GB2030849A

GB2030849A - Liquid supply apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2030849A
Application number: GB7930045A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1978-05-30
Filing date: 1979-08-30
Publication date: 1980-04-16
Also published as: GB2030849B

Abstract

Liquid supply apparatus comprises a container for liquid, a duct leading from the container to one or more nozzles, and means for pressurising the liquid in the container. A nozzle may be associated with a rubber blade to provide window or gutter cleaning apparatus. In modifications, the liquid is discharged via outlets in a brush or roller. The liquid supplied may be water, a detergent composition, paint, or creosote. The apparatus may also be used to inflate vehicle tyres.

Description

SPECIFICATION Liquid supply apparatus This invention relates to an apparatus for supplying liquid to surfaces such as windows, fences, walls, or floors, vehicles or caravans, and seeks to provide a self contained equipment which is portable and adaptable to various conditions of required use.

According to one aspect of this invention there is provided an apparatus for supplying liquid to surfaces comprising a liquid supply head appropriate to the surface, a liquid supply duct in communication with one or more nozzles arranged to discharge a fine spray or mist of liquid onto the surface through the head, the liquid being supplied to the duct under pressure from a fluid container.

The invention further provides in accordance with a second aspect an apparatus for applying liquid to a surface comprising a liquid absorbent head appropriate to the surface, a liquid supply duct in communication with one or more outlets arranged to discharge the liquid onto said liquid absorbent head, the liquid being supplied to the duct under pressure from a fluid container and applied to the surface by means of said absorbent head.

Preferred liquid supply heads may be selected from window cleaning heads, paint washing brushes, car washing brushes, paper removing heads and fine spray applicators.

A suitable absorbent head is a foam roller device which may be used to apply emulsion paint.

The apparatus in accordance with a preferred embodiment may comprise a primary fluid reservoir containing a liquid or a gas or both, which reservoir is adapted to be pressurised, one or more secondary liquid reservoirs in gaseous communication with said primary reservoir and containing the required liquid, the arrangement being such that said liquid is dispensed through one or more nozzles via a liquid supply duct in communication with an appropriate liquid supply or absorbent head to the required surface.

The liquid contained within the primary reservoir will usually be water and this reservoir may include a pump means or be adapted for connection with an external air supply to pressurise the contents which is fed to the head by a flexible hose.

When the apparatus is functioning as a cleaning apparatus each secondary reservoir is filled two thirds full with shampoo, soapy water or detergent, which reservoir(s) may be pressurised via a duct in communication with the primary reservoir or con tainer. Both water and detergent are mixed within the outlet duct before reaching the relevant head.

The water is supplied at high pressure with low vol ume and it has been found that by this means a surprisingly small quantity of water is required to effect efficient cleaning of a surface. Typical pressures applied are in the region of 85 p.s.1. and it has been found an advantage to use small bore tubing to connect the container water feed to the cleaning head. When the apparatus is used to spray paint or creosote or any other liquid which is not required to be mixed with water, the first reservoir or container will only contain a gas, usually air.

For cleaning windows a blade will usually be provided of a strip of rubber secured along an edge of a carrier with the nozzle or nozzles positioned below the carrier to discharge the water and detergent mist onto the window glass across the width of the blade.

By this means using a small portable container a considerable area of glass can be effectively cleaned with a very small amount of water.

Various embodiments of an apparatus according to the invention are described by way of example in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 shows a side view of a window cleaning head and upper extension tube, Figure 2 shows the water valve and an extension tube in section, Figure 3 shows the apparatus including primary and seconday reservoirs and flexible hose, Figure 4 shows a motor vehicle washing brush, Figure 5 shows a modified form of window or like surface cleaning head, Figure 6 shows a floor cleaning brush, Figure 7 shows a modified construction for the rods, Figure 8 shows a paper removing scraping head, Figure 9 shows a house gutter clearing head, Figure 10 shows a roller for the application of paint, Figure 11 shows the trigger to adaptor connecting means, and Figure 12 shows a fine mist spray applicator.

The cleaning head shown in Figure 1 has a carrier 1, being a flat metal sheet with downturned edges 2, which is provided with a rubber blade 3 extending along the front edge and clamped by a metal strip 4 secured by wing nuts 5. Slots in the carrier or strip afford fore-aft adjustment of the blade and enable same to be changed in a simple manner. Various widths of blade are provided according to the window pane size. The carrier is provided with two nozzles 6 which are supplied with cleaning water, or other fluid, through a duct 7. The water is supplied under pressure and the nozzles produce a high velocity fine spray or mist. The nozzles may be adjustable as regards spray area or fineness of the droplets. Only a small throughput of water is necessary to produce sufficient wetting of the glass to enable the blade to achieve effective cleaning.

The duct 7 connects with a socket 8 into which an extension rod 9 may be screwed so that a small bore tube 10 within the rod effects a fluid tight seal by known means e.g. by using O-rings, washers or other jointing means within the top of rod 9 or socket 8.

