The present invention relates generally to pressure washer systems, and in particular, to pressure washer wand and nozzle assemblies that can be configured to provide various spray patterns without dissociation or removal of the nozzle assembly from the wand.
Pressure washers generally include a motor or engine that is operatively connected to a water pump. A high pressure hose connects a wand to a discharge side of the water pump. The wand commonly includes a pistol grip or the like that includes a trigger whose actuation effects discharge of a high-pressure water stream from the nozzle. Both the simplicity of operation and effectiveness associated with using such devices has made pressure washers a staple for various residential and commercial cleaning and surface preparation tasks.
Understandably, many cleaning and surface preparation operations are best carried out with the use of extraneous cleaning or surface treatment agents and/or manipulation of the spray pattern associated with operation of the pressure washer. For instance, some surface cleaning or preparation activities are more easily performed with a more centralized or unitary stream of water whereas other cleaning or surface preparation operations can be best performed with a fan or cone spray stream wherein the water stream is aligned along an axis or emanates from the wand in a more conical shape, respectively. To better effectuate the desired cleaning or surface preparation operations, many power washers are configured for use with interchangeable or replaceable nozzles that are each configured to removably cooperate with the discharge end of the wand. Such systems commonly require that a number of discrete nozzle assemblies be provided and maintained to generate the desired spray pattern. The relatively small size of such interchangeable nozzles renders them susceptible to being dropped, lost, or misplacement thereby requiring the user to replace lost or misplaced nozzles if the spray pattern associated with the nozzle is needed for a desired cleaning or treatment operation.
Recognizing such a shortcoming, others provide adjustable nozzle assemblies that can be constructed to cooperate with the discharge end of a wand. Such nozzle assemblies can be configured to removably cooperate with the wand in a tool-less manner or be configured to more rigidly cooperate with the wand such that one or more tools are required to manipulate cooperation of the nozzle assembly with the wand. Many such adjustable nozzle assemblies include a control or dial that is associated with the nozzle assembly. The control or dial is commonly configured to be rotatable about an axis that is perpendicular to or normal to the direction of the fluid flow. Other adjustable spray nozzle assemblies include a plurality of discrete nozzles orifices that each has unique shapes associated with generating a desired spray pattern when the respective orifice is aligned with the fluid flow through the wand. Such adjustable spray pattern nozzle assemblies can suffer from a number of drawbacks.
Such nozzle assemblies must commonly be provided with a number of seals that prevent water from being allowed to exit the nozzle assembly at undesired or unused orifices or along paths associated with the interface of the control with the fluid path or a support portion of the nozzle assembly. Such nozzle assemblies must also commonly include fairly tight manufacturing tolerances between the parts of the nozzle assembly that are intended to be moveable and require the formation of various parts of materials that are capable of withstanding the operating conditions associated with discrete interchangeable use of the respective orifices associated with the respective nozzle assembly.
Some such nozzle assemblies are also generally considerably larger than nozzles having only a singular orifice. That is, the various orifice openings are commonly circumferentially positioned about a rotational control body so that only one respective orifice is aligned with the fluid passage associated with the wand at any given time. The unused orifice openings are generally circumferentially spaced relative to an axis of rotation of the control body so that each discrete orifice can be selectively aligned with an in-use position of the orifice relative to the underlying nozzle assembly. The circumferential spacing of the various orifices dramatically increases the footprint or size of the overall nozzle assembly. Such constructions can limit the ability of the user to attain a desired position of the nozzle relative to a treatment surface where frame or other structural considers limit the accessibility of the area being treated.
Therefore, there is a need for a pressure washer wand and nozzle assembly capable of providing various spray patterns that is convenient to manufacture and use, has reliable operability, and has a compact construction.
The present invention discloses various nozzle assemblies for use with pressure washing systems that each overcome one or more of the drawbacks mentioned above. One aspect of the invention discloses pressure washer nozzle assemblies that each include multiple orifices that each generate a respective spray pattern. Each nozzle assembly includes a flow body that is constructed to be associated with a wand and a control or controller that is movably associated with the flow body. Manipulation of the controller relative to the flow body effectuates different flow configurations that are each associated with selectively and discretely fluidly connecting the alternate orifices associated with the nozzle assembly with the fluid flow delivered via the wand such that the user can manipulate a spray pattern delivered by the power washer via interaction with rather than replacement of a respective nozzle assembly previously associated with a wand.
