Abstract:
The present invention provides for a nozzle assembly including a body having a conduit extending from an inlet to an outlet. A first end of a shaft is mounted to the body and a second end of the shaft extends from the body proximate the outlet. The shaft is moveable between a retracted position and an extended position. A turret is rotationally mounted on the second end of the shaft and a plurality of nozzles are removeably mounted on the turret for alignment with the outlet. The nozzle that is aligned with the outlet sealingly mates with the outlet when the turret in the retracted position and is spaced from the outlet when the turret in the extended position.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    The present disclosure relates, in general, to a spraying device, such as a nozzle, a sprayer, a sprinkler or a shower head. Even more particularly, the present disclosure relates to a nozzle assembly with an extendable turret having differently configured, and/or sized nozzles arrayed in an extendable turret that can be rotated to align one of the different nozzles with a source of pressurized fluid.  
           [0003]    2. Background of the Related Art  
           [0004]    Nozzles, sprinklers, sprayers and shower heads are used during machining and manufacturing processes, for agriculture production, lawn care and gardening, and for bathing, for example. Nozzles are used to produce a fan spray of droplets from a solid stream of pressurized liquid, and can be configured or “sized” to produce different fan spray patterns, different flow rates and/or different droplet sizes.  
           [0005]    Raindrop™ brand nozzles, available from Delavan Spray Technologies, a division of Coltec Industries Inc of Monroe, N.C., for example, are provided in a variety of configurations to provide different flow rates, fan spray patterns and/or droplet sizes. Each nozzle includes a tubular nozzle body, and a pre-orifice fitting and a nozzle insert received in opposing ends of the nozzle body. The nozzle insert has an elliptical orifice formed by a V-shaped groove intersecting a hemispheric cavity. The pre-orifice fitting has a pre-orifice in alignment with the elliptical orifice. During operation, the pre-orifice fitting meters liquid and directs the liquid in high velocity solid streams to impact a hemispherical surface of the hemispheric cavity, which directs the streams to collide at the elliptical orifice, which in turn discharges a single fan-spray of droplets.  
           [0006]    A nozzle assembly is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,123,272 to Havican et al. (“the Havican device”) wherein differently configured and/or sized nozzles, for example, the Raindrop™ brand nozzles, can be easily and quickly selected for use such that the nozzle assembly can provide different flow rates, fan spray patterns and/or droplet sizes. More particularly, as described in more detail herein below, the nozzle assembly includes a turret rotatably mounted on a body. The body has a face, an outlet in the face, and an annular seat in the face surrounding the outlet. A strut extends from the face of the body, while a spacer abuts the face. A compressible sealing member is positioned in the seat and, when not compressed, extends out of the seat and further from the face of the body than the spacer. The turret has a bore that is rotatably received on the strut, and the turret abuts the spacer. Nozzles are arrayed in the turret such that the nozzles sequentially align with the outlet of the body as the turret is rotated on the strut. A fastener secures the turret to the strut such that the turret compresses the sealing member to provide a fluid-tight seal between the outlet and the nozzle aligned with the outlet. According to one embodiment, the nozzle assembly further includes structure for indexing the rotation of the turret with respect to the body. According to another embodiment, the nozzles are removably mounted within the turret.  
           [0007]    A disadvantage of the Havican device is that the sealing member can be damaged when the turret is rotated about the strut. More specifically, as the turret is rotated to align a nozzle with the outlet of the body, the circumferential edge around the bottom of the nozzle that is to be aligned has a tendency to cut into the sealing member, thereby causing the seal between the nozzle and the outlet of the body to be compromised. Another disadvantage of the Havican device is that the sealing member can be twisted when the turret is rotated about the strut. More specifically, as the turret is rotated to align a nozzle with the outlet of the body, the bottom of the nozzle that is to be aligned tends to twist the sealing member in its seat. A device is disclosed herein below that overcomes these disadvantages in the prior art.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0008]    Accordingly, the present disclosure provides a nozzle assembly including a body having a conduit extending between an inlet and an outlet. A first end of a shaft is mounted to the body and a second end of the shaft extends from the body proximate the outlet. The shaft is moveable between a retracted position and an extended position. A turret is rotationally mounted on the second end of the shaft and a plurality of nozzles are mounted on the turret for alignment with the outlet. When the turret in the retracted position the nozzle that is aligned with the outlet is sealingly mated with the outlet. When the turret in the extended position the nozzle that is aligned with the outlet is spaced from the outlet.  
