High pressure hydraulic system with hose fittings for diffusing pressure buildup upon uncoupling

Abstract

A power operated pressure washer having a high pressure liquid supply hose with an inlet fitting formed with an axial stem having a central liquid passageway that can be connected to a pressure washer outlet fitting by a threaded retaining ring. As a feature of this invention, the retaining ring can be unscrewed from the pressure washer outlet for permitting the dissipation and venting of high pressure buildup within the hose while the retaining ring safely retains the hose fitting on the outlet. In one embodiment, the stem has a pair of axially spaced annular sealing members adaptable for sealing engagement with relatively smaller and larger size pressure washer outlets and the stems is formed with a transverse passageway for venting liquid from the central stem passageway around one of the sealing members, as an incident to unscrewing of the retaining ring, while the other sealing member remains in sealed engagement with the pressure washer outlet fitting.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective of a pressure washer with a high pressure extension hose in accordance with the invention connected between the pressure washer and the hose of a spray gun that controls liquid discharge from the pressure washer;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary section of a coupling in accordance with the invention connecting the extension and spray gun hoses;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary section, similar to FIG. 2, showing the hose coupling in a partially uncoupled condition, that permits safe venting of high pressure liquid within the system;

FIG. 3 a is an enlarged fragmentary section illustrating the break of a seal and venting of high pressure liquid from the system as an incident to disconnection of the coupling as shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary section, similar to FIGS. 2 and 3, showing the hoses fully disassembled from the coupling;

FIGS. 5-7 are fragmentary sections, similar to FIGS. 2-4, showing an alternative embodiment of hose coupling in accordance with the invention; and

FIGS. 8-10 are fragmentary sections, similar to FIGS. 2-4 and 5-7, showing another alternative embodiment of hose coupling in accordance with the invention.

While the invention is susceptible of various modifications and alternative constructions, certain illustrative embodiments thereof have been shown in the drawings and will be described below in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now more particularly to FIG. 1 of the drawings, there is shown an illustrative high pressure hydraulic system which includes a pressure washer 10, a spray gun. 11 having a flexible high pressure hose 12, and an extension hose 13 connected between the pressure washer 10 and the spray gun hose 11. The illustrated spray gun 11 is permanently secured to the downstream end of the flexible pressure washer hose 12, which like the extension hose 13, may be of a flexible reinforced construction of a known type suitable for withstanding liquid pressures generated by the pressure washer. The pressure washer 10 may be of a conventional type which has a gasoline or electric powered motor for operating a pump to generate a high pressure liquid discharge. The pressure washer 10 in this case has an outlet fitting 15 which may be of a conventional type, as disclosed in the afore-referenced patent.

For enabling connection of the spray gun hose 12 to the extension hose 13, or directly to the pressure washer outlet fitting 15, the spray gun hose 12 has a fitting 20 fixedly secured to the upstream end thereof. The fitting 20, as depicted in FIG. 2, has a ribbed shank 21 that is forceably positioned into the end of the hose 12 up to and against a radial locating flange 22 of the fitting 20. For positively securing the fitting 20 in the hose 12, an annular ferule 24 is positioned about the end of the hose and has an annular retaining flange 25 that is deformed into an annular retaining groove of the fitting immediately adjacent the locating flange 22. The fitting 20 has an outwardly extending connecting stem 26 which in this case includes a smaller diameter outer hub portion 28 and a relatively larger diameter inner hub portion 29 adjacent a radial retaining flange 30. The stem 26 carries a pair of axially-spaced o-rings 31,32 within respective outwardly opening annular grooves formed in the stem. The outer o-ring 31 in this case has a smaller diameter than the o-ring 32.

