Abstract:
A handheld water powered spray device is provided that is comprised of a cleaning agent reservoir and a cleaning agent and water mixture control, that is capable of receiving detachable accessories, and that provides a water powered output source to power the detachable accessories in either a rotating or linear motion. The water powered spray device of the present invention also provides user controls for controlling the output power and for spraying water onto an object without powering of the attached accessory.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a fluid spray device, in particular, to a handheld water powered spray device having detachable accessories. 
     Conventional water spray devices are in widespread use in many household, commercial and industrial applications. For example, in the household, spray devices are in use in kitchens and bathrooms for spraying items in the kitchen sink or washing the bathroom shower. There are also many spray devices designed for adaptation to garden hoses for watering plants and the like, washing cars, driveways and the outside of a house or building. Spray devices are also used for cleaning applications in industrial and commercial settings such as restaurants or factories. 
     Many conventional water spray devices perform only the function of spraying water in a single pattern. Some conventional water spray devices permit the user to change the spray pattern of the spray device by providing a multi-ported or variable patterned spray head. 
     Another feature employed in many spray devices is the use of a reservoir on or in the spray device itself that permits the introduction of liquid cleaning agents such as soap into the water stream. Other spray devices use water as power to drive a transmission for rotating a brushing device fixed to the end of the spray device. Such transmissions are typically turbine like devices, which are rotated by water jets directed at blades on the turbine. The turbine is in most cases coupled to a gearing arrangement that in turn rotates the brushing device. Some water powered spray devices are designed to evacuate the water from the chamber holding the turbine and gear arrangement while other spray devices allow the turbine and gear arrangement to remain submerged in the chamber. 
     A majority of spray devices utilizing turbines or the like have the drawback of being very large and cumbersome because they are designed for applications such as washing floors, automobiles, boats, buildings and cannot be fully operated with a single hand. Although such devices must typically be held by both hands of the user to operate, they are not handheld devices within the sense of the present invention because the user cannot operate all features of the device with the single hand holding the device. 
     In addition, the brushing devices of existing water powered spray devices are not easily removable from the body holding the brushing device. No water powered devices are known having detachable accessories that provide either rotational motion or linear motion. 
     Water spray devices used in kitchens and bathrooms also have several drawbacks. For example, spray devices used in kitchens typically provide a spray only mode. Some spray devices used at kitchen sinks provide an internal soap reservoir and permit the user to attach a brushing device to the head of the water spray device. However, in such devices neither water, soap or a water soap mixture is directed into the brush head but rather from and through the spray head of the spray device. Moreover, no apparatus for rotating the brushing device is provided in such devices. 
     In the operation of a water spray device having a soap reservoir and a non-rotating brush, a user may first spray water on the item to be washed. After the item is wetted, the user may then dispense soap directly onto the application in the same manner as a plastic soap bottle is squeezed. After the soap has been applied to the item, the operator must manually scrub the item by using stroking motions. 
     If the user desires to add additional water to the application to aid in foaming of the soap, the user would have to pull the single trigger to spray more water onto the item being washed. Such operation causes the soap to be rinsed off and the sprayed water to be deflected off the item itself and onto the user or surrounding environment. In addition, the user may have to repeat the foregoing process several times to reach the desired soap to water ratio or foaming result. 
     Accordingly, it is desirable to have a handheld water powered spray device that provides a soap reservoir and a soap water mixture control, that is capable of receiving detachable accessories, and that provides a power output source available to power the detachable accessories in either a rotational or linear motion. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with the principles of the present invention, a handheld water powered spray device is provided that comprises a soap reservoir and a soap water mixture control, is capable of receiving detachable accessories, and provides a water powered output source to power the detachable accessories in either a rotational or linear motion. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     In the drawings: 
     FIG. 1 illustrates a cross sectional view of the body of the present invention; 
     FIGS. 2 a  and  2   b  illustrate a cross sectional and frontal view of components of a water spray device constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention; and 
     FIGS. 3 a  and  3   b  illustrate a cross sectional and frontal view of a rotating detachable accessory constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
     FIGS. 4 a ,  4   b  and  4   c  illustrate a cross sectional side view, and top and bottom views of a linear motion detachable accessory constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
     FIG. 5 illustrates yet another rotating detachable accessory constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring first to FIG. 1, a body  10  is shown having a transmission chamber  12 , pressurized wash chamber  16 , agent valve  18 , agent fill cap  20 , agent reservoir chamber  22 , swivel hose adapter  24 , wash trigger  30 , spray trigger  32 , and output nozzle  60 . A sight glass (not shown) may also be provided in body  10  to show the level of agent in the agent reservoir chamber  22 . 