           [0009]    According to another aspect of the present disclosure a spring is mounted on the second end of the shaft between the body and the turret for biasing the turret to the extended position. In addition, a disk is mounted on the second end of the shaft between the spring and the turret for retaining the nozzles in the turret.  
           [0010]    According to a further aspect of the present disclosure a cam mounted on the body and includes radially-extending flat and pitched portions. In addition, an actuator, such as a handle, is mounted on the first end of the shaft. The actuator includes a follower for engaging the flat and pitched portions of the cam. The follower is moved from the pitched portion to the flat portion to retract the turret and moved from the flat portion to the pitched portion to extend the turret.  
           [0011]    According to yet a further aspect of the present disclosure the shaft extends through a tubular strut which includes a first end fixedly mounted to the body and a second end extending from the body proximate the outlet. In addition, the turret is rotatably mounted on the second end of the tubular strut and a spring is mounted on the second end of the tubular strut between the body and the turret. A fastener is attached to the second end of the shaft for retaining the turret on the tubular strut.  
           [0012]    A further aspect of the present disclosure provides for a notch in the turret for each nozzle. An alignment pin is resiliently mounted to the body and is engageable with each notch to retain alignment of the corresponding nozzle with the outlet.  
           [0013]    Yet a further aspect of the present disclosure includes receptacles in which each nozzle is removeably mounted. Each receptacle includes a ledge and each nozzle includes a base configured for engaging the ledge of each receptacle. A disk is mounted on the second end of the shaft between the body and the turret. The disk contacts the base of each nozzle to retain each nozzle in its respective receptacle. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES  
       [0014]    So that those of ordinary skill in the art to which the subject invention pertains will more readily understand how to make and use the nozzle assembly with an extendable turret, preferred embodiments of the invention are described in detail herein with reference to the following figures, wherein:  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a prior art nozzle assembly;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 2 shows an exploded perspective view of the prior art nozzle assembly illustrated in FIG. 1;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 3 shows a plan view of the prior art nozzle assembly illustrated in FIG. 1;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 4 shows a sectional view of the prior art nozzle assembly as viewed along line  4 - 4  of FIG. 3;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 5 shows a sectional view of the prior art nozzle assembly as viewed along line  5 - 5  of FIG. 3;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 6 shows a sectional view of the prior art nozzle assembly as viewed along line  6 - 6  of FIG. 3;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 7 shows a sectional view of the prior art nozzle assembly similar to FIG. 6, however, with the nozzle pressed downward into its receptacle;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 8 shows a sectional view of the prior art nozzle assembly similar to FIG. 6, however, with the nozzle rotated 90° and partially removed from its receptacle;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a nozzle assembly with an extendable turret;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 10 shows an exploded perspective view of the nozzle assembly illustrated in FIG. 9;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 11 shows a plan view of the nozzle assembly illustrated in FIG. 9;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 12 shows a sectional view of the nozzle assembly as viewed along line  12 - 12  of FIG. 11 with the turret located in a retracted position;  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 13 shows a rear perspective view of the nozzle assembly illustrated in FIG. 9;  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 14 shows a sectional view of the nozzle assembly similar to FIG. 12, however, with the turret located in the extended position; and  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 15 shows a sectional view similar to FIG. 14, however, of another embodiment of a nozzle assembly with an extendable turret. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0030]    Referring to FIGS. 1 through 6, an embodiment of a nozzle assembly  10  from U.S. Pat. No. 6,123,272 is illustrated, the contents of which are incorporate by reference herein. The nozzle assembly  10  includes a body  12 , a nozzle turret  14  rotatably secured to the body, and different sized nozzles  16  arrayed in the turret. The turret  14  rotates such that one of the nozzles  16  can be aligned with a conduit  18  of the body  12 . In this way, flow rate and droplet size of spray from the nozzle assembly  10  can be easily changed with a turn of the turret  14  to sequentially align the different sized nozzles  16  with the conduit  18  of the body  12 . In addition to the nozzles  16 , the assembly  10  can include a “blank” or solid insert  17  for sealing the conduit  18  of the body  12  when aligned therewith.  
