and providing the greatest selectivity in cleansing combinations.

Various other objects, advantages, and features of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following discussion, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a fluid flow wand assembly of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view of a portion of the fluid flow wand assembly of this invention;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view taken along lines 4—4 in FIG. 2; and

FIGS. 5, 6, 7, and 8, inclusive, illustrate various embodiments of a foamer discharge assembly of the fluid

The following is a discussion and description of preferred specific embodiments of the new fluid flow wand assembly of this invention, such being made with reference to the drawings, whereupon the same reference numerals are used to indicate the same or similar parts and/or structures. It is to be understood that such discussion and description is not to unduly limit the scope of the invention.

Referring to the drawings in detail and more particularly to FIG. 1, a fluid flow wand assembly of this invention, indicated generally at 12, is shown as attached to a discharge conduit line 14 from a high pressure washing system. Numerous types of high pressure wash sys₅₅ terns are known in the prior art operable with a pump and motor assembly and solenoid valves to provide a fluid pressure discharge at 400 to 800 PSI at a volume of 2 to 8 gallons per minute to a fluid flow wand assembly with the resultant discharge pressure determined by ₆₀ the size of discharge orifice therefrom. In the usual high pressure wash systems, control valves are operable to selectively apply a detergent solution to the fluid to be discharged therefrom depending on whether one desires 1) a rinse solution condition without detergent; or 2) a detergent discharge fluid. This invention specifically relates to the fluid flow wand assembly 12 which receives selectively under pressure either 1) a rinse solution, or 2) a detergent solution.

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The fluid flow wand assembly 12 includes a main handle assembly 16; a head assembly 18 secured to the handle assembly 16; and a discharge assembly 20 to direct preessure fluid therefrom.

The handle assembly 16 includes a conduit connec- 5 tor 22 secured to the conduit line 14; a handle grip body 24 to receive the high pressure fluid therein; and a rubber grip cover 26 mounted about the handle grip body 24. The conduit conductor 22 can be of a swivel type connection for ease of usage and for replacement 10 of the wand assembly 12 for any maintenance required. The handle grip body 24 is of cylindrical pipe-like structure to convey the fluid therein upwardly to the head assembly 18. The rubber grip cover 26 may be of a standard bicycle handle grip structure having indentations 29 so as to receive one’s fingers thereabout for ease of usage.

The head assembly 18 includes a main valve assembly 30 mounted within a housing member 32. The housing member 32 is of a generally block shape having a lower opening 34 secured to the upper portion of the handle grip body 24. The interior of the housing member 32 is provided with a cylindrical opening 36 to receive the valve assembly 30 therewithin for rotational movement in a manner to be explained. Also, the housing member 32 is provided in a front wall 37 with a pair of adjacent openings 39 and 41 to receive the discharge assembly 20 therein.

The valve assembly 30 includes a main valve member 42 connected through a connector shaft 44 to a control knob 46. The control knob 46 is shown as having a main body 47 with a laterally extended actuator arm 49 for rotation thereof. The connector shaft 44 is secured to a back wall 50 of the valve member 42 and extended within the housing member 32 to rotate the valve member 42 during operation. The valve member 42 is of a generally cylindrical shape having an outer surface conforming to that of the cylindrical opening 36 of the housing member 32 of the head assembly 18. The valve member 42 is provided with a lower entrance opening 50 to receive pressure fluid thereto and an elongated slot 51 on a forward wall 53 to control fluid discharge therefrom as will become obvious.

The discharge assembly 20 includes a 1) pressure discharge rod member 54 and 2) a foamer discharge rod member 56 which are respectively connected about the openings 41 and 39 in the housing member 32. More particularly, the pressure discharge rod member 54 is provided with an elongated main cylindrical body 58 having one end threaded to be mounted in the opening 41 of the housing member 32 and the outer end having a discharge tip 59 secured thereto. The discharge tip 59 is provided with a predetermined orifice 61 to control the pressure of the fluid to be discharged therefrom.

The foamer discharge rod member 56 is provided with an elongated main body 63 having an inner end 65 threaded and mounted in the opening 39 of the housing member 32. The inner end 65 is provided with an entrance tip 67 with an orifice 68 adjacent the head assembly 18. The size of the orifice 68 may be varied to control pressure and amount of foaming action to be obtained. The elongated main body 63 is of a cylindrical structure having an open discharge end indicated at 69. Between the discharge end 69 and preferably adjacent the inner end 65 is a plurality of peripheral access holes 71 in a sidewall 72. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 7, the peripheral holes 71 are extended perpendicular to the axis of the elongated main body 63 but may be varied to be explained in the other embodiments. A variation of the number and size of the access holes 71 may be provided but it is noted that six equally spaced holes provide efficient operation of this invention.

