Abstract:
A water sprayer is described. The water sprayer includes: a body having a flow pathway comprising a tapered fluid passage and a flow control element; an input port coupled to an input of the flow pathway, the input port adapted to receive a supply of water; and a flow control lever coupled to the flow control element, the flow control lever adapted to at least partly control the flow of water through the flow pathway. A fluid delivery device includes: an input port able to be connected to a fluid supply; an entry chamber coupled to the input port; a control feature cavity coupled to the entry chamber; and a tapered fluid passage coupled to the control feature cavity. An extendable water sprayer includes: an input port; a flow pathway; an output port; and an extension handle receptacle.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/704,719, filed on Sep. 24, 2012. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Many people may utilize devices such as power washers to generate a high-pressure flow of water that may be used to generate a stream of water for use in cleaning (e.g., washing cars, boats, etc.) and/or other purposes. Such devices require connection of a pressurized water supply and a power supply (e.g., an electric connection to an AC power source, gas powered engine, etc.) in order to operate. These devices may typically include a sprayer attachment, dedicated hose, and a heavy base unit that must be moved within a workable distance to an appropriate power supply and the item to be washed. 
         [0003]    In addition, existing power washers may include various elements that are inconvenient to store, transport, and setup (e.g., a base unit may be heavy and large, various sprayer attachments may be relatively large and oddly shaped, a dedicated hose may be required, etc.). 
         [0004]    Furthermore, existing sprayers may not be adapted to allow for extending the reach of the sprayer by connecting the sprayer to readily available standard poles or rods. 
         [0005]    Therefore there exists a need for a self-contained, easily transportable, small, lightweight, durable, high-pressure, controllable flow water sprayer that allows for extended reach and does not require any inputs or power supply other than a standard pressurized water supply and a typical garden hose. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    Some embodiments of the invention may provide a water (and/or other appropriate fluids) sprayer that is adapted to produce a high-pressure output without using a motor or other powered source (other than water pressure supplied by a typical outdoor home or building water spigot or faucet and garden hose, for example). 
         [0007]    The water sprayer may be adapted to accept a variety of extension handles such that the reach of the sprayer may include the length of the supply hose(s) and/or the extension handle used. The water sprayer may include a female thread in the base of a handle with a pistol grip configuration. Such a female thread may couple to a male threaded end of an extension handle. The extension handles may include, for example, standard broomstick type handles, a painter&#39;s extension pole, and/or other standard industrial or home hardware threaded extension poles. 
         [0008]    The water sprayer may include a pistol grip portion that is sized to fit inside the end of, for example, a standard pool cleaning telescopic extension pole and is equipped with a standard spring clip that may fit the two opposing apertures of the pole. 
         [0009]    The water sprayer may be adapted to allow delivery of water spray pressure directly where desired without suffering a loss of power or velocity by requiring the water stream to travel extended distances from the nozzle to a desired point of impact. 
         [0010]    The small size and light weight of the sprayer may make it ideal for storage and the sprayer may easily fit into places and containers that other pressure washers may not (e.g., a toolbox, a five gallon bucket, etc.). 
         [0011]    Some embodiments may include a nozzle end that has a male thread that may allow different nozzles to be threaded onto (and/or otherwise appropriately connected). The nozzle end may have a small diameter (e.g., less than one inch), and being narrow can thus be inserted into small spaces for cleaning out crevices or other areas with small openings. 
         [0012]    Some embodiments may include an adjustable flow ball valve that is able to be manipulated by a side-mounted lever that rotates the ball valve in such a way as to control the flow of water from an attached garden hose (or other supply) out through the nozzle. The nozzle end may be adapted to accept a variety of thread-on nozzles, each adapted to perform different functions. Some nozzles may include bristles, foam pads, and/or other appropriate cleaning elements that may allow water to flow through the element(s). 
         [0013]    Some embodiments may include a laterally tapered elongated barrel that water passes through before reaching the nozzle end. This barrel may act to increase the pressure of the water flow through the sprayer. 
         [0014]    Some embodiments may include an adjustable angle adaptor (such as a hinge and/or other movable element such as a ball-and-socket connector) between the extension handle and the water sprayer. The adjustable adaptor may be built into a port for the extension handle. 
         [0015]    A first exemplary embodiment of the invention provides a water sprayer. The water sprayer includes: a body having a flow pathway comprising a tapered fluid passage and a flow control element; an input port coupled to an input of the flow pathway, the input port adapted to receive a supply of water; and a flow control lever coupled to the flow control element, the flow control lever adapted to at least partly control the flow of water through the flow pathway. 
