WO2015135567A1

WO2015135567A1 - Modular water application device and corresponding method

Info

Publication number: WO2015135567A1
Application number: PCT/EP2014/054584
Authority: WO
Inventors: Matthias MÜLLER-BRAUN; Reiner Frey; Benjamin Asal
Original assignee: Husqvarna Ab
Priority date: 2014-03-10
Filing date: 2014-03-10
Publication date: 2015-09-17
Also published as: CN106132558B; TWI641422B; TW201536422A; PL3116655T3; EP3116655A1; CN106132558A; EP3116655B1

Abstract

A modular water application device (10, 300) may include a main body (20, 110) graspable along a portion thereof by an operator, an operable member (30) and an applicator head (40). 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) may be attachable to the main body (20, 110) to interface with the flow control assembly to alternately start and stop flow based on a position of the operable member (30). The applicator head (40) may be attachable to an outlet portion of the main body (20, 110) to apply water passing through the applicator head (40) based on an application characteristic of the applicator head (40). The main body (20, 110) may include a plurality of attachment portions (60) in addition to the outlet portion (24). The attachment portion may be configured to receive a rear panel (70) or front panel (72) having different functional or ergonomic characteristics.

Description

MODULAR WATER APPLICATION DEVICE AND CORRESPONDING METHOD

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] Example embodiments generally relate to watering equipment and, more

particularly, relate to a water applicator that employs a modular design.

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). However, gardeners often perceive the need to have different tools for different specific situations. Thus, gardeners desire applicators with different characteristics.

[0004] Manufacturers have responded to this desire by producing applicators that have different characteristics based on the corresponding different structural features of each respective applicator. For example, some applicators are configured to provide specific water application characteristics (e.g., stream, jet, spray, sprinkle, etc.), and some applicators are configured to have different ergonomic characteristics (e.g., having a pistol grip, or a flat form). Still other applicators are configured to provide users with the option to configure the applicator for different water application characteristics. However, the production of various different devices with various different characteristics adds to the cost and complexity of the production process.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF SOME EXAMPLES

[0005] Some example embodiments may therefore provide a modular applicator design for which a number of structurally and functionally different components can easily be alternatively employed. The ergonomics and function of applicators can therefore be widely varied with relatively little cost. [0006] A modular water application device may be provided in accordance with some example embodiments. The modular water application device may include a main body graspable along a portion thereof by an operator, an operable member and an applicator head. 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 attachable to the main body to interface with the flow control assembly to alternately start and stop flow based on a position of the operable member. The applicator head may be attachable to an outlet portion of the main body to apply water passing through the applicator head based on an application characteristic of the applicator head. The main body may include a plurality of attachment portions in addition to the outlet portion. The attachment portion may be configured to receive a rear panel or front panel having different functional or ergonomic characteristics.

[0007] In another example embodiment, a method of providing a modular water application device is provided. The method may include selecting a main body graspable along a portion thereof by an operator from a plurality of different main bodies that each include attachment portions. The main body housing a flow control assembly may be configured to enable the device to execute a control function relative to flow of water through the device. The one or more attachment portions may be provided in addition to an outlet portion to which an applicator head is attachable. The method may further include producing a plurality of different front panels and rear panels for attachment to the attachment portions. Each of the different front panels and rear panels may have different functional or ergonomic characteristics. The method may further include assembling a product based on selecting one front panel and one rear panel having desired functional or ergonomic characteristics.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

[0008] 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:

[0009] FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a modular water application device in accordance with an example embodiment;

[0010] FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded side view of a modular water application device having attachments in accordance with an example embodiment;

[0011] FIG. 3 illustrates an exploded side view of an alternative modular water application device having attachments in accordance with another example embodiment; [0012] FIG. 4, which includes FIGS. 4A and 4B, illustrates an example of the modular nature of the main body in accordance with an example embodiment;

[0013] FIG. 5A shows a flow control lever prior to insertion into a lever reception slot in accordance with an example embodiment;

[0014] FIG. 5B shows the flow control lever after mating between the flow control lever and the lever reception slot in accordance with an example embodiment;

[0015] FIG. 6 illustrates a series of alternative applicator heads that could alternatively be employed in some example embodiments;

[0016] FIG. 7 illustrates a series of alternative applicator heads that could alternatively be employed with a different selected main body in some example embodiments;

[0017] FIG. 8A illustrates an exploded perspective view of a modular water application device in accordance with an example embodiment;

[0018] FIG. 8B illustrates an assembled side view of the modular water application device in accordance with an example embodiment;

[0019] FIG. 8C illustrates a perspective view of the cover assembly from a rearward perspective in accordance with an example embodiment; and

[0020] FIG. 9 illustrates a method of providing a modular water application device in accordance with an example embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] 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.

