Abstract:
A hand-held dispenser for precisely controlling the flow rate of water therethrough and for injecting a liquid chemical into the water passing through the dispenser. The dispenser includes a slide valve for changing the flow rate of the liquid chemical water therethrough. The slide valve may also be positioned so that only rinse water is discharged from the dispenser.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    This invention relates to a hand-held dispenser and more particularly to a hand-held dispenser which is convenient to use and which is capable of controlling the flow rate of water therethrough for mixing with a liquid chemical into the water passing through the dispenser. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    Many types of dispensers have been previously provided which may be connected to the end of a water hose or the like wherein a device introduces chemicals into the water flow so that a lawn or the like may be sprayed. The devices of the prior art are also able to inject liquid chemicals into a water stream so that a mop bucket, bottle, may be filled with water, detergent or other chemicals. 
         [0005]    In Applicant&#39;s earlier U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,237,728; 7,296,761, and 8,069,878, hand-held dispensers are disclosed which are able to conveniently and economically precisely control the rate of water flow through the dispenser and to precisely control the metering of liquid chemicals in the precisely controlled flow of water. 
         [0006]    Although the dispensers of Applicant&#39;s earlier patents have met with considerable success, Applicant has developed an improved hand-held dispenser which is convenient to use and which precisely controls the water flow therethrough and the injection of liquid chemicals thereinto. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key aspects or essential aspects of the claimed subject matter. Moreover, this Summary is not intended for use as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
         [0008]    A hand-held dispenser is described for precisely and conveniently controlling the flow rate of water therethrough and for controlling the flow rate of the liquid chemical or the like therethrough to be mixed with the water passing therethrough. 
         [0009]    The dispenser of this invention includes a body member having a generally horizontally disposed first body portion having first and second sides, an inlet end, and a discharge end. The body member also includes a generally vertically disposed second body portion extending downwardly from the first body portion. The second body portion has a lower end which is adapted to be secured to a liquid container. The first body portion has a generally horizontally disposed first body member which extends inwardly from the inlet end of the body member towards the discharge end thereof. The first body member has an inlet end and a discharge end. The first body member has a horizontally disposed first passageway formed therein which extends from the inlet end towards the discharge end thereof. The first passageway has an inlet end and a discharge end. The inlet end of the first fluid passageway is adapted to be placed in communication with a source of water under pressure. 
         [0010]    The first body portion also has a generally vertically disposed second body member positioned at the discharge end of the first body member with the second body member having upper and lower ends. The second body member has a cylindrical chamber formed therein which has an inlet end and a discharge end. The second body member also has a horizontally disposed annular valve seat molded therein above its inlet end. The valve seat has a lower inlet side and an upper discharge side. The lower inlet side of the valve seat is in communication with the first passageway. The upper discharge side of the valve seat is in communication with the chamber. 
         [0011]    A first valve means is selectively vertically movably mounted in the chamber. The first valve means includes a valve member with a valve stem secured to the valve member which extends upwardly therefrom through the valve seat and the chamber. The first valve means is selectively vertically movable between a lower position and an upper position. The valve member of the first valve means closes the valve seat when the first valve means is in its upper position. The valve member, when the first valve means is in its lower position, permits the flow of water from the first passageway, through the valve seat, and upwardly into the chamber. 
         [0012]    A valve actuating lever is pivotally secured to the first body portion which is operatively connected to the upper end of the valve stem. The valve actuating lever is pivotally movable from an upper “off” position wherein the first valve means is in its upper position to a lower “on” position wherein the valve member is unseated from the valve seat. The discharge end of the first passageway is positioned below the lower inlet end of the valve seat so that the water under pressure in the first passageway exerts pressure against the lower end of the valve member of the first valve means when the first valve means is in its upper position to assist in maintaining the first valve means in its upper position. 
         [0013]    The first body portion has a horizontally disposed second passageway formed therein which extends from the chamber, above the valve seat, towards the discharge end of the first body portion. The first body portion has a transversely extending rectangular housing positioned at the downstream side of the second body member. The rectangular housing includes a bottom wall, a top wall, a back wall, a front wall, a closed first end and an open second end. The bottom wall of the housing has a liquid chemical inlet opening formed therein which is in fluid communication with the liquid container. The back wall of the housing has a water inlet opening formed therein which is in communication with the second passageway of the first body portion. The front wall of the housing has a discharge opening formed therein. 
