MXPA06005377A - Hose end sprayer with water purifier and selector switch - Google Patents

Abstract

A sprayer (20) with a water purifier (34), a valve system, and a selector switch (36) for the same are disclosed. The valve system provides a selection of water flow paths and/or nozzles or other output mechanisms for the sprayer, and a selector switch (36) for controlling the valve system. The selector switch that can be controlled by one of the operator's fingers, or by the operator's thumb so that the operator can use the sprayer and select the sprayer (20) setting with one hand.

Description

SPRAYER WITH EXTREME HOSE, WITH WATER PURIFIER AND SELECTOR SWITCH FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a sprinkler with a water purifier, and to a valve system and to a selector switch for the same.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Sprinklers of various types are known. In some cases, sprinklers have a filter or other type of purifier associated with them. The search for improved systems with water purifiers and valve systems and selector switches for them is permanent.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a sprinkler with a water purifier, and to a valve system and to a selector switch for the same. There are numerous non-restrictive embodiments of the present invention.

It should be understood that it is not necessary for the water purifier to comprise part of the sprayer, especially when the sprayer is not in use. The water purifier can be an individual component used with the sprayer when the sprayer is in use. In a non-restrictive mode the sprinkler is used to spray water and when in use comprises a purifying cartridge for purifying the water. The sprayer can be compact and ergonomic. The sprinkler may comprise a valve system that provides a selection of water flow paths and / or nozzles or other sprinkler output mechanisms, and a switch selector to control the valve system. In some embodiments, the sprinkler has a multi-position switch selector that the operator can control with his fingers or thumb and that allows him to use the sprinkler and select the sprinkler configuration with one hand. Many other embodiments are also possible including, but not limited to, those described in the following detailed description. The present invention will be more readily apparent when considered with reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES Although the description concludes with claims that particularly indicate and clearly claim the object of the present invention, it is possible that the invention is better understood from the following description and the attached figures, in which: Figure 1 is a front perspective view of a non-restrictive mode of a sprinkler with a water purifier. Figure 2 is a perspective view of the back of the sprinkler of Figure 1. Figure 3 is a side view of the sprinkler of Figure 1 without a portion of the housing to show the internal components of the sprinkler. Figure 4 is a perspective and exploded view of the components of a non-restrictive mode of the valve system. Figure 5 is a perspective view of the upper part of the inner valve component and the selector switch. Figure 6 is a perspective view of the upper part of the inner valve component and the switch selector from another angle, wherein the selector is in the "off" position. Figure 7 is a perspective view of the upper part of the inner valve component and the selector switch from another angle, wherein the switch is in the position corresponding to one of the flow functions. Figure 8 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a selector switch.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a sprinkler with a water purifier, and to a valve system and to a selector switch for the same. Figure 1 shows a mode of a sprayer 20 with a purifier. This sprinkler 20 is a sprinkler with hose end, holding by hand and ergonomically designed. It should be understood that the sprayer 20 of Figure 1 has a unique configuration, and that the purifier, valve system and selector switch can be used with sprinklers of a different configuration. The purifier, valve system and selector switch can be used with sprinklers of any suitable configuration. The sprinkler 20 comprises a housing or structure 22. Preferably, in the embodiment shown the water flows through the housing 22 when the sprinkler 20 is connected to a hose 24 and is in use. The housing 22 comprises a barrel portion 26 and a handle 28 for a user to grip it; the handle is located at an angle to the barrel portion 26. The sprinkler 20 also comprises at least one spray nozzle 30 operatively connected to the housing 22, and a hose connection (or simply "connection") 32 for the hose 24 The sprayer 20 also comprises a purifier such as a purifying cartridge 34 and a selector switch 36. Figure 2 shows that in this embodiment the sprayer 20 comprises an opening 37 in a portion of the sprayer 20, for example in the back 38 of the barrel portion 26 of the sprinkler 20, for a purifier such as the purifying cartridge 34. The purifier 34 may be removable so that it does not necessarily comprise part of the sprinkler 20 when the sprinkler is not in use. The sprayer 20 can comprise any suitable receiver structure for the purifying cartridge 34 into which that cartridge 34 is adapted. A non-restrictive mode of a receiving structure for the purifying cartridge is described in U.S. Patent Application Ser. no. No. 10 / 713,460 filed on November 14, 2003. The sprinkler housing 22 may also have an element such as a fastener 40 to hold the purifying cartridge in place. The fastener 40 may comprise an element that is attached to the housing or may comprise a portion of the housing 22. In other embodiments the purifier 34 may be located completely within the sprinkler housing, in which case the purifier 34 may be covered by a door and the Bra may not be necessary. However, it should be understood that in other embodiments it is not necessary for the sprinkler 20 to include an opening therein for the purifying cartridge 34. In these other embodiments, the purifying cartridge 34 can be located at least partially, or completely, outside the sprinkler. Even in other embodiments it is not necessary for the sprinkler to comprise a purifier. Figures 1 and 2 show a non-restrictive mode of a purifying cartridge 34. The purifying cartridge 34 can be in any suitable configuration. In the mode shown in the figures, the cartridge purifier 34 generally comprises two compartments located side by side. The compartments comprise cylindrical portions and more specifically, the cartridge 34 is in the form of a structure comprising two cylindrical portions 42 and 44 aligned along their axes and joined one to the other to form a cylindrical structure composed with a cross-section with shape of "8". In this specific embodiment, the cartridge has inlet and outlet openings located at the same end of the purifying cartridge; the end is inserted into the sprinkler housing 22. When the purifying cartridge 34 is in use the water flows into the inlet opening into the first cylindrical portion 42. Then, the water flows from the first cylindrical portion 42 through the a channel 46 connecting the first and second cylindrical portions to the second cylindrical portion 44. Water leaves the purifying cartridge 34 through the outlet opening into a purified rinse-off spray passage. The purifying cartridge 34 may be permanent or replaceable. The purifying cartridge 34 can be inserted into the sprinkler housing 22 and removed therefrom through the opening 37 in the back 38 of the barrel portion 26 of the sprinkler 20. The purifier cartridge 34 can comprise any suitable type of purifying material. . In a non-restrictive embodiment, the purifying cartridge 34 comprises an ion exchange resin medium. The ion exchange resin medium can have any of the properties described in U.S. Pat. no. 6,562,142 B2 awarded to Barger et al.

