EP3119945A1

EP3119945A1 - Frost compensator for a water application device

Info

Publication number: EP3119945A1
Application number: EP14713424.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Matthias MÜLLER-BRAUN; Reiner Frey; Benjamin Asal; Edmond Wenzel
Original assignee: Husqvarna AB
Current assignee: Husqvarna AB
Priority date: 2014-03-20
Filing date: 2014-03-20
Publication date: 2017-01-25
Anticipated expiration: 2034-03-20
Also published as: TWI652985B; TW201536164A; CN106103855A; EP3119945B1; WO2015139759A1

Abstract

A water application device (10, 100) may include a main body (20, 110) graspable along a handle portion (22, 119) thereof by an operator, an operable member (30, 140), and a flow channel. The main body (20, 110) may house a flow control assembly (50) configured to enable the device to execute a control function relative to flow of water through the device. The operable member (30, 140) may be operably coupled to the main body (20, 110) to interface with the flow control assembly (50) to alternately provide flow and stop flow through the device. The flow channel may be formed inside the main body to define a flow path between an inlet portion (26, 114) and an outlet portion (24, 112) of the device. The flow channel may define at least one critical area in which water is enabled to collect when the water application device is not applying water. The critical area may include at least one compensator receiver (320) configured to receive a compensator (300) comprising compressible material configured to enable the compensator to be compressed within the critical area to increase an effective volume of the critical area. One of the compensator or the critical area may be provided with at least one retention rib (330, 340) to facilitate holding the compensator in the critical area.

Description

FROST COMPENSATOR FOR A WATER APPLICATION DEVICE

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] Example embodiments generally relate to watering equipment and, more particularly, relate to a water applicator that employs compensating members to protect against frost or impulse.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Gardening and yard maintenance, like so many other pursuits, are made easier and more enjoyable when the right tools are available to the gardener for each job. Every garden or yard needs suitable and effective water application. When Mother Nature is not cooperative, or for covered areas, watering equipment may be necessary to provide adequate water supply.

[0003] Watering equipment includes such devices as hoses, hose reels, spray guns, spray nozzles, spray lances, water taps (or spigots) and the like. These devices are often used to apply water from the water tap to a garden, plant or other target using the hose along with some form of water application device (e.g., an applicator such as a spray gun, spray nozzle or spray lance). Many of the components of a watering equipment system may be reconfigurable or relatively easily configured for use with various other components or devices. For example, quick connect assemblies may make it easy for hoses to be moved and for water application devices of different types or having different water application characteristics to be coupled to the hoses. However, even with an improved ability to move and reconfigure devices, gardeners often prefer to leave certain portions of the system that are used most often in some sort of instantly ready, pre-configured state. Thus, for example, gardeners may leave a particular spray nozzle attached to a particular hose that is further attached to a particular water tap. This particular setup may be frequently used (or at least most frequently used) or otherwise convenient for the gardener.

[0004] When gardeners become used to leaving certain watering equipment pre- configured and deployed, they may forget to pay attention to certain situations that could arise and damage pre-configured equipment. For example, if the temperature dips and a freeze ensues, residual water left in the equipment could expand with the freezing and damage the equipment. In particular, again as an example, if the spray nozzle dangles from a hose reel, water may rest in the spray nozzle (e.g., near the lowest point) and expand due to freezing. If the water volume happens to be sufficient to initially fill a void space in the spray nozzle, the expansion due to freezing could damage components forming or connected to the void space in question and the spray nozzle could be effectively ruined. While the problem could be avoided with extra effort and attention on the part of the gardener, it may be desirable to provide the gardener with a technical solution instead.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF SOME EXAMPLES

[0005] Some example embodiments may therefore provide a water application device that employs compensators to compensate for potential expansion of water left in the water application device when freezing conditions are encountered. In particular, some embodiments may provide compensators that are capable of enduring repeated cycles of compression and that can be disposed in a flow channel of the water application device and left therein indefinitely. Accordingly, for example, if water is frozen in the flow channel any number of times, the compensator may be compressed (i.e., undergoing volumetric contraction) to compensate for the volumetric expansion of the freezing water and avoid possible damage to components of the device.

