GB2233254A

GB2233254A - Spray nozzle of improved type

Info

Publication number: GB2233254A
Application number: GB9011285A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Agnese Giuseppe Dall; Antonio Cadamuro
Original assignee: Uniflex Utiltime SpA
Current assignee: Uniflex Utiltime SpA
Priority date: 1989-06-19
Filing date: 1990-05-21
Publication date: 1991-01-09
Anticipated expiration: 2010-05-21
Also published as: GB9011285D0; SE9001920L; IT218387Z2; FR2648368B3; SE507270C2; FR2648368A1; DE9006881U1; SE9001920D0; IT8934036V0; GB2233254B

Abstract

A spray nozzle 4 of the type comprising a tubular body 5 through which extends a water supply conduit 6 extending longitudinally in the body of the nozzle 4 from one end which is shaped as a union for connection to a water supply pipe or hose, to the other end which is provided with spray openings 9 and means for diffusion of the water jet; and further including, screw on to said spray end displaceably along the longitudinal axis of the nozzle a tubular ring 11 comprising means for controlling and regulating the water flow rate and means for shaping the jet of water in cooperation with said diffuser means of the nozzle; in order to facilitate one-handed operation the outside surface of the regulating ring 11 is provided with shaped elements 18 forming seat means capable of being engaged by at least one finger of the same hand as that which holds the nozzle for actuation of said regulating ring in both direction of rotation. <IMAGE>

Description

SPRAY NOZZLE OF IMPROVED TYPE The present invention concerns a spray nozzle of improved type, in particular a spray nozzle which can be connected to the end of a water supply pipe or hose to permit regulation of the water flow rate and the configuration of the jet of water.

Generally that type of spray nozzle is formed by a tubular body of which one end is provided with a union for connection to the water supply pipe or hose while the other end has one or more spray orifices and a water jet diffusion stem portion.

Screwed on to the spray end in such a way as to be moveable in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the nozzle is a tubular ring comprising means for controlling and regulating the water flow rate and means for shaping the jet of water, co-operating with the diffuser stem portion.

It is to be noted that, when the user is frequently required to adjust the jet of water, there is the disadvantage of needing to use both hands in order successfully to screw the regulating ring on to the body of the spray nozzle or to unscrew same.

Moreover that disadvantage is not overcome by the use of the conventional knurling which is usually provided on the outside surface of the ring to facilitate operation thereof by the user.

It would be desirable to provide a spray nozzle which can be operated and regulated by using just one hand, to permit the user to employ the other hand in operations which are usually performed at the same time as the spray or watering operation (for example using a gardening tool, pulling the water supply hose or moving leaves or branches or other obstacles for the spray jet of water).

In addition the provision of a spray nozzle of the above indicated type is a matter of particular importance for users who, for various reasons, enjoy the use of only one hand.

According to the present invention, there is provided a spray nozzle comprising a tubular body through which extends a water supply conduit extending longitudinally in the body of the nozzle from one end which is shaped as a union for connection to a water supply pipe or hose, to the other end which is provided with spray openings and means for diffusion of the water jet; and, screwed on to said spray end displaceably along the longitudinal axis of the nozzle, a tubular ring comprising means for controlling and regulating the water flow rate and means for shaping the jet of water in co-operation with said diffuser means of the nozzle; wherein the outside surface of the regulating ring is provided with shaped elements which are discrete from one another and form seat means capable of being engaged by at least one.finger of the same hand as that which holds the nozzle for actuation of said regulating ring in both directions of rotation.

The shaped elements should provide longitudinally extending radial abutments which enable the regulating ring to be turned by the fingertips without the need for frictional engagement between the fingertips and elements.

Those features will now be described by way of non-limiting example with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which: Figure 1 is a side view of the spray nozzle according to the invention; Figure 2 is a view of the nozzle shown in figure 1, in longitudinal section; Figure 3 shows a condition of use of the spray nozzle according to the invention; and Figure 4 shows another preferred embodiment of the spray nozzle according to the invention.

The spray nozzle 4 essentially comprises a tubular body 5 through which a water supply conduit 6 passes in the longitudinal direction (see figure 2).