One aspect of the invention discloses a pressure washer nozzle assembly having a flow body that is constructed to be fluidly connected to a discharge end of a wand. The nozzle assembly includes a first orifice and a second orifice that are exposed to atmosphere and supported by the flow body such that the first orifice and the second orifice are each selectively fluidly connectable to a fluid path defined by the flow body. The nozzle assembly includes a control body that is rotationally associated with the flow body. A shuttle is supported by the flow body and engaged with the control body such that rotation of the control body effectuates longitudinal translation of the shuttle relative to the flow body to selectively fluidly connect the first orifice and the second orifice to the fluid path defined by the flow body.
Another aspect of the invention discloses a pressure washer nozzle assembly having a flow body that defines a flow body fluid path constructed to receive a fluid flow from a discharge end of a wand. A controller is engaged with the flow body and defines a first discharge fluid path associated with a first orifice and a second discharge fluid path associated with a second orifice. The first and second orifices are radially offset from an axis of the flow body and the controller is axially slidable relative to the flow body to selectively fluidly connect the first discharge fluid path and the second discharge fluid path to the flow body fluid path.
Another aspect of the invention discloses a pressure washer nozzle assembly that includes a flow body that is constructed to be secured to a discharge end of a wand and defines a flow body flow path that is formed through the flow body. The nozzle assembly includes a controller that is engaged with a pivot that is defined by the flow body such that the controller is rotatable relative to the flow body. A first orifice and a second orifice associated with the controller and radially offset from an axis of rotation of the controller and the controller is rotatable about the pivot between a first position and a second position. When in the first portion, the controller and flow body cooperate with one another such that first orifice is fluidly connected from the flow body flow path and the second orifice is positionally offset from the flow body flow path. When in the second position, the controller and flow body cooperate with one another such that the first orifice is positionally offset from the flow body flow path and the second orifice is fluidly connected to the flow body flow path such that the first and second orifices can be selectively and discretely associated with a fluid path associated with the discharge end of the wand.
Other aspects, features, and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description and accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the present invention, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the present invention without departing from the spirit thereof, and the invention includes all such modifications.
The drawings illustrate the best mode presently contemplated of carrying out the invention.
In the drawings:
With respect to pressure washer 40, engine 42 can be directly or indirectly (via a power transmission system such as a belt or other flexible drive member) coupled to pump 44. When engine 42 directly cooperates with pump 44 without supplemental power transmission systems, pump 44 can be considered a direct drive pump. It is appreciated that there a number of methodologies associated with generating a desired fluid pressure output associated with use of pressure washer 40. One methodology includes providing a pressure output of the pump that is a function of the operational revolutions per minute (rpm) of the pump and which is directly correlated to the operating speed or revolutions per minute (rpm) of the engine crankshaft. The higher the rpm of the pump, the higher the pump output pressure—assuming other system variables to be constant. In such a confirmation, the input rpm of the pump is controlled by the engine rpm by means of controlling the engine throttle such that, variable pressures can be provided at the pump output pressure via manipulation of the engine throttle or engine speed. Alternatively, it is appreciated that the pressure output of pump 44 may be manipulated by a regulator as disclosed below. The variable pressure pump output in conjunction with an engine speed or pump pressure selector dial allows one pressure washer to act as though it were capable of providing several different fixed operating pressures.
As alluded to above, another methodology for manipulating the pump discharge pressure delivered to the wand includes providing a variable setting regulator or bypass valve assembly 47 associated with operation of the pump. Such a configuration includes a valve assembly that is integral to the pump or disposed between pump 44 and a wand 46 for communicating the pressurized fluid flow to wand 46 connected to pump 44. A hose 48 is configured to be connected between pump 44 and a wand 46 to communicate the pressurized flow generated by operation of pressure washer 40 to the nozzle assembly associate with a discharge end 50 of wand 46.
