Patent Publication Number: US-8985484-B2

Title: Spray gun attachment for a fluid handling system

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Garden hose spray guns typically attach to the ends of garden hoses using mating threads, which are fixed in position with respect to the input ends of the spray gun bodies. A common problem with this arrangement however, is that it limits the tree movement of the spray gun in the user&#39;s hand. It is, therefore, desirable to provide a spray gun that may pivot independently of the garden hose and not restrict the free movement of the user during normal cleaning or watering chores. It is contemplated that the addition of a quick coupler could provide the general affect of a swivel but such an arrangement is not designed to withstand the constant movement and pressure that it would endure during common usage. In the end, such a design will tend to leak very easily. 
     It is contemplated that a swivel connector could be used with a spray gun connector. However, in many prior art swivel designs, the rotor and housing rotate with respect to one another in a less than accurate fashion. Frequently, there is a fair amount of concentric play between the rotor and the housing, which is a significant contributor to leaks. In an attempt to provide a swivel that does not leak, various prior art designs increase the pressure on the O-ring seals within the swivel assembly. One problem with this design approach, however, is that the increased pressure on the O-rings also increases the torque required to rotate the swivel. This oftentimes causes premature wear on the O-rings, which can shorten the life of the swivel and cause premature leaking; the very condition the design sought to avoid. Moreover, such increased torque in prior designs can cause the user&#39;s hose to kink. 
     Prior swivel designs are also difficult to assemble. Conventional designs typically include an interrupting feature in the bearing raceway, such as a bearing opening that is cross-drilled into the raceway. Such a design makes it more difficult to assemble, which will cause an end user trouble when it is time to replace a tailed O-ring seal. This may happen routinely, increasing the operational costs to the user. With prior art designs, this is a fairly complicated repair in the field and may cause more problems than it resolves. 
     Another design shortcoming with the bearing raceways of prior swivel designs is the level of operational friction generated by the raceways during use. Conventional raceway designs are mostly circular in cross-section and sized just larger than the diameter of the bearings used therein. Accordingly, each bearing within such a raceway engages the surface of the raceway around an entire circumferential portion of the bearing. When multiplied by several bearings within a single swivel design, the amount of friction becomes significant. Moreover, such designs typically require high precision machining, which increases manufacturing costs and the potential for faulty swivel assemblies. 
     Standard pistol grip gun designs further suffer from restricted flow due to the types of valves used. This restriction can be acute and severely affect the amount of water available for cleaning or watering operations. Accordingly, it is desirable to create a spray gun that does not restrict the available water flow or pressure. 
     SUMMARY 
     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, and the foregoing Background, 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. 
     A spray gun attachment of the present technology is provided for use within a wide array of fluid handling systems that will incorporate the use of one or more fluid delivery lines. Generally, the spray gun attachment will include an elongated gun body, having an open inlet end portion and an open outlet end portion. A swivel connector is coupled to the inlet end portion of the gun body. The swivel connector includes a housing stem, having an open first end portion and an open second end portion, and a rotor, having an open first end portion and an open second end portion, which is coupled with the gun body. The second end portion of the housing stem is placed in open fluid communication with the first end portion of the rotor, which is positioned so that the rotor and gun body may freely rotate with respect to the housing stem on a common axis extending through a length of the housing stem. 
     The swivel connector may include a bearing cup, having an open opposite end portion and an open interior portion. In some embodiments, a rotor end portion of the bearing cup is coaxially, rotatably coupled with an exterior surface of the rotor. A threaded inner diameter of the opposite, housing stem end portion of the bearing cup is coupled with a threaded portion of an exterior surface of the housing stem, allowing the bearing cup to be advanced and withdrawn along a length of the housing stem to a desired position. A lock ring is provided to secure the position of the bearing cup along the threaded portion of the housing stem. In some embodiments, a bearing assembly is disposed within a bearing raceway, which is defined by a bearing channel in the exterior surface of the rotor, a bearing wall in the second end portion of the housing stem, and an interior bearing wall within the interior portion of the bearing cup. In some embodiments, at least portions of the bearing channel, bearing wall, and interior bearing wall are provided with flat engagement faces, which are positioned to engage each of the bearings of the bearing assembly at tour discrete points. 
