Fluid Dispenser With A Scrubbing Surface

A garden hose with a nail brush provides a nozzle that receives a nail brush along a top portion. The nail brush can be permanently or removably connected to the nozzle. The nail brush includes a first surface that connects to the nozzle, as well as a second surface which supports a plurality of bristles. In addition, a loop forms a strap or holder for the nail brush, which can be used to hang the nail brush (and attached nozzle) from a nail or other organizer system. The nozzle can be of a variety of nozzle types, which often include a diffuser and pressure regulator. Ergonomic features, such as a contoured grip on the nozzle handle, can also be included.

DETAIL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a fluid dispenser, like those found on garden hoses, with a scrubbing surface. As illustrated inFIG. 1andFIG. 2, the present invention comprises a nozzle1and a brush2. The brush2is attached atop the nozzle1, allowing a person to easily access the brush2during use of the hose. There are several possible methods to attach the brush2to the nozzle1, and potentially the brush2can be permanently connected to the nozzle1.

The nozzle1comprises a main nozzle body11, a handle12, a trigger13, a diffuser14, and a pressure regulator15, like shown inFIG. 1andFIG. 2. The main nozzle body11and the handle12are connected to each other, providing a flow path for water. At one end of the main nozzle body11is the trigger13, which is used to activate the flow of water through the nozzle1. Next to the main nozzle body11is the pressure regulator15, which allows a user to adjust the pressure of the water flowing through the nozzle1. Opposite the trigger13and the main nozzle body11is the diffuser14, which controls the dispersion of water flowing out of the nozzle1. The diffuser14allows a user to adjust the ejected water from small dispersion angles to large dispersion angles, as desired.

The main nozzle body11servers as an attachment or connection point for several other components, as well as providing part of the flow path for water. The main nozzle body11comprises an open end111and a closed end112, which are seen inFIG. 1,FIG. 2, andFIG. 3. The open end111and the closed end112are opposite each other; the closed end112, serving as a back end of the main nozzle body11, prevents water from flowing in that direction. The open end111, serving as a front end of the main nozzle body11, allows water to flow out in a forward direction. This is a desired trait in a hose, where water flow is directed away from the user. The diffuser14is connected to the front of the main nozzle body11, operatively coupled to the open end111, such that the diffuser14controls the water flow dispersion.

The trigger13allows a user to activate water flow through the main nozzle body11, engaging and disengaging the trigger13to control the flow of water. In the preferred embodiment the trigger13is a pivotable piece. As illustrated inFIG. 1andFIG. 2, the trigger13comprises a fulcrum portion131, a brace portion132, and a leverage portion133. The fulcrum portion131serves as a central section of the trigger13, with the brace portion132and the leverage portion133being adjacent to the fulcrum portion131. The brace portion132and the leverage portion133are connected to the fulcrum portion131, such that the trigger13is a single uninterrupted body. The fulcrum portion131is pivotably connected to the handle12of the nozzle1. This connection allows a user to engage and disengage the trigger13by squeezing it against the handle12.

The handle12allows a user to hold and utilize the present invention, as well as serves as part of the water flow path. The handle12comprises a first end121, a second end122, a contoured grip123, and a hose receptacle124, parts of which can be seen inFIG. 1,FIG. 2, andFIG. 3. The first end121of the handle12is connected to the main nozzle body11, from which the handle12extends downwards until terminating at the second end122of the handle12. Thus, the first end121and the second end122form opposite ends, length wise, of the handle12. A contoured grip123is provided for improved ergonomics, making the handle12more comfortable to hold. The contoured grip123is located on the handle12, between the first end121and the second end122. The hose receptacle124is located at the second end122of the handle12, with the hose receptacle124traversing into the handle12through the second end122. The hose receptacle124, which comprises a threading125, is intended to receive a hose. The threading125forms a spiral patterns along the hose receptacle124. The hose, with its own thread pattern, engages with the threading125on the hose receptacle124. This allows the hose to be secured to or released from the hose receptacle124and thus the nozzle1as a whole. The handle12is hollow inside, with an input at the second end122and an output at the first end121. In combination with the main nozzle body11and the diffuser14, this forms the full flow path for water from the hose. Water exits a connected hose through the input into the handle12. The water flows through the handle12and the output, into the main nozzle body11. In the main nozzle body11, the water is directed towards the open end111, at which point the water is ejected through the diffuser14.