[0022] Some example embodiments described herein provide an improved design for a water application device. In this regard, example embodiments may enable a number of functionally and/or ergonomically different parts to be produced. However, the parts are produced to be interchangeable with certain mounting portions on a main body assembly. Thus, various different models of water application devices can be assembled from different interchangeable parts to keep overall cost and complexity of manufacturing down, while still offering customers with a plurality of unique product offerings. The device may be modular in nature and may be assembled from an assembly kit or collection of parts to produce a product having desired characteristics.

[0023] 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). In some embodiments, the flow control assembly 50 may include an on/off control assembly 52 and a volume control assembly 54.

[0024] 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.

[0025] 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.

[0026] The main body 20 may include a plurality of attachment portions 60 in addition to the outlet portion 24. The attachment portions 60 may be recesses or other attachment points configured to receive a rear panel 70 or front panel 72 having different functional or ergonomic characteristics. As such, the rear panel 70 and/or front panel 72 may have different shapes to provide different ergonomic characteristics. In some cases the panels 70/72 may expand the diameter of the main body 20 when mated with the attachment portions 60. In other cases, they may accentuate various lines, grooves, or other body features of the main body 20 to increase the aesthetic appeal of the device 10. In still other cases, the panels 70/72 may have grip features (e.g., different finish, veneer, texture, etc.) to improve the ability of the operator to hold the device 10. In some cases, the main body 20 itself may also be interchangeable to change the shape thereof to alter its ergonomic characteristics. Thus, for example, in some cases the main body 10, the applicator 40 and/or the panels 70/72 may be altered to change between spray nozzle, spray gun, and/or spray lance configurations.

[0027] In an example embodiment, in addition or as an alternative to the ergonomic characteristics, the panels 70/72 may be structured to provide different functional characteristics. In this regard, for example, in some cases, the operable member 30 may actually be embodied as the front panel 72 and the operable member 30 may be provided with or without a locking device or some other functional component. Thus, an example operable member having the locking device would have different functional characteristics relative to an alternative (and interchangeable) example operable member that does not include the locking device. As such, the front panel 72 (e.g., as embodied by the operable member 30) may interface directly with the on/off control assembly 52 of the flow control assembly 50 to direct the alternate starting and stopping of flow through the device 10.

[0028] In another example embodiment, an example rear panel may be provided with a volume control member (or at least the rear panel 70 may be a cover with the ability to accommodate the volume control member). An alternative example rear panel may not include the volume control member (or an opening to accommodate such a member). Thus, the rear panel 70 may include components (or enable such components) to interface with the volume control assembly 54 to control the volume of flow through the device 10.

[0029] Accordingly, either or both of the ergonomic and functional characteristics of the device 10 may be altered simply by selecting different panels 70/72 to be plugged into the respective attachment portions 60. The joints between the panels 70/72 and the attachment portions 60 may be snap fittings, or may be enhanced by welding, adhesives or fixing members such as screws or the like. Thus, while the main body 20 and the flow control assembly 50 may be configured to support different functions, some examples of the panels 70/72 may be configured to enable access and operability of one or more functions, while other examples of the panels 70/72 may be configured to block, inhibit, cover, or prevent access and operability of the one or more functions. The ergonomics and function of the device 10 may therefore be altered just by selecting different panels having desired characteristics. However, because the entire assembly of components forming the device 10 is interchangeable or modular, there is no need to set up different manufacturing lines for corresponding different end products. Instead, manufacturing lines may be set up for all of the interchangeable parts and corresponding different products may be produced based on the selected components for assembly for each product. Cost and complexity of production may therefore be reduced.