[0006] A water application device may be provided in accordance with some example embodiments. The water application device may be provided in accordance with some example embodiments. The water application device may include a main body graspable along a handle portion thereof by an operator, an operable member, and a flow channel. The main body may house a flow control assembly configured to enable the device to execute a control function relative to flow of water through the device. The operable member may be operably coupled to the main body to interface with the flow control assembly to alternately provide flow and stop flow through the device. The flow channel may be formed inside the main body to define a flow path between an inlet portion and an outlet portion of the device. The flow channel may define at least one critical area in which water is enabled to collect when the water application device is not applying water. The critical area may include at least one compensator receiver configured to receive a compensator comprising compressible material configured to enable the compensator to be compressed within the critical area to increase an effective volume of the critical area. One of the compensator or the critical area may be provided with at least one retention rib to facilitate holding the compensator in the critical area. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

[0007] Having thus described the invention in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

[0008] FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a water application device in accordance with an example embodiment;

[0009] FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded side view of a water application device in accordance with an example embodiment;

[0010] FIG. 3 shows a cross section view of the water application device in accordance with an example embodiment;

[0011] FIG. 4A illustrates an exploded, perspective view of a compensator and internal periphery of a portion of a critical area, taken in cross section along the axial direction, according to an example embodiment;

[0012] FIG. 4B illustrates a cross section view of the compensator taken along a line perpendicular to the axis of the compensator according to an example embodiment;

[0013] FIG. 4C illustrates a cross section view of an alternative compensator design taken along the axial direction according to an example embodiment;

[0014] FIG. 4D illustrates an alternative view of an alternative design of the assembly in FIG. 4A in accordance with another example embodiment;

[0015] FIG. 4E illustrates a top view of another example embodiment in which an alternative compensator is provided in accordance with an example embodiment;

[0016] FIG. 5A illustrates a first configuration of compensators in the device in accordance with an example embodiment;

[0017] FIG. 5B illustrates a second configuration of compensators in the device in accordance with an example embodiment;

[0018] FIG. 5C illustrates a third configuration of compensators in the device in accordance with an example embodiment; and

[0019] FIG. 5D illustrates a fourth configuration of compensators in the device in accordance with an example embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] Some example embodiments now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all example embodiments are shown. Indeed, the examples described and pictured herein should not be construed as being limiting as to the scope, applicability or configuration of the present disclosure. Rather, these example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. Furthermore, as used herein, the term "or" is to be interpreted as a logical operator that results in true whenever one or more of its operands are true. As used herein, operable coupling should be understood to relate to direct or indirect connection that, in either case, enables functional interconnection of components that are operably coupled to each other.

[0021] Some example embodiments described herein provide an improved design for a water application device. In this regard, example embodiments may provide compensators disposed at one or more strategic locations within the body of the water application device to protect such locations and the components adjacent thereto. The compensators or the devices may be provided with features to facilitate keeping the compensators in place within the device.

[0022] FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a modular water application device 10 in accordance with an example embodiment. The modular water application device 10 may include a main body 20, an operable member 30 and an applicator head 40. The main body 20 may be graspable along a portion thereof by an operator. In some cases, the graspable portion may define a handle portion 22 of the main body 20, and the handle portion 22 may be provided between an outlet portion 24 and an inlet potion 26. The main body 20 may house a flow control assembly 50 configured to enable the device 10 to execute a control function relative to flow of water through the device 10 (e.g., from the inlet portion 26 to the outlet portion 24).

[0023] In some embodiments, the flow control assembly 50 may include an on/off control assembly 52 and a volume control assembly 54. The operable member 30 may be attachable to the main body 20 to interface with the flow control assembly 50 to alternately start and stop flow through the device 10 based on a position of the operable member 30. Thus, in some cases, the operable member 30 may act as an operator to open or close (partially or fully) a valve or other flow control device in the flow control assembly 50. In particular, the operable member 30 may interface with the on/off control assembly 52 of the flow control assembly 50. In some cases, the flow control assembly 50 may further enable a volume control function to be performed so that the flow can not only be turned on and off, but also modulated to at least some degree based on operator control. The volume control assembly 54 may be an example of a structure to perform such a function. However, the volume control assembly 54 may be omitted in some examples. When employed, the volume control assembly 54 may be operated via a volume control member 60, which may be a lever, button, dial, or other operator for adjusting flow volume.

[0024] The applicator head 40 may be attachable to an outlet portion 24 of the main body 20 to apply water passing through the applicator head 40 based on an application

characteristic of the applicator head 40. In some cases, the applicator head 40 may be a selected one of a number of different applicator heads and each of the different applicator heads may have a different structure and/or configuration to support different flow application needs or desires.

[0025] The main body 20 may include or house a water channel that extends between the inlet and outlet portions 26 and 24. The on/of control assembly 52 and the volume control assembly 54 may be disposed within the water channel to break the channel up into distinct spaces or areas. Water could collect in any of these areas and cause damage if a freeze or impulse event is encountered. In this regard, for example, as the water freezes it undergoes a volumetric expansion within a fixed volume defined by the distinct areas of the water channel and the components surrounding them (i.e., the internal functional components). Pressure increases in the fixed volume and, at some point if the pressure is sufficient, the water channel tube walls may crack, or perhaps more likely, the internal functional components may be damaged.

