Abstract:
A nozzle assembly for use with a device for dispensing a flowable material, such as caulking material, is disclosed. The nozzle assembly includes a conduit having an inlet end adapted for connecting to the dispensing device, an outlet end, and a longitudinally extending passage therethrough. A head assembly is arranged to be rotatably mounted to the conduit outlet end. A nozzle is arranged to be affixed within the head assembly, the nozzle comprising a larger diameter inlet opening, a smaller diameter outlet opening, and a tapered wall comprising a notched portion which, together with the outlet opening forms a dispensing opening. The nozzle is arranged to rotate in response to rotation of the head assembly to any one of a plurality of positions for directing a bead of flowable material onto a surface.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to a rotating nozzle assembly for dispensing flowable materials, such as caulk, sealant or other flowable materials from a dispensing device, such as a caulk gun. 
       BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
       [0002]    During the production of automotive vehicles, for example, a fabricator uses a dispensing gun to apply a bead of sealant to the vehicle frame prior to the installation of an automobile windshield. The bead is applied along a pinchweld in the frame defining the windshield periphery, and the windshield is positioned thereon. One edge of the windshield is applied to the adhesive bead in the pinch weld, and then the windshield is released and pressed into place. When using a conventional dispensing device to apply such a sealant bead, each time another corner of the windshield periphery is reached, it is necessary for the operator to reposition his body and/or the dispensing device to change the direction in which the bead of sealant is dispensed from the device. Such repositioning is time consuming and inconvenient to the operator. The present invention overcomes these drawbacks by providing a rotatable nozzle assembly in combination with a dispensing device. The direction from which the sealant bead is dispensed from the nozzle can be adjusted by simply rotating the nozzle assembly during dispensing, thus eliminating such inconvenient and time consuming repositioning of the operator&#39;s body and the dispensing device. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    A nozzle assembly for use with a device for dispensing a flowable material, such as caulking material, is disclosed. The nozzle assembly includes a conduit having an inlet end adapted for connecting to the dispensing device, an outlet end, and a longitudinally extending passage therethrough. A head assembly is arranged to be rotatably mounted to the conduit outlet end. A nozzle is arranged to be affixed within the head assembly, the nozzle comprising a larger diameter inlet opening, a smaller diameter outlet opening, and a tapered wall comprising a notched portion which, together with the outlet opening forms a dispensing opening. The nozzle is arranged to rotate in response to rotation of the head assembly to any one of a plurality of positions for directing a bead of flowable material onto a surface. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0004]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the nozzle assembly of the present invention affixed to the dispensing end of a device for dispensing flowable materials such as caulking materials; 
           [0005]      FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of the nozzle assembly of the present invention affixed to the dispensing end of a device for dispensing flowable materials such as caulking materials; 
           [0006]      FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the nozzle assembly of the present invention; 
           [0007]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a second embodiment nozzle assembly of the present invention affixed to the dispensing end of a device for dispensing flowable materials such as caulking materials; 
           [0008]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the second embodiment nozzle assembly of the present invention affixed to the dispensing end of a device for dispensing flowable materials such as caulking materials; 
           [0009]      FIG. 6  is an exploded view of the second embodiment nozzle assembly of the present invention; and, 
           [0010]      FIG. 6A  is an enlarged exploded view of the second embodiment nozzle assembly of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    Referring now in detail to the various figures of the drawings wherein like reference characters refer to like parts, there is shown at  10  in  FIGS. 1-3 , a nozzle assembly for use in combination with a device for dispensing flowable materials such as caulking materials, grease, automotive windshield sealant, resins, and the like. The nozzle assembly  10  is arranged to fit on the dispensing end of such a dispensing device, such as a caulking gun  14 , which typically includes a barrel  18 , only a small portion of which is shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . In particular, the nozzle assembly  10  includes a conduit  22  having an externally threaded inlet end and an externally threaded outlet end. The nozzle assembly  10  is arranged to attach to the dispensing end of the caulking gun  14  by means of a screw-on coupling  26 . More specifically, the coupling  26  includes a wider end  26   a  having internal threads (shown in  FIG. 2 ) arranged for threaded engagement with the barrel  18  and a narrower end  26   b , also having internal threads (shown in  FIG. 2 ), arranged for threaded engagement with the inlet end of the conduit  22 . The conduit  22  can be formed of any suitable material, e.g., copper, and is shown in the figures as including two straight sections and an elbow or bend which turns at an angle of approximately ninety degrees. It should be understood that alternatively, the conduit  22  could be straight, or of any other configuration or include one or more bends as required by an operator to best suit the application. 