As shown in Figure 2, the water supply to the head is fed through a flexible hose 11 to a control valve 12 with a manual trigger 13 and a cup filter 14. The valve body includes a crew coupling for connection The drawing(s) originally filed were informal and the print here reproduced is taken from a later filed formal copy.

with the lower end of the extension rod 9 and water is fed into the tube 10 through a fluid tight sealing means. It will be seen that by providing each rod with complementary male and female connections at each end allows a number or rods to be assem bled to form various lengths enabling windows at higher levels to be reached.

Referring to Figure 3, a primary reservoir or cylinder 30 includes a hand operated pump 31 connected in such a manner at to permit pressurisation of the contents of the reservoir. An air supply valve 32 is in communication with the cylinder to allow an external compressed air supply to be introduced. This cylinder may include a pressure relief valve arranged to vent at pressures in excess of 85 p.s.i. A compressed air supply duct 33 has a T-junction portion 33a, one end of which communicates with the primary cylinder 30, the other end being attached to a pressure gauge. The duct 33 is further split at secondary T-junction 33b, each junction terminating at the top of pressure sealed liquid reservoirs 34 containing either detergent, paint, creosote etc.When used as a cleaning apparatus the liquid reservoirs 34 contain suitable detergent and the primary reservoir 30 contains water but with an air space above this liquid that may be pressurised.

In other modes of operation, the primary reservoir or cylinder is only provided with air.

At the base of each liquid container 34, a liquid supply conduit carries liquid contained therein to a variable flow tap 36 allowing a range of flow from drip feed to full flow. The liquid supply conduit continues to a Junction 37, through a handle 39 of the apparatus, the remaining length of liquid supply conduit 35a terminating at the appropriate supply head 39a, where the liquid is discharged.

The branch 38 of the Junction 37 connects the primary cylinder 30, and hence either compressed air or liquid (e.g. water) under pressure, reaches the liquid supply duct 35, 35a where either will encounter liquid under pressure feed from the reservoirs 34. The outlet branch 38 from cylinder 30 to duct 35, 35a includes a non-return valve so that air or water can flow towards the duct and not return to the cylinder. A simple ball and spring arrangement is envisaged as such a suitable valve.

In order to operate the apparatus, the primary cylinder is pressurised by hand pump 31 (or external supply), the tap 36 operated to give the desired flow of liquid from the reservoirs 34. Upon actuation of the trigger (not shown) in the head 39a, the liquid is dispensed as a fine mist on to the surface or into an absorbent paint roller head.

Figure 4 illustrates a vehicle washing brush in which a fine mist of cleaning fluid under pressure is discharged through the centre ofthe brush through aperture 40.

In Figure 5 the cleaning head includes a ball 50 urged normally onto a seat 51 by a spring 52. The top section of the rod also includes a similar ball spring and seating 53, 54 and 55. The nozzle of the cleaning head is made adjustable along its longitudinal axis.

The nozzle is connected by a flexible tubing 56 in order to facilitate the adjustment.

Figure 7 shows various views of the rods, each incorporating a ball 70 urged onto seating 71 by means of spring 72.

Figure 6 shows a cleaning head brush intended for caravans or paint work and in a similar way has a discharge orifice 60 in the centre of the head with ball valve arrangement 61 located in the connector to the tube 62.

Referring to Figure 8, the apparatus is adapted to supply warm water and detergent through the conduit 85a, the supply being controlled by trigger 81, and sprayed onto a wallpaper surface 83 through the nozzle 83. This nozzle 83 is located within a carrier head 84 having elongate strips 84a, 84b of resilient material. Also attached to the applicator head 84 is a sharp edged paper scraper 86, the combined applicatoriscraper being attached to the conduit 85a and trigger switch 81 by a maleifemalethreaded interconnection 87.

Figure 9 shows a device for cleaning out house guttering which has a planar curved rubber blade 90 and a jet discharge nozzle 91. The blade conforms with the curvature of the guttering and a small wheel 92 may be provided to run along the edge of the guttering to afford easy positioning in guidance of the cleaning head. Various inter-changeable rubber blades may be provided according to the precise shape of the guttering.

Figure 10 shows a modification in which a roller unit 100 of foam rubber is rotatable mounted on a spindle 101 through which pressure liquid is caused to flow from the cylinder. The spindle includes a number of orifices 102 which serve to discharge the liquid into the rubber. With this-apparatus by filling the cylinder with emulsion or a similar paint, surfaces may be coated by the continual replenishment of the charge into the foam rubber achieved by the high pressure and fine dispersal throughout the foam.

Figure 11 illustrates an arrangement for connecting a trigger supply switch 111 to an extension tubing 112. The appropriate liquid is delivered through conduit 115 to a trigger switch housing 113. The trigger 111 pivots on the housing and actuates a spring loaded rod 114 carrying a disc shaped valve 116. The housing 113 terminates at a female threaded connector 117. In order to connect the trigger switch to the female thread 118 of an adaptor or extension tubing 112, a male adaptor 119 is employed bearing appropriate male threads 120 and 121 respectively. The liquid supply thus reaches the tubing 122 and the appropriate accessory head.