The brush2, visible inFIG. 1andFIG. 2, is attached to the main nozzle body11, on the top face opposite the handle12. The brush2comprises a brush base21a plurality of bristles22, a holder23, and a eye24. The brush base21itself comprises a first surface211and a second surface212, which form opposite sides of the brush base21. The first surface211of the brush base21attaches to the main nozzle body11. The second surface212serves as a support for the plurality of bristles22and the eye24. The plurality of bristles22are evenly spread across the second surface212, extending vertically so that they are at a 90 degree angle with the first surface211. Next to the bristles22is the eye24, which is a small rigid structure with a hole. The hole allows the holder23to be tied to the eye24. The holder23is a flexible strap that is secured to the eye24. This allows a person to grasp the brush2by the holder23. The holder23also can be suspended from a storage rack, plant stand, knob, or any other convenient structure.

In the preferred embodiment, the brush2is removably attached to the main nozzle body11. A removable brush2provides numerous advantages. For example, a person could buy a number of brushes2to use with the nozzle1. This could be purely for aesthetic purposes or for utilitarian purposes. A person who becomes tired of a particular brush2design can simply replace the brush2, one with a more pleasing design. If a person finds the plurality of bristles22to be too rough, or finds a different layout of the bristles22is more effective, they can simply swap the original brush2out for a different brush2. In essence, the removable nature of the brush2adds an element of flexibility to the present invention.

There are various ways of creating this attachment. One possibility is to position a plurality of fasteners3on the top surface of the main nozzle body11, along with a plurality of fastener receptacles4on the first surface211of the brush2. The fasteners3, which could be wing nuts, thumb screws, snap fasteners, or similar easily manipulated items, engage with the fastener receptacles4on the main nozzle body11. The fastener receptacles4are cavities that are designed to received the type of fastener3selected. An example of this attachment type is seen inFIG. 4,FIG. 5, andFIG. 6. Another possibility is to provide a tongue5and groove6type connection. In this variation, a recessed groove6is built into the brush2, along the first surface211. A corresponding tongue5is positioned on the top of the main nozzle body11. The tongue5is designed to engage with the groove6, such that the tongue5can slide into the groove6, thus securing the brush2to the nozzle1. To prevent unwanted movement of the tongue5relative to the groove6, a first locking mechanism7and a second locking mechanism8are positioned on opposite ends of the brush2. Illustrations of the tongue5and groove6method are provided inFIG. 7,FIG. 8, andFIG. 9. These locking mechanisms prevent the tongue5and groove6from moving, which is important to the functionality of the brush2. When using the brush2to scrub nails, for example, it is desirable that the brush2not move. An unsecured brush2might be moved by a person's fingers pushing against the brush2, rather than scrubbing against the moving fingers as intended.

Other methods of attaching the brush2to the nozzle1are possible. For example, a hook-and-loop fastener could be used, with a hook portion being positioned on top of the nozzle1and a loop portion being positioned on the bottom of the brush2.

Alternatively, magnets could be placed on the nozzle1and the brush2, using magnetic attraction to secure the brush2to the nozzle1. Other possible attachment methods include straps to hold down the brush2or latches on the brush2that engage with notches on the nozzle1. Many attachment methods are suitable, although each method has plusses and minuses. For example, using hook-and-loop fasteners will not be as stable as a tongue5and groove6, while magnets may prove too difficult to separate from each other. The best attachment methods will be simple to implement, low cost, and easy to use.

In a simpler embodiment, the brush2is permanently connected to the nozzle1, rather than being attached. While a removable brush2has its advantages, a permanently connected brush2can be better integrated to the nozzle1. This is because attachment methods do not have to be provided, some of which are complex or unsightly. A permanently connected brush2will also be sturdier and less expensive than a removable brush2. The brush2can be connected by bolts, nails, glue, or even molded as part of the nozzle1. Many additional connection methods can be employed, as long as the brush2is properly secured to the nozzle1.

In the preferred embodiment, the brush2half an inch in height, two and a half inches in length, and half an inch in width. The plurality of bristles22are preferably made from nylon and stand three quarters of an inch tall. While the present invention can be constructed from a number of materials, such as metals and plastics, the selected materials are ideally readily available and derived from known technology, light weight, durable, easy to manufacture, cost effective, and sturdy.

The present invention provides several advantages to a user. The present invention, though designed for outdoors use, can also be used indoors. The present invention provides a convenient, secure, and hard to misplace scrubbing surface while using a hose, saving time and money. The present invention allows a personal to easily clean their nails, hands, and other surfaces while using a hose. The present invention is easily cleaned after use, thanks to its detachable nature and easily accessible water source.