Blowers with variable nozzles

A blower includes a main body which includes a housing and a fan disposed in the housing. The housing further defines an air discharge opening. The blower further includes an extension tube connected to the air discharge opening, the extension tube extending between a first end connected to the air discharge opening and a second end. The blower further includes a variable nozzle, the variable nozzle including a plurality of adjustable air control surfaces. The blower further includes a nozzle adjustment tube connected to the second end of the extension tube and at least partially surrounding the variable nozzle.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to blowers, and more particularly to blowers with variable nozzles for adjusting the velocity and pressure of air flowing therethrough.

BACKGROUND

Portable hand-held blowers are popular for, for example, home maintenance and commercial landscaping tasks. Typical hand-held blowers are either powered by gasoline engines or electric motors. A fan is connected to the motor or engine and rotates within a blower housing. The fan generates an air flow that is directed towards an outlet of the housing. An extension tube is generally connected to the outlet of the housing to direct the air flow from the housing therethrough, and the air flow is then exhausted from the tube or through a nozzle connected to the tube.

In many cases it is advantageous for a user to adjust the velocity and pressure of the exhausted air flow. Many known blowers simply achieve higher velocity/pressure at the outlet by increasing fan speed. However, increasing the fan speed is not always desirable, as the corresponding increase in engine or motor speed can result in reduced operating times and efficiency. In some cases, known blowers offer multiple separate interchangeable nozzles, with each nozzle having a differently sized exhaust outlet. However, adjusting the velocity and pressure in these cases involves manually removing one nozzle and attaching a different nozzle, which can be a tedious process. Further, there is a risk of one or more of these nozzles being misplaced and lost.

Accordingly, improved apparatus for adjusting blower air flow velocity and pressure is desired.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

In one embodiment, a blower is provided. The blower includes a main body which includes a housing and a fan disposed in the housing. The housing further defines an air discharge opening. The blower further includes an extension tube connected to the air discharge opening, the extension tube extending between a first end connected to the air discharge opening and a second end. The blower further includes a variable nozzle, the variable nozzle including a plurality of adjustable air control surfaces. The blower further includes a nozzle adjustment tube connected to the second end of the extension tube and at least partially surrounding the variable nozzle. Rotation of the nozzle adjustment tube about a longitudinal axis causes movement of the air control surfaces between a first position and a second position.

In accordance with another embodiment, a blower is provided. The blower includes a main body which includes a housing and a fan disposed in the housing. The housing further defines an air discharge opening. The blower further includes an extension tube connected to the air discharge opening, the extension tube extending between a first end connected to the air discharge opening and a second end. The blower further includes a variable nozzle, the variable nozzle including a plurality of adjustable air control surfaces. Each of the plurality of air control surfaces comprises an exterior raised cam surface. The blower further includes a nozzle adjustment tube connected to the second end of the extension tube and at least partially surrounding the variable nozzle. The nozzle adjustment tube includes one or more interior raised cam surfaces. Movement of the one or more interior raised cam surfaces relative to the exterior raised cam surfaces along a longitudinal axis causes movement of the air control surfaces between a first position and the second position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now toFIGS. 1 through 11, embodiments of blowers10in accordance with the present disclosure are illustrated. Blowers10in accordance with the present disclosure advantageously include variable nozzles. Each variable nozzle includes a plurality of adjustable air control surfaces. For example, the air control surfaces are movable between a first position and a second position. A distal end opening diameter defined by the air control surfaces in the first position is greater than a distal end opening diameter of the air control surfaces in the second position. Accordingly, as the air control surfaces are moved between the first and second positions, the velocity and pressure of air flowing through the distal end opening defined by the air control surfaces is adjusted. As the air control surfaces are moved from the first position towards the second position, the velocity and pressure is increased, and as the air control surfaces are moved from the second position to the first position, the velocity and pressure is decreased. Advantageously, no adjustment in the fan speed of the blower is required for such velocity and pressure adjustments.

Adjustment of the variable nozzle in accordance with the present disclosure is advantageously simple and efficient. For example, blowers in accordance with the present disclosure may include an extension tube and a nozzle adjustment tube. Movement of the nozzle adjustment tube, such as rotation thereof, may cause movement of the air control surfaces between the first and second positions. For example, in exemplary embodiments, a user may simply twist the nozzle adjustment tube relative to the extension tube, and such movement may cause the desired movement of the air control surfaces.

Referring now toFIG. 1, one embodiment of a blower10is provided. As shown, blower10may include a main body20. Main body20may include a housing22and a fan24disposed in the housing22. Operation of the fan24may generate an airflow which may flow from the main body20through an air discharge opening26defined in the housing22.