The illustrated extension hose 13 comprises a length of connector high pressure hose with connecting fittings 40 at its opposite ends which are identical in construction, and in this case, similar to the spray gun hose fitting 20. The connecting fitting 40 has a hose connecting stem 41 at one end, a mating stem 42 at the other end, and an outwardly extending retaining flange 44. The hose connecting stem 41 is a relatively small diameter ribbed member over which the hose is forcefully positioned into abutting relation to a locator flange 45. For positively affixing the stem 41 to the hose 13, a ferrule 46 is provided, which has a radial end wall 48 that is crimped cramped inwardly into an annular groove of the fitting 40 with the hose interposed there between. The mating stem 42 of the extension hose fitting 40 has a relatively small diameter terminal outer hub portion 50 and a larger diameter inner hub portion 51 and carries a pair of o-ring 54,55 in outwardly opening axially spaced grooves, with the outer o-ring 54 being smaller in diameter than the inner o-ring 55.

For enabling releasable connection of the spray gun hose 12 with the extension hose 13, an adapter 60 is provided which may be substantially similar to the adapter disclosed in the afore-referenced patent. The illustrated adaptor 60 has a central hub portion 61 with externally threaded cylindrical extensions 62,64 of common diameter extending coaxially outwardly from opposite sides of the hub 61. The adaptor 60 is formed with an axial flow passage 69 which in this case comprises two separate cylindrical chambers 69S, 69L each communicating with each other from opposite ends of the adaptor. As set forth in detail in the aforesaid referenced patent, the chamber 69S has a relatively small diameter (i.e., 14 mm.) corresponding to a smaller diameter pressure washer outlet and the second chamber 69L has a relatively larger diameter (i.e., 15 mm.) corresponding to a relatively larger diameter pressure washer outlet. It will be understood that to assist in understanding certain of the discussions herein, references to pressure washers having a 14 mm. discharge outlet and components designed for use therewith sometimes have been designated with the appropriate reference numeral and the distinguishing suffix “S” (for small or 14 mm.). The larger 15 mm. pressure washer discharge outlet and components designed for use therewith sometimes have been designated with the appropriate reference numeral with the distinguishing suffix “L” (for large or 15 mm.).

The extension hose fitting 40 in this case, as shown in FIG. 2, is secured within the smaller diameter inlet chamber 69S of the adapter 60, and the extension hose fitting 20 is secured within the relatively larger diameter inlet chamber 69L of the adapter. With the extension hose fitting stem 42 positioned in the relatively smaller diameter chamber 69S, the smaller diameter annular seal 55 is in sealing engagement with an inner wall of the chamber 69S and the larger diameter o-ring 55 is forced into sealing engagement with a chamfered annular end 70 the adapter 60. For securing the extension hose fitting 20 within the adapter chamber 69S, a threaded retainer ring 71 is provided about the end of the extension hose 13, which engages the radial retaining flange 44 and draws in it to captive position as an incident to threaded engagement of the retainer ring 71 onto an externally threaded end of the adapter 60.

The spray gun hose fitting 20, as also depicted in FIG. 2, can be similarly connected to the adapter 60, with the stem 26 being positioned in the larger diameter inlet chamber 69L. The smaller and larger diameter hub portions 28,29 of the stem 26 in this case both are positionable into the larger diameter chamber 69L with the larger diameter o-ring 32 being in sealing engagement with an internal wall of the chamber 69L and the smaller diameter o-ring 31 guiding positionable movement of the stem 26 into the adapter 69L. A threaded retainer ring 74 similarly is threadably engageable with an externally threaded end of the adapter 60 drawing the spray gun hose fitting 20 into captive secure relation to the adapter 60.

During operation of the pressure washer 10, the adapter 60 enables reliable high pressure communication of liquid from the pressure washer 10 through the extension hose 13 and spray gun hose 12 for controlled discharge and direction by the spray gun 11. As indicated above, following operation of the pressure washer, a high pressure buildup remaining in the extension and pressure washer hoses can cause a sudden dangerous outburst of high pressure liquid upon disconnecting the hoses from the adapter or other fittings in the system.

In accordance with the invention, the hose fittings are adapted for gradually releasing a high pressure buildup within the hoses as an incident to uncoupling of the fittings so as to prevent injury to persons from sudden high pressure discharge. More particularly, the fittings have venting apertures which permit gradual venting and decompression of pressure buildup from the high pressure hoses while the retaining caps remain in secure threaded engagement with the coupling adapter. To this end, in the illustrated embodiment, the fittings 20, 40 each have a respective radial venting passageway 75,76 that communicates from the central liquid flow passage 69 of the adapter to an outer radial location between the axially spaced o-rings of the respective stem.