         [0031]    The body  12  is generally circular and includes a centrally located bore  20  that extends through the body to a face  22 . A tube  24  extends radially outwardly from the body and the conduit  18  extends from an inlet  26  of the tube to an outlet  28  in the face  22  of the body  12 . The tube  24  has a narrowed portion  25  such that the tube can be secured by a lock-type connector in a fluid-tight manner to a source of pressurized fluid for spraying, such as a hose, pipe or tank. A raised shoulder  30  extends from the face  22  around the outlet  28  of the conduit  18  and has a seat  32 . A compressible sealing member  34  having a thickness greater than a depth of the seat  32  is positioned in the seat. The body  12  also includes a plurality of ribs  36  extending from the face  22  to a height equal to a height of the raised shoulder  30  surrounding the outlet  28 . An annular wall  48  extends from and circles the face  22 .  
         [0032]    The assembly  10  includes a tubular strut  58  having opposing first and second ends  62 ,  64 , and a relatively non-compressible annular spacer  60  radially extending outwardly from the strut and dividing an outer surface of the strut between the first and the second ends. The second end  64  of the strut  58  is secured within the bore  20  of the body  12 , with the annular spacer  60  abutting the face  22  of the body. The strut  58  and the spacer  60  are preferably formed as a single piece from stainless steel.  
         [0033]    The annular spacer  60  of the strut  58  has a thickness not greater than the height of the raised shoulder  30  surrounding the outlet  28  of the body. Thus, in a non-compressed state, the sealing member  34  extends from the raised shoulder  30 , surrounding the outlet  28 , further from the face  22  of the body  12  than the annular spacer  60 . As shown, the sealing member preferably is provided in the form of an o-ring  34 .  
         [0034]    The nozzle turret  14  includes a centrally located bore  66  which is received on the first end  62  of the strut  58  such that the turret fits within the annular wall  48  of the body  12  and abuts the o-ring  34  extending from the raised shoulder  30  surrounding the outlet  28 . A bolt  84  extends through the tubular strut  58  and is fastened with a nut  86  to secure the nozzle turret  14  to the body  12 . Flat washer  88  and a lock washer  90  are used with the nut  86  and bolt  84 , as shown. The nut  86  is tightened at least until the turret  14  compresses the o-ring  34 . If there are indications of fluid leakage, the nut  86  can be further tightened until the turret abuts the annular spacer  60 , the ribs  36  and the raised shoulder  30  extending from the face of the body  12 , such that the o-ring  34  is further compressed.  
         [0035]    The portion of the strut  58  between the first end  62  and the spacer  60  is at least as long as the bore  66  of the nozzle turret  14 , such that the strut acts as a compression limiter so that the nut  86  can be somewhat over-tightened on the bolt  84  without fear of cracking the turret. Preferably, the strut  58  between the first end  62  and the spacer  60  is longer than the bore  66 , such that the strut acts as a compression limiter, yet allows the turret  16  to compress the o-ring  34  to provide a fluid-tight seal. Since the annular cam  60  of the strut  58  is relatively non-compressible, the cam also provides structural stability and evenly spaces the turret  14  from the body  12  regardless of how tight the nut  86  is turned on the bolt  84 . The portion of the strut  58  between the second end  64  and the spacer  60  is at least as long as the bore  20  of the body  12 .  
         [0036]    The assembly  10  also includes means for indexing the rotation of the turret  14  with respect to the body  12  such that the nozzles  16  are precisely aligned with the conduit  18 . The means for indexing preferably comprises a plurality of spaced-apart inwardly faced notches  50  in the annular wall  48  of the body  12 , which are engaged by resilient detents  68  extending from the outer periphery of the turret  14  to hold the turret in position with respect to the body. A user can manually rotate the turret  14  in an indexed manner with respect to the body  12  by providing enough torque to overcome the resilience of the detents  68 . Alternatively, the detents can be provided on the body  12  and the notches provided on the turret  14 .  
         [0037]    The assembly  10  is designed such that the nozzles  16  and the solid insert  17  can be quickly and easily inserted into and removed from the assembly  10 . As shown, the turret  14  includes a plurality of nozzle receptacles  70  arrayed around the centrally located bore  66 . Each receptacle  70  has inner and outer portions  74 ,  72 . The outer portions  72  each have an oblong cross-section, which forms ledges  78 , while the inner portions  74  each have a circular cross-section. Each ledge  78  includes a notch  82 .  