         [0016]    A second exemplary embodiment of the invention provides a fluid delivery device. The fluid delivery device includes: an input port able to be connected to a fluid supply; an entry chamber coupled to the input port; a control feature cavity coupled to the entry chamber; and a tapered fluid passage coupled to the control feature cavity. 
         [0017]    A third exemplary embodiment provides an extendable water sprayer. The extendable water sprayer includes: an input port adapted to be coupled to a water supply; a flow pathway coupled to the input port; an output port coupled to the flow pathway; and an extension handle receptacle coupled to a body housing the input port, flow pathway, and output port. 
         [0018]    The preceding Summary is intended to serve as a brief introduction to various features of some exemplary embodiments of the invention. Other embodiments may be implemented in other specific forms without departing from the spirit of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0019]    The novel features of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. However, for purpose of explanation, several embodiments of the invention are set forth in the following drawings. 
           [0020]      FIG. 1  illustrates a right side view of an integrated pistol grip water sprayer of some embodiments; 
           [0021]      FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of the integrated pistol grip water sprayer of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 3  illustrates a rear view of the integrated pistol grip water sprayer of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 4  illustrates a top view of the integrated pistol grip water sprayer of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 5  illustrates a left side cross-section view of the integrated pistol grip water sprayer of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0025]      FIG. 6A  illustrates a detailed left side view of a water entry and control feature of the integrated pistol grip water sprayer of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0026]      FIG. 6B  illustrates an exploded view of a water entry feature of the integrated pistol grip water sprayer of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0027]      FIG. 6C  illustrates a cross-section view of the water entry feature of the integrated pistol grip water sprayer of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0028]      FIG. 6D  illustrates an exploded front view of a flow control feature of the integrated pistol grip water sprayer of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0029]      FIG. 6E  illustrates a side view of a flow control feature of the integrated pistol grip water sprayer of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0030]      FIG. 6F  illustrates a cross-section view of a flow control feature of the integrated pistol grip water sprayer of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0031]      FIG. 7  illustrates a left side view and an end view of the integrated pistol grip water sprayer of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0032]      FIG. 8  illustrates a bottom view of a section of the integrated pistol grip water sprayer of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0033]      FIG. 9  illustrates a bottom cross-section view of the section of the integrated pistol grip water sprayer of  FIG. 1  shown in  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0034]      FIG. 10  illustrates various views of a nozzle that may be attached to the integrated pistol grip water sprayer of  FIG. 1 ; and 
           [0035]      FIG. 11  illustrates front views of various nozzles that may be attached to the integrated pistol grip water sprayer of  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0036]    The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, as the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims. 
         [0037]    Various inventive features are described below that can each be used independently of one another or in combination with other features. Broadly, embodiments of the present invention generally provide a high-pressure water sprayer. 
         [0038]      FIG. 1  illustrates a right side view of an integrated pistol grip water sprayer  100  of some embodiments. Specifically, this figure shows various components of the water sprayer  100 . Although the sprayer  100  will be described by reference to water, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the sprayer may be used with various different fluids (or combinations of fluids) without departing from the spirit of the invention. As shown, the water sprayer  100  may include a pistol grip body  110 , one or more nozzles  120 , a hose end knob  130  and an extension handle receptacle  140 . 
         [0039]    The pistol grip body  110  may be adapted to allow a user to comfortably hold and/or manipulate the sprayer  100  during use. Each nozzle  120  may be adapted to produce a particular type of output. Such outputs may be defined by factors such as spray pattern, volume of water, output pressure, etc. The hose end knob  130  or other appropriate input connector and/or port may be configured to couple the sprayer  100  to a water source (e.g., a hose) and may include a standard garden hose thread, English thread, and/or other appropriate connector(s). The extension handle receptacle  140  may be adapted to connect the sprayer  100  to an extension pole or rod (not shown). The extension handle receptacle  140  may include a standard three quarter inch female thread and/or other appropriate thread for connecting a variety of extension poles and/or rods. 
         [0040]    The sprayer  100  may include various different appropriate materials (e.g., plastic, metal, rubber, etc.). In some embodiments, rigid elements of the sprayer (e.g., the body, the nozzle, etc.) may be made from plastic, while various internal and/or external gaskets (not shown) may be made from rubber. The materials used may be chosen based on non-corrosive properties when exposed to water (or other fluid to be sprayed). As shown, the sprayer  100  may be formed such that the outer surface of at least a portion of the body  110  has various cutouts (or through-holes, cavities, etc.) that may allow less material to be used and provide a light weight structure that allows for more ease of use. 