The radial venting passageway 76 of the extension hose fitting 40 communicates between the internal flow passageway 69 and outer location between the o-rings 54,55. Upon loosening of the retaining ring 71, as depicted in FIG. 3 and 3A, such as one or two turns, trapped pressure within the system tends to push the fitting 20 outwardly of the adapter 60 breaking the seal between the outer o-ring 55 and the chamfered end 70 of the adapter 60. With the seal broken, high pressure will dissipate in a controlled fashion through the venting passageway 76 and between the o-ring 55 and chamfered edge 70 to atmosphere to gradually relieve the internal pressure. As an important aspect of the invention, it will be understood that it is important that the threaded connection between the retaining ring 71 and the adapter 60 is long enough to permit unscrewing of the retainer ring 71 a sufficient distance to break the seal between the o-ring 55 and the adapter chamfered end 70, while the retaining ring 71 continues to securely retain the retainer ring 71 on the adapter 60. This enables the slight break in the seal to be maintained sufficient to dissipate the pressure buildup without sudden outburst of pressurized liquid from the coupling. When the pressure buildup has fully dissipated, continued unscrewing of the retainer ring permits the extension hose fitting 40 to be removed from the adapter 60, as depicted in FIG. 4.

In keeping with the invention, the spray gun hose fitting 20 similarly may be uncoupled from the adapter 60 while in a pressurized state, without sudden harmful discharge of high pressure fluid. In this case, the retainer ring 74 must be turned a sufficient number of turns to enable pressure within the system to move the stem 26 outwardly to the point that the seal is broken from between the o-ring 32 and the internal wall of the adapter chamber 69L, as depicted in FIG. 3, thereby enabling high pressure fluid to be gradually dissipate in a controlled manner both from 1) the venting passageway 75 of the fitting 20, and 2) the small space between the smaller o-ring 31 and the inner wall of the adapter chamber 69L for ultimate escape to atmosphere through the broken seal between the larger o-ring 32 and the end of the adapter. Again, venting of high pressure buildup occurs while the retaining ring 74 remains in secure threaded engagement with the adapter 60. Once the pressure buildup has been dissipated in such controlled and gradual fashion, the retainer ring 74 can be unscrewed further to remove the fitting 20 from the adapter 60, as depicted in FIG. 4.

In keeping with the invention, it will be understood that the spray gun and extension hose fittings 20,40 may be universally used with different sized outlet fittings of the pressure washer 10 or other components of a pressurized hydraulic system. For example, if the extension hose fitting 20 or 40 is to be connected to a smaller diameter inlet fitting of the pressure washer, such outlet having a 14 mm. diameter, the fitting may be connected to the outlet in the manner shown in FIG. 2 with the o-rings 54,55 creating a redundant seal when assembled, and with the venting passage 76 of the stem enabling gradual pressure discharge upon unloosening of the retaining ring from the outlet a sufficient distance to break the seal between the larger diameter o-ring 55 and the adapter 60, while the retaining ring 71 retains in threaded engagement with the outlet. Likewise, when the fitting 20 or 40 is used with a relatively larger diameter outlet fitting, such as a 15 mm. diameter outlet, the fitting may be connected to the outlet in the same manner that the fitting 20 connects to the larger diameter outlet chamber 69L in FIG. 2, with the larger diameter seal 32 being in sealing engagement within an internal wall chamber 69L and which upon loosening of the retaining cap, permits controlled venting both through the venting aperture 75 and from the smaller diarmeter o-ring 32 and the adapter.