[0030] FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate alternative example embodiments to illustrate how each of the front panel 72 and rear panel 70 could be exchanged for alternatives that can easily fit into the attachment portions 60 to alter the functional capabilities of the device 10. In the example of FIGS. 2 and 3, a main body 110 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 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 angled relative to the axis 118 in some embodiments. Moreover, different main body structures may be selected to define corresponding different angles between the axis 118 at the handle portion 119 and the axis of the outlet portion 112 or otherwise achieve different ergonomic characteristics. AS such, an additional aspect of some example embodiments is that the main body itself may be modular in nature. Thus, not only can different panels be selected for use with a given main body, but actually different main bodies may also be selected for use with the same corresponding different panels.

[0032] FIG. 4, which includes FIGS. 4A and 4B, illustrates an example of the modular nature of the main body in accordance with an example embodiment. In this regard, FIG. 4A illustrates a main body 110' with a different angle between these axes to provide a different ergonomic configuration. FIG. 4A also shows the main body 110' having an alternative applicator 122. However, the same front panels and rear panels that are usable on the examples of FIGS. 2 and 3 may also be employed on the example of FIG. 4. FIG. 4B illustrates a spray lance embodiment that can also be supported in accordance with an example embodiment. In this regard, the applicator 122 is replaced by a spray lance assembly 126 that is configured to include a tubular section 128 to extend the length of the spray lance applicator prior to reaching the nozzle of the spray lance assembly 126.

[0033] Attachment portions 130 and 132 are examples of the attachment portions 60 of FIG. 1 and the attachment portions 130 and 132 may be placed at the front and back portions of the main body 110, respectively. Front attachment portion 130 may be configured to receive either a first trigger 140 (see FIG. 2) or a second trigger 142 (see FIG. 3), each of which is an example operable member body with corresponding different functional and/or ergonomic characteristics or capabilities. The first and second triggers 140 and 142 are each interchangeably coupled to the front attachment portion 130 between the outlet portion 112 and the inlet portion 114. Meanwhile, the back attachment portion 132 may be configured to receive either a first cover assembly 150 (see FIG. 1) or a second cover assembly 152 (see FIG. 2), each of which is an example attachment with corresponding different functional and/or ergonomic characteristics or capabilities.

[0034] In some cases, the first trigger 140 or the second trigger 142 may be pivotally mounted to the main body 110. In the examples of FIGS. 2 and 3, the pivot point of the first and second triggers 142 is at one end of the first and second triggers 140 and 142 and the corresponding end is placed 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 triggers (i.e., such that the pivot point is located proximate to the angle change between the axis 118 at the handle portion 119 and the axis of the outlet portion 112). The end of the first or second triggers 140/142 opposite the pivot point may alternatively be compressed toward the main body 110 and extended away from the main body 110.

[0035] In an example embodiment, the first trigger 140 includes a locking member 144 that may be configured to mate with a locking head 146 disposed on the main body 110. However, it should be appreciated that the locking member 144 could alternatively be provided on the main body 110 and the locking head 146 could be provided on the first trigger 140. When the first trigger 140 is compressed toward the main body 110, the locking member 144 and locking head 146 may engage and disengage each other while the locking member 144 is provided in a locked state (or locking position). Meanwhile, when the locking member 144 is in an unlocked state (or unlock position), the locking member 144 and the locking head 146 may not engage each other regardless of the compression of the first trigger 140. As such, the first trigger 140 represents a trigger option that is configured to perform a function (i.e., locking in the on position).

[0036] In an alternative embodiment, the second trigger 142 does not include a locking member. As such, in some examples, an operable member is provided as a selected one of at least two interchangeable operable member bodies (e.g., the first and second triggers 140 and 142), and one of the at least two interchangeable operable member bodies includes a functional component to facilitate performance of the control function while the other of the at least two interchangeable operable member bodies is configured to be incapable of facilitating performance of the control function. More specifically, in accordance with the pictured examples, the first trigger 140 is configured such that it acts as a functional component configured to hold the trigger proximate to the main body 110 and the second trigger 142 does not include any such capability or functional component. In the example of FIG. 2, the locking member 144 moves within the first trigger 140 in a horizontal direction (i.e., substantially perpendicular to the direction of extension of the first trigger 140, and to the direction of extension of the axis 118 when changing between a locked state and an unlocked state. It should also be appreciated that the first and second triggers 140 and 142 may have different shapes or sizes to create different ergonomic characteristics dependent upon which shape/size is employed.

