CN206345203U - A kind of hand fastening type shower nozzle - Google Patents

Abstract

The utility model discloses a kind of hand fastening type shower nozzle, solve the damage that hand fastening type sprayer is easily easily caused spanner by false touch, unexpected spray for often resulting in liquid in spray bottle when in use causes to waste, its drip irrigation device is a kind of hand fastening type shower nozzle, including valve rod, bottle cap, also include the pressing part of pressing valve rod, the linking arm for being sheathed on valve rod is connected with bottle cap, sliding is equipped with the first buckle for being connected to valve rod side in linking arm, the first perforation worn for the first buckle is offered on linking arm, first buckle offers the boss for the lower surface that valve rod is connected to corresponding to the arc groove of the side wall of valve rod and positioned at the side slip of arc groove one, a kind of hand fastening type shower nozzle of the present utility model, shower nozzle can be locked, prevent the false touch of spanner or pressing part from causing the ejection of liquid when not operating, use enhanced convenience health and safety.

Description

A kind of hand fastening type shower nozzle

Technical field

The utility model is related to spraying apparatus, more particularly to a kind of hand fastening type shower nozzle.

Background technology

At present, micro-sprayer on the market is generally hand and species is a lot, according to the composition of liquid in container Difference, the different field such as sprayer can be used for growing flower, clean, hairdressing and beauty.

Common hand sprayer is hand fastening type or press type structure, and it presses spanner by hand button or pressing shower nozzle is opened Close, the liquid in container can be atomized the nozzle of all size of integrally connected on ejection, shower nozzle to realize the liquid of ejection In vaporific or linear.

Application No. CN201220569291.2 Chinese utility model patent discloses a kind of lever biasing springs chamber hand Fastening type sprayer, it is characterized in that：Described lever biasing springs chamber hand fastening type sprayer is by sprinkler cap, aperture atomizing mouth, master Body, bead, pipette, lever spanner, plastic bottle closure, connecting seat and spring cavity composition, described spring cavity be by spring and Elastoplast compacting is formed, and in described aperture atomizing mouth insertion sprinkler cap, sprinkler cap is connected with main body by screw thread, spring cavity Right-hand member and main body fasten to form cavity, the left end of spring cavity with lever spanner respectively by provided with plush copper and concave station connect Connection is touched, the lower end of connecting seat is connected with the upper end of plastic bottle closure by the boss and the buckle of concave bar being respectively equipped with, glass Pearl inserts the bottom of pipette, and the upper end of pipette is connected with main body, and plastic bottle closure is connected with decoction bottle by screw threads for fastening.

But although hand fastening type shower nozzle and sprayer solve various problems mostly at present, but for asking that shower nozzle itself is present Topic is few to be improved, and a kind of lever biasing springs chamber hand fastening type sprayer as described above, its lever spanner is applied due to needing Reinforcing carries out pressing operation to shower nozzle to realize spraying, but spanner is active, and easily by false touch, is also easily caused and is pulled The damage of hand, unexpected spray that liquid in spray bottle is often resulted in when in use causes to waste, if holding medicine can then make It is inconvenient when user uses into pollution and harm, the space that could be improved.

Utility model content

The purpose of this utility model is to provide a kind of hand fastening type shower nozzle, and shower nozzle can be locked, when not operating Prevent the false touch of spanner or pressing part from causing the ejection of liquid, use enhanced convenience health and safety.

Above-mentioned technical purpose of the present utility model technical scheme is that：

A kind of hand fastening type shower nozzle, including valve rod, bottle cap, pump group part, in addition to the pressing part for pressing valve rod, the bottle Cover and be connected with the linking arm for being sheathed on valve rod, sliding is equipped with the first card for being connected to valve rod side on the linking arm Offer and offered on the first perforation worn for the first buckle, first buckle corresponding to valve rod on button, the linking arm The arc groove that slides for valve rod pressing of side wall and positioned at the side slip of arc groove one end face of valve rod is connected to limit valve rod The boss of pressing；

When the arc groove of first buckle fits in the side wall of valve rod, the arc groove and valve rod are coaxial and valve rod is pasted Together in sliding pressing above and below the first buckle；When the valve rod is connected on boss, the valve rod locking.