     An O-ring seal is positioned between the housing stem and the rotor, whereby the passage of fluid from a fluid pathway of the housing stem to the interior portion of the bearing cup is substantially prevented. In some embodiments, the O-ring seal is positioned within an annular recess within one of the rotor or housing stem. In this position, the O-ring seal may be easily replaced in the field by a user. 
     Various embodiments of the spray gun attachment include a grip that at least partially surrounds the gun body and the swivel connector. The grip may be formed from a wide array of materials according to the desired use and durability of the spray gun attachment. The grip is ergonomically shaped to fit within a user&#39;s hand, including a slightly curved spine, which is received within a user&#39;s palm, and recesses that receive the user&#39;s fingers. 
     In various embodiments, the spray gun attachment is provided with a spray tip adapter at the outlet end portion of the gun body. The spray tip adapter may be provided as a separate, removable component mat is secured with the outlet end portion of the gun body. An outlet end portion of the spray tip adapter is configured to receive the input end portion of a spray tip. 
     In other embodiments, the spray gun attachment includes an elongated gun body formed from multiple components. In particular, a connector tube, having an open first end portion and an open second end portion, is provided to extend up the grip portion of the spray gun attachment; the first end portion defining the open inlet end portion of the gun body. A head portion, having an open first end portion and an open second portion, is provided to extend along the “barrel” portion of the spray gun attachment; the second end portion defining the open outlet end portion of the gun body. The second end portion of the connector tube is coupled, with the first end portion of the head portion. 
     In various embodiments of the spray gun attachment, the grip at least partially surrounds the gun body and the swivel connector. In some respects, the grip position provides a degree of security to the point of connection between the gun body and the swivel connector. The grip may be formed from a wide array of materials according to the desired use and durability of the spray gun attachment. While it is contemplated that some materials may permit the grip to be over-molded onto the gun body, some embodiments of the spray gun attachment use a grip that is bifurcated longitudinally into separate grip halves. Mechanical fasteners, such as screws, may be used to secure the opposing grip halves with one another. 
     These and other aspects of the present system and method will be apparent after consideration of the Detailed Description and Figures herein. 
    
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
       Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the present invention, including the preferred embodiment, are described with reference to the following figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views unless otherwise specified. 
         FIG. 1  depicts a side, elevation view of one embodiment of the spray gun attachment of the present technology. 
         FIG. 2  depicts a cutaway view of the spray gun attachment depicted in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  depicts an exploded view of the spray gun attachment depicted in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  depicts a side elevation, cutaway view of another embodiment of the spray gun attachment of the present technology. 
         FIG. 5  depicts a cutaway view of the spray gun attachment depicted in  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 6  depicts an exploded view of the spray gun attachment depleted in  FIG. 4 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments are described more fully below with reference to the accompanying figures, which form a pan 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. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 1-6 , spray gun attachments of the present technology may be used within a wide array of fluid handling systems. It is contemplated that the fluid handling systems may be used in various operations that involve the handling of water, lubricants, adhesives, coolants, solvents, various gases, and other similar fluids. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that, as the application of the system is changed for the handling of different fluids, the materials used, such as the nature and grade of fluid lines used, will change accordingly. However, for purposes of description only, the fluid handling system and the spray gun attachments, more specifically, will be described as it would be used for the handling of water in a residential application. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 1-3 , the spray gun attachment  10  of the present technology will include an elongated gun body  12 , having an open inlet end portion  14  and an open outlet end portion  16 . A fluid pathway extends between the open inlet end portion and the open fluid outlet end portion.  FIGS. 1-3  depict the inlet end portion  14  and the outlet end portion  16  being disposed at an angle with respect to one another so that the gun body  12  is angled to resemble a pistol shape. In this manner, one may envision that the inlet end portion would be positioned within the grip of the pistol and the outlet would be positioned at the end of the barrel of the pistol. It is contemplated that the angle at which the gun body is disposed may be set at nearly any angle (including ho angle to provide a straight gun body), without departing from the scope of the present technology. 