[0037] In an example embodiment, the first cover assembly 150 and the second cover assembly 152 represent interchangeable attachment portions that can act as respective different cover assemblies attachable to the back attachment portion 132 to alter ergonomic and/or functional characteristics of the handle portion 119 and/or the device as a whole. As can be appreciated from FIGS. 2 and 3, the first cover assembly 150 and the second cover assembly 152 may mate to the main body 110 on an opposite side of the main body 110 relative to a side on which the operable member (e.g., the first trigger 140 or the second trigger 142) is provided. Although FIG. 2 shows the first trigger 140 employed with the first cover assembly 150, and the second trigger 142 employed with the second cover assembly 152, it should be appreciated that these components could be arranged in any alternative arrangement as well (i.e., first trigger 140 with second cover assembly 152 or second trigger 142 with first cover assembly 150) including combinations with example structures not specifically shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. [0038] In an example embodiment, the first cover assembly 150 may include a receiver 160 provided therein to receive a flow control lever 162. The flow control lever 162 may interface, upon insertion into the receiver 160, with a valve stem 164 that may be operably coupled to the volume control assembly 54. In some cases, the flow control lever 162 may be snap-fit, be screwed into connection with, or otherwise be adhered to the valve stem 164 when inserted into the receiver 160. The valve stem 164 may terminate (in the receiver 160) at a lever reception slot 166 configured to snap fit with the flow control lever 162 as shown in FIG. 5. FIG. 5, which includes FIGS. 5A and 5B, shows the flow control lever 162 prior to insertion into the lever reception slot 166 and after mating between the flow control lever 162 and the lever reception slot 166. Other shapes and sizes may be selected for the flow control lever 162. As such, for example, any selected one of a plurality of different and

interchangeable flow control levers may be provided as the flow control lever 162 for mating with the lever reception slot.

[0039] As an alternative to the first cover assembly 150, the second cover assembly 152 may be employed. The second cover assembly 152 may be produced without any receiver. Thus, the valve stem 164, although still employed, may be covered so that it is inaccessible. Thus, the second cover assembly may represent a second attachment that is configured to prevent manipulation of a flow control valve of the volume control assembly 54 while the cover assembly is installed on the main body 110. In the example of FIG. 3, it should be appreciated that the same main body 110 is employed as is used in FIG. 2. Thus, the locking head 146 and the valve stem 164 are still provided. However, the second cover assembly 152 and the second trigger 142 may be structured to inhibit or prevent access to the locking head 146 and the valve stem 164 so that, simply by changing the corresponding panels (i.e., front panel 72 and rear panel 70 of FIG. 1, represented by the second trigger 142 and second cover assembly 152, respectively, of FIG. 3), the functional (or ergonomic) characteristics of the assembled device may be altered. Thus, entirely different product lines can be made by assembling desired combinations of interchangeable parts. Cost and complexity may therefore be reduced.

[0040] As indicated above, the applicator 120 could be replaced with any selected one of a plurality of interchangeable applicators. FIG. 6 illustrates a series of alternative applicator heads (including applicator 120 (from FIGS. 2 and 3), applicator 122 (from FIG. 4) and applicator 124) that could alternatively be employed with a selected main body (e.g., main body 110) in some example embodiments. Each applicator head may have corresponding different water application characteristics. However, it should further be appreciated that the applicators could each also be employed (as could the spray lance assembly 126) with the other main body (e.g., main body 110') as shown in the example of FIG. 7.