[0026] As such, these potentially affected areas may be considered to be "critical areas" and they may include an entrance area disposed between the inlet portion 26 and the on/off control assembly 52, a middle area disposed between the on/off control assembly 52 and the volume control assembly 54, and an exit area disposed between the volume control assembly 54 and the outlet portion 24. To protect against damage in these areas, an example embodiment may employ compensators in each of the critical areas. Of course, since some embodiments may not employ all of the flow control assembly 50 components distinctly (e.g., the volume control assembly 54 may be omitted), some embodiments may have only two critical areas. However, in the context of this disclosure, the term "critical area" should be understood to correspond to a reservoir, space or other area of the water channel that is formed proximate to an internal functional component of the device 10. In this context, the internal functional components may include components of the flow control assembly 50 and the applicator head 40 (e.g., the spray nozzle portions thereof).

[0027] The compensators may be configured to protect against damage that may occur if water in the critical area is subjected to an impulse force or expansion due to freezing. In this regard, for example, the compensators may be inserted into the critical areas to provide a component that does not impact or interfere with flow through the device 10 during normal operation, but that can accommodate (or compensate) for volumetric expansion or other impact forces that water left in the critical area may potentially cause. In particular, the compensator may readily undergo a volumetric contraction as water volumetrically expands during freezing. The compensator may provide a sufficient amount of volumetric contraction to compensate for any volumetric expansion of the water. Moreover, the compensator may be resilient enough to provide protection over a plurality of cycles without degradation of the material forming the compensator.

[0028] As such, for example, the compensators may be made of a flexible and/or elastic material that is capable of absorbing repeated compression and expansion cycles without permanent deformation. Thus, the compensators may be made of compressible material configured to enable the compensators to be compressed within the critical areas to increase an effective volume of the critical areas in response to freezing of water or water impulse to prevent damage to internal functional components of the device 10. In some cases, the compensators may be formed as hollow cylindrical tubes of the compressible material, and the compensators may fit in the critical areas and be compressible to increase the effective volume of the critical areas by at least 10%. Thus, the compensators may enable the increase in volume of freezing water to be accommodated or compensated for by the compensators. In some cases, the compensators may be compressible sufficient to enable an increase in the effective volume of the critical areas by greater than 25%.

[0029] In some cases, the compensators may be made of an elastomer such as a thermoplastic elastomer. The compensators may have a plurality of enclosed gas volumes (e.g., gas bubbles) formed and distributed throughout the volume of the compensators. Thus, the compensators may be embodied as a rubber-like, foam material that includes hollow enclosed cells therein. The enclosed gas volumes (i.e., the hollow enclosed cells) may be water impenetrable. These enclosed gas volumes may be compressible to allow the compensators to be compressed to allow for expansion of the water if ice is formed. The increase in volume (i.e., volumetric expansion) of the water is therefore compensated for by corresponding volumetric compression of the compensator. Then, if the ice melts, the enclosed gas volumes may expand to cause the compensator to undergo volumetric expansion while the water converts back to the liquid phase and has less volume. It should also be appreciated that, although a plurality of enclosed gas bubbles may be distributed in a foam like material, some embodiments may alternatively employ a rubber- like or other flexible material with just a few, or even one, compressible gas volume disposed therein. [0030] FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded view of a device 100 that forms one example of the device 10 shown in FIG. 1. In this regard, the device 100 includes a main body 110 that is provided as an example of the main body 20 of FIG. 1. Meanwhile, the main body 110 has an outlet portion 112 and inlet portion 114 that serve as examples of the outlet portion 24 and the inlet potion 26, respectively, of FIG. 1. The inlet portion 114 may have a threaded engagement to a quick coupling adaptor 116 that may couple to a hose connector.

Meanwhile, the outlet portion 112 may be configured to mate with a selected on of a plurality of different applicators. Applicator 120 is a specific example of the applicator 40 of FIG. 1 and of one of the different applicators that may mate with the outlet portion 112.

[0031] The main body 110 may be molded plastic, composite material, metal, or any other suitable material that has sufficient rigidity and can be formed to house chambers, components and/or devices to define a flow channel (or water channel) for water flow from inlet portion 114 to the outlet portion 112. The flow channel may extend along an axis 118 of a handle portion 119 of the main body 110. However, the outlet portion 112 may be formed along an outlet portion axis 113 that forms an angle relative to the axis 118 in some embodiments. Moreover, different main body structures may be selected to define corresponding different angles between the axes 118 and 113.