         [0038]    The nozzles  16  and the solid insert  17  each have a radially extending, oblong base  76 ,  77 , respectively, which match the oblong cross-sections of the outer portions  72  of the nozzle receptacles  70 . Thus, the nozzles  16  and solid insert  17  are inserted, base-first, through the outer portions  72  of the receptacles  70  and rotated in the inner portions  74 , such that the radially extending oblong bases  76 ,  77  of the nozzles  16  and the solid insert  17  catch on the ledges  78  to secure the nozzles and the solid insert in the receptacles  70 . The bases  76 ,  77  of the nozzles  16  and the solid insert  17  include projections  80  which engage the notches  82  in the ledges  78  of the receptacles  70  such that the nozzles must be pushed inwardly, until the projections  80  clear the notches  82 , before being rotated to remove the nozzles and the blank insert from the receptacles. Thus, the nozzles  16 , solid insert  17 , and receptacles  70  are configured for a “twist and lock” engagement between the removable nozzles, solid insert, and the receptacles.  
         [0039]    To assist in the removal and insertion of the nozzles  16  and solid insert  17  into the turret  14 , a spring bore  38  is located in the face  22  of the body  12 , and includes a boss  40  which receives a spring  42  that in turn biases a button  44  out of the spring bore. The button  44  is biased outwardly generally to a height of the ribs  36 , the raised shoulder  30  and the annular spacer  60 . A handle  46  extends radially outwardly from the body  12 , in alignment with the spring bore  38 .  
         [0040]    During operation, the turret  14  is rotated with respect to the body  12  until a desired nozzle  16  is aligned with the outlet  28  of the conduit  18  of the body, i.e. in alignment with the tube  24  extending from the body. When a nozzle  16  is aligned with the outlet  28 , the base  76  of the nozzle  16  compresses the o-ring  34  surrounding the outlet  28  to provide a fluid-tight passage from the conduit through the nozzle. When the solid insert  17  is aligned with the outlet  28 , the base  77  of the insert  17  compresses the o-ring  34  surrounding the outlet  28  to provide a fluid-tight seal of the outlet.  
         [0041]    When a selected nozzle  16  or solid insert  17  is to be removed, the turret  14  is rotated until the selected nozzle or solid insert is aligned with the spring-biased button  44 , i.e. aligned with the handle  46  extending from the body  12 . The nozzle  16  or solid insert  17  is then depressed against the button  44 , until the projections  80  of the base  76 ,  77  of the nozzle or solid insert disengage, or clear, the notches  82  of the ledges  78  of the receptacle  70 . While still depressing the nozzle  16  or solid insert  17 , the nozzle or solid insert is turned until the oblong base  76 ,  77  clears the ledges  78  and aligns with the oblong outer portion  72  of the receptacle  70  so that the nozzle or solid insert can be pulled out of the receptacle.  
         [0042]    The turret  14  and the body  12  of the assembly  10  are both preferably formed from a light-weight, rigid, strong, and corrosion-resistant material, such as plastic or reinforced plastic. If used in applications where durability or cleanness, for example, are more of a factor than cost, the nozzle turret  14 , the body  12 , the nozzles  16 , and the solid insert  17  can all be made of a metal, such as stainless steel, aluminum, brass or copper. The body  12  further includes structural strengthening webs  52 . A tab  54  extends outwardly from the body  12  and has a hole  56  there through. The tab  54  is used to attach a safety line to the assembly  10  such that the assembly does not become lost, if it is knocked lose from a tractor for example, during a fertilizing or irrigation process.  
         [0043]    Referring to FIGS. 9 through 14 there is shown an embodiment of a nozzle assembly with an extendable turret  100 . The embodiment includes a body  112 , a nozzle turret  114  rotatably mounted on the body, and different size nozzles  16  arrayed in the turret. Similar to prior art nozzle assembly  10  described herein above, flow rate and droplet size of spray from the nozzle assembly  100  can be easily changed by rotating the turret  114  to sequentially align the different sized nozzles  16  with a conduit  118  formed in the body  112 . Unlike the prior art nozzle assembly  10 , however, nozzle assembly  100  includes a mechanism for moving the turret  114  between a retracted position and an extended position.  
         [0044]    Generally, when the turret  114  is retracted toward the body  112 , fluid may flow between the conduit  118  and the nozzle  16  aligned therewith without leakage. On the other hand, when the turret  114  is extended away from the body  112 , the seal between the conduit  118  and the nozzle  16  aligned therewith is broken, the turret can be rotated, and the nozzles can be removed or inserted. The mechanism for extending and retracting the turret  114  is described in more detail herein below.  