     The gun body  12  may be formed from a wide array of different materials, depending on the intended use and desired durability of the spray gun attachment  10 . For example, metals such as brass, aluminum, steel, and various metal blends will provide strength and durability. However, it is contemplated that various plastics may provide suitable durability and uses in particular applications while reducing overall weight and cost. It is further contemplated that the gun body  12  may be formed from unitary construction or as an assembly of two or more component parts. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , a swivel connector  18  will include a housing stem  20 , having an open first end portion  22  and an open second end portion  24 . An open fluid pathway extends between the first end portion  22  and the second end portion  24 . The swivel connector IS will further include a rotor  26 , having an open first end portion  28  and an open second end portion  30 . An open fluid pathway extends between the first end portion  28  and the second end portion  30 . The second end portion  24  of the housing stem  20  is placed in open fluid communication with the first end portion  28  of the rotor  26 , whereby the open fluid pathway of the rotor  26  is in open fluid communication with the fluid pathway of the housing stem  20 . However, in some embodiments, the second end portion  24  of the housing stem  20  is positioned to reside at least partially within the first end portion  28  of the rotor  26 . In this position, the second end portion  24  of the housing stem  20  and the first end portion  28  of the rotor  26  are positioned so that the rotor  26  freely rotates with respect to the housing stem  20  on a common axis extending through a length of the housing stem  20 . 
     In various embodiments, the swivel connector  18  will include a bearing cup  32 , having an open housing stem end portion  34  and an open rotor end portion  36 . With reference to  FIG. 2 , the housing stem end portion  34  of the bearing cup  32  is coaxially, rotatably coupled with an exterior surface  38  of the housing stem  20  between the first end portion  22  and second end portion  24  of the housing stem  20 . A threaded inner diameter of the rotor end portion  36  of the bearing cup  32  is coupled with a threaded portion  40  of an exterior surface  42  of the rotor  26 , adjacent the first end portion  28  of the rotor  26 , allowing the bearing cup  32  to be advanced and withdrawn along a length of the rotor  26  to a desired position. In some embodiments, an adhesive, such as Threadlocker from Loctite, may be used to secure the position of the rotor end portion  36  of the bearing cup  32  with respect to the threaded portion  40  of exterior surface  42  of the rotor  26 . 
     A bearing assembly  44  is disposed within a bearing raceway  46 . In various embodiments, the bearing raceway  46  is defined by a bearing channel  48  in the exterior surface  38  of the housing stem  20 , a bearing wall  50  in the first end portion  28  of the rotor  26 , and an interior bearing wall  52  within an interior portion  54  of the bearing cup  32 . Specifically, in some embodiments, at least portions of the bearing channel  48 , bearing wall  50 , and interior bearing wall  52  are provided with flat engagement faces. The bearing channel  48 , for example, may be formed to have flat, opposing first and second walls that define a V-shape. Similarly, the bearing wall  50  in the first end portion  28  of the rotor  26  and the interior bearing wall  52  within the interior portion of the bearing cup  32  may be provided as flat faces that oppose one another, generally defining a V-shape that is open toward an open end portion of the bearing channel  48  when the components of the bearing raceway  46  are each positioned in an assembled position. The bearing assembly  44  will include a plurality of bearings  50 , which can be made from several different materials, such as hardened or stainless steel, or a plastic, such as Acetyl. 
     The design of the bearing raceway  46  dictates that the bearings  50  within the bearing raceway  46  need only to provide for axial load and not radial load. Prior swivel connector designs used the bearings within the assembly for both axial and radial loads. The self-centering nature of the housing stem  20 , rotor  26  and the bearing cup  32  supplies the radial load to the swivel connector  18  so that the bearings  50  can fit more loosely within the bearing raceway  46  and not affect the sealing nature of any O-rings disposed within the swivel connector  18 . 