         [0014]    A rectangular slide valve is slidably mounted in the rectangular housing between a first position, an intermediate position, and a second position. The slide valve has a lower end, an upper end, a back side, a front side, a first end and a second end. The first liquid chemical passageway, having upper and lower ends, extends vertically upwardly from the lower end of the slide valve partially through the slide valve. A second liquid chemical passageway, having upper and lower ends, extends vertically upwardly from the lower end of the slide valve partially through the slide valve. A first water passageway, having a back end and a front end, extends horizontally through the slide valve. The first liquid chemical passageway is in fluid communication with the first water passageway. A second water passageway, having a back end and a front end, extends horizontally through the slide valve in a spaced relationship with respect to the first water passageway. The second liquid chemical passageway is in fluid communication with the second water passageway. An intermediate water passageway, having a back end and a front end, extends horizontally through the slide valve between the first and second water passageways. 
         [0015]    The slide valve is selectively horizontally slidably movable between first, intermediate and second positions relative to the housing. The back end of the first water passageway of the slide valve is in fluid communication with the water inlet opening in the back wall of the housing when the slide valve is in its first position. The back end of the second water passageway of the slide valve is in fluid communication with a water inlet opening in the back wall of the housing when the slide valve is in the second position. The back end of the intermediate water passageway of the slide valve is in fluid communication with the water inlet opening in the back wall of the housing when the slide valve is in its intermediate position. The front end of the first water passageway of the slide valve is in fluid communication with the discharge opening in the front wall of the housing when the slide valve is in its first position. The front end of the second water passageway of the slide valve is in fluid communication with the discharge opening in the front wall of the housing when the slide valve is in its second position. The front end of the intermediate water passageway of the slide valve is in fluid communication with the discharge opening of the front wall of the housing when the slide valve is in its intermediate position. 
         [0016]    A rotatable selector knob is rotatably mounted on the body member about a vertical axis. The selector knob is rotatable between first, intermediate and second positions. The selector knob is operatively connected to the slide valve to selectively move the slide valve between first, intermediate and second positions. 
         [0017]    The slide valve has gear teeth formed therein. The selector knob also has gear teeth formed therein which are in meshing engagement with the gear teeth on the slide valve. The rotation of a selector knob causes the slide valve to be slidably moved within the housing. The discharge opening of the housing is in fluid communication with the discharge end of the body member. 
         [0018]    The slide valve is selectively removable from the housing so that alternate slide valves may be selectively positioned in the housing. 
         [0019]    In the preferred embodiment, the first and second chemical passageways in the slide valve have metering orifices positioned therein. In the preferred embodiment, the first and second water passageways in the slide valve have metering orifices positioned therein. 
         [0020]    In the preferred embodiment, the slide valve includes a selectively removable insert positioned therein with the first and second chemical passageway and the first and second and intermediate water passageways being formed in the removable insert. 
         [0021]    The dispenser also includes a thumb switch which is movable between “on” and “off” positions. 
         [0022]    The water flow rate through the dispenser and the chemical flow rate through the dispenser may be controlled by rotating the selector knob. 
         [0023]    It is therefore a principal object of the invention to provide an improved hand-held dispenser. 
         [0024]    A further object of the invention is to provide an improved chemical dispenser. 
         [0025]    Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved hand-held dispenser which dispenses chemicals mixed with water. 
         [0026]    Still another object of the invention is to provide a dispenser of the type described which enables the precise control rate of the flow rate of water therethrough and to easily change the control rate of the flow rate. 
         [0027]    Yet another object of the invention is to provide a hand-held dispenser which includes a transversely movable slide valve having water passageways and chemical passageways formed therein which enables the water/chemical flow rates to be easily changed. 
         [0028]    These and other objects will be obvious to those skilled in the art. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0029]    Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the following figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views unless otherwise specified. 
           [0030]      FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of the hand-held dispenser of this invention; 
           [0031]      FIG. 2  is a bottom perspective view of the hand-held dispenser of this invention; 
           [0032]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the hand-held dispenser of this invention; 
           [0033]      FIG. 4  is a bottom view of the hand-held dispenser of this invention; 
           [0034]      FIG. 5  is a top view of the hand-held dispenser of this invention; 
           [0035]      FIG. 6  is an exploded perspective view of the hand-held dispenser of this invention; 
           [0036]      FIG. 7  is a sectional view of the hand-held dispenser of this invention without hatching; 
           [0037]      FIG. 8  is a side sectional perspective view of the hand-held dispenser of this invention without hatching; 
           [0038]      FIG. 9  is a partial sectional view of the hand-held dispenser of this invention; 
           [0039]      FIG. 10  is an exploded perspective view of the slide valve portion of this invention; 
           [0040]      FIG. 11  is a bottom perspective view; of the operating lever and selector knob; 
           [0041]      FIG. 12  is a partial top perspective view of the hand-held dispenser of this invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0042]    Embodiments are described more fully below with reference to the accompanying figures, which form a part hereof and show, by way of illustration, specific exemplary embodiments. These embodiments are disclosed in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. However, embodiments may be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense in that the scope of the present invention is defined only by the appended claims. 