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Discharge end 50 of wand 46 is commonly associated with an end of wand 46 that is opposite trigger 53. Discharge end 50 of wand 46 is constructed to cooperate with nozzle assembly 52 to allow the fluid flow communicated via wand 46 to be directed through nozzle assembly 52. Nozzle assembly 52 can be configured to removably cooperate with wand 46 via one or more threaded or otherwise selectively severable connection methodologies that can either provide a tool-less interaction or a tool operable interaction between nozzle assembly 52 and wand 46. It is appreciated that various such tool requiring and tool-less interactions are feasible as both provide a secure connection between a respective nozzle assembly 52 and wand 46.
Although each of the nozzle assemblies disclosed herein is preferably configured to provide at least two discrete spray patterns, it is further appreciated that pressure washer 40 can be provided with and is usable with other alternate or replacement nozzles or nozzle assemblies that can be engaged with wand 46 when nozzle assembly 52 is removed therefrom. Preferably, such replacement nozzle assemblies cooperate with wand 46 in the same manner as nozzle assembly 52 and are configured to provide spray patterns and/or soaping and/or foaming functions associated with alternate uses of pressure washer 40. As explained further below, nozzle assembly 52 is configured to provide various spray patterns but it is appreciated that pressure washer 40 may have an operating range that extends beyond a range of operation associated with use of any one multiple spray pattern nozzle assembly 52. It is appreciated that nozzle assembly 52 can be configured to cooperate with wand 46 in a tool-less manner or in a manner that would require one or more tools to effectuate separation of nozzle assembly 52 from wand 46 as explained above for alternate uses of pressure washer 40 or use of pressure washer 40 with nozzles or nozzle assemblies having other functionality.
Pressure washer 40 can include a panel, bezel, or dashboard 61 that can include one or more instructional indicia 64 associated with the desired operation or intended use of pressure washer 40. Preferably, dashboard 61 includes one or more indicia that explain, either textually or pictographically, proper operation of pressure washer 40. It is also appreciated that dashboard 61 can include one or more receptacles or mounting portions 66 associated with supporting replaceable or interchangeable tips, nozzles, or nozzle assemblies 72, 74, 76, 78, 80 associated with alternate uses of pressure washer 40 beyond the operating capabilities of nozzle assembly 52 and/or a replacement nozzle assembly 52 should the in-use nozzle assembly be somehow rendered inoperable. Preferably, aside from foaming operations, nozzle assembly 52 is configured to provide alternate spray patterns across the range of operation of pressure washer 40. As alluded to above, nozzles 72-80 are configured to interchangeably cooperate with discharge end 50 of wand 46 so as to replace nozzle assembly 52 thereby allowing use of pressure washer 40 for other uses, such as soap, foaming, cleaning, or treatment agent application operations.
It is also appreciated that one more of nozzles 72, 74, 76, 78, 80 could have a construction similar to—but preferably different than—nozzle assembly 52. It is envisioned that such a nozzle assembly and/or the providing of more than one nozzle assembly capable of generating various spray patterns would provide a pressure washer system with nozzles capable of providing multiple spray patterns that are different than the spray patterns associated with nozzle assembly already engaged with wand 46. Such a provision would provide a pressure washing system capable of providing a greater range of adjustment of the spray pattern as a function of an association of a given multiple spray pattern nozzle assembly as it relates to a range of operation of the underlying pressure washer 40 as well as the singular or multiple spray patterns achievable with other nozzle assemblies.
It is further appreciated that wand 46 or pressure washer 40 can include a treatment agent introduction system 86 for introducing a cleaning or treatment agent to the fluid flow delivered to wand 46 via hose 48. It is appreciated that agent introduction system 86 could be configured to introduce such a treatment agent to the feed water stream at a low pressure or a high pressure side of pump 44, prior to delivery of the operating fluid to wand 46, immediately prior to the introduction of the operating fluid stream to nozzle assembly 52 at discharge end 50 of wand 46, and/or downstream of nozzle assembly 52. It is further appreciated that although agent introduction system 86 is shown as being supported proximate engine 42 and pump 44 associated with chassis 54, agent introduction system 86 could be associated with hose 48 and/or supported and/or integrated with wand 46. Regardless of the specific location of agent introduction system 86, each such configuration further increases the functionality of pressure washer 40 whether utilized with nozzle assembly 52 or another nozzle assembly 72-80.
