Abstract:
A spray nozzle mechanism includes a fluid conduit which has an operating handle on one end and a spray nozzle unit on another end. A linkage connects the operating handle to the spray nozzle unit to move the spray nozzle unit in response to operation of the operating handle. A stop unit limits the movement of the spray nozzle unit.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to the general art of cleaning with liquids, and to the particular field of cleaning using fluid spraying. 
     2. Discussion of the Related Art 
     Many people wash their own cars, as well as the windows and other elements of their homes. These washing processes sometimes use high pressure water sprayed onto the workpiece being washed. 
     The spraying of water is generally carried out using a garden hose connected to the house water supply. The nozzle of the hose is aimed at the workpiece and water sprayed thereagainst. This works well, but has several disadvantages. For example, if the workpiece is a large vehicle, such as a truck or the like, it may be difficult to reach. some locations on the workpiece. An example of this problem is applying water to the roof of a truck or other such vehicle. A worker may be forced to stand in an awkward position and may get wet if forced to lean against the workpiece. Still further, it may be difficult to spray water on the underside of the workpiece. 
     Therefore, there is a need for a spray nozzle mechanism that can easily reach areas that may not be accessible to a nozzle of a garden hose. 
     Still further, a single job may require several different angles of contact between the spray water and the workpiece. For example, dirt can be removed from a surface by spray directed at one angle with respect thereto while other dirt may require a different angle of attack between the spray water and the surface from which the dirt is being removed. Changing the angle of attack between the spray and the workpiece may be difficult and cumbersome. 
     Therefore, there is a need for a spray nozzle mechanism is that can easily be adjusted even during a spraying action. 
     One problem with using a hose to clean workpieces such as vehicles is the nozzle often moves into a position and/or orientation that directs spray towards a user. This may be simply an annoyance in some situations, but can be hazardous if cleaning fluid is being applied to the workpiece. 
     Therefore, there is a need for a spray nozzle mechanism that includes protection from accidentally spraying a user. 
     In the case of using cleaning fluids, it is often safe practice to space a user away from the spray nozzle. This is not always possible if a hose is being used to supply the water to the process. 
     Therefore, there is a need for a spray nozzle mechanism that can separate a user from the nozzle spraying the fluid being used in the cleaning process. 
     PRINCIPAL OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
     It is a main object of the present invention to provide a spray nozzle mechanism that can easily reach areas that may not be accessible to a nozzle of a garden hose. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a spray nozzle mechanism that can easily be adjusted even during a spraying action. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a spray nozzle mechanism that includes protection from accidentally spraying a user. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a spray nozzle mechanism that can separate a user from the nozzle spraying the fluid being used in the cleaning process. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     These, and other, objects are achieved by a spray nozzle mechanism comprising a hollow cylindrical conduit body; a hose connection unit on a proximal end of the conduit body; a stop unit fixed to a distal end of the conduit body and having two spaced apart stop elements; a handle mount fixedly mounted on the conduit body adjacent to the proximal end of the conduit body; a nozzle mount rotatably mounted on the distal end of the conduit body; a spray nozzle mounted on the nozzle mount for rotation therewith; a linkage connecting element fixedly mounted on the nozzle mount for rotation therewith and spaced from the spray nozzle and positioned between the two spaced apart stop elements of the stop unit; a control handle element pivotally mounted on the handle mount; and a linkage arm connecting the control handle element to the linkage connecting element to move the spray nozzle via the nozzle mount and the linkage connecting element in response to movement of the control handle. 
     The spray nozzle mechanism of the present invention thus spaces the user apart from the nozzle and permits easy adjustment of the nozzle with respect to a workpiece. Thus, otherwise difficult-to-reach areas of a workpiece are easily accessed by the spray nozzle while the user can still manipulate and adjust the spray nozzle into the most effective angle and position with respect to the workpiece. The stop unit of the mechanism also prevents the nozzle from adopting an orientation that might accidentally direct spray toward the user. This is especially useful in situations where the nozzle is located in positions that are not readily visible to the user, such as on top of or under a large vehicle. If the user cannot see the nozzle, he or she may accidentally turn the nozzle into an orientation that sprays the user. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the spray nozzle mechanism embodying the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the spray nozzle mechanism. 