With reference to FIGS. 5-7, an alternative coupling arrangement is shown wherein items similar to those described above have been given similar reference numerals with the distinguishing suffix prime (′) added. The spray gun hose fitting 20′ and the extension hose fitting 40′ in this case have a single sealing o-ring 32′, 55′, respectively, corresponding to the larger diameter sealing o-rings in the previously described embodiment. The fittings 20′, 40′ again have connecting stems 26′,42′, respectively, which each include a relatively larger diameter inner hub portion 29′, 51′, and an outer smaller diameter hub portion 28′, 50′, respectively. The o-rings 32′, 55′, are disposed between the larger and smaller diameter hub portions.

With the coupling fully assembled in the adapter 60′, as depicted in FIG. 5, the o-ring 55′ of the extension hose fitting 40′ is maintained in biased sealing engagement with a chamfered end 70′ of the adapter 60′ by the retaining ring 71′. The connecting stem 26′ of the extension hose fitting 20′ is positioned with the hub portions 28′, 29′ both within the larger diameter chamber 69L′ of the adapter 60′ and with the o-ring being in sealed engagement with an internal wall of the chamber 69L′ and retained in such position by the threadedly engaged retainer ring 74′.

To uncouple the coupling while in a pressurized state, the retaining ring 71′ of the extension hose fitting 40′ may be loosened, such as by one or two turns, to permit pressurized fluid within the system to break the seal between the o-ring 55′ and the chamfered end of the adapter 60′ and permit gradual control venting of the pressure buildup to atmosphere, while the retaining ring 71′ secures the coupling in such loosened condition. Alternatively, the retaining ring 74′ of the extension hose fitting 20′ may be loosened by turning up the retaining ring 74′ a sufficient number of turns to cause pressure within the system to move the stem 26′ and o-ring 32′ sufficiently outwardly of the adapter chamber 69L′ to permit breakage of the seal between the o-ring 32′ and the wall of the chamber 69L′ to enable controlled venting of the pressure buildup to atmosphere while the retaining ring 74′ secures the coupling in such loosened condition. Again, it will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that the fittings 20′, 40′ can be universally used with different sized outlet fittings of a pressure washer or other components of a pressurized hydraulic system in a similar manner.

With reference to FIGS. 8-10, there is shown another alternative embodiment of a high pressure hose coupling in accordance with the invention wherein items similar to those described above have been given similar reference numerals with the distinguishing suffix “double prime” (″). The spray gun hose fitting 20″ and the extension hose fitting 40″ in this case each have connecting stems 26″,42″ with a pair axially spaced o-rings 31″,32″ and 54″,55″ similar to the embodiment of FIGS. 2-4, but without a radial venting passageway. When in the assembled condition, as depicted in FIG. 8, the o-rings similarly cooperate with the adapter 60″ to provide a sealed coupling during operation of the pressure washer.

To release pressure buildup following usage of the pressure washer, the retaining ring 74″ of the extension hose fitting 20″ may be turned a turn or two to permit pressure within the system to break the seal between the o-ring 32″ and the chamfered end of the adapter 60″ to permit controlled venting of the internal buildup pressure in the system through a small space between the smaller diameter o-ring 31″ and the internal wall of the chamber 69L″ and the pressure break between the larger diameter o-ring 32″ and the end of the adapter 60 to atmosphere. Again, the retaining ring 74″ remains in threaded engagement with the adapter 60″ to maintain the controlled released of the pressure buildup.

Alternatively, pressure buildup within the system may be relieved following usage by unscrewing the retainer ring 71″ of the extension hose fitting 40″ sufficiently to remove both the larger diameter o-ring 55″ and the smaller diameter o-ring 54″ from sealed engagement with the chamber 69S″, while the retaining ring 71 remains in threaded engagement with the adapter 60″. Again, the fittings 20″ and 40″ can be universally used with different sized outlet fittings of the pressure washer or other components of the pressurized system for permitting gradual release of pressure buildup as an incident to uncoupling of the fittings.

From the foregoing, it can be seen that a high pressure hydraulic system is .provided, such as a pressure washer system, having hose with couplings adapted for reliable coupling of the hose to an associated component of the high pressure system, as well as safe uncoupling of the hose from the component when the system remains in a highly-pressurized state. The couplings permit the gradual diffusion of high pressure within the system during loosening and disconnection of the system without dangerous sudden bursts of pressure fluid. The couplings further are relatively simple in construction and are adapted for universal use with multi-sized fittings of associated components of the pressurized liquid system.