Using such scheme, linking arm is sheathed on valve rod and valve rod is protected, week when pressing part carries out pressing To valve rod support is given, the first buckle is arranged in linking arm and is connected to valve rod, and corresponding arc groove can coordinate with valve rod so that Valve rod pressing can slide above and below the first buckle side, realize that pressing is sprayed, and the setting of the boss of arc groove side causes the One buckle is moved after inlay card, and valve rod can be connected to boss so that valve rod is stopped on sliding pressing direction by boss, realizes Locking to valve rod, prevents from causing maloperation to shower nozzle when without using shower nozzle, it is to avoid the pollution and waste of spraying.

Preferably, the linking arm is connected with fixture block, described first positioned at side of first buckle away from valve rod Sliding inlay card is offered on the side wall of buckle in the first neck and the second neck of fixture block.

Using such scheme, the fixture block of linking arm integrally connected can be with the first neck and second opened up on the first buckle Neck realizes sliding inlay card, when the first buckle is carried out to locking or the activity operations of valve rod, fixture block can inlay card in correspondence Position, inlay card is realized to the first buckle, buckle locked in the direction of movement, realizes what the first buckle was operated to valve rod It is stable.

It is connected to the lateral wall of linking arm to control the first card preferably, the two ends of first buckle are provided with sliding The disk of skidding distance on the connecting arm is detained, the disk of the side of first neck is protruding with round bar inlay card in the first buckle On the body of rod.

Using such scheme, the disk of the first buckle side is connected on the side wall of linking arm so that the first buckle can be Mobile distance is controlled in first perforation, prevents the first buckle from skidding off linking arm, the disk of side is protruding with round bar inlay card On the first buckle, the detachable operation of a side discs and the first buckle is realized, is easy to the replacing of the first buckle.

Preferably, the valve-stem integrated be connected with nozzle, the side wall of the pressing part offer pass for nozzle and The through hole of movable pressing.

Using such scheme, the nozzle of valve-stem integrated connection can realize what is opened up on the operation of spraying, pressing part side wall Through hole is passed for nozzle, and carries out pressing activity, realizes normal spraying, pressing part protects valve rod close to the one of linking arm Side so that more convenient to the pressing of valve rod, while protecting valve rod to avoid being destroyed by the external world.

Preferably, the pressing part is connected with integrally connected on spanner, the linking arm close to the side of bottle cap There is the pole for being connected to spanner close to valve rod side.

Using such scheme, the convenient pressing to valve rod of spanner of pressing part integrally connected exerts a force, and using laborsaving convenience, connects The pole for connecing arm integrally connected is connected to spanner close to the side of valve rod, gives spanner support from linking arm side, protects spanner, Strengthen the mechanical strength of spanner, it is to avoid maloperation causes the fracture damage of spanner when the first snap-lock, extend shower nozzle Service life.

Preferably, the side of the pole and linking arm concaves towards the direction arc transition of bottle cap, the pole is with being connected The junction of arm is connected using elastomeric material, and the pole is connected to the curved transition in side of spanner.

Using such scheme, the connection of the arc transition and elastomeric material of pole and linking arm so that pole and spanner Support can form the elastic force of reset, and pole is connected to the side circular arc of spanner excessively, can be when spanner carries out pressing Pole is waited in the Slideslip of spanner one, the slip and support between spanner is realized.

Preferably, the second buckle being equipped with the two side of the spanner below pole, the side of the spanner The second perforation passed for the second buckle is offered on wall, the pole offers close to the side of the second buckle and is connected in second The hole clipping of buckle.

Using such scheme, the second buckle is arranged in the second perforation opened up on spanner, is carried out in the lower section of spanner to branch The buckle of bar and spacing so that pole can smoothly enter line slip support, hole clipping can carry out inlay card to pole, pole is entered The pressing of spanner is prevented when line-locked, maloperation is prevented.

Preferably, the hole clipping to the side of the second buckle along the external world is communicated in, second buckle is supported provided with sliding Touch and inlay card is in the securing rod of hole clipping, the securing rod is connected with the mouth of opening of the bar footpath less than securing rod and less than hole clipping The motion bar in footpath；

When the hole clipping inlay card of pole is when on the side wall of securing rod, branch rod lock；When second be snapped in the second perforation it is sliding Move and motion bar is when wearing with hole clipping, under the pressing of spanner, the hole clipping of pole departs from motion bar and supported in the madial wall of spanner Connect sliding.