Figure 3 shows the internal components of the sprinkler 20. In the non-restrictive embodiment shown these components comprise: an inlet 48, a valve or valve system 50, the selector switch 36, a rinsing conduit 52, and a duct purifier 54. In Figure 4 it is seen that valve 50 comprises: a lower valve component 56, an inner valve component 58, an upper valve component 60, a selector spring 62, an inner seal of selector 64, a ratchet spring 66, and a ratchet pin 68. Valve 50 may also comprise O-rings 70 and other components. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the upper portion 72 of the inlet tube 48 fits into a cylindrical extension 74 located in the lower part of the lower valve component 56. The upper portion 76 of the lower valve component 56 comprises a cylindrical portion 78. The outer portion of the component of internal valve 58 is also cylindrical. A portion of the inner valve component 58 fits in the cylindrical portion 78 of the lower valve component 56. In the embodiment shown, the selector switch 36 is attached to the exterior of the inner valve component 58 and extends therefrom outwardly. . In the embodiment shown, the selector switch 36 extends outward from the inner valve component 58 in a direction generally perpendicular to the axis of the cylindrical inner valve component 58. As shown in FIG. 5, the inner valve component 58 has an upper surface 80 on which there is an opening 82 and several depressions 84. The opening 82 allows water from the hose to flow through the valve 50. As shown in Figures 4, 6, and 7, the inner seal of the selector 64 is located on the upper part of the spring of the valve. selector 62, and fits at least partially in the opening 82 of the upper surface 80 of the inner valve component 58. The upper surface 80 of the inner valve component 58 may also comprise one or more seals 86. The seals 86 may be of any suitable configuration. In the embodiment shown, the seals 86 are in the form of raised ribs radiating outwards from the center of the upper surface 80 of the inner valve component 58. In other embodiments of the embodiment shown, the seals 86 may have any other suitable configuration . In still other embodiments, the seals may be located in the lower portion of the upper valve component instead of being located on the upper surface 80 of the inner valve component 58 or in addition thereto. The upper valve component 60 comprises a plate 87 and a pair of inlet flow conduits 88 and 90. One of the flow inlet conduits directs the incoming water that passes through the valve 50 to a conduit that drifts into the water purifier 34, and therefore, comprises the rinsing conduit. The other flow inlet conduit. directs the incoming water that passes through the valve 50 to the water purifier 34. Then, the purified water flows out of the purifier into a conduit leading to a purified rinse spray nozzle. As shown in Figure 4, the ratchet pin 68 fits over the spring of ratchet 66, and the ratchet spring is inserted in the lower part of the upper valve component 60. The upper valve component 60 is then installed in the upper part of the inner valve component 58 to complete the valve assembly 50. The Figure 6 shows the selector switch 36 and the valve system in the "off" position. As shown in Figure 6, when the system is in the "off" position, the opening 82 in the upper surface 80 of the inner valve component 58 is located between the inlet flow conduits 88 and 90 of the valve component. 60. In this position, the engagement of the seals 86 against the lower part of the upper valve component 60 will prevent water from flowing through the valve 50 into any of the inlet flow conduits 88 and 90. In addition , the ratchet pin 68 engages the central depression 84 of the upper surface 80 of the inner valve component 58 to provide the operator with a signal that the selector switch 36 is in the "off" position. Figure 7 shows selector switch 36 and valve system slid to one side. When the selector switch 36 slides in this manner, the opening 82 in the upper surface 80 of the inner valve component 58 is aligned with one of the flow inlet conduits 88 and 90 of the upper valve component 60, and the water will flow through the valve 50 into the interior of the flow inlet duct. In this position, the ratchet pin 68 engages in the depression 84 to the left of the central depression in the upper surface 80 of the inner valve component 58 to provide a signal to the operator that the selector switch 36 is in a different position. In a non-restrictive mode, selector switch 36 has at least two positions. In the embodiment shown, selector switch 36 has three positions that are, from left to right: "tap water spray", "off", and "purified rinse". The operator can control the switch of the multi-position selector 36 with his fingers or with his thumb and in this way he can use the sprayer and select the sprinkler configuration with one hand. In this way, the operator may use the other hand to perform a different task, for example to apply a cleaning composition on the surface of the vehicle during the washing process thereof. Alternatively, this may allow the operator to hold an item on his other hand, such as a cleaning mitt, or other cleaning implement. The selector switch 36 may comprise any suitable type of switch. The selector switch 36 shown in Figures 1-7 comprises a paddle / tilt switch. That switch generally has a flat region 92 in the center with the dimensions needed for the operator to handle it with the thumb, and a pair of spaced "paddles" 94 (see Figure 5) that are attached at an angle to the region generally flat, and they are far enough apart to generate that flat region between them. The pallets 94 have a surface interior and an exterior surface. To control this switch, the operator can rest his thumb on the generally flat region 92, and apply force with his thumb from the interior of the switch to the interior surface of one of the vanes 94 on each side of the switch. Alternatively, the operator can rest his thumb on the outside of the switch and apply force with his thumb on the outer surface of one of the vanes 94 on each side of the switch. Different embodiments of such a switch can be provided with vanes of different width (or thickness) measured in the direction of movement of the switch to provide different "slip" distances when switching between switch positions. Figure 8 shows an alternative mode of a selector switch. In Figure 8, selector switch 36 is a thumb switch. To control this switch the operator can apply force with his thumb on each side of the switch. Other modes of this switch with different widths can also be supplied to provide different "slip" distances when changing from one configuration to another switch configuration. In other embodiments, the selector switch 36 may have any other suitable configuration. Many other embodiments are possible. Some of them are mentioned below. For example, in other embodiments, the sprayer could be of the type described in the U.S. patent application. no. in series 10 / 137,748 filed on May 2, 2002 and published as U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 10 / 137,748 filed May 2, 2002. no. 2003/0034051 A1 on February 20, 2003, or the sprinkler configuration shown in the US design patent application. no. No. 29 / 193,107 filed on November 3, 2003. In other embodiments, the valve system 50 can be located in the barrel portion 26 of the sprayer 20. In other embodiments, the components of the valve system 50 can be reversed. Therefore, the various parts of the valve system 50 referred to as "higher" portions may be referred to as "first portions", and the various parts of the valve system 50 referred to as "lower" portions may be referred to as "second portions". The sprayer can be manufactured in any suitable way. The housing 22 and many other components of the sprayer 20 can be made of any suitable material such as plastic. In the embodiment shown, the housing may comprise two or more pieces. The components of the sprinkler 20 can be assembled within at least one of the parts comprising the housing, and the housing parts 22 can then be secured together. To use the sprayer 20, the end of the purifying cartridge 34 with the inlet and outlet openings is inserted into the receiver structure located within the sprayer housing 22. The holder 40 allows the cartridge 34 to be held in place. Once the ion exchange resin in the purifying cartridge is finished, the fastener 40 is pressed down and moved away from the cartridge 34, and the cartridge 34 is removed and replaced with a new cartridge.