[0041] FIG. 8, which includes FIGS. 8A, 8B and 8C, illustrates views of various components of a device 300 in accordance with an example embodiment. In this regard, FIG. 8A illustrates an exploded perspective view of the device 300, while FIG. 8B illustrates an assembled side view of the device. Meanwhile, FIG. 8C illustrates a perspective view of the cover assembly from a rearward perspective (instead of the front perspective shown in FIG. 8A and side perspective shown in FIG. 8B). FIG. 8 illustrates an example assembly where the device has the first trigger 140 with the locking member 144 to connect to the locking head 146, but does not include the ability to employ volume control due to the inclusion of a second cover assembly 152' that has different ergonomic characteristics than the second cover assembly 152 of FIG. 3. The second cover assembly 152' may therefore have a different size, shape, finish or other features that may alter the grip that the user gets on the handle portion of the device 300. In particular, as is best seen from FIG. 8C, the second cover assembly 152' may include two or more parts. A first part 310 may be configured to mate with any selected main body portion (e.g., main body 110 in this example). Meanwhile, the first part 310 may be mated with a second part 320 having different ergonomic characteristics than the first part 310. In some cases, the second part 320 may be inserted into the first part 310 and joined therewith by welding, an adhesive or a snap fit. However, the second part 320 and first part 310 could merely fit together without the second part 320 necessarily being fully insertable into the first part 310. In any case, the second part 320 could, for example, have a texture applied, be of a different material (e.g., soft plastic instead of hard plastic used for the first part 310), or otherwise have different ergonomic characteristics.

[0042] FIG. 9 illustrates a method of providing a modular water application device in accordance with an example embodiment. The method may include selecting a main body graspable along a portion thereof by an operator at operation 400. The main body may house a flow control assembly that may be configured to enable the device to execute a control function relative to flow of water through the device. The main body may further include one or more attachment portions that may be provided in addition to an outlet portion to which an applicator head is attachable. The method may further include producing a plurality of different front panels and rear panels for attachment to the respective attachment portions at operation 410. Each of the different front panels and rear panels may have different functional or ergonomic characteristics, but be interchangeably insertable into the respective attachment portions of the selected main body. The method may further include assembling a product based on selecting one front panel and one rear panel having desired functional or ergonomic characteristics at operation 420 by inserting the panels into respective attachment portions. In some cases, the method may further include an optional operation of configuring the one or more attachment portions to interchangeably receive a selected one of a first attachment and a second attachment (each of which is an example of the panels described above) at operation 430. The first attachment may facilitate performance of the control function and the second attachment may prevent performance of the control function. In some embodiments, selecting the main body may include selecting the main body from a plurality of different main bodies that each include similar shaped attachment portions.

Accordingly, all aspects of devices made in accordance with an example embodiment could be modular in nature, from the main body itself to the attachable applicators and panels.

[0043] A modular water application device may be provided in accordance with some example embodiments. The modular water application device may include a main body graspable along a portion thereof by an operator, an operable member and an applicator head. 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 attachable to the main body to interface with the flow control assembly to alternately start and stop flow based on a position of the operable member. The applicator head may be attachable to an outlet portion of the main body to apply water passing through the applicator head based on an application characteristic of the applicator head. The main body may include a plurality of attachment portions in addition to the outlet portion. The attachment portion may be configured to receive a rear panel or front panel having different functional or ergonomic characteristics.

[0044] 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 at least one attachment portion may be configured to interchangeably receive a selected one of a first attachment and a second attachment. The first attachment may facilitate performance of the control function and the second attachment may prevent performance of the control function. In some cases, (2) the main body includes the outlet portion at one end and an inlet portion at an opposite end thereof, and the operable member attaches to the main body between the outlet portion and the inlet portion. In an example embodiment (3), the first attachment and the second attachment may each be operable member bodies. The operable member may include a selected one of at least two interchangeable operable member bodies. One of the at least two interchangeable operable member bodies may include a functional component to facilitate performance of the control function, and the other of the at least two interchangeable operable member bodies may be configured to be incapable of facilitating performance of the control function. In some embodiments, (4) the first attachment may include a first trigger having the functional component to hold the trigger proximate to the main body and the second attachment may include a second trigger without the functional component. In some cases, (5) the functional component may include a locking member that moves in a direction substantially

perpendicular to a direction of extension of the operable member when changing between a locked state and an unlocked state.

[0045] In some embodiments, any or all of (1) to (5) may be employed in addition to the optional modifications or augmentations described below. For example, in some

embodiments, the at least one attachment portion may include a cover assembly mount configured to receive a cover assembly configured to mate with the main body on an opposite side of the main body relative to a side on which the operable member is provided.

