Abstract:
A pressure washer wand assembly includes a rigid tube portion defining a first flow path having an input end and an output end, the first flow path extending along and defining a longitudinal axis. A nozzle coupler is coupled to the rigid tube portion to inhibit relative rotation therebetween. The nozzle coupler defines a single passageway that includes an outlet offset from the longitudinal axis. A nozzle assembly index includes a plurality of selectable nozzles, the nozzle assembly index disposed downstream of the passageway and rotatable about the longitudinal axis to selectively align one of the plurality of selectable nozzles with the outlet along an alignment axis that is parallel to and offset from the longitudinal axis to discharge the pressurized fluid in a desired spray pattern. An O-ring is positioned concentrically with the alignment axis between the nozzle coupler and the nozzle assembly index to form a seal therebetween.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION DATA 
       [0001]    The present application is a continuation application of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/516,816 filed Sep. 7, 2006, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Pressure washers provide a supply of high-pressure fluid, such as water alone or water mixed with a cleaning solution, for cleaning or moving debris. Different nozzles are required for different jobs. For example, a wide angle nozzle may be suitable for cleaning loose debris off of a flat surface, while a narrower spray angle nozzle may be required to remove paint or stains from a surface. It is often desirable to be able to quickly switch between nozzles to provide the user with a wide range of functionality. 
         [0003]    Nozzles are often disposed in a nozzle turret. Conventional nozzle turrets may be cumbersome and difficult to use because changing nozzles and selecting a different spray pattern may prove unwieldy in the midst of a pressure washer cleaning project. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    In one embodiment, the invention provides a pressure washer wand assembly configured to discharge pressurized fluid in a changeable spray pattern. The wand assembly comprises a tube portion having an input end and an output end. The wand assembly further comprises a nozzle assembly having a plurality of selectable nozzles. The nozzle assembly is disposed near the output end and configured to discharge the pressurized fluid in a spray pattern. The wand assembly includes a nozzle indicator spaced from the output end that indicates a spray characteristic of a selected nozzle. In one embodiment, the wand assembly further comprises an elongated outer housing coupled to the nozzle assembly and configured to rotate with respect to the tube portion to select a nozzle from the nozzle assembly at the output end. 
         [0005]    In another embodiment, the invention provides a pressure washer wand assembly configured to discharge pressurized fluid in a changeable spray pattern. The wand assembly comprises a tube portion having an input end and an output end. The wand assembly further comprises a nozzle assembly having a plurality of selectable nozzles. The nozzle assembly is disposed near the output end and configured to discharge the pressurized fluid in a spray pattern. The wand assembly further comprises a nozzle selector spaced from the output end. The nozzle selector is configured to select a nozzle from the nozzle assembly at the output end. A nozzle indicator may be disposed on or near the nozzle selector. 
         [0006]    In another embodiment, the invention provides a pressure washer wand assembly configured to discharge pressurized fluid in a changeable spray pattern. The wand assembly comprises a tube portion having an input end and an output end. The wand assembly further comprises a nozzle assembly having a plurality of selectable nozzles. The nozzle assembly is disposed near the output end and configured to discharge the pressurized fluid in a spray pattern. The wand assembly further comprises an elongated, rotatable outer housing, a nozzle selector, and a nozzle indicator. The nozzle selector is spaced from the output end and configured to select a nozzle from the nozzle assembly. The nozzle indicator is spaced from the output end to indicate a spray characteristic of a selected nozzle. In one embodiment, the elongated, rotatable outer housing is coupled to the nozzle assembly and configured to rotate with respect to the tube portion to select a nozzle from the nozzle assembly at the output end. 
         [0007]    In another construction, the invention provides a pressure washer wand assembly configured to discharge pressurized fluid in a changeable spray pattern. The wand assembly includes a rigid tube portion defining a first flow path having an input end and an output end, the first flow path extending along and defining a longitudinal axis. A nozzle coupler is coupled to the rigid tube portion to inhibit relative rotation therebetween. The nozzle coupler defines a single passageway that includes an outlet offset from the longitudinal axis. A nozzle assembly index includes a plurality of selectable nozzles, the nozzle assembly index disposed downstream of the passageway and rotatable about the longitudinal axis to selectively align one of the plurality of selectable nozzles with the outlet along an alignment axis that is parallel to and offset from the longitudinal axis to discharge the pressurized fluid in a desired spray pattern. An O-ring is positioned concentrically with the alignment axis between the nozzle coupler and the nozzle assembly index to form a seal therebetween. 