     In various embodiments, an O-ring seal  56  is positioned between the rotor  26  and the exterior surface  38  of the housing stem  20 , whereby the passage of fluid from the fluid pathway of the housing stem  20  to the interior portion  54  of the bearing cup  32  is substantially prevented. In some embodiments, the O-ring seal  56  is positioned within an annular recess  58  formed in an interior surface of the rotor  26 , adjacent the first end portion  28  of the rotor  26 . In this position, the O-ring seal  56  may be easily replaced in the field by a user. The bearing cup  32  is unthreaded from the rotor  26 , which allows the withdrawal of the rotor  26  and exposes the open first end portion  28  of the rotor  26 . The O-ring seal  56  may then be easily inspected and replaced. With a reassembly of the component parts to the swivel connector  18  in reverse order of the disassembly steps, the task of inspecting and replacing the O-ring seal  56  may be accomplished by a user in the field in a couple of minutes or less. 
     In various embodiments, the swivel connector  18  includes an O-ring dust seal  60  that is disposed between the exterior surface  38  of the housing stem  20  and the housing stem end portion  34  of the bearing cup  32 . In some embodiments, the O-ring dust seal  60  is at least partially disposed within an annular recess  62  formed within an interior surface of the bearing cup  32 . A sealing surface of the O-ring dust seal  60  engages the exterior surface  38  of the housing stem  20  as the rotor  26  and bearing cup  32  rotate. The size and material of the O-ring dust seal  60  is chosen to simply provide a sufficient seal to substantially prevent dirt and other debris from entering the interior portion  54  of the bearing cup  32  and coming into contact with the bearing assembly  44 . 
     The second end portion  30  of the rotor  26  may be provided with mating threads  64  to engage mating threads  66  associated with the inlet end portion  34  of the gun body  12 . It is contemplated, however, that the gun body  12  and the swivel connector  18  could be secured together through a friction-fit engagement of the two opposing structures, an adhesive, or one of various mechanical fasteners. Irrespective of the manner in which the opposing structures are secured with one another, the spray gun attachment  12  is secured to, and permitted to rotate with, the rotor  26  with respect to the housing stem  20 . Inlet mating threads  68  or other mechanical fastener features may be associated with an interior portion of the housing stem  20 , adjacent the first end portion  22  of the housing stem  20 . The inlet mating threads  68  may be coupled with a terminal end portion of a fluid supply line  70  that extends from a fluid source, such as a faucet. With a fluid supply line coupled with the first end portion  22  of the housing stem  20 , a user may grasp the spray gun body  12  and freely pivot the spray gun body  12  with respect to the fluid supply line  70 . 
     The spray gun attachment  10  may be provided with one of various known valve mechanisms for metering the flow of fluid through the gun body  12 . Such valve mechanisms may be associated with one or more trigger assemblies that are configured so that a user may engage the trigger assembly and actuate the valve mechanism between an open position, a closed position, and points therebetween. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 1-3 , various embodiments of the spray gun attachment  10  will be provided with a grip  72 . In some embodiments, the grip  72  at least partially surrounds the gun body  12  and the swivel connector  18 . In some respects, the grip position provides a degree of security to the point of connection between the gun body  12  and the swivel connector  18 . The grip  72  may be formed from a wide array of materials according to the desired use and durability of the spray gun attachment  10 . For example, the grip  72  may be formed from various plastic or metal materials. However, one of various natural and synthetic rubber materials, closed and open cell foams, and the like, will provide a grip  72  that is at least semi-deformably resilient and comfortable for users to grip. Such materials may also be over-molded onto the gun body of ease of assembly. Regardless of the materials from which the grip  72  is formed, the grip  72  will be economically shaped to fit within a user&#39;s hand, including a slightly curved spine  74 , which is received within a user&#39;s palm, and recesses  76  that receive the user&#39;s fingers. 