Blower10may be a gas-powered, electric, or other suitably powered handheld blower10. In some embodiments, for example, an electrically-powered motor may be provided in main body20. The electrically-powered motor may be powered by electricity from an electrical socket via an electrical cord of the blower10, or may be battery-powered and utilize a battery in communication with the motor. Alternatively, a gas-powered engine may be provided. The motor or engine of the blower10may be connected to the fan24, such that the fan24is rotatably driven by the motor or engine.

In some embodiments, the fan24may be an axial fan. Alternatively, fan24may be a non-axial fan.

As discussed, blowers10in accordance with the present disclosure are handheld blowers. Accordingly, in exemplary embodiments, a blower10may include a handle28for a user to grip when utilizing the blower10. A trigger30may, for example, be provided on the handle28. Actuating the trigger30may cause operation of the motor or engine, and/or may increase the speed of the fan24.

Further, in some embodiments, straps32and a backplate34may be provided on the blower10. A user may thus utilize the blower as a “backpack” style blower.

Referring again toFIGS. 1 through 11, a blower10in accordance with the present disclosure may further include various components that generally direct the air flow away from the main body20. The direction of air flow through such components may be generally along a longitudinal axis40defined by such components.

For example, as illustrated inFIGS. 1, 2, 5, and 7-9, blower10may include an extension tube50. The extension tube50may extend, such as along the longitudinal axis40, between a first end52and a second end54. The first end52may be connected to housing22and air discharge opening26thereof, such that air flowing through the air discharge opening26flows into the extension tube50through the first end52thereof. Notably, extension tube50may be a singular tube50or include two or more tube sections which are connected together.

In some embodiments, the extension tube50may include one or more posts56, which may be provided on the exterior thereof as shown or on the interior thereof. For example, in exemplary embodiments, two posts56may be provided. The posts56may, for example, be disposed proximate the second end54and thus distal from the first end52(relative to the second end54). Each post56may serve as a guide for a track of a nozzle adjustment tube, as discussed herein.

Additionally or alternatively, the extension tube50may include one or more keys58. Keys58may be disposed proximate the second end54, and may be provided on the exterior of the extension tube50as shown or on the interior. The keys58may, for example, mate with corresponding keyways of a variable nozzle, as discussed herein.

Additionally or alternatively, one or more lock apertures59may be defined in the extension tube50. Lock apertures59may, for example, be disposed proximate the second end54. Each lock aperture59may extend entirely or partially through the extension tube50, such as from the interior towards the exterior or from the exterior towards the interior. The lock apertures59may, for example, mate with corresponding lock members of a variable nozzle, as discussed herein.

As illustrated inFIGS. 1-4 and 7-11, a blower10in accordance with the present disclosure further includes a variable nozzle60. Variable nozzle60may include a plurality of adjustable air control surfaces62, each of which is movable between a first position and a second position. The variable nozzle60may, for example, be connected to the second end54of the extension tube50. Air flowing through the extension tube50from the first end52towards the second end54may exit the extension tube50through the second end54into the variable nozzle60.

As discussed, the air control surfaces62may be movable between a first position (FIGS. 7, 8, and 10) and a second position (FIGS. 9 and 11). For example, the variable nozzle60may extend between a proximal end opening64which may connect to the extension tube50and a distal end opening66which is defined by distal tips63of the air control surface62. A distal end opening diameter67may be defined by the distal tips63at the distal end opening66. The distal end opening diameter67in the first position is greater than the distal end opening diameter67in the second position.

Each air control surface62may further include a raised cam surface68on an exterior thereof. Each raised cam surface68may, for example, be a ramp extending from the exterior of the air control surface62. In some embodiments as shown, for example, each raised cam surface68may taper downwards towards the exterior of the air control surface62in a direction along the longitudinal axis40from the proximal end opening64towards the distal end opening66. Each raised cam surface68may interact with a corresponding raised cam surface of a nozzle adjustment tube as discussed herein to cause movement of the air control surfaces62between the first and second positions.

In exemplary embodiments, the air control surfaces62may be disposed in an annular array about the longitudinal axis40. Further, a circumferential axis may be defined by the variable nozzle60, and may be perpendicular to the longitudinal axis40. The annular array may be defined about this axis. Each air control surface62may be rotatable about the circumferential axis between the first and second positions.

Each air control surface62may have a curvilinear cross-sectional profile. Further, in some embodiments, each air control surface62may be formed from a suitable polymer, such as a suitable thermoplastic polymer. Particular examples of suitable materials may include polyolefins, such as polypropylene; polyamides, such as nylon; polyacetals, such as polyoxymethylene; or styrene polymers, such as ABS or polystyrene. Alternatively, however, other suitable materials may be utilized. In some embodiments, the material utilized to form the air control surfaces62may be a flexible material.

In some embodiments, variable nozzle60may further include a retaining ring70. The retaining ring70may be disposed at and define the proximal end opening64. Further, the retaining ring70may define the circumferential axis. Each of the plurality of air control surfaces62may be connected to the retaining ring70, and may be rotatable relative to the retaining ring70between the first position and the second position.