         [0008]    In another construction, the invention provides a pressure washer wand assembly configured to discharge pressurized fluid in a changeable spray pattern. The wand assembly includes a rigid tube portion defining a first flow path having an input end and an output end, the first flow path extending along and defining a longitudinal axis and a nozzle coupler having a first planar face arranged normal to the longitudinal axis. The nozzle coupler is coupled to the rigid tube portion to inhibit relative rotation therebetween and defines a single passageway that includes an outlet offset from the longitudinal axis and formed in the first planar face. A nozzle assembly index includes a second planar face arranged normal to the longitudinal axis and a plurality of selectable nozzles. The nozzle assembly index is disposed downstream of the passageway such that the first planar face and the second planar face are adjacent one another. The nozzle assembly index is rotatable about the longitudinal axis to selectively align one of the plurality of selectable nozzles with the outlet along an alignment axis that is parallel to and offset from the longitudinal axis to discharge the pressurized fluid in a desired spray pattern. An O-ring is positioned concentrically with the alignment axis between the first planar face and the second planar face to form a seal therebetween. 
         [0009]    Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a pressure washer wand assembly. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a rear perspective view of the pressure washer wand assembly shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a front perspective view of the pressure washer wand assembly shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is an exploded view of the pressure washer wand assembly shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is a front view of the pressure washer wand assembly shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of the pressure washer wand assembly shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  is a detailed cross-sectional view of the nozzle assembly of the pressure washer wand assembly shown in  FIG. 6 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 7   a  is an exploded view of the detailed cross-sectional view of the nozzle assembly of the pressure washer wand assembly shown in  FIG. 7 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a pressure washer wand assembly. 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  is a ratchet-type nozzle selector according to the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a pressure washer assembly of another embodiment of a pressure washer wand assembly. 
           [0021]      FIG. 11  is an exploded view of another embodiment of a pressure washer assembly. 
       
    
    
       [0022]    Before any features of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “having”, and “comprising” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. The use of letters to identify elements of a method or process is simply for identification and is not meant to indicate that the elements should be performed in a particular order. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0023]      FIGS. 1-3  illustrate a pressure washer wand assembly  14  of the present invention. The wand assembly  14  includes an input end  30  and an output end  34 . A nozzle assembly  38 , including a plurality of nozzles  42 , is located at the output end  34 . The wand assembly  14  further comprises an elongated outer housing  46 , wherein the elongated outer housing  46  includes a hand grip  50  for the operator&#39;s second hand. In the illustrated embodiment, the hand grip  50  is located near the input end  30 . However, in other embodiments, the hand grip  50  is located between the input end  30  and the output end  34 . The wand assembly  14  further includes a viewing window  54  as part of the nozzle indicator  70 , and the fitting  18  to connect the wand assembly  14  to a gun assembly, pump, or similar device. 
         [0024]      FIG. 4  illustrates the various components of the wand assembly  14 . A nozzle assembly  38  is coupled to the output end  34  of the wand assembly  14  with a nozzle assembly collar  98  at the exterior of the output end  34 . The nozzle assembly  38  includes a nozzle assembly index  39 , a nozzle assembly collar  98 , a nozzle coupler  94  and a plurality of apertures  58 , with each of the apertures containing a nozzle  42 . In some embodiments, the nozzles  42  are integrally formed in the nozzle assembly  38 . In other embodiments, the nozzles  42  may be removable. The nozzles  42  are configured to exhibit respective different discharge characteristics, or spray characteristics, of the pressurized fluid. Specifically, as illustrated in  FIG. 5 , each of nozzles  42   a,    42   b,    42   c,    42   d,    42   e  and  42   f  includes an orifice  58  to discharge the pressurized fluid at different output pressures and flows. The sizes of the orifices  58  of the respective nozzles  42   a,    42   b,    42   c,    42   d,    42   e  and  42   f,  together with their respective spray angles, define different spray patterns. The orifice size and spray angle are selected to produce different output spray characteristics. Thus, the user may select one of the nozzles  42   a,    42   b,    42   c,    42   d,    42   e  and  42   f  to change the spray pattern according to a particular user application. 