Alternatively or additionally, the first attachment may include the cover assembly having a receiver to receive a flow control lever. Alternatively or additionally, the first attachment may include the cover assembly having a receiver configured to receive a selected one of a plurality of interchangeable flow control levers. Alternatively or additionally, the second attachment may include the cover assembly configured to prevent manipulation of a flow control valve while the cover assembly is installed on the main body. Alternatively or additionally, the applicator head may be a selected one of a plurality of different applicator heads having respective different application characteristics.

[0046] 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 modular water application device (10/300) comprising:

a main body (20/110) graspable along a portion thereof by an operator, the main body (20/110) housing a flow control assembly (50) configured to enable the device (10/300) to execute a control function relative to flow of water through the device (10/300);

an operable member (30) attachable to the main body (20/110) to interface with the flow control assembly (50) to alternately start and stop flow based on a position of the operable member (30); and

an applicator head (40) attachable to an outlet portion (24) of the main body (20/110) to apply water passing through the applicator head (40) based on an application characteristic of the applicator head (40),

wherein the main body (20/110) includes one or more attachment portions (60) in addition to the outlet portion (24), and the attachment portions (60) are configured to receive a rear panel (70) or front panel (72) having different functional or ergonomic characteristics.

2. The device (10) of claim 1, wherein at least one attachment portion (60) is configured to interchangeably receive a selected one of a first attachment (140 or 150) and a second attachment (142 or 152), the first attachment (140 or 150) facilitating performance of the control function and the second attachment (142 or 152) preventing performance of the control function.

3. The device (10) of claim 2, wherein the main body (20/110) includes the outlet portion (24) at one end and an inlet portion (26) at an opposite end thereof, and wherein the operable member (30) attaches to the main body (20/110) between the outlet portion (24) and the inlet portion (26).

4. The device (10) of claim 3, wherein the first attachment (140) and the second attachment (142) are each operable member bodies, wherein the operable member comprises a selected one of at least two interchangeable operable member bodies (140 or 142), wherein one of the at least two interchangeable operable member bodies (140 or 142) includes a functional component to facilitate performance of the control function, and the other of the at least two interchangeable operable member bodies (142) is configured to be incapable of facilitating performance of the control function.

5. The device (10) of claim 4, wherein the first attachment comprises a first trigger (140) having the functional component to hold the first trigger (140) proximate to the main body (110) and the second attachment comprises a second trigger (142) without the functional component.

6. The device (10) of claim 5, wherein the functional component comprises a locking member (144) that moves in a direction substantially perpendicular to a direction of extension of the operable member (140) when changing between a locked state and an unlocked state.

7. The device (10) of any preceding claim, wherein the at least one attachment portion comprises a cover assembly mount (132) configured to receive a cover assembly (150 or 152) configured to mate with the main body (110) on an opposite side of the main body

(110) relative to a side on which the operable member (140 or 142) is provided.

8. The device (10) of claim 7, wherein the first attachment comprises the cover assembly (150) having a receiver (160) to receive a flow control lever (162).

9. The device (10) of claim 7, wherein the first attachment (150) comprises the cover assembly (150) having a receiver (160) configured to receive a selected one of a plurality of interchangeable flow control levers (162).

10. The device (10) of claim 7, wherein the second attachment comprises the cover assembly (152) configured to prevent manipulation of a flow control valve (164) while the cover assembly (152) is installed on the main body (110).

11. The device (10) of any preceding claim, wherein the applicator head (40) is a selected one of a plurality of different applicator heads (120, 122, 124) having respective different application characteristics.

12. A method of providing a modular water application device, the method comprising:

selecting a main body graspable along a portion thereof by an operator, the main body housing a flow control assembly configured to enable the device to execute a control function relative to flow of water through the device, the main body including one or more attachment portions provided in addition to an outlet portion to which an applicator head is attachable (400);

producing a plurality of different front panels and rear panels for attachment to the respective attachment portions, each of the different front panels and rear panels having different functional or ergonomic characteristics (410); and

assembling a product based on selecting one front panel and one rear panel having desired functional or ergonomic characteristics (420).

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising configuring the one or more attachment portions to interchangeably receive a selected one of a first attachment and a second attachment, the first attachment facilitating performance of the control function and the second attachment preventing performance of the control function (430).

14. The method of claim 12, wherein selecting the main body comprises selecting the main body from a plurality of different main bodies that each include similar shaped attachment portions.