     FIG. 3A is a schematic illustrating the linkage connection between an operating handle and a spray nozzle unit with force being applied to the operating handle in one direction. 
     FIG. 3B is a schematic illustrating the linkage connection between the operating handle and the spray nozzle with force being applied to the operating handle in another direction, according to the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings. 
     The spray nozzle mechanism embodying the teaching of the present invention includes a nozzle that is spaced apart from an operating handle and includes a linkage connecting the nozzle to the operating handle so an operator who is spaced from the spray nozzle can easily operate and adjust the orientation of the spray nozzle. The spray nozzle mechanism of the present invention also includes a stop unit to prevent the operator from placing the spray nozzle into an orientation that will direct spray towards the user. 
     It is noted that the spray nozzle mechanism of the present invention will be disclosed for use with a hose, such as a garden hose. However, other fluid sources can also be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as will occur to those skilled in the art based on the teaching of this disclosure. Also, even though not specifically disclosed herein, flow rate control elements can be included on the hose or fluid source as is known to those skilled in the art and fluid mixing systems can also be included without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Various fluids, including water or in place of or in addition to water, can be used as well. 
     Referring to the figures, it can be understood that the present invention is embodied in a spray nozzle mechanism  10  which comprises a hollow cylindrical conduit body  12  having a proximal end  14 , a distal end  16  and a longitudinal axis  18  extending between proximal end  14  and distal end  16  of conduit body  12 . A fluid conducting bore  20  is defined throughconduit body  12  from distal end  16  to proximal end  14  of conduit body  12 . Conduit body  12  further includes an outer surface  22 . Conduit body  12  can be formed of any suitable material, including plastic, and is adapted to be used in conjunction with a source of pressurized fluid, such as a garden hose G, or the like. A hose connection unit  24  is located on proximal end  14  of conduit body  12  and includes an internally threaded coupling  26  rotatably mounted on proximal end  14  of conduit body  12  to releasably couple the nozzle mechanism  10  to the fluid source. 
     Spray nozzle mechanism  10  further includes a stop unit  30  fixed to distal end  16  of conduit body  12 . Stop unit  30  includes a cylindrical body  32  fixedly mounted on outer surface  22  of conduit body  12 . An outer surface  34  of the cylindrical body  32  of the stop unit  30  is spaced apart from outer surface  22  of conduit body  12 . Cylindrical body  32  of stop unit  30  includes first end  36  which is located adjacent to outer surface  22  of conduit body  12 . A second end  38  of cylindrical body  32  of stop unit  30  is spaced apart from first end  36  of cylindrical body  32  of the stop unit  30 , and a longitudinal axis  40  extends between the first and second ends  36 ,  38  of cylindrical body  32  and is oriented at a right angle with respect to longitudinal axis  18  of conduit body  12 . 
     Stop unit  30  further includes a first stop element  41  on outer surface  34  of cylindrical body  32  of the stop unit  30  and a second stop element  42  on outer surface  34  of cylindrical body  32  of stop unit  30 . The first and second stop elements  41 ,  42  of stop unit  30  are spaced apart from each other along outer surface  34  of cylindrical body  32  of stop unit  30 . 