     In various embodiments, the spray gun attachment  10  is provided with a spray tip adapter  78  at the outlet end portion  16  of the gun body  12 . In at least some embodiments, the spray tip adapter  78  is provided as a separate, removable component that is secured with the outlet end portion  16  using mating threads or other suitable mechanical fasteners. The spray tip adapter, in such embodiments, will include an open first end portion  80 , which is adapted to securably engage the output end portion  16 . An open second end portion  82  includes tip mating threads  84  or other mechanical fasteners that are configured to receive the mating threads of a spray tip. In some embodiments, the tip mating threads  84  are provided to have an outer diameter commensurate with “GHT” or the Garden Hose Standard of approximately 1.0625 inches (27.0 mm), which will accommodate the inner diameter of most of the shelf garden hose spray tips and accessories. However, it is contemplated that the second end portion  82  may be provided in nearly any shape and configuration to receive different attachments in a wide array of applications. The removable nature of the spray tip adapter enables the user to replace the spray tip adapter  78  or exchange it for an alternate adapter. However, providing the spray tip adapter  78  as a removable component further provides relatively quick and easy access to the interior portion of the gun body  12 , adjacent the outlet end portion  16 . In this manner, components associated with the spray gun valve may be easily installed or serviced. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 4-6 , the spray gun attachment  110  of the present technology provides a spray gun attachment that is similar to the spray gun attachment  10  but provides alternate structural and/or functional details. For example, the spray gun attachment includes an elongated gun body  112 , having an open inlet end portion  114  and an open outlet end portion  116 . A fluid pathway extends between the open inlet end portion and the open fluid outlet end portion. However, the gun body  112  is formed from multiple components. In particular, a connector tube  186 , having an open first end portion  188  and an open second end portion, is provided to extend up the grip portion of the spray gun attachment  110 ; the first end portion  188  defining the open inlet end portion  114  of the gun body  112 . A head portion  192 , having an open first end portion  194  and an open second portion  196 , is provided to extend along the “barrel” portion of the spray gun attachment  110 ; the second end portion  196  defining the open outlet end portion  116  of the gun body  112 . The second end portion  190  of the connector tube  186  is coupled with the first end portion  194  of the head portion  192 . This connection may be facilitated by opposing mating threads or other mechanical fasteners on the connector tube  186  and the head unit  192 . However, a friction-fit coupling is also contemplated, which may include the use of one or more adhesives to secure and/or seal the connection. In some embodiments, such as in  FIG. 6 , the connector tube  186  and the rotor  26  may be provided as a single component, whether through unitary construction or permanent connection. The resulting rotor  27  has a first end portion  189  similar to the first end portion  28  of rotor  20 . It also includes an elongated second end portion  191  which serves to couple with the head portion  192  in a manner similar to the connector tube  186 . 
     The gun body  112  may be formed from a wide array of different materials, depending on the intended use and desired durability of the spray gun attachment  110 . For example, metals such as brass, aluminum, steel, and various metal blends will provide strength and durability. However, it is contemplated that various plastics may provide suitable durability and uses in particular applications while reducing overall weight as well as materials and manufacturing costs. It is further contemplated that the various components of the gun body  112 , such as the connector tube  186  and head portion  188 , may be formed from dissimilar materials to reduce the cost, weight and manufacturing complexity of either part. 
     The open first end portion  188  of the connector tube  186  is coupled with a swivel connector, such as the swivel connector  18  described more fully above. Specifically, the open first end portion  188  of the connector tube  186  is coupled with the open second end portion  30  of the rotor  26 . This connection may be facilitated by opposing mating threads or other mechanical fasteners on the connector tube  186  and the swivel connector  18 . However, a friction-fit coupling is also contemplated, which may include the use of one or more adhesives to secure and/or seal the connection. Irrespective of the manner in which the opposing structures are secured with one another, the spray gun attachment  110  is secured to, and permitted to rotate with, the housing stem  20  of the swivel connector  18 . Inlet mating threads  68  or other mechanical fastener features may be associated with an interior portion of the housing stem  20 , adjacent the first end portion  22  of the housing stem  20 . The inlet mating threads  68  may be coupled with a terminal end portion of a fluid supply line  70  that extends from a fluid source, such as a faucet. With a fluid supply line coupled with the first end portion  22  of the housing stem  20 , a user may grasp the spray gun body  112  and freely pivot the spray gun body  112  with respect to the fluid supply line  70 . 