As shown in FIGS. 5, 6, and 8, other embodiments of the foamer discharge rod member 56 are illustrated varying in the angular disposition and direction of the access holes 71 for greater efficiency. More particularly, in FIG. 5, the access holes 71 are shown as inclined at an angle towards the discharge portion of the elongated main body 63 which removes the 90 degree angle to the interior as shown in FIG. 7 and results in more efficient foaming action. In FIG. 6, the access 15 holes 71 are substantially identical to those of FIG. 5 except extended towards the entrance tip 67 to produce a different foaming pattern achieved therefrom. As shown in FIG. 8, the access holes 71 are extended in a chordal direction relative to the walls of the elon20 gated main body 63 which achieves in a swirling motion of the foam mixture to be discharged therefrom. For greatest efficiency, the access holes 71 are constructed with a combination of FIGS. 5 and 8 being directed at an inclination downstream and in a chordal direction relative to the outer surface of the main body 63. This combination creates the greatest air flow through the access holes 71 and mixing action for the best foam discharge. It is obvious that the outer surfaces of the inner ends 65 in FIGS. 5, 6, and 7 could be threaded to fit ³⁰ into the threaded opening 39 and 41.

In the use and operation of the fluid flow wand assembly 12 of this invention, the handle assembly 16 is secured by the conduit conductor 22 to the conduit line 14 of the high pressure wash system taking the place of ³⁵ the conventional wand structure without any additional conduit or electrical connection being necessary. It is noted that the discharge tip 59 on the high pressure discharge rod member 54 is predetermined depending on the pressure desired and the volume of water output ⁴⁰ from the high pressure wash system. The control knob 46 can be placed in the position as shown in FIG. 1 and the pressure fluid received thereto is discharged through the pressure discharge rod member 54 and the discharge tip 59 for washing or rinsing usage. This par³ ticular usage is determined by the high pressure wash system whether detergent is added to a fluid to achieve a wash solution or the fluid is discharged without a detergent as a rinse solution. Therefore, in this condition, ₅₀ fluid discharged through the pressure discharge rod member 54 acts as a substantially conventional high pressure wash system.

On moving the control knob 46 to the left from the position as shown in FIG. 1, the valve member 42 is ro₅₅ tated whereupon the slot 51 comes into alignment with a portion of the discharge hole 39 so that fluid at this time is flowing through both the pressure discharge rod member 54 and the foamer discharge rod member 56 so as to not create a pressure load on the high pressure ₆₀ wash system by closing both discharge paths. On further movement of the control knob 46, it is obvious that the slot 51 moves to the fully opened condition for discharge through the foamer discharge rod member 56 and ceases discharge through the pressure discharge ₆₅ rod member 54. In this condition, the fluid pressure is created adjacent the head assembly 18 as the orifice 68 is similar to the orifice 61 in the discharge tip 59 in the pressure discharge rod member 54. However, at this

3,799,451 time, the mixture of detergent and fluid is not immediately discharged from the foamer discharge rod member 56 but achieves a venturi effect to draw air inwardly into the elongated main body 63 through the access holes 71 to form a foam type discharge. It is seen that this mixture of detergent fluid and air receives substantial agitation in the foamer discharge rod member 56 during its travel throughout its length. Therefore, a heavy foam mixture is discharged from the open end 69 which is desirable in the washing of motor vehicles or the like so as to apply a clinging detergent solution to the vehicle or other such articles. This foam mixture can set and work on the dirt on the item being cleansed instead of rapidly being driven off due to the normally used high pressure fluid.

It is seen in the embodiments of FIGS. 5 and 8 that various types of access holes 71 are available so as to increase the foaming action of the material to be discharged. The most effective has been found to be that of FIG. 8 whereupon the access holes 71 are extended slightly downstream and chordal to the sidewalls 72 to provide the maximum in mixing and swirling effect to achieve the best foaming effect but that all types of access holes 71 illustrated herein have proven to be successful.

With the control knob 46 turned to the left for the foaming condition but with a rinse solution provided, the discharge is a mixture of fluid and air having a substantial volume and range of 10 - 20 feet. This is very desirable in rinsing tall objects such as buildings, truck trailers, etc. as creates a greater volume at less pressure and greater range.

It is seen that the fluid flow wand assembly of this invention provides a structure which can be readily attached to existing high pressure wash systems and 1) operable without any additional controls required to discharge a high pressure wash or rinse solution; or 2) a foaming type solution. The main objection to the present high pressure wash system is that the application of the soap or detergent solution at the high pressure, for example at 500 to 600 PSI operates to defeat the cleansing purpose as the detergent is pushed off the surface to be cleansed without enough contact time for best cleansing. With this invention, the detergent solution is changed into a clinging foam mixture which achieves the utmost in efficiency and effectiveness in cleansing of an automobile or other such structures.

Additionally, the fluid flow wand assembly of this invention is economical to manufacture; simple to install; substantially maintenance free with a minimum of moving parts; and readily operable to achieve the most desirable condition for a cleansing situation.

While the invention has been described in conjunction with preferred specific embodiments, it is to be understood that this description is intended to illustrate and not to limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the following claims.