     Spray nozzle mechanism  10  further includes a handle mount unit  50  which includes a first semicircular mounting plate  52  having a linear base  54  fixedly mounted on outer surface  22  of conduit body  12  adjacent to proximal end  14  of conduit body  12  and which extends in the direction of longitudinal axis  18  of conduit body  12 . First semicircular mounting plate  52  further includes an arcuate perimeter  56  extending away from outer surface  22  of the conduit body  12 , an outer surface  58  and an inner surface  60 . Spray nozzle mechanism  10  further includes a second semicircular mounting plate  62  having a linear base  64  fixedly mounted on outer surface  22  of conduit body  12  adjacent to proximal end  14  of conduit body  12  and extends in the direction of longitudinal axis  18  of the conduit body  12 . The linear bases  54 ,  64  of the first and second semicircular mounting plates  52 ,  62  are spaced apart from each other on outer surface  22  of conduit body  12  and extend parallel to each other. 
     Second semicircular mounting plate  62  further includes an arcuate perimeter  66  which extends away from outer surface  22  of conduit body  12 , an outer surface  68  and an inner surface  70 . The inner surfaces  60 ,  70  of the first and second semicircular mounting plates  52 ,  62  are spaced apart from each other on outer surface  22  of conduit body  12  and extend parallel to each other and define a gap  72  therebetween. The inner surfaces  60 ,  70  of the first and second mounting plates  52 ,  62  are located between the outer surfaces  58 ,  68  of the first and second semicircular mounting plates  52 ,  62 . 
     Spray nozzle mechanism  10  further includes a nozzle unit  80  rotatably mounted on conduit body  12  adjacent to stop unit  30  and includes a cylindrical base  82  having a first end  84  located adjacent to first end  36  of cylindrical body  32  of stop unit  30  and is superimposed therewith. Nozzle unit  80  further includes a second end  86  and a longitudinal axis  88  that extends between the first and second ends  84 ,  86  of cylindrical base  82  of nozzle unit  80  and is linearly aligned with longitudinal axis  40  of cylindrical body  32  of stop unit  30 . Nozzle unit  80  further includes an outer surface  90  extending between the first and second ends  84 ,  86  of cylindrical base  82  of nozzle unit  80 . Cylindrical base  82  of nozzle unit  80  is hollow and defines a fluid chamber  92  which is fluidically connected to fluid conducting bore  20  of conduit body  12  to receive fluid, such as water, from source, such as hose G, via the fluid conducting bore  20 . Nozzle unit  80  further includes a face plate  94  fixedly mounted on second end  86  of cylindrical base  82  of nozzle unit  80  and is fixedly connected to outer surface  90  of cylindrical base  82  of nozzle unit  80 . First end  84  of cylindrical base  82  is open as indicated in FIG.  2 . Nozzle unit  80  further includes a pivot pin  100  mounted on conduit body  12  adjacent to distal end  16 , and face plate  94  of nozzle unit  80  is mounted on pivot pin  100  for rotation about pivot pin  100  with outer surface  90  of cylindrical base  82  of nozzle unit  80  rotating with face plate  94 . The rotation of the nozzle unit  10  is indicated in FIG. 1 by double-headed arrow  102 . 
     Nozzle unit  80  further includes a spray nozzle  104  mounted on outer surface  90  of cylindrical base  82  for rotation therewith and has a hollow body  106 , a proximal end  108  of hollow body  106  of spray nozzle  104  fixedly mounted on outer surface  90  of cylindrical base  82 , a distal end  110  of hollow body  106  of the spray nozzle  104  of spray nozzle unit  80 , and a longitudinal axis  112  extends between the proximal and the distal ends of the hollow body of spray nozzle  104 . A bore  114  extends along longitudinal axis  112  of the spray nozzle  104  from proximal end  108  of the spray nozzle  104  to distal end  110  of the spray nozzle  104 . Bore  114  is fluidically connected to fluid chamber  92  defined in cylindrical base  82  of spray nozzle unit  80  to receive fluid therefrom. 