     Swivel hose adapter  24  is fitted to socket  28  using known sealed ball and socket technology to provide a user with both rotational and swinging motion of the hose within the socket. For example, swivel hose adapter  24  may be rotated 360 degrees within socket  28  and swiveled or rocked 15 to 30 degrees within socket  28  as shown by arrow a. Swivel hose adapter  24  is shown having water inlet  26  for channeling pressurized water to the spray device. Swivel hose adapter  24  or body  10  may house an optional inline pressure regulator (not shown) to regulate the pressure of the water being supplied to the device. In operation, the opposing end (not shown) of swivel hose adapter  24  will be attached to a flexible hose (not shown) that will in-turn be attached to a pressurized water supply source such as household plumbing or the like (not shown). If a faucet or the like is coupled to the same pressurized fluid source as the spray device of the present invention is coupled to, then a standard off-the-shelf shut-off accessory may be applied to the exit port of existing faucet heads such that water will be conserved during operation of the present invention. 
     Turning now to FIG. 2 a , the details of a water spray device constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention is shown. 
     Agent reservoir  22  is shown having agent pick-up tube  80 , agent fill cap  20  and agent valve  18 . Agent fill cap  20  covers an opening in body  10  to allow the user to load agent reservoir  22  with an agent and to prevent leakage of the agent once loaded. Pick-up tube  80  siphons the agent loaded in reservoir  22  and channels it to agent selector switch  18 , which determines, based on the user setting, whether the agent will be introduced into pressurized wash chamber  16  to mix with the pressurized water supply. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, agent valve  18  is a multi-position valve having an in-line check valve for allowing agent flow into supply chamber  16  and for preventing pressurized water from entering into reservoir chamber  22 . One skilled in the art will readily recognize that a variable valve may be used rather than a multi-position valve. In addition, other well-known methods for siphoning or delivering the agent to the pressurized wash chamber may be used. The spray device of the present invention is designed such that the user can easily hold body  10 , operate wash trigger  30 , operate rinse trigger  32 , and operate agent valve  18  with a single hand. 
     Agent reservoir chamber  22  is also shown having supply channel  82 , wash channel  84 , rinse channel  88 , wash valve  90  and rinse valve  96 . Supply channel  82  is shown connected to wash valve inlet  92  and rinse valve inlet  98 . Wash valve outlet  94  is shown connected to wash channel  84 , which provides a path for pressurized water to enter pressurized wash chamber  16 . Rinse valve outlet  86  is shown connected to rinse channel  88 , which provides a path for water to enter rinse outlet port  58 . Although wash valve  90  and rinse valve  96  are shown as separate valves with separate supply channels, one skilled in the art will readily recognize that a single supply channel or a single valve configuration may be used to accomplish the same functions of the wash and rinse valves. 
     In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, wash valve  90  and rinse valve  96  are variable on/off valves set to the normally off position. For example, if a user applies a small amount of pressure to wash trigger  30 , a small amount of pressurized water will flow through the wash valve. Similarly, if a user applies an increased amount of pressure to wash trigger  30 , an increased amount of pressurized water will flow through the wash valve. No flow will occur in either valve until pressure is applied to the trigger. One skilled in the art will readily recognize that wash valve  90  and/or rinse valve  96  may also be a multi-position valve. 