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Shuttle 96 is defined by an elongate body 106 that extends along a longitudinal axis 108. Longitudinal axis 108 is preferably oriented transverse to a longitudinal axis 110 of wand 46. An exterior surface 112 of shuttle 96 includes a plurality of ridges 114, 116, 118, 120, 122, 124 that are disposed about a perimeter of shuttle 96 between a first longitudinal end 126 and a second longitudinal end 128 of body 106. A groove or channel 130, 132, 134, 136 is formed between each of adjacent ridges 114, 116, 118 and adjacent ridges 120, 122, 124 of body 106 of shuttle 96. Channels 130, 132, 134, 136 are each preferably constructed to cooperate with a seal, such as an O-ring, to provide a sealable but slidable interaction between shuttle 96 and chamber 104 of flow body 92. An elongated channel 140 is formed between ridges 118, 120 and provides a working fluid path or working fluid flow 158 communicated between an intake or inlet 142 of flow body 92 and a first orifice 144 and a second orifice 146 associated therewith.
Controller 94 is shaped to rotatable cooperate with flow body 92 and shuttle 96. That is, controller 94 is rotatable relative to flow body 92, shuttle 96, and wand 46. As explained further below, rotation of controller 94 effectuates longitudinal translation of shuttle 96 relative to flow body 92. Controller 94 defines a cavity 150 that is eccentrically oriented relative to axis 110. Shuttle 96 is preferably longer than a radial width of flow body 92 such that ends 126, 128 of shuttle 96 slidably cooperate with an upstanding wall 152 of controller 94 to effectuate longitudinal translation of shuttle 96 along axis 108 relative to flow body 92 during rotation of controller 94 relative to wand 46 and flow body 92.
First orifice 144 and second orifice 146 preferably have different shaped or sized openings 162, 164 such that working fluid flow 158 exits nozzle assembly 90 in different flow patterns as a function of which orifice 144, 146 is fluidly exposed to working fluid flow 158. First orifice 144 and second orifice 146 may be formed by flow body 92 or may be provided as permanent or replaceable orifice inserts. It is appreciated that replaceable orifice inserts, even if configured as press fit orifices, allows nozzle assembly 90 to be serviced or uniquely configured should one of orifices 144, 146 be damaged or degraded such that such would not negate the functionality of the entirety of nozzle assembly 90. Nozzle assembly 90 allows pressure washer 40 to achieve multiple spray patterns without replacement or re-engagement of alternate nozzle assemblies with discharge end 50 of wand 46.
It is further appreciated that nozzle assembly 90 can generate a venturi or negative pressure condition within nozzle assembly 90 when the nozzle assembly is switched from a first orifice having a smaller diameter or sized opening than an opening associated with a subsequent orifice. As explained further below after the description of the other nozzle assembly embodiments, such a pressure differential can be utilized to initiate or draw a flow of a supplemental material, such as a cleaning or surface treatment agent such as those associated with system 86 (
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An exterior radial surface 200 of flow body 182 includes a first channel 202 and a second channel 204 that are oriented on opposite sides of outlets 196, 198 relative to a direction aligned with axis 186 of flow body 182. Channels 202, 204 are shaped to receive a seal that slidably and sealingly cooperates with a surface 206 of a cavity 208 defined by controller 184. Flow body 182 includes an elongate channel 210 that is disposed between channel 202 and end 188 of flow body 182. Channel 210 is shaped to slidably cooperate with a stop such as a roll pin 212 that is positionally associated with controller 184. Pin 212 cooperates with channel 210 in a manner that allows limited axial translation of controller 184 along direction 186 relative to flow body 182.
Controller 184 defines a first working fluid flow path 214 and a second working fluid flow path 216 that are each discreetly associated with one of a first orifice 218 and a second orifice 220. Each orifice 218, 220 is defined by or supported by controller 184. It is appreciated that orifices 218, 220 can be permanently attached to controller 184, integrally formed thereby, or provided as a separate structure that removably cooperates with controller 184. Each controller working fluid flow path 214, 216 includes a first portion 222, 224 that extends in a transverse outward radial direction relative to axis 186 of flow body 182 and a second portion 226, 228 that is generally aligned with, but radially offset from, the longitudinal axis 186 of flow body 182.