Claims

1. A spraying apparatus comprising: a power operated pressure washer unit adapted for generating a high pressure liquid discharge at a liquid outlet thereof, a spray gun having a high pressure liquid supply hose with an inlet fitting at an upstream end thereof, an outlet fitting in fluid communication with said pressure washer liquid outlet,said high pressure hose fitting having an axial stem formed with a central liquid passageway positionable into said outlet fitting for communicating liquid through said fitting between said outlet fitting and said high pressure hose,a pair of axially-spaced annular sealing members disposed about said hose fitting stem, said hose fitting having a retaining ring threadably engageable with said outlet fitting for securing said stem in said outlet fitting with at least one of said annular sealing members in sealing engagement with said outlet fitting, said retaining ring being rotatable in a first direction for screwing said hose fitting onto said outlet fitting, and said retaining ring being rotatable in an opposite direction for unscrewing the retaining ring from the fitting to permit removal of the high pressure hose fitting from the outlet fitting, andsaid hose fitting being formed with a transverse passageway communicating from said central passageway outwardly through said stem at a location between said axially spaced annular sealing members such that upon unscrewing of said retaining ring from said outlet fitting high pressure buildup within the hose and outlet fitting can gradually dissipate and vent through the transverse passageway while said retaining ring retains said hose fitting on said outlet fitting and at least one of said annular sealing members remains in sealed engagement with said outlet fitting.

2. The spraying apparatus of claim 1 in which said hose fitting transverse passageway extends radially through said hose fitting.

3. The spraying apparatus of claim 1 in which one of said annular sealing members is disposed adjacent a terminal end of said stem, and as an incident to unscrewing of said retaining ring high pressure liquid is vented outwardly through said transverse stem passageway and about said one annular sealing member disposed adjacent a terminal end of stem.

4. The spraying apparatus of claim 1 in which said outlet fitting is an adapter that is connectable to said pressure washer outlet through a high pressure hose segment.

5. The spraying apparatus of claim 1 in which said hose fitting stem has a first hub portion effective for sealed coupling of the hose fitting with an outlet fitting having a first relatively small diameter liquid discharge outlet and a second hub portion relatively larger in diameter than said first hub portion effective for sealed coupling of said hose fitting of with an outlet fitting having a second relatively large diameter greater than the said small diameter of discharge outlet.

6. The spraying apparatus of claim 5 in which one of said annular sealing members is disposed adjacent said first hub portion and a second of said annular sealing member is disposed about said second hub portion.

7. A spraying apparatus comprising: a power operated pressure washer unit adapted for generating a high pressure liquid discharge at a liquid outlet thereof, a spray gun having a high pressure liquid supply hose with an inlet fitting at an upstream end thereof, an outlet fitting in fluid communication with said pressure washer liquid outlet,said high pressure hose fitting having an axial stem formed with a central liquid passageway positionable into said outlet fitting for communicating liquid through said hose fitting between said outlet fitting and said high pressure hose,at least one annular sealing member disposed about said hose fitting stem, said hose fitting having a retaining ring threadably engageable with said outlet fitting for securing said stem in said outlet fitting with said at least one annular sealing member in sealing engaging relation with said outlet fitting, said retaining ring being rotatable in a first direction for screwing said hose fitting onto said outlet fitting, and said retaining ring being rotatable in an opposite direction for unscrewing said retaining ring from the outlet fitting to permit disengagement and a break in the sealing engaging relation between said at least one annular sealing member and said outlet fitting for enabling the gradual dissipation and venting of high pressure buildup within the hose and outlet fitting while said retaining ring retains said hose fitting on said outlet fitting.

8. The spraying apparatus of claim 7 in which said outlet fitting has an externally threaded section and said retaining ring has an internally threaded section, and said threaded sections are sufficiently long to permit unscrewing of the retaining ring a sufficient distance to break the sealing engaging relation between the at least one annular sealing member and said outlet fitting while said retaining ring retains said hose fitting on said outlet fitting.