[0032] An attachment portion 132 may be provided at a rear part of the handle portion 119 to receive a cover assembly 150. In examples in which the device 100 is configured to include volume control, a volume control lever 162 may be provided at a receiver 160 of the cover assembly 150. However, it should be appreciated that in some examples, the cover assembly 150 may be provided without the receiver 160 and therefore also without the volume control lever 162 (or any volume control assembly 54).

[0033] In an example embodiment, trigger 140 may be provided as an example of the operable member 30 of FIG. 1. In some cases, the trigger 140 may be pivotally mounted to the main body 110 between the inlet portion 114 and the intersection between the axes 118 and 113. In the example of FIG. 2, the pivot point of the trigger 140 is at an end of the trigger 140 corresponding or proximate to the inlet portion 114. It should be appreciated, however, that the pivot point could alternatively be placed at the other end of the trigger (i.e., such that the pivot point is located proximate to the intersection of the axis 118 and 113). The end of the trigger 140 opposite the pivot point may alternatively be compressed toward the main body 110 and extended away from the main body 110 to adjust the on/off control assembly 52 to turn the device 100 on and off, respectively. [0034] FIG. 3 illustrates a cross section view of the device 100 of FIG. 2. As such, FIG. 3 illustrates the flow channel through which water flows from the inlet portion 114 to the outlet portion 112. The flow channel of this example may include multiple critical areas such as an inlet area 200 and an outlet area. The outlet area 210 may generally include and middle area 220.

[0035] The inlet area 200 may, in some cases, be considered to be the most critical. The inlet area 200 may be situated between the inlet portion 114 and the on/off control assembly 52. The on/off control assembly 52 may be a gate valve or other binary valve that is generally on or off (i.e., open or closed) and, in some cases, is not suited or used for throttling or modulating the level of flow. Accordingly, the inlet area 200 may commonly be filled with pressurized water (e.g., if the tap is open) or with water that was pressurized and (particularly if the system has minimal leakage) still is somewhat pressurized as the water may be locked between the valve at the tap and the valve of the on/off control assembly 52. Accordingly, there is generally no pressure relief path in this region and thus a freeze event or pressure impulse event has less opportunity for mitigation without the inclusion of a compensator.

[0036] The outlet area may be situated between the nozzle of the applicator head 120 and the on/off control assembly 52. However, in some embodiments (e.g., particularly embodiments in which the volume control assembly 54 is included), the outlet area may be divided into two parts including a first outlet region 210 extending between the nozzle of the applicator head 120 and the volume control assembly 54, and a second outlet region 220 extending between the on/off control assembly 52 and the volume control assembly 54.

[0037] Referring initially to the first outlet region 210, water may leak out of this region through the applicator head 120 if the device 100 happens to have an open nozzle in the applicator head 120 and is angled just right to permit all or most of the water to drain.

However, if the device 100 dangles off a hose real or over another device at a

disadvantageous angle for draining, if the volume control valve is positioned to retain water in the first outlet area 210 and/or if the nozzle is nearly closed, water may be retained in this region. Additionally, if the nozzle is slightly open, cold air may easily be permitted to access the first outlet area 210 and freezing may be even more likely in this region.

[0038] The second outlet area 220 may be situated between the valves of the on/off control assembly 52 and the volume control assembly 54. In some cases, this may be considered the second most critical region because the on/off control assembly 52 would be assumed to be shut and, if the volume control assembly 54 is mostly shut and/or if the angle at which the device 100 lies is disadvantageous for draining, this area may be second most likely to present a poor opportunity for pressure relief as a freeze event occurs. However, as stated above, in embodiments where no volume control assembly 54 is included, this region may be essentially eliminated or combined with the first outlet area 210.

[0039] In an example embodiment, each of the critical areas (i.e., the inlet area 200, the first outlet area 210 and (if applicable) the second outlet area 220) may include or be formed to act as at least one compensator receiver. As such, the critical areas may be formed to receive at least one compensator. In this regard, since in some cases multiple compensators may be provided into one critical area, it should be appreciated that the critical areas may be formed as or to include one or multiple compensator receivers.