         [0012]    A head assembly  30  is shown mounted over the conduit  22  at the outlet end thereof. The head assembly  30  includes a thin-walled housing member  34  and a cap member  38 . The cap member  38  is arranged for threaded engagement with the housing member  34 . The housing member  34  includes an opening  36  at its top end to enable passage of the conduit  22  therethrough. As best shown in  FIG. 3 , the size of the opening  36  in the housing member  34  is somewhat larger than the outside diameter of the conduit  22  passing therethrough. The cap member  38  is also provided with an opening to enable passage of a nozzle  46  therethrough. The opening in the cap  38  is sized to provide a snug fit with the nozzle  46  passing therethrough. The outside surface of the housing member  34  is provided with a knurl  42  or other means for manually gripping the housing member  34  to facilitate manual rotation of the head assembly  30  during dispensing of flowable material from the dispensing device in ways to be described below. 
         [0013]    Referring now to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , a generally cylindrical shaped fitting  54  is shown fitted within the head assembly  30 . The fitting  54  is provided with an annular notch or slot for mounting an O-ring  58  thereon to assure a liquid seal exists between the fitting  54  and the housing member  34 . The fitting  54  can be formed of any suitable material, e.g., rubber or plastic, and includes a central axial opening  54   a  therethrough. As best shown in  FIG. 2 , the upper portion of the central opening  54   a  is internally threaded to enable threaded securement of the outlet end of the conduit  22  to the fitting  54 . As best shown in  FIG. 2 , the conduit  22  extends into the central opening  54   a  only a portion of the distance therein, e.g., halfway. The lower portion of the central opening  54   a  flares outwardly as it extends downwardly to match the diameter of the inlet end of the nozzle  46 . 
         [0014]    The nozzle  46 , extending through the opening of the cap member  38 , comprises a tapered wall  48  including a wider inlet end, a narrower outlet end, and a skirt  50  at the inlet end which extends radially outwardly. As best shown in  FIG. 2 , the diameter of the skirt  50  is approximately equal to the outer diameter of the housing member  34  and is arranged to be seated within the cap member  38 . The nozzle  46  is fixedly secured to the head assembly  30  due to the skirt  50  being sandwiched between the housing member  34  and the cap member  38 , which are shown in threaded engagement with each other. The nozzle  46  may be formed of any suitable material, e.g., plastic or rubber. As best shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , the tapered wall  48  of the nozzle  46  is provided with a triangular cut-out section  60  which extends upwardly from the nozzle outlet end. During dispensing, flowable material will exit the outlet end of the nozzle  46  as well as the cut-out section  60  in the tapered wall  48  to create a dispensed bead. 
         [0015]    In use, upon actuation of the dispensing device  14 , flowable material will exit the barrel  18  of the device  14  and flow through the conduit  22  and out the nozzle  48  through the outlet end including the cut-out section  60 . The cross-sectional shape of the dispensed bead will take on the shape of the cut-out section  60  through which it passes, e.g., triangular. It is important to mention that although the cut-out section  60  is illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 3  as being triangular, this shape is merely exemplary, and other shapes of the cut-out section  60 , e.g., round, are contemplated within the scope of this invention based upon the requirements of the application. Upon rotation of the knurl  42  of the head assembly  30  during dispensing of flowable material, the cut-out section  60  will rotate to any one of a plurality of positions to enable the dispensed bead to exit the nozzle assembly  10  in any direction. 
         [0016]    For example, in an automotive application, it is required that a bead of sealant having a triangular cross-section be applied to a vehicle frame along a pinchweld in the frame defining the windshield periphery prior to the installation of an automobile windshield. When using a conventional dispensing device to apply such a shaped bead, each time another corner of the windshield periphery is reached, it is necessary for the operator to reposition his body and/or the dispensing device to change the direction in which the bead of sealant is dispensed. Such repositioning is time consuming and inconvenient to the operator. Under the present invention, during dispensing of the sealant bead, the operator grasps the knurl  42  of the head assembly  30 . Each time another corner in the vehicle frame is reached requiring a change in direction, instead of the operator repositioning himself and/or the dispensing device, the operator merely rotates the knurl  42  to change the position of the cut-out  60 , thus changing the direction from which the bead of sealant exits the nozzle assembly  10 . As a windshield has four corners, as each new corner is reached on the vehicle frame, the operator merely rotates the knurl  42  approximately ninety degrees during dispensing to change the direction from which the bead of sealant exits the nozzle assembly  10 . In this manner, the bead of sealant may be applied around the vehicle frame defining the windshield periphery thus eliminating the need for such repositioning with each new turn. 