         [0025]    In the illustrated construction, the nozzle assembly index  39  is an insert, turn and pin design wherein the nozzle assembly index  39  is attached to the nozzle assembly collar  98  with a pin  33 . Pin  33  couples the nozzle assembly index  39  to the nozzle assembly collar  98  to hold the nozzle assembly index  39  and the nozzle assembly collar  98  together for rotation. In some embodiments, the pin  33  may include a screw, bolt or other fastening device. In other embodiments, the nozzle assembly index  39  can be a snap-on construction, injection-molded, fastened or otherwise attached to the nozzle assembly collar  98 . Screw  102  couples the elongated outer housing  46  together. The elongated outer housing  46  interfaces with the nozzle assembly collar  98  for turning and rotating the nozzle assembly index  39 . As illustrated in  FIG. 7   a , the nozzle assembly  38  further comprises an o-ring  43  to retain a seal between the nozzle assembly index  39  and the nozzle coupler  94 . In some embodiments, the o-ring  43  can be a rubber seal or the like for maintaining a seal between the nozzle assembly index  39  and the nozzle coupler  94 . In some embodiments, a spring-loaded détente  99  can hold the nozzle assembly index  98  in place once the user selects a nozzle  42 . 
         [0026]    A tube portion  62  separates the fitting  18  from the nozzle assembly  38 . Due to the high pressure within the tube portion  62 , preferred constructions employ cylindrical steel tubes with other shapes and materials being possible. Although the construction illustrated in  FIG. 5  includes positions for six nozzles, it should be evident that fewer or more nozzles could be employed. 
         [0027]    An elongated outer housing  46  surrounds the tube portion  62  of the wand assembly  14 . In some embodiments, the elongated outer housing  46  is made from a rigid, plastic material. However, in other embodiments, the elongated outer housing  46  can be made from a metal alloy. The interior of the elongated outer housing  46  supports a plurality of housing recesses  66  to receive and retain the tube portion  62 . In the illustrated embodiment, the elongated outer housing  46  includes a hand grip  50 . The hand grip  50  is located near the input end  30 . However, in other embodiments, the hand grip  50  may be located on the elongated outer housing  46  between the input end  30  and the output end  34 . 
         [0028]    As further illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the wand assembly  14  includes a nozzle indicator  70 , which is coupled to the elongated outer housing  46 . The elongated outer housing  46  further includes a view window  54 . The view window  54  comprises a view aperture  74 , which may optionally be covered by a transparent portion of glass, plastic, or similar material. The view window  54  is configured so that a visual indicator  82  is visible to the user. The visual indicator  82  is a text, icon, number, color, or other indicator that indicates the spray characteristics of the selected nozzle to the user. 
         [0029]    In operation and with reference to  FIG. 10 , the gun assembly  422  includes a trigger  426  that controls a trigger or output valve. The valve, when actuated, ports high-pressure fluid from a high-pressure source (e.g., an engine-driven pump on a pressure washer) to the pressure washer wand assembly. When not actuated, the valve prevents flow beyond the fitting  418 . When the trigger  426  is actuated, the high-pressure flow exits the gun assembly  422  and flows into the tube portion of the wand assembly. 