     Turning now to pressurized wash chamber  16 , water jets  42  are shown directed at turbine  40 . Turbine shaft  44  is securely fixed to turbine  40 . Turbine  40  is a circular device having blades or fins (not shown) in the outer diameter of the turbine and angled or cupped such that water projected from water jet  42  will rotate turbine  40  and shaft  44  when it impacts the blades. Water jets  42  have hollowed cylindrical inner diameters (not shown) which are sized to project the pressurized water or water agent mixture onto the blades of turbine  40  in a high velocity compact stream. Water jets  42  are also sized to obtain the desired rotational speed and output torque of output nozzle  60  as discussed below with minimal water consumption. The hollowed cylindrical inner diameters (not shown) of water jets  42  may also be shaped such that the inlet to such inner diameter is larger than the outlet of such inner diameter. In such a shape, the inner diameter is cone shaped, wherein the large end of the cone is located at the inlet. 
     The water jets  42  and turbine  40  are positioned to displace and expel the water efficiently to reduce hydrodynamic drag if the turbine becomes partially or fully submerged. If turbine  40  becomes fully submerged during operation the output torque and rotational speed will be reduced in proportion to the hydrodynamic drag placed on the turbine. Although performance of the spray device will be hindered in such cases, the output nozzle will continue to operate in accordance with the principles of the present invention. An optional filter (not shown) may be placed in the fluid stream prior to the jets such that unwanted particles will not reach and clog the water jets. 
     Transmission chamber  12  is shown with transmission  50 , which in a preferred embodiment of the present invention is a sealed unit having a series of planetary gears (not shown) positioned inside of the unit and coupled to turbine shaft  44 . The planetary gears are sized and arranged to provide a rotational speed range of 100 to 130 revolutions per minute (“RPM”) and a torque output of 3 to 5 inch-pounds with a water supply pressure of 30 to 60 pounds per square inch (“PSI”). Those skilled in the art will readily recognize that other well known gear configurations and ratios such as spur and pinion gears may also be used. 
     Transmission  50  is shown having output shaft  52 . Output shaft  52  is fixed to pinion gear  54 , which is matched to and mates with spur gear  56  of output nozzle  60 . Output nozzle  60  is also shown with rinse port  58 , keys  62 , exit ports  66 , o-ring  68 , and spray ports  70 . Rinse port  58  provides a channel for pressurized water delivered from rinse valve  96  and channel  88  to be projected through spray ports  70 , which may be arranged to create a spray pattern as can be seen in FIG. 2 b , for example. 
     Exit ports  66  are shown on the interior portion of output nozzle  60  as circular shaped ports but may also be slot shaped ports, having one constant slot or several slots spanning the length of the interior of output nozzle  60 . Keys  62  are shaped to mate with key slots  114  as described below. Output nozzle  60  rotates freely about bearing  64 , which will also seal the gap between transmission chamber  12  and output nozzle  60  using well known bearing and journal sealing techniques. 
     Turning now to FIG. 3 a , a cross sectional view of a detachable accessory of a water spray device constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention is shown. Brush head  100  is shown having a series of fluid entry ports  102 , a fluid cavity  104 , fluid exit ports  106 , bristles  108 , opening  110 , o-ring seat  112 , key slot  114  and o-ring  116 . As set forth in the description above regarding exit ports  66 , fluid entry ports  102  and fluid exit ports  106  may be slot shaped ports, having one constant slot or several slots. 
     As water or a water/agent mixture flows through exit ports  66 , it will be directed through fluid entry ports  102  into cavity  104  and through fluid exit ports for application to bristles  108 . In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, bristles  108  are constructed of nylon fibers having flexibility and strength appropriate to withstand scrubbing action caused by the rotation of output nozzle  60 . Bristles  108  may also be constructed of other materials such as copper, aluminum or the like, wire strands to increase the strength of the bristles for more demanding cleaning or scrubbing applications. Bristles  108  may also be substituted with other materials such as synthetic sponges, abrasive pads and the like. Bristles  108  and brush head  100  may be constructed to be washed with a wash machine or by hand. 
     Key slots  114  are positionally and dimensionally matched to fit snugly with keys  62  to provide a detachable locking action of brush head  100  to output nozzle  60 . Key slots  114  are shown as “L” shaped but may be of any shape that provides such a detachable locking action. Brush head  100  is also shown with o-ring  116 , however one skilled in the art will readily recognize that individual o-rings may be placed around fluid entry ports  102 . Opening  110  is sized and positioned to allow unrestricted fluid flow from spray ports  70  of output nozzle  60 . 