         [0045]    The body  112  is generally circular and includes a centrally located counter-bore  120  that extends from a face  121  of the body. A bore  122  extends concentrically from the base of the counter-bore  120  through the body  112 . A tube  124  extends radially outwardly from the body  112  and the conduit  118  extends from an inlet  126  of the tube to an outlet  128  in the face  121  of the body  112 . A raised shoulder  130  encircles the outlet  128  of the conduit  118  and defines a seat  132 . A compressible sealing member  134  having a thickness greater than the depth of the seat  132  is positioned in the seat. An annular wall  148  extends from and encircles the face  121 .  
         [0046]    The assembly  100  includes a tubular strut  158  having first and second ends  162 ,  164 , and an annular spacer  160  extending radially outwardly from the strut and dividing the strut between the first and the second ends. The second end  164  of the tubular strut  158  is pressed into bore  122  of the body  112 , with the annular spacer  160  abutting the bottom of counter-bore  120  of the body.  
         [0047]    The nozzle assembly  100  further includes a disk  166  which has a centrally located hub  167  through which a bore  168  extends. The disk  166  is mounted on the first end  162  of the tubular strut  158  through bore  168  such that the disk fits within the annular wall  148  of the body  112 . The disk  166  also has a through-hole  163  that aligns with and has a diameter slightly larger than the outside diameter of the raised shoulder  130  on the face of the body  112 . A spring  170  is mounted on the first end  162  of tubular strut  158  between the annular spacer  160  and a counter-bore  171  in the hub  167  of the disk  166 . The spring  170  biases the disk  166  against the bottom surface of the turret  114  and at least a portion of the bottom surfaces of each nozzle  16 . It is notable that even when a nozzle  16  is positioned over raised shoulder  130  of the body  112 , at least a portion of the bottom surface of the nozzle rests on the disk. When the turret  114  is in the extended position, the through-hole  163  does not rise above the raised shoulder  130 , therefore, the disk  166  is prevented from rotating when the turret is rotated. The disk  166  includes a cutout  165  for providing clearance between the disk and a locking mechanism (described below) when the turret  144  is in the extended position.  
         [0048]    The disk  166  is sufficiently flexible so the nozzles  16  can be removed/installed in a manner analogous to that described above and illustrated in FIGS.  6 - 8 . More specifically, when the turret  114  is in the extended position (FIG. 14), a nozzle  16  can be removed by pressing it against biasing forces imposed by the disk  166 , twisting the nozzle 90°, and removing the nozzle from its receptacle  172 . Conversely, a nozzle  16  can be installed by inserting it in its receptacle  172 , pressing the nozzle against biasing forces imposed by the disk  166 , twisting the nozzle 90°, and releasing it.  
         [0049]    When the turret  114  is in the retracted position, the disk  166  is pressed flat against the face  121  of the body  112  as shown in FIG. 12. As noted above, the disk  166  is raised from the face  121  of the body  112  when the turret  114  is in the extended position as shown in FIG. 14. The portion of the disk  166  over which the nozzles  16  pass has a thickness that is approximately equal to the height of the raised shoulder  130  on the face  121 . Therefore, when the nozzle assembly  100  is in the retracted position, the disk  166  does not prevent the nozzle  16  that is aligned with the outlet  128  of the conduit  118  from sealing with the compressible sealing member  134  in raised shoulder  130 .  
         [0050]    The turret  114  includes a centrally located bore  174  which is rotatably received on the first end  162  of the tubular strut  158  such that the turret fits within the annular wall  148  of the body  112 . The nozzle receptacles  172  are arrayed around the centrally located bore  174 . The nozzles  16  can be quickly and easily inserted into and removed from the nozzle receptacles  172  as described above. With the nozzles  16  installed in the receptacles  172 , the turret  114  can be rotated to align any one of the nozzles with the outlet  128  of the conduit  118 . The turret  114  is biased upwardly by the spring  170 , whose biasing force acts through disk  166 .  
         [0051]    The nozzle assembly  100  also includes a mechanism for positively locking the rotational position of the turret  114  with respect to the body  112  such that a desired nozzles  16  may be fixedly aligned with the outlet  128  of the conduit  118 . The mechanism for locking includes a plurality of spaced-apart outwardly facing notches  175  in the lower outer edge of the turret  114 , which are engagable with an alignment pin  173  mounted through an embossment  169  in the annular wall  148  of the body  112 . Each notch  175  corresponds to a nozzle receptacle  172  in the turret  114 . The alignment pin  173  has a rounded head  176  on its first end and a wire ring  177  passing through a cross-hole in its second end. A spring  178  is positioned around the alignment pin  173  between the rounded head  176  and the embossment  169  for biasing the alignment pin toward the notches  175  in the turret  114 .  