[0040] FIG. 4, which includes FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C, illustrates views of compensators in accordance with an example embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4A, which shows an exploded, perspective view of a compensator 300 and internal periphery 310 of a portion of a critical area, taken in cross section along the axial direction, according to an example embodiment. FIG. 4B illustrates a cross section view of the compensator 300 taken along a line perpendicular to the axis of the compensator 300. FIG. 4C illustrates a cross section view of the compensator 300' having at least one annular rib 340' taken along the axial direction. FIG. 4D illustrates an alternative view of an alternative design of the assembly in FIG. 4A. In this regard, FIG. 4D illustrates retention ribs on the critical area and the compensator 300". FIG. 4E illustrates a top view of another example embodiment in which an alternative compensator 300"' is provided.

[0041] Referring to FIG. 4A, the compensator 300 may have a substantially hollow cylindrical body, and the critical area may be defined by substantially hollow cylindrical portions of the flow channel. Thus, in a most basic embodiment, the compensator receiver 320 may simply be a portion of the flow channel (e.g., portions of a tubular part of the flow channel) that is of sufficient length to house or receive the compensator 300. As such, the compensator receiver 320 may simply be embodied as a portion of the flow channel that is about the length of a compensator. The compensator receiver 320 need not be defined by any other particular features. It should also be appreciated that the compensator 300 need not necessarily have a hollow cylindrical shape in all cases. For example, in some embodiments, a compensator could be provided with nearly any shape that permits flow through the flow channel yet still holds the compensator in the flow channel to undergo volumetric contraction when needed. Thus, in some embodiments, the compensator may actually take the shape of half of a hollow cylinder (e.g., matching that which is shown in FIG. 4A instead of the compensator portion shown in FIG. 4A being just half of the whole compensator 300) or any other suitable shape.

[0042] In some embodiments, the compensator 300 may have an internal diameter dl and an external diameter d2. The compensator 300 may have a length (e.g., in the axial direction) of L. Meanwhile, the internal periphery of the critical area 310 may have a diameter d3. In some cases, the diameter d3 may be slightly smaller than the diameter d2. As such, the compensator 300 may have to be slightly compressed to fit into the compensator receiver 320, and the force exerted on the internal periphery of the critical area 310 by the

compensator 300 may be sufficient to hold the compensator 300 in place when flow passes through the flow channel or during an assembly process in which the compensator 300 is inserted into the device (e.g., device 10 or 100).

[0043] In some cases, the manufacturing process for making the compensator 300 may result in a some range of sizes being generated. By generally making the compensators such that d2 is larger than d3, many compensators may be enabled to fit snugly within the critical area 310 (with or without compression). However, some compensators may still have an external diameter d2 that is slightly smaller than the diameter d3 of the internal periphery of the critical area 310. These smaller compensators may still be useable, as they may still provide a capability to accommodate a volumetric expansion of at least 10% to compensate for a freeze event. Moreover, the fact that the smaller compensators are allowed to move axially within the flow channel (e.g., due to minimal or no friction with the internal periphery of the critical area 310) is not impactful on the performance of the compensators. Similarly, the fact that the internal periphery of the critical area 310 need not necessarily have any defining feature to physically define the compensator receiver 320 makes the accommodation of various lengths a trivial matter relative to the design of the components of the system. Quite simply put, the system is engineered to accommodate tolerances of at least some amount relative to the sizes of the compensators.

[0044] As can be appreciated from FIG. 4, the flow channel may essentially be defined by the internal periphery of the critical area 310 when no compensator is provided. However, when the compensator 300 is inserted into the compensator receiver 320, the flow channel may be defined by the hollow center region of the compensator 300. Moreover, when and if water in the flow channel freezes, the water may expand in volume (e.g., about 10%) and thus, the expansion will necessitate an increase in the diameter of the flow channel. As indicated above, the compensator 300 may be configured to be compressible so that the internal diameter dl expands to accommodate the volume increase of the water expansion. If the external diameter d2 happens to be smaller than the diameter d3 of the internal periphery of the critical area 310 so that some (e.g., small) amount of water flows between the wall defining the internal periphery of the critical area 310 and the external periphery of the compensator, then it should be understood that the external diameter d2 may decrease also due to expansion of the water between the wall defining the internal periphery of the critical area 310 and the external periphery of the compensator. Thus, the compensator may be compressible outwardly or inwardly in the radial direction.

[0045] Although the compensator receiver 320 need not be defined by physical features, in some cases, the compensator receiver 320 may include additional features, such as features that are configured to facilitate holding the compensator 300 placed therein in a relatively fixed arrangement relative to the flow channel. In this regard, in some cases, the

compensator receiver 320 may be configured to include retention ribs 330 that may extend along the internal periphery of the critical area 310' in an axial direction (i.e., parallel to the longitudinal length of the flow channel). However, the retention ribs could alternatively be annular in shape (as shown in dashed lines by ribs 330') and extend around all or portions of the internal periphery of the flow channel lying in planes that are substantially perpendicular to the axial direction. Moreover, in some cases, annular rings could be provided at respective longitudinal ends of the compensator 300 to define the length of the compensator receiver 320 and inhibit movement of the compensator 300 in the axial direction.