Using such scheme, hole clipping, which is communicated in, extraneous enables pole inlay card and disengaging in hole clipping, securing rod inlay card In hole clipping, the bar footpath of motion bar is less than the setting of securing rod so that second when be buckled in sliding in the second perforation, hole clipping energy Enough correspond to the diverse location of the second buckle, realize fixed and movable operation of second buckle to pole.

Preferably, the madial wall of the spanner is extended with clamping block, the side of the securing rod to the second buckle side Inlay card is offered in the buckling groove of clamping block and the bulge loop of clamping block is connected to positioned at buckling groove side and interference；

When clamping block inlay card is when in buckling groove, hole clipping inlay card is in securing rod, branch rod lock；When clamping block slip across it is convex Ring and when being connected on the side wall of securing rod, motion bar is arranged in hole clipping.

Using such scheme, the buckling groove that the side wall of securing rod is opened up corresponds to the clamping block that spanner madial wall extends, and makes When inlay card clamping block can inlay card the second buckle is fixed in buckling groove, prevent the movable right of the second buckle The influence of branch rod lock.

Preferably, the madial wall of the linking arm is provided with some side walls for extending along its length and being connected to valve rod Reinforcement.

Using such scheme, the reinforcement of linking arm madial wall eye length direction extension is connected to the side wall of valve rod so that Glide direction of the valve rod in linking arm is fixed, and prevents the crooked interference sprayed to pressing of valve rod.

In summary, the utility model has the advantages that：

1st, the setting of the first buckle and the fixture block on linking arm, when first is buckled in left and right sliding in the first perforation Wait, fixture block can inlay card in corresponding first neck of the first buckle and the second neck, the position of the first buckle is defined Fixed, arc groove and boss that the first buckle is set close to valve rod can occur relative when the first buckle enters line slip Position movement, when arc groove and when valve rod same axis, after the first buckle is fixed, valve rod can carry out pressing hydrojet, make Must be sprayed the smooth of progress, when valve rod is connected on boss, and valve rod, which is realized, to be fixed, and the operation no longer sprayed prevents from pressing The spraying that the false touch of casting die is caused, realizes the locking to shower nozzle, use more health, safety；

2nd, strut support can be slided on the madial wall of spanner when spanner pressing along the madial wall of spanner Move, pressing spraying is stable, the inlay card between hole clipping on the second buckle and pole so that pole is fixed on the second buckle inlay card Position, the left and right sliding of securing rod and motion bar realizes locking and disengaging to pole, and pole is in the inner side of spanner during locking Wall is supported so that spanner is more firm, is reduced because spanner is by damage during false touch after the first snap-lock pressing part.

Brief description of the drawings

Fig. 1 is the structural representation of the hand fastening type shower nozzle of the present embodiment；

Fig. 2 is the explosive view of the hand fastening type shower nozzle of the present embodiment；

Fig. 3 is the structural representation of the first buckle；

Fig. 4 is the structural representation of the second buckle；

Fig. 5 is the sectional view of hand fastening type shower nozzle in the locked state；

Fig. 6 is local state sectional view of the pressing part of hand fastening type shower nozzle in pressing.

In figure：1st, bottle cap；11st, linking arm；111st, the first perforation；112nd, fixture block；12nd, mounting hole；13rd, pole；131st, block Hole；2nd, pressing part；21st, spanner；22nd, the second perforation；23rd, clamping block；24th, through hole；3rd, valve rod；31st, upper connecting rod；311st, nozzle； 32nd, lower link；4th, pump group part；41st, push rod；42nd, piston；43rd, spring；44th, ball；45th, the pump housing；5th, suction pipe；6th, the first buckle； 61st, the first neck；62nd, the second neck；63rd, arc groove；64th, boss；65th, disk；7th, the second buckle；71st, securing rod；72nd, it is living Lever；73rd, buckling groove.

Embodiment

The utility model is described in further detail below in conjunction with accompanying drawing.