         [0041]      FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of the integrated pistol grip water sprayer  100 . In this view, a flow control lever  210  and threaded connector  220  are visible. The flow control lever  210  may be adapted to allow the flow of water through the sprayer  100  to be controlled. Such flow control may allow a user to adjust the volume of water passing through the sprayer  100  and/or to stop the flow of water through the sprayer. The threaded connector  220  may be adapted to allow a standard garden hose to be attached to the sprayer  100 . 
         [0042]      FIG. 3  illustrates a rear view of the integrated pistol grip water sprayer  100 . In this view, a threaded connector  310  is visible. The connector  310  may allow a complementary threaded pole or rod to be secured to the extension handle receptacle  140 . Different embodiments may include various different types of connectors and/or connections (e.g., compression fit, securing clip, etc.). 
         [0043]      FIG. 4  illustrates a top view of the integrated pistol grip water sprayer  100 . Specifically, this figure shows the path  410  of water flow through the sprayer  100  when in use. 
         [0044]    During a typical operation scenario, the sprayer may first be attached to an extension pole or rod via the extension handle receptacle  140 , if desired. Next, a nozzle  120  may be connected to the body  110  (e.g., by screwing a nozzle onto a threaded connector of the body). In some embodiments, the sprayer  100  may be used without any attached nozzle. In some embodiments, the nozzle  120  may be permanently connected to the body  110  (e.g., using adhesives) and/or formed as part of the body. The nozzle  120  may have characteristics suiting a specific purpose of the sprayer  100 . Nozzles of some embodiments will be described in more detail in reference to  FIGS. 10-11  below. 
         [0045]    A water supply may then be connected to the hose end knob  130  (e.g., by repeatedly turning the hose end knob to engage a complementary thread on one end of a hose). Next, the water supply may be activated (e.g., by turning a spigot attached to the other end of the hose), the pistol grip body  110  grasped, and the sprayer  100  may be used by pointing the output of the nozzle  120  at the desired location(s) and selecting the desired flow by adjusting the flow control lever  210 . 
         [0046]    The operations described above may be performed in various different ways, as appropriate. For instance, in some cases a user may have a water supply connected at all times, and use either the flow control lever  210  or an output control of the water supply (e.g., a spigot connected to a hose) to stop the flow of water to the sprayer while the user disconnects a first nozzle  120  and then connect a second nozzle. Likewise, a user may simply wish to connect or disconnect an extension pole during use without changing any other operational parameter (e.g., using the same nozzle, water supply, etc.). 
         [0047]      FIG. 5  illustrates a left side cross-section view of the integrated pistol grip water sprayer  100 . Specifically, this figure shows the fluid pathway and flow control features of some embodiments. In addition, this figure shows an end view of the hose end knob  130 . As shown, the sprayer  100  may include a barrel  510  with a tapered fluid passage  520 , a flow control element  530  (e.g., a ball valve) that may be adapted to at least partially control the flow of fluids along the path  540  through the sprayer  100 , a securing element  550  (e.g., a spring clip), and a threaded connector  560  (or “nozzle end”). 
         [0048]    The tapered passage  520  may be adapted to generate a desired pressure at the outlet of the sprayer  100 . The ball valve  530  may be coupled to the flow control lever  210  and may be adapted to control the flow of water through the sprayer  100 . In some embodiments, the ball valve  530  may include a shaft that extends partially into the ball (but does not reach the passageway through the valve). The body  110  may include a through-hole that is adapted to allow access to the shaft. In some embodiments, the ball valve  530  may be connected to the flow control lever  210  using a screw that passes through the lever and engages the shaft of the ball valve  530 . In addition, a donut-shaped gasket may be compressed between the ball valve, the lever  210 , and the through-hole, such that a watertight seal is formed. 
         [0049]    In the example of  FIG. 5 , the ball valve  530  is shown in an “open” position (i.e., a position where water is allowed to flow along path  540 ) where a hole through the valve is aligned with the path  540 . Such a ball valve may be partially or completely rotated along an axis perpendicular to path  540  such that the valve may be partially or completely moved to a “closed” position (i.e., a position where no water is allowed to flow along path  540 ). The ball valve  530  may be manipulated using lever  210  such that the flow of water may be adjusted from a minimum level (e.g., closed) to a maximum level (e.g., open) and/or set to a level between the minimum and maximum by moving the ball valve  530  such that at least part of the hole through the valve is obstructed. In this way, a user may vary the flow of water through the sprayer  100  as desired. 