         [0052]    The bottom of the body  112  includes several ribs  184  providing structural rigidity and strength to the body. A cam  186  includes a counter-bore  187  and two notches  188  that intersect the counter-bore in a first end of the cam. The two notches  188  engage two ribs  184  of the body  112 , thereby preventing rotation of the cam  186 . The cam  186  also includes a bore  192  concentrically aligned with bore  122  of the body  112 . The end of the cam  186  opposite the counter-bore  187  includes two complementary cams that each define a flat portion  194  and a pitched portion  196 . The cams are partitioned by stop barriers  198  that extend radially from the bore  192 .  
         [0053]    A threaded shaft  200  includes a stepped end  202  and a threaded end  204  and extends through the tubular strut  158 . A handle  206  is mounted on and pinned through a cross-hole with spring pin  208  to the stepped end  202  of the threaded shaft  200 . The handle  206  includes two opposing followers  210  such that each follower aligns with and follows its respective flat and pitched portions  194 ,  196  of the cam  186  as the handle and shaft  200  are rotated. It is notable that the handle  206  may be replaced by other types of actuators. The handle may, for example, be replaced by a hand wheel or even a motor-driven gear sprocket. In such case, the actuators will include followers  210  for contacting the flat and pitched portions  194 ,  196  as described above. In addition, those or ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that various mechanisms can be used to move the threaded shaft  200  between the retracted and extended positions, only two of which are shown and described herein.  
         [0054]    The threaded shaft  200  protrudes from the first end  162  of the tubular strut  158  and is secured in place with a castle nut  212 . Lock and flat washers  214 ,  216  and a cotter key  218  are used in their usual manner to lock the castle nut  212  in position. During assembly or adjustment of nozzle assembly  100 , the handle  206  should be positioned so that the followers  210  are on their respective flat portions  194  of the cam  186  against their respective stop barriers  198 . Thereafter, the castle nut  212  is tightened against the turret  114  so the nozzle  16  that is aligned with the outlet  128  of the conduit  118  compresses the compressible sealing member  134  in the raised shoulder  130  to form a leak-proof seal. If there are indications of fluid leakage, the nut  212  can be further tightened to further compress the compressible sealing member  134 .  
         [0055]    During normal operation of the spray nozzle  100  the turret  114  is in the retracted position and a nozzle  16  is aligned with the conduit  118  as illustrated in FIG. 12. More particularly, during normal operation of the spray nozzle  100  the followers  210  extending from the handle  206  are each located on their respective flat portions  194  of the cam  186  and against their respective stop barriers  198 , thereby causing the turret  114  and disk  166  to be retracted toward the body  112 . Consequentially, the base of the aligned nozzle  16  is sealingly forced against the compressible sealing member  134  in the raised shoulder  130 . Alignment between the nozzle  16  and the conduit is assured by engaging the alignment pin  173  with the notch  175  that corresponds to the aligned nozzle.  
         [0056]    When an operator desires to spray fluid from a nozzle  16  other than the nozzle aligned with conduit  118  or to replace a nozzle installed in a receptacle  172 , the turret  114  is first moved to the extended position as illustrated in FIG. 14. To move the turret  114  from the retracted position to the extended position the handle  206  is rotated so that the followers  210  of the handle are relocated from their respective flat portions  194  to their respective pitched portions  196  of the cam  186  and against their respective stop barriers  198 . In the extended position, the base of the nozzle  16  is still aligned with the conduit, however, it is separated from the compressible sealing member  134  in the raised shoulder  130 .  
         [0057]    To spray fluid from a nozzle  16  other than the nozzle presently aligned with the conduit  118 , the turret  114  is first extended as described above. The operator then grips and pulls the wire ring  177  away from the turret  114  to disengage the alignment pin  173  from the notch  175  that corresponds to the aligned nozzle  16 . The turret  114  is then rotated until the desired nozzle  16  is aligned with the outlet  128  of the conduit  118 . At such time, the wire ring  177  is released, permitting the alignment pin  173  to engage the notch  175  that corresponds to the desired nozzle  16 . Thereafter, the turret  114  is moved from the extended position to the retracted position by rotating the handle  206  so that the followers  210  of the handle are relocated from their respective pitched portions  196  to their respective flat portions  194  of the cam  186  and against their respective stop barriers  198 .  