         [0017]    Referring now to  FIGS. 4-6 , and  6 A, there is shown at  100  a second embodiment nozzle assembly for use in combination with a device for dispensing flowable materials such as caulking materials, grease, automotive windshield sealant, resins, and the like. The nozzle assembly  100  is arranged to fit on the dispensing end of such a dispensing device, such as a caulking gun  114 , which typically includes a barrel  118 , only a small portion of which is shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . As best shown in  FIG. 5 , the nozzle assembly  100  includes a conduit  122  having an integral radially-extending flange  126  located at an inlet end. Referring now to  FIG. 5 , the radially-extending flange  126  extends outwardly beyond the outside diameter of the conduit  122 . At the opposite end (or outlet end) of the conduit  122 , an outwardly facing groove  130  including an integral lip  134  is shown. The lip  134  extends circumferentially about the conduit  122  and has an outer diameter that is no greater than the outer diameter of the conduit  122 . The conduit  122  can be formed of any suitable material, e.g., copper or plastic, and is shown in the figures as including an elbow or bend which turns at an angle of approximately ninety degrees. It should be understood that alternatively, the conduit  122  could be straight, or of any other configuration or include one or more bends as required by an operator to best suit the application. 
         [0018]    Referring now to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , a generally ring-shaped front cap  138  having a central opening is arranged to be slid over the conduit  122  from the outlet end toward the inlet end thereof. The front cap  138  includes an inwardly extending flange  140  that comes into abutting relation with flange  126  of the conduit  122  as the cap  138  is slid towards the inlet end of the conduit  122 . In this manner, the front cap  138  is retained on the conduit  122  at the inlet end thereof. The front cap  138  includes internal threads  138   a  to facilitate threaded engagement with external threads located on the dispensing end of the dispensing device  114 . A knurl  138   b  (best shown in  FIGS. 4 and 6 ) is provided on the exterior surface of the front cap  138  to facilitate secure attachment of the inlet end of the conduit  122  to the dispensing end of the dispensing device  114 . 
         [0019]    Once the conduit  122  is secured to the dispensing device  114  using the front cap  138 , a generally ring-shaped adapter  142  having a central opening is arranged to be slid over and retained on the conduit  122 . After the adapter  142  has been slid over the conduit  122 , a pair of clips  146  may be fitted in place on the conduit  122  at the outlet end thereof. Referring to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , each clip  146  is provided with an interior groove  150  including a lip  154 . The groove  150  of each clip  146  is arranged to receive the lip  134  of the conduit  122  and the groove  130  of the conduit  122  is arranged to receive the lip  154  of each clip  146 . Referring now to  FIG. 5 , once the clips  146  are fitted in place over the conduit  122  at the outlet end thereof, the adapter  142  may be slid down the conduit  122  towards the outlet end so the clips  146  are retained within a lower recess in the adapter  142 . Once in place, the clips  146  are free to rotate about the outlet end of the conduit  122 . 
         [0020]    Referring now to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , an internally threaded nozzle cap  158  includes a central opening that is arranged for passage of a nozzle  162  therethrough. The nozzle  162  is provided with a tapered wall  164  and a skirt  168  for retaining the nozzle  162  within the cap  158 . As best shown in  FIG. 5 , the cap  158  includes internal threads and is arranged for threaded engagement with the externally threaded adapter  142  to securely retain the skirt  168  and clips  146  between the adapter  142  and the cap  158 . 
         [0021]    The outside surface of the adapter  142  is provided with a knurl  166  or other means for manually gripping the adapter  142 . During dispensing of flowable material from the dispensing device, manual rotation of the adapter  142  causes rotation of the clips  146 , nozzle  162  and cap  158  in unison about the outlet end of the conduit  122 . As in the first embodiment, the tapered wall  164  of the nozzle  162  includes a wider inlet end, a narrower outlet end. The nozzle  162  may be formed of any suitable material, e.g., plastic or rubber. 
         [0022]    As best shown in  FIGS. 4 and 6 , the tapered wall  164  of the nozzle  162  is provided with a triangular cut-out section  170  which extends upwardly from the nozzle outlet end. 
         [0023]    As described in the first embodiment, during dispensing, flowable material will exit the outlet end of the nozzle  162  as well as the cut-out section  170  in the tapered wall  164  to create a dispensed bead. Upon rotation of the knurl  166  during dispensing of flowable material, the cut-out section  170  will rotate to any one of a plurality of positions to enable the dispensed bead to exit the nozzle assembly  100  in any direction. As shown in  FIG. 5 , the clips  146  are shaped to prevent leakage of dispensed material as it passes out the conduit  122  and across the flange  168  of the nozzle  162 . 
         [0024]    The devices of the present invention have been described in respect to the particular embodiments thereof set forth in the specification and as illustrated in the drawings. As a result of such disclosure, other variations and modifications may become apparent to those skilled in the art and therefore, no limitation as to the scope of the invention is intended by the specific embodiments disclosed but the scope of the invention is to be interpreted in view of the appended claims.