As shown in Figures 1 to 6, a kind of hand fastening type shower nozzle disclosed in the present embodiment, including bottle cap 1, pressing part 2, valve rod 3, The nozzle 311 sprayed is connected with pump group part 4 and suction pipe 5, valve rod 3.Bottle cap 1 is connected on spray bottle, bottle cap 1 and opened up There is the mounting hole 12 that installation is worn for suction pipe 5 and pump group part 4, pump group part 4 includes push rod 41, the pump housing 45, piston 42 and spring 43, Spring 43 is arranged in the pump housing 45, and the pump housing 45 and the junction of suction pipe 5 are provided with the ball 44 for coordinating the port of suction pipe 5, and piston 42 is pacified At the upper port of the pump housing 45, push rod 41 is contradicted on the piston 42, under the pressing of pressing part 2, and push rod 41 contradicts piston 42 Move downward, ball 44 is pressed downward getting lodged on the port of suction pipe 5 by spring 43, by the gas and liquid in the pump housing 45 from nozzle 311 spray, and unclamp after pressing part 2, and piston 42 and push rod 41 recover upwards, and spring 43 is resetted, and ball 44 and the port of suction pipe 5 are in Air pressure in active state, the pump housing 45 reduces, and the liquid in spray bottle, which is taken out, to be pressed onto in the pump housing 45, in case pressing spray next time Mist.

As shown in Fig. 2 bottle cap 1 is extended with linking arm 11, pressing part in the port of mounting hole 12 to the side away from bottle cap 1 2 are articulated with linking arm 11, and valve rod 3 is in inversed l-shaped, including the upper connecting rod 31 that is connected with valve rod 3 and under being installed on push rod 41 Connecting rod 32, the turning point of valve rod 3 is connected to the madial wall of pressing part 2, and pressing part 2 also includes the spanner 21 that can be used for hand to extrude, Pressing part 2 is provided with through hole 24 in the upper end of spanner 21, and the upper end side wall that nozzle 311 passes spanner 21 from through hole 24 is sprayed Mist, spanner 21 is pressed, and is rotated around hinged place in arc-shaped, valve rod 3, which is extruded, is pressed down against push rod 41, to cause pump group part 4 Pressure spraying is taken out in progress.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the madial wall of linking arm 11 is protruding with along the length direction of valve rod 3 to the extension of the side of valve rod 3 Reinforcement, reinforcement is provided with some inner sides for being distributed in linking arm 11, when valve rod 3 is arranged in linking arm 11, valve rod 3 Lateral wall is connected on reinforcement, and reinforcement is supported in the circumference of valve rod 3.Lower link 32 of the linking arm 11 in valve rod 3 The first perforation 111 for beginning with and being worn for the first buckle 6 on the first buckle 6, linking arm 11 is equipped with the junction of push rod 41, The two ends of first buckle 6 pass length of the length more than the first perforation 111 of the side wall of linking arm 11 and the first buckle 6.Even Connect arm 11 and be integrally provided with the first side of the buckle 6 away from lower link 32 on fixture block 112, the side wall of the first buckle 6 and offered Inlay card is in the neck of fixture block 112, and neck is provided with two, and respectively the first neck 61 and the second neck 62, the first neck 61 are leaned on The side of nearly lower link 32 coordinates the side wall of lower link 32 to be in coaxial arc groove 63, and the second neck 62 is close to the one of lower link 32 Side is protruding with the boss 64 with the integrally connected of arc groove 63, when the first buckle 6 slides in the first perforation 111, fixture block 112 Inlay card is in corresponding neck.

When pressing the first buckle 6 so that the inlay card of fixture block 112 is in the first neck 61,63 pairs of the arc groove of the first buckle 6 The side wall of upper and lower strut 32 is answered, valve rod 3 can press sliding above and below the side of the first buckle 6；When the first buckle 6 of reverse pressing During so that the inlay card of fixture block 112 is in the second neck 62, the end face of lower link 32 is connected on the end face of boss 64, valve rod 3 by Touch and fix, it is impossible to slid above and below being pressed, the first buckle 6 is locked to valve rod 3.

The two ends of first buckle 6 are protruding with disk 65 and contradicted on the side wall of linking arm 11 respectively, and the first buckle 6 can be Worn in first perforation 111, the disk 65 of one end is realized by inlay card with the first buckle 6 and is detachably connected.