Flow path 214 includes an inlet 230 that is offset relative to an inlet 232 associated with working fluid flow path 216 with respect to axis 186. Inlets 230, 232 of flow paths 214, 216 are offset from one another relative to axis 186 to allow discrete but selective fluid communication between inlet 194 of flow body 182 and one of inlet 232 associated with fluid flow path 216 and inlet 230 associated with flow path 214 of controller 184. That is, longitudinal translation of controller 184 relative to flow body 182 allows discrete select fluid communication of working fluid flow 192 with one of respective orifices 218, 220 of nozzle assembly 180. Slidable cooperation of controller 184 with flow body 182 and the orientation of outlets 196, 198 between channels 202, 204 maintains fluid isolation of the respective flow path 214, 216 of controller 184 when the inlet 230, 232 associated therewith is not aligned with the corresponding outlet 196, 198 of flow body 182.
With respect to the orientation of controller 184 relative to flow body 182 shown in
Nozzle assembly 250 includes an optional cover 260 that is disposed proximate a discharge end 262 of nozzle assembly 250. It is appreciated that cover 260 may be integrally formed controller 252 and/or configured to be removable therefrom as shown. A first orifice 264 and a second orifice 266 are supported by cover 260 and are oriented to be discreetly and selectively connected to a working fluid flow, indicated by arrow 268, associated with fluid communicated through wand 46. As explained further below, manipulation of controller 252 discretely and selectively directs the working fluid to one of respective orifices 264, 266 whereat the fluid flow is directed to atmosphere.
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Unlike the flow bodies of nozzle assembly 90 and nozzle assembly 180, flow body 270 includes a singular flow path that communicates fluid flow from wand 46 to outlet 288. Manipulation of the orientation of controller 252 relative to flow body 270 effectuates a desired alignment of one of orifices 264, 266 with outlet 288. The cooperation of ball 294 with recesses 296, 298 provides a tactile and/or audible indication of the desired orientation of the respective orifice 264, 266 relative to outlet 288 of flow body 270. The cooperation of ball 294 with a respective recess 296, 298 also reduces or prevents instances of unwanted translation of controller 252 relative to flow body 270.
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It should be appreciated that each of nozzle assemblies 90, 180, 250 include multiple orifices that are associated with facilitating different spray conditions associated with each of the respective nozzle assemblies. Understandably, one or more of nozzle assemblies 90, 180, 250 may have one or more similar sized and/or shaped openings associated with the respective orifices. It should further be appreciated that configuring the respective nozzle assemblies between orifice shapes that have smaller and/or respectively larger operating diameters or shapes, a pressure differential can be generated within the confines of each nozzle assembly so as to generate a venturi or vacuum pressure affect associated with the introduction of supplemental materials such as cleaning solutions into the fluid flow stream prior to egress of the working fluid from the respective nozzle assembly, such as via system 86 as described above.
Each of nozzle assemblies 90, 180, 250 is usable for various activities associated with operation of pressure washer 40 and does so in a manner that increases the functionality or usability of pressure washer 40 for various different washing and/or cleaning tasks. Each nozzle assembly 90, 180, 250 being provided with more than one orifice allows the user to quickly and conveniently manipulate the configuration of the respective nozzle assembly for a desired application without being required to remove or otherwise interfere with the connective association of the respective nozzle assembly with the underlying wand 46. Such configurations allow the user to quickly and conveniently configure pressure washer 40 for alternate uses with limited user interaction and/or configure pressure washer 40 for the desired operation associated with the activity intended to be undertaken. Furthermore, the rotational or axially translatable association of the controller, shuttle, and/or flow body of the respective nozzle assemblies 90, 180, 250 allows for the user to quickly and expeditiously manipulate the respective nozzle assembly for the desired activity and in a manner that provides a robust and resilient cooperation between the respective movable parts of the respective nozzle assemblies.
Many changes and modifications could be made to the invention without departing from the spirit thereof. The scope of these changes will become apparent from the appended claims.