         [0043]    The dispenser of this invention is referred to generally by the reference numeral  10  and includes a dispenser body  12  which is generally T-shaped in configuration and which includes a generally horizontally disposed body portion  14  and a generally vertically disposed body portion  16 . Body portion  14  will not always be horizontally disposed when being used nor will body portion  16  always be substantially vertically disposed when in use. 
         [0044]    Body portion  14  includes an inlet end  18  which preferably has a rotatable dispenser nut or connector  20  mounted thereon so that a water hose or the like may be secured thereto with the water hose being in communication with a source of water under pressure. It is preferred that a back flow preventer of conventional design be imposed between the water hose and the inlet end  18 . An elongated hollow discharge tube  24  is provided at the discharge end  26  of the body portion  14 . As will be explained hereinafter, tube  24  may have any type of discharge nozzle selectively removably mounted thereon. A pair of oppositely disposed locking lugs  30  and  32  project from tube  26  adjacent the inner end thereof. Tube  26  has a bore or passageway  34  extending therethrough. 
         [0045]    Body portion  14  includes a horizontally disposed cylindrical body member  36  at its inlet end which has a bore or passageway  38  extending therethrough. The inner end of body member  36  joins a vertically disposed hollow cylindrical body member  40  having a vertically disposed cylindrical chamber or passageway  42  formed therein. The inner end of bore  38  of body member  36  communicates with a small opening  44  formed in the side wall of body member  40  so that water may flow through passageway  38 , through opening  44  and into chamber  42  above the lower end of body member  40 . A generally cylindrical valve guide or insert  46  is selectively removably positioned in chamber  42  above the lower end thereof. Valve guide  46  has an annular valve seat  48  formed therein at the lower end thereof which communicates with bore  50  formed in valve guide  46 . 
         [0046]    The numeral  54  refers to a valve which is designed to seat upon valve seat  48  to close the same. Valve stem  56  extends upwardly from valve  54  and vertically movably extends upwardly through passageway or bore  50  so that the upper end of valve stem  56  is positioned above valve guide  46 . Cap  57  is threadably secured to the upper end of body member  40 . As seen, valve stem  56  extends upwardly through cap  57 . To this point, the dispenser  10  is generally similar to the dispenser shown in U.S. Pat. No. 8,069,878, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference thereto to complete this disclosure if necessary. 
         [0047]    Body portion  14  also includes a transversely extending hollow housing member  58  which is rectangular in configuration. Housing  58  includes a back wall  60 , a top wall  62 , bottom wall  64 , a front wall  66 , a closed end  68  and an open end  70  which define a chamber  72 . Back wall  64  has an opening  73  which communicates with a passageway  74  which extends from chamber  42 . An opening  75  is formed in the upper end of front wall  66  and the forward end of top wall  62 . A lip  79  extends rearwardly from the upper end of back wall  60 . 
         [0048]    The numeral  76  refers to a slide valve which is horizontally slidably mounted in chamber  72 . Slide valve  76  includes a body portion  78  having a front wall  80 , top wall  82 , end walls  84  and  86 , an open lower end  87 , and a partial back wall  88 , the lower end of which has a pair of guide members  90  and  92  projecting downwardly therefrom into a recessed area  94 . Front wall  80  has three openings  96 ,  98  and  100  formed therein in a spaced-apart manner. The upper forward end of body portion  78  has a plurality of spaced-apart teeth  101  formed therein. 
         [0049]    The rectangular block member  102  is frictionally received in recessed area  94  and includes an upper end  104 , lower end  106 , front end  108 , back end  110 , and ends  112  and  114 . Horizontally disposed bores  116 ,  118  and  120  are formed in block member  102  and have different sized metering orifices positioned therein. Vertically disposed bores  122  and  124  extend upwardly from lower end  106  of block member  102  and communicate with bores  116  and  120  respectively. The upper front end of block member  102  has a pair of notches  126  and  128  formed therein which receive the guide members  90  and  92  when block member  102  is inserted into recessed area  94  to provide an assembled valve means. The upper front end of slide valve  76  has a plurality of gear teeth  130  formed therein. Slide valve  76  and block member  102  are selectively slidably mounted in chamber  72  of housing  58  so that the gear teeth  130  are exposed in the opening  78  of housing  58 . 