9. The spraying apparatus of claim 7 in which said at least one annular sealing member has a diameter effective for sealingly engaging an axial end of said outlet fitting as an incident to screwing said retaining ring onto said outlet fitting.

10. The spraying apparatus of claim 7 in which said at least one annular sealing member is sized effective for sealingly engaging an internal cylindrical chamber of said outlet fitting as an incident to screwing of said retaining ring onto said outlet fitting.

11. The spraying apparatus of claim 7 in which said stem has a first relatively inner hub portion and a second relatively smaller diameter hub portion adjacent a terminal end of the stem, and said at least one o-ring is disposed between said first and second hub portions.

12. The spraying apparatus of claim 7 in which said at least one annular sealing member is effective for sealingly engaging an axial end of said outlet fitting having a first relatively small diameter liquid discharge outlet as an incident to screwing of said retaining ring onto said fitting and is effective for sealingly engaging an internal cylindrical chamber of an outlet fitting having a second relatively larger diameter liquid outlet greater than the diameter of said first outlet.

13. The spraying apparatus of claim 7 including a pair of said annular sealing members disposed in axially spaced relation about said hose fitting stem, one of said annular sealing members being sized effective for sealing engagement with an outlet fitting having a first relatively small diameter liquid discharge outlet and the other of said annular sealing members being effective for sealing engagement with an outlet fitting having a second relatively large diameter outlet greater than the diameter of said first outlet.

14. The spraying apparatus of claim 13 in which high pressure buildup within said hose and outlet fitting is dissipatable as an incident to unscrewing of said retaining ring upon the break of sealing contact between said second sealing member and a relatively large diameter outlet of said outlet fitting and high pressure buildup is dissipatable from said hose and outlet fitting as an incident to unscrewing of said retaining ring upon the break of sealing contact between both said first and second annular sealing members from a relatively smaller diameter outlet.

15. A high pressure hose for use in communicating high pressure liquid from an outlet fitting of a pressure washer comprising: a tubular hose segment,an inlet fitting connected to an end of said tubular hose segment, said high pressure hose fitting having an axial stem formed with a central liquid passageway positionable into the pressure washer outlet fitting for communicating liquid through said fitting between said outlet fitting and said high pressure hose,a pair of axially-spaced annular sealing members disposed about said hose fitting stem, said hose fitting having a retaining ring threadably engageable with said outlet fitting for securing said stem in said outlet fitting with at least one of said annular sealing members in sealing engagement with said outlet fitting, said retaining ring being rotatable in a first direction for screwing said hose fitting onto said outlet fitting, and said retaining ring being rotatable in an opposite direction for unscrewing the retaining ring from the fitting to permit removal of the high pressure hose fitting from the outlet fitting, andsaid hose fitting being formed with a transverse passageway communicating from said central passageway outwardly through said stem at a location between said axially spaced annular sealing members such that upon unscrewing of said retaining ring from said outlet fitting high pressure buildup within the hose and outlet fitting can gradually dissipate and vent through the transverse passageway while said retaining ring retains said hose fitting on said outlet fitting and at least one of said annular sealing members remains in sealed engagement with said outlet fitting.

16. The high pressure hose of claim 15 in which one of said annular sealing members is disposed adjacent a terminal end of said stem, and as an incident to unscrewing of said retaining ring high pressure liquid is vented outwardly through said transverse stem passageway and about said one annular sealing member disposed adjacent a terminal end of stem.

17. The high pressure hose of claim 15 in which said hose fitting stem has a first hub portion effective for sealed coupling of the hose fitting with an outlet fitting having a first relatively small diameter liquid discharge outlet and a second hub portion relatively larger in diameter than said first hub portion effective for sealed coupling of said hose fitting of with an outlet fitting having a second relatively large diameter greater than the said small diameter of discharge outlet.

18. The high pressure hose of claim 17 in which one of said annular sealing members is disposed adjacent said first hub portion and a second of said annular sealing member is disposed about said second hub portion.