         [0030]    In the illustrated embodiment and with reference to  FIGS. 4 ,  6  and  7 , the user rotates the elongated outer housing  46  using the hand grip  50 . The elongated outer housing  46  is coupled to the nozzle coupler  94 , which is further coupled to the nozzle assembly index  39  and configured to rotate with respect to the tube portion  62 . When the elongated outer housing  46  is rotated a predetermined amount, a nozzle  42  is selected from the nozzle assembly  38  at the output end  34 . The nozzle indicator  70  is coupled to the elongated outer housing  46 . The nozzle indicator  70  is configured to indicate the spray characteristic of the selected nozzle  42 . In some embodiments, the nozzle indicator  70  may be configured to rotate with the nozzle assembly  38 . The nozzle indicator  70  and an associated visual indicator  82  are visible to the user through the view window  54  in the elongated outer housing  46 . The visual indicator  82  displays a text, icon, number, color or other indicator that is indicative of the spray characteristics of the selected nozzle. By way of example only, the word “PINPOINT” or the color red could be used to indicate a high pressure, small spray angle nozzle. 
         [0031]    In another embodiment and with reference to  FIG. 8 , the wand assembly  214  can further include a nozzle selector  286 . The nozzle selector  286  is wheel-shaped and is spaced from the output end  234 . In some embodiments, the nozzle selector  286  is near the input end  230  of the wand assembly  214 . An elongated member  290  is integrally formed with the nozzle selector  286  and the nozzle assembly  238  to couple the nozzle selector  286  to the nozzle assembly  238 . In the illustrated embodiment, when rotated by the user, the nozzle selector  286  is configured to rotate and select a nozzle  242  from the nozzle assembly  238  at the output end  234  when the nozzle selector  286  is rotated a predetermined amount. In this embodiment, the elongated outer housing  246  does not rotate. The nozzle indicator  270  is coupled to the elongated member  290  and is configured to rotate with the nozzle assembly  238 . The nozzle indicator  270  is configured to indicate the selected spray characteristics of the nozzle selected. The nozzle indicator  270  and associated visual indicator are visible to the user through the view window in the elongated outer housing  246 . The visual indicator displays text, icon, number, color or another indicator that is meaningful to the wand user. 
         [0032]    In other embodiments, the nozzle selector does not rotate. As shown in  FIG. 9 , the nozzle selector may instead utilize a lever  311  to engage a ratchet mechanism  315  to select a nozzle. The ratchet mechanism  315  includes a ratchet  319  and a pawl  323 . In some embodiments, a remote nozzle selector is disposed near the input end of the wand, or is otherwise spaced from the output end. The remote nozzle selector can alternately comprise a series of buttons or similar selectors, each corresponding to a nozzle with a selected spray characteristic. By manipulating the remote nozzle selector buttons, the user can select a nozzle with a particular spray characteristic. In any case, a remote nozzle indicator may also be provided that is spaced from the output end of the wand, preferably near the nozzle selector. 
         [0033]    In another embodiment and with reference to  FIG. 10 , a pressure washer assembly  410  includes another embodiment of a pressure washer wand assembly  414 , a fitting  418 , a gun assembly  422 , a trigger  426  and a power unit. The power unit can be an engine, electric motor or other power source that provides a pressurized fluid to the pressure washer assembly  410 . 
         [0034]    In other embodiments and with reference to  FIG. 11 , the nozzle assembly  538  can be press-fit or otherwise attached to a pressure washer wand assembly  514 . The nozzle assembly index  539  is further coupled to the nozzle assembly collar  598  with a pin. The nozzle assembly  538  of the pressure washer wand assembly  514  is coupled to the output end  534  with a nozzle assembly collar  598  at the exterior of the output end  534 . The nozzle assembly  538  includes a plurality of apertures  558 , with each of the apertures containing a nozzle. The elongated outer housing  546  is coupled to the nozzle coupler  594 , which is further coupled to the nozzle assembly index  539  and configured to rotate with respect to the tube portion  562 . An o-ring  543  is positioned between the nozzle assembly index  539  and nozzle coupler  594 . In some embodiments, a spring-loaded détente  99  can hold the nozzle assembly index  539  in place once the user selects a nozzle. 
         [0035]    The pressure washer assembly of  FIG. 11  further includes an input end  530  and a hand grip  550 . The tube portion  562  is received and retained by housing recesses  566  and separates the fitting  518  from the nozzle assembly  538 . Screws or fasteners  102  couple the elongated outer housing  546  together. 
         [0036]    Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to certain preferred embodiments, variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of the invention as described and defined in the following claims.