The conduit 6 extends in the body 5 from one end which is in the shape of a union as indicated at 7, for connection to the water supply pipe or hose 8, to the other end which is provided with one or more spray orifices 9 (see figure 2) and which is tapered to form a stem portion 10 for diffusion of the jet of water.

A tubular regulating ring or sleeve 11 is screwed onto the end of the body 5 which is provided with the spray orifices 9.

The ring 11 can be displaced in the longitudinal direction between a position of closing the spray orifices 9 (see figure 2) and different positions for regulating the water flow rate and the size of the jet of water.

For that purpose the ring 11 is internally provided with a funnel-shaped section 12 (figure 2) capable of co-operating with the tapered end of the conduit 6 and with the diffuser stem portion 10 respectively in order sealingly to close the spray orifices 9 (see figure 2) and to enlarge the jet of water issuing from the nozzle 4, to a greater or lesser extent.

Provided between the spray orifices 9 and the screwing section 13 of the ring 11 are an annular sealing element 14 and the corresponding seat 15 accommodating same, in such a way as to guarantee a water-tight sealing action as between the ring 11 and the conduit 6 in the part of the nozzle 4 which is disposed upstream of the spray orifices 9.

The nozzle 4 is also provided with a per se known device for retaining the ring 11 in the vicinity of the point at which its unscrewing travel ends.

Indeed, provided on the body of the nozzle 4 and at the region in which it overlaps with the ring 11 there is provided an annular protrusion 16 (see figure 2) forming an abutment co-operable with a peripheral projection 17 on the internal surface of the ring 11. When the protrusion 16 comes into contact with the projection 17, the user perceives that further unscrewing movement of the ring 11 would cause the ring 11 to come off the screwing section 13 of the nozzle 4.

The spray nozzle 4 of known type in regard to the configuration described hereinbefore is substantially improved as described hereinafter in accordance with the invention, in regard to the features concerning handling thereof.

In particular the inward end of the ring 11 is of a frustoconical configuration and has longitudinal impressions or recesses 18 such as to permit the ring 11 to be screwed on or unscrewed, even when using just the thumb of the same hand as that which grips the nozzle 4 (see figure 3).

In that way the user can advantageously employ the other hand for carrying out operations which are ancillary to the spray operation.

It will be appreciated that various modifications and alternations may be made in the nozzle 4 according to the invention without thereby departing from the scope of the main features claimed hereinafter. For example the ring 11 may also be produced in a cylindrical form and its outside circumference may be provided, as alternatives to the impressions or recesses 18, with fins, pin portions or projections or openings which protrude in a transverse direction.

Finally, the advantageous features of the nozzle according to the invention are naturally also intended to extend to spray nozzles having a handle of the type referred to as a 'pistol grip' (see figure 4), while maintaining their innovative efficiency.

Claims

1. A spray nozzle comprising a tubular body through which extends a water supply conduit extending longitudinally in the body of the nozzle from one end which is shaped as a union for connection to a water supply pipe or hose, to the other end which is provided with spray openings and means for diffusion of the water jet; and, screwed on to said spray end displaceably along the longitudinal axis of the nozzle, a tubular ring comprising means for controlling and regulating the water flow rate and means for shaping the jet of water in co-operation with said diffuser means of the nozzle; wherein the outside surface of the regulating ring is provided with shaped elements which are discrete from one another and form seat means capable of being engaged by at least one finger of the same hand as that which holds the nozzle for actuation of said regulating ring in both directions of rotation.

2. A spray nozzle according to claim 1 wherein the inward end of the ring is of a frustoconical shape and that said shaped elements are formed by longitudinal impressions which are of a depth which increased towards the handle region of the nozzle.

3. A spray nozzle according to claim 1 or 2 and comprising a regulating ring of cylindrical shape, the shaped elements being formed by fins which project in a radial direction.

4. A spray nozzle according to claim 3 wherein said shaped elements are formed by openings projecting in a transverse direction.

5. A spray nozzle constructed and arranged to operate substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.