     Turning now to FIG. 3 b , a front view of a detachable accessory constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention is also shown. Spray head  120  is shown with face  122  and opening  124 . Spray head  120 , houses key slots (not shown) similar to those shown in FIG. 3 a  such that spray head  120  may be detachably connected to output nozzle  60 . Spray ports  70  of output nozzle  60  are also shown through opening  124 . Like opening  110 , opening  124  is sized to allow unrestricted fluid flow from spray ports  70  of output nozzle  60 . 
     In operation of the water powered spray device of the present invention, swivel hose adapter  24  is connected to a pressurized fluid source (not shown) such as a household water supply line found in most homes. As pressurized water enters supply inlet  26  it will travel through supply channel  82  to pressurize wash valve  90  and rinse valve  96 . Once wash valve  90  and rinse valve  96  are pressurized, the user may choose one of three modes of operation: wash with agent, wash without agent, or rinse mode. 
     In rinse mode, when the user applies pressure to rinse trigger  32 , rinse valve  96  will open and allow the pressurized water to flow through channel  88  to rinse port  58  located within output nozzle  60 . The pressurized water will then exit though spray ports  70  in a pattern determined by the arrangement of the spray ports on rinse port  58 . The spray pattern will travel through opening  110  of brush head  100 . FIG. 2 b  shows one of numerous spray pattern arrangements. 
     In wash mode, when the user applies pressure to wash trigger  30 , the pressurized water at wash valve  90  to enter wash channel  84 , which will supply pressurized water to wash chamber  16 . If agent selector switch  18  is in the “on” position, the agent (not shown) in agent reservoir  22  will be siphoned through pick-up tube  80  and will be mixed into the water in wash chamber  16 . If the agent selector switch is in the “off” position then no agent will be supplied to wash chamber  16 . 
     The pressurized water and/or water-agent mixture from supply chamber  16  will be forced through water jets  42 . Since the inner diameter of water jets  42  has a small diameter, the pressurized water will flow through the water jets and will be projected onto the turbine blades in a high velocity compact stream, thus, rotating the turbine. As turbine  40  is rotated, turbine shaft  44  will rotate at the same number of RPM. As the fluid projected onto the turbine blades is expelled off of the turbine blade, the expelled water or water-agent mixture will drain through exit ports  66  while output nozzle  60  rotates. 
     As turbine shaft  44  rotates, the gears (not shown) located inside of transmission  50  will transfer the rotating energy to output shaft  52  and pinion gear  54 , which will in turn rotate spur gear  56  and output nozzle  60 . As output nozzle  60  rotates, the attached detachable accessory will rotate at the same rate. 
     If brush head  100  is attached to output nozzle  60 , then water or water/agent mixture will flow or drain through exit ports  66 , through fluid entry ports  102  and fluid exit ports  106  through bristles  108 . Thus providing the user with a rotating handheld device with a water or water/agent mixture traveling through bristles  108 , while brushing head  100  rotates at a speed determined by the pressure applied to wash trigger  30 . 
     Turning now to FIGS. 4 a ,  4   b  and  4   c , a cross sectional side view and a top and bottom view of a linear based detachable accessory constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention is shown. Linear accessory  140  is shown having an attachment opening  142 , key slots  144 , bearing  146 , o-ring  148 , linear exit ports  150  and  158 , blade  154 , blade bristles  156 , pivot pin  160 , translation slot  162 , translation housing  164 , linear ports  166  and linear opening  168 . 
     Similar to key slots  114  (See FIG. 3 a ) key slots  144  are positionally and dimensionally matched to fit snugly with keys  62  (See FIG. 2 a ) to provide a detachable locking action of linear accessory  140  to output nozzle  60  (See FIG. 2 a ). 
     Attachment opening  142  and translation housing  164  are dimensionally matched to receive output nozzle  60 . Translation housing  164  is shown with linear ports  166  and linear opening  168 . Linear ports  166  are sized and positioned to allow unrestricted fluid flow from exit ports  66  (See FIG. 2 a ). Linear opening  168  is sized and positioned to allow unrestricted fluid flow from spray ports  70  (See FIG. 2 a ) of rinse port  58 . Linear accessory  140  is shown with o-ring  148 , which provides the necessary friction to prevent the accessory from rotating with output nozzle  60 . 