[0046] It should also be appreciated that instead of placing retention ribs in the flow channel to define the compensator receivers, retention ribs could be placed on the external periphery of the compensators themselves. As such, FIG. 4D shows one example of a longitudinally extending retention rib 340 that may run along the external periphery of the compensator 300". Although the retention rib 340 runs the entire length of the compensator 300", it is not necessary for the retention rib 340 to extend over the entire length. Thus, the retention rib 340 could only extend over a portion of the length of the compensator 300", or the retention rib 340 could be a relatively small feature (e.g., a raised dot or bump) and the small features may be arranged to form a line or annulus to define retention ribs. In some cases, multiple such retention ribs 340 could be repeated extending parallel to each other. Moreover, in some cases, the main body portion of the compensator 300 may have a diameter d2 that is less than d3, but the retention rib(s) 340 may create an effective external diameter of the compensator 300 that is at least as large as, or larger than, d3. Thus, the compensator 300 itself may easily fit in the compensator receiver 320 without compression and only the retention rib(s) 340 may be compressed for a snug fit with the compensator receiver 320. [0047] Meanwhile, FIG. 4C illustrates an example of an annular shaped retention rib 340' extending around the external periphery of the compensator 300'. The retention rib 340' may be disposed at portion of the compensator 300' that is spaced apart from the longitudinal ends thereof. However, it is possible that the retention rib (or ribs) 340' could be provided at or near the ends as well. It should be appreciated that more than the single retention ribs shown of various example types in FIG. 4C and FIG. 4D could also be included in some

embodiments. Thus, the retention ribs shown could be duplicated any desirable number of times (or in any desirable combination) so that a plurality of retention ribs (of the same or different types) may be employed in some cases. Similarly, the types and numbers of retention ribs (e.g., ribs 330 and 330') used in the compensator receiver 320 could also be varied for use alone or in combination with retention ribs (e.g., 340 and 340') provided on the compensator (300' or 300"). Moreover, in some cases, one or the other of the compensator receiver 320 or the compensator 300/3007300" may be provided with at least one slot provided in a surface thereof, and the slot may be configured to receive a corresponding retention rib.

[0048] In some embodiments, the internal periphery and/or the external periphery of the compensator 300' may change somewhat over the length of the compensator 300'. FIG. 4C illustrates an example in which the internal diameter dl decreases slightly over the length of the compensator 300' to reduce to a value dl'. Similarly, the external diameter d2 may decrease slightly proximate to one end of the compensator 300'. As such, the external diameter d2 may be substantially the same over the length of the compensator 300' except at the retention rib 340' and at the end of the compensator 300', where it may be reduced to the external diameter d2'. As such, the inner and/or outer diameter of the compensator 300' may taper, decrease or otherwise change over the length of the compensator 300' in the axial direction. Such changes may be by design or the result of manufacturing tolerances. The tapering may facilitate placement of the compensator 300' into the compensator receiver 320. In some cases, a tapered end of the compensator 300' may be provided at a downstream portion of the critical area relative to the normal direction of flow through the device.

However, it should be appreciated that tapering could also occur at each longitudinal end of the compensator 300.

[0049] FIG. 4E shows an example of a compensator 300"' with tapering toward both longitudinal ends. However, FIG. 4E further shows retention ribs 340" that increase in both width and depth as they proceed toward the ends of the compensator 300"'. These expanding retention ribs 340" may account for the tapering to give the compensator 300"' a diameter d2 that is less than d3 except that the diameter measured through the retention ribs 340" may be larger than d3. FIG. 4E also shows that the annular retention ribs 340"' need not be continuous. Instead, a series of dots or bumps arranged in an annular pattern may form a separate type of retention ribs 340"' that can be used instead of or in addition to the longitudinally extending retention ribs 340".

[0050] In an example embodiment, the device 100 may be provided with one or more compensators 300 positioned in critical areas to protect the device 100. By adding protection against the frost or impulse damage, the device 100 may be made more robust and durable. However, another aspect of an example embodiment may further include the ability to make the device 100 (or at least the protective capabilities instituted in the device 100) modular in nature. As such, during assembly, a group of parts may be mass produced and the parts may be selectively combined to define various different device configurations. The different configurations may define different levels of protection that are afforded by the

corresponding different constituent parts. In some cases, a single type and size of compensator may be mass produces and then inserted into the device 100 in selected locations to define different levels of protection. Different grades of product can therefore be produced without need for different tooling for each device with a different level of protection. As such, in some embodiments, a modular device assembly kit may be provided with all of the parts to be selected in desirable combinations.