Figure 12 shows a fine mist spray applicator wherein a female threaded housing 122 is attached to conduit tubing 123, a mixture of compressed air and, for example, creosote entering the housing via path A. A fine spray head 124 is threaded at 128 onto conduit 123 to provide adjustable displacement and size of spray mist. Within the head a ball 125 is spring loaded against the conduit outlet by spring 126. Afine aperture 127 is provided in the spray head 124 through which a fine mist of creosote is forced under pressure. A circular mist of 20 inch diameter may be obtained with the apparatus.

The apparatus in accordance with the invention may also be used as a pressurised air line to inflate vehicle tyres up to approximately 50 p.s.i.

Claims

1. Apparatus for supplying liquid to surfaces comprising a liquid supply head appropriate to the surface, a liquid supply duct in communication with one or more nozzles arranged to discharge a fine spray or mist of liquid onto the surface through the head, the liquid being supplied to the duct under pressure from a fluid container.

2. Apparatus for supplying liquid to surfaces comprising a liquid absorbent head appropriate to the surface, a liquid supply duct in communication with one or more outlets arranged to discharge the liquid onto said liquid absorbent head, the liquid being supplied to the duct under pressure from a fluid container and applied to the surface by means of said absorbent head.

3. Apparatus for supplying liquid to surfaces comprising a primary fluid reservoir containing a liquid or a gas or both liquid and gas, which reservoir is adapted to be pressurised, one or more secondary liquid reservoirs in gaseous communication with said primary reservoir and containing the required liquid, the arrangement being such that said liquid is dispensed through one or more nozzles via a liquid supply duct in communication with an appropriate liquid supply or absorbent head to the required surface.

4. Apparatus in accordance with Claim 2, wherein the absorbent head is a cylindrical foam roller, the apparatus containing paint which is delivered under pressure to said roller.

5. Apparatus in accordance with Claim 1 or 3, wherein the liquids are selected from water, detergent and creosote.

6. Apparatus in accordance with Claim 3, wherein the primary reservoir contains air.

7. Apparatus in accordance with Claim 3, wherein the primary reservoir contains air and water.

8. Apparatus in accordance with any one of Claims 3, 6 or 7, wherein the primary reservoir includes a pump means to pressurise the contents which are fed to the head by a flexible hose.

9. Apparatus in accordance with any one of Claims 3,6 or 7, wherein the primary reservoir is adapted for connection with an external air supply.

10. Apparatus in accordance with any one of Claims 3 to 9, wherein a pair of secondary liquid reservoirs are provided in parallel with the primary reservoir.

11. Apparatus in accordance with any one of Claims 3 to 10, wherein a liquid supply duct branches from each secondary liquid reservoir into a single supply duct or conduit, a variable flow tap being provided in said single conduit.

12. Apparatus in accordance with any one of Claims 3 to 11, wherein a fluid feed tube provides fluid communication between the primary reservoir and the liquid supply duct.

13. Apparatus in accordance with Claim 12, wherein said fluid feed tube incorporates a non return valve preventing backflow to fluid.

14. Apparatus in accordance with any one of Claims 1 to 13, wherein removable extension conduits are inserted between a supply control valve and the appropriate head.

15. Apparatus in accordance with any one of Claims 1,3 or 5 to 14, wherein the nozzles are adjustable with respect to spray area and fineness of the droplets.

16. Apparatus in accordance with any one of Claims 3 or 5 to 15, wherein the primary reservoir includes a pressure relief valve arranged to vent the contents at pressures in excess of 85 p.s.i.

17. Apparatus in accordance with any one of Claims 3 or 5 to 16, wherein the liquid supply head incorporates a pair of spring loaded ball valves encountered by the liquid before delivery of the spray.

18. Apparatus in accordance with any one of Claims 1,3 or 5 to 17, wherein the liquid supply head is arranged to function as a window cleaner, a strip of rubber being secured along an edge of a carrier with the nozzle or nozzles positioned below the carriver to discharge a fine mist of water and detergent onto a window glass across the width of the blade.

19. Apparatus in accordance with any one of Claims 1,3 or 5 to 17, wherein the liquid supply head is in the form of a brush having a discharge orifice connected to the liquid supply conduit.

20. Apparatus in accordance with any one of Claims 1,3 or 5 to 17, wherein the liquid supply head is in the form of a gutter cleaning tool, a planar curved blade being attached to the apparatus including a liquid discharge nozzle.

21. Apparatus in accordance with any one of Claims 1,3 or 5 to 17, wherein the liquid supply head is arranged to function as a wallpaper remover, a carrier provided with a pair of resilient elongate strips between which the nozzle or nozzles are arranged to discharge liquid onto the wallpaper, the carrier including a sharp edged implement.

22. Apparatus in accordance with any one of Claims 1,3 or 5 to 17, wherein the liquid supply head is arranged to function as a fine mist spray applicator, compressed air and liquid being discharged from a finely apertured housing wherein a spring loaded ball valve is situated.

23. Apparatus for supplying liquid to surfaces substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in any one of the accompanying drawings.