         [0058]    To replace a nozzle  16  that is installed in a receptacle  172 , the turret  114  is first extended as described above. The operator then grips the nozzle  16  that is to be replaced, presses it toward the body  112 , twists the nozzle 90°, and pulls the nozzle away from the body and out of the receptacle  172 . If the nozzle  16  that is to be replaced is aligned with the outlet  128  of the conduit  118 , the turret  114  should be rotated to relocate the nozzle to another nozzle position as described above. After the nozzle  16  to be replace is removed from the receptacle  172 , a replacement nozzle can be installed in the receptacle following the above removal procedure in reverse. Thereafter, the turret  114  is moved from the extended position to the retracted position by rotating the handle  206  so that the followers  210  of the handle are relocated from their respective pitched portions  196  to their respective flat portions  194  of the cam  186  and against their respective stop barriers  198 .  
         [0059]    Referring to FIG. 15 there is shown another embodiment of a nozzle assembly with an extendable turret  300 . The embodiment includes a body  312 , a nozzle turret  314  rotatably mounted on the body, and different size nozzles  16  arrayed in the turret. Similar to prior art nozzle assembly  10  described herein above, flow rate and droplet size of spray from the nozzle assembly  300  can be easily changed by rotating the turret  314  to sequentially align the different sized nozzles  16  with a conduit  318  formed in the body  312 . Unlike the prior art nozzle assembly  10 , however, nozzle assembly  300  includes a mechanism for moving the turret  314  between a retracted position and an extended position.  
         [0060]    Generally, when the turret  314  is retracted toward the body  312 , fluid may flow between the conduit  318  and the nozzle  16  aligned therewith without leakage. On the other hand, when the turret  314  is extended away from the body  312 , the seal between the conduit  318  and the nozzle  16  aligned therewith is broken, the turret can be rotated, and the nozzles can be removed or inserted. The mechanism for retracting and extending the turret  314  is described in more detail herein below.  
         [0061]    The body  312  is generally circular and includes a centrally located threaded bore  322  that extends through the body  312 . A tube  324  extends radially outwardly from the body  312  and the conduit  318  extends from an inlet  326  of the tube to an outlet  328  in a face  321  of the body  312 . A seat  332  is formed around the outlet  328  and is concentric therewith. A compressible sealing member  334  having a thickness greater than the depth of the seat  332  is positioned in the seat. An annular wall  348  extends from and encircles the face  321 .  
         [0062]    The body  312  further includes a cylindrically shaped bore hole  350  located concentrically around the threaded bore  322 . A collar  366  is positioned within the bore hole  350  and has a slip fit therewith. A spring  370  is positioned in the bore hole  350  between the base of the bore hole and the collar  366 , thereby biasing the collar toward the bottom side of the turret  314  such that it captures the bottom edges of the nozzles  16 . Consequentially, when the turret  314  is in the extended position, the nozzles  16  are retained within their respective receptacles  372  in the turret.  
         [0063]    The collar  366  is configured so the nozzles  16  can be removed/installed in a manner analogous to that described above and illustrated in FIGS.  6 - 8 . More specifically, when the turret  314  is in the extended position, a nozzle  16  can be removed by pressing it against biasing forces imposed by the collar  366 , twisting the nozzle 90°, and removing the nozzle from its receptacle  372 . Conversely, a nozzle  16  can be installed by inserting it in its receptacle  372 , pressing the nozzle against biasing forces imposed by the collar  366 , twisting the nozzle 90°, and releasing it. When the turret  314  is in the retracted position (not shown), the collar  366  is pressed into the bore hole  350 .  
         [0064]    A threaded shaft  374  includes a first and second end  376 ,  378 . The first end  376  includes one or more threads  379 , for example, acme threads, threadingly engaging mating threads formed in the threaded bore  322 , and a stepped shoulder  380  on which a handle  382  is mounted and pinned with a spring pin  384 . The second end  378  includes two channels for receiving snap clips  386 .  