In some embodiments, as shown, one or more leaf springs72may connect each air control surface62to the retaining ring70. The leaf springs72may be integrally formed with the corresponding air control surfaces62and retaining ring70such that the components are a single, unitary structure, or the components may be separately formed and connected together.

The retaining ring70may connect the variable nozzle60to the extension tube50. For example, the retaining ring70may generally slide over and onto the extension tube50at the second end54thereof. In some embodiments, retaining ring70may further define one or more keyways74. Each keyway74may mate with a corresponding key58of the extension tube50, such that the key58is inserted in the keyway74. Such mating may locate and orient the variable nozzle60relative to the extension tube50, and may prevent rotation of the variable nozzle60relative to the extension tube50about the longitudinal axis40. Additionally or alternatively, one or more lock members76may protrude from the retaining ring70, such as from an interior thereof as shown or an exterior. Each lock member76may mate with a corresponding lock aperture59defined in the extension tube50, such that the lock members76are inserted in the lock apertures59. Such mating may securely connect the variable nozzle60to the extension tube50.

As illustrated inFIGS. 1, 2, 6, and 7-9, blower10may further include a nozzle adjustment tube80. Nozzle adjustment tube80may be connected to the second end54of the extension tube50. The nozzle adjustment tube80may at least partially, and in exemplary embodiments fully, surround the variable nozzle60. Movement of the nozzle adjustment tube80may cause movement of the air control surfaces62between the first and second positions. For example, in some embodiments, rotation of the nozzle adjustment tube80about the longitudinal axis40causes movement of the air control surfaces62between the first position and a second position. Additionally or alternatively, sliding of the nozzle adjustment tube80along the longitudinal axis40causes movement of the air control surfaces62between the first position and second position. In exemplary embodiments, rotation of the nozzle adjustment tube80about the longitudinal axis40may cause sliding of the nozzle adjustment tube80along the longitudinal axis40, which may in turn cause movement of the air control surfaces62between the first position and second position.

For example, the nozzle adjustment tube80may include one or more raised cam surfaces82disposed on an interior thereof. The raised cam surface(s)82may, for example, be a ring or a plurality of raised surfaces in an annular array protruding from the interior of the nozzle adjustment tube80. The raised cam surface(s)82may interact with the raised cam surfaces68of the variable nozzle60to cause movement of the air control surfaces62between the first and second positions. For example, the raised cam surface(s)82may contact the raised cam surfaces68. Movement of the raised cam surface(s)82relative to the raised cam surfaces68may cause movement of the air control surfaces62between the first and second positions. In exemplary embodiments, such movement of the raised cam surface(s)82may be along the longitudinal axis40. For example, as discussed, each raised cam surface68may be in the form of a tapered rail. As the nozzle adjustment tube80, and thus the raised cam surface(s)82, are moved along the longitudinal axis40in a first direction (such as towards the extension tube50) along the longitudinal axis40, the raised cam surface(s)82may ride up the raised cam surfaces68, thus pushing the raised cam surfaces68and associated air control surfaces62inwards and causing movement thereof in a direction from the first position towards the second position. As the nozzle adjustment tube80, and thus the raised cam surface(s)82, are moved along the longitudinal axis40in a second opposite direction (such as away from the extension tube50) along the longitudinal axis40, the raised cam surface(s)82may ride down the raised cam surfaces68, thus allowing the raised cam surfaces68and associated air control surfaces62to move outwards and causing movement thereof in a direction from the second position towards the first position. In some embodiments, such movement of the air control surfaces62from the second position to the first position may further be caused by a spring bias (such as from leaf springs72) towards the first position.

In some embodiments, the nozzle adjustment tube80may further include one or more interior tracks84. Each interior track84may correspond to a post56of the extension tube50. For example, a post56may be seated in a corresponding track84when the nozzle adjustment tube80is connected to the extension tube50. The interaction of the post56in the corresponding track84may guide movement of the nozzle adjustment tube80relative to the extension tube50.

For example, at least a portion86of the track84may be helical. Accordingly, as the nozzle adjustment tube80is rotated about the longitudinal axis40relative to the extension tube50, movement of the post56in the helical portion86of the track84may cause the nozzle adjustment tube80to additionally move along the longitudinal axis40. Thus, rotation of the nozzle adjustment tube80about the longitudinal axis40in these embodiments causes movement of the nozzle adjustment tube80along the longitudinal axis40. This movement about the longitudinal axis40may in turn cause interaction of the raised cam surface(s)82and raised cam surfaces68, thus causing movement of the air control surfaces62between the first and second positions.

In some embodiments, raised stops85may be provided in the tracks84, such as in the helical portion86thereof. The stops85may be spaced apart at predetermined increments along the track84. Stops85may facilitate incremental adjustment of the nozzle adjustment tube80, and thus incremental adjustment of the air control surfaces62, as discussed herein.