[0051] Accordingly, in some cases, the number and/or type of compensators included in the device 100 may define corresponding different configurations. In this regard, an unprotected configuration may essentially be defined by the design of FIG. 3. However, by inserting a first compensator 302 into the critical area corresponding to the inlet area 200, a first configuration of a protected design is provided. FIG. 5A illustrates the first

configuration and, the first and second outlet areas 210 and 220 do not include any compensator 300. FIG. 5B illustrates a second configuration in which the first compensator 302 is provided along with a second compensator 304 disposed within the critical area corresponding to the second outlet area 220. The first outlet area 210 is devoid of any compensator 300. FIG. 5C illustrates a third configuration in which a third compensator 306 is provided in the first outlet area 210 (i.e., closes to the nozzle of the applicator head 120). In some cases, however, the critical area may be large enough to house two compensators (e.g., therefore including two compensator receivers). Thus, it is also possible to include a fourth configuration, which is shown in FIG. 5D, in which a fourth compensator 308 is added into the first outlet area 210. By making all of the compensators the same size, the compensators may be interchangeable and mass produced so that any selected number can be placed in any desirable configuration from the least protected (e.g., the first configuration in which only the most critical of the critical areas is protected) to the most protected (e.g., the fourth configuration in which all critical areas are protected - and one such area has double protection).

[0052] A water application device may be provided in accordance with some example embodiments. The water application device may include a main body graspable along a handle portion thereof by an operator, an operable member, and a flow channel. The main body may house a flow control assembly configured to enable the device to execute a control function relative to flow of water through the device. The operable member may be operably coupled to the main body to interface with the flow control assembly to alternately provide flow and stop flow through the device. The flow channel may be formed inside the main body to define a flow path between an inlet portion and an outlet portion of the device. The flow channel may define at least one critical area in which water is enabled to collect when the water application device is not applying water. The critical area may include at least one compensator receiver configured to receive a compensator comprising compressible material configured to enable the compensator to be compressed within the critical area to increase an effective volume of the critical area. One of the compensator or the critical area may be provided with at least one retention rib to facilitate holding the compensator in the critical area.

[0053] The device employing the features of some embodiments may include additional features that may be optionally added either alone or in combination with each other. For example, in some embodiments, (1) the retention rib may be disposed in a periphery of the critical area to extend inwardly into a portion of the flow channel. In such an example embodiment, (2) the retention rib may be provided to extend substantially parallel to an axis of the flow channel. In some cases, (3) the retention rib may be annular in shape and extend in a plane substantially perpendicular to an axis of the flow channel. In some embodiments, (4) a plurality of such retention ribs may be provided in the critical area. In an example embodiment, (5) the retention rib may be disposed on an external periphery of the compensator. In some cases, (6) the retention rib may be provided to extend substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the compensator. In some examples, (7) the retention rib may b e annular in shape and extends around an external periphery of the compensator in a plane substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the compensator. In an example embodiment, (8) a plurality of retention ribs may be provided in on the external periphery of the compensator.

[0054] In some embodiments, any or all of (1) to (8) may be employed in addition to the optional modifications or augmentations described below. For example, in some

embodiments, the flow channel may include a substantially hollow cylindrical tube, and the compensator may define a substantially hollow cylindrical body configured to fit in the critical area. Additionally or alternatively, the compensator may be compressible to increase the effective volume of the critical area by at least 10% or even at least 25%. Additionally or alternatively, the compensator may be formed of a thermoplastic elastomer. Additionally or alternatively, the compensator may include a plurality of hollow enclosed cells distributed throughout a volume of the compensator. Additionally or alternatively, the hollow enclosed cells may be water impenetrable. Additionally or alternatively, an external diameter of the compensator may taper at one longitudinal end of the compensator.