As shown in Figures 4 and 5, linking arm 11 is also connected with pole 13 in the side close to spanner 21, pole 13 with The junction of linking arm 11 is in arc-shaped to the curving of spanner 21, and the other end of pole 13 contradicts the inner side for being connected to spanner 21 Wall, can be in 21 pressing of spanner so that inner side wall slip of the pole 13 along spanner 21, the two side of spanner 21 is equipped with length More than the second buckle 7 of the width between the two side of spanner 21, offer what is worn for the second buckle 7 on the two side of spanner 21 Second perforation 22, the interlude of the second buckle 7 is provided with securing rod 71 and motion bar 72, and the bar footpath of securing rod 71 is more than motion bar 72 bar footpath, the side lower end of the laminating spanner 21 of pole 13 offers abutting inlay card in the hole clipping 131 of securing rod 71, hole clipping 131 The external world is communicated in from the side wall of pole 13 and perforate direction is opposite with the moving direction of pole 13.

When the inlay card of securing rod 71 is in hole clipping 131, mutual inlay card is fixed between the buckle 7 of pole 13 and second, pole 13 Support is formed between linking arm 11 and spanner 21 so that spanner 21 is fixed into row spraying locking, when the second buckle 7 slides, During so that securing rod 71 departing from hole clipping 131, motion bar 72 is through in hole clipping 131, is not contacted between hole clipping 131 and motion bar 72, In spanner 21 by pressure, pole 13 departs from the second buckle 7.

As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the madial wall of spanner 21 is protruding with clamping block 23, the second card close to the side of the second buckle 7 The buckling groove 73 for contradicting inlay card clamping block 23 is additionally provided with button 7, the second buckle 7 slides between the two side of spanner 21, works as lock The inlay card of fixed pole 71 is in hole clipping 131, and the inlay card of clamping block 23 enters line position along its length in buckling groove 73 to the second buckle 7 Put fixation；When securing rod 71 departs from hole clipping 131, clamping block 23 is contradicted on the side wall of securing rod 71, and pole 13 can be slided Dynamic, the second buckle 7 is arranged on spanner 21 also by the inlay card of one end.

Open the step of hand fastening type shower nozzle is sprayed as follows：

1st, the first buckle 6 is pressed so that the inlay card of fixture block 112 is in the first neck 61.The lower link 32 and arc groove of valve rod 3 63 is coaxial, and the pressable of lower link 32 of valve rod 3 is contradicted on push rod 41；The second buckle 7 is pressed so that securing rod 71 departs from hole clipping 131, clamping block 23 departs from buckling groove 73 and contradicted on the side wall of securing rod 71, and pole 13 can move along the sidewalls flex of spanner 21 It is dynamic；

2nd, hand is held on spanner 21, and pressing part 2 carries out pressing, and valve rod 3 is connected to push rod by downward pressing, lower link 32 On 41, push rod 41 is moved downwardly together with piston 42, and spring 43 contradicts the port that ball 44 blocks suction pipe 5 by compression；

3rd, the liquid kept in the pump housing 45 is extruded, along push rod 41 and lower link 32 outwardly against being sprayed from nozzle 311 Go out, complete spraying；

It is when not in use the service life of false-touch prevention and protection pressing part 2, operating procedure is as follows：

1st, pressing part 2 is unclamped, pole 13 is under the elastic reaction that itself plastics and warp architecture are brought, and pole 13 is along pulling The madial wall movement of hand 21 is contradicted on the side wall of the second buckle 7, if being the failure to contact well completely, can manually will from side Pole 13 is stable to be connected on the second buckle 7, and pressing the second buckle 7 from the two side side of spanner 21 causes securing rod 71 Inlay card is in hole clipping 131, and the inlay card of clamping block 23 realizes that pole 13 supports to the fixed of spanner 21 in buckling groove 73；

2nd, press the first buckle 6 so that the inlay card of fixture block 112 in the second neck 62, arc groove 63 offset not with lower link 32 is coaxial, and the lower surface of lower link 32 is connected to the upper surface of boss 64, and valve rod 3 is fixed, no longer pressing above and below progress, realizes The locking of shower nozzle.

This specific embodiment is only to explain of the present utility model, and it is not to limitation of the present utility model, ability Field technique personnel can make the modification without creative contribution to the present embodiment as needed after this specification is read, but As long as all being protected in right of the present utility model by Patent Law.