     As described above with respect to the spray gun attachment  10 , the spray gun attachment  110  may be provided with one of various known valve mechanisms for metering the How of fluid through the gun body  112 . Such valve mechanisms may be associated with one or more trigger assemblies that are configured so that a user may engage the trigger assembly and actuate the valve mechanism between an open position, a closed position, and points therebetween. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 4-6 , various embodiments of the spray gun attachment  10  will be provided with a grip  172 . In some embodiments, the grip  172  at least partially surrounds the gun body  112  and the swivel connector  18 . In some respects, the grip position provides a degree of security to the point of connection between the gun body  112  and the swivel connector  18 . The grip  172  may be formed from a wide array of materials according to the desired use and durability of the spray gun attachment  10 . For example, the grip  172  may be formed from various plastic or metal materials. However, one of various natural and synthetic rubber materials, closed and open cell foams, and the like, will provide a grip  172  that is at least semi-deformably resilient and comfortable for users to grip. While it is contemplated that such materials could be over-molded onto the gun body  112  for ease of assembly, some embodiments of the spray gun attachment  110  use a grip  172  that is bifurcated, longitudinally into separate grip halves  173  and  175 . The opposing grip halves  173  and  175  have an interior that is specifically formed to receive the components of the gun body  112  and the swivel connector  18 . Mechanical fasteners, such as screws  177 , may be used to secure the opposing grip halves with one another. However, various adhesives may also be used in particular applications where removal of the grip  172  is less desirable. Regardless of the manner in which grip  172  is formed, the grip  172  will be economically shaped to fit within a user&#39;s hand, including a slightly curved spine  174 , which is received within a user&#39;s palm, and recesses  176  that receive the user&#39;s fingers. 
     As described above with respect to the spray gun attachment  10 , the spray gun attachment  110 , in various embodiments, is provided with a spray tip adapter  178  at the outlet end portion  116  of the gun body  112 . In at least some embodiments, the spray tip adapter  178  is provided as a separate, removable component that is secured with the outlet end portion  116  using mating threads or other suitable mechanical fasteners. An open second end portion  82  of the spray tip adapter  178  includes tip mating threads  84  or other mechanical fasteners that are configured to receive the mating threads of a spray tip, such as various off the shelf garden hose spray tips and accessories. However, it is contemplated that the second end portion  82  may be provided in nearly any shape and configuration to receive different attachments in a wide array of applications. 
     Although the spray gun attachments and methods of employing the same have been described in language that is specific to certain structures, materials, and methodological steps, it is to be understood that the invention defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific structures, materials, 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. Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers or expressions, such as those expressing dimensions, physical characteristics, etc. used in the specification (other than the claims) are understood as modified in all instances by the term “approximately.” At the very least, and not as an attempt to limit the application of the doctrine of equivalents to the claims, each numerical parameter recited in the specification or claims which is modified by the term “approximately” should at least be construed in light of the number of recited significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques. Moreover, all ranges disclosed herein are to be understood to encompass and provide support for claims that recite any and all subranges or any and all individual values subsumed therein. For example, a staled range of 1 to 10 should be considered to include and provide support for claims that recite any and all subranges or individual values that are between and/or inclusive of the minimum value of 1 and the maximum value of 10; that is, all subranges beginning with a minimum value of 1 or more and ending with a maximum value of 10 or less (e.g., 5.5 to 10, 2.34 to 3.56, and so forth) or any values from 1 to 10 (e.g., 3, 5.8, 9.9994, and so forth).