         [0050]    A selector knob  132  is selectively rotatably mounted on mounting support  134  and which extends upwardly from body portion  14 . Knob  132  has a position indicator  136  at its upper end and has a plurality of spaced-apart gear teeth  138  at its lower rearward side which engage the gear teeth  130  of block member  102 . Rotation of knob  132  causes valve  76  to be horizontally slidably moved in chamber  72 . Knob  132  also has a plurality of spaced-apart teeth  139  which extend rearwardly from knob  132  above the gear teeth  138  for a purpose which will be described in more detail hereinafter. A pair of pivot pins  140  and  142  extend horizontally laterally from body portion  14 . A handle  144  extends rearwardly from body portion  14  as seen in the drawings. 
         [0051]    The numeral  146  refers to an operating lever which is generally U-shaped in cross-section. Lever  146  includes an upper wall  148 , side wall  150 , side wall  152 , a forward end  154  and a rearward end  156 . Upper wall  148  has a circular opening  158  formed therein and a rectangular opening  160  formed therein. 
         [0052]    Side walls  150  and  152  have openings  162  and  164  formed therein respectively which receive the pivot pins  140  and  142  therein respectively. Circular opening  156  receives the selector knob  132  and rectangular opening  160  movably receives an on/off thumb switch  166 . Thumb switch  166  includes a downwardly and forwardly extending locking lever  168  which is adapted to engage the lip  79  to prevent the lever from being depressed. The underside of upper wall  148  includes a pocket  170  formed therein which is adapted to receive the upper end of the valve stem  56 . The underside of upper wall  148  also has a pair of projections  172  and  174  extending downwardly therefrom which are spaced-apart as seen in the drawings. A dispensing tube  175  is secured to the discharge tube  42  in conventional fashion. A two-piece shroud or cover  176  is snap-fitted onto the dispenser body  14 , as seen in the drawings. 
         [0053]    In use, the connector  20  is threadably secured to a water hose or the like with the water hose being in fluid communication with a source of water under pressure. The cap  178 , which is secured to the lower end of body portion  16 , is screwed onto the throat of a liquid container so that liquid chemical may be drawn upwardly into the dispenser in the manner described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,069,878, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference thereto to complete this disclosure if necessary. 
         [0054]    With the operating lever  146  in its upper “off” position, the operator will rotate the selective knob  132  to either a first position, an intermediate position, or a third position. The rotation of knob  132  causes the slide valve  76  to be slidably moved to a first position, an intermediate position or a third position within housing  58  due to the engagement of the teeth  138  on knob  132  with the teeth  101 . In the first position, the lower end of bore  122  will be in communication with the liquid in the container with the upper end of bore being in communication with bore  116  which is in communication with opening  96  in body portion  78  of slide valve  76  with opening  96  being in communication with the water supply once the valve  56  has been opened. In the first position, the slide valve  76  will deliver a predetermined water/chemical ratio or percentage (flow rate) to the container which is being filled from the dispensing tube  175  due to the metering orifices in the bores of the slide valve  76 . 
         [0055]    In the intermediate position, neither of the bores  122  or  124  will be in communication with the liquid chemical in the container. In the intermediate position, only rinse water is discharged from the dispensing tube once the valve  56  has been opened. 
         [0056]    In the third position, the bore  124  will be in communication with the liquid within the container. The bore  120  will be in communication with the water supply to deliver a different water/chemical ratio or percentage (flow rate) to the container which is being filled from the dispensing tube  175  due to the different metering orifices in the bores of the slide valve  76 . 
         [0057]    The water/chemical mixture or the water flow will begin when the operating lever is depressed to its lower “on” position to open the valve  56 . When the operating lever is depressed, the projections  172  and  174  at the underside of the operating lever will be received between the teeth  139  on knob  132  which prevents the knob  132  from rotating during the time when the operating lever is in its “on” position. 
         [0058]    Thus it can be seen that the invention accomplishes at least all of its stated objectives. 
         [0059]    Although the invention has been described in language that is specific to certain structures and methodological steps, it is to be understood that the invention defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific structures and/or steps described. Rather, the specific aspects and steps are described as forms of implementing the claimed invention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be practiced without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the invention resides in the claims hereinafter appended.