Claims (10)

1. a kind of hand fastening type shower nozzle, including valve rod (3), bottle cap (1), pump group part (4), it is characterized in that：Also include being used for pressing valve The linking arm (11) for being sheathed on valve rod (3), the linking arm are connected with the pressing part (2) of bar (3), the bottle cap (1) (11) sliding, which is equipped with the first buckle (6) for being connected to valve rod (3) side, the linking arm (11), on offers for the first card The side wall corresponding to valve rod (3) is offered for valve rod on the first perforation (111) that button (6) is worn, first buckle (6) (3) pressing slides arc groove (63) and be connected to the end face of valve rod (3) to limit valve rod positioned at the side slip of arc groove (63) one (3) boss (64) of pressing；

When the arc groove (63) of first buckle (6) fits in the side wall of valve rod (3), the arc groove (63) and valve rod (3) coaxial and valve rod (3) fits in the first buckle (6) and slides pressing up and down；When the valve rod (3) is connected on boss (64) When, valve rod (3) locking.

2. hand fastening type shower nozzle according to claim 1, it is characterized in that：The linking arm (11) is remote in the first buckle (6) The side of valve rod (3), which is connected with fixture block (112), the side wall of first buckle (6), offers sliding inlay card in fixture block (112) the first neck (61) and the second neck (62).

3. hand fastening type shower nozzle according to claim 2, it is characterized in that：The two ends of first buckle (6) are provided with sliding The lateral wall of linking arm (11) is connected to control the disk (65) of the first buckle (6) skidding distance on linking arm (11), institute The disk (65) for stating the side of the first neck (61) is protruding with round bar inlay card on the body of rod of the first buckle (6).

4. hand fastening type shower nozzle according to claim 1, it is characterized in that：The valve rod (3) is connected with nozzle (311), Offered on the side wall of the pressing part (2) passed for nozzle (311) and movable pressing through hole (24).

5. hand fastening type shower nozzle according to claim 4, it is characterized in that：The pressing part (2) is close to the side one of bottle cap (1) Body is connected with the branch for being connected with spanner (21), the linking arm (11) and being connected to spanner (21) close to valve rod (3) side Bar (13).

6. hand fastening type shower nozzle according to claim 5, it is characterized in that：The pole (13) and the side of linking arm (11) are recessed To the direction arc transition of bottle cap (1), the pole (13) is connected with the junction of linking arm (11) using elastomeric material, described Pole (13) is connected to the curved transition in side of spanner (21).

7. hand fastening type shower nozzle according to claim 6, it is characterized in that：It is equipped with and is located on the two side of the spanner (21) Second passed for the second buckle (7) is offered on the second buckle (7) below pole (13), the side wall of the spanner (21) to wear Hole (22), the pole (13) offers the hole clipping (131) for being connected in the second buckle (7) close to the side of the second buckle (7).

8. hand fastening type shower nozzle according to claim 7, it is characterized in that：The hole clipping (131) is along to the one of the second buckle (7) Side is communicated in the external world, and second buckle (7) is contradicted provided with sliding and inlay card is in the securing rod (71) of hole clipping (131), the lock Fixed pole (71) is connected with the motion bar (72) that bar footpath is less than securing rod (71) and is less than the bore of the opening of hole clipping (131)；

When hole clipping (131) inlay card of pole (13) is when on the side wall of securing rod (71), pole (13) locks；When the second buckle (7) when being slid in the second perforation (22) and motion bar (72) wears interior with hole clipping (131), under the pressing of spanner (21), branch The hole clipping (131) of bar (13) departs from motion bar (72) and abuts sliding in the madial wall of spanner (21).

9. hand fastening type shower nozzle according to claim 8, it is characterized in that：The madial wall of the spanner (21) is to the second buckle (7) side is extended with clamping block (23), and the side of the securing rod (71) offers inlay card in the buckling groove of clamping block (23) (73) and positioned at buckling groove (73) side and interference it is connected to the bulge loop of clamping block (23)；

When clamping block (23) inlay card is interior in buckling groove (73), hole clipping (131) inlay card is in securing rod (71), pole (13) locking； When clamping block (23) slips across bulge loop and is connected on the side wall of securing rod (71), motion bar (72) is arranged in hole clipping (131) in.

10. hand fastening type shower nozzle according to claim 1, it is characterized in that：The linking arm (11) if madial wall provided with The reinforcement of the dry side wall for extending and being connected to valve rod (3) along its length.