     Nozzle unit  80  further includes a linkage connecting element  120  fixedly mounted on outer surface  90  of cylindrical base  82  of spray nozzle unit  80  for rotation therewith and at a location spaced apart from spray nozzle  104  and between the first and second stop elements  41 ,  42  of stop unit  30 . Linkage connecting element  120  includes a linear base  122  on outer surface  90  of cylindrical base  82  of spray nozzle unit  80  and extends in the direction of longitudinal axis  88  of cylindrical base  82 . Linear base  122  extends over outer surface  34  of stop unit  30  from first end  36  of cylindrical body  32  of stop unit  30  to second end  38  of cylindrical body  32  of stop unit  30  to be adjacent to outer surface  34  of cylindrical body  32  of stop unit  30 . Linkage connecting element  120  further includes a distal end  124  spaced from base  122  of linkage connecting element  120  and which extends in the direction of linear base  122  of linkage connecting element  120 . A cylindrical housing  126  is fixed to distal end  124  of linkage connecting element  120  of nozzle unit  80  and includes a hollow bore  128 . 
     Handle mount unit  50  further includes a linkage pivot pin  130  having a first end  132  fixedly mounted on first semicircular mounting plate  52  of handle mount unit  50 , a second end  134  fixedly mounted on second semicircular mounting plate  62  of handle mount unit  50  and spans gap  72  defined between the inner surfaces of the first and second semicircular mounting plates  52 ,  62 . As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, a control handle element  140  includes a body  142  which has a distal end  144 , a proximal end  146  and a longitudinal axis  148  extending between the distal and proximal ends  144 ,  146  of body  142 . Control handle element  140  includes a pivotal connection  150  located between the distal and proximal ends  144 ,  146  of body  142  of control handle element  140  and is pivotally connected to linkage pivot pin  130 . 
     As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, proximal end  146  of body  142  of control handle element  140  is located between linkage pivot pin  130  and outer surface  22  of conduit body  12 . The arcuate perimeters  56 ,  66  of the first and second semicircular mounting plates  52 ,  62  of handle mount unit  50  are located between distal end  144  of body  142  of control handle element  140  and pivot pin  130 . As indicated in FIGS. 3A and 3B, body  142  of control handle element  140  pivotally moves about linkage pivot pin  130  when force is applied to distal end  144  of body  142  of control handle element  140 . 
     Nozzle spray mechanism  10  further includes a linkage arm  151  which includes a proximal end  152  fixedly connected to proximal end  146  of body  142  of control handle element  140  for movement therewith. Linkage arm  150  includes a distal end  154 . A cylindrical bearing element  156  is fixedly connected to distal end  154  of linkage arm  150 . Cylindrical bearing element  156  is rotatably mounted in cylindrical housing  126  of linkage connecting element  120  of nozzle unit  80 . 
     As indicated in FIGS. 3A and 3B, linkage arm  150  transfers movement of proximal end  152  of the linkage arm  151  to spray nozzle unit  80  via cylindrical bearing element  156  on distal end  154  of linkage arm  150  and cylindrical housing  126  of linkage connecting element  120  of nozzle unit  80  to rotate nozzle unit  80  about pivot pin  100  of cylindrical base  82  of nozzle unit  80  when force is applied to distal end  144  of body  142  of control handle element  140 . 
     As indicated in FIG. 3A, when force is applied to the distal end of the handle in direction  160 , the nozzle will move in direction  102 F and, as indicated in FIG. 3B, when force is applied to the distal end of the handle in direction  162 , the nozzle will move in direction  102 R whereby a user can control the direction of the nozzle and the direction of spray from the nozzle. Since the stop unit  30  is stationary with respect to the conduit body  12 , stop elements  41 ,  42  are stationary with respect to nozzle unit  80 . Since linkage connecting element  120  is located between the two stop elements  41 ,  42  and extends over the outer surface of the stop element base, that linkage connecting element  120  will abut the stop elements  41 ,  42  when it has moved a predetermined distance with respect to the conduit body  12 . The stop elements  41 ,  42  are located to prevent the nozzle from being directed back toward the user holding hose G or too far in front of that user. 
     It is understood that while certain forms of the present invention have been illustrated and described herein, it is not to be limited to the specific forms or arrangements of parts described and shown.