     In FIG. 4 a , blade  154  is shown with translation slot  162 . Pivot pin  160  is coupled to translation slot  162  such that it may move freely within slot  162 . Pivot pin  160  is securely fixed to and positioned on translation housing  164 . From FIG. 4 c , it can be seen that the rotation of translation housing  164  will cause blade  154  to move in the direction of arrow b, while pivot pin slides back and forth within translation slot  160 . 
     As translation housing  164  rotates it will rotate freely within bearing  146 . Bearing  146  is constructed similar to bearing  64  (See FIG. 2 a ) using well-known bearing and journal sealing techniques. As blade  154  moves it will slide between bearing plates  152  and  152   a.    
     During operation, fluid or a fluid agent mixture exiting from linear ports  166  and linear opening  168  will flow through and out linear exit ports  150  and  158 . Blade  154  is shown having bristles  156 . In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, bristles  156  are constructed of nylon fibers having flexibility and strength appropriate to withstand scrubbing action caused by the linear motion of blade  154 . Like bristles  108  (See FIG. 3 a ), bristles  156  may also be constructed of other materials such as copper, aluminum or the like, to increase the strength of the bristles for more demanding cleaning or scrubbing applications. Bristles  156  may also be substituted with other materials such as synthetic sponges, abrasive pads and the like. Bristles  156  and linear accessory may be constructed to be washed with a wash machine or by hand. 
     In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, blade  154  is constructed of plastic material such as delron, teflon or the like, or alloys such as brass, aluminum or the like. 
     Turning now to FIG. 5, a cross sectional view of yet another rotating detachable accessory constructed in accordance with the present invention is shown. Multi-brush head  180  is shown having pinion gear  182 , retainer ring  184 , key slots  186 , ring gear  188 , exit slots  190 , gears  192 , shafts  194 , opening  196  and bristles  198 . 
     Multi-brush head  180  is shown having two sections separated by bulk head  204 . The attaching section of multi-brush head  180  is shown having key slots  186  and the section having ring gear  188 . Similar to key slots  114  (See FIG. 3 a ) key slots  186  are positionally and dimensionally matched to fit snugly with keys  62  (See FIG. 2 a ) to provide a detachable locking action of multi-brush head  180  to output nozzle  60  (See FIG. 2 a ). Accordingly, as output nozzle  60  rotates, multi-brush head  180  and ring gear  188  will rotate at the same RPM. 
     Pinion gear  182  is shown coupled to and through retainer ring  184 . Retainer ring  184  holds shaft  194  of gears  192 . Pinion gear  182  is also shown having splines  200  for holding pinion gear  182  in a stationary position while ring gear  188  rotates. Splines  200  will be received and held in place by a well know spline coupler (not shown) located on rinse port  58 . As ring gear  188  rotates about pinion gear  182 , gears  192  will rotate in the same direction as ring gear  188  and retainer ring  184  will rotate about pinion gear  182 . Multi-brush head  180  is shown having only three gears  192 , however a plurality of gears may be used. 
     Pinion gear  182  has an opening  196 , which is sized and positioned to allow unrestricted fluid flow from spray ports  70  (See FIG. 2 a ) of rinse port  58 . Similarly, exit slots  190  are sized and positioned to allow unrestricted fluid flow from exit ports  66  (See FIG. 2 a ) of output nozzle  60 . Multi-brush head is shown with o-ring  202 . O-ring  202  is sized and positioned to provide friction such that it prevents linear accessory  140  from rotating while output nozzle  60  rotates. 
     Bristles  198  are shown securely fixed to ring gear  188  and gears  192  and may have the same characteristics as described above for bristles  108  and bristles  156 . 
     The water powered spray device of the present invention is constructed using ABS plastics or equivalent plastic materials. However, one skilled in the art will readily recognize that different materials may be used if the spray device of the present invention is intended for use in industrial or commercial applications requiring both internal and external resistance to damaging fluids, materials and environments.