         [0065]    The turret  314  includes a centrally located bore  388  which is rotatably received on the second end of the threaded shaft  378  such that the turret fits within the annular wall  348  of the body  312 . A flat washer  390  is provided between the turret  314  and each snap clip  386 . The nozzle receptacles  372  are arrayed around the centrally located bore  388 . The nozzles  16  can be quickly and easily inserted into and removed from the nozzle receptacles  372  as described above. With the nozzles  16  installed in the receptacles  372  and the turret  314  in the extended position, the turret can be rotated to align any one of the nozzles with the outlet  328  of the conduit  318 .  
         [0066]    The nozzle assembly  300  also includes a mechanism for positively locking the rotational position of the turret  314  with respect to the body  312  such that a desired nozzles  16  may be fixedly aligned with the outlet  328  of the conduit  318 . The mechanism includes a plurality of spaced-apart outwardly facing slots  400  in the lower outer edge of the turret  314 , which are engagable with a blade  402  of an alignment lever  404 . The slots  400  each correspond to a nozzle  16  in the turret  314  such that when a slot is aligned with the alignment lever  404 , the corresponding nozzle aligns with the outlet  328 . The alignment lever  404  rotates about a dowel pin  406  which is pressed into an embossment in the annular wall  348  of the body  312 . The alignment lever  404  is biased by a spring  408  so that the blade  402  is maintained in the slot  400 .  
         [0067]    During normal operation of the spray nozzle  300  the turret  314  is in the retracted position and a nozzle  16  is aligned with the outlet  328  of the conduit  318 . More particularly, during normal operation of the spray nozzle  300  the threaded shaft  374  is rotated to drive it toward the handle  382  side of the spray nozzle, thereby causing the turret  314  to be retracted toward the body  312 . Consequentially, the base of the nozzle  16  that is aligned with the outlet  328  of the conduit  318  is forced against the compressible sealing member  334 . Alignment between the nozzle  16  and the conduit is assured by engaging the blade  402  of the alignment lever  404  with the slot  400  that corresponds to the nozzle.  
         [0068]    When an operator desires to spray fluid from a nozzle  16  other than the nozzle aligned with the outlet  328  of the conduit  118 , or to replace a nozzle installed in a receptacle  372 , the turret  314  is first moved to the extended position as illustrated in FIG.  15 . To move the turret  314  from the retracted position to the extended position the handle  382  is rotated to drive the threaded shaft  374  toward the turret  314  side of the spray nozzle, thereby causing the turret  314  to be extended away from the body  312 . In the extended position, the base of the nozzle  16  is still aligned with the outlet  328 , however, the nozzle is separated from the compressible sealing member  334 .  
         [0069]    To spray fluid from a nozzle  16  other than the nozzle presently aligned with the conduit  318 , the turret  314  is first extended as described above. The operator then pivots the alignment lever  404  about the dowel pin  406  so that the blade  402  no longer engages the slot  400  that corresponds to the aligned nozzle  16 . The turret  314  is then rotated until the desired nozzle  16  is aligned with the outlet  328  of the conduit  318 . At such time, the alignment lever  404  is released so that the blade  402  engages the slot  400  that corresponds to the desired nozzle  16 . Thereafter, the turret  314  is moved from the extended position to the retracted position by rotating the handle  382  to drive the threaded shaft  374  toward the handle  382  side of the spray nozzle, thereby causing the turret  314  to be retracted toward the body  312 . Consequentially, the base of the nozzle  16  that is aligned with the outlet  328  is forced against the compressible sealing member  334 .  
         [0070]    To replace a nozzle  16  that is installed in a receptacle  372 , the turret  314  is first extended as described above. The operator then grips the nozzle  16  that is to be replaced, presses it toward the body  312 , twists the nozzle 90°, and pulls the nozzle away from the body and out of the receptacle  372 . After the nozzle  16  to be replaced is removed from the receptacle  372 , a replacement nozzle can be installed in the receptacle following the above removal procedure in reverse. Thereafter, the turret  314  is moved from the extended position to the retracted position by rotating the handle  382  so that the threaded shaft  374  is driven toward the handle  382  side of the body  312 , thereby causing the turret  314  to be retracted toward the body.  
         [0071]    The principles, preferred embodiments and modes of operation of the presently disclosed nozzle assemblies have been described in the foregoing specification. The presently disclosed nozzle assemblies, however, are not to be construed as limited to the particular embodiments shown, as these embodiments are regarded as illustrious rather than restrictive. Moreover, variations and changes may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the presently disclosed nozzle assemblies.