The sprayer 20 can be used in any manner or in any suitable process. In a non-restrictive mode, the sprayer 20 can be used in a process of cleaning the external surface of a vehicle such as a car. The process can include any number of steps in any suitable order. In such an embodiment, the process includes a step of applying a cleaning composition on the external surface of the vehicle. Any suitable cleaning composition can be used, and the cleaning composition can be applied on the surface of the vehicle in any form. In a version of such an embodiment, the cleaning composition comprises a polymer that hydrophilizes the surface of the vehicle. A suitable polymer is described in U.S. Pat. no. 6, 593,288 B2 granted to Aubay et al. on July 15, 2003. A suitable cleaning composition is described in the U.S. patent application publication. no. 2002/01600224 A1 published in the name of Barger et al. on October 31, 2002. In a version of that modality, the cleaning composition can be applied directly on the surface of the vehicle. In another embodiment of such an embodiment, the cleaning composition can be applied by diluting a concentrated cleaning composition with water, such as in a bucket of water and then applying the diluted cleaning composition on the surface of the vehicle. The cleaning composition can be applied to the surface of the vehicle in any suitable manner such as pouring or spraying the cleaning composition onto the surface of the vehicle, or using any suitable type of applicator (such as a sponge, washing mitt, etc.) to apply the cleaning composition on the surface of the vehicle. The sprayer 20 can then be configured in the rinsing program and used to remove the cleaning composition by rinsing. After this, the sprayer 20 can be configured in the purified rinse program, and the surface of the vehicle can be rinsed with purified rinse water to remove any residue-forming substance remaining on the surface of the vehicle. The description of all patents, patent applications (and of any patents granted based on those applications, as well as any foreign patent applications), and of the publications mentioned throughout this description, are incorporated herein. as reference. However, it is expressly denied that any of the documents incorporated herein by reference teach or describe the present invention. While the particular embodiments of the invention object of this description have been described, it will be obvious to those with experience in the industry that various changes and modifications to the present invention can be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. Additionally, insofar as the present invention has been described in relation to certain specific modalities thereof, it will be understood that this is only in the form of illustration and not in a limiting manner and that the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims, which ld be interpret as generally as the previous industry allows.