         [0050]    The spring clip (and/or other appropriate fastening element)  550  may be adapted to secure an extension pole or rod to the extension handle receptacle  140 . 
         [0051]    The nozzle end  560  may allow a nozzle  120  to be attached to the barrel  510 . As shown, the threaded nozzle connector  560  may be located at the output of the sprayer and may be threaded. Alternatively, the nozzle connector may include various compression fittings, seals, gaskets, locking clips, and/or other appropriate connection elements. The nozzle connector may be adapted to secure different nozzles  120  having appropriate complementary connection elements. 
         [0052]      FIG. 6A  illustrates a detailed left side view of a water entry and control feature  600  of the integrated pistol grip water sprayer  100 . Specifically, this figure shows the water pathway from the hose end knob  130  through the ball valve  530 . The feature  600  may include a control feature cavity  610  adapted to house the ball valve  530  and an entry chamber  620  adapted to house coupling and sealing elements of some embodiments. In some embodiments, the control feature cavity  610  may be shaped and sized to accept an appropriate flow control element (e.g., a ball valve) while the entry chamber  620  may be a cavity that is shaped and sized to accept various elements (e.g., a sleeve, gaskets, etc.) that may allow the sprayer  100  to be connected to a water source. 
         [0053]      FIG. 6B  illustrates an exploded view of a water entry feature  630  of some embodiments.  FIG. 6C  illustrates a cross-section view of the water entry feature  630  of some embodiments. As shown, the water entry feature may include a gasket  640 , a sleeve  650 , another gasket  660  and the hose end knob  130 . The water entry feature  630  may be sized and shaped to fit within the entry chamber  620 . 
         [0054]    The gasket  640  may be made of appropriate materials (e.g., rubber) and may have a donut shape that is sized to provide a seal between a ball valve, the control feature cavity  610 , and one end of the sleeve  650 . The gasket  640  may fit within a recess  670  included in the sleeve  650 . The sleeve may be made of appropriate materials (e.g., plastic) and may be generally cylindrically shaped and sized to fit within the entry chamber  620 . The other gasket  660  may be made of appropriate materials (e.g., rubber) and be shaped and sized to form a seal between the sleeve  650 , the hose end knob  130 , and a water source such as a hose. Such seals may be adapted to prevent leakage from the hose or other supply element and/or through the ball valve (when closed) while under compression. In this way, the sprayer  100  may be able to maintain higher pressure through the flow pathway  540 . 
         [0055]      FIG. 6D  illustrates an exploded front view of a flow control feature  680  of some embodiments.  FIG. 6E  illustrates a side view of a flow control feature  680  of some embodiments.  FIG. 6F  illustrates a cross-section view of a flow control feature  680  of some embodiments. As shown, the flow control feature may include a ball valve  530 , a gasket  690 , a lever  210 , and a securing element  695  (e.g., a screw, rivet, etc.). The flow control feature  680  may be sized and shaped to fit within the control feature cavity  610 . In some embodiments, the sprayer  100  may include a through-hole from the cavity  610  to an exterior surface of the body  110  that may allow the control feature  680  to rotate about the center of the through-hole. 
         [0056]    The assembled feature may form a watertight seal between the gasket  680 , the valve  530 , the lever  210 , and the body  110  of the sprayer  100 . As shown, in some embodiments, the valve  530  may include a rectangular protuberance that corresponds to a similarly shaped receptacle of the lever  210  (not shown). In this way, when the lever is rotated about the center point of the through-hole, the ball valve  530  will likewise rotate about the center point, causing the passage through the valve to move in relation to the cavity  610  and the tapered passage  520 , thus controlling the flow of water through the flow path  540 . 
         [0057]      FIG. 7  illustrates a left side view  700  and end view  710  of the integrated pistol grip water sprayer  100 .  FIG. 8  illustrates a bottom view of a section  800  of the integrated pistol grip water sprayer  100 .  FIG. 9  illustrates a bottom cross-section view of the section  800  of the integrated pistol grip water sprayer  100 . Specifically, these figures show various fasteners and/or connectors that may be provided by the extension handle receptacle  140 . 
         [0058]    As shown, the extension handle receptacle may have associated retention holes  720 , an opening  730 , a threaded connector  310  along the inside surface of the extension handle receptacle  140  opening and a spring clip  550 . In some cases, the spring clip may be included with the extension rod or pole and would not be part of the sprayer (and/or would be removed from the sprayer prior to use). 