[0055] Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which these inventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the inventions are not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, although the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings describe exemplary embodiments in the context of certain exemplary combinations of elements and/or functions, it should be appreciated that different combinations of elements and/or functions may be provided by alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In this regard, for example, different combinations of elements and/or functions than those explicitly described above are also contemplated as may be set forth in some of the appended claims. In cases where advantages, benefits or solutions to problems are described herein, it should be appreciated that such advantages, benefits and/or solutions may be applicable to some example embodiments, but not necessarily all example embodiments. Thus, any advantages, benefits or solutions described herein should not be thought of as being critical, required or essential to all embodiments or to that which is claimed herein. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

Claims

THAT WHICH IS CLAIMED:

1. A water application device (10/100) comprising:

a main body (20/110) graspable along a handle portion (22/119) thereof by an operator, the main body (20/110) housing a flow control assembly (50) configured to enable the device (10/100) to execute a control function relative to flow of water through the device (10/100);

an operable member (30/140) operably coupled to the main body (20/110) to interface with the flow control assembly (50) to alternately provide flow and stop flow through the device (10/100); and

a flow channel formed inside the main body (20/110) to define a flow path between an inlet portion (26/114) and an outlet portion (24/112) of the device (10/100), the flow channel defining at least one critical area (310) in which water is enabled to collect when the water application device is not applying water,

wherein the critical area (310) includes at least one compensator receiver (320) configured to receive a compensator (300) comprising compressible material configured to enable the compensator (300) to be compressed within the critical area to increase an effective volume of the critical area (310), and

wherein one of the compensator (300) or the critical area (310) is provided with at least one retention rib (330 or 340) to facilitate holding the compensator (300) in the critical area (310).

2. The device (10/100) of claim 1, wherein the retention rib (330) is disposed in a periphery of the critical area (310) to extend inwardly into a portion of the flow channel.

3. The device (10/100) of claim 2, wherein the retention rib (330) is provided to extend substantially parallel to an axis of the flow channel.

4. The device (10/100) of claim 2, wherein the retention rib (330') is annular in shape and extends in a plane substantially perpendicular to an axis of the flow channel.

5. The device (10/100) of claim 3 or 4, wherein a plurality of retention ribs (330) are provided in the critical area (310).

6. The device (10/100) of claim 1, wherein the retention rib (340) is disposed on an external periphery of the compensator (300).

7. The device (10/100) of claim 6, wherein the retention rib (340) is provided to extend substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the compensator (300").

8. The device (10/100) of claim 7, wherein the retention rib (340') is annular in shape and extends around an external periphery of the compensator (300') in a plane substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the compensator (300').

9. The device (10/100) of claim 7 or 8, wherein a plurality of retention ribs (340) are provided in on the external periphery of the compensator (300).

10. The device (10/100) of any preceding claim, wherein the flow channel comprises a substantially hollow cylindrical tube, and wherein the compensator (300) defines a substantially hollow cylindrical body configured to fit in the critical area (310).

11. The device (10/100) of claim 10, wherein the compensator (300) is compressible to increase the effective volume of the critical area (310) by at least 10%.

12. The device (10/100) of claim 11, wherein the compensator (300) is compressible to increase the effective volume of the critical area (310) by at least 25%.

13. The device (10/100) of any preceding claim, wherein the compensator (300) is formed of a thermoplastic elastomer.

14. The device (10/100) of any preceding claim, wherein the compensator (300) comprises a plurality of hollow enclosed cells distributed throughout a volume of the compensator (300).

15. The device (10/100) of claim 14, wherein the hollow enclosed cells are water impenetrable.

16. The device (10/100) of any preceding claim, wherein an external diameter (d2) of the compensator (300) tapers at one longitudinal end of the compensator (300).

17. A compensator (300) for insertion into a critical area (310) of a water application device (10/100), the critical area (310) being an area in a flow channel of the device (10/100) in which water is enabled to collect when the device (10/100) is not applying water, the compensator comprising compressible material configured to enable the compensator (300) to be compressed within the critical area to increase an effective volume of the critical area (310), and at least one retention rib (330 or 340) on an external periphery of the compensator (300) to facilitate holding the compensator (300) in the critical area (310).

18. The compensator (300) of claim 18, wherein the retention rib (340) is provided to extend substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the compensator (300").

19. The compensator (300) of claim 18, wherein the retention rib (340') is annular in shape and extends around an external periphery of the compensator (300') in a plane substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the compensator (300').

20. The compensator (300) of claim 18 or 19, wherein a plurality of retention ribs (340) are provided in on the external periphery of the compensator (300).

21. The compensator (300) of any of claims 17-20, wherein the flow channel comprises a substantially hollow cylindrical tube, and wherein the compensator (300) defines a substantially hollow cylindrical body configured to fit in the critical area (310).

22. The compensator (300) of any of claims 17-21, wherein the compensator (300) is compressible to increase the effective volume of the critical area (310) by at least 10%, and wherein the compensator (300) is formed of a thermoplastic elastomer.

23. The compensator (300) of any of claims 17-22, wherein the compensator (300) comprises a plurality of hollow enclosed cells distributed throughout a volume of the compensator (300), and wherein the hollow enclosed cells are water impenetrable.