Claims (2)

NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION CLAIMS

1. A sprinkler comprising: a housing comprising a handle portion for the operator to grip by hand; a valve system within the handle portion of the housing; the valve system has a configuration that provides a combination of a shut-off function and one or more spraying functions, wherein the valve system comprises: a lower valve component; a top valve component disposed above the bottom valve component; the upper valve component has a lower part; and an inner valve component located between the lower valve component and the upper valve component; the inner valve component has an upper surface and an opening therein, wherein the inner valve component is rotatable with respect to the lower valve component and the upper valve component, wherein at least the lower part of the valve component upper or the upper surface of the inner valve component has a seal; and a selector switch operatively connected to the valve system; The selector switch has positions to turn off the sprayer and to put the valve system in the sprayer configuration (s).

2. A sprinkler comprising: a housing comprising a handle portion for the operator to grasp with the hand, between the palm and the fingers; a valve system inside the housing; the valve system has a configuration that provides more than one sprinkler function; and a selector switch operatively connected to the valve system; the selector switch has positions for the various sprinkler configurations, wherein the selector switch is located above at least a portion of the handle portion at a distance from the portion of the handle portion suitable for the operator's fingers, where the distance is within a sufficient interval so that the operator can move the selector switch with the thumb of the same hand with which the sprayhead is held by the handle portion.