         [0059]    Each retention hole  720  may be adapted to receive a protruding end of the spring clip  550 . The opening  730  may be adapted to allow the spring clip  550  to be connected to or removed from the extension handle receptacle  140 . 
         [0060]    The spring clip  550  may be adapted to secure an extension pole or rod in the extension handle receptacle  140  end by passing through corresponding holes in the extension pole or rod, thus preventing the pole or rod from moving along an axis  810  that runs along the center of the shaft extending from the extension handle receptacle  140  opening. The spring clip  550  may be have a wishbone shape and be made from materials (e.g., plastic) such that the clip may be flexible enough to fit into the extension handle receptacle  140  (and/or extension pole) when compressed and rigid enough to secure the pole (via holes  720 ) when released from compression. 
         [0061]    The threaded connector  310  may be adapted to secure an alternative extension pole having a complementary threaded end. 
         [0062]    During operation, an extension rod or pole may be secured to the extension handle receptacle  140  by passing the spring clip  550  through the opening  730 , inserting the pole into the extension handle receptacle  140  opening, and engaging the ends of the spring clip  550  through the retention holes  720  (e.g., by releasing the ends of the spring clip  550  after the ends have been aligned with the holes) and associated holes in the pole or rod. 
         [0063]    Alternatively, the spring clip  550  may be inserted into retention holes on a pole or rod, and the ends compressed toward the center of the pole as the pole and clip are inserted into the extension handle receptacle  140  opening until the ends of the spring clip  550  are engaged in the retention holes  720 . Similarly, the extension rod may be removed from the extension handle receptacle  140  by releasing the ends of the spring clip  550  from the retention holes  720  (e.g., by squeezing the ends toward the center of the pole such that the ends are disengaged from the retention holes). A worn out or broken spring clip  550  may thus be pulled out through the opening  730  and/or a new spring clip  550  may be inserted. The clip may be removed when a screw-type rod or pole is used. 
         [0064]      FIG. 10  illustrates various views of a nozzle  120  that may be attached to the integrated pistol grip water sprayer  100 . In this figure, one example nozzle  120  is shown from a top or bottom view  1010 , a side view  1020 , a front view  1030 , a rear view  1040 , a side cross-section view  1050  and a top or bottom cross-section view  1060 . The cross-section views  1050 - 1060  show a threaded connector  1070  that may be included in some embodiments and may be complementary to threaded connector  560 . In some embodiments, a gasket or washer (not shown) may be placed between the nozzle  120  and the sprayer body  110  to form a watertight seal such that any water flowing through the sprayer  100  is forced through the nozzle opening  1080 . 
         [0065]      FIG. 11  illustrates front views of various nozzles  1110 - 1130  that may be attached to the integrated pistol grip water sprayer  100 . Specifically, this figure shows various different output configurations that may be employed by a nozzle of some embodiments. The threaded nozzle connector  560  may be adapted to accept a variety of thread-on nozzles  120 , each adapted to perform with different attributes. Alternatively, other appropriate connectors may be used. 
         [0066]    As shown, different nozzles may have outlets of varying size, shape, quantity, and/or arrangement. Each outlet configuration may affect the water stream, flow, and/or pressure differently and may allow the nozzles to be suited for different tasks. 
         [0067]    As shown, a first exemplary nozzle  1110  may include a single round outlet  1140  of appropriate diameter (e.g., from one-sixteenth of an inch to one quarter of an inch) and may generate a single high pressure stream. 
         [0068]    Another exemplary nozzle  1120  may include several round outlets  1150  that are spaced about and within a circle (or other appropriate shape). This nozzle  1120  may be adapted to generate a wide spray pattern. Some or all of the nozzle outlets may be placed at an angle not directly in line with the barrel of the sprayer. In some embodiments, the outlets  1150  spaced around the center outlet  1140  may be angled away from axis  540  such that the spray pattern is further widened. 
         [0069]    Yet another nozzle opening  1130  may be shaped like an elongated ellipse with an outlet that is angled away from axis  540  and may generate a fan spray pattern. 
         [0070]    One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that although the sprayer  100  has been described by reference to various specific details, such a sprayer may be implemented in various different ways without departing from the spirit of the invention. For instance, some embodiments may not include an extension handle receptacle  140  (e.g., some sprayers  100  may be intended for handheld use only). In addition, the sprayer  100  may be shaped and/or sized in various different ways as appropriate for various different uses, users, and/or other appropriate factors (e.g., different size pistol-grip bodies may be offered to allow users to select the size that is most comfortable based on the hand size of the user). 
         